North Yorkshire Police has remained silent on why it closed a Harrogate town centre street yesterday.

Cordons were placed at either end of Back Cheltenham Mount on Friday, November 17.

Police also sealed off the steps on Cheltenham Mount and Kings Road that cut through Back Cheltenham Mount.

The steps on Kings Road

Officers at the scene would only say they were investigating a crime.

Residents were advised to remain indoors.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident last night but has not received a response, and the force has yet to publish any information.

We will give more details when they are available.

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Major roads in Ripon and Harrogate are set to be resurfaced as part of additional funding from government.

North Yorkshire Council is set to consider its highways capital programme on Friday (November 24), which outlines how £40.07 million funding from the Department for Transport, will be spent.

The sum was boosted by a further £9 million allocated last week by the national government to tackle road maintenance over the next two years.

Next year’s resurfacing programme includes £630,000 for Ripon Market Place, £300,000 for Pannal Ash Road and £582,000 for York Place in Harrogate.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, said:

“Keeping our 5,800 miles of roads in the best condition is a key priority for us, but an ongoing challenge.

“To rise to this immense task, we’ve already invested £6.5m more this year. I am pleased we can invest even more this year and next year, too.

“This significant, extra funding will be an immense boost and allow us to repair even more roads next year than expected.

“I know this investment in our road network will be welcomed across North Yorkshire.”

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The plans in Ripon come as have been calling for many years for the sets of paving blocks on Market Place East and Market Place West, which have become damaged and uneven, to be removed and replaced with a tarmac surface.

Cllr Andrew Williams, left, and Cllr Keane Duncan in Ripon Market Place.

Cllr Andrew Williams, who represents the Ripon Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council, said: 

“While it is disappointing that the initial tests on the sub-structure mean further investigation is required, it is important that we get it right and we have a long-lasting, level road surface around the Market Place.

“I welcome the council’s commitment to Ripon by the inclusion of this scheme in the capital programme for 2024/25 and like all local residents will be delighted when the scheme is completed.”

Details on the council’s highways capital programme will be revealed at a later date.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Sustainable Business Award, which is sponsored by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

This award recognises those businesses that have put sustainability at the top of their agenda.

These businesses are helping drive change and leading the way by reducing their impact on the environment no matter the size of the business. Implementing these practises for small businesses can be a bigger challenge than for larger businesses but every effort makes a difference.

Companies looking to enter for the Sustainable Business Award need to provide details of the changes the business has made, the impact the changes have had on the business and wide community with any details of any planned changes.

By giving vital recognition to those who have sustainability at the heart of their business, we hope others will follow their example.

Does your business deserve to win the Sustainable Business Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Rising football star Archie Gray and referee-turned-charity walker Mike Riley were the Harrogate winners at the 29th Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards last night.

The awards, organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, recognised the achievements of young people in seven categories from arts to sport.

Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray, 17, who completed his GCSEs at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate last year, won the achievement in sport award.

He joined the club at under-9 level and progressed rapidly through the academy, with an agreement being reached with the school to allow him to miss classes to train with the first team.

He was first named on the bench in 2021 and made his debut on August 6 this year against Cardiff City.

Archie was unable to attend the awards, having been called up for the England Elite League squad that faced Italy on the evening of the awards, so his great uncle Eddie Gray and another ex-Leeds player, Gary McAllister, accepted it on his behalf.

Former Leeds player Andy Hughes accepts the award on behalf of Mike Riley, who was on UEFA duty.

Harrogate’s other winner was Mike Riley, who received a special award for his contribution towards helping young people.

Mike walked 206 miles from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, via England’s highest peak of Scafell over 14 days to raise £4,000 for the foundation.

A long-term supporter of the awards, he is until the end of the season, head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for match officials in England.

He has led the organisation for 13 years, overseeing the development of match officials in the Premier League, FA, EFL and National League competitions and more recently the Women’s Super League.

Peter McCormick, the chairman of the awards who also runs Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors, which sponsored the event at Elland Road stadium, said:

“Every year we are astonished, inspired and, frequently, moved to tears by the amazing stories of our winners whose achievements underline the depth and breadth of the quality of the young people in our region.

The annual event has now raised more than £1.3m to support young people in Yorkshire.

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• Harrogate Grass Machinery to close after 24 years

Well-known firm Harrogate Grass Machinery is to cease trading after 24 years of trading.

The South Stainley company, which services and sells lawnmowers and grass machinery, announced its closure on social media.

Owner Victoria Waite set up the business with her husband in 1999, and employed four staff, but told the Stray Ferret she now wanted to retire.

Ms Waite added:

“It’s very bittersweet.

“People have been saying ‘what am I going to do now?’”

The 58-year-old also said her husband’s death four years ago “played a big part” in deciding to close the business.

“It’s been emotional, but things need to keep moving forward — that’s what I tell myself.”

Harrogate Grass Machinery’s last day of trading will be on Wednesday, December 20.

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• Commissioner complains over Tory mayoral candidate ‘inappropriate language’ claim

A parent has been ordered to pay £260 for their child being truant at a Harrogate school.

The 31-year-old mother pleaded guilty to the teenager failing to attend Harrogate High School regularly for a six-month period this year.

The Education Act 1996 states a parent is guilty of an offence if their child regularly fails to attend the school at which they are registered.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, was fined £80.

She was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a £32 surcharge to fund victim services.

The case was heard at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10.

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Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe lodged a formal complaint over Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan after she claimed he used “inappropriate language” to influence a decision on the recruitment of a chief constable.

Ms Metcalfe, who is also a Conservative, claimed Mr Duncan tried to “influence or seek to control” the decision over whether to start the appointment process.

Mr Duncan denied using inappropriate language and said a formal investigation had found no cause for action.

According to a freedom of information request published on the commissioner’s website, the pair had a phone conversation on September 24 on the subject.

The conversation took place ahead of a decision regarding the recruitment process for a chief constable at North Yorkshire Police after the incumbent, Lisa Winward, announced she will retire on March 31.

Ms Metcalfe is expected appoint a permanent successor to the role despite the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office being abolished when a Mayor for York and North Yorkshire is elected on May 2, 2024.

It means the new mayor will inherit a chief constable whose appointment was overseen by Ms Metcalfe.

Ms Metcalfe claimed Mr Duncan had sought to influence the decision and used “inappropriate language”.

In a letter to Mr Duncan, which was disclosed under the freedom of information act, she said she intended to lodge a complaint to the Conservative Party following the conversation.

In a statement to the Stray Ferret, Ms Metcalfe said:

“I believed that it was wholly inappropriate for Mr Duncan to try to influence or seek to control my decision making about a matter of such public importance.

“I have also lodged a complaint about Mr Duncan’s use of inappropriate language and a manner that was oppressive towards me.

“I considered the Nolan Principles of Public Life before seeking professional advice and determining that it was right for me as PFCC to challenge and report, by official letter and party complaint, what I considered to be improper and unacceptable behaviour.

“The complaint process is a matter for the Conservative Party and I do not intend to comment further upon it.“

‘No wrongdoing’

In response, Mr Duncan said the pair had a frank phone call during which they disagreed on several points.

He denied using inappropriate language and said an investigation had now been completed into the matter.

Mr Duncan said:

“I respect the work overseen by the police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire.

“We did have a frank private phone call together, during which we disagreed on several points about the future of our emergency services. However, I completely deny using inappropriate language.

“A formal party investigation has taken place and no cause for action found. I am pleased the matter is now resolved.

“My number one priority is public safety and I will continue to offer my support to the commissioner for the rest of her term in office.”

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A Conservative Party spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was carried out and found no wrongdoing.

They said:

“A complaint was received and an investigation carried out. No evidence of wrongdoing was found and no disciplinary action was taken.”

Mr Duncan was selected as the Conservative candidate for York and North Yorkshire Mayor ahead of Ms Metcalfe at a meeting in July. He is also the North Yorkshire councillor responsible for transport.

Pateley Bridge businessman, Keith Tordoff, has also announced that he will stand as an independent candidate for mayor.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has selected North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, to run for the position.

The Liberal Democrats and Labour have yet to declare candidates.

Industrial action has cost the trust which runs Harrogate District Hospital £1.5 million in 2023.

The hospital has been hit by numerous strikes in the last 12 months, with consultants and junior doctors staging walkouts in disputes over pay.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the figure was an “unavoidable cost” as a result of the strikes.

The move comes as NHS England has told hospital trusts to reduce targets for routine care in order to pay for the industrial action.

National health officials have estimated that the 40 days worth of strike action has cost NHS trusts £1 billion.

In a letter signed by Julian Kelly, the chief financial officer for NHS England, and Steve Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, local trusts were told that elective surgery targets would be scaled back.

It said:

“For the remainder of the financial year our agreed priorities are to achieve financial balance, protect patient safety and prioritise emergency performance and capacity, while protecting urgent care, high priority elective and cancer care.”

Currently, Harrogate hospital has 822 people waiting more than 65 weeks for surgery. No patients are waiting longer than 78 weeks.

However, a spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Trust, told the Stray Ferret that it does not expect NHS England’s target adjustment to affect its plans to tackle waiting lists.

They said:

“NHS England’s decision to reduce the elective activity target for 2023/24 is not expected to have a significant impact at HDFT.

“At the start of 2023, we had 2,918 patients awaiting surgical treatment who would have waited 65 weeks or longer by the end of March 2024. This number had reduced to 822 patients by November 2023 and we are currently on track to ensure no patient will be waiting beyond 65 weeks by the end of March 2024.

“We will continue to focus on cancer pathways to ensure we are able to get to a diagnosis within 28 days from referral and provide treatment within 62 days.

“HDFT is committed to providing the best possible healthcare for our patients and to ensure they can be seen at the earliest opportunity.”

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Children can once again send their letters to Father Christmas this year, thanks to the return of the North Pole Post Office in Harrogate.

The seasonal initiative, which is back for its fourth year, is produced by Harrogate International Festivals and funded by Harrogate BID.

Located at the Harrogate International Festivals office on Cheltenham Parade, the North Pole Post Office – Harrogate branch – has been a key festive feature in the town since 2020, with bright lights, snow flurries, Christmas music and the all-important postbox, which receives thousands of letters every year.

Visitors can download a special letter and message from Father Christmas via the Harrogate International Festivals website or by scanning the QR code located next to the post box.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“Harrogate BID are thrilled to be sponsoring the North Pole Post Office again in 2023.

“It is a superb attraction that adds to the Christmas offer in Harrogate. It brings so many families into the town during the festive season and has become an annual tradition for many.

“Harrogate is sure set for another great Christmas period with so many great things to do and see, thanks to a host of different organisations all working together.”

The North Pole Post Office is one of the key features in the town’s Christmas campaign this year, alongside the Christmas lights, the Christmas Fayre, the Candy Cane Express, the ice-skating rink, the Father Christmas Experience, and the open-top bus, which is a new addition this year.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“Originally conceived during lockdown, the North Pole Post Office continues to be one of our favourite community events. A free-for-all-the-family opportunity, and perfect for the festive pictures, the lights, snow and festive music all surrounding this very special post office bring lots of footfall to this side of town at all times of day.”

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The festive season got underway in Harrogate town centre today when the Christmas lights were switched on.

The lights are organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District, which is funded by a levy paid by town centre traders. The levy pays for initiatives that encourage more people to visit the town, such as the lights.

As with recent years, today’s switch-on was a low-key ‘soft’ event rather than a public occasion.

The BID said previously it decided to go down this route based on feedback from members, which suggested they would prefer the organisation to spend its budget in “more impactful ways”.

Below is a selection of images taken today.

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