A Hollywood actor has praised the Stray in Harrogate after running laps around it during his theatre tour.

Richard E Grant was in town as part of his An Evening With tour, discussing his memoir, A Pocketful of Happiness.

Before heading off to Liverpool yesterday, he posted a video on Twitter of him running around the Stray, which he described as an “extraordinary parkland right in the middle of this beautiful city”.

https://twitter.com/RichardEGrant/status/1582656478090969088

The night before, the Oscar-nominated actor – who first found fame in the celebrated film Withnail and I – appeared at the Royal Hall in front of a sell-out audience.

He described the venue as “stunning” – and the audience seemed equally impressed with him, giving a standing ovation at the end of the night.

https://twitter.com/RichardEGrant/status/1582496498599591936

Mr Grant’s more recent work includes parts in Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, and Doctor Who. In 2019, he was nominated for an Academy Award, a Bafta and a Golden Globe for best supporting actor in Can You Ever Forgive Me?.

His memoir takes its title from his late wife Joan Washington who, before her death last year from lung cancer, challenged him to “find a pocketful of happiness in every single day”.

The organisers of the annual Bonfire Night celebrations in Tockwith have said the event will not take place this year.

Tockwith and District Agricultural Society has previously used the bonfire and fireworks to raise funds for the village show in the summer.

However, the committee has decided not to run it this year because of the amount of work involved and the difficulties of using the showfield site.

Committee chair Georgina Watson said:

“It was a hard decision for the committee but ultimately our focus as an agricultural society is making sure we can put on the annual Tockwith Show.

“We have just held an incredibly successful show in August, but organising it, staging it on the day and most importantly clearing up the field afterwards involved a tremendous amount of work by a relatively small group of volunteers, and the burden of organising the Bonfire Night event would have fallen on the shoulders of that same group.

“Unlike the show itself the Bonfire Night event is totally at the mercy of the weather but still involves the same amount of hard work, so given both reasons we have with regret decided to cancel the event.”

The event was held last year, after a gap in 2020 because of the covid pandemic. In 2019, it had to be called off at the last minute when heavy rain left the showfield waterlogged.

The waterlogged field in 2019. Photo: Tockwith and District Agricultural Society

The announcement this week follows a decision by Harrogate’s Round Table to alter the format of its event on the Stray.

Rather than a bonfire, the volunteers said they would offer family entertainments including fairground rides, as well as the popular firework display.

A survey of the public after last year’s event found people were ambivalent about the bonfire, which the Round Table said was expensive and challenging to organise.

Are you putting on a community Bonfire Night event? Email the details to us for our round-up next month.

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Two teenagers carrying zombie knives robbed a youngster in broad daylight after he was told to empty his pockets or get “shanked”.

Dillan Bahia and Jamie Richardson, both 18, were loitering on the Stray when they spotted the 17-year-old victim sat on a bench “minding his own business” and waiting to set off for work, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Brooke Morrison said the victim, who is from Harrogate but cannot be named for legal reasons, noticed “three males repeatedly looking at him while looking at their phones”. She added:

“(The victim) got up and started to walk to work (and) the three males followed him.”

Richardson was shouting over at the victim to get his attention and when the youth turned around, they were stood right beside him.

Richardson then lifted his jacket to reveal a zombie knife in his waistband and told the petrified victim: “Empty your pockets or I’ll shank you.”

The victim, who thought it was a steak knife, was “very frightened” and handed over his phone, wallet and e-cigarette.

Richardson demanded the PIN number for his phone while a third robber, a youth from Sheffield who was named in court, searched the victim’s pockets.

Bahia then appeared behind Richardson as all three robbers surrounded the youngster, who was “shaking” with fear.

Richardson then punched the victim in the face, causing his nose to bleed and glasses to smash, before the robbers walked off with his belongings including an iPhone, bank and loyalty cards, and £5 in cash. The incident occurred near Knaresborough Road on the 200-acre parkland.

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The victim went to his workplace and told colleagues what had happened. The matter was reported to police who scanned CCTV footage of the area to identify the robbers, who were found in Harrogate town centre the following day.

They ran off in different directions through the town centre but were caught following a pursuit. They were hauled into Harrogate Police Station where Richardson handed over a zombie knife and sheath to officers.

Bahia was “physically obstructive and verbally aggressive” to police and pushed one officer into a wall.

Officers frisked him for weapons and found a large, red-and-black zombie knife in his waistband and a homemade cosh which he had also been carrying in the town centre. The cosh was a “glass ball in a sock”.

The third male, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was also found to be carrying a zombie knife – a blade with a serrated edge which has gained notoriety in recent years and is also known as a ‘zombie killer’ or ‘zombie slayer’ knife.

All three teenagers admitted robbery and possessing a bladed article in public. Bahia also admitted carrying an offensive weapon, namely the homemade cosh.

Always ‘looking over my shoulder’

In a statement read out in court, the victim said:

“I honestly thought I was going to be stabbed if I didn’t give them my property. I was working hard and saving for a new phone.”

He had suffered from anxiety ever since the incident which occurred at about 3pm on July 23.

He said he was now always “looking over my shoulder” for fear of a similar attack and no longer walked to work from the town centre, relying instead on others to take him. He added:

“I now think twice about where I walk and where I go, and I stay away from the Stray and wooded areas.

“I will never forget what happened to me.”

He said he had a nose bleed and bruising for several days after the attack and had to pay for a new pair of glasses.

The 17-year-old victim now avoids the Stray

Richardson and Bahia, both from Leeds, appeared for sentence today after being remanded in custody.

The court heard that Richardson, of Grange View, Chapeltown, had previous convictions for serious violence, public disorder and criminal damage.

Bahia, of Mexborough Avenue, Chapeltown, had one previous conviction for fraud which resulted in a three-month youth-referral order in June.

‘Difficult early life’

Defence barrister Andrew Stranex, for Richardson, said the teenager had had an “unsettled and difficult early life” and was remorseful for his actions.

Ismael Uddin, for Bahia, said his unemployed client was “less involved” in the robbery and didn’t produce a knife during the incident.

He said that Bahia and his two cohorts had gone to Harrogate “out of boredom” but there was “no specific reason” for them being there.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said the “fearsome” knife that Richardson had in the waistband of his trousers must have been a terrifying sight for the young victim. The judge added:

“He was outnumbered three-to-one.

“(The victim) was left very distressed by the incident and it took him a little while to compose himself and contact police.”

Richardson was sentenced to two years and four months in a young offenders’ institution for his “leading role” in the robbery. Bahia was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution.

The teenager from Sheffield was given a 12-month referral order at the youth court earlier this month.

Harrogate’s main fireworks night event on the Stray will take place this year without a bonfire.

Last year Harrogate and District Round Table celebrated the 50th anniversary of organising the free-to-attend charity fundraising event

It will return this year on Saturday, November 5 and although there will be fireworks there won’t be a bonfire.

Andy Rickard, who is responsible for planning this year’s event, said:

““I know some people will miss the bonfire, and we certainly haven’t ruled out having a bonfire in future years, but we thought it was time to try something different.

“I’m incredibly excited about this year’s event and can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Mr Rickard said feedback from last year indicated most people attended for the fireworks and were ambivalent about the bonfire.

The cost and logistics required to source and move suitable wood were also factors for what aspires to be an environmentally sustainable event.

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However, the event will start earlier, include fairground rides and see local groups perform on the stage, which will be moved to a more prominent position.

Besides the usual firework finale, visitors can expect to see fire performers as well as local entertainers on the stage.

The fireworks will be back. Pic by Tyler Parker

The district Scouts and commercial vendors will sell food.

Craig Stephenson, chair of the Round Table, said:

““It’s great to see new ideas and innovation in this community event and I know that there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to put together a fantastic programme, which we look forward to announcing in the forthcoming weeks.”

The event will open at 4pm on the Saturday afternoon and culminate with the firework display at about 7.30pm.

It will be free to attend with net proceeds from donations going to a local charity.

The Round Table charity raises funds for local good causes through events such as Harrogate Beer Festival.

It also provides community service events, such as The Old Peoples Lunch and The Stray Charity Fireworks.

Generating over half a million pounds in the last 15 years, it has awarded grants to individuals and organisations supporting the young, old, sick or vulnerable and anyone in need.

Harrogate Borough Council says it expects a group of Travellers will move on from the Stray “in the next couple of days” after it obtained a court order.

An encampment appeared on a section of the parkland between Oatlands Drive and Stray Rein towards the end of August.

Several vehicles are there and the council has provided bins for them to use.

Many Gypsies and Travellers travel the country staying at different places in order to earn a living. In most cases, it has been a way of life for generations.

But the law states that if they camp on private land, the landowner can obtain an order through a county court to remove them. The Stray is managed by Harrogate Borough Council.

A HBC spokesperson said:

“We had a court hearing [yesterday] for a possession order so anticipate they will move on in the next couple of days.”

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Travellers have pitched up on the Stray in Harrogate for a second time this summer.

An encampment has appeared on a section of the parkland between Oatlands Drive and Stray Rein. Several vehicles are on site,

Harrogate Borough Council is the legal protector of the Stray. Asked if it was aware of the Travellers’ arrival, a council spokesman said:

“We are indeed and will be following the normal procedure to ensure they are moved on swiftly.”

The scene on the Stray today,

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A recent spate of arrivals by Travellers in the Harrogate district has led to calls to provide more designated temporary sites.

Six caravans and several cars arrived near to Oatlands Drive on the Stray in the week leading up to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

Last month Travellers also pitched up on Oatlands Park, off Hookstone Road,

On both occasions, the council instigated legal proceedings and the Travellers moved on quickly.

But more friction occurred when Travellers parked on the old rugby field at Knaresborough this summer.

It prompted Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, to write to Home Secretary Priti Patel complaining of “disorder and anti-social behaviour completely off the scale compared to that associated with previous traveller encampments in our area”.

Riverdale star Camila Mendes is believed to be back in Harrogate today to film for an Amazon Prime production.

Upgraded Films UK has been unloading vans on James Street in preparation for filming this afternoon.

The American-Brazilian actress and singer, who made her debut portraying Veronica Lodge in the teen drama series Riverdale, was photographed filming on the Stray two weeks ago.

She and Archie Renaux are starring in a romantic comedy called Upgraded directed by Carlson Young, who could also be in town.

Camila Mendes filming on the Stray a fortnight ago.

Mendes’ Instagram story also showed her visiting Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, on her last visit.

Since then filming has taken place around West Yorkshire.

Several vehicles parked on the side of James Street this lunchtime and began unloading kit. Signs said filming was due to take place.

James Street is expected to stay open throughout the duration of today’s filming.

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A cyclist suffered serious injuries in a crash with a car in Harrogate yesterday, police said today.

A stretch of Cold Bath Road was closed for hours following the collision at the junction with West Cliffe Grove.

The air ambulance landed on the Stray so paramedics could offer medical treatment quickly.

North Yorkshire Police said it had now traced the driver of a dark-coloured hatchback who they appealed for help finding yesterday.

Officers are now appealing to anyone who saw a white Vauxhall Viva travelling uphill on Cold Bath Road from the direction of the Fat Badger hotel bar roundabout or saw the cyclist travelling in the opposite direction to get in touch.

The scene at the junction of Cold Bath Road and West Cliffe Grove yesterday.

A police statement said:

“The rider of the pedal cycle suffered serious injuries at the scene and was taken to hospital for medical treatment following the incident at around 1.40pm on Friday.

“Police appeal for any witnesses to the collision or anyone who has CCTV/dash cam footage that may assist the investigation to come forward.”

If you can help, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident 12220142867. Or email 001282@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Quote reference number 12220142867 when providing details.

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New lights are being installed on some of the trees on the Stray in Harrogate.

The existing lighting along Montpellier Hill, West Park and York Place is set to be replaced.

The new lighting will be modelled on recently installed lighting in Valley Gardens, where the lights are wrapped around the trunk rather than strung through the branches.

Harrogate Borough Council said in a statement today that the new system “should result in better resistance to the weather and fewer repair requirements through the season”. It added:

“More than 40 trees will each have around 100m of lights that will be a mixture of bright white, warm white and coloured, to produce a beautiful array of colour across the town during the autumn and winter months.”

The new lights have started to be installed this week following approval from Councillor Sam Gibbs, the cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling.

Councillor Gibbs said:

“The Stray is such an iconic landmark for Harrogate and throughout the year attracts thousands of visitors.

“We’re often complimented on the existing lighting, but it can be difficult to manage due to lights getting blown around, hanging down and becoming dangerous.

“The replacement project will be a big change compared to the current display and should continue to bring a smile to people’s faces as they travel through the town in the evening.”

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Harrogate businessman Guy Tweedy has offered to pay for new trees on the Stray to replace the ones vandalised.

The Stray Ferret published a video last week showing teenagers ripping up two young trees.

They were part of a batch of 55 cherry trees paid for by Mr Tweedy to commemorate thalidomide victims, two babies and a local headteacher. They were planted six or seven years ago.

Mr Tweedy, who is also a thalidomide campaigner, has emailed Harrogate Borough Council offering to pay for replacement trees. He said:

“I wonder if whoever did this realises the significance of the trees and how upsetting it is to people.

“Sadly this is not the first time this has happened. How do we stop people from doing it? I don’t know what the answer is.”

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