Senior Harrogate councillor defends fake grass saga

A senior Harrogate borough councillor has defended a council decision to put fake grass in the town centre.

The council’s decision to install plastic grass in the raised flower beds on Cambridge Street in May met a fierce backlash from residents.

Council officials initially claimed the move received “lots of positive feedback”, but later removed the grass and apologised.

Last night, Cllr Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for parks and environment, told a full council meeting that the grass was removed “straight away” and that the authority had to “try new ideas”.

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When asked to comment on whether the council explained its decision properly and if its value system “focussed only on money”, Cllr Paraskos defended the move.

He said:

“I totally disagree. The stuff that we put down, I don’t like to use the term artificial grass, was there as a barrier. If we had put down the black mesh stuff to keep the weeds under control, nobody would have ever mentioned a word.

“But because we have used something that looked like grass, everybody jumped on the bandwagon straight away and believed we were trying to grass the town centre. That was never our intention.

“We thought it was possibly a good idea, put a little colour behind the new planters that we put in and when everybody objected we removed it straight away. Nobody liked it, so we carried on and we will come up with new plans for that area to make the town centre look more attractive to visitors going forward.

“We must try new ideas even if they are wrong and we will find out afterwards. If you don’t try, you don’t move forward.”

When the Stray Ferret broke the story, the article received well over 150 responses – nearly all of which criticised the move.

Fake grass and planters

The fake grass and planters were put in place in May.

Comments ranged from “it looks cheap and tacky” to “wasting council tax money yet again” to “who actually sat there thinking this was a cracking idea?”.

Some residents offered to remove the grass and plant flowers, but it was rejected by the council.

Extinction Rebellion later took direct action by replacing some of the grass with flowers in protest and handed it back to the council in person.

The borough council’s statement apologising for the lack of communication on the saga can be read in full here.

Extra safety measures announced for Great Yorkshire Show

Further control measures have been announced today for next week’s Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate following the increase in Delta variant covid cases.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the event, has been working with public health officials at North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to discuss measures.

It means the 162nd show will be held mainly outdoors and considerably different to previous ones.

Capacity has been limited to a maximum of 26,000 people a day to minimise crowding and to ensure social distancing.

It means about 104,000 people are expected to attend from Tuesday to Friday as opposed to the usual 135,000 that pass through the gates over three days.

Opening hours have been extended from 8.00am to 6.00pm to allow visitors to arrive and leave in a more staggered way to avoid queues.

Ticket sales were temporarily halted while the capacity numbers were finalised, and the final raft of tickets are now on sale via the Great Yorkshire Show website.

Lateral flow tests

Visitors are encouraged to have a lateral flow covid test before they arrive and to download the NHS app before arriving in order to be able to scan QR codes where necessary, such as in hospitality areas.

People working at the show, including catering and trade stands, will be required to have a negative lateral flow test within 24 hours before arriving at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

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Tickets can only be bought in advance only and should be printed out as e-tickets. They will not be on sale on the gates.

This year most of the event will be held outdoors and it has been extended to run over four days for the first time in its history.

Show director Charles Mills said:

“This will be a very special Great Yorkshire Show and one we are all so looking forward to after these difficult times.

“It will be a slightly different show to normal but we have done our best to bring you an event which will fly the flag for farming and celebrate our industry.”

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services, said:

“We, along with partners from Harrogate Borough Council, have been working very closely for some months with the Great Yorkshire Show organisers and Public Health England to make sure the event is as safe and successful as possible, being mindful ofcCovid transmission rates and national restrictions.

“However, we recognise the importance of the show, not only for the people of North Yorkshire and Yorkshire but also for the farming community which has played such a vital role during the pandemic with food supplies and keeping the whole supply chain going.”

Sections that will not feature in this year’s show include the fashion show, the WI stand, the pole climbing competition and the cookery theatre in the food hall although the game cookery theatre will go ahead as usual.

Other safety measures this year

• Track and Trace at hospitality points
• Grandstand capacity reduced to 25% – 30% with tickets purchased in advance
• Extra security to disperse any crowding
• One way system around the Food Hall
• Hall 2 closed to public although the entrance will be a celebrity meet & greet
• Face coverings to be worn in all indoor areas, including toilets and the grandstand, and encouraged when in queues
• Enhanced cleaning
• Table service only at bar areas

 

Captain Tom memorial walkway opens at Army Foundation College

A memorial walkway dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore was opened yesterday at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College by members of his family.

Captain Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and children, visited the college on Pennypot Lane to cut a ribbon and unveil a plaque that includes details of his life.

Junior soldiers marched under the walkway on their way to the graduation parade. The college said the dedication was a “fantastic way” to mark the Captain’s legacy.

The Captain Tom plaque.

The college posted on its Facebook page:

“We think it is a fantastic way to mark the legacy of Capt Sir Tom and the future of our junior soldiers”.

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Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last spring.

He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.

He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.

£240,000 refurbishment lined up for Sun Pavilion

A refurbishment of up to £240,000 looks set to take place at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this October.

Harrogate Borough Council has advertised a contract on the government’s procurement portal of between £180,000 to £240,000.

The contract says that work will start on the pavilion on October 18.

Companies have until August 20 to bid for the contract.

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The refurbishment work must be completed by February 18, 2022.

It would include reconstruction of the floor from oversite concrete level, installing underfloor heating, insulation to the floor and new floor coverings.

Other works would see replacement of the heating system and refurbishment of the toilets.

Completed in the 1930s, the venue on Cornwall Road was restored to its original state in 1998 and was reopened by the Queen.

Today, the pavilion hosts weddings and can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Harrogate man spared jail after hammer attack over barking dog

An argument over a barking dog led to a man being hit over the head with a claw hammer in a street in Harrogate.

The victim was attacked near Harrogate town centre by 31-year-old Maciej Rataj who struck two or three blows with the DIY tool, York Crown Court heard.

The victim fell to the ground and was stamped on by Rataj, who had crept up on him from behind. 

Prosecutor Andrew Finlay said witnesses called police and helped the victim, who was taken to hospital with cuts to his scalp and lip and a swollen and bloodied nose.

The man was named in court but the Stray Ferret has decided not to reveal his identity. He was advised by hospital staff to have a CT scan but discharged himself without being X-rayed.  

Rataj was soon arrested but lied to officers that he had acted in self-defence and used an umbrella to attack the victim. 

He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and appeared for sentence on Wednesday.

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Mr Finlay said the incident occurred on August 2 last year when the victim was walking past Rataj’s home in Nydd Vale Terrace and heard his dog barking.

He told the dog to “shut up”, which was heard by Rataj who retorted as the victim walked off.

Mr Finlay added:

“(Rataj) armed himself with a hammer and followed (the victim), together with a friend he was with, before catching up with him and attacking him with (the) hammer.”

Witnesses saw Rataj “change his grip” on the hammer as he approached the victim from behind. He then struck the victim with “two-to-three blows” to the head while he was laid on the ground.

Mr Finlay said:

“(The victim) was also stamped on by the defendant.

“One of the witnesses said it was to the stomach.”

He said it was a “sustained” attack and that Rataj had followed the victim for “some distance” before attacking him. 

Andrew Stranex, acting for Rataj, said his client, a Polish national, had never been in trouble before and was a hard-working man.

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Merited a jail sentence

Recorder Anthony Hawks said although the offence was so serious it merited a jail sentence, he could suspend the inevitable prison term because Rataj was of “hitherto good character” and had an “impressive” work record since arriving in the UK with his wife and family four years ago.

He told Rataj: 

“You live in an area with a significant amount of anti-social behaviour. You overreacted when someone started shouting at your dog. 

“You lost your temper, armed yourself with a hammer, ran after the man and hit him two-to-three times, causing fortunately minor injuries to his head and face. 

“I don’t know what came over you. You are very lucky that you are not facing a more serious charge. Hitting people in the head with a hammer can have fatal consequences.”

The 12-month prison sentence was suspended for two years, during which time Rataj will be supervised by the Probation Service. 

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and complete a 15-day rehabilitation programme. 

Stockeld Park’s dinosaur attracts attention in Harrogate

Stockeld Park publicised its latest attraction today by letting a dinosaur loose in Harrogate’s town centre.

Rita the raptor got alot of attention outside Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street.

The dinosaur was out in Harrogate today to promote Stockeld Park’s “Jurassic Summer” .

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There are five adventure playgrounds, a dinosaur forest, a dinosaur maze and brand new for 2021, jurassic mini golf.

Stockeld Park events manager Darren Smith told the Stray Ferret:

“Rita the raptor escaped last night. We just managed to track her down just outside Bettys queueing up for a coffee, of all places.

“We have got her under control now. Rita seems to love it here in Yorkshire and is just trying on a flat cap now.

“It’s for our jurassic summer. We are going to have dinosaurs there every day. All the usual things at Stockeld with a jurrasic twist.”

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Jurassic Summer runs to September 6. Book tickets for £12 per person here.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I am heading over to the news desk now but will be back tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but 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 but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Viper Rooms owner: Young people in Harrogate can ‘celebrate life’ again

The owner of Harrogate’s only nightclub, The Viper Rooms, has welcomed the government’s announcement that nightclubs will finally be able to reopen on July 19 without masks or social distancing.

Paul Kinsey told the Stray Ferret that he is looking forward to reopening but added he was still skeptical that the reopening plans won’t be delayed again.

He also sympathised with young people in Harrogate who he believes have suffered over the past 18 months and said having a nightclub again will give them a chance to “celebrate life” again.

He said:

“I think it’s a great outcome if it actually goes ahead.”

“It allows all of the 18 to 25-year-olds who have suffered the most in terms of lost education, lost jobs and lost leisure the opportunity to do what they love most….celebrate life!!”

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The club has been one of the hardest-hit businesses in Harrogate since the covid pandemic hit. It’s been closed indefinitely since March 2020, except for one night on Halloween.

Mr Kinsey was looking forward to reopening on June 21 until the government decided to delay the easing of lockdown restrictions for another month.

It meant the nightclub had to put its plans on ice.

He called on the government to offer a package of financial support to the nightlife sector in a previous Stray Ferret article.

A covid-19 leaving drinks party will now take place on July 19 at 10pm.

Harrogate International Festivals apologises for lack of diversity

Harrogate International Festivals has issued an apology for not including any female writers of colour in its 2021 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

The prestigious four-day festival takes place this month at the Old Swan in Harrogate.

Many leading crime writers, including Pointless star turned best seller Richard Osman, Mick Herron, Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves are due to attend and events take place across the four days.

But the lack of diversity among the line-up attracted criticism, which prompted Harrogate International Festivals’ programming committee to post on Twitter:

“It has been brought to our attention that our 2021 crime writing festival programme contains no female writers of colour. It should not have been necessary for this to be pointed out to us.

“We work hard on diversity at the crime writing festival but, although there have been many unique challenges this year, we got this wrong, and we apologise.

“We will be examining our planning processes, changing our practices — including expanding our programming committee — and working hard to make sure it never happens again in future years.”

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The apology prompted writers A A Dhand and Abir Mukherjee, who were invited to this year’s festival, to release a joint statement, which said:

“We are pleased that the concerns raised over this year’s Harrogate festival programme containing no female writers of colour have been recognised and that constructive conversations have taken place resulting in a welcome change in policy for future literary festivals.”

Their statement added that “Harrogate has always been at the forefront of championing new voices, so the commitment to changing practices and widening the diversity of the planning committee is a very welcome step.”

They added they recognised diversity and inclusion were tricky subjects and that problems were not specific just to the Harrogate festival.

The festival’s crime novel of the year award carries a £3,000 prize.

 

Bogus roofers attempt to scam Harrogate’s elderly

Police today issued a warning about a spate of bogus roofers targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement it was investigating whether three Harrogate incidents were linked to other suspected scams in Wetherby and Middlesbrough.

It said:

“Typically, in cases like these, a bogus tradesperson will cold call a victim by turning up on their doorstep unannounced and offering to clean their guttering for a small sum.

“However, the trickster will claim to the victim that they have found extensive damage to their roof requiring immediate attention.

They may even show the victim rotten wood and felt, convincing the victim that it has come from their roof. In reality, the rotten wood and felt will have been brought in by the roofer as part of the elaborate deceit designed to con the victim into agreeing expensive and unnecessary roofing work that they don’t need.”

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Officers urged people not to accept work by cold callers or let themselves be pressured into agreeing to have work done.

They also asked people to to keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable family members, as fraudsters preyed on the most vulnerable.

If you want to report an incident involving a rogue tradespeople, use the Report It link or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 with reference number 12180015933.