Gallery: Harrogate Town fans return for start of season

Harrogate Town fans flocked to Wetherby Road in numbers today for the return of league football.

Supporters packed inside the EnviroVent Stadium to welcome back Harrogate Town as they opened their 2020/21 League Two campaign against Rochdale.

Town fans were robbed of the experience of visiting Wembley stadium for the National League play-off final, which coincidentally was a year ago this weekend.

Fans were then left to follow the club through their laptop and mobile phone screens for most of last season as the covid pandemic saw football played behind closed doors.

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But, after a record number of season ticket sales, the Town faithful are back and hopefully for the entirety of the League Two campaign.

For many supporters, today was the first chance to watch Town play league football in the flesh.

Here’s a selection of pictures from the first EFL game back at Wetherby Road.

Harrogate Town fans returned to Wetherby Road for the start of the 2021/22 League Two season.

Secret Shopper: 7 reasons for men to head to the shops in Harrogate

A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. This month, I’ve been checking out menswear. Plus, the sales are on in lots of places, so get out there quick.

The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.  

SUMMER SHIRT, OWL, Montpelier Gardens. £80 (reduced from £160)

Everything is half price in OWL: they’re moving so everything must go.  Come September they’ll be in their new premises at number 31 Montpelier Gardens, just round the corner.  Phew. This shirt   As well as plenty of mens’ clothes to choose from, they do some snazzy accessories – I also particularly liked the minimalist, black bags from the cult Tokyo label Indispensable.

Editor’s Choice: “My son loves this shop – it’s one of the best places to buy clothes and gifts for men in Harrogate. I wish them the best of luck in their new home.”

ORTIGIA GIFT SET, Hoopers, St James Street, £53.

Downstairs in the basement of Harrogate’s designer-led department store, there is a small but perfectly formed selection of men’s stuff – clothes, cufflinks, ties, Barbour bits and pieces and games.  This gift sets are not necessarily just for men – I suspect they may be strategically placed as a gift idea.  If you’re a man you could give them to someone else of course, or just enjoy them yourself.  Some of the packaging features manly animals and the scents are quite ‘masculine’ if you need the reassurance.  You get shower gel, soap, hand cream and a candle. And by the way, Ortigia products are vegan and aren’t tested on animals.

FJALLRAVN KANKEN KEB JACKET, Cotswold Outdoor, West Park. £275

No, I don’t know how to pronounce it either, but I like their gear.  You’ll recognize their backpacks, originally designed for Swedish schoolchildren to help prevent back problems, because they’re everywhere.  (For good reason: they’re probably the best backpacks ever).  Scandi design is their thing, and this jacket is made for hardy trekking in all weathers (it has a storm hood!).  So it’s extremely practical and very stylish too.   It’s got a bit of a parka / Liam Gallagher / swagger / vibe.  Tempting.

FRED PERRY GRIP BAG, G23, Cambridge Road £95

Staying with the swagger, you could do worse than rolling up at the gym or to a weekend away with this Fred Perry iconic grip bag.  G23 do lots of other classic casual labels – Levi’s, Carhartt, Hilfiger.  Smart.

 

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VINTAGE SWISS WATCH, Space Vintage, The Ginnel.  £145.

By Montine. I love vintage watches. Gorgeous.

Space vintage also sells old cameras, cufflinks, ties and cravats, leather luggage, clothes, and old Beanos and Superman comics for all your manly needs.

 

GOLF SHOES, Ecco, St James Street. £200

Golf?  Really?  I was quite taken with these as a trainer / fashion type item.

But of course feel free to wear them to play golf as well.

 

RRD JEANS, Lynx, West Park.  £208

Trousers are hard to photograph and without seeing them on you don’t get the full effect. But trust me these jeans are very well cut, flattering and the fabric is – just, well – revolutionary.   It’s a stretchy, super light lycra, which works really well on these clothes.  RRD stands for Roberto Ricci Designs and his background is water sports. He’s taken surfing fabrics and slim cut style into everyday wear.  He’s also Italian and knows what looks good. Lynx also stock RRD chinos (not the sort you see advertised in the back of the Telegraph – RRD chinos are actually attractive) and shorts. Fortunately RRD do women’s clothes too so I might give them a try myself.

 

Letter: Why I love Starbeck

 

In last weekend’s Stray Views Starbeck was described by one of its residents as “worse than Birmingham”. It prompted another resident, Chris Watt, to contact us and write a passionate defence of his community.

I love Starbeck! I’m not from the area. I’m a southerner and only moved here about a decade ago.

But ever since coming here, I’ve been welcomed by the wonderful community and been struck by the great spirit we have. So I was disappointed to see the letter comparing Starbeck unfavourably to other towns and cities.

Now let’s be honest. Starbeck has its challenges. Indeed, Harrogate more widely is a wonderful place to live, but despite its image as an idyllic spa town, it is not immune to the problems faced equally by others.

Across the town, there are areas of high deprivation, substance abuse, anti-social behaviour, crime and a lack of amenities.

These can all be addressed if we all work together as part of a wider community and promote all that is best about Starbeck.

And we have great resources to build on.

Our local schools are well regarded and involved in the community, inspiring pride in the area among our young people.

Starbeck in Bloom has won national awards and brightens our area.

Our church communities provide visible support to our area and work with residents to improve our area.

Harrogate Railway provide football teams and coaching for a range of age groups, provide facilities for community events and are partnering with our outstanding local hospital charity to raise funds for vital health services in our area. Similarly, Harrogate Pythons Rugby Club, also based at Station View, support a range of community initiatives.

Our sports and leisure facilities have also recently been boosted by the re-opening of our local swimming pool after its covid enforced closure.

The Starbeck Residents’ Association is now complemented by social media groups focused on improving our neighbourhood.

Our annual Christmas lights display is always a highlight of any seasonal visit to Harrogate.

We have a vibrant high street. In common with others around the country, this has been badly impacted by the covid lockdown and the rise of online shopping. Our high street clearly needs more care and attention. However, the fact that new and diverse enterprises continue to spring up shows its potential as a shopping hub for our town.

There are, of course, issues to address in Starbeck. But if our local community pulls together, then I strongly believe that the community spirit that I have experienced since moving to the area, can continue to make a real difference.

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Harrogate district records another 77 coronavirus cases

Public Health England figures show that the Harrogate district has recorded another 77 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.

The number of cases have remained steady in recent days. The district’s seven-day rate is now at 262 per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate stands at 249 and the England average is 283.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported a covid-related death in nearly four months. The last time a death was recorded was on April 11.

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It means the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

However, latest figures show that the hospital is treating seven covid patients.

Elsewhere, 123,238 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 106,664 have had a second dose.

Coronation Street actor’s pride at inspecting Harrogate’s graduating soldiers

Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton said yesterday was one of the “proudest days of his life” as he inspected graduating soldiers at the Army Foundation College.

The college on Pennypot Lane recruits about 1,500 men and women each year. It’s the only British Army establishment that delivers military training to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17.

Around 750 soldiers graduated yesterday and the accompanying parade, which is the largest of its kind in Europe, featured a flypast from an RAF Typhoon.

The actor, who is gay and a LGBT campaigner, was invited to the event by the British Army and tweeted his pride at being asked:

“To think that 20 years ago a man like me wasn’t even allowed to serve, let alone officially inspect a pass off on the parade square. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the British Army’s tribe.”

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It was the first graduation to take place where soldiers walked under a memorial walkway dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Lieutenant Colonel Farebrother MC, commanding officer at the AFC, praised the graduating soldiers.

He said:

“They have had an extremely tough year, coping with long periods away from their families and loved ones whilst becoming the trained soldiers you see before you today.”

Park Parade to close for fire service exercise next week

North Yorkshire fire crews will be taking part in a training exercise next weekend at Park Parade tackling emergencies in high rise buildings.

On Sunday, August 15, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to avoid the area as they carry out simulated incidents.

Between 10am and 1pm the area will be coned off and the crews will use the new 45m aerial ladder platform from Harrogate fire station.

The training means fire crews can plan how they would react to a fire in a high rise building.

The crews may also use cosmetic smoke around the Park Place Apartments.

The fire service has asked people not to gather around the area, due to high numbers of covid cases.

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Leeds cocktail bar Roland’s set to open late night Harrogate venue

The owners of Leeds-based cocktail bar Roland’s look set to open a late night venue on Parliament Street in Harrogate.

An application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol at the new bar, which it says will be open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until 2.30am.

The unit, at 23 Parliament Street, was most recently home to menswear store Moss Bros and is currently empty.

Roland’s website says it serves up “exceptional drinks, great music and a good time”. The Leeds bar opened in 2014 and is situated on 39 Call Lane, one of the most popular streets in the city for nightlife.

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The new bar would be the latest addition to Parliament Street’s nightlife scene, which includes the Harrogate Arms, Revolución de Cuba, Mojo, Wetherspoons and the Viper Rooms.

The Ginnel hosts bars Montey’s and Major Tom’s Social.

Some venues on Parliament Street have struggled to survive in recent years including Jamie’s Italian, Wagyu Bar and Grill and The Restaurant Bar and Grill, which all closed.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back. It’s Leah with you this morning bringing you all your latest traffic and travel news.

The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.

I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.

If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this mornings. I will be back with you on Monday morning from 6.30am with updates every 15 minutes. Have a lovely weekend!

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8:45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8:30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8:15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

  • Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite, between West Lane and Brookfield
  • Leeds Road near Crimple Hall
  • Forest Moore Road at Belmont View
  • Otley Road at the Harlow Moor Road and Hill Rise Avenue junction
  • Oatlands Drive near St Aidan’s School
  • Boroughbridge Road, Ferrensby
  • Ripley Road, Bond End Knaresborough

Trains

  • Services on the Leeds, Knaresborough and York lines are all running on time so far

Buses

  • Buses in the Harrogate district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations

 

Five of the 10 care homes with most covid deaths in Harrogate district

A breakdown of covid deaths for each care home in North Yorkshire has revealed five of the 10 worst affected are in the Harrogate district.

The new figures released by the Care Quality Commission, which regulates care homes, revealed 18 care homes in the county reported a total of 515 resident deaths during the course of the pandemic.

Health officials said the results “bring into stark relief the ravages” of the virus.

Five of the 10 care homes worst affected during the pandemic were in the Harrogate district. These included three in Harrogate, one in Knaresborough and another in Scotton.

Top 10 worst affected care homes in North Yorkshire:

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

“Every death from covid during the course of this terrible pandemic has been one death too many.”

“The death toll in care homes over the last 20 months, published by the Care Quality Commission, brings into stark relief the ravages of covid and the price we have paid as a society and that we continue to pay.

“All the families and friends who have lost loved ones to the virus are very much in our hearts and in our thoughts.”

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Care home managers must inform the CQC when one of their residents dies. From April last year they also had to say whether covid was believed to be a factor in the person’s death.

The newly published data is based on these notifications.

No link between care standards and deaths

The CQC said in its report that it has not found a link between standards of care and the number of deaths – something local health officials have also stressed.

The social care watchdog said contributing factors included the levels of covid in the local community and the age and health of the residents.

The struggle for PPE and hospital patients being discharged into homes without getting tested were also thought to contributors to the virus spreading quickly.

And although it is now widely available, testing was said to be a “critical” issue at the start of the outbreak with some test kits taking up to 20 days to be delivered to North Yorkshire care homes.

Mr Webb praised social care staff for their “heroic efforts” during the pandemic:

“Staff have worked heroically to contain the virus as best they could. We are grateful to staff in care homes as well as our own authorities who showed courage and bravery in doing all they could to protect our residents, working tirelessly during such a difficult period.

“We will never know, if we had not taken swift action supported by colleagues in the care sector in those early days, how many more would have died.”

Harrogate man pleads not guilty to Mayfield Grove alleged murder

A Harrogate man has denied murder following the discovery of a man’s body at a flat near the town centre.

Daniel Ainsley, 24, was arrested in the street on the same evening that police found 48-year-old Mark Wolsey with fatal injuries at the flat in Mayfield Grove. 

Mr Wolsey was pronounced dead at the scene after police arrived at the property at about 10pm on March 5.

Ainsley, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of murder and today (Thursday, August 5) he appeared at Leeds Crown Court when he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC remanded Ainsley in custody until the trial on October 18. 

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