Harrogate flasher on sex offenders list for 10 years

A Harrogate man who was “smiling” while he exposed himself to a woman in February 2019 has been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

James Bryant, from Sunnybank Shaw Mills, parked at a Harrogate filling station and waited until all the cars had left before entering the shop and performed the lewd act to the female cashier.

During his trial in November, heard at York Crown Court, Bryant avoided jail and was given a suspended sentence.

The case returned to virtual court today because the judge didn’t make an order for Bryant to be put on the register during the trial.

Judge, Sean Morris, placed Bryant on the sex offenders register for 10 years. This sentence comes with notification requirements this means any changes such as new addresses must be updated.

Bryant didn’t appear in court today due to a technical glitch with his video link.

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During his initial sentencing the court was told the incident lasted half a minute with CCTV showing Bryant “briefly smiling” at the victim before walking out and driving away.

He was arrested two weeks later and was found to be keeping a machete, hunting knife and a lock knife in the boot of his car.

Bryant had a previous conviction for flashing in 2016 when he was convicted of indecent exposure at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The court was told Bryant had mental health problems, his defence Aisha Wadoodi said his problems were largely “of his own making” due to his “heavy use” of cannabis.

31 coronavirus cases as Harrogate district ‘braces for new variant’

The Harrogate district has recorded a further 31 coronavirus cases today, according to Public Health England figures.

It brings the total cases in the district so far up to 3,998. That is around 2.5% of the local population but only reflects the number of people who have been tested which increased considerably around September.

Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded any further coronavirus deaths in more than a week and remains at 106 deaths.

There are currently 14 coronavirus patients at the hospital, down from 21 last week.

In the local coronavirus press briefing today there were real concerns around the new coronavirus variant, which spreads faster but is not more deadly.

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Richard Webb, the corporate director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We do not have any confirmed cases of the new coronavirus variant yet but I imagine at the rate at which it spreads it will be heading north at some speed.

“So therefore we have to brace ourselves for the fact that the new strain will reach North Yorkshire very soon.

“We will then have to deal with the consequences of that.”

Local health leaders also highlighted rising coronavirus cases in Scarborough at the press briefing this morning.

The seaside town’s seven-day average rate of infection shot up to 254 per 100,000 people from about 150 a week ago.

It also has the highest positive rates in the north east of England.

With all of those factors coming into play it could mean that the whole of North Yorkshire may either need to move up into tier three or split into different tiers.

Scarborough could drag Harrogate district into tier three

There are fears the Harrogate district could be dragged into a higher tier of coronavirus restrictions amid rising infections elsewhere in the county.

Scarborough is a particular concern as the seven-day average rate of infection has shot up to 254 per 100,000 people from about 150 a week ago.

The area also has the highest positive rates in the whole of the north east of England.

The Harrogate district has 86 infections per 100,000 people. It has remained at about the 90 mark for a few weeks now.

North Yorkshire is currently in tier two. But the possibility of dividing the county into different tiers was raised at a coronavirus press briefing this morning.

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Richard Webb, the corporate director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“There has been a dramatic increase of cases in Scarborough. Particularly scary as the increases are among children and those in their 30s.

“People are mixing indoors there. They put themselves and the whole area at risk.”

Asked about the next tier review on December 30, Mr Webb said “up until now” local health leaders had not expected any change to the county’s tier two status.

But he added cases were rising in parts of the county and the door remained open to splitting North Yorkshire into different tiers.

The government highlighted Scarborough as “the most concerning area” in North Yorkshire when it reviewed the tiers last week. Case rates have almost doubled since then.

Back then the government review concluded the “trajectory [did] not warrant tier three” but last weekend’s events highlighted how quickly things can change.

Local health leaders told the forum no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus strain had been recorded in the county but nevertheless they acknowledged it could already be here.

Vandals target Bilton primary school

Police are appealing for information after vandals damaged Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School in Bilton yesterday.

A classroom window was smashed and the roof of a wooden pavilion damaged.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for anyone who may have seen people on the school premises since it closed last week to come forward.

The force said in a statement:

“The school has recently suffered a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour, all of which has caused alarm to the school community.”

A member of staff at the school told the Stray Ferret it had found empty vodka bottles on the premises.

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Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Geeta Maharjan. You can also email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12200241866.

Skipton Road misery continues with return of gas works

The dreaded Skipton Road gas works will return next month bringing more misery for motorists in Harrogate.

Northern Gas Networks started work in July to replace just under a kilometre of decades old metal gas pipes with plastic.

Many months on with no end in sight North Yorkshire County Council told the gas distributor to pause the works in October.

However, the works will restart on January 4 and are due to finish on March 5. It will cover the stretch of road from the fire station to the junction with Regent Avenue.

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A diversion will be in place but previously there has been a lot of traffic in the area with a four-way traffic system.

That four-way system will be replaced by a two-way system when it returns next month.

Most of the work will be done in the street and engineers will follow safe distance working rules of at least two metres where possible.

Russ Kaye, the business operations lead for Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works.

“It is vital we now complete this postponed project as soon as possible in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply.

“We want to assure residents and road users that we will be working hard to complete this scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

It was painful for drivers in the area who had been forced to sit in traffic but it was worse for Bilton Working Men’s Club.

The club even filed a claim against Northern Gas Networks for loss of earnings caused by the long-running roadworks.

Harrogate pub landlord calls £1,000 grant process an ‘absolute farce’

A pub landlord in Harrogate says the council should speed up paying a £1,000 grant to pubs that don’t serve food, calling the application process an “absolute farce”.

On December 1 prime minister Boris Johnson announced a £1,000 grant for “wet-led” pubs that do not serve substantial meals and have closed due to lockdown restrictions.

But almost three weeks later, pubs in Harrogate are still waiting for Harrogate Borough Council to accept applications for the fund.

Marik Scatchard, landlord of Christies Bar on King’s Road, told the Stray Ferret that despite being a relatively small amount the grant is “really needed at the moment”.

According to HBC’s website, applications for the grant will open “by the end of this month”, which Mr Scatchard says is not good enough:

“It’s an absolute farce that HBC is treating businesses like this, even with the grant being so little it’s still needed. Other councils have paid out or are paying out.”

Jack Woodruff runs the Disappearing Chin on Beulah Street with his wife Hannah. He said the council “really needs to speed up” the payment.

“We’ll be OK for a bit longer but there will be businesses that are desperate for the grant.”

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After being forced to close for over a month, Christies Bar is now open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and is selling pie and peas as a substantial meal. The Disappearing Chin has decided to remain closed until restrictions are eased.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We anticipate applications will open before the end of December. We know that this is a difficult time for many businesses in the district and we are working hard to pay grants to eligible businesses as soon as possible.”

Harrogate sisters’ literary lunches go global in lockdown

Two Harrogate sisters who were initially hit hard by lockdown say their literary lunches business has bloomed in the last year.

Sibh Megson and Beth Hocking set up Gliterary Lunches in 2006 out of a love for good books, food and company.

The pair took their unique events to cities across the country to work with authors like Lionel Shriver, Jodi Picoult and Tony Parsons.

Coronavirus hit the events industry hard this year but Gliterary Lunches moved online to lift peoples’ spirits.

Initially free to attend, the Gliterary Lunch Hour raised £3,600 for the charity MIND.

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Authors and customers have gotten involved from around the world including New York, Sydney Singapore and Stockholm.

Sibh said the attendance has grown rapidly since the first online events:

“Having to cancel our spring programme of events meant we needed to find new ways to keep the business buoyant and our customer base close.

“Our first paid-for event in September was for 100 people, and we are now hosting over 300 which is a rapid growth in numbers.

“Authors are delighted with the opportunity to talk to readers as they can’t attend the usual round of promotional events.”

Beth added that the events are no longer limited in any way:

“We have been pushed to be more creative and think outside the box, and get to grips with the technology.

“We are no longer limited by geography or capacity, and our corporates are now able to entertain their clients from all over Europe.

“We’re very aware how the situation is hitting businesses hard and we’re mindful just how lucky we are.”

Tickets cost £10 per person to attend the Gliterary Lunches or £35 per person, which includes a bottle of Prosecco, chocolates and a signed copy of the book.

Find out more by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate Samaritans ‘here for everyone this Christmas’

Harrogate Samaritans is reminding people across the district that it is here to help anyone feeling lonely or struggling over the festive season.

Last Christmas, between December 24 and January 1, Harrogate volunteers spoke to 452 people across the district.

After a difficult year for many, volunteers in Harrogate will be back on the phones around the clock to help anyone in need.

On Christmas Day alone there will be 20 volunteers in the Harrogate centre.

Throughout the pandemic Harrogate Samaritans has worked tirelessly to offer its services to local people. All the volunteers are specially trained and can offer support over the phone or via email.

A survey held by the charity has found 27% of people it spoke to were worried about their wellbeing over the festive period. The main concerns were feelings of uncertainty around changing restrictions.

Liz Wilson, director from Harrogate branch, said:

“We know that Christmas can be difficult for many people. Regardless of what happens with Covid restrictions, we want people to know that confidential support is available 24/7, and that we are there for everyone this Christmas.”

Samaritans are available 24/7 for free via phone on 116 123 or by email on jo@samaritans.org

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Strayside Sunday: We are treating the homeless as human cargo, fit only for containment

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

The housing and homelessness charity Shelter has been in the news this week.  They have gathered data that shows that 253,000 people in the UK will pass this Christmas season without secure housing.

During the first lockdown, swift and decisive government action virtually eradicated homelessness in our country by housing people in utilising otherwise deserted hotels, boarding houses and vacant rental properties.  As a result of the “Everyone In” initiative, many of the most vulnerable in our society could at least face the threat presented by Covid-19 certain in the knowledge that they could do so with a roof over their heads and have beds on which to sleep.  An issue that has taxed and stumped policymakers for years was solved with an alacrity that betrayed the repugnant and rank inaction of successive and previous governments of all political persuasions.

Last week, the Stray Ferret reported that Harrogate Borough Council has provided emergency accommodation for local homeless people for the ‘festive’ season.  This under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) that obligates councils to provide cover and shelter during the inclement weather conditions of the winter months.  So they should.

However, in their infinite wisdom Harrogate Borough Council has installed 3 bright yellow (“look everybody, homeless people!”) shipping containers in the Tower Street Carpark.  They are chain-link fenced in and, unless alterations are to be made to them, are windowless and appear ill-ventilated.  This is truly shameful.  The idea that in a wealthy, albeit resource constrained, Covid-stymied civilised society, that we should think shipping containers provide appropriate shelter for anyone at any time of the year passes understanding.

What of compassion?  What of humanity?  What of simple human decency?  As the occupants exit their steel, aluminium or fibre-reinforced polymer (which are the materials from which shipping containers are apparently made) billet, they will look across the street at the local Travelodge; now open for business, as our national government seeks balance the need to keep the economy moving, with the possible health risks posed by Covid.  I doubt very much that it, or indeed any hotel in Harrogate is currently operating at full occupancy.  But surely it is not beyond the wit of man or woman to manage occupancy across the borough to meet both private demand and the needs of those living on the streets.  Especially in circumstances in which private enterprise has benefitted hugely this year from the wonton largesse of (taxpayer, our children and our grandchildren) funded loans, grants, furlough schemes

All housing developments these days come with a requirement for an element of social housing.  Or they should – it turns out the North Yorkshire County Council’s housebuilding company Brierley Homes is under criticism for avoiding having to build affordable dwellings at their developments in Bilton and Pateley Bridge.  None the less, perhaps we could ask the same of larger hotels; that they provide a small number of rooms for the socially disadvantaged?

The uncomfortable truth of course is that business does not want to co-mingle the homeless with paying guests.  The even more uncomfortable truth is that you and I would think more than once about patronising a hotel in which we might bump into the homeless in the corridor.  We’re alright jack and anyway our consciences, pricked as they are by this and other injustices, don’t tend to compensate for any compromise of our own comfort or hotel “experience.”  Our fear-fuelled prejudices of the smelly, drunk and drug addled dispossessed don’t add to the ambience of a stay away.

Harrogate is often named as one of the most desirable places to live in Britain.  It’s a reputation of which our council is rightly proud.  If an appeal to HBC on the merits won’t make them do better by the homeless then how about this?  Harrogate risks damaging it’s reputation.  It will become known as the kind of affluent and selfish place that wants to hide the fact that it has the same knotty and mucky problems and challenges that inner cities face.  It is in danger of becoming known for hiding its homeless in plain sight, for thinking so little of its least fortunate charges that it seeks to make them human cargo, fit only for containment.  It doesn’t make me proud to live in a borough whose council would do this.

At our holidays and high-days visits to church in the days to come we will bask in the warm and sentimental candle-lit glow of self-satisfaction that follows.  They tell us that this is the time of year for peace and goodwill for ALL men (and women and children).  We will all agree with that and likely walk swiftly by the Tower Street Carpark on the way home, heads down.  Let’s demand better of each other, of our local authority and of national government.

Bottom line, we should get our homeless inside, in real accommodation, for Christmas – and make sure they can stay there

That’s my Strayside Sunday.  I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

Paul is taking a break over the Christmas period. Strayside Sunday will be back on January 3 2021.

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WATCH: Charity raises spirits with 12 Days of Covid Christmas video

A Harrogate charity is raising a smile with a humorous 2020 take on the 12 Days of Christmas.

Time Together, which supports people with additional needs, has continued its one-to-one support for clients throughout the pandemic.

But its social activities have either moved online or been called off – so staff, volunteers and clients decided to use technology to come together one final time before Christmas.

The lyrics – written by service manager Louise Terzza – make fun references to things which have marked everyone’s years, from social distancing to the hazards of meeting online. Louise said:

“We wanted something to put out to everybody. My daughter is a film maker so she cut it together, I have friends who do amateur dramatics so they sang, and a lot of the staff and clients wanted to get involved. It has been a collaboration.

“People are just very disconnected from each other. We just want people to feel connected a little bit and feel part of it, even though they can’t come into the building.”

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Staff and clients from Time Together

Staff, volunteers and clients are not able to celebrate in person this Christmas, as they have done in previous years

While one-to-one support for clients has continued, the charity’s fundraising came to a standstill in March and has barely restarted. Louise said:

“It has been wiped out. We haven’t been able to do any of our events – we normally do quite a lot in our building, but also go to other events. It has been quite devastating.

“We have been able to apply for some funding and grants, and had some donations from supporters.”

In an effort to bring in some final funds before the end of the year, the charity’s Christmas raffle has been moved online and is proving popular. Prizes including a skincare hamper, vouchers for afternoon tea, goodies from Fodder and a Fitbit are on offer, with tickets being sold online until midnight on Saturday, December 19.