Council sets aside £11m for A59 Kex Gill contingency funding

North Yorkshire County Council has set aside £11 million to cover any contingencies for a major realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill.

The project is set to cost £68.8 million and construction was due to start this month, but no precise date has been given.

The authority awarded a £50.7 million to John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, an Irish civil engineering and construction firm, to build the scheme.

The project is due to be funded by a £56.1 million grant from the Department for Transport, with the council covering the rest from its reserves.

Now, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, has confirmed that £11 million has been factored into the £68 million budget to cover any issues with ground conditions or bad weather.

Cllr Duncan said:

“The re-alignment of Kex Gill will undoubtedly be one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects. The road has been identified by the government as one of the most important strategic routes nationally and this project is vital to maintaining east-west connectivity.

“Within the budget of £68.8 million there is an £11 million contingency. This includes a contingency for both price inflation and potential construction issues that may arise such as unexpected ground conditions or prolonged bad weather. The risk of price inflation sits with the contractor and this has been factored into the total bid price.

“There is always the risk of cost increases on any major construction project, however, we believe we have secured as much certainty as we can.”


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It comes as senior county council officials have warned about the risk involved with the authority’s major projects amid soaring inflation.

Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, warned previously that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.

The last update said contractors were expected to move on site this month to clear the moorland by late February next year, to avoid the bird nesting season. The estimated completion date is May 2025.

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The project has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2 million to £68.8 million, which the council attributes to due to inflation affecting constructions costs.

It therefore approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5 million to £12.7 million, given the DfT grant is fixed.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Chamber holds ‘Business Safari’ on Monday

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal


Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will hold a December ‘Business Safari’ meeting.

The event at Harrogate Ladies College on Monday, December 12,   is also being opened up to Harrogate BID levy payers.

Sue Kramer, Harrogate Chamber of Commerce President, said:

“Our December Business Safari will be fun, fast and furious. Business owners or their representatives are tasked with delivering short pitches that encapsulate the essence of their business, including any special offers and samples.

“We are excited as, for the first time, we are opening it up to BID Levy payers, so our members will get the opportunity to meet with even more local businesses.

“It is also an ideal opportunity to market their goods or services to a room full of potential customers and expand their business contacts.

“The event is a highlight of the Chamber’s calendar, and we are grateful to Harrogate Ladies College for hosting this latest instalment of the ‘Business Safari’.”

The event is from 5.30- 8pm.


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Thompsons’ chartered accountants is to sponsor the Rising Star Under 30 category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards on March 9 in the Pavilions of Harrogate will celebrate business excellence across the district. The ten awards will recognise all aspects of business practice. Four of the regions top business leaders make up a stellar panel of judges.

Managing Director of Thompsons, Gyles Behhood, said:

“Having been given the opportunity and trust to head up Thompsons back when I was 26 years old, the firm is a huge advocate for youth success in all forms. The value of recognition, hard work and achievements by young individuals is vitally important to all of us.

The Rising Star Under 30 award gives the drive, inspiration and encouragement to those who will soon be the key driving force in our everyday lives and who we will rely upon to continue improving and breaking through new boundaries.

“We are thrilled to be able to support driven entrepreneurs through The Stray Ferret Business Awards”.

If you want your business or staff to get the recognition they deserve enter now. 

Here we go! Harrogate’s Christmas activities begin tomorrow — here’s your guide

The festive season officially gets underway in Harrogate tomorrow with the return of ‘Destination Christmas’.

The town will be buzzing with the opening of the ice rink, 32-metre Ferris wheel, the carousel and 50 market stalls, plus more.

With so much going on we’ve put together a brief guide to the attractions, showing where you can see them and how much they cost.

Christmas Fayre

When: December 2 -11, Monday – Saturday: 10am – 7pm, Sunday: 10.30am – 4.30pm

Where: The pedestrianised areas of Cambridge Street and Market Place in Harrogate town centre

Destination Harrogate is bringing back Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which launched in 2021. It will be bigger this year with about 50 stalls to browse for Christmas gifts, decorations and seasonal foodie treats.

The traditional Christmas market, delivered by Market Place Europe, will offer an ‘eclectic mix of enticing stalls’ to complement Harrogate’s independent retailers, restaurants, bars and boutique stores.

Market Place Europe and Harrogate Borough Council, which jointly operate the Christmas Fayre, will also once again provide a stall for charities.

Little Bird artisan market

When: December 3 and 4 and December 10 and 11, Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm

Where: Valley Gardens, Harrogate

The festive artisan market will feature 70 local and regional traders and producers, who will sell a variety of arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.

Candy Cane Express road train 

When: December 2-11

Where: This year’s route has yet to be confirmed, but last year it stopped at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It also passed Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.

Cost: Free

The Christmas road train experience is also back for 2022, to transport festive revellers around Harrogate town centre while the market is on, with the Candy Cane Express co-funded by Harrogate BID.

Giant Ferris Wheel

When: December 2 – January 3

Where: Harrogate town centre, next to the war memorial

Cost: £7 for adults, £5 for children

The 32-metre illuminated observation wheel will offer views spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Harrogate outdoor ice skating rink

ice rink

When: December 2 – January 3, various times throughout the day

Where: Crescent Gardens, Harrogate

Cost: Tickets cost £14 for adults and £13 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets costing £37.50, £50 and £62.50 are available. Sessions are 60 minutes. There are also ‘relaxed sessions’ and parent and toddler sessions.

All new for 2022, the outdoor ice skating rink features an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments.

The bookings website says:

“Harrogate ice rink is magical for all ages, great for families, date nights, catch ups with pals, Christmas parties with a twist, skaters, non-skaters, those who want to learn to skate at our skate school or just enjoy one of the most fascinating spectator sports with a drink and bite to eat.”

Traditional carousel and children’s fairground rides

Harrogate Christmas carousel

When: December 2 – January 3, various times throughout the day

Where: Crescent Gardens, Harrogate

Cost: £3 per person. Bungee trampolines are £5 per go.

Crescent Gardens in Harrogate will take on a fairground feel again this year, featuring a traditional carousel and a collection of small rides for tiny tots.

The rides are provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s Parks and Environmental Services team.


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What the organisers say:

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“We’re thrilled to be bringing back Destination Christmas and to be offering an even bigger and better experience for 2022. We’re building on the success of last year and through working in collaboration with our partners, including Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID, we can look forward to delivering something really special this Christmas.

“Destination Christmas not only offers our residents the opportunity to enjoy an amazing Christmas experience, particularly following the challenges of the past two years, it also encourages visitors to the Harrogate district from further afield, bolstering local trade and boosting our tourism industry at a crucial time in the business calendar.”

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Once again, Christmas will be coming to Harrogate town centre and I for one can’t wait. Last year’s offer was a great success but I know this year’s will be even bigger and better.

“Town centres are recovering well from the covid pandemic and by working with our partners and stakeholders we can once again deliver a safe, vibrant and attractive offer that drives visitors to our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs this festive season, and showcase the Harrogate district as the perfect Christmas destination.

“The Christmas attractions also offer a fantastic way for families and friends to spend quality time together at this special time of year and to enjoy being active outdoors. And the all-new ice skating rink not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment.”

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:

“Harrogate is a beautiful and unique destination and the perfect place to enjoy our fantastic Christmas market. We’re really excited to be returning this year with an even bigger Harrogate Christmas Fayre, and to be bringing an exciting variety of traders into the town centre to offer a wonderful experience that all the family can enjoy.”

Where would you turn if you couldn’t afford to feed your family?

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is for Resurrected Bites in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Please read Vicky’s story about the charity’s community grocery below and give generously to support local people who are struggling this Christmas. They need your help. 

At 9am on a Friday morning, Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough is already humming with energy. 

The doors to the community grocery run by Resurrected Bites have just opened, but the volunteers have been here for well over an hour. 

Amid the scene of boxes being unpacked and food being moved around by a dozen people, I meet grocery manager Carolyn Aitken, who tells me: 

“It’s always manic on a Friday morning! It’s our busiest day.

“About 11am is our busiest time. We might get a bit of a break for a coffee, then it’s generally quieter through the rest of the day.”

The grocery was stocked yesterday, she says, with tinned and packaged food, but deliveries of fresh and frozen items continue to arrive throughout the morning. 

They mostly arrive with volunteers who have been picking up food from shops across the Harrogate district.  

Some are fresh foods about to go out of date, but perfectly safe be frozen to eat later. Others are tinned and packaged foods which will last for months more, but their best before dates don’t meet the exacting needs of supermarkets. 

Catherine Crompton is the warehouse manager for Resurrected Bites. She uses her professional experience in food technology and PhD in food science to ensure everything that is sold is still of the right standard, including being properly labelled with allergens. 

A delivery from Greggs is meticulously labelled before going on sale at Resurrected BitesA delivery from Greggs is meticulously labelled before going on sale

As well as the new stock arriving, there is a steady stream of customers coming to the grocery. To be part of the scheme, each has gone through a registration process, ensuring they are in real need. 

These aren’t necessarily people who are unemployed: some have faced a crisis, such as the loss of a partner, serious ill health, or a dramatic change in circumstances. Some simply can’t cover all their outgoings, especially as bills rise.

Carolyn said:

“We have had people who I know work, who use us. That’s all kinds of wrong.

“We give people the opportunity to pay in advance, so they know they can come every week and do their shop until the next time they get their money. It takes the pressure off.”

Members pay an annual membership fee of £5 and then a nominal charge for each shop: £3 for a small household, or £6 for a family of four or more. 

Food waste

There are shelves and cabinets heaving with everything you might find in a supermarket: tinned tuna and beans, dried pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, meat, fruit and vegetables, custard, toothpaste, nappies, cleaning products and more. 

There’s a counter of bread, cakes and other baked goods – all considered not good enough for supermarkets to sell to their customers, but all perfectly fresh and delicious enough to eat. 

Fully stocked shelves at Gracious Street Community Grocery

Looking at the amount of food here, it’s genuinely shocking to realise that it could all have been thrown in the bin.

Resurrected Bites has intercepted tons and tons of food waste since its first community grocery opened at New Park in Harrogate in October 2021, followed by Gracious Street in December. In total, 5,600 shops have been done by people who could not otherwise afford to feed themselves and their families.

Some of the people who rely on the grocery tell me they feel more comfortable with its model than with hand-outs, because it saves perfectly edible food from landfill – and because they pay.

Deborah Stocks began taking food parcels from Resurrected Bites during covid, when she was caring for her husband who had cancer. He died in late 2020 and, the following year, she began volunteering.

She collects donations from local supermarkets and brings them to Gracious Street on a Friday.

When we meet, she’s sitting with her mum, Jackie Lowden, who tells me:

“I’m on my own and I’m a pensioner. I live in a bungalow, but I haven’t put the heating on this year. I can’t afford it.

“Deborah told me about Resurrected Bites, and I thought, ‘that’s not for me’. But I can’t afford to buy food – it’s that ‘heat or eat’ thing.

“The good thing about this is that you do pay, it’s not just a hand-out. And now I volunteer too.”

Many of the volunteers are grocery members themselves. There’s a real sense of everyone pitching in to ensure it meets the needs of the community – and a very welcoming atmosphere to visitors old and new.

A big operation

But this is no simple set-up. There are 150 volunteers and five staff ensuring Resurrected Bites runs like clockwork.

They sort food in the warehouse, distribute it to the community groceries and cafés, check stock levels, help customers and ensure anyone who needs help can access it.

While Resurrected Bites takes plenty of tinned tuna, dried pasta and soup, it’s often short on ingredients for cooing and baking, such as flour and sugar. Tea bags are plentiful, but instant coffee is not.

To fill the gaps, Resurrected Bites has to buy supplies every week. They often come from national food waste charity Fareshare, which redistributes items from supermarkets and other suppliers.

Retired nurse Jennie Naylor began volunteering with Resurrected Bites during the covid pandemic, along with her husband Paul, and now helps at the community grocery once a week.

“We really enjoy it, while I would say being shocked at the number of people in this situation.

“It’s the meeting people. We both enjoy feeling useful and giving something to our community.

“We’ve enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers as well – they’re all just wonderful.”

I can’t imagine opening my cupboards at home to find nothing there, while my children are hungry and I know I can’t afford to buy anything. It must be incredibly stressful.

To know an organisation like Resurrected Bites is there to support you when times are tough must be an enormous relief.

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. 

Harrogate council set to agree to buy land for new horticultural nursery

A new home for Harrogate Borough Council‘s nursery could be bought by the authority if a proposal is accepted next week.

The council’s cabinet is set to approve plans to buy the land to relocate its Harlow Hill nursery — but the location remains under wraps.

Details of the proposed piece of land and its cost have not been revealed as the council argues they are commercially sensitive. However, documents published ahead of the meeting next Wednesday say the ward affected by the proposed purchase is Hampsthwaite and Killinghall.

The ward covers both villages, along with land to the south across Penny Pot Lane and down to the northern edge of Beckwithshaw.

The report by commercial and transformation officer Jennie Atherton said:

“Whilst the agreed value is slightly over the asking price, this is proportionate as the transfer would not be subject to an overage clause. This provides security for the council moving forward with the proposed development or an alternative use.

“Furthermore, the difference in value price secures the preferred site that could facilitate future operational needs of the horticultural nursery and enable the service to develop and maximise commercial opportunity including targets to bring net costs to zero and payback the capital investment in full.”

Harrogate Borough Council’s current nursery was described in the report as “no longer fit for purpose”. It was included in the local plan as a site for residential development and the council has agreed to invite expressions of interest in the site.

It has said any sale would be conditional on a new nursery site being available first.


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Next week’s decision would allow officers to proceed with site searches and stage one of the Royal Institute of British Architects‘ eight-phase plan of work for delivering projects.

While the purchase of the site could complete before Harrogate Borough Council is replaced by the new unitary North Yorkshire Council in April, work to develop the new nursery is likely to take longer.

The report said:

“The business case demonstrates that building a modern facility on a new site is the better value option with the potential for significant growth and opportunity.

“It is anticipated that the development and construction of the new nursery will be financed by a combination of several elements: capital investment funding, capital receipt from the sale of the existing Harlow Hill site, and nursery revenue and commercial opportunity.

“Note that whilst sufficient funding is approved within the Harrogate Borough Council capital investment programme to cover the purchase of the land and initial RIBA stage, further funding would need to be agreed once the authority has transitioned to North Yorkshire Council for subsequent RIBA development stages and the actual build of the new facility.”

Next rescue deal set to keep Joules open in Harrogate

Harrogate’s Joules shop is set to remain open after the retailer was rescued from administration by founder Tom Joule and high street brand Next.

The deal, announced today, will see 19 Joules stores closed with immediate effect — but Harrogate’s James Street shop is not among them.

More than 130 staff across the country have lost their jobs, but 1,450 have been retained. Next paid £34 million for the business, giving it a 74% share to Mr Joule’s 26%.

He said:

“After three years away from the operational side, I’m truly looking forward to inspiring teams with clear direction to excite and recapture the imagination of the customer again.

“Our customers have always trusted us to lead, not follow, with products that reflect their lifestyle. It’s important that we live up to the high standards they desire in design, quality and… the service they expect.

“I’m so pleased that we have been able to strike a deal that protects the future of the company for all its loyal customers [and] its employees.”

Next is expected to continue to sell from the Joules website, as well as adding the brand to its own site from 2024.

Marks and Spencer has already warned of a difficult time for retail as businesses face rising costs and falling consumer spending.


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Collision in Starbeck leaves man with serious injuries

A pedestrian has been left with serious head and shoulder injuries after a collision in Starbeck last night.

A silver Nissan Micra was turning right from Starbeck High Street onto Forest Avenue around 7.55pm.

It collided with a pedestrian, who was taken to hospital and remains in a stable condition today.

Police closed the road while officers investigated and have now appealed for more information. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are appealing for witnesses to the collision, or anyone who recalls seeing the vehicle prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

“In particular, we are appealing for any dashcam footage of the collision.”

Anyone with information is asked to email adam.smith@northyorkshire.police.uk, or call 101, select option two and ask for Adam Smith, quoting reference 12220212446.


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Crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe resigns from Harrogate Borough Council

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has resigned as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council.

The news has not been publicly announced yet. However, the council’s website confirms she is no longer a councillor.

The Stray Ferret was alerted to the news by another councillor and has attempted to contact Ms Metcalfe directly, as well as the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Harrogate Borough Council for further details. So far only Harrogate Borough Council has replied to clarify there won’t be a by-election.

A spokesman said:

“Under the terms of the Structural Changes Order we are unable to run by-elections to fill vacancies arising after September 30, unless the total number of unfilled vacancies exceeds one third of the whole number of members.  Therefore there will not be a by-election for this seat.”

Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative, was elected to the £74,000 commissioner’s role in November last year after her predecessor Philip Allott resigned.

At the time she represented Claro on Harrogate Borough Council and Knaresborough on North Yorkshire County Council.


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She did not seek re-election to the county council in May’s local elections but retained her borough council seat. Her departure today comes four months to the day before the borough council is abolished to make way for the new North Yorkshire Council.

Ms Metcalfe has strong local connections: she was born in Ripon and now lives in Aldborough, near Boroughbridge.

She joined the Conservatives in 2014 and has twice stood unsuccessfully for Parliament: first in Doncaster Central and then in Leeds West.

A fire service review she led this year generated controversy because of its decision to reduce the number of fire engines stationed at Harrogate from two to one overnight.

Advent calendar of offers and prizes from Harrogate businesses

Businesses around Harrogate have united to bring a daily offer to shoppers throughout advent and boost town centre trade.

Each day, a new offer or competition will be posted on social media as part of a project organised by Suzanne Vaughan – better known as the director of Enchantica’s.

While she will spend much of the run-up to Christmas dressed as Chief Elf Tinsel at the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience, she will also share the daily offers to support local businesses.

She said:

“We love delivering Christmas magic for families to enjoy but we knew we could do more for the businesses and organisations in our town and that is how the Harrogate (Social Media) Advent Calendar was born.

“Every day in December you will see Father Christmas opening up the advent door and sprinkling festive fun and magic onto a different business or event in Harrogate.

“Each day will see the reveal of a wonderful range of gifts, special offers and prizes for people to enjoy and together, working with all of the businesses and organisations involved, we have all helped each other to share all of the Christmas magic that we all have to offer.

“By working together we can all help each other and together celebrate the wonderful community of businesses and organisations that Harrogate is home to.”

The advent calendar has launched today with a top prize of a £200 Radley handbag from Hoopers on James Street, as well as discounts on fashion and beauty products. Visitors to the shop today also have the chance to win a family pass to Enchantica’s Father Christmas Experience and a family ticket to the pantomime at Harrogate Theatre.

To see each day’s offers as the advent calendar doors are opened, follow Enchantica’s on Instagram or Facebook.


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The Christmas Experience is held every weekend and during the school holidays until Christmas at the Cedar Court Hotel and is supported by Harrogate BID, as part of its efforts to bring people into town to use local businesses.

Simon Cotton, MD of HRH Group, which runs the Yorkshire Hotel and White Hart Hotel, in the town centre, said the advent calendar was a great way to support local businesses at a vital time of year in retail. He added:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Harrogate and shows just what we can achieve when the community pulls together.

“Christmas is such an important time for everyone in the town and we are happy to support anything that attracts people into the town.”

Mary, 87, retires after 47 years and 18,000 shifts as a lollipop woman in Summerbridge

A Nidderdale lollipop woman is set to retire after 47 years of helping children cross the road.

Mary Fisher, 87, is North Yorkshire’s longest-serving lollipop woman.

She has supervised generations of children crossing the busy Pateley Bridge to Harrogate road outside Summerbridge Community Primary School since 1975 — the year the Vietnam war ended, Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party and Leeds United were beaten in the final of the European Cup.

Now, after 18,000 morning and afternoon patrols involving thousands of children, she has decided to retire. Her last day is due to be December 16.

Nick Coates, executive headteacher of Darley and Summerbridge Community Primary School Federation, said:

“Mary will still be a regular visitor to school but in a guest capacity rather than a working role and is going spend her retirement taking it easy, gardening, baking with the odd bit of knitting thrown in.  

“We wish her all the best and of course, it goes without saying, all our love.”


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Mary came to North Yorkshire in 1954 with her husband Jim, and soon became firmly embedded within the local community.

In 1956 the couple moved to Summerbridge, where Mary worked at New York Mill and Jim worked in the building trade.

Over the next decade or so Mary and Jim raised their four children, all of whom attended the school. It was at this point that Mary’s relationship with the school really began.

Bringing the children to school everyday, it was soon noticed by the local ‘bobby’ that Mary would make a great lollipop lady and despite initial reluctance, she eventually agreed.

Two years ago, when she celebrated her milestone of 45 years, she said:

“One of the best parts of the job is that everyone recognises you – everyone always waves at me.

“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”

Now, after 47 years and five headteachers, she has finally decided to call it a day.