Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 179 of 1037

Metal fences to remain in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens until next year

The metal fencing around the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens will remain in place until the new year, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed.

The fencing was erected last month as a “temporary measure” to prevent a group of rough sleepers from occupying the building.

The group, which inhabited the pavilion for two weeks in September, returned twice after being dispersed by officials.

A spokesperson for the council told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“The fencing is a temporary measure, but will remain in place until the new year as a result of the Christmas ice rink going into the gardens this month.”

The ice rink, which was put up on Crescent Gardens for the first time last year, is part of a three-year Christmas activity licence introduced by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

In a report at the time, Kirsty Stewart, the council’s grounds and maintenance manager, said the festive licence “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year”.

A rose arch has been erected as part of the Crescent Gardens revamp.

This has helped to fund a £21,000 revamp of Crescent Gardens.

Last year, the pavilion was used as a makeshift boot room for ice skaters, however its use this year is uncertain following the recent update.

Harrogate district adorned in poppies as Remembrance Sunday approaches

The Harrogate district has been adorned in poppies in the lead up to this weekend’s Remembrance Day.

Scores of poppies have been put up in Ripon, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham and in villages in between in honour of the fallen.

Bilton Community Centre is among the organisations to mark remembrance with a wall display.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors, which is based on Hookstone Chase, has created a display in the shape of a poppy featuring old photographs of servicemen.

Meanwhile, Ripon Spa Gardens and Knaresborough Station are also adorned in poppies ahead of Sunday.

Remembrance services will be held across the district this coming weekend. You can read a list of the commemorations here.

Ripon Spa Gardens

Bilton Community Centre

Bilton Ladies Forum members have made many of the poppies on Bilton Community. Centre.

Knaresborough rail station

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors’s display.

Lib Dem leader accuses Tories of ‘pinching’ Harrogate Station Gateway ideas

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Harrogate and Knaresborough has accused the Conservative transport chief of “pinching” their ideas for the £11.2 million Station Gateway.

North Yorkshire Council is hastily assembling new proposals for the scheme after admitting its previous plans failed to follow the correct procedure in the wake of legal action.

Councillor Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways, revealed last week that two of the most controversial aspects of the scheme — reducing Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianising James Street — would be scrapped.

A detailed new plan has yet to be published but it is expected to include improvements to Station Square and One Arch and upgrading traffic signals.

Lib Dem leader Pat Marsh said the Lib Dems suggested dropping the Station Parade and James Street proposals at an online meeting of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee working group on October 31 — shortly before Cllr Duncan’s announcement.

She said the 13 members of the area constituency committee are due to walk around the gateway site tomorrow (Thursday, November 8) with a senior officer at the council.

Cllr Marsh said the visit would enable the council to better understand the area and consider a “better connected” Lib Dem plan for the town centre.

She said previous gateway proposals “started nowhere and ended nowhere”.

Cllr Marsh said:

“There are simple solutions that would connect the town better. They would enable cyclists to feel safer and not upset motorists.”

She added she would reveal full details of the proposals after tomorrow’s meeting but said they included improvements to the public realm near the train and bus stations, keeping the Station Parade taxi rank where it is and “tidying up” the area around the train station car park.

Cllr Marsh said:

“What we feel we have come up with is a better connected scheme.

“We are not playing politics — that is why we put something forward and offered to do a walk round.”

The Stray Ferret has asked Cllr Duncan to respond to Cllr Marsh’s comments but has not had a response.

Business Breakfast: Yorkshire Events Centre hires new events director

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

Yorkshire Events Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate have announced a new events director.

Richard Moorhouse has been promoted to the role after being venue manager at the centre for the last 12 years.

Mr Moorhouse will be tasked with heading up events and conferencing venues at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

In a post on its social media, Yorkshire Events Centre said:

“Richard has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and previously held operational roles at the Freedom Centre, Hull and in hospitality at Doncaster Racecourse.”

Grantley Hall recognised at hospitality awards

Grantley Hall near Ripon has been recognised at an industry awards ceremony.

The hotel was awarded the “best service” award at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024.

The awards aim to recognise excellence within the hospitality industry.

Richard Sykes, managing director at Grantley Hall, said:

“Receiving the award for ‘Best Service’ at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024 is a moment of immense pride for the entire Grantley Hall family.

“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, our dedicated team’s passion for hospitality and the genuine care we extend to each and every guest.

“We are deeply honoured by this recognition, as it only strengthens our resolve to continue exceeding the expectations of those we have the privilege to serve and experience the magic of Grantley Hall.”

A59 Kex Gill resurfacing to be complete on Friday

Work to resurface a section of road on the A59 Kex Gill is set to be completed on Friday.

North Yorkshire Council closed the road for five weeks to undertake the resurfacing between Church Hill and Pace Gate as part of a £500,000 scheme.

It also involved essential stabilising work to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, cat’s eyes replacement and maintenance of ground monitoring equipment

The move has caused a lengthy diversion through Pool in Wharfedale and Otley before rejoining the A59.

Now, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council has said the work is on schedule to be completed on Friday (November 10).

The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.

The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.

A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips.

The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.

Almost 100-year-old Harrogate sports club to get upgrades

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights.

The members club on Firs Road was founded in 1924 on the same site and as it approaches its centenary next year, there will be a major upgrade of the facility which offers a place to play tennis, table tennis and badminton.

It includes four tennis courts with artificial grass but planning documents state they have been in use for 14 years and are wearing out.

The foundations under the courts have also “deteriorated significantly” and the fencing needs replacing.

Three of the four courts are floodlit but the lights were installed more than 20 years ago. The plans will see the structure under the courts reinforced, the surface of the courts replaced with new state-of-the-art artificial grass, new fencing installed and floodlights on courts 1-3.

Plans submitted by St Aidan’s CE High School in 2020 to install new floodlights on its sports pitches proved to be controversial due to the potential for light pollution on neighbouring properties.

Harrogate Racquets Club said it sought expert advice and believes the new lighting will reduce the flare currently emanating from the courts and will meet guidance on obtrusive light.

The club sent letters to neighbouring properties and received six responses, none of which raised concerns about the plans.

It has outreach programmes with local schools including Oatlands Primary and Junior schools, Harrogate Ladies College and Pannal Primary School.

The club also runs coaching programmes with over 200 children participating in the weekly programmes across all three sports during term times as well as easter and summer camps.

It’s situated in a residential cul-de-sac off Leeds Road on the south side of Harrogate, opposite the Oatlands Marks & Spencer supermarket.

The facilities are open every day of the week between 8am and 10pm.

Saturday’s Stray bonfire may be last, say organisers

The organisers of the annual bonfire on the Stray in Harrogate have warned that last Saturday’s event could be the last.

Harrogate Round Table has organised the town’s main bonfire for 52 years.

But the charity said today it was struggling to cover the costs and there was a question mark over whether it would be held next year.

In a statement expressing its “heartfelt appreciation” to those who attended Saturday’s event, despite wet weather, the round table said:

“The cost of holding this wonderful community event has risen dramatically over the last three years in line with inflation and the dramatic cost of living that we are all feeling.

“We are still processing payments and accumulating this year’s totals, but at this stage we can see that it is unlikely we will meet previous totals raised and may well struggle to cover the cost of the event. This brings into question the viability of future bonfire events.

“The annual Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night has been a cherished tradition, bringing our community together for the past 52 years. However, due to the increased expenses and risks involved in its planning, we are faced with the unfortunate possibility that this may be the last Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night that Harrogate Round Table hosts, if we do not receive the necessary financial support.”

The statement appealed for donations to “ensure the continuity of this treasured tradition”.

A GoFundMe campaign with a £5,000 has currently generated less than £2,000. You can donate here.

The round table said:

“Your generosity will directly impact our ability to continue hosting these events for everyone to enjoy.

“The Harrogate Round Table team firmly believes in the power of community, and with your support, we can overcome the current challenges and continue to provide memorable experiences for all. Please join us in preserving this wonderful tradition for future generations.”

Man in 90s seriously injured after Harrogate collision

A man in his 90s is in a serious condition in hospital following a collision between Harrogate and Killinghall last night.

The man had just got off the bus when he was struck by a Ford Fiesta.

The incident took place on the A61, on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane, at 5.50pm. A 36 bus stop is situated on the bridge.

The A61 junction with Knox Mill Lane.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for dashcam footage and witnesses.

In a statement, the force added:

“The pedestrian, a man in his 90s, had just alighted from a bus. He currently remains in a serious condition in hospital.

“The Ford Fiesta was travelling northbound on the A61 in the direction of Killinghall. The driver is helping officers with their investigation.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also called to the scene.

The A61 was closed at New Park roundabout.

The road was closed for police investigations and re-opened at 1.45am this morning (Tuesday, November 7).

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to help with the investigation. The statement added:

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, saw either the vehicle involved or the pedestrian in the moments leading up to it, or has dashcam footage, is urged to make contact with North Yorkshire Police if they have not already done so.

“Please email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101.”

Quote reference 12230211344 when passing on information.

Harrogate air base a ‘designated Islamic State target’, terrorism trial hears

A man accused of plotting a terrorist attack on RAF Menwith Hill near Harrogate did so because it was a designated Islamic State target, a court heard.

Mohammad Farooq, 28, is accused of preparing pressure cooker bomb attacks on the US spy and radar base and a Leeds hospital.

In the second week of the trial at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, the jury heard that Farooq had downloaded material from extremist Jihadi groups and online guides on how to make a bomb.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford said Farooq’s “Plan A” was to target Menwith Hill and when that didn’t come off, he turned his attention to “Plan B” – St James’s University Hospital, which he saw as a “softer and less-well-protected target”.

Mr Sandiford added:

“By January 2023, we say that the defendant had become a self-radicalised lone-wolf terrorist who had made preparations to commit a murderous terrorist attack in Yorkshire.”

Analysis of Farooq’s iPhone and his movements in his Seat Ibiza showed he had targeted RAF Menwith Hill after downloading extremist material on TikTok and lectures by a radical Islamist preacher.

He also obtained bomb-making instructions from Inspire, an Al Qaeda magazine which urged followers to carry out lone-wolf terror attacks against The West”, particularly in the US and the UK.

Mr Sandiford told the court:

“The reason (for targeting) RAF Menwith Hill (was because it) had been designated as a target for lone-wolf terrorists by Islamic State because it was believed that the base had had been used to co-ordinate drone strikes against terrorists in Syria and Iraq.”

Using cell-site technology, police discovered Farooq had made at least two visits to the RAF base between January 10 and the day of his arrest on January 20.

Farooq, from Leeds, later admitted he had an explosive device with him when he went to the air base but claimed he had just gone there “for a drive”.

He also obtained “instructions for the preparation and manufacture…of five deadly toxins as nerve agents”, namely Ricin, Sarin, VX, Tabun and Tetrodoxin.

Talked down by patient

Farooq took to the witness stand yesterday.

The court heard that the clinical support worker at St James’s University Hospital wandered into the hospital grounds carrying a homemade bomb, two knives and a 9mm PAK semi-automatic pistol.

Mr Sandiford said Farooq was standing at the entrance to the Gledhow Wing, waiting for the “right time” when that section of the hospital would be “full of nurses”before detonating his pressure-cooker-style bomb in the early hours of January 20.

However, by sheer chance, Nathan Newby, a patient, happened to be having a cigarette outside the main entrance at the time Farooq was allegedly about to execute his deadly plot.

Mr Newby said he was “good at reading body language”and thought “something was amiss” with Farooq.

He said that Farooq, allegedly inspired by Al Qaeda and Islamic State, was “right quiet at first” but then “just came out with it”, telling him he had a bomb and planned to detonate it inside the hospital.

The quick-thinking patient kept a calm head and persuaded Farooq to walk with him to a bench away from the main hospital buildings. There they sat and chatted amiably until Farooq started “rocking back and forwards” and told him he had a bomb.

Mr Newby managed to calm Farooq, who had placed a bag with the bomb and explosives inside on the ground next to the bench, and “talk him down”.

Farooq handed him his phone and said: “Please dial 999. I’ve changed my mind.”

The “shocked” patient called police at about 4.20am and in a remarkably calm exchange with the call-taker, explained the situation to her, saying he was with a man who “seemed a good lad, a nice guy”, but who was carrying a homemade bomb and “wanted to set it off”.

Mr Newby said he asked Farooq what was inside his coat, whereupon Farooq unzipped his garment and pulled out a pistol. He tried to hand it to the patient who told him to put it on the bench, which he did.

‘Wanted to get back at nurses’

Under cross-examination from Farooq’s barrister Gul Nawaz Hussain KC, Mr Newby said he first approached Farooq because he looked distressed, “like he’d had some really bad news”, and wanted to cheer him up.

Farooq told Mr Newby he was “feeling down” and that he wanted “to get them back”.

It was explained that by “them”, Farooq meant the nurses with whom he worked at the hospital and had a beef.

Farooq told Mr Newby he “felt like they didn’t want him anymore” and that he “felt like he’d lost everything and just wanted to get them back”.

The witness said Farooq was “really relaxed” and it was “just like a normal conversation, like he was buying some trainers”.

Farooq then started “looking down at his bag” and put his hands in his pockets, “looking agitated” and rocking back and forth.

When Mr Newby asked Farooq what was inside his bag, he replied: “There’s a bomb.”

Farooq told him his plan was to “walk through the main doors past the lifts, straight to the canteen (in the Gledhow Wing)” and “wait for all (of) them to come back in” and detonate the bomb.

Mr Newby said he had been speaking to Farooq “for hours” before the alleged terrorist’s arrest.

Mr Sandiford said:

“The defendant was in possession of a viable improvised explosive device assembled from a pressure cooker and containing 9.9 kilos of low explosive.

“He had with him…two knives, black tape and…a firearm. The Crown’s case is that he had gone to that hospital to commit a terrorist attack (and) seek his own martyrdom by detonating the explosive device and using bladed weapons to kill as many people as possible.”

‘Wanted martyrdom’

Farooq, who had downloaded a map or plan of the hospital, had wanted to “induce a response” from police or get them to shoot him “to give him a martyrdom that he believed would bring him the seven blessings of the martyr and direct entry into Jannah, or Paradise”.

He had parked up outside the hospital and sent a bomb threat from the car park “with the intent of causing an evacuation while he was waiting in his car”. Mr Sandiford added:

“He was waiting to detonate the improvised explosive device and then attack any survivors with the bladed weapons.”

By chance, the bomb threat was sent to a nurse at the hospital who was off duty, watching TV at home, and “didn’t see or act upon the message for over an hour”, so a full evacuation never occurred and Farooq drove away.

He returned a short time later with a new plan of attack which was to carry the weapons, including the homemade bomb, into the Costa Coffee cafe inside the hospital, “wait for a change of shift so that it would be full of nurses, then detonate it, killing as many of them as possible”.

The pressure-cooker bomb, similar to the one used in the Boston Marathon terror attack in 2013, was made safe by a military bomb-disposal team as police began to run checks on Farooq’s movements before the alleged planned attack.

Farooq, of Hetton Road, Roundhay, has already admitted possessing an explosive substance, an improvised explosive device and pyrotechnic fuses in suspicious circumstances.

He has also pleaded guilty to possessing a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and carrying an imitation firearm with criminal intent. However, he denies plotting terrorist acts.

The trial continues.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate rental company appoints chief financial officer

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

A Harrogate equipment rental company has appointed a new chief financial officer.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP has announced that Kieth Winstanley will join its board from January 2024.

Mr Winstanley qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC and recently held senior finance leadership roles at KCOM Group plc and Lookers plc.

Anna Bielby, chief executive of VP, said:

“I am delighted to be welcoming Keith to Vp as CFO and I look forward to working with him again.

“Keith has significant finance experience which will be instrumental in driving Vp forwards.”

Harrogate care company recognised at regional awards.

A Harrogate and Ripon care company has been recognised at an industry award.

Continued Care won two awards at the regional finals of the Great British Care awards, which was held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Staff member Nichola Noble won in the care assessor award category, while Samantha Lathley was highly commended in the frontline leader award.

Both will go to the national finals in 2024.

Samantha Harrison, director at Continued Care, said:

“Nichola is once again a worthy winner of her award. Well done to Samantha too, and to all our staff who were nominated.

“The most special thing about these awards is that the finalists were all put forward by the people they care for and work with.”

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Grantley Hall recognised at hospitality awards

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Talked down by patient

Read more:

‘Wanted to get back at nurses’

‘Wanted martyrdom’

Harrogate care company recognised at regional awards.

Read more: