Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 154 of 1074

Tree falls on Harrogate road as strong winds continue

A tree crashed down on Fulwith Mill Lane in Harrogate today as strong winds continued to affect the district.

Yesterday’s warmest day of the year so far was accompanied by Storm Kathleen.

Although the worst of the winds hit Scotland, there was widespread disruption in England as flights were cancelled at Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham.

The Harrogate district has been relatively unscathed and winds are expected to abate this afternoon.

Besides the fallen tree, Little Bird Markets cancelled artisan markets in Knaresborough yesterday and Harrogate today because of the weather.

Further gusts of over 40mph are forecast on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo: The tree blocking Fulwith Mill Lane at about noon today (April 7).

Harrogate physio to help England’s World Cup bid in Thailand

A physiotherapist from Harrogate will be heading to Thailand this summer, hoping to help England win the World Cup – again.

Liam Chapman, 40, will be taking a short break from his usual job as the physiotherapy lead at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate to accompany the England Veterans football team to the 16th Seniors Football World Cup in Bangkok. He said:

“Before joining The Duchy Hospital, I worked at Middlesbrough FC as physio and supported the youth teams. The England Seniors team manager approached me and asked if I wanted to join them in Bangkok. I had worked with some of the players before. It was a wonderful feeling to be approached.”

Photo of Liam Chapman, physiotherapy lead at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate, who has been chosen to accompany the England football team to the Seniors World Cup in Thailand this summer.

Liam Chapman (centre) was previously physiotherapist at Middlesbrough FC.

The Seniors World Cup tournament was initially conceived by the Senior Football Association of Thailand as a way to promote the country in the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, and has grown to become an annual event.

Each of the eight teams taking part must have players from different age-groups: three aged 40-44, four aged 45-49, three aged 50+, and a goalkeeper aged 40 or over. They will play a total of five games over six days.

The team includes former Premier League players who are still in good shape, such as Barry Hayles, Deon Burton and Sean Davis, as well as non-league players still playing in their 40s. Newcomers to the squad Jon Challoner and Matt Bodkin are still turning out at Stamford and Chatham, following long careers in both the EFL and the Conference. Another still playing at 45 as player-manager at FC Malpas is former Burnley striker Steve Jones, who along with Ian Cox and Dean West make up a trio of former Clarets favourites in the squad.

England won one of their six titles in 2018.

England has won the cup six times – in 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023 – and Liam, who used to play football professionally for Hull City FC, believes that 2024 could be added to the roll of honour. He said:

“The standard of football is high, and we’ll be out there for 10 days in total. We have a strong squad, and I am confident we can win.”

England first entered the invitational tournament in 2008 with a team of local players called Harrogate Veterans. It has been so successful that the management of the national team has been taken over by the Football Association, but Liam is keeping our district’s connection with the event alive. He said:

“My family are really excited about the tournament and I look forward to sharing updates with them while I am out there.

“In many ways the tournament is more than just football. Research shows remaining active as we get older is great for our physical and mental health. Hopefully, the tournament inspires more people to look into joining a local team sport!”

In addition to the tournament, the competing teams, which include Scotland, Thailand, Germany, Australia, Iran and the USA, will support the “Football for Kids” programme, where players work with schoolchildren, helping them with coaching and sporting activities. Liam said:

“I am really looking forward to experiencing the culture and having the opportunity to share my love of the game with others. Sport is so important for people’s health and wellbeing.”

The 16th Seniors World Cup will take place in Bangkok from June 3 to 8, 2024.

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7 unmissable independent bookshops in Yorkshire

Last week the Stray Ferret explored how many people are rediscovering the joy of physical books – and this reading renaissance goes hand-in-hand with an increase in the amount of independent bookshops on the UK’s high street.

In 2022, the Bookseller’s Association reported a record amount of indie stores opening their doors, a number then surpassed in 2023, with 51 shops starting to trade.

North Yorkshire has always been a hotspot for independent businesses, and bookshops are no exception to this rule – here are just some of the highlights to pop into for a browse.

Castlegate Books, Knaresborough

(Image: Castlegate Books)

Tucked into a corner of Market Place, Castlegate Books has been a firm fixture on the Knaresborough high street since 2008.

Owned by Gary Cooper, the shop stocks new books online and in store, as well as selling a range of greeting cards and postcards of the local area. National book tokens are also redeemable in-store.

According to the Castlegate Books website, there’s over 100,000 titles available online, with free UK delivery offered.

Castlegate Books is located at 13 Market Place, Knaresborough, HG5 8AL.

Reading Roots, Wetherby

Reading Roots

Reading Roots joined Wetherby’s collection of thriving independent businesses in 2022, when Kiera Andrews was visiting family and spotted an empty store in the town.

Located centrally, the shop sells a diverse selection of fiction and a non-fiction books, including travel, sport, history – and a section all about Yorkshire.

The shop even offers work experience placements, collaborating with local schools in the area to inspire the next generation.

Reading Roots is located at 29 Market Place, Wetherby, LS22 6LQ.

Little Ripon Bookshop, Ripon

The Little Ripon Bookshop

It’s Little Ripon Bookshop’s 15th anniversary this year – a true testament to an enduring love of books. A family-run enterprise, it first opened their doors in 2009, and expanded into the shop next door in 2018.

Stocking a range of new releases and old classics, as well as children’s titles and a range of stationary, cards and gifts, the bookshop is a firm fixture of Ripon’s independent retail scene.

It also hosts book clubs for adults and children, plus evening talks by local authors.

Little Ripon Bookshop is located at 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire. HG4 2AT.

Imagined Things, Harrogate

Imagined Things

Imagined Things opened its doors on Montpellier Parade in 2017 to much fanfare and rightly so; it was Harrogate’s first independent bookshop stocking new books in nearly twenty years.

A lifelong bibliophile, owner Georgia worked as a radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital for six years before deciding to pursue her passion for all things literature.

The shop stocks an eclectic range of genres to suit different tastes, and can post books to anywhere in the UK.

Imagined Things is located at 21 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate HG1 2TG.

Criminally Good Books, York

(Image: Pixabay)

Criminally Good Books is a relative newcomer to the York streets, but due to its unique twist of stocking all things crime-related, it has already built up quite the reputation.

The quirky window sticker depicting the classic chalk outline of a body – surrounded by books of course – sets the theme and is an eye-catching to the shopfronts along Colliergate.

Whether you’re a fan of a thriller, or prefer a non-fiction deep dive, there’s a diverse range of authors and subjects to choose from. The first floor boasts an events space, hosting book clubs, author meet and greets, and even a burlesque show.

Criminally Good Books is located at 14 Colliergate, York, YO1 8BP.

The Stripey Badger, Grassington

(Image: Instagram @thestripeybadger)

If you’re looking to browse the books and have a bite to eat, The Stripey Badger ticks both of those boxes.

An award-winning café and bookshop all rolled into one, it’s located in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington – or as All Creatures Great and Small reboot fans might know it, the fictious Darrowby.

The shop is filled with many different genres, including children’s books, and they regularly host open mic poetry nights, book clubs and more.

The Stripey Badger is located at 7 The Square, Grassington, BD23 5AQ.

Books For All, Harrogate

Books For All

Looks are deceptive with Books For All in Harrogate – while the shopfront gives the impression of being small, there’s actually three floors crammed with a vast array of second hand books.

First opened in 1998, the shop reports to be the oldest, and only, second hand bookstore in the town centre.

It’s estimated they have over 20,000 to choose from – alongside a selection of vinyl and CDs – but they’re always looking for new titles to add to their collection.

Books for All is located at 23A Commercial St, Harrogate, HG1 1UB.

Read more:

Town centre living: a welcome trend for Harrogate?

Barely a month passes without a new planning application to create flats in Harrogate town centre.

This week we reported on plans to turn the offices on the first, second and third floors of 5 Cambridge Road into three flats.

Planning permission has been previously granted to create flats in buildings that used to host the Kings Club strip club and the main post office, among others. And, in a few weeks, the former River Island unit on Cambridge Street, will open as Trinity House, a 14-flat development incorporating retail units. It’s hard to think of a more central location.

Town centres are changing from places to shop to places to live — and Harrogate appears to be at the forefront of the trend. Is this good or bad, and what challenges does it present?

The former Kings Club

The Stray Ferret sat down this week with Tariq Shah, chief executive of Vigo Group, the property developer behind Trinity House, and Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate Business Improvement District, to discuss the trend and whether it posed a threat to retail.

Mr Shah, whose company is based in Doncaster, said Harrogate was particularly attractive to developers because it was seen as a desirable place to live and has good transport connections, which lessened the need for cars in town centres.

He said Harrogate had reasonable short-term accommodation for tourists and conference centre delegates but a shortage of town centre flats for living, adding:

“Harrogate is a town centre in transition. We are seeing more people from outside Harrogate wanting to come here.

“Trinity House has attracted more interest than any other scheme we have done. We would like to do more here.”

Cambridge Street

Trinity House flats will be marketed from £300,000 and although a nice town centre pad might suit some people, what impact will it have on retailers and on people who live here who regard the town centre predominantly as somewhere to shop?

The BID is funded by town centre businesses but Mr Chapman is not opposed to the change.

He said:

“A collaborative approach with landlords and developers is key. If people are willing to put something back into the community then we welcome it. Where I struggle is if buildings are owned by offshore investors, like Debenhams.

“Every town has probably had too much retail space for a long time. It’s an emerging trend but there needs to be a long-term vision for the town centre.”

Besides the 14 upper floor flats, Trinity House includes the existing Body Care shop and has additional room for a storage facility or small dance or yoga studio, as well as a kiosk space for a start-up business wanting a town centre presence.

Mr Shah said his company had agreed to improve lighting at the rear of the building, put up security cameras and create an internal bin storage area to improve safety and appearance and reduce the risk of vermin and fire. He said these were examples of the firm’s commitment to town centre improvement as well as profit.

He added having more people milling around at night added to the vibrancy and created “natural surveillance” at night in empty town centre streets where some people feel unsafe.

Mr Chapman said many of the units being converted to flats were first and second floor offices that had been unused for years, adding:

“If you have spaces that people live in and take pride in, it has to be better than having them crumble away.”

Despite his overall positivity, Mr Chapman said there was probably a ceiling on the trend and there were dangers. For example, he said converting ground floor retail units on the fully occupied James Street to flats “would be seen as a threat”.

Mr Chapman said the system of determining business rates needed reviewing to adapt to the trend, which he said would see an increasing shift towards “experiential activities” in town centres. He added:

“Whether it’s a cool independent retailer or axe throwing, people will want to experience something in town centres.

“Harrogate needs to be forward thinking and unique.”

Health services are being made available in Barnsley town centre.

So what will Harrogate town centre look like in 10 or 20 years?

Mr Shah said besides a more diverse mixture of retail and living, there would be more short-term leases, more leisure opportunities due to the higher population, more food halls and even community healthcare facilities. He cited Barnsley Council’s decision to work with partners to create a health and wellbeing hub in the Alhambra Shopping Centre as an example of how health managers will increasingly take services into towns.

He said:

“When it comes to long-term planning and thinking about these issues on a local level it’s important that a variety of partners are involved in these discussions and that is also a real strength of Harrogate, as a number of organisations are already open to having these conversations about how we can reimagine town centre usage.

“It’s not about drastically changing what is here but everyone working together with what we already have to bring clear economic and social benefits and secure our town centre for the next 30 years and beyond.”

Council leader defends North Yorkshire Council record one year on

The leader of North Yorkshire Council has defended its record as it marks its one year anniversary since being established.

The authority replaced the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council in April 2023 with the promise of making savings.

One year on from its launch, the Stray Ferret has looked at how the council has changed governance in the county and if people feel it has improved.

Among those we spoke to was Lord Wallace of Saltaire, a Liberal Democrat peer, who was highly critical of the move 12 months ago. He remained concerned that the authority felt detached from its constituents.

The Stray Ferret put the concerns to Conservative leader of the council, Cllr Carl Les, and asked what he felt the council’s achievements were over the last 12 months.

He pointed to £30 million worth of savings, which he said had been used to “protect vital services”.

Cllr Les said the money had been saved by streamlining services from the seven districts, plus various staff and management reviews.

He described the move as a “local government reorganisation dividend” which had allowed the authority to protect frontline services.

Part of the protection of local services was also down to increasing council tax by 4.99%, he said. However, Cllr Less added that this was necessary.

He said:

“There are councils across the county that would want that dividend.

“There will also come a point that members can have a real good discussion about the council tax needed to run the authority. But, at the moment, we have used that money to protect services.”

Residents ‘not detached’ from council

Much of the criticism around the new council has that it is too remote.

This week, Lord Saltaire told the Stray Ferret that he stood by criticism he made about the authority in the House of Lords 12 months ago.

He said he felt that people feel detached from their local council and that councillors could not cope with the number of constituents within their divisions.

Lord Saltaire added that a district and county council model still worked, despite being criticised as “inefficient”.

He said:

“We still have county councils and district councils in some places. That in some ways is less efficient, but it does at least give people a connection.

“People do not feel any connection with their local authority.”

In response, Cllr Les said he disagreed with the notion that the authority is detached from its residents.

He said that residents across North Yorkshire still had representatives that they could reach out to and that the council was responsive.

Cllr Les said:

“I have been a councillor for a number of years, both district and county, and I do not think my constituents would feel that they are detached from their representatives.

“Everybody still has a councillor.”

Cllr Les previously described the establishment of North Yorkshire Council as a “wastershed” moment for public services in the county.

The move was the first reorganisation of local government in the county since 1974.

He said it was still early days for the unitary council, but he felt it would last as long as its predecessor.

Cllr Les said:

“At the moment, we are only over a year into the new council. The last one lasted 50 years. I think this new authority will last 50 years.”

By-election candidates support Harrogate active travel proposals

Candidates standing in next week’s Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election have backed proposed new measures to encourage walking and cycling in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Council is consulting on plans to introduce crossings at the junctions of Slingsby Walk and Oatlands Drive Slingsby Walk and Wetherby Road.

It hopes the move will encourage fewer journeys by car in a part of town densely populated by schoolchildren.

The Stray Ferret asked the five candidates standing in Thursday’s by-election for a seat on North Yorkshire Council for their views on the proposal.

Liberal Democrat candidate Andrew Timothy, who will be defending the seat for the Lib Dems following Pat Marsh’s resignation in February, was the only one not to respond.

The Conservative, Labour, Green and Reform UK candidates all, however, supported the proposal.

John Ennis, who finished runner-up for the Tories when the seat was last contested in 2022, said:

“Having myself campaigned over several years for pedestrian / cyclist crossings at these two points on Slingsby Walk, I very much welcome the fact the council is bringing these proposals forward, and would encourage local residents to respond to the consultation.

“Regarding the council’s reference to possible further traffic changes in the Oatlands Drive area, I am supportive in principle of 20mph, but opposed to any introduction of local one-way systems.”

Labour candidate Geoff Foxall, a former Harrogate borough councillor, said:

“I agree to both of these as necessary safety precautions: for school pupils on Oatlands Drive and residents and school pupils on Wetherby Road. Hopefully, these measures will encourage school pupils to walk or cycle to school rather than be driven there by parents.”

The Slingsby Walk and Wetherby Road junction.

Gilly Charters, who is representing the Green Party, said many residents in the Saints area were worried about child safety and the crossings would address this and support active travel.

She added:

“The local Greens have led the way at North Yorkshire to address speed limits and road safety issues in particular around schools and presented a pilot scheme to Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee which paved the way for campaign groups to get safety measures in place on the roads around schools on the western side of Harrogate.

Reform UK candidate John Swales said he supported the crossings but “with a number of concerns, or reservations”.

He said it wasn’t clear how the pre-consultation was undertaken, and why motorists were not included, or why the cost of the schemes had appeared to increase since they were first mooted.

Mr Swales added:

“Also, I wouldn’t support a 20mph speed limits or junctions being made one-way, without a clear understanding of the benefits and drawbacks.”

The deadline for comments is Sunday, April 14. For more information and to view the plans, click here

Any comments should be emailed to Area6.Boroughbridge@northyorks.gov.uk using ‘Oatlands Drive/Wetherby Road crossing consultation’ in the email title.

New mural-filled nursery to open on Hornbeam Park

A new children’s nursery with hand-painted murals is set to open on Harrogate‘s Hornbeam Park.

Nature’s Little Learners, which opened its first site in Starbeck in 2021, will soon welcome children from birth age to four-years-old.

Owner Samantha Williams, who set up the venture with her husband and daughter, said the Starbeck site has been “over-subscribed for a while now” and she wanted to expand locally to meet demand.

The site, which was formerly an office unit in Crown House, offers different rooms catered to age groups, including a baby room, a pre-school room, a toddler room and a garden room.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re a toy-less nursery and offer open-ended resources, rather than giving children a one-dimensional toy they get bored of after a few uses.

“We’re inspired by the children – they are at the forefront of everything we do.”

The pre-school room.

Ms Williams said the Starbeck site enrols a lot of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and built a sensory room at the new Hornbeam Site to cater for those needs.

She added:

“It’s all about colour and texture in here. SEND children often get overwhelmed, so a few of them can come in here at one time to relax and regulate their emotions.

“Plus, because they’re not alone, they’ll still be learning in here.”

Ms Williams said the £120,000 refurbishment of the nursery was “inspired by children’s books” as she “wants the children that come here to love reading”.

The baby room.

As well as day care, Nature’s Little Learners will hold football sessions in the garden room, as well as dance sessions and yoga for little ones.

Ms Williams added:

“I’m feeling nervous, but I’m excited to welcome new families and see how the children react to the new space.

“I believe nursery needs to be an extension of home – not a watered down version of school.”

The Hornbeam Park site will also hire around 15 members of staff and can accommodate up to 50 children, she said.

Murals

Ms Williams also hired Sarah Marsh, a mural artist from Boroughbridge, to bring the nursery to life.

Inspired by the characters from some of the women’s favourite children’s books, Ms Marsh painted the walls of each room with a different mural.

These include depictions of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Room on the Broom and The Wonderful Things You Will Be.

Sarah Marsh with her Room on the Broom-inspired mural.

Ms Marsh, who studied art and graphic design when she was younger, said she was made redundant from her previous job in November last year. After this, she took up mural painting full-time.

She told the Stray Ferret the murals took around two-and-a-half-weeks to bring to life, using a mix of emulsion and acrylic paint.

A mural inspired by The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Ms Williams said she hopes the new Nature’s Little Learners site will be open by early May, but parents can book tours of the nursery now.

The nursery costs £68 per day, which includes three meals plus two snacks, nappies and wipes, she added.

Discover these quirky Yorkshire cafés for your next coffee stop

Going out for lunch really could be considered a national pastime, but with so many options it can be hard to branch out and try somewhere new.

In January, the Stray Ferret revealed there’s at least 40 places serving coffee alongside cakes, pastries and light lunches in the centre of Harrogate – and that’s not to mention Knaresborough, Ripon and everywhere in between.

If you’re looking for a place with a bit of a difference, the Stray Ferret has compiled a list of some quirky Yorkshire cafés ready to be discovered.

Falling Foss Tea Garden – Whitby

(Image: Falling Foss Tea Garden)

Nestled in the heart of ancient Sneaton Forest, Midge Hall had been derelict for over 50 years before being transformed into the thriving tearoom it is today.

Offering a rustic, al fresco lunch spot with stunning views of Falling Foss waterfall, the menu boasts homemade and locally sourced treats such as sandwiches, cakes, scones, and speciality coffees.

Seasonal opening times are dictated by the elements – so make sure you check the website before setting off on one of the many woodland routes that lead to the waterfall.

The nearest car park is the Forestry Commission Car Park at Falling Foss which is free – but very popular in the summer months.

Falling Foss Tea Garden is located at Midge Hall, Falling Foss, Whitby, YO22 5JD.

The Winehouse Café – Nun Monkton

The Winehouse Café (Image: Yorkshire Heart)

No, you haven’t crossed the channel to France – you might be surprised to learn that there’s actually a vineyard off the A59, between York and Harrogate.

Yorkshire Heart is a family-run vineyard and winery, overlooking the countryside surrounding Nun Monkton. Customers can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyard, or on warmer days sit amongst the vines themselves to have a bite to eat.

The café itself serves hot drinks, light lunch options such as sharing platters and sandwiches, an assortment of cakes, and a wide range of beers and wines.

Yorkshire Heart also offer afternoon tea packages, vineyard tours and even on-site glamping for those looking for a unique place to stay.

The Winehouse Café is located at The Vineyard, Pool Lane, Nun Monkton, YO26 8EL.

Gatehouse Coffee – York

(Image: Pixabay)

You’re certainly surrounded by history in York, but never more so than when enjoying a cake or a coffee in one of the medieval gatehouses of the city walls.

Despite being part of one of the city’s main tourist attractions, the Gatehouse Coffee is something of a hidden gem, tucked away behind a thick wooden door, up a stone flight of stairs.

Once inside, customers can enjoy a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, and toasties, in a relaxed and cosy environment.

On sunny days, you can even venture out onto the rooftop terrace for spectacular views across the historic walls.

Gatehouse Coffee is located at Walmgate Bar, Walmgate, York YO10 2UB.

High Paradise Farm – Sutton Bank, Thirsk

A view across Sutton Bank

Accessible only by foot, bike or horse, High Paradise Farm certainly makes a case for being one of the most remote cafés in North Yorkshire, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit.

With a large outside seating area that customers can enjoy the North York Moors scenery from, it’s a well-known pit stop for walkers and cyclists attempting one of the Sutton Bank bike routes.

The tearoom prides itself on serving locally sourced food – so local in fact, much of its produce is taken directly from the farm.

However due to its isolated location High Paradise Farm opens seasonally, so it’s definitely worth checking beforehand to avoid disappointment.

The tearoom at High Paradise Farm is located in Boltby, Thirsk, YO7 2HT.

The Stripey Badger – Grassington

(Image: The Stripey Badger)

The picturesque village of Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales plays host to The Stripey Badger, an award-winning café and bookshop all rolled into one.

Well-known for an array of breakfast options, homemade cakes, traditional cream teas and its very own rarebit recipe, customers can pop next door afterwards to peruse the books.

If you think the shopfront looks familiar there might be a reason – in the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great & Small the shop was transformed into grocers G.F Endleby.

The Stripey Badger is located at 7 The Square, Grassington, BD23 5AQ.

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Room – Knaresborough

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms is a themed café located in Knaresborough, bringing a touch of vintage charm to the historic waterside town.

The décor is an eclectic mix of eras, with a 60s and 70s theme upstairs, and a 1940s feel to the downstairs area.

Known especially for its vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, the menu boasts sandwiches, soups and a large range of cakes – all served on vintage crockery.

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Room is located at 3a Green Dragon Yard, Knaresborough, HG5 8AU.

The Wild Plum – Harrogate

The Wild Plum (Image: Ben Bentley)

Homed above boutique dress shop Snooty Frox which is located opposite Oatlands Play Fields, being further out from the town centre hasn’t done The Wild Plum any disadvantages.

The shop staff have to call up to the café to make sure there’s a seat available, and on weekends, it can be so popular that the queue often snakes out of the front door.

Once seated, customers can expect to tuck into a frequently rotating seasonal menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers but inspired by dishes from around the world.

The Wild Plum is located at 34-36 Hookstone Road, Harrogate HG2 8BW.

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Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election preview: John Swales, Reform UK

Reform UK wants to shake up British politics this year and John Swales believes he can become the party’s first North Yorkshire councillor.

Mr Swales describes himself as one of Thatcher’s children but says that nationally and locally the Conservatives have lost their way.

He says Reform is winning over disenfranchised Tory voters “like there’s no tomorrow”.

He added:

“They are not Conservatives, they are following a globalist agenda around United Nations development goals. We’ve been bombarded with covid lockdowns and massive state control. Something is very wrong at the heart of British politics.”

Reform UK was previously known as the Brexit Party when it was led by Nigel Farage.

Mr Swales says the party has evolved from when it was largely a single-issue proposition for voters.

Locally, he said parking around Harrogate District Hospital is a big problem in the division, with hospital parking fees forcing people to park on nearby residential streets instead.

Mr Swales said:

“I’ve had elderly relatives down at the hospital and paying for parking is a regressive thing to do. I know they say it’s to fund the NHS but how much does it need, what are its priorities?”

He also questions active travel schemes in the town and was against previous council proposals such as the one-way system on Oatlands Drive that aimed to make the area more friendly for cyclists.

He says he’s also against the town’s £12.1m Station Gateway scheme, which he calls a “dog’s breakfast”. He added:

“It will please nobody. I don’t know why they are pushing ahead with it.”

When the division was last contested in 2022, independent Anna McIntee came last with just 167 votes. She ran a campaign that was not too dissimilar to Reform’s platform, voicing concerns about active travel and how the Conservatives had taken locals for granted.

However, Mr Swales says Reform has a raft of policies that are resonating with voters on issues from energy to the cost-of-living crisis. He said:

“We’re a major political party that has pragmatic and common sense solutions for the problems facing the country.”

He added:

“There’s a hubris with the Conservatives who are so disengaged from what’s going on in town. It feels like a change is coming, it’s exciting.”

The by-election will take place on Thursday, April 11. For more information, visit the council’s website.

A full list of candidates is below:

Conservative – John Ennis.
Green – Gilly Charters.
Labour – Geoff Foxall.
Liberal Democrat – Andrew Timothy.
Reform UK – John Swales.

Editor’s Pick of the Week: Sunak in Ripon, village idiot in Harrogate and a vanishing cockerel

You know how it is — one minute you’re enjoying a street party in Ripon, the next minute you turn around and the Prime Minister is there too.

It actually happened on Easter Monday when Rishi Sunak joined fellow Tory, North Yorkshire mayor hopeful Keane Duncan, in the city.

It was Mr Sunak’s second local visit in as many months, following his trip to Starbeck to support Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones in February. Anyone might think an election is looming…

Who is the man in the background and what was he saying?

Mr Sunak, however, had to play second fiddle to a village idiot in the Stray Ferret reader popularity stakes this week. Our article about the arrival in Harrogate of Andy Smith, a YouTuber who calls himself The Village Idiot, was the second best read this week.

The most popular was a feature about Thompson’s Auctioneers in Killinghall, whose director Kate Higgins talked about the joys of rummaging through possessions and selling them under the hammer.

But perhaps the most bizarre was the disappearance of a 30-foot cockerel in Bishop Monkton. It seems the bird had grown so big it was no longer manageable.

Pic: Bishop Monkton Today

Harrogate’s Tourist Information Office has also vanished from its former premises in the Royal Baths complex. It now exists as what appears to be little more than a desk at the Royal Pump Room Museum. Its apparent downgrading has prompted concerns about whether it will be able to promote local businesses.

By contrast, Harrogate Town has well and truly arrived in recent years. The club is enjoying a golden age under father-and-son owner and manager combination Irving Weaver and Simon Weaver. It’s hard to believe the Sulphurites are in a league above York City, have just thumped Bradford City and are on the fringes of the League Two play-off race.

But newly published accounts this week revealed how much the club depends on Irving. Good luck to Town against Notts County this weekend. Let’s hope the good times keep rolling for a while yet.