Sir Tony Robinson headlines Northern Aldborough Festival line-up

The 2024 line-up for the Northern Aldborough Festival has been announced.

Sir Tony Robinson, who played Baldrick in Blackadder, Leeds Piano Competition winner Alim Beisembayev, and one of the world’s great violin virtuosos, Viktoria Mullova, are some of the headline acts for June 2024.

The festival gives audiences the chance to experience major stars normally seen in cities at an intimate rural village setting, just outside Boroughbridge.

Opera singers, acclaimed pianists, and jazz ensembles mingle amongst the village’s Roman history, including a prized collection of Roman artefacts and mosaics.

Festival director Robert Ogden said:

“Each year we invite a headline speaker. It’s fitting Sir Tony Robinson is this year’s guest, given the setting of our festival and its rich historic and archaeological significance. It promises to be a very special evening.”

The festival’s mission is to bring a high-end live music to its rural location, making the sleepy village that was once a prosperous Roman capital, an unlikely epicentre for classical music; 2024 marks its 30th anniversary.

This year’s music programme focuses on championing young classical talent.

The opening night sees 25-year-old Tom Fetherstonehaugh conducting Fantasia Orchestra, which comprises some of the UK’s most exciting young musicians, alongside pianist Alim Beisembayev, who at 23 won the last Leeds Piano Competition, performing Tchaikovsky and Chopin.

Fantasia Orchestra. Credit: Frank Noon

Other highlights include Armonico Consort with a semi-staged production of Purcell’s The Fairy-Queen, and the rising star of classical guitar, hailed as a ‘poet’ of the instrument, Jack Hancher.

The festival also welcomes the award-winning comedian with an opera degree, Amy Webber and leading British jazz pianist Julian Joseph, hailed as one of Duke Ellington’s ‘natural-born heirs’, who performs with his trio.

Pan-flute player Adriana Babin, who at just 22 is already a star in her home country of Moldova, will perform, as will the Canadian saxophonist and Spanish accordionist Mikeleiz-Zucchi Duo.

There’s also the return of the New Voices Singing Competition, which searches for new vocal talent and has £7,000 of prizes.

Comedian Amy Webber

Mr Ogden, who began his career as a counter tenor, launched the competition last year in response to funding cuts in the classical music sector.

He said:

“We’ve got some world-class musicians once more in Aldborough. It doesn’t matter if you are an aficionado of classical music, or you’re a complete novice, we hope audiences will come and experience these very special performances. The rewards of a live concert are so huge.”

The Last Night Outdoor Concert sees the UK’s biggest Queen tribute band, Majesty, perform to around 1,000 festival-goers in the grounds of Aldborough Manor. Audiences are invited to bring a picnic and dance the night away, ending with an orchestrated firework display.

Mikeleiz-Zucchi Duo

Tickets for the festival, which takes place 13-22 June in the north Yorkshire village, go on sale this spring.

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Harrogate 10k to return this summer

The annual Harmony Energy Run Harrogate 10k around Crimple Valley is set to return this year.

The event is the biggest event organised each year by running club Harrogate Harriers. It is once again sponsored by Harmony Energy, a Knaresborough-based renewable energy developer.

Last year, almost 1,000 runners participated in the event, which starts and finishes at the Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre.

Crimple Valley, which the Yorkshire Agricultural Society closed to the public last year, will reopen for runners, who finish the course by running up the dreaded ‘Crimple killer’ for the final kilometre.

The 10k and junior fun run follow a route that is about 70% tarmac road. The rest is on footpaths, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned club runners alike.

Harrogate Harriers committee member Issie Row said:

“Last year was a brilliant success and we’re excited that this year will be an even bigger event filled with food, drink and music. We’re also bringing back bespoke medals to celebrate runners completing this great achievement.”

Enjoying the challenge. Pic: Andrew Hawkes

Race director Mark Seymour added:

“We are conscious that with the cost of living crisis, we need to make our event great value, which is why with the help of Harmony Energy we have kept our entry prices at the same level as last year, and indeed the year before!”

Peter Kavanagh, chief executive of Harmony Energy, said:

“It’s a delight supporting this brilliant local event. It’s our third  year sponsoring, and each year we’ve seen more people take part and we know it will be another great event come June.”

The event is set to take place on June 30 and has a £19 entry fee (£17 for affiliated tunners) and £3 for the junior fun run. To sign up click here.

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Serial rapist jailed for nine years after Harrogate offences

A serial rapist who carried out some of his attacks in Harrogate has been jailed for nine years and nine months.

Christian Krishna Martoglio, 25, of Keppel Terrace, Plymouth, was jailed at York Crown Court today for separate rape offences.

Following two investigations by North Yorkshire Police, Martoglio pleaded guilty to the rape of a woman, as well as admitting to two counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault and one of actual bodily harm against a girl under the age of 16.

The rape of the woman happened at the victim’s North Yorkshire home in 2022 following a social occasion.

At the end of the evening guests were allocated separate rooms, but the victim awoke in the early hours of the morning to find Martoglio raping her.

Following a police investigation, during which Martoglio twice denied the allegations against him, forensic tests proved otherwise. These resulted him pleading guilty when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court and today he was sentenced in York.

Detective constable Mark Nursey, of Hambleton and Richmond CID, who led this investigation, said:

“This was a traumatic experience for the victim who was very brave and strong throughout the investigation.

“The suspect was interviewed twice and denied the offence on both occasions, but the forensic evidence left him with no option but to plead guilty.

“This has at least spared the victim the trauma of re-living her ordeal by having to give evidence in court.

“I hope she can now put this very difficult time in her life behind her, knowing that Martoglio is now behind bars.”

The additional investigation uncovered that Martoglio took advantage of a vulnerable 15-year-old girl by subjecting her to series of sexual offences, rapes and an assault in Harrogate between January and August 2021, to which he pleaded guilty at York Crown Court in January 2024.

This has had a lasting impact on the victim who continues to have flashbacks relating to the offences committed against her, and for which she has needed counselling to help recover from the trauma.

Detective constable Abigail Garford, from the safeguarding investigation team at Harrogate, said:

“I have immense respect for the victim and for her bravery throughout the investigation.

“Her strength and resilience have resulted in Martoglio being convicted of the horrendous crimes he committed against her.

“She will also help prevent others becoming victims to him in the future.”

Victims of  sexual abuse can make a report online with the police here or with Bridge House here. You can also contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire here.

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Leeds Bradford Airport announces new ski resort flight

Leeds Bradford Airport has announced new weekly direct flights to Bulgaria as part of a ski programme.

The airport will fly to Sofia from winter 2024/25 in a partnership with Balkan Holidays.

Flights will depart on Saturdays at 14:45 from the airport, with return flights from Sofia on Saturdays at 21:05. This Balkan Holidays schedule will start in February 2025 and run weekly until March 15 2025.

Tom Holdsworth, aviation development manager at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:

“It’s fantastic to launch this new route with Balkan Holidays, which will give our passengers more choice and flexibility for their winter holidays.

“Bulgaria is a fantastic destination for ski lovers, offering great value for money and a variety of resorts to suit all levels of ability and preference. We look forward to welcoming skiers and snowboarders on board flights to Sofia next winter.”

Balkan Holidays offers winter sports holidays and summer beach holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia. Skiers can expect excellent slopes at resorts such as Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.

Andy Jones, head of product and commercial at Balkan Holidays, added:

“We have been operating flights to Sofia for decades and we know that our customers love the destination. We are confident that this new route will be popular with the people of Yorkshire and we can’t wait to start flying from Leeds Bradford Airport in February 2025.”

Tickets are on sale now, with more information available here.

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Disability group forum raises concerns about ‘hit and miss’ travel in Harrogate district 

Transport leaders and politicians heard disabled people raise concerns about public transport in the Harrogate district at an event organised by Disability Action Yorkshire.

The Harrogate-based charity hosted a round-table event last week about accessibility challenges and ways of tackling them.

The event, chaired by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones, included leaders from Leeds Bradford Airport, LNER, Northern, Transdev and North Yorkshire Council.

It enabled disabled passengers to express their concerns about their daily travel challenges and regional operators to outline their plans to improve accessibility.

Jeremy Dunsford, a member of Ripon Disability Forum, said:

“There’s no doubt that travel across the region can be somewhat of a hit and miss experience. The key thing is connectivity. Operators need to work closely together to use information in an intelligent way, so the entire passenger journey runs smoothly and seamlessly.”

One attendee said she can regularly travel to London on business with no challenges, but the journey was difficult when she travelled with her 13-year-old disabled son. There had been times when there was no support getting him on and off trains, and the pair were once stranded when the train terminated before its original planned destination.

Richard Isaac, community manager (eastern area) at rail operator Northern, invited her and her son to meet representatives from the company to address her concerns.

Darren Allsopp, stakeholder manager at Northern, said:

“We certainly recognise the importance of connectivity and I firmly believe things are getting better. For example, train operators are working more closely with bus operators and it’s only a matter of time before passengers will start to see the improvements which are vital for a seamless journey.”

Gareth Bentley said North Yorkshire Council was currently undertaking an inclusive survey plan to assess how accessibility can be improved for taxi users.

He said:

“We know there’s an issue with accessibility. There’s no easy solution but we’ll bring all the different parties together to do everything we can to improve things. We’re 100% behind trying to resolve the issue. For example, we’ve recently introduced a new training programme for drivers.”

Mr Jones said it had been “an extremely lively and valuable forum”, adding:

“There are many things to take away and I sincerely hope the dialogue will continue between all parties concerned to ensure the important issue of passenger accessibility remains at the top of the transport agenda.”

Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, added:

“The experience of disabled people travelling on public transport is an ongoing issue and one which we focus on in a lot of our activities across the region. I’m extremely grateful that the travel operators have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us for what has been an extremely useful and constructive discussion.”

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Ripon para swimmer, 12, wins 20 medals in a year

A 12-year-old Harrogate district para swimmer won an impressive 20 medals last year and has just competed in a world class swimming series.

Sid Roskilly, who is from Marton-le-Moor, between Boroughbridge and Ripon, has achondroplasia, which is a form or dwarfism.

He was classified as an s6 para swimmer in December 2022 and despite his age has already competed all over the world.

Sid was inspired to begin competitive swimming at the Dwarf Sports Association UK’s national games. A friend introduced him to Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club’s para squad and he began training there aged 11 in  July 2022.

Last year was a busy time for Sid — he won 20 medals in total, including six gold, eight silver and six bronze as well as setting multiple personal bests.

He won the medals at range of competitions, including the Dwarf Sports Association UK’s national games in Birmingham in May, National Junior Para-Swimming championships in Coventry in June, the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany in July and the north west and north east para swimming regional championships in Manchester in September.

Sid Roskilly swimming at Coventry. Image: David Linney Photography

Sid was then out of action due to surgery for a few weeks and helped local fundraising group Boroughbridge Lions raise money with its sleigh run in December, after it supported him when he went to the the World Dwarf Games.

His latest competition was the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen at the start of this month, which took place from February 1 to 4 at the Aberdeen Sports Village’s aquatics centre.

Sid said:

“It was a great week of competing, I really enjoyed it and was really happy with how I did.”

As one of the youngest competitors, Sid took part in five heats in which he achieved five personal bests and competed in one British final.

Mum Christina said:

“For him to have the opportunity and experience of competing at the same event as some of the top elite para swimmers was amazing. He has gained so much experience and learnt so much from it.”

Sid has another busy year ahead including Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club’s April Fool’s Gala, the Dwarf Sports Association national games and the national junior para swimming championships.

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Restaurant Week brings discounted dining back to Harrogate district

Restaurant Week returns to the Harrogate district next week.

The event, organised by tourism organisation Visit Harrogate, offers the chance to dine or drink out for set prices between £10 and £30.

Venues in Harrogate, Ripon, and Pateley Bridge are currently listed as being involved.

The week, which begins on Monday, February 19 and ends on Sunday, February 25, encourages residents and visitors to discover new places to eat, re-visit old favourites or try new dishes.

It also boosts the food and hospitality sector during a quiet period.

No passes, tickets or vouchers are required — book your table directly with your chosen restaurant and mention ‘Visit Harrogate Restaurant Week’

Cllr Derek Bastiman, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for the visitor economy, said:

“The feedback we received from Restaurant Week events held in 2023 was very positive and suggested a boost in business for our food and hospitality industry at a traditionally quieter time of the year.”

The Tannin Level is taking part in Restaurant Week. Image: The Tannin Level

There are 22 venues currently listed as taking part in this year’s event, with most of them in Harrogate. They include:

Valentinos in Ripon and How Stean Gorge in Pateley Bridge are also participating.

For all available offers during Restaurant Week including dates and prices click here or visit the Restaurant Week Facebook page here.

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Mayoral candidate calls for review of Harrogate fire service cuts

Independent mayoral candidate Keith Tordoff has called for a review of changes to fire services in North Yorkshire that he says will put people at risk.

Mr Tordoff, who lives in Pateley Bridge, is one of five candidates standing to be the first elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on May 2.

Mr Tordoff described changes to the fire service introduced by Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, as politically motivated “service cuts wrapped up in a sham of consultation”.

Ms Metcalfe’s Risk and Resource Model, which outlines how North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services will deploy its resources, includes the loss of four firefighter jobs at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road.

In a video filmed outside Harrogate Fire Station, he said the decision should be reviewed.

The Stray Ferret broke the news in 2022 that four Harrogate firefighters would lose their jobs as part of plans to reduce the number of fire engines from two to one a night by April 2024, and has followed the issue closely since.

Ms Metcalfe has said the job losses, which will save £210,000 a year, are part of her new model putting greater emphasis on fire prevention.

Mr Tordoff said:

“I have great concerns for the people of York and North Yorkshire that they are being put at risk by this new model.

“We need to focus on if there are enough firefighters and equipment available. From what I have seen so far, it looks like the plan has been put together to fit the available budget, and that is just wrong.”

“People need to be able to sleep at night knowing that the emergency services are there if they need them, I don’t believe I will sleep well knowing these changes are going in.”

Mr Tordoff also criticised plans to review the predetermined attendance of the county’s three aerial ladder platforms, which are based in Harrogate, York and Scarborough. He said aerial ladder platforms were essential in more urban areas with taller buildings.

With people set to pay more in their 2024/25 council tax precepts for fire services, Mr Tordoff said “the whole issue of funding needs a root and branch review”.

He added:

“Of course we need the right cover for the county, an efficient fire service. But over time an increasing further tax is being placed on people.

“If I become mayor, then this very much looks like an area that would need attention. Those within the Fire Service are the experts operationally, but it would be the Mayor to ensure they are set up to deliver, and that the people of North Yorkshire are safe.”

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Harrogate and Knaresborough Kids Planets rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

Two nurseries in Harrogate and Knaresborough have made significant progress and been rated good by Ofsted in newly published reports.

Kids Planet is a family-owned group of 185 nurseries in the UK. It has branches in Wetherby, Boston Spa and Leeds as well as Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The one on Manse Lane in Knaresborough offers 92 places for full day care for children aged six weeks to five years old. The company also operates Kids Planet on Ainsty Road in Harrogate.

Both nurseries received ‘requires improvement’ ratings in last year’s inspections. Ofsted awards this rating for settings it describes as “not yet good but overall provides an acceptable standard of education”.

Since then the Harrogate nursery was rated good on January 15, and Knaresborough achieved the same grading on January 16. They are both now rated good in all areas.

Kids Planet area manager Lea Johnson said:

“We are absolutely over the moon with our recent Ofsted inspection and grading. At Kids Planet our CARE values are embedded in everything that we do and our recent result is a true testimony to that.

“We have come together as a company to really drive the nursery forward to what it is today and we all feel very proud of what we have been able to achieve.

“The nursery team have shown real passion and determination, coming together with willingness to always give the very best to our wonderful children and families.”

Kids Planet Knaresborough

Donna Griffiths, deputy manager of Kids Planet Harrogate, said:

“It is just amazing, we really pulled together as a team showing just how good the staff are, it has really boosted team morale. I couldn’t be prouder, it is amazing to improve this much in just six months.

“We are happy with ‘good’, ‘outstanding’ is extremely difficult to achieve and we have had quite a lot of enquiries for new starters.”

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‘It’s just mind over matter’ — meet the Harrogate ice swimming champions

Two ice swimming champions from Harrogate have talked about what drives them to succeed after plunging into one degree waters in Romania for the first ever European Ice Swimming Championship.

More than 300 athletes from 27 countries competed, including Harrogate athletes Millie Bell, 24 and Jonty Warneken, 51.

Ice swimming involves swimming in water in temperatures below five degrees and the season takes place December to March. There are hopes the fast-growing sport could be included in the Winter Olympics.

Jonty lost his leg in a car accident in 1994 aged 22 and ice swims alongside his job as head of office at Atomos financial services. He has been ice swimming for more than 10 years and is a board member and vice president of the International Ice Swimming Association. He achieved a Guinness world record in 2014 for being the the first disabled person to complete an ice mile swim.

In this month’s event in Romania, he won two silver medals and a bronze, but his focus was more on the organisation of the event.

Talking about the impact of his disability, he said:

“I just have to think about things more, how to exit and enter the water. I know getting in it is going to hurt me and the titanium pin in my ankle is torture in the cold but I’m used to it. I carry on for the love of it. Everything is surmountable.

“Ice swimming can help with ailments and mental health but what matters most is getting people in and out of the water.”

He added:

“The sport is expanding. Yorkshire is the world centre, there is real expertise here and people fly over to train here.”

He says people often get involved for the swimming but stay because of the community.

Millie Bell and Jonty Warneken

British ice swimming champion Millie Bell, agrees. She says:

“I enjoy the community, its really close knit. It means you’re always with friends having a laugh even though the racing is quite serious and competitive.”

Millie competed in four events at the European Championships and achieved personal bests in all of the races. She won one silver, two bronze and finished fourth place in the 25-29 age bracket.

Now in her third season of ice swimming, she trains six times a week — four in an indoor pool and twice outdoors at Pool Bridge, York.

Millie trained with an indoor Harrogate district swimming club until she was 12 but “gave up because (she) wasn’t very good”. She began swimming again as part of a triathlon group while at university in York and quickly realised her favourite element was swimming.

“I reached the end of the summer swim season and just thought ‘why stop?’. So I just carried on through winter. Then I realised there were races so then I started properly.

“I just enjoy any kind of swimming. But I especially love being outside. It’s a sense of freedom, just you and the water with no lanes or end of the pool, you can just keep going.”

Her next project is a challenge she has set herself — swimming the English Channel in August this year. This will be a charity swim to raise money for Saint Michael’s Hospice and the charity Cosmic, which cares for babies and children in intensive care.

She said people often think ice swimmers are crazy:

“Even my family think I’m bonkers. People think we are superhuman, I don’t think people realise we are a normal people just pushing our bodies. It is just mind over matter.”

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