Red Arrows due to fly over Harrogate this afternoon

The Red Arrows are due to fly over the Harrogate area this afternoon.

According to the schedule, the jets will pass over Hampsthwaite at 4.14pm.

The RAF aerobatics display team is making a 26-minute flight from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to Blackpool, where an air show is being held tomorrow.

The Red Arrows was formed in 1964. It consists of nine red jets that are often accompanied with red, white and blue smoke.

If you catch the Red Arrows on camera, send us a photo at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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‘Dog waste can now be placed in any bin’, says council

North Yorkshire Council has responded to criticism of its new system for street litter bins.

Some 1,500 smaller litter bins in the Harrogate area are being replaced by a smaller number of new larger bins.

Many of the new bins are situated alongside main roads rather on dog walking routes to make them easier for council workers to get to.

Some dog owners are dumping poo bags in areas where the old bins were rather than walk to main roads and put their dogs on leads.

Dog waste piling up in Jennyfields.

The Stray Ferret has recently reported concerns about this policy in Knox and Jennyfields.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for the environment at the council, said the old bins were removed following a service review and the new approach conformed with good practice guidance from the Waste and Recycling Action Partnership charity.

He said:

“We are currently implementing a new infrastructure for our street litter bins in the Harrogate area.

“The newer bins have a larger capacity and house a wheeled bin. This means they are efficiently emptied by our larger wagons, reducing the risk from manual handling individual bags.

“With the greater capacity, fewer bins are required which helps to reduce street furniture, particularly in locations where two bins may have been placed close together.”

Dog waste ‘no longer classified as hazardous’

Mr Mason added:

“We are implementing new routes which reduce the number of vehicle miles and emissions while freeing up our street cleansing teams to provide a more proactive service, including in our urban areas.

“There are some associated savings from the project, from a reduction in the amount of skips, single use plastic liners and fuel we use.

“Dog waste is no longer classified as hazardous waste and can now be placed in any bin, eliminating the need for specialist bins that further reduce street clutter and manual handling risks. This also means dog waste can be placed in owners’ general waste bins when they return home without adjusting walking routes.”

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Mr Mason said bins “are emptied less frequently” in off-road areas in places like Jennyfields “but will be emptied as frequently as required”. He added:

“The emptying frequencies and bin locations are something we’ll be continuing to monitor.

“The work in Jennyfields is still ongoing, and officers are communicating with the relevant local councillor over the new locations and any issues that may arise.

“Harrogate leisure centre has a large open space with a basketball court, so we will be installing a bin soon.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate district company awarded £20,000 to move production to digital

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate district business has been awarded £20,000 to help move its production technology to digital.

Period Mouldings Limited, which is based at Melmerby near Ripon, was handed the funding through the Made Smarter programme, which is managed by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

The scheme is a national initiative dedicated to driving growth in UK manufacturing through the adoption of digital technologies, innovation and skill development.

Mark Cant, chairman of PML, said:

“The funding from Made Smarter will be instrumental in our journey towards enhanced efficiency and productivity. 

“By digitising our production throughput, we unlock the potential for increased capital investment, skill development, and research and development, ultimately driving growth and competitiveness in the market.”

Mike Pennington, the business relationship manager for Made Smarter in the York and North Yorkshire region, said: 

“PML’s strategic approach towards digitisation and innovation perfectly aligns with Made Smarter’s objective of fostering growth in the manufacturing sector through digital advancements.”

Law firm CEO to take on Mount Kilimanjaro

A Harrogate law firm chief executive is set to take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

James Haddleton, who is chief executive of Haddletons legal services based at Windsor House, is set to take on the climb with his family in aid of charity.

Mr Haddleton will be climbing the mountain for eight days this month.

He will be raising money for Mind, the mental health charity, and at the time of writing had so far received £1,019 in donations.

For more information on the fundraising campaign and to donate, visit the JustGiving page here.

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Harrogate has the most used library in North Yorkshire

Harrogate Library topped a list of the most used libraries in North Yorkshire last year.

According to figures published by North Yorkshire Council, there were 237,100 books and e-books taken out at the library on Victoria Avenue during the 2022/23 financial year as well as 177,629 visits by residents.

The figures show a big jump from the previous two years, which were disrupted by covid lockdowns and restrictions.

In 2020/21, the library had 47,809 visits and in 2021/22 there were 122,409.

Last year, Harrogate Library had more than 50% the number of visitors than the county’s second most popular library, which was Scarborough with 114,829 visits.

Visitor numbers at other libraries in the former Harrogate district area include Knaresborough with 110,191, Ripon with 73,428 and Starbeck with 18,676.

Knaresborough Library is the second most popular in the district.

Embsay-with-Eastby Community Library was the least used library in North Yorkshire last year with 2,841 visits, however the volunteer-run library near Skipton is only open nine hours a week.

In 2015, the running of 31 libraries in the county was handed to volunteers in the face of mounting financial pressures brought on by austerity.

In this model, the council’s library service continues to provide the infrastructure including books and public IT, as well as some paid staff support to ensure consistency across the county.

The community libraries account for just under 40% of active library users and deliver on average 50% of the total business for book lending and computer access.

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Harrogate hospital braced for four-day strike by junior doctors

Harrogate District Hospital is set for a further round of strikes tomorrow as junior doctors stage a four day walkout.

Members of the British Medical Association will take industrial action from 7am on Friday (August 11) until 7am on Tuesday (August 15).

The strike comes amid an ongoing dispute with government over pay.

Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the junior doctors committee at the BMA, said:

“It should never have got to the point where we needed to announce a fifth round of strike action. 

“Our message today remains the same: act like a responsible government, come to the table to negotiate with us in good faith, and with a credible offer these strikes need not go ahead at all.”

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has warned that appointments and elective surgery may be cancelled as a result of the walkout.

In a statement, the trust said:

“We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

“Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and any postponed appointments will be re-arranged as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important to know that people with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and come forward as normal.”

Meanwhile, consultants are also set to stage a 48-hour walkout later this month.

Members of the British Medical Association will strike from Thursday, August 24, until Saturday, August 26.

Officials at Harrogate hospital have warned the consultants walkout is also “likely to impact the trust”.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate company in ‘strong financial position’ despite interest rate hike

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has said the firm remains in “strong financial position” despite a hike in interest rates this past month.

Vp, which is based at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, recorded a 6% increase in revenue to £371.5m for the year ending March 2023.

In a statement to its annual general meeting, Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of the company, said the group “remains in a strong financial position”.

He added that he expected company results for the upcoming financial year to be in line with board expectations despite “market headwinds” and the Bank of England’s decision to hike interest rates to 5.25%.

Mr Pilkington said:

“We remain focused on the quality of our equipment and excellent service delivery to our customers with an ongoing drive to deliver sustainable solutions to our customer base.

“The group remains in a strong financial position with an excellent track record of delivery. Despite both market headwinds and increases in interest rates, we continue to see opportunities and expect performance for the current financial year to be in line with board expectations.”

Black Sheep launches beer in partnership with Rob Burrow

Black Sheep Brewery has launched a new beer in partnership with Rob Burrow MBE.

The brewery, which is based in Masham, released Burrow Blonde to raise funds for Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust and the Rob Burrow Racing Club.

A total of 10p from every pint and bottle sold is donated to charity.

Picture (from left) Phil Hawthorne, The Good Racing Co, Alex Brandon-Davies, Senior Brewer at Black Sheep Brewery and Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.

Picture (from left) Phil Hawthorne, The Good Racing Co, Alex Brandon-Davies, Senior Brewer at Black Sheep Brewery and Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.

Barrie McDermott, Sky Sports pundit and former Leeds Rhinos teammate of Rob, said: 

“I’m incredibly proud to support the launch of Burrow’s Blonde, a fantastic beer for a fantastic cause, it’s yet another way to get behind our little mate Rob Burrow and his family in their battle against MND.”

Rob’s wife, Lindsey Burrow, said:

“We’re really excited to be working with Black Sheep Brewery and launching Burrow’s Blonde. It’s a great opportunity for people to support Rob by simply buying a beer and enjoying a drink with loved ones.”

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Thousands set to attend Ripley Show on Sunday

Several thousand people are expected to flock to Ripley on Sunday for one of the oldest village shows in the country.

Ripley Show, which dates back to 1849, is a traditional country show that celebrates agriculture and horticulture.

Held in the grounds of Ripley Castle, it is one of the larger village shows with more than 100 stands to browse, as well as numerous activities. An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people attend.

There will be Terrier racing and Shetland pony racing in the main ring, heavy horses, giant tortoises, sheep dog trials and ferret racing, as well as lots of judging of produce and children’s activities.

Sheep entries have been particularly strong this year, with more than 600 set to be judged in the various categories.

The sheep show returns and this year sees the introduction of a donkey show for the first time.

The event takes place from about 8.30am to 5pm and dogs on leads are welcome.

Ripley and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society organises the event on the second Sunday of August annually.

Show secretary Tammy Smith said:

“Visitors can expect a lovely traditional local show with lots of different attractions to keep them entertained all day.”

Early bird tickets, which are available here until midnight on Friday, cost £12 for adults and £5.50 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets, which allow for up to two adults and three children, are £30 and children under five can attend for free. The prices rise to £16, £7 and £36 on Saturday and on the day. Parking is free.

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Police find man who went missing from Harrogate hospital

Police have confirmed a man who went missing from a hospital in Harrogate has been found.

The man was reported missing from the hospital on Ripon Road on the morning of Wednesday, August 9.

He was last seen walking towards Parliament Street.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said it was thought he may have been in West Yorkshire or heading towards the Burnley area.

Officers urged the public to dial 999 immediately if they saw the man and not to make any contact or approach him.

However, on Wednesday evening, they confirmed he had been located safe and well, and thanked everyone who had shared the appeal.

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Inquest opens into death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner

An inquest has opened into the death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner, Stefano Lancellotti.

Mr Lancellotti, 56, who was born in Sasso Marconi near Bologna in northern Italy, was found dead at his home on Yewdale Road on July 21.

He owned Sasso Italian restaurant on Princes Square, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into his death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

Ms Cundy said Mr Lancellotti was found dead at his home.

The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.

Friends and customers were invited to pay their respects to Mr Lancellotti at a memorial service at Stonefall Cemetery this afternoon.

A wake was then held for close friends and immediate family only.

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Inquest opens into death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert

An inquest opened today into the death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert, who went missing for five days in June.

Ms Lambert, 22, left her home in Starbeck on June 16. Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.

North Yorkshire Police also launched a missing person search, which included helicopters, drones and dogs and was supported by mountain and underwater rescue teams.

Her body was found in the River Nidd near Lands Lane, Knaresborough, by a member of the public five days later.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into Ms Lambert’s death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

She confirmed Ms Lambert was certified dead on June 21, 2023.

Ms Cundy added that a provisional cause of death of “drowning by immersion in fresh water” has been reported.

The hearing was adjourned to a date to be confirmed when a full inquest will take place.

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