Labour names candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough

The Labour Party has selected Conrad Whitcroft as its candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election.

Mr Whitcroft, who has never previously stood for parliament, lives in York and works as a project manager for insurance firm Aviva.

He was elected to represent Fishergate on City of York Council this month and supported David Skaith’s successful mayoral campaign for Labour.

Mr Whitcroft attended school in Northampton then graduated from the University of York with a degree in politics.

A profile on the York Labour Party website describes him as an ‘active union rep’ and environmental campaigner. He has also been an intern in the House of Commons.

Mr Skaith’s victory in this month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election boosted local Labour supporters.

But the party faces an uphill battle to win in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election. Mark Sewards, its candidate in 2019, polled just 10% of votes to finish third behind Conservative Andrew Jones and Liberal Democrat Judith Rogerson.

Mr Jones will defend the seat for the Tories while Tom Gordon will stand for the Lib Dems.

Conrad Whitcroft with supporters.

In a Labour press release today, Mr Whitcroft said Harrogate and Knaresborough “has been let down by more than a decade of Conservative-led government”.

He added:

“It will be an honour to lead the campaign for Labour in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

“My priorities in our area include tackling anti-social behaviour, building more affordable housing and working closely with David Skaith.

“I know Harrogate and Knaresborough well and enjoy campaigning there with the local Labour Party. I particularly enjoy the Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brewery which I have had a tour of in the past.”

The press release added:

“As a councillor, Conrad has delivered ward funding to fight the cost of living crisis and has recently taken a leading role in a campaign to stop a new takeaway in a residential area.

Harrogate-born Mr Skaith said:

“Conrad worked hard for my election campaign and has proven himself as a councillor. He will make an excellent Labour candidate for my home town.”

Chris Watt, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said:

“As Labour’s win in Harrogate and Knaresborough in the recent mayoral election showed, it’s all to play for locally and when Rishi Sunak finally has the courage to call the election the choice will be clear: more chaos under the Tories or real change and a fresh start with Labour.

“Conrad has shown that’s he an effective and energetic campaigner who gets results and we are looking forward to working with him for the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

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Harrogate Cat Rescue unable to take in any more pets

Harrogate Cat Rescue has said it is unable to take in any more cats or kittens.

The Harrogate charity shelter cats and cares for them until they can find their forever homes.

It said in a statement today it had received a record number of animals this year and due to slow adoption rates did not have the capacity to take in any more.

The organisation is not a traditional cat rescue with an animal shelter where it can host cats; it relies on foster carers for cats until they are adopted.

Technically it does not have a maximum capacity but the charity currently has more than 80 kittens in its care, not including older cats. and needs more volunteers to help shelter cats until they can be adopted.

Volunteer Lisa Francis told the Stray Ferret the cost of living crisis and education about the care cats needed were the biggest factors limiting the adoption process. She said:

“We know that times are tough, and this is very noticeably reflected in the rate of adoptions.

“Normally, there is a reasonably steady flow of enquiries and subsequent adoptions, which in turn adds to our resources and frees up foster space to allow us to take in other cats and kittens in desperate need.”

“Due to the incredibly slow rate of adoptions, we are currently stuck, unable to take in any more cats and kittens until we can free up space through adoptions.”

Many people buy young kittens without doing any research first and they the animals later end up in care. The charity currently has cats in foster care ranging from young kittens, older kittens (6 months+) to cats over 1 year all ready to be adopted.

The charity educates people on the advantages of adopting an older cat or kitten. Including that older cats do not need so much attention and are less demanding, they don’t have to be closely monitored with young children, they can be homed alone and they generally already know house rules.

Ms Francis added that pressure on the charity would be reduced if people considered adopting older cats. She also said cat owners can help the situation by neutering their pets.

She said:

“Many people don’t realise that kittens can get pregnant after four months and after having a litter they can be pregnant again within two weeks.”

The charity urged anyone considering getting a pet to speak to them prior to buying a cat.

Ms Francis said:

“People might want to buy a cat but can’t afford one at the moment. Fostering can be a great opportunity for this situation, we cover the main costs such as medical bills and someone gets a cat to look after.

“Please bear us in mind if you are looking to adopt a cat or kitten and talk to us about options. Quite often what people think will be right for them isn’t, and we can help you find the right new addition to your family.”

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Digger stolen in ‘high value’ theft at Nidd Gorge

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after four items of machinery were stolen from a worksite near Harrogate.

The force said in a statement today the “high value” commercial burglary happened at Nidd Gorge, near Bilton Lane, between Friday evening (May 17) and Monday morning (May 20).

One digger and three smaller tracked barrows were stolen.

The statement said:

“We’re appealing for information about any suspicious 4×4 vehicles sighted leaving Bilton Lane over the weekend, potentially with a trailer carrying the stolen equipment.

“Please email ben.wheatley@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.

“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Ben Wheatley, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Quote reference number 12240088312 when passing on information.

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Councillors pin hopes on Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle path

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors are set to spend £40,000 on design work that could eventually lead to a cycle path being created between Bilton and Hornbeam Park.

Each year, the area constituency committee is given a pot of money by North Yorkshire Council to go towards local projects.

Councillors put forward a host of ideas that could receive funding and the list has now been whittled down to the three that are considered to be most viable.

The prospect of a cycle route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park dates back to at least 2019 when North Yorkshire County Council commissioned consultants to draw up a cycle infrastructure plan for Harrogate.

With a distance of around 2.5km between the two areas, it would be one of the most ambitious cycle routes ever created in Harrogate if it came to fruition.

As the proposal is still in its early stages, no details have been given about which roads could be used though it could potentially take advantage of Slingsby Walk, a path adjacent to the Stray that is already accessible for cyclists.

When designs for the scheme are eventually drawn up, it’s hoped the council will have a “bid ready” scheme to apply for funding through the government’s Active Travel Fund.

There is also money available through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority which is led by newly-elected Labour mayor David Skaith.

A report has been prepared for councillors ahead of a meeting next week where councillors are expected to give the green light for design work to begin.

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The council has modelled how successful a route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park could be and claims an extra 1,612 cycle trips a day is possible.

It said the cycle path could get people out of cars and remove a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

The council has faced strong criticism for its track record delivering cycle schemes in Harrogate from both Harrogate District Cycle Action and the public.

The one significant cycle route it has built in recent years, the Otley Road cycle path, has been lambasted for its “confusing” design that weaves on-and-off the pavement.

It has resulted in the section between Harlow Moor Road and Arthurs Avenue being largely ignored by cyclists who prefer to use the road with motorists.

Business Q&A: Natalie Leworthy, Urban Circus

This week, we spoke to Natalie Leworthy, aerial athlete and business owner of Urban Circus in Harrogate.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. 

We’re offer fitness classes for adults and children. We cover aerial and pole fitness – basically anything off the ground. Anything not too conventional!

It’s loosely rooted in the circus tradition, but I’m not – I’m a fitness instructor. I started with the pole, then went on to the aerial hoop (or lyra), aerial silk and hammock.

What does it take to be successful in business? 

Good question – when somebody answers that for you, tell me!

We’ve been around for over a decade and we’ve survived entirely through word-of-mouth. If you have a good product and a safe environment, it sells itself.

Having a passion for whatever it is you do is very important. Also, when you’ve been doing something for a while, it’s very easy to think ‘I’m the master of this now’, but that’s not how it goes in any business. It’s always evolving. So I’ve scoured the internet over the years to find courses to learn more, and I’ve grown with my industry. It’s important to keep up with the times.

Photo of the instruction team at Urban Circus in Harrogate.

Natalie (centre) with her instruction team at Urban Circus.

What drives you to do what you do every day? 

I really, really enjoy it. Not many people are excited to go to work, but I am.

I also love the impact what we do has on people who do it. Women often walk in here so self-conscious and embarrassed, but within a few weeks they come in wearing fewer clothes so they can grip the pole better, and they’re just generally more confident and sociable.

I have two daughters, and I love the fact that here they can be in a really positive, female, empowered environment.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months? 

Keeping up with inflation. Our electricity bill has gone up by 500% over the last year – it’s crazy.

My biggest struggle, though, is being a mum at the same time as trying to be a businessperson. Finding that balance is very challenging!

Which other local firms do you most admire, and why? 

There’s a business near me in Claro Court Business Centre called Atlas Fitness – it used to be called Schofield Fitness. They try to change people mentally as well as physically, so they grow in confidence. I like their ethos.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders? 

One person I find super-inspiring is Tim Broad, headteacher at Western Primary School in Harrogate. Nobody works harder than him.

Both my nephews have autism and one has ADHD, but they’re both thriving there, and that’s due in large part to the effort Mr Broad and his staff put in.

I’ll also mention a teacher, Miss Ward, who has gone above and beyond, doing research in her own time to learn more and put in place better systems to help the boys. She doesn’t have to, but she makes a huge effort.

Photo of Natalie Leworthy of Urban Circus on the pole.

Training on the pole builds up strength, fitness, flexibility and confidence.

What could be done locally to boost business? 

There could be easier access to support for small businesses. I got in touch with North Yorkshire Council about grants for leisure businesses but I didn’t hear anything. I was bounced around different departments but I’m still waiting!

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate? 

For me, the worst is that I’d like to expand the business, but I can’t find suitable premises. There are lots of offices and large industrial units, but not many light industrial units in between. Every so often I’ll see one, but every time it turns out it’s been bought by a developer to turn into something else.

The best thing is that I like the community in Harrogate. I’m terrible at social media, so my business survives on word-of-mouth. Everybody in Harrogate and Knaresborough seems to know everybody else in Harrogate and Knaresborough, so once you put something out there, people talk and tend to find out about it.

What are your business plans for the future? 

I’d love to expand. We offer children’s classes and birthday parties, but we don’t have the space to accommodate them all. I also want to get into primary schools, doing taster days. We did  it last year, introducing children at Grove Road Primary School to the pole, hoop, hammock and ground skills, and they loved it.

I think it’s really important that children learn that exercise isn’t just about changing your body – you should also do it because it’s fun and it’s good to move.

What do you like to do in your time off? 

What’s ‘time off’?! I like to run around after my children, and when I’m not doing that, I’m really very boring – I like doing DIY or training.

Then again, if there’s any chance in hell I can get to a spa, I’m gone – you won’t see me for dust!

Best place to eat and drink locally? 

Thug Sandwich Company is the best place in North Yorkshire, if not the country. Everything seems to taste amazing – I don’t know how they do it. I’m a picky eater, but they mix different flavours together that you would think would work, but they do. I also like how cheeky the owners are.

Another good place is Tilly Peppers on Cold Bath Road – it’s really nice to be able to take a toddler in without fear of upsetting anyone!

This is the latest in a regular series of weekly Business Q&A features. If you’d like to suggest someone in business in the Harrogate district for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

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The Harrogate running club where walking, talking – and running – are equalThe Nidderdale mole catcher: “People can be funny about what I do”Meet the chef behind Harrogate’s new fine dining restaurant ahead of today’s launch

According to chef Adam Degg, ‘the best parties happen in the kitchen’.

Perhaps that feels like a relatively light-hearted concept to use as a foundation for a restaurant in one of Yorkshire’s most prestigious hotels – but tell that to the team behind Rudding Park’s Fifty Two.

The brand-new restaurant will open today, Thursday, May 16, and ahead of the first service, the Stray Ferret spoke to head chef Adam Degg, to find out more about the immersive dining experience.

From happy accident to successful career

Telford-born Adam’s first experience in a commercial kitchen was less of a planned occasion and more of a chance encounter; a missed bus meant that at age 16 he found himself washing dishes in a friend’s family restaurant until they could give him a lift home.

He said:

“I guess you could say it all started there. I got to witness first-hand the way a kitchen operates behind the scenes, and I loved the whole experience and the buzz.”

The hustle and bustle of restaurant life stayed with Adam, and he went onto pursue a career in food, first studying at University College Birmingham before taking up a job at a hotel. He then made the move to London where he worked at Anthony Demetre’s Wild Honey.

After a stint at Chiltern Firehouse, he joined Tom Kerridge’s kitchen at The Hand and Flowers, the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars. He was then part of the hospitality team that was awarded a Michelin star at The Coach in Marlow.

(Image: Rudding Park)

When he moved to Yorkshire with his then-fiancé, now wife, and young son, he joined Rudding Park, as head chef of its restaurant Horto, which with Adam at the helm, was recognised with 3 AA Rosette awards and a Michelin Green star for sustainability.

This year saw him reunited with his former boss, albeit in a different setting – Adam was a contestant on the BBC One show Great British Menu, on which Tom Kerridge is part of the judging panel.

Speaking about his time on the show, Adam said:

“Great British Menu is the chef’s programme – I know a lot of us watch to see what’s new, what innovations the chefs can bring, and how they can push concepts to make them different.

“I might not have done as well as I’d have liked but it was amazing and intense. Without doubt, it’s the single most exciting and terrifying experience of my career to date.”

A new concept

Rudding Park boasts an impressive kitchen garden from which Horto already takes inspiration, but Adam wanted to take this one step further and incorporate the garden as an interactive part of the whole dining experience.

So named after the 52 raised oak beds growing herbs, vegetables and other produce in Rudding Park’s grounds, the name is a good indication of the restaurant’s commitment to the ‘farm to fork’ concept that has become increasingly popular in the culinary world.

Adam explained:

“From concept to launch, it’s been about a year-and-a-half in the making and has been a massive team effort. There’s been lots of discussions about how to bring the vision to life.

“Guests will enter the kitchen garden first, get to mingle with drinks and food and be amongst the produce that could have inspired their meal, before heading through to the restaurant.”

The theme of an interconnecting inside-outside space is carried through the venue which comprises of five shipping containers, with a large, open-plan dining area and a seven-foot kitchen island that diners can be seated at.

(Image: Rudding Park)

The 10-course menu will change depending on the ingredients available, with an emphasis on locally sourced produce and unique dishes, led by seasonal trends. Aside from dietary requirement requests, guests won’t know what they’re being served ahead of time.

Adam explained:

“For example, I’ve got a contact for fresh fish who will tell me every morning what’s been caught, and we’ll create a dish from that. It’s exciting and keeps our offering dynamic and interesting.”

Adam and the team are keen for Fifty Two to retain the same sense of flexibility and imagination in their service and ambience of the restaurant. Instead of a place of ‘reverence for the food’, they’re instead striving for a buzzing atmosphere, akin to ‘a dinner party with friends’.

He explained:

“We always say, the best parties happen in the kitchen. We don’t want it to be a temple of gastronomy that’s silent – it should be a celebration of food. We want a raucous, lively atmosphere.”

‘Putting their trust in us to deliver a dining experience’

Given Adam’s track record, it’s natural to assume that he’ll be aiming high with Fifty Two and pushing for the prestigious awards that he’s achieved in the past. And while he doesn’t deny that professional recognition wouldn’t go amiss, he’s determined that he and team don’t become too single-minded about garnering only industry accolades.

“Any chef who says they don’t even think about the possibility of awards are lying to themselves. And of course, it’s amazing to achieve industry recognition – but we’re still doing it for the customers.

“They’re putting their trust in us to deliver a dining experience, and that’s exactly what we want to do.”

Head chef Adam Degg and sous chef Adam Jones

More immediately however, Adam is focused on the imminent opening night of Fifty Two.

He added:

“We’ve got a fantastic and talented team here. My sous chef Adam Jones is great and I’m grateful to have him – I always joke that good sous chefs are hard to keep because they’re so good that they move on to become head chef somewhere else – as they should. So, you’re lucky to have them for as long as you can.

“We’re all excited to get started and to see where we can go with Fifty Two.”

Fifty Two at Rudding Park Hotel will open on Thursday, May 16.

Our food columnist Yemi will be reviewing Fifty Two soon. Keep an eye out for her feature, which is published every Saturday.

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Rural schools raise thousands of pounds in Harrogate charity concert

Eleven local rural primary schools took part in a charity concert in Harrogate.

The schools aimed to raise in excess of £6,500 for The Harrogate Robert Ogden Centre and Lauren Doherty Road Safety.

Over 250 pupils took to the stage for the annual concert, which has been held since 2015, with the exception of the covid years.

The finale saw all the children sing together on stage conducted by Helen Potter.

Sarah Bassitt, the organiser of the event who retired as Killinghall Church of England Primary School headteacher last year, said that she wanted the legacy of the concert to live on.

The Federation of Ripley, Beckwithshaw and Kettlesing Schools will now lead the annual event.

Executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman said:

“We are delighted to be leading this event moving forward and hope to significantly raise the profile of North Yorkshire small, rural schools.

“This event not only raises vital funds for key charities, but shows the world the outstanding standard of musical performance and talent that can come out of the smallest schools.”

The schools involved in the concert were:

The show includes choirs, instrumentalists and dancers and will be extended to more schools next year.

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Peter Banks: the man withdrawing from Rudding Park