Harrogate’s Ashville College appoints first female head

Ashville College in Harrogate has appointed Rhiannon Wilkinson as its first female headteacher in its 144-year history.

Ms Wilkinson, who was headmistress at Harrogate Ladies’ College from 2009 until 2013, will take up the position in September.

She will become the 11th headteacher in the history of the independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged three to 18.

Richard Marshall, the previous headteacher, died in November aged 48 of cancer.

Elspeth Fisher will remain as acting head until September 1 when she will revert to her former position as a deputy head.

Ms Wilkinson said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Ashville College and returning to the Harrogate District which I always saw as my forever home.

“As a head over the last 12 years, I am confident that my versatility and commitment to serve young people and their families, whatever their background, need or ability, will enable me to succeed at Ashville College.

“Ashville is rich in heritage and remains true to its strong Methodist values, it is small enough to care but big enough to challenge both its day and boarding pupils.”

She added she hoped to “build on the successes of my predecessors, in particular the unfulfilled legacy of Richard Marshall”.

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Ms Wilkinson, who graduated in modern history at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, has taught in – and led – schools in the UK, Hong Kong and Brunei, and most recently was the founding head of Whittle School Shenzhen in China.

After leaving Harrogate Ladies College she became head at Wycombe Abbey independent school in Buckinghamshire.

A statement issued by the school today said Ms Wilkinson was the unanimous choice of the board of governors.

Jamie Search, chair of governors at Ashville, described Ms Wilkinson as “an exceptional educational leader”, adding:

“In her four years at Harrogate Ladies’ College, she did an exceptional job and is credited with transforming the fortunes of the school.

“We feel incredibly privileged to have someone of Rhiannon’s calibre and experience joining Ashville College.”

 

Stump Cross owners to raffle their £130,000 flat

The owners of Stump Cross Caverns are to raffle their flat in Pateley Bridge to raise more money for the site.

Lisa Bowerman and Nicholas Markham hope to sell 20,000 tickets for £10 each to generate funds to maintain the ancient limestone caves.

The couple. who live on the site of the caves, recently raised £70,000 by raffling their camper van to keep the business open.

But they say more money is needed for essential work — hence the new crowdfunding appeal.

They’re also campaigning to get Chancellor Rishi Sunak to visit the caves after previous bids for grants were unsuccessful.

Ms Bowerman said:

“I’m desperate for Rishi to see our amazing cave. I’ve got his hard hat ready. We bring 60,000 visitors to the Yorkshire Dales each year and if he can see what we do I think he would agree to help us.

“I don’t think it should be down to the public to help us, but I’m grateful they do. The government should be helping.”

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The caves are due to reopen on May 17 and Ms Bowerman said she expected the best year ever.

But she estimated the couple had lost £500,000 over the last year of enforced closure and lack of government support meant further funds were required for essential work, such as renewing the lighting system.

A Save the Caves petition to get Sunak to listen to their plea for help has already received almost 2,500 signatures.

Other heritage organisations, including Kents Cavern, in Torquay, Margate Caves and Creswell Crags in Derbyshire received financial boost from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the pandemic, said Ms Bowerman.

But Stump Cross Caverns has not received anything.

Ms Bowerman said:

“Now that we have raised the funds to reopen and secure jobs we need to focus on the essential maintenance and repairs, including the renewal of the caves lighting system.

“It’s a massive blow to us to have to sell another personal possession but we’ve got nowhere else to turn. Unlike other heritage sites, similar to ours, who’ve benefited from funding, we’ve been left to fend for ourselves.

“Over an 18-year period we’ve worked hard to sustain a successful business, but this pandemic and the associated loss of trade has left us fighting for survival.”

She added the caves played a vital role in supporting the wider Dales economy because they boosted tourism to other areas.

Police and council to check Harrogate venues comply with outdoor rule

Police and council officers are to conduct checks on outdoor hospitality shelters in the Harrogate district to ensure they comply with government regulations.

Harrogate Borough Council warned of the checks amid concern about whether all of the shelters in the district comply with what is classed as outdoor.

Many hospitality venues have created shelters to take advantage of today’s latest easing of lockdown rules, which allow licensed premises to serve customers outdoors.

Government guidelines say that to be considered outdoors, ‘shelters, marquees and other structures can have a roof but need to have at least 50% of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use’.

A source close to one small business owner told the Stray Ferret they were ‘surprised’ the council, which is enforcing the national government guidelines, had agreed to some of the structures.

The issue has also raised numerous comments on social media.

A council spokesman said its officers would be carrying out visits across the Harrogate district in partnership with North Yorkshire Police, “to offer support, advice and guidance to businesses and check on compliance with the latest regulations”.

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He added:

“Temporary outdoor shelters are determined by national government advice.

“Any Harrogate district businesses wishing to find out more, or whether planning permission is required, should get in touch and we will be happy to advise.”

Asked to comment on claims some venues breached the guidelines, he said:

“Without knowing the details of the premises who have raised concerns we cannot comment further.”

The council spokesman was unable to say how many venues had applied to erect outdoor structures.

But many large Harrogate hospitality venues, including the West Park Hotel, the Fat Badger , La Feria and Gianni’s Brio Restaurant and Pizzeria, as well as the Fox and Hounds and the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge have done so.

Perhaps the most spectacular is the Cedar Court Hotel‘s £50,000 tipi, which can accommodate 36 people.

Wayne Topley, managing director of the hotel, said it was built in full compliance with the regulations. He added it could be adapted for weddings and conferences.

“It’s a temporary structure but we hope to use it for a couple for years to come.”

 

 

Harrogate Gymnastics opens new site in Hampsthwaite

Harrogate Gymnastics is to start providing classes in Hampsthwaite next week for children aged four to 11.

The club has 500 recreational members and 200 competitive gymnasts at its Hornbeam Park location.

It had a waiting list to join pre-covid and social distancing measures have reduced the number of people able to attend, prompting owner Chloe Carey to look for a new site.

Classes will take place at Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall for beginner and intermediate gymnasts on Monday evenings.

Sessions will last for 45 minutes to an hour and will cater for up to 12 gymnasts.

Ms Carey, who lives in Hampsthwaite, said:

“We have a waiting list at the club, which has been made worse by the restrictions on numbers during the pandemic and wanted to be able to get the children who want to take part in gymnastics Into classes as quickly as possible, especially having had restrictions on organised sport for the best part of a year.

“With the roadworks in Harrogate it has become increasingly difficult for some of the surrounding villages to get over to Hornbeam so that has become a barrier to participation for some.”

Some equipment is new and some is being transferred from Hornbeam Park.

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Harrogate murder suspect appears in court

A 23-year-old murder suspect from Harrogate did not enter a plea today when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court.

Daniel Ainsley is accused of murdering Mark Wolsey, 48, who was found dead inside a flat in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate on March 5.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing on July 1, at which Ainsley, of no fixed abode, may enter a plea.

The trial was confirmed to take place on 18 October. Ainsley was remanded in custody until then.

Mr Wolsey was found with serious injuries after police were called to Mayfield Grove just after 10pm on a Friday night. He was certified dead at the scene by ambulance staff.

Extra police patrols were deployed in the area following the incident “to reassure those living and working nearby”.

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From Knaresborough’s Aspin estate to playing cricket for Yorkshire

Jonny Tattersall first played cricket at the age of seven for Knaresborough under-9s.

Almost 20 years on, he is preparing to walk out today at Headingley alongside the likes of England captain Joe Root and internationals Dom Bess, David Willey and Duanne Olivier to play for Yorkshire on the opening day of the season.

Most media attention at today’s match will focus on Joe Root coming up against his younger brother Billy, who plays for Glamorgan.

But cricket fans in the Harrogate district will be keenly following the performance of Tattersall and fast bowler Ben Coad, who also emerged from the Harrogate district cricket scene.

As wicket-keeper, Tattersall is never far from the action. He’s also a useful middle order batsman with a handy knack of counter-attacking effectively when the team is struggling.

Unlike many cricketers that enjoyed the best facilities at fee-paying schools, he went to a state school in Knaresborough and has reinvented himself from being a leg spinner and opening batsman to a wicket-keeping middle order batsman to keep his career alive. Here he tells his story.

Have you lived in the Harrogate district all your life?

Yes. I was born in Harrogate and lived in Knaresborough nearly all my whole life. I moved in with my girlfriend to Harrogate in 2018 but we are now in the process of moving back to Knaresborough. My parents now live in Great Ouseburn and my brother is in London. My parents watch as much as they can.

Which schools did you go to?

Aspin Park Academy and then King James. We lived on the Aspin estate, which was literally two minutes from the primary school. I had a fairly normal upbringing and quiet estate life, playing a lot of football and cricket.

How did you get into cricket?

Dad played at Knaresborough and my brother was into it as well. He went on to play for Yorkshire seconds. My brother is four years older than me and when he was playing under-11 cricket I was chomping at the bit to play so we set up an under-9s team and I ended up playing in it at the age of seven. Dad was the coach at the majority of teams I played in.

How did you get to play for Yorkshire?

I played through the age teams at Knaresborough juniors and first played for Yorkshire under-11s when I was eight. I went all through the age groups predominantly as a leg spinner. I played for the academy at Yorkshire and went on the under-17s programme with England and moulded myself into an opening batman.

Tell us about your England experience

I played for England at the under-19s World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2014. We lost to Pakistan in the semi-finals and beat Australia in the third place play-off.

Is cricket taken seriously in local schools?

We played a lot of sport but cricket was low down the pecking order. The games we played were few and far between. The standard isn’t that good compared with private schools. It helps your development when you have that exposure to full-time practice facilities at an early age. It wasn’t the route I took but there’s no reason why you can’t succeed coming from a state comprehensive.

In action behind the stumps for Yorkshire. Pic credit SWPix

When did you start keeping wicket?

I got released by Yorkshire in 2015 when they had two seasons of winning the county championship. I did wicket-keeping to keep myself in the eye of the coaches — with the batting line-up we had in the championship-winning winning side it was difficult to get into the first team. It paid off because I came back. It just so happened Andrew Hodd was going to be retiring and I thought there was a chance to get in the team as a wicket-keeper. My brother and dad are both wicket-keepers so I grew up watching them and I kept in a few games in club matches.

How strange was it last season playing to empty crowds?

Possibly not as strange in championship cricket because you don’t get many people anyway but it was really strange when we played the Twenty20 matches. I remember in the first game we batted first and normally you have that murmur and anticipation that goes around and it was dead silent.

Has it been difficult training during lockdown?

We’ve one of the more fortunate counties because we’ve got in a full pre-season of gym work and cricket. The only downside is we’ve been in fairly small groups because we have to train socially distant and we’ve had to have lateral flow tests twice a week since mid- March.

What are your personal and team ambitions for the season?

They are the same – winning as many games as possible for Yorkshire. We’ve got a really good squad and the team is coming together nicely. If we can keep people fit and avoid covid I’m fully expecting us to put in some strong performances and to be sniffing silverware, especially in the championship.

How demanding is keeping wicket?

It’s just different. It’s more mentally draining because you are always in the game. But I felt more physically tired last year when I didn’t keep wicket and was running around the field and diving after balls.

England are not short of wicket-keepers but do you fancy your chances of getting in on the reckoning?

I don’t try to look too far ahead but you’ve always got ambitions of playing for England when you’re a young cricketer. If I can just keep putting in the performances for Yorkshire, you never know.

What are your hobbies away from the game?

I play a lot of golf. I play at Knaresborough golf club. I play off a 6 or 7 handicap but I never seem to play to that! I take an interest in most sports.

Where are your favourite places in Harrogate and Knaresborough?

Knaresborough is a lovely place to go for a walk down by the castle and the waterside and then get an ice cream on a sunny day.

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Gyms: Excitement mounts but group classes still limited

Gyms and leisure centres in the Harrogate district are preparing to reopen next week after more than three months of lockdown.

But although thousands of people in the district are desperate to start lunging, pressing and punching their way back to fitness, gym life won’t be completely back to normal.

Ongoing social distancing restrictions mean many group training classes still won’t be available.

Ryan Tansley, owner of CrossFit Harrogate, at Hornbeam Park, said he was looking forward to reopening but because it couldn’t offer structured classes, it would operate more along the lines of an open gym.

CrossFit Harrogate has offered discounted rates to members during lockdown, and provided Zoom classes and various challenges, such as performing the most burpees.

Mr Tansley said:

“People have had to adapt but it will be so good to get back to seeing people.”

No sparring allowed

Contact won’t be allowed at Harrogate boxing and martial arts gym H Hour Boxing and Kao Loi, when it reopens next week, which means no sparring and pad work.

Owner Rob Smith said it will operate predominantly as a fitness gym rather than a combat gym until the situation changes. He said:

“We will do boxing training for fitness but our bread and butter is training people to compete and that’s on hold.”

The gym has produced many champion fighters, including Thai boxer Rachael Jones MacKenzie, but the impact of lockdown has left its future uncertain.

Rob Smith is the head coach at H Hour Amateur Boxing Gym.

Mr Smith plans to skydive to raise £5,000 to keep the gym afloat three days before his 50th birthday next month.

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Ripon refurbishment

As owner of Intrim in Ripon for the last 18 years, Phill McKay has been flying the flag for independent gyms at a time when big chains have been taking over. He said:

“We are as excited as our members are. We have air-con going in this week and a gym makeover so we will be ready to receive old and new members. We have also rebranded and have new equipment planned.”

Phill McKay of Intrim

Absolute Fitness in Boroughbridge, run by former World’s Strongest Man competitor Darren Sadler, who now promotes the biggest strongman events on the planet, is also reopening on Monday.

Functional fitness in Knaresborough

Because it has outdoor space, Knaresborough functional fitness facility Black Wolf Fitness has been able to provide outdoor training since March 29.
Owner Ad Whiter said:
“We are so excited to get back to some form of normality and finally have our fitness community back at Black Wolf HQ.
“They are what has kept us alive during this topsy-turvy time, and we can’t wait to welcome them back and celebrate what is hopefully set to be a fantastic summer.”
Harrogate Gymnastics Club staged some outdoor sessions this week to prepare some gymnasts for the move inside next week.
A spokeswoman said:
“We are pretty much going back to the same restrictions as before the January lockdown with the addition of twice weekly testing for all staff.
“We have been on restricted numbers since we were allowed to reopen last year so for use things are similar to before Christmas.”

Pure Gym in Harrogate will open on Monday. The gym will be open 24 hours but studio classes will not begin until May 17.

Leisure facilities managed by Harrogate Borough Council are also due to resume on Monday. But again, things aren’t totally back to normal. A council spokesman said:

“The pool at The Hydro in Harrogate and Nidderdale Pool will reopen on April 12 for lane swimming and family sessions.

“Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale Leisure Centre and Ripon Leisure Centre will also reopen to members only.

“Turkish Baths Harrogate will reopen from this date for treatments only.”

Stockeld Park to create huge £3.5m play centre

One of Europe’s biggest indoor children’s play centres, with the capacity to host 2,000 visitors a day, is set to open at Stockeld Park next year.

Called the Playhive, it will cost £3.5 million to build and is expected to create about 50 jobs.

The Playhive, which will be set in the grounds of the 2,000-acre Stockeld Park estate, near Wetherby, will comprise of themed adventure zones set in a doughnut-shaped building with a 33-foot tower in the centre.

The outer ring of the Playhive will be the equivalent of travelling the length of a football pitch.

Children will be able to enjoy the wooden play pieces themed around four zones: space, aeronautical, subaquatic and jungle.

Peter and Susie Grant, who own and run Stockeld Park, took out a loan to build and design the Playhive.

Mr Grant said:

“The Playhive is a passion project. We didn’t want the usual soft play scene, but one that truly inspires imaginations.

“There will be some really spectacular features and we’ll be announcing these on the run up to the opening of the Play Hive.

“It has capacity for 2,000 visitors per day and is expected to bring significant additional revenues to the area, as well as supporting local suppliers.

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‘We need to come back fighting’

Mr Grant said covid had hugely reduced Stockeld’s capacity and the natural reaction would have been to reduce spending but lockdown reconfirmed their commitment to the project. He said:

“Now more than ever, our tourism sector needs to come back fighting, and after the isolation and anxieties of the last year, families desperately need to get away and have some fun. We need this good news story.”

The Grants started the tourism business at Stockeld Park in 2006 to attract visitors at Christmas.

The initiative grew into the Christmas Adventure and since then the Easter Adventure, Spring Adventure, Summer Adventure, Halloween Adventure and February Fun have been added to its offering.

In 2019, over 200,000 guests visited Stockeld Park.

Graveley’s set to re-open this month under new owners

Famous Harrogate fish and chip restaurant Graveley’s is to re-open under its new name Catch in a fortnight.

The business was sold two years ago to Harrogate-based Catch Seafood, which owns four other fish and chip restaurants in Yorkshire.

The site on Cheltenham Parade has undergone a £250,000 transformation during lockdown, and will open as a takeaway on April 19.

The restaurant is due to open in May in line with government restrictions.

A press release by Catch today said the kitchen had been upgraded and the menu would be broadened.

It added:

“A new bar area has also been incorporated into the refitted restaurant, which will serve a range of draught products, delicious cocktails and fantastic wines.

“Exclusive to Catch Harrogate is a champagne and oyster bar for diners to enjoy.”

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Sarah Stuttle, managing director at Catch, said:

“Graveley’s has been a part of the local community for a long time, and we’re excited to welcome these loyal customers to Catch, as well as some new faces, when we reopen.”

The Catch group also has fish and chip restaurants in Holmfirth, West Vale, Headingley and Street Lane.

The company, which describes itself as ‘a casual seafood dining experience built on family values’, is owned by three Yorkshire-based entrepreneurs — Patrick Allen, Andrew Bartle and Philip Rushfirth.

 

 

10-day Gilbert & Sullivan Festival returns to Harrogate

The 10-day International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival is returning to Harrogate this year, in a major boost for the town’s economy.

Harrogate hosted the event annually from 2014 until last year, when it was cancelled due to covid.

The festival, which will take place from August 8 to August 18 at the Royal Hall, attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

Covid restrictions require the productions to be adapted to ensure the safety of performers, audience and backstage staff.

Janet Smith, festival director, said:

“After the horrible year we have all endured, we cannot wait to get back into the theatre.

“Our seating plan in the theatre is socially distanced, and only 40% of the usual Royal Hall seats are available, so we expect tickets to sell out quickly.

“We will have to wait to hear the government announcements about easing restrictions on June 21, when hopefully we will be allowed to open up more seats.”

The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will open proceedings with HMS Pinafore.

Other highlights include Simon Butteriss directing and starring in The Mikado. The opera company will also bring along a brand-new production of Patience.

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Charles Court Opera will present its production of Iolanthe and Charles Court Opera also give two performances of its new G&S Express.

Forbear! Theatre, directed by Rachel Middle, will bring two productions of The Pirates of Penzance and The Yeomen of the Guard.

For something completely different, on August 6, Simon Butteriss will premiere The Diary of a Nobody comedy.

There will be an additional fringe programme of morning talks, masterclasses and afternoon concerts.

Tickets go on open sale from May 5 and can be ordered on 01422 323252 or online at www.gsfestivals.org.