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.
Read more:
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.
Read more:
- MPs Watch: Spring Budget, Kex Gill and Rwanda Bill updates
- MPs Watch: Antisemitism, £380m transport fund and road safety
- MPs Watch: Rwanda bill, Post Office scandal and rough sleeping in Harrogate
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.
Read more:
- Harrogate charities urged to apply for share of £100,000
- Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens set to become private road
‘Cult’ concerns raised about yoga event in Harrogate
A Harrogate resident has raised concerns after discovering a yoga event in the town tonight is being run by an organisation that has been described as a cult.
The free to attend Sahaja Yoga Music, Dance and Meditation event takes place at the Crown Hotel this evening.
The event is organised by Sahaja Yoga, whose website says it is a ‘world-wide movement for peace and self-awakening’.
But a woman who booked to attend became suspicious after researching the organisation and got in touch with the Stray Ferret to alert local people.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said alarm bells started ringing when she discovered all yoga classes run by the organisation are completely free of charge.
She said:
“Naturally, I asked myself ‘what is the catch?’
“Usually, these things are taster sessions to encourage you to take up a block of paid classes or something as part of a wider PR campaign on behalf of a brand.
“But then I watched one of their recorded videos where two stoic women got on stage to talk to a room of seated people about their Indian-born leader Shri Mataji, someone who had supposedly achieved “self-realisation” and wanted to share it with the world.
“They began sharing their stories talking about this person as if they were a god, and that the only way people would see the truth is if they followed her.
“Now there’s nothing wrong with spirituality, but the way they were talking it dawned on me, this sounds like a cult.”
Cult allegations
The Sahaja Yoga organisation has faced long-term allegations of being a cult.
In an article by the Independent in 2001, several ex-followers of the movement recounted their experiences on the inside.
One man claimed Sahaja Yoga “insisted he break off all family ties” and that followers became “zealous disciples” who followed instructions.
Another ex-disciple said he “wasted” six years of his life after becoming involved with Sahaja Yoga at the age of 19.
A Wikipedia page also lists cult allegations against the organisation.
Charitable status
Despite the claims, Sahaja Yoga, which is officially called Life Eternal Trust UK, was registered by the Charity Commission in August 1985.
The commission’s site says the organisation’s activities include “disseminating the knowledge which promotes and actualises physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, balance and wellbeing; in particular the techniques of Sahaja Yoga meditation and the teachings of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi”.
The commission website says the organisation has 220 volunteers.
The organisation was established in 1970 by Indian-born Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, who died in 2011.
According to its UK website, its classes involve “simple meditation techniques, with guided meditation to help reduce stress and achieve the peace of true meditation”.
The website, which refers to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi as “the all-compassionate Divine Mother”, adds:
“Shri Mataji established a living integration of all the great religious traditions, thereby laying a firm and lasting foundation for cross-cultural unity, universal love and world peace.”
Hotel ‘does not represent or endorse views’
The Stray Ferret contacted the Crown Hotel to ask whether it was aware of the allegations. We also forwarded the resident’s concerns.
A spokesperson said in response:
“The Crown Hotel Harrogate is the event venue for Journey into Silence on April 30, which was booked independently by event organiser Sahaja Yoga Meditation, as a part of its ongoing tour across the UK.
“The Crown Hotel does not represent, endorse or support the views of any organisations hiring its event spaces.”
We also put the allegations to Sahaja Yoga UK and offered it the opportunity to respond. The Stray Ferret did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Miss England contestant rescued after Yorkshire peak challenge
- ‘Unbelievably disappointing’ – cyclists respond to Victoria Avenue plans
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.
Read more:
- Harrogate charities urged to apply for share of £100,000
- Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens set to become private road
Harrogate chip shop set for new management
A Harrogate fish and chip shop looks set to come under new management.
The Wharfe of Harrogate published a statement on social media on April 26 announcing it will be “leaving The Wharfes and trading from Bradleys” from May 12.
It is believed the owner of Bradleys fish and chip shops has been running The Wharfe of Harrogate until recently.
The post also said:
“On behalf of The Wharfe, we would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us in the past few years.
“We just wanted to give people the heads up that Saturday, May 11, is our last day at The Wharfe chip shop on Skipton Road.”
The Wharfe of Harrogate is the trading name of Ocean Crown Harrogate Ltd, a company that entered liquidation in February.
According to online public records journal The Gazette, Restart Business Turnaround Insolvency Limited was appointed to wind-up the company on February 29.
A statement of affairs, uploaded to Companies House, shows HMRC was among creditors and was owed more than £228,000 in VAT payments by the company.
Bradleys – which has sites in Starbeck, Northallerton, Scarborough and York – took over the iconic Graveleys of Harrogate unit in February.
It is understood The Wharfe will continue to trade under new management.
The Stray Ferret has tried extensively to contact The Wharfe of Harrogate for further information about the changes, but has received no response.
Read more:
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Harrogate chip shop set for new management
A Harrogate fish and chip shop looks set to come under new management.
The Wharfe of Harrogate published a statement on social media on April 26 announcing it will be “leaving The Wharfes and trading from Bradleys” from May 12.
It is believed the owner of Bradleys fish and chip shops has been running The Wharfe of Harrogate until recently.
The post also said:
“On behalf of The Wharfe, we would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us in the past few years.
“We just wanted to give people the heads up that Saturday, May 11, is our last day at The Wharfe chip shop on Skipton Road.”
The Wharfe of Harrogate is the trading name of Ocean Crown Harrogate Ltd, a company that entered liquidation in February.
According to online public records journal The Gazette, Restart Business Turnaround Insolvency Limited was appointed to wind-up the company on February 29.
A statement of affairs, uploaded to Companies House, shows HMRC was among creditors and was owed more than £228,000 in VAT payments by the company.
Bradleys – which has sites in Starbeck, Northallerton, Scarborough and York – took over the iconic Graveleys of Harrogate unit in February.
It is understood The Wharfe will continue to trade under new management.
The Stray Ferret has tried extensively to contact The Wharfe of Harrogate for further information about the changes, but has received no response.
Read more:
- ‘I’ve never seen smoke like it’ – neighbours react to Harrogate house fire
- Harrogate football team set for county cup final this weekend
Ripon Motor Boat Club unveils new slipway
Ripon Motor Boat Club has unveiled its new slipway.
The club, based in Littlethorpe, was established in 1931 and is now one of the largest inland private boat clubs in the UK.
It offers 140 boat berths and now boasts a new and improved slipway, which is used to draw out boats from the water for repairs and maintenance.
Club secretary, David Hughes, told the Stray Ferret the previous slipway became “unfit for purpose”.
He said the club has purchased land from a local farming family, called the Nicholson’s, several times over the years to expand the site. The club decided to build the slipway on land south of the marina, which was also bought from the Nicholson’s
Mr Hughes said:
“The new slipway would not only allow narrowboats up to 58’6 in length and 20 tonnes in weight to be drawn out of the water on the rail track system, but could also accommodate a purpose-built boat lift for cruisers weighing up to twelve tonnes and up to 35’ in length.
“This would then also give us the option to drive a boat into the dock, pick it up with the boat lift and then chock it up ashore at a suitable location and maximise our available space.”
Mr Hughes said members of the club volunteered to build the new marina, adding it took until the end of 2023 to complete the construction work.
The work was delayed due to the pandemic, “appalling” winter weather and technical difficulties along the way, he added.
Mr Hughes said the project, which was funded entirely by club members, cost an “inconsiderable sum” but declined to provide the Stray Ferret with a figure.
He added:
“Since completion, we have removed several narrow boats and quite a number of cruisers up to the stated capacity limits. Many of our members are wishing to make use of the facility in the coming months to catch up on maintenance tasks.”
The slipway lifting a boat. (From left) Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie with club Commodore, Geoff Graham
Mr Hughes also told the Stray Ferret the club debated what the new slipway should be called, adding:
“The most popular choice by far was to name the slipway after our long-term benefactors, the Nicholson’s, without whom we would not be here today.
“So, Nicholson’s Slipway it is.”
One of the club members crafted a stone plaque detailing the new name and construction period, he added.
The club held a grand opening last Saturday (April 20), where Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie declared the slipway officially open.
Read more:
- Ripon primary school named as one of the most diverse in North Yorkshire
- Firefighters battle major house fire in Starbeck
Harrogate woman admits ‘out of control’ dog caused injury
A Harrogate woman has pleaded guilty after her dog injured someone while out of control.
Danielle Romanus, 58, of Scargill Road, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on April 12.
She faced one count of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place, which caused injury.
According to court documents, the incident, which occurred on Oakdale Glen, happened on October 26, 2022.
Romanus pleaded guilty to the charge and was released on unconditional bail.
She will be sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on May 3.
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- Police to carry life-saving nasal spray to prevent drug overdoses
Harrogate roads to close for St George’s Day parade this weekend
Several roads will close in Harrogate’s town centre this weekend as the traditional St George’s Day parade is set to return.
The parade, which will take place on Sunday (April 28), will see the Harrogate and Nidderdale Scouts lead the march through the town.
They will be joined by hundreds of Cubs, Beavers, Squirrels, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows for the event.
According to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map, the parade will begin on Beech Grove and will make its way to Christ Church Track.
Both roads will be closed during the event, as well as Victoria Avenue, East Park Road, Queen Parade, North Park Road and Coach Road.
The road closure notice on Victoria Avenue.
The roads will be closed from 2pm to 2.30pm. A spokesperson for the Scouts said the parade will commence at 2pm.
There will also be a Scouts and Guides St George’s Day service held at Christ Church High.
The church’s online calendar said the service will run from 2.30pm until 3.45pm.
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