The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

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

A Harrogate environmental company has appointed a new director.

Adler and Allan, which is based on Victoria Avenue, has hired David Jarvis as operations and commercial director.

Mr Jarvis will take up the role in the company’s newly formed water division and will be tasked with overseeing the firm’s growth strategy.

He said:

“I am impressed by Adler and Allan’s purpose, vision, and plans for growth within the water sector.

“There is nothing I enjoy more than getting my PPE on and spending time out on site with teams delivering essential services, keeping taps wet and manholes dry.”

Harrogate estate agents backs food bank challenge

A Harrogate estate agents is backing a campaign to donate one tonne of food to local food banks.

Verity Frearson is supporting Harrogate’s Supplies Web Ltd, which is aiming to complete the challenge.

It would see one tonne of food delivered to food banks in Harrogate and High Wycombe, where Supplies Web Ltd has its southern branch.

Matthew Stamford (director VF), Paul Graves (director SW) and Mark Hague (business development manager SW).

Matthew Stamford, a director at Verity Frearson, said the firm took on the challenge after being contacted by Paul Graves, a director at Supplies Web Ltd.

He said:

“When Paul contacted us to see if we’d be interested in getting involved in their food bank challenge we jumped at the chance.

“As a business, we have made ongoing commitment to give back to the local community and to help the people who need the most support.”

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North Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation after a car crashed into parked vehicles and a fence on a Harrogate street.

The incident happened on Tuesday, October 10, on Birstwith Road.

Officers said a white Vauxhall Insignia collided with parked vehicles and a fence at around 9.20pm. The occupants of the car had left the scene upon police arrival.

The force has appealed for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

A police statement said:

“Police enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12230192818.”

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A weather warning covering four days has been issued for the Harrogate district as Storm Babet approaches.

The storm is forecast to bring wet and windy weather across the UK from Wednesday. Eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Pennines are likely to be worst affected.

A Met Office weather warning for rain is in place in the Harrogate district from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Saturday.

Although gusts of over 60 mph are expected in Scotland, the Met Office isn’t currently forecasting anything higher than just above 30mph locally. But plenty of rain is due, especially on Friday.

The Met Office, which has issued a less severe yellow weather warning, said there was a “small chance” of some homes and businesses flooding and has warned of difficult driving conditions.

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Miriam Margolyes took time out from her book tour to visit Harrogate Homeless Project this morning.

The actor, who starred in Harry Potter, was in Harrogate to publicise her latest book, Oh Miriam! She appeared at Harrogate Convention Centre last night and will be in York this evening.

Ms Margolyes visited staff and service users at Springboard Day Centre, which provides food, shower and washing facilities, skills workshops, activities, psychotherapy, medical services and housing advice to homeless people.

Harrogate Homeless Project runs the day centre at the Wesley Centre on Oxford Street in Harrogate. It also operates a 16-bed hostel on Bower Street and move-on housing for those wishing to escape homelessness.

Ms Margolyes said:

“I was honoured to visit the Harrogate Homeless Project and witness at first-hand the remarkable dedication of staff and volunteers and their powerful work, transforming lives. It’s essential that we all address the issue of homelessness with compassion and empathy.”

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, a trustee of the charity, said Ms Margolyes “didn’t hesitate to visit the project when asked”, adding:

“It’s her unwavering commitment to social causes, her kindness, and absolute belief in fairness and justice that truly sets her apart.”

Miriam Margoyles with Harrogate Homeless Project today. Pic: Gerard Binks

With chief executive Francis McAllister. Pic: Gerard Binks

Chief executive Francis McAllister said the visit would raise awareness about homelessness.

“Her visit will undoubtedly throw a spotlight on this cause, and I hope her compassion inspires the wider community to come together and make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

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An “obsessed” Harrogate man has been jailed for yet another breach of a restraining order designed to protect his former partner with whom he was “fixated”.

Carl Ingles, 44, made the victim’s life a “complete misery” for years, York Crown Court heard.

Ingles, who held a “responsible” position at Boots Opticians in Harrogate, had received community orders and two short prison sentences in the past for previous offences against the victim including battery, smashing up her property and harassment.  

He was jailed for two years today after he admitted two breaches of a lifetime restraining order.

Threatening and abusive phone calls

Prosecutor Lily Wildman said that Ingles bombarded the woman with “threatening” and abusive phone calls and text messages between March 31 and April 12. He breached the order again on September 5 following a court appearance the day before.

Ingles, of Kent Road, Harrogate, had appeared at the crown court on September 4 when he was bailed with restrictions including a prohibition not to contact the victim. 

However, the following day she was at a hospital appointment when she noticed a message on her phone from Ingles which read: ‘I’m sorry about yesterday in the Crown court. You looked beautiful yesterday and you look beautiful today.’ 

Ms Wildman added:

“She told him to leave her alone (but) then the defendant approached her inside (a restaurant in York).”

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Ingles and the victim had been in a relationship for about nine years until 2017 when the original restraining order was imposed after Ingles was convicted of assaulting her. Since then, there had been five breaches of the order before the latest transgressions.

Ms Wildman said that Ingles had three previous convictions for battery against the victim. He had 12 offences on his record including harassing the same victim and damaging her property. 

Ms Wildman said that Ingles had attacked her on “several occasions” in 2017 which led to the order being imposed, but he breached it within months. His last breach was in August last year when he was given a two-week jail sentence.

Defence barrister Steven Garth said that Ingles, a father-of-two, was working in a “responsible” position at Boots Opticians at the time of his arrest. 

Mr Garth added:

“He fears that he may have now lost that job.

“Had he not had these feelings and this obsession (with) this (victim), no doubt he would have lived a respectable and law-abiding life.”

He said although the relationship ended in 2017, Ingles believed that he and the victim were still an item by 2021. 

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC said Ingles appeared to have “zero insight” into his “persistent” harassing of the victim. 

He added:

“It’s been going on for years.

“(The victim) is absolutely at the end of her tether.”

He said Ingles had “made (the victim’s) life a complete misery (and) it has been interspersed with violence”.

Mr Enoch added:

“She is worried sick every time she goes where he might be.

“She lives in fear of the defendant.”

Mr Enoch told Ingles: 

“For a considerable number of years you have been fixated on your ex-partner. The relationship appeared to work for a while but ended in violence on your part on several occasions in 2017. 

“There were multiple incidents of violence resulting in restraining orders which you breached from day one. You had absolutely no regard for court orders whatsoever because (of) your obsession.”

He described Ingles’ behaviour towards the victim as “scary” and “disturbing” and that she had been caused “very serious distress”.

He added: 

“It is crystal clear you have been a presence in the life…of this lady which causes (her) constant fear.

“You are not getting the message from the courts for some reason, Mr Ingles, and so the court is left with very little option.”

Ingles will serve half of the two-year jail sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence. He will remain subject to the restraining order for an indefinite period. 

Harewood Bridge near Harrogate is due to close for one or two nights this week for repairs, leading to 15-mile diversions.

Traffic was unable to cross the bridge for four weeks during the summer holidays to allow Leeds City Council to carry out maintenance work on the grade-II listed structure.

Now the road is set to be closed overnight on Wednesday (October 18) and Thursday (October 19) between 9pm and 5.30am.

The closure will be in place while the council upgrades the surfacing on the road.

Cllr Matthew Robinson, who represents Harewood ward on Leeds City Council, said in a post on his Facebook page:

“You will recall that essential maintenance works were completed on the Harewood Bridge over the summer holidays.  As part of these works a specialist contractor was required to apply a small area of upgraded surfacing at the south end of the bridge and these works were unable to be undertaken at the time but we have now been able to arrange this.   

“We plan to do the works on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October with overnight closures from 8pm to 5.30am. It may be that the works are completed in one night but this will depend on the weather conditions.”

The grade-II listed structure carries the A61 Harrogate Road over the River Wharfe and is a busy route between Harrogate and Leeds.

A diversion will be in place for drivers on the A658 Harrogate Road and A659 Arthington Lane to rejoin the A61.

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Leeds Bradford Airport has announced a £100 million plan to regenerate its sole terminal.

The project will see a 9,500 sq. metre, three-storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of the current terminal building.

It will also create additional aircraft stands, more seating, faster security, new shops and eateries, and a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, as well as improved access for passengers with restricted mobility.

The project would help the airport decarbonise its operations and meet its net zero ambitions with the installation of new heating, lighting and machinery, including new baggage belts.

Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: 

“This announcement marks the beginning of a new era for Leeds Bradford Airport.

“This investment will give us the infrastructure needed to deliver an outstanding customer experience, support the growth of our airline partners, enhance connectivity for business, investment and trade and provide the airport that Leeds, Bradford and Yorkshire have been waiting for.

“LBA is a key asset for our region and our community, our investment enhances and supports broader investments underway in Leeds and Bradford creating new jobs, new opportunities and shared benefits for our community.”

Inside the new Leeds Bradford Airport terminal.

The airport has appointed Belfast-based Farrans Construction to deliver the first phase of the project, which will see the terminal extended.

LBA estimates that the scheme has the potential to create 1,500 new direct jobs at the airport and 4,000 new indirect jobs, as well as contribute a total of £940 million to the local economy.

Work will start on the terminal in autumn this year and is expected to be compete in 2026.

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Elite Harrogate runner Cal Mills won the 10-mile race at yesterday’s Yorkshire Marathon Festival in a blistering 50 minutes and 18 seconds.

Over 10,000 people took part in the festival, which was part of the Run For All series of events established by Leeds fundraiser Jane Tomlinson. The series has now raised more than £10 million.

Cal, 23, led more than 2,500 entrants home in the 10-mile competition, finishing nine seconds ahead of second place and just three seconds off the course record.

He is no stranger to winning big races, having finished first at the Brighton half marathon in February.

Cal takes the winner’s spot in the middle of the podium.

Yesterday’s event, which took place in and around York, marked the 10th anniversary of the Yorkshire Marathon Festival. It featured a marathon, marathon relay and 10-mile races.

Serious runners were joined by fun runners and famous faces, including British rugby league coach and former professional player Jamie Jones Buchanan and comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson.

Harvey Gration, son of late BBC Yorkshire broadcaster Harry Gration, started the marathon and then took part in the 26.2-mile marathon.

The fastest male in the marathon was Joe Sagar in 2:24:10 and the first woman home was Melissah Gibson who clocked 02:40:41.

Mike Tomlinson, chief executive of not-for-profit events company Run For All, said it was “a truly spectacular day and an amazing atmosphere from start to finish”.

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A founding partner of a Harrogate estate agents has died.

Charles Smailes co-founded Feather Smailes Scales, which is based on Raglan Street in the town.

Mr Smailes had more than 30 years experience in the local property sector.

He set-up FSS with Jim Feather and Peter Scales in 1994.

He was appointed president of the National Association of Estate Agents in 2005 and was also the first chairman of the board of the National Federation of Property Professionals.

In a post last night on social media, FSS said Mr Smailes died on October 9. It added:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our founding partner, Charles Smailes.

“Charles’ legacy will continue as we, as a firm carry forwards the values and principles that he held so dear.”

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A Knaresborough man has raised concerns following ongoing issues with North Yorkshire Council about his autistic son’s education.

Stephen Coe’s twin sons, Magnus and Felix, are both autistic and have been given an education, health and care plan (EHCP) – which supports those with special educational needs (SEND).

After completing mainstream primary school, Mr Coe hoped the 12-year-old twins would both be accepted into The Forest School, in Knaresborough, which only caters for those with special needs and an EHCP.

However, he was shocked to discover only Magnus had received a place.

Following an assessment of Felix’s standard assessment tests (SATs), North Yorkshire Council found him to only have mild learning difficulties and he was too able to attend a special educational needs and disabilities school, Mr Coe added.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Magnus was accepted into The Forest School, and he loves it.

“The council, however, told us that Felix is too able to attend Forest, despite his SATs results actually being worse than Magnus’s.”

Mr Coe also said the council suggested Felix would be able to attend King James’s School in Knaresborough, despite the school saying it could not cater to his needs.

“I have had to take unpaid leave from work to look after Felix, as I refuse to send him to a mainstream school that has said since October 2022 that they cannot meet his needs, following multiple assessments there – a decision that, we as parents, support.

“King James’s has been honest and fair throughout.”

The Forest School has since told Mr Coe that it is now full and could not give Felix a place.

Felix has been out of full-time education since July this year. Although his father is trying to provide him with sufficient at-home education, he added “quite frankly, I’m not a teacher.”

Mr Coe added:

“All I’m asking is for my son’s rights to be observed – he needs stability.

“Other than the staff King James’s, not one person that has made this decision for him, has even met him in person.”

The council awarded £700 in compensation for “mismanagement of process” following a complaint by Mr Coe but he is now escalating it to a tribunal.

He will face the local authorities next February.

North Yorkshire Council told the Stray Ferret that “all SEND admissions follow the national requirements outlined in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.”

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