Summer Sunday buses across Nidderdale and Ripon to begin this weekend

Summer Sunday buses around Nidderdale will resume this weekend on Easter Sunday.

The Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company, which operates the DalesBus, has regular all-year bus services which are supplemented by additional weekend routes into and around Nidderdale National Landscape and the Yorkshire Dales in the summer months.

The services take people to popular locations for days out, including Fountains Abbey, Pateley Bridge and Fewston.

The extra services usually run between May and October but this year they will start early on March 31 and operate until October 20.

All single fares for bus journeys are £2 and £1 for under-19s as part of a national initiative, as reported by the Stray Ferret last week.

The Sunday and Bank Holiday DalesBus services restarting on Easter Sunday, March 31 are:

From Easter weekend there will also be revised summer timetables introduced on the following services:

Other Sunday services are set to begin in May with the 831 and 832 on Sunday, May 5. Details of other services restarting in May are not yet available.

Much of the Sunday DalesBus network is dependent on voluntary ​fundraising by the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company.

Details of the Summer Sunday services are available here.

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Council confirms increase in car parking charges

North Yorkshire Council confirmed today it will increase all car park charges from April 19.

The Stray Ferret reported last week charges across the Harrogate district were in line to rise.

The council said in a statement today it would increase tariffs by 20% as “part of North Yorkshire’s commitment to maintain and improve its facilities”. It added the decision “was made after careful consideration of several factors impacting the service”.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:

“We continuously strive to improve our parking services to provide a better customer experience. This includes investments in technology upgrades, such as automated payment systems and the installation of electric vehicle chargers to accommodate the growing market.

“We have refrained from increasing our car parking tariff for several years. However, to ensure we can continue to maintain the current provision and not divert funds away from vital frontline council services, we plan on introducing an increase across the car parking tariff that is in line with inflation.”

The statement said the cost of parking facilities, including infrastructure, repairs, lighting, and security had risen “and ensuring a safe and well-maintained environment is essential for the convenience and satisfaction of customers”.

The move affects all parking at council-owned car parks.

The hike in prices comes despite the council increasing council tax bills by 4.99% in 2024/25. It means the amount paid by an average Band D property for council services will increase by £87.80 to £1,847.62. The council faces a shortfall of more than £30 million for the next financial year.

Mr Battersby added:

“We also remain committed to improving public transport provision across North Yorkshire to ensure there are alternatives to car usage, as well as supporting efforts to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

The council plans to draft a strategy this year that will look at parking provision across North Yorkshire to see where future changes and improvements can be made.

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Business Breakfast: Titan Private Wealth appoints joint CEO

A Harrogate financial firm has appointed a new joint chief executive.

Matt Beddall has joined Titan Private Wealth as joint chief executive, alongside existing chief executive Mark Puleikis

Mr Beddall joins Titan from Investec Wealth & Investment, where he was divisional director and head of the Sheffield office.

Titan Private Wealth, previously Cardale Asset Management, is an investment management business providing portfolio management to private clients, pension schemes, charities, corporates and intermediaries across the UK.

Mr Beddall said:

“I am thrilled to be joining such a successful and award-winning business as Titan. I look forward to helping lead the business through its next growth phase and continuing the amazing work that has already been put in place.”

Grantley Hall restaurant collaborates with champagne house 

Grantley Hall has unveiled a new Mediterranean-inspired menu at one of its restaurants.

The menu is launched in time for the summer at The Orchard and is in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot.

The Orchard changes with the seasons and is one of five restaurants at Grantley Hall.

Monika Czop, food & beverage manager at Grantley Hall, said:

“I am so very excited that our new concept for The Orchard is now live for our guests to experience this summer.

“Our collaboration with Veuve Clicquot encapsulates the spirit of the summer and we are delighted to be one of only a few locations to be part of its Road to the Sun campaign this year! I can’t wait to welcome you all to experience The Orchard in all its glory – let’s celebrate with Champagne this season.”

Orchard, Grantley Hall

Cedar Court Hotels is the latest sponsor of Harrogate International Festivals

Harrogate International Festivals has announced a new sponsor.

Cedar Court Hotels, which has a hotel in the town, is the latest company to agree sponsorship of the festival.

Cedar Court managing director Wayne Topley said:

“Harrogate is synonymous with world-class art and culture – attracting amazing musicians as well as some of the biggest names in literature. To be a festival sponsor feels like a perfect match.”

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:

“Art and culture go hand in hand with hospitality and the fact that Cedar Court Hotels believe in Harrogate and are prepared to invest in the town makes this partnership all the more rewarding.”

(Left to right) Wayne Topley, Sharon Canavar and Oliver Stott, the hotel manager. Image: Mike Whorley

Nomad Catering opens tasting room 

Nomad Catering, a Harrogate based catering company, moved to Cardale Park on the outskirts of Harrogate in June last year. This week it celebrated finishing its tasting room.

The room provides a modern industrial space for clients to taste their food ahead of booking them for events.

In the past year Nomad Catering has catered for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at Media City in Salford, the centenary dinner for the Flying Scotsman at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and provided food for a Michelin three-star chef’s wedding.

Nomad Catering event. Image: Leanne Peacock Photography

Harrogate Bridal Boutiques Named in UK Top 50

Two wedding dress shops in Harrogate have been named among the Top 50 bridal boutiques in the UK, according to one of the leading hen party providers in its annual rundown.

Joana Bridal and Bee Bridal were listed by GoHen.com which compiled its list based on a variety of factors including style, variety, value for money and service.

Fourth award for Ripon photographer 

Ripon photographer Helen Tabor has won her fourth bronze award from the British Institute of Professional Photography for her architectural images.

Her photo of architect Santiago Calatrava’s railway station at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV station won the award in the BIPP’s monthly image competition. Her January entry, of the spiral staircase at Victoria Gate Leeds was also awarded a bronze.

Ms Tabor said:

“My architectural work all stems from my love of interesting buildings and their structure, and I like to bring out the art in their design through careful composition in my photographs.”

Into the unknown by Helen Tabor

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Starbeck unveils mental health mosaic

The Starbeck community has created a mosaic dedicated to supporting mental health after three young people from the area died from suicide last year.

Starbeck Post Office has funded and erected the large mosaic for a wall on Camwal Terrace, Harrogate. The mural reads ‘Mental Health Matters’ and is surrounded by brightly coloured tiles.

Postmaster Andrew Hart, who runs the Red Box in Starbeck commissioned the artwork. He said:

“The mosaic remains our tribute to the memory of three young people the community lost.”

The Red Box Starbeck

The artwork was commissioned from Artizan International and created by Liz Cluderay, director of Artizan’s cafe and creative space in Harrogate. Ms Cluderay and her students set to work creating the art piece last summer.

Ms Cluderay said:

“It took us a number of weeks to complete it is a huge project, now it is up it looks tiny but it was huge. All of the Artizan community got involved in the art, from the design to completion.

“The students especially liked the messiness of grouting. It is really important for disabled artists to be recognised by the public for their work and to beat stereotypes.

“We were grateful to be commissioned by The Red Box, the mental health mosaic is an important topic and it was good for us to have important conversations about mental health with our disabled artists. It is good to raise awareness so they can be aware of their own mental state, often disabled people can feel isolated but this opened up important communication.”

Liz Cluderay and Andrew Hart

Starbeck Post Office commissioned a large mosaic rainbow for the same wall, which Henshaw’s created. The rainbow mosaic is dedicated to local medical staff, carers and key workers who worked during covid.

Then last year a mural of Bees for the High Street was commissioned, dedicated to the king’s coronation. It was painted by Sam Porter of Muralminded.

Starbeck rainbow mosaic

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Starbeck unveils mental health mosaic

The Starbeck community has created a mosaic dedicated to supporting mental health after three young people from the area died from suicide last year.

Starbeck Post Office has funded and erected the large mosaic for a wall on Camwal Terrace, Harrogate. The mural reads ‘Mental Health Matters’ and is surrounded by brightly coloured tiles.

Postmaster Andrew Hart, who runs the Red Box in Starbeck commissioned the artwork. He said:

“The mosaic remains our tribute to the memory of three young people the community lost.”

The Red Box Starbeck

The artwork was commissioned from Artizan International and created by Liz Cluderay, director of Artizan’s cafe and creative space in Harrogate. Ms Cluderay and her students set to work creating the art piece last summer.

Ms Cluderay said:

“It took us a number of weeks to complete it is a huge project, now it is up it looks tiny but it was huge. All of the Artizan community got involved in the art, from the design to completion.

“The students especially liked the messiness of grouting. It is really important for disabled artists to be recognised by the public for their work and to beat stereotypes.

“We were grateful to be commissioned by The Red Box, the mental health mosaic is an important topic and it was good for us to have important conversations about mental health with our disabled artists. It is good to raise awareness so they can be aware of their own mental state, often disabled people can feel isolated but this opened up important communication.”

Liz Cluderay and Andrew Hart

Starbeck Post Office commissioned a large mosaic rainbow for the same wall, which Henshaw’s created. The rainbow mosaic is dedicated to local medical staff, carers and key workers who worked during covid.

Then last year a mural of Bees for the High Street was commissioned, dedicated to the king’s coronation. It was painted by Sam Porter of Muralminded.

Starbeck rainbow mosaic

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Mediterranean café opens in Harrogate

A Mediterranean café has opened on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

Tulip Café has set up in the former Sirius Café site and aims to offer Mediterranean flair serving coffee and scones alongside Turkish tea and sucuklu toast.

The owners of Tulip, Aydan Eski and Karen Ula, decided to set up their business venture in the heart of Harrogate.

Ms Eksi, is originally from Bodrum and Ms Ula has always lived in Harrogate with her husband, Mehmet Ula, owner of Woodlands Car Wash And Valeting. 

The site has undergone refurbishments costing approximately £5,000, from painting throughout and new signage to upgrading the kitchen equipment.

Ms Ula previously worked at Rosset High School and said the café is not a huge change as she “loves working and talking to people”.

She said:

“We are in a great location, Beulah Street is nice and busy and right in the centre, and there is a great community here. Our products are homemade and we try to source things locally.

“We chose to go Mediterranean because it is huge, we didn’t want to limit ourselves just to Turkish products.”

The café stocks tea from True Tea and its bouquets of Tulips come from Blamey’s Florist of Harrogate.

Alongside the local produce the pair are selling traditional Mediterranean souvenirs including rose jam, olive butter and evil eye jewellery.

Ms Eksi added:

“It was important for us that we didn’t take over retail space, we chose to set up in a café that was already here, and it means it is good for Harrogate and Sirius customers can come back.

“We are trying to get people to try our Turkish foods, such as the suckuk (Turkish sauasage) but of course we have English things too like the the scones.”

Take a look at Tulip Café:

The interior of Tulip Café

Karen Ula making a coffee

Homemade produce on sale

Mediterranean souvenirs on sale

Tulips and muffins in the café

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Ripon man with incurable cancer to walk 268 miles for Harrogate charity

A Ripon man with an incurable cancer is walking the length of the Pennine Way to raise money for Harrogate cancer care centre, Active Against Cancer.

Anthony Henson, 53, aims to raise £10,000 for the charity, which helps cancer patients maintain a level of fitness as well as supporting their mental wellbeing.

Mr Henson, an architect from the outskirts of Ripon, was rushed to intensive care at St James’s Hospital in Leeds in 2022 after collapsing suddenly. He was later diagnosed with incurable pancreatic and liver cancer.

At the end of 2022, he was given a pioneering operation and treatment which has extended his life. The operation was successful, but he the had to go through eight months of radiation therapy.

The treatment began last July and involves being injected with radiation, spending 24 hours in a lead-lined room and being checked with a Geiger counter to see if he can go home. The medication is flown in from Italy with Mr Henson saying, “it’s all a bit James Bond”.

He then has to isolate at home for two weeks until the radiation has diminished enough for him not to be harmful. This is repeated every two months meaning he is in isolation for eight weeks. He had his last treatment in January and has his final blood test next week.

During this isolation he began to walk the Pennine Way, which is 431 kilometres (268 miles) virtually in his garden, as well as taking walks along the way with friends and family when not isolating. His wife Fiona Henson, a teacher at Ripon Grammar School and their two children will support him on his virtual journey.

Mr Henson said:

“At first I was drained and just was trying to do up to two miles a day, your body takes such a pummelling but I have been fortunate in that I have had no pain, I just had sickness from the treatment. I started because I couldn’t go out and it kept me fit and I wanted to give something back to the phenomenal service.

“We have had amazing support. An incurable diagnosis is horrific for any family but the staff at Action Against Cancer, Macmillan’s and St James’s have done an amazing job keeping me alive I can never thank them enough. Active Against Cancer have kept up my physical and mental well-being for the past eight months and helped me live as normal a life as possible.

“Without them I would not have been able to deal with the treatments I have received and would not be able to continue to move forward, they have been a key part in keeping me alive and positive. I am therefore aiming to raise £10,000 to help support them so that they can help provide this vital service to those with cancer.”

Mr Henson is nearing the end of his challenge and has already raised over £8,000 of his £10,000 target.

To follow his journey or donate click here.

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French brasserie Côte to close Harrogate restaurant

French brasserie Côte is set to close its Harrogate branch in the first week of April.

The restaurant is part of a chain specialising in all-day French bistro cuisine. The company has more than 80 restaurants in the United Kingdom and 2,500 employees.

Côte, which has operated on Albert Street for several years in the former Beales Department Stores unit, will close on April 6. It will result in approximately 20 job losses although staff have been offered placements at other Côte restaurants.

Neighbouring Côte restaurants, including one in York, will remain open.

A Côte spokesperson said:

“The restaurant will close on April 6.  Just the Harrogate store is closing, we have reached the end of the tenancy contract and have not found anywhere else to relocate.

“We are trying to find a new location but it will take time, it is unpredictable and we are asking loyal customers to subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep them posted about a new location. We have no further updates at this time.”

Today’s email newsletter read:

“We regret to inform you that our Harrogate restaurant will be closing on the 6th of April. Whilst the site is a permanent closure, we love the city and we have been working hard to find a new location; however, this process takes time, and we want it to be in the right place for our future growth.

“We haven’t been able to find the right spot yet, but we hope to have more news on that in the coming months. We would love for you to remain on our mailing list so we can let you know when we’ve found the perfect place”

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Flying debris from Harrogate Tesco site smashes resident’s window

Flying debris from work on the new Tesco site in Harrogate has smashed the window of a nearby resident’s home.

Work has begun to build a new Tesco supermarket on the former gasworks site at the junction of Skipton Road and Ripon Road in the New Park area.

Contractors have been carrying out work this week between the site and houses on Electric Avenue to grind down the stumps of trees felled as part of the scheme.

Tree stumps ground down at the site.

While this was taking place yesterday a piece of concrete was projected from the equipment and smashed a kitchen window on Electric Avenue.

Janette Percy, whose house was affected, was shaken by the incident, which happened yesterday between 11am- 12.15pm.

She said:

“I had just come home after being out for an hour and my kitchen window was smashed by a piece of flying concrete from the grinding work in the no man’s land between the houses and the barrier that has flown over.

“God forbid if it had hit someone or a child.”

She added it raised questions about safe working practices.

A Tesco spokesperson said:

“We’re really sorry this happened. All our colleagues and contractors follow rigorous safety processes and completed risk assessments before undertaking work on the site of our new Harrogate superstore.

“Unfortunately, even with all the appropriate safeguards in place, a nearby window was broken by debris from a sub-contractor’s tree-grinding machine.

“The contractor immediately spoke to the resident to apologise and has arranged to cover the costs of the replacement window.”

Worker on the Tesco site, Skipton Road

Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire Council, said:

“I am grateful for the swift response from Tesco as soon as they were aware of a safety concern on the site. Unfortunately, the initial response from the temporary site manager to a local resident alerting him to this issue was disappointing and I hope that there will be a learning from this incident.

“Residents want the build to be done in a safe manner, respecting the conditions set out by the planning department and disturbing the local environment as little as is reasonably possible. “

Planning permission for a store, petrol station and 209-space car park was granted last year. It is set to create more than 100 jobs.

Artist impression of how the Tesco will look on Skipton Road.

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Harrogate primary school receives ‘good’ Ofsted rating

New Park Primary Academy on Skipton Road in Harrogate has received a ‘good’ Ofsted rating in a report published today.

The report describes the school as “welcoming and friendly” and says it ensure pupils “get the support they need from the moment they start”.

It described the curriculum as “ambitious”, says children feel safe and leaders are “enthusiastic about their roles”.

It adds:

“Pupils settle quickly into the life of the school. Pupil buddies help those who are new to learn the school’s routines. They enjoy making friends.

“Most pupils achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

New Park Primary Academy is operated by Northern Star Academies Trust.

The trust has nine schools, with five in the Harrogate area. New Park, Harrogate High, Starbeck community primary, Hookstone Chase primary and Willow Tree community primary.

New Park was rated ‘good’ at its previous inspection in 2018.

Headteacher Sasha Bune, who joined in September last year, said:

“We are really proud to maintain our ‘good’ judgement. We are happy Ofsted have recognised our ambitions for the school and the how hard all of the staff work.

“They looked at all areas of the school and saw our warm and nurturing feel and the high expectations the children have for themselves and how well behaved they all are.

“We have an ambitious curriculum and we are a very inclusive school with a big mix of pupils. We are very well supported by Northern Star Academies Trust and we will carry on being ambitious and keep on learning.”

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