A three-week tanker operation on the River Ure near Boroughbridge has raised concerns about how well a treatment plant can cope with sewage.
Boorughbridge resident Caroline Slater contacted the Stray Ferret saying she had noticed a “raw sewage” smell when walking her dog near the river.
She attributed the smell, which she believes is due to excess sewage flowing from a wastewater treatment plant in Aldborough into the river, to recent periods of heavy rainfall, as well as “the large number of new houses built in the area”.
Ms Slater said:
“The pumping station at Boroughbridge sewage works cannot cope with the amount of sewage.
“The Ure is really polluted. Sometimes there are huge banks of foam which do not dissipate, greasy films and a smell of sewage.
“I have witnessed contractors cleaning up the riverbank areas after floods and using the river as a dumping ground for waste.
“It was really smelly down there on Saturday when there was no pumping going on. It just smelt like raw sewage.”
Ms Slater also said “tankers have been pumping sewage out from Aldborough road for the past three weeks — maybe more — and taking it away”.
She added:
“I have contacted Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency. I really am despairing. I would ideally like to get some momentum going to try to clean up the River Ure.
“Young people bathe in it at the salmon ladders in the summer, also at Ripon and Masham, further up and downstream. It isn’t safe. Nature is suffering. Nobody seems to be accountable.
“I am also extremely concerned about the continuation of house building in the area and what effect this will have on infrastructure that cannot cope. “
The Stray Ferret contacted Cllr Robert Windass, a Conservative who represents Boroughbridge and Claro on North Yorkshire Council, about the matter.
Cllr Windass said Boroughbridge Town Council shared Ms Slater’s concerns.
He added:
“I am aware that tankers are pumping out sewage from the Aldborough treatment plant and taking it to other plants. This happens when the River Ure is in flood as it has been for the past few weeks with all the rain we have had.“Certainly, the town council and many residents have expressed concern about whether the Aldborough treatment plant can cope with the increased sewage because of the number of new homes built in and around Boroughbridge. They always say that it can but when situations like this occur, we have our doubts.“Personally, I have not been downstream of the treatment plant recently, but I will make a point of doing so in the next few days.”
The Stray Ferret put Ms Slater’s concerns to Yorkshire Water and asked for confirmation on whether excess sewage is being released into the River Ure.
A spokesperson said “diluted wastewater from storm overflow” is released into the river during periods of heavy rainfall. If more rainwater is pumped into the treatment works than it is designed to handle, an excess is released into nearby rivers.
The spokesperson added:
“The storm overflow at Boroughbridge wastewater treatment works is in operation currently due to the amount of rainfall in the area recently and possible groundwater infiltration into the sewer network.
“Storm overflows are permitted by the Environment Agency and act as a relief valve during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall to prevent wastewater backing up and flooding homes and businesses.”
Yorkshire Water said the tankers were in place due to groundwater potentially infiltrating a sewer. The firm said this was also as a result of heavy rainfall and could result in wastewater escaping the network from manholes if left unmanaged.
The spokesperson added:
“Our teams are currently tankering in the area to relieve pressure on the sewer network and will be carrying out a thorough investigation of the network in the coming days to identify any possible sources of infiltration.”
The firm added the tanker was also removing some wastewater, groundwater and sewage flow from within the network and taking it to the treatment works. It said this was “taking the pressure off the sewers to prevent pollutions”.
Hot Seat: The man bringing international artists to a village near Harrogate
In June every year, something close to a miracle occurs in a small village 11 miles from Harrogate.
Major names in the international arts world converge for 10 days on Aldborough — a beautiful and historic place but hardly known for capturing the zeitgeist.
For arts lovers, however, an annual pilgrimage to the Northern Aldborough Festival has become part of the summer arts scene. They park in fields, drink Pimm’s in a churchyard marquee and get to see the kind of names who usually appear in less soulful venues in Leeds or York.
The festival, which grew out of a fundraising initiative to restore the church organ in 1994, consistently attracts major international talent.
This year’s line-up, from June 15 to 24, includes the likes of South Korean pianist Sunwook Kim, TV historian Lucy Worsley, trumpeter Matilda Lloyd and a singing competition judged by a panel that includes Dame Felicity Lott.
Lucy Worsley is among those appearing this year. Credit Hay Festival / Paul Musso
Festival director Robert Ogden, who overseas the programme, is best known locally for running Ogden of Harrogate, the fifth generation family jewellery business on James Street.
But Mr Ogden has strong credentials in the arts world: a former chorister at Westminster Cathedral Choir School in London, he completed a choral scholarship at King’s College, Cambridge before forging a successful career as a countertenor, singing around the world in major productions alongside the likes of Jose Carreras.
Since he became festival director in 2010, the festival line-up has broadened and this year includes spoken word events and jazz as well as classical music and culminates with an outdoor pop music party and fireworks in the grounds of Aldborough Manor.
Mr Ogden says the change reflects his own wide tastes but also acknowledges “we can’t rely on our core audience”.
Robert Ogden
Festival planning is year-round but he takes a two-week break from the jewellery business to focus fully on the festival in the immediate run-up.
He says things are shaping up well this year ahead of Thursday’s opening night. Asked for his personal highlights, he cites Matilda Lloyd, the opening night Haydn opera double bill, Monteverdi’s Vespers and the new £7,000 singing competition. He says:
“Of all the things we have done in the last 15 years this competition is perhaps the most exciting. I’m certain at least one or two of the semi-finalists will be household names in the next few years.
“There’s nothing a festival wants to do more than to unveil and support new talent.”
How does he persuade occasionally temperamental artists to head to the eastern side of Boroughbridge? He says it’s a combination of the festival’s reputation, the St Andrew’s Church acoustics, the setting and the welcome. Aldborough, he says, is the “perfect chamber music space” and there is something undoubtedly magical about it.
St Andrew’s Church in Aldborough
Mr Ogden says he never feels the festival is in competition with the year-round Harrogate International Festivals and thinks there is scope for another local summer arts festival “if it’s marketed well”. Besides Ryedale Festival and Swaledale Festival, competition isn’t fierce.
But it isn’t an easy time in the arts world. Brexit, he says, has denied many emerging artists the opportunities he enjoyed to develop his craft in Europe. The cost of living crisis had had an impact on ticket prices, but Mr Ogden says Aldborough hasn’t made “any major price rises”.
Future festival ideas include live streaming, although digital connectivity in the village isn’t great, and recording music under the Northern Aldborough label.
He plans to stay at the heart of things, reporting to festival chairman Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred:
“As long as I feel I still have that creative urge and impetus I will aim to do it as long as they allow me to.”
What is his message for anyone thinking of attending, perhaps for the first time?
“Aldborough is not far to drive from Harrogate. It’s an oasis of calm, the acoustics are wonderful and the welcome is wonderful. Try something new.”
Further information on the Northern Aldborough Festival is available here.
Northern Aldborough Festival reveals 2023 line-upAn appearance by TV historian Lucy Worsley will be among the highlights of this year’s Northern Aldborough Festival.
The line-up for the nine-day festival, which is one of the annual highlights of the Harrogate district arts scene, was revealed today.
Ms Worsley will give a talk on crime writer Agatha Christie on June 19.
Trumpeter Matilda Lloyd, pianist Sunwook Kim and the Armonico Consort will also head to the Roman village for the festival, which runs from June 15 to 24.
Now in its 29th year, the event offers audiences the chance to experience performances normally seen in the world’s biggest concert halls in a rural village setting.
Tickets went on sale for Friends of the Festival today and will be available to the wider public on March 27.
BBC Young Musician of the Year brass winner, trumpet-player Matilda Lloyd will perform a programme from Italian Opera.
Matilda Lloyd. Pic credit: Benjamin Ealovega
The first Asian winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, Sunwook Kim will play Beethoven’s final sonatas in St Andrew’s Church.
There will be a rare double bill of Haydn’s comedies, The Diva and The Apothecary, presented by the nationally-renowned, Bampton Classical Opera company.
This year also includes the inaugural New Voices Competition, a nationwide hunt for the best classical vocal talent.
Festival director Robert Ogden outside St Andrew’s Church
The jazz ensemble, The Tim Kliphuis Sextet, will perform at the Old Hall in North Deighton and the vocal ensemble, Armonico Consort, will perform Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 in St Andrew’s Church.
Further details are available here.
Harrogate district festival launches £7,000 search for classical singers
A leading Harrogate district arts festival has launched a nationwide search to find and reward talented young classical singers.
The Northern Aldborough Festival’s New Voices Singing Competition offers a prize fund of £7,000.
The winners will also receive performance opportunities at leading UK music festivals, including Leeds Lieder, Newbury Spring Festival, Ryedale Festival and Music@Malling, as well as the Northern Aldborough Festival itself.
The judging panel includes Dame Felicity Lott, one of Britain’s leading sopranos,
Robert Ogden, the festival’s artistic director, said:
“Hundreds of young singers graduate every year with dreams and aspirations to become professionals, but the majority have to seek temporary work while they build their careers.
“A competition success can be a turning point for a young artist. Our festival has, from its inception, strived to support and nurture young talent.”
The winner will receive The Seastock Trust Prize of £5,000, with a second prize of £1,500 from The Yorkshire Music Future Fund, and a third, audience prize of £500.
St Andrew’s Church in Aldborough hosts many of the festival events.
The competition is open to solo singers and ensembles of up to eight performers, and celebrates classical vocalism in all its forms. It is open to vocalists aged 21-32 years-old. Deadline for entries is Friday 14 April, 2023.
Mr Ogden, who is also an opera singer, said:
“At a time when the arts sector — particularly opera — has faced funding cuts, we feel a competition to help launch singing careers is of its time. What’s more, there are very few significant open vocal competitions north of London.”
The judging panel also includes the artistic director of The Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn, director of Leeds Lieder, Joseph Middleton, and artistic director of the Northern Aldborough Festival, Robert Ogden. The panel is chaired by Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred, chairman of the Northern Aldborough Festival.
The semi-final and grand-final will be performed live to audiences at the end of this year’s Northern Aldborough Festival, which is hosted in the North Yorkshire village from Thursday 15 to Saturday 24 June 2023.
It will be the 29th festival and highlights include trumpet star and winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year, 26-year-old Matilda Lloyd and the youngest winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition for 40 years, Sunwook Kim.
Crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe resigns from Harrogate Borough Council
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has resigned as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council.
The news has not been publicly announced yet. However, the council’s website confirms she is no longer a councillor.
The Stray Ferret was alerted to the news by another councillor and has attempted to contact Ms Metcalfe directly, as well as the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Harrogate Borough Council for further details. So far only Harrogate Borough Council has replied to clarify there won’t be a by-election.
A spokesman said:
“Under the terms of the Structural Changes Order we are unable to run by-elections to fill vacancies arising after September 30, unless the total number of unfilled vacancies exceeds one third of the whole number of members. Therefore there will not be a by-election for this seat.”
Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative, was elected to the £74,000 commissioner’s role in November last year after her predecessor Philip Allott resigned.
At the time she represented Claro on Harrogate Borough Council and Knaresborough on North Yorkshire County Council.
She did not seek re-election to the county council in May’s local elections but retained her borough council seat. Her departure today comes four months to the day before the borough council is abolished to make way for the new North Yorkshire Council.
Ms Metcalfe has strong local connections: she was born in Ripon and now lives in Aldborough, near Boroughbridge.
She joined the Conservatives in 2014 and has twice stood unsuccessfully for Parliament: first in Doncaster Central and then in Leeds West.
A fire service review she led this year generated controversy because of its decision to reduce the number of fire engines stationed at Harrogate from two to one overnight.
Firefighters tackle field fire in AldboroughFire crews were called to a bale and field on fire in Aldborough yesterday.
Pictures released by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue show crews tackling the blaze at 11.49am.
Fire crews from Knaresborough, Ripon, Wetherby and the water bowser from Tadcaster stopped the spread of the fire and extinguished the baler.
The fire spread from the baler to the stubble field measuring approximately 10 acres, according to the service’s fire log.
Firefighters have urged people to be vigilant during the soaring temperatures this week to prevent the spread of fires near farmland.
Firefighters tackling the field fire in Aldborough. Picture: Knaresborough Fire Station.
This includes discarding of cigarettes properly, not using disposable barbecues near crops, checking straw and hay bales which can overheat and keeping farm machinery in good working order.
Last month, Harrogate firefighters tackled five field fires during the hottest day of the year.
Crews were called to battle blazes at Forest Lane in Harrogate and Marton-cum-Grafton among others.
Four traditional pubs to visit in the Harrogate district
A new generation of drinkers are being drawn to craft beer and cocktail bars, sparking a decline in traditional pubs.
And while many of us love a good Negroni or an IPA, you can’t beat a good old fashioned British boozer.
Fortunately we are still blessed’ with some excellent ones in the Harrogate district.
We asked our readers for their favourites. Here are four of them:
Reputedly, the oldest pub in Harrogate has a history going back to the earliest days of the town’s emergence as a leading spa resort.
Originating as one of the first inns for spa visitors after sulphur wells were first established in the mid-18th century, sulphur springs still flow beneath the cellar and the distinctive odours occasionally percolate up to the bar area.
The premises were rebuilt circa 1827 and known as The Promenade Inn. At this time it was said to be a most successful coaching inn. It was enlarged in 1856 and known as Hodgson’s until 1882, when William Hales became the landlord.
The interior decor is reflective of the pub’s long history, with mirrors and fittings from the Victorian era, including traditional gas lighting and cigar lighters.
Stray Ferret reader Richard Dunston Brady said:
“Hales, is the best traditional pub for charm, atmosphere, friendly staff and a well pulled pint.”
Hales Bar, 1-3 Crescent Road, Harrogate, HG1 2RS
The One-Eyed Rat is a traditional pub, famous for its old fashioned charm.
It can be found on Allhallowgate, one of the oldest parts of Ripon.
A real ale destination over many decades, the One Eyed Rat was refurbished and re-opened under new management in the summer of 2020.
A Grade II listed building set within a terrace of 200-year-old houses, its narrow frontage leads to a warm and welcoming hostelry.
The pub has a long, narrow interior with traditional seating and an open fire, and there is a large garden at the rear, including a covered area.
You can also enjoy a traditional pie and a pint.
The historic building dates back to 1340 and goes back several centuries as an inn.
It was almost certainly known as the Ship in the 17th century, as there is a token copper coin in existence, dated 1671, which shows a ship in full sale with the inscription “John Briggs in Aldborough his half penny”.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January following a fire. They have served many high-profile guests, including Prince William and Harry.
The traditional country pub in the Roman town of Aldborough is well-known for Brian’s Yorkshire puddings and ‘real gravy’.
Low Rd, Aldborough, YO51 9ER
Get set for melting ice creams, home-grown marrows, dog shows and death-defying display teams… the village show season is about to begin.
After two covid-ruined years, these quintessentially British events are returning to the Harrogate district.
The Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, which includes a Lancaster bomber fly past and dancing differs, takes place today and tomorrow.
The action comes thick and fast then. Here’s what’s happening.
The show at Newby Hall celebrates its 107th anniversary this year.
It will feature Yorkshire produce, crafts and livestock as well as attractions and events ranging from dog, cattle and sheep showing classes to horse, pony and donkey events and hay making demonstrations.
There will be crafts, cream teas, heavy horses, baking, handicrafts, horticulture, flower arranging, photography and farm produce.
Aldborough and Boroughbridge Show.
The grand ring will host children’s races, terrier racing always and a dog show.
Catherine Park Peyton, chair of the show:
“Our show is one of the biggest community events in the area and we are very pleased to work in partnership with Newby Hall where the parkland provides the perfect backdrop for a country show.”
The village show in Nidderdale will be staged for the first time in three years.
The highlights include a bicycle display team, Pete White and his Suitcase Circus, dog agility classes, a pony show and a dog show.
First held in 1867, it is one of the mainstays of the show season.
Weeton Show, which was created just after the Second World War, was one of the few to take place last year and was rewarded with a huge turnout.
This year’s event features Dangerous Steve in the main ring, terrier racing, vintage tractors and a farrier demonstration.
Tockwith Show will return for 2022 in August.
The show features plenty of agriculture and horticultural attractions. There is also a sheep show, a farmers market and working crafts.
Tockwith Show 2019 pic credit: Steve Ross
The show, which dates back to 1945, takes place on Cattal Moor Lane in Tockwith.
The show, initially held in 1849, will be staged for the first time in three years.
Among this year’s attractions are Savage Skills, who are the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike and BMX stunt team.
There are also jumping classes, fancy dress, vintage machines and dog classes which include dog agility, companion dog and friends show, terrier racing, gun dog retrieve and sheep dogs.
Ripley Show is traditionally held on the second Sunday in August at Ripley Castle Park.
It is organised by Ripley and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show Ltd, a member of the Yorkshire Federation of Show Societies.
The Annual Nidderdale Show, held in the picturesque surrounds of Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge, is one of the county’s foremost agricultural shows.
It regularly attracts crowds of 15,000 and traditionally marks the end of the agricultural show season.
World-class opera singers to perform in Aldborough tomorrowWorld-class opera singers used to performing in New York and Paris will be at the picture-perfect village of Aldborough for a production of Handel’s Theodora tomorrow evening.
The performance will take place on the opening day of the two-week Northern Aldborough Festival, which hosts some huge names in jazz, opera and pop music.
Theodora will be the biggest performance in the festival’s 29-year history and will be performed in the 14th century St Andrew’s Church, which is rich in history.
The Stray Ferret dropped in on rehearsals at the church this morning and met Robert Ogden, the festival’s director.
He said:
“There isn’t a huge amount up north where you can go to a small rural community like Aldborough and hear world class artists that have just stepped off platforms in London, Paris or New York.
“You can get very close. Some stages are bigger than this church, so you’re right in the thick of it hearing these world class performances.”
Theodora is being played by soprano Fflur Wyn and directed by Joe Austin, whose recent credits include Katya Kabanova at the Royal Opera House.
It will include a line-up of soloists, chorus and orchestra under the baton of Baroque specialist, Julian Perkins.
Mr Ogden called the opera “a tragic tale”.
“It’s about persecution and a small sect of Christians in Pagan times that are in hiding practicing their religion. There’s an edict from the emperor that says anyone who doesn’t worship the pagan god will be killed.
“It does take quite a dark turn but it’s very moving. It’s about a noblewoman called Theodora who is very devout and a young Roman soldier who who wants to rescue her.”
The festival, near Boroughbridge, will also include an appearance by the British bass, Sir John Tomlinson, who will star in a new opera by John Casken based on Shakespeare’s King Lear.
There will also be performances from Blur’s Britpop rebel rock star turned cheesemaker, Alex James, and classical guitar player Sean Shibe.
Other acts include an evening of jazz by Claire Martin and clarinetists Julian Bliss performing with leading pianist James Baillieu. Clare Hammond, a leading light on the UK piano scene, will play Schubert, Stravinsky and Schumann.
As well as established names, the festival supports young talent. It hosts a Young Artists Showcase, as well as the upcoming harp and saxophone duo, The Polaris Duo.
On the final evening, the grounds of Aldborough Manor will be opened for the festival finale, an outdoor concert with fireworks that often attracts around 1,000 people.
The last night concert features Harrogate-born vocalist Alex Denny of The Big Cheese, with high-voltage pop and rock covers, supported by So 80s, who set a light show to 80s tracks.
To book tickets for Theodora or any of the other events visit here.
The Ship Inn near Boroughbridge to reopen after serious fireThe Ship Inn will re-open its doors tomorrow, after a fire damaged the pub last October.
The fire, at the pub in Aldborough, was started by a washing machine and caused extensive damage. The restoration has cost £500,000 and the pub is now larger with enough seating to accommodate up to 200 people inside and outdoors.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January.
Brian said:
“It’s been amazing the response we’ve had from the community and our staff. We had 16 staff members and they all wanted to stay on, which I have to say was quite moving.
“We now can seat around 200 people throughout the garden and pub. We now have wi-fi outside and a second card machine to bring outside. We’ve also now bought a new pizza oven.”
Last October, the pub set on fire through an electrical fault with a washing machine. The emergency services were called when a fire alarm sounded at 2am.
Brian spoke about his experience when the pub set alight. He said:
“It was hardly believable, I thought I was hallucinating. When we called 999, five fire engines turned up. We were told that if we ingested smoke for another ten minutes we wouldn’t be here today.
The store room after the fire
“We just stuck some face masks on and I knew we needed to get out of there.
“After the fire, we had no heating so we spent a lot of time in bed, simply to get warm. We had one electric heater plugged in and that’s it.”
Read more:
Brian and Elaine have seen many high-profile guests to their pubs, including Prince William and Harry, as well as Gordon Ramsay.
The couple’s old pub, The Fenwick Arms, was featured on an episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares in 2006. In the episode Gordon said he had ‘a lot of respect’ for Brian, as well as claiming that their Yorkshire puddings were ‘excellent.’
The episode led Gordon and Brian to set up a ‘Real Gravy’ campaign, which was created to promote Brian’s gravy and Sunday roast.
“I’ve had five million emails about the Real Gravy campaign and I’ll never be able to get through all of them,” Brian said.
