Stray Views: Make Harrogate 20mph zone only apply during school pick-up time

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.

I wish to make an important point about these new restrictions (20mph zones in Harrogate). I fully support the need for them, but it would be sensible to make them apply only during school pick-up and drop off times. 

This is done widely in the United States and only applies when warning lights on the road are flashing. 

This greatly improves the level of observance of the measures as many consider that it is so unnecessary at other times of the day.

Keith Ludlam, Bilton

Harrogate police memorial is fantastic

Just saw your story on the news (Harrogate police memorial unveiled) and wanted to say that this is what is needed for all memorials so as to ensure their death is remembered and made real rather than just as a name on a monument people pass by. Fantastic.

Carl Sutherley, Leicester (took basic training in Harrogate)

Otley Road cycle path ‘waste of money’

Whoever thought of spending money on the cycle path on Otley Road? It has been a waste of money.

I regularly use Otley Road to visit my wife who is in a care home and the times I see cyclists riding on the road and not using the cycle paths. It Is beggars believe this money could have been spent on improving some of the potholes on the state of the roads.

Leonard Redmond, 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.

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Harrogate band represents town at French flower festival

A Harrogate band has represented the town at a flower festival in Luchon in France — a place twinned with Harrogate.

Tewit Silver Band, based in Huby, recently returned from Luchon en Fleurs 2023, which celebrated all things floral.

The band – which is made up of 30 players aged between 13 and 78 – and invited to feature in several parades.

It gave its first performance in Sqaure Lauret where its marches and overtures entertained the crowd despite poor weather.

The following show took place in front of the Mairie – the mayor’s office – and was accompanied by a procession of horses and dancers.

Pics: Tewit Silver Band Facebook

The final performance was held at a church in Garin and ended with a standing ovation.

The band said in a statement:

“Our free time was spent discovering the natural beauty of the surrounding area that was spectacular despite the weather.

“Members enjoyed walks, visits to the local areas, swimming in the lake and sampling a few of the local bars and restaurants.”

Tewit Silver Band, a charity, was formed in 2017.

It competes in various national and international competitions, as well as private functions and charity events.

Harrogate is twinned with Luchon and recently held its own floral festival – Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration.

The relationship between the towns is overseen by Harrogate International Partnerships.

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Royal visitor to meet shopkeepers on parade in Harrogate

Business owners on a parade of shops in Harrogate are getting ready for a rare royal visit.

Anne, Princess Royal will be dropping in on Prince Albert Row – which is named after her great-great-great-grandfather – at the top end of Station Parade.

The Grade II listed buildings are home to some of Harrogate’s longest-established and respected businesses, including Woods Fine Linen, which has supplied royal households since it was founded in 1895.

William Woods, of Woods Fine Linen, said:

“Prince Albert Row is such a beautiful part of Harrogate and somewhere we are incredibly proud to be a part of. It is truly is a great honour to be welcoming Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and to be sharing this experience with our neighbours and friends.”

In preparation for the visit, which will take place on Wednesday, September 20, retailers led by Woods have produced a leaflet highlighting the businesses on Prince Albert Row, which has been distributed to hotels and tourist information centres across the region.

The Harrogate BID and Harrogate Chamber of Commerce have also been ensuring the row of shops looks its best, sprucing up exteriors and giving street furniture a new lick of paint.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“We’re pleased to be supporting the royal visit through our in-house street ranger repainting street furniture, presenting additional floral displays on Prince Albert Row, as well as helping the businesses distribute their new leaflet.

“The royal visit is certain to further shine a spotlight on Prince Albert Row and Harrogate as a great place to visit, for its beautiful buildings as well as fantastic shops.”

Martin Mann, acting chief executive of Harrogate District. Chamber of Commerce, added:

“We are all looking forward to welcoming the Princess Royal to Harrogate and working together to ensure she gets to see Harrogate at our best.”

Pictured above: Left to right: Helen James of Helen James Flowers; Jonathan Woods, director of Woods of Harrogate; Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID; Francesca MacLaverty of Woods Fine Linen; Martin Mann of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce; Gillian Vincent of Rigby & Peller; Stephen Gee of Stephen Neall Interiors; Sarah Woods, director of William Woods Interiors; Richard Staples of Bang & Olufsen; and Jesper Callisa, owner of Jespers Bar & Kitchen. 

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Harrogate footballer looking to score Blackburn Rovers to promotion

Blackburn Rovers may have strolled past Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup recently — but one notable local player was absent from the team sheet.

Harry Leonard, 19, grew up in Harrogate and went to Grove Road Community Primary School and then Rossett School.

His family moved to the town 12 years ago from Rochdale.

Now starting for Rovers up front, Harry — like England star Rachel Daly — started out at Killinghall Nomads before moving onto Pannal Sports.

He signed for Blackburn at just nine-years-old.

Harry pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Harry (second from right, back row) pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Harry said it felt “unbelievable” to join such an academy set up.

During his rise up the ranks, he rubbed shoulders with players such as Jordan Rhodes, who scored 84 goals for Blackburn over a four-year spell, and midfielder Bradley Dack.

He signed his first professional contract in December 2021.

At the time, he said:

“It’s a little step in what is hopefully a long career here for me.

“You sacrifice a lot, moving over to the area at such a young age and a lot of hard work has gone into it, so I’d like to think that the hard work is paying off, but you can’t hold back in football. You’ve got to keep pushing on, keep working hard and keep getting better.”

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Manager John Dahl Tomasson gave Harry his big break at the start of this season when the club opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park.

Harry started and scored his first senior goal — 10 years to the day since he signed for Rovers.

He said:

“I was over the moon. It was a good win over a good side.”

Despite playing with the likes of Rhodes and Dack, Harry says he has never had one player that he has modelled his game on.

In fact, much of his inspiration lies closer to home.

He points to Ricky O’Sullivan, his PE teacher at Rossett, and Ryan Ellis, his teacher at Grove Road Primary School, as among those who helped him the most.

🌹 A first senior goal for Harry Leonard! 💫#EFL | @Rovers pic.twitter.com/EjPeDbmteG

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) August 6, 2023

The 19-year-old has started all but one league game in the Championship so far.

With games against the likes of local rivals Preston North End still to come, he says one of the games he’s most looking forward to is the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.

“I’ve got friends who will be in the Leeds end.”

Relishing his first senior season in the Championship, Harry said he’s taking each game as it comes.

Ahead of the season, he sat down with coach Damian Johnson to go over how he would approach the coming season.

But, rather than set a target, the discussion was around developing himself in the first team.

“I sat down at the start of the season with him and decided to try and cement my place in the team.

“I’m trying to take it game by game.”

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10 schemes proposed to reduce congestion in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Council announced 10 proposals this week to reduce congestion and make streets safer in the west of Harrogate.

The schemes, which would cost a total of £585,000, revolve around the Otley Road area, where just one of three planned phases of a cycle path has been completed.

Work is unlikely to begin until the 2024/25 financial year.

The 10 proposals were overshadowed by the same day announcement of a 20mph zone covering seven schools in Pannal Ash and Oatlands.

But if adopted, the schemes would have a considerable impact on the streets in one of the most congested parts of Harrogate.

The council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee is due to discuss the proposals at a meeting on Thursday.

Here are the proposals.

1 Signal upgrade at Cold Bath Road / Otley Road / Arthurs Avenue junction

Cost: £200,000

Signal equipment will be upgraded to link with signals at Pannal Ash Road Junction. Some kerb lines could be amended to make the footpaths wider. The aims is to improve traffic movement and congestion between the two signalised junctions.

2 Bus stop improvements on Otley Road corridor

Cost: £50,000

Bus stops will be relocated “to reflect current services”. Kerbs and signs will be improved in a move the council says will “improve facilities and accessibility around bus stops along Otley Road to reflect latest changes to bus services in the area”.

3 Extending the 20mph limit on Cold Bath Road to the junction with Otley Road and on surrounding roads

Cost: £100,000

Traffic calming measures will also include “formalising parking arrangements and installation of double yellow lines” to “reduce speed and enhance the local environment to bring the area forward as a pleasant place to walk, wheel and cycle”.

4 Improve the pedestrian crossing outside Falcon Chiropractic on Cold Bath Road

The crossing due to be upgraded

Cost £5,000

The signals cabinet will be relocated to the opposite side of the road where the pavement is wider. A raised table will also be introduced to calm traffic. Cycle storage and refuse bin will also be relocated “to improve accessibility around the pedestrian crossing that is currently blocked by other infrastructure placed on the highway”.

5 Improve the crossing between the public right of way on Green Lane and Ashville College

Cost: £10,000

A build-out crossing will be installed to improve visibility emerging from the public right of way and to slow traffic at the uncontrolled crossing point. The scheme will “improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists emerging from the bridleway”.

6 Install an uncontrolled crossing point near Western Primary School

Cost: £10,000

A ‘build-out’ uncontrolled crossing point will be installed outside the school. Some parking bays could be amended and the double yellow lines extended “to provide a safer place to cross near the school in addition to providing some minor traffic calming and preventing illegal parking at the junction”.

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7 Review cycle route signs

Cost: £25,000

Review and improve signing of the cycle routes across Harrogate “to improve awareness of cycle routes across the network in Harrogate”.

8 20mph zone outside Harrogate Grammar School on Arthurs Avenue.

Cost: £25,000

The zone will incorporate Cundall Way, Southway, Grasmere Crescent, Rossett Way, Arthurs Close, Arthurs Grove, Richmond Avenue, Richmond Road, Richmond Close and Richmond Holt to enhance the environment and make streets feel safer.

9 New cycle parking and improved public realm on Cold Bath Road

Cost: £10,000

Introduce a parklet by extending the pavements to provide more space for cycle parking or for people to rest.

10 Improvements to Nursery Lane to allow cyclists to use as an off-road leisure route

Cost: £100,000

The lane could become a cycle track to provide additional off-road infrastructure for cyclists. However, third party land would be required.

 

Harrogate’s Rossett School to hold 50th anniversary reunion

Rossett School in Harrogate is inviting former staff and students to return as part of a day of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary.

The school was founded in 1973 and the event on September 28 will therefore feature a 1970s theme.

Students will play retro sports and take part in a bake sale, tree planting, burying a time capsule, a bubble release and a whole school photo. The afternoon will feature a music festival on the field, with a DJ and photo booth.

Former staff and students are invited along later in the day to attend a social event between 4pm and 6pm.

Headteacher Tim Milburn, himself a former Rossett student, said:

“Plans are well underway for what will be a fantastic celebration of our wonderful school.

“It will be a chance for everyone involved in the school both now and in the years gone by not only to remember all our past achievements but, importantly, to look ahead to the many great things to come.”

Time of change

The anniversary comes at a time of considerable upheaval at Rossett.

An Ofsted report in January said the school ‘requires improvement’ and highlighted problems including high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates among disadvantaged students.

Mr Milburn acknowledged there had been some difficult times recently but said the school was responding proactively.

The school’s sixth form has merged with Harrogate Grammar School‘s and last week it was announced Rossett will join Red Kite Learning Trust.

You can express an interest in attending the 50th celebrations here.

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Yorkshire Kardashians venture on ‘reet posh’ trip to Harrogate

The Yorkshire Kardashians ventured to Harrogate for a “reet posh” weekend away in a recent social media video.

The creator of the videos, Steff Todd, shares the lives of the northern characters on Facebook and Instagram – from being banned from Amber Cars to family trips t’Asda.

The video follows the Kar-Jenner clan on their jollies as they explore all the town has to offer, including a day at the Great Yorkshire Show and two-for-one cocktails at The Yorkshire Hotel – all thanks to a Groupon deal.

The newlywed Kourtney and Travis Barker are pictured ice-cream-in hand outside the Black Sheep Bar at the showground, while ‘momager’ Kris Jenner is heckling Emmerdale’s Paddy Kirk in the sheep ring with repeated ‘ey-up Paddy’s!’

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are then seen walking a multitude of dogs in the town complaining about their mother ‘getting half-cut at Fountains Abbey’ and planning their ‘cocktails with the lasses’ later that day.

The family even swoon over a house near Risplith as ‘it looks like the Omaze house’, which Kris reassures Khloe she “put a tenner on to win last night, lass”.

As their weekend continues, the family prepare for the main event: two-for-one cocktails at the “reet posh place”, the Yorkshire Hotel. Although, not before Kourtney asks the hotel staff if there’s a vending machine nearby for her husband is “right hungry”.

When speaking to a friend who has recently moved to Harrogate, eldest Kourtney adds:

“So, you live in ‘ere in Harrogate? Flippin ‘ell…you’ve done well, haven’t you?”

The family bring their Harrogate weekend to a close with a trip to Bettys, where they have a “stunning view, even with the roadworks overlooking the war memorial and a glass of Prosecco in hand”.

The light-hearted video shows Harrogate in all its glory, with shots of the town centre, the Stray and villages across the district.

Comedian and impressionist Steff Todd told the Stray Ferret she began her Kardashian videos in lockdown, when she decided to combine Kylie Jenner with a Yorkshire accent.

The fictitious characters have also travelled to York, Ilkley Moor and Whitby.

The Harrogate video has amassed nearly 40,000 likes on social media.

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Local politicians raise concern over lack of Harrogate and Knaresborough NHS dentistry

Local politicians have raised concern over a lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Both Conservative MP, Andrew Jones, and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue had been raised with them multiple times.

It comes as this week, the Stray Ferret reported that another dentist on Harrogate’s King’s Road will go “membership only” once its NHS contract runs out in December.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic told patients it will now only take appointments from those as part of its membership scheme.

In a letter seen by the Stray Ferret, it said it planned to cut its patient list by 70% as part of the plan — which it said would “reduce appointment waiting times” and “improve prevention of dental disease and decay”.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic on King’s Road.

Gail Hindson, a patient who received a letter from the dentist, questioned why patients would require longer appointments.

She said:

“Why do patents need longer appointment? In the 40 years I have been a patient I have never felt my appointment time did not meet my needs.

“What support are they providing to those patients they are rejecting either due to lack of finance or understanding of the process?”

Concerns over lack of access

The decision by Chatsworth House Dental Clinic raised concern over the the lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which replaced North Yorkshire CCG in April, is responsible for the commissioning of dental care in the district.

A review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, has taken concerns over the lack of NHS dentists to the ICB.

He said the organisation should begin expanding NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones said:

“It is positive that dental provision has moved from being controlled nationally to a more local approach. I want to see this local management produce results for our area quickly.

“Recently a small number of constituents have contacted me having had problems getting access to an NHS dentist. Anecdotally this is a wider problem. I am also concerned that residents moving into the new estates in our area will be left without dental cover.

“So I want the ICB to begin expanding the NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough and to keep the level of service under review as the new estates become fully occupied.”

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue was one that “kept coming up on the doorstep”.

He added people had also told the local party about their concerns at accessing an NHS dentist appointment.

Mr Gordon said:

“Access to NHS dentistry is one of the biggest issues that keeps coming up on the doorstep time an time again.

“That’s why we have been campaigning on this issue since I was selected earlier this year, and I have met with Daisy Cooper MP, the Lib Dem health spokesperson, and she raised it in Parliament, when our current MP has failed to do so at any point in the last 13 years.

“Over the summer we launched our local dental survey. The results made for a shocking read.

“43% of people who responded to our dental survey are not currently registered with a dentist, with more than 60% of those people having not seen a dentist in years.

“Just 30% of people we spoke with told us they were currently registered with an NHS dentist, with just under half travelling outside the district to see them. The rest pay for private care.

“More than half of the people we spoke with told us that they have delayed seeing a dentist because of the associated cost.”

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Calls for action after four deaths on main Ripon to Harrogate road

Residents and councillors have called for action after the latest spate of deaths on the main road between Ripon and Harrogate.

A mother and two children were killed on the A61 Ripon Road last Sunday, eight days after a 59-year-old man died.

Both incidents occurred near South Stainley — prompting calls for safety measures around the village, including a reduction in the 60mph speed limit.

South Stainley resident Rebecca Brewins lost both parents when their vehicle was hit by a lorry on the A61 at South Stainley 11 years ago.

Ms Brewins and husband Carl have contacted North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority, Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon and South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council to enlist support following the latest deaths.

The Brewins, whose house is directly off the A61, said they were aware of at least seven fatal crashes on the road around South Stainley in recent years and the “horrendous” death toll could no longer be ignored.

Mr Brewins said the volume of traffic and the wide range of A61 road users that include tractors, cyclists, lorries and cars created particular problems on the winding route.

The short overtaking lane on a bend.

The road is mainly single carriageway but a short overtaking lane on a bend near the Brewins’ home exacerbated problems by encouraging reckless manoeuvres and sudden bursts of speed, he added.

Mr Brewins said:

“The road is getting busier — we are getting more houses and more cars.

“If a strip of road a mile long outside your house has seven deaths, surely you have to do something.”

Ms Brewins said she was told after her parents died the accident statistics didn’t justify traffic calming measures.

But she said crashes were common on the A61, particularly between South Stainley and Ripley, where the speed limit is 60mph. The speed limit varies between 40mph and 60mph in the opposite direction towards Ripon.

Ms Brewins said the road was a constant source of worry:

“When my eldest daughter learned to drive I was a nervous wreck. She got an electric car so it wouldn’t stall when she pulled out on to the road.

“While the limit is 60mph it encourages people to constantly speed up and slam on their brakes.”

Traffic is allowed to drive at 60mph through the area.

Villagers ‘traumatised’ by fatal crashes

Jane Pickering, chairman of South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council, said villagers had been “traumatised” by the latest fatal accidents and frustrated by the lack of action.

She said villagers had tried to help victims while emergency services were on their way and were left overwhelmed by shock and grief.

Ms Pickering questioned why lower speeds were permitted in other villages along the route, such as Wormald Green, but South Stainley remained at 60mph. She said:

“We have been flagging this issue for years.

“I will be taking this up again on behalf of the parish until something is done about it.”

The 36 bus stop at South Stainley.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, a Liberal Democrat whose Masham and Fountains division includes South Stainley, pledged support.

She told the Stray Ferret on Tuesday:

“I have spoken to the chair of the parish council today, and assured her I will be doing all that I can at County Hall to support the introduction of as many traffic calming and speed control measures as are necessary to make the road safer and – I hope – to avoid any more tragic accidents.”

Speed review

The Stray Ferret asked the council for data on road accidents around South Stainley and what action it planned to take in light of the recent spate of deaths.

A council accident graph said there had been 10 fatal accidents on the A61 since 2007.

Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director of highways and transformation, said road safety was a priority and his thoughts were with the families and friends of recent victims.

He said the council worked with road safety partners across the county to make the roads safer, adding:

“We recently committed to undertaking a series of speed limit reviews across the county and the A61, along with other routes, will be investigated to see whether existing speed limits are appropriate.

“We are liaising with North Yorkshire Police as investigations into the fatal accidents are carried out. We cannot comment further before these investigations are complete.”

A council spokesperson said signs indicating the number of casualties on the road were removed more than 10 years ago.

The spokesperson added:

“They quickly became out of date, and in that location deemed to be a potentially dangerous obstruction on the road.”

They added the council had received five complaints relating to road safety concerns on this stretch of road over the last year and “most” had been in the last week.

We also asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, for his views on what should be done but did not receive a response.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to last weekend’s crash and dashcam footage.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass on information for incident 12230166439.

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Harrogate McColl’s to reopen as Morrisons Daily

A Harrogate convenience store is set to close temporarily next week for refitting and rebranding works.

The McColl’s shop on Royal Parade, opposite the Royal Pump Room Museum, will close at noon on Tuesday, September 12 and reopen 10 days later as a Morrisons Daily. The changes will include complete rebranding and alterations to the internal layout of the shop. 

The new-look store is due to reopen at 7am on Friday, September 22. 

A Morrisons spokesperson told the Stray Ferret: 

“The new Morrisons Daily fresh food convenience store in Harrogate will offer customers a carefully tailored mix of Morrisons own-brand products alongside branded favourites. 

“As well as new ranges, the store will receive a complete redesign internally and externally, incorporating Morrisons bright, modern branding. Fresh food is at the heart of the store, and we hope customers will love it.” 

The revamp of the Royal Parade shop is part of a rolling programme of works, as McColl’s shops are converted into Morrisons Daily stores following the acquisition of McColl’s by Morrisons last year. 

McColl’s had 1,164 shops when it was bought out of administration by Morrisons in May 2022. Of these, Morrisons said it would sell off 132 which were loss-making, including the one on Harlow Hill. The rest – such as the Bilton store, which was converted last year – are to be rebranded as Morrisons Daily stores.

In a second-quarter trading update issued in June, Morrisons said the 400 stores it has converted so far had seen increased sales. It added that it now has almost 650 Morrisons Daily stores across the UK, and expects to have almost 1,000 by the end of the year.

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