700 people take part in Harrogate Race for Life

About 700 people took part in the Race for Life fundraising event in Harrogate on Sunday, generating £95,000 for cancer research.

The number appears to be sharply down on last year, when some 1,400 people pledged to take part.

Cancer Research UK organises Race for Life events across the country to fund scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Participants on the Stray dodged the thunder storms to take part in 3k, 5k or 10k events.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Harrogate, said numbers were down because there wasn’t a Pretty Muddy or Pretty Muddy Kids event this year.

She said the charity was “incredibly grateful to everyone who took part”, adding:

“The atmosphere at Race for Life Harrogate was hugely moving — full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.

“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible.”

Race for Life has raised over £940m towards life-saving research since it began 30 years ago.  More than 10 million people have taken part.

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Recruits wanted for group that shapes North Yorkshire’s green spaces

People with a passion for the outdoors are being invited to apply for membership of a group set up to improve access to North Yorkshire’s countryside.

The North Yorkshire Local Access Forum advises North Yorkshire Council and others on how people can make the most of opportunities to get out and about.

It is recruiting new members who could possibly be ramblers, runners, cyclists or horse riders with a keen interest in shaping the future of the county’s green spaces.

The forum’s work includes issues such as footpaths, bridleways, byways and open access land within North Yorkshire, but outside of the boundaries of the two National Parks for the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

Other areas include:

Footpaths are part of the group’s remit.

The forum works to maintain rights of way, ensure communities remain connected and improve links to places of interest.

There are generally three meetings a year and members may also attend site visits, workshops, training events and conferences as appropriate.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member with responsibility for public rights of way, said:

“North Yorkshire’s countryside is the jewel in our crown and ensuring it remains open and accessible to all is incredibly important.

“This has to be balanced with the needs and requirements of the people who live and work here as well and this is why the work of the Local Access Forum is so valued.

“Its volunteers bring a wealth of ideas and expertise and guarantee all views are represented and their voices heard.”

Applications are being invited from today until Friday, August 4.

Interviews will take place in late August to select new members before the next meeting of the Local Access Forum on September 25.

Applicants can request an application pack via email from democratic services officer, Harriet Clarke, at harriet.clarke@northyorks.gov.uk or telephone at 01423 556068.

You can also visit here for more information and an application form.

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Harrogate thieves dump classic motorbike when they can’t start it

Thieves abandoned a classic motorbike they’d stolen in Harrogate when they were unable to get it to start.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the black Honda motorcycle was taken overnight from a home on King Edward’s Drive in Bilton.

It was found the following day by the owner dumped at the back of nearby Cecil Street “due to the thieves being unable to start the bike”, police said in a statement.

The statement added:

“However, the bike sustained damage that, due to its age and rarity, will be costly to repair.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses and information about the incident, which happened overnight between Sunday, July 2 and Monday, July 3.

Anyone with information can email ben.robinson-brockhill@northyorkshirepolice.co.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Ben Robinson-Brockhill.

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

Quote reference number 12230123114.

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Harrogate Tory MP’s office almost struck by lightning

The Harrogate building struck by lightning is next door to Conservative MP Andrew Jones’ constituency office, it has emerged.

Paramedics treated a resident for shock when lightning hit their home at East Parade on Saturday night.

A police cordon put up outside their home remained in place yesterday.

A cul-de-sac that separates the building and the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association‘s office was also closed because debris from the lightning-struck roof had landed on to the road and the chimney stack was unsafe.

The office is where Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is based when he is not in Westminster. Several of his staff also work there.

The building struck by lightning is on the left and the Conservative office is on the right.

Harrogate Conservative Club is the next building down the street.

Nobody was seriously injured in the incident, which occurred at about 10.30pm during Saturday’s storm.

Another home on East Parade, along with properties on Skipton Road and Crab Lane, suffered flooding within minutes of the lightning strike, forcing on-call firefighters from Summerbridge to be drafted in to help crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough.

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600 people to compete in orienteering race in Harrogate and Knaresborough

A major international orienteering event will be held in Harrogate and Knaresborough this weekend.

The City Race Euro Tour includes orienteering contests in major towns and cities across Europe every year.

For the first time, the Harrogate area has been made one of the nine stops on the tour, which also includes places such as Córdoba, Ancona, Vigo, Ghent and London.

More than 600 people have signed up for the race, which takes place on July 15 and 16.

Kay Hawke, project officer at British Orienteering, said:

“Participants from across the UK and Europe will be tackling the orienteering courses set around the locations with different length (and difficulty) courses for different age groups, meaning that there is a course suitable to the very young, families and beginners to the elderly”

The weekend event will start with a sprint race around Knaresborough Castle and, on the following day, participants will tackle an urban course set in and around Harrogate Ladies College.

Ms Hawke added:

“Funding has been secured from North Yorkshire Council to create an accessible course at the Sunday Harrogate event which is wheelchair and limited mobility friendly.”

Orienteers have also been invited to a free guided tour of Harrogate led by local guide Harry Satloka as well as a meal at the Old Bell pub on Saturday evening.

Prizes will be provided by local companies and artists, including the Harrogate Chocolate Factory – a social enterprise helping young people with learning disabilities to gain valuable work skills.

To learn more about the European City Race and how to take part, visit the website here.

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Business Breakfast: Grantley Hall appoints new general manager

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, 27 July at Banyan in Harrogate between 8-10am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Grantley Hall near Ripon has appointed a new general manager.

Nuno César de Sá, who previously worked for the Mandarin Oriental group, has joined the hotel after previous manager Andrew McPherson stepped down.

On his appointment, he said:

“I am honoured to become part of the Grantley Hall family. I have been fascinated by what has been achieved at Grantley Hall over the last six years.

“Now that I have been appointed as general manager, it is incredible that I will become an integral part of its future.”

Richard Sykes, managing director at Grantley Hall, added:

“We are thrilled to have Nuno on board as our new general manager.

“As a family-owned business, we understand that out people are the most important element of the hotel as they implement the magic of Grantley Hall to our guests and as Nuno shares many of the Grantley values, we know that he will be a perfect fit.”

Women’s co-working event to be held in Harrogate

A women’s business group is set to host a coffee and co-working event in Harrogate this month.

Women’s Business Club UK will be hosting the session at Manahatta off Parliament Street on July 21 from 11am until 2pm.

The group described the event as a chance for women to “have a natter and settle in for a morning of co-working”.

The co-working session is free, but pre-booking is essential.

For more information on the event and to book a place, visit the Eventbrite page here.

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How to get around Harrogate during the Great Yorkshire Show

Harrogate BID logo

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID.

Anyone needing to get around Harrogate and the surrounding areas is being advised to plan ahead this week.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected at the Great Yorkshire Show across its four days, and there will be changes on some routes to accommodate the additional traffic.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We work closely with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, its traffic management company and National Highways to agree a traffic management plan.

“We always ensure that roadworks on the main routes are kept to a minimum, with only emergency work permitted. Highways officers will monitor traffic on the routes and are available should they need to support the traffic management company.

“Whilst every effort is made to ensure that traffic flows efficiently, visitors to Harrogate should expect delays at peak times and plan their journeys accordingly.”

Here is your handy guide to the key points to remember from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 15 – whether or not you’re going to the show.

Roads

A661 Wetherby Road: one way westbound from the Kestrel roundabout to Rudding Lane from 6.30am on each day of the show. This reverses in the afternoon from 2pm until 8pm, taking traffic away from the showground. If traffic eases earlier, the one-way system may be taken down before then.

A658: One way inbound towards the showground from Thistle Hill near Knaresborough to the Kestrel roundabout, from 6.30am for the mornings only. No one-way system during the afternoon.

B6164: Traffic arriving from the north via the A1(M) will be directed off at junction 46, before going through Kirk Deighton and on to North Deighton on the B6164. It will then turn right onto the A661 near Spofforth and follow the road to the showground.

A59 Skipton Road: Show visitors will be directed from the Curious Cow roundabout onto the B6161 to Beckwithshaw, where they will turn onto the B6162 Otley Road.

Parking

Traffic approaching from the west and north will follow the ‘blue zone’ directions to the car parks via Hookstone Drive.

Those coming from the east via the A661 will be directed down Rudding Lane into the ‘green zone’ car parks.

Traffic arriving from the south will follow ‘brown zone’ directions along the A658 towards Rudding Lane and into the car parks from there.

Public transport

A free shuttle bus operates every 10 minutes from the bus station in central Harrogate to the white gate at the showground. It begins at 7.20am and runs until 7pm.

Passengers arriving in Harrogate by train will be able to catch the shuttle bus. Those arriving at Hornbeam Park can follow a signposted walking route to the showground gates.

Walking and cycling

Pedestrians can follow signs from Hornbeam Park to the showground.

There is secure cycle parking at the blue and white gates for people arriving on two wheels.

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Stray Views: All Harrogate district schools should have 20mph speed limits

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 read your article “Highways boss defends North Yorkshire speed limit review” with interest, especially after the recent incident where children on their way to school in Rossett were hit by a car mounting the pavement.

Rather than the onus being on residents to prove that their school needs to be in a 20mph zone, surely the answer is to have a blanket policy where all schools have a mandatory proposed 20mph zone to be enforced in time for the September term, with an appeals process for those who are against it. That way the burden is on the (presumably) commercial interested parties to prove why there shouldn’t be one, rather than on anxious parents and children to prove why there should.

The claim that not many children are knocked down on their way to school is erroneous – according to the Department of Transports own figures 2,456 children were either knocked down or killed on their way to/from school last year alone.

Come on Councillor Duncan, surely we should put children’s safety first? Even one death in North Yorkshire would be one too many.

Colin Mannion, Boroughbridge

Water companies should improve productivity

There has been a lot of noise about the problems that water companies are having and I suspect that there are a combination of reasons why they are losing money.

One of them may be the productivity of their teams in the field.

Over the last few weeks one of our neighbours has had a lot of work done to sort out problems with their drains. Virtually every day one or two Yorkshire Water vans appear and the staff sit in the vans for anything up to an hour at a time eating, drinking, reading newspapers and certainly not working.

Clearly leakage is a problem nationally but it is not just underground.

Nigel Law, Harrogate

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Village show season set to begin in the Harrogate district

As the summer continues, it can only mean one thing…village show season is due to begin.

From vintage tractors and giant tortoises to handwriting competitions and terrier racing, we’ve collated a list of village shows happening across the district this summer.

If you have something to add to the round-up, email us the details.

Weeton Show

Titled “The Greatest Little Show in Yorkshire”, Weeton Show offers locals a jam-packed day of guaranteed fun.

The village show will host a wealth of entertainment throughout the day, with food stalls, live brass bands, a Punch and Judy performance, farrier demonstrations and much more.

The day will also include over 200 classes of horses, sheep, dogs, produce and horticulture.

Weeton show has been an integral part of the village since 1947 and still promises to be fun for all the family.

The show will take place on Sunday, July 30.

Tickets start at £7 – more information can be found here.

Pic: Valeria Mather from Weeton Show website.

Birstwith Show

This year marks the 127th annual Birstwith Show and, after all these years, it still has lots on offer.

For any local horticulturists, the village show has an extensive list of classes to enter or enjoy, ranging from pansies and delphiniums to hydrangeas and hanging baskets.

The show will also showcase a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Children can also get involved in classes and can show off their photography, baking, or even sock puppet-making skills.

Birstwith Show will take place on Saturday, July 29.

Find more information here – ticket prices begin at £7.

Pic: Sarah Jane Osler

Ripley Show

Ripley Show takes place in the grounds of the iconic Ripley Castle and, too, offers a day of agricultural fun.

The show offers a wide range of events and classes, including ferret racing, a companion dog show, children’s fancy dress, and much more.

This year’s attendees can also expect some updates to the schedule – from donkey classes to novice gardener classes.

Ripley Show will take place on Sunday, August 13.

Click here for more information – tickets start at £6.50.

Pic: Ripley Show Facebook page

Tockwith Show

Tockwith Show will also host a day of agricultural and horticultural excitement.

The village show – which was established in 1945 – will hold over 800 classes throughout the day.

Attendees can expect to see giant tortoises, trade stands, Farlavale gun dogs, farm animals and demonstrations.

There will also be pony club displays, a tractor parade, and a dog dash.

The show will take place on Sunday, August 6.

More information can be found here – tickets cost £10.

Pic: Tockwith Show Facebook page

Nidderdale Show

Nidderdale Show (affectionately known at Pateley Show) boats one of the finest exhibitions of animals in the UK.

The show will host a variety of animal competitions, show jumping, horticulture, crops, dry stone walling and more.

People can also enjoy a cricket match, funfair and live music.

There will be a two-course carvery lunch, as well as other hot meals, afternoon teas, sandwiches, and hot beverages available. There will also be mobile catering units and bars located around the showground.

Sunflowers Day Nursery will have staff on-hand to provide a relaxing family area for children (and parents) when necessary.

The show will take place on Sunday, September 24.

Find more information here – tickets cost £13.50.

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Harrogate schools trust celebrates training 1000 new teachers

A Harrogate-based teacher training organisation has celebrated training more than 1,000 qualified teachers.

Red Kite Teacher Training reached the milestone after the graduation of its ninth cohort.

The association was founded in 2015 and is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, which works with schools across North and West Yorkshire, including Harrogate Grammar School.

This year, 150 successful trainees were recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, bringing the total number of qualified teachers trained by the association to 1,049.

Director of Red Kite Teacher Training Victoria Lickley said:

“We are immensely proud to have supported so many newly qualified teachers.

“Our school-centred approach equips trainees with the skills and confidence to become innovative and passionate teachers who go on to enjoy brilliant careers.

“this year’s trainees will be future mentors and facilitators across our courses.”

Ellie Rowe, the 1000th trainee to qualify from Red Kite Teacher Training, was proud of her achievement and added:

“Teaching is the profession that teaches every other profession.”

The trainee teachers from this year’s cohort came together to celebrate their graduation at an event hosted by Harrogate Grammar School.

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