Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?
The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.
Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.
Masham-based brewer T&R Theakston is to make its Old Peculier ale available in the United States for the first time in ten years.
The ale has a strong following in the US after first being shipped there in 1976, and at one point was the third most imported British beer, with around 40 pallets exported every month. But the company stopped shipping to the States in 2013 due to the massive growth of foreign imported beers and the domestic craft scene.
Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:
“With the market now settling down and the tried-and-tested imported beer brands coming once again to the fore, now is exactly the right time to return to a much admired and very enthusiastic consumer market once again.”
Believed to have been first brewed in the early 19th century, Theakston Old Peculier is the most recognisable brand of the family-run company which has been brewing in Masham for almost 200 years.
The brewery is working with New York importer and wholesaler Iron Horse Beverages to reintroduce Old Peculier to the US market with a view to expanding its footprint in the coming years. Exports are to restart this month when the first consignment of kegs, 440ml cans and bottles arrive in New York State to be distributed throughout the Eastern Seaboard.
Mr Theakston added:
“We are looking forward to reconnecting with loyal Old Peculier fans throughout the US, whilst introducing our rich brewing heritage to a new audience of ale lovers.”
New finance director at Northern
Train operator Northern has appointed Richard Hinds as its finance director.
A former CFO of global tech distributor Exertis, Mr Hinds has also held senior roles with Flogas Britain Plc and Speedy Hire Plc. In his new role, he will oversee a broad range of corporate services.
Northern, the UK’s second largest train operator, runs Harrogate and Knaresborough stations and provides local passenger train services.
Mr Hinds said:
“I’m looking forward to working with the team at Northern and contributing to our vision to make a positive impact for the North, getting our customers where they need to be, safely, affordably and on time.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Estate agent’s award win puts firm in top 3%
- Business Breakfast: LNER orders cleaner new trains
- Business Breakfast: Growth Hub hires Harrogate district business advisers
Woman in 70s dies after Harrogate collision
A woman in her 70s has died after a collision in Harrogate.
The collision happened on North Park Road yesterday (November 13) at around 4.10pm.
It involved a pedestrian and a car. The driver of the car, a grey BMW 3-series, is helping officers with their enquiries.
A North Yorkshire Police statement issued this evening said:
“The pedestrian who was involved in a collision on North Park Road in Harrogate yesterday, a woman in her 70s, has very sadly died.
“The woman’s family have been informed of the news and are being supported by specially trained officers.”
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and dash cam footage of the incident.
A statement from the force added:
“Officers are renewing the appeal for information and are asking anyone with information or footage who hasn’t already come forward to contact the police. Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101.
“Please quote reference number 12230216084 when passing information.”
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Council to pay costs over Harrogate office block conversion appeal
A developer has been awarded costs after successfully appealing a decision to convert a former Harrogate office block into flats.
Bramhope Property and Investments Limited tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to convert the former office block off Clarence Drive known as Simpson House into 12 two-bedroom flats.
It would have seen the ground, first and second floors converted.
However, the authority rejected the plan in May this year on the grounds that the flats would not have enough natural light.
The developer took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.
As a result, government planning inspector, N Teasdale, approved the plans after finding “no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the rear of the building would be in near constant shade/stygian gloom”.
The inspector also awarded costs against the council in a decision notice published this month.
Mr Teasdale said:
“It is not unreasonable for the council to raise concerns about the management of the trees through the prior approval process and the impact of the trees on the proposed development which informed its decision given the close proximity of the trees.
“It is also not unreasonable for the council to raise concern regarding the contents of a technical study. However, the council’s officer report fails to provide justification for this particularly taking into account the overall methodology used and findings of the study.
“No technical critique has been made of the submitted assessment to support their concerns and inaccurate assertions about the proposals impact were therefore made.”
The inspector found that “unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary or wasted expense” was demonstrated and awarded costs against the council.
Read more:
- Council rejects Harrogate office block conversion over natural light concern
- Developer withdraws Harrogate office block flats plan
Harrogate district charity receives King’s Award for Voluntary Services
A charity that supports visually impaired people across the Harrogate district has received the highest honour for voluntary groups in the UK.
Vision Support Harrogate District has been given the King’s Award for Voluntary Services, the equivalent of an MBE that recognises the country’s most inspiring volunteer-led groups.
Tanya Stimpson, the charity’s director of services, said everyone was “delighted and overwhelmed” to receive the award.
She said:
“Such a prestigious award recognises the dedication of our charity’s volunteers and the positive impact they have on our community. Some have been with us for 20, 30 and even 40 years. They give so freely their skills and experience, time, friendship and support; without them our charity would not exist.”
Vision Support Harrogate District offers practical services as well as emotional support, friendship and kindness to help visually impaired people live a full and independent life.
Among its long-serving volunteers is Ann Routledge, 85, who described the King’s Award as “wonderful news”.
She said:
“It just means everything to us. We are the only charity in the district for visually impaired people and this award is about recognising how much work we do.”
Volunteer Jerry, third from left, with his bowling group members
Ripon volunteer John with retired volunteers Doreen, right, and Joan.
Vision Support Harrogate District helps people develop new skills and take part in a range of social and wellbeing activities, both at a drop-in centre in Harrogate as well as satellite meetings in Ripon and Pateley Bridge. It also offers a helpline, telephone befriending service and home visits.
Helen McGrath joined as a member when she lost her sight suddenly nine years ago at the age of 42. She now volunteers for the charity, using her experience to help others. She said:
“I’d be lost without this place. What they have done for me is immeasurable.
“It’s very hard to be told you’re losing your sight; you can feel like your life has come to an end. But coming here made me feel like my life had restarted on a much more positive path.”
Val Pilkington, 75, worked at the charity before becoming a full-time volunteer along with her husband Steven when she retired around ten years ago. She said:
“Support is the big word; the members and the volunteers all support each other. It’s just like a family, everybody pulls together and it’s very rewarding indeed.”
Read more
- Ripon Vision Support receives £7,000 boost from mayor’s charity appeal
- 36 community groups in Harrogate district awarded £92,000
Tanya added:
“Throughout Vision Support Harrogate District’s 102 years of service, volunteers have led the charity and provide lifelong educational, social and wellbeing services and activities to those in our community who have sight loss. We will display this award with pride, remembering devoted volunteers past and present.”
Sculptures made by members of Vision Support Harrogate District will form part of an art exhibition at St Peter’s Church from November 21 to 26.
Woman in 70s seriously injured after Harrogate collisionA woman in her 70s has been seriously injured after a collision in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and dash cam footage of the incident which happened on North Park Road.
The woman, who was a pedestrian, was treated by paramedics and has been taken to hospital after being struck by a grey BMW 3-Series.
Police have also appealed for CCTV footage showing the grey BMW 3-Series in the moments before the collision, which was reported just before 4.10pm today.
A large section of North Park Road is currently closed to allow police to investigate.
Road closures are at junctions with Queen’s Parade, York Place, Harcourt Drive and other adjoining roads.
Officers said the roads are likely to stay closed for some time and police are advising motorists to use alternative routes.
A North Yorkshire Police statement said:
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has footage of the collision or the moments leading up to it, should email Traffic Sergeant Jon Moss at Jon.Moss@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Jon Moss.
“Please quote reference NYP13112023-0349 when sharing information.”
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Northern pledges to target persistent fare dodgers on its services
Northern has pledged to crackdown on persistent fare dodgers on its services.
The rail company, which operates services through Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds and York, issued the warning and promised to prosecute those who dodge fares for historic cases.
The move comes as the firm set up its digital fraud investigations team in 2021 amid a surge in digital tickets after the covid pandemic.
Around 70% of tickets on Northerns services are bought online.
Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said:
“Fare evasion hasn’t been as simple as people just not buying a ticket for quite some time.
“There are people who try to outsmart the system through a complex process of fraudulent refund requests, delay repay claims and a process known as ‘short faring’.
“What those people might not realise is that, as with any electronic transaction, our systems are able to identify suspicious activity and bring it to the attention of our specialist investigators.”
The company said it investigated 108,681 reports of attempted fare evasion in the 2022-23 financial year.
It attended 301 court sittings during the same period, helping to secure 14,072 convictions.
Northern said the prosecutions help to recoup £2.9 million in lost revenue for the taxpayer.
Read more:
- Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision
- Two men arrested after Boroughbridge burglary
- Police release CCTV image after fight in Harrogate McDonald’s
Police release CCTV image after fight in Harrogate McDonald’s
Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a fight in McDonald’s in Harrogate.
The incident happened on Sunday, October 15, and involved multiple people fighting in the fast food outlet on Cambridge Road at 4.30am.
North Yorkshire Police has arrested two men, aged 19 and 31, in connection with the incident.
Now, officers have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to as part of their investigation.
A police statement added:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.
“Anyone with any information is asked to email benjamin.ambler2@northyorkshire.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12230195734 when passing on information.”
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Historic Harrogate building to be converted back into a home
A former stately home in Harrogate dating back to the 18th century will be converted back into housing after being used as offices.
North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to convert the grade II listed Bilton Court on Wetherby Road into a single home.
Built in 1740 and close to the Great Yorkshire Showground, it’s described in planning documents as being a “jewel in the crown” of Harrogate.
The building is currently used by local firm Geoplan as its main offices but because of the increase in working from home since the covid pandemic, documents submitted by Townscape Architects say it is “no longer needed, practical or economical” to be used by the business.
Two side extensions were added to the building in 1820 and a chapel was built in 1889.
A futher extension will be built to be used as a garage and garden room and a warehouse building that is part of the site will also be converted into a separate home.
Documents add:
“It is proposed to convert the property back into a dwelling which we believe is more befitting of a property of this nature and will preserve and prolong the life of the building as it was first designed.
“Overall, because the property was initially designed as a residential property it lends itself well to being converted into one now. As a result a light touch approach was used with as little intervention as possible.
“This means the heritage asset will disturbed as little as possible. Where new additions are made the intention has been to make them as obvious as possible to ensure they don’t confuse and detract from the heritage asset.”
Read more:
- Landmark Harrogate road safety and transport package unveiled
- Harrogate autism school could save £4m a year
Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘Dementia Forward is a home for me’
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, Flora spoke to a mother and daughter who use the charity’s services.
Growing up, parents seem invincible, and the thought of one day caring for them seems a lifetime away.
But in reality, thousands of people are caring for their parents living with dementia, and losing their loved ones before their very eyes.
One of them is Beverley Mitcheson, who looks after her mother, Mary Yelland. They told us their story.
Mary was once a talented window-dresser. She is a mother to her children, grandmother to her grandchildren and even great-grandmother to her great-grandchildren – Mary lived a normal life before getting dementia.
Beverley said:
“We noticed a lot of changes in mum, and we all knew she wasn’t remembering things, but it wasn’t until last year that we finally took action.
“There’s no handbook in these situations – you don’t know what to do.”
Beverley felt at a loss as to how best to support her 91-year-old mother, who had recently been diagnosed with this progressive disease.
Luckily, her husband had noticed the Dementia Forward minibus around the area and got in touch about Mary’s diagnosis.
Beverley said:
“As a carer, you never feel you’re doing enough.”
Beverley took on the role as her mum’s carer 18 months ago and, as a mother and grandmother herself, struggled to juggle it all.
After a home visit from the Dementia Forward team, they stepped in to provide Mary with specialist care she needed.
Fast forward a year, and she now goes attends the Hub Club twice a week with a smile on her face.
Beverley added:
“I couldn’t manage without these two days.
“I love my mum so much – she’s happy.
“I know she’s stimulated here – which is something I can’t do for her – and they’re the main things.”
Mary with other members at the Hub Club.
The Hub Club offers those living with dementia the opportunity to spend the day at the Burton Leonard site. They play board games, have coffee and cake over crosswords, take part in quizzes and listen to their favourite songs. But most importantly, the members are socialising.
Dementia can be extremely isolating and people often feel misunderstood, but the group combats that and makes those people feel understood.
Beverley added:
“Dementia isn’t physical – people can’t see it – so, for her to be somewhere she’s understood is just amazing.”
The charity has brought light to a life-changing situation for Mary and Beverley, as well as hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.
Mary said:
“When I come here, I just feel like I’m going to see my friends – it’s like a family.
“It’s like entering a haven where I don’t need to worry about anything. It’s a home for me.”
However, Beverley still has to watch this dementia take her mother from her.
Dementia Forward continues to support them, along with thousands of other families every week, but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
Harrogate school crash: US colonel to face trial next monthThe trial of a highly decorated American colonel accused of seriously injuring two schoolboys in a collision in Harrogate is to take place next month.
Benjamin Oakes, 46, of Tewit Well Avenue, Harrogate, is charged with causing injury by careless or inconsiderate driving on Yew Tree Lane on February 2. He has pleaded not guilty.
Two 15-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered serious injuries in the collision near Ashville College.
The scene on Yew Tree Lane in February.
A two-day hearing is scheduled to begin at York Magistrates Court on December 11, a case management hearing in York was told on Friday. Mr Oakes, who is on unconditional bail, did not attend.
He previously appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court in August when both he and magistrates opted not to send the case to crown court, where he would have faced a jury trial.
The schoolboys are expected to give evidence via a video link during the trial.
According to his LinkedIn profile, which was taken down before August’s hearing, Mr Oakes is chief of the space policy division for the US joint chiefs of staff at the Pentagon.
The joint chiefs of staff consists of the most senior leaders in the United States Department of Defense, which advises the president.
He was previously a political-military analyst in the space policy division and before that was commander of the operational support squadron in the US Airforce.
Hundreds of US military personnel are stationed at RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate.
Read more:
- Man pleads not guilty to seriously injuring teens in collision outside Harrogate school
- Accused in Harrogate schoolboy crash is US chief of space policy