Cedar Court Harrogate to open £500,000 restaurant

A new restaurant called Amber’s is to open at the Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate.

The hotel, which has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment over the last 12 months, is investing £500,000 into the venture.

It is hoped the restaurant, which will seat 75 people, will open next month.

The hotel said in a press release today it would be a “high-quality dining experience through its menu, service and décor” serving traditional British dishes.

A private dining and entertaining venue, the Imaginarium, is also being launched alongside the restaurant with capacity for up to 28 people.

The Cedar Court also announced a refreshed banqueting space for dinners, events, and weddings with a capacity of 250 covers, known as the Queen’s Suite, will also open.

The venue has undergone ground floor renovations, including updating the lounge, bar and other public areas over the last year.

Cedar Court Hotel

Hotel group managing director Wayne Topley said:

“Since I joined Cedar Court five years ago, I wanted to put a special dining concept into Cedar Court Harrogate.

“The significant investment underlies our belief in Harrogate as a real Yorkshire gem, a first-choice dining destination for visitors and local residents alike.

“Amber’s will be a very elegant dining experience, with stylish and traditional design features giving this part of the hotel a new lease of life and energy and new offering this part of Harrogate.”

They name Amber’s was inspired by the pioneering scientist Lady Amber Fitzwilliam, who was a long-time resident at Cedar Court, formerly known as The Queens Hotel in the 1900s.

Cedar Court has been working on the design and planning for the restaurant since last summer with Yorkshire-based, Studio Two Interiors, which has worked on hospitality projects including Lucia’s Wine Bar & Grill, Cut & Craft and Six by Nico.

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Rossett School making ‘significant improvements’ after poor Ofsted

Ofsted has said Rossett School in Harrogate still requires improvement but progress is being made.

A previous visit by the government schools’ inspector in November 2022 concluded Rossett ‘requires improvement’ amid concerns about high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates among disadvantaged students.

This poor grading led to a government inspector returning on January 23 this year for a monitoring inspection.

Monitoring inspections do not grade the school’s overall effectiveness, but identify and report on progress.

The new report, which has just been uploaded on Ofsted’s website, said in its judgement:

“Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to become good.”

Its main findings said “significant improvements” had taken place since former Harrogate Grammar School deputy headteacher Tim Milburn was appointed headteacher in September last year.

The Red Kite Learning Trust, which the school joined at about the time of Mr Milburn’s arrival, created an interim executive board to strengthen governance and support school leaders.

The Ofsted report said:

“The school has secured improvements in pupils’ behaviour. Leaders have raised everyone’s expectations of pupils’ conduct. A new lesson structure has had a positive impact.

“Disruption to learning has reduced, and pupils engage well in lessons. Incidents of internal truancy have reduced significantly since the previous inspection.”

But it added the number of suspensions has increased this year and “a minority of pupils continue to demonstrate challenging behaviour”.

‘Sharper focus’ on attention

The report said leaders “have a sharper focus on attendance than was previously the case” but “some pupils do not attend school often enough”.

It added:

“The number of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities who are persistently absent from school, although improved, is still too high.”

The inspector concluded:

“The lessons I visited on this visit were purposeful and pupils were focused. Pupils are now benefiting from a curriculum that is helping them to know and remember more of what they have been taught. The school has clear improvement plans to address the next steps identified at the previous inspection.

“School and trust leaders have ensured that the school is improving quickly. You are aware that there is more work to do to improve published outcomes, particularly of disadvantaged pupils, and to increase pupils’ attendance.

‘High expectations’

Rossett said in a statement the 2022 report had been a “catalyst for significant change” and there had been a “sharpened focus on ‘attitudes and behaviour’.

Mr Milburn (pictured above) said:

“We will continue to have high expectations for all students, whether it be about attendance, punctuality, uniform, or behaviour.

“These high expectations, which are rooted in our shared values, allow the individual and the whole community to work and learn in a safe, productive, and happy environment. Where students challenge those expectations, we will continue to take appropriate action that minimises the effect on those who are routinely choosing to do the right thing.

“This is an area where parental support is so powerful, and we will continue to work together to improve in this area.”

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Cathedral plans will ‘enhance’ Ripon

This is the second part of an interview with the Very Revd John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon Cathedral. You can read part one here.

When Ripon Cathedral began considering land near the toilet block on Minster Gardens for its new building, a visiting officer from Historic England said in 2020 “we think you’ve found the answer”.

He even suggested planning permission could be secured by Christmas.

There was wider talk of a cathedral quarter and of closing the road outside the cathedral to traffic. Dean John talks favourably about the road being redesigned and calmed to become a shared space for vehicles and pedestrians, similar to the area outside Durham Cathedral. but it is not on the agenda now.

Historic England had rejected plans for a south side building so its warm words were encouraging. After two years developing ideas, the Minster Garden plans were unveiled at an exhibition that included a model of the proposed annexe, which has remained in the cathedral ever since.

The planning application was submitted in 2022 and Dean John says the initial response appeared favourable. But storm clouds were brewing. He says:

“We became aware at around that time that one of the trees on the site was being re-designated a veteran tree. It hadn’t been a veteran tree while we were doing our plans.”

42% more green space

A computer generated image of how the annex would look.

The impact on trade, and the loss of the beech tree and public space have become the main bones of contention. The size of the annexe has also raised concerns. 

Dean John says 21% of Minster Gardens — alongside the current toilet block — would be lost under the current plans:

“It’s a significant proportion, but it’s not all of it and it’s certainly not the bit that’s mainly used.”

He adds the scheme would create new public gardens at back of the stonemason’s yard, meaning the amount of public green space would actually increase by 42% — something he says many people don’t realise:

“It is possible that some people are objecting to something that isn’t being proposed.

“I do appreciate the beech tree is a concern. But what I do object to is those people who are in a sense trying to oppose us who put out photographs of where the memorial garden is and the lawn behind it, which goes down to the courthouse, as if that’s what we are building on. That very precisely is what we are not building on. We believe our proposals will actually enhance this area.”

Dean John acknowledges some people won’t accept the loss of any trees — and that this view may prevail — but adds:

“I regard that as an extreme view – that you can’t have any development at all because you can’t take any trees down.”

The mitigation plans include planting 21 trees around the cathedral, including six mature specimens. A private individual has indicated they are willing to plant another 300 trees on their land. Some campaigners say these trees should be publicly accessible to offset the loss of trees on Minster Gardens. Dean John says he doesn’t understand this argument and that the private landowner deserves to remain private:

“Those 300 trees will enhance the environment. The enhancement to Ripon people is there will be more green space and 21 trees.”

‘It would help Ripon flourish’

The estimated cost of the annexe has risen from £6 million to £8 million in recent months, which reflects rising costs but Dean John says both figures are loose estimates because the scale of the final project remains unknown.

The cathedral would also have to buy land from North Yorkshire Council and no sum has been agreed. Is the dean confident of securing funds? He says:

“Absolutely not at all. There is no confidence over this, other than Ripon Cathedral must be worth it, Ripon must be worth it and there must be enough people in North Yorkshire and beyond who also think it’s worth it, so once we have a project that gets permissions we can go to those people who have shown themselves to be generous in the past and ask them to be generous again.

“It is not fair for me to have them commit themselves to something when they don’t know what it is and whether it’s deliverable.”

Dean John Dobson

He says he’s “perplexed by those people who have said there has been no consultation” given how long the issue has been rumbling, adding:

“One can only reflect on what’s gone on over this last year, which seems to me to partially chaotic and bewildering, when there are people in the city saying it’s the first they’ve heard of it.”

He says the south side proposal would have involved removing at least 600 burials and “we would have had trouble with that” even though the initial response also seemed favourable then.

Similar new facilities at Lincoln Cathedral and Carlisle Cathedral are “doing brilliantly” for the church and the wider cities, he says:

“Why there is such a lack of confidence here in Ripon to think that actually Ripon could never see this, I think is sad. Because it seems to me Ripon has a lot to be confident about. It really could flourish in a way the cathedral could help happen.”

Lies and mistruths

He says some people “have worked very hard to create a different narrative” and a few have been “quite intimidating” to cathedral staff and volunteers. He adds:

“The way social media is now working in our society is alarming. How do we have an honest public conversation when people can put out any lies and mistruths they want and develop a narrative? It seems deliberate, but perhaps they believe it.”

He insists there is a way forward and the cathedral is not impervious to change:

“We have compromised once by moving the site and would compromise again.

“If we have to compromise to the extent that actually what we are left with doesn’t deliver what we need, well there’s no point putting the effort into building it and we wouldn’t convince our financial backers it’s worth backing anyway.”

Having spent years examining the options, Dean John is familiar with the arguments put forward. He says:

“When you come to Ripon Cathedral and think, ‘Oh, well it needs these facilities, the answers are obvious’. I can tell you – they aren’t obvious.

“Historic England thought that. They suggested schemes at the east end and the north-east corner. When we actually walked round the site with them and explained the geology – how the land falls away, and how you’d have to connect it to the cathedral coming uphill or by having to break through the cathedral walls at the east end they soon realised there was nowhere around the cathedral for a building.”

Breaking the impasse

Trees outside Ripon Cathedral

The view from Minster Gardens.

Despite the impasse, the dean hopes the pause will lead to progress:

“The purpose of the pause — and it may be a vain attempt — is an attempt on our part to enable people to hear the facts as we in the cathedral perceive them, i.e. these are the actual proposals, this is where we are proposing to build, these are the trees that would be affected by it, this would be the mitigation plan.

“Many people think this is a fantastic scheme that would enhance the cathedral, that would enhance what could be a cathedral quarter and would enhance the city. It would have economic benefits and it would have an aesthetic benefit. Many people believe that.”

He encourages residents to have their say.

“We genuinely want to hear what people think. If people of Ripon are really against this, well, say so. But actually, are they? I’m not convinced we know whether they are or not. Many haven’t engaged with the precise proposal.”

Dean John often buys sandwiches from a trader nearby who opposes the scheme. He says:

“But we haven’t fallen out. It’s perfectly reasonable for people to take a contrary view. What isn’t reasonable is for people to just make things up to create an alternative narrative. That I think is hugely disappointing and detrimental.”

The route forward appears uncertain and a quick resolution seems unlikely. Is Dean John confident the scheme will eventually go ahead?

“Well, I’m hopeful. It seems to me the arguments are compelling; the benefits are overwhelming. But I do accept some people are very unhappy about it. The question is: how many, and why, and how we address that. But we cannot carry on just looking at more and more options.”

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From ballgowns to Fresh Prince streetwear, the vintage clothing on offer in Harrogate 

There’s lots to love about vintage clothing. Where retro clothing imitates fashion from past eras, vintage is the real deal. Its authentic, original nature is part of the appeal, with fans often referring to the quality and sometimes even craftsmanship that is without comparison in similar modern pieces.  

Vintage clothing — items more than 20 years old — is popular for other reasons, too. Each piece is a rare find and has its own distinctive style. It offers the chance to buy designer brands at a more affordable price. Fans love the cultural eras that vintage clothing represents and the stories it can tell. Compared to mass-produced clothing, it feels personal and unique. 

Vintage clothing, along with pre-loved and charity shop pieces, is also part of a wider retail trend in secondhand clothing, driven in part by a more eco-conscious, sustainable approach to fashion that recycles and reuses pieces. It’s in direct contrast to the ‘fast fashion’, disposable ethos of cheap, high-street clothing.

Data analytics and consulting company GlobalData predicts that the UK’s clothes resale market will be worth £7.2bn by 2026, a rise of 39 per cent from 2023. 

Vintage clothing Harrogate

Some of the vintage clothing for sale in Harrogate.

‘An interesting place to shop’

In Harrogate, fans of vintage clothing are in for a treat. With three well-established shops and a recently-opened fourth, there are vintage pieces that appeal to all tastes and styles.

You’ll find high-end clothing harking back to the days of the Swinging 60s and the Roaring 20s. Quirky pieces that were probably even niche for their time. Beautiful hand-embroidered dresses and ballgowns. And streetwear from the 90s and 00s – decades that, to many Harrogate residents, seem like only yesterday. 

“For the size of Harrogate, we do very well for vintage,” says Steve Elvidge, owner of Space, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary in the centre of Harrogate. 

When Space launched in 2009, the shopping opportunities for fans of vintage clothing were limited, if non-existent. Steve said:  

“When we came to Harrogate, there wasn’t anything like us. There wasn’t much alternative culture of the kind that you find in university places such as Leeds. We offered an interesting place to shop where people could find cool, unique clothing.” 

From the start, Steve wanted to appeal to as many people as possible, setting up Space as a collection of 12 units run by independent sellers with their own individual focus, as it remains today. Between them, they offer a wide range of vintage and retro clothing, furniture and homeware. He said: 

“We’ve now got designer vintage clothing for the more traditional end of the market but we also have American sportswear and original 60s and 70s items. We get a lot of regulars who live here, as well as visitors and tourists.

“The appeal of vintage has definitely grown over the last decade. People want to buy one-off pieces that you are not going to see on anybody else. And I think there’s a greater awareness of sustainability and a move away from cheap, disposable clothing.”

‘Unique, original pieces’

Cathy Smith had a unit in Space during its early days, before opening her own premises on Cold Bath Road in 2010. Since then, she has seen a growing interest in vintage and pre-loved clothing, and agrees that Harrogate has a nice mix of shops catering for all styles and tastes. 

Her boutique, Catherine Smith Vintage, has gained a strong reputation mainly through word of mouth, and welcomes regular customers both from the local area and from London. Cathy said: 

“I’m one of the few people who sells high-end genuine, rare vintage as well as high-end, pre-loved modern pieces. I have clothing, jewellery and accessories from designers such as Chanel, Hermes and Dior. The chances are that I’ll have the rare pieces you’d normally only get in London or specialist shops.” 

Catherine Smith vintage clothing Harrogate

Clothes at Catherine Smith Vintage Boutique.

Among Cathy’s personal vintage favourites are 1920s flapper dresses, Chanel jewellery, and the Art Deco period and its later influence on 1970s designer brands such as Biba and Ossie Clark. But the range in her boutique can go back as far as the Victorian period, and she also tries to curate a vintage collection that reflects current catwalk trends.

She has recently been looking at pieces by Jean Paul Gaultier and Tom Ford for Gucci and YSL, because “the 1990s has been having a real revival.” She said: 

“My range appeals most to people who want to put unique, original pieces into a modern wardrobe. I have customers who are looking for something specific and are real vintage connoisseurs, while others just pop in for a browse.” 

Clothes with a tale to tell

It’s the story behind vintage clothing that appeals to Maggie Ballinger, of Circa on Westmoreland Street. A former history teacher with an interest in fashion, Maggie loves finding pieces with a tale to tell – like the fabulous, vividly-coloured ballgown worn in 1964 by a contestant on the original Come Dancing television show. 

Maggie remembers watching the programme as a teenager and being captivated by the dresses, so when one was offered to her, she couldn’t resist and gave it pride of place in the shop. She said: 

“It had three petticoats underneath so it stuck out. It was painted in beautiful colours, which surprised me as the show at that time was televised in black and white and I always think of the dresses as light blues and greys. And it was absolutely tiny! The lady that bought it was going to put it on a mannequin in her bedroom so she could look at it, like a piece of art.” 

Circa Vintage Clothing in Harrogate

Maggie Ballinger at Circa

Circa launched in May 2012 and sells vintage clothing as well as modern, more unusual pieces. Maggie expanded the range after lockdown to include homeware and small items of furniture. As with the ballgown, Maggie tends to stock clothing that appeals to her or that she thinks her regular customers will like. Despite finding the stories behind vintage pieces fascinating, she thinks most of her customers are attracted by their distinctive quality. She said: 

“It’s very rare that something doesn’t sell. Some of my customers are into a certain era and really know their stuff. The 1980s seems like yesterday to me, but it’s now vintage and really appeals to my younger customers.” 

The new vintage

It’s the 80s – as well as the 90s and 00s – that are the focus for Anton and Victoria Webster, the new kids on Harrogate’s vintage block. Their colourful, vibrant shop, Karma Co, on Cold Bath Road, is bursting with streetwear that, as their website says, reflects ‘Fresh Prince flair to grunge goddess vibes’.   

The business launched just four months ago and Anton said feedback had been “amazing”. He’s been pleasantly surprised at the mixed demographic of his customers, and has even welcomed a few ‘proper’ celebrities, although he won’t say who. He said:  

“People love what we are doing, and that means a lot to me. I love to see people’s reactions when they find something they remember from years ago or have not seen before. We get some customers who are really clued up on vintage streetwear, but others who just like it because it’s casual but it’s got the style.”  

Anton Webster outside Karma Co vintage streetwear shop

Anton Webster outside Karma Co.

A former student of Harrogate Art College, Anton has worked in vintage fashion for 20 years and thinks it appeals to people looking for something that no one else has. Younger customers are also keen on re-using and recycling clothes, and one of Karma’s aims is sustainable fashion that eliminates waste, such as their range of remade items.  

Quality is also a big factor, with heavier threads than you’d find today and types of wool that are no longer available. He said:  

“The classic sportswear brands like Adidas and Nike are really popular. We love getting rare and limited editions in. We currently have an original 80s Adidas sweatshirt which was only released in Asia and is in perfect condition. I’ve never seen another one like it. People would love to wear it, but I’m tempted to frame it!”

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Yemi’s Food Stories: A taste of Paradise in Killinghall

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Every Saturday Yemi writes on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food and shares cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

Great food and fine-dining are rarely associated with garden centre cafés, but Paradise Food at Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall bucks the trend and blows the notion out of the water.

This is a café serving dishes that are as classically inspired as it gets, from silky velouté and emulsions to perfectly cooked dishes and amazing garnishes.

My first dining experience there was the Friday night dinner, which comprises of a seasonal set menu.

Booking is required as they have a pre-determined number of covers. It is perfect for an intimate dinner with a loved one, a group of friends or family. The set menu costs £120 per person with drinks available on request.

Every dish came out looking elegant and, better still, tasted amazing.

To start

We were welcomed with four types of dainty complimentary amuse-bouche to wake up the tastebuds.

My favourites were the smoked haddock – which was light, crunchy and golden – and the carrot and nigella seed strudel. It was fragrant, delicate and delicious.

The quail dish

I ordered the quail dish starter.

It consisted of a succulent stuff quail leg, which was juicy and tender. The sharp soy sauce gave a saltiness and tang that matched the rest of the dish well. I didn’t need a lot of the sauce as it was packed full of flavour.

Main course

For main, I had the turbot with gnocchi, roast parsnip and sea herbs.

The fish was exceptionally cooked, and all the accompaniments were perfectly done, with the vegetables having the right bite and flavour to them.

There was a quenelle of spinach and porcini which was delicious, but I found it a bit too strong when eaten on its own. Adding some to each bite of fish was lovely and really complimented it.

The turbot and gnocchi main.

Dessert

For dessert, I ordered the blood orange and thin shelled chocolate tart, which came with a nut brittle that I would happily buy in a bag!

I had food envy when I saw the venison main and the rhubarb dessert, which had the cutest madeleines I’ve ever seen. My friends said they were delicious.

All the elements I tasted were stunning.

The venison.

Lunch menu

To write a complete piece on Paradise Café, I decided to go back for their lunch time menu, which didn’t disappoint.

I had a three-course meal comprising of a starter of Yorkshire duck press, with confit orange and orange gel served with brioche, a sharp mustard aioli and sugared pistachios.

The main was a perfectly cooked cod that glistened and gently flaked away, topped with herbs and a sauce vierge-like dressing, with a silky smooth velouté that perfectly rounded off the dish.

The crispy chips, hispi cabbage, tender artichokes, with a tangy and delicate lemony dressing, and the rest of the sea vegetables married well together.

It was a simply delightful dish.

The cod

I finished my meal with the layered coffee and walnut cake served with some whipped cream. The cake was strong on the walnut flavour but light on the coffee note. The thin coffee icing layer delivered the coffee flavour that I was missing.

This cake would be enjoyed by those with a sweet tooth; I found the icing between the cake layers too much, so I needed the whipped cream to balance it out.

The cost of the three-course meal came to £52.50, which is great value considering the dishes.

Paradise Café is the place to go if you want delicious fine-dining food in a natural, relaxed and comfortable environment, tended to by a professional and attentive front of house team.

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The case for a new building on Minster Gardens

Ripon Cathedral is preparing for a funeral. The bereaved family wants to hold a lunch for 100 people after the service but finding a location isn’t easy.

The Very Reverend John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon, says:

“There is nowhere in Ripon they can go. Not one venue. So — and this is something we do quite a lot — we are giving the two transepts and the crossing in the cathedral to the family to have the refreshments.

“That is not ideal for a building like Ripon Cathedral that attracts visitors from all over the country.”

The cathedral has proposed a solution: building an annexe on part of nearby Minster Gardens, which would include an 80-seat refectory. The refectory would also cater for bus tours, which stay away because parties have nowhere to congregate on site for a coffee, as well as concert goers.

The annexe, which it is estimated would cost about £8 million, would also include a song school for the cathedral choir, which is drawn from 20 schools. Choristers currently have to get changed in the library, which has to be sealed off.

There would also be a gift shop, freeing up the current cramped shop near the cathedral entrance for trips to the tower. Parts of the 1,350-year-old building currently used for storage would be opened up and, for the first time, visitors would be spared a trip to public toilets when nature calls.

The grade one-listed cathedral may be a source of local pride but Dean John describes the lack of facilities as “an embarrassment”. He says:

“It is an embarrassment for the cathedral and it’s an embarrassment for the city. And I cannot understand why the city is not more ashamed of it. It’s beyond belief.

“When I first came here, I couldn’t fathom it out – how could this be allowed to happen, and what had my predecessors been doing? But one begins to realise it’s not that straightforward.”

‘We are willing to compromise’

The annexe project led by Dean John has proved anything but straightforward.

The scheme is the culmination of a long-term vision that would, according to the cathedral, increase the number of visitors to Ripon from about 100,000 a year to 135,000, providing an economic boost for the entire city.

And yet over the last year opposition has hardened. There are concerns about the impact on trade at established cafés, the loss of public space and, in particular, the felling of 11 trees in Minster Gardens, including one veteran beech. Ripon City Council withdrew support in December; in February, Ripon Civic Society raised concerns, and a recent public meeting called for a referendum. Some 2,100 people have signed a petition opposing the loss of trees.

Ripon Cathedral. Pic: Association of English Cathedrals

The cathedral, which submitted a planning application in December 2022, paused the process in January this year for further consultation in the hope it would bring people together. But there is little sign of that happening. Some opponents have described the consultation as a sham, claiming those behind it are not open to change and and that the events being held at the cathedral should be held on neutral territory.

We put these claims and others to Dean John in an interview this week. He says:

“What is the evidence they have got that this is a sham? What is it about me, what is it about the cathedral, that makes them think this is a sham? Or is that just easy criticism that they don’t have to be held accountable for, that helps to generate a narrative?”

As for the cathedral hosting events, he says:

“We prefer them to come here because they can see the cathedral and the benefit to the cathedral but they can also look at the site that we are proposing to develop and that’s important. If people actually live in Ripon, the least they can do is come and have a look.”

He also denies claims an exhibition about the plans has been deliberately made less visible to stifle scrutiny:

“We’ve been accused of hiding it in a far corner of the cathedral. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just where we had space to put it and didn’t have to keep putting it up and taking it down.”

He insists the pause is a sincere attempt to talk and compromise.

“If people are saying, ‘the building is too large, I would say to our people, ‘how do we make it smaller? Compromise’. If there is a great concern about the beech tree, I would ask ‘what do we do about that?'”

Dean John says he has “never taken it for granted that we will get planning permission” and “we might end up with nothing”, which would have “grave consequences” for the city.

Losing £250,000 a year 

The Dean of Ripon

Leeds-born John Dobson was appointed dean, usually a lifelong position, in 2014 after his predecessor Keith Jukes died. The dean is head of the chapter, which is the cathedral’s governing body. Only 10 men have held the post in Ripon since 1876.

He says the lack of space had been an issue for decades but the cathedral “had more pressing financial needs” when he arrived from Durham:

“People weren’t talking about it publicly at that time because it was important to keep people’s confidence, but actually the cathedral was on a financial precipice.”

The seventh-century cathedral, he says, was losing £250,000 a year and would have closed last year if the scale of losses had continued. Eighteen months of consultation with more than 1,000 people led to the publication of the strategy document Growing God’s Kingdom, which set a new vision for expanding the worshipping community.

The year 2014 also saw the creation of the Diocese of Leeds, with cathedrals in Ripon, Wakefield and Bradford. The three deans agreed to develop specialisms, with Ripon focusing on rural issues. As part of this it holds regular rural forums at which about 30 organisations, including councils, heritage organisations and companies meet to discuss rural issues.

The financial outlook has transformed, Dean John says:

“In 2017 we made a surplus on the operating accounts. That was a big turning point. That showed that this strategy was beginning to work. That had been the first time in 40 years that there had been a surplus.”

Once the financial outlook improved, attention turned to finding more space.

The cathedral submitted two unsuccessful National Lottery applications for £12 million and £10 million for a south-side building. The chapter then changed course and secured pledges of over £4 million from private supporters.

But after three years of discussions, Historic England torpedoed the scheme in 2020 when an officer visited and said it could not support the south-side proposal because of the impact on the view of the main western entrance, described by the historian Pevsner as one of the finest in England. Without the support of Historic England, a non-departmental government body and statutory consultee, there was zero chance of success.

Dean John says:

“It was extremely disappointing. They were around the table with us for three years – never guaranteeing they would give permission at the end of it but in a sense supporting all the steps forward.”

Had Historic England backed the scheme, the south-side building “could have been built by now”, says Dean John.

Instead it turned its attention to Minster Gardens, which part two of the interview will explore tomorrow.

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Review: Emma Rice’s Blue Beard at York Theatre Royal is must-see

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com. 

When I read the synopsis for Blue Beard, I was intrigued but, truthfully, none the wiser as to what to expect. I knew that, with celebrated, visionary theatre-maker Emma Rice at the helm, it would be something a little unconventional.

Rice’s reimagining is indeed off-the-wall; eccentric, creative, chaotic and hypnotic, Blue Beard is unlike anything I have ever seen.

Based on a 17th-century French fairy tale, we meet the eponymous villain: serial husband Blue Beard (Tristan Sturrock), a smarmy, suited magician, who, rather fittingly for the bloodshed to come, woos his future bride, Lucky (Robyn Sinclair), by sawing her in half on stage.

Once married, the pair run off to live in Blue Beard’s mansion with rooms aplenty, all of which Lucky is free to roam, apart from one: a secret forbidden chamber. When he leaves home on business, Lucky is given strict instructions by Blue Beard not to enter, but (of course) curiosity gets the better of her. Unlocking the secret door, she witnesses a scene of horror: the lifeless, bloodied bodies of her new spouse’s many former wives. What will she do next?

Left to right, Stephanie Hockley, Robyn Sinclair, Patrycja Kujawska. Credit: Steve Tanner

This review comes with a warning: the play is bonkers. But it’s bonkers done to perfection. Trust me – ride the wave and you’ll reap the rewards. The production is rich and overflowing with invention and imagination.

The stage becomes a hallucinatory, fantastical, out-of-time universe with dangling glitter balls, Tarantino-style slo-mo fight scenes, magic tricks, acrobatics and cabaret. Choreography is slick. Set and costume become integral, essential story-telling tools, as does Stu Barker’s sublime score.

A multi-talented cast of actor-musicians gives its very all, including narration by a straight-talking, foul-mouthed Mother Superior figure (Katy Owen) which only heightens the play’s eccentricity. Everything has a place and a purpose, including a more subdued, modern-day subplot intertwined with the main narrative.

Now for the best bit, and why, even if you begin soul-searching in the first 15 minutes or so of the play, wondering what on earth you are watching, you’ll be glad you stayed the course.

The mood shifts. The flashy flamboyance and hectic hedonism of the first act recedes. Having retreated into fantasy, we crash-land in the stark present, and it is at this point that the production reveals its true purpose and power.

Mirabell Gremaud and Tristan Sturrock. Credit: Steve Tanner

I don’t want to give too much away; the play lives on its denouement. The finale, a quietly powerful and desperately urgent commentary on violence against women, is so expertly juxtaposed with the mayhem that came before that the effect is spine-tingling. It’s a real gut-punch.

The production looks back on the “grief of centuries” for women, and how it continues today. The raw, heartfelt exclamation of one female character at the end says it all: “I should be able to walk home alone”.

Blue Beard is at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 9 March.

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New lighting being installed outside Harrogate church

New lighting is being installed on the driveway to a Harrogate church. 

Ten low level lighting bollards are being placed along the grass at the side of a pavement leading to St John’s Church in Bilton.  

Simon Dowson, rector at St John’s, said: 

“Currently the church drive is badly lit and particularly in winter it is not an inviting approach.

“We hope the new lighting will rectify this and prove to be of considerable public benefit since the footpath is a popular thoroughfare for pedestrians between Bilton Lane and Crab Lane. It will also be of benefit to the many users of the church and church hall.” 

Preparatory work has been carried out this week, creating unsightly holes in the grass that have left nearby residents such as Sarah Shaw, whose home overlooks the church grounds, concerned about the visual impact of the bollards. Ms Shaw said: 

“We had no idea what the holes were for and only found out from a workman on the site earlier this week that bollards with lights were being installed. I can’t imagine why they would put them there. I’m so upset, it will totally ruin the view.” 

But Mr Dowson said the lamps would be hooded and directional to limit the light shining towards the houses on Elm Tree Avenue. He added that a planning application for the work had been submitted and a public notice had been on display on the front of the church for 28 days during January, with no objections received. 

The work is due to start on March 4, weather permitting, and is being paid for through the local authority commuted funds budget set aside for projects that have a public benefit. 

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The Exchange building in Harrogate sold

Yorkshire-based property company Rushbond PLC has acquired The Exchange in Harrogate.

The 10-storey office building, located above the town’s train station, increases Rushbond’s commercial property portfolio in Harrogate.

The company recently began work to convert the Herald Buildings on Montpellier Parade into flats and shops.

In a press release announcing the news, Rushbond pledged to “undertake a programme of renovations to the building and the few remaining vacant suites – which range between 765sft to 5,300 sq ft – with a focus on upgrading the specification of the interiors and improving energy efficiency”.

It said the acquisition was part of the company’s strategic plan to grow its portfolio of well-located, best in class commercial assets in Yorkshire, having also recently purchased Bank House in Leeds – the former home of the Bank of England.

Station Parade

The Exchange dominates the street scene on Station Parade.

The Exchange, which dominates the town centre skyline, is one few Grade A office developments in the town centre. It is currently home to businesses ranging from software development companies to law firms and architecture practices. There are also two retail units on the ground floor.

Richard Baker, a senior development surveyor at Rushbond, said:

“The Exchange building represents an incredible asset management opportunity for Rushbond.

“There is no better address for businesses wanting to locate in central Harrogate, with stunning views across this beautiful spa town and countryside beyond. The transport links are second to none and there are substantial onsite car and cycle parking provisions.

“We believe the planned programme of works will reinforce The Exchange’s attraction to a range of future occupiers who see the benefits of locating here in one of the most attractive towns to work and live in the UK.”

Rushbond’s other projects include redesigning the Leeds headquarters for Channel 4; Leeds Corn Exchange and Brewery Wharf in Leeds.

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Government opens two-week consultation on Nidd bathing water status

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has urged people to back the long-running bid to improve the River Nidd as it enters a key period.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened a consultation on 27 applications for bathing water status, including one for the Nidd at the Lido in Knaresborough.

If successful, the Environment Agency will be obliged to undertake measures to improve water quality at the Lido, which would impact the rest of the river,

Conservative MP Mr Jones, who has led the campaign, submitted the bid to Defra in September.

More than 30 farming groups, parish and town councils, businesses and environmental groups have supported it.

They include Lido landowner Frank Maguire, the chief executive of Yorkshire Water, nearby Conservative MPs, nearby businesses including Blenkhorn’s Boats and the Watermill Cafe and parish councils representing Pateley Bridge, Birstwirth, Bewerley, Little Ribston, Scotton and Lingerfield, Hampsthwaite, Kirk Hammerton and Moor Monkton.

andrew jones-mp-and-frank maguire

Mr Jones (left) and Knaresborough Lido owner Frank Maguire.

Mr Jones said

“It is good that our bid for bathing water status has reached the next stage.  We need to demonstrate strong support for the bid and so I encourage residents and businesses to take part.

“If we achieve bathing water status that means the Environment Agency will put in place plans to address water quality problems at the Lido which will have benefits up and downstream from the site.”

He said Yorkshire Water had already committed £180 million to reduce the operation of storm overflows in addition to £147 million already committed in its business plan, and added that according to the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, water run-off from farmland is the biggest Nidd pollution factor.

Mr Jones said:

“I know that local people are behind the bathing water bid but we need to show Defra that this is the case and we need to do so right now because of the tight deadline for this consultation.

“The site is ideal. There are plenty of local facilities on site, the landowner is supporting the case and the site is well-used recreationally. The consultation is short and if you need more information about the bid it is available online.  We only have until March 10 to give our views so we need to act quickly.”

Details on how to take part in the consultation are here.

Main image: a photo from Mr Jones’ Defra submission showing people at the Lido in June last year.

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