Simon Weaver: Harrogate Town have been through a ‘cycle of change’

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has said the club has been through a “cycle of change” as they head into the second week of the new season.

Town got off to a winning start last weekend against Swindon Town, picking up three points after a 3-0 win at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that the squad had undergone wholesale changes ahead of the campaign, which needed to be made alongside a fresh style of play.

Town played a 3-4-2-1 formation last weekend and gave debuts to the likes of Matty Daly — one of 10 new additions to the squad.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Crewe Alexandra, Weaver said he hoped the changes would bring greater depth to the squad and prevent Town from dropping falling away again later in the season.

He said:

“We hope so. We’re excited about the start of the season. We’ve made so many new changes — new style of play, new training ground.  We’ve had a whole cycle of change with the players.

“The last couple of years we just haven’t had the depth we needed. Injuries really hit us in the face. We’ve now got younger lads coming through and we can keep people fresh and have a good season throughout.”

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Debutant Daly, who is on loan from Huddersfield Town, was on the scoresheet in the opening game, alongside Jack Muldoon and Alex Pattison.

The formation and style contributed to Town scoring three of their five shots on target.

When asked if he was happy with how the season has started, Weaver said the club had “a long way to go”.

He said:

“We are only 10 metres into a marathon so we have a long way to go.

“We have more pace now. Last season the counter attacks against us were quite potent. We didn’t have the right shape defensively. We can now be more patient with the ball.”

Town take on Crewe at Gresty Road at 3pm tomorrow.

The Railwaymen were relegated last season after finishing bottom of League One.

Town will be without Rory McArdle, Will Smith, Josh Falkingham and Max Wright who are injured for the clash.

Ticket information is available here.

Harrogate police accused of incompetence over attack on cleaners’ car

The owner of a contract cleaning company in Harrogate has accused the police of being incompetent after a man smashed up his staff’s car.

David Whan, who did not want to say the name of his company for fear of being targeted, said a man, who appeared to be drunk, accused two staff members of hitting him with their car when they parked outside the office they were due to clean off Victoria Avenue on the evening of July 19.

The staff members denied hitting him and went into the empty office to clean it.

Mr Whan said the man then returned with an axe and a hammer and tried to break into the office to attack them.

The two cleaners, seeing him return, ran downstairs and locked the front door. When the man couldn’t get into the office, he started to attack their car.

The man smashed the car windows, lights and doors of the vehicle, causing thousands of pounds of damage. The cleaners called the police and the man ran off when they arrived.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“Had that man hit anyone, he could certainly have killed them, such was the damage to the car and the force he used.”

Mr Whan said the two staff members gave the police a detailed description of the man and the officer said he thought he knew who it might be, even mentioning his first name.

However, they were later told that there was “insufficient evidence” and there was nothing more they could do.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“I call this complete incompetence. I call it lazy policing. Why haven’t they checked for any CCTV? They had a very accurate description yet made no effort to follow it up.

“This means there is someone wandering around who’s done criminal damage and could have killed someone yet they’re doing nothing. How does that make my staff feel?

“I have staff working late at night and in empty offices who ought to feel safe. I can’t accept this, I am really cross.”

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Mr Whan has written to his MP, Andrew Jones, to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and to the chief constable, to get some answers.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said officers had checked for CCTV:

“Around 5.45pm on 19 July, officers were called to reports of a man being threatened by another man outside an address on South Park Road in Harrogate.

“Officers attended and took a description of the offender but following a search of the local area, no offender was located. CCTV enquiries were made and found no CCTV covering the location of the offence.

“With very limited further investigative opportunities, the incident was closed.

“When a crime is reported our officers will follow all available lines of enquiry to locate an offender or offenders, as well as providing safeguarding and support to victims.

“Unfortunately, if there are no further investigative opportunities then we cannot take any further action.”

 

No hosepipe ban for Harrogate district despite falling water levels

A hosepipe ban is not being introduced in the Harrogate district despite continuing dry weather — but Yorkshire Water has said it “cannot rule it out” in future.

The water company is advising people to reduce their usage as much as possible as water levels remain low in Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs to the west of Harrogate, as well as Scar House and Grimwith in Nidderdale.

However, despite there being no rain in the forecast for the coming fortnight, the authority has not said it will follow in the footsteps of others by introducing a hosepipe ban.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“Yorkshire has experienced a particularly dry spring and summer and the reservoirs and rivers in our region are seeing the impact. Reservoir levels are currently around 51% – they declined by 2% over the last week despite the rainfall we had across Yorkshire.

“We’re always asking our customers to reduce their usage where they can and allow their lawns to go brown, not wash the car for a few weeks and turn the taps off when they’re brushing their teeth to stop waste and reduce the likelihood of restrictions later in the summer.

“We’re working around the clock to move water around our network of pipes to keep taps flowing and we’re doing our bit to save water where we can too. Our team of leakage inspectors are out and about across Yorkshire, working hard to save water from leaky pipes, and are prioritising larger leaks.”

Hosepipe bans take effect today in Hampshire, with Kent and Surrey to follow next week. This morning, it was announced that a further ban will be applied in south-west Wales from Friday, August 19.

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Harrogate council vows to prioritise recycling collections after two missed rounds

Residents on Harrogate’s Harlow Hill say they fear they could go six weeks without a recycling collection after the last two rounds were missed.

Harrogate Borough Council cancelled some of Tuesday’s bin lorry rounds and notified residents that afternoon by text message.

It advised people to leave their recycling boxes and bags out and said crews would attempt to return later in the week. If they had not been collected by Saturday evening, the council said they would not be done until the next scheduled date 10 days later.

For some residents, however, it is a second consecutive missed collection. Bruce Allison, who lives on the Castle Hill estate off Whinney Lane, said:

“It did not happen on July 19 due to work suspension in the excess heat – we were sent a text saying that HBC were trying to catch up, expected to have it done by 5pm on the Saturday and to leave our items outside. Nothing happened.

“This means we are looking at a gap of six weeks since our last recycling collection – a poor result in return for paying the highest council tax in Yorkshire.”

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The council said staff sickness was responsible for this week’s missed collections. It has vowed to prioritise those residents who also missed the last collection during the heatwave.

A spokesperson said:

“Unfortunately, due to driver shortages as a result of sickness, some recycling collections this week are either delayed or have been postponed until the next collection.

“Unless residents have specifically heard otherwise, we are aiming to return before close of play on Saturday and will be prioritising properties that may have been missed previously because of the extreme heat.

“Any properties that we are unable to return to, we will endeavour to collect any additional material on their next scheduled recycling collection.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Ex-Harrogate headteacher welcomes end to ‘dangerous’ Beech Grove closure

Former Harrogate headteacher Dennis Richards has spoken of his relief at the decision to end the Beech Grove closure.

Mr Richards, who was headteacher at St Aidan’s Church of England High School from 1989 to 2012, lives on Victoria Road, close to Beech Grove.

He said closing Beech Grove to through traffic to encourage cycling and walking was well intentioned but had led to a large increase in speeding traffic on Victoria Road.

So he was delighted when North Yorkshire County Council announced yesterday that restrictions on vehicles using Beech Grove and Lancaster Road in Harrogate will end on August 14.

Mr Richards said:

“The impact on Victoria Road has been traumatic.

“It has been very dangerous, particularly at the top end where it runs into Otley Road, especially during term time.

“Since Beech Grove closed, Victoria Road has become a race track so I’m delighted from a safety point of view.”

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Being a former headteacher, Mr Richards said he sympathised with the aim of creating a low traffic neighbourhood to improve the environment.

But he said the scheme was “half-baked” because it had the unintended consequence of making the surrounding roads worse.

Victoria Road, he said, was particularly badly affected because the narrow section from Lancaster Road to Otley Road, where Mr Richards lives, doesn’t have any speed bumps to slow motorists. He said:

“Harrogate Grammar School is only 150 yards up the road and this will make the roads safer.”

 

Business Breakfast: New Harrogate Town sponsorship deal

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate Town has announced a new partnership with Barclays LED Solutions.

As a result, the Wetherby Road Terrace at the EnviroVent stadium has been renamed the Barclays LED Solutions Stand.

Barclays LED Solutions has been working with the club over the summer to install new energy saving LED floodlights that will improve the lighting at the ground and reduce environmental impact.

Dave Barclay, owner of Barclay LED Solutions said:

“We are thrilled to partner with the club, after completing works on replacing the floodlights with LED we knew we wanted to continue working with Harrogate Town and the right opportunity came at the right time.

“Harrogate Town is an integral part of the community that brings so many people together and we are delighted to be involved with the club and show our support of Town.”

Barclay LED Solutions, founded over 30 years ago as an electrical contracting business now specialises in the design, supply and installation of LED lighting to the sports, commercial and industrial markets.

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Ripon pies win taste award

Ripon based Yorkshire Handmade Pies has picked up a 3 star Great Taste Award for its steak and kidney pie.

The company was also awarded  2 stars for its steak and black pudding and Yorkshire samosa pies, and 1 star for its mushroom and ale and steak and ale pies.

More than 14,000 products were put through the competition’s rigorous blind judging process, with only 241 products from around the world being awarded the Great Taste 3-star accolade, which is awarded for ‘extraordinarily tasty food and drink’.

Yorkshire Handmade Pies are made from local ingredients including slow-cooked Heritage breed beef, herb-fed free-range chicken and grass-fed Wagyu beef, all farmed in harmony with the environment.

Founder James Sturdy said:

“We are over the moon. So fantastic for the team to be recognised for all their hard work. Five awards is a seriously impressive haul – it’s hard to get any awards so five is really good, especially the 3-star one.

“We’re so proud of our local area and of representing Yorkshire’s finest produce on an international stage. Great Taste is the most recognised accolade in the food and drink world. For independent producers like Yorkshire Handmade Pies it really means a huge amount to be recognised.”

 

The award winning steak and kidney Yorkshire Handmade Pie. 

Beech Grove road closure in Harrogate to end in 10 days

Trial restrictions on vehicles using Beech Grove and Lancaster Road in Harrogate are to end in 10 days time.

Measures aimed at encouraging more walking and cycling in Harrogate were introduced on a trial basis in February 2021, for a maximum of 18 months.

It saw the temporary installation of signage, bollards and planters in the two streets – the first initiative of its kind in the county.

The 18-month experimental order will lapse on August 14, meaning the measures must legally now be removed.

Feedback from the trial will now be considered before a wider package of permanent measures to promote environmentally-friendly travel is drawn up and consulted upon in September.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“It is fair to say these trial restrictions have been controversial. We have received significant feedback – positive and negative – and we’ve learnt a lot over the past 18 months.

“We know that more people are now using this route to walk and cycle, which is encouraging and in line with our aim of promoting sustainable travel. However, we are also aware of negative impacts affecting those living nearby.

“Now the trial period is over, it is only right that we review in detail what’s worked and what could work better.

“This will allow us the opportunity to bring forward a detailed and coordinated plan, connecting active travel initiatives such as Otley Road and Station Gateway together in the best way while addressing many of the objections raised by local residents.

“We will be seeking input from local councillors, active travel groups and the public to ensure we are developing the most effective possible plan for this area.”

Air pollution rises above pre-pandemic levels at nine locations in Harrogate district

The levels of harmful air pollutants in the Harrogate district have risen above pre-pandemic levels at nine locations – including one which recorded a year-on-year increase despite covid lockdowns.

Knaresborough bus station was the only area in the district to record a yearly rise in nitrogen dioxide levels between 2019 and 2021.

Nine out of all 64 monitoring locations saw an increase during the same period, although each had a drop during 2020 when lockdowns led to tight restrictions on travel.

All locations remain below current legal limits, but these targets are set to be reduced by the government after warnings that pollutants are even more dangerous than previously thought.

Air pollution is associated with a number of serious health impacts – it particularly affects the most vulnerable, including children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.

The latest figures for Harrogate have been revealed in a report from the borough council which shows nitrogen dioxide levels rose from 2019 to 2021 at:

Bond End is one of four Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) declared by the council for previously breaching the legal limit of 40 micrograms of annual nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air.

The figure for Bond End, which has had traffic light upgrades to tackle pollution from idling vehicles, now stands at 38.3 – the highest in the district.

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For the first time in 15 years, the World Health Organisation (WHO) last year released new guidelines which mean the UK’s legal limits for the most harmful pollutants are now four times higher than the maximum levels recommended.

This is after research found air pollution from areas including vehicle exhausts and gas central heating is having a big impact on health, even at lower concentrations.

While not legally binding, the WHO guidelines are used as reference tools by policymakers around the world and impact on how legal limits are set.

The UK government has yet to approve new limits, with a bill currently going through the legal process.

If the WHO’s new target of 10 micrograms of annual nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air is introduced, just two locations in Harrogate would meet the new guidelines.

In its annual report, Harrogate Borough Council said it had no plans to declare any new AQMAs under the current rules, but added it recognised there was work to do to improve air quality.

It said:

“Concentrations have risen across the district in 2021, but this is following 2020 when there were multiple lockdowns.

“Whilst air quality has improved significantly in recent decades, and will continue to improve due to national policy decisions, there are some areas where local action is needed to improve air quality further.

“We work with colleagues within the highways, sustainable transport and public health departments at North Yorkshire County Council on air quality, and will continue to do this to improve local air quality.”

Starbeck KFC withdraws expansion plan

KFC has withdrawn plans to expand its premises in Starbeck.

Under proposals submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the fast-food chain planned to take over and convert the former Age UK shop next door to create more space for seating.

An area for 14 seats would have been created and a new disabled and unisex toilet installed.

The conversion of the unit would also have seen a new main entrance built.

While the current KFC is mainly used as a takeaway, the fast-food chain said the plan would help it function as a restaurant.

Pegasus Group, which submitted the plans on behalf of KFC to the council, said in planning documents:

“The proposal seeks to utilise it as a seating area directly associated with the existing KFC premises next door. The existing KFC is a Sui Generis takeaway use.

“The proposal will allow for a seating area to be introduced meaning that the existing KFC could operate more as a restaurant.”

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Now, the fast-food chain has withdrawn the plan. No reason has been given in planning documents for the decision.

In a letter to the council, local resident Peter Walker said the High Street already had enough takeaways.

He said:

“Starbeck High Street has more than enough takeaways at this time. Expanding the current provision detracts further from the character of the area, increases the risks due to vermin and drives away other businesses who would suffer further from queues of delivery drivers. 

“We already have rubbish dumped in the area by customers of this business. The number of occasions I have had to clear away half eaten chicken from this shop is growing. 

“The waste attracts rats and we are seeing more of those in the area this summer. Chicken bones are a health risk to dogs and I have to exercise vigilance just to take my dog for a walk.”

The Stray Ferret has approached KFC for comment, but has not received a response by the time of publication.

Harrogate traffic to be counted for £11.2m Station Gateway

The amount of traffic in Harrogate is to be monitored as part of the £11.2 million Station Gateway scheme.

Speaking at a consultation event today on the latest designs for the scheme, Richard Binks, head of major traffic and infrastructure at North Yorkshire County Council, said it had asked consultants to count the volume of traffic.

Mr Binks said current forecasts were based on pre-covid surveys and it was likely traffic had reduced since then.

North Yorkshire County Council said last month the scheme would extend the average journey time around town by 73 seconds at peak times.

Mr Binks said this had now been amended to 50 seconds because plans to reduce two approaches to the Odeon cinema to single lanes had been abandoned.

He said he suspected the traffic count would further negate the argument that the scheme will slow down traffic, even though it will reduce part of Station Parade to one lane.

Mr Binks said it was a common misconception that reducing the number of lanes around town caused congestion. He added that having more efficient junctions, with upgraded smart traffic lights on Station Parade, would improve traffic flow.

He said:

“We are working towards submitting a full business case in the new year so we have about six months to finalise designs.”

Today’s consultation event was the first of three in which people can see the latest designs.

Station Gateway phase 3 design

A document displaying the latest designs at today’s consultation event.

In another development today, Mr Binks said the taxi rank on Station Parade would now remain the same length, after the county council indicated last month it would be shortened.

Mr Binks was one of four officials at today’s consultation event answering questions on the latest designs, which were on display.

Further events will be held tomorrow and Saturday from 11am to 4pm at Victoria Shopping Centre.

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Mr Binks acknowledged there were concerns but he said the overwhelming sentiment today was positive and he detected a “softening” of attitudes towards the scheme, which would reduce part of Station Parade to single lane and part pedestrianise James Street.

Station Parade

Station Parade

Business groups have expressed concern about the impact on trade but Mr Binks said the regeneration of the town centre would make it more attractive and encourage shoppers, as well as making it better for cyclists and pedestrians.

He added the loss of a small number of parking spaces would not have a significant impact because there was “an abundance of car parking in Harrogate”.

Mr Binks also said the scheme remained affordable despite the increase in cost of raw materials over the last year.

You can take part in the consultation online here.

What is the Station Gateway?

The project is one of three in North Yorkshire, and 39 nationally, being funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to promote active travel.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority all support the gateway.

Work is due to start in late spring next year.