Knaresborough’s ex-crime commissioner launches victims’ charity

Knaresborough’s former crime commissioner Philip Allott is leading a new national charity that will support victims of crimes committed by emergency service staff.

Blue Light Whistle Blowers is in the process of being registered as a charitable incorporated organisation by the Charity Commission.

It will support victims of crimes committed by staff in policing, ambulance trusts and fire and rescue services and advise them on pursuing whistleblowing allegations but will not investigate claims itself.

The organisation, which is seeking a chief executive, aims to generate £100,000 a year to fund its work.

Mr Allott, who resigned as the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in 2021 following comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, said he decided to get involved because emergency services crimes were under-reported.

A telephone hotline and online portal will be set up this year to enable victims to confidentially report wrongdoing.

The organisation said in a statement:

“The charity aims to be the voice of victims and their families and won’t hesitate where necessary to challenge the status quo.

“The charity aim is to hold chief constables, chief fire officers and ambulance trusts to account for these crimes and will produce league tables highlighting the best and worst affected services within the country.”

The service is due to go live in the autumn, initially based on a number of areas including London before it is rolled out nationally.

Bob Blackman (left) and Philip Allott

Mr Allott, chair of the organisation, said:

“Blue Light Whistle Blowers has been set up to be the voice of the voiceless and the silenced. Whistleblowers will support the victims and give them a voice, as for too long they have received little if any support.”

Those involved met MPs and peers, including Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and Lord Harrogate Timothy Kirkhope at the House of Commons last month, at an event sponsored by Bob Blackman MP, the Conservative MP for Harrow East.

The main picture shows the trustees with Andrew Jones MP. They are (left to right) Tim Cook, Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Philip Allott, Andrew Jones and Adele Winkley.

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Knaresborough amusement arcade set to be approved

An amusement arcade looks set to open on the site of a former building society in Knaresborough.

The High Street gaming centre will be open to over-18s between 9am and 10pm.

North Yorkshire Council planning officer Sam Witham has recommended councillors approve the scheme when they meet next week — despite objections from Knaresborough Town Council and three residents.

They were concerned about noise, the impact on the High Street appearance and anti-social behaviour.

Carl Bearman, director of a company formed in January called Spectacular Bid, applied to change the use of vacant premises at 30 High Street.

The site, which is on the corner of Knaresborough High Street and Park Place in Knaresborough Conservation Area, was home to Yorkshire Building Society until March 2018.

Mr Whitham’s report to councillors says the location is within the primary shopping area of Knaresborough, complies with the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, and would not harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. It says:

“Subject to conditions, the proposal is acceptable with regards to its impact on neighbouring amenity, and in particular the impact of noise on the residential flats above the ground floor unit subject to this proposal.”

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The report adds:

“The proposed use would bring about the re-use of the property and it is not considered that the use would be incompatible with the town centre location.”

One of the conditions attached to approving the scheme is that machines must not to operate at more than 25% volume.

Councillors on the Liberal Democrat-controlled 13-person Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will decide whether to accept the recommendation to approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday next week.

Three schools near Harrogate to share executive head under new agreement

Three village schools near Harrogate and Knaresborough have agreed to work in partnership in a move leaders say will benefit pupils and staff.

Goldsborough Church of England Primary School and Sicklinghall Community Primary School formed the Goldsborough Sicklinghall Federation in 2015.

Now the federation has entered into a less formal “collaborative agreement” with Admiral Long Church of England Primary School at Burnt Yates.

The move will see federation executive headteacher Zoe Ellis also become executive headteacher at Admiral Long in September and work across all three sites.

Admiral Long Primary School in Burnt Yates

Admiral Long Primary School in Burnt Yates.

A letter from to parents from Cerys Townend, chair of the federation’s governing board, said it was “approached by the local authority to enter into a collaborative agreement with another small school”.

It added the move “provides an exciting new opportunity to learn and develop as well as building the financial resilience of all three schools”.

The letter said the schools “share core values rooted in Christian beliefs and practice” and “high quality learning opportunities”. It added:

“By sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources, the schools can enhance their educational offerings and provide a more enriching experience for their pupils.

“Collaboration enables the schools to pool their strengths, resulting in a wider range of learning opportunities, improved teaching practices, and a more comprehensive curriculum.”

Admiral Long is 11 miles from Goldsborough and 10 miles from Sicklinghall.

‘Exciting opportunity’

The Stray Ferret asked the council why the collaboration was happening and what impact it will have on staffing and finances.

Amanda Newbold, assistant director for education and skills at the council, replied in a statement:

“This is an exciting opportunity for Admiral Long CE Primary School to work in collaboration with the Goldsborough Sicklinghall Federation, led by executive headteacher Zoe Ellis and her team from the start of September.

“The collaboration will help the schools to work together, share expertise and resources for the benefit of pupils, staff and the wider school communities.”

No trains on Harrogate line for two days next week amid strikes

No trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough next week as staff stage further walkouts.

Members of the RMT Union are set to strike on Thursday, July 20, and Saturday, July 22, over a pay dispute.

A further walkout will take place on Saturday, July 29.

Northern, which operates trains between York and Leeds through Harrogate, has announced that the industrial action will affect services.

The company has said no trains will run on strike days and early morning services on Friday (July 21) and Sunday (July 23) are also expected to be disrupted.

Northern has urged people to check train times ahead of planning a journey.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: 

“Yet again, thousands of our customers will be inconvenienced as a result of this action by the RMT union.

“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said the strike was a result of ministers failing to put forward a “package that can settle this dispute”.

He said:

“This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.

“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers.

“Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.”

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Electric vehicle parking strategy being drawn up for Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Council has said it is working on a strategy for electric vehicle parking in Knaresborough after a petition was launched against the current arrangements.

Ten parking bays in Chapel Street Car Park, which were set aside for electric vehicles at the end of last year, are frequently empty.

Town centre parking in Knaresborough is notoriously difficult and the sight of empty bays while shoppers in petrol and diesel cars struggle to find spaces has infuriated traders, who say they are losing customers and taxpayers are being deprived of parking revenue.

The problem is particularly acute on Wednesday market days and Saturdays.

Five shops are displaying the petition, which was launched on Monday, calling for the council “to enter into urgent dialogue to discuss a phased transition to full electric vehicle provision”.

Traders want to see some of the EV charging stations available to all vehicles until demand for electric vehicle parking increases.

Chapel Street car park EV electric vehicles

Empty bays in Chapel Street Car Park.

Hairdresser Kelly Teggin, who launched the petition on Monday, has said the current arrangements are losing Knaresborough 500 to 1,000 shoppers a week.

She aims to get 500 signatures, which would require North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee to debate the matter. About 300 have signed so far.

The Stray Ferret asked the council to respond to some of the traders’ concerns.

Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director for highways and transport, provided written responses we have quoted below.

1 Engagement with the council has been almost non-existent

“The electric vehicle charging bays were installed as part of ultra-low emission vehicle strategy in 2019, with economic growth at its core.

“In March this year, our officers attended a public meeting with parties such as the town council. The session was to inform the public about the latest developments in electric vehicle parking provision in the local area and the feedback was positive.

“In the last few weeks, our officers met with local councillors to agree to collecting data which will help us build a picture of parking in Knaresborough. We can use this data to inform a strategy moving forward.”

2 Do non-electric car drivers get tickets for parking in the EV bays?

“The regulations are currently being re-written for all the car parks in North Yorkshire to include EV charging bays.”

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3 Do electric vehicles have to pay for parking while they charge?

“Yes, electric vehicles must pay to park whilst they charge during the chargeable hours of the car park.”

4 Why was a four-hour stay car park chosen when it takes eight hours to fully charge vehicles?

“The funding used to deliver the chargers states that the bays must be free for residential use between the hours of 6pm to 8am to encourage residential uptake of electric vehicles in areas with little or no off-street parking.

“It is expected that a visitor charging their vehicle for the four hours allowed in Knaresborough between 8am to 6pm would add around 120 miles to the range of the car.

“North Yorkshire’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy, adopted in May 2023, aims to guarantee that charging is available for all those that need it.

“We want to ensure that people can charge their vehicle whilst they spend time in that place, hopefully increasing their spending with local businesses.

“The increase in range for visitors over four hours should offer enough charge to either get home or go to the most convenient rapid charging point.”

Missing girl from Knaresborough found

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed that a missing girl from Knaresborough has been found.

Officers said she was reported missing on Monday this week.

However, the force confirmed this afternoon that she has since been found.

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Volunteers turn out in force to support campaign for cleaner River Nidd

Conservationists, anglers, academics and residents turned out in force at Knaresborough yesterday to prepare to begin water sampling on the River Nidd.

Samples will be taken along the length of the river on August 3 and then again the following month.

The results will form part of a bid to achieve bathing water status on the Nidd, which would require agencies to take measures to improve water quality.

Yesterday’s gathering near Conyngham Hall enabled volunteers to learn how to conduct accurate sampling.

It follows concerns about the state of the river, amid reports of bathers at Knaresborough Lido falling ill after entering the water.

Test kits were supplied by Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge that helped gather data for the River Wharfe’s successful bid for bathing water status.

Charlotte Simons, a senior project manager at the trust, said the volunteers would test for nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, as well as bacteria, such as E coli. She added:

“By testing along the whole river we can get a snapshot of what’s happening.”

Charlotte Simons and David Clayden hold a test kit above the River Nidd.

David Clayden, chairman of  Nidd Action Group, which was set up to co-ordinate the clean-up campaign, said:

“We’ve had a really good response from volunteers. The real thing starts on August 3, when everyone involved will be apportioned a place on the river to carry out sampling.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is also supporting the campaign.

He is co-ordinating efforts to monitor how much the river is used at the Lido.

A bid for bathing water status is expected to be submitted to the government in autumn.

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Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into the River Nidd 870 times last year, according to Environment Agency monitoring data.

The discharges lasted for a total of 6,177 hours. Dacre sewage pumping station alone saw 87 spills and 1,014 hours of sewage discharged.

By comparison, there were 318 spills into Oak Beck and Coppice Beck, which lasted for 438 hours.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.

 

Knaresborough traders start electric vehicle parking petition

Knaresborough traders have started a petition calling for some town centre electric vehicle charging stations to be made available to all cars.

Ten parking bays in Chapel Street Car Park were set aside for electric vehicles at the end of last year.

Most are frequently empty — while there is often a scramble for non-electric vehicle parking spaces, especially on Wednesday market days and Saturdays.

The sight of cars circling for parking spaces while the majority of EV bays are empty has infuriated traders, who claim they are losing business due to customers giving up and going elsewhere.

Electric vehicle EV Chapel Street car park parking

Empty electric vehicle charging stations in Chapel Street car park.

They also say taxpayers are missing out on income the empty bays are failing to generate.

Hairdresser Kelly Teggin, who launched the petition today, said it aimed to get 500 signatures, which would require North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee to debate the matter.

Ms Teggin said:

“The council has not really been engaging with us and hopefully this petition will change that.

“Many of my clients are older and say they won’t walk from other car parks further away. I estimate it’s costing the town 500 to 1,000 shoppers a week.”

The petition calls for “North Yorkshire Council to enter into urgent dialogue to discuss a phased transition to full electric vehicle provision”.

Ms Teggin said the council had allocated enough EV charging stations in Knaresborough to meet its targets for 2038 and was ignoring the current reality on the ground. She added:

“We agree we need EV parking bays but we don’t need 10 now.”

Fellow Knaresborough businessman Steve Teggin said it wasn’t realistic to expect older people carrying shopping to walk from car parks further out of town.

It is still unclear whether non-EV vehicles parking in EV bays are getting fined.

Ms Teggin said the council had not engaged on the matter and no car park signage explains the situation.

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Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, has criticised the council’s approach.

Speaking last month, he said:

“The council needs to make sure these spaces can be used by people if they are not being used by people with electric vehicles.

“If they are sat empty it benefits nobody. Businesses are losing out on customers and the council is losing out on thousands of pounds of revenue.”

The petition can be signed in Sheer Bliss, Nottingham Jewellers, Hirsts Bakery, The School and Dance Shop and Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Council has been approached for comment.

 

How to get around Harrogate during the Great Yorkshire Show

Harrogate BID logo

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID.

Anyone needing to get around Harrogate and the surrounding areas is being advised to plan ahead this week.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected at the Great Yorkshire Show across its four days, and there will be changes on some routes to accommodate the additional traffic.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We work closely with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, its traffic management company and National Highways to agree a traffic management plan.

“We always ensure that roadworks on the main routes are kept to a minimum, with only emergency work permitted. Highways officers will monitor traffic on the routes and are available should they need to support the traffic management company.

“Whilst every effort is made to ensure that traffic flows efficiently, visitors to Harrogate should expect delays at peak times and plan their journeys accordingly.”

Here is your handy guide to the key points to remember from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 15 – whether or not you’re going to the show.

Roads

A661 Wetherby Road: one way westbound from the Kestrel roundabout to Rudding Lane from 6.30am on each day of the show. This reverses in the afternoon from 2pm until 8pm, taking traffic away from the showground. If traffic eases earlier, the one-way system may be taken down before then.

A658: One way inbound towards the showground from Thistle Hill near Knaresborough to the Kestrel roundabout, from 6.30am for the mornings only. No one-way system during the afternoon.

B6164: Traffic arriving from the north via the A1(M) will be directed off at junction 46, before going through Kirk Deighton and on to North Deighton on the B6164. It will then turn right onto the A661 near Spofforth and follow the road to the showground.

A59 Skipton Road: Show visitors will be directed from the Curious Cow roundabout onto the B6161 to Beckwithshaw, where they will turn onto the B6162 Otley Road.

Parking

Traffic approaching from the west and north will follow the ‘blue zone’ directions to the car parks via Hookstone Drive.

Those coming from the east via the A661 will be directed down Rudding Lane into the ‘green zone’ car parks.

Traffic arriving from the south will follow ‘brown zone’ directions along the A658 towards Rudding Lane and into the car parks from there.

Public transport

A free shuttle bus operates every 10 minutes from the bus station in central Harrogate to the white gate at the showground. It begins at 7.20am and runs until 7pm.

Passengers arriving in Harrogate by train will be able to catch the shuttle bus. Those arriving at Hornbeam Park can follow a signposted walking route to the showground gates.

Walking and cycling

Pedestrians can follow signs from Hornbeam Park to the showground.

There is secure cycle parking at the blue and white gates for people arriving on two wheels.

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Midnight licence request for new Knaresborough bar in former bank

A new bar and restaurant could be opened in Knaresborough if a licence is granted by North Yorkshire Council next week.

An application has been made for an alcohol licence at the former Natwest bank premises at 42 High Street.

Planning permission was granted last year to convert the ground floor into a cafe and sports therapy rooms.

Now, owner Jaime Wilkinson is seeking a licence to sell alcohol until midnight seven days a week, under the business name 1858 Bar and Restaurant Ltd.

Mr Wilkinson has requested extended opening hours until 2am on bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The application also states there will be live music until 11pm.

As part of the application, Mr Wilkinson said there will be a “higher retail price for alcohol than other venues in Knaresborough to restrict over drinking and commotion”.

He also committed to install CCTV at the premises, as one of a number of conditions suggested by North Yorkshire Police’s licensing officer.

However, there have been five objections to the plans submitted to the council.

One nearby resident said an alcohol licence until midnight and reference to the premises as a bar is not in line with the planning approval given last year. They said:

“Harrogate Borough Council conducted a public hearing for a former license (sic) application and the resulting decision limited operation and licensing hours to strict terms and much earlier hours than those being applied for again here.

“We kindly ask the team and [North Yorkshire] Council to review the former hearing outcome and consider this in review of this latest application, where all points we believe are relevant, as are the views of those objecting and as such the restrictions should adhere again here to this license (sic) at the least, if indeed permitted at all.”

The application will be decided by North Yorkshire Council’s licensing committee at a meeting next Thursday.

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