Harrogate firefighters tackle car fire and three-vehicle collision

Two people were taken to hospital following a three-vehicle collision on Skipton Road in Harrogate last night.

Harrogate firefighters were alerted at 7.02pm to the incident, which was also attended by police.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:

“Crews liaised with police on scene and administered initial first aid to occupants whilst awaiting the arrival of ambulance crews.

“Crews stabilised one vehicle to enable the occupant to be assisted out. Occupants of two vehicles transported to hospital via road ambulance. Crews left the incident in the hands of the police to await recovery of the vehicles.”

North Yorkshire Police has not given any details about the incident, which was the second one attended by Harrogate firefighters in little over an hour.

At 5.49pm they were called to Menwith Hill Road to reports of a vehicle fire. The incident log says:

`’Crews extinguished the fire and dampened the vehicle down before isolating the battery and making the vehicle safe. Crews cordoned off the area and left the incident with the police to await recovery.”

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Traffic and Travel Alert: A59 is blocked due to a car accident at the junction with White Wall Lane, between Harrogate and Menwith Hill

Emergency services are dealing with a road traffic collision on the A59 between Harrogate and Menwith Hill.

Police at the scene have asked drivers to avoid the area whilst they help those involved.

The collision happened at the junction with White Hall Lane near Menwith Hill.

@your_harrogate @HgateAdvertiser @thestrayferret @Harrogate_News @BBCYork @BBCYorkshire @itvcalendar

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) May 5, 2022

 

What role is the US spy base at Menwith Hill playing in the war in Ukraine?

RAF Menwith Hill on the outskirts of Harrogate is reportedly the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.

It was built in the late 1950s during the height of the Cold War when America hoped espionage would give it the upper hand over the Soviet Union.

Over the last two decades, the base has been a key intelligence outpost for the War on Terror, with Edward Snowden’s leaks alleging it has provided intelligence that led to deadly drone strikes in the Middle East.

With Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the base is expected to be playing a role in intelligence gathering that support military operations against Vladimir Putin’s army.

Richard Norton-Taylor is a veteran journalist who wrote for the Guardian about defence and security from 1975 to 2016. He reported on RAF Menwith Hill throughout that time and continues to do so.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Mr Norton-Taylor about what role Menwith Hill might be playing in the invasion.

Richard Norton-Taylor

The current role of Menwith Hill

Mr Norton-Taylor said he believes the satellites at the base will be trying to intercept intelligence from Moscow and find out the broader movements of Russian forces.

This might be ships in the Black Sea, or troops in the area around Russia.

He said:

“They will be picking up on how it all relates to Ukraine. It’s not about what the immediate impact in next hour or two, its lower grade in a sense.”

“[Menwith Hill] won’t be involved in the attack function. It will be general eavesdropping what the Kremlin is telling its forces.”

He added:

“It can coordinate acitivirs and targets, or relay info to GCHQ in Cheltenham or National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters in the US, its a kind of information exchange hub as well as receiving info from satellites.”

Could Menwith Hill be a target?

Last month Mr Norton-Taylor wrote an article for the defence journalism website Declassified UK about $2.8bn plans to expand the United States’ military bases in the UK.

Following a recent Parliamentary question from Leeds North West Labour MP Alex Sobel, it was revealed $40M of this will be spent at Menwith Hill.

Mr Norton-Taylor’s article included comments from Lee Baker, a former NSA satellite engineer. Mr Baker said in the event of a conflict, Menwith Hill would become a “significant military target” for an enemy.

It’s an argument been made by critics of the base for a long time, but with Vladimir Putin using the rhetoric of nuclear war, are Mr Baker’s words hyperbole or something now more realistic?

Mr Norton-Taylor said:

“Its either hyperbole or stating the bloody obvious. It’s not a secret the base is a big NSA station, so much has been written about it now.

“In a sense, in a pre-nuclear attack, it certainly would be a target. It’s also nearer Russia than NSA headquarters, it’s not hidden.

“Lee Baker made it quite clear what a priority target the base is, but it’s hypothetical.”

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Prod like mad

Throughout Mr Norton-Taylor’s career as a journalist, he said it has remained difficult to glean information about what really goes on at Menwith Hill.

However, he said asking questions and persistence is still worthwhile.

“It’s worth prodding like mad, even even it seems like bashing your head against brick wall.

“It should be in their interests to say this is a useful outfit. If it is doing such a good job, why don’t they say so? But they don’t give examples. It’s ridiculous.”

The Snowden leaks revealed the base collects vast streams of information that is sent back to NSA headquarters in Maryland, USA.

But how much of this information is actually useful is unknown.

Mr Norton-Taylor said:

“With the Russians, it’s good knowing what they are doing, of course it is. I’m not against intelligence gathering, but we want to know the operations, capacity and general nature of the intelligence gathering at Menwith Hill, who is controlling it? Do the British bother to question the Americans?

“If it’s there to know what the Russians are thinking, that’s good, but we don’t know whether it’s that or wasting time on other things.”

Unanswered questions

The secretive nature of intelligence gathering means to it is difficult to answer the question of whether Menwith Hill makes us safer in the event of war.

It’s possible we will never really know.

Mr Norton-Taylor said:

“It is good we have intelligence gathering with the Americans [at Menwith Hill], it’s a question of keeping an eye on it, and knowing in general terms what it is up to.

“It’s a powerful intelligence gathering outfit, but it’s there in who’s interest? Is it for the security of British and American people, or the elite? It’s a question that should be answered.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:

“The MOD can confirm that RAF Menwith Hill is part of a worldwide US Defence communications network, with the base supporting a variety of communications activity.

“For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, neither the MOD nor the DoD publicly discuss specifics concerning military operations or classified communications regardless of unit, platform or asset. US forces maintain robust civilian and military cooperation with the United Kingdom and manage all base activities in accordance with the agreements made between the United States and Her Majesty’s government.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Diesel spill reported near Menwith Hill

Drivers are urged to take care after police have reported a diesel spill near Menwith Hill following a crash.

Roads affected include Meagill Lane, A59 towards Harrogate and Hardisty Hill.

North Yorkshire County Council highways is on its way to treat the surface. Police say no injuries have been reported.

*Traffic Alert* Reports of a diesel spill near #MenwithHill Roads affected include Meagill Lane, #A59 towards Harrogate and Hardisty Hill. @northyorkscc are on their way to treat the surface but please take care in the area. Thankfully no injuries form this RTC pic.twitter.com/jXrpnbAN9K

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) March 2, 2022

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

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The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Charity Corner: the Harrogate charity helping rebuild lives after addiction

A Harrogate-based Christian charity, which has reached its 10-year anniversary, has helped over 100 people on their journey following addiction.

Horizon Life Training offers a 12-month rehabilitation programme for people who have previously completed nine months of rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol.

The programme gives people a home whilst providing other forms of support they need to gain life skills training through education and work-based placements to live independent, drug-free lives.

The charity works closely with Teen Challenge Leeds, another charity working to help people with addictions.

A decade ago Teen Challenge found many men and women were returning to old habits after going into rehab so the idea for a training and residential centre to help them stay drug-free was born.

Horizon Life Training runs two centres: Kennel Hall Farm for men, just outside of Killinghall, and Bramall House for women, near Menwith Hill.

Kennel Hall Farm and Bramall House

More than 100 men have completed the programme, with 75% of them now living free from addiction independently and with jobs.

The women’s house opened in 2019 and has since supported eight women successfully.

Centre manager Bernie Francies said:

“We are passionate to see broken lives transformed, everyone has a back story, no one is beyond repair and everyone is born with a divine purpose.

“Our role as staff is to awaken potential, dreams, aspirations through the love of god and by providing a safe place to renew confidence and strength following addiction.”

Centre manager Bernie Francies

The charity is always looking for more local businesses to work alongside to provide employment opportunities.

The residents work on a voluntary basis but some have gone on to gain full-time employment.

Ms Francies added:

“We have the privilege of walking alongside our residents for 12 months as they re-discover their identity and upskill their CVs to equip and prepare them for successful moves back into the community, social inclusion and future employment.

“We encourage all local businesses, charities and agencies to partner with us to see a life restored back into work whilst also adding value to their team.”

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Horizon Life Training also works with local churches to offer residents additional support.

To apply for the programme or find out how you can support the charity, click here.

Menwith Hill upgrades part of £2.8bn programme

The Ministry of Defence has revealed plans to upgrade RAF Menwith Hill as part of a £2.8 billion project to improve United States military bases in the UK.

Last week, the MOD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation appointed a consortium of building consultants, Mace, Turner & Townsend and Atkins, as a delivery partner for building works at RAF Menwith Hill and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The works are part of the United States Visiting Forces Infrastructure Programme.

An MOD spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the aim of the programme was to provide a base for American F-35 fighter jets at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk and to further support the US Air Force presence in the UK, which includes at RAF Menwith Hill on the outskirts of Harrogate.

As part of the programme, which will be paid for by the US government, various buildings at the base will be replaced or improved. The contract with Mace, Turner & Townsend and Atkins, could also be extended to eight years.

In response to a question this week from Leeds North West Labour MP Alex Sobel, the government revealed the works at Menwith Hill will cost $40m.

Steve Rix, programme director at the MOD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said it would help the US military “execute missions” from the UK.

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Built in the 1950s, Menwith Hill is one of the United States’ largest overseas surveillance bases. Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the 500-acre site

A campaign group has called the planned upgrades at RAF Menwith Hill “of concern”.

Martin Schweiger, a spokesperson for the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign, said: 

“The news that a large contract is being let for substantial upgrades to the infrastructure at Menwith Hill is of concern. The specification of the upgrades has not, so far, been made available to the public.

“There is now a substantial and growing US military boot print across the UK that ties our military activity to what we are directed to do.

“The upgrades make it plain that this military occupation is set to continue for a long time into the future”.

Major infrastructure project planned for RAF Menwith Hill

A major five-year project to upgrade infrastructure at RAF Menwith Hill is planned.

The Ministry of Defence’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) this week appointed a consortium of building consultants, Mace, Turner & Townsend and Atkins, as a delivery partner for the United States Visiting Forces (USVF) Infrastructure Programme.

Few details have been made public about the programme other than it will involve “upgrading existing facilities and building new ones” at the base in Nidderdale as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucester.

Steve Rix, DIO programme director, said the programme would help the US military “execute missions” from the UK.

“I am pleased to welcome our delivery partners to the DIO USVF Infrastructure Programme team and look forward to working with them to ensure we continue to support our USVF customers’ needs, enabling them to execute missions from their bases in the UK.”

The Stray Ferret asked the MOD how much the project will cost and what upgrades are planned but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.

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Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is one of the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base. Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved several planning applications in recent years to expand the base. A council report said this reflected the “increasingly wide-ranging and technologically sophisticated surveillance apparatus” built up at the base.

A report published in October 2021 alleged the base provided intelligence for the high-profile US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

Menwith Hill submits new plans to expand

A 45-foot long ‘communications container compound’ could be built at RAF Menwith Hill.

A planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by the Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, says the new building would cover 464 square metres and help ‘meet the operational output of the station’.

There are no other details about what work would take place within the new building. The plans also include provision for a large fuel tank.

Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.

Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.

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Recent expansion

There have been several planning applications to expand the base in the past couple of years.

Last year the MoD was granted planning permission to build three more radomes.

In February, the council also approved plans for another radome as well as an electrical substation.

Separate plans were submitted to add a new visitor centre, vehicle canopy and changes to the road junction on Menwith Hill Road.

Last month, a new report alleged the base provided intelligence for American drone bombings campaigns in the Middle East, including the high-profile assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

Menwith Hill involved in ‘significant number’ of deadly US drone strikes

A new report has alleged RAF Menwith Hill on the outskirts of Harrogate has provided intelligence for American drone bombings campaigns in the Middle East, including the high-profile assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

The report, called “Menwith Hill in 3D, Domes, Data and Drone Strikes” has been written by journalist Barnaby Pace on behalf of Yorkshire CND and Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign.

It says the aim of the report is to encourage “wider political and public understanding” of what goes on at the secretive surveillance base.

Built in the 1950s, giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.

The Snowden leaks

Leaked documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden identify Menwith Hill as providing the intelligence for “a significant number” of operations to “eliminate” targets in the Middle East.

These include operations to target terrorists in Yemen through controversial drone bombing campaigns that have also killed civilians.

The United States has defended its use of drone strikes against terrorist targets as “necessary, legal and just”.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved several planning applications in recent years to expand Menwith Hill, which the report says reflects the “increasingly wide-ranging and technologically sophisticated surveillance apparatus” built up at the base. 

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Qasem Soleimani

Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed by an armed US drone in Baghdad in January 2020 and the report says it was “probable” that the facilities at Menwith Hill were used to target that drone strike.

President Trump, who authorised the strike, called Soleimani “a monster” and said his killing was “a good thing”. However, it ratcheted up tensions between the US and Iran.

The report says:

“The involvement of the UK and Menwith Hill in an assassination that threatened to spark a war should be of great concern.”

Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North-West, has asked the government whether Menwith Hill had a role in the killing of Soleimani.

A government minister said:

“In accordance with long-standing policy we do not comment on the details of the operations carried out at RAF Menwith Hill in providing intelligence support.”

An MOD Spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“RAF Menwith Hill is part of a worldwide US Defence communications network, with the base supporting a variety of communications activity. For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, neither the MOD nor the DoD publicly discuss specifics concerning military operations or classified communications regardless of unit, platform or asset.

“US Forces maintain robust civilian and military cooperation with the United Kingdom and manage all base activities in accordance with the agreements made between the United States and Her Majesty’s Government.”

‘Why I won’t stop protesting at RAF Menwith Hill’

Campaigner and activist Lindis Percy estimates she’s been arrested around 500 times at protests against overseas US bases in the UK – most recently last week at RAF Menwith Hill for obstructing the public highway.

After an almost 18-month break due to covid, the 79-year-old joined a weekly protest at the base that is on the outskirts of Harrogate and is organised by the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign. It began in 2000 and was set up by the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases.

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.

In a recent planning application to expand the base, the UK Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, described Menwith Hill as an “integral part” of the United States’ worldwide defence communications network. It also said it provides intelligence and security support for the US and its allies.

However, Ms Percy, who lives near the base, is troubled by what she believes goes on there.

A 2016 investigation published by The Intercept that included documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed Menwith Hill has been involved in controversial drone bombing campaigns in Yemen.

Ms Percy said:

“I say this with no pride or pleasure. There have been so many attempts to stop what I do – by the US authorities and the Ministry of Defence police.

“The MOD tried to bring an ASBO against me! They failed.”

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Campaigning

Ms Percy had a career as a nurse and midwife for the NHS and has been a campaigner against overseas military bases for decades.

She first became active at the Greenham Common protests in the early 1980s where protesters fought against nuclear weapons being held at an RAF base in Berkshire.

In 2003 she scaled the gates of Buckingham Palace during a state visit from then-US President George W Bush at the height of the Iraq War.

She has won several cases at the High Court in London over the right to protest and was defended by current Labour leader Keir Starmer during his days as a human rights lawyer.

She said:

“Why do I continue? I think it’s so important to speak out when knowing that something is wrong.”

American flag

Her latest arrest happened at Menwith Hill on June 22. She said she held stood in the road “for a few seconds” holding an upside-down American flag, with the message “whistleblowers urgently needed”.

She was arrested for obstructing the highway by Ministry of Defence police, who manage security at the site.

Ms Percy said she accepted that some Americans do find her version of the flag offensive, but defended her right to protest.

In 2001, with Keir Starmer as her council, she won a high court case over the right to deface the American flag.

She added:

“There is a balance between the right to protest and the right for people to go about their normal business.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“The MOD can confirm a member of the public was arrested on 22 June outside the main entrance to RAF Menwith Hill base by the Ministry of Defence Police. The individual was taken to Harrogate Police Station, reported for the offence of obstructing the highway and subsequently released.”