A father-of-three whose wife died just 36 hours after being diagnosed with leukaemia is setting off on a 1,600 km cycle ride to fund research into the disease that killed her. 

Philippa Badger was just 42 when she died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) on April 22 last year leaving three young children aged 12, 10 and six. 

To mark the first anniversary of her death, Kettlesing resident James Badger and three friends will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just eight days to raise money for Blood Cancer UK. 

James, who only took up cycling a few years ago, wants to raise a total of £300,000 to fund a three-year research project into AML, which currently has only a 10 per cent survival rate. 

James said: 

“Through the work of Blood Cancer UK, survival rates for childhood leukaemia have improved from just 10 per cent in the 1960s and 70s to almost 85 per cent. 

“The type of leukaemia that Philippa had, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, has not had the same level of funding and research that childhood leukaemias have had, which is why it is so important for us to do this ride and fund this research project. 

“Research can make a real difference and our aim is to improve survival rates for people diagnosed with AML. This is why we are doing our ride.” 

Following a service at St James’ Church in Birstwith to mark the first anniversary of Philippa’s death, James and his friends, Richard Baldwin, Adam Ellis and Anthony Fraser, will drive down to Cornwall ready to start their epic eight-day cycle ride on Sunday, April 23. 

Philippa Badger died within just 36 hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia, leaving behind her husband James and their three young children.

On each of the eight days, James will be cycling further than he has ever done before, having bought his first road bike in 2019 following the UCI World Cycling Championships in Harrogate. 

The four friends will be on their bikes for between 10 and 12 hours at a time, every day for eight days, covering a daily distance of around 200km and climbing 2,000 metres each day. 

They will be plunging into ice-baths at the end of each day of cycling, ready to be back on their bikes the following morning. 

James Badger (second from left) and his friends, Richard Baldwin, Adam Ellis and Anthony Fraser, will take eight days to cycle the 1,600km from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

James said: 

“It is going to be tough, a real challenge, but I wanted to do something significant enough that would really make a difference. 

“A fully-funded research project into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia will cost £300,000 and we hope this 1,600 km cycle ride will raise a big chunk of money towards that target.” 

Pupils, staff and parents at Belmont Grosvenor School (BGS) in Birstwith, where James and Philippa’s youngest child Thomas is a pupil, have thrown their weight behind his fundraising efforts. 

So far, a fundraising ball and Colour Run at BGS has raised around £20,000, and other events are planned to help James and his friends reach their target of £300,000. 

He said: 

“We’ve been connected with Belmont Grosvenor for almost a decade – all three of our children have been pupils, and our youngest son still attends. I’m so grateful for their support, and for everyone who has supported us so far.” 

James has set up a JustGiving page and the four friends have so far raised nearly £40,000 towards their target. They are posting updates on their Instagram page, and are updating it with their training regime. 

Throughout the ride the four will be uploading videos daily to enable family, friends and followers to follow their progress along the 1,600 km route. Children Isabel, Alice and Thomas will be at the finish line in John O’Groats to meet their dad at the end of the epic ride.

To donate, please visit the team’s JustGiving page.

Read more:

• Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemia
• Pilates instructor in 18-hour marathon to help fight husband’s cancer
• Harrogate girls to cut hair to raise funds for friend with leukaemia

A Knaresborough institution closed its doors for the last time this afternoon, after its owners were surprised by an impromptu party to mark their retirement. 

Andy and Elaine Grinter opened Art in the Mill, in Green Dragon Yard, in 2007 as a commercial art gallery with a picture-framing business, Green Dragon Framing, running alongside.

But over the years it has become something of a community hub, hosting weaving workshops, life drawing sessions, children’s art classes, poetry evenings, book signings for local authors, and even a wedding. 

In a Facebook post, Elaine said: 

“We’ve given it our all, as if we were raising a child – well twins, actually, if you count two separate businesses – and the rewards have been beyond measure. 

“It’s always been about ‘the people’ for us – the artists and the customers – and we want to thank you for the trust you placed in us to occupy the space in the middle.” 

Since the couple took over the premises 16 years ago, they have held more than 60 exhibitions by 250 artists, as well as hosting primary school visits and working with young artists. 

They have also worked extensively to further the interests of the local business and cultural communities, being heavily involved with Knaresborough’s Festival of Visual Arts (feva), Knaresborough Civic Society and Knaresborough & District Chamber, and starting the Visit Castlegate traders’ association.

Pimms was served in Green Dragon Yard during a Castlegate family fun day.

They have organised Castlegate family fun days, eve of feva parties, and Knaresborough’s celebrations when the Tour de France came to Yorkshire in 2014, as well as raising money for various charities, including funds for the town’s defibrillator. 

Their daughter Holly said:  

“Mum and dad have just worked so hard to push Knaresborough and benefit the whole community – they’ve never really taken holidays or switched off. They’ve done so much for the town over the years – I’m sure they’ll be really missed.” 

Andy and Elaine, who have been married for 36 years, plan to use their retirement to travel and see friends and family. It is understood that their premises, in a converted flax mill built in 1808, have been sold and will be converted for residential use.

Art in the Mill occupied a converted Georgian flax mill in Green Dragon Yard, off Castlegate.

In her Facebook post, Elaine wrote: 

“The mill is an amazing space and has served us all so well that on the eve of our departure we’re predictably sad to be leaving it, and our beloved Green Dragon Yard community, but we have many happy memories to be thankful for.” 

Read more:

• Knaresborough unveils blue plaque to celebrate its ancient market
• ‘Time to come together’ for Knaresborough businesses after BID row
• Art exhibition raises money for Harrogate cancer centre

A former soldier has pledged to walk over 100km to raise funds for a local charity – without ever straying too far from home.  

James Bryceson, who lives in Norwood in the Washburn Valley, intends to walk around Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs – which lie just a mile away – 10 times in a row, in an epic 104km trek that he hopes will take just 20 hours. 

He is tackling the epic trek, which he has called The Reservoir Slog, to raise money for Harrogate Homeless Project, and has set £1,000 as his fundraising target. 

James, who spent 13 years in the Army, 10 of them in the Military Police, said: 

“I’d been out of the Army for a while and wanted to do something to get fit. I thought 100km in a day would be a good goal to set. 

“There couldn’t be a better charity to support. This is a local walk, and I’m hoping it will benefit people locally.” 

James, who now works as a recruitment consultant, has spent the last six months preparing for the walk by lifting weights and doing daily circuits of the reservoirs. 

He plans to set off on the round walk at 8am on Sunday, June 25 and keep the water on his right – heading clockwise – for the duration. He will be accompanied at various stages by family and friends, but is urging wellwishers to join him for as much or as little of the challenge as they like. He said: 

“You can come along for one lap, two laps or more. The night part will be hardest, as I’ll be quite tired by then. So if anyone can join me for that bit, that’d be great – they can keep me awake!” 

He is also looking for sponsorship, and is asking interested local businesses to get in touch. People wanting to support James’s trek for Harrogate Homeless Project can make a donation online via JustGiving, at The Reservoir Slog. 

Read more:

• Harrogate homeless charity re-homes its 100th resident
• 10K run set to be held in aid of Harrogate Homeless Project
• Swinsty and Fewston parking charges to include ‘season ticket’

This story is sponsored by Harrogate Family Law 

A Harrogate mother-of-three who divorced her husband says she couldn’t have got through the challenging process without the support of Harrogate Family Law (HFL). 

Mrs H had been married for 14 years when her previously happy marriage hit the rocks and she was left feeling there was no other option than separation.

For Mrs H and many people in this situation, this is a time of mixed emotions. Feelings of deep unhappiness, guilt about splitting up a family, and complete failure for breaking wedding vows are a heavy weight to bear.

Mrs H was married to a successful lawyer who regularly threatened that she would be left with nothing if she divorced him.

She said: 

“Mine was a very acrimonious separation. My ex-husband was very controlling, and approached our break-up very aggressively.” 

Contacting a lawyer is a very daunting prospect and Mrs H mulled over whether to make the call and set the wheels in motion.

However, she was surprised at the initial meeting, as its aim was to ensure that all avenues had been explored before making a final decision on separation.

On HFL’s advice, the couple tried counselling in an attempt to work through their problems with the aim of avoiding separation or divorce. Unfortunately, counselling was not successful.

HFL advised Mrs H to try mediation in the hope that a fair and amicable settlement could be agreed.

Cut off at Christmas

In Mrs H’s words, mediation was a “disaster” and a lengthy period of correspondence followed. During this period, Mr H tried every trick possible to get Mrs H to agree to his terms.

His actions included, without notice, a significant reduction in funds to the account which supported Mrs H and their three children.

Mrs H said: 

“My ex-husband cut off all funds to me. I was faced with a really difficult Christmas with the kids – I didn’t even have the money for our Christmas dinner.

“If it weren’t for a good friend lending me some money, his children would have been left living on nothing over the festive period.

“Thankfully, HFL didn’t invoice me until they absolutely had to and they were incredibly understanding about the situation I was facing.” 

In the end, Mrs H’s ex-husband took the case to court in an effort to exhaust her funds, but things didn’t go his way – the judge awarded a fair settlement to Mrs H and her three children, including the payment of her legal costs. 

Mrs H said:  

“My ex-husband tried to leave me with as little as possible, but with HFL’s help the outcome was fair and ended up being just what they’d said it would be – they called it absolutely right.

“They stood up to my ex-husband and his lawyers, and were very robust in their counter-arguments. For them, it was never about the fees – it was all about the desire to get the best possible result for me and my children in a fair way.”

Mrs H was so impressed with her lawyers that she’s already referred several friends to Harrogate Family Law. She said:

“HFL really made a difference. They don’t sugar-coat anything, so you always know exactly where you are.

“If you phone HFL there’s a really understanding person on the other end of the line. You share a lot of personal information with your lawyer, more than you do with your friends, but never once did I feel judged. They were the right people, at the worst time of my life.”

Find out more:

For clear, honest advice from a supportive solicitor at Harrogate Family Law, call 01423 594680 or go to harrogatefamilylaw.co.uk.

This story is sponsored by Myrings Estate Agents 

Accidental landlords should avoid the temptation to go it alone when letting out their property, one of the best-known names in the district’s estate agency sector has warned. 

Charles Myring, of award-winning Harrogate estate agent Myrings, said people who find themselves in the rental marketplace by chance – for example by inheriting a property – often try to do things on the cheap, but it’s a false economy. He said: 

“It’s pretty much the same as engaging in DIY dentistry – it’s not easy and it’s very likely to hurt.” 

The boom in the rental market over the last decade has seen a sharp upturn in accidental landlords, as people coming into property seek to use the rental income as an extra revenue stream. It is believed that as many as 30% of rental properties in the UK are let by accidental landlords. 

Mr Myring said: 

“The main thing to bear in mind at all times is that renting out property must be treated as a proper business – not a fascinating hobby like stamp-collecting. There have been so many changes to rules, regulations and taxation in recent years that you’ve got to take letting seriously, and the best way to do that is by enlisting the help of experts like Myrings.” 

The list of items landlords are required by law to secure has expanded in recent years to include Right to Rent checks, gas safety certificates, energy performance certificates and electrical installation condition reports. Properties also need to be inspected regularly, and repairs need to be carried out promptly. 

Mr Myring said: 

“Boilers don’t tend to go wrong at 9 o’clock on a Monday morning – they have a nasty habit of breaking down at 6 o’clock on a Saturday evening, and you need to be able to deal with that straight away. 

“Tenants are not paying guests – they are buying a clearly defined service – i.e. accommodation – as part of a two-way legally-binding contract. It’s a symbiotic relationship and you’ve got to hold up your end of the bargain. 

“But we can do all that for you. We’ve been operating successfully in Harrogate for over 25 years, and we’ve built up good relationships with lots of traders, so any work that needs to be done urgently can be taken care of without any hassle.” 

Last year, Myrings picked up four awards from TV property expert Phil Spencer at the ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2022 – the biggest awards in the UK property industry – including Best in County. 

This year it has been awarded Gold in both the Sales and Letting categories by the Best Estate Agent Guide 2023. 

Mr Myring added: 

“There is a steady stream of new laws and regulations for both professional and accidental landlords, and non-compliance to ever more legislation can have serious and costly consequences. 

“That’s why accidental landlords need to choose a very good letting agent (I recommend Myrings!) to help you manage a huge asset and do everything to optimise your income, collect your rent and help you sleep soundly at night.”

Find out more:  

If you’re a Harrogate homeowner or involved in the local property market in any way, call Myrings on 01423 566400 for a free no-obligation chat about its residential sales and lettings services, or visit the website: myringsestateagents.com. 

A secondary headteacher living with endometriosis is calling for more frank discussions in schools about periods and women’s health. 

Emma Lambden, who lives in Ripon and is head of Thirsk School, was diagnosed with the women’s reproductive condition in her early 40s, but says she had had problems with periods since her teens. 

She said: “Diagnosis of endometriosis typically takes about seven years, so I just want young girls to have sufficient information that they will go to the doctor early if need be, rather than thinking they ‘just have bad periods’, like I did.” 

The headteacher, who was educated at Ripon Grammar School, said discussions with groups of her own pupils had already yielded valuable feedback. Students aged 15 to 17 suggested the introduction of lessons about what periods look like, the emotional impact of periods, and the need to remove the “taboo” from talking about menstrual health. 

Ms Lambden has also made sanitary products available on demand at three points in her school – a move that was prompted by some of her own sixth-formers, who wanted to combat “period poverty”. 

She is now making that just one plank of a wider approach. She said: 

“North Yorkshire County Council has put out guidance around menopause, and the teachers’ unions have created a menopause policy for staff. There’s a lot of talk around the menopause – and rightly so – but I’d also like to see us talk more about the other health issues women can face. 

“I wanted to broaden the issue out to include our students, so as a school we’ve created a draft women’s health policy, and we’re looking at drawing up a men’s health policy too. 

“This feels like an idea whose time has come. When talking about women’s health, everyone always sticks to the biology and emotions, but we need to talk more about the practicalities of it. 

She added: 

“It always feels as if periods are the last taboo – we just don’t talk about them. We need to be able to talk about these things without embarrassment.” 

Read more:

• Former Ripon Grammar School head boy wins BBC quiz show
• Ex-Ripon Grammar pupil discovers oldest map of stars
• Emmy award for former Ripon Grammar School student

A world where everyone’s life must end at the age of 90 is the setting for a Harrogate author’s first novel, due to be published next month. 

The action in Deathday, by Colin Philpott, takes place in England in 2045, where euthanasia is not just legal but compulsory, and where severe economic depression in the wake of “the Great Pandemic” and Brexit, a collapse in the care system and inter-generational conflict have changed attitudes to death and old age.  

Those people who still accept the law, plan for “Deathday parties”, while “evaders” try to escape abroad and “remainders” – people already over 90 who were spared at the time the law came in – live in colonies in rundown seaside resorts.

Meanwhile, the young King plots with politicians opposed to the laws which are enforced by the sinister National Age Regulation Authority. 

The novel, which is published by Fisher King Publishing, is set in several different parts of England, including Yorkshire, Northumberland, Greater Manchester, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and London, and includes scenes in Harrogate locations such as Brimham Rocks, the Royal Hall, and the Army Foundation College. 

Colin Philpott, who lives in Bishop Monkton, said:

“I was inspired to write this novel after witnessing the differing end-of-life experiences of members of my own family, and also my experience as a volunteer with a food delivery and befriending charity.

“I am not advocating compulsory euthanasia, but I do believe society needs to create a higher quality of life in old age and radically rethink our approach to end-of-life care.”  

Deathday is Colin Philpott’s first work of fiction. He has previously written three books about 20th-century history: A Place in History, which includes the stories of places in Britain touched by news events; Relics of the Reich, which examines how Germany has dealt with the buildings left by the Nazis; and Secret Wartime Britain, about hidden places in Britain that helped the war effort in the Second World War.  

Colin worked for the BBC for 25 years as a journalist and senior executive. Later he was director of the National Media Museum in Bradford. 

Rick Armstrong, managing director of Fisher King Publishing, said:

“We’re delighted to be publishing Colin Philpott’s debut novel. When I first read the manuscript, it was clear that the basis of the narrative is highly thought-provoking, tackling very pressing contemporary issues in an interesting and clever way.” 

Deathday will be published on April 24 and will be available in print and digital versions worldwide.

Read more:

• All Creatures Great and Small author in the spotlight at Harrogate Library
• Harrogate’s crime writing festival names its novel of the year
• Debut novelist concocts a murder mystery in North Yorkshire

The Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has written to an energy company to ask if it intends to go ahead with plans to build a huge solar farm on farmland north of Scotton. 

Andrew Jones was prompted into action by residents in Scotton, Farnham and Brearton who contacted him concerned about the lack of any information about the proposals. 

Sustainable energy company Gridserve is proposing to build the solar plant on an 88-hectare site belonging to Lawrence Moor Farm. 

Its plans envisage thousands of solar panels generating up to 49.9 megawatts of green energy that could power up to 14,000 homes. 

Gridserve, which is headquartered in Buckinghamshire, applied to Harrogate Borough Council for a scoping opinion to see if it felt a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

There were objections from nearby parish councils, the Harrogate Ramblers and the Harrogate and Dales Horse Riding Association, as well as the local Green Party, which opposes such developments on agricultural land. 

At the end of July 2021, Harrogate Borough Council confirmed that a detailed EIA would be required, but Gridserve has taken no action since. 

Mr Jones said:  

“I have been in touch with the council’s planning department and no planning application has been submitted since that date. From talking to many local people, I know that residents feel very much like the threat of an application is hanging over them.  No-one disputes the need for renewable energy. It is primarily the location and effect on agricultural land which is the issue. 

“I have therefore written to Gridserve to ask their intentions for the land. I hope, given the local opposition, that they will be reconsidering the plans, but I will let residents know the position when I receive a response.” 

Read more:

• UK’s largest weir removal project begins on River Nidd at Scotton
• Business breakfast: Solar plans for business park near Harrogate
• Fears in Scotton that gigantic solar farm will spoil picturesque village

A Ripon man with a passion for underwater drones is hoping to turn his hobby into an income stream. 

Adam Makewell takes out with his waterproof ROVs (remote operated vehicles) on weekend dives with his son Cameron, 12, in Ripon Canal and the River Ure.

He says the technology has commercial potential he could explore:

“These ROVs are actually quite advanced pieces of kit – they can go down as deep as 100 metres – and could be very useful for all sorts of purposes.

I’ve already used them for mapping the river-bed with sonar, but they could be used for underwater archaeology, to monitor water quality, habitat health and reservoir walls, to check outer nets on fish farms, or inspect boats’ hulls below the waterline.

Putting in a qualified diver takes quite a bit of money; I could provide a quicker, cheaper option. If I could get enough work and make it pay, there’s nothing I’d rather do.” 

Adam Makewell on the riverbank with one of his ROVs.

In the meantime, Adam is continuing to explore more stretches of the River Ure with son Cameron, spurred on by the thought of what they may find. He said:

“I’ve already found all sorts down there – car keys, sunglasses, even some solar panels that had been blown off a barge in the marina.

And the wildlife is crazy – there’s so much more to see than you’d ever imagine when you look at a body of water: grayling, trout, roach, chub, crayfish and freshwater shrimp. There are a couple of large perch we’ve named Tom and Jerry, and a big pike we’ve called Gary! 

“We’ve also used the drone with a grabber to clear rubbish from the canal – so far we’ve removed over 50 bottles just from one stretch of the Ripon canal and three bin bags of cans and other rubbish.”

One of Adam Makewell’s underwater drones with some of the bottles he’s removed from the riverbed in Ripon.

He added: 

“This started as a hobby during lockdown, but it’s becoming almost an obsession. Rather than sitting in the house wishing, I prefer to get out there and do it. If I can turn it into a job, I’ll never ‘work’ again.”

The underwater drones are tethered and have a maximum range of 100m.

• You can follow Adam’s underwater exploits via livestreams and videos on his YouTube channel, RC Xploration.

Read more:

• Police use drone in search for missing Harrogate woman Judith
• Drone shots reveal restoration of Harrogate’s Plumpton Rocks
• Drone captures scale of Ripon field fire

This story is sponsored by Jespers Bar & Kitchen.

Danish-born Jesper Callisen opened Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen on Station Parade with the aim of creating a unique, cosy space that offers quality delicious food and drink, with amazing service, that will ensure all guests are treated to a fantastic experience.

The venue that was previously run by Filmore & Union and Hustle & Co, now has a bar, with a sophisticated restaurant upstairs serving refined British fare with an international twist in the evenings. In the Spring/Summer there is also the opportunity to enjoy al fresco drinking and dining in the courtyard and pavement seating.

But even though the 36-year-old may seem relatively young to open a 90-cover restaurant staffed by 18 people, he’s no novice to the industry.

“I first became interested in hospitality at the age of four, when I watched my brother practising his bartending skills in the garden. At the age of 7, I started collecting miniature bottles of whisky. “I wanted to be the best bartender in the world. I didn’t quite get there , but my passion for the industry grew and I managed to become pretty good.”

Some of the cocktails and food available at Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate.

Jesper has previously been crowned Denmark’s champion flair bartender three times consecutively and was ranked 8th in the world at the 2011 World Championships.

After opening Ofelia, a “wildly popular”  bar for the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen in 2008, he then took his skills around the world, living and working in the Caribbean, Brazil, France, Spain and the UK. He said:

“I love people and I have worked and studied incredibly hard to be able to have the opportunity to travel, work and experience the hospitality industry in many walks of life.”

“After qualifying as a sommelier, I moved to the Cayman Islands, where I was lucky enough to work with an exquisite amount of fine wines.

“I ran the biggest tasting room in the Caribbean, with over 80 wines available by the glass. That was where I honed my skills and learned how to give people an experience they don’t forget.

“We don’t have quite that many here, but we do have a great deal of specially selected fantastic wines at different price levels, and they’re all superb. We also have lots of unique tipples, including an 1899 vintage cognac – only one exists in the world.

“We strive to create a place that makes you feel good, where you are looked after and the service and product you receive are second to none. A lifetime of stories will come to show on your plate, in your drink and from the service you receive.”

As well as being a champion flare bartender, Jesper Callisen is a qualified sommelier and holds wine-tasting evenings.

Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen marks the start of a long-awaited dream for Jesper, who runs it with his wife, Kelly. He said:

“We have been looking for the  perfect place to open something like this for  many years. We didn’t want to stay abroad and wanted to find a place where we call home. My wife, who has family that live in the surrounding area, loves the warmth and friendliness of Yorkshire people, so we came here. And she’s right about the people – they’ve made us feel very welcome.”

Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen will be holding events throughout the year, including wine tastings, cocktail masterclasses, live music, themed dinners and lounge sessions, and soon, Jesper’s will be serving street food tapas for lunch and in the bar in the evenings. This will be in addition to the restaurant offering in the upstairs dining area.

“This restaurant means the world to us, and we are just so lucky to be able to share it with such a wonderful community. Some customers have already become friends.”

“This is absolutely what I want to do,” he says. “It started when I was four years old, and now we’re here.

Find out more:

Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen is open every day except Tuesdays; for opening times, visit the website, www.jespersbarandkitchen.co.uk.

To reserve a table or enquire about booking a private function, call 01423 552844 or book online.