Another error spotted on Otley Road cycle path

A reader has alerted the Stray Ferret to another error on the Otley Road cycle path in Harrogate.

A bicycle has been painted on the ground on the wrong side of the path as it heads up Harlow Hill.

It contradicts the blue sign alongside it, which suggests bikes should be in the lane closest to the road and could lead to confusion for pedestrians and cyclists.

On Monday, the Stray Ferret reported that a town centre sign for the cycle path was built pointing in the wrong direction.

North Yorkshire County Council appointed Hull-based PBS Construction to build phase 1 of the project, in a contract worth £827,000.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said it was a “genuine mistake” by the contractor.

She added that the error will be amended as soon as possible at no cost to the council.

The county council previously called the firm “the standout applicants” following a tendering process.

Read more:

The long-awaited cycle path has been called a step forward for cycling in the town by Harrogate District Cycle Action but even its supporters would admit it’s had a bumpy ride so far.

Work to build phase 2 of the route, which will extend to Beech Grove, is set to begin in April. Funding for the third phase has yet to be finalised.

Ghosthunting with a paranormal investigator on the Stray

A paranormal investigator claims the Stray is haunted by spirits of the dead.

CJ Myers from York was near the train line on Stray Rein at 4am earlier this week hunting for spirits when he said his psychic powers led to a phantastic discovery.

He said:

“I have psychic skills so spirits communicate with me. I usually get the answer I’m looking for”.

CJ claimed he saw a ghostly shadow move mysteriously over the turf.

The spirit stopped and communicated to him via his dowsing rods, two metal sticks that move when he asks the apparition questions.

CJ said the spirit had a tragic backstory, but he already knew something was not right as the spirit “smelled of blood”.

He added:

“When he was alive, he was walking across the Stray to commit suicide on the tracks. But as he was walking across, these lads attacked him and disabled him. They badly injured him.”

We feel we should point out there is no scientific evidence of the existence of ghosts.

Read more:

The Stray Ferret joined CJ to investigate the phantoms of the Stray on Wednesday afternoon.

Almost as soon as he got out his rods out, he picked up the spirit of a woman sitting on a bench. He ushered the woman to move into the light whilst his rods jumped back and forth.

But isn’t there a perfectly rational explanation for why his dowsing rods move so much on the Stray? There is a body of water underneath the grass after all.

No, says, CJ, as that doesn’t account for the fact he can see them too. Seeing is clearly believing.

He has his own ghostbusting crew, called North Yorkshire Paranormal Investigators. They’ve investigated ghosts at Harrogate Theatre, Spofforth Castle and the Nidd Gorge Viaduct.

They are recruiting for new members and full training is provided.

They even have a TikTok account where they hope to reach a new audience.

CJ says he communicates with spirits daily and claims to have cracked unsolved murders in the USA. He says sometimes the police listen to his tip-offs, sometimes they don’t.

He claims he’s been communicating with spirits for five years, although he said it’s sometimes a frightening experience.

“Once you’ve opened Pandora’s Box it happens every day. I’ve had experiences in our house. I had a picture of a cross on the wall, that flew forwards into the air. One day I found a spirit level laid on the top of the stairs.”

His message to the skeptics who say it’s all made up:

“They have a right to their opinion, but at the end of the day, they can’t do it.”

Stray Views: Harrogate councillors are riding roughshod over Knaresborough

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. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate is riding roughshod over Knaresborough with this unwanted new pool

Thank you for the report on Ripon’s issues with Brimhams Active. We in Knaresborough understand that Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended that Harrogate Borough Council’s plans to demolish the pool and build from scratch be approved despite all the carefully prepared plans for more sustainable, more attractive, more appropriate — and cheaper — proposals.

This means Harrogate Borough Council is, as usual, riding roughshod over the views of the residents of another ancient market town.

Knaresborough Civic Society and many others have objected strongly. Many people are concerned that public land, given to the people of Knaresborough, is being commandeered by the private company Brimhams Active who will then charge inordinately high prices.

The excellent free play area will be built over and may never be replaced, leaving whole year groups of children and families without this valuable resource – possibly forever. About 20 mature trees will be chopped down. The embodied carbon cost of a new build and removal of the current pool would be immense as a pool needs enormous quantities of concrete.

The proposed new build even includes gas heating, which in the context of a climate crisis is an unforgivable gratuitous use of fossil fuels.

Knaresborough wants something to be proud of which gives the right messages, not an inappropriate building tying us in to last century’s costly and dangerous habits. A very big question is who will Brimhams Active be accountable to when Harrogate Borough Council vanishes? Who will own the building and the land? Who will profit?

This is not the time to demolish a perfectly good pool. It could remain open whilst work was done to build around and above it to add facilities such as a treetop cafe and fitness suites.

Nobody asked for a new pool; the concept appeared out of the blue, so the question must be asked — who are the real beneficiaries of these expensive and unsustainable plans? The people of Knaresborough are having free access to green spaces stolen from under their noses.

Shan Oakes, Knaresborough

Read more:

Boroughbridge school governors need to rethink

As three-times ex-Mayor and a school governor in Ripon for many years, I am appalled and concerned that sixth form provision is proposed to be removed from Boroughbridge High School, especially with the present addition of many new houses in the town.

How can this make sense to the governing body when students will have to travel into Knaresborough, increasing the carbon footprint of St James’ School? Surely governors should be wanting to reduce the carbon output by students in Boroughbridge and Knaresborough.

However, the greatest threat is to the young people of the town. Removing the great opportunities for students that sixth form life offers is unforgivable, unacceptable and unbelievable; the governors need to rethink their action.

Michael Stanley, Ripon

Econ boss is right — we need more apprenticeships instead of third-rate degrees

I wholeheartedly agree with Econ Engineering‘s Jonathan Lupton’s observations about the need for more apprenticeships.

I could rant on, but shall refrain from so doing, about youngsters almost being conned into enrolling at third-rate universities and emerging with commercially worthless degrees.

Apprenticeships for those with A-levels and similar have always been quite readily available. However, the same cannot be said for those who leave school with no qualifications, either because they are not academically inclined or for a variety of other reasons.

It is these youngsters who desperately need to be able and to have the encouragement to get qualifications through apprenticeships. Unfortunately that window has virtually disappeared in this country. I am sure that is not so in the likes Germany, the Netherlands and many of the eastern European countries.

Richard Goldstein, Harrogate

 

Tributes paid to Valley Gardens head gardener who retires after 43 years

Tributes have been paid to Valley Gardens head gardener Simon Collier who has retired after 43 years working for Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Collier led a small team at one of Harrogate’s most famous parks. He tended to its plants, trees and green spaces but has hung up his shears for good, as has his wife Paula who has also retired from gardening for the council.

In recent years Mr Collier was instrumental in the works to restore the Japanese and New Zealand gardens and he helped to bring the Old Magnesia Well Pump Room back to its former glory.

Jane Blayney, who last year co-authored a book on Valley Gardens and is a former chair of Friends of Valley Gardens said the couple “will be sorely missed”.

“Simon and Paula are absolutely brilliant. I’ve learnt an awful lot from both of them and nothing is too much trouble.

“It will be very difficult to find a replacement. We were very lucky to have them.”

A HBC spokesman said:

“We’d like to thank Simon and his wife for their dedication to the gardens across the Harrogate district and hope they enjoy their retirement.”

Friends of Valley Gardens said:

“Their hard work and dedication to the gardens will be missed.”

Read more:

 

Malcolm Neesam History: the colourful past of what could become Harrogate’s first mosque

Malcolm Neesam

 

This history is written for The Stray Ferret by celebrated Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam.  

 

 

The first hospital for the people of Harrogate, as distinct from the Bath Hospital in Cornwall Road, was opened in 1870 in three cottages in Tower Street after an appeal by the Vicar of old St. Mary’s Church.

Placed under the supervision of Dr. Loy, patients paid from three shillings to seven and six a week, depending on their means.

Within a space of only two years, the new “Cottage Hospital” was found to be too small, so its governors investigated some property on the opposite side of Tower Street that belonged to a Mr. Hudson, which they purchased for £550, and after refitting, the hospital moved into these new premises in 1873.

The numbers of patients dealt with at the Cottage Hospital increased throughout the decade. During the half year between 13th September 1870 to 14th March 1871, 25 patients were admitted as bed cases and 63 as out patients. During the year 1877-8, the annual total numbered 66 bed cases and 213 out patients.

The former Home Guard club and potential mosque.

In June 1878 the highly esteemed Dr. Loy died. His successor was a Mr. Hartley, who did not remain in position for very long. He was succeeded in 1879 by Dr. Neville Williams as the institution’s medical officer. By the end of the decade, patient numbers had increased to 75 bed cases and 292 out patients.

Charge of the Light Brigade

Perhaps the Cottage Hospital’s most famous patient was Sergeant-Major Robert Johnston, who had participated in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, consequently receiving the Crimean medal, which later included clasps for his service at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman.

In all, Sergeant-Major Johnston served his country for 22 years, 336 days, during which time his health deteriorated, which was probably why he came to the celebrated health resort of Harrogate.

When Sergeant-Major Johnston died at the Cottage Hospital on 28th November 1882, his funeral was attended by an estimated 20,000 people at a time when Harrogate’s population was around 12,000. He is buried in Grove Road cemetery.

Read more:

The following year, the hospital moved into new, purpose-built premises that now contain St. Peter’s School.

The Masons move in

In December 1883, the press reported that the old hospital premises had been purchased by John Richardson and Moses Perkin on behalf of the Harrogate and Claro Lodge of Freemasons, who paid £560 for the building.

They subsequently doubled the size of the building, adding to the older Tower Street section, which dates from the 1840s, the wing that now stands next to St. Peter’s School.

The Masons remained there until moving into their new Station Avenue building in 1931. A little later, the building at the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road was occupied by the Home Guard Club.

Home Guard members would play snooker at the club.

Today, the building presents a somewhat forlorn appearance to the passer-by, as its windows have been covered, the walls are badly stained, much of the external decoration has vanished, and pigeons have left unmistakable signs of their presence.

I was therefore not surprised to see an application to convert the building. I may be alone in this, but I would be sorry to lose this piece of Harrogate’s medical history, particularly in view of its connection with our Charge of the Light Brigade resident, if demolition occurs.

The building, even in its present condition, is an original feature of an especially delightful Victorian townscape, which if restored — assuming restoration is possible — would enhance, rather than diminish, the whole locality.

Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway

The owner of Harrogate’s Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant is opening a new takeaway in Pateley Bridge tonight.

The takeaway is called Royal Baths Express and is at 2 Park View on Bridgehouse Gate. A restaurant will also open at the venue at a later date.

It’s open on Sunday to Thursday from 4.30pm to 9.30pm and Friday and Saturday from 4.30pm to 10pm. The business is closed each Tuesday.

Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant in Harrogate has been closed for most of the last two years due to coronavirus lockdowns and an extensive refurbishment that began in May last year.

It is due to reopen soon but a date has yet to be confirmed.

The owners have continued operating at their other Harrogate site, Haks Little Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, on Station Parade.

Read more:

 

Northern Lights visible in Harrogate district last night

The Northern Lights were visible in the Harrogate district last night.

The lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are rarely seen this far south in the UK.

Although they weren’t as bright in the Harrogate district as some places, they made a rare appearance to bring some colour to the sky.

Sally Margerison sent us this photo she took of Beckwith Close on Harlow Hill.

“I took it yesterday evening from my loft window when I saw on Twitter that the aurora was active in northern England.”

Ms Margerison also took this image later last night.

Sadly tonight’s forecast doesn’t bode well for anyone wishing to witness the phenomenon.

Northern Lights by Sally

Northern Lights by Sally

If you have any great photos of the Harrogate district, send them to us by email at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Electrical fault blamed for Harrogate district crane fire

An electrical fault is being blamed for a crane fire that caused the closure of a main Harrogate district road for most of yesterday.

The driver, believed to be from Ripon, escaped unharmed when the blaze started shortly before 7.30am yesterday on Arkendale Road, Ferrensby, which is between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

The crane was not moving at the time of the incident. Two other cranes were required to remove it.

Firefighters from Knaresborough, Harrogate and Ripon used hose reels, breathing apparatus, a thermal imaging camera and a triple extension ladder to fight the blaze, which severely damaged the cab and engine compartments.

Ferrensby crane fire

Arkendale Road remained closed until last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement:

“The crane was in transit and not in operation at the time of the fire.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical.

“No injuries were reported.”

Read more:

 

Four released on bail after Jennyfields drugs raid

Four people have been released on bail after police seized a “large amount” of suspected class A and class B drugs in Jennyfields.

North Yorkshire Police arrested two men and two women on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and handling stolen goods.

Officers executed a drugs warrant at a property on Newby Crescent in Jennyfields on Wednesday.

In a statement, the force said a “large amount” of suspected class A and class B drugs were seized alongside items officers believed to have been stolen.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added:

“The officers executing the warrant were from the Expedite team, the operational support unit and the neighbourhood policing team.

“A large amount of suspected class A and class B drugs were located at the property alongside items believed to have been stolen.

“Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and handling stolen goods. They have been released on bail while the investigation continues.”

Read more:

 

Fattorini jewellers to reopen under new management in Harrogate

Harrogate jewellers Fattorini is to re-open next month with a slightly different name and under new management.

The name Fattorini has been on Harrogate’s high street for 190 years. But the shop closed last month following the retirement of former owner Anthony Tindall, who is the great, great grandson of founder Antonio Fattorini.

Previously called A.Fattorini, it will now reopen as Fattorinis. The new business is being run by Wayne Beales, who worked in A. Fattorini for 20 years.

The shop will stay in the same unit on Parliament Street. Mr Beales said customers could expect similar brands as well as some new ones and perhaps a more up-market feel.

The store is currently going under a refurbishment and Mr Beales said it will open in March. He added:

“I’ve been thinking about taking on the business since Anthony announced his retirement a year ago.

“During the sale it became apparent a lot of people were upset we were closing. It would be such a shame to see the name vanish from the high street.”

Read more:

The now-closed Bradford branch of Fattorini made both the FA Cup and Rugby League Challenge Cup.

A number of staff have chosen to stay but Mr Beale has said he is looking to hire two more full-time staff members.

He added:

“It’s really nice to know its moving forward with some of the same team. The name holds such a reputation locally, customers can see this as a new chapter for the Fattorinis they love.”