A traffic marshal at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate has been jailed after she was caught selling cocaine and ketamine on the side.

Ripon woman Monique Shiels, 25, was marshalling at the world championships when police responded to a tip-off and caught her red-handed.

When confronted by officers, Shiels said: “Who was it who dobbed me in?”

Prosecutor Matthew Collins told York Crown Court:

“Information had been received by police…that this defendant was dealing drugs whilst working as a traffic marshal for (the) UCI Cycling World Championships in Harrogate.

“Police (turned up at) the location where she was reported to be and found her standing near her vehicle. Her first response to officers was, ‘Who was it who dobbed me in?’”.

Officers found £333 cash on Shiels, as well as a “quantity of orange tablets and some powdered substance” in a black bag she was carrying.

They searched her car – which she used for traffic marshalling during the event – and found digital weighing scales and a mobile phone with text messages sent between Shiels and her customers discussing deals and amounts.

The drugs stash found inside the vehicle included about 8g of cocaine and 10g of ketamine, but Mr Collins said this was just a snapshot of Shiels’s drug-dealing activities, which text messages proved had been going on “for some length of time”.

Selling drugs as crowds gathered

The court heard that Shiels had been selling drugs as crowds gathered for the 92nd UCI World Championships, whose elite competitors vying for the champion’s jersey included Denmark’s Mads Pedersen, time-trial world champion Rohan Dennis and Holland’s Annemiek van Vleuten.

Shiels was arrested on the fourth day of the week-long event.

Mr Collins said Shiels had only been charged in relation to the drugs found on her at the time, which judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, described as “bad prosecuting by the CPS”.

Shiels, of Water Skellgate, Ripon, was taken in for questioning following her arrest on September 25, 2019, but refused to answer police questions.She was charged with possessing cocaine, a Class A drug, and Class B ketamine, with intent to supply. She admitted both charges and appeared for sentence on Thursday.

Read more:

• Arrests soar as ‘county lines’ investigations continue
• UCI Championship organisers to pay £35,500 towards Stray repair costs

The court heard that Shiels had nine previous convictions for offences including violence, breaching court orders and possessing MDMA, an Ecstasy-type drug.
During conversations with the Probation Service following her arrest for the drug-supply offences in Harrogate, Shiels said she didn’t see anything wrong with dealing drugs.

Self-confessed drug user

Andrew Petterson, mitigating, said that Shiels, who worked as a sales adviser for a TV dealership, was a self-confessed drug user.

“Clearly, she is one of the misguided individuals in society that doesn’t see (drug-dealing) as a problem,” he added.

Judge Mr Morris told Shiels: “These courts hear stories of (drug-related) robberies and muggings and fights, burglaries, all to pay people like you…and that’s why you are going to prison.”

He said her offences were so serious and her previous breaches of community orders so many that anything other than an immediate prison sentence was out of the question.

Shiels was jailed for two years – a much-reduced sentence due to the delay in the case reaching the courts and the current covid pandemic that had affected living conditions in prisons.

The judge also ordered the confiscation of Shiels’s vehicle and made her pay a statutory surcharge.

A four-week consultation will launch next week on redeveloping Station Parade in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council secured £7.8m in funding from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund last year to create a “gateway” to connect the bus and railway stations with the town centre.

A media briefing to discuss the proposals and forthcoming consultation will be held online tomorrow.

The money awarded in March has to be spent within three years and NYCC’s executive member for highways Cllr Don Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret that building work could begin on the scheme before the end of this year.

The public will be asked to contribute ideas for the project, which aims to promote sustainable transport.

Cllr Mackenzie said one idea could involve building cycle lanes on Station Parade but he added there would be no ban on cars.

Plans for a ‘station gateway’ have been in the works for several years and in 2016 Harrogate Borough Council published an artist’s impression of how it might look:

Read more:

• Could a Claro Road rail station solve Harrogate’s congestion?

• Conservative councillor speaks out against James Street pedestrianisation

The plan fits into a wider strategy for Harrogate drawn up by the borough council in its 2016 Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan.

It said:

“Harrogate’s railway station and adjoining facilities, including the town centre’s bus station, have long been identified as an area for improvement. The current buildings and infrastructure detract from the overall quality of the town centre environment and provide a poor gateway for visitors.”

A Harrogate conservative councillor has suggested a rail station could be built near Claro Road to ease the town’s congestion problems.

Paul Haslam, who lives in Bilton and represents the area on both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate District Council, is gathering support for the idea.

He thinks a station could be built near the footbridge at Dragon Junction between Harrogate and Starbeck stations on the Leeds to York line.

He told the Stray Ferret the station would be a “win-win” for Harrogate because it could reduce traffic congestion on Skipton Road, improve links to the Claro Court Business Centre and improve the quality of life for local residents.

He said it would also promote cycling because of its proximity to the Nidderdale Greenway.

Cllr Haslam said:

“I am convinced this would make significant inroads to congestion on Skipton Road, our quality of air, our reduction in CO2 emissions and most importantly the quality of life to those who live in this area.

“It should also improve links to the business park and therefore help local prosperity and jobs. Adding a supermarket would also add jobs whilst improving the facilities in the area.”

Read more:

• £9.8m upgrade of Knaresborough to Poppleton rail route complete
• Harrogate railway station newsagent to close

Cllr Haslam said he has had conversations about the idea with North Yorkshire County Council, which would need to undertake a feasibility study to determine costs.

The government is keen to open new rail stations and last year awarded funding to help bring back ‘forgotten’ stations axed in the Beeching cuts during the 1960s.

A new rail station opened in Wales earlier this week at an estimated cost of £8 million, but it took over 11 years to develop the plans.

The latest station to open in the Harrogate district was Hornbeam Park in 1992, which was used by 400,000 passengers in 2019/20 and is a popular stop for commuters and visitors.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways at North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret he supported the idea of a Claro Road station.

However, he said that due to a lack of funding the chances of it being built were slim, and that any final decision would be made by Network Rail.

He added:

“Just as I supported Hornbeam Park 30 years ago I would be supportive of this, but I can’t see it happening any time soon.”

Harrogate motorists have been avoiding the closure of Beech Grove by driving over the Stray.

The road closed to through traffic yesterday but already some vehicles have taken the law into their own hands by mounting the kerb and cutting across the Stray, leaving behind mud and tyre tracks.

A chaotic first night saw most motorists, confronted by road blocks for the first time, performing u-turns. But the Stray Ferret has photographic evidence, as well as verbal reports by witnesses, that some engaged in illegal manoeuvres.

Besides driving on the Stray, motorists also drove through the car parks attached to the residential apartment blocks on Beech Grove. They also drove the wrong way along the one-way street that connects Beech Grove and Victoria Road to avoid a detour.

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, is now considering ways to prevent motorists taking the law into their own hands.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret:

“I am very sorry that motorists have decided to drive across the Stray to avoid the road closure on Beech Grove.

“That is extremely poor behaviour. They are also committing a driving offence.”

Read more:

• Cars could make way for cyclists on another Harrogate road
• Controversial Harrogate road closure starts today

Judy D’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is outrageous that cars are being driven onto the Stray. We understand drivers’ frustrations as they are probably unaware of the closure until they have actually entered Beech Grove.

“However, this does not excuse angry and potentially dangerous driving.

“The hideously ugly planters appear to have been placed well into the route to avoid the increased flooding which now occurs on West Park Stray, spreading as it does across the road.

“As always our concern is for the protection of the Stray and we are engaged in conversation with both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council about this.”

Beech Grove will be closed to through traffic for six months before North Yorkshire County Council, which is consulting on the scheme, decides whether to make it permanent.

It is hoped the move will encourage pedestrians and cyclists. It will link to the new Otley Road cycle path, work on which is due to begin in spring.

Residents, refuse collections and emergency services will still have access to the area.

A plan to convert the Harrogate office block Windsor House into 94 flats has been refused.

A Harrogate Borough Council report said not all of the flats would benefit from adequate natural light.

Owner of the building, Boultbee Brooks, wanted to turn the seven-storey building on Cornwall Road into 94 flats consisting of 14 one-bedroom and 80 two-bedroom properties.

There have been two previous applications to convert Windsor House into flats, in 2014 and 2017, which were both approved under permitted development rights.

However, a condition was attached to both applications that said the conversion must be completed within three years.

First introduced in 2013 as a way to mitigate the UK’s housing shortage, office-to-residential permitted development rights make it easier for owners of office blocks to convert them into homes.

With the building still being used by local businesses, a fresh application was submitted in 2020, which would have given the owner another three years to complete the conversion.

But this time, the council’s chief planner, John Worthington, deemed it not applicable for permitted development due to what he said was a lack of natural light in some of the rooms.

Read more:

• Plan to convert Little Ouseburn pub into housing
• County council housing company accused of avoiding building affordable homes

The Windsor House application received an objection from a tenant of the building, who said the conversion would “drive businesses out of Harrogate”.

The objection said:

“It took us months to find office space in Harrogate within a reasonable walking distance of town. Please think of business in Harrogate, it can’t all be about residential. We need places to work too, Harrogate needs commercial business.”

Windsor House, which is located in the Duchy estate area, is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Harrogate.

Built in 1900 overlooking Valley Gardens, it was originally the Grand Hotel until it became offices in the 1980s.

The Stray Ferret contacted Boultbee Brooks for a response but did not receive one at the time of publication.

Harrogate District Hospital has unveiled a rainbow tunnel to celebrate diversity and bring smiles to people walking through it.

The decorated tunnel connects the main hospital building to the Briary Wing and was revamped in time for LGBT+ History Month, which runs throughout February.

Rainbow symbols put in windows to show support for the NHS at the start of the coronavirus pandemic inspired hospital staff to add some colour to the tunnel.

https://twitter.com/harrogatehcc/status/1361695147243810823

Last year the hospital created a rainbow crossing to welcome LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and staff.

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital unveils LGBTQ+ rainbow crossings
• Harrogate hospital gets £14 million to reduce carbon footprint

Steve Russell, chief executive at Harrogate District Hospital, said:

“We love our new rainbow-styled tunnel linking the main Harrogate District Hospital building to our Briary Wing.

“The idea for having a rainbow in the tunnel came about at the time when members of the public were painting and drawing fantastic rainbows to put in their windows at home to show support for the NHS.

“Walking through the arches of the tunnel, we thought it would make a great location to bring those rainbows from the community into the hospital.

“The rainbow is a lasting landmark within the hospital, a symbol for equality and diversity, and as a space to walk through when you need some colour in your day.

“Most importantly – We hope it brings a smile to faces that walk through it!”

Good morning and welcome once again to our traffic and travel service for the Harrogate district.

Whether you travel by car, bus or train we will keep an eye out for any possible disruption to your journey.

It’s Connor again back on the travel desk from 6.30am. Spotted an accident or a road closure? Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

If traffic is moving well or it’s at a standstill then we will let you know with our updates every 15 minutes.

Full update – 9am

Thanks to everyone who has been getting involved in this traffic and travel blog. I am switching over to the news desk now but will be back from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads

• Accident on A59 near Green Hammerton has now cleared.
• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes but now easing.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive. Reports of drivers performing u-turns to avoid traffic.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 8.45am

Roads

• Accident on A59 near Green Hammerton has now cleared.
• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes but now easing.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive. Reports of drivers performing u-turns to avoid traffic.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 8.30am

Roads

• Accident on A59 near Green Hammerton causing delays, with heavy traffic around Station Road.
• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes but now easing.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 8.15am

Roads

• Accident on A59 near Green Hammerton causing delays, with heavy traffic around Station Road.
• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes but now easing.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 8am

Roads

• Accident on A59 near Green Hammerton causing delays, with heavy traffic around Station Road.
• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes but now easing.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 7.45am

Roads

• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate. Delays of six minutes. Inrix reporting heavy traffic here.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 7.30am

Roads

• Beech Grove in Harrogate is now closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 7.15am

Roads

• Beech Grove in Harrogate is closed to through traffic as part of a cycle scheme.
• Traffic is building up on the roads this morning with much of the congestion around the following construction sites.
• Skipton Road, Harrogate.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 7am

Roads

• The roads appear clear so far today except for around construction sites, particularly in Harrogate:
• Skipton Road, Harrogate.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are all expected on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 6.45am

Roads

• The roads appear clear so far today. There are some construction sites likely to cause delays, particularly in Harrogate:
• Skipton Road, Harrogate.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Full update – 6.30am

Roads

• The roads are looking clear bright and early this morning. There are some construction sites likely to cause delays, particularly in Harrogate, but congestion has not yet built up in those areas:
• Skipton Road, Harrogate.
• Ripon Road, at the junction with Jennyfield Drive.
• Knaresborough Road, near to the Empress Roundabout.
• Leeds Road, near to Crimple Hall and St George’s Roundabout
• High Street in Knaresborough.

Trains

• The trains are running well this morning with no cancellations or delays. Harrogate to Leeds, York and Knaresborough services are on time.

Buses

• Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations.

Harrogate Theatre’s chief executive has said he hopes Monday’s government announcement on the route out of lockdown will bring some clarity on the way forward.

David Bown has worked at Harrogate Theatre for 17 years but the last 12 months have been brought unprecedented challenges.

The theatre has been closed for almost a year now but hopes to put on a show, in some form, in the months ahead.

Mr Bown is eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister’s briefing on Monday but acknowledged there was still a lot of uncertainty. He said:

“The government is talking about live venues reopening, which is good but I think it will of course be problematic. We aren’t looking to test the water until the summer in terms of live events.”

During the first lockdown the theatre launched an emergency fundraising appeal and, besides receiving individual donations, it has also received grants from external funders, which he says have “stabilised” finances.

The sudden loss of income due to covid forced the theatre to make some difficult decisions last year and it let go of 59% of its workforce. With no confirmed opening date, production and front of house staff were released.

Mr Bown said it now felt like groundhog day, with the remaining staff waiting for the green light to reopen. He added:

“We’re quite stable in terms of finance right now but we’ll have to see how that plays out in the coming months.

“I can’t see them relaxing the entertainment sector too soon. We closed last year because we could see theatre wasn’t viable until the pandemic is over.”

Harrogate Theatre with stands empty in the town centre.

Many theatres, including Harrogate, have streamed shows online to reach a wider audience and Mr Bown thinks this will continue.

He hopes indoor theatre productions can return soon but acknowledges they are unlikely to be the same as before the pandemic. Mr Bown believes masks will continue to be mandatory, as will some form of social distancing.

He also raised concerns about the older demographic of the theatre’s audience, adding that some regulars may be hesitant to return.

Read more:

• Building works underway to improve accessibility at Pateley Playhouse.
• Harrogate phone box given new lease of life.

The theatre has plans to put on an immersive, outdoor performance in Harrogate this summer, starring local performers and producers.

The town will be the focus of the storyline. He said:

“It’s us reaching out to the community instead of asking them to come inside the building. Hopefully it’ll bring a little buoyancy to the town centre too.”

He thanked people for contributing to the appeal, which he said has raised “well over £100,000” for the theatre.

Now he is hoping Monday will bring some road map forward for the theatre and other organisations across the Harrogate district.

A Harrogate butchers shop at the Great Yorkshire Showground has scooped an award for being the best in the north of England.

Fodder was named North of England Butcher’s Shop of the Year at the Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards 2020 on Monday.

The shop, which opened in 2009 and is run by the Yorkshire Agriculture Society, was described by judges as “an excellent business, showing innovation and community as well as charitable support”.

Fodder opened in response to the foot and mouth crisis that devastated farming. The shop now works with 430 local farmers and producers.

Read more:

• The latest addition to Ripon’s retail park could be a Lidl if plans are approved.
• Harrogate travel agent says there’s “nothing to lose” by booking a summer holiday.

Heather Parry, managing director of Fodder, said:

“We are thrilled that our butchery has been recognised as the North of England’s finest and one of the very best in the whole of the UK.

“This award is a great endorsement of the quality of our meat, which has been reared to perfection on the very best local farms, as well as the skills of our talented and knowledgeable butchery team who are able to advise customers on how best to cook our products when they get home. 

“Our team works incredibly hard to create a beautiful counter every day and offer outstanding service too.”

The Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards, which is organised by Meat Trades Journal, includes 12 categories and is judged by a panel of butchery experts, including a “mystery shopper” visit to the 35 finalists.

Among the other awards include Butcher’s Shop of the Year, Online Butchery Business of the Year and Farm Shop of the Year.

The awards ceremony was held online amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Smarties Day Nursery and Pre-School in Ripley is to close next month after operating for more than 30 years.

The nursery currently looks after children aged up to four and also works alongside Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School to offer a before and after-school club.

The nursery, next to Ripley Store, opened in 1987 and can cater for up to 52 children. It has been under the current management since 2004.

The building itself is part of the Ripley estate and is owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby.

The nursery has said it is having to close after the owners decided not to renew the lease and use the building for another purpose instead.

Ripley school is in the early stages of planning to provide alternative provision. It has asked parents for their opinions, and hopes to have something in place after the Easter holidays.