Free Digital Marketing Conference to drive up sales and visibility online

Decision-makers from across the district’s business community will be given the key to boosting their online impact this autumn, at the Stray Ferret’s first ever Digital Marketing Conference. 

The free, day-long event will include expert speakers from across the industry, addressing topics including paying to boost social media posts, increasing sales and measuring return on investment. 

The day will be compered by the Stray Ferret’s founder, Tamsin O’Brien. She said: 

“If you’re in business, you cannot afford to ignore the power of digital marketing – because you can be sure your competitors won’t. But many of us weren’t born to it, and for some, it’s completely unknown territory – and that’s where the experts come in. 

“Fortunately, we have a lot of them right here in our district – there’s a lot of know-how in Yorkshire – so we’re bringing together some of the best for the very first time.  

“The Stray Ferret Digital Marketing Conference is a must for anyone in business who’s serious about raising their profile, developing their reputation, engaging customers, or increasing sales.” 

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Tamsin, who was formerly head of BBC Yorkshire, will also be hosting a Q&A session with media-savvy local businesses including: The Glam Hut and Best Kept Secret 

The speakers are scheduled for half-hour sessions and visitors can see as many as they like throughout the day.  

The Stray Ferret’s first ever Digital Marketing Conference is sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison. It will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Pavilions of Harrogate, from 9.30am. 

For a full schedule of speakers and sessions, and to register for a place, go to our dedicated Digital Marketing Conference page. 

 

Grade II listed 17th century home for sale in Boroughbridge

An historic grade II listed mansion house in Boroughbridge has gone on the market with an asking price of £3 million.

Boroughbridge Hall is in the centre of the town and is believed to date back to the time of James II.

Its royal links do not end there, however, as its marketing documents explain:

“The house itself dates back to the late 17th century, during the short reign of King James II, and is grade II listed.

“The current owner recently granted the grounds of Boroughbridge Hall use by the reigning British monarch for ceremonial purposes, evidence of the property’s regional status.”

Boroughbridge Hall's sitting room

It has been brought to the market by estate agency Croft, based near York.

Sales negotiator Sarah Weston said:

“When you go through the gates, you are right on the market square – it’s very handy but very, very private.

“The current owners have been there for 20 years. It has been a wonderful family home and now it’s open for a new family to take control and use it like they have.”

The house has has five bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a separate studio and en suite shower room attached to the large garage.

It has planning permission for the studio to be extended into an open barn which lies behind the garage.

Outside, the grounds extend to more than three acres and include fishing rights, as well as woodland, three paddocks and a tennis court.

Boroughbridge Hall's kitchen

Though the house is historic, the agent said it has been remodelled and maintained with many of its historic features still in place. The particulars say:

“Boroughbridge Hall dates from the 1680s with the front porch added in 1830. It was remodelled in 1947 to reduce its height from three storeys to two.

“Many fine architectural features remain including tall sash windows and bays, wall panelling, architraves, cornicing, fireplaces, panelled doors, cast iron column radiators and a superb rebuilt oak staircase faithfully following a seventeenth century design.”

Ms Weston said while Boroughbridge Hall is an unusual property to come to the market, Croft is often asked to take on the marketing of large and historic houses.

It is also advertising Littlethorpe Hall near Ripon for sale at offers over £2.25 million. The Victorian building sits in more than 13 acres of grounds, with a separate lodge house and its own chapel.

She added:

“With houses like these, you never know who’s going to buy it.

“It could be a tech genius who’s earned millions and wants a quiet life somewhere, or a family sizing up gradually, moving bigger and bigger.

“There was a massive splurge of people moving up to Yorkshire after covid. Some have decided there’s not enough up here for them, but some are still doing it.

“People can afford more here, but still be in London in a couple of hours. We’ve got the best of every world.”

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Former deputy head of boarding at Harrogate district private school guilty of 43 sex offences against pupils

WARNING: This story contains details of sexual offences that some people may find upsetting.

A former deputy head of boarding and charity boss at a private school in the Harrogate district has been found guilty of more than 40 sexual offences against female pupils.

Alexander Charles Ralls, 47, was also a deputy child protection officer at Queen Ethelburga’s School at the time of the offences.

He was accused of sexually abusing 20 girls over a three-year period and charged with 48 separate offences including 37 sexual assaults and 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He denied all the allegations. 

Yesterday, a jury found him guilty of all but four of the offences following a four-week trial at Bradford Crown Court. 

Mr Hampton said:

“The defendant had a sexual interest in pre-pubescent and adolescent children and teenagers.

“He had the opportunity to pursue that interest and commit the offences because of who he was and the job he held.

“Alexander Charles Ralls was a fraud. He would deceive the girls into believing that his touching of them, or other activity, was a necessary and legitimate medical procedure. In fact, it was not. 

“His actions were driven… by his own sexual motivation and interest. He is a fraud not only in the manner in which he committed the offences; he is a fraud in the way in which he presented himself to the outside world.”

Mr Hampton said that before the offences came to light, Ralls, who ran his own charity, was regarded as a “man of unquestionable good, if not impeccable, character”.

He was deputy head of boarding for four years and, up until his dismissal in December 2015, was the school’s deputy designated safeguarding officer. 

Ralls, who lived in a flat in a female boarding house on the school premises, was also a qualified first aider at Queen Ethelburga’s, known colloquially as ‘QE’. 

He ran his own charity called Affecting Real Change (ARC) which “advanced the education and training of children, young people and adults”. 

Complaints over Ralls’s behaviour

In November 2015, one of the victims made a complaint to the school about Ralls’s behaviour.

Ralls was suspended pending an investigation which found he had allowed pupils into his private quarters at Ethelburga’s which was against school policy. He was ultimately dismissed for “gross misconduct and inappropriate behaviour”.

The girl’s mother was told by the school that the matter would be passed on to the “relevant authorities”, but “nothing more seemed to come of matters” until a separate complaint was made to police by another child.

Police launched an investigation when more girls, now adults, spoke to officers about Ralls’s predatory and “weird” behaviour.

One of the abused girls said that “everyone loved Mr Ralls at that time” and that was the reason they didn’t initially make a complaint.

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The jury found Ralls guilty of 43 of the 47 charges involving almost all the 20 girls who made complaints. He will be sentenced on July 28. 

The conviction comes after the school’s former owner and ex-chairman of governors Brian Martin was jailed for more than three years in 2021 for sexually abusing two pupils. 

The “predatory paedophile”, who was 71 years old at the time of his trial at Leeds Crown Court, was convicted of indecently assaulting one pupil and sexually assaulting another.

Martin, of Ferrensby, Knaresborough, who had bought Queen Ethelburga’s and moved it from Harrogate to Thorpe Underwood, was cleared of six other child-sexual-abuse allegations at a previous trial in 2018.

Labour overturns huge Tory majority to win Selby and Ainsty by-election

Labour has overturned the largest ever Conservative majority to win the Selby and Ainsty by-election.

In a historic night, Keir Mather defeated Conservative Claire Holmes to become the youngest MP in parliament.

Mr Mather also becomes the first ever Labour MP to be elected in a constituency that includes part of the Harrogate district.

The result was announced shortly after 4am this morning. The turnout was 45%.

Mr Mather received 16,456 votes while Ms Holmes polled 12,295 votes. Green Party candidate Arnold Warneken was third, ahead of Liberal Democrat Matt Walker.

Mr Mather said:

“I want to begin my time as your MP by being very clear: I understand the enormity of what has just happened, I know what an honour this is, and I am humbled by this opportunity to serve.

“We have re-written the rules on where Labour can win.”

The by-election was caused by the resignation of Nigel Adams.

The full results are:

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Harrogate heavyweights out in force at Selby by-election

The by-election may have been in Selby and Ainsty, but the battleground at the count extended to Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Several local political heavyweights were at Selby Leisure Centre in the early hours of this morning, whispering to colleagues in huddles while circling their political enemies.

With Labour expected to win, the political chat was as much about the race to become the first mayor of York and North Yorkshire next year and the Conservatives’ efforts to maintain control of North Yorkshire Council.

Shortly before 1am BBC News interviewed Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who said Rishi Sunak’s five pledges had chimed with people in his constituency despite these being tough times.

Asked whether the Tories could hold the seat won by Nigel Adams with a 20,000 majority in 2019, he said he travelled hopefully, deftly avoiding a prediction.

The count in full swing at Selby Leisure Centre.

Shortly afterwards Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat who will try to stop Mr Jones making it five in a row at the next general election made an appearance on Sky News.

Kirk Hammerton’s Nick Palmer, one of three Independent candidates standing yesterday, cursed the ‘London media’ for failing to reply to any of their requests for coverage. He told the Stray Ferret:

“They give us wall to wall coverage of Nigel Farage and Huw Edwards and nobody up here gives a damn about that.”

Fellow independent Andrew Gray, from Harrogate, was too unwell to attend. Pateley Bridge man Keith Tordoff, who is standing as an independent at next year’s mayoral election, represented him.

Acting returning officer Richard Flinton announces the turnout was 45%.

The Official Monster Raving Loony party contingent included a dummy but even their humour was beginning to wear thin as the night wore on.

Finally, at just after 4am, Clare Granger, the Birstwith-based North Yorkshire high sheriff rose to announce the result. Neither Labour candidate Keir Mather nor Conservative hopeful Claire Holmes made an appearance until just before that moment.

Clare Granger

Ms Granger had half-joked earlier that she couldn’t fluff her lines because any error announcing the results could only be remedied through the courts.

The unexpected Tory triumph in Uxbridge and South Ruislip led to speculation that the Tories could pull off a second win. But in the end Mr Mather, 25, won comfortably with 16,456 votes compared with Ms Holmes’ 12,295.

Green candidate Arnold Warneken, looking dapper with flowers grown in Little Ouseburn on his jacket, was third, overcoming Lib Dem Matt Walker.

By the time it was all over, the sun was coming up but the shadows had lengthened over the Conservatives in the run-up to the next general election.

Matt Walker

Reduction in Harrogate fire engines to begin next year

The reduction in the number of fire engines based in Harrogate overnight is expected to take effect next year.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe announced the move last year as part of her three-year fire service blueprint on how resources would be deployed in the county.

The reduction, which is part of a shift towards fire prevention, prompted widespread concerns about safety, particularly life-threatening delays at Starbeck level crossing if a second fire engine were required in an emergency.

Conservative Ms Metcalfe also agreed to reduce the number of overnight fire engines at Scarborough and to have on-call rather than full-time firefighters at Huntington, near York.

Harrogate fire station

Harrogate fire station

Her draft fire and rescue annual report for 2022/23, which was discussed by a panel today, says North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is consulting with trade unions around the implementation of the changes to Huntington station.

The report adds this is expected to be finalised by the end of the year then ‘Harrogate will form the second phase of implementation’.

Harrogate firefighters affected will be redeployed to other stations or roles, including fire prevention roles.

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Harrogate and Scarborough will have two larger emergency rescue fire engines during daytime, when most fires occur. They currently have one of these and one smaller tactical response appliance. Her report says:

“This will increase the capacity and capability to respond to an emergency when demand is at its greatest, improve resilience across the service area and increase the opportunity to undertake prevention and protection activities during these hours.

“This change will take place at Harrogate first and, on completion of a full review of the implementation of the change, be extended to Scarborough.”

An ambulance waiting at Starbeck level crossing — there are fears this will happen more frequently to fire engines under the changes.

Councillor Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone on North Yorkshire Council, said the changes were putting people “at risk”.

She added:

“I totally support the emphasis on prevention but we still need to make sure that if accidents and incidents happen we have the right response with the appropriate number of fire engines and firemen.

“The government should set a standard service per head of population. Our Residents should get the service they pay for not a reduced service.”

Harrogate council staff strike averted after low ballot turnout

Harrogate council staff at North Yorkshire Council will not strike after there was a lower turnout in a ballot than what is legally required for industrial action.

Unison, which also represents school workers in the county, balloted members over pay for six weeks this summer.

The union argued council staff have lost 25% from their pay when measured against the retail price index, which is a measure of inflation, over the last 12 years.

It was asking for a pay rise of 2% above the RPI for 2023, which would have resulted in an increase of 12.7% per employee.

However, the the National Joint Council for local government services, which determines pay for council workers, has offered a flat rate increase of £1,925.

Despite 75% of members voting in favour of strike action there was a turnout of 31%, lower than the 50% required to implement a strike.

David Houlgate, Unison branch secretary for Harrogate, said there has been a “chronic underfunding” of local government for over a decade. 

He said:

“Due to anti-trade union laws, we can only take industrial action in employers where we achieve a turnout of 50% or more (with a majority voting for action). We passed this turnout threshold in a number of employers but clearly not enough.

“The irony is that in many local elections councillors get elected on similar turnouts, but the Trade Union Act 2016 blocks pro-strike majority votes for action by insisting on a 50% minimum turnout.

“Strike action is always a last resort of course but is on the increase due to the cost of living crisis and year on year real terms pay cuts because wage increases do not match the rate of inflation.

“There has been chronic underfunding in local government now for the past 13 years impacting on service provision and leading to a recruitment and retention crisis. This is set to continue as long as pay continues to fall in real terms.”

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‘Highly ambitious’ village school near Ripon rated ‘outstanding’

A village primary school near Ripon has been graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in its latest report.

Dishforth Airfield Primary School was praised across the board by inspectors, who described the school community as  “safe, happy and highly ambitious”.

In the report, published this week, they said:

“Pupils thrive at this exceptional school. Staff expectations for pupils’ behaviour and achievement are very high. Pupils behave extremely well in lessons and are highly enthusiastic about their learning. They talk confidently about what they know and take pride in their work.

“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported and make excellent progress. Staff know how to get the best out of every child.”

While visiting the school last month, inspectors noted that many of the pupils had a parent or carer serving in the armed forces.

They found pupils were “extremely well supported” with this, including through a club for them to join while their parents were deployed overseas.

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The early years provision was described as “superb”, while curriculum planning throughout the school was “extremely well thought through”.

Inspectors praised pupils’ behaviour across the school, as well as their understanding of life in modern Britain.

The report added:

“The leadership team is deeply committed to providing pupils with the very best curriculum and pastoral care. Governors are experts in education. They support and challenge leaders to continually develop the school.

“Teachers describe a supportive ethos. Workload is well managed. Leaders ensure that staff access high-quality training and coaching. Subject leaders receive very effective support. They are confident in their roles. There are regular opportunities for collaborative working.”

The school, which has around 100 pupils aged from three to 11, was rated ‘outstanding’ at its last full inspection in 2015. However, Ofsted has since changed the way it grades schools meaning fewer are now achieving the top rating.

Its leaders have welcomed the latest report, saying it puts Dishforth Airfield Primary School among only 17% of previously ‘outstanding’ schools to maintain that rating.

Headteacher Julie Lyon said:

“The inspector’s judgement is testament to the hard work, determination and commitment shown by all the staff at the school as well as the governors which in turn enables the children to flourish.”

Chair of governors Jim Brown added:

“It is a fantastic result for the whole school. A testimony to the hard work, dedication and teamwork of everyone involved including our excellent pupils over a number of years. Results like this do not happen overnight.

“Let’s hope everybody can look forward to the summer break with a smile on their face and a spring in their step and come back in September refreshed and ready to continue where they left off.”

Appeal after e-bike stolen in Boroughbridge

Police are appealing for information after an e-bike was stolen from a street near the centre of Boroughbridge.

The red and black Ersin mountain bike, which has hub motors in both the pedals and rear wheel, was taken from St Helena between 11pm on Saturday, July 15 and 5am on Sunday, July 16.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option four, and use reference 12230132029.

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Voters head to the polls for Selby and Ainsty by-election

Voters will head to the polls this morning as a by-election is held in Selby and Ainsty.

The election was called after former Conservative cabinet minister, Nigel Adams, resigned with immediate effect in June.

The constituency’s northern border includes Harrogate district areas such as Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston.

A total of 13 candidates have been confirmed for the contest. The full list is below:

Voters are reminded that the by-election is the first to be held in North Yorkshire where ID will be required at the voting booth.

Acceptable forms of ID include photocard driving licences, UK passports, and bus passes for older or disabled people.

Polls for the by-election will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

You can find your nearest polling station by entering your postcode on the North Yorkshire Council website here.

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