Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong has signed for Wrexham.

The 27-year-old joined the League Two side on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee on transfer deadline day.

Armstrong, who scored 31 goals in 106 appearances for Town, was subject to a number of offers from clubs at the start of the season.

Harrogate reportedly asked for £500,000 for the striker, who made himself unavailable for the opening game at Doncaster Rovers due to multiple bids being made.

Town manager Simon Weaver said:

“We have reluctantly decided that Luke can go to another club.

“It has taken its time because we wanted to keep him, he’s been a great player for the club and we wanted to look after the club and get a good fee in and we’ve managed to do that, but we wish him well.

“He’s been fantastic and I’m glad for him that he’s got back to enjoying his football at Harrogate Town, in some ways it’s a feather in our cap that a player has enjoyed it so much and felt freed up.

“I think it’s a winning situation for him and for the club because we’ve got a really good fee.

“When a player says I want to go and my heart is elsewhere then you have to take it seriously and consider the affect it might have on the team and himself should it not go his way, so in the background we have been working really hard on bringing in centre forwards.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Town want £500,000 for Luke Armstrong, Carlisle manager claims
• Harrogate Town star striker set to leave after weekend withdrawal?

Armstrong will join Wrexham, who have been on the lookout for a replacement for star striker Paul Mullin after he suffered a collapsed lung and four broken ribs during the club’s USA pre-season tour.

Meanwhile, Harrogate made two deadline day signings.

Town signed forward Jeremy Sivi on loan from Championship side Middlesbrough and striker Josh March on a permanent deal from Stevenage.

March scored five goals for Harrogate during the 2020/21 season during a loan spell from then parent club Forest Green Rovers.

Ilke Homes, the modular house manufacturer based at Flaxby, collapsed owing nearly £320 million to more than 300 creditors.

The figures are revealed in a statement of affairs compiled by the administrators and published on the Companies House website yesterday.

The document said most of the debt – £227 million – is owed to “intercompany creditors”, which ultimately means the firm’s investors: Fortress Investment Group, Sun Capital Partners and TDR Capital, among others. 

Homes England, the government agency that funds new affordable housing, is also owed more than £68 million, and HMRC is owed more than £2 million. 

But much of the rest is owed to scores of small and medium-sized suppliers, mostly from the north of England, but some from as far afield as Glasgow, Kent and even Germany. Most appear unlikely to receive any repayment from Ilke’s assets. 

The debts range from £6 to a Dewsbury hardware company to £1.8 million to a Warrington wall insulation firm. 

Sixteen local creditors include Ripon plumbing supplies business Wolseley (£14,595), Thirsk-based steel supplier Tomrods (£13,871) and Knaresborough security firm K9 Patrol (£10,697). 

A total of £724,614 is owed to 1,061 employees in the form of holiday pay and pension arrears – an average debt of £683 per person. 

Ilke Homes, which was based close to junction 47 of the A1(M), went into administration in June, causing all 1,100 of its employees to lose their jobs.

Although it had a strong pipeline of more than 3,000 homes on order, the administrators, Clare Kennedy, Catherine Williamson and Deborah King of global consultant AlixPartners, said the firm had been hit by “unprecedented inflation and a lack of land supply linked to planning processes”, adding that “the business has not been able to secure the further investment needed to take it forward”.

The administrators were approached for comment about the newly-released statement of affairs, but have not yet responded.

Read more:

• 600 Ilke Homes staff join legal action over job losses
• Thieves steal ‘large amount’ of equipment from Ilke Homes’ factory
• Council pledges ‘comprehensive support’ to former Ilke Homes staff

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called on the government to “come clean” on which schools in North Yorkshire are affected by dangerous concrete.

The Department for Education revealed this week that 156 schools in England have been identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

There is concern that those facilities with RAAC are prone to collapse.

Nick Gibb, schools minister, has said the number of schools affected may still increase.

The government has not said when a list of the affected schools will be published.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said ministers should say which schools in North Yorkshire have been identified as being at risk.

He said:

“The government must come clean about what schools in our area are affected by crumbling concrete.

“Parents, grandparents, guardians and carers of children attending schools in North Yorkshire have a right to know that their children are safe at school.”

Mr Gordon blamed “years of underinvestment by the Conservative government” for “crumbling school facilities”. He added:

“The government has known about this crumbling concrete for years, but time and again has denied our children the money needed to stop schools from collapsing completely.

“Ministers must release information about each and every school that has been affected so far, and also set out a timetable to complete inspections on all other schools suspected to have RAAC.”

Mr Gordon added that he has called on North Yorkshire Council to confirmed if all schools in North Yorkshire have been surveyed for the crumbling RAAC ahead of the new school year.

Read more:

• Ripon nursery Busy Bees rated ‘good’ by Ofsted
• Masham pre-school rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted

Not even an amber weather warning could stop the Stray Ferret Business Awards in March, with a turnout of nearly 400 people and many smiling faces, we’re looking forward to doing it all again in 2024.

Following the success of our inaugural event, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will be making its return next year – and we’re ready to receive your entries!

Sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 will take place in the Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday, March 14.

The awards ceremony will recognise businesses of all sectors and sizes to highlight the best and brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community – including Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Nidderdale.

The black-tie event will include our all-important awards ceremony, a special Winner’s Lounge sponsored by LCF Law and entertainment throughout the evening

Whether you’ve seen significant business growth, place sustainability at the centre of your core values, or provide great progression for your employees, our awards will shine a light on excellent organisations and individuals.

There are 10 award categories to enter:

• Best Employer – sponsored by Jones Myers
• Best Use of Digital – sponsored by A.S.E Computer Services
• Business Growth – sponsored by Raworths Solicitors
• Business of the Year – sponsored by Reed Boardall
• Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors
• Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants
• Sustainable Business – sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub
• Best Independent Retailer*
• Dynamic Leader*
• Employee Appreciation*

Emma Harris, Commercial Manager of the Stray Ferret, said:

“We were blown away by the success of our inaugural Business Awards ceremony earlier this year and hope the 2024 event will not disappoint.

“The Stray Ferret Business Awards highlights businesses that are making a difference in the community, as well as those who have overcome adversity and are going strong.

“We can’t wait to see the entries.

“It is entirely free to enter and the Stray Ferret will showcase the fantastic work of all finalists and winners, so we encourage you to put your business forward today.

“The Harrogate district may be a small part of the world, but includes hugely successful businesses with talented individuals who we believe deserve to be recognised.”

Entries are now open.

*There are still a small number of sponsorship opportunities available, so don’t miss out on showcasing your business to the district ahead of and on the night of the awards ceremony.

For more information on the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024, contact advertising@thestrayferret.co.uk .

The Last Post sounded in Harrogate today at the start of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of the town’s war memorial.

The memorial was unveiled by Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood, on September 1, 1923.

It cost £12,000 and contains the names of 1,163 men and women who died in two world wars.

Dignitaries and members of the public gathered for a short commemoration led by Padre Ben Norton, the Yorkshire Regiment chaplain, at the memorial at 11am, when a bugler played the Last Post.

Graham Roberts gives an overview of his research.

Graham Roberts

It was followed by a service of blessing  at the nearby West Park United Reformed Church.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire deputy lieutenant Brigadier David Maddan, North Yorkshire Council chief executive Richard Flinton and Harrogate charter mayor councillor Michael Harrison were among those attending.

Today’s service of blessing

Following the service, a free exhibition opened at West Park United Reformed Church to mark the start of the Cenotaph Centenary.

The exhibition, called More than a Name on a Memorial, looks at the lives of those whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

It uses photographs, documents and archive film to tell the stories of those who laid down their lives — the youngest of whom was 15.

The war memorial was unveiled 100 years ago today.

The dead include Lt Donald Bell, the first professional footballer to join the war in 1915, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery” at the Somme in July 1916. He was killed by a sniper later that month.

The exhibition draws heavily on years of research by Harrogate man and former army reservist Graham Roberts.

Part of the exhibition at West Park United Reformed Church.

The exhibition tells the stories of those who died.

Mr Roberts used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and other resources, such as the website Ancestry and local newspaper archives to conduct his research.

Another local historian, Terry-Mike Williams, who founded New Park Heritage Centre, also played a major role in creating the exhibition, which is open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays until November 12.

Besides the exhibition, the Cenotaph Centenary also includes a series of illustrated talks, many of which are free, and film screenings at the Odeon to mark the war memorial’s 100 years.

Funds raised will help military charities including SSAFA.

Read more:

• War veteran to launch Harrogate war memorial centenary commemorations
• Green light expected soon on £15m plan to transform historic Harrogate building

Cash and bank cards were among the items stolen from a car parked on Queens Road in Harrogate yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information, including CCTV or doorbell video footage, about the crime.

A police statement said:

“It happened in the early hours of Thursday 31 August when the grey Hyundai was broken and personal items taken from inside including bags, bank cards, cash and clothing.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious activity on Queens Road or has private video footage of the potential suspects to get in touch.”

You can email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1136 Sam Clarke.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230163997.

Read more:

• Delayed finish to roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road
• Green light expected soon on £15m plan to transform historic Harrogate building

This story is sponsored by Vermuyden Care.

One of the region’s foremost home care providers is now bringing its flexible, client-centred approach to the Harrogate district after opening a new base at Boroughbridge. 

Vermuyden Care already has an excellent reputation for its elderly and dementia services in its home area of Doncaster, and now aims to provide the same high standard of home care in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk and Easingwold, from its new premises at Ornhams Hall. 

Director Gary Stapleton said: 

“The difference with Vermuyden is that we are endlessly flexible and willing to go to great lengths to accommodate clients’ wishes. 

“Clients can often feel they’re not very involved in their own care – they feel that things are being done to them, not for them – but we’ve never been like that. 

“For example, some home care companies won’t come out to clients before 8am, but a lot of people who are used to getting up early don’t want to suddenly start having a lie-in just to please their carer. Whatever time you want to get up, we’ll be there.

“Similarly, other companies won’t come out after 8pm, but we think that’s treating clients like children, making them go to bed early. However late you want to go to bed, we’ll be there too.

“At Vermuyden, we are totally flexible. Whatever it is you want, we can do.” 

Vermuyden – pronounced ‘Ver-moy-den’ – specialises in dementia care, but also works with clients with physical and learning disabilities, and offers mental health support. The company provides long-term home care services as well as short-term respite care, and aims to make sure people living in rural areas are not cut off from the help they need.

Vermuyden employs over 100 people, including 15 from its Boroughbridge office. It recruits locally and takes on permanent, experienced staff on high wages, ensuring it only employs the very best carers in the sector. This is important, said Gary, because employees need to be able to provide more than just personal care. He said: 

“The care is the easy part – it’s all the other stuff that’s harder to get right, and we put a huge amount of effort into making sure that we do. 

“We want clients to feel they’re getting the service they deserve.” 

If you’re interested in receiving the very best in personal home care – or you know someone who might be – call us on 01423 800674, or take a look at our website, www.vermuyden.co.uk. 

More than 140 walkers have already signed up to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK this Sunday but the charity is still urging people to join them for a sponsored walk around Ripley.

Walk for Parkinson’s is the charity’s national community fundraising series, and everyone is encouraged to get involved to get active, meet new people, and help fund life-changing research to find better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s. 

The Walk for Parkinson’s event will follow two paths around Ripley which walkers can choose from: a five-and-a-half mile route and a shorter, family-friendly, one-mile route which is fully accessible. All walkers will warm up and set off together as they start and finish at Ripley Star Club.

One of the many families to have taken part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.

Jacquie McGuire, regional fundraiser for Yorkshire and Humber at Parkinson’s UK, said: 

“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In Yorkshire there are 12,280 people living with the condition. Every hour, two more people in the UK are diagnosed, meaning one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime. 

“There’s no cure for Parkinson’s. Yet. But if we walk together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s. We can make breakthroughs. We can find a cure.  

“Whatever your age or fitness level, we’d love to see you at Ripley near Harrogate to Walk for Parkinson’s. Take the first step and sign up today.” 

Parkinson’s is the result of the brain cells that make dopamine starting to die. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety, and some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. The condition gets worse over time and there is no cure yet. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s.

Walkers warming up before taking part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.

It costs £12 to sign up to Walk for Parkinson’s (under-18s go free) and it is suggested that participants raise £50 in sponsorship. All walkers will receive a fundraising pack with tips and advice, sponsorship forms and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson’s t-shirt to wear on the day.  

As well as walkers, the charity is on the look-out for volunteers to help on the day. To find out more about Walk for Parkinson’s and to sign up to walk or volunteer visit the Parkinson’s UK website or email walk@parkinsons.org.uk. 

Read more:

• Six choirs to sing together at festival in Harrogate
• Hospital team to hold Parkinson’s event at Harrogate hottel
• Harrogate man wins gold at Parkinson’s table tennis world championships

The completion date for roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road has been pushed back until Wednesday next week.

Three-way lights have been in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove for more than a month to enable Northern Gas Networks to replace metal pipes with plastic pipes.

The work on one of the town’s busiest traffic spots was due to have finished on Friday last week.

But Northern Gas Networks, which is the company responsible for distributing gas to homes, is now expected to be on site for another five days.

The roadworks on Skipton Road.

Mark Mawhood, site manager at Northern Gas Networks said:

“I can confirm that we are now in the final stages of the engineering work on Skipton Road, Harrogate.

“Completion is planned for Sunday, September 3.

“We have already begun the reinstatement work, but as this scheme has been extensive, the work will be finished by Wednesday, September 6. The necessary time extensions required to complete the work have all be approved by North Yorkshire Council.”

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate the public bearing with us while we complete the works safely whilst also managing any unforeseen issues that have arisen once engineering work began.”

Mr Mawhood did not say why the scheme had been delayed.

Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks, previously said the work would “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels in the future”.

Read more:

• Roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road due to last another 24 days
• Green light expected soon on £15m plan to transform historic Harrogate building

Plans to transform one of Harrogate’s most historic buildings into a care home and community facility are expected to finally be approved shortly.

Grove House on Skipton Road was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.

The grade two listed building later became a First World War hospital and the headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes until care home owner Graeme Lee bought it for £3 million four years ago.

Mr Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, wants to invest £15 million to create what he calls “the holy grail of care”.

Under the plans, Grove House will be converted to accommodate 23 independent living apartments. A 70-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s will be built on land alongside it.

An artist’s impression of how part of the scheme would look.

Mr Lee, whose company owns seven care homes, including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate, had hoped to begin work this spring but planning permission has still to be granted.

However, he told the Stray Ferret he believed he was now “very close” to securing consent after working through a series of conditions agreed with planning officers at North Yorkshire Council.

He said:

“These are the final mashings of a four-year journey that has been tortuous and difficult with covid among the many hoops we have had to jump through.”

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital to increase visitor parking charges under new system
• Harrogate’s Grove House set for £15m transformation into care and community facility

Mr Lee said he had been asked to provide further information about biodiversity and he expected this to be resolved in September.

If this happens, work on the ground could begin in April and the home could open in autumn 2025.

Mr Lee said the building was deteriorating due to the delays and it cost tens of thousands of pounds a year to maintain the site. He added:

“I felt like it was so close last year and it’s just been slowness and delays and wanting another report but we are nearly there.”

Grove House was Victorian philanthropist Samson Fox’s home.

Schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School use the gardens for outdoor activities and there are wider plans for the site to be used to bring together residents, young people and the local community.

Mr Lee said:

“It’s an amazing opportunity to create an intergenerational care community that will be nationally recognised. It’s something unique for Harrogate.”

Trevor Watson, assistant director for planning at the council, said:

“The application is not in position to be determined at this stage as we are awaiting further information that has been requested from the applicant.

“Once that is received it will be determined by officers in accordance with our scheme of delegation.

“No referral request to send the application to committee has been made by councillors.”