Police appeal after nine goats found near Boroughbridge

North Yorkshire Police are appealing to find the owner of nine goats which were found near Boroughbridge.

The force said the herd was found in Thorpe Underwood and is “currently safe and being well cared for”.

In a statement, police said:

“This certainly isn’t a sentence you say every day, but if you’re missing nine goats or know anyone who is, we’d love to hear from you.

“Please email david.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC1452 David Mackay.”

Quote reference number 12230218867 when passing on information.

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North Yorkshire combined authority could be launched in January

A combined authority in York and North Yorkshire could be in operation in the new year after an order was laid before parliament.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by a directly elected mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

An order which would establish the organisation was laid before Parliament on Tuesday (November 7).

It paves the way for a North Yorkshire devolution deal, which is worth £540 million over 30 years, to become law.

MPs are now expected to consider the draft order before Christmas. 

James Farrar, interim director of transition for the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: 

“Subject to progress, a new combined authority could be operational in January and formally launched in February. 

“A mayoral election would take place on 2nd May 2024.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, added:

“The prospect of bringing more decision-making powers and millions of pounds in additional funding from the government will bring real and tangible benefits for hundreds of thousands of people in York and North Yorkshire.”

The move to set up a combined authority comes as North Yorkshire agreed a historic devolution deal with government.

The proposed devolution deal includes a £7 million investment to drive green economic growth towards the ambition of York and North Yorkshire becoming the country’s first carbon negative region.

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There is also proposed investment of up to £2.65 million to deliver affordable low-carbon housing, and £13 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land during 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The elected mayor will make decisions on investments in strategic priorities such as for transport, housing, and adult education.

The mayor will also have responsibilities for community safety and strategic responsibility for the totality of policing, fire and crime for York and North Yorkshire.

They will appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the powers and duties of the role currently known as police, fire and crime commissioner.

Tockwith Show directors propose one-year break after volunteers step down

The directors of Tockwith Show have proposed to cancel next year’s event after five long-standing volunteers stepped down.

The agricultural show, which began in 1945, showcases a variety of livestock, horses and horticulture.

Organisers are now appealing for new people to take over a number of roles.

Current chair Georgina Watson, who is one of those stepping down, said:

“Being involved with Tockwith Show is incredible fun and a real privilege, but it can also take up a lot of time and energy.

“All the committee members standing down at the AGM have been involved with running the event for decades, and they have now decided it’s time to make way for someone else.”

The directors feel the break would allow time for more people to join the committee, as well as the chance to make any necessary changes to the show.

Locals will be able to vote on the proposal at the show’s annual general meeting – which will take place next month.

Ms Watson added:

“Over the past few years, we have been trying to attract new volunteers to prepare for this inevitable moment, but we have only had limited success.

“Our hope now is that we can attract enough new helpers from the community to allow for the key roles to be taken on by at last two people so the burden of the work is spread.

“For the directors and trustees, recommending taking a year’s break in the show was a very difficult decision, but we believe it’s not only the right decision but given our current situation the only decision to ensure the future of the show.”

Those attending the meeting will also be able to put themselves forward for any of the vacant roles, which include chair, secretary, main show ring steward, show direct and chair of the fundraising committee.

One of the directors, Mike Best, said:

“If the recommendation to skip a year is approved, then that gives us a real and exciting opportunity to take a good hard look at everything the show currently offers and see if there are any changes or improvements that can be made.

“Even if people in the community aren’t able to become volunteer helpers, we are hoping they will let us know what works and what doesn’t work.

“Each year we attract thousands of visitors to the event, and those people are the ones who really know what changes we could and should make to ensure that when we return in 2025 Tockwith Show will be better than ever.”

The meeting will be held in Long Marston Village Hall on Wednesday, November 15 at 8.15pm.

Anyone is welcome to attend and those that would like more information can email Mike Best on mike@bestmedia.co.uk

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Start date for North Yorkshire combined authority delayed

The establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority looks set to be delayed, according to a council report.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by a directly elected mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

Its formation will be overseen by Harrogate-born James Farrar as chief operating officer in its transition year.

The authority had been due to be set up this year and begin operation in May.

However, according to a North Yorkshire Council report, the establishment of the authority looks set to be delayed as parliament debates the devolution deal later this month.

The Stray Ferret asked York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which is helping to form the combined authority, when the start date would be delayed to.

In response, a spokesperson said:

“Assumptions used to form the combined authority budget were set against a timeline of key milestones, including a parliamentary debate period starting in September.

“This milestone is now anticipated to begin later this month and therefore reflects an amendment of the assumed start date. The timeline remains on track for mayoral elections to run in May 2024.”

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An order is expected be laid before parliament later in the autumn, which will include provisions for powers and funding tied to a devolution deal as well as paving the way for the creation of the authority.

The move to set up a combined authority comes as North Yorkshire agreed a historic devolution deal with government.

The proposed devolution deal includes a £7 million investment to drive green economic growth towards the ambition of York and North Yorkshire becoming the country’s first carbon negative region.

There is also proposed investment of up to £2.65 million to deliver affordable low-carbon housing, and £13 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land during 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The elected mayor will make decisions on investments in strategic priorities such as for transport, housing, and adult education.

The mayor will also have responsibilities for community safety and strategic responsibility for the totality of policing, fire and crime for York and North Yorkshire.

They will appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the powers and duties of the role currently known as police, fire and crime commissioner.

An election for the mayor will be held in May 2024. 

Police name teenager who died in fatal Brimham Rocks crash

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car collided with a wall on Brimham Rocks Road has been named by the police.

Alfie Lovett, from York, was a passenger in the Peugeot 107 which crashed on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

North Yorkshire Police reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have shared a tribute his family paid to him.

It says:

“Alfie was a unique personality who loved to make people laugh and lived for adrenaline fuelled adventures. He lived his life fearlessly and marched to the beat of his own drum without caring about what anyone thought of him.

“Alfie had his own world view that very few understood. He was only 17, but has made a huge mark in his short time and anyone who’s ever met him is not likely to ever forget him!

“Alfie was a fiercely loyal friend, a protective big brother to his 2 younger sisters and brother and loving father to his infant son. Taken from us far too soon with so much more to give, he’ll be very missed every day.”

Three other occupants of the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

An appeal was launched earlier this week for witnesses.

Officers added in the original appeal:

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.”

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

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Business Breakfast: Mama Doreen’s Emporium to open York branch

Harrogate cupcake company Mama Doreen’s Emporium is due to open a new branch in York.

The restaurant, which serves afternoon tea, brunch dishes and cakes, opened in 2009 on Cold Bath Road, but moved to its current James Street site in 2019.

Now the company is on the hunt for a new general manager to run the York site.

In a social media post advertising the job role, a member of staff at Mama Doreen’s said:

“We are now ready to bring our amazing service, afternoon teas and of course cupcakes to York.”

The opening date and location of the new store have not yet been announced.

Harrogate tea company takes home Great Taste award

A Harrogate-based tea company has been recognised at the Great Taste Awards for its immunity tea.

Thankfully Healthy was one of 4,088 winners of the award, which had been narrowed down from over 14,000 entries.

The tea is made from a blend of herbs including turmeric, cardamom and rose to strengthen the immune system.

The accolade is given to ‘food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour’ and the product was dubbed “a bracing and spicy ayurvedic tea, full of interesting and complementary spices, most familiar from the spice box of India” by the judges.

Dipti Arora, founder, said:

“If you had told me when I first started thinking about my herbal tea business that I would receive a Great Taste award someday, I probably would have said, “only if such a wish could ever come true!”

“But here I am, a one-person team, nurturing my start-up, and this achievement feels like more than just a dream come true.

The judging took place over 89 days, with a panel of over 500 judges, and saw entries from 109 different countries.

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New name for Harrogate taxi firm following acquisition by York company

A Harrogate taxi company is to be renamed after being acquired by a growing York-based firm.  

Elite Taxis, which is based on Claro Road, came under new management on Monday, when it was bought by York Cars Taxis, and will be rebranded as Dash within the month. 

York Cars is one of York’s biggest taxi companies, with 15 locations in the area, and Elite’s 30 drivers brings its fleet to around 200 cars. 

Manager Billy Iqbal told the Stray Ferret: 

“When we bought York Cars in 2014, we had 15 drivers, and that increased more than tenfold over the next nine years.

“We did it by providing a great service to the people of York, and now we’re looking to expand and provide a great service to people in Harrogate and the surrounding area. Ultimately, our aim is to expand across Yorkshire, into Leeds and West Yorkshire too.” 

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Dash will provide a 24-hour-a-day service, and customers will be able to book by phone or via the Dash Request A Ride app, which is free to download on Google Play or Apple Store. Payment can be made by card, Google, Apple Pay or cash. 

York Cars Taxis now intends to enlarge its fleet and is recruiting new drivers in Harrogate and York to meet demand. Drivers’ rent is charged at 15% and capped at £75 regardless of takings. 

A-maze-ing York attraction crowned best in UK

This story is sponsored by York Maze.

A family attraction in York has been crowned the best in the UK and, with all that’s on offer, it’s certainly no wonder why.

York Maze is Yorkshire’s multi award-winning summer attraction, home to the largest Maize Maze in Europe, as well as over 20 rides, shows, and attraction.

Over 1 million maize seeds are planted in April – which leads the maze to grow to the size of 8 football pitches – and GPS technology is used to create the intricate pattern pathways. The attraction began trading from an old double decker bus (that housed an office, the ticket office, and gift shop) but, after 21 years, York Maze has become one of the biggest in the world and sees no plans to stop.

The Cornula 1 track

The attraction was awarded Best Large Farm Attraction in the UK at the annual National Farm Attractions Network, as well as winning other awards for Outstanding Customer Service (twice), Best Large Attraction and Yorkshire Tourism Experience of the Year.

If you haven’t visited York Maze, you may be wondering what leads the attraction to win so many prestigious awards. Visitors can enjoy a plethora of activities for a range of ages, from the Crowmania tractor and trailer rides, to amazing theatrical surprises.

York Maze promises a jam-packed day of guaranteed fun for all. If it’s endless excitement your child is looking for, they can come face to face with dinosaurs in the Jurassic Maize, zoom down the Corn Snake slides, or get lost in the illusions of the House of Cornfusion.

Perhaps your child is a budding thespian. If so, they can channel their creativity and enjoy the Crazy Maze Show, the Cornula One experience, and even the end of day Cornival Show and foam party!

This year, visitors can expect some brand-new attractions to make their day even more a-maze-ing, from the speedy Cobsleigh Run, to the relaxing Sunflower Corner.

Tom Pearcy, owner of York Maze, said:

“To be recognised as the best farm attraction in the UK is a tribute to our amazing team who cornistently work to make sure every single visitor has an amazing experience!

“We have some exciting plans for this year and a new maze design to reveal when we re-open in July.”

For a slightly older demographic, York Maze also hosts Hallowscream and Hallowtween each year – a spine-chilling Halloween event that, too, has won awards for its success – as well as being a licensed wedding venue. Couples to be can hire the venue exclusively for three days at a time to tie the knot in the York countryside.

“Excuse the corn themed puns but, cornsidering where we started, we have certainly come a long way from the early days.

“It hasn’t always been easy, challenges have cropped up along the way, we’ve had to corntend with hurricanes, floods and drought and of course in 2020 due to Covid we didn’t get to open at all!

“The maize maze is still at the heart of what we do.”

York Maze is open from Saturday, July 15. Click to book tickets before it’s too late!

Find out more:

To find out more about all that’s on offer at York Maze, visit https://www.yorkmaze.com/ or call 01904 608000.

Harrogate man jailed for ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property’

Harrogate man Cieran Bamford has been jailed for 16 weeks.

Bamford, 31, of Knaresborough Road, pleaded guilty to making threats to a named woman who feared violence would be used against her when he appeared in court on Tuesday.

Court documents state the offence was “so serious because the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property”.

Bamford was given a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim until April 2028.

Magistrates in York also ordered him to pay £154 to victim services.

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Dales Bus summer service to return this weekend

The Dales Bus summer service will begin its season this weekend.

The bus company provides access into and around the Yorkshire Dales on a not-for-profit basis.

It operates on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays throughout summer until October.

The 74 service from York Railway Station, which goes through Knaresborough and Harrogate and onto Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Burnsall and Grassington, starts on Saturday.

Another Saturday route, the 59, will help people travel from Harrogate to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton.

The 875 will depart from York every Sunday and Bank Holiday, starting this Easter weekend.

This year, an additional Sunday and bank holiday service – the 876 – will run from York to Leeds, Otley, Ilkley and Grassington, with onward connections to Upper Wharfedale and Hawes.

The national £2 single bus fare cap, which has been extended until June 30, will apply to Dales Bus services.

Find more information on services and timetables here.