Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is coming to an end – get your last minute donations in

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal will come to an end this weekend after almost two months of raising vital funds for Dementia Forward.

You can still donate to the appeal until midnight on Sunday, January 7.

So far we have raised around £8,000 for the charity, which will go towards funding a new minibus.

Jill Quinn MBE, chief executive at Dementia Forward, said:

“We really value the support that The Stray Ferret and all your readers have given us this Christmas.
“The stories and videos have shone a light on our services, and we really hope that everyone has a good understanding of what Dementia Forward offers to people in the local community, and knows where to turn if they ever they need us.
“It is exciting that we have received enough donations to be able to lease a new minibus for the next two years, so that we can continue to provide vital transport for people living with dementia in the Harrogate District.
“Once again, huge thanks and we wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2024!”

We didn’t reach our target, but we know times are tough and the money raised will still make a huge difference to the lives of those living with dementia and the people struggling around them.

Director of The Stray Ferret, Tamsin O’Brien said:

“We’d like to thank VIDA Healthcare for its wonderful support of our Christmas Appeal. As someone who’s family has experienced the heartbreak of Alzheimers, this was an appeal close to my heart.

“Thank you to everyone who donated. Please give generously this weekend — you never know when you may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.”

The appeal was kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Thomas the Baker set to open new store in Boroughbridge

Thomas the Baker plans to open a store on Boroughbridge High Street, where the Cooplands bakery used to be.

Cooplands closed its Boroughbridge store last April following “an in-depth review of the business”, having opened it nearly three years ago in February 2021. The Scarborough-based chain’s closest store is now on Beulah Street, Harrogate.

Beulah Street Cooplands in Harrogate.

Thomas the Baker has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for a replacement shopfront including new non-illuminated fascia and projecting sign.

People can comment on the application concerning the new store at 33 High Street until this Sunday, January 7. The store would add to the current number of bakeries in the market tow, which include Gilchrist’s and Havenhands.

The family-owned bakery chain headquartered in Helmsley was established in 1981. The company has 30 shops across Yorkshire and the North-East, including: Ripon, Knaresborough, Thirsk, Acomb, Easingwold, Haxby, Kirbymoorside, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, Selby and four in York.

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Call for council to improve ‘poor’ Boroughbridge road conditions

A Boroughbridge resident has called on North Yorkshire Council to make “urgent” improvements to a local road.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, lives on Roecliffe Lane and told the Stray Ferret he has spent the last year campaigning to have the road resurfaced.

He said he and other local residents have issued “over a decade of complaints” to the council to resurface the road, as well as requested traffic-calming measures to make it safer, but are yet to see anything come to fruition.

Following a recent petition organised by the man and signed by Roecliffe Lane residents, he said the same recurring issues became “abundantly clear”:

“Several residents’ houses along the road shake whenever HGVs, buses, and often even cars, drive over the potholes next to them.

“This is our personal number-one issue and has at times caused deep regret moving to the street.

“We have had to endure over a year of it so far since moving in, our bed shaking most mornings when HGVs start driving the road in the early hours, doors juddering in frames, our baby’s rooms’ wardrobe rattling, the timber frame of the house creaking and more.

“Even people that visit notice, because the kitchen floor vibrates and the glasses in the cupboard clink. The council have been made aware of this multiple times.

“Several residents also commented about needing to repair their vehicles and bicycles from broken suspension and burst tyres. An elderly lady I spoke to had also fallen off her bike from a pothole.”

The noise from traffic can also be alarmingly loud and frequent, and speeding is a big issue along the road, he added.

The road was in ‘poor’ condition back in 2013. Pic: fixmystreet.

Now, he is proposing a “resident-first rethink”. He said:

“What worked for it when it was originally built is clearly not working for its residents now with increased housing, traffic and HGVs.

“It needs resurfacing urgently. It needs traffic-calming measures putting in place to reduce the thousands of noisy vehicles per day, and mitigations for the frequent HGVs.”

He also suggested the council implement new speeding enforcements to “protect the residents and their children from the up-to-81mph speeding vehicles.”

Roecliffe Lane in 2023.

‘Resurfacing is in our programme’

In response to the concerns raised, Melissa Burnham, highways area manager for North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“Resurfacing of Roecliffe Lane is included in our programme for 2024/25. Once dates are confirmed, we will ensure the local community are aware.

“The local Highways team are also aware of the concerns raised and are liaising with North Yorkshire Police regarding enforcement.”

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Crime commissioner warns council tax hike needed to protect police from cuts

York and North Yorkshire crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has warned residents they would have to pay an extra £20 a year through their council tax to protect the police service from cuts.

Ms Metcalfe, who represents the Conservatives, is currently consulting on what the annual police and fire precepts should be from April.

These are charges that every household pays through their council tax for services.

Around half of the crime commissioner’s budget comes from council tax with a government grant making up the rest.

Currently, Band D households in York and North Yorkshire pay a precept of £295.09 towards the police force.

It’s likely to increase later this year with four options put forward including a precept freeze and increases of 3.4%, 5.1% and 6.8%.

But in a report that will be discussed by councillors in Northallerton next week, Ms Metcalfe said only the highest increase of 6.8%, which would raise an additional £6.2m, could guarantee current service levels.

Smaller increases would lead to reductions unless savings could be found, she added.

However, this year government is only allowing crime commissioners to increase the police precept by up to 4.4%, which equates to an extra £13 a year for a Band D properties.

The report adds that the government has increased this year’s grant for crime commissioners by £150m however the money has been ring fenced to hire new police officers.

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The report says police finances “continue to be exceptionally tight” with staff pay awards and inflation contributory factors.

The bulk of council tax is set by North Yorkshire Council however the authority is yet to say if it will increase its precept this year.

Ms Metcalfe also sets the precept for the fire and rescue service. Further details are available here, with the consultation open until January 21.

Ms Metcalfe said: 

“It is never easy to ask residents for more money, and I know that many individuals and families are facing financial pressures once again this coming year, but our emergency services are also dealing with rising costs as they continue their vital work to keep us all safe.

“And again, this year the decision will be challenging, as I have to balance the burden on taxpayers and the growing demands for services from our police and fire and rescue services, so it’s vital that I hear your views.”

Ms Metcalfe’s role will be taken over by whoever is elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire in May next year.

Tory mayoral candidate pledges to pilot facial recognition cameras in Harrogate

The Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has pledged to introduce controversial facial recognition cameras to catch criminals. 

The cameras, which scan people’s faces in public and compare them with people on watch lists, has been hailed by some as a way to improve policing. But others have concerns about human rights and discrimination.

Keane Duncan said he wanted to test the technology across the county, if elected.

The mayor will take on powers from North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, which will be scrapped.

Mr Duncan said trials elsewhere in the country had found the cameras can cut the time required to identify criminals and missing people from days and months to “just minutes”.

He added that he wanted to pilot the technology in York, Harrogate and Scarborough.

Mr Duncan said:

“I want to embrace new technology to revolutionise the way in which policing is conducted in North Yorkshire.

“From apprehending dangerous criminals to locating vulnerable people, live facial recognition cameras represent an effective tool in the arsenal of our police. 

“With potential to free up valuable manpower so officers can have a greater presence on our streets, I want the cameras to be tested here in North Yorkshire.”

The cameras are used by the Metropolitan Police in London.

According to the force, the technology was used to help arrest 10 people for offences including threats to kill, recall to prison for robbery, and possession of an offensive weapon in Croydon on December 14, 2023.

The technology uses a CCTV feed from a police van linked to facial-recognition software. 

The police upload photos of wanted criminals and the software creates an alert when a biometric match is found. The match is then reviewed by a police officer to confirm its accuracy. 

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An election for the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is expected to be held in May this year.

The Labour Party has selected York businessman David Skaith as its candidate for the role.

Pateley Bridge businessman Keith Tordoff has announced he will stand as an independent candidate for mayor.

North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, will contest the election for the Green Party.

The 4 biggest decisions for North Yorkshire Council in 2024

2024 is the first full year for North Yorkshire Council after it took over from Harrogate Borough Council, the other six district councils and the former county council in a huge shake-up of local government last year.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service looks at four key decisions it is set to make that will all have a big impact for residents living in the Harrogate area.

Harrogate Convention Centre’s £40m redevelopment

Ever since what is now known as the Harrogate Convention Centre opened in 1982 there have been questions over its future.

The facility has struggled to return a profit with successive council administrations wrestling with what to do with it, conscious of its cost to council tax payers.

A council report two years ago said it is the largest driver of economic impact in the area with many bars, restaurants and hotels depending on the business through conferences and exhibitions.

Harrogate Convention Centre.

Harrogate Convention Centre.

However, critics have long argued the convention centre would perform better under private ownership.

In recent years, new conference venues have opened up in the north so Harrogate Borough Council announced plans for a transformative £40m upgrade to help it keep up with the competition.

A decision on whether the redevelopment goes ahead was passed over to North Yorkshire Council but it won’t be an easy one for the cash-strapped authority.

It’s facing a budget shortfall of £25m this year and has other priorities such as adult social care, schools and housing.

Ripon Cathedral’s new song school and cafe

A storm has been brewing since Ripon Cathedral unveiled plans for a new two-storey building on its public open space known as Minster Gardens.

The cathedral remains one of the city’s best-loved attractions but the plans have left a sour taste for some local business owners and residents.

The Dean of Ripon says the new building is much-needed and will provide a new song school for its choir, a cafe, toilet facilities and disabled access.

An aerial photo of Ripon Cathedral.

Ripon Cathedral viewed from the air.

Controversially, the plans include chopping down a veteran beech tree as well as 10 other trees on the gardens which has energised campaigners.

There have also some business owners have said they fear the scheme could “funnel” tourists away from city centre, taking away income from cafes and shops.

All eyes will be on councillors in the Skipton and Ripon parliamentary constituency area who will make a decision on the plans soon.

Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion

Over the last 25 years, Harrogate Spring Water has grown to become perhaps the town’s best-known international brand.

Some in Harrogate look at the Danone-owned company’s success as a badge of pride whereas others wince at the town’s association with plastic water bottles.

The firm’s success means it wants to produce more water bottles at its factory on Harlow Moor Road and create 50 more jobs.

Three years ago, councillors rejected a bid to chop down trees in Rotary Wood next to its headquarters in order to expand the factory.

It captured the imagination of the national media and was billed as a battle between business and the environment.

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The previous plans became a PR nightmare for Harrogate Spring Water so since then, the company has been carefully drawing up new proposals in at attempt to win over councillors and the Harrogate public, particularly around the emotive subject of trees.

Late last year it published new plans for the expansion and is proposing to plant 1,200 young trees in an area behind the Pinewoods to replace the 450 that will be chopped down at Rotary Wood.

The area will be open to the public and the new proposal goes much further than what was previously being offered on land behind RHS Harlow Carr.

The company hopes the application will be decided by Harrogate & Knaresborough councilllors as early as February.

The new settlement Maltkiln 

Controversy over a potential “new settlement” near Cattal, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton and Whixley has rumbled on for almost a decade.

Thousands of homes and two new primary schools could be built there to change the face of the rural villages forever.

The future of the scheme was thrown into disarray last January when a farmer which owns fields around Cattal train station, making up around half of the proposed site, pulled out of an expected deal to sell land to developer Caddick Group.

It has left North Yorkshire Council scrambling to try and rescue the troubled scheme.

As Maltkiln will deliver so many new homes, the council has a say in how it’s being developed and officers have been working on a Development Plan Document (DPD) for several years ahead of a submission to government who will inspect the plans to judge if it’s still viable.

Last month, the authority said it would even be willing to use a compulsory purchase order (CPO) as a “last resort” to ensure that Maltkiln is built.

If it came to that, it would likely cost millions of pounds and would be an unprecedented step for North Yorkshire Council.

Business Breakfast: HMRC unlilkey to receive money from Masham brewery administration

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Unsecured creditors and HMRC are still expected to receive no money from the administration of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery.

Both the brewery and its retail arm, BSB Retail, entered administration last year.

At the time, Teneo Financial Advisory, which was appointed to oversee the process in May, said it did not expect to have funds available to pay HMRC and unsecured creditors.

In an administrators update published on December 31, it said it still anticipates no money will be available.

The report details that the companies owed £1.3 million to HMRC and £1.5 million to unsecured creditors.

However, it added:

“On present information, it is unlikely that sufficient funds will be realised to enable a distribution to be made to unsecured creditors.”

Black Sheep was sold to London Investment firm Breal Capital for £5 million on May 26.

The deal was a part of a pre-packaged sale and the appointment of administrators, which the company said was “essentially to give protection to the companies and prevent any person taking action against it”.

Yorkshire Water sites win biosecurity accreditation

Yorkshire Water has won a bronze accreditation for its biosecurity.

The company has been recognised for three of its sites for combating the spread of invasive non-native species.

Tophill Low Nature Reserve, Swinsty Reservoir and Fewston Reservoir were each awarded AQUA accreditation in December.

The AQUA biosecurity accreditation scheme, run by the Bristol Zoological Society, work with waterway users to help them combat the threat of invasive non-native species such as fish, invertebrate and plant species

Steph Bradbeer, senior ecologist for Yorkshire Water, said: 

“We are delighted to have received Bronze AQUA accreditation, reflecting all the great work done on these sites by Yorkshire Water staff and volunteers. It’s a fantastic achievement but the work doesn’t stop here, we’ll be working to achieve silver and hopefully gold.

“Yorkshire Water is committed to preventing the spread of invasive non-native species and protecting the environment. As we celebrate the achievement of these Bronze AQUA awards, we look forward to working towards further sites being accredited and educating the public on understanding their role in preventing the spread of invasive non-native species.”

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The Stray Ferret’s daily newsletter gets a fresh new look

As the Stray Ferret enters its fourth year of providing the best media coverage of the Harrogate district, we have given our daily newsletter a makeover.

The newsletter provides a round-up of what our journalists have been up to. The new look makes it easier than ever to get a snapshot of what is happening, with links to all the articles.

It includes a nightly introduction from Stray Ferret editor John Plummer as well as a round up of our daily news content, plus Photo of the Week, lifestyle features and in-depth topics.

Mr Plummer said:

“We hope the fresh new look appeals to readers. We are very grateful to everyone who reads the Stray Ferret and hope you continue to support independent local journalism in 2024.”

You can sign up here to the newsletter to keep up to date and get the latest news straight to your inbox.

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The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is coming to an end – but we still need your help

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

During the Christmas period, the Stray Ferret has been raising money to buy Dementia Forward a new minibus, which provides a lifeline to those struggling with dementia.

Our Christmas Appeal is coming to an end this Friday (January 5) but we still need YOUR help.

We’re still a long way off our target and, without the charity’s vital minibus service, many people living with dementia in the Harrogate district run the risk of becoming isolated and alone.

It’s a saviour for so many families and for the carers that deserve a much-needed break from caring for their loved one.

The bus service takes those living with dementia on trips out.

We know times are tough – and January only adds to that strain – but please dig deep this week and donate whatever you can to our appeal. Every penny will go towards funding a new vehicle and helping to better the lives of those living with this awful condition.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs replacing. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Click here to donate – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Harrogate trains cancelled as flood threat remains

Rail replacement buses are operating between Harrogate and Leeds this morning due to flooding.

Rail operator Northern said this morning some lines were blocked due to the wet conditions.

It added rail replacement were in place for the 6.30 Leeds to Harrogate 7.30 Leeds to Harrogate 8.30 Leeds to Harrogate, 9.30 Leeds to Harrogate, 7.00 Harrogate to Leeds, 8.00 Harrogate to Leeds. 9.00 Harrogate to Leeds and 10.00 Harrogate to Leeds.

A Met Office weather warning for rain remains in place for the Harrogate district until 9pm until tonight.

Environment Agency flood alerts are active for the upper and lower River Nidd catchments areas and for the Lower River Ure.

More severe flood warnings — which indicate flooding is expected — have been installed for Swinney Beck at Masham and the River Nidd at Hunsingore.

The Swinney Beck warning at 1.54am this morning said:

“Flooding is forecast to affect locations and properties near the Swinney Beck, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Masham including properties situated off the A6108, Fearby Road, Westholme Road, Leyburn Road, The Avenue, Avenue Bank, Quaker Terrance, Silver Street and College Lane.”

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