Two men flee after crashing car on Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove

Police were called late last night when a car crashed into a lamppost on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate and the driver and a passenger fled.

A resident woken by the commotion sent these images to the Stray Ferret and described hearing the driver and another man in the vehicle beg passers-by not to call the police before running off.

The driver had tried to reverse the car out of the hedge and grass verge after it hit the lamppost and spun out of control but were unable to do so.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said he was in bed when he heard a loud bang followed by shouting. He added:

“I got up to have a look. A large crowd had gathered and I could hear voices saying ‘don’t call the police’. People were saying ‘why don’t you want us to call the police?’

“The two men then ran down the back roads and one deliberately smashed his phone on the floor. They both legged it.”

The resident said the police arrived 20 minutes later and removed the black VW Golf at about 12.30am this morning.

The lamppost was repaired by the morning.

The resident said Mayfield Grove was notorious for anti-social behaviour and cars with modified exhausts often drove along the road at excessive speeds.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:

“Officers attended reports of a damage-only collision just after 11pm. The driver had left the vehicle, which was recovered by police and enquiries are ongoing.”

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Review opens into Harrogate’s UCI Road World Championships

Harrogate Borough Council has begun a review of the UCI Road World Championships, almost two years after the event was held.

Posted on the council’s website, the survey is open to residents and businesses and will run until June 16.

The authority says the purpose of the review is to build on “its successes and identifying any areas for improvement to inform the organisation of future events”.

The review will be conducted by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, which is made up of elected councillors and aims to scrutinise council business.

The Stray Ferret asked the council why it was holding the survey and what the process was for the review.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“The overview and scrutiny commission has decided to look at the UCI Road World Championships with the aim of building on its successes and identifying any areas for improvement to help inform the organisation of future events.

“Following the consultation the task and finish group of the overview and scrutiny commission will produce a report.”

You can give your thoughts on the 2019 UCI World Cycling Championships by filling out the survey here.

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A controversial event

Hundreds of cyclists from 67 countries took part in the event over nine days in September 2019, with each day’s race finishing in Harrogate town centre.

It received a hostile reception from many local traders, who said they did not feel the benefits of the event coming to town, particularly as it led to many road closures that deterred people from coming into Harrogate.

But a council-commissioned report by Ernst and Young claimed the championships brought in an estimated £17.8 million boost to the district economy.

The UCI event was held on West Park Stray.

The event, which was cursed by rain, generated further controversy when it was revealed £130,000 of damage was caused to West Park Stray.

Seven months after the competition, the council brought in Lancashire firm Glendale Services to restore the Stray.

The authority gave the contract for the restoration works “under urgent circumstances”, a decision criticised by local companies at the time.

Yorkshire 2019, the organisers of the UCI, agreed to pay £35,500 to help restore the Stray.

Missing Harrogate teenager Lucy Morris found safe in Surrey

Missing Harrogate teenager Lucy Morris has been found safe and well in Woking town centre, police said this morning.

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for information on the whereabouts of Lucy, 17, on Sunday.

It said she was believed to be in Leeds but this morning it said she had been located yesterday evening by Surrey Police.

A statement by North Yorkshire Police added:

“We thank everyone who has supported the appeal. We are very grateful for your help.”

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s set to be another sunny day today so if you’re out and about make sure to keep an eye on our live blog for regular updates on the district’s roads.

There are a number of continuing temporary traffic lights this morning worth keeping an eye on.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are to keep you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

If you see anything please get in touch, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197 or via social media.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me for today, I’ll be back again tomorrow morning.

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is beginning to build in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are continue to look clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots to report yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are continue to look clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots to report yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots to report yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots to report yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate Theatre £1m roof replacement well underway

The £1million replacement of Harrogate Theatre’s ageing roof is well underway in preparation for the hopeful return of live shows this year.

The huge scaffolding structure erected around the 120-year-old venue will remain in place until the roof replacement is complete.

The aim is for the roof to be fully stripped back next month in what will mark a crucial stage of the project. The true extent of the works is expected to be revealed beneath.

David Bown, chief executive of the theatre trust, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the venue was planning for the worst but hoping for the best with its sights set on the return of shows in November.

“This is a huge and complex project in terms of the geography of the building, which is such a difficult site to work on.

“We also have the uncertainty of what we are going to find underneath once the roof is taken off. We just don’t know what will be there – it could be rotten beams.”

If the roof replacement stays on schedule, shows will return in November. This will mark 20 months since the theatre was last filled with spectators in March 2020.

The theatre’s survival has only been possible thanks to around £650,000 in emergency government grants and a fundraising appeal which raised more than £100,000.

There was also a need for the theatre to make 60% of its staff redundant in the wake of £4million losses from cancelled shows.

Read more:

Mr Bown said:

“The roof replacement project was due to start last year but when the pandemic hit we just couldn’t get the people power to make it happen. And even though we are in a period of uncertainty, it was still agreed that now was the best time to get it done.

“I can’t quite envisage what it will be like having audiences back – it has been an empty building for so long. But what I am looking forward to though is the return of our pantomime, that is the jewel in the crown of our shows.”

Harrogate Borough Council owns the Grade II-listed theatre and is funding and overseeing the roof replacement works.

The council’s deputy leader councillor, Graham Swift, said once completed the project will provide a theatre fit for the future.

“Like any heritage building of this age and complexity, there will always be a certain amount of conservation and investment required to ensure the building is fit for another 120 years.

“This significant investment will allow the fantastic performances to continue, promote cultural activity in the town, attract visitors and support the local economy at a time when it is needed the most.”

Harrogate cyclist prepares to pedal 300 miles in 24 hours

A cyclist from Harrogate is preparing to embark on a mammoth challenge this month to raise money in memory of his aunt.

Simon Gregory will attempt to cycle 288 miles in just 24 hours to raise £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Simon’s aunt, Reverend Ruth Scott, died from cancer in February 2019.

She was a presenter on the BBC Radio 2 show Pause for Thought, along with Terry Wogan and Chris Evans for 25 years, and was one of the first female vicars.

Simon said he was inspired by his aunt’s charitable nature and her similar physical challenges; she once cycled from Rome to Jerusalem with little training.

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Last weekend Simon held a fundraiser in Harrogate and raised nearly £1,000 in one day.

He said of the money raised;

“It would cover specialist care nurses, and support for others whose loved ones have cancer. Macmillan provided my aunt and her husband huge support and we couldn’t have got through it without them.”

Macmillan’s funding has been cut drastically over the course of the pandemic, receiving £10 million less over the past year than in previous years.

His journey is mapped out from Harrogate to Southampton on June 18.  Besides his brother Paul, who plans to meet him at regular checkpoints, he will make the journey on his own.

Simon will have to cycle an average of almost 12.5 miles an hour for 24 hours to hit his target.

He has several strategies in place to ensure safety during his journey, including regular 10-minute intervals for drinking and a strict rule of consuming 75 grams of carbohydrates every hour.

Donations to Simon Gregory’s fundraiser can be made by clicking here.

Outdoor Shakespeare theatre returns to Harrogate’s Harlow Carr next month

Live theatre will make its comeback in Harrogate next month when Shakespeare is performed in the grounds of RHS Harlow Carr.

The family-friendly adaptation of The Comedy of Errors will be performed as part of Harrogate International Festivals.

Oddsocks Productions, which is known for its high-energy performances of Shakespeare classics, will tell the story of a servant and master from Syracuse in search of their long-lost twin brothers.

As the name suggests there are plenty of twists and turns leading to a happy ending which defies all probability.

The production company is staging the play in the grounds of the gardens on July 6 and 7, and promises lots of audience participation.

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:

“As an organisation that is best known for delivering a wide range of cultural events and festivals, the last 15 months have been particularly challenging for us.

“Oddsocks Productions have been a firm favourite of ours for decades and I couldn’t think of a more fitting play than The Comedy of Errors to help bring some much-needed laughter to the town.

“So pack your picnic and join the crazy theatre troupe for a festival of music, magic and mayhem.”

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The audience is advised to prepare for all types of weather during the outdoor event, with rugs and deckchairs highly recommended.

Tickets can be bought here. Adult tickets cost £22.

Missing Lucy: appeal for information about Harrogate teen continues

Police in two counties are still appealing for information on the whereabouts of missing Harrogate teenager Lucy Morris.

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal on Sunday night, saying Lucy, 17, had not been seen by her family since May 15 and there had been no text messages or social media contact from her since May 22.

The plea led to comments on the force’s Facebook account from people claiming to be friends of Lucy, and even Lucy herself, saying they knew of her whereabouts and that she was fine.

But North Yorkshire Police said this morning:

“The appeal from the weekend is still relevant. There’s nothing further to add at this time.

“As soon as we have an update or a further appeal, it will be released straight away.”

Lucy is described as white, 5ft 3in tall, blue eyes, slim build and she has shoulder-length blonde hair. She has a tattoo on her left hand, which says ‘blessed’.

North Yorkshire Police urged Lucy to “get in touch with the police immediately and let your family know you are safe” and said anyone with information could call 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room, quoting reference number 12210122535.

Lucy is believed to have gone to Leeds to stay with a friend and North Yorkshire Police said West Yorkshire Police was helping with the missing person investigation.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said:

“We will support North Yorkshire as much as we can to help locate Lucy.”

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MPs watch: Timid flowers, Eurovision and Knaresborough banks

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In May, lockdown restrictions eased again and life in the district slowly began to return back to normal.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

 

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

Harrogate primary school raises 10 times charity target

A Harrogate primary school has raised £2,420 for Cancer Research UK, which is nearly 10 times the original target.

Woodfield Community Primary School took part in the Race for Life Schools programme on May 14 and has since smashed its £250 goal.

Around 60 pupils, aged three to 11 years old, took part in the event to raise money for life-saving research.

Jo Marwood, who is head of school at Woodfield Primary School, said:

“We set a target of £250 for the school to raise and thought that would be an amazing achievement for our small school.

“So to see the total going up and up with each donation we were over the moon!

“We’d like to thank everyone, our students, our staff, our families and our local community who have cheered us on and donated to such an important cause.”

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Sarah Pickersgill, head of events marketing for Cancer Research UK, said:

“Organising a Race for Life Schools event is a fantastic way for schools to have fun, whilst raising money for a good cause.

“The money raised by Woodfield School will help our scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

“So, we thank all the pupils, parents and teachers for their vital support.”