Harrogate Convention Centre investment could require county council consent

A historic investment in Harrogate Convention Centre could require county council consent to go ahead should a devolution funding bid fail.

In what would be the biggest single spend by Harrogate Borough Council in its lifetime, the convention centre would undergo a £47 million revamp to create more space.

However, questions surround how exactly the authority will fund the project as the clock ticks down to April 2023 when the council is abolished.

‘Devolution negotiations under way’

Funding for the convention centre has formed part of a devolution deal for North Yorkshire, which has already been submitted to government.

The 140-page document, which has already been submitted to ministers, includes a request to “work with government to address the capital funding gap we have identified through our business case work to date”.

However, questions surround where the money would come from for the scheme should ministers not agree to the funding.

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Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said there could be an opportunity to apply to the government’s levelling up fund.

He added that any investment by the borough council would also require joint county council consent as the authority is restricted to spending no more than £1 million on capital projects.

Cllr Les said:

“Negotiations about devolution for North Yorkshire and York are under way.

“We have made a strong case for more powers and funding in a number of areas, including the Harrogate Convention Centre.

“Discussions are still under way with government and we hope to know the final shape of the deal in July.

“If government does not choose to fund the HCC through a devolution deal, then there could be other funding routes, including the government’s Levelling-Up Fund.

“Harrogate Borough Council is still able to invest in the centre. If the investment was to be more than £1 million, there would need to be joint consent with the county council’s executive.”

Meanwhile, David Goode, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said the £47 million investment should be paused.

He said:

“North Yorkshire needs to take stock of where the convention centre sits within its overall strategy and how they would like to manage and run it.

“The area as a whole would be worse off if it was closed.”

He suggested there might be a “lower cost” alternative to the £47 million refurbishment that could still result in the venue being “viable” for conferences and concerts.

Cllr Goode also suggested parts of the conference centre could be mothballed for periods of time to reduce costs.

Council silent on HCC

Harrogate Borough Council has so far remained silent over a major £47 million renovation of the town’s convention centre as negotiations continue over funding for the scheme.

The borough council has already spent £1.5 million on contracts for the redevelopment, which has yet to be approved.

Figures revealed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in December 2021 showed that the council had awarded contracts to companies such as KPMG, Arcadis, and Cushman and Wakefield.

This included design and feasibility work, a first phase business case and an outline business case.

Due to fears of a potential loss of £14.9 million worth of events, the council this year decided to accelerate part of its plans for studio two at the centre.

This would see seminar rooms created to accommodate up to 1,200 people.

According to council reports, a contract award for the acceleration is due to be put before senior borough councillors in June.

Following approval of the acceleration of the project, a competitive tender process was opened with a potential start date for the work earmarked for October.

However, the wider project has yet to be given approval. A spokesperson for the borough council said previously that a decision was due this year on the wider scheme.

From corgis to bollard covers: Harrogate district is getting into jubilee spirit

With just a few days to go before the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations begin, signs of the festivities are already appearing across the Harrogate district.

Harrogate corgi Mr Bingley has been posing in front of famous landmarks across the town ahead of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

With corgis being the Queen’s favourite breed of dog, Mr Bingley’s owner, Molly Fetherston, thought it would be a “bit of fun” ahead of the upcoming weekend of celebrations.

The pictures show the 10-year-old dog outside Bettys tea rooms, by the Sun Colonnade in Valley Gardens, on the Stray, and near the Harrogate picture frame and Slingsby Gin shop.

Photograph: Rozalia Szatanik Photography

Photograph: Rozalia Szatanik Photography

Ms Fetherston said:

“Shockingly, he doesn’t mind dressing up, especially when he gets extra cuddles from people passing by!

“Almost every day when we go on walks, I’m stopped by at least one person telling me they don’t see many corgis or that their grandmother had one, but that they haven’t seen one in years.

“He’s almost like a little nostalgic furball and I love seeing the smiles on their faces. We all had so much fun and Mr Bingley loved all of the special attention from both shop owners and residents alike.”

Photograph: Rozalia Szatanik Photography

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Meanwhile in Knaresborough, a group of knitters have been busy making bollard covers for the jubilee.

The bollards, on Market Place, are now adorned with colourful covers with toppers of the Queen, corgis and a crown or two.

The knitted covers were commissioned by Knaresborough Business Collective and made by a group of local knitters and crochet artists called KYM.

Photograph: Brian King

Photograph: Brian King

New Harrogate Pret criticised for lack of disability access

Pret a Manger has been criticised for opening a new shop in Harrogate that is currently inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Customers to the sandwich and coffee chain, which opened on Harrogate’s James Street on Friday, have to walk up two steps to enter.

Pret has said a permanent ramp cannot be fitted due “to the structure of the building”.

It added that a low-level bell has been fitted outside to alert staff to bring out a “purpose-designed portable ramp” when requested but it has not yet been delivered.

Local resident, Jeannine Fisher, contacted the Stray Ferret today after seeing a wheelchair user unable to get inside the shop. She said:

“It makes me very frustrated that we should exclude people from society.  It beggars belief that a multinational company, who must clearly be aware of the guidelines, have neglected to create inclusive access.

“With everything else that wheelchairs users have to navigate in the town it feels so unfair that they are unable to do simple things that others can do such as having a coffee with their friends.”

Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.

Chief executive Jackie Snape said:

“It is very disappointing that Pret had not consulted with disabled people, or a disability organisation, about accessibility to its new James Street outlet. We would be more than happy to speak with the local team as to what they can still do to aid disabled customers.

“We do note, however, that Pret has a digital accessibility policy on its website, it’s just a shame there isn’t a store accessibility policy to match!”

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A Pret spokesperson said:

“We know how it important it is for customers in wheelchairs to have easy access to our shop.

“Sadly, in Harrogate we’ve been unable to fit a permanent ramp due to the structure of the building and its listed status. That’s why we’ve had a bespoke portable ramp designed to give our customers step-free access into the shop.”

Harrogate childrenswear brand to launch at Great Yorkshire Show 

A new Harrogate based childrenswear brand is due to launch at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.  

The high-end country style clothing store will be online, but will also have stands at various country events and shows.

It plans to sell a variety of sustainable products, from tweed coats to hand-knitted cashmere boots.  

Eleanor Charles’ tweed range

Mum of two and former solicitor Katie Heptonstall started the plans for Eleanor Charles after the pandemic hit.  

After moving from London back to Harrogate when her father-in-law suffered a heart attack, Mrs Heptonstall and her husband chose to stay in the town after the birth of their children, Elle and Charlie, who the business is named after. 

She said:  

“I am really excited to bring together everything we have been working so hard on over the last few months and to bring Eleanor Charles to life at the Great Yorkshire Show. 

“It has been a complete change for me in my career, I have learnt so much over the last few months and I have enjoyed every second of it.” 

The shop will launch at the Great Yorkshire Show , which runs from Tuesday, July 12 to Friday, July 15, where the clothing stand will also have a sofa for breastfeeding, a baby changing area, a colouring table and a photo wall.

The Alice Hawthorn pub wins three regional awards for architecture 

The Alice Hawthorn pub in Nun Monkton has won three regional RIBA awards for Yorkshire, celebrating its architecture and sustainability.  

The hotel and pub won the regional Yorkshire award, the Yorkshire sustainability award and the Yorkshire client of the year award at the ceremony held in London.  

Twelve new guest bedrooms were recently designed by De Matos Ryan, with the aim of preventing the pub from closing.  

Since four local taverns closed down, The Alice Hawthorn is the only remaining pub in the village.  

The new timber frame buildings include the sheds, field barn, stables and tack room

De Matos Ryan director Angus Morrogh-Ryan said: 

“We are delighted that this project has been recognised by the RIBA Yorkshire jury in this way.  

“It has been an honour to collaborate with such a brilliant client and contractor team, and together ensure that this village pub will continue to sustainably service its community but also welcome visitors from afar.” 

The ensuite bedrooms were designed with sustainable elements including timber frame buildings, low energy lighting and a heat pump for hot water and heating. 

The Alice Hawthorn has now been shortlisted for the RIBA national awards, which will take place later this year.  

Royal Air Force club in Harrogate to close after 56 years

The club belonging to the Harrogate and district branch of the Royal Air Forces Association is to close after 56 years.

The local branch of the charity, which supports the RAF community, formed at a meeting in August 1945 at Harrogate YMCA.

Membership has dwindled in recent years and trustees felt they could no longer justify the expenditure required to retain the current three-storey building on Harrogate’s East Parade.

A special general meeting agreed to sell the club and donate the proceeds to the national RAFA charity.

A farewell party will be held on June 25 at the club. Members and their family and friends are welcome to drop in between noon and 10pm for a cup of tea, a light buffet and some comradeship.

Harrogate air cadets will also be in attendance during the afternoon.

Philip Crebbin, chairman of the branch, said the club was simply no longer viable.

He said the branch had 100 members but few of them visited the club often, particularly as the building wasn’t suitable for some older members.

But he said the branch would continue to operate and meet monthly at new premises.

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History of the club

RAFA members in the early years met in several places in Harrogate, including the North Eastern Hotel and the Home Guard Club.

Towards the end of 1957 they moved to ‘The Rear Turret’ at the back of Albert Street, which was a rented cottage, and transformed it into headquarters.

Membership increased and eventually the thriving branch and club moved into its current premises, at 6 East Parade, in 1966.

Me Crebbin, a retired squadron leader, said:

“Although the club is closing, Harrogate’s RAFA branch will endure and will continue to undertake its charitable endeavours including welfare support and charity collections.

“The branch will also continue to provide representation at association conferences and parades as well as holding numerous activities, including its flagship annual events: the Battle of Britain commemorative parade at Stonefall Cemetery and the annual dinner.”

 

Stray Views: Harrogate fire service cuts will cause ‘safety blackspot’

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. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Cuts to fire service will cause ‘safety blackspot’

Harrogate with its many large and old hotels has the largest concentration of overnight accommodation in North Yorkshire. 

With only one fire engine at the first attendance the crew have little chance of saving lives, let alone commencing to fight a fire. 

These large rambling buildings are a tragedy waiting to happen with no turntable ladder at the first attendance. What has happened to the risk determining the attendance to all properties? 

The police and fire commissioner and the chief officer can quote their 26% of fires during the night hours but that is when these hotels are most full of guests and also most at risk and quoting 26% as a reason to reduce to one engine at night only means that Harrogate as a conference centre will not cause sensible companies to want to come here. It will become a safety blackspot.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

Sun Pavilion Grade-II listing welcomed

The Civic Society welcome the addition of the Sun Pavilion and Colonnade and hope that  additional funding may become available to restore the colonnade to its former glory – with glazed roofing and windows to the rear to provide a weather proof facility.

Of course, Valley Gardens are themselves Grade II as a listed Park and Garden.

Stuart Holland, Harrogate

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New Harrogate Town stadium a good idea

I agree with Pat Marsh’s views on Harrogate Town. Good idea to speak to the council to see what could be done.

Although consultation with Harrogate Borough Council may be obsolete now, it may be necessary to consult with the new North Yorkshire Council I suppose.

Richard Blackshaw, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Harrogate interior designer’s jubilee styling tips

As we approach the Queen’s platinum jubilee, many of us are starting to scroll through Pinterest and Instagram to get some inspiration on how to decorate our homes.

The monumental royal celebration is the perfect excuse to string up the bunting, blow up balloons and do a spot of baking to host unforgettable parties throughout the long weekend.

We asked Harrogate interior designer Joan Maclean, who has launched a new online course, for some styling tips to help make your jubilee party one to remember.

Use a teapot as a display

“Isn’t tea the most quintessentially British thing? So dig out that old teapot, but use it instead of a vase and fill it with flowers. Here it is sitting on a bread board which is made of oak – the most English of trees.”

Think red, white and blue

 “You don’t just have to wave a flag – add a few red, white or blue touches. Here the Union Jacks just add a nod to the celebrations.”

Use a tray as a frame

“A tray is always a great way to contain your pieces – it acts like a frame. Here, alongside some bubbly and champagne flutes, I’m using the coronation glasses and mug for my red, white and blue flowers.”

Start at your front door

“I’ve planted up some perfect red flowers and with the addition of some tall silver branches and a couple of flags in my tall concrete planters,  here’s a stylish way to embrace the jubilee spirit at your door.”

Keep it simple – but striking

“If you just want to make a nod to the festivities, then raid your garden for some seasonal leaves or branches. With the addition of some red and white roses, here’s a striking, but simple, display in my hallway.”

Use a cake stand to display treasures

“A cloche or a glass cake stand, with its dome, is the perfect way to display a few treasures. Here are three pieces of coronation memorabilia.”

Raid your attic

“My family has treasures in the attic that don’t often see the light of day. These lead figures, with the incredible gold carriage, are part of a complete set from the coronation that are still in perfect condition.

“This window sill is the perfect spot – in fact window sills are the perfect place to display all kinds of treasures.”

Display memorabilia

“Here’s an old biscuit tin, which has found new life on my mantlepiece.”

“We used to get commemoration mugs and coins from school and here are some little things my mum had squirrelled away at the back of a cupboard.

“Dig out your family’s treasures and put them out – they stir fascinating memories and are a reminder of quite how long it is since 1952.”

Set the table for a traditional British afternoon tea

“A perfect British occasion calls for a fabulous afternoon tea – champagne, anyone?”

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Harrogate firefighters free elderly woman from car after crash

An elderly woman had to be freed from her car by firefighters after a crash in the Harrogate district last night.

Both Harrogate crews were called to reports of a two-vehicle collision at Spring Lane, Kearby at about 8.20pm.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log, two elderly occupants of a Volkswagen managed to get out the car but returned to the vehicle to await the emergency services.

A man in his 20s, who was also involved in the incident, was out of his BMW when the firefighters arrived.

The incident log adds:

“The elderly male then exited the car and after assessment the ambulance crews requested the roof removal of the VW to extricate the elderly female due to suspected injuries.

“All occupants were transported to hospital for treatment mainly for minor injuries. Fire crew used 2 sets of e-draulic cutters, stabilisation blocks, windscreen cutter, sharps kit and crew power.”

Kearby is near Kirkby Overblow, between Harrogate and Wetherby on the fringes of the Harrogate district.

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‘We felt apprehension, but not fear’: Harrogate seaman remembers the Falklands War

The Stray Ferret is publishing two articles this weekend looking back at Harrogate’s links with the Falklands War.

Yesterday, we spoke to Harrogate woman Christina Nelson who was only 22 when her husband Stephen Heyes was killed aboard HMS Ardent aged 21. Read the article here.

 

“Where’s the bloody Falklands?” was Harrogate sailor Neil Harper’s first thought following the Argentine invasion on April 2, 1982.

The former Harrogate High School pupil was always destined for a career at sea. He spent his formative years as a sea cadet in Harrogate and his dad was in the Royal Marines.

He was 19 when the British government dispatched a naval task force to the islands in response to the invasion.

Mr Harper joined the Navy aged 16 and was an able seaman gunner so knew that his services would be required.

“When it kicked off I was back in Harrogate on leave so it was a case of ‘get back to the ship’.”

After returning to Portland in Dorset, the captain of HMS Argonaut told the crew:

‘I can’t tell you where you’re going, but you’ll have a damn good idea.”

‘Attack after attack’

Mr Harper said the feeling onboard the ship on the 6,000-mile journey “was of apprehension, but not fear”.

He said:

“We were all a bit young and stupid!

“It was finally a chance to do the job were trained to do.”

The sailors encountered  the Falklands’ unusual landscape, which Mr Harper described as being like “The Yorkshire Moors without the trees”.

“There are rolling hills, tundra grass and peat bogs. It’s quite bleak and it can be very, very cold. But it can be absolutely glorious down there too. You can see killer whales, penguins, seals and birds that are only found in the Falklands.”

Many hoped the crisis would be solved through diplomacy, but the fighting was fierce.

On May 21, HMS Argonaut faced assault from the sky. Mr Harper remembers “attack after attack” and frantic efforts to save the ship.

An unexploded bomb that was dropped on the HMS Argonaut

He said:

“They hit us with two 1000lb bombs, one in the boiler room and one in the diesel tank.

“Neither exploded luckily, but it caused a fire. We lost all power and were headed towards Fanning Head with no steering or working engines.

“At the time you were too busy to think about what’s going on.”

Two of Mr Harper’s friends, able seaman Iain Boldy and able seaman Matthew Stuart, were killed.

‘Are we gonna win?’

Lieutenant Peter Morgan is credited with saving HMS Argonaut after he dropped one of the ship’s anchors to use as an emergency brake.

The crew worked around the clock to restore power and radars. The captain sent out a signal to the crew to say they couldn’t move the ship, but could still fight.

Over the space of a couple of days, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope and HMS Plymouth were also bombed.

Mr Harper said:

“We knew the Ardent had been hit. So there were thoughts of ‘what’s going on over there — and are we gonna win?'”

Once-in-a-lifetime assignment

Stray Ferret journalist Tim Flanagan was chief reporter for the Harrogate Advertiser in 1982.

He said the war was the talk of every pub, shop and workplace in the town.

Journalists at the paper kept a close eye on events due to the military connections in Ripon and at Pennypot in Harrogate.

Journalist Tim Flanagan in 1980

Mr Flanagan remembers interviewing Harrogate woman Christina Nelson, Stephen Heyes’ widow, not long after he died. She told him how Stephen’s pet cat Charlie still missed him, which has stuck with the journalist 40 years on.

“For a young woman, she was very poised. She was still in shock. She was courageous and a very brave person to speak about it. She wanted him to be honoured.”

Harrogate soldier Gavin Hamilton was also killed during the war and posthumously awarded the Military Cross for bravery.

Valentines messages

A year after the war was over, the newspaper sent Mr Flanagan to the Falklands. It was a once-in-a-lifetime assignment for a local news journalist who normally didn’t get further than Northallerton.

He stayed aboard HMS Sir Tristram to visit Royal Engineers from Ripon who were helping to rebuild runways and clear mines.

Mr Flanagan took with him some special messages from the wives of Harrogate district servicemen who were stationed there.

“I flew out on Valentine’s Day 1983 and went there with various things. I took messages for sweethearts and three or four Valentine’s cards. 

“I got a lot more on the way back from the soldiers, and asked to drop off flowers, chocolate and letters to their wives.”

Legacy of war

The war lasted just 74 days but 40 years on, time has not healed all the mental wounds brought on by the conflict.

The UK government’s treatment of its veterans, and their widows, have made it more difficult for them to receive closure.

Christina Nelson has campaigned for the government to subsidise expensive air travel to the islands so widows can visit their partners’ graves.

She said:

“I’ve not seen Stephen’s grave since the 25th anniversary. The government should do right by us. I’d love to go again, but I will not beg. It should be our right, but they are not bothered.”

Like many veterans, Neil Harper has suffered from PTSD. He left the Navy in 1989.

“We were offered no psychiatric help when we got back. It was a case of ‘man up and get up with it’.”

He returned to the Falklands in 2019 with some fellow seamen who he served with.

He added:

“Like any sort of trained blokes, we try and not shed a tear, but we do. We talk and remember, we’re a support group.

“It was time to go back and put a few demons to rest.”

255 British military personnel died in the war. Three islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers also died.

Where to see jubilee beacons lit in the Harrogate district

A series of beacons will be lit across the Harrogate district on Thursday night as part of national celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

From a caravan park to a castle, the venues come in all shapes and sizes, and cover the length and breadth of the district.

Beacons are set to be lit at 9.45pm, in line with the national event which will see thousands lit around the UK and more across the Commonwealth.

Many of the public locations of beacons in the Harrogate district are listed below. Others are being organised as private events, such as by Scout groups.

If your town, village or community is lighting a beacon and you would like us to include details, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Ripon Market Square

Ripon’s beacon has a burner head in the shape of a globe, representing the countries of the Commonwealth, surrounded by a crown.

A piper will play Diu Regnare, written for the platinum jubilee by Stuart Liddell, the 2020 Glenfiddich champion and pipe major of the world.

 

Knaresborough Castle

The highest point above the river in Knaresborough will offer a spectacular setting for the town’s beacon.

 

Masham: Roomer Common

A bugle call will announce the beginning of the event at 9.40pm, with the beacon set to be lit five minutes later.

Spofforth Castle

The village’s beacon is being created by farrier Gary Harland, using discarded horseshoes to mark the Queen’s love of horses.

Members of Spofforth School Choir will sing a medley of songs from 9pm, followed by a performance the Commonwealth Song, written for the occasion, by Spofforth Church Choir.

The lighting of the beacon will be accompanied by music from saxophonist Millie Hope.

 

Almscliffe Crag

The lighting of the beacon is not a formal public event because of concerns over health and safety, so anyone attending does so at their own risk.

However, the beacon should be visible for some distance from its position on top of the crag.

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Dallowgill

A jubilee bonfire will be lit at Greygarth Monument.

There is limited parking available at Greygarth if the weather is dry, and at Tom Corner or the Methodist Chapel.

The evening will include a sing-along and music. Visitors are encouraged to bring an instrument, a chair and their own refreshments. A bugle jubilee call will mark the lighting of the beacon.

 

Dacre

The village beacon will be list at Dover Castle, near Low Hall, with songs including the national anthem. Visitors are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.

 

Woodhouse Farm Caravan Park, Winksley

Residents and visitors are invited to gather in The Barn from 8.30pm, when hot chocolate will be available in commemorative jubilee mugs from £4. The group will move onto the park at 9.30pm ready for the beacon lighting and singing the national anthem.

 

Langthorpe

The jubilee beacon will be lit in Back Lane. Visitors are asked to park on the main road and walk up to the site.

 

West Tanfield

The beacon is in a field on the left-hand side of the road as you approach West Tanfield from Ripon, just before the bridge into the village.