Don’t let children and dogs play in polluted Oak Beck, says Harrogate conservationist

A Harrogate conservationist has called for signs to be put up urging children and dogs to avoid entering Oak Beck.

Keith Wilkinson described the situation as “desperate” after a series of incidents over the last fortnight have seen the beck turn brown.

The Environment Agency said last week it was “investigating the possible source of the pollution” after receiving “a number of reports of discoloured water”.

But after a brief recovery, the beck was heavily discoloured again today.

Oak Beck in Jennyfields this morning

Mr Wilkinson, who is honorary secretary of Bilton Conservation Group and chairman of the Nidd Gorge Advisory Partnership, said:

“The Oak Beck situation is desperate with daily pollution events for two weeks now — sand and silt from construction work, solids escaping from the open storm drain near The Hydro and a constant stream of what looks like detergent foam from high up near Birk Crag.

“It is totally unacceptable. Signs are needed urgently to warn children and dogs to keep out of the water.”

Oak Beck, which is classed as a main river by the Environment Agency, rises at Haverah Park and empties into the River Nidd at Nidd Gorge. It contains brown trout, minnows, bullhead, stone loach and sticklebacks.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

“At the moment as investigations are currently ongoing so we are unable to comment further in order not to prejudice our enquiries.”

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Killinghall Cricket Club resubmits plan for new pavilion

Killinghall Cricket Club has applied to demolish its current “dilapidated” clubhouse and build a new two-storey pavilion that it says will be fit for the sport in the 21st century.

According to planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the current 1970s-era structure was made with single-skin brickwork and has poorly insulated single-glazed windows.

It has led to expensive running costs for the club, which plays in the Nidderdale league.

There are two small changing areas with communal showers, which offers little privacy and has discouraged players from using them.

Female cricketers and umpires have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed.

The current pavilion in Killinghall.

The current pavilion in Killinghall.

The club submitted plans to build a larger pavilion in January but following feedback from a planning officer that it would be too large and overbearing, they have decided to submit a new application for a smaller building.

The latest plans, designed by KPP Architects, include a main function room that is connected to the kitchen, toilets and bar. A disabled toilet and shower will also be built on the ground floor.

The first floor will have two large changing rooms as well as a scorer’s board.

The previous designs for the pavilion at Killinghall.

The previous design for the pavilion at Killinghall.

The current facilities for the scorers on match days are currently inside a wooden hut, which the club says is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.

A players’ balcony will also be created for teams to watch the match.

Planning documents state the new pavilion will help grow the sport in Killinghall and offer a social space for villagers.

It says:

“The proposal brings improvements to the existing facilities beyond the applicant’s vision. The current clubhouse was built in the early 1970s, which is very evident when visiting. The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams leagues.

“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”

The council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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Concern over North Yorkshire Police’s decision not to attend all mental health call-outs

North Yorkshire Council has said it will ensure “suitable provision” is in place for authority-run services amid concern over police no longer attending all mental health call outs.

The government published an agreement with police and NHS this past week, which said forces would no longer attend callouts unless there was a “risk to life”.

The new approach aims to free up force time in order that those experiencing a mental health crisis are “treated by the most appropriate agency”.

However, the initiative has been met by concern with some council officials pointing out that some mental health services are already under pressure.

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire Council’s adult care director, said that while the scheme, called Right Care Right Person, had “good elements” to it, it seemed to ignore the challenges that NHS services face.

In a post on his social media, he said:

“It seems to ignore the unprecedented challenges that many NHS mental health services are facing to deliver current services, let alone absorb more crisis work.”

2/3 local implementation. However, 3 key points for me: 1) it seems to ignore the unprecedentes challenges that many NHS #mentalhealth services are facing to deliver current services, let alone to absorb more crisis work, 2) it needs to engage with councils as a whole, not just https://t.co/RGC5oJTixv

— Richard Webb (@RichardWebbNY) July 28, 2023

He added that the scheme needed to “engage with councils as a whole” as there were implications for young people, housing and public health.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how this agreement would affect services run by the local authority.

In response, Abigail Barron, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director of prevention and service development, said:

“We are working closely with the police and health service partners to ensure that suitable provision is in place to support anyone experiencing a mental health issue.”

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North Yorkshire Police said it had been operating the Right Care Right Person approach since January.

The initiative itself was first devised by Humberside Police in 2019 and was later adopted by other forces across the country.

At the time, Mike Walker, assistant chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our communities is not changing and we will still attend where there is an immediate risk to life or a risk of serious harm.

“However, when agencies call us about issues which do not meet the threshold for police intervention under the Right Care, Right Person model, we will signpost them to the most appropriate service to take primacy.

“This puts the individual at the very heart of our decision making and means that a police officer is often not the right person to be providing this care.

“In some cases, we may need to deploy alongside medical or mental health workers where those agencies need to take primacy but there is still a risk to those involved.

“We realise this will mean some big changes for some of our partners, who have become used to calling us to help in these situations.

“That is why we have been working with mental health care providers, NHS representatives, local authorities and the ambulance service to let them know about our plans and give them plenty of time to make changes to the way they work.”

Beckwithshaw win record 19th Addison Cup

Beckwithshaw beat Goldsborough by 12 runs to win the Addison Cup for a record 19th time last night.

In a low scoring final at Knaresborough Cricket Club, Beckwithshaw posted 107 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Their bowlers quickly put the squeeze on Goldsborough, who subsided to 95 for 7 on a night when boundaries were hard to come by.

Harry Lister’s spell of two for 10 off four overs earned him the player of the match award for the winning side.

Player of the match Harry Lister

The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.

Beckwithshaw and Bilton had lifted the trophy a joint record 18 times each before last night.

Beckwithshaw, who recently rejoined the league after a short break, were also awarded the Division Three title last night. The side has gone through the season undefeated so far.

Beckwithshaw captain George Stephens holds the Addison Cup.

Winning captain George Stephens, who is just 18 years old, said last night:

“It was a tough batting wicket and we came off after our innings confident we had a decent score we could defend.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate legal firm makes double hire as part of expansion

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

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 legal firm has made two new hires in a bid to strengthen its crime and fraud team.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, has appointed associate solicitor Shah Ahmed and junior criminal law executive Eve Million.

Mr Ahmed joins from a Leeds practice where he worked as solicitor specialising in crown court cases while Ms Million assists the team in all aspects of criminal work and client care.

Shah Ahmed, who has also joined McCormicks Solicitors.

Shah Ahmed, who has also joined McCormicks Solicitors.

Peter Minnikin, head of the crime and fraud team at McCormicks, said: 

“I believe there are few practices in the North Yorkshire region which can offer the breadth and depth of experience in crime, fraud and regulatory matters that our team can bring.”

Leadership programme to be held in Harrogate

Harrogate-based charity Henshaws is set to host a leadership event for local businesses.

The event, which will be held in partnership with 2inspire and Cedar Court Hotels Yorkshire, will take place at Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate on September 22 from 8am.

Businessman Rob Northfield, who has 40 years experience in business development and leadership training, will lead proceedings.

The event will be aimed at those who want to grow their career or personal ambitions.

Mr Northfield said:

“The leadership programme will help individuals reflect on their life, actions and therefore results.”

The day will include a breakfast and networking lunch. Tickets are £75 and all proceeds will go towards Henshaws.

For more information on the event and to buy a ticket, contact flora.simpson@henshaws.org.uk.

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Harrogate restaurant The Rooftop confirms closure — after just two days

The owner of Harrogate’s newest restaurant The Rooftop has said it has permanently closed — after trading for just two days.

Mason Elyas today told the Stray Ferret he had been involved in a dispute with business partners and planned to take legal action.

Mr Elyas said he had lost £20,000 on the venture but despite this he hoped to open another restaurant in Harrogate once this issue was resolved.

He said:

“Unfortunately we will not be able to reopen. I would like to thank all of the Harrogate people who joined us when we opened.

“There was a great amount of support from everyone.”

Mason Elyas

News of a Mexican tapas restaurant and late night cocktail bar generated a buzz when we reported its opening less than two weeks ago. Hundreds of comments were posted on our Facebook page.

Business was brisk on opening night on Friday, July 28 and also the following day but The Rooftop has remained shut since.

Inside the restaurant

Third restaurant to close quickly

The large upstairs premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade was home to Le Bistrot Pierre for many years.

Since its demise, three restaurant have opened and closed in little more than a year.

Samsons, which offered fine dining with seasonal Yorkshire produce, welcomed its first customers in March last year.

It closed shortly afterwards in summer for what a spokesperson described as “essential works” but failed to re-open.

HG1 Grill and World Bar lasted even less time when it opened in November last year.

HG1 grill restaurant

However, The Rooftop’s two-day tenure could well be the shortest-lived restaurant in Harrogate’s history.

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Equipment from Ilke Homes’ Flaxby factory to be sold

Equipment and machinery from Ilke Homes’ factory in Flaxby near Knaresborough will be put up for sale this month.

The modular house builder fell into administration in June after failing to find a buyer or further investment. A total of 1,150 staff were made redundant.

Administrators AlixPartners has commissioned Hilco Valuation Services to auction off a number of items of machinery on Tuesday, August 17 at 10am.

The equipment from the factory, which closed when the company fell into administration, will be sold online.

It includes electric hand tools, ladders, tipping skips and machinery such as automated wall panel lines.

In a statement last month, AlixPartners told the Stray Ferret that it was in the process of realising the company’s assets.

It said:

“The administrators are now working with a small number of retained employees to realise the assets of the business on behalf of creditors and are soliciting expressions of interest for any or all of those assets.”

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The factory at Flaxby was closed immediately after the company entered administration and all site activities ceased.

Administrators added the firm had “faced the challenges of unprecedented inflation and a lack of land supply linked to planning processes”.

Officials at Ilke Homes said previously that it needed additional funding to fulfil a £1 billion order book and to protect jobs, adding that new investment was needed to build its pipeline of 4,200 new homes.

For more information on the online auction, visit the Hilco Valuation Services website here.

Four generations set to support Harrogate Town at Carabao Cup clash

Four generations of Harrogate Town fans from the same family are set to attend the Envirovent Stadium tomorrow night.

Town take on Carlisle United at Wetherby Road in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

In attendance will be the Deighton family, who have collectively followed Harrogate for around 40 years.

But Tuesday night’s match will be special for the Deighton’s as seven-year-old Isaac attends his first Town game.

He will be joined by his dad Tom, 27, grandad Andy, 52 and great-grandad Peter, 76. They will all sit in the Wetherby Road stand.

Phil Deighton, a season ticket holder at Town who will also be at the game, said it was important to the family to support their local team.

Mr Deighton, who is Andy’s brother, said:

“The game on Tuesday will be Issac’s first game and he is really excited.

“As a family we have been watching Harrogate Town for nearly 40 years and it’s great that Isaac will be following in the family traditions.

“Supporting our local team is very important to us.”

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Town will be hoping to make it through to the second round of the Carabao Cup against League One Carlisle.

The club go into tomorrow night’s game off the back of a 1-0 in a Yorkshire Derby against Doncaster last Saturday.

Town took four points from Carlisle last season with a 3-3 draw at the Envirovent Stadium and a 1-0 win away at Brunton Park.

Carlisle were promoted at the end of last season after defeating Stockport County on penalties in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Harrogate care home opens nine-hole putting green

A Harrogate care home has opened a nine-hole putting green within its grounds on the recommendation of a 93-year-old resident.

Alistair Scott moved into 115-bedroom Harcourt Gardens, which provides residential, dementia, respite and palliative care, in 2021 following at heart attack.

Mr Scott, a keen gardener, started helping the onsite gardener and spotted a gap in the grounds for a putting green.

Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, which owns Harcourt Gardens, said:

“I was so impressed with Alistair’s knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening that I instantly appointed him ‘head gardener’ of Harcourt Gardens.

“Alistair then made a very smart suggestion to develop a nine-hole putting green as there are many residents at the home who were keen golfers throughout their lives.

“It made sense to create a safe space where residents and their friends and family could enjoy a round of golf together.”

The opening of the putting green.

Debbie Daniels, care home manager at the site, said:

“I’ve worked in care for many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen, or even heard of a putting green being developed at a care home – it’s quite unique.

“From the minute Alistair was appointed head gardener he has taken the role very seriously directing the gardeners as to what should go where.

Graeme Lee and Alistair Scott

Mr Scott, who got a hole in one on the day of the official opening of the putting green, said:

“I didn’t play golf until later in life during my retirement – in my day it was classed as a rich man’s sport, but I’m really enjoying it now.”

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Harrogate Town star striker set to leave after weekend withdrawal?

Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong looks set to leave the club after making himself unavailable last weekend.

Armstrong was the club’s top scorer last season, scoring 16 goals.

The 27-year-old was left out of the starting 11 at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday after making himself unavailable. Fans were only informed shortly before kick-off.

In a statement, Harrogate Town said Armstrong made the request amid “a number of transfer bids from other clubs”.

Manager Simon Weaver said:

“We had tentative enquiries at the start of the week from other clubs about Luke and those have now led to proper offers.

“Those offers came after we had offered Luke a renewed contract and a three-year-deal, because he deserved it.

“He has been a dedicated and fantastic player for us and we would love to keep him, however on Thursday he informed us he wanted to go and didn’t think he was in the right mindset to perform at his best today, which was disappointing news at the time.

“He has been honest with me and told me he wants to move on and thought it would be detrimental to the team if he took to the field today.”

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Weaver added that a three-year contract offer to Armstrong “is still on the table”.

He added:

“The offer is still on the table from us for him to sign a new deal, but our position is clear; we have informed him and his agent that two things have to happen before Luke is able to leave the club, we have to do what is best for our club and get a significant fee for him and secondly we need a replacement that is going to make the fans proud.”

Weaver told BBC Radio York in a post-match interview that he had “softened” his approach to Armstrong from a “no sale” position following his request.

However, he reiterated that Town would still require a “significant fee” for Armstrong and a replacement player who is “not just a stocking filler”.

Despite the absence of Armstrong, Harrogate made it a winning start to the 2023/24 EFL League Two season with a 1-0 win at Doncaster.

Jack Muldoon scored the only goal of the game with a penalty which saw Town take all three points.