Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Leah with you this beautiful Friday 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 on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me today, i will be back with you on Monday morning! Have a lovely weekend! #itscominghome

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic is building in these areas:

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:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

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

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

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:

Trains

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:

Trains

Buses

 

Bogus wedding planner overshadows Harrogate couple’s dream day

A Harrogate couple who lost £2,300 after being scammed by a bogus wedding planner have said they’re pleased with the court’s sentencing.

Nicky and Jason Asquith-Thorpe didn’t get the day they imagined in July 2019 after a fake wedding planner, Dana Twidale, ran off with their money.

The pair had met and spoken to Ms Twidale on numerous occasions insisting “there were no warning signs”.

It was only when July 25 2019 arrived, two days before their wedding, that all communication stopped and the fake planner didn’t show up to help set up the venue.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe still held out hope but after hours of waiting finally came to the conclusion that they’d been abandoned.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe, who works in the Harrogate Hospital pharmacy, said:

“She showed me a huge album of all the weddings she’d been part of. I put all my faith in her and she said she could do everything.

“The last message she sent me was ‘on our way, running late’.”

Nicky and Jason Asquith-Thorpe 02

Determined to give them the wedding day they’d dreamed of, a friend of the couple asked ex-local radio station Stray FM to put a call out for local businesses to help.

The bride-to-be said she was “overwhelmed” by the response and was ecstatic to go ahead with the wedding on July 27.

Moving the party to a function room at the back of the Christ Church, Harrogate, and getting help from a local caterer and DJ the wedding went ahead, albeit not exactly as planned.

She added:

“All the changes to the venue and food meant there was more to pay for. We didn’t want it hanging over our heads so we worked lots of overtime to try and pay all the kind businesses back.”

Read more:

Ms Twidale, 44 and from Hull, was sentenced this week to five years after conning another 22 people out of a combined £15,000.

Hull Crown Court also heard Ms Twidale had defrauded a man she had met on Tinder out of £42,000 by lying about her mother’s death and saying she was a victim of domestic violence.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe said she was “glad she got what she deserved” and hoped to draw a line under the whole ordeal.

‘Give Gareth Southgate the freedom of Harrogate borough’

Councillors have called for England football team manager Gareth Southgate to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate.

Mr Southgate, who lives near Swinsty Reservoir, guided the England men’s team to their first major championships final in 55 years last night.

While there is talk nationally of a knighthood, attention has turned locally to awarding him the freedom of the borough — which is the highest honour Harrogate Borough Council can bestow.

Among those to have received the accolade, which is reserved for people who the council deem to have ‘rendered eminent services to the district’, is Jonathan Wild, the former chief executive and chair of Bettys and Taylors.

Six councillors, including the mayor, told the Stray Ferret today they would back a motion for Mr Southgate to receive the honour.

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Conservative John Ennis, who represents Harrogate Stray, said it was a “marvellous idea”, adding:

“Gareth Southgate has been a dignified figure the whole country has got behind.

“It is great that he lives in the area as well, he is a true credit to the town.”

Liberal Democrat Christine Willoughby, who represents Knaresborough Eastfield, said:

“I think if Gareth Southgate is eligible for the award then he certainly deserves the recognition.

“We could also celebrate any local Olympic sports stars and also the cyclist Mark Cavendish.”

‘He lives in my ward’

Victoria Oldham, the Conservative councillor for Washburn, said:

“While I am not entirely sure what the requirements are, I would certainly support giving Gareth Southgate the freedom of the borough.

“The fact that he lives in my ward makes it even better. His team’s performance has really put a smile on our faces.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who represents Harrogate Bilton Grange and is currently the district’s mayor, said:

“Being a football fan myself I am very much aware of Gareth’s efforts and of course he is a resident of the district.

“From a personal perspective I think it would be great if we could give him some recognition locally.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, the Conservative representative for Ripon Moorside and former mayor, said:

“I think Gareth Southgate deserves all the accolades he can get. He seems to get all the players to perform at their best.

“It is always really nice when people from the Harrogate district do well and lead the way.”

Cllr Paul Haslam, the Conservative representative for Harrogate Old Bilton, said:

“I would be very happy to support it. He could even put his sheep on the Stray if that’s what it entitles him to!”

England beat Denmark 2-1 last night to achieve a place in Sunday’s final of Euro 2020 against Italy.

Harrogate jeweller not warned about ‘terrifying’ police VIP exercise

A Harrogate jeweller has spoken of her terror when specialist officers took over her shop as part of a VIP training exercise.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes on Oxford Street, spotted the plain clothed officers on the street before they made their way into her shop on Tuesday morning.

She said she had no warning so feared, with one of the officers blocking the door, that she was going to be the victim of a robbery.

The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) had planned the visit in advance but did not tell Mrs Norman.

Harrogate is often the stage for such training exercises. However, the unit should have asked for permission in advance.

A senior officer on behalf of the CDSOU has since apologised to Mrs Norman and admitted that it fell short of standards.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes, with her guard dog.

Mrs Norman told the Stray Ferret:

“They looked really suspicious so I kept my eye on them. All of a sudden a couple of them got into the shop. One of them was wearing a bulletproof vest and blocked the door.

“It was really intimidating. I told them I was not comfortable and asked them to leave my shop but the person who said he was a VIP was trying to keep me quiet.

“So I pushed them out, called the police and pressed my panic button. Four of them left but two of them stayed outside so I kept questioning them.

“When I told them I had called the police he said ‘okay, calm down’ and gave me a card to explain but I was still unsure so got him to produce his badge.

“I was terrified, I was petrified. That’s how they made me feel. I thought they were going to rob me. It was awful.”

Read more:

She said she lost money during the two hour long training exercise and believes that she deserves compensation from the police.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said in response:

“The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit is one of the national delivery centres for close protection officer training, and trains officers from several police forces across the country.

“As well as classroom-based learning, the course also involves practical, real-world scenarios in public places, like shops, hotels, and restaurants, which are carefully planned and risk assessed.

“As officers are in plain-clothes, they should identify themselves as police officers if approached by a member of the public.

“We are sorry that the actions of some of the officers involved have fallen short of the high standards that are expected on the course, and we apologise for the alarm that it has caused.

“A senior officer has since spoken to the owner of the shop to apologise on behalf of the unit, and those on the course have been debriefed to identify learning opportunities for future courses.”

Stockeld Park’s dinosaur attracts attention in Harrogate

Stockeld Park publicised its latest attraction today by letting a dinosaur loose in Harrogate’s town centre.

Rita the raptor got alot of attention outside Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street.

The dinosaur was out in Harrogate today to promote Stockeld Park’s “Jurassic Summer” .

Read more:

There are five adventure playgrounds, a dinosaur forest, a dinosaur maze and brand new for 2021, jurassic mini golf.

Stockeld Park events manager Darren Smith told the Stray Ferret:

“Rita the raptor escaped last night. We just managed to track her down just outside Bettys queueing up for a coffee, of all places.

“We have got her under control now. Rita seems to love it here in Yorkshire and is just trying on a flat cap now.

“It’s for our jurassic summer. We are going to have dinosaurs there every day. All the usual things at Stockeld with a jurrasic twist.”

More pictures:

Jurassic Summer runs to September 6. Book tickets for £12 per person here.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this 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 on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I am heading over to the news desk now but will be back tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

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:

Trains

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:

Trains

Buses

Viper Rooms owner: Young people in Harrogate can ‘celebrate life’ again

The owner of Harrogate’s only nightclub, The Viper Rooms, has welcomed the government’s announcement that nightclubs will finally be able to reopen on July 19 without masks or social distancing.

Paul Kinsey told the Stray Ferret that he is looking forward to reopening but added he was still skeptical that the reopening plans won’t be delayed again.

He also sympathised with young people in Harrogate who he believes have suffered over the past 18 months and said having a nightclub again will give them a chance to “celebrate life” again.

He said:

“I think it’s a great outcome if it actually goes ahead.”

“It allows all of the 18 to 25-year-olds who have suffered the most in terms of lost education, lost jobs and lost leisure the opportunity to do what they love most….celebrate life!!”

Read more:

The club has been one of the hardest-hit businesses in Harrogate since the covid pandemic hit. It’s been closed indefinitely since March 2020, except for one night on Halloween.

Mr Kinsey was looking forward to reopening on June 21 until the government decided to delay the easing of lockdown restrictions for another month.

It meant the nightclub had to put its plans on ice.

He called on the government to offer a package of financial support to the nightlife sector in a previous Stray Ferret article.

A covid-19 leaving drinks party will now take place on July 19 at 10pm.

Harrogate International Festivals apologises for lack of diversity

Harrogate International Festivals has issued an apology for not including any female writers of colour in its 2021 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

The prestigious four-day festival takes place this month at the Old Swan in Harrogate.

Many leading crime writers, including Pointless star turned best seller Richard Osman, Mick Herron, Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves are due to attend and events take place across the four days.

But the lack of diversity among the line-up attracted criticism, which prompted Harrogate International Festivals’ programming committee to post on Twitter:

“It has been brought to our attention that our 2021 crime writing festival programme contains no female writers of colour. It should not have been necessary for this to be pointed out to us.

“We work hard on diversity at the crime writing festival but, although there have been many unique challenges this year, we got this wrong, and we apologise.

“We will be examining our planning processes, changing our practices — including expanding our programming committee — and working hard to make sure it never happens again in future years.”

Read More:

The apology prompted writers A A Dhand and Abir Mukherjee, who were invited to this year’s festival, to release a joint statement, which said:

“We are pleased that the concerns raised over this year’s Harrogate festival programme containing no female writers of colour have been recognised and that constructive conversations have taken place resulting in a welcome change in policy for future literary festivals.”

Their statement added that “Harrogate has always been at the forefront of championing new voices, so the commitment to changing practices and widening the diversity of the planning committee is a very welcome step.”

They added they recognised diversity and inclusion were tricky subjects and that problems were not specific just to the Harrogate festival.

The festival’s crime novel of the year award carries a £3,000 prize.

 

Harrogate man says ‘outrageous, camp and wild’ garden saved his life

Paul Ivison says his “outrageous, camp and wild” garden in Harrogate saved his life following recent mental health battles.

Mr Ivison’s loud and proud garden may be small but it is hard to miss as you walk up Mayfield Grove to where it meets Mayfield Terrace, just a short walk from the town centre.

He designs a themed garden each year and this year he has gone with for mental health.

On the wall outside the garden are messages and advice for people on how to cope with mental health problems and who to contact if they need help.

As well as a wide array of plants and flowers his garden is also interspersed with and eclectic and colourful range of items including the Philippines flag, to represent his partner, photos of the Queen and Prince Philip, fairies, gnomes and bowling pins.

Mr Ivison, 61, took an overdose to end his life in January and the garden has given him the strength to carry on. He said:

“If it wasn’t for this garden, I wouldn’t be here.”

“It’s been a tough time but the garden clears my mind.”

Mr Ivison was in the Royal Navy during the late 1970s and early 1980s and recently began suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to what he witnessed.

He works part-time at Asda in Harrogate and also receives Personal Independence Payment for people with a disability.

After a review in January, the money he was entitled to was drastically cut which led to financial worries and a risk that he would lose his beloved home and garden. This led to his suicide attempt.

After providing more evidence, and support from Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones, he had his full entitlement reinstated.

Mr Ivison is critical of the Department for Work and Pensions and said PIP reviews  were responsible for dozens of suicides. He hopes his garden will highlight what he believes are the government’s shortcomings in tackling mental health and its approach to benefits.

Read more:

Mr Ivison, who has lived in the house for 15 years, said 95% of the objects in the garden have been recycled.

He enjoys sitting outside with a coffee and a cigarette watching the world go by while speaking to neighbours. One woman who lives nearby called in during the Stray Ferret’s visit to say the garden has helped with her own mental health.

Mr Ivison said:

“I’ve had some amazing comments. It brightens up their day.”

His garden is open to anyone who wants to visit.

“A lot of people say — pull yourself together, or exercise — but it’s not as easy as that. We all have friends who suffer. The best thing you can do is listen.”

He’s already thinking about next year and said he has decided on a new theme for the garden.

“Next year it will be a Pride garden. It will be camp as hell!”

Harrogate services back on track after person hit by train

Harrogate services are back on track after a person was hit by a train this morning near Leeds.

Trains on the Northern line between York, Harrogate and Leeds as well as the LNER line between London and Leeds were cancelled.

The incident was first reported to British Transport Police (BTP) at 8am. Full service was restored shortly after 10am.

Paramedics also attended reports of a casualty on the tracks near Horsforth in Leeds and took the person to hospital.

BTP has since said it is not currently treating the incident as suspicious.

While the line is now clear, it is likely that there will continue to be disruption between Harrogate and Leeds for the rest of the day.

Read more:

British Transport Police (BTP) said in a statement:

“British Transport Police were called to the line in Leeds at 7.59am today following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, and a person has been taken to a local hospital.

“This incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

National Rail said in a statement:

“The emergency services have dealt with the incident between Horsforth and Leeds and all lines have reopened.

“Trains between Harrogate and Leeds may continue to be delayed, cancelled or revised whilst the service returns to normal.”