Newsroom, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate chippy surviving despite major roadworks

Despite major roadworks happening outside a fish and chip shop in Harrogate, the owner said it is still surviving.

Harrogate Fisheries on Skipton Road remained open throughout lockdown. However, major roadworks lasting 14 weeks have now started right outside the shop.

Despite parking issues during the day affecting lunch time service, owner Tim Phillips told the Stray Ferret that it “could have been a lot worse.” He said:

“Parking is difficult here at the best of times so people are just not coming during the day, its chaos. In the evenings though the traffic dies down so business becomes much better.”

The fish and chip shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30am – 8pm.

Tim said that they were given a warning a week before, but it didn’t highlight the extent of the work taking place. During lockdown, the fish and chip shop has been delivering meals to the elderly and care homes. He is optimistic the shop will survive

“We are heading in the right direction; we just aren’t there yet. We are surviving, the team are getting paid and the elderly are getting their food. We have a very loyal customer base and it’s great to see people coming back to the shop again.”

Despite Harrogate welcoming the Eat Out to Help Out scheme this week, Tim says it has not had an impact on his takeaway business. He told the Stray Ferret that he has seen record numbers this week from Monday to Wednesday.

Care home residents see health benefits of stretching classes

Residents in two specialist dementia care homes in Harrogate have seen improvements in their health and wellbeing thanks to a new programme of stretching classes.

The initiative was launched by Vida Healthcare in its two Harrogate homes, Vida Hall and Vida Grange, and has proven successful since it began in June.

Research shows that staying active and incorporating movement into daily routines can significantly improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Charlotte Gibbs, wellbeing lead at Vida Hall, has seen the positive impact the classes have had on those involved. She said:

“Residents are keen to take part and they remember the time of the stretching classes and are able to memorise and maintain basic stretching routines. This is a significant milestone for many of our residents, especially those living in the later stages of dementia.”

Emma is currently a tutor in acting and movement at the Drama Studio London.

One resident who broke their shoulder three years ago has also increased their range of movement since taking part in the classes.

The classes are taught virtually by ex-West End star Emma Flett, who has appeared in shows including West Side Story and Goodnight Mr Tom. She said:

“Residents really enjoy the sessions and I can see improvements each week. This time gives both staff and residents the opportunity to do something different and strengthen their bond, which has been especially important during lockdown when loved ones haven’t been able to visit.”

Award-winning Harrogate farm shop to reopen café

An award-winning Harrogate farm shop is set to reopen its popular café on Monday.

Fodder, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, says it is ready to “bounce back” from disruption caused by coronavirus. The café will be open seven days a week, 9am to 4.30pm, with safety measures in place.

A new covered walkway has been created to allow for a one-way system from the shop to the café. Customers will be asked to give track and trace details on arrival and, as before, bookings will not be taken.

Fodder’s manager Vanessa Pitt said:

“We are so excited to reopen Fodder café and welcome our customers back after such a long pause. Rest assured, we are taking every possible precaution to offer the very best experience in a relaxing environment.

“Our best-loved dishes will be available on a reduced menu to start with, including all our delicious cakes and treats, Sunday roasts and Yorkshire’s finest produce.”

An award-winning Harrogate farm shop is set to reopen its popular café on Monday.

Fodder farm shop is open Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm and has remained open throughout lockdown. Fodder is not taking part in the government’s “Eat out to Help Out” scheme.

10,000 tune into to Harrogate International Festivals’ virtual weekender

Harrogate International Festivals says its first ever virtual event was a success, with over 10,000 people tuning in from more than 60 different countries worldwide.

The HIF weekender had to adapt to an online format for the first time in its history. The festival saw people enjoying the event from countries such as Brazil, Japan, Australia and Canada.

The weekend began with the announcement of the winner of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. This year the award was given to Uber driver and barman Adrian McKinty for his book The Chain.

McKinty’s book has since been published in 36 countries with its movie rights sold in a seven figure deal.

This was followed by a line-up featuring internationally acclaimed musicians and best selling authors. The weekend also saw the world premiere of Eclipse, an exclusive new piece of music written by internationally renowned composer Dr David Lancaster.

In an interview with the Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar told the Stray Ferret that the online event was a different experience. She said:

“We are an arts charity which delivers live events, so not having that in our arsenal was really strange for the organisation. What makes great events is the fact that people come together to share a live experience, not having that was very odd.”

The Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival usually welcomes nearly 15,000 people to its three day event. Sharon said that it was important that the festival still took place. She said:

“The crime festival runs across three days so it is very different when you put an event like that online, but the reach and opportunity is much more. We wanted to make sure artists and our team were kept in work. We felt there was an element there that we wanted to keep people in work but also still offer the viewers a taste of Harrogate.”

Harrogate couple among first to tie the knot post lockdown

A couple from Harrogate has become one of the first to get married post lockdown.

Hannah and Tim Laughlan were supposed to get married on June 6, but had their plans cancelled due to covid. Instead, the couple decided to have their wedding on July 4, the first day marriages were allowed again.

The couple had planned a big wedding with a church service and large reception in a hotel. However, when their special day finally came, the bride and groom had to settle for a much smaller event, with just 25 guests in attendance at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Horsforth.

Singing wasn’t allowed at the wedding and guests had to abide by social distancing rules throughout the day.

Hannah told the Stray Ferret that despite it being different to what had been planned, the day was more intimate. She said:

“It was definitely different to what we had imagined, but it was really nice because we didn’t have to worry about as much. On the day I was so chilled out, I didn’t have to stress about things I probably would have done like seating arrangements and colour schemes.”

The couple made a collage of all their guests who couldn’t attend.

The couple live streamed their wedding from the church so guests could still join them for their special day. Even Hannah’s uncle got dressed up for the occasion and tuned in all the way from Australia.

In November, Hannah and Tim are hoping to celebrate their wedding again with those who couldn’t make it. They plan to go to church for a blessing and then have a bigger reception so that they can “do everything properly” when it is safe to do so.

Photography by Emily Green Photography, www.emily-Green-photography.co.uk.

Harrogate charity receives grant to support pupils during holidays

A Harrogate bereavement and emotional wellbeing charity has been awarded a grant boost of more than £30,000.

Just ‘B’ will use the money to provide workshops and therapy sessions for vulnerable students during the school holidays. Themes covered will include gangs and youth violence, domestic abuse, and digital media risks.

The grant is part of £6.5m from the Youth Endowment Covid-19 Fund and has been offered to 130 organisations across the country. It aims to limit the number of people being drawn into violent crime as well as tackling issues young people have experienced as a result of covid.

Tony Collins, chief executive of Just ‘B’ said:

“The challenges and hardships that some of our most vulnerable young people face have been exacerbated by covid… we are proud to be one of the organisations chosen for this grant and it will enable us to build on the work we are already doing to help children and young people to overcome difficult circumstances and face a more positive future.”

Just ‘B’ is also calling for the community’s help to win £1m in a charity competition. Persimmon Homes Yorkshire has shortlisted three charities across the county to represent the region in its Building Futures scheme. Voting closes on September 18.

Rise in civil ceremonies inspires new career for Harrogate teacher

A former teacher has set up a new business in Harrogate offering civil ceremonies as a result of a growth in non-religious weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies.

Weddings overall have been in decline over recent years, and religious ceremonies now account for less than a quarter of all weddings that take place in the UK.

Data published this year by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in 2017, North Yorkshire had a total of 4,606 marriages of opposite-sex couples, 3,443 of which were civil ceremonies with only 1,163 religious ceremonies.

Former international teacher Melanie Gail has recently launched her new business in Harrogate. She told the Stray Ferret that the trend towards civil ceremonies sparked her interest in becoming an independent civil celebrant.

She said:

“The reason I am attracted to it is because I think it’s great that it offers people the freedom of choice. They can choose to have it on their front garden, or on a mountain top, or in a forest.

“People can get married whenever they want, provided they do the legal part in a registry office. They can have a ceremony which really reflects who they are.”

As of August 1, larger wedding receptions can return but guest numbers will be limited to 30. Melanie argued that this may also make civil ceremonies more popular.

She said:

“Everything is becoming a lot smaller because of the legislations and potentially also a lot more intimate. With the new limits on numbers of guests at weddings, people are rethinking the venues they choose.”

Pub’s old cupboard becomes new venture in Bilton

A small antiques shop has opened at The Knox pub in Bilton as a Harrogate woman aims to follow a new path after lockdown.

Foxy Antiques and Interiors will sell a range of items, from retro furniture to vintage collectables. The small shop is occupying a former storage cupboard at the pub.

Alex Clarke, who previously worked in housekeeping, decided during lockdown that she needed a new challenge. Since November, she has been buying and selling antiques, and decided to expand from a small unit in a local antiques shop to the larger space at The Knox.

The shop will sell a range of items, from furniture to candles.

She told the Stray Ferret that her previous job was impacted by coronavirus so she decided to pursue a new venture, following something she has always been interested in. She said:

“It’s completely new to me. I’ve worked in housekeeping for nine years but my wages went down as a result of covid so I decided to look for something else. I needed something new and fresh that would challenge me.”

Katie Swannie, owner of The Knox pub, hopes that the new shop will be the start of something great. She told the Stray Ferret:

“We hope both businesses will benefit each other. It’s always something we’ve wanted to do. I want to create a little complex of quirky things that all complement each other, so this is the first step. We are hoping it will bring something for the local people in this area.”

As well as the launch of Foxy Antiques and Interiors, last weekend also saw the opening of a new beer garden at the back of the pub. As well as providing somewhere to enjoy the sun, it will help the pub to follow social distancing guidelines.

During lockdown the pub was re-decorated and has had a new beer garden built.

District girlguides launch fundraiser to save residential centre

Girlguiding North Yorkshire West has launched an online auction to help raise funds to complete the build of its new residential centre.

The building of the Birk Crag Centre on the outskirts of Harrogate is in its final phase but needs an additional £30,000 to finish.

The new centre will include a hall seating 120 people, activity and meeting rooms, a dining room and kitchen, as well as residential accommodation sleeping 40.

An online auction was launched on Saturday and will remain open until August 8. People can bid on a range of items and experiences including a Grantley Hall spa day experience, family tickets to local attractions such as Harewood House and the Jorvik Viking Centre, as well as a two-hour career coaching session from Sea Light Development.

County commissioner Angie Lockwood said:

“We’ve come so far in our journey to build Birk Crag Centre, but there’s a real risk we won’t get this last phase of the build completed. We need to raise an additional £30,000 for doors, internal walls, staircase and fire alarm, and the auction marks the start of our activity to achieve this.”

Artist’s impression of the new Birk Crag Centre.

The new centre will be used by girlguides from across the district as well as members of the local community. For more information and to make a bid visit https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/detail/auction_id/4517/.

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Harrogate restaurant reopens in time for Yorkshire Day

A Harrogate restaurant will be celebrating both its reopening and Yorkshire Day with a make-shift beach this Saturday.

To mark its namesake’s day on August 1, as well as the re-launch of its Scran restaurant, The Yorkshire Hotel has created a beach at the front of the building and is offering a free glass of prosecco for those ordering food.

Its sister property, the White Hart Hotel and Fat Badger pub, installed an outdoor beach earlier this month to celebrate hospitality venues being allowed to reopen. Simon Cotton, managing director of HRH Group, said:

“Since we opened two years ago, Scran has been at the heart of Harrogate’s dining and bar scene, but with our new fresh, contemporary look, we are excited to bring a new concept to our loyal and new customers.”

Dean Sowden and Dario Silviera pictured outside the new restaurant.

The restaurant’s food will be in the hands of head chef Dean Sowden of the former Deano’s, with Harrogate’s barman of the year, Dario Silviera, managing the bar.

Simon added:

“Dean’s food has such a good local reputation that we are delighted he is heading up the kitchen of Scran, and with head barman, Dario at the cocktail helm we have the dream team!”

Screens have been placed around the bar and more space has been created between tables to allow for social distancing. It is recommended that customers pre book.

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