Eight cherry trees on the Stray has been vandalised over the weekend.
Some of the trees line the footpath known as Cherry Tree Walk, opposite the Kwik Fit garage, where branches have been deliberately broken or snapped off.
Vandalism to the trees has become a persistent problem with regular incidents over the past year.
In October last year, local police officer, Sgt Paul Cording tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.
Last summer there were reports of vandalism affecting young trees when local police officers were attempting to crack down on large groups congregating illegally on the Stray.
“What a sad and sorry sight to see these beautiful trees subjected to mindless vandalism once again.
Many have been planted in memory of loved ones and many for victims of the thalidomide tragedy. In every case love and consideration has gone into the planting of these trees which bring so much pleasure to so many In Harrogate and beyond.
As I said only recently when another tree was vandalised, this is utterly appalling and disgraceful behaviour. There is no polite way of describing the perpetrators of these abysmal acts. Devastating in every way and for everyone. Despicable behaviour, just despicable.”
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said its parks team would assess the damage to the trees and remove broken branches.
Council’s new leisure company to focus on health and wellbeing
Harrogate Borough Council said the aim of its new leisure company will be to create more active, longer, and independent lives.
It has pledged that Brimhams Active, the new authority controlled company, will be more focussed on overall health and wellbeing.
Some 200 Harrogate Borough Council employees transferred over to Brimhams Active yesterday. It’ll run 11 leisure venues, including The Hydro in Harrogate, Knaresborough Pool, Ripon Leisure Centre and Nidderdale Pool and is projected to save the council £400,000 a year.
Residents can use the new website to find out more about the services provided by Brimham’s Active as well booking sessions at leisure centres and facilities across the Harrogate district.
Leisure facilities in the district are undergoing something of a transformation with not all of it going according to plan. There’s to be a £26 million investment in the Harrogate Hydro and a new leisure centre at Knaresborough, which is expected to be financed by borrowing from the government. Ripon’s new £10.2 million pool and leisure centre is due to open in November. However the project has recently been the subject of serious safety concerns after a report into a hole in the ground which appeared on the site.
Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said:
“The scale of the challenge set for us is more than matched by the scale of the opportunities we have in our grasp. Launching Brimhams Active with a new strategy and investment programme will allow us to transform a conventional leisure service into a leading community focussed health and wellbeing service.
“There is clear evidence that people need to be more active to combat rising obesity levels and prevent ill health due to poor lifestyle choice.
“Our vision and strategy has some clear and achievable objectives. We will help Harrogate district residents of all ages, from all walks of life, live a healthy lifestyle and stay active for longer. We know we can’t do this alone and nor should we. We will work with partner organisations and stakeholders to develop partnerships and facilities to provide a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.”
Firefighters rescue teens from Harrogate school roof
Firefighters rescued four teenagers who had climbed onto the roof of a school in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service took a call for help at a building on Wetherby Road just after 6pm yesterday.
The group had made their way up to the roof of the school but when it came to climbing back down, the teenagers got into some difficulty.
When the crews arrived they used a ladder to get them to safety.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said after the incident:
“Crews assisted four teenagers that had climbed onto the roof of a school and then were unable to get down. Crew used a ladder.”
Ripon sporting hero Jack Laugher reaches Olympic diving semi-finals
Ripon’s history-making Olympic diver Jack Laugher, has earned his place in tomorrow’s semi-final of the individual three-metre springboard event.
He finished sixth in this morning’s preliminary competition at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, with a points tally of 445.05, raising hopes that he can add to the gold and silver medals that he won at the Rio 2016 games.
This morning’s improved performance follows last week’s disappointment when Laugher – a former student of Ripon Grammar School, who was born and bred in Littlethorpe – finished seventh in the synchronised three-metre springboard final with new partner Daniel Goodwill.
In the synchronised event, Laugher and Goodwill showed mental toughness to achieve their highest points in their sixth and last dive.
With a tariff of 3.9, it is classed as the world’s most difficult dive.
Jack Laugher in action at this year’s European Aquatics Championships where he won silver Picture: British Swimming.
The hint of better to come for Laugher in the men’s individual springboard, was realised in this morning’s preliminary competition, where he competed against 28 of the world’s elite.
This morning, the 26-year-old got off to an excellent start, with his first dive of six – carrying a tariff of 3.4, giving him an early lead.
By the half way stage, with three rounds behind him, Laugher was placed 11 on 198.90 points, with the dominant Wang Zongyuan and XIE Siyi placed first and second – the ranking the China pair finished in at the end of the preliminaries.
At the Rio games, he and then partner Chis Mears became the first GB divers to win a gold Olympic medal when a world-beating performance saw them crowned champions.
This prevented China from making a clean sweep of gold in the overall diving competition.
Six days later in the Rio Aquatics Centre, City of Leeds club member Laugher – who was taught to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths and took up diving at the Harrogate Hydro Pool – won silver in the men’s individual three-metre springboard event.
Tomorrow, followers of Littlethorpe and Ripon’s local hero, can watch the semi-final on the BBC starting at 2am UK time. The final will be broadcast live at 7am UK time.
A total of 18 divers will take part in the semi-final and from this, 12 go on to the final.
Live: Harrogate district traffic and travelGood morning, it’s the start of another week! It’s Leah with you this morning to try help prevent any Monday blues due to any traffic and travel disruption. As usual, I’ll be bringing you all the latest traffic news.
The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.
I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.
If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.
That is it from me this morning, Connor will be back with you tomorrow morning with updates every 15 minutes starting from 06.30. Have a lovely day!
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are starting to look busier this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Traffic is building here:
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Roads
The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.
Temporary traffic lights are in place here:
Trains
Buses
Stray Views: Starbeck is worse than Bradford and Birmingham
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.
I can only say what I see. I am originally from Birmingham and still have my business there. We lived in Cottingley, near Bradford for 11 years before moving to Starbeck in 2018 to be near our daughter and grandkids.
Since living here, I don’t see any difference between Harrogate, Bradford or Birmingham. In fact, Starbeck is a lot worse. It’s certainly the worst place we have lived in for over 40 years and most of that time was around Birmingham, including Erdington, Longbridge and Bournville — where my business is.
The drug problem here is horrific (like everywhere), and almost everywhere I can smell pot smoking. Harrogate is overcrowded, and the roads into the town are ridiculously busy, as bad as the big cities, mainly due to the poor planning of the town over the decades.
I lived in Redditch in 1989-1990 and Harrogate compares to that time, but probably worse. Prospect Road area is now renowned for drugs, antisocial behaviour, supermarket trolleys everywhere daily, and broken glass and litter strewn everywhere, and if it is cleared up it’s back the same within days.
Harrogate town centre is just like any other which is struggling, and no one is doing anything about it other than seemingly making things worse with wrong decision after wrong decision. Don’t get me wrong, it is still nice, but the spiral is seemingly downwards and it needs radical common sense thinking to turn the town around.
Is Harrogate in decline? It seems it’s been in decline for a long time, and the town needs to wake up because as an outsider if this is my experience of it then the town is already in trouble.
Martin Morris, Starbeck
I read some of the comments about “is Harrogate in decline”? I recently moved to Harrogate after spending over 20 years living and working in Northampton. To me Harrogate is a lovely place to live.
It is clean, tidy, mostly well organised and has beautiful buildings and parklands. The hospitality industry is excellent. I am so happy I moved here and the locals are genuinely so friendly.
A note of caution: I went back recently to Northampton for a few days. They are one of the towns / cities trialling e-scooter hire schemes. They should be avoided at all costs until proper well informed regulations are in place and enforced. Scooter riders are a law unto themselves, riding on pavements with no helmets and multiple riders. They are then just abandoned on pavements until they’re next hired, causing blockages and generally look a mess and tacky.
I hope Harrogate resists such schemes until proper regulations are in place and enforced. You have a lovely town and i am very happy to be part of it now.
Peter Hannon, Harrogate
Any councillors expressing regret over the government’s decision to choose to have a super-council for North Yorkshire should focus instead on their own faults for backing the present arrangements, which have never worked very well anyway.
Now we have a proposed local authority, which will be even more unaccountable to the public and which will only consult on its own terms.
Experience shows that there are no savings with large unitary bodies, only more waste and incompetence in handling larger revenues. You only have to listen to the regular facts uncovered by the TaxPayers’ Alliance and similar to see what we are in for now.
Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has overruled many public concerns and is going the wrong way here too. It’s up to councillors and MPs to make him realise there are no advantages to Joe Public — only poor control of costs
John Holder, Harrogate
Campaigners in Harrogate call for change to ‘unequal’ voting system
Campaigners in Harrogate called for a change to the “unequal” UK voting system yesterday.
Members of the cross-party pressure group Make Votes Matter were at the town’s war memorial handing out leaflets about proportional representation (PR) and speaking to passers-by.
In the 2019 general election, 54% of votes in North Yorkshire went to the Conservative Party yet they hold 7 out of the 8 seats in Parliament. Members of the group believe the political make-up of Westminster and local councils should better reflect the way people vote.
Elections for councillors and MPs in this country currently adopt the first-past-the-post system whereby the candidate in each constituency or ward who gets the most votes wins.
Harrogate resident Graham Dixon would like to see the current system replaced with a version of PR so that “every vote matters”.
Scotland, Wales and London, for example, use a version of PR called mixed-member proportional representation whereby people get two votes: one to choose a representative and another for a party.
Many European countries such as the Netherlands and Spain, operate the party list proportional representation, whereby voters elect a group of MPs, rather than a single person.
Mr Dixon said:
“First-past-the-post polarises society and sets people against each other. It encourage a two-party state.
“Very few seats change hands in the UK, they are cast in stone.”
The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency has been held by the Conservative Andrew Jones since 2010. Critics of the current system locally believe it makes a two-horse race between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats a near-certainty, with Labour and Green voters often forced to vote tactically.
Former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Skipton and Ripon Andrew Murday wants to see first-past-the-post in the bin.
Mr Dixon believes a PR system would mean the electorate wouldn’t have to choose the “least worst option”.
“PR does away with the need for tactical voting and encourages people to vote. Some people don’t bother to vote in Harrogate.
“From the housing mess in Harrogate to cycle lanes, it’s all affected by how people have voted.”
Harrogate Borough Council is set to be abolished to make way for a North Yorkshire mega council in 2023.
Mr Dixon said re-organisation presented an opportunity to bring in PR and enable all voters to have a stronger voice in what is a traditional Conservative heartland.
However, he accepts that the chances of it happening under the current government are unlikely.
Harrogate Christmas market organisers call for urgent talks to save eventThe organisers of Harrogate Christmas market have said they were “staggered” by the decision not to grant a licence for this year’s event and called for urgent talks to save it.
Event organisers Brian and Beryl Dunsby, and Steve Scarre, the chairman of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, issued a statement this afternoon in the latest development in the saga.
The statement said the organisers had “bent over backwards” to fulfil safety measures and that Harrogate Borough Council had acted prematurely “without any discussion with the organisers over the outstanding issues”.
The council said on Thursday it had refused to grant a licence for the event because the organisers had not addressed concerns about safety and terrorism.
But today’s statement by the organisers said:
“At no point has there been any opportunity to meet the council officers and other key experts to discuss their outstanding concerns.
“We expected to be invited to a safety advisory group meeting to discuss the event plan and the supplementary information but we have not been given that opportunity.
“We have bent over backwards to fulfil all the recommended security and safety measures around the site. In contrast to all their criticisms, we have not had the opportunity to talk about the benefits which the market brings to town centre businesses. These appear not to have been considered by them.”
Mr Dunsby was unaware of the news until he was informed by the Stray Ferret on Thursday night.
The statement added:
“We regret that the council has acted prematurely in refusing to grant a licence for the market in 2021 without any discussion with the organisers over the outstanding issues.
“We appeal for a proper consultation meeting with the relevant council officers and experts as soon as possible.
A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the market on Montpellier Hill from November 18 to 21. It was expected to attract 85,000 people to the town, boosting its economy by £2.5 million.
The statement said the event had “strong support from over 20 local trade and voluntary groups based in the town centre”.
Council leader Richard Cooper said yesterday the event organisers had ignored concerns, leaving the council with “little choice”.
He also warned them “not to think that trying to galvanise public opinion to put pressure on the council will change the decision”.
He said the council had suggested alternative locations to Montpellier Hill for several years but the organisers had refused.
However, today’s statement refers to a council-commissioned 2016 report by consultant Malcolm Veigas that concluded to the Stray was the best location.
The statement said:
“The network of tarmac paths surrounded by grass enables the mix of many visitors and the erection of marquees and canvas stalls on the same site, whatever the weather holds for us all in November. So we do need a large and versatile site.
“We still believe that the totally open nature of this location with free access in all directions provides a safe location for the event whilst being as close as possible to the town centre shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes.
“The action we have already taken to close Montpellier Hill during the Market to through traffic and the hill-top concrete blocks mitigate against the risk of a terrorist attack.
Harrogate ‘Lego Trail’ launches today
Harrogate landmarks including Betty’s, the Turkish Baths and the Great Yorkshire Showground’s main ring, have been built in Lego form for a new family trail around Harrogate.
Harrogate BID’s Lego Trail launches today and runs until Sunday, August 22. It features ten mini-models located in nine different locations, some created especially for this three-week event.
The models have been made by Fairy Bricks, a charity that donates Lego sets to children’s hospices and hospitals.
Other models include Harrogate Town’s mascot Harry Gator and Hogwart’s School from the Harry Potter books.
The models can be found at the following locations:
There is also a competition with 500 Lego prizes to be won. To enter, participants need to download the LoyalFree app and ‘check in’ at each venue using the QR code displayed.
The prizes will be collected from Toyland in the Victoria Shopping Centre.
Harrogate BID Manager Chapman Matthew Chapman said:
Harrogate council leader: ‘Christmas Market organisers refused other locations’“With the school summer holidays already here we wanted to create a trail that would really appeal to families.
“With restrictions now lifted, this is one that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and will be a fun way to spend a few hours visiting different parts of the town.
“As a child I loved Lego, and so do my two sons. And as you will see from these creations Lego can be anything but child’s play. I’m really excited to say that we have commissioned a number of models that will be unique to our trail.
“One of our key remits is to drive footfall into the town centre, and we hope our Lego trail will help us to achieve this.”
Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper today insisted that for “several years” HBC tried to persuade the Christmas Market organisers to change its location from Montpellier Hill to elsewhere in the town.
This is despite a 2016 council-commissioned report that categorically concluded the site was the best location for the market in Harrogate.
The Conservative council leader issued a statement this afternoon that explained why the authority decided not to issue an events licence for Montpellier Hill to organiser Brian Dunsby of Yorkshire Business Market, citing concerns over visitor safety.
Cllr Cooper said:
“If we allowed the event organisers to ignore those concerns, licenced them to press ahead and, God forbid, there was an incident of some kind I know exactly what would happen.
“For several years, including this year, we have suggested other locations to the event organiser but these have been refused.”
In 2016, HBC commissioned Malcolm Veigas Consultancy to review the Christmas Market and its impact on the district since it began in 2012, which included looking at six alternative sites it could move to.
The other sites were Valley Gardens, the Great Yorkshire Showground, Victoria Road, Cambridge Road/Oxford Street, the top of Montpellier and Dragon Road Car Park.
However, the report said the current site was the only location to receive a tick for all six requirements which included access, quiet enjoyment and “good atmospheric opportunities”.
The safety of visitors was not one of the considerations of the report’s authors when comparing the six sites with its current location.
The report says:
“It is clear that YBM have a good understanding of how to manage and deliver an outdoor event and that they have chosen the best location in Harrogate Town Centre.”
It concluded:
“The review confirms that the Stray is the best location for events in the town and as such should continue to be used as the location for the Christmas event.”
The report was presented to HBC cabinet members in September 2016 and its recommendation to reject the alternative sites was voted by all senior HBC cabinet members, including Cllr Cooper.
In his statement today, Cllr Cooper also accused organisers of trying to “galvanise public opinion” in an attempt to get the council to change its mind.
He added:
“A number of people have asked; ‘why haven’t we worked with the event organiser to allow it to continue?’ I can assure you, we have. We have had ongoing conversations to encourage them to address the concerns over a number of years, and we recognise that progress has been made.
“However, significant concerns remain and as the event organiser isn’t willing to address these, then we simply cannot grant a licence for this location.”
The 2016 report suggests ill-feeling has lingered between HBC and organisers for some time.
It refers to a “breakdown in communications” during the early years of the market which led to “mistrust on both sides”.
It appears history has repeated itself as Mr Dunsby was first made aware that HBC would not be issuing a licence when he was told by a Stray Ferret journalist yesterday evening.
Mr Dunsby said Montpellier Hill was the only suitable location for the market and told the Stray Ferret that he was “disgusted” by the council’s decision. He said he plans to appeal it.
It’s unclear what the future of the Christmas Market is at this stage.
Tonight Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said the organisation is “open and willing” to work with all parties to ensure it happens “for the good of the town”.
Mr Chapman said:
“This news will be bitterly disappointing to the organisers who have done a fantastic job over the last nine years, firmly putting Harrogate Christmas Market on the festive shopping map.
“The pressing matter now is to ensure a Christmas Market can still proceed, particularly as 170 stallholders and scores coach companies are already signed up to it. However, safety must always come first, and I hope a new location, within the town centre, can be found quickly.
“The last thing we, and town centre retailers, want is to miss out on the opportunity of welcoming tens-of-thousands of visitors to the town for a day’s shopping, and the economic benefit this event ultimately brings.
“We, as an organisation, are open and willing to work in collaboration with all parties to ensure this event happens for the good of the town, and for the many businesses who are relying on a bumper four days of trade to help offset some of their losses brought about by three national covid lockdowns.”