This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is for Resurrected Bites in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Today, Vicky speaks to a local family who suddenly found themselves without enough money to buy basic supplies. 

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

“People were really shocked to find out we were struggling. We had struggled very quietly.”  

Ickle Mills and her partner Paul Hobrough were managing well until 2021. 

He worked as a refrigeration engineer, while she had two jobs: one at Hotel Chocolat and the other at the Odeon. 

Suddenly, a change in circumstances meant they were struggling to afford even the basics. 

“It surprised a lot of people we went to Resurrected Bites. On the outside, to look at, Paul has got a fairly good job. 

“I had gone on maternity leave at work and I hadn’t realised having two jobs can be problematic. 

“All of a sudden, we were hundreds of pounds down a month on what I would have earned.  

“We were at the point of incurring a lot of debt. Thanks to Resurrected Bites, we didn’t. It was the only thing that kept us from having to fall into quite bad debt.” 

With a young son to look after, the couple were struggling to afford to feed themselves. 

Paul and Ickle became customers of the community interest company’s New Park Community Grocery in Harrogate. They paid £3 a week for a shop of around 20 items, including fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned food, and toiletries including nappies. 

The counters at the community groceries show how many of each kind of item can be bought in each shop

Ickle said: 

“We could do our food shop there and get stuff for the baby.  

“I had real problems breastfeeding and had to buy powdered milk. One of my items [from the grocery] was a £12 tub of baby milk.  

“If we hadn’t been able to use them, we would have gone really short. We went short as it was, but it meant we could get stuff for ourselves.” 

Not only did it help the family out financially, it also became a community for Ickle while she was on maternity leave. 

The warm welcome from grocery manager Sophia and volunteers helped her out on days when she was struggling. 

She has also got to know many of her neighbours better through going to the grocery, and has been able to bring food she may not have got while shopping on a budget elsewhere. 

As a result, son Kenobi has been able to try all kinds of new tastes, and Ickle knows she is also helping to reduce the “ridiculous” amount of perfectly good food going into landfill. 

Read more:

• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: ‘My life collapsed like a wicket’
• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: Making hearty meals from food waste

Now, Ickle is giving up her own time to help run the grocery, covering shifts when others are unavailable.  

She is back at work and the family still receives Universal Credit, which also allows them to get help with the costs of childcare, enabling her to continue in the jobs she loves. 

Her experiences have made her a passionate advocate of spreading the word about organisations like Resurrected Bites and being honest about how many people are relying on them. 

She said: 

“It’s the state of things now, and how much all the bills are going up is a massive worry to everybody.

“A lot of people are far too proud to say, especially in this town.

“I know my situation isn’t nearly as desperate as some others. I think the more people that talk about using places like these, the less people will be reluctant to use them.”

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. Thank you. 

North Yorkshire’s transport chief has admitted partially repainted bus stop markings on the A59 Skipton Road in Harrogate “look silly”.

The work was pointed out by local resident Alan Huddart on social media, who criticised it as a sign of “broken Britain”.

The bus stop in New Park is next to Kdcarpets and looks worn and faded.

In the middle, contractors have carried out work to reinstate a trench but appear to have only repainted where the work has been carried out.

Mr Huddart took to social media to ask Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire County Council, why the contractor could not have completed the rest of the markings.

He asked:

“Surely they could have done the rest?”

The bus markings pictured this afternoon. Picture: Lisa Galinsky.

In response, Cllr Duncan admitted that the work had left the stop looking “silly”.

He said:

“This really does look silly. Leave it with me.”

Read more:

• Northern bans e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards on all trains
• Harrogate train station becomes mobility scooter-friendly

Mr Huddart told the Stray Ferret that the work had yet to be fixed.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire County Council whether contractors would be returning to the area to finish the work.

In response, Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said:

“Utility companies are only mandated to replace lining on the section of road that they have excavated and reinstated.

“However, in this case the bus stop is no longer in use and the lining will therefore be removed as soon as possible.”

This article is sponsored by Harrogate Family Law.

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse in which a person attempts to exert an unreasonable, oppressive amount of control over their partner’s life.

Harrogate Family Law are specialists in this area and they are helping a growing number to resolve the difficult situation.

Abuse does not have to be physical or sexual to be an offence. Coercive control can include emotional and psychological abuse and can be very subtle, so is harder to identify.

By its very nature, coercive control can instil confusion and self-doubt in the victim, but Harrogate Family Law can help you be clear about what is taking place and prepare a safe route out of the situation for you and your family.

Andrew Meehan, director of Harrogate Family Law, said:

“We are getting clients from all over the country who are married to a controlling, narcissistic spouse. They have often been controlled financially and emotionally and have been kept in the dark about money. They often don’t have a clear picture of how much things cost and how they can afford to pay for things.

“We can offer advice and help them to move forward with a secure financial future.”

What are the signs of coercive control?

There are clear indications that the relationship you are in has spiralled towards coercive control, even if you have received no physical harm and the relationship is not necessarily “toxic”.

Coercive control happens when:

• You are isolated from your support system, i.e. family and friends
• Your activity is being monitored all day everyday – known as invasive surveillance
• Your freedom and autonomy is being denied – such as access to money or health and body freedom
• You are subjected to name-calling, shaming or criticism
• Your children are being turned against you, known as parental alienation
• You are subjected to jealous accusations

Mr Meehan has offered his three top tips on what to do if you think you are a victim of coercive control.

You are not alone

“There are a lot of people in the same situation. They are often conditioned to think there is no way out for them and they are effectively trapped.

“But their situation is something we see a lot of and something we can sort out for them. The situation is not hopeless.”

Get legal advice early 

“We have a niche in dealing with people who have been controlled by spouses or those who are married to a narcissist. We have got clients from all over the country and overseas looking for our expertise.

“Speak to a solicitor who understands how to deal with these kinds of people.”

Everyone’s situation is different

“Try to come to your first meeting as prepared as possible so that the advice we give can be as tailored to your circumstances as much as possible.

“This is difficult if your finances are being controlled. However, have a think about what you do know and we can take things from there. We can then be prepared to deal with what is most important to you.”

For a confidential chat with one of Harrogate Family Law’s expert solicitors regarding coercive control, call 01423 594 680 or email enquiries@harrogatefamilylaw.co.uk

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to create a county-wide local plan that will plot where housing and development can take place over the next 30 years.

Conservative councillors on the authority’s executive met today to approve the creation of the document, which must be finalised within five years of the new North Yorkshire Council forming on April 1.

It will replace the seven local plans that are currently used by the soon-to-be abolished district councils.

This also means the reviews that are under way on the plans for Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council will be halted. However, both documents will still guide planning decisions until the new local plan is created.

Harrogate Borough Council’s local plan says around 13,000 homes can be built across the district between 2014 and 2034.

Conservative Mid-Craven councillor Simon Myers, executive member for planning for growth, told the meeting that the local plan will be “hugely important to the economic vitality of the county”.

He said:

“It’s hugely important for the provision of housing and for many strategic matters. It is imperative we have an ambitious local plan for North Yorkshire and that planning committees abide by it.”

Cllr Myers confirmed that the new council will create six new planning committees to oversee decisions across parliamentary constituency areas, such as Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Skipton and Ripon.

Linda Marfitt, acting head of place-shaping and economic growth at the council, said the creation of a new local plan is a “great opportunity to deliver some of the ambitions the new council will have”.

She said:

“A plan-led approach will ensure the new council is in the best possible place to guide quality development and infrastructure.”

Maltkiln

While a review into Harrogate council’s local plan will now not take place, work on the Maltkiln development plan document will continue.

Maltkiln is the name of a new settlement proposed by the Oakgate Group around Cattal railway station.

It is set to have between 3,000 and 4,000 homes, as well as two primary schools, shops and a GP surgery.

Read more:

• New housing plan to be created for Harrogate district
• New Harrogate district housing plan should not be ‘tickbox exercise’, says councillor
• ‘Real solutions’ needed to west of Harrogate congestion, say residents

The development plan is in the latter stages of development, after being worked on for the last two years. It sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how Maltkiln is designed and developed.

However, Arnold Warneken, Green Party councillor for Ouseburn division, described the process of forming it as “rushed” and said residents have unanswered questions over the boundary of the settlement as well as the position of a new relief road.

He said:

“The whole process, from my perspective and the eight parish councils it will affect, has been rushed. I’m really, really keen that if this settlement goes ahead it becomes the exemplar it’s meant to be. 

“I don’t want it to be rushed, I want it to be right. I want to exercise caution before the inspector gets his hands on it”.

In response, Cllr Michael Harrison, Conservative councillor for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite & Saltergate as well as executive member for health and adult said: 

“We want the Maltkiln DPD to be right and planning in Harrogate could never be described as rushed.”

He added: 

“If we pause progression of DPD it ceases to be a plan-led approach in the local area. 

“The worst thing we could do is to stop the Maltkiln DPD because we’d still have to determine those planning applications.”

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for North Yorkshire amid freezing temperatures this week.

Lasting until Thursday lunchtime, the warning is for snow and ice which could lead to travel disruption.

In its warning, the Met Office said:

“Snow showers and icy surfaces will bring some travel disruption, [including] some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services, some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, [and] probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.”

The forecast for this week suggests temperatures are unlikely to rise more than one or two degrees above freezing during the day, with night-time temperatures dropping as much as five degrees below zero on Thursday night.

After the home match against Northampton Town last weekend was called off thanks to a frozen pitch, Harrogate Town is warning that its away game at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday could also fall foul of the weather. Supporters are asked to check for updates before travelling – and are being warned not to travel by train because of planned industrial action.

Read more:

• Christmas market cruise heading to Ripon
• Ferris wheel goes up as Harrogate Christmas countdown begins

In the second half of the weekend, the forecast begins to change.

There is the possibility of some snow early on Sunday morning, before temperatures are expected to rise throughout the day and reach 10C overnight on Sunday.

At present, the forecast in the week up to Christmas suggests the weather will be warmer and wetter. Temperatures could rise to around 6C during the day and drop to 3C at night.

The likelihood of a white Christmas in the Harrogate district remains uncertain at this stage, though in the wake of the recent cold weather, bookies have slashed the odds of a white Christmas being reported somewhere in the UK.

Tributes have been paid to former Harrogate mayor and long-standing councillor Jim Clark, who has died.

Mr Clark, who was born in Arbroath and later moved to North Yorkshire, represented residents on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

He represented the Harlow division on the county council for 20 years before stepping down in May.

During his tenure, he was made chair of the county council – a role he held during the covid pandemic when meetings were held remotely. He had previously served as Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, with Cllr Shirley Fawcett as Mayoress.

Mr Clark was a keen advocate for mental health and hospital facilities and represented the county on West Yorkshire Health Scrutiny Panel.

Paying tribute to him, Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said:

“Jim was a strong advocate for mental health services as well as the preservation of key hospital services in the county.

“This was highlighted during his time as the chair of the council’s scrutiny of health committee from September 2010 to May 2019, when he stood down to be appointed as the authority’s chair.

“His presence in County Hall was already missed after he decided not to stand for re-election at the elections in May this year.

“But the news of Jim’s passing is a huge shock to all of us who knew and respected him for the dedicated and talented man that he was.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family at this desperately sad time, and he will be remembered as someone who was committed to ensuring the very best was achieved for North Yorkshire.”

Read more:

• New foodbank planned for Jennyfields
• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: Ukrainian refugees relying on Resurrected Bites for food in Knaresborough

As well as a councillor, Mr Clark was a keen supporter of the arts and served as chairman of Harrogate Theatre for 10 years.

After standing down from the county council, Mr Clark had moved back to Scotland to be closer to family.

Paying tribute to him, Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council said:

“By profession, Jim was an accountant and a very accomplished one too. His interests included the theatre, being an occasional amateur actor as well as an active supporter.

“I liked Jim enormously. A passionate individual, a proud father and grandfather, a dry with and a powerful advocate for his community. He will be greatly missed.”

Students in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants to fund study equipment and travel.

The grants have been made available by Haywra Crescent Educational Trust, which has around £1,000 to share, and are available to those taking post-16 education courses.

The money is available through the proceeds of the sale of a former education property in Haywra Crescent, Harrogate.

As part of the scheme, eligible students can apply for a small sum to go towards books, equipment or fund travel that relates to study.

Read more:

• Hot Seat: ‘We are a proud school, independent-minded’
• Ripon Grammar named top northern secondary school again

The fund, which is administered by North Yorkshire County Council, is available to those who are who are studying at schools, colleges and universities outside the Harrogate borough.

Further information and application forms are available by emailing post16@northyorks.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is January 31, 2023.

No trains will run from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds and York for five days this week.

RMT Union members will walkout from today until Saturday (December 17) in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The strikes will be the latest to hit the Harrogate district rail network this year.

Northern, which operates services from Harrogate and Knaresborough towards Leeds and York, has warned passengers not to travel as no replacement bus services will be running.

Services will resume on Sunday (December 18), but Northern has urged passengers to check before they travel.

Meanwhile, no LNER services from Harrogate to London King’s Cross will run until Sunday.

A table issued by Northern warning passengers of days with industrial action.

It said in a statement:

“On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead – especially the first and last trains of the day.

“If you do decide to travel, there will be very limited services running across the whole rail network so remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected.

“There will be no rail replacement buses on strike days for Northern services and some Northern stations may be closed or have reduced hours due to the limited staffing and services.”

Read more:

• Northern bans e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards on all trains
• Harrogate train station becomes mobility scooter-friendly

A plan to convert the former Harrogate Post Office into holiday flats has been refused.

The Post Office on Cambridge Road controversially relocated to WH Smith in 2019 amid claims by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones the service was being “downgraded”. The building has stood empty since.

Proposals lodged to Harrogate Borough Council by Leeds-based property developer Priestley Group would have seen the building converted into 23 self-serviced holiday flats.

It would also have seen a commercial unit created on the ground floor.

However, the council has rejected the plan on the grounds the scheme would result in “poor standards” of residential amenity.

How the building used to look.

In a decision notice, the authority said:

“The proposal would result in poor standards of residential amenity for the future occupiers of the serviced holiday apartments. 

“The proposed development would have a harmful effect on the living conditions of its future occupiers, with particular regards to privacy, ventilation, enclosing feeling and overlooking.”

It added that there was a lack of information on waste disposal and whether or not the proposal for the retail unit would “result in a significant adverse impact on the vitality or viability of the retail offering”.

The developer said in a statement to the council that the proposal would secure an “active re-use” of the building.

Read more:

• Plans to convert Harrogate post office into flats withdrawn
• Police support Starbeck BT ‘street hub’ despite drugs concerns

Two previous proposals to convert the former post office into flats were withdrawn.

In November 2020, Harrogate-based developer One Acre Group submitted plans for 25 apartments and offices on the site but withdrew the application last year.

Its plans had been welcomed by conservation group Harrogate Civic Society although it was concerned about a proposal to build an additional floor.

Meanwhile, in July the Stray Ferret reported that proposals to convert the building into 11 flats had also been withdrawn.

North Yorkshire County Council remains “committed to moving forward” with Harrogate’s £10.9m Station Gateway project — with work set to begin November 2023.

It follows mounting concerns over the increased cost of building materials and how inflation will impact delivery of the long-awaited scheme.

Conservative councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways at the council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the scheme will go ahead but “elements could change” due to inflationary pressures and feedback from the latest public consultation.

Last month, Cllr Duncan sent a letter to David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, that made 10 pledges to the Harrogate business community following feedback.

These included a commitment for the new council to hold a full parking review and for regular meetings to take place during construction between business owners and the building contractor Galliford Try.

Cllr Duncan added:

“I have also made clear that if we need to change elements of the scheme due to inflationary pressures, we will not compromise on quality.

“The third consultation attracted more than 5,000 individual comments. This is a significant response, and it has taken longer than expected to consider all these responses in detail. I feel it is right and proper, however, that they are given the due attention they deserve, and this process can only strengthen the final design.”

Read more:

• £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway scheme delayed for another year
• Viper Rooms: council issues statement after repossessing Harrogate nightclub

The gateway project has been in development for three years and aims to make the town centre more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.

But measures such as reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic and a part-pedestrianisation of James Street have proved to be unpopular with some business leaders in Harrogate.

Inflationary pressures

Since the project won government funding through its Transforming Cities Fund with an expected budget of £7.9m, inflation and the cost of building materials have led councils across the country to revaluate major building projects.

Last week, West Yorkshire Combined Authority announced that projects including the Bradford to Shipley Corridor, South East Bradford Access Road, Halifax Station Gateway, Leeds Inland Port were due to be “paused” indefinitely for financial reasons.

Mr Simister told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was unsure if the scheme in Harrogate would be delivered.

A further obstacle was placed in front of the council this year when the property firm Hornbeam Park Developments threatened a judicial review after claiming a council-run consultation on the proposals was “unlawful” — which the council rejects.

Mr Simister said:

“We first discussed the gateway proposals in February 2020, that’s coming up to three years. It’s an awfully long time.

“With inflation rising you wonder about costs. The economy is conspiring against them and there’s also the threat of judicial review.

“I do want to see investment in Harrogate town centre but costs are going up. The council has guaranteed it will be a quality project. They are going to have to do more for less.”

“We are continuing the dialogue with Keane Duncan. I value the relationship we have with him but he does have to listen. Our door is open for him, but we’ll see what happens.”