Photos released by Harrogate firefighters have revealed the extent of yesterday’s field fire near Ripon.
The blaze, which occurred just after 4pm at Hutton Bank, Sharow, was one of two crop fires in the district as the heatwave hits.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says:
“Ripon and Harrogate crews attended reports of a field of standing crops on fire.
“They requested a further four appliances due to the 300m fire front. Crews worked with the farmer to extinguish the fire. Incident has been scaled down now.”
Minutes later crews from York, Northallerton and Colburn attended a large field fire measuring approx 100 metres at Dishforth.
They used pitchforks and beaters and a hose reel to extinguish the flames.
Read more:
- Six baby hedgehogs in Ripon rescued from bonfire at last minute
- North Yorkshire fire service has adequate funding, says minister
Harrogate woman wins brutal 41-mile race in red-hot Pyrenees
Harrogate’s Helen Price ran for more than 12 hours in temperatures close to 40 degrees to win a prestigious race in the Pyrenees on Saturday.
Ms Price, 52, set off at 6am and crossed the line at about 6.30pm to win the female over-50s category and finish fourth female overall in the Luchon Aneto 40 mile trail run.
She was one of a team of eight runners representing Harrogate International Partnerships, the charity responsible for Harrogate’s town twinning links around the world.
Luchon, which is among the places twinned with Harrogate, hosts an annual trail run through the French Pyrenees with various distance options.
Competing in the 65 km event, Ms Price set off in darkness in woods but was soon under the non-stop glare of the mountain sun, in temperatures ranging from 35 to 38 degrees centigrade.
There were four water stops but it was so hot she also had to get water from mountain streams to stay hydrated as she climbed over 4,000 metres.
Ms Price, a sports massage therapist who is a member of running club Harrogate Harriers, is one of the best fell and mountain runners in the district but even she found it tough. She said:
“The heat was exhausting. I was a bit shaky at the end.”
Two other members of the Harrogate International Partnerships team also finished on the podium.
Caroline Lambert
Caroline Lambert, a former pupil of St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate, won the 20km female race in a new course record.
Bianca Dyer was the first over-40s female in the 40km race.
North Leeds Fell Runners‘ athlete Martyn Price, who is married to Helen, was fourth in the 45km men’s race. He said:
“The conditions were absolutely brutal. People were dropping like flies.”
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1,400 runners set to take part in Harrogate Race for Life
About 1,400 runners are set to take part in the Race for Life on the Stray in Harrogate tomorrow.
Women, men and children will complete 3k, 5k and 10k events to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
There is also an option to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course. You can enter on the day.
Road closures will be in place on Oatlands Drive and Stray Rein.
The event, which raises funds for cancer research, begins at 9.30am with the 10k. The 5k and 3k start at 11am and the Pretty Muddy events follow.
It costs adults £14.99 to enter and £10 for children.
Molly Fuchs
Molly Fuchs, who is receiving palliative treatment for secondary breast cancer, is a veteran of many Race for Life events.
Although no longer able to take part, the Settle woman urging others to sign up for the event at the Stray.
“I cannot relive the past, only appreciate the things I did and the wonderful memories I still hold close.
“Whether running, jogging or walking, Race for Life could be your stepping stone to other things – go for it and while doing so raise money for a worthwhile cause.”
Read more:
Harrogate chef aims to become Ms Universe
During the week, Lauren Kenworthy works as a chef at Bettys in Harrogate.
At the weekend she glams up in high heels and bikinis to compete in bodybuilding competitions.
She’s rather good at it too — so far this year she’s won four national titles and now has her eye on becoming Ms Universe.
Ms Kenworthy started going to the gym to increase her strength for mixed martial arts.
But Harrogate’s bodybuilding barber Dave Steca noticed her potential and persuaded her to compete. She’s been hooked ever since. She said:
“My first show was in 2016. I came fourth out of five but absolutely loved the experience. This, coupled with some reoccurring injuries from MMA, pushed me to make the switch to bodybuilding.”
Ms Kenworthy has won a string of titles since, but her highlight to date was winning the NABBA Ms Britain at St George’s Hall in Bradford last month.
Female bodybuilding competitions have evolved to include various categories for women depending on the level of muscularity they aspire to.
Ms Kenworthy competed in the athletic figure category at the British finals, which is more about shape and balance than pure size.
Her next competition will be in September but the NABBA Universe in November is her main goal this year.
She is coached by professional bodybuilder Wendy McCready who looks after her training and diet. She said:
“I train five days a week and do daily fasted cardio.
“My training style is heavy and to failure, focusing on two-to-three body parts each session. I’m always looking to progress my strength.
“I eat six times a day, all typically lean meat or eggs and vegetables plus a carb source, which can be either rice, oats or potatoes. This is supplemented with shakes either side of my workout.”
Ms Kenworthy, who trains at Coach Gym on Hornbeam Park, can leg press 320 kg at a body weight of 62kg, or 136 lbs. She said:
“My ambitions are to become a professional body builder and I would also like to start coaching.”
Read more:
- Harrogate’s bodybuilding barber set for world championships
- Injury ends Harrogate man’s World’s Strongest Man dream
Hot Seat: A bold new approach at Black Sheep
Masham is the small town in the Harrogate district with a big reputation for beauty and beer.
Set in sumptuous Wensleydale, it is home to two major breweries — Theakston and Black Sheep.
The breweries, which boost the town’s economy and provide jobs, have been around so long it’s hard to imagine Masham without them. But the future at Black Sheep looked far from rosy a few years ago.
The company, which was founded by Paul Theakston in 1991 when he became the black sheep of the family by setting up a rival to the brewery created by his family in 1827, was running at a loss.
The chairman asked Charlene Lyons, who had set up her own consultancy at the age of 29 in 2007, if she would consider becoming chief executive.
Ms Lyons knew what she was getting into: her consultancy had been brought in to help Black Sheep in 2016 and she had joined the board in 2018. She says:
“It was a business that had not had much external objectivity. It had been making a loss for four or five years.”
Charlene Lyons
For Newcastle-born Ms Lyons, it was an appealing new challenge.
The daughter of a market trader, she grew up fiercely determined to be a successful businesswoman. She cut her teeth as a fashion buyer for Marks & Spencer in London and her career was flying but her dad’s sudden death when she was just 23 had a profound effect.
Gradually her mindset changed and by the time the top job at Black Sheep became available the prospect of working in the Dales appealed more than corporate city life.
Ms Lyons, who sleeps for just three or four hours a night, now enjoys the scenic commute to work from Leeds at 5.45am. She says:
“It’s the most beautiful drive to an incredible part of the world, for a business that is deep rooted in the most amazing heritage and culture.”
Future planning
There was plenty to occupy her mind on those early morning drives when she started the job. Weeks after becoming chief executive, covid struck.
Black Sheep was quick to respond, staging regular coronavirus planning meetings from January 2020, when much of the world was laughing it off.
As the situation worsened, the company instigated a raft of measures, such as improving its online shop, securing third party packaging to reduce its reliance on one supplier and alerting supermarkets to the availability of its products. Online sales increased from about £100,000 to £800,000 during the first covid year.
Black Sheep also offered a ‘brew to you’ delivery service, which involved delivering beer to the end of people’s drives and provided a local food delivery service in Masham. A future strategy team was set up to plan for life after covid. Ms Lyons said:
“So many businesses didn’t have the bandwidth to think about the future during covid.”
Ms Lyons’ bold and forward thinking approach helped the company recover at a time when covid had a devastating impact on the hospitality trade. Besides furlough, Black Sheep received no business rate freeze or grants despite the catastrophic impact of pub closures.
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The latest annual accounts, for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, revealed the company made a profit of £1m but an operating loss of £1.1m due to exceptional items, such as redundancy payments.
Considering the circumstances, this was an impressive set of results. The accounts also reveal how much covid changed the business model. They state: “Our off trade business grew its turnover from £6,864,988 to £9,547,261, our on trade turnover was decimated, reducing from £9,838,810 to £2,245,457.”
The current strategy focuses on providing a direct route to market, rather than relying on third parties, and ‘owning Yorkshire’, which means getting its products in every pub, bar and other retail outlet selling beer in the county.
The brewery in Masham.
Black Sheep exports to 12 countries but overseas trade is a very small part of its business.
Its fresh approach to marketing is epitomised in its recent drink cask beer campaign, featuring comedian Maisie Adam, which aims to break down what Ms Lyons calls the “ridiculous stereotype” that only men aged over 55 drink cask beer.
Ms Lyons is rather tired of another cliché: that being a female chief executive in the world of beer is frowned upon.
“It’s not been an issue at all. The perception is more in the eye of the beholder. People always ask ‘what’s it like to be a CEO in a make dominated brewery?’ But in my experience everybody is taken at face value. It doesn’t occupy even a tiny bit of my thinking.”
Outside work she enjoys travel, food and wine. Being the mother of three sporty children, she also spends a lot of time driving them around.
Masham may seem a long way from corporate life but managing a team of 146 staff in such difficult time is no easy task, particularly when you throw in challenges like the cost of living crisis and rampant inflation.
But Ms Lyons looks back on the last two-and-a-half years at the helm with satisfaction.
“We’ve done an exceptional job. Many businesses have just folded.
“Hospitality has been one of the most affected sectors and we had no government support except furlough.
“You have two choices with challenges: slump your shoulders and let things overtake you or rally the troops and do something about it.”
Nidderdale tractor run to take place tomorrow
More than 50 vintage and modern tractors are set to take to the streets of Nidderdale tomorrow.
The first Nidderdale Charity Tractor Road Run will start in Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30am and wind its way towards Middleham before heading back.
Masham, Grewelthorpe and Jerveulx will be among the places passed.
Ryan Atkinson, who is managing director of R&J Yorkshire’s Finest Farmers & Butchers in Kirkby Malzeard, is co-organising the event with Simon Dickinson.
The two men are both members of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.
Mr Atkinson said:
“Both of us have a love of vintage tractors. We just wanted to put on an event and raise money for charity.”
About 50 tractors have signed up so far. Entries are welcome on the day for a cost of £15, of which £10 goes to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
People will gather for breakfast at R&J butchers from 8.30am before departing at 10.30am.
Families are welcome to watch the tractors set off and cheer them on around the route.
Tomorrow’s route
The 40-mile parade on public and private roads will take place over two legs, which are expected to last two hours each, with a stop at Brymor Ice Cream at Jervaulx in between.
R&J Butchers is providing hot dogs and drinks at the finish back in Kirkby Malzeard at about 4pm.
Read more:
- Record turnout for return of Knaresborough farmers’ tractor run
- Bid to convert Kirkby Malzeard pub rejected
Harrogate woman aims to complete 20 fundraising challenges
A charity worker from Harrogate has set herself 20 fundraising challenges to mark her upcoming 20th anniversary with children’s hospice Martin House.
Mary Newbegin will have been employed in the care team at Martin House for two decades on August 1.
She has been busy this month and last ticking off the challenges, which have so far generated almost £2,000 for the organisation.
They range from completing 20 aerial yoga poses to walking The Ullswater Way to learning to crochet and paddle board.
One of the challenges, organising a yoga fundraising event, will take place at 10am tomorrow on the Stray, next to Oatlands Drive.
Learning the aerial yoga poses.
Ms Newbegin, who plans to retire next year, said:
“The idea evolved as I have in the past taken part in several fundraising events for Martin House.
“These have mostly been running, including the Great North run, which I’ve done about 12 times and on occasions three-legged, and the York Marathon.
“My knees no longer thank me for running so I was trying to think of something more creative as I really wanted to do something before I retire.
“I am excited about all my challenges but most anxious about those with heights involved as I’m not so good with heights.”
You can donate to the cause here.
Abseiling in Ilkley
Big crowd expected tonight as Harrogate entertain Sheffield Wednesday
Harrogate Town‘s pre-season gets underway tonight with what could be one of the largest crowds all year at the EnviroVent Stadium.
Sheffield Wednesday have sold all 600 away tickets for the match, which kicks off at 7pm.
Harrogate have sold 1,200 so far, meaning a 2,000-plus crowd is on the cards for what is the pick of Town’s pre-season friendlies.
Wednesday have won the league four times and the FA Cup on three occasions but have hit on hard times since falling out of the Premier League in 2000.
They are currently in League One of the English Football League, one ahead of Harrogate, but retain a large away following.
The Owls will provide a stern test in the heat for Simon Weaver’s new-look side.
Weaver said:
“Sheffield Wednesday will be a huge test. They were right up there in the league last season and almost got promoted via the playoffs. It’ll be good to welcome them, who are a huge club with rich history. It should be a good occasion.
“Everyone has been without football for a little while now so I’m sure the appetite is there and it’ll be a nice evening for a good game of football.”
Weaver added the squad had worked hard in pre-season training and “fitness levels are really high right now”.
The Suphurites have brought in eight players after fading badly last season following a strong start.
Read more:
- Harrogate Town plans new scoreboard as part of stadium improvements
- Harrogate Town set for Christmas cracker against Bradford
Academy player George Horbury has also been offered professional terms. Weaver said:
“The new players have settled in quite easily and have had a good laugh between themselves.
“They’re all becoming friends straight away which is great and what we need after making quite a few new signings.”
Tickets for tonight’s match are available here,
Sensory garden with braille plaques opens in HarrogateA sensory garden created purposefully for visually impaired people in Harrogate was officially opened today.
Spenceley Gardens on Station Parade in Harrogate was refurbished in a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Vision Support Harrogate District.
The gardens, which were originally created in 1973 after the land was gifted to the council by Alderman George Spenceley, has been planted with grasses and herbs to create a sensory area. Braille plaques have been installed to help visually impaired people identify the various plants.
Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham and deputy lord-lieutenant Simon Mackness opened the site today.
Councillor Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
“I’m delighted to see Spenceley Gardens has been given a new lease of life. The Harrogate district is internationally recognised for its horticultural offering and this sensory garden perfectly complements that.”
The new garden was designed by Phil Keesing and planted by a team of horticulturists from RHS Harlow Carr with the support of students, following funding from local resident Patricia Swallow.
A new sign for the garden has also been designed and provided by Vision Support Harrogate.
Herbs in the garden include sage, rosemary, thyme and southernwood.
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Paul Cook, curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr said:
“A key part of the RHS vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants and so we wanted to create a garden full of flowers, herbs and grasses that heighten the senses of smell, touch and sound to ensure the garden is a truly immersive experience for visually impaired people to enjoy.
Who was George Spenceley?
Nick, Julian and Adrian Spenceley, grandchildren of George Spenceley, said in a statement:
“Our grandfather, George Albert Spenceley is fondly remembered by all of us.
“His abiding loves were music and gardens and helped establish the Harrogate cultural scene after the war, inviting Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra up to perform in the town.
“Setting up the sensory garden was typical of the warm-hearted, generous grandad we knew. He was to pass away just two years after the garden was established, so this was the last public act he performed.
“He would be delighted to see that they have now got a new lease of life.”
Police hunt for Harrogate man accused of animal cruelty
Police are searching for a Harrogate man accused of animal cruelty charges.
A court issued a warrant for the arrest of Charlie Nelson after he failed to turn up to face an animal welfare case.
Nelson, 28, is believed to be in the Harrogate area.
A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:
“Police are searching a number of locations in the area and are appealing for information from the public.”
The force urged anyone with information to dial 101, select option 1 and quote reference number 12210262539.
Alternatively, you can pass on information anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.