‘I feel liberated’: Harrogate Lib Dem councillor goes independent

Harrogate councillor Michael Schofield has left the Liberal Democrats and will sit as an independent on North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Schofield was elected in May 2022 in the Harlow and St Georges division after winning 45% of the vote.

However, after just over a year he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning that with the Lib Dems preparing for a potential general election next year he has stepped away from the party to focus on local issues.

He said:

“It’s a case of with the political turmoil going on nationally, and all parties gearing up for a general election, the worry is my local area will get left behind. I was elected to serve Harlow Hill and St Georges and my only aim is to do that.

“It’s time for a clean break and for me to serve in the town. People get bogged down with the electioneering. I’ll let people go and do and that. That takes me away from things I want to do and serving the community.”

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Cllr Schofield, who is the landlord of the Shepherds Dog pub on Harlow Hill, said he apologised to any of the voters who voted for him because of his former political affiliation but added that he’s not a “national political animal”.

He said some of his former Lib Dem colleagues are “probably not happy” with his decision but he said he now feels liberated free of the party machine.

He added:

“I have a lot of friends within that group but my aim is do cross-party politics. The only way we can move forward is by having cross-party politics. If you have two parties arguing all the time you’re never going to move forward. I’m all for collaboration.”

Cllr Schofield’s decision to stand as an independent follows similar moves by councillors on different parties in recent months.

In April, Scarborough councillor Tony Randerson resigned from the Labour party and stood as an independent in a by-election that he won.

This week Conservative councillor for Camblesforth, Mike Jordan, quit the party citing dismay with the national party.

North Yorkshire Council has 45 Tory members and the same number of Liberal Democrat, Liberals, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.

Travellers leave Harrogate’s Ashville College

Travellers left Harrogate’s Ashville College last night, three days after they arrived.

The fee-paying school postponed home sports fixtures when caravans pitched up on the sports field off Yew Tree Lane on Friday night.

North Yorkshire Police said last night all vehicles had vacated the field by 7.15pm.

A police spokesperson said:

“The Harrogate neighbourhood policing team has worked closely with the college and community partners to resolve this issue.

“Our officers are continuing to liaise with all parties and are carrying out patrols in the area to address safety and security concerns.”

Ashville College

An Ashville spokesman said it served notice on the travellers to leave the school grounds yesterday morning. He added:

“The police successfully handled the departure and we are delighted to confirm that they all have left the site.

“Crucially, the order served today prohibits a return to our site within the next twelve months.

“We have secured the entrance they forced themselves through on Friday night.

Ashville head Rhiannon Wilkinson said in a letter to parents:

“It has been a challenging three days and I am enormously grateful to my colleagues in boarding who have done an exceptional job looking after the boarders this weekend in what have been difficult circumstances.”

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Investigations continue into collapsed Bleiker’s Smoke House

Investigations are continuing into alleged food fraud by a company founded in the Harrogate district.

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed it is still looking into allegations made against Bleiker’s last year.

The company, established in 1993 and previously based at Glasshouses Mill in Nidderdale, fell into administration in April 2022 before the investigation was announced just days later in May.

This week, Andrew Quinn, deputy head of the national food crime unit at the Food Standards Agency, told the Stray Ferret:

“The FSA’s national food crime unit is investigating alleged food fraud and how a smokehouse supplied a large supermarket retailer with smoked salmon labelled as fresh and Scottish when it was allegedly sourced frozen from Norway.

“We regularly engage with industry to share intelligence, tackling food fraud to protect the consumer.  The national food crime unit acted on intelligence it received which resulted in one arrest being made and three further suspects were interviewed voluntarily under caution.

“It is vitally important that we ensure food is safe and what it says it is, and that consumers and food businesses are confident in the authenticity of food they are buying.”

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Meanwhile, the latest update from administrators shows the purchaser has not paid the agreed amount for the business’ assets.

The unnamed purchaser had agreed to pay £225,000 for stock, as well as fixtures and fittings, the business name and website, and other assets, in a sale which completed in December.

However, the administrators reported the purchaser could not pay the full sum at that time. Having agreed a schedule of £5,000 a month, they have since defaulted and administrators are liaising with solicitors to consider their next steps.

Administrators have also sought legal advice from Leeds-based Schoosmiths solicitors after analysing Bleikers’ bank statement activity.

The report said:

“We have carried out an analysis of the company’s bank statement activity and reviewed the accounting information available.

“We have sought feedback from our solicitors (Shoosmiths) with regards to certain matters identified during the investigation.”

Power share bid fails at Harrogate and Knaresborough council committee

A bid to share the leadership of a North Yorkshire Council committee in Harrogate and Knaresborough has failed.

Conservatives sitting on the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee had proposed a shared chairmanship between their councillor, Paul Haslam, and Liberal Democrat Pat Marsh.

Cllr Sam Gibbs, Conservative representative of Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate, said:

“We’ve clearly got two very good, qualified candidates for this role. I know my LD colleagues are really fond of job shares. I was wondering if they’d be interested in job sharing this role over the next 12 months?

“We’ve heard them in previous meetings suggest such things and think it’s a really good idea, so let’s see if they’re keen  to follow through on this occasion.”

The proposal caused some confusion, with the council’s democratic services manager Daniel Harry saying no other committee had had two chairmen before on an NYC committee or at North Yorkshire County Council before it.

However, he said there was no legal reason it could not happen, as long as the terms were clear, such as chairing alternate meetings.

Cllr Arnold Warneken, who is not a committee member but attends the meetings as Green party councillor for Ouseburn, said:

“I know I’m not allowed to propose anything or vote, but I’m going to ask a question: do the candidates both agree that they would do that?”

Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division and was leader of the Liberal Democrats in opposition at Harrogate Borough Council, responded:

“No, I’m not happy to share that. Sorry.”

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Committee members were then asked to vote on whether the post should be shared. The five Conservatives all voted in favour, but were defeated by the seven Liberal Democrats who opposed the plan.

Instead, Pat Marsh was elected as chairman with seven votes in favour and five abstentions.

A bid for Cllr Haslam to be elected as vice chairman was also defeated by six votes to five with one abstention. Cllr Monika Slater, the Lib Dem representative of Bilton Grange and New Park, was chosen instead by seven votes in favour to none against and five abstentions.

Cllr Marsh is also chair of the planning committee for the area, where Cllr Haslam is vice chairman. Three other Liberal Democrats and two further Conservatives also sit on that committee.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate directors shortlisted for industry awards

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

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

Two local directors have been named on shortlist for the Institute of Director’s awards.

Astrid Wynne and Rich Kenny, both of Harrogate firm Interact DC Limited, have made the shortlist in two separate categories.

The Institute of Directors 2023 director of the year awards will be held on September 29 and includes nine categories.

Ms Wynne, who is head of partnerships at Interact, has been named in the sustainability category while Mr Kenny, managing director, is up for innovation.

Jon Geldart, director general of the IoD, said: 

“Britain’s directors have had to dig deep over the past few years to overcome business conditions which continue to prove challenging.

“These awards are about people, not profits, and celebrating those who celebrate others. It is therefore particularly pleasing to be able to bring together all our finalists to share and celebrate the achievements of innovative directors across the country, for their businesses, the environment and the communities within which they work and live.”

Free business workshop in Harrogate

A free business networking session will take place in Harrogate on Friday.

ActionCOACH Harrogate is hosting a ‘better business’ masterclass at Roosters Brewery at Hornbeam Park from 9.30am.

The session will focus on business coaching and will include tips on marketing concepts, sales promotion and profit building systems.

For more information on the networking session, visit the Eventbrite page here.

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Appeal after golf clubs stolen from car parked at Harrogate guest house

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a car was broken into at a Harrogate guest house.

Officers say a golf equipment was stolen from a Volkswagen Polo which was parked at the Camberley Guest House on King’s Road between 5.30pm on Thursday, 8 June, and 7.30am on Friday, 9 June.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said some John Letters golf clubs and a Callaway driver were stolen.

Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to email Neel.Seth@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to PC 1442 Seth.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230104724.”

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Police patrols monitoring travellers at Harrogate’s Ashville School

Ashville College in Harrogate said today police were conducting regular patrols after travellers set up camp on the sports field.

An encampment arrived at the independent school on Friday night.

In an update today, a spokesman for the college said it had been working with North Yorkshire Police “and other authorities to expedite the removal of the travellers from our sports field”.

He added:

“As a precautionary measure, there is a fence running the width of the site to separate the school from the travellers.

“They have been instructed by the police, who are carrying out regular patrols, not to go near school buildings or any pupils.”

Home sports fixtures were postponed following the weekend arrival of travellers.

The spokesman said:

“Thanks to the hard work and vigilance of all our teaching and support staff, the school is fully operational today, although there have been some minor adjustments for our youngest pupils in Acorns pre-prep and reception.

“GCSE and A-level examinations are running as usual in the sports centre. Sports lessons, and after-school clubs and activities, are also uninterrupted.

“We are providing regular updates to families until the situation is resolved, and thank them for their continued support and understanding.”

Travellers previously pitched up on Ashville’s sports fields off Yew Tree Lane in August 2021 and demanded money to leave.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police what action it had taken but has not received a response.

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Review: My first experience of Salon North in Harrogate

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com

After almost a decade living in London, I recently returned to live in my home town of Harrogate. Now thirty-something (and lacking the stamina of my teenage years), I’m looking for new ways to enjoy the town; I’m reacquainting myself with it, with more mature eyes. I’m on a cultural recce of the north, of sorts, to continue where I left off in London. My first foray came in the form of Berwins Salon North, on Thursday evening.

Billed as ‘TED-style talks exploring the most stimulating ideas in art, science and psychology’, the concept was originally launched by Helen Bagnall, in the big smoke, as Salon London. A trio of speakers, each an expert in their field, take to the stage for 25-minute slots, broken up with audience question time, and short intervals, for a top-up of wine.

Bagnall brought the concept to Harrogate, introducing the northern equivalent as part of Harrogate International Festivals’ cultural calendar, and it was clear, as I settled into my seat in the packed-out Victoria suite at the Crown Hotel, that the people of Harrogate are as ready as any Londoner to lap up this kind of evening’s entertainment.

The first of Thursday’s speakers was Sally Adee, an award-winning science writer with some pretty cool credentials. Her book, We Are Electric, is an exploration of the body’s ‘electrome’; she described how every living cell has a voltage, much like a tiny battery, each with a particular purpose. It’s fascinating stuff, destined, according to Adee, to transform science and medicine as we know it. Her passion was just as electric; anecdotal and digestible, it was the perfect starter for 10 for even the most unscientific minds (like mine).

Musician and writer Oliver Condy was up next, ready to prescribe classical music for any malaise. He described writing his book, Symphonies for the Soul, over the course of the covid lockdowns; while at his most isolated, it was classical music that provided the strength and solace to help him through. Whether you’re feeling angry, anxious, or want to be transported to another time or place: there’s a piece of music for that. Condy hypnotised his audience with snippets of some of his favourites, demonstrating the magical role music plays in connecting us with ourselves and others. Uplifting and engaging, I’m off to read his book and listen to some Rachmaninoff.

Another Oliver was the third and final guest: Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks, a title that refers to the average human lifespan, a potentially anxiety-inducing notion. Eek – really? Four thousand weeks in which to make the very most of our lives; to achieve all that we want to and more? In a world driven by compulsion towards productivity and goals, where does it end? You’ll be pleased to hear that Burkeman turns the idea of time management completely on its head – but I won’t ruin the ending. With humour and empathy, Burkeman had the room enthralled, in stitches, and, I’m certain, inspired.

Forget a night down the pub, or an evening in front of the TV – Salon North hits the sweet spot: a social, friendly evening, refreshingly unstuffy and accessible, curated with thought and craft. I came away feeling just a little bit smarter – and who doesn’t love that?

The next Salon North, ‘Rethinking Modern Britain’, is on July 6 – for more information click here. 

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Historic Harrogate house fails to sell at auction

A house once owned by Harrogate’s wealthiest family was up for auction last week, but failed to find a buyer. 

Pineheath, a 17,000 sq ft, 40-room house on Cornwall Road, went for sale on Thursday with a guide price of £3.5 million, despite being in a derelict condition. 

The house has planning permission for conversion into 12 flats, and the lot included the adjoining former chauffeur’s cottage, which has been refurbished into a pair of semi-detached coach houses yielding rent of £51,000 a year. 

A 0.545-acre parcel of land behind the site, on Rutland Drive, is believed to be the last undeveloped parcel on the Duchy estate and was for sale as a separate lot with a guide price of £1.85 million, but also failed to sell. 

Simon Croft, partner at estate agent FSS, said: 

“We had lots of interest in both lots from developers across the north of England, but they didn’t quite reach the reserve the vendor was prepared to accept. Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised, given the economic headwinds developers are facing. 

“We’re now having discussions with the registered bidders to see if can cut a deal that works for everyone. We’re very close, so we’ll be trying to strike while the iron’s hot and make the sale over the next few days.” 

Pineheath was built in the 1890s and from 1927 was the Harrogate home of Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji, an extremely wealthy Parsee shipping magnate who divided his time between India, Windsor and Harrogate. A generous philanthropist, he was knighted in 1922 having apparently donated £1 million to the war effort. 

In its heyday as a family home, Pineheath was fully staffed and had gold-plated taps, a centrally-heated garage of Rolls-Royces, and its distinctive glazed cupola is said to have been covered in gold leaf. 

Following Sir Dhunjibhoy’s death in 1937, his charitable works were continued by his widow, Lady Frainy Bomanji, who threw herself into civic life, becoming became vice president of the Harrogate Festival of Arts and Sciences, president of the Harrogate Friendship Club and president of the Friends of Harrogate.

Affectionately known as Lady Harrogate, she was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough by Harrogate District Council in 1984. She died in 1986 and the couple’s legacy was continued by their daughter, Mehroo Jehangir, who herself died in 2012. 

Pineheath was sold the following year for £2 million to Jason Shaw, who planned to renovate the house and return it to its former glory as a luxury family home. But by that time, it was in need of a lot of work. 

Mr Shaw cut down protected trees at the property and was fined £24,000 by a court. He later applied to build two five-bedroom homes in the grounds of the site, but was refused permission three times by councillors, who felt the proposed properties were too big. 

He finally obtained the planning consent currently in place, for conversion to apartments, in 2016; it can be viewed online.

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Harrogate teenagers found safe and well

Two teenage girls who were missing from their homes in Harrogate have been found safe.

North Yorkshire Police said the 16-year-old and 13-year-old were both reported missing in the early hours of yesterday.

However, a police statement this morning has confirmed that both have been found safe and well.

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