Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive to retire in March

The chief executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society is set to retire after 20 years in charge.

Nigel Pulling will step down from his role in March 2022.

Mr Pulling joined the society in 2001, when the Great Yorkshire Show was cancelled due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

It was the first time show had been cancelled other than for the two world wars. The show was then also cancelled after one day in 2012 due to torrential rain and didn’t take place at all last year due to covid.

Mr Pulling has overseen commercial projects such as the building of Fodder, the Regional Agricultural Centre (the society’s headquarters) and the multi-million pound rebuild of hall one in the Yorkshire Event Centre.

This year, he oversaw the Great Yorkshire Show return amid the covid pandemic. Prince Charles was among the guests at this year’s four-day event.

Mr Pulling said there were similarities between the event and the show held in 2002.

He said:

“We overcame the tough challenges on both occasions to deliver successful Great Yorkshire Shows and I couldn’t have ended my tenure on a better show.

“We were devastated to cancel last year and despite the challenges and restrictions placed on this year’s event, it was an incredible achievement for the team. The atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment from both the farming community and visitors was second to none.”

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Mr Pulling added:

“I leave my role on a high, the Great Yorkshire Show is in a strong position ready for next year. 

“Events are returning to the showground after this difficult 18 months, the charitable activities team is stronger than ever before in its support for farming families and promotion of agriculture to the next generation – and I know it will go from strength to strength.”

Rob Copley, chairman of trustees said: 

“Nigel has been a real asset, he is hugely respected in the industry and his leadership has taken the society up to the next level.

“On behalf of all the trustee and council members past and present I want to thank him for all his hard work, determination and expertise.”

Harrogate’s ‘significant gambling issues’ made worse by covid

A doctor who leads the NHS Northern Gambling Service has said that people in Harrogate suffer with significant gambling issues.

Matt Gaskell is based at the clinic in Leeds which opened in 2019. Since then he has seen people come to him with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Some on benefits had lost out around £5,000 but others, who are on large salaries, have run up debts of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Dr Gaskell contacted the Stray Ferret to encourage people from the Harrogate area with gambling issues to come forward after seeing the problem made worse by coronavirus:

“More people need to know that we have this gambling addiction service on their doorsteps. We have specialist psychologists and therapists.

“As part of our service we can also speak to the family of those who have a gambling addiction.

“People come to us with mental health issues, lots of debts and broken-down relationships. But when work with them often clients have a good outcome.

“It is a hidden addiction which the government needs to treat like other addictions.”

Upcoming government gambling review

His comments came after his meeting with Gambling Commissioner Chris Philip. During the meeting they discussed an upcoming government review into gambling.

The government called for evidence in December 2020, which finished on March 31 2021. A white paper with restrictions on online gambling is expected late this year.

Dr Gaskell added:

“Online casinos and football betting are particular problems. Football has become a billboard for gambling, most can’t watch a game without considering a bet.

“We need a public health campaign in the same way that we have had with smoking and drinking. Often those who are addicted to gambling are at a higher risk of suicide compared to other addictions.

“Banks and gambling firms know exactly how much money people are spending and could stop them building up such debts.”

MPs ‘should not accept bribes’ from gambling firms

The Stray Ferret reported in August that local MP Nigel Adams accepted £6,000 worth of free hospitality tickets to England’s Euro 2020 games from gambling firms.

Mr Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, which includes some rural parts of the Harrogate district such as Spofforth and Follifoot, received tickets to three games at Wembley Stadium.

Seven Conservative MPs and two members of Labour opposition leader Keir Starmer’s front bench accepted hospitality tickets to games involving England.

More than most, it was difficult for Dr Gaskell to read that news. He said it was wrong for MPs to take money from gambling firms:

“I believe it is deeply concerning that MPs have taken money from gambling firms when that money has been made through those who have been harmed by it.

“Research shows that 60% of profits come from the 5% who have suffered most harm, I think questions need to be asked about this, it is effectively a bribe.”

The Stray Ferret has put Dr Gaskell’s comments to Nigel Adams MP. He has not replied by the time of publication.

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Do you or someone you know suffer with gambling addiction? Get help by calling the NHS Northern Gambling Service on 0300 300 1490 or send an email here.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning to you and happy Friday and welcome back once again to the traffic and travel blog. It’s Leah with you once again today.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, Suzannah with back with your travel updates tomorrow.

Roads

Traffic is building on the roads in the Harrogate district this morning. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building on the roads in the Harrogate district this morning. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building on the roads in the Harrogate district this morning. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

No issues on the roads in the Harrogate district just yet. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

No issues on the roads in the Harrogate district just yet. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

6:30am – Full Update 

Roads

No issues on the roads in the Harrogate district just yet. Keep checking in for the latest traffic updates. If you spot any disruption, give me a call on 01423 276197.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

‘No further action’ after Harrogate peer breached Lords code

No further action will be taken against a Harrogate peer who breached the House of Lords code of conduct, the standards commissioner has said.

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate was found to have committed a “minor breach” of the code after he did not make clear the nature of business of one of the companies of which he is a director.

A report published on Thursday by the Lords commissioner for standards, Martin Jelley QPM, said Lord Kirkhope was one of 24 peers to commit a breach.

However, he said the matter was resolved by each peer providing a description of the registered companies.

Mr Jelley said:

“Apart from the Duke of Wellington, the other 24 members committed a minor and inadvertent breach of the code of conduct by failing to provide a description of companies they had registered. 

“Each of them has resolved the breach to my satisfaction and I consider that no further sanction is necessary.”

The complaint against Lord Kirkhope followed allegations made by UnlockDemocracy, a London-based pressure group.

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Tom Brake, director of the group, wrote to Mr Jelley to allege that 39 peers had breached paragraph 53 of the House of Lords code of conduct, which says a peer should “give a broad indication of the company’s business, where this is not self-evident from its name”.

It said Lord Kirkhope did not make clear the nature of business of Reading-based Brass Trustees Limited, of which he has been a director since June last year.

The other peers investigated include Lord Sugar, the former Tottenham Hotspur chairman and founder of electronics company Amstrad.

Mr Jelley added in his report:

“It is the responsibility of members to ensure that entries within the register of interests are correct and up to date. It is in everyone’s interest that matters are reported accurately and fully.”

As Timothy Kirkhope, he was MP for Leeds North East and MEP for Yorkshire before being created a life peer in 2016. He has a keen interest in local radio.

The Stray Ferret has approached Lord Kirkhope for comment.

When will big charity balls return to the district?

Charity fundraising events in the Harrogate district have been slowly returning.

But whilst the smaller events have successfully returned, such as HELP‘s Nidderdale walk or Saint Michael’s ‘Go Purple’, the big set-piece charity balls are yet to return.

The balls play a vital role in the annual fundraising calendar for many charities – often raising significant amounts of money. Such as the Firecracker Ball, which raised over £250,000 in 2019.

Claire Mills who’s partner, Tony Furlong, received end of life care from Saint Michael’s Hospice, has organised one of the first balls to return.

The event named ‘The Tony Furlong Memorial Ball’, will take place at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, on Friday, November 5. It has already sold over 150 tickets at £60 per person.

Ms Mills said:

“I am looking forward to welcoming friends, family and colleagues of Tony to the ball, I am hoping that we raise a huge amount for St. Michael’s Hospice whilst remembering Tony and sharing some great memories. Tony loved to attend a black tie ball, particularly as he spent his career managing hotels and I am sure everyone attending will do him proud by having a fantastic evening, particularly after such a challenging year, I think everyone is ready for a party.”

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Other annual charity balls, such as the Barnardo’s Firecracker Ball, Martin House’s Glitter Ball, and the Candlelighters Ilkley Ball – have not been confirmed to be returning this year.

The Glitter Ball, though, is scheduled for May next year at Rudding Park. 

Sara Cracknell, senior events fundraiser at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said:

“We are excited to announce that the Martin House Glitter Ball will return to Rudding Park Hotel on Friday 6th May 2022, hosted by Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson.”

“The Glitter Ball is our most glamorous fundraising event, and also our biggest – in 2019 it raised over £172,000.”

The Ilkley Candlelighters Ball, will not return in 2021, with 2022 still under review. In past years the ball has raised upwards of £52,000 in donations.

Alison Clay, chairman for the Ilkley Candlelighters Ball, said:

“With rising costs and dwindling returns, year on year, and the current situation we all find ourselves in, we are fearful this type of event will ever happen again! I sincerely hope and pray that this is not the case as the charity provides an invaluable resource for patients and their families in the most dire of circumstances and I urge all our supporters, past and present, to do their utmost to make sure that the Ilkley Candlelighters Ball continues for many years to come.”

For more information about the ‘The Tony Furlong Memorial Ball’, contact: cmills@classiclodges.co.uk and to support Claire’s fundraising for Saint Michael’s click here.

 

Stray Views: Road safety concerns about new Tesco

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. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

New Tesco would require safer roundabout

With reference to your article on the Stray Ferret relating to the proposed new Tesco on Skipton Road.

I am in full agreement with the construction of a new roundabout in order to enter and exit the new Tesco superstore.

However, the existing roundabout on the Skipton Road/Ripon Road must be made safe. The introduction of traffic lights is an immediate priority and a must when traffic to the new Tesco store increases significantly.

There is a serious accident(s) waiting to happen at this roundabout due to the excessive speed motorists negotiate it.

David James, Harrogate

Where is the overall plan for all these new homes?

Your article calling for improved safety for children walking to school in Starbeck will come as no surprise to residents of Kingsley Road, Bogs Lane and connected streets.

Local action groups have been trying to get improvements to this dangerous narrow road for many years. At the root of the problem are Harrogate Borough Council’s planning and North Yorkshire Council’s highways departments, which between them have shown gross incompetence in not resolving the issue before any developments were allowed.

Four different developers are building on up to six different adjacent sites off Kingsley Road and Kingsley Drive. At present 268 houses are being built, with applications for a further 363 in the pipeline, a potential total of 631 new builds.

As long ago as April 2017, when the Kingsley Meadows development by Barratt Homes was allowed, mention was made in the report of the issue and the need to establish a footpath, indeed on the approved plans a footpath construction was included as part of the permission.

I am astonished that such a major development has not been subject to an overall plan, providing benefits for existing residents, whose concerns have been totally ignored.

Rather than dealing with each adjacent application individually, an overall plan needed to be put into place to improve existing inadequate roads, minimise disruption to existing residents by providing services to developments in one go, rather than several road digging up exercises. Elected councillors have a lot to answer for in not dealing with the issues.

Mr Daren Leeming is right to be concerned for his children’s safety. I sincerely hope that no-one will be injured on this road.

Brian Souter, Kingsley Road resident

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Ripon seats need improving

As a new resident in lovely Ripon, please could Harrogate Borough Council arrange for the seats on the Market Square to be treated before the winter?

Some of them are looking really bad and will continue to deteriorate if not looked at soon.

Thanks for the Stray Ferret. Excellent organisation etc.

John A. Roberts, Ripon

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.

 

How meeting air quality targets could get tougher for Harrogate

The challenge of meeting safe air quality standards in Harrogate is set to get tougher after the World Health Organisation slashed its limits and warned key pollutants are even more dangerous than previously thought.

In its first revision to the standards in 15 years, the WHO on Wednesday released new guidelines which mean the UK’s legal limits for the most harmful pollutants are now four times higher than the maximum levels recommended.

This is after new research found air pollution from areas including vehicle exhausts and gas central heating is having a big impact on health, even at lower concentrations.

While not legally binding, the WHO guidelines are used as reference tools by policymakers around the world and will have an impact on how legal limits are set in the future.

In June, Harrogate Borough Council released its annual air quality report for 2020, which showed all 63 monitoring locations across the district fell below the previous limit of 40 micrograms of annual nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air.

But now that the WHO has slashed the limit to 10, just two locations would meet the new guidelines.

Air pollution experts have said reaching these reduced limits would be extremely difficult and not achievable for decades, if at all.

Council ‘optimistic’ it can still meet targets

Cllr Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, said there are still reasons for optimism that progress can be made in the fight against global warming.

He said: 

“Following the latest guidelines from the WHO, we await further guidance from government on how these will inform the development of air quality targets.

“Improving air quality across the district is a key objective for Harrogate Borough Council and we have a number of actions as part of our air quality action plan.

“We are optimistic that the improvements in air quality will continue post-covid as many people have embraced a hybrid model of working at home and in the office.”

The UK government has yet to approve new legal limits on air pollution, with a bill currently being debated in the House of Lords.

Some reductions in the maximum safe levels are expected, but campaigners are urging ministers to act on the WHO advice and take stronger action.

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With pressure to tackle climate change only growing greater, the drive to cut carbon emissions from cars in Harrogate has gathered momentum recently with council officials pushing ahead with sustainable transport measures.

North Yorkshire County Council is behind schemes such as the low traffic neighbourhood on Harrogate’s Beech Grove and has more major projects planned, including the £10.9 million Station Gateway project and long-awaited Otley Road cycle path.

There is also talk of introducing a park and ride scheme, which would involve a shuttle bus service from Pannal, but detailed plans have yet to come forward.

Harrogate Borough Council has collaborated on some of these projects and also said it is tackling air quality through its ultra-low emission vehicle strategy and by working with HGV, bus and taxi providers to improve the quality of their fleet.

What do the new WHO guidelines say?

The WHO guidelines have been updated for the first time since 2006 and are in response to evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health.

The guidelines recommend:

However, the WHO has stressed the new limits should not be considered to be safe, and that there is no level at which pollutants stop causing damage.

The WHO puts air pollution on a par with smoking and unhealthy eating, and has estimated it causes around 7 million deaths each year.

Harrogate protesters tell Philip Allott to go over Sarah Everard comments

Protesters braved the rain and wind in Harrogate today to call on North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to resign over his Sarah Everard comments.

The group gathered near the war memorial at 11.30am to coincide with a public engagement meeting organised by the PFCC’s office, which Mr Allott did not attend.

It comes after Mr Allott said in an interview with BBC Radio York that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Those comments sparked widespread anger. Mr Allott’s name trended on Twitter with calls for his resignation yesterday.

Less than 24 hours later a group of Harrogate residents waved placards and organised a petition to call on the PFCC to step down. They gathered more than 160 signatures in under an hour.

“The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner tells us not to trust the police.”

‘Police need to get to the root of the problem’

Margaret Smith, one of the protesters, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think his comments were totally unacceptable. It was an insult to all women to say that we should be more streetwise to stop this violence.

“It shows what he really thinks. His position is completely untenable, he should resign immediately. This protest should not be necessary.”

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Freya Kesteven also said:

“In my opinion a lot of violence against women and victim blaming starts in schools, I don’t think girls are safe at school.

“The behaviour is not challenged and I think it can lead to extreme incidents like the Sarah Everard case. So I felt awful reading Mr Allott’s comments.”

They urged people passing by to sign a petition.

Hannah Ruddy added:

“I was very, very shocked. I studied criminal law, I would say that I am intelligent and clued up, I keep myself safe. But I would have got in that car.

“What needs to happen is the police need to start getting to the root of all of this, they need to take complaints more seriously.”

A man at the protest who wanted to show support for Mr Allott, but did not wish to be named, said:

“I think the comments were made with good intent. I don’t think he was trying to demonise or victimise women.

“We all have to take more personal responsibility for our own safety. Like Mr Allott I am only saying that in the wider context, not for Sarah Everard’s case.”

More than 160 people signed the petition.

The Stray Ferret approached the PFCC’s office but it did not wish to comment on the protest today but pointed us back to Mr Allott’s apology on Twitter:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

Harrogate district continues to set new coronavirus rate record

The Harrogate district’s coronavirus seven day rate continues to climb after it hit a record high earlier this week.

According to latest Public Health England figures, the district average has increased to 580 cases per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 470 and the England average is 339.

However, just nine patients are being treated for coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital. That number has remained much lower during previous waves before the vaccination programme.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

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Elsewhere, 128,232 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 120,511 have had a second dose.

North Yorkshire’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said this week that the spike in covid cases is down to “school-age children”.

She also said it was “quite unusual” that the county’s infection rate had climbed above the England average.

Organiser hails success of first event for Harrogate district climate festival

With therapy sheep, a passive house and plenty of environmental experts on hand – the organiser of the first event as part of the Harrogate district Climate Action Festival has hailed its success.

The three-week festival, which encourages local people to reduce climate damage, kicked off with an exhibition at Harrogate College on Hornbeam Park today.

More than 30 exhibitors were at the free event between 10am and 4pm with demonstrations, live music as well as vegetarian and vegan food.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, partnerships and development lead at the college, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been extremely busy, people have been coming through the doors since the moment we opened despite the weather.

“The people attending have given us some fantastic feedback and our speakers were great, we hope it enourages people to take action.”

Step inside Pure Haus.

One of the big attractions at the event was a passive house, which Pure Haus built on site for the event. Kevin Pratt, a co-director at Pure Haus, also said:

“Our goal is to revolutionise the way houses are built in the region. There’s a lot of versatility with what we produce, I am really glad that we’re here today.

“There are a lot of misconceptions. There is a slight premium to the material but you get that back.”

On your bike!

Heather and John Rowe, who set up Resurrection Bikes, were on hand to fix up bikes and show off a specially-made cargo bike.

Mrs Rowe told the Stray Ferret:

“We have got this bike because lots of people go to the supermarket and make fairly short trips for a small amount of shopping and that is really bad for the environment.

“It’s bad for people’s health and for people’s wallets, especially with the petrol crisis. So if you have a cargo bike you can use pedal power to get to the shop.”

Tickets please!

Dale French, who was showing off an electric bus on behalf of Transdev and the Harrogate Bus Company. He said:

“I am here to show off our existing electric buses and also to say that we are investing in more electric buses, we want to electrify our Harrogate fleet.

“So this is step one in Harrogate. Then we need to start electrifying Leeds, Knaresborough and more.”

Meet Tiny and Dave.

Cath Wilson, who runs Corn Close Care Farm near Pateley Bridge, brought two sheep called Dave and Tiny to the event. She added:

“We have brought the sheep here today because they are part of our management of wildflower meadows, they graze the land and a byproduct is wool.

“Farming has earned a bit of a bad reputation with the environment. I think because we are small it’s easy for us to be sustainable.”