Saint Michael’s urges Harrogate district to ‘go purple’

People in the Harrogate district are being urged to ‘go purple’ next month to support Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Saint Michael’s, which is based at Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park, has adopted the idea for Hospice Care Week from October 4 to 8.

Hospice UK, the national charity representing UK hospices, organises Hospice Care Week annually to raise awareness and funds.

It has suggested dressing purple, purple-themed bake sales and purple-themed work days as possible ideas to raise money during the week.

The Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate will be lit up purple for the event. Other businesses, schools and individuals are being encouraged to join in.

Saint Michael’s, which has 11 charity shops in the Harrogate district, spends £6 million on end-of-life services each year.

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Tony Collins

Tony Collins, chief executive of Saint Michael’s, said:

“This is a great opportunity to get creative and have fun whilst raising funds to ensure Saint Michael’s can continue to help local people living with terminal illness and bereavement.

“We hope that as many people as possible take part, spread the word and raise money for their local hospice.

It is hoped Go Purple will become an annual event if successful.

Further information is available here.

Starbeck special needs school opens new sixth form building

A special needs school in Starbeck has refurbished a former children’s centre over the road into two new sixth form classrooms.

Springwater School, which offers a modified curriculum for young people aged two to 19 with mainly multiple needs, was given the disused building by North Yorkshire County Council.

The school has grown rapidly in recent years. It currently has 98 students — an increase of about 30 over the last six years.

Head teacher Sarah Edwards said she hoped the new classrooms would provide an opportunity for sixth formers to develop their independence skills.

She added:

“The building creates a high quality educational environment that will be used as classrooms for the really important independence and employment sixth form pathway.”

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The listed building given to the school is next door to Starbeck war memorial on the High Street.

Springwater School is also seeking teachers and volunteers, including governors. Anyone interested can contact Ms Edwards at head@springwater.n-yorks.sch.uk.

 

 

Harrogate’s Local Lotto raises over £160,000 for good causes

The Local Lotto celebrated its third birthday at the weekend having raised over £160,000 for local causes

Harrogate Borough Council set up the lotto to raise money for local voluntary sector organisations.

Players have won a combined total of £41,000.

Every 60p in £1 goes to 108 local causes, including Autism Angels, Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP), and Woodfield Millenium Green.

Beneficiaries paid tribute to the fund.

Low Harrogate Crown Green Bowling Club said in a statement the Local Lotto had “provided a revenue stream that has enabled the bowling club to invest in new equipment”.

Ripon Community Link added the initiative had provided “a regular, reliable income stream when charitable income can be erratic, especially in such turbulent times”.

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A pie chart showing where the money goes

Cllr Sam Gibbs, chair of Harrogate Borough Council’s voluntary and community sector liaison group, said:

“These vital funds can sometimes be a lifeline for smaller community groups and I’d like to thank everyone for getting involved and signing up to play the Local Lotto.”

The Local Lotto takes place every week, with the winning draw every Saturday night.

For more information, see the local lotto’s website.

Race for Life returns to Harrogate today

The charity fundraiser Race For Life is set to return to Harrogate today after being cancelled last year due to covid.

Five events will take place on the Stray to raise money for Cancer Research UK. There will be three, five, and 10 kilometre runs. plus two muddy obstacle courses.

Some groups have already generated significant sums ahead of the race, including Tracy and Lorraine’s Angels, which has raised £1,200.

The group. which met through their involvement in the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be taking on the pretty muddy obstacle course. Out of the eight in the group, two have been affected by breast cancer since 2020.

Dishforth Military Wives Choir where Tracy and Lorraine’s Angels met

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Tracy Seavers said:

“I was the 1 in 2 to have a cancer diagnosis and spent all of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 undergoing treatment.

“It has been a long hard slog but made easier by all those people who have gone before me trialling medications to make treatment kinder. Without research I would not be where I am today.”

Pretty Muddy 5K

All five events will be held on The Stray, starting with the 10 kilometre run at 9.30am and ending with the pretty muddy five kilometre obstacle course at 1.15pm.

Oatlands Drive will be shut today for the event.

Adult entry is £19.99 and child entry is £10. Men have been able to join in since 2019.

For more information about Sunday’s race for life in Harrogate, see Cancer Research UK‘s website.

Harrogate library set to host activities fair

Harrogate library will host an activities fair from 10.30am to 2pm on September 23.

The fair will feature activities such as arts and crafts, dancing and photography. Anyone can drop in.

Cllr Greg White, executive member for libraries at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Getting out, taking part in activities and meeting people is a really good way to boost your mood and combat loneliness.”

Groups taking part include Harrogate Chess Club, St Paul’s Art Group and Harrogate Photographic Society.

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Groups that are unable attend on the day will still have information available for those attending to see.

The library, on Victoria Avenue, hopes the activities fair will be an opportunity for Harrogate district residents, especially retired people, to meet new people and learn new skills.

For more information see the Harrogate Library Facebook page.

Runners raise funds for all-weather track at Bishop Monkton school

A 10 kilometre race and fun run that raise money for a Harrogate district primary school is set to return this month.

The event, which was founded by race director Rebecca Owen, is called Beck Busters and helps Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School.

It hopes to generate £10,000 to get an all-weather track for the school field that children can use all year round.

Beck Busters didn’t take place last year because of lockdown restrictions but will return on September 19 for a fourth time.

Nina Swainston, one of the organisers, said:

“It’s a big local community event, anyone of all ages can take part.”

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Ms Swainston said runners were still welcome to enter. There are currently about 20 spaces for children out of a maximum entry of 150 and about 110 adult spaces out of a maximum entry of 330.

Entry costs £5 for children and £18 for adults (£16 for members of a running club).

The Beck Buster run is 10 kilometres, while the fun run is two kilometres.

Participants from clubs such as Ripon Runners and Harrogate Harriers have taken part.

In past years, the fundraiser has allowed the school to afford iPads for children, as well as save towards creating an all-weather track.

For more information see the Beck Busters website.

 

Harrogate College works with local firms to skill future staff

Harrogate College is to work with local firms to make sure its courses provide the skills they need.

The college has created what it calls an Employers’ Network.

The aim of the network is to hear from local businesses about the skills they need and then tailor its courses to provide them.

The college said the food and drink manufacturing industry could be one of the first areas to be tackled.

Local businesses that are currently involved: include Techbuyer, Energy Oasis, and AurumGold Ltd.

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Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, said:

“This is an opportunity for employers to influence the content of our courses so that they get the skilled employees they need coming through”

The network aims to benefit businesses and students.

Firms will benefit from the creation of bespoke courses tailored for the businesses involved while students will take courses better suited to help them find jobs.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, performance and projects coordinator at Harrogate College, said other benefits included reducing the time and resources businesses would need to spend on training, and combatting current and future skill gaps within businesses by giving students the tools needed to fill the gaps.

The launch event will be on October 21 and local businesses can attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swinton Park hosts Royal car tour

HRH Prince Michael of Kent took part in a royal car tour of North Yorkshire this week driving a classic Bentley.

The tour was based at Swinton Park near Masham. Participants came from the US, Mexico and Europe to take part with sixteen of the most collectible vintage and classic cars in the world.

The event is part of an annual Royal Concours, at Hampton Court Palace this weekend. Last year the tour, which is held in different parts of the UK each year, was cancelled due to covid.

A spokesperson from Swinton Park said:

It’s been an absolute privilege to finally host the Concours of Elegance – Yorkshire Tour, both cars and participants, following its postponement last year. Our guests and staff are thoroughly enjoying getting up close to such beautiful classic cars and it is always a pleasure to have a member of the royal household visit Swinton.

Below are some images for the car enthusiast:

HRH Prince Michael of Kent driving a classic Bentley

Austin Healey

Alfa Romeo 6C

Jaguar SS100

Ferrari 330 GTC

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Harrogate-born musician to kick off London festival

A musician from Harrogate will be playing a three-day London festival later this month.

Joe Flanagan will be one of the first acts to perform at the Islington Radio Festival on September 10.

Joe was born and raised in Harrogate and is a former Harrogate Grammar School pupil, now residing in Bournemouth.

The guitarist, who has been influenced by the Gallagher brothers, began penning his own songs aged thirteen. He will be performing entirely original pieces during his set.

The Islington Radio Festival is a new event for this year founded by presenters at the station of the same name.

The gig will be one of many during the month as he is also set to play London venues such The Amersham Arms and Bethnal Green.

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Joe spoke of his music;

“I started writing as a naughty kid aged 13 as an outlet for my emotions.
“My songs are based on personal experiences but written in a way that everyone can relate to.”

He isn’t currently signed to a record label, however he hinted of an upcoming EP in the works which he hopes will boost his career.

Almsford Community Day to offer fun for the family

Almsford Community Fun Day will take place next month after being cancelled last year due to covid.

The event is open to all on Sunday September 12 at Almsford Playing Fields near Hornbeam Park.

From 1pm until 6pm attendees can enjoy live music, sports events and family entertainment.

Acts in the main marquee include the All Together Now Choir and the Harrogate Band. In the children’s marquee, kids can enjoy magicians and stage shows.

Other family entertainment includes a bouncy castle, assault course and a human football table. Homemade food will be available from a range of local vendors.

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The event was organised by local football team Pannal Ash Junior FC. Chairman Chris McVey said;

“We’re so looking forward to celebrate all that’s positive in our community after having to cancel our 2020 event due to the pandemic.”

“The Fun Day is about bringing people of all ages together in a Covid-safe way to enjoy fantastic entertainment after months of being apart.”

Any money raised from the event will go towards maintenance work on the playing field.