Campaigners to protest at Harrogate Spring Water meeting

Campaigners are to stage a protest at an event held by Harrogate Spring Water this week to discuss its expansion plans.

The company, which is part of French multinational Danone, revealed revised plans this month to expand its bottling plant off Harlow Moor Road. This would involve felling 450 trees planted by schoolchildren in nearby Rotary Wood to combat climate change.

Harrogate Spring Water has said it has a contractual agreement with a landowner to buy two acres of land and plant 1,200 saplings to offset the impact if its planning application is accepted. It claims this would lead to a net biodiversity gain on the site.

About 25 people opposed to the felling of trees attended a Save Rotary Wood event in Harrogate yesterday.

One of the children who planted the trees was among those attending, along with members of Zero Carbon Harrogate and Pinewoods Conservation Group, a North Yorkshire councillor and concerned individuals.

Activist Sarah Gibbs said she would protest in her tree costume at the public consultation event, which takes place at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday.

Yesterday’s meeting also discussed developing a long-term strategy to save the trees and heard concerns about the wider impact development would have on the environment and Harrogate’s reputation.

Among the issues raised were more lorries using the site, whether greater water extraction would affect local water supply and the possibility of further expansion at the site.

Jessica Eaton, of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:

“Where does it stop? And do we want Harrogate to be associated with plastic bottles? I’m fairly sure most people in Harrogate support us.”

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Arnold Warneken, the Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, said campaigners should focus on valid planning reasons for refusal.

One attendee described direct action as a “last resort” but “not inconceivable”.

Harrogate Spring Water already has outline planning permission, which means the principle of development has been established. It is now preparing a reserved matters planning application, which would agree the details.

Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said previously the company believed its revised plans addressed previous concerns and “create a way forward together for the local community and for ourselves as a growing Harrogate business”.

He added:

“We would like people to come and see for themselves what we have planned and how we aim to carry it out.”

Anyone who cannot come along on the day will still be able to see the plans and have their say here.

 

Harrogate anti-knife crime scheme to be expanded across county

A scheme to tackle knife crime in Harrogate that collected more than 50 blades within its first month is to be expanded with £15,000 of funding.

A metal safe bin was installed in January at the Dragon Road car park in Harrogate and was used by people surrendering knives that might otherwise be used as offensive or dangerous weapons.

Between January and last week, which was national Knife Crime Awareness Week, more than 500 knives and bladed articles were deposited at that location.

The new funding has been awarded to North Yorkshire Council from the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Serious Violence Duty – Prevention and Early Intervention fund.

It will enable the council, in partnership with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police, to install knife-drop bins across the North Yorkshire and York.

Following local government reorganisation, North Yorkshire Council has committed to expanding the scheme. Although North Yorkshire is regarded as one of the safest counties in England and Wales, knife crime remains an issue.

There were more than 2,700 recorded incidents in the Harrogate district where a knife or bladed article was involved or mentioned between January 2020 and June 2022.

Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Knife bins have proved their worth wherever they have been located.

“I am delighted that my office has been able to provide funding to this project. We can never truly reverse the impact of a violent crime after it has occurred, and so it is crucial that we are able to support preventative measures like this which are proven to reduce the risk of these crimes happening in the first place.“My office supports a range of services designed to do just that, providing support for victims of crime as well as addressing the underlying causes of reoffending.

“North Yorkshire is statistically one of the safest parts of the UK, but that does not mean we should ever rest on our laurels, and we will always strive to ensure that residents of our region are able to be safe and feel safe.”

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The number of fatal stabbings in England and Wales is reported to be at its highest level since records began more than 75 years ago.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 282 homicides were committed using a knife or sharp instrument in the year to March 2022, which is a 19 per cent rise when compared to the previous year.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance, said:

“I am delighted the bid for funding had been approved.

“Knife bins will not reduce these horrendous statistics on their own, but they have proven to be a successful way of preventing knives and bladed articles from getting into the wrong hands.

“Knife crime has devastating consequences for all those involved. If installing these bins leads to the prevention of just one death, then the investment will have been worthwhile.”

Locations are currently being considered for the new knife-drop bins. Once the locations have been decided, members of the public will be able to deposit the knife or bladed article through the bin’s hatch. People are advised to wrap the blade in thick paper or cardboard and secure with tape as a safety precaution.

The bins will then be emptied by officers from North Yorkshire Police and the items disposed of.

The Government’s Serious Violence Duty, introduced in January, requires the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to bring organisations, such as North Yorkshire Council, together to develop and implement strategies that help prevent and reduce serious violence.

North Yorkshire Council’s head of community safety and CCTV, Odette Robson, said:

“This initiative helps us to safeguard our communities and fulfil our commitment to tackling serious violence.”

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough chamber meeting brought forward

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’.

The next meeting of Knaresborough and District Chamber has been brought forward to avoid congestion in the Christmas calendar. 

The meeting will take place from 7pm this Wednesday, November 29, downstairs at The Mitre pub.

The packed agenda will begin with North Yorkshire Council‘s Michaela Young taking a look at SME and business sustainability grants.

Banking in Knaresborough will also be covered, with news about the town’s new Banking Hub, and an update on the Onebanx initiative, with a video link to the Onebanx team.

The issue of electric vehicle parking spaces will be discussed, and there’ll be news about the Shared Prosperity Fund relating to the proposed cliff lift, connectivity, data intelligence and economic prosperity.

There will also be updates on double devolution progress and the marketplace from the town council, and on the Christmas Market, as well as news on other developments, including the Christmas Market; Henshaws Beer Festival sponsorship and 12 Days of Giving; the Christmas Day Dinner, which needs volunteers; the New Year Duck Race; and an update from the town crier.

Harrogate firm aims to beat southern rivals at awards

A Harrogate office supplies company will be battling it out against a field of firms from the south at an awards ceremony this week.

Supplies Web Ltd, which is based at Claro Court Business Centre, has been shortlisted for the dealer excellence award, for companies that turn over less than £5 million a year, at the national BOSS Awards.

The BOSS Awards are held annually by the BOSS Federation, which is the trade association for the business supplies industry.

Supplies Web is up against stiff competition from four other firms, all based in the South East and East Anglia; the most northerly competitor apart from Supplies Web is based in Lowestoft.

Paul Graves, director of Supplies Web, said:

“We are delighted to have been nominated for dealer excellence. BOSS is the authoritative body for the UK business supplies industry, and this is the biggest awards night in the calendar – like the BAFTAs of our industry!”

The winners of the BOSS Awards will be announced at a gala dinner held at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester this Thursday (November 30).

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Ryan Reynolds fever hits Harrogate ahead of big match

Speculation as to whether Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds will turn up to Harrogate Town’s clash with Wrexham tomorrow evening has been rife today.

Town are expecting a record attendance for the match at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

The rumour mill went into overdrive when the Harrogate Town Supporters Group account on Facebook posted a picture showing a man of similar size, age and build as the Deadpool A-lister near a four-seater private helicopter, which purported to be of “Ryan Reynolds landing in the grounds of a well-known local hotel this morning”. 

The post may well have been a spot of mischief-making, but Reynolds’ presence at the match is not out of the question. He and his business partner and friend, fellow actor Rob McElhenney, bought Wrexham in 2020, and their investment in the club helped it to win promotion from the National League to League Two at the end of last season. 

They are not known to frequent games beyond Wrexham itself, but they have come under fire for using private planes to transport players around the country for away fixtures. 

The helicopter in the photo is a Bell 206B Jet Ranger currently registered in the fleet of Heliflight UK, which is based at Gloucester, but also has a presence in Wolverhampton, 65 miles from Wrexham. 

When the Stray Ferret asked 10 days ago if Wrexham’s star owners were expected at the EnviroVent Stadium tomorrow, Harrogate Town’s spokesman said:  

“I would think it’s very unlikely. I’m not aware of Ryan Reynolds having been to any other away games – but you never know.” 

Town’s media assistant, Nickolas McInally, said today:  

“We are not aware of whether or not Ryan Reynolds plans to attend the match.

“With regards to tickets, this will be a record crowd with only a couple of hundred remaining. Tickets will be on sale online or in the club shop until 2pm tomorrow [Tuesday, November 28].

“We will also have our new stand in use for the first time.”

Tickets for all matches are available online only at the club’s e-ticketing webpage.

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Hampsthwaite garage expansion plans finally set for go-ahead

Simon Graeme Auto Services Centre‘s plans to build a new MOT and service building in Hampsthwaite finally look set to be approved.

The garage, which has been situated alongside the A59 for three decades, has been keen to expand for some time. But it has faced a lengthy battle for planning permission.

North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon planning committee will decide on its latest plans on Tuesday next week, and a council case officer has recommended the seven-person committee approves the bid.

The proposed new building, which would include two MOT bays and five servicing bays, would be situated on the edge of Nidderdale National Landscape, which was previously known as Nidderdale AONB, where there are strict planning planning rules. It is also outside the council’s development area.

In January, the council said the scheme would “create a significant level of landscape harm to both the open countryside and the views into and out of the Nidderdale AONB” and turned down the application.

A visual of the planned new garage for Simon Graeme Auto Services Centre in Harrogate.

A visual of the planned new garage.

The company, based on Grayston Plain Lane, submitted revised plans, which the council again recommended for refusal in October. But the planning committee decided instead to defer it so the company could revise the landscaping and provide additional information about drainage and design.

Cllr Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside told October’s meeting the Nidderdale AONB should be a place for people to live and work and “not a museum for townies to visit on a weekend”.

Now council documents published ahead of next week’s planning committee meeting say the new MOT and service building should go ahead. The existing overflow car park would be removed as part of the scheme.

They say:

“It is considered that the proposal would have an economic benefit to the area and that following the revisions to the landscaping proposal and the provision of additional information in relation to sustainability of design and waste that the proposal would meet the requirements of local plan policy EC2 in relation to the expansion of an existing business in the countryside.”

The documents add the current scheme also differs from the previous proposal because the previous bid was to move the entire operation, which will now be split between two sites.

The 0.5-hectare site would create five new posts to take the number of staff to 16, according to planning documents.

Fifty-five people have supported the scheme; two have objected.

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Review: Dick Whittington is thigh-slapping, side-splitting fun

An extravagant dame, a wicked villain, high jinks and many an excitable child: it must be pantomime season.

Harrogate Theatre’s 2023 show is the thigh-slapping, side-splitting Dick Whittington, and it’s another swashbuckler for the panto lovers out there.

Spirited, sparkling and silly, the tale of Dick Whittington’s adventure to London and beyond makes for the perfect panto plot with bountiful boisterous frolics. The fun-loving cast is infectiously energetic, indulging its audience in a couple of hours of folly and fancy.

The youngest audience members, many dressed up for the occasion, had a ball, singing, dancing and revelling in their participation – especially the many opportunities to shout, boo and hiss.

The grown-ups don’t miss out, with gags to tickle even the weariest parent, and the panto is Harrogate through and through, with mention of local politics aplenty. A rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas doubles up as an advert for many of the town’s local specialties, from Weeton’s hampers to Taylors tea and Pizza Parada.

Set changes are as frequent as the dame’s outfit swaps, and the whole stage is awash with colour, glitter and merriment. A true variety performance, the show is jam-packed with audience interaction, runabouts, singalongs and slapstick humour, and sprinkled with cheeky twists on popular songs, covering everything from Elton John to Harry Styles.

The brilliantly rambunctious Michael Lambourne as the evil King Rat delivered two of my personal favourites: These Claws Are Made for Walking and a rip-roaring rendition of Rat Out of Hell.

As the countdown to Christmas begins, Harrogate Theatre’s custard-pie-covered, water-pistol-soaked, fairy-dusted panto is just the way to get into the spirit. Oh yes, it is!

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Overnight diversions as Harrogate level crossing closes for inspection

Belmont level crossing on Forest Lane in Harrogate is to close overnight twice this week, Network Rail has confirmed.

The crossing will be shut to allow maintenance teams to carry out a rail corrosion inspection from 11.20pm tomorrow (Tuesday, November 28) to 6.25am on Wednesday, November 29, and at the same times between November 29 and Thursday, November 30.

A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Stray Ferret:

“This means that there will be no disruption to train services, as the crossing will close and re-open between the last and first services.”

However, although rail services will not be affected, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed there will be signposted diversions overnight for road traffic using Hookstone Chase, Wetherby Road (A661) and the A59 between Starbeck and Harrogate.

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New tailoring and alterations shop to open in Harrogate

A tailoring and alterations company is set to open on Cheltenham Parade in Harrogate.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will take over the unit formerly occupied by Adage Dance, which announced it would move to an online-only service in May.

The company, which opened its first store on Knaresborough High Street in 2016, offers tailoring and alteration services for all types of clothing, as well as custom-made clothing.

Owner and tailor, Robin Katiksiz, told the Stray Ferret customers will be able to order bespoke items which will be made in-house.

He added:

“All our garments are manufactured in-house using high-quality materials, fabrics, linings, buttons, etc. In addition, customers will be able to bring their clothes for precise alterations and repairs.

“This principle applies to all types of clothing, guaranteeing a perfect fit and quality work. In our new store, our primary goal, as always, is to provide quality craftsmanship and top-notch customer service.”

The current Knaresborough unit.

Mr Katiksiz also said he has a “deep attachment” to Harrogate and the idea of opening another store in the town has “always attracted” him.

He hopes the Harrogate store will be open shortly before Christmas, but if construction work is not completed by then, Mr Katiksiz said it would open on January 4 next year.

It will be located opposite another alterations company, Golden Stitches, which opened more than 10 years ago.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will be open every day, 10am – 2pm.

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Pannal Scouts sell Christmas trees to raise money for hall improvements              

The 1st Pannal Scout Group is selling Christmas trees to raise funds for the renovation of its scout hall.

The group, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, has more than 100 members aged four to 24.

The hall, which is on Spring Lane near Harrogate, has undergone renovations to make the building more accessible, including the installation of a disabled toilet and ramp. There is also a new outbuilding and mezzanine level in the existing hall.

The group hopes its latest festive initiative will raise another £1,500 to fund the final improvements to the building, which will be unveiled in January 2024.

Scout leader Andy Bielby told the Stray Ferret:

“Our group turned 75 last month and we’re just finishing up some exciting renovations to our scout hall which we hope will keep us going for many more years.

“This year we’re using the funds raised to complete some amazing transformation work to our scout hall in Pannal.

“We’ve been lucky to get some grant funding to bring the hall up to date. Unfortunately, that funding restricted us to certain uses so we’re raising money towards some more modest repairs and painting!”

The locally-supplied Nordmann fir trees, which range from 3ft – 8ft, can be ordered online and collected from the Scout Hall.

Prices start at £25.

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Stray Views: £10.8m junction 47 upgrade on A1 was ‘gigantic misuse’ of public money

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Thank you for the article on junction 47. We felt all along that this was a project too far.

At a time when humanity is facing existential crisis due to fossil fuel emissions, we should be slowing traffic down, not trying to speed it up…so the project is a gigantic misuse of public money in our view.

It is on a par with the race to cover fields with inappropriate housing – designed to make profits for developers and their friends in government.

Also, please can we hear what happened to the newts?  They really can’t expect us to believe that the newt relocation was that costly!

Shan Oakes, Knaresborough

Hospitality firms should contribute to Harrogate Convention Centre’s rebuild

The hotels and restaurants of Harrogate will be disappointed that the loss-making conference centre is not in line for a multi-million pound upgrade.

The rest of us will be relieved that such profligacy is to be avoided.

As the hospitality industry would be the only beneficiary of a new look conference centre I suggest that the hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes of Harrogate all contribute, on a pro rata basis, towards its rebuild.

Dr Christopher Bennett, Ripon

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A bypass would be more effective in south Harrogate

What is the purpose of the proposed Killinghall bypass road? Is it to take traffic that is going from east/west and getting around town in the shortest way?

If so, the Killinghall idea doesn’t make any sense since that isn’t where most of the traffic is. Traffic is much worse on the south side of Harrogate.

If the bypass was put in nearer to Pannal and then Beckwithshaw and on to the A59, there would seem to be a better chance to get more of the traffic off the roads.

Fred Hicks, Bilton, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.