Fundraiser for injured Rossett students passes £5,000 target

An online fundraising appeal set up in aid of two teenagers injured in a crash in Harrogate has passed its £5,000 target.

The 15-year-old boys, Reuben and Fraser, were taken to hospital when a van collided with a wall on Yew Tree Lane last Thursday (February 2).

Lorraine Mitchell, a friend of both teenagers’ parents, set up a GoFundMe page following the crash in an effort to raise money for the families “to be with their son to support the rehabilitation process”.

Since then, the fundraiser has reached £5,325 and is continuing to attract pledges.

Ms Mitchell said:

“We were all shocked and incredibly saddened by the crash and know this support will be gratefully received by both families.”

The boys, both pupils at Rossett School, were walking along Yew Tree Lane at the time of the incident and were left with serious injuries.

Another fundraising appeal for the boys, set up by Julie Mills, has so far generated £1,654 — close to its £2,000 target.

It means almost £7,000 has now been pledged in total.

Read more:

 

Popular artist Lucy Pittaway ‘blown away’ by Harrogate gallery launch

This story is sponsored by Lucy Pittaway.

One of the UK’s favourite artists says she has been “blown away” by the reception since opening her new gallery in Harrogate before Christmas. 

Lucy Pittaway already has four other galleries across the North – in Richmond, Yarm, Keswick and near her home in Brompton-on-Swale – where she sells original artwork and prints of her paintings, which she calls “art that makes you smile” – but wanted a presence a little further south. 

She said: 

“We’ve been blown away by the reception we’ve had in Harrogate – not just from other traders, but from local people coming into the gallery too.The feedback’s been wonderful. The gallery has been really well received, which makes us feel we’ve definitely made the right decision opening here.

“Footfall’s been incredibly strong. We were getting people wanting to come in before we’d even opened. It’s actually been quite challenging, because we’ve had to take on more people just to cope with demand.”

Lucy Pittaway graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in Graphic Design, and went on to teach and lecture at Darlington Technical College of Art and Design. It was only after she had started a family with childhood sweetheart Neil that she felt it was the perfect time to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.  

Her pictures, which often feature scenes, animals and characters from the Yorkshire Dales, can now be found in homes and galleries across the UK and beyond. 

She has won an armful of prestigious awards from the Fine Art Trade Guild, including Best Up-and-Coming Artist, Best Art Website of the Year, and the UK’s Most Popular Published Artist in 2018, 2019 and 2022. 

Nevertheless, when Lucy decided to open her gallery in the heart of Harrogate, on Prospect Place at the end of James Street, she had little idea of how local traders would respond – but she needn’t have worried. 

She said: 

“Coming to Harrogate has been really eye-opening. It’s a very welcoming town. From a business-to-business point of view, we were really quite overwhelmed by the help we received from [tourism body] Destination Harrogate. They took a lot of time out to answer all our questions about recruitment, seasonality, advertising and business organisations.

“Other businesses have been very supportive too, and I think that says a lot about the genuine nature of businesses in Harrogate. They want to do the best for their customers and are interested in improving choice on the high street.”

Buoyed by the success of the Harrogate opening, Lucy is now hoping to repeat the achievement in other towns in the region. 

She said:

“We’ve just gone through some major renovation at our head office in Brompton-on-Swale, and have invested a lot in new warehousing and office space, which will help us feed more galleries and expand. 

“We want to bring a vibrancy to the high street to make people smile. We’re planning to open more galleries this year – so watch this space!” 

Find out more:

Discover why Lucy Pittaway is the UK’s most popular published artist by visiting her newest gallery at 21 Prospect Place, Harrogate.

Or check out her latest paintings on her award-winning website, lucypittaway.co.uk.

 

Two men jailed after dealing cocaine in Harrogate

Two drug dealers have been jailed after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine in Harrogate.

Angel Angelov and Tsonko Peev, both 25 and from Leeds, were sent to prison after pleading guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

On the afternoon of November 10 last year, officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team, which tackles county lines drug dealing, stopped a vehicle on its way to Harrogate from Leeds.

The driver, Angelov, was searched, and found with 26 bags of cocaine in a mint tin and a lock knife.

Some of the cocaine seized by North Yorkshire Police.

Some of the cocaine seized by North Yorkshire Police.

As the investigation continued, officers stopped another vehicle on Leeds Road in Harrogate on December 5. Inside were Angelov and Peev. 

This time, Angelov was found with 20 bags of cocaine hidden in the lining of his coat, and a further 11 bags were found hidden by the handbrake.

Read more:

Both were charged and pleaded guilty at York Crown Court yesterday (February 7) to the offences.

Angelov was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Meanwhile, Peev was jailed for two years and three months.

PC George Frost, from the Operation Expedite team, said: 

“Following a swift investigation, two drug dealers have been taken off the streets of Harrogate, along with thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs.

“Dealers like Angelov and Peev seek to exploit the vulnerabilities of users and their addictions for their own selfish financial gain. The effects of drug dealing and drug use are felt far and wide, leading to violence, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime.

“I hope the people of Harrogate and wider North Yorkshire feel reassured by the result of the investigation and the jail sentences. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable in our communities, and are working night and day to keep drug dealers out of the area.”

Plan to convert former Harrogate post office into 11 flats approved

Plans to convert the former main post office in Harrogate town centre into 11 flats have been approved.

The post office on Cambridge Road relocated to WH Smith in 2019 amid claims by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones the service was being “downgraded”. The building has stood empty since.

Proposals lodged to Harrogate Borough Council by Leeds-based property developer Priestley Group will see the building converted into 11 apartments.

The developer said in a statement to the council the proposal would secure an “active re-use” of the building.

It said:

“The proposed development will facilitate the long-term active re-use of this prominently located building within the heart of Harrogate town centre with an appropriate mix of uses that will support the wider vitality and viability of the town centre.”

The approval follows two previous planning applications for the former post office.

In November 2020, Harrogate-based developer One Acre Group submitted plans for 25 apartments and offices on the site but withdrew the application in 2021.

Meanwhile, Priestley Group saw a proposal to convert the building into 23 self-serviced holiday flats rejected by the council in December.

Read more:

 

Bid to introduce single taxi zone for North Yorkshire put on hold

A bid to merge seven taxi zones in North Yorkshire into one has been postponed after taxi drivers and disabled people claimed the move would be a retrograde step.

Opponents of North Yorkshire County Council’s proposed taxi policy told a meeting of the authority’s executive it would lead to taxis clogging up town centres and sparse cover in rural areas, particularly for wheelchair users.

Yesterday’s meeting heard that a working group of elected members with significant experience of licensing had made a series of recommendations which the council’s officers had “tossed aside like a pair of old slippers” and come up with a series of different proposals.

A consultation over the taxi policy showed most people were against it and, opponents claimed, the council’s leadership appeared to be reneging on a pledge to abide by its results.

Nick Moxon, chairman of North Yorkshire Disability Forum, said:

“The suggestion that one zone rather than seven will enable wheelchair users to find taxis on ranks in future lacks any credible evidence.”

The meeting heard concerns that a dearth of wheelchair-accessible taxis in many areas of the county meant that if taxis drivers were permitted to sit on ranks miles away, wheelchair users could be left with no means of transport.

Councillors were told there were no or scant wheelchair-accessible taxi services from numerous North Yorkshire stations and buses were not an acceptable alternative as wheelchair users could not safely use many rural bus stops.

The meeting heard it was council policy to improve transport access for disabled people but there was nothing in the new taxi policy that would increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Harrogate cabbie speaks out

One Harrogate-based taxi driver told the meeting his colleagues had said if the policy was introduced they would immediately give up their wheelchair-accessible vehicles as they would not be viable.

He said:

“The vast majority, if not all, of the hackney carriage trade is totally against the proposals to create a one zone authority for the purpose of taxi trading as this will lead to certain livelier areas becoming swamped at peak times, leaving quieter rural areas with no supply at all, leaving residents in those areas vulnerable to getting home safely.”

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of business and environmental services, said the authority was aware of the need for more wheelchair-accessible taxis and that officers intended to review its policies in 18 months.

Read more:

The meeting heard the proposed policy incorporates the Department for Transport’s taxi and private hire vehicle best practice guidance and statutory standards, to ensure that the public continued to be provided with safe and accessible vehicles.

Councillors heard it would also provide a coherent regulatory framework for the trade across the county and that hackney carriage and private hire licence holders and taxi operators across the county would be treated equally.

The authority’s executive member for open to business, Councillor Derek Bastiman, said the working group’s findings had not been tossed aside.

However, the executive agreed to postpone considering the proposed policy until later this month in order to examine the working group’s recommendation to allow vehicles of up to 15 years in age to be licensed to help during the cost of living crisis.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate PR firm secures three international clients

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

A Harrogate public relations firm has secured three international clients amid a growth in its business.

Cause UK, which is based on Victoria Avenue, helped French-based company Famileo, Pakistan charity CARE Foundation and lobby group Free Tibet with its communications over the past 12 months.

The agency, which represents a number of clients in the Harrogate district and beyond, specialises in generating regional and national media profile for clients.

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, managing director of Cause UK, said: 

“It’s testament to the impact and reputation of our work that our agency was approached by a number of global organisations in the past year or so.”

Harrogate BID to host networking walk

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to hold a networking walk as part of its next BID club meeting.

Starting at the Harrogate war memorial in the town centre at 5pm on Thursday (February 9), the walk will be led by Harry Satloka from Free Walking Tour Harrogate.

The BID club offer members a regular opportunity to hear from different speakers, find out key information about town centre events and initiatives, and to meet with fellow BID members, directors and the BID team.

The walk will end at the Disappearing Chin, on Beulah Street, for drinks and nibbles.

Bethany Allen, Harrogate BID marketing and business executive, said

“Harry will be taking us on our own private tour, where I’m sure even those who live here will learn something new about our wonderful town.”

BID members wishing to take part should register here.

Read more:

 

Harrogate couple’s dramatic escape from earthquake-hit Turkish city

A Harrogate couple have spoken of their shock and devastation after being caught up in the earthquakes in Turkey.

Sharon Cain and her partner Steve were in Iskenderun on the Turkish coast when the first earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning.

The pair had been travelling in their motorhome since September, tracking their adventures on their Instagram account, and decided to stay for a few nights in a rented flat.

It was there that they were woken by the earthquake around 3.30am, with the “shaking, swaying and rumbling” lasting more than a minute.

Sharon said:

“You could hear people screaming outside. There was mass panic.

“You could hear doors banging with people fleeing the building. They were all huddled together because it was only three degrees and pouring with rain.”

Sharon, who previously ran Harrogate agency Quest PR, said they had quickly gone to find their motorhome, which was parked just a few minutes’ walk away. On the way, they saw collapsed buildings, and watched more locals sheltering under damaged buildings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sharon, Steve, Bracken: travel writer/photography (@leaveworktotravel)


 

Fortunately, the vehicle had not been damaged, and the couple and their dog, Bracken, left the town amid the chaos.

Sharon added:

“People were panicking and driving the wrong way, trying to get out. The emergency services were trying to get through towards the centre.”

Now safe, the couple said their thoughts are still with the people trapped and injured by the earthquake, and those trying to get help to them.

More than 5,000 people are now known to have died, with a second earthquake having struck close to the first later that day.

Sharon and Steve said they hoped support centres had been set up by communities to give residents proper places to shelter. They said they could not imagine how long it will take for the country to recover.

They travelled 100 miles west to safety and plan to go further towards the western end of Turkey over the coming days to visit friends. The risk of earthquakes is much lower close to its coast and the Greek islands.

However, their thoughts – and those of everyone they meet along the way – are still with the people caught up in the tragedy. Sharon said:

“The Turkish people are just beyond themselves for their own people. They’re just heartbroken and devastated by the battering the country has had.”

Read more:

Steve added:

“We’re just relieved to be alive, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that. The building was rocking by six to nine inches. It was bad.

“It was the aftershocks too – they just kept coming. Then you’re thinking, ‘is that going to bring down the building that’s now been damaged?’.”

Sharon and Steve have been using their Instagram feed to share information about rescue efforts, including the humanitarian response by the Red Cross.

Steve added:

“We heard Britain has sent 75 specialists out to help.

“That’s great, but 75 won’t do one small district in one town that has been hit.

“It’s the biggest ever earthquake in Turkey. It’s not just the cities, it’s the rural areas too.

“It’s going to need all the help available.”

Safety audit to be carried out at Killinghall junction

A formal safety audit is to be conducted at a Killinghall junction after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle last week.

The news was revealed at a packed meeting last night of Killinghall Parish Council, at which residents vented frustration about safety at the notorious Ripon Road and Otley Road junction.

Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on North Yorkshire County Council, told the meeting:

“I have a commitment from the county council to do a formal safety audit. It will be proper highways modelling to see what options they will come up with.”

Cllr Harrison added the county council, which is the highways authority, had said it would come up with proposals in three months.

He said he shared residents’ concerns about the junction but admitted he didn’t know the solution, adding.

“If it was obvious there’s no doubt we would have done it.

“I don’t think anyone in this room knows the solution, unless it was a bypass, and I have to say there isn’t support for that.”

Read more:

Parish council chairman Anne Holdsworth said plans were approved for a Killinghall bypass in 1937 and the village had been campaigning unsuccessfully for one ever since.

One resident told the meeting the person injured on the crossing outside the Greyhounds Inn last week had suffered a broken ankle and was on crutches.

Most people at the meeting agreed speed was a problem at the junction and in the wider village but there was little consensus over what to do.

Opinions included a 20mph limit, a mini roundabout and traffic lights. There were also concerns about the location of the pedestrian crossing and the bus stop as well as the new Tesco Express entrance.

Cyclist seriously injured in collision with van near Weeton

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision near Weeton in which a cyclist was seriously injured.

It occurred on the A658 Harrogate Road between Weeton railway station and Pool Bridge on Monday, January 30, between 5.50pm and 6.15pm.

A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“It involved a van and a bicycle, which collided near to Riffa Business Park, resulting in serious injury to the cyclist.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have relevant dashcam of the collision or the van or bike involved, is asked to contact TC174 David Minto of North Yorkshire Police Road Policing Group.

“Please either dial 101, or email david.minto@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number NYP-30012023-0380.”

Read more:

 

Graveleys fish and chip shop to reopen in Harrogate tomorrow

One of Harrogate most famous names, Graveleys, is to make a comeback tomorrow.

The fish and chip restaurant and takeaway was a feature of Cheltenham Parade for decades until it was sold in 2019.

New owners Catch Seafood spent £250,000 refurbishing the property and introduced a champagne and oyster bar as well as cocktails.

But all five Catch restaurants ceased trading last year when the company went into administration, paving the way for Simon Pilkington, the son of former Graveleys owner Robert, to buy back the building.

Graveley's takeaway

The takeaway will reopen tomorrow at 11am.

The takeaway will open at 11am tomorrow and the restaurant is due to open in the next few weeks. A final date has not been confirmed.

Sarah Knox, manager of Graveleys, said the venue would be going “back to basics”, adding:

“The focus will be on fish and chips. We just want to get back to basics and serve quality products.

“We will listen to what customers tell us and adjust our menu accordingly. Come in and see us!”

Ms Knox, who has worked all her life in hospitality and was previously employed by Catch, said the new venture had come about quickly and she had spent the last week preparing for the reopening. New staff are wanted.

The takeaway will be open from 11am to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday. It will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Read more: