Woods of Harrogate celebrates 127 years

Woods of Harrogate, one of the town’s oldest businesses, had a celebration today to mark its 127th anniversary.

Since the company was set up in 1895, it has expanded into Woods Fine Linens and William Woods Interior Design.

The family business began with William Ernest Woods, who opened the first linen shop after watching his father, George Woods, weave linen at the local flax mill in Knaresborough.

Since then it has been managed by multiple members of the Woods family. William Woods, grandson of the founder, currently runs the venture alongside his daughter and son-in-law.

The shop has been on Prince Albert Row since 1927

The shop, which describes itself as one of the finest linen shops in Europe, has supplied the royal family since 1923.

William Woods said:

“The quality that we have and the range makes us the finest. You can have over 100 different bed linen colours made to order in  in three weeks and not many shops can do that.”

Inside is a vast array of goods from around the world including a selection of showrooms arranged by interior design director Sarah Woods.

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Some of the old traditions remain intact. For example, the building on Prince Albert Row has workshops where all furnishings and designs are produced in-house and purchases are still wrapped in brown paper and string.

The building itself hosts the oldest lift and exterior clock in Harrogate. The clock was installed on the building when Woods moved from Princes Square in 1927.

These days Woods has an online presence, allowing customers worldwide to purchase traditional and modern styles.

The company employs 16 staff and plans to keep the family’s history and reputation at its centre.

Election 2022: Bilton and Nidd Gorge candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Bilton and Nidd Gorge division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Paul Haslam, Conservative

Paul Haslam is the Conservative candidate for Bilton and Nidd Gorge division.

Mr Haslam, who lives in Bilton, is currently a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, where he represents the area.

On his priorities for standing, Mr Haslam said:

“I am passionate about all things Bilton, having lived on Bilton Lane since 2006

“My priorities continue to be serving the people of Bilton, protecting our green environment especially our green spaces such as the Nidd Gorge and protecting our urban environment. I set up quarterly Bilton residents’ meetings at the United Reformed Church in July 2021 to bring together residents, Harrogate Borough Council safer communities team and the police to locate and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our area.

“Maintaining the best local primary education facilities possible, make sure we are well represented in the new council and  that the services are maintained and improved as the new council takes on its new responsibilities.

“I will work with others such as Councillor Matt Scott and our MP Andrew Jones to get the best for Harrogate and Knaresborough as well as my division.”

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Deborah Havercroft, Labour

The Labour candidate for Bilton and Nidd Gorge is Deborah Havercroft.

Ms Havercroft lives in Bilton and works in the NHS. She also worked for the Ministry of Defence and in education.

She said she has made the cost of living and congestion on Skipton Road some of her priorities for standing.

Ms Havercroft said:

“I am aware of the hardships that will be caused to local families by increased living costs, especially energy and fuel and would urge NYCC to find a solution to the traffic congestion in Harrogate, particularly on Skipton Road.”

Andrew Kempston-Parkes, Liberal Democrat

Andrew Kempston-Parkes is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the division.

Mr Kempston-Parkes is a former councillor and works as a chartered surveyor. During the pandemic, he volunteered at a homelessness charity and at a covid vaccination centre.

He said among his priorities would be to oppose major housing developments and work with police to “make Bilton and Woodfield safer”.

Mr Kempston-Parkes said:

“We need to protect our green fields.

“I will work with the police to continue to make  Bilton and Woodfield safer places to be. I will also make sure education and services for children are a top priority. 

“The establishment of a new Harrogate Town Council is vital to ensure continued strong local representation of residents views to the County Council.”

Developer appeals James Street flats plan

A developer has appealed a decision to refuse a plan to redevelop a retail unit on Harrogate’s James Street to create three flats.

The application was made by Leeds-based company SJM Cotech Ltd and included plans to create a three storey extension for the flats to the back of the site and create two ground floor retail units.

The developer revised the plans after submitting them in May 2021, which initially outlined proposals for four flats.

It said in documents submitted to the council that the proposal would help to “deliver a high quality residential scheme” for the town.

However, Harrogate Borough Council refused the plans in February this year.

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The property is located at 16 James Street, near the cut-through to the Victoria shopping centre. It fronts both on James Street and on Market Place to the rear. It was previously home to Thomas Cook, the travel agent.

Council officials said the proposal would fail to enhance or preserve the character of the conservation area.

In a decision notice, the council said:

“The rear historic offshoot is considered a heritage asset. The proposal seeks to remove and replace this without suitable justification.

“The proposal therefore would fail to enhance or preserve the character and appearance of the host building and Harrogate Conservation Area.”

It added that the proposal would “result in poor levels of natural daylight to all apartments”.

SJM Cotech Ltd has since taken the refusal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

A planning inspector will decide on the proposal at a later date.

Housing and congestion dominate Harrogate hustings

Candidates standing for the upcoming North Yorkshire Council elections were quizzed by an audience in Harrogate last night.

The Stray Ferret held an election hustings chaired by editor John Plummer at the Wesley Centre ahead of a landmark polling day for the town.

Questions on housing and congestion featured heavily on the night, as well as the environment, the Stray and a Harrogate town council.

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.

The election will be the last before the authority replaces North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, in what will prove to be the biggest shakeup in local government since the 1970s.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Independents all attended the hustings on Tuesday evening – but the Conservatives declined.

You can watch the full hustings below.

Housing and congestion

The candidates first faced a question on how they would ensure roads and local services could cope with ongoing housebuilding in Harrogate.

Labour’s Chris Watt, who is standing in Fairfax and Starbeck division, said:

“The first thing I would do is work with local residents to oppose housing developments where there is not adequate infrastructure.”

He pointed to developments on Kingsley Drive as an example.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck, Philip Broadbank, said he felt the council should encourage more people out of cars.

He said:

“We have to encourage people to get out of there cars and use them less.

“We also need investment in public transport.”

(From left) Bill Rigby, Chris Watt, John Plummer, Philip Broadbank and Sarah Hart.

(From left) Bill Rigby, Chris Watt, John Plummer, Philip Broadbank and Sarah Hart.

Bill Rigby, who is standing for the Green Party in Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said the number of cars on the road needed to be reduced.

“The main way you can reduce the traffic is by reducing the number of cars.”

Sarah Hart, Independent candidate for Harlow and St George’s, said:

“We need the right homes in the right places.

“We need more homes for local people who work here. And they should be in suitable locations.”T

Town council and the Stray

Meanwhile, the candidates were also asked about how the Stray would be used under the new council and who would look after it.

Mr Watt said:

“There should be a local community work on the Stray.”

He added that people should be involved in what happens with the Stray and what events are held on it.

Mr Rigby agreed that local people should be involved in deciding what happens with the Stray.

“I agree that the community should be involved in its management.”

He added that he would support the introduction of a town council to take control of the Stray.

Ms Hart agreed that the community should look after the Stray and supported creating a Harrogate Town Council.

“If there is a Harrogate Town Council, then they should protect it.”

Mr Broadbank said that the Stray was “unique” and added that Valley Gardens should also be considered for events too.

Hustings in full

The candidates also fielded questions on a Killinghall bypass, the environment and opposition parties working together.

You can watch the full debate below.

Major book charting history of Harrogate’s glory days launched

Celebrated Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam has published a book documenting the golden age of the town’s spa past.

Mr Neesam began work in 2005 on Wells & Swells – The Golden Age of Harrogate Spa 1842-1923.

With more than 1600 pages of glorious detail it begins with the opening of Harrogate’s pump room and covers the town’s glory days at the height of the Victorian Spa boom. It ends with the construction of the war memorial after the First World War.

Mr Neesam said:

“The ‘swells’ in the book are mostly the grand visitors – kings, queens, grand dukes and duchesses and millionaires.

“The ‘wells’ are the Harrogate waters, which were exploited with every new discovery and promoted to cure different illnesses.”

The book is the second in a planned trilogy. The first history, The Great Chronicle, charts Harrogate from its earliest times to 1842.

Today’s launch, organised by Harrogate Civic Society at the Cedar Court Hotel, was attended by more than 150 people.

Mr Neesam has written more than a dozen histories relating to Harrogate. In 1996 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate in recognition of his contribution to the town.

Stuart Holland, chair of the civic society, said:

“We learn from the past and it helps us plan for the future. The civic society has a huge role to play in studying the history of the town, take pride in the town and learn from the past.

“Malcolm was a founder member of Harrogate Civic Society and has inspired many to discover the history of their town.”

Today’s book launch.

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The book is published by Carnegie Publishing Ltd. Its managing director, Anna Goddard, told the Stray Ferret:

“There is nobody other than Malcolm Neesam who could have written this. The depth of the research, the detail of the writing, the quality and range of the illustrations he has selected are all second to none.

This book will last forever – it is a treasure for future generations”

If you wish to order a copy you can contact Carnegie Publishing here.

Mr Neesam will be at Woods of Harrogate tomorrow at 11am to celebrate his book and the 127th  anniversary of Woods as one of the oldest family-run business in the town.

Harrogate brothers wanted by police

Two Harrogate brothers who failed to turn up in court are wanted by North Yorkshire Police.

Robbie Nelson, 23, failed to appear in court after being charged with animal cruelty.

His older brother Charlie Nelson, 27, failed to appear in court for sentencing after being convicted of animal cruelty.

Warrants have been issued for their arrests by York Magistrates’ Court.

Police said in a statement today that they believed the men are in the Harrogate area and “enquiries have been ongoing to locate them”.

They added that if you have seen either of them or have any info about where they could be, call 101, quoting reference number 12210262539

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Bilton Working Men’s Club to change name after more than 100 years

Bilton Working Men’s Club is to change its name after more than 100 years.

The organisation’s April newsletter says it will choose something that ‘more accurately reflects the inclusivity and diversity of the club’.

The newsletter asks for suggestions on what the new name should be.

A subsequent post on the club’s Facebook page says the following names have been suggested: The Bilton, The Club @Bilton, Club 1914 @ Bilton and Bilton Sports & Social.

The club, on Skipton Road, was founded in 1913.

According to the newsletter, it currently has 600 members and is ‘in a healthy financial position and continues to trade profitably’.

However, there are concerns about the impact of rising energy bills and staff costs.

Membership costs £10 a year and the benefits include drinks at around 50p a pint cheaper. Non-members are welcome.

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Harrogate to celebrate jubilee with four days of events

A big screen on the Stray, picnics and live music will be at the centre of Harrogate’s four-day programme of events celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Destination Harrogate and Harrogate Business Improvement District today revealed plans to commemorate the Queen’s 70-year reign over the bank holiday weekend from June 2 to 5.

Part of the Stray will be transformed into Jubilee Square. It will include a large stage and video screens to broadcast the Queen’s birthday parade.

Films will be shown and there will also be a dog show and a Harrogate mastermind quiz.

The town centre will be adorned with 4km of bunting and there will be six sets of street entertainers performing across the four days.

Valley Gardens will also host a free family festival, which will feature jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. An artisan market will also be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Valley Gardens’ Sun Colonnades.

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said:

“By providing a large stage and video screens for The Stray and a family festival in Valley Gardens, we’re also showcasing why Harrogate is a great events destination.

“We hope that our residents and visitors will take the opportunity to enjoy the events happening in these glorious outdoor spaces, and experience the town centre buzzing with activity and entertainment for such a jubilant occasion.”

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Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“Our Jubilee Square will be a place for families and friends to bring a picnic, watch events happening live in London via our big screen, enjoy – and participate in – a variety of fun events and activities, or to simply chill out and relax.”

 

Harrogate shed destroyed in suspected arson by youths

A shed on Harrogate’s Kingsley Road that burnt to the ground last night is believed to have been set alight deliberately.

Harrogate and Knaresborough fire crews responded to a call just before 6.45pm last night. The crews used three tanks of water to extinguish the fire.

The derelict shed was completely destroyed.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log it said the cause was “believed deliberate by youths in the area”.

The crews used three tanks of water to extinguish the fire

Harrogate Fire Station posted this statement on its Facebook page last night:

“This evening both Harrogate and Knaresborough fire crews were called out to a derelict shed on fire on Kingsley Road, Harrogate.

“Fire was put out using one hose reel jets and a ceiling hook.”

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Election 2022: High Harrogate and Kingsley candidates preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the High Harrogate and Kingsley division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Tim Myatt, Conservative

Tim Myatt will be standing for the Conservatives in the division at the election on May 5.

Mr Myatt currently represents High Harrogate on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to in 2018.

He is also the cabinet member for planning on the authority.

Mr Myatt said his priority ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council is to ensure Harrogate is a great place to live with investment in the town centre.

He said:

“My priority is to ensure our area of Harrogate is a great place to live, with investment in local services and the town centre.  I live near Harrogate High School and am the only candidate to live in the ward. I care about our area because it is my area too.  

“I have been active in opposing over-intensive development in Kingsley and off Claro Road, including formally objecting to the current proposals off Kingsley Drive. I’ve also been working with residents to lower the impact of development on the wider community, such as developers working anti-social hours or leaving dirty roads.  

“I have worked to reduce graffiti, litter and potholes, and have secured investment to improve the One Arch which will begin later this year. We also have plans to tackle anti-social behaviour on this important route into town, as well as other locations across High Harrogate and Kingsley.”

Geoff Foxall, Labour

Geoff Foxall will be standing for the Labour Party on polling day.

Mr Foxall is a retired teacher and as chair of Starbeck Residents’ Association campaigned against the relief road through the Nidd Gorge.

He said his priorities ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council were to protect the interests of working families and to safeguard the environment.

Mr Foxall said:

“As Chair of Starbeck Residents Association, I was active in opposing a relief road through the Nidd Gorge and creating a community woodland in the Green Belt between Harrogate and Knaresborough.  I have also opposed overdevelopment in the Starbeck and Kingsley Road areas of Harrogate.

“I have eight years of experience as a Labour Councillor on Harrogate District Council including four years as Group Leader.

“If elected for a new North Yorkshire County Council, I shall defend the interests of working families in Harrogate and safeguard our environment.”

Chris Aldred, Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate for High Harrogate and Kingsley division is Chris Aldred.

Mr Aldred sits on Harrogate Borough Council and represents Harrogate Fairfax ward.

He is currently the chair of the authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Commission.

Mr Aldred said he was standing to ensure residents have a “strong alternative voice” on North Yorkshire Council.

He said:

“I have over 20 years’ experience as a council officer throughout the county – I know how to hold the Tories to account.

“I have lived in Harrogate over 20 years. I am fighting this election to ensure residents have a strong alternative voice on the new council.

“For – better schools, public transport, protecting & enhancing our local green space, improved Social Care. Against overdevelopment, wasting your money on vanity projects.”

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