Campaigners to protest against Menwith Hill on Independence Day

Campaigners will meet outside Menwith Hill on American Independence Day, July 4, to protest against the secretive surveillance base.

The event is being organised by the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign and a letter will be handed to the site’s US Chief of Station. A webinar for people protesting at home will also take place and will include speeches from experts in the field of surveillance.

Sarah Swift from MHAC told the Stray Ferret they want to raise awareness about what goes on at the site, which she called a “great spider’s web underground”.

She said:

“They are collecting so much information and we need to question what the base is doing here.

“Some people see the radomes as beautiful artefacts but I find them very sinister.”

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Ms Swift also said that President Donald Trump’s unique foreign policy style could leave the area exposed to a military attack.

She said:

“I do feel very worried. The first thing in any major conflict is the enemies target communication centres first.”

The Stray Ferret has asked the Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, for a response to the protests. It has not responded at the time of publication.

Built in the 1950s, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base. Giant radomes, or “golf balls”, are a distinctive feature of the site. A 2016 investigation published by The Intercept that included documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden found Menwith Hill has been involved in controversial drone bombing campaigns in Yemen.

Since 2000, protestors have taken part in a weekly demonstration outside Menwith Hill which has been halted due to lockdown.

In February this year, Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission for the Ministry of Defence to build three new radomes at the site.

Harrogate companies capitalise on CBD oil popularity

Two new companies have launched in Harrogate to capitalise on the growth of CDB oils, a cannabis-based health product for pain relief.

The Harrogate CBD Company was launched seven weeks ago by 24-year-old Harvey Radcliffe after he witnessed his mum suffer from severe arthritis.  She was on an intensive course of steroids and painkillers, but they had stopped working.

To help his mum, Harvey suggested she gave CBD oils a try. She was sceptical at first, but he says it’s changed her life.

CBD products entered the UK market around five years ago and are usually taken in capsule form or as a spray. They are backed by the World Health Organisation who say it can be beneficial for people suffering from MS and cancer to insomnia and depression.

However, a study from the University of Nottingham, published in 2019 suggested there is “very weak evidence” that CBD can successfully treat many ailments, with the exception of seizures.

CBD products won’t get you “high” but they work by responding to natural cannabinoid receptors within your body. They are legal in the UK as long as any product contains less than 0.2% of the psychoactive substance THC.

Sellers must also ask the customer to check with their GP if it is safe for them to use them.

Harvey from the Harrogate CBD Company said he wants to overhaul the image of CBD oils away from “snake oil salesmen” who would sell the product out of suspect looking vape shops.

He said:

“Our branding is more about the health benefits so it looks like a mainstream product.

Every product on their website also includes analysis from a lab which includes exact information on where the product comes from and what’s in it.

He hopes his company can help more people like his mum.

He added:

“If you’re in pain then you will try something that makes your life better. Chronic pain is the worst type of pain.”

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Launching this week, Harrogate Organics Company is a new wellness brand that will sell a range of health products, including CBD oils.

Known to be beneficial for mental health, owner Dan Simpson said lockdown is the perfect time to launch his new business.

He said:

“It’s no surprise that consumers are turning to CBD during these times as an alternative way to fulfil their wellbeing needs.

“It feels slightly odd launching a business during a global pandemic, but we truly believe that our brand couldn’t be any more relevant and needed right now.”

Russ Newman, runs the Grape Tree health food store in the Victoria Shopping Centre which sells a range of CBD oils.

He told the Stray Ferret that after CBD oils cleared up eczema on his shin he’s happy to “promote it to the hills.”

But is it a health fad? Mr Newman doesn’t think so, and he’s seen demand for it rocket in Harrogate as more people turn away from man-made pharmaceuticals to treat their ailments.

Child suffers suspected broken leg in Parliament Street collision

A nine-year-old girl suffered a suspected broken leg after a collision on Parliament Street in Harrogate on Saturday afternoon.

Police attended the scene at around 1pm after a Volva V70 collided with several parked cars, one of which struck the girl. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Diversions were set up around Parliament Street as police closed the main A61 road through Harrogate whilst they arranged recovery for four damaged vehicles, including the Volvo.

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Police appeal after woman dies falling from campervan near Ripley

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after a 40-year-old woman died falling out of a white Fiat camper van as it was travelling near Ripley.

The incident occurred on the B6165 at around 7.10pm on Sunday, shortly before the roundabout with the A61. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle prior to or at the time of the collision.

Anyone with any information and/or dash camera footage that they believe could assist police with their enquiries should contact Traffic Constable 771 Steven James on 101 option 2, or email steven.james771@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

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Fire damages Pateley Bridge art shop

A fire damaged HSC Fine Arts and Antiques in Pateley Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Nobody was in the building at the time of the fire and firefighters safely extinguished it by the evening. The holiday flat above the shop was also empty.

According to owner David Hinchcliffe, who also owns Artful Arts in Pateley Bridge, the fire was started by a light fitting which failed.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“These things happen. We’ve spent the whole of lockdown renovating our other shop so thank goodness it wasn’t that one.

“At least we didn’t lose much and nobody was hurt.”

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The shop specialises in 18th-century antique prints and Mr Hinchcliffe said most of the artwork was covered which has protected it from smoke damage.

He added:

“We’ll have it up and running again before long.”

Ripon restaurant bookings picking up

Restaurants in Ripon are reporting lots of bookings for July 4 after being given the go-ahead by government to reopen, but the dining experience will be bittersweet due to social distancing restrictions.

Rick Jones, owner of Italian restaurant Valentinos, told the Stray Ferret they are “full steam ahead” and expecting a full house on July 4, albeit with a reduced seating capacity of around 30%.

It will be a different type of table service on July 4 and interaction between staff and customer will be minimised, which Mr Jones hopes won’t put too many customers off.

He said:

“We haven’t seen these customers for so long and you just want to hug them and embrace them. But we will almost have a sterile environment and you can’t interact as much as before.

“We know about all our customer’s lives and stories, but we literally have to serve them and walk away to eliminate contamination time.”

“It’s not going to be the grand reopening we expected with parties and celebrations but something is better than nothing. Even just a smile on someone’s face will be worth it.”

Richard Hughes and his partner Magdalena Torres are the owners of Spanish Tapas bar and restaurant Manchega. As a self-declared “party person” Mr Hughes told the Stray Ferret he’s missed the social aspect of running a busy restaurant.

Magdelena Torres, Jose Simo, Isabel Rodrigues – Manchega.

He said:

“I can’t wait. I’m a party sort of person anyway and a Tapas bar is all about the good times. The atmosphere is a big part of it so I can’t wait to get the buzz going again. That’s what it’s all about.”

But Manchega won’t be opening until July 14 as the owners are allowing their Spanish head chef return to his home country to visit family. Mr Hughes also wants to see how busy other restaurants are in Ripon from July 4.

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Mario Fantino has been serving up traditional Italian food at Prima Pizzeria for over 30 years. He told the Stray Ferret it was “heartbreaking” to see it stand empty for many months.

He said they are almost fully booked for next weekend and the early signs are positive for the rest of the summer.

He also believes people in Ripon “can’t wait” to go out for a slice of Pepperoni or Margherita in his restaurant.

He said:

“People have been paid their furlough money but have not had the time to spend it, so there’s a bit of money around. We’ve got lots of bookings and I imagine everyone else has.”

“It will be great to see people sitting down again in the restaurant. It will be wonderful.”

Police appeal for witnesses after child injured in Parliament Street collision

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for witnesses to a collision on Parliament Street where a child was injured by a car.

The incident happened on Saturday lunchtime and diversions were set up around Parliament Street as police closed the main A61 road through Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police has released no further details of the incident at this time.

Anyone who may have seen the collision is asked to contact Mark Hutchings of the Major Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email Mark.Hutchings@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

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Harrogate loses ‘feel good factor’ due to new housing

Harrogate has lost its “feel-good factor” due to poorly designed housing being built in the town, according to a key member of Harrogate’s Civic Society.

Speaking to The Stray Ferret, Stuart Holland, joint chairman of the group, warned that the housing is putting the town’s “unique ambience” under strain.

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However, he said it can still be protected through good design.

He said:

“We’ve got to encourage better design but we won’t change it overnight.”

Several major housing schemes have been built across the district in recent years, with more in the pipeline as part of Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan.

Yet the design of many of the new homes are a familiar source of complaint for people living here.

Formed 40 years ago, the civic society published a new strategy earlier this month that hopes to influence better housing design.

Mr Holland hopes the strategy can help the group reinvent itself so it’s more relevant to a new generation of people who care about the town.

But what would the Victorian architects who designed heritage buildings like the Pump Rooms, Royal Hall and have to say about the new housing schemes?

According to Mr Holland, they would “be horrified”.

He added:

“They’d say they’re so small, they lack detail. But we’re spoilt in Harrogate with the architecture we’ve got. We can’t expect to be building the homes of the late 1880s.”

More homes added to major Ripon scheme

Harrogate councillors have recommended that more homes are added to a major housing scheme in Ripon.

Harrogate Borough Council’s Planning Committee met virtually on Zoom and agreed to defer the building of 14 new homes at Bishops Glade to the chief planner for approval.

131 homes were approved by HBC in 2017 and building at the site is currently underway.

Developer Harron Homes sought to build an extra 14 homes and change the mix of housing to include more affordable housing and more four-bedroom homes.

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Speaking at the meeting on behalf of the developer, agent Mark Beevers said the new four-bedroom homes were needed as “demand has fluctuated.”

Speaking against the proposals, Cllr Robert Windass said the number of four-bedroom homes already being built on the site is “over the top” and “all about profit for the developer.”

He added:

“They are not concerned about the mix as long as they get a maximum yield for the site”.

Cllr Pat Marsh said she was concerned at the affordable housing mix on the site and felt there are “ghettos” being built.

She also criticised the sustainable credentials of a plastic slide in the children’s play-area.

She said:

“As a council that says we want to get rid of single-use plastic within two years, that slide has to be metal. We’re not addressing the issues that are paramount to our world and looking at sustainability.”

However, HBC housing officer John Worthington reminded committee members that they were not there to “look at the site afresh” and planning permission has already been granted for the majority of the site.

Committee members voted in favour of the motion to defer and recommend for approval to the chief planner by six votes to five, with one abstention.

Lightwater Valley to reopen next month

Lightwater Valley will re-open to visitors on Saturday July 18, but its most popular ride The Ultimate will remain closed.

To ensure social distancing, the theme park will initially operate with a reduced capacity and all visitors must pre-book tickets online.

To begin with, it will focus on running rides that are suited to a younger audience, so The Ultimate, Raptor Attack and Apollo will be closed.

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Staff will introduce extra cleaning and hygiene measures on site and queue markers are being put in place to help visitors keep a safe distance apart. Some on-site cafes and the gift shop will also reopen.

General Manager Colin Bowes said:

“We’re delighted to be able to start welcoming visitors back but we also know how crucial it is that they feel safe.

“We’ve allowed ourselves a little extra time to ensure everything is fully in place for opening on the 18th and we’re confident we’ve been able to accommodate a range of protective measures without compromising the visitor experience”

Any visitor who shows symptoms of coronavirus will be asked to return home.