From today, Stockeld Park will be selling a selection of its Christmas trees from Harrogate Borough Council’s Horticultural Nursery in the Pinewoods.

It’s part of a collaboration in which 10 per cent of takings will go back to HBC. .

George Grant, who is the estate manager said:

‘We are going to be selling Stockeld Christmas trees in the heart of Harrogate for the first time. Basically doing it this way means we can sell our trees to the people in Harrogate and then 10 per cent of the sales goes straight back to the council to spend on the community. After the year we’ve had I think it’s really important to try and give something back and it’s just a nice thing to be able to do.’

Stockeld Park, based in Wetherby plants 60,000 trees each year, cutting 35,000 each time and has over half a million growing.

Trees both big and small will be able to be purchased from today, 27th Nov until 23rd December between the hours of 9.30 am and 3.30 pm.

Camilla Davies started up Skin SOS in November last year with a vision of providing ‘complete relaxation and rejuvenation along with some fantastic results-driven treatments for people in Harrogate.

She has years of experience in both clinical settings and spas and has worked all over the world, including in Perth, Western Australia where she developed a great deal of her expertise. Camilla focuses on treatments that offer both ‘holistic well being and fast results’ and has partnered up with two brands ‘Comfort Zone’ and ‘Dermaquest’ as she feels they tick both boxes.

Pre-lockdown, Camilla invited me down to her salon, a relaxing haven, with basement treatment rooms tucked away on Cold Bath Road. She explained her ethos and talked me through the products she uses and why.  What was absolutely clear, is the belief that she has in the brands she uses. Camilla is a font of skincare knowledge and I felt in totally safe hands.

Whilst lockdown means Camilla is unable to do her usual hands-on ‘hormone ageing facial’ or ‘body active massage,’ she has a lot the same products that she uses in her treatments available to buy within her Christmas selection, with lockdown-friendly options of click and collect or delivery (for free to a Harrogate postcode.) So you can treat your self or someone else to a Christmas beauty set that not only looks amazing but is a total game-changer for your skin. It also means your supporting a local business… which is really important right now.

The Christmas gifts were on display in her treatment room felt and smelt just like Christmas. Here are just a few of the most perfect pressies on offer. You just need to get in touch with Skin SOS via Facebook, Instagram or the website to order:

Dermaquest essential mini cleanser- Packaged to look like a beautiful bauble for your tree! This ph balancing cleanser is great for all skin types for daily use, with papaya and pineapple eating away at dead skin cells to leave your skin glowing.

Price- £15 

Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes- The Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes Kit contains a hyaluronic acid eye gel that provides relief to tired, puffy eyes. The high-definition lengthening mascara extends the lashes for more volume.

Price – £25, eye gel sold separately is £33 so a fabulous deal! 

Comfort Zone Remedy kit- A winter essential for everyone. The mixture of cold weather and having the heating on at home is a recipe for dry skin, so these products are perfect gifts to keep your skin hydrated. The professional, fragrance-free solution for sensitive and redness-prone skin. The intensive serum with soothing, fortifying actions is ideal for reinforcing the skin’s complete defence. The soothing cream, with a barrier-effect texture, nourishes and calms even the driest and most delicate skin. Price – £75 – products sold separately would have been £120. £45 saving with this Christmas kit.

You can also buy a voucher for a Signature Facial, perfect as a Christmas gift. Usually £50, buy one for just £25 here. 

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover, please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Deliver woof  is a Harrogate based company that provides the perfect place to shop if you want to make your beloved dog feel super special this Christmas. From personalised advent calendars to yummy Christmas dinners, your pooch will be able to indulge but in a healthy and safe way.

Charlotte Wilson, Founder of Deliver Woof.

Charlotte Wilson started Deliver woof during the first lockdown when she had to temporarily close her makeup and lash business, due to restrictions. She saw a gap in the market for high-quality, personalised treats and accessories

“I am a crazy dog lady, with three furry babies of my own; Rocky, Lillian and Bruno. I used to look for quality personalised accessories for them but there didn’t seem to be much on offer, so whilst I had some free time on my hands I decided I was going to give it a go… Deliver Woof has been the best thing to come out 2020 for me, and now my makeup & lash business has closed again at what is usually the busiest time of the year, I can’t tell you how much every order means to me!

All the products, (even the treats) are designed and hand made by Charlotte at her home in Harrogate.

Let’s face it, our four-legged friends are more than just pets, they are part of the family… so when it comes to Christmas it’s surely only fair that they get to join in on the festivities… After all they are there for us 365 days of the year, offering unconditional love.

Bentley, with his personalised Deliver Woof treat.

Well that’s definitely the case for my dog anyways. Bentley, is a 9-year-old black lab and may as well be called shadow… as he follows me everywhere. He wakes me up each morning with his tail banging against the door, and no matter how long he’s been left in the house he is always happy to see me (the difference between dogs and men!)

So with the festive season fast approaching and all non-essential shops closed, its time for some online shopping, not just for friends and family but for our loyal furry friends.

Here are the Deliver Woof items that Bentley has on his Christmas list… I have already received these products and I am seriously impressed with the quality, they are very classy and I love the fact that everything is personalised:

Credit: Josey Grace Photography

Advent calendars: A great addition to your mantlepiece!  All made out of luxury cotton. Personalisation and silhouettes of your dogs breed with Santa hats & red noses included. The calendar features 24 numbered pockets and two large pockets for Christmas Day. Allowing your pet to count down from 1st December to Christmas Day with yummy treats! Advent calendar can be filled with a selection of treats from Deliver Woof or you can fill it with your own treats.

Price- £34.99 (without treats) and  £44.99 (with treats)

Size: 70cmx80cm (also can be personalised for kids or other pets too)

Stockings: Make Christmas extra special for your dog this year with the beautiful Personalised Christmas Dog Stocking. Made out of luxury cotton, Pom poms & vinyl personalisation. Choose any name & silhouette to be personalised onto your Xmas Stockings. There is a selection of different coloured pom-poms to choose from and the stockings come in either beige or red.

Price – £14.99

Size:18x36cm.(also can be personalised for kids or other pets too)

Dogs Christmas dinner:  A dog-friendly Christmas dinner that includes deliver woof treat selection of human look-alike foods such as sausage & Parma ham, breadsticks, chicken sandwiches and much more. Personalisation onto Christmas dinner packaging is included.

Price: £11.99 ( to serve one) and £16.99 (to serve two)

As all items are handmade they will typically be dispatched within 3-5 working days after order is placed. Support local, shop Harrogate!

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover, please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Once was hard enough, but twice feels pretty bleak. And, this time we’re doing it as we enter the darker and colder winter days.

It will be a challenging month for everyone; whether it’s being separated from loved ones, worrying about older relatives or closing your business once again… It’s an uncertain time, and for some this can really impair mental health.

Judith Williams, Director of Complete Life Coaching, Harrogate.

So I have turned to Harrogate life coach, Judith Willliams, Director of Complete life coaching to get some tips on how we can  keep happy and healthy during lockdown

‘With the announcement of a further national lockdown, the country is now facing more separation, stress and concern for their own safety and that of their loved ones. During lockdown the importance of connecting was clear. But with the nights drawing in and the weather changing, how can we stay positive and connected?’

1. ROUTINE–  Make sure you have one.. Whether you are working from home or not, it is really important to have some routine in your life. Focus on healthy lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, sleep)
2. STAY CONNECTED– Schedule regular times to connect (preferable via video chat). We are actually less likely to reach out when we are feeling low, so commitments to people help us avoid isolating ourselves.
3. GET CREATIVE – This is an opportunity to spend time creating Christmas gifts that are meaningful. Things like personalised playlists (or mixtapes as they were known), photo books or a homemade knitted scarf. It’s a great way to spend time and keep loved ones in mind. It can also help to keep costs down when finances may be stretched.
4. SPREAD SOME LOVE– This year spend time personalising your greetings cards. We are so much more aware of how important the people in our lives are to us, tell them why.
5. VOLUNTEER– There was a huge feeling of togetherness in the first lockdown, in which thousands of people signed up to volunteer. This may be needed again and is a fantastic way to spend your time and improve your mood.
6. ZOOM- QUIZ  Bring back the Zoom quiz. So many did it the first time around and it brightened a lot of peoples weeks.

During the last lockdown we had the weather on our side, which really helped. Days were warm and the sun shone which meant people took to gardening, enjoyed BBQ’s and did plenty of walking… I actually got to the point where I was having a little competition with myself on how many steps I could do in a day..

This time around we are faced with shorter colder days now, which means outdoor activities arent so fun… BUT we adapted last time and we can do the same again…I think it is really important to plan little events and milestones, both things to look forward to when restrictions lift, and also little things within lockdown… So maybe a bake-off with your family, a zoom fitness class, getting your house ready for Christmas or even just making a note of the release date of a Netflix drama you are looking forward to..

Harrogate has the most amazing community spirit so let’s look our for each other, stay safe and get through lockdown 2 together.

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Road testing Harrogate’s zoom workouts- the best way to keep your body and mind fit

Personally, I wasn’t sure on the idea of ‘virtual workouts’ to start with… the thought of my dog licking my face whilst trying to hold downward dog and only having myself for motivation with my comfy sofa in view made me uncertain.

There is also something really energising about going into an upbeat studio with loud music and someone yelling at me to drop my hips or hold that plank, whilst everyone around me is also going through the same pain!

However, what lockdown has created is a whole new generation of ‘virtual’ fitness classes that I think are absolutely here to stay.

Youtube workout videos are nothing new, and there is an element of convenience as you can just do them as in when you please. However, there is something more motivating about virtual classes being live. At a time when socialising is pretty limited, I find zoom classes are a safe way to stay connected with other people and are actually really productive. Also if you are self-isolating it’s a fab way to motivate yourself to get up off the sofa, get those positive endorphins moving and see some other humans!

Whether you’re looking for a full-body blast or seeking that zen feeling, there’s something for everyone… and they are all Harrogate based, so if you do want to do a mix between zoom and in person, you can- restrictions permitting of course..

Here’s a few of the classes that I have tried and tested and would definitely recommend.

The best for… variety: 

• StrongStems:  Ran by Georgia Southby from Harrogate:

I say: If you’re looking to work up a sweat before the weekend, Georgia’s Friday morning HIT class is the way to go! She is so motivating and you really feel like she’s right there with you. The class focuses on your full body and is a real morning blast… She is also a nutritionist and offers amazing advice on her Instagram page!

She says: The classes are a perfect fit for busy homeworkers, anyone stuck inside or not wanting to venture out to gyms, someone needing a boost of something different! A breath of fresh air to the way you workout (time will never pass so quickly!). It is a great way to get your fitness fix from the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank!

How the classes work: All classes are streamed live online via Zoom. The most you need is a mat, pillow, x2 tins of beans and space to move. You can see the schedule for live classes on the website, which rolls 4-5weeks in advance. StrongStems offers a huge variety from sweaty HIIT sessions to Legs, Bums & Tums, BoxFit, Full Body Weights, Circuits, Core Control, Mobility and Strength & Tone… so you won’t get bored!

Prices:

• Flexi Pass: You can pay as you go for £3 per class- (even up to 5 mins before) just pick your class go through to checkout and the link will be sent via email.
• UNLIMITED LIVE FITNESS PASS: £10.50 for all live exercise sessions for the week. Select class pass into your basket along with all the classes you want to make as part of your pass.
• FITNESS & WELLNESS PASS: £15 for the week. This includes all exercise sessions, cooking classes, wellness workshops, & also on demand service which is where you can request and access pre-recorded live workouts.

The best for… Mood and flexibility:

• FLO WITH ZO: Ran by Harrogate based yoga teacher, Zoe Ellmore:

I say: I love Zoe’s vinyasa flow zoom classes… You finish the hour smiling and her positive energy stays with you all day!  Zoe focuses on poses to strengthen your whole body and improve your flexibility on your way to a well-earned savasana. It’s open to all levels (you don’t have to touch your toes). Her love for yoga shines through in her teaching and she is really easy to follow… especially for me as I am no yoga expert.  She also posts a lot of clips on her Instagram page and youtube channel which are great if you’re looking for a quick session.

She says:  ‘A great benefit during this current time is the boost yoga has on your immune system. When you contract and stretch muscles, move organs around, and come in and out of yoga postures, you increase the drainage of lymphatic system, helping to fight infection! And finally, yoga helps to reduce stress and improve mental health by reducing our cortisol levels.’

How the classes work: You can browse and book the zoom classes through the website. All you need is a mat and positive vibes! If you can’t make the live times of the classes, recordings are available which can be done anytime up to 5 days after the class.

 The best for… Self care:

• Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing: Ran by Anne-Marie is the founder of the Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing.

What I thought: Anne Marie has over 30 years of experience and this definitely shines through in her classes. I have tried her ‘seven spiritual laws of yoga’ class which was so relaxing! Anne focuses on the holistic approach and gets you to really concentrate on yourself. I learnt so much about breath retention, dharma and even how to sleep better. I totally let go from the outside world during the classes.

She says: We find our older students or those who are needing to self-isolate particularly enjoy the zoom and the live option as it enables them to catch up and chat to their friends if they are not able to join us in the studio so it is the next best option to coming live as some of them live on their own so it’s really valuable for the social interaction.

How the classes work: Live classes are taught via Zoom and you can also access pre-recorded Youtube classes. You have 1-2 weeks to complete the class in your own time. They offer are a variety of yoga and pilates, Face yoga and meditation classes, as well as some clinical and restorative classes. They are recommended by medical specialists and are suitable for all ages and abilities. Each class is structured to meet individual needs with numbers limited to 10 people per class, which gives each individual the extra attention needed for a safe and effective workout.

Prices: One class is £9 or you can book a block of 10 for £75 which can be used on any zoom or catch up class.

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We are all faced with a whole load of new challenges in 2020 and for some of us ‘Maskne’ is one of them. If you haven’t guessed already it’s a mash up of ‘mask’ and ‘acne’… so basically spots around the chin caused by wearing a face mask.

I have always been into my skincare, and have followed the same routine (with a few seasonal changes) for years. I have really dry skin which luckily means spots don’t usually both me. However when the rule of wearing a face mask in public spaces indoors came into place my skin started to disagree.

I don’t want to moan as I appreciate that key workers virtually live in PPE, I take my hat off to every single one of you! I also understand that wearing a mask helps stop the spread of coronavirus, which is super important…so of course I am happy to wear a face mask, (in fact I’ve got quite into my mask fashion.) But I know I am not alone in these mask related break outs.

The good news is there are things you can do to prevent and treat mask irritation. Local skincare expert Anthea Whiteley, who is the Director of Harrogate Aesthetics has provided us with some top tips

So what causes ‘Maskne’?

Anthea Whiteley – Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner RGN – Director

Anthea has worked in the skincare industry for over 20 years and before that was a Senior Sister in the operating theatres at Leeds General Infirmary. She has offered this advice on what actually causes our skin to erupt.

•  Mask related acne is due to an increased amount of oil, sweat, nasal mucus & saliva underneath your mask, which means moisture builds and blocks your pores, which causes irritation.
• Touching the face excessively can also irritate the skin especially if using hand sanitiser.
• People may find that they might be more likely to experience face-mask-related bumps and rashes if they’re already living with skin issues, such as Rosacea, Eczema or Acne.
• Some commercial face masks are pre-treated with formaldehyde to disinfect them. If you’re allergic to that chemical, those masks could spark a breakout. Likewise, laundering washable masks with heavily scented detergents or softeners can cause itching, redness or rashes.

2. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Tinted Moisturiser- Anti-blemish moisturiser that corrects and hydrates oily and acne-prone skin, whilst also having a light tint to provide treatment with coverage.
Noticeably reduces spots, controls shine and helps to reduce the appearance of pigmentation marks. Clearer skin can be seen in 4 weeks.

Price £17.50 – Available at Boots stores.

A Harrogate mum lost £100 on a deposit for a Labrador puppy that she later discovered didn’t actually exist.

Jade Lockyer initially wanted a mobility support dog for her daughter Lacey, seven, who has spina bifida.

However, after struggling to find one she decided to get her daughter a puppy that could then be trained.

Ms Lockyer found an advert on the website Pets4Homes for puppies for £1,000, which she thought was a good price.

Read more:

• Family heartbreak over dog poisoning in Pateley Bridge
• Harrogate dog rescue worried about post-lockdown pets

A picture Jade received from the seller over WhatsApp

The seller said she was in Wakefield and when Ms Lockyer inquired she was told there was only one puppy left –  a golden female. She agreed to buy it, subject to viewing. She added:

“She said that I had to pay a deposit otherwise the puppy would go, as they are in such high demand at the moment.

“I didn’t feel too happy about this but my daughter had fallen in love with the photos and the woman really reassured me on the phone. She wanted £250 but we agreed on £100. I paid it and then asked for some more videos as we were so excited. She went very quiet on me and then when she did send a video, I just sensed something fishy.

“My daughter looked on YouTube and the same video was on there from 13 years ago. As soon as I asked her about it she blocked me.”

Lacey was “devastated” when she was given the news, said Ms Lockyer:

“She had named her and everything. Thinking back I actually think the scammer played up to the fact that my daughter was disabled, as I had told her all about what we wanted the puppy for and she knew how badly we wanted one.”

Miss Mollies Rescue charity said puppy scams were increasing due to covid.

Jeanne Thompson owner of the Harrogate dog rescue charity Miss Mollies Rescue, said covid had caused an increase in puppy scams. She added:

“It has risen because people are at home with more time on their hands, decide to get a puppy and there are not enough puppies to match the demand, so scammers are trying to profit on this.”

Ms Thompson advised potential owners:

• Don’t part with any money until you take the puppy home.
• Make sure the puppy is with its mother when you view.
• Remember that anyone who asks for a deposit upfront is probably a scammer

She added:

 “Most of the puppy scammers don’t actually have the puppies but the ones that do actually exist are being brought over from Ireland and abroad, so make sure the mother is there.”

With coronavirus cases set to rise this winter, the charity is urging puppy buyers to be vigilant.

A Pets4Homes spokesperson said more than seven million users looked for a pet on its website each month and it had the most rigorous systems in place of any comparable marketplace in the UK.

The spokesperson added:

“Pets4Homes has a zero tolerance approach to the unethical sale of animals and to any individuals behaving inappropriately.

“More than 225,000 animals were rehomed through Pets4Homes between June and August, and of the 0.1% of issues (concerning various matters) that were raised with its trust and safety team during this time, following investigation, there has not been a single confirmed report of puppy farming.”

Harrogate parents’ group Ready Steady Mums has been given the green light to resume its weekly walks, as they fit under the “support group” category within the government guidelines.

The group was forced to call a halt for the second time in early September when the “rule of six” came into place, which meant that, in most circumstances, groups of more than six could not gather.

However, after making contact with the office Andrew Jones MP to ask if it could keep going, Ready Steady Mums has been reassured it isn’t breaking any rules as it is a support group for new parents. The group split into ‘bubbles’ of seven parents with babies plus one volunteer and headed out onto the Stray again yesterday morning, in line with the limit of 15 people gathering for organised outdoor events.

Laura Brett, a former mental health midwife who founded the group, said:

“It was so good to be out again. It’s not a lot different to what we usually do – people often split into smaller groups as we go along – but it’s just being intentional about it. We give it a good two or three minutes between each group setting off to keep a certain amount of distance, and we stayed in those groups even for tea and biscuits afterwards.”

In good weather, the group sits out on the Stray for a socially-distanced picnic after the walk

Formed in 2016, Ready Steady Mums provides people with the opportunity to stay fit and socialise during the early weeks and months of parenthood. 

The group usually meets at St Mark’s Church at 10am on Friday, walks together around the Stray and then enjoys tea, coffee and cake inside the church. Resuming after lockdown, the refreshments became a picnic outside, in line with social distancing requirements.

From her background in mental health midwifery, and her new role in fundraising and promotions for Harrogate charity Wellspring, Laura said the group is even more important now than ever. New mums and dads don’t get as many chances to meet and talk to others in the same position, and people are finding their mental health is suffering.

“I’m very serious about the whole covid thing – I had it and I know how awful it is – but I think the mental health epidemic and isolation are also really worrying.

“I walked with one woman today who said, ‘I love it – it’s free, I don’t have to commit, and it’s just so inclusive’. She had moved into Harrogate over lockdown with a new baby.

“Even if we just do it for her, it’s so worthwhile.”

Read more:

• Dementia charity warns of impact of second lockdown
• WATCH: Are people in Harrogate ready for another lockdown?

A Harrogate couple have cancelled their wedding plans for a third time after the government further restricted the number of guests that can attend.

Ali Farr and Ben Cross, who both work for the NHS, were initially set to tie the knot on May 1 at the St George Hotel in Harrogate. However, lockdown struck and their big day was cancelled.

They rearranged for New Year’s Eve, only to discover afterwards that the St George Hotel was going into administration.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa

Still hoping to get married in 2020, they booked the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa for December 31 – the day they’d been due to marry at the St George and 12 years exactly since they met.

However, Tuesday’s announcement that they would only be able to have 15 people at the wedding instead of 30 prompted them to cancel for the third time. Ms Farr said:

“We didn’t really expect the numbers to go down yesterday, I was quite surprised that it didn’t stay at 30 and then we were hoping it would at least be 60 by Christmas so Ben and I have taken the decision again to move the wedding.

“We are now trying to work with our suppliers and venue to get a new date for next year but I’m not even sure if that will be able to go ahead at full capacity.”

Read more:

• Number of covid cases in the Harrogate district rises to 919
• Second lockdown would see Harrogate businesses face battle to survive, says chamber

The couple initially planned to invite more than 100 guests from as far away as Singapore and Australia.

With coronavirus cases in the district rising, Ms Farr, a community nurse in Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, is now preparing for a busy winter at work:

“As a community nurse I know that our workload gets busier over this period and with cases on the rise I imagine it will have added pressures on the service as we still have patients with other illnesses, not just covid, to care for.

“The winter months will be testing for the service but the community teams are very resilient and work well under pressure. The nurses and healthcare support workers just keep going no matter what they are faced with.”

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has forecasted an extra £350,000 income for the year due to visitors flocking back after lockdown restrictions eased.

A financial progress report for the period from 1 April to 31 August said the authority revised its budget in May to assume a number of services would be seriously diminished or stopped altogether.

But the situation changed when car parks and visitor centres reopened later that month and visitors flooded to the national park to walk and enjoy the outdoors.

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Read more:

• Nidderdale farmers wanted for new film in the Dales
• Yorkshire Dales National Park head hits out at new government guidelines

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The report said this had an ‘extremely positive’ effect on finances and there was now ‘no emerging risk of a financial shortfall’.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park

The report, which will be considered by the authority’s finance and resource committee next week, also revealed expenditure is £253,000 less than forecast.

It adds:

“Although the current projection is considerably more positive than had been allowed for in the revised budget, it does assume that the second half of 2020/21 will be unaffected by covid, both in terms of income (especially from visitors and planning applications) and expenditure on programmes.”

The full report can be read here.