New foster carers in the Harrogate district will be offered a £500 “golden hello” payment if they are approved to look after young people.

North Yorkshire Council’s fostering service, Fostering North Yorkshire, is offering the payment to newly approved carers until December 31.

The move comes as the council is launching a recruitment drive for more foster carers over the summer.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive councillor for children and families at the council, said:

“We are delighted to announce the ‘golden hello’ for all newly approved foster carers between now and the end of December.

“Our foster carers are there day in, day out giving our local children a loving home and offering them support and guidance.

“Our foster carers are very much appreciated, and we are fully committed to ensuring our foster carers are properly supported and rewarded. We would encourage anyone who has been thinking of fostering to enquire now.”

Read more:

• Government says council’s £20m bid for Harrogate Convention Centre lacked ‘evidence and rationale’
• Dates set for reopening historic hotels in Knaresborough and Ripon

The service currently has 181 carers looking after children in care.

However, the council said more children are coming into care and there is a national shortage of foster carers.

Those who join will receive training and support from the authority. Anyone aged over 21 can foster.

There are also payments and allowances for every night a carer fosters, most of these are tax-free.

For more information on fostering, visit the North Yorkshire Council website here.

Police have appealed for witnesses after a sexual assault in Harrogate.

Officers said the incident happened at a pizza takeaway on lower Station Parade in Harrogate at 2.30am on Saturday, July 29.

A women was approached by a man who offered money for sex, tried to kiss her and then sexually assaulted her.

Police arrested a man in his 40s in relation to the allegation of sexual assault and he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Officers would particularly like to speak with two men who were not involved but were in the pizza shop at the time the assault took place.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Michael.crawshaw@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Michael Crawshaw.

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

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230141013.”

Read more:

• Harrogate dominatrix ordered to pay £1 in £100,000 sex-trafficking racket
• Harrogate man admits pulling off pigeon’s wing

The Yorkshire Party is calling for Yorkshire Day – August 1 – to be made a bank holiday within the region.

White rose bunting has been installed in Harrogate to mark the yearly celebration, which occurs tomorrow.

The Yorkshire Party, which campaigns for devolution for Yorkshire in the form of a Yorkshire Regional Parliament, wants to take things further.

It said today an extra summer bank holiday would enable the county to celebrate its Yorkshire heritage and break up the long period between May and Christmas, which currently has only one bank holiday.

Yorkshire Day bunting on Princes Street.

England has eight bank holidays — fewer than many other countries.

Dr Bob Buxton, the Yorkshire Party’s co-leader, said:

“There’s a strong argument that England should have more bank holidays.  Why not have one to celebrate our regional identity here in Yorkshire, at the height of summer?”

“Scotland and Northern Ireland both have their own bank holidays; there’s no reason why Yorkshire couldn’t do likewise, which could give a massive boost to Yorkshire’s tourist and leisure sectors, from the coast to the Dales.”

An ‘official announcement’ is expected soon about Harrogate‘s newest restaurant.

The Stray Ferret revealed on Thursday the Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar was due to open on Cheltenham Crescent the following day.

The article generated more than 300 comments, with many people welcoming the opportunity to buy tacos and burritos in the spacious town centre venue.

But The Rooftop opened to mixed reviews online from customers who posted their experiences on sites such as Restaurants Harrogate Review Club Facebook page.

A social media account for The Rooftop replied on the thread:

it said:

“We know there have already been speculations circulating among the public.

“Currently we are in the process of sorting things out before making an official announcement.

“Please let’s all be kind to each others. We truly appreciate everyone.

“We are hoping to publish an announcement as soon as possible.”

Leeds-based owner Mason Elyas initially declined to comment when the Stray Ferret asked him to clarify the situation but later said the restaurant remained open as usual. It is open Thursday to Sunday each week.

Mr Elyas took control of the premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade just three weeks ago.

Le Bistrot Pierre occupied the site for many years. It was then briefly occupied by Samsons and then HG1 Grill and World Bar.

Read more:

• New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow
• In Pictures: Harrogate Carnival fills streets with dance, music and colour

A man who strangled and terrorised his former partner has been jailed for nearly two years.

Craig Moorey, 31, from Knaresborough, strangled the victim to the point where she was struggling to breathe, York Crown Court heard.

He handed himself in following the drunken attack – albeit only because he knew the named victim had called police – but after being quizzed about the assault he went back to her home and started banging on her windows, threatening to smash them in.

Prosecutor Andrew Finlay said the assault occurred during an argument at the victim’s home in Harrogate on October 16 last year.

The victim said he only stopped when she pushed him away. Moorey claimed he pushed her away and said he “briefly” strangled her after she threatened to stab him.

The prosecution accepted that the victim had threatened to stab him but did so while being subjected to vile verbal abuse from Moorey. It was also set against a background of violence and domestic abuse she had suffered at his hands.

Mr Finlay said that in the moments before the attack, the victim had asked Moorey to leave after returning home to find empty beer cans strewn around the room. 

Moorey refused and aimed abuse at her. The argument spilled into the kitchen where he strangled her. 

Mr Finlay added:

“The defendant grabbed her by the neck with both hands and grabbed her clothing.

“She pushed him away before phoning police.”

Read more:

• Harrogate dominatrix ordered to pay £1 in £100,000 sex-trafficking racket
• Harrogate man admits pulling off pigeon’s wing

Moorey left the house and handed himself in a few days later but refused to answer police questions. 

He was released under investigation but on November 9, while on a bail condition to stay away from the victim, he returned to her home and asked to be let in.

The victim, realising he was drunk, refused, but Moorey returned later that night and flew into a rage after looking inside the house to find she was with her former partner.

Mr Finlay said:

“The defendant was angered by this and banged and punched the windows while threatening to smash them and shouting at her former partner.”

The victim said she was afraid that Moorey would smash the windows because “he had done so before”.

She called police again, told Moorey she had done so, and he left. He was brought in for questioning and again refused to answer police questions.

Drink problem

Moorey, of Main Street, Scotton, was charged with offences including intentional strangulation, assault and threatening to damage property. He denied the allegations but ultimately admitted strangulation and threatening to damage property on the day of trial.

The allegations he denied were either dropped by the prosecution or allowed to lie on court file. 

He appeared for sentence via video link on Friday (July 28) after being remanded in custody. 

Mr Finlay said the former couple’s relationship ended a few years ago after the victim had suffered a catalogue of domestic abuse.

Moorey, a father-of-two, had nine previous offences on his record including damaging the victim’s property, sending offensive communications and breaching a restraining order. There had been previous violence against the victim.

Moorey’s defence counsel said that his client, a ground worker, had already spent about six months on custodial remand.

Judge Simon Hickey noted previous violence against the victim and that Moorey appeared to have a drink problem.

He added: 

“This lady has spoken a number of times (in the past) of finding you in drink and cans of alcohol littered around the premises. That is your problem, I’m afraid, Mr Moorey. Drink is your downfall.”

Moorey was given a 22-month jail sentence and handed a 10-year restraining order to keep him away from the victim.

A children’s shop in Harrogate is looking to move to a town centre location to attract more shoppers.

Tiger Fifty 7, on Cold Bath Road, opened in 2019 to “create a shopping experience like no other for both parents and children”.

The shop sells a wide range of toys and games, children’s clothing, as well as accessories and clothing for parents.

However, the business has made the decision to move due to increased bills and the challenges that retail is facing, according to its social media.

Read more:

• Long-standing Harrogate sandwich business for sale
• New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow

Neither an official closing date of the current shop or a new store location have yet been confirmed.

Co-owner Georgie Simpson said the business was “in limboland” until the current site is taken over by someone else.

Ms Simpson told The Stray Ferret:

“We can’t commit to anything new until this shop is taken over, however we’d prefer to be closer to the centre of town as there is not a lot footfall here.

“We’re definitely happy about the decision, despite it being a lot of stress.”

The unit is listed with Montpellier Property Consultants and is £18,000 per year to rent.

Update: The match has been postponed for a week until Monday, August 7 due to the weather. Play will begin at Knaresborough Cricket Club at 6pm.

Beckwithshaw will take on Goldsborough in the final of cricket’s 20-over Addison Cup in Knaresborough tonight — weather permitting.

The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.

Burnt Yates won the centenary final last year at Follifoot Cricket Club.

Byron Boshoff was named man of the match in last year’s final.

Beckwithshaw have lifted the cup 18 times — a joint record with Bilton. The village team first won the trophy in 1924 and did so most recently in 2017.

They recently rejoined the league after a short break and are currently top of Division 3, having gone through the season undefeated so far.

By contrast, Goldsborough have appeared in two previous finals but have never lifted the trophy. They are joint second in Division 1.

Tonight’s match, which is free to attend, begins at 6.15pm at Knaresborough Cricket Club on Aspin Lane.

If the match is postponed due to weather it will be rearranged shortly afterwards.

Knaresborough Cricket Club

Can you solve the mystery of the 1930 trophy?

Last year Eric Wainwright discovered a winner’s medal from the first ever Addison Cup final whilst clearing out his father’s house.

This year Peter Horsman, secretary and treasurer of the league, was contacted by an antiques dealer in Canada who found an individual winner’s replica cup which it is thought was given to each team member from the final in 1930.

The antique dealer searched online to find out more about the Addison Cup and read about it in an article on the Stray Ferret.

The individual replica (pictured below) is an exact smaller copy of the main cup and is about three inches tall.

Mr Horsman said:

“In 1930 the winners of the cup were Woodlands, who went on to win it five years in a row from 1929 to 1933.

“It would be interesting to hear if anyone knew of somebody who played for Woodlands CC and who later moved to Canada so that we could trace who was presented with the individual replica.”

If you have information about the Woodlands team you can call Mr Horsman on 07798 582792 or email him at peter_horsman@hotmail.co.uk.

Read more:

• Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough in cricket’s Addison Cup final
• Sun shines on Yorkshire-Lancashire match in Harrogate

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In July, Labour’s Keir Mather became the new MP for Selby and Ainsty after overturning a 20,000 majority to unseat the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, the debate over the River Nidd bathing water status campaign continued and the Tories selected current North Yorkshire councillor, Keane Duncan, as their candidate for mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith if he would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

• On July 5, Mr Jones welcomed the decision by rail companies not to close Harrogate station ticket office as part of plans to close hundreds of kiosks across the country.
• He also called for an apology from Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon after he wrongly claimed the ticket office was due to close.
• Mr Jones called for a debate in parliament on July 13 over electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He said progress across the country had been “quite mixed”.
• On July 13, Mr Jones posted on his community news website that he hosted pupils from Harrogate Ladies College and St Aidan’s Church of England High School in parliament.
• Mr Jones welcomed the confirmation of Keane Duncan as Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on July 17.
• On July 25, Mr Jones defended his involvement in a campaign to designate the River Nidd at Knaresborough bathing water status after Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Walker accused him of using it as a “political tool”.
• Mr Jones also welcomed North Yorkshire Council’s backing for the campaign.
• On July 25, Mr Jones posted a video of him taking part in a “Take The Bus” campaign, which encourages more disabled and older people to use free bus travel.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for July.

They included holding constituency surgeries, hosting a reception in Parliament on behalf the Rail Delivery Group to increase awareness of sexual harassment on the rail network and visiting Springwater School to meet with the headteacher and chair of governors. 

Others included visiting GirlGuiding West’s new headquarters development on Cornwall Road and hosting a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the North to discuss the new strategic transport plan.  

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in July.
• On July 21, Mr Smith met with the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to discuss the trust’s plans to preserve military heritage in the city.
• On July 22, Mr Smith tweeted his congratulations to Labour’s Keir Mather after his victory in the Selby and Ainsty by-election. 
• Mr Smith posted 15 tweets on his Twitter account in July, which included promoting government grants and national funding announcements.

Read more:

• Labour overturns huge Tory majority to win Selby and Ainsty by-election
• Knaresborough councillor accuses MP of using Nidd sewage campaign as ‘political tool’

Two Harrogate business groups are to host a summer social to help firms strengthen collaboration together.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate Business Improvement District are set to host the event at the Harrogate Inn on August 14.

The meeting will be held from 5.30pm until 8pm and include a networking session and drinks.

The event is open to members of the chamber and BID levy payers only.

For more information and to reserve a place, visit the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce website here.

Harrogate care company among top recommended providers

A Harrogate care company has been recognised as one of the top 20 in the UK at an industry awards.

Carefound Home Care, which has a branch in Harrogate, won the award at the homecare.co.uk awards.

recognised as a Top 20 home care group in the UK.

The company was among the top 20 most recommended care providers based on reviews at the website.

Reviews were also submitted by friends and relatives of people receiving home care in the UK, with the rankings intended to help people find home care that is right for their needs, location and budget.

Oliver Stirk, managing director of Carefound Home Care, said:

“Homecare.co.uk is the UK’s leading home care reviews site and plays an important role in giving families transparency when seeking support for loved ones.”

“We are enormously proud to have won this award for the second year running at Carefound Home Care.”

Read more:

• Councillors approve gambling arcade in Knaresborough despite addiction concerns
• Friday night live music returns to Montey’s in Harrogate

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.

Can anything be done to curb the increasing use of our pavements by cyclists and now e-scooters? 

“The other morning I was nearly knocked over near the Odeon by a youth riding an electric scooter at some speed on the pavement and last night a cyclist brushed past me from behind on the pavement in North Park Road. 

I am a fairly alert 72 year-old but I fear that one of our older residents or those harder of hearing will be injured or worse if something is not done. You just don’t hear them coming.

Stephen Oliver, Harrogate

‘Scruffy’ displays in Harrogate

Come on, Harrogate, this is not good enough.

One-hundred yards from the town centre and otherwise well-kept flower displays. This is not re-wilding – it is scruffy.

Picture and letter by Chris Graville, 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.

Read more: 

• Stray Views: Role of Mayor is bureaucracy “gone mad”
• Stray Views: Unelected council officers should not be making planning decisions