Harrogate-born footballer Rachel Daly’s amazing year continued today when she was named Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month for November.
Daly, who was part of England’s thrilling European Championships success in the summer, has been in red-hot form in front of goal since signing for Aston Villa from Houston Dash this season.
She won the player of the month award in September and has now landed it a second time for playing a key role in Villa victories over Liverpool and Reading in November.
Rachel Daly displays her award.
The former Killinghall Nomads player scored a penalty to seal a 1-0 win over Liverpool before recording a hat-trick against Reading at Villa Park to give her four league goals last month.
Daly is the league’s joint top scorer and has helped catapult Villa to fifth in the table.
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£11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway scheme delayed for another year
The £11.9m Harrogate Station Gateway scheme has been delayed again and is now not due to start for another year.
In an update yesterday, Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, said it remained “committed” to the controversial project.
But he added the council was still evaluating the results of the third round of consultation, which ended in August, and would ask Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors for their views before deciding whether to proceed.
Information attached to the summer consultation said it was “anticipated that construction would begin in winter 2022/3 for approximately 12 months”.
The council is now, however, saying work will start in late 2023.
Cllr Keane Duncan
Cllr Duncan said:
“We remain committed to moving forward with the gateway scheme, which represents more than £11m of investment into Harrogate.
“The most recent consultation attracted more than 2,000 responses, almost twice the number from previous consultations, as well as more than 5,000 individual comments. We thank all those who took part.
“The results of this consultation show opinion is finely balanced. Full evaluation and consideration of the responses is being completed and we will publish these early in the New Year.
“Following this, we will ask Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors for views on their support for a scheme that could be transformational for the town, and whether they want it to go ahead.
“Subject to final approvals, it is anticipated construction will begin late in 2023.”
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- Final consultation event on Harrogate Gateway to be held online today
The Stray Ferret asked the council about the scheme as there had been no updates since the summer consultation and work was due to begin anytime now.
We also asked whether the threat of a judicial review, which was raised by the owner of Hornbeam Park this year, remained but Cllr Duncan’s statement did not address this.
Latest delay in controversial saga
The Station Gateway was hailed as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre by Cllr Duncan’s predecessor, Cllr Don Mackenzie, when funding was secured from the Department for Transport.
It would see part of James Street pedestrianised and part of Station Parade made single lane, as well as significant changes to the public realm near the Victoria monument.
How Station Parade would look
The government department had set a deadline of March 2023 for completion and work was due to have started in spring this year and last for a year.
But in January this year it was announced the scheme had been pushed back a year and now the same thin has happened again.
The project is one of three in North Yorkshire, and 39 nationally, being funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to promote active travel.
North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority all support the gateway.
It has divided opinion with supporters saying it would boost cycling and walking as well as modernise the area around the train station.
But critics argue it could increase traffic delays and disrupt town centre business.
Weetons wins Harrogate’s Christmas shop window competition
Weetons has been declared the overall winner of the Harrogate Christmas Window Dressing competition 2022.
Store manager Jess Upson and Vicky Davis designed and produced the award-winning display at the food hall on West Park.
A total of 26 shops entered the competition, which was organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District and the Rotary Club of Harrogate.
Weetons won the overall category as well as the prize in the large shops category. West Park Hotel, Bettys and Mama Doreen’s Emporium were highly commended in the large shops category.
Helen James Flowers on Station Parade won the medium shops category, with The Yorkshire Soap Company highly recommended.
In the small shops category, Harrogate International Festivals came out on top. Sophie Likes, Foxy Vintage and interiors, Susie Watson Designs and Bijouled earned highly recommended accolades.
The winners were announced at the West Park Hotel on Tuesday. Harrogate borough mayor Cllr Victoria Oldham handed out certificates.
Helen James Flowers won the Christmas window shop for medium retailers
Harrogate International Festivals won the Christmas window shop for small retailers
Wetherby Road crossing ‘likely to cause further delays’ for Harrogate drivers
A new crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road is likely to cause “further delays” for drivers, a county council officer has said.
North Yorkshire County Council yesterday revealed plans to install a toucan crossing on the road next to Slingsby Walk on the Stray to encourage walking and cycling in Harrogate.
The crossing would be the fourth set of lights in less than a mile between the Empress roundabout and the Woodlands junction, which is already one of the most congested stretches of road around Harrogate.
In a report outlining the proposal, Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation, accepted the move would likely increase pressure on the road network.
He added there were also officer concerns over “existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road”.
However, he said that the measure had to be balanced with the benefit that it would offer to both pedestrians and cyclists.
Slingsby Walk is popular for walkers and cyclists.
Mr Mason said:
“Any additional crossing of the A661 Wetherby Road will likely cause further delays for people travelling on the road.
“It is felt, however, that the signalised crossing would be of benefit to pedestrians and cyclists and the safety and movement of vulnerable road users should be prioritised in this location in order to achieve a better balance between travel modes.”
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- North Yorkshire transport boss warns bus network faces ‘really grave situation’
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Mr Mason added that the measure has the potential to more than double the cyclists on Slingsby Walk.
According to the report, a cycle count in the area on a single day in 2021 counted 84 cyclists.
Mr Mason said:
“Given the route’s geography, it is highly likely that most of these cyclists reached the A661 at the proposed crossing point location.
“The proposed crossing is thought to satisfy a key desire line for present and future cyclists.”
‘Creating opportunities’ for cycling and walking
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, is to consider the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, December 14.
If approved, implementation of the crossing will be subject to a detailed design and safety audit before it could be introduced in 2023/24.
Funding of £75,000 for the crossing has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council’s sustainable transport budget.
Cllr Duncan said:
Business Breakfast: Harrogate firm acquires Ripon advertising company“We are committed to creating opportunities for people who want to walk or cycle for work, education, shopping or other reasons. This is clear in the Harrogate area through our Transforming Cities Fund gateway project and Active Travel Fund schemes to develop a safe, accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The Slingsby Walk crossing could offer a significant addition to the town’s infrastructure, providing a safe, formal crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists who might be hesitant about using the link at the moment.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal
A Harrogate advertising company has acquired Adverta Transport Advertising as part of an expansion at the firm.
CP Media, which has offices on East Parade, will add 23 more staff to its team following the acquisition.
Adverta, which is based in Ripon, is one of the UK’s largest bus and tram advertising specialists and represents around 30 bus companies.
Mike Brennan, chief executive of CP Media, said:
“The bus and tram advertising sector is one that we know well. I was heavily involved in transport advertising for many years alongside my business partner Andrew Walker. This means that Adverta is a perfect fit for our ambitious growth strategy.
“We are really looking forward to working with the Adverta team and growing the business in the same way that we have grown the main CP Media business and subsequently Eye Airports following our 2019 acquisition.”
Lisa Ratcliffe, managing director of Adverta, said:
“I am proud of Adverta and very happy that it will be joining the CP Media group.
“CP Media has a great track record of diversification, acquisition and growth and I know that this move will help Adverta to grow significantly.”
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Knaresborough opticians win social media award
A Knaresborough opticians has won an award recognising its social media practice.
Yorkshire Eyewear, which has a branch on High Street in the town, picked up the award at the Opticians Awards in London.
The awards aim to recognise best practice in the industry.
A total of 32 categories were up for nomination, including technology, lens, frame, and contact lens award.
In a tweet, Yorkshire Eyewear said it was delighted to win the best social media practice award.
It said:
Council plans new crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road“Congratulations to all the other finalists. We are all winners.”
A new crossing could be installed on Wetherby Road in an effort to improve walking and cycling in Harrogate.
The crossing, which could include traffic lights, would be put in place next to Slingsby Walk on the Stray.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed the measure, which would cost £75,000, which it says could “double the number of people using a popular cycling and walking route”.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, is to consider the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, December 14.
Cllr Duncan said:
“We are committed to creating opportunities for people who want to walk or cycle for work, education, shopping or other reasons. This is clear in the Harrogate area through our Transforming Cities Fund gateway project and Active Travel Fund schemes to develop a safe, accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The Slingsby Walk crossing could offer a significant addition to the town’s infrastructure, providing a safe, formal crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists who might be hesitant about using the link at the moment.
“We recognise concerns around existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road. While an additional crossing would place extra pressure on the network, this needs to be weighed against the benefit to pedestrians and cyclists that already use this location and those that would if there was a formal crossing.
“We need to consider the benefits a signalised crossing would bring to pedestrians and cyclists and the safety of vulnerable road users in this location to achieve a better balance between different modes of travel.”
Read more:
- North Yorkshire transport boss warns bus network faces ‘really grave situation’
- 80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP
If approved, implementation of the crossing will be subject to a detailed design and safety audit before it could be introduced in 2023/24.
Funding of £75,000 for the crossing has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council’s sustainable transport budget.
Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:
New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model“If we want to achieve our zero-carbon economy targets, we need to invest in sustainable travel options and help make them as safe as possible.
“Introducing a road crossing on Wetherby Road at Slingsby Walk will ensure people have safe access between the east and west of Harrogate town centre. Especially as this route is frequently used by young people accessing the nearby schools.
“I’d like to thank North Yorkshire County Council as well as Councillor Keane Duncan for considering this proposal.”
A new board is to be created to assess the best way to operate Harrogate Convention Centre.
Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the facility, will be abolished in April and replaced by North Yorkshire Council. The move has raised questions over how the venue on Kings Road will be run from 2023.
In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said a strategic board will be set up by the new authority to oversee the planned £49 million redevelopment and assess how it should operate.
She said:
“This will bring changes for HCC including new structural reporting lines as well as to changes to governance relating to the HCC board. Some of these issues are yet to be clarified but are intended to be resolved ahead of vesting day.
“Additionally, and as mentioned earlier in this report, a new HCC strategic board is to be created by the new authority in order to oversee the redevelopment project and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future.
“HCC staff will, however, TUPE transfer to the new authority from April 2023 as they are employees of Harrogate Borough Council.”
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Economic impact up to £31m
Ms Lorimer said the convention centre had recovered “particularly well” from covid and is forecast to reach revenues of 2019 levels next year.
According to the report, the convention centre had an economic impact on the district of £18.6 million for the covid-affected financial year 2021/2022, according to a new Visit Britain methodology.
Ms Lorimer added:
“Now the pandemic is over we are forecasting that the economic impact for 2022/23 should be close to £31 million which is excellent news.
“Our strategy is to focus on winning back larger, multi-day national and professional association conferences.
“Although the exhibitions industry has been in decline for many years, some of HCC’s events are actually growing post pandemic and Brexit. For example the Flooring Show and Nursery Fair have enjoyed a renaissance due to international supply issues caused by the pandemic and exhibitors deciding to promote in the UK.”
Paula Lorimer
Ms Lorimer said it had been “a very positive year”, adding:
“The current order book looks strong and we expect to reach budget for the year ending to 2022/23 on lettings. More encouragingly, the order book for lettings in 2023/34 has almost been achieved over 12 months out from the year commencing.”
Ms Lorimer said an investment in cosmetic improvements, such as new carpets and drapes, “has really paid dividends and now the team await a positive decision to progress with the redevelopment so that HCC can really maximise its full potential”.
The convention centre expects to hear next month whether its £20m Levelling Up funding bid has been successful.
The report adds:
£405,000 campaign to restore public access to 41 acres of the old Knaresborough Forest“A final decision on whether to progress the redevelopment will be made by the new authority in summer 2023.”
A fundraising campaign has been launched to buy 41 acres of land that used to be part of the Forest of Knaresborough and restore it to public use.
The privately-owned land, between Beryl Burton Cycle Way and Harrogate Road, is being put up for sale. It is not currently accessible to the public.
The community group Renaissance Knaresborough has begun a campaign to buy the land and replicate the successful Long Lands Common campaign, which raised £375,000 to buy 30 acres of land near Nidderdale Greenway and protect it from development.
Campaigners say the move would not only enable people to enjoy a nature-rich area of land that is currently out of bounds but also boost biodiversity by improving wildlife and providing educational opportunities. It would be called Knaresborough Forest Park.
Renaissance Knaresborough wants people to buy shares in the land, which would entitle shareholders to become members of the parkland project with voting rights — similar to Long Lands Common. It has already secured pledges worth more than £26,000,
An appeal statement by Liz Baxandall and Bill Rigby, chair and treasurer respectively of Renaissance Knaresborough, said:
“A piece of land is being prepared for sale. If it remains in private hands, as it is now, it will be a large tract of land within the town boundary to which we have no access.
“Our plan is to raise funds from our community to acquire it for the common good, manage it with care and let it be a haven for recreation, education and fun for
generations to come.“Pledges are urgently needed so our community can purchase this farmland to create a beautiful tree-rich natural parkland; a protected haven for wildlife and people that we’d call Knaresborough Forest Park.”
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The group is urging people to make pledges “urgently” in the hope of raising sufficient funds to buy the land while it remains on the market.
At this stage people are only being asked to to register an interest to buy community shares. Pledges are not legally binding and money will not be transferred until a later date.
The land, which connects with Mackintosh Park, off the Beryl Burton Cycle Way, once belonged to the Forest of Knaresborough, a hunting forest that covered 45 square miles.
The statement by Ms Baxandall and Mr Rigby said:
“We have already lost so much green space locally. We are asking all from far and wide to pledge today as an individual or organisation to buy community shares to empower local people, so together we can protect more land.
“Shares will only go on sale once there is enough interest shown by individuals, businesses and community organisations.”
Further details are available here.
Luxury new-build bungalows go on the market in picturesque village of Rainton
This article is sponsored by Linley & Simpson.
An exclusive new development of luxury four-bedroom bungalows has gone on the market in the picturesque village of Rainton.
Boasting a cricket club, green and pub, the idyllic rural setting provides the perfect location for Grange Farm.
As village locations remain in huge demand, one property has already been sold.
However, there are two spacious detached homes with double garages remaining, with prices starting from £630,000.
They have been built by Harrogate-based independent developers JWK Developments Ltd.
Plot 1 at Grange Farm Barns, Rainton.
Lucy Collinge, new homes marketing executive at Linley & Simpson, the agent selling the properties, said:
“It is unusual for a development of bungalows to come to the market – particularly as new builds.
“These properties are around 1,800 sq ft. However, they are really energy efficient as they are fitted with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating.
“The specification is high quality with stunning contemporary open-plan fitted kitchens, french doors opening to a private garden and patio and tiled bathrooms and ensuites. There is also a feature oak handrail in the hallway.”
The homes boast a carefully considered layout, with living and sleeping accommodation shared on the ground floor, as well as featuring a principal bedroom to the first floor in a dormer bungalow style.
A bathroom at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
A separate sitting room and optional study or snug allows for a second reception room, ensuring that these homes provide for versatile living accommodation.
The ground floor also provides a utility room, cloakroom WC, house bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a single fourth bedroom/study.
Ms Collinge said:
“They also feature large landscaped gardens, which have been planted with crabapple trees and are really pretty. They are very much in-keeping with the village landscape.”
Rainton is a quintessentially English village, nestled between Ripon and Thirsk.
It is close to the junction of the A1 and A168, providing the commuter with options when travelling by car. Central Harrogate and York are 16 and 25 miles to the south respectively and Leeds is 38 miles away.
A kitchen at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
For longer journeys, the nearest train station is Thirsk which is just seven miles away. From here, it is possible to catch direct trains to Leeds, London, Manchester Airport, Sunderland and York.
Ms Collinge added:
“Rainton has got a lovely village green and a maypole and it certainly looks the part.
“You’ve also got great transport links on the doorstop giving seclusion without remoteness.
“Rainton really is a stunning village in a fabulous location – the perfect place to buy a new home.”
James Knight, director of JWK Developments, said:
“Grange Farm is a truly unique development and the importance of an energy efficient and sustainable home has been recognised.
“From Mitsubishi air source heat pumps, underfloor heating to the ground floor and electric vehicle charging points, this offers buyers luxury eco-friendly living.”
To enquire about plots 1 and 2 at Grange Farm Barns, call Linley & Simpson on 01423 540054
More misery for motorists on Ripon Road in Killinghall todayMotorists are set for another day of delays on the A61 Ripon Road in Killinghall today, with long queues already forming.
Traffic in both directions was horrendous yesterday due to traffic lights caused by workers digging up the grass verge near Ripley.
After some respite later in the day, another set of roadworks appeared in the middle of Killinghall at 8.30pm as workers began digging up the road despite the late hour.
Late night roadworks in the middle of the village.
Four-way lights were installed at the junction of Ripon Road and Otley Road.
This morning, queues are again in place, with Yorkshire Water due to carry out work on Ripon Road all week traffic lights back.
Read more: