North Yorkshire music festival receives £120,000 government grant

Deer Shed music and arts festival in Topcliffe has received £119,708 from the government’s cultural recovery fund (CRF)

The government launched the £1.57 billion fund last year to support cultural and heritage sectors from the economic impact of covid.

The festival offers live music, comedy and arts across a weekend in Baldersby Park, which borders the Harrogate district. It has not been able to run a full festival for the last two years. However, it has run a smaller event on the site called Base Camp.

In November 2020, Deer Shed received a grant of £238,000 from the CRF.

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The festival tweeted that the money will help ensure its survival:

“Grateful to have been given support from DCMS in the 3rd round of the CRF. These have been difficult times having been unable to host a full Deer Shed for over two years, this helps ensure our survival alongside the support of our brilliant Deer Shed audience.”

Deer Shed will run next summer from July 29-31 and has announced headliners John Grant, Nadine Shah and Django Django.

Scale of Harrogate’s climate change challenge revealed

The scale of Harrogate’s climate change challenge has been revealed in new figures published as part of a latest consultation.

Residents and businesses have until January 2 to have their say on Harrogate Borough Council’s new carbon reduction strategy which sets out how the district will play its part in cutting emissions to try avoid the devastating effects of global warming.

CO2 emissions have fallen by 32% in the district since 2005, however, it is still producing over one million tonnes per year with a combined annual energy bill of over £400m.

And if the district continues at this current rate, it will have used up its carbon budget – which allows a maximum of 9 million tonnes of CO2 between now and 2050 – 20 years before that end date under national targets.

These figures are why the council’s new strategy says “big and rapid changes” are now needed, not just by local and national leaders, but by everyone.

It said:

“Climate scientists, observing real life data, are clear that the UK is already experiencing disruptive climate change.

“2020 was third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest on record. No other year has fallen in the top 10 for all three variables in this country.

“Achieving net-zero and meeting our local carbon budget must involve the joint efforts of local authorities, businesses and industry, individual consumers and the rest of the public sector and national government.

“By pulling together partners and strategies, we can deliver a bigger impact than if we act alone.”

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This urgent need for action was brought into even sharper focus in October when Harrogate’s first Climate Action Festival was launched in the run up to the COP26 summit.

Organised by the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, the festival highlighted what can be achieved on a local level by residents and businesses before world leaders put forward their pledges at the summit in Glasgow.

Making houses more energy efficient was an important target that came out of COP26 and this will be key for Harrogate which for many years has used more gas and electricity than regional and national averages.

Carbon emissions per person in Harrogate are also higher than the national average.

Domestic energy consumption accounts for 34% of the district’s carbon footprint, while transport emissions account for 31%.

The fumes from diesel and petrol vehicles are a particular area of concern as unlike other declining emissions, the numbers are on the rise.

This is why council officials are pushing ahead with plans to reduce car use through projects such as the £10.9m Harrogate Gateway, the Otley Road cycle path and other active travel schemes which give greater road priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

There is also an aim to get 10,000 electric vehicles on the roads by 2023 ahead of the ban on the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars seven years later.

Out of all the districts in North Yorkshire, Harrogate has seen the largest increase in electric vehicles. However, the council’s strategy says there is still much work to do as most motorists are making the switch from diesel to petrol cars, not electric.

It said:

“An area of concern in the district is road transport emissions which are not declining like other sectors.

“A significant cause of this is likely to be the swing away from the use of diesel vehicles towards higher-CO2 petrol, with the increasing take up of ultra low emission vehicles not yet counteracting this move away from diesel.

“It’s essential the local people and businesses know the direction we are taking.

“We will work closely with the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition to champion carbon reduction measures and raise awareness and simulate action.”

The new carbon reduction strategy will replace the current version which was adopted by the council in October 2019.

To have your say go to www.harrogate.gov.uk/consultations-engagement

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor back with you this morning for the final time this week. I am here to update you with travel alerts to keep your journey moving.

I’ll let you know about roadworks, delayed trains and any traffic hotspots that could cause you delays.

If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this week. I hope this blog has helped your journey this morning. I am heading over to the news desk now, my colleague Suzannah will be back with all your latest travel news next Monday.

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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Harrogate nightlife institution Montey’s celebrates 25 years

Montey’s has been a favourite haunt of Harrogate night owls looking for quality cocktails and alternative music for 25 years.

The bar was opened by owner Jay Smith on this day in 1996. Back then, The Ginnel was a quiet back street and not one of the town’s most popular food and drink spots.

Montey’s took over a unit that was previously a pine shop, but Mr Smith said he saw the potential the area had.

He said:

“[The Ginnel] was dramatically different. I had looked around the town centre trying to find where hospitality could get driven to, in terms of available space, The Ginnel seemed to fit that brief.”

After working for Tesco in his early 20s, he followed his dream of opening a bar of his own. He combined savings with a loan from John Smiths brewery to open Montey’s as a jazz bar with a strictly over-25s policy.

But it struggled to attract punters during the week, so to save the business, Mr Smith scrapped the policy, recruited as many former Jack and Danny’s and Jimmy’s cocktail bartenders as he could find and shifted towards rock music.

“The over 25’s policy became a millstone around the neck of the business.

“So we went back to licencing at the council and asked them to remove the conditions or it will go up in smoke.”

Mr Smith said the best nights in Montey’s have been themed nights such as Halloween, New Year and whenever live bands perform, although his memory of the 90s is blurry after one too many lemon drops.

He said:

 “We’ve always done live music, we love it.”

Over the years Montey’s has developed a reputation for cocktails delivered with flair and fun.

“Flair bartending is where you’re throwing bottles around like Cocktail. It became popular and recognised bartending as a career and a skill.”

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Many businesses have come and gone around Parliament Street since 1996, including some massive chains such as Jamie Oliver and Ministry of Sound who pumped millions into venues that failed.

Mr Smith said it’s the independents that have been built to last.

“After 25 years in Harrogate there’s been an astonishing amount of bars, some with huge budgets who thought they could stroll into the town.

“A lot of them were in just massive, very expensive buildings.

“But if you look at long-term successful businesses in Harrogate, it’s places like Drum and Monkey, Will and Vics and G23.

“The indies are supported here. It’s a testament to the attitude of the people of Harrogate.”

Mr Smith still runs the bar today alongside his “partner in crime” and director of the business Colin Speirs, who was the first bartender he hired back in 1996. They hope to have a party next summer to celebrate their birthday.

He added:

“25 years is exactly half my life as I was 25 when it opened. I basically grew up in there.

“I’m genuinely proud and astonished we’ve suddenly arrived at 25 years.”

CCTV footage shows Harrogate killer’s final movements

Police have released CCTV footage of convicted murderer Daniel Ainsley’s final movements before he killed Mark Wolsey.

Ainsley was sentenced to life in prison yesterday for murdering Mr Wolsey, 48, on Mayfield Grove on March 5.

Following sentencing, North Yorkshire Police has released footage used to prosecute Ainsley.

The three-minute clip, which can be played below, shows the 24-year-old going into Asda supermarket on Bower Road to purchase a set of kitchen knives with his own bank card.

He later goes outside the store to dispose of all but one of them before walking back to 38 Mayfield Grove where he stabbed Mr Wolsey multiple times.

At Leeds Crown Court last month, Ainsley pleaded not guilty to murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility but admitted manslaughter.

However, Mark McKone QC, prosecuting, said the CCTV footage demonstrated that Ainsley knew what he was doing and that the killing was premeditated.

He told Leeds Crown Court:

“There can be no doubt that the defendant intended to kill Mark.

“The defendant knew exactly what he was doing and did it in a calm and calculated way.”

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The defence’s case that Ainsley was suffering from a personality disorder which “impaired his ability to form a rational judgement” did not convince a jury.

He was convicted of murder on October 22 and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison yesterday.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, head of crime at North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“I am pleased with today’s sentence and that the court previously agreed with the prosecution that this was clearly a case of murder, and nothing less.

“My thoughts remain with Mark’s mother, children and his wider family who have had to sit through the trial and listen to the horrific details of his death. Nothing can bring Mark back, but I hope that his loved ones can take some comfort in the knowledge that justice has now been done.”

Country Living Christmas Fair returns to Harrogate

The Country Living Christmas Fair is back in Harrogate today, with thousands of interior-lovers set to get into the festive spirit at the four-day event.

Held at the town’s convention centre, the popular event, which was cancelled last year due to covid restrictions, features a programme of talks, demonstrations and workshops.

It also supports small businesses, with more than 300 stalls from artisan makers.

Marketing executive Harriet Hayes said:

“From the practicalities of sourcing one-of-a-kind gifts and the latest trends in home interiors, to inspiration for your festive feast. The fair offers it all under one roof.”

The event, which takes place from 10am to 5pm from today until Sunday, will offer a selection of interiors, handcrafted gifts and food stalls, which will include local produce. There will also be a champagne bar.

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Alongside the exhibition, there will also be a live programme in the Country Living theatre and Christmas kitchen. Festive advice and inspiration from leading professionals and cooking experts will be on offer.

Chefs include BBC Masterchef 2021 winner Tom Rhodes and Rudding Park demi chef, Ben Wright.

Harriet added:

“From Christmas canapés to showstopper desserts, in the Country Living kitchen our celebrity chefs will share their top tips and festive favourites for you to make at home or pick up inspiration.

“On the stage, there will also be advice on seasonal trends, how to decorate the perfect Christmas tree, festive wreaths, the Christmas dinner table and much more.

“You will also be able to roll up your sleeves and get creative in one of the many hands-on workshops sessions hosted by crafting experts and makers, who will lead you through a range of interactive sessions.”

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor back with you this morning to update you with travel alerts to keep your journey moving.

I’ll let you know about roadworks, delayed trains and any traffic hotspots that could cause you delays.

If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning, I am heading over to the news desk now. Hopefully you have found the blog helpful. I will be back from 6.30am tomorrow.

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8.30am – Full Update 

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8am – Full Update 

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7.30am – Full Update 

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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Harrogate Scouts group could close after 68 years unless new leaders found

Harrogate and Nidderdale District Scouts says unless new Scout leaders come forward, one of its Harrogate groups that has been running for 68 years could close after Christmas.

Scouts is an adventurous program where children develop skills, earn badges and awards, and have fun in the outdoors.

The 15th Harrogate Scouts, which is based at St Paul’s Church opposite Harrogate Library, has 15 young people aged 11-14. It could close in the new year due to a lack of leaders to organise trips and train the youngsters.

Mark Edwards, the Scouts county commissioner for North Yorkshire, appealed for new leaders to volunteer for the cause.

He said:

“We’re going to keep it going until Christmas, it would be a shame to close it.”

Since covid restrictions eased, Harrogate Scouts has been inundated with applications for new members but Mr Edwards said it does not have enough Scout leaders to cope with the demand.

The organisation has also seen some leaders leave to focus on their jobs and others have left due to illness.

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Mr Edwards said being a Scout leader has many benefits and is about “giving back”.

“Scouting for adults is good for you. You’re giving back to young people and gaining skills for life.”

He said Scout leaders at 15th Harrogate should be able to offer around two and a half hours a week of their time.

If you’re interested in becoming a Scout leader, contact Mr Edwards at cc@nys.org.uk

Masterchef finalists to launch pop-up restaurant in Harrogate

Two Masterchef quarter finalists are teaming up to launch a Christmas pop-up restaurant in a tipi at a Harrogate hotel.

Jo Mills, from Leeds, who appeared on the BBC cooking show in 2021, met Chris Hale from the 2016 series on a Facebook group for former MasterChef contestants.

The two chefs will take over Cedar Court Hotel’s Tipi on the Stray for two weeks from Thursday, December 9.

Chris, from Wakefield, who runs his own catering company, and helps Masterchef contestants to gain experience in cooking for events, said:

“We just wanted to do something different really in Harrogate.

“I do a lot of pop-up restaurants, so we turn venues, like cathedrals, into restaurants. So the tipi is aligned with what we do. For me it’s not just about the food, it’s about the whole experience. It will feel cosy and relaxed and I’m all about the chill vibes.”

Festive tapas, including turkey and sage bon bons with cranberry dip and mini nut roasts with candied carrots, will be served from 2pm to 10pm from Thursday to Saturday in collaboration with Magic Rock and Harrogate Tipple. On Sunday it’s a two-course bottomless brunch and on Monday to Wednesday, afternoon tea.

Then on December 20, 21 and 22 Afternoon Tea with Elsa, the character from Disney’s Frozen, will take place for families.

Chris said:

“I think we have got a really nice balanced menu. I like tapas because you can get as much or as little as you want.

“The desserts are particularly theatrical. For me it’s the end of the meal, and it’s the bit people take away with them.

“There is an edible Christmas wreath, which is our festive take on an Eton mess, with meringue, ginger, cinnamon, pomegranate and molasses.

“We are also doing a panettone tiramisu garden, which will be presented as a snowy garden scene and will feature meringue mushrooms and edible snow and flowers. Those are the two that are probably the most Instagrammable.”

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The December residency will offer additional dining options at the busy hotel and is aimed at Harrogate residents, as well as guests.

The tipi, which can hold up to 38 people, opened on July 4 last year as a result of covid dining restrictions, and has now become a permanent fixture due to its popularity.

The Tipi on the Stray at Harrogate’s Cedar Court Hotel.

Jo, whose passion for tapas has inspired the menu, said:

“Tapas has been my kind of thing or a long time. When friends come over it’s just nice to have one of those sociable ways to eat, so it’s something I have always cooked. We thought it would be fun as it’s a nice casual atmosphere in the tipi. It lends itself really well to that style of dining.”

Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley sentenced to 22 years in prison

A Harrogate convicted murderer has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Daniel Ainsley, 24, of no fixed address, was found guilty of killing 48-year-old Mark Wolsey at his bedsit on Mayfield Grove last month.

Ainsley stabbed Mr Wolsey 15 times in the chest and arm with a kitchen knife on March 5.

He was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court this morning. He is expected to serve 21 years in prison after his 261 days spent in custody is deducted.

When sentencing Ainsley to prison, Judge Simon Phillips told him that the killing “left a massive hole” in the lives of those who knew Mr Wolsey.

He said:

“It has had a shattering impact upon those who loved him.”

Judge Phillips described Ainsley’s actions as “tragic and dreadful to a very high degree”.

He told Ainsley in court this morning:

“There is no doubt that you knew exactly what you had done.”

A “premeditated” and “goal-directed” murder

Ainsley was living in Mr Wolsey’s bedsit at 38 Mayfield Grove after he became homeless.

Police were first called to property on the night of March 5 after Mr Wolsey made a 999 call asking officers to remove Ainsley from his flat because he was scaring him.

He complained to the officers who arrived at the property that Mr Wolsey was keeping his medication from him, which led to an argument.

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Ainsley was taken to Harrogate District Hospital to pick up medication by police and instructed not to go back to the flat.

At 9.21pm, Ainsley left the hospital and was filmed on CCTV walking to Asda on Bower Road.

After entering the supermarket, he went to the kitchenware aisle where he purchased a box of knives. Ainsley used his own bank card to pay for the knives and went outside to dispose of all but one of them.

Ainsley then returned to Mayfield Grove where he stabbed Mr Wolsey to death, leaving the victim in his chair with the murder weapon still in his chest.

He admitted manslaughter, but denied murdering Mr Wolsey on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to an “abnormality of mental functioning”.

However, it took a jury five hours and 17 minutes to find Ainsley guilty of murder on October 22.

Mark McKone QC, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court that the murder was “premeditated”, “goal-directed” and “purposeful”.