Harrogate man jailed 15 years for child sex offences

Harrogate man Ricky Clench has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for child sex offences, including the rape of a child under 13.

Clench was sentenced following a series of offences starting in August 2017 until September 2018 when one of his victims came forward to the police.

At the time Clench was living in Northallerton.

On Tuesday he appeared at Teesside Crown Court and was found guilty of raping a child under 13, assaulting a child under 13 by penetration and of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Clench denied all offences throughout the police investigation and court hearings.

As well as the 15-year sentence he was issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Jason Roper, of Northallerton CID, said:

“The significant sentence handed to Ricky Clench reflects the gravity of the offences he has committed. He is a predatory and manipulative paedophile who has shown no consideration for his victim throughout the investigation and the court proceedings.

“Thankfully he is now behind bars for a very long time and has been made subject to two lifetime protection orders, preventing him from inflicting harm on any other innocent victims.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the victim for their bravery and courage in coming forward to report such a harrowing experience, and also to their family for the support they have shown throughout the investigation.”

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Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning, the Great Yorkshire Show continues today so long delays are likely. We will be running this blog longer than usual to keep you up-to-date on the district’s roads.

The blog, brought to you by the HACS group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 if you get stuck in any traffic.

11am – Full Update 

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10.45am – Full Update 

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10.30am – Full Update 

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10.15am – Full Update 

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10am – Full Update 

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9.45am – Full Update 

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9.30am – Full Update 

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9.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

9am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

If you’re heading to the Show today, be aware that traffic approaching on the northbound A1M must use J46 for Wetherby. If travelling south on the A1M, please use J47.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic is building:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Traffic is building:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking pretty clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking pretty clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking pretty clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in as traffic grows due to the Show.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

Glorious sunshine greets day one of Great Yorkshire Show

The Stray Ferret is running a live blog of the Great Yorkshire Show brought to you by Lister Haigh. We will keep updating this page with stories from the showground throughout the event. 

Day one of the Great Yorkshire Show has opened to fabulous weather and a sell-out crowd.

This year’s show run for an extended period from today until Friday. It will mean that the maximum capacity of 26,000 a day can spread out for social distancing.

Visitors are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before they arrive to prevent the spread of the virus.

Are you a local stall holder? Send an email by clicking or tapping here.

4pm – Harrogate farrier competes on world stage at Great Yorkshire Show

Harrogate’s Toby Pedley has been making horse shoes alongside the best in the world at the Great Yorkshire Show.

The local farrier competed at the forge today near the white gate and will be there for the rest of the week.

2.30pm – ‘World first’ virtual skydive raises funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research

Bethany from the Stray Ferret tried out Yorkshire Cancer Research’s ‘world first’ virtual sky dive at the Great Yorkshire Show today.

The charity has a stall in the Welcome to Yorkshire section of the show. People can donate £10 to try out the virtual experience over Whitby Abbey.

Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive of Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s great to be out here fundraising again. We are really proud to be here and it is amazing to be able to see people again.

“Even the sun has come out, we are very pleased. Cancer research is not cheap. Something key for us is that we help people get their cancer diagnosis early.

“We also need to treat cancer better but it is all expensive and that is why fundraising events like this are so important for us.”

Dr Kathryn Scott with Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive James Mason and a Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer.

1pm – Meet the Great Yorkshire Show coronavirus marshals

If you have been at the Great Yorkshire Show today then you may have seen the coronavirus marshals, who are new this year.

Coronavirus restrictions are in place as the show dates falle just ahead of the expected lifting of all lockdown measures next week.

Marshals Nirmala D’Cunha and Peter Butler told us about their role:

“Well it’s mostly going to areas where people are crowding together, just to remind them. People have been absolutely great.

“We are carrying around masks as well in case people need them. People should be able to enjoy the show but also be safe.

“It is still an infectious disease and we need to be careful. The restrictions may be going next week but we still need to be sensible from then.”

12pm – A photo gallery from the first morning back at the show

We have been taking some pictures around the Great Yorkshire Show this morning. Can you spot yourself in our gallery?

10.35am – Have you seen the dancing sheep Nobby, Dougal and Susie?

Did you catch the dancing sheep? Our reporter is down at the show today speaking to visitors as the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show gets underway.

10.20am – Everything you need to know about the Show’s covid restrictions

For the first time the Show will be held over four days and have a limit of 26,000 visitors each day.

Other covid-safe measures include:

8.40am – Gates open to first visitors

Visitors keen to get into the Great Yorkshire Show arrived early this morning as soon as the gates opened.

We spoke to one of the first people through the doors. Gillian is a dedicated visitor of the show and told the Stray Ferret:

“I am excited to be back. This is my 50th visit to the show. I have been every year since I was 12-years-old apart from the two that didn’t happen.

“Every year I go to about 22 different shows but there is only this one in Harrogate and another in Driffield going ahead this year.

“I am from Hovingham near Malton so I set off at 6.30am, I thought I would be at the front row of the car park but I am on the fifth.

“It seems everyone is excited to be back to do something normal again.”

Vaccine passports for nightclubs ‘impractical’, says Viper Rooms boss

The owner of Harrogate’s only nightclub The Viper Rooms has called the use of vaccine passports in nightclubs “impractical” ahead of reopening next Monday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference yesterday that the government was now urging nightclubs to ask revellers to show the NHS covid pass app on entry, which shows proof of a vaccination or a recent negative test. However, it will be voluntary. 

Mr Kinsey told the Stray Ferret it was a “contradiction and hypocrisy” to add further requirements to nightclubs, especially after the scenes of football fans embracing each other at bars and pubs throughout the Euro 2020 tournament.

He said the Viper Rooms, on Parliament Street, will be following whatever guidance is suggested by the government but that many customers “can’t see the logic” of restrictions at nightclubs, particularly as some will have come from bars where all restrictions will have been lifted.

He said:

“We can’t enforce a law that doesn’t exist. It will be up to people to use their own judgement when visiting the club.

“The majority of 18-year-olds won’t have been double jabbed. Vaccine passports are impractical.”

Read more:

“Hospital cases may be rising but it’s overwhelmingly people who haven’t been double vaccinated, are older or who have refused vaccines.

“This virus will be present in society. All we can do is manage the game that’s in front of us.”

The Viper Rooms will reopen on Monday with a ‘Covid-19 leaving drinks’ party from 10pm.

It’s offering free entry and free table reservations to all restaurant, hotel and bar workers in Harrogate.

Trains resume after tree blocks Harrogate to Leeds line

Train services between Harrogate and Leeds were disrupted this afternoon when a tree fell on the tracks.

Rail operator Northern tweeted this afternoon the fallen tree affected the Leeds to Knaresborough and Leeds to York via Harrogate services.

It then tweeted at 4.09pm that the line had re-opened. The National Rail service showed the 4.15pm Harrogate to Leeds was cancelled but the 4.46pm was scheduled to run, which was good news for anyone planning to get home after the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Northern has now said services are back running as normal.

Visit here for the latest train times.

Read more:

 

From school to surveyor: FSS support work experience teen to property career dream

This article is sponsored by FSS.

When Adam Crawfurd-Porter took on a week’s work experience at FSS in February 2013, he was a nervous teenager in his final year of school at St Aidan’s in Harrogate. Little did he know, 8 years later, he would still be with the firm – supported every step of the way in his ambitions to become a fully qualified RICS Chartered Surveyor. 

FSS understand the importance of continued development and will always prioritise the care of their team. They consider opening doors and supporting personal growth as a necessity. To maintain their high standard and trusted values, FSS will always look after the next generation of property experts.

 

Adam’s journey

When an ‘office junior’ position came available, Adam began working on reception for FSS, learning the ropes and getting a true feel for the company’s ethos whilst experiencing the 5 disciplines that FSS specialise in. 

After Adam expressed his interest in this area to the FSS team, company partners Richard Smailes and Simon Croft enrolled Adam in a correspondence course, and in May 2019, Adam completed a degree in Estate Management.

But it did not stop there, as Adam’s work ethic, dedication and conscientiousness lead the FSS partners to promote him into the management team.

With a qualification in Estate Management and a senior management role at FSS, Adam knew his career was heading in the right direction, the next stage being to qualify as an RICS Chartered Surveyor. With continued support from the partnership, Adam started the APC training programme (Assessment of Professional Competence). Whilst working full time, Adam continued his studies and the ‘day job’, then sat the final interview in May this year. 

Adam Crawfurd-Porter is now a qualified RICS Chartered Surveyor, which he achieved with superb commitment to simultaneous study and work.

Adam (second right) with FSS Partners Richard Smailes, Dan Brumfitt and Simon Croft

Adam said:

“I always thought of myself as a ‘people person’, but when I first started at FSS I found it quite intimidating and perhaps went into my shell a little bit, however over time FSS really helped build my confidence. The distance learning alongside the practical experience really helped develop me into the person I am today.

“I am delighted to finally qualify as a chartered surveyor and would like to thank Simon, Richard and Dan for their thorough support throughout, without which none of this would have been possible. I can now concentrate solely on offering my clients, both new and existing, the professional service that we at FSS pride ourselves on.”

 Supporting members to reach their goals is something that FSS are delighted to do. Richard Smailes, partner at FSS, said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure watching Adam develop both personally and professionally over the past 8 years. We are so pleased to have been able to give him the support and experience he needs to progress his career with us. I take my hat off to him, he had a clear goal, he worked extremely hard, and he got there. A huge congratulations to you Adam Crawfurd-Porter”.

Simon Croft Partner at FSS added:

“Watching his talent flourish from a slightly nervous schoolboy into a consummate professional has been fabulous and of course he now knows our clients well and fits in with the team here at FSS due to the knowledge he’s gained over the years”.

FSS continues to set an industry standard when it comes to supporting growth and education within the property world, and Adam’s journey is testament to the company’s commitment to opening doors for the younger generation into the property industry.

Hive of activity as Harrogate prepares for Great Yorkshire Show’s return

Harrogate has been a hive of activity today as organisers and contributors prepare for the return of the Great Yorkshire Show.

There has been some last minute shearing and pruning ahead of the grand opening at 8am tomorrow morning.

The show will run for an extended period from Tuesday until Friday. It will mean that the maximum capacity of 26,000 a day can spread out for social distancing.

The Stray Ferret will be at the show all week, with our coverage brought to you by Lister Haigh.

Boroughbridge care home residents cheer on England heroes

Residents and staff at Boroughbridge Manor care home enjoyed watching last night’s Euro 2020 final, despite the heartbreaking result for England fans.

Throughout the tournament, the home has been decked out with flags and residents have been enjoying all the action.

The residents would remember the last time England reached a major final in 1966 and everyone at the home appreciated seeing Gareth Southgate’s men make their way through the tournament, especially after a tough year with covid restrictions.

Staff put on football-inspired snacks for the residents whilst they watched the games together.

Krzysztof Bialczyk, general manager, said:

“We have loved watching the Euros, we have watched pretty much all the matches – lots of our residents are footie fans.  It has been fantastic to be able to cheer on all the home sides and especially England, we did amazingly well to get to the final.”

Thomas, a resident at Boroughbridge Manor, said:

“Although we didn’t win tonight, it has been a brilliant few weeks of football.  The lads did us proud and made it all the way to the final, they played their hearts out.  At least we haven’t got long to wait until the World Cup next year!”

Read more:

 

WATCH Harrogate keeps high spirits despite England’s loss last night

Harrogate came out in force to support England last night and stayed optimistic after the team’s defeat.

England started off strong with a goal in the first five minutes but a further goal by Italy in the second half meant the England squad had to face penalties.

This was where Italy grabbed the trophy leaving England fans gutted.

The loss didn’t dampen Harrogate’s appetite for victory too much with many football fans staying positive for a win in next year’s World Cup.

Read more:

Harrogate celebrates post-Euros

Jymbo and Johnny are keeping their hopes high for next year’s World Cup.

Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Leah with you this beautiful Monday morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays via DM.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, The Great Yorkshire show starts tomorrow, expect busier traffic than usual! Have a lovely day!

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

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8.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

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Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.15am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

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Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning, keep checking in.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

 

7.15am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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6.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

  • Skipton Road, Harrogate, between the Old Spring Well Pub and Chain Bar Lane
  • Otley Road, near Harlow Moor Drive, Harrogate
  • Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite, between West Lane and Brookfield
  • A series of works in place between the Summerbridge and Thruscross areas

Trains

  • Services on the Leeds, York, Harrogate and Knaresborough lines look to be running on time so far this morning

Buses

  • Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellation