16
Sept
This news is good news!
We have made this story free to read, because we want to share with everyone the joyful news from around the Harrogate district. However, our subscribers fund what we do, and without them these stories would go untold. Subscribe today to fund local journalism.
One thing that comes up time and again is how depressing the news is. Countless people cite it as a reason why they no longer follow current affairs, and some outlets have even started producing good news only publications.
While we’re not going to go that far, we thought we would brighten your spirits with a roundup of recent good news stories we have covered in the last week alone.
In sporting news, Knaresborough Town AFC has signed its biggest player ever – ex-Leeds United striker Ross McCormack.
Now 40, the former captain – once worth £12 million when sold to Aston Villa in 2016 – wants to play football for fun, as well as help the younger members of the team develop.
Joint managing director Neil Reaney with Ross McCormack.
From football to cycling, a group of Harrogate riders took on the French Pyrenees, cycling a 121km route with a 3,380 metre climb.
Ten cyclists did this as part of a 600-person strong ride, joining with Harrogate’s twin town of Bagnères-de-Luchon to mark our 73-year-long relationship.
For those more into eating than sports, a major piece of good news is the most recent update on the new Gail’s store in Harrogate – its first this far north!
While an opening date is yet to be revealed, we do know what the design for the inside of the café is set to be – and there looks to be a lot of space for tasty treats.
Harrogate Gail's, which will be on James Street.
Landmark news for women’s health – a new endometriosis test is to be launched in Harrogate, using just saliva.
A private clinic will offer the test, giving patients results in just 25 days – compared to the average wait of nine years most women wait for diagnosis.
More women-centred health news, Empower Fitness Harrogate – a women’s only gym – is booming, with members of all ages and backgrounds forming a community that focuses on holistic wellbeing.
One beautiful story about the power of community is that of a cleaner who wanted to help people living with terminal illness by offering a free deep clean every month to someone from around the area.
Asking for nominations on a Facebook group led her to be inundated with offers of support from other people – from gardeners and window cleaners to bakers and nail technicians.
Cleaner Kim Roe wanted to do a good deed - and it's gone far beyond her expectations.
There’s even positive political news – shock horror!
A car that has been stuck in the River Ure, near Ripon, since Christmas Eve has finally been recovered.
Over the months the Environment Agency, North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police all passed the buck, saying it wasn’t their responsibility – but thanks to tireless work by Ripon City Council, it has now been dealt with.
And in a happy surprise for John, our editor, who was at the council meeting, the Stray Ferret was also thanked personally for our news coverage that had helped to “make a difference”.
So, as depressing as our homepage may sometimes look, with crime stories and public sector overspending – it’s not all bad news.
We try our best to get the balance right, and to cover the many good things happening around the Harrogate District. If you ever have a story – bad or good – we would love to hear from you.
We wouldn’t be able to cover the great things being done by local people without your support. Please consider subscribing today for just £4.99 a month, and if you already subscribe you can still help us by sharing our value with others.
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