Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Newcastle Building Society has appointed Heather Pearman to manage its new community branch in Knaresborough which opened in July.

Since the last bank in the town was closed in 2021,  the building society said it had worked closely with the borough and county councils to restore banking access.

The building society said its community branch, inside Knaresborough library, showed its commitment to maintaining a high street presence across North Yorkshire.

Heather Pearman joins with over 10 years’ experience in financial services, having previously worked for Knaresborough’s Bradford & Bingley and Santander branches for 15 years.

She said:

“The people of Knaresborough have been crying out for the return of financial services to this thriving market town and we hope the arrival of our community branch will deliver the essential support they’ve been missing.

“After some time away from Knaresborough it’s a privilege to return to the town I love, and engage with some of the familiar and new faces that make this town such a jewel in North Yorkshire’s crown.

I look forward to integrating our new community branch into the heart of Knaresborough and delivering the much-needed local financial facilities for people and businesses in our area.”

Read More:

• Bank machines to be fitted in Knaresborough Library building
• Second banking blow for Ripon as Halifax announces closure

Harrogate solicitors, McCormicks, is the main sponsor for this year’s 28^th annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards.

The awards mark the achievements of outstanding young people aged under 35 and nominations are now open. Organisers say the winners don’t need to be famous, they can be completely unknown but have achieved something amazing for themselves or their community.

Chairman Peter McCormick OBE said: “This year has already seen some terrific achievements by young people from Yorkshire but we want to hear about more!”

The Awards dinner will be held for the first time since 2019 on Thursday 17 November at the Centenary Pavilion at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground and is the main fundraiser for the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation which makes grants to young people and organisations supporting them across the region.

The nomination categories are as follows:

• Personality of the Year (sponsored by Rudding Park)
• Youngster of the Year (Nabarro McAllister)
• Unsung Hero (Jamboree Entertainment Ltd)
• Achievement in the Arts (Martin Gerrard)
• Achievement in Education (Harrogate Town FC)
• Achievement in Management and Enterprise (CHR Group)
• Achievement in Sport (Leeds United Football Club)
• Special Award (Peter Gilman and GMI)

The Awards have raised more than £1.3m for young people and projects helping them across the region and anyone nominate a potential winner. Simply visit the Awards website at www.yorkshireyoungachievers.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 2 September.

The Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club has praised the Lioness for her ongoing support.

David Terzza remembers Daly playing in the boys teams at the junior club from U8s to U11s.

He said she had kept in touch and sponsored last season’s Adidas football kits for the girls’ teams.

The girls were also invited to meet Daly and her fellow Lionesses at a training session at St George’s Park and to watch the England v Netherlands friendly at Elland Road in Leeds.

Read more:

• Former school leads messages to Harrogate’s football champion Rachel Daly
• ‘That was for you’ – Harrogate Lioness’s tribute to late dad

Mr Terzza, who has coached at the club for 22 years, said:

“I remember seeing her play, she was outstanding. When Rachel started playing she was the only girl at the time who played on the boys’ teams. She was fearless and could hold her own. The coaches used to point her out and say she was going to go far.

“Rachel has kept in touch and has sponsored Adidas football kits for the girls teams. They were proudly worn by the U11 and U14 Girls last season. Both teams were inspired by this act of kindness to become league winners.”

Mr Terzza has coached girls’ football for the last 12 years and is also the secretary for the Harrogate and District Junior Girls Football League, which is overseen by the Football Association.

He believes the Lionesses’ Euro win will have a lasting impact on girls ‘and women’s grassroots football.

He said:

“It has inspired our girls tremendously and has been an incredible boost to women’s and girls’ football, with the Lionesses now well-known household names.”

UPDATE: since publishing this story we are happy to report that Maggie has been found and reunited with her very relieved owners Paul and Laurie Smith

Harrogate couple Paul and Laurie Smith have told the Stray Ferret how their miniature Dachshund was taken from their front garden yesterday morning.

Maggie, who is only 17 weeks old, was with Paul in the back garden of the home on Swan Road when she was coaxed down the drive at the side of the house to the front garden by a woman who then picked her up and stole her.

The couple say the incident was caught on a neighbour’s CCTV but the images are grainy and they are now trying to get them enhanced.

Paul said:

“We watched the woman come to the house, she comes to the drive and encourages the dog towards her.

“As soon as Maggie gets within arms length she picks her up, puts her under her right arm and sets off rapidly towards Valley Gardens.

“The was no hesitation, it is a very deliberate act.”

The couple are now frantic to find Maggie and have reported her theft to the police.  They’ve put up posters in the area and published the images of the woman on social media. Maggie is chipped, which has been alerted.

Laurie Smith said:

“It made me sick when we saw the CCTV, it’s absolutely desperate.  We don’t know where to look. She’s so friendly and socialised. She must be so frightened.”

Read more:

• Malnourished dogs found in Harrogate flat covered in faeces and urine
• Dog owners who let their pets off the leash cause distress at Ripon Cemetery

Officials at Harrogate Business Improvement District hope more officers will be put into the town centre after latest figures show 187 cases of anti-social behaviour were reported in the area.

Matthew Chapman, manager at the BID, said more police in the area would help to deter such crime.

It comes as the organisation last week launched its Report a Crime campaign, which encourages people to report instances of crime in the town centre.

Latest police figures show that within the force’s Harrogate Town area, which includes the town centre and outer areas, 187 reports of anti-social behaviour were made during May.

The number makes up 31% of all crime reported.

A total of 602 crimes were reported during the month, which also includes 57 instances of criminal damage and 26 reports of shoplifting.

Mr Chapman told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate isn’t immune from criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, however, it is a lot safer, cleaner, and more welcoming than many other towns and cities in the UK – and this is something Harrogate BID is doing its upmost to maintain.

“Last week, we launched our Report a Crime campaign, where we are urging businesses, residents and visitors to contact the police via the online reporting system if they witness a crime, or a victim of it.

“Senior Harrogate police officers tell us there are no issues and resources are needed elsewhere, but these figures contradict that view. I hope they will now look again and increase uniformed patrols in and around the town centre, which will have a double effect – that of reassurance and other deterrence.”

Read more:

• BID launches campaign to increase reporting of crime in Harrogate town centre
• Report a Crime and make Harrogate a better place

The campaign to report more crime comes as the BID said police statistics did not match what businesses were telling them on the ground.

The kind of crimes being seen by retailers included anti-social behaviour, often linked to drinking, and what’s termed ‘professional begging’.

The new campaign is being backed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, whose chief executive David Simister said:

“Harrogate is a fantastic town to live and work, but when it comes to crime it’s not immune.

“It’s important we get a proper understanding of what is happening – or not happening – in our town centre, hence us giving our backing to this campaign.

“In the past I’ve called 101 and after waiting many minutes I’ve simply put the phone down. And by doing this, an incident has gone unreported. In future, report it online and that way it is logged and recorded.”

To report a crime in Harrogate Town centre, visit the North Yorkshire Police website.

Sponsored by the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Audiences can double their fun at the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate this year with a special buy one ticket, get one free FESTIVAL TASTER offer.

The 28th festival will open at the stunning Royal Hall on Wednesday, August 10, where it will be for 12 days of outstanding entertainment.

There will be 20 performances at the Royal Hall alongside a memorabilia fair with a programme of lectures, concerts and more.

During the festival you can enjoy shows from the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.

The company will bring all-time favourite The Pirates of Penzance, an enchanting production of Iolanthe and a lavish, rarely performed production of Utopia Limited.

An incredible crowd in the Royal Hall for the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Opera della Luna, Charles Court Opera and Forbear! Theatre will also bring HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, Patience and an all-singing and dancing production of The Gondoliers.

So, if you have never seen Gilbert & Sullivan before, or your memories flash back to The Play That Goes Wrong in a draughty village hall, then the festival organisers would like you to join in the fun this year and see just how well it can be done.

There’s never been a better time to get involved with a rare buy one ticket, get one free offer. All you need to do is use code TASTER22 on the Gilbert & Sullivan website or by calling 01422 323252. This offer expires on Friday, August 9, 2022.

Two of the Harrogate district’s premier village shows attracted sizeable crowds over the weekend.

Weeton Show drew its biggest attendance for 15 years on Sunday as early morning rain gave way to fine weather.

The event was one of the few country shows to defy covid last year and take place.

Here are some images from the day.

Read more:

• Village show season set to start in Harrogate district
• Historic Hampsthwaite village celebration set for return

Birstwith Show bounced back strongly with its first event in three years.

3SIXTY Bicycle Stunt Team (pictured below) were among the attractions at the Nidderdale event, which dates back to 1867.

Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough to win the centenary Addison Cup final last night.

The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.

Last night’s final saw Knaresborough post a competitive 143 for 6 in 20 overs at Follifoot Cricket Club. Tashmial Henry struck 64 and Toby Giddings hit 35.

But a skilful and composed unbeaten 67 in gloomy conditions from South African man of the match Byron Boshoff helped Burnt Yates to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.

It’s the first time the village side, which was captained by Ryan Lamb, has won the district’s premier 20-over competition. They beat defending champions Harrogate in the quarter-final.

As usual, a member of the Addison family presented the winner’s medals.

Eric Wainwright, whose father played for The Gas Company, a Harrogate team that won the 1933 final, presented the runner’s-up medals.

Read more:

• Do you recognise any of these Harrogate cricketers from 1922?
• Ofsted praise for ‘ambitious’ leaders at Nidderdale village school

Last night also saw the final of the Atkinson Cup, which is contested by the teams that lose in the first round of the Addison Cup.

The final was postponed when heat stopped play two weeks ago when temperatures approached 40 degrees centigrade. It was then delayed again last week because of rain.

Yesterday at Spofforth, Pateley Bridge scored 134 and then bowled out North Stainley for 101 to win by 33 runs.

Tom Hardcastle, of Pateley, was adjudged man of the match.

Winning captain Ryan Lamb receives the Addison Cup.

Byron Boshoff is presented with the man of the match award.

A man has been arrested after reports that a member of staff at a shop in the town centre was assaulted last night.

Police were called to Cambridge Street at 9pm after being told a man had stolen alcohol from a shop and threatened and assaulted a member of staff.

A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said:

“Officers quickly located a suspect nearby and arrested him on suspicion of assault, theft, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.

“The man, who is in his 30s, currently remains in custody and the investigation is ongoing.”

Read more:

• Police warn of increase in house and car thefts in Harrogate
• BID launches campaign to increase reporting of crime in Harrogate town centre

North Yorkshire Police has bought a new digital van to improve how the police service responds to rape or serious sexual offences.

The van is a mobile digital forensic laboratory containing all of the latest equipment and software that the force said it needs to perform phone and computer digital examinations at a scene.

It means officers can examine a range of devices at the earliest opportunity at any location and, when appropriate, return them immediately.

The van is unmarked which means it can visit a victim’s home or a crime scene discreetly.

The force said its main objective was to deliver a faster, safer and more sensitive service for those affected by rape, and sexual assault and to increase confidence in the criminal justice system.

Read More: 

• Malnourished dogs found in Harrogate flat covered in faeces and urine
• Another record month for the Stray Ferret as readership soars

The van’s purchase is in response to the findings of the government’s Rape Response Review and it’s hoped will help the force meet Government targets around rapid victim mobile phone examination.

Assistant chief constable Lindsey Butterfield said:

“The new digital forensics van is a huge asset to the force as it will help us provide an enhanced service to victims of rape and serious sexual assault.

“We recognise that we must do everything we possibly can to support and protect victims at the most distressing time of their lives, and we are confident this new mobile technology will help us do that.  Ultimately, it will also help us deliver our strategy around the prevention of violence against women and girls.

“The use of this van will also strengthen our opportunity to gather valuable evidence and hopefully increase public confidence in the police’s ability to deal with vulnerable victims in the most sensitive way possible.”

Zoë Metcalfe, police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, added:

“We must ensure we do all we can to support victims of rape and serious sexual assault, while at the same time ensuring we collect the evidence needed to make sure these crimes can be properly investigated.

“These new digital tools are an important part of that, making it easier and quicker for police to collect evidence and making the process less intrusive for those who have been attacked at the most traumatic of times.

“Victims need to feel they will be taken seriously and can achieve justice if they report these crimes, and I will be making sure that happens in North Yorkshire and York.”

An Oxfordshire company has been awarded £200,000 to oversee a review of junctions as part of mass house building in the west of Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council has appointed RPS Consulting Services Limited to oversee the work, which is part of the West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy.

The strategy is part of the wider proposals for the area and builds upon the West Harrogate Parameters Plan, which sets out how the area’s infrastructure and services will cope with 4,000 new homes.

The contract will see RPS Consulting Services review the designs of the junctions within the strategy.

Karl Battersby, corporate director for business and environmental services at the county council, said:

“This is a contract to support us in reviewing proposed junction mitigations for the infrastructure delivery plan, which is required to support growth in the west of Harrogate.

“The work will look at the design and timing of various junction changes, as well as the cost and delivery mechanism.

“It includes a number of junctions which will be looked at as part of a cumulative transport assessment carried out by the developers.”

Read more:

• Key planning document delayed for west Harrogate residents facing 4,000 new homes
• Under-fire infrastructure plans for west Harrogate will cost taxpayers £25,000

Residents have criticised the delivery strategy for lacking detail and being “incoherent”.

Some people said they were disappointed after a meeting last month over some of the proposals in the delivery strategy.

The document was due for completion in May – but Harrogate Borough Council has now said it expects it to be published before the end of the year.

The Western Arc Coordination Group, which represents a range of Harrogate campaign and residents groups, said in a statement after the meeting:

“On the day, we were asked to provide comments on a document that only consisted of a series of diagrams in relation to a number of road junctions without any supporting data. The whole of this work came over as incoherent and lacking any real structure.”

In response, a borough council spokesperson said the meeting was held to help design the strategy and further consultation will take place with residents groups later in the year.