Ferret Unlocked: what you missed in news last week

This past weekend, the Stray Ferret took a closer look at this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Anything that affects the town centre is always likely to divide opinion, and the Christmas Fayre is no exception. 

But what most would probably agree on is that the people of Harrogate should know what it costs to put on – and who pays. Most specifically: is the taxpayer picking up any of the tab?

John Grainger, our senior journalist, took a closer look at this question in his article this weekend, which you can read in full here.

Meanwhile, also in Harrogate, a new arts hub has opened with the aim of bringing artistic people together.

Creative Harrogate opened its doors on Thursday (December 5) at 2 Victoria Avenue and aims to be a home for creative people from all walks of life to share their ideas and work.

Our chief reporter, Calvin Robinson, paid a visit to the volunteer-led hub. You can read all about it here.

Long-standing concerns over water quality at Knaresborough Lido on the River Nidd led to it being designated bathing water status.

It meant the Environment Agency had to take 20 weekly water samples throughout the summer bathing water season and, if the quality proved to be poor, come up with an action plan.

The results are in — so what have we learned and what happens now? We took a closer look in this article.

Finally, have you spotted the new ferret in Harrogate?

Alfred is a seven-month-old ferret who lives with his owner Scott Marshall and is often seen on the Stray and in the town centre. We caught up with Scott to find out more about Harrogate’s newest ferret.

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