Harrogate Spring Water Archives - Page 12 of 15

Strayside Sunday: Putin may end up with the upper hand

Strayside Sunday is our monthly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party.

I spent my school years keenly aware of Cold War realpolitik, and of the unthinkable nuclear consequences, should cold turn hot. 1983, when I was 16, saw the release of nuclear war film The Day After, to be followed in 1984 by the release of the lower budget (British set and made) Threads, bleaker and more frightening in measures equal. My teenage years, and those of my peer group, passed on red alert, with any siren sound in the valley causing a flash of pulse quickening panic. Was this to be the beginning of the end?

I’m reminded of this of course by current events in Ukraine. At time of writing, we are 12 days into Russia’s invasion. Yet, brave Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, resists. Russia’s superior force impeded by courageous and dogged Ukrainian defence and, it seems, handicapped by over ambitious strategic planning, inept military leadership and sagging soldierly morale. We watch helplessly from the side-lines as Ukrainian citizens suffer what seems to be indiscriminate bombardment, but which must be bombardment by cruel design.

We wince, embarrassed by the sure knowledge that, hitherto, we in the UK have turned a blind eye to the dirty Russian money laundering through London and Surrey’s perpetually empty, always modernising mansions and penthouses. So now we applaud our government and those of our NATO and European allies as they move to punish Russia through the imposition of severe sanctions and financial restrictions or economic penalties. We applaud international businesses from Apple and Ikea, to TikTok and Zara, and our local big brands Harrogate Spring Water and Yorkshire Tea -all of whom have ceased operations in Russia. And we applaud the delivery of our and our allies anti-tank and other weapons to assist Ukraine’s fighters in eking out another hour, perhaps another day of resistance.

What we cannot do for Ukraine, what we must not do, so the orthodoxy goes, is to do what we all know it would take to give them a real chance of victory; we cannot put NATO boots on the ground, nor can we institute a no-fly zone. Why? Because to do so would put us in direct conflict with Russia, a shooting war with a Russia led by an increasingly unstable dictator who has threatened, in none too subtle terms, to use his arsenal of nuclear weapons against us. And, after all, Ukraine isn’t a NATO member, so can’t benefit from Article 5 protections. We dare not risk Putin’s ire nor a nuclear conflagration so, ergo, we send humanitarian aid and military supplies, and we wait. We wait for the inevitable and tragic moment when Russia overruns Kyiv and its sister cities, kills or imprisons Ukraine’s democratically elected leadership, installs a puppet government, and claims the country for its own. When that happens – although every ounce of my being wishes that it were “if” it happens – when that happens, Russia and NATO will face each other across the European borders of, among others, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. And when we do President Putin will know that we in NATO have already failed his test of our nerve. He will hold the upper hand.

During my school days it was widely held that MAD (the doctrine of mutually assured destruction) kept the nuclear peace. Rational actors bound inaction by the fact that war would mean the end of everything. I worry now that we will face a new asymmetrical nuclear threat, one in which the main protagonist is willing to play a game with the highest of all stakes, while we will not. If we get to that point, as well we might, we may yet regret saying no to a no-fly zone for Ukraine.

Meanwhile there is more than a hint of bathos in the story of retired and decorated Harrogate fireman Bruce Reid. Mr. Reid flew to Poland this week and made his way to the Ukrainian border, intent on volunteering his firefighting services. Told that he should instead find his way 30 miles across the border to the Yavoriv military base, where he would be equipped and taught to fight, Mr. Reid turned back, returning to his 10-year-old granddaughter and the rest of his worried-sick family. No matter, Mr. Reid’s status as a hero is already cemented in my view by his years of bravery in the Fire Service, and by his willingness to volunteer those special skills in the service of Ukraine.

Against this backdrop of heart-breaking world affairs, it seems somehow small to have a go at an obviously failed British politician. But I’m so blood boilingly angry about the announcement of a Knighthood last week for Sir, yes Sir! Gavin Williamson that I can’t help myself. Mr. Williamson was a serial failure in government. But as an ex-whip he knows where Boris’ bodies are buried so needs to be kept quiet. He doesn’t deserve it and it thoroughly demeans the honours system.

If we are going to face another Cold War then we will all have to believe in our way of life and government to face down Russia. To ask that level of commitment and sacrifice, to ask us to follow the example of Ukraine, requires our system of government to retain its moral authority. Giving a gong to this man does not help build confidence.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

Harrogate Spring Water and Yorkshire Tea suspend trade with Russia

Harrogate Spring Water and Yorkshire Tea said today they will cease trade with Russia with immediate effect.

The two Harrogate-based companies issued statements in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has so far claimed about 13,000 lives and forced two million people to flee their homes.

A Harrogate Spring Water spokesperson said:

“Harrogate Spring Water has made the decision to stop all exports to Russia with immediate effect.”

Russia has been one of Harrogate Spring Water’s biggest export markets in the past, according to multiple articles published in 2013.

An article in The Business Desk, published in 2013, said water sales in Russia has increased by 40% year-on-year.

The company itself tweeted an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin drinking a bottle of its water in 2013.

https://twitter.com/HarrogateSpring/status/375589127275560960?s=20&t=DQo5_CMsbRdj8AltJnys1g

Yorkshire Tea is owned by Taylors of Harrogate, a 130-year-old company founded in Harrogate. It has a distributer in Moscow.

A spokesperson for Taylors of Harrogate said today:

“Like everyone, we’ve been deeply shocked and saddened by the invasion and our thoughts are with all those impacted.

“Our ethical trade and human rights policy states that our values guide how we work with suppliers, customers and distributors, including the provision that we will not trade with individuals, entities, regions or countries where UK sanctions have been applied.

“While Russia has been an export market for some of our teas for several years, as a result of the invasion and the subsequent sanctions we’ve suspended trade.”

All brands owned by Taylors of Harrogate, which also include coffee products, will no longer be exported to Russia.

What stories to expect in the Harrogate district in 2022

In this article, we look at some of the biggest news events set to occur in 2022 including the refurbishment of Harrogate Convention Centre, devolution and the Harrogate Spring Water expansion plan.

From controversial expansions of bottling plants at Harrogate’s Pinewoods to multi-million pound refurbishment plans for the town’s convention centre, 2022 has a number of major storylines in store.

Political events are also on the horizon, as voters head to the polls in May to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire super council.

Here the Stray Ferret looks at some of the storylines set to dominate the news over the course of the next 12 months and what they could mean for the Harrogate district.

Major Harrogate Convention Centre refurbishment

It could be the biggest single investment made by Harrogate Borough Council in recent times.

A £47 million spend, which would see the HCC refurbished and modernised, could be signed off this year by senior councillors.

Harrogate Convention Centre, which is earmarked for a £47 million renovation.

The project was outlined last year, but council officials have commissioned a series of reports, including an economic impact assessment, before any project is given the go-ahead.

The council told the Stray Ferret in July last year that a final decision will be made in 2022.

It could be the authority’s lasting legacy before it is scrapped and the convention centre is handed over to the succeeding North Yorkshire super council.

A changing political landscape

People across the Harrogate district will head to the polls in May for what will be a landmark occasion.

It will be the first time that the electorate has its say on who will sit on the new North Yorkshire council.

While the authority will not officially come into being until 2023, councillors will stand for seats on the authority regardless as part of the transitional period.

Polling day will give the opportunity for voters to show which party they have confidence in leading the county’s single council.

It will also give an indication of what the political make-up of the council will be and potentially what direction it will be taken in. The Conservatives currently have overwhelming control of both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Some senior Harrogate councillors, such as borough council leader Richard Cooper, have already revealed that they will not be part of the new council.

Come May 5, we will be much clearer on how the political landscape is shaping up.

Harrogate Spring Water, Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate.

Harrogate Spring Water expansion

Details of Harrogate Spring Water’s plan to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods are expected to be revealed this year.

Following a high-profile refusal of its previous plan in January 2020, the company announced its intention to resubmit a fresh proposal.

It would be a new application, said company bosses, and its old plan would be disregarded.

However, since its announcement in July 2020, no proposal from Harrogate Spring Water has been made public.

The Stray Ferret has also been told that no meaningful talks with community groups have taken place since January’s refusal – something which the company promised to do.

In its most recent comments, Harrogate Spring Water said it was “still in the process of talking to all relevant parties”.

Station Gateway saga

One story which will continue into 2022 is the ongoing saga over the controversial Station Gateway project.

The £10.9 million scheme, which plans to reduce Harrogate’s Station Parade to single lane traffic and part pedestrianise James Street, will come before North Yorkshire County Council this month.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate’s James Street pedestrianised.

If they decide to go ahead, work on the project will begin this year.

However, the scheme faces criticism from residents groups and businesses. A second petition has been handed into the county council, marking another sign of growing opposition to the proposal.

It could scrap the scheme altogether — but the indications are it will press ahead and continue to face objections as the deadline looms for the project to start.

Council bosses have until March 2023 to spend the money granted to them by government for the gateway scheme.

No.3: Harrogate Spring Water’s bid to expand in the Pinewoods

In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the controversy surrounding Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans.

January saw one of the most controversial planning applications in Harrogate for years.

Harrogate Spring Water applied to expand its bottling plant from 0.77 hectares to 0.94 hectares, which would have meant destroying public woodland planted by local families in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood.

To compensate, the company offered to replant trees, create scrubland and build a pond on private land behind RHS Harlow Carr.

But the idea of felling trees to create more plastic bottles generated anger and triggered a wider debate around how businesses should operate in the age of climate change.

Articles appeared in the national press and there was high-profile intervention from TV presenter Julia Bradbury, who urged the company to think again.

Harrogate Spring Water’s headquarters.

Hundreds of people watched a livestream of Harrogate Borough Council planning committee when it voted on the application on January 26 — considerably more than the usual 20 or 30 viewers for a council meeting.

They heard passionate interjections from councillors and residents opposing the plans, as well as representatives of Harrogate Spring Water saying the expansion was needed to grow a thriving local business and that felled trees would be replaced on a 2-to-1 basis.

‘Not just any wood’

Sam Gibbs, the Conservative councillor for Valley Gardens, called Rotary Wood “not just any wood” and said he had spoken to many local residents who were “confused, upset, or angry” about the application.

Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity that preserves the Pinewoods, said the “world has changed” since covid, which “has shown the importance of our green spaces”.

In the end, eight councillors on the council’s 12-person planning committee voted to refuse the plans, and four abstained.

After the meeting, Conservative councillor Jim Clark said he hoped the debate around the bottling plant had shown that local issues can be “at the forefront of climate change”.

What happened next?

Campaigners, such as Harrogate woman Sarah Gibbs, who had dressed as a tree outside the council offices each week to protest against the plans, were jubilant. But the vote wasn’t the end of the matter.

Harrogate Spring Water signalled its intention to submit fresh expansion plans.

James Cain, managing director, said in July.

“Our vision is to create a sustainable future for our business as one that supports high quality jobs, drives prosperity in the town and looks after nature.”

Harrogate Spring Water plant

The company already has outline permission dating back to 2016 to expand its bottling plant, but the company said it was working on a completely new application and the old application would be disregarded.

But several months on, no new planning application has been submitted.

Organisations such as Pinewoods Conservation Group and the Rotary Club, which planted the trees in Rotary Wood, are still awaiting Harrogate Spring Water’s next move.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water said:

“Harrogate Spring Water is still in the process of talking to all relevant parties. We will communicate any update as and when it happens.”

Community groups in the dark about Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods plan

In July, Harrogate Spring Water promised to publish “within weeks” details of a new planning application to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods. But as the end of the year approaches, it looks no nearer to being made public.

The company’s pledge followed January’s high-profile refusal to expand the plant, which would have meant destroying public woodland planted by local families in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood.

To compensate, Harrogate Spring Water offered to replant trees, create scrubland and build a pond on private land behind Harlow Carr Gardens.

But the loss of trees at Rotary Wood provoked a major backlash and councillors on Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee voted overwhelmingly to reject it.

Harrogate Spring Water already has outline permission dating back to 2016 to expand its bottling plant, but the company said in July it was working on a completely new application and the old application would be disregarded.

The company pledged to consult with the community before pursuing a formal planning application to the council.

However, the Stray Ferret has been told that no meaningful talks with community groups have taken place since January’s refusal.

Groups that are still in the dark about what the new application will look like include the Rotary Club, which planted the trees in Rotary Wood, and Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity that works to preserve the Pinewoods.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water said:

“Harrogate Spring Water is still in the process of talking to all relevant parties. We will communicate any update as and when it happens.”

WATCH: Ripon woman crowned Harry’s Hero for helping disadvantage families

Helen Mackenzie was crowned the winner of Harry’s Heroes yesterday after beating five other finalists for the accolade.

The Stray Ferret launched the competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration to find the people in the Harrogate district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Ms Mackenzie received the most votes in recognition of her work to help families in Ripon.

In 2019, she started a project called Back to Basics (B2B), which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Throughout the pandemic, she has fundraised, shopped, collected donations, packed and delivered food, along with electrical goods and other items, to families in need.

More than 20 people were nominated for exceptional work in their communities. This list was then narrowed down to the final six; Cath Wilson, Greta Knight, Helen Mackenzie, Lauren Doherty, Mark Oldfield and Susie Little.

Once all the 1,300-plus votes were counted, Ms Mackenzie came out top.

Harry Gration visited Ms Mackenzie yesterday to give her the good news.

You can learn more about each hero by listening to their podcasts here.

Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket

Harrogate Spring Water has ended its sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The company follows Yorkshire Tea, which is also based in Harrogate, in cutting ties with the club.

Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the district, has been fiercely criticised for saying it didn’t plan to take any disciplinary action against individuals following an investigation into the allegations by former player Azeem Rafiq.

Now, Harrogate Spring Water, which was among the club’s main commercial partners, has confirmed its sponsorship will end with “immediate affect”.

In a statement, the company said:

“We were deeply concerned at the details that have emerged in recent days surrounding the treatment of Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the way in which the club’s current leadership have handled the important issues that have been raised.

“As a result, Harrogate Spring Water has taken the decision to end its sponsorship agreement with the club with immediate effect. We will be making no further comment on this matter.”

Harrogate Spring Water first became the official water of the club in 2014.

Both Harrogate companies follow Emerald Publishing and Anchor butter in ending their association with the club. David Lloyd Clubs said its sponsorship had been “put on hold a few weeks ago” and would not be reinstated.

Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, told the Stray Ferret this week that the county club’s actions “sent mixed messages” to grassroots cricket and that the club was “extremely disappointed” in Yorkshire’s actions.

Senior Yorkshire officials and Rafiq are due to appear before MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee later this month.

Harrogate district firm ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Yorkshire Tea, which is based in the Harrogate district, has ended its sponsorship of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The row escalated today when it was revealed Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton, chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon would be questioned by MPs on November 16.

Now, Yorkshire Tea, which is part of the Bettys and Taylors Group based in Harrogate, revealed today it has ended its sponsorship with the club.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Tea told the Stray Ferret:

“We were upset to read about the experiences of Azeem Rafiq during his time at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We wholeheartedly believe that cricket should be a sport for everyone, but his experiences and the way the panel report has been handled don’t reflect that.

“Our current sponsorship of YCCC was naturally coming to an end but we have taken the decision to end it with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate Spring Water, which also sponsors the club, said it had raised concerns with senior officials at Yorkshire over the matter.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“We are deeply disappointed at the allegations which have come to light concerning individuals within Yorkshire County Cricket Club and have expressed our concerns in discussions with senior personnel at the club.

“Racism has no place in sport or society and we are keen to hear further from Yorkshire CCC how they intend to bring about meaningful, positive change on this issue.”

The news comes as Anchor butter, which had its logo on Yorkshire’s website, confirmed it had cut ties with the club.

Meanwhile, Emerald Publishing, which has naming rights to Headingley cricket ground, said it would review the findings of an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The company added that Yorkshire had a “great deal to do” to restore trust.

Yesterday, Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, told the Stray Ferret that the county club’s actions “sent mixed messages” to grassroots cricket and that the club was “extremely disappointed” in Yorkshire’s actions.

Harrogate Spring Water blames pandemic as profits fall sharply

Harrogate Spring Water has reported a sharp fall in profits, blaming a decline in bottled drinking water in hotels, restaurants and on aircraft due to covid.

The company, which was bought by French multinational Danone in June last year, has published its latest annual financial report, which covers the nine months to December 31 2020.

Sales revenue decreased from £26.2m in the 12-month period ending March 31 2020 to £10.4m in the nine-month period ending December 31 2020.

Profit declined over the same period from £8.3m to £1.9m. After tax, the company made a £1.8m loss.

The number of staff fell from 83 to 80.

The report also lists current risks to profitability that includes the impact of Brexit which it says has resulted in “greater economic uncertainty”.

Harrogate Spring Water marketing manager Nicky Cain told the Stray Ferret she expected to see improved results for 2021.

“We were one of the most hardest hit by the pandemic and people no longer being on the move.

“We are now seeing encouraging bounce-back with trade over the summer now back to pre-pandemic levels.

“During this massively challenging period, we’ve continued to support those sectors hardest hit. We have worked with the hospitality industry through supporting the Drinks Trust, and have supported the arts sector through our activation with The Royal Albert Hall and running our limited edition label competition.

“It’s also important to recognise that throughout this tough period we have continued to ringfence our guaranteed donation through our ethical water brand Thirsty Planet, to the charity Pump Aid, who have continued to deliver clean water projects in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Parent company Danone also experienced a fall in revenue and profits, which it blamed on the pandemic, in 2020.

The company, which also owns Actimel, Alpro and Evian, saw revenue fall from £25.3bn in 2019 to £23.6bn.

The Pinewoods expansion

Meanwhile, Harrogate Spring Water is preparing to submit a new planning application to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods.

The company was granted outline planning permission to expand to the west of its existing site in 2016, which meant the principle of development had been established but the details had not been agreed.

The reserved matters application provoked a major backlash due to the loss of trees at Rotary Wood. In January this year, councillors on the planning committee voted overwhelmingly to reject it— against the wishes of council officers who had recommended approval.

The company said in July it was working on a completely new application and the 2016 application would be disregarded.

It has pledged to consult with the community before pursuing a formal planning application to the council.

Harry Gration is on the hunt for local community heroes

Do you know someone in the Harrogate district who has gone above and beyond to help others in the past 18 months?

Former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration has teamed up with the Stray Ferret and Harrogate Spring Water to celebrate exceptional individuals in the Harrogate district and needs your nominations.

Harry said:

“For the last two years it’s been pretty miserable, but I’m very excited indeed to be looking for local heroes – the kind of person who’s been inspirational and made a big impact on many people’s lives.

“With the help of Harrogate Spring Water, we hope to find one person who is the best of the best, via a public vote.”

If you know someone who you think deserves to be recognised, you can nominate them on the Stray Ferret website here. It doesn’t have to be covid related; it could be someone who volunteers in their community, helps others through their work, or has made a big difference to another individual.

Nominations are open now on the Stray Ferret website.

Charlotte Holmes, External Communications & Community Engagement Manager from Harrogate Spring Water which sponsors the competition, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Harry Gration and the Stray Ferret to find your heroes from across the Harrogate District. In these unprecedented times we have seen so many examples of people’s kindness and support within our community and we are delighted to be working with Harry to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Six shortlisted heroes will then have the chance to talk to Harry about their lives and work on his brand new podcast series, Harry’s Heroes, which will launch on the Stray Ferret in November.

The winner will receive an unforgettable trip to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with travel and refreshments included.

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Major Harrogate Convention Centre refurbishment

A changing political landscape

Harrogate Spring Water expansion

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Station Gateway saga

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‘Not just any wood’

What happened next?

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The Pinewoods expansion

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