Harrogate Borough Council will be planting 5,500 wildflowers on the Stray in the coming weeks. It is working with Bilton Conservation Group to create groups of six volunteers to work over two weekends.

The young wildflowers called “plugs” are coming from Cumbria and will be around 5″ tall.

They are to be planted between the Empress Roundabout and the Prince of Wales Roundabout, where 60,000 crocuses were planted last year. More plugs are also planned to be planted in a small meadow by the railway line.

Planting was due to have started in April, but was delayed due to poor weather conditions.

Keith Wilkinson MBE of the Bilton Conservation Group says the wildflowers are “very welcome”.

“Harrogate Stray looks great in spring with its cherry blossom – but then there’s a lull. These wild flowers will make it look spectacular through the summer and come back year after year.

“Bilton Conservation Group is always happy to make the town green. We’ll always help with green initiatives.”

Read more:

• Insurance problems make Stray bonfire event a ‘huge gamble’
• WATCH: Harrogate blooms with cherry blossoms on the Stray

The Bilton Conservation Group planting crocuses on the corner of West Park Stray in October last year.

The news will come as a delight to the over 600 people who signed a Green Party petition last October urging the council to plant wildflowers on the Stray.

Harrogate’s cherry blossoms on the Stray have come out in full force in a sign of brighter times to come.

Lots of people were out enjoying the vibrant colours of the trees and the warm spring sun today.

The blossoms started to emerge over the weekend and are now close to full bloom.

Watch our video above to experience the cherry blossoms on the Stray. Have you been to see them yet? Send in your pictures to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

Don’t sell Ripon Spa Baths

Let people and businesses enjoy the Stray!

With reference to Barry Adams’ letter about turning the Stray into an ‘uncontrolled beer garden‘.

As a reminder of the past year, we have endured a pretty significant event in our history. Living through a pandemic, through lockdown and (understandably) having limited travel enforcements, it’s been a pretty torrid time. The proposal, which I understand was knocked back by the Duchy of Lancaster, provided a way of establishing some level of normality and relief.

I’m always amazed when people want to prevent the enjoyment of others. Our town is gifted with a huge piece of land, yet some people feel it’s their place to make sure others can’t make full use of it. Grass grows back; we learned this from the after events of the UCI Cycling Championship. You’d never know it took place.

I think it’s a shame that the Duchy didn’t let these proposals go ahead. It would have been an uplift for the town. The Stray needs to be considered an area for common enjoyment, not some kind of area to be looked at from a distance or at speed. It’s great to see folk of all ages using the Stray for whatever sort of celebration. If there was ever a good time to make full use of the Stray, it’s now.

Stu Mitchell, Pannal Ash

Never a better time than now to open up the Stray

The Stray IS for the people’s benefit, surely? We need to be outdoors as much as possible. The alternative? Little space outdoors means more people indoors = more possibility of infection rates going up.

There was never a better reason for opening the Stray than for such a purpose, in my view.

Has this person not heard of the many events held on the Stray where people buy drinks, and food?

Please, Harrogate, let the people use this tiny slither of the Stray for their health, if nothing else.

Teresa Liddell Shepherd, Harrogate

Recycling rules

I queued to get into the Wetherby Road recycling depot with a fridge in a trailer. No trailers were allowed but I managed to get rid of it anyway.

Maybe I have just fallen foul of a rule which has been in for a while but I wonder how the council expects people to get rid of bulky items, which won’t go in a small car or are too dirty, eg too many clippings for the fortnightly green bin collection or too wet and leafy to decently burn and would have gone into the large recycling skips.

Trivial but infuriating.

Pete Dennis, Harrogate

Got an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

Don’t let the Stray become an uncontrolled beer garden

I am aware Harrogate Borough Council has said (subject to feedback from the Duchy of Lancaster) consideration is being given as to whether hospitality businesses can use limited parts of the Stray.

Whatever the proposal is, I object most strongly. When this was allowed last summer it was a most unpleasant experience having to battle your way through groups of people obviously influenced by alcohol.

The area of the Stray in question on Montpellier Parade looked a disgrace and gave the wrong impression of Harrogate. We do not want a proliferation of tables and chairs all over Montpelier Stray or indeed any part of West Park Stray.

Will the free and unhindered use and access to those parts of the Stray still be allowed for all and not just restricted to customers frequenting those particular outlets? And what about those that cannot expand onto the Stray?

The council should honour and uphold the purpose of the Stray Act. If it is ignored this time then it will inevitably happen again, which will open up a can of worms. Why should some hospitality outlets be treated differently to others who do not have such opportunities?

The Stray Act is in place for a good reason to safeguard the Stray against encroachment from all quarters. It protects and limits the use of the Stray so that it remains an intrinsic and a unique asset of community value for the benefit of the town and its visitors as a whole.

It is not for commercial exploitation and benefit by a limited few, especially as some uncontrolled beer garden.

What is the point of a law if it is broken when it becomes inconvenient to an individual or certain parties, including local authorities?

Why is the council therefore seeking a consultation on the interpretation of a law which is already in place? Is the council, as custodian of the Stray, incapable of making such a management decision?

Barry Adams, Harrogate

Consider making Parliament Street in Harrogate two-way

As a transport and distribution professional of over 50 years experience, it is obvious that one traffic lane on Station Road is going to massively slow traffic on this major Harrogate throughway. Two lanes are vital and an ageing population is hardly likely to be encouraged to bike to and through the town.

The problems will not be solvable until another way through the centre is opened up and perhaps looking at making Parliament Street two-way should at least  be considered. With Debenhams going it is no longer the main street in Harrogate and two-way traffic would be the cheapest of all solutions.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

Councillor’s ‘wild’ covid death claims are inaccurate

Regarding the wild claims by this councillor, based on his experience as a funeral director:

1 Does he not know that the excess death figure is a verifiable guide as to how many deaths were from covid, not only for the UK but for every country in the world that records those statistics [most of them]?

2 There may be more — because influenza hospitalisations have dropped dramatically — as well as other illnesses. Hence associated deaths will have dropped.

3 Car accident deaths are very likely to have dropped because of months of lockdown.

Therefore the figure is likely to be actually more than the excess death rate.

Teresa Liddell Shepherd, Harrogate

Got an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Harrogate Borough Council has told three bars that they cannot use Stray land for outdoor dining when they reopen next week.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the space outside their businesses from April 12.

All had approached the council when the Government released its roadmap out of lockdown. But the council has told them that it will not be possible.

Read more:

• Harrogate bars call on council to allow tables on Stray land
• Harrogate district restaurants already fully booked ahead of reopening

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro, told the Stray Ferret:

“For us it was about making the most of the good weather so we do not take as much of a hit when we get some bad weather.

“We will still be able to reopen with room for around 40 to 50 people outside, but it is just a bonkers decision.

“The reason the council gave was that the Stray should be open for everyone to enjoy it.

“But I have never seen anyone use the space outside, people would enjoy it if they could and eat and drink there.”

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) approved the use of tables and chairs on Stray land last summer.

Kirsty Stewart, business development manager at HBC, sent the following in reply to Mr Dresser’s request:

“Thank you for your email below requesting to use the public grass area at Promenade Square for your business from 12 April until 17 May.

“This is something the council is not licensing this year, which means that all the available space is accessible for all members of the public to enjoy.”

A council spokesman added:

“As custodians of the Stray, we encourage all visitors to use it responsibly and enjoy the wonderful public space it provides.

“However, after feedback from land owners – the Duchy of Lancaster – it has been decided that it wouldn’t be appropriate at this stage to grant licences to select number of individual businesses that could potentially inhibit the open access and enjoyment for all.”

The police did not hand out any fines when people partied on the Stray last week, it was revealed today.

The easing of lockdown combined with good weather led to large gatherings.

Despite evidence many people broke social distancing rules, North Yorkshire Police told a press briefing today it did not issue any fines.

Under current rules, people can only gather in groups of six. But this was clearly being flouted on Harrogate’s Stray last week.

Police were seen interacting with people on the Stray but did not disperse the crowds.

Read more:

• Deja vu on the Stray, as party ends with litter
• NHS takes down Nightingale hospital in Harrogate

Since March 29, when lockdown restrictions eased, North Yorkshire Police has handed out 11 fines. Ten were for indoor gatherings in Scarborough.

Superintendent Mike Walker, coronavirus response lead at North Yorkshire Police, told today’s press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum:

“No fines were handed out but I do have confidence in our officers and PSCOs that if fines were the proportionate response then they would have been issued.

“So outdoor gatherings are governed by the rule of six or two households. These can take place in public spaces or private gardens with social distancing rules in place.

“There are a number of exceptions that we have to take into consideration, including that two households may comfortably exceed six people and that linked households for care and support only count as one household.

“Clearly the continued ‘four Es’ approach is vital to help our officers and PSCOs determine whether there has been a breach in the regulations.

“But my message to the public as the weather gets better as we saw on the Stray that day, people either plan or spontaneously go to public outdoor spaces.

“If you do go to public outdoor spaces you need to make your assessment when you get there as to whether it is safe for you and your family to be there. So that’s the expectation as that is common sense.”

People gathering on the Stray last week.

Police officers engaged with those breaking social distancing rules on the Stray but were unable to disperse the crowds.

Some residents were left with a sense of deja vu, as the heavily littered scene was almost an exact replica of what happened on the Stray on various occasions last summer.

An agreement for hospitality businesses to be given outdoor space on the Stray is unlikely to be in place until at least the second half of summer.

Harrogate Borough Council, which protects the Stray on behalf of the people, is in talks with the Duchy of Lancaster, which owns the Stray freehold, about relaxing rules.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said it was “probably not possible” for a deal to be struck before all lockdown restrictions end on 21 June.

The idea has been put forward to assist hospitality businesses with social distancing by giving them room for outdoor seating, although councillor Swift said it would only benefit “one or two” bars.

The owners of the Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro have told the Stray Ferret they want to put tables and chairs on Stray land near their businesses.

Speaking at a meeting yesterday, he said:

“Some of our licence companies are very keen to see usage of the Stray under controlled licensing conditions and the reality is this will be challenging.

“The Duchy of Lancaster are rightly positive defenders of the space and for us to jump through some of the hoops required around the legal side to allow one or two companies to extend their footprint will probably not be possible before 21 June when the government fully opens lockdown.”

Read more:

• Harrogate bars call on council to allow tables on Stray land
• Deja vu on the Stray, as party ends with litter

The Harrogate Stray Act 1985 restricts how the land can be used and includes an annual limit on events.

Need to consult

There is also a requirement for the public to be consulted on some changes and the council said it planned to run a survey on the idea to give businesses space if talks with the Duchy progress.

Councillor Swift added:

“I have some sympathy with the licence companies that would like to flex their space but the reality is there is going to be a considerable opening up of spaces over the next few weeks.

“I hope that people will be able to take off trade and picnic on the Stray and utilise the space as we get more and more conformable with social engagement.”

Under the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, hospitality businesses will be allowed to reopen for outdoor service only on April 12 when customers can meet in a group of up to six people from different households or any number from two households.

Then, on May 17, they will be able to seat customers indoors with the same household rules, while groups seated outside must be smaller than 30 people.

The final date in the roadmap is June 21 when all restrictions are due to be lifted.

Large groups of young people partied on the Stray in Harrogate yesterday, leaving council workers and volunteers to clean up this morning.

Many people enjoyed the first day of warm weather since lockdown restrictions were eased.

But some broke social distancing rules and left a huge amount of litter.

Under current rules, people can only gather in groups of six.

But for much of the afternoon yesterday there were groups of about 40 in the Tewit Well area of the Stray.

Police officers engaged with those breaking social distancing rules but were unable to disperse the crowds.

Although many people left rubbish lying around, some was left by the bins.

Takeaway boxes, leftover food, beer bottles and cans were among the items discarded.

Some residents were left with a sense of deja vu, as the scene on was almost an exact replica of what happened on the Stray on various occasions last summer.

A lone council worker does his best to clean up the mess.

Many residents have inundated the Stray Defence Association with complaints about the mess left behind last night.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the SDA, told the Stray Ferret:

“Wonderful that people are enjoying the Stray, however what a great shame that so many have left their mess, litter and bottles etc behind.

“It is very simple to take it to a bin or home. Clearly they have no consideration for other Stray users or the wildlife on the Stray for which litter can be a lethal hazard.

“Our Stray was a very sad sight this morning.”

Read more:

• Bid for businesses to use the Stray faces opposition
• Image Gallery: Harrogate soaks in the sun as temperatures soar

A photograph of a nurse found on the Stray has prompted a search to find the owner of the image — and discover who the mystery woman is.

Harrogate resident Dawn King found the black and white image, which she thinks could date back as far as the 1950s, lying in the grass at about 2pm on Monday.

Ms King said she found it on the West park Stray near to Beech Grove.

Ms King, who trained as a nurse in the 1980s, said:

“When I trained we had exactly the same uniform but the pinafore had gone, which makes me think the image must be dated either in the 1970s or before.”

The photograph was quite damaged when Ms King found it lying in the grass.

But there was no water damage, which suggests it hadn’t been on the ground for long.

Read more:

• Harrogate teen wins bronze at Para Powerlifting World Cup
• Image Gallery: Sunbathers soak in the sun as temperatures soar

Ms King has posted her appeal on various Facebook groups in the hope it will solve the mystery and reunite the image with its owner. She said:

“It’s obviously precious to someone.”

If you are the owner of the photo or have any information, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will forward the information to Dawn.

Bars, cafes and restaurants keen to take advantage of the Stray for alfresco-style dining this summer face opposition from its guardians.

Harrogate Borough Council is in talks with the Duchy of Lancaster, the freeholder of the Stray, ahead of a public consultation.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro are all hoping to put tables and chairs on the Stray when they reopen outdoors on April 12.

But ahead of a public consultation, the Stray Defence Association has today made its opposition to the plans clear.

Read more:

• Harrogate bars call on council to allow tables on Stray land
• Land on Wetherby Road set to become part of the Stray

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the SDA, told the Stray Ferret:

“The tendency for both HBC and NYCC to ignore or try and overrule the Parliamentary Stray Act is disturbing. Indeed, the Stray Act was formulated and put in place to prevent such misuse.

“No one is against people having fun or enjoying the Stray, that is what it is there for, and how blessed Harrogate has been to have it for the benefit of everyone during the past traumatic year.

“However, as with many things, the few could well spoil it for the rest of Harrogate.

“In fact, a few years back when HBC wanted to levy a charge on the footballers using the Stray and make them pay to play, it was the SDA who argued that this could not be done as the Stray is an open and free space for the benefit of the people of Harrogate.

“Without going into too much detail, Section 6(2) of the 1985 Stray Act also precludes anyone making profit from the use of the Stray.

“We are not aware of any time, other than by explicit and limited dispensation given by Parliament as a result of a specific detailed application, when the council has been empowered with a general discretion to consent to inclosures and our history confirms this.

“After all, the Stray is protected by law for the free use of Harrogate’s people, not businesses.”

The SDA has raised further questions about the types of businesses which would be able to use the Stray and also asked where such a scheme would begin and end.