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
The countdown to the festive season has started in Knaresborough, with just four weeks to go until the town holds its Christmas Market Weekend.
Centred on the huge Christmas tree in Market Place, the two-day shopping event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, will feature almost 60 stalls, selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and the best of locally sourced produce.
Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by a wide variety of local dancers, brass bands and choirs promise to add to the festive atmosphere.
The centre of Knaresborough will be largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park and ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square.
Market chair Hazel Haas said:
“Last year’s market was a huge success and we were thrilled with the feedback from traders and visitors alike. There was such a buzz in the town. I think people were just so pleased to see the return of largescale town events after a difficult 18 months.
“The 2022 market promises to be even bigger and there has been a high demand from traders, with stalls selling out way ahead of time.”
Committee member Charlotte Gale said:
“We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street.
“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. The businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.”
The market weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s railway viaduct and the Nidd Gorge.
Ms Haas added:
“We are also keen that this year’s market benefits the town as a whole. Members of our volunteer committee have been liaising with other local organisations and businesses to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend.
“We are also supporting Rotary, Lions, St Michael’s Hospice, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Air Cadets, Girl Guides Association and Knaresborough Cricket Club, who are our charitable partners for this year.”
Pure Gym set to open in Knaresborough in March
Pure Gym has revealed it plans to open in Knaresborough in March.
The no frills health club operates more than 300 gyms in the UK, including one in Harrogate, which opened in 2015.
The Stray Ferret revealed in March that it planned to open on the site of the former Lidl supermarket on Knaresborough’s York Road.
In an update today to the Stray Ferret, Pure Gym promised to bring “affordable, flexible fitness to Knaresborough” with an introductory offer of £12.99 a month.
Pure Gym in Harrogate, which opened in 2015.
The Lidl closed in 2018 and in February last year Homecare Pharmacy Services began providing covid clinics from a building in the car park until it moved in September last year to larger premises on Knaresborough’s Chain Lane.
Pure Gym now aims to have a gym up and running on the site alongside the main road in four months. It will open from 6am to 10pm daily.
A Pure Gym spokesperson said:
“Pure Gym is delighted to be bringing affordable, flexible fitness to Knaresborough.
“Scheduled to open in March 2023, the brand-new gym will be spread across about 11,500 square feet and will offer pin and free weights, group exercise classes, a range of machines and equipment, a large functional area and access to our PTs to help members achieve their fitness goals.
“The people of Knaresborough and the surrounding areas will enjoy access to Pure Gym’s flagship low-cost, zero-contract memberships to help support their physical and mental wellbeing. We look forward to welcoming new members to Pure Gym Knaresborough – look out for our opening offer.”
Men arrested after suspected knifepoint robbery near Knaresborough
Two men have been arrested following a suspected knifepoint robbery near Knaresborough.
North Yorkshire Police were called at 1.40pm yesterday to reports that a couple had been robbed when they turned up at a house in Farnham to buy a vehicle that had been advertised for sale.
According to police, the pair were threatened by a group of suspects who stole their car and a large amount of cash inside it.
The suspects then fled in the vehicle and a van.
Police tracked down the stolen car to the A61 near Harewood after using automatic number plate recognition.
The suspects ran from the vehicle and a police firearms support unit, dog and police drone tracked them down to a wooded area.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a Class B drug and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery, possession of a Class B drug, driving with no insurance, driving whilst disqualified and possession of an offensive weapon.
The suspects currently remain in police custody and both vehicles were recovered.
North Blinds: The company that will pull out all the stops to help you find the perfect window covering
This story is sponsored by North Blinds.
With so many styles of blinds and shades to choose from, finding the right one for your needs can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.
However, using their vast knowledge and expertise, Lucas and his business partner Chris can help you find the perfect window covering.
Since launching their business, North Blinds, in 2018, the team have commissioned and installed thousands of blinds.
Their unrivalled customer service has earned them hundreds of five star ratings on review sites including Google and Trustpilot.
This is thanks to their personal face-to-face approach, which includes bringing their unique ‘mobile showroom’ to customers’ homes.
Lucas said:
“We bring the showroom to customers, so they don’t need to leave the comfort of their homes.
“We, as an independent family business, have got large collections of books of different swatches and types of blinds, so they can see what the actual material or fitting is going to look like against the wall or against the furniture.
“This really helps customers to find what they are looking for.
“We are always friendly and our free no-obligation consultations are carried out in a relaxed way. We keep the best interest of our customers at heart.”
Lucas, from North Blinds.
Lucas, Chris and the team personally offer advice on what blinds would be suitable for customers’ needs.
For example, a heavy wooden blind might not necessarily be suitable for a large window and a motorised blind might be a more preferable option for a skylight.
Lucas said:
“Using our expertise and our experience, we advise them so they get the results they want. Sometimes as a customer, you have something in mind but you don’t know the full range or what options you have. So we can help solve this.”
The company also offers a unique lifetime aftercare service. As well as a standard two-year warranty on all blinds, North Blinds stay on standby to help customers with any future issues.
Lucas said:
“Our lifetime aftercare helps you to keep your blinds in tip-top shape, even when they get accidentally damaged. So if your dog took too much of a liking to your bone print kitchen blinds, we will fix the damage for free. We only charge for replacement parts if needed. You can’t say fairer than that!
“We focus on the experience and the customer service so they feel they have got value for money. We want to take away all the stress of ordering blinds, fitting them and making sure they are ok.”
North Blinds is based in Skipton, however they offer their top-class service across the Harrogate district, including Knaresborough and Ripon.
The firm works with the best manufacturers to supply a complete range of blinds, including blackout blinds, motorised, ‘perfect fit’, pleated, Venetian, roller, day and night, conservatory, skylight Roman and vertical. As well as the huge variety window blinds on offer, the business also offers a wide range of curtains and shutters.
Lucas added:
“Customers expect excellent quality materials, a high-level of workmanship, professionalism and excellent customer service, and that’s exactly what we believe in too.”