A second knife amnesty bins is being installed in Harrogate this week as part of a national police action week.

The town already has a permanent knife bin between Asda car park and Dragon Road car park to encourage people to safely get rid of potentially lethal weapons.

But a second amnesty bin is being put at Harrogate Police Station on Beckwith Head Road this week.

Bins are being installed in police stations in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton and Skipton as part of the ‘save a life – bin a knife’ national police campaign running from today until Sunday.

Police will also be educating young people this week about the dangers of knife crime as well as carrying out high-visibility patrols, stop and searches and other enforcement activity in areas linked to possible knife crime.

A North Yorkshire Police press release today said:

“Simply wrap an unwanted knife in thick paper or cardboard as a safety precaution, and bring it directly to one of the locations.

“You do not have to give your name or any other details – just drop it in the clearly-marked bin.

“The aim of the bins is not only to reduce knife crime, but also give reassurance to people who simply want to dispose of unwanted knives and sharp objects – such as old kitchen knives, or unused work tools – safely and securely.”

Read more:

• Fifty knives dropped off in Harrogate’s ‘knife amnesty bin’ during first month
• Harrogate hails returning hero Rachel Daly

Detective Superintendent Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Every knife placed in an amnesty bin is one less knife that could be used as a lethal weapon on the streets. That’s why I’m urging everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of them this week.”

Killinghall’s last remaining peacock looks set to be re-homed outside the village.

Roaming peacocks have been a common sight in Killinghall for about 50 years.

But about a dozen are believed to have been killed last winter by a disgruntled villager annoyed by their screeching.

It left just one peahen, which has prompted concerns she is lonely and would be happier elsewhere.

One of the missing Killinghall peacocks

Now a resident has contacted Lucie’s Animal Rescue in Thirsk about rehoming her.

The rescue centre has agreed to help and a group of villagers are trying to work out the best way to capture the peacock, which has its own Facebook page.

The resident leading the campaign, who asked not to be named, said:

“When I read there was only one female left I felt upset for her. It didn’t feel right that she was all alone.

“There is nothing Lucie won’t do for an animal so I know if our girl goes to her she will have the best care for the rest of her natural life.”

Read more:

• Have missing Killinghall peacocks been secretly killed?
• Bilton’s Peter the Peacock living his best life in Lancashire

The villager said the end of bird flu restrictions made it a good time to act before winter sets in.

Lucie has suggested somebody regularly feeds the peacock so she keeps going back, which would make her easier to capture.

But peacocks are big and strong and difficult to catch so some residents have found a large cage they hope to entice her into. The resident said:

“It would be good to avoid rugby tackling her if we can but I suspect that might be the only way.

“So far only a small group of ladies have come forward with offers of help and ideally we may need a couple of strong guys to help – if it comes down to rugby tackling her! Then the plan would be to drive her to Lucie at Thirsk.”

The village peacocks roosting in a tree before their disappearance.

Like many villagers, the resident was incensed by the peacocks’ mystery disappearance. That so many vanished overnight and no remains have been found suggests they were slaughtered.

The resident said:

“I was really angered by what happened to the others. They were doing nothing wrong, just living their lives as a family group.

“I used to love hearing the males calling across the village when I was in my garden.”

Peter the Peacock, who was regularly seen in Bilton, was re-homed in 2021 after getting injured.

Two Harrogate galleries have collaborated to launch a new exhibition.

Watermark Gallery will partner with Walker Galleries, which closed its doors on Montpellier Parade in December last year to move its operations online.

The two businesses have launched a new exhibition, A Brush With Colour, which opened on Saturday and will run until May 31.

Liz Hawkes, owner of Watermark Gallery, said she felt her business could learn from working with Walker Galleries.

She said:

“When we heard that Walker Galleries was closing, we were very disappointed to lose a quality gallery across the road. 

“Through our sister business, Artworks Conservation, we have worked with Ian and Shirley Walker for many years and have a mutual respect for the gallery business they built up. 

“We felt we had a lot to learn by joining forces and are only too pleased to be working with them on this exciting new programme of work.”

Lilies and Lemons – one of the exhibits by Caroline Bailey

Ian Walker, owner of Walker Galleries, said:

“We were delighted when Liz approached us with the offer of a venue so we could continue exhibiting the work of our artists.

“This current show with Caroline Bailey now promises to be even bigger and better than ever before as it combines our established way of working with the online and digital marketing focus of Watermark Gallery.”

Read more:

• Walker Galleries in Harrogate moves online
• Garden centre near Harrogate to reopen after eight years

A Brush With Colour is a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist and colourist Caroline Bailey RSW (Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour). 

It will be held at Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade.

The exhibition is the first in a series of three joint events, with future exhibitions by Mike Bernard RI and Katharine Holmes both planned for the Autumn/Winter 2023. 

A nursing home in Harrogate has said it is making improvements after it was given the lowest score in a food hygiene inspection.

Bilton Hall Nursing Home scored just one on the five-point rating system when environmental health officers visited its kitchen.

The inspectors’ report, released by North Yorkshire Council last week, said:

“Overall, a disappointing visit. I have little confidence in food safety management within the kitchen. My inspection revealed poor levels of cleanliness to all food areas and equipment. A deep clean and disinfection is required without delay.”

The inspector also said:

The report called on the care home, part of the We Care Group, to act on the findings “without delay”.

Read more:

• Former homeless hostel could be converted to social housing in Harrogate
• New plans submitted to create 12 flats in former Harrogate care home

A return visit was held two days later, at the beginning of March, when the inspector confirmed the deep clean had been completed.

That report – also released by the council last week – said a food safety system needed to be implemented and all food handlers had to be trained.

Responding to the report on Friday, Bilton Hall Nursing Home manager Steve Edgar said:

“We had staffing issues at the time of the inspection and the agency staff were not following our home’s kitchen protocol, which led us to achieve a 1 in the inspection.

“The kitchen was also due to have the flooring changed which had been arranged but unfortunately did not happen prior to the inspection by [environmental health].

“The building is a listed building therefore has posed a few structural challenges with regards to refurbishment; however, we are making the appropriate changes necessary.

“We have since had another unannounced inspection from [environmental health] and, since making the changes, the inspector expects us to achieve a 4 when we are next scored.”

Bilton Hall Nursing Home is on Bilton Hall Drive, off Knaresborough Road. Photo: Geograph / habiloid

Mr Edgar said the revisit had found the “comprehensive” food safety management system was in place and available for inspection, with monitoring records “much improved”.

Vacancies in the catering department had been filled, he said, and additional training completed by members of the team.

The kitchen floor was expected to be replaced this month, he said, adding:

“We will need to request another official visit in which the published score will change for the public to see; as of this week we have applied to North Yorkshire Council for a rescoring [environmental health] visit.”

Health bosses in North Yorkshire have said more covid vaccine appointments will be available for Harrogate residents amid concern over a lack of clinics.

Officials at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said three pharmacies in Harrogate have been holding appointments for those eligible for a spring booster vaccine.

However, residents have contacted the Stray Ferret over concerns that the NHS booking website only showed clinics in West Yorkshire.

Currently, those who are vulnerable and over-75 are eligible for an appointment.

Those who wish to book a vaccine have to do so through the NHS website or by calling 119.

Read more:

• Plaque recognises Harrogate Convention Centre’s ‘invaluable’ covid hospital role
• Covid vaccine banners stolen from Pateley Bridge

But, residents in Harrogate who have tried to book a booster vaccine have found appointments are only available in Bradford or Leeds.

NHS officials said much of the vaccine campaign has been focused on those in care homes or who are housebound.

However, they added more local appointments should become available “over the next two or three weeks” to those who are eligible and will mostly be in GPs and pharmacies.

In response to the concern over travel, a spokesperson for Humber and North Yorkshire ICB said:

“Three pharmacies in Harrogate have had appointments available through the NHS National Booking Service and have been actively delivering clinics.

“However, over the next two to three weeks, patients in Harrogate who are eligible for their COVID spring booster should have access to more local appointments when they visit the online NHS National Booking Service or contact NHS 119.

“With GP practices in the Harrogate district mainly concentrating their efforts on delivering vaccines to care home residents and patients who are housebound, clinics for over 75s and those who are immunosuppressed will mostly be delivered by community pharmacy teams, though some GP practices will be running clinics for their eligible patients and they will be contacted directly when it’s their turn.

“The Spring campaign commenced on 3 April for all care home residents, housebound and immunosuppressed patients in line with JCVI guidance. All other over 75s became eligible for vaccination w/c 17 April and we are confident everyone who’s eligible will be able to receive a vaccination prior to the end of June when this campaign ends.”

Those are eligible for a spring covid booster are advised to check the NHS booking service online or call 119, if travelling is an issue.

More information on covid vaccine appointments can be found on the NHS England website here.

North Yorkshire’s transport boss has said the council intends to carry out a review of how it supports bus services amid concerns over passenger numbers.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport at North Yorkshire Council, said grants from government and a cap on £2 fares will help some routes to continue into next year.

However, he added that the authority would review how it can support bus companies in future.

In a statement due before this week’s full council, Cllr Duncan said:

“We have just accepted the final extension to the Local Transport Fund grant from the DfT. 

“This amounts to an additional £360k which will be used to support services. We hope this will allow current service levels to continue for at least a further year. This allows us time to conduct a wider review of the way the council supports services. 

“However, increased passenger numbers, not subsidies, remain the key to the long-term viability of bus services.”

The move comes as the 24 service from Pateley Bridge to Harrogate was recently saved until April next year.

Transdev, which operates the service, had initially planned to withdraw most services on the route.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire transport boss warns bus network faces ‘really grave situation’
• 80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP

However, talks between the council and operator secured the service for another year.

The move coincided with an extension to the government’s £2 cap on single fares until June and extra funding for routes at risk of being reduced.

At the time, Cllr Duncan warned that government cash “cannot continue in perpetuity”.

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

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

Harrogate based Kitchen and bathroom furniture maker, Harvey George, is to showcase Westmorland products – after the sheepskin retailer announced it was closing its store in the centre of town.

Westmorland Sheepskins said it would be no longer trading from its shop on Montpellier after failing to agree terms for a new lease on the unit.  The company said it would be continuing to trade online.

Now Harvey George’s owners have offered free space to promote Westmorland products in their showroom on Hookstone Park.

The company said it was keen to keep Harrogate’s independent retailers going and especially keen to support another Yorkshire made business like themselves.

Sophie Griffiths, Finance Director of Harvey George said:

“We are delighted to welcome Westmorland and their gorgeous soft furnishings into the Harvey George home”.

Dominique Heaton of Westmorland said:

“It’s lovely to still be part of the Harrogate retail story at the lovely new Harvey George space!”

Read More:

• Business Breakfast: Boroughbridge company celebrates long-service staff milestone
• Talks to buy Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery reported to be underway

The Great Holiday Home Show will be held for the first time at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate this September.

The show will include the latest models of holiday homes, caravans, motorhomes and all aspects of life exploring the great outdoors.

TV presenter Matt Baker MBE will be live on the Great Holiday Home Stage chatting to Christine Talbot.

Richard Jones, Show Chairman, said:

“We are very excited to have Matt at the show this year talking about his love of the great outdoors. Now more than ever, many people are choosing to have a holiday home and we look forward to welcoming them to Harrogate in September for a spectacular show.”

Tickets for the Great Holiday Home Show held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate for 3 days from Friday 8th September to Sunday 10th September 2023 are on sale now.

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.

The Stray Ferret Letters inbox has been dominated this week by correspondence regarding the decision to go ahead with Harrogate’s Station Gateway proposal. Here are excerpts from some of the emails we have received.

It beggars belief that even after so many negative comments /opposing opinions from local residents and established businesses, the gateway proposal should be given the go ahead to proceed. .. To endorse such a plan clearly paints those with authoritative clout as having no real knowledge of the consequences this proposal will have on the impact of vehicles through our town centre.

Steve Allcock

What kind of a democratic system do we have in Harrogate? When the residents from Granville Road Area Group have not been allowed a Public Meeting with regards to ‘The Gateway Scheme’ before the scheme was passed.

However, we will now be allowed one after they were passed last Friday 5 of May.

Surely in the scoping and screening phases of a major project such as the Gateway, this community of people should have been consulted directly by the planners. Which one would have thought included a ‘Public Meeting’ at the start, not at the end of such a major scheme and plans from NYCC.  Has this really happened? Or are we just actors playing a part in a film set for NYC. [North Yorkshire Council].

Isn’t it a bit late in the day to consult residents and their concerns? Is this even acceptable or legal in any democratic process for a Public Consultation?

What is even more concerning is that some of the elected Councillors who have either dismissed this or are perhaps are just not concerned with the people that voted for them.

Rachael Inchboard

The biggest mistake of all. One day they will realise. The town is a Ghost Town with more empty shops than nice open ones. Cambridge street and the old market with shops round the outside were busy everyday. Parking is too expensive. Not easy to park and step onto the pavement and pop to buy something.

One Lane is a total disaster – no one will bother with town. PLEASE BRING BACK OUR BEAUTIFUL SPA TOWN.

Read More:

• Stray Views: ‘Shame’ on councillors who approved Station Gateway
• £11.2m Station Gateway set to go ahead after crucial Harrogate area vote

It’s difficult to think of a bigger star from Harrogate right now than England footballer Rachel Daly.

Daly was part of the England Lionesses team that won Euro 2020 last year and is this season’s Women’s Super League leading scorer.

She also has 328,000 followers on Instagram so it was little surprise hundreds of football fans gathered at Killinghall Moor this afternoon to greet her homecoming.

Daly was back where it all started — Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club — to open the Nomads Daly Brew cafe named in her honour.

She arrived with friends and family, not to mention dog Dexy, shortly after midday to a chorus of ‘She’s Coming Home’ and after a few quick speeches and media interviews signed autographs non-stop for more than hour.

Alongside her mural

Many fans turned up wearing shirts bearing Daly’s name.

Sitting in the cafe bearing her name and mural, people queued with balls, shirts, boots and bits of paper for her to sign. Many wore England or Aston Villa Women shirts bearing the name ‘Daly’.

She obliged them all and flashed her megawatt smile for selfies until everyone had got a memento. Mum Louise, who still lives in Harrogate, looked like she would burst with pride.

Some fans queued for over an hour to meet Daly.

Posing with current Killinghall Nomads players

Daly played for Killinghall Nomads from under-eight to under-15 level before moving on. Her brother and father also represented the club. Dad Martyn, who died two years ago, set up the under-15 girls team.

This was her first trip to Harrogate since Christmas and the event provided a chance to catch-up with some old friends as well as fans.

She was impressed by the building’s transition to a cafe and humbled by the decision to name it in her honour. She said:

“I spent every waking second of the day on these pitches, hitting a ball against this wall so to be here today is a great honour.

“It’s always important to remember your roots. When I was last here it was a meeting room with just a kettle!”

Simon Walker, vice-chair of the club, told the crowd that Daly continued to inspire others, which was evident by the number of girls and boys who turned out.

Read more:

• Harrogate hotshot Rachel Daly to open Killinghall cafe
• Harrogate’s Rachel Daly on target as England win Finalissima

David Terzza, women and girls’ football lead at the club, said it now had about 150 females on its books.

He emphasised how much Daly had contributed to its growth by sponsoring kit, arranging for some of the junior players to watch the Lionesses train at the St George’s Park national football centre and taking part in a zoom question and answer with girls during covid.

She said:

“Nomads will always have a special place in my heart. If it wasn’t for this place, where I played on every blade of grass and broke every piece of fence, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s such an honour.”

Her classy display on the day ensured Daly will also have a special place in Harrogate’s heart too. Time for a statue?

Here are some more photos from today’s event.

This week’s photograph was taken by Len Bownes, capturing two artists working with the cherry blossom as their subject.

Len Bownes

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.