An eight-week-old puppy was stolen by two people posing as police officers at Harrogate bus station yesterday, according to her owners.
The incident occurred between 4pm and 5pm.
Sophie, who is a cross between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua, had only been with Michael Stuart and his partner since Tuesday, October 17.
Mr Stuart posted on Facebook this morning:
“My partner had our puppy stolen from her on Thursday evening at Harrogate bus station by two people posing as police officers.”
He told the Stray Ferret his partner, who is Hungarian and speaks little English, became confused when approached. He said:
“She could not understand them – they were posing as the police.
“She panicked and handed the dog over to them.”
The couple reported the incident to the police last night. However, the dog has now been returned to its owners.
Mr Stuart said:
“A couple found the dog nearby and took her home last night. They saw the Facebook post and contacted police.
“We are so very lucky.”
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the “incident is now closed” following the return of the puppy.
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Another fire at Birstwith factory
Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough used breathing apparatus to tackle a factory fire in Birstwith.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a fire in a flour drying unit measuring 60 metres x 20 metres at Kerry Ingredients at 12.29pm yesterday.
Its incident report said:
“The fire caused 30% fire damage and 50% smoke damage to the drying unit only.
“The cause of the fire was overheating product in the dryer. Crews used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, a thermal imaging camera, a triple extension ladder and small tools to deal with the incident.”
It is not the first time firefighters have been called to the three-storey former mill.
In August last year, Ripon and Knaresborough crews used breathing apparatus to tackle a blaze in a drying plant.
The cause of the incident was not revealed.
Read more:
- Firefighters called to blaze at factory in Birstwith
- More parking fines issued at Valley Drive than any other Harrogate street
Stump Cross Caverns to feature in Channel 5 programme
Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge is set to feature in a well-known Channel 5 programme next week.
The Hotel Inspector, which is led by former hotelier Alex Polizzi, offers guidance to hotels and businesses on how to redirect themselves and avoid closing down.
Lisa Bowerman, owner of Stump Cross Caverns, told the Stray Ferret she saw a post from Channel 5 on Facebook looking for businesses to be part of the show.
She said:
“I was scrolling Facebook in February, and I noticed an advert calling for any business who needed help during these unprecedented times, including tourist attractions, to get in touch.
“We had watched The Hotel Inspector and had seen how Alex could turn businesses around, so I emailed straight away!”
The caverns have been open since 1860, but Ms Bowerman has been running the business for the last 20 years.
However, she added “after that long you don’t always see the things that need changing”.
“I applied because I was on my knees – I was knackered — I really needed an expert opinion on how to redirect the business into profitability.”
A spokesperson from Channel 5 said Alex quickly realised the business needed “streamlining and smartening”.
The filming finished towards the end of June and Alex’s “formidable force” has made a “massive difference to the business”, Ms Bowerman added.
“I cannot begin to tell you what it meant to have the expert support and guidance and motivation of Alex and her team.
“We will be forever grateful, and it will be something I never forget. Alex’s guidance has made us realise our mistakes.
“The changes have been successful, and we now feel we are on the right path.”
The episode will air next Tuesday, October 24, at 9pm on Channel 5.
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RHS Harlow Carr to close tomorrow due to weather warning
RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate has announced it will close tomorrow and its Autumn Garden Weekend has been cancelled due to Storm Babet.
The Autumn Garden event was due to take place this weekend on Saturday (October 21) and Sunday (October 22).
However, the RHS said in an email today:
“The extreme weather means it will not be possible to set up the event as planned on Friday and therefore the garden will be closed in order to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers.”
The announcement follows a weather warning issued by the Met Office earlier this week.
It said the Harrogate district will see heavy rain from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Saturday.
The RHS added it will “monitor the weather” and hopes to reopen the garden as usual on Saturday.
It added:
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this is likely to cause, and we thank you for your understanding.”
Read more:
- Harewood Bridge closure postponed due to Storm Babet
- Met Office issues four-day rain warning for Harrogate district
More parking fines have been issued at Valley Drive than any other street in Harrogate, with the council collecting over £73,000 from motorists since 2021.
Valley Drive, which runs adjacent to Valley Gardens, has topped the list for the most on-street PCNs issued in the town during each of the last three years.
North Yorkshire Council, which controls parking in the county, supplied its parking fine data for Harrogate to the Local Democracy Reporting Service following a freedom of information request.
In 2021, there were 1,402 penalty charge notices (PCN) issued on Valley Drive which generated £35,153 for the council.
The number fell to 978 PCNs last year worth a combined £23,814.
So far in 2023, the council has issued 672 PCNs which has brought in £15,070.
Valley Drive is in a disc zone which is when motorists display a paper disc with the clock set to the time of arrival in order to receive free parking.
Read more:
- Harewood Bridge closure postponed due to Storm Babet
- Knaresborough road closure signs put up ‘in error’
However, if motorists do not display a disc after they park, or they stay longer than their allotted time, they are liable to receive a PCN worth £50 — which is reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days.
North Yorkshire Council said it has stepped-up patrols on Valley Drive which has reduced the number of offences.
The street with the second-highest number of parking fines is West Park, which is next to a section of the Stray and hospitality venues including Weetons, the Coach and Horses and the Yorkshire Hotel.
There have been 1,399 PCNs issued on West Park since 2021 generating a total of £30,382.
Other streets to make the top 3 include St Mary’s Walk, James Street and Station Parade.
Steve Brown, North Yorkshire Council’s head of parking services, said:
“Our parking officers patrol areas with both waiting and stopping restrictions. The patrolling is random, but the areas that appear to cause the most breaches are patrolled more often until more motorists comply.
“The statistics for Valley Drive show that our tactic is working, as the number of notices has dramatically decreased in the last few years.”
The full figures are below:
2021
1. Valley Drive: 1402 PCNs generating £35,153.
2. West Park: 463 PCNs generating £10,037.
3. St Mary’s Walk: 390 PCNs generating £9,977.35
2022
1. Valley Drive: 972 PCNs generating £23,814.
2. West Park: 543 PCNs generating £12,382.
3. James Street: 505 PCNs generating £13,700.
2023 (up to September)
1. Valley Drive: 672 PCNs generating £15,070.
2. West Park: 393 PCNs generating £8,005.
3. Station Parade: 343 PCNs generating £5,260.
Harewood Bridge closure postponed due to Storm BabetPlanned repairs and overnight closures of Harewood Bridge near Harrogate have been postponed due to a weather warning.
The specialist works to the grade-II listed bridge would have seen an upgrade to the surfacing on the road. A 15-mile diversion would have also been in place.
Leeds City Council was due to close the bridge overnight on Wednesday (October 18) and Thursday (October 19) between 9pm and 5.30am.
However, in an email from Connecting Leeds, people were told the plans have been delayed due to “Storm Babet and heavy rain forecast”.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council added:
“For the works to happen, conditions must be absolutely dry for the period of treatment to the road surface.
“Alternative arrangements are being looked into by the contractor about how we carry out this work with wetter and possibly unpredictable weather ahead.”
The Met Office issued a weather warning on Monday for rain in the Harrogate district from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Saturday.
The grade-II listed structure carries the A61 Harrogate Road over the River Wharfe and is a busy route between Harrogate and Leeds.
The plans at Harewood Bridge followed four weeks of works to the bridge over the summer holidays.
Read more:
- Harewood Bridge to close again for repairs
- Met Office issues four-day rain warning for Harrogate district
Man arrested after incident outside Harrogate McDonalds
A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article in Harrogate town centre.
North Yorkshire Police were called to Cambridge Road outside McDonalds at around 1.40pm this afternoon.
Officers said an 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of breaching bail conditions, possession of a bladed article and obstructing police.
A statement from police this afternoon said the man remained in custody at this time.
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Seven Harrogate district charities receive National Lottery grants worth £450,000
Seven voluntary organisations in the Harrogate district have received National Lottery cash injections totalling nearly £450,000.
They are among 300 organisations in Yorkshire and Humberside to receive a share of more than £13 million awarded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Dementia Forward, based in Burton Leonard, was awarded almost £240,000, which was the largest donation made to a North Yorkshire charity.
The grant will provide three-year funding for its time out together group for people aged 35 to 65 with young onset dementia.
The group enables younger people with this rare form of dementia, who receive little support, to socialise and go on day trips.
The time out together members at Dementia Forward.
Debby Lennox, community liaison manager at Dementia Forward, said:
“The real testament to the success of this project and the need for it to continue is the difference that it is making to the people we support and their families – it truly is life changing.”
The other local groups rewarded were:
Ripon Community Link — £170,000
Ripon Community Link supports adults and young people with learning disabilities.
The charity offers members the chance to work in a café or shop based at Ripon Walled Gardens, and aims to boost self-confidence and employability skills.
The funding will be used to employ more staff to support members working and encourage them to serve customers.
Emerging Voices — £5,780
Emerging Voices is a Harrogate-based project which uses music to improve mental health.
Members can receive mentoring from musicians and teachers. They are offered support with songwriting, singing and playing instruments.
It will use the donation to restart a wellbeing choir and mentoring services.
It hopes the choir will bring people together and reduce isolation.
St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Harrogate — £10,000
St Joseph’s Catholic Church, on Skipton Road, will use its award to contribute towards the replacement of a boiler in the church hall.
The hall is used by groups to host community events and private functions.
Starbeck Community Library — £6,000
Starbeck Community Library, located on the High Street, will use the donation to improve the children’s reading area.
It hopes a new and improved reading area will encourage families to stay at the library for longer and, in turn, improve children’s development.
Autism Angels — £10,000
Summerbridge-based charity Autism Angels offers horse riding sessions to children with autism.
It also offers support to parents, siblings and carers.
The grant will be used to fund additional support sessions for parents and carers. It hopes to start a father’s support group and a parenting programme.
The charity also hopes the funding will reduce isolation and increase awareness and knowledge.
The Robinson Library — £7,500
The Robinson Library in Timble is used as a village hall to house community events, as well as health and wellbeing activities.
The money will be used to refurbish the kitchen.
Joe Dobson, head of funding for Yorkshire and Humberside at the National Lottery Community Fund, said:
“We’re delighted that local groups are using our funding to strengthen communities and improve lives in our region.
“Their passion, creativity and commitment are making a real difference to local people’s lives, and this deserves recognition.”
The fund aims to distribute at least £4 billion by 2030 to support community activities, inclusivity and improve the environment.
Read more:
- Knaresborough leisure centre opening delayed again
- Harrogate Bus Company introduces two-for-one travel on Fridays
North Yorkshire fire service improving, say inspectors
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is making “significant steps” after requiring improvement, say inspectors.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services inspected the service in spring 2022 for effectiveness and efficiency.
They rated it as “requires improvement” for effectiveness and “inadequate” for its efficiency in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risk.
However, following a visit in September this year, inspectors said the service was now making progress.
In a report published today, Michelle Skeer, His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire Services, said there was evidence that the service had improved.
She said:
“I am pleased to see the significant steps that the service has taken in response to the causes of concern we issued.
“The strengthened working relationships between the enabling services have helped to change the working culture and improve staff understanding of the benefits that the collaboration can provide.
“We saw evidence that showed the improvements made are sustainable and that they will continue to be monitored at a senior level.”
The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for comment but not yet had a response.
Read more:
- North Yorkshire fire service ‘improving’ despite rising response times, says commissioner
- North Yorkshire chief fire officer defends charging for false alarm call outs
- Call for answers over North Yorkshire fire service rising response times
The move comes as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel raised concern last week that the service’s response times had increased.
A meeting of the panel was told that people had to wait for an average of 13 minutes and nine seconds for firefighters to respond to incidents.
This compared with 11 minutes and 37 seconds the year before.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the figure as “worrying”.
However, Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said the service had been working “at pace to make considerable progress”.
Jobs on offer with growing brand for hairdressers who listen
This story is sponsored by Allertons.
A hairdressing brand due to open new beauty rooms in Harrogate this month is looking to recruit more staff across all its branches.
Allertons’ flagship salon is the highest rated in Leeds, and it also has concessions in John Lewis stores in Leeds and Nottingham, with a third due to open in Southampton in November. The Harrogate salon is due to open its brand-new beauty rooms by the end of October.
The company currently has 19 vacancies for hairdressers and beauticians, as well as six client concierge roles.
Nick Nicola, who founded the company in 2014, said there was a constant requirement for hairdressers and beauticians, but that they needed to be attuned to the company’s ethos:
“We’re looking for people who want to look after their clients. It’s not so much about the service you provide – that’s going to be excellent anyway – it’s more about how you make people feel. We want people who will calm and pamper our clients.”
Allertons gives 30% of the profit generated for the company to the person who generated it, so a good hairdresser can earn up to £40,000 a year.
In addition, employees receive health insurance, funded training on new techniques and equipment, free hairdressing and treatments, and a ‘friends and family’ discount. Those working in one of the concessions also get discount at John Lewis.
Nick said it was important that candidates were able to ditch their ego and maintain an “old school” approach to customer service:
“Some salons promote certain personalities above others. That’s not us – we want to take a sledgehammer to all of that. We’re not about ego and flashiness, which is why we get on so well with John Lewis.
“We want to debunk that image of the hairdresser who judges clients and thinks they know best what their client should have. People come to us because we listen when they tell us what they want. We’re not fashion and trend-led – we’re 100% customer-led.”