The sport ‘anyone can play’ that has exploded across the Harrogate districtA mashup of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico, padel has been described as one of the world’s fastest growing sports.
It is played between four players on reduced-size tennis courts. Competitors use paddle racquets and can bounce the ball off walls.
Since November 2020, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has been the national governing body for the sport when it was officially recognised as a discipline of tennis. This has opened the door for greater recognition, support and funding.
Admittedly, I had never even heard it until around a year ago and since then, it seems to have exploded across the Harrogate district.
Ahead of the curve
Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, on Hookstone Wood Road, was ahead of the curve, launching its first outdoor padel court in 2019, followed by a second glass-enclosed court in 2021 due to popular demand.
The only courts of their kind in the region, they saw people travel from Hull, Liverpool and Manchester to play.
Padel tennis at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre.
The club’s manager James Gaston said:
“It has grown in popularity very quickly and we have approximately 250 padel players.
“It is popular because it is very easy to play compared to tennis and it is great fun as doubles and close together on the court.
“It’s a great game and everyone should try it.”
James Gaston outside Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre.
Then in January Surge Padel, the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK with six courts, opened its doors at Hornbeam Park. The International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.
Plans for eight new centres
CEO Stuart Perrin said it had already proved to be so successful in Harrogate, he was now planning to launch minimum of eight additional centres in the UK this year.
One of the padel courts at Surge.
Speaking about why he chose Harrogate to locate his first padel centre, he said:
“There are two reasons really.
“Firstly, I’m a local resident and know the local health and fitness market well. Operating in the town with success previously meant I had a path once trodden that could be replicated and improved on.
“Secondly, the demographics of Harrogate really lend themselves to those of racket sports, giving us a head start on the education piece, with padel being a relatively new sport to the UK.
“It has exceeded all expectations so far with no signs of stopping any time soon.”
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Mr Perrin said the club currently had more than 820 members, with half of those using it on a weekly basis.
He added:
“We anticipate this number to grow to north of 1,000 members by the end of June.
“I think it has been so popular as we have delivered the UK’s largest premium indoor padel tennis centre and we are unaffected by the weather.
“Being underpinned by a brand like Coach and associated with Adidas has also cemented us as the market leader within the sector very quickly.”
Surge at Hornbeam Park is the largest indoor padel tennis court in the UK.
Next month, two new padel tennis courts will launch at Ripon Tennis Centre following a successful crowdfunding campaign, which saw more than £30,500 raised in 28 days thanks to the support of residents and businesses.
Membership boost
The project was put forward to help boost the club’s membership in the wake of the pandemic and will see the new courts, plus canopies and flood lighting, built at the centre on Park Lane.
Additional funding has also been provided by Sport England alongside a loan from the LTA.
Carol Tetlow, the club’s honorary secretary, said:
“It’s all very exciting and we can’t wait to get playing.
“Fingers crossed, our courts should be up and ready for play by the end of April. There will be two courts, one with a roof, guaranteeing all year round play.
“Covid-19 took its toll on Ripon tennis club, like many other sporting venues, and we saw membership numbers drop by a fifth and also lost a lot of income.
“Our centre manager, Diane Hutchinson came up with the great idea of not simply trying to recoup our losses but seize this opportunity to expand the centre with a new venture – padel tennis.”
Ripon MP Julian Smith visiting the padel site at Ripon Tennis Centre, with Diane Hutchinson (left) and Carol Tetlow (right).
Ms Tetlow put the sport’s rapid growth and popularity down to it being easy to play and therefore accessible for all ages and abilities.
A game for everyone
She said:
“Even beginners can go on court and enjoy a game, unlike some sports where techniques have to be acquired and learned.
“The less mobile players who find it difficult to get around a tennis court can have challenging games.
“At the other end of the scale, highly experienced players can amaze spectators with their agility and skill.”
Ms Tatlow said the club had recently taken on a new coach, Christopher Stanford, who will coach padel, as well as tennis.
She added:
“We’ve had lots of enquiries as the word has spread and as a result of our crowdfunding campaign. Membership is growing again and I’m sure padel is one of the reasons for this.
“With the nearest courts in Harrogate and Middlesbrough, Ripon has to be the ideal place for more courts.”
‘Really social’
Stuart Jones, from Harrogate, has been playing padel for two years after picking up the sport while on holiday in Spain, which has more than 20,000 padel courts. Behind football it is the country’s second-most-popular sport.
He said:
“I really enjoy the competitive nature of the game, the fact it’s doubles and really social.
“I started to play at the courts at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre and now also play at Surge, where they also have coaching for adults, as well as juniors, which is perfect for me as my eldest son also enjoys the game.”
Here are ten facts you might not know about padel tennis, from the LTA:
- Lionel Messi has a padel court in his garden
- Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s
- It is played in doubles
- Padel rules are similar to tennis – but you serve underarm
- Jamie Murray has played in a professional padel tournament
- Padel balls are smaller than tennis balls
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plays the game to discuss ideas with his coaches
- There are more than 6,000 padel players in the UK
- It may not be an Olympic sport yet but campaigns are underway to make it one
Men charged with theft from Harrogate and Ripon tipsThree men have appeared in court charged with stealing items from household waste recycling centres in Harrogate and Ripon.
North Yorkshire County Council operates the sites at Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate and Dallamires Lane in Ripon.
Lewis Boocock, 23, of Pioneer House, Dewsbury, is alleged to have stolen six laptops from Dallamires Lane and two TVs and two laptops from Penny Pot Lane on March 20 last year.
Mitchell Boocock, 22, of Common Road, Batley is charged with the theft of numerous electrical items from Penny Pot Lane on March 29 last year.
Luke Boocock, 21, of Leeds Road, Ossett, is alleged to have stolen electrical items from the sites at Penny Pot Lane and Dallamires Lane on March 21 and March 29 last year.
The cases, which were heard at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday, have been remitted to Lancashire Magistrates Court on April 22.
The three men were granted unconditional bail.
Write-On Ripon stages second open mic eveningLiterature lovers are getting ready for the sequel to Write-On Ripon‘s first open mic evening in February.
The stylish brick-built basement under Curzon Cinema on North Street, will again be the venue for Monday night’s readings of poetry and prose..
Dion Child, who organises the writing group, told the Stray Ferret:
“The first event proved such a success, that we agreed on the night that we would come back for more.
“The 30 people who attended, were able to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the great acoustics and the positive audience reaction, to an eclectic mixture of original works.”
Mr Child, himself a creative writer and poet, added:
“I am relatively new to Ripon and am absolutely knocked out by the depth of writing talent that I have seen from people of all ages in this magnificent and inspiring city.
“There is still room for more writers to join us on Monday and whether they want to read a short poem or story they have written, or simply listen to the words of others, all will be given a very warm welcome.”
Write-on Ripon Open Mic II begins at 7.30pm and entry is free. Further details are available here.
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Rat-hit Ripon playground could reopen by Easter
The play area at Quarry Moor Park, which was closed in September because of rat infestation, could reopen in time for the Easter holidays.
The Ripon City Council-owned and operated playground shut after discarded food items attracted rodents.
Since then the council has tried to eradicate the rats. It has also removed a waste bin and put up a sign at the entrance to the adjacent Quarry Moor Nature Reserve, and park, asking visitors to take rubbish home.
City council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“Earlier this week, we appointed contractors to carry out the necessary refurbishment work and cleaning ahead of reopening.
“It is our hope that this can be achieved in time for the Easter holiday, but that will be reliant upon all equipment passing rigorous hygiene and safety checks, as the wellbeing of children playing there is of paramount importance.”
This sign was put in place after rat infestation caused the closure of the playground.
Longer-term plans for the playground include replacement of the play equipment and erection of new fencing.
A total of £70,000 from the Ripon parish precept has been set aside for this work and the city council is seeking additional sources of funding, before it proceeds with the refurbishment programme.
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Quarry Moor Park
The park, just off the A61 on the southern approach to Ripon, was created on land donated to the city by Alderman Thomas Fowler Spence in 1945.
He served as the mayor of Ripon between 1927 and 1929 and was managing director of varnish manufacturer T and R Williamson — a prominent employer in the city since the 18th century.
Alderman Spence donated the 24-acre site on the understanding that it would “be kept for Ripon children for all time”.
It has been held in trust ever since, becoming one of the city’s most valued attractions.
In recognition of its unique geology and rare species-rich magnesian limestone grassland, Quarry Moor was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986 and is now managed for both nature conservation and recreation.
Ripon soldiers join United Nations peacekeeping force in CyprusRipon-based soldiers in the 21 Engineer Regiment have begun a deployment in Cyprus as part of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force.
The soldiers will spend the next six months carrying out patrols on the buffer zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
The UN force was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the two island communities.
Sappers from the regiment took up their duties on Monday in a ceremony in the country’s capital, Nicosia.
Lieutenant colonel Perry Bishop, commanding officer of 21 Engineer Regiment said:
“Peacekeeping poses some unique challenges that I have not experienced elsewhere in my career.”
“The Regiment’s soldiers understand the importance of this mission, and are eager to put the British Army’s world-leading training to good effect.”
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21 Engineer Regiment has three squadrons based in Ripon.
In recent years, it has seen a significant focus on support to UN peacekeeping operations.
This has included deployments to Cyprus, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Snow affects schools and traffic across Harrogate districtSchools 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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
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.
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Police launch crackdown on underage drinking in RiponPolice are to lead a crackdown on underage drinking in Ripon in the latest attempt to tackle the city’s long-running problem with crime and antisocial behaviour.
North Yorkshire Police said today Ripon has joined 240 locations in the country designated as a Community Alcohol Partnerships area.
These partnerships see police work with retailers, schools, neighbourhood groups, Trading Standards, local authorities and other emergency and health services to reduce alcohol problems.
As part of the initiative, retailers will be assessed by Trading Standards and police to check they are not selling alcohol to children.
Intervention work to prevent under-18s drinking will also be carried out.
According to North Yorkshire Police, the partnerships have led to a 61% reduction in weekly drinking by teenagers, a 50% drop in young people hanging round shops and asking adults to buy alcohol, and a 42% decline in anti-social behaviour involving drink.
Ripon Community Alcohol Partnership will officially launch on Wednesday next week.
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PCSO Helenor Gwatkin, who is leading the launch for North Yorkshire Police, said:
“We’re listening to residents’ concerns about antisocial behaviour in Ripon and we’re addressing them in several ways.
“Our targeted patrols are one part of the solution, but the community alcohol partnership allows us to focus on prevention and early intervention. This stops issues from arising, reduces offences and helps educate young people to make better choices.
“Community alcohol partnerships have been very well supported in other parts of North Yorkshire and I am confident the initiative in Ripon will be just as well received.”
Alcohol education
Police, youth services and other local organisations will provide alcohol-free activities for young people and work with schools to take a proactive approach to alcohol education.
Kate Winstanley, director of Community Alcohol Partnerships, said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of a CAP in Ripon. Underage drinking is associated with school and educational problems, unprotected sex, drug-taking, violence and drinking problems in later life.
“In just over a decade CAP has set up more than 240 partnerships around the UK and our evaluations show they are having a significant impact on reducing children’s alcohol consumption, improving their health and wellbeing and enhancing the communities where they live.”
New co-working space opens in HarrogateHarrogate Borough Council‘s co-working space, Co-Lab, has opened.
Co-Lab consists of new offices, a meeting room and communal space. It’s based on level 3 of Harrogate Convention Centre on King’s Road.
The authority secured £540,000 of funding from the Leeds City Business Rates Pool to fund the project.
It aims to connect digital, tech and creative businesses in the Harrogate district.
Alistair Forbes, Harrogate Borough Council’s in-house growth manager who will support businesses at Co-Lab said:
“Co-Lab will be focussed on digital and tech businesses, but we are inviting anyone interested in collaborating with the business community to talk to us.
“From designers to hardware specialists, technologists, marketers and developers, our aim is that everyone works together to help our community become more successful.”
Ripon butcher wins contract with Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason
Ripon-based online butcher, Farmison & Co has won a contract to supply London stores Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.
Farmison’s new Saucepan Ready range was curated by the company’s Michelin-starred executive chef, Jeff Baker, who has cooked for the Queen and Barack Obama.
The deal comes after Inverleith LLP, an Edinburgh-based specialist consumer brand investor, acquired a majority stake in the business, so it could press ahead with expansion plans.
Business founder and chief executive, John Pallagi, said:
“It’s a real feather in our cap to get Saucepan Ready listed with these two such iconic British retailers – it’s also recognition of the superb quality of the heritage breed meat our farmers supply.”
As well as the Saucepan Ready dishes, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason are stocking Farmison & Co’s beef dripping and chicken schmaltz.
Battery storage facility planned for Burton Leonard
Plans have been submitted to build a battery energy storage system near Burton Leonard.
The application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Harmony Energy Limited. The company also hopes to build a solar farm nearby.
The battery energy facility will store electricity so it can support the National Grid and provide electricity during high demand.
It would be built next to the Wormald Green Northern PowerGrid substation, off Station Lane, Wormald Green.
The storage facility would be built in the field marked in red.
Patricia Jones-Davies will swap the heat of a Ripon kitchen for the arctic chill of Finland when she reaches another significant milestone on Sunday.
The chef manager at Sunnyfield Lodge Extra Care Housing will celebrate her 50th birthday by taking part in the Arctic Marathon, where competitors can expect temperatures as low as minus 12 centigrade.
Ms Jones-Davies leaves for Helsinki on Thursday, carrying the warmest wishes from residents and colleagues because she is running to raise money for Papyrus UK — a charity that prevents suicide in young people. It is a cause dear to her heart.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“My daughter Anne-Dora went to school in Harrogate with Dom Sowa, who very sadly took his own life at the age of 17.
“In his memory, I ran 17 races over different distances, to both raise money for Papyrus and raise awareness of the wonderful work that it does, by helping young people who have suicidal thoughts.
“I will be thinking of Dom and other young people, while I am running.”
Ms Jones-Davies with some of her supporters at Sunnyfield Lodge.
In Ripon, Patricia has a huge team of supporters at Sunnyfield, which provides 40 one and two-bed retirement apartments. She has worked there for three years.
Among those wishing her good luck is 101-year-old Annie Charnley, who takes a keen interest in all her sporting feats.
They include two Manchester Marathons, a Chester Marathon and a virtual London Marathon.
Man of iron – Patricia’s husband Keri Jones-Davies
Husband Keri is also taking part in Sunday’s event.
He is a multi-talented endurance athlete, who has competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, having also represented GB in his age group at triathlon.
The ironman event involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a 26.2 mile run, so Mr Jones-Davies is well-placed to assist his wife as she trains for her long-distance runs.
She said:
“When it snowed a few weeks ago, I went straight out for a run. It wasn’t as cold as it will be in Finland, but we are well-prepared and have bought all of the right gear for cold-weather running.”
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