Plans have been lodged to create six new flats above the former Orvis store in Harrogate.
The proposal lodged by York-based Balance Planning Solution Ltd on behalf of Andrew Farrar would see the upper floors of the unit on West Park converted for housing.
Orvis closed its doors back in April after 25 years of trading in the town.
The plan would see part of the ground floor unit converted for access to the apartments, along with an entrance to the back of the building next to the Coach House flats on Robert Street.
It would see a mixture of one bedroom and two bedroom apartments created.
The developer said in documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council that the plan would not include any extension of the building.
It said:
“It is considered that the proposed scheme responds to the constraints of the site, planning policy constraints and its heritage context and should fall within the parameters of acceptable development.”
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
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- BT plans three advertising screens in central Harrogate
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Firefighters called to Pannal business
A faulty storage heater caused a fire at a business in Pannal today.
A member of staff dialled 999 when they noticed smoke at the commercial premises on Station Road.
Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were summoned to the scene at 8.43am and entered the building wearing breathing apparatus.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says they discovered a “small fire to a storage heater”, adding:
“Firecrews extinguished the heater, which had developed an electrical fault, and cleared the premises of smoke with a positive pressure ventilation fan.”
The fire, at the unnamed business, was the first of two incidents in the Harrogate district today.
At two minutes past midday, fire crews from Boroughbridge and Knaresborough were called to the A1 southbound near Boroughbridge to deal with a car fire.
A Vauxhall Zafira had caught fire following an engine fault. Firefighters using breathing apparatus dealt with the incident.
The incident log adds:
“Occupants had left scene, believed to have been picked up by another vehicle prior to arrival of emergency services.”
Read more:
- Car turned into fireball at Flaxby
- Impartiality concerns over crime commissioner’s plan to share office with Harrogate police
‘We will prosecute if we have to’: On the road with Harrogate’s traffic police
Harrogate traffic cop TC Craig Taylor has been a police officer for 20 years – 16 of which have been policing Yorkshire’s roads.
In that time, he’s stopped drug drivers, pursued motorists speeding and been at crime scenes where a drink-driver has killed someone.
These days, he’s on Harrogate’s roads making sure that cars are abiding by the speed limit.
On a cold, crisp Tuesday afternoon, the Stray Ferret joined TC Taylor on a patrol to see what he faces on a daily basis.
‘No one sets out to have a collision’
“I don’t think people set out to have a collision,” TC Taylor says as we head down Leeds Road in his BMW.
He says that drink and drug driving is what the force is particularly looking out for at Christmas.
While he has come across 16 years worth of incidents involving drivers under the influence of drink and drugs, he says none set out to do anyone harm.
“No one that I have ever come across ever thinks ‘that’s what I’m going to do today’.
“But they ruin their own lives and other people’s lives.”
TC Taylor first started by patrolling Bradford and Leeds before moving to police the roads in Harrogate.
TC Taylor, who has been a roads police offer for 16 years.
While the metropolitan cities of neighbouring West Yorkshire may seem a different world for policing, he says there is not much difference.
This week North Yorkshire Police launched its “save a life, call it in” campaign, which urges people to call out drivers who appear to be under the influence on the county’s roads.
Amid the plea to the public, TC Taylor says there is not much difference between finding drink drivers in the centre of Harrogate to out on rural roads where they “feel safer” driving home.
“It’s a broad mix.
“Obviously you’ve got more chance [of catching drink drivers] where it’s more densely populated and where you’ve got more drinking establishments.
“But you could have the same person thinking ‘I’ll drive home, it’s only a couple of miles up the road’.”
While some cases of drink driving are stopped before an accident happens, TC Taylor has experience of incidents which don’t end so well.
Read more:
- Criminals in North Yorkshire could make written apologies to victims
- Police plea to call out drink drivers amid increasing Harrogate district incidents
As we pull over on Leeds Road to carry out a speed check, he talks about a crash where a businesswoman killed two pensioners while under the influence of drink.
The woman had been out on a Christmas party, where she had got drunk and decided to drive home.
As she drove home, she turned onto a main road and crashed into a parked car where the two pensioners were unloading their shopping. Both were killed.
“That’s one that always sticks in my mind.”
TC Taylor carrying out a speed check on Leeds Road, Harrogate.
Last year, police arrested 137 people during their December campaign for drink or drug driving in North Yorkshire.
From the 137 arrests, 120 were men and 17 were women. 72 people of the 137 were charged with an offence. A total of 25 of the arrests were made following a crash.
TC Taylor points out that when it comes to a fatal crash, there is always an underlining factor involved.
“Sometimes it can just be an accident. You can slip on some diesel on the road, but that’s few and far between.
“Generally speaking if you’ve got 100 cars that drive down this road, 99 of those cars will go on the same road and the same path.
“But the one car that doesn’t and ends up running into a tree and ends up fatal, that’s normally because there’s another factor involved.”
‘We will prosecute if we have to’
Armed with his speed gun and fluorescent jacket, he starts to point at oncoming drivers down Leeds Road – which he says is a common area for speeding in the town.
Most drivers spot TC Taylor in the distance and begin to temper their speed.
He pulls over a woman who was going too fast and orders her to take a breathalyser. She passes and is given words of advice before being sent on her way.
TC Taylor says that it is not the case that every driver needs to be prosecuted.
Harrogate Hydro reopening delayed until summer“We will prosecute people if we have to, but it’s about education as well.”
The reopening of Harrogate Hydro has been delayed until summer next year.
The swimming pool and leisure centre closed in April for an £11.8 million refurbishment.
At the time, the pool hall and changing rooms were due to re-open next month and the ‘dry side’ activity space was expected to welcome visitors in April.
The pool opening date was later pushed back until May. But in a post on its Facebook page this week the venue said it is now due to open in summer.
The facility will get a two-storey extension as well as a new entrance, cafe and reception area and sauna and steam suite.
There will also be new diving board equipment, a new fitness suite and the changing areas will be upgraded.
How the Hydro is looking.
The Hydro, which is run by Harrogate Borough Council-controlled leisure company Brimhams Active, said in its Facebook post that work was “well underway”. It added:
“As is often the case when refurbishing an existing building, we have discovered some additional areas of work that could only have come to light when the building was closed and a strip-out of the internal fabric had taken place.
“This includes some improvements to the fire protection of the steel frame, replacement of corroded steelwork, replacement of soffit boarding, and resolution of air leakage and heat loss between the roof and the external walls. As well as some work to ensure the building conforms to the latest legislation and is as energy-efficient as possible.
“Despite everything being done to minimise delays to the project, we now anticipate opening our doors once again next summer (date TBC). But by carrying out the work now, we will be able to ensure people across the Harrogate district can keep fit and active for many years to come.”
The Stray Ferret has asked the council if the “additional areas of work” will mean the cost of the project has risen. We have not received a response at the time of publication.
Read more:
- Pictures show progress of £28m Harrogate Hydro and Knaresborough Leisure Centre works
- Harrogate’s free Christmas lights extravaganza to be switched on today
One person commented in response on Facebook about the length of time Harrogate swimmers would have to travel to Ripon to use another council pool:
“This is going to be well over a year swimmers in the north of the town have been without a pool, and ‘summer (tbc)’ isn’t inspiring me with a lot of confidence.
“Driving to Ripon (actually quicker than trying to get through traffic to Starbeck or Knaresborough) isn’t a particularly appealing prospect on a foggy/icy winter morning, nor is it very green.”
Another person said the wait would be worth it.
“Ah well a least another seven months travelling through to Ripon. If it’s going to be as good as Ripon, really looking forward to it reopening.”
The council, which will be abolished in April, is also spending £17 million on a new leisure centre in Knaresborough, which will have a six-lane swimming pool, health spa and fitness studios.
It is being built behind the existing Knaresborough Pool which will be demolished.
Guide to Christmas fairs and markets in the Harrogate district
Christmas markets are taking place across the Harrogate district.
Here’s our guide to what’s taking place. If you know of one that isn’t included, let us know and we will add it. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
RHS Harlow Carr, Bath House Gallery: Christmas Crafts
10am, Thursday, October 20 to 4pm, Friday, December 23
Country Living Christmas Fair, Harrogate Convention Centre
10am, Thursday, December 1 to 4pm, Sunday, December 4
Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair, The Yorkshire Events Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate
9.30 to 5am Thursday, December 1 to Sunday December 2022 (4.30pm finish on Sunday)
Harrogate Christmas Fayre, Harrogate town centre
10am, Friday, December 2 to 4.30pm, Sunday, December 11
Pateley Bridge and Bewerley late night shopping, Pateley Bridge High Street
December 2, 5.30pm
Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Saturday, December 3, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 4
Knaresborough Christmas Market, Knaresborough Market Place
10am, to 5pm Saturday, December 3 and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4, finishing with firework fiesta over the viaduct at 4.30pm
Knaresborough Artisan Market, Gracious St Methodist Church, Knaresborough HG5 8AN
10am to 3pm, December 3
Copt Hewick Christmas Fair, Copt Hewick village hall and church
11am to 3pm, December 3, cash-only event, Santa arrives at noon and carols at 1.30pm
St Luke’s Church Parish Christmas Fair, St Luke’s Church, Franklin Square, Harrogate
10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, December 3
Belmont Grosvenor School Christmas Fair, Belmont Grosvenor School, Birstwith
Saturday, December 3, £3 entry for adults, free for children
Minskip Christmas Gift Fayre, Minskip Village Hall
Saturday December 3, 1pm to 4pm – all gifts priced at under £10
Nativity Festival, St Cuthbert’s Church Pateley Bridge
Saturday December 3, 10.30am to 2.30pm. Followed, at 7pm by Christmas carol singing accompanied by local choirs. (Tickets for the carol concert cost £5 and will be available on the door or from church members)
SYD* Christmas Craft, Vintage & Collectables Fayre, Masham Town Hall
10am, Sunday, December 4
* Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs
Knaresborough Winter Fayre, Knaresborough Market Place
10am to 4pm, Saturday, December 10
Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Saturday, December 10, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 11
Impartiality concerns over crime commissioner’s plan to share office with Harrogate police
Crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe plans to relocate her office to Harrogate Police Station — triggering impartiality concerns.
Ms Metcalfe’s office said today the move could save £80,000 a year. But there are concerns working alongside police officers could compromise her duty to hold the chief constable to account on behalf of the public.
The Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is currently based at Granby Road, Harrogate. According to its website it employs 32 staff.
The crime commissioner’s current office at Granby Road, Harrogate.
A spokesperson for the office said:
“We are considering how best to meet the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s future office accommodation needs and our current, and most favoured option is co-location in Harrogate with the police and fire services.
“The commissioner recognises that the public expect police and fire buildings to be used efficiently, especially at a time of strain on public finances.
“No detailed plans have been finalised but we expect to save approximately £80,000 per year by changing our office arrangements. Like many progressive organisations, the Commissioner’s team has a strong commitment to flexible, agile working and our office accommodation needs have changed in recent years.”
A whistleblower, who alerted the Stray Ferret to the news, said:
“The PFCC and staff should be impartial and not mixing and befriending staff they may have to investigate.”
Read more:
- Crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe resigns from Harrogate Borough Council
- Police plea to call out drink drivers amid increasing Harrogate district incidents
The commissioner’s spokesperson also said police could share space with firefighters at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road:
“Proposals for neighbourhood policing teams to have access to spare office space at the fire station on Skipton Road have been under consideration separately, for a much longer period of time.
“The commissioner, chief constable and chief fire officer have asked for a specialist estates recommendation which makes the most efficient and effective use of the police and fire station buildings in Harrogate for our teams. Once this report is completed, we will make further announcements.”
Harrogate Police Station is based at Beckwith Head Road.
Get your skates on! Harrogate Christmas festivities get underway
The first skaters took to the ice and the giant Ferris wheel wheel began turning as Harrogate’s Christmas festivities got underway.
Fog lifted at noon just in time for people to get a great view of the festivities, including the 50 market stalls, ice rink and more from the top of the 32-metre Ferris wheel.
The Christmas Fayre is running with the Candy Cane Express road train from today until December 11 but many of the rides including the ice rink, ferris wheel and carousel will stay in the town centre until January 3.
Read our comprehensive guide to Harrogate’s Christmas fun here. Check out our gallery from this morning for a taste of the fun:
A free daily Christmas lights show lasting 90 minutes will be switched on today.
Computer engineer Dale Hughes said the show will be bigger and even more spectacular than last year’s, which attracted daily visitors to Norwich Drive in Jennyfields.
Mr Dale has installed 42,000 low energy LED lights outside his home, which light up in time with a musical soundtrack.
Following the success of last Christmas’ show, which involved 26,000 LEDS, Mr Dale severely doubted he would be able to organise anything this year when he was hospitalised with a back injury.
Fortunately he recovered in time to arrange a Halloween extravaganza and now he’s looking forward to wowing visitors again.
This year’s lights are ready to go.
The father-of-five was inspired by videos showing lavishly decorated American houses, adding:
“I’ve always wanted to do something different rather than go to B&Q and buy some lights and plug them in.”
The show will run from 5pm to 7.30pm daily. It lasts 90 minutes and at 6.30pm is replayed on a shorter loop.
Mr Hughes has also arranged a New Year’s Eve variation that includes Auld Lang Syne at midnight.
There is a serious side to the fun. Last year’s event raised £1,150 in donations for Martin House Children’s Hospice and Mr Dale wants to generate £2,000 for the same charity this time. QR codes line trees near the lights show and people can pledge donations online. Visit here for more information.
Do the neighbours mind?
Harrogate district women undress for Calendar Girls revival“Fortunately they love it. But I only do it from 5.30pm until 7pm because I don’t want to upset them too much!”
A group of brave Harrogate district women took to the stage in a state of undress last night for the opening night of Calendar Girls.
The sell-out show, which ends on Saturday, sees members of Kirkby Overblow Dramatic Society perform an adapted version of the original Calendar Girls film.
The 1999 film is based on the true story of how a group of middle-aged women from Rylstone and District Women’s Institute, near Skipton, posed nude for a risqué calendar to raise money for leukaemia cancer. They have since raised over £5m for the charity Blood Cancer UK.
Three of the original Calendar Girls — Angela Baker, Chris Clancy and Linda Logan — will be in Kirkby Overblow for Saturday night’s finale at All Saints Church.
The cast also agreed to pose for a 2023 calendar shot creatively at local landmarks in Kirkby Overblow.
The December image from the calendar, showing all the cast. Photo: Annette Fishburn Photography
The heart-warming play, written by Tim Firth, is directed by Claire McKenzie from Harrogate. Auditions were held in August.
All profits from the production and calendar will be split between the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital, cancer support charity Maggie’s Yorkshire and Blood Cancer UK.
Dr John Fairfield, chairman of Kirkby Overblow Dramatic Society, said:
“The similarities between the villages of Rylstone and Kirkby Overblow and their close-knit communities made it an obvious choice. The dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm of the cast and crew is inspiring. We are absolutely delighted that Chris, Angela and Linda are able to join us”.
Angela Baker said:
“It is a marvellous legacy that after 23 years when we embarked on our Alternative WI calendar, we are here today still supporting the cause. It’s thanks to casts and crews like this up and down the country that keeps the Calendar Girls story alive and continues to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK.”
Copies of the calendar can be bought for £15 from the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Kirkby Overblow.
Read more:
- Panto legend Tim Stedman brings Christmas magic to Harrogate again
- Here we go! Harrogate’s Christmas activities begin tomorrow — here’s your guide
Here we go! Harrogate’s Christmas activities begin tomorrow — here’s your guide
The festive season officially gets underway in Harrogate tomorrow with the return of ‘Destination Christmas’.
The town will be buzzing with the opening of the ice rink, 32-metre Ferris wheel, the carousel and 50 market stalls, plus more.
With so much going on we’ve put together a brief guide to the attractions, showing where you can see them and how much they cost.
Christmas Fayre
When: December 2 -11, Monday – Saturday: 10am – 7pm, Sunday: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Where: The pedestrianised areas of Cambridge Street and Market Place in Harrogate town centre
Destination Harrogate is bringing back Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which launched in 2021. It will be bigger this year with about 50 stalls to browse for Christmas gifts, decorations and seasonal foodie treats.
The traditional Christmas market, delivered by Market Place Europe, will offer an ‘eclectic mix of enticing stalls’ to complement Harrogate’s independent retailers, restaurants, bars and boutique stores.
Market Place Europe and Harrogate Borough Council, which jointly operate the Christmas Fayre, will also once again provide a stall for charities.
Little Bird artisan market
When: December 3 and 4 and December 10 and 11, Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Where: Valley Gardens, Harrogate
The festive artisan market will feature 70 local and regional traders and producers, who will sell a variety of arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.
Candy Cane Express road train
When: December 2-11
Where: This year’s route has yet to be confirmed, but last year it stopped at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It also passed Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.
Cost: Free
The Christmas road train experience is also back for 2022, to transport festive revellers around Harrogate town centre while the market is on, with the Candy Cane Express co-funded by Harrogate BID.
Giant Ferris Wheel
When: December 2 – January 3
Where: Harrogate town centre, next to the war memorial
Cost: £7 for adults, £5 for children
The 32-metre illuminated observation wheel will offer views spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Harrogate outdoor ice skating rink
When: December 2 – January 3, various times throughout the day
Where: Crescent Gardens, Harrogate
Cost: Tickets cost £14 for adults and £13 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets costing £37.50, £50 and £62.50 are available. Sessions are 60 minutes. There are also ‘relaxed sessions’ and parent and toddler sessions.
All new for 2022, the outdoor ice skating rink features an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments.
The bookings website says:
“Harrogate ice rink is magical for all ages, great for families, date nights, catch ups with pals, Christmas parties with a twist, skaters, non-skaters, those who want to learn to skate at our skate school or just enjoy one of the most fascinating spectator sports with a drink and bite to eat.”
Traditional carousel and children’s fairground rides
When: December 2 – January 3, various times throughout the day
Where: Crescent Gardens, Harrogate
Cost: £3 per person. Bungee trampolines are £5 per go.
Crescent Gardens in Harrogate will take on a fairground feel again this year, featuring a traditional carousel and a collection of small rides for tiny tots.
The rides are provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s Parks and Environmental Services team.
Read more:
- Ferris wheel goes up as Harrogate Christmas countdown begins
- First signs of Christmas attractions appear in Harrogate
What the organisers say:
John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing back Destination Christmas and to be offering an even bigger and better experience for 2022. We’re building on the success of last year and through working in collaboration with our partners, including Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID, we can look forward to delivering something really special this Christmas.
“Destination Christmas not only offers our residents the opportunity to enjoy an amazing Christmas experience, particularly following the challenges of the past two years, it also encourages visitors to the Harrogate district from further afield, bolstering local trade and boosting our tourism industry at a crucial time in the business calendar.”
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“Once again, Christmas will be coming to Harrogate town centre and I for one can’t wait. Last year’s offer was a great success but I know this year’s will be even bigger and better.
“Town centres are recovering well from the covid pandemic and by working with our partners and stakeholders we can once again deliver a safe, vibrant and attractive offer that drives visitors to our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs this festive season, and showcase the Harrogate district as the perfect Christmas destination.
“The Christmas attractions also offer a fantastic way for families and friends to spend quality time together at this special time of year and to enjoy being active outdoors. And the all-new ice skating rink not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment.”
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:
“Harrogate is a beautiful and unique destination and the perfect place to enjoy our fantastic Christmas market. We’re really excited to be returning this year with an even bigger Harrogate Christmas Fayre, and to be bringing an exciting variety of traders into the town centre to offer a wonderful experience that all the family can enjoy.”