Flora Grafton, Author at The Stray Ferret

New agricultural group set up for Harrogate district women

A new social group has been set up for local women who live and work in the world of agriculture.

Flock Ladies, founded by Rachel Bain, invites women who have some involvement in the farming industry to get together and socialise.

Ms Bain told the Stray Ferret the new group is for people of “all sorts of backgrounds” and said it is not limited to those who live on a farm.

She said:

“Everyone is welcome: farmers, farmers’ wives or girlfriends, people that work in agriculture, women that are interested in farming or want to get into farming.

“Our members come from all over: Nidderdale, Masham, Ripon, Bedale and the surrounding areas.”

Flock Ladies will host monthly meetings, during which members will visit farms, attend workshops with gamekeepers, host socials, fundraisers and listen to guest speakers.

When asked why she set up the group, Ms Bain said:

“I wanted to create a social group for ladies who understand what it’s like to live and work in agriculture and to create an opportunity for them to get out and socialise. The pressures of farming can be difficult and many of the ladies juggle work, farms, families and are the backbone of their home life.

“Having a group of women who ‘get it’ and that monthly event to look forward to has been really well received. Being a part of Flock means that ladies commit to an evening out of their normal routine to have fun, catch up with friends and do something worthwhile.”

She said the group plans to meet on the last Thursday of each month. Flock Ladies does not have a fixed hub, Ms Bain said, adding that this is due to the group wanting to “get out and about to visit places”.

Ms Bain added:

“Our aim is to have fun, make great friends, learn lots, try new things, do a bit of good (e.g. support local causes) and most importantly have a laugh.

“We’re a newly established group and we’d love to grow our member numbers, so please keep an eye on our social media or get in touch with us to find out what we’ve got planned.

“We’re a really friendly bunch and anyone wanting to find out more is welcome to come along to a meeting before they commit to membership.”

A Flock Ladies membership costs £30 per year, plus £2.50 per meeting.

The group accepts women aged 18 and over.

Knaresborough pet show to return today

A Knaresborough pet show is set to return this May bank holiday.

Knaresborough Pet Day, which takes place in the grounds of Knaresborough House, is a chance for local owners to show off their four-legged friends for the day.

The event, which was set up more than 30 years ago, will include dog shows, an obedience demonstration and a ‘sausage retrieval’ session.

Organiser Val Rodgers told the Stray Ferret the pet day has since become popular with animal charities.

She said the dog shows will be judged by representatives of Dogs Trust, while the Blue Cross, Tia Greyhound Rescue, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Harrogate Cat Rescue will all have stalls to raise money for their organisations.

Ms Rodgers added there will be refreshments on offer in Knaresborough House, which will be provided by Miss Mollies Dog Rescue. She said:

“I am hoping that the weather is kind, everything goes smoothly, and the charities make money for their individual organisations.”

The pet show will be broken down into different categories, including best rescue, prettiest bitch, most handsome dog and dog fancy dress.

There will also be food stalls and a tombola.

The event is free to attend and will open at 10.30am. Dog show entries cost £1 per class.

Knaresborough Pet Day will take place today (May 6).

Revamped Masham play area to open today

A Masham play area will reopen today following a refurb.

Westholme Court play area, near Leyburn Road, underwent the makeover after the previous equipment was found to be unfit for purpose.

Councillor Flo Grainger, who has overseen the project on behalf of Masham Parish Council, told the Stray Ferret the play area was left “unequipped” after the developer of a nearby housing estate “claimed bankruptcy in the face of providing the play equipment”.

The parish council applied for the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, provided by Derbyshire Environmental Trust, to breathe new life into the playground.

Cllr Grainger said the trust’s response was “very positive” and the council secured a £33,995 grant.

Councillors then handed a £3,782 contract to Streetscape, a Selby-based outdoor play equipment firm, to revamp the Westholme Court play area.

The refurb took nine days to complete, Cllr Grainger added.

The new playground includes two animal-themed springers, a roundabout, a large play fort, a seesaw and a new swing-set suitable for toddlers and children.

Summer timetable announced for Nidderdale Dales Bus

Summer timetables have been released for the Nidderdale Dales Bus service.

The 820 and 821 buses, which start in Keighley, will run on Sundays and bank holidays throughout the summer.

Both services will depart from Keighley Bus Station at 9.25am, through to Norwood, Fewston and Swinsty and Fewston reservoir via Otley.

The 820 service will terminate at Swinsty and Fewston, but the 821 will continue to Scar House reservoir via Blubberhouses, Greenhow Hill, Coldstones Cut and Pateley Bridge.

It will also stop in Wath, Ramsgill and Lofthouse before returning to Keighley from Scar House.

The service has been backed by Yorkshire Water’s beyond nature project.

The firm’s land and property lead surveyor, Lisa Harrowsmith, said:

“Yorkshire Water and Beyond Nature is pleased to continue its sponsorship of the DalesBus Nidderdale service which provides an important link to some of the beautiful attractions of the Washburn Valley and Upper Nidderdale areas.”

All single fares are capped at just £2 in line with the national initiative.

The Dales Bus summer timetable will be in place until October 20.

Bomb disposal called after WWII bullet found near Harrogate

An area near Harrogate was yesterday cordoned off after a WWII bullet was found.

In a statement by North Yorkshire Police, the force said the “live bullet” was found yesterday (May 2) on Law Lane, in Shaw Mills.

Police said a family, who were walking on a footpath, “stumbled” across the live bullet and another “not so obvious” metal object on the ground.

Officers were called at around 5.10pm.

The statement added:

“To be safe the area was briefly cordoned off and items safely disposed of by bomb disposal.”

No further information has been revealed.

Person hospitalised after industrial accident near Boroughbridge

A person was taken to hospital following an industrial accident near Boroughbridge on Tuesday.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service today said the incident was reported just after 10pm on April 30.

A spokesperson said the ambulance was dispatched to a unit in the Becklands Close area of Roecliffe.

One patient was “conveyed to hospital”, they added.

The Stray Ferret also contacted North Yorkshire Police about the incident.

A police spokesperson said it received reports of an “industrial” incident but added it was not believed anyone suffered “life-threatening injuries”.

The spokesperson said a police investigation has not been launched.

We also approached the Health and Safety Executive for further information. A spokesperson said:

“At this stage, HSE does not have an active role as the incident has not been officially reported to us through the reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations (RIDDOR)”.

The incident comes just over a month after a man died in an industrial accident at the Macadam garage in Ripon.

Man arrested after making ‘threats to kill’ on Harrogate road

A man has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill on a Harrogate road last night (May 1).

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today firearms officers were called to Woodfield Drive at about 7.40pm after receiving a concern for safety report.

In a statement, the force told the Stray Ferret the man, 40, was arrested on suspicion of “making threats to kill and possession an offensive weapon”.

Officers from the firearms support unit were alerted to the scene and “safely carried out the arrest”.

The statement added:

“The man was taken into custody for questioning.

“Reassurance patrols are taking place in the neighbourhood as the investigation continues.

“Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 4, and speak to the Force Control Room.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make an online report.”

Quote reference 12240076217 when passing on information.

Rudding Park to open fine-dining restaurant

Rudding Park in Harrogate is to open a new fine-dining restaurant.

Fifty Two, which the hotel described as an “immersive dining experience”, will be headed-up by former head chef at the hotel’s Horto restaurant, Adam Degg.

The news follows Mr Degg’s stint on Great British Menu this year.

The hotel said Fifty Two was inspired by the on-site kitchen garden and will use the “highest quality ingredients” grown at the hotel or by local producers.

Mr Degg said:

“We have been developing the concept for some time and want guests to feel as though they are at a relaxed dinner party at home with great food and drink, great company and great conversation.

“Given ‘the best parties always happen in the kitchen’, the space is literally an open kitchen, featuring a bespoke seven-metre kitchen island.

“Five tables with social seating offer prime views of the action. Like a dinner party with friends, you don’t see a menu in advance and guests place their faith in the cooking skills of the host, so in this case, me and my team!”

Adam, who has previously been awarded three AA rosettes, also said guests will be “immersed in the kitchen garden” from the moment they arrive, before entering the restaurant building which is made up of five shipping containers.

He added:

“From the moment guests arrive they will be immersed in the kitchen garden which they can explore with a drink and snack before making their way through an espalier hornbeam hedge linking the kitchen garden to Fifty Two.

“Here the evening continues with a series of dishes starting with a selection of snacks, freshly-baked bread and an assortment of plates leading up to our signature sharing dish, followed by desserts and treats.

“A key part of the concept, we want guests to feel at home. We’ll have aprons on hand for those who are keen to get involved, a pack of cards to spark the art of conversation and over pudding, we couldn‘t resist ‘dessert‘ island disc – the chance for guests to select a track for the Fifty Two playlist.”

The restaurant will be open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

On Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the six-course menu will set you back £85 per person, plus another £35 each for three wine pairings.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the menu will consist of 10 servings at £115 per person including a drink on arrival. There are also five drink pairings available, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which cost another £50 per person.

Karen Tyson, resort general manager, also said:

“The importance of providing amazing experiences, memorable for all the right reasons, continues to grow. Fifty Two is just that – an innovative concept and one we believe will become a Yorkshire destination dining experience.

“Adam is an extremely talented chef and certainly one to watch – a star in the making.”

Fifty Two at Rudding Park Hotel will open on Thursday, May 16.

It is currently taking bookings until August 31.

Our food columnist Yemi will be reviewing Fifty Two soon. Keep an eye out for her feature, which is published every Saturday.

MPs Watch: Rwanda, housing and the mayoral election

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In April, Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Bill looked set to reach royal ascent, while MPs threw their weight behind their party’s candidates in the race to be the first York and North Yorkshire mayor on May 2.

Here’s what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what found on Conservative Andrew Jones:

Mr Jones made two spoken contributions in the House of Commons this month. One was about the standards of new build housing in his constituency, and the other was during a Health and Disability Reform debate.
On April 12, Mr Jones opened Disability Action Yorkshire’s new assisted living flats in Harrogate.
Mr Jones welcomed a new bus service for Wedderburn Road, in Harrogate, on April 22.
He joined Harrogate Pumping Marvellous, a heart failure group, for its first birthday on April 29.
Mr Jones also voted in favour of the draft Economic Growth Order, and against the Renters Reform Bill (report stage) amendment 28.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent details of April engagements.

These included attending Horticap’s 40th anniversary event and presenting awards at the first Lego League Final at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Mr Jones went to the opening of the Knaresborough Heritage Centre and hosted a reception for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the north.

He also voted in favour of the motion to disagree with the Lords on amendment 3J of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

Mr Jones also saw the new electric 36 bus at the Harrogate Bus Company.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Conservative Julian Smith:

Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the Houses of Parliament in the month of April.
On April 16, he voted in favour of the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Mr Smith also voted against the report stage of the Renters Reform Bill amendment 28.
He also welcomed the news of the new childcare rollout in England, which grants working parents of two-year-olds access to 15 hours of free childcare per week.
Mr Smith also said he was “really pleased” after North Yorkshire Council was awarded £7.8 million of additional funding to help those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with alternative provisions.

Mr Smith visited Glasshouses Community Primary School to talk about the role of an MP.

He also welcomed news of five local primary schools receiving funding, which will go towards improving the grounds and buildings.

Mr Smith also voted in favour of the motion to disagree with the lords on amendment 3J of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

We contacted Julian Smith for comment, but did not receive a response.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes parts of south Harrogate, here is what we found on Labour MP Keir Mather:

Mr Mather was listed among the Sunday Times’ top 25 most inspiring people under 30 in April for overturning a large Tory majority at such a young age.
He updated his social media several times throughout the month. None of the updates related to areas of his constituency which fall in Harrogate.
On April 22, Mr Mather spoke in the House of Commons about the upcoming election for the mayor of York and North Yorkshire. He raised concern about one candidate’s spending commitments.
He voted against the motion to disagree with the lords on amendment 3J of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

Mr Mather posted repeatedly online to encourage people to vote for David Skaith (a fellow Labour MP) as York and North Yorkshire’s inaugural mayor.

He also plugged Labour’s plans for failing bus services.

We did not receive a response from Mr Mather’s office after approaching him for comment.

Harrogate’s Miss England contestant rescued after Yorkshire peak challenge

Harrogate’s very own Miss England contestant was rescued after getting lost on one of the Yorkshire three peaks.

22-year-old Chloe McEwen, who was last year crowned Miss Yorkshire, took on the challenge alongside another Miss England finalist on April 22 as part of their pageant campaigns.

The former Rossett School pupil was raising money for Mind, a local mental health charity, which she volunteers for following her previous struggles with bipolar.

The women set off at 9am and started their final climb at 6.30pm. However, by the time they reached the Ingleborough summit at 8.30pm, nightfall and cold weather had begun to close in.

Chloe said:

“It was pitch black at the top and we were terrified we would fall down one of the steep slopes. We were so grateful to get down in one piece.

“We got lost and it meant that we were on top of Ingleborough at night. The batteries on our phones had nearly died and we had no back up map and compass to guide us.

“We could have fallen at any point, and we feel very lucky to have climbed down safely.”

Chloe added her hiking partner, Lisa Ellis, managed to ring 999 before their phones died and emergency services called in a mountain rescue operation.

She said the rescue team was searching for the girls for “hours”, but the pair managed to “navigate their way down the peak safely”.

They eventually reached a farm near Clapham, which was a six-mile detour from their original route, where the mountain rescue team picked them up.

The Harrogate beauty queen also said:

“We are both physically fit and had packed food and warm clothing. Our mistake was setting off too late at 9am, which meant that we did not get to the final peak until nightfall. We were determined to finish the trek for the charities that we were supporting but we should have turned back or had an expert guide to show us the way.

“When our phones were about to die at the top, Lisa felt the safest option was to call the emergency services but we really didn’t want the challenge to end. We did think about bedding down on the top, but it was bitterly cold and we were worried that we might suffer from hypothermia.

“Thankfully we found a safe route down by using our torches and we were so relieved when we got to the farmhouse where we were picked up by mountain rescue. It was six miles from the route we should have taken because we had got lost in the dark. I am very grateful to the emergency services for their help and I would urge anyone attempting the three peaks to make sure they have an experienced walker with them, head home if the weather deteriorates and don’t climb after dark.”

Chloe and fellow Miss England finalist Lisa Ellis during their three peaks challenge.

Despite the ordeal, Chloe raised more than £1,700 for Mind during her three peaks challenge. She added:

“I learnt a lot along the way, too. I know that with a positive attitude, inner faith, gratitude and courage you can overcome your greatest fears and challenges.

“I love working with Mind and have found my purpose helping and inspiring those struggling with mental health.”

Chloe’s work with the charity comes after she suffered a breakdown aged just 16.

She was sectioned for eight months after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led her weight to soar by almost four stone at the time.

She made it her mission to embrace a healthier lifestyle and dedicated fitness regime, leading Chloe to became a personal trainer and is now in the running for a national beauty queen title.

Chloe will compete against 39 others at the Miss England final at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton on May 16 and 17. The winner will qualify for Miss World later this year. You can choose who to vote for here.

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