Stained glass artist a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’

While it is nice to look at the world through rose coloured glasses it is even better to look through a unique piece of stained glass. It is painstaking work in more than one sense of the word but this Harrogate artist loves what she does.

Caryl Hallett Stained Glass, which is tucked away just off Starbeck’s high street in Spa Studios, has always used traditional methods but she uses them to create bright, colourful and contemporary pieces.

It takes many hours, lots of artistic flare and even more plasters to cover up cuts to get the finished result. Her work normally goes into homes but her ode to the Tour de France is an eyecatching feature on Montpellier Hill for all to see.

She loves to create stained glass but as a former teacher Caryl wants to spend more time helping others to learn this lost art. Coronavirus has of course curtailed her classes but she is keen to bring them back at the end of June.

But coronavirus has also meant that as people spend more time at home they want to make some improvements and many have turned to Caryl. She currently has a backlog as a result of closing in the first lockdown and increased demand.

Read more:

Caryl was one of the first artists in the Spa Studios hub on Spa Lane, Starbeck. The hub aims to offer an affordable space for small businesses to help give them a boost and a space to collaborate. She told the Stray Ferret:

“Often in partnerships or couples there will be one who is really keen to have it because they have seen my work but they mention it to their partner who immediately thinks ‘boring, dull, dark’.

“So we have a a chat and I send them over some examples then they come over to the studio and they realise it is an added jewel to the house.

“I tend to do bespoke work for people who want something beautiful in their home.

“It is the kind of craft that just engages you and never leaves you alone. People find it tricky but they love what they produce.

“So many people come and it feels like therapy because they are so involved in the process. It can be exhausting but they enjoy working with their hands. It is sad that I have not been able to do that so I am looking forward to that.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

District breweries ready to deliver as bars reopen

Breweries across the Harrogate district are revving up their supply chains for bars and restaurants ahead of the reopening on Monday.

The closure of hospitality meant many local brewers moved their focus towards online sales and targeted people enjoying a drink or two in their gardens during lockdown.

But from Monday, large orders are set to ramp up once again as restaurant bookings soar to satisfy eager customers.

Aron McMahon, co-owner of Turning Point Brewery in Knaresborough, was “amazed” after orders returned to pre-covid numbers. He said:

“We’ve definitely had an upturn in orders for kegs and casks, which is great. It’s just great to be brewing casks again after not doing it for so long.

“Over lockdown we were delivering kegs and casks every couple of weeks but now with the reopening it’s much more frequent. It’s amazing – orders for next week look like they did pre-covid.”

The rise in orders also means the business can look ahead to bringing staff back to full-time hours.

Currently most of them are on flexi-furlough, but Mr McMahon is hopeful that if the roadmap stays on track, all employees will be back to full-time hours by the end of the year.

Read more:

Similarly, in Harrogate, Roosters Brewery has also seen a rise in orders due to the reopening.

Ian Fozard, director at the brewery, said:

“We’ve had nothing substantial, but orders are coming in and we are very encouraged by what we have seen so far. It’s definitely a step forward.

“We are expecting more orders in the coming weeks, but we won’t know the extent of the damage to some businesses just yet.”

Bars not allowed to use Stray land for outdoor dining

Harrogate Borough Council has told three bars that they cannot use Stray land for outdoor dining when they reopen next week.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the space outside their businesses from April 12.

All had approached the council when the Government released its roadmap out of lockdown. But the council has told them that it will not be possible.

Read more:

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro, told the Stray Ferret:

“For us it was about making the most of the good weather so we do not take as much of a hit when we get some bad weather.

“We will still be able to reopen with room for around 40 to 50 people outside, but it is just a bonkers decision.

“The reason the council gave was that the Stray should be open for everyone to enjoy it.

“But I have never seen anyone use the space outside, people would enjoy it if they could and eat and drink there.”

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) approved the use of tables and chairs on Stray land last summer.

Kirsty Stewart, business development manager at HBC, sent the following in reply to Mr Dresser’s request:

“Thank you for your email below requesting to use the public grass area at Promenade Square for your business from 12 April until 17 May.

“This is something the council is not licensing this year, which means that all the available space is accessible for all members of the public to enjoy.”

A council spokesman added:

“As custodians of the Stray, we encourage all visitors to use it responsibly and enjoy the wonderful public space it provides.

“However, after feedback from land owners – the Duchy of Lancaster – it has been decided that it wouldn’t be appropriate at this stage to grant licences to select number of individual businesses that could potentially inhibit the open access and enjoyment for all.”

Demolition starts as former Harrogate college makes way for flats

Demolition work has started at a former Harrogate college, which will make way for eight apartments in the St George’s area of town.

The late Victorian building on The Oval was home to Harrogate Tutorial College between 1981 and 2004.

Since it closed it has fallen into a state of disrepair and has also been subject to vandalism. But diggers moved in today and made quick work of the site.

After a number of applications and appeals, including to the planning inspectorate, Harrogate Borough Council approved developers Oakdale Estates’ plans for the building in 2019.

The plans

Harrogate Borough Council refused the original application to build flats on the site on the basis that it was a non-designated heritage asset in a conservation area.

The amended, approved planning application was for a five-storey building similar in structure and design to the former tutorial college.

Harrogate Tutorial College in 2012. Photo: Google

Plans for the development said conversion of the old site would result in a less energy efficient building than a full replacement.

Harrogate Tutorial College specialised in preparing students for university and was particularly popular with oversees students hoping to get into a UK university. Keith Pollard was the headmaster.

Read more:

Transport leader Don Mackenzie to step down next year

Harrogate Conservative county councillor Don Mackenzie has said he will not stand for re-election in 2022.

Cllr Mackenzie has represented the Saltergate ward in Jennyfields on North Yorkshire County Council since 2009.

He is also NYCC’s executive member for access, which includes responsibility for transport.

He has been the council’s public face for numerous high profile transport proposals in recent years, including the £60 million Kex Gill re-route, the controversial Nidd Gorge relief road that was rejected, the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood and the Station Gateway.

County council elections were due to take place in May this year but have been delayed until May 2022 because of local government reorganisation.

Cllr Mackenzie will be aged 72 by then and told the Stray Ferret that it would be “the right time to call it a day”.

He added:

“I shall look forward to some time to myself. But there’s a lot to do between now and then and I’m not thinking about my pipe and slippers just yet.”

Read more

Cllr Mackenzie has sent leaflets to residents in his ward informing them of his intention to step down.

He first won a seat on North Yorkshire County Council in 2009 when he took Saltergate from the Liberal Democrats.

He was also elected to represent Harlow Moor on Harrogate Borough Council in 2006 and spent time as the borough council leader in 2011/12. He stepped down as a borough councillor in 2018.

Prior to being a councillor, he had a career in business for the Harrogate-based industrial firm MMP.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Friday. It’s Leah here with you this morning bringing your road and rail updates every 15 minutes.

These live blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, aim to keep the Harrogate district moving.

A number of temporary traffic lights are in place across the district today, due to roadworks, so be aware of slight delays.

Keep us posted on social media and via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me today. I will be back with you on Monday from 6.30am with updates every 15 minutes. Have a lovely weekend!

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8:45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8:30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8:15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7:45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7:30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7:15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in both the Harrogate and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate council: zero fines for littering or dog fouling in 12 months

Harrogate Borough Council has revealed it hasn’t issued any fines in the last year to people who drop litter or allow their dogs to foul in public.

The two issues have been hot topics recently.

The Stray has been a litter hotspot over the past year with takeaway boxes, leftover food, beer bottles and cans frequently discarded.

The Pinewoods Conservation Group has also highlighted on social media the problem of empty plastic bottles and other waste being left in the woodland.

Meanwhile, people have complained about an increase in dog owners leaving poo bags tied to trees, dumped in bushes or even thrown into private gardens.

Pateley Bridge Town Council is due to consider on Tuesday what action it can take against dog fouling at the play area.

A spokesperson from Pinewoods Conservation Group said:

“Litter has always been a major issue for us but seems to have worsened over the last 12 months.

“We often report specific areas of concern to the council but also have a number of volunteers who continue to work hard collecting litter from within and around The Pinewoods.

“Seeing large number dog waste left in plastic bags is specifically disappointing but a regular sight along the main footpaths. We would certainly encourage more enforcement of the rules with fines being applied where necessary. Without this it is difficult to see the situation improving.”

The council can issue fixed penalty notices of £100 for littering and up to £80 for dog fouling.

But a council spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret littering and dog fouling were “not a major problem” in the district.

Read more:

Yorkshire Live reported last week that Harrogate Borough Council was one of two councils in North Yorkshire that had not issued any fines for littering in two years.

A council spokeswoman said:

“The fact we’ve not issued any fines in the last 12 months is because littering and dog fouling is not a major problem and we have dedicated teams of people who keep the Harrogate district clean and tidy.

“Dedicating officers to deal with this issue is very resource intensive, and requires us having people in the right place at the right time to catch someone committing an offence within the 505 square miles of the district.

“We are very fortunate that the vast majority of people who live here or come to visit take considerable pride in the appearance of the area. Because of this they do the right thing and pick up after their dog, don’t drop litter and dispose of their waste responsibly.”

Harrogate district restaurants already fully booked ahead of reopening

There has been a rush to book tables at restaurants in the Harrogate district ahead of re-opening on Monday.

Restaurants can open their doors to eager customers as long as they have distanced outdoor seating.

Bookings have been overwhelming, with some places saying it’s busier than it was after previous lockdowns.

After months away restauranteurs and staff are eager to get back to work, even if the circumstances are a little different.

Chris Richardson, operations manager at Six Poor Folk in Knaresborough, said:

“We have almost full capacity on Monday which obviously filters down through the week but we’re pretty much fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After that, the bookings are similar every week throughout April and we just cannot wait to get back to it.”

Grantham Arms Boroughbridge

Grantham Arms is preparing to reopen with space for 90 people to sit outdoors.

A similar number of bookings has been seen across the district.

Simon Wade, owner of the Grantham Arms and Fox and Hounds in Boroughbridge said:

“We’ve done really well with table bookings. We have extended the outdoor area [at the Grantham Arms] and now have seating for 90 people. Getting the green light from government to reopen like this is a massive help for our business.”

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro in Harrogate, said:

“We’ve had a lot of bookings come in for next week I think so far it’s only Tuesday that is looking quiet. We have 40-50 table outside. We didn’t really have any preconceived conceptions of how we’d be, we aren’t packed but we are looking busy. We are just going to have to pray for good weather.”

After April 12, the next big step of the government’s roadmap comes on May 17 when it is hoped restaurants and hotels can open fully to allow guests indoors.

Bilton residents frightened to leave homes due to anti-social behaviour

As reports of anti-social behaviour in Bilton increase, the Stray Ferret has been told some older residents have become afraid to leave their homes.

North Yorkshire Police has recently issued appeals to help find the group of youths who assaulted a teenage girl on the iron bridge behind Woodfield Primary School, and vandals who targeted Richard Taylor Primary School.

There have been other reports on social media about “almost daily” damage to cars and properties.

Bilton resident Andrew Hart told the Stray Ferret that lockdown and a “lack of police presence” are to blame for the rise in crime.

He said:

“It became more apparent in July, I can’t even think how many cars have been scratched and tyres slashed. My car has been targeted several times. It’s a waste of time ringing the police as nothing ever happens.

“The lack of police presence in Bilton definitely doesn’t help. Lockdown has exacerbated the problem. Of course there has been crime in the 27 years I’ve lived here but there hasn’t been this amount of vandalism and confrontation before. Some older residents have even said they’re frightened to come out in the afternoons.”

Read more:

Steve Pepper, who has lived in Bilton since 1989, is forming a local action group with Mr Hart to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

He is hoping to speak to candidates standing for the upcoming North Yorkshire Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner elections to discuss the issue.

Mr Pepper said “people have been doing all sorts of horrible stuff” in the area and blamed cuts to police funding as one reason for the increase in anti-social behaviour.

Other residents in Bilton told the Stray Ferret that the police should increase their presence in the area to act as a deterrent.

Ella Cooper and Melissa Underwood both said more police patrols are needed and Carol Deeming said CCTV should be installed on the iron bridge near Claro Road.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police to comment but we did not receive a response by publication.

Harrogate pupils plant roses in memory of Captain Tom

Children at Brackenfield School in Harrogate have planted a rose garden in memory of their hero Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The reception children at the independent school followed Captain Tom’s journey during the autumn term.

They admired his determination and positivity and even adopted his inspirational quote “tomorrow will be a good day” as a daily mantra.

Captain Tom red roses, a variety named in memory of the war veteran, were planted where the children will see them grow on their way into school each day.

Headmaster Joe Masterson said:

“Sir Captain Tom Moore has made a profound impact on the entire nation, including our young children at Brackenfield, who were greatly inspired by his outlook on life.

“The pupils thoroughly enjoyed creating our new rose bed, providing a space for our entire school community to reflect and a fitting tribute to Sir Captain Tom.”

Read more:

The war veteran became a national treasure during the first lockdown when he began walking 100 laps of his garden at the age of 99 to raise money for the NHS.

By the time he’d finished he had raised over £30 million.

He died on February 2.