Bilton man cleans Nazi graffiti off mural bridge

A Bilton man spent two-and-a-half hours cleaning a bridge mural yesterday after vandals covered it in racist graffiti.

Chris Knight decided to act after noticing the Iron Bridge, which is on the edge of Bilton and crosses over towards Claro Road, had been defaced.

It’s not the first time that vandals have targeted the mural since it was painted. But this time around they had painted a swastika and anti-Pakistani messages.

Rather than waiting for others to sort out the problem, Mr Knight took on the challenge with a brush and cleaning solution.

Emma Garness, the artist who created the mural, used special paint to protect it from graffiti, which enabled Mr Knight to clean it without damaging the artwork.

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Mr Knight told the Stray Ferret:

“When something like this happens, people always ask for others to sort out the problem. I just think why can’t we step up?

“During the two-and-a-half hours it took to clean, around 50 people stopped to chat with me and were thankful of the job I was doing.

“This is the second time the bridge has been covered in graffiti since the mural was painted. It was much worse this time.

“If it happens again then I will be back to clean it up. Maybe next time we will be able to get a group together.”

Ferrari towed away in Harrogate in police supercar clampdown

Police ordered a Ferrari sports car to be towed away outside Harrogate Convention Centre over the weekend as part of a supercar crackdown.

Operation Chrome, which North Yorkshire Police launched this summer, targets speeding, illegally modified vehicles and vehicles that shouldn’t be on the road.

The Ferrari driver was reported on suspicion of driving without insurance and failing to display a front number plate.

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Operation Chrome launched this summer with a police pledge to keep up on “the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers which is not only unsafe but also highly disruptive”.

Harrogate often attracts drivers, sometimes in modified vehicles, racing around the main roads, particularly during summer.

Superintendent Steve Thomas said:

“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.”

 

Harrogate district event organisers welcome government-backed insurance

Two event organisers in the Harrogate district have welcomed news of a government backed insurance scheme to protect them in case coronavirus restrictions return.

Both the chief executive at Harrogate Theatre and the organiser of Knaresborough Christmas Market saw the move as a step in the right direction.

Insurance has been a barrier for many planning to hold events as many insurers do not cover coronavirus related problems.

The organisers behind the annual bonfire and firework display on the Stray previously told the Stray Ferret that this year’s event would be a “huge gamble” without any coronavirus insurance.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the insurance scheme and said he hoped that it would help organisers plan events with confidence through to next year.

The £750 million scheme, which the government has partnered with Lloyds to set up, will cover events between September 2021 and September 2022.

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It will see taxpayers cover 95 per cent of costs incurred in the event of cancellation due to the event being legally unable to happen due to government covid restrictions.

David Bown, the chief executive at Harrogate Theatre, told the Stray Ferret:

“As we were moving forward we still had that threat of cancellation hanging above our heads.

“Insurance has been a concern for us at the theatre for a while. The insurance just don’t have a coronavirus clause in their policies. So this is very welcome.”

Hazel Haas, organiser of the Knaresborough Christmas Market, also told the Stray Ferret:

“This new government backed scheme sounds to be a very good idea for the events industry.

“I have not looked at the fine details of it just yet but this is certainly positive news.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back. It’s Leah with you this morning bringing you all your latest traffic and travel 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.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, Suzannah will be back with you tomorrow morning with updates every 15 minutes 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

8.45am – Full Update 

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

8.30am – Full Update 

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

8.15am – Full Update 

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

8am – Full Update 

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

7.45am – Full Update 

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

7.30am – Full Update 

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

7.15am – Full Update 

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

7am – Full Update 

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

6.45am – Full Update 

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

6.30am – Full Update 

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

Harrogate business organisations launch Station Gateway survey

Three Harrogate business organisations have set up a survey on the upcoming £10.9 million Station Gateway project in an effort to gather more views on the scheme.

Harrogate BID, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Independent Harrogate sent the survey out to around 800 of their members.

The aim is to gather opinions ahead of the second consultation of the gateway project, which is currently at design stage, in order to inform a response.

The scheme, which is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is designed to cut congestion in the town.

It could also see part of James Street pedestrianised in an effort to encourage more walking and cycling.

But, David Simister, chief executive of the chamber of commerce, told the Stray Ferret that more people needed to be consulted on the project.

He said:

“We are coming into the second round of consultation and we are trying to gauge the reaction of businesses.

“That is why we are doing it.”

Mr Simister pointed out that 1,100 people took part in the first round of consultation, but added that more needed to “feel a part” of the process.

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He said that the chamber was also looking at holding an in-person Q&A session between businesses and the county council at a later date.

Following the outcome of the next round of consultation, further detailed design plans are expected in September ahead of a final business case being complete.

A final proposal for the project is anticipated to go before the county council’s executive in December.

As the Stray Ferret previously reported, the county council has anticipated that work could start on the £10.9 million project in February next year.

It follows the recent publication of a 160-page document analysing responses to the first round of consultation to the scheme, which is a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Of 935 people who replied to a consultation question about traffic on Station Parade in an online survey, 49 per cent preferred the one-lane option, 27 per cent preferred the two-lane option and 24 per cent preferred neither.

Of the 934 who replied to a question about pedestrianising the northern section of James Street, between Princes Street and Station Parade, 54 per cent said they were either positive or very positive about it while 38 per cent were negative or very negative towards it.

Stray Views: For goodness sake, save Harrogate Christmas market!

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.

Council negativity towards Christmas market is affecting traders

The benefits to the town of the Christmas market are enormous and the increased footfall and spend attests to this. The market is close enough to the town centre for everyone to benefit.

Unfortunately, Harrogate Borough Council this year has decided otherwise. It is saying that “the event plan did not take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.

However this is not the case — the site is open with easy access to the outside, the council closes the roads and there are big concrete blocks at the top of the hill. It doesn’t get overcrowded — it’s less busy than indoor shopping centres, football stadia, nightclubs etc where people are in close contact for more than the guidelines of 15 minutes.

That the council was not in touch with the organisers prior to making this decision reflects very badly on them.

Organising an event of this nature takes a great deal of time and planning and attractions have already been booked, such as the reindeers and Father Christmas! It is very late in the year for stall holders to make alternative arrangements.

I am a local craftsman and rely on events like this to stay in business, and I am only one of many in a similar situation. The government policy at the moment is to get the economy moving again as soon as possible.

Harrogate Borough Council’s negative attitude is hindering this process.

Lyn Grant, Harrogate

Labour’s politics of envy over Julian Smith’s advisory roles

Thank you for giving us details of Julian Smith’s lists of advisory roles. He is obviously highly regarded by these organisations who value his skills and expertise, why otherwise would they recruit him?

The comments of ex-Labour candidate Brian McDaid are wholly inappropriate. MPs on all sides of the House of Commons have similar advisory rolls and provided they are recorded on their register of interests they are quite normal.

Might I add that I have had occasion to seek Mr Smith’s assistance on three occasions since he was elected as the MP for Skipton and Ripon and he has on all occasions responded promptly and met me locally at his regular surgeries.

His re-election suggests he is doing the job by the electors. The politics of envy will never be a worthy news item.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

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Poor shopping, beggars… is it any wonder people are avoiding Harrogate?

Today I met with a friend from outside the area who was saying how much she used to enjoy coming in to Harrogate to shop but doesn’t come in any more.

The reasons given were so many empty shops, cheap discount stores on what was the upmarket street and beggars sitting and almost partying around the town.

I later walked up Parliament Street and in a doorway just before the old Debenhams store there were five people with drinks, sleeping bags etc and a mess on the pavement that appeared to be vomit.

Is it any surprise that people are becoming reluctant to come in to Harrogate? Do enough people care and if so what can be done about it?

Sandra Fielding, 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.

 

Leading the Harrogate cancer charity fighting to save 2,000 lives a year

It’s a little known fact that 2,000 more people die of cancer each year in Yorkshire than the national average.

More smoking, less exercise, pockets of deprivation and variable screening rates are among the causes.

Dr Kathyrn Scott, chief executive of Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research, is leading the fightback:

“We currently have 14,000 deaths a year. It could be 12,000 if we just had better funding and infrastructure.

“”We’ve got this hidden tragedy happening in Yorkshire and we are determined to change it.”

Dr Scott, a scientist, joined Yorkshire Cancer Research in 2008 as an office junior and worked her way up to chief executive four years ago. She’s far from the archetypal scientist, laughing a lot and joking that “I actually like people”.

Yorkshire Cancer Research, which is the largest voluntary organisation in the Harrogate district, has had remarkable financial success in recent years: income has soared from £6.2 million in 2016 to £18.7 million in 2020 and is expected to increase again this year.

By contrast, covid has decimated many charities’ finances — cutting donations, cancelling fundraising events and closing charity shops.

New Harrogate headquarters with wellbeing centre

Yorkshire Cancer Research’s coffers are bearing the fruits of royalties from a drug called Lynparza that it funded Sheffield University to develop.

Royalty income alone increased from £6.7 million in 2019 to £12 million in 2020, which is enabling the charity to press ahead with plans to expand and tackle cancer.

It has opened more shops, employed more staff and is set to announce a move to new Harrogate headquarters, which will include a wellbeing centre where people with cancer can exercise as part of their recovery.

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Wellbeing has become a major focus of the charity’s work and it hopes to open similar exercise facilities across Yorkshire. Dr Scott says:

“For years people with cancer were told to rest, sit down and have a cup of tea and although there’s still a place for that you need to exercise. It can halve the chances of some some cancers coming back.”

The charity, which is currently based at Grove Park Court, expects to reveal its new headquarters in autumn. Dr Scott says:

“We’ve found the perfect site but it’s definitely a secret for now.”

Recruiting more staff and opening more shops

The number of staff has grown from about 40 when Dr Scott took charge to 53 now and is expected to rise to 65. From September, it will trial a hybrid system whereby employees work two-thirds of the week in the office and one-third from home.

The charity, which is the largest regional cancer research charity in England, opened its fourth charity shop in Ripon this year and hopes to have 20 shops within five years.

The charity’s strong financial position has also ensured it hasn’t had to cut funding to research programmes — unlike some other cancer charities during covid. It funds £10 million of cancer research each year.

But for all its success, Dr Scott admits Yorkshire Cancer Research’s overarching ambition to save 2,000 Yorkshire lives by 2025 might not happen on schedule because of the wider impact of covid on cancer services.

Hospital services have been scaled back and people who have discovered symptoms, such as blood in their poo, have felt less inclined to bother their GPs.

But she says people in the Harrogate district have been luckier than most in Yorkshire:

“Harrogate District Hospital has been one of the more resilient hospitals in the sense that it has got a lot of services up and running again quickly. It feels like it’s been an agile organisation.”

Dr Scott, who was born and bred in Bradford but has lived in Harrogate for about 20 years, is a keen cyclist who nominates Norwood Edge and Greenhow Hill as among her favourite rides.

They’re two of the most notorious climbs in the area — Dr Scott will be hoping the charity can continue to avoid such uphill struggles in the years ahead.

Gallery: Harrogate Town fans return for start of season

Harrogate Town fans flocked to Wetherby Road in numbers today for the return of league football.

Supporters packed inside the EnviroVent Stadium to welcome back Harrogate Town as they opened their 2020/21 League Two campaign against Rochdale.

Town fans were robbed of the experience of visiting Wembley stadium for the National League play-off final, which coincidentally was a year ago this weekend.

Fans were then left to follow the club through their laptop and mobile phone screens for most of last season as the covid pandemic saw football played behind closed doors.

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But, after a record number of season ticket sales, the Town faithful are back and hopefully for the entirety of the League Two campaign.

For many supporters, today was the first chance to watch Town play league football in the flesh.

Here’s a selection of pictures from the first EFL game back at Wetherby Road.

Harrogate Town fans returned to Wetherby Road for the start of the 2021/22 League Two season.

Secret Shopper: 7 reasons for men to head to the shops in Harrogate

A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. This month, I’ve been checking out menswear. Plus, the sales are on in lots of places, so get out there quick.

The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.  

SUMMER SHIRT, OWL, Montpelier Gardens. £80 (reduced from £160)

Everything is half price in OWL: they’re moving so everything must go.  Come September they’ll be in their new premises at number 31 Montpelier Gardens, just round the corner.  Phew. This shirt   As well as plenty of mens’ clothes to choose from, they do some snazzy accessories – I also particularly liked the minimalist, black bags from the cult Tokyo label Indispensable.

Editor’s Choice: “My son loves this shop – it’s one of the best places to buy clothes and gifts for men in Harrogate. I wish them the best of luck in their new home.”

ORTIGIA GIFT SET, Hoopers, St James Street, £53.

Downstairs in the basement of Harrogate’s designer-led department store, there is a small but perfectly formed selection of men’s stuff – clothes, cufflinks, ties, Barbour bits and pieces and games.  This gift sets are not necessarily just for men – I suspect they may be strategically placed as a gift idea.  If you’re a man you could give them to someone else of course, or just enjoy them yourself.  Some of the packaging features manly animals and the scents are quite ‘masculine’ if you need the reassurance.  You get shower gel, soap, hand cream and a candle. And by the way, Ortigia products are vegan and aren’t tested on animals.

FJALLRAVN KANKEN KEB JACKET, Cotswold Outdoor, West Park. £275

No, I don’t know how to pronounce it either, but I like their gear.  You’ll recognize their backpacks, originally designed for Swedish schoolchildren to help prevent back problems, because they’re everywhere.  (For good reason: they’re probably the best backpacks ever).  Scandi design is their thing, and this jacket is made for hardy trekking in all weathers (it has a storm hood!).  So it’s extremely practical and very stylish too.   It’s got a bit of a parka / Liam Gallagher / swagger / vibe.  Tempting.

FRED PERRY GRIP BAG, G23, Cambridge Road £95

Staying with the swagger, you could do worse than rolling up at the gym or to a weekend away with this Fred Perry iconic grip bag.  G23 do lots of other classic casual labels – Levi’s, Carhartt, Hilfiger.  Smart.

 

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VINTAGE SWISS WATCH, Space Vintage, The Ginnel.  £145.

By Montine. I love vintage watches. Gorgeous.

Space vintage also sells old cameras, cufflinks, ties and cravats, leather luggage, clothes, and old Beanos and Superman comics for all your manly needs.

 

GOLF SHOES, Ecco, St James Street. £200

Golf?  Really?  I was quite taken with these as a trainer / fashion type item.

But of course feel free to wear them to play golf as well.

 

RRD JEANS, Lynx, West Park.  £208

Trousers are hard to photograph and without seeing them on you don’t get the full effect. But trust me these jeans are very well cut, flattering and the fabric is – just, well – revolutionary.   It’s a stretchy, super light lycra, which works really well on these clothes.  RRD stands for Roberto Ricci Designs and his background is water sports. He’s taken surfing fabrics and slim cut style into everyday wear.  He’s also Italian and knows what looks good. Lynx also stock RRD chinos (not the sort you see advertised in the back of the Telegraph – RRD chinos are actually attractive) and shorts. Fortunately RRD do women’s clothes too so I might give them a try myself.

 

Letter: Why I love Starbeck

 

In last weekend’s Stray Views Starbeck was described by one of its residents as “worse than Birmingham”. It prompted another resident, Chris Watt, to contact us and write a passionate defence of his community.

I love Starbeck! I’m not from the area. I’m a southerner and only moved here about a decade ago.

But ever since coming here, I’ve been welcomed by the wonderful community and been struck by the great spirit we have. So I was disappointed to see the letter comparing Starbeck unfavourably to other towns and cities.

Now let’s be honest. Starbeck has its challenges. Indeed, Harrogate more widely is a wonderful place to live, but despite its image as an idyllic spa town, it is not immune to the problems faced equally by others.

Across the town, there are areas of high deprivation, substance abuse, anti-social behaviour, crime and a lack of amenities.

These can all be addressed if we all work together as part of a wider community and promote all that is best about Starbeck.

And we have great resources to build on.

Our local schools are well regarded and involved in the community, inspiring pride in the area among our young people.

Starbeck in Bloom has won national awards and brightens our area.

Our church communities provide visible support to our area and work with residents to improve our area.

Harrogate Railway provide football teams and coaching for a range of age groups, provide facilities for community events and are partnering with our outstanding local hospital charity to raise funds for vital health services in our area. Similarly, Harrogate Pythons Rugby Club, also based at Station View, support a range of community initiatives.

Our sports and leisure facilities have also recently been boosted by the re-opening of our local swimming pool after its covid enforced closure.

The Starbeck Residents’ Association is now complemented by social media groups focused on improving our neighbourhood.

Our annual Christmas lights display is always a highlight of any seasonal visit to Harrogate.

We have a vibrant high street. In common with others around the country, this has been badly impacted by the covid lockdown and the rise of online shopping. Our high street clearly needs more care and attention. However, the fact that new and diverse enterprises continue to spring up shows its potential as a shopping hub for our town.

There are, of course, issues to address in Starbeck. But if our local community pulls together, then I strongly believe that the community spirit that I have experienced since moving to the area, can continue to make a real difference.

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