Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 323 of 1040

Ramshackle phone box transformed into Stray information point

A ramshackle red phone box in Harrogate has been moved and transformed into a history of the Stray.

The disused phone box on the Stray, just off Otley Road, had fallen into a dilapidated state.

So the Stray Defence Association, which safeguards the 200 acres of parkland against building and encroachment, hired a specialist renovation company to uplift it on March 16.

It was restored to its original bright scarlet and moved to a more prominent town centre spot on West Park Stray, where it stood beneath a white cover for several days.

Two children removed the covers at an unveiling ceremony this afternoon to reveal the new-look phone box with panels displaying the history of Harrogate’s Stray and the Stray Defence Association.

Its old position on the Stray, next to Otley Road, has been restored and reseeded to return it to Stray land.

Stray Defence Association chairman Judy d’Arcy Thompson and committee member Syd Bell

Judy D’Arcy Thompson, chairman of the Stray Defence Association, said:

“It is the Stray Defence Association’s hope that it will become a valued part of the West Park street scene and an intriguing and iconic information source for both local people and visitors to Harrogate.”

Today’s unveiling, which was attended by members of the Stray Defence Association, Harrogate In Bloom and Harrogate Civic Society, coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Stray Defence Association, which was formed on May 12, 1933

Cordelia, 7, and Harry, 5, performed the opening by cutting a ribbon to highlight how children are the future custodians of the Stray.

A Stray Defence Association donor paid for the renovation, which was approved by the Duchy of Lancaster and both Harrogate Borough Council and the new North Yorkshire Council.

The phone box being uplifted

Panels on the restored phone box tell the story of the Stray.

Nude ban to remain at Turkish Baths Harrogate

Turkish Baths Harrogate has permanently banned nude bathing.

The Victorian venue, run by North Yorkshire Council’s leisure company Brimhams Active, operated two weekly single sex clothing-optional sessions until March.

But swimwear was then made compulsory for all sessions following what the council described as a “serious” police complaint.

No further details have been revealed about the incident and North Yorkshire Police today repeated its statement that “enquiries are ongoing”.

However, a regular customer contacted the Stray Ferret yesterday after receiving an email from the baths informing him the ban would remain.

Katie Summersall, Turkish Baths manager, today confirmed the news. She said:

“Brimhams Active’s priority is to safeguard and protect the wellbeing of staff and customers.

“A management decision has been made that swimwear is to be compulsory at all public bathing sessions.”

The customer, who asked not to be named, regularly attended the clothing-optional male sessions, where he said the majority of people found clothes uncomfortable.

He said:

“I suspect there was never any intention to restore the old policy, and — perhaps cynically — wonder if the complaint and investigation contained an element of convenient prefabrication.”

North Yorkshire Council took control of the baths on April 1 when Harrogate Borough Council was abolished.

International soprano returns to Harrogate for village concert

A locally-born soprano who has sung internationally will return to the Harrogate district tomorrow night for a concert in Birstwith.

Eleonore Cockerham was born in Harrogate and became a chorister in Knaresborough, when she was also a finalist in the BBC Chorister of the Year competition.

Ms Cockerham, who went on to sing with the Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble Voces8 and is now a freelance musician, will join Tim Harper, assistant director of music and organist at Ripon Cathedral and local chamber choir Voces Seraphorum at St James’ Church.

The choir presents regular concerts throughout the region and is also often invited to sing choral services at cathedrals around the country.

Their programme in Birstwith will include music by Handel, Mozart, Stanford, Dyson and Finzi and the coronation anthem ‘I was glad’ by Hubert Parry.

There will also be some choral music by more contemporary composers such as Paul Mealor and Eric Whitacre and a selection of lighter arrangements.

Tickets are £10 (£5 students) and can be booked by phoning 01423 771734 or 07808 370529. They will also be available on the door.

Interim leader of Harrogate hospital given permanent role

The interim chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed to the post permanently, the hospital has announced.

Jonathan Coulter has held the post on a temporary basis previous chief executive Steve Russell went on secondment as national director for vaccines and screening with NHS England last February.

His move was made permanent in December, after which HDFT began recruiting nationally for a replacement. HDFT chair Sarah Armstrong said:

“I am delighted Jonathan has been appointed to the role of chief executive and I know he will lead the organisation with care, dedication and commitment.

“This is an exciting time for our trust. We are committed to providing the best possible level of healthcare for our community and we have a number of exciting projects over the next few years which will further improve on the high quality health and wellbeing service we provide.

“Jonathan’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable in driving these projects forward and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him in the future.”

Mr Coulter has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years, of which 20 have been as a director. He became finance director at HDFT in March 2006 before being appointed deputy chief executive four years later.

He said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed permanently into the role of chief executive.

“HDFT is a brilliant organisation with wonderful people. It is very humbling to be in a position to support all of our fantastic colleagues to be the best that they can be, and continue to do what we try to do every day, which is to help and support the people who need us.”

Revo Rapid: German kitchens stocked in Harrogate at 60% off

This story is sponsored by the Inter Ceramica Group.

The Harrogate-based family-run company, Revo Kitchens, is revolutionising the kitchen market, by launching its Revo Rapid range of stocked German Kitchens with 60% discount off the RRP.

Revo Kitchens, which is part of the family-run Inter Ceramica Group, has expanded its warehouse facilities on Hornbeam Park and now holds huge quantities of German Kitchens in stock, meaning products are available to take away the same day.

Customers can email through or bring along dimensions and a Revo Rapid Design Adviser uses those dimensions to design their dream kitchen for a fraction of the high street price.

Group Manager Adam Challis says Revo Rapid’s offer is unique to the marketplace:

“Revo has been working on this concept for two years, culminating in a revolutionary supply agreement with one of Germany’s largest kitchen manufacturers. The benefits for the customer are huge!”

“By shipping huge volumes directly, we can offer a permanent 60% discount off all kitchen furniture, including our worktops.

“To compliment this amazing offering we have specially selected a range of Bosch and Beko appliances, sinks, taps & boiling taps all from stock and all at internet-beating prices. It’s a truly unique and complete offering, at incredible prices

“Our initial range consists of seven different door colours, five worktops styles and 10 door handle styles. Worktops are manufactured by Duropal, another premium German manufacturer, all being laser edged to give an ultra-high-end quality and contemporary look.”

If a customer wants something outside of the stock range, they can order it, and it will still come with the 60% discount.

Revo Rapid offers interest-free finance under a 12-month buy-now-pay-later arrangement. Customers can spread the cost even more with a low interest rate 10 year package – meaning a £5,000 kitchen can cost as little as £29 per month.

Mr Challis added on Revo Rapid’s customer support:

“Our team of professionals are always on hand to help with design and offer advice, making sure that our customers get the very best service and support.

“Whether you are a domestic customer looking for a new kitchen or a trade fitter, builder or developer, Revo Rapid will change the way you look at kitchens. Our showrooms are open to all.”

Find out more:

You can check out Revo Kitchens’ range of fabulous German kitchens from Nolte on their Revo Rapid website. Alternatively, you can drop into Revo Kitchens’ showroom at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate.

Harrogate school road safety petition handed in to council

A petition calling for a 20 mph limit to be imposed on streets across the south of Harrogate has been delivered to North Yorkshire Council today.

Asking the council to consider the blanket limit across Rossett, Pannal Ash, Oatlands, Woodlands and Hookstone, the petition attracted more than 900 signatures.

It was set up by parents concerned about children’s safety when travelling to schools in the area, and gained the backing of groups including Harrogate District Cycle Action and Zero Carbon Harrogate.

Hazel Peacock, who delivered the petition this morning on behalf of the campaigning parents, said:

“We’re just delighted we’ve got this number of signatures. It shows the support for the proposal of this change, which could bring such positive benefits from a road safety perspective.

“Once you have that, it will change people’s attitudes in regard to comfort around walking, cycling and mobility users.”

She handed the petition to Elizabeth Jackson, democratic services manager for North Yorkshire Council.

After surpassing the required 500 signatures, it will now be debated by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.

Councillors John Mann, Pat Marsh and Michael Schofield, whose divisions cover the area of the proposed speed restriction and supported the restriction, all sit on the committee and handed over the petition with Hazel this morning.

Cllr Mann, whose Oatlands and Pannal division includes three primary schools, Ashville College and several nurseries and pre-schools, said:

“There is an urgent need in particular for a 20 mph limit for Yew Tree Lane, Green Lane, Hookstone Road, and Beechwood Grove, all of which are used by large numbers of children going to and from local schools, and I have emphasised this to the highways team at the council.

“In relation to the A61 Leeds Road, I have also written to the head of highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, to request that the 50 mph speed limit on Almsford Bank be reduced to 40 mph to reduce competitive speeding, and to improve road safety for schoolchildren using the pavements along the A61 near to the neighbourhoods of Stone Rings, the Fulwiths, and the Firs.

“The current risks to pedestrians using the A61 in this area were highlighted in January when a driver managed to overturn his car and demolish a 30mph sign at the top of Almsford Bank in the morning rush hour. In the same month, another vehicle overturned due to speeding in the early morning rush hour on Hookstone Road close to the junction with Hornbeam Park Avenue.”

The demolished 30 mph sign on Leeds Road

Cllr Mann said he would prefer the A61 Leeds Road to maintain its 30 mph limit through Oatlands in order to ease traffic flow, but that a reduction in the limit elsewhere was “urgently needed”.

He referenced a collision on Yew Tree Lane in which two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School were seriously injured, and another collision on Beechwood Grove which left an Oatlands Junior School pupil requiring hospital treatment – both of which happened while the children were on the pavement.

He added:

“These shocking events, combined with evidence showing that more than 10 children are killed or seriously injured in road crashes every week travelling to school, demonstrate the case for immediate action.

“With thousands of pupils travelling to and from the schools and colleges of south and west Harrogate during the week, implementing a maximum speed of 20mph in these areas has the potential to increase safety significantly.

“I really hope that this petition is looked upon favourably by the North Yorkshire Council highways team.”

Malcolm Margolis, a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said reducing the speed limit would also make cycling a safer option for many families travelling to and from schools.

He said:

“It’s a terrific initiative by Hazel and the others. It’s absolutely needed in this area of Harrogate and we hoe it will be the start of it becoming normalised.

“In other countries, it’s just normal. You see parents and grandparents picking up children on their bikes. There’s no reason why we should be different.

“In a calmer 20mph environment, it’s so much more pleasant for anyone who isn’t in a car. In an urban area, it actually makes very little difference to journey times.”

Cllr Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone for the Liberal Democrats, said she also backed the plan, and hoped it would be supported by North Yorkshire Police.

She added:

“I’ve been supporting this idea for a very long time. My late husband and I got a 20mph limit put outside Hookstone Chase Primary School and some of the residential streets close by well over 15 years ago.

“My only issue is I wish the police would monitor it, because if they don’t, motorists know it and will ignore it. We can’t put our children at risk.”

Cherry trees on Harrogate’s Stray vandalised again

Three cherry trees in Harrogate have been vandalised in the latest incident of its kind on the Stray.

Nearby resident Cheryl Flint was upset to notice the snapped branches on the parkland off York Place this morning.

What appears to be a school tie is hanging from a branch opposite one of the damaged trees.

Another snapped branch

Ms Flint said:

“We wait all year for these beautiful trees to bloom — then some idiots think that it is acceptable for the mindless behaviour.”

The rows of cherry trees are a popular attraction on the Stray, particularly in spring when they blossom. But they have become a magnet for vandals.

The latest damage is less severe than that which occurred in August 2021 when eight trees were affected.

In October 2020, a police officer tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.

Garden centre near Harrogate to reopen after eight years

A horticultural nursery near Harrogate is to reopen after almost eight years.

Cliff Bank Nursery at North Rigton was run for years by Joe Maiden, who appeared on radio gardening shows for 40 years until his death in 2015.

Ben Preston, who was previously head gardener at York Gate Garden, and NHS worker Laura Kennedy have spent a year restoring the Harrogate Road site, which will re-open on Saturday, May 27.

The nursery will specialise in rare woodland plants, unusual perennials and ornamental grasses as well as offering a yearly selection of hardy annuals.

Mr Preston and Ms Kennedy, both 35, took on the challenge to bring the derelict nursery back to life in March last year.

Ben Preston and Laura Kennedy

They have cleared the overgrown site, installed new polytunnels and created selling space. A derelict glasshouse has also been refurbished.

The couple plan to grow everything at Cliff Bank by propagating from seed, cuttings and divisions.

Mr Preston, who is originally from Boston Spa, worked at gardens across the UK, including Goldsborough Hall, near Knaresborough, before overseeing the expansion of York Gate Garden as head gardener fro 2017 to 2022. He is also a lecturer at Yorkshire School of Garden Design.

Ms Kennedy has worked in the NHS for nine years.

Mr Preston said:

“We’re really happy to be re-opening the gates at Cliff Bank. It has seen many horticultural chapters over the years and hopefully we’ll be here for many years to come growing unusual plants and providing inspiration and knowledge for gardeners.

“Being a local lad and having a passion for plants, it has been a dream to open our own nursery so close to where I grew up. Our aspiration is to become a popular local nursery with a national reputation for growing interesting and unusual plants here in Yorkshire.’

The greenhouse pre-renovation

The renovated greenhouse

Ms Kennedy added:

“We’ve got huge plans for Cliff Bank and I can’t wait to see them come to fruition, but in the meantime, we look forward to welcoming the gardeners of Leeds and Harrogate over the summer.”

Cliff Bank will open Wednesday to Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm until October.

Driver banned after failing to stop at serious crash in Harrogate

A man has been banned from driving after failing to stop and report a serious crash on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.

Harris Hendry-Hussain, of Swinton Court, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to three offences in relation to the crash in the early hours of March 6 last year.

The 21-year-old crashed his Volkswagen Golf into two cars, a Seat Ibiza and a Peugeot, causing “substantial damage” to both vehicles.

The crash blocked Cold Bath Road at 3.10am and left one passenger of the Volkswagen requiring hospital treatment for neck and back injuries.

In a statement at the time, North Yorkshire Police said it was “sheer luck” no one died.

Hendry-Hussain appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentencing yesterday after admitting driving without insurance, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report the accident.

The prosecution told the court that when police arrived at the crash on the morning of March 6, Hendry-Hussain was not at the scene.

Once he was found by officers and interviewed, he initially told police that he “did not know who was driving” the Volkswagen.

The court heard that, after a forensic investigation of the car, officers interviewed the 21-year-old for a second time. He declined to comment.

He was later charged with three offences. Hendry-Hussain initially denied the charges, but later changed his plea at a hearing on April 24.

His defence told the court that Hendry-Hussain had “accepted the offences” put to him and that he had “done something really stupid”.

The court also heard that the defendant was already serving a community order for a separate offence, which was imposed by the courts after the crash.

Magistrates banned Hendry-Hussain from driving for 12 months.

He was given a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and £150 in court costs.

Ripon to stage public meeting on new tourism strategy

A public meeting is being held in Ripon next week to hear views on how to shape a new tourism strategy for North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Council, which came into existence last month, is devising a strategy to boost the county’s multi-million pound tourism industry.

As part of this, the council is staging three free workshops, including one at the Old Deanery in Ripon from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday.

A council press release this week said the events would “gather information and views from key organisations and enterprises involved in the tourism sector to develop the first countywide destination management plan”.

Attendees will be asked about their priorities and aspirations for the tourism industry as well as the strengths, opportunities and challenges being faced by North Yorkshire’s visitor economy.

Newby Hall. Pic: Mervin Straughan

The council’s Conservative leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“The opportunity to develop the first county-wide plan to promote tourism is a major milestone for North Yorkshire.

“The views of businesses and organisations involved in tourism will be key to developing the strategy and the future of the industry as a whole.”

In-person events will also be held in Ripon, Skipton and Scarborough followed by two online sessions from 5.30pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 23, and then from noon until 1.30pm on Thursday, May 25.

The draft destination management plan is due to be finalised by the end of June, before being presented to councillors the following month.

A bid is then due to be submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in September for North Yorkshire to be home to a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which would involve both the private and public sectors and would need to follow a new national process to be eligible for support and potential funding from the government.

Tourism in North Yorkshire accounts for 11 per cent of the county’s overall economy and employs 41,200 workers.

The county is home to two National Parks for the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, as well as Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, which is one of only two World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire also has stately homes, including Castle Howard, Kiplin Hall and Newby Hall, as well as 23 English Heritage sites, including Whitby Abbey, Richmond Castle and Rievaulx Abbey, along with the recently acquired Thornborough Henges.

The county also has a wealth of famous food and drink producers responsible for brands including Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Wensleydale Cheese, Harrogate Spring Water and Yorkshire Tea.

Further details of the workshops are available here.

You can complete a 10-minute questionnaire on North Yorkshire’s visitor economy here.

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