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27
Aug 2023
Politicians back campaign for council to honour Rachel Daly
Politicians from both sides in Harrogate and Knaresborough have backed Killinghall Nomads' campaign for Rachel Daly to receive a civic honour.
The club — supported by the Stray Ferret — set-up a petition for North Yorkshire Council to recognise the achievements of the Harrogate-born England footballer.
Daly won Euro 22 last year and was this year awarded the Golden Boot for being the Women's Super League top scorer, as well as playing in last weekend's World Cup final.
Nomads have suggested renaming the council-owned Hydro leisure centre, which is close to the pitches where Daly and thousands of young people have played, after the England Lioness. The council is keen to promote community fitness at its leisure centres.
This week Rossett School said its sports pitches in Harrogate will be named after the former pupil.
Headteacher Tim Milburn described the decision as a “no brainer” but both he and Mike Sweetman, the former Rossett coach who spotted Daly's potential, said this didn't absolve the council of responsibility to confer a civic honour on Daly.
Mr Milburn said:
Daly and mum Louise, who lives locally. Pic: Rachel Daly Instagram
The Stray Ferret sought the views of local politicians this week.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said Daly was an inspiration whose CV "is much more than being part of our world cup final team".
He said:
Tom Gordon, who will stand for the Liberal Democrats against Mr Jones at the next election, said he supported the petition.
Council's lukewarm response
Whether it happens will depend on the Conservative council's ruling 10-person executive.
The executive, which is 80 per cent male, so far appears lukewarm on giving Daly the same recognition diver Jack Laugher received in Ripon, where the leisure centre was renamed after him.
Jack Laugher displays his Olympic gold medal at the opening of Ripon leisure centre.
Leader Carl Les acknowledged the council "need to find a fitting way" to celebrate the Lionesses achievements and pledged to come up with a policy on recognising local people at an unspecified date.
He said:
The only Harrogate councillor on the executive, Michael Harrison, who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, declined to give an opinion when asked by the Stray Ferret.
He suggested we try fellow executive member Simon Myers, whose culture, arts and housing portfolio covers such matters.
Cllr Myers, who represents Mid Craven for the Tories, told the Stray Ferret he had only just learned of the situation and "will have to speak to a number of people to get their views before coming to any of my own".
'We should encourage girls to stay active'
Killinghall Nomads petition, backed by the Stray Ferret, has surpassed the 500-signature threshold that makes it eligible for debate by the council's Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, an advisory body that can put pressure on the council leadership.
We emailed all 13 local councillors on the committee, which consists of seven Lib Dems, five Conservative and one Lib Dem, to ask if they felt the council should recognise Daly and if they supported the Hydro petition.
All five of the Lib Dems who replied backed the idea.
The Hydro is due to reopen under a new name on September 4.
Cllr Monika Slater, whose Bilton Grange and New Park division includes the Hydro, said:
Cllr Chris Aldred, who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley, said it was a "great idea".
Cllr Matt Walker, who represents Knaresborough West, said positive role models in sport helped to "get people active early for good health and wellbeing throughout their life". He added:
Cllr Pet Marsh, the committee chair who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone, said she supported it but would prefer to see a football ground recognise Daly.
Cllr Peter Lacey, who represents Coppice Valley and Duchy, said:
Read more:
- Rossett sports pitches to be renamed in honour of Rachel Daly
- Petition launched calling for Harrogate to honour Rachel Daly
- First pictures show inside of £13.5m Harrogate leisure centre refurbishment
Two Conservatives replied.
Cllr John Mann, who represents Oatlands and Pannal, said he had signed the petition, adding:
Paul Haslam, the only other Conservative to reply, said it was a "peoples’ decision not a councillor one and I would not wish to influence this is anyway".
The Bilton and Nidd Gorge councillor added:
Independent Cllr Mike Schofield, who represents Harlow and St George's, said he supported Rossett Sports Centre celebrating Daly "as it was the school which she attended and has a rich history of producing sports people" but did not say whether he felt the council should do anything.
You can still sign the petition here.
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