Police stop suspected poachers near Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Police officers stopped suspected poachers in Knaresborough in the early hours of this morning.

The force was contacted by members of the Rural Watch scheme at 11.15pm last night. They suspected poaching was taking place in a Subaru Forester on land at Arkendale, near Knaresborough.

Poachers normally travel in groups with dogs, using 4×4 vehicles. They typically hunt brown hare or deer.

The Subaru became stuck in the mud before making its way across farmers’ fields and onto the roads.

Officers stopped the vehicle and found two male occupants inside. They also noticed a large amount of blood.

After letting the men go, the suspects became stuck for a second time in the evening and the vehicle was seized. Enquiries are ongoing.

Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural taskforce, said:

“Our officers, some of whom have farming backgrounds, know the terrible impact poaching can have on rural communities.

“Farmers and landowners are often intimidated or even threatened with violence if they challenge offenders, leaving them feeling vulnerable to further crimes, particularly in isolated areas.

“On average, we’re called to more than 50 incidents of suspected poaching in North Yorkshire every month. Incidents tend to increase significantly from August onwards, during and after harvest time.”


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Under-pressure crime commissioner Philip Allott: ‘I will not resign’

Philip Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, reiterated today that he does not intend to resign.

Mr Allott was interviewed on BBC Look North this lunchtime in what was his first public appearance since his controversial comments about the Sarah Everard murder last Friday.

Back then, he said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Since then more than 9,000 people have signed a petition calling him to go.

Mr Allott told the BBC today:

“I’m deeply sorry for the comments I made. They’re not the kind of language I would usually use. I’m just so horrified how my comments have been seen.”

When asked if he would resign, Mr Allott said he had “reflected” on his position and intended to stay.

He added:

“Because it’s more important that I carry through the mandate I was elected to do.

“83,000 people voted for me in North Yorkshire and York. That’s more than any Member of Parliament.”

Watch the interview below:

A North Yorkshire police boss who claimed women "need to be streetwise" after the Sarah Everard case has said he will not resign.

Philip Allott added he was "deeply sorry" for the comments he made.

Read more here: https://t.co/OgtNI9hr2Q pic.twitter.com/1K9c2SuBkQ

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) October 8, 2021


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Local fallout

Knaresborough resident Mr Allott has faced widespread criticism in the Harrogate district over the past week, including a protest at the war memorial in Harrogate last Saturday.

Harrogate LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity and business group Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce both withdrew invitations for him to speak at events.

The Harrogate & District Law Society also released a statement that said trust in Mr Allott had been “irretrievably lost” and he should resign.

Harrogate Borough Council Liberal Democrat leader Pat Marsh said Mr Allott “should do the honourable thing and resign” and Conservative council leader Richard Cooper said his comments were “very wrong”.

North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel, which holds the commissioner to account, is due to meet on Thursday next week and Mr Allott’s comments will be on the agenda.

The meeting will begin at 10.30am and will be available to watch online via North Yorkshire County Council’s website.

 

Knaresborough pool proposal ‘environmental vandalism’, says campaigner

The leader of a Knaresborough group fighting to stop a new swimming pool being built on a green field has described the plans as “environmental vandalism of the highest order”.

David Hull set up Not on Fysche Field (Not Off) when Harrogate Borough Council proposed a new Knaresborough leisure centre and suggested it could be built on the park alongside the current site.

Mr Hull handed in a 600-name petition to the council last night opposing the plans and read a strongly worded statement.

He said:

“This proposal to build on Fysche field park has been a complete shambles from day one.

“Harrogate Borough Council have behaved in a totally selfish and arrogant fashion by deliberately withholding information and not being honest with the public.

“The people are speaking and need to be heard. They don’t want or need this environmentally destructive development on Fysche field.

“Building a brand new pool right next to a perfectly functioning one is environmental vandalism of the highest accord.”

Mr Hull’s petition calls for any new leisure centre to be built on the existing footprint rather than moving it onto the green field adjacent.

The council’s current favoured plan is to build the new leisure centre on the play area to the side of the leisure centre rather than the green space. But the threat to the park remains.


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During his presentation last night, Mr Hull read comments from individuals who he said supported the campaign. One questioned whether councillors were “getting rich” from this development.

This drew a strong rebuke from council leader Richard Cooper, who said councillors shouldn’t be “slighted or demeaned” in this way.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Hull said:

“We wanted to demonstrate that the community is not saying no to the development. We support a sensitive development but it needs to be sympathetic to the local area.”

Mr Hull added that greater transparency from the council would stop people holding so many negative opinions.

Knaresborough theatre undergoes £50,000 refurb

Frazer Theatre in Knaresborough is getting ready to lift the curtain after a £50,000 refurbishment during its forced covid closure.

The theatre, behind Tesco Express on the High Street, has been under the ownership of the Knaresborough Players for over 50 years but it was only during covid that the dramatic society had the time to do the necessary works on it.

Starting last May, the society completely refurbished the stage with new foundations and flooring, painted the entire theatre and foyer, put in new carpets and re-upholstered the seats.

Vice-chairman John Pearce, said it was important for the character of the theatre to be maintained but added the new refurbishment will mean it’s fit for future performances.

“It’s not completely different but if you add it all up it is quite different. We had a lot of debate about how far to go, because we needed to keep the character of the Frazer.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s all been worth it because the theatre looks great.”

From this (left) to this (right: The Frazer Theatre renovation

The society has been planning these works for years but needed time to complete them without disruption its performance calendar.

As well as using its own savings, the society received a £30,000 donation after the death of a local man which was put towards the project.

The society’s pantomime is a big event in its calendar. But Mr Pearce said the society is still “working on options” after some members raised concerns about coming together to rehearse and perform together early next year.


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The 127-seat theatre is reopening for its first performance next week, Saturday 16, after almost 18 months.

In previous years, the theatre has held over 180 performances in a year including plays, pantomimes and comedy performances.

New pink battery recycling bins for the Harrogate district

North Yorkshire County Council has installed new bright pink bins across the district for people to safely recycle batteries.

The council said punctured batteries are thought to have caused several fires at waste transfer stations and need to be disposed of correctly.

The fluorescent pink bins can be found at 3 household waste recycling centres across the Harrogate district.

The county council said the most important batteries to recycle are lithium-ion batteries found in mobile phones, laptops, and toys – as they are the main cause of battery fires when thrown away inappropriately.


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County Councillor Derek Bastiman, executive member for waste management, said:

“There are serious risks with batteries being disposed of in the general waste stream in wheeled bins and at the HWRCs.

“Although Yorwaste staff do a brilliant job in checking for batteries being disposed in the general waste there are inevitably some that slip through the net. This is why we have introduced these new bins located near the waste and recycling containers.

“Getting into the habit of collecting batteries can be very simple. Try setting up a small container such as an old ice cream tub or plastic bag, and when it’s full take the batteries to one of the sites. Collection points can also be found at supermarkets, schools, DIY centres and local shops.”

For all battery recycling bin locations, click here.

New artisan market to open in Knaresborough this Saturday

A new artisan market is set to open this Saturday on Knaresborough’s Market Place.

The market set up by Little Bird Made will sell artisanal products – varying from food and drink to clothes and plants.

Working with Knaresborough Town Council the new artisan market will be monthly.

Hazel Morrison, press officer at Little Bird Made, said:

“Little Bird Made run a number of markets across the North Yorkshire area and with Knaresborough being well known as a market town, set within a beautiful setting, what better place to expand our portfolio of venues to include.”

“The dates for the market until the end of the year are, Saturday 2 of October, 6 of November and 19 of December. We are currently working on our programme of dates for 2022 and the market will take place monthly, with set dates to be confirmed.”


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The market will contain 50 curated stalls – catering to a wide range of customers. It will run from 9am to 3pm.

Little Bird Made is also organising the new Christmas market in the Valley Gardens, Harrogate from December 2 to 4.

For more information click here.

‘Ambitious plans’ for new Knaresborough leisure centre revealed

Harrogate Borough Council has revealed how its proposed new multi-million pound leisure centre in Knaresborough will look.

The council plans to build the new facility on the site of Knaresborough Pool on King James Road by spring 2023.

The new centre will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool, learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio and spin studio.

Designs also show that it will have a café, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and a large play area.

The council has said it would prefer to build the centre towards the rear of the existing pool, where the play park is currently located, rather than build on Fysche field.

Knaresborough Pool would remain open throughout construction. When the new building opens, the council would demolish the existing pool and create a new play area in its place.

An aerial view of the plans.

However, the council is keeping the option of building on Fysche field on the table as “option B” under the plans.

If the council went ahead with building on Fysche field then it would create a new green space in place of Knaresborough Pool.

Some Knaresborough people are concerned Fysche field and the adjoining children’s playground area could be lost and have a launched a campaign to “protect central Knaresborough’s only recreational green space from being concreted over”.

Share your views on the Knaresborough leisure centre plans

The council has now asked for residents to share their views online ahead of a formal planning application. It will also host an in-person consultation at Knaresborough Pool on October 6 between 5pm and 8pm.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, said:

“We have ambitious plans to reduce the proportion of the population that are physically inactive but we can’t do this without investing in our facilities.

“This multi-million pound investment for Knaresborough will create a 21st century facility that provides fantastic opportunities for local people to move more, live well and feel great.

“Along with our new facility in Ripon and the redevelopment of the Hydro in Harrogate, as well as the districts other great leisure centres and pools, I hope people feel motivated, supported and inspired to stay active.”


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Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said:

“Through the provision of fantastic modern leisure and wellness facilities and engaging, inclusive services we will be able to help many more people become active, lead healthier lifestyles and therefore live longer, more independent and happier lives.”

James Foley, commercial director for Alliance Leisure Services, said:

“The proposed transformation for Knaresborough has the capability to create a hugely positive impact within the community for generations to come.”

Backlash over search for locations

The current site was one of four options, along with Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and Hay-a-Park under consideration for the new leisure centre last year.

The council faced a backlash for considering Grade II* listed Conyngham Hall, with Knaresborough Civic Society among those opposing the move.

A Hands Off Conyngham Hall Grounds petition by the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats attracted more than 1,600 signatures.

Driver escapes serious injury in Knaresborough crash

A motorist was lucky to escape serious injury when his car overturned near Knaresborough yesterday.

Traffic Constable David Minto, one of two police officers who attended the scene, tweeted about the incident today.

TC Minto, who is based in Harrogate, said the crash happened near Copgrove, which is five miles from Knaresborough. He added:

“The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“He was discharged a short while later.”

TC Minto added that no other vehicles were involved.

No further details of the incident are currently available.


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Elderly queue for two hours in rain for booster jabs at Knaresborough

Several readers have contacted the Stray Ferret to say they had to queue outside in the rain for up to two hours on the opening day of the new Knaresborough vaccination site.

The pharmacy-run site relocated today to Chain Lane Community Hub. As well as administering first and second doses of the covid vaccine, it is also giving booster jabs.

Three women got in touch to describe long queues outside the clinic, with some as old as 80 standing outside for long periods.

Carol Harrington said she arrived at 12.30pm and received her vaccine just after 2pm. She said:

“Everyone was elderly, some were in wheelchairs others with sticks. Some people were really struggling, so they took them inside.

“It was awful, I understand it was the first day and they may fix it but it really wasn’t good.

“My husband struggles to walk so I’m worried for when I have to bring him.”

‘Distressing to see’

Another lady who asked not to be named, said she was there from 11.30am to 1.45pm. She said:

“I was quite distressed to see so many people stood in the queue. I think I’m fairly fit for someone over 80 but I was surrounded by people that weren’t. There was one lady who had to get a chair and we kept moving it along the line.

“I kept asking the volunteers but no-one had any answers.”

Tracy from Ripon, who asked not to use her full name, said she was asked to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with no social distancing. She said despite everyone wearing masks she didn’t feel safe.

“I was waiting for 50 minutes. Asking vulnerable people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder so they can avoid the rain isn’t OK. I’d much rather get a little damp then get too close to someone in a pandemic.

“I’ve felt safer in busy supermarkets.”


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‘Tomorrow won’t be the same’

The site, run by Homecare Pharmacy Services, opened in the car park of the former Lidl in Knaresborough in February but said it wanted to move to larger premises for winter.

The site will be one of the main hubs for booster jabs in the district, alongside Ripon racecourse.

Its managing director, Jason Baskind, acknowledged the claims from today’s visitors:

“It’s a new site and it’s a case of learning about the mechanics of the car park. We will be learning from today, all the team tried to keep the queues as small as we could.

“There are absolutely lessons to be taken. Perhaps we overestimated what we could do on day one. It’s about maximising the capacity whilst keeping queues small. I am very hopeful tomorrow won’t be the same.”

Goldsborough Hall appoints new head chef

Josh Barnes has been appointed executive head chef at Goldsborough Hall, the 17th century stately home near Knaresborough.

Mr Barnes will also oversee food and catering at the hall’s sister property, The Bay Horse Inn in Goldsborough.

He was previously head chef at the Galvin La Chapelle restaurant in London, where he retained its Michelin Star and 3AA rosette status. The restaurant also won recognition for its vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.

Mr Barnes, who grew up in Lincolnshire, said he was delighted with his new role, adding:

“It is exactly the type of property I wished to be part of, a beautiful historic stately home surrounded by countryside, with an ethos of sustainably sourced fresh local produce, where the food miles can be counted in feet and inches.

“My style is seasonally driven, using modern techniques and styles with a classic French undertone all served in the majesty of the hall’s historic dining room, where former kings and queens have dined.”


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Goldsborough Hall owner Mark Oglesby said Mr Barnes would be a “perfect fit for the hall and our dining experience”. He added:

“Josh will oversee all culinary activities including lunch and dinner service, in-room dining plus extensive banquet and catering offerings for weddings, private functions and corporate events.”