‘Christmas, the final frontier’ for Harrogate Star Trek super-fan

A Harrogate Trekkie hopes her Christmas idea will “live long, and prosper” after spending more than 25 years importing Star Trek tree decorations from the US.

Susan Scarre, who is originally from Chicago, fell in love with Star Trek in the 1960s when her older brother introduced her to the show.

Star Trek has come in many different forms since then and Ms Scarre has enjoyed them all. So when Hallmark Ornaments first released Star Trek ornaments  in 1991 it did not take her long to start collecting.

Although her collection could have been worth a fortune today if she had kept them in their boxes, she has no regrets about the years of fun she has had. Many of them now adorn her tree.

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Ms Scarre told the Stray Ferret:

“Some people might think Star Trek is corny and predictable but I love the positive messages that always come with the show and I am fascinated by outer space.

“It’s been interesting watching the development over the years. At first they would light up, then they came out with ones that made noises but now they are much more developed.

“We have two Christmas trees at our house. One for the family and one for all the Star Trek ornaments. But I have run out of room now so I might need to get a third tree! next year”

Harrogate primary school earns national recognition for diversity

A Harrogate primary school has earned national recognition for combating prejudice between people of different religions and ethnicities.

Coppice Valley Primary School finished second in the annual Accord Inclusivity Awards. It was one of only four schools to be praised for its work in the awards.

Accord is a coalition of organisations that includes religious groups, humanists, teachers, trade unionists, educationalists and civil rights activists, working together for inclusive education.

One of the judges, the Reverend Stephen Terry, presented the school with a trophy during a presentation assembly this morning.

After the ceremony he said:

“Coppice Valley Primary School’s effort and commitment in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment would be highly impressive were it a large secondary school.

“For instead a primary school to be embedding inclusivity into its ethos and ways of working to the extent that it is, is truly exemplary.

“The judging panel is therefore delighted to celebrate it as an inspiration for others across the country.”

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The school has given its staff gender and sexual identities training, re-examined its curriculum to address white and western bias and anonymised job applications to avoid bias.

Coppice Valley Primary School headteacher, Emma Meadus, said:

“We’re delighted to have been recognised for our work in school to promote mutual understanding and respect. It’s a wonderful achievement for the whole school community.”

Plumpton Rocks set for March opening after £700,000 restoration

Plumpton Rocks is finally set to open to the public in March 2022 after several years of restoration works and investment of £700,000.

When people visit the site near Harrogate they will notice improved paths and dam as well as plenty more spaces and historic buildings to explore.

They will also notice that it is open more often. Rather than just weekends, it will be open for around 250 days in the year.

Robert de Plumpton Hunter, who inherited Plumpton Rocks from his father in 2010, has overseen a major turnaround in the attraction’s outlook.

More areas are now open to explore.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“To have an opening date of March 2022 is a great relief. Plumpton Rocks is now truly a place worth shouting about.

“The help we have had has been revolutionary. I never thought in my wildest dreams that we could do all of this work.

“My family are well-connected to Plumpton Rocks, it feels like it is in my DNA. The place has a great history which we are now able to play up to.”

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A major catalyst for change came when Historic England added it to the “Heritage at Risk Register” in 2012.

In order to make much-needed improvements, Plumpton Rocks closed in 2013 for three years and in 2018 for two and a half years.

The time closed, as well as major investment from Mr Hunter, Historic England, Natural England and the Historic Houses Foundation has made a significant difference.

Not only did Historic England take Plumpton Rocks off its “Heritage at Risk Register” earlier this year  but it also now closely resembles the 18th century sketches of JMW Turner.

Plumpton Rocks restoration timeline

Image Gallery: Harrogate feeling festive with first Christmas fayre

Harrogate Christmas Fayre began today with residents and visitors alike heading to the town centre to enjoy the festivities.

Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District from today until December 12.

Andy Pidgen, operations manager at Market Place Europe, told the Stray Ferret:

“Everyone has been very helpful, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, all the businesses Harrogate BID all need a public thank you.

“From what I understand the Harrogate Christmas Market was very successful. We do four big Christmas markets. I think the wooden chalets give a festive feel, we dress everything up.

“It’s a toe in the water but from what I understand people are pretty pleased so far but we are just at the start of the 10 days.

“Hopefully if the Harrogate Christmas Fayre is successful we can come back next year with some extra additions as well.

“This latest variant is of concern but coronavirus was still there before that. We are all outside but we do have to be mindful of that.”

Can you spot yourself in our gallery?

Lots of visitors to Cambridge Street today.

Panto stars Cinderella and Prince Charming (bottom left), the mayor Trevor Chapman (back, left) with the mayoress, council leader Richard Cooper (back, middle), Matthew Chapman and Sara Ferguson (back, right) from Harrogate BID. Christmas elves flank on either side.

The Candy Cane Express road train.

Operations manager from Marketplace Europe, Andy Pidgen.

Jason Walker, of Gourmet Jay, selling sausage rolls and pasties.

Quite an array of cheeses to nibble on.

A hog roast.

Covid measures are in place.

A variety of cuisines.

Anna Lister (left), founder of Lily and Lister.

L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.

Elves welcome visitors to the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Plenty of food to enjoy, including Lincolnshire sausages.

Traders and visitors give thumbs-up to first Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Traders and visitors have welcomed the first ever Harrogate Christmas Fayre, as the 10-day event gets underway in the town centre today.

The hot chocolate is flowing, Christmas gifts are flying off the shelves and people are enjoying the rides ahead of a big weekend for the town.

The fayre marks a big change for Harrogate’s festive offering, which used to centre on Montpellier Hill.

This event has organisers in the form of Market Place Europe, which is operating in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District, as well as a new town centre location for stallholders — so what do people make of it?

L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.

Laura Berryman and Natalie White, from Bilton-based L&N Candles at a stall on Cambridge Street, told the Stray Ferret:

“We were planning to attend the old Harrogate Christmas Market but when that was cancelled, we thought we would seize the opportunity and get involved here.

“So far we have been really busy, so we are really pleased and excited for the next 10 days.”

The founder of Mama Doreen’s is enjoying the experience.

Jessica Wyatt, founder of Mama Doreen’s Emporium at a stall on Station Square, added:

“It is just great to get involved in Harrogate Christmas Fayre, see a lot of my regular customers and spreading the word.

“I haven’t been here long but I am loving it, it’s great. This is how I started Mama Doreen’s with a market stall so it really takes me back.”

Fancy a coffee?

Anna Lister, the founder of Lily and Lister, is selling coffee and treats on Cambridge Street. She said:

“We converted a horsebox and sell our own blend of coffee. We also do luxury hot chocolates and brownies.

“So far lots of people have said this version of the Christmas market in the town centre is much better.”

Not only are the stallholders enjoying the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre, the visitors also seem to welcome the changes.

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Helen Nash, a Harrogate resident who went straight out to take in the atmosphere, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think it’s a really good idea to have it in the town centre. It’s all on a level, it’s not muddy and there seems to be a good selection of stalls including some locals.

“So I hope people can come out and support it. This is really good for the town, the weather has been kind so far too.”

Nick Jackson, from Skipton, visited the Harrogate Christmas Fayre. He said:

“We always went to the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill, so it’s nice to see a bit of a change.

“It’s a great experience, especially coming into the town centre with all of the festivities in place.”

Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts today: here’s the lowdown

Harrogate Christmas Fayre begins today. With plenty of stallholders to buy gifts from, attractions to enjoy and festivities to embrace, it looks like being a memorable few days.

Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council from today until December 12.

It is a new venture so there are lots to look out for. The event will be spread out over more locations and days than the previous Harrogate Christmas Market, which took place on Montpellier Hill.

Here is everything you need to know:

Where will the stalls be?

There will be about 50 local and European stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.

For this weekend only there will also be stalls in Valley Gardens, where more than 60 local traders will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts plus food and drink at a separate artisan Christmas market.

When will the fayre be open?

It will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

Little Bird Made’s Artisan Festive Market in Valley Gardens will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.

Do you have to wear a face mask?

Harrogate Borough Council has advised visitors to wear face masks around the fayre and on the free Candy Cane Express road train, which will shuttle people around town.

A map of the Christmas road train.

The government brought in new rules this week stipulating people must wear face coverings in shops, shopping centres, transport hubs and on public transport.

Children under 11 and those with a health condition or disability which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt.

What will the weather be like?

According to the Met Office, outbreaks of rains and drizzle will clear in the morning to leave a largely dry day. It will be cloudy at first with some brighter spells in the afternoon.

Temperatures are set to increase tomorrow but it is not set to stay mild for long.

From then we are set for a chilly weekend with some sunny spells and showers. It will be occasionally windy with some rain and snow possible on Monday morning.

Will there be rides and transport?

A free road train will take visitors around Harrogate from today as part of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

The Candy Cane Express will stop at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It will also pass Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.

Not only that but there are also festive rides, including a carousel and ferris wheels at Crescent Garden and a helter skelter at the war memorial. All of those rides cost £3 for a ticket.

The Helter Skelter next to the war memorial in Harrogate town centre.

The Helter Skelter next to the war memorial in Harrogate town centre.

Free parking at Harrogate multi-storey

Parking will be free after 3pm in Harrogate’s Victoria multi-storey car park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The initiative will last until December 23 and will be paid for by Harrogate Business Improvement District to encourage Christmas shoppers and revellers into the town midweek.

Harrogate hospital patient died after becoming disconnected from ventilator

A woman died at Harrogate District Hospital after she became disconnected from a ventilator.

Karen Smith, 44, died on October 25 last year. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death opened in Northallerton this week.

The inquest heard how Ms Smith became disconnected from her ventilator on October 24 and died the following day as a result of a suspected hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Jonathan Heath, senior coroner for North Yorkshire, adjourned the inquest for a full hearing at a later date yet to be confirmed.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Karen Smith.

“Until the inquest has concluded we are unable to comment further.”

Military could be drafted in to help Harrogate district booster vaccines

The army could be drafted in to help with the Harrogate district’s booster vaccine rollout amid concern about the new coronavirus variant Omicron.

Public health officials in North Yorkshire said today they were looking at ways to increase capacity for vaccines after the minimum gap for boosters was halved to three months.

More sites, more vaccines and use of the army are among the options being considered.

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate will re-open as a vaccine site for coronavirus booster jabs on Monday.

It was scheduled to operate for just over a fortnight until December 22 but in a press conference today, public health officials confirmed they were in talks to extend this until March.

So far in North Yorkshire and York, the booster rollout in over-75s is 89% complete, 70 to 74-year-olds is 86% complete, 65 to 69-year-olds is 72% complete and 60 to 64-year-olds is 53% complete.

Boosters are below 50% for the remaining cohorts. Among 55 to 59-year-olds it is at 39%, 50 to 54-year-olds are at 32% and 40 to 49-year-olds are at 19%.

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Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“Across North Yorkshire we are currently adapting our vaccination programme to deliver a significantly enhanced booster offer.

“This includes exploring some of the following options. We are looking at more sites coming online, including both hospitals and pharmacy sites.

“We are looking at some of the existing sites we have got doing more vaccinations. We are also looking to recruit more support to help deliver vaccinations.

“We are thinking about support from military personnel nationally and also we anticipate a national effort to recruit additional volunteers to help deliver the programme.

“All of these actions are underway across North Yorkshire and they are happening at pace.”

Collinsons brothers win ‘Golden Teddies’ for toy industry work

Two Harrogate brothers who have carried on the work of their grandfather and father have won a top award for their lifetime of work in the toy industry.

Many people in the Harrogate district will have fond memories of Collinsons toy shops in Ripon and Harrogate. Although those shops are long gone, two brothers are still self-confessed ‘toy boys’.

Mark and Paul Collinson got involved in the industry early on at seven-year-olds when their father Ian Collinson showed them the ropes.

After working in the retail side of the business for several years, the brothers moved into the sales side, where they have worked for decades with national and international brands.

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Now with around 43 years in the toy industry under their belts, Mark and Paul have won the British Toy & Hobby Association’s coveted Golden Teddy Award.

Inaugurated in 2001, the Golden Teddy awards are for people who have served the industry for more than 15 years and go over and above expectations.

The pair, who have launched major brands like Funko and VTech, were presented with the award at Orchid Restaurant in Harrogate last week. Mark told the Stray Ferret:

“We were both humbled to receive the award. It’s not like us to shout about our work but we are at the end of our careers now and are proud to look back.

“There are lots of people in Harrogate and Ripon over a certain age who still have fond memories of our father’s and grandfather’s shop.

“Back then going to the toy shop was a rare treat for children. The industry has changed massively over the years but young children still have that love for play.”

Toys galore!

Collinsons in the Harrogate district

Fred Collinson opened the first shop in Ripon selling sportswear, toys and leather goods in 1952.

His son, and Mark and Paul’s father, Ian Collinson furthered the family name when he opened a toy shop called Collinsons on James Street, Harrogate in 1972.

An advert, which can be seen in Harrogate Library, said “two whole floors of toys, boxed games and books make Collinsons a veritable children’s (and parents) paradise.”

Ian Collinson died of cancer at 66-years-old in 2001. His sons Mark and Paul eventually went into the sales side of the toy industry and now, after 43 years, they have won a Golden Teddy Award.

Both Mark and Paul are nearing the end of their careers but Paul’s son William Collinson is keeping the tradition alive. He is now the general manager in the UK for the Zuru Toy Company.

Revealed: route for Harrogate’s free Christmas road train

A free road train will take visitors around Harrogate from Friday, just in time for the two town centre Christmas markets.

The Candy Cane Express will stop at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It will also pass Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.

Face masks are advised on the road train, which will operate from December 3 to 12. Face masks are also advised around both markets.

The train route will take in the sights of the Christmas lights, Christmas shop window displays, Christmas rides and Santa’s postbox.

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It’s all part of the council’s drive to get people into the town centre to support the new fayre and the artisan market in Valley Gardens, which will also stimulate high street businesses.

Excitement has been building since the Christmas rides started in the town centre last month. This week stalls for the Christmas fayre appeared in the town centre.

A map of the Christmas road train.

When are the town centre Christmas markets?

Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which the council is running in partnership with Market Place Europe, will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

The market will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent and will provide gifts and mouth-watering treats for people to enjoy as they wander around, taking in the sights and sounds.

Around 50 traders will take part in the fayre.

In addition, Little Bird Made is set to hold a festive artisan market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this Saturday and Sunday, with times to be confirmed.

The artisan market will feature approximately 60 local and regional traders and producers who will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.