Cyclist injured in crash with Mercedes at New Park roundabout

Police have appealed for witnesses to a collision involving a cyclist and a Mercedes at a busy roundabout in Harrogate this week.

The cyclist came off their bike at New Park roundabout just after 2pm on Monday.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the cyclist “took action to avoid the black Mercedes SUV, came off his cycle, and sustained minor injuries”.

The victim was travelling east on Skipton Road and the Mercedes entered the roundabout from Ripon Road in the Ripon direction.

A police statement said:

“We are appealing for witnesses to the incident or anyone who recalls seeing the pedal cyclist or Mercedes prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

“If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number NYP-12062023-0659.”

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Harrogate Spring Water still ‘exploring options’ over expansion plans

Harrogate Spring Water has said it is still “exploring options” over the planned expansion of its bottling plant — almost a year on from a public consultation.

The French-owned company plans to fell trees in Rotary Wood, including some planted by schoolchildren in the 2000s, to expand its site on Harlow Moor Road.

Amid environmental concerns over the use of plastics and the loss of trees, the company held a consultation event at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate on July 13 last year.

It said afterwards it was “working on defining the plans” and would “publicly share our final plans ahead of submitting our application to Harrogate Borough Council”.

But 11 months on, it has yet to reveal its plans. Harrogate Borough Council was abolished on March 31 and replaced by North Yorkshire Council.

Asked for an update, a spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water said:

“We are working hard exploring options to address the points raised during the course of our consultation process last year on plans to expand our production site.

“It is because we are determined to create a solution which tackles those points and delivers for the people of Harrogate, for the town and for Harrogate Spring Water that we are taking time to get it right.

“As soon as we are able to, we will share the updated scheme with the public – we plan to host a public drop-in exhibition, as well as engage with key local groups.

“We are keen to do this in as timely a manner as we can and while we are still not in a position to put a precise date on when this will take place, as soon as this situation changes, we will let everyone know.”

The firm, which is part of Danone, has had outline planning permission to expand its factory next to the Pinewoods since 2017. This means the principle of development has been established but the details have not.

Plans to extend the site by 40% were refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in January 2021.

Harrogate Spring Water subsequently revealed it planned to submit further plans on how it intended to develop the site, which led to last year’s consultation. But nothing has yet transpired.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon meat retailer appoints new chief executive

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Farmison & Co has appointed a new chief executive.

The online butcher, which was recently bought out by a consortium led by former Asda CEO Andy Clark, has recruited Andy Adcock to take up the position.

Mr Adcock is a former managing director at M&S and has spent 20 years in the food trade.

Mr Clark, executive chairman at Farmison, said:

“I’d like to welcome Andy to the Farmison team – I’ve every confidence he’ll bring even more momentum as we build a sustainable future for our business.” 

The appointment comes as the meat retailer has also announced a partnership with delivery service Gopuff.

It means products including bacon, sausages chicken and steaks, will be available for 15 minute delivery in Gopuff’s London delivery area.

New partner at Harrogate’s solicitors

Harrogate solicitors Raworths has announced it has appointed a new partner.

Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor will join the firm’s trusts, wills and estates team as part of a strategic growth plan at the company.

Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor. Picture: Raworths

Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor. Picture: Raworths

Rachel joins the firm from London-based Farrer & Co, where she advised individuals, families and trustees on issues including succession, wealth structuring and governance.

Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner and head of private client services at Raworths, said; 

“We are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Rachel’s calibre, contributing further to the strategic growth of our specialist teams across the firm.

“As families become more international, Rachel’s cross-border experience will be a particularly valuable addition to the support which we already offer to our clients.”

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Jail for drug dealers caught outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Two drug dealers arrested outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens have been jailed.

Plain clothed county lines drugs officers from North Yorkshire Police were on patrol in Valley Gardens in October 2020, when they came across Ishmaal Mahmood and Ifaaq Mahmood in a Volkswagen Jetta parked on Valley Drive.

According to police, Ishmaal Mahmood, 25, of Stonegate Chase, Harehills, Leeds, appeared to try and delete messages from the phone he was using as officers tried to speak with him.

He and Ifaaq Mahmood, 28, of Leeds at the time, were detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act after what police described as “implausible and inconsistent reasons for being in Harrogate”.

Drugs recovered from the car 

Both pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing MDMA with intent to supply.

Ishmaal was jailed for three years and four months and Ifaaq was jailed for one year and eight months. In 2020, Ishmaal was previously sentenced to seven months in jail for possessing a knife linked to the same incident.

‘I’ve got a knife on me’

Ishmaal Mahmood said to one of the officers outside Valley Gardens “I’ve got a knife on me” and was found to be in possession of a curved hunting knife.

On searching the vehicle, a blue latex glove containing multiple snap bags containing white and brown powder, believed to be cocaine and MDMA, were recovered. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Ishmaal was also arrested for possession of the knife.

Addresses linked to both were searched and at the address of Ishmaal officers found a small amount of cannabis, further weapons and a large amount of deal bags.

Drug analysis on the suspected class A drugs seized from the vehicle confirmed the drugs as 32 individual wraps including 28 cocaine and 4 MDMA. This has a street value of approximately £1,500.

Forensic analysis of the drugs and phone analysis ultimately linked both men to the supply of cocaine and MDMA in the Harrogate area. It also showed Ishmaal was occasionally acting as a recruiter and trying to set up his own drug line.

The seized hunting knife

The pair were sentenced for the drug offences at York Crown Court yesterday,

Investigating officer, PC Michael Haydock from the county lines Operation Expedite team in Harrogate, said:

“Ishmaal and Ifaaq Mahmood were working together for a county line with the sole objective of selling highly dangerous and addictive drugs on the streets of Harrogate.

“They have done this freely and for their own gain, without the slightest bit of thought or consideration for the wider implications of their actions.

“Furthermore, they were on our streets in possession of a knife which had the potential to cause devastating injuries or worse. There is no place for this and both have received all that they deserve. Hopefully the pair have now seen the error of their ways and similarly, anyone who believes they can commit drug crime in North Yorkshire can expect to face the consequences.”

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Meat-pie eating contest to be held at Starbeck Community Day

An annual community event is returning this weekend to raise money for the Starbeck Christmas Lights Appeal.

Starbeck Community Day will include a range of stalls and rides, as well as a drinks bar and live entertainment throughout the day.

Visitors can also enjoy donkey rides, an obstacle course and live performances from Starbeck Dancing for Wellbeing and the Summerbell Dance Academy.

Competitions will be held throughout the day to boost the fundraising efforts, including a meat pie-eating contest for adults and a jelly-eating competition for children.

The 2023/24 Starbeck community king and queen will also be crowned on the day.

Christine Holmes, group leader of the Starbeck Christmas Lights Appeal, told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re raising funds for the Starbeck Christmas lights, it’s to pay for the maintenance or any replacements we need.

“We took it over about nine years ago to keep the tradition going, with prices rising all the time we’re constantly raising funds. We were quite a lot down on donations last year.

“We really need to boost the funds quite a bit. It is a community day and it’s there for everybody to enjoy.”

Last year, the community day raised around £700 as part of the £8,000 required to fund the Christmas lights. The 2023 event hopes to beat that figure.

The event will take place from noon to 4pm at Harrogate Railway AFC on Station View. Entry is free.

A Disney-themed parade from Starbeck Methodist Church to Harrogate Railway AFC will begin the event

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Two men appear in court charged with wounding man in Harrogate

Two men have appeared in court charged with wounding a man in Harrogate.

Adam Fogarty-Walker, 18, of Ash Grove, Bradford, and Joshua Dane Rider, 18, of Fairfield Terrace, Leeds, appeared at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

Both were charged with maliciously wounding a man in Dragon Road car park on Thursday, June 8.

A third man was initially charged by police in connection with the incident, but charges were later dropped.

Fogarty-Walker and Rider were also charged with carrying a kitchen knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority.

Meanwhile, Rider also faced two charges of having in his possession two wraps of diamorphine and 28 wraps of cocaine with intent to supply.

The cases were referred to York Crown Court where the three men were ordered to appear on July 10, 2023.

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Choose life at Hampden House, care provider says

This story is sponsored by Elizabeth Finn Homes.

Older people looking for a safe and comfortable place to live in care should look no further than Hampden House in Harrogate, a national care provider says. 

Elizabeth Finn Homes operates nine care homes across England and Hampden House, on Duchy Road, is the only one in the North of England. 

The purpose-built home has 56 rooms, all with en suite facilities and views over the landscaped gardens or courtyards. 

General manager Jane Hooren, who is a Registered Nurse and has been in the health and social industry her entire career, said: 

“At Hampden House, we provide the highest level of service and facilities, including award-winning restaurant-style dining, a beauty salon, fully-licensed bar and industry-leading social engagement.  

“We strongly believe that residents should retain as much of their independence as possible, and the importance of staying both physically and mentally active is key to achieving that.” 

Photo of a nurse and manager at an Elizabeth Finn care home.

Elizabeth Finn Homes attract the very best staff.

Hampden House, which is rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, provides both nursing and personal care, on a permanent or short-stay basis, as well as offering end-of-life care. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turn2us, a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. 

The home, which enjoys 24-hour-a-day security in one of Harrogate’s most exclusive areas, encourages residents to lead full and active lives, and even offers trips in a specially adapted minibus to places of interest and entertainment, or simply to the local shops – all facilitated by excellent care staff. 

Photo of a resident at Hampden House care home in Harrogate, sitting in a wingback armchair, reading a tabloid newspaper.

At Hampden House, residents are encouraged to remain mentally active.

Jane said: 

“We seek to employ the best, so we can provide the best, and our employees regularly achieve awards recognising their achievements in customer care and service delivery. 

“Along with our excellent staffing levels, Hampden House is equipped with the very best equipment to help my team go about their duties and ensure the comfort and safety of our residents.” 

Find out more: 

If you or a loved one would like to know more about life at Hampden House, contact Elizabeth Finn Homes on 01423 209 049, or visit our website.

 

Harrogate musician signs deal with global publisher

A young Harrogate musician has signed a global publishing deal after his music proved a hit on social media.

KiD RAiN – whose real name is Dan Reynard – has been working as a songwriter for many years, but has just signed with Peermusic, the largest independent music publisher in the world.

He has achieved 250 million video views and 30 million streams for previous releases, including I Hope You Never Fall in Love Again, and a cover of Counting Crows’ Accidentally in Love.

It’s on TikTok where he has become a real star: his music has been shared by celebrities including Khloe Kardashian.

Teasers for his new single Half got more than half a million views on the video sharing platform. He said the song explores the move from childhood to adulthood:

“I often find myself questioning whether I’m truly a kid or a grown-up. Half is a heartfelt anthem for those who find themselves caught in life’s limbo.”

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The former Ripon Grammar School student began writing music aged just 12.

After studying A level music technology, as well as history, economics and business studies in 2014, he toured the UK in his band :PM, formed with four of his schoolmates.

He has been a prolific songwriter throughout his career, having worked with songwriters for Little Mix, Years & Years, Lana Del Ray and Ed Sheeran.

After going solo in 2020, he climbed the Apple Music and Spotify charts, and had one of his songs chosen as a BBC Introducing Track of the Week. His music has also appeared on Nickelodeon, which declared “KiD RAiN is on his way up”.

Now being hotly tipped as the next big thing by music industry professionals, he still remembers his nerves when he embarked on his first headline tour:

“I was so certain we wouldn’t sell enough tickets and the venues would be mostly empty, but I was so blown away by how many people showed up.

“To go to places like Glasgow and see your name above the venue door and hear people sing songs you wrote in your bedroom was amazing. Surely they all have better things to do than watch an idiot dance around on stage? Apparently not.”

‘I feel liberated’: Harrogate Lib Dem councillor goes independent

Harrogate councillor Michael Schofield has left the Liberal Democrats and will sit as an independent on North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Schofield was elected in May 2022 in the Harlow and St Georges division after winning 45% of the vote.

However, after just over a year he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning that with the Lib Dems preparing for a potential general election next year he has stepped away from the party to focus on local issues.

He said:

“It’s a case of with the political turmoil going on nationally, and all parties gearing up for a general election, the worry is my local area will get left behind. I was elected to serve Harlow Hill and St Georges and my only aim is to do that.

“It’s time for a clean break and for me to serve in the town. People get bogged down with the electioneering. I’ll let people go and do and that. That takes me away from things I want to do and serving the community.”

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Cllr Schofield, who is the landlord of the Shepherds Dog pub on Harlow Hill, said he apologised to any of the voters who voted for him because of his former political affiliation but added that he’s not a “national political animal”.

He said some of his former Lib Dem colleagues are “probably not happy” with his decision but he said he now feels liberated free of the party machine.

He added:

“I have a lot of friends within that group but my aim is do cross-party politics. The only way we can move forward is by having cross-party politics. If you have two parties arguing all the time you’re never going to move forward. I’m all for collaboration.”

Cllr Schofield’s decision to stand as an independent follows similar moves by councillors on different parties in recent months.

In April, Scarborough councillor Tony Randerson resigned from the Labour party and stood as an independent in a by-election that he won.

This week Conservative councillor for Camblesforth, Mike Jordan, quit the party citing dismay with the national party.

North Yorkshire Council has 45 Tory members and the same number of Liberal Democrat, Liberals, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.

Travellers leave Harrogate’s Ashville College

Travellers left Harrogate’s Ashville College last night, three days after they arrived.

The fee-paying school postponed home sports fixtures when caravans pitched up on the sports field off Yew Tree Lane on Friday night.

North Yorkshire Police said last night all vehicles had vacated the field by 7.15pm.

A police spokesperson said:

“The Harrogate neighbourhood policing team has worked closely with the college and community partners to resolve this issue.

“Our officers are continuing to liaise with all parties and are carrying out patrols in the area to address safety and security concerns.”

Ashville College

An Ashville spokesman said it served notice on the travellers to leave the school grounds yesterday morning. He added:

“The police successfully handled the departure and we are delighted to confirm that they all have left the site.

“Crucially, the order served today prohibits a return to our site within the next twelve months.

“We have secured the entrance they forced themselves through on Friday night.

Ashville head Rhiannon Wilkinson said in a letter to parents:

“It has been a challenging three days and I am enormously grateful to my colleagues in boarding who have done an exceptional job looking after the boarders this weekend in what have been difficult circumstances.”

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