Exhibition to honour Harrogate’s 1,163 war dead

A free exhibition will honour the 1,163 men and women whose names are inscribed on Harrogate war memorial.

The exhibition will open in West Park United Reformed Church on September 1, 100 years to the day after the memorial was unveiled in Prospect Square.

It will run until Remembrance Sunday on November 12.

The memorial bears the names of local men and women who lost their lives in two world wars.

Twenty died on the same day; the youngest was just 15 and one person died after being kicked by a mule.

The multi-media exhibition, called More than a name on a Memorial, will bring their stories to life.

The stories will draw heavily on research conducted by local historian and former army reservist Graham Roberts, who has been researching the names for years.

Local resident Terry Williams, who was responsible for a recent exhibition telling the story of Harrogate’s railways, is curating the exhibition, which is being organised by the newly-formed Harrogate War Memorial Project Group.

The group includes members of various local voluntary organisations, including Harrogate Civic Society, the Royal Hall Restoration Trust and Harrogate and District Improvement Trust.

Nigel McClea, chair of the project group, said:

“Thanks to herculean efforts over many years by local historian Graham Roberts, all 1163 names have been researched and much has been discovered and recorded including military units, war records, photographs, cause of death, date of death and place of burial, although more than 300 of the First World War names inscribed have no known grave.

“This on-going research will form the core of the exhibition but thanks to support from North Yorkshire library service, through Harrogate Library, we are now in a position to seek out family stories and memories.”

Walter Ogden

Walter Ogden

The research has thrown up many fascinating questions. Mr McClea said:

“For example, would  2/Lt Walter Ogden have joined his family firm Ogden of Harrogate, the town’s historic jewellers still to be found on James Street?  We’ll never know, he died in 1917 aged just 19 at the Battle of Cambrai.

“2/Lt Donald Bell VC, the first English professional footballer to join the army in World War I, had signed his first professional contract with Second Division Bradford Park Avenue in 1912 aged 22.  Would he have ever played for a First Division club?  We’ll never know. He died aged 25 in the Battle of the Somme.

“These are just two stories from 1163.  We would love to hear from anyone with an ancestor named on the memorial who might have photographs, or recollections of their experiences which might have been passed on through the generations.

“We would also love copies of things such as letters home or letters they received from home, extracts from diaries, battle orders or telegrams and anything about what these brave people did before going to war.”

Copies of letters, extracts from diaries, written recollections and photographs can be emailed to Harrogate.Library@northyorks.gov.uk with the subject line ‘More than a name on a Memorial’ or taken into the library for copying.

Further details of the war memorial centenary programme of events will be available next month.

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Controversial 53-home Harrogate scheme recommended for approval

Council officers have recommended a controversial plan to build 53 homes off Knox Lane in Harrogate is approved next week.

North-east property developer Jomast‘s planning application for the Bilton area was deferred for a second time in February this year.

At the time, councillors requested new reports and information about ground contamination and overhead power lines.

However, a report published today in advance of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee meeting on May 31 has recommended the plans are approved subject to conditions.

Among the conditions is that Jomast would be required to pay £64,000 for healthcare, £140,000 for education and £60,000 for open spaces in the form of a section 106 agreement to compensate for the impact of development on local infrastructure.

Knox Lane

The homes would be built off Knox Lane.

The application in the quiet Knox area has proved controversial with residents.

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Campaign group Keep Knox Natural has previously called on the council to remove the parcel of land from the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place.

Cllr Robert Windass, a member of the council’s planning committee, previously called for an independent survey into contamination into the site.

Cllr Windass raised concern that a previous survey into the site was paid for by the developer and requested that an independent report was drawn up.

He told a committee in February:

“I will not vote for this scheme until I know that that land is safe.”

Councillors will vote on Wednesday next week whether to accept case officer Andy Hough’s recommendation to proceed with the scheme.

Police appeal after Transit van stolen in Harrogate

Police have issued an appeal after a Ford Transit T350 was stolen from Woodfield Road in Harrogate.

The van was taken between 10.30pm on Thursday, May 18, and 8am on Friday, May 19.

Officers said the vehicle has blacked out rear side panels on each side as well as red sun stickers on each rear side panel.

It also has an amber light fitted to the front of the roof on the driver’s side and the registration is BN63 WCJ.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“If you see the stolen vehicle, or know where it is, please email ben.robinson-brockhill@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Ben Robinson-Brockhill

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230089644.”

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Harrogate’s Rachel Daly on verge of winning golden boot

Harrogate-born Rachel Daly scored again yesterday to go three goals clear with one match to go in the race for the golden boot.

Daly scored just before half-time in Aston Villa Women’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.

It took her total to the year to 21 — three more than Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw, who failed to score for Manchester City Women in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United Women.

Whoever scores the most in a season is awarded the prestigious golden boot.

Erling Haaland looks certain to win the men’s award in the English Premier League, now Daley will be hoping to secure the women’s accolade when Villa face Arsenal Women on the final day of the season on Saturday.

Yesterday’s strike means Daly is now just one goal short of the all-time record for most goals in a season in the Women’s Super League, which was set by Vivianne Miedema in 2019.

Daly’s fantastic form since she left Houston Dash last summer to wear the claret and blue of Villa last week earned her a nomination for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award.

Fans have until Sunday to vote for their favourite and can do so here.

Daly returned to Harrogate to a hero’s welcome eight days ago to open Nomads Daly Brew, the cafe named in her honour by her former club Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club.

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Managers appointed at Harrogate care home after ‘requires improvement’ rating

A care home in Harrogate has appointed a new registered manager and a regional manager following a recent “requires improvement” rating.

The Care Quality Commission found the leadership at Avon Lodge, on Harlow Moor Drive, to be “inadequate”, with “widespread and significant shortfalls” in a report published last week.

Following a two-day inspection in February, the care home was downgraded from its previous “good”. Three key areas were assessed, asking if the service was safe, effective, and well-led, but only safety and effect were found to be “good”.

The managers were appointed in response to the report.

A spokesperson for Milewood Healthcare, which runs Avon Lodge, said:

“We have taken prompt action to remedy the issues identified by the CQC at the February inspection, working closely with both North Yorkshire County Council and the regulator to address concerns raised.

“We are confident the required changes are now embedded into practice and all necessary improvements are demonstrably in place.

“Milewood Healthcare is committed to delivering the best positive outcomes for all our service users.”

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North Yorkshire £176,000 robotics contract will not lead to job losses, says council

North Yorkshire Council managers have said a £176,000 robotics contract will not lead to job losses.

The authority has commissioned Reading-based company T-Impact Limited to come up with automative robotic processes to free up work for staff. 

The company has been contracted to carry out the work at a cost of £176,116.

This would include tasks such as changing an address, which would be done through automation rather than manually.

Council officials say the contract, which will run to May 2026, would be “better value for money”.

Madeline Hoskin, assistant director technology at North Yorkshire Council, said the move would also help the new council with its financial challenges.

She said:

“It is anticipated the use of this technology will bring about efficiencies to help counter the financial challenges we are facing, and it will be used for some of repetitive work to free up staff to do other more rewarding aspects of their job.

“The system also enables us to deliver services more efficiently, achieving better value for money.

“There are no projected job losses as a result of this project.”

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Harrogate knee surgeon’s breakthrough gains national interest

A digital report developed by a Harrogate surgeon is attracting national interest.

Patients undergoing knee surgery at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust are now able to benefit from a bespoke digital report, designed to improve understanding of their treatment and reduce any unnecessary outpatient appointments.

The creation of the report comes after nearly 25% of knee arthroscopy patients claimed they were not alert enough to discuss their surgery in the post-operation period.

Three quarters of those surveyed also claimed they were unable to recall post-operation instructions, such as weight bearing advice, meaning over half of the patients required further appointments to aid their understanding.

Dave Duffy, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at HDFT, used the Arthrex Synergy Surgeon app to devise a video that walks patients through the procedure step-by-step, as well as an audio explanation to ensure full accessibility and understanding of the treatment.

The patient is also provided with an in-depth explanation of the next steps in their recovery, from bandaging wounds to appropriate exercises.

Since the introduction of Mr Duffy’s solution only 15% of patients that received the digital report felt they needed further appointments.

He said:

“The report puts patients’ minds at ease, provides answers to many of their questions, and in many cases removes the need for further appointments or written communications, allowing the clinician to spend additional time helping other patients.

Transforming outpatient services remains a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with Mr Duffy’s digital report playing an increasingly significant role in doing so.

He added:

“We have received lots of enquiries about the innovation from other partners in the NHS and we are keen to share our learning to scale up the innovation for the benefits of patients.”

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, medical director and executive lead for digital at HDFT said:

“Our trust’s strategy puts healthcare innovation at the heart of everything we do. Our purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, children and communities, and digital transformation plays an important role in this.

“We want to invest in digital tools and services which makes it easier to provide the best quality, safest care and improves the experience for our patients. As a relatively small trust we have the ability to be agile when it comes to innovation, rapidly piloting new innovations and gaining feedback fast, for the benefits of healthcare innovation businesses and the NHS.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider opens Huntington’s disease unit

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate care provider has invested in a specialist unit for people living with Huntington’s disease.

Vida Healthcare opened the new unit at its Vida Court home, based on Beckwith Head Road.

Called Lindsay House, the facility will provide space for nine people and include a sensory room, medication management, as well as community services such as a GP.

James Rycroft, managing director at Vida Healthcare, said:

“At Vida we are always looking into gaps within the care industry and subsequently identified a lack of support available for people living with Huntington’s disease.

“Our ability to adapt and meet other specialist needs is one of our greatest assets, and we wanted to use this expertise to expand our offering and support more people living with long term conditions.”

Harrogate company launches electric vehicle charger and app

A Harrogate company has launched an electric vehicle charger and free app to improve access to charging points.

Ivie, which is based at Beckwith Knowle, created the charger to help drivers charge their car at home.

Mike Woodhall, chief executive of Chameleon Technology.

Mike Woodhall, chief executive of Chameleon Technology

Meanwhile, the company said the app will allow people to set up a charging schedule and control the 7kw charger remotely.

It will also help users find public charging points and show whether they are available.

Mike Woodhall, chief executive of Chameleon Technology, which owns ivie, said:

“Adoption of EV technology is a major component in helping to drastically cut carbon emissions, supporting the UK’s goal of transitioning to more sustainable motoring by 2030.

“However, ongoing frustrations around infrastructure and reliability remain and we are aiming to address these with a ‘truly smart’ app alongside our EV charger to encourage faster adoption amongst motorists.”

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Bishop Monkton WW2 veteran gets military surprise on 100th birthday

An army veteran from Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, has received a military-themed surprise on his 100th birthday to thank him for his service during the Second World War.

Family and friends of Ernest Tindall laid on afternoon tea at the local village pub, the Masons Arms, to mark his 100th birthday.

Unknown to Ernest, they had also organised for a group of veterans to join the celebrations and to help him relive his military exploits.

Ernest’s wartime story

Ernest was just 18 when he joined the Army in 1941.

In May 1944 he was involved in the Battle of Monte Cassino, a crucial encounter as the Allies pushed north into Italy towards the end of the Second World War. In December of that year, he was injured in a grenade attack and taken prisoner.

He spent the remainder of the war in a prisoner of war camp in Austria. Ernest served with the 5th Northamptonshire Regiment, now part of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Ernest was one of 10 children, eight of whom served in and survived the Second World War. Ernie is the last of his siblings still alive.

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At this birthday tea, several ex-servicemen living in the village got together to add a military flavour to the celebrations.

A military historian from the nearby Army Foundation College in Harrogate gave a short talk about the campaigns Ernest was involved in.

The veterans also organised military memorabilia be brought to the celebration, including a new Royal Anglian beret for Ernest.

Stray Views: Negative views about Station Gateway ‘outdated and unrealistic’

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.

Last Sunday we published a selection of reader’s emails who were outraged that the Station Gateway proposals had been approved – in response we received emails in support of the plans. 

Let there be one letter at least in support of this initiative.

Harrogate residents voted against a bypass and for schemes to reduce traffic congestion and support alternative methods of transport and walking.
Since then, vocal minorities have acted against any such innovation or suggestion (Beech Grove, Otley Road, Oatlands Drive etc. etc.).
Remember the long battle to establish cycling on a couple of Stray paths. Does anyone now think that was a bad idea? Plenty did at the time.
Remember how West Park Stray was ‘ruined for ever’ in 2019? It looks magnificent now.
It’s time to put more ideas into action to benefit us and the planet. The gateway has been discussed over and over so to discuss it further is pointless. There’ll never be a perfect scheme to suit everyone, but I believe genuine improvements will result.
Certainly the generations to come will not thank us if we keep doing nothing.
Peter Lawley Harrogate

 

As it looks likely that the Station Gateway will go ahead, isn’t the time now to plan for Park and Ride services to be made available on all main roads into the town?

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

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Many of the negative views about the Station Gateway scheme are outdated and unrealistic.

Town centres are changing. They have to adapt. Retail as it once was is dying and it’s futile to pretend otherwise. People are increasingly shopping online, retail outlets are closing down, and empty units are often replaced by coffee shops. Why is that a bad thing? Coffee shops and cafes are more sociable in nature. It is far better that the space is used productively than an empty shell.

The other argument I’ve heard against the gateway project is that it will cause more traffic problems. Consider that Cheltenham Parade, part of the same route, is largely a single lane, until it fans out into two lanes approaching the traffic lights before the bus station. This is exactly the same arrangement as is being proposed at the traffic lights by the Everyman. The flows will remain the same.

It’s time to promote active travel and encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport more, instead of relying on a car parking spot right outside a particular shop.

Harrogate isn’t going to wither away because it’s been nudged into being a place where it’s more pleasant to walk around.

Since when were exhaust fumes a contributor to our excellent spa town?

Stu Mitchell, Harrogate

I for one am very pleased with the decision made by the councillors. I think it will be a big improvement to the street scene and encourage people to come into what is otherwise an uninspiring town.

The democratic process is through councillors who your residents had a chance to vote for last year.

Your critic of the proposals who asked about the Ouseburn councillor voting must have been asleep for the last few years, because that’s how democracy works. We have an MP and government that do not represent my views, but we have to accept that.

Nigel Hunt