Conservative mayoral candidate promises ‘bold ambition’ for North Yorkshire

Keane Duncan believes he has a “bold ambition” for North Yorkshire.

The 29-year-old candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is tasked with securing the position for the Conservative Party on May 2.

Mr Duncan, who is also executive councillor for highways on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret that he believes he has the most political experience for the role.

He added that he felt the mayor was an opportunity to do politics differently.

“I’m standing to shake things up and do things differently. I think we have probably been let down by politics being the same old status quo.

“This is now an opportunity for us to wrestle control from Westminster and to secure our fair share of investment that we deserve.

“It’s a big opportunity and we have one chance to get this right. I’m standing up for all generations, my generation and the next generation.”

Keane Duncan, with Prime Minister RIshi Sunak in Ripon earlier this month.

Keane Duncan, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Ripon earlier this month.

Mr Duncan has set his stall out and made bold pledges during his campaign. They include free car-parking in towns and cities and purchasing the Grand Hotel in Scarborough for regeneration.

The promise to regenerate the hotel is probably the most radical of his plans. Mr Duncan says he has “staked his political fortunes” on the pledge, but believes it is what Scarborough needs from the mayoral role.

He said:

“I have got bold ambition for North Yorkshire. I have got big plans for our county and I think it is right that we are bold and ambitious for the county.

“Scarborough is the third largest settlement in the county and it is the most deprived town. No one can doubt that it deserves investment.

“But this is just one example of my big plans for the county. It is radical and some people think I’m slightly mad, but I think it will be key for transforming Scarborough.”

When pressed on how much the plan would cost, Mr Duncan said he did not want to “compromise discussions” with Britannia, the company which owns the Grand Hotel.

However, he promised to seek negotiations with the firm within the “first few weeks”, if elected mayor.

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Meanwhile, as the senior councillor for highways in North Yorkshire, Mr Duncan is well versed in the trials and tribulations of the transport brief.

Mr Duncan says that part of his plan for mayor would be to invest in road repairs and key infrastructure such as the A64, York Outer Ring Road and A59 Kex Gill.

He also says he is prepared to look at a bus franchising model in North Yorkshire, if there is a “robust financial case”. 

Among his other pledges include full digital connectivity and no mayoral tax for each year that he is in office, if elected mayor.

Not taking it for granted

The race to become the first elected mayor in North Yorkshire is just 10 days away.

When asked if he confident of winning the election, Mr Duncan said he is not taking anything for granted.

He said:

“I have never taken any election for granted. I’m certainly not taking this election for granted. I do not think the outcome is guaranteed.

“I am working very hard, I’m getting out there into every single corner of North Yorkshire. I have embarked on a 100-day, 1,000-stop tour of the county, listening to people in every single community.

“My message is that nowhere is going to be overlooked or forgotten if I’m elected. That message is resonating strongly.”

The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The candidates are:

Police issue CCTV appeals after Harrogate shop thefts

North Yorkshire Police has issued CCTV images for two separate shop thefts in Harrogate.

Police are appealing after a theft involving four women from Next clothes store in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

The incident happened in February and involved four women entering the store with pushchairs.

The force issued a statement today, which said:

“They walked around the shop, piling items of clothing and hiding them on the pushchairs. They left the store without paying for the items, which are estimated to be worth more than £500. Please contact us if you recognise the people pictured on CCTV, as they may have information that will assist our investigation.”

Next CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police

Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk, call 101,  or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. Quote reference 12240022674 when passing on information.

Harrogate Waitrose theft

Police have also issued a separate CCTV image of a woman they would like to speak to after a theft from Waitrose in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Saturday, March 2.

A police statement said the theft involved:

“A woman filling a basket with products worth more than £200, and leaving without paying. Please contact us if you recognise the woman pictured on CCTV, as she may have information that will assist our investigation.”

Waitrose CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police

Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12240038563 when passing on information

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Call for retailers to get involved with Harrogate fashion show

Retailers have been called on to get involved with this year’s Harrogate fashion show.

Harrogate Business Improvement District is once again organising the event with the Stray Ferret as media partner for the second year.

The celebration of fashion will again feature a pop-up catwalk on the piazza outside the Victoria Shopping Centre on May 18.

The catwalk will feature new categories alongside favourites from last year, including wedding dresses, activewear, the summer season and clothing.

Now, Harrogate BID is set to host a meeting on April 24 at 4pm at Starling Cafe to help inform retailers on how they can get involved with the event.

Then, on Wednesday May 1, the team have organised an ‘Open Office’ day to allow those who cannot make the initial meeting to learn more about how they can take part.

The BID is also looking for models and influencers to join to help show off the Harrogate fashion offer and spread the word about the event.

Bethany Allen, business and marketing executive at Harrogate BID, said: 

“We’re really excited to be hosting the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion for a second year running after a really successful event last year.

“The event truly champions Harrogate’s retail offer but also celebrates the hospitality and professional services sector as we saw from last year’s event, with the likes of Nicholls Tyreman and Howdens Insurance taking to the stage.

“It’s a really great event to be part of with a great community feel.”

If you would like to attend the meeting on April 24, register here or contact the BID team on info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

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Police investigate suspected dog poisonings at Harrogate reservoir

North Yorkshire Police is investigating suspected dog poisonings at Lindley Wood Reservoir near Harrogate.

Police are appealing for information following the death of two dogs at the site. The animals died after eating something that is believed to be toxic on a walk at the reservoir between March 31 and April 15.

The Stray Ferret reported on Friday that Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, had urged dog walkers to remain vigilant.

Police are carrying out enquiries and said in a statement released today:

“We were made aware of what happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, April 16.

“If you have any information that can help us with our investigation, please get in touch. We would also like to hear from any other dog owners who believe their dog may have been affected in similar circumstances after visiting the location in recent weeks.”

Last week, dog owners took to social media to report the suspected poisoning. A five-year-old Cockerpoo and a puppy died after being walked at the site.

Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.

They said:

“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”

To provide information to the police email pierre.olesqui@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference number 12240069458.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

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Harrogate NHS dental patients offered places at clinic 10 miles away

A dental clinic in Boston Spa has announced it will take on NHS patients affected by the reduction in NHS service by Pannal Dental Clinic (PDC). 

As the Stray Ferret reported in November, PDC was forced to reduce its NHS contract after being hit with a demand for tens of thousands of pounds from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) that gave it its contract. 

Consequently, it is focusing on prioritising children, leaving its adult patients to choose between staying on with a private dental plan or finding a place on an alternative dentist’s NHS list.

Having recently read the Stray Ferret’s story, 210 Dental Clinic on Boston Spa’s High Street – more than 10 miles away – has said it is willing to take on PDC’s patients. 

William Hamer, practice manager at 210 Dental Clinic, said: 

“Harrogate had a lot of problems recently with practices closing their lists, and NHS patients finding it difficult to be seen.

“Fortunately, we recently had a fourth surgery installed. Our dentist can take care of the more complex procedures, such as dentures, crowns and bridge work, but our dental therapists are fully trained to do examinations, x-rays and even fillings.

“If PDC’s patients are looking to be seen on the NHS, we can offer them that.”

But Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said that people in Pannal “should not be forced to wait five months to be offered an NHS place 10 miles away”. He added:

“It is clear that our NHS dental system is completely broken and it is leading to unacceptable situations such as this.

“With NHS appointments scarce at best and in some places not existing at all, people are being forced to spend hundreds, if not thousands of pounds on private dental care with some even resorting to their own at-home DIY dentistry.”

He was referring to a YouGov survey from March 2023 which found that one in 10 (10%) people had attempted their own dental work. The poll also found that one in five people in the UK (22%) are currently not registered with a dentist, and of these, 37% said this was because they couldn’t find an NHS dentist.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has said that NHS dentistry is facing a “genuine crisis” of access. 

But Andrew Jones MP told the Stray Ferret:

“As I understand it, the delay in securing additional NHS places has been due to protracted negotiations with Pannal Dental Clinic who, according to the Integrated Care Board (ICB), are only reducing their NHS contract temporarily.  It took the clinic and the ICB some time to confirm that arrangement.

“In a letter to me the ICB have said: ‘This temporary reduction in activity has been implemented due to changes to their workforce meaning they are currently unable to meet the previous activity requirements’.

“I hope that the workforce issues at Pannal Dental Clinic, which the ICB tell me are the problem the clinic has identified to them, are resolved soon so that they can resume their full contract.

“It would appear that there is still funding released by Pannal to be reallocated and I have asked the ICB to do their utmost to keep that funding as local as is possible.”

Mr Jones supported the introduction of the government’s dental recovery plan, which was launched in February. Under the plan, dentists are to be offered a bonus to take on more NHS patients, which ministers say will create more than 2.5 million new appointments over the next year.

Dentists will also be offered ‘golden hello’ cash incentives to work in under-served areas, potentially allowing around 1 million new patients access to NHS dental treatment.

But Mr Gordon said:

“For years there have been hundreds of millions of pounds of underspend on NHS dentistry and the Liberal Democrats have back the BDA’s calls to reform the contracts to get this money spent on fixing people’s dental problems.

“Yet this Conservative Government has done next to nothing to tackle this crisis.

He added:

“It is high time that the NHS dental system was reformed and plans brought forward to end this mess, so no matter where you live you know you can get the NHS dental care you need in an emergency.”

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Business Breakfast: New managing partner announced at law firm after 30 years

LCF Law has announced that managing partner Simon Stell, who has led the firm for almost 30 years, is to step down from the role.

The firm has announced that partner and disputes specialist Ragan Montgomery will take the position.

Mr Stell joined LCF Law in 1995, when it was known as Last Cawthra Feather before becoming LCF Law in 2014. He will continue to work with Ms Montgomery to assist with the handover. He will continue with the firm, acting as a mentor.

In her new role, Ms Montgomery will be responsible for overseeing LCF Law’s operations and leading the firm’s client service, growth and development strategies. She has worked at LCF Law since 2003 and is currently operational head of the firm’s Dispute Resolution department.

Ms Montgomery said:

 “After joining the firm 21 years ago as an assistant solicitor, to be appointed managing partner is a huge honour and it’s a challenge that I’m really looking forward to as we strive to build on our enviable reputation in Yorkshire and beyond.

Mr Stell said:

“Over the many years that I have been with LCF Law, there have been lots of changes, but we have always had a firm eye on the future.

“One thing we were certain about was that law would still be a people business and we’ve worked hard to build a great team. I’m proud to remain a part of it in my new role. I very much look forward to supporting Ragan and continuing to be a dedicated contributor to LCF Law’s ongoing success.”

Toy shop opens in Boroughbridge

Coco & Bear Boroughbridge

Coco & Bear, a new toy shop in Boroughbridge has officially opened.

The store sells eco-friendly gifts and sensory items in the former Clairemarie fashion store on Horsefair. The shop is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10-4pm.

Store founder and owner Alyss Jones said:

“I am very excited to have officially opened the doors to my toy shop Coco & Bear. Boroughbridge is a beautiful town, and we are very proud to be a part of such a friendly community. The local support has been amazing. We would love anyone who is passing to pop in and say hello.”

Coco & Bear interior

Creative and digital agency appoint new marketing manager

Josh Dodd, Show & Tell marketing manager.

Yorkshire branding, creative and digital agency, Show + Tell, has announced Josh Dodd as the agency’s marketing manager.

Mr Dodd will be responsible for Show + Tell’s marketing and content strategies, brand development and tactical campaigns.

Previously Mr Dodd was commercial marketing coordinator at CMS Distribution, a supplier of business and consumer technologies.

Charlie Hartley, founder and CEO of Show + Tell said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Josh to the Show + Tell team. His impressive background in B2B marketing and his passion for creativity and innovation make him the perfect fit for this role. It’s a significant hire for us as an agency, and we are confident that Josh will make significant contributions to our marketing efforts and help us achieve our goals for growth and success.”

Mr Dodd said:

“I am thrilled to join the talented team at Show + Tell. The agency’s commitment to creativity, innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with my own values and aspirations, and it’s exciting to be part of an organisation that has just received two industry awards for the Best B2B Website. I’m looking forward to driving impactful marketing initiatives that contribute to the continued success and growth of Show + Tell.”

Harrogate accountants expand firm

Graham and Liz from Wild & Co Chartered Accountants 

Wild & Co Chartered Accountants has expanded its office space in Windsor House over the past two years and doubled the size of its team.

Liz Wild founded the firm in 2009 and now the company has 7 staff and looks after clients in Harrogate, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Halifax and South Yorkshire.

Ms Wild said:

“We set out to fill a gap for businesses that are looking for a proactive accountancy partner to work with them throughout the year and give them greater visibility over their business numbers.Last year we introduced a Growth Hub for clients with a programme of workshops, webinars and news bulletins to support business growth and we regularly share knowledge about new apps and software that streamline management information.”

“Even though digital accountancy is more widespread now than it was when we started out 15 years ago, we are still one of the few firms embracing all the possibilities it offers and keeping clients fully up-to-date on how technology can move them forward. As we continue to expand our own business, we are looking forward to helping our clients to grow theirs too and to enjoy doing so.”

Have some news to share about your business? Send it to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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Harrogate Sugarcrafters win silver with the Great Yorkshire Show display

Harrogate and District Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild have created a 6ft model of the Great Yorkshire Show made entirely from sugar.

The colourful display depicts the Yorkshire’s premier agricultural event. The arrangement was created by the eighteen members of the guild and has taken since January to complete.

The guild showed their creation in the North of England Cake and Decorating show, under the brief ‘Celebrating the Glories of Northern England.’

Their display won silver and is now on show in The Stray Ferret office window, in the centre of Harrogate, for a month.

The sugarcraft display of the Great Yorkshire Show in The Stray Ferret window

The display is all handmade, inedible, and will not melt due to the high sugar content.

Other entries in the competition depicted Blackpool tower, The Angel of the North and Keswick mountain rescue.

There are multiple sugarcraft disciplines on the table including royal icing, flood work, sugar paste coating, marzipan modelling, bas relief, decoupage, gelatine work and cocoa painting.

The guild has existed for 35 years and Lesley Dalton has been chair of the Harrogate branch for more than 25 years.

Ms Dalton said:

“Someone suggested doing the Great Yorkshire Show and we all thought that was brilliant. I am absolutely thrilled with all of the work we’ve done; I am so proud of the girls they have done an amazing job.”

Sugarcraft members, Left to Right: Judy Banks, Lorraine Stewart and Lesley Dalton

The majority of members first began sugarcrafting after making birthday cakes for their families and enjoyed the practice and wanted to improve their skills.

Ms Dalton said:

“The guild isn’t a very good name it makes people think we are extremely experienced. We are always looking for new members, if you enjoy decorating cakes come and join us and you can learn and better your skills. If you like the look of it come and join us.”

The guild meet every month on the second Monday, except August and December, in Harlow community village hall at 7.30 pm.

The Great Yorkshire Show created by the Harrogate and District Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild

Sugarcrafted animals in the Great Yorkshire Show display

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Readers’ Letters: Of course the Lib Dems won the Harrogate by-election – the candidate wore a tie!

Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

This letter followed news of the Liberal Democrats winning the Stray, Woodlands & Hookstone by-election in Harrogate earlier this month.

It is not surprising that the Lib Dems won the local by-election.

Their candidate was the only person dressed smartly, despite being a bit inarticulate when thanking everyone. The shock I suppose.

The Conservative candidate looked very sour. Who would want to vote for someone like that?

Let the lesson be learnt by everyone: dress smartly with a tie if you want to be seen as a good candidate, no matter which party you represent.

Who wants to vote for someone who looks as if they are just going down to the pub?

Valerie Cooke, Harrogate

Could Harrogate’s Conference Centre house spa facilities instead?

This letter responds to uncertainty over the future of Harrogate’s Convention Centre. In an exclusive, the Stray Ferret recently revealed North Yorkshire Council spent £1.9 million on consultants for now-scrapped plans for the site. 

The fate of the conference centre is too important for there to be any discord.

What do you think of the idea of Harrogate having spa facilities based in the conference centre? We were once so important as a spa town.

In 2024 we are losing our way – what are we now? What do we have to offer visitors?

In 1984 I set up Friends of the Valley Gardens to save the Sun Pavilion and Colonnade from being demolished. I knew Geoffrey Smith, James Herriot and David Bellamy and asked them to be presidents, to which they agreed.

We have the Valley Gardens and all it contains, as well as the Royal Hall, the Turkish Baths and the Royal Baths. Could the conference centre be used to house spa facilities, plus hairdressers, beauticians, physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths etc? Essentially, everything to do with wellbeing all under the one roof, with easy parking too.

I am a golfer and walker and have often heard ladies saying it would be nice to have somewhere easy to park to go and be “pampered”. Not forgetting the gentlemen and all their needs.

It could also have a nice tea rooms with staff in uniform. I have lived here 60 years and can remember how genteel Harrogate was. As I said, now what is it?

It has really lost its way with thousands of houses being built – it seems that’s all the “powers that be” can think of.  They may as well hand it over to the developers and just build with no infrastructure.

Please no one give them the idea of turning the conference centre into flats – they would love that.

Anne Smith, Pannal

It’s ‘potluck’ if a Knaresborough bus actually turns up

This letter is in response to a story about North Yorkshire Council accepting £3.5 million of additional funding from the Department of Transport. The money, which is being used to support a one-year pilot scheme, will go towards expanding timetables, £1 bus fares for young people and improvements to bus shelters.

I read with interest your article about money to improve bus services in the Harrogate district, especially about the number 1 service from Harrogate to Knaresborough via Starbeck.

You mentioned buses to Aspin, Carmires and the Pastures, but there was no mention of the 1B to Aldi and Eastfield.

Sadly, since the X1B Connections bus ceased running, it is now potluck if – and when – a bus turns up at the Eastfield stop.

Are there any plans to improve the 1B service?

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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Harrogate blinds and shutters company enters liquidation

A blinds and shutters company near Harrogate has gone into liquidation.

HG – NY Blinds and Shutters Ltd, which was based in a unit on Clint Bank, broke the news in an email on Saturday, April 13.

In the email, seen by the Stray Ferret, the company said the move followed “unforeseen financial difficulties” which meant it is “no longer able to sustain its operations”.

Amanda Simmons, who sent the email, also said:

“As a result, we are in the process of initiating the liquidation procedure. This means that the company will be winding down its affairs and assets to pay off its creditors.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. We want to assure you that we are committed to handling this process with transparency and integrity.

“Sadly, I had to let all staff go at the end of March, without pay, so I am not able to offer any further fitting services.”

The move comes less than two years after the company, which manufactured and installed blinds and shutters, was set up in May 2022.

According to The Gazette, Cleckheaton based liquidators, XL Business Solutions, were appointed on April 3.

The Stray Ferret contacted the liquidators, who said the process is still “ongoing”, but confirmed the company has ceased trading.

The email to customers also said:

“I have asked the supplier if they are willing to allow me to give you their details to arrange for your order to be dispatched directly to yourself.

“I will inform you of their response asap.

“Thank you for your understanding and co-operation as we navigate through this difficult situation. We appreciate your business and hope for your understanding during this time of transition.”

Details of the liquidation, including a list of creditors and debts, have not yet been uploaded to Companies House.

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Photo of the week: blossoms in bloom on the Stray

This week we’ve had a great response from our readers when we requested photographs of the cherry blossom trees in full bloom on the Stray.

Many thanks to Michelle Bray, Matthew Webber, Erica Johnson, Freya Mills, Len Downes, Douglas Young, James Gould and H & A Milsom for their photographs which are featured this week.

Photo of the Week takes centre stage in our new-look nightly email newsletter. The newsletter drops into your inbox every evening at 6pm with all the day’s stories and more. To subscribe, click here.

(Image: Michelle Bray)

(Image: Erica Johnson)

(Image: Freya Mills)

(Image: Len Downes)

(Image: Matthew Webber)

(Image: H & A Milsom)

(Image: Douglas Young)

(Image: James Gauld)

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week. We reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.