Plan to convert Harrogate office block into flats

Plans have been lodged to convert a Harrogate office block into seven flats.

Artium Group has submitted the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to create the flats at Simpson House, off Clarence Drive.

It would see the vacant offices turned into one one-bedroom, five two-bedroom and one three-bedroom flats.

The developer also plans to use the current 14 car parking spaces and create storage for seven bicycles.

In documents submitted to the council, Artium Group said the proposal would help to make efficient use of the building.

It said:

“The conversion of the building is considered to be entirely appropriate give the lack of any viable interest in retaining the existing employment use. 

“The property is in a highly sustainable location and surrounded by existing buildings which have also been converted in recent years. 

“The provision of additional residential units within a highly sustainable location should therefore be welcomed.”

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

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Theakston’s Brewery increases turnover despite covid restrictions

Theakston’s Brewery in Masham increased its turnover by £861,000 in 2021, despite dealing with the effects of lockdown and the Omicron variant.  

The brewery only had 5 months of normal trading in 2021 due to the pandemic, and for 3 and a half months, it was forced to close completely. 

The company suffered a pre-tax loss of £2,000 last year, but in the height of the pandemic in 2020, the loss was much more significant at £334k.

Pre-covid in 2019, the brewery had made profits of £235k.  

In the latest financial statement, the company said:  

“T&R Theakston Ltd ended 2021 as a well-balanced business with enhanced capabilities across more channels, a stronger organisation, a more flexible business approach, greater consumer engagement and a continued reputation for the high quality of its beers.” 

Managing director Simon Theakston added:  

“The last two years have been tough for all sectors, including the British brewing industry.  

“As our 2021 results show, we are well on the road to overcoming this latest challenge.” 

Theakston’s Brewery was founded in 1827 and is now run by the family of original founder, Robert Theakston.  

Harrogate business EnviroVent celebrates 2 millionth filterless fan  

Harrogate manufacturer EnviroVent celebrated its 2 millionth filterless fan last week.  

A special edition sustainable fan was created for the occasion, as well as a filterless fan celebration cake and 200 cupcakes. 

Managing director Andy Makin with the 2 millionth filterless fan.

The fans were designed for the social housing sector, and help to reduce mould and condensation in homes across the UK.  

Andy Makin, Managing Director at EnviroVent, said: 

“We are really excited to be celebrating the two millionth Filterless Fan to be produced in our factory. 

“We are very proud of the innovations we have made to ensure it is still one of the most sustainable fans on the market.”

The fans have saved several tonnes of replacement extractor fans going to landfill sites, as well as reducing the amount of plastics going into the production process.

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Stray Views: Harrogate Town FC should get a new stadium

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.

A new stadium for Harrogate Town?

It is excellent news about Harrogate Town having £3.5m to improve their ground on Wetherby Road. Isn’t this just throwing good money into a bad issue. The ground cannot expand, has no parking and few facilities for visiting fans. 

The solution is not good money after bad it is about thinking much more strategically. Why don’t Harrogate Town talk to Harrogate Borough Council and instead of leasing land on Wetherby Road ask to look at leasing Council Land on Leeds Road between Harrogate and Pannal to build themselves a stadium to be proud of and fit for purpose and would be amazing if more success comes their way. 

There could be on site parking and not just using Residential streets around the ground as a car park. There is nowhere for coaches to park for visiting fans. The site is sustainable being served by a very regular bus service, the 36, and also being close to Pannal Station. It would be a win, win for everyone.

Then to add to those wins the council could give the Harrogate Town site to the hospital for car parking for their staff, again removing hospital parking from many, many roads and making it safer for staff especially on night shifts.

I would be happy to meet with the football club to discuss this and to hear other peoples views.

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council

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36 route should include railway station

It would be useful if the 36 included the railway station in its peregrinations in Leeds even if there is a double stop at the bus station, otherwise there is an off putting hike in between.

As a postscript, back in the pre-Beeching days the 36 used to visit the Ripon Railway station between stops at the bus station. Just goes to show not much is new.

Trevor Dale, Harrogate

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.

Charity Corner: the Starbeck charity that puts mental health at the forefront

Claro Enterprises is a Starbeck charity offering those with mental health conditions a real work environment to find a routine and talk to others who may be feeling similar.

The charity was set up 35 years ago by Chris and Sue Brown. Ms Brown’s brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and they found giving him jobs on their farm would really help him but when the work stopped his mental health would decline.

At the time they couldn’t find any local services to support him so through lots of fundraising the pair set up Claro Enterprises to offer people with mental health disorders the opportunity to volunteer in a real work environment.

Over the years the charity has developed and now runs a workshop and a production line and has contracts with large companies such as Bettys and EnviroVent to make products.

On a daily bases, members might be creating wooden products from scratch, or rebranding or packing products for businesses.

Claro Enterprises woodshop

Two men using the charity’s wood shop.

Operations manager, Helen Wilkinson, said:

“We have people who would struggle in a normal work environment but really benefit from having a routine. It works really well for people will mental health conditions and they can choose how often they come.

“There’s a real sense of community here.”

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The charity has around 35 members who can come as regularly as they want to work, it not only helps them but also gives their families a break.

The charity also runs courses throughout the year including self esteem and wellbeing, mindfulness, IT and basic maths and English.

Veterans Woodcraft, a group helping those with mental health issues and disabilities, have helped the charity’s members learn new woodcraft skills.

It is also the base for the Starbeck Men’s Shed and Women’s Shed. These groups are for anyone in the community to learn new skills and enjoy some company.

Ms Wilkinson said the end goal is to get the members “to a point where they can do what they want”:

“Some of our members have gone on to get full time jobs and work experience which is just amazing.”

The charity is always looking for new businesses to arrange work experience placements and provide work for the members to do at their premises to allow Claro to continue to offer their facilities to those who believe they could really benefit.

Miss Wilkinson added:

“It really is the bestest place in the world, we are just one big family.”

Free war grave tours at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery next week

Local residents are invited to come along to free tours at Stonefall Cemetery next week.

The initiative is part of War Graves Week, organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

The CWGC manages 23,000 cemeteries across the globe, including Harrogate which is home to the graves of more than 1,000 casualties World War One and World War Two.

The free tours, held between May 25 and May 28, will share stories about those buried in Harrogate including the Canadian brothers Lloyd and Harold Hannah, killed within weeks of each other and now buried together at Stonefall and the local woman who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and was sadly killed in the York Blitz.

This year’s War Graves Week theme is ordinary people, extraordinary times which celebrates those who alongside people on the front-line worked in essential sectors such as healthcare, logistics and communications.

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The tours will be led by local CWGC volunteers and Elizabeth Smith CWGC public engagement coordinator.

Ms Smith said:

“For us at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, remembrance and the sharing and caring for World War heritage is a daily duty. Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Harrogate is a human story waiting to be discovered and War Graves Week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

“I’d encourage everyone in Harrogate to join one of the tours to reconnect with their local history to learn about the courageous ordinary people from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

To book a tour click here.

How to put on a good Jubilee spread and celebrate in style in the Harrogate district

We are just weeks away from celebrating HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, making her the country’s longest-reigning monarch.

Her Majesty actually succeeded the throne from her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952, but as her jubilee would also mark the date of his death, it has always been celebrated four months later on June 3.

Events are being planned across the Harrogate district in celebration, but many will want to enjoy the occasion more privately with friends and family at home.

We spoke to seven Harrogate food and drink businesses to find out how they are celebrating and got some tips on what to include in good old-fashioned British spread:

Mama Doreen’s Emporium

The 1950s-inspired Jubilee afternoon tea at Mama Doreen’s

Jessica Wyatt, owner of Mama Doreen’s, said:

“We are doing a 1950s-inspired afternoon tea. We are taking the most popular puddings from around that decade and including them in our afternoon tea. It’s something a little bit different and a little bit special. You’ve got the cherries Jubilee, English trifle, Victoria sponge butterfly buns, shortbread, Coronation chicken sandwich and even a cucumber sandwich.

“My favourite afternoon tea item is butterfly buns because that’s what my grandma used to make. I think a lot of people have that same nostalgia.”

“For the actual Bank Holiday weekend we’re going to dress up in 1950s outfits, we’ve got singers performing throughout the day. We are going above and beyond with the balloons outside. We are also doing the Jubilee afternoon teas to take away and we can deliver to the Stray.

“We are really trying to push the street parties and get communities together. So we have put everything for a street party on our website, from the bunting down to the hats.

“I’m really looking forward to just feeling the buzz around Harrogate. Loads of people will be visiting and all the locals will be out and hopefully the weather will be lovely as well. I just think after the last couple of years it’s what the community needs. “

Spirit of Harrogate, producer of Slingsby Gin

A Slingsby Gin Platinum Punch cocktail.

Beth Gordon, digital copywriter at Spirit of Harrogate, said:

“A party isn’t a party without some amazing drinks, and for the Jubilee it should definitely be the Queen’s favourite spirit; gin.

“If you’re thinking of serving Slingsby Gin, make sure you have everything you need for our signature serves. This means our perfect pairing of tonic and garnishes that guarantee an amazing gin and tonic every time. For example, you’ll need Elderflower tonic for your Yorkshire Rhubarb gin and Mediterranean for Gooseberry.

“A Jubilee party is the perfect excuse to get the pitchers and jugs out and fill them with cocktails. You could even fill up some Kilner jars with the pre-made mixtures so that your guests can help themselves. Our Platinum Punch is a delicious cocktail, as well as our Slingsby Sangria with London Dry gin. Don’t forget to accommodate your guests who aren’t drinking alcohol too – and make sure you have lots of garnishes alongside ice so that people can help themselves and add extra flavour (and aesthetics) to their cocktails.”

Weetons

Weeton’s Jubilee picnic hamper

Thomas Lonsdale, restaurant supervisor at Weetons, said:

“It’s only right that you should have strawberries and cream for your picnic or with your afternoon tea. I’d also choose choose sausage rolls, pork pies, salads, baguettes, cheese, olives and wine. We’ve actually got some cans of mixers coming in, which will be really good.

“I’ll be getting into the spirit of the weekend on the Stray or at a street party.

“We have luxury Jubilee hampers available, which are perfect for just picking up and carrying across the road to the Stray.”

Fodder

Iced shortbread biscuits and a cup of Yorkshire tea at Fodder.

Jo Francisco, PR manager at Fodder, said ready-made picnics would be available at the food hall.

Jo said:

“People can book their Jubilee picnic at Fodder with pies, quiches, cheese boxes, meat packs and barbecue packs all available to pre-order ready for the Jubilee celebrations.

“Throughout the Jubilee week,  there will be a Jubilee-themed afternoon tea on offer in Fodder café, as well as stunning cakes from the Cake Lady Harrogate. These will include Champagne truffle chocolate cake, raspberry blueberry and white chocolate cake and Victoria sponge cupcakes.”

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All of Fodder’s profits help to fund the work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity which supports and promotes the farming industry.

Former CEO of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Nigel Pulling, meets HM The Queen in Harrogate in 2008.

West Park Hotel

The Classic Dubonnet Cocktail.

Anthony Blundell, hotel commercial manager, said:

“We are doing a Jubilee cocktail, which is going to be a ‘Classic Dubonnet Cocktail’ – her Majesty’s favourite. It includes Dubonnet, Tanquery Gin and Angustura Orange Bitters with a flavour profile of fig, red berries, orange and junipers, which is elegant yet strong – quite like her Royal Highness.”

Thug Sandwich Company

Edward Lee with a ‘pig in a blanket’ at Thug Sandwich.

Edward Lee, barista at Thug Sandwich, said you can’t beat a good sausage roll or scotch egg when it comes to the perfect accompaniment for your Jubilee picnic.

He added:

“When it comes to sandwiches, I’d recommend a good old fashioned Ploughmans, as it includes popular British ingredients and you can’t go wrong.

“This should all be washed down with a good sessionable pale ale.

“Having great food and drink is important. However, it’s not all about the occasion, but about the people you spend it with.”

Whittaker’s Gin

The Jubilee edition Whitaker’s Gin.

Jane Whittaker, co-founder of Whittaker’s Gin, which is based in Dacre Banks, said:

“We are releasing a Jubilee Edition gin.

“We have based the recipe on our existing Summer Solstice Gin, but tweaked the amount of grapefruit in the distillation and have added natural colouring to the liquid.

“We have changed all our gold foiling to silver to match the with Platinum theme and added an additional commemorative label.

“We thought this would not only be pleasing to the eye because of the colouring on the official Palace Jubilee roundel, but also our Summer Solstice is so popular, especially at this time of year.”

Multiple vehicle crash on A1 at Allerton Park

Emergency services were called out shortly after midnight last night to reports of a car crash on the A1 in the Harrogate district.

Two people needed treatment from ambulance crews at the scene following the incident, which happened on the northbound carriageway at junction 47.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says firefighters from Knaresborough and Harrogate attended a “multi-vehicle road traffic collision”. It adds:

“On arrival crews found that no persons were trapped. Two walking wounded casualties with minor injuries were left in the care of police and ambulance crews.

“Crews made the scene safe and carried out a thorough search of the embankment for further casualties. Incident left in the hands of police.”

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Have devolution fears that Harrogate will be voiceless come true?

One of the key concerns in the run-up to this year’s shake-up of North Yorkshire local government was that the vast new unitary authority could leave the Harrogate district without a strong voice.

This week, when the dust settled on the local elections and Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council named his new 10-person executive team, the concerns appeared to have merit.

Just one councillor from the district — Michael Harrison, who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, was included on the executive.

It means many of those making key decisions affecting Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham might not even have been to some of those places.

For the last 48 years, local political decision making has been shared between North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

But with the latter in its death throes, it seems likely that all local political decisions will soon be made at County Hall, the 1906 Grade II listed building in Northallerton, a market town in Hambleton, firstly by North Yorkshire County Council and then by North Yorkshire Council.

NYCC executive

The 10-person executive table at Wednesday’s meeting, with Michael Harrison far right.

Just nine of the 47 Conservative councillors on the county council are from the district. So will the Harrogate district not have adequate representation?

‘Strong voice will remain’

Despite the changes, Cllr Harrison told the Stray Ferret he is confident the district will continue to have a strong voice.

He said local councillors will shape the executive’s decisions, firstly through task groups that will inform the transition to the new North Yorkshire Council next year and then through the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee.

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The six area constituency committees are expected to be given stronger powers next year, possibly over key issues such as planning, as part of Cllr Les’ ‘double devolution’ pledge.  The Lib Dems will have eight of the 13 councillors on the one for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Cllr Harrison said:

“There will be real power devolved to the area constituency committees and the fact that the Conservatives don’t control the one for Harrogate and Knaresborough won’t stop that.”

Cllr Harrison added that he expects Harrogate Borough Council’s offices at Knapping Mount to continue to play a key operational role when staff transfer to North Yorkshire Council next year because “it’s a modern fit-for-purpose flexible office space”.

Harrogate Borough Council's Civic Centre

Harrogate Borough Council’s offices at Knapping Mount.

The Conservatives were returned to power in North Yorkshire with a greatly reduced majority of four on May 5.

Andrew Williams, an Independent who was elected in Ripon Minster and Moorside, said the more even political composition since the May 5 elections meant the views of opposition parties would be heard more, whereas in the past the previous huge Tory majority meant many issues were just waived through. He said:

“If you go about things in a constructive and positive manner it’s possible to get things done.”

Harrogate town council 

Cllr Williams, who is also the leader of Ripon City Council, said the best way to ensure Harrogate’s voice was heard would be through the creation of a Harrogate town council.

He said Ripon City Council had effectively provided a voice for the city and suggested the same could happen in Harrogate.

He added that such a move would pave the way for more independents.

“People will be looking for voices on a town council that stand up for Harrogate and will appreciate a less partisan approach.”

Five Harrogate Independents failed to come close to winning a division on May 5. But Cllr Williams suggested they got their tactics wrong:

“They started campaigning too late. You can’t just rock up at election time and win.

“To win an election as an Independent you have got to be known by a lot of people and campaign early.”

A referendum could take place in Harrogate to see if people want to create a town council.

But Cllr Harrison said people ought to know what the purpose of a Harrogate town council would be and what the added charge to their council tax precept would be before any vote takes place.

County Hall

County Hall in Northallerton

Whatever one’s political persuasion, the political scene has been enlivened by the shake-up to local government.

But whether local voices are heard strongly at County Hall, the 1906 Grade II listed building where the county council is based, remains to be seen.

The Stray Ferret asked the Liberal Democrats in Harrogate and Knaresborough to comment for this article but did not receive a response by our deadline.

Harrogate pubs say Pubwatch troublemaker app makes town centre ‘safer’

Members of Harrogate Pubwatch have said an app to keep bars informed on troublemakers is helping to keep the town centre safer.

Harrogate Pubwatch has approximately 40 bars and pubs registered. Together they can ban a person from all venues who’s behaviour is deemed inappropriate or dangerous for a set period.

Last month, the group imposed a lifetime ban on someone found carrying a knife in Mojo. It has recently added three more people to the banned list, two for violence and one for drug use.

The group also uses an app, sponsored by Harrogate BID, which gives details on all those banned but also provides live information on anyone causing trouble to give other bars the opportunity to refuse them entry before getting inside.

Simon Colgan, a member and owner of the Empress on the Stray and Blues Bar, praised the app. He said:

“If a person’s behaviour is deemed unsafe and dangerous we have a vote and decide the length of the ban. Bars working together like this is a real benefit for the town, it means we can keep venues safe for people to enjoy.”

Harrogate Pubwatch operates under the National Pubwatch guidelines and has set ban lengths for different offences. For example, drug dealing would mean someone is banned for 18 months and sexual harassment such as groping is nine months.

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Hannah Ingram, supervisor at Hales Bar, agreed bars working together is hugely positive:

“We work within a really good system, we all support each other. At Hales Bar we, of course, have different customers to Mojo for example but if someone is stopped there it maybe they try come here. The app means we know who to look out for.

“Harrogate is safer for it because there are more eyes about.”

Gabrielle Marcinkeviciute, general manager at North Bar, said:

“In general I don’t want people to think they can act badly and then the next day it all be fine. People know that if they misbehave in a bar that’s part of Pubwatch they won’t be welcome, it makes them more well behaved because they know they could be banned  from numerous places.”

Harrogate BID initially sponsored the app for one year but after positive response from businesses and an increase in membership it has extended it for a further 12 months.

Harrogate Pubwatch Secretary Alan Huddart said:

“Pubwatch is making a real difference, and over the last 12 months we have seen our membership grow by 100 per cent. It’s helping alert participating venues in real time about any incidents, and helping identify troublemakers in the process.

“Harrogate is a great town with superb pubs, clubs and bars. It’s a safe town and Pubwatch is helping make it even safer.”

Loved local pianist talks Eurovision in Harrogate and the power of music

Derry Jones is a songwriter and pianist from Harrogate and has played in multiple venues but most will know him for his days in the Jimmy O Show band in the 60s and 70s.

Mr Jones now plays in Bettys tea rooms regularly but often looks back at his time in the Jimmy O Show band. He joined the band in 1959 but his career began in the early 1950s in jazz bands.

In the early years of rock n’ roll, the 86-year-old was accompanying comedians such as Ken Dodd and Charlie Chester as well as former professional footballer turned comic Charlie Williams . He also performed at The Cavern in Liverpool “before the Beatles made it famous”.

Mr Jones said one of the highlights of performing in the Jimmy O Show band was performing at venues such as the Royal Hall and spending an afternoon with Dustin Hoffman:

“It was a really enjoyable few years and we were all from Harrogate. We were pretty popular back in those days, appearing on TV and in big venues.

“People still ask us to get back together, but we aren’t all around now so it wouldn’t be right.”

Mr Jones was busy performing when the Eurovision came to Harrogate in 1982 but says he remembers the town being swept up in Eurovision fever.

He still plays Germany’s winning song from that year Ein bißchen Frieden, which translates to A Bit of Peace, when performing at Bettys.

One year before the Eurovision in Harrogate, in 1981, Derry Jones and the Jimmy O Show band appeared on Tyne Tees TV to perform his original song “The Nicest Place”.

The song was played to promote the opening of the Harrogate Convention Centre and says “the grass is greener and the streets are cleaner”.

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Even at 86 Mr Jones said his passion for music has never wavered, he has continued to write songs and perform regularly, adding it remains his biggest passion.

Over lockdown, Mr Jones and his wife Jowita would regularly perform for their neighbours on the street. He would play accordion and she would sing whilst neighbours sat on garden walls or even danced in the street.

“Music has been a constant for me. Sometimes I wish I could get the old days back but I’m happier ow than I’ve ever been.”