Harrogate man Paul Ivison is once again opening his garden to the public with the aim of raising money for charity and getting a visa for his fiancé.
Paul has lived on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace for more than 15 years. He has changed his garden’s design many times and become something of a local celebrity.
Previous displays have raised money for North Yorkshire Horizons, the Disasters Emergency Committee and many more charitable causes.
This year’s garden will feature a number of themes: mental health, LGBT Pride and the danger of plastic to our oceans.
He said:
“This year’s display… is the biggest I have done in three years”
At the garden’s opening there will be information available on where to get help for those suffering with poor mental health.
As well as this there will be a colourful LGBT section. Gnomes have been painted in the six colours of the pride flag and there will be a number of other rainbow painted items on display.
On the topic of plastic in our oceans, Paul has installed a fully working bathroom suite which will be filled with plastic waste. Red water will be flowing out of it to symbolise the danger of discarded plastic.
This is all with the aim of raising money for the Samaritans.
He also wants to raise money for his partner, who lives in the Philippines, to get a UK visa and move to Harrogate.
The garden is opening Sunday 25 June at 3pm and Paul has invited neighbours and friends round to enjoy it.
Entrance is free but there will be a box by the gate for any charitable donations. Paul also has a GoFundMe page for his partner’s visa, which you can find here.
Read more:
- Harrogate man gives garden a Ukraine-themed makeover
- Harrogate man donates money raised from garden display to the Philippines
Fundraising appeal set up for Sophie Lambert’s funeral
The brother of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert has set up a crowdfunding appeal for her funeral.
Sophie’s body was found in the River Nidd this week, five days after she wet missing from her home in Starbeck.
Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.
Her older brother Craig Robinson launched a gofundme appeal yesterday to raise £3,000 to pay for ‘the best funeral for my sister Sophie’.
It was already over halfway towards its target last night.
Craig said Sophie was a bright girl who loved to laugh and had two dogs but had battled suffering every day for 10 years.
Craig shared this photo of his sister.
He added:
“This gofundme is for her funeral for us to be able to give her the best send off ever, please don’t feel pressured into donating as we have already set one up before for fuel and other resources,
“Sophie my little sister what can I say, you’ve grown your wings and flown away, I hope you’re safe up there.”
You can support the appeal here.
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Muffin Break cafe coming to Harrogate?
An empty shopping unit in Harrogate town centre looks set to host a Muffin Break cafe.
Notices have appeared in the window of the former Hotter shoe shop on Cambridge Street for a pavement licence application.
The notice says the applicant is FoodCo UK Franchising Ltd, known as Muffin Break bakery cafe.
Muffin Break is a franchise business of FoodCo that originated in Canada and now has about 60 UK outlets. The closest one is in Bradford.
The former Hotter shoe shop
They typically sell muffins, cakes and coffee and also provide breakfasts and light lunches.
The licence application is dated June 9 and says the deadline for comments is June 13 — four days later.
Read more:
- Harrogate High School ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted
- Historic Harrogate home up for auction again with slashed asking price
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which determines licence applications, for further details.
The council displays pavement licence applications on its website here. But a spokeswoman said the Muffin Break application was no longer available because the objection expiry date had passed. She added the licence had been granted.
We tried to contact FoodCo UK Franchising but have not had a reply.
Boroughbridge performers pick a pocket or two
Boroughbridge theatre company, The Hightimers, are returning to the stage this weekend with a new performance of Oliver Twist.
The Hightimers are named after Boroughbridge High School where they held their first performances back in 1985.
Director, Marlo Lomas, described the company as a family, with many members joining as kids before growing in experience and talent and landing bigger roles.
The company has got “bigger and bigger” according to Lomas and have members ranging from 8-80 years old playing a part in the production.
Oliver Twist was picked as it combines the talents of both younger and more senior actors.
Christopher Bishop, playing the titular Oliver was described as “incredible” by Lomas. He compared his singing voice as “identical” to Kathe Green’s, the woman who’s voice was dubbed over the boy Oliver in the 1968 film version “Oliver!”
The theatre’s previous performances include Grease and Cinderella.
Read More:
- Young Boroughbridge actors finally put on Grease
- Boroughbridge Hightimers return with Cinderella pantomime
Performances at Coronation Hall in Boroughbridge are on every Friday and Saturday until 1 July. You find tickets here starting at £10 with concession tickets available.
They’re a self-funded organisation with the profits going towards future productions and local charities.
Two people robbed and assaulted on Knaresborough street
Two people were robbed and assaulted while walking in Knaresborough in the early hours of this morning.
North Yorkshire Police this afternoon appealed for witnesses and information following the incident, which occurred at about 2am.
The force said in a statement:
“The two victims were walking on Aspin Lane when they were approached by two men and assaulted. One of the victims had their mobile phone stolen. The offenders left the area in a black Alfa Romeo.
“A short time later officers arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of robbery, possession of a class-A drug and class-B drug and drug driving.
“An 18-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a class-B drug. Both men currently remain in police custody.”
Anyone with information or CCTV footage is asked to email jenifer.doyle@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Jenifer Doyle.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference number 12230113081.
Read more:
- Knaresborough man to contest local by-election for Lib Dems
- Knaresborough pub wins CAMRA newcomer award
Harrogate High School ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted
Harrogate High School‘s Ofsted rating has been downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ in a newly released report.
Inspectors said the quality of education had declined and older pupils in particular “do not achieve well in external examinations”.
They also said some parents had raised concerns about pupil behaviour and some students with bad attitudes were “not challenged quickly enough” and some truant pupils were “disrespectful to staff and cause disruption”.
However, the report acknowledges new school leaders understood the problems and their actions “have secured improvements in the quality of education”.
It also says arrangements for safeguarding are effective, staff are well trained and leaders have developed an “ambitious curriculum”, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities – and that pupils with additional needs are “well supported in lessons”.
Two-day Ofsted visit
Harrogate High, which was founded in 1973 as Harrogate Granby High School, has more than 700 pupils. It is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust – a partnership of nine schools across Harrogate, Skipton and Keighley. Ofsted visited the school on April 25 and 26.
The report, which the school has released but has not yet been uploaded onto Ofsted’s website, gave it an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ and awarded the same grade for all four sub-categories assessed: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
The school’s last full inspection was 10 years ago, when it was rated ‘good’ overall. It retained the grading following a short inspection in 2017.
‘Good’ is the second highest of four possible ratings; ‘requires improvement’ is the third highest.
The report says leaders have prioritised improving the curriculum and changed the subjects pupils study at key stage 4 to offer a more broad and balanced curriculum. But it adds “the academic experiences that pupils receive continue to be mixed” and goes on to say:
“Teachers do not consistently check if pupils know or understand what has been taught. As a result, misconceptions are not always identified and addressed. In particular, older pupils, who have not benefited from improvements in the curriculum, do not achieve well in external examinations.”
Ofsted says there is a range of extra-curricular activities but “the wider development of pupils needs to be a sharper focus for leaders”.
It adds:
“Leaders recognise the need to improve behaviour across the school. They are working with external support to implement new systems to tackle poor behaviour.”
The report highlights “there have been many changes in leadership since the last inspection”, which “has led to delays in addressing some of the weaknesses in the school” and although there have been improvements “there is much more work to do”.
‘Exciting time for Harrogate High’
Sukhraj Gill
Responding to the report, headteacher Sukhraj Gill said:
“This is an exciting time for Harrogate High School. Inspectors have recognised the improvements we have already made and confirmed that we are on the right track to make Harrogate High a great school. We have achieved a great deal at Harrogate High School – with a lot more to do.
“We will continue our relentless drive to make Harrogate High the best school it can be for all the young people that we educate.
“We’re especially pleased that inspectors recognised that we provide good support for pupils with additional needs. We value every young person in our school, whatever their needs. Ofsted’s findings are a vindication of our values as a truly inclusive school.”
Read more:
- Ripon Grammar School rated ‘good’ by Ofsted
- Historic Harrogate home up for auction again with slashed asking price
Jenn Plews
Jenn Plews, chief executive of Northern Star Academies Trust, said:
“Harrogate High School has made massive strides forward under its new leadership. The Ofsted report is clear: leaders’ actions have improved the quality of education. The fact that the school is full and has been oversubscribed is a testament to the work our school and our trust across Harrogate.
“Inspections are always an opportunity to learn from the inspectors’ feedback and recommendations to help us develop and improve. We welcome this report as a positive contribution to continue Harrogate High School’s continuing journey to become a great school”.
The Great Yorkshire Show looks set to be a sell-out for the third year in a row.
The four-day show takes place from July 11 to 14 and all tickets for the Wednesday have already been snapped up. Standard adult tickets cost £32.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the event, adopted the four-day format and capped the number of tickets at 35,000 a day during covid due to social distancing requirements but has continued with it since. Tickets are now only sold in advance too.
Allister Nixon chief executive of the society, said:
“We have seen unprecedented demand for tickets, selling out Wednesday already and our membership sold out in April.
“It shows the depth of support and love for the show and we can’t wait to welcome visitors in less than three weeks’ time. At this stage, we have tickets remaining for the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of the show which we do expect to sell out so please, if you are planning to come along, book now to avoid disappointment.”
Huge range of activities
The Great Yorkshire Showground is always packed with stalls and activities during the event and this year will be no exception.
A new free Great Yorkshire Show app, which will be available to download next week, includes an interactive map and schedule of events.
The Cock O The North competition in the main ring on the Thursday will feature some of the UK’s best showjumpers. The main ring will also host flying Frenchman Lorenzo, who last appeared in 2018.
The best of British livestock will be on show as the Beef Shorthorn, Charolais and Longhorn Cattle Societies all host their national competitions. The show will also feature several thousand sheep, all vying for the top title.
The pole climbing championships is returning and sheepdogs will be held each day .
Read more:
- Royal visitor to Great Yorkshire Show revealed
- Great Yorkshire Show organisers put faith in First 4 IT
Business Breakfast: Grantley Hall opens Nordic Spa Garden
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.
Luxury hotel Grantley Hall has opened a Nordic Spa Garden, which has ice baths and an outdoor steam sauna.
The garden has two ice baths where guests at the 47-bed hotel near Ripon can try cold-water immersion therapy.
The sauna, on the other hand, allows people to enjoy warmth in a picturesque outdoor setting.
Gillian McGraffin, spa and wellness manager at Grantley Hall, said:
“We have worked hard to create a relaxing outdoor area that not only looks beautiful but also provides guests with a range of health benefits.”
Dental practice takes oral hygiene message to schools
Oral health educators from Coppice View Dentalcare have been handing out free toothbrushes, tooth paste and brushing charts in local schools in support of National Smile Month.
The dental practice, on Kings Road in Harrogate, visits schools each year during the awareness-raising month to educate children on the importance of looking after their teeth and gums. We ensure every child at each presentation received a goody bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing charts.
Staff visited Rossett Acre Primary School, Oatlands Infant School and Darley Community Primary School during the latest initiative.
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Vandals ground canal boats in Ripon
Canal boats in Ripon were grounded when vandals drained the water between two lock gates.
Ripon Scenic Cruises skipper Jon Eyles discovered the company’s boats and all other vessels were “stuck in the mud” early on Sunday.
It appeared someone had drained the area overnight leaving the boats stuck and unable to be moved until the canal was refilled.
It took until late into the evening to refill the affected area on the canal. This meant all booked trips on the river that day had to be cancelled.
Canal boats were hampered last year when water shortages prompted the Canal and River Trust to close the locks to conserve water.
Ripon Scenic Cruises said in a statement:
“There’s been no word of whom may have done this from the police or Canal and River Trust.“We hope that this was an isolated incident. As a small local business we struggled through last year and we don’t need it to be made more difficult by action of unthinking vandals.”
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Missing Harrogate boy, 12, found safe and well
Police have confirmed that a missing Harrogate boy has been found.
The 12-year-old went missing from his home in Harrogate on Wednesday (June 21).
North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed that the boy has been found safe and well.
Read more:
- Search group set up for missing Harrogate boy
- Council spends £2m on consultants for Harrogate’s Station Gateway