Celebrate this weekend as Jules B Harrogate turns one

This story is sponsored by Jules B

After opening its doors for the first time in September 2022, the team at Jules B Harrogate are all set to celebrate its first birthday. To mark the milestone, the designer womenswear store is planning a special event this coming weekend.

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, the Harrogate team are welcoming visitors to join in the celebrations with cake and refreshments in store. Those who make a purchase on full-price items can also expect another exclusive treat.

Jules B Harrogate is the youngest of five Jules B stores selling a handpicked selection of designer brands like Barbour, Holland Cooper and OSKA.

Located at 5 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, fashion enthusiasts can find luxury clothes, shoes and accessories covering two whole floors. And it’s fair to say it’s been a successful first year with an incredible response from all involved.

Founder Julian Blades said:

“It’s been an enjoyable first year in Harrogate getting to know our new customers and building a fantastic enthusiastic sales team here, and it has not disappointed! We are really excited about our new autumn/winter collections, introducing some amazing new brands to our portfolio. 

“It makes all the hard work worthwhile when you have such an appreciative audience, and we are looking forward to continuing the progress we have made so far.”

If you’re in the area this weekend, drop by to raise a glass and discover the new arrivals awaiting. To discover more about the first year, read this interview with store manager Lynne Markham.

Police cordon off cabman’s shelter on Harrogate’s West Park

Police have cordoned off one of the cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Police and ambulance workers were at the scene before 9am this morning.

Officers at the scene did not say why the area had been closed.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information.

West Park is still open to traffic.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate digital agency embarks on US expansion

Zelst, a Harrogate-based search marketing agency, is expanding to the US after 17-years in business.

The new overseas firm will be based in Dover, Delaware.

The company hopes by the overseas expansion will allow US work and clients to integrate with the UK team more seamlessly.

Director, Peter Van Zelst, said:

“The US economy is a little hotter than ours at present, and it’s a challenge to find highly experienced search and PPC professionals in some areas of the States. We’ve seen a demand for our services, and the different approaches we bring to projects. Establishing a business in the US was the natural next step.

“As one of the north’s longest established and most experienced search marketing agencies, we’re adept at working collaboratively alongside clients and agencies alike, and the East Coast of the US, in particular, is fairly straightforward to service, with its connections and smaller time difference with the UK.”

Harrogate law firm to partner with Yorkshire Dales charity for second year running

 LCF Law has entered its second year of partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The charity supports the people, landscapes, and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

Since the partnership began, the firm has donated £7,500 to the trust – contributing to 500 trees being planted.

Bridie Johnson-Power, from LCF Law, said:

“Our first volunteering project with the Trust involved us helping to maintain the woodland and clear redundant plastic tubes for recycling at Bargh Wood.

“Then more volunteers ventured out into the Dales to join a mixed group of corporate partners planting 400 trees to extend The Hawes woodland.

“Most recently a group of us volunteered for the woodland maintenance day at Swinesett Hill, and despite the torrential rain, we got a lot done!”

Development officer, Richard Hore, from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust said:

“It’s been great getting to know some of the LCF Law team, all of whom have been so enthusiastic about volunteering and learning more about our work.

“We know they have enjoyed engaging with our partnership and connecting with nature to improve their wellbeing and that of our planet.”

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Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano to change name and management

The well-known Harrogate pub and restaurant, Pitcher & Piano, is to be rebranded with a new name and management.

Love Your Pub, a company dedicated to advertising pubs for let or sale, recently posted about the search for a ‘self employed pub partner’ to take on the venue located on John Street.

The Pitcher and Piano is in a retail agreement with Marston’s Brewery and the rebrand comes as ‘part of the evolving pub strategy’ within the agreement.

The listing says the new pub partner can expect an annual salary of  £25,000 plus a 22% share of weekly sales, which it estimates to be £20,000.

It added the Harrogate site ‘has one of the highest guest satisfaction scores within the brand.’

A member of staff at Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re rebranding but Marston’s will still be our brewery.

“Other than that, I can’t divulge any information.”

According to the job advert, all stock, including food, is supplied for free by Marston’s and most bills other than council tax are covered.

The management role is subject to a five-year commitment.

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‘Save the Station Gateway!’: Harrogate cycling campaigner issues plea

Cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis has appealed to councillors to save Harrogate’s under-threat £11.2m Station Gateway.

It follows the publication of a report ahead of a meeting of North Yorkshire Council‘s Conservative-run executive on Tuesday, which says the council may now focus on the most popular aspects of the scheme to get it back on track.

However, the report does not mention active travel or cycling and the council could still decide to abandon the project altogether.

The original plans included reducing a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade to single-lane traffic to make space for cycle lanes, part-pedestrianising James Street and overhauling Station Square.

The council paused work on the project last month due to a legal challenge from Hornbeam Park Developments.

Mr Margolis spoke on behalf of Harrogate District Cycle Action campaign group at a meeting of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee today.

He said:

“We are asking you for the good of our town to save Harrogate Station Gateway. Along with many others, we think the plans are very beneficial.

“Some of you think the same, others don’t. You agree with some key elements but not others such as making Station Parade one-way or part-pedestrianising James Street.”

Mr Margolis said scrapping the scheme or removing the active travel elements risked damaging the council’s reputation with government “for years to come”. when it came to winning active travel funding.

Other failed bids

He referred to other failed bids, including for cycle lanes on Victoria Avenue and Knaresborough Road, the scrapping of cycle lanes on Oatlands Drive and Otley Road as well as the decision to discontinue the Beech Grove Low-Traffic Neighbourhood.

Mr Margolis warned the council would be doing a “massive disservice” to Harrogate’s residents if the Station Gateway funding is not used.

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The campaigner also read out a letter he received from Conservative MP Andrew Jones in June 2023 when he described the project a “big test” for North Yorkshire Council to show that it can deliver projects. Mr Jones said the scheme had been the subject of “often inaccurate and vociferous criticism”.

However, after the judicial review was submitted by Hornbeam Park Developments in August, Mr Jones called the Station Gateway a “timed-out dead scheme”.

North Yorkshire Council officer Mark Codman read out a statement in response to Mr Margolis.

He said:

“The committee notes the statement from Harrogate District Cycle Action.

“The project is being considered by the executive on September 19 and area constituency committee members will be able to consider the next steps as appropriate at the executive meeting.”

Concerns over encampment of rough sleepers in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Residents have spoken of their frustration over a lack of action against a group of rough sleepers camping in one of Harrogate’s most popular areas.

A group of homeless people have inhabited the pavilion alongside the toilets in Crescent Gardens over the last week.

A Harrogate woman concerned about antisocial behaviour said she had been told by both North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council that neither had any power to resolve the situation and she kept getting passed between the two.

Eileen Dockray said the group had expanded as fellow rough sleepers and friends joined with their personal belongings.

She said people were coming and going throughout the day and night, adding:

“The council passed me to the police, the police back to the council, and then back the police.

“The police also said they have no power to move people who are just people gathering to have a chat and to drink, no matter how it bothers residents. What are we meant to do?”

The pavilion has become home to the rough sleepers.

Another Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, said:

“Many local residents are not able to access the area anymore and a few weekly exercise groups have moved to Valley Gardens.

“The walking tour has also diverted its route.”

“I am surprised how the council does not act when a homeless encampment has popped up in the centre of our floral town where many visitors and locals frequently pass through.”

One rough sleeper, called Sally, told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday a council member of staff had visited Crescent Gardens that morning.

Sally said she was advised to wait for a call to hear a range of options going forward but she had heard nothing since.

We asked North Yorkshire Council what measures it was taking but had not received a response by the time of publication.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Homelessness is something the council look after so it would be for the council to answer your questions regarding the visit and/or the options available to those who may be sleeping rough.”

Cllr Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“From what you have told me my instinct tells me it is a police matter as far as the anti-social behaviour is concerned as it is probably private land.

“The council offers a range of support for rough sleepers and work closely with other organisations such as the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

Maggie Gibson, who was housing needs manager at the former Harrogate Borough Council, reported homelessness had “significantly increased” in the district amid the pandemic and cost of living crisis in February this year.

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Harrogate women’s Morris dancing group holds trial for new recruits

A women’s Morris dancing group in Harrogate is hosting a trial session to recruit new dancers.

Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers has danced its way through Harrogate and the surrounding areas since 1977.

The group has 22 members including musicians but has not recruited any new dancers since before covid.

The taster session will be held at St John’s and St Luke’s Church in Bilton, where the group meets every Wednesday, and welcomes women and girls of all abilities.

Dance teacher and founding member Margaret Burrell said:

“We know it won’t be for everyone but we’d just like people to come and have a go.

“We hold trials every September – usually advertising them with posters in shops – but found it hadn’t been much success.

“This year, we’re putting much more effort in!”

The Morris dancers recently performed at Whitby Folk Week and frequently take part in local events too.

Pic: Tony Rees. Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers performing in 1980.

Although the youngest member is just 16, Ms Burrell said:

“Most of us are in our 50s, 60s and 70s, and when you’re in your 70s things begin to hurt a bit during the dances!

“It would be great to get people of a young age, but we welcome anyone to give it a try.”

Dancers go on a probationary period for four weeks after the trials to ensure they’re happy before becoming official members.

Membership costs £40 per year but the trial is free to attend – the group takes on women and girls aged 16 and upwards.

The taster session will be held on Wednesday, September 20 from 7.45pm.

To register your interest, contact Anita Roy, the group’s secretary, on 07801 948480.

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Firefighters rescue child locked in vehicle in Starbeck

A Harrogate fire crew rescued a child after it became accidentally locked inside a vehicle today.

The incident took place on Starbeck High Street just before 4pm today, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report.

The incident log added:

“The crew used small tools and the child was recovered without injury.”

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No further details were revealed.

It follows a similar incident last week in which a baby was rescued from a locked vehicle outside M&S in Ripon.

Masham woman sets up fundraiser for bus driver involved in fatal A61 collision

A woman from Masham has set up a fundraising page for the bus driver seriously injured in a fatal collision on the A61 Ripon Road this month.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, aged 6, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died after a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker 36 bus on the road near South Stainley on September 3.

It was the second fatal collision on the road on consecutive weekends.

Katie Sills, 23, told the Stray Ferret she had followed the fundraiser for 15-year-old Liza Bartienieva, who was orphaned following the accident.

It has so far raised more than £41,000 and Ms Sills decided to launch a similar appeal for the driver of the 36 bus known as ‘Bob’ because she had not seen anything being done on his behalf.

Ms Sills said she does not know Bob but wanted to help in any capacity she could:

“I just thought to myself ‘he’s a man with a family, bills and probably rent or a mortgage’.

“I’m not entirely sure what the money will be used for, but I imagine just everyday living if he’s not working.

“What he saw would’ve been absolutely horrendous and now he’s left with physical and mental trauma.”

After setting up the GoFundMe page on Sunday, which has now raised over £2,000, a friend of the bus driver reached out to Ms Sills.

“His friend said he’d seen my post about the fundraiser and that the man does not have social media, so he passed on my phone number and he text me not long after.”

The man told Ms Sills “I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and consideration”. She said:

“He told me in the text that the only reason he was working that Sunday was so he could take a day off to drive his son to university the following week.

“He also said he’d always be indebted to me.”

The initial target was £1,000 but now that has been surpassed, Ms Sills said she’d like to keep the page up to raise as much as she can.

A fun day will also be held at Ripon Bowling Club this Sunday to continue raising money for those affected by the collision – including the bus driver and Liza.

It will include cake stalls, a raffle, a live DJ and a magician.

The event will run from 1pm to 5pm.

It is free to attend but asks people to donate what they can.

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Motorbike stolen from Harrogate’s James Street

A motorcycle has been stolen from one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information about the theft, which occurred on James Street between 6pm on August 26 and 12.15am on August 27.

The 22-reg black and orange KTM 125 Duke was taken and then found abandoned on Byron Walk Mews at about 6am on 27 August.

Police urged anyone with information to email katie.bell@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Katie Bell.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230161540.

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