The annual scarecrow competition will be returning to the village of Minskip, near Boroughbridge, for the weekend of September 2 and 3.

The competition sees the village’s main street lined with scarecrows. This year’s theme is 100 Years of Walt Disney.

Debbie Hargreaves, one of the organisers, said:

“It’s absolutely wonderful how so many villagers have made scarecrows in the past and I expect the same this year. The competition has really caught the imagination of the village and the standard is incredibly high.

“It’s great fun and all proceeds from the competition go towards our lovely little church, which, like so many rural churches, is desperately in need of money.”

The competition will be judged by Radio York presenter Elly Fiorentini and the winners will be announced on the Sunday afternoon at 3pm in front of the church. There will be a barbecue, Pimm’s, tea and coffee, tombola and various stalls from noon to 4pm in the church garden on Sunday.

On Saturday, there will be refreshments for sale in the church garden.

Robert Beaumont, senior churchwarden of Minskip Church, said:

“I’d like to thank Debbie and the rest of my church council team for all their hard work, enthusiasm and imagination in creating this fantastic weekend. It will raise much-needed money for our lovely little church.”

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Three expert speakers will be giving talks on How to Think as part of Harrogate’s Berwins Salon North in September.

Berwins Salon North is a cabaret-style series of events sponsored by Harrogate-based Berwins Solicitors, which renewed its sponsorship at the beginning of this year.

Martin Whincup, associate director at Berwins, said:

“We are very excited for our September Salon North, which is set to show yet again that there’s more to thinking than we might think!

“With recent events selling out quickly, it’s great to see the continued enthusiasm of people in Harrogate to come together and learn something new about themselves and the world.”

The speakers, hosted by Salon North founder Helen Bagnall, will have 25 minutes to deliver their TED-style talks at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate. Talks will be spaced by intervals that provide an opportunity for attendants to get drinks and chat.

Comedian, writer and broadcaster Robin Ince, will explore his lifelong love of books and bookshops, and reveal what goes on inside the head of a bibliomaniac.

Sophie Scott, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, will explore how the brain affects our personalities and behaviours.

After a decade of living with panic attacks and anxiety, writer, poet and musician Tim Clare will share his experiences of what did and didn’t work, and how he came to rethink anxiety.

The event is produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

Tickets for the event, which takes place on Thursday, September 7 at 7.30pm, are available from the Harrogate International Festival website or by calling the box office on 01423 562303.

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A nine-year-old Harrogate boy is walking 200 miles, inspired by his dad who has Friedrich’s ataxia.

He aims to raise money for Ataxia UK, a charity that funds treatment and provides support for those with ataxia.

Ataxia is a term for a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech

His mum, Helen Gibson, explained the impact of his dad’s condition on Jack:

“Jack and his dad are very close but Jack sometimes struggles as his dad can’t do all of the things he would like him to because of his condition and tires easily.”

Jack attends young carers events in Harrogate. After smashing his original goal to walk 126 miles, he chose to increase his goal to 200 miles.

He has been walking at least three miles a day for four weeks to complete his goal. Some days he has walked as far as 8 miles.

Jack’s inspiration to walk was explained by his mum,

“He chose walking as he said it was something that was free and something that his dad can still do at the moment.”

Jack’s walks have been local, on the Stray or at Fountains Abbey. On holiday, he has completed his walks at Alton Towers or nearby National Trust locations.

He also walked the coast where his parents are originally from.

Both family and friends have joined Jack on his walks.

The family have a goal of £500 and have already raised £435.

If you are interested in donating to Jack’s fundraiser, there is a Just Giving page.

Motorcyclists in North Yorkshire will be targeted this bank holiday weekend as part of a police operation.

North Yorkshire Police will use a H2 Kawasaki Ninja unmarked motorbike equipped with cameras to gather evidence for prosecutions.

It will also deploy several marked and unmarked police bikes and cars and speed camera vans on key routes across the county.

The force said the “engagement and enforcement” was part of a National Police Chiefs’ Council operation on motorcycle safety this weekend.

It said the main priority was to reduce the number of road casualties.

Motorcyclists represent almost a quarter of fatal or serious injury collisions in the UK, despite making up three per cent of vehicles on the roads.

Many bikers take to the county’s vast road network for days out over the bank holiday.

Superintendent Alex Butterfield said:

“Everyone has the right to travel on the road safely. We believe that no one should be killed or seriously injured as a consequence of using our road network and we will continue to work together to prevent harm and make our communities safer.”

North Yorkshire released this video about the weekend campaign.

Harrogate friends Liz Hickling and Jon Hipkin will begin a 24-hour tennis and padel challenge today to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Harrogate Spa Tennis Club. 

Liz and Jon will play alternating hours of tennis and padel and have asked fellow tennis club members and non-members to join them for hour-long matches.

They were due to begin their marathon at Harrogate Spa Tennis Club at Claro Park at midday and finish at the same time tomorrow.

They will have breaks for the first 10 minutes of each session. 

The pair set out to raise £1,000 for their chosen causes and have already had £1,300 pledged.

Liz said:

“At 3am on Sunday morning, the thought that we still have nine hours to go will be tough but knowing we can make just a little difference to people’s lives by raising money through this challenge will help inspire us to keep going.” 

Harrogate Spa Town Tennis Club has recently undergone renovations, opening two new padel courts as well as a new clubhouse, café and bar.  

The air ambulance provides emergency response services for over five million people across Yorkshire.  

Liz said:

“We wanted to raise awareness of the club and its new facilities as well as raise some money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We chose Yorkshire Air Ambulance as it is a service that any of us could need at any time.” 

If you are interested in supporting Jon and Liz, they have a Just Giving page. 

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Hunt saboteurs have disrupted shoots near Pateley Bridge at the start of the grouse shooting season.

Calder Valley Hunt Saboteurs ran a series of protests shortly after the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ — the date in August marking the beginning of the annual grouse shooting season.

The saboteurs targeted shoots on Heathfield Moor, Braithwaite Moor, Ramsgill Bents Moor and Stean Moor.

The group claimed on Facebook its protests led to “shooters sullenly trudging back to their vehicles” and cancelling their planned activities.

Hunt saboteurs protest in Nidderdale.

Mendip Hunt Saboteurs also took part in the protests. Both groups are part of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, which opposes the hunting of wildlife in Britain.

The saboteurs shared pictures on Facebook of the police arriving at the scene and claimed the police failed to “deter” them.

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North Yorkshire Police’s community messaging website posted a message alerting people to the situation. It said:

“Anti-grouse shooting activists are operating in the area of Lofthouse and Ramsgill who are affecting local businesses and communities. Please report any issues of concern or suspicious vehicles to North Yorkshire Police on 101.”

Police responds to a protest.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police for further details of the activists, including whether they were doing anything illegal.

A police spokesperson said:

“Local residents had reported unusual activity and unknown vehicles in the area, so a message was sent via community messenger to ensure local residents were aware of possible protest activity in the area and provide some reassurance.”

A charity duck race will take place over the bank holiday weekend in Boroughbridge.

The first duck race took place in 2019 but, due to covid, has not been able to return until this year.

Sunday’s race is organised by the charity Boroughbridge Lions to raise money for local causes. It will take place from the weir to the bridge on the River Ure.

A total of 1,000 plastic ducks will race for the top prize of £200 cash. The owners of the first 10 to finish will all receive cash prizes.

The race starts at 11am and the winners’ presentation will take place at the Tap on the Tutt at 1230pm.

In a Facebook post about the event, Boroughbridge Lions said:

“Your bathtime duck pal is supporting our local community, you can too for only two Yorkshire pounds.”

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The Little Way Cafe is to reopen in Knaresborough this week.

The family-run cafe and bakery announced on August 10 it was closing its site on Camwal Road in Starbeck after 11 months.

It is due to reopen in the unit formerly occupied by Moat Buttery cafe in Knaresborough on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the cafe said it was a “very difficult decision” to cease trading in Starbeck but “it was the only choice we could make in order to provide the best service and environment we could for our customers”.

Owner Yasmine Alsamarai told the Stray Ferret the move was necessary because the new site had more space.

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Ms Alsamarai said she was eager to stay as local to her original cafe as possible and the new “prime” Knaresborough location in Castle Yard came as a welcome opportunity.

She added she was sad to leave the “good community in Starbeck” but was looking forward to the Knaresborough move.

Originally from Leeds, Ms Alsamarai said she had a “love for hospitality” and opening a cafe had always been her dream. The homemade bakes are made by her sister, Saleimah Wright.

Ms Wright said:

“We’re so excited for the opening of the Knaresborough cafe and look forward to sharing what we do with the community!”

Ms Alsamarai emphasised the importance of community and love at Little Way Cafe.

She explained the meaning of the cafe’s name:

“Do small things with great love.”

The owner of retro coffee shop Number Thirteen has announced the closure of its Silver Street premises in Knaresborough.

The coffee shop originally opened on Castlegate in the town in 2018.

It expanded into a second location above Donkey’s Years Antiques on Silver Street about six months ago.

But owner Sarah Ward has announced this second location will close for good at the end of September.

In a Facebook post, Ms Wood said it was “the hardest thing I have ever had to do”.

She said:

“There is no denying that the hospitality industry has been suffering these past few years, and I can’t pretend that we haven’t been affected.

“With costs in energy prices still increasing, costs of ingredients and stock increasing, as well as large staff costs and overheads like rent and VAT, it just isn’t financially viable to remain open.”

Odds ‘stacked against small hospitality businesses’

Ms Ward said the odds were stacked against small hospitality businesses not only because of the cost of wages but also the cost of pensions, holiday and sick pay alongside rising utility and ingredient prices.

She added:

“The team we put together have made the space their own, while also becoming part of what makes Number Thirteen so special. I’m so proud of all of them, and I’m so upset that it has had to come to this.”

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Ms Ward, who will now focus on the Castlegate shop, said she was grateful for the support she has received:

 “I have always felt so supported and connected to the people of Knaresborough, and the comments I have received from my own staff, customers and fellow business owners following the announcement have meant so much to me.

“It has been the toughest decision to make, but knowing that we will continue to be a part of Knaresborough’s business community with our Castlegate shop, lightens the load a little.”

Two familiar faces will be taking the lead in a production of Shakespeare in Love at Harrogate Theatre.

Naail Ishaq will be playing the titular character, Will Shakespeare, in the Harrogate Dramatics Society production.

He will also this year be seen in the lead role in the theatre’s pantomime, Dick Whittington.

He said:

“Shakespeare in Love is a cracking story that’s come at a great time in my life, to play a writer, actor and poet, who’s becoming the man he’ll be remembered for, it’s quite exciting to be going through that stage of my life myself.”

Like his character in Shakespeare in Love, Naail is eager to share his writing, and the theatre and film projects he’s working on.

Beyond the stage, Naail has won an award for best comedy for the short film Bad Habits.

Naail is joined by Debbie Phillips, a professional actress and dancer. She has her own youth theatre, where she trains young actors, directors, writers and lighting technicians.

Debbie trained as a classical ballet dancer under Ballet Ireland and The English Youth Ballet, and has worked as a guest teacher and choreographer for the Regional Youth Ballet.

She has had the teaching from The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Beyond the theatre, she is also familiar to many in Harrogate thanks to her job at independent bookshop Imagined Things.

Debbie is playing Viola, “the feisty, brilliant and beautiful” inspiration for Will Shakespeare. She said:

“Getting to move back into the spotlight has been a lot of fun and Shakespeare in Love has always been a favourite story of mine.

“Viola’s journey shows her growth from a young girl dreaming of adventures, to a daring wise woman fully aware of the price her dreams will cost.”

Shakespeare in Love will be in Harrogate Theatre from October 19 to 21. Tickets are available at the Harrogate Theatre box office online or over the phone on 01423 502116.

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