The Mashamshire Community Office (MCO) is on track to raise enough money to purchase the Old Police House — the building in which the charity is based.

In June 2022, the MCO was given the opportunity to purchase the building, located in the centre of Masham, for £215,000.

The building is owned by North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, and has been leased to the charity since 2003.

Since the target was set last year, the town has seen multiple fundraising events held by volunteers – from 100 community clubs, to cow pat competitions – to generate the necessary funds, which now stands at £182,698.69.

The office provides information for visitors, hosts a number of activities for Masham residents and surrounding villages, and aims to introduce new initiatives in order to bolster the community as a whole.

Hayley Jackson, Mashamshire Community Office manager, said:

“Over the past 20 years MCO has diversified and adapted our offering to support the community in times of need such as through covid.

“This past year we’ve been on a journey to promote our services and actively share and shout about what we do and the difference we make.

“Individuals have come forward to make donations, offer help, and share stories of how MCO have helped them in the past.”

Ann and Hayley raising money for MCO

If purchased, the charity plans to invest in making the building a much more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient space.

Ms Jackson added:

“We knew it was important, but we’ve been able to see just how much it’s at the heart of the community and how much people care.  

“The people of Masham see it as their building, and it’s really important to them that we retain it for the future.”

The MCO is aiming to complete the purchase this August.

There is a number of fundraising events coming up to help the team get over the line, as well as a live auction to bid on prizes.

Read more:

• Harrogate and Ripon libraries host house history exhibition
• A third of callers give up on police 101 calls in North Yorkshire

Ripon businesses are preparing to host events across the city as part of the second theatre festival.

Across a five-day period, Ripon Theatre Festival will hold over 50 events, with a variety of pop-up performances, plays and music.

The festival reported audiences of more than 2,500 people at its inaugural event last year. Now, the organisation aims “to build on the incredible first year response” this year.

Fountains Abbey and The Old Deanery are among the larger spaces that will hold performances, while the Market Place, Minster Gardens, and Ripon Spa Gardens will be transformed into festival zones to bring attendees a range of activities, from street theatre to circus acts.

The event aims to cater for a range of ages, with The Little Ripon Bookshop and the Crypt in Ripon Cathedral putting on puppet shows and storytelling.

Katie Scott, festival director, previously told the Stray Ferret:

“A key aim is to make the festival as affordable and accessible as possible with a wide range of free entertainment popping up at locations across the city centre.”

In line with the festival’s aim, pop-events will be free of charge or “pay what you can”. The festival will also include ticketed theatre performances with many taking place in Ripon Arts Hub.

Ms Scott added:

“The festival is also working with charity Ripon Dementia Forward to provide a sensory theatre show brought directly to two local and friendly community spaces.”

The event will take place from June 7 to 11.

Read more:

• Ripon Theatre Festival unveils expanded programme for 2023
• London investment firm buys Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery

North Yorkshire Council will axe the YorBus service next month nearly two years after it was launched.

The service, which operates between Ripon, Bedale, and Masham, was launched as a pilot scheme by the council in July 2021 to offer rural residents low-cost journeys on demand.

The service could be booked by residents via an app.

However, council officials have decided to axe the service as it had become too expensive to run. As a result, it will end on June 30.

The authority added that the cost per journey of YorBus was “significantly higher than the traditional, timetabled bus routes”.

The pilots costs around £230,000 to operate annually, but latest figures suggest YorBus journeys cost over twice as much as a scheduled service.

A YorBus service, which operates in Masham and Ripon.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“We launched the YorBus pilot two years ago to enhance our existing public transport network.

“It has allowed us to gather valuable information about the costs and benefits of running a digital demand responsive bus service.

“Without sufficient additional funding being available to expand the service so YorBus can benefit residents across North Yorkshire, and with costs per journey remaining so high despite efforts to improve value for money, the pilot will come to an end as planned next month.”

When discussing the service coming to an end, he added:

“This will allow us to be fair to all residents and focus every penny of our limited resources on supporting bus services across the county at a time of unprecedented pressure.

“While continuing to work closely with operators to support at-risk services, we are also currently reviewing a number of initiatives to improve rural transport and asking the public for their views to help shape our future strategy.”

In 2022, the council bid for £116 million to improve bus services as part of the Government’s Bus Back Better scheme, but was unsuccessful. An expansion of the YorBus service was earmarked if the funding had been granted.

The two YorBus vehicles will be returned for use on other local bus services and drivers will be redeployed.

Earlier this week, the council launched the Let’s Talk Transport survey, asking residents to share their travel habits in hopes to develop the travel strategy for the coming decades.

Bus routes 136, 138, 138A, 139, 144 and 159 will continue to run, as well as alternative community transport operators in the area where YorBus ran.

Alternative travel options can be found here.

Read more:

• Councillor outlines plans for new train station in Harrogate
• £6m spent on transition to North Yorkshire Council so far

A Knaresborough salon is holding an official launch party nearly three years after trading began.

Loft, located on Finkle Keep in Knaresborough, began as a lockdown project and opened its doors in late 2020.

Teresa McDowell, who offers laser hair removal treatments at the salon, said the previously derelict building had been transformed into a “quirky and quaint” business.

The salon offers traditional beauty services, such as nails, hair, and massages, as well as aesthetic treatments including Botox and filler. Those that work at the salon are all self-employed.

Ms McDowell said the delayed open day was due to the previous team “not gelling” with one another, but she added the current team was “finally solid” enough to warrant a celebration.

She added:

“We are different to all the other salons in the area.

“The thing I love about the salon is that we don’t follow the trends – we are the trend”.

The open day is free to attend and will include drinks and nibbles, as well as live demonstrations of the services on offer.

Goodie bags will also be available to the first 20 people that attend, as well as discounts for future bookings.

The open day will take place on Saturday, May 27, from 1pm.

Read more:

• Historic hotels in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough set to re-open
• A-ha’s sound man opens record shop and bar in Harrogate

Whether you’re a parent worrying about keeping your children entertained this half-term or just looking for a bit of early-summer fun, the Harrogate district and beyond has lots on offer to keep a smile on the whole family’s face.

From a day at the races to castle tours, we have collated a list of activities taking place over and around the May half-term period.

Fun for all the family: Doncaster Races

Derby Day Rocks feat. Magic Queen

If you’re looking for something to keep both parents and children happy, Derby Day Rocks at Doncaster Racecourse could be the perfect way to spend the half-term weekend!

With 8 races to be enjoyed, as well as a live streaming of Epsom Derby to watch, and even a Queen Tribute act, it’s no doubt your day will rock.

Derby Day Rocks will take place on Saturday, June 3 – gates open at 11.30am.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Doncaster Racecourse to bring you discounted County tickets! Watch all the races from the second floor of the main stand – the perfect place to see your winning horse cross the finish line.

To buy your discounted tickets, click here – be quick!

Superhero Family Fun Day Raceday

If you’re thinking of merging some belated half-term fun with Father’s Day celebrations, then Doncaster Racecourse has another event which will be sure to make the whole family smile!

While parents can enjoy 7 horse races, children can meet their favourite superheroes, dance at the disco, and even go on the fairground rides! What more could you ask for?

Superhero Family Day will take place on Sunday, June 18 – the first race begins at 2.15pm.

The Stray Ferret has teamed up with Doncaster Racecourse to bring you discounted tickets Grandstand admission! This gives you access to public bars, eateries, betting outlets and views on the racing action including the parade ring and pre-parade ring.

Get your discounted adult tickets here — be quick! The tickets will sell out fast.

For a little bit of history…

Ripley Castle

If you’re interested in embracing both the history our local area has to offer, as well as some beautiful gardens in bloom, then Ripley Castle will be the perfect solution!

Enjoy six of the Castle’s rooms on your guided tour and bring a taste of history to life this half-term.

Take a stroll around the Castle’s Walled Gardens to discover the beauty nature has on offer, including an extensive collection of hyacinths, a variety of tree specimens and an abundance of spring flowers. The range of hot houses contain an impressive range of tropical plants, ferns and cacti, whilst ancient wisteria and clematis trail across the south-facing walls.

The Walled kitchen garden contains an extraordinary herb bed and many rare vegetables.

Get lost in the deer park in the grounds of the Castle and meet plenty of wildlife along your way — including fallow deer and herons.

To add to all the excitement, the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Ripley Castle to bring our readers 2-for-1 admission over the half term period — meaning two adults and two children can enjoy a guided castle tour, as well as the gardens and grounds for just £15! Now that will be a happy half-term…

Click here to buy tickets.

One for the parents in need…

Whittaker’s Gin

If you’re a parent looking to let off some steam this half-term — or simply just love gin — then Whittaker’s Gin will be exactly what you’re looking for!

Whittaker’s Gin Distillery, the home of all things gin (and now whisky), is located in Dacre Banks, just outside Harrogate.

Enjoy a complimentary G&T on arrival followed by a tour with the Whittaker’s distillers around the distillery, where they will go through the gin and whisky production process, and then into the whisky barrel warehouse.

When you get back into the bar area, there will be a  sit down tasting of 9 different gins with delicious nibbles of Weatherheads Butcher’s pork pies.

To round off, there is another complimentary G&T of your choice or alternatively you can take a 5cl bottle home to have your G&T later.

With our exclusive offer, Stray Ferret readers can enjoy two tickets for the price of one! The voucher offer grants you and a guest access to the guided distillery tour, as well as the extras mentioned above.

Click here to buy your ticket — hurry…these are selling fast!

For some summer air… 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden:

May half-term Trail

For those that enjoy that great outdoors, Fountains Abbey’s May half-term trail may be a good option.

Visitors can explore the ‘sanctuary for nature’ in the Deer Park. Learn about the variety of wildlife that resides in the grounds by exploring grassland, freshwater, woodland and much more!

No booking is needed, and the trail is free to enjoy.

The trail will take place within the Deer Park from May, 27, to June, 4, between 10am and 4.30pm.

Find more information here.

Create your own mini bug house!

Fountains Abbey is also hosting a drop-in workshop in which visitors can design and create their very own bug house.

Once complete, attendees can explore the estate to gather some wriggly residents for their bug house! The perfect recipe to combine fresh air and crafts…

The workshop is free to attend but normal admission charges for the venue apply – a family ticket is £27.

The workshop will take place in Swanley Grange – located near the Visitor Centre – from May 27 to June 4, between 11am and 3pm.

Click here for more information.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park:

Flower Power Nature Weaving

To continue the mixture of fresh air and creativity, Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, near Ripon, is inviting families to take part in its Flower Power Nature Weaving.

Visitors can pick up a collectors bag from the ticket office and venture through the park to see what nature provides to weave into the Earth Loom.

The event will take place daily from May 27 to June 4, from 10am.

For more information, click here.

To shelter from the (potential) rain…

Harrogate Theatre: The ‘Not So’ Grimm Twins

For those of you looking for a potential rainy-day activity, Harrogate Theatre’s production of The ‘Not So” Grimm Twins could be a good option for you.

Storytellers, Jake and Will Grimm, will guide you through some re-worked versions of your favourite fairy tales and will need the audiences help along the way!

The play will take place on Saturday, May 27 at 11am and 2pm.

Tickets start at £12 – click here for more information.

A care home in Harrogate has appointed a new registered manager and a regional manager following a recent “requires improvement” rating.

The Care Quality Commission found the leadership at Avon Lodge, on Harlow Moor Drive, to be “inadequate”, with “widespread and significant shortfalls” in a report published last week.

Following a two-day inspection in February, the care home was downgraded from its previous “good”. Three key areas were assessed, asking if the service was safe, effective, and well-led, but only safety and effect were found to be “good”.

The managers were appointed in response to the report.

A spokesperson for Milewood Healthcare, which runs Avon Lodge, said:

“We have taken prompt action to remedy the issues identified by the CQC at the February inspection, working closely with both North Yorkshire County Council and the regulator to address concerns raised.

“We are confident the required changes are now embedded into practice and all necessary improvements are demonstrably in place.

“Milewood Healthcare is committed to delivering the best positive outcomes for all our service users.”

Read more:

• Critical report finds ‘significant shortfalls’ at Harrogate care home
• Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems call for Yorkshire Water overhaul

A digital report developed by a Harrogate surgeon is attracting national interest.

Patients undergoing knee surgery at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust are now able to benefit from a bespoke digital report, designed to improve understanding of their treatment and reduce any unnecessary outpatient appointments.

The creation of the report comes after nearly 25% of knee arthroscopy patients claimed they were not alert enough to discuss their surgery in the post-operation period.

Three quarters of those surveyed also claimed they were unable to recall post-operation instructions, such as weight bearing advice, meaning over half of the patients required further appointments to aid their understanding.

Dave Duffy, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at HDFT, used the Arthrex Synergy Surgeon app to devise a video that walks patients through the procedure step-by-step, as well as an audio explanation to ensure full accessibility and understanding of the treatment.

The patient is also provided with an in-depth explanation of the next steps in their recovery, from bandaging wounds to appropriate exercises.

Since the introduction of Mr Duffy’s solution only 15% of patients that received the digital report felt they needed further appointments.

He said:

“The report puts patients’ minds at ease, provides answers to many of their questions, and in many cases removes the need for further appointments or written communications, allowing the clinician to spend additional time helping other patients.

Transforming outpatient services remains a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with Mr Duffy’s digital report playing an increasingly significant role in doing so.

He added:

“We have received lots of enquiries about the innovation from other partners in the NHS and we are keen to share our learning to scale up the innovation for the benefits of patients.”

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, medical director and executive lead for digital at HDFT said:

“Our trust’s strategy puts healthcare innovation at the heart of everything we do. Our purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, children and communities, and digital transformation plays an important role in this.

“We want to invest in digital tools and services which makes it easier to provide the best quality, safest care and improves the experience for our patients. As a relatively small trust we have the ability to be agile when it comes to innovation, rapidly piloting new innovations and gaining feedback fast, for the benefits of healthcare innovation businesses and the NHS.”

Read more:

• Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems call for Yorkshire Water overhaul
• ‘Improved climate’ at Harrogate Army Foundation College after abuse allegations, says minister

This story is sponsored by Vodafone Pro Broadband.

Have you heard the news? The Stray Ferret has teamed up with Vodafone Pro Broadband to bring the Harrogate district not only the fastest possible internet speed, but also a FREE voucher up to £75 in return!

Whether you work from home, have a digitally congested house or are just looking for super speedy internet, sign up to Vodafone Pro Broadband through our affiliate programme now and receive a voucher to one of your favourite stores.

Need a little more convincing…?

 We’ve compiled a list of things you can buy with your free voucher from the participating stores. So, why not treat yourself to new broadband AND that White Company dressing gown you’ve been eyeing up…

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Vodafone Pro Broadband is available now in Harrogate and Knaresborough, and is coming to Ripon very soon.

This story is sponsored by Vodafone Pro Broadband.

Full fibre broadband is talked about a lot, but the Stray Ferret is here to tell you both the crucial differences between the types available in the Harrogate district to ensure you’re getting the fastest possible internet, as well as bring our readers an exclusive and totally unmissable offer.

We’ve all been there; sitting at our desk, trying to work from home, and the painfully slow internet speed manages to slow down our day threefold. Zoom meetings glitch, emails won’t send, and software won’t load…but, fear not, Vodafone Pro Broadband can provide you with the high-speed internet you truly need.

What is Full Fibre?

On paper, fibre broadband uses high-speed optic cables to send and receive data instead of the copper telephone wiring used in previous years.

Many of the fibre connections in the UK, however, only use fibre optic cables up to the telephone wiring cabinet on your street – namely, Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC). On the final stretch to your home, data is then moved to be carried by copper cables – not fibre.

Vodafone Pro Broadband – also known as Fibre To The Home/The Premises (FTTH or FTTP) – provides a service in which fibre-optic cables are used for single stage of the connection to your home.

Is there a big difference between FTTP and FTTC?

In short, yes.

Although it sounds like technical jargon, the resulting effect on internet speeds can be significant.

On Vodafone’s Pro Broadband connection, download speeds can be around 15 times faster than a copper cable (FTTC) connection – reaching a top speed of 910Mbps, instead of around 67Mbps.

But 67Mbps sounds fast to me… 

For many, 67Mbps will indeed be good enough.

For those in busy households and workplaces, however, Full Fibre undoubtedly remains triumphant. Whether it’s four smartphones under one roof, an office full of running laptops – not to mentioned gaming consoles or smart TVs – your broadband connection becomes crowded and slows the speed for everyone.

With Vodafone Pro Broadband, those worries will simply vanish.

Do I need Full Fibre to work from home?

Whether you use Microsoft Office to work, have meetings over Zoom, or want to back up your important files, fast and reliable upload speeds are critical for a smooth experience.

FTTC upload speeds can be just a fraction of the download speed. To quantify, the upload speed on “67Mbps” FTTC can be just 18Mbps. With Vodafone Pro Broadband’s full fibre connection, the upload speeds start at 50Mbps and can reach as high as 900Mbps.

Vodafone’s full fibre eliminates any opportunity for congestion – especially in busy households – and allows for a speedy and seamless connection.

Can I get Full Fibre home broadband in the Harrogate district?

 Full fibre from Vodafone is already available to nine million households across the UK – including Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Vodafone has also recently partnered with CityFibre and Openreach to create as broad a reach as possible, meaning households in Ripon will be able to get their hands on the fastest possible internet speed very soon.

Voucher Scheme

With our unmissable offer, Stray Ferret readers will receive a FREE voucher up to £75 through our affiliate link at sign up…a deal exclusive to us.

Sign up using this link and redeem a voucher for either Amazon, M&S, Morrisons or The White Company. 

Treat yourself to the the fastest possible internet speed as well as that White Company candle you have been eyeing up today…

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Simply click here to get started. 

As Masham celebrated the King’s Coronation, people in the small market town have spoken of hopes a buyer can be found for the Black Sheep Brewery.

Last week, Black Sheep announced administrators had been appointed after being “hit very hard” by the pandemic and a rise in costs.

The company, which employs around 50 members of staff, was founded in 1992 and has become a tourist hotspot bringing a significant amount of footfall to the town.

One local business owner told the Stray Ferret people are worried about a potential loss of income for their own businesses if the brewery doesn’t survive.

Tim Ledbetter, owner of Bentley’s of Masham, said:

“With it being such a big employer, there is then a big knock-on effect.

“We get a lot of trade from visitors of Black Sheep — it could be detrimental.”

The brewery reported turnover of £14.3 million as of March 31, 2022, according to its most recent accounts. However, it also stated a pre-tax loss of £1.18 million, compared to £862,871 profit in the previous year.

Read more:

• Masham’s Black Sheep ‘trading as normal’ as administration looms
• Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery to enter administration

Reports of  interest from several potential buyers has given some cause for cautious optimism.

Emily Swift, an employee of Through the Looking Glass, said:

“People were definitely concerned, but talks of a possible buyer has eased worries.”

A confirmed acquisition or sale has not yet been confirmed, and Teneo remains in place as the brewery’s financial adviser.