A car that was overcome by deep water in a Ripon ford is still “parked” in the middle of the river three days later, and it remains unclear who will remove it, or when. 

The owner of the vehicle, whose identity is unknown to the Stray Ferret, has not yet “rescued” his car, and neither the police, the council nor the Environment Agency are taking responsibility for its removal.

As we reported on Wednesday, a man had to be helped onto dry land by members of the public on Tuesday night after his car – a Ford Focus hatchback – glugged to a halt while crossing the River Skell, which was swollen by heavy rain brought by Storm Henk. 

The police and a fire crew were called, the driver checked over, and the ford and footbridge closed off for the public’s safety. 

Now that the waters have receded, the car needs to be removed, but when or by whom that will be done is not yet known. 

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police, who told us: 

“Abandoned vehicles are the responsibility of local authorities.” 

So we then approached North Yorkshire Council, but a spokesperson told us: 

“North Yorkshire Council wouldn’t recover the vehicle. The owner/driver would be advised to contact a recovery organisation who have the necessary vehicles to help with this type of recovery.” 

They also said: 

“The Environment Agency is responsible for the ford/river so they would be best placed to answer the questions raised.” 

So the Stray Ferret asked the Environment Agency about the fate of the car, and a spokesperson told us: 

“We are not responsible for the Ford at Firs Avenue, nor the water-level boards. 

“We urge the public to avoid driving through floodwater, as it takes only 30cm of water to float your car”. 

In the meantime, the recent spell of drier weather has seen all flood warnings – meaning “Flooding is expected: act now” – removed from rivers across the district. 

However, flood alerts – meaning “Flooding is possible: be prepared” – are still place on the River Ure and its tributaries between Masham and Boroughbridge, including the rivers Burn, Laver and Skell. 

Little or no rain is expected across the district well into next week, according to Met Office forecasts, and the next winter storm, Storm Isha, has not yet formed. 

The ford at Firs Avenue is usually easily crossable, but in heavy rain can quickly become impassable. In September, two people had to be rescued from a Fiat that entered the river from Priest Lane and got stuck in the ford.

Read more:

• Driver rescued from Ripon ford as flood threat continues
• Harrogate trains cancelled as flood threat remains
• Flood warnings tonight for parts of Boroughbridge

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Harrogate care group Vida Healthcare has taken on almost 90 nursing and paramedic placement students as part of a partnership with the University of Bradford.

Since the relationship between the two institutions began in 2020, Vida Healthcare has provided placements for 48 Mental Health and Adult nursing students and 40 trainee paramedics from the university.

These have been at Vida’s three outstanding-rated care homes in Harrogate, which care for more than 200 people living with dementia.

The patient-centred course sees the students undertake hands-on exercises, alongside equal amounts of theory work.

Vida’s healthcare director, Bernadette Mossman, who is leading the initiative, said:

“Our partnership with the University of Bradford allows students to make informed decisions about health and social care.

“It enables them to have a clearer awareness of the opportunities in social care and break down preconceived ideas about the sector.

“Offering students the chance to share best practice and work jointly has been an utter pleasure for us and allowed multi professionals to join our team at Vida, giving them their very own career pathway.”

Ithsham Tariq, Placement Development Officer in the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford, said:

“This has been a very successful partnership which has been built on a shared commitment to educating our future workforce in health.

“Vida Healthcare has shown that they are willing to invest in our nursing students, not only with their time but also their expertise in dementia care.”

Jespers launches Taco Tuesdays

Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate is planning to hold its first Taco Tuesday event of the year on Tuesday (January 9).

Jespers hosted a covert “Secret Mexican Dinner” experience throughout November, after owner Jesper Callisen spotted a gap in the market following the opening of a Mexican restaurant in Harrogate in the summer – and its closure just two days later.

The restaurant is now relaunching the evening, with a refined menu, as Taco Tuesday in alliance with Leeds-based HACIEN Tequila; through January, each guest will receive a complimentary tequila cocktail.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company acquires Newcastle financial firm
• Business Breakfast: HMRC unlikely to receive money from Masham brewery administration
• Business Breakfast: Emmerdale star to help launch new travel agent

Anyone wanting to start the new year by learning something new can find out about the courses available to them at a pop-up event in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre today. 

The event, organised by North Yorkshire Council (NYC), runs from 9.30am to 1.30pm, and breakfast is included. 

NYC teachers are at the shopping centre to answer any questions that visitors may have about the learning opportunities available, and there’s a family learning teacher on hand to look after children while their parents discuss their options.  

Jennifer Ferguson, marketing officer for Adult Learning North Yorkshire, told the Stray Ferret: 

“At the start of the year, a lot of people will be thinking of a career change, and we can help them make an informed decision. 

“Whether you want to train as an accountant or become an accredited teaching assistant, we can point you in the right direction.” 

The council runs part-time adult education and training courses to help learners brush up on English skills or improve their numeracy through the government’s Multiply scheme, and there are also courses in IT, wellbeing, cookery and crafts.

A full course list can be found on the Adult Learning page of the NYC website.

Jennifer added: 

“If you’re thinking of learning something new this year, go for it. Come along – you’ve got nothing to lose. 

“We’ve got really friendly staff who can talk you through all the courses we offer and help you find the best one for you.”

Many of the courses are free of charge, but even for those courses that are not, 92% of NYC’s learners receive full funding.

Read more:

• Ofsted praises ‘friendly’ staff at Harrogate kids club
• Harrogate mums launch baby classes to tackle covid impact on education
• The 4 biggest decisions for North Yorkshire Council in 2024

This story is sponsored by Worldpay.

Retailers and hospitality providers can now earn free advertising with the Stray Ferret – by switching their payments system to Worldpay. 

The Stray Ferret is a referral partner of the global payment processing company, and has negotiated an agreement that sees everyone win. 

After a client signs up to Worldpay following a Stray Ferret introduction, a small fraction of the Worldpay invoice total is passed to the Stray Ferret. There is no uplift to the invoice total to cover this arrangement. 

Emma Harris, commercial manager at the Stray Ferret, said: 

“This is such a genius arrangement. Our clients are quoted competitive fee structures and get free advertising with us. 

“That counts for a lot. We have about 2.3 million page views each month, and we’re now the district’s most-read online local news source – so advertising with us really works. And when it’s free, what’s not to like?” 

Part of FIS, Worldpay is one of the world’s largest payment processors, handling more than 40 billion transactions a year in 126 currencies, worth more than $1.5 trillion. 

It is trusted by some of the best-known companies in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Sony and Samsung, as well as British household names such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, M&S and Boots. 

Its terminals accept payment from all the main providers, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apply Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. Clients have access to a dedicated account manager and 24/7 customer support, and the company offers next-business-day machine replacement.

Emma added:

“Worldpay already has a great proposition, but coupled with the option of free advertising with the Stray Ferret, it’s absolutely compelling. If your business takes card payments, this really is a no-brainer.”

Find out more: 

If you’d like to know more about how Worldpay can streamline how you take, make and manage payments, and about accruing free advertising credits with the Stray Ferret, contact Emma Harris at emma@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle in ITV’s Emmerdale, will be the celebrity guest at the grand opening of a new travel agent in Harrogate this week.

The actor, who lives in the town, will be at the new branch of Althams Travel from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, January 6, when there will also be opportunities to win holiday vouchers worth up to £1,000 each.

The arrival of the new branch, between WHSmith and Claire’s on Cambridge Street, has created five new full-time jobs.

Sales development manager Marie Leach said:

“It’s the perfect time to open, people will be looking to escape to the sun and our friendly team will be here to help the people of Harrogate.

“We have been looking to open in Harrogate for a long time now but we have been waiting for the perfect place and we have found it.

“Being independent means we are not tied into selling particular holidays, so we can find the holiday that works best for our clients.”

Established in 1874, Burnley-based Althams now has 32 branches across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire. The nearest ones to Harrogate currently are in Otley and Horsforth in West Yorkshire.

Swinton seafood residency

Rick Stein’s former right-hand man is to hold a five-day seafood residency at the Swinton Estate, near Masham, this spring.

Stephane Delourme, who was previously head chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, will host a series of exclusive dining events and masterclasses from May 7 to 11.

The week starts with a gala dinner in Samuel’s Restaurant and continues with a series of hands-on cookery masterclasses, intimate chef’s table experiences, and a Fish and Fire lunch at The Terrace Restaurant and Bar.

Stephane said:

“Guests will be able to experience some incredible seafood and discover the tastes and flavours from many of the dishes that we have become renowned for in the South West.

“I cannot wait to come to Swinton and cook using ingredients sourced directly from the estate, along with those from the east coast. Life is about making memories and I look forward to doing this together.”

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate district care firm wins £28m domiciliary care contract
• Business Breakfast: New Harrogate College campus to include facilities to boost technical skills
• Business Breakfast: Contractor appointed to build 37 affordable homes in Ripon

Anyone wanting to give something back to the community without making a regular commitment may find a solution in a new project launched by Harrogate and District Community Action.

The charity recognises that not everyone has the time to dedicate to regular volunteering, so Help Out Harrogate provides opportunities for people to lend a hand as and when they can – there is no minimum commitment.

Volunteers can sign up to be part of a crew that can be called on for anything from marshalling at flu clinics to planting crocus bulbs on the Stray, packing hampers for a charity, helping with outdoor community events, litter-picking or getting involved in conservation tasks.

HADCA is working with charities and community groups to identify tasks and opportunities.

Susie Hart of Harrogate-based charity Artizan, with volunteers Janet and Jenni.

Potential volunteers are being asked to sign up, which will add their name to a mailing list to receive notification of all the opportunities. These will also be promoted via the project’s Facebook page.

Anna Glazier, Help Out Harrogate organiser, said:

“Everyone’s motivations for volunteering are different and while dedicated, long-term volunteering opportunities are crucial to the running of small charities, having ad hoc opportunities to get involved are equally valuable, as they cater to people’s increasingly busy lives and provide a flexible way of contributing to your community.

“Crucially, this injection of volunteering support into small charities or local groups will help make a difference to the people, places and spaces that matter to our community.”

Help Out Harrogate sits alongside HADCA’s Community Fit project which combines being active, social and helping out in the local community. Community Fit members (‘FitStars’) meet every Wednesday evening to run together at an easy pace to a local charity or community group to lend a hand.

Helping out can involve anything that can safely be carried out by the group within the hour, such as sorting donations, basic gardening, delivering leaflets, tidying a warehouse, litter-picking or preparing materials for craft projects.

Anna added:

“The group meets at Harrogate Community House on East Parade at 5.45pm every Wednesday, runs 1-2 miles to a charity, school, community or environmental group where they help out for around an hour, before making their way back to Community House for 8pm. Participants don’t have to be fast or sporty; runs are at a social pace and nobody gets left behind. 

“We’re also looking for new ‘TaskStars’, members who run, walk or cycle to help individuals with small, unskilled jobs in their homes or gardens that they are unable to do themselves due to age, ill health and/or mobility, helping them to live independently for longer. This offers those who aren’t motivated to join the group runs to get involved with the project, choosing their own method of active travel at their own pace.” 

Volunteers Hannah and Lizzie painting a planter at Saltergate School in Harrogate.

Help Out Harrogate builds on the legacy of the volunteering efforts of local people during the Covid pandemic. More than 350+ people approached HADCA to help people isolating at home, and a further 150 volunteer marshals supported the vaccination programme at both the Harrogate and Ripon vaccination centres.

The new pilot harnesses the power of this volunteering workforce to support local charities and community events and activities and is being generously supported by The Shears Foundation, Cllr Peter Lacey and Cllr Sam Gibbs.

HADCA connects and supports local communities, charities and volunteers, providing information, resources, networks, promotion.

The charity’s Where To Turn Directory helps connect people to local charity services, support groups and community activities to support good health and wellbeing. Through its Volunteering Directory, HADCA helps people find meaningful volunteering opportunities, and also supports small charities and community groups to host and recruit volunteers successfully.

Read more:

• Volunteers sought to help plant trees at Ripon nature reserve
• Tockwith Show directors propose one-year break after volunteers step down
• Volunteers turn out in force to support campaign for cleaner River Nidd

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we look at some of the larger companies that ran into difficulties over the year.

What could loosely be termed “economic headwinds” have caused trouble for thousands of companies around the UK in recent years, and in 2023 the storm hit several large local employers. 

Some were rescued, but others sank without trace. Here, we take another look at some of the bigger companies that hit the rocks over the last 12 months. 

Amvoc

Back in March, as many as 230 people lost their jobs after Harrogate telemarketing company Amvoc crashed into administration.  

Amvoc’s clients included some big names, such as BP, Barclays and Virgin Media, as well as the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. 

But administrator Gareth Lewis, of Lewis Business Recovery and Insolvency, said in his report that the company had entered into a company voluntary arrangement in 2017 due to “cash flow difficulties” because of the loss of a major customer and “significant bad debt”. 

Amvoc’s former head office on Cardale Park in Harrogate.

Amvoc paid off the bad debt, but only just in time for the start of the covid pandemic. The company, which had unusually high staff turnover – 20 to 30 employees left and started each month – couldn’t cope with lockdown, and even after restrictions were eased, its offices were closed by Public Health England in August 2020 after 50 staff contracted coronavirus. 

Meanwhile, many of Amvoc’s customers held back on projects due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic, leading to an unsustainable trading position. 

Farmison

In April, high-end butcher Farmison went into administration, threatening the jobs of its 100 or so employees. This time, though, the story had a happier outcome.  

The Ripon-based firm, which was founded by John Pallagi and Lee Simmons in 2011, had an impressive client list that included Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Michelin starred restaurants. 

Major cashflow problems saw it fall into administration with debts of £7 million, but it was quickly bought out of administration by a consortium led by Andy Clark, former chief executive of Asda, for an undisclosed sum. 

Farmison is now back in business, with a leaner staff of 60 under former Marks & Spencer managing director Andy Adcock as chief executive. It relaunched its Cut by Farmison butcher’s shop at its Ripon headquarters earlier this month, plans to open more shops in a bid to diversify, and aims to increase annual turnover to £20 million. 

Black Sheep Brewery

Challenging economic conditions were also behind the difficulties that corralled Black Sheep Brewery into administration in May. 

The Masham company headed off what it called a “local employment catastrophe” by selling out to London investment firm the Breal Group for £5 million, saving about 50 jobs, including that of chief executive Charlene Lyons. 

Black Sheep Brewery’s CEO, Charlene Lyons.

Ms Lyons said that Black Sheep was not the brewing industry’s first casualty and warned it would not be the last. Speaking in June, she said: 

“In the last 12 months, 45 breweries entered insolvency in the UK, a three-fold increase on the previous year, as the cost-of-living crisis has squeezed household disposable income. 

“This has had an extreme and adverse effect on all brewers’ sales, at a time when their own costs and inflation are high. Black Sheep has not been immune to these factors, leading it to the administration process. It is highly likely that many more will follow in the coming months.” 

Ilke Homes

Around 1,100 people lost their jobs when Ilke Homes collapsed into administration in June, owing nearly £400 million to more than 300 creditors. 

The company, which manufactured modular housing in a huge factory at Flaxby, near Knaresborough, had been toasted as a stand-out success story on the region’s business landscape. 

Established in 2017, it built up a client base that included major institutional investors, housing associations, developers and local councils.  

In 2021, Ilke Homes raised £60 million in investment, and a year later, it raised a record-breaking £100 million from new and existing shareholders, following successive years of triple-digit growth. 

But despite a healthy-looking order book, it eventually ran into financial difficulties it attributed to “volatile macro-economic conditions and issues with the planning system”.   

The company said it needed additional funding to build its £1 billion pipeline of 4,200 new homes, but that wasn’t forthcoming, and so it was forced to fold. 

Most creditors saw little or nothing of their investment, including government-owned Homes England, which is believed to have received just 0.01% of the £68 million it was owed. 

The demise of one of the area’s largest employers was naturally not without drama. More than 600 employees took legal action over the way the redundancy process was managed, hoping for compensation of up to eight weeks’ pay. 

And in August – just two days after the firm’s assets had been auctioned by administrators – thieves stole “a large amount of equipment” from its factory, just off junction 47 of the A1(M). Bizarrely, they even refused to leave the site and continued to load up vehicles, even after the police arrived on site. Investigations are believed to be ongoing.

Read more:

• No 11: Curzon closure does not signal the end of cinema in Ripon
• No 10: Harrogate becomes political battleground in 2023
• No 9: River Nidd pollution and politics take centre stage

As 2023 winds down and we start to look to the year ahead, there are some things we can be fairly certain will come our way over the next 12 months.

North Yorkshire will go to the polls in May to elect its first ever Mayor, and there will probably be a General Election too. One has to be held by January 28, 2025, but sometime in 2024 – May or November, perhaps – seems far more likely.

The Bank of England expects inflation to continue to fall over the coming year, and so too will house prices, according to most forecasters.

Locally, though, individual people in business have their own forecasts – and hopes – for the year ahead. So we asked a cross-section of the district’s business community what their aspirations and expectations are for 2024. From electric gritters to selling beer in Taiwan, here’s what they had to say:

Katie and Paul Rawlinson – owners, Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersen

“Small business owners have to be optimists by nature, so we’ll enter 2024 full of determination to make it our best year yet.

“We’ll invest further in making sure Baltzersen’s can compete with a growing number of really great venues in Harrogate.

“We’re also planning to raise our game in the bakery, Bakeri Baltzersen, with refinements and improvements planned across our whole range of bread and pastry, including a good number of new products and the launch of our first vegan range.”

Photo: Matthew Lloyd.

Annie Wilkinson-Gill – owner, The Crystal Buddha, Knaresborough

“I’m very excited for what 2024 will bring for The Crystal Buddha.

“I have so many things planned for next year, including organising the Knaresborough Wellness Festival on March 24, which is a celebration of lots of lovely local holistic businesses, where anyone can come along and sample what they have to offer!

“We have talks and workshops, stalls and an opportunity to experience a sound bath or aura photography alongside some self-care and retail therapy.”

Simon Eyles – managing director, Bettys

“As with the last few years, I am sure this next year will bring lots of uncertainty, challenge, and change. One thing that is for certain, Bettys will continue to focus on delighting every single customer.

“I’m expecting customers to be increasingly selective in where they spend their money, so we will ensure we provide a brilliant Bettys experience like no other.

“I’m also looking forward to some amazing new menu items and delicious new products from our craft bakery. Look out for those!”

Matthew Chapman – manager, Harrogate BID

“Looking ahead to 2024, as we launch the new objectives within our term 2 business plan of pride in our town, a vibrant town and voice and vision is looking as positive. Dates for events are set, promotional plans for our town taking shape and proactive Harrogate BID teams on the street likely to be expanded.

“Strategically, we would like to see the Government follow up on a policy announced in May 2022 on local leaders being given more power within long-term commercial vacant units.

“We are also keen to continue our positive collaboration with the local authority and future North Yorkshire Mayor as we head towards devolution that should provide more local powers, decision making and funding.”

Zakaria Battal – owner, Kurdish Kitchen, Harrogate

“I think my business will carry on growing in 2024.

“It can be hard to get bookings, and when I do, there’s so much paperwork, but that’s actually good, as it makes me more experienced.

“It also makes it safer for people – I have a five-star food hygiene rating.

“My dream is to open a Kurdish Kitchen restaurant here in Harrogate, so hopefully I’ll get closer to doing that. I’m starting small and slowly getting bigger, one step at a time.”

Sharon Canavar – chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals

“2024 will be the first year we have the Harrogate International Festivals team back up to full strength post-Covid, so I am looking forward to an amazing year of events and festivals.

“We have our usual programmes with one or two very special events including a free light festival across Harrogate town centre, as well as the return of the Spiegeltent – so lots to celebrate.

“We know times are hard for everyone, so I hope that the range of work we do will touch everyone in some way, bringing a little joy or fun into their lives and the community which we serve.”

Richard Bradbury – managing director, T&R Theakston

“At Theakstons, we expect to see continued growth for our major brands like the iconic Old Peculier and some of the new beers which have been going down incredibly well as increasing numbers of pubs and supermarkets choose to stock our beers. Although prices continue to increase, the fact that the rate of increase is much lower than 12 months ago gives us confidence that we can continue to keep our beers affordable for drinkers, wherever they’re purchased. 

“As a business, our focus for 2024 will continue to place beer quality at the centre of everything we do. As a result, we are substantially growing our investment into the brewery to keep this at the heart of our business and honour our commitment to drinkers. 

“Turning further afield, having re-entered the US market in 2023, we’ve been buoyed by the growing worldwide demand for our beers and are looking forward to building new distributor relationships in countries including Poland, Sweden and Taiwan.”

Lee Bellwood – co-owner, Major Tom’s Social

“Being an independent in the bar and restaurant trade is always challenging. With various terrible things happening around the world, I’m happy if we can keep our heads above water. We are in a fortunate situation compared to lots of others. 

“At Major Tom’s Social we are looking at extended opening hours and organising some more social educational events. 

“Hopefully, Harrogate will still attract visitors and tourists even with its dwindling high-street presence.”

Paula Lorimer – director, Harrogate Convention Centre

“Future forward bookings for the year ahead look promising and we are expecting to exceed driving £40 million of economic impact in 2024/25 to support businesses.

“I would like to thank businesses across the borough, especially the hotels and restaurants who support our clients and make event organisers and delegates feel so welcome in our spa town. If Harrogate Convention Centre is successful in making the business case for further investment, then the sky’s the limit to what we can achieve!”

Charlene Lyons – CEO, Black Sheep Brewery

“It goes without saying that 2023 has been a turbulent year, with inflated prices and the cost-of-living crisis impacting us and so many businesses across the Harrogate district. However, Black Sheep Brewery is still moving forwards and we’re hopeful for a much stronger 2024 with some positive changes coming soon. We remain committed to securing local employment as well as continuing to innovate and produce high-quality beers, brewed right here in Yorkshire.

“There have been many positive things that have happened at the brewery in recent months that have helped the team finish strongly for the year. This includes the opportunity to collaborate with and raise funds for Rugby legend Rob Burrow MBE with the launch of ‘Burrow’s Blonde’, a delicious new beer now on tap in your local pub that is already proving to be one our most popular brews.

“In 2024, we also plan on further cementing partnerships with pubs and retailers both across Yorkshire and the wider country, as well as supporting our local communities by renewing sponsorships with grassroots sports clubs such as Harrogate Town AFC.”

Jonathan Lupton – managing director, Econ Engineering, Ripon 

“This year has seen Econ continue to develop and demonstrate the UKs first ever fully electric gritter, the E-QCB, which is currently being used at various sites across the country. A major stride in the push for a more sustainable solution to our nation’s working fleet of vehicles, we look forward to working with councils and contractors in 2024, helping them to cut their emissions footprint. 

“The E-QCB, which has a unique swap-body system allowing it to be used all-year round as a gritter, tipper and caged body vehicle, has already made quite an impact and is a major game-changer when it comes to the environmental impact of fleet operations up and down the UK. We hope 2024 will see us build on that initial success.” 

Peter Lacey – joint managing director, Whole Systems Partnership; executive team member, Knaresborough & District Chamber

“During 2023, Knaresborough & District Chamber, along with other groups in the town, planted the seeds for what I hope will be a year in which we begin to realise the full potential of our fantastic town.

“Securing funds from North Yorkshire Council to explore exciting new ventures will enable us to find our voice for the benefit of businesses and the wider wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

“The Whole Systems Partnership is in the business of helping the health and care systems across the country to deliver the best possible services for their local populations. For example, early in 2024 we’re looking forward to spreading our wings across the Pennines to help Lancashire County Council work more closely with the different NHS organisations in their area.

“The great thing about being in Knaresborough, however, if that the lessons we learn elsewhere can also be applied in our town, something we’ve supported through Covid and in our support to Knaresborough Connectors in their work to make the town an even better place to live, visit or work in.”

Read more:

• First day of Christmas fayre was Harrogate’s busiest for six months
• New bridal boutique to open in Ripon

A retired lollipop lady who helped generations of children cross the road in Nidderdale has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to child road safety.  

Mary Fisher is one of 83 recipients in Yorkshire and the Humber named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List, which will be published in full later. 

Mary, 88, was persuaded by a local policeman to start work as a lollipop lady outside Summerbridge Community Primary School in 1975. 

She stayed in post for 47 years, carrying out 18,000 morning and afternoon patrols, before finally retiring last December. 

The school paid tribute on Mary’s final day.

During that time, she got to know all the children’s names and saw many of them return years later with children of their own. 

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: 

“Everyone from Yorkshire receiving honour today represents the best in British communities. 

“I send my warmest congratulations to this year’s recipients, all of whom are incredibly deserving for what they have achieved. 

“If you know someone in your community who has done something extraordinary, nominate them for an honour so together we can recognise what they have achieved.” 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 

“The New Year’s Honours list recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.  

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.” 

Read more:

• Emotional farewell to remarkable Nidderdale lollipop woman Mary Fisher
• Mary, 87, retires after 47 years and 18,000 shifts as a lollipop woman in Summerbridge
• Is Mary the Harrogate district’s longest-serving lollipop woman?

It’s in the nature of news that a lot of the stories we read are, well, not very uplifting – robberies, redundancies and road accidents are not exactly mood-enhancers. 

But there is another, lighter side to the news, so as we turn our backs on the last 12 months, we thought we’d take one last look at some of the funnier stories that raised a smile in 2023. 

The horse that wasn’t a horse 

Back in January, firefighters were called to rescue a horse from floodwaters near Ripon, only to discover it was a metal sculpture. 

Group manager Bob Hoskins, who works for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted: 

“An officer trotted off to check out the situation and discovered a statue of a horse in the middle of the field. 

“There was ‘neigh’ further assistance required on this occasion.” 

The silhouette sculpture of a war-weary soldier and his horse was placed in the field in 2018 as part of a programme of events and commemorations to mark the centenary of the Great War.

The bossy steps 

In April, a set of steps at Harrogate railway station came to national attention when All Creatures Great and Small star Samuel West tweeted that he felt “slightly harassed” by it. 

The steps feature various injunctions, such as “Watch your step”, “Keep the left”, and “Don’t use mobile phones on stairs”, leading one X (formerly Twitter) user to call them a “seriously bossy set of steps”. 

Several said they would be too worried about tripping to read all the messages. 

A spokesperson for rail operator Northern said: 

“We carry out regular inspections of the stations across our network and we’ll certainly take this into consideration.” 

The £2,000 cowpat 

In May, a fresh cowpat helped Masham woman Kathryn Driver hit paydirt. 

Kathryn scooped £2,000 when she won Masham Community Office’s Cow Pat Competition, which was the surprise hit of the town’s coronation bank holiday celebrations. 

The competition saw four cows (see main image), named for the occasion Storm Pooper, Harry Plopper, Poo Patrol and Daisy Dung, let out to roam around a fenced-off piece of land. 

The land had been divided into squares, and tickets sold in advance at £1 per square. The winner would be whoever held the ticket corresponding to the square the first cowpat landed on. 

Hundreds of people turned out to watch, and after nearly an hour’s wait it was Storm Pooper who produced the goods on Kathryn’s square. She said:  

“I can’t believe it! It’s amazing. My mum got the ticket for me, so I’m going to use the money to pay for a holiday and take my mum away.” 

The event raised £5,000, which went towards the purchase of Masham Community Office’s building, The Old Police Station, retaining it as a community hub. 

Hayley Jackson, community office manager, said:  

“Who would have thought cowpats would bring the community together like this?” 

Have we got nudes for you 

More than 80 people shed their clothes in July to take part in the first ever naked walk around the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, near Masham. 

The two-kilometre hike for over-18s was one of a series of fundraising Naked Heart Walks organised over the summer by British Naturism, which promotes naturism. 

The walks at stately homes and gardens were advertised as opportunities to let people “feel the breeze on your skin as you raise money for the British Heart Foundation”. 

Sasha Jackson-Brown, estate and operations manager at the Himalayan garden, said the venue’s remote location made it suitable and the event attracted a good turnout, even though “the weather could have been a bit warmer for them”. 

The cow in the park 

In August, people enjoying the sunny weather in the Valley Gardens in Harrogate were shocked to see a loose cow casually ambling towards the Magnesia Well Tea Room. 

Dog-walker Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin told the Stray Ferret she had no idea how the cow, which appeared to be a Holstein or Friesian, ended up in the park, which is nowhere near any fields. 

That mystery was not solved by a statement issued later by North Yorkshire Police, which simply said that “the cow was reunited with its owner”. 

However, Harrogate Writers’ Circle member Carole Keegan came up with a wordier response, penning a poem to mark the event.

The sleepless celebrity 

TV personality Gyles Brandreth took to Twitter (now X) after enduring a sleepless night on a tilting bed in Harrogate. 

The author and raconteur was appearing in September at the Royal Hall for his one-man show Gyles Brandreth Can’t Stop Talking. 

At 7am the next morning, he tweeted: 

“The view from right here right now… very little sleep on a bed that tilted to the left so that I had to cling on all night. The hotel is in King’s Road but has no number so in the dark we couldn’t find it. Taxi couldn’t find it either. Eventually we did. Rather wish we hadn’t.” 

The bed was so bad, he even tried to book into a different hotel in the dead of night, only to find it was full. 

Mr Brandreth declined to name and shame the establishment to his 208,000 followers. 

After his show, he hailed the “warm and wonderful audience” and said it was “a privilege to be on the stage that both Ken Dodd & Marlene Dietrich once appeared on. Not together. (Though wouldn’t that have been glorious?)”. 

Gyles Brandreth at The Ivy in Harrogate – before his sleepless night.

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