WATCH: BBC film of Alan Whicker’s 1960 trip to the Spofforth horse breaker

On a damp day on September 9, 1960, broadcaster Alan Whicker came to Spofforth to interview one of the country’s few remaining horse breakers.

Jack Anderson was 75 at the time and had been training horses for 60 years at the time of the interview.

Mr Anderson gave advice on how he trained horses and an insight into his unusual life.

The video was first first broadcast as part of Tonight, which covered the arts, sciences as well as topical matters and current affairs.

It is now part of a BBC archive of films shared on a weekly basis.

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The interview starts with a series of questions on how to stop horses kicking and biting and how to hold a horse for shoeing.

Mr Anderson also talked about the times when it went wrong:

“I have had legs broken, collar bone, jaw, ribs. Oh yes. One [horse] will do one thing and one will do another. But the heart of the thing is to make them.

“There is a way of making them. If I said to go over them then we went over, even if it took an hour and a half because I am a crude fella when I start.”

He adds he does all of his training by talking, not by using the stick that he brandishes to the camera.

Do any Stray Ferret readers remember Jack Anderson, the Spofforth horse breaker, or the day Alan Whicker visited?

Police and council to check Harrogate venues comply with outdoor rule

Police and council officers are to conduct checks on outdoor hospitality shelters in the Harrogate district to ensure they comply with government regulations.

Harrogate Borough Council warned of the checks amid concern about whether all of the shelters in the district comply with what is classed as outdoor.

Many hospitality venues have created shelters to take advantage of today’s latest easing of lockdown rules, which allow licensed premises to serve customers outdoors.

Government guidelines say that to be considered outdoors, ‘shelters, marquees and other structures can have a roof but need to have at least 50% of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use’.

A source close to one small business owner told the Stray Ferret they were ‘surprised’ the council, which is enforcing the national government guidelines, had agreed to some of the structures.

The issue has also raised numerous comments on social media.

A council spokesman said its officers would be carrying out visits across the Harrogate district in partnership with North Yorkshire Police, “to offer support, advice and guidance to businesses and check on compliance with the latest regulations”.

Read more:

He added:

“Temporary outdoor shelters are determined by national government advice.

“Any Harrogate district businesses wishing to find out more, or whether planning permission is required, should get in touch and we will be happy to advise.”

Asked to comment on claims some venues breached the guidelines, he said:

“Without knowing the details of the premises who have raised concerns we cannot comment further.”

The council spokesman was unable to say how many venues had applied to erect outdoor structures.

But many large Harrogate hospitality venues, including the West Park Hotel, the Fat Badger , La Feria and Gianni’s Brio Restaurant and Pizzeria, as well as the Fox and Hounds and the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge have done so.

Perhaps the most spectacular is the Cedar Court Hotel‘s £50,000 tipi, which can accommodate 36 people.

Wayne Topley, managing director of the hotel, said it was built in full compliance with the regulations. He added it could be adapted for weddings and conferences.

“It’s a temporary structure but we hope to use it for a couple for years to come.”

 

 

Last chance to have your say on Harrogate travel schemes

Today is the last chance to have your say on plans to overhaul three highways in the Harrogate district to give greater priority for cyclists and pedestrians.

North Yorkshire County Council is behind the schemes for Victoria Avenue, Oatlands Drive and the A59 near Knaresborough, which are being backed by the government’s active travel fund and have been out for consultation since February.

The plans are designed to get more people walking and cycling as the district emerges from the pandemic.

But they have proved controversial, with a proposal to make traffic on Oatlands Drive one-way being scrapped after a backlash from residents.

And while new proposals for a 20mph limit, junction upgrades and restrictions on cars using the nearby St Hilda’s Road and St Winifred’s Drive have now been put forward, there are still concerns from some locals who say the changes will turn streets into “rat runs” and make the area “more dangerous” for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Under the plans for Victoria Avenue, it was revealed last month that the street could get the county’s first Cyclops junction. which would work by separating cyclists from general traffic with the aim of improving safety for all road users.

These are the plans for the A59 near Knaresborough. Photo: NYCC.

These are the plans for the A59 near Knaresborough. Photo: NYCC.

The UK’s first Cyclops junction was built in Manchester last year and the proposal for Harrogate could link up with the town’s £7.9 million Gateway project, which includes major road changes and public space improvements in the Station Parade area.

Other proposals for Victoria Avenue include new cycle lanes, a zebra crossing and a ‘floating’ bus stop, which would see a stop being repositioned from the curb side to between bike lanes and the road.

The final scheme for the A59 between Harrogate and Knaresborough also includes new cycle lanes, as well as a 40mph limit between Badger Mount and Maple Close, junction upgrades and improvements to a crossing near Harrogate Golf Club.

These are the plans for Victoria Avenue. Photo: NYCC

The plans for Victoria Avenue. Photo: NYCC

Designs for all three schemes were revealed at the end of March as part of a second stage of the consultation, which will end at midnight tonight.

The feedback from residents will be used to develop the draft designs further before a final decision on which schemes will progress is made.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, previously said:

“We have listened and are trying to reach a broad consensus about the measures we put in place, given that these directly affect people’s movements and their property.

“We think we can come up with something that addresses most of the concerns raised, but that still provides significant benefits for people who are cycling and walking.

“We encourage residents to take part in this latest consultation. Your views are important to us and they will help shape the final designs of these four schemes.”

The county council received more than £1 million from the government’s active travel fund for the schemes and must spend the money before April 2022.

You can have your say here.

Harrogate Gymnastics opens new site in Hampsthwaite

Harrogate Gymnastics is to start providing classes in Hampsthwaite next week for children aged four to 11.

The club has 500 recreational members and 200 competitive gymnasts at its Hornbeam Park location.

It had a waiting list to join pre-covid and social distancing measures have reduced the number of people able to attend, prompting owner Chloe Carey to look for a new site.

Classes will take place at Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall for beginner and intermediate gymnasts on Monday evenings.

Sessions will last for 45 minutes to an hour and will cater for up to 12 gymnasts.

Ms Carey, who lives in Hampsthwaite, said:

“We have a waiting list at the club, which has been made worse by the restrictions on numbers during the pandemic and wanted to be able to get the children who want to take part in gymnastics Into classes as quickly as possible, especially having had restrictions on organised sport for the best part of a year.

“With the roadworks in Harrogate it has become increasingly difficult for some of the surrounding villages to get over to Hornbeam so that has become a barrier to participation for some.”

Some equipment is new and some is being transferred from Hornbeam Park.

Read more:

 

WATCH: Harrogate shops excited to open doors again

Three Harrogate shop owners have spoken of their excitement as they prepare to open their doors to customers once again.

Today marks the end of months of enforced closure as a result of the third national lockdown.

Lots of businesses have moved online to keep the revenue flowing but independent shops often rely on trade brought in by footfall.

Many shops in the town centre have spent the last few days cleaning and restocking the shelves. The Stray Ferret went down to check out how they were getting on.

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, I hope you enjoyed your weekend. I am back this morning with updates every 15 minutes on the roads and rail links near you.

The live blogs, brought to you by The HACS Groups, aim to keep the Harrogate district moving.

A number of temporary traffic lights are in place across the district today, due to roadworks, so be aware of slight delays.

The Harrogate district spring 2021 Back to Bus launched yesterday with most services returning to their pre-lockdown schedules.

Make sure to keep in touch via social media or email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Have a lovely day.

9am – Full Update

That’s it from me this morning, Connor will be back with you tomorrow for updates every 15 minutes from 6.30am.

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic Hotspots

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8:45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic Hotspots

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8:30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8:15am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7:45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7:30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7:15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

6.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

Harrogate businesses to grill council leader over town’s future

Businesses owners are set to grill Harrogate council’s leader over concern about the future of the town centre.

Cllr Richard Cooper will join an online meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce tonight, which is expected to see questions on reopening plans, sustainable transport and the town’s future.

Business owners have been left concerned over the direction of the town amid various proposals for sustainable transport and council measures to support traders reopening, which includes a buy a bike scheme.

It comes as Harrogate Borough Council revealed a plan to help retail and hospitality reopen from today as part of the Government’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.

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The blueprint includes a “Buy Local By Bike” scheme and a “London Tube style” app that aims to urge shoppers to get cycling and support businesses around Harrogate and Knaresborough.

But Sandra Doherty, chair of the chamber of commerce, said the plans have left businesses “bemused” about the focus on cyclists.

She said:

“It seems unrealistic to focus just on cyclists. It should have been a much broader offering.”

Further measures include shops being allowed to stay open until 10pm and pavement licences, which form part of national measures.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously, Cllr Cooper said he was optimistic ahead of lockdown being relaxed but added it must be in a safe way.

He said:

“All the statistics we see show infections and hospitalisations heading in the right direction because of the effect the vaccine is having coupled with the lockdown.

“I know it has been the toughest year for business. We all know that. That is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally where possible and to choose a local retailer where we can, if we are shopping online.”

But Ms Doherty said business owners will want to ask the council leader what the town as a whole will look like in future.

Local business organisations, such as Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, have already expressed concern over the £7.9million Station Gateway plan, which could see more cycle routes and pedestrianisation of James Street.

The project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, the borough council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Ms Doherty said of the chamber’s members:

“They will be asking what benefits this will bring the to the town.

“Most businesses will be looking to the future. It would be nice to see where Harrogate council are hoping to go.”

The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, how he would be supporting the town ahead of reopening but did not receive a response.

Bilton by-election: every candidate announced

All the candidates have been named for the Bilton & Nidd Gorge county council by-election on May 6.

The election is taking place following the death of Liberal Democrat Geoff Webber.

The six candidates are all hoping to join Conservative Paul Haslam as the second North Yorkshire County Council councillor for the ward.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Yorkshire Party all said on Friday that they would pause campaigning as a mark of respect for Prince Phillip.

The candidates are below:

Liberal Democrats 

Andrew Kempston-Parkes has previously served as a councillor for Bilton on Harrogate Borough Council. He is a local businessman and is the managing director of a chartered surveying firm.

He said:

“The Bilton & Nidd Gorge division is a very special community to me. As Bilton’s councillor, I worked hard to not only protect green space, but also to invest in it.”

Conservatives

Cllr Matt Scott has represented the Bilton Woodfield ward on Harrogate Borough Council since 2018 and works in Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones’ office. He has lived in Bilton all his life.

He said:

“I will work hard to ensure we continue to have great schools, safe neighbourhoods and that our valuable green spaces remain untouched.”

Harrogate & District Green Party

Arnold Warneken was a Green HBC councillor in the 1990s and went to school in Bilton. He is a partner in an organic horticulture & food distribution business.

He said:

“Local councils must have our climate in mind as we build the economy back after Covid.”

Labour

Tyler Reeton is the youngest candidate at 19 years old and lives in Bilton. He works in retail and recently set up a community Facebook page for the Bilton area.

He said:

“I’m young but it doesn’t mean I have any less passion for the area.”

Yorkshire Party

John Hall has lived in Yorkshire all his life and moved to the Harrogate area over 6 years ago.

He said:

“Unfortunately, the party does not yet have a Biltonian which I appreciate would have been an advantage. So I have a lot of catching up to do. However, if elected this will be easily overcome by working closely with the community.”

Independent

Harvey Alexander is standing as an independent. He contested the Bilton Woodfield HBC seat for UKIP in 2018. 

Read more:

The Conservative-controlled county council currently has 53 Conservative councillors, four Labour councillors and four representing the Liberal Democrats. There are also eight North Yorkshire Independent and three independent councillors.

When the Bilton & Nidd Gorge seat was last run in 2017, Conservative Paul Haslam and Liberal Democrat Geoff Webber won the ward’s two seats with 1,618 and 1,414 votes respectively.

Liberal Democrat Mark McDermid came third with 1,285 votes and Conservative Graham Swift was fourth with 1,207 votes.

Saint Michael’s and Cancer Research UK shops reopen locally

Saint Michael’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK‘s charity shops in the Harrogate district will be opening their doors next week as they try to recover from financial losses during the pandemic.

The two charities rely heavily on money raised from the shops and are eager to reopen once more.

For local charity Saint Michael’s, most of its shops will reopen on Monday, while those in Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Jennyfield Drive and 149 King’s Road in Harrogate are reopening on Tuesday.

Donations can be dropped off on Tuesdays and Fridays each week but customers are advised to call the shop beforehand.

The donation drop-off point on Hookstone Wood Road is no longer in operation.

Saint Michael’s chief executive Tony Collins said:

“We’re pleased that our shops will now begin to reopen their doors from next Monday, giving those across the Harrogate district the opportunity to purchase a range of preloved items.

“Stringent health and safety measures will be in place in each of our shops, with the safety of our community, staff and volunteers at the forefront of our reopening plans.”

Read more:

The Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon Cancer Research UK stores also hope to welcome back plenty of customers to boost their finances.

The charity has predicted its fundraising income will decline by £300million over the next three years, due to the pandemic.

Ripon's Cancer Research UK shop

Ripon’s Cancer Research UK shop is looking forward to welcoming back shoppers

Anticipating a staycation boom, Cancer Research UK is asking for donations of men, women and children’s summer clothing. Any items can be dropped off in store.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson, said:

“Covid has hit us hard. That’s why we’re calling on everyone to please bag up and bring in any unwanted items.

“Right now, we need quality clothing, shoes, homewares, accessories and books to help keep our tills – and bargain hunters – busy. Most important of all, the sale of these items helps to ensure we can keep making progress for people with cancer.”

Stray Views: Don’t turn the Stray into a beer garden

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.

Don’t let the Stray become an uncontrolled beer garden

I am aware Harrogate Borough Council has said (subject to feedback from the Duchy of Lancaster) consideration is being given as to whether hospitality businesses can use limited parts of the Stray.

Whatever the proposal is, I object most strongly. When this was allowed last summer it was a most unpleasant experience having to battle your way through groups of people obviously influenced by alcohol.

The area of the Stray in question on Montpellier Parade looked a disgrace and gave the wrong impression of Harrogate. We do not want a proliferation of tables and chairs all over Montpelier Stray or indeed any part of West Park Stray.

Will the free and unhindered use and access to those parts of the Stray still be allowed for all and not just restricted to customers frequenting those particular outlets? And what about those that cannot expand onto the Stray?

The council should honour and uphold the purpose of the Stray Act. If it is ignored this time then it will inevitably happen again, which will open up a can of worms. Why should some hospitality outlets be treated differently to others who do not have such opportunities?

The Stray Act is in place for a good reason to safeguard the Stray against encroachment from all quarters. It protects and limits the use of the Stray so that it remains an intrinsic and a unique asset of community value for the benefit of the town and its visitors as a whole.

It is not for commercial exploitation and benefit by a limited few, especially as some uncontrolled beer garden.

What is the point of a law if it is broken when it becomes inconvenient to an individual or certain parties, including local authorities?

Why is the council therefore seeking a consultation on the interpretation of a law which is already in place? Is the council, as custodian of the Stray, incapable of making such a management decision?

Barry Adams, Harrogate

Consider making Parliament Street in Harrogate two-way

As a transport and distribution professional of over 50 years experience, it is obvious that one traffic lane on Station Road is going to massively slow traffic on this major Harrogate throughway. Two lanes are vital and an ageing population is hardly likely to be encouraged to bike to and through the town.

The problems will not be solvable until another way through the centre is opened up and perhaps looking at making Parliament Street two-way should at least  be considered. With Debenhams going it is no longer the main street in Harrogate and two-way traffic would be the cheapest of all solutions.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

Councillor’s ‘wild’ covid death claims are inaccurate

Regarding the wild claims by this councillor, based on his experience as a funeral director:

1 Does he not know that the excess death figure is a verifiable guide as to how many deaths were from covid, not only for the UK but for every country in the world that records those statistics [most of them]?

2 There may be more — because influenza hospitalisations have dropped dramatically — as well as other illnesses. Hence associated deaths will have dropped.

3 Car accident deaths are very likely to have dropped because of months of lockdown.

Therefore the figure is likely to be actually more than the excess death rate.

Teresa Liddell Shepherd, Harrogate

Got 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.