Record readership for Stray Ferret with 2 million page views this month

The Stray Ferret has had a record breaking March, with more than two million page views and almost 300,000 unique users.

The Harrogate district news service, which is now three years old,  has seen consistent growth in readership.

The figures quoted have all been verified by Google Analytics.

More than 30,000 people follow Stray Ferret posts on the various social media channels.

The most read stories in March included hundreds of job losses due to the sudden close of telemarketing firm Amvoc in Harrogate, disruption across the district due to snow fall, Knaresborough tractor run and the closure of the fast food restaurant Leon. 

Tamsin O’Brien, director of the Stray Ferret said:

“We set out to provide a service that we thought the residents of the Harrogate district wanted — well written news and information in an easy-to-read digital format. We constantly  aim to be first with the news and be as local as possible.  To have two million page views shows just how much people value this information and are engaged in where they live.

“Our readers tell us how much they like the fact our news content is free of annoying pop-ups or Google ads and we only allow local advertisers who also want to engage local residents — so the whole site is solely for the people and businesses of the district.”

This month also saw the Stray Ferret launch its annual Business Awards and establish a networking Business Club.

Thanks to all our readers and advertisers. Please keep us up to date with your news and views.

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Harrogate’s Finlay Bean makes cricket history by scoring 441

A Harrogate cricketer has smashed the record books by scoring an astonishing 441 for Yorkshire second XI.

Finlay Bean, 20, yesterday became the first triple centurion in Yorkshire’s second-team history in a match against Nottinghamshire.

By the time he was out today, he had compiled the highest score in Second X1 Championship history. He hit 52 fours and three sixes on the way to helping Yorkshire reach 814-7.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Bean, who plays for York Cricket Club, doesn’t currently have a contract with Yorkshire.

Second-team coach Tom Smith said:

“Finlay’s batted brilliantly.

“He’s been on the field for every single ball of the match, and it’s not just his skill that’s been impressive, it’s been his concentration levels as well.

“Personally, I’ve never seen 365 runs scored in a game before! It’s been outstanding.”

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Bean, like Knaresborough’s Jonny Tattersall, has been given a second chance at Yorkshire.

Born in Harrogate, he came through the Yorkshire age-groups and played academy and second-team cricket through to the end of 2020, also representing England under 19s.

Despite being offered an Academy contract, Bean left Headingley at the end of that season.

But, following some impressive league performances for York over the last two seasons, he has earned another shot with the county through second-team cricket in 2022.