Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has strongly criticised claims that he voted in favour of pumping raw sewage into rivers and the sea.
Mr Jones said in the Conservative run Community News website that the environment was “being weaponised, deliberately, cynically, falsely” and that the claims were “simply a lie.”
Images of raw sewage being pumped into waterways reignited a debate around whether MPs had voted to allow it.
265 Conservative MPs, including Mr Jones, voted to stop Amendment 45 to the Environment Bill in October last year.
The amendment would have forced water companies to reduce the amount of sewage they discharged and pay for its environmental damage.
At the time, he said it had been “poorly planned and drafted”.
He subsequently supported a government amendment to make water companies provide a “costed plan” for how to reduce the amount of sewage.
People boating on the River Nidd at Knaresborough
Nidd concerns
Local criticism has concerned the safety of the River Nidd.
The Stray Ferret reported back in 2020 that it had failed chemical tests and that the water contained unsafe levels of chemical sewage.
More recent data revealed that there were around 1,000 sewage incidents in the river in 2021.
The local Liberal Democrats launched a petition on the issue earlier this year calling for a sewage tax to raise money to clean rivers.
The party’s county councillor for Knaresborough West, Matt Walker, said:
“My colleagues and I have spoken to dozens of parents whose children have become violently ill after swimming in our river, something that should be safe for them to do.
“The Nidd is huge draw for locals and tourists, we need to invest and protect what we have and that means tough action.”
However, Mr Jones argued that the practice of using sewage storm overflow drains had been done for a hundred years.
That, he noted, included when the Lib Dems were in government with the Conservatives.
Knaresborough Liberal Democrat councillors Hannah Gostlow and Matt Walker
To that, cllr Walker responded:
“New figures… show a dramatic increase in the amount of sewage released since 2016 – an increase of 2,553%. An increase under a Conservative Government.”
Shan Oakes, a Green town councillor in Knaresborough, said the town council was planning to apply for designated bathing status for a stretch of the Nidd.
She hoped that it would mean that something had to be done about its poor water quality.
Cllr Oakes blamed the government for the current situation:
“With the current situation where water is privatised, the government does not hold [water companies] to account as it should. The government has decimated the Environment Agency.”
What Yorkshire Water says
Yorkshire Water said sewage is not the only issue which affects river quality and that agriculture, businesses and plastics also have an effect.
The Environment Agency regulates discharges and companies must have permits in place.
In a statement, Yorkshire Water said:
“We know that our storm overflows operate more often than our customers, or we, would like and we’re working hard to make improvements across the region. We’re investing £790m to improve rivers across the region, including £137 million by 2025 to enhance, investigate and increase monitoring on storm overflows.”
The water company made an operating profit of £242 million in 2022.
Harrogate district’s floral displays fall victim to hosepipe banThe Harrogate district’s famous floral displays will soon be looking worse for wear due to the hosepipe ban.
The ban came into force today and Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed it won’t be watering plants until it is lifted.
Yorkshire Water acted following months of dry weather, which have depleted water levels in the district’s reservoirs such as Thruscross and Swinsty.
It’s the first hosepipe ban in the area since 1995 and means the council’s parks and environmental services team, which looks after floral displays in parks as well as in towns and the city of Ripon, will have to watch its hard work wither until the ban is lifted.
The district’s floral displays are a source of local pride.
Little rain is forecast for the remainder of the month.
A council spokesperson said:
“The Yorkshire Water website states that during the period of the ban councils cannot use hosepipes or sprinklers to water floral beds, displays or hanging baskets in public locations.
“This unfortunately means that we are not able to continue watering the floral beds, hanging baskets, barrier baskets or floral tubs around the Harrogate district.
“Using watering cans is not practical and continues to use water from our water supplies, which are currently in short supply and high demand”.
Read more:
- Don’t call 999 to report hosepipe ban breaches, say police
- Hosepipe ban introduced for Harrogate district
The council also runs a subsidised hanging basket scheme in which businesses pay the council to provide the basket and plants. Staff then water and maintain the baskets throughout the summer.
The council says businesses who use the scheme will not be eligible for a refund.
Its spokesperson added:
‘Rodent dropping’ Harrogate care home no longer registered“The hanging basket scheme is already subsidised by the council to reduce the price of baskets to businesses in the town centre.
“The hosepipe ban has come in at the end of the season so hopefully with lower temperatures and a bit of rain over the coming weeks the baskets will last a few more weeks until they are scheduled to be removed late September.
“Whilst the hosepipe ban is unfortunate, it is also important that as community leaders we play our part in adhering to the restrictions and highlighting the need to conserve water”.
The Harrogate care home where rodent droppings were found is no longer registered by the Care Quality Commission.
Government inspectors put Mary Fisher House in special measures this year after discovering rodent droppings in the kitchen and finding some medicine practices to be “unsafe”.
The CQC report detailing the findings, which also said bedrooms “smelt strongly of urine”, was published in April.
The health and social care regulator subsequently said it had “taken action to protect the safety and welfare of people living at the home” by moving them them to other homes.
But it added its legal processes did not allow it to go into further detail at the time because care provider Svivekcaregroup Limited could appeal its findings.
An updated version of the report, released this month after the appeal deadline passed, revealed the CQC had issued notice of a proposal to cancel the home’s registration.
Read more:
- Rodent droppings found in kitchen of Harrogate care home
- Harrogate care home where rodent droppings were found plans to reopen
A CQC spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret enforcement action “did not proceed to the final stage”. When the Stray Ferret asked why not, the spokeswoman said:
“The service is now closed, and no longer active on the CQC’s register. No one is living on site, and as far as CQC is concerned the matter is concluded.”
In June, Svivekcaregroup indicated the home, which catered for up to 24 residents on Cold Bath Road, was likely to reopen.
The Stray Ferret has attempted to contact Svivekcaregroup to ask if it still planned to re-open Mary Fisher House or had other plans for the building but has not received a response.
Rishi Sunak to court Conservatives in Harrogate tomorrowRishi Sunak will visit Harrogate tomorrow to court Conservative Party members as he attempts to boost his flagging hopes of becoming the next Prime Minister, the Stray Ferret understands.
The former Chancellor is expected to be in Harrogate at around 3pm to meet members, who have been voting for either Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or Mr Sunak to be the next Tory leader and PM.
Mr Sunak was the most popular choice among MPs, but among members, polling has put him consistently behind Ms Truss.
Bookmaker William Hill has odds of 1/16 for Ms Truss to be the winner with Mr Sunak trailing way behind on 17/2.
A lengthy campaign has seen two rivals tour the country in July and August.
Liz Truss met members in Harrogate on August 9, attending a house on the Duchy estate believed to be owned by Harrogate Borough Council deputy leader Graham Swift.
Liz Truss arrives at Bettys in Harrogate this month.
It will be the second visit to the Harrogate district for Mr Sunak, who spoke to party members in Masham earlier in the campaign.
The winner will be announced by September 5.
Read more:
The Richmond MP has the backing of both Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.
In an article on his website, Community News, Mr Jones described why he is backing the former chancellor. He wrote:
Woman denies attempted murder in Bilton“The country needs someone who is consistent and transparent to reinvigorate trust in politics.”
A 44-year-old woman denied attempted murder in Bilton when she appeared in court today.
Clare Bailey, of The Riddings, Dudley, appeared before Leeds Crown Court this morning to face the charge.
Ms Bailey, who appeared by via video link from Low Newton Prison, near Durham, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth before entering a plea of not guilty.
She is alleged to have attempted to murder the named woman at a house on Byland Road, Bilton, on Thursday, June 23, this year.
The court set a trial date of December 12, 2022, which is scheduled to last for five days.
Read more:
- Don’t call 999 to report hosepipe ban breaches, say police
- Cocaine dealer jailed for ‘peddling misery’ in Harrogate
August Bank Holiday 2022: Events happening this weekend in the Harrogate District
The August Bank Holiday weekend is upon us and it’s our last long weekend until Christmas.
If you haven’t decided how you will be spending it, here’s a guide to some of the events taking place in the Harrogate district.
There’s a wide range of events happening from live music to children’s activities. They offer a perfect excuse for families and friends to get together while the sun is still shining.
Jurassic Crazy Golf, Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza, Harrogate
Some of the Jurassic Crazy Golf holes.
This nine-hole mini golf course combines crazy golf with dinosaurs and is accompanied by an educational Dino Trail around the town centre.
Matthew Chapman, manager at Harrogate BID which commissioned the course and trail, said:
“With the school summer holidays nearing an end, parents maybe scratching their heads thinking what to do to entertain their children.
“Well, we have the answer – jurassic golf! And what could be me more fun than a combination of dinosaurs and crazy golf?”
The Dino Trail is a fun, educational trail where people can find answers to jurassic-themed questions by scanning a QR code on a poster, displayed in shop windows.
The answer will then appear on their phones.
As people complete the trail, they will also be collecting letters that form a simple, themed anagram. Users can then submit the anagram/answer via the LoyalFree app for an additional chance to win a prize draw.
Those wishing to play a round of golf can turn up on the day or book at the jurassic golf website here.
The cost is adults £3, children £2.50, family of four (two adults and two children) £10 and one adult and one child £5.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, jurassicgolf.co.uk/harrogate
Fireworks Championships, Newby Hall, Ripon
A dazzling night of fireworks at Newby Hall and Gardens, which sees three teams create stunning displays choreographed to music and the audience voting for a winner on the night via SMS.
The event also includes a final display by SmartPyro to round off the night. Watch from a picnic rug or camping chair against the stunning backdrop of 17th century house and its impressive grounds
There will also be a drone light show, courtesy of DroneSwarm, funfair rides, music and food and drink.
Mat Lawrence, managing director at event organiser MLE Pyrotechnics, said:
“It’s an honour to return to Newby Hall for another year of our Firework Champions event. We’ve got a tonne of great entertainment in store thanks to our three competitors, as well as a spectacular closing display. It’s going to be a great day out for families.”
Gates open for entry at 4pm, alongside pre-show entertainment. The DroneSwarm light show takes place at twilight and the main event begins at 9.30pm, with SMS voting at 10.15pm. The larger closing display takes place at 10:30pm and the results are announced at 10.40pm.
Book your ticket here.
Saturday, fireworkchampions.co.uk
Read more:
- What’s On across the district?
- Free activities to do with the kids this summer in the Harrogate district
Leeds Festival, Wetherby
Leeds Festival is once again set to take over Bramham Park, near Wetherby.
Thousands of people are expected at Bramham for the three-day event, which starts on Friday and is headlined this year by the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Dave, Halsey, Bring Me the Horizon and Megan Thee Stallion.
Last year’s new format continues, with two main stages instead of the previous one.
Friday to Monday, leedsfestival.com
Family Fun Day at Ripon Races
The final family fun day of the season is taking place at Ripon Races on Bank Holiday Monday. It will also be hosting the only listed race of the season, the EBF Ripon Champion Two-Year Old Trophy. Pack a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy lots of free fun for the children in the course enclosure including:
- Balloon modelling and face painting
- Barrel train ride
- Kub karts
- Inflatable assault course and giant inflatable slide
- Punch ‘n’ Judy and magic show
Monday, ripon-races.co.uk/family-days
Free entertainment on the Market Square, Ripon
Ripon City Council’s season of complimentary summer events for residents and visitors will finish on a high tomorrow (Saturday), with a full-size ferris wheel operating on Market Square from 2pm until 8pm.
City council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“This is the first time that the council has had a ferris wheel for families to enjoy as part of its fairground attractions.
“It will be alongside a climbing wall for older children and a ride for younger children.”
A climbing wall will be among the attractions
All rides will be free of charge, like the evening of musical entertainment starting at 6.30pm, when Ripon singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary takes the stage.
He will be followed by tribute acts singing the hits of Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Olly Murs and country and western favourites.
Performances will go on until 11pm with a break from the contemporary sounds at 9pm, when attendees will be able to see one of Ripon’s team of Hornblowers, setting the watch.
On Sunday and Monday the Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market. Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders.
Saturday and Sunday.
Pop-up parties, Knaresborough Castle and Ripon Spa Gardens
Harrogate Borough Council has organised these summer events for the whole family to enjoy.
The events are all free and are a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos.
They follow a party held in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens earlier this month, which was a huge success.
Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm
- 11am – Bubble circus tricks show
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm
- 11am – Circus tricks workshop
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Circus tricks workshop
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Friday and Saturday
Harrogate driver tests positive for drug driving twice in two daysA driver in Harrogate has tested positive for drug driving twice in 48 hours.
North Yorkshire Police stopped the vehicle after information showed they had been arrested two days ago.
They had initially been arrested for drug driving and a further test was confirmed as positive for cannabis.
The driver was released under investigation.
Make that twice in 48 hours after the driver tested positive again for #Cannabis on a @DrugWipeUK An evidential sample has been obtained & will be sent to @RSSS_DianeFair for analysis. Driver has been released under investigation pending the result of this #Fatal5 #DrugDriving pic.twitter.com/xrFKYFp5Hd
— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) August 25, 2022
Read more:
- Don’t call 999 to report hosepipe ban breaches, say police
- Cocaine dealer jailed for ‘peddling misery’ in Harrogate
Don’t call 999 to report hosepipe ban breaches, say police
Police have urged people not to call 999 to report breaches of the hosepipe ban in the Harrogate district.
Yorkshire Water announced the ban this month following days of dry weather and high temperatures.
It comes into force today and is the first hosepipe ban in the area since 1995.
Now, North Yorkshire Police has urged the public not to report any breaches to the force.
Police said in a statement that any flouting of the ban was a civil matter not a criminal one and any calls would divert handlers away from “real emergencies”.
The force said:
“In other parts of the county, we’ve already seen colleagues receiving hundreds of 999 calls about the hosepipe bans, even before restrictions come into place.
“But the hosepipe ban is a civil matter, not a criminal one, and should not be reported to the police.
“And crucially, every call made to the police about the hosepipe ban is diverting our call handlers away from dealing with real emergencies.”
Police have urged people to follow advice on the Yorkshire Water website if they suspect potential breaches of the ban.
It comes as the Harrogate district is officially in drought following long spells of dry weather this summer.
Read more:
The Environment Agency declared the drought status last week. The last drought in Yorkshire was declared in autumn 2018.
On the hosepipe ban, Neil Dewis, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said:
“Parts of Yorkshire have seen the lowest rainfall since our records began more than 130 years ago.
“The hot, dry, weather means that Yorkshire’s rivers are running low and our reservoirs are around 20% lower than we would expect for this time of year.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to avoid putting in restrictions but unfortunately, they’re now necessary as part of our drought planning.”
The hosepipe ban includes:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning vehicles or boats using a hosepipe
Watering plants with a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
People can still undertake these activities without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from taps such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole, for example.
Businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to a commercial purpose.
There are restrictions on using a hosepipe if not for those essential commercial needs – so using a hosepipe to clean a path outside a business property, for example, would not be allowed.
Blue badge holders, those on Yorkshire Water’s Priority Services register or WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, are also excluded from the ban.
More information is available here.
Harrogate solicitors Raworths announces four promotionsBusiness Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Harrogate’s Raworths Solicitors has announced four new promotions at the firm.
The promotions have been made in the private client and commercial teams.
John Carter, a lawyer in commercial property is promoted to senior associate and Claire Hunter, a solicitor in family children and divorce, Jessica Toller, a solicitor in wills and estates and Jennifer Watson, a solicitor in corporate, have each been promoted to associate.
Deborah Boylan, head of employment and people partner at Raworths, said:
“It’s always incredibly gratifying to be able to recognise and reward the huge contribution and commitment of our people, particularly when they have been integral to the firm’s success for many years.
“It’s important that we nurture and support our people and encourage them to be the best they can be by investing in their professional development and progression. Our commitment to developing talent also helps to position us well for the future.”
Harrogate estate agent donates cash to replace charity van
Former Yorkshire TV and Calendar News presenter Christine Talbot receives the keys off Linley & Simpson chairman Will Linley.
A Harrogate estate agent has donated £20,000 to a charity to help replace a stolen van.
Martin House Children’s Hospice fell victim to its van being stolen from its warehouse in Wetherby in January.
Now, Linley and Simpson, which also has an office in Ripon, has donated cash to help replace the vehicle.
And the keys to the new vehicle were picked up from Linley & Simpson chairman, Will Linley, by former Yorkshire TV and Calendar News presenter Christine Talbot, who is also a long-standing Martin House ambassador.
Mr Linley said:
“We shared the whole community’s shock at news of the theft. The fantastic work of the Martin House team touches the lives of so many people across Yorkshire, so we welcomed the opportunity to help.
“Many of our people have volunteered at the hospice, and our branches act as collection points for bric-a-brac that its shops can sell, so the work of the warehouse and the vans is very close to our hearts.”
Stephanie Rimmington, head of retail at Martin House, said:
“Without their donation, we could have been without a van for months while our insurance claim is processed, adding to an already challenging situation amid covid.
“By replacing the stolen van much quicker, our retail team is now able to get back out on the road, collecting donations to keep our retail outlets fully stocked, and generating more income for the hospice.”
Read more:
- Boroughbridge fashion brand to expand into US and Australia
- Harrogate’s Old Bell gets holiday accommodation approval
Cocaine dealer jailed for ‘peddling misery’ in Harrogate
A cocaine dealer who “peddled misery” in Harrogate has been jailed for nearly three years after being snared by an undercover cop posing as a drug addict.
Jack Milner, 25, bragged to the officer that he was “making a good wage” from his trade but he was being played from the outset, York Crown Court heard.
Milner supplied cocaine to the plain-clothed officer on three separate occasions in December 2019, said prosecutor David Povall.
Mr Povall added:
“The officer was part of a wider operation focusing on county lines (drug networks) and it appears the defendant has crossed their sights.”
He said although Milner wasn’t involved “in that level of criminality”, he was working with others to supply the Class A drug.
The undercover officer, who used a pseudonym, was introduced to Milner on December 9 when he was supplied with cocaine.
The following day, the officer called Milner to arrange another deal and he was “again supplied with (cocaine)”.
On the third day, the officer rang the same number and spoke to a different man who supplied him some wraps of heroin and cocaine.
Read more:
- Harrogate boy, 15, sentenced for stealing car and carrying knife
- Man jailed for stealing MBE medal in Harrogate burglary
- Harrogate man jailed for knife and heroin offences
The court heard that Milner only supplied cocaine and was not involved in the dealing of heroin. However, the officer later saw Milner with this “second man…giving him permission to supply the officer with a further wrap”.
Milner, of Harehills Lane, Leeds, was duly arrested and found with a “burner” phone – a cheap, pre-paid mobile which criminals often use to evade detection.
He initially denied any involvement in Class A drug-dealing and maintained his innocence until the day of trial in June, when he finally admitted supplying cocaine.
Living on the streets
Nick Cartmell, mitigating, said Milner was living on the streets with his girlfriend at the time and had pneumonia.
He said although Milner clearly made a “quite significant” financial gain, it was simply to buy his “next McDonald’s (meal)…and not going hungry”.
Mr Cartmell added:
“He was a fool and he has a penalty to pay.
“The defendant appears to have been operating a telephone number for the supply of drugs with others and been directly involved in handing them over to addicts.”
He said that Milner stood to make a “significant financial gain” although the amount was unknown.
Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, told Milner:
“You were peddling misery on the streets and…that is very serious.
“You said to the undercover officer that you were being paid a good wage for what you were doing. In my book, peddling Class A drugs is so serious that there has to be an immediate prison sentence because there has to be a recognition of deterrence for others.
“You were out and about distributing this filth on the streets. Who know how many lives you wrecked?”
Milner was jailed for two years and nine months. He will serve half of that sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence.