Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player to retire

Harrogate Town‘s longest-serving player, Lloyd Kerry, will retire at the end of the season and join the club’s staff.

The hard-working midfielder, 33, signed from Tamworth in 2014 and has been a key cog in the team’s rise up the divisions and into the English Football League for the first time.

He’s played over 220 times and helped the club win promotion from the National League North and the National League, starting in the memorable Wembley play-off final against Notts County in August 2020.

He lifted a trophy at Wembley again last year in the FA Trophy and manager Simon Weaver said in a statement he will go down as a “club legend” for his achievements and service.

Kerry’s last game will be on the final day of the season when Harrogate Town host Sutton United on May 7.

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He will take up a new role at the club as head of player recruitment, scouting players for the first team and the academy.

Kerry said:

“I look back to when I first joined this football club in 2014 to where it is now eight years on and it’s unbelievable how far we’ve come and the success we’ve had! I’m grateful to have been on that journey which has created so much history for this club, I can always look back with pride of what we achieved together.

“We’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime and to have played my part is something I’ll never forget.”

Chairman, Irving Weaver also paid tribute to the midfielder. He said:

“Together we have enjoyed some great moments, particularly promotions and winning the FA Trophy. Lloyd moves on to a new roll with the club, now responsible for scouting and recruiting new players and he’s already beginning to make his mark, just like he has in 220+ games for Town.”

Yorkshire Cup win seals success for Harrogate Grammar’s Rugby Team

Harrogate Grammar’s under 18s rugby squad are celebrating having been crowned champions of the Yorkshire Cup after beating Crossley Heath 19-12.

It is the first time the school has won the cup since 2007.

Tom Ryder, the director of sport at Harrogate Grammar, said:

“Winning the Yorkshire Cup was the icing on the cake of a fantastic year for the Sports Academy. They are a dedicated and motivated group who train hard and commit.

“The Yorkshire Cup final was an extra special occasion, as so many teachers, students, HGS Alumni, friends and family came out to support.

Student Freddie Yates scored two tries, whilst team-mate, Matthew Leatham, won the man of the match award.

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After two years of disruption, students have enjoyed a full season of fixtures across all years. The girls’ under 14 netball reached regional finals recently, as did the boys’ hockey team.

Neil Renton, the school’s headteacher spoke on the win. He said:

“They are talented squad and their dedication not only reflects our values of commitment and excellence, but also inspires our younger students. The Academy is a unique asset to our school, championing success in netball and rugby and we want to attract students from all over the county.

“Our PE faculty works hard to organise so many fixtures, driving forward such successful teams and offering a tremendous range of sports to all our students.”

Harrogate petanque club prepares to move home

After 10 years in its town centre location, Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club is set to expand to a new home this year. 

The club has been based at the pierhead bouledrome close to Bettys since it was founded in 2012. 

However, with a growth in membership and a change in the way people are playing, it has outgrown the site and has ambitions to develop further.

Club chairman Nigel Clay told the Stray Ferret: 

“Petanque has been a life-saver for a lot of people during covid. It was something you could do which was relatively safe: it was sociable but at a distance. 

“It has changed the pattern of play – it has been far more informal and become far easier. Rather than just the fixed times organised by the club, people have formed a WhatsApp group and are meeting up whenever they’re free.” 

The sport – also known as boules – is closely associated with France. However, it has origins in ancient Greece and is widely played in south-east Asia. 

The Harrogate club was set up by Nigel after he moved to Harrogate in 2009, having established petanque terrains near his previous home in Leeds. 

 

The new location for the Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club 

With club membership now around 50 – just a small percentage of the number of people who have used the terrains over the years – a larger site is needed to add to its existing four pistes. Expecting to outgrow the pierhead, Nigel had already been researching potential locations before covid struck. 

Now, over the coming weeks, 10 pistes will be built on the current car park at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club near Almsford Close in Harrogate. Not only will this provide more playing space, but the clubhouse facilities – including a kitchen and toilets – can also be shared by petanque club members. 

The central terrain in Harrogate has proved a good way to drum up interest in the past, with passers-by often stopping to ask about the game, and Nigel hopes the new suburban location will continue the club’s growth in the coming months. 

Surrounded by family homes and adjacent to a primary school, the terrain will welcome players of all ages – and the open surroundings will allow people to come and watch. Both he and the football club hope the site will become more vibrant over the coming years. 

“They share our vision of providing a community resource for residents. It’s like the pierhead: if it’s standing there doing nothing, what is it?  

“If people see us playing and ask questions and you say, ‘come and have a game’, it develops interest.” 

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Nigel said as well as being accessible to people of all ages and levels of fitness, one of the most appealing aspects of petanque is its affordability. A set of boules costs around £20 and will last for many years.  

For anyone wishing to join the club, membership costs a similar amount, and playing time is limited only by daylight and weather conditions. 

And there is good news for the many people who have enjoyed seeing the town centre pistes in use: they will remain in situ for both club members and the public to use whenever they want.

Harrogate’s director of rugby resigns

Harrogate Rugby Club has announced that its director of rugby is to step down at the end of the season.

David ‘Doc’ Doherty will resign from the position after being at the club since 2016.

He helped to rebuild the first team squad and secure promotion back to National 2 North in 2019/20, as well as establishing an academy. However, the first team is currently at the foot of the table with just three wins from 24 fixtures this season.

Doherty also took on commercial chair duties and helped to bring a number of new sponsors to the club.

– David Doherty – Director of Rugby. It is with regret that Harrogate RUFC announce that our Director of Rugby, David ‘Doc’ Doherty, has decided to resign his position at the end of this current season. https://t.co/c2edMeXCMm pic.twitter.com/VjBlSw7Uxj

— Harrogate Rugby Football Club (@Harrogate_Rugby) March 23, 2022

 

Speaking following the decision, Doherty said:

“I have always loved my six years leading Harrogate Rugby Club. I have consistently strived to leave the club in a better place than when I joined.

“We now have a long-lease on our land and have a sustainable business model, with the academy at the heart of what we do. This has already started to bear fruit with a huge number of players transitioning into 1stXV and senior rugby.

“Planning is well on the way for our ground redevelopment and the club can kick-on to future success, as we have created solid foundations.

“I would sincerely like to thank all the players, coaches and members who have supported me at the club during my time, and look forward to sharing a beer with them at the end of season dinner.”

The club are now reviewing options to replace Doherty, with an announcement on a new director expected by the end of the season.

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Pannal Ash under-11s football team set for cup final

Pannal Ash Whites under-11s football team will play in the Leeds and District cup final tomorrow.

A total of 98 teams entered the competition in September 2021 and the road to the final has seen the team beat Leeds City, Pontefract Collieries, Farsley Celtic, Chapeltown and Whitkirk.

Pannal Ash have scored an impressive 34 goals and only conceded 3.

The team will play Hunslet Club in the final.

Head coach Andy Pears said:

‘’I am immensely proud of the boys on what they have achieved in reaching the cup final.’’

‘’Myself and Simon Evans started the Whites team last season and despite disruption due to the pandemic, the way they have progressed and developed is a credit to the group we have.

‘’A talented group that always want to learn, they have really matured this year.”

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The final will take place tomorrow at Whitkirk FC, Selby Road, Leeds, LS15 OAA.

Kick-off is at 10:30 and there is a small entrance fee for anyone that wants to come and support the team. It’s £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

A good season for the club

It has been a good season for Pannal Ash as its under-14s and under-16s have also made cup finals.

The under-14s will play in the Leeds FA District cup final against Wortley FC on March 27. They will also play in the County Cup final against Yorkshire Amateur Juniors on April 24.

The under-16s will play in the Harrogate FA Final against Pannal Sports JFC on a to-be-confirmed date. They will also play in the County Cup final against Horsforth St Margarets on April 1.

Bilton bowling club to open new clubhouse

Bilton Dragon Bowling Club is due to open a new clubhouse next Sunday.

The crown green bowls club was founded in 1909 and has members aged 14 to 93. The club plays on a green behind the Co-op on Skipton Road.

Its first clubhouse was a wooden pavilion erected in 1910 at a cost of £17 and 10 shillings.

The new one has been funded by a £20,000 grant from Sport England and fundraising by members.

The club had hoped to open it last year but it was delayed due to covid.

Players at the club.

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Mayor of Harrogate Trevor Chapman will be there today to cut the ribbon.

The club is also looking for new members. If you’re interested in playing or have any questions, email the club’s chairman Trevor Whincup here or call John Archer on 07715030832.

Mr Whincup said:

“Bowls is perceived to be an older person’s sport, but we have members of all ages. It’s good exercise and it’s a good game.”

Harrogate Golf Club submits plan for driving range

Harrogate Golf Club on Knaresborough Road has submitted plans to build a covered driving range.

The club, which was formed in 1892 and is the oldest golf club in Harrogate, says it will allow members to practice during poor weather.

The proposals include six practice bays as well as a dedicated training bay for the club professionals.

There would also be a golf ball cleaner and dispenser housed in a small attached building.

Planning documents state the building would be similar to other driving ranges found throughout the country. The driving range would be on a part of the course that is currently used for members to practice longer shots.

Harrogate Borough Council will decide on the plans at a later date.

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Your chance to shape free summer activities for Ripon children

Schools, organisations and individuals in Ripon are being urged to help develop plans for a second summer of free sports and activities for children.

Ripon Together, which organised last year’s Summer of Play to support families during the summer holidays, has launched a city-wide survey to build on that experience.

Last year’s events ranged from formal team sports such as cricket and football to karate and croquet, dance, yoga, mindfulness and orienteering, as well as nature hunts at Fountains Abbey.

There were also activities for disabled people, including wheelchair bowls at Hugh Ripley Hall.

Ripon Together, a not-for-profit partnership organisation, has circulated a letter about this year’s activities. It says:

“We want to offer things that are relevant, useful and fun for children, young people and families, connecting organisations and showing what is available for them around Ripon.

“We are now formulating plans for 2022 and if there is anyone in your organisation who could give us their ideas, then please ask them to complete the survey. The more information we have the better that we can prepare.”

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The Summer of Play 2021 was designed to help children and their families after the lifting of the covid lockdown restrictions ln July, which had seen sporting, cultural and other group activities put on hold.

Any questions or queries can be emailed to info@ripontogether.com or you can call David Ingham on 07775 731276.

 

 

Harrogate students inspired by England’s Euro 2020 run

Students at Rossett School have told the Stray Ferret that they have been inspired by England’s performance at Euro 2020.

With the national team preparing to take on Italy during the final on Sunday at Wembley, these pupils have been playing on the school’s new 3G pitch.

The school raised £10,000 through a fundraiser to help with the cost of resurfacing the pitch.

There was a clear bounce in their step and not just because of the rubber. The students are keen to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes.

(Left to right) Charlie Wright, William Parkinson, Lydia Corner and Poppy Mortimer.

Ripon pool’s final cost ‘not yet known’, says council

Harrogate Borough Council has said it still does not know the final cost of Ripon’s new swimming pool.

In response to a second Freedom of Information request about the project from the Stray Ferret, the council said.

“The information you request is not held by Harrogate Borough Council because the final costs are not yet known.”

A £10.2 million contract was awarded to construction company Willmott Dixon before work started on site in November 2019.

The 17-month contact was for delivery of a six-lane pool, along with refurbishment of the existing Ripon Leisure Centre on the Dallamires Lane site.

That contract specified a completion date of May 21 this year, but a press release issued by HBC said the project will now be completed in November.

Councillor Stanley Lumley, HBC’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said the project had been ‘slightly delayed’ by covid.

In a press release dated November 13, he added:

“Ground work, known as grouting, is nearing completion.”

Grouting is a method used to stabilise unstable ground.

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Ground stability issues

Sixteen months before the council approved the swimming pool development, a sinkhole opened up in the leisure centre car park.

Following the incident in February 2018, which saw the car park barriered off and closed, the council issued this statement:

“The sinkhole will not affect the project to construct a new pool for Ripon. We are still waiting for the structural engineer’s report, which will influence the design of the new building.

“We’ve always known about the potential of sinkholes on the site which is why we’ve been carrying out tests to understand what foundations may be required.”

At a June 2019 planning meeting, three members of the eight-member committee abstained rather than support the project, after ‘deep concerns’ were expressed about the sinkhole risk in an area of Ripon known for widespread gypsum deposits.

HBC’s response to first FOI request

In the first FOI request, the Stray Ferret asked HBC how much of the contract costs related to ground remediation prior to construction.

The council was also asked if additional fees are payable to Willmott Dixon for extension of the project.

HBC responded, saying:

“Additional ‘site preliminaries’ will be payable to the main contractor as a result of the extension of the construction contract.”

The council added:

“A public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that its disclosure would adversely affect the confidentiality of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provided by law to protect a legitimate economic interest.”