Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 340 of 1105

Harrogate village bridge repairs set to last five weeks

Repairs to a Harrogate village bridge which has been closed since June are set to last five weeks.

North Yorkshire Council closed the bridge on Church Lane in Hampsthwaite suddenly and without warning on June 2.

The closure came after a two-inch wide gap appeared at the side of the bridge following a vehicle collision, prompting safety concerns.

Council officials have confirmed that repairs will start on the bridge on July 24 and last for five weeks. It will be closed to traffic, pedestrians and cyclists during the work.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the council, said:

“The maintenance of our often historic bridges across the county is a huge task for our officers and unfortunately there are times when we encounter unforeseen repair work.

“On inspection of Hampsthwaite Bridge, our engineers found that the parapet has been pushed out over the edge of the bridge deck and this has damaged several of the corbels that support from beneath.

“These need to be repaired and 15 metres of the parapet taken down and rebuilt using hot mixed lime mortar.”

PBS Construction (North East) Ltd has been awarded a £50,567 contract to carry out repairs on the bridge.

The company was also hired to construct the first phase Otley Road cycle path in September 2021.

Cllr Michael Harrison, who represents Hampsthwaite on North Yorkshire Council, said:

“We appreciate the disruption the closure is having on road users so please be assured that our engineers have been getting plans in motion to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible.

“We will keep the public updated on the works as they progress.”

Call to ban trail hunting on North Yorkshire Council land ‘waste of time’, says former animal welfare campaigner

A former animal welfare campaigner has described a call to ban trail hunting on North Yorkshire Council land as a “colossal waste of time”.

Jim Barrington, who is a former director at the League Against Cruel Sports but now advises the Countryside Alliance, said the motion which will be put before the authority next week “would do nothing to help animal welfare”.

At a meeting next week, Labour councillor Rich Maw, who represents Weaponness and Ramshill, and Green councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, will table a motion calling for the practice to be prohibited.

Trail hunting involves laying an animal scent, usually urine, for hounds to track and is followed by a group on foot or horseback.

The practice is legal, but organisations such as animal welfare charity the RSPCA and the League Against Cruel Sports have called for it to be banned.

At a meeting in May, Cllr Gareth Dadd, deputy leader of North Yorkshire Council, said the council “can’t confirm” whether or not trail hunts take place on its land.

In their motion, Cllr Maw and Warneken said the hunts had been used as a “loophole to carry on hunting foxes and other animals”.

However, Mr Barrington said the move would only “fuel prejudice” against rural communities.

He said:

“This motion does nothing to help animal welfare, but everything to fuel prejudice against rural people. Submitting this motion is a colossal waste of time, when there are so many genuine issues facing people living across North Yorkshire, not least the cost-of-living crisis.

“We sincerely hope councillors from across North Yorkshire reject this anti-rural motion in the first instance. There can simply be no justification whatsoever to ban a lawful activity on council owned land.”

Meanwhile, the Countryside Alliance has said it will be contacting North Yorkshire councillors calling on them to reject the motion at the meeting on July 19.

The move comes as other organisations have called on the government to change the law on trail hunting.

A pressure group called Time For Change, which is led by the League Against Cruel Sports, was set up last month to lobby ministers to strengthen the Hunting Act.

It includes 32 animal welfare charity groups such as the RSPCA, Human Society International UK, Cats Protection and PETA.

Andy Knott, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said:

“We’ve known since very soon after the Hunting Act 2004 was introduced that hunts were using its many exemptions – and something they call trail hunting – to carry on chasing and killing wildlife with hounds.

“We and other like-minded organisations have been calling out for the law to be strengthened, for its many exemptions to be removed, and for trail hunting to be outlawed.”

Three schools near Harrogate to share executive head under new agreement

Three village schools near Harrogate and Knaresborough have agreed to work in partnership in a move leaders say will benefit pupils and staff.

Goldsborough Church of England Primary School and Sicklinghall Community Primary School formed the Goldsborough Sicklinghall Federation in 2015.

Now the federation has entered into a less formal “collaborative agreement” with Admiral Long Church of England Primary School at Burnt Yates.

The move will see federation executive headteacher Zoe Ellis also become executive headteacher at Admiral Long in September and work across all three sites.

Admiral Long Primary School in Burnt Yates.

A letter from to parents from Cerys Townend, chair of the federation’s governing board, said it was “approached by the local authority to enter into a collaborative agreement with another small school”.

It added the move “provides an exciting new opportunity to learn and develop as well as building the financial resilience of all three schools”.

The letter said the schools “share core values rooted in Christian beliefs and practice” and “high quality learning opportunities”. It added:

“By sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources, the schools can enhance their educational offerings and provide a more enriching experience for their pupils.

“Collaboration enables the schools to pool their strengths, resulting in a wider range of learning opportunities, improved teaching practices, and a more comprehensive curriculum.”

Admiral Long is 11 miles from Goldsborough and 10 miles from Sicklinghall.

‘Exciting opportunity’

The Stray Ferret asked the council why the collaboration was happening and what impact it will have on staffing and finances.

Amanda Newbold, assistant director for education and skills at the council, replied in a statement:

“This is an exciting opportunity for Admiral Long CE Primary School to work in collaboration with the Goldsborough Sicklinghall Federation, led by executive headteacher Zoe Ellis and her team from the start of September.

“The collaboration will help the schools to work together, share expertise and resources for the benefit of pupils, staff and the wider school communities.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate care company appoints new chief executive

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.

A Harrogate district care company has appointed a new chief executive.

Homes Together, which is based on Victoria Avenue, provides accommodation for disabled people across Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough.

The company has appointed David Ashton-Jones as its new chief executive, as well as restructuring its senior management team.

Mr Ashton-Jones said:

“I am incredibly proud to take on the role of chief executive at Homes Together.

“This is an organisation that means a lot to me and I look forward to helping drive exceptional residential care for disabled young adults across our 13 different services in both Harrogate District and Gateshead.”

Meanwhile, the firm has also unveiled plans to invest in its training, infrastructure and technology in an effort to improve its services.

Harrogate company reaches sustainability targets

A Harrogate company has celebrated achieving three of its sustainability targets.

Techbuyer, which is based on Hornbeam Park, set nine targets including responsible consumption and production, quality education and good health and wellbeing.

The targets were set in line with the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals, which were drawn up in 2015.

Steve Sexton, group managing director of Techbuyer.

Techbuyer has now reached three of the goals ahead of its 2025 deadline.

Of those it has achieved include logging 15,000 hours of staff physical activity, £3 million in savings for educational institutions and promoting sustainable technology to 5,000 organisations.

Steve Sexton, group managing director at Techbuyer, said:

“As a global organisation we are proud to be able to align our own ESG efforts with a number of the UN Sustainability Development Goals focused specifically on where we feel we can take meaningful action and make a real difference.”

GALLERY: The animals stole the show on day 3 of Great Yorkshire Show

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID

Day 3 of the Great Yorkshire Show saw showjumping champions, celebrity specials, and award-winning livestock.

The long-awaited Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ the North drew in hundreds as the day came to a close. The event saw four trebles cleared by the end, but it was Annabel Shields on Creevagh Carisma, of County Durham, who took home title with more than two seconds in hand over the other three treble clears.

Ms Shields said:

“When you grow up in this area, it is the only thing you want to win.

“I never thought I would ride in it, let alone win it!”

TV presenter, Matt Baker MBE took centre stage at the Cheese and Dairy Show, while Peter Wright, the Yorkshire Vet, was a special guest in the Garden Show. Both also took a trip to the Forestry section and tried their hands horse logging and stick making.

The day also saw more award-winning cattle. The Blythewood Dairy Pairs title went to Messrs DN Lindsay’s Ayrshine junior cow, Mid Ascog Patricia III, while the Dairy Supreme Championship was taken home by Ian Collins and Partners.

The Supreme Beef Championship was won by a six-year-old British Simmental.

With more than 3,000 entries in sheep classes this year — a record number of entries — both MV and non-MV sheep went head-to-head in the Overall Supreme Championship, which was won by Suffolk from Stockport.

Julian Collings, of Cornwall, has been showing his pigs for 53 years and, today, took home The Supreme Pig Championship award with British Lop sow, Liskeard Lulu 59. This was Mr Collings’s first inter-breed win.

Charity, Sheffield Environmental Movement, were also at the show and brought a group of pupils from Fir Vale School in the city. A member of the charity, Maxwell Ayamba, regularly invites other groups from the area to the show, including Roshni Asian Women’s Resource Centre and Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association.

The final day of the Great Yorkshire Show is sold out – tickets will not be sold on the door.

The opening times are 8am to 6pm on all four days. Find out what’s on tomorrow here.

If you missed the show today, take a look at our gallery below for a sneak peek.

The Yorkshire Vet strutting his stuff on the catwalk. Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

TV stars Peter Wright and Matt Baker MBE. Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

Pic: Great Yorkshire Show Website.

No trains on Harrogate line for two days next week amid strikes

No trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough next week as staff stage further walkouts.

Members of the RMT Union are set to strike on Thursday, July 20, and Saturday, July 22, over a pay dispute.

A further walkout will take place on Saturday, July 29.

Northern, which operates trains between York and Leeds through Harrogate, has announced that the industrial action will affect services.

The company has said no trains will run on strike days and early morning services on Friday (July 21) and Sunday (July 23) are also expected to be disrupted.

Northern has urged people to check train times ahead of planning a journey.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“Yet again, thousands of our customers will be inconvenienced as a result of this action by the RMT union.

“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said the strike was a result of ministers failing to put forward a “package that can settle this dispute”.

He said:

“This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.

“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers.

“Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.”

Councillors raise concerns about role of planning committees on North Yorkshire Council

Councillors have raised concerns about how planning committees have been operating on the new North Yorkshire Council, with some meetings being cancelled due to a lack of suitable applications.

North Yorkshire Council created six planning committees organised by parliamentary constituency areas where a group of cross-party councillors meet around once every six weeks to approve, refuse or defer large or controversial planning applications.

Previous planning committees held on the old district councils would regularly have an agenda of three or more applications for councillors to debate.

But the Skipton & Ripon planning committee last week had just one application for a garage conversion and other committees including Harrogate & Knaresborough and Selby & Ainsty have had meetings cancelled altogether as nothing was brought forward by officers.

Conservative councillor for Bentham & Ingleton, David Ireton, said he believes the current situation is unsustainable.

He said:

“If we’re getting so few applications we will in my view see amalgamation of planning committees.

“By the time you’ve travelled, you’ve spent an afternoon to discuss one application. We’re in danger of losing our identity as a constituency planning committee.”

Councillors who sit on planning committees are able to ‘call in’ particularly contentious applications in their areas, but only if there are sound planning reasons.

North Yorkshire Council planning officer Neville Watson said more applications are now being decided by officers but promised that councillors will still be able to bring forward applications to committee if they meet the threshold.

He said:

“You will end up with a reduced number of applications but they will be the more contentious or difficult applications and the planning committee is the proper forum for that.

“That’s the way things are moving.”

This appeared to frustrate Green Party councillor for Aire Valley, Andy Brown, who said:

“I do want my say. I think I’m entitled to that because I’ve been elected.”

Conservative councillor for Wathvale & Bishop Monkton, Nick Brown, suggested that planning officers had been too powerful on Harrogate Borough Council and said he hoped councillors would be trusted to make key planning decisions on the new authority.

He said:

“I do think from past experience in Harrogate that councillors were not thought of in a helpful light. If a member knows there’s an application that should be contentious then their view should be held.”

The next Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee is on July 25 and Skipton & Ripon will be on August 1.

Harrogate man swaps gamekeeping for glamour as Great Yorkshire Show fashion model

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID

A young Harrogate man has swapped his rural work for a glamorous four-day modelling gig at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Clarke Doughney,19, grew up in a family of gamekeepers who kept pheasants and rabbits, as well as training cocker spaniels to work since he was 6.

During this year’s show, however, Mr Doughney has joined eleven other amateurs to try his hand at modelling.

For the first time, the annual fashion show, invited local people with agricultural links to model, wanting “real people with a background in the industry.”

After posting the modelling job on social media, show organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society, amassed over 80 applicants. Those with the closest links to the industry and the show were chosen to model.

“Sheep to Chic”- which takes place daily at 12.30pm on the sheep shearing stage — focusses on the sheep wool industry and showcases brands such as Brook Taverner and British Wool.

Some of the female models in action.

Jenn Chow, social media executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said:

“We wanted local people in the industry to have a platform to showcase their businesses.

“The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is all about giving back to the community, so that’s what we wanted to do.”

Four professional models also took part in the fashion show, but fellow agricultural models have day jobs as wool cleaners to sheep farmers.

Mr Doughney said:

“It’s been so brilliant and the people have been great to work with.

“I’d say it’s been carnage…but in the best way.

“Who know, I might even try to pursue modelling now – but I suppose I can never use getting dressed as an excuse to be late again after this!”

The fashion show is free to attend and is located near the brown gate.

Tickets for the show have now sold out. Find more information about what’s on here.

Local artists make Great Yorkshire Show exhibition debut

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID

Two local artists are making their Great Yorkshire Show exhibition debuts this year.

The art show invites Yorkshire-based artists to display their work to thousands of visitors to the Great Yorkshire Showground. Many of the exhibits draw inspiration from the beauty of the county.

This year work by 14 artists, who are on site, are on display. Their work includes ceramics, sculptures, paintings and textiles.

The art show is free to attend with show admission and can be found in Food Hall 1.

Johnny Sunter

Stone sculptor Johnny Sunter, who lives in Ripon, is displaying his ceramics in what is his first ever visit to the agricultural show.

Mr Sunter studied at Leeds College of Art but “did nothing but daft jobs” after his studies. Twenty-five years later, during lockdown, Mr Sunter realised his passion lies with his art and decided to take the time to venture down a career change.

Three years later, he is displaying his limestone ceramics in the art show of the largest agricultural show in the UK.

He said:

“I realised that those jobs weren’t worth it.

“The most important thing to me now is that I wake up and I’m happy – it’s a really good life.”

Mr Sunter basis his work on stories he develops from Greek mythology, as well as references from brutalist architecture.

“Those ugly buildings that most people hate…I love those.

“I take reference from the buildings and their shape and fuse them with stories I create – and I end up with this.”

His work displayed at the show tells the story of The Idol stealing various elements of the world until it is finally caught.

He said he’s “delighted to be here and meet other artists” at the show.

Mr Sunter currently has another exhibition on display at Cole’s Gallery in Leeds.

Find more information on Mr Sunter’s work here.

Jess with her paintings

Jess Kidd

Harrogate-born painter, Jess Kidd, is bringing a taste of the West Yorkshire landscapes to the showground.

Ms Kidd, who now lives in Keighley, takes inspiration from the towns industrial roots and blends them with the surroundings of her home in hopes to “shed a positive light on an area that’s often knocked.”

Due to dyslexia, she “struggled to learn to talk and used art and creativity as a means of communication” as a child.

After also studying art at Leeds Art College, Ms Kidd worked with children with severe and complex needs.

Shortly after, however, she fell unwell with tuberculosis and was unable to work. During this time, her love for art was reignited and gave her the opportunity to dabble again.

During covid, Ms Kidd undertook cognitive behavioural therapy and used the tools learned in these sessions to ease her into art as a full-time career.

She said:

“I think I initially just wanted to prove that I could work again after falling ill, but I realised I had neglected the time to be creative.

“I now use the lessons I learned through CBT in my work.

“The first layers will always be about letting myself experiment with shapes and colour, and not putting pressure on myself about the final piece.

“I hope this positivity translates through my work.”

Ms Kidd currently has another exhibition on display at South Square Gallery, near Bradford.

More information can be found on Jess Kidd’s website.

Yorkshire Water improves environmental performance, says report

Yorkshire Water has improved its environmental performance, according to a latest government report.

The water company, which supplies drinking water and deals with waste water, was rated three-star in an assessment carried out by the Environment Agency.

The performance, which covers 2022, is an improvement on the previous year when the company was rated as two-star.

Severn Trent Water was the highest rated at four stars, while Anglian Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, Southern Water and South West Water were all given two stars.

Despite the rating, Yorkshire Water was still below target in areas such as self-reporting incidents and serious pollution incidents.

During the year, Yorkshire Water had three serious pollution incidents compared with five the previous year.

The company self-reported 77% of incidents in 2021 – below the industry target of 82%.

Claire Barrow, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said:

“While it’s encouraging that Yorkshire Water has seen some progress, there is still significant work to be done to improve standards.

“We want to see a consistent reduction in the number of pollution incidents and a sustained improvement in the timeliness and quality of self-reporting.”

Fewston Reservoir is managed by Yorkshire Water

Alan Lovell, chair of the Environment Agency, said despite some improvement, the level of pollution caused by water companies remained “unacceptable”.

He said:

“While there have been some modest improvements, it is unacceptable to still be seeing this level of pollution.

“We have seen a distinct culture shift from the water industry in recent months and that is welcome – but that must translate to profound, long-term change.”

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“Our improvement to a three-star rating in the latest EPA report from the Environment Agency is testament to the work of our colleagues in the last 12 months.

“We care passionately about the environment and work hard every day to tackle pollution and the causes of it. However, we are not complacent and know there is much more we need to do. Our focus is on continuous improvement in the way we use technology and data to further improve the areas preventing us from reaching a four-star rating.”

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‘Exciting opportunity’

Harrogate company reaches sustainability targets

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Johnny Sunter

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Jess Kidd

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