First pictures show inside of £13.5m Harrogate leisure centre refurbishment

The first pictures from inside the refurbished Harrogate Hydro have been revealed.

The facility has been closed since April last year as part of a £13.5 million refurbishment project.

It will reopen in two weeks time under the new name Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

Pictures posted on social media by Natalie McGuire, director of business development at Brimhams Active, which runs the facility on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, show how the centre will look.

The refurbishment includes a 400 square metre fitness centre, a new sauna and steam suite, improved reception and café, as well an overhaul of the existing gym, spin, leisure and swimming facilities.

The new diving area.

The leisure centre in Jennyfields closed for what was supposed to be a nine-month refurbishment costing £11.9 million.

But January’s scheduled re-opening did not happen. In May, North Yorkshire Council said the cost of the scheme had risen to £13.5 million and customers would be welcomed back in August.

The centre is now set to open on September 4.

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Harrogate Town want £500,000 for Luke Armstrong, Carlisle manager claims

Harrogate Town have asked for £500,000 for star striker Luke Armstrong, an opposition manager has claimed.

Paul Simpson, manager at Carlisle United, said the Cumbrian side was told the Town forward would be “way out of our budget”.

In an interview with the club website, he also claimed Harrogate asked for bids in the region of half a million pounds for Armstrong.

Addressing rumours that Carlisle were interested in Tyrese John-Jules from Arsenal and Armstrong from Harrogate, Simpson said:

“The second one, we’ve been told that’s way out of our budget. I’m led to believe they’re talking close to half a million for him, and salary wise is way above.

“We like Luke Armstrong. I don’t think you’d need to be a genius to say that Luke Armstrong would be a good signing for Carlisle. But he’s way out of our budget.”

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Armstrong, who scored 16 goals for Harrogate last season, made himself unavailable for Town’s opening day EFL League Two trip to Doncaster.

At the time, Town manager Simon Weaver said the 27-year-old made the request amid “a number of transfer bids from other clubs”.

However, Armstrong has since been involved in Harrogate’s last three league games and started in the trips to Tranmere and Accrington Stanley.

Weaver said previously that Town would require a “significant fee” for Armstrong and a replacement player who is “not just a stocking filler” before he is sold.

He said:

“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.”

Burglars break into home in Burn Bridge

Burglars made off with a number of expensive items after breaking into a home in Burn Bridge.

Police in Harrogate today appealed for information about the crime, which took place at a house on Westminster Crescent.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Between 9:30am on Thursday 17 August and 3pm on Sunday 20 August somebody entered the property and stole a number of high-value items.”

The statement urged anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information about the incident to email Jonathan.Cleary@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Jonathan Cleary.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230156838.

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Mother’s tribute to son, 18, who died in Harrogate district crash

A mother has paid tribute to her 18-year-old son who died in a car crash on the edge of the Harrogate district.

James Gomersall died in a collision on the B6265 near Score Ray Lane, between Whixley and Thorpe Underwood, on June 24.

Mr Gomersall, who was from Green Hammerton, was the front passenger in a blue Ford Focus when it collided with a silver Volkswagen Touran. He died at the scene.

Police issued a statement today in which Mr Gomersall’s mother described him as “truly amazing” and a caring brother to his four siblings.

She said:

“James was truly amazing in everything he did, he shone like the sun! He was so helpful around the house and would do anything for friends and neighbours and never expected anything in return.

“He leaves three brothers and a sister, two of whom have severe learning difficulties. He had so much care in him and so much patience. He was an amazing big brother; the best you could get, and they miss him so much.

“He loved animals; turtles, fish, cats and especially his dogs which he used to walk for miles, they too are missing him, waiting at the door for him to come home.”

She added:

“James had just got his first proper job and I was so proud of him but unfortunately, he never got the chance to start. There are so many things that James will never be able to experience; my beautiful boy taken far too soon at only 18.

“He was his dad’s right-hand man and he was my best friend, being without him is very painful and a piece of us all has died with him. Our family are devastated, and our hearts are truly broken, we will never be the same again.

“He is a ray of light in the dark, he is the rainbows in the sky, he is the warmth from the sun, he is everything, he was our world and so much more. He was just a brilliant man all round. They say God only takes the best.”

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An inquest into Mr Gomersall’s death opened on July 12. It was adjourned for a full hearing at a later date.

North Yorkshire Police has reissued an appeal for any witnesses to the crash to come forward.

A force statement added:

“Police are urging anyone who saw the collision or either car involved prior to it to get in touch. They would also like to hear from anyone who may have relevant dashcam footage.

“Anyone with information is asked to email PC Julie Brown Julie.Brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Julie Brown. 

“Please quote reference number 12230116638 when passing information.”

New cafe to open in Knaresborough on Friday

The Little Way Cafe is to reopen in Knaresborough this week.

The family-run cafe and bakery announced on August 10 it was closing its site on Camwal Road in Starbeck after 11 months.

It is due to reopen in the unit formerly occupied by Moat Buttery cafe in Knaresborough on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the cafe said it was a “very difficult decision” to cease trading in Starbeck but “it was the only choice we could make in order to provide the best service and environment we could for our customers”.

Owner Yasmine Alsamarai told the Stray Ferret the move was necessary because the new site had more space.

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Ms Alsamarai said she was eager to stay as local to her original cafe as possible and the new “prime” Knaresborough location in Castle Yard came as a welcome opportunity.

She added she was sad to leave the “good community in Starbeck” but was looking forward to the Knaresborough move.

Originally from Leeds, Ms Alsamarai said she had a “love for hospitality” and opening a cafe had always been her dream. The homemade bakes are made by her sister, Saleimah Wright.

Ms Wright said:

“We’re so excited for the opening of the Knaresborough cafe and look forward to sharing what we do with the community!”

Ms Alsamarai emphasised the importance of community and love at Little Way Cafe.

She explained the meaning of the cafe’s name:

“Do small things with great love.”

Harrogate plant hire company founder David Kitching dies

David Kitching, who founded the Harrogate firm Kitching Plant Hire, has died at the age of 80.

Mr Kitching, who was born in Bridlington and brought up in Pateley Bridge, founded the firm as D&S Kitching with wife Shirley in 1967.

The company began operating out of a small yard and workshop in Darley, where Mr Kiching lived.

It moved to Hookstone Park in Harrogate in the early 1990s but outgrew the premises and moved to its present location, the former Harrogate bus depot on Camwal Road in Starbeck, in the early 2000s.

The firm now employs about 20 staff and has more than 400 machines for hire, including  diggers, rollers and cement mixers

The Camwal Road site in Starbeck.

Mr Kitching stepped back from day-to-day involvement with the company a few years ago.

A message on the firm’s Facebook page, posted by Shirley and sons Jason and Matthew, who are both directors of the firm, said:

“A void in our family has been formed which can never be ratified and we will miss him greatly.”.

Mr Kitching’s funeral will be held on September 1 at St James’ Church in Birstwith, It will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Wellington Inn in Darley.

Guests are requested to wear a hint of yellow as a nod to the yellow machinery that contributed so much to Mr Kitching’s life.

As a mark of respect, the business will close on the day of the funeral and reopen on September 4.

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Concerns over lack of planning applications going before Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors

The chair and vice chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee have raised concerns about the number of applications being decided by councillors after another meeting was cancelled.

In April, North Yorkshire Council created six planning committees organised by parliamentary constituency areas where a group of cross-party councillors meet about once every six weeks to approve, refuse or defer large or controversial planning applications.

Previous planning committees organised by Harrogate Borough Council would regularly have an agenda of three or more applications for councillors to debate.

However, next week’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee has been cancelled, as was July’s meeting, due to a lack of suitable applications.

The issue is countywide and the Local Democracy Reporting Service has reported similar concerns from councillors on the committees in Skipton and Ripon and in Scarborough.

Councillors are able to ‘call in’ contentious applications in their areas so it goes to committee but only if there are sound planning reasons.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough committee chair, Pat Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone for the Liberal Democrats, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that she wants to see councillors more involved in the planning process. 

Cllr Marsh said:

“My concern for a very long time is the scheme of delegation in which officers make the decisions on certain applications without needing to refer it to committee. 

“I have raised this point at a meeting at Northallerton. I would like the scheme to be reviewed to make sure democratically elected councillors are more involved in planning.”

The committee’s vice-chair, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said he was awaiting feedback from officers into why the number of applications going to committee has decreased.

Cllr Haslam said: 

“The reduction in planning applications going to planning committee has been reported across the whole of North Yorkshire Council. Clearly this needs to be checked to see whether this is an anomaly with applications or that the process of delegation is not quite right.

“It’s been picked up and is being reviewed currently. Feedback to councillors is expected shortly to tell us what’s changed, why it has changed and what modifications need to be made. Councillor inspection of all council activities is a crucial part of the democratic process.”

Nic Harne, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director of community development, said: 

“Under the council’s constitution, there are a range of specified types of applications that need to be considered by a planning committee.

“In addition, if any member believes that an application raises significant material planning issues, they can request such an application be considered by committee.

“Furthermore, senior officers can also refer applications to councillors.

“It is our aim to ensure that all items that should be considered by members are put in front of committees. Since April, all the area planning committees and the strategic committee have met and have considered more than 40 applications.

“We are committed to keeping the scheme of delegation under review and we are carefully monitoring the number of items going to committee and requests for call in by councillors.

“We are aiming to ensure that decisions are made in the right way and will be making recommendations to councillors based on evidence from the first 12 months of the new council.

“As is common in the summer months, delays in getting information from applicants and consultees meant that there were no applications ready to be put before councillors at the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency planning committee scheduled for 29 August.

“As such, the meeting has been cancelled.”

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Council ‘urgently’ considers policy on recognising local people

North Yorkshire Council has said it is urgently considering coming up with a policy that recognises local people;

However, it has no said whether it will rename Harrogate Hydro as the Rachel Daly Leisure and Wellness Centre.

The Hydro is due to reopen on September 4 following a £13.5 million refurbishment as Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

But Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club is campaigning for it to be named after their former player and England star.

The council-owned leisure centre in Ripon set a precedent when it was renamed after Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher.

Daly, who has 428,000 Instagram followers, was part of England’s Euro 2022 winning team last year. This year she has won the Golden Boot for being the top goalscorer in the Women’s Super League and played in the Women’s World Cup final. She is also on the shortlist for the PFA Player’s Player of the Year award.

The former Rossett School pupil has retained close links with Killinghall Nomads, whose ground is close to the Hydro, and even sent a message to the club on the eve of the World Cup final.

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The Stray Ferret is supporting the club’s campaign calling for the council to honour Daly. You can sign the petition here.

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said last week the council “will consider a policy for how we might recognise the achievements of local people”.

We subsequently asked whether the council had any plans to consider naming the Hydro after Daly before it reopens in less than two weeks.

A council spokesman said today:

“We can add to Cllr Les’s statement that we are looking at this matter with some urgency.”

Memorial service for long-serving Harrogate councillor

A memorial service will be held this week for a long-standing councillor and former Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate.

Jim Clark served for 20 years on North Yorkshire County Council, representing the Harlow Hill division, and was the organisation’s chairman during the covid pandemic.

In this role, at the age of 73, he was among the first to have a covid vaccine in February 2021, wearing a tartan face mask for the occasion.

He was also a Harrogate Borough Council member, representing the Harlow ward for the Conservatives from 1998, and served as its mayor.

Mr Clark took a particular interest in health matters during his time as a councillor, representing North Yorkshire County Council on the West Yorkshire Health Scrutiny Panel.

He called for an enquiry into the Nightingale hospital set up at Harrogate Convention Centre in April 2020, and for staff at Harrogate District Hospital to be allowed to continue to park free in its car park after the initial months of the pandemic.

Professionally, Mr Clark was an accountant, achieving chartered status and being appointed head of entrepreneurial services at Ernst and Young.

He was a keen supporter of the arts, serving as chairman of the Harrogate Theatre board for a decade.

He also took an interest in community organisations, including the Friends of Valley Gardens

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Mr Clark stepped down as a councillor in May 2022 and moved to be closer to family in Scotland, where he died in December.

He left two sons, Andrew and James, a daughter-in-law, Pamela, and three grandsons.

He was posthumously awarded the title of honorary alderman of Harrogate on the abolition of the borough council in March.

A memorial service for Mr Clark will take place at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road on Friday, August 25 at 2pm, followed by refreshments at the Old Swan Hotel.

The occasion will be a celebration of his life, so his family have requested that attendees do not wear black.

Anyone who would like to attend should contact Andrew Clark on 07710 709172, or by email.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm appoints new commercial property solicitor

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 law firm has appointed a new solicitor as part of its commercial property team.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, has hired Janice Colley to the department.

She will be tasked with offering advice on commercial property matters and acquisitions and disposals, including specific expertise in licensed premises, especially pubs and hotels.

Claire Baker-Kemp, the senior associate at McCormicks who heads the department, said: 

“Having both worked with and instructed Janice in the past, I know she brings unrivalled levels of experience and competence which will undoubtedly be an enormous benefit both to our clients and as we build the team here.”

Harrogate business installs community defibrillator 

A Harrogate environmental company has installed a defibrillator outside its offices for public use.

Adler and Allan, which is based on Victoria Avenue, put up the device so it can be used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

Adler and Allan office on Victoria Avenue, with the defibrillator pictured on the right.

Adler and Allan office on Victoria Avenue, with the defibrillator pictured on the right.

The company said it invested in the defibrillator in order to support staff and the local community.

Henrik Pedersen, chief executive officer at Adler and Allan, said: 

“Keeping our staff safe is of the utmost importance to us at Adler and Allan.

“That’s why we have invested in 20 automated external defibrillators for key depots and offices across the group. Being a responsible business and supporting our local community is key for us, so making this device accessible to everyone in Harrogate was a logical decision.”

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