Bus fares in the Harrogate district are set to increase from tomorrow.
Transdev, which runs Harrogate Bus Company, has an announced an increase in prices on some of its tickets from Sunday, May 14.
It will effect services in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.
However, tickets for single fares will remain at the £2 cap until the end of June – but will return to original prices with no increase as of July 1.
A statement from the bus firm said:
“Unfortunately due to the rate of inflation we are seeing the cost of running our buses increasing.
“We’ve been able to freeze many of our fares – our single and return fares will not change, including the £2 maximum single fare.
“We still think these fares offer excellent value for money, especially compared to the cost of driving and parking.”
The price increases will be as follows:
- Harrogate one-day – £5 to £5.70
- Harrogate one-day (under 19) – £3.40 to £3.80
- Harrogate seven days – £15.50 to £18
- Harrogate seven-days (under 19) – £10.30 to £12
- Harrogate 28 days – £58 to £66
- Harrogate 28 days (under 19) – £40 to £44
- Boroughbridge – £32 to £36
- Boroughbridge (under 19) – £16 to £18
- Transdev Gold ticket (7 days) – £40 to £45
- Transdev Gold (under 19) – £26.50 to £30
- Transdev Gold ticket (28 days) – £130 to £150
- Transdev Gold ticket (28 days, under 19) – £86 to £100
- Daytripper – £12 to £14
- Daytripper (under 19) – £8 to £9.50
- Daytripper group (up to five) – £22 to £25
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Body recovered from River Nidd at Bilton
Police have recovered the body of a local woman from the River Nidd, near Bilton viaduct.
Concerns were raised about the woman, who is aged in her 40s, this morning.
An urgent missing person investigation was launched which included searches in and around the River Nidd at the location.
The woman’s body was recovered by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Marine and Underwater Search Unit at around 1.20pm. She has not been named.
The bridge was closed while the body was recovered. A North Yorkshire Police statement said:
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the coroner in due course.
“The woman’s family are being supported by the police.”
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Ramshackle phone box transformed into Stray information point
A ramshackle red phone box in Harrogate has been moved and transformed into a history of the Stray.
The disused phone box on the Stray, just off Otley Road, had fallen into a dilapidated state.
So the Stray Defence Association, which safeguards the 200 acres of parkland against building and encroachment, hired a specialist renovation company to uplift it on March 16.
It was restored to its original bright scarlet and moved to a more prominent town centre spot on West Park Stray, where it stood beneath a white cover for several days.
Two children removed the covers at an unveiling ceremony this afternoon to reveal the new-look phone box with panels displaying the history of Harrogate’s Stray and the Stray Defence Association.
Its old position on the Stray, next to Otley Road, has been restored and reseeded to return it to Stray land.
Stray Defence Association chairman Judy d’Arcy Thompson and committee member Syd Bell
Judy D’Arcy Thompson, chairman of the Stray Defence Association, said:
“It is the Stray Defence Association’s hope that it will become a valued part of the West Park street scene and an intriguing and iconic information source for both local people and visitors to Harrogate.”
Today’s unveiling, which was attended by members of the Stray Defence Association, Harrogate In Bloom and Harrogate Civic Society, coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Stray Defence Association, which was formed on May 12, 1933
Cordelia, 7, and Harry, 5, performed the opening by cutting a ribbon to highlight how children are the future custodians of the Stray.
A Stray Defence Association donor paid for the renovation, which was approved by the Duchy of Lancaster and both Harrogate Borough Council and the new North Yorkshire Council.
The phone box being uplifted
Panels on the restored phone box tell the story of the Stray.
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Harrogate school road safety petition handed in to council
A petition calling for a 20 mph limit to be imposed on streets across the south of Harrogate has been delivered to North Yorkshire Council today.
Asking the council to consider the blanket limit across Rossett, Pannal Ash, Oatlands, Woodlands and Hookstone, the petition attracted more than 900 signatures.
It was set up by parents concerned about children’s safety when travelling to schools in the area, and gained the backing of groups including Harrogate District Cycle Action and Zero Carbon Harrogate.
Hazel Peacock, who delivered the petition this morning on behalf of the campaigning parents, said:
“We’re just delighted we’ve got this number of signatures. It shows the support for the proposal of this change, which could bring such positive benefits from a road safety perspective.
“Once you have that, it will change people’s attitudes in regard to comfort around walking, cycling and mobility users.”
She handed the petition to Elizabeth Jackson, democratic services manager for North Yorkshire Council.
After surpassing the required 500 signatures, it will now be debated by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.
Councillors John Mann, Pat Marsh and Michael Schofield, whose divisions cover the area of the proposed speed restriction and supported the restriction, all sit on the committee and handed over the petition with Hazel this morning.
Cllr Mann, whose Oatlands and Pannal division includes three primary schools, Ashville College and several nurseries and pre-schools, said:
“There is an urgent need in particular for a 20 mph limit for Yew Tree Lane, Green Lane, Hookstone Road, and Beechwood Grove, all of which are used by large numbers of children going to and from local schools, and I have emphasised this to the highways team at the council.
“In relation to the A61 Leeds Road, I have also written to the head of highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, to request that the 50 mph speed limit on Almsford Bank be reduced to 40 mph to reduce competitive speeding, and to improve road safety for schoolchildren using the pavements along the A61 near to the neighbourhoods of Stone Rings, the Fulwiths, and the Firs.
“The current risks to pedestrians using the A61 in this area were highlighted in January when a driver managed to overturn his car and demolish a 30mph sign at the top of Almsford Bank in the morning rush hour. In the same month, another vehicle overturned due to speeding in the early morning rush hour on Hookstone Road close to the junction with Hornbeam Park Avenue.”
The demolished 30 mph sign on Leeds Road
Cllr Mann said he would prefer the A61 Leeds Road to maintain its 30 mph limit through Oatlands in order to ease traffic flow, but that a reduction in the limit elsewhere was “urgently needed”.
He referenced a collision on Yew Tree Lane in which two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School were seriously injured, and another collision on Beechwood Grove which left an Oatlands Junior School pupil requiring hospital treatment – both of which happened while the children were on the pavement.
He added:
“These shocking events, combined with evidence showing that more than 10 children are killed or seriously injured in road crashes every week travelling to school, demonstrate the case for immediate action.
“With thousands of pupils travelling to and from the schools and colleges of south and west Harrogate during the week, implementing a maximum speed of 20mph in these areas has the potential to increase safety significantly.
“I really hope that this petition is looked upon favourably by the North Yorkshire Council highways team.”
Read more:
- ‘Comprehensive’ road safety improvements announced for Harrogate schools
- Knaresborough councillor says male-dominated executive not tackling road safety concerns
Malcolm Margolis, a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said reducing the speed limit would also make cycling a safer option for many families travelling to and from schools.
He said:
“It’s a terrific initiative by Hazel and the others. It’s absolutely needed in this area of Harrogate and we hoe it will be the start of it becoming normalised.
“In other countries, it’s just normal. You see parents and grandparents picking up children on their bikes. There’s no reason why we should be different.
“In a calmer 20mph environment, it’s so much more pleasant for anyone who isn’t in a car. In an urban area, it actually makes very little difference to journey times.”
Cllr Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone for the Liberal Democrats, said she also backed the plan, and hoped it would be supported by North Yorkshire Police.
She added:
Cherry trees on Harrogate’s Stray vandalised again“I’ve been supporting this idea for a very long time. My late husband and I got a 20mph limit put outside Hookstone Chase Primary School and some of the residential streets close by well over 15 years ago.
“My only issue is I wish the police would monitor it, because if they don’t, motorists know it and will ignore it. We can’t put our children at risk.”
Three cherry trees in Harrogate have been vandalised in the latest incident of its kind on the Stray.
Nearby resident Cheryl Flint was upset to notice the snapped branches on the parkland off York Place this morning.
What appears to be a school tie is hanging from a branch opposite one of the damaged trees.
Another snapped branch
Ms Flint said:
“We wait all year for these beautiful trees to bloom — then some idiots think that it is acceptable for the mindless behaviour.”
The rows of cherry trees are a popular attraction on the Stray, particularly in spring when they blossom. But they have become a magnet for vandals.
The latest damage is less severe than that which occurred in August 2021 when eight trees were affected.
In October 2020, a police officer tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.
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Driver banned after failing to stop at serious crash in Harrogate
A man has been banned from driving after failing to stop and report a serious crash on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.
Harris Hendry-Hussain, of Swinton Court, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to three offences in relation to the crash in the early hours of March 6 last year.
The 21-year-old crashed his Volkswagen Golf into two cars, a Seat Ibiza and a Peugeot, causing “substantial damage” to both vehicles.
The crash blocked Cold Bath Road at 3.10am and left one passenger of the Volkswagen requiring hospital treatment for neck and back injuries.
In a statement at the time, North Yorkshire Police said it was “sheer luck” no one died.
Hendry-Hussain appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentencing yesterday after admitting driving without insurance, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report the accident.
The prosecution told the court that when police arrived at the crash on the morning of March 6, Hendry-Hussain was not at the scene.
Once he was found by officers and interviewed, he initially told police that he “did not know who was driving” the Volkswagen.
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The court heard that, after a forensic investigation of the car, officers interviewed the 21-year-old for a second time. He declined to comment.
He was later charged with three offences. Hendry-Hussain initially denied the charges, but later changed his plea at a hearing on April 24.
His defence told the court that Hendry-Hussain had “accepted the offences” put to him and that he had “done something really stupid”.
The court also heard that the defendant was already serving a community order for a separate offence, which was imposed by the courts after the crash.
Magistrates banned Hendry-Hussain from driving for 12 months.
He was given a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and £150 in court costs.
Starbeck Baths to reopen todayStarbeck Baths is to reopen today — five weeks after it closed due to an “unforeseen mechanical failure”.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the swimming pool said it would welcome customers from 7.30am.
It added:
“The work to complete the replacement of the filter and the subsequent safety checks have been completed and earlier today, we received the results from the tests, giving us the green light to open.”
The pool is run by the North Yorkshire Council-controlled Brimhams Active, which manages leisure facilities in the Harrogate district.
It had previously indicated it would be closed until late May.
Besides swimming sessions, it provides swimming lessons and caters for children’s parties.
Read more:
- Starbeck Baths to be closed until late May
- Memorial service for Starbeck pianist who ‘brought joy to the community’
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Boroughbridge company is celebrating reaching a milestone as 200 employees have now worked for the firm for 10 years.
Reed Boardall, which is based off Bar Lane, was founded in 1992 and has gone onto become one of the biggest employers in the area with 745 staff.
The company operates in food logistics and reports a turnover of £66 million.
As well as over a quarter of staff having completed more than ten years of service, 31 have chosen to stay with the company for two decades or longer.
Andrew Baldwin, managing director of Reed Boardall’s cold storage division, said:
“There’s no doubt that our high staff retention levels play a key role in the continued success of the business and our ability to consistently deliver on our promises to our customers. We don’t use any agency workers, instead all of our team are long term employees, many of whom have built up valuable understanding and knowledge about what we do and this gives continuity to the business, enabling us to be the reliable, responsive partner that our customers need.
“This constancy of approach is reinforced by the high numbers of family members all working here across the generations- we have numerous husbands and wives, a mother and daughter and several dads and sons as well as a husband, wife and father in law. What makes us unique is that we have the same staff, providing the same levels of service – it is all about the people and we’re proud that so many of our team choose to stay with us.”
Harrogate financial firm launches rebrand
A Harrogate financial services firm has launched a rebrand.
FinancialForce, which is based at Cardale Park, has renamed itself as Certinia.
The company was co-founded in 2009 by local businesswoman Deb Ashton.
The firm has gone onto employ more than 1,000 people at offices across five countries.
Speaking about the rebrand, Scott Brown, chief executive of Certinia, said:
“FinancialForce was the perfect name when the company was founded in 2009 describing its intent to deliver ERP on Force.com.
“Over the past decade, the company invested heavily to become the most trusted PSA solution in the market.
“Now, we have expanded our ERP leadership with the addition of FP&A, and recently launched new products in two additional markets with Customer Success Cloud and Services CPQ. Together, these are a comprehensive and tightly integrated platform for services businesses. It was time to ensure our name and brand align with all we do in the marketplace today.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Ripon auctioneers announces new name and sales structure
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Eurovision party to mark links between Ukraine and Harrogate district
Links between the UK and Ukraine will be celebrated at Eurovision in Liverpool this week – and the Harrogate district is ensuring it is part of the party.
Just as the UK hosts the event on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine, a celebration will be happening in Harrogate to bring together locals with Ukrainians who have made the area home over the last 14 months.
A total of 170 attendees will be watching the contest together at the Majestic Hotel, and while they may be cheering for their home countries, organisers expect it to be a friendly rivalry.
Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub, which has organised the party along with Harrogate District City of Sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret:
“Nobody will mind if Ukraine win – it’s not too competitive. We’ll just be happy if the UK doesn’t get ‘nul points’!”
The Knaresborough community centre has been supporting Ukrainians who have arrived in the area since Russia’s invasion of their home country last February.
It has worked alongside other local groups and supporters to help them make contact with others in the same position and settle into their new homes. Now, Sue said more is being done to ensure they become part of the community in the Harrogate district.
Aid trips
Around 350 Ukrainians have arrived in the area in the last year, and about 190 of those have been supported through Chain Lane Community Hub. Sue said the others already spoke good English or had family in the area so did not need as much help to settle.
Each week, working with partners including North Yorkshire Council, the hub hosts classes to help people with English, employability skills and more.
It has also formed a link with Bob Frendt, the retired lorry driver in Knaresborough who has made seven aid trips to western Ukraine.
The Eurovision event on Saturday night – which is sold out – will raise money to help fund his next trip to Volodymyr, which is set to be twinned with Knaresborough. it will include an auction of prizes donated by local businesses, from Bettys & Taylors and Morrisons to Mother Shipton’s Cave.
Bob and his wife Maureen will be guests of honour at the Majestic, which has allowed use of the room free of charge.
Asked whether he was a loyal Eurovision fan, Bob said:
“Not since Cliff Richard won! But for one night we’ll make an exception. I’ve been asked to say a few words too. It should be a good night.”
Read more:
- Support for plans to twin Knaresborough with town in Ukraine
- ‘Just one more trip’ for Knaresborough’s Ukraine aid hero
Meanwhile, Bob is continuing to prepare for his eighth and final aid trip to Ukraine, setting off on May 24.
Each trip across Europe costs at least £2,500 in insurance, fuel and ferry crossings, and takes around six days.
He has been collecting donations of sports kit, IT equipment and decorating supplies to help the school rebuild after much of its stocks were commandeered by the army.
Bob is still hoping to source at least one old fire engine to take to Volodymyr to replace those taken to be used in the war effort. but for now is concentrating on what he can fit into his lorry, including medical supplies for the hospital..
He is hoping to add more equipment for the school, an under-counter fridge, sleeping bags, wellies, mosquito nets, tinned food and more before he sets off in two weeks’ time. Anyone who can help can call Bob on 07836 514952.
To get the latest updates on Bob’s efforts before and during his trip, and find out how you can support him, join the Facebook group Knaresborough Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine.
Man jailed for 140mph Harrogate police pursuit after being banned from drivingA man walked out of court after being banned from driving and jumped straight into his car before leading police on a 140mph chase from Harrogate.
Jason Ryder, 45, was so furious at being found guilty of drug-driving and losing his licence at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court in March that he got behind the wheel of his Audi A3 and raced from police at astonishing speeds while weaving in and out of traffic on the A1(M) and bombing down the hard shoulder at speeds of more than 130mph.
Dashcam footage of the hair-raising police chase was shown at York Crown Court today when Ryder appeared for sentence after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence.
Prosecutor Edward Steele said that Ryder was released from the Harrogate court on March 20 after being convicted of driving under the influence of drugs in a previous incident near Knaresborough and receiving a 12-month motoring ban.
He said that Ryder got into his black Audi “immediately after being released from the court” at about midday.
Police switched on the blue lights, but Ryder didn’t stop and a 17-minute car chase ensued, firstly along the A658 John Metcalf Way in Harrogate where he overtook vehicles, causing motorists to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
He then “manoeuvred around” a heavy-goods vehicle and sped onto the A1(M)’s northbound carriageway, “moving across all lanes and travelling for long periods of time on the hard shoulder, at times at speeds of over 130mph in a 70mph zone”.
Mr Steele said that at certain sections, the Audi was travelling at over 140mph as it zig-zagged between dense traffic and overtook and undertook vehicles from one side of the road to the other.
You can watch police footage of the chase below.
Ryder then turned onto the A6055 towards Northallerton at 140mph on a wet road surface due to the rainy weather.
Mr Steele added:
“The driving included overtaking and driving on the opposite side of the carriageway.”
Police laid a stinger on the road which deflated the Audi’s tyres and the car came to a halt. He was arrested and brought before York magistrates the following day, where he pleaded guilty to all three offences.
The court heard that Ryder had a previous conviction for careless driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis in 1998, for which he received an 18-month motoring ban.
‘Not thinking straight’
Defence barrister Gabrielle Wilks said that Ryder made a “split-second” decision to speed from police due to “heightened emotions” following the trial which went against him.
She said he was “not thinking straight” and was suffering from “mental angst” on the day in question due to personal problems.
Read more:
- Police use stinger after 140mph pursuit from Harrogate
- Audi driver pleads guilty after 140mph police pursuit in Harrogate
She added that Ryder, of Wellgarth, Bishop Auckland, had lost his full-time job and could lose his home if he were jailed.
Recorder Anthony Hawks described Ryder’s driving as “appalling” and said that he could easily have killed someone.
He told Ryder:
“The circumstances of the dangerous driving are…extremely serious, both as to how it started and the actual driving itself.
“I reject entirely the suggestion put forward (by Ryder’s defence counsel) that you didn’t understand the disqualification ran immediately. You had been disqualified before (and) you must have realised that following your conviction and sentence (for drug-driving) you were a disqualified driver.
“You had no business…in taking your car to the magistrates (court) in the first place.”
Mr Hawks said it was clear that Ryder was “angry” when he got behind the wheel because the trial “had gone against you”.
He added:
“At any time during the 17-minute police chase, you could have come to your senses and stopped, but you didn’t.
“The dangerous driving was appalling. There was heavy traffic. You were weaving all over lanes. You were driving at speeds up to 140mph. It’s extraordinary that nobody was seriously injured or killed.”
Ryder was jailed for 10 months and given a 23-month driving ban.