When Kim Ellis had back pain on the last day of her Lanzarote holiday, she thought she was just unwell.

She was only 26 weeks pregnant, so it didn’t even enter her head that she might actually be going into labour.

Just over 24 hours later, on October 12, 2021, her “miracle baby” Ava was born, weighing a tiny 1lb 15oz.

She said:

“You worry about miscarrying, but you never think your baby could come that early. It didn’t even enter my head.”

Baby Ava in hospital.

Last weekend the brave little girl was christened in Harrogate, surrounded by her family and friends.

More support

Now, Kim is calling for more support for mums who have had premature births.

The hairdresser, who owns Blossom Hair, based at the Wellness Rooms, on Cold Bath Place, said:

“It is actually such a big thing, but not always something that is really talked about.”

When I met Kim for a coffee, I was in awe of this incredibly resilient mum who had clearly been through so much.

After cooing over a sleeping Ava for five minutes, we started chatting and I learned that her story actually began in the January lockdown of 2021.

Dating website

Kim explained that she had met her partner Connor Stewart on dating website. After chatting, they decided to meet up for a walk in the New Year, just a day before the third national lockdown.

She said:

“We were in our own little bubble then. So we decided to carry on meeting up for walks, chatting and FaceTiming. So really we got to know each other quite well, because there was nothing else to do.

“We made all these plans to go on holiday and do all sorts of things.

“Then in May I found out I was pregnant. It was a complete and utter shock, as we had literally only been together for about three months.

“We discussed everything and said ‘let’s just do this’. As we weren’t even living together at that point, he moved in with me and we started preparing for the baby.”

Back Pain

When restrictions were eased in October last year, the couple decided to book a short break to Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.

Kim said:

“We flew on October 6. I had been checked out and was about to go into my 25th week.

“We had a great holiday. Then on our last day, I started getting a bit of back pain.”

Kim realised she could barely walk up the steps to their room.

She said:

“The baby wasn’t due until January 16, so I was wondering how I was going to cope until then. I felt like she was so low down, she was going to drop out!”

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What she thought was back ache, actually turned out to be contractions, which started to come on thick and fast during the night.

She said:

“I could feel her moving the whole time, so I wasn’t concerned at all. I just thought it was me.

“But then it continued and there was definitely a pattern. It got to 2am, so I rang Harrogate Hospital to ask for advice. They thought it could be a urine infection.”

At around 8am, Kim noticed she had started bleeding. As the baby was still moving, she believed there was something wrong with her, so she decided to visit a medical centre near the hotel.

She said:

“Poor Connor didn’t have a clue what was going on. Covid rules were so strict over there, he was kept away from me.”

After being taken by ambulance to the main hospital on the island 40 minutes away, Kim was relieved to be met by a huge team of midwives and doctors.

4cm dilated

However, her relief was quickly replaced with shock when she was told she was 4cm dilated.

She said:

“They were really positive, as obviously I was only 26 weeks. But they weren’t sure if the baby would have any health problems. However, they said she seemed really strong.”

After being given medication to stop her contractions, Kim was taken to a bed to get some sleep.

But then her waters broke.

‘So strong’

She said:

“It was now Tuesday morning, it was 10am and I was 7cm. I stayed 7cm all day, so then they had to put me on a drip to try and induce me.

“I just got set up with gas and air when I was told I needed to push.

“They had to be careful how to deliver her as she was so small. But she was ready to arrive. She was in the right position. She was so strong, she didn’t get distressed.

“They told me not to be be alarmed if she didn’t cry as she had weaker lungs. But when she came out she was crying and looking around at everybody.”

Kim cuddles tiny baby Ava at the hospital in Lanzarote.

Ava was then taken away and put on a ventilator ready for both mum and baby to be airlifted to a larger hospital on Gran Canaria, which had more facilities.

However, the doctors discovered Kim had been bleeding, so she was whisked off to theatre.

This meant that Ava was flown to hospital without her mum.

Kim said:

“I got to see her for about 10 minutes before she got transferred to Gran Canaria, which was really hard. But I was just so relieved she was going to get the care she needed.”

Ava is airlifted to Gran Canaria.

Just under two days later, quite remarkably, Kim boarded a standard passenger flight to Gran Canaria to be reunited with Ava.

Adrenaline

She said:

“I don’t know how I did it. I just wanted to get to my baby. It was total adrenaline.

“It was so amazing to see her, but it was hard as she had lost weight. However, she was doing really well and wasn’t on a ventilator.

“Apart from two blood transfusions, she just did so well.

Kim stayed on the island by Ava’s side for six weeks.

She said:

“Connor had to go back to work at Avenue Bakery, in Bilton. He also had to move house for us. So I got out of that one!

“We had to get Ava an emergency passport. I was quite scared to fly her back to the UK. But the plane was like a private jet with an amazing team, which included a neonatal doctor, nurse and two pilots.

“I was so petrified, but it was like a military operation.”

Kim and Eva arrived at Leeds Bradford Airport on November 27, where a bed was waiting for them at St James Hospital.

Harrogate Hospital

After a nine-day stay, when Ava turned 34 weeks, they were transferred to Harrogate District Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit.

Kim, who said she was extremely thankful to all the midwives, doctors and nurses, said:

“We came out on December 21 just before Christmas, which was lovely. To be honest, I think I was still on adrenaline, as I somehow cooked a massive Christmas dinner.”

Last weekend Ava Lottie Grace was christened at Woodlands Methodist Church, on Wetherby Road, in Harrogate.

Connor, Kim and Ava at the christening in Harrogate.

Kim said:

“I’m absolutely loving motherhood and getting stuck in, despite a scary start.”

More awareness

Kim is now calling for more awareness for premature births and would eventually like to see more support and information provided to mums.

She said:

“You don’t think you are going to give birth to a premature baby, but when you do there are things you have no idea about.

“Ava has two ages, she is 6-and-a-half months old, but actually she should be three-and-a-half months. So her milestones are different.

“It’s hard, because I’m going down that route of knowing when to start the weaning process. There is information out there, but it’s still so new.

“Babies are surviving more now thanks to medical advancements, so I feel like there needs to be more out there.

“No matter how small any change in your body is, you should get it checked out. Even if it’s considered normal in pregnancy.

“I kept looking things up, so in hindsight I think I knew something wasn’t quite right. But as it was my first baby and the midwife didn’t seem concerned, I didn’t think anything of it.”

Kim and Ava.

New Green Party councillor for the Ouseburn division, Arnold Warneken, said he is looking forward to working with other political parties in the new North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Warneken beat Conservative candidate Richard Musgrave decisively, by 1,328 votes to 586 in a two-horse race.

There was no Liberal Democrat candidate standing after the party agreed to step aside to help the Greens unseat Mr Musgrave.

In Cllr Warneken’s acceptance speech, he suggested the local Conservative Party had “lost their conscience” and the result sent a message to other parties to work together around a common purpose based on decency.

He said:

“I will work with anybody, whatever their party is, as long as they are honest, transparent, have integrity and tell the truth.”

A blank canvas

Cllr Warneken told the Stray Ferret afterwards that the result has given him hope that environmental issues are now vote winners.

He said:

“There are all sorts of challenges and it’s a blank canvas.”

Cllr Warneken was a Green Party councillor in the 1990s and will join his old friend, the Lib Dem councillor Pat Marsh, in the new chamber.

Read more:

• What cost the Tories votes in the Harrogate district?
• Lib Dems victorious in Harrogate district

Cllr Warneken said he believes he still would have won even if the Liberal Democrats had put a candidate forward, due to his huge majority. He said the Tory candidate was “complacent” throughout the campaign.

Mr Musgrave did not attend the count to hear the verdict.

Echoing the words of Labour’s Margaret Smith during her speech at the election count, after failing to win Oatlands and Pannal, Cllr Warneken said the time had come for a proportional representation voting system.

He said:

“If we had PR we’d have more candidates from minor parties.”

Collaborate

Next door to the count in the Harrogate Convention Centre yesterday was The Assemblies of God conference, where over 500 different churches were meeting.

In previous local council elections, it has felt like most Green candidates haven’t had a prayer of winning.

But Shan Oakes, the local party coordinator, said Mr Warneken’s win was “a real story” locally.

He will join four other North Yorkshire-based Green Party councillors on the new authority.

Ms Oakes added:

“The world is coming to its senses. It’s given us hope.

“We face serious existential issues. We have the climate crisis and we have to green up out town.”

Ms Oakes said she hopes parties can agree to step aside in future, but thinks it will be a tough ask.

“It was a real struggle to get the one that we did.”

It was a dire set of results on the whole for the Conservative Party in the district.

Several high-profile councillors including Graham Swift, Stan Lumley and Phil Ireland failed to win a seat on the new North Yorkshire Council and became major scalps for the Liberal Democrats.

Out of the 21 divisions up for grabs in the present Harrogate district area, the Conservatives will now have 9 councillors. It means they will be a much less powerful force locally.

The ‘partygate’ scandal involving Boris Johnson has dominated the news for months. But some of the Harrogate district’s winning Conservatives gave diplomatic responses when asked by the Stray Ferret if that had been a factor in the party’s poor performance.

Nathan Hull, the new Tory councillor for Washburn and Birstwith, picked his words carefully:

He said:

“It’s up to MPs to look at how the party collectively operates. I can do nothing about that.”

Cllr Nathan Hull

Mr Hull said he is up for working with other parties on local issues.

“I’m focused on rural issues and schools. I’ll try not to be too partisan. We all want the same thing.”

Andrew Paraskos, the new Conservative councillor for Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith, said he was pleased to win, despite a bad day for many of his colleagues.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos

“It was a mixed bag on the doorstep. It was mainly the cost of living crisis and general unhappiness.”

Paul Haslam, the winning Conservative candidate for Bilton & Nidd Gorge, said he focused on local issues such as the closure of Woodfield school and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Paul Haslam

He said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been supported. I will continue to fight for the people of Bilton.”

On why the Conservatives had difficult results. He added:

“It’s a tricky question. The national picture is difficult. On Boris Johnson, there had been feedback on the doorstep that suggested people are not happy.”

On the doorstep

Several of the victorious Liberal Democrats candidates said Boris Johnson was not the main issue from residents on the doorstep.

Rather, they said people were angry at the way the Conservative-led Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council had handled things like housing and the state of Harrogate town centre.

Veteran Lib Dem councillor Pat Marsh, who won Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone, said:

Cllr Pat Marsh

“On the doorstep we didn’t get so much about Boris Johnson. What we got was the state of the town centre, litter, street cleaning and no new investment. What have they done in 20 years?”

Monika Slater, the new Lib Dem councillor for Bilton Grange and New Park added:

“It’s a mix. Boris Johnson played a part but people in Harrogate are really fed up. They see Harrogate in decline and think things need to change.”

Cllr Monika Slater

Read more:

• Parties react as Tories maintain narrow majority in North Yorkshire
• Lib Dems victorious in Harrogate district

Major scalp

Conservative Graham Swift was tipped as a potential leader of the new North Yorkshire Council.

But his defeat now likely spells the end of his political career once Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year.

Cllr Swift has been council leader Richard Cooper’s deputy at HBC and has been a forceful presence in the council chamber.

He gave a gracious speech that congratulated the new Lib Dem councillor for Coppice Valley & Duchy, Peter Lacey, but he knew the result well before it was announced and looked ashen-faced whilst he sat with other Conservatives.

The independent candidate in the division, Daniel Thompson, won 199 votes. He said he “got what he wanted” with Cllr Swift losing the vote, despite not winning himself.

Cllr Swift declined to speak to the Stray Ferret.

What does this mean for Andrew Jones MP?

Conservative MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, looked on as HBC chief executive Wallace Sampson announced the results.

Daniel Thompson said “look out Andrew Jones” during his concession speech, which reflected the feeling of several Liberal Democrat councillors who were buoyed by their wins.

Phil Willis, the last and only Liberal Democrat MP in Harrogate & Knaresborough, tweeted that the result in Harrogate was “sensational”.

Retiring Conservative county councillor Don Mackenzie optimistically told the Stray Ferret he expects the national picture to be different when the next general election comes around.

“Covid and the cost of living crisis, these things will settle down. When it comes to the general election it will be a much more benign national picture”.

Mr Jones was at the count but declined to talk to the Stray Ferret, waving us away without saying a word.

Andrew Jones MP

Four men have been arrested in an operation targeting suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate.

The action follows an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit into a gang suspected of bringing cocaine and cannabis into Harrogate and the surrounding area.

Warrants were carried out across Harrogate yesterday afternoon when the men were arrested and officers seized suspected cocaine, bulking agent, cannabis, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia.

The arrested men include one aged 22, from London, one aged 34 from Portsmouth, and two aged 37 and 40 from Harrogate. All four were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The 22-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

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The 34-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and the 37-year-old also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce class B drugs.

All four remain in police custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Fionna McEwan, of North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit, said:

“The latest action follows six months of painstaking information gathering behind the scenes.

“This work is not always visible but I can assure local people that we continue to work hard to disrupt organised crime and relentlessly pursue those believed to be involved.

“If you suspect drug dealing in your neighbourhood, or you believe someone is being exploited, please don’t hesitate to make a report to us in confidence, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers. Every piece of information, no matter how small, helps to inform a bigger picture.”

Reporting information about drugs

Anyone with any information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police say the signs of drug dealing can include:

Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
Anti-social behaviour at a property
Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods
Get help for drug and alcohol addiction

Jubilant Liberal Democrats are celebrating after winning the most divisions in the Harrogate division today.

But the Conservatives won enough divisions across the county overall to secure control of the new North Yorkshire Council.

Ten Liberal Democrat councillors were elected in the district, compared with nine Conservatives, one Green and one Independent.

Pat Marsh, leader of the local Liberal Democrats, said the result meant her party would take control of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee.

This means the Liberal Democrats could have a bigger voice on issues such as planning and highways. Cllr Marsh said:

“It’s a pleasure to see some really good people elected to the council, who want to represent their communities rather than just hold the title of councillor.

“Liberal Democrats will have a stronger voice and we will work with others.”

Read more:

• ELECTION LIVE: Lib Dems win most divisions in Harrogate district
• Future of Harrogate district McColl’s in question

Matt Walker, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Knaresborough West, said:

“We had a plan and exceeded what we were aiming for. We will be able to influence things more.”

Conservatives win majority in North Yorkshire

Across the county as a whole, the Conservatives won 47 divisions — one more than required for an overall majority.

Independents won 13, the Liberal Democrats and Labour both won 12, the Greens won five and the Liberal Party won one.

We will have further reaction and analysis from the local elections shortly.

In the early 20th century there was a quarry in Harrogate known as Stone Rings.

Fast forward more than a hundred years and you will now find it has been replaced by a number of stunning gardens on the steep hillside.

And this weekend, visitors will be able to visit admire six of them at an open gardens event that will raise money for charity.

Jen Dening, one of the garden owners on Stone Rings Close, which is just off Leeds Road, said:

“There will be a gentle nod towards the Platinum Jubilee.”

The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5pm, priced at £6 for adults. Under 12s are free.

It has been held a number of times since 2003 after a group of residents came together with the idea to raise money for charity.

In 2020 a virtual event took place as a result of the pandemic, which still managed to raise more than £1,300.

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It is hoped that thousands will be raised this year for the Harrogate Homeless Project’s 30th anniversary and Resurrected Bites, a local charity operating pay-as-you-feel cafes and community groceries.

Mrs Dening added:

“Stone Rings was a quarry, so the topography is challenging for making gardens. Four of the gardens have steep banks running down to a beck with woodland areas.

“All of the gardens open this year have had major or minor structural work done since last time. So if you have been before, you will see improvements. There are two gardens new to opening, with hard landscaping and planting done completely by the owners.”

Refreshments and other stalls will be available, along with a children’s quiz.

The Liberal Democrats won the most divisions in the Harrogate district but the Conservatives secured an overall majority on North Yorkshire Council.

Here’s what happened.

3.42pm: Tories win majority on North Yorkshire Council – just

The Conservatives needed 46 councillors to secure a majority on the new North Yorkshire Council. They got 47. Nine came from the Harrogate district, where the Liberal Democrats had 10 councillors elected.

2.56pm: Lib Dems in jubilant mood

There’s no doubt which party is in the most jubilant mood. The Lib Dems are still whooping and hollering and most Conservatives have left the building. The final tally in the Harrogate district is: Lib Dems 10, Conservatives 9, Independents 1, Greens 1.

But remember, the Conservatives have overall control of North Yorkshire Council.

Here are the 10 Lib Dem councillors.

2.50pm: Lib Dems victorious in Harrogate district – but Tories have overall control

The Liberal Democrats won 10 of the 21 divisions contested in the Harrogate division. It makes them the largest party locally but the Conservatives have secured overall control of North Yorkshire Council.

2.42pm: Margaret Atkinson wins Masham and Fountains

Margaret Atkinson defeats Independent Lady Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who owns Swinton estate, by gaining 1.076 votes compared with 738.

2.40pm: Andrew Jones declines to comment

Andrew Jones 

The Stray Ferret approached Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, for comment on today’s results but he waved us away.

2.36pm: Matt Walker wins Knaresborough West

Matt Walker defeats Tory Phil Ireland. Mr Ireland got 988 votes — the cheers drown out Cllr Walker’s final vote as soon as ‘one thousand’ was announced.

Mr Ireland is the cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council so this is another big loss for the Tories.

2.32pm: Graham Swift gracious but defiant in defeat

Graham Swift, the Conservative deputy leader on Harrogate Borough Council, was gracious in his speech after losing to the Liberal Democrats in Coppice Valley and Duchy.

He congratulated all his opponents but reminded the audience that there was still cause for Tory optimism as it has won overall control of North Yorkshire Council.

Daniel Thompson, the Independent candidate in the division, said in his speech:

“It’s a sad day when the Conservatives can’t win a safe Conservative seat so look out Andrew Jones.”

2.29pm: Peter Lacey wins Coppice Valley and Duchy

Significant win for the Lib Dems, with Tory big beast Graham Swift relegated to second with 739 votes compared with Peter Lacey’s 940.

2.25pm Don Mackenzie says ‘combination of factors’ led to Tory losses. 

Conservative Don Mackenzie, who did not seek re-election, is at the count. We asked why the Conservatives had lost many divisions in the Harrogate district.

“Combination of things. National issues, a reticence of traditional supporters to come out and vote.”

Does he think Boris Johnson could damage the party’s General Election prospects?

“Without question national politics was an issue, not necessarily Boris. Covid, cost of living crisis. These things will settle down. When it comes to the General Election it will be a much more benign national picture”

2.22pm: Labour calls for proportional representation

Beaten Labour candidate Geoff Foxall calls for the introduction of proportional representation. Labour has yet to win a division in the Harrogate district with just two to declare. Mr Foxall adds:

“Today marks a dent in the Tory majority that’s grown so large they have become arrogant and out of touch.”

2.16pm: Chris Aldred takes High Harrogate and Kingsley

In his victory speech, Cllr Aldred admits he didn’t think he would win. He says:

“What a day to be a Liberal Democrat. Best set of results in 20 years. We are back in Harrogate.”

2.13pm: Liberal Democrats make big gains in Harrogate district 

The Conservatives have secured an overall majority in North Yorkshire. But the picture is close in the Harrogate district where, with just a few results to go, the Tories have won nine divisions and the Liberal Democrats 8.

2.06pm: Barbara Brodigan wins Ripon Ure Bank and Spa

Cllr Brodigan says the time for competition is over, the time for cooperation has started amongst opposition parties.

2.02pm: Confirmation of Tory win

1.58pm: Greens win in Ouseburn

Arnold Warneken becomes the first Green county councillor elected in the Harrogate district. He beats Conservative candidate Richard Musgrave by 1,328 votes to 586.

1.55pm: Conservatives win North Yorkshire Council!

The Conservatives have secured the 46 seats needed to have an overall majority on the new North Yorkshire Council.

Results are still coming in the the Harrogate district.

1.53pm: Andrew Williams wins Ripon Minster and Moorside

1.51pm: Robert Windass wins Boroughbridge and Claro

Robert Windass wins with 936 votes, ahead of Independent Jon Starkey with 486 votes.

1.48pm: Michael Harrison wins Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

1.45pm: Will Conservatives get majority?

The Conservatives need 46 divisions for an overall majority. This graphic doesn’t include some of the latest Lib Dem wins.

1.42pm: Pub landlord Mike Schofield wins Harlow and St Georges

Shepherd’s Dog landlord Mike Schofield wins with 1,239 votes, ahead of Tory Steven Jackson, with 845 votes.

1.37pm: Andrew Murday wins Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale

Mr Murday says it’s been a great day for the Liberal Democrats and the result shows the Conservatives can’t sit back and be complacent.

Beaten Conservative candidate Stanley Lumley says it’s a sad day for him after 23 years serving local people and congratulates the winner.

1.34pm: Hannah Gostlow wins Knaresborough East

1.31pm Nathan Hull wins Washburn and Birstwith

1.25pm: John Mann takes Oatlands and Pannal

John Mann, Conservatives, 1,175

Justin Chan, Lib Dems, 820

Gillian Charters, 266

Margaret Smith, Labour 250

1.23pm: Has Boris Johnson cost Tories?

Monika Slater, the successful Liberal Democrat in Bilton Grange and New Park, says:

“I’m stunned. I’m so happy. I’ve had so much support from people. I’m really excited to represent the area.”

Asked why the Conservatives did badly in her division, she said:

“It’s a mix. Boris Johnson played a part but people in Harrogate are really fed up. They see Harrogate in decline and think things need to change.”

1.20pm: Nick Brown wins Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

Nick Brown, Conservative, 1,334

Hannah Corlett, Greens, 455

Chris Knight, Liberal Democrat, 559

1.14pm: Philip Broadbank wins Fairfax and Starbeck

Philip Broadbank, Lib Dems, 921

Sue Lumby, Conservatives, 442

Gordon Schallmo, Greens, 103

Chris Watt, Labour, 337

Cllr Broadbank says it “looks like being a reasonable day for the Liberal Democrats”.

Beaten Tory candidate Ms Lumby says it is a sad day for Harrogate and Knaresborough because some great councillors have gone. “Be careful what you wish for,” she says.

A Liberal Democrat shouts back that “we’ve got some great new councillors”.

1.10pm: Paul Haslam wins Bilton and Nidd Gorge

Conservative Paul Haslam wins with 1,017 votes, well ahead of Liberal Democrat Andrew Kempston-Parkes, who got 663 votes. The Lib Dem issues a plea for parties to work together to oppose the Tories.

1.06pm: Conservatives take Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale & Tockwith

Andrew Paraskos is elected in Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale & Tockwith with 929 votes. Green candidate Alexandra Marsh was second with 630.

1pm:  Sam Gibbs wins Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

Lucy Gardiner, Independent 331

Sam Gibbs, Conservative 871

David Johnson, Liberal Democrats 545

Paul Ko Ferrigno, Green Party 162

Andrew Williamson, Labour Party, 275

12.55pm: Pat Marsh wins Stray Woodlands and Hookstone

12.52 First result: Monika Slater wins Bilton Grange and New Park

Monika Slater, Lib Dems 968

Matt Scott, Conservatives 677

Andrew Zigmund, Labour 159

Tamsin Worrall, Greens, 123

12.49pm: First results in Harrogate district due now

Returning officer Wallace Sampson is on the plinth.

12.37pm: Conservatives silent as first results loom

There are some glum faces on the Conservative table, amid increasing rumours of losses. The Stray Ferret asked if it would be issuing a comment on proceedings and was told by council leader Richard Cooper, who is not seeking election, that it would not talk to us. Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is sitting with them.

12.43pm: Still no Tory majority

With 33 of the 90 divisions decided, here’s the current state of play. We are still waiting for the first official result in the Harrogate district.

Conservatives 15

Independents 8

Labour Party 5

Green Party 3

Liberal Democrats 2

12.30pm: Pat Marsh tipped to win in Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone

Pat Marsh, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, is said to have beaten Conservative John Ennis, Independent Anna McIntee and Labour’s Helen Burke.

People are talking openly about results here at the count but none have been formally declared.

12.27pm:  Is hung council possible?

Could the unthinkable happen and the Conservatives not have overall control? Results in North Yorkshire are flying in — but none yet in the Harrogate district. The Tories are winning but don’t have an overall majority. Here’s how it looks.

Greens 3

Lib Dem: 2

Conservative: 15

Lab: 3

Independent  7

Liberal Party: 1

I1.23pm: Independents not expecting any wins in Harrogate

The Independents are not expecting any wins in the Harrogate district but they insist it has been worth standing and are predicting a ‘pink landslide’ in any future elections for Harrogate Town Council.

Daniel Thompson, who is standing in Coppice Valley and Duchy, says:

“We have made an impact. The goal was to open up the debate and we’ve done that.

“There could be Harrogate town council elections coming up and there could be a pink landslide.”

12.15: Rumours Graham Swift has lost to Lib Dems

The Conservatives are looking increasingly glum amid talk of several defeats in the Harrogate district. There is speculation that Graham Swift is struggling in Coppice Valley and Duchy, where the Liberal Democrats are confident.

Cllr Swift is one of the leading Conservatives in the area. He is deputy leader of harrogate Borough Council and the Cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development.

12.10pm: Five divisions for Independents so far

The Independents have made a strong start, with five wins so far, the latest victor being Robert Heseltine in Skipton East and South. Will the five Independents in the Harrogate district fare well when the votes comes in?

Robert Geoffrey Heseltine (Independent) has been elected to the Skipton East and South ward with 640 votes.

See the full results at https://t.co/tFpV2fNhdV#NorthYorkshireElections pic.twitter.com/HN2EYeO2xy

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) May 6, 2022

12.07pm: Two wins for Labour

Stephanie Annette Duckett (Labour Party) has been elected to the Barlby and Riccall division with 797 votes.

See the full results at https://t.co/tFpV2fNhdV#NorthYorkshireElections pic.twitter.com/PJb4fCtxy8

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) May 6, 2022

Labour has its first councillors, although there are still no results declared in the Harrogate division.

11.55am: Conservatives establish lead

Despite fears of a poor night in the Harrogate district, the Conservatives have made a good start across North Yorkshire as a whole. They currently have 10 councillors, compared with four for Independents, one for the Liberal Democrats and one for the Greens. We still await the first result in the Harrogate division.

11.52am: Greens win first seat on North Yorkshire County Council

The Green Party has won its first ever division on the county council. Andrew Brown has the distinction in Aire Valley.

Andrew Kenneth Brown (Green Party) has been elected to the Aire Valley division with 1602 votes.

See the full results at https://t.co/tFpV2fNhdV#NorthYorkshireElections pic.twitter.com/Y5tqzD5YK6

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) May 6, 2022

11.49am: Counts underway in Ripon and Knaresborough

Counting is underway in Knaresborough East and Ripon Ure Bank and Spa. Turnout is 36% and 38% respectively.

11.47am: Conservatives braced for losses in Knaresborough

A senior Conservative has said the party is expecting to lose in Knaresborough and it was ‘looking rocky’ in some marginal divisions in the Harrogate district.

11.40am: Conservatives establish early lead in North Yorkshire

No results have been declared in the Harrogate district yet but so far in North Yorkshire as a whole, the Conservatives have won four divisions and two have gone to Independents. There are 90 seats being contested.

11.36am: Council leader Carl Les elected

Carl Les, the current leader of North Yorkshire County Council, has been elected. Cllr Les has indicated he wants to stand as leader for the new North Yorkshire Council, which comes into existence next year. Richard Cooper, the current leader of Harrogate Borough Council, is not standing for election today.

Carl Anthony Les (Conservative) has been elected to the Catterick Village and Brompton-on-Swale division with 760 votes.

See the full results at https://t.co/tFpV2fNhdV#NorthYorkshireElections pic.twitter.com/3mkMEKG29E

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) May 6, 2022

11.28am: Variable turnout figures

Counting is underway in most divisions now. Turnout is 42% in Ouseburn, 43% in Pateley and Nidderdale, 41% in Oatlands and Pannal, 34% in Wathdale and Bishop Monkton and 32% in High Harrogate and Kingsley.

11.19am: Could Green Party make history?

The buzz is that Arnold Warneken, pictured above, is a shoe-in for the Green Party in Ouseburn. We just saw a Labour candidate in another division congratulate him but Mr Warneken is refusing to get carried away. If he is elected he could become the first Green Party councillor on North Yorkshire County Council. Counting for Ouseburn has just got underway – turnout is 42%.

11.11am: Higher turnout in central Harrogate

Counts are starting in many areas now and there are higher turnouts in some of the central Harrogate areas, with turnout up to 43% compared with rural areas, where it is struggling to get above 30%.

11.05am: Labour’s ‘positive message resonating with voters’

Chris Watt, the Labour candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck, says he’s confident its vote has “held up and even increased”. He said:

“We are pleased in our target areas our vote seems to have held up and even increased. We’ve run a strong campaign across the district. Labour’s positive message seems to be resonating on the doorstep.”

10.56am: Bilton turnout 33%

Counting has begun for Bilton and Nidd Gorge and for Bilton Grange and New Park. Turnout in both divisions was 33%, with 1,991 votes cast in the former and 1,989 in the latter.

10.50am: Low turnout likely

Returning officer Wallace Sampson says the turnout in Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate was just 30%, with 1,865 votes cast. By comparison, turnout at the last Harrogate Borough Council elections in 2018 was 37%.

10.43am: Count begins first in Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

Returning officer Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, announces the count is about to begin for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, where Conservative Michael Harrison is standing against Liberal Democrat David Goode, Labour’s Edward Clayson and Green Party member Bill Rigby.

10.32am: Green Party ‘confident’ of winning Ouseburn

Green Party candidates Bill Rigby and Hannah Corlett, pictured, say they are confident Arnold Warneken could spring a surprise and defeat Conservative Richard Musgrave in Ouseburn. They are the only two candidates standing there. The Greens say they are less hopeful in Knaresborough.

10.18am: Conservatives ‘cautious but confident’ in Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

Nick Brown, the Conservative candidate for Wathvale and Bishop Monkton. says he is quietly confident but cautious.

9.55am: Independents hopeful in Ripon

Ripon Independents are hopeful of doing well in the city. City mayor Eamon Parkin, pictured here at the count, is hoping to be elected in the Ure Bank division, where he is against Liberal Democrats Libby Clements and Helen Mason

9.25am: Verification of votes underway

There’s a couple of hundred people here at Harrogate Convention Centre, including candidates. The verification process is underway. Conservative council leader Richard Cooper, who is not standing for election, is in the blue shirt in the image.

8.50am: North Yorkshire results due this morning

The Harrogate district results will be announced at Harrogate Convention Centre. Nationally, the Conservatives have made losses and Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens have made gains. But the scale of the task facing opposition parties is highlighted by fact that 54 of the 72 councillors currently on North Yorkshire County Council are Conservatives, with some getting as much as 80% of the vote at the last elections in 2017.

A Harrogate resident is appealing for information after their beloved dog, Biscuit, was stolen during a burglary at their home on Branham Drive.

Biscuit the dog is a white and tan American Bulldog and has a white-tipped tail.

The burglary took place on Wednesday, May 4 between 9.30pm and midnight when the owner was away.

North Yorkshire Police said several other items were taken during the break-in and has asked anyone with information on the burglary or Biscuit’s whereabouts to contact the police.

The police said Biscuit is considered one of the family and is keen to reunite it with its owner.

Read more:

• 64 sheep worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen in Harrogate district
• Judge brands ex-Harrogate council officer ‘thoroughly dishonest’

If you have information call 101, select option 2, and asking for PC Craig Brogden on extension 30116 or email craig.brogden@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The reference number is 12220075872.

Anti-terrorism measures for Harrogate Christmas Fayre cost £15,000, with Harrogate Borough Council paying half.

The inaugural event was run by the council in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester.

It saw stalls and stands selling food, drink and gifts around Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.

The fayre was organised after the original Harrogate Christmas Market, on Montpellier Hill, was cancelled after the council refused to sign off the organisers’ event management plan.

The council had raised concerns with co-organiser Brian Dunsby that the plan didn’t adequately address the threat from terrorists.

Read more:

• Dates set for second Harrogate Christmas Fayre
• A new era for Harrogate’s Christmas markets

In 2016, terrorists drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, leaving 12 people dead.

Since then, Christmas markets across the UK have beefed up security to thwart any similar attempts.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre saw temporary bollards on both ends of Cambridge Street and in other locations in the town centre to stop vehicles from entering.

The council’s publicly available list of payments over £250 includes a payment of £7,453.83 to Market Place, which a council spokesperson said was to pay for the bollards. The final bill was split 50/50 with the company.

The spokesperson said:

“As part of the event delivery plan for Harrogate Christmas Fayre, and following guidance and advice from North Yorkshire Police, we wanted to ensure a safe and enjoyable market was delivered, especially following incidents in other cities previously.

“Therefore, to ensure the safety of residents, traders and visitors of the fayre, we agreed to split the costs of anti-terrorism measures with Market Place Europe to mitigate any potential risks.

“As this was organised via Market Place Europe, our share was paid to them rather than the supplier.”

Harrogate charity calls for new trustees 

Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire is seeking new trustees to join its board after a number retired.

The charity, based on Hornbeam Park, is keen to attract those who themselves are disabled, or who have other personal experience of disability.

Business people with professional skills are particularly well suited to the voluntary roles. Disability Action Yorkshire is particularly in need of people with skills in digital and IT, investment management, law, HR, marketing and business development.

The organisation recently received planning permission to replace its residential care home on Claro Road with 36 apartments, which will give disabled people the chance to live independently whilst having support staff nearby 24/7.

Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire chief executive, said:

“We are a long established, Harrogate-based charity which believes that disabled people should have exactly the same access, rights and services as everyone else. In order to further this, we provide a number of practical solutions and services which include personal assistance, support in employment and access advice.

“We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, and whether you are an experienced trustee or looking for your first post at board level, we would love to hear from you.”

To find out more, click here. Applications close on May 31.

New head starts at Harrogate independent school

A new headteacher started this week at Ashville Prep School, an independent school in Harrogate that caters for pupils aged five to 11.

Asa Firth took on the role after 14 years teaching at schools in the United Arab Emirates, including 12 years at Dubai’s top independent school.

Mr Firth said there would be a new approach to learning from September and his top priority now was to speak to every parent and pupil about their views of the school to help determine the direction of the school going forward.

He said:

“Ashville Prep School is a fantastic school and I want to make it even better. I’m delighted to be its new head, and starting now means I have a whole term to get to know the school inside out before the beginning of the new academic year.”

He also said he wanted to “reintroduce Ashville Prep School back to the wider community” and focus on its “really strong” music, sport and performance departments to set the school apart from others locally.

Mr Firth with pupils from years four, five and six