All three MPs representing the Harrogate district have declined to answer questions from the Stray Ferret about the alleged parties held at 10 Downing Street and in Whitehall last year.

We asked Andrew Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, and Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, what they knew about the parties and what reaction they had received on the matter from constituents.

As usual, the three Conservative MPs did not respond.

However, Lord Newby, the Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, who lives in Ripon, did speak out today.

He tweeted:

“Ministers now looking foolish defending PM.

“Why did Allegra Stratton feel she had to go if nothing happened at No 10?

“Setting up narrow enquiry into Downing Street party purely designed to buy time, fools no-one.”

Read more:

• Homes England accused of ‘bullying’ tactics over 200 homes at Pannal Ash
• Newts delay junction 47 A1(M) upgrade near Knaresborough

It was revealed today that civil servants will launch an official investigation into the alleged parties.

There has been considerable coverage of the issue since the Daily Mirror claimed on November 30 that the Prime Minister and his staff broke coronavirus rules by attending parties at Number 10 in the run-up to last Christmas.

That report said 40 to 50 people attended a party on December 18, when London was in tier three lockdown restrictions.

Under those restrictions indoor mixing was banned and thousands has to spend Christmas away from their families.

There are hopes nine ‘eco-homes’ that could be built near Knaresborough will be a catalyst for greener housebuilding in the Harrogate district.

Ben Holmes, from Birstwith, has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council for the cutting-edge development, which would be built to strict environmental standards and include solar panels, air-source heat pumps and super-tight insulation.

There would even be a communal vegetable garden to reduce the need to drive to shops.

A different model

Mr Holmes’ proposed scheme for York Road in Flaxby would be a community self-build development, which is a different model of housebuilding from what is usually seen.

If he is granted planning permission, he will install infrastructure, such as paths, water, drainage and a communal area, on the site.

He will then sell each of the nine plots to people who want to build their own home. The buyers then hire an architect and builder and design a home to suit their family’s needs.

Mr Holmes’ said this allowed for a customisable approach rather than buying identikit cookie-cutter homes on a large estate.

He said:

“You see these houses and they’ve all got their gas boilers. It is wrong way to build houses. Your big developers get as many homes on as possible and there is a lack of variation and creativity. It is soulless.

“There is a different way of building houses.”

Read more:

• Green Shoots: Harrogate’s most environmentally-friendly house?
• Housing Investigation: land the size of 700 football pitches lost to new housing

Lower energy bills

Harrogate Borough Council has a register of about 200 people who want to build their own home. Mr Holmes said there is an appetite in the district who people who want to have more of a say in how their home is built.

Anyone buying a plot to build their home will have to abide by a framework of environmental rules.

This includes Passivhaus certification and the Home Quality Mark from BRE.

Developed in Germany in the 1990s, Passivhaus is seen as a game-changer for low-carbon housing. It’s an innovative design code that prioritises insulation so that a home doesn’t need any heating or cooling at all, resulting in minimal energy bills.

There is only a handful of Passivhaus homes in the district, including the Larners’ house on Bogs Lane in Harrogate.

Mr Holmes also said the houses may be factory-built, bypassing much of the polluting construction process that comes with traditional bricks and mortar homes.

He added:

“Hopefully this site will act as a catalyst for the area to build more Passivhaus. It’s a high bar to get to that standard.”

A community grocery has opened in Knaresborough today to help people in need put food on the table.

Resurrected Bites, an organisation which battles food waste, is behind the new shop at Gracious Street Methodist Church.

It will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9.30am and 3.30pm. The last people will be let in at 3pm.

It is the second community grocery set up by Resurrected Bites, which opened its first at New Park Community Hub in October.

Both operate in the same way. People who are struggling to make ends meet pay a small sum to become members an can then shop at the grocery.

It costs £5 a year to sign up as a member. You then pay £3, £6 or £9, depending on the size of your family, to shop for goods that would usually cost about £30 in supermarkets.

The majority of the food available would have gone to landfill but is too good to be wasted.

The stores have a wide range of tinned, fresh food and frozen food. They also stock toiletries, sanitary products and nappies in various sizes.

Read more:

• Harrogate mum who struggled to feed kids wants to break stigma
• Community grocery for people in need opens in Harrogate

Carolyn Aitken, the grocery manager, said

“So many people are struggling with rising food and fuel prices on top of all of the cuts to people’s income.

“We want to ensure that everyone can afford to eat a healthy diet so please let people know about our service if you know they are struggling.”

Michelle Hayes, the founder of Resurrected Bites, said:

“We are really grateful to Gracious St Methodist Church for giving us this dedicated room in the church for us to run the grocery from.

“We partnered with the church initially in January 2020 when we started a pay as you feel community café there.

“This means that people who become members of the grocery, can also come in for a drink and something to eat when they come to do their shopping.”

Resurrected Bites will continue to run its café in the Bridge cafe at the centre on Gracious Street from 10 am until 2pm every Tuesday and Friday.

Police in the Harrogate district have increased patrols to help people get home safe over the festive period.

North Yorkshire Police has partnered with Harrogate Borough Council as part of an annual Get Home Safely from bars, nightclubs and restaurants campaign.

The key message of the campaign is for people to plan their journeys home in advance, look-out for one another, and look after their drinks and possessions.

Statistics show that domestic abuse incidents increase during bank holiday periods, and the campaign also aims to highlight emotional and practical support available through the charity IDAS.

Revellers will notice posters and digital boards with advice across the district. They will also notice more police on the streets.

Read more:

• Harrogate woman buys cauliflower the size of egg from Aldi
• Knaresborough’s Dower House sold for undisclosed fee

Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“The festive period is often a time when people catch-up with friends and enjoy themselves in pubs and restaurants, and we want them to be able to do so safely.

“For many, this will be the first festive period since before the pandemic, that they have celebrated the festivities and we want them to remember it for all the right reasons by staying safe, and following the latest vovid guidance and advice.”

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, from North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The police and council continue to work in partnership to make the Harrogate district a safe place for all to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“The support of licensed premises in the Get Home Safely annual campaign is particularly prevalent this year and we hope that everyone enjoys a safe night out.”

Lauren Doherty, from Road Safety Talks was left paralysed during a night out with friends. She said:

“A moment of distraction during a night out can change your life forever. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and get home safely.”

The Dower House and Spa in Knaresborough has been acquired by The Inn Collection Group for an undisclosed figure.

The 15th century, Grade II listed building on Bond End has 38 bedrooms, a spa and swimming pool along with several bars, lounges and function areas.

It becomes the seventh site in Yorkshire owned by the expanding pubco, whose portfolio also includes Ripon Spa Hotel, Dean Court Hotel in York and the Black Swan in Helmsley.

The group owns 26 estates in total across the north of England and plans to begin refurbishing Dower House next year.

It said this would include a sympathetic restoration and remodelling in order to “enhance its environment, improve accessibility and align the site with The Inn Collection Group’s quality, food-driven pubs with rooms offer”.

The Inn Collection Group’s managing director Sean Donkin said:

“We are excited to be growing our foothold in Yorkshire with the addition of The Dower House and Spa. It is a tremendous site, steeped in character and history in a stunning destination location.

“We’re looking forward to investing in the team and site and realising Dower House’s full potential while preserving the heritage and charm it holds.”

Read more:

• Former Victorian hotel in Harrogate to become modern co-working space
• ‘The Grantley effect’: Property boom near luxury hotel

Good morning, it’s Al with you to start off the week with your road and public transport updates.

If there’s anything I’ve missed, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is moving slower than usual in these areas:

• Leeds Road past M&S Food
• Wetherby Road outside the showground in Harrogate
• Skipton Road in Harrogate
• York Place and Knaresborough Road in Harrogate
• Hookstone Chase and Hookstone Drive, Harrogate
• The A61 at Pannal
• York Place through Knaresborough
• The A6055 from Farnham to Knaresborough

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• The 09:14 Knaresborough to Leeds train is delayed by around 3 minutes; it’s also set to arrive a few minutes late in Harrogate (expected at 09:25)

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

8:30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is moving slower than usual in these areas:

• Leeds Road past M&S Food
• Wetherby Road outside the showground in Harrogate
• Skipton Road in Harrogate
• York Place and Knaresborough Road in Harrogate
• Hookstone Chase, Harrogate
• The A61 at Pannal
• York Place through Knaresborough
• The A6055 from Farnham to Knaresborough

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• The 08:21 Harrogate to York train is now expected at 08:27, and will be formed of two coaches instead of three. It will be around three minutes late reaching Knaresborough (expected at 08:34).
• The 08:30 Harrogate to Leeds train is expected at 08:33

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

8am – Full Update 

Roads

Some traffic hotspots are starting to appear:

• Wetherby Road outside the showground in Harrogate
• Skipton Road in Harrogate
• On the A1(M) at the A59 Flaxby junction

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• The 08:21 Harrogate to York train is delayed by around 2 minutes, and will be formed of two coaches instead of three. It should be back on time by it reaches Knaresborough.
• The 08:21 Knaresborough to Leeds train (due to stop in Harrogate at 08:30) is delayed by around 4 minutes at both stops.

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

7:30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic looks to be running smoothly so far this morning.

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• All trains on the Harrogate and Knaresborough lines look to be running on time.

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

7am – Full Update 

Roads

Everything still looks quiet on the roads this morning, but if I’ve missed anything do get in touch.

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• The 7:09 Harrogate to York train is delayed by around 3 minutes. The delay is set to continue further down the line, arriving around 3 minutes late into Knaresborough at 7:22.
• All other trains on the Harrogate and Knaresborough lines look to be running on time.

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

Road closures:

• Cambridge Street in Harrogate Town centre – closed for the Christmas market
• Spring Lane near Pannal Primary – road closure 
• Weeton Lane, Weeton – road closure and diversion
• Kirkby Lane, Kirkby Overblow – road closure
• Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
• Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
• Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure

Temporary lights:

• West End Avenue, Harrogate
• Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
• Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
• Whinney Lane near Ashville College
• Boroughbridge Road, near the junction for Farnham Lane
• Havikil Lane, Scotton – stop and go boards
• Main Street, Staveley

Trains

• All trains on the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Leeds and York lines look to be running on time.

Buses

• Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds

A bumper weekend of Christmas markets in the Harrogate district got underway today.

The smell of mulled wine and hot dogs filled the air in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Masham today as visitors flocked to each town’s festive stalls.

In Harrogate, stalls lined the streets in the town centre for day two of Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which opened yesterday. It lasts for 10 days.

Today was also the start of a two-day event in Valley Gardens that featured about 50 local, artisan stalls in the Sun Colonnade.

Festive markets also returned to Knaresborough, as stalls selling sweets, crafts, clothes and food and drink filled the market square.

Father Christmas made a trip to Masham today to visit the town’s Christmas market and craft fayre.

In Knaresborough …

Kirsty Riddell and Leanne Wilkie from The Fat Birds Bakery

Knaresborough Christmas Market weekend got underway today

Chris Wilson has been selling chestnuts at the market for 20 years.

Nemo from clothing company Making My Grass Greener

Read more:

• Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district
• Traders and visitors give thumbs-up to first Harrogate Christmas Fayre

In Harrogate’s Valley Gardens …

Stalls opened in Valley Gardens this morning under the Sun Colonnade

Colin and Emma Hall were there from Box Prints

Visitors enjoy a wander through the market

In Harrogate Town Centre …

Diana Macbeth-Case from Dipple Tipple & Co

The Pick & Mix stall was a hit

Oliver Edhouse from The Crusty Pie Company

Were you at Harrogate’s Christmas Markets today?

In Masham …

Thank you to Cllr Ian Johnson for sending over some photos of today’s events in Masham.

Numerous stalls pitched up on Market Square today

Santa was there to hear the children’s wishes for this year

The craft fayre was enjoyed by many

The Harrogate district is preparing for a bumper weekend of festive events with numerous Christmas markets and fayres over the next few says.

We’ve pulled together a handy guide to the festive markets and events from Harrogate to Masham.

Yesterday, Harrogate’s Christmas market kicked off with people arriving from 10am to walk around the stalls and enjoy a mulled wine or two.

Here’s some information on the events this weekend:

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Around 50 local stalls will be in place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent until December 12.

It is open 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

There is also a carousel and ferris wheel at Crescent Garden and a helter skelter at the war memorial to add to the festive offering. All rides cost £3 for a ticket.

Harrogate Christmas Artisan Market

This is the first for the town, a market for 60 local, small traders based in Valley Gardens.

Organised by Little Bird Made, the market will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.

The festive road train will also pass by the entrance and stops on nearby Crescent Road.

Knaresborough Christmas Market 

Based on the town’s Market Square across weekend, Knaresborough Christmas Market is making its comeback.

There will be almost 50 stalls selling Christmas decorations, gifts and locally sourced produce. There will also be live entertainment from local dancers, choirs and brass bands.

Although a lot of the stalls accept cards, market organisers have urged visitors to bring cash with them in case the town’s two remaining cash machines run out.

It will come to a close with a fireworks display over Knaresborough’s iconic viaduct at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 5.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts this weekend: here’s the lowdown
• Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district

Masham Christmas Market

Similar to the one held last month, this weekend the town’s Market Place will host numerous stalls plus a visit from Santa himself.

Many of the usual monthly stallholders will be in attendance, plus others, so visitors can expect hand bell ringing and folk music as well as a wide variety of craft and food and drink stalls.

There is also a craft fayre in the town hall, both are open on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Ripon Christmas Market

This year the festivities are back.. On Sunday, artisan markets will be held on the square and free children’s fairground rides will be in operation on those dates.

There will be a selection of stalls from local traders, arts, crafts, food, an outdoor bar and live music.

Visitors to Knaresborough Christmas Market are being urged to bring cash with them amid concerns the town’s two cash machines could run out of money.

Chair of the organising committee, Hazel Haas, has said the availability of cash in the town is an ongoing issue. But due to the closure of the Halifax bank this year the situation has become more concerning.

With just two cash machines remaining at Tesco and Sainsburys, there is real concern they will run out of money due to the number of visitors.

Ms Haas said the committee had contacted both supermarkets who said they had filled the machines to their maximum in preparation. However, she said even in previous years, even with four cash machines, there had still been a shortage.

Ms Haas said:

“It’s an ongoing problem. The reality is we’ve been running out of cash for years, some bank should really take it up and sort out the problem. We’ve done all we can and spoken to the two supermarkets. We can’t do anymore other than ask people to bring cash with them.”

Around 50 stalls will be in place on the town’s Market Square this weekend. Most will take card payments but some of the smaller traders would still prefer cash.

Ms Haas has urged visitors to come with cash rather than relying on local ATM’s.

Read more:

• ATM outage frustrates Knaresborough stallholders
• Knaresborough’s last bank to close

The loss of the Halifax bank, on Market Square, has left businesses having to bank in other nearby towns or queuing at the Post Office.

Talking about the Christmas markets returning after last year’s cancellation, due to covid, Hazel Haas said:

“I’m really looking forward to it, there’s a real buzz about the town already. People need something to their spirts and I think the market and the fireworks will add to the festive spirit, definitely.”

The market is open 10am to 5pm Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.

It will culminate with a fireworks display over Knaresborough’s iconic viaduct at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 5.