Pret a Manger set to open in Harrogate tomorrow

A new branch of Pret a Manger is set to open its doors in Harrogate tomorrow morning.

The sandwich and coffee shop on James Street will welcome customers from 7.30am, signs in the window reveal.

Rumours of the chain’s arrival began to circulate at the beginning of the year, as reported by the Stray Ferret.

It was not until April the company confirmed it would be opening in the unit formerly occupied by Messums Gallery.

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Meanwhile, Skipton Building Society has confirmed its new Cambridge Street branch will open tomorrow as well.

The company has moved from Princes Street to part of the building previously occupied by Topshop and Topman, which has been split into smaller units.

Part of it is now a Sainsbury’s Local, and the remaining section of the building on the ground floor is still unoccupied, but an application has been made by Cosy Club for a licence to open a bar there.

Harrogate’s Old Courthouse could become townhouses

Plans have been lodged to convert the Old Courthouse in Harrogate town centre into three townhouses.

The building on Raglan Street was previously occupied by Stowe Family Law, which vacated the property for another site in town in February this year.

Proposals have now been tabled by Park Design Architects to convert the site from offices into two three-bedroom and one two-bedroom townhouse.

Six car parking spaces are also included in the plans.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the site was a “sustainable location” for new homes.

It said:

“Overall, the site is located within a highly sustainable area and will utilise existing car parking provision to serve the proposed use, with easy access to alternative means of transport other than the private car to support sustainable travel.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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The original building was built in 1857 and was initially a police house for the town.

This was later demolished and replaced with a courthouse, which was used by justices of the borough until 1991.

Stowe Family Law moved into the property as tenants in 2004.

Special Harrogate cat helps Jessica, 16, with seizures

A special cat from Harrogate is in the running for a national award for helping her companion Jessica Swift cope with various health conditions.

Jessica, who is 16, has a chromosome disorder known as 15q11.2 deletion, as well as autism, epilepsy, learning disabilities and disordered eating.

Her best friend is Max, a male seven-year-old tabby.

During the night Jessica sometimes has seizures and Max will run to her parents to let them know that she needs help. After she’s had a seizure, the devoted mog will cuddle up and comfort her.

Sometimes Jessica has to spend time in hospital and mum Zoe Curtis said that at such times Max is not himself, and that he paces around and jumps into her arms as soon as she gets home.

Ms Curtis said:

“Max and Jessica are inseparable, and they get so much enjoyment from each other’s company.

“Jessica can sometimes have seizures in the night, and we have an alarm to let us know when this is happening. But Max is often already on the case, running to us to let us know we need to come and help Jessica. After she’s had a seizure, he’ll cuddle up close to her, which is such a comfort for her.

“Max has his own health problems, as he has a heart condition which needs daily medication. Jessica will hold him while I give him his tablet – there’s no one else he’ll allow to do that.

“Jessica will have little tea parties for her toys, and Max always joins in. The love they have for each other is clear for everyone to see. In Max, Jessica has a best friend and a constant companion.”

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Max has been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2022.

He beat hundreds of other entries and is one of three contenders in the Furr-ever Friends category, which celebrates the bond between children and cats.

Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said:

“It’s truly heartwarming to hear of the incredible bond Jessica and Max share, and how they care for each other. Their story really highlights what an amazing effect cats can have on the lives of people of all ages.”

If Max wins his category, he will also be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year.

Bird flu forces cancellation of poultry classes at Great Yorkshire Show

All poultry classes at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show have been cancelled because of government attempts to prevent the spread of bird flu.

National restrictions remain in place and, with a confirmed outbreak in Nottinghamshire last weekend, the ban on bird gatherings will not be lifted in time for the show, which takes place from Tuesday, July 12 to Friday, July 15.

Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society had been working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to try to make the poultry classes possible, but said they now have “no other option” but to cancel.

Show director Charles Mills said:

“We are so sorry to disappoint our poultry exhibitors and really want to extend our support in these difficult times.

“Unfortunately, we have no other option than to cancel the poultry classes this year due to the restrictions, but we will be staging an egg show for any interested exhibitors.”

The decision will not affect pigeon competitions or bird of prey demonstrations, which will go ahead as planned.

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The show has previously had to cancel classes for other animals because of concerns about the spread of disease.

In 2019, pig classes were called off after an animal at another event showed signs of illness.

During the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001, the entire show was cancelled for the first time since the second world war.

This year’s event runs for four days – only the second time in its history to do so, after being extended in 2021 to spread crowds over a longer period.

Among the special guests will be Princess Anne, who will attend on the Tuesday.

Dog trying to eat sausages causes Harrogate house fire

A Harrogate kitchen caught fire yesterday when a dog jumped up to grab some sausages and set a tea towel alight.

Harrogate firefighters were called to Meadow Place in Starbeck shortly before 4pm following reports of fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:

“The fire started when the dog of the house attempted to jump up on a kitchen bench to snaffle some sausages and knocked a tea towel onto onto a hob that had just been turned off.”

The incident log adds that the smouldering tea towel caused smoke damage to the kitchen but it is not believed any people — or dogs — were injured in the blaze.

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Harrogate district patients feeling ‘catastrophic impact’ of dental crisis

Patients in the Harrogate district are feeling the “catastrophic impact” of the dental crisis on their overall health, according to a new report.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire, the NHS body representing patients, is demanding a task force be set up to address the crisis in the county’s oral health due to a lack of NHS dentists.

The report outlines the impact of not being able to access an NHS dentist on the lives of more than 80 residents in the county, including Harrogate.

‘Urgent reform’

The watchdog said the issue needed “urgent reform”.

Ashley Green, chief executive officer at Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said:

“The case studies presented in this report reiterate the severe issues facing people across North Yorkshire. To hear the drastic measures people have resorted to after not being able to access an NHS dentist is harrowing.

“The financial impact, the impact on people’s mental health and on people’s physical health – these case studies reiterate the disaster people across our county are facing.

“Urgent reform is needed, and we urge that something is done now — before the situation gets even worse.”

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A Harrogate case study detailed how one patient suffering gum pain called 10 dentists, both private and NHS, and offered to pay privately, but was told none were taking either NHS or private patients.

They said:

“I called 111 and was told to go and see my dentist, I explained I didn’t have a dentist and was told it was difficult at the moment.

“The pain was worsening so I ended up taking paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen, spaced out at regular intervals. I again called 111, and only when I said I was now taking three types of painkiller did they take notice.

“They said a dentist would call me at around 7.30am next morning, so be up and ready to go. No phone call until 1.30pm telling me to go to a practice in Harrogate the next morning. I went and was seen for a couple of minutes, confirming that I had a gum infection. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, which did clear up the infection.

“My complaint is that dentists are not bound to give a person in pain help. I have heard this complaint from quite a few friends now, surely they should be duty bound to see emergency cases.”

The recommendations outlined in the report include:

Nationally, Healthwatch England has led calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry and it will be announcing its next steps over the coming weeks.

The government said it was increasing investment in services to improve access.

Acute problem of NHS dentists

Last year, the Stray Ferret revealed that just two Harrogate district NHS dentists were accepting patients but both had a waiting list of at least two-and-a-half years.

The investigation revealed how acute the problem of dental care is for people on low incomes in the district, with one councillor describing the situation as “shocking”.

Meanwhile, a review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found that found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the district.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire is calling for people to share their views and experiences of health and social care, by visiting our website, calling 01423 788128 or emailing admin@hwny.co.uk.

Harrogate council opens applications for energy rebate to more households

Applications are now open for thousands of households to apply for their £150 energy rebate from Harrogate Borough Council.

There are around 15,000 households that must fill out an online form because they do not have a direct debit set up with the council.

Other people who have yet to receive the payout because their bank account name does not match the name on their council tax records can also apply on the council’s website.

The payments are to help with soaring energy bills and are being made to homes in council tax bands A-D.

Around a third of Harrogate district households have yet to receive the money, including some of those who will be paid automatically because they pay council tax by direct debit.

Those who are non-direct debit have had to wait until now to apply.

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The council said these households will need their latest council tax bill and bank account details if they want the £150 paid into their bank.

The council added:

“Your rebate will be paid into your bank account within two weeks of a successful application

“Please note that we will not contact you by telephone for this information.”

There is further funding set to be made available for households which do not qualify under the initial scheme. This will include people on low income in council tax bands E-H.

Separately, the government has also announced a £200 discount on energy bills for all domestic electricity customers from October.

However, unlike the council tax rebate, this discount will be automatically recovered from people’s bills in equal £40 instalments over a five year period from 2023, when it is hoped global wholesale gas prices will have come down.

For more information on how to apply for the £150 energy rebate go to www.harrogate.gov.uk/energyrebate

Harrogate chamber announces all-female line-up for June meeting

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has announced it will have three female speakers at its June meeting.  

The business networking event will include talks from Sarah Barry, chief executive of Harrogate Town, Rhiannon Wilkinson, headteacher at Ashville College, and Charlene Lyons, chief executive of Black Sheep Brewery.

Sue Kramer, president of the chamber, said:  

“For my first meeting as chamber president, I’m delighted that we are hearing from three inspirational women leaders.  

“I’m really looking forward to hearing from Sarah, Rhiannon and Charlene about their career paths, and it will be interesting to learn if they faced any challenges along the way.” 

The meeting will take place on  June 13 at 6:15pm at Harrogate’s Crown Hotel, and is open to non-members.  

Doors open at 5.30pm for informal networking.  

Rudding Park to host ‘dine in the dark’ 

Rudding Park will host its first ever ‘dine in the dark’ experience on Friday to raise money for Guide Dogs charity. 

Guests will be served a three-course meal whilst blindfolded, with the main course being eaten in complete darkness.  

The event aims to raise awareness of how visually impaired people experience daily activities, and educate people on the work of guide dogs in the region.  

Organiser and guide dog owner, Kim Murphy, said:  

“Even eating a meal without dropping the peas or knocking a glass of wine over is quite a challenge and that’s just one part of your day when you’ve lost your sight.”

Nicola Ridgway, community fundraising manager at Guide Dogs,  said:

“Dine in the Dark experiences are just a small insight into the world of sight loss, but people often come away feeling enlightened and more aware of the challenges people with vision impairment face day to day.” 

The evening will take place from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are available here. 

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Harrogate district MP: ‘Time for Boris to get on with the job’

Nigel Adams is the only Harrogate district MP to comment so far on the publication of the long-awaited Sue Gray report.

The senior civil servant found that many of the parties in Downing Street “should not have been allowed to happen”.

The report included details of vomiting and parties lasting until 4am whilst the UK was under covid restrictions.

Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes several Harrogate district villages, is a member of the cabinet and a key ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He tweeted this afternoon:

“The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report and has apologised again.

“He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges including the cost of living and Ukraine crisis and delivering for the country and for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.”

Other cabinet ministers including Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab and Nadine Dorries all tweeted similar messages of support for the Prime Minister at the same time.

The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report & has apologised again.

He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges inc cost of living & Ukraine crisis & delivering for the country & for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) May 25, 2022

What have Andrew Jones and Julian Smith said?

The Stray Ferret asked the two other Tory MPs in the district, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith for their response to the report but we did not get a reply.

In January during a Commons debate, Mr Jones said the Sue Gray report should be published in full.

In the same month, an email to a constituent revealed Mr Jones thoughts on ‘partygate’ scandal. The MP said: “I take the maxim ‘lawmakers can’t be lawbreakers’ seriously.”

Mr Jones said if criminal actions were found then “consequences must flow from that”.

“In respect of the investigation announced by the Prime Minister in December, if this finds wrongdoing, and the police find that these actions were criminal, then consequences must flow from that.”

Julian Smith is yet to comment publicly on the report.

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Harrogate residents question police’s 18-hour silence after gunshot reports

A number of Harlow Hill residents have questioned why North Yorkshire Police took 18 hours to offer any reassurance to families after alleged gunshot last weekend.

Residents have also criticised police claims that they responded immediately, saying armed officers took about 45 minutes to arrive and the police helicopter was deployed later still.

Police say they were called to reports of “loud bangs” in the Pinewoods at 5.01pm on Friday.

Armed officers attended and were stood down shortly after 7pm. But another 16 hours passed until police issued a five-paragraph media statement at 11.04am the following day.

Armed police are at the Pinewoods this evening

An armed officer at the Pinewoods entrance on Friday.

The Stray Ferret has received calls from several residents saying children had been playing in the Pinewoods at the time of the noises and people were frightened. They were therefore disappointed not to be kept informed by police.

One person said:

“There was no reassurance whatsoever. We are a community very close to Harrogate police station and I would have thought some form of panic prevention and reassurance would have been issued.”

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Residents praised the police for sending armed officers and a police helicopter but said the following day’s media statement, which said ‘officers immediately attended and carried out an extensive search in the area’, was misleading.

They said two plain clothes officers turned up after about 10 minutes but the length of time it took armed officers and the helicopter to arrive, although understandable given that those involved had to travel, allowed plenty of time for anyone responsible to leave the Pinewoods.

‘Proportionate response’

Andy Colbourne, Chief Inspector for Harrogate and Craven, told the Stray Ferret the force control room assessed 999 calls to ensure a proportionate response and he was satisfied the right action was taken in this instance. He said:

“We provided a response that was suitable to the information we had at the time.”

Chief Inspector Colbourne added he did not know exactly when the armed officers and police helicopter arrived on the scene.

Pinewoods gunfire

Police at the scene.

He said a male in the area was searched on the night but released because “nothing was found on him that would link him in any way to the incident”.

Chief Inspector Colbourne added he would look into the delay in issuing any update to the community, adding:

“If we are getting calls from the public about something that could be significant I would expect they will get an update quickly.”