Harrogate hotshot Rachel Daly is to return to her roots on Sunday to open a cafe named after her.

Killinghall Nomads opened Nomads Daly Brew this year in honour of the England and Aston Villa striker, who started playing football for the junior club near Harrogate.

Now Daly, who is leading this season’s race to win the Women’s Super League Golden Boot, will return to officially open the cafe.

Sunday’s opening, which will take place at 12.30pm at the cafe at Killinghall Moor Community Park, gives local people a rare opportunity to meet the local superstar, who had advertised her attendance to her 327,000 Instagram followers.

England men’s manager Gareth Southgate and former England player turned pundit Micah Richards have been invited but it is not known if they will attend.

Daly has had a remarkable season since her summer transfer from Houston Dash to Aston Villa Women.

Her hat-trick in Aston Villa Women’s 5-0 defeat of Reading Women on Sunday catapulted her to the top of the list of leading goal scorers in the 2022/23 season.

Whoever finishes top is awarded the prestigious golden boot.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Rachel Daly on target as England win Finalissima
• Killinghall Nomads opens cafe named after ex-player Rachel Daly

With two games remaining, she has 20 WSL goals — two more than Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

Manchester United Women’s Leah Galton, who like Daly was born in Harrogate, is joint third with 10.

Nobody has ever scored more than 22 goals in a season since the golden boot was introduced in 2011.

Daly’s form up front has been a major factor in Aston Villa Women’s rise to fifth place in the WSL. They also reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals.

North Yorkshire Council has been in early discussions with a contractor over the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

Richard Binks, head of major projects at the authority, revealed the council had held initial talks, known as “early contractor involvement”, with national highways firm Galliford Try.

Mr Binks said the company, which employs 3,700 staff, had been consulted on potential construction costs ahead of work starting on the scheme.

The project was backed by the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council, by 10 votes to three at a meeting on Friday.

It paves the way for the council’s ruling Conservative executive to give the project the go-ahead on May 30.

Mr Binks told the area constituency committee:

“We are working with a tier one contractor called Galliford Try.

“We are getting monthly market valuations on potential construction cost coming forward before the final tendered price.”

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council to ask about the nature of the discussions with the company and whether Galliford Try is the preferred contractor for the scheme.

Read more:

• £11.2m Station Gateway set to go ahead after crucial Harrogate area vote
• Publican says cycle path crackdown in Harrogate is ‘unreasonable’

The move comes as the company has also been appointed to similar projects, funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, in Stoke-on-Trent and Sheffield.

Galliford Try also took over the construction of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme in 2018 from Carillion, which collapsed.

The appointment led to the project running over Lincolnshire County Council’s budget by £24 million.

‘Piecemeal vanity project’

The scheme will see Station Parade reduced to one lane of traffic so a bus lane and cycle route can be built and James Street partly pedestrianised.

Cllr Pat Marsh, who was one of the three councillors to oppose the project last week, described it as a “piecemeal vanity project”.

Cllr Marsh — who is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems — said the scheme had been characterised by poor consultation and lack of any business impact assessment.

But Mr Binks and fellow council officers said it would rejuvenate the area around Harrogate’s train and bus stations and boost the local economy.

Senior North Yorkshire councillors are expected to ratify the gateway plan on May 30.

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 Ripon auctioneers has announced a new name and sales structure.

Elstob & Elstob, based on Charter Road, has re-branded as Elstob Auctioneers following a change in direction that positions David Elstob as the sole director of the company.

The company has also revealed a new logo and signage to mark the change.

Meanwhile, it has also restructured its auction calendar which will see it host a four-weekly Fine Art and Antiques Sale. 

The first sale in the new schedule will take place over three days from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 May, starting each day at 9.30am. 

David Elstob, director at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“We like to have a close dialogue with our customers and always listen carefully to any feedback they might have.

“A common theme from buyers was that they would prefer to have sales containing a mixture of items which makes browsing though the catalogues more engaging with a greater opportunity of spotting pieces of interest.

“Moving our sales to the end of the week and including a Saturday will also enable more people to take part and the regularity of a monthly auction will mean that people can anticipate the timing of the sales.”

For more information on the auction house, visit the Elstob Auctioneers website here.

Pictured above: Left to Right: David Elstob (Director); Melanie Saleem (Jewellery Specialist and General Valuer); Camilla Rawlinson (Saleroom Manager); Nigel Whitfield (Photographer); Henrietta Graham (Consultant); and Rohan McCulloch (Paintings and Sculpture Specialist).

Harrogate accountancy firm staff to take on three peaks challenge

Staff at a Harrogate accountancy firm are set to tackle the three peaks to raise money for charity.

A dozen employees at Saffery Champness will tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks on June 17.

The team at Saffery Champness which are taking on the three peaks.

The firm is taking on the challenge to raise money for Marie Curie, a charity which has had a personal impact on some of those taking part.

Kathryn Belton, senior manager at Saffery Champness, said:

“We plan team building and social events throughout the year, but there was a real consensus that this challenge should be about more than just having a good time together.

“Some of those involved have experienced the fantastic work of Marie Curie and so we are really hoping to smash our target of £2,200 for this great cause.”

To donate to Saffery Champness’ fundraising challenge, visit the donation page here.

Read more:

• Harrogate salon to close after 15 years
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate family launches UK’s first stocked German kitchen business

The politician in charge of highways at North Yorkshire Council has welcomed the decision by councillors to back the £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway proposals.

The perceived rights and wrongs of one of Harrogate’s most controversial transport schemes in decades were discussed at a special three-hour meeting of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on Friday.

Three Liberal Democrat councillors issued strong objections to the project, including Knaresborough West councillor, Matt Walker, who called it an “£11-million-pound vanity project”.

Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone councillor, Pat Marsh, said it was the “wrong scheme” for Harrogate.

However, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said the scheme will benefit businesses and encourage active travel and Conservative councillor for Oatlands and Pannal, John Mann, said the changes will rejuvenate the “run-down and dated” area around the train station.

Ultimately, 10 councillors — five Liberal Democrats and five Conservatives — agreed to support the scheme with conditions. Three voted against.

‘Transformative impact’

Cllr Keane Duncan, who has had responsibility for transport on the Conservative council’s executive since Don Mackenzie retired last year, said he was pleased that councillors from opposition parties came together to back the project.

Cllr Duncan said:

“I welcome the positive, cross-party support expressed for the gateway project. The majority of councillors recognised the importance of securing this £11m investment and the transformative impact the project could have for Harrogate.

“Their support gives the executive the ability to proceed to the next stage. Input and oversight provided by local councillors will be incredibly valuable, now and into the future.”

Friday’s successful motion to support the Station Gateway was put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor for Coppice Valley and Duchy, Peter Lacey, and it came with three conditions.

Read more:

• £11.2m Station Gateway set to go ahead after crucial Harrogate area vote
• Publican says cycle path crackdown in Harrogate is ‘unreasonable’

These were that the “genuine concerns” of residents and groups are listened to, local councillors have a “meaningful role” in the implementation of the scheme and that a “rigorous monitoring system” to examine its potential impact on traffic, environment and business is put in place.

The motion will be presented to the council’s executive at a meeting on May 30 when senior councillors will decide whether to submit a full business case for the project.

If approved, construction could begin by the end of this year.

Last Friday’s area constituency committee meeting was unusual in that it focused on just one topic.

And despite being an advisory body, there were more eyes on it than normal meetings because the council promised to abide by whatever decision councillors took.

North Yorkshire Council has pledged to give area constituency committees more of a say in decision-making going forward. It could mean more meetings take place place around hot-button issues in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Reflecting on Friday’s meeting, Cllr Duncan added:

“With localism at the heart of the new North Yorkshire Council, it was right for the executive to seek the views of local councillors, elected by and accountable to the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

The organisers behind the Yorkshire Warrior obstacle course have announced the event will not take place this year.

The annual obstacle challenge, which includes 20km, 15km, 10km and a 3km event for juniors, was due to be held at Ripley Castle.

In a post on its website and social media, organisers said rising costs of materials and services had led to the decision.

It said:

“We are truly gutted to announce that there will be no Yorkshire Warrior events taking place this year. 

“This is due to a number of reasons but mainly the rising costs of materials, services and health and safety. 

“We really do hope to come back in 2024 with some new and exciting events, but for now we are taking a break.”

The extreme obstacle challenge was founded in 2013 by Ian and Danielle Bush.

Read more

• Harrogate district pub unveils new-look beer garden
• More rail strikes in Harrogate and Knaresborough this week

A pay-as-you-feel cafe will open its third branch in the Harrogate district this week – and is hoping to offer a menu fit for its surroundings.

Resurrected Bites will run every Thursday in Killinghall Methodist Church, which has just undergone a £248,000 renovation.

The community interest company has been serving up food waste meals at West Park United Reformed Church in Harrogate and Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough for the last two years.

But Chris Lidgett, who has joined as operations manager, said he hopes the new cafe will offer something a little different both on its menu and to the community. He told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re trying to promote to a different audience. It’s a refreshed church in an affluent village, so it’s not necessarily about food poverty, but about isolation.

“We want people to come out, use the new facility, and meet people. If it goes well, we might look at rolling it out to more places.”

What the Killinghall cafe will have in common with the others is that its menu will be entirely made up of food that would otherwise go to waste.

Donated by supermarkets and other commercial operations, the food is still perfectly edible and just as tasty as the day it arrived on the shelves, but does not meet the exacting requirements of some retailers.

That means the menu for each week is only confirmed the day before the cafe opens, depending on what has come into the organisation’s warehouse on Hornbeam Park. Mr Lidgett said:

“You never know what you’re going to get through the door. It’s Ready, Steady Cook every day! It’s definitely a challenge, but a good one.”

Chris Lidgett and volunteer Katie White

With a background in catering, Mr Lidgett is more than used to coming up with new dishes.

Until earlier this year, he worked at Crimple on Leeds Road. Prior to that, he lived in the south of England, where he and his wife ran award-winning pubs in areas including the Cotswolds.

His CV is varied, however: he joined the Army when he was younger and served in the Household Cavalry – which brought with it slightly unusual responsibilities. After “stupidly” putting his hand up when asked if anyone could play a musical instrument, he became the Queen’s trumpeter.

He performed at events including Trooping the Colour and the State Opening of Parliament. On one memorable occasion, he travelled to Paris with Her Majesty for the Bastille Day celebrations in 2005.

He described the Queen as “a lovely woman” who would always take the time to speak to those taking part in events and ceremonies. However, Chris is quite clear he has no plans to return to that life, even after seeing the pageantry of the coronation over the weekend.

“It’s like a throwback. People say, ‘it looks amazing’. I just look and yes, it is amazing, but you don’t realise how much work goes into that and the sacrifices that are made.

“Three weeks beforehand, you’d be getting up at 1am and doing the whole parade at 2am.”

Read more:

• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal smashes £20,000 target for Resurrected Bites
• Refurbished church aims to meet needs of growing Killinghall community

His new role is a world away from Royal pomp and protocols. It has been funded by donations made as part of the Stray Ferret’s Christmas appeal which, with match-funding from local firm Techbuyer, raised more than £30,000 in just four weeks.

Since joining Resurrected Bites in early April, Chris has spent time getting to know the small team of staff and the 200 volunteers who help to keep it running.

He has visited the community groceries in New Park and Gracious Street, where people struggling to afford food can become members, entitling them to a weekly shop for a fraction of the price it would be in a supermarket.

Chris said:

“I do quite like being on site so you can see some of the service users and just realise what we actually do for people. They say, ‘we wouldn’t have survived without you’ and ‘you might not think you’re doing much, but what you are doing is incredible’.

“We want to be able to get the word out there a bit more and reach more people because there must be so many people struggling.”

Although run on a pay-as-you-feel basis, to enable everyone to afford a meal out, Resurrected Bites’ cafes rely heavily on those who can afford to donate giving generously to cover running costs across the organisation.

A few ‘dry runs’ have already been held, when some of Resurrected Bites’ 200 volunteers have been treated to a meal by the team in Killinghall as they get to grips with the practicalities of cooking, serving and clearing away. They’re now ready to open the doors this week.

Cafe manager Sam O’Brien said:

“We are so grateful to all of the volunteers who have signed up so far. They are such a lovely bunch and so keen to make a success of the cafe.

“We still need more volunteers though, particularly people who can help with the cooking, so if you can help on a Thursday, please apply to volunteer via the website or pop in to speak to me.”

Resurrected Bites’ Killinghall cafe will be open from 11.30am to 2pm every Thursday at Killinghall Methodist Church.

Fashion retailer Joules is to close its Harrogate shop.

The company has put a notice in the window of its store on James Street announcing its closure on Saturday, May 20.

The large Harrogate shop, which is believed to employ about 10 staff, is currently selling many items at half price.

The notice does not give a reason for the decision but says:

“We’d like to thank you lovely lot for supporting us over the years.”

It adds the nearest Joules store will be in Ilkley.

The notice in the window

Joules’ closure is the second blow for James Street in just over a month. Cards, gifts and stationery company Paperchase closed its shop at the end of March.

Joules was founded in 1989 when Tom Joule began selling clothing on a stall at a country show in Leicestershire. It now sells menswear, womenswear, kidswear and accessories across UK and Ireland.

In 2016, Joules was floated on the stock market for £140m. But in November last year it fell into administration until Next rescued it by paying £34 million for the business, plus £7 million for the head office site.

The Stray Ferret has attempted to contact Joules for further information about the Harrogate shop.

Read more:

• Harrogate district pub unveils new-look beer garden
• Harrogate town centre shop to close due to low footfall

This story is sponsored by Vodafone Pro Broadband.

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Police have issued a warning today over a recent spate of moped and motorcycle thefts in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said the area had seen a “spike” in thefts, particularly of mopeds.

The force added mopeds had often been taken without keys, with secure locks being cut off.

In a statement, police said:

“Our area has seen a recent spike in the theft of motorcycles, predominantly mopeds.

“Often these are being taken without keys, with secure locks cut off before being driven around then discarded.

“Please take extra care when securing motorcycles, and preferably keep them out of sight. If you have any information about the thefts, please call us on 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Read more:

• Leeds United star fined for speeding by Harrogate magistrates
• Harrogate man jailed for ‘sexualised’ online chats with young girls
• North Yorkshire Police ‘still needs to improve’ on child safeguarding, say inspectors

North Yorkshire Police also issued an appeal today over a spate of bike thefts in Harrogate.

The force continues to investigate the thefts, which happened on Saturday, April 8.

Police released a 50-year-old man on conditional bail in connection with the incident.

A three-day weekend of celebrations and volunteering saw thousands of people mark the coronation of King Charles III in the Harrogate district.

Stray Ferret reporters were out and about every day capturing the fun and numerous activities taking place to commemorate the historic occasion.

Sunday’s glorious weather attracted a huge turnout to Knaresborough Castle for Party in the Castle.

Sunday Party in the Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography

People getting into the swing of the coronation concert at Knaresborough Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography

Knaresborough Castle was lit up for the occasion. Pic: Mike Whorley Photography

The royal city of Ripon once again proved it is the little city that knows how to stage a big party as live music filled Market Place on Saturday and Sunday nights, culminating in fireworks to the sounds of a Queen tribute band.

Ripon Cathedral also provided a focus for official events marking the coronation.

Jo Ropner, Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and Dean John Dobson at Sunday’s coronation commemorative service at Ripon Cathedral

Mr and Mrs Alex Petherbridge and their daughters Tabitha, Silvia and Claudia arrive to watch Ripon cathedral’s livestream of the coronation.

Carr Close in Ripon enjoyed the best of the weather when it staged a street party on Sunday.

Fireworks in Ripon Market Place rounded off Sunday’s activities.

In Harrogate, a big screen in Valley Gardens broadcast the coronation live. Many community groups staged events in villages nearby and also organised volunteering activities yesterday as part of the Big Help Out national initiative.

Watching the coronation in Valley Gardens

Oatlands Community Centre’s coronation gathering

Community Fit’s Anna Gazier (left) and Lisa Tilburn, who work with HADCA, litter picking in Valley Gardens.

Three generations of bell-ringers took part in Saturday’s coronation service at St Wilfrid’s. Pictured are Sally McDonagh, mum Shirley and daughter Bethany, 11.

Sixteen thousand plants were woven together to create the royal cypher on Montpellier Hill.

The sun shone in Masham for its parade of floats on Sunday and nearby Kirkby Malzeard had a lunch party.

One of the Masham floats

Masham Market Square on Sunday

Flying the Union flag in Kirkby Malzeard

Read more:

• As it happened: Second day of coronation celebrations in Harrogate district
• As it happened: Harrogate district celebrates King Charles III coronation