Man rescued from river near Ripon

A man was rescued from the River Ure at Sharow, near Ripon, today.

Firefighters were called to the river near Lowfield Lane at 9.39am this morning.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log, water crews from Ripon, Boroughbridge, Richmond, Harrogate and Selby “responded to a report of a male partially in the river”.

The incident log adds:

“The man was brought back up the embankment by fire crews and paramedics on a spinal board, to a waiting helicopter, for transfer to hospital with hypothermic symptoms.”

No further details have been provided.

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Harrogate police officer charged with sexual assault

A Harrogate police officer is to appear in court this week charged with sexual assault.

Joseph McCabe, of Kingsley Park Road, Starbeck, will appear at York Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He is accused of touching without consent at Scotch Corner Services, near Richmond, in August last year.

The 27-year-old officer is a serving North Yorkshire Police officer based at Harrogate police station.

He is currently suspended from duty.

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Harrogate Oak Beck Bridge project to cost £1m

A project to demolish and replace a bridge near to Harrogate’s New Park roundabout will cost taxpayers £1 million.

The scheme, which is planned by North Yorkshire County Council, will see Oak Beck Bridge on the A59 replaced.

Authority officials say the bridge is in poor condition and work was earmarked to start in January but has been delayed.

A contract valued at £1,067,929.93 has been handed to Leeds-based Howard Civil Engineering to demolish, design and build the new bridge.

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The company said on its website that work would take 24 weeks and access would be maintained over the bridge.

It said:

“Access over the bridge will be maintained throughout the project, with the exception of night works for surfacing.”

The Stray Ferret asked the county council if a start date for the scheme had been confirmed, but had yet to receive a response.

The A59 road on which the bridge is situated is heavily used by traffic, especially by people visiting Aldi, B&Q and Pets at Home on the Oak Beck retail park.

The volume would increase if Tesco is given permission to build on the former gas works site nearby.

First Harrogate church with solar panels on roof wins eco award

When it comes to being eco-friendly, churches don’t usually appear at the top of the list due to their age and size.

However, St Mark’s in Harrogate, which is believed to be the first in the town to install solar panels, is helping to buck the trend.

Now, as a result of its efforts, the church on Leeds Road has been awarded a silver eco church award.

Diocesan environment officer and member of St Mark’s, Jemima Parker, said:

“This silver award is recognition of the many leaps forward St Mark’s has taken to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to creation and environmental issues.”

The award also recognised the church’s links with food waste organisation Resurrected Bites, Harrogate Clothes Bank, the Car Free Sundays initiative and its renewable power schemes.

Church of England’s net zero ambitions

The Church of England has pledged to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030. It recently announced £30 million to support this ambition.

St Mark’s, Harrogate started its eco journey in 2011 when it installed the solar panels on its roof. Since then, eco improvements have continued.

Ms Parker, whose role includes helping churches across the whole of the Harrogate district to become carbon ‘net zero’, said:

“The 2030 target is quite ambitious considering the state of a lot of the churches. However, the Church of England understands that climate issues are an ethical and moral issue.

“Churches are very different from domestic properties in that they are often enormous spaces. Most of the carbon emissions come from heating.”

Ms Parker said as a result, churches were now looking at how to “heat the people” rather than the space, with some, including Fewston Church, now using ‘under-pew heating’, as well installing air source heating pumps.

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She added:

“The Church of England’s commission for things like solar panels has changed considerably. Obviously many of them are historic and listed buildings and it was quite difficult to get permission.

“Now there is a much greater understanding that they can be a real bonus for the church and the wider community.”

Andrew Jones MP to present award

On Sunday, Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones will present the award given to St Mark’s by A Rocha UK, a charity which measures how churches look after buildings and land; how they engage with their local community and in global campaigns, and the personal lifestyles of congregations.

Deborah Booth, St Mark’s environment officer said:

“As we become increasingly aware of the threats facing our natural world, St Mark’s has huge potential to raise the profile of creation care and facilitate and inspire action.”

As well as building improvements and community initiatives, the church has looked at ways to improve its surrounding land and provide a place for the whole community to connect with nature.

Developments include a new wildflower area, the planting of 50 native trees, a new prayer bench and a woodland walk.

Vicar of St Mark’s, Mike Resch, said:

“I want our ceiling to be the floor for the next generation, I urge us to leave this earth in a better place than when we inherited it. We know there is much more work to be done as we look ahead towards achieving a gold award.”

 

Harrogate district MP calls for end to Tory ‘leadership speculation’

Nigel Adams has called for the Conservative party to “put leadership speculation and distractions behind us” after the Prime Minister survived a confidence vote.

Boris Johnson won last night’s ballot among his own MPs by 211 to 148.

The result means Mr Johnson will remain as leader of the Conservatives and Prime Minister, however the number of his own MPs voting against him has raised questions about his long-term future.

Following the announcement of the result, Mr Adams, who is MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate, tweeted his support for Mr Johnson.

Mr Adams, who is in the cabinet and a close ally of the Prime Minister, said:

“Tonight, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won another clear mandate as leader of the Conservative Party.

“Now we can fully focus on delivering on the people’s priorities and put leadership speculation and distractions behind us for good.”

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Among those who voted against Mr Johnson was Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones.

Mr Jones said he made the decision after “hundreds of people” in his constituency wrote to him, with most calling for the Prime Minister to resign.

Tonight, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won another clear mandate as Leader of the Conservative Party. Now we can fully focus on delivering on the people’s priorities and put leadership speculation and distractions behind us for good.

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) June 6, 2022

Mr Jones said in a statement yesterday:

“There were many harrowing stories in those emails where people couldn’t visit elderly relatives or mourn them at their funerals. These were people following the rules the Prime Minister set and championed.”

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has remained silent on how he voted.

The result means that the Prime Minister cannot face another confidence vote for 12 months.

But it has been suggested that the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs may change the rules to allow for a vote sooner.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Temporary Ripon Road lights causing Harrogate queues

Temporary traffic lights are causing delays on Ripon Road coming into Harrogate this morning.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area as the lights are causing queues.

The lights are in place just past Jennyfield Drive coming into Harrogate and have been installed by CityFibre as part of maintenance work.

According to North Yorkshire County Council, the lights will be in place until tomorrow.

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Travellers leave Harrogate’s Stray

A group of Travellers who set up camp on Harrogate’s Stray have now left.

Six caravans and several cars arrived on the section near to Oatlands Drive on Saturday.

It is thought that the Travellers were on their way to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, which starts on Thursday.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is the legal protector of the Stray, was due to begin the eviction process today, according to the Stray Defence Association.

But the Travellers are believed to have vacated the parkland yesterday.

Travellers also parked on the old rugby field at Knaresborough three days earlier and remain on site.

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A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council confirmed that the travellers in Knaresborough were now subject to a legal process.

The spokesperson said:

“The travellers in Knaresborough are being managed through the legal process and a team will undertake a clear up (if required) once they have gone.”

Mixed picture for Harrogate town centre as jubilee celebrations end

The jubilee weekend may have been one of celebrations for communities but it was a mixed picture for businesses in Harrogate town centre.

The Harrogate Tea Rooms in the Westminster Arcade was among those to say the jubilee did not prove to be a recipe for success as it had its worst ever Saturday, after 10 years in business.

Tony Wilkinson, who owns the business with his wife Carrie, told the Stray Ferret:

“We had a good Friday and the Thursday was OK too. But Saturday was 70% lower than normal.

“We did open on Sunday, which we don’t usually, but it was very quiet.”

Despite support from customers on social media, even the celebratory high tea menu was not enough to draw patrons away from events elsewhere.

Not sure about where all the events were, but for us that was our worst Saturday EVER!!!

— The Harrogate Tea Rooms (@HarrogateTeaRms) June 5, 2022

Around the corner at Baltzersen’s on Oxford Street, Saturday and Sunday also proved to be quiet. However, owner Paul Rawlinson was philosophical:

“We’ve served a lot of guests and hopefully delivered a positive experience for everyone that chose to visit us. We appreciate the ongoing support of families in Harrogate and Wetherby.

“In terms of the business, we saw a hugely increased demand on Thursday and Friday but recorded quietest weekend days of the last six months over the weekend.

“Weather will have been a factor and the end of the school half-term holidays can often lead to a quieter weekends too. The differences largely cancelled each other out so in many ways it was business as usual.”

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At food retailer Cook on West Park, trade was also slow across the weekend. However, shop leader Mike Jarvis said the previous few days had been extremely busy as people stocked up ready for the bank holiday.

“We had such a big surge from Monday to Wednesday. Home deliveries were up for us too.

“We do a lot of buffet food and we had coronation chicken and Eton mess parfait – all good things for street parties.”

Working across the company’s shops in Harrogate and Moortown, Mr Jarvis said the picture was similar, as it was at Cook branches around the country.

Harry Gration opens the Little Bird Artisan Market for the Queen’s platinum jubilee in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Among those who did very well during the jubilee weekend itself were the traders at Little Bird Artisan Markets, which had events in Knaresborough and in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens. Managing director Jackie Crozier said:

“We are absolutely delighted with how the platinum jubilee celebrations have gone over the weekend. We have delivered seven events over four days including Knaresborough and, of course, Harrogate for three days.

“I have lost count of the amount of traders who have said they have had their best trading day ever.

“This weekend was just what the country needed and especially our artisan traders. It was so wonderful to be part of so many events working alongside local councils.

“As we have our regular artisan market on the first Sunday of the month in Valley Gardens, it was great to see so many of our regular customers returning.”

The weekend was also a success for the Harrogate Bus Company. Partnering with Harrogate BID, it offered free travel on its electric services between the town centre and Jennyfield, Harlow Hill and Bilton.

Managing director Alex Hornby tweeted that passenger numbers were significantly up on previous comparable dates.

⚡️ Amazing news following a busy #PlatinumJubilee in Harrogate: our #JubileeFreeway of free buses on #HarrogateElectrics saw:

⬆️ Thu +25% more customers than May Day
⬆️ Fri +51% v May Day
⬆️ Sat +60% above average of last three Sats
⬆️ Sun +34% above average of last three Suns pic.twitter.com/GGpzk6umGc

— Alex Hornby (@alexhornbybus) June 6, 2022

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID which also helped to organise the Jubilee Square events on Montpellier Hill, said:

“I was in town every day of the celebrations and there were certainly plenty of people around.

“Each of four days of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations saw thousands of people visit Jubilee Square.

“We deliberately didn’t have any food and drink concessions at Jubilee Square, as we hoped those coming to it would go into town either before, or after, and patronise our pubs, bars and restaurants – which they did!

“The ‘Jubilee Freeway’ brought passengers travelling on electric buses into town for free on Thursday through to Sunday, and the numbers riding these buses was significantly more than for previous bank holidays and the last three weekends.

“We also had street entertainers on three of the four days, which were very well receive, and again gave people another reason to come into town.”

Global role at finance giant Allianz for former Ripon student

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Global role at finance giant Allianz for former Ripon student

Former Ripon Grammar School student Christian Mackintosh (pictured above), who was born and bred in the city, has been appointed by

Mr Mackintosh, who is 32, graduated from Durham University with a BA in Modern Languages (German, Russian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin) where he was the founding vice-president and secretary of Entrepreneurs Durham.

A former t

The nature lover trustee of

Mr Mackintosh was a pupil of Ripon’s Holy Trinity Primary School before going to Ripon Grammar.

 

Double award success for Harrogate psychology practice

A psychology practice based in Harrogate has won two awards in the space of just a few weeks.

Evolve Psychology Services was named Independent Business of the Year at the Yorkshire Choice Awards, and Most Trusted Clinical and Forensic Psychology Clinic in Yorkshire and the Global Health and Pharma Mental Health Awards.

Founded by Dr Laura Powling eight years ago, the company offers neurodevelopmental, expert witness and wider psychological assessments and therapies.

Through its 28-strong team in Harrogate and Huddersfield, it works with individuals and families as well as courts, parole boards and immigration tribunals.

Dr Powling said:

“In 2021 we were awarded an NHS contract to support the NHS in significantly reducing their waiting times for neurodevelopmental (autism and ADHD) assessments in Yorkshire for children aged 0-19 which again have been impacted by COVID-19.

“This will make a significant difference to the children and young people, as well as their families. It’s fantastic that both the GHP and the Yorkshire Choice Awards have recognised this success and also the wider work we do within our communities in Harrogate and also Huddersfield.

“Awards like this help to raise the profile of the work we do and also the impact it can have.”

North Yorkshire Council chief executive to be paid up to £197,000

The chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council will be paid a maximum salary of £197,000, it has been revealed.

The new council, which will employ more than 10,000 staff, will come into existence on April 1 next year.

Seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, will be abolished, along with North Yorkshire County Council.

The chief executive recruitment process will be overseen by a cross-party chief officer appointment and disciplinary committee, which met today to consider the salary as well as the recruitment process and job description.

One of the committee’s roles will be to decide whether to appoint an executive search agent, at an anticipated cost of £30,000, to help the process.

A report on the recruitment process to councillors at North Yorkshire County Council said the salary package had been benchmarked against similar public sector roles nationally. The report adds:

“The sample data shows the pay for unitary councils of a similar size to North Yorkshire falls within a salary range of £188,000 to £216,000 per annum.

“However, the proposed salary limit for the new chief executive is £197,000.

“Set against the current combined packages for the eight chief executives of North Yorkshire councils, this would deliver an annual saving in excess of £1 million.”

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£30m saving a year

Ending the two-tier system of local government in North Yorkshire is expected to save about £30m a year in total.

Carl Les

County council leader Carl Les, who is chairing the chief officer appointment and disciplinary committee, said:

“Our new council will be one of the largest local authorities nationally, providing essential services to more than 600,000 people.

“The chief executive will need to manage a revenue budget of around £1.4 billion and the new council will have an ongoing capital programme of around £350 million.

“In addition to the vast array of council services and functions, this job also includes heading up the council’s commercial operations at a critical time.

The report to councillors includes details of the current salaries of council leaders in North Yorkshire. It can be seen below.

council chief executive salaries