A coroner has opened an inquest into this month’s suspected murder-suicide at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.
The inquest yesterday heard how Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both aged 29, died in a room at the hotel on May 4. They were found at 10.20pm.
John Broadbridge, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire and York, told the inquest:
“Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon died on May 4. They were found unresponsive, having suffered evident stab wounds.
“This was opened in Northallerton and adjourned for a full inquest, which should be held within the next three months.”
The full inquest will investigate how the pair, from London, died and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
North Yorkshire Police has said it believed Ms Gregory was murdered by Mr McGibbon, who then killed himself.
Read more:
- Majestic murder-suicide: What questions remain?
- Police confirm man and woman died at Harrogate’s Majestic
Devante Gravesande-Smith, a barrister from London who was a cousin of Ms Gregory, has described her as a “loving and caring person, whose smile would light up a room”.
He claimed she was “lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend”.
Garry Irvine appointed president of Harrogate cricket club DruidsDruids Cricket Club, the historic Harrogate club founded in 1915, has appointed Garry Irvine as its president.
Mr Irvine is a former Druids captain as well as an outstanding rugby union player who captained Harrogate RUFC and represented an Anglo-Scots XV against the All Blacks.
His appointment follows the death of previous president Simon Corner, a much-respected figure in the Harrogate area.
Druids is a nomadic social cricket club that celebrated its centenary in 2015 with a match against the famous MCC.
Such is the club’s standing that it was invited to play Yorkshire as part of former England Test bowler Ryan Sidebottom’s testimonial year.
Mr Irvine said:
“It’s an enormous honour to be appointed president of this famous club, following in the footsteps of the legendary Simon Corner.
“I’m determined to carry on the great work that Simon and previous presidents have done over the past 100 years in maintaining the great traditions of fun and fair play that the Druids were founded upon.
“As a club, we’d also love to welcome new people to become part of this great Harrogate institution, whether as players or supporters.”
The club plays friendly fixtures against other social or local Harrogate clubs, usually on Sundays.
Players of all abilities and supporters are very welcome to join the Druids.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page or contact club secretary Mark Moorby at melmoorby@hotmail.com.
Read more:
- From Knaresborough’s Aspin estate to playing cricket for Yorkshire
- Phoebe Graham to promote women and girls at Harrogate Cricket Club
Harrogate council apologises after wrongly threatening council tax payers with court
Harrogate Borough Council has apologised for wrongly sending letters to residents threatening them with court action for not paying council tax.
A Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, alerted the Stray Ferret to the council letter dated May 21.
The letter asked for three months of council tax instalments and threatened a court summons, plus costs, if payment wasn’t received by Friday this week.
However, only two months of council tax, April and May, were due by that date, which meant the demand for June’s payment was made prematurely.
The source claimed the local authority’s council tax department had been “overrun with angry council taxpayers” who had received similar letters.
He described the episode as “an administrative cock-up”, adding:
“At a time when many people are struggling financially and being faced with a council tax increase above the rate of inflation, I wonder why Harrogate Borough Council didn’t check their facts more carefully before acting in such a heavy-handed way?
“Even if the figures were correct in the first place they should be showing more consideration towards people and trying to help rather than intimidate them.”
Read more:
A council spokesman said:
“Unfortunately, residents who receive council tax reminder notices, have this month been issued with the wrong payment figure. It incorrectly included the June instalment figure as well as May.
“Anyone who received this reminder notice will receive a replacement notice in the next couple of days. We’d like to apologise for any confusion or inconvenience this has caused.”
The Stray Ferret has asked how many people received the demand for June’s payment but the council has so far declined to reveal the information.
North Yorkshire’s covid vaccine ‘success’ to be examinedPublic health bosses are to examine why North Yorkshire’s covid vaccine uptake is significantly above the national average.
They will use the findings to tackle concerns over declining uptake of other jabs, such as MMR and meningitis.
North Yorkshire County Council‘s director of public health Louise Wallace told a meeting of the council’s executive one focus would be on whether transport and the location of vaccination centres had made it easy for residents to access Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca vaccines used in the county.
She was speaking just two days after the authority announced it would close vaccination sites at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Racecourse in August, saying mobile vaccination units would help to target areas reporting a sudden surge in covid cases.
A report to the meeting stated some 64.98% of the county’s population, excluding children, have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine, compared to the average rate across England of 53.38%.
The council and the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum have been providing logistical support around venues, transportation, volunteers and waste disposal for the vaccination programme, which is being overseen by the multi-agency North Yorkshire and York Vaccination Assurance Group, chaired by Ms Wallace.
The group aims to identify where there may be low levels in vaccine uptake and implement interventions to ensure equity in the vaccination rollout across North Yorkshire and York.
After hearing of the relatively high rate of covid vaccine uptake in the county, the council’s Scrutiny of Health Committee chairman Councillor John Ennis asked whether officials would use the lessons learned as a springboard to tackle recognised low take-up rates of other vaccinations in the county, such as MMR.
The latest NHS digital figures, which were published in September 2019, show while coverage had continued to decline in all routine vaccinations across the country, North Yorkshire had a lower uptake than a number of its neighbours.
Read more:
- Total vaccine doses in Harrogate district near 170,000
- More than 100,000 people have first covid vaccine in Harrogate district
The county’s vaccination uptake rate for the two-dose MMR vaccine stood at 89% compared to 96% in County Durham and close to 95% in areas such as north Lincolnshire and Barnsley.
Medics have warned falling childhood immunisation rates risk a resurgence of deadly and life-changing diseases of the past. Public health experts have advised successful vaccination programmes need a “system-wide approach” saying services had become “fragmented” since changes were made to public health commissioning in 2012.
While Ms Wallace’s predecessor last year warned the county’s public health services were facing difficult choices due to cuts in Government funding, she told the meeting she would be prioritising vaccination programmes.
She said the authority had used its experiences from previous vaccination programmes, such as flu and MMR, to maximise coverage with the covid vaccine.
Ms Wallace said:
English Football League approves Harrogate Town’s bid to create academy“We will be taking some of the lessons that we’ve learnt and looking at why this vaccination programme has got quite a high uptake overall
“We have got quite a lot of learning as to why people bought into this and we will be looking at why some people have vaccine hesitancy and try and myth-bust.”
Harrogate Town have been given permission by the English Football League to open an academy for budding professionals aged 16 to 18.
The club revealed today it had received a licence to operate a category four academy.
The academy will be led by former Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield, supported by professional development phase coach Ross McKay.
Phil Priestley will act as goalkeeper coach and Josh Walsh as academy secretary. Lee Barraclough has been appointed head of recruitment.
Based at West Riding FA along with the current first team, the academy will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance North East, allowing regular competitive fixtures and a pathway through the ranks.
First team manager Simon Weaver said:
“This is a massive step in the right direction for the club in terms of fulfilling the vision of where we started and what we foresee being our future.
“Our under-19s, under-17s and under-19 Alliance teams will continue to run and compete in their respective leagues, alongside the newly established academy.”
Read more:
Pannal Ash residents’ faith in planning process ‘severely tested’ by rush to approve 200 homes
A residents group has said its faith in the planning system is being “severely tested” over the rush to approve a controversial 200-home development at the former Police Training Centre in Pannal Ash.
An HBC report recommends councillors approve the application on Yew Tree Lane by Homes England at next week’s planning committee.
It was due to be considered last month but was withdrawn from the agenda at short notice.
The withdrawal came after Harlow & Pannal Ash Residents Association said it had received both written and verbal assurances by Harrogate Borough Council officers the application would not be decided until a document known as the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan is agreed.
The parameters plan will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate. It was expected last year but has been delayed.
A HAPARA spokesman said:
“Although the council accept that the parameters plan is a ‘material consideration’ in this application, no definitive plan exists at this time so it is illogical, let alone bad faith, to bring this matter to a decision at this time.
“We cannot understand the rush to judgement on this application, considering the time normally taken for decisions on major developments. Our confidence in the council’s consultation process and indeed the Local Plan process itself, is being severely tested.
“We are writing to all members of the planning committee to urge them to defer the item to a later committee.”
Several residents who objected to the plans were not told about last month’s planning meeting and nobody from the group was invited to speak against the plans.
The council admitted it had made an error and withdrew the item on the agenda.
Read more:
The Police Training Centre site is earmarked for 161 homes in the council’s Local Plan, which outlines planning in the Harrogate district until 2035. It is called H36. The current application is for 200 homes.
A council spokesman said:
“Although there is no policy requirement for site H36 to prepare the WHPP or wait for its completion, the site is located within the geographical area of the WHPP. As such, work undertaken to date – including discussions with infrastructure providers – is a material consideration in the assessment of this new application on H36.
“Accordingly, the applicants have included provision of a segregated cycleway to link up with other west Harrogate sites and will be making transport improvements/contributions that take into consideration the impact of all of the sites within the west Harrogate area.
“Site H36 is a brownfield site with an extant permission (14/02970/FULMAJ) for 161 new homes and forms part of the council’s housing land supply position. Homes England acquired the site because it had stalled and they are seeking to unlock it as part of their housing delivery role.
“The current application has been with the council since June 2020 and full public consultation has been undertaken, with responses considered as part of the planning application process.
“Our position on the determination of the current application for site H36, in the context of the WHPP, has been explained directly to HAPARA and is set out within the report to members of the planning committee”.
Full steam ahead on Harrogate’s £7.9 million Station Gateway project
Detailed designs for Harrogate’s controversial £7.9 million Station Gateway project are to be drawn up, it was agreed today.
Councillors voted to press ahead with the next stage of the scheme, which could see the pedestrianisation of James Street and Station Parade reduced to one lane of traffic,
The project, which aims to create a more attractive entrance to the town with greater priority for pedestrians and cyclists. is part of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
There are similar projects being run in Selby and Skipton but transport officials said Harrogate has proved the most contentious due to resistance from some businesses are worried about the impact on trade.
A recent public consultation, however, revealed public support for a town centre less dominated by cars.
A total of 45% of 1,101 respondents were in favour of the full pedestrianisation of James Street; 32% said no changes should be made and 17% backed a partial pedestrianisation.
For Station Parade, 49% favoured an option to reduce traffic to one lane, while 27% said it should be retained as two lanes and 24% said neither option was workable.
Speaking at today’s North Yorkshire County Council meeting, councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:
“We have been lobbied quite strongly by the business community in Harrogate, of whom one or two members seem to think the gateway scheme is intended to make life more difficult for them. Those comments could not be further from the truth.
“The whole purpose behind the gateway scheme is to make all three of these town centres more attractive to visitors, especially those who want to come and spend money in our shops, restaurants and pubs.”
More detailed designs will now be completed before a business case is drawn up and a final decision is made.
A county council report said the impact on parking and traffic would be kept to a minimum, with just 45 out of 915 parking spaces lost.
The report also said reducing Station Parade to one lane would increase the average car journey time by 53 seconds, or by 1 minute 14 seconds with James Street fully pedestrianised.
Some businesses fear the removal of parking spaces and traffic lanes will mean busier roads and fewer shoppers.
Councillor Mackenzie added:
“In the past I have had concerns about the effect of one lane on Station Parade… but frankly, when I see the benefits that a one lane scheme can deliver, I believe that small additional extra time is well worth it.”
Read more:
- County council and Network Rail are working to find a way to protect the Nab bridge barrier on Harrogate Road
- Explainer: Station Gateway Project
Conservative councillor Michael Harrison, who represents the Lower Nidderdale and Bishop Monkton division, told today’s meeting it was important for the impact on traffic to be a key consideration when a final decision is made.
“This is not just about trying to persuade people to get out of the car – we have got to recognise that this area is a through-route as well.
“If there is a negative impact on travel times then we have got to acknowledge that, quantify it and make sure we have the road system working as efficiently as possible around the scheme.
“That is the right way forward and clearly we are going to do that.”
Further public consultation will now take place in autumn following the development of detailed designs and a business case.
If approved, construction could begin in summer 2022 with completion by March 2023.
HG1 Radio to cease broadcasting on ThursdayHG1 Radio is to cease broadcasting this week due to commercial difficulties, it was announced today.
The digital station, which is available online and through smart devices, began operating in July last year.
But its future appeared uncertain when parent company Y01 Enterprises announced last month it was under review after sister station West Yorkshire Radio closed.
Station manager Dave Parker said HG1 Radio will come off air at the end of Thursday. He added:
“Very recently there have been a number of managerial changes at the parent company and we have taken the time to very carefully evaluate the current situation and, although HG1 has had a steady and loyal audience base, things simply don’t stack up on a business level.
“No jobs have been impacted by the closure.
“We would like to say a massive thank you to our presentation team and, most importantly, to our listeners over the last ten months or so.”
HG1 Radio plays music from the 1960s until the present days and provides news and competitions.
Its closure is another blow to Harrogate district local radio.
Last year Stray FM rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio.
Besides Stray FM, Harrogate is served by the digital stations Harrogate Community Radio, Your Harrogate and Harrogate Hospital Radio.
Read more:
- HG1 Radio’s future under review after sister station closes
- Harrogate Hospital Radio takes to the air for 24-hour fundraising marathon
Work starts on giant Stray artwork to remember covid dead
Work started this morning on a huge art installation on the Stray to commemorate NHS staff and care workers and those who have lost their lives through coronavirus.
The piece, called In Memoriam, is set to be complete for its official opening on Friday.
Volunteers are using red and white flags to assess where the various pieces will go, close to the centre of West Park Stray.
Award-winning artist Luke Jerram designed the exhibit, which will be on the Stray until June 7. It will then be moved to Edinburgh, Fleetwood and Weston-super-Mare.
Ben Osborne (left), on behalf of the artist Luke Jerram, and Adam Long, on behalf of Harrogate International Festivals.
In Memoriam measures 36 metres in diameter and features more than 100 flags made from hospital bed sheets arranged in the form of a medical symbol.
This is the first in a series of installations and events delivered in the months ahead by Harrogate International Festivals, which this year celebrates its 55th anniversary.
How the artwork will look on Friday.
Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said
“Two years ago, we were lucky enough to bring Luke’s Museum of the Moon to St Wilfrid’s Church, which was one of the highlights of that summer’s international festival, and was visited by more than 10,000 people.
“As an arts charity delivering festivals and events, we were first to close and will be the last to open, but we can’t just open the doors on our venues and go straight back to normal.
“We wanted to create something unique in Harrogate that acknowledged the last year whilst allowing us to create a safe, outdoor event for the town.
“We don’t want people to just look at In Memoriam from afar, we want people to experience it; we want individuals, families and friends to walk into the heart of it; we want them to sit under the flags and quietly reflect the events of the last 15 months.”
In Memoriam is being supported by Hornbeam Park, Harrogate BID, and Swainsons Funeral Directors.
Harrogate Grammar resumes outdoor activities as lockdown easesMore than 200 students have completed outdoor sections of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenges at Harrogate Grammar School this month, in another sign of life getting back to normal.
Eighty year 11 students spent May Day bank holiday weekend completing the practice DofE bronze award expedition, which was called off when lockdown was imposed last year.
They then went straight on to the two-day expedition, which was the final challenge of the award that tests young people’s problem solving, life skills and resilience.
The next weekend an unprecedented 144 year 10 students completed training expedition walks aimed at developing their teamwork, communication and camping abilities ahead of their qualifying DofE bronze award expedition in June.
Neil Renton, headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, said:
“It’s wonderful to see our students getting back to normal school life, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award challenge.
“Learning is not just about being in the classroom, the skills they develop through our wide range of extra-curricular activities will serve them well for life.”
Teachers Jake Kempton and Laura Chesworth organised the expeditions and said students were delighted to be back outdoors.
Read more:
- Record number of Oxbridge offers at Harrogate Grammar School
- County council invests £723,000 in Ripon SEND school
Mr Kempton said:
“Seeing the looks on students’ faces and receiving feedback from parents shows the scheme has had such a positive impact.
“It would have been easy to cancel the expeditions again this year but after the challenging 12 months these young people have had we thought it was massively important to go ahead.
“We were particularly proud to deliver the expeditions this year as it felt like a fitting tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. As teachers we take great joy in being out there with the students as part of an experience that creates lifelong memories.”
Ms Chesworth said it was crucial the year 11 students completed the outdoor expedition as they had spent the last two years completing the award’s other qualifying sections, which involve physical challenges, learning new skills and volunteering. She said:
“They’ve shown resilience, flexibility and worked hard to adapt their challenges to still meet the criteria during lockdown.
“We wanted to do them justice by seeing them complete the award as a whole.”
To satisfy the demand for DofE expedition places, extra staff volunteered to help supervise, and outdoor adventure organisers the Lupine Adventure Cooperative provided trained and qualified DofE expedition leaders.
Other school trips are now being planned as Harrogate Grammar School eases back towards normal teaching life.
Year 11 and year 13 are both having a day of fun at Flamingo Land next week.
Year 12s studying a BTEC in outdoor education have already resumed their practical studies and are taking part in their own expedition in Swaledale and Wensleydale.
Year 7 are looking forward to the humanities visit to Bolton Abbey and geography fieldwork trips are in the pipeline.
Plans are being made for a year 9 residential trip to the Lake District next spring.
PE fixtures have resumed for the summer term.