New parking arrangements at Nidderdale Showground due “shortly”

New parking arrangements at Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge are due to be revealed “shortly”.

NIdderdale Agricultural Society, which owns the showground, ended a 21-year lease agreement with Harrogate Borough Council to operate the car park and appointed a private company last year.

The move was controversial because the car park was previously one of three covered by the annual £12 Pateley Bridge parking permit and some people unaware of the change were fined £60 by automatic number plate recognition cameras.

But the cameras are currently not working, and Pateley Bridge Town Council‘s monthly meeting last week heard the agricultural society was “desperately trying to get out of the contract” with the private company.

Nidderdale Showground car park

The parking meters at the showground are not currently working.

The council said it had received an email from the agricultural society saying “it had realised what they have done is wrong and has damaged their reputation” and they wanted “a more supportive approach” from the town council. The council sympathised with their situation and agreed.

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Speaking after the meeting Cllr Andrew Murday, a town councillor who also represents Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale on North Yorkshire Council, said it was “an unsatisfactory situation that I hope can be resolved” between the agricultural society and the private company.

A spokesperson for the agricultural society said:

“The current car park system has closed down and we will release a statement shortly with the new plans.”

Nidderdale Showground car park

The car park at the showground.

Council to press ahead with Nidderdale Children’s Centre closure

North Yorkshire Council looks set to press ahead with the close of a children’s centre in Pateley Bridge.

The authority has proposed to close five centres across the county as part of cost cutting measures.

Among them is Nidderdale Children’s Centre, which is based at St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School in Pateley Bridge.

The council has recommended consulting on closure of the facility, which it says has not reopened since the covid pandemic.

Instead, officials have proposed giving the space back to the school in a bid to save the authority £13,400 a year.

Council officials launched a consultation back in March over the planned closure.

In a report due before the authority’s executive next week, the council said just one response was received in relation to the Pateley Bridge facility.

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The respondent did not agree with the closure and cited “lack of resources within the locality, requesting that the centre be retained for the development of groups to support children and their families”.

In response, council officials said:

“As evidenced in the report to exec member dated 7 March 2023 there was very little use of the building therefore it would not be financially viable to reopen this building. 

“Within the Nidderdale locality there are currently several groups that provide support for children and their families.”

The centre opened in September 2010 as a designated children’s centre. It was backed by £590,715 worth of Sure Start funding from the Department for Education.

The council said it does not anticipate that the government will request any of the money back.

Centres in Eastfield, South Craven, Kirbymoorside and Wensleydale will also be considered for closure.

Senior councillors will consider the proposal at a meeting on June 20.

Call for speed bumps on Pateley Bridge High Street

Pateley Bridge Town Council is to investigate the possibility of installing speed bumps on High Street following a complaint by a resident.

The unnamed resident, who lives on Kings Court, wrote to the council calling for speed bumps at the top and bottom of the narrow street.

They said it would deter “speeding cyclists, motorbikes and boy racers”.

At their monthly meeting last night, town councillors agreed to look into the idea, although any final decision would be taken by North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority.

Andrew Murday, who is a town councillor and also the Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale on North Yorkshire Council, said he would look into the criteria for allowing speed bumps.

Cllr Mike Holt said the issue of speeding on High Street, which cyclists approach downhill in all directions, had been debated many times and speed bumps were the only realistic option, although he added the faded double yellow lines could be re-painted.

Cllr Neil Thompson said illegal parking on the street was the main problem, although it was mentioned that disabled people with Blue Badges were entitled to park on double yellow lines for up to three hours and this had to be taken into account.

Councillors agreed to consult on the idea before contacting North Yorkshire Council if the idea was viable.

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Simon Armitage poem to be carved in stone at Brimham Rocks

Poet laureate Simon Armitage has been commissioned to write a poem inspired by Brimham Rocks and the surrounding moorland.

The poem, called Balancing Act, will be carved in stone and placed on the moor.

Brimham Rocks is an outcrop of millstone grit rocks formed 325 million years ago near Pateley Bridge. The site, owned by the National Trust, was designated a site of special scientific interest in 1958.

Mr Armitage, who was born in Huddersfield, was appointed poet laureate in 2019. A former geography student at Portsmouth Polytechnic, his work often focuses on northern landscapes.

He appeared at arts festival Feva in Knaresborough and at Ripon Poetry Festival in 2021.

A National Trust representative is due to give a presentation about the poem at Pateley Bridge Town Council tonight.

A trust spokesperson said the poem will “create a permanent artwork and place for reflection” and will be debuted at an official launch on June 22.

Further details are expected next week.

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Second arrest in Pateley Bridge petrol station attempted arson

Police have arrested a second man in connection with an attempted arson in Pateley Bridge.

Officers say the incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday, May 14, at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.

According to North Yorkshire Police, two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.

Police today confirmed a 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident.

He currently remains in police custody.

A 36-year-old man had previously been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage on May 14. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.

The force said no charges have been issued at this stage and investigations continue.

Jill Cowling, detective inspector from Harrogate CID, said previously:

“We’re treating this incident as deliberate, and enquiries are continuing.  Thankfully no one was injured, but we will be increasing police activity in the area to provide additional reassurance to the public.

“As part of the ongoing police investigation I’m now appealing for people to come forward about any suspicious activity at the location on the night of Saturday 13 and in the early hours of Sunday 14 May 2023.”

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Pateley Bridge man to stand for Yorkshire Party in mayoral election

Keith Tordoff has been selected by the Yorkshire Party as its candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire in the 2024 election.

Mr Tordoff stood as an independent candidate in both 2021 North Yorkshire Police, Fire Crime Commissioner elections, finishing in third place.

He worked as a police officer, detective and specialist fraud investigator for banks, before forging a career in business in sectors ranging from retail to mail order to property development.

He currently owns the Tordoff Gallery in Pateley Bridge.

He has served as chair of the Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and chair of the Pateley Bridge Britain in Bloom group and is a patron of Dementia Forward.

Mr Tordoff was awarded the MBE in 2018 for services to business and the community.

A press release announcing his decision to stand said his priorities, as mayor, would be: to make North Yorkshire an economic powerhouse; improve transport links and connectivity, especially for rural communities; making North Yorkshire a safer place to live, work and visit and to make North Yorkshire a world leader in sustainability.

Mr Tordoff said :

“North Yorkshire deserves a strong, independent champion – someone who understands the county’s needs and aspirations, and has the background and wealth of experience to deliver on addressing them.

“I will identify problems through listening to the people and turn things around, where needed, with a practical no nonsense business-like approach, driven by my passion and love for the county.”

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Yorkshire Party co-leader, Dr Bob Buxton, said:

“Keith is the clear alternative to the Tories in North Yorkshire. His experience, skills and passion make him ideally equipped to take on the complex challenges that come with being the first mayor of North Yorkshire.

“He is a man who sees the big picture but also has the critical skills to understand the detail and ensure that the solutions are the right ones.”

Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner who lives in Aldborough, has announced she will stand for the Conservatives in the mayoral election.

 

 

Business Breakfast: Sales manager celebrates 20 years at Harrogate district estate agents

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A sales manager is celebrating reaching a milestone 20 years working at a Harrogate district estate agents.

Alison Reilly has worked at the Pateley Bridge office of Dacre, Son & Hartley since 2003.

Since then, she has sold hundreds of properties throughout Nidderdale and is currently working on a £1.5m property which would be her most expensive to date.

Ms Reilly, who grew up and lives in Pateley Bridge, said:

“Over the years I have helped bring many amazing properties to the market, but the most memorable has to be The Temple at Glasshouses. 

“The tiny circular building with a pointed roof had planning consent to be converted into a one-bedroom holiday let. It was a stable at one point and sits beside the River Nidd, close to the weir on the footpath from Glasshouses to Pateley Bridge and it was unlike anything I had ever brought to the market before.”

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: 

“Alison has her finger on the pulse of Pateley Bridge and is a real professional, who is dedicated to our business and our clients.”

Harrogate environmental firm appoints new director

A Harrogate environmental company has appointed a new director to the firm.

Adler and Allan, which is based off Station Parade, has announced Mike Williamson as managing director of its new water services division.

Mike Williamson, new director at Adler and Allan.

Mike Williamson, new director at Adler and Allan.

Mr Williamson joins the company from Severn Trent Services, the commercial arm of Severn Trent Plc, where he was managing director for four years.

On his new appointment, he said:

“I am delighted to be joining Adler and Allan at what feels like a critical moment.

“They have a rich history and are rightly respected as a premier provider of environmental services in certain sectors of the UK market. But they have also been transforming through acquisition over the last two years.

“We now have an exciting opportunity to bring all of this together to become the leading provider of environmental services across the water sector.”

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Police appeal after spate of vandalism in Pateley Bridge

Police are appealing for information about a spate of vandalism in Pateley Bridge this week

Overnight on May 30 to 31, damage was caused at the recreation ground near the youth shelter and the band stand.

Graffiti has been sprayed on the bus shelter at Station Square.

Later in the week, broken glass and bottles were left near the youth shelter and graffiti discovered in the toilets at Southlands car park.

North Yorkshire Police urged any witnesses or people with information to email Mike.Spittlehouse@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire police on 101 or on-line at www.northyorkshire.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference 12230100002.

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Man wanted in police car tampering investigation in Pateley Bridge

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to following “vehicle interference” in Pateley Bridge.

In a statement issued today, North Yorkshire Police said the incident “involved someone removing items from a car who then went on to try and gain access to another car, which proved to be unsuccessful”.

It happened on Old Brewery Road on an unspecified date “earlier this year”.

The statement said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the image as they believe they will have information that could help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email laura.taylor@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Laura Taylor.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Quote reference number 12230013852.

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Plan for 15 flats on former Pateley Bridge garage site rejected

A plan to build 15 flats on a former Pateley Bridge garage site has been refused.

Chartwell Barns Ltd has tabled the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to build a three-storey block on the site of Daleside Garage on Bridgehouse Gate in April 2022.

The proposal included an electric vehicle charging point along with 27 car parking spaces.

A total of three one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and four three-bedroom flats were included in the scheme.

However, North Yorkshire Council, which replaced the borough council on April 1 this year, has refused the plan.

In a decision notice, it said the scheme would result in the loss of employment space and that the developer had failed to prove that the site had been marketed for employment use.

It said:

“No evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the site has been actively marketed for employment use or that continued use of the site for employment is no longer viable, or that smaller scale or alternative employment requirements cannot be accommodated on the site.

“Therefore, on the basis of the information submitted, it is considered that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the quality and quantity of employment land supply.”

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The council added that the development would be “unduly dominant and incongruous” within its surroundings and failed to provide an “acceptable level of privacy” to future occupants.

The decision comes as the former business on the site, Daleside Garage, has since moved in the town.

The firm has moved to brand new premises at Corn Close Farm on Low Wath Road.

Karley Haley, who owns Daleside Garage with her husband Glenn, told the Stray Ferret that the move helped to retain the MOT testing station, as well as servicing and repairs, in the town.