Harrogate-born man to represent UK in Eurovision final tomorrow

A Harrogate-born man will represent the UK at the world’s biggest music competition tomorrow night.

Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, will go head-to-head with 25 other countries in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö.

The competition celebrates its 68th anniversary this year and marks the beginning of Olly’s solo career after more than a decade of success with Years & Years.

The group achieved two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after reaching 6.5 billion global streams.

But Olly will tomorrow face other European hopefuls alone – all competing to follow in ABBA’s footsteps 50 years on.

In an interview with the BBC, he said:

“I’m feeling very proud to be representing the UK with my song Dizzy. I can’t believe that it’s happening to be honest with you, this whole experience feels like a dream.

“I’ve watched Eurovision since I was a kid and now that I’m going to be out there on the stage, flying the flag for my country. It’s quite overwhelming but very exciting.”

He also said he has one pre-stage ritual, which is to “hug whoever I’m going on stage with”.

Olly Alexander rehearsing for Eurovision. Pic: BBC/Mercury Studios Media Limited.

However, Olly also told the BBC he did the one thing Eurovision contestants shouldn’t do – he looked at his odds – and it appears the UK doesn’t stand a great chance of winning (again).

“My odds for winning are at one per cent”, he told the BBC, adding “but that’s fine. It’s better than zero”.

According to EurovisionWorld.com, Croatia is favourite to win, with a 38% chance of success. Israel and Switzerland are next.

The competition is being held in Malmö following Sweden’s seventh win last year.

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be streamed on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm tomorrow night (Saturday, May 11).

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Starbucks reveals opening date for new Harrogate drive-through

Starbucks has finally revealed when it will open its new drive-through on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The company will welcome its first customers at 8am on Tuesday, May 21.

The business will be open from 6am to 9pm daily.

Store manager Chris Gilbert told the Stray Ferret the Starbucks had brought 18 jobs to the local area through the new initiative, and the number was expected to increase.

Mr Gilbert said:

“We are looking forward to helping boost the local economy. We have already been out litter picking around the area as we know this is becoming an issue in Harrogate at the minute.

“On our opening day, we will be giving out free tall drinks vouchers to customers that come and visit. These can be redeemed on the first weekend and will be on a first come, first serve basis.

“We are super excited to open, and we look forward to being part of the community.”

Starbucks is based on the site previously occupied by Mediterranean fast-food chain Leon, which closed in April last year after just 10 months.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

The site was previously a Leon restaurant.

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Harrogate cinema evacuated after fire alert

Cinema-goers in Harrogate had to be evacuated mid-movie last night when a fire alarm went off.

The alarm sounded at the Everyman cinema on Station Parade at 9.42pm last night.

All the theatres within the cinema and the connecting buildings were immediately evacuated.

Firefighters from Harrogate were on the scene within five minutes for what turned out to be a false alarm caused by a faulty fire detector.

People were allowed back in the building shortly after 10pm.

Oliver Dawson was among those watching Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes when the alarm went off.

He said as soon as the incident was over, staff offered customers either a free ticket to watch on another day or the option to continue last night’s viewing from the time the alarm went off, which he took.

Mr Dawson said:

“The cinema staff couldn’t have done anything else. They kept us all informed and handled the problem as quick and efficiently as it was safe to do so.

“Personally, it just felt like going to the theatre with an interval.”

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Controversial traffic proposal for Harrogate road scrapped

Plans to introduce a left-turn only rule at a junction in Harrogate have been scrapped.

North Yorkshire Council proposed bringing in a traffic order to prevent vehicles from turning right at the junction of Belford Road and Victoria Avenue, opposite the library.

But it said at a consultation event this week the idea had proved unpopular and been dropped.

However, other changes are still in the pipeline as part of a £807,000 scheme to improve active travel on Victoria Avenue.

They include:

The Beech Road junction will be reconfigured to prevent traffic illegally travelling straight on.

However, the plans do not include a cycle lane, which had been seen as a key part of wider ambitions to create an integrated off-road cycle route from the train and bus stations to Cardale Park.

Cyclists branded the decision “unbelievably disappointing“.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the council, told the Stray Ferret at this week’s consultation event at the Civic Centre in Harrogate that the cost of the cycling proposals had spiralled to £1.5 million due to inflation and rising material costs.

The council was awarded funding from the second round of the government’s active travel fund in 2020.

It planned to allocate this on creating cycle lanes but the rising costs, along with an unsuccessful bid to the fourth round of the active travel fund prompted it to propose cheaper alternative measures.

Ms Burnham said the council had written to about 1,500 nearby residents and businesses about the proposed changes and had received about 50 written responses as part of the consultation.

She said the scheme still promoted active travel because it would make Victoria Avenue better for pedestrians and wheelchair users and the council still aspired to create cycle lanes on Victoria Avenue when funding permitted. Ms Burnham said:

“It’s a positive step forward for active travel.”

Victoria Avenue

Consultation on the proposals ends on Sunday, May 12.

To comment, you can email Area6.Boroughbridge@northyorks.gov.uk using ‘Victoria Avenue ATF 2 Consultation’ in the title of your email or letter.

Or post comments to: NYC Highways, Area 6 Boroughbridge Office, Stump Cross, Boroughbridge YO51 9HU.

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Police issue appeal to find wanted Harrogate man

North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal this afternoon to locate a wanted man from Harrogate.

Police said the man, Matthew Tuck, is believed to be staying in the Harrogate area.

Tuck, 29, was jailed for 18 months last year for spitting at a police officer after being arrested for wielding a knife in Harrogate town centre.

He took out the blade during an argument with two men outside a pizza shop on Station Parade.

In a statement today, police said he is “wanted on prison recall”, adding:

“We have carried out extensive enquiries to locate him and are now appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is now to get in touch.”

Officers have urged people with an immediate sighting of Tuck or those that know where is to call 999.

Police added:

“You can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. Or you can call us on 101 and pass information to the North Yorkshire Police Force Control Room.”

Quote reference number 12240029930 when passing on information.

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Harrogate hospital gets new equipment for lung cancer treatment

Harrogate District Hospital has received new equipment to improve lung cancer treatments.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the new equipment would allow staff to carry out endobronchial ultrasound scans (EBUS), which are used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer.

Patients currently have to travel to other hospitals for the scans.

The trust added the equipment can also be used to test for infections and chronic inflammatory diseases.

It added the procedure, which takes less than an hour, will improve patient care and waiting times.

Dr Khizer Khan, consultant in respiratory medicine at the trust, said:

“Previously patients would need to be referred to other NHS trusts for the EBUS procedure, leading to patients waiting during the referral process and inconvenient trips for patients between hospitals.

“However, with the ability to perform EBUS scans at Harrogate District Hospital, patients can receive more timely assessment and then treatment based on their current cancer diagnosis.”

A trust spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the equipment cost about £200,000.

The hospital’s lung and cancer service has also introduced a new treatment for lung cancer patients who develop liquid between their lungs and chest cavity.

The trust said the treatment, known as indwelling pleural catheters, means once patients have had the specially-designed drainage tubes fitted they no longer require visits to the hospital to drain the fluid. Instead, nurses can drain the fluid at the patient’s home.

Dr Khan added:

“I have already performed several procedures at Harrogate District Hospital which have been a great success for both the patients and our team.

“The indwelling pleural catheter serves as a bridge between pain and comfort, empowering patients to navigate their days with dignity and grace.”

Pictured are (left to right) Dr Sana Ahmad (respiratory registrar), Dr Khizer Khan (respiratory consultant), Benice Mpholle (endoscopy nurse), Howard Richardson (endoscopy nurse), Michael Wakefield (respiratory sonsultant), Brian Drummond (endoscopy nurse).

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Harrogate company installs 762 solar panels on roof

A company with headquarters in Harrogate has installed 762 solar panels across the roofs of both of its buildings.

Belzona, which manufactures polymeric repair and protection systems, has installed the panels at Claro Road.

The panels, which cover 1,486 square metres, will generate over 300,000 kWh of electricity per year.

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, estimates the average UK home uses 2,700 kWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power 111 homes.

The panels were installed by Keighley firm R&B Mechanical & Electrical Ltd.

Solar panels on Belzona headquaters

Helen Parris, QSHE manager and head of Belzona’s environmental committee, said:

“We have been working for many years to reduce our environmental impact, and whilst we still have a way to go on our journey to net zero, the investment in these solar panels represents an exciting step forward.”

The company said it had estimated the panels will have produced enough energy to offset the energy invested in their entire lifecycle within a couple of years.

Belzona did not reveal the cost of the installation of the panels. When asked by the Stray Ferret it would only say it had been a “significant investment”.

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Future of Harrogate shop revealed

Accessorize in Harrogate is to reopen next week — but its sister shop Monsoon has permanently closed.

The two shops shared a unit at 20-22 James Street, where customers visited Monsoon, via the James Street entrance and Accessorize via a door at the back.

Both closed last month and although signs in the window said ‘sorry, we’re closed but this isn’t goodbye forever’ and ‘be right back’, the unit was described as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.

This prompted speculation neither business would return but as reported by the Stray Ferret, the site will reopen after the refit.

Gifts and homeware specialist Accessorize will welcome customers back on Friday, May 17 — but Monsoon will not return.

Accessorize storefront Harrogate

An Accessorize spokesperson told the Stray Ferret today:

“The Monsoon shop has now closed, and this is now only an Accessorize store with a homeware focus.”

Accessorize told the Stray Ferret the refurbished store will offer “a more diverse selection of gifting categories such as bridal, home and summer”, as well as self-care and men’s gifting products.

Paul Thomas, retail director at Accessorize said:

“We are excited to introduce our customers to our exciting new store concept of gifting and homeware.

“The new design store and gifting collection is just some of the many exciting features we have in store for our customers, and we can’t wait for them to experience everything the store has to offer.”

Accessorize will officially reopen May 17 at 9.30am. The closest Monsoon store will now be York.

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Police say wanted man could be in Harrogate

A man wanted by police is believed to have been seen in Harrogate, police have said.

Lincolnshire Police said the last possible sighting of James Joseph Smyth was in Harrogate on May 1. He also has connections with Leeds.

Smyth, aged 57, absconded from the open prison North Sea Camp in Freiston, Boston, on Tuesday, April 30, following an agreed temporary release.

He is serving a sentence for grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Lincolnshire Police said in a statement:

“We are continuing enquiries in the Yorkshire area following this sighting and due to Smyth’s links with West Yorkshire.”

Officers described Smyth as white, 6ft,1ins tall, and of slim build. The statement added:

“He has long grey-brown hair (occasionally worn in a top knot), a long grey beard and moustache, and green eyes.  He has a scar on his nose and left eye lid.

“He also has a distinctive tattoo on his left wrist with the words ‘Daniel’ and ‘Tracey’, as well as a tattoo of a devil on his right shoulder.”

Members of the public are advised not to approach him but if you see him to call 101 or email force.control@lincs.police.uk quoting ‘incident 387 of 30 April’ in the subject line.

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Proposed Harrogate children’s home faces public backlash

Plans to convert a Harrogate house into a children’s home have faced backlash from the public.

The application, which was tabled to North Yorkshire Council in March, outlines plans to turn Oak Back on Ashgarth Court – near Ashville College – into C2 classified housing, which refers to residential accommodation for people in need of care.

The Stray Ferret reported on the plans at the time of submission, which generated concern among social media followers.

Now nearly two months later, all 27 public comments made on the planning portal are objections.

Eddie Dale, who has submitted an objection comment to the council, said the house would be a “thoughtless site for a children’s residential home”.

He adds:

“There are no nearby facilities. The lack of youth clubs, cafés, play areas, surgeries and shops mean that it is an unsuitable location for this type of home.”

Mr Dale said he regarded Ashgarth Court as a “friendly, cohesive and safe environment”, but added the possibility of losing this made him “very uncomfortable and worried”.

Another objector, Richard Dennis, felt the application would be “detrimental” not only to the local community, but also for “any persons placed in care at the property” if approved.

He echoed concerns about a lack of facilities for young people in the area, adding it was “totally unsuitable” for potential residents:

“A Google search of a C2 property says that potentially alcohol/recovering drug addicts could be housed here. A quiet family cul-de-sac where children regularly play outside on the green is a totally unsuitable location for people who have these issues.”

Louise Dennis was one of many to highlight parking issues.

The application claims the house has a “large off-street driveway” meaning “no cars will take up additional road space”. However, Ms Dennis “strongly disputes” this.

She said:

“In reality the driveway would house two cars comfortably. The application suggests that there would be nine full-time staff, so likely at least a minimum of three vehicles there at any one time, excluding healthcare workers, social workers, visitors, cars of residents if over 17 etc.

“Therefore, the driveway would not accommodate all these vehicles on a day-to-day basis and there will be an increase in cars parked on the road, which is against what the applicant has claimed.”

Ms Dennis also expressed concern about the increase in traffic and congestion that could arise should the plans be approved.

Ms Dennis also suggested the local community would “undoubtedly be impacted” if the plans went ahead, adding more cars in the area would release more emissions and the potential risks of noise and anti-social behaviour would increase.

‘Widespread misconception of care homes’

In an email uploaded to the planning portal, applicant Jolyon McKay addressed some of the objections made.

He said it was “understandable” that some people “harbour reservations about residential placement homes”. He added, however, “sensationalised portrayals” had led to a “widespread misconception of care homes”.

He said:

“The objection raises doubts about the accommodation’s suitability for nine staff members and potential visitors, suggesting that the proposal deviates from a family home environment.

“Contrary to this assertion, while the residential placement home will have the capacity to employ up to nine staff members, it is important to clarify that it is highly unlikely that more than three staff members will be present on-site at any given time.

“It’s important to clarify that our property does indeed feature ample parking space, including a garage, to accommodate multiple vehicles. We have taken proactive measures to ensure that parking arrangements are sufficient to meet the needs of both staff and visitors without causing disruption to the neighbourhood.”

He added “thorough assessments” had been undertaken to “ensure the site will not adversely affect local amenities or community cohesion”, and said his team “remain dedicated to fostering a positive relationship with the local community and addressing any concerns in a proactive and transparent manner”.

The application states several healthcare workers would be hired at the children’s home and would be an Ofsted registered site.

It also said the home would have four bedrooms, with “never more than a maximum of three children living at the home”.

North Yorkshire Council will adjudicate on the application at a later date.

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