Two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft after power tools were stolen in Bilton overnight.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers visited the area after a member of the public contacted them to report two men carrying a box full of items at around 1am.
After searching the area, officers found the men who were both aged in their 50s and from West Yorkshire.
A box containing a variety of power tools was recovered nearby. Both men were arrested on suspicion of theft.
They remain in custody while enquiries continue.
Read More:
- Andrew Jones MP queries delay of covid vaccinations in schools
- Acting police commissioner confirmed after Philip Allott resignation
Harrogate student wins global competition for young leaders
Harrogate student Thomas Grattoni-May has been named as one of 100 global winners of a programme launched by Eric Schmidt, the billionaire former chief executive of Google, to identify exceptional young people who help others.
More than 50,000 15-17-year-olds entered the Rise Challenge, which aims to find young people with the potential to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Thomas’ ‘big idea’ was a global speech and language therapy app for stammerers who have limited access to support.
Thomas, 17, who is in Year 13 at Harrogate independent school Ashville College, has a stammer himself and has been a vocal advocate for the charity Action for Stammering Children. He hopes to bring together charities across the globe to share resources and expertise.
As a winner of the competition, Thomas will receive a lifetime of personalised support. This includes free tuition to any accredited university and a fully funded invitation to an annual three-week summit of winners. This is combined with access to careers advice, mentoring, and access to further funding in a package that could exceed $500,000 in value.
Thomas said:
“I’m feeling ecstatic, and really can’t quite comprehend what it means to be one of the 100 Global Rise winners. It’s just amazing.”
“I have met so many inspirational young people through this competition, and I am so proud and humbled to have been chosen as a winner alongside them.”
Read more:
- Harrogate student stars in second series of All Creatures Great and Small
- Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket
Through his application, Thomas submitted 14 video responses to various challenges, and spent more than 50 hours developing his big idea. After being shortlisted in May, the 17-year-old participated in a series of gruelling interviews.
Steven Gauge, chief executive of Action for Stammering Children, of which Thomas is a youth panel member, said:
“Thomas is already a role model for younger stammerers, and this will increase his standing even further as it demonstrates that if you have a stammer there are no limits to what one can achieve.”
“We couldn’t be happier, or prouder of this achievement.”
Ashville College head Rhiannon Wilkinson said it was a “remarkable achievement”, adding:
Overgrown play area to be sold off for new housing for disabled people“To be chosen as one of the Rise 100 Global Winners is a testament to his sheer determination not to let his stammer hold him back and, of course, his tremendous hard work and ability.”
A disused and overgrown play area in Harrogate is set to be sold off for part of a new housing development for disabled people.
The council-owned play area behind Disability Action Yorkshire’s Claro Road care home will be cleared to make way for three accommodation blocks if the sale and planning permission is agreed.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the sale for an undisclosed sum at a meeting next Wednesday before plans are submitted at a later date.
A report to the meeting said:
“The purchaser is a non-profit registered provider offering housing management and support services.
“Disposal of this asset will enable the development of an additional block of flats, providing affordable rent, supported living accommodation, for people with learning and physical disabilities.”
Read more:
- Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket
- Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate district
The plans include 36 flats with a mix of one and two bedrooms at the site, which is near Claro Business Park and St Roberts Catholic Primary School.
Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, said:
Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel“Whilst we are not the prospective purchaser of this plot of land, we are working in partnership with them.
“Following Monday’s cabinet meeting, and should the purchase be given the green light, we will be in a position soon after to share our exciting plans for the development of our service.”
Good morning, happy Friday. It’s Leah with you today updates every 30 minutes on the roads and public transport services you use.
There have been a few train delays and cancellations this week so make sure you keep checking in for any that may affect you.
These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, aim to keep the district running smoothly.
If you get stuck in traffic or spot something, and it is safe, then give me a call on 01423 276197.
9am – Full Update
That is it from me today. I will be back with you on Monday with Regular updates from 06.30.
Roads
Traffic Hotspots:
- Wetherby Road towards Empress roundabout – 9 minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Skipton Road at junction with Claro Road
- Knaresborough Road towards Empress roundabout
- Ripon Road towards junction with Skipton Road
- Leeds Road at junction with Hookstone Road
- Otley Road, Harrogate
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Cold Bath Road towards Otley Road
- Forest Moor Road at junction with Hookstone Chase
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- Trains on the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Leeds and York lines look to be running on time.
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
8.30am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic Hotspots:
- Wetherby Road towards Empress roundabout – 7 minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Skipton Road at junction with Claro Road
- Ripon Road towards junction with Skipton Road
- Leeds Road, Pannal
- Otley Road, Harrogate
- York Place, Knaresborough
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- 08:30 Harrogate to Leeds is due at 08:35
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
8am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building this morning, with no hotspots just yet.
Traffic is building here:
- Wetherby Road towards Empress roundabout
- Skipton Road at junction with Claro Road
- Ripon Road towards junction with Skipton Road
- Leeds Road Pannal
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- 08:30 Harrogate to Leeds is due at 08:35
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
7.30am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building this morning, with no hotspots just yet.
Traffic is building here:
- Wetherby Road towards Empress roundabout
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- 07:24 Harrogate to Leeds i expected at 07:30
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
7am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- 06:41 Harrogate to York is running 2 minutes late
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
6.30am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.
Road closures:
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- South Field Lane, Tockwith – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Bondgate Green, Ripon
- York Place, Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge High Street
Trains
- 06:41 Harrogate to York is running 2 minutes late
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket
Harrogate Spring Water has ended its sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The company follows Yorkshire Tea, which is also based in Harrogate, in cutting ties with the club.
Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the district, has been fiercely criticised for saying it didn’t plan to take any disciplinary action against individuals following an investigation into the allegations by former player Azeem Rafiq.
Now, Harrogate Spring Water, which was among the club’s main commercial partners, has confirmed its sponsorship will end with “immediate affect”.
In a statement, the company said:
“We were deeply concerned at the details that have emerged in recent days surrounding the treatment of Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the way in which the club’s current leadership have handled the important issues that have been raised.
“As a result, Harrogate Spring Water has taken the decision to end its sponsorship agreement with the club with immediate effect. We will be making no further comment on this matter.”
Harrogate Spring Water first became the official water of the club in 2014.
Read more:
- Harrogate district firm ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club
- Masham Cricket Club criticises Yorkshire response to racism allegations
Both Harrogate companies follow Emerald Publishing and Anchor butter in ending their association with the club. David Lloyd Clubs said its sponsorship had been “put on hold a few weeks ago” and would not be reinstated.
Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, told the Stray Ferret this week that the county club’s actions “sent mixed messages” to grassroots cricket and that the club was “extremely disappointed” in Yorkshire’s actions.
Senior Yorkshire officials and Rafiq are due to appear before MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee later this month.
Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate districtBonfire night is fast approaching so we have compiled a list of events coming up this weekend in the Harrogate district.
Bonfires in Masham and Bilton were cancelled this year but we have still managed to find nine that are due to go ahead either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197 and we will add you to the list.
Friday 5th November
Knaresborough Cricket Club Fireworks Night
Where: Aspin Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 8EP
When: 6:15pm start, 7pm firework display
Tickets: adult £2, concessions £1
Aspin Park Academy, Knaresborough
Where: School grounds, parking on Manse Lane, Knaresborough
When: 5pm start, 6.30pm firework display
Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4
Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display
Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
When: 5:30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7:30pm firework display.
Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free
Spofforth Village Firework Display
Where: Spofforth cricket ground
Timings: Gates open 5pm
Tickets: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tockwith & District Agricultural Society Annual Bonfire & Firework Display
Where: Show field, Cattle Moor Lane, Tockwith, YO26 7QH
Timings: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: 13 and over £5, under 13s free
Saturday 6th November
50th Annual Stray Bonfire, Harrogate Roundtable
Where: The Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ
When: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
Where: Pateley Bridge Showground
When: 5:30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Wath and Melmerby Community Bonfire
Where: Roger Clarke Motor Engineers, The Sidings, Melmerby, HG4 5EX
When: 6pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: £5 per family
Sunday 7th November
Staveley Arms Bonfire
Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT
When: 4pm-6pm
Tickets: £3 per person
Swinton Bivouac Quiet Bonfire Night
Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
When: 6:30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.
Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café
Starbeck Community Firework Night – Harrogate Railway Sports and Social Club, Friends of Starbeck School
Where: Harrogate Railway Sports & Social Club, Station View, Starbeck, HG2 7JA
When: 5pm start, 6:30pm fireworks
Tickets: under 5’s free, 5 to 15’s £1, over 16’s £2
Harrogate’s ‘Toytropolis’ garden bringing smiles to children’s faces
Harrogate man Paul Ivison has created “Toytropolis” — a garden resplendent with 200 toys, including Scooby-Doo, Batman and Peppa Pig.
Mr Ivison has lived in his house on Mayfield Terrace for 15 years and each year decorates his garden with different themes. When the Stray Ferret visited in the summer, he had created a loud and proud mental health-themed garden, which raised £137 for Mind.
For winter, he’s been bargain hunting on Facebook marketplace to buy toys to make children and their parents smile.
He hopes to raise £500 for North Yorkshire Horizons, a county-wide drug and alcohol addiction service that he has previously worked for. Visitors can leave donations in a box by the gate.
Mr Ivison said:
“Things snowballed and I was buying up toys left right and centre. I got three Bat caves for a tenner.
“It’s my usual problem though — I don’t stop!”
He said the response from children and parents makes him feel good and helps with his own mental health.
“A couple of children saw Peppa Pig and were ecstatic.”
Read more:
- Harrogate man says ‘outrageous, camp and wild’ garden saved his life
- Crime commissioner pledges extra police for Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove
He’s had a problem with thieves visiting the garden. One tried to pinch a toy elephant, but thankfully its feet were attached to the ground with super-strength glue.
Mr Ivision will soon be adding six Christmas trees to the garden and Toytropolis will stay until the second week of January.
He added:
“Someone asked me, what are you going to do to top this? But I’m sure I’ll think of something!”
You can visit Toytropolis on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace.
Controversial Crimple Valley homes plan withdrawnA controversial plan to build a housing development in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley has been withdrawn.
The proposal submitted by Square Feet Ltd And Antela Developments Ltd would have seen 35 homes built on Almsford Bank Stables on Leeds Road.
The developers had initially planned 65 homes for the site in 2018, but later revised the application and reduced the number of homes.
A total of 107 letters of objection were lodged to Harrogate Borough Council over the proposal.
Now the developers have withdrawn the plans to build on the site.
Read more:
- Pannal left with ‘eyesore’ Dunlopillo apartments, says parish council
- What is green belt land and how would Harrogate look without it?
The Stray Ferret has contacted Seven Architecture, the agent for the developers, for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.
It follows a backlash from local residents over concerns that the scheme would damage the Special Landscape Area of the Crimple Valley, which is spanned by the distinctive railway viaduct.
In a letter to the council, Tristan Campbell, of the pressure group Save Crimple Valley, said the development “would demonstrably devalue the integrity of the much-valued Special Landscape Area itself”.
He added:
“It takes out a central strip of the most beautiful part of the Crimple Valley Special Landscape Area, sets a dangerous precedent for future planning applications within the SLA and fails to meet the council’s own current and future Local Plans.”
Harrogate gets another pop-up shop as demand soars
The Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate is to get a second pop-up shop in the run-up to Christmas.
The company behind the initiative, Barker Proudlove, said it had seen a surge in enquiries in the run-up to the festive season and was confident it could fill another unit.
The pop-up shops give independent businesses the chance to rent units in the centre of Harrogate on a weekly basis without having to commit to long-term rents and rates.
The first one opened in the Victoria Shopping Centre on the corner of Cambridge Street in September and is already fully booked until Christmas,
Following its success, the former Grape Tree health food shop is also to become a pop-up.
Read more:
- Rural art studio in Knaresborough a hub for creativity and mindfulness
- Harrogate’s Pine Marten pub reopens after major refurbishment
Jessica Swain, from Barker Proudlove, said:
“It is incredible that we have so much demand for the pop up shop and we are thrilled to continue working with the Victoria Centre team to bring more businesses to Harrogate’s high street during the seasonal period.”
The new pop-up will open with Martha and Bea, a clothing and accessory business from Ilkley, on Monday.
Barker and Proudlove said there were still opportunities to hire the new unit this month and in December.
The Cambridge Street shop currently houses 2 Little Mice, with Jane Gales Designs arriving next week followed by Posh Tat on November 15.
Caption: New pop-up shop unit in Victoria Shopping Centre (left) the first tenant will be independent shop Martha and Bea (right)
Harrogate district MPs abstain from Owen Paterson voteLocal Conservative MPs Andrew Jones and Julian Smith abstained from the controversial vote in the Commons yesterday on whether to suspend former minister Owen Paterson.
MPs voted by 250 to 232 to put off a decision on whether to suspend Mr Paterson.
A total of 98 Conservative MPs did not take part in the vote, despite pressure from the party leadership to vote in favour.
They included Mr Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Mr Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon. Both men rarely rebel from the party line.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who is Minister of State without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office, voted with the government.
The Leadsom amendment was put forward after a Parliamentary standards watchdog found Mr Paterson had breached lobbying rules by approaching MPs about two firms he was working for as a consultant.
Read more:
- MPs watch: Sewage dumps, commissioner resignations and David Amess
- MP criticises government for not electrifying Harrogate rail line
The vote was carried and would have seen the formation a new cross-party committee of MPs to review the process for policing MPs and postponed Mr Paterson’s 30-day suspension from the Commons.
But following a fierce backlash, today, the government has now said it will rethink its plans.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House, said the changes would not go ahead without cross-party support. He added a further vote on Mr Paterson’s suspension will go ahead.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Smith and Mr Jones about the vote but has not received replies.