Police cordon off cabman’s shelter on Harrogate’s West Park

Police have cordoned off one of the cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Police and ambulance workers were at the scene before 9am this morning.

Officers at the scene did not say why the area had been closed.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information.

West Park is still open to traffic.

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Local streetlights could be switched off at night to save money

Streetlights on footways in North Yorkshire could be switched off between midnight and 5am as part of a new policy.

North Yorkshire County Council reduced the hours its roadway lighting was switched on between 2012 and 2016.

Now its successor authority, North Yorkshire Council, is looking to do the same with footway lights.

The Conservative council, which could be forced to use £105 million of reserves to cover deficits over the next three years, is expected to approve the measure on Tuesday when its ruling executive meets.

It is also expected to approve spending £2.5m on replacing thousands of footway lights before they fail.

The executive will consider a three-step plan to replace 900 decrepit concrete street lighting columns, introduce 4,000 energy efficient LED lanterns on existing steel columns and change sensors on about 2,000 existing LED lanterns to part-night photocells.

An officer’s report to the meeting states residents, parish and town councils will be consulted over the proposed part-night lighting.

The report adds much of the existing footway lighting, which transferred from the former district and borough councils to North Yorkshire Council in April, will be beyond repair within the next five years due to changes in EU legislation that made numerous lamp types obsolete.

The report states it had been estimated some 5,000 of the former district and borough councils’ footway and amenity lights used obsolete light sources such as high-pressure mercury and low-pressure sodium.

It states:

“Within the next three to five years these lanterns will fail, and we will be unable to repair them.

“If we replace the lanterns on an ad-hoc basis, as and when they fail, the process will be less efficient, more expensive and would place a strain on future revenue budgets as opposed to this capital Invest to Save proposal.”

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Switching footway lighting off between midnight and 5am will further reduce energy consumption and contribute towards the council’s carbon reduction targets, the meeting will hear.

Executive members will be told upgrading the lighting to LED would produce an energy saving of 1.3 million kw/h, cutting 340 tonnes of carbon dioxide and £440,000 in annual energy costs.

The meeting will hear the obsolete concrete columns are “most prone to structural failure” and their replacement will offer the opportunity to
provide multi-purpose lighting columns.

The new lighting columns could be used to support attachments such as sensors, CCTV cameras, ANPR cameras, flower baskets, Christmas displays and next generation BT mobile phone transmitters.

The council’s finance boss, Councillor Gareth Dadd, said concerns had been raised over community safety when the council first reduced the street lighting hours, but increased incidences of crime had not transpired.

He said:

”It was a success. We led the way where many other local authorities are now following.”

The authority’s Green Party spokesman and Ouseburn councillor Arnold Warneken said as the proposed programme was set to cut the council’s carbon footprint and save money it appeared to be a “win-win scenario”.

He said:

“It is just scratching the surface of the sort of things we should be doing. There is a definite relationship between trying to reduce carbon footprint and the economy.

“However, from a true green perspective, we should be waiting for these lights to fail because they have an energy inside them that has cost to create them in the first place.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate digital agency embarks on US expansion

Zelst, a Harrogate-based search marketing agency, is expanding to the US after 17-years in business.

The new overseas firm will be based in Dover, Delaware.

The company hopes by the overseas expansion will allow US work and clients to integrate with the UK team more seamlessly.

Director, Peter Van Zelst, said:

“The US economy is a little hotter than ours at present, and it’s a challenge to find highly experienced search and PPC professionals in some areas of the States. We’ve seen a demand for our services, and the different approaches we bring to projects. Establishing a business in the US was the natural next step.

“As one of the north’s longest established and most experienced search marketing agencies, we’re adept at working collaboratively alongside clients and agencies alike, and the East Coast of the US, in particular, is fairly straightforward to service, with its connections and smaller time difference with the UK.”

Harrogate law firm to partner with Yorkshire Dales charity for second year running

 LCF Law has entered its second year of partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The charity supports the people, landscapes, and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

Since the partnership began, the firm has donated £7,500 to the trust – contributing to 500 trees being planted.

Bridie Johnson-Power, from LCF Law, said:

“Our first volunteering project with the Trust involved us helping to maintain the woodland and clear redundant plastic tubes for recycling at Bargh Wood.

“Then more volunteers ventured out into the Dales to join a mixed group of corporate partners planting 400 trees to extend The Hawes woodland.

“Most recently a group of us volunteered for the woodland maintenance day at Swinesett Hill, and despite the torrential rain, we got a lot done!”

Development officer, Richard Hore, from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust said:

“It’s been great getting to know some of the LCF Law team, all of whom have been so enthusiastic about volunteering and learning more about our work.

“We know they have enjoyed engaging with our partnership and connecting with nature to improve their wellbeing and that of our planet.”

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Review: The House with Chicken Legs is magic on stage

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com 

Based on Sophie Anderson’s children’s novel, The House with Chicken Legs has been enchantingly adapted for stage by award-winning theatre company Les Enfants Terribles. The production, currently at Leeds Playhouse as part of a tour across the country, brings the author’s imaginative, dreamy tale to dazzling life and is a resplendent feast for the eyes.

The story, rooted in Slavic folklore, follows 12-year-old Marinka, whose house has legs (specifically, chicken legs) and a mind of its own, taking off to far-flung corners of the universe at a moment’s notice. Marinka’s grandmother is a spirit guide who ushers the dead from this world to the next so that they may sit amongst the stars, and is teaching her granddaughter to one day do the same. The only problem is that Marinka, young and full of life, wants to forge her own destiny in the world of the living.

The production’s fast-paced narrative is at once energetic and emotionally charged, alive with the wonders of storytelling, seamlessly transporting its audience to other worlds entirely, with a compelling blend of stage action, set changes, music, puppetry and mesmerising animation. Creative and beautiful, this is true escapism.

Image © Rah Petherbridge

The play’s music is spellbinding, with a captivating score by Alexander Wolfe that journeys from New Orleans to Eastern Europe, to the stars and beyond. Every song serves a purpose (often not the case in a musical adaptation), all accompanied by instruments played by the actors themselves – everything from flute to accordion, saxophone to electric guitar – proving themselves truly multi-talented.

Ultimately, this is a tale of life and death, but one which deals with matters of the afterlife with wisdom and warmth. Anderson notes that in her novel she was eager to “help children see death in a more positive way, as the circle of life”. The stage version delivers on this brief, transforming the narrative of grief into a bright, happy and moving celebration of life.

It is worth stressing that this is not just a play for youngsters; whilst the piece treads delicately on the macabre and the darker questions, audience members of all ages will fall under its spell.  This is magic on stage; and yes, chicken legs do feature. You’ll have to see it to believe it.

The House with Chicken Legs is on at the Leeds Playhouse until September 16. 

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Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano to change name and management

The well-known Harrogate pub and restaurant, Pitcher & Piano, is to be rebranded with a new name and management.

Love Your Pub, a company dedicated to advertising pubs for let or sale, recently posted about the search for a ‘self employed pub partner’ to take on the venue located on John Street.

The Pitcher and Piano is in a retail agreement with Marston’s Brewery and the rebrand comes as ‘part of the evolving pub strategy’ within the agreement.

The listing says the new pub partner can expect an annual salary of  £25,000 plus a 22% share of weekly sales, which it estimates to be £20,000.

It added the Harrogate site ‘has one of the highest guest satisfaction scores within the brand.’

A member of staff at Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re rebranding but Marston’s will still be our brewery.

“Other than that, I can’t divulge any information.”

According to the job advert, all stock, including food, is supplied for free by Marston’s and most bills other than council tax are covered.

The management role is subject to a five-year commitment.

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Harrogate Autumn Flower Show starts tomorrow at Newby Hall

Up to 30,000 visitors ate expected at Newby Hall over the next three days for the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.

The spring and autumn shows, organised by the North of England Horticultural Society, are among the most highly anticipated events on the gardening calendar.

Visitors to Newby, which is between Ripon and Boroughbridge, will see Britain’s biggest display of autumnal blooms and fresh produce.

This year sees the return of the National Vegetable Society’s national championships, which includes a giant vegetable contest.

There will also be talks and demonstrations across three live stages

Show director Nick Smith said:

“We love having the autumn flower show here at Newby Hall, it truly is an inspiring and beautiful location to celebrate and promote the very best in horticulture.

“This year we have such an incredible line-up of exhibitors, installations, and an exciting programme of live stage action, that we can’t wait to get things underway.”

The first day of the show coincides with what would have been Agatha Christie’s 132nd birthday and to mark the occasion, floral displays inspired by the Queen of Crime have been created.

Talented florists including celebrity floral designer Jonathan Moseley and award-winning Harrogate florist Helen James have created floral installations depicting book titles inspired by crime writing greats as part of the Blooms of Deception display.

Admission to the show includes access to Newby’s gardens and children’s adventure playground.

For further details, and to buy tickets, click here.

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‘Save the Station Gateway!’: Harrogate cycling campaigner issues plea

Cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis has appealed to councillors to save Harrogate’s under-threat £11.2m Station Gateway.

It follows the publication of a report ahead of a meeting of North Yorkshire Council‘s Conservative-run executive on Tuesday, which says the council may now focus on the most popular aspects of the scheme to get it back on track.

However, the report does not mention active travel or cycling and the council could still decide to abandon the project altogether.

The original plans included reducing a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade to single-lane traffic to make space for cycle lanes, part-pedestrianising James Street and overhauling Station Square.

The council paused work on the project last month due to a legal challenge from Hornbeam Park Developments.

Mr Margolis spoke on behalf of Harrogate District Cycle Action campaign group at a meeting of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee today.

He said:

“We are asking you for the good of our town to save Harrogate Station Gateway. Along with many others, we think the plans are very beneficial.

“Some of you think the same, others don’t. You agree with some key elements but not others such as making Station Parade one-way or part-pedestrianising James Street.”

Mr Margolis said scrapping the scheme or removing the active travel elements risked damaging the council’s reputation with government “for years to come”. when it came to winning active travel funding.

Other failed bids

He referred to other failed bids, including for cycle lanes on Victoria Avenue and Knaresborough Road, the scrapping of cycle lanes on Oatlands Drive and Otley Road as well as the decision to discontinue the Beech Grove Low-Traffic Neighbourhood.

Mr Margolis warned the council would be doing a “massive disservice” to Harrogate’s residents if the Station Gateway funding is not used.

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The campaigner also read out a letter he received from Conservative MP Andrew Jones in June 2023 when he described the project a “big test” for North Yorkshire Council to show that it can deliver projects. Mr Jones said the scheme had been the subject of “often inaccurate and vociferous criticism”.

However, after the judicial review was submitted by Hornbeam Park Developments in August, Mr Jones called the Station Gateway a “timed-out dead scheme”.

North Yorkshire Council officer Mark Codman read out a statement in response to Mr Margolis.

He said:

“The committee notes the statement from Harrogate District Cycle Action.

“The project is being considered by the executive on September 19 and area constituency committee members will be able to consider the next steps as appropriate at the executive meeting.”

Concerns over encampment of rough sleepers in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Residents have spoken of their frustration over a lack of action against a group of rough sleepers camping in one of Harrogate’s most popular areas.

A group of homeless people have inhabited the pavilion alongside the toilets in Crescent Gardens over the last week.

A Harrogate woman concerned about antisocial behaviour said she had been told by both North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council that neither had any power to resolve the situation and she kept getting passed between the two.

Eileen Dockray said the group had expanded as fellow rough sleepers and friends joined with their personal belongings.

She said people were coming and going throughout the day and night, adding:

“The council passed me to the police, the police back to the council, and then back the police.

“The police also said they have no power to move people who are just people gathering to have a chat and to drink, no matter how it bothers residents. What are we meant to do?”

The pavilion has become home to the rough sleepers.

Another Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, said:

“Many local residents are not able to access the area anymore and a few weekly exercise groups have moved to Valley Gardens.

“The walking tour has also diverted its route.”

“I am surprised how the council does not act when a homeless encampment has popped up in the centre of our floral town where many visitors and locals frequently pass through.”

One rough sleeper, called Sally, told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday a council member of staff had visited Crescent Gardens that morning.

Sally said she was advised to wait for a call to hear a range of options going forward but she had heard nothing since.

We asked North Yorkshire Council what measures it was taking but had not received a response by the time of publication.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Homelessness is something the council look after so it would be for the council to answer your questions regarding the visit and/or the options available to those who may be sleeping rough.”

Cllr Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“From what you have told me my instinct tells me it is a police matter as far as the anti-social behaviour is concerned as it is probably private land.

“The council offers a range of support for rough sleepers and work closely with other organisations such as the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

Maggie Gibson, who was housing needs manager at the former Harrogate Borough Council, reported homelessness had “significantly increased” in the district amid the pandemic and cost of living crisis in February this year.

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Harrogate women’s Morris dancing group holds trial for new recruits

A women’s Morris dancing group in Harrogate is hosting a trial session to recruit new dancers.

Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers has danced its way through Harrogate and the surrounding areas since 1977.

The group has 22 members including musicians but has not recruited any new dancers since before covid.

The taster session will be held at St John’s and St Luke’s Church in Bilton, where the group meets every Wednesday, and welcomes women and girls of all abilities.

Dance teacher and founding member Margaret Burrell said:

“We know it won’t be for everyone but we’d just like people to come and have a go.

“We hold trials every September – usually advertising them with posters in shops – but found it hadn’t been much success.

“This year, we’re putting much more effort in!”

The Morris dancers recently performed at Whitby Folk Week and frequently take part in local events too.

Pic: Tony Rees. Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers performing in 1980.

Although the youngest member is just 16, Ms Burrell said:

“Most of us are in our 50s, 60s and 70s, and when you’re in your 70s things begin to hurt a bit during the dances!

“It would be great to get people of a young age, but we welcome anyone to give it a try.”

Dancers go on a probationary period for four weeks after the trials to ensure they’re happy before becoming official members.

Membership costs £40 per year but the trial is free to attend – the group takes on women and girls aged 16 and upwards.

The taster session will be held on Wednesday, September 20 from 7.45pm.

To register your interest, contact Anita Roy, the group’s secretary, on 07801 948480.

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Huge interest in new group for Harrogate parents of neurodiverse children

More than 200 people have already signed up to a new Facebook group designed to help local parents with neurodiverse children, just days after it was set up by two Harrogate mothers. 

Emily Mitchell and Ashlie Charleton founded Sen Hub Harrogate – Parent Support to enable parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) to access information about SEN-friendly groups and classes, as well as support and advice about Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 

Emily, whose daughter Elsie is autistic and non-verbal, told the Stray Ferret: 

“We want to make a beautiful little community where we can all help and support each other. It can be quite lonely sometimes as the parent of a neurodiverse child, so it’s really nice to be able to reach out and find other people who are in the same position and understand the challenges. Having that support is absolutely vital.  

“There are actually quite a lot of things going on now. We’ve got Neurodiverse Stay and Play on Thursday mornings at Oatlands Community Centre, Diverse Minds every second Tuesday after school, and Saturday afternoon sessions at Harrogate Gymnastics on Hornbeam Park – and there’s a lot more stuff starting up and becoming available. 

“It’s really nice to be able to find things that enable us to give our kids a ‘normal’ upbringing.” 

The pair started the group – which can also be found on Instagram – after being shocked by how little help parents received when their children were first diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. 

Ashlie, whose son Harry is three-and-a-half, said: 

“They say there’s no handbook for raising a child, but having a neurodiverse child is a completely different ballgame.

“When I was going through the process of finding out my son was autistic, we were more or less left to it. We were given an online course to go on, which turned out to be a video call with about 50 other parents, but there was no opportunity to get individual feedback or ask questions personal to our children. We weren’t told anything about all the things, like DLA and EHCP, that can make life easier. We just didn’t want other parents to go through all that.”

In a report published in May this year, North Yorkshire Council estimated that since 2016 the number of children and young people with SEN and an EHCP has increased by more than 110% across the county.

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