Four people from the Harrogate district have set out on a coast-to-coast quadtandem challenge for charity.
Thebike ride along 170 mile Way Of The Roses began yesterday in Morecambe at 8am and is set to end tomorrow evening in Bridlington.
The team are raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Their target is £5,000 and will be split between the charities.
On the way the team have passed through Pateley Bridge and Ripon, they stayed in Applewick last night and will dismount in York tonight.
The quadtandem is handmade using parts from four scrap bikes that the team found on scrap piles and Facebook marketplace, which have been welded together. The creation took a few months to complete.
The team is made up of Pete Wyldbor, riding in first position, Tom Hardy, in second, Ed Yates in third and Paul Abbott at the rear.

The team on their 170 mile ride
The team have honoury members in the form of their substitute rider, Ian Lythe, who will take over third position tomorrow, and John Marshall, the team’s top supporter and is at the ready with spare parts.
The team are all from the district, with members from Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Scotton.
The challenge began as an idea from Mr Wyldbor, 40, who crafted the four-person bike. He revealed the inspiration behind the challenge was the 2006 film ‘Beerfest’, in a scene where five people ride one bike.
Mr Wyldbor said:
“I just thought I’d make one, just for something to do and it all escalated from there. It is a mad idea so I thought it would be good to put it to use for worthwhile charities. If we were doing it for the sake of it that would be nuts.
“We all know someone, friends or family who have been touched by cancer in the past and you really never know when you might need an air ambulance.
“None of us are cyclists and the weather has been against us, we are tired and the hills have been horrific, I will be scrapping the bike when we are done, but we are keeping going for good causes.”

The team at Morcambe, the start of their challenge
To donate to the team’s fundraiser click here.
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- Rivers charity seeks volunteers to join River Nidd improvement project
- Harrogate RAF veteran receives 850 cards for 100th birthday
Rivers charity seeks volunteers to join River Nidd improvement project
A charity in Pateley Bridge is recruiting volunteers to take part in a project to improve the quality of the River Nidd.
Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust received £500,000 from Yorkshire Water last year after the company breached its permitted level of sewage discharge into Hookstone Beck, in Harrogate. The incident in 2016 led to the loss of fish and invertebrates.
The trust has now joined forces with the Wild Trout Trust and Nidd Action Group to deliver the iNidd scheme to improve the river and is seeking volunteers.
Charlotte Simons, senior project manager at the trust, said:
“The £500,000 payment has enabled us to redouble our efforts in monitoring the health of the River Nidd and its tributaries, which will help us target our restoration plan.
“The appointment of a river enhancement project manager to oversee this iNidd workstream means that we have been able to start building partnerships and are now ready to recruit a cohort of volunteers, who will be specially trained to support the programme.”
The charity is looking for 20 people to join the riverfly monitoring programme and monitor aquatic invertebrate populations in a certain part of the river.
Volunteers will be required between May and September. No prior experience is needed.
Ms Simons added:
“Riverfly monitoring is a vital tool in establishing the overall health of a stretch of river, since testing the chemistry of the river water only offers a snapshot of actual pollution levels.
“Animals in our rivers respond to water quality throughout their whole life span with many aquatic invertebrates such as caddisfly and dragonfly larvae and nymphs not able to survive in polluted water, so their presence or absence is a very strong indicator of pollution levels.”
The trust said all training, equipment and protective gear will be provided.
To sign up, email jennifer.lee@ydrt.co.uk.
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Harrogate RAF veteran receives 850 cards for 100th birthday
A Harrogate RAF veteran was flooded with more than 850 cards for his recent 100th birthday.
A Facebook group dedicated to the RAF launched an appeal to send Stanley Clark, who lives in Harcourt Gardens Care Home, 100 cards for his milestone birthday.
However, after the post went global, he received more than eight times the anticipated amount – including one from King Charles III.
Mr Clarke, who joined the air force at just 16 as an electrical fitter in 1940, went on to become a servicing commando, RAF pilot and station commander. He served in North Africa and Europe before retiring in 1979.
The veteran woke up to birthday wishes from former service men and women from across America, Canada and Australia.
Mr Clarke said:
“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who sent me these wonderful cards and gifts, this was totally unexpected and overwhelming but very much appreciated.”
He spent his centenary birthday enjoying afternoon tea alongside friends and family who had travelled from Australia and Canada.
Home manager at Harcourt Gardens, Adelina Pangilinan, also said:
“The cards just kept on coming, it was quite amazing.
“Nobody knew just how well the request would be received and it was absolutely wonderful to see the look on Stanley’s face when we delivered him the cards.
“It’s clear to see that Stanley, alongside all the other brave and admirable veterans are part of a very tight knit community and it’s wonderful see the support and admiration for him.”
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- Harrogate residents say they’ve been ‘kept out the loop’ on plans for 4,000 homes
Harrogate residents say they’ve been ‘kept out the loop’ on plans for 4,000 homes
Residents have been “effectively kept out of the loop” on plans to build 4,000 homes in west Harrogate, a meeting heard this week.
About 10,000 people are expected to move into new homes being built on a patchwork of sites stretching from RHS Harlow Carr to Yew Tree Lane.
Some have already been completed but construction has yet to begin on about 2,000 homes.
Frustration at how the process has been handled was expressed at Wednesday’s spring meeting of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association.
Hapara secretary David Siddans said it had “always acknowledged the need for housing” but added “this must be supported by the right infrastructure” and he said residents’ concerns had not been addressed. He added:
“Four thousand homes on the west side of Harrogate were agreed four years ago and still we have no clear idea on the transport implications.
“We have found the whole process opaque, high handed and illogical.”

The ‘western arc’ of development areas in Harrogate. Image: HAPARA.
Mr Siddans said it was illogical in the sense that the planning process had been “turned on its head” because mitigation measures were being suggested before assessments and strategies had been carried out on key issues such as transport and healthcare.
He said:
“It’s rather like a doctor presenting a cure and some time later trying to find out what’s wrong with you.
“The whole process is led by developers who assess the impact they create and the remedies for them. Their focus, understandably, is on the bottom line. Therefore we look to the council to make their own assessments or at least to scrutinise.”
Mr Siddans added:
“I understand councils have limited resources but they should be doing this on behalf of the community.
“Yet we feel we have been effectively kept out of the loop because we are told it is ‘too complex’. All we get is a brief window to comment on the planning applications when they are published — that is the first time we get to see the impact.
“Maybe everything will be fine but the public deserves more openness.”
Hapara chair Rene Dziabas told the meeting, which was attended by North Yorkshire Council highways officials, 2,000 homes were due to built simultaneously on three sites. He added:
“It’s unbelievable. We have never seen anything like this before — to have work on 2,000 homes going on in one go is unreal.
Yew Tree Lane and Whinney Lane updates
The meeting also heard updates on other key issues in the area.
Mr Dziabas said phase three of the Otley Road cyclepath will go ahead, as reported by the Stray Ferret.
Regarding the former police training centre on Yew Tree Lane, where 200 homes are due to be built, Mr Dziabas said Hapara wanted to see a construction management plan adhered to.
He said the plan should include issues such as onsite parking to prevent lorries parking on Yew Tree Lane, conditions on noise and light pollution, proper onsite washing facilities for lorries “so they are not chucking up muck everywhere” and lorries avoiding local roads at school drop off times.
Final planning approval was granted in January, but Mr Dziabas said developer Vistry Group was still in the process of acquiring the old police training centre site.
Mr Dziabas said Hapara wanted to see the public right of way reinstated on Whinney Lane, but some lorries by developer Stonebridge were still using it.
Council officers at the meeting said Pannal Ash Road would be resurfaced and traffic calming measures would be installed, hopefully at the same time.
Harrogate business owner Rachel Woolford wins The ApprenticeThe brains behind Harrogate’s North Studio, Rachel Woolford, was tonight named as the winner of The Apprentice on BBC.
Rachel, who began the 12-week process alongside 17 other hopefuls, has landed herself a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar.
The lucky winner, who set up her Cold Bath Road fitness business just last year, went head-to-head with Bognor Regis pie shop owner Phil Turner in tonight’s episode.
The investment will go towards expanding her business, which started in Leeds, across northern England. It offers small group fitness classes, including running, boxing, HIIT and reformer pilates.
For their last task, the two finalists had to launch their businesses.

Rachel Woolford and Phil Turner in the final. Pic: BBC Pictures.
Rachel’s team created a digital billboard and a virtual reality tour around one of her proposed gyms. She also pitched her business plan to Lord Sugar, aides Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell, as well as a room of industry experts.
In her presentation, Rachel said she planned to open five gyms in “bustling locations” in the north, including York, Manchester and Newcastle.
The Leeds woman, who called her company Studio Build in the episode, said her actual business — North Studio — focusses on “high energy and inclusive group fitness classes, which cost a little less than a personal trainer, but still offering that personal feel”.
But her success was not without hurdles, as she faced tough questions from fitness moguls, such as representatives from Barry’s, F45 and Rumble UK.
They questioned how Rachel could replicate the “personal and community” feel she said her business centres around, as well how she will ensure client and staff retention.

North Studio Harrogate
Once pitches were over, the candidates faced the infamous boardroom for the final time.
As Lord Sugar deliberated on his decision, Baroness Brady said about Rachel:
“This business is her life and her passion for it really comes across. The issue really is just how expensive it is to open gyms, and she’ll burn through your investment pretty quickly.”
Tim Campbell, the first ever winner of The Apprentice, added:
“I think the thing with Rachel is that she’s going into a great industry sector and she’s a great advocate for her product and service. It’s about the scalability of that. Can she systemise what she’s done very well at two gyms over at many, many more?”

Former contestants joined Rachel for the final episode. Pic: BBC Pictures.
After one last hit at persuasion from the two finalists, Lord Sugar made his final decision.
He said:
“Let me conclude here. This is a very tough decision, I’ve got to say because I’ve got two very, very credible people in front of me.”
“I’ve got Rachel who claims she’s making money and that she’s going to make even more when she gets the second gym up and running but gyms are with all due respect, two-a-penny.
“Specialist pies are not and it’s a market that I’m very interested in, but how can I be interested in it if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? There’s a loss-making business at the moment which you tell me is going to turn around and be okay and that’s my dilemma.”
But it was northerner Rachel who took home the crown, and the money.
Lord Sugar concluded:
“It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here.
“But my gut feeling is telling me that, Rachel, you’re going to be my business partner.”
Now £250,000 richer and Lord Sugar’s newest business partner, Rachel Woolford is one-step-closer to expanding North Studio across the region.
Rachel said in the episode:
“To take part in the process has been incredible and to come out a winner is just something beyond my wildest dreams.
“I was 24-years-old when I started my business. I was just a girl from Leeds and now I cannot believe it, I’m going into business with Lord Sugar and he’s investing in me.”
For now, Lord Sugar’s search for his next business partner is over.
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Plans approved for new tattoo studio in Harrogate
A planning application for a new tattoo studio in Harrogate has been approved.
Applicant Marco Giusti submitted a change of use plan to North Yorkshire Council last month. It was approved on Tuesday, April 16.
It proposed to convert the unit currently occupied by the Chihuahua Lounge café, on Knaresborough Road, into a tattoo studio.
Mr Giusti, who moved to York from Italy six years ago, told the Stray Ferret the company, which will be called Dark Lab Tattoos, will offer predominantly “black and grey realism and ornamental tattoos”.
He added:
“As a studio, we will be able to offer people the right artist for the type of work they are looking for.
“This includes for traditional, realism, lettering, geometric, blackwork and fine line tattoos. Any style is welcome.”

The business will be based in the Chihuahua Lounge unit.
Mr Giusti said Dark Lab Tattoos will also offer piercing services, as well as custom prints and clothing.
He said he decided to open in Harrogate because it a “beautiful town with a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere”.
The refurbishment of the unit will cost around £25,000, he added.
Mr Giusti said all tattoos will have a £50 minimum charge, but prices will range from £80 per hour up to £400-£500 for a full day of tattooing (around six hours). He added:
“Occasionally we will be hosting walk-in days, where some designs may cost less than the minimum charge.”
Dark Lab Tattoos is expected to open at the beginning of June.
It will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.
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Review: RAOS’s Sister Act is happy, hilarious and vibrantHarrogate bus station to close temporarily at nights after 7pm
Alternative bus stops have been announced as Harrogate bus station prepares to close temporarily.
The Harrogate Bus Company, which is owned by Transdev, shared the news on social media last night.
It said the bus station, on Station Parade, will close after 7pm, from Sunday to Thursday between April 21 and May 23.
As a result, the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 36, which all offer evening services, will be affected.

The closures begin this Sunday.
The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate Bus Company where exactly the alternative stops will be. A spokesperson gave the following information:
Services 1 and 7:
- From Harrogate to Leeds: The Odeon, Harrogate
- From Leeds to Harrogate: Asda, Harrogate
Services 2 and 3:
- Asda, Harrogate & Cheltenham Crescent, near West Park
The 36:
- From Harrogate to Leeds: Library Gardens, Harrogate
- From Leeds to Harrogate: Asda, Harrogate

A graphic of the alternative bus stops. Pic: The Harrogate Bus Company.
A Transdev spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the bus station will be closed while the operator carries out work to “support the infrastructure” of its new electric fleet, which is set to be introduced this summer.
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Boroughbridge vineyard hosts first food and wine fair
A North Yorkshire vineyard is to host its first food and wine fair this weekend.
Dunesforde Vineyard is a six-acre site in Upper Dunsforth, four miles from Boroughbridge. The vineyard produces cool climate wines in one of the most northerly locations in the UK.
The fair will take place on Saturday (April 20) from 12pm to 6pm. The event is free to attend and will see local artisan food businesses showcasing their products, alongside the vineyard’s wine.
The site was established in 2016 and is owned and managed by the Townsend family. A total of 6,000 vines across four different grape varieties are grown at Dunesforde.
Dunesforde’s head of wine development, Peter Townsend, will host talks throughout the afternoon where visitors can learn about the vineyard and sample wine.
He said:
“Our wines pair excellently with a wide range of foods and it will be fantastic to bring them together with the very best in local artisan food.”
For more information click here.

The vineyard’s first harvest wines were released in 2019.
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The Harrogate Vet to open 24-hour animal hospital
The Harrogate Vet is set to open a new 24-hour hospital.
The practice, which opened on Leeds Road in 2019, is owned by parent company and integrated veterinary services provider CVS UK Ltd.
It shared the news on social media this afternoon.
The post said building work on its new “state-of-the art veterinary hospital” on Ripon Way had begun and it was due to open this summer.
Veterinary surgeon Diane Cole told the Stray Ferret the new site will include five consult rooms, two surgery theatres, a dental suite, a CT machine and on-site parking.
Ms Cole added:
“Katherine, the founder and clinical director, set up the practice in 2019 and I joined shortly after. We’ve always wanted to open a second site that offers 24-hour care.
“We’re all about providing the best possible service and we know to do that we need to offer 24-hour care. I’d come from working in that environment, so it was something we’ve both always wanted to do.”

The existing Leeds Road site. Pic: Google Maps.
Ms Cole also said her and Katherine Jacklin felt there was a “gap in the market” for emergency veterinary services in Harrogate town centre, adding:
“It just doesn’t seem fair to have to refer people to practices in Wetherby, Leeds or Ripon when they live in Harrogate.
“We’re also hiring more vets with specialised certificates, so we’ll be able to deal with much more specialised cases and complex surgeries at the new site.”
She said the practice will be expanding its team of vets, nurses and receptionists as part of the expansion.
The Harrogate Vet treats all small animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and tortoises.
Only existing clients of the practice will be able to use the services to begin with, Ms Cole added.
She also said:
“Because the building is already there, we’ve been able to really take the time to plan the layout of the new site. The rooms need to be as coherent and stress free as possible for both the owners and animals, especially when they’re coming in for a sad reason, so we’ve put a lot of effort in to make that happen.
“We’re just so excited about opening.”
Ms Cole said the practice does not have an official opening date for the new site yet.
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