Free weekly walking tours of Knaresborough have been introduced.

Professionally trained tourist guide Margy Longhurst is leading 60-minute tours every Wednesday — market day.

Those taking part will learn about the historic market and castle and much more.

Ms Longhurst said:

“The aim is to welcome visitors and newcomers to Knaresborough and give them an insight into the town’s history and places of interest.”

The not-for-profit tours get underway at 11am and 1pm at the Market Cross.

Margy Longhurst

Walkers will learn about the nearby statues and painted windows depicting colourful local characters, notably the Tudor prophetess Old Mother Shipton and Blind Jack, musician and engineer extraordinaire.

Moving along to Green Dragon Yard, medieval and Georgian buildings will be pointed out, including the Old Flax Mill, which played a key role during the heyday of the town’s linen industry.

Arriving at Knaresborough Castle, visitors will be guided round the ruins and hear stories of its association with royal monarchs such as King John and Edward II.

They will then experience the beauty of the view over the River Nidd and hear more about the surrounding places of interest, before being escorted back to where the tour commenced.

People can just turn up at the meeting point on Wednesdays at the Market Cross but the number of participants is limited to 16 on a first-come, first-served basis for health and safety reasons.

Free group tours for local charities and educational institutions can also be arranged by emailing Margy at margylonghurst@hotmail.com

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Architects have been appointed to lead a major long-term redevelopment at Harewood House.

The scheme will see a new playground and visitor centre created and the gardens overhauled at the historic home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood.

Harewood House Trust, the charity that maintains the stately home between Harrogate and Leeds, said today the project will “deliver fantastic enhancements to Harewood’s visitor offer”.

It has declined to reveal the cost but said the project will be partly funded by the Lascelles Family Will Trust and by fundraising.

More than 250,000 visitors a year visit the grade I listed house, gardens and landscapes designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

This year the bird garden closed after more than 50 years and more major changes are now in the pipeline.

The bakehouse, a grade two listed building, will be converted to a welcome centre with visitor facilities and a family activity space.

The old play area will be replaced with what the trust described as “an imaginative and inclusive playground with appeal for all ages and abilities”.

The gardens and landscapes will be reimagined by the Landscape Agency in partnership with garden designer Matthew Wilson.

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Leeds firm Bauman Lyons Architects has been appointed to lead the scheme.

Rachel Crewes, chief executive of the trust, said:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of such impressive teams at the outset of this project. Their combined experience of creatively developing public heritage spaces, with great sensitivity to conservation, sustainability and accessibility, will undoubtedly deliver fantastic enhancements to Harewood’s visitor offer.”

The trust hopes to apply for planning permission late this year and begin work on the playground first next year.

The Stray Ferret has asked the trust, which is fundraising for the project, how much it is expected to cost.

Masham brewery T&R Theakston has reported a return to profitability in its annual report and accounts for the year ending December 31, 2022.

The family-controlled business, which has been brewing beers in Masham for almost 200 years, recorded a pre-tax profit of £18,000 for the period, compared with a £2,000 loss the previous year.

Turnover increased by 14% to £6.7 million in the same period, despite what the accounts note as a third successive year “affected by external events”.

Staff numbers grew from 28 to 30 and dividend payments to shareholders rose from zero to £100,000.

Fellow Masham firm Black Sheep Brewery was sold by administrators to London investment firm Breal Group for £5 million in May in a pre-packaged deal that left creditors owed £3 million.

Black Sheep’s sales fell from £19 million in 2019 to £14 million last year, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss, with the company blaming covid and sudden rising costs.

Theakston’s accounts highlight the difficulties facing brewers, which include a 40% increase in barley prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The company said it ceased all trade with Russia, which was its largest export market, following the invasion.

Covid, inflation and the cost of living crisis have also hit the sector hard.

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The report’s strategic review by the directors said:

“We were forced to pass most of these cost increases on in higher prices, but pricing in the off trade did not fully recover the increased costs and hence margins in this channel were squeezed.

“While customers have been largely understanding, consumers have squeezed disposable incomes. Our pubs customers are caught between increased supplier costs, increased running costs of their own and less affluent consumers, so we are very mindful of keeping price increases to the minimum we can afford.”

Theakston has changed its sales model by broadening its supply routes to the on trade and by spreading its interests beyond beer by launching a cider and whisky as well as new ales.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:

“With a healthy balance sheet and secure financial arrangements, we remain focused on growing our revenue and are excited about some of the upcoming opportunities to forge new partnerships and bring innovative new products to market.

“We have made a good start to the year and, as a result, the board of directors is confident that as trading conditions continue to improve and the economy stabilises, we will see a steady improvement towards pre-pandemic levels of profitability.”

New parking arrangements have been announced for Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge.

NIdderdale Agricultural Society, which owns the showground, said in a statement today it had severed ties with a private company and brought the car park management in-house.

It hopes this will end a turbulent period since it ended a 21-year lease agreement with Harrogate Borough Council to operate the car park last year.

However, neither a date for the new system nor the amount that will be charged, is yet known. Parking is currently free following the breakdown of the arrangement with the private firm.

For many years, the car park was one of three covered by the annual £12 Pateley Bridge parking permit.

The decision to switch to a private company led to some people unaware of the change being fined £60 by automatic number plate recognition cameras.

The society said in a statement today:

“Following a series of challenging months, during which both our society and car park patrons endured a nightmare experience under the management of an external company, we are pleased to announce that we have severed ties with them and terminated their contract.

“Moving forward, we have decided to bring the car park management entirely in-house, ensuring greater control and accountability.

“In the near future, we will be installing a new pay station, featuring a simple cash-only system. With this new setup, tickets will no longer be issued, streamlining the process for visitors.”

The statement said all proceeds generated will continue to be allocated towards the maintenance of the car park and the show field. It added:

“Additionally, we are committed to implementing a comprehensive camera system to monitor the car park and pay station.

“This measure aims to address issues such as vandalism and persistent abuses of the facilities. By adopting this down-to-earth and hassle-free approach, we aim to create a safer and more secure environment for everyone.”

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• New parking arrangements at Nidderdale Showground due ‘shortly’
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Hundreds of people watched a free live screening of the Glastonbury festival in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle on Saturday.

The Party in the Castle saw friends and families turn up with their own food and drink and soak up the atmosphere in glorious weather.

Organised by volunteers from Knaresborough & District Chamber, the event proved hugely popular.

The chamber hopes it will be the first of annual community events in the castle, providing North Yorkshire Council grants permission to use the site.

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Lead organiser and chamber member Kelly Young said:

“We were bowled over with the level of support both before and during the event and the feedback from the Knaresborough community has been fantastic. There was an amazing atmosphere and the whole place was like a big family party. 

“We feel so privileged to have been given the chance to bring the town together through music, against such a stunning backdrop as Knaresborough Castle. We also hope that the central location of the event, close to many local businesses, will have bought increased consumer spend to our community, as well as making it affordable for everyone to attend on any budget.”

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, helped to fund the TV through her councillor’s Locality budget. A crowdfunding campaign also contributed to funds for the not-for-profit event.

Here are some images from the night by photographer Mike Whorley.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves joined Labour candidate Keir Mather on the by-election campaign trail in Selby on Saturday.

Selby and Ainsty will go to the polls on July 20 following the resignation of Conservative MP Nigel Adams.

The constituency includes villages close to Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, including Spofforth, Follifoot, Ouseburn and Little Ribston.

The Conservatives hold a 20,137 majority but Ms Reeves’ visit indicates that Labour, which finished second last time with 25% of the vote, regards it as a winnable seat.

Ms Reeves joined Mr Mather to launch his five-point plan, which he said would deliver ‘a fresh start’ for the constituency.

Ms Reeves said:

“Across Britain, people are being hit hard by a Tory mortgage penalty, and here in Selby and Ainsty over 12,300 households will see their repayments go up by an average £2,700.

“Meanwhile, the Conservative MP abandoned his constituents in a cost of living crisis, leaving them without a voice and a Conservative government too distracted to deliver.”

Mr Mather’s five-point plan is to support residents through the cost of living crisis; tackle antisocial behaviour and rural crime; make the local NHS fit for the future; protect communities from flooding and sewage and restore frequent, reliable public transport.

He said:

“This brilliant constituency deserves a fresh start and a dedicated MP who will deliver on their promises to local people.”

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• Knaresborough banking hub location revealed

The new banking hub in Knaresborough will be located at 15 Kirkgate, Bowling Green Yard, it was announced today.

The hub will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

However, an opening date is still yet to be revealed.

It will also provide a community banker service where customers can talk to their own banking provider about more complicated issues, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Community bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week. They are usually provided by the banking providers with the most customers in the local area.

Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash, revealed details of the hub today following longstanding concerns about bank closures in Knaresborough.

The process of finding a banking hub in Knaresborough has taken a while to come to fruition. There were hopes it would happen last year.

Gareth Oakley, chief at Cash Access UK:

“We know the new banking hub has been eagerly anticipated by the local community and so we’re delighted we’ve now been able to secure a fantastic location for you in the heart of the community.

“This brings us a significant step closer in being able to deliver improved access to cash services to individuals and businesses in Knaresborough”.

Nick Garrett, of the community benefit society Knaresborough Connectors: said the hub would reduce financial exclusion, adding:

“Many of Knaresborough’s frail residents tell us they prefer services, especially financial ones, to be face to face as online services aren’t accessible.”

Read more:

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Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough said:

“When the hub opens it will be invaluable to residents of Knaresborough, especially to those who rely on cash and face-to-face banking.”

Charlotte Gale, of Knaresborough and District Chamber said:

“Better banking and cash access within the town is something chamber are very passionate about. This is something we’ve long campaigned for and we’re thrilled that a site has now been secured.”

Cash Access UK is owned and funded by 10 of the UK’s biggest banking providers: Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money.

These firms have come together to provide shared services available to all their customers.

A man has been jailed for a year for a string of offences in Harrogate, including threatening to kill a policeman.

Christopher Layton, 36, admitted carrying out the threat at Harrogate police station on June 7 this year.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for that offence when he appeared in front of magistrates in York on Tuesday.

Layton, of no fixed abode, received other consecutive custodial sentences for further crimes.

They included assaulting the same police officer and assaulting a man on Parliament Street in Harrogate on June 18. He also threatened police and paramedics.

Layton, who was subject to supervision requirements imposed after a previous jail sentence, also pleaded guilty to threatening a man on Queens Road in Harrogate on June 7, which court documents said “was motivated by hostility towards persons who are of a particular sexual orientation”.

The documents also said the offences were so serious because “the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property” and involved attacks on emergency workers.

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Harrogate Ladies’ College has officially opened a new performing arts centre after a major refurbishment project.

The work included the installation of new sound and lighting technology and extensive redecoration of the venue.

The centre has been named the Swinton Theatre.

Parents and alumni who donated to the project, chose the name to recognise how the Swintons helped the school during World War Two.

With just 10 days notice, the school was relocated to what was then Swinton Castle for more than 6 years between 1939-1946.  The schools premises in Harrogate was requisitioned by the Ministry of Air Production for the war effort. The castle has since become a hotel and spa.

The Countess and Earl of Swinton attended the theatre’s official opening.

Principal of the college, Sylvia Brett said:

“The generosity of the Swinton Estate in providing a home for the school during the war, is echoed in the generosity of our alumni and current parents in funding the refurbishment of this beautiful space.

“It’s been wonderful over recent weeks to see pupils of all ages enjoying using the space to express themselves through performance. I never underestimate how brave pupils are when they step out onto a stage and I know that the confidence this gives them is something they will take with them beyond school and throughout life.”

The school has also recently formed the Harrogate Ladies’ College Dance Company.  Its aim is to provide additional opportunities for pupils in the performing arts.

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Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers.  At the next Stray Ferret Business Club  we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy. 

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate’s Ashville College has appointed Philip Soutar as head of prep school.

Mr Soutar will take up the role in September, having previously been head at Rosemead Prep School and Nursery in Dulwich, South London, for the past six years.

He is currently national chair of the Independent Schools Association. In this role, he serves on the Independent Schools Council, the overarching body of the seven associations representing over 1,400 independent schools nationwide.

Rhiannon Wilkinson, head of Ashville College, said:

“Philip’s passion for preparatory education, and inspiring and nurturing young people, shines through.

“He has dedicated the whole of his successful career to preparatory education and this unrivalled experience, coupled with his national high-level insight, makes him ideally-placed to lead Ashville through the challenges and opportunities in our sector.

Mr Soutar added:

“This is a return to the north of England for my family and I and we cannot wait to become part of the Ashville community.

“My philosophy is based around high academic expectations whilst achieving the balance of opportunity through art, sport, music and drama.

Founded in 1877, Ashville is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2-18 years.

Johnsons of Whixley supplies £130,000 worth of plants for holiday parks

Plant nursery Johnsons of Whixley has supplied £130,000 worth of plants for two luxury holiday park developments

The local horticultural business has been chosen as the primary supplier of plants for the project by Darwin Escapes, which will see one, two and three-bedroom lodges constructed in the grounds of the Blenheim Palace estate.

Johnsons has also received an order to supply the grounds of Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat in North Wales, another project by Darwin Escapes.

Eleanor Richardson, marketing manager at Johnsons of Whixley, said:

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Darwin Escapes.”

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