Boy, 16, arrested for attempted murder in Harrogate

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an incident in Harrogate early this morning.

Police were called to a home on Claro Road at 12.15am after a man in his teens received what officers have described as “significant injuries”.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this evening added the man was taken to hospital by paramedics and continues to receive treatment.

The statement added his family are being supported by specially trained officers and urged people to respect their privacy.

The boy was arrested  at 12.25pm and remains in police custody.

Claro Road

There was a heightened police presence in the area around Claro Road today.

Detective Inspector Nichola Holden said:

“We know local residents are likely to be concerned by this incident and I hope the quick arrest of a suspect will go some way to reassure them.

“We believe this to be an isolated event with both teenagers known to each other and we are carrying out a full investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding it.”

“Several witnesses have been spoken to or interviewed by officers investigating this incident and we are confident we have spoken to everyone we need to. However, if you have any other information which you feel may be relevant, please contact police as soon as possible.”

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The police statement added:

“We know many people may wish to comment on this incident, especially on social media, we do ask speculation is avoided as not only can this be detrimental to the investigation but can also cause upset to the family and friends of the victim at this deeply upsetting time.”

Police urged anyone with information to call 101 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference 1223001009.

Stray Views: Otley Road cycleway a “scandalous waste of public money”

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

‘Harrogate’s Otley Road cycleway has cost £2.2m so far’. If this headline is correct, and the figure seems to be confirmed in the details in the article, then this is a scandalous use of taxpayer money.

Do we really have a partly finished and largely dysfunctional cycle track, which is avoided by most cyclists, at such outrageous cost? And how is this supposed to support ‘National Productivity’ which is the name of the the fund from which the money was drawn, even if it was completely operational, which it isn’t?

And why has the lion’s share of the cost gone to surveys, reports and studies rather than work on the ground?

I do hope that I have misunderstood the figures, but I fear I haven’t. Maybe someone in authority from the County Council can explain how we got into this fix.

Tim Hurren, Harlow Hill, Harrogate

Solution to Ripon Cathedral plans

At a recent council meeting at Ripon town hall, the subject of the planned annex for Ripon Cathedral was the major item under discussion. I was dismayed to see the reaction and the split within the Ripon community over the proposed siting of the building.

With that in mind, I would like to offer a solution that should benefit all parties, one that would allow for the business expansion aspirations of the cathedral and the preservation of a much-loved green space.

My suggestion would be to use the buildings to the right of the cathedral, being Minster House, the old coach house complex and another building. As this is already cathedral property, the saving financially to the cathedral would be huge as there would be no need to purchase any land.

The buildings in question are closer to the cathedral than the proposed annex on the other side of Minster Road and there is safe and level access. There would be no crossing of the public highway to access these facilities.

I estimate that the floor space of the three buildings in question is 939m2 which falls just short of the 1000m/2 that the cathedral requires. But I believe that this could be regained with use of the car parking area or the extensive gardens.

My idea is:

1.     The ground floor of Minster House be used for the retail outlet and the refectory

2.     The 1st floor be used for the song school with the installation of a lift for the disabled choristers

3.     The stable block to be used as the toilet block and changing area

4.     The other building to be used as storage and meeting rooms

Other combinations are possible.

This then would negate the need to destroy the green space.

I hope you agree with this possible solution and I ask that the cathedral re-submit plans.

Kevin Hill, Ripon

 

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Digital Innovation Finalists

The Digital Innovation Award is sponsored by ASE Computer Services Ltd.

ASE Computers Ltd is an IT Sales and Services company offering both corporate clients and individuals IT solutions.

ASE Computers Ltd has recently become a Sophos Partner.

This award is designed to highlight businesses that have embraced digital and grown the business as a result.

Finalists

Re-Macs

Re-Macs is an online business specialising in refurbished Apple devices.

The company has introduced digitally automated systems that enable staff to calculate the profit made on each product.

Re-Macs also launched a sister site, mac-recycle.com, where customers can trade-in their used Apple Macs and get an instant quote.

Tom James, Director of Re-Macs, said:

“It is fantastic to see all our hard work considered for a nomination for the Stray Ferret awards. We are obsessed with improving all aspects of what we do all the time.

“We’re on our way now to becoming the largest seller of refurbished Apple computers in the UK!”

Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

Strive Group was tasked by Volvo to create a virtual specification configurator, using the power of its ICE (Interactive Customer Experience) ahead of the Volvo C40 Electric Recharge launch.

‘ICE’ permitted potential customers to explore the car with immersive features such as the opening and closing car doors, testing the media system and even fitting an external tow bar.

Alistair Grant, Director and Owner of Strive Group, said:

“As a Harrogate business, we are very proud to receive recognition within the business community for the work we deliver for global clients. Our ‘I.C.E.’ platform has been developed to create a fully immersive experience for brands.

“With Volvo, we have further developed this concept, allowing customers freedom to explore the car as they would in a real life showroom, build the car to their specification and complete the ownership experience through subscribing or purchase the vehicle”.

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

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Harrogate Rugby Club launches foundation to ‘tackle all barriers head-on’

The Harrogate Rugby Club has set up a foundation to help make the game more accessible to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The Harrogate Rugby Club Foundation will promote physical activity and teamwork amongst all age-groups and aims to benefit a thousand people by 2024.

It will host free tag rugby sessions for schools, as well as community fitness classes, walking rugby programs and mixed-ability rugby sessions.

The rugby club has acted as a social hub since its foundation in 1871.

The project’s mission-statement outlines its aims:

“From primary schools to retirement home, we are here to keep people physically and mentally fit throughout their life. Using rugby as a means to access areas of inequality, deprivation and hardship, we will ensure that everyone in the Harrogate community has the opportunity to benefit from the amazing game that is Rugby Union.”

The foundation will launch officially on Saturday 18th February, at a match between the Men’s 1st XV and Sheffield Tigers.

Local schoolchildren who have already got involved in the rugby club’s free tag rugby sessions will be pitch side at the weekend, taking up the role of ball boys/girls for the match.

Entrance to all matches this weekend will be free.

The rugby club has created a crowdfunding page for the foundation to raise money for free coaching in schools, as well as equipment.

To support the fundraising campaign, visit the crowdfunder page.

 

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Young Harrogate director races to make last film following terminal diagnosis

A young Harrogate director who has been given just five more years to live is racing against time to make his final film. 

Joe Cash, 30, has enjoyed a successful career working as a stuntman and prop artist on big-budget Hollywood movies including the Mad Max, Jurassic Park and Fast & Furious franchises. And when the Covid pandemic shut the film industry down, he started to make his own independent horror films. 

But in October 2022 he was diagnosed with bone cancer, and in December he received worse news still: he has a brain tumour and his life expectancy has fallen to five years. He is expected to lose his memory within the next 12 months. 

Joe said:

“There’s stuff I’ve forgotten already.

“We’ll be filming my last film, Carnal Redemption, in Harrogate and Driffield in August this year. I’ve already storyboarded the whole thing, so that if I’ve lost my memory by the time we begin filming, I can use it as a cheatsheet. 

“After I was diagnosed, I decided to use my life savings to make this film happen, so it now has a £130,000 budget. Most of that is going on stunts with helicopters and cars – which we’re going to smash up!” 

Joe’s Hollywood work started in 2005, and since then he’s been shot by Han Solo when playing a stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and even broke three vertebrae when a stunt when wrong while standing in for Johnny Depp during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Director Joe Cash gives instructions to two young female actors in a car.

Joe Cash will be directing on the set of his last film, Carnal Redemption, this summer.

His more recent work has involved a radical change of genre, and an inevitable drop in budget. His made his first independent film, Jezebel, for just £30.

He said:

“The shoestring budget was the whole point.

“I thought I could make a film for less than the price of a night out. It was a terrible film, but it ended up being shown at 150 film festivals, winning 30 awards, and gaining lots of recognition from the film industry. It taught me a lot.” 

His next film, Carnal Monsters, was made for just £500, and his last film, Calling Nurse Meow, was banned in 40 countries, reportedly becoming the most banned film in for 42 years – a record Joe is proud of.

The cast of Joe Cash's independent film, Carnal Monsters, in costume and posing with weapons.

Joe Cash made Carnal Monsters on a budget of just £500.

Joe added:

“For me, that’s a badge of pride. For a horror film to get banned gets people talking about it. We’re trying to set a new Guinness World Record.”

Carnal Redemption will start filming in the summer and Joe hopes it will be ready in time for a premiere in January and release next spring. 

Joe said: 

“I’ve put most of my life savings into this – I’m going all out. If there’s one film to remember me by, this is it.” 

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Photo of the Week: Through the Stray fog

This week’s photograph was taken by Chloe Morris, capturing a couple out walking their dog through the low-lying fog on the Stray. 

Chloe Morris

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

Five take aways from Harrogate Tesco approval

Planners this week approved a new Tesco supermarket for Harrogate.

The proposal will see the new store, a petrol station and 209 car parking spaces built on the site of the former gasworks off Skipton Road.

But, the scheme also brought up wider issues over the supermarket.

Here are five takeaways from this week’s decision.

‘No guarantee’ over Jennyfields centre

One major concern raised since the plans for Tesco were first tabled was its impact on the Jennyfields local centre, which includes a Co-op, medical centre and Post Office.

Residents and councillors on Harrogate Borough Council fear that the new supermarket will impact on the areas viability.

The Co-op even submitted its own objection and said it would cut takings at the store by 15%.

The local centre in Jennyfields, Harrogate.

Tesco has suggested it will make “reason endeavours” to replace the Jennyfields store should it be closed – though councillors described the term as “vague”.

However, Martin Robeson, Tesco’s planning consultant at the meeting on Tuesday, said he felt the centre acted more as a “community centre” than retail.

He added:

“This is an interesting local centre because it has a community centre, it has a medical centre and it has a large and popular public house.

“It is a community hub more than it is a retail hub. At the moment, the other retail units are a charity shop, two takeaways and a gentlemen’s barbers. I don’t believe the Co-op acts as an anchor to those other shops.”

Mr Robeson added that a “Tesco Express offer” or “OneStop offer” could be set up in its place.

Meanwhile, when asked how the pharmacy and Post Office would be replaced, Andy Boucher, of Tesco, said the company could make “no absolute guarantee” as they did not know what the “health of the Post Office” would be in five years time.

Gas pipe and the petrol station

One technical issue raised by Cllr Tom Watson was the prospect of building a petrol station on a gas main.

Cllr Watson said he did not feel the plan was “acceptable”.

However, Tesco said it had spent “several months” in discussions with Northern Gas Networks last year over the pipeline.

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Mr Robeson said the concerns raised were “important”, but Tesco had always been aware of the issue since acquiring the former gas site.

He added that detailed risk assessments will be carried out to ensure the site is safe.

Replanting miles away

Some concern has been raised that replacement trees from the site would be planted seven miles away.

Mr Robeson said at the meeting that Tesco had been put to “extreme task to tick all the boxes” in order to replace the trees.

However, the answer was not sufficient for Cllr Stuart Martin who questioned why it had to be so far away.

He said:

“My question was why does it have to be around 10 miles away? Why can’t that biodiversity gain be nearer to the site where it is lost?

“Nobody is going to tell the animals using the habitat that it’s 10 miles away, are they?”

The gates at the former gasworks site off Skipton Road.

The gates at the former gasworks site off Skipton Road.

Cllr Martin asked whether a condition could be imposed to require it to be closer than 10 miles away. However, a council officer says it would be difficult because of land availability issues.

The site being considered is near Stainburn, just outside Beckwithshaw, and is provided by a company called the Environment Bank under agreement with landowners.

Tesco congestion

Unsurprisingly, traffic was also raised during this week’s meeting.

The move to build the Tesco off Skipton Road is feared to increase congestion on one of Harrogate’s busiest roads.

There is also a plan to create a new roundabout at the site entrance, where the A61 Ripon Road and A59 Skipton Road meet at New Park.

Cllr Pat Marsh, a committee member, raised the issue over congestion on Tuesday.

She said:

“This is not the best site for this supermarket at all. If you were on that road today all you heard was a constant movement of traffic.

“You put a roundabout in there and it backs up to the one at Skipton and Ripon Road.

“The impact this is going to have on the people on Electric Avenue is huge.”

Layout for the new Tesco site, as published in January 2022.

Layout for the new Tesco site, as published in January 2022.

Cllr Marsh pointed to the Lidl on Knaresborough Road as an example of people driving to supermarkets, rather than walking.

“The car park is full all the time.”

Cllr Tom Watson pointed out that heavy goods vehicles already use the nearby New Park roundabout due to a weight limit through Killinghall village.

‘Lack of public consultation’

Tesco officials were asked how and when consultation had been held with local residents over the matter.

The question came as objectors claimed that there was “a lack of public consultation” over the new supermarket.

But, Mr Robeson said that the supermarket giant had carried out sufficient consultation with both residents and council officials.

He said:

“Consultation directly with local residents took place through a process during lockdown, unfortunately, so it could not be like we are today.

“That was well advertised and well attended.”

The response that the public consultation was held during the covid lockdowns was met with groans from the public gallery.

However, Mr Robeson added that he felt that a wide consultation process had been held.

“There has been engagement with the officers and the technical officers here who perhaps you might say indirectly represent the community.”

The results of the consultation held by Tesco were revealed by the Stray Ferret in January last year.

According to documents submitted by the company to the council, 187 people responded. Of those, 74% said they wanted to see the derelict site gasworks brought back into use.

A total of 62% said they supported proposals for a new Tesco supermarket at the site.

Sixteen respondents “expressed concern that providing access via a roundabout was inappropriate due to the existing roundabout at Skipton Road / Ripon Road”.

A total of 43 respondents also raised the issue of highways and traffic on the local area.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP says sewage criticism ‘ridiculous’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has described criticism of his record on sewage as “ridiculous”.

Mr Jones was one of 265 Conservative MPs who voted to stop Amendment 45 to the Environment Bill in October 2021, which would have forced water companies to reduce the amount of sewage they discharged and pay for its environmental damage.

He subsequently supported a government amendment to make water companies provide “costed plans” on how to reduce the amount of sewage.

This has led to claims, especially from the Liberal Democrats, that he and his party are allowing too much sewage to pollute rivers.

Mr Jones said on his Community News website that “the recent spate of US attack-style campaigning over sewage in water… stands the truth on its head” and needed challenging.

He said untreated sewage had been discharged into waterways when sewers were overloaded since Victorian times.

He added overflows were happening more frequently due to severe weather and more items like wet wipes being flushed down drains and the focus should be on changing this. He said:

“If we shut the overflows today sewage would have nowhere to go when sewers are overloaded and would back up into our homes. To suggest that we should do so and I should have voted for that is ridiculous.

“Do you want your sewage and that of your neighbours backing up the pipes into your home? Of course not.”

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Mr Jones said removing the overflows would cost up to £593 billion — the equivalent of closing the NHS for over three years. He added:

“These are the reasons why reducing the use of storm overflows must be part of a costed plan. The proposition that storm overflows can be closed today is just false.

“Portraying my support for this costed plan as voting to continue dumping sewage in our rivers is nonsense. It is the stuff of political game-playing and that isn’t something that interests me.”

andrew jones-mp-and-frank maguire

Mr Jones with the owner of Knaresborough Lido on the River Nidd.

Mr Jones also highlighted his campaign to have the River Nidd in Knaresborough designated as bathing water as evidence of his willingness to tackle water quality.

The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats if it wished to comment but has not had a response.

 

Stray Ferret Awards: Best Employee Development

The Award for Best Employee Development is sponsored by Jones Myers, Family Law Solicitors.

Jones Myers deal exclusively with the family sector, including civil partnerships, divorce and child protection.

The legal firm consistently ranked top in Yorkshire by the influential Legal 500 and Chambers guides.

This award is designed to highlight businesses that develop their employees, giving them the best start for a new career.

 Finalists

Continued Care

Continued Care provides people with complex health issues the support needed to move back into their homes.

All training for new employees begins in the on-site classroom. New carers will only begin working with people once their training is entirely complete and they feel confident in their role.

Continued Care offers funding towards qualifications. There is no limit on training and staff earn a bonus when they achieve qualifications, including NVQs.

Samantha Harrison, Director and Nominated Individual of Continued Care, said:

“We feel very honoured to be recognised within the category. We believe working sector it is important that everyone can develop their career and attain qualifications.

“Investing in employees’ skills and knowledge is hugely important to us as a company”.

Howard Conrad

Howard Conrad is Yorkshire’s leading independent Apple repair service.

Howard Conrad developed a bespoke training website for all its new starters.

The company also supports employees in undertaking external training courses that teach staff skills that can be used in-house.

Howard Conrad also encourages employees to trial any new ideas to develop new skills and services.

Tom James, Technician at Howard Conrad, said:

“Employee development is very important to use. For us to grow as a company and achieve our goals, the team needs to grow with us.

“We are honoured to be shortlisted for this award. It shows that the hard work from every single member of the team is now paying.”

Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Team members of Grantley Hall are trained at its on-site training facility, Grantley Academy.

Grantley Hall offers staff live-in accommodation, free meals, wellbeing support and a complimentary gym.

Staff can also access training from senior staff members and even Michelin-Starred Chef, Shaun Rankin.

Grantley Hall has a bespoke training website, developing skills that are used within a job role and to advance employees’ careers.

Andrew McPherson, General Manager at Grantley Hall, said:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Best Employee Development award at The Stray Ferret Business Awards. Here at Grantley Hall, we are passionate about employee development in order to strengthen our team in their careers.

“Our Grantley Academy is a core pillar of our business, which ensures that our team of more than 350 is trained and equipped to provide the five-star service that our guests know and love.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

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Archive film of life in Harrogate district returns for extra showings

Harrogate on Film returns to the Odeon cinema in March after two sold-out screenings last October.

The additional showings are a second chance to see a 90-minute programme put together from footage held at the Yorkshire Film Archive in York.

The film was commissioned by the Harrogate’s Civic Society and FIlm Society. It includes a mix of amateur and professional footage, featuring rare shots from the opening of the Odeon Cinema and the filming of an Agatha Christie movie in the 1970s.

Audiences will also view clips from the 1937 and 1953 Coronation celebrations, the Great Yorkshire Show, the Harrogate Spa in 1930s and rail-travel in the 1960s.

The film combines footage from major events with scenes from everyday life. A sneak peak is available through the Yorkshire Film Archive website.

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“There is so much passion shown by residents of both Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about our history, and I know this screening will not disappoint”.

There will be two showings on March 27, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available through the Harrogate Film Society website, with discounts for Harrogate Film Society members, as well as members of Harrogate and Knaresborough Civic Societies.

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