Ring Ouzels return to Nidderdale moors from Africa to breed

Ring Ouzels have returned to the Nidderdale moors to breed after flying back from winter in the Atlas Mountains in North-West Africa.

The birds are a close relative of the Blackbird but are slightly smaller and slimmer with longer tails and a distinctive white crescent across the top of the breast.

In the UK, Ring Ouzels are of high conservation concern and are classified as ‘Red Listed’ after declining by almost 50% in the last 40 years.

The birds are known as the ‘Blackbirds of the mountains’ and enjoy eating juniper berries. The migration route of the birds follow where juniper berries grow.

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Nidderdale Moorland Group posted on its Facebook page that AONB gamekeepers work to ensure the ground-nesting birds can safely incubate and rear their young chicks when they arrive.

Nesting begins from mid-April when the female lays 3-5 eggs in a nest found on the ground or in moorland gullies, craggy screes or rocky areas.

The female will do most of the incubating, but both parents feed the chicks who fledge after 12-16 days.

AONB moorland gamekeepers recorded the birds’ distinctive call last weekend whilst watching a returning male on the moor.

The males like to find a prominent perch from which the strong, flutey song can be heard.

Listen below to the call of a Ring Ouzel.

Plans to build 15 flats at Daleside Garage site in Pateley Bridge

Developers have lodged plans for 15 new flats in Pateley Bridge.

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.

The proposal also includes 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 are included in the scheme.

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A previous application submitted to the council in 2018 proposed to convert part of the garage into storage space, a laundrette and offices.

At the time, owner Nidderdale Garages, which owns Daleside Garages, said in a planning statement that the site was “surplus to the business’ requirements” and that the proposal would “make more efficient use of the space”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the latest proposal at a later date.

Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

The list of candidates standing for election to the new North Yorkshire Council in the Harrogate district has been revealed.

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the authority, which will replace both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Green Party and independents have all fielded candidates ahead of polling day.

Harrogate Borough Council has published a list of election agents and names of candidates. A full list of party candidates will be published today (April 6).

A total of 21 councillors will be elected from the Harrogate district as the council is made up of new divisions.

The deadline to register to vote is Thursday, April 14. You can register here.

List of Harrogate district election candidates

Coppice Valley and Duchy

Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

Bilton Grange and New Park

Harlow and St Georges

Read more:

Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone

Fairfax and Starbeck

Bilton and Nidd Gorge

High Harrogate and Kingsley

Knaresborough West

Knaresborough East

Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

Oatlands and Pannal

Boroughbridge and Claro

Read more:

Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith

Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale

Ripon Minster and Moorside

Ripon Ure Bank and Spa

Washburn and Birstwith

Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

Ouseburn

Masham and Fountains

Drug driver who reversed at police car in Pateley Bridge avoids jail

A driver high on cocaine and cannabis tried to reverse into a pursuing police car – but succeeded only in crashing into a bridge.

Paul Cawthra, branded an “idiot” by a Crown Court judge, tried to evade cops at a relative snail’s pace in his Ford Galaxy as police merely “followed” his vehicle, said prosecutor Rob Galley.

In stark contrast to the usual high-octane police chase, Cawthra’s attempts at shrugging off police on country roads in Harrogate descended into farce due to his “intoxicated” state, York Crown Court heard.

At one stage during the ‘pursuit’ – described by judge Sean Morris as “the slowest police chase I’ve had to deal with” – Cawthra switched his lights off in a futile attempt to evade police.

But then he switched them back on again.

When the inevitable happened and he was at stopped at Turner Bridge on Nought Bank Road in Pateley Bridge, Cawthra’s next move was to reverse at a police car and attempt to squeeze past the vehicle, but he ended up crashing into the bridge. He was then blocked in by the police vehicles and duly arrested.

Cawthra, 44, told officers: 

“Boy, I feel a cxxx for what I’ve done to you.”

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He told officers he had reversed towards the police car because he had been drinking and “to knock the air bag out to get away”. 

But the court heard he was one-and-a-half times the specified limit for cannabis and three times the specified limit for cocaine. 

He was charged with dangerous and drug-driving and ultimately admitted the offences. 

He appeared for sentence yesterday after admitting dangerous driving while over the specified limit for cocaine and cannabis.

Previous convictions

Mr Galley said Cawthra had “deliberately driven at the police”.

Cawthra, of Southlands, Pateley Bridge, had previous convictions for drug possession and cannabis cultivation.

His solicitor advocate Neil Cutte said police had merely followed, rather than chased, Cawthra’s vehicle after he failed to stop, but there was no high-speed chase and no other motorists or pedestrians around during the bizarre, late-night incident. 

He said that Cawthra, a father-of-one who works as a labourer in the construction industry, was remorseful and had since changed his ways. His employer described him as “honest, reliable and hard-working, a really nice bloke”.

Judge Mr Morris, the Recorder of York, told Cawthra: 

“You are an idiot. You got yourself intoxicated on drugs and when police ordered you to stop, you didn’t.

“There was a slow-speed ‘following’ of your car from Pateley Bridge out to the ‘sticks’, late at night. You briefly had your lights out, put them back on again and reversed back towards a police car, crashing into a bridge.

“Ordinarily, everybody who flees from police goes to prison in this court, but ordinarily they are flying through housing estates in built-up areas. There was none of that here and the first thing you did when you got out of your car was to offer a profuse apology to the police officers.”

The judge said that because of this, allied to the fact that Cawthra had pleaded guilty and was a hard-working man with caring responsibilities, he could suspend the inevitable prison sentence.

The six-month sentence was suspended for a year. 

Cawthra was also given a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay £330 prosecution costs.

The rivers beckon for paddlers from the Harrogate district

Covid lockdowns put a two-year hold on the outdoor activities of the Dales Canoe Club, but members of all ages will soon be taking to the water once more.

The multi-generational, family-focused club has 40 paddlers aged from 11-year-olds to people in their mid-70s, who come from across the Harrogate district..

They keenly await April 28, when they will head for the River Nidd in Knaresborough for their first meet of the season.

Between then and September, the Thursday evening gatherings will be held on rivers and canals throughout the Yorkshire Dales and further afield.

Canoe training at Starbeck Baths

Winter practice at Starbeck Baths.

Fundraiser Jeremy Dunford has been involved with the club since 2015, when his son Reuben started as a novice.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We had a boost with a successful application to the National Lottery, which brought nearly £10,000 and we have also received financial support from North Yorkshire County Council.

“The money has ensured that we are able to take all the new paddlers on the river at the same time over the summer.

“A key principle of the club is to ensure that paddling is affordable to all and the equipment can be expensive.

“We keep a certain amount of stock but this ages quickly as well as getting damaged. All our new paddlers have access to club kit for as long as they need (including kayaks and paddles).”

Multi-generational canoeing

The club caters for people of all ages, from children to grandparents

Through the winter, members have been practicing at Starbeck Baths, but with the warmer weather and lighter nights they will be back on river banks across the region and ready to go immediately after the Easter holiday.

Educational and enjoyable

Mr Dunford said:

“Paddlers often use their involvement with the club as a springboard to academic progression elsewhere. One is currently studying outdoor adventure sports at uni having done, as my son did, a BTec in outdoor adventure sports at  Askham Bryan and this in turn has enabled them to get places on camp in Canada.

“Some members also use the club as part of BTec course evidence, GCSE Sports Science and D of E awards evidence.

“We welcome, paddlers with conditions such as epilepsy, autism and ADHD, all of whom have had their paddling experience adjusted to ensure their needs are met.”

An aerial view of the canieists

Members enjoy the social, as well as the sporting activities of the club.

Long-term members

The club started in 1976. and Maurice Young, a retired GP now in his 80s who took his sons along from day one, has been chairperson since 1978..

Dave Titchmarsh, who is the second in command, is a paddler in his 70s and has been with the club for many years as well.

One of the club’s senior members, Ted Walton, started as a teenager and is now in his 50s and leads a lot of activities.

The club, which adheres to all safety standards, currently has a full complement of members but opportunities for more people to join in September will open up as some move on to university.

Further details are available by clicking here.

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From the Valley Gardens to owning her own art gallery: Claire Baxter’s road to success

In 2008, Claire Baxter was struggling to get a post as an art teacher.

She was pregnant and needed to work.

So to make money, she turned towards her artwork and started to exhibit with the White Rose Artists, hanging her work on the railings in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens hoping for some sales.

National art award

Fast forward to 2022, Claire is a successful artist with her own gallery in Pateley Bridge and has just been nominated for a national art award.

But the mum-of-two, from Bilton, is the first to admit it has not been an easy road to success.

“I had various jobs after university, where I did a fashion degree, and then had jobs in retail. I then became a teaching assistant and then trained to be an art teacher and eventually qualified in 2007.

“In 2008 I still didn’t have a position. I was not long married, I was pregnant with my daughter and did a solo exhibition in a Harrogate nursing home, Larchfield Manor.

“From there I was asked by a lady who was part of a group called the White Rose Artists, and they exhibited in the Valley Gardens on certain Sundays in the summer and would I like to join them. I did that for 10 years. People started to learn that I would be down at the gardens and it helped me to build up a following.”

Inside Claire’s gallery in Pateley Bridge.

‘I worked every hour possible’

Claire, who was born and raised in Knaresborough, did eventually manage to get a teaching post in 2009.

But after her second child was born in 2012, her career as an artist really took off.

She said:

“I worked every hour possible, painting and developing a distinctive style, bagging greetings cards, creating a website and building up social media following, knocking on gallery doors, booking fairs and making new contacts.

“I started to book shows and fairs, taking more commission bookings and built up a following until I was in a position where I could move house and convert the garage into a purpose built studio.”

Read more: 

Calendar run

She also remembers personally hand-delivering her calendars to all her customers.

She said:

“I used to announce on social media when I was going to do my calendar run.

“I used to start in Knaresborough at all the addresses of people who had ordered them and for about four hours I would drive the route through Starbeck and back up to Harrogate and home. My car was filled up with calendars and lists of names, a flask of tea and my credit card machine.

“I literally spent all night going from door-to-door. It was things like that which helped me get to where I am today. I used to do shows when I was pregnant and my kids were with me in prams while I was was selling. It has been a self-driven, just chipping away and trying to get acknowledged.”

New gallery

She soon realised she was juggling too much and eventually gave up teaching in 2014, safe in the knowledge she could always go back to it if needed.

She said:

“In January 2019 I was able to take the lease on a gallery in Pateley Bridge. The gallery has been hugely successful and in November 2021, we were able to move to a more prominent position on the High Street, which already has proved to be a huge success.

“It has been a bit crazy as it was never a planned thing to be an artist. It was circumstance, opportunity and hard work that led me that way.”

Claire’s gallery on Patelely Bridge High Street.

Claire is a proud Yorkshire artist and always tried to capture ‘God’s Own County’ in her work, with the real locations and characters all developed through observations. Many of her paintings feature the Harrogate district, which she loves to capture.

Tour de Yorkshire

She was named as the official Tour de Yorkshire artist in 2020, a title she continues to hold despite uncertainty surrounding the cycle race.

She said:

“I finished the work in March 2020 and we went into lockdown.

“Obviously then the Tour de Yorkshire never happened, although the work is complete. In fact lockdown came in the week it was meant to be released to the media. So that was a bit of a blow.

“We don’t know what is happening with the Tour de Yorkshire, so having this national award opportunity is huge.”

National award

Claire is among five finalists in the running for the title of UK’s Most Popular Artist, which has been launched by the Fine Art Trade Guild.

She said:

“I submitted ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, which I painted in oil last year in my usual quirky, fun style. Set in Swaledale, the painting was partly inspired by lockdown.

“It’s a true celebration of getting back out, spending time with friends and enjoying the simple things we had missed.

“The image has proven to be very popular.

“I am absolutely thrilled and very excited to be a finalist. Even if I don’t win, to me, I’ve already won by coming this far. It’s a massive thing for little me.

“I paint because I love what I do and the joy of being able to put my thoughts and visions into the reality of a scene for others to enjoy is very rewarding. I never thought that a national award would be in my reach when I was starting out as it hasn’t been an easy journey.”

Last of the Summer Wine.

Claire has always loved art and studied the subject at both GCSE and A-Level at St John Fisher, before going on to do an art foundation course at Harrogate College.

She said:

“I am actually still in touch with my art teacher from school and it was him who helped me to get some experience to be able to become a teacher myself.

“I don’t think I’ll ever go back into teaching now as I’m just too busy with my art.”

Advice

And her advice for any budding artists hoping to make it a full-time career?

“Build up as much work as you can. Establish your own style and just keep chipping away. It could take a very long time, but it’s worth it in the end.

“It really is a case of not taking no for an answer and it’s sometimes accepting the criticism that you get. It’s really important to listen to the criticism as well as the praise. It’s hard sometimes but you learn from it.”

The award ceremony will take place in Stratford upon Avon on May 13. To vote, click here.

Harrogate farm shop to stage art exhibition

Mackenzies in Blubberhouses to host art exhibition

Yorkshire artist Lynda Logan and her husband Terry are to display their work at Mackenzies Farm Shop in Blubberhouses to raise money for charity.

Ms Logan, who has a studio near Harrogate, was one of the original Calendar Girls in the 2003 film. She played a model and her husband was a photographer.

Their exhibition, which begins on April 9, will donate 10% of all sales to Blood Cancer UK.

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in adults and the most common in children.

Paul Palmer, the owner of Mackenzies, said:

“We’re delighted to have Lynda and Terry exhibiting with us in the gallery. Their previous work for charity has been exceptional and we’re excited to help raise even more.”

Events company brings food festival to Pateley Bridge

A previous event hosted by Lily and Lister.

The first Yorkshire Feastival will take place at Pateley Bridge on June 25 and 26.

The event is primarily a food and drink festival but also has an inflatable village, fun fair and a mini farm.

The event will host multiple small business owners, artists and entrepreneurs from Yorkshire. The event is organised by Lily and Lister Events.

Anna Lister, from Lily and Lister, said:

“With so many amazing producers, food, drink and artists from Yorkshire we wanted to create an event celebrating the best of what Yorkshire has to offer and in exceptional countryside in the heart of Yorkshire.

“It’s a great opportunity to come and support local businesses whilst having an amazing day out.”

Two Harrogate restaurants launch charity menu and easter egg hunt 

Provenance Inns & Hotels Group is launching a charity menu and a large easter egg hunt across all its seven venues.

The venues include the West Park Hotel in Harrogate and The Punch Bowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton. Dozens of eggs will be hidden in and around each venue and customers will attempt to find them using clues posted on Facebook.

Anyone who finds one of the chocolate treats can enjoy a free drink at their local Provenance bar.

The Inns group has also launched a new menu.

Tom Patrick, head of marketing at Provenance, said:

“Our Easter egg hunt is going to be quite epic, with not one but seven of Yorkshire’s finest pubs taking part.”

£1 from each Chicken Kyiv dish sold at Provenance venues will go to the Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.

 

Snow affects schools and traffic across Harrogate district

Schools and traffic across the Harrogate district were affected by overnight snow.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather for ice across the district, which was in place until 10am this morning.

You can recap our live blog and updates from the Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham areas this morning below.

Snow

10.10am – Picture of Pateley Bridge this morning

Joyce Liggins has sent in this picture from Pateley Bridge of the town covered in snow.

She said:

“We woke up to a covering of snow this morning and it’s looking like there is plenty more to come by the look of the sky.”

9.31am – Met Office weather warning in place until 10am

The Met Office weather warning for ice remains in place until 10am.

Gritters have been out on main roads in Harrogate this morning during the overnight snow.

9am – Readers’ pictures

Stray Ferret readers have sent their pictures from this morning’s snow. Here is a couple they have shared with us.

If you have any pictures of the snow that you would like to share, you can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on Facebook and Twitter.

Picture from Jackie Bedford.

Picture from Jackie Bedford.

Picture from Hornbeam Park this morning. Picture from Vicky Galbraith.

Picture from Hornbeam Park this morning. Picture from Vicky Galbraith.

8.50am – St Aidan’s in Harrogate open as usual

St Aidan’s Church of England Secondary School will be open as normal this morning.

School is open as usual today. Please only travel if safe. Let us know if your child is not coming in. All students should sign in at reception if late. Many thanks. pic.twitter.com/pXNVZ3vJiO

— St Aidan's (@StAidansCEHS) March 31, 2022

8.36am – Only a handful of Ripon Market traders this morning

Only a handful of Ripon Market traders have set up stall this morning due to hazardous conditions on the roads.

Brian Murphy, stallholders’ spokesperson who runs a fruit and vegetable stall, said:

“Because many of the traders come from a distance and travelling conditions are horrendous coming into Ripon, they decided to turn around and go back home.

“I’m keeping an eye on the weather, but will stay open for as long as I can.”

Brian Murphy as his stall on Ripon Market this morning.

Brian Murphy at his stall on Ripon Market this morning.

8.30am – Heavy but moving traffic on Otley Road

Traffic is heavy but moving this morning on Harrogate’s Otley Road.

Overnight snow has left some side roads treacherous, but main roads in and around Harrogate have been gritted.

8.15am – Rossett Acre Primary School opening at 10am

Rossett Acre Primary School in Harrogate will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.

If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

8am – Harrogate Grammar School delayed opening

Harrogate Grammar School has delayed the start of the school day due to the adverse weather.

The school will begin lessons from period three. Those pupils already on their way to school will still be accommodated and should report to the Hub on arrival.

7.45am – More pictures from across Harrogate

7.40am – Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School delayed opening

Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.

The school said that those pupils who arrived before 10am should use the intercom to be let in.

7.35am – RHS Harlow Carr to open at 11am

RHS Harlow Carr gardens will open at a slightly later time this morning.

The gardens will open at 11am due to the snow in order to allow for the car park and pathways to be cleared.

⚠️ Thursday 31st March

Please note, due to snow, the garden will open slightly later today at 11am. This is to allow our teams time to clear the car park and pathways. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this, please check back for further updates. pic.twitter.com/Yb8tj5DakF

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) March 31, 2022

7.30am – Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School to have delayed starts

Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School will both open at 10am this morning.

If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

7.25am – Traffic moving normally in Harrogate

Traffic around Harrogate Town Centre is running normally at the moment.

Gritters have been down York Place and West Park this morning to clear the roads. However, traffic is expected to pick up in the next hour.

7.20am – Is your school affected by the snow?

If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch and let us know.

You can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or on Facebook and Twitter.

7.12am: Weather warning in place until 10am

 

The @metoffice has issued a yellow #weather warning for #ice from 8pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

Forecasters say #snow & hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption.

Take extra care if out and about.

More: https://t.co/nyJZTWA2Gn pic.twitter.com/s1roUeqCrO

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) March 30, 2022

7.03am: Harrogate covered in snow

https://twitter.com/MrsReedGeo/status/1509405530086948865

6.50am: Harrogate district wakes to blanket of snow.

Here’s the scene on Ripon Road in Killinghall. Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Killinghall snow

Ice warning follows rush hour snow in Harrogate district

Temperatures are set to plummet tonight after snow hit teatime traffic in the Harrogate district.

Snow is forecast across the district this evening and overnight temperatures are expected to reach -1 degrees celsius in Harrogate. It will be colder in more remote areas, especially around Pateley Bridge.

Greenhow by John Benson

John Benson took this photo of Greenhow this afternoon.

BBC Weather is predicting the snow will clear by 7am tomorrow.

A yellow warning for ice is in place in the district from 8pm tonight until 10pm. Roads across the county will be treated.

Read more:

Nature observers, however, may get an opportunity to see the Northern Lights tonight.

The Met Office tweeted that the phenomenon, also known as the Aurora Borealis, may be visible.

Due to Coronal Mass Ejections arriving from the sun, there is a chance of seeing the #AuroraBorealis later tonight and again tomorrow night

As usual, the further north you are in the UK, the greater your chance of seeing it#NorthernLights

More here: https://t.co/sQ1IjJM44y pic.twitter.com/qxmFQNJCM6

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 30, 2022

 

Pateley Bridge artist one of five finalists for top award

Pateley Bridge artist finalist in Fine Art Awards

Claire Baxter, who has a gallery in Pateley Bridge, has made the top five finalists in the Fine Art Trade Guild artist awards 2022.

Ms Baxter submitted her work Last of the Summer Wine, which is up against five other artists in the ‘Most Published Artist 2022’ category.

Ms Baxter’s work tries to capture Yorkshire through its locations and characters.

She started out hanging her work on the railings in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens hoping for some sales. Now she employs a gallery manager and a gallery assistant at her gallery in the Nidderdale town.

She said:

“I am absolutely thrilled and very excited to be a finalist. Even if I don’t win, to me, I’ve already won by coming this far. I paint because I love what I do and the joy of being able to put my thoughts and visions into the reality of a scene for others to enjoy is very rewarding.

“I never thought that a national award would be in my reach when I was starting out as it hasn’t been an easy journey.”

Harrogate communications firm wins London contract

A Harrogate communications agency has won a contract to support a London commercial cleaning company.

The Big Bamboo Agency will support Julius Rutherfoord & Co with bid and proposal work as well as email marketing communications campaigns.

Julius Rutherfoord & Co, which was founded in 1994, provides commercial cleaning services to organisations including Cushman & Wakefield, MADE.com and City, University of London.

Nicola Stamford, founding and director, Big Bamboo, said:

“With a strong background in the facilities management industry, our team is well positioned to support JR & Co in achieving its future vision. We are delighted to be supporting them on their journey and we look forward to our relationship developing over time.”

Medieval pop-up museum window display to arrive in Harrogate

Harrogate BID Bethany Allen, Harrogate BID Business and Marketing Executive, left, and Sarah Checkland, The JORVIK Group of Attractions Exhibitions Manager, hold two uroscopy flasks which will feature in the Window on the Past pop-up museum

Bethany Allen (left), Harrogate BID business and marketing executive and Sarah Checkland, The Jorvik Group of Attractions exhibitions manager, hold two uroscopy flasks which will feature in the pop-up museum.

Harrogate Business Improvement District has partnered with The Jorvik Group to install a medieval window display in the Victoria Shopping Centre over the Easter holidays.

The group, which is behind the tourist hotspot Jorvik Viking Centre in York, will show artefacts between April 1 and May 2.

Visitors can explore a wealth of information online and consider the display’s themes in more detail. Reconstructions, videos and an exclusive short film, written by Terry Deary – author of the Horrible Histories series – entitled A Touch of Plague, can all be accessed via QR codes.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“We are really excited to be bringing Window on the Past to Harrogate this April, which will give families another great reason to come into town during the Easter holidays.”