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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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:
MP supports Harrogate business woman who’s had no income during crisis“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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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:
Great Yorkshire Virtual Show announces line-up“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.
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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
Lightwater Valley set to reopen this weekendNorth 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.
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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.
Harrogate teenager struggles to fund racing careerA 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.”
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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.
Harrogate school organises ‘Question of Sport’ with local starsPupils 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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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.
No plans for district theatres to move performances outdoorsDespite 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.
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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:
Toddler classes in Harrogate say there’s no help for them“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.”
Teachers running musical classes for babies and toddlers across the district say they have had no guidance as to when they might be able to restart face to face teaching.
Rhythm Time and Musicality Kids are amongst many companies which deliver music and sensory classes for babies and toddlers in Harrogate.
Despite lockdown restrictions being eased, both Rhythm Time and Musicality Kids said they have no idea when they might be able to see their students again despite holiday clubs and summer camps being allowed to restart.
Before lockdown, Hannah Ruddy from Musicality Kids was teaching 120 children a week.
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Hannah Ruddy, owner and founder of Musicality Kids in Harrogate has been sending weekly emails to parents with resources to help them continue classes at home.
She told The Stray Ferret:
“When the current situation hit it was very clear to me that I certainly wouldn’t be able to do what I do. My classes are very hands on and sensory. I could have adapted for online, but it wouldn’t have been my brand.”
Since putting her classes on hold back in March, Hannah has not been earning and said, because she is self-employed, has had no support from the government.
“There’s no help for us because we have fallen through the government’s cracks. This isn’t a silly little music class, there’s so much more to it. Without it there’s going to be a massive void in the world, something needs to be done.”
Ami Stott, the Harrogate business owner and class leader at Rhythm Time, turned her son’s bedroom into a recording studio and has been delivering online classes.
Ami has been teaching online classes every day since the start of lockdown.
She said:
“Even though the students are really little, they are missing out on social interaction.”
The Children’s Activities Association has pledged to the government to take notice of the issue and provide specific guidance as to when activities can safely restart.
New venture for Harrogate hairdresser as travel plans cancelledA hairdresser from Harrogate has fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning her own hair salon after her travel plans were put on hold.
Kate Borgen was due to travel to Australia and New Zealand to experience a new life. However, as lockdown struck and her travel plans were suspended, Kate decided to pursue a new venture in her home town instead.
The hairdresser, who has more than thirteen years of experience, opened Ikonik Hair on Kings Road last weekend. After opening just a few days ago, Kate is now fully booked until the middle of August.
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Kate told The Stray Ferret:
“My family thought I was crazy when I said I would open up a business. But what I figured was that the good clientele that I have had for the last twelve years will all be waiting to get their hair done… At least I can have people walking through my door as soon as I open.”
Kate Borgen outside her new salon on Kings Road.
Despite having a good first few days, Kate is aware that some people are still worried about visiting and is doing all she can to reassure clients. She said:
“A lot of my customers who are coming in at the minute haven’t seen anyone and I am one of the first people they have seen. It’s quite an honour for me, but then I know how nervous they are as well.”
The hairdresser, who has lived in Harrogate since she was born, hopes that her business might provide opportunities to other hairdressers who have lost their jobs because of coronavirus. She has already been joined by another stylist whose salon closed down when the pandemic struck, and she aims to expand the team further in the future.
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This comes as the government announced its new scheme “Eat Out To Help Out” earlier today. The scheme aims to encourage more people to eat out at restaurants as lockdown measurers ease.
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The Stray Ferret asked the general public in Harrogate whether they will be running out to get their discounted meal.
There was a mix of emotion with some people more inclined to go out and others not.