Two gay men from Harrogate have welcomed the opportunity to donate blood from next week, as rules relax across the UK.
Under the previous rules, men who have sex with men had to abstain from sex for three months in order to donate.
But from June 14, gay men will be able to donate if they have had the same sexual partner for the last three months or if they have not had sex with a new partner.
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CJ Allison, who is in his early 50s and from Harrogate, was a regular donor before he accepted that he was a gay man. He told the Stray Ferret:
“I have donated more than 30 pints of blood in my lifetime but had to stop when I came out in my late 40s.
“There were so many changes at that time so I just accepted it. But on reflection it is a very clear form of discrimination, it does not seem right.
“This is a welcome change but it needs to go further. I can donate now but my partner who has two other partners cannot.”
Jamie Carter, who is in his 20s and works as a hairdresser in Harrogate, also told the Stray Ferret:
Harrogate park and ride scheme still being considered“I have always thought that the rule is disgusting, it is so backwards. I just want to help people, it’s always baffled me.
“When my best friend had leukemia I had the right blood type and was in the position to donate blood but could not because I am gay.
“It’s a step in the right direction but we do not have complete equality just yet.”
Feasibility work will be conducted this summer on plans to build a park and ride bus service for Harrogate.
A park and ride scheme was proposed in January as part of a series of transport initiatives to reduce traffic and ease congestion.
Two locations in Pannal on the 36 bus route were identified as possible sites.
Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said at the time the scheme “could happen fairly quickly” depending on developments.
But there has been no news since as other proposed transport initiatives, such as the £7.9m Station Gateway project, have dominated the headlines.
This prompted a reader who supports the creation of a park and ride service to contact the Stray Ferret asking what had happened to the idea.
In response to requests for an update, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:
“All of the proposals in the Harrogate Transport Improvement Programme are in the feasibility stage and further work will be commissioned this summer.
“Nevertheless, a park and ride remains one of the measures we are considering to reduce traffic and ease congestion in and around Harrogate.
“The development of park and ride proposals would require more detailed modelling, testing of options and public consultation.
“We need to develop these plans along with other Harrogate Transport Improvement Programme priorities such as cycling and walking, bus priority and junction improvements.”
Cllr Mackenzie added council officers “are continuing to consider both the A61 and A59 to assess ways of improving provision for pedestrians and cyclists, provide bus priority and also seek to tackle some of the most problematic junctions”.
He said:
“By turning our attention to active travel models we hope to reduce congestion and improve the network without the need for additional, costly construction.”
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- Stray Views: Harrogate park and ride was a great idea — what happened?
- Harrogate park and ride could be built in Pannal
Harrogate and Knaresborough could be shrunk, under parliamentary boundary shake-up
The Harrogate and Knaresborough parliamentary constituency could be reduced in size, under proposals outlined today by the Boundary Commission for England.
Under the plans, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s electorate would be shrunk and areas, including Boroughbridge, would fall under a new constituency.
Harrogate and Knaresborough’s constituency would see its electorate fall from 74,319 to 72,850. The Conservative Andrew Jones currently holds the seat.
The commission has carried out a review of parliamentary seat boundaries and opened a public consultation.
Following further consultation next year, it will publish a final report on boundary changes in 2023.
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Under the current proposals, the number of constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber would remain at 54.
But Conservative Nigel Adams’ seat of Selby and Ainsty, which includes the south of Harrogate, would be scrapped.
The current constituency boundaries in and around the Harrogate district.
Instead, Selby would have its own seat and the north of the district would fall under a new constituency called Wetherby and Easingwold, which would take in areas including Wetherby, Boroughbridge and Green Hammerton.
A map of the new constituency and reduced Harrogate and Knaresborough seat under the Boundary Commission plans. Picture: Boundary Commission.
Kirby Hill and Bishop Monkton would become part of the new Wetherby and Easingwold seat.
The Skipton and Ripon constituency, which is currently represented by Conservative Julian Smith, would include Ripley, which is currently part of Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:
“Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the commission’s initial thoughts.
“Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each parliamentary constituency more equal.
“Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries.
“We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for parliamentary constituencies right.”
The review will increase the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 543.
Just under 10% of existing seats remain unchanged as part of the proposals.
Members of the public can have their say on the proposals as part of an eight-week public consultation on the Boundary Commission for England website.
The consultation will close on August 2.
Police pledge to crack down on fast and noisy cars in HarrogatePolice have pledged to take a zero tolerance approach to fast and noisy drivers in Harrogate town centre this summer.
Harrogate often attracts drivers, sometimes in modified vehicles, racing around the main roads, particularly during summer.
North Yorkshire Police said today it has already handed out three traffic offence reports and one more serious section 59 warning for antisocial driving behaviour, which could lead to the car being seized.
It pledged in a statement to keep up the pressure during the summer months on “the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers which is not only unsafe but also highly disruptive”.
Operation Chrome, which began last summer last year, has restarted and will see increased police patrols in hot spots, more speed cameras across town, vehicle stops and detailed CCTV reviews.
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Superintendent Steve Thomas said:
“As the weather improves we see a surge in the number of vehicles driving antisocially around the town centre.
“Residents and visitors should not have to fear for their safety or have their days blighted by this excessive noise.
“We are taking a zero tolerance approach to this dangerous behaviour.
“Rest assured if you receive a warning and continue driving irresponsibly, we will be watching and your vehicle will be seized.”
Have you noticed more fast and noisy cars on your street? Tell us your experience contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Follifoot business park refused permission to expand on green beltFollifoot Ridge Business Park has been refused permission to expand onto a plot of green belt land despite pleas that growing Harrogate district firms are in “desperate” need of more room.
The owners of the business park submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council last year claiming they should be granted “very special circumstances” to build on protected land in the centre of the site in order to meet pent up demand and boost the economy.
But the council’s planning committee last week rejected the plans, with members saying they could not make an exception to green belt policies.
Speaking during a meeting on Thursday, councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader, said:
“If we aren’t ready to protect our green belt at this stage when there are no special circumstances then we are going to have it under threat.”
Green belts were introduced in 1955 to stop cities from sprawling and countryside being spoilt.
About 13% of England is now covered, and green belt areas are meant to be permanently protected and only reviewed in exceptional circumstances.
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The application for Follifoot Ridge Business Park was for two new buildings, which would have sat next to existing units previously allowed because they were classed as farm conversions.
Kim Eastwood, a planning agent for the business park, told the committee on Thursday that the development would have little impact on the area because the green belt land is already surrounded by these existing units.
This was an argument echoed by Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale ward. He said:
“This site is completely surrounded by other buildings. It has no impact on the open countryside and can only be seen from the side where trees are and from the access point.
“Normally I would support protecting open countryside but it doesn’t really make sense in this case.”
Mrs Eastwood also said the business park had received several inquiries from firms looking to move to the site and that companies already there were “desperate” to expand.
She said:
“These businesses have been based at the park from two to 14 years and they range widely, which is partly a testament to the success of the business park.
“This scheme presents an opportunity to provide additional commercial space, which is confirmed by the council’s economic development team to be very much in demand.”
The committee voted seven votes for and one against to reject the expansion plans.
No deaths but Harrogate district covid rate continue to riseThe Harrogate district’s coronavirus rate of infection has continued to increase — but there have been no covid-related deaths for almost two months now.
The district recorded a further seven coronavirus cases, according to today’s figures by NHS England
The seven-day average rate of infection is now to 29 per 100,000 in population. The North Yorkshire average is 23 and the England average is 44.
Harrogate’s rate is the second highest of the seven North Yorkshire districts behind Selby.
The last covid-related death at Harrogate District Hospital was on April 11.
There have been 109,175 first vaccine doses and 83,547 second doses in the Harrogate district.
From tomorrow, all those who are 25-years-old and over will be invited to book a vaccine.
It comes as the UK health regulator has also given the go-ahead for the Pfizer/BioNtech jab to be used on 12 to 15 years old.
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Historic link between Canada and Harrogate celebrated
You might not heard of him before, but today is Sir Robert Barrie Day. Sir Robert was a Royal Navy officer who fought against the USA in the 19th century and is buried in the Harrogate district.
The day marks the 180th anniversary of his death as well as the eight year anniversary of Harrogate and Barrie in Canada becoming twin towns.
Sir Robert saw service in the War of 1812 which was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain over British violations of U.S. maritime rights.
He then took up a post in Ontario, Canada to inspect a key trading route called the Nine Mile Portage. He settled there, calling it “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. In 1833 the area was renamed in his honour.
As of the 2016 census, Barrie’s population was 141,434.
Twinned
Barrie was twinned with Harrogate in 2013 at the suggestion of local aristocrat Sir Thomas Ingilby.
Sir Robert married Sir Thomas’s ancestor, Julia Wharton Ingilby, in1816.
In mid-1834, Barrie returned to England and King William IV made him a knight commander of the Royal Guelphic Order. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1837 and knight commander of the Order of the Bath in 1840.
Barrie retired in Swarthdale, Lancashire and was buried at All Saints Church in Ripley in 1841.
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Barrie deputy mayor, Barry Ward, who was a guest for Harrogate’s UCI cycling event in 2019 said:
“Sir Robert Barrie had quite an interesting life, both as a military commander and administrator in what later became Canada.”
Harrogate is also twinned with two with Bagnères de Luchon in France and Montecatini Terme in Italy. Read more about Harrogate’s twin towns here.
Interested in history? Did you know that the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Malcolm to produce audio walking tours of Harrogate? The walks are sponsored by the Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) and take you back to the Golden Age of the Harrogate Spa and a walk through the Commercial Heart of Harrogate.
Why not take a walk back in time and learn about Harrogate’s glorious past.. They’re easy to do and a great day out. For more information click here.
Harrogate resident scoops £30,000 on lotteryA lucky Harrogate resident is celebrating winning a £30,000 cash prize on the People’s Postcode Lottery at the weekend.
Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the June draws, one postcode will be announced as a £30,000 prize winner.
All the players in the postcode will win that sum for every ticket they hold.
The winning postcode of HG2 8QA was announced on Saturday.
A media release by People’s Postcode Lottery revealed one person in the Harrogate postcode area won last weekend.
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, the TV presenter Judie McCourt, sent her well-wishes to the winner, who asked to remain anonymous.
She said:
“What a fantastic surprise for our winner in Harrogate! I hope they enjoy celebrating this weekend and enjoy spending the cash. Congratulations!”
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The draw costs £10 a month to enter. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
A minimum of 33% of ticket sales goes directly to charities.
Players have helped raise over £700 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.
Harrogate school reaches national equestrian championshipsThree equestrian teams from Harrogate Grammar School have reached the final of the national championships.
Two of the school’s dressage teams and one Jumping with Style team qualified for the final rounds of the event, and three students qualified individually.
They will now travel to the national championships at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Buckinghamshire, in October.
The event is run by the National Schools Equestrian Association.
Beth Harrison
Julie Curran, the biology teacher who runs the equestrian team, said:
“This is our best ever equestrian achievement as a school and I’m exceptionally proud.
“It’s a reflection of the dedication of our students, who ride every day in all weathers, and of their parents, who put in so much time and effort to support them.”
Headteacher Neil Renton added:
“Congratulations to our equestrian teams in qualifying to represent Harrogate Grammar School at a national level, and to Dr Curran for helping them fulfil their ambitions to achieve excellence.
“The school will be cheering them on as they compete at the national championships in October.”
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The dressage teams which qualified for the national championships are:
HGS Stripes — Sophie Harris (Year 9); Becky Weston (Year 10); Chloe Harris (Year 13)
HGS Red — Megan Harrison (Year 10); Becky Weston; Emily Gaskell (Year 11) and Beth Harrison (Year 11).
The 90/95cm Jumping with Style team is: Layla Brown (Year 9); Amelia Jesson (Year 10) and Becky Weston.
Emily Gaskell and Becky Weston also qualified as individual competitors in the dressage preliminary class, and Beth Harrison qualified as an individual competitor in the dressage novice class.
The successful dressage team of Emily Gaskell, Beth Harrison, Becky Weston and Megan Harrison
Teens arrested in Harrogate after Kinder eggs stuffed with heroin found
Police in Harrogate have arrested two boys aged 15 and 16 after finding Kinder eggs stuffed with suspected heroin and crack cocaine.
Plain clothed officers from North Yorkshire Police‘s county lines drug dealing unit Operation Expedite noticed the boys acting suspiciously on Thursday.
The suspects ran away but were caught after a chase on foot.
A police statement today said when officers caught the boys they found two Kinder eggs stuffed with suspected heroin and crack cocaine wraps, as well as knuckle dusters.
Police believe the unnamed boys, who are both from West Yorkshire, are involved in bringing drugs from another county into Harrogate.
Police arrested the 16-year-old on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and possessing an offensive weapon.
The officers also arrested the 15-year-old on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.
They were released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
County lines is where drug dealers from urban areas exploit vulnerable people, including children, and force them to deal drugs in smaller towns.
It takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise their drugs for sale.
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