Historic Harrogate building to be converted back into a home

A former stately home in Harrogate dating back to the 18th century will be converted back into housing after being used as offices.

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to convert the grade II listed Bilton Court on Wetherby Road into a single home.

Built in 1740 and close to the Great Yorkshire Showground, it’s described in planning documents as being a “jewel in the crown” of Harrogate.

The building is currently used by local firm Geoplan as its main offices but because of the increase in working from home since the covid pandemic, documents submitted by Townscape Architects say it is “no longer needed, practical or economical” to be used by the business.

Two side extensions were added to the building in 1820 and a chapel was built in 1889.

A futher extension will be built to be used as a garage and garden room and a warehouse building that is part of the site will also be converted into a separate home.

Documents add: 

“It is proposed to convert the property back into a dwelling which we believe is more befitting of a property of this nature and will preserve and prolong the life of the building as it was first designed.

“Overall, because the property was initially designed as a residential property it lends itself well to being converted into one now. As a result a light touch approach was used with as little intervention as possible.

“This means the heritage asset will disturbed as little as possible. Where new additions are made the intention has been to make them as obvious as possible to ensure they don’t confuse and detract from the heritage asset.”

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘Dementia Forward is a home for me’

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, Flora spoke to a mother and daughter who use the charity’s services.

Growing up, parents seem invincible, and the thought of one day caring for them seems a lifetime away.

But in reality, thousands of people are caring for their parents living with dementia, and losing their loved ones before their very eyes.

One of them is Beverley Mitcheson, who looks after her mother, Mary Yelland. They told us their story.

Mary was once a talented window-dresser. She is a mother to her children, grandmother to her grandchildren and even great-grandmother to her great-grandchildren – Mary lived a normal life before getting dementia.

Beverley said:

“We noticed a lot of changes in mum, and we all knew she wasn’t remembering things, but it wasn’t until last year that we finally took action.

“There’s no handbook in these situations – you don’t know what to do.”

Beverley felt at a loss as to how best to support her 91-year-old mother, who had recently been diagnosed with this progressive disease.

Luckily, her husband had noticed the Dementia Forward minibus around the area and got in touch about Mary’s diagnosis.

Beverley said:

“As a carer, you never feel you’re doing enough.”

Beverley took on the role as her mum’s carer 18 months ago and, as a mother and grandmother herself, struggled to juggle it all.

After a home visit from the Dementia Forward team, they stepped in to provide Mary with specialist care she needed.

Fast forward a year, and she now goes attends the Hub Club twice a week with a smile on her face.

Beverley added:

“I couldn’t manage without these two days.

“I love my mum so much – she’s happy.

“I know she’s stimulated here – which is something I can’t do for her –  and they’re the main things.”

Mary with other members at the Hub Club.

The Hub Club offers those living with dementia the opportunity to spend the day at the Burton Leonard site. They play board games, have coffee and cake over crosswords, take part in quizzes and listen to their favourite songs. But most importantly, the members are socialising.

Dementia can be extremely isolating and people often feel misunderstood, but the group combats that and makes those people feel understood.

Beverley added:

“Dementia isn’t physical – people can’t see it – so, for her to be somewhere she’s understood is just amazing.”

The charity has brought light to a life-changing situation for Mary and Beverley, as well as hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.

Mary said:

“When I come here, I just feel like I’m going to see my friends – it’s like a family.

“It’s like entering a haven where I don’t need to worry about anything. It’s a home for me.”

 

However, Beverley still has to watch this dementia take her mother from her.

Dementia Forward continues to support them, along with thousands of other families every week, but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need. 

Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Father Christmas postal service returns, thanks to hospital charity

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC) has announced the return of its seasonal postal service to Father Christmas.

Children can now receive a personalised letter from the man himself, complete with an Official North Pole Certificate and a Christmas colouring sheet selection.

All their parent or guardian has to do is complete the booking form on the HHCC website by Sunday, December 3. The service is free, but the charity welcomes voluntary donations.

All letters will be posted between Monday, December 4 and Friday, December 8 to ensure they arrive before Christmas Eve.

Every child who receives a letter from Father Christmas will also be in with a chance of winning a prize, kindly donated by Imagined Things Bookshop in Harrogate, just in time for Christmas.

Georgia Hudson, volunteer and charity manager, said:

“The HHCC and Volunteer Team are delighted to be able to run the Letters from Father Christmas initiative for the second year running.

“We received some wonderful feedback from supporters last year and hope to continue to bring a smile onto your loved ones faces with some sparkle and excitement from the main man himself!

“Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support HHCC, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

In addition, any child wanting to post their own letter to Father Christmas can find a template letter here.

These can be posted at the festive post-box situated at the main entrance of Harrogate District Hospital from Friday, December 1.

Children can also hand-deliver their own letters to Father Christmas himself this November, as he is stopping by at HHCC’s Outdoor Pop-up Christmas Market at Harrogate Railway Athletic FC in Starbeck on November 26, from 10am to 3pm. Tickets can be bought via HHCC’s website.

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Harrogate school crash: US colonel to face trial next month

The trial of a highly decorated American colonel accused of seriously injuring two schoolboys in a collision in Harrogate is to take place next month.

Benjamin Oakes, 46, of Tewit Well Avenue, Harrogate, is charged with causing injury by careless or inconsiderate driving on Yew Tree Lane on February 2. He has pleaded not guilty.

Two 15-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered serious injuries in the collision near Ashville College.

A pick-up trick has crashed into a wall outside Ashville College

The scene on Yew Tree Lane in February.

A two-day hearing is scheduled to begin at York Magistrates Court on December 11, a case management hearing in York was told on Friday. Mr Oakes, who is on unconditional bail, did not attend.

He previously appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court in August when both he and magistrates opted not to send the case to crown court, where he would have faced a jury trial.

The schoolboys are expected to give evidence via a video link during the trial.

According to his LinkedIn profile, which was taken down before August’s hearing, Mr Oakes is chief of the space policy division for the US joint chiefs of staff at the Pentagon.

The joint chiefs of staff consists of the most senior leaders in the United States Department of Defense, which advises the president.

He was previously a political-military analyst in the space policy division and before that was commander of the operational support squadron in the US Airforce.

Hundreds of US military personnel are stationed at RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate.

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Council plans extra care housing scheme for Cardale Park

North Yorkshire Council has proposed building an extra care housing scheme on land at Cardale Park in Harrogate.

The authority purchased the three-acre site in on Beckwith Head Lane in January 2022 for £1.8 million.

The land was previously owned by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health services in the district.

Now, the council has launched a survey on creating an extra care housing scheme on the site.

Extra care housing is specialist housing designed for older people. It offers help with personal care and household chores and is designed to give residents independence.

The authority said the project could become an “asset to the local community” in light of the extensive housebuilding planned for the west of Harrogate.

In its survey, it said:

“We acknowledge that the site, at present, is fairly remote, however, the proposed plan for local development includes building over 1,200 new homes, a primary school, a cricket pitch, a football hub and community woodland space, creating a vibrant surrounding community hub, with the extra care scheme becoming an asset to the local community, providing affordable housing for older people in an idyllic rural location.”

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The deadline for the council’s survey is November 29.

The land was previously given approval for a 36-bed mental health facility on the site, following the closure of Harrogate District Hospital’s Briary Unit, which helped adults with mental illness.

However, those plans were dropped in 2019 and inpatients on the unit were sent to Foss Park Hospital in York instead.

Business Breakfast: Estate agent’s award win puts firm in top 3%

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’.

Harrogate estate agent Verity Frearson has won gold at the Best Estate Agent Guide Awards in London.

The EA Masters event is the biggest estate agency leadership conference, exhibition and awards ceremony in the UK, and is attended by more than 1,500 of the leading estate and letting agents and suppliers from across the UK.

Each year, the awards recognise the top talent in the estate agency sector, assessing 15,000 estate and letting agencies across the country. According to a spokesperson, it is the only awards scheme that estate agents don’t pay to enter.

Matthew Stamford, director at Verity Frearson said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Best Agent Guide Award four years in a row.

“The Best Agent Guide is produced by the Property Academy, supported by Rightmove, and is by far the largest and most comprehensive awards scheme in UK agency.

“Winning this puts us in the top 3% of agents in the UK!”

Mr Stamford and fellow director James Verity attended the glittering event held at Battersea Park in London last week.

Mr Verity said:

“Matthew and I were so proud to collect the awards on behalf of our absolutely fantastic team. It’s a testament to all their hard work and dedication to the company and we can’t thank them enough.”

Lawyer up for northern award

Carmelita Ardren, who is head of family at Raworths Solicitors in Harrogate, has been shortlisted for Private Client Lawyer of the Year in the prestigious Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards.

The awards recognise the array of legal talent across the North and are based on The Legal 500’s extensive independent research for its annual directory.

The nomination comes on the back of a raft of inclusions for Raworths’ team members in the latest Legal 500 guide, which describes Raworths’ Family team as “the leading practice in Harrogate”.

Carmelita said:

“I am honoured to be shortlisted for this award and it’s a real testament to every member of the Family team at Raworths, which consistently delivers high-quality client service and a personal approach tailored to each client.”

Raworths provides integrated commercial and private client services and employs more than 70 people at its offices on Station Parade.

The awards will take place on March 13, 2024 at The Royal Armouries in Leeds.

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Stray Views: Government should clamp down on homeless tents

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.

While I can’t imagine how on earth a penalty could be enforced against those that refuse accommodation, I must re-educate Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon, on his belief that tents are not a “life choice” for some of the homeless.

Believe me Tom – having volunteered to work with the homeless for a good couple of years, I am only too aware that there are several local individuals who – for whatever reason – decline offers of help, support, accommodation or stability. It is their preferred lifestyle, and they have no desire to engage with services or have a permanent roof over their heads.

Personally, I don’t understand it. But I acknowledge it – each to their own. But I certainly stand by any decision to clamp down on the use of tents, lest we become a society reflective of some of the horrendous “tent cities” that are synonymous with many American cities.

Want to live in a tent? Fine. Your call. But to do so on the High Street, I draw the line. I may not vote Conservative, but I do agree that Suella Braverman understands someone needs to get a grip.

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

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Badger Hill speeding an issue

The speed of traffic round the bend at Badger Hill needs to be seen, it has resulted in cars hitting the wall and the house. The latest was two weeks ago when a car left the road hit the wall and overturned. This is where many people sit waiting for the bus.

This is a very big concern and the councillors comments seemed to dismiss the involvement of the present Lady Mayoress, who visited us to hear our concerns.

Malcom Wood, Knaresborough

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.

Criticism after no one attends council’s ‘democracy in action’ meeting

Senior North Yorkshire councillors have rejected criticism after no members of the public attended a meeting of its top committee, which was held 55 miles from its headquarters.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive meeting at Selby Civic Centre lasted less than 10 minutes before the Tory-led authority’s leader Cllr Carl Les closed proceedings to the public to discuss the confidential terms of a deal to sell four hectares of land at Gatherley Road, Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond.

Following a furore over Scarborough council’s confidential deal over the Alpamare water park in 2013, which could cost its successor council £8m, opposition councillors said the meeting should have been better advertised and more transparent.

Cllr Les told the meeting it was intended to hold more executive meetings away from County Hall in Northallerton and while two Selby-specific items had been moved from the meeting’s agenda, it was “felt it was still important to come on our peripatetic journey”.

After rubber-stamping Department for Education childcare funding, the meeting, which had seen several senior Northallerton-based council officers travel to Selby specifically for the meeting, was closed to the public just nine minutes and 40 seconds after it was opened.

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Following the meeting, opposition councillors questioned how the meeting had been advertised, with Selby councillor and Labour group leader Steve Shaw Wright stating even the town council had been unaware of the meeting.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllt Bryn Griffiths said having no members of the public attending was “very disappointing” given the resources used staging the meeting in Selby.

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons, leader of the council’s Independent group, questioned whether the meeting had displayed democracy in action and if there could have been more transparency over the land deal.

He said: 

“Why is it top secret? 

“There are commercial issues attached to it, but you can write a report without referring to named businesses, so at least the public know what is likely to happen to their property and what the risks are.”

Responding to the concerns, Cllr Les said the meeting had been advertised to members and the session in private had only involved the confidential terms of the deal.

He said: 

“I would have preferred to do it openly but with commercial matters you can’t.

“We are doing the right thing moving the executive meeting around the county. We will be doing one at least every two months to make sure we get round all the six previous areas in a calendar year.”

New Harrogate Town stand to double away capacity

A new away stand at Harrogate Town is expected to nearly double the capacity for travelling fans.

Sarah Barry, chief executive at the club, confirmed at a fans forum at the Cedar Court hotel on Thursday that the standing terrace is expected to be completed in 10 days time.

The stand is expected to increase the away capacity from 600 to at least 1,148.

Ms Barry told supporters that the ongoing building work at the ground had seen the capacity reduced to 450.

Meanwhile, a seated home stand is also set to finish construction this month.

Ms Barry said:

“The away standing terrace that is being built, all being well and subject to all the usual sign offs with safety advisory group and building control, should be ready in theory for the end of next week.

“That’s really good news. The seated stand is a home stand and that should be ready by the end of the month.”

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The new stands will include another refreshment kiosk for home supporters and bar for away supporters, which are expected to be complete in January.

Ms Berry added that the club was expecting a big crowd for the Wrexham game, which will take place on November 28.

She said the club hoped to have the new away terrace operational in time for the match against the Welsh side.

Meanwhile, Irving Weaver, Town chairman, told the forum that he still hoped to find the club a dedicated training ground in the Harrogate district.

Mr Weaver said the club had made “five or six” attempts in “five or six years” to find a site.

He said:

“It is right at the top of the agenda. 

“Having got the ground itself. into an acceptable form in the EFL, we will move forward with our own facilities. It will be cheaper than hiring facilities from the West Riding County FA.”

Mr Weaver said he wanted a site that would be able to accommodate all players from the player development centre to the first team. 

Harrogate Railway FC duo looking to rebuild and grow

Mick Edwards and Fraser Lancaster want to build something at Harrogate Railway Athletic FC.

After two seasons of promotion pushes, the club has had a reset. Managers and backroom staff have left and a new regime is in charge.

But the parameters of success have changed — both want to build a club from the bottom and aim to have a community-led outfit.

Rebuilding Railway

Mick has Harrogate Railway in his blood.

His grandad, Norman Edwards, was one of three founder members of the club in 1935.

Norman worked on the railway in Starbeck when he founded the club. He and the other founder members sewed together stop and go flags in order to create the now recognisable red and green kit.

Mick himself played for the club, and also had stints at Bradford City and Middlesborough as a youngster.

He returned to club in 2018 as chairman. Now, he wants a community club with an emphasis on youth and, potentially, a drive to fan ownership.

“We’re trying to build something different. 

“They [other clubs] are looking for success, whereas for us success is to stay in this league and produce two to three brilliant players and a good type of football which I think we have achieved already.

“That’s what our set up as a club is. It’s building the club all over again and that’s what we want.”

Railway is a volunteer-led club. From the secretary to first team manager, all give up their time up to keep it going.

Fraser Lancaster.

Fraser Lancaster.

Fraser has worked his way up to first team coach.

He joined the side in the 2015/16 season as a player and went onto become reserve team manager, where he had success with promotions.

Following the departure of Mick O’Connell to Tadcaster Albion at the start of this season, Fraser was drafted in alongside Rob Youhill.

O’Connell led Railway to two play off campaigns. In 2021/22, they lost to North Ferriby in the final and last season fell short in the semi-finals against Horbury Town.

Fraser’s job has been to stabilise the side with an emphasis on utilising young players — the average age of the Railway squad is 21.

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Despite the young age, he feels the side is in a good position in the league.

“We’re more than holding our own technically against a lot of these teams.

“Maybe against the direct, physical and experienced sides, some of the lads are not quite used to that yet. The dark arts, shall I say.

“If you’re 17 or 18 and stepping into that, it can be intimidating. But it is a steep learning curve for those players. This season is a learning curve for them.”

Currently, at the time of writing, Railway sit 11th in the Northern Counties East Division One – four steps below the English Football League.

Despite last season’s play-off heartbreak, Fraser is taking it game-by-game and not getting ahead of himself with where the club may finish.

“Let’s see where we end up. I would love us to go and compete in the play-offs, but we are being realistic at the same time.

“Everyone is on the same page.”

Fan-owned club

Mick has ambitions for Harrogate Railway.

The club has a lot of history to look back on. 

Railway had two famous FA Cup ties live on television against Bristol City in 2002 and Mansfield Town at home in the second round in 2008, which required temporary stands to cope with demand.

Despite the history, the club needs to regroup and build, says Mick.

He floats the idea of the club being fan-owned, something other non-league sides such as FC United of Manchester have done successfully.

The club is already tied to community, including its relationship with Harrogate Hospital Charity and offering its land for Starbeck Community Day. Last week, the club also held its own fireworks display.

For Mick, success looks different to what happens on the pitch.

He wants to grow the fanbase from the current average of 150 spectators at a home game at Station View in Starbeck to closer to 200.

From there, Mick sees potential for a fan-owned club.

“My aim is for the club to become a fan-owned club.

“You look at the fan-owned clubs and they all do quite well. It’s just something that we’re looking into.”

Mick Edwards.

Mick Edwards

Mick also points to the infrastructure at the ground, some of which dates back to when the club was founded. 

The club plans to upgrade its perimeter fence and floodlights with grants from the league.

“Those floodlights have been there for around 35 to 40 years. That fencing has been there I should think since my grandad started.”

To Mick, increasing the volunteers, improving the infrastructure and pushing Railway towards a more community orientated focus is success.

Both believe that Railway is here for Harrogate and has a story to tell. Fraser says:

“You only have to look at the pictures on the wall as you came in of all the past successes, the cup wins and various different things.”

Bottesford Town are next to visit Station View on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the club also has a big draw in the West Riding County Cup against National League FC Halifax Town.

For Mick, the ties are an opportunity to show supporters what Railway has to offer.

“Harrogate Railway has got a good history and it has got a good story to tell.”

If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.