Call for councillors in North Yorkshire to declare if they’re a Freemason

Anyone elected onto North Yorkshire Council should declare if they are a member of secretive Freemason organisations, a councillor has claimed.

Masonic lodges have operated for centuries and give millions to charity every year. However, they have long faced accusations of nepotism in fields such as business and the law.

All councillors must declare, in a register of interests, if they are part of organisations such as political parties or charities.

But according to the council’s code of conduct, councillors only have to declare themselves a Freemason if they are part of a lodge’s charitable arm.

Monika Slater, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bilton Grange & New Park, said the code of conduct was “wrong” because she believes that Freemasons pledge an allegiance to the organisation they’re in “above all else”.

She added that members of staff working for the council must declare all memberships related to Freemasons, unlike councillors.

Cllr Slater said:

“Surely that’s of interest to residents if they are a member of a lodge. If officers need to declare it why don’t members as well? It doesn’t feel right.”

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive Barry Khan addressed Cllr Slater’s request at a meeting in Northallerton last week.

He promised officers will produce a report that looks into whether councillors should declare if they are a Freemason.

Mr Khan said:

“The position under the previous code in regards to masonic lodges was if a member was involved with the charitable arm then they were a member of a charity and that would be registered. If it wasn’t a charitable arm, then the advice was that that it didn’t need to be registered.

“That’s been the position that has carried on [into the new council].

“However, I think there’s been some concern from members that this process should be open and transparent and all memberships should be declared. We’ll bring a report that discusses these issues and a further recommendation will go to full council.”

Recruits wanted for group that shapes North Yorkshire’s green spaces

People with a passion for the outdoors are being invited to apply for membership of a group set up to improve access to North Yorkshire’s countryside.

The North Yorkshire Local Access Forum advises North Yorkshire Council and others on how people can make the most of opportunities to get out and about.

It is recruiting new members who could possibly be ramblers, runners, cyclists or horse riders with a keen interest in shaping the future of the county’s green spaces.

The forum’s work includes issues such as footpaths, bridleways, byways and open access land within North Yorkshire, but outside of the boundaries of the two National Parks for the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

Other areas include:

Footpaths are part of the group’s remit.

The forum works to maintain rights of way, ensure communities remain connected and improve links to places of interest.

There are generally three meetings a year and members may also attend site visits, workshops, training events and conferences as appropriate.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member with responsibility for public rights of way, said:

“North Yorkshire’s countryside is the jewel in our crown and ensuring it remains open and accessible to all is incredibly important.

“This has to be balanced with the needs and requirements of the people who live and work here as well and this is why the work of the Local Access Forum is so valued.

“Its volunteers bring a wealth of ideas and expertise and guarantee all views are represented and their voices heard.”

Applications are being invited from today until Friday, August 4.

Interviews will take place in late August to select new members before the next meeting of the Local Access Forum on September 25.

Applicants can request an application pack via email from democratic services officer, Harriet Clarke, at harriet.clarke@northyorks.gov.uk or telephone at 01423 556068.

You can also visit here for more information and an application form.

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Council to launch ‘once in a generation’ North Yorkshire economic strategy

North Yorkshire Council is set to launch a “once in a generation” economic strategy in an effort to support growth in the county.

The authority’s proposed economic growth strategy, which will first be considered by the council’s transport, economy, environment and enterprise scrutiny committee on Monday (July 10), has been drawn up to recognise the area’s unique scale and character and reflect the diversity of its component parts.

The document states: 

“This economic growth strategy is a key milestone, marking an exciting new phase for our economy.

“One where we take the lead on tackling some of the big economic challenges of our time such as net zero and energy security, and harness our strengths to combine accelerated economic growth with a carbon negative economy and outstanding quality of life.”

The document states the proposed strategy would provide business, investors, and other partners with a clear sense of North Yorkshire’s growth ambitions.

It adds: 

“These can only be achieved by partners from all of these groups working together in partnership to realise our collective ambitions for this great place.”

A final round of consultations, to be completed this month, is focusing on feedback from councillors, council bosses, and key external stakeholders to ensure the strategy aligns closely with other council strategies and plans for the new mayoral combined authority to be launched next year.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, the authority’s executive member for open to business, said the launch of the authority in April had presented a chance for a strategy that would not have been possible with seven different district council strategies.

He said: 

“I am quite excited as this document will benefit the whole of North Yorkshire.

“When there were seven different district authorities the boundaries did not give the ease and freedom to deliver a strategy targeting specific areas like this.”

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He said it was important north-south A1 corridor and east-west A59 and A64 corridor connectivity was identified as it would be the driving force for the economy of the county.

Cllr Bastiman said: 

“We must not take our eyes off what the market towns and larger villages, along with what smaller picture postcard coastal villages offer us.

“It is extremely important we take cognisance of all the area and the peculiarities, and I mean that in the nicest of ways, of such areas are taken into account because we don’t want to leave anybody behind with this. We want to bring people with us and consult all relevant bodies throughout the whole of North Yorkshire.”

Cllr Bastiman said he hoped the mayoral combined authority would play a supportive part in what North Yorkshire was trying to achieve.

“We do know the city of York will work with us on it, which is vitally important in delivering a cohesive, well thought out plan for the whole of North Yorkshire.”

Hotels in Harrogate district jump on rising ‘ecotherapy’ trend

In the past few weeks, three local hotels have opened new outdoor spa experiences to customers.

Swinton Estate, Grantley Hall and Rudding Park are hoping to attract guests with the promise of ‘reconnecting with nature’.

In June, Swinton Estate offered up a new wild swimming experience in its private lake at the heart of the hotel’s grounds.

A week later Grantley Hall opened a ‘Nordic spa garden’ complete with outdoor ice baths and a sauna for immersion therapy.

Gillian McGraffin, spa and wellness manager at Grantley Hall’s Three Graces Spa, said:

“With the increasing trend of cold-water immersion therapy making more noise in the wellness space recently, we knew that we wanted to offer guests something new that had many incredible health benefits.”

Shortly after Grantley announced this new spa addition, Rudding Park opened a woodland spring bathing experience, equipped with mineral-enriched freshwater tubs.

Sarah Johnson, head of the hotel’s spa, said:

“Woodland spring bathing is a wonderful way to relax; the stillness of the water promotes a sense of calm, heightening the connection with nature.

“Offering guests something new and embracing our natural environment is really important.”

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All three additions demonstrate the increasingly popularity of outdoor spa and wellness experiences – often referred to under the broader term of ‘ecotherapy’.

It encompasses a number of therapies and practices which promote interactions with nature as valuable tools for improving psychological and physiological health.

The demand for outdoor spa experiences has grown significantly since covid.

According to data collected by the People and Nature Survey last year, nearly half of adults in England spent more time outdoors than they did before the pandemic. Meanwhile, 39% also said that after the pandemic, nature and wildlife had become more important than ever to their well-being

Commenting on the trend, Ms Johnson told the Stray Ferret:

“The popularity of embracing the outdoors to boost well-being shows no sign of slowing down.”

Nurse retires after 50 years of service to Harrogate hospital

A nurse in Harrogate has retired after more than five decades of service to the NHS.

Lynne Henwood spent 50 years working for Harrogate hospital, 37 of them in the operating theatre.

She then transferred to the outpatients department where she worked until she finally retired after 54 years in the NHS, which this week marked its 75th anniversary.

She told the Stray Ferret things had changed considerably during her career:

“When I first started, we didn’t have the instrumentation, the knowledge, the technology. Things changed and evolved into a completely different world.

“The skill base is completely different. You just evolved. As they say, you never stop learning and I would say every day was a school day.

“Working within the team changed. When I trained, doctors were doctors and nurses were nurses. Then it became that doctors and nurses were part of the team.

“We supported the doctors and our knowledge was respected by the doctors.”

Mrs Henwood trained as a nurse in her home city of Liverpool at the age of 18, in January 1969. She said the training in those days was on the wards, with the 42-hour weeks over six days preparing her and the other student nurses for the hard work their first jobs would entail.

Lynne Henwood trained as a nurse in LiverpoolTraining on the wards in Liverpool

However, she didn’t get off to the smoothest start.

“My first day on a ward, I fainted. I remember thinking, ‘that’s me done, I’m out now’. I had seen nothing in life, I was quite naive.

“But the sister said, ‘that’s quite normal, you’ll be fine’. And I was – it never happened again.”

After working in Liverpool for three years, Mrs Henwood took a job in Wakefield for just a few months before relocating to Harrogate in 1973, where she remained for the rest of her career.

She was quickly promoted to sister the following year and was based at Harrogate General Hospital until it closed.

Mrs Henwood transferred to the district hospital and worked at several satellite units around the district over the years.

Lynne Henwood, right, in scrubs, met the Queen when she opened Harrogate District HospitalRight, in scrubs, meeting the Queen when she visited Harrogate District Hospital

After almost four decades in the operating theatre, she moved downstairs to the outpatients department, working in clinical investigations as a staff nurse.

She reduced her hours 13 years ago with a plan to retire in summer 2020 – but everything changed with the arrival of the pandemic in March that year.

“I stayed in the outpatients setting, where we were still face-to-face with patients. I just decided I should stay.

“Some people said, ‘why aren’t you leaving like you planned?’ but I felt I should be there.”

Nurse Lynne Henwood in her PPE during the covid pandemicIn PPE during the covid pandemic

Three years on, Mrs Henwood decided it was finally time to retire. She said:

“I just thought I would like to do pilates on a Wednesday! I thought the only way I could do that was by fully retiring.”

Also awaiting her in retirement is more time with her husband and two daughters, as well as the opportunity to go walking, enjoy her garden at home in Boroughbridge, and read more books.

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Her final week of work, however, was reminiscent of her first day as a trainee. A fall on a day off left her with a broken elbow and bruising on her face, meaning she missed her last shifts.

But her colleagues in outpatients ensured she had a good send-off, with a lunch in the department followed by drinks in Harrogate on the Friday evening, and a fitting collection of gifts and flowers.

Reflecting on her career, Mrs Henwood said:

“It was just a train journey I didn’t get off. I didn’t regret any of it and I wouldn’t tell anyone not to be a nurse, but I would say it’s not easy.

“I would like to thank everyone who I have worked with over the years for all their support and kindness.”

Flash flood warning for Harrogate district as heavy rain forecast

A yellow weather warning has been issued for the Harrogate district this weekend.

The weather forecast includes thunder storms and heavy rain tomorrow, and the weather warning lasts from 9am until midnight.

Issued by the Met Office, it warns of possible dangers caused by flash-flooding resulting from heavy downpours.

It says:

“Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“Some communities might become cut off if roads flood. Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.”

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UPDATE: Two missing Harrogate teenage girls found safe

Police have found two teenage girls reported missing from home in Harrogate last night.

An urgent search was launched for the pair on Thursday night.

Police called on the public to look out for the pair, who were believed to be missing together and also have links to Boroughbridge.

Police requested that any possible sightings were reported immediately by calling 999, quoting reference NYP-06072023-0603 for Leah and NYP-06072023-0601 for Grace.

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Andrew Jones calls for apology after Lib Dem rival wrongly says Harrogate ticket office closing

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called on his Liberal Democrat rival to apologise for wrongly claiming Harrogate train station ticket office was due to close.

Rail operator Northern said this morning it planed to shut 131 ticket offices — but Harrogate’s would be one of 18 to remain open. It is part of a nationwide cull of hundreds of ticket offices.

Some four hours after the news was announced, Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, published a press release titled ‘Lib Dems call on rail bosses to save Harrogate ticket office’.

It said the “the closure of the ticket office at Harrogate station will lock so many people out of being able to access tickets and travel by train” and urged the government and rail leaders to “think again”.

Not closing: Harrogate train station ticket office.

An hour later Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems issued an ‘updated press release’ in which Mr Gordon called for “reassurances on the future of Harrogate ticket office”.

His initial press release prompted Mr Jones to say:

“Harrogate ticket office is remaining open.  It doesn’t need saving.  It was never threatened with closure.

“Assuming they didn’t know the facts, although this may just be political scaremongering, all the Liberal Democrats had to do was read the Stray Ferret, any other local news outlet or my Community News website and they would have known the actual situation.

“The news had been up on those sites for hours before they issued their erroneous press release.  An apology to the customers and staff who have been worried by this false claim would seem to be an appropriate thing to do.”

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Gordon for a response to Mr Jones’ comments and whether he would issue an apology but had not received a response by the time of publication.

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Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show is a sell-out

For the third year in a row, the Great Yorkshire Show has sold out.

This year 140,000 people are expected to visit the 250-acre showground next week.

Traditionally, the Harrogate-based event was three days long. However, in 2021, it was extended to four days to help spread out crowds to meet covid safety regulations.

During the pandemic, capacity was also limited to 35,000 visitors a day and tickets were sold exclusively in advance on the show’s main website.

The event’s organisers decided to keep the changes for this year’s show following feedback that visitors found the experience more enjoyable when the showground was less crowded.

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The Great Yorkshire Show is run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and is one of the largest agricultural shows in the UK, generating millions of pounds each year for the local economy.

Some of the main attractions include the Cock ‘O The North show jumping competition and several stunt-riding performances by Lorenzo the ‘flying Frenchman’.

TV presenter Adam Henson, MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, and The Duke of Gloucester are some of the many special guests invited to attend.

A free shuttle bus service from Harrogate bus station to the showground will be available to attendees throughout the four-day event.

Second-hand tickets will be available to purchase on the show’s official ticket reseller site, Ticket-Swap.

Scrapping household waste charges will cost taxpayers £889,000, says council

North Yorkshire Council has said a government policy change designed to reduce fly-tipping has left it £889,000 out of pocket, forcing it to look for new ways of saving money. 

Last month, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow announced households would no longer have to pay to get rid of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres, such as those at Penny Pot Lane and Wetherby Road in Harrogate and Dallamires Crescent in Ripon.

DIY waste will now be treated the same as household waste, saving tip visitors up to £10 per sack of rubble or sheet of plasterboard. The change, which enjoys widespread public support and was lobbied for by organisations including the National Farmers’ Union, is due to come into effect later this year.

But North Yorkshire Council, which is one of the third of English local authorities that still charge for household DIY waste, told the Stray Ferret there was little evidence the move would reduce fly-tipping, although it could mean cuts elsewhere. 

Cllr Greg White, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for waste, said: 

“We introduced charges for residents to dispose of soil, rubble and plasterboard at our household waste recycling centres in 2014 following a consultation in which residents stated they would rather pay a fee at sites than have to seek an alternative such as hiring a skip. 

“This was implemented to preserve other services, many of which the council must legally provide. The abolition of charging means that many taxpayers will have to meet the costs of those few undertaking home improvements. 

“We care passionately about minimising fly-tipping, but do not believe that the proposed changes will result in a significant decrease. We are not aware of any research that has found a link between charging for waste at household waste recycling centres and increased fly-tipping, which suggests that the removal of charges may not reduce fly-tipping levels. It’s important to remember that there is a large percentage of fly-tipped waste that can be disposed of for free at our household waste recycling centres. 

“As a result of this change, we forecast that we will incur disposal costs of £586,000 and lose income of £303,000, creating a cost pressure of £889,000 which will force the council to look for savings elsewhere.” 

 

Fly tipping at Priest Lane in Ripon.

Fly tipping at Priest Lane in Ripon.

Local authorities across England deal with well over a million fly-tipping incidents annually, according to government data, and it is estimated that fly-tipping and waste crime cost the economy £924m per year.

In an effort to tackle the issue, the government has consulted on reforming the waste carrier, broker, dealer regime and on introducing mandatory digital waste tracking. It is also developing a fly-tipping toolkit with the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to help spread best practice among local authorities. 

Jacob Hayler, executive director of the Environmental Services Association, the trade body representing the UK’s waste management industry, said: 

“We welcome any measures that make it easier for householders to dispose of waste correctly and responsibly at their local household waste recycling centres, which in turn reduces the chance of it falling into the hands of criminals or being fly-tipped. 

“The government clarified the law in 2015 that local taxpayers should not be charged for disposing of household waste at civic amenity sites – scrapping backdoor ‘tip taxes’. It has also repeatedly stated that councils should not be charging for such DIY household waste disposal either.” 

Incidents of fly-tipping can be reported to North Yorkshire Council via its website. 

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