New foster carers in the Harrogate district will be offered a £500 “golden hello” payment if they are approved to look after young people.

North Yorkshire Council’s fostering service, Fostering North Yorkshire, is offering the payment to newly approved carers until December 31.

The move comes as the council is launching a recruitment drive for more foster carers over the summer.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive councillor for children and families at the council, said:

“We are delighted to announce the ‘golden hello’ for all newly approved foster carers between now and the end of December.

“Our foster carers are there day in, day out giving our local children a loving home and offering them support and guidance.

“Our foster carers are very much appreciated, and we are fully committed to ensuring our foster carers are properly supported and rewarded. We would encourage anyone who has been thinking of fostering to enquire now.”

Read more:

• Government says council’s £20m bid for Harrogate Convention Centre lacked ‘evidence and rationale’
• Dates set for reopening historic hotels in Knaresborough and Ripon

The service currently has 181 carers looking after children in care.

However, the council said more children are coming into care and there is a national shortage of foster carers.

Those who join will receive training and support from the authority. Anyone aged over 21 can foster.

There are also payments and allowances for every night a carer fosters, most of these are tax-free.

For more information on fostering, visit the North Yorkshire Council website here.

The Yorkshire Party is calling for Yorkshire Day – August 1 – to be made a bank holiday within the region.

White rose bunting has been installed in Harrogate to mark the yearly celebration, which occurs tomorrow.

The Yorkshire Party, which campaigns for devolution for Yorkshire in the form of a Yorkshire Regional Parliament, wants to take things further.

It said today an extra summer bank holiday would enable the county to celebrate its Yorkshire heritage and break up the long period between May and Christmas, which currently has only one bank holiday.

Yorkshire Day bunting on Princes Street.

England has eight bank holidays — fewer than many other countries.

Dr Bob Buxton, the Yorkshire Party’s co-leader, said:

“There’s a strong argument that England should have more bank holidays.  Why not have one to celebrate our regional identity here in Yorkshire, at the height of summer?”

“Scotland and Northern Ireland both have their own bank holidays; there’s no reason why Yorkshire couldn’t do likewise, which could give a massive boost to Yorkshire’s tourist and leisure sectors, from the coast to the Dales.”

Update: The match has been postponed for a week until Monday, August 7 due to the weather. Play will begin at Knaresborough Cricket Club at 6pm.

Beckwithshaw will take on Goldsborough in the final of cricket’s 20-over Addison Cup in Knaresborough tonight — weather permitting.

The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.

Burnt Yates won the centenary final last year at Follifoot Cricket Club.

Byron Boshoff was named man of the match in last year’s final.

Beckwithshaw have lifted the cup 18 times — a joint record with Bilton. The village team first won the trophy in 1924 and did so most recently in 2017.

They recently rejoined the league after a short break and are currently top of Division 3, having gone through the season undefeated so far.

By contrast, Goldsborough have appeared in two previous finals but have never lifted the trophy. They are joint second in Division 1.

Tonight’s match, which is free to attend, begins at 6.15pm at Knaresborough Cricket Club on Aspin Lane.

If the match is postponed due to weather it will be rearranged shortly afterwards.

Knaresborough Cricket Club

Can you solve the mystery of the 1930 trophy?

Last year Eric Wainwright discovered a winner’s medal from the first ever Addison Cup final whilst clearing out his father’s house.

This year Peter Horsman, secretary and treasurer of the league, was contacted by an antiques dealer in Canada who found an individual winner’s replica cup which it is thought was given to each team member from the final in 1930.

The antique dealer searched online to find out more about the Addison Cup and read about it in an article on the Stray Ferret.

The individual replica (pictured below) is an exact smaller copy of the main cup and is about three inches tall.

Mr Horsman said:

“In 1930 the winners of the cup were Woodlands, who went on to win it five years in a row from 1929 to 1933.

“It would be interesting to hear if anyone knew of somebody who played for Woodlands CC and who later moved to Canada so that we could trace who was presented with the individual replica.”

If you have information about the Woodlands team you can call Mr Horsman on 07798 582792 or email him at peter_horsman@hotmail.co.uk.

Read more:

• Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough in cricket’s Addison Cup final
• Sun shines on Yorkshire-Lancashire match in Harrogate

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In July, Labour’s Keir Mather became the new MP for Selby and Ainsty after overturning a 20,000 majority to unseat the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, the debate over the River Nidd bathing water status campaign continued and the Tories selected current North Yorkshire councillor, Keane Duncan, as their candidate for mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith if he would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

• On July 5, Mr Jones welcomed the decision by rail companies not to close Harrogate station ticket office as part of plans to close hundreds of kiosks across the country.
• He also called for an apology from Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon after he wrongly claimed the ticket office was due to close.
• Mr Jones called for a debate in parliament on July 13 over electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He said progress across the country had been “quite mixed”.
• On July 13, Mr Jones posted on his community news website that he hosted pupils from Harrogate Ladies College and St Aidan’s Church of England High School in parliament.
• Mr Jones welcomed the confirmation of Keane Duncan as Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on July 17.
• On July 25, Mr Jones defended his involvement in a campaign to designate the River Nidd at Knaresborough bathing water status after Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Walker accused him of using it as a “political tool”.
• Mr Jones also welcomed North Yorkshire Council’s backing for the campaign.
• On July 25, Mr Jones posted a video of him taking part in a “Take The Bus” campaign, which encourages more disabled and older people to use free bus travel.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for July.

They included holding constituency surgeries, hosting a reception in Parliament on behalf the Rail Delivery Group to increase awareness of sexual harassment on the rail network and visiting Springwater School to meet with the headteacher and chair of governors. 

Others included visiting GirlGuiding West’s new headquarters development on Cornwall Road and hosting a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the North to discuss the new strategic transport plan.  

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in July.
• On July 21, Mr Smith met with the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to discuss the trust’s plans to preserve military heritage in the city.
• On July 22, Mr Smith tweeted his congratulations to Labour’s Keir Mather after his victory in the Selby and Ainsty by-election. 
• Mr Smith posted 15 tweets on his Twitter account in July, which included promoting government grants and national funding announcements.

Read more:

• Labour overturns huge Tory majority to win Selby and Ainsty by-election
• Knaresborough councillor accuses MP of using Nidd sewage campaign as ‘political tool’

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing cooking tips– please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

One of my favourite things to eat is a rib eye steak which has to be tasty, juicy and tender; topped with a sauce like chimichurri or flavoured butter.

Growing up in Nigeria, meat was broiled with spices and seasoning before frying and adding to a pepper and tomato based sauce, boiled in a soup, slow cooked to make stews, roasted or grilled over open fire.

Our cooking methods meant that I grew up with meat cooked well done.

Decades ago on a work trip to London, I ordered a well done steak; I was warned that it would be tough to eat and it was. It was my first appreciation of how different cuts of meat react to heat and different cooking methods.

I started to ask for my steak as medium well and slowly began to work my way to medium. I love cooking steak but I’m always tempted to leave it slightly longer than it needs to be.

It’s no surprise that learning how to cook a perfect steak remained high on my wish list next to making great sauces. A few years ago, I watched a steak cooking masterclass by Heston Blumenthal on the Australian MasterChef competition.

He suggested using a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a high heat, with a thin layer of oil that is heated until the oil is smoking hot. Cooking the steak involved seasoning it with a little salt before placing in the hot pan for 15–20 seconds. The steak is turned over and cooked for 15 – 20 seconds and this process is repeated for 2 – 3 minutes before it is removed and rested over a wire rack.

Letting the pan heat up between each turn results in a good caramelisation and juicy steak.

During the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drinks Festival, I signed up for the Tomahawk cooking class (main image) as I was eager to pick some pointers for steak cooking.

Yemi’s tips on cooking steak:

1. Choose the right cut: opt for well-marbled cuts like ribeye or filet mignon for the best flavour and tenderness
2. Let it come to room temperature: take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking. If you’re short on time, leave steak in original water tight packaging and place in slightly warm water to quickly bring the temperature up.
3. Season generously: remove excess moisture and generously season the steak with salt and pepper or your favourite dry rub to enhance its natural flavours
4. Preheat the cooking surface: make sure your grill or pan is preheated to a high temperature before placing the steak on it.
5. Get a good sear: sear the steak over high heat to lock in the juices and create a flavourful crust. Depending on the thickness of the steak, sear each side for 1-3 minutes. Turn every minute.
6. Sear all the edges of the steak to kill off any bacteria which can be on the surface. Add some butter or oil with garlic and fresh herbs; baste the meat for extra flavour
7. Always use a meat thermometer: for precise cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C), medium 140-145°F (60-63°C), and medium-well 150-155°F (66-68°C).
8. Let it rest: once cooked to your desired doneness, remove the steak from the heat and let it rest for as long as possible. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat juicy and tender.
9. Add flavoured butter or finishing sauce: for an extra touch of richness and flavour, add some melted butter or your favourite finishing sauce to the steak while it’s resting.

My most important takeaway is to always use my meat thermometer.  I use Thermapen gifted to me by the company during my MasterChef UK competition.

No one should call the shots on how your steak should be cooked, so eat your steak the way you like it. Remember to use the right cuts of meat and a well done steak needs longer resting time.

I am at Yolk Farm and Minskip Farm shop today. Drop by and come say hi if you’re in the area.

Read More:

• Yemi’s Food Stories: My slow love for avocado

• New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow

For more stories on food and drink locally why not check out our Lifestyle section.

Harrogate District Hospital was forced to cancel 117 appointments as a result of last week’s consultants strike.

Members of the British Medical Association walked out for 48 hours on July 20 in a dispute over pay.

Consultants carried out what was described as Christmas Day cover, which meant most routine and elective services were cancelled but full emergency cover remained in place.

At the time, Dr Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA consultants committee, said consultants had been left with “no option” but to strike after years of pay cuts.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust confirmed 117 outpatient appointments were cancelled across a range of hospital services due to the walkout last week.

Among the areas affected included breast surgery, trauma, orthopaedics and general surgery. Neurology and gynaecology also saw cancellations.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“Appointments were re-arranged as a matter of priority with many being re-arranged at the time of cancellation.”

Read more:

• Ripon hospital to provide more health checks after £1m award
• Harrogate junior doctors: ‘We are prepared to continue to strike’

The hospital is set to be hit by further strike action next month.

Yesterday, junior doctors voted to walk out for four days in August amid an ongoing dispute with government over pay.

Members of the BMA will stage the industrial action from 7am on Friday, August 11, until 7am on Tuesday, August 15.

The organisation is calling for a 35% pay rise in order to restore pay to 2008 levels after below inflation increases.

Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee, said:

“It should never have got to the point where we needed to announce a fifth round of strike action. 

“Our message today remains the same: act like a responsible government, come to the table to negotiate with us in good faith, and with a credible offer these strikes need not go ahead at all.”

Councillors have rejected a claim that the decision to undertake a six-month review into speeding was based on insufficient evidence about the benefits of 20mph zones.

At a specially arranged meeting in Northallerton yesterday, Andy Brown, Green Party councillor for Aire Valley, requested a “call in” of the Conservative executive’s decision to begin the review into how it tackles speeding across North Yorkshire.

The executive said the review will lead to a speed management strategy and a rolling pipeline of safety improvement schemes, but it fell short of the demands of campaigners who want widespread 20mph speed limits implemented as soon as possible.

Cllr Brown said a report that underpinned North Yorkshire Council’s decision to undertake the review underestimated the benefits of 20mph speed limits and overestimated how difficult they are to implement.

He said:

“This is not a political issue, go to Cornwall and the Conservatives there got themselves elected and promised 20mph zones where residents support it. We should be thinking about this whatever our politics are.”

The 20’s Plenty campaign has the backing of more 150 parish councils, and campaigners met at County Hall in Northallerton yesterday with several making passionate pleas about why they want action on speeding now.

A statement was read out on behalf of Pam Fawcett, who said she had lived in Beverley for more than 50 years but is now worried about the speed of traffic. She said:

“I’m afraid to cross the road in the village and I must get somebody else to collect my pension. I have great-grandchildren living in the village, they must cross the road to get the school bus and I’m genuinely frightened they’ll be hit by a speeding car.”

Read more:

• Counci’s 20mph review ‘kicking can down the road’
• Trial scheme will ban school run cars from Harrogate street

Both the Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken, and Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough East, Hannah Gostlow, queried why the report rejected calls to have a 20mph pilot in Harrogate and Knaresborough despite it being backed by local councillors. Cllr Gostlow said:

“Where was the consultation regarding local communities? We can’t just mention active travel in our strategies, we have to take action. Our goal won’t be reached by words alone.”

However, several Conservative councillors spoke to say they backed the review, including the councillor for Bentham and Ingleton, David Ireton, who said:

“This is not about whether we like speed limits, it’s about whether the executive’s decision was made correctly. I do believe they had sufficient evidence in front of them. I feel that it was a sound decision that was made.”

Alan McVeigh, the council’s head of highways network strategy, defended the council’s approach to speeding in the chamber, as did Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for transport, who spoke through a video link.

Mr McVeigh said:

“We’ve heard a lot, quite rightly, about the benefits of 20mph zones. None of that is in dispute. But a one size all default risks imposing speed limits on communities that may not want them.”

Cllr Duncan that parish councils will still be able to ask for 20mph zones and the strategy should speed up the process for these requests. He added:

“We will be communicating with all parish councils in North Yorkshire to explain the policy and how they can shape proposals. I’ll make sure every councillor gets that in advance. We’re working with communities and I think we can make a positive difference over time.”

Councillors ultimately voted by nine to six to back the executive’s initial decision to undertake the review.

Johnsons of Whixley has secured a contract to supply five thousand plants to a five-star luxury spa hotel in County Durham.

The horticultural business supplied a range of shrubs and trees to Seaham Hall Hotel, for planting around its bungalow lodges, spa area and hotel terrace.

Johnsons of Whixley worked with garden designer Richard Porter of Garden Vision Ltd.

Founded over 100 years ago, Johnsons is a three-generation family business. Previous hotel projects include Grantley Hall in Ripon.

Seaham Hall Hotel was converted into a luxury hotel in 2012.

Johnsons’ marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson, said:

“We are thrilled to work with the Seaham Hall Hotel team as their ambitious development plans get underway, in collaboration with our customer Richard from Garden Vision Durham, who delivered the design, hard and soft landscaping of the project.”

Read More:

• Councillors approve gambling arcade in Knaresborough despite addiction concerns
• Friday night live music returns to Montey’s in Harrogate

A team from Berwins solicitors in Harrogate spent yesterday cycling in the centre of town to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

8 staff members of the legal firm- ranging from a director to team assistant- peddled in a fundraiser entitled “Go The Distance”.

The 85km static cycle was taken in stages by two team members at a time – cycling a theoretical journey from the YAA’s Air Support Unit at Nostell near Wakefield to the Berwins’ offices in Leeds, Harrogate and York before ending at RAF Topcliffe.

The air ambulance is Berwins’ chosen charity for 2023.

The Berwins team peddling away for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Yorkshire Water has been criticised on social media, after a scene in its new promotional video was found to have been filmed a little way outside the county – in Russia. 

The film was supposed to promote the utility company’s campaign urging customers to save water, but that message was drowned out by a deluge of criticism from viewers who complained that the traditional Yorkshire pub had been replaced by a bar in Sochi.  

Worse still, the majestic fells and dales of Yorkshire Water’s catchment area had been usurped by the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire. Other stock footage is believed to have been shot in Ukraine. 

Yorkshire Water said it had removed the advert from its social media channels. 

A spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:  

“We recently shared a short teaser video for our new ‘word of mouth’ social media campaign to promote water saving. Unfortunately, it was shared before we’d had chance to do our normal checks on it and the stock footage that had been used didn’t capture the spirit of Yorkshire.  

“Once we were aware of the mistake, we immediately took the video down. The ‘word of mouth’ video series all contain Yorkshire residents talking about their water saving tips, and footage of our wonderful county.” 

Asked about rumours that its next video, billed as featuring Harrogate residents, would instead showcase citizens of Hamburg, the spokesperson added: 

“We’ve just posted our first video in the series on our Facebook page about some neighbours in Wetherby and the Harrogate one will be published in a few days.”

Read more:

• Yorkshire Water improves environmental performance, says report
• Yorkshire Water pays £235,000 for illegal Harrogate sewage discharge
• No date set for Swinsty and Fewston parking charges, says Yorkshire Water

Rural trails in the Harrogate area, which can be enjoyed by wheelchair users and people with mobility problems, are to be given additional promotion.

Knaresborough West Liberal Democrat councillor, Matt Walker, has provided a £2000 grant from his locality budget to print new Breakfree packs highlighting where the trails are.

Every councillor has an annual locality budget of £10,000 to support local projects of their choice that “promote the social, economic, or environmental wellbeing of the communities they represent.”

The packs, produced by the charity Open Country, consist of a variety of different trails in Harrogate, Knaresborough, and Ripon that are accessible for people with disabilities.  They include maps, detailed routes, and access information.

Cllr Walker said:

“There are many good reasons to get out into the fresh air to enjoy the hugely varied countryside our county has to offer.

“The benefits to our mental and physical wellbeing are well documented, and it is essential that the opportunity is open to everyone, so I am delighted to have been able to support the creation of these packs, which are readily available, and which offer accessible routes to local residents as well as visitors from other parts of North Yorkshire and beyond.”

David Shaftoe, chief officer of Open Country, said:

“We’re really delighted to be able to issue this updated guide to the very best of our local accessible countryside. It’s all part of Open Country’s goal to help disabled people access and enjoy the great outdoors.

“We hope that people will enjoy using it and will want to try one of our other Breakfree packs for adjacent areas.”

Read More: 

• See where your councillor spent their locality budget
• Civic society objects to Harrogate Stray common land proposal