Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has put forward a motion in Parliament this week recognising the Harrogate Stray Association’s 93 years of dedicated service to the local community.
The MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM), formally entering the Association’s historic milestone onto the official record in Westminster, and using the opportunity to congratulate the group on its continued hard work.
The motion formally notes the group’s recent name change from the Stray Defence Association to the Harrogate Stray Association—a transition that reflects its “proactive, community-focused mission”.
The parliamentary text highlights the wider national importance of “preserving accessible public green spaces and historic landscapes”, celebrating the Stray as a vital example of cherished community parkland.
Tom Gordon MP commented:
Almost a century of dedicated service to our community is no mean feat, and I commend their steadfast commitment to protecting the 200 acres of open green space at the heart of our town.
The Early Day Motion is listed on the central parliamentary database. The full text reads as follows:
“That this House congratulates the former Stray Defence Association on its renaming as the Harrogate Stray Association on 12 May 2026; recognises the organisation’s 93 years of dedicated service since its founding in 1933 as guardians of Harrogate’s historic Stray; commends its steadfast commitment to protecting and preserving the 200 acres of open green space at the heart of Harrogate for the benefit of residents and visitors alike; notes that the Association’s updated name reflects its proactive, community-focused mission to safeguard the Stray for future generations while remaining true to its founding purpose; further recognises the importance of preserving accessible public green spaces and historic landscapes; and wishes the Harrogate Stray Association continued success in its work to ensure that the Stray remains protected, open and unspoilt for generations to come.”
