Bunting, flags and even a giant crown have been appearing across the Harrogate district as preparations get under way for the coronation weekend.
Shops, cafes, hotels and community centres have all been adorned with union flags and royal symbols ready for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.
Among the most eye-catching displays is a huge crown added to the Market Cross in Knaresborough today. It has been created by members of Knaresborough Flower Club, with a £300 grant from Knaresborough Town Council.
The crown was put together in the conservatory at club chairman Lesley Dalton’s home. She said:
“One of the girls worked out we had spent 100 hours on it – and that’s without the time spent travelling to buy supplies and so on.
“We’ve had flowers round the Market Cross every time there has been a big occasion like the Queen’s funeral and the jubilee last year. We try to put Knaresborough Market on the map!”
Club members Margaret Darley, Maureen Robinson, Dorothy Gerrard, Julie Ward, Trish Hesford and Cath Oldfield were instrumental in its design and manufacture, as well as adding the flowers to the sculpture.
They spent almost six hours today putting it all together and will be out watering it regularly until it is taken down on Sunday, May 14.
Meanwhile, shops around the town have also got into the spirit, with plenty of bunting on show in their windows.
Harrogate has also got into the coronation spirit.
Supplies shop Party Fever, on Lower Station Parade, has been inundated with customers this week.
Owner Sue Saville and her team have been answering requests for themed plates, napkins, balloons, flags, hats and more, with demand growing over the last few days.
The shop will be open all day tomorrow and on Saturday morning from 9am to 11am for last-minute shoppers.
The Stray Ferret will be out and about across the Harrogate district this weekend, reporting on how our communities are marking the historic event.
Send us details and photos of your event by email and keep an eye on our live blog for the latest pictures and news from around the area.
Still looking for things to do this weekend? Check out our list of local events.
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Floral tribute to King Charles created in Harrogate
A floral tribute to King Charles has been created in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Council‘s parks team created the eye-catching display on Stray land on Montpellier Hill. It is currently behind railings, which will be removed on Saturday’s coronation day.
The parks team made the royal cypher using a technique called carpet bedding, which involves using plants so compact and tightly knitted that the result looks like a woven carpet. The display will stay in place for 12 months.
Some of the parks team that worked on the display.
A council spokesperson said:
“The display is made up of more than 15,600 plants, including sedum, sempervivum and ajuga, which are all compact plants ideal for this type of display.
“The temporary fencing will be removed first thing on Saturday morning to enable people to enjoy the display fully.”
Read more:
- Coronation events: where to celebrate across the Harrogate district
- Fireworks finale will end Ripon’s coronation day celebrations
Badger carving unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II
A wooden badger carved from a fallen tree has been unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate the late Queen.
Bewerley Parish Council commissioned Sherwood Carvings to transform the tree, which was brought down by storms last year, into the adopted emblem of the town to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Residents of the town and surrounding areas took part in an informal poll to decide what the carving should be. The badger came out victorious over an orb and sceptre, or a crown.
The transformation took a day and a half and was funded by a legacy grant from Harrogate Borough Council as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations last year.
The carving is located in the Pateley Bridge play area and is around 7ft tall.
The parish council said in a statement:
“We’re delighted to reveal this amazing carving of a badger on the play area at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground.
“Jonathan of Sherwood Carving has transformed the tree brought down in storms last year into a beautiful tribute to HM The Queen”.
The carving was predominantly done by chainsaw and power tools but is stain-based and treated with Danish oil.
Jonathan Sherwood, of Sherwood Carving, said:
“It was very enjoyable to carve something in commemoration of the late Queen.
“The work was challenging due to the nature of the wood, but I’m glad it will be enjoyed for years to come”.
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The crowning glory of Ripon’s non-stop knitters
Ripon’s tireless team of non-stop knitters has transformed the city centre into Coronation Street with their skill and ingenuity.
The behind the scenes needle workers of Ripon Community Poppy Project are adept at creating handmade designs for all occasions, from Remembrance events to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and now, in celebration of her son’s crowning glory at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Within hours of taking down their Easter display, the King Charles III banners and bunting were put in place in High Skellgate, then on railings, the town hall balconies, bollards and on the post box at the entrance to The Arcade.
You can take a look at some of their creations below.
Read more:
- Knaresborough to host free big screen broadcast of coronation
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Harrogate bar offers free coronation cocktail to anyone called Charles, Camilla or King
Cosy Club in Harrogate is to offer a free cocktail to anyone named Charles, Camilla or with the surname King over the coronation weekend.
The bar, which is on Cambridge Street, is to release two limited cocktails for the celebrations which start on Friday, May 5, and run until Monday, May 8.
The drinks will be called Victoria Sponge and Coronation Cup.
Those who can provide ID to show they are called Charles, Camilla or have the surname King will receive one of the limited edition cocktails free of charge.
Enya Gill, head of brand at Cosy Club, said:
“Three cheers for King Charles III! We’re famed for our opulent surroundings and grand décor so I can think no better place to celebrate this historic event.
“We’re all looking forward to a long weekend full of fun, fabulous food and a drinks and cocktail selection even Buckingham Palace would be hard pushed to beat.”
Cosy Club in Harrogate.
The Victoria Sponge is a teacup cocktail with Hendrick’s gin, Pimm’s strawberry, vanilla and lemon served with a mini Victoria sponge on the side.
The Coronation Cup is a teacup cocktail with Hendrick’s gin, elderflower, lemon, coconut and orange served with a mini cucumber sandwich on the side.
The drinks will be on general sale for £6.95 each.
Read more:
- Knaresborough to host free big screen broadcast of coronation
- Coronation events: where to celebrate across the Harrogate district
Business Breakfast: T&R Theakston toasts King Charles III with coronation beer
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
T&R Theakston is to launch a special edition beer, brewed in honour of King Charles III.
Crowning Glory is a 4.2% ABV speciality regal gold beer and continues the brewery’s tradition of creating limited edition ales to celebrate royal occasions.
It joins a distinguished lineage including Celebration Ale, which marked Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee in 1977 and most recently, Royal Salute which commemorated the diamond and platinum Jubilees in 2012 and 2022.
Simon Theakston, joint managing director at Theakston Brewery, said:
“As a brewery we’re immensely proud of our almost 200-year heritage and it’s fascinating to consider that as a business we have been witness to nine monarchs and seven coronations. It’s only right we continue the honourable tradition of celebrating these key historic moments for our country by creating a special beer to mark the coronation of King Charles III on 6th May.”
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Chamber holds business safari event
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce is to hold its regular Business Safari this evening.
The event at the Pavilions of Harrogate is a “speed business networking” session with gives members an opportunity to showcase their business to others and make new contacts.
The session starts at 5.30pm. Admission is free to book a place click here.
Knaresborough to host free big screen broadcast of coronation
The coronation will be broadcast live on a big screen in the grounds of Knaresborough House on Saturday, May 6.
Knaresborough Town Council announced today it had secured access to a locally sourced LED screen for what it hopes will be a joyful day of picnics and celebration.
Besides showing the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the free event will also include the broadcast of two family films.
Town councillor James Pickard, chair of the council’s king’s coronation working group, said:
“We are looking forward to welcoming the Knaresborough community and visitors alike to share this once in a lifetime event. It’s not often we get to see a king crowned.
“We hope the day will be a relaxed event where people can simply come and soak up the atmosphere whilst watching the ceremony.
“We plan to extend the day by showing two family films throughout the afternoon. This will be a free local event for the entire community to enjoy.”
Cllr Pickard added the grounds were a natural theatre with scope for catering for large crowds throughout the day, from 10am to 5pm.
He added people were welcome to bring picnics but food and refreshment stalls would also be available.
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Town councillor Hannah Gostlow, who is also a member of the working group, added:
Hopes high for fireworks to light up Ripon’s Coronation celebrations“It’s great that both residents and visitors to Knaresborough will have a fantastic opportunity to come together to view the king’s coronation live on a big screen at the iconic location of Knaresborough House.
“The event will give everyone the opportunity to have a memorable experience to mark this exciting and historic event.”
Hopes are high that Ripon will once again be able to stage a city centre fireworks display as part of the coronation celebrations for King Charles and Queen Camilla on Saturday May 6.
Traditional New Year’s Eve displays in 2021 and 2022 did not go ahead because of safety concerns about the launch site at the rear of the town hall, but a new location on a section of The Arcade Car Park looks set to get official approval.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“Following constructive discussions with officers at the new North Yorkshire Council, I am confident that we will receive the necessary approval required from the authority and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to hold a city centre display.
“Subject to that approval, the display on May 6, will provide the finale to an evening of free musical entertainment on Market Square, featuring a number of tribute acts.”
Cllr Williams added:
“It will also mean that the city can return to the tradition of holding a fireworks display as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.”
Ripon City Council’s programme for coronation celebration activities taking place on the evening of Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6, is still to be published, but will include free live music on both days and free fairground rides for children on May 6.
A big screen and live music will be on offer when Harrogate BID celebrates the coronation next month.
The BID is putting on the event in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa, and is inviting families and groups of friends to join in.
People can bring picnic blankets and deckchairs to watch the coronation of King Charles III on the screen on Saturday, May 6, as well as the run-up to the ceremony. There will also be entertainment and the chance to win prizes.
The celebrations continue on Sunday, May 7, when DJ Mark Green will provide the music. Food and drink will be available to buy from the hotel throughout the weekend.
BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“We are delighted to be hosting this event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa. The coronation will be a joyous occasion – it gives people the chance to come together and enjoy some fun, whilst celebrating.
“The hotel is the perfect venue for the event, with plenty of room in the grounds for local residents to watch the official proceedings on a huge screen, with a great atmosphere to boot.”
The event is expected to open at noon on both days, and full details of timings will be announced once details of the coronation have been released by Buckingham Palace. Attendance is free and there is no need to book.
Destination Harrogate has already announced it will hold three days of celebrations for the coronation in the Valley Gardens.
Plans are also being put in place for big screens and other events in Knaresborough and Ripon, as well as community celebrations across the Harrogate district.
The Stray Ferret will be reporting on how our communities are celebrating the coronation in the run-up to and during the bank holiday weekend. Make sure your event is included by sending us an email with the details.
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Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to host three-day coronation celebration
Valley Gardens in Harrogate is set to host a three-day celebration event for the coronation of King Charles III.
The free event will take place from Saturday, May 6, until Monday, May 8.
It will include live stream of the coronation ceremony on a big screen from Westminster Abbey.
Besides the big screen, a stage will feature a line-up of family-friendly entertainment.
There will also be fairground rides, food and drink stalls, pop-up character appearances, circus workshops and an artisan market in the gardens Sun Colonnade.
Cllr Sam Gibbs, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
“Valley Gardens provides the perfect backdrop for our three-day event to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
“There will be rides, family entertainment throughout the weekend, pop-up character appearances and circus workshops. There truly is something for everyone and even better, it’s all free.
“So pack a picnic and come on down to Valley Gardens to mark the coronation.”
For more information on the event, visit the Visit Harrogate website.
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