This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
It’s the Saturday of the jubilee weekend and we will be covering all the festivities in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Our reporters will be out and about but please let us know what’s happening where you are and if we can’t attend we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
- Party in the Park in Pateley Bridge
- Free live music in Ripon’s Market Square.
- Horse racing on the big screen on the Stray in Harrogate.
- See our full jubilee what’s on guide here.
6.06pm: Harry Gration cuts the ribbon in Valley Gardens
5.38pm: Saturday night partying begins
There is free live music in Harrogate and Ripon tonight and, mercifully, it’s still sunny.
The big screens on the Stray in Harrogate will be showing Ed Sheeran and others at Buckingham Palace while in Ripon, where they have had two days of solid live music, there will be tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix in Market Square.
5.03pm: Mr Snout wins Birstwith Pig Race
A wacky village tradition finally made its comeback today as the Birstwith Pig Race returned to the Station Hotel.
For £5 you could sponsor the race and for £3 you could name one of the battery-powered pigs.
In the first round it was between Mr Snout, Stinky Pig, Chunky Cheeks, Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig.
You can watch the video here.
4.58pm: Street Party on Harrogate ‘s Stray
There are two concerts on the Stray tonight. Street Party starts at 5pm, followed by Party at the Palace at 7pm.
3.58pm: Prince of Wales leads celebrations in Starbeck
Not the actual Prince of Wales, but the Prince of Wales pub in the centre of Starbeck, which is probably just as well known locally as Prince Charles.
The large pub has hosted a family party this afternoon, organised by Starbeck Community Group, with the proceeds from the raffles and stalls going to a Starbeck charity.
Tonight, from 7pm, the adults take over for a night of games and karaoke.
Iron Man was among those making an appearance. He should be safe walking home tonight.
3.30pm: Tractor parade and BBQ in the sun at Kirkby Malzeard
Hillside Playing Fields is the place to be in Kirkby Malzeard today.
As Suzannah arrived some families were just drying off after taking part in a friendly ‘It’s a Knockout’ tournament.
The BBQ was well underway with organiser Marlon Johnson saying they’ve already had to make an emergency trip to the shops after running out on burgers.
Today was the third day of festivities in the village with the highlight being this morning’s tractor parade through the town.
Marlon said he expects people to be on the fields until 5pm with other activities including a tug of war and egg throwing planned later this afternoon.
He said:
“I’m amazed by how many people have come down, I think the weather definitely helped. It’s great to get everyone together again.”
2pm: Rocking around Pateley Bridge bandstand
Pateley Bridge’s ‘Party in the Park’ was enjoyed by hundreds this afternoon with many bobbing along to second act of the day Ant & Frank.
The event is being held in the town’s recreation ground until 3pm.
Our roaming reporter Suzannah filmed a Facebook live of the performance, check it out here:
1.14pm: Dachshunds dominate in Knaresborough
Two Dachshunds caught the eye of the judges in the prettiest dog contest in Knaresborough today.
The winning dogs are in the top picture.
Our devastated reporter Tom, whose dog didn’t get the verdict, has at least had the pleasure of meeting town crier Roger Hewitt, who in a former life taught Tom chemistry at Harrogate Grammar School.
1pm: Pateley’s Picnic in the Park gets underway
Our reporter Suzannah has hot-footed it from Knaresborough to Pateley Bridge where 150 people are already at the recreation ground to enjoy the town’s big event today, Party in the Park.
Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band has kicked things off and two other acts are set to follow this afternoon.
The free event, organised by Bewerley Parish Council and Pateley Bridge Town Council, runs until 3pm today.
Event manager Tracey Dawson said:
“I’m just so pleased with how many people have come out. It’s all generations coming together and enjoying the weekend.”
12.45pm: Knaresborough sisters meet town crier
The flag parade has been Knaresborough’s morning highlight. Scroll down to see our reporter Suzannah’s video of it.
Caroline McHuge sent us this lovely picture of her children Elodie (left) and Clemmie with town crier Roger Hewitt. Keep your pictures coming!
12.27pm: Patriotic pug in Harrogate
There seems to be a lot of dog action on our website today — dog shows, stray dogs and now a jubilee dog. It’s all good.
Sue Lovatt from Harrogate sent us this picture of her adorable pug Betsy, as well as this picture of the Queen making an appearance in her window, waving at passers by.
Do send us your jubilee pictures and we will add them to our live blog. You can DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
11.59am: Knaresborough’s Market Cross looking splendid
Thanks to Lesley Dalton, who has written to say Knaresnorough Flower Club has installed bunting and flowers on the Market Cross in Knaresborough’s historic Market Square.
The cross was erected in 1953 for the Queen’s coronation so it’s very fitting, Lesley adds.
Our reporter Tom has entered his pet into the prettiest dog category in the dog show in Knaresborough today. Do you think she has a chance? She’s looking a bit camera shy here. Or perhaps the pre-match nerves are kicking in. Come on, number 6!
11.28am: Knaresborough festivities underway with flag parade
Children dressed in red, white and blue and waved homemade flags for the Knaresborough Flag Parade today.
Families, local cadets and town crier Roger Hewitt marched through Market Place to the grounds of Knaresborough House.
Stray Ferret reporter Suzannah was there — you can watch her video here.
This afternoon multiple events are taking place in the town, including dog shows, band performances and the museum exhibition at Knaresborough House.
10.55am: Thunderstorm threat to tomorrow’s street parties
Harrogate Borough Council has highlighted the threat posed by a Met Office weather warning, which is in place from midnight tonight until 6pm tomorrow.
A Yellow thunderstorm warning will be in place from midnight tonight to 6pm tomorrow that just catches the bottom part of our district. More info below: https://t.co/lBYAWuQYWc
— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) June 4, 2022
10.29am: The Queen in Harrogate in 1957
Great photo of Her Majesty at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957 — the year of the Suez crisis and when Paul McCartney and John Lennon first met.
Here is another image showing when #TheQueenVisited the Great Yorkshire show in #Harrogate in 1957 accompanied by Prince Philip. #PlatinumJubilee #RoyaltyOnRecord
📷BU07949 pic.twitter.com/e7eatEcv6E
— North Yorkshire County Record Office (@nyccarchives) June 4, 2022
10.18am: Hog roast in Bishop Monkton
The highlight of Saturday’s jubilee celebrations in Bishop Monkton will be a hog roast in the centre of the village.
The cooking of the 87kg pig started at 4am this morning in preparation for a day which will also include duck races down the beck running through the village, tabletop pig races and a village ceilidh.
9.50am: Live music and new jubilee horn in Ripon
The royal revelry continues in Ripon’s Market Square today with tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix.
Striking a different note just before 9pm, the Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn will be officially handed over to the city by ‘Mr Ripon’, former mayor and Freeman of the City, John Richmond, when he presents the specially commissioned instrument to Ripon’s new mayor, Cllr Sid Hawke.
9.41am: More free rides for children in Valley Garden
Valley Gardens is again offering free rides for children.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, there will be street entertainers in the town centre and the big screen on the Stray will be showing horse racing. The Stray will also host a wellbeing morning and another Harrogate mastermind quiz before some tribute acts take to the stage.
Here’s a pic of yesterday’s dog show.
9.22am: Festivities in Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill
Thanks to Pippa Manson, chairperson of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council for sending us these images of what’s been going on in the parish.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog.
Garden party yesterday afternoon at Laverton.
Reeth Brass Band in Kirkby.
Thursday’s night’s bonfire beacon at Greygarth.
9am: Where the Stray Ferret reporters will be today
Suzannah will be in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard and Birstwith.
Tim will be covering events in Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Hotspots cause second fire in days at old rectory near Ripon
Firefighters were called to the old rectory at West Tanfield yesterday for the second time in three days.
The building, next to the parish church of St Nicholas, suffered major damage when the roof caught fire on Tuesday.
But fire crews from Ripon, Bedale and Harrogate were summoned back to the site, near Ripon, at 8.50am yesterday when smoke was seen.
Firefighters discovered the smoke was coming from the roof space above a first floor bedroom.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:
“This was believed to be caused by hotspots from the previous fire.
“Crews used one hose reel jet to cool the beams and set up an aerial ladder platform to carry out observation from above and check for further hotspots.”
Read more:
- Roof fire causes ‘serious damage’ to old rectory near Ripon
- Five Harrogate firefighters could lose jobs in plans to reduce service
Harrogate district jubilee: what happened on day 2
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
Welcome back to day two of our live jubilee blog, where we will be covering all the Friday fun in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
- Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Garden and a dog show on the Stray.
- Free rides for children in Market Square and a Timeline Tea Party.
- Newby Hall Tractorfest, featuring a Hawker Hurricane.
- Masham parade of floats this afternoon and band and fireworks tonight.
- The Great Afternoon Tea at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm.
5.38pm: Buglers on Coldstones Cut
Two buglers from Summerbridge Band provided the musical backdrop for last night’s beacon lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut, near Pateley Bridge.
Our #PlatinumJubilee appearances got underway last night with 2 buglers taking part in the Beacon Lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut above #PateleyBridge #Nidderdale. An honour to be invited & amazing to think of the 1000's of people taking part across the country and beyond. pic.twitter.com/tYBkhHBID6
— Summerbridge Band (@sdpsb1) June 3, 2022
5.31pm: Great Almscliffe beacon
Thanks to Barbara Massey for this dramatic image showing last night’s beacon on top of Great Almscliffe, organised by North Rigton Parish Council.
5.20pm – Newby Hall flypast captured
This RAF enthusiast captured the moment the Hawker Hurricane flew over Newby Hall as part of the return of Tractor Fest.
https://twitter.com/SpotterPD/status/1532736925022420995?s=20&t=4WFoiw1UGsd0CSAV1Q6l7g
4.55pm: Big street party in Harrogate
We’ve just been to Westbourne Grove where we’ve seen the biggest street party so far.
A welcoming crowd of about 200 people are enjoying the sun in chairs on the street after a competitive best cake competition.
Viv Poskitt, who applied for the road closure, said the street had hosted parties on several previous occasions, including for the diamond jubilee 10 years ago and for VE Day celebrations. She said:
“We just plan to keep going until dusk.”
Here’s a video of the fun.
4.05pm: Knaresborough gets dancing
These residents at Knaresborough Community Centre got on their feet for a tea dance as the celebrations continue well into this glorious Friday afternoon.
3.45pm: Burn Bridge street party underway
Cheers to the residents of Westminster Grove in Burn Bridge, who are having one of several street parties in the Harrogate district today. Tamsin from the Stray Ferret was there to capture this great community moment.
If you’re holding a party, send us a photo to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
3.20pm: Street entertainers in Harrogate town centre
Have you seen the street entertainers in Harrogate town centre? They will be out and about throughout the four-day weekend.
Another day of Jubilee celebrations means another day of great street entertainers! 🎭
Be sure to look out for them in the town centre! pic.twitter.com/W2Pm0DyrqJ
— Harrogate BID (@BidHarrogate) June 3, 2022
3pm Boroughbridge entertainment is underway
Our roaming reporter Calvin is now in Boroughbridge where an afternoon of entertainment is getting in full swing at the football club.
There are bouncy castles, carnival games, face painting, tug-of-war, a barbecue, a raffle and a visit from Boroughbridge firefighters.
Proceeds from the event will go to the charity Dementia Forward.
Organiser Laura Hutton
2.50pm: Hawker Hurricane due to flyover Newby Hall shortly
The flyover at Tractorfest is due to take place at 3.10pm. We’d love to see your photos – send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
2.35pm: Staveley women make village collage
A group of Staveley women have made a village collage as a lasting memento to the Queen’s platinum jubilee. You can read more here.
1.50pm: Superb parade in Masham
Masham has done itself proud with this wonderful parade of floats through the town centre, captured a few minutes ago by our reporter Calvin. It’s hard to imagine a more English scene.
1.35pm: Opera in the streets of Harrogate
Full marks to the West Park Hotel in Harrogate for one of the most innovative jubilee ideas so far. Two opera singers appeared on the balcony and began belting out classics, ranging from Jerusalem to Schubert’s Ave Maria.
Here they are singing Rule Britannia to an appreciate crowd below.
12.59pm: Archbishop of York tweets Ripon picture
Ripon Cathedral hosted North Yorkshire’s civic service honouring the Queen, which attracted a host of dignitaries.
Among them was Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who has posted this photo of himself at the 1,350-year old cathedral.
Great to be @riponcathedral this morning to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with @joropner1 and @nickbaines Big one tomorrow @StPaulsLondon pic.twitter.com/dbkPUwuvQl
— Archbishop of York (@CottrellStephen) June 2, 2022
12.28am: Ripon is rocking again
Ripon is having a good jubilee, with Market Square the focus of the fun and the cathedral the centre of civic activity. There are large crowds and a great vibe in the city.
Today’s highlights include the Timeline Tea Party for 150 invited guests, including 70 Riponians representing the 70 years of the Queen’s reign — from a year-old child to a 70-year-old.
Tomorrow’s highlights include the handover ceremony for the new Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn from 8.30pm onwards and Sunday’s line-up includes a picnic in the park at Spa Park.
Iris, 8, and brother Rafael, 5, wait to go on the fairground rides.
12.07pm: Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Every parent knows how quickly you can burn money on funfair rides so it’s little surprise the lure of free rides in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is proving irresistible to many.
It’s been less busy in Jubilee Square, where BBC coverage of the thanksgiving service for the Queen’s 70-year reign has been shown on big screens, but it’s expected to pick up later when the dog show and a Harrogate Mastermind competition take place.
There are also street entertainers in the town centre, which is part of a Harrogate Business Improvement District initiative.
11.58am: Jubilee book competition for children
North Yorkshire County Council, which runs the county’s libraries, is running a jubilee initiative to encourage children to read.
Our library staff are excited for the #PlatinumJubilee.
Children who borrow two books from our libraries until June 11, will be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of Michael Morpurgo's book, There Once is a Queen.
More: https://t.co/P9YyHeQUZR pic.twitter.com/qUlv0yfVw0
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 3, 2022
11.15am: Tractor heaven at Newby Hall
If you like tractors and machinery, Newby Hall near Boroughbridge is the place to be for the next three days.
Our reporter Calvin is amongst the hundreds of people there for Tractorfest, which has returned to the Harrogate district for the first time in two years.
An estimated 1,000 exhibits are on display, including tractors from the Queen’s coronations and silver jubilee.
11.10am: Spofforth skies lit up
Last night’s beacons appear to have been a big hit. Do keep sending us your photos of them.
Thanks to Mike Streeton for these wonderful images at Spofforth Castle last night.
Mike says:
“The local farrier created a wonderful beacon constructed of horseshoes which seemed very appropriate because the Queen is so fond of horses and equestrian events.
“It was rather ingenious and quite unexpected since a tractor lifted the blazing beacon up in the air high above all the spectators who were positioned at a safe distance. It was enjoyed enormously by all the excited onlookers.”
10.56am: Sports day fun in Bishop Monkton
An estimated 400 people — more than half the population of Bishop Monkton — turned out for a village sports day and children’s games yesterday. Twenty-one teams competed in seven different games based on sports clubs represented in the village.
10.29am: Beacons prompt 999 calls
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service reports that fire crews responded to numerous reports of large fires in the open, which turned out to be controlled burnings of jubilee beacons.
Harrogate fire station did not get called out to any — we are unaware if other fire stations in the Harrogate district were.
About 3,000 beacons were lit across the UK and the Commonwealth last night.
10.21am: Tractorfest at Newby Hall underway
Our reporter Calvin is at Newby Hall, which is hosting Tractorfest for the next three days.
Here’s a photo of Ian Muir and Tractorfest organiser Kevin Watson with a special Queen’s coronation tractor that Ian painted.
10.15am: Almscliffe Crag beacon lights up the sky
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, has tweeted some images of last night’s beacon lighting at Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton.
Night-time adventures in Knaresborough and at Almscliffe Crag. Love a bit of firestarting. pic.twitter.com/CuYCAMhoXK
— Sharon Canavar (@sharoncanavar) June 2, 2022
9.40am: Ripon prepares for a second day of partying
Ripon is waking up this morning after the biggest royal party in its history and with three more days of family fun and entertainment ahead.
Away from Market Square and the cathedral, which were hives of jubilee activity yesterday, in the city’s residential streets Union Jacks are flying. Every house in Victoria Grove (named after the Queen’s great, great, grandmother) is linked by a string of red, white and blue flags.
The same applies to the railings at the nearby bus station, also adorned with bunting produced by the tireless knitters of the Ripon Community Poppy Project. Hillshaw Park Way is ready to party again today and, the promise of fine weather, will make for a busy day of pulling pints at The Magdelen’s pub on Princess Road.
9.26pm: North Stainley beacon
Thanks to Steve, who has sent us this image last night’s beacon lighting in North Stainley. The beacons appear to have been a big hit, drawing large crowds — we’d love to see your pics and hear your thoughts. Drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
9.15am Today’s Stray Ferret team on the road
Calvin will be at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall and also in Boroughbridge and Masham.
Tim will be covering events in his home city of Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Village near Knaresborough creates collage to mark jubilee
A group of women in Staveley have created a collage of the village to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Glennis Copnall and Lizzie Morrell came up with the idea of doing something as a keepsake for the village, which is four miles north of Knaresborough, as a lasting memento.
The Staveley Collage
Villager Julie Smith said:
“Lizzie being very artistic came up with this plan to create the Staveley Collage and several ladies volunteered to make their houses and even the trees.
“We called ourselves the crafty ladies.
“It’s taken a few weeks to do but it looks amazing now it is up on the wall. Each house was done individually and then glued to the backcloth.”
The collage is on display at the village hall in Staveley until 4pm today and tomorrow. There is also footage of the coronation being shown and historical facts about Staveley.
Read more:
- Knaresborough couple’s Dower House wedding cancelled due to refurb
- JUBILEE LIVE: Parade in Masham, street opera in Harrogate
Five of today’s jubilee highlights in the Harrogate district
The first day of the Queen’s platinum jubilee has been blessed with warm, sunny weather in the Harrogate district..
There were cakes to judge, events to attend and lots of opportunities to chill with family and friends.
It isn’t over yet — tonight will see beacons lit across the district at 9.45pm as part of a national initiative. But here are five highlights so far.
Our live blog will be back tomorrow with more rolling jubilee coverage. Send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will include them in our coverage.
1 Dignitaries turn out in force in Ripon
The city’s cathedral hosted North Yorkshire’s service to honour the Queen. Among those attending were The Archbishop of York, Ripon MP Julian Smith, Grantley Hall owner Valeria Sykes and former Look North presenter Harry Gration, who is also a deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.
2 Bilton’s Party on the Pitch is a big hit
Bilton Cricket Club’s Party on the Pitch attracted a huge turnout of families. It showed there is a big appetite in Bilton for a community event and how much the area misses the annual Bilton Gala.
3 The first street parties get underway
Sunday is the main day for street parties but residents of Castle Hill Glade in Pannal Ash decided they didn’t want to wait that long and got cracking today.
4 Ripon mum wins Bettys Jubilee Bake Off
The moment Lori (centre) found out she had won.
Lori Hendry’s Victoria sponge beat three other shortlisted entries in the Bettys Jubilee Bake Off.
Three judges deliberated for half an hour before deciding the Ripon mum’s delicious offering was number one.
5 Children flock to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
The offer of free activities and facepainting was always likely to be a surefire hit with families and that proved the case as families descended on Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today.
There was also the opportunity to watch the BBC’s coverage of Trooping the Colour on a big screen on the Stray.
Read more:
- Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones MP named as Tory ‘rebel’
- JUBILEE LIVE: Dignitaries attend Ripon Cathedral for county service
Harrogate district jubilee: day one blog
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
The sun is out as four days of jubilee celebrations get underway in the Harrogate district today.
The Stray Ferret will be covering the festivities and the fun, the street parties and the ceremonies over the next four days in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
We want to hear what’s happening in your town, village or city so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it to the blog.
5.24pm: Will it stay dry for tonight’s beacons?
It’s been a warm and sunny opening day to the jubilee celebrations but it is clouding over.
Beacons are due to be lit across the Harrogate district tonight, with most occurring at 9.45pm. According to the BBC weather forecast for Harrogate, some rain is possible.
Spofforth Castle, Ripon Market Square, Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton, the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Kirkby Malzeard and Roomer Common in Masham are among the locations taking part.
So too is Knaresborough Castle, where Tamsin from the Stray Ferret will be among the onlookers.
4.35pm: Spofforth hosts children’s party
Fresh from his trip to Blubberhouses, our reporter Tom has been to Spofforth to witness today’s jubilee activities.
You can read his full account here.
4.17pm: Great and the good attend Ripon Cathedral’s civic event
Julian Smith MP
Harry Gration
North Yorkshire dignitaries gathered at Ripon Cathedral today for a service in honour of the Queen.
Those attending included the Archbishop of York, Ripon MP Julian Smith, Grantley Hall owner Valeria Sykes and former Look North presenter Harry Gration.
You can read our Ripon reporter Tim’s full account here.
3.58pm: Human plant pots in Harrogate town centre
Last year there was fake grass in Harrogate town centre — now there are human plant pots. And they’re certainly proving more popular with visitors, who posed for photos alongside them. It’s all part of the jubilee fun. Send us your jubilee pictures to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
3.27pm: First street party underway in Pannal Ash
Most street parties are on Sunday but the residents of Castle Hill Glade in Pannal Ash thought today might be a more family-friendly day and, judging by the weather forecast, they may have chosen the right day
Rachel Baskin (pictured far left), who applied for the street closure, told us the party idea evolved from covid, when residents living on the cul-de-sac would have socially distanced meetings on Thursdays.
There’s also an informal group called Ladies of Glade, who meet a glass of wine each week.
Residents in nearby streets are bringing their own teas and sitting outside together to enjoy the occasion.
2.55pm: Bilton’s Party on the Pitch proves a hit
People are pouring into Bilton Cricket Club’s free Party on the Pitch event, which runs until 9pm.
We’ve just been down and there is a wonderful atmosphere, which shows there is a great community spirit in Bilton and a thirst for get togethers like this since the demise of Bilton Gala on May Day.
There’s a barbecue, live music and plenty for children to do. People are just rocking up and having a picnic on the pitch.
Matt Thomas, cricket secretary, estimated about 1,000 people were there an hour ago and the number is growing. He added:
“It’s a great opportunity for the local community to get together and have fun.”
There is a collection for Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause dear to the club’s heart after a player had a heart attack on the pitch at an away game last year.
1.20pm: Jubilee shenanigans on Harrogate’s Beulah Street
It’s not every day you wander along Beulah Street and see people dressed like this belting out Land of Hope and Glory. But that’s what the jubilee does to you. It’s that kind of weekend.
What’s happening out in Bilton, Starbeck and Jennyfields, or in Pateley Bridge? Wherever you are in the Harrogate district we want to receive your jubilee news and images. Email us and we will add them to this live blog.
1.12pm: Live music all day in Ripon
Among those early to arrive on Market Square was four-year-old Aylar and her mum Susannah (pictured), who were blowing bubbles as the free entertainment started on stage with Lily Worth.
Lily sang a selection of songs from musicals, including the Greatest Showman. There is free live music all day in Ripon’s Market Square.
Meanwhile, a giant TV screen next to Ripon Town Hall linked the city to Horseguards Parade in London, where the Trooping the Colour ceremony, broadcast live on the BBC, marked the Queen’s official birthday.
Lily Worth on stage in Ripon today.
The big screen.
1.01pm: Blubberhouses flower festival tells Queen’s story
Our reporter Tom has been to Blubberhouses, where a jubilee-themed flower festival is underway.
You can visit it at St Andrew’s Church in Blubberhouses, just past Fewston Reservoir off the A59, from 11am to 4pm every day over the four-day weekend.
Further details are here.
12.26pm: Bishop leads county service of celebration
Ripon is pulling out the stops this weekend with activities galore, and Ripon Cathedral is at the heart of things. The Bishop of Ripon has tweeted about a service she led this morning.
https://twitter.com/HartleyHAM/status/1532321794765488128
12.05pm: Ripon mum wins Bettys Jubilee Bake Off
Ripon mum Lori Hendry (pictured holding the cake) has beaten three other shortlisted bakers to win the Bettys Jubilee Bake Off.
Lori’s Victoria sponge decorated with red, white and blue icing adorned with a crown and Union Jack flags wowed the judges. You can read more here.
11.10am: Free rides, entertainment and face painting in Valley Gardens
Free events are taking place in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens until 6pm. It’s very much a family occasion: kids can meet Elsa, Batman and Cinderella (pictured above), ride on the runaway train, climb a wall, jump on a bungee trampoline, watch jugglers — all for free.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, on a section of the Stray, which has been renamed Jubilee Square, people can watch a big screen of the BBC coverage of the jubilee.
10.27am: Recycling depots open as usual
North Yorkshire County Council tweets that its household recycling centres are open as normal this bank holiday weekend.
All our household waste recycling centres are open, as usual, from 8.30am to 5pm, throughout the Queen's #PlatinumJubilee bank holiday weekend.
Find your nearest site and what items you can take athttps://t.co/llRAH0z30s pic.twitter.com/rASZiF1jhk
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 2, 2022
9.32am: Bishop Monkton choir starts the jubilee weekend
Bishop Monkton kicked off the jubilee weekend last night a community concert given by a choir developed on Zoom during the pandemic.
The choir entertained an audience of 120 in the village hall with a show titled Seven Decades of Song, featuring music from the 1940s to the present day. The concert included hits from musicals like Oklahoma and the Sound of Music as well as more recent numbers from Leonard Cohen and Gary Barlow.
The choir grew out of the village’s Singing for Fun group, which had started just before the pandemic and which kept going through the covid lockdowns by meeting on Zoom. The show included a live rendition of a song called Lockdown, written during covid by the village’s jubilee queen, Pauline Beecroft, to the tune of the Petula Clark 1960s hit Downtown.
The concert ended with the singing of Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and the National Anthem.
Thanks to Colin Philpott for sending us this jubilee news in Bishop Monkton. What’s happening where you are? Message us your jubilee news and pictures at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
8.52am: Free music all day in Ripon
The stage is set in Ripon for the biggest royal party of the ancient city’s long history. Lily Worth will kick off a day of free music at 10.30am and she will be followed by Ripon’s own talented singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary.
Later, tribute acts will sing the songs of Stevie Wonder, Cilla Black, George Michael, the Everly Brothers and Katherine Jenkins. For nostalgia lovers, there will be wartime songs of Vera Lynn and others from 4.50pm.
Organisers Ripon City Council are hoping that the blue skies that have started the day will remain over the town hall and stage facing onto Market Square, where large crowds are anticipated.
8.45am: Stray Ferret journalists set to hit the road
Tim will be in Ripon all day and for the lighting of the beacon.
Tom plans to head to Blubberhouses and Spofforth
John will be in and around Harrogate
Tamsin will be in Knaresborough for tonight’s beacon lighting.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones MP named as Tory ‘rebel’
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has been named in a Daily Mail article today about Conservative MPs plotting to oust Boris Johnson.
Mr Jones has told constituents asking about partygate that his “anger is not going to lessen”.
His also said:
“I understand the anger people feel. I feel it too. Most of all I feel intensely depressed that senior people in our political system have pretended, or somehow genuinely believed, that tables groaning with bottles of wine, as we have now seen pictured, were in some way allowed work practices.”
But Mr Jones has not called for the Prime Minister to resign and has not revealed whether he has submitted a letter calling for a vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the backbench 1922 committee. Fifty-four Tory MPs must do so to trigger a leadership contest.
Mr Jones has declined to respond to questions about the matter from the Stray Ferret.
Nevertheless the Daily Mail includes him in a list of 41 Conservative MPs in an article about Tory ‘plotters’.
Read more:
- Andrew Jones MP tells constituent he feels ‘anger’ over partygate
- Andrew Jones MP says Harrogate and Knaresborough train cuts’a bad mistake’
York Outer MP Julian Sturdy is also named, along with former Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom and former Shadow Home Secretary David Davis.
The article claims the ‘rebels’ could get enough support for a confidence vote next week.
It quotes Home Secretary Priti Patel urging them to “concentrate on doing our jobs” rather than creating a “distraction”.
She adds:
“Writing letters is a sideshow, quite frankly, rather than focusing on the real challenges that we have to find solutions to.’
“Our job is to deliver on the people’s priorities. They won’t thank the Conservative Party for talking about itself at a time when people have anxieties, concerns, apprehensions. Our job is deliver for them.’
Boy, 8, rescued at Brimham Rocks
An eight-year-old boy has become the latest person to require rescuing at Brimham Rocks.
Seven members of Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were called to the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge when the boy got stuck at the top of a rock outcrop.
The association’s website says:
“He had managed to jump the gap to get onto the rock before realising that the jump back would be much harder.”
North Yorkshire Police summoned the rescuers at 11.30am on Monday and they managed to assist the boy to safety.
The volunteer-run association has attended several incidents at Brimham Rocks already this year.
Read more:
- Second climber rescued from same rock at Brimham Rocks
- Daleside Garage in Pateley Bridge to relocate this year
Decision on Harrogate town council could take two years
A decision on whether to create a Harrogate town council is unlikely to be made until at least 2024, a meeting heard last night.
Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, outlined the lengthy legal process to members of Harrogate Civic Society.
Mr Sampson said North Yorkshire Council, which comes into existence on April 1 next year, would have to undertake a community governance review before any changes to Harrogate’s governance can take place.
This would involve two stages of consultation, likely to take place next year, followed by a final recommendation on whether to approve a town council.
If approved, a legal order would be made, followed by other processes before implementation.
Last night’s meeting.
Speaking at last night’s packed meeting, at which he and Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, discussed local government reorganisation and devolution, Mr Sampson said:
“It’s really difficult to say how long that process will take but our best guess is 15 months to two years. If it happened by 2024 that would be a good timeframe.”
Mr Sampson also said elections for a mayor for the combined North Yorkshire and York regions would “probably” take place in 2024.
Read more:
- Harrogate town council: What is it and what would it cost taxpayers?
- Key planning document delayed for west Harrogate residents facing 4,000 new homes
Last night’s meeting discussed the implications of the momentous changes brought about by North Yorkshire devolution and local government reorganisation.
Harrogate Borough Council and six other district councils, along with North Yorkshire County Council, will be abolished next year when the new North Yorkshire Council comes into being on April 1.
8,000 council staff
Eight thousand staff will be brought together into what will be one of the largest councils in the UK, in a move estimated to save about £30m a year.
The loss of Harrogate Borough Council has led to concerns that Harrogate may lack a political voice after the changes, with most key decisions set to be made by North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton.
Last month Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader for Harrogate and Knaresborough, called for the process to create a Harrogate town council to begin “as soon as possible, within the next couple of months” but this seems unlikely to happen.
Philip Broadbank, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Harrogate Starbeck on North Yorkshire County Council, attended last night’s meeting and said afterwards the party would continue to push for the process “to be done as quickly as possible” but he accepted it would take time.
Cllr Swift told the meeting that Harrogate Borough Council’s civic centre at Knapping Mount “won’t be a white elephant” after the authority is abolished and would continue to be used by staff employed by North Yorkshire Council. He said:
Bilton Working Men’s Club decides on new name“It’s going to continue to save you £1m a year forever.”
Bilton Working Men’s Club is to be renamed Bilton Club in an attempt to broaden its appeal.
The club revealed last month it planned to change its name for the first time since it was founded in 1913.
Names such as The Bilton and The Club @Bilton were among those suggested.
But Alan Huddart, the club treasurer, said the choice of Bilton Club was almost unanimous and would probably come into effect at the start of July. He said:
“We want to make the club as inclusive as possible.”
Read more:
- Bilton’s Peter the Peacock living his best life in Lancashire
- Nazi symbol outside Harrogate home leads to police visit
The club has also appointed Phil Smith to the newly created post of manager.
Mr Huddart said Mr Smith, who previously managed Sports Direct in Harrogate, would be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, which is on Skipton Road.
He will also be involved in moves to convert some of the unused space on the first and second floors into commercial and residential use.
Mr Huddart said the club was expecting “huge increases” in its energy bills and needed to find ways to generate more income.
Anyone can visit the club but members, who pay £10 to join and then an annual £10 fee, are entitled to 50p off the price of a pint. Membership costs half as much for seniors.