Local news is brilliantly varied – as this year proved.

Between our exclusive stories, investigations, court reports and political analyses of the Harrogate district coverage, there have been plenty of lighter moments.

With 2025 drawing to a close, here's a look back at some of this year’s quirkier stories.

1. Thieves steal life-sized plastic cow in Kirkby Overblow

Theft stories are not uncommon on the Stray Ferret. But, on February 12, we reported that a life-sized plastic cow (pictured below) had been taken from a field in Kirkby Overblow.

Police said it had been stolen sometime between January 14 and 28 – yes, an entire two-week window. 

It’s unclear who the cow belonged to and whether it was ever returned to its rightful owner.

2. Lamppost becomes embroiled in bitter Ripon City Council feud

Political turmoil erupted in Ripon this year.

But the ongoing story turned surreal in November when the focus shifted to the mayoral lamppost.

A ceremonial lamp stands outside the mayor's home as part of a tradition dating back almost a century. The ornate light and post are moved each time a mayor is elected.

But the cost of relocating the lamppost became a bone of contention following the resignation of Councillor Jackie Crozier, particularly when it emerged the cost would fall on local council taxpayers.

New mayor Cllr Barbara Brodigan has proposed locating it permanently outside the town hall. A working group will investigate the option.

3. Pannal woman's keys struck by lightning

A woman from Pannal was lucky to be unharmed after a set of keys she was holding were struck by lightning. 

Anne Smith was at her home when a thunderstorm erupted on September 4.

"I was just about to open the garage door when it struck with absolutely no warning. [There was] a terrible noise and it knocked the garage keys out of my hand. Thank goodness I was standing to the side of the door, not full on, or I would have been struck", Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith went inside to make herself a coffee to get over the shock.

4. Example describes food at Sicklinghall pub as ‘absolutely bangin' bit of kit’

Musician Example raved about Sunday lunch at a pub in Sicklinghall over August bank holiday.

Example, whose real name is Elliot John Gleave, enjoyed a spot of roast beef at The Scotts Arms ahead of his performance at Leeds Festival on Sunday, August 24.

Taking to social media, the star, who boasts more than two million monthly listeners on Spotify, described the food as an “absolutely bangin’ bit of kit”.

5. Snakes escape in Knaresborough

A Knaresborough resident had a shock when she saw a South American milk snake slithering down a driveway on Stockwell Lane.

It came after a number of snakes reportedly escaped from their home in the Chain Lane area in June, which prompted Dan Holmes of Knaresborough Exotic Rescue to launch an appeal to locate the roving reptiles.

Sadly, a corn snake was run over at the time and it’s unclear how many were recovered.

6. Ripon big wheel fire labelled a ‘technical issue’

On April 7, riders on the big wheel that had been brought to the city experienced a little more excitement than expected.

Ripon Business Improvement District said on social media it had temporarily closed the big wheel due to a “technical issue”.

It turned out the ride had caught fire – the fire service later said it had responded to reports of a fire to the generator.

Fortunately there was no major damage and the wheel was back up-and-running the following day.

7. Harrogate’s speed jigsaw puzzler

We’ve all been there: someone gets a little overexcited and suddenly an innocuous board game becomes heated.

But Harrogate’s Anneka Thompson takes jigsaw puzzle-solving to a whole different level, completing them under timed conditions.

Anneka went head-to-head with other speed puzzlers on ITV’s This Morning this year, when she completed an entire puzzle in just 61 minutes.

8. Harrogate man walks out of meeting after being told to ‘tone down’ northern accent

Ollie Skinner, a former pupil at Harrogate's St Aidan’s Church of England High School, walked out of a meeting with a London PR firm when they suggested he soften his Yorkshire accent.

Ollie, who has lived in London for more than four years, said afterwards:

“It started off really well until they advised me that I should tone down my northern accent and try to speak differently…

“My response – no thanks, I left the meeting and walked out, I was very close to telling them to f**k off but had to remain semi-professional.”

A true northerner, Ollie shouted “cheers love” as he left the room.

“I’m proud to be from Harrogate in Yorkshire and I will always be my authentic self”, Ollie said on LinkedIn.