When George Chan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, he was determined to carry on playing the sport he loves.

The 60-year-old from Harrogate has not just carried on — he’s excelled.

In Berlin over the weekend, George picked up a doubles gold medal and silver medal in the Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championship.

Last month he also won a gold medal in the Parkinson’s UK Championship.

George told the Stray Ferret that winning the gold in Berlin, representing England alongside American Nenan Bach, was an emotional moment.

“When we won I hit two smashes to win the game, and we both hugged each other. It was two different nations with one common cause. It was very touching.”

Parkinson’s is a brain condition that can cause involuntary shaking.

Table tennis competitions for people with Parkinson’s are played with the same rules as traditional table tennis but with some minor tweaks, such as competitors are allowed to put their non-playing hand on the table for balance.

George went to Harrogate Grammar School before moving to Manchester to raise his family. In 2004 he returned to Harrogate through work and joined the Harrogate Racquets Club table tennis league, a sport he’d played since university.

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Playing a decade after diagnosis

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 but was determined to carry on playing in defiance of the disease. He said table tennis helps people with Parkinson’s because you have to think and move quickly.

“When you are diagnosed the world caves in around you, but why give up what I love ? 10 years on I’m still managing to hold my own against able people in the Harrogate league. On the face of it, not a lot of people know I have Parkinson’s.

“And table tennis is the best sport for us, it’s fast for the mind and body. Some of the shots you hardly have time to think so it helps your subconscious.

“The more we can utilise natural remedies the better it is for us.”

George was inspired by fellow competitors during the week in Berlin.

He added:

“The amazing thing was how gutsy some of the players are despite lack of mobility and shakiness. It was quite amazing to see. It’s the biggest group of Parkinson’s people I’ve ever been with and they had a very upbeat outlook on life.

“Once you got onto the table it was surprising how optimistic and alive the players became. There was a common cause to help relieve Parkinson’s and find a cure. Table tennis has brought us together.”

George coaches youth classes table tennis classes at Harrogate Racquets Club on Firs Road. If you are interested in playing visit its website.

A Harrogate law firm is to lead a legal challenge against the government’s decision to recommend covid vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds.

Truth Legal has been instructed by Consent, a Gloucestershire-based healthcare charity, to challenge the government and stop children getting vaccinated without fully informed consent from their parents.

Professor Chris Witty, the government’s chief medical officer, today recommended administering a single vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds after concluding it would have wider benefits for mental health and education.

Ministers will now decide on whether to accept the recommendation.

However, Consent is set to launch a legal challenge after raising concerns that experts still have mixed views over the decision.

Andrew Gray, founder and solicitor at Truth Legal, which is representing the charity, said: 

“We are representing Consent in their quest of investigating what protocol the government is intending to follow to guarantee the safety of our children and ensure that parental consent is a key element of consideration. 

“We have written to the Department of Health, Public Health England and NHS England to demand their policy on the vaccination of children. We still await their reply.”

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the government on immunisation, previously recommended against vaccinating children because the “individual health benefits” were small.

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• Harrogate district surgeries postpone flu jabs due to ‘transportation difficulties

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However, Professor Whitty said a single dose of a vaccine would “make a material difference”.

Oliver Müller, a trustee for Consent, said: 

“We are very concerned that children will be able to consent to a medical treatment, which even experts are divided over and which may not be in the child’s best interest.

“Even parents may not have enough information to make a fully informed and therefore legally valid consent decision. We are prepared to go to court and have retained leading counsel and solicitors at Truth Legal.”

Truth Legal, whose head office is on Victoria Avenue, also has offices in Leeds.

A special needs school in Starbeck has refurbished a former children’s centre over the road into two new sixth form classrooms.

Springwater School, which offers a modified curriculum for young people aged two to 19 with mainly multiple needs, was given the disused building by North Yorkshire County Council.

The school has grown rapidly in recent years. It currently has 98 students — an increase of about 30 over the last six years.

Head teacher Sarah Edwards said she hoped the new classrooms would provide an opportunity for sixth formers to develop their independence skills.

She added:

“The building creates a high quality educational environment that will be used as classrooms for the really important independence and employment sixth form pathway.”

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The listed building given to the school is next door to Starbeck war memorial on the High Street.

Springwater School is also seeking teachers and volunteers, including governors. Anyone interested can contact Ms Edwards at head@springwater.n-yorks.sch.uk.

A 770-signature petition calling for Harrogate’s first low traffic neighbourhood to be removed is to be debated by councillors this week.

Members of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the traffic restrictions.

They were introduced in February and have proved popular with pedestrians and cyclists but caused complaints from some locals.

The trial restrictions have seen planters placed on Beech Grove to stop through traffic and create quieter streets where residents feel safer walking and cycling.

It has made getting around the area by car more difficult and that is the idea behind it – to decrease car use.

David Pickering is one of the 770 residents who have signed the petition against the restrictions, which he said have only made traffic worse on surrounding streets.

He said: 

“I continue to be surprised by the enthusiasm of North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to spend taxpayers’ money on projects which are universally unpopular with local residents.

“It is all very well for public sector employees to sit around examining ways of maintaining budgets and tinkering with local roads to divert traffic when it has no material impact whatsoever on their personal lives.

“But on the ground it will concentrate traffic down certain roads.

“Anyone with a modicum of common sense would be able to work out that it will just concentrate traffic on Cold Bath Road and Queens Road.

“I just don’t see the point of the initiative.”

The low traffic neighbourhood was introduced by highways authority North Yorkshire County Council and received the strong backing of Harrogate Borough Council.

Read more:

• ‘It’s working well’: Campaigner counts cyclists using Harrogate’s Beech Grove
• Around three cyclists an hour using Harrogate’s new low traffic neighbourhood
• Beech Grove closure: County council receives 600-signature petition

Last month, the county council ended a public consultation on the restrictions ahead of a decision on whether to extend the 18-month trial, make the road changes permanent or scrap them altogether.

Barriers on Victoria Road

Last month the county council also announced plans to introduce a one-way traffic filter on nearby Victoria Road in another trial to improve road safety and encourage cycling and walking.

These restrictions will be trialled from this month and involve erecting a barrier to prevent vehicles from leaving to join Otley Road.

Mr Pickering said many residents were also against these plans, which he fears will make traffic “unbearable” on nearby Queens Road and Cold Bath Road.

The county council was contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.

Harrogate Business Improvement District has appointed a new business and marketing executive.

Bethany Allen, an event management graduate, joins after two years working for West Yorkshire Police advising businesses on security measures.

The BID aims to improve footfall in Harrogate town centre to boost business.

Ms Allen will work with businesses, BID partners and board members to organise activities.

The former Harrogate Grammar School pupil grew up in the town and worked at the Turkish Baths while studying at university.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said Ms Allen’s local knowledge will be an asset to the BID:

“She knows the town centre incredibly well, which is a real plus for this role.”

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Ms Allen said:

“Harrogate is my hometown, and I count myself incredibly lucky being born here, schooled here, and now working here as part of the Harrogate BID team.

“Harrogate is the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown. It’s a town that is famed for its shops, restaurants, bars and conference facilities.

“I’m looking forward to playing my part in the evolving Harrogate BID story.”

Two fire crews were called to Ainsty Road in Harrogate last night following reports that youths had set fire to the roof of a building.

When firefighters arrived just after 6pm, they found two chairs on fire in the car park as well as the roof fire, which had already gone out.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in its incident log:

“Crews extinguished the fire and passed the details of the incident onto the police.”

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Later on last night, Harrogate firefighters responded to reports of a young person on a roof believed to be under the influence of alcohol.

The incident, on Forest Lane, happened around 12.30am this morning.

The young man was already down from the roof and with police when the firefighters arrived.

The Local Lotto celebrated its third birthday at the weekend having raised over £160,000 for local causes

Harrogate Borough Council set up the lotto to raise money for local voluntary sector organisations.

Players have won a combined total of £41,000.

Every 60p in £1 goes to 108 local causes, including Autism Angels, Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP), and Woodfield Millenium Green.

Beneficiaries paid tribute to the fund.

Low Harrogate Crown Green Bowling Club said in a statement the Local Lotto had “provided a revenue stream that has enabled the bowling club to invest in new equipment”.

Ripon Community Link added the initiative had provided “a regular, reliable income stream when charitable income can be erratic, especially in such turbulent times”.

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A pie chart showing where the money goes

Cllr Sam Gibbs, chair of Harrogate Borough Council’s voluntary and community sector liaison group, said:

“These vital funds can sometimes be a lifeline for smaller community groups and I’d like to thank everyone for getting involved and signing up to play the Local Lotto.”

The Local Lotto takes place every week, with the winning draw every Saturday night.

For more information, see the local lotto’s website.

Trading Standards has received 500 complaints against Harrogate district builders or contractors since 2012 — but only 12 prosecutions have taken place.

The Stray Ferret obtained the data from North Yorkshire County Council through a freedom of information request.

The request also revealed that 338 separate investigations have taken place following the complaints. However, the number of investigations each year has fallen sharply: in 2013 there were 72 and the number fell to just 16 in 2020.

The findings, along with the experiences of some of those who have filed complaints, have led to concerns about the value of taking action.

Jon Fallis, who filed a complaint after Harrogate cowboy builder James Moss left a £30,000 conversion in a poor state, said the figures “were not a surprise at all” and raised questions about the effectiveness of Trading Standards in tackling rogue builders.

Trading Standards, which is run by North Yorkshire County Council, has the power to investigate cases of poor work or allegations of fraud against builders.

Mr Fallis added:

“The numbers fit our experience. They have been difficult and obstructive. There’s no feeling they are on the side of the taxpayer.”

We spoke to another person who was so defeated by his dealings with Trading Standards he didn’t bother making a complaint after being unsatisfied with the quality of another Harrogate builder’s work.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, called the department a “toothless tiger”.

Trading Standards is prevented by law from providing information about individuals or businesses, but its list of prosecutions against builders in Harrogate includes prison sentences, community service and compensation.

The full data is below:

Read more:

• Harrogate cowboy builder James Moss ordered to repay deposit by courts
• Women ripped off by ‘shoddy’ Harrogate builder

The Federation of Master Builders, a trade association for builders, conducted a national survey that found 56% of people who commissioned building work had a bad experience with their builder.

The body has called for the government introduce licensing to stamp out rogue traders.

Trading Standards response

In response to the FOI request, Matt O’Neill, assistant director growth, planning and Trading Standards at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Our trading standards service is determined in its enforcement work, not only to protect the residents of North Yorkshire as consumers, but also to ensure a level playing field for the many legitimate businesses in the county.

“The service receives about 7,000 complaints from consumers each year. Officers assess these to determine which should be investigated. Following an investigation, enforcement may range from advice and guidance to prosecution and confiscation or forfeiture of assets following conviction.

“In deciding whether to prosecute, the service must first be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. A decision to prosecute is not taken lightly. Prosecution is a serious step with considerable repercussions for those who face criminal charges.

“The service has a strong track record. For example, a joint operation with colleagues from other agencies last year saw the courts order offenders to give up £140,000 in proceeds from their crimes to compensate their victims.

“There are occasions when the standard of businesses’ work does not meet consumers’ expectations. This is not acceptable and consumers could take action in the civil courts for breach of contract. However, such conduct would not necessarily amount to a practice over which the trading standards service could take action.

“Equally, businesses sometimes fail. This is recognised in law, with provision for the management of bankruptcy and insolvency. A business failure alone will not amount to conduct about which the trading standards service could take action. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has a remit to investigate sole traders and companies that have acted illegally in relation to the formation or solvency of trading entities.”

Stamp experts from around the world are to meet at Harrogate’s Crowne Plaza hotel this month.

Harrogate is hosting the Philatelic Congress of GB, an annual event that was first held in Manchester in 1909,

Philately is the collection, appreciation and study of postage stamps and the history of the postal system.

Leading philatelists from the UK, Sweden, Germany and Spain will take part in displays, discussions and expert talks from September 23 to 26.

Other international experts will follow the activities on zoom.

The event will mark a special Harrogate centenary.

In 1921, the town hosted the first signing of the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists — a large, decorative piece of parchment signed by the world’s leading philatelists.

The very first signature was that of King George V, who was known as the King of Philately. An invitation to sign the roll is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent philatelic honour.

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As well as the signing of the roll, the prestigious Association of British Philatelic Societies congress medal and awards of merit will be presented to recipients.

‘I’m definitely a nerd’

The event and the signing of the roll was cancelled last year due to covid so for Keith Burton, chair of the Harrogate Philatelic Society, it’s going to be even more special. He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m slightly disappointed that covid has made life harder for us, and those who would have liked to come but for age or distance or health feel they can’t make the journey.

“I am proud that the congress is returning to Harrogate. I’m looking forward to meeting up with people again, because we haven’t done much of that recently. We don’t just talk about philatelic things, but it’s the social aspect as well.”

Mr Burton will give a presentation on local postcards at the event. For him, despite a love of philately, finding an old postcard is about more than just the stamp.

“When I get a postcard, I don’t just look at the picture and stamp. I look into the history of the people, like the messages on postcards from 1920s.

“For example when people have come to Harrogate for the cure, and they write that the weather is fine, I think ‘gosh, that’s nice for them!’ I’ll also look at where it was sent to and from.

“Philately can get into all these things or just into one or two, it’s a very individual thing. I’m definitely a nerd.”

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

It’s wrong to say pedestrians welcome the Otley Road cycle path

Tewit Well and Sun Colonnade are just two examples of gross disrepair

Malcolm Neesam is in the news again regarding ‘the slovenly attitude of the authorities towards maintaining Harrogate’s attractions’.

I, and I’m sure a very great many others, absolutely agree. But it’s not just the Tewit Well and the Sun Colonnade that have fallen into gross disrepair — what about the similarly iconic bandstand at the rear of the Mercer Gallery, adjacent to the public toilets? Its dilapidated and abused state makes it a health and safety accident waiting to happen.

Why do the authorities not appreciate the role that these buildings play in attracting visitors to Harrogate and do something about restoring and/or maintaining them?

Agreed, the floral displays are exquisite and rewilding of parts of the Stray is a good idea. But our pavements are strewn with litter and we have to manoeuvre our way over damaged paving and around waste/recycling bins; changes to our road systems are thrust upon us even though they are having and will have serious repercussions; and there is irresponsible and intimidating behaviour in our public spaces and on our roads.

Would it be too much to ask the authorities, who we elected to represent us and whose wages we pay, to take into consideration our wants, needs and expectations in the way they manage Harrogate?

Isn’t a councillor’s primary role to represent those who live in their ward and provide a bridge between the community and the council? But maybe I expect too much and will just have to get on my bike…

Val Michie, Harrogate

The amount of litter in Harrogate is a disgrace

I agree entirely with David Pickering’s comments published in Stray Views on September 5. I would further add that not only the amount of litter is a disgrace in the town centre but also the filthy state of the pavements. Our town should be in pristine condition for visitor and residence alike.

Also, David’s commented on the state of the roads in Harrogate. Again I wish to add a request to North Yorkshire County Council that monies are allocated to improve the roads and allocate a patching gang to fill in the potholes. When potholes are marked in white, why does it take up to 90 days (many go over this time span) to repair them?

Also I would like to ask Harrogate Borough Council why there are weeds and plants growing in kerbs and gutters? What has happened to the mechanical road sweepers?

David James, St. Georges ward, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.