North Yorkshire County Council has been accused of making a “trophy investment” by buying Harrogate’s Royal Baths for £9m, as part of a bid to raise money for frontline services.

The council set up the Brierley Group of firms, ranging from house builders to lawyers, in 2017 to bring together council-owned companies and save money. However, last year it reported a loss of £639,000.

With further losses forecast for the current financial year, some members of the authority have questioned whether the council has the necessary business acumen to run the array of firms.

A meeting of the Tory-led authority’s corporate and partnerships scrutiny committee heard the pandemic was continuing to significantly affect some arms of the Brierley Group.

Officers have estimated revenue returns for its property investment this financial year of £282,000, which equates to a return of 2.38 per cent.

The meeting heard the Royal Baths property comprises four commercial units, including a nightclub, bar and restaurant that had all closed for extended periods over the last two years, but also that “the longer term viability of some tenants is a concern”.

Officers said covid and the resulting lockdowns could not have been foreseen and officers were working closely with tenants to achieve a return to pre-covid performance as soon as possible.

‘Absolutely speechless’

After learning of the rate of return, Conservative member for Escrick, Councillor Richard Musgrave, told the meeting he was “staggered” to learn the council had invested £9m in the Royal Baths:

“I thought you might say a million for example for four units. I am absolutely speechless.”

“The performance looks very very poor. Several of the tenants are struggling by the looks of things. It looks like a poor investment, it looks like a trophy investment.”

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The meeting heard the council had carried out thorough checks before accepting tenants.

Councillor Gareth Dadd, the authority’s deputy leader who also chairs the council’s Commercial Investment Board, said the Harrogate Baths investment had been approved by the council’s executive.

He said businesses sometimes had to take non-payment of rent “on the chin”:

“It’s about the percentage rate of return of investment that we would expect and at the time it looked good. Even with covid, which has clobbered the market, we are still the right side of the line in terms of leaving the money in the bank. Overall, yes it hasn’t performed as well as anybody would have hoped, but we are still making a margin on it.”

The meeting heard a proposal, first revealed three years ago, for the council to set up a solar farm to generate more funding had been shelved after the set-up costs and time for a return on the investment were found to be prohibitive.

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground is to accept walk-ins this afternoon to help with the roll-out of the covid booster programme.

Those eligible for a booster can just turn-up between 1.30pm and 4pm at the showground. Currently, there are no other walk-in sessions scheduled for the site, which re-opened this week.

To qualify, people need to be aged 40 and above. At least six months must have passed since their second dose and they must have no coronavirus symptoms.

The showground was due to close on December 22 but it now looks set to continue until March, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Non walk-in appointments can be booked on the NHS booking site here.

A community grocery has opened in Knaresborough today to help people in need put food on the table.

Resurrected Bites, an organisation which battles food waste, is behind the new shop at Gracious Street Methodist Church.

It will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9.30am and 3.30pm. The last people will be let in at 3pm.

It is the second community grocery set up by Resurrected Bites, which opened its first at New Park Community Hub in October.

Both operate in the same way. People who are struggling to make ends meet pay a small sum to become members an can then shop at the grocery.

It costs £5 a year to sign up as a member. You then pay £3, £6 or £9, depending on the size of your family, to shop for goods that would usually cost about £30 in supermarkets.

The majority of the food available would have gone to landfill but is too good to be wasted.

The stores have a wide range of tinned, fresh food and frozen food. They also stock toiletries, sanitary products and nappies in various sizes.

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Carolyn Aitken, the grocery manager, said

“So many people are struggling with rising food and fuel prices on top of all of the cuts to people’s income.

“We want to ensure that everyone can afford to eat a healthy diet so please let people know about our service if you know they are struggling.”

Michelle Hayes, the founder of Resurrected Bites, said:

“We are really grateful to Gracious St Methodist Church for giving us this dedicated room in the church for us to run the grocery from.

“We partnered with the church initially in January 2020 when we started a pay as you feel community café there.

“This means that people who become members of the grocery, can also come in for a drink and something to eat when they come to do their shopping.”

Resurrected Bites will continue to run its café in the Bridge cafe at the centre on Gracious Street from 10 am until 2pm every Tuesday and Friday.

Harrogate District Hospital has issued an urgent appeal for patients to return crutches and walking sticks.

Pamela Bagot, principal physiotherapist at the hospital, contacted the Stray Ferret to say the therapy services department wanted to offer them to patients who had undergone surgery or been involved in an accident.

“If you have any crutches and walking sticks you no longer use sitting around at home, please drop them off at therapy services at Harrogate District Hospital so we can reuse them and help our patients back up and walking as soon as possible.

“As most people know, there are problems with transporting goods and deliveries around the country, and by individuals returning these items we will ensure that we have enough patient equipment during the winter months.”

Anyone able to help should ask at hospital reception for therapy services.

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• Harrogate engineer spends year crafting incredible Christmas light and music show

A Harrogate computer engineer has spent the last year crafting an incredible Christmas display unlike any other in the district for charity.

Dale Hughes, who lives on Norwich Drive in the Jennyfields area of town, is hoping to raise spirits and £1,000 for Martin House Hospice.

Instead of heading to the supermarket to grab the usual fairy lights, he has painstakingly installed and individually programmed 24,000 low-energy LEDs.

From 5pm until 7.30pm his house will light up and will play a loop of around 20 songs over an hour.

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Mr Hughes has earned a reputation over the years with his displays, particularly at Halloween. This is his biggest job yet but he hopes to add to it further in time for Christmas 2022.

Donate to the Martin House Hospice fundraiser by clicking or tapping here. Visitors will also notice posters with QR codes for donations on the trees close to the display.

Mr Hughes told the Stray Ferret:

“We have a great community here around the Jennyfields area. We love putting on these shows so people can come here and have some fun.

“People have had a tough time over the last two years so hopefully this can put a smile on some faces.

“I love for my kids to come and enjoy. It’s great for the kids who live around here too. Sometimes we will come outside and have hot chocolate and minced pies for the show.”

Police in the Harrogate district have increased patrols to help people get home safe over the festive period.

North Yorkshire Police has partnered with Harrogate Borough Council as part of an annual Get Home Safely from bars, nightclubs and restaurants campaign.

The key message of the campaign is for people to plan their journeys home in advance, look-out for one another, and look after their drinks and possessions.

Statistics show that domestic abuse incidents increase during bank holiday periods, and the campaign also aims to highlight emotional and practical support available through the charity IDAS.

Revellers will notice posters and digital boards with advice across the district. They will also notice more police on the streets.

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Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“The festive period is often a time when people catch-up with friends and enjoy themselves in pubs and restaurants, and we want them to be able to do so safely.

“For many, this will be the first festive period since before the pandemic, that they have celebrated the festivities and we want them to remember it for all the right reasons by staying safe, and following the latest vovid guidance and advice.”

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, from North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The police and council continue to work in partnership to make the Harrogate district a safe place for all to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“The support of licensed premises in the Get Home Safely annual campaign is particularly prevalent this year and we hope that everyone enjoys a safe night out.”

Lauren Doherty, from Road Safety Talks was left paralysed during a night out with friends. She said:

“A moment of distraction during a night out can change your life forever. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and get home safely.”

The mother of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw, who died suddenly aged 26 last week, has set up a fundraising page to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems.

Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, was a popular and well known figure on the Harrogate district music scene. He was a regular at the Blues Bar, where he first performed and at many other venues, such as Hales Bar.

Sammy Oates, his mother, told the Stray Ferret she was in “complete shock” at the loss of her son “who had the most infectious smile”.

Sammy said she believed Aaron went into a diabetic coma but a post mortem would be held to ascertain Thursday’s cause of death.

She added he had struggled massively to cope with being diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic at the age of 18 and had recently been treated for ketoacidosis, which affects people whose bodies don’t produce enough insulin.

“Aaron touched a lot of lives. He was only 26 but packed a lot in. He also worked as a barber and played rugby for Otley when he was young.

“He was such a bright shining star and an absolute social butterfly. Everyone knew him and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.

“What I remember most is his smile. He had the most infectious smile. There was always a twinkle in the eyes.

“He had a heart of gold. We lost the family dog as well last week and we were all devastated about that.”

A gofundme page set up by Sammy has already raised over £3,000. Donations can be made here.

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She said the money would be used to provide mental health support to people with diabetes. Mental health and diabetes are usually treated separately and there was a need to provide a service that addressed the two issues together, said Sammy.

“Aaron hated being diabetic. He couldn’t handle it and he didn’t take his insulin.

“Because he was a musician he was in the party scene a lot. So at 18 when all his friends were out partying he was at home injecting himself.

“It’s a bit of a vicious circle. Diabetes is massively life changing so he’d get down about it and then not want to deal with it.”

Memorial show

Sammy said a memorial service would be held at St John’s Church in Bilton where he and his family were christened. She also plans to stage a memorial show next year.

Aaron, who was due to perform in Wakefield this weekend, started gigging at 15 and shortly afterwards released an EP record. His mum was a singer and he regularly watched bands with his dad, Sam Bertenshaw.

He played the guitar and his vast musical influences included Ed Sheeran and Leonard Cohen. Besides playing in venues, he busked for cancer charities when the disease claimed the life of his uncle at the age of 42. Sammy said:

“If we can just help one person it will all be worthwhile. Perhaps we could find a counsellor who could advise on living with diabetes rather than just the medical side of things. Maybe set up a charity. I just know I need to do something and I need to do it in his name and now while everyone is aware.”

Aaron leaves Sammy and her partner, Jonathan, dad Sam and his partner Fiona and a sister, Ruth.

Sammy described the Blues Bar as “a huge part of Aaron’s life “.

Simon and Sharon Colgan, the owners of the Blues Bar, paid a joint tribute to Aaron. They said:

“Aaron sang in the Blues Bar from the beginning of his career. He inspired other young musicians and was never demanding of attention

“He was a warm, intelligent and gifted young man who was giving and thoughtful towards others

“He is a part of our blues family, known and loved by everyone We will always have fond memories of Aaron. It is such a tragic loss to us all.”

A Harrogate Trekkie hopes her Christmas idea will “live long, and prosper” after spending more than 25 years importing Star Trek tree decorations from the US.

Susan Scarre, who is originally from Chicago, fell in love with Star Trek in the 1960s when her older brother introduced her to the show.

Star Trek has come in many different forms since then and Ms Scarre has enjoyed them all. So when Hallmark Ornaments first released Star Trek ornaments  in 1991 it did not take her long to start collecting.

Although her collection could have been worth a fortune today if she had kept them in their boxes, she has no regrets about the years of fun she has had. Many of them now adorn her tree.

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Ms Scarre told the Stray Ferret:

“Some people might think Star Trek is corny and predictable but I love the positive messages that always come with the show and I am fascinated by outer space.

“It’s been interesting watching the development over the years. At first they would light up, then they came out with ones that made noises but now they are much more developed.

“We have two Christmas trees at our house. One for the family and one for all the Star Trek ornaments. But I have run out of room now so I might need to get a third tree! next year”

The Harrogate district has reported a further 161 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate now stands at 438 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 404 and the England rate is 478.

Harrogate District Hospital currently has 12 covid-positive patients – a figure which has fallen from 25 over the last month.

The hospital last reported a death of a patient who died within 28 days of testing positive on Friday. Since the pandemic began 199 people have died with covid at the hospital.

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Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground reopened today as a vaccination site.

Although Harrogate is the largest place in the Harrogate district, the town has not had a vaccination site since August, when the showground stopped administering jabs.

Since then residents have been travelling to Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge, or further afield to Leeds and York, for appointments.

The showground was due to close on December 22 but it now looks set to continue until March, although this has yet to be confirmed, as the government aims to speed up the vaccination programme.

Those eligible can book appointments on the NHS booking site here.

A fan poll has revealed Harrogate Town fans’ hopes of seeing their team line up against the likes of Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane in the FA Cup.

The third round is when Premier League clubs enter the historic competition ⁠— and smaller clubs like Harrogate Town can look forward to a potentially glamorous and lucrative tie.

We asked a Harrogate Town fan group on Facebook which team they hope will be picked out of the hat to face Simon Weaver’s men. The draw takes place from 7pm tonight and will be broadcast live on ITV4.

Around 50 fans responded.

Many are hoping for a draw against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United as some fans will have some split allegiances. The two neighbours used to regularly play pre-season friendlies against each other but have never faced off in a competitive fixture.

Michael Ellison said:

“Leeds away would attract many Harrogate residents who ‘support’ both or either club, especially those who are unable to obtain tickets for league games at Elland Road.”

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Several supporters said they were hoping for an away day at Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn new stadium in London.

Paul Keys said:

“Spurs away, be great to visit that stadium and watch Connor Hall have Kane in his pocket!”

Callum Hurle was hoping Town would be rewarded with a tie against Jurgen Klopp’s star-laden Liverpool side.

“It would be a great experience going to Anfield and cheering the Town on and it would be a great reward for getting to the third round for the first time! Brilliant to see how far we have come in the last few years, we should all be proud of Harrogate.”

Darrell Gardner said:

“I’ve supported Everton since childhood so I’d love for Town to play them at Goodison. It would be a difficult game to watch, my allegiances would be torn but I’d shouting from the stands for a Town win.”

Ball numbers to look out for

64 – Harrogate Town

2 – Arsenal

21 – Leeds United

23 – Liverpool

25 – Manchester United

26 – Manchester City

40 – Tottenham Hotspur