85-year-old Hampsthwaite man given no refund after weeks without TV

An 85-year-old man has been left waiting for a refund on his TV licence after going without signal for six weeks due to the Bilsdale mast fire.

Gordon Hepworth lives alone in Hampsthwaite. His daughter, Tracey Hepworth, said living alone and being hard of hearing has left him isolated, especially during the pandemic.

When the Bilsdale mast caught fire in August Mr Hepworth lost TV signal for six weeks and was without subtitles for a further two.

She said watching TV in the evening was “company” for him and losing that for six weeks was difficult.

Tracey Hepworth said:

“In the evening, when he can’t go out in the dark, the TV is his company. He can’t listen to the radio without having it on incredibly loud and disrupting the neighbours so he’s very reliant on the TV.”

Ms Hepworth said TV Licensing initially told residents those who had been without signal for one month were eligible for a refund but later read this was increased to two months.

Ms Hepworth said this was “very, very naughty” because a temporary mast was installed six weeks after the fire in August meaning most people’s TVs worked again.

“I feel really sorry for people who went without for six weeks and now they’re getting nothing back.

“My dad was also late paying one month and he was sent a letter threatening to take him to court even though he was without for six weeks and still paid, it’s really unfair.”

She said she’d applied for a refund on September 10 and was yet to get a response despite making several attempts.

Read more:

TV Licensing insisted there was no change to the guidance and anyone without signal for a month or more could still apply for a refund. A spokesperson said:

“We continue to assist customers to claim refunds or licence extensions, and around 9,000 households have already done so. If a household has been unable to receive TV coverage for a month or more, and are also unable to view BBC programming through BBC iPlayer, and satellite and cable platforms, they will be able to claim a refund.”

Otley Road cycle route works set to finish next week

Building work for the first phase of the Otley Road cycle route is set to finish on Thursday December 16.

North Yorkshire County Council said works would have been completed earlier but contractors have been delayed due to the recent spells of stormy weather.

Works have continued throughout November and December to build the new cycle route, which is part of a package of sustainable transport measures in the west of Harrogate.

For its first phase, a section is being created between Harlow Moor Road and Cold Bath Road.

NYCC’s highways area manager Melisa Burnham said:

“Adverse weather caused by storms Arwen and Barra has extended the completion date for the first phase of the Otley Road cycleway. We are aiming to complete the bulk of the work by 16 December.

“However, some remedial work will remain to be completed in the New Year.”

The second phase from Arthur’s Avenue to Beech Grove will be built at a later date.

Read more:

Whilst many people are looking forward to new cycling infrastructure on Otley Road, others have complained about the disruption it’s caused so far with work continuing late into the night.

Rene Dziabas, chair of the Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, said the group has gained several new members from local residents who have been annoyed by the building works.

In late November, a resident told the Stray Ferret that he was “upset and angry” a mature tree was felled to make way for the route.

Harrogate planning committee ‘shambles and embarrassing’, says residents group

The chair of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association has described yesterday’s planning committee meeting, at which councillors approved controversial plans to build 200 homes at the former police training centre, as a “shambles” and “embarrassing”.

Councillors debated the application from Homes England, the government’s housing agency, for three hours. Concerns were raised about traffic congestion and the loss of a football pitch on the site.

The planning committee had previously voted in June against a recommendation to approve the application.

Councillors said back then that the scheme should not be passed until publication of the West Harrogate Parameters Plan, a document that will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with wider plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate.

Councillors were told this week a draft version of the parameters plan would not be published until February 2022 but, this time, they decided to approve the plans by seven votes to three.

Rene Dziabas, chair of HAPARA, criticised the decision of councillors on the committee, who he said were “badly briefed” by officers.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The meeting was a shambles. What communication was there between councillors and the planning department? Given this was a controversial deferral in June, you’d have thought there would have been a great deal of detail buttoned down, and a clear understanding from councillors about what the parameters plan is.

“I felt very let down [by the councillors]”.

Read more:

David Stephenson, senior planning manager at Homes England, warned councillors that while launching a costly appeal against the council was an “absolute last resort” for the body it was a route it was willing to take.

During the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Marsh accused Homes England of “bullying” councillors into approving the plans.

Mr Dziabas said the decision to grant planning permission in the face of impending legal action from Homes England had damaged local democracy.

He added:

“There’s a great deal of talk about local democracy — this was not a good example of it.”

Ripon girl’s suicide not linked to acne drug, inquest concludes

A coroner has concluded that the suicide of a “bright and happy” girl was not linked to the acne drug she had been taking before her death.

Annabel Wright, 15, was found dead in her room by her parents on the evening of May 1, 2019.

Harrogate District Hospital had prescribed Annabel, who lived near Ripon and attended Harrogate’s St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Roaccutane, also known as isotretinoin, to treat her acne.

The conclusion, which was read out today at an inquest in Northallerton, was difficult for her heartbroken parents Helen and Simon Wright to hear.

Jonathan Leach, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire, said:

“There was no evidence that her mind was disturbed. If it was, there is no evidence that this was caused or contributed to by Roaccutane.

“It is clear to me that Annabel took her own life. I offer my thanks to the witnesses and condolences to the family.”

Simon and Helen Wright read out a statement after today’s hearing.

After the hearing Ms Wright, flagged on her right by Mr Wright, said:

“The evidence provided during this inquest has shown that our normal, happy, well-adjusted child took her own life, suddenly, without warning and without any mitigating circumstances other than she was taking a drug which can cause suicide.

“Despite this the coroner has not seen fit to implicate this drug in her death. We are disappointed but sadly not surprised by the verdict delivered here today.

“Annabel was let down by Harrogate District Hospital when they prescribed her a drug she did not even need though it could cause her suicide.

“She was let down in life and she has been let down in death by the authorities steadfast refusal to recognise the role Roaccutane played in her death.

“But we, her family, friends and the people who knew her know the real truth and this will not be changed by the opinions of those who never met her, yet have the power to stand in judgement over her.

“In view of this, we, as bereaved parents, would like to take this opportunity to warn others of the dangers of Roaccutane, because often they will not hear about the true side effects, including sudden suicidal impulses from those who glibly prescribe it.

“We hope others will take heed from this tragedy and refuse to allow their children to take this toxic drug.”

Read more:

Dr Alison Layton, who started Annabel on her treatment, told the inquest that Harrogate District Hospital had carried out a review into how it deals with those under 18.

She also added that the hospital now hands out cards to those on Roaccutane with contact details for mental health services in case they are trying to conceal their feelings.

Hospital investigation

After the inquest Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Annabel Wright.

“Following Annabel’s tragic death, the trust commenced an investigation and our findings were shared with Annabel’s family and HM Coroner.

“We acknowledge the conclusion of HM Coroner.”

Rory Badenoch, the solicitor acting on behalf of the family, urged the coroner to send a letter to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) to make the risks of Roaccutane more clear.

The coroner said he will decide at a later date whether that would be appropriate.

Samaritans are available 365 days a year for people in need of support. You can call them free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Disused Bilton car park to be used for council homes

Revised plans for five council homes on a disused car park in Harrogate have been approved at a second attempt.

Harrogate Borough Council’s housing team was sent back to the drawing board to rethink its plans for the site at Dene Park, Bilton, in May.

But the scheme has now gained approval after a planning committee meeting yesterday.

Councillors said previous concerns over the layout and designs had been addressed, although there were still questions over the loss of the car park.

Councillor Sue Lumby, a Conservative who represents Harrogate Coppice Valley, said:

“I have received a letter from a number of residents who are very concerned about parking. If cars are forced to park on pavements, it is going to make access for buses and refuse vehicles difficult.”

Gillian Wood, the council’s housing growth manager, responded by saying the car park was “grossly under-occupied” and that 12 new parking spaces would be built for the use of all residents over nearby grass verges.

Read more:

She said:

“This will reduce parking on the street.

“We have been monitoring the car park for quite a long time now and we are finding there are generally three cars on there.

“People have a preference to park outside their property, so if we can provide 12 off-street spaces that is 12 cars off the street, which should help.”

1,800 households on council waiting list

There are around 1,800 households on the council’s housing waiting list and the housing team said the car park would help provide “much-needed” accommodation for these residents.

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader, also said the plans should be welcomed for this reason.

She said:

“There are people parking at the site, but it is very small in numbers. To me, what is more important is the almost 2,000 people on our housing waiting list.

“I’m really pleased the council is moving forward with this.”

Councillors unanimously voted to approve the plans at Tuesday’s meeting.

Harrogate police officer charged with sexual assault

A 30-year-old police officer based at Harrogate has been charged with sexual assault.

Christopher Hudson will appear at York Magistrates Court tomorrow.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement that Hudson was based in Harrogate at the time of the allegation and was currently suspended.

No further details are available.

Read more:

 

Eat, drink and be merry: the best Christmas food & drink from local independents

Christmas is the season to eat, drink and be merry. But it’s easy to get caught up in planning your Christmas dinner and forget about the rest of the food and drink you need.

Here’s our round-up of some of the very best local businesses with the food and drink you’ll need over the whole Christmas period.

Beer from Rooster’s Brewing Co.

Rooster’s Brewing Co. make a range of beers that cover a variety of styles, from pale ales and IPA’s to best bitters, stouts and sour beers, all brewed on Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park.

What’s more, Roosters offers a free local delivery service within Harrogate and Knaresborough*, as well as a ‘Cluck & Collect’ service from the brewery and onsite Taproom!

Find your new favourite beer here.

*Minimum spend applies, please see website for specific areas covered.

Cheese from The Cheeseboard

Is Christmas even Christmas if you don’t eat lots of delicious cheese? Save the hassle of collating an assortment of individual cheeses with a ready packed hamper from The Cheeseboard. 

To keep things local, try the ‘Luxury Yorkshire Hamper’. It contains traditional Wensleydale, mature Yorkshire cheddar, Flat Capper brie, blue Wensleydale, Yorkshire halloumi, Stottie goat’s milk camembert, strawberry jam, lemon and ginger marmalade and Wensleydale chutney from Rosebud Preserves, Blueberry preserves lime curd, and of course, traditional fruit cake.

You can order your Luxury Yorkshire cheese hamper here. 

Gin from Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin

This delicious Whittaker’s gin is a smooth winter spice and fruity 42% London dry gin, an ideal fireside tipple for cold winter nights. Featuring juniper and coriander gently overlaid with signature botanicals of dried bitter orange and currants, it’s perfect as a gift… or a treat for yourself.

It’s best served over ice, with either ginger beer, ginger ale or simply with a plain regular tonic – but don’t be shy with your measure of gin. Add a slice of orange, or for a warming alternative add a star anise and use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

Get a bottle of Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin here. 

Fish from Mackenzie’s Smokehouse

Smoked right here in the Harrogate district at Mackenzie’s Smokehouse in Blubberhouses, the Trawler hamper is perfect for anyone wanting a luxury fish-feasting experience.

Inside you’ll find traditional oak smoked salmon, oak roast hot smoked salmon, kippers, mackerel fillets, smoked salmon pate and mackerel pate.

Order the Trawler hamper here.

Wine from Yorkshire Vintners

The Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper really does have it all when it comes to exploring wines.

It’s a journey through the various styles and prominent origins of wines, starting with a renowned English sparkling Nyetimber, followed by a classic chablis and standout Australian red blend. Moving on, there’s a sauternes, then 10-year-old tawny port, finishing with a wonderfully smooth cream liqueur from an emerging distiller here in Yorkshire.

Also included is a Nyetimber bottle stopper, Grahams Port decanter and corkscrew.

Order the Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper here. Order before 15 December to guarantee for Christmas.

Just so you know, all of the local businesses featured here were selected on their own merit, but some have paid to be featured in this article. 

Walk-in boosters available again today in Harrogate

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground is to accept walk-ins again today.

NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group announced there would be walk-ins yesterday afternoon as a one-off but the organisation said today the service would also be available today.

It added it was treating the rest of the week on a day-by-day basis.

Those eligible for a booster can just turn-up between 8.30am and 4pm at the showground.

To qualify, people need to be aged 40 and above. At least six months must have passed since their second dose and they must have no coronavirus symptoms.

The showground was due to close on December 22 but it now looks set to continue until March, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Non walk-in appointments can be booked on the NHS booking site here.

Read more:

Harrogate man jailed for sex assault on toddler

A Harrogate child abuser and online groomer has been sentenced to six years and 11 months in jail.

Wenxiong Jiang, 26, was also made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Register of Sex Offenders indefinitely.

Jiang was convicted at York Crown Court on Friday of the following offences that he committed between February 2017 and December 2020:

Detective Constable Rebecca Townsend, of Harrogate CID, led the intensive investigation into Jiang’s offending following his arrest on December 15, 2020.

Posed as 15-year-old boy

The inquiry uncovered that he had added a 12-year-old girl on Snapchat and engaged her in conversations while he was posing as a 15-year-old boy.

Jiang pressured and then eventually threatened the girl to send him naked pictures of herself engaging in penetrative sexual activity.

When he was arrested, officers recovered 250,000 images from his devices including a video of himself sexually assaulting a two-year-old boy.

Read more:

The Digital Forensic Unit examined all the material to help identify offences and possible victims.

DC Townsend said:

“Wenxiong Jiang is clearly a very disturbed and perverted individual who poses a danger to children.

“He has rightfully been brought to justice and is now facing the full consequences of his depravity with a significant prison sentence.

“As a registered sex offender, he is subject to robust public protection measures for the rest of his life. He will also have to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 20 years which is designed to severely limit his ability to reoffend in the future.”

Reporting suspected crimes involving indecent images of children and sexual abuse

You can contact:

Victims who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact Bridge House, North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), on 0330 223 0362, email bridgehouse.sarc@nhs.net or go to www.bridgehousesarc.org/

Homes England accused of ‘bullying’ tactics over 200 homes at Pannal Ash

The government’s housing agency has been accused of using “bullying” tactics over controversial plans for up to 200 homes at a former police training base in Harrogate.

Homes England was granted approval for the Pannal Ash site at a meeting on Tuesday when it emerged the body had written to senior officials at Harrogate Borough Council claiming the authority acted “unlawfully” when it delayed a decision on the plans in June.

The delay was taken after questions were raised over the West Harrogate Parameters Plan – a long-delayed document on infrastructure needs for the up to 4,000 new homes set to be built in the west of the district.

Members of the council’s planning committee had hoped for a further delay on Tuesday to allow time for the parameters plan to be completed, however, they claimed they were “bullied” into approving the homes due a “threat” of legal action.

David Stephenson, senior planning manager at Homes England, said while launching a costly appeal against the council was an “absolute last resort” for the body, it was a route it was willing to take.

He told yesterday’s meeting:

“We are trying to work with officers and have been doing so for a number of months to avoid an appeal – something Homes England does not want to do.

“But if this is deferred then unfortunately we will have very little options going forward.”

Read more:

The former police site on Yew Tree Lane (pictured below) was used as a base to train more than 1,200 officers a year before it closed in 2011.

The latest plans from Homes England include the conversion of several former police buildings into 16 homes and the construction of 184 new properties, while proposals for a sports pitch have been scrapped.

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said a decision on whether the scheme should go ahead should not be taken until work on the parameters plan is completed as expected in February.

‘Grossly damaging accusation’

“We are talking two months here to make sure what is done on this site is right.

“I’m very saddened Homes England thinks it is right to bully us into this decision, because that is what is on the cards today – ‘approve it or we will appeal’.”

Councillor Jim Clark, a Conservative who represents Harrogate Harlow, also accused the body of having a “bullying attitude” and said its claim that the council acted “unlawfully” was a “grossly damaging accusation”.

The west side of Harrogate currently finds itself with around a quarter of the entire housing allocations in the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place.

This equates to around 3,500 to 4,000 new houses and residents are worried how the area’s schools, roads and health services are going to cope with this population increase.

Rene Dziabas, chairman of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, said he believed a precedent had been set for further housing in the area as the police site was allocated for 163 homes in the Local Plan, but has now gained approval for up to 200.
He said:

“We are strongly opposed to this near 25% uplift in housing numbers.

“We are also worried about the precedent this sets, the impacts that will arise and we ask – what is the point of the Local Plan?”