Flora Grafton, Author at The Stray Ferret

Tockwith Show directors propose one-year break after volunteers step down

The directors of Tockwith Show have proposed to cancel next year’s event after five long-standing volunteers stepped down.

The agricultural show, which began in 1945, showcases a variety of livestock, horses and horticulture.

Organisers are now appealing for new people to take over a number of roles.

Current chair Georgina Watson, who is one of those stepping down, said:

“Being involved with Tockwith Show is incredible fun and a real privilege, but it can also take up a lot of time and energy.

“All the committee members standing down at the AGM have been involved with running the event for decades, and they have now decided it’s time to make way for someone else.”

The directors feel the break would allow time for more people to join the committee, as well as the chance to make any necessary changes to the show.

Locals will be able to vote on the proposal at the show’s annual general meeting – which will take place next month.

Ms Watson added:

“Over the past few years, we have been trying to attract new volunteers to prepare for this inevitable moment, but we have only had limited success.

“Our hope now is that we can attract enough new helpers from the community to allow for the key roles to be taken on by at last two people so the burden of the work is spread.

“For the directors and trustees, recommending taking a year’s break in the show was a very difficult decision, but we believe it’s not only the right decision but given our current situation the only decision to ensure the future of the show.”

Those attending the meeting will also be able to put themselves forward for any of the vacant roles, which include chair, secretary, main show ring steward, show direct and chair of the fundraising committee.

One of the directors, Mike Best, said:

“If the recommendation to skip a year is approved, then that gives us a real and exciting opportunity to take a good hard look at everything the show currently offers and see if there are any changes or improvements that can be made.

“Even if people in the community aren’t able to become volunteer helpers, we are hoping they will let us know what works and what doesn’t work.

“Each year we attract thousands of visitors to the event, and those people are the ones who really know what changes we could and should make to ensure that when we return in 2025 Tockwith Show will be better than ever.”

The meeting will be held in Long Marston Village Hall on Wednesday, November 15 at 8.15pm.

Anyone is welcome to attend and those that would like more information can email Mike Best on mike@bestmedia.co.uk

Harrogate Library hosts art exhibition dedicated to Malcolm Neesam

An exhibition dedicated to local historian Malcom Neesam is currently on display at Harrogate Library.

The Public Library, The People’s University exhibition features about 40 works by local artist Matt Wyatt – including a portrait of Malcom Neesam and a written tribute to him.

Mr Neesam, who was regarded Harrogate‘s foremost historian, died last year on his 76th birthday.

He grew up in Harrogate and spent most of his life working as a librarian and archivist, with a passion for writing about the town’s rich history.

Mr Wyatt said:

“The show is dedicated to Malcom Neesam with his portrait and written tribute on display.

“Visitors are invited to make art to add to the display and write reviews giving feedback and critiques. This encourages creativity from the viewers should they wish to explore this.”

The title of the exhibition draws on a conversation between Mr Wyatt and Mr Neesam, he added.

The artwork is in a variety of mediums – including oil and acrylic paintings, collages, photographs and writings – and aims to celebrate how the library serves our community.

Some of the works on display, including a portrait of local writer Joel Dean and the Odeon Harrogate.

Various community groups, including Harrogate Writers Collective and Harrogate Film Society, are also signposted throughout the exhibition.

In addition, there are more than 100 pieces of work by local people and school pupils to enjoy. Visitors are invited to create and add their own artwork to the display to “encourage creativity”.

Mr Wyatt told the Stray Ferret:

“It aims to build community, local culture and bring more people to enjoy the library.”

The library exhibition is free to enter and is located on Victoria Avenue.

The exhibition is on display now and runs until Saturday, November 4.

Ripon man to run four ultra-marathons in memory of father

A Ripon man will run 224 kilometres in November in memory of his father.

Former Ripon Grammar School pupil Harry Cleary, 25, will aim to complete four ultra-marathons, which are each 56km.

The first three will be in London and the fourth and final leg will begin in Ilkley and end inside Elland Road Stadium — which he described as “a lifelong dream for a Leeds United fan”.

Mr Cleary’s father died this year after a long-term struggle with alcoholism and mental health.

Harry said:

“As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m determined that won’t happen to me.

“My dad was a very proud man who struggled to accept and discuss his emotions, and instead, leaned on the vices of life.

“The distance represents the 56 years of my dad’s turbulent, but incredibly impactful life.”

Harry Cleary, pictured at the front, taking part in a race.

Following his father’s death, Mr Cleary took up running as a coping mechanism and found it has been “invaluable” to his own mental health.

“As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years, I have sought these physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.

“I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it.”

He is raising money for men’s mental health charity Movember and has set a target of £5,000.

The charity hosts an annual event which involves growing a moustache for the month of November. It aims to raise awareness and de-stigmatise male health issues, including suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

It won’t be the first time Mr Cleary has punished his body for the charity. Over the last three years, he has walked from the Scottish border to Newcastle in 32 hours and walked the 140km-length of Hadrian’s Wall — both on no sleep.

He added:

“I think about my dad every day, and I hope he’ll be looking down with pride as I complete these ultra-marathons to stop men like him dying far too young.

“I know I’ll be completing all my ultra-marathons with my dad.

“We’re marching on together, dad.”

Mr Cleary’s London runs will take place on Saturday, November 4, 11 and 18, and his Yorkshire leg will be on Sunday, November 26.

He told the Stray Ferret anyone is welcome to run with him and those interested should contact him on Facebook.

Hair salon to open in Harrogate after £50,000 refurbishment

A new hair salon will open in Harrogate next week.

Charlotte Woolley Hairdressing, which is located on John Street, will offer traditional hair services including cuts, colours and hair-up services.

Owner Charlotte Woolley has 20 years of hairdressing experience under her belt and hopes the salon will bring “the ultimate salon experience”.

She told the Stray Ferret she wants the salon to be known particularly for its blow-dries.

She said:

“I’m so excited about it opening.”

“I think there’s a gap in the market for luxury hairdressing here in Harrogate.”

The unit is located in the former art gallery Bills and Rye. Ms Woolley said renovations, which began in August, have cost around £50,000.

Charlotte Woolley Hairdressing will open on Wednesday, November 1.

It will be open Tuesday to Saturday.

Rose arch erected — but will Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens be renamed?

A rose arch has been erected in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens — but a decision on whether to rename the area has yet to be finalised.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, announced plans to re-landscape Crescent Gardens in February, shortly after it hosted an ice rink and funfair last Christmas.

The activities are due to return for a longer period this year and for the following two years.

A report at the time by Kirsty Stewart, the council’s parks and ground maintenance manager, said “we would like to take the opportunity to upgrade the area to enable better accommodation of future events with less disruption to the planting in this area”.

The report also proposed changing the name of the area to The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden as part of the £21,000 makeover, stating:

“A large plaque in the central bed to be relocated is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The plaque has recently been removed as it required repair.

“Given the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II, the relocation of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother plaque and the sale of the Crescent Gardens building, we are proposing the gardens area is renamed as the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Gardens and would welcome cabinet members view on this.”

Although Harrogate Borough Council approved the recommendation, the Stray Ferret asked the successor authority North Yorkshire Council if the new name will be adopted.

Jonathan Clubb, head of parks and grounds at council, said:

“In February, the former Harrogate Borough Council agreed to look into whether the area of Crescent Gardens can be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden.

“There is a process we have to follow to apply for the naming and we will continue to pursue this.”

The steel rose arch, which will nurture climbing roses, has been installed along with flower beds as part of the re-landscaping, which used £10,000 of the budget.

The works were part of the ongoing management of Harrogate’s parks and grounds to maintain a vibrant, attractive location for residents and visitors, Mr Chubb added.

However, the nearby pavilion remains sealed off by fencing after it was recently used by a group of homeless people.

North Yorks Council warns action to plug £25m black hole is essential

The politician charged with ensuring a range of key services are maintained for North Yorkshire’s 618,000 residents has warned unless the authority strips back £25m of annual costs its ability to fulfil a range of economic goals will be significantly curtailed.

North Yorkshire Council‘s executive member for finance, Councillor Gareth Dadd, issued the alert as the authority’s executive met to consider pushing forward the recently launched unitary council’s first economic strategy.

The meeting heard the five-year plan was set to be launched next year and aim to support business growth, key sector development, generating inward investment and prioritising regeneration while improving infrastructure and connectivity.

Executive members were told the vision is to be “an innovative, carbon negative economy driven by our productive and entrepreneurial business base and the places and communities that make North Yorkshire distinctive”.

Cllr Dadd, who is also the authority’s deputy leader, said as moves to consider next year’s budget were getting underway, even with grant funding for some of the economic development opportunities the council was pursuing it would still need to financially support the schemes.

Referring to the strategy, he said:

“It is a salutary reminder of the importance of us getting our revenue budget in ship-shape order for us to make choices over some of the priorities that this document will produce.”

After the meeting, Cllr Dadd said the council was set to make “substantial in-roads” into the £25m black hole in the coming months, with authority prioritising making operational efficiencies, while not ruling out cuts to services.

He emphasised while creating the unitary authority had presented savings opportunities, many councils across the country were facing “immense financial challenges”.

He said:

“If we don’t sort the revenue budget out and continue taking from reserves then our ability to fulfil the economic development plan will be rapidly diminished because we will not have the reserves to support it.

“The first station of this train journey has to be to have a sustainable revenue budget which will then lead to council tax cuts or investment in services.

“Clearly that puts us in a great position to make those choices and if we do decide to invest then we need to prioritise that as well. There is no running away from it – everything is underpinned by the revenue budget.”

The authority’s recurring annual deficit is forecast to have fallen by about £5m since the start of the financial year, partly as a result of having increased buying power following the merger of eight councils.

Cllr Dadd added:

“Our priority will always be efficiencies in operations rather than service cuts. We are looking at back office first and the premium from unitary is there to be taken. It won’t all come at once.

“I can’t guarantee there won’t be service changes, but as long as I have a breath in my body and in the position I am, the influence I have got will be used to protect services for vulnerable people.”

Ex-serviceman who lost his legs in IRA bombing finds therapy in Harrogate choir

An ex-serviceman from Knaresborough, who was a victim of an IRA attack, has spoken of how singing has been his therapy after a career in the military.

Andy Mudd served in the The Royal Military Police for 18 years after joining up aged 18. He served in Germany, Ireland, London, Cyprus, and Lebanon.

While in Colchester with his wife in 1989, a bomb planted by the IRA exploded under their car.

Mr Mudd said:

“Luckily, my wife was only slightly injured.

“I, unfortunately, lost my right leg from the hip and the left one above the knee. I also lost two fingers on my right hand. But we survived!”

Despite his disability, Mr Mudd continued his work for his corps – serving seven years in a wheelchair — until 1996. He was awarded a British Empire Medal and was mentioned in Dispatches for his work.

After leaving the military, Mr Mudd joined the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA), where musician and choir-leader Gareth Malone scouted a group of singers to perform at the Invictus Games in Florida, in 2016.

It was then that Mr Mudd discovered his love for singing.

He added:

“I eagerly joined, although not singing since my days in the choir at Saint John’s Church, Knaresborough, in the 1970s.”

The group, which was named the Invictus Games Choir, also sang and recorded ‘Unbroken’ by John Bon Jovi at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios.

From there, Mr Mudd went on to sing with the Help for Heroes Choir and Take That at the Royal Variety Show, as well as at The Royal Albert Hall and Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Harrogate Male Voice Choir with the Ryelarks Choir.

Mr Mudd and his partner, Joyce, moved back to Harrogate last year and he quickly discovered the Harrogate Male Voice Choir to continue his singing journey.

He said:

“I was warmly welcomed into the 2nd tenor group and have been thrilled to sing with this fine male voice choir.

“Two hours of rehearsals every Tuesday evening fills my heart with joy.

“It’s a great therapy; always learning and producing a great sound.”

One member of the choir, Lawrie Coulthard, told the Stray Ferret:

“Andy is a most welcome addition to our choir.

“Not only having a splendid voice, but his happy persona also adds enormously to our friendly atmosphere at rehearsals and concerts.”

The choir, which was formed nearly 55 years ago, now has around 50 members and sings a variety of musical genres.

It has performed at a range of venues, from village churches and castles, to stately homes and even The Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Mudd added:

“I have enjoyed it so much and recommend it to anyone who wants to sing.

“Come and join us!”

The choir rehearses every week at Woodlands Methodist Church on Wetherby Road.

Those wishing to join can call 07905515492.

Boroughbridge community larder hosts cost of living event

Two Harrogate district charities are holding a community event which hopes to combat the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Boroughbridge Community Larder operates a food bank at Boroughbridge Methodist Church which aims to reduce food waste.

It has partnered with local mental health charity, Mind in Harrogate District to host the Boroughbridge Community Larder Event, which will offer visitors legal advice, cooking demonstrations and mental health support during the financial climate.

The event will begin with a cooking demonstration from Season Well – a Leeds-based project which promotes organic and healthy eating. Attendees can expect to learn budget-friendly recipes using produce from the community larder and local ingredients.

North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Support will offer drop-in sessions to those looking for energy-saving strategies, priority services registers and financial guidance through the cost-of-living crisis.

Mind will also provide mental health signposting services for those that may need it, as well as on-site support.

Kirsty Dawson, rural wellbeing coordinator at Mind in Harrogate District, said:

“We’re facing the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation. The pressure from this crisis is impacting everyone, from people who were already struggling, right through to people who’ve never worried about money before.

“That stress and worry can make it hard to stay mentally well. Mind can’t fix the cost-of-living crisis, but we can help the people, families and communities in our district feel more able to cope.

“By working with other local organisations and helping to highlight the support that is available locally, we hope we can help people to better manage these difficult times.”

The event is open to everyone and is entirely free to attend.

It will take place Wednesday, November 8, from midday until 4pm, at Boroughbridge Methodist Church.

The larder will operate as usual on the day and will provide food resources from noon until 1.30pm at the same venue.

Those that would like to watch the cooking demonstration must register by Tuesday, October 31. You can register in person at the Community Larder or contact Kirsty at kirsty@mindinharrogate.org.uk or on 07305 049296.

Prolific Harrogate burglar jailed for three raids including at restaurant and bar

A career burglar and “persistent thief” has been jailed for two years for a series of raids, while he was on a suspended sentence, for breaking into Harrogate hair salons.

Anthony Fraser, 38, targeted three premises including a bar and a restaurant in Harrogate town centre just three months after receiving a suspended prison sentence for raiding two hairdressers, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Kelly Clarke said that on April 26 the “recidivist” burglar raided North Bar in Cheltenham Parade after using a crate to smash a glass door. He then stole £500 of items including £198 of alcohol.

About a month later, he targeted a property under renovation at Princess Square after scaling the rear brick wall. He tried to force the door open but was unsuccessful and ran off.

On August 7, he stole more than £500 from a safe at the Estabulo restaurant on Albert Street after breaking in through a rear fire door. CCTV captured him looking around the office for a key to the safe before stealing the contents and riding off on a pushbike.

Fraser, of Swan Road, Harrogate, admitted two counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary with intent to steal. All three offences were in breach of his eight-month suspended prison sentence for three burglaries committed in January.

In those raids, Fraser stole thousands of pounds’ worth of products from the Hart & Hart hair salon and Nathan Cosgrove Barbers, both on Commercial Street, on the same weekend.

CCTV showed him smashing a window at Hart & Hart in the early hours of the morning, evidently with a brick. He then left but returned a few hours later and reached in through the smashed window to steal hair straighteners worth over £300.

He left the Nathan Cosgrove salon a “mess” after ransacking the place and stole about 30 items worth £6,851. He also took the till.

The following day, police raided a “drug den” in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, where they found Fraser and a suitcase containing a “large amount of barbering equipment”.

Fraser had over 30 previous convictions for 50 offences, the majority for theft and kindred, dating back more than 20 years.

He appeared for sentence for the new offences via video link yesterday after being remanded in custody.

Addicted to Benzodiazepine

Defence barrister Danielle Gilmour conceded that Fraser, a drug addict, was an inveterate burglar who “goes around looking for (opportunities) to burgle”.

She said that Fraser, who had been living in a hostel in Harrogate after being spared prison in March, was addicted to the prescription drug Benzodiazepine.

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC branded Fraser a “recidivist burglar” with an “appalling” record.

“You have a very long history of burglary and other dishonesty offences,” added Mr Enoch.

“Most, if not all of it, is born out of a long-standing drug problem.”

He criticised Fraser for targeting yet more premises in Harrogate just three months after receiving the suspended sentence, including a “small business” from which he stole £500 cash.

Fraser was jailed for two years, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on prison licence.

Leeds Bradford Airport closed after plane skids off runway

Leeds Bradford Airport has closed after a plane arriving from Corfu came off the runway this afternoon.

The TUI Airways flight is believed to have overrun the runway and veered onto the grass taxiway at around 1.53pm.

Emergency services are at the scene. No injuries or fires have been reported.

Leeds Bradford Airport issued a statement saying:

“We can confirm the airport is now closed.

“We ask passengers to contact their airline to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.

“There are no reported injuries from today’s incident and all passengers have now safely disembarked the aircraft.”

Pic: pipsqueek01/cat_cutmore/BantamDxn on Twitter.

A spokesperson for TUI added:

“We are aware of an incident at Leeds Bradford Airport this afternoon, in which upon landing flight TOM3551 slightly veered off while turning into the taxiway.

“There are no reported injuries, and our ground team are on hand to support passengers as they disembark.”

The aircraft landed amid Storm Babet – a weather warning of wind and rain that has hit the UK.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement at 1.57pm:

“Remaining crews are now assisting in evacuating all persons from the aircraft to the terminal.”

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Addicted to Benzodiazepine

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