The long Easter weekend saw the blooming of Harrogate’s Cherry Blossoms, with the most noticeable lining the footpaths of the Stray.

The 200-acre landscape is now multiple shades of pink after the weekend’s warm weather brought out the cherry blossom trees.

The blooming trees have come just in time for the start of the Harrogate Spring Flower Show which opens at the Showground tomorrow, April 21.

This beautiful picture was sent in by Lizzie Gentry

Photograph: David Simister

This shot was sent in by Margaret Smith from the Tewit Well area of the Stray

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Another blossom picture sent by Wil Lo

Police have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested following two attempted robberies on Harrogate’s West Park.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that officers were called to the area near the parade of shops, close to the junction with Tower Street, where witnesses said a man had attempted to mug several people.

Officers said two woman reported a man had tried to take their mobile phones.

A local resident called police after hearing one of the victims screaming for help on West Park.

Two police cars, two vans and an ambulance were at the scene shortly after 7pm.

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Officers added there were also reports that an object had been thrown at a woman on Oxford Road.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed this afternoon that a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two attempted robberies, assault and a public order offence.

A police statement said:

“The man currently remains in custody and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

“Members of the public are asked to contact officers if they have any information that could assist the investigation. Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12220066183 when providing any information.”

A leading Harrogate hotelier says new rules which see calories listed on menus are “bizarre”.

Restaurants, cafes and takeaways with more than 250 staff must print how many calories are in meals on their menus, websites, and on delivery platforms.

Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park, said:

“From an industry perspective, it is bizarre.

“Why is the number 250? It’s an entirely arbitrary figure. Surely it’s nothing to do with the number of people you employ, it’s to do with the number of calories.

“It means a business that might employ 200 people for example doesn’t have to put calories on the menu, which makes no sense.”

Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park in Harrogate.

Mr Banks said other problems included it being a huge task to get the calorie information for dishes, making it more difficult to change or update the menu.

He added that guests were also being put off from ordering food.

He said:

“The big one last week was a lady ordered cauliflower cheese and broccoli for her main course. When it was pointed out that these were side dishes, she said she only had a 2,000 calorie daily allowance so couldn’t have anymore.

“This means it is limiting spend in restaurants. We have certainly noticed a decrease in the number of puddings being ordered.”

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He stressed that he understood what the Government was trying to achieve and agreed that action needed to be taken to tackle the obesity crisis.

However, he added:

“I’m not sure it’s a very well through piece of legislation. Diners should be given a choice. If they want to see a menu with calories listed then they should have that option. This way it’s forcing it down their throats. It’s really strange.

“It’s another layer of admin, it’s another layer of costs.

Also, how are the Government going to monitor if the number of calories is correct? Is there going to be someone coming around to weigh how many potatoes are in a dish? How are they going to enforce it?”

Members of the F45 Harrogate gym, on Albert Street, have mixed opinions on the new legislation.

Georgina Lambley said:

“Personally I don’t mind it and I find it useful for tracking calories. However, I think it’s detrimental to the mental health of many people such as those battling eating disorders.”

Megan Rose said she had mixed feelings.

She said:

“I understand that on one hand there is an obesity epidemic in the UK and this is another way of tackling that.

“On the other hand, I used to have an eating disorder and would have found it crippling when I was at my lowest. I have heard however that restaurants are still able to offer calorie free menus for those that are prone to disordered eating.”

However, Sarah Hart said it was a positive change.

She said:

“I think it’s a great idea and helps guide choices – thumbs up from me!”

Richard Hall added:

The vast majority of parents have got their child in to their first choice primary school in the Harrogate district, new figures reveal.

Primary school admissions statistics for entry in September show that 96.6 per cent of children have been given their first preference.

The figures published by North Yorkshire County Council also show that 99.5 per cent of pupils got one of their five preferences.

However, some parents have been left disappointed.

Nicola Njie’s daughter missed out on a place at her first choice school of Killinghall and her second of Hampsthwaite. She was offered her third choice of Bilton Grange, which she says is closer to where she lives, but she works full-time at a nursery in Killinghall.

She plans to appeal against the decision, but said she had to explain to her daughter that she “probably wouldn’t be going to school with most of her friends”.

She said:

“I will appeal and see what happens.”

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Stuart Carlton, the county council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said every effort was made to accommodate the families’ preference of school for their child.

He said:

“The handful of children not offered one of their families’ school preferences were offered a place at their local school.

“Families can preference any school, and are encouraged to preference up to five schools.

“Where a school is oversubscribed, the admissions criteria for the school determines the priority for places. In most cases, the deciding factor is the distance from home to school.

“We closely monitor developing areas to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the children living in the local area.”

Mr Carlton said parents could appeal here.

Across North Yorkshire, there has been a slight increase of more than one per cent from last year to 96 per cent on the number securing their first choice.

Mr Carlton added:

“We wish all children who start primary school in September all the best and hope they enjoy a happy and exciting start in their new schools.”

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division which will see four candidates standing for election.

John Ennis, Conservative

John Ennis, who currently sits on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, will be standing for the Conservatives in two-weeks’ time.

Mr Ennis said his priorities ahead of the election will be environment and open green space.

He said:

“I live within the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone ward, the only candidate from a major party who does.  I have been a resident for over 25 years, and am Andrew Jones MP’s endorsed candidate for our ward.

“My priority is our environment and precious green spaces, especially the Stray, Hookstone Woods and Panhandle Park.  On my initiative new trees have been planted, ‘heritage’ lampstands installed, seating areas improved, new paths laid for walkers.

“I have a record of getting the small things done that make a difference:  street signs and street lights repaired, potholes filled and roads resurfaced, litter and graffiti removed promptly, anti-social behaviour tackled.”

Mr Ennis added that he believes his 12 years as a councillor at both county and borough level is the “best guarantee of results” for the division.

Anna McIntee, Independents

Local resident Anna McIntee is set to stand as an independent candidate in the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division on May 5.

A mum-of-three, Ms Mctinee will be one of five independent candidates standing for North Yorkshire Council in divisions within Harrogate.

She said she was standing as she believes the town needs “fresh, forward thinking”.

Ms McIntee said:

Helen Burke, Labour

Helen Burke, who has lived in Harrogate for 44 years, is set to stand for Labour in the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division.

Ms Burke, who has worked as a welfare rights worker, said she has spent most of her life working to support people on benefits and “to appeal against unjust decisions”.

She is also a member of the campaigning group Keep Our NHS Public, which campaigns for better resources for hospitals and the NHS.

The Labour Party will be fielding 12 candidates in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the local elections in two weeks time.

Chris Watt, acting chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency party, told the Stray Ferret previously that the party is campaigning on housing, public transport and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Patricia Marsh, Liberal Democrats

Patricia Marsh, who is currently leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Harrogate Borough Council, is set to stand for North Yorkshire Council.

Ms Marsh has been a councillor for 32 years and lived in Hookstone for more than 40 years.

She said that she wants to listen to and work with local residents to improve not only her ward but all of Harrogate.

Ms Marsh said:

“It is important that more is done to protect our green spaces, fix potholes, make the town a cleaner place and where possible address issues of inappropriate development. 

“There needs to be improved partnership working between local business and the County Council.

“The level of road congestion  and pollution we have to suffer is becoming intolerable. We need an integrated Park and Ride scheme for the town.”

She added that Harrogate would need a new secondary school and that she would campaign for a town council to replace Harrogate Borough Council.

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Police have been dealing with an incident in Harrogate this evening after a number of people were reported to have been attacked.

Officers were called to the area near the parade of shops on West Park, close to the junction with Tower Street, where witnesses said a man had attempted to mug several people.

A local resident called police after hearing one of the victims screaming for help on West Park.

Two police cars, two vans and an ambulance were at the scene shortly after 7pm.

The Stray Ferret understands a man has been arrested. We will update this story when more information is available.

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The future of Harrogate’s Woodfield Primary School needs to be treated as a matter of “extreme urgency”, a councillor has said.

Councillor Paul Haslam’s comments come after the nearby Grove Road Primary School announced it had pulled out of a proposed merger with the inadequate-rated Woodfield.

After months of planning, the surprise announcement came last week and a decision to scrap the move was approved by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive today.

Councillor Haslam, who represents the Bilton area and is a school governor at Woodfield, told a meeting that parents and pupils had become very concerned about the school’s future and that the county council now needed to make “some very quick decisions” to offer reassurances.

He said:

“Woodfield is regarded as an area of deprivation, and both the local MP Andrew Jones and I believe that education is a proven way out of poverty and agree that a school needs to remain in the Woodfield area.

“It’s absolutely vital that a school is maintained there in my opinion.

“It’s also a matter of extreme urgency to reassure the existing pupils and their parents.”

Councillor Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education at the county council, also said a final decision on the future of Woodfield would now have to be made by the incoming North Yorkshire Council.

The existing county council previously said it will work with the Department for Education and governors at Woodfield to “re-consider the position for the school over the coming weeks before we are able to comment further.”

The school was rated as inadequate by Ofsted in 2020 when inspectors said pupils were being “let down” by poor leadership and that “too many pupils do not achieve what they are capable of”.

The school then failed to find an academy sponsor, before governors at Grove Road agreed to the proposed merger.

Although some parents objected to the move, the two schools were set to become one in September after a statutory notice was published by the county council.

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However, Grove Road last week announced it was pulling out of the merger which it said “carries risk” for the future of the good-rated school. The school’s governing body said:

“During the consultation period we have monitored factors such as the level of support for the proposal and the likely demand for school places.

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

Meanwhile, Woodfield’s governing body said it was “saddened” by the decision. It said:

“It has been a difficult time for Woodfield School, and we were very hopeful​​​ that a satisfactory conclusion could be found for the future of the school.

“The school, staff, parents, and governors need a time of reflection before we make any decisions regarding the school’s future.

“We will continue to consult with North Yorkshire County Council regarding any future decisions.”

A Harrogate husband and wife have taken in two members of a Ukrainian family but say the “crazy amounts of red tape” meant it wasn’t an easy process.

David and Clare Price live in North Rigton and, after seeing the atrocities of war in Ukraine, wanted to try and help.

The pair said the most difficult part was finding a family to match with. Mr and Mrs Price spoke to multiple families but chaos at the Polish border meant they’d lose touch with them as they were forced to move.

Instead the pair found a family through word of mouth when a Harrogate-based lawyer who was trying to find homes for her family, heard of their offer to help.

Mr and Mrs Price have taken in a grandmother and young child from one family – the mother and other young child went to another Harrogate home.

The refugees have been living with Mr and Mrs Price for two weeks now.  They have found a Harrogate primary school for the children to attend and are hopeful their three-year visas will be confirmed this week.

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Mr Price said the British government should make the process easier:

“We couldn’t look away from the images on TV, we knew we had to help. We are fortunate to have space in the house to accommodate people but the process wasn’t easy.

“Our government doesn’t make it easy like others, we should be helping as many people as we can.”

Despite the struggles, Mr Price said it hasn’t put him off offering his home to more refugees. He said once their current house guests have found rental accommodation locally they will be looking to house more Ukrainians.

In the meantime, he is showing the whole family around the Harrogate district which they describe as “gorgeous”.

He said Harrogate and Knaresborough, in particular, have numerous support groups set up for refugees to allow them to talk to each other and share any feelings.

Mr Price, an author and public speaker, added:

“You don’t get trained for this, it’s a lot for people to take on because the families you take in need a lot of support. It’s an incredibly heartbreaking time for them.”

Trains between Harrogate and Leeds have been cancelled or delayed due to a person being hit by a train. UPDATE: Police have confirmed that the person has died at Horsforth train station, Leeds.

The delays and cancellations are expected to continue until 12pm and possibly longer, Northern said.

Emergency services attended the incident which happened at around 7am this morning near Leeds.

A statement from Northern said:

“Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Leeds and Harrogate all lines are blocked.

“Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 12:00 19/04.”

https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1516312793384894464?s=20&t=YU0fpNbz6dDWiydEACU6SA

The LNER (London North Eastern Railway) tweeted:

“It is with great sadness to report due to a person being hit by a train. 

“A bus replacement is available for customers travelling onwards to #Horsforth and #Harrogate. Please see station staff on arrival at #Leeds.”

Rail replacement buses are currently running from Harrogate to Horsforth. The journey times are expected to increase by 30 minutes due to the incident.

Northern tickets will also be accepted between York and Leeds on Transpennine Express Services.

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Ripon Spa Croquet Club is enjoying a renaissance in its new surroundings of Studley Royal Cricket Club.

Covid lockdown from March 2020 and the subsequent sale of Spa Hotel, where the croquet players had been based for almost 30 years, signalled the need for relocation.

The move to SRCC is now complete, with hoops in place to play on a lovingly-tended surface adjacent to the cricket pitch.

The aim is to build on the club’s heritage, which saw international matches and world-class players do battle on the lawns of the hotel’s gardens.

The club’s international pedigree

Formed in the early 1990s as Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club, It was founded by Croquet Association Federation officer Keith Smith, hotel owner Andrew Hutchinson and managing director Samantha Currie.

It soon attracted players from across the district, including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.

By 1997, Ms Currie,  Mr Hutchinson and clubmate Syd Jones all achieved world rankings and took part in the GC World Championships in Cairo.

While the club’s historic achievements provide many happy memories for its older members, the emphasis now is on the future.

Chair and chief coach Ted Flexman told the Stray Ferret:

“With the fabulous facilities that we have at the Studley Royal ground, there is the potential to create one of the best croquet clubs in the north.”

One man went to mow – Studley Royal Cricket Club groundsman Trevor Rose.

The club is offering two free introductory taster sessions on April 25 and 27 to attract new members. The sessions are open to people of all ages and anybody wishing to attend should contact the club in advance. Further details are available by clicking on this link.

Club secretary Sue I’Anson said:

“This is a great game for people of all ages and abilities, with the more seasoned players helping newcomers to master the technique of swinging the mallet and making good contact with the ball.”

This has certainly been the experience of member Rod Grant, who added:

“I’d never played croquet before and then Ted invited me have a game and I have enjoyed taking part ever since.”

Sue I’Anson is pictured with, from the left Ted Flexman, Roger I’Anson and Rod Grant

Top facilities

SRCC, with teams in the York & District Senior League Premier Division and 3 more in the Nidderdale League divisions 2, 5 and 7, has one of the best clubhouses of any amateur cricket club in Yorkshire and its pitch among the biggest in the county.

Mr Flexman said:

“We have been made very welcome here and look forward to a long and happy relationship as we play our complementary sports side by side.

“Both require good hand/eye coordination and we hope that some of the bowlers and batsmen try their hand at swinging a mallet.”

Roger I’Anson,  who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:

“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”

Harry Whitaker, the owner of Mastachoice Fencing and Fabrication and apprentice Charlie Lister, constructing a storage shed that will be used to store croquet equipment

Roger I’Anson, who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:

“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”

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