Almost 30,000 trees are being planted on Swinton Estate in Masham as part of a new woodlands initiative.

Plant nursery, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, has supplied the trees and whips – the young seedlings, to the 20,000-acre estate.

Funding for this project has come from the White Rose Forest through its Trees for Climate programme, part of the government’s Nature for Climate Fund.

The White Rose Forest is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire and works with landowners, businesses and communities across the region to provide support and funding for woodland creation projects that will benefit communities and the environment.

Over 30 varieties of trees were supplied for the woodlands via The DTMS Group, contracted to deliver the landscaping for the project. The varieties included Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Sorbus aucuparia, Quercus robur, Salix caprea, and Acer campestre.

Trees were specifically selected and sited for water and biodiversity improvements and for their many climate benefits from providing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide to providing resources and habitat to wildlife.

Almost 30,000 trees at the Masham Estate

Johnsons Nurseries’ marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson, said:

“We were excited to work on this project in collaboration with the Swinton Estate, The DTMS Group, and the White Rose Forest. The trees that we supplied included a range of native species, from pines to oaks, enhancing the natural beauty of the estate and contributing to improving biodiversity and water quality.”

Will Richardson, forestry advisor to the Swinton Estate, added:

“The Swinton Estate have a long-term ambition to increase tree cover by 50% over the next 20 years, creating around 350ha of new mixed woodland and wood pasture. This is driven by a desire to improve sustainability and nature conservation across the estate, sequester carbon and to produce sustainable crops of timber in years to come.

“This has been the first phase of this programme, and we are delighted with the contributions made by the White Rose Forest, DTMS as contractors and Johnsons as tree suppliers in helping us to deliver this. We very much look forward to seeing the new woodland thrive and mature over the years.”

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Bettys Easter egg is a familiar sight in Harrogate each year but questions have been raised about what happens to the egg after the festivities.

Speculation has been circulating on social media this week as to what happens to the famous egg after the display.

Some Facebook users said the egg is disposed of once the festivities are over, which caused debate as to what should happen to it. Some people argued it should be sold or donated.

The tradition of the Bettys display is more than a century old. The company’s founder Frederick Belmont designed eggs ornately crafted like the ones on display and a tradition was born.

It features hand piped icing designs and contains over 5kg of Swiss chocolate.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Bettys and a spokesperson said:

“We have seen rumors on social media and can confirm the egg wouldn’t be safe to eat, it has been lacquered to prevent it melting and by the end of the display it is all covered in dust. It used to be donated to charity years ago.”

A spokesperson involved in the creation of the Bettys window displays said:

“The eggs and cakes for windows are produced as normal but with artificial colours used for the icing so they don’t fade as quickly as the natural colours we normally. This new lacquer clear spray is relatively new. We have only done a couple of displays with it, but it stops the products degrading in the window but it’s not edible. Some of the cakes are not sprayed and are made out of royal icing or marzipan and sugar paste so they don’t melt. I do vaguely remember the eggs being donated away when I first started but now with health and safety and the new lacquer process sprayed on at the end it’s not possible.”

Bettys Easter window display 2024

Disappointed Bettys fans can still purchase a ‘grande’ egg of their own for £375.

The eggs are made to order and are only available for collection from a Bettys store. Smaller eggs in the display are also available to purchase here.

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• 5 alternative Easter activities in and around Harrogate
• Bettys extends opening hours in Harrogate and York 
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A Knaresborough woman has won the palliative care award at the national finals of the Great British Care Awards.

Karen Crampton is live-in carer from Carefound Home Care, Harrogate. The company is a provider of local home care services that enable older people to live at home and has branches in Wilmslow, West Bridgford, Harrogate and York.

As a professional live-in carer, Ms Crampton provides round-the-clock care to her clients in their own homes. The role enables patients to remain at home, including at the end of life.

The Great British Care Awards celebrate excellence across the care sector and took place at the ICC in Birmingham on March 22.

Ms Crampton was named as the national winner of the palliative care award, recognising the end-of-life care she provides to older people in their own homes. She previously won the regional award at the Yorkshire & Humberside event at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

TV celebrities Rylan Clark and Steve Walls presented the award to her at the awards ceremony.

Ms Crampton said:

“I feel a little overwhelmed, but winning this national award was just really wonderful. I really do love my job and even though it’s challenging and hard work at times, the joy I get out of giving such personal care when it truly matters outweighs it all. I truly care for my clients and their families and want them to feel safe in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of with dignity and respect for all involved.

“I have worked at Carefound Home Care for almost seven years now and giving such personal, one-to-one care is so rewarding and I can honestly say it’s the best feeling of job satisfaction I have known.”

Karen Crampton and Leonnie Martin from Carefound Home Care at the Great British Care Awards

The judges of The Great British Care Awards said:

“Karen’s exceptional compassion and understanding of the importance of love and quality experiences shine brightly. Going beyond the norm, she helps individuals create lasting memories, including outings in her motorhome. Her remarkable outlook on death is a gift to those facing it, making her a true inspiration.”

Carla Hainsworth, registered branch manager at Carefound Home Care in Harrogate, added:

“We’re incredibly proud of Karen for this national recognition of the outstanding care she provides to her clients. She has demonstrated a passion for providing palliative care at home and helps families to experience sensitive and dignified care at the end of life.

“We know that over 70% of people would prefer to die at home (according to Dying Matters, 2017) and Karen’s well-deserved award is a great example of how live-in care can make this happen and avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital.”

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A new home and gift shop is set to open in Knaresborough over the Easter weekend.

Trinket will open on Saturday, March 30 at 11 Castlegate in the former Cave & Castle delicatessen premises.

The independent boutique will sell home fragrance, handbags, throws and cushions, stationery, jewellery and home décor.

The store is owned by partners Claire Gagon and Georgia France who live in Starbeck.

They decided to move to the district last year after they “fell in love with the area”. Prior to their Knaresborough business venture they owned a café bar in Macclesfield but sold it when they decided to move to the Harrogate area.

Ms Gagon said:

“We spotted the shop was empty and made enquiries to acquire it. It has a lot of character and the landlady has given us permission to make use of her lovely shop.”

She added that they renovated the shop to “bring it back to its former glory”.

The Cave & Castlle delicatessen prior to Trinket’s refurbishment

Ms Gagon said:

“The shop needed quite a lot of work doing to it, it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It has been rewired throughout, a new kitchen for our personal use has been installed, new bathroom facilities, repairs to shop front and new signage, new flooring throughout, we have a builder on site to make repairs.

“We have settled in well and our lovely neighbours have been so welcoming. We are going to be open for the easter weekend, hopefully fingers crossed.”

Charlotte Gale, of Knaresborough & District Chamber, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Trinket to Knaresborough. We’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of independent businesses in the town, with some fantastic new openings during the past year. A new home and gift shop will really compliment the current Castlegate and Green Dragon Yard offering and we wish the owners every success with their new venture”

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A new home and gift shop is set to open in Knaresborough over the Easter weekend.

Trinket will open on Saturday, March 30 at 11 Castlegate in the former Cave & Castle delicatessen premises.

The independent boutique will sell home fragrance, handbags, throws and cushions, stationery, jewellery and home décor.

The store is owned by partners Claire Gagon and Georgia France who live in Starbeck.

They decided to move to the district last year after they “fell in love with the area”. Prior to their Knaresborough business venture they owned a café bar in Macclesfield but sold it when they decided to move to the Harrogate area.

Ms Gagon said:

“We spotted the shop was empty and made enquiries to acquire it. It has a lot of character and the landlady has given us permission to make use of her lovely shop.”

She added that they renovated the shop to “bring it back to its former glory”.

The Cave & Castlle delicatessen prior to Trinket’s refurbishment

Ms Gagon said:

“The shop needed quite a lot of work doing to it, it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It has been rewired throughout, a new kitchen for our personal use has been installed, new bathroom facilities, repairs to shop front and new signage, new flooring throughout, we have a builder on site to make repairs.

“We have settled in well and our lovely neighbours have been so welcoming. We are going to be open for the easter weekend, hopefully fingers crossed.”

Charlotte Gale, of Knaresborough & District Chamber, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Trinket to Knaresborough. We’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of independent businesses in the town, with some fantastic new openings during the past year. A new home and gift shop will really compliment the current Castlegate and Green Dragon Yard offering and we wish the owners every success with their new venture”

Read more:

• New ice cream parlour to open in Pateley Bridge
• School holiday frustration as Knaresborough play area remains closed 

Cosy Club in Harrogate will serve its last customers on Monday next week.

The Cambridge Street bar and restaurant will close its doors permanently at 5pm on April 1 after the site did not perform as well as expected.

The first Cosy Club opened in 2010 and the Harrogate venue only opened two years ago.

The Cosy Club brand is run by Loungers Ltd, which also operates the Claro Lounge in Ripon. The chain describes itself on its website as a place for “relaxed dining, drinking and lounging in a fabulous, welcoming setting”.

Cosy Club in Harrogate

Aaron Webb, manager of Cosy Club Harrogate said:

“Our last day will be April 1. The site is too large to make any money and head office told us we are closing. It was poor planning for the location and there are no plans to relocate in Harrogate. It is not ideal.”

The Cosy Club restaurants in York and Leeds will remain open.

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North Yorkshire Police has renewed its appeal to find a man missing from the Harrogate area.

Cao Xuan Tuan, 25, has been missing since last month. He was last seen on Thursday, February 29.

Officers described Cao as Asian, with short straight black hair, brown eyes and about 5 foot 6 inches tall.

In a statement today, police said:

“We’re growing increasingly concerned for Cao’s welfare and are asking for anyone who may have seen him, or knows where he is, to contact us immediately.

“Cao, if you are reading this, please get in touch with someone, we just want to know that you are safe.

If you have seen Cao, or have information contact 101. If you know his immediate whereabouts, please call 999.

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240041667.

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North Yorkshire Police has issued a CCTV appeal following a high-value theft at a shop in Harrogate.

The theft took place at Cotswold Outdoors on West Park on Saturday, March 16 at around 11am, according to a statement by the constabulary today.

It said nine Garmin devices, valued at about £4,470, were stolen from a display cabinet.

Garmin is a company specialising in sports devices and activity tracker watches aimed at activities such as running, water sports, golf and cycling.

The statement added:

“We’re appealing for information about the two men pictured who we believe may have information that could assist us in our investigation.”

Anyone with information can email Helen.James@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Quote NYP reference 12240046885 when passing on information.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Harrogate woman Dr Ruth Smith has been appointed as the new High Sheriff of North Yorkshire.

Dr Smith is a board leadership coach and is a director of Harrogate business PM Management Consultants Ltd. She has also published a book on authentic leadership.

As chair of Teesside Mind and a former trustee of the charity Refuge, she is passionate about promoting mental wellbeing and supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

She has spent most of her life in North Yorkshire, attending school in Harrogate and returning in 1992 to lead her father’s consultancy business.

High sheriffs are appointed by the King and hold an independent non-political role for a single year. There are currently 55 serving the counties of England and Wales.

Dr Smith succeeded another Harrogate woman, Birstwith artist Clare Granger, at a swearing-in ceremony this week at York Crown Court. The ceremony was presided over by the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris.

At the swearing-in ceremony Dr Smith took her oath of office and the outgoing High Sheriff, Ms Granger handed over her medal of office after completing her year of service.

Clare Granger (left) and Dr Ruth Smith

Outlining her priorities at the ceremony, Dr Smith pledged to highlight the role of organisations that support domestic abuse victims, particularly children as well as mental health organisations.

In her declaration speech, she said:

“The impact of domestic abuse on women and children is both devastating and tragic with at least 1 in 4 women experiencing it, 2 women a week killed by a partner or former partner and at least 1 in 5 children impacted by domestic abuse.

“It is only since 2021 that children are recognised as victims of domestic abuse and yet the consequences of domestic abuse on them can also be devastating as well as long term and life changing.

“My theme is to raise awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on children as well as identifying the support available in the moment and from our excellent charities in the county ”

The origins of the high sheriff role date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.

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Train operator Northern has advised people to ‘check before you travel’ over Easter.

Engineering work is scheduled over the bank holiday weekend, meaning there will be disruption to services between Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1.

Trains will still be running on Easter Sunday and the two bank holidays, but some journeys may take longer than usual and services may finish earlier in the day. Some routes have reduced services and a small number are closed completely.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer, said:

“Easter has long-been a period when essential engineering work is carried out as there are fewer customers travelling than normal.

“We do appreciate, however, that this still causes disruption for those who are on the move and we work closely with Network Rail to ensure the impact is kept to a minimum and alternative transport is provided wherever possible.

“During periods of disruption, customers are always advised to ‘check before you travel’ and to allow extra time for their journeys.”

Last week, the train driver union, ASLEF, announced that strikes that will take place the week after Easter. Walk outs are planned between Friday April 5 and Monday April 8.

Northern services will be impacted by this action on Saturday April  6. More information is due to be released closer to the time.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with over 500 stations across the North of England including Harrogate, Knaresborough and Starbeck.

For more information about travelling over the Easter bank holiday weekend, click here.

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