Harrogate mums launch baby classes to tackle covid impact on education

Two Harrogate mums have launched parent and child classes to combat the impact of covid on local education.

Fiona Cunningham, who teaches at Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery, and Charlotte Davison, who teaches at Grove Road Community Primary School, felt the pandemic stunted young childrens’ speech and language development, as well as “overall school readiness”.

Early Explorer classes will offer sensory story time sessions improve communication and speech skills ahead of starting school.

Ms Cunningham said:

“Having had children of our own we are hoping to provide something we felt was missing in this area.

“As passionate teachers and mums, we noticed the impact that covid had on children’s development in terms of speech and language. We wanted to use our teaching skills and experience to support families and children in the area to inspire a love of learning through sensory stories and experiences.”

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The pair hope the classes will help children better understand narratives, increase vocabulary and cognitive development.

Ms Cunningham added:

“In our classes, stories come to life through a symphony of sights, sounds, textures and scents.

“Through carefully curated tales, interactive props, soothing music and tactile elements, children will embark on a journey of exploration and imagination.”

Once established, Ms Cunningham and Ms Davison hope to offer maths and writing classes too.

“We are so excited to be starting this new project and have enjoyed meeting our first Early Explorers in the recent weeks and can’t wait to welcome even more of you to our sensory story time classes!”

Early Explorers will be held at Staveley & Copgrove Village Hall on Monday mornings, and at Killinghall Village Hall on Friday mornings.

The classes are suitable for parents with babies and children up to the age of 4. Prices start at £9.

Dog alerts owner to kitchen blaze in Harrogate home

Fire crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to reports of a kitchen fire in a Harrogate home last night.

The incident, which took place at 8.43pm, happened on Woodlands Avenue.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue incident log said the blaze began after a fuse box caught fire which then spread to the kitchen.

It added:

“Crew used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

“They ventilated the property and 2 neighbouring properties using a positive pressure ventilation fan.”

Station manager, Tony Walker, who described the fire as “severe”, posted on social media:

“The owner was alerted by her dog and smoke alarm.

“Dogs & smoke alarms save lives, every home should have one.”

No injuries have been reported.

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Bike track could replace pitch and putt course in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

The pitch and putt course in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.could be replaced with a bike track for young people.

North Yorkshire Council is conducting a survey on installing a pump track in place of the nine-hole course.

A pump track is a hard-surfaced circuit designed for bikes and scooters which uses the natural bumps and bends in the land to generate momentum.

The council said the track, which would take up 2,000 square metres. would provide an additional activity for children up the age of 10 years.

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The pitch and putt course costs £5.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and closes in winter.

If the pump track goes ahead, it would be the first of its kind in the Harrogate district.

The survey runs until November 30. The council has yet to give any details on what will happen then.

Pateley Bridge Town Council is also considering the installation of a pump track in the town, following a suggestion at September’s meeting. However, a decision has not been made yet.

Let Grantley Hall bring your Christmas wishes to life this year

This story is sponsored by Grantley Hall

If you’re looking for a touch of magic this Christmas, Grantley Hall is on hand to make all your Christmas wishes come true.

As the most wonderful time of the year fast approaches, the five-star options on offer at the hotel will bring friends and families a taste of luxury and is just on the district’s doorstep.

From festive parties and Christmas lunches to festive afternoon tea and New Year celebrations, Christmas at Grantley Hall promises to be nothing short of perfection.

Festive Dining

Grantley Hall, better know as indulgence on our doorstep, will boast range of festive dining options to be enjoyed by locals and hotel guests this Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for a long lunch with friends or a seasonal afternoon tea with family, the hotel can guarantee you will leave with a belly full of Christmas spirit!

Why not kick-start December with a reservation at the festive champagne lunch on 2 December. This lunch combines a three-course lunch crafted by Grantley’s top chefs including a half bottle of Veuve Clicquot per person. Whilst enjoying the delightful food, a DJ and saxophonist will entertain.

From edible Christmas trees and chocolate reindeer to French fancies and glittering bauble cakes, the Festive Afternoon Tea will truly make you wish it was Christmas everyday.

Experience a magical Grantley Hall Christmas

Après at the Orchard

The Après alpine winter wonderland at the Orchard is reopening on 4 November. Dine in a cosy winter themed restaurant whilst enjoying the new menu as well as indulge in the Möet & Chandon champagne cocktails which have been created specifically to pair with the menu. Book to attend the spectacular launch event on 3 November.

The hughely popular Sunday sessions will be returning over the winter months.

Christmas Parties

Picture this: Champagne flowing, friends laughing and snowflakes glistening. Well, with Grantley Hall’s Christmas Parties, that can soon become a reality.

Who needs to travel when the Grantley Suite can become a magical winter wonderland?

With a private bar, dance floor and terrace area, up to 150 guests can dance the night away and celebrate the party season in style.

If that wasn’t enough, guests can expect a four-course dinner including Braised Blade of Limousin Beef and a Glazed Raspberry Délice in between the partying.

Let Grantley Hall work its magic and make it a Christmas to remember with their seasonal celebrations.

All Christmas bookings can be made now on Grantley Hall’s website or by emailing either dine@grantleyhall.co.uk or events@grantleyhall.co.uk.

New Year’s Eve Gala Ball

As a fairy Godmother once said: you will go to the ball.

Ditch the midnight countdown from your sofa and get your glad rags on, as the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve Gala Ball fast approaches!

Expect an evening of exquisite food, including Dressed Crab and Yorkshire Salt Aged Beef Fillet, flowing drinks and only the happiest of memories.

This dazzling event will whisk you and your loved ones into 2024 with the sounds of a traditional pipes, a live firework display and even more bubbly at midnight.

Just a short taxi ride from Harrogate and Ripon, embrace the luxury on offer at Grantley Hall — after all, that level of enjoyment is hard to put a price on.

Celebrate the arrival of 2024 in style at the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve House Party!

For those looking to go the extra mile this Christmas or New Year, Grantley Hall also offers two or three-night stays with its Christmas House Party and New Year House Party Packages — who says you have to travel far for ultimate grandeur?

The packages include five-star accommodation, food and spa access, with added bonuses of National Trust visits and entertainment.

So, whether you’re looking for a festive getaway, a family affair or just a good old knees up, Grantley Hall is guaranteed to bring you and your loved ones a Christmas or New Year that is nothing short of perfection.

Find out more about the packages or non-residential options available at Grantley Hall at grantleyhall.co.uk

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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