Sneak peek: Reptile shop to open in Starbeck tomorrow

A reptile shop is set to open its doors in Starbeck and the owner is “frilled” to get started.

Yorkshire Reptile, at 67d High Street, will be the only shop of its kind in Harrogate.

Owner Tom Whittaker believes his emphasis on animal welfare will set his shop apart from other reptile businesses.

The shop will open its doors tomorrow, on April 1 – no joke – with snakes, bearded dragons, chameleons, tortoises and more.

One of the shop’s chameleons.

It also sells food for the animals, vivariums and decorations for the tanks. None of the animals that the shop stocks are venomous or dangerous in anyway.

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What started off as a hobby for owner Mr Whittaker has now become a full business venture.

Vivariums in the shop.

Mr Whittaker, whose background is in cyber-security, only decided to open the shop eight weeks ago.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“My dad took me to a reptile show in Doncaster when I was 12-years-old. Ever since then I have been fascinated by it.

“It’s just how they move, how they eat, how they shed, their temperament. There are so many different kinds.

“I don’t want to compare them to Pokemon but you feel like you have to get all of them. I am obsessed and so are a lot of people.”

Prices start at £50 for a corn snake up to a green tree python, which can set you back as much as £700.

Deja vu on the Stray, as party ends with litter

Large groups of young people partied on the Stray in Harrogate yesterday, leaving council workers and volunteers to clean up this morning.

Many people enjoyed the first day of warm weather since lockdown restrictions were eased.

But some broke social distancing rules and left a huge amount of litter.

Under current rules, people can only gather in groups of six.

But for much of the afternoon yesterday there were groups of about 40 in the Tewit Well area of the Stray.

Police officers engaged with those breaking social distancing rules but were unable to disperse the crowds.

Although many people left rubbish lying around, some was left by the bins.

Takeaway boxes, leftover food, beer bottles and cans were among the items discarded.

Some residents were left with a sense of deja vu, as the scene on was almost an exact replica of what happened on the Stray on various occasions last summer.

A lone council worker does his best to clean up the mess.

Many residents have inundated the Stray Defence Association with complaints about the mess left behind last night.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the SDA, told the Stray Ferret:

“Wonderful that people are enjoying the Stray, however what a great shame that so many have left their mess, litter and bottles etc behind.

“It is very simple to take it to a bin or home. Clearly they have no consideration for other Stray users or the wildlife on the Stray for which litter can be a lethal hazard.

“Our Stray was a very sad sight this morning.”

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Can you help Harrogate woman identify the mystery nurse?

A photograph of a nurse found on the Stray has prompted a search to find the owner of the image — and discover who the mystery woman is.

Harrogate resident Dawn King found the black and white image, which she thinks could date back as far as the 1950s, lying in the grass at about 2pm on Monday.

Ms King said she found it on the West park Stray near to Beech Grove.

Ms King, who trained as a nurse in the 1980s, said:

“When I trained we had exactly the same uniform but the pinafore had gone, which makes me think the image must be dated either in the 1970s or before.”

The photograph was quite damaged when Ms King found it lying in the grass.

But there was no water damage, which suggests it hadn’t been on the ground for long.

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Ms King has posted her appeal on various Facebook groups in the hope it will solve the mystery and reunite the image with its owner. She said:

“It’s obviously precious to someone.”

If you are the owner of the photo or have any information, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will forward the information to Dawn.

First ever four-day Great Yorkshire Show confirmed

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate confirmed today this year’s event will take place over four days for the first time.

The Stray Ferret exclusively revealed yesterday that major changes to the format, which included adding a day, were due to be announced.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society confirmed the news in a newsletter to members this morning.

“We can now reveal that the show will take place between Tuesday 13 July and Friday 16 July, from 8am to 5pm each day, if it is safe to do so.”

The show usually takes place from 7.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but finishes an hour earlier on Thursdays.

The newsletter added the event will only go ahead “if the government’s roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions remains unchanged”.

It said government guidelines on large gatherings after June 21 would be informed by a series of pilot events taking place during spring.

“However, we do anticipate there will be a strict cap on the number of people allowed to gather at large events and so by adding a fourth day, more visitors will have the chance to attend safely.”

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The Stray Ferret understands the number of daily visitors will be restricted to between 20,000 and 25,000 — well below the usual 44,000 average.

in a subsequent press release, Charles Mills, honorary show director, said:

“We are thrilled by the response to our plans for the show this year in what we know will not quite be normal circumstances.

“We do expect there to be a limit on how many people can attend on any one day of the show and so for the first time in our history we believe the best option is to offer a four-day event.”

“There will be some changes this year, but we want to deliver as much of a normal show as restrictions allow, and it remains our position that the Show will only go ahead if it is safe to do so.

“We understand there is an element of risk in planning for an event of such scale given the potential for restrictions to change, however we accept this and firmly believe it is well worth planning for the Show to take place.

The Stray Ferret understands livestock classes will be reduced, just one event hall will be open, and facemasks will also have to be worn inside marquees.

https://twitter.com/greatyorkshow/status/1377191451541577731

Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available from June 1.

Ripley Show, which was scheduled for August 4, was cancelled on the grounds that the “proposed conditions are near impossible to comply with on the show ground”.

 

Harrogate’s Army Foundation College at centre of child soldiers dispute

A bid to raise the British armed force’s minimum age of recruitment to 18, which would have had major repercussions for Harrogate’s Army Foundation College, has failed.

Carol Monaghan, the Scottish National Party’s spokesperson for the armed forces, attempted to introduce a clause in the Armed Forces Bill preventing 16 and 17-year-olds enlisting in the army. Anyone under the age of 18 in the UK is legally classified as a child.

The Harrogate college, which recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year, is the only British army establishment that delivers military training to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17.

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Monaghan said raising the recruitment age to 18 would bring Britain in line with most of its NATO allies.

She added the United Nations convention on the rights of the child has urged the UK to increase its minimum recruitment age to 18.

Speaking at a public bill committee, which is a cross-bench committee examining the bill, she said:

“If we are to safeguard the wellbeing, development, educational opportunities and physical safety of our young people, it is crucial that we change the minimum age for armed forces recruitment to 18.”

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Monaghan added a third of 16 and 17-year-old recruits dropped out and “re-enter the civilian world without immediate access to further employment, training and education”. Many, she added, were from economically deprived areas.

While 16 and 17-year-olds cannot serve on the frontline, recruitment at the ages of 16 and 17 is detrimental to international efforts to end the use of children in military settings.”

Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, said people campaigning for a ban on under-18s were wrong to “draw an analogy between what the army does and the situation of child soldiers around the world”.

He added concerns about welfare needed to be balanced against the opportunities presented to 16 to 17-year-olds recruits, adding:

“I suggest that anyone who wants to see the positive way individuals can and do improve their lives visits the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

“On my visits there, what appalled me was the fact that the education system had failed individuals, but the army had given them a second chance with raising basic numeracy and literacy skills.

“Individuals who would possibly not have had an opportunity to have a fulfilled career were able to do so through the work undertaken at the Army Foundation College.”

Defence minister Johnny Mercer told the debate the government took its duty of care to entrants aged under 18 “extremely seriously”. He added:

“Close attention has been given to this subject in recent years, especially after the tragic deaths at Deepcut.

“We have robust, effective and independently verified safeguards in place to ensure that under-18s are cared for properly.”

The committee voted against the clause by nine votes to two.

Eight Conservatives and one Labour MP voted against; two SNP MPS voted in favour.

Do you have a family member at the College and have a view on this story? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to our traffic and travel service. It’s Leah here giving you updates every 15 minutes.

Brought to you by The HACS Group, this blog will let you know how the road and rail links are near you.

Make sure to keep in touch via social media or email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full update

Thanks again for getting involved with our traffic and travel service. I will be back tomorrow from 6.30am with more updates. Do get in touch if you think we have missed something. It really does help to keep the Harrogate district moving.

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

8.30am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

8.15am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

7.45am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Traffic is heavy in these hotspots:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full update

Roads

Traffic is building in the district this morning, particularly in the Harrogate and Knaresborough town centres.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

7.15am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

6.45am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Remember road repairs will mean that Leeds Road in Harrogate will be closed from 6.30pm.

That means the roads from Beech Avenue, Harrogate, through to Princess Royal Way in Pannal will be closed in the evenings.

The Franklin Road area of Harrogate is also closed for road repairs.

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate teen wins bronze at Para Powerlifting World Cup

A 19-year-old from Harrogate has won a bronze medal for Team GB at the Para Powerlifting World Cup.

Charlotte McGuiness was third in the women’s up to 50kg category with a bench press of 74kg.

The sports and exercise student’s performance has increased her chances of competing in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

Charlotte, who studies at Leeds Trinity University, said her passion for the sport began while studying at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate.

The event took place at the Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester without spectators and with covid measures in place over the weekend.

There were five competitors in the event. Besides Charlotte, there were lifters from Britain, Spain, Ukraine and Japan.

Charlotte McGuiness on the podium

Charlotte on the podium after receiving her bronze medal.

Charlotte trains four times a week, focusing on university work in the mornings. Due to lockdown she has had to setup a gym in her Harrogate home but continues to her sights high.

Charlotte now has her sights set on the World Powerlifting Championships in November.

She said:

“I was shocked when I won my medal, I only started two years ago and I’ve gone so far. It’s motivated me to keep going. The Paris Olympics are in three years time and that would be a dream,”

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Sarah Todd, sports development manager at Leeds Trinity University, said:

“I could not be prouder of Charlotte, to achieve a bronze medal at the World Cup at 19-years-old is incredible.

“She works so hard and is such a determined and focused young woman in her sport and her studies, so it is fantastic to see the hard work pay off with a medal.”

Exclusive: Major changes expected for Great Yorkshire Show

The Great Yorkshire Show looks set to be extended to four days this year, as part of major changes in the wake of covid.

The Stray Ferret understands the show will also see the number of daily visitors restricted to between 20,000 and 25,000 — well below the usual 44,000 average.

It is understood livestock classes will be reduced, just one event hall will be open and all tickets will need to be bought in advance for track and trace purposes.

Facemasks will also have to be worn inside marquees.

Read more:

The show is now set to take place at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground from July 13 to 16, with the addition of a Friday to the usual Tuesday to Thursday schedule.

The event will operate reduced hours from 8am and 5pm each day.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the event, is expected to make an announcement on the changes tomorrow.

Some other major outdoor shows in the district have cancelled due to concerns over social distancing.

Last week, Ripley Show announced it will not go ahead.

Organisers said despite the roadmap out of lockdown and vaccination numbers offering a positive outlook the “proposed conditions are near impossible to comply with on the show ground”.

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, which was due to take place on July 17 and 18, has also been cancelled.

The YAS has previously said it was hopeful the Great Yorkshire Show will go ahead despite other events cancelling.

Bid for businesses to use the Stray faces opposition

Bars, cafes and restaurants keen to take advantage of the Stray for alfresco-style dining this summer face opposition from its guardians.

Harrogate Borough Council is in talks with the Duchy of Lancaster, the freeholder of the Stray, ahead of a public consultation.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro are all hoping to put tables and chairs on the Stray when they reopen outdoors on April 12.

But ahead of a public consultation, the Stray Defence Association has today made its opposition to the plans clear.

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Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the SDA, told the Stray Ferret:

“The tendency for both HBC and NYCC to ignore or try and overrule the Parliamentary Stray Act is disturbing. Indeed, the Stray Act was formulated and put in place to prevent such misuse.

“No one is against people having fun or enjoying the Stray, that is what it is there for, and how blessed Harrogate has been to have it for the benefit of everyone during the past traumatic year.

“However, as with many things, the few could well spoil it for the rest of Harrogate.

“In fact, a few years back when HBC wanted to levy a charge on the footballers using the Stray and make them pay to play, it was the SDA who argued that this could not be done as the Stray is an open and free space for the benefit of the people of Harrogate.

“Without going into too much detail, Section 6(2) of the 1985 Stray Act also precludes anyone making profit from the use of the Stray.

“We are not aware of any time, other than by explicit and limited dispensation given by Parliament as a result of a specific detailed application, when the council has been empowered with a general discretion to consent to inclosures and our history confirms this.

“After all, the Stray is protected by law for the free use of Harrogate’s people, not businesses.”

The SDA has raised further questions about the types of businesses which would be able to use the Stray and also asked where such a scheme would begin and end.

Image Gallery: Sunbathers soak in the sun as temperatures soar

Crowds flocked to sunny spots in Harrogate today as temperatures reached 20 degrees.

The warm weather arrived at the perfect time after lockdown restrictions eased yesterday allowing up to six people, or two households, to enjoy the sun together.

Many local residents donned their sunglasses and applied sun cream to get the most out of this sunny Tuesday.

We sent our photographer into Harrogate today to see what people got up to.

Skateboarders showing off their skills in Valley Gardens.

Summer on the Stray

Lunch on the Stray? Why not!

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Dog on Valley Gardens

People weren’t the only ones enjoying the warm weather today.

Ice cream shop in Valley Gardens

Who doesn’t love an ice cream in the sun?

Bowlers in Harrogate

Bowlers in Harrogate today.

Valley Gardens

Valley Gardens looked particularly inviting in the sun today.

Tennis players in Valley Gardens

Perfect timing – the sun came just as lockdown restrictions eased yesterday.