Runners from across the Harrogate district will descend on the capital this weekend for the 42nd London Marathon.
Held in October for the third time because of the impact of the covid pandemic, it will see 40,000 people cover the 26.2-mile route around the city, with a further 10,000 expected to take part virtually around the country.
The Stray Ferret is sharing the stories of local participants in the run-up to the event on Sunday, October 2.
If you’re taking part and would like to be included, email details to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Record attempt for unicorn runner
Jeremie Maillard from Harrogate will have two challenges in front of him as he crosses the start line on Sunday.
First, he will need to complete the distance – and second, he hopes to become the fastest runner to complete the course dressed as a mythical creature.
The Guinness World Record attempt is not his first foray into costumed running. Jeremie said:
“Having run London Marathon several times over the years, having completed it once dressed as a Ninja Turtle, I absolutely love the support from the crowd. So why not combining the running experience whilst fundraising for a great cause?
“If you see a unicorn on a practice ride ahead of the big day in October, you are not dreaming. You might not recognise the runner under the mask, but be sure that I will be sweating whilst struggling to see through my nostrils.”
Jeremie has already surpassed his £250 fundraising target for the Alzheimer’s Research UK, and donations are still coming in. To sponsor him, click here.
Early Bird runner takes on challenge for hospice
A Harrogate man will show his gratitude to the hospice that cared for his father by raising funds this weekend.
Nick Page’s father Warren was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and underwent treatment for more than five years.
In early 2021, he was placed under the care of the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice community team, who provided help to Warren and his wife. Nick said:
“As his health deteriorated, it was November that year he recognised the need for more specialist care and was admitted to the hospice for what turned out to be his last two weeks.
“At that time, for us as a family, the word hospice had negative connotations and it was initially a battle to be able to talk about.
“The reality was very different from what I had envisaged. Yes it is a medical setting but with a calm and empathetic atmosphere and the staff were incredibly kind and supportive.
“Covid restrictions were in place at that time, however, we were always welcomed and had great comfort knowing that Dad was in safe hands and I believe that his last days and hours were peaceful.”
Nick’s daughter India, now nine months old, was born just two weeks after his father’s funeral in January this year. The whole family has continued to receive support from Sue Ryder this year.
Nick has also found comfort from a running group in Harrogate, which has helped to inspire his marathon training too. He said:
“I joined the Early Bird Run Crew, who run every morning in Harrogate. It was established with the primary goal of improving mental and physical health and has given me the opportunity to use exercise as an outlet.
“The crew are a really encouraging group of people and this has helped me push myself with my training and preparation for running the marathon.
“Through the friendships that have been formed I’ve not done a long training run alone and one of the crew, Andy, will be running the marathon with me. With mental health now being a regular topic of conversation, we will sometimes go for a coffee (or a beer) and talk openly about mental health.
“It’s been a great support and the driver behind me completing a Mental Health First Aid course as well as becoming a wellbeing ambassador at my place of work because I want to channel my experiences into helping others in a similar situation.”
To donate to Nick’s fundraising, click here.
Marathon efforts for friends of young cancer patient
A former Ripon Grammar School pupil will run the London Marathon this weekend to support her friend who has been going through gruelling cancer treatment.
Lucy Verity, who left the school in 2018, was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing Sarcoma in January last year. She has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as having 21 blood transfusions.
The young Masham resident has already raised more than £35,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has supported her through her treatment, and the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
Her friend Ruby Beardsall, right, will run the marathon this weekend, while her brother Oliver will take on the York Marathon later in October.
Lucy’s mum Gaynor said:
“Bone cancer is a brutal cancer and needs a very aggressive treatment regime.
“We couldn’t have got through the last 19 months without the support of the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and its dedicated link nurse. At the moment the charity can’t reach all the patients it would like to due to lack of funding.
“The Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT), based in Leeds, receives no government funding and every penny raised counts towards research and providing support and information on bone cancer.”
To donate to Lucy’s fundraising, click here.
Running in memory of Dad
Knaresborough runner Tom Kilmurray will be raising money for the MS Society in memory of his father, Bob, who died from the illness last year.
Bob had been diagnosed with MS 16 years earlier and was cared for by his wife, Tom’s mum. In his younger days, Bob was a runner too, and Knaresborough Striders member Tom is following in his footsteps.
Bob Kilmurray, left, completing the London Marathon in 1983 and son Tom in training this year
Tom said:
“I really wanted to do something in memory of my dad and show support to other carers out there like my mum. Like me, running was big part of my dad’s life and in 1983 he ran the London Marathon in three hours and six minutes.
“It has been awful to see someone who was so active and energetic slowly deteriorate, plus watch the strain it put on my mum, who was my dad’s full-time carer for the last few years of his life. Running London has been a long-held ambition but running in my dad’s footsteps for this charity will be extra special.”
A familiar face at local Parkruns, Tom has set himself a target of £2,000. To sponsor Tom, click here.
Former Ripon pupil supporting women’s rights in Afghanistan
A former Ripon Grammar School pupil is preparing to run the marathon on Sunday to help protect some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Edward Lyons, who left the school in 2016 for a degree in politics, philosophy and economics at King’s College, London, is raising money for Afghanaid.
Having since worked as a Treasury economist, he said the charity is close to his heart:
“Afghanaid works with marginalised groups in the Afghan community, helping to provide emergency aid, and assisting communities with resources and education to help support them through political turmoil, human rights atrocities, and other devastating challenges.
“Having experienced first-hand the monumental effort of colleagues in Her Majesty’s Treasury to support vulnerable citizens from Afghanistan via the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, this is something I feel extremely passionate about.”
As well as hoping to raise more than £1,500, Ed is aiming for a sub-three hour marathon. He said his own experiences of fundraising events at school have helped to inspire him to continue doing what he can to support good causes.
His passion for economics and politics led him to set up the RGS Politics Society while in sixth form, driving him towards his future career.
He added:
“When the Taliban violently regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, I immediately feared the worst for the livelihoods of the millions of helpless victims.
“During the 20 years of Taliban-free leadership, huge strides were made in Afghanistan to secure prosperity and better opportunities for all across society.
“However, the insurgency of the Taliban has reversed much, if not all, of this progress. The collapse of the economic and financial system has meant that millions of people are currently on the brink of famine, including almost half of all children under five.
“Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the Taliban’s brutal crackdown on civil liberties, most notably the loss of the basic human right to education, that will condemn them to second-class citizenship.
“These costs are not datapoints for academic research and news headlines; they are indicative of the real human suffering experienced by millions of people.”
To support Ed’s fundraising, click here.
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update
Drivers should be aware of an overnight road closure on the A59 York Road near Knaresborough which may cause delays.
Meanwhile, some roadworks on main routes in the Harrogate district remain in place.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
The A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, will be closed overnight from today until October 6.
The road will be closed between 8pm and 5am while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.
A diversion will be in place via Knaresborough, Ferrensby, Minskip to Boroughbridge.
Two-way traffic lights are in place on the A661 Harrogate Road between Harrogate and Spofforth, which may cause delays for drivers heading towards Wetherby.
Northern Gas Networks are carrying out maintenance work on the route. The lights will be in place until September 30.
As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.
Signs for a diversion and a temporary crossing over the river for pedestrians and cyclists are in place.
Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.
Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
However, commuters should be aware of upcoming strike action on Saturday (October 1), Wednesday (October 5) and next Saturday (October 8) which may affect services from Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C and 36 services this morning.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
Read more:
- Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m
- £69m Kex Gill road scheme set for December start after contractor named
Harrogate district set for first jumble trail
Bargain lovers in Bilton are to set to take part in the Harrogate district’s first jumble trail.
Jumble trails are a relatively new idea in which residents sell items from their drives and garages. They are similar to American yard sales.
Car boot sale fanatic Dave Matthews, a former taxi driver and property developer, has set up a Facebook group for the first jumble trail, which already has 300 members.
He hopes the event, on October 23 from 11am to 4pm, will foster community spirit and give people the chance to clear out their homes in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Matthews said:
“I love car boot sales, hunting for bargains and watching YouTube channels of yard sales and I thought it would be a great idea to do a huge community car boot sale out of people’s front gardens, yards, drives or on the street.
“Jumble trails have been done down south but I believe it’s the first time there’s ever been one in Harrogate.”
Mr Matthews, who has lived in Bilton since 2019, will create an online and physical map showing the homes taking part in the days leading up to the jumble trail.
He said one person taking part had indicated they would be selling a Lambretta scooter.
Mr Matthews said 40 to 50 homes having stalls would be “a good turnout”, adding:
“I hope to do it again next year and make it a regular event.”
People can either join the Bilton Jumble Trail Facebook group, or email biltonjumbletrail@hotmail.com to book a stall or for more information on the event.
Read more:
- Richard Taylor school in Bilton receives ‘good’ Ofsted rating
- Harrogate Hydro set to reopen in May 2023
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update
Drivers should expect delays on some main routes in the Harrogate district as roadworks remain in place.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Two-way traffic lights are in place on the A661 Harrogate Road between Harrogate and Spofforth, which may cause delays for drivers heading towards Wetherby.
Northern Gas Networks are carrying out maintenance work on the route. The lights will be in place until September 30.
As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.
Signs for a diversion and a temporary crossing over the river for pedestrians and cyclists are in place.
Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.
Ongoing roadworks on Skipton Road, which include temporary traffic lights at Dragon Road, are due to end today.
Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C and 36 services this morning.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
Read more:
- Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m
- £69m Kex Gill road scheme set for December start after contractor named
Stray Views: Concerns over Scotton Weir removal on River Nidd
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Concerns over Scotton Weir removal
Over the last few years, ecologists and others have been busy building dams and weirs in streams throughout the UK in order to slow the flow of water into river catchments thereby reducing the impact of flooding. It’s been pretty successful, dams and weirs are well known to help in lessening the impact of flooding. Indeed, in some areas we now employ beavers to do it for us.
Why then has Scotton Weir on the River Nidd been removed?
Scotton Weir has, for over 200 years, held back thousands of cubic metres of flood water that will now race down the catchment increasing flooding and the risk of flooding in Knaresborough and downstream communities.
The work, as I understand it, is to help fish migrate upstream towards Harrogate North sewage treatment works outfalls and west which is great news for the fish but not so for those at risk of flooding.
I did ask the scheme promoter for comment, he didn’t have the courtesy to respond. I spoke to North Yorkshire County Council’s flood and water management team who describe themselves as “the lead local flood authority” — they batted it on to the Environment Agency quicksticks and I finally got a lengthy and rather tedious phone call from a chap at the EA who assured me I was wrong and that there would be no impact on downstream flooding.
I hope he’s right but I fear he isn’t.
David Howarth, Bilton
Call for Knaresborough cemetery group to be formed
Responding to Jayne Jackson’s letter regarding the cemetery in Knaresborough, I think it would be really helpful if a ‘Friends of the Cemetery’ group was formed.
It could then formulate policy and practice about how the cemetery is managed. Personally, I’m always aiming to maximise biodiversity and wildlife havens, since humans destroy so much nature all the time, so we need to find places where we can give nature a home.
It seems to me that cemeteries are an ideal place to have wild areas, as long as there are pathways so that it’s still possible to get close to the graves.
Many cemeteries have this policy, such as the wonderful York Cemetery, Sharow Church, and now also St John’s Church in Knaresborough.
Shan Oakes, Knaresborough
Read more:
- Stray Views: Noisy cars in Harrogate should be monitored at weekends
- Stray Views: Station Gateway ‘will degrade things’
Queen’s great-grandchildren were well behaved
The most important part of a funeral if you have to take your children, for them to pay their, respects to their great grandma the Queen is that they know how to behave in the service and try to follow and understand what is going on.
I congratulate William and Kate on their upbringing of their children. It was a very long day for two young people. Their behaviour was impeccable when required.
If the children outside of the service behaved as children do, it doesn’t matter. They are human children
Any grown up does not have the right to criticise any parents about the behaviour outside the services their children have had to go through.
Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
Masham Sheep Fair to return this weekendThe annual Masham Sheep Fair will return to the town on Saturday and Sunday.
The fair commemorates Masham’s rich history of sheep farming and is one of the biggest events in the Harrogate district.
Susan Cunliffe-Lister and other volunteers started the sheep fair 30 years ago, initially as a one-off event to raise money for farmers in Africa.
It raised £7,950 and became an annual event, now raising £159,000 for Yorkshire charities.
She wanted to bring back an old tradition. Until the First World War, sheep farmers from across the Dales used to come to Masham each year to buy and sell as many as 80,000 sheep over the course of a few days.
Nowadays sheep farmers from across the UK come to Masham to compete. There are other events like sheepdog trials, tours of Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, morris dancing, fleece stalls and even sheep racing to keep the crowds entertained.
Read more:
The schedule for the fair is below:
Saturday:
|
10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.00 – Harvest display & refreshments in Methodist Chapel 10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences 10.45 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church 11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start 12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard 12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard 13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show 13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square 14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks 15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard 15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church 15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall |
Sunday:
10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.30 – Morning Service in Methodist Chapel
10.45 – Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Service at St. Mary’s Church
10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences
11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
12.00 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church
12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start
12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard
12.00 – Refreshments start at Methodist Church
12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard
13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show
13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square
14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks
15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard
15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church
15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
18.30 – Songs of Praise service in Methodist Chapel
Drivers are warned that a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed from Monday as bridge repairs are carried out.
Meanwhile, motorists also face delays with roadworks in other areas of the Harrogate district.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.
The work will start on Monday and signs for a diversion will be in place.
Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.
Ongoing roadworks on Skipton Road, which include temporary traffic lights at Dragon Road, are due to end on Monday.
Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting no cancellations on its services this morning.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
Read more:
- Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m
- £69m Kex Gill road scheme set for December start after contractor named
£69m Kex Gill road scheme set for December start after contractor named
A contractor has been lined up to carry out the £68.8 million re-alignment of the A59 at Kex Gill in the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire County Council has awarded preferred bidder status to John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, an Irish civil engineering and construction firm. A council spokeswoman said the value of the contract was “commercially confidential”.
John Sisk & Son was involved in the delivery of the 2012 London Olympics and the capital’s Crossrail project.
The decision is dependent on funding from the Department for Transport, which is currently reviewing the full business case. A decision is expected next month.
Contractors will move on site in December to clear the moorland by late February next year to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.
The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.
The DfT awarded a £56.1 million grant for the realignment towards an original budget estimate of £61.6 million. The county council agreed to pay the remainder from its capital reserves.
The project has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2m to £68.8m, which the council attributes to due to inflation affecting constructions costs.
It therefore approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5m to £12.7m, given the DfT grant is fixed.
Asked whether the scheme would require detours and road closures, a council spokesewoman said:
“It’s very early to say for certain at this stage. However, we don’t envisage road closures or detours. The majority of work is offset from the existing A59 alignment being on the opposite side of the valley.”
Cllr Keane Duncan
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:
“This is a key step forward for the Kex Gill re-alignment, which is one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects.
“The A59 provides a very important east-west connection in North Yorkshire and the route is listed by the government in the top 10 for strategic importance nationally.
“Re-aligning the route is the only real solution so we are pleased to now be at the stage where we are ready to appoint a contractor.
“We remain committed to carrying out this key project as quickly as possible and in the most cost-effective way.”
‘Light at end of tunnel’
Cllr Nathan Hull (pictured above), a Conservative who represents Washburn and Birstwith on the council, said:
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel with this project now that we have a preferred contractor and a start date in mind.
“The re-aligned route, which will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses, will be safe and reliable for residents, businesses and visitors for generations to come.”
Read more:
Sisk’s Yorkshire projects include completing the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme City Centre Gateways and is delivering major infrastructure work at York Central.
Dominic Hodges, managing director of Sisk, said:
“The scheme is technically challenging with complex engineering solutions required within an environmentally sensitive area.
“We are working collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop an innovative scheme and look forward to working with the local community to leave a lasting legacy.”
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update
Planned roadworks in areas of the Harrogate district could still cause delays for drivers this morning.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Three way traffic lights are in still place at the junction with Dragon Road in Harrogate which are causing delays on Skipton Road.
Northern Gas Networks is carrying out maintenance work in the area until tomorrow.
As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.
The work will start on Monday and signs for a diversion will be in place.
Northern Gas Networks is undertaking work at Oakdale in Harrogate to replace a gas main, which has seen a road closure put in place. The closure will remain until September 23.
The company is also set to implement a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting no cancellations on its services this morning.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
Read more:
- Transport chief denies inflation will lead to ‘cheap’ Harrogate Station Gateway
- Why is there so much paint on the pavements in Harrogate town centre?
Ainsty Farm Shop says if new PM was chosen sooner it could have saved their business
The owners of Ainsty Farm Shop have said if a new Prime Minister had been appointed sooner it could have saved their business.
This morning, the government announced a huge package of support for businesses that will see energy bills cut in half for the next six months.
Despite the energy crisis growing all summer, the measures were only announced after the two-month Conservative Party leadership battle between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
For the farm shop off the A59, which closed last week, it’s come too late.
The Stray Ferret reported in August how farmers Lily and Stuart Beaton had run the popular store for 22 years but planned to close due to spiralling bills.
They had been given an energy quote of £90,000 — a massive increase from the £20,000 a year they had previously been paying.
Ms Beaton said:
“In all honesty, if they’d got on with choosing the Prime Minister quicker, and made the announcement [on energy bills] sooner, we might have sat down and worked out the figures and looked if we’d be able to go on. gone on.
“I think we would have had a go at putting our prices up and seeing what the reaction was from people.”
Read more:
- Cost of living crisis fund launched for North Yorkshire
- £70,000 energy bill increase forces Harrogate district farm shop to close
The package of support will last for six months, which Ms Beaton described as a “stay of execution”.
She is worried that next winter, businesses could again be placed in a perilous position with no guarantee of another government bailout.
She added:
“I think there are a lot of businesses that will benefit but I feel it’s moving the problem on. In six months time we won’t have all the renewable power in place, that’s the way we need to go.”
The couple are now busy removing the fridges, tills and shelving from the store as they prepare to simplify their business.
They will continue to sell meat and produce from their farm via an online mailing list and through their online shop.