Harrogate Thalidomide campaigner pays tribute to Sir Harold Evans

A leading Thalidomide campaigner from Harrogate has paid tribute to Sir Harold Evans, the newspaper editor who championed the cause of the drug’s victims in the early 1970s.

Sir Harold – known as Harry – a former editor of the Northern Echo and the youngest editor of the Sunday Times, has died at the age of 92.

He was instrumental in exposing the Thalidomide scandal, which saw thousands of babies in the UK born with severe disabilities after their mothers were given the drug to cure morning sickness.

Thalidomide victim Guy Tweedy, who lives in Harrogate, became a good friend of Sir Harold, and last saw him at his New York club in July 2019. He said:

“I am very sadden by the news of the passing of my dear friend.

“He was an icon. The world’s greatest journalist, and Harry was, and will always remain, a hero of Thalidomiders worldwide.

“What he did for Thalidomide survivors and their families in the UK was enormous. He trod where no one else did. If it wasn’t for him fighting against the establishment, and having the courage to expose this horrendous scandal, we would never have got any justice at all.

“We owe him a huge debt of gratitude that sadly we will never be able to repay. I hold him up in complete veneration and consider him one of the greatest men of all time. My thoughts are with his wife, Tina, and his family at this very sad time.

“I lit a candle to his memory, which is standing in front of a portrait that I had commissioned of him a few years ago. God bless you, Sir Harry.”

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Weekend of free events as Harrogate literature festival goes online

Some of the biggest names in literature, politics and broadcasting will be streamed directly into people’s homes thanks to the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

Usually held in the town in October, the event has moved online this year and will see interviews with Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine, Rory Bremner, Jess Phillips MP and more.

From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 17 events will be held online – all free for the public to attend. Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said

“2020 has been a journey of discovery and adventure, a theme that trails through our programme. For Harrogate International Festivals, reinvention has come out of necessity to ensure survival of our arts charity and to continue in our mission to bring the very best of our events to audiences.

“Whilst there is no denying that this is a hugely challenging time for the Festival, and for artists, through our exciting digital weekend of events, bottling a taste of our usual Festival, we support authors, creators and suppliers and bring them together with audiences as community in a celebration of literature. For we have never needed stories that explore what it means to be human, more than we do now.”

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Among the novelists taking part are Bernard Cornwell, Lee Child, Ken Follett and Natalie Haynes. Former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and bestselling author Ariana Neumann will share their memoirs, while Hugo Vickers discusses the story of Gladys Deacon, Duchess of Marlborough.

David Lammy MP, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and Loyd Grossman are also included in the line-up.

Raworths managing partner Zoe Robinson said:

“The content and delivery may have gone digital, but the inspiration that literature brings will continue to shine through.

“We are once again delighted to be partnering with Harrogate International Festivals and sponsoring the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival – established as one of the leading literature festivals in the UK.”

The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival will be streamed through the Harrogate International Festivals website.

Four arrested after stolen car driven at speed in Ripon

Police are appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen and driven at speed around Ripon.

The silver Ford Galaxy, registration MK11 LHD, was taken from Kirkby Road at around 10.25am on Tuesday morning.

It was seen being driven at speed out of Kirkby Drive, spun around in the middle of the road, and making off in the direction of the city centre.

Four men and teenagers, aged between 13 and 20, have been arrested and released under investigation while enquiries continue. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, they would like to hear from anyone who saw a silver Ford Galaxy being driven at speed and erratically in the Ripon area between 10.25am and 11am that day. They would also like to hear from anyone who saw a group of young people running away from the Thirlway Drive and College Road area towards the town centre.”

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Anyone with information, or CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell camera footage, should email deborag.utley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Deborah Utley.

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200166679.

Seven new covid cases in Harrogate district

A further seven new covid cases have been diagnosed in the Harrogate district in the last 24 hours.

The figures, produced by Public Health England, take the total number of confirmed cases in the district since the start of the pandemic to 933.

However, residents across the Harrogate district have reported difficulty in accessing testing, even when they have symptoms. A mobile testing unit visits Harrogate’s Dragon Road car park twice a week.

The latest figures come amid a picture of a growing number of cases across the country, as the government prepares to introduce further restrictions in an attempt to reduce the spread.

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Last week, North Yorkshire declared a major incident amid an increase in cases in the county. Selby and Scarborough districts have also been listed as “areas of concern” by the government.

However, Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any deaths in patients with covid since July 19.

Police release suspects after town centre altercation

Police arrested three people after reports of an altercation involving a group of teenagers in central Harrogate last night.

Officers were called to Montpellier Parade at 7.40pm on Monday, with several vehicles rushing to the scene.

A witness told the Stray Ferret that officers pulled over and made arrests on Beech Grove, near its junction with West Park.

Police arrested three suspects on Beech Grove then released them all

Officers stopped on Beech Grove to deal with reports of an altercation involving a group of teenagers

However, after making enquiries at the scene, police released all three suspects. North Yorkshire Police said this morning that enquiries into the incident are continuing.

Information can be reported to the force by calling 101 and using reference 12200166372.

CCTV appeal after car stolen in Harrogate burglary

Burglars stole a car from outside a house on Stonebeck Avenue after breaking in and taking the keys in the early hours of Sunday.

It happened between 1.30am and 2.30am, and the car was found abandoned with damage the following day.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Officers are appealing to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious people or vehicles in the area on Saturday night or Sunday morning, and in particular are appealing to any residents who have CCTV or smart doorbells that might have captured the suspects on camera.”

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 1010. select option two, and ask for Mark Nursey, or email mark.nursey@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote North Yorkshire Police reference 12200165204.

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Rotary climbers achieve Everest challenge in Yorkshire

The president of Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club has reached the summit of Everest – without leaving Yorkshire.

David Hayes and 20 members of the group have been covering the equivalent distance of Everest since late August.

They covered 3,900 miles and climbed 106,000 feet – which they calculated to be the Yorkshire equivalent trekking 1,525 miles and 1,056m feet to Everest’s summit.

Among those taking part was Graham Chilvers, who completed his distance and height quota by walking up and down the steps at Knaresborough Castle each day with his dog, Jet. Four Rotarians climbed Yorkshire’s highest peak, Whernside, on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year, while Tony Doveston went up and down the stairs of the high-rise building where he lives.

Tony Doveston takes part in the Brigantes Rotary Club challenge

Tony Doveston contributed to the Everest challenge by climbing the stairs in his high-rise apartment building

Guy Wilson trekked up and down the hill behind his house, David Russell and John Benedict cycled, while others rowed, used a step machine, and walked around the Stray in Harrogate. One hardy participant even contributed to the total distance as he recovered from knee replacement surgery.

On reaching the ‘summit’, Mr Hayes said:

“I am only standing here because of the enormous efforts of club members over the last few weeks.

“Daily they have walked, climbed, cycled and rowed to build up the real distance and height that were needed to get me here. They’re all in their 70s but they’ve put their bodies through a gruelling regime to get us to our goal.”

The fundraising total so far stands at £3,500, with donations still coming in. The money will be split between the Brigantes’ Covid Relief Fund, mental health charity Wellspring, and Carers’ Resource.

A blog of updates on the expedition can be found on the Brigantes’ website.

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BID prepares to brighten Harrogate with new Christmas lights

Brighter, better and more extensive than ever: that’s the promise from the organisation now responsible for Harrogate’s Christmas lights.

Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) will be organising the displays for the first time this year and has appointed Gala Lights to make the town shine brighter than ever during the festive season.

Although the traditional Big Switch-On will not be possible, retailers and restaurants will be hoping the new and improved displays will draw people in to the town centre. The BID is hoping an online switch-on, taking place on Saturday, November 14, will help members of the community to get involved, as well as supporting local businesses.

Harrogate BID acting chair Sara Ferguson said:

“For a number of years, Harrogate’s annual Christmas lights have been funded by donations from local businesses and individuals, match-funded by Harrogate Borough Council.

“The appeal was launched on Stray FM and raised tens of thousands of pounds each and every year, with the switch-on taking place live on radio with stars from Harrogate Pantomime playing leading roles.

“Whilst none of that will be happening this year for obvious reasons, Harrogate’s Christmas lights will shine brighter than ever and be a reason for people to come into town during the festive season to shop, eat and drink.”

Custom made

The lights will be switched on in mid-November and will be strung between buildings, wrapped around lampposts and housed in trees, including those in front of the war memorial at the top of Parliament Street.

There will also be an illuminated, programmable and multi-coloured tunnel on the piazza in front of Victoria Shopping Centre, controllable via an app. Ms Ferguson added:

“Following a competitive pitch, we have chosen Gala Lights as our partner of the next four years. They are Christmas lighting specialists and work with towns, cities and BIDs throughout the UK. And for the first time in many years the lights are being custom-made for us.

“We are also looking at a lights switch on, but this won’t be a physical countdown in the town centre, but an online one involving local businesses and, hopefully, a big name or two.”

Gala Lights managing director Christopher Stille said:

“We are proud to be creating bespoke new Christmas lights for Harrogate town centre and we hope the new scheme will be well received by residents and visitors alike.”

Harrogate BID has recently expanded its team with the appointment of a ‘host’ to liaise with businesses and local authorities, and a project co-ordinator to support interim manager Simon Kent. It is funded through a levy on business rates applied to all businesses in the town centre over a set rateable value.

Crown court trial awaits man arrested for supplying heroin in Harrogate

A man has been sent for trial at crown court after being charged with supplying heroin and possessing criminal property in Harrogate.

Stopped on Montpellier Hill in the town centre yesterday afternoon, the 45-year-old was charged in the early hours of today and appeared at York Magistrates’ Court this morning.

He will be sent for trial on a date to be confirmed. As well as supplying heroin, he is charged with possession of cash suspected to have been obtained through drug dealing.

Meanwhile, three other men – two aged 45 and one aged 37 – were arrested on Montpellier Hill on Wednesday as part of North Yorkshire Police’s work on county lines drug dealing under Operation Expedite.

Officers also seized 30 wraps of suspected heroin, £600 cash and a number of mobile phones and scales in the region as part of the investigation. The three men have been released while investigations continue.

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Hotel closes after staff test positive for coronavirus

A hotel on the outskirts of Harrogate has closed its doors after two members of staff tested positive for covid-19.

Nidd Hall Hotel, which sits between Ripley and Brearton, closed on Tuesday afternoon and sent its guests home.

Mark Middleton, from Stafford, was staying at the hotel with his partner when he was told they would have to leave. Although he praised the staff for the way they handled it and the help they offered, Mr Middleton said after leaving the hotel he had been unable to get confirmation of whether anyone had received a positive test result.

He said:

“We both work and need to get in touch with our employer to see if we need to be tested or self isolate.”

The hotel has confirmed to the Stray Ferret that two members of staff received positive test results. It said all guests were offered the opportunity to re-book or receive a refund.

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A spokesperson for Nidd Hall Hotel said:

“We have chosen to temporarily close the hotel after two team members tested positive for covid-19. This is a proactive and precautionary measure, with health regulators confirming the hotel could continue operation due to our extensive protocols covering hygiene, social distancing and PPE.

“No guests are currently at the hotel and we are scheduled to reopen during the course of next week. The majority of guests who were due to visit in the coming days have rebooked to stay at other Warner Leisure Hotels or have chosen alternative dates to visit Nidd Hall, while a small number have opted to receive a full refund in line with Warner Leisure Hotels’ Coronavirus Guarantee policy.

“Warner Leisure Hotels operates to highest standards in reducing risk from covid-19 to ensure our guests feel safe and secure and have the confidence to enjoy their stay at all times.”