As the Stray Ferret enters its fourth year of providing the best media coverage of the Harrogate district, we have given our daily newsletter a makeover.

The newsletter provides a round-up of what our journalists have been up to. The new look makes it easier than ever to get a snapshot of what is happening, with links to all the articles.

It includes a nightly introduction from Stray Ferret editor John Plummer as well as a round up of our daily news content, plus Photo of the Week, lifestyle features and in-depth topics.

Mr Plummer said:

“We hope the fresh new look appeals to readers. We are very grateful to everyone who reads the Stray Ferret and hope you continue to support independent local journalism in 2024.”

You can sign up here to the newsletter to keep up to date and get the latest news straight to your inbox.

Read more:

• £300,000 upgrade of The Woodlands in Harrogate to begin next week
• Harrogate trains cancelled as flood threat remains
• What has happened to Knaresborough’s new £6 million primary school?

A section of Harrogate‘s Penny Pot Lane will close for at least four days from next week.

The part of the road, which runs between Ingleborough Drive and Young’s Drive, will be blocked as Yorkshire Water carries out work in the area.

A spokesperson for the company said it was making improvements to its water network:

“Our teams will be working to make improvements to our water network which will require the temporary closure of Penny Pot Lane.

“We are expecting the road to be closed from 8-12 January to allow the work to be conducted safely.

“We will work as quickly as possible to complete the improvements and apologise for any inconvenience the closure will cause.”

The spokesperson also said the road will then re-open under two-way traffic lights to enable the final work to be carried out.

Pic: North Yorkshire Council.

However, according to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map, the closure could be in place until January 21.

The spokesperson told the Stray Ferret a diversion will be in place on what is a busy route in and out of Harrogate.

Access will be maintained for residents, they added.

Read more:

• Outrage as Harrogate hospital parking firm ‘incorrectly’ issues parking fine
• No.7: A bumpy year road safety

Building work on a £300,000 upgrade of The Woodlands pub in Harrogate is due to begin next week.

Work will start on Monday (January 8) and the pub on Wetherby Road is due to re-open at the end of February with a new food and drinks offer.

Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars said in a statement today it planned to “transform it into the best family-friendly community and sports pub in the area”.

It added:

“Funds are being spent on a top-to-toe redecoration of the interior of The Woodlands to include new hard flooring, carpets and furniture to give the pub a brighter, smarter more contemporary look and feel.

“A new sports area will be created with a pool table, traditional darts board and TV showing Sky Sports and TNT Sports.  A kitchen upgrade is also taking place to enable the pub to extend its traditional pub favourites and cater for the increased numbers the operators expect to attract.

“The pub’s exterior is to be given a complete makeover, repainted in a smart grey-blue and white with new signage, lighting and in warmer months, hanging baskets. To the front there will be a beer garden with new tables and chairs and behind a sheltered beer garden, that’s a real sun trap.”

The Woodlands on Wetherby Road

An artist’s impression of how it will look.

Star Pubs and Bars first unveiled plans to give the pub a facelift in December 2020. At the time it also announced plans to give the pub a controversial new name, West Riding Harrogate, but this was dropped when it didn’t go down well with some local residents.

The company today said the refurbishment has taken time to begin because it initially planned to recruit a licensee who would have also invested in the pub, but it had now decided to run The Woodlands as one of its managed operator pubs and is doing the whole investment itself.

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It announced Paul Caunt and Matthew Carr would take on the management of the venue. Both previously worked for Mr Carr’s father who had the lease of the pub for many years.

Mr Caunt said:

“Matthew’s father decided to retire last year when his lease came to an end.  We had thought we would have to leave the pub but were delighted when we found out that it was going to benefit from a major investment and that there was an opportunity to manage it.  We were both ready to run our own pub so it’s a dream come true.  We make a great team as Matthew is responsible for the kitchen, and I’m front of house.

“We were both brought up in Harrogate and both live nearby so know what locals want and the area needs.  We get on well with the regulars and there’s a fantastic community spirit.”

The partners plans for The Woodland include continuing to host twice weekly pub quizzes and show live sports on TV and if there’s interest they will look to host live music. They are also looking for pool and darts teams.

Paul Caunt(left) and Matthew Carr toast the pub’s success.

The drinks will include a selection of wines, spirits, and beers as well as cocktails, cask and craft ales and Heineken 0.0.  Beers will include Birra Moretti and Beavertown as well as Theakstons and Timothy Taylor’s.

Andy Moore, Star Pubs & Bars investment manager, said:

“The Woodlands is in a prominent position on a busy crossroads near to the Yorkshire show showground and near the newly promoted Harrogate Town Football Club.  It’s tired looking at the moment, a bit of an eyesore, but with this major investment it will be somewhere that locals can be proud of.

“The immediate area has plenty of top-quality food pubs, but no real top quality community local offering sport.  With Matthew and Paul at the helm, a new look and feel and new food and drinks menus, I’m confident it will deliver what is needed locally.  People will have the type of pub on their doorstep that previously they had to travel to enjoy.”

The vast majority of Star Pubs & Bars’ 2,400 pubs are leased to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Jennyfields residents have expressed concerns about the forthcoming closure of the Boots pharmacy in the Co-op.

The Stray Ferret reported last month Boots planned to close 300 UK stores, with those in close proximity to other sites run by the company most at risk.

But the loss of the facility has upset locals — and heightened fears about the future of retail in Jennyfields, where many shops are shut.

The nearest Boots pharmacies will be in Harrogate town centre, Knaresborough Market Place, St James’s Retail Park and Market Place West in Ripon when the one in Jennyfields closes.

Freda Roach, a nearby resident, described the loss of the pharmacy as a “great blow to the local community” and a “retrograde step”, adding:

“[The pharmacy] is used by a great number of Jennyfields people who do not have a car and use the bus or walk.

“I for one will be very upset when the branch is closed as the nearest pharmacy is not in walking distance, and relying on buses will make it half a day’s job having to travel into Harrogate.”

Read more:

• Boots pharmacy in Jennyfields to close next year
• Jewellery thieves strike twice at Harrogate homes

Another Jennyfields resident, David Smith, said the move was “ridiculous”.

He said:

“I have been going there for prescriptions for at least 30 years. It is always busy and recently you usually have to queue.

“In addition, I understand that the next nearest surgery at Killinghall is closing.

“We are going backwards rather than forwards.”

 ‘A popular and busy pharmacy’

Councillor Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on North Yorkshire Council, was also “disappointed” by the news.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I was very disappointed to hear that Boots intend to close the pharmacy located in the Jennyfields Co-op – and I have asked the public health team at the council to consider what representations we need to make to NHS England, who are responsible for ensuring pharmacy provision is adequate.

“This is a very popular and busy pharmacy.”

Three out of four units are closed at the Jennyfield Drive site.

One Stray Ferret social media follower commented to say the centre used to be a “thriving little area”. But three out of four units on the Jennyfield Drive site, as well as the Stone Beck pub, are closed.

The prospect of a new Tesco supermarket a mile away has also fuelled concerns about the future of retail in Jennyfields.

But Cllr Harrison said:

“Jennyfields is a vibrant housing estate, and is more than capable of supporting quality businesses in this location – I am keen to understand what the landlords’ plans are to ensure the future attractiveness and viability of the units.”

A spokesperson for the Co-op said the use of the space occupied by the pharmacy is “being reviewed” and “no decisions have been taken at this stage”.

Twenty UK Boots stores have already closed in line with the new plan – four of which are in Yorkshire.

Boots declined to comment on the Jennyfields closure when approached by the Stray Ferret. But staff at the pharmacy told the Stray Ferret they have been “given options” about employment going forward.

Nine new homes are set to be built in Harrogate and Boroughbridge as part of a £9.2 million housing fund.

The move comes as part of a York and North Yorkshire brownfield housing fund, which was approved this month.

The money will see 700 new homes built across the county, including 252 affordable homes.

A total of nine projects have been agreed, which will see developments built in Catterick, York, Easingwold, Harrogate and Boroughbridge.

Funding was agreed, subject to further due diligence, at a meeting of the York and North Yorkshire Joint Devolution Committee.

If progressed, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will administer the fund. Investment has been secured from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: 

“North Yorkshire is one of the most desirable places to live in the country, but with that comes a massive demand for housing, especially for more affordable homes.

“We want people to be able to continue to live in the communities where they grew up, while also allowing others to move to the county to help to bring in the skills and experience which are needed to boost the economy.

“This is a significant moment for both York and North Yorkshire to see more than £9 million being used to fund hundreds of new properties, especially with more than a third of them being affordable homes.”

Read more:

• New settlement plans ‘paused’ after land withdrawn near Cattal
• Concern over lack of secondary school at new Harrogate district town
• Almost half of 4,000-home Maltkiln scheme removed

Throughout 2023, the Harrogate district became something of a celebrity hotspot.

Gyles Brandeth bemoaned of a sleepless night in a Harrogate hotel, while Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp described Bettys cakes as a “nectar of paradise”.

And heaven knows what Morrissey was doing here…

Today, we’re looking back at some star-studded visits to the district, and what some celebrities had to say about the local area.

Kate Winslet visits Nidderdale pub

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet visited the Crown at Middlesmoor with her family in May.

Landlady Angela Snow,  said she was “starstruck” by the Hollywood star, who had been walking around Scar House Reservoir before stopping at the village pub.

Ms Snow told the Stray Ferret:

“To be honest, I wouldn’t have known. I was in the kitchen cooking when my bar lady Megan recognised her.

“As she was leaving, I asked for a photo to put up behind the bar. She said she usually pretends to be someone else, but she said she would because it was such a nice pub.”

Kate Winslet rose to fame after her landing a role in Titanic. Since then, she has become a household name and has starred in Sense and Sensibility, Avatar and The Holiday.

As well as winning the Oscar for best actress for her performance in The Reader, Kate Winslet has been nominated a further six times. She has won three Baftas, two Emmys, a Grammy and five Golden Globes.

Kate Winslet, centre, with Megan Dunn and Angela Snow at the Crown in Middlesmoor

Heaven knows what Morrissey was up to in Harrogate

Morrissey, the enigmatic former frontman of The Smiths, was spotted enjoying a quiet pint in Harrogate in March.

Chris Russell from Knaresborough caused a stir when he posted a photo of him and the influential star in The Harrogate Arms where Mozza was apparently relaxed and happy to pose for photos with fans.

Pete Murphy, manager of the pub, said:

“We only had four or five tables in, so it wasn’t busy, but a few people recognised him and had photos with him.

“We get the odd Leeds player in, but that’s the first singer I’ve seen.”

in typically mysterious Morrissey style, his reason for being in Harrogate remains unknown.

Morrissey with Chris Russell.

Lethal Weapon star dines in Harrogate restaurant

Danny Glover, star of the Lethal Weapon franchise, dined at Efes Bar and Grill this summer.

The 77-year-old Hollywood star was in town for the Yorkshire Comic-Con.

He posed for photos with the restaurant staff, which had opened just weeks prior to his visit.

Glover is most famous for his role as Roger Murtaugh, but has also starred in The Colour Purple and Predator 2.

He is also known for his political activism, strongly opposing the Bush administration in America.

Danny Glover pictured at Efes Bar and Grill in Harrogate.

DJ Calvin Harris spotted at Wetherby Services

One of the biggest names in music, Calvin Harris, was spotted at Wetherby Services in August.

The star, who is the 23rd most played artist in the world on Spotify, was on his way back from Creamfields festival after fans spotted him at Pret A Manger.

The fans, who were headed to Newcastle, had watched the Scottish DJ headline the festival just two nights prior to meeting him.

Livvy Elder, one of the fans, said:

“My friend was the one to ask him for a photo and told him we were sorry for disturbing him for a photo, but he was the kindest man so humble – he said it was no problem at all.

“It totally topped off our weekend and was a moment we will never forget!”

Calvin Harris boasts nearly 60 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He also has an annual residency at one of the largest clubs in the world, Ushuaia, Ibiza, and has had 11 UK No.1 songs.

Calvin Harris (centre) with fans.

Gyles Brandreth endures sleepless night in Harrogate hotel bed

TV personality and writer, Gyles Brandreth, took to social media to tell of his sleepless night in a Harrogate hotel.

The raconteur said the bed “tilted to the left so that I had to cling on all night” following his visit in September.

The poor-nights-sleep came after he appeared at the Royal Hall for his one-man show, Gyles Brandreth Can’t Stop Talking.

However, he did praise the “warm and wonderful audience” in Harrogate.

He later praised The Ivy for its “delicious post-show supper: cheese soufflé followed by iced berries”.

Let’s hope Gyles Brandreth finds a comfier bed on his next visit to Harrogate…

Gykes Brandreth with The Ivy staff.

Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp say Bettys is “heart and soul of humanity”

Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp praised Bettys online after their gig in Harrogate.

In a YouTube video posted in October, the couple described the tearoom as a “quality establishment”. Robert Fripp said he’d been to the York branch before, but said the Harrogate venue was “something of a pilgrimage.”

Toyah added: 

“You may think we’re complete idiots for being so in love with this experience, but it was the heart and soul of humanity. We could talk to everyone, everyone really cared, it was kind, it was utterly amazing.” 

They described a cake they’d saved from their visit as “the nectar of paradise” and “a relic from the shrine of St Betty”. 

The couple also shared their love for the whole town in the video. Toyah added:

“Robert’s never been to Harrogate and he absolutely loved it, and I loved it too. It’s such a special place, and if ever you’re visiting the UK or just having a holiday in the UK, and you’ve not been to Harrogate, go – it’s beautiful!”

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp.

Based on this year’s celebrity visits, the Stray Ferret is excited to see what, or whom, 2024 will bring. Do let us know if you see a star out and about.

Read more:

• Harrogate man to represent UK at Eurovision
• Novelist Ruth Ware to curate Harrogate crime writing festival
• Stumps Cross Caverns to feature in Channel 5 programme

An American themed diner in Harrogate appears to have closed after enforcement notices were placed in its windows.

The Fabulous 50s Diner on Bower Road opened two years ago on the site of the former Cafe Rita.

Enforcement notices issued by Wilson & Roe High Court Enforcement have been put in the window of the diner which state that authorised agents on behalf of the landlord have “re-entered the land”.

It adds:

“Any attempt by you or your agents to enter these premises will result in criminal or civil proceedings being taken against you.”

The notices go on to add that, under Section 12(3) of the Torts Act 1977, any third party which asserts ownership to goods in 15a Bower Street has until 5pm on January 5 to collect them.

Meanwhile, the diner’s Facebook page has not posted since November 27 and its Instagram page appears to have been removed.

Enforcement notices at the diner.

The move comes as the Stray Ferret reported in August that the owners of the diner, The Hub Caffe Ltd, had appointed liquidators and applied to be wound up.

An announcement on official public record website The Gazette said Richard Hunt of SFP Restructuring Limited in London had been appointed liquidator on July 21.

The Gazette also reported a general meeting of the company on the same date resolved to voluntarily wind-up the business.

The announcement, dated July 27, was authorised by director Wagdy Mansour.

Following the report by the Stray Ferret, a post on the diner’s Facebook page said the restaurant had not closed.

It added:

“The Fabulous 50’s Diner is not closing we have just changed owners.

“The restaurant is open and will continue to offer the same menus, music, and pizza. We would like you to read carefully, only Mr. Wagdy’s two companies have gone into liquidation. The Fabulous 50’s Diner now belongs to new owner MO DINER LTD.

“We are waiting for you to come visit the restaurant. We will continue what Mr. Wagdy and his wife started by keeping the memory of you as the initiators of this restaurant.”

Read more:

• American diner in Harrogate appoints liquidators
• Harrogate care home owner “absolutely delighted” after Grove House conversion approved

King Charles III celebrated his coronation this year – and the Harrogate district certainly celebrated with him.

From street parties and parades to afternoon tea and live music, people went all out to mark the new king in May.

See our gallery below to look back on the royal celebrations near you.

Harrogate

Over the three-day weekend, Harrogate saw a range of celebratory events.

People gathered for an afternoon tea at the Oatlands Community Centre, others watched a livestream on the big screen in the Valley Gardens.

Local businesses also showed their colours — and some four-legged friends even waved the flag for the day.

Afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre.

The Valley Gardens was also looking patriotic for the occasion.

People watched a livestream in the Valley Gardens.

Local businesses got into the royal spirit.

Betsy got coronation ready too!

Ripon

Ripon kicked off the royal celebrations with a live performance from Complete Madness in the Market Square.

Services in the cathedral and street parties followed, and surrounding villages gathered to mark the occasion too.

Former Ripon Grammar School student, 72-year-old Bruce Oldfield, even designed Queen Camilla’s coronation dress.

Fountains Abbey was lit up in honour of the King.

Floral displays created by the Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club. 

Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.

Complete Madness kicking off the celebrations.

Residents of Carr Close threw a street party.

Around 100 people partied on the street.

Masham and Kirkby Malzeard

Masham and Kirkby Malzeard residents came out in their droves to celebrate the royal event.

There was a car rally, a float parade, BBQs, maypole dancing and more.

Masham had a float parade.

Maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard.

Vintage cars also rallied as part of the parade.

Knaresborough

Knaresborough House held a livestream of the coronation service, as well as a Coronation Concert over the weekend.

The concert, which was held at Knaresborough Castle, celebrated at music through time and people smiled as the sun shone down.

Livestream at Knaresborough House.

Hundreds gathered for the Coronation Concert.

Knitting Pretty and Number Thirteen in Knaresborough were decorated for the coronation.

Read more:

• As it happened: Harrogate district celebrates King Charles II coronation
• As it happened: Second day of coronation celebrations in Harrogate district

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we’re looking at the council’s £47.9 million investment into local leisure centres.

The Harrogate district has undergone something of a council leisure centre revolution in recent years – with Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon all boasting multi-million pound developments.

The process has certainly not been plain sailing. From sink holes and temporary gyms to delays, North Yorkshire Council’s fitness projects have rarely been out of the Stray Ferret news.

But by the end of the year it was hard to dispute the view of Mark Tweedie, the managing director of Brimhams Active, which runs leisure facilities on behalf of the council, that the district’s facilities were the envy of North Yorkshire.

In a further twist, however, the new North Yorkshire Council has now said it is to scrap Brimhams and bring all of the county’s leisure services back in-house.

Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre

The former Harrogate Hydro, now known as the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre, opened in September following an almost 18-month transformation.

The £13.5 million refurbishment included a 400-square metre fitness centre, a new sauna and steam room, improved reception area and café, as well as an overhaul of the existing gym, spin, leisure and swimming facilities.

The Brimhams Active-run site boasts three swimming pools: a 25-metre lane pool, a diving pool and a children’s pool.

People can also attend fitness classes, including an immersive spin class, pilates and yoga.

The opening was well-received. When the Stray Ferret reported on it, one person’s comment on social media summed up how many felt:

“It’s amazing, we are so lucky to have theses facilities in Harrogate.”

In May, North Yorkshire Council said the cost of the scheme had increased from a budgeted £11.9 million.

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre

The long-awaited Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre opened its doors in December.

Work began on the site, which is next to the former Knaresborough Pool, in April 2022 after plans were approved the month before.

It was originally expected to open in summer, however, the opening date was repeatedly delayed until this month.

The transformed centre now offers a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool and slide, and a 60-station fitness suite.

Like the Harrogate site, there is also a sauna and steam room, a café, a group cycling studio and a studio for fitness classes.

The outdoor children’s play area is still in the works but is expected to open in January.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts, culture and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, told the Stray Ferret ahead of its opening:

“You come over the brow of the hill in Knaresborough and see the leisure centre building – it is such an attractive building.

“It sits so well in its space, it’s full of light and the facilities are fantastic.

“This is what local authorities can achieve. It’s a real asset to Knaresborough.”

Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, Ripon

The Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, in Ripon, has not only faced the most bumps – or holes – in the road, but also the biggest expenditure of the three.

Although the site officially reopened in March last year, Ripon residents are yet to see the full transformation.

The old part of the site is locked in a sinkhole groundhog day of never-ending work on a “void” beneath the building, which remains closed.

Following the discovery of the void, which is believed to have been there for several years, the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council submitted a planning application to install a temporary gym in the centre’s car park in July 2022.

This was to enable the closure of the existing gym on the upper floor of the 28-year-old building, which was found to require £3.5 million worth of ground stabilisation works.

The temporary structure was supposed to open that autumn – just months after the application was submitted – however, the installation was continually delayed.

It was not until April this year that the £300,000 building, which houses the temporary gym, was installed.

The stabilisation work, which began in June, brought the cost to £18 million — £8 million over budget.

However, that too has not come without challenges.

North Yorkshire Council said in October its movement checks revealed multiple cracks up to 10mm long.

It said the cracks have affected the “weather tightness of the building and the operation of doors and windows” but added specialists had said there were no safety concerns.

The council said at the time the estimated completion date and costs were “under review”.

Works at the site.

‘Stop throwing good money after bad’

Councillor Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group at the council and leader of Ripon City Council, said last year it was time to stop “throwing good money after bad” and to “look for a suitable location for a new leisure centre to be built on sound land”.

In response to the discovery of the cracks, Cllr Williams said:

“The building is under very close monitoring to ensure that there is no movement as the works progress, if there is movement then the position will have to be reviewed in the light of that information.

“The situation is far from ideal and I hope that it will prove possible to complete these works because the bottom line is that Ripon needs a functioning leisure centre.”

The new building, which includes the swimming pool, sauna and steam room, has remained open throughout.

However, it looks like members will be using the temporary gym and attending group classes at Hugh Ripley Hall in the city centre well into 2024…

Read more:

• VIDEO: First look at new £17.5m Knaresborough leisure centre
• ‘Multiple cracks’ detected at Ripon leisure centre
• ‘Our leisure centres will be the envy of North Yorkshire’

A Harrogate hospice leader has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Tony Collins, who is chief executive of Saint Michael’s Hospice, has been awarded the honour for service to the community.

Mr Collins, who is also chief executive of specialist bereavement and emotional wellbeing service Just ‘B’ and Hambleton and Richmondshire-based Herriot Hospice Homecare, has been a leader in the hospice community in Yorkshire and the North East for 27 years, and also sits on the board of national charity Hospice UK.

He has been at the forefront of increasing hospice care at home, increasing accessibility to hospice care for people in rural areas and introducing Yorkshire’s first specialised community bereavement service – Just ‘B’ – in 2009.

Saint Michael’s provides care and support for families living with terminal illness and bereavement across the Harrogate district. It does this from its hospice building, as well as in the community. Alongside Just ‘B’ and Herriot Hospice Homecare, it makes up registered charity North Yorkshire Hospice Care.

Joint chairs of trustees for the charity, Colin Tweedie and Joanne Crewe, praised Mr Collins’ “commitment and dedication to ensuring people across North Yorkshire and beyond have access to high quality care and support at the right time, and in the right place” in a statement.

Read more:

• Nidderdale lollipop lady receives BEM in King’s New Year Honours
• Tory council leader Carl Les receives OBE