Sun shines on Yorkshire-Lancashire match in Harrogate

After days of rain, spectators were granted a day of sunshine for the 50-over Roses cricket match in Harrogate today. 

Any game between Yorkshire and Lancashire is likely to be hard-fought, but this one is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.

The priority for both county second teams at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground is practice. 

Photo of Karl Krikken, second team coach for Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Lancashire coach Karl Krikken said the outcome of the match didn’t matter.

Lancashire second team coach Karl Krikken told the Stray Ferret: 

“It doesn’t matter about the outcome today – this is just about getting the lads some overs.

“Winning’s always nice, but it’s not the most important thing today.” 

Lancashire will face Essex at Sedbergh when the One-Day Cup starts next week. 

Photo of James Lowe, assistant coach at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Assistant coach James Lowe was confident of Yorkshire’s mix of youth and experience.

In the home camp, assistant coach James Lowe said: 

“We’ve got some good players – Dom Bess, Harry Duke, Will Luxton and Ben Mike – as well as a couple of young players from the academy, so we’ve got a nice mix of youth and experience. 

“It’d be nice to get a win, especially against Lancashire, but whatever happens, it’s sure to be a good game.” 

Yorkshire will play Cheshire in the 50-over competition on Sunday. 

Photo of the Turnbull family of Harrogate, who were watching the Roses cricket match: (left to right) Kit, Caspar, Elsa and Ava.

Kit Turnbull (left) had brought along his children (l to r): Kit, Caspar, Elsa and Ava.

As the players practised ahead of the 11am start, Harrogate resident Kit Turnbull was settling in on the stands with his children: Caspar, 12; Elsa, 14; and Ava, 16.

He said: 

“I’m here mostly as an accompanying adult for Caspar, who plays cricket at Bilton. For the girls it’s just something different to do on a nice day – and it’s free.

“For Caspar, this acts as kind of a benchmark. You can watch the cricket on TV as much as you want, but it’s different in person. Just to see the speed they bowl the ball at, you get a real appreciation of it when it’s right there in front of you.

“My only concern was the weather, but it’s looking OK. We’ve got our packed lunch with us, so we’ll be here all day.”

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Yorkshire vs Lancashire cricket match at Harrogate next week

Yorkshire will play Lancashire in a 50-over men’s cricket match at Harrogate on Wednesday next week.

The match, which will be staged at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground, is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.

Although it is a friendly fixture, Roses cricket matches are always fiercely contested and the fast-paced action will feature some outstanding cricketers.

Spectators are welcome to watch what will be the local highlight of the cricketing summer. Play is due to start at 11am.

Steve Clark, co-chair of the club, said:

“Whilst this won’t be the full Yorkshire first team — they have a county championship game at Scarborough on the same day — we have been told that a number of the Yorkshire’s white ball specialists will be playing.

“It should be a fantastic day and some quality cricket will be on display. The bar will be open throughout the day and will be serving a range of refreshments and hot and cold food.”

Harrogate Cricket Club

Mr Clark added:

“Admission to the ground will be free of charge but any donations to the club will be gratefully received. The club will also be running a raffle, tuck shop and an ice cream van throughout the day.

“We also planning that some local junior cricket will be played on the main outfield during the interval.”

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Missing cat from Lancashire found in Harrogate

A missing cat has been reunited with its owner after somehow making its way all the way to Harrogate from Lancashire.

The mog, called Bea, was found frightened by the side of a busy road in the town centre.

A couple took her to Harrogate New Park Vets4Pets to check if she was microchipped.

Vet Fernando Smit Cordeiro was locking up the practice and rushing to go to a fitness class when Bea arrived.

Her scanned her and was relieved to find the crucial microchip, so he was able to track down the pet’s owner.

He said:

“I picked up the phone and called. After the courtesy greetings I asked, ‘is Bea missing?’ And the gentleman replied, ‘yes’!

“Bea’s dad was relieved and surprised that she was found almost two hours drive away from home”.

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The owners drove over from Lancashire later that evening to collect their pet. They suspected Bea snuck into a delivery van and hitchhiked her way to Harrogate.

Mr Cordeiro added:

“It’s always wonderful to reunite stray or lost pets with their worried parents.”

The vet urged cat owners to get their cat microchipped if they haven’t already. It’s currently not compulsory but the law is set to change soon.

Under the new plans, all cat owners must ensure their pet is microchipped before they reach 20 weeks. Owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted or may face a fine of up to £500.

Bilton’s Peter the Peacock living his best life in Lancashire

Bilton’s Peter the Peacock is now happily living among fellow peacocks on a farm in Lancashire.

Peter had wandered around the Tennyson Avenue area for years and was considered part of Bilton. Facebook and Twitter accounts were set up in honour of the enigmatic bird.

But in June last year Peter vanished, which shocked the local community.

It emerged a resident had contacted the RSPCA about Peter after he was seen limping, and the colourful creature was whisked away to the vets for treatment.

Residents in Bilton mobilised and considered launching a campaign to bring the bird back. Bilton councillor Paul Haslam even offered to rehome him on his farm.

But their efforts were in vain, as the RSPCA said they had already found a new home for him.

A year on from the saga, the Stray Ferret asked the RSPCA for an update on Peter, and it’s good news.

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After visiting the vets, Peter crossed the Pennines for rehab with a specialist keeper in Lancashire.

He has since been happily rehomed on a farm with other peacocks, also in Lancashire.

His new owner said:

“Peter is doing really well and he enjoys wandering around on 400 acres of nearby farm land. He no longer limps on his right leg and he enjoys sleeping in his own barn.

“He tends to keep himself to himself but has the company of three other peacocks when he is feeling sociable. We love having him and are delighted that he is happy here.”

An RSPCA spokesperson said it’s the “perfect home” for Peter:

“Peter lived for many years on his own but was found to be injured.

“He was returned to full health in our care and a new home was found with many other peacocks for company where he will be able to spend the rest of his days.

“We are grateful to the residents who cared for him but it would have been illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release him back into the wild in Bilton because peacocks are classed as a non-native species. Fortunately, we were able to find him the perfect place to live in Lancashire.”