Ghostbusters super fan George Hinkins, who lives with half a working heart, can now live out his dream of being one of his heroes for the day.

George lives with a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and had his first open-heart surgery at just 36 hours old.

The defect means his heart can’t pump blood to his lungs as well as other people and he struggles with oxygen levels.

In April, the Stray Ferret published an appeal for funds from Make-A-Wish UK to grant the wishes of 62 children living with a critical condition in the North East.

For eight-year-old George, it was a success. Leeds City Council will be helping to grant his wish to be a Ghostbuster for the day by transforming Leeds Central Library into a ghoul-infested haunted house.

The Yorkshire Room, in particular, will be decorated to fit the spooky theme and ghosts will be projected onto the walls. Members of fan group East Midlands Ghostbusters will also be there, dressed up to add to the adventure.

George will also travel from Harrogate to Leeds in the Ghostbusters’ iconic car, Ecto-1.

George Hutchins dressed as a ghostbuster

George said:

“When I’m in hospital, it’s a bit scary. But just like the Ghostbusters, I try to face my fears. I try to be brave.”

George’s love for the Ghostbusters franchise started when he was six years old. He took his Ghostbuster figurines into his third surgery in March 2020.

Rhian Isaac, senior librarian for Leeds City Council, said:

“It has been a pleasure to work with Make-A-Wish to bring George’s wish to life. George’s story touched the hearts of the Leeds Libraries team from the moment we heard it, and we hope that we can help create a memory that George and his family will remember forever.”

George’s family said more surgeries are inevitable and a transplant may be considered when George is older.

To find out more or donate to Make-A-Wish UK, click here.

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Sainsbury’s supermarket on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road looks set to remove eight manned checkouts to make way for more self-service tills.

Over the past decade, self-service tills have become increasingly the norm for shoppers.

A survey published by The Grocer last year found that manned checkouts were still the most popular choice for both men (42%) and women (39%), but 31% of shoppers now prefer to pay using self-service.

The Stray Ferret understands from a source at the Wetherby Road store, which is the largest supermarket in Harrogate, that it plans to replace eight manned tills with self-service checkouts later this summer.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson confirmed it plans to introduce more self-service checkouts, which it said would meet customer demand for the service.

She said:

“We regularly review the services available in our stores to make sure we offer the most convenient experience to our customers.

“This summer we will slightly increase the number of self-service checkouts at our Harrogate store so that we can meet customer demand for this service.

“Our colleagues are on hand to help anyone who may need support using them and we continue to offer manned checkouts for our customers who wish to use them.”

The spokesperson added that no jobs will be lost in the Harrogate store but staff that did work on the checkouts will be working “in a slightly different way”.

Read more:

• ‘We just want to make a living’: Harrogate cabbies hit out at new rules
• Oliver Bonas to open in Harrogate in September

Self-service checkouts are now ubiquitous in every major supermarket but they are not always popular, particular with older shoppers who like to have a chat with the person serving them.

This year a pensioner in London called Pat McCarthy launched a petition against Tesco, which is also replacing manned tills with self-service checkouts.

At the time of publication, it’s been signed by over 170,000 people.

Ms McCarthy, 69, wrote:

“What used to be a great shopping experience has now become physically difficult, overwhelming, and a ‘nightmare’.

“I love chatting with the staff, albeit briefly, especially as l live on my own. Talking with human staff is important to me. Now that experience has been taken away.”

The parents of three teenagers left “in tears” after being issued with a fine on a train journey have criticised the guard’s “heavy-handed” approach.

Freddie Fulford, 15, and his friends Evie and Oscar Bartle were travelling from Cattal to York on Saturday, June 3.

It was the first time the three had gone into York together and Freddie’s dad, Tony, said they were looking forward to a day out on their own.

“They jumped on the train with no tickets because it was in the station when they arrived.

“There is a ticket machine at the station, but they didn’t know you couldn’t pay on the train.”

Cattal Station

Once the guard realised the teens didn’t have tickets, he issued them with fines of £20 each. The teenagers said they were told in an “intimidating and frightening” way that the maximum penalty was three months in prison.

Upset by the fine and the threat of a criminal record, the teens called their parents from York station in tears.

Mr Fulford, who lives in Harrogate, said:

“They could have paid there and then or the guards could have said ‘buy at ticket on the app and we’ll come back in a minute’. It was just so heavy-handed.

“The obvious answer would have been to let them buy the tickets on the train and explain what they should do for next time.”

He said both families have submitted complaints and appealed against the fines. They had heard from other parents whose children had been fined for similar situations and had successfully appealed.

Read more:

• Harrogate rail campaigner ‘optimistic’ early morning train could be reinstated
• Harrogate district train station parking review a ‘lost opportunity’

Both sets of parents are in a position to pay the fines, he said, but he was concerned about other families who were not. He added:

“The main point is to stop it happening again.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Northern for a response to Mr Fulford’s concerns about their handling of the situation.

In response, Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said:

“Customers have a duty to buy a ticket for travel before they board a train.

“They can do so in advance via our app and website or, if they wish to purchase at an un-staffed station, they can do so from one of the more than 600 ticket machines we have installed across the network – one of which is at Cattal station.

“Customers should arrive at the station in time to purchase their ticket before they travel. Anyone issued with a penalty fare has the right to appeal the decision to an independent appeal service.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Experienced fundraiser joins Harrogate mental health charity

A new head of fundraising has been appointed at a Harrogate counselling and training charity.

Kennie Cheung, whose experience includes time at Oxfam and a cancer charity in her native Hong Kong, joins Wellspring Training and Therapy in Starbeck.

Emily Fullarton, the executive director of Wellspring, said demand for mental health care had risen and was continuing to grow since the covid pandemic. She added:

“In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at least once in their lifetime. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true.

“There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing. The NHS, which is responsible for mental health care, simply can’t cope.”

Wellspring offers affordable counselling from just £5 per hour to people who cannot afford to pay for private appointments and who face long waiting lists on the NHS.

Clients can have short-term support or a long-term course of sessions with a qualified counsellor, depending on their needs.

Kennie said:

“This is a dream job for me. The political situation in Hong Kong, combined with the fact that our son Samuel is studying at University of Leeds, meant that we wanted to relocate to England and, in particular, Yorkshire.

“Harrogate is the most wonderful town – and I count myself incredibly blessed to have found a job here, which is suited to my skills and which is so worthwhile. I look forward to making new friends and contacts here and to reach out to individuals and businesses who are keen to help such a brilliant mental health charity like Wellspring.”

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• Harrogate solicitors set to expand into York

Great British Menu chef appointed at Ripon hotel

A leading Yorkshire chef has been appointed to lead the pan-Asian restaurant at Grantley Hall.

Samira Effa will be head chef at Bar & Restaurant EightyEight, joining the five-star hotel from TRUEfoods where she was a senior production chef.

She is widely known for competing in the 2019 and 2020 series of Great British Menu, showcasing Yorkshire produce as well as her love of diverse cooking techniques and flavours thanks to her Iranian mother and Nigerian father.

The Huddersfield-born chef said:

“I’m honoured for the opportunity and so excited to be joining the Bar & Restaurant EightyEight team and know that with my breadth of knowledge across the industry, I’m ready to showcase some exciting flavours and bring new ideas to the EightyEight menu.

“I’ve always had a passion for food and with my parents’ rich backgrounds, it was common for us at home to cook together using traditional Iranian and Nigerian recipes – both of which are bursting with flavour. I can’t wait to get stuck in at EightyEight and bring my own flair to the restaurant which I know is a popular spot for hotel guests and diners alike.”

Simon Crannage, executive head chef at Grantley Hall, added:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Samira to the Grantley Hall family and are very excited to see what she brings to Bar & Restaurant EightyEight.

“Samira has an exceptional culinary track record, along with having a genuine passion and love for food that I know will translate into her dishes for our diners to enjoy.”

Pateley Bridge drama group puts on play about wartime bombing of Majestic Hotel

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society returns next week with a play set in 1940 questioning the cause of the Second World War bombing of the Majestic Hotel.

‘The Stray’, a play written by Nidderdale playwright and member of the society Keith Burton, explores what might have happened in Harrogate during the week before the hotel was bombed on September 12, 1940.

The play begins on Sunday, September 8 when Buckingham Palace was bombed. This triggered The Coats Mission – a top secret plan for the evacuation of the royal family from London.

One of the proposed temporary homes was Newby Hall, Ripon, with Winston Churchill staying at Grove House across from Harrogate Fire Station.

On Thursday, September 12 the Majestic hotel was bombed by a ‘stray’ plane as part of a larger raid. This was the only bomb to fall on Harrogate during the war and questions have surrounded its motive ever since.

The play centres around one possible scenario with the added drama of love, betrayal, heroism and espionage during the Second World War.

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Writer and director Keith Burton said:

“The Stray was originally commissioned as part of North Yorkshire’s calendar of events to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. These celebrations were massively disrupted by covid but it does mean that the second ever production of this play about the secrets of the Second World War in Harrogate will be by my local dramatic society – which thrills me enormously.”

During rehearsals

The play was previously performed by Harrogate Dramatic Society in November.

The play is being performed at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall whilst renovations continue at the playhouse between Tuesday, June 14 and Saturday, June 18. Tickets can be booked here.

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

Woodfield’s school’s planned closure a sad reflection of times

Woodfield Community Primary School is going through a consultation process to close at the end of this year. There is to be a public meeting on Wednesday 15th June at 6pm at the school.

Woodfield is, as the name suggests, a community primary school which serves the local population. It has been extensively refurbished over the last few years, has a large playground and extensive playing fields, It has a community library and children’s centre at the same site.

Why then is it closing? This is, like many things, complex. It is to do with poor management by North Yorkshire County Council, inexperienced acting headteachers, social media, Harrogate parents exercising their ‘choice’ to go to the ‘better’ schools, and finally Ofsted rating the school in 2020 as ‘inadequate’.

The Ofsted rating was the death blow for Woodfield. It meant the school had to join an academy but no academy wanted to take it on, due to small pupil numbers, leaving the school in a catch- 22 situation.

There was no attempt to alter this situation by the education authorities, who could have stepped in at this point as far as I am aware. The school is now almost certain to close.

Many people do not know of the existence of Woodfield. Many people will not be bothered. It is not the school that the affluent of Harrogate send their children to, it was a good, caring school around the corner with teachers and teaching assistants that cared for the children, but didn’t get the best SATs results.

I think it is important sometimes to reflect on what do we really want for our children.

Vicky Lack, Bilton

Read more:

• Public meeting next week over future of Woodfield school
• ‘We just want to make a living’: Harrogate cabbies hit out at new rules

Trying to order a drive-through coffee without a car

Yesterday whilst walking past Costa Coffee in Pannal I decided to go for a coffee. The restaurant part was closed due to lack of staff.

Upon walking away I noticed that the drive-through was open so I decided to ask for a coffee at the drive-through whilst there were no cars queueing. I was informed that due to not being in the car I could not be able to get a coffee. How does that work ??

Needless to say, I accepted that I was not driving a car. My options would have been to pretend I was driving a car or jump in the next car and ask to be a passenger.

We live in a seriously mad world where common sense has gone totally out of the window.

Amanda Finney, Pannal

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

This article is written for The Stray Ferret by celebrated Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam. 

It was in 1997 that the Duchy of Lancaster asked my help in tracing some of their most important missing archives relating to Harrogate and the former Royal Forest of Knaresborough. At one time, all of these records were stored at Knaresborough Castle, but during the Civil War, the records were removed and stored in adjacent buildings until they passed into the hands of the Understeward for the Royal Forest, Samuel Powell, when they were filed in the former old School House, next to the Castle, and where for many years the firm of Powell, Eddison, Freeman and Wilks had their offices.

These archives consisted of the records of the Royal Forest of Knaresborough, mostly in the form of rolls of court proceedings recorded on vellum or parchment. They ran from earliest times through to the reign of Charles 1^st, and the Civil War, as well as following centuries. In 1925, a change in the law caused the Duchy to remove the pre-Charles 1^st archives to London, where they were deposited in the Public Record Office in Chancery Lane. The post civil war material, however, remained with the Understeward in Knaresborough, where it was kept in the loft above Powell Eddison’s office. Over the decades, the Duchy archives were mixed with the records of the firm, and gradually became hidden under the piles of records that such an eminent firm as Powell Eddison’s inevitably created.

The Duchy material consisted of wills, land and property transfers, income from Duchy holdings, including farms, indentures for various services and agreements, letter books, surveys of land and property, maps, and various correspondence about grants and property. It was a treasure trove of life in the Royal Forest and greater Honour of Knaresborough. As such, it was of paramount interest to the Duchy to have access to it for the running of their modern business, which still involved them with considerable property holdings in the locality. Thus it was that armed with the Duchy’s request, and with the full permission of Powell Eddison, I climbed the ladders that led to a trap door opening into the loft of the former Old School House.

I was immediately faced with clean parcels of the firms own material, but beyond them on a series or wooden racks were many very much older parcels and volumes, the first one of which was a volume of Court records from 1623! Bingo! Next, I picked up a tube containing the hand-drawn proposals for the Great Award of 1778, which laid out the Stray. Then, a huge volume with the 1830 Scriven and Scotton enclosures. This was indeed the Duchy’s missing material, which was subsequently sorted from the material belonging to the firm, and  eventually removed to the Duchy Office in London before being mostly deposited in the new National Archives at Kew, mostly under classes D.30 and D.31.

I have in my life had only one “Indiana Jones” moment, and that occasion when I found the Duchy Archive was that moment, and for me, the find was infinitely more precious that all the golden relics or artefacts in the world, as it was lost knowledge, refound.

Malcolm Neesam.

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Did you know? 

The Stray Ferret has worked with Malcolm Neesam to produce two fantastic history audio tours of Harrogate.  Both last about an hour and are easy to do. The first will take you back to the golden age of Harrogate’s Victorian Spa days, the second will take you through the heart of the shopping district, stopping to learn about historic buildings as you go.  To take a look click here. 

Malcolm has also recently published a second major history of Harrogate. “Wells and Swells” covers the town’s Victorian heyday from 1842-1923. To find out more and how you can order a copy, click here.

A charity tournament with a friendly feel will return to Harrogate this summer.

The Saint Michael’s Cup sees teams of petanque players – from amateur to more experienced – compete to win the trophy and support the town’s hospice at the same time.

Teams of three can enter for a £20 donation to the hospice and will then be put in a group to play against others. The winner from each group will go into the knock-out rounds.

Although it marks 10 years since the first Saint Michael’s Cup was held in 2012, it has had a two-year gap thanks to covid. Organisers Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club are hoping there will be renewed enthusiasm for the simple yet competitive game.

Club chairman Nigel Clay said:

“We’re fortunate we still have support from Ellis Bates as our sponsor for the tournament. We’re looking forward to raising money for the hospice again, and hopefully meeting some new teams as well as those who’ve taken part before.”

The tournament will be launched next Sunday and run until September, when the finals will be held.

The new club headquarters in Oatlands

The launch will be part of the official opening of the club’s new base at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club (PAJFC) on the playing field next to Oatlands Junior School, off Hookstone Road. The event runs from 11am to 3pm, with the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opening the new courts and kicking off the charity tournament.

Club members will be playing against a team from Leeds, offering visitors a chance to see how the game works, and there will be time for social play.

Read more:

• Harrogate petanque club prepares to move home
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While covid may have put a stop to the tournament for two years, the club has seen a rise in membership. As a game which lends itself to social distancing yet is sociable, petanque – also known as boules – was ideal for playing outdoors when covid restrictions allowed.

The launch of the new venue with its 10 courts adds to the existing four at the pierhead bouledrome on top of Montpellier Hill in Harrogate town centre. Club chairman Nigel Clay said:

“The pierhead is ideal for social play and small groups, but lacks facilities. We have been working for some time to find a larger venue to host full club events and competitions.

“Oatlands provides all we need in terms of facilities over the summer, when we will use it, and for PAJFC during the football season.”

For more information about the Saint Michael’s Cup tournament, visit the club website or call Nigel Clay on 07735 388359.

With the warmer weather (finally) arriving, nothing beats a walk in the Harrogate district’s beautiful countryside with your four-legged friend.

We are truly spoilt for dog walks in the area – from the peaceful Nidd Gorge to the rolling hills of Nidderdale.

But all that rambling is guaranteed to work up a thirst.

To help quench it, we have put together a list of four dog-friendly pubs in the Harrogate district.

Obviously there are too many to possibly mention, so get in touch with your favourites and send your photos to nina@thestrayferret.co.uk

The Knox – Bilton, Harrogate

The Knox often crops up as a dog-friendly favourite, with furry companions being considered very much part of the family.

The pub’s website says:

“Dogs are more than welcome at The Knox, and if you ask one of our team members, they’ll be more than happy to bring your four-legged friend a fresh bowl of water. From time-to-time, we may even have treats available to keep your dog occupied and happy, just be sure to ask one of our team.

“We’re an extremely busy pub and we want your furry friends to feel relaxed, safe, and happy at all times during your visit.”

Sportsman’s Arms, Wath, Nidderdale

The quaint hamlet of Wath is in a wonderful area for walking; the circular route from Pateley Bridge is particularly good, four miles out along the northern fellside and back along the river.

Once you have stretched your legs, you can enjoy a refreshing pint and a spot of lunch in the bar area of this family-run 17th-century country inn, while your dog curls up under your seat.

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The Royal Oak, Staveley, Knaresborough

Landlady Catherine Audsley outside The Royal Oak in Staveley.

Staveley is actually home to a nature reserve, which takes you on a lone walk that stretches beyond the village. It has many wild and rare species of flowers and wildlife and is perfect for a summer dog walk (they are permitted on leads).

Once you have admired the otters, of which there are regular sightings, head to Royal Oak, a traditional country pub that reviewers on Trip Advisor have described as “the most dog-friendly place I have ever been to”.

The pub’s website says:

“A selection of local ales and various seating areas offer somewhere for everyone – even the four-legged friend.”

The huge beer garden is also very impressive if you want to catch some rays.

The Royal Oak, Ripon

Another Royal Oak, this time located in Ripon’s historic Kirkgate, this renovated 18th century coaching inn is a firm favourite with dog owners.

Enjoy a walk at nearby Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden and then head into Ripon for a wander.

The pub’s city centre location is a great base to explore this fabulous part of the district.

Dogs are allowed in the bar area and there is even a selection of dog-friendly tables in the restaurant if you have worked up an appetite.

A Harrogate mourner has said the current state of Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery is “disgraceful” and has called on the council to introduce more regular upkeep.

Trish Stephenson often goes to the cemetery to visit the grave of her cousin, who died last year.

She says the state of the cemetery is getting worse with overgrown grass in the garden of rest, dry patches and overflowing bins.

She said she has been visiting the cemetery for funerals for years but it is only in recent times she has found conditions getting worse. Her relatives have said the condition makes what should be a “peaceful time” distressing.

Ms Stephenson said:

“I’ve tried to speak to the council before but it doesn’t seem to change anything. The gardeners are cutting the grass every three to four weeks which is clearly not enough.

“It’s disgraceful. People go there to sit with their loved ones but the benches are covered in weeds and there’s litter on the floor. It’s not good enough.”

Areas of uneven and patchy grass at the graveyard

Harrogate Borough Council is responsible for maintenance at the cemetery, as it is for those across the district.

It said it was undertaking a programme to level out areas of its cemeteries that have risen over time and made it harder to cut the grass. A spokesperson said:

“Demand on our teams has understandably been high over the last two years but these works will now be prioritised. The team will visit Stonefall Cemetery in the coming weeks and address any concerns that have been raised.

“Some areas are being left to grow and not mown as we want to encourage biodiversity, attract pollinators and create habitats. We will of course continue to mow the grass along pathways and around gravestones so that mourners can pay their respects to their loved ones.”

Read more:

• Council starts legal proceedings against Travellers in Knaresborough
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Last year the council came under fire for similar issues at Knaresborough Cemetery and Kirkby Road cemetery in Ripon.

Mourners in Ripon said unmown grass had grown to such a height it was difficult to find and visit graves, and there were overhanging trees and hedges completely obscuring rows of graves.

Jayne Jackson began volunteering at Knaresborough Cemetery after feeling the council wasn’t doing enough. She said grass was  left to grow uncontrollably and tree roots were causing graves to collapse.