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.

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!”

Read more: 

• Stray Ferret Business Awards: Sustainable Business
• Business Breakfast: Award for Harrogate carer

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.

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.

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.

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital ‘almost completely full on a daily basis‘
• New choir to offer therapy to people with Parkinson’s in Harrogate district

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. 

Read more:

• Firefighters rescue horse trapped in floodwater in Harrogate district
• Firefighters called in night to Harrogate blaze

The Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate is expecting to host tens of thousands more visitors after securing several new deals for 2023.

The new events include an epic comic convention, the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show, a model rail showcase and an electric vehicle extravaganza.

Heather Parry, managing director of the Yorkshire Event Centre, said:

“We are excited to be heading into 2023 with a number of new, high-profile shows to be held here for the first time. All of these have strong national profiles, guaranteed to attract thousands of visitors into the region, and we are proud to host them here.”

Harrogate Model Engineering Exhibition and Model Rail 2023, on Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11, will have large-scale traction engines, model boats, military, earth-moving display, live steam, model trucks, aero modelling, railway locomotives and over 40 club and society displays.

Model Rail 2023 will feature  the largest model railway in the UK. ‘Heaton Lodge Junction’ is a 200ft x 50ft masterpiece that took over seven years to build.

Fully Charged LIVE North 2023, which is billed as the world’s number-one electric vehicle and clean energy show, is expected to attract 10,000 to 15,000 visitors to the YEC.

The show, which will be held from Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21, will complement a series of other Fully Charged LIVE shows which are held in Europe, America, Canada and Australia, as well as Fully Charged LIVE South, which is held in Hampshire.

Founded by actor, author and presenter Robert Llewellyn, the hugely popular Fully Charged YouTube channel has more than 163 million views and nearly a million subscribers, and covers electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from electric bikes to electric boats, as well as covering the clean, sustainable energy sources that these technologies can run on.

Fully Charged at the Yorkshire Event Centre: (l to r) presenter Robert Llewellyn, YEC venue manager Richard Moorhouse, Dan Caesar and YEC sales manager Ben Chatburn.

Comic-Con will be at the Yorkshire Event Centre on the weekend of June 3-4 as part of a national tour. Visitors can expect big-name guests, amazing set and prop builds, major attractions, cosplay, anime, traders, gaming and more.

Finally, organisers of the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show, HERCMA, recently announced their relocation to the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Rebranded as The Great Holiday Home Show, it will be held from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10 for the public, followed by a trade-only show from Tuesday, September 12 to Thursday, September 14. The outdoor show of holiday homes, caravans and motorhomes, is set to get a brand-new look, with new content to be announced nearer the time.

The Great Yorkshire Showground has 250 acres of outdoor space and can also host large-scale indoor events.

The YEC is based on the 250-acre Great Yorkshire Showground, which has 250 acres of outdoor space to offer event organisers and free parking. It can host large-scale indoor events across the two halls in the Yorkshire Event Centre or in one of the 14 rooms at the Pavilions of Harrogate.

Businesses and events held at the Great Yorkshire Showground contributed £73.7 million to the local economy in 2019, the latest year for which figures are available.

Read more:

• Harrogate to host Comic Con Yorkshire 2023
• UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show to come to Harrogate

Harrogate District Hospital has been left with a repair bill after vandals caused thousands of pounds’ worth of flood damage. 

The perpetrators pulled away panelling behind a men’s toilet sink and ripped pipework off the wall, causing significant flooding to the antenatal department, the ground-floor corridor in the Strayside wing and several offices. 

The attack was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, December 27.

As a result, there was damage to equipment stored in the area and flooring in the departments needs to be replaced. 

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust estimates the clean-up and repair operation – which includes hiring equipment to dry the areas out – will cost £4,000-£6,000, which it said “could be used for patient care rather than repairing damage caused by vandals”. 

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“Such anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and whilst the safety of the patients in our care was unaffected, it did cause additional work for our staff when they should be focused on patient care. Repairs also have a financial implication for our trust. 

“The people responsible were recorded on a CCTV camera within our hospital and the incident was reported to the police.”

A health and beauty business in Harrogate is counting the cost of the damage after its premises were attacked by a vandal.

The Wellness Clinic on Raglan Street sustained hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage, with windows smashed, a sign broken, furniture damaged and five large outdoor terracotta plant-pots ruined, destroying the plants. 

The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services at its Raglan Street premises.

In a post on social media, the clinic said:

“Luckily no one was physically hurt, but we are devastated. 

“We are, of course, insured but when the excess is £750-plus, it doesn’t make sense to make a claim. 

“We have worked incredibly hard to create a beautiful and safe clinic that our professionals work from. To see that your business has been targeted by a reckless individual for a couple minutes of adrenaline is incredibly upsetting.”

Police are using CCTV footage to try to identify the suspect, who caused hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage.

The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services, including physiotherapy, beauty therapies, electrolysis, mindfulness and even private midwifery. 

The business is still open and operating, and is now working with North Yorkshire Police to create still images from CCTV footage of the suspect, who struck on New Year’s Day.

According to the clinic, the suspect was described as female, wearing grey jogging bottoms, a dark-coloured top and no shoes. 

READ MORE:

• Christmas lights vandalised on Harrogate salon
• Criminals damage third business on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

Firefighters were called out to a blaze in a Harrogate garden in the early hours of this morning.

The fire was spotted behind a property on Albany Road in Bilton and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called. 

A crew from Harrogate responded at 2.58am, and located the 2m x 2m fire, which was fuelled by household waste and a wheelie bin full of rubbish.

The crew extinguished the fire and dampened down the area. No injuries were reported.

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• ‘Kind and caring’ staff draw Ofsted praise for Harrogate nursery

A rare Victorian walnut desk made in Yorkshire is being offered for sale by the Ripon auction house Elstob & Elstob. 

The desk is essentially a self-contained office, with an array of drawers and pigeonholes, revealed when the piece unfolds on its hinges, and is based on a style made famous by the North American Wooton Desk Manufacturing Company (1874-1890) of Indiana.

Made by renowned Halifax cabinetmakers T Simpson & Son in 1870, the ‘Wooton’ desk carries a guide price of £1,000 to £1,500 and is part of Elstob & Elstob’s online Antiques Sale that runs until Sunday, January 8.

The brass maker’s label showing the desk to have been made by T Simpson & Son of Halifax.

Auctioneer David Elstob said:

“This is an absolutely stunning piece of furniture.

“The original American Wooton desks are known as the kings of elaborate folding desks and are much-prized amongst collectors, but this rare Yorkshire version of the design will be even more sought after.”

He added:

“Overall, it is an ingenious desk, with a metamorphic cabinet full of storage space. What’s more, it is tidy when unused, making it a perfect blend for today’s modern homes.”

Thomas Simpson & Sons was one of the largest and most prestigious furniture makers in the north of England, its origins dating back as far as 1798. In its Victorian heyday, the business had a grand showroom in Silver Street in Halifax, as well as a steam cabinet works in Corporation Street, which contained the steam-powered machinery used to manufacture its trademark pieces of furniture.

A T Simpson & Son invoice header from 1884, showing the company’s various premises.

This particular desk has a gilt-tooled leather-lined hinged and ratcheted top above a swing-out front that opens to reveal multiple drawers and pigeonholes. The writing surface, with leather skiver, can be lifted at the back and set at various fixed angles. On the top of the cabinet under the lid is the stamped metal maker’s plate ‘T Simpson and Son, Steam Cabinet Makers’. 

Mr Elstob said:

“Inspection of known examples would suggest these desks were made to order with some bespoke elements – such as the choice of materials and the arrangement of internal compartments.”

Bidding is now open on the sale, which contains a large range of furniture, ceramics, glassware, wines and spirits, and Chinese works of art. All items in the sale can be viewed online at www.elstobandelstob.co.uk as well as in person at the saleroom on Friday, January 6 between 10am and 4pm. 

Read more:

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• Walker Galleries in Harrogate moves online

What are the best children’s toys and games, and are they worth the money?

Those are questions parents ask themselves every Christmas – but an old TV clip recently released from the BBC Archives provides some answers from Harrogate primary school pupils. 

The video was first broadcast on December 10, 1975, when schoolchildren from Bilton Grange County Primary School (as it was then) took over from the regular presenters of BBC Nationwide’s Consumer Unit, Valerie Singleton and Richard Stilgoe, to offer their expert opinions on the best children’s games to buy as Christmas presents. 

Archive footage from Bilton Grange Primary School, which was broadcast on BBC’s Nationwide.

Among the toys ranked by the retro reviewers were Mouse Trap, Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, Haunted House, Baby Alive, Super Striker, Scalextric, Action Man, Frustration and Campaign.  

The schoolchildren will be in their late 50s by now, and many may well still live in the area. Are you one of them? Do you know someone who is? Let us know – we’d love to hear from some of them, nearly half a century on. Let us know by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

You can watch the video on the BBC website here.

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• History of Ripon Spa Baths captured as venue prepares for new lease of life