Newsroom, Author at The Stray Ferret

Business Breakfast: Harrogate bookshop honoured in national awards

Imagined Things bookshop in Harrogate has been announced as a regional finalist in the British Book Awards.

It is one of eight finalists in the independent bookshop category for the north of England.

If Imagined Things wins the regional finals, it will have the chance to go on and contend for the national prize for best independent bookshop.

Georgia Eckert, the shop’s owner, considers the new store location on Montpellier Hill an important reason behind reaching the finals.

After five years in Westminster Arcade, Imagined Things decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support the move to the new location, raising over £18,000.

The fortunes of Imagined Things were also improved following a viral tweet posted on the bookshop’s Twitter account in June 2019.

The tweet reported a taking of £12.34 for the day, following which Georgia received a huge wave of support for the shop which boosted its profile in Harrogate.

Commenting on reaching the regional finals, Georgia said:

“Being a finalist really means a lot to myself and the Imagined Things Team. Bookselling is such a rewarding career, but being a shop on the Highstreet is not without its challenges. To get recognition for what we’ve achieved last year in moving the shop and doing what we love is a wonderful boost.”

Econ Engineering opens museum

Econ Engineering has opened a museum at the company’s headquarters in Ripon.

The museum’s collection consists of historic vehicles and farming implements from the last 60 years.

The exhibit looks into the agricultural past of the company, which is known for manufacturing gritters.

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s Managing Director, son of founder Bill Lupton, said:

“Like my father, I have a passion for farming, and finding and restoring implements designed and made by him has become a passion, not only for me, but also for members of the wider Econ team.

“We were both of Young Famers’ Clubs, and it’s somewhat fitting that the first visitors to our new museum, celebrating our history, are members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers.”

Pictured inside Econ Engineering’s museum: Jonathan Lupton with members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers

Artefacts from the museum will be exhibited at various shows this year, including Masham Steam Rally, Hunton Steam Rally and Tractor Fest at Newby Hall.

Friends of Harrogate Hospital present a gift for people with dementia

A group of volunteers has presented Dementia Forward with 20 limited-edition jigsaws featuring scenes from the NHS.

The Friends of Harrogate Hospital has been fundraising since 1966 to improve the experience of hospital patients in Harrogate.

John Fox, chair of the organisation, said:

“Many people with dementia continue to enjoy completing jigsaw puzzles, so we are very pleased to present these special puzzles to Dementia Forward to support the amazing work they do across North Yorkshire.”

The limited-edition puzzles were designed by Sandra Gascoigne, an artist from Ripon, featuring scenes from the local hospital and wider NHS. Her theme was ‘humour is the best medicine’.

Dementia Forward is a local dementia charity for North Yorkshire, providing advice, support and wellbeing services for those living with dementia.

The new puzzles will complement the existing offering of group activities including a wellbeing café and singing classes.

Amy Senior, a community fundraiser at Dementia Forward, said:

“Dementia Forward is delighted to be working alongside the Friends of Harrogate Hospital. We are aware of the brilliant work that they do with the local community and hope that this is the beginning of a successful relationship.”

The two organisations are also working together on an upcoming event, An Afternoon with Paul Martin, to be held at 2pm on Thursday, March 23 at the Old Swan Hotel.

Tickets are £20 and those attending can also have an object valued by Paul, best known for his work on TV show Flog It!, between 11am and 1pm for a donation of £5.

Dementia Forward is hoping some of the people it supports who have dementia will be able to attend the event, which will raise money for the Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

Doctor from Ripon wins silver at e-cycling world championship

A junior doctor from Thornborough, near Ripon, has won a silver medal in e-cycling at the 2023 UCI E-sports World Championships.

Zoe Langham, who now works part-time as a junior doctor in Birmingham, went one better than last year, where she earned a bronze medal only hours after finishing a shift in A&E as part of her medical training.

E-cycling is a sport rapidly growing in popularity. It consists of cyclists pedalling on stationary bikes, powering virtual avatars moving on a screen.

Zwift, a competitor to Peleton, which provides the e-cycling technology and software for the world championship, has a reported user base of 2.5 million users, including runners as well as cyclists.

Former Ripon Grammar School student Zoe took up the sport to accommodate the demands of her medical training.

She balances her time on the wards alongside road racing and e-cycling. She competes for cycling team Pro-Noctis on the road and Wahoo Le Col in e-cycling.

Zoe studied at Ripon Grammar School before attending the University of Nottingham. Photo: Zoe Langham, Instagram

The e-cycling world championship featured a new format for 2023, where competitors faced three short, explosive events.

The first event was The Punch, an 13.8km elimination-race where 100 riders competed with only the top 30 moving on the second race. In an interview after the competition, Zoe said:

“If you’d asked me what I’d be happy with coming out there, if I made it past that first race I’d be ecstatic”.

The second event was The Climb, an 8.5km series of hill repetitions which whittled the field down to 10.

The final 10 then went through an event called The Podium, where riders were eliminated one-by-one at a series of intervals until three riders remained, who then raced for the title.

Reflecting on the race, Zoe said:

“It makes all the long days at work, trying to train in the late evening hours worth it.

“It’s been really hard to juggle the job I do with the training hours necessary, and female cycling in general is just going from strength to strength.

“It’s really lovely to see and be a part of, but it definitely takes its toll. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to go part time now, so I can fit in a bit more training and time to race abroad with my team Pro-Noctis- Heidi Kjeldsen-200 degrees coffee. They’re a fantastic and very experienced team and I’m very excited to see where things go this year with them.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate company builds robots to help tackle leaking pipes

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club!

The second in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is an After Work Drinks event on February 23 from 5.30pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district, get your tickets now by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate-based robotics company, Synovate, has built robots which are set to help reduce leaks in water and gas pipes.

The ‘LeakVISION’ robot uses thermal imagining technology from aircraft to detect minor temperate changes in pipelines and identify leakages.

The robot can be deployed remotely, reducing the excavation needed to find a leak whilst avoiding road closures.

The LeakVISION robot has already been trialled successfully with Northern Gas.

Synovate worked with Northern Gas to train repair-workers to operate the robot. The idea is to make jobs safer and more efficient without making them obsolete.

Simon Langdale, engineering director at Synovate, said:

“The LeakVISION robots will make it easier and faster to identify and fix leaks, which will be a significant benefit to the environment. In addition, deploying robots saves time and resources over traditional excavation methods.

“We are also trialling new technology where the robots will seal leaks from within the pipes, further reducing the need for extensive digging.”

Synovate worked with experts from universities in Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds as part of the Pipebots scheme to help create the robots.

In addition to the LeakVISION robot, the company is also designing robots to spot hydrogen leaks.

Artist with Harrogate gallery adds new location in York

Lucy Pittaway, who has a gallery in the centre of Harrogate, has announced a new gallery will be opening in York.

Her existing Harrogate gallery, which is on Prospect Place, features original works of art and prints, as well as various other products including stationary and homeware.

The new gallery in York is located at 21 Coppergate, in close proximity to attractions such as the Jorvick centre, the Shambles and York Minster.

Lucy said:

“We hope our gallery offers a refreshed opportunity for locals to love their high street and enhance the experiences for tourists with a further boost to the city’s visitor economy.”

The new site is Lucy’s sixth solo gallery.

Lucy, who has painted many landmarks from across Yorkshire, added:

“Yorkshire affords us so many opportunities to enjoy diverse landscapes such as fells and valleys, amazing coast lines and vibrant cities and historic towns.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate healthcare company creates 20 jobs

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Harrogate-based digital health company, Inhealthcare, has created 20 jobs which will help the NHS and private sector with patient monitoring services.

Inhealthcare supports more than 50 NHS trusts in England and provides services to five health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland.

Services provided by Inhealthcare, which is based at Cardale Park, include the management of ‘virtual wards’. Patients get to remain at home whilst they or a carer monitor vital signs and input data on an app, SMS, automated phone call or online portal.

The 20 jobs at the company include app developer roles, automation testers, technical authors and product specialists, as well as account managers, deployment and training managers, and training and support executives.

This takes the number of employees to 44.

Harrogate car dealership wins award for customer satisfaction

Harrogate care dealership, Stratstone MINI has received Reputation’s 800 award for high customer-satisfaction.

The dealership, which is on Wetherby Road, is one of seven Stratstone garages to win this award in 2023.

Reputation, which gives out the award, assess the customer-satisfaction of companies in various industries, including the automotive industry, finance, healthcare, home services, hospitality and real estate.

Businesses are scored, and those that are honoured with the 800 award will have achieved a score above that number.

Kim Costello, chief customer officer at Stratstone, said:

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our associates in North Yorkshire.

“Across Stratstone, our aim is to be the gold-standard for customer-centric business, putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to earning this award year after year.”

Business Breakfast: New hire at law firm’s Harrogate office

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Leeds-based law firm, Jones Myers, has appointed Brittany Dyer as a children law paralegal in its Harrogate office.

As part of the children’s department, Ms Dyer will deal with all aspects of private and public children law.

Jones Myers partner, Kate Banerjee, who leads the department of 13, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Brittany to our growing team as we continue to further develop and expand our bespoke services”.

Ms Dyer’s arrival follows the appointment of Neil Dring, who joined the Harrogate office in the role of senior solicitor and consultant.

Ms Dyer said:

“Jones Myers is a niche and highly respected family law firm which leads the way in areas including international child abduction and is at the forefront of new areas of law.”

Jones Myers launched in 1992 and has won the award for Family Law Firm of the Year North three years consecutively form 2020-2022.

The image shows (left to right) Brittany Dyer, Lisa Russell, Emma Weatherill, Neil Dring and Kate Banerjee

Harrogate insurance company acquired

PIB Group Limited has acquired Jigsaw Insurance Services Plc, which has its headquarters in Harrogate.

Jigsaw, formed in 2000 and now employing more than 130 employees, specialises in motor, breakdown and pet insurance.

Neil Richards-Smith will continue in his post as managing director.

Mr Richards-Smith said:

“The values that we hold dear to us for our customers and people are well aligned to those of PIB, so we already have a huge amount of synergy and similarities that we feel makes the perfect match”.

Nick Mountifield, chief executive for schemes and affinities division at PIB, said:

“Over the past 20 years, Neil and the team have built an excellent business and earned a loyal customer base. Their deep expertise in their specialist areas is an obvious draw for PIB as well as their genuine concern for their people, customers and integrity that is firmly engrained in their culture.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate independents collaborate

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Three independent businesses in Harrogate , Husk beer emporium, Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social, have decided to collaborate to help each other out.

Customers at Husk beer emporium can get food delivered from Thug Sandwich Co or Pizza Social to enjoy in Husk’s James Street store.

The scheme is expected to be particularly popular on Wednesday’s quiz nights, where teams will be able to get pizzas delivered to eat while they compete in the quiz.

Husk’s location on James Street, just round the corner from Thug Sandwich Co, led to the two independents getting in touch and deciding to work together.

The three businesses discussed the idea over social media before putting the plan into action.

Danny James, co-owner and manager of Husk, said:

“With the Increasing energy bills, looming rising prices across the board etc we’ve recently teamed up with Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social…

This supports all 3 indies by increasing traffic to our bar whilst providing Thug and Pizza Social more remote seating at our place and hopefully more orders for their very awesome food offerings!”

Harrogate BID reaches final of national In Bloom competition

Harrogate BID has reached the finals of the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK competition.

The business organisation has been selected for its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration, and will compete in the BIDS, Town Centres & City Centres category. Harrogate BID was named regional winner in the category last year.

Installation part of the floral summer of celebration

The summer of celebration featured a floral trail, an indoor exhibition, and a shop window competition. This was in addition to the 200 barrier baskets, shop doorway planters and hanging baskets around the town centre.

Harrogate BID Manager, Matthew Chapman, said:

“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and over the years has won many accolades – regional, national and international. Our floral campaign, delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, was designed to celebrate our floral heritage.

It was brilliant to partner with a number of different businesses and organisations, including Blamey’s Florist, Harrogate Theatre, The Turkish Baths, Harrogate Library, Harrogate in Bloom and Harrogate Spring Flower Show, all of whom contributed to its success.”

The winners of the In Bloom awards will be announced at a ceremony in October.

Five ways that children thrive at Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep and Prep School

This story is sponsored by Ashville College.

At Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep and Ashville Prep School, passionate and experienced teachers provide an encouraging and safe environment where children can be creative and curious, discover their strengths and interests, and are known and appreciated as individuals.

Parents with children aged two to 11 are encouraged to come along to the Acorns and Prep School Open Doors event on Tuesday February 7, 2023. Here are just some of the ways we help children to thrive:

1. We take the classroom outside

Ashville’s pioneering Outdoor Learning programme gets kids out into the fresh air, makes tricky curriculum topics easier to understand, and teaches problem solving and teamwork skills for life. Outdoor Learning Specialist Teacher and Consultant, Mr Paul Oldham, said:

“I have seen first-hand that outdoor lessons work. When you take children out of an enclosed room and into the outdoors, you open so many possibilities.”

Outdoor learning with Mr Paul Oldham

2. We provide confidence-boosting opportunities

Whether it’s taking part in an informal music concert, representing the school as part of the Swim Squads, or getting creative for a good cause in Charity Club, children get the opportunity to boost their confidence and shine in the areas they enjoy the most.

Pupils can choose to take on positions of responsibility from a young age, such as House Captains and members of the Prep School Parliament, helping to develop their leadership skills and appreciation for the ideas and opinions of their peers.

3. Pupils are part of a wider community

Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep and Ashville Prep School are part of Ashville College, an all-through school up to the age of 18. A sense of community is nurtured from the start; from enjoying lunch together in the Dining Hall to cheering each other on at numerous Competitive House events.

There are regular vertical links between Senior School and Prep School for the delivery of subjects such as Modern Foreign Languages, Music and PE, and achievements are celebrated, such as the Head Teacher Award, for pupils who go over and above in their contributions to the Ashville community.

Year 3, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Day

4. Regular, memorable experiences aren’t a one-off thing

Whether it’s the classroom being transformed into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, taking part in a real-life magic trick, toasting cinnamon-coated apple slices around a fire pit, or a trip to the Leeds Playhouse, no two school days are the same at Ashville.

You only go to school once, and the teachers ensure that each lesson is fun, stimulating and memorable, to nurture that love of learning every day.

5. Pupils love their School

When you see pupils skipping down the corridor for break, or getting involved in a learning activity, they exude positivity. From our youngest pupils in Little Acorns to our most ‘senior’ Prep pupils in Year 6, you can tell they’re happy to be here.

Pupils in Little Acorns

Mrs Charlotte Cryer, Head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, which covers ages two to five, said:

“The beauty of an ‘Open Doors’ event is that it enables parents to see happy and engaged children taking part in activities and see the staff in action too. A child is the most valuable thing in a parent’s life, so they need to be able to trust the people they’re handing them over to.”

Mr Asa Firth, Head of Ashville Prep School, added:

“The children at Ashville Prep School inspire me on a daily basis; they are polite, confident and open minded. I am very proud of our School and how it has developed since my arrival last April.”

We would love to see you on 7 February. Take a tour, see our pupils on a normal teaching day, meet the staff, and find out more about how to apply. To sign up, click here.

Hospital team to hold Parkinson’s event at Harrogate hotel

An event for people affected by Parkinson’s Disease will be held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate on Wednesday, January 18.

The event, the first of its kind to be organised by the Parkinson’s team from Harrogate District Hospital, will run from 4 till 6pm and is open to everyone with Parkinson’s, their relatives and their carers.

Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder that typically causes involuntary movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Other symptoms can include depression, anxiety, insomnia, and memory problems.

The event will feature a research update, a singing session and demonstration, artwork by people affected by Parkinson’s, interactive displays, and a chance to meet the hospital’s Parkinson’s team.

Organiser Dr Rosaria Buccoliero, who is a consultant neurologist at the hospital, said:

“The importance of this event is for Parkinson’s patients to be part of a more extensive community and to feel being supported.

“Our goal is to reinforce the relation between the hospital Parkinson’s service professionals, local Parkinsons’ groups, such as Parkinson’s UK and Dementia Forward, and Parkinson’s patients.”

To book a place, call Christine on 01423 521064 or email john.sheepy@harrogateparkinsons.co.uk.

Harrogate town centre blaze property converted to residential use

A Harrogate town centre property that was devastated by fire in 2019 has undergone its latest transformation, to residential accommodation.

Number 28 Beulah Street, in Harrogate, was the epicentre of a blaze four summers ago that ripped through shops and took eight crews of firefighters hours to put out.

Now, retrospective planning permission has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council to change the use of the first and second floors from a sandwich shop to a single dwelling.

The ground floor is occupied by a café, Coffee 28, and is not included in the application.

The application was validated on December 14, 2022, and is awaiting a decision by planning officers.

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Artist with Harrogate gallery adds new location in York

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Harrogate car dealership wins award for customer satisfaction

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Harrogate insurance company acquired

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Harrogate BID reaches final of national In Bloom competition

1. We take the classroom outside

2. We provide confidence-boosting opportunities

3. Pupils are part of a wider community

4. Regular, memorable experiences aren’t a one-off thing

5. Pupils love their School

We would love to see you on 7 February. Take a tour, see our pupils on a normal teaching day, meet the staff, and find out more about how to apply. To sign up, click here.

Read more:

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