This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is for Resurrected Bites in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Today, Vicky meets the food scientist ensuring everything is of the best quality when it reaches those in need.

Please give generously to support local people who are struggling this Christmas. They need your help. 

In a quiet corner of a warehouse in Harrogate, Catherine Crompton is sorting through sachets of baby food.

Around us, shelves are packed with cat food (“let’s not get those two mixed up!”), lentils, toiletries, tinned vegetables and much more.

As I talk to warehouse manager Catherine, more produce is coming in: tins and packets and toiletries, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. She says:

“We don’t need soup and beans at the moment. People went crackers at harvest festivals!”

What’s in short supply, she tells me, is baking ingredients. They have plenty of tea bags, but not a lot of instant coffee comes in. Apple juice, orange juice, bottles of squash and packets of everyday biscuits are also hard to come by.

The food coming through the door is mostly from supermarkets: excess produce reaching its best before date, collected by Resurrected Bites volunteers and delivered here, to the warehouse on Hornbeam Park.

Catherine says:

“Because I’ve got a PhD in food science, I actually know the shelf life. Tins last a lot longer than the dates suggest.

“Some things you have to have the ‘use by’ date because you can’t see those micro-organisms. ‘Best before’ is a standard of quality, while ‘use by’ is a food safety thing.”

Her scientific background is in evidence in the warehouse. Everything is logged as it arrives and as it leaves for Resurrected Bites’ community groceries and pay-as-you-feel cafes.

The shelves are carefully laid out and all the contents organised. Every product is checked for allergen information.

There’s an area for toiletries – which also doubles up as Catherine’s office – and one for catering packs that can be used in the cafes.

There is also a huge, industrial-type fridge and freezer, containing anything that needs to be kept chilled or frozen on arrival. Volunteers are busy loading new stock and rearranging existing contents to keep everything moving.

Much of this organisation is down to Catherine’s professional experience, with support from volunteers. She tells me:

“Because I was a consultant in the food industry, in March 2020 my job stopped. I organised food from the food industry and took it to the food bank and they put me in touch with Michelle [Hayes, founder of Resurrected Bites].”

Catherine began by helping the community interest company as it delivered food parcels to people who found themselves struggling in the early days of the pandemic. The whole operation was run from plastic trays and tables at St Mark’s Church in Harrogate.

In the two years since, things have changed significantly. Catherine says:

“We moved to Hornbeam in July 2021. It has taken a good year but we’ve got the warehouse running efficiently and a fantastic bunch of volunteers and the cafes and groceries.

“We’ve got about 150 volunteers. A lot of people going out and collecting from the supermarkets.

“We collect from virtually all the supermarkets at various times. You need that, because you don’t know what you’re going to get. Sometimes we’ve had a volunteer turn up and it’s just one loaf of bread.”

As well as taking food that supermarkets no longer need, Catherine uses her contacts in the food industry to access more supplies.

Many companies send through samples and end-of-line products that will never even make it to supermarket shelves. They are perfectly safe to eat, but would otherwise be thrown away.

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Waste in the food industry is one of the reasons Catherine is so passionate about her role at Resurrected Bites. She says:

“One of our volunteers used to work in the cheese industry. Last Christmas, he got us a pallet of cheese.

“When they went through the label machine, it wasn’t put on straight – they had half of one label and half of another, instead of one complete one. They were keeping to all the regulations, they just didn’t look fancy, but who cares? It’s cheese.”

Those contacts have led to supplies of high quality sample products from companies across the Harrogate district and beyond: Bettys & Taylors, Heck, and Dales Dairies, to name just a few. Catherine says:

“A sweet company gave us some quality control samples. You go and take a shelf-ready pack and you might use one packed and leave 11 behind. We will have those 11 please!”

With demand for Resurrected Bites’ support growing all the time, Catherine is keen to keep building contacts with food producers in the region who might otherwise throw produce away, encouraging them to “wake up” and think about where the food could go instead.

Even if it can’t be used in the community groceries or cafes, Catherine and the team of volunteers will redirect it to a food bank or to FareShare, which distributes to other organisations around the country.

She adds:

“Resurrected Bites doesn’t just do ambient food like a food bank. It’s more like a supermarket shop.

“We work closely with the Trussell Trust and other organisations. We all work together. If we’ve got an excess, we share it with them, and they do the same.

“None of us want to see food wasted and because of that cooperation, very little goes to landfill.”

Nobody in the Harrogate district should go hungry this Christmas. 

It costs £300 to run the community grocery for one day. Please help to keep it open for everyone who relies on it. 

Click here to contribute now. 

Update: Yorkshire Water emailed on the morning of Friday, December 16 to say: The repair is complete and our teams will be reinstating and reopening to road as soon as possible. 

Traffic problems caused by a burst water main in Dacre are expected to continue until next week. 

Buses, including school services, were diverted again this morning due to the problem. 

A spokesman for The Harrogate Bus Company said: 

“A burst water main at Dacre is leading to diversions affecting route 24 and school service 620H.

“Currently Yorkshire Water advise that the affected section of road will remain closed until Monday (19 December): if that date is brought forward, we will of course advise customers. 

“In the meantime and until Yorkshire Water’s repairs are completed, buses are unable to serve stops between Fountains Bents and Dacre Banks. 

 He added:

“The 620H is serving the top section of Dacre from Summerbridge. Students waiting at the Providence Chapel bus stop can walk a short distance to board the 620H, which enables the bus to turn around at Dacre Lane before going back past Summerbridge towards Clint Bank, then continuing via Birstwith to resume its normal route at Elton Lane. 

“Early contact was made with all schools involved yesterday (Wednesday) and a regular driver is allocated to the 620H which also helps with communication.”

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The spokesman said the delay to today’s 10am route 24 departure from Harrogate was caused by “mechanical issues with the bus”, adding:

“Our engineer was able to carry out roadside repairs: however this, plus the diversion at Dacre, led to this journey being delayed. Our apologies to customers for this delay.” 

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said:

“Our teams are aware of a leak on a water main in Dacre. We are working to repair this as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”  

A student from Harrogate who wants to work in Formula 1 has been granted a bursary worth up to £20,000 to help pursue a career in engineering.

Lenka Senešiová grew up in Slovakia and moved to the UK at 15 on a scholarship to attend Harrogate Ladies College.

She is now studying a master of engineering in computer science programme at the University of Aberdeen and has been named as one of 31 UK women students to receive an Amazon Future Engineer bursary.

The bursary, supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering, provides a financial support package of up to £20,000 to women students from low-income households..It aims to address under-representation of women in engineering and technology in higher education.

Ms Senešiová will also be matched with an industry mentor and provided with training and networking opportunities.

She said:

“It’s much more expensive to study here compared to my home country. Before receiving the news that I had been selected for the bursary, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to continue my education here.

“Now I know I can focus on my studies and enjoy my university life without worrying about the financial side of things.”

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Teachers encouraged Ms Senešiová to explore STEM subjects, leading her to think about a future in engineering rather than in law.

She hopes to work as a race engineer, much like Hannah Schmitz, who is the chief strategist for Red Bull Racing.

She added:

“Seeing women like Hannah working in such a competitive industry and doing well is a real inspiration and gives me hope that I could achieve my dream job one day.”

The Amazon bursary supports female students to study computer science or related engineering courses at UK universities.

The awardees receive a package worth £5,000 per year, for up to four years of study, to cover expenses related to attending university, including tuition fees, accommodation, and living costs.

Harrogate’s former Viper Rooms has already attracted “significant interest from potential tenants”, according to landlord North Yorkshire County Council.

The nightclub, which was part of the historic Royal Baths, closed suddenly on Friday last week when bailiffs changed the locks.

Nightclub owner Paul Kinsey said on social media the landlord had repossessed the building after the two parties failed to agree a new lease and that 30 people had lost their jobs.

Gary Fielding, corporate director for strategic resources at the council, said in a statement last weekend it had acted “in the best interests of North Yorkshire’s taxpayers” but declined to elaborate.

The closure of the Viper Rooms means two of the four commercial units at the Royal Baths are now empty.

Asked about the council’s plans for the Royal Baths, Mr Fielding indicated all four units could be occupied soon. He said:

“Two of the four units which are overseen by ourselves are occupied by a JD Wetherspoon pub and the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant.

“A unit which did house the Viper Rooms has already attracted significant interest from potential tenants, while a new agreement for the final one is in the final stages of negotiations.

“We remain firmly committed to working constructively with tenants where this is in the interests of both local residents and businesses.”

Viper Rooms

Mr Fielding said North Yorkshire County Council inherited the terms of the Royal Baths lease when it bought the grade two listed building from Harrogate Borough Council for £9 million in 2018. He added:

“Among those conditions is Harrogate Borough Council continuing the lease arrangements on a peppercorn rent for two units, which are occupied by the Tourist Information Centre and the Turkish Baths.

“The significance of the visitor economy to Harrogate is well-documented, so both of these units serve important roles in providing information to visitors as well as housing a renowned attraction in the Turkish Baths.

“Alongside the units at the Royal Baths, there are various car parking arrangements at the site including a long-term lease to Harrogate Borough Council and some private arrangements that generate income.

Read more:

• Viper Rooms: council issues statement after repossessing Harrogate nightclub
• Harrogate nightclub Viper Rooms closes suddenly
• Questions raised as Harrogate Royal Baths loses £2.5m in value

Mr Fielding defended the council’s decision to repossess Viper Rooms. He said:

“We have tried hard to understand the difficulties all our tenants have experienced as a result of the covid pandemic and to offer them our support. This has, in turn, had an impact on our own finances.

“Residents and businesses here rightly expect us to ensure that every effort is made to protect public money and we have a duty to do just that.

“While we do not want to comment on individual cases, we must be fair and consistent and act in the best interests of the public who we serve.”

Mr Kinsey has said he does not wish to comment further at this stage.

A toucan crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road looks set to be installed next year after plans were approved.

North Yorkshire County Council proposed the crossing to encourage walking and cycling at the junction with Slingsby Walk.

It will be the fourth set of lights in less than a mile between the Empress roundabout and the Woodlands junction, which is already one of the most congested stretches of road around Harrogate.

Council officials have estimated the crossing could double the number of cyclists using the Slingsby Walk route, which runs alongside the Stray.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the authority, approved the crossing at a meeting yesterday.

Subject to a feasibility study, it will be installed in the 2023/24 financial year.

The section of Wetherby Road and Slingsby Walk which is earmarked for a new crossing.

Cllr Duncan said:

“A crossing at Slingsby Walk would be a positive step forward for active travel in Harrogate, providing a safe, formal crossing point for both pedestrians and cyclists who might currently be hesitant about using the link.

“We recognise the concerns around existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road and at the meeting we discussed how we will use sensor technology to detect automatically when the crossing is clear to ensure no unnecessary delays to motorists.

“We are committed to doing more to create opportunities for people to walk or cycle for work, education and shopping as part of a balanced approach to travel. This means doing what we can to support all road users – motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport services.”

Likely to increase delays

Council officers have admitted the crossing is likely to cause further delays for drivers.

In a report outlining the proposal, Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation, accepted the move would likely increase pressure on the road network.

He added there were also officer concerns over “existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road”.

Read more:

• Wetherby Road crossing ‘likely to cause further delays’ for Harrogate drivers
• Council plans new crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road

However, he said these concerns had to be balanced against the benefit that it would offer to pedestrians and cyclists.

Funding of £75,000 for the crossing has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council’s sustainable transport budget.

It started with 134 participants on January 21, 2012 and now regularly attracts 300 to 400 people each week.

Harrogate Parkrun, which will take place for the 500th time on Saturday, has become a staple part of weekend life for many people.

It happens every Saturday on the Stray at 9am, except in extremely bad weather and during covid.

With its emphasis on fun and community, it has helped thousands of people get fit and have fun. Many non-runners attempting the couch to 5k challenge start by walking the route, then jogging parts of it and eventually running the entire distance.

The highest Harrogate Parkrun entry so far was 625 on March 2, 2019.

Parkruns have sprung up elsewhere in the Harrogate district at Fountains Abbey near Ripon and at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough.

The last decade has also seen a flourishing of other informal local running groups, such as the Early Bird Running Crew, to help average people who might feel intimidated by joining a club enjoy the benefits of running.

Asked why it has become so popular, Mike Kaye, who regularly runs and volunteers as a marshal on the Stray, said:

“First of all it’s free. Secondly it has a big community feel. It’s also one of the best things for mental wellbeing.

“You don’t have to run Parkrun. You can just walk if you want to.”

There will be balloons and cake to mark this weekend’s milestone event.

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• Harrogate council company to run leisure centres in Selby
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An arm’s-length company set up by Harrogate Borough Council will run Selby’s leisure services from September 2024.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive met yesterday to approve a report recommending Brimhams Active takes over Selby’s services, which include Selby Leisure Centre, Tadcaster Leisure Centre and Summit Indoor Activity.

The arrangement will be on an interim basis whilst the new North Yorkshire Council, which comes into existence in April, undertakes a £120,000 review of leisure services with the aim of creating a countywide model for delivering leisure and sport by 2027.

Selby District Council will not renew its contract with Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, a charity that manages its leisure services.

Brimhams Active was launched by Harrogate Borough Council in August 2021 when it took over control of leisure centres and swimming pools in Harrogate, Starbeck, Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

Ripon’s new leisure centre is among the facilities already run by Brimhams Active.

Harrogate Borough Council hailed the move as a “new vision for the future” of services and said it would save around £400,000 a year through business rates relief and VAT benefits.

Ownership of the company and the contracts of staff will transfer to the new North Yorkshire Council on April 1.

Cllr Michael Harrison, the Conservative councillor for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate as well as executive member for health and adult social care, told the meeting yesterday:

“The fact we can move management into Brimhams so seamlessly is an indication of the wider strength of all the counties coming together.

“We know we’ll do a review and due to the fact that Brimhams Active is relatively new but performing well, we can use strength of the joint councils to move things forward”.

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The Brimhams Active board includes managing director Mark Tweedie, Harrogate Borough Council chief executive Wallace Sampson, director of economy and culture Trevor Watson and councillors Sam Gibbs, Stan Lumley and Pat Marsh.

Of the seven soon-to-be abolished district and borough councils, Harrogate Borough Council is the only authority that uses an arm’s-length company to run services. Scarborough, Ryedale, Selby and Richmond outsource their services whereas Hambleton and Craven provide theirs in-house.

The group on Langcliffe Avenue

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“The first step in the Community Speed Watch process is to identify areas for the group to stand. Once approved, the group will receive training, and at that point they can either share equipment with other nearby groups or purchase their own equipment.

“Once fully trained, the group can deploy as often as they wish, although most groups deploy for an hour at a time, once or twice a week.

“Any vehicles found to be speeding will have their details taken down and sent to the North Yorkshire Police traffic bureau. Once verified, the registered keepers of those vehicles will receive warning letters. A police officer will attend the address of the registered keeper if they are ‘caught’ three times.

“We currently have about 88 groups taking part in the scheme across North Yorkshire. Since its inception in 2016, around 96% of all offences have been first offences – indicating that people who receive their first warning letter do take the advice on board and adjust their driving behaviour.”

Plan to convert former River Nidd mill into housing

Plans have been lodged to convert the former Nidd Valley Saw Mills into housing and build a further 15 homes.

The proposal has been tabled by Wakefield-based Milner Homes for the former mill, which is based next to the River Nidd near Dacre Banks.

The mill was sold to the developer in 2020 after its former owner retired.

Now, Milner Homes plans to convert the mill into five homes, and build a further 15 houses consisting of two to four bedrooms.

It also proposes to build 12 glamping pods on the site.

The housing and glamping pod scheme as outlined for the Nidd Valley Saw Mills site.

The developer said in documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council that it intends to build both a sustainable residential and tourist development.

It said:

“The proposal will create a distinctive residential development which is sympathetically designed to respect the surrounding built and natural environment. 

“Housing will compromise a mix of two to four bedroom houses, to create a sustainable and mixed community. 

“The site provides a leisure use in the form of camping pods which seeks to promote sustainable tourism and leisure whilst respecting the character of the Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Thirty-three trees could be felled as part of the Royal Horticultural Society‘s plans to convert the former Harrogate Arms into a café.

The horticultural charity was granted planning and listed building consent in 2019 to convert the pub, which closed a decade ago, into a café.

But a new planning application was submitted this month to landscape the surrounding area to improve the view between RHS Garden Harlow Carr and the Harrogate Arms

The plans include diverting a public right of way and felling trees such as ash, sycamore and beech.

According to  an aboricultural impact statement submitted to Harrogate Borough Council to support the planning application, nine of the trees are classed as category B, 18 as category C and six as category U.

Category B trees are deemed to be of moderate quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 20 years; category C are said to be of low quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 10 years and category U trees are regarded as being in such poor condition that they cannot realistically be retained as living trees for longer than 10 years.

A spokeswoman for the RHS said:

“As part of our plans to re-establish the historic connection between the Harrogate Arms, Bath House and the garden it is necessary to remove 33 trees, primarily those that are of low quality, for example, young self-seeded trees, are in declining health or are suppressing other significant trees that we want to retain.

“Within the new landscape we will be replacing these with 37 new trees of equivalent amenity value as required by local planning policy plus an additional 45 trees, including beech, birch, hornbeam, oak and maple, providing a new generation of trees to enhance the landscape for years to come and making a long-term contribution to the habitat and natural character of the site.”

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Pleasure gardens

Originally built in 1844 by then-owner of the estate Henry Wright, the Harrogate Arms and the nearby Bath House were set in pleasure gardens which are now part of RHS Harlow Carr.

The RHS said in a statement “reconnecting the landscape to the buildings” represents an important link with the garden’s past and the local heritage of Harrogate as a spa town.

The Bath House now serves as an exhibition and event space within the garden, while the former hotel will be converted for use as an RHS-run café.  The statement added:

“A number of local stakeholders have been kept informed of the process, including the Harrogate Group of Ramblers, which has indicated no objection to the proposals to move the public right of way.

“The RHS has also collaborated with a local college to look at menu ideas for the new café, which will make use of fresh, seasonal produce from RHS Harlow Carr’s kitchen garden.”

Head of RHS Harlow Carr Liz Thwaite said:

“We are delighted to be at the final stage of seeking approval of our plans for the Harrogate Arms.

“This project has been a long time in the making, as we wanted to create something fresh and exciting for our visitors that celebrates our rich heritage.

“We hope that our members and visitors will lend their support to our application.”