Strayside Sunday: we have zombie leadership locally and nationally

Strayside Sunday is a monthly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party.

I write the morning after the night before the Wakefield and Tiverton by-elections, both of which proved (predictably) disastrous for Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party.  In Wakefield, Labour took the seat with a majority of 4,925 on a 12.7% swing.  In Tiverton, Tory since 1880, a massive swing of almost 30% saw the Sir Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats win with a majority of 6,144.  Conservative Party Co-Chair Oliver Dowden published a letter before 6am this morning, “taking responsibility” and falling on his sword.  Whether this is a put-up job, designed to draw the eye away from Boris Johnson’s actual responsibility, with a seat in the Lords to follow – after an appropriate passage of time – remains to be seen.  However, Dowden’s reputation is that of a decent fellow and, so rare in modern politics, let’s take it at face value that, as the man in charge of the by-election campaigns that led to crushing defeat, he has decided to do the decent thing and go.

It was Bill Clinton’s Louisianan campaign guru James Carville who, in 1992, coined the phrase “it’s the economy, stupid.”  And, in the end, it always is.  If the economy is in the tank, then it is almost impossible for governing parties to win elections, general, by or local.  And our economy is in serious trouble.  With inflation running at a 40 year high 10%, the cost-of-living soaring, with post-Brexit trade friction and severe global supply chain problems, the economic outlook is bleak and a recession looking and feeling increasingly likely.  At least interest rates, although on the up, are still in the low single digits.  With the price of petrol and diesel going through the roof – the Stray Ferret reported that diesel hit £2 per litre in Harrogate this week – with energy prices spiking and with the costs of the average food basket increasing by close to 50%, people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.  As part of an economy drive, I would recommend that you avoid filling up at Wetherby services, which now boasts the most expensive fuel in the country.

If you ask pollsters there is only one question that counts in public opinion polling; “is the country heading in the right direction.”  The single largest determinant of the answer is the state of the economy and, as the Americans say, how that is hitting people in their pocketbook.  Unambiguously, most people are worse off now than they were a year ago and you are never going to win elections in that context.

That said you can’t discount the facts of the resignations of the former Conservative MP’s in Wakefield and Tiverton – criminal sexual assault and watching porn (twice) in the commons.  These combined with the litany of bad behaviour on behalf of the Prime Minister – ethics violations prior, during and including Partygate – take one’s mind back to the allegations of Tory sleaze that put paid to the last long-standing Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher and John Major.  This lot aren’t behaving properly just when we need maximum grab in Westminster.

Boris Johnson carries on, blithely disregarding that which practically everyone else in the country knows; he has lost any authority to govern in our names.  Yet on Boris blunders and blusters, now seemingly safe for a year’s grace, post-confidence vote, per Tory party rules.  If the attacks on him from within his party had been coordinated, rather than piecemeal, then the confidence vote against him would not have been forced until the by-election results were in.  But because the parliamentary party itself is a loose coalition of Red Wallers, Shire Tories, Right Wingers and One Nation Moderates, there was little shared enterprise in the bid to remove Johnson, rather a collection of individual malcontents from across the piece.  Nor is there an obvious successor from any wing.  I hope it’s not true, but because the plotters couldn’t get their act together, we may now be stuck with Johnson until 2023.

Closer to home we are stuck with Harrogate Borough Council for another 9 months until it is abolished and the North Yorkshire County Council unitary takes over.  Following the May local elections, a new executive team took over at NYCC, which has prompted a rethink about the controversial proposed Station Gateway Development here in Harrogate.  In two previous public consultations significant concerns have been raised by residents and business leaders about the impact of the development on traffic in the town.  Yet another consultation – specifically on traffic impacts – is now to be commissioned.  This is the politics of delay, of kicking the can down the road.  Whether or not Station Gateway ever does get the go-ahead is now an even money chance, linked so closely as it is with the now dead in the water Harrogate Borough Council.

It seems whether in Westminster, or at home in Harrogate, we face a period of zombie government, neither dead nor alive, ill-equipped to deal with the very serious issues confronting us all.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

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The Stray Ferret pays tribute to Harry Gration

Harry Gration was loved  by many people in the Harrogate district and across Yorkshire. He touched many lives – last year he worked with us at the Stray Ferret in a competition to find Harry’s Heroes.

In the course of a few weeks he met the finalists and made podcasts with them – talking to them about what inspired them to work for others.  It was what Harry liked doing best — meeting people from all walks of life.

Tamsin O’Brien the director of the Stray Ferret worked with Harry at the BBC when he was presenting Look North.  Today she said:

“Harry was a one-off. He was fun and simply got on with everyone. A naturally gifted communicator.

“I worked with Harry in my previous career at the BBC and it was joy to work again with him last year on Harry’s Heroes. It’s hard to take in the news that he’s no longer with us.

“I speak on behalf of all of us at the Stray Ferret by sending Helen and his family all our love and thoughts at this time. There was only one Harry Gration.”

Susie Little from Covid Co-operation Harrogate, who was one of the nominated heroes, posted a picture on Facebook of herself with Harry and this message :

“I am so sad following the news of Harry Gration’s death last night. He was a true Yorkshire gent; no airs or graces, not a hint of “celeb”.
“I was privileged to spend an hour with him last year when nominated for a Harry’s Hero award.  My thoughts are with his family, friends, and BBC colleagues who must be reeling at the news. He was only 72. Rest in peace, Harry. Legend.”

Susie Little with Harry last year for Harry’s Heroes

Harry Gration lived in York but was a regular visitor to the district.

He was a season ticket holder at Harrogate Town which posted this message:

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of friend of the club, Harry Gration. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Harry’s loved ones at this time

Recently Harry spoke at a Harrogate Brigantes fundraising event. Today a statement was issued from the club’s Les Ellington:

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Harry Gration MBE, who was guest speaker and auctioneer at our charity dinner only on 17 June, helping us to raise over £5000 for our Ukraine appeal.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues at the BBC. Rest in peace Harry and thank you from all of us.”

Do you have memories of meeting Harry Gration? Do send them to us and we will publish them in the coming few days. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Oz Clarke and the Armonico Consort toast music with ‘Gin & Phonic’

A top wine critic and broadcaster is set to team up with a choir and instrumental ensemble to explore the relationship between music and gin.

Held in association with Harrogate’s Slingsby Gin, the event will see Oz Clarke and the Armonico Consort investigate the highs and lows of the connection between gin, music, and humans over the centuries.

Gin and Phonic will take place in The Spiegeltent, in Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, on the evening of Monday, July 4, as part of the Harrogate Music Festival.

Slingsby Gin will be providing two free gin tastings for each audience member, which can be sipped whilst listening to the music of Purcell, Handel and Dowland.

Whilst William Slingsby discovered the unique properties of the natural spring water from Harrogate’s Tewit Well in 1571, more than 40 years later Slingsby Gin captured the ‘Spirit of Harrogate’, synonymous with its beautiful and restorative nature, in a variety of different gins.

Tickets cost £28 and are available here or by calling the Harrogate International Festivals box office on 01423 562303.

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Man, 40, charged with attempted murder in Beckwithshaw

A 40-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in Beckwithshaw.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

It follows an incident at a house on the main B6161 Otley Road, very close to the local primary school, at about 8.20am on Monday.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have been dropping off children at the school, or commuters passing by, to check their vehicle dashcam and report any footage that may have captured any part of the incident prior to the attendance of the emergency services.”

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, press 2 and ask to speak to the major investigation team.

Quote reference number 12220105995 when passing on any information.

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Grab a picnic rug for open air theatre performances in the district

It has been a week of soaring temperatures across the Harrogate district.

And when the sun shines, there is nothing better than grabbing a picnic rug or deckchair and enjoying some fabulous outdoor entertainment.

We have put together a selection of outdoor theatre performances taking place across the Harrogate district this summer where tickets are still available:

Hamlet The Comedy – RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, July 5 and 6

Festival favourite Oddsocks Productions return to Harrogate with yet another high-energy, feel-good family theatre show.

Pack your picnic and join the crazy theatre troupe for a festival of music, magic and mayhem as they bring Hamlet The Comedy to the beautiful grounds of Harlow Carr.

Hamlet The Comedy finds the eponymous royal student returning home for the summer holidays to find something rotten in the state of Denmark and it’s more than just the bag of dirty washing! Mum’s married Uncle Claudius and Dad’s dishing the dirt from his grave – it’s enough to make a teenager mad!

Shakespeare’s famous tragedy is performed as you’ve never seen before with lots of laughs, music and memorable moments.

Presented by Oddsocks Productions as part of Harrogate International Festivals.

Event details:

Doors open at 6.30pm for Friends of the Festival and RHS card holders.

General admission from 6.45pm.

This is an outdoor event, please dress appropriately for the British weather. Feel free to bring your own picnics, rugs and deckchairs to make the most of the event.

Tickets are available here.

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Cinderella – Valley Gardens, Harrogate,  July 17

In an enchanted kingdom faraway land magical creatures and fairy godmothers come together to tell the best-loved of all fairy tales.

Full of song, mirth, and joy for the summer ahead, join us on Cinderella’s journey of a lifetime to a magical ball where nearly anything is possible especially if it is before midnight.

Family and friends are welcome to picnic and children are invited to dress in their favourite fairy tale characters and join for the midsummer ball dance.

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 3pm and the production starts at 4pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here

Romeo and Juliet – Knaresborough Castle, August 6

This best-loved story of star crossed lovers and feuding families shall be performed in the castle yard.

Dressed in beautiful Elizabethan costume and performed by a fine troupe of Shakespearean players, join Chapterhouse for the greatest love story ever told as they perform magical theatre in magical surroundings.

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 6pm and the production starts at 7pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here 

Pride and Prejudice – Ripon Spa Gardens, August 20

Take a step back in time as we meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters. Whilst their interfering mother engineers various courtships, Elizabeth and Jane must pursue their own quest for true love.

Amidst mistakes and miscommunications, can Elizabeth finally surpass her prejudices to see past the proud exterior of the enigmatic Mr Darcy?

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 6pm, the production starts at 7pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here 

Meet North Yorkshire’s new highways chief

At 27-years-old, Keane Duncan has been made responsible for one of the largest road networks in the country and an array of multi-million pound highways projects.

It’s been a baptism of fire for the young politician, who has gone from the debates of student politics to the senior councillor in charge of highways in a short space of time.

His new role includes the £10.9 million Station Gateway project, a £60 million scheme to realign the A59 at Kex Gill and the newly incorporated highways company, NYHighways, which will oversee thousands of miles of road.

For Cllr Duncan, the position is an opportunity but he’s also aware of that the role comes with intense scrutiny – particularly in Harrogate.

Youngest county councillor

A resident of the village of Norton and a councillor for seven years, Cllr Duncan began his political career while studying at the University of York.

He got involved with the local Thirsk and Malton Conservatives and asked to stand for council.

“I hadn’t really been politically active until that point.”

He was elected to North Yorkshire County Council and then later to his local district council in Ryedale.

For two years, he was leader of Ryedale District Council – one of the six districts which will be abolished next year to make way for North Yorkshire Council.

However, he stepped down in February 2021 over what he described as a “cruel and unnecessary” council tax hike.

He said:

“It’s a very challenging political landscape over in Ryedale. 

“There was no overall control for any party and that represents difficulties in sometimes getting decisions through and doing what we need to do for local people.”

Ahead of the abolition of the county council and districts, Cllr Duncan was a key figure in the debate over what should replace them.

He backed an east/west model for North Yorkshire, while current council leader, Cllr Carl Les, was a proponent of the single unitary model.

Cllr Duncan said:

“I was very much in favour of what was called the east/west proposal.

“I believed passionately in that proposal at the time. I believe passionately in unitary local government, so I wanted to deliver that.”

New highways chief

Fast forward to May this year and Cllr Duncan has been appointed the the executive and will now have a key role in the county’s highways department going into the new council.

While he is now both the youngest member of the council and the executive, Cllr Duncan said he had no expectation of being given the brief.

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He said he had “no hopes or expectations” of being given a senior position until he was asked by Cllr Les.

He said:

“I was focused on getting myself here on these seats in the council chamber. The leader asked me to join his executive and I was very happy to accept.”

Cllr Duncan added:

“My portfolio area is probably the most public facing. It is the area where we get the most public comments and complaints.”

Multi-million pound Harrogate schemes

One of Cllr Duncan’s pledges since becoming the highways chief is to visit each area of the county.

Earlier this week he visited Ripon and planned to do the same with Harrogate in the near future.

The Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

The Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

The role in the district will prove to be challenging for Cllr Duncan, who will oversee schemes such as the Otley Road cycle route, Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood and the Kex Gill realignment.

Perhaps the most high profile locally will be the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme, which is earmarked for a further round of consultation later this year.

When asked for his view on the scheme, which has proved controversial in Harrogate, Cllr Duncan said:

“I’m personally supportive of that scheme and we are wanting to progress it.

“We are going out to a third round of public consultation to ensure that everyone can have their say and their opinions.

“For me, my test on the ground is what do the local councillors think and feel? They are the representatives of their local community.”

Cllr Duncan said he felt that that “on the whole” the council was trying to get the balance right on the various schemes across the district.

However, he added that he was aware of concerns over some of the schemes such as the gateway project.

His new role will also be to field complaints and criticism from the public, but Cllr Duncan said he is determined to do his job well.

“It is a difficult portfolio to manage, but I’m determined to do that by hopefully ensuring that we’re listening to people on the ground.”

Woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Harrogate

A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Bilton.

A man in his 40s has also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

It follows an incident at a house in Byland Road last night when a woman was seriously injured by what police believe to be a “bladed article”.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this evening said:

“It has also been established this was an isolated incident and it is believed there is no further risk to the wider public.”

The scene on Byland Road this morning.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Sygrove, a senior investigation officer, said:

“We hope this goes some way to reassure the residents of Bylands Road and the surrounding areas.”

Police were called to Byland Road at about 5pm yesterday. Forensic officers also attended the scene.

The woman is the second person in the Harrogate area to be arrested on suspicion of attempted murder today.

This morning a 40-year-old man was arrested for the attempted murder of an 11-year-old child and a 10-year-old child, following an incident in Beckwithshaw on Monday.

Police urged anyone with information on the Bilton incident to call 101, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers instead on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference 12220108308 when providing any information.

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Harrogate family reunited with missing cat after five years

A Harrogate family was left stunned yesterday after their beloved family cat Django was found — five years after they thought they had lost him forever.

Lisa Watson and her husband used to live off Knaresborough Road with Django, a black and white puss they had owned for over two years.

The cat was microchipped but one day Django disappeared and never returned.

Lisa, who had a close bond with her pet, was frantic with worry.

She joined Facebook groups, printed posters and went out every night for four weeks looking for her.

She even went to see a clairvoyant who told her that Django had been killed and she should move on. She said:

“It broke my heart. I thought, that’s my closure, I’m never going to see him again.”

When Django went missing, Lisa was five months pregnant and she said the stress of losing the cat contributed to her giving birth two months early.

But years later, she never stopped thinking about Django and wondered if he was still out there.

The family moved to a different part of the Harrogate district but whenever they were in the area they used to live, they would take a detour to see if they could spot Django.

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Fateful phone call

Everything changed yesterday when Lisa had a phone call from her husband. He cryptically asked her what phone call would she never expect to receive.

She immediately responded with: “Finding Django”.

Django had been found at Fodder by the Great Yorkshire Showground, and after her microchip was scanned by a local vet, it led her back to Lisa.

When she picked Django up, he did not look like a cat that had been struggling to survive in the wild. He was well fed and decidedly chunky.

She described the emotional reunion with the affectionate mog.

“He leaped into my arms, picked up his head and nuzzled my face.”

Lisa and Django have a lot of catching up to do. The family now has some other cats and a five-year-old son who is delighted to have a new pet.

Lisa said:

“If Django doesnt wander off again he’ll be mine for life.

“It’s like when people get reunited there are mixed emotions. You’re glad but you’re strangers again. A lot has happened, there are new family members and the dynamic has changed!”

Lisa urged anyone who sees a cat they think might be a stray to get their microchip checked by a vet. It could help another family be reunited with their long-lost pet.

New covid advice after Harrogate district rate triples in June

People are being urged to take measures to avoid covid after the rate of infection tripled in the Harrogate district this month.

The covid rate had been decreasing across North Yorkshire since the end of March. But the trend has reversed in recent weeks due to a more transmissible variant of Omicron.

At the end of May, the district’s rate of infection was 55 people per 100,000. It is now 172.

Dr Victoria Turner, public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Cases of covid are once again rising across the UK, including in North Yorkshire.

“The latest increase is being driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron, which has also caused high rates in other countries across the world.

“There is evidence that BA.4 and BA.5 are more transmissible than previous variants, and there is limited protection from infection with previous variants against BA.4 and BA.5.”

Dr Turner said getting vaccinated, meeting outdoors or in well-ventilated areas indoors, wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, and good hand and respiratory hygiene would reduce the risk of transmission.

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She also advised people with covid symptoms to try to stay at home for five days following the day of their positive result.

Free covid testing is no longer available for most people, but tests can be bought from pharmacies. Dr Turner said:

“It is still best to try to avoid covid infection wherever possible, or minimise the number of times you have it.

“Even if you do not develop severe symptoms from the initial infection you are still at risk of developing long covid, which can be debilitating.

“You are also at increased risk from cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes in the days and weeks following covid infection.”

Sue Peckitt, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group chief nurse and director of nursing and quality, added:

“There are still a significant number of people in our hospitals who have covid and it’s a stark reminder that coronavirus hasn’t gone away. This virus is still causing some people to become very unwell.”

Shocking video shows teens ripping up trees on Harrogate Stray

A group of teenagers have been filmed ripping trees from the ground on the Stray last night.

Sara and John Scott were walking home from town along the footpath adjacent to the railway line when they saw the group of teenagers ripping the trees from their roots.

The pair were so angry they chose to film what was happening. The video shows a small group of three teens tearing the trees down at 7.30pm.

Ms Scott said:

“There was a lot of them down there earlier, as I think it was the last day of the exams but at the time of this video, there was about 10 left. They were all drunk and doing this. Playing music, drinking and they ripped down 2 different trees that we saw.”

The couple live close by and often walk through the Stray, they said it was “infuriating” to see people treat it in such a way.

The Stray Ferret visited the area today and could see two young trees on the ground with just a stump remaining.

These images, taken today, show the remaining stumps of the two trees reportedly torn down last night

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, said the actions of a few young people were “appalling”. She said the Stray is respected by thousands of people young and old and the actions of a few were a huge disappointment.

She said:

“Why did they feel the need to do that? We are blessed with the Stray so why is it deemed a celebration to destroy nature? It’s appalling to be actively destroying the Stray like this.”

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Harrogate Borough Council, which is the caretaker of the Stray, said:

“Our parks and grounds maintenance teams work year round to ensure we have a beautiful district to live or work in and for visitors to enjoy.

“To see this pointless destruction and disregard for our lovely natural environment is shocking. Unfortunately the individuals don’t seem to realise that their behaviour doesn’t just impact on them but the enjoyment of others.

“We urge anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet reported it to North Yorkshire Police, to do so.”

The Stray Ferret also spoke to North Yorkshire Police, it said the incident had been reported at 7.40pm last night. In a statement the police said:

“We would advise anyone who witnessed the incident but has not reported it to the police to get in touch.

“Incident number 12220108383.”