knaresborough Archives - Page 78 of 185

Outrage over water firm’s response to concerns over quality of River Nidd

Yorkshire Water has sparked outrage by appearing to suggest pollution in rivers such as the Nidd was partly down to a “change in expectations” from residents.

A study by Professor Peter Hammond revealed the equivalent of 317 Olympic pools of raw sewage were discharged into the Nidd at four sewage treatment works in 2020.

Prof Hammond said the sewage was released into the river at Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, Darley and Kirk Hammerton.

Nidd Action Group and Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones are campaigning for a stretch of the Nidd at Knaresborough to be granted bathing water status, as part of a drive to clean up the watercourse.

The figures prompted Ouseburn Green Party councillor Arnold Warneken to say water companies should be obliged to produce accurate figures on sewage discharge or face prosecution.

The Nidd saw 870 sewage dump incidents last year, according to Environment Agency figures. Recent testing of water pollution in the river has shown the harmful bacteria E. coli is at “concerningly high” levels.

Yorkshire Water’s chief executive apologised last month for sewage being discharged into the region’s rivers and promised to invest £180m in reducing leaks from storm overflows.

However, councillors told a North Yorkshire Council meeting in Skipton on Thursday that Yorkshire Water’s response to water quality concerns raised by Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith had been “profoundly inadequate”.

The firm wrote:

“Whilst storm overflows have been in use for many decades, since well before the sewer network entered private ownership, society is no longer content with their use and government, regulators and the water sector have responded to that change in expectations.”

Councillors said the firm was blaming the apparent lack of sewage infrastructure near waterways “on the fact that people’s standards had increased and the firm’s monitoring processes improving”.

Flooding concerns

In a separate response, to Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors, Yorkshire Water said “climate change and changes in land use have had a huge impact” on the sewage network.

The firm wrote:

“There is a misapprehension that discharges from overflows have increased dramatically in recent years. Instead, the recording of discharges has increased as we have installed event duration monitoring devices on our network.”

Nevertheless, many North Yorkshire councillors say they have been inundated with sewage-related complaints, with Bishop Monkton Conservative councillor Nick Brown saying Yorkshire Water had promised an action plan to stop sewage flooding in six of his parishes.

Aire Valley Green Party councillor Andy Brown told Mr Smith there had been “a gradual drift towards releasing sewage when the weather isn’t particularly bad”.

He added:

“The law is very clear. You cannot release sewage unless there is exceptional weather. I have photographs of sewage being released into the Aire on dry days.”

When asked about who should pay for extra sewage infrastructure, Mr Smith replied:

“Inevitably, the cost does have to be borne somewhere, and I accept the point, but the huge cost of fixing this problem is a challenge.”

Councillors told Mr Smith the government should be pressuring water firms to spend more of their profits on improving infrastructure.

Sick after swimming

The firm did not directly respond to Prof Hammond’s findings or claims made by councillors that children have become sick with suspected E coli after swimming in the Nidd.

Instead, Yorkshire Water stated storm overflows had not been identified by the Environment Agency as the reason why the ecological status of the river is poor.

It stated:

“Where Yorkshire Water can make a difference is in reducing phosphorus from all final effluent wastewater and that is why we are investing £790m by 2025 in phosphorus removal as part of our overall investment programme which has been in place for some time.

“Our shareholders are funding the majority of our plans for a £180 investment in storm overflow improvements in the next two years. They are supportive of our environmental commitments and this latest funding announcement takes our total investment in river water quality between 2020-2025 to almost £1bn.

“The additional national investment of £10bn announced recently by Water UK will be paid by shareholders up front, with the costs then paid back in tiny increments each year through bills. We won’t know the precise impact on bills for some time. It is clear that huge investment is needed, but precise levels are for the regulator to determine.”

Stray Views: Concern over potential accidents on Boroughbridge Road

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

As a long-term resident of the Boroughbridge Road area I am ‘pre-warning’ of a potential major accident in the stretch between Stockwell Road junction and Bar Lane Roundabout.

Forgive my ‘remembrance’ but the last time I consulted the Highway Code it stated that “bar special circumstances”, it is illegal to park within 10m of a junction.

There is a constant presence of vans, cars, trucks and 4WD monsters parked on Boroughbridge Road opposite to Somerley Lane, Norwood Court, Norwood Close and even Chain Lane.

Which means that traffic emerging from these roads has to take account of the fact that heavy traffic headed towards Boroughbridge has to divert to lane two to avoid the illegally parked traffic and the traffic heading Knaresborough bound has to both award the turning traffic and the oncoming traffic.

As a vast amount of this traffic is HGV and white vans, there will be a major disaster.

In any event parking on the pavement is also illegal. A good case for lots of yellow lines.

Maurice Johnson, Knaresborough

Motorbikes on the Greenway

Just a quick note to inform that there are now regular instances of motorbikes being ridden on these paths. We back onto the paths at the top end of Bilton Lane and almost daily hear and partially observe the mask-wearing so-and-so’s disregarding other users. Usually in small groups, particularly in the evening.

Would be useful to get this on the police radar before any person or pet are injured.

Richard Chester, Harrogate

Wanted — nesting sites to keep swifts alive in Knaresborough

A group set-up to protect the few remaining swifts in Knaresborough has appealed for help finding new nesting sites.

Shan Oakes said the informal swift group was created four years ago “to stop swifts falling into extinction”. She added:

“Every year fewer come back. There were only about 12 in Knaresborough last year. We will be lucky to have any in a couple of years.

“It would be a tragedy to lose them. They are the sound of summer.”

“They are disappearing because people are either knowingly or unknowingly getting rid of their nests.”

Two of the new boxes at Knaresborough Working Men’s Club.

Unlike other birds, swifts occupy nest sites rather than build their own. They therefore seek cavities in old buildings or nest boxes and the loss of many old buildings has been a major factor in their decline.

The group is therefore looking for people in Knaresborough and surrounding areas willing to put up nest boxes on their properties. The sites need to be high with an unobstructed flight path.

Knaresborough Working Men’s Club recently agreed to host four of the Knaresborough swift group’s RSPB nest boxes. Ms Oakes said:

“The building is ideal for them, as it’s high, giving them the swoop space they need . The swifts have now arrived here from Africa and will be searching for nest sites, as well as insects so please keep them in mind.

“The swift group is inviting people to offer space for swifts, so please get in touch if you think you have a suitable building.”

Ms Oakes said volunteers were willing to assess whether sites were suitable and to contact her on 01423549376 or 07769607710.

Knaresborough gears up for its biggest day of the year

Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Knaresborough next weekend for the annual bed race.

Ninety teams will tackle the 2.4-mile course, departing from Conyngham Hall in 10-second intervals from about 3pm.

Although the race is competitive, the day itself is about far more than a mad scamper through the streets of Knaresborough and the River Nidd.

First staged in 1966, it begins with teams gathering at Knaresborough Castle in the morning to be judged for the ‘Best Dressed Team’ award.

Whoever wins leads the parade from the castle to Conyngham Hall at 1pm. Each team is allowed up to 20 supporters to parade with them in fancy dress.

The course follows almost exactly the same route as that in 1966. Teams race along the Waterside, pass through Nidd Gorge, up the steep Castle Ings, around the cobbled stones of the marketplace, down the High Street and Bond End, and across High Bridge.

The 2.4-mile course is hilly and tough. Photograph: Charlotte Gale Photography

The last stretch is on the rough ground of McIntosh Park before the notorious 20-yard swim across the fast-flowing Nidd.

GH Brooks, winners of the 2022 men’s event will be back this year, but Welly Wheelies, the defending female champions, have not entered.

French TV coverage

A French TV company will be among those attending this year, as the bed race’s fame continues to spread.

Another first this year sees the race trialling chip technology.

Martin Brock, chairman of the bed race committee at Knaresborough Lions, which organises the event, said:

“Last year’s crowd was as big as we have seen for many years and with the weather forecast looking good, we are expecting another great day.”

The sheer size of the event leads to road closures and travel problems. Mr Brock urged people to use the free park and ride service run by bus company Connexions at Manse Lane (Knaresborough Technology Park) and Grimbalds Crag (ALM retail park)

Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre will create a festival feel at BedFest, which begins at midday and includes music, food and drink on the bed race route.

Covid vaccine clinics to be held in Knaresborough this month

Covid booster clinics will take place in Knaresborough this month, starting tomorrow.

Homecare Pharmacy will operate pop-up clinics at Unit 1 Grimbald Crag Court on St James Business Park in the town.

The clinic will be aimed at those who are vulnerable or aged 75 and over.

Appointments will also be held for those who are aged 18 and over and missed any primary doses.

The centre will be open from 9am until 3pm on the following dates:

June 3
June 9
June 16 and 17
June 23 and 24

Those eligible for a covid vaccine can book an appointment at the clinic here.

Covid vaccinations are now being held mostly in GP and pharmacies.

Health officials in North Yorkshire said last month more covid vaccine appointments would be available for residents in the Harrogate area following concern over a lack of nearby clinics.

Those eligible for a spring covid booster are advised to check the NHS booking service online or call 119.

More information on covid vaccine appointments can be found on the NHS England website here.

No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow as strikes hit services

No trains will operate through Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow as rail workers take strike action.

ASLEF, which represents train drivers, will walkout tomorrow in a dispute over pay and conditions.

It comes as members of the RMT Union are striking today, which has left limited services available.

Tomorrow’s industrial action means no Northern trains will operate on the Leeds to York line. The company has said services will return to normal on Sunday (June 4).

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“We apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASELF and the RMT will cause to our customers.

“This latest round of industrial action looks set to hamper people’s opportunity to explore the region during the half-term holidays. It’s understandably very frustrating.

“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.”

Arsonists set traffic cones on fire in Knaresborough

Firefighters were called out shortly after 2am this morning when traffic cones were set on fire in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service believes the fire was caused deliberately.

Its incident log said the Knaresborough crew was summoned to King James Road at 2.13am, adding:

“Knaresborough crew have dealt with traffic cones on fire in the open.

“Crew used buckets of water and the cause is believed to be deliberate.”

No further details have been released.

Four weeks of roadworks began last weekend on King James Road and York Place in Knaresborough to enable Northern Powergrid to install electricity cables.

The junction of the two roads is due to reopen on Monday with four-way temporary lights in place until the expected completion date of Tuesday, June 20.

MPs Watch: River Nidd and King Charles coronation

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In May, the saga over designating bathing water status to the River Nidd rumbled on. Meanwhile, at the start of the month, the country celebrated the coronation of King Charles III.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On May 2, Mr Jones met with Harrogate Town FC’s community foundation.
Mr Jones met with leadership of North Yorkshire Council, local NHS and the Chief Constable on May 15.
The Conservative MP gave his first interview to the Stray Ferret on May 16 where he discussed his candidacy for the next General Election, sewage in the River Nidd and the Station Gateway scheme.
On May 17, Mr Jones urged a developer to give residents clarity over a planned solar farm in Scotton.
On both May 20 and May 27, Mr Jones joined volunteers at Knaresborough Lido to count visitors for the Bathing Water Quality Status application.
He held a constituency surgery on May 30 at the Harrogate Civic Centre.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for May.

Among those included meeting with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the National Air Traffic Specialists (NATS) to discuss upcoming changes to national airspace.

He also met with the met with the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce with other North Yorkshire MPs to discuss challenges in the hospitality sector. Mr Jones also visited Yorkshire Cancer Research at Grove Park Court in Harrogate to discuss their latest projects and collaborations with universities.

Mr Jones’ office pointed out that his engagements and activities could also be found on his Community News website and his Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith made no spoken contributions or submitted any written questions in the House of Commons in May.
On May 7, Mr Smith attended a coronation service at Ripon Cathedral.
The Ripon MP visited the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin on May 11.
On May 24, he received a piece of artwork called “A Path to Peace” from Pateley Bridge artist James Owen Thomas.
Mr Smith visited the Ripon Walled Garden on May 26.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

Mr Adams asked Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, on May 2 about what the government was doing to plan for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
He asked two questions of Secretary of State for the Home Department, Robert Jenrick, two questions on the recruitment of Border Force staff since April 2022.
Mr Adams posted no updates on his website throughout May.
Normally a frequent social media user, Mr Adams posted just three times on his Twitter during May. None related to constituency issues in rural Harrogate.

Drug dealer has 16 months added to sentence given for stabbing in Harrogate

A violent drug dealer has been jailed for dealing cannabis – just two months after receiving a long prison term for stabbing a man in Harrogate with a knife.

William Boam, 23, from Harrogate, was driving a Citroen C3 which was stopped by police in Tadcaster in September 2021, York Crown Court heard.

They found six large plastic bags in the glove box containing over 27g of cannabis, along with two mobile phones and cash.

Boam was arrested and bailed, but in March 2022 the fire service was called out to his then home in Knaresborough after neighbours reported smoke coming from the property, said prosecutor Brooke Morrison.

She added:

“When [firefighters] attended they found no fire but found the defendant in his living room with large quantities of cannabis, so they called police.”

Officers arrived and found Boam in the living room surrounded by drug packaging and sheets of “branded stickers”, some of which he had placed on dealer bags. Ms Morrison said:

“Police found a further quantity of cannabis in tubs in the kitchen.”

They found a total 256g of cannabis in the property, worth an estimated £785 if sold on the street. The total amount of drugs seized from both the property and Boam’s vehicle was worth just under £1,000.

Boam was arrested again and, despite the amount of cannabis found at his home, told officers the drugs were for his own personal use.

Ms Morrison said that Boam appeared to be operating a one-man drug enterprise in which he packaged, distributed and sold the drugs on the street.

Boam had 13 previous convictions for 17 offences including drug supply in 2016, producing cannabis in 2017, arson and serious violence.

In March this year he was jailed for two years and seven months for wounding causing grievous bodily harm, assault, carrying a knife and breaching a suspended prison sentence.

That incident, which can now be reported, occurred in October 2022, when Boam was still at large following his arrest for the drug matters and subject to a two-month suspended sentence for assaulting an emergency worker.

The victim was at his friend’s flat in Harrogate when Boam rang the doorbell asking to be let in. They refused but Boam threatened to kick the door, so they let him in.

He started shouting at the named victim who threw him out of the flat. About 20 minutes later, the two friends went to get some beer from a supermarket and, on their return, they bumped into Boam outside a homeless hostel in Bower Street where he was living at the time.

Boam punched and headbutted the victim’s friend and demanded his beer, then put his hand in his pocket “as if to indicate he was carrying a weapon”.

He then pulled a knife out and the victim’s friend ran away, chased by Boam. The victim came to his friend’s aid but as he tried to intervene, Boam “lunged” at him and thrust the knife into his stomach. He then “swung” the knife at him again and caught the victim on the arm, before running off.

The victim was taken to hospital where he had staples to close the stab wound to his stomach wall and three stitches to the wound on his upper arm.

Defence barrister Natalie Banks said that Boam had a “very difficult” upbringing and mental health problems.

Recorder Dapinder Singh KC jailed Boam for a further 16 months for the drug offences – a reduced sentence for reasons of “totality” because he was already serving a sentence of nearly three years for serious violence.

Knaresborough town crier Roger Hewitt prepares for final cry

On Wednesday, Roger Hewitt will don his town crier regalia and read one of his hand-written short scripts opening Knaresborough market.

It’s something Roger has done every Wednesday for more than eight years, making him one of the most familiar faces — and voices — in Knaresborough.

But this will be the last time he performs the civic duty, which stretches back to the 1600s, before retiring.

He remains an incredibly popular figure, so why is he stepping down?

“I’m not getting any younger. I think things are going quite well at the moment but I don’t want to carry on until people say ‘it’s time form the poor bugger to go’.”

Roger has a fine line in self-deprecation. He describes himself as a Knaresborough incomer, having only lived in the town for 44 years. He taught chemistry at Harrogate Grammar School for 23 years before becoming town crier. He says:

“I’ve bumped into many people I used to know from my teaching days and from what I can see, I don’t think I have done any serious psychological harm to any of them.”

The pirate of the Nidd. Picture by Charlotte Gale

The town crier role, which is managed by Knaresborough & District Chamber, appealed because he was “coming up to retirement age and the wife was keen for me to have something to do”.

Roger’s background in amateur dramatics, alongside his humour, people skills and commitment to the role — he often agrees to appear at coffee mornings and charity events above and beyond the call of duty — have made him the perfect town crier. It’s worked for him, too.

“I’ve loved it. It’s been absolutely brilliant. The best part is meeting kids. They all think I’m a pirate. All I need to do is let them ring the bell and it’s like someone has given them the best Christmas present ever.”

Although Roger is leaving the role, he’s most certainly not leaving Knaresborough. He says he and his wife would like to do something together now. What makes the town so special?

“I think it’s the combination of history and scenery. People walk around for the most part with a smile, partly because there are so many pubs but also because it’s such a nice place.”

Tradition dictates he opens the Wednesday market at 11am even though, as he puts it, “the fish man is nearly sold out by then”.

He writes 150 to 200 words for each cry, which lasts about 90 seconds and always includes three ‘Oyez’ and ‘God save the King’. He admits to one time mistakenly shouting ‘God save the Queen’ after she had died.

Knaresborough-Town-Crier-Competition-Final-11x7 (1)

Roger helped to select his successor Mark Hunter (third from left).

Does he have any advice for his successor, Mark Hunter, who in a break from tradition will also have two deputies?

“The only advice I would give is to do your own thing and enjoy it. I’ve said I’ll give him two things — my best wishes and my phone number. I won’t be there telling him what to do but if he has any questions I will happily answer them.”

How will he feel after making his final cry?

“I know how I will feel an hour afterwards because one of the pubs has invited me round!

“I shall be nostalgic for what has been a very, very happy eight years but also happy to hand over to someone else.”

Flooding concerns

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Sick after swimming

Motorbikes on the Greenway

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French TV coverage

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