A tennis tournament created in memory of a Knaresborough headteacher was held for the first time this week.
Knaresborough King James Tennis Club hosted the tournament following the death of John Forster at the age of 85.
Mr Forster, who was headteacher at King James’s School for 16 years, had a passion for tennis and championed the sport to the point where the school’s teams reached national and regional finals.
He was also a founding member of Knaresborough Tennis Club.
The very first John Forster tournament was organised by John’s son Mike Forster.
On setting up the tournament, Mike said:
“Dad loved his sport, being a devoted runner, tennis player and Leeds United fan.
“His contribution to KKJTC over the years is incalculable and I’m absolutely thrilled that the club decided to create this tournament in his memory.”
Although very close-fought, the inaugural event was won by Andy Little and Jeanette Bowden, stalwarts of KKJTC’s mixed teams competing in the Harrogate District Tennis League.
Mike added:
Celtic gold ring found in Knaresborough expected to fetch £30,000“It was without doubt the best turnout we’ve ever had for a club tournament with dozens of participants, so I’d like to thank everyone who took part for a fitting tribute to Dad. He would have been competing if he could.
“He was always passionate about getting people involved in sport, especially pupils from local schools, and he would have been very pleased to know that the tournament will be contested every year now.
“We are proud that our club reflects my dad’s principles of being friendly and welcoming to all standards of player, so if anyone would like to join us, do please get in touch.”
A gold ring owned by a Celtic leader and unearthed in Knaresborough could be sold for up to £30,000.
The Iron Age jewellery dating back to 110BC was discovered in the town in 1994.
It is set to go to auction next week and is valued between £24,000 and £30,000.
The ring’s distinctive abstract design is linked to the Iceni tribe, which ruled a large part of East Anglia before the Roman invasion.
Experts believe the ring to have been worn by a chieftain from the Corieltauvi tribe, which ruled parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire.
Nigel Mills, consultant from Noonans auctioneers, described it as an exciting artefact to examine.
He said:
“It is the most exciting ring I have had the pleasure of examining and is likely to have been worn by an Iron Age chieftain from the Corieltauvi tribe which inhabited Yorkshire at that time.”
The ring has been in private collection ever since it was discovered 28 years ago.
The North Yorkshire coroner declared the ring a stray find and therefore not treasure under the Treasure Trove law and it has been kept privately ever since.
This will be the first time the historic ring has been to auction.
It is set to go under the hammer on November 16.
Guide to Remembrance Day services in the Harrogate districtNo Annual Remembrance services will take place across the district this weekend to honour the fallen.
Below is a list of events. If you know of others, let us know so we can add them to this guide. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Sunday November 13: 11am – Remembrance Sunday service at the war memorial in Spa Gardens, where there will be a two-minute silence before wreaths are laid in honour of the fallen, by civic dignitaries, members of the armed forces, the RBL and representatives of other organisations.
Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
Town centre
Sunday November 13:
Town Centre
10.30am – Parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Harrogate war memorial. The service will include the Army Foundation College, the Royal British Legion, regimental associations, uniformed cadets and scouts and guides.
Stonefall Cemetery
1pm – Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has arranged a service for 1pm at the Commonwealth War Graves. Wreaths will be laid by the Harrogate Mayoress, Andrew Jones MP, the Army Foundation College and representatives from the Commonwealth.
Starbeck
11am – gathering of residents at the war memorial on the Starbeck High Street.
3pm — Ceremony at Starbeck war memorial. The service will include the Royal British Legion, uniformed cadets, the brigades, students from Starbeck Primary Academy and local churches.
Sunday, November 13: 11am – ceremony at Knaresborough war memorial attended by local officials and Harrogate Army Foundation College.
Friday, November 11: A service takes place at the Cenotaph in the Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Recreation Park led by the Church in the Dales and the last post will be sounded. There will also be a contingent of 40 junior soldiers attending who will be marching in public for the first time since joining the Harrogate Army Foundation College.
Following this the young soldiers will march to the Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Memorial Hall on Park Road.
There will also be a display of the Nidderdale people who went to war and returned and those who didn’t, displayed by Folk Finders Family History.
Sunday, November 13: 10.15am – ceremony at Summerbridge war memorial
10am Service at St James’s Church followed by a parade and wreath laying at Boroughbridge war memorial from 10.45am.
If you want to make a donation to the Royal British Legion click here.
Knaresborough set for Winter Fayre and Christmas window contest
A Winter Fayre and Christmas window competition is being held in Knaresborough in December as part of continuing efforts to boost the town.
The event, which is being organised by Knaresborough Business Collective, follows on from the success of the Spring Fayre in April.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, and Natalie Horner, from Sid Horner and Son, founders of the business group, said the event would feature a host of exciting attractions.
They will include children’s rides, a Father Christmas grotto, live entertainment and music, food and drink stalls and craft workshops, as well as a local artisan market.
The fayre will take place on December 10 from 10am until 4pm on Knaresborough Market Place.
To accompany the event, the group is also hosting a Christmas window competition, which will see businesses in the town create displays with a festive theme before December 9. Prizes will be awarded to the top three best dressed windows.
Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:
“We are so excited to see all your fantastic efforts for Christmas. Knaresborough’s window displays are becoming a tourist attraction for visitors. They are so fantastic, and of course everybody wants to get their hands on one our prestigious trophies!”
The Winter Fayre will take place the week after the Knaresborough Christmas Market weekend on December 3 and 4.
Business Breakfast: Knaresborough marketing agency makes three new appointments
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
A Knaresborough marketing and PR agency has announced three new appointments amid continued growth.
Allott and Associates, which has offices at Claro Chambers, has made the recruitment after securing new accounts from both UK and international companies.
Emily Evans has joined as an account manager, Beth Hamby as a PR executive and Josie Bridson as a marketing assistant.
Emily said:
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Allotts team.
“Despite these challenging times the company is going from strength to strength. I love the can-do philosophy that helps clients get the best results.”
Director Carol Rees said:
“I’m so pleased to be welcoming Emily, Beth and Josie to Allotts and I’m confident that they will make valuable contributions to the continuing success of the agency.
“Despite the challenges both at home and abroad, we continue to invest in all aspects of the business to deliver effective and fully integrated PR and marketing campaigns, which are enabling our clients to continue winning new work in multiple market sectors.”
Harrogate Bus Company has announced that its buses will adorn commemorative poppies to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.
The poppies will be prominently displayed on the front of buses on routes covering hundreds of miles every day across the Harrogate district and into West Yorkshire.
Pictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.
The company will also provide free travel on Remembrance Day this Friday (November 11) and Remembrance Sunday (November 13) to all current service personnel with forces ID, and to veterans in uniform or with their medal.
CEO of parent firm Transdev, Alex Hornby said:
Goldsborough gridlock brings ongoing misery to motorists“With financial challenges currently affecting many veterans and their families in the communities we serve, it’s more important than ever that we continue our support for the excellent work done by the Royal British Legion.
“We hope that by prominently showing our support for the Poppy Appeal on our buses, many of our customers will join us in contributing to this excellent cause.
“We want to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to support those living with the impact of conflict today. All our teams at our depots across the North are fully behind this.”
Queues of more than an hour have been reported once again this week due to temporary traffic lights on the edge of Knaresborough.
Three-way lights have been in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658, near Goldsborough.
The roadworks began affecting the busy commuter route at the beginning of October and have been regularly causing long tailbacks.
And while there has been some relief, with the lights being turned off at different periods throughout the day, it has inevitably caused traffic chaos.
This week drivers have reported queues all the way back to junction 47 of the A1(M) and beyond.
It has also had a major impact on pupils and teachers getting to and from Goldsborough CE Primary School.
With the roadworks due to last until November 27, many people have expressed frustration on social media.
@northyorkscc Could you ask your Highways Department what the point of the temporary traffic lights are at the Goldsborough/Knaresborough A59 roundabout please? The traffic is currently backed up to the A1 at Allerton Park yet there are no roadworks on the A59!!
— Alan Huddart (@alanhuddart) November 8, 2022
One woman wrote on a Facebook group:
“Not helpful when it’s a guessing game every morning to see if they are on or not going to work in York daily.”
Another added:
“50 minutes it’s just taken me to get from Boroughbridge to King James School!”
The Stray Ferret contacted Yorkshire Water for comment but has not had a response.
New tree avenue to be planted on Harrogate’s Stray
An avenue of apple and maple trees will be planted on Harrogate’s Stray this month.
They will be among 800 trees planted by Harrogate Borough Council as part of National Tree Week.
The council will also be planting native trees, including oak, lime and sycamore, at Hay a Park in Knaresborough and at Paddies Park and Gallows Hill in Ripon.
About 500 of the trees have been nurtured at the council’s Harlow Hill nursery.
National Tree Week, which begins on November 26, is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration.
Councillor Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
“Planting more trees is a priority for us and this project supports a number of schemes – the White Rose Forest, for example – that will help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.
“We couldn’t do it without the help of volunteers so I’d like to thank everyone who has either provided a sapling or will be planting a tree.”
More information about National Tree Week is available on the Tree Council website.
Harrogate and Knaresborough to have fewer voters under new plans
The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency would be reduced in size, under revised plans published today by the Boundary Commission for England.
The commission first published proposals for a shake-up of Harrogate and Knaresborough in June 2021, which included moving Boroughbridge to another seat and shrinking the size of the constituency.
Under today’s revised proposals, the electorate would stand at 75,800. Latest Parliament figures show the current boundary has an electorate of 77,605.
The seat is currently held by the Conservative Andrew Jones.
The latest changes would see Claro ward and areas such as Burton Leonard reintroduced to the constituency from the initial proposals.
However, Boroughbridge would still remain in a newly created seat.
The commission will now undertake another round of public consultation until December 5 before making recommendations to government.
It will publish a final report on boundary changes in 2023.
Under the current proposals, the number of constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber would remain at 54.
Conservative Nigel Adams’ seat of Selby and Ainsty, which includes the south of Harrogate, would be scrapped.
The Wetherby and Easingwold seat.
Instead, Selby would have its own seat and the north of the district would fall under a new constituency called Wetherby and Easingwold, which would take in areas including Wetherby, Bishop Monkton and Boroughbridge.
The Skipton and Ripon constituency, which is currently represented by Conservative Julian Smith, would include Ripley, which is currently part of Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:
“Today we are announcing the publication of our revised proposals. Last year we published our initial proposals for new constituency boundaries – our first go at what the map should look like. We are delighted with the huge number of comments from members of the public on our initial proposals, many which included valuable evidence about local communities.
“Today’s publication is the culmination of months of analysis and we have revised nearly half of our initial proposals based on what people have told us. We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.
“However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to Parliament next year. This is our final consultation and I encourage you to participate in the 2023 Boundary Review.”
As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.
You can comment on the proposals at the Boundary Commission website here.
Harrogate Conservatives breached data rules relating to Lib Dem rivalHarrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association “failed to comply” with data protection laws after distributing election leaflets which included a Liberal Democrat candidate’s personal details.
The Information Commissioner’s Office found the local Conservative branch published the name and address of Knaresborough councillor Matt Walker during May’s local elections while promoting its own candidate.
In a letter to Cllr Walker following his complaint, the ICO said it found the matter was done without his consent and that it could not constitute a “legitimate or lawful” use of personal data.
It said:
“H&KCA published details of your name and address, without your consent, for the purpose of promoting an alternative candidate in local elections.
“The ICO do not consider this could constitute a legitimate or lawful use of your personal data, and their purpose for publishing and circulating this personal data would not override your individual rights.
“The ICO will now write to H&KCA to advise them of the ICO’s view in this matter.”
The commissioner’s office added it would provide the Conservative association with advice and guidance on “improving their data processing in the future”.
It also said it would take no further action at this time, but would keep a record of complaints against Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives and “take these into account if more are received”.
In a tweet, Cllr Walker said he was “absolutely disgusted” that his personal data was used.
https://twitter.com/MattWalkerLD/status/1588817092744478720
Mr Walker told the Stray Ferret he was at heightened risk of being targeted by anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists because he works for the NHS and helped with vaccination technology.
He added:
“Like many people in my profession, I’ve been warned not to advertise my address. Two MPs have been murdered in the last five years by fanatics. I am disgusted that the Conservatives decided to advertise where I live to thousands of Knaresborough residents.
“Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives have shown a real lack of judgement in misusing personal data and those in charge of their election campaign clearly need additional training.”
Mr Walker added he “looked forward to receiving an apology”.
The Stray Ferret has approached Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives for a response.
In 2020, Conservative Harrogate Borough Council leader, Richard Cooper, sent a letter to the ICO asking for the local Lib Dems’ petitions to be investigated for “data harvesting”.
Cllr Cooper said none of the four petitions were submitted to relevant bodies and were instead an exercise to build a database of contact information.
The Liberal Democrats described the accusations as a ploy to put people off signing petitions but an ICO spokesperson provided the Lib Dems with advice to improve their data protection policies following the complaint.
Guide to bonfire and fireworks displays in the Harrogate district
This story is sponsored by Belmont Grosvenor School which will be holding a Bonfire Night Party on Friday, November 4. There will be s’mores round the campfire, music, hot food, a licensed bar, stalls and more. Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display starts at 7.20pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate and cost £10 for adults (children under the age of 18 are free). Get them in advance by emailing kaye.walker@bewonder.co.uk.
Bonfire night is fast approaching so we have put together a list of events coming up in the Harrogate district.
They all take place over the weekend of November 4, 5 and 6.
Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197.
Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party
Where: Belmont Grosvenor School, Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2JG
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm fire lit, 7.20pm firework display
Tickets: £10 with children under the age of 18 entering for free
Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display
Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
When: 5.30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7.30pm firework display
Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free
Spofforth Village Firework Display
Where: Spofforth Cricket Ground, School Lane, Spofforth, HG3 1BA
When: Gates open 5pm, 7pm-7.15pm firework display.
Tickets: Family pre-paid £12:50 and on the gate £15. Adult pre-paid £4 and on the gate £5. Child pre-paid £2:50 and on the gate £3.
Swinton Bivouac Silent Bonfire Night
Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
When: 6.30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.
Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café
Aspin Park Academy Fireworks Night, Knaresborough
Where: School grounds
When: 5.15pm start, 6.30pm firework display
Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4
Harrogate Stray Bonfire and Fireworks, Harrogate Round Table
Where: Oatlands Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ
When: 5pm start (there will be entertainment), bonfire lit 5.30pm, 7.15pm firework display
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
Where: Pateley Bridge Showground
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm torchlit procession and bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Kirkby Malzeard community village bonfire
Where: North Close Farm, Ripon Road, Kirkby Malzeard
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: Free entry but donations welcome to fund next year’s event. Parking is available at North Close Farm. No sparklers allowed. Bring a torch.
Yolk Farm Bonfire and Burger Night – dog-friendly
Where: Yolk Farm, Minskip Road, Minskip, York, YO51 9HY
When: 5.30pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, no fireworks
Tickets: free entry for the event, advanced bookings only for Burger Night in the restaurant – 5:30pm and 8pm sittings
Staveley Arms Bonfire
Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT
When: 6pm
Tickets: £5 per person to include a choice of hot dog or cup of soup
