MPs told 2014 Tour De France has not boosted Yorkshire tourism

Over 300,000 people lined the streets of the Harrogate district for the 2014 Tour De France Grand Depart, but MPs have been told the event has provided no lasting benefits to the region.

The Grand Depart saw riders given a royal send-off by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at Harewood House.

Almost 200 cyclists took part, racing through Masham, Ripon and Killinghall before a sprint finish in Harrogate. It memorably saw Mark Cavendish crash off his bike on Parliament Street.

Since the event, other major cycling events have been held in the Harrogate district, including the 2019 UCI Cycling Championships, which has divided the town ever since.

At an MPs select committee on Tuesday, Caroline Cooper Charles, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, which champions the film and TV industry in Yorkshire, gave evidence about promoting the UK as a tourist destination.

Asked by Labour MP Clive Efford if the Grand Depart had a lasting impact on tourism in the county, she replied:

“In all honesty, I don’t think it did.

“It certainly put the spotlight on Yorkshire and people came to see the race. Probably for a short amount of time hotels were booked up and restaurants were full. In terms of long term impact no, I wouldn’t say so.”

Read more:

In 2014, Gary Verity, then chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, the tourism body that played a major role in bringing the event to Yorkshire, said the event “will have a lasting impact on visitor numbers and businesses for years and years to come”.

But Ms Cooper Charles said Yorkshire as a county had failed to capitalise on the success of the event.

A Harrogate Borough Council report published in 2015 claimed £19m was spent in the district thanks to the race. A Welcome to Yorkshire report claimed £100m was spent across the county.

Ms Cooper Charles said:

“Once the bikes are gone, what’s left? It’s the roads.

“In terms of a campaign to sell the rest of Yorkshire around the Tour de Yorkshire leg, i don’t think that happened. If it happened there would have been a longer-term impact.”

The Stray Ferret asked Welcome to Yorkshire to respond but we did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Harrogate’s crime writing festival reveals 2022 special guest line-up

Lynda La Plante, Paula Hawkins and Tess Gerritsen are among the authors set to appear at this year’s Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival.

Hosted by programme chair and award winning novelist, Denise Mina, the event will return to Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel from July 21 to 24.

The event, organised by Harrogate International Festivals, offers an international audience the opportunity to discover the next big names in crime fiction and hear giants of the genre discuss their work. It includes panels, workshops and talks.

Among those appearing will be Lynda La Plante, creator of Prime Suspect, and Paula Hawkins, author of the global phenomenon Girl on the Train.

Michael Connelly, CL Taylor, Lucy Foley, John Connolly and Kathy Reichs will also appear as special guests.

Channel 4 journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern, who lives in Harrogate, will also be speaking with actor and author Charlie Higson about his new crime novel Whatever Gets You Through the Night.

Read more:

Meanwhile, festival favourite Val McDermid will be returning with her New Blood panel, showcasing four exciting debut crime writers to look out for.

‘Greatest crime-writing event of the year’

Denise Mina, bestselling author of the Garnethill trilogy and the Paddy Meehan novels, said: 

“The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is the greatest crime writing event of the year so it is a very real honour to be chairing it, to work with the programming committee and to have the chance to attend all the thrilling events. 

“After the difficulties and hardships of the past two years we are all very much looking forward to all of the writers and readers coming together in Harrogate once more.”

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of event organisers Harrogate International Festivals, said: 

“We look forward to announcing the full programme in the coming months, and sharing the exciting weekend we have planned for our attendees.”

Weekend break packages for the festival are on sale now.

A full programme for the event will be released in spring.

For more information and to book tickets, call +44(0)1423 562 303 or email info@harrogate-festival.org.uk.

Alan Titchmarsh visits Harrogate’s Horticap today

Harrogate charity and garden centre Horticap welcomed gardening celebrity Alan Titchmarsh today to officially open its cafe area and to tour the new nature trail.

Horticap is based on Otley Road, across from RHS Harlow Carr, and provides training in horticulture and rural skills to adults with learning and other disabilities.

The TV presenter and patron of the charity was invited when the cafe and nature trail first opened last summer but was unable to attend due to covid restrictions so he performed the official opening today.

Mr Titchmarsh also spoke to students and staff about new projects underway at the centre.

 

Phil Airey, operations manager at Horticap, said:

“We don’t really make it public when he is coming because the place gets too busy, but he came down to speak to students and see the new cafe and shop.

“It was great, he really spent time with the students and spoke to them about the projects they’re working on.

“He said he had a lovely time and even visited Bettys to take some Fat Rascals home!”

Cutting the ribbon at Horticap today. Photograph: Horticap

Read more:

 

Contract to produce business case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway awarded

Three companies have been awarded a share of a £20 million contract to help progress major transport schemes in Yorkshire, including Harrogate’s Station Gateway.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which works in partnership with local authorities to improve transport and stimulate economic development, advertised a contract to bring in a strategic development partner for its Transforming Cities projects.

The projects include the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme in Harrogate, which was approved last month, and similar schemes that promote sustainable travel in West Yorkshire, including a new bus station for Halifax town centre.

Leeds-based companies Jacobs UK Limited, Ove Arup & Partners Limited and WSP UK Limited have now been commissioned to help move the schemes forward.

This includes support to help “ensure that all necessary technical work and tasks are completed to enable projects to complete full business cases”.

Business case earmarked for August

Works on detailed designs of the Harrogate project – which includes reducing a stretch of Station Parade to single-lane traffic and a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street – are now continuing ahead of a final business case being submitted around August.

The business case will then be presented to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is overseeing the project funding from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

Read more:

Subject to its approval, a contractor will then be appointed to carry out the works, as well as similar projects in Selby and Skipton.

The Harrogate gateway scheme is one of numerous schemes being funded by a £2.45 billion central government fund to boost active travel in towns and cities.

Work on the scheme was due to begin in spring this year and take a year to complete. But North Yorkshire County Council, the lead partner, has said work can continue longer. Business groups have expressed concern that roadworks could affect Christmas trade.

As previously reported by the Stray Ferret, following final approval, work on the scheme could continue into 2024 after the Department for Transport advised council officials that the deadline could be extended.

‘Allez Allez Allez!’: Harrogate Town fans savour special Bradford trip

One chant was sung loud and proud by Harrogate Town supporters at Valley Parade last night.

Inspired by a song sung by Liverpool fans, it describes how they have been there from the days of National League North, beating minnows Telford and Darlington along the way, and references past heroes Joe Leesley and Dom Knowles.

“We are the loyal supporters and we come from Harrogate!

“Allez Allez Allez!”

When Town fans entered Bradford City’s stadium, they sat down opposite the imposing JCT600 Stand. It wouldn’t look out of place in the Premier League, nevermind League Two of the English Football League.

It showed how far the club has come, and seemed to spur the record number of Town away supporters to sing the song about the journey up the divisions even louder.

Valley Parade’s imposing JCT600 Stand.

A memorable night

Four Stray Ferret reporters were among over 700 Harrogate fans who made the short trip to West Yorkshire for what was one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history.

They made more noise than the relatively docile 13,000 Bradford City fans, which promoted the playful Town faithful to goad them with: “Is this a library?” and “Shall we sing a song for you?”

But when the home side took the lead in the first half it threatened to dampen the party atmosphere in the away end.

Read more:

For a while it worked, until Warren Burrell scored in first-half injury time to change the direction of the game.

In the second half, Town took the lead thanks to a Beckham-esque free-kick from Lewis Page. A cooly-taken finish from Jack Diamond made it 3-1.

Jack Diamond’s goal sparked mass celebrations.

It prompted an evacuation of Bradford City fans towards the exit doors and full throttle singing among the Town fans.

Special moments

Covid has robbed Town fans of many special moments — Wembley trips, glamorous away days and seeing the club play league football at the revamped EnviroVent Stadium.

After the final whistle, the bond between the playing staff and fans was evident. The squad, led by manager Simon Weaver, applauded the travelling fans, signed shirts and took selfies with young supporters.

It was a proud day for Jordan Ford, who organises away day coach travel for fans on behalf of Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club.

Yesterday there were over 200 fans on his coaches — a far cry from the 25 or so when he first started several years ago.

Town player Jack Muldoon took to Twitter after the match to pay tribute to the fans.

https://twitter.com/J_muldoon11/status/1496280985389912064?s=20&t=5SoSRoWdTANHtOYDUxzXbA

 

Two people cut from vehicles in Knaresborough this morning

Two people had to be cut from their vehicles in Knaresborough this morning following separate crashes.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were initially called to a two-vehicle collision at the junction of the B6164 and A658 at 8.34am.

On arrival, all occupants from one vehicle were out of their car but a woman was unable to leave the other vehicle because of neck injuries.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to free the woman, who was taken to hospital.

Another image from the incident on Thistle Hill. Photograph: @NorthYorkshireFire, Twitter

Read more:

Harrogate and Knaresborough crews were called out again at 9.44am when a single vehicle collided with a bollard on Thistle Hill.

The elderly male driver suffered neck, back and knee injuries and was unable to get out of the vehicle.

Firefighters again cut the roof of the vehicle to release the man, who was taken to hospital.

Neither person taken to hospital is believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Harrogate council to trial recycling wheelie bins

Harrogate Borough Council has announced it will trial the use of wheelie bins for recycling, just days after appearing to pour cold water on the idea.

Recent articles by the Stray Ferret have highlighted concerns by residents about the amount of recycling left out for collection blown across streets.

They prompted many people to call on the council to introduce wheelie bins with lids.

However, a spokesperson for the council suggested this month it might not be possible. They said wheelie bins could lead to “higher contamination rates”, adding:

“Another challenge we would need to overcome is the wagons used for collection. At the moment they cater for black boxes so any change would require adaptation of the fleet.”

Last week, The Stray Ferret published a video that appeared to contradict the council’s claim.

The video showed council workers emptying recycling from black boxes into garden waste wheelie bins and then into the refuse trucks.

After showing the footage to the council, a spokesperson said it had 10 bin lorries and only two could operate wheelie bins.

recycling rubbish. Pic Christina Clarkson

This photo posted on Facebook by Christina Clarkson highlighted the problem.

Following this article, a source contacted the Stray Ferret to say the council was introducing 7,000 recycling wheelie bins in unspecified pilot areas across the district and was unsure why the council was not being upfront about this.

This was confirmed yesterday by David Houlgate, branch secretary of the public sector trade union Unison, who said the move was “long overdue”.

Read more:

Mr Houlgate said wheelie bins would be introduced for tins, cans, glass and plastic. Paper and card would still be collected in blue bags.

The Stray Ferret asked the council about this yesterday. The council did not reply but instead released a statement on social media today saying “we will be launching a trial scheme to replace black recycling boxes with wheelie bins” this year. It said:

“For some time we’ve been looking at how we could improve our kerbside scheme. We’ll be trialling the wheelie bins in certain areas with different types of properties, areas of high recycling rates, and will use the data to influence an approach later in the year.pilots are underway.”

The full statement is below.

We know you are increasingly conscious of the environment and have been recycling more year on year.

Later in the year (date to be confirmed) we will be launching a trial scheme to replace black recycling boxes with wheelie bins.

Find out more below… ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qGBxAjcLnI

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) February 23, 2022

Council approves long-awaited West Harrogate Parameters Plan

Harrogate Borough Council has approved a long-awaited plan that aims to solve how the west of Harrogate’s roads, schools and health services will cope with 2,000 extra homes.

The West Harrogate Parameters Plan will be used to identify what infrastructure is required and to help assess the planning merits of future developments in the area.

Council officials devised the document following discussions with the county council, developers and site promoters, along with community groups, parish councils and stakeholders.

Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning, said the plan would ensure “we have the necessary infrastructure to support these future communities on the west side of Harrogate”.

He said it included two new primary schools, four playing pitches and two new local centres for shops and health services, as well as land designated for employment, new cycle lanes, footpaths and bus routes.

Cllr Myatt added:

“A number of suggestions have helped shaped the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan and I’d like to thank stakeholders – and especially local community groups and residents’ associations – for their valuable feedback.

“This engagement has played an integral part in ensuring we have been able to produce a plan that clearly identifies what infrastructure is required, whether that’s community facilities, school provision, green infrastructure or sustainable travel opportunities, for example.

“It also sets a benchmark for future developments across the Harrogate district and ensures that we not only delivery much needed homes but also create communities that residents can be proud of to call home.”

Beckwithshaw is set to see an increase in through traffic due to new housing on Otley Road.

Beckwithshaw is set to see an increase in through traffic due to new housing on Otley Road.

The council added that the document was designed to help “support the sustainable and coordinated” development of future homes in the west of Harrogate.

Council to draw up infrastructure strategy

Now the plans has been approved, the council will begin preparing a West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy (WHIDS) that will provide more detail about infrastructure requirements for West Harrogate and the associated cost.

It will include a review of existing capacity and timings for the phasing of key infrastructure, including education provision, health and wellbeing services, water and drainage, sport and playing fields provision, highways and open space.

Read more:

The plan is due to be completed in May and will also be used to inform section 106 agreements paid by developers to fund infrastructure associated with their schemes.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said the authority would continue to support the borough council on infrastructure.

He said:

“North Yorkshire will continue to work closely with the borough council as a key partner responsible for services like education, highways and transport.

“We will support investment in the local highways infrastructure, as is already taking place on Otley Road, but will place the greatest priority on the provision of excellent public transport and facilities for walking and cycling.”

Residents remain unhappy

However, David Siddans, secretary of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously:

“We, along with other organisations in the area, say that the council should not be approving the parameters plan until full details of the infrastructure package is agreed.

“We understand that is not expected before May this year.

“We have no confidence that this will happen and it is likely that developers will again be given the green light with the wider infrastructure needs remaining unaddressed.”

Harrogate and Ripon vaccination sites hit 200,000 jab milestone

The GP-run vaccination sites in Harrogate and Ripon administered their 200,000th covid jab in the last week.

The figure applies to vaccines given at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races, which are operated by the Yorkshire Health Network, which is a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district

When pharmacy vaccines are also included, the total number of jabs in the Harrogate district since the start of the pandemic comes to 374,994.

Ripon Races held its final vaccination clinic on Sunday. The Great Yorkshire Showground is due to close in March.

The information comes as the number of covid infections in the district continues to fall rapidly.

The latest daily UK Health Security Agency figures show that 100 covid cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Read more:

Currently the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 531 per 100,000 people.

It remains above the county-wide average 412 and the England rate of 417.

NHS England figures show the number of deaths from patients who tested positive for covid at Harrogate District Hospital stands at 228.

Vulnerable people in Harrogate district having sleepless nights over rising bills

Fears are growing amongst some of the Harrogate district’s most vulnerable people ahead of a record increase in gas and electricity bills in April.

Customers at community grocery shop Resurrected Bites and people who use the Harrogate District Foodbank, say they have been “having sleepless nights”  over the price hike.

One man, whose food budget for the entire month is £30, said he had just received his renewal quote for energy and it was up to triple the original amount.

Another woman, who uses a pre-pay metre, said she was preparing to cut back and put on some extra clothing to keep warm if necessary.

Resurrected Bites is a Harrogate and Knaresborough-based community organisation aiming to reduce food waste and food poverty.

One of the customers at the organisation’s grocery shop at New Park Primary Academy, told the Stray Ferret about the impact it would have.

The man, from Harrogate, who works full time and has a six-year-old daughter, said:

“I have had to take advantage of the Citizen’s Advice Warm and Well scheme, which has tided me over, hopefully until the minimum pay rise in April.

But I’ve just had my renewable quote for energy and the variable rate is double what I’m paying now and for fixed, it’s triple. So the extra money I will receive will just be swallowed up.

“I don’t know what is going to go on. I think I’m just going to have to wait until April when it actually happens and just take a view on it or hope that the politicians do something more, because at the moment it’s just not a viable option for many people.

“My food budget for the month is £30, including coming here, and that’s for me and my daughter. That will just be gone with any kind of increase. What do you do? Luckily it’s coming into summer.”

Resurrected Bites provides a ‘lifeline’

The customer, who did not wish to be named, said organisations like Resurrected Bites, which also runs ‘pay-as-you-feel’ cafes in Harrogate and Knaresborough, were a lifeline to those in need.

The community grocery store sells good quality donated food to people on a low income for a small cost, that would otherwise end up in landfill. It often sees between 30 and 40 customers coming through its doors in one day.

The man began using the service after separating from his daughter’s mother, who receives all the available benefits due to being listed as the main residence.

Resurrected Bites’ community grocery store at New Park is a lifeline to those in need.

He said:

“It’s brilliant. I can work out what my meals are going to be. So for example, last week I got some sausages and a turnip and then I’ve cooked them all yesterday and that’s my next three or four meals. I usually make my meals in advance. That way if there are a couple of days where you run short, there’s always something in the back like the odd Pot Noodle.

“You come here on a weekly basis to stock up. The fruit and veg is brilliant, as not a lot of people eat as much as they should do and it fills a gap.”

The price hike comes after the energy regulator, Ofgem, lifted the maximum rate that suppliers can charge for an average duel-fuel energy tariff by £693 — an increase of 54 per cent.

This is to reflect the fourfold increase in energy market prices over the last year.

Volunteers at Resurrected Bites’ New Park Community Grocery Store.

New Park community grocery manager Sophia Clarke said customers, who come from a variety of different backgrounds, were worried about the impact it would have.

She said:

“There are a lot of people who are coming in to sign-up in preparation for the fact that once the energy bills rise they are not going to be able to feed themselves.

“One lady I spoke to said she was going to lose her house because she couldn’t keep up with mortgage payments and the bills rising.

“I don’t think anyone knows the full extent yet, but we are here to help people and offer advice and support.

“People are just getting back on track after covid and are now being faced with this. When you’re struggling to feed yourself and your children, this is not good news for the many.”

Read more:

Foodbank fears

Over at a very busy Harrogate District Foodbank, at Mowbray Community Church, on Westmoreland Street, one woman said she used a pre-pay meter to avoid getting into trouble with her bills.

She said:

“If I can’t afford heating, I don’t have it on. If the bills get too much in April, I’ll just have to put a woolly jumper on or wrap a duvet around me.

“I’m topping the meter up as much as possible in preparation. I’m okay at the moment but when it goes up, I don’t know what will happen. Luckily warmer weather is coming. I don’t know what I would have done if it had happened in the middle of winter.”

Harrogate District Foodbank at Mowbray Community Church, Westmoreland Street.

Another man, who suffered with mental health problems, said he was worried that his landlord would put his rent up as a result of the price hike.

He said:

“I’m worried about it. If it goes up, I’m going to struggle financially again. That makes me anxious. I suffer with my mental health and I’m on benefits and this just plays on my mind. You’re always thinking about it.”

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at the foodbank, which also provides help and support for people in Knaresborough and Starbeck, said more support from the government was needed.

She said:

“We find with clients coming in that they tend to get some help, for example Universal Credit, but it’s not enough to cover their bills. Or if it is just enough and something unforeseen goes wrong, then they are in debt again. It’s a vicious circle, they never seem to get above where they should be and it’s sad.

“A lot of people are saying they can’t have the heating on or they are only having it on a couple of times a week, or a couple of hours a day. That’s why people are here because they don’t have enough money for food.”