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!

Roads

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

Traffic hotspots:

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8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

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

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Traffic is building here:

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8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

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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8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

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

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Traffic is building here:

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8am – Full Update 

Roads

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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Buses

 

7.45am – 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

7.30am – 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:

Trains

Buses

 

7.15am – 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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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 

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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Buses

 

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

 

WATCH: Harrogate public give their predictions for today’s Euros final

We asked the Harrogate public for their predictions on today’s Euros final.

This is the first time in over 50 years England has made it to the Euros final and their success so far means excitement is building in Harrogate.

Shoppers in Harrogate this week predicted different outcomes; with some seeing victory for England whilst others thought Italy would take home the trophy.

Keep an eye on the Stray Ferret throughout the day for regular football coverage.

Read more:

Who do you think will come home with the trophy?

Harrogate students inspired by England’s Euro 2020 run

Students at Rossett School have told the Stray Ferret that they have been inspired by England’s performance at Euro 2020.

With the national team preparing to take on Italy during the final on Sunday at Wembley, these pupils have been playing on the school’s new 3G pitch.

The school raised £10,000 through a fundraiser to help with the cost of resurfacing the pitch.

There was a clear bounce in their step and not just because of the rubber. The students are keen to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes.

(Left to right) Charlie Wright, William Parkinson, Lydia Corner and Poppy Mortimer.

Italian Harrogate restaurateur backs his country to win

The owner of an Italian restaurant in Harrogate is backing his national team to win the 2020 European Championship against England.

The owner of Al Bivio, Daniele Bojo, said his employees are also excited . He said:

“It (Euro 2020) makes people who are not usually interested in football more interested.”

Italy’s football team didn’t qualify for the World Cup in 2018 but have played spectacularly and mad their way to the final match.

Daniele described his country’s achievement as “amazing”:

“I thought England would be doing all right as they did all right with the World Cup, whereas Italy didn’t even qualify! But the fact they went to the final straight after a competition where they didn’t even qualify is amazing.”

Read More: 

Al Bivio

Al Bivio customers Rosie and Chloe wearing Italy’s colours

In the Uefa Euro 2020 qualifying tournament the Italian team won every match and scored 100%, the last time this was achieved was by England back in 2016.

Daniele said that Italy’s accomplishments have inspired national pride but it won’t stop him from getting an early night:

“Being Italian, you obviously want your team to win, you know? I just hope it doesn’t go to extra time and penalties because I don’t want to be too late to bed.

“As long as it’s a good match and there’s no bad playing on either side, let the best team win.”

Daniele’s score prediction:  2-1 to Italy …..the winning goal sealed by the FC Torino Captain, Andrea Belotti… oh dear.  Most of us will hope Daniele is wrong.

‘Gareth Southgate’s dog licked my bald head’

Everyone in Harrogate seems to have a story about meeting one of the town’s most famous residents, Gareth Southgate. Some are more bizarre than others.

As anticipation continued to build for England taking on Italy in the Euros 2020 final, the Stray Ferret asked readers if they had ever met the England manager.

He lives at Swinsty Reservoir and often makes his way into town, so lots of people commented with their anecdotes.

Darren Townend told the Stray Ferret about the time he met one of the manager’s pet dogs. Southgate has a cockapoo and a Labrador.

Mr Townend said:

“I was running around Swinsty Reservoir early one Sunday morning. It must have been around 2018.

“Partway through the run I stopped to tie up my shoelace and felt something lick my bald head.

“So I looked up and saw that it was Gareth Southgate with his dog. Gareth was apologising. I tried a nonchalant, non-fanboy ‘no problem’ and carried on.”

Jody Meadus also shared her story:

“I had broken three toes at work and hobbled across a petrol station on Ripon Road.

“Gareth Southgate stopped and held the door open for me. He is a true gentleman.”

Read more:

Sophie Issa will never live down the time she stopped her husband meeting Gareth Southgate. She said:

“We saw him and his family eating at Betty’s Harlow Carr before he was the England manager.

“I wouldn’t let my husband go up and ask for a photo. I didn’t want to intrude on him when he was with his family. A couple of weeks after he was announced as England’s manager.

“My husband has never let me forget I didn’t let him have a photo with the future England manager.”

Adam Cuthbert commented:

“I saw him walking down the steps of the footbridge at York station towards Platform 3 for London after getting off the Knaresborough train about six years ago.

“It was when he was doing a bit of punditry for ITV for the Champions League, just after he’d left the U23’s job.

“He casually walked past me and my family. I called out ‘Gareth’ but he pretended he hadn’t heard me. He must have been in a hurry for his train.

“Still a good memory. I bet he wouldn’t be able to walk so freely on his own in public now. Top bloke!”

Mark Madeley said:

“Gareth Southgate was at Crimple Squash Club with his kids at a Karate grading. He was a very easy-going and approachable guy.”

And Tommy Deux recalled:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Garath Southgate at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and very funny.”

Creation of Harrogate Town Council ‘inevitable’ if reorganisation happens

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said it is “inevitable” that a new town council will be created under plans for local government reorganisation across North Yorkshire.

Conservative councillor Richard Cooper made the statement after members of the opposition Liberal Democrat party called for commitments to ensure residents’ voices are not “lost” if the current two-tier structure of county and district councils is scrapped and replaced with unitary authorities.

Harrogate and Scarborough are the only areas in North Yorkshire currently not served by a town or parish council and a review of how services are run would be required if the Government decides to press ahead with reorganisation later this month.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Harrogate would be “woefully underrepresented” if the town was not given a chance to retain control over some services such as parks, markets and sports pitches.

She said:

“We owe it to the people of Harrogate town to be able to make a strong statement that this council supports the parishing of Harrogate.

“Even with 75,000 residents’ voices, those voices would be lost in some large unitary authority. It would leave Harrogate residents adrift and very under-represented.

“We as the locally elected members for those 75,000 residents need to ensure their voices are not lost and that true devolution occurs, bringing decision-making and accountability down to the people.”

In response, councillor Cooper said he had previously offered assurances that a Harrogate Town Council would most likely be created and that a review of services would be carried at “the correct time, in the correct way and by the correct people.”

Under the reorganisation plans, the current two-tier system could be replaced with either a single authority for all of North Yorkshire or two bodies split on an east/west basis in what would mark the biggest shake-up of local government in the county since the 1970s.

The government will also decide whether the City of York should be engulfed in the east/west proposal or be left as unitary authority.

The aim of the reforms is to unlock the door to a devolution deal and save cash by streamlining services.

Read more:

Currently, North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for services including social care, education and highways, while district and borough councils look after the likes of planning, licensing and bin collections.

If approved, the reforms would see almost all services brought under the control of a unitary structure with some likely to be left in the control of a Harrogate Town Council.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Matthew Webber received the backing of all members after presenting a notice of motion which called on the borough council to “strongly recommend” the creation of a town council.

He said:

“We are facing reorganisation and the announcement is due later this month. Harrogate will not become the centre of the world, it will probably be Northallerton so the influence Harrogate has got across its district is likely to be lessened.

“What we are asking through this notice of motion is that Harrogate is given a voice.”

Harrogate Borough Council, along with Scarborough, Ryedale, Craven, Selby and Richmondshire councils, is behind the proposals to split North Yorkshire on an east/west basis, while North Yorkshire County Council has proposed a single authority for the whole county.

Each rival bids have boasted multi-million pound savings and better ways of working – and it is MP Luke Hall, minister for regional growth and local government, who will have the final say on which path to take later this month.