The search is on to find the best lit house in the Harrogate district this Christmas! With the help of Yorkshire Lighting and Electrical Services, the Stray Ferret is looking for those who’ve gone that extra mile to make Christmas 2020 more magical than ever.

The competition will launch on Facebook on Monday 23 November, and anyone can nominate themselves or a neighbour.

Glen Molloy from Yorkshire Lighting said:

“I’m delighted to be working alongside the Stray Ferret to try and bring some Christmas cheer in these hard times. It’s been a difficult year for everybody, and I’m hoping this will bring some joy to those neighbourhoods that get involved. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the hard work that goes into lighting up so many houses for Christmas 2020.”

Aside from the pride of the title of ‘Best Christmas Lights in the Harrogate District’, the winner will receive a £150 voucher from Harrogate company Lights4Fun – so they can go even further next year!

Simon Norton, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at Lights4fun said:

“This year more than ever before, the home is at the heart of Christmas. There are many ways in which lighting has lifted our spirits, from outdoor displays that brighten the evenings of those passing by to placing candles in windows in support of key workers. As a Harrogate business we are proud to partner with the Stray Ferret in their search for the best dressed Christmas house. We truly care about our community and are always so proud to support our local causes and businesses.”

Read More:

• Harrogate district lit up in Christmas lights displays
• IMAGE GALLERY: Pateley Bridge is lit up for Christmas

Harrogate independent bakery Baltzersen’s is expanding into Knaresborough next week with a new pop-up shop.

Baltzersen’s Bakeri will open on Wednesday at 33 Market Place for six weeks and will specialise in artisan bread, pastries and cakes.

Paul Rawlinson, the owner of Baltzersen’s, told the Stray Ferret that if the six weeks goes well, the move could become permanent. He said:

“We need to test to see what the reception is like from the people of Knaresborough and whether it will be something that can sustain a shop.

“We’re testing the water. Harrogate is our base but it’s the first time we’ve gone a bit further afield and we want to see how it works”.

The shop, which won’t provide hot drinks, will be open seven days a week from 9am until 2pm.

Mr Rawlinson was inspired by his Norwegian grandmother to open his first cafe in Harrogate in 2012.

The business expanded in late 2018 when a coffee shop opened in the neighbouring unit on Oxford Street. Then in October this year Baltzersen’s Bakeri opened, also on Oxford Street.

Read more:

• New bakery to open in Harrogate
• More than 100 Eat Out to Help Out businesses in Harrogate district

Steve Teggin, president of the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, told the Stray Ferret the new bakery was “really good news” for the town.

He said Knaresborough had been resurgent this year, with several vacant units now filled, after a period of decline.

He said:

“We’ve got lots of good bakeries already in Knaresborough and it’s good to get another one in. We’ll welcome Baltzersen’s with open arms.”

Two new benches have taken pride of place in Harrogate and Knaresborough to celebrate key workers.

One of the benches is in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens; the other overlooks the boats on the River Nidd in Knaresborough.

The volunteer group Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate is behind the project.

The group commissioned the benches from Harrogate Borough Council at £1,200 each, using money left over from fundraising events.

Julie Mills, head of the Supplies for Key Workers group, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is just brilliant to see. When I saw that plaque, I was quite emotional. This is what we have all done together.

“We have not really stopped since the first lockdown but it is nice to sit on the benches and reflect on what we have achieved.”

Read more:

• Ripon coronavirus testing site being considered
• Coronavirus clinic to open at Jennyfield community centre

More than 3,000 people are in the group, which was set up at the start of lockdown.

The group is still receiving requests for scrubs and visors.

The new Knaresborough leisure centre is set to be built on the same site as the current one, it was revealed today.

Harrogate Borough Council said it had chosen the existing site on King James Road as its preferred option.

It was one of four options, along with Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and Hay-a-Park under consideration.

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.

But that option now seems to be off the table.

Conyngham Hall appears to be off the table.

Ian Clark, Knaresborough Civic Society’s secretary, welcomed the decision. He told the Stray Ferret:

“This is good news for many people in Knaresborough. Conyngham Hall was not a suitable option for a leisure centre.

“It would not have done the historic building any favours if they built a new site right next to it and replaced park land with a car park.”

The decision is likely to be ratified at a council cabinet meeting on December 2. Residents will then be consulted on whether they agree.

Local property consultants Carter Jonas looked at the leisure centre options.

The council said the decision was based on factors including location, physical appearance, access as well as planning and legal issues.

A new £10 million leisure centre is also being built in Ripon. It will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool, an extended gym and sauna suite, three activity studios and meeting rooms.

Leisure services plans for the district take a step forward

Harrogate Borough Council also announce today is was set to appoint Alliance Leisure Services as its development manager for leisure.

The company, based in Somerset, will be responsible for the delivery of investment in leisure sites in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Read more:

• Conyngham Hall plans ‘cultural vandalism’
• New consultation planned over future of leisure services
• Harrogate council approves leisure services overhaul

Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, will be asked to approve the decision tomorrow.

Cllr Lumley said:

“There are some exciting times ahead that shows our investment in the future of the sport and leisure facilities in the Harrogate district.”

A man has been jailed for raping a woman in Knaresborough as she slept after a night out.

Dariush Behdarvandi-Aidi, 33, was convicted of the rape in Knaresborough in December 2017 and another rape in Leeds in April 2017.

Behdarvandi-Aidi, from Pocklington, was sentenced today to six years and 10 months at Leeds Crown Court.

When Behdarvandi-Aidi raped the Knaresborough woman, she woke and pushed him away.

She then called the police while he was still in the house. Officers attended immediately and arrested the man.

Read more:

• Police appeal for help finding wanted Harrogate man
• Yorkshire Ripper case ‘fundamentally changed’ policing
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A month later another woman reported to the police that her friend had been sexually assaulted and raped by Behdarvandi-Aidi in Leeds.

Like the Knaresborough case, the woman was sleeping after a night out. When she woke she had no memory of what had happened.

Detective constable Emma Dawson, who investigated the case, said:

“I am pleased that justice has been delivered for both victims today. No prison sentence can make up for the distress and suffering they have endured.

“But I hope they can both take some comfort from the fact that Behdarvandi-Aidi is now behind bars for his crimes.”

If you have been the victim of a sexual offence recently or many years ago then call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Or 999 if you are in danger.

The Bridge House Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Bishopthorpe, York is available for those who may not want to speak to the police on 0330 223 0362.

Knaresborough and Central Harrogate are the current covid hotspots in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government figures.

The seven-day average rate of infections in the week to November 10 reveals the two local areas each recorded 44 new cases — more than anywhere else.

Harrogate Central was the fourth highest local area in the district last week, with 26 cases. Knaresborough was not in the top five.

Both areas also appear in the top 10 list for the county.

Read more:

• Harrogate Nightingale could be used as vaccination centre
• ‘Do not be afraid’: Harrogate woman’s testing centre experience
• Harrogate district covid rate falls after record high

The Scarborough borough accounts for seven of the top 10 places, with Filey and Hummanby reporting the most of all with 79.

Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington reported the lowest number of cases in the Harrogate district with six.

Highest number of cases
1= Harrogate Central 44
1= Knaresborough 44
3 Harrogate East 37
5= Harrogate West and Pannal 36
5= Killinghall and Hampsthwaite 36

Lowest number of cases
1 Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington 6
2= Masham, Kirkby Malzeard and North Stainley 7
2= Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley 7
4= Knaresborough Central 13
4= Ripon North and West 13

Schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough could be forced to lay-off teachers because of spiralling debts, a councillor has warned.

Cllr Geoff Webber, a Liberal Democrat who represents Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge on North Yorkshire County Council, said schools may be forced to act after new figures showed debt increasing.

A council report published last week on schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough showed four schools are projected to have debts totalling £1.6 million by March 2021.

By March 2023, this is forecast to have risen to five schools with total debts of £1.6 million.

Cllr Webber told the Stray Ferret:

“The schools will start off with an overspend one year and will not be able to bring that debt back under control. It just spirals from there.

“When the schools are in debt the only way for them to save money is to make staff redundant. It’s usually the more experienced ones that go first.”

The financial situation is bleak across the county: 37 schools in North Yorkshire have total debt of £7.2 million.

This is expected to soar to 93 schools with total debt of £18.3 million by 2022/23. This would mean 40 per cent of schools in the county will be in debt.

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• Harrogate primary school’s plea: help our pupils who are isolating
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Two primary schools, one secondary school and one special needs school are currently in debt in Harrogate and Knaresborough. The council paper does not name them.

The government has frozen education funding in recent years.

North Yorkshire misses out

The funding formula focuses on deprivation. So schools in more affluent areas like the Harrogate district tend to miss out.

The report says:

“North Yorkshire secondary schools are placed 133 out of 149 local authorities in terms of funding.

“On average, a school in North Yorkshire will receive £5,151 per pupil in 2020/21 compared to a national average of £5,496.

“Comparing the funding for a 1,500 pupil secondary school this equates to a difference in funding of £0.5m.”

Cllr Webber said the council should use its reserves to plug funding shortfalls if the government does not increase funding.

Cllr Patrick Mulligan, the Conservative executive member for education and skills at the council, who represents Airedale, told the Stray Ferret:

“I do sympathise with the schools. It has been difficult for them since the funding was frozen with austerity. This puts us in a difficult position.

“We have been lobbying MPs to ask for more school funding. We had a 3% rise in funding per pupil this year and hope that continues.”

Knaresborough’s FEVA festival is calling for volunteers to join its committee as it begins to plan for its comeback in 2021.

The festival went virtual this year holding events and a “Knaresborough’s Got Talent” show online.

2021 marks 25 years since the first ‘Knaresborough Festival’ and organisers are planning a celebratory event.

The committee is looking to fill a number of vacancies including secretary, treasurer and other general event support roles.

The large group of volunteers help to organise over 90 separate events for FEVA each year. These include live music, plays and workshops.

Current Chair Lucy Barrow says it’s an exciting time to get involved:

“It’s been devastating for so many to have cancelled events in 2020, and it was the first time FEVA has ever been pulled.

“We’ve used the time wisely to take stock, and now we are working on establishing a new organising committee.”

Read more:

• FEVA’s weekend of virtual events begins. 
• Harrogate Mind calls for more volunteers for its programme offering a companion to those isolating. 

The committee is working hard to raise funds for next year. They say they have a “responsibility” to boost morale for the town.

Lucy added:

“As a community festival we believe we have a responsibility in 2021 after such a difficult time to bring joy back to the local community and to boost tourism for the good of our local businesses. We’ll be working harder than ever to do just that and we have everything crossed.”

To get involved in the committee applicants are being asked to email admin@feva.info.

The Knaresborough Community Land Trust is hoping to develop a disused area in the town centre to provide three flats as affordable housing.

The group, made up of volunteers, says there isn’t enough affordable housing for key workers to live close to work.

The site for the group’s first project is at the bottom of the high street near the roundabout for Boroughbridge Road.

It is currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council but could be sold to the land trust under the proviso it was made into affordable housing.

Previously a public toilet and an air raid shelter the trust feel it is a good spot for accommodation as it is in a residential area and has nearby travel links.

(Left) The ground floor plans of the building and its proposed stret view (right). Photograph: Bauman Lyons Architects.

Hilary Garner, secretary of Knaresborough Community Lands Trust, said:

“We need the housing in Knaresborough – we have a lot of care workers and professionals but there isn’t the affordable housing.

“Any profit made goes back into the next project. We aren’t looking to build social housing because that is taken up by the big housing associations. This is to provide for the town’s population.

We all care very much about keeping Knaresborough alive. This is about catering for the population that lives here and catering for the young people too.”

The plans – as they stand – will include a bus shelter with a ‘living’ roof and maintain the public access to the buildings at the rear. Seven trees will have to be felled and 14 others will be planted elsewhere in the town.

Read more:

• Whinney Lane developed pledges to stick to agreement with the council following resident complaints.
• A new set of plans have been put forward for 170-home development in Knaresborough.

On Monday, November 9, the plans were discussed at Knaresborough Town Council planning meeting.

A resident and some town councillors voiced concern about the look of the building:

“KTC is unhappy about the colour of the finished building. Design is not in keeping with the Grade II listed buildings next door and nearby. Given the very prominent location within the conservation area this needs to be revisited. KTC is very concerned about the removal of seven trees.

“This particular development as a whole is unsuitable for the land and surrounding area.”

The resident, living near to the site, said the development would have a “detrimental effect” on their property.

“We congratulate the Community Land Trust on producing an innovative design that respects the conservation area setting of the site and reflects the surrounding historic buildings without trying to imitate them.

“It is exciting to see a community led development bring affordable housing of this quality to the centre of Knaresborough.”

The current plans are yet to be agreed by Harrogate Borough Council as they’re open for public consultation until December, 5.

The organisation behind plans to build the Harrogate district’s first community-owned woodland has just 10 days left to raise the final £50,000.

The Long Lands Common Community Benefit Society, which aims to buy open farmland between Harrogate and Knaresborough, has so far secured £252,400 of its £300,000 target.

It has set a deadline of November 20 to reach the target.

The society recently delivered 48,000 leaflets to local homes encouraging people to buy shares in the scheme.

It now plans to take news of the appeal national and offer people “their own piece of Yorkshire land”.

The greenbelt section of land sits between the Bilton Triangle and The Avenue in Starbeck.

A duck pond and a sensory garden are just some of the ideas for the land. Photograph: Gary Lawson.

It consists of 30 acres of farmland that was previously looked at by North Yorkshire County Council as a location for a bypass.

The society hopes buying the land will prevent another bid for a bypass, create a green space local people can enjoy and increase the biodiversity in the area.

Chris Kitson, one of the organisers, said:

“We want to be part of the solution. Habitats are being lost by local developments and we want to address that imbalance.

“We are very hopeful about reaching our target. We just need more people to buy shares and help make a positive change.”

Read more:

• WATCH as we look at the land hoped to be used for the community woodland. 
• The local green party has began a petition against Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to expand its site. 

One of the first items on the society’s agenda is to improve access to the woodland by creating an accessible entrance suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Once the money is raised the Long Lands Common team will consider other plans, including creating a duck pond, wildflower meadow and a sensory garden.

The volunteers hope that through further social media campaigning and word of mouth the target will be reached and plans can get underway.

To learn more and buy shares, head to the website here.