Harrogate district runners take on the London Marathon this weekend

Harrogate born stand-up comedian Maisie Adam is set to complete the London Marathon tomorrow to honour a 14-year-old boy who died from bone cancer.

Ms Adam attended the same high school as cancer patient Frank Asthon. Despite not personally knowing him, she was moved by his story and is running the marathon as the patron of Frank’s Fund. She hopes to raise funds to improve outcomes for children like Frank.

Ms Adam said:

“Since becoming a patron of Frank’s Fund, I’ve held comedy nights, raffles, appeared on charity gameshow but this will be my toughest task by a mile. I’ve never run a marathon before in my life, but at least I have the privilege to be here to do it. Frank doesn’t, so this is for him, his family, and everyone affected by this horrendous disease.”

Frank Ashton was 11 years old when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a form of primary bone cancer, in April 2016.

His treatment involved 14 cycles of chemotherapy, two months of proton beam therapy carried out in the US, and an 8-hour operation to remove the tumour and a large section of his pelvis.

In September 2017, when Frank was five months in remission, his family received the news that the cancer had returned. Despite further treatment, Frank passed away on February 9 2019.

Frank’s mum, Louise Asthon, said:

“Although Maisie and Frank never met, we know they’d have got on like a house on fire. Comedy was one of Frank’s favourite things. From Alan Patridge and League of their Own to the Inbetweeners and Gavin and Stacey, Frank used comedy to get through some of his darkest days.

“Frank had a lively sense of humour and could always be relied on to make people laugh and keep them entertained. We are so grateful for Maisie’s support, and we know Frank would approve of Maisie being patron for the fund we set up in his memory. Good luck Maisie – we’ll be cheering for you.”

Laura Riach, head of fundraising and communications at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Maisie and all of her wonderful supporters for their efforts. The funds raised will be put to good use to ensure that fewer patients like Frank suffer at the hands of this cruel disease.”

To learn more and support Maisie Adams’ marathon click here.

The London Marathon is set to take place tomorrow (April 21). The annual event first took place in 1981. The route sees runners pass London landmarks including Buckingham Palace, The Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. With the marathon looming others in the Harrogate district are training for Sunday’s event.

‘Running for dad’: Harrogate teen runs in memory of his late father

Rafael Colman-Chadwick

Another Harrogate local raising money for a cancer charity is 18-year-old Rafael Colman-Chadwick.

His dad, Damián, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, stage 4 Glioblastoma when Rafael was ten years old and died two years later.

Rafael has had to navigate his teenage years without his father. He said, “It has certainly had its challenges. There still isn’t a day I don’t think about his death.”

Mr Colman-Chadwick now plans to run the marathon in his memory and fundraise for Brain Tumour Research.

He said:

“To lose dad at 12 has had its challenges. Describing the emotions is hard to put into words, so instead I will put these emotions into action.”

Click here to donate.

Burton Leonard woman runs for former Harrogate BID director with terminal cancer

Beth Pritchard (left) and Christine with her children and grandchildren

Beth Pritchard, from Burton Leonard, is running the marathon for Bone Cancer following her family friend’s diagnosis.

Last year Ms Pritchard ran 12 marathons in 12 months. She is taking on the challenge for her friend, Christine Armstrong, a prominent figure around Harrogate and Knaresborough. Ms Armstrong started The Met Club which she eventually sold and also ran the Harrogate BID and later the Wakefield BID.

Ms Pritchard said on the JustGiving page dedicated to Ms Armstrong:

“Christine is fighting hard and still manages to smile despite everything so I feel the least I can do is put my trainers on and run some miles for an extremely deserving cause.”

You can donate to  here.

Ripon runner supporting Young Suicide Prevention

James Parkes

James Parkes, from Ripon, is the area manager for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. He is a member of the local running club, Ripon Runners.

PAPYRUS is a charity which aids the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Mr Parkes said:

“I am inspired by the many volunteers and fundraisers I meet and I wanted to challenge myself to do something both physically and mentally challenging whilst giving something back to the charity.”

Donations can be made here.

Harrogate duo run for Macmillan

Bridget Moore (left) and Amy Cresswell

Harrogate women Bridget Moore and Amy Cresswell will be running the Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The pair work at Alchemy Media, Ms Moore is the founder of the organisation with her close friend Ms Creswell as a managing partner. They aim to raise £5,000 for charity and have only completed up to 10K runs in the past.

Ms Moore said:

“I wanted to do something significant for the business turning 18 and the London Marathon actually falls on our birthday, so, it feels like this was meant to be. We also wanted to raise some money for a worthwhile cause and something close to our hearts.”

You can donate to their cause here.

Samaritans of Harrogate

Samaritans are this year’s official charity partner of the London Marathon. In London there are Samaritans cheer points and emotional support hubs.

Locally the Samaritans of Harrogate will be in North Bar, Cheltenham Parade, from 12-3pm on Sunday, after the marathon. The event is part of an outreach strategy by the charity, as a standalone branch the Samaritans of Harrogate is entirely run by volunteers and they raise 100% of the funds themselves.

Samaritans of Harrogate said:

“We are inviting anyone to come along and see us who might be interested in what we do, or even to come and join us. There will be free cake and a soft drink as well as some goodies for any visitors.”

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Hampsthwaite’s Memorial Hall set for £230,000 extension

Hampsthwaite’s Memorial Hall has been given the green light for a £230,000 extension and upgrade.

North Yorkshire Council has granted approval for a single-storey front, side and rear extension that will enable the building to provide more activities for villagers.

The current hall was built in 1967 after a timber hut hastily assembled in 1952 to commemorate villagers who fell in the two world wars burned down.

It has become the main community location for residents of Hampsthwaite and surrounding villages. The Hampsthwaite Players put on four drama performances a year and the hall also hosts weekly community payback sessions.

But the growth of the village has left the ageing building in need of improvement.

Hampsthwaite Players performs at the venue four times a year.

Geoff Howard, chair of Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall and a parish councillor, said the project was expected to cost about £230,000.

About £130,000 has been secured from housebuilders as part of section 106 agreements agreed with North Yorkshire Council to mitigate the impact of development. It is hoped grant applications will secure most of the remaining £100,000 required.

Mr Howard said:

“The key issue is we have nowhere for any practical arts and crafts activities. We need a more practical environment.”

Mr Howard said, like many villages, Hampsthwaite needed a better community facility because the population was growing and public transport was worsening, making it harder for many people to get in and out of Harrogate. He said:

“There is nowhere many people can go and we want them to be able to come here. Many folk live on their own and don’t go out.

“With so little public transport, there is a greater need for things to do in villages. This will provide somewhere where more activities can take place and people can meet socially.”

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Steve Wood, a local architect, donated time to help design drawings for the planning application.

A design and access statement, submitted in support of the application, said Hampsthwaite Players were “hampered by cramped wing spaces, poor backstage facilities and limited scenery, costume and props storage”.

It added the extension would enable activities including a repair cafe, a men’s shed and practical learning classes.

The hall, on Hollins Lane, is in Hampsthwaite Conservation Area. Three trees will be felled.

The council case officer’s report said:

“The proposed extensions would wrap around the south end of the existing building and are considered to be a suitably subservient design.”

Yemi’s Food Stories: making healthy eating delicious and irresistible

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Every Saturday Yemi writes on the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

Growing up in Nigeria, vegetables were part of every meal as most dishes were based on a core selection of tomatoes, onions, peppers, ginger, garlic, garden eggs, aubergine, peas, sweetcorn, leafy greens and chillies.

Many meals were plant based with meat or fish added; that is how most of my dishes evolve making them suitable for vegetarians with the meat or fish being an optional extra.

I didn’t grow up eating steamed vegetables, so I struggled to incorporate some vegetables into my diet until I found ways to make them delicious and more worthy of being centre stage.

I can’t say that I have been completely successful as I am yet to find a way to enjoy Brussels sprouts despite trying many recipes from roasting and frying, to adding lemon, spices, cream, cheese, bacon, pancetta, honey, or chestnuts.

Vegetables can take centre stage and tease our tastebuds whilst nourishing our bodies but convincing fussy eaters to embrace vegetables can be a challenge.

Beetroot pasta in a tomato and pepper sauce

They’re also essential for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle because they are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that support overall health and well-being.

They offer a rainbow of flavours and textures, making meals more exciting and satisfying. From crunchy bell peppers to tender spinach leaves, each vegetable brings its unique magic to the table.

Tips for winning over fussy eaters

Blend and hide

For those who are hesitant about vegetables, try blending them into sauces, soups, or smoothies. Carrots, spinach, or cauliflower can easily disappear into a tomato sauce or creamy soup, adding nutrition without altering the flavour significantly.

I replace bananas with avocado in my smoothie as it gives me a smooth and thick consistency without the overpowering smell and sweetness of banana.

Roast to perfection

Roasting vegetables caramelises their natural sugars, enhancing their sweetness and creating irresistible flavours. Try roasting broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of parmesan for a delightful side dish.

Cauliflower with honey and crispy chilli oil

My current favourite way to eat cauliflower is to roast them until caramelised and add home made chilli oil and a drizzle of honey in the last few minutes creating a sweet, spicy and crunchy experience. The crunch comes from the crispy garlic and ginger.

Get creative with shapes and colours

Presentation matters! Use cookie cutters to transform vegetables into fun shapes or create colourful veggie skewers. Kids (and adults) are more likely to enjoy vegetables when they look visually appealing.

A drink made using beetroots, blackberries and currants is delicious and beautiful to look at.

Beetroot, currant and blackberries cocktail

Add cheese, spices or sauce

A bit of cheese or a flavourful sauce can work wonders in making vegetables more enticing. Think creamy cheese sauce over steamed broccoli or a tangy dressing over a mixed salad.

I tolerated cauliflower until I fell in love with it after eating it at Grantley Hall’s Restaurant & Bar 88; it was paired with a satay sauce and a lime gel resulting in a divine dish.

I love enhancing boiled potatoes by finishing them in finely chopped spring onions, onions, mustard seeds, salt and chilli flakes fried in a tablespoon of oil for 90 seconds.

Toss the potatoes in and coat with the seasoning. If you are not into spice, mix ground black pepper, salt, lemon juice and olive oil with chopped parsley to make a dressing for your boiled potatoes. Alternatively toss in onions sautéed with sun or semi dried tomatoes with some fresh basil.

Sweetcorn fritters in a red pepper purée with spiced potato

Involve fussy eaters in cooking

Let fussy eaters participate in meal preparation. When children have a hand in cooking, they are more likely to try new foods and develop a positive attitude towards vegetables.

Ask how they would like it; I am not a fan of raw tomatoes or peppers even though I would eat them. I swap them for the sun-dried version, or I part cook my veggies before adding them to salads.

Finally, be adventurous

For every vegetable you don’t like, there is another ten you can try. To make homemade pasta more special, add blended beetroot to the dough to get a beautiful hue and pare this with a simple pesto or red sauce garnished with fresh basil for a beautiful and elegant dish.

It’s time to experiment with flavours and spices to help us fall in love with vegetables. Let me know if you have a recipe that will make me fall in love with Brussels sprouts and I will cook it and share it in a future post.

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Editor’s Pick of the Week: Pierce Brosnan in Harrogate, Otley Road cycling revival and vanishing apostrophes

Traffic to our site and app soared this week — not, alas, because of our painstakingly assembled mayoral candidate interviews — but because of an influx of celebrities in Harrogate.

Firstly, James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was spotted drinking in the Fat Badger. A colleague was gutted to later discover she was there at the same time, and even more gutted when she found out four days later she’d missed him again at Rudding Park.

Then Morrissey added to his elusive magic by being photographed on a remote street called Cut Throat Lane in Shaw Mills, which seemed about as likely as the Otley Road cycleway expansion being revived — which then proceeded to also happen this week.

Perhaps the only quirkier story was the news that it’s now council policy to eliminate all apostrophes from road signs. I’ve been canvassing reaction, which you can read here.

Rachel Woolford, who owns fitness venture North Studio on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate, was catapulted into fame this week when Lord Sugar hired her on The Apprentice, which led to another spike in traffic on Thursday night.

Here’s a story worth keeping an eye on: North Yorkshire Council issued its ‘call for sites’ this week as part of the process to draw up a new planning blueprint for the county. Where the boundaries are drawn will have huge significance for years to come.

Finally if, like me, you’ve eaten at the The General Tarleton at Ferrensby, once a well known foodie hotspot, you may have noticed it was put on the market this week after being closed for several months.

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Otley Road cycleway extension: a welcome boost for active travel or a costly folly?

When transport chief Cllr Keane Duncan announced last year phase two of the Otley Road cycleway had been scrapped, it appeared to signal the end of the project.

It therefore came as a surprise this week when Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association‘s spring meeting, attended by North Yorkshire Council officers, heard the scheme had been revived.

So what has changed and is the prospect of extending the shared route for cyclists and pedestrians a welcome step forward for active travel or a costly folly?

The cycleway was due to be built in three phases and form part of a safe, off-road cycling route from Harrogate Rail Station to Cardale Park, encouraging people to get out of cars in an area where 4,000 homes are being built.

Phase one, from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road, was completed late and over budget.

Phase two was supposed to extend east from Cold Bath Road to Beech Grove, eventually connecting to a yet-to-be-built cycleway on Victoria Avenue.

Phase three, extending west from Harlow Moor Drive to Cardale Park, was never officially abandoned but the political will to proceed appeared to have been sapped. So reviving it has attracted considerable debate in recent days, although the route will now only extend 1.1km up Otley Road to Harlow Carr.

The junction of Otley Road and Harlow Moor Road, showing where the cycleway would be extended.

Phase three will be funded by developers as mitigation for building homes in west Harrogate, whereas phase two was due to be funded by the council, which has struggled to secure funding for active travel schemes. This goes a long way to explaining why phase three is going ahead rather than phase two.

Also, unlike previous phases, there won’t be a specific consultation on phase three, limiting the prospect of dissent.

Hapara has distributed leaflets to residents about the plans and clearly isn’t a fan.

The leaflet says:

“The general view of this scheme is that it will not deliver any real benefits to mitigate against the high levels of traffic on Otley Road which is how it was sold when initially launched.

“If the intention is to get more people cycling, which is a perfectly sensible aim, this scheme appears to be an expensive way of delivering the objective. Perhaps a better option would be to publicise the existing network of cycle paths to a greater extent.”

Some residents at this week’s meeting agreed and said the money would be better spent on improving bus services.

But the leaflet drew a stinging rebuke from the campaign group Harrogate District Cycle Action, which fired off a series of tweets that accused Hapara of “misleading” statements.

It is v disappointing to see @HaparaHgt putting out an anti-Otley Road Cycleway leaflet https://t.co/FYUk5bgtJv
If you are anti-cycle infrastructure, you are in effect anti-more people cycling more often @NeilHind @walkbikescoot @HKLibDems @HarrogateGreens 1/ pic.twitter.com/UHlHHa49Gc

— Harrogate Cycle Action (@cycle_harrogate) April 17, 2024

 

For example, the leaflet said construction would result in the loss of five trees around the junction of Otley Rd and Beckwith Road, which Harrogate District Cycle Action said “would only be lost if the council widens the road to create extra lanes for motor vehicles”.

The cycling group also said the leaflet was wrong to say there was a “strong negative public response” to phase two because 104 people told a second round of consultation they were in favour of going ahead while only 83 were against, despite the comments by Cllr Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways, saying the project was shelved due to its unpopularity.

It concluded:

“Overall, the individuals steering Hapara are not serving or representing the residents of the local area well by taking such a hostile stance to cycling. Hapara should be working with the council to create the best cycle facilities possible in Otley Road.”

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Hapara chair Rene Dziabas said:

“I am not opposed to cycling but I do think the whole basis on which this scheme was conceived was wrong. It was never going to provide the mitigation required on Otley Road.”

Cyclists are frustrated about the council failing to deliver on schemes in Harrogate and Knaresborough. While pleased to see progress, many share concerns that such a disjointed scheme on Otley Road will make a significant difference, particularly as without phase two it won’t form the holy grail of an integrated route around town.

Public consultation concerns

Cllr Mike Schofield not only has a political interest in the matter but also a personal one. As the independent North Yorkshire councillor for Harlow and St George’s, the cycleway is on his patch. He is also landlord of the Shepherd’s Dog pub on Otley Road, which the extended cycleway will pass.

The Shepherd’s Dog

Cllr Schofield said he had two concerns:

“Whilst I accept that appropriate legal requirements may have been satisfied I am extremely disappointed that no public consultation is to take place for the residents of Harlow Hill, Beckwithshaw and those who use the Otley Road corridor.

“Yes, residents can make their viewpoints known via the planning portal and searching through the planning application documentation but that can be like wading through a minefield whereas a simple consultation would make it more accessible and easier for residents.”

He added:

“I also have concerns around the developer funding, my worry being that developers of sites that are not on the Otley Road corridor may seek ways of avoiding their financial commitment to the scheme and therefore leaving the residents of Harlow Hill and Beckwithshaw with a substandard and not fit-for-purpose scheme as we have in phase one.

“It seems to me so much is either still undecided, up in the air or being kept very secret.”

The Stray Ferret contacted the council requesting more details about the scheme, including why it had decided to revive it and the expected cost.

A council spokesperson said, as the highways authority, it was a statutory consultee in the planning application process and not the promoters of any of the off-site mitigation measures being offered.

Allan McVeigh, the council’s head of network strategy, added:

“The third phase of Otley Road cycle route has been progressed as part of developer-funded off-site works linked to the west of Harrogate planning applications, rather than a scheme promoted by the council.

“The planning application process will form the consultation, as is the case for all other off-site highway works put forward by developers. The timescale for construction will depend on how the applications progress and are determined.”

The cycle route is back on the agenda. But the route ahead remains unclear.

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North Yorkshire mayoral election: Where do the candidates differ?

As the race to become York and North Yorkshire’s first mayor heats up, candidates have outlined their pledges and promises.

The six candidates contesting the election have published manifestos and pledges which range from the economy to climate change.

Some are eye catching, while others are modest.

The mayor will have an investment fund of £18 million per year, which will go towards powers such as transport, housing and skills.

As candidates go into their last week of campaigning, we look at their pledges and analyse where they differ from each other.

Grand Hotel

Conservative candidate Keane Duncan has unveiled ambitious promises as part of his campaign.

These range from free car parking to introducing facial recognition cameras in North Yorkshire to help tackle crime.

But perhaps his most eye catching pledge is to purchase the Grand Hotel in Scarborough, which first opened in 1867, in order to restore it.

Mr Duncan admitted in a press release that the plan was “radical” and that he would use new mayoral funding to purchase the hotel.

He added that, while he was keen to agree a sale price, he would resort to compulsory purchase powers if necessary.

Keane Duncan

The mayor will have the power to compulsory purchase land for development. However, the mayoral investment fund, which could be used for the project, only extends to £18 million.

The project raises questions over how exactly the hotel would be paid for, what the price would be and how much the regeneration would cost.

Mr Duncan’s pledge echoes that of a similar project carried out by Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, and the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

In 2018, Mr Houchen and the combined authority purchased Durham Tees Valley Airport for £40 million in order to bring it back into public ownership and prevent it being sold for housing.

Railway stations

Among the various pledges included in Felicity Cunliffe-Lister’s 26-page manifesto is a pledge to lobby for a new railway station at Flaxby.

The promise is unique as no other candidate has mentioned the station specifically.

The Lib Dem candidate’s support for Flaxby Parkway has its roots in a long running saga over the need for a station in the area, which developers Flaxby Park Ltd promised in 2018.

The topic was at the centre of a debate for a new 3,000 home settlement in the Harrogate district, which was subject of a High Court appeal in 2020. The former Harrogate Borough Council later settled instead on an area in Hammerton and Cattal, which will be called Maltkiln.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister

Ms Cunliffe-Lister made the pledge as part of a wider need for “faster and more reliable service across the north”.

Lobbying for the station would be the extent of her power, should she be elected mayor.

However, funding and business cases for some stations have been secured through partnerships between local authorities and developers. 

Recently, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and developer Munroe K secured £26.5 million worth of funding for a station at the White Rose centre in Leeds.

Paul Haslam, who is standing as an independent candidate, has also called for a new station at Claro Road in Harrogate and Mr Duncan, the Conservative candidate, has called for Haxby station to reopen.

The mayor themselves does not have any power to build new stations.

However, as the figurehead of the region’s combined authority, she would have the power to lobby the Department for Transport, local authorities and other government agencies, such as Network Rail, to consider such a project.

Meanwhile, both Mr Haslam and Ms Cunliffe-Lister have also made pledges for a single transferrable ticket on transport across North Yorkshire – which the mayor could include in their transport strategy.

Mayor funds

Both the Labour Party and Green Party have pledged to create mayoral funds to help businesses in York and North Yorkshire.

Creating funds for businesses would likely come from the mayoral investment fund, which will be £18 million for the next financial year.

Labour’s David Skaith has pledged a high street fund, while Kevin Foster of the Green Party has promised an innovation fund.

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Mr Skaith’s announcement included a promise to provide access to support for high street businesses. However, it appears to stop short of putting a figure on how much money would be available.

Meanwhile, Mr Foster said his fund would see £1 million allocated from the mayor’s budget for the next financial year.

Such a move would require discussions with combined authority officials, as Mr Foster acknowledged to the Stray Ferret in a recent interview.

Both pledges would also require support from the combined authority board, as would any proposal drawn up by the mayor.

A59 compensation

The closure of the A59 at Kex Gill has been a contentious issue, not least due to the complaints of business owners on their trade.

Keith Tordoff, the Pateley Bridge-based independent candidate, has sought to capitalise on the issue.

Among his many pledges, he has promised a compensation fund for businesses on the A59.

He said the money would come from wealthy people, businesses and charities in order to invest in the region and would be separate from the £18 million investment fund.

While the closure at Kex Gill is a matter for North Yorkshire Council, such a move from the mayor would need support from the combined authority board – including the two members from North Yorkshire Council.

Photo: Mayoral candidates (clockwise, from top left) Keane Duncan, David Skaith, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Paul Haslam, Kevin Foster and Keith Tordoff.

Dog owners urged to be ‘vigilant’ amid reported ‘poisoning’ at reservoir near Harrogate

Yorkshire Water has urged dog owners to be “vigilant” after reports of multiple dogs being poisoned at a reservoir near Harrogate.

Owners have taken to social media to report suspected poisoning when walking at Lindley Wood Reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, Harrogate.

Leeds man James Bevan lost his Cockerpoo, Winston, to acute kidney failure from toxic poisoning. The five-year-old dog ate something toxic on Sunday, April 7, at the reservoir and died eight days later.

Winston was a healthy award-winning agility dog and Mr Bevan said in a post on social media:

“Please do not walk in Lindley Wood at the moment with your dog. Tell people who do about this as it can’t be a coincidence and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

“I don’t have the words to do this justice right now. Maybe I never will. Everyone knows what he meant to us. My boy. My best friend. My team mate. My world. He changed our lives completely and made everyone who met him love him.”

Other dog owners have also taken to social media to warn walkers about the reservoir. Another dog who died from similar circumstances after being walked at the site was a puppy named Bear.

Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.

The company told the Stray Ferret that it was aware of the reports, but at this stage there has been no substance found.

However, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.

They said:

“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”

The Stray Ferret has also approached North Yorkshire Police for comment.

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Harrogate team take on coast-to-coast cycle on a quadtandem

Four people from the Harrogate district have set out on a coast-to-coast quadtandem challenge for charity.

Thebike ride along 170 mile Way Of The Roses began yesterday in Morecambe at 8am and is set to end tomorrow evening in Bridlington.

The team are raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Their target is £5,000 and will be split between the charities.

On the way the team have passed through Pateley Bridge and Ripon, they stayed in Applewick last night and will dismount in York tonight.

The quadtandem is handmade using parts from four scrap bikes that the team found on scrap piles and Facebook marketplace, which have been welded together. The creation took a few months to complete.

The team is made up of Pete Wyldbor, riding in first position, Tom Hardy, in second, Ed Yates in third and Paul Abbott at the rear.

The team on their 170 mile ride

The team have honoury members in the form of their substitute rider, Ian Lythe, who will take over third position tomorrow, and John Marshall, the team’s top supporter and is at the ready with spare parts.

The team are all from the district, with members from Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Scotton.

The challenge began as an idea from Mr Wyldbor, 40, who crafted the four-person bike. He revealed the inspiration behind the challenge was the 2006 film ‘Beerfest’, in a scene where five people ride one bike.

Mr Wyldbor said:

“I just thought I’d make one, just for something to do and it all escalated from there. It is a mad idea so I thought it would be good to put it to use for worthwhile charities. If we were doing it for the sake of it that would be nuts.

“We all know someone, friends or family who have been touched by cancer in the past and you really never know when you might need an air ambulance.

“None of us are cyclists and the weather has been against us, we are tired and the hills have been horrific, I will be scrapping the bike when we are done, but we are keeping going for good causes.”

The team at Morcambe, the start of their challenge

To donate to the team’s fundraiser click here.

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The businessman tasked with winning Labour the North Yorkshire mayoral election

David Skaith is tasked with winning York and North Yorkshire’s mayoral election for Labour in under two weeks’ time.

The York-based businessman joined the party in 2015 after becoming “fed up” with the way the country was going politically.

Born and raised in Harrogate, Mr Skaith studied at York St John University and later set up his men’s clothing brand, Winstons of York, in the city. He has run the business for eight years.

After an unsuccessful campaign to win a seat on Labour-run City of York Council in 2023, he is now tasked with making the first Mayor of York and North Yorkshire a Labour one.

In an interview with the Stray Ferret, he says he sees the role as one that is more business-orientated, rather than political.

He said:

“I wanted to stand because I see it as different to a traditional political role, such as an MP or a councillor.

“It lends itself to someone who has come from a business background. It’s a job that is about representing York and North Yorkshire, showing leadership and bringing organisations together.”

Mr Skaith meets Lilla Bathurst, Ripon BID manager, on a visit to Ripon.

Mr Skaith meets Lilla Bathurst, Ripon BID manager, on a visit to Ripon.

Mr Skaith, who is also chair of the York High Street Forum, has focussed many of his pledges on helping people and businesses.

Inspired by a similar scheme in neighbouring West Yorkshire, he has promised to introduce a cost of living support fund to help those who are struggling financially.

He has also announced that his term as mayor would also include a high street fund which will be designed to support businesses financially and strategically.

“That [the high street fund] is going to bring in support and investment to support our high streets across the region.

“I know growing up in Harrogate that Harrogate town centre is not maybe where it was a few years ago. A lot of town centres and high streets are the same, even in York as well.”

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Mr Skaith says he is confident going into the election May 2.

He points to the resurgence of Labour in the national polls, plus the fact that the party has mayors in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

Mr Skaith says he has spoken to and met with current Labour mayors Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire and Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester during his campaign.

He said:

“They all see York and North Yorkshire as a real key area for the north because it is really going to join up the rest of Yorkshire with the south and west and link that east west connection.”

‘I want to be Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and nothing else’

With under two weeks to go until voters go to the polls, Mr Skaith says his team will continue canvassing across the county — including in Harrogate, which traditionally has backed Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

When asked why he felt confident going into polling day, he said that he hoped that voters would see him as someone who is passionate about the area.

“This is not something that I’m doing for glory and a title, it’s something I’m doing because I’m completely dedicated to it and passionate about it.

“I’m completely fed up with how the country has gone in the last 14 years and I think that passion is coming through. I’m not just another politician, I have some real world experience of having a business and a family and I think that resonates with people. It’s not just another career politician who is coming in for a pay day and onto the next step.

“I don’t want that. I want to be Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and nothing else.”

The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The full list of candidates are:

We will feature an interview with Conservative candidate, Keane Duncan, on Monday.

Rivers charity seeks volunteers to join River Nidd improvement project

A charity in Pateley Bridge is recruiting volunteers to take part in a project to improve the quality of the River Nidd.

Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust received £500,000 from Yorkshire Water last year after the company breached its permitted level of sewage discharge into Hookstone Beck, in Harrogate. The incident in 2016 led to the loss of fish and invertebrates.

The trust has now joined forces with the Wild Trout Trust and Nidd Action Group to deliver the iNidd scheme to improve the river and is seeking volunteers.

Charlotte Simons, senior project manager at the trust, said:

“The £500,000 payment has enabled us to redouble our efforts in monitoring the health of the River Nidd and its tributaries, which will help us target our restoration plan.

“The appointment of a river enhancement project manager to oversee this iNidd workstream means that we have been able to start building partnerships and are now ready to recruit a cohort of volunteers, who will be specially trained to support the programme.”

The charity is looking for 20 people to join the riverfly monitoring programme and monitor aquatic invertebrate populations in a certain part of the river.

Volunteers will be required between May and September. No prior experience is needed.

Ms Simons added:

“Riverfly monitoring is a vital tool in establishing the overall health of a stretch of river, since testing the chemistry of the river water only offers a snapshot of actual pollution levels.

“Animals in our rivers respond to water quality throughout their whole life span with many aquatic invertebrates such as caddisfly and dragonfly larvae and nymphs not able to survive in polluted water, so their presence or absence is a very strong indicator of pollution levels.”

The trust said all training, equipment and protective gear will be provided.

To sign up, email jennifer.lee@ydrt.co.uk.

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