Police release CCTV image after £250 theft in Harrogate

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to following a theft in Harrogate.

The incident happened at Sainsbury’s on Leeds Road on Saturday, July 22 at midnight. 

The victim’s bank card was used to draw £250 without their permission.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Officers are now asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the image as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email  IET@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

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

“Please quote the reference number 12230129543 when passing on information.”

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Police issue CCTV image after assault in Harrogate shopping centre

North Yorkshire Police has today issued a CCTV image of a person that they want to speak to following an assault in Harrogate.

The incident, which occurred in the Victoria Shopping Centre, happened on Wednesday 21 June 2023 at approximately 12.30pm.

The suspects spat at one of the victims and removed the second victim’s  glasses and then stamped on them.

Officers have now appealed to the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the CCTV image.

A police statement added:

“Officers are now asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the image as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email Georgia.Ladly@northyorkshire.police.uk  or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, and ask for Georgia Lady.

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

Please quote reference number 12230114298 when passing on information.”

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Line-up for Harrogate literature festival revealed

The line-up for this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival has been announced today.

Authors and thinkers will descend on the Crown Hotel in Harrogate for the four-day event produced by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by Harrogate law firm Raworths Solicitors.

Speakers at the festival, which takes place from October 19 to 22, range from leading authors Victoria Hislop, Alison Weir and Andy McNab to ex-cricketer Monty Panesar and media star Dr Hilary Jones.

For lovers of historical literature, Ms Hislop will introduce her new novel, The Figurine and historian and author Ms Weir, author of the Sunday Times bestselling Six Tudor Queens series, will explore the life of one of Britain’s most infamous monarchs, Henry VIII, the subject of her latest historical novel.

Royal correspondent and author Robert Hardman will share insights from his account of Elizabeth II’s reign,Queen of Our Times and ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar will recount stories from his sporting career.

Andy McNab, who has written three best-selling books about his life in the SAS, will give the inside line on his latest fictional thriller, Down to the Wire and comedian Rosie Holt will share the story behind how she became an internet sensation.

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Dr Hilary Jones will join a panel exploring the challenges currently faced by the NHS and husband and wife team Carrie and David Grant tell the tale of their extraordinary family, explored in their new book A Very Modern Family.

Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner at Raworths Solicitors, which is sponsoring the event for the 11th year, said:

“This year’s line-up of literary names is outstanding – a true celebration of great books, thinking and writing. We are proud to play a part in bringing such a prestigious event to our town.”

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said the festival “features a terrific mix of fiction writers, TV broadcasters, sports personalities, historians and journalists, with more thrilling programme announcements coming soon”.

More information is available here.

The 1980s pop star now pursuing her Five Star career in Harrogate

One of the most British successful musicians of the 1980s is back in the headlines — and now lives in Harrogate.

Deniece Pearson was the lead singer of Five Star, which had over 20 top 30 UK singles, including System Addict and Rain Or Shine. The group is the youngest British act to have a number one album.

Deniece was just 15 when Five Star, which consisted of four siblings, was set up in 1983 as Britain’s answer to the Jackson 5.

A Brit Award and a Grammy nomination followed as the band enjoyed hit after hit. She met the Queen twice.

After a break to raise her two children, Deniece is now forging the next stage of her career from her new home in Harrogate.

She moved to the town about 18 months ago purely by fluke — she was visiting a friend in Leeds and came to Harrogate for a massage. Deniece explains:

“I thought ‘this place is really lovely’ and started thinking ‘I might just come and live in Harrogate’.

“It’s just gorgeous. It’s the happiest place in the UK to live. It was beautiful at Christmas last year and I’m a real Christmas girl.”

Deniece returned to the stage in the 2000s, which included performing in the West End production of the Michael Jackson musical Thriller Live.

She’s now preparing for a 40th anniversary Five Star show at Pizza Express Live in London on September 30.

Deniece has also released a new single called Forever Young, which is taken from an EP also featuring new versions of Five Star classics System Addict and Rain or Shine.

She will be on tour in the UK this autumn and a solo album is expected next year.

Where does she like to relax when she’s back home in Harrogate?

She mentions The Ivy and Valley Gardens, adding:

“I haven’t really got to know Harrogate that well yet but from what I’ve seen I love it. It’s such a great town.”

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Harrogate boy, 9, walks 200 miles for Ataxia UK

A nine-year-old Harrogate boy is walking 200 miles, inspired by his dad who has Friedrich’s ataxia.

He aims to raise money for Ataxia UK, a charity that funds treatment and provides support for those with ataxia.

Ataxia is a term for a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech

His mum, Helen Gibson, explained the impact of his dad’s condition on Jack:

“Jack and his dad are very close but Jack sometimes struggles as his dad can’t do all of the things he would like him to because of his condition and tires easily.”

Jack attends young carers events in Harrogate. After smashing his original goal to walk 126 miles, he chose to increase his goal to 200 miles.

He has been walking at least three miles a day for four weeks to complete his goal. Some days he has walked as far as 8 miles.

Jack’s inspiration to walk was explained by his mum,

“He chose walking as he said it was something that was free and something that his dad can still do at the moment.”

Jack and his dad

Jack’s walks have been local, on the Stray or at Fountains Abbey. On holiday, he has completed his walks at Alton Towers or nearby National Trust locations.

He also walked the coast where his parents are originally from.

Both family and friends have joined Jack on his walks.

The family have a goal of £500 and have already raised £435.

If you are interested in donating to Jack’s fundraiser, there is a Just Giving page.

Cow found wandering around Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

People enjoying the sunny weather in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today were shocked to stumble across a wandering cow.

Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin was one of many dog walkers going about their morning routine at about 8.30am when she saw the beast.

It was casually ambling around the central section, appearing to head in the direction of the Magnesia Well Tea Room.

The cow heads towards the tea room.

Lucy managed to photograph the cow from distance and later got a more close-up image when she was safely behind the barriers on Valley Road.

She told the Stray Ferret she had no idea how the cow, which appears to be a Holstein or Friesian, ended up in the 17-acre gardens, which are not particularly close to any fields.

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She said:

“The police were there but just herding it around from what I saw.

“It’s not every day you see a cow on your morning dog walk.”

Do you know more about the cow and how it ended up in Valley Gardens? If so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Police were dispatched to help. 

Missing Harrogate man found ‘safe and well’

A man who went missing from a Harrogate care home has been found safe, North Yorkshire Police has said.

Police issued an urgent appeal for help find the man on Saturday when he went missing at 6.30am.

It asked people to report sightings.

But officers later said the man had been found “safe and well”.

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Seb Mitchell murder trial: Harrogate boy found guilty

A boy has been found guilty of the murder of Harrogate schoolboy Seb Mitchell.

Seb, 17, was stabbed to death after a row over a broken mirror, a trial at Leeds Crown Court heard.

The jury today returned a majority verdict of 10 to 2 of murder after deliberating for almost 15 hours.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 16 at the time of committing the crime.

He stabbed Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb in the chest with a kitchen knife which led to a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest.

The teenager pleaded not guilty – he accepted he knifed Seb but said he did not intend to kill him.

The defendant will not be sentenced today. However, the court will reconvene this afternoon in order to decide whether he can be named publicly.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC, said his age would be taken into consideration, as would the severity of the crime. He told the court:

“This is not a case in which he took the knife to the scene, but nevertheless a case in which it was picked up and then used, not with a great deal of force. But as we know in these courts, you don’t have to use a great deal of force in order to inflict a great deal of injury.”

Seb was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, but his condition was so critical he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma.

He died two days after the incident.

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Harrogate bathroom retailer creates biggest showroom of its kind in the North

The story is sponsored by Inter Ceramica.

A Harrogate bathroom and tile business that started out in a tiny shop 30 years ago, has begun work on extending its premises, to a super four-floor showroom at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate.

Today Inter Ceramica is an international stockist offering the best and latest in continental bathrooms and tiles from its 6,000sq ft display area.

Rob Challis, Inter Ceramica’s founder, said: 

“Italy has long been known as a global leader in tile manufacturing.

“Their products are supreme, and we’re delighted to have exclusive relationships with top manufacturers. It’s taken 30 years to build, but it’s worth it to guarantee the quality, reliability and continuity of supply for our customers.”

It’s a measure of their popularity that more than 1,000 tons of bespoke tiles arrive at Inter Ceramica’s Hornbeam Park warehouse each year, along with daily deliveries of premium bathroom equipment from top manufacturers including Laufen, VitrA, Roca and Hans Grohe – all beautifully displayed in the stunning showroom. 

A popular and free design service

For customers it’s all about style, inspiration and affordability, says Rob, who’s backed by a highly talented design team. He added:

“Our design service is key to bringing all these elements together, to help customers achieve their perfect bathroom, ensuite or wet room.

“Some are surprised to learn our design service is free. True, there’s a lot of work involved in bringing people’s dreams to reality. But our tiles and bathroom equipment are of the highest quality, so we’ve got to match that with the quality of our design.”

It’s a tribute to the team and quality products that Inter Ceramica can boast thousands of return customers. One of many benefits in being in business for over 30 years is those satisfied customers who offer honest and valuable feedback.

Inter Ceramica has a large selection of tiles, shower heads and much more.

Inter Ceramica works with recommended installers, believing that it’s better and more cost-effective for the customer to deal directly with the installers, safe in the knowledge that Inter Ceramica is working alongside them at all times. 

Inevitably, a prime consideration for the customer is cost and with such a turbulent world economy you’d expect prices to have rocketed but Inter Ceramica has managed to maintain and even reduce prices.

To make customer’s dream even easier to reach, Inter Ceramica has developed a range of finance options including ‘buy now, pay later’ and an interest-bearing finance option for up to 10 years. 

Inter Ceramica is the sister company of Revo Kitchens, which is a German Kitchen superstore also based at Hornbeam Park.  

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You can check out Inter Ceramica’s range of fabulous bathrooms and tiles on their website. Alternatively, you can drop into Inter Ceramica’s showroom at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate. 

 

Harrogate and Knaresborough trains face bank holiday strikes

Passengers in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area are set to face further train strikes this bank holiday weekend.

Members of the ASLEF and RMT unions will be carrying out industrial action tomorrow (August 26) in a dispute over pay.

It means no trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow.

This will affect people travelling to York Races for the Ebor meeting, which includes the prestigious Ebor Handicap.

Knaresborough train station rail

Knaresborough station

Northern has also urged passengers to check before they travel on Sunday (August 27) as train services will start later.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: 

“We know these RMT strikes will cause disruption to the general public.

“Whilst this is only a one-day strike, it falls right in the middle of the busy August bank holiday weekend and will impact people trying to get to major events taking place across region, including Manchester United and Everton football fixtures, York Races, Leeds Festival, Creamfields and Manchester Pride.

“The RMT is still refusing to put the latest pay offer negotiated on behalf of train operators to a vote by their members and it is unfortunate that these strikes continue for their second summer.”

Meanwhile, further union strike action will be taken on September 1 and September 2.

Mick Lynch, general secretary at the RMT Union, said:

“The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.”

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