Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 371 of 1041

Harrogate levelling up bid comparisons ‘unhelpful’, says councillor

A Harrogate Conservative councillor has described as “unhelpful” comparisons between Harrogate’s failed levelling up bid and a successful bid for a village in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s constituency.

The comments came as both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives on Harrogate Borough Council made a rare joint plea to the new North Yorkshire Council to press ahead with a redevelopment of the town’s convention centre.

During a full council meeting this week, Cllr Chris Aldred, a Lib Dem, said the backing was needed after failed funding bids to the government’s levelling up fund in January.

He added that, while Harrogate was rejected for funding, a successful bid was made in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Richmond constituency.

Cllr Aldred said:

“Whilst government money was obtained to deliver a new Catterick town centre – I wonder whose constituency that is? – Harrogate lost out once more.”

However, Cllr Sam Gibbs, who works as a party agent for the Richmond Conservatives, said comparison between bids was “not helpful”.

He added that the area of Catterick was deprived and the success of the bid had nothing to do with Mr Sunak.

Cllr Gibbs said:

“I don’t think comparisons with other bids is helpful.

“Saying that we’re more deserving than X or Y is largely pointless.”

He added:

“Focussing on Catterick for a start, there is no such thing as Catterick town centre.

“Yes it is in Richmond and I know what you were getting at with it being Rishi’s constituency, but I’m sure you know that the bid was put in by the Liberal Democrat and Independent-run council and has nothing particularly to do with Rishi.

“If you have ever been around what you call Catterick town centre, it is hard to argue that the money is not needed. It is one of the most deprived parts of North Yorkshire, the money is very, very much needed.”

A rare joint plea

Both the Conservatives and Lib Dems agreed to call on the new unitary council to back a £49 million renovation of the centre.

The council has previously warned that if the convention centre redevelopment doesn’t go ahead, the district could lose out on up to £250 million over the next 40 years in lost tourism and business spending.

A motion passed by the council asked that the new council “moves forward with urgency” in setting up a management board for the Harrogate Borough Council.

The project has moved to the design phase but where the money will come from to pay for it remains uncertain. North Yorkshire Council will make a final decision at a later date.

Explained: Who will make planning decisions in Harrogate district after devolution?

A new council is set to take over in the Harrogate district in three weeks’ time.

Both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will make way for North Yorkshire Council on April 1.

The move throws up questions over housing and planning in the district – in particular, who will make the decisions?

In this article, we will explain how key decisions over housing, new businesses and a Local Plan for the Harrogate area will be made.

Who currently makes planning decisions?

Currently, any decision over permission to build new homes or businesses in the Harrogate district is made by Harrogate Borough Council.

The council is the local planning authority – meaning any applications must be submitted to it.

Officials at the council then make decisions on whether to approve or refuse permission for a development.

Some applications may go to a council planning committee, which is made up of local councillors, to make a decision.

What will change from April?

From April, the borough council will no longer exist.

This means that the new North Yorkshire Council will become the local planning authority.

Any proposals to build new homes of businesses will have to be submitted to the new council.

It will then make decisions on new developments in the Harrogate district.

How will it make decisions?

North Yorkshire Council has proposed setting up two committees to deal with planning applications.

The first will be a strategic planning committee in Northallerton which will deal with major proposals, such as plans for 500 or more homes and employment sites.

There will also be a sub-committee on the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee, which will deal with proposals of 500 homes or less.

Similarly, plans for Ripon would be overseen by the Ripon and Skipton Area Constituency Committee.

What about the Harrogate district Local Plan?

Under the new council, a fresh Local Plan will be drawn up.

The plan will show where land can be used for housing and employment over the next 15 years.

It means that the current Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35 is set to be scrapped.

Start your engines: it’s time for Knaresborough tractor run

About 400 vehicles are expected to take part in tomorrow’s 25-mile Knaresborough Tractor Run.

The tractors are due to set off from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate at 9am before snaking around the district.

The spectacular convoy will head to Ripley and Knaresborough before travelling to Staveley, Burton Leonard and Markington, Bishop Thornton and Glasshouses.

tractor run 2023

It is expected to arrive in Pateley Bridge at midday for a hog roast and then continue to Bewerley, Dacre, Darley, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite before finishing in Knaresborough at 4pm.

The number taken part won’t be known until tomorrow as drivers can turn up on the day.

Participation costs £20 and an extra £10 for each passenger. You can enter here or turn up at the showground.

All proceeds are donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause close to the hearts of many farmers taking part because of the way it helps people in remote and rural areas.

Last year, a total if 383 tractors took part and the event raised £21,000.for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Although the route uses some minor roads, the convoy takes about an hour to file by and traffic delays are possible for vehicles caught up in the event.

The route snakes around Nidderdale

Tractor Run committee chairman and Ramsgill farmer Steven Brown urged anyone with a tractor, farmer or otherwise, to take part, and anyone without one to turn out to support the event. He said:

“Come along and join in the fun. We reckon it’s the biggest tractor run in the UK, so the chances of seeing anything similar elsewhere are slim.”

Prizes will be awarded for tractors in three categories: vintage, classics, and modern.

Stray Ferret Business Awards: The winners’ reactions

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Rising Star Under 30 Award – sponsored by Thompson’s Chartered Accountants

Winner: Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

Laura Mounsey is a Director of Harrogate Family Law, the Chair of the advisory board to the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), as well as the youngest ever president of the Harrogate & District Law Society.

Her impressive career crowned her the winner of the Rising Star Under 30 Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Laura Mounsey and Gyles Behbood (R) of Thompson’s Accountants

Laura told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“This award means everything to me.

“I was nothing 10 years ago, so it is very honourable to be up here.

“My mum and step-dad are here tonight and I’d really be nothing without them”.

Business Growth Award – sponsored by Raworths

Winner: The Soundproofing Store

The Soundproofing store is the largest online retailer of soundproofing equipment and solutions in the UK – leading the company to win first place in the Business Growth Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Ian Baker and Simon Morris (R) of Raworths

The team at The Soundproofing Store told us in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“It feels great to win. It is an award for the whole company – we feel very proud.

“Beating yourselves every year is what we’ve done, time and time again. It is thanks to our entire team.

“Thank you very much for this award”.

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by the Big Bamboo Agency

Winner: Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

Chris Ashby, the Street Ranger for Harrogate BID, keeps the town centre looking spotless.

Chris’s actions in helping save a man’s life in 2022 saw him take home the crown for the Unsung Hero Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Matthew Chapman of Harrogate BID and Nicola Stamford (R) of Big Bamboo Agency

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, spoke on behalf of Chris. He told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“Chris will be very humbled and very proud to win this award.

“Chris is the glue that brings our team together — he is just so, so nice.

“This one is for Chris!”

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors

Winner: Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space took home first prize for their work.

The café provides employment opportunities for differently-abled people and provides them with vital skills.

Liz Cluderay of the Artizan Café and Creative Space team told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“Winning was an incredible feeling of huge pride. My work means a lot to me and the team mean the world to me.

“We have had the most amazing year creating what we have and this is just the icing on the cake”.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended our event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

Six choirs to sing together at festival in Harrogate

Six choirs from across the Harrogate district and beyond will be joining forces – and voices – next weekend to perform together for the very first time.

The Harrogate Community Choir Festival, at Harrogate Theatre on Saturday, March 18, will be hosted by the Stray Notes Choir and originated from an idea from the choir’s music director, Liz Linfoot.

She said:

“After a difficult couple of years when choirs were unable to rehearse together and weekly Zoom rehearsals were the norm, Harrogate choirs are once again thriving. This festival is intended as a celebration of singing, and the joy which comes from being part of a choir community.”

Image of flyer advertising the Harrogate Community Choir Festival.

The Harrogate Community Choir Festival will feature six local community choirs showcasing some of their favourite songs in a variety of different styles. They are: the Stray Notes, Harrogate Male Voice Choir, Knot Another Choir, Love Pop Choir, Rock Choir, and the Skipton Choir.

Each choir will perform a set of four or five songs and the evening will culminate in a final song with all the choirs and the audience singing together.

Liz added:

“The benefits of singing as part of a group are wide-ranging and scientifically proven, including supporting mental and physical health and building community.

“From shower soloists to music-reading experienced choristers, and from rock to classical music, there is a warm welcome for everyone at a choir in Harrogate.”

The choirs will be raising funds for Wellspring Therapy and Training, this year’s chosen charity of The Stray Notes Choir. Based in Starbeck, Wellspring provides affordable psychological support to people in distress and promotes good mental health through training and education.

The Harrogate Community Choir Festival will be held at Harrogate Theatre at 7pm on Saturday, March 18. Tickets for the event cost £10 (children: £5) and are available online from Harrogate Theatre.

Harrogate man to skateboard 300 miles to support seriously ill mother

A Harrogate plasterer is set to skateboard to his former home in Barry Island to raise money to help his mother.

Daniel Katchi’s mum, who is 50, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last October after experiencing speech problems and loss of mobility in her arm.

Her son hopes to raise money to fund a speech machine controlled by eye movement and a stair lift for his parents’ home in Barry Island, near Cardiff.

Daniel, 32, moved to Harrogate from Barry Island three years ago and plans to complete the 300-mile route with a fellow skateboarder who lost his mother to motor neurone disease.

As a young boy, Daniel was gifted a skateboard by his neighbour in South Wales and fell in love with the sport immediately. He has represented the UK nationally and internationally in skateboarding.

Daniel said:

“I am determined to complete this journey.

“It’s a case of me feeling helpless and all I want to do is help my mum.”

Setting off on Wednesday, May 4, the pair aim to cover around 50 miles per day and anticipate the journey will take 5 days. They hope to cross the finish line on Sunday, May 7, and will be greeted by his family.

The two skateboarders will ride over to Leeds from Harrogate, where the journey will officially start. They aim to stop in Sheffield, Birmingham, Cheltenham and Bristol before completing their journey in Barry.

Daniel established a route that will predominantly follow bike paths and some pavements.

They have encouraged fellow skateboarders to join a leg of their journey and free merchandise will be given to those who do.

To follow Daniel’s progress, visit his GoFundMe page.

Harrogate pair offer to help parents become calm and confident

Two Harrogate parents are uniting to help children navigate the challenges of the modern world.

But rather than speak to the children themselves, Alison Stubbs and Andrea Edmondson are focusing their efforts on the parents.

They established ParentSmart Learning based on their belief that giving parents the tools to deal with their children’s behaviour would deliver the most benefit to families.

Both women have dealt with challenges in their own children, including dyslexia and autism, as well as being trained teachers.

Alison, who is a primary school teacher, said:

“I’ve got two children who are dyslexic.

“As a teacher, I felt the school system was trying to get children like mine to do things they can’t.

“I was thinking, ‘my child is going to school every day, failing, and then on sports day, when they could do well, they aren’t allowed to win because it’s not competitive.

“‘How can we empower these children to feel better about themselves, and the parents too?'”

Alison considered doing a cognitive behavioural therapy course to enable children to feel more empowered in dealing with challenges they faced. However, she said:

“I quickly realised you’ve got to empower the parent because they can empower the children.”

Meanwhile, fellow teacher Andrea experienced her own difficulties when raising her four children in the United States. She said:

“Even though I had all the training, things weren’t always easy. I felt lonely and confused and I didn’t know what to do.”

Andrea decided to undertake research and training in child development, focusing on how children deal with stress and how they can be helped to live with it more easily in the modern world, before moving back to the UK.

A chance conversation between Andrea and Alison at a friend’s house in 2021 led the pair to realise they had similar views and aims.

After sharing their own experiences and ideas, they begin looking at ways to give parents more confidence in supporting their children.

They tested some of their theories with communities around the Harrogate district, running monthly workshops in a room they were given free at the Pickled Sprout restaurant in the Yorkshire Hotel.

After receiving “excellent” feedback from the participants, Alison and Andrea began working on pilot projects with schools.

However, with budgets already stretched, the pair found many schools were unable to commit to paying for help – even when it might reduce many of the challenges they faced in the classroom.

They said even “very intelligent, caring parents” often struggle to know how to handle their children’s behaviour at home, leading to more issues being brought into schools.

The covid pandemic exacerbated this, with many children missing out on key periods of social development and not having been supported to catch up since.

Andrea said:

“One of the biggest things is the people raising children now were raised in a very different time than we’re now in. The ways people were raised don’t align to the environment we now operate in: 24/7 media, screens, a lot of bad food, a lot of time inside.

“There’s a mismatch between the biology of kids and the environment, and then the skills and understanding of the parents.

“When you’re under stress, you revert to script and the script was developed when you were young.”

Outside perspective

The pair have developed a short online course, Confused to Confident, to help parents develop a better understanding of their children’s behaviour and its causes, as well as ways to respond that will restore calm.

They said the course is suitable for parents whose children are any age, from pre-school through to adult. The parents may be dealing with conflict with their children, concerned about their mental health or potential neurodiversity, preparing for school transitions or exams, or simply wanting to feel more confident in their parenting strategies.

ParentSmart Learning is also partnering with community organisations and businesses to deliver workshops and courses

Alison said modern, busy lives often leave people without opportunities to share their concerns and get advice from other parents. The course is designed to fill that gap, with expertise and distance.

She added:

“You get bogged down and dragged in with your own child and you’ve got to take a step back and not be reactive.

“Sometimes, you need someone to help you process something – that outside perspective to help us take a step back.”

Liberal Democrat announced as chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee

Harrogate councillor Pat Marsh will chair the new Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee on North Yorkshire Council, it has been confirmed.

The Liberal Democrat member for the Stray, Woodlands & Hookstone division on the new council has been a councillor in Harrogate for over 30 years and sits on the current Harrogate Borough Council planning committee.

Because the Liberal Democrats is now the largest party within the Harrogate & Knaresborough constituency area it gets to pick the chair of the new planning committee.

The vice-chair will be Conservative councillor for Bilton & Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam.

The committee’s other members will be Chris Aldred (Liberal Democrat), Philip Broadbank (Liberal Democrat), Hannah Gostlow (Liberal Democrat), John Mann (Conservative) and Robert Windass (Conservative).

The committee will meet every month and will have the final say over large or significant planning applications in Harrogate & Knaresborough. It’s first meeting is on April 25.

Upcoming schemes include the 770-home Windmill Farm development on Otley Road and the controversial expansion of Harrogate Spring Water’s bottling plant on Harlow Moor Road.

Cllr Marsh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that she feels “very honoured” to have been asked to take on the role.

She said:

“I am keen to make sure Harrogate and Knaresborough get the right planning decisions.

“It is about having local knowledge that can make all the difference. I have done 33 years of planning none stop and been involved in formulating four Local Plans.

“I have never chaired a planning committee but I think I have a few years’ experience to bring to the role and I am looking forward to that new role.”

A separate planning committee will be formed for Skipton and Ripon which will be chaired by Conservative councillor for Washburn & Birstwith, Nathan Hull.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee is chaired by Conservative member for Harlow & St Georges, Rebecca Burnett. It has one more meeting on Marsh 28 before the authority is abolished on March 31.

Stray Ferret Business Award winner says it felt “extraordinary”

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Employee Development Award – sponsored by Jones Myers Family Law Solicitors

Winner: Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury 5-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Grantley was crowned the winner of the Employee Development Award.

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, the Grantley team said:

“To be recognised for our employee development makes us immensely proud and is a great accolade to each and every member of our team.

“It’s our responsibility to develop our team and give them the skills that they need. This is great recognition for us”.

Digital Marketing Award – sponsored by Next Chapter

Winner: Ogden of Harrogate

Traditional jewellers, Ogden of Harrogate, took first place in the Digital Marketing Award.

The Ogden’s team with Clare Frisby and Daniel Swepson of Next Chapter (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge Ogden of Harrogate’s directors said:

“We are absolutely delighted to win the Digital Marketing Award. It was extraordinary to be stood on that stage.

“We are a bricks and mortar business, but it was the tech and sales team that brought this to life. We are very grateful to all the staff getting behind the campaign”.

Sustainable Business Award – sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Large Business Winner: EnviroVent

EnviroVent is a Harrogate designer and manufacturer of sustainable ventilation systems.

The company’s efforts towards becoming Net-Zero merited first place.

Clare Frisby (L) with EnviroVent and James Farrar, of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (R)

The EnviroVent team told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“To be recognised by the local business community is probably one of the biggest accolade’s you could ever have.

“It is a bit of a cliché, but sustainability is not a destination, it is a journey”.

Small Business Winner: Resurrected Bites

Resurrected Bites is a food waste organisation, operating in Knaresborough and Harrogate.

Resurrect Bites was crowned the winner of the small business award for its sustainable endeavours.

Clare Frisby (L) with Michelle Hayes of Resurrected Bites, and James Farrar (R) of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Michelle Hayes, Founder of Resurrected Bites, said in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“I just can’t believe we won, I really can’t. It is incredible – thank you so much.

“I am extremely passionate about the environment, so it is incredible to have won this award.