Knaresborough scuba diving facility ‘woefully misunderstood’, says businessman

A scuba diving business owner has said plans for a deep diving facility in Knaresborough have been “woefully misunderstood” after the proposals were rejected.

Tim Yarrow, who owns Harrogate-based Diveshack, had planned to build the training pool facility on Thistle Hill.

However, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan on the grounds that the proposal would “result in harm to the visual and spatial openness of the green belt”.

Mr Yarrow, who has been a scuba instructor around the world for 30 years, said his facility would have offered an opportunity for “potential local investment”.

He said:

“It is my opinion that the necessity and requirements of a specific training facility for scuba and all it brings with regards to potential further local investment, employment and potential career paths has been woefully misunderstood.”

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The plan would have seen the site at Thistle Hill changed from agricultural land to a deep water diving centre.

Mr Yarrow said that his club, which has been open since 2018, currently trains young and upcoming divers. He said the facility would help to expand this.

However, the council said in its decision notice that the facility was also outside the development limit of any village or settlement.

It said:

“The proposal is for a new tourism and recreational use however the application fails to demonstrate that there is a local need for the facility in this location, that the facility is of a scale and nature appropriate to its location and intended purpose, and that the facility is accessible to the community or catchment population it is intended to serve.”

Crowds line streets of Knaresborough to cheer on Bed Race

Good morning and welcome to our Knaresborough Bed Race live blog. It’s Tom here who will be here all day. It’s the first race since 2019 and it’s fair to say there’s a buzz of excitement around.

The weather at the moment is overcast with a light breeze, perfect weather for lugging a heavy bed through town.

The actual race kicks off at 3pm but there’s a whole day of activities organised by Knaresborough Lions. I will be heading to Knaresborough Castle shortly for the judging of the best-dressed beds competition.

Amusements at Conyngham Hall open at 12pm and there’s the traditional parade of beds through the town from 1pm.

Teams have been slowly making their way up the high street all morning carrying their beds to the castle, conserving some energy for later you suspect.

 

17.00 – Presentation at Conyngham Hall

With all the festivities of the day, it’s easy to forget there was an actual competition taking place.

The presentation followed a very enthusiastic live band who performed hits from The Killers and Mumford and Sons, which had the crowd dancing like it was Glastonbury.

GH Brooks was the quickest team on the day, making their way around the course in a rapid 12.59.

The Welly Wheelers were the fastest women’s team at 15.14 and celebrated on stage to pick up their trophy.

GH Brooks, the fastest team

The Welly Wheelers, the fastest women’s team

That’s all for a very enjoyable Bed Race 2022. See you next year!

15.30 – Crowds line streets for the 2022 race

Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on every team who competed in this year’s bed race. We got a good vantage point close to Henshaws to take in all the action.

One moment that summed up what bed race is all about was near the end when a woman was walking after being separated from her team. She looked in agony but the crowd roared and she picked up the pace to carry on running past the delighted spectators.

Watch the race below:

 

13.45 – Town is heaving

Whilst the bed race at 3pm is main attraction, today is usually the busiest day of the year for pubs and cafes in Knaresborough. We stopped for a quick pitstop in the Hart on Market Place, where it was lively.

The Hart pub

 

1.00pm – Bed parade through the town

All 85 beds took part in a glorious parade through the town that was led by bagpipes, The Rocketmen and a resplendent Knaresborough town crier Roger Hewitt.

The parade was a feast for the senses and it was hard to keep up with everything on show but there were bumblebees, men dressed as mermaids, rugby players and more. We’ll pretend those few raindrops we all felt didn’t happen.

Watch our video of the full parade below:

 

12.30pm – The Rocketmen are victorious!

A team of Knaresborough dads called The Rocketmen have picked up the top prize for their steampunk-inspired effort. Bravo.

The Wall-E bed that caught my eye going up the high street this morning came a commendable second.

The steampunks will take pride of place with their bed at the front of the parade, which starts shortly. The streets are already full with people hoping to get a good view for the afternoon.

11.30am – Best dressed beds competition

Judging is underway for the not-so-serious business of best dressed bed. There are over 80 teams and they’ve all got into the environment spirit.

Without wanting to pre-empt the judges decision, I really did like Techbuyer’s effort which involved decorating a bed and bicycle with used computer components. Although it did look very heavy, which could cost them in the time trial.

Top marks to Monkton Meanderers and Meadowside Academy, too.

Techbuyer

Meadowside Primary Academy with their ‘English Countryside’ theme

Monkton Meanderers with their bed that shows the recycling process.

10.30am – People and their beds make their way to Knaresborough Castle.

The theme this year is The Environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. One woman was seen walking up the high street with an ingenious dress made out of crisp packets. Crisp chic!

Another team was pushing up their bed, which was the Pixar trash cleaning robot Wall-E.

Head out for a walk then visit one of these four dog-friendly pubs in the Harrogate district

With the warmer weather (finally) arriving, nothing beats a walk in the Harrogate district’s beautiful countryside with your four-legged friend.

We are truly spoilt for dog walks in the area – from the peaceful Nidd Gorge to the rolling hills of Nidderdale.

But all that rambling is guaranteed to work up a thirst.

To help quench it, we have put together a list of four dog-friendly pubs in the Harrogate district.

Obviously there are too many to possibly mention, so get in touch with your favourites and send your photos to nina@thestrayferret.co.uk

The Knox – Bilton, Harrogate

The Knox often crops up as a dog-friendly favourite, with furry companions being considered very much part of the family.

The pub’s website says:

“Dogs are more than welcome at The Knox, and if you ask one of our team members, they’ll be more than happy to bring your four-legged friend a fresh bowl of water. From time-to-time, we may even have treats available to keep your dog occupied and happy, just be sure to ask one of our team.

“We’re an extremely busy pub and we want your furry friends to feel relaxed, safe, and happy at all times during your visit.”

Sportsman’s Arms, Wath, Nidderdale

The quaint hamlet of Wath is in a wonderful area for walking; the circular route from Pateley Bridge is particularly good, four miles out along the northern fellside and back along the river.

Once you have stretched your legs, you can enjoy a refreshing pint and a spot of lunch in the bar area of this family-run 17th-century country inn, while your dog curls up under your seat.

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The Royal Oak, Staveley, Knaresborough

Landlady Catherine Audsley outside The Royal Oak in Staveley.

Staveley is actually home to a nature reserve, which takes you on a lone walk that stretches beyond the village. It has many wild and rare species of flowers and wildlife and is perfect for a summer dog walk (they are permitted on leads).

Once you have admired the otters, of which there are regular sightings, head to Royal Oak, a traditional country pub that reviewers on Trip Advisor have described as “the most dog-friendly place I have ever been to”.

The pub’s website says:

“A selection of local ales and various seating areas offer somewhere for everyone – even the four-legged friend.”

The huge beer garden is also very impressive if you want to catch some rays.

The Royal Oak, Ripon

Another Royal Oak, this time located in Ripon’s historic Kirkgate, this renovated 18th century coaching inn is a firm favourite with dog owners.

Enjoy a walk at nearby Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden and then head into Ripon for a wander.

The pub’s city centre location is a great base to explore this fabulous part of the district.

Dogs are allowed in the bar area and there is even a selection of dog-friendly tables in the restaurant if you have worked up an appetite.

Harrogate walkers highlight shared cycling routes and footpath concerns

A Harrogate walking group has called for public footpaths to be protected from new housing developments.

It is among a new set of proposals issued by the Harrogate Group of the Ramblers’ Association to promote walking in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The group has suggested that developers should be required to include wide and well-lit public footpaths in all new housing areas and, if possible, link paths with nearby rights of way to provide direct and easy access into the countryside.

It also highlighted how one footpath in Killinghall, which has just reopened after four years of ‘temporary closure’, was an example of “a source of particular concern”. Temporary closure of public rights of way through building sites of new development should be restricted to a minimum amount of time necessary, the group urges.

The proposals, which have been sent to newly elected local councillors at North Yorkshire County Council, also say plans to convert footpaths and footways to shared use with cyclists should be considered on a case by case basis in order “to achieve an outcome that is not detrimental to the interests of walkers and pedestrians”.

This follows concerns about the impact of the new Otley Road cycle path in Harrogate, which includes shared access between walkers and cyclists.

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The letter to councillors says:

“At a time when both walking and cycling are being promoted both locally and nationally as desirable activities, it is particularly important that the needs and interests of the extensive walking and pedestrian community are taken into serious consideration and not just taken for granted.

“Walking is a particularly desirable activity to protect and promote, both for its benefits to the health and wellbeing of people of a very wide range of ages, including the elderly, and for its contribution to the reduction of air pollution by replacing the use of the car for many local journeys. “

Council starts legal proceedings against Travellers in Knaresborough

Harrogate Borough Council has commenced legal proceedings against a group of Travellers in Knaresborough.

The group set up camp on the rugby field on Hay-a-Park Lane last week.

It is thought that the Travellers were on their way to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria. However, the fair started yesterday and Travellers still remained in Knaresborough today.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police have been at the site this morning.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We have commenced legal proceedings and notices have been served.”

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Travellers also parked on the Stray in Harrogate last week.

Six caravans and several cars arrived on the parkland near to Oatlands Drive on Saturday.

However, the group left the area on Monday.

Lapicida’s exciting new collections blends outdoor and indoor life

Lapicida has sponsored this article.

Lapicida is set to launch an exciting new range designed to seemlessly combine outdoor and indoor life at an exclusive event next week.

On Wednesday June 16 and Thursday June 17 from 9am to 4pm Lapicida will unveil the ORNAMENTI collection at its delightful show garden recently opened at its headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Knaresborough.

The UK’s leading specialist in tile and stone has curated ORNAMENTI as an inpirational collection of ornaments and objects designed for private gardens and interiors.

ORNAMENTI comes in the form of planters, fountains, furniture, sundials, obelisks and more.

Technogym’s Personal Line of gym equipment.

The event will also see TechnoGym, which has been the official supplier to eight Olympic Games, present its stunning new Personal Line range of premium cardio equipment.

The Personal Line collection of premium home fitness equipment includes a treadmill, bike, recline, elliptical, kinesis and power station.

Lapicida is also exclusively launching FYSIK in the UK market. FYSIK is a beautiful collection of handmade leather and wood weights and gym equipment, which brings that spa resort feel home.

A new beautiful collection of weights and gym equipment.

These three new lines will be presented alongside Lapicida’s existing lifestyle collections from Albatros Spas and Saunas and Luke Irwin Rugs.

All readers of The Stray Ferret are invited to this premium event where they will be able to:

Visit the Lapicida website for more information by clicking or tapping here or arrange a visit to the showroom at St James Park in Knaresborough.

Aaron Bertenshaw’s family to fundraise at Knaresborough Bed Race

The family of Harrogate singer songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw, who died in December, will be raising money for Diabetes UK at this weekend’s Knaresborough Bed Race.

Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died aged 26 after struggling with diabetes and mental health issues.

Since his death, his mother Sammy Oates has been campaigning to plug the gap in services between people affected by the two conditions.

She is now lending her support to Diabetes UK’s new Diabetes is Serious campaign, which calls on the government to create a national recovery plan to support frontline healthcare teams getting diabetes services back on track after covid.

Ms Oates and Christine Holmes, a volunteer for Diabetes UK, will be part of a team operating a stand at Saturday’s bed race. The stand will provide information about diabetes and raise funds through a raffle and tombola. Tickets can be bought at the Worlds End and Castle Inn pubs in Knaresborough and The Blues Bar in Harrogate.

Supermarket Morrisons has agreed to match fund the sum raised.

Samantha Oates, Andrew Jones and Christine Holmes

(from left) Samantha Oates, Andrew Jones and Christine Holmes at the House of Commons.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who recently met Ms Oates and Ms Holmes at the House of Commons, is expected to draw the winning raffle ticket.

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Mr Jones said in a statement he “strongly supported” the Diabetes Is Serious campaign. He was one of 100 MPs who recently attended an event about it at the Commons. He added:

“Diabetes is a growing issue and has implications across other parts of healthcare including mental health as Samantha’s family story so powerfully shows.

“Samantha has taken an event that is very personal and painful and turned it into a campaign that is public and positive.

“It is impressive. I look forward to attending the Knaresborough Bed Race and supporting Samantha’s raffle raising money for Diabetes UK’s important work.”

Next week is Diabetes Week in the UK

A new Diabetes UK report revealed that 47% of people with diabetes in England experienced difficulties managing their condition in 2021. Sixty-three per cent attributed this in part to not having sufficient access to their healthcare team.

The charity, which organises Diabetes Week next week, said in a statement:

“Diabetes is serious and isn’t something you can ignore. If people do not receive the care they need, it can put them at risk of serious complications, which can lead to premature death.

“The coronavirus pandemic has created a backlog in the delivery of this routine yet vital care and, despite the tireless efforts of the NHS, many people living with diabetes are still struggling to access it.”

“We’re calling for an urgent recovery plan from the UK Government to tackle these devastating diabetes care delays before it’s too late. Urgent action is required now.”

Car window smashed in Knaresborough by slingshot

A car window was smashed in Knaresborough last night by a person believed to be using a slingshot or catapult.

Police sent armed officers and a helicopter after receiving reports that a window had been smashed in a car driving along Chain Lane at about 7.25pm.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this morning said:

“Due to the serious nature of the report, specialist firearms officers and the police helicopter were deployed immediately.

“After reviewing dashcam footage, it is a believed a slingshot or catapult-type weapon was used to damage the car window. No one was injured.”

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify any suspects.”

The statement does not say whether anyone was injured in the attack.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to call them on 101, quoting reference 12220098605.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Traffic is moving steadily in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, roadworks are still in place in some areas which may cause delays.

Here is your Stray Ferret morning traffic roundup.

Roads

Traffic is moving steadily in Harrogate this morning, although that is expected to build up during the morning rush hour.

Roadworks are still in place in Knaresborough at the junction between Wetherby Road and York Road which will cause delays this morning.

The busy junction just past King James’ School and the cemetery has been undergoing resurfacing works for a few weeks and continues to cause delays during rush hour.

The works are expected to continue until August 15.

Trains and buses

No delays or cancellations to report on the trains from Harrogate to Leeds and York this morning.

Harrogate Bus Company still has a diversion in place on its 21 service meaning it is unable to reach Ashbourne Road due to a road closure.

The nearest alternative stop is Morrisons in Boroughbridge. This diversion will be in place until June 30.

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Knaresborough poised for first Bed Race in three years

Excitement is building for the first Knaresborough Bed Race since 2019.

The historic event on Saturday afternoon will see teams take part in a 2.4 mile course through the town in fancy dress, pushing a bed, before finishing with a wade through the River Nidd.

As many as 30,000 people line the streets for the event which is due to return on June 11. Since the first in 1966 the tradition has been picked up across the world with similar events being held in USA, Germany and New Zealand.

This year’s competitors have based their costume and bed design on the theme ‘The Environment: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’. 

Nigel Perry, secretary at Knaresborough Lions, the volunteer group that organises the event, said he has enjoyed seeing teams practicing this week ahead of the big day.

He said:

“Taking part in the Bed Race takes fortitude. The streets of Knaresborough are full of teams practicing.

“The town will be packed on the day.”

Newly elected Liberal Democrat Knaresborough county councillor Matt Walker added:

“It’s great to see the beds back practicing the course through the town and the infamous water crossing . The crowds are in for a real treat as the beds are pushed through the town for the parade.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the teams have interpreted this year’s theme of recycle, reuse and reduce. It’s really opportunity to show off Knaresborough at its best to thousands of locals and visitors. Reminding people what make it a special place to live, work and visit.”

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The Lions have organised park and ride facilities on Manse Lane (Knaresborough Technology Park) and Grimbalds Crag (ALM) on Bed Race day where a free Transdev bus service will take visitors to and from the town.

Knaresborough’s pubs, cafes and restaurants will also be looking forward to Saturday, which is traditionally their busiest day of the year for trade.

Mr Perry added:

“The Bed Race is good for them and good for the town.”

There has been a lot of rainfall this week but Mr Perry said the Nidd will be safe for competitors to wade through.

The race will start at 3pm from Conyngham Hall but a whole day of events are planned including a best-dressed bed competition and a parade through the town.

Click here to read the full programme.

We’ll be running a live blog on the day, would you like to send a good luck message to anyone competing? Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will publish your message.