Two teenagers arrested following police appeal into Harrogate robberies

North Yorkshire Police has arrested two teenage males after it published an appeal yesterday about a robbery on Harrogate’s Hookstone Chase.

The two males are also being questioned about a further alleged robbery that took place on Wentworth Drive in Harrogate on the same night.

The first alleged incident, on Hookstone Chase, is said to have happened at around 6pm on Tuesday, May 17. The Wentworth Drive incident followed at 10.30pm.

The two males are in custody. Police said they are assisting officers with their enquiries.

Yesterday, police published an appeal for two teenage white males wearing grey tracksuits.

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Siblings, 11 and 7, get creative to protest against new Knox Lane houses

Two creative siblings have put up posters and written poems to protest against a housing development on Harrogate’s Knox Lane.

North-east property developer Jomast wants to build 53 homes on a field off Knox Lane in a green corner of Bilton that residents cherish.

Jasmine Stoyles, 7, and her brother Francis, 11, both go to Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School in Bilton.

They live close to where the homes could be built and enjoy admiring the deer, birds and other wildlife in the green fields.

But they fear the idyllic scene won’t be there when they grow up.

Mum Caroline said the threat of development inspired the kids to get their pens out and protest. Over the weekend they put up posters and poems on trees and a notice board nearby.

Jasmine’s poem says it’s a “horrible sight looking at concrete and cement” and Francis’ poem pleads “see the trees that grew up there, soon it will be all bare”.

Ms Stoyles said:

“We just appreciated all through lockdown how many people come here. It’s a lovely place to be. 

“To lose that connection to the countryside would totally change the nature of the area.”

Jasmine’s poem is below:

“Spring is a lovely time, but not when people are killing nature,

“People do not care about nature anymore because they are looking at their toes,

“Wrens and other birds are going to lose their homes because they are cutting down the trees,

“It is a horrible sight looking at concrete and cement,

“Nothing can replace Harrogate’s space.”

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Police identify man after Harrogate Asda CCTV appeal

Police have identified a man they wanted to speak to after money was removed from a cash machine at Asda in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police issued CCTV images of the man after £150 that was left on the cash machine from a previous transaction was taken.

Police were not aware of any attempt that had been made to return the cash to its owner.

The incident happened at Asda on Bower Street at 10.23am on Sunday, May 1.

In an update on May 27, police said they had identified the man and we have therefore removed the images of him from this post.

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Tractor stolen from farm in Weeton

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a tractor theft in Weeton.

The tractor was stole from Weeton Lane at 2.10am on May 12. According to police, a vehicle entered a farm and stole the orange Kubota Compact b7100 tractor.

Officers are asking for the public to come forward with information, particularly sightings of vehicles on Weeton Lane at the time of the incident.

You can contact the police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk.

The crime reference number is 12220081066.

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Police appeal after man robbed in Harrogate

Police are appealing for information following a robbery on Hookstone Chase in Harrogate.

The incident happened yesterday close to the double mini roundabouts at 6pm and involved two teenage boys threatening violence to steal a man’s bag and wallet.

The suspects are described as teenage white males and were both wearing a grey tracksuits. Officers say one of the boys may have had dark coloured hair

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. We are asking that local residents check any CCTV or dashcam footage that may have captured the suspects around the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Paul.Griffiths@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 741 Griffiths.

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Meet the team at Harrogate’s new hair salon

This advertorial is sponsored by Allertons

Allertons has built an incredible team of highly qualified stylists since opening in Harrogate just six weeks ago. The team is here to help people in Harrogate achieve their dream hair.

Allertons has just celebrated eight years in business and has two salons in Leeds, one in Nottingham and another in Harrogate.

The company’s owner Nicholas Nicola is hugely proud of everything his staff has achieved including being Leeds’ highest rated salon, with plenty of five star ratings on Google.

Nicholas lives in North Leeds and has always enjoyed visiting Harrogate. So when a unit became available on Montpellier Street he knew it would make the perfect addition to the Allertons family.

Following a £60,000 refurbishment the salon opened with a team of four and with further plans to transform the two upper floors the team is eager to continue building its reputation.

Lauren Wood, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“I specialise in most things including colour, extensions and blow-drying. A bit of an all-rounder.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“We get a lot of support from Nick and everyone in the team, there’s a lot of training opportunities too. We are also kept up-to-date on what is going on so there’s never any surprises.”

Who is your celebrity hair crush?

“Definitely Hailey Bieber, she’s just spot on every time and I love that sometimes she can surprise you.”

Jess Hewitt, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“Definitely say I prefer colour, it’s a little bit more enjoyable transforming someone’s hair. I really like it when someone comes to me for a complete change in style.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“It’s the team, we all get on really well. It just feels good coming to work and getting on with everyone. Plus the simple things like being paid on time just makes the experience that bit better. We just all really support each other.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“It’s opened my eyes to new careers, so I’ve thought about going down the hair education route. All the courses we get sent on just help us develop into the stylist we want to be.”

How does a consultation work?

“Normally someone comes to us with a picture and we can talk through the process of getting to that point. Unfortunately there are times when the client’s hair type might not suit the hair they want but I’ll always give advice and other inspirations.

“I also want to make sure the client can maintain their hair, so if someone can’t make it to use every six weeks I wouldn’t suggest bleach blonde. It’s about making sure the client gets the hair they want without spending hours a day making it look fabulous.”

Francis Emechette, national educator

What is your speciality?

“Precision cutting and training.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“My position at Allertons allows me to utilise my skills and work on my passion whilst passing my experience on to the rest of the team.”

What is your favourite hair era? 

“An Eaton Crop wonderfully modelled by Charlize Theron and Tilda Swindon also there’s a style called Wolf Cut which gives more volume at the root and front of the head. Then celebrities like Billie Eilish have brought the Japanese Anime style back into the mainstream.”

Robyn Mackin, apprentice

What is your speciality?

“I’m really enjoying the colouring aspects of hairdressing, learning techniques and developing my skills. Especially highlighting hair.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“I love the area where Allertons is, I’m from Harrogate so it’s really nice to work where I’ve grown up. Our clientele are lovely and always come in with smiles on their faces so it makes my job even more positive.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“Allertons are so supportive with my training with in house training every week and they send me on courses to develop my skills regularly which enables me to reach my goals of becoming a really good hairdresser.”

The salon is currently offering up to three free appointments as part of its eighth anniversary celebrations. To find out more click here.

Allertons Harrogate has plans to expand to 15 staff once all the refurbishments are complete. The renovations are set to get underway by summer and will include beauty rooms offering facials, massage, manicures and pedicures.

The salon is currently looking to hire a full time salon manager and hair stylist and two part time hair stylists.

Harrogate drug dealer sentenced to four years in prison

A Harrogate man has been sentenced to four years in prison after police officers stopped him during a drug deal on Knaresborough Road.

Ben Michael Hargreaves, of Dragon Avenue, was sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.

The 42-year-old’s sentencing comes after an 18-month investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate Operation Expedite Team.

On September 9, 2020, officers spotted a man leaving a vehicle on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate and suspected he had purchased drugs from the driver.

The man was found to be in possession of cocaine. Officers then stopped the vehicle and detained the driver, Hargreaves.

Officers found a quantity of cocaine in the car and following a roadside drug wipe, Hargreaves tested positive for cannabis. He was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and supplying drugs.

At his home address police found more cocaine and digital microscales. His phone was also examined which revealed a large amount of drugs related content and showed him organising the importation of drugs from the United States, as well as discussions about evading customs and border control.

The drugs seized from Hargreaves were valued at around £1,500 if sold at street level. As well as the four-year sentence he was disqualified from driving for five years.

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Detective Sergeant Peachman, from the North Yorkshire Police Harrogate Operation Expedite Team, said:

“Hargreaves has received a significant custodial sentence at York Crown Court and this sentence reflects the severity of his offending and the extent of it.

“He was found to be supplying a Class A drug on the streets of Harrogate and the impact of this offence should not be underestimated. The knock-on effects of increased criminality to fund drug addictions creates misery for those trapped in the cycle of addiction and those people who live in their communities. Hargreaves was financially profiting from that misery and exploiting the addictions of his customers for his own greed.”

Harrogate woman sets up Lupus support group after 40-year battle

Forty years on from her diagnosis, a woman has set up a Harrogate Lupus support group for local people to find support and hopefully comfort in hearing the experience of others.

Cherry Bratkowski was 23-years-old when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. She’s now 61-years-old and over the years has experienced severe fatigue, rashes, liver and brain inflammation and numerous cases of pneumonia.

A main motivator for setting up the group for her was having to go through years of hospital admissions with her daughter, Tess Bratkowski, before she got an autoimmune diagnosis at 26-years-old.

Similar to her mum, Tess developed symptoms from the age of 12 but it has taken years of letters to MPs and consultants to get the right referral.

Tess Bratkowski

Ms Bratkowski is a professional musician and the resident pianist at the Old Swan, Harrogate. She said her diagnosis meant she couldn’t follow her original career path because she was too ill.

She knows other people will have similar experiences and hopes they could find comfort in sharing them with others:

“I’ve been very lucky in a lot of ways, I was told it was 80% unlikely that I could carry a child but I had two. But I’ve also been very ill, I just feel like there needs to be a lot more awareness.”

Lupus is thought to affect one in every 1,000 people but with no specialist lupus nurse at Harrogate District Hospital she believes there isn’t enough support.

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She said she had wanted to set up a group after the previous Harrogate group disbanded.

The musician plans to hold meetings at Woodlands Methodist Church Hall, with the first next Tuesday, May 24, between 1pm and 3.30pm.

Ms Bratkowski has worked with national charity Lupus UK to set up the group and hopes to encourage people across the district to attend.

She added:

“Watching my daughter brought it home to me how many people are suffering, whether its their medication side effects or isolation during covid it’s been very difficult for us.

“The help just isn’t there, people just don’t know enough about it even doctors and specialists.”

To contact Ms Bratkowski about the meeting, email Organpipe@icloud.com.

North Yorkshire’s new top politicians named

Recap the highlights from today’s first North Yorkshire County Council meeting today since the local elections on May 5.

The key points include:

2pm: Meeting ends

A marathon 3.5-hour meeting ends. It was the first county council meeting since the local elections and saw a new executive team named by leader Carl Les.

The more even political composition of the council was reflected in the length of some of the debates.

1.50pm: Jubilee theme at County Hall

A copy of the Daily Mail from June 3, 1953 — the day after the Queen’s coronation — is on a royal-themed table greeting everyone at today’s meeting at County Hall, Northallerton.

1.47pm: 15 care homes have covid outbreaks

Michael Harrison, the executive member for health and adult social services, says 15 care homes in North Yorkshire have one or more covid cases. He says this has an impact on the NHS, which can’t discharge patients to these homes.

1.42pm: Motion to criticise Home Office of handling of Linton is passed

Some Conservative councillors are reluctant to vote on a motion criticising the Home Office, saying it is against procedure, or political grandstanding, But after a lengthy debate the motion is voted on and receives overwhelming support from all parties.

1.18pm: Heated debate over Linton asylum centre 

Cllr Stuart Parsons, the leader of the Independent group, proposes a vote of no confidence in the Home Office in its handling of the asylum centre at Linton-on-Ouse.

Cllr Les says he’s happy to make a statement and support Hambledon District Council’s call for a judicial review but can’t support a blanket no confidence motion on the Home Office.

Cllr Parsons says the motion purely relates to Home Office actions regarding Linton. Cllr Les agrees to support this.

Cllr Malcolm Taylor, whose division includes the former RAF site at Linton-on-Ouse that is to be converted into the centre, says Home Office representatives will be attending a parish council meeting tomorrow night and a demonstration is planned.

He says Linton has a population of 600 and the first asylum seekers are expected on May 31.

The centre will be on the edge of the Harrogate district, just a few miles from Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

A Conservative councillor living near the site says her inbox is full of messages of concern, many from women worried about the impact of an influx of hundreds of men in the area.  She says asylum seekers need help but urges fellow councillors to “think of that little community”

There is now a vote over whether the no confidence vote should go ahead.

1.02pm: Expect more demand-led buses

Cllr Duncan is receiving plenty of transport questions and is giving an assured first performance.

He is asked whether the council’s pilot scheme testing demand-led buses, which includes Ripon and Masham, will be extended. The system is likened to Uber whereby people call for small local buses rather than rely on a timetable service.

Keane is keen. He says “this is exactly the type of approach we should be taking” as an alternative to conventional bus services. He adds demand-led buses won’t be appropriate everywhere but they could be rolled out in many areas.

12.48pm: Transport chief calls for bus alternatives

Keane Duncan

Cllr Keane Duncan says some bus routes are not viable and the council needs to look at alternatives to help people get around.

12.31pm: New transport chief Keane Duncan faces pothole questions

Keane Duncan

Ryedale councillor Keane Duncan (pictured), the youthful successor to Harrogate’s Don Mackenzie on the transport brief, is immediately asked a question on potholes by Ripon Independent Andrew Williams.

Cllr Williams invites Cllr Duncan to visit Ripon “so I can show him first had some of the pothole-ridden roads you’ve taken priority for”.

He adds he’s sure Cllr Duncan wants to make it a priority for residents to be able to drive around North Yorkshire “comfortably rather than bouncing around”.

Cllr Duncan says it’s a new council but “many issues will be the same”. He agrees to visit Ripon and is then invited by Liberal Democrat Pat Marsh to also visit Knaresborough.

12.28pm: What will happen to local assets like Knaresborough Castle?

Liberal Democrat Pat Marsh asks how parish councils will be given a voice to “retain assets they feel are theres”, such as Knaresborough Castle, when the seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, are abolished next year.

Deputy leader Gareth Dadd says North Yorkshire Council could inherit 13,000 pieces of real estate when it begins life next year. He says the new council “will be open for asset transfer” and is “mindful of the benefits of community ownership” but does not commit further.

12.22pm Why do councillors have plastic bottles?

Bryn Griffiths, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Stokesley, asks why he can see so many single use plastic bottles in the chamber.

Cllr Greg White replies that he can’t give an answer but will look into it.

Cllr Griffiths then asks if removing single use plastics is a council commitment.

Cllr White says, to cheers, it will happen “as soon as we possibly can”.

12.13pm: Ouseburn councillor says council gives ‘lip service’ to environment

Arnold Warneken

Arnold Warneken (pictured), the first Green Party candidate elected from the Harrogate district, suggests in his first meeting that the council only pays lip service to the environment.

He says the body language from fellow councillors when he raises tree-planting initiatives is ‘oh, not another hugger’

He says the environment is regarded as “a tag on” and protecting the planet is far more important.

Greg White, the executive member in charge of climate change, replies that every report to committees will include climate impact assessments and Cllr Warneken will have the opportunity to question them.

12.01pm: The new top table

NYCC executive

This picture shows the new 10-person executive sitting around the top table, below chair Margaret Atkinson. Michael Harrison, on the far right, is the only Harrogate district councillor selected by leader Carl Les.

11.46am: No public questions

We are now up to the ‘public questions’ item on the agenda. But none were submitted: hardly a glowing endorsement of the state of local democracy.

11.33am: Female representation on executive doubles — to two

Janet Sanderson

Annabel Wilkinson

Annabel Wilkinson

The number of female councillors on the 10-person executive has doubled — to two.

Bedale councillor Annabel Wilkinson is given the education brief previously held by Patrick Mulligan. Thornton Dale councillor Janet Sanderson, retains the children’s services role.

11.30am: Chamber packed for Carl Les’ coronation

County Hall chamberIt seems that all 90 newly elected councillors are here. Remember, the Conservatives got 47 councillors elected, giving them a slim majority of four, which is why the new council is led by a Conservative and a 10-person executive includes only Conservatives.

11.25am: Call for sale of Ripon Spa Baths to be halted

Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams (pictured), the leader of Ripon City Council who was elected to the county council as an Independent two weeks ago, calls for soon-to-be-abolished Harrogate Borough Council to be prevented from proceeding with the sale of Ripon Spa Baths. He says it should be retained as a community asset.

Council leader Les says “I will take legal advice on this”, adding warm words but no commitment. He says:

“We are not going to be awkward. If it’s a sensible thing being proposed we will want to support it. I will have to look into Ripon Baths”

11.23am: Harrogate district only gets one councillor on 10-person executive

Michael Harrison is the only councillor from the Harrogate district chosen by leader Carl Les on his 10-person executive, which raises questions about how strongly the district’s voice will be heard on the county council.

11.18am: Call to create Harrogate Town Council

Liberal Democrat Pat Marsh, who was elected to represent the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division on May 5, calls for an assurance that “as soon as possible, within the next couple of months” the process to create town councils for Harrogate and Scarborough begins.

Council leader Carl Les says he will check the legal position and “If it’s in our gift, I think the process should start immediately”.

11.15am Keane Duncan succeeds Don Mackenzie

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire County Council.

Harrogate’s Don Mackenzie (pictured) did not seek re-election on May 5. He is replaced by Keane Duncan, a journalist who lives in Malton.

Cllr Duncan’s portfolio has changed slightly — he will still oversee transport, as did Cllr Mackenzie, but the brief no longer includes broadband.

11.10am Harrogate district’s Michael Harrison retains health and adult services brief

Michael Harrison has been named executive member for health and adult services. Cllr Harrison, who lives in Killinghall Moor, held the brief before the last election.

He was elected to the division of Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate two weeks ago.

11.04am: Carl Les elected leader unopposed

As expected, Conservative Carl Les is elected as leader of the county council and its successor North Yorkshire Council until May 2027.

11.02am: Margaret Atkinson gives acceptance speech

New chairman Margaret Atkinson says she is a “tough cookie” who won’t stand for any nonsense.

10.58am: Will female representation increase?

It could hardly get much worse. the previous 10-person executive included just one woman. This was Cllr Les’ previous top team.

10.50am: Kirkby Malzeard’s Margaret Atkinson elected chair

Conservative Margaret Atkinson (pictured), who was elected to represent Masham and Fountains two weeks ago, is elected chair of North Yorkshire County Council. Cllr Atkinson lives in Kirkby Malzeard and is a long-serving county and district councillor.

Margaret Atkinson

TV show Bargain Hunt films in Harrogate

Harrogate has been no stranger to big-budget film sets and A-list actors in recent months, but this weekend daytime TV staple Bargain Hunt came to town.

The show has been on air since 2000 and features two pairs of contestants who buy antiques to hopefully sell at auction for a profit.

Teams competing in the show were spotted hunting for bargains at Ripley Antiques Fair, which holds monthly events during spring and summer in the village.

Antiques expert Danny Sebastian was also seen on Montpellier Hill in Harrogate and posed for a photo.

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