A Harrogate man has made it through the first stage of the 19th series of MasterChef.

Hotel supervisor Owen Diaram made his debut on the primetime BBC programme last night.

He was one of nine contestants battling it out in the third week of heats for a place in the competition round, with only seven going through.

Drawing inspiration from his South African roots, Mr Diaram blended his style of cooking with some Indian flavours – making a “perfectly cooked” prawn biriyani, as described by the notoriously tough judges.

He found himself cooking a second time to fight for the final few remaining aprons that took him through to the next round.

It was his second dish that earned him a place in the competition round of the programme and a famous MasterChef apron.

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Asked about his food dream, Mr Diaram told the BBC:

“I am hoping that local restaurants in Harrogate will give me opportunities to work with them after seeing me cook in the MasterChef kitchen.

“Eventually I’d love my own business within the hospitality industry bringing my unique style of cooking to North Yorkshire for more people to enjoy.”

In the next episode, he will compete alongside six other contestants for a place in the quarter-final.

It will air at 8pm tomorrow night (Thursday, April 27) on BBC One.

Don’t miss former MasterChef semi-finalist Olayemi A Adelekan’s weekly food feature coming to the Stray Ferret on Saturday, April 29.

A Pateley Bridge dance group that serves tea and cake in between dances is hosting a fundraising charity event.

The Pateley Bridge Tea Dance will host a Time for a Cuppa event, a national scheme run by DementiaUK to raise funds for families facing dementia, in May.

The event will include dancing as usual, as well as cake stalls and refreshments to raise money.

The group, which has been running for 23 years, has hosted a variety of charity dances in the past – raising £90,000 since its birth.

Charity recipients include The Salvation Army, Marie Curie, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and local sports clubs.

The weekly dances, which attract about 30 people, take place in the Memorial Hall and include a range of dances, including sequence, waltz, quickstep, and foxtrot.

Older members feel a sense of nostalgia through the music, which is predominantly wartime and show music. The dance occasionally has live music too, particularly in summer.

The weekly dances take place from 2pm – 4pm on Tuesday afternoons, with a tea and biscuit break in the middle.

The group has danced its way across the North and has taken trips to Blackpool, Scarborough, and Whitby.

Claire Green, daughter of the group’s treasurer, said:

“Whoever wants to come and join in is always very welcome.

“This group is a lifeline for some of the members”.

Brian Weatherhead, treasurer, said:

“If it hadn’t been for the founders, John O’Brien and Pauline Atkinson, the group would’ve ended.

“The dance club has been a team effort the whole way through”.

The Time for a Cuppa event will take place on Tuesday, May 2, at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall.

Find more information here.

The organisers of Tockwith Agricultural Show are hoping for a surge in entries to save one of its longest running competitions.

After years of popularity, entries into the Sticks and Crooks Competition have dwindled, according to one of the stewards.

Out of thousands of attendees, the show is hoping some may showcase their creative talents and enter a handmade stick or crook into the competition.

Organisers say the crook-making competition has been part of the show for decades and  fear a lack of entries could remove it from the show’s schedule entirely.

The show dates back to 1945 and has since established itself as one of the largest in the region, with more than 120 trophies up for grabs and over £6,000 in prize money to be won on the day.

The show will host more than 800 classes, including classic cars, poetry, and pigs.

Nigel Keenlyside, steward, said:

“In past years the Sticks and Crooks Competition at the show has been hotly contested and attracted some incredible examples of handiwork from many members of the community.

“We are sure there must be plenty of people in the area with woodworking skills, and we’re keen for them to enter this category”.

Georgina Watson, show committee chair, said they were determined to build on what was a hugely successful show last year.

She said:

“It’s a really important event for the community because as well as being a fun day for everyone, it provides a valuable educational opportunity.

“Farming has faced many changes and challenges since this event was first held as a horticultural show way back in 1945, but each year since then the Show has been able to reflect the importance of the industry in this region.”

Tockwith Show takes place annually on the first Sunday of August.

More information can be found here.

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A Harrogate woman has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Para Powerlifting World Cup.

Charlotte McGuinness will compete in the women’s 55kg category against some of the best para powerlifters from around the world.

Ms McGuinness, who is a student at Leeds Trinity University, found her love for the sport at The National Dwarf Games in 2019.

During her second competition, she was spotted lifting by Paralympics GB. The organisation invited her to train with it and placed her on the national development squad soon after.

The 22-year-old has since been awarded various international accolades, including ranking second and third in two divisions at the Manchester Para Powerlifting World Cup in 2021.

The 2023 World Cup selection process is based on “outstanding” performances, and the “ability to defend or attain Paris qualification rankings”, according to British Weightlifting.

Ms McGuinness told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m super excited to be selected. The competition will give me the chance to achieve a top eight position in the world.”

A good ranking in the competition later this month will bode well for her ahead of the World Championships in August.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 29, in Tbilisi, Georgia and will be streamed on the Paralympics Youtube Page.

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Photographs of Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger that have been reworked as part of a collaboration between a famous photographer and artist will be unveiled in a Harrogate gallery.

Photographer Gered Mankowitz has teamed up with oil painter Christian Furr to bring the exhibition to RedHouse Gallery.

The two became friends more than a decade ago, and have combined Furr’s distinct painting style with some of Mankowitz’s most iconic photographs.

The exhibition, entitled In Wonder, will include reworked images of rock royalty, and will stand alongside unseen portraits of the likes of Kate Bush, PP Arnold and Marianne Faithful.

A screening of the artists in conversation will also be featured in the exhibition, as well as original darkroom photographs and recent paintings by Furr.

A portrait of PP Arnold included in the exhibition.

Mr Mankowitz was the official photographer for The Rolling Stones in the 1960s and has seen the likes of Eric Clapton, Elton John, Oasis, and Duran Duran down the lens of his camera.

Mr Furr gained an international audience in 1995 after becoming the youngest artist commissioned to paint Queen Elizabeth II.

He said he is “dedicated to keeping oil painting fresh and alive as a contemporary medium”, so the collaborative exhibition seemed a natural progression.

Mr Furr said:

“It probably goes back to when we first became friends. I painted a portrait of Gered, and Gered took a photograph of me in my studio.

“We had this idea to work together as artists and try and fuse the world of photography and art and do something with that as an idea, and I just think Gered’s amazing archive has really lent itself to us creating a whole new thing together…”

David McTague, of RedHouse Gallery, said:

“We are excited to welcome Gered Mankowitz and Christian Furr back to RedHouse.

“They are two incredible artists in their own right, so we are thrilled to be unveiling new work from their 45RPM collaboration, fusing the mediums of photography and painting.”

In Wonder runs from Friday, April 21, until Saturday, May 27. The exhibition is free to attend and all works will be on sale.

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An animal visitors’ centre featuring a Shetland pony that has become the star of a series of children’s books, is set to open in Masham.

Swinton Green has been set up by Hannah Russell who spent most of her time with her Shetland, Little Alf, after a back injury.

Hannah was so inspired by her four-legged friend, she wrote a series of books about him.

She is now a full-time author and “Hannah, Little Alf and Friends” has amassed more than 50,000 social media followers.

Ms Russell told the Stray Ferret:

“I always wanted to create a centre where people could come along, meet the animals from the books, form a connection with the animal, and take something away from the visit.

“I’m not creating a petting farm, but a place to make memories with animals”.

Swinton Green will host a variety of animals.

After being diagnosed with two forms of cancer, Ms Russell said her animals, particularly her Valais Black Nose sheep, were ‘endless therapy’ — and later inspired her to launch Swinton Green.

The centre plans to host a number of courses and workshops, including animal husbandry sessions for young children, as well as pet first aid courses. Alpaca walking will also be on offer.

Since the launch of her first book, Ms Russell now also works as a public speaker and charity ambassador, working with Helping Rhinos and Brooke.

Swinton Green is set to open in early June.

More information can be found here.

Residents across the Harrogate district are being invited to help shape a new strategy to improve the lives of people living with autism.

The aim is to provide better support for autistic people, as well as improving attitudes towards the condition across the community.

The new North Yorkshire Council is working with the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to host a series of events for people with autism, or those who support them, to share their ideas and experiences.

People will also be able to take part in a survey, which will run until the end of April, as an alternative way to express their views. Copies will also be available in North Yorkshire libraries.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services, said:

“The aim is to enable autistic people to live fulfilling lives by making sure the right support is available at the right moments.

“Autistic people’s ideas and experiences will be at the heart of the new strategy.

“That is why we are so keen that people attend the engagement sessions, and help us to ensure the new strategy is as thorough and as helpful as it can possibly be.”

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The new, all-age strategy will be implemented across the health and local authority sector, alongside voluntary, community and social organisations.

Inclusion North, a not-for-profit organisation that works with the public sector, has also been taken on to help the campaign.

Once adopted, the strategy is expected to remain in place until 2026. It will cover several key areas of improvement, including better access to education, transition into adulthood and employment aid.

Guidelines will be provided to help support families and carers.

The next Harrogate engagement event will take place at The Cuttings in Station View, Starbeck, on Thursday, April 27, from 5.30-8pm. Full details are available on the North Yorkshire Partnerships website.

The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

The business is the longest-standing yoga and pilates studio in Harrogate, having opened on Duchy Road in 2003.

The owners said opening the studio was a “big financial risk at the time”.

However, founder Anne-Marie Burford believes “post-covid anxieties” caused a surge in prioritising health and boosted the credibility of yoga and pilates, as well as causing a shift in attitudes towards them.

She said:

“Yoga in the West can often be about images, especially now a lot of celebrities do it.

“That isn’t the true form of yoga – we just want to support health and wellbeing”.

Ms Burford also said social media has “probably caused the most significant change” in attitudes towards wellbeing.

The studio centres on being entirely holistic and focusses on incorporating Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing therapy, into the yoga, pilates and tai chi classes.

The centre also “places focus on the spiritual aspect of wellbeing”, including soul coaching, reiki, and various Eastern-style massages.

Staff members have extensive spiritual and physical training, including one-to-one training with Deepak Chopra, as well as a South Asian spiritual pilgrimage. The business also offers yoga retreats to members, both nationally and abroad.

James Burford, one of the teachers at the wellness centre, said:

“I feel very encouraged by the support we already receive form our students, many of whom I consider friends, and the increase in number of students joining and connecting with our centre over the last few years“.

Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing is holding an anniversary celebration on Saturday, April 16, with pop-up classes, afternoon tea and live music. Full details are on its Instagram feed.

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Harrogate Youth Council is actively seeking new recruits from across the constituency.

The council consists of young people aged 11 to 18 aiming to positively shape the dynamic of society.

Those with additional needs can also join the group up to the age of 25.

The members aim to echo the views of young people in Harrogate, as well as campaigning for change and have even attended national events.

Members can work on a range of societal campaigns, from mental health awareness and harassment, to climate and transport.

Pictured: The Youth Council discussing a campaign.

The members campaigned for mental health resources with The Go-To, as well as structure resources for safeguarding and child protection with Be-Aware.

Sixteen-year-old Lulu Halloum, chair of Harrogate Youth Council, said:

“We can’t keep making decisions about young people without young people.

“By failing to support youth in making positive change, our communities suffer. Now, more than ever, we must see young people as not just the leaders of tomorrow, but today.

“We have the energy, talent, and ideas to make a positive difference now”.

The council welcomes anyone that may be interested to attend its next meeting on Thursday April 13, from 3pm – 6.30pm.

Prospective members can stay for as little, or as long, as they like. The meeting will be held at the Civic Centre, on St Luke’s Avenue in Harrogate.

During term time, the council meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 5 – 6.30pm.

Contact chloe.thwaites@northyorks.gov.uk for further information.

Harrogate International Festivals has announced early programme highlights for this year’s music festival, including a performance from Julian Lloyd Webber.

The festival, which is now in its 58th year, will host a variety of names in the industry across three weekends this summer, with an opening concert at The Royal Hall.

It celebrates music of all kinds and showcases a range of talent from young musicians to globally acclaimed artists.

British orchestra Chineke! will launch the festival, making their Harrogate debut. Chineke have performed at the Proms, as well as accompanying world-renowned rapper Stormzy on stage at the Brit Awards.

That weekend, Julian Llloyd Webber will be making a post-pandemic homecoming, while “festival legends” Oddsocks return to the event with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“I can’t begin to tell you how excited we are about this year’s Music Festival.

“It is our first full programme post-pandemic with a host of international names performing in some of Harrogate’s most beautiful buildings.

“We look forward to welcoming our audiences back to one of our flagship festivals this summer”.

Pianist Robin Green

Pianist Robin Green will be this year’s guest curator, and will head a weekend residency featuring 12 musicians in ten concerts.

The third and final weekend will feature trumpeter Mike Lovatt, premiering his brand-new project, the Brass Pack. There will also be a silent disco for children and a family festival.

The opening concert will take place on Thursday, June 29.

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