Players at Harrogate RUFC say it is “great” to finally be able to get back on the pitch.

The club is having to train in much smaller groups with the players focusing specifically on their fitness and ball skills. Despite not being able to play competitively yet, the players are getting match fit for when the time finally comes.

The players have enjoyed getting back into the swing of things.

Director of Rugby at Harrogate RUFC, David Doherty, told The Stray Ferret:

“It’s brilliant to have the players back. It’s obviously challenging given the government guidelines, but the boys have embraced it.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Rugby Club opens its clubhouse doors 
• WATCH: Harrogate gymnasts move training outdoors. 

Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with both the men and women playing in small ‘pods’ with no contact.

A survey carried out by a Harrogate cycling club has shown that riding in groups improves mental and physical wellbeing.

Liferiders, which was set up nearly four years ago, is a beginners cycling group which encourages people to get from “couch to countryside.” The group was founded on the idea that riding bikes together helps people feel better.

At the start of lockdown Simon Thomas, the group’s founder, asked members to fill in a survey to measure their wellbeing during lockdown. Having enjoyed a number of rides together, members then took the same questionnaire and saw their wellbeing had improved by at least 35%.

Read more: 

• HBC consult land for Otley Road Cycle Route
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He told The Stray Ferret:

“It has been interesting for me to watch more people turn to cycling during lockdown. Some people might come out of this with a new hobby and a new sense of wellbeing.”

The group cycle all round the district on quiet roads and cycle paths.

Since lockdown the group has seen an influx in new members joining. The cycle group meet every Wednesday evening as well as some Sunday mornings and all the rides are free to join.

For more information and to join a ride visit – http://www.cbad.club 

A drive-in cinema is being held at Harrogate Rugby Club over the August bank holiday weekend, August 29-30.

The event is being held by Impulse Decisions, a charity auction company based in Harrogate. The drive-in cinema will be showing Grease, Rocketman, Incredibles 2 and Dirty Dancing.

The screenings will take place across both days, with one film showing at 1pm and another at 7pm. You will be able to ‘tune in’ to the film’s sound through your car radio and watch on a large LED screen.

Read more:

• Lightwater Valley gets ready to reopen this weekend 
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Project Manager at Skylit Cinema, Amy Seed, told The Stray Ferret:

“Lockdown and social distancing have been a drag for most of us, so our ‘Skylit Drive-In Cinema’ will bring back some good old entertainment. Whilst social distancing will still be in place at the event, our aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy great movies from the comfort of their own car.”

This is the first event of its kind for Impulse Decisions.

Guests will also have the chance to order a range of food and drink throughout the film. Toilets and hand-wash stations will be available at the venue.

For more information and to book tickets visit https://www.impulsedecisions.com/skylit/ 

A Harrogate based community boxing club says it is excited to get back in the ring after over three months out.

Harrogate Amateur Boxing Club is a voluntary group which caters for all ages and abilities. In the last year the team of boxers has won 8 out of 11 of its fights until lockdown cut the season short.

Since then, the boxers have kept their fitness up by doing home workouts and have recently moved training outdoors in small groups. However, on July 25 the club will be able to open its gym doors again.

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• Success for Harrogate racing car driver 
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Jacob Millar boxes for the club and won the Youth Yorkshire Challenge back in November. He told The Stray Ferret that he is looking forward to getting back into training.

He said:

“Training during lockdown has been okay, it’s more the motivation that has been lacking because there’s so little to look forward to. It will be great to get back to the gym and continue training.”

Ben Smith and Jacob Millar pictured with winning belt.

Normally the club runs sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from beginners to ‘active boxers.’ Head coach Ben Smith told The Stray Ferret:

“Our aim is to incorporate discipline in a fun learning environment where young people can enjoy themselves and learn how to take care of themselves in and out of the ring.”

The woman who runs music classes for  toddlers and says she’s had no financial support during lockdown has been backed by her local MP.

Hannah Ruddy, who is classified as a sole trader, runs Musicality Kids in Harrogate and says she is one of the many people who has “fallen through the gaps” for government funding. Since March she has not earned any money.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has joined a cross-party group of MPs which aims to stand up for people like Hannah who have been excluded from coronavirus government support schemes.

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• Music teachers say they have had no guidance from the government 
• Knaresborough yoga charity sets up online fundraiser 

In 2018, Hannah decided to leave employment and set up on her own teaching music. She told The Stray Ferret:

“Many people have been excluded for many reasons but when you’ve worked the whole time, paid tax for 22 years and put your own money into building up a business, it’s very difficult to accept that you are not eligible for any help, despite being unable to carry out your business for several months.”

Before lockdown, Hannah Ruddy from Musicality Kids was teaching 120 children a week.

The cross-party group was formed by Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone. He told The Stray Ferret:

“I set up this All-Party Parliamentary Group after hearing the overwhelming and heart-breaking number of stories from the millions who have been excluded from government support during this global pandemic…I am so pleased to have Andrew Jones join the 222 other MPs who are supporting the excluded.”

The line-up for this year’s Great Yorkshire Show has been announced ahead of the first day today.

For the first time in history the show will be broadcast online from the Great Yorkshire Show website and will feature a packed schedule which celebrates farming, food and the countryside.

Some top attractions include a behind the scenes tour with Olympic show jumper Graham Fletcher, a Q&A with stars of The Yorkshire Vet and a performance from East Yorkshire based TV stunt performers Atkinson Action Horses.

Read more: 

• Great Yorkshire show goes virtual for the first time ever 
• Market traders in Ripon and Knaresborough face rent increase 

Charles Mills, the show’s director, said:

“Never before has the Great Yorkshire Show been celebrated as a virtual event and so we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing the show to life in this way. There will be something for everyone to enjoy online over the show’s three days and we dearly hope that you will join us for what promises to be a very special showcase…”

Charles Mills, Show Director.

The show, which normally welcomes more than 130,000 visitors and 8,500 animals was cancelled in March due to the pandemic. In previous years the show has generated large amounts of traffic through Harrogate.

The organisers were determined that “the show must go on” and instead encourage people to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home.

To view the full schedule visit – https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk 

North Yorkshire theme park Lightwater Valley will be welcoming visitors back as it reopens this weekend.

The theme park will be operating with reduced capacity and all visitors will need to pre-book tickets online. The park will have an increased cleaning regime along with floor markings and hand sanitiser stations.

Read more: 

• Recovery plans launched to save local tourism 
• Ripon charity set to expand despite coronavirus 

The general manager at Light Water Valley, Colin Bowes, said:

“We are delighted to be able to start welcoming visitors back but we also know how crucial it is that they feel safe. For this summer, to help us manage visitor numbers and keep everyone safe, we are focussing on running the rides and parts of the park which are more suited to a younger family audience.”

Lightwater Valley has been closed for over 3 months.

Most of the rides will be open but The Ultimate, Raptor Attack and Apollo remain closed. Indoor play areas will also be closed and food will be take out only.

A 14-year-old from Harrogate, who hopes to become a professional racing car driver, says he can’t compete against the best in the field because of a lack of funding.

Jacob Heap, who is currently studying for his GCSE’s has been racing since he was 8. However, his hobby comes at a large price and, despite his recent successes, his family is struggling to keep up with the rising costs.

Jacob recently achieved 3rd place at the Junior Saloon Car Championship but just missed out on winning a fully funded season. Last October he entered the Ginetta Scholarship but again missed out due to not having the funds to practice and take part in the media day.

Jacob pictured in the JSCC Teenage Cancer Trust car.

Jacob currently sends between forty and fifty sponsorship proposals a day to try and get funding. He told The Stray Ferret:

“This is all I want to do. Obviously companies don’t have as much money at the moment so aren’t as open to sponsorship. It’s just really hard to get your name out there.”

Read more: 

• You can now hire low emission cars in Harrogate 
• Harrogate Town fans send cut outs to games 

Jacob’s dad has been working extra jobs on an evening and at the weekend to pay for his son’s racing but says it is getting too expensive and is desperate for sponsorship. He told The Stray Ferret:

“This is what he wants to do, it’s not just a bit of fun. He is so determined but he needs £10,000 for a years racing.”

During lockdown, Jacob has been keeping his fitness up by cycling up to 10 miles every morning during his paper round as well as doing weights and extra cardio.

Pupils and staff from Ashville College in Harrogate have been joined by a number of sportsmen and women during an online Q&A sessions.

Director of Sport at Ashville College, Dominic Bradburne, organised talks with athletes from the world of cricket, hockey, netball and rugby. Pupils then had the opportunity to ask questions about their careers.

The live sessions began with Worcestershire County Cricket Club players Ed Barnard and Pat Brown. They were followed by Bath Rugby Union players Joe Cokanasiga and Zach Mercer.

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• St Aidan’s put forward new proposal for 3G football pitch 
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The students also had the opportunity to speak to England hockey players Ollie Payne and Nick Park as well as former England Netball international Anna Carter.

Nick Park currently plays hockey for England.

Director of Sport Dominic Bradburne said:

“I’d like to thank all of the sportsmen and sportswomen for participating in our question and answer sessions. The aim of the evenings is for the audience…to find out about the individuals, their careers, early influences, training programmes and future aspirations.”

He acknowledged that video conferencing is the new normal and hopes to carry on the sessions on a regular basis.

Despite being allowed to move plays and performances outside as of Monday, theatres across the district have said it isn’t possible right now.

Yesterday the government announced that outdoor performances can take place with socially distanced audiences from July 11. However, theatre groups across the district have said it would not be possible due to cost and rehearsal time.

The Ripon Amateur Operatic Society is hoping to start rehearsals for its upcoming production of Chicago but says that an outdoor production wouldn’t be feasible.

Read more: 

• Pateley Playhouse loses years worth of funds 
• Harrogate Theatre awarded grant to help it survive 

Phill Ruddy, director and choreographer for the society said:

“I think it’s a bit wider than the time needed and cost, we don’t have places in Harrogate where we could do open air performances. We are charities and we can’t spend twenty grand on an outdoor venue.”

The Ripon Amateur Operatic Society was due to perform Oliver at Harrogate Theatre back in April.

Similarly, the Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society has suspended all its performances with no set date to reopen. However, the president of the society Ruth Dodsworth said it is considering doing a ghost walk but everything is up in the air.

She said:

“We would like to do something if possible in order to keep everyone interested and aware that things are still going ahead. We would like to do outdoor productions but it is such a long process.”