Freemason grants totalling £94,000 given to district charitable organisations

Eight organisations in the Harrogate district have benefitted from a share of £94,000 worth of grants provided by the Freemasons.

Freemasonry is a male only, fraternal organisation that traces its origins back to the local guilds of stonemasons.

A total of 40 grants have been distributed to organisations across Yorkshire, with many charitable organisations, including youth clubs, food banks, community groups and schools.

Those Harrogate District organisations benefiting from the latest round of grant giving were:

James H Newman, OBE, The Provincial Grand Master of The Province of Yorkshire West Riding, said:

“With these grants we are able to financially support 40 organisations, which are each integral to the local area in their own way, is something I am very proud of.

“Each year, we donate some £200,000 from this specific fund to good causes around the Province, with the money coming directly from our members, keen to help support the community they live and work in.

“These grants were a superb way to end 2022, and the money each of these 40 recipients is receiving will help them continue the work they do in their own individual communities.”

Based on the old West Riding, the Province has around 5,000 members and reaches from Sheffield in the South to Ripon in the North, Goole in the East to Bentham in the West.

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Harrogate ice rink to return again this Christmas

The company behind Harrogate’s Christmas ice rink has said it was “very happy” with how it went and plans to return for at least the next two years.

Events by Cynosure transformed Crescent Gardens into a festive treat, installing the ice rink and a host of fairground attractions, including a carousel.

The ice rink, which operated for a month, was one of the highlights of Harrogate’s Christmas offering, which also included a ferris wheel, a market and the Candy Cane Express free road train.

Harrogate Borough Council tourism organisation Destination Harrogate organised the activities in partnership with Events by Cynosure, Harrogate Business Improvement District and events company Market Place Europe as part of a bid to attract more Christmas visitors.

John Lowery, director of Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret it had a three-year deal to operate the ice rink in Harrogate.

Mr Lowery said the ice rink attracted about 15,000 bookings and although he was pleased overall there was room for improvement.

He said the main improvement would be to extend the length of the 10-day market, which ended before mid-December:

“When the market ended it did go quieter. A lot of traders said the same thing. I’d like to see the market there right up until Christmas.

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Mr Lowery also said he wanted the Crescent Gardens site to include a Santa’s grotto and better bar facilities.

He said:

“Our intention is to make Harrogate a destination for people to go at Christmas so they spend money in town and restaurants.

“We’ve learned more about the site and the flow of people and how Harrogate works. Between Christmas and the new year was a lot quieter than I expected.”

Harrogate councillors to take some housing decisions under new council

Decisions over some housing developments are set to be handed to Harrogate councillors ahead of North Yorkshire Council coming into force.

The new authority will replace Harrogate Borough Council in April, which left questions over how decisions over planning would be made.

Now, the county council has outlined plans for six area committees which will consider planning applications at a local level.

Under proposals for its new constitution, the Harrogate and Knaresborough committee would oversee housing decisions in the constituency area.

Meanwhile, Ripon and Skipton committee would oversee planning in the Ripon area.

However, councillors in those area will only consider applications under 500 homes. Anything above that threshold will be considered by the strategic planning committee in Northallerton.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said it was important that local councillors make decisions in their local areas.

He said:

“Local voices and local accountability are central to the vision of the new North Yorkshire Council.

“Area committees are a key element in this, providing local community leadership in conjunction with the community networks we propose to create, helping to shape economic development in their locality and holding the executive to account, complementing the work of the scrutiny committees.”

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The move comes as Cllr Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee, said previously that not handing powers to such committees would “erode accountability”.

In Harrogate, decisions are still expected on a bottling plant at Harrogate Spring Water and a 3,000 home town between Knaresborough and Cattall called Maltkiln.

Senior county councillors will consider the powers as part of a draft constitution for North Yorkshire Council at a meeting on January 17.

New consultation reveals more people still oppose than support £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway

The latest consultation on the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme has revealed more people still oppose the scheme than support it.

The results, published today, show 46 per cent of the responses were negative, 45 per cent were positive and nine per cent neutral.

However, the outcome is closer than the previous consultation when 59 per cent were negative and 39 per cent positive.

The £11.2 million scheme would transform the area around Harrogate’s railway and bus stations but has proved controversial because of its potential impact on business and traffic. It would see James Street partly pedestrianised and traffic on Station Parade reduced to single-lane.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said today’s results “demonstrate significantly higher support for the proposals”.

A total of 2,044 people responded to the latest consultation — almost twice as many as last time.

Just 41 per cent felt very positive/positive about the likely impact on businesses whereas 51 per cent strongly agreed/agreed the proposals would be a better use of public space, and make the town centre more attractive to residents and visitors.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“It is encouraging to see the public voice significant and growing support for the gateway scheme and its objectives.

“While overall opinion of the scheme is split almost 50:50, key elements of the scheme received positive support from the public who took part. They told us they believe the scheme will be positive for business, make getting around the town centre safer and encourage more people to walk and cycle.”

The Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

How the area outside the train station would look.

Cllr Duncan added:

“I am hopeful that this thorough process will address areas of concern and help build further support for the gateway scheme from Harrogate residents, businesses and visitors.

“The next stage will be for local Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors to consider the feedback and have their say on whether they wish the scheme to go ahead. Subject to approvals, we remain on track to start construction in November.”

Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, Cllr Phil Ireland, said:

“I am delighted to see that the majority of people who responded agreed that the proposals would encourage walking and cycling in the town centre.”

What happens now?

The council now intends to draw up final designs.

The findings of the third consultation and details about next steps will be presented to North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation on January 20.

These will include publication of the necessary traffic regulation orders, which is scheduled for February.

In May, executive councillors will consider the outcome of the recent consultations and whether to submit the full business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which would need to be approved to release the funding.

In the event that all approvals for the scheme are received, construction is expected to begin by November.

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What is the Station Gateway?

The project is one of three in North Yorkshire, and 39 nationally, being mainly funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to promote active travel.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the West `Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together on the scheme, funded by £10.9m of funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and a £300,000 contribution from Harrogate Borough Council.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority all support the gateway.

 

Harrogate man to shave lockdown locks for hospice tomorrow

A Harrogate man who has been growing his hair since before the first lockdown in March 2020 is to have it shaved this weekend to raise funds for Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Graeme Fenwick will be left completely bald at The Harlow on College Street in Harrogate, where he and wife Linda will be wearing t-shirts supporting the charity.

Linda has been supporting him and sharing the fundraiser on social media to raise as much money as possible.

She said:

“After some ribbing by family and friends about cutting his hair, he announced he would if I could raise £1,000 for Saint Michael’s Hospice.”

Since then, they have raised more than £1,600 and some donors have promised to attend the event on Saturday to see Mr Fenwick shave his head in person.

A local barber will remove his locks but friends and family will also be able to have a go with the clippers.

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Saint Michael’s, which provides care to people living with terminal illness and bereavement, is close to the couple’s heart as Ms Fenwick’s dad and other family and friends spent time at its Hornbeam Park hospice.

The pair said they have been overwhelmed by the response they have had on their JustGiving page.

Ms Fenwick told the Stray Ferret:

“We were in a taxi the other night and were talking about it and when we were getting out the taxi driver donated £30 and said it sounded like a good cause.”

To donate to the appeal, click here.

Harrogate teenagers aim to lift 700,000 kg in January for mental health awareness

Four teenagers from Harrogate are attempting to lift 700,000 kg in January to raise money for a charity that helps men struggling with mental health.

Francis Brennan, 19, had the idea for the Lift for Life campaign after undergoing his own battle with depression last year.

He and friends Olly Broadhead, 19, Jack Pierce, 19 and Will Hart, 18, have been hitting the gym daily this month and recording their exploits on Instagram and TikTok to raise money and awareness.

The group had already been regular gym attendees and decided the challenge would help their own physical and mental wellbeing as well as the well being of others by promoting fitness. Every time they perform a repetition in the gym, the amount lifted goes towards the target.

They have already smashed their £1,000 for The Baddy Foundation , which was set up by British UFC fighter Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett and aims to combat the stigma around mental health.

The four young men are continuing with the challenge throughout the month with the goal of raising as much money as possible.

They have been using a variety of gyms in the Harrogate area, including PureGym, Coach, David Lloyd and Energise.

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Francis said:

“It is a chance to show how mental illness can affect anyone regardless of their personal situations. Additionally it is a good message to put out in to the world about fitness and the positive impact it has not just on physical health but on so much more.”

Francis’ mum, Louise is one of his biggest supporters.

She said:

“I was so impressed that they had come together to organise the video and to work to raise money for a cause they all feel strongly about. I am really proud that they are going to the gym every day and lifting massive weights.”

You can donate to the groups charity for men’s mental health here.

 

Harrogate business group calls for ‘better solution’ to Station Gateway

A Harrogate business group has called for a “better solution” to the Station Gateway scheme following the publication of the latest consultation.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the scheme would have a “massive impact” on town centre businesses.

However, a Harrogate cycling group urged North Yorkshire County Council to progress with the project after thousands responded to the latest survey.

The third consultation results, which were published today, revealed 46 per cent of the responses were negative, 45 per cent were positive and nine per cent neutral towards the scheme.

The outcome is closer than the previous consultation when 59 per cent were negative and 39 per cent positive.

Mr Simister said all groups, including cyclists, needed to come together to come up with a solution that “all parties can buy into”.

He said:

“This is the third consultation, and yet again the majority of those responding have said they don’t agree with the proposals.

“It is going to have a massive impact on town centre business, many of whom are vehemently opposed to the scheme as they believe it will have a detrimental impact on their livelihoods.

“We recognise the impact of climate change and the need to encourage active travel, but it’s clear this project is not the correct way forward because the majority do not support it.

“We believe that all relevant stakeholders, including cycling groups, should collaborate and come up with a better solution, one that all parties can buy into and which will appeal to the majority, and ensure this investment is not lost.”

“There are elements of the scheme such as improvements to the public realm the majority are in favour of, me being one, however 46 per cent verses 45 per cent said they do not support the scheme.”

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Kevin Douglas, of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said the responses included some positive comments for the scheme.

He added the county council should proceed with its planned November start date.

Mr Douglas said:

“I am pleased that there is still strong support for the scheme of those people who agree with it.

“People thought it was a good use of the public space. We are a now at a point where it needs to progress.

“We did not feel that there was a need for a third consultation, but they have had more people respond now.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Chris Bentley, owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, for comment on the results, but he declined.

‘Significantly higher support’

The £11.2 million scheme would transform the area around Harrogate’s railway and bus stations but has proved controversial because of its potential impact on business and traffic. It would see James Street partly pedestrianised and traffic on Station Parade reduced to single-lane.

A total of 2,044 people responded to the latest consultation — almost twice as many as last time.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said today’s results “demonstrate significantly higher support for the proposals”.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:

“It is encouraging to see the public voice significant and growing support for the gateway scheme and its objectives.

“While overall opinion of the scheme is split almost 50:50, key elements of the scheme received positive support from the public who took part. They told us they believe the scheme will be positive for business, make getting around the town centre safer and encourage more people to walk and cycle.”

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Does your business deserve the Best Digital Marketing Campaign Award?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

In these final few days before entries close, we are revealing the last of what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

The final category up is the Best Digital Marketing Campaign Award, which is sponsored by Next Chapter.

Digital is clearly the way forward. This award recognises the work of businesses that have run incredible campaigns on purely digital campaigns.

Companies looking to enter need to provide information on the digital marketing plan, including its aims and objectives. Also provide statistical information on why the campaign was a success.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Digital Marketing Campaign Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close at 12pm on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Pothole damages dozens of cars on busy Harrogate district road

Dozens of cars were damaged today and several had to be towed away after a large pothole opened up on one of the main roads into Harrogate.

Drivers travelling towards Harrogate on the A658 at Huby felt the brunt of the impact at rush.

The hole was eventually coned off and traffic lights installed but not before numerous vehicles had been damaged.

David Barker, who lives in Huby, said:

“At the peak of the morning rush hour, 12 cars had stopped at Huby Banks and I’m told three more stopped at the T junction and a couple more before the village.

“The AA have been to at least three cars and the Harrogate local recovery company have taken another three away.

“As the traffic built up in the rush hour cars could not see the hole or avoid it. They were all coming from Pool towards Harrogate.”

Mr Barker tried to report the incident but was batted back and forth between North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, and the police non-emergency number.

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He said several drivers changed wheels before continuing their journeys.

He added:

“The road has in the past ‘blown up’ in this area due to a drainage problem and water is often seen running down the road.

“Much of the problem is many modern cars do not have a spare wheel so if the tyre has come off the rim due to rapid deflation the blow-up repair kit does not work.”

The Stray Ferret has approached the county council for comment.

 

Harrogate to get new civic figurehead in place of mayor

Harrogate will get a new civic figurehead from April to perform ceremonial duties following the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council.

The role of the mayor will be abolished along with the council this spring, to make way for the unitary authority North Yorkshire Council.

From April 1, a new position called a charter trustee will be created by North Yorkshire Council and will remain in place until the likely creation of a Harrogate town council.

The charter trustee would only represent the unparished area of Harrogate, which includes the town centre and surrounding areas such as Bilton and Starbeck.

Like the current mayor of the borough, they would wear mayoral chains and other civic regalia.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Cllr Carl Les, who will also lead the new authority, said the first charter trustees would be voted in by councillors at a meeting in April.

These will be the 10 councillors sitting on North Yorkshire Council with wards that fall within the unparished area.

He said:

“Charter trustees will come into existence on April 1, following the dissolution of Harrogate Borough Council, and will remain in place unless or until a town council is created which would take responsibility for the continuation of the mayoral and civic function.

“They will be responsible for the mayoral chains and other civic regalia and for continuing any ceremonial rights and traditions in the unparished areas.”

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The mayor of the borough has historically been appointed by HBC each year, usually in May, and chairs meetings of the full council.

He or she is known as the “first citizen” of the borough and also represents the council on ceremonial occasions, welcomes visitors and attends events organised by local people and community groups.

In recent years, the holder of the role has rotated between Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

The current and final mayor is Victoria Oldham, Conservative councillor for Washburn. The deputy mayor is Robert Windass, Conservative councillor for Boroughbridge.

Other areas of the borough, such as Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge, already have their own mayors and these will be unaffected by devolution.