Charity donations set on fire behind Knaresborough shop

Stolen clothes that were left as donations to a charity shop have been set on fire behind a shop on Knaresborough high street.

The ashes from the fire were discovered at the back of The Clothing Store of Knaresborough on Saturday morning.

Shop owner Rebecca Lombardi later learned the clothing was taken from outside St Vincent’s charity shop, over the road on the high street.

It happened just weeks after Blind Jack’s pub, on Market Place, was damaged in an overnight fire.

Ms Lombardi posted about the incident on social media to warn other businesses and attempt to gather more information.

She said:

“It could have been really dangerous, it was close to the bins and if it had got out of control I would worry for the two flats upstairs.

“I was shocked initially but then I started thinking about Blind Jack’s a couple of weeks ago and lots of thoughts were rushing round my head.

“Hopefully it was just a one-off.”

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Ms Lombardi said police initially told her it was a civil matter because there wasn’t a witness but Knaresborough resident Philip Allott, who is North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said he had escalated the investigation within North Yorkshire Police.

Mrs Lombardi said the police subsequently requested CCTV footage of the entrance to the back area.

She said she felt better after putting details of the incident social media because she knows other businesses are now aware.

North Yorkshire Police has not responded to requests for further information.

More homes added to 600-home Manse Farm development in Knaresborough

More homes are to be added to the 600-home Manse Farm development in Knaresborough.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee yesterday granted approval for an extra 24 properties at the site, which is being built out by developers Taylor Wimpey and Linden Homes.

Councillors also approved changes to the road layout in order for the site to link up with separate proposals from Taylor Wimpey for 400 homes at the nearby Highfield Farm.

The Highfield Farm plans have yet to be granted planning permission and, if approved, would mean building over 1,000 homes to the east of Knaresborough in what councillors previously described as a “new village” being tacked onto the town.

The extra homes at Manse Farm were approved despite an objection from Goldsborough and Flaxby Parish Council, which said:

“The total 1,000 approved houses on the east side of Knaresborough, at the Manse Farm and the neighbouring Highfield Farm developments, are already excessive and inappropriate.

“Adding more housing in this soon-to-be congested area is not supported and we strongly recommend reducing the housing density at this, and each of the other developments, to make this a more rewarding living environment.”

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No loss of green space

Speaking at a meeting today, Becky Lomas, an agent for Taylor Wimpey, defended the increase in house numbers, saying it would provide more smaller family homes for the area.

She said:

“The uplift in dwellings is as a result of looking at the mix of housing – we have looked at what was previously proposed and there are now more smaller family homes.

“The uplift is also only in the developable area of the site, so we haven’t reduced any green space, public open space, landscaping or wildlife corridors.”

Also included in the Manse Farm development are plans for a new primary school, which will cater for families moving into the new homes.

In May, Elevate Multi Academy Trust was appointed by the Department for Education to run the school, which will provide 210 places for pupils, with the capacity to take in a total of 420 children if needed in future.

The project is expected to cost in the region of £5m and will be funded by North Yorkshire County Council using government grants, together with a £2m contribution from the developers.

Elevate Multi Academy Trust already runs Meadowside Academy, Aspin Park Academy and St John’s C of E Primary School in Knaresborough, as well as nine other schools in Yorkshire.

Saint Michael’s urges Harrogate district to ‘go purple’

People in the Harrogate district are being urged to ‘go purple’ next month to support Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Saint Michael’s, which is based at Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park, has adopted the idea for Hospice Care Week from October 4 to 8.

Hospice UK, the national charity representing UK hospices, organises Hospice Care Week annually to raise awareness and funds.

It has suggested dressing purple, purple-themed bake sales and purple-themed work days as possible ideas to raise money during the week.

The Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate will be lit up purple for the event. Other businesses, schools and individuals are being encouraged to join in.

Saint Michael’s, which has 11 charity shops in the Harrogate district, spends £6 million on end-of-life services each year.

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Tony Collins

Tony Collins, chief executive of Saint Michael’s, said:

“This is a great opportunity to get creative and have fun whilst raising funds to ensure Saint Michael’s can continue to help local people living with terminal illness and bereavement.

“We hope that as many people as possible take part, spread the word and raise money for their local hospice.

It is hoped Go Purple will become an annual event if successful.

Further information is available here.

Harrogate district covid infections down 14% in week

The Harrogate district has recorded another 56 covid infections, according to today’s Pubic Health England figures.

It takes the total number of infections over the past seven days to 588 — a figure that has fallen by 14% on the previous seven days.

The district’s weekly infection rate has declined to 383 per 100,000 people. The North Yorkshire rate is 318 and the England average stands at 295.

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It was also revealed today that the Knaresborough vaccine clinic is moving to larger premises in the town.

The clinic will relocate to Chain Lane Community Hub from September 27 where it hopes to offer up to 1,500 covid and flu vaccinations a day.

The current site, at the former Lidl, has been in use since February but with winter approaching Homecare Pharmacy Services, which runs the clinic, wanted a larger space where people could wait indoors.

Knaresborough vaccine site moves to offer 1,500 jabs a day

The Knaresborough vaccine clinic is moving to larger premises in the town to provide both covid vaccine boosters and flu jabs.

The clinic will relocate to Chain Lane Community Hub from September 27 where it hopes to offer up to 1,500 vaccinations a day.

It will administer first and second doses of the covid vaccine to anyone over 16, plus covid booster jabs and flu jabs.

The current site, at the former Lidl, has been in use since February but with winter approaching Homecare Pharmacy Services, which runs the clinics, wanted a larger space where people could wait indoors.

The new site will be operated in collaboration with Chain Lane Community Hub and Knaresborough Connectors.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises UK health departments on immunisation, today recommended over-50s be given booster jabs.

Jason Baskind, managing director of Homecare Pharmacy Services, said:

“We knew we needed a larger site with space for older people to wait indoors. The Lidl site has been great but we felt for the winter, outdoor observation wasn’t suitable.”

Mr Baskind added the company was waiting to hear whether flu vaccines and boosters could be offered at the same time or if there needed to be a gap.

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The vaccine centre will take over two rooms at the Chain Lane Community Hub.

Sue Vasey, from Chain Lane Community Hub, said:

“In these difficult times we wanted to ensure that the hub played as active a role as possible in responding to the needs of the local community, and our ability to provide this service for Knaresborough, in spacious and accessible surroundings with ample parking felt an important thing to do.

“This does not mean Chain Lane will be closed to community use though. Derwent Room will continue to host the wide range of valued activities”

The site will continue to offer all Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca and Moderna vaccines.

There are only two vaccine centres remaining in the district; Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

There’s something in the water as Harrogate brews up for Beer Week

As the craft beer explosion continues in the UK, Harrogate is set to launch its first ever Beer Week. The town is firmly at the forefront of the industry, boasting five breweries in the HG postcode alone.

So what makes Harrogate beer so special? There’s definitely something in the water..

Harrogate is undeniably famous for its water. Its development as a prosperous and flourishing spa town dates back to the 16th century.

William Slingsby discovered the first spring in 1571 in the area now known as High Harrogate. It was named the Tewit Well Spring and the water was found to be medicinal. People, rich and poor, began to flock to the town to test the curative powers of the waters.

Perhaps it is therefore unsurprising to learn that the district’s water – and Yorkshire water as a whole – is perfect for brewing some of the best craft beers in the country.

More breweries have been opening in Yorkshire than anywhere else in the UK, including London.

And Harrogate now boasts five breweries within the HG postcode – internationally-renowned Roosters; rising star Harrogate Brewing; Turning Point, which chose Knaresborough for its expansion two years ago; Daleside, the town’s longest-standing local brewery; and Cold Bath Brewing, which is making waves across the town with its beers, bar and clubhouse space.

The brewery at Roosters Brewing Co.

To celebrate the town’s growing brewing culture, as well as the bars, pubs and restaurants which support the breweries, this month Harrogate is launching its first ever Beer Week from September 20 to 26.

Harrogate beer communications specialist Rachel Auty, who founded Women on Tap and has secured backing from Harrogate BID to help bring the idea to fruition, said:

“I have been told by breweries that Yorkshire is a key place for brewing because of the water. Harrogate is known for its water so it’s a nice link. It is known for its water history and heritage and it is now attracting breweries to the area.

It [Beer Week] is something we have wanted to do for quite a few years now. We were hoping to get it off the ground las year, but Covid put a stop to holding any events.

“I have seen the beer scene in the town explode over the last seven or eight years. It has got really interesting. We have really exciting beer here actually being brewed.”

With special beer weeks being held in places like Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, Rachel, who is delivering the event under her specialist food and drink brand TASTE, said Harrogate’s beer scene was strong enough to rival the cities. It’s thought Harrogate is the only town in the country set to host such an event.

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A programme of special events and initiatives will be hosted at bars, brewery taps, and eateries across Harrogate. The event will culminate in a big beer weekend in the town centre. Other features on the programme will include an ‘Indie Beer Trail’, live local music, and a home brewing competition, with some big names in UK beer heading to Harrogate to host a range of talks and tastings.

Guest headliners include award-winning beer writer Pete Brown presenting ‘Craft: An Argument’ at Cold Bath Clubhouse, a beer tasting and reading with author Matthew Curtis at Roosters taproom, a Conversation on Harrogate Beer with award-winning writer Melissa Cole and Discovering Harrogate Beer with beer sommelier Annabel Smith also at the Cold Bath Clubhouse.

And for those who have ever imagined beer and donuts as the perfect combination, there will even be a chance to try sour and stout-filled doughnuts at The Tap on Tower Street, which has commissioned Harrogate business Doe to create the unique flavour especially for the event.

A collaboration between all the local breweries will also see a special beer produced for Beer Week – a West Coast IPA brewed at Turning Point.

Co-owner of the Cold Bath Brewing Co Jim Mossman, who also sits on the board of Harrogate BID, said:

“I have been very receptive to the idea of putting something positive together with regards to an event in Harrogate, promoting not only breweries in the town, but all the local great independent bars and restaurants as well.

Harrogate is internationally famous for the quality of its water, so it’s by no coincidence you see some great breweries and gin distilleries in this geographical area. They are using it to make quality beer and gins.

We are hosting a series of events in Cold Bath Club House and we are really looking forward to a number of things, from just generating community spirit and bringing venues together, which is great after 15 months of the pandemic – from live music events, to some really credible industry speakers coming to town to do beer tastings and talks.”

Jim said the Harrogate brewing scene was mainly about craft beer, which has seen an explosion in the UK, including lager, pilsner, pale ale and West Coast IPA, but said it was impossible to choose a favourite due to the vast amount of different brewing processes and flavours.

However, he said Cold Bath Brewery was in the process of launching new barrel-aged beers. These are beers that have been aged in oak barrels, allowing the wood to impart extra flavour.

He said:

“We have launched a barrel-aged process in terms of flavours you can create, for example we are using old bourbon barrels.”

Cold Bath Brewing Co.

Pubs, bars and eateries taking part in Harrogate Beer Week include:

The Harrogate Tap

Starling Independent

The Tap on Tower Street

The Little Ale House

Major Tom’s Social

Cold Bath Clubhouse

The Disappearing Chin

Roosters Brewery and Taproom

Blind Jack’s, Knaresborough

Cold Bath Deli and Wine Bar

HUSK Beer Emporium

Turning Point Brewery and Taproom

Bus driver assaulted in Knaresborough

A bus driver was assaulted and had beer poured over her by two young women in Knaresborough on a late night service last night.

An eye witness told the Stray Ferret the driver was verbally abused and pushed over by a young woman in an “unprovoked attack”.

Another woman then allegedly poured a bottle of beer on the driver before leaving the bus, which had just left Knaresborough Bus Station at around 10pm, to get a taxi.

The witness, who did not wish to be named, said he was “shocked at what happened”, and that it highlighted the dangers facing frontline public sector workers.

He added police attended and took statements.

Harrogate Bus Company said today it was supporting the driver and cooperating with police over the alleged assault.

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Driver ‘shaken’

Steve Ottley, general manager at Harrogate Bus Company, said the driver was shaken but was “doing fine”.

He said:

“We can confirm there was an incident involving a colleague last night who was treated despicably by two customers. 

“Our driver is doing fine but was understandably shaken by what happened. 

“We are supporting our driver and doing all we can to assist the police in bring the assailants to justice. Such incidents are mercifully, extremely rare and we take the welfare of our team and customers extremely seriously.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed officers attended the incident, but added that no arrests had been made and an investigation was ongoing.

They added:

“Anyone with any information who has not yet spoken to the police, should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident number 12210198766.”

Knaresborough firms raise concerns about proposed new BID

Three independent businesses in Knaresborough have expressed concerns about the process to create a new Business Improvement District for the town.

Companies in Knaresborough will be balloted on Friday on whether to set up a BID.

BIDs, which already exist in many towns and cities, including Harrogate and Ripon, aim to create safer, cleaner and better promoted city and town centres to improve footfall.

Plans to create a Knaresborough BID began in September 2019 and the outcome of this week’s ballot is due to be revealed on October 9.

But three business owners jointly contacted the Stray Ferret saying they felt their voices hadn’t been heard during the BID set-up process and highlighting concerns about transparency, communication and accuracy.

They are Tracey Bell from Ruebury Flowers, Annie Wilkinson-Gill at The Crystal Buddha and Natalie Horner from Sid Horner and Son.

Transparency

If the BID is voted in, all businesses in the Knaresborough area will have to pay an annual levy for five years. The amount depends on each company’s rateable value and can vary from 68p to £21 each day.

The three women said it was important for them to know before they voted what schemes would be introduced from the £700,000 the BID is expected to receive over five years.

The Knaresborough BID’s business plan sets aside £575,000 for ‘communicating, connecting, celebrating and collaborating’ but the women say they are not clear what this means even though they have sought clarification.

Ms Bell said:

“It’s just not been done in the right way and it’s not transparent. I really do think it could have worked well but it’s just a shame that our opinions haven’t been listened to.

“I have no confidence in how the process has been handled so far that these people [the BID task group] are going to be able to deliver what they said they will deliver.”

When asked what the £575,000 will go towards, Bill Taylor, chair of the BID task group, said:

“If the vote is successful a not-for-profit company will carry out the detailed implementation of the themes identified in the plan. This company will be run and managed by businesses themselves and the details of this are also set out in the business plan.”

Communication

The three business owners said they found out about the BID through word of mouth and social media rather than from BID consultants.

They added numerous businesses, included in the BID map area, are yet to be contacted despite ballot papers going out at the end of the week.

The business owners also said they had raised numerous questions and suggested ideas for the business plan but none had been included. They said they felt they weren’t being listened to.

Ms Thorner said:

“We kept trying to get involved and ask questions but now it’s going to ballot and we’re still no more aware of where the £700,000 is going.”

Ms Bell added:

“For me, it sounds like they’ve thought ‘let’s do this thing’ and not tell anyone.”

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Accuracy

They also claimed the ballot list is full of inaccuracies, saying some businesses included don’t exist anymore or have changed hands.

Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:

“Some of the owners on the list have passed away. There should be an accurate list.”

In response, Mr Taylor said the ballot process was handled by an officer at Harrogate Borough Council and incorrect information should be reported to it.

The three women are delivering flyers this week to businesses to ensure they are aware of the upcoming vote. Insisting the flyers are non-biased, Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:

“We don’t care how people vote, we just want everyone to know about it. I’m still optimistic that the BID could be good for the town, we just need to make sure everyone has the chance to be involved.”

More homes set to be added to 600-home Knaresborough scheme

House builder Taylor Wimpey looks set to be granted permission to include another 23 properties in the 600-home Manse Farm development in Knaresborough.

A Harrogate Borough Council report recommends the council’s planning committee approves two variations to the original planning permission, which allowed 600 homes to be built.

The first variation is to increase the number of homes number by 23. The second variation is for the developer to change the road layout to its nearby 400-home Highfield Farm development, which is yet to be granted planning permission.

In total, over 1,000 homes could eventually be built to the east of Knaresborough off the A59.

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The council report recommends councillors approve the application to improve access between the Manse Farm and Highfield Farm developments.

It says:

“Without such a condition there is a risk that the links would not be provided, leaving the residents of the Highfield Farm development isolated from the proposed facilities on Manse Farm and forced to use the A59 as the sole point of access.”

Goldsborough and Flaxby Parish Council objected to the proposal, saying the development needed fewer homes rather than more.

It said:

“The original overall total 1,002 approved houses on the east side of Knaresborough, at the Manse Farm and the neighbouring Highfield Farm developments, was already excessive and inappropriate.

“Taking this total up to 1,027 is therefore not supported. Reductions in housing in these developments should be taking place, not increases, in order to make the developments a more rewarding living environment.”

The council’s planning committee will meet next Tuesday to consider the application.

‘We will not resort straight away to criminal prosecution’ of travellers, say police

North Yorkshire Police has said it will not “resort straight away” to criminal prosecution of travellers who set up illegal encampments.

Travellers have pitched up at Hay-a-Park in Knaresborough and on the playing field at Ashville College in Harrogate this month.

Asked today by a member of the public why officers did not use the Criminal Disorder Act 1984, which prohibits trespassing, deputy chief constable Phil Cain said the police always looked to resolve the matter at “the earliest opportunity”.

But he added the force had a “graduated response” to dealing with such incidents.

DCC Cain, speaking at a North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner public accountability meeting, said police had to balance the human rights of all those involved, particularly as the travelling community often has families with small children.

He said:

“The graduated response from North Yorkshire Police, as it is with other forces, is that we will not resort straight away to criminal prosecution. We will engage with the travelling community and the land owners as we have done on this occasion.

“We will seek to resolve the matter at the earliest opportunity using the least intrusive means possible. That includes graduating up through private land owners utilising powers in civil courts for unlicensed travellers settlements all the way through to the final element, which would be criminal prosecution.

“On this occasion, local officers have engaged with the travelling community and they have agreed to move on without the need for us to resort to criminal prosecution.”

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“It’s not that we are not prepared to use these powers, it’s that there has to be a graduated response and we have to show that graduated response in order to show that we are complying with the Human Rights Act.”

Last week travellers set up camp on Ashville College’s rugby pitch and demanded £5,000 to leave, according to a college spokesperson.

However, after less than two days the travellers hitched up their caravans and moved on. The college said they left of their own accord.

Hay-a-Park rugby field in Knaresborough was sealed off by police and deemed to be a health hazard due to the amount of human excrement after travellers departed on August 10.

Knaresborough traveller site Hay-A-Park

A police cordon sealing off Hay-a-Park rugby field after travellers left.