The Harrogate community figures we loved and lost in 2023

Whether you feel the past year has been unfairly hard or gratifyingly rewarding, we are all losers in one sense.  

2023 has seen the deaths of some of the most prominent figures in our community, and we are all left poorer by their absence. 

Here we take a look back at some of the brightest lights that went out in the worlds of business, politics and sport. 

Baroness Masham 

Baroness Masham (main picture) was a Paralympian medallist, disability rights campaigner, and the longest-serving female member the House of Lords has ever seen. 

Born Susan Sinclair on April 14, 1935, she became a wheelchair-user after injuring her spinal cord in a riding accident in 1958. 

In 1959 she married David Cunliffe-Lister, who became Earl of Swinton in 1972, to become Lady Masham. 

She served as a cross-bench peer for 53 years after becoming Baroness Masham of Ilton in 1970. 

Baroness Masham won medals in swimming and table tennis at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Paralympic games. 

In 1974 she founded the Spinal Injuries Association and remained its president until her death. 

She belonged to various parliamentary committees and last spoke in the House of Lords on February 2 this year.  

Baroness Masham was the aunt of Mark Cunliffe-Lister, the 4th Earl of Swinton and husband of Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, North Yorkshire councillor for the Masham and Fountains division.

She died aged 87 at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton on Sunday, March 12, 2023. 

Guy Tweedy, a Harrogate thalidomide campaigner and trustee of Disability Action Yorkshire, said: 

“Baroness Masham was a formidable woman. She was a trailblazer for disability rights, along with Lord Morris of Manchester and Baron Ashley of Stoke. 

“Without the work of those three we wouldn’t be where we are today with disability rights.”

George Dunnington

George Dunnington was life president of Harrogate Town AFC and had been involved with the club for seven decades when he died this summer. 

Mr Dunnington, 86, was first involved with the club as a player in the 1950s. 

When his playing days ended in the 1980s he helped the club build a new stand, floodlights, terracing, turnstiles and changing rooms with a team of workers. 

A photo of George Dunnington, who died in 2023.

George Dunnington.

Mr Dunnington was chairman from 1986 to 1998, and was then elected club president in 2012/13, before becoming one of the inaugural inductees in the club’s Hall of Fame in February 2023. 

He died on Sunday, August 20, 2023. 

The club said in a statement: 

“George was an inspiration to everyone at the club, his positivity, friendly nature and determination leaving a lasting legacy at the club he dedicated such a big part of his life to.”

David Kitching

David Kitching, who founded the Harrogate firm Kitching Plant Hire, died in August, aged 80. 

David, who was born in Bridlington and brought up in Pateley Bridge, founded the firm as D&S Kitching with wife Shirley in 1967. 

The company began operating out of a small yard and workshop in Darley, where the couple lived. After a stint at Hookstone Park in Harrogate in the early 1990s, it moved to its present location, the former Harrogate bus depot on Camwal Road in Starbeck, in the early 2000s. 

A composite image of David Kitching, founder of Kitching Plant Hire, on the left, and on the right, one of his company's diggers.

David Kitching.

The firm now employs about 20 staff and has more than 400 machines for hire, including diggers, rollers and cement mixers. 

David stepped back from day-to-day involvement with the company a few years ago.

Mr Kitching’s funeral in Birstwith was followed by a celebration of his life at the Wellington Inn in Darley, where guests wore a hint of yellow as a nod to the yellow machinery that contributed so much to Mr Kitching’s life.

Charles Smailes

Charles Smailes was one of the most recognised and well-respected figures in Harrogate estate agency. 

The third of four sons of former Yorkshire and England cricketer Frank Smailes and Dorothy Smailes (née Stubbs), Charles Richard Rex Smailes started his property career in 1963.  

Over the course of 57 years, he made an indelible mark on the property industry, not least by co-founding Feather Smailes Scales (FSS), on Raglan Street, with Jim Feather and Peter Scales in 1994. FSS continues to thrive, now under the stewardship of his son Richard Smailes, along with partners Simon Croft and Dan Brumfitt. 

A photo of Charles Smailes, who died in 2023.

Charles Smailes.

Charles was elected President of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) in 2006 and played a pivotal role in the creation and implementation of the National Federation of Property Professionals (now PropertyMark), a professional body committed to upholding the standards of property agents across the UK. 

He served as an adviser to the then Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, and even lectured in property auctioneering at the NAEA headquarters in Warwick. 

Charles also became a familiar face on BBC TV’s “Homes Under the Hammer“, sharing his expertise with a broader audience. 

In partnership with Stanley and Audrey Burton, he was instrumental in founding the Harrogate Families Housing Association (now Harrogate Housing Association) in 1968 and led it for more than 25 years, helping to provide high-quality accommodation to vulnerable homeless families in the district. 

Charles died on Monday, October 9, 2023. 

In a website obituary, FSS described Charles as “a true leader and visionary whose impact on Harrogate’s estate agency community will be felt for generations to come”. 

Sylvia Grice 

Over the course of half a century, Sylvia Grice taught an estimated 250,000 people to swim, including Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher.

Sylvia, who lived in Littlethorpe, near Ripon, devoted much of her life to teaching people to swim in a city that has three rivers and a canal. She was awarded an MBE in 2010 and given the Freedom of the City of Ripon in 2019. 

Sylvia learned to swim when she was 15 and got married to husband Jim at the age of 20. 

It was when she used to take her daughters, Helen and Alison, to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths that she caught the eye of the manager Fred Windsor, who encouraged her to become a qualified swimming teacher. 

A photo of Sylvia Grice, who died in 2023.

Sylvia Grice.

She went on to become an Amateur Swimming Association (now Swim England) tutor and a Fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers, and used her qualifications to teach people of all ages and abilities to swim – including her own mother-in-law.

She taught people to swim at Ripon Grammar School and at Ashville College in Harrogate, where she set up Triton Swimmers, and also found time to run the Spa Gardens café, be an active member of Ripon Lions, and raise money for numerous charitable causes. 

When Sylvia died aged 90 on Monday, October 30, 2023, hundreds of people from across Ripon and far beyond paid tribute. One called her: 

“One of the most incredible and impactful women I have ever had the joy to meet.” 

Another said simply: 

“What a Ripon legend.” 

Ian Audsley

Ian Audsley was one of the best-known butchers in the Harrogate area.  

He launched his business in 1970, and his shop on St Winifred’s Avenue West, JE Audsley Family Butcher, became of one of the best-regarded butcher’s shops in the region.  

Photo of Ian Audsley, a well-known Harrogate butcher who has died.

Ian Audsley in his shop, with son John second from right.

Now run by his son, John, it continues to command loyalty among many of its clientele. 

Ian died aged 84 on Monday, December 11, 2023. 

A notice issued by his family said:  

“Ian’s impact extends far beyond the business he founded; it encompasses the relationships he nurtured, the moments he shared, and the lives he touched.

“His genuine kindness, infectious spirit, and commitment to community service have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

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North Yorkshire fire service adds motorbike to vehicle fleet

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has acquired a new motorbike to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the county’s roads.

Volunteers from the service will ride the vehicle, known as FireBike, to biker hotspots where they will speak to motorcyclists about road safety.

Statistics show motorbikes make up less than 7% of all traffic in the county but 26% of incidents where somebody is killed or seriously injured.

The new initiative will operate alongside the Biker Down courses run by the fire and rescue service. This free course delivers first aid advice, road, and rider safety for motorcyclists at numerous locations across North Yorkshire.

Andy Creasey, the Firebike project manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Sadly we deal with a number of road traffic collisions involving motorbikes each year. Many of these collisions involve serious injury or in the worst cases fatalities.

“My colleagues and I want to do everything we can to improve the safety on the the roads for everyone. Motorcyclists enjoy chatting with likeminded enthusiasts and FireBike will help us deliver positive messaging directly within community.”

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Another 111 coronavirus cases reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported a further 111 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate now stands at 516 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 511 and the England rate is 437.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

As of Tuesday, 14 covid patients were being treated at Harrogate District Hospital which is a significant drop from last week.

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Six more covid cases in Harrogate district

Six more cases of covid have been recorded in the Harrogate district, according to the latest Public Health England data.

No more covid-related deaths at Harrogate District Hospital have been recorded, which means it is almost a month since the last one.

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The seven-day average rate of infection in the district is 12 per 100,000 people. A week ago it was 16.

The rate in Harrogate is below both the North Yorkshire and England averages, which stand at 20 and 22 respectively.

The highest rate in North Yorkshire is in Selby district, at 64.

The district’s total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 7,709.

Police treat Harrogate hotel deaths as murder-suicide

Police investigating the deaths of two people at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel have said tonight they think it was a murder-suicide.

North Yorkshire Police has now named the deceased as Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both 29 and from the London area.

They were found with stab wounds in a hotel room. Paramedics certified them dead at the scene.

Enquiries into the circumstances around the deaths are ongoing but detectives are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder. They do not believe anyone else is involved.

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said:

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it as a suspected murder-suicide.

“A post-mortem has taken place that has confirmed the couple died from stab wounds. We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with their families and friends and this difficult time. We have specialist officers from North Yorkshire Police, supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police supporting the family, and we will work with them as we investigate the circumstances leading to these tragic deaths.”

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Hotel guest’s shock after two die at Harrogate’s Majestic

A hotel guest has spoken of his shock at finding police investigating two deaths at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel last night.

The guest arrived at the hotel at about 10pm to find police cars and ambulances outside, with officers and first aiders walking around inside.

The man, who requested anonymity, told the Stray Ferret:

“There were police and ambulance all over the car park. I would say around four police cars and a couple of ambulances. Plenty of officers and first aiders were milling around the hotel as well.

“I overheard some conversations between the police that led me to think that at least one person had died here but I have no idea of the circumstances and still don’t.

“They were here from 10pm to 1am. It’s not what anyone expects, it was a bit of a shock.”

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We understand both people who died were hotel guests.

Police are currently at the hotel on Ripon Road. No further details are currently available.

A spokesman for the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa said:

“Following an incident last night, the police were called and we are currently assisting them with their enquiries.”

Harrogate district covid cases stays in single figures

The Harrogate district has recorded just two coronavirus cases in today’s daily figures, according to Public Health England.

It means that the seven day rate in the district remains low at just 15 per 100,000 compared to the England average of 44 per 100,000.

North Yorkshire as a whole has a slightly lower seven day rate than the rest of the country at 36 per 100,000.

So far 7,590 people have tested positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in the district.

Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded any further coronavirus deaths today.

The hospital recorded a death for the first time in 13 days on March 30. Currently the hospital’s death toll is at 178.

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Two people found dead in Pateley Bridge

The bodies of a man and a woman have been found at a property in Pateley Bridge.

North Yorkshire Police discovered the bodies at 1.30pm yesterday after being contacted by a concerned member of the public.

Officers entered the property at Blazefield and found the deceased man and woman, who were both in their 70s.

No further details, including names, are available yet.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Enquiries are being conducted and specially trained officers remain working at the scene, in order to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

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Covid cases rise by 37 in Harrogate district

A further 37 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Harrogate district, today’s figures confirm.

The number of positive tests in the last 24 hours brings the total for the area to 4,127 since the pandemic began.

The rate of positive cases per 100,000 people in the district now stands at 93.7, a rise from yesterday’s figure of 86. However, it is still below the average for North Yorkshire of 142.2, and for England of 354.9.

Nationally, data from Public Health England shows that 32,725 people tested positive for covid-19 in the last 24 hours, and 570 people died within 28 days of testing positive.

Five patients were admitted to Harrogate District Hospital with the virus in the seven days to December 20, compared to 10 in the previous seven days. Only one patient diagnosed with covid-19 has died in the district in the last 14 days.

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In line with national guidance, families have been able to spend Christmas Day together within a limit of three households. Tomorrow, rules for tier two come back into force, including no household mixing indoors.

This week, a new vaccination centre opened at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. Up to 900 people per day could be given the vaccine, with those aged over 80, care home residents and healthcare workers among the first to be invited to appointments.

Two further covid deaths confirmed at Harrogate Hospital

Two more patients have died at Harrogate District Hospital after being diagnosed with covid-19.

Both deaths occurred on Thursday, December 10, and are confirmed in figures released today by NHS England.

It brings the total number of covid-19 deaths at the hospital to 106 since the pandemic began. The last deaths to be confirmed there were more than a week ago, with one on December 3, two on December 4 and one on December 5

Meanwhile, 17 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours across the Harrogate district. Today’s figures from Public Health England show the new cases bring the total number diagnosed to 3,822 since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average rate of cases for the district has dropped to 90.2 per 100,000 people, from 95.1 yesterday. For North Yorkshire, the number has fallen to 102.4 from 104.5 yesterday. It stands at 148 per 100,000 across Yorkshire and the Humber.

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