£30,000 cycle priority crossing planned in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Council has proposed constructing a cycle priority crossing in Harrogate.

The £30,000 scheme where Bilton Lane dissects Nidderdale Greenway would give cyclists and pedestrians crossing the road priority over vehicles.

The road would be raised to make the crossing more visible to motorists.

The council has sent letters to Bilton residents to get their views. The letter says there has been an increase in the number of cyclists and pedestrians using the Nidderdale Greenway cycle network. It adds:

“As part of the council’s efforts to improve accessibility and promoting active travel, we are proposing to construct a cycle priority crossing on Bilton Lane at the crossing of Nidderdale Greenway.

“The crossing is designed with a raised table making it more visible to drivers and helping to slow them down. Priority will be given to cyclists and pedestrians to cross safely without having to compete with drivers on the road.

“People with mobility issues such as those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters can cross more easily with the crossing being at the same level as the footway. Apart from improved safety, other benefits include increased accessibility, better health outcomes and environmental benefits.”

The crossing would be 7 metres long, 6.6 metres wide and 75 millimetres high.

Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the council, said he supported the idea in principle.

But he added the Bilton Lane speed limit needed to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph and parking arrangements improved so the crossing was more visible to motorists.

Cllr Haslam also called on farmers, who often drive vehicles on Bilton Lane, to be consulted and for the car park next to the greenway and Bilton Lane to be resurfaced.

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Rossett School to meet parents to discuss sixth form merger concerns

Rossett School leaders are to meet parents next week to discuss concerns about the sixth form merger with Harrogate Grammar School.

Students planning to join Rossett sixth form in autumn were informed last week they will be taught at nearby Harrogate Grammar School instead. Current Rossett sixth form students are unaffected.

The move took pupils and parents by surprise, with some questioning why they weren’t consulted and unhappy at the potential disruption.

About 65 Rossett students will be affected and school leaders held a media briefing yesterday to provide more details about the merger and the reasoning behind it. They revealed:

Richard Sheriff, chief executive of the trust, said collaborative sixth forms were a proven model in Harrogate, citing St Aidan’s Church of England High School and St John Fisher Catholic High School.

Mr Sheriff added there had been a long-term vision for Rossett and Harrogate Grammar School to collaborate more closely and the merger would not only achieve this but also improve education for students.

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He said better children’s outcomes was the main driver for change but acknowledged cost was also “absolutely part of this”.

Rossett’s income, which is based on student numbers, has decreased significantly in recent years due to pupil numbers falling by roughly a third from 1,500 to 1,000.

Mr Sheriff said the decline in pupil numbers was due to fewer students from Leeds attending because of higher bus fares and improved schools in Leeds as well as Rossett’s ‘requires improvement’ rating by schools inspector Ofsted.

He said the Ofsted assessment “weighed heavily” on Rossett and the merger would demonstrate the school’s commitment to improve.

Mr Sheriff added building a new joint sixth form building was a long-term dream. He said:

“It’s hard for any school to survive on their own these days. It’s not a safe place to be.”

‘We have to be realistic’

Rossett consulted with governors about the merger but not parents — why not? Mr Sheriff said:

“What would we do with the outcome of the consultation if parents said ‘we’d like to keep things as they are’?

“If we did that the school would be bankrupt next year. We have to be realistic and genuine with parents.”

Harrogate Grammar School

Tim Milburn, who will formally take up the headteacher’s role at Rossett in September after previously being deputy headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, hopes next week’s meeting will reassure parents. He said:

“There’s been some questions and concerns but we have tried to respond to them quickly.

“The news will have come as a shock and we acknowledge there are concerns but we have thought long and hard about how we can make the best provision for children. We want Rossett to be a thriving, growing school again.”

What about special needs students that might be particularly anxious about the unwanted change of environment?

Pete Saunders, the current acting headteacher at Rossett, said:

“In that scenario, special educational needs co-ordinators will get together with parents and students and discuss what provision they need to make the transition successfully.”

Mr Saunders added another advantage of the move is that Rossett sixth formers will be able to take advantage of Harrogate Grammar School’s broader curriculum, which includes subjects such as medical science that otherwise would not be available.

Harrogate Station Gateway: What happens now?

Harrogate’s £11.2 million Station Gateway project has moved forward after councillors gave their backing to the scheme.

As the meeting on Friday went on, there was a feeling that Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors would not countenance handing back more than £10 million to the government at a time when public money is hard to come by.

When they voted, the lively public gallery had dissipated as residents already sensed the mood of councillors.

It wasn’t a ringing endorsement, however, but they voted by 10 to 3 to back the scheme with some caveats.

After the meeting there were relieved smiles in the chamber from Conservative council leader Carl Les and highways boss Keane Duncan who understood the value of councillor support after three public consultations were pretty much split down the middle.

Executive decision

The next meeting concerning the Station Gateway will take place on May 30 at County Hall in Northallerton.

The council’s Conservative executive is expected to approve sending a full business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which originally won the funding from government.

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Ahead of the meeting later this month, councillors will receive a detailed report from officers about the scheme, what it seeks to achieve and how it would be delivered.

Cllr Duncan told councillors on Friday that the concerns raised by residents, councillors and businesses will inform the report. However, it will be published online a week before the meeting takes place so it doesn’t leave much time to make changes.

Autumn

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is expected to make a decision on the council’s full business case in the autumn.

The council will then award a contract to a building firm to carry out the works.

Galliford Try has already been working with the council to draw up designs and has helped plan the construction phase.

Harrogate meeting

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors made it clear they want to have more of a say in how the project develops — both before and during construction.

The committee has no formal powers but a meeting of the area committee is scheduled for September 14 when councillors have asked to receive a report on the project’s progress up to that point.

December

If the business case is approved in the summer, the council is keen to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible.

Cllr Duncan has said construction work could start by the end of this year.

But there’s a tight timescale to complete the project as the Department for Transport expects money earmarked for the Station Gateway to be spent before the end of the current financial year, although some can also be spent in 2024/25.

On Friday, Councillors also asked for a ‘rigorous monitoring system’ to be put in place before construction work starts that examines its impact on traffic, the environment and businesses.

But as the Station Gateway project moves forward, it’s unlikely to be any less controversial despite winning the approval of local councillors.

Business Breakfast: Ripon nail salon named best in Yorkshire

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 nail salon has won best salon in Yorkshire at the Hair and Beauty Awards UK.

LoveUrban Nail Design, which was founded by Samantha Lund, picked up the award for “Best Nail Salon” in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Ms Lund, who started her business during the covid lockdown after training to become a nail technician eight years ago, said she was “incredibly proud” to win the prize.

She said:

“I am incredibly proud of my accomplishments and so grateful to my family and clients for their unwavering support over the years, and so thankful to The UK Hair and Beauty Awards for voting me and my salon as the Best in Yorkshire and Humber.

“I love my career and all the challenges it gives me.”

Harrogate BID commissions street entertainers

Harrogate Business Improvement District has commissioned a series of street performances to take place in Harrogate town centre.

The street shows run until Christmas and will take place in areas across the town.

Harrogate street performance artists return to the town centre.

Harrogate street performance artists return to the town centre.

It will include performers such as Val & Halla, PC Gone Mad, Maniax, Edmund & Hillary and the Dub Step Elves.

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID, said: 

“Our street performers have a great reputation for developing engaging and visual street theatre performances and shows.

“When we have arranged this type of entertainment previously, everyone has enjoyed the comical and family-friendly nature of these lively performances.

“We are delighted to bring the entertainment back to the town centre through a series of new shows.

“We have already received lots of positive feedback on the artist performances from residents, and we are sure that they will bring plenty more smiles.”

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Major Tom’s Social in Harrogate named local CAMRA Pub of the Year

A Harrogate craft beer bar has been named Pub of the Year not for its real ale — but for its real cider. 

Major Tom’s Social in The Ginnel was awarded the title by the local branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) due to the quality of the cider it serves. 

CAMRA said in a press release that although cider, made from apples, and perry, made from pears, are usually associated with south-west England there are a number of excellent Yorkshire producers, for example in Masham, Thornborough, and Husthwaite.

Lauren Wray, assistant general manager at Major Tom’s Social, said:

“We’re really pleased to receive this award. It’s quite an honour, and it’s a nice asset to the bar.

“We’ve only started focusing more on cider over the last year or two, but it sells really well. We’re obviously best known for our beer, so it was quite a surprise to get an award for our cider.”

According to CAMRA’s definition, real cider is fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples – or pears in the case of perry.

It precludes the common practice of using concentrate or diluted juices to boost strength through the addition of sugar to an unnatural level for storage, before then diluting it with water to the desired alcohol content for sale. 

Alan Gould, chairman of the Harrogate and Ripon branch of CAMRA, said: 

“CAMRA campaigns for a high quality of materials and production methods, whether that’s in beer, cider or perry.

“Major Tom’s sell real cider, and that’s really not very common. They keep it in the right condition and get it from the right sources – small scale, artisanal producers who make craft cider well.”

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Developers lodge fresh plan to convert Harrogate office block into flats

A developer has lodged fresh plans to convert Simpson House in Harrogate into flats.

Bramhope Property and Investments Limited has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to convert the the former office block off Clarence Drive into 12 flats.

Documents submitted to the council detail plans to create 12 two-bedroom apartments.

It would see the ground, first and second floors converted.

The move comes after two previous proposals to change the use of the office block to residential were refused in 2022.

Meanwhile, another application by Artium Group was withdrawn in July 2022 amid concern from Harrogate Borough Council officers over the impact on neighbouring trees.

However, in the latest proposal, developers have said the building is already surrounded by residential properties.

It said:

“The ground and first floors of the building have been vacant for several years and the second floor of the building has recently become vacant. 

“The building is surrounded by existing residential properties which are previously converted office buildings surrounded by mature trees.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Police launch investigation after cat shot dead in Harrogate

Police in Harrogate are appealing for witnesses and information after a cat was shot dead.

North Yorkshire Police said today the shooting happened in the Newby Crescent area of Jennyfields at around 9.05pm on Friday last week.

The force said in a statement:

“Timmy the cat was found dead by a neighbour. It is believed he had been shot with an air rifle or pellet gun.

“Understandably, Timmy’s family have been left deeply distressed following the incident.

“We’re appealing for information about anyone living locally who owns an air rifle or pellet gun, or anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident.”

To help the investigation, email Jacob.higgins@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Jacob Higgins.

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

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230080606 when providing details.

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Memorial service for Starbeck pianist who ‘brought joy to the community’

A memorial service is to be held in Starbeck for a pianist who often played for free in local schools and care homes.

Stuart Forster was a talented keyboard player who was also an organist at St Andrew’s Church. He died at his home in Starbeck on May 1, aged 76.

Born in York, he had a varied career in a wide range of professions.

Stuart Forster

Mr Forster was a talented keyboard player

Elena Leeming, a friend of Mr Forster, said:

“While it is sad news for the community here in Starbeck, there is a memorial service for those who knew him at St Andrew’s Church on May 18 at 11am.

“Stuart brought joy to the whole community by playing at the local school, church and care homes. He will be greatly missed.”

Ms Leeming added Mr Forster’s sister and son planned to travel for the service and everyone was welcome.

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Key council meetings could take place in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Council’s decision-making executive could hold some meetings at Harrogate’s Civic Centre instead of Northallerton, according to the council leader.

The new council formed on April 1 and replaced the seven abolished district councils as well as North Yorkshire County Council.

Geographically, it’s England’s largest council area and spans over 3,000 square miles.

But its size has led to criticism that decisions will be made far away from Harrogate residents as the vast majority of meetings take place at County Hall in Northallerton.

Like Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council before it, North Yorkshire Council has an executive or cabinet system of local government.

In this system, the council leader appoints and chairs the executive, which in North Yorkshire includes 10 councillors that meet a couple of times a month.

Each executive member has a specific area of responsibility – for example children and young people, highways or finance –  and they collectively make the most important decisions affecting residents.

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For example, the executive will meet on May 30 in Northallerton to decide whether to put forward a full business case for the £11.2m Station Gateway scheme.

Ahead of a full meeting of the council next week, Conservative council leader Carl Les has published a statement that says he wants to hold some executive meetings at locations across North Yorkshire.

He said dates are being sought and venues must have public and disabled access as well as have live-streaming facilities, which would open up the option of using Harrogate’s £12m Civic Centre that only opened in 2017.

The new council could also choose to hold executive meetings at other former council offices it now owns in places like Scarborough or Skipton.

No changes in the executive

Cllr Les’s statement said that his executive will remain the same.

Below is a list of the ten Conservative councillors on the executive and what they are responsible for:

Hiring in Harrogate now: Why we are proud to work for Bettys

This story is sponsored by the Bettys and Taylors Group.

A number of highly sought-after career opportunities have become available at Harrogate’s most famous employer. 

Bettys is looking to fill a number of vacancies in the kitchen at Bettys Harrogate as well as having both front of house and back of house roles available within the four other branches located in York, Ilkley, Harlow Carr and Northallerton

New recruits can expect a competitive salary, pension, a fantastic working environment and excellent training. 

One person who has already taken advantage of that offer is Cameron Latimer, who is a catering assistant at Bettys’ flagship branch in Harrogate. The 21-year-old left King James’s School in Knaresborough to join another company in the industry, before moving to Bettys in 2021. He said: 

“The training is very thorough. Over the last 18 months I’ve really progressed, both in my job and as a person. I’m more outgoing and feel I can take control in the kitchen and lead others. I’ve been trained on every section and now specialise in preparing the hot food. In September I was promoted to shift leader, and later I aim to become a team leader.” 

Colleague Roisin Roddam, 24, has already progressed even further. She started at Bettys straight from school and has worked her way up to become deputy catering manager at the RHS Harlow Carr branch. She said: 

“Bettys really look after their staff and there’s loads of opportunities for career progression. There are loads of benefits, and the training is really good too. It’s very practical and hands-on, and you even get one-to-one training, so you’ve always got someone there helping you.” 

Picture of Roisin Roddam, deputy catering manager at Bettys' RHS Harlow Carr branch.

Roisin Roddam, deputy catering manager at Bettys’ RHS Harlow Carr branch.

Cameron said: 

“I’d definitely recommend working at Bettys. The conditions are second to none and the managers are very supportive. The staff are all friendly too – we’re all one team, front and back of house – and if something needs doing, we’ll all pitch in and sort it out.” 

Asked what advice she would give to prospective applicants, Roisin said: 

“Just apply. It’s an amazing company to work for, and there are lots of opportunities to move upwards or sideways, for example into the bakery or the Taylors factory.

“Everyone gets on really well. I really like all my team, and we do a lot of socialising outside work, so we get to know everyone very well. It’s absolutely brilliant.”

New apprenticeship opportunity in Bettys Café Tearooms

Bettys has this week launched its new apprenticeship programme in their café Tearooms, which is available for current employees and external candidates to apply for now.

There are Catering Assistant/Chef apprenticeships positions in Harrogate, York and Northallerton. There is also a Catering Team Leader apprenticeship available in Harrogate.

Successful candidates will benefit from the opportunity to attend York College one day a week during term time for a year. They will be enlisted to study the Production Chef Level 2 and Senior Production Chef Level 3 apprenticeship programmes.

An iconic Harrogate brand

Bettys was founded in 1919 by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont and is now the most famous name in Yorkshire’s hospitality industry. More than a century later, it is still an independent family firm and continues to win numerous awards, including Food & Travel Magazine’s Specialist Retailer of the Year earlier this year. 

Along with Taylors of Harrogate, the company behind the iconic Yorkshire Tea brand, it is part of Bettys & Taylors Group, which employs more than 1,500 people, most of them in Harrogate. This month, Bettys & Taylors won one of the first ever King’s Awards for Enterprise for International Trade.

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If you’re interested in applying for a job at any of Bettys’ branches, check the vacancies page on the company website.