Want an alternative Valentine’s? Some ideas in the Harrogate district

Find it all a little too overhyped and mushy? If you are looking for something different to the dozen red roses and dinner out this Valentine’s week, there are events happening in the Harrogate district that may be an option for you and your loved one.

Whether you’re into the supernatural, a night at the Opera or just an evening of laughter, here are four ideas for an interesting, if less romantic, night out.

My Bloody Valentine – Ouija Event

If you really are anti-Valentine’s and seeking something sinister this year, Paul Forster and Dead Northern’s séance may be an option.

The event will take place on the rooftop of the Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate on Saturday 11 February, from 7pm – 10pm.

Organisers say guests can expect “a cross between an interactive séance and a psychological spook show”. There will be a Ouija board present at the event – some may even attempt to connect with spirits passed.

Tickets include entry to the event and a hot meal in the intermission.

Guests are invited to bring a personal item with them to add value to their experience.

Ticket prices start at £33.30.

For more information, click here.

Four Weddings and a Murder

Keeping in line with the darker side of love, an immersive murder mystery event, Four Weddings and a Murder, will take place at Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate.

The event will run from 7.30pm – 10.30pm on Friday 24 February.

Guests join a group of friends celebrating a wedding, during which a murder takes place. The audience are invited to help solve the murder before it’s too late.

The night includes a three-course meal. Guests can also upgrade their tickets to include an overnight stay in the hotel with breakfast the following morning.

Tickets for the event start from £51.

Find more information here.

Read more:

Royal Opera House Live: The Barber of Seville

On a slightly more romantic note, if culture is what you are looking for this Valentine’s, Everyman Cinema is hosting a live stream of the Royal Opera House’s adaptation of “The Barber of Seville”.

The Everyman Cinema is located in the centre of Harrogate.

The Italian comic opera tells the story of a young girl, Rosina. After falling in love with a mysterious suitor, Rosina must use her cunning wit and disguises to outsmart her calculated guardian.

The live stream will take place on Wednesday 15 February at 6.45pm.

Click here for more information.

Harrogate Theatre: Bouncers

Budding thespians might fancy a trip to the local theatre this Valentine’s. John Godber Company presents “Bouncers” at Harrogate Theatre.

The play will run from 13-15 February, with both evening and matinee performances.

The play follows four friends reliving a night in a Yorkshire disco in the 1980’s. Guests can expect all aspects of the night out on stage, including the DJ and even a fish & chip van.

Tickets for the play start at £18.

Find more information here.

 

Harrogate Restaurant Week: keep your tummy and bank balance happy

On Monday 5 February, Harrogate Restaurant Week will begin. Restaurants in and around Harrogate are taking part in a promotional week, serving up some tasty discounts and helping us enjoy the luxury of dining out for less.

Restaurant Week is running from Monday 6 – Friday 10 February.

To help you save your pennies, we have curated a list of six participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week offers.

The Fat Badger

The Fat Badger is offering a homemade pie with a pint of bitter for just £10 during the promotional week.

Customers can enjoy a hearty steak, mushroom and ale pie, washed down with Tetley’s Best.

For more information on the restaurant, visit here.

The West Park Hotel

The West Park Hotel is offering two courses for £15, or three courses for £20 during Restaurant Week.

Customers can choose their courses from the new Restaurant Week menu.

Click to find more information on The West Park Hotel. 

The West Park Hotel will have a specific Restaurant Week menu.

Cosy Club

Cosy Club is offering customers a main and dessert for £15.

The Restaurant Week menu includes buttermilk fried chicken with fries, coleslaw and smoked red pepper aioli, along with a vegan baked vanilla cheesecake with raspberries.

Read more:

William & Victoria

William & Victoria will also be partaking in Restaurant Week, offering customers two courses for £15, or three courses for £20.

Customers can expect to see dishes such as honey glazed goats cheese, fresh Moules Marinière and affogato on the promotional menu.

The menu will be available during both lunch service from 12pm – 2.30pm, and dinner service from 5pm – 9m.

Rudding Park Hotel

Rudding Park Hotel’s Clocktower Brasserie is offering two courses and a glass of Prosecco for £20 during Restaurant Week.

The offer will be available from 12pm – 5pm during the promotional week.

Customers can choose their courses from the Restaurant Week menu.

For more information, click here.

The Clocktower Brasserie will be participating in Restaurant Week.

The Inn, South Stainley 

The Inn, South Stainley between Harrogate and Ripon is also offering a starter and main course for £20.

The offer is available during lunch and dinner services.

The Restaurant Week menu includes a homemade soup and giant Yorkshire puddings.

Ripon’s ‘Stonehenge of the north’ gifted to nation

A monument over 5,000 years old between Ripon and Masham is set to open to the public free of charge.

The Thornborough Henges complex includes three large circular earthworks each more than 100 metres in diameter.

Historic England described the Neolithic site as “probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland”.

Construction firms Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings have gifted the site into the legal ownership of Historic England, which is a non-departmental public body, although it will be managed by the charity English Heritage.

The site is is located near West Tanfield, between Ripon and Masham, just outside the Harrogate district.

It falls within the Richmond constituency of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said:

“The Thornborough Henges site has enormous potential to help tell the story of ancient Britain and I very much welcome this announcement about its future – its safeguarding and preservation for the nation.

“Comparatively few people are aware of its significance – both locally and nationally. I hope many more will come to appreciate this little-known gem of our history and while doing so provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy.”

Historic England said in a statement:

“The earthworks are thought to have been part of a ritual landscape and are probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland.”

Read more:

Thornborough Henges will join various Roman sites on Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge within the National Heritage Collection.

The deal started to come to fruition in 2016 and has finally been settled after years of controversy over quarrying in the surrounding area of the monument.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England said:

Thornborough Henges and their surrounding landscape form part of the most important concentration of Neolithic monuments in the north of England. They are a link to our ancient ancestors, through thousands of years, inspiring a sense of wonder and mystery. We are thrilled to have acquired this highly significant site for the nation, ensuring that these magnificent monuments are safe and will be preserved for generations to come.

Find out more here.

Business Breakfast: New café opens on Harrogate’s Cardale Park

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until next Friday. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker.

New café opens on Cardale Park 

Serviced offices, 1 Cardale Park, has opened its own coffee shop.

Paul’s Café @ Cardale is open to both tenants of the offices and the public, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

The café, which is owned and operated by Paul Ulett, has a selection of handmade sandwiches (courtesy of Thug Sandwich), salads, cakes and pastries. A variety of breakfast options will also be on offer, with a range of choice for different dietary requirements.

Paul Ulett said:

“We’re delighted to be opening at such a fantastic location. It’s a great asset to both residents and local businesses in the Harlow Hill area of Harrogate, as not only are they able to sample great quality food and drinks at reasonable prices, but it is also the perfect spot for them to come and grab a delicious lunch on the go, or enjoy a break from their working day”.

Read more:

Harrogate Homeless Project awarded major funding

Harrogate Homeless Project has been awarded a 2-year grant totalling £50,000 from the Lloyds Bank Foundation.

A payment of £25,000 each year will be used to expand and improve the services currently provided at its day centre, Springboard.

The Springboard Day Centre provides food, washing facilities and medical services. It also offers help with housing applications and access to other services.

The organisation says, “the funding will help to increase the capacity of Springboard to host more organisations, extend the opening hours and expand the food service”. The funding will also be used to further develop their therapeutic services and staff training.

The Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable trust that partners with small and local charities who help people overcome complex social issues.

Business Breakfast: Cloud Nine develops its own photo studios

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

Global hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has opened two new studios at its Harrogate headquarters, bringing all previously outsourced photo and video shoots in-house.

The beauty company says the aim of the new studio is to develop the creative, commercial and media skills of its team.

The hair and skin stylist area has mirrors and lights with different coloured walls to suit models with different skin tones. There’s also a Green Room designed for the models and guests to relax in before and after each shoot.

CEO Martin Rae, who launched the business with his brother, Gavin, in 2009, said:

“We have created our own studios for two very good reasons. The first is we have a fantastically talented team based within our Harrogate headquarters, who are eager to create their own campaigns, from inception through to execution”.

“And secondly, harnessing the artistic skills of our own people makes perfect business sense, and will benefit us commercially”.

Read more:

Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

A lorry full of of medical equipment, blankets and warm clothing, supplied Knaresborough charity PhysioNet and the town’s Rotary Club, is due to arrive in Ukraine today.

The lorry left Knaresborough five days ago and has made its way to Zaporizhzhia in the South East of Ukraine.

Knaresborough Rotary President and Chairman of Physionet, David Kaye, said:

“This is the sixth PhysioNet consignment for Ukraine. The £6,000 transport costs have been paid for entirely by Rotary in Yorkshire”.

PhysioNet was founded in 2005 by Knaresborough Rotarian Peter Thompson.

It collects and refurbishes discarded mobility and physiotherapy equipment – including wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, crutches and walking sticks – and redistributes it for use by the disabled in developing countries.

 

PhysioNet and Rotary volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to load the lorry for Zaporizhzhia.