Our readers will soon be able to plan 2024 with the Stray Ferret charity calendar, however we need your help to decide which images will be included!

Using our photo of the week entries, we will be creating a calendar that showcases the beauty of the Harrogate district.

From our furry friends enjoying the snow to misty mornings on the Stray, vote for your favourite images to be included in the winter months.

See the contenders in our gallery below and vote for your winner via our competition page!

This story is sponsored by Tadatuft.

Two friends who embarked on a journey to Leeds for university studies found themselves caught up a lasting love affair with the West Yorkshire city. Two degrees later, the pair have launched the city’s greatest tufting business and see no sign of slowing down their success.

Owners Kai and Lulu first crossed paths at a tufting workshop in their hometown of China in 2019 and later, quite serendipitously, realigned at a house party in Leeds.  The friends had dabbled in tufting before; Lulu sold her fuzzy creations in lockdown, while Kai brought her creative flair from design school to the craft. After graduating, they saw the perfect opportunity to transform their shared love for tufting into a business venture – from there, Tadatuft was born.

Simply put, tufting is akin to painting with yarn and dates back to 5 BCE. It employs a specialised machine to weave colourful threads through a base layer of material, crafting intricate patterns and designs along the way.

Kai and Lulu said:

“Picture it as sculpting a soft, textured masterpiece using yarn as your medium, like making art on a cosy canvas.”

Customers can bring their creative designs to life.

As with many start-ups, Tadatufts journey hasn’t been without challenges – particularly being in a lesser-known industry. Kai and Lulu have taken social media by storm, posting regular tufting tutorials and finished results — amassing thousands of followers along the way.

Just nine months later, the friends now boast a loyal client base and the biggest tufting business in Leeds.

And now the people of Leeds and the Harrogate district can try their hand at tufting! Whether you’re on the hunt for a new rug, tote bag, wall hanging or fluffy mirror, Tadatuft will bring you the ultimate cosy DIY experience.

Located on Park Square East, the small and intimate workshops invite anyone and everyone to begin their creative journey. Suitable for friends, families, colleagues and even wedding parties, Tadatuft provides a session of guaranteed fun and relaxation, while teaching people a new craft and skill to gloat about at Christmas.

Tadatuft welcomes tufters of all ages and ability. No previous skills are required and all materials and guidance will be provided in the workshops.

Your only job is to choose a dazzling design, send it to Tadatuft beforehand and show up ready to tuft!

They continued:

“At Tadatuft, our mission is simple: we aim to create a welcoming space where you can discover a new skill, while enjoying quality time with friends and family.

“We firmly believe that everyone harbours an innate sense of creativity, and through our unique teaching methods and guidance, we can help you transform your ideas into meaningful pieces of art.

“Whether you’re a confident artist or someone who’s never considered themselves ‘creative’, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.”

If that wasn’t enough, Tadatuft also offer commissions and tufting kits for those that wish to tuft at home or cannot attend a workshop.

Customers simply send in their requested designs and Kai and Lulu can work their tufting magic to bring your cosy rug to life.

Kai and Lulu added:

“Our journey at Tadatuft has been nothing short of amazing. In just nine months, we’ve had the privilege of sharing our passion with over a thousand individuals.

“Witnessing our students’ incredible creations and their smiles of satisfaction continues to be our greatest reward.

“We look forward to many more months and years of creative adventures!”

Tadatuft pricing begins at £55 per person for a beginners’ workshop. They say money can’t buy you happiness, but a Tadatuft workshop definitely can!

In a review, the workshops were described as:

“An amazing experience! It was great to be able to try something completely new and to have such professional and helpful hosts! We were there for 6+ hours and enjoyed every minute of our rug making. The rugs turned out brilliantly – such a great experience and you get to keep your creation forever too!”

Find out more:

To find out more about Tadatuft or to book a tufting workshop, visit https://www.tadatuftuk.com/ or email Kai and Lulu at enquiries@tadatuftuk.com.

Knaresborough Lions is inviting local organisations to apply for grants.

The Lions organises annual events such as Knaresborough Bed Race and the town’s beer festival and is using funds raised to support organisations in Knaresborough, surrounding villages and the wider Nidderdale area.

The Lions Community Fund will award grants to one-off projects.

The charity advised applications “will be considered only from properly constituted organisations rather than from individuals”.

Knaresborough Lions president Bob Godsell said:

“We have staged similar funding opportunities in the past before the outbreak of covid. Though we maintained help for local people during the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the effect of these was to seriously reduce our fundraising activity.

“Happily, over the past couple of years, matters have recovered, and we are now once more in a position to help. We welcome applications from any local groups involved in providing services in their community.”

Lions president Bob Godsell (left) and past president Richard Hall.

Applicants are advised to indicate the costs of the proposed project and the amount of grant requested.

There is no upper limit to applications, but, in previous years, requests have ranged from £100 to £1,000.

Applications forms must be submitted by November 30 at 5pm.

Read more:

• Height restrictor installed in Knaresborough car park
• Knaresborough resident says council was warned about collapsed wall

Thousands of people are expected to attend Nidderdale Show when it makes its annual return next weekend.

The show is the last local agricultural event of the year.

Last year, it moved from its traditional Monday slot to Sunday due to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Organisers Nidderdale Agricultural Society have decided to stick with the Sunday slot and next weekend’s event will be open from 7.45am until 6pm.

For the 151st year, the event on the Pateley Bridge Showground will feature some of the finest animals and agricultural products the country has to offer.

From dairy, beef and store cattle and sheep, pigs, and goats, to show jumping, heavy horses and sheepdog trials, the event will present over 200 awards to a wide range of animals and handlers – all hoping to take home first prize.

Horticulture, farm crops, dry stone walling, home produce and fur & feather competitions can also be enjoyed throughout the day.

With a funfair, children’s entertainment, terries racing, a forestry exhibition and even a digger area, the show will offer fun for all the family.

Sunflowers Day Nursery will provide a family area where little ones can relax. The area also includes a nappy changing area, bottle warming facilities and a quiet area for nursing mothers.

Credit: Jemison Photographer

The show will also include trade stands selling local produce and goods, as well as a range of food and drinks vans.

Foodies can expect a two-course carvery, an afternoon tea selection and a range of hot meals and sandwiches in the public dining marquee.

Parking is free and a tractor park and ride service between the showground and Bewerley car parks will be available.

Dogs are welcome on short leads.

Tickets can be bought online and cost £13.50 for over 17s.

Read more:

• After 150 years, Nidderdale Show moves to a Sunday
• Hopes to extend Nidderdale Greenway to Pateley Bridge

The publication of Boroughbridge High School’s Ofsted report this week means all local state schools have now had recent assessments.

The government schools’ inspector’s stricter regime means the ratings for local schools have been mixed since the pandemic.

Only one is rated ‘outstanding’ but four are graded as ‘good’.

Three others received ‘requires improvement’ assessments, which is the third highest score. None are rated ‘inadequate’ – the lowest of the four options.

Here’s how each one fared in its latest inspection.

Boroughbridge High School – requires improvement

This week Boroughbridge High School was rated ‘requires improvement’ in a report published by Ofsted.

The school was previously rated ‘good’.

The inspectors noted:

“Not all teachers have high enough expectations of pupils’ behaviour and do not routinely challenge low-level disruption in classrooms.

“Although many pupils feel safe in school, some do not. Some pupils in lower year groups say they are worried or concerned about the behaviour and conduct of some older pupils.”

The report added school behaviour is “not always calm and orderly”.

Despite this, the school, which is now part of a federation with King James’s School in Knaresborough, was assessed as ‘good’ for its quality of education and personal development.

Harrogate High School – requires improvement

Harrogate High School was also downgraded to a ‘requires improvement’ rating from ‘good’ when it was assessed in June this year.

The school, which is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust, has seen a decline in the quality of education and older pupils in particular do not achieve well in exams, according to an inspector.

The report said some students with bad attitudes were “not challenged quickly enough” and some truant pupils were “disrespectful to staff and cause disruption.”

It added:

“Teachers do not consistently check if pupils know or understand what has been taught. As a result, misconceptions are not always identified and addressed.”

The inspector did note, however, the new school leaders understood the problems and the actions “have secured improvements in the quality of education.”

Headteacher Sukhraj Gill responded to the report:

“This is an exciting time for Harrogate High School. Inspectors have recognised the improvements we have already made and confirmed that we are on the right track to make Harrogate High a great school. We have achieved a great deal at Harrogate High School – with a lot more to do.

“We will continue our relentless drive to make Harrogate High the best school it can be for all the young people that we educate.”

Ripon Grammar School – good

 After 11 years of holding an ‘outstanding’ status, Ripon Grammar School was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in April.

The personal development and sixth form provision remained ‘outstanding’, according to the report, but “a very small minority of staff do not speak to pupils in an appropriately encouraging manner” – which was a contributing factor to the downgrade.

It added the behaviour policy “is not always consistently applied” and “behaviour is weaker in a small minority of classrooms, particularly where a substitute teaching is leading the lesson.”

Despite this, the inspector said:

“Across the school, and particularly in the sixth form, teachers challenge pupils and students to stretch themselves academically and to take risks in their learning.

“Pupils benefit from the broad range of provision offered by clubs and societies, for example, in science, the arts, humanities and sport. Pupils are eager to seize the extensive opportunities presented to them.”

Pupils and students “achieve very highly in the GCSE and A Level examinations”, it also noted.

A letter to parents signed by headteacher Jonathan Webb and chair of governors Elizabeth Jarvis, said:

“Overall, we are pleased with the headline conclusions that RGS is a school which offers students a culture of high expectations, an ambitious curriculum, high academic achievement, strong teaching, outstanding opportunities for personal development and strong community-based relations, as well as effective and secure safeguarding.

King James’s School – good

King James’s School in Knaresborough retained its ‘good’ rating following an inspection of a good school report by Ofsted.

The report, which was published in March, said the school had a “caring environment where pupils learn well” with a “strong focus on ensuring that everyone feels welcome.”

The inspector added the “vast majority of pupils are keen and engage confidently in their learning” and bullying is “rare”.

Despite the praise, the report also said King James’s provides “insufficient opportunities for pupils to engage meaningfully with the world of work” and “pupils who struggle with reading do not receive effect interventions routinely”.

Schools graded ‘good’ are usually visited once every four years to confirm its status – a process known as an ungraded inspection.

Saint John Fisher Catholic Academy – good

Harrogate’s Saint John Fisher Catholic Academy was also rated ‘good’ following a report published in February.

It was the first inspection since it was converted into an academy in 2021.

All areas received a ‘good’ status, and the inspectors praised the “rich set of extra-curricular opportunities”.

The report said:

“[Pupils] leave well-equipped for their next step in education, employment or training.”

However, the inspectors did add “a small but significant minority of parents do not feel that communication between school and home is effective.”

Rossett School – requires improvement

Rossett School in Harrogate still ‘requires improvement’ according to the inspectors for the second time in four years.

The report, which was released in January, said high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates in disadvantaged students were all among concerns highlighted.

It said:

“Most pupils who communicated with inspectors feel safe at school, but the conduct of the minority makes some pupils feel unsafe at times.

“Some pupils’ conduct out of lessons is variable, with overly boisterous behaviour. Some pupils ignore staff requests and instructions.

“Some staff do not apply the school’s behaviour policy consistently. A minority of pupils are regularly late to lessons, or have to be rounded up by leaders and escorted to class.”

However, the school, which is part of the Red Kite Alliance, was described as “warm, friendly and welcoming.”

The report added:

“Leaders, governors and staff are deeply committed to the pupils who attend the school. A strong determination to be inclusive and supportive permeates the school.”

The school was rated ‘good’ for quality of education, personal development and sixth-form provision and ‘requires improvement’ for behaviour and attitude, and leadership and management.

John Hesketh, chair of governors, said the school was “incredibly disappointed” by the report.

St. Aidan’s Church of England High School – good

St. Aidan’s School received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted in July last year – just six months after being rated ‘inadequate’.

Prior to the ‘inadequate’ grading – the lowest of the four Ofsted grades – the Harrogate school was declared ‘outstanding’.

Usually, an ‘inadequate’ school has to wait up to three years before another full inspection, however after the first routine monitoring visit, inspectors felt the rating was “not a fair reflection of the school”.

As a result, the inspection was revised.

The most recent report found the school to be “a happy school with a positive and nurturing environment where pupils flourish”.

It added the sixth form was ‘outstanding’ and pupils “demonstrate a real love of learning”.

The report said:

“Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They bring their subject to life for pupils with the clarity of their explanations and richness of examples. Pupils are captivated in lessons and are keen to answer the questions that teachers ask.”

Chair of governors, Jo Wicks, said:

“We are truly delighted that we can end the year so positively and hope that we can build on the recent success when Ofsted next visit us to secure an outstanding judgement overall.”

Nidderdale High School – good

 Ofsted said “Nidderdale High School continues to be a good school” in a report published in March.

Like King James’s, it was only a short inspection due to its previous ‘good’ rating, but the inspectors praised the school for its ethos and “high ambitions”.

The report said:

“There is a full personal development programme in place for pupils. This has a clear focus on important issues such as careers education, personal safety and relationships, sex and health education.

“Morale among staff is high. They feel valued by members of the leadership team, who are mindful of their workload. All staff who responded to the staff survey said that they were proud to work at the school.”

It did also cite areas of improvement and said “where behaviour is not as strong in some lessons, learning activities are not as challenging as they could be”.

Headteacher Kath Jordan responded:

“We were delighted to see the importance of strong relationships highlighted through our emphasis on ready, respectful and safe.

“The new inspection framework places great emphasis on curriculum development and we were very pleased that the school’s ‘high ambitions’ were recognised and that our ability to provide a ‘wide curriculum offer’ is also noted.”

The school became part of the Red Kite Alliance in August.

Harrogate Grammar School – outstanding

Harrogate Grammar School is the only Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ school in the district following a report published in March last year.

It retained the status from its last inspection 15 years prior.

Inspectors described the school, which also a member of the Red Kite Learning Trust, as “an extremely rewarding place to learn” with “an exceptional curriculum”. They added:

“Effective teaching and assessment enable pupils to learn well. This depth of knowledge is sustained from key stage 3 to the sixth form.

“Through sports, outdoor pursuits and performance opportunities, pupils develop their skills and self-confidence. Pupils are articulate and polite. They are keen to engage in discussion and debate. Teachers make sure that pupils’ views are heard.”

The report also said “the headteacher has built a very strong team of leaders at all levels.”

Headteacher Neil Renton responded to the report:

“It makes us very proud to see the exceptional commitment that we experience every day from our community, being recognised in this way.”

Read more:

• Harrogate head welcomes plan for new crossing outside school
• Trial scheme banning school run cars from Harrogate street launched today

A choir that hopes to improve people’s mental health has launched in Knaresborough.

Singing is Mental had its first meeting on Monday and hopes not only to improve people’s mental health, but also raise money for The Ostrich Foundation – a Harrogate charity which works towards suicide prevention in young people.

Founder Rhiannon Gayle said the choral sessions will be fun and fast-paced, with a wide variety of music genres, ranging from rock music to sea shanties and world music.

The choir will put on a small concert in January, with the hope of hosting a combined concert alongside Ms Gayle’s other choirs in July next year.

The combined concert will focus on Zimbe – a style of African music and song.

Ms Gayle said:

“The main focus of the choir is to keep the voice and brain healthy.”

Read more:

• Harrogate woman with incurable cancer raises charity funds with crystal art
• Harrogate band represents town at French flower festival

Ms Gayle, who was a professional soprano before teaching and running choirs, has been a long-term advocate of the benefits of singing to both physical and mental health and says “singing as a group helps many health conditions and is often recommended by GPs”.

She has over 40 years of choral experience and has run many choirs. She currently teaches singing at Ashville College and runs a girls’ choir, Sonorous, which she hopes could be involved in the combined concert.

Singing is Mental will meet every Monday in the castle room at Gracious Street Church in Knaresborough from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Any age is welcome but children must be accompanied by a parent.

Membership costs £39 per half-term and 10% of the fee and concert profits will be donated to The Ostrich Foundation.

Those interested in joining can contact Rhiannon Gayle on 07752 468102 or email singingismental@gmail.com.

A new Women’s Institute group has been formed in Kirkby Overblow.

The group held its inaugural meeting in August and has already amassed over 30 members.

The group, known as the KO-Girls, will hold monthly meetings on the last Thursday of every month and endeavours to include speakers at some events, as well as establish a partnership with the All Saints’ Church and The Shoulder of Mutton pub.

Chairman Victoria Black decided to set up the group with two of her neighbours shortly after moving to the area as she “hardly knew anyone” in the village.

Ms Black, who moved from Baildon, had never been part of a WI before, but hopes it will “help people to get to know each other better”.

She added:

“I suggested it to two of my neighbours and they agreed it was a good idea.

“We welcome anyone aged 18 and upwards.

“We’re all about inclusion – women and anyone that identifies as a woman is welcome.”

The village has not had a Women’s Institute since the 1950s – which one current member in her 80s was a part of.

The KO-Girls will hold its next meeting on Thursday, September 28 at 7pm.

It will take place at All Saints’ Church and will include a salsa dancing demonstration for guests to try their hands at.

The meeting is free to attend, but annual membership is £47 per year.

Attendance can be registered through the KO Girls Facebook page.

Read more:

• Harrogate district amateur dramatic group stripped down and raised £12,000
• Harrogate’s Archie Gray could be in line for Leeds United debut

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing cooking tips– please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

Walking in to Ellers Farm Distillery immediately brought up memories of growing up in Nigeria, as the smell of fermentation reminded me of the Palm wine my grandfather tapped on his farm. It was a happy memory and a great way to start my educational journey into the craft of vodka, gin and liqueur making.

It is one of ten distilleries that make their own alcohol out of 450 distilleries in the UK. The state-of-the-art distillery purposely built near York to be carbon neutral, is one of the largest in the country and its vision is to create incredible drinks with a positive impact on people and the planet.

This ethos shines through as Tabitha, the head of sustainability, was keen to show me the natural habitat they are creating to support nature in and around their orchard.

Yemi and Tabitha (R)

Ellers Farm’s ingredient of choice is apple, and they were the first to make vodka from the fruit –  rather than the traditional potatoes or grains.

Despite the UK being home to 2,600 variations of apple, our country is at risk of losing them as orchards are being re-purposed. For this reason, the distillery is on a mission to preserve the UK’s apple heritage by planting over 28 types of apple in their orchard – with plans for even more.

It is clear the team has given the end products a lot of thought, driven by the farm’s powerful and clear vision to make the world’s best spirits in the most sustainable way.

Great quality produce, copper-finished equipment for a smoother finish and the most-awarded distiller in the world, Jamie Baggott, have all contributed to Ellers Farm’s success so far.

The exceptional front of house team are just as passionate about educating customers on how to use distillery’s products, while creating cocktails with flair and pizzaz.

Fun facts from Jamie included ‘Dutch courage’ coming from British soldiers being given a pint of 60% alcohol to help them fight in the war, and London dry gin is a way of distilling gin – not a brand name.

In addition, he explained that whisky is aged for 3 years, with the 3% lost to evaporation described as the ‘angel’s share’, and the proportion absorbed by the cask is the ‘devil’s benefits’. The rest is for us mortals to enjoy.

I also learnt triple distillation is a minimum requirement, but Ellers Farm distillery don’t do minimum requirements – they go above and beyond with the distillation process…

I was very pleased to discover Jamie uses Rounton’s coffee in the coffee liqueur, as well rare spices, including Vietnamese wild forest or lai chau pepper, herbs and botanicals used in their flavoured gins.

The distillery has created a range of sublime products – which it is extremely proud of –  backed by world-class craftsmanship and minimal footprint and waste thanks to the sustainable practices.

More importantly, its award-winning products are delicious and easy to drink.

Their Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka and Espresso Vodka tasted amazing, and the wide range of liqueurs including Elderflower & Elderberry and Pineapple and Grapefruit, were all fantastic.

I was drawn to the labelling of their Sloe Gin which tasted beautiful, with a jammy sweetness that gives way to complex flavours of piney juniper, cardamom, and a warming ginger – finished with luscious notes of plums, raisins, and a moreish acidic tang.

You can also find their products in Morrisons, ASDA and on Amazon, and can even sign up to be one of the first to own a cask of their whisky.

The company is open to collaboration with chefs, as they have a versatile space, which is perfect for pop up events, where food can be paired with their drinks.

Here is a deliciously beautiful recipe for you to try – please drink responsibly.

Hero Serve

2 shots of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka

2 dashes of orange bitters

Loads of ice

Slice of red grapefruit

Sprig of rosemary

Next week, I will bring you some highlights and recipes from the RHS Festival of flavours.

Read more:

• Yemi’s Food Stories: A ‘sweet day’ at Bettys Cookery School
• Yemi’s Food Stories: Memorable weddings with Blossom Tree Cake Company

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car collided with a wall on Brimham Rocks Road has been named by the police.

Alfie Lovett, from York, was a passenger in the Peugeot 107 which crashed on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

North Yorkshire Police reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have shared a tribute his family paid to him.

It says:

“Alfie was a unique personality who loved to make people laugh and lived for adrenaline fuelled adventures. He lived his life fearlessly and marched to the beat of his own drum without caring about what anyone thought of him.

“Alfie had his own world view that very few understood. He was only 17, but has made a huge mark in his short time and anyone who’s ever met him is not likely to ever forget him!

“Alfie was a fiercely loyal friend, a protective big brother to his 2 younger sisters and brother and loving father to his infant son. Taken from us far too soon with so much more to give, he’ll be very missed every day.”

Three other occupants of the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

An appeal was launched earlier this week for witnesses.

Officers added in the original appeal:

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.”

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

Read more:

• Boy, 17, dies after car hits wall near Brimham Rocks
• Man dies suddenly in Harrogate town centre

A Harrogate crematorium has donated £12,000 to two charities as part of a county-wide metal recycling scheme.

Stonefall Crematorium raised the funds through the recycling of metals recovered from cremations — with the consent of bereaved families.

Parts used to construct coffins and orthopaedic implants including hip, knee, and replacement joints were all retrieved to be recycled.

North Yorkshire Council bereavement services raised £82,000 in total from its four crematoriums, which besides Stonefall also include Skipton Crematorium, Maple Park in Thirsk and Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough.

The council partnered with the Institute for Cemetery and Crematorium Management and BRUCE Metals to choose which local charities receive donations.

Stonefall donated £6,000 to Candlelighters, a children’s cancer charity, and another £6,000 to The Friends of Harrogate Hospital which raises money for advanced hospital equipment and services the NHS cannot provide.

Cllr Michael Harrison, the charter mayor of Harrogate, presented the cheque to the Friends. He said:

“The charity, run by volunteers, helps ensure patients of Harrogate hospital have the most pleasant experience possible, often during an unsettling time.

“I’d like to thank those families who, during a difficult time, have consented to us recycling metals recovered. By raising this money, everyone involved has done their bit to helping local charities.”

John Fox, chair of the Friends, added:

“We are extremely grateful for this generous donation to support our future work.

“As well as thanking the ICCM for their generosity, I’d like to thank our former mayor, Trevor Chapman, for nominating us and the council’s bereavement services.”

Read more:

• Man dies suddenly in Harrogate town centre
• Concerns over encampment of rough sleepers in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens