Harrogate residents consider vehicle protest against developers

Residents in part of Harrogate flooded by new homes may refuse to move their vehicles off the street tomorrow in protest.

A modular building that acted as a developer’s office and has stood derelict for years is due to be taken away by the company Portakabin.

A traffic management company has asked people on Kingsley Road to move any vehicles parked on the street so there is enough space for the building to be transported along the street from its location on Hawthorne Place.

But Kingsley Ward Action Group, which was set up to protect green spaces from development, said some residents are so angry about the number of new homes and the way developers have acted they are unwilling to comply.

A spokesman for the group said:

“I will park my car legally outside my own house but as that is opposite the post box there is no way this size vehicle will pass.

“As for the rest of the street I doubt the vehicle will even get to me there seems to be a fair bit of anger over this.

Will there be enough room for the modular building to be removed on Kingsley Road?

North Yorkshire Council has issued a traffic order preventing waiting and loading along one side of Kingsley Road from tomorrow until Friday.

But the spokesman said many residents were unclear exactly where they could park and what was legally permitted.

Some 600 homes are being built in the Kingsley Road area after a succession of planning applications were approved.

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North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager for Harrogate, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We have worked with the traffic management contractor and Portakabin to ensure that any disruption during the removal of the building is kept to a minimum in terms of the location and duration of the temporary parking restrictions.

“The traffic management contractor has informed residents and we have been in close contact with the community to allay concerns and ensure they understand the minimal nature of the restrictions.

“In general terms, where temporary traffic regulation orders prohibit parking, contravention of an order can be enforced by parking services and obstructions of the highway by the police.”

Stray Views: Electric car campaigners don’t speak for everyone in Knaresborough

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I am writing in response to a couple of articles relating to the council’s provision of electric vehicle charging points at its car parks in Knaresborough. The campaign itself is not reflective of the residents, taxpayers or visitors to Knaresborough.

The campaigners are failing to understand the effects petro carbons have not only on the environment but on people affected with chronic lung conditions like COPD and the more common asthma. There is also a direct cost to tax payers of Knaresborough as we have effectively paid for the electric vehicle charging points so to actively campaign for their removal is going to mean service provision cuts in order to fund it, and, no doubt in two years’ time to fund putting them back.

As such 0.12% of the Knaresborough taxpayer’s population are trying to make decisions for the 99% majority which is simply undemocratic and narrow minded.

If the issue is, as they allege that the car parks are full, what is wrong with reverting Gracious Street car park to short stay only? It used to have a maximum stay time so why not reintroduce this concept and make it two hours maximum stay with a no return in four hours, this could be extended to the castle car park.

Whilst the market place spaces could be subject to a very short term stay of one hour no return in four hours again. This leaves Conyngham Hall and York Place as longer stay car parks.

I have another proposal here too as there are businesses that do have car parking which may not be fully utilised so as a collective why don’t they work together and use the space we have but more effectively? What about car sharing? Using our fantastic public transport?

I am writing this letter due to the toxic nature of the anti-environment campaign given repeated air time at the Stray Ferret without seeking the views of Knaresborough taxpayers who will suffer if the spaces are removed.

We should be praising the council for taking the issue of pollution by the scruff of the neck and making Knaresborough a blueprint for other cities, towns and villages within North Yorkshire. I would welcome more clean air studies as per the Bond End work, subject to them getting government funding as I believe councils have funds but they can also apply for grants for such work.

Adrian Robson, Knaresborough

Lack of planning on trains after The Hundred match at Headingley

The match finished around 9.15pm. Burley Park station was mobbed with no staff to manage the situation. The platform was jammed and more people continued to arrive without any control – lots of families with young children.

People were very good natured but it was very lucky that there were no problems. After the test match, which ended at 6pm, there were loads of staff and transport police.

When the train arrived it was already busy and so everyone was jammed in. Surely this could have been planned for?

Stephen Hutchison, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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Tears and pride for Killinghall Nomads at big screen showing

It wasn’t the result they wanted but the sense of pride in Rachel Daly remained undimmed at Killinghall Nomads’ big screen showing of the Women’s World Cup final today.

Hundreds of people involved with the club were at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel in Harrogate to watch the match.

So were several national news crews, including ITV, which requested the coverage be switched from BBC in case former Nomads player Daly scored and the national channel cut to the joyful scenes.

The Stray Ferret, which is supporting the club’s petition for North Yorkshire Council to recognise Daly, was also there to sample the carnival atmosphere.

A young fan shows mad love for Rachel Daly.

Spain’s first half goal subdued the crowd and when Daly was taken off at half-time the mood fell flat.

Her substitution appeared to be for tactical reasons but it denied England the country’s leading goal scorer in a half in which they needed a goal.

The afternoon’s biggest cheer came when England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a penalty.

The atmosphere went flat when Daly was taken off.

Huge excitement greeted every England attack, but this wasn’t to be the Lionesses’ day and the many young fans in the room experienced the sinking feeling familiar with older followers of England football teams over the last 50 years.

Despite it all, the club’s bond and love with Daly remained unshakeable. Everyone spoke of her with pride.

European Championships winner, Golden Boot winner, World Cup finalist… it’s a spectacular resume.  She is also on the shortlist of six for PFA Player of the Year award.

Mary Beggs-Reid, the club’s media manager, organised the event.

People shook their heads in disbelief when asked what they thought of the fact she hadn’t received even the slightest recognition by Harrogate Borough Council or its successor North Yorkshire Council and said unprintable things.

One asked why there wasn’t a big screen on the Stray. Another said:

“It’s hardly surprising people lose faith with councils when they fail to do something so bleeding obvious.”

The club’s campaign continues. You can sign the petition here.

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Ex-England player appointed head coach at Harrogate rugby club

Harrogate Rugby Union Club has appointed a new head coach who previously played for England.

Dan Scarbrough has an impressive career, having also played on the wing or as full back for Leeds Tykes, Racing Metro and Saracens.

He will now bring his knowledge and skill to Harrogate RUFC.

His career began in National Division One with Wakefield, during which he scored 17 tries from 46 starts, which led to a prolific try-scoring career.

He played in the England A side that contested the first Churchill Cup, before winning his first full cap against Wales in a 2003 warm up game.

Dan went on to become head coach of Latvia Men’s National Sevens, as well coaching at his own school, Bradford Grammar School, and Yorkshire Rugby.

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The appointment comes as previous head coach, Sam Fox, has “decided to explore new opportunities in his coaching career”, according to the club.

Mr Fox will continue to play for the club but has secured a new coaching role at Pocklington School and the Yorkshire Academy.

Martyn Wood, director of rugby at Harrogate RUFC, said:

“We are thrilled to announce that Dan Scarbrough will be stepping into the position.

“A seasoned and respected figure in the rugby world, having played for Leeds Tykes, Racing Metro, Saracens, and England.

“Dan brings a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of the game.”

Dan has already begun training with the Mens 1st XV whose first match of the season takes place on Saturday, September 2.

Mr Wood continued:

“The club’s management and players warmly welcome Dan Scarbrough and eagerly anticipate an exciting new chapter under his stewardship.

“With his appointment, Harrogate Rugby Club remains committed to upholding its legacy as a prominent force in the rugby community.”

The team is currently playing in the fifth tier of England rugby.

Business group welcomes decision to halt ‘wrong’ Harrogate gateway scheme

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the decision to halt the town’s £11.2 million station gateway scheme.

On Thursday, North Yorkshire Council said it had revoked its decision to proceed with the gateway after Hornbeam Park Developments instructed lawyers to launch a judicial review.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said it was “taking further advice before deciding how best to proceed”.

But Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the scheme was effectively dead and called for gateway funding to be retained locally.

Martin Mann, acting chief executive of the chamber, said:

“Harrogate District Chamber welcomes the news that the gateway project has been rescinded but given that all three North Yorkshire County Council / North Yorkshire Council consultations failed to support the scheme, remain disappointed that it took a judicial review to make it happen.

“The chamber and the wider business community has never been against investment in Harrogate, as was implied by senior council officials. We are and always have been against the wrong investment.”

Two member surveys by the chamber revealed a majority opposed to the scheme, which would see James Street partly pedestrianised and a 300-metre section of Station Parade reduced to single lane traffic to make way for cycle lanes.

Martin Mann

Mr Mann said the organisation supported calls by Mr Jones and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next election, for funds to be retained for local active travel and town centre improvements.

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He added:

“Harrogate District Chamber would also like to publicly thank those who brought the judicial review for finally bringing this project to a halt.

“Our remaining concern is to identify who will be responsible for the £2 million already spent on the project should Andrew Jones and North Yorkshire Council be unsuccessful in retaining the funding.”

The £2 million refers to the sum the council said in June it had spent on gateway consultants

‘Appalling failure’ say cyclists

Harrogate cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis, who is a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said

“It would be an appalling failure if the station gateway were to be abandoned because the owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, which also owns substantial property in Harrogate town centre, objects.

“The county council recently held a third consultation specifically to address his promise to launch a judicial review, which he has now done.

“They now need to hold their nerve and defend the review. Station gateway is an essential first step to bring the town centre into the 21st century, make it a more attractive place to spend time and money in, and start to help people walk, cycle and use buses more, and their cars less.”

John Rowe, who is a committee member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said it had asked the council to clarify what it was doing but he understood the funding had to be used for active travel. He added:

“If the council kills this scheme after failing to deliver on any of the active travel fund awards plus Otley Road, I would worry about their ability to attract future funding.”

The Stray Ferret asked the council whether the gateway funds could be spent on other local projects.

A council spokesperson said:

“It’s not appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”

 

Harrogate Dramatics Society announces leads for Shakespeare in Love

Two familiar faces will be taking the lead in a production of Shakespeare in Love at Harrogate Theatre.

Naail Ishaq will be playing the titular character, Will Shakespeare, in the Harrogate Dramatics Society production.

He will also this year be seen in the lead role in the theatre’s pantomime, Dick Whittington.

He said:

“Shakespeare in Love is a cracking story that’s come at a great time in my life, to play a writer, actor and poet, who’s becoming the man he’ll be remembered for, it’s quite exciting to be going through that stage of my life myself.”

Like his character in Shakespeare in Love, Naail is eager to share his writing, and the theatre and film projects he’s working on.

Beyond the stage, Naail has won an award for best comedy for the short film Bad Habits.

Naail is joined by Debbie Phillips, a professional actress and dancer. She has her own youth theatre, where she trains young actors, directors, writers and lighting technicians.

Debbie trained as a classical ballet dancer under Ballet Ireland and The English Youth Ballet, and has worked as a guest teacher and choreographer for the Regional Youth Ballet.

She has had the teaching from The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Beyond the theatre, she is also familiar to many in Harrogate thanks to her job at independent bookshop Imagined Things.

Debbie is playing Viola, “the feisty, brilliant and beautiful” inspiration for Will Shakespeare. She said:

“Getting to move back into the spotlight has been a lot of fun and Shakespeare in Love has always been a favourite story of mine.

“Viola’s journey shows her growth from a young girl dreaming of adventures, to a daring wise woman fully aware of the price her dreams will cost.”

Shakespeare in Love will be in Harrogate Theatre from October 19 to 21. Tickets are available at the Harrogate Theatre box office online or over the phone on 01423 502116.

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Where to watch the World Cup final in the Harrogate district

Pubs, sports clubs and other venues across the Harrogate district are gearing up for a morning like no other tomorrow, as England’s Lionesses face Spain in the World Cup Final.

The match takes place at Stadium Australia in Sydney, kicking off at 11am UK time.

The early start has not deterred fans and businesses alike from making the most of the occasion.

No doubt the biggest cheers will be for Rachel Daly, the former Rossett School student and Killinghall Nomads junior player, who will be hoping to start once again for the Lionesses.

Here’s a round-up of some of the places putting on a special event for the match.

If you know anywhere else, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it to the list.

Harrogate

The Empress on the Stray will be open from 10am to welcome fans.

The Tap on Tower Street is opening its doors at 11am for the match.

The Den, on Cambridge Road, will be showing the match.

The Balcony at Harrogate Cricket Club will be open from 10am, with bacon butties, hot drinks and the bar open. Book a seat via the website.

Husk Beer Emporium will be open for the match from 11am.

Harrogate Conservative Club on East Parade will be showing it from 10.45am.

Bilton Cricket Club on Bilton Lane is opening at 10am and offering a free pint to anyone who wears their England shirt. Check the club’s Facebook page for booking details.

Starbeck Working Men’s Club on Forest Avenue will be showing the match on a big screen, with doors open from 10.30am.

The Knox in Bilton will be serving breakfast butties from 10.30am ready for kick-off.

The Shepherd’s Dog on Otley Road will be open from 10.30am and serving sausage and bacon butties.

 

Knaresborough

Knaresborough Town Football Club on Manse Lane is hosting a watch party, with doors open from 10.30am.

The Cricketers on Thistle Hill will be open from 10am for the match.

 

Ripon

The Black Swan in Westgate is throwing a Women’s World Cup Final party from 10.30am, with a raffle and England merchandise.

So! Bar and Eats in Old Market Square will open its doors at 10.30am. There will be free bacon sandwiches until kick-off.

Ripon Bowling Club in Bondgate Green is opening from 9am for fans to gather and watch the build-up and match together.

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Yemi’s Food Stories: Memorable weddings with Blossom Tree Cake Company

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing cooking tips– please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

 

It was love at ‘hello’ when Kean Ong opened the door to the Harrogate-based kitchen design studio which immediately transported me into a timeless, elegant, classic and stunning space that set the perfect scene for what was to come.

Kean grew up in Malaysia and worked in Singapore as a chef before relocating to the UK where he continued to hone his skills working in pan Asian, French and modern European kitchens including the Marriot Group, where he discovered a love and passion for pastry.

Picking up a best-in-year award for the advanced diploma in culinary arts patisserie and confectionary at Westminster Kingsway College was the beginning of a truly amazing career at some of London’s finest restaurants including Albert Roux’s The Brasserie at Sofitel St James, Quo Vadis in Soho, Inamo at Wardour Street and St James near Piccadilly.

At Blossom Tree Cake Company He is half of a brilliant duo with Stephen, who I can only describe as the heartwarming ‘behind the scenes yet keeping the show on the road’ main man, and Kean credits Stephen for being a key enabler to their success story.

The name Blossom Tree was inspired by a tree in their front garden and the oriental influences of Kean’s background.

Despite having had an enviable career, Kean says making wedding cakes is what he loves the most. He considers being a part of a couple’s big day a privilege that he pays back by creating the most beautiful, elegant, contemporary and delicious cakes to match their important occasion.

He makes cakes that look as good as they taste on the inside and he wants couples to look back years later still happy with their timeless cake design.

As a food lover, Kean is driven by passion and quality which have translated into him making quality, ethical and traceability choices including growing his own fruits and herbs and moving from fresh flowers to hand crafting life-like flowers for his cakes.

The flavours in his cakes are created using the freshest ingredients, with every element homemade, minimal use of food colouring and the cakes are infused with his signature syrups that keep them moist and light without being overly sweet.

For the tasting, Kean made me three flavours including a new one which he will be unveiling for the next wedding season.

The Chocolate Salted-Caramel cake was a delight with the lightest chocolate sponge perfectly balanced with the salted caramel buttercream. As a non-chocolate cake lover, I was an easy convert by the delicate flavour which didn’t smack me in the face with chocolate.

Kean explained that he kept the flavour light because people would have been eating all day and wouldn’t want a cake that is heavy or overly sweet.

Yemi meets Kean Ong of the Blossom Tree Cake CompanyYemi and Kean Ong with some of his creations

I moved on to the most popular flavour of Passion Fruit curd, Vanilla buttercream and White Chocolate sponge and could immediately see why this is popular, with most couples asking for a layer. The passion fruit curd was sublime cutting through the white chocolate sponge making me want to go for yet another bite.

My favourite all time cake remains a well made Victoria sponge cake and the new flavour that I tasted took it to another level. We are often told the classics are classic for a reason and should be untouched, but I counter that by saying sometimes a classic needs a facelift in the hands of a craftsman.

That’s exactly what Kean has done with his twist on this well loved classic featuring quintessentially British ingredients, capturing the smells of summer and champagne.

Each flavour was the front runner until I tasted the next one; I left without being able to decide my favourite but I remain partial to his latest creation.

Kean puts his heart and soul into his work; his artistic flair, skill, experience and training as a pastry chef was rewarded with four Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards in 2022 for his Elderflower & Blackcurrant, Raspberry velvet, zesty Lime, and Pistachio & Plum flavours.

Another three awards were added in 2023 for Zesty lemon, Chocolate & Cherry and Lychee, Raspberry & Rose flavours.

Blossom Tree Cake Company’s creations have been featured in many magazines and is the preferred partner for many venues including Goldsborough Hall, Grantley Hall, Ripley Castle and Rudding Park  in Harrogate.

Bookings are taken a year in advance with tastings done over the winter period. Tailored consultations result in your wedding cake complimenting and being a talking point on your big day.

With a warm welcome, cakes that look like artworks and creatively delicious flavour profiles, I left Blossom Tree Cakes still in love and armed with tips and inspirations to take my own baking to the next level. Kudos to this dynamic duo.

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Petition launched calling for Harrogate to honour Rachel Daly

A petition has been launched today calling for the council to honour Harrogate’s England Lioness, Rachel Daly.

Daly is part of the England team that will be taking on Spain in tomorrow’s Women’s World Cup final.

She has already won the European Championships and this season’s Golden Boot for being the Women’s Super League leading scorer — yet her achievements have been completely overlooked by the council.

Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club yesterday called for that to change and has today launched a petition. It can be signed here.

The petition calls on North Yorkshire Council to recognise Daly’s achievements, preferably by renaming Harrogate Hydro, which is due to re-open next month, the Rachel Daly Leisure and Wellness Centre — and the Stray Ferret is backing the club’s call.

Daly has liked a post on the club’s Instagram account about the story. So has comedian Maisie Adam, who also hails from Harrogate.

Daly with Killinghall Nomads players when she visited in May.

North Yorkshire Council is keen to promote community fitness at its leisure centres and the Hydro is close to the Killinghall Nomads grounds where Daly started her career and hundreds of boys and girls get active each week.

Mary Beggs-Reid, the club’s media manager, said:

“We urge everyone to sign this petition as it’s high time the council recognised Rachel.”

If the petition attracts 500 signatures it will be discussed by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.

Cllr Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire Council, said it sent best wishes to Daly and the other Lionesses, adding:

“Regarding any local honour for Rachel, as a new council we will consider a policy for how we might recognise the achievements of local people.”

To sign the petition, click here.

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Nidd Art Trail in full swing as local artists begin to open their doors

Local artists, craftspeople and photographers are opening their doors to the public this weekend to showcase work as part of NiddArt Trail.

The trail, run by community organisation Nidderdale Art Trail, aims to highlight both the artistic talent on offer throughout the district, as well as keep community spirit alive.

It originated as Nidd Art Fest, which ran from 1997 to 2008, and has been known as NiddArt Trail since 2009.

Venues in upper and lower Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge, Bewerley, Knaresborough and surrounding villages will house the works of both professional artists, such as Claire Baxter Gallery and JOT’s Gallery, as well as amateur groups such as Pateley Bridge Art Club, which will hold its summer exhibition in St Cuthbert’s School, and Lofthouse Art Group.

A number of community venues will also host featured works, including Summerbridge Methodist Church and Sawley Village Hall.

St Paul’s Art Group will have a variety of mediums on display, including photography and crafts, with some on sale to the public. The work will be held in St Paul’s United Reformed Church, Harrogate, on 26 and 27 August. Refreshments will also be available.

Poetry readings will also take place at Darley Methodist Church as part of the trail. Reverend Alastair Ferneley of Dacre and Alan Jordan, Lay Pastor in the Methodist Church, will be reciting their own poetry on Saturday, August 19, and Saturday, August 26.

Paintings, pottery and photographs curated by local artists will all be housed in St Andrew’s Church, in Blubberhouses, on 19 and 20 August, as well as 26 – 28 August too.

Treasurer Charles Mellor said:

“It’s very much a community event and is made from a mix of talent and community effort.

“There is quite a spectrum of activity this year.”

Some pieces will be available to buy from both the professional and amateur artists, however many choose to simply be involved in the trail.

“I think people just really enjoy being a part of it.

“Many of the groups and venues involved become very enthusiastic about the trail.”

The participating venues are free to attend and will be open at various times from Friday, August 18 to Monday, August 28.

The trail has been available to view online from August 1.

Find a full breakdown of the participating artists and venues, as well as their opening times, here.

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