John Grainger

North Yorkshire

Senior Journalist at The Stray Ferret

Journalist. European, head and heart. Views my own.

Articles

Help sought to save First World War RAF building in Boroughbridge

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

A former member of the RAF is appealing for the public’s help to save a unique piece of First World War heritage in Boroughbridge. Malcolm Reeves, who lives in the town, is looking for information about the building formerly occupied by Griffin Autos on Horsefair. The structure, which is about 100 feet long and 30 feet wide, is believed to be one of the very few surviving First World War aircraft maintenance sheds – possibly the only one. Mr Reeves told the Stray Ferret:It’s really quite special.
The Pateley Bridge shop owner bringing the outdoors to the high street

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Tim Ledbetter, owner of Sypeland Outdoors, which has shops in Pateley Bridge and Masham. Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. We sell clothing and outdoor equipment for walking and mountaineering, and we also have a countrywear department. What does it take to be successful in business?
Andrew Jones responds to Tom Gordon's 'grave concerns' in homophobia case

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s current and former MPs have shared a robust exchange of letters regarding homophobic views expressed by a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming Harrogate town council elections. Last week, the Stray Ferret revealed that the Tory candidate for the Duchy ward, Anthony Murphy, has a history of publishing homophobic posts on social media. In 2015, he posted it was a “perennial truth that homosexual sex are acts of grave depravity”.
'I have changed': Conservative candidate disavows homophobic views

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week. Already a subscriber? Log in here. Anthony Murphy, the prospective Conservative town councillor in the spotlight for historic homophobic social media posts, has broken his silence to say that he no longer holds those views.
Harrogate firm lands multimillion-pound deal

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week. Already a subscriber? Log in here. A Harrogate waste management company has secured a nine-figure "landmark agreement" to supply waste plastic to one of the UK's largest recycling plants. Under the exclusive five-year deal, Clearpoint Recycling will send 35,000 tonnes of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) a year to a waste plastics recycling plant at Ellesmere Port that Cheshire-based Enviroo will open in 2027.
Developer applies to build 83 homes on edge of Harrogate

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week. Already a subscriber? Log in here. A Leeds-based developer has applied for planning permission to build 83 homes on the western edge of Harrogate. Commercial Estates Group, which is more commonly known as CEG, intends to develop a site to the east of Whinney Lane, next to the Squinting Cat pub. The proposed development area off Whinney Lane.
The gardener looking after his 'family' in a magical place

1 week ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

Not many people are lucky enough to love their job as much as Phil Airey loves his. When the opportunity to work at Horticap came along 20 years ago, it was, he says, a “no-brainer”. Horticap, on the A59 just outside Harrogate, is an award-winning charity whose staff and volunteers help provide adults with learning and other disabilities with training in horticulture and other skills. Speaking to the Stray Ferret over a coffee in the café, Phil said:I knew it was right for me.
The seasoned traveller who's made his Masham café a destination

2 weeks ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Colin Blair, owner of Johnny Baghdad's the Masham café that's considered an institution by many locals, cyclists and regular daytrippers. Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. We're a café on Market Place in Masham. We have a traditional side, but we also have an emphasis on world food. So we still do bacon butties, but some of the other dishes are a bit different.
Harrogate GP practices merge to create town's second-largest surgery

2 weeks ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

Two years of work culminated this month in the merger of two Harrogate medical practices. East Parade Surgery and Park Parade Surgery, both in Mowbray Square Medical Centre, have joined forces to become Strayside Health. The merger was officially completed on April 1, but the ribbon was cut today by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon at a ceremony in the second-floor surgery attended by about 40 members of staff and patients.
Car park investment to allow drivers to pay as they like

2 weeks ago | thestrayferret.co.uk | John Grainger

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a weekAlready a subscriber? Log in here. Drivers will have the choice of paying for parking with cash, card or app at every car park in North Yorkshire for the first time under council plans for an overhaul of its parking facilities.