Former Ashville pupil to swim English Channel for charity

A former Ashville College pupil will attempt to swim across the English Channel later this month to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.  

The tough physical challenge will involve Richard Boyle swimming 35km in approximately 12 hours on 23rd September. 

The former rugby player will cross from Samphire Hoe, in Dover, to Cap Gris–Nez, near Calais. 

Richard has a fundraising target of £12,000. He has currently raised 89% of this amount.  

Due to the closure of swimming baths during lockdown, Richard has been training in suitable outdoor stretches of water. Recently his hard work paid off when he completed an 18km swim in 6 hours.  

Richard practicing for his big swim

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A few years ago, Richard had to give up rugby following a back injury. Focusing on a new sport has helped him to process this change. 

The former Ashville pupil said: 

“Taking up swimming has helped plug that gap, so I have signed up to swim the English Channel in September, which is one of the toughest open water swims going.”

This was as an opportunity for Richard to raise money for causes close to his heart. With his grandfather suffering from Alzheimer’s, and his godfather from Parkinson’s, he decided to fundraise to support them.

He told the Stray Ferret: 

“Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are two diseases which have touched my family. Both conditions are cruel and unrelenting. They strip those closest to you of characteristics which make them the person you know. I feel passionate about raising money to support them, and in doing so we will raise money to find a cure, help the people living with the illnesses, and also support their family and friends.” 

Parkinson’s UK drives for better care, treatments and quality of life for those living with the disease. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. They both campaign for change, fund research and support people living with dementia today. 

Richard’s fundraising page can be found at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RBchannelswim 

TikTok ferret video goes viral

A video of a stray ferret in a kitchen in Harrogate has gone viral, having attracted 210,000 views on TikTok in two days.

Ashleigh Wilson feared there was a rat in the kitchen when her family returned home from walking the dog on Sunday to hear scratching behind a kick plate.

With the dog going berserk, she armed herself with a broom and set about recording the incident as she slowly removed the plate.

Here’s what happened:

@kidsvsmum

#wtff #help

♬ original sound – user8175306408969

Ms Wilson said:

“I thought it was going to be a rat so I was shocked when it turned out to be a ferret. To have a ferret in my kitchen is about the most Yorkshire thing that could have happened.”

 

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Ms Wilson contacted a ferret welfare organisation, which advised her to temporarily home the rodent in a high sided box containing meat and a blanket.

She did this and posted appeals on social media to find the owner. The posts were shared and shortly afterwards a neighbour a few doors down in the Jennyfields area of Harrogate got in touch to claim the creature.

It is believed the ferret escaped its enclosure, scurried down the road and entered the Wilsons’ home through a back door left open for the dog.

It isn’t the first time Ms Wilson, a cleaner, has discovered a strange creature in a house.

“I once found a frog in a house that I was cleaning,” she said.

Ripon councillor criticises Dawn French following Stray FM’s demise

Independent Ripon Councillor Andrew Williams has called on the actress Dawn French to distance herself from Bauer Media following the demise of Stray FM.

Bauer rebranded Stray FM as Greatest Hits Radio today in a move that has upset many local people.

Ms French has been the voice of Greatest Hits Radio since signing a deal with Bauer in December 2018.

Cllr Williams, who serves on Ripon City Council, wrote to her agent Kate Davie of United Agents saying he thought Ms French “would not wish to be associated with the closures of Stray FM and Minster FM”.

He added:

“Perhaps your client might wish to distance herself from such a travesty. She risks her own reputation being tarnished and damaged.”

Sign outside Stray FM offices

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Cllr Williams claimed the switch from Stray FM to Greatest Hits Radio was a “complete decimation of the local radio stations that have played an integral part within our local communities for decades”.

He said he had emailed Ms French’s agent both as a private resident and as a member of Ripon City Council, which falls within Stray FM broadcast area.

At the time of publication, neither Cllr Williams nor the Stray Ferret had received a response from Ms French or her agent.

In a press release in December 2018, when Ms French was announced as the ‘voice of the station’ Greatest Hits Radio, said:

“Nothing short of a comedy legend, Dawn embodies the station’s brand values and is well known to the UK public for decades of award-winning comedy and acting roles including playing the irrepressible Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley.”

 

 

Schools prepare to reopen doors for new term

Schools across the district are preparing to reopen next week, with new measures including face masks and separating year groups in place as covid restrictions continue.

Among those to have announced the adaptations it will make is Harrogate Grammar School, which will reopen on Monday, September 7 with a number of “significant changes” in place to ensure safety and limit coronavirus outbreaks.

The school has re-organised classrooms and the cafeteria, staggered lunch and finish times and put in place a contingency plan for those needing to self-isolate. Additional cleaning staff have also been hired.

The grammar school will open to staff on September 7 and spread the full reopening for students over the next three days. All year groups will return by September 10.

Neil Renton, headteacher of Harrogate Grammar School, said:

“Work has taken place over the summer period to ensure that school is ready to safely welcome our students back in September. One of the most significant changes that students will experience when they return are the year group groupings. In addition, we have developed a contingency plan for remote education where a class, group or small number of pupils need to self-isolate. This plan draws on all our learning and development during lockdown.

“We very much recognise that children will experience a variety of emotions in response to the coronavirus outbreak such as anxiety, stress or low mood. We will continue to support students through a variety of well-being initiatives, pastoral support and our emphasis on positive relationships.”

Student sitting exam

Students will be spaced out to allow for appropriate distancing between staff and pupils.

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Parents in the district had previously called for further information regarding safety measures within schools ready for the new term to begin.

New government advice says children within “hot spot” areas are to wear face masks in congested areas such as corridors. The current number of cases in Harrogate means this is not expected be put into action in local schools next week.

MPs watch – Porsches, refugees and £3,000 an hour jobs

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

MPs were not in Parliament in August due to the summer recess. They return on September 2.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response from any of them at the time of publication.

So here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough here is what we found on Mr Jones:

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Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Nigel Adams, MP For Selby and Ainsty

In rural south Harrogate here is what we found on Mr Adams.

Discount scheme extended in district restaurants

As the Eat Out To Help Out scheme comes to an end today, its success has led some local restaurants to extend it at their own expense.

The scheme has allowed restaurants and cafes to boost their profits after being forced to close during lockdown.

Restaurants in the district extending the scheme include:

Customers should contact the restaurant regarding the offer prior to booking.

Simon Wade, owner of The Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge, said:

“It’s been phenomenal – it’s been like having a six-day weekend. We’ve had to bring in new suppliers as many just didn’t realise it would be this busy.

“In terms of money, we lost £250,000 of turnover during lockdown. The scheme has drastically increased our turnover but we have had to employ more staff.

“We are introducing our own scheme – I just think we can’t not piggy back on the back of something so successful. We know everyone loves a bargain and I am pleased to offer it.”

Interior of The West Park Hotel, Harrogate

Both restaurants are extending the scheme in order to capitalise the surge in bookings it has encouraged.

The owner of The Empress on the Stray, Sharon Colgan, said:

“Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday throughout August have been a real success changing people’s perspective on early-week dining. We are hopeful it will continue through September and we will look at possibly extending until the end of the year if it continues to be a success.”

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The West Park Hotel is extending the scheme in celebration of its owner Provenance’s 10th anniversary.

Anthony Blundell, assistant general manager, said:

“It has gone incredibly well – it’s been like having Saturdays at the beginning of the week. Lunch and dinners have been much busier, we’ve had to take on more staff to cover demand.

“We’ve had a lot of people who may not have come before the scheme. We saw a high increase in sales, 120 at night and 60 to 80 diners for lunch, whereas before it was around 20. We lost three months of sales and had renovations so it’s good to start paying that back.

“Extending the discount is a great thing and it gives people who missed out the chance to give it a go.”

Harrogate Rotary virtually climb Everest for charity

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary club is climbing to the peak of Everest, virtually, to raise money for its Covid Relief Fund.

To succeed members have to walk over 1,500 miles and climb 1,000,000 feet.

Over the past few weeks, members have been banking their miles by trekking across Yorkshire Dales, climbing up the steps to Knaresborough Castle or even in a high-rise apartment.

Twenty members have accumulated enough miles to reach Everest base camp. Now, all are working hard towards the President’s final assault to the peak.

The target is £5000 and most of the money raised will go to support two organisations. Carers’ Resource and Wellspring offer a variety of services to help people and communities suffering from the fall-out from Covid.

President of the club, David Hayes, said:

“The Covid pandemic has greatly increased the needs of many in our community. At the start of lockdown Harrogate Brigantes established a Covid Relief Fund to direct money to the most needy people and causes. To raise money for this we have had to think of innovative initiatives. The biggest so far is our virtual expedition to conquer Everest and get me to the top.

This is a great challenge as we’re all past our prime and are having to do a great deal of hill walking and stair climbing to get near the miles along and feet up we need. But I’m looking forward to the final assault.”

Harrogate rotary president, David Hayes.

The rotary President stands on the peak of “Everest” – ahead of the final assault.

The President is expected to reach the peak over the next couple of weeks.

The Covid Relief Fund has been used to support a wide variety of local charities, projects and causes. Including supply of PPE to local health workers and care homes, afternoon teas for isolated older people, baking packs for young carers.

As lockdown has eased, the focus has changed to helping local charities dealing with the longer term issues such as mental health.

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The club has already raised £2500 in sponsorships. To donate to the cause, you can click here.

Karen takes to her bike after Ripley Pigfest cancellation

After setting up in the face of a crisis 20 years ago, Ripley Scarecrow Pigfest has been cancelled this year – because of the pandemic.

The event was due to celebrate its 20th anniversary with plans to stage the biggest and best festival to date.

It was launched in 2001 to attract people back to the village and wider countryside in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis. Now, in an ironic twist, another crisis means it will not go ahead this year.

Organiser Karen Evans, who lives near Ripon, came up with the idea for a scarecrow hunt, featuring pig-headed characters with imaginative names given by their creators.

For consistency of look she has, in the previous 19 years, made the papier mache heads for each Pigfest character – providing a subtle nod to Ripley’s boar’s head emblem.

Karen told the Stray Ferret:

“Unfortunately, we have become victims of our own success and couldn’t risk public safety, with hundreds of people in the confined space of the village.”

Photograph of Pigfest character Boarglar Bill

Boarglar Bill, one of the imaginatively-named characters who has featured at Ripley Scarecrow Pigfest

It has also brought another financial setback for the All Saints’ Church fabric fund which, over the years, has benefitted from donations of thousands of pounds raised through the entry fee for participants.

Karen, who is a warden at the Ripley church, pointed out:

“Combined with the fact that we have not been able to have the Wednesday cafe at All Saints’ open this summer, we have seen a loss of revenue totalling around £11,000.”

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Rather than bemoan the losses, she decided to literally get on her bike to provide another means of raising money, both for the church and the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate Hospital, which is dear to her heart, having been treated there herself.

Between September 21 and 24, Karen and friend Judith Nickols will do a 137-mile sponsored cycle ride starting from Whitehaven on the west coast and finishing in Tynemouth on the east coast.

Both are keen cyclists and are training hard in readiness for the challenging and hilly coast to coast course.

Anybody wanting to sponsor Karen can find further details about her fundraising for All Saints’ Church Ripley and The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre on her justgiving page.

Strayside Sunday: Whatever happened to the Nolan Principles?

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

Am I alone is reaching a state of desperation about the current state of our politics? Specifically, politicians who refuse blithely to accept accountability for the decisions and actions of their department and instead sacrifice the careers of civil servants tasked with implementing the policies born from politicians themselves.  Politicians who say or do, either that or what, which would have been indefensible just a few short years ago.  Politicians who seek visibility but hide when they become visible for the wrong reasons.  Politicians who do not measure up to standards set by Anthony Nolan’s “Seven Principles of Public Life.”

This week, two long-serving and, as far as we know, previously high achieving public servant lifers – Sally Collier, Chief Executive of Ofqual, the exams regulator, and Jonathan Slater, permanent secretary at the Department of Education – both lost their jobs in the aftermath of the exam grades fiasco.  The imposition of an untested grading algorithm on a cohort of lesson-hungry students stuck at home because of covid lockdown regulations was never going to end well.  But the decision to proceed with the dreaded algorithm was policy, which is always the result of a political decision and a political direction.  In short, the decision to proceed was made by some combination of the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, “Gav” as his aides call him – it seems to fit somehow – and the School’s Standards Minister Nick Gibb.  They both remain firmly in post, backed by Prime Minister BoJo for reasons surely passing understanding, while Ms Collier and Mr. Slater are dispatched to spend more time with their pensions.

Gone are the days, much lamented, when politicians resigned their posts as a matter of honour if they presided over a total horlicks in their department, or if they dropped a clanger that affected the public’s confidence – think Edwina Currie, a dozen eggs and salmonella, John Gummer stuffing burgers in his young daughter’s mouth during the Mad Cow crisis, or even Lord Lambton, caught smoking a joint in bed with a prostitute, filmed by a secret camera hidden in a Teddy Bear.  For reasons of competence, confidence or perception they all had to go.  And, looking back at them now, their crimes seem comically small when compared with the chaos precipitated by Mr. Williamson in England and (let’s not let the SNP off the hook) by John Swinney north of the border.  In 2002, Labour Education Secretary Estelle Morris resigned because “I judge my performance as not quite good enough.”  Such candour and humility feels quaintly out of step with the shameless norms of today’s politics.  But it shouldn’t be.

And at what point does the responsibility that comes with election to public office end?  Can a politician ever be considered “off duty” in respect of what they say and what they do?  I do believe politicians are entitled to a private life – their families, loves and lives outside politics should be of no interest to the public and, in my opinion, strictly “off limits” to the press.  However, assuming public office ought to bring with it the requirement of certain, higher standards of behaviour.  For example, racism, hate speech and sexism are never ok, in any circumstance.  Ergo, politicians of any party, elected to any office, can’t be afforded the luxury of drawing their own lines of distinction between the public and private realms of discourse when discussing these topics.  Whether they like it or not, in today’s hyper-connected ‘internet of things’ social media obsessed world, they are “always on.”

I’ve written in this column before about the case of Darley Parish Councillor Ernest Butler, whose unreconstructed personal views on immigration created a froideur (think tumbleweed…) among Harrogate’s chattering classes.  I won’t rehash the specifics, save to mention that his views were nonetheless deemed to fall outside the purview of the local Councillors code of conduct.  Which is to say that no means exists to make the public servant  man accountable for the unacceptable private views he expresses.  Saying you have no charter to punish the culprit simply becomes the means to inaction.  It seems to me that the answer is a radical overhaul of the code of conduct, this to recognise the contemporary realities of public life, conducted as it is, in full and transparent view for all to see and hear.

The issue here is that modern politics is as much about perception as it is about reality.  I wish this were not so but it’s not my call, nor is it the call of politicians, drawn to publicity, like moth to flame.  Our own Andrew Jones MP had a great photo op when, in December 2018, he visited Porsche specialist second-hand car dealer Gmund Cars Ltd and hailed “an amazing business.”  What he did not know is that six Porsche owners who talked to the Stray Ferret and who had placed their cars with Gmund for sale

allege that their vehicle’s ownership had been transferred without permission and did not receive a penny for the sale of cars worth over fifty grand apiece.  Gmund went into administration 6 months later in July 2019, with more than £1 million worth of cars missing.  A police investigation followed.  An “amazing” business indeed.

In his photo op, Mr Jones was pictured standing next to Gmund owner Andrew Mearns and his wife Samantha, a significant Gmund shareholder and company secretary until December 2018. Mrs Mearns is a Harrogate Borough Councillor and a case worker in Mr. Jones’ constituency office.  Not quite a Lord Lambton moment, but none too reassuring.  Councillor Mearns has made it clear she has not been questioned by the police.  Andrew Jones has kept his counsel, neither supporting publicly his Conservative colleague and office employee, nor commenting on the alleged irregularities in Gmund Cars Ltd. He does, however, have an irate constituent or two, each light to the tune both of tens of thousands of pounds and their cherished Porsche motor cars.

 

However we look at all of this, it makes a mockery of The Nolan Principles, to which public office holders are meant to adhere.  For the record the seven principles of public life are Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.  Whether in Westminster or Knapping Mount, these standards seem absent lately; to the point of depressing irrelevance.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

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Tea shop plans for former tanning salon in Bilton

Bilton will soon get a new tea shop, replacing T C Tanning Centre which closed in February.

The former tanning salon on the corner of Bilton Lane and King Edwards Drive is set to re-emerge as a tea shop after Harrogate Borough Council this week gave the green light to a change of use application.

The cafe will create three full-time jobs and will be open from 8am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

According to the planning application, the tea shop will provide the local community with “a place to meet in a warm, inviting and modern setting”.

The owners said the cafe will serve drinks and light snacks but will have no on-site cooking.

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