Harrogate gym launches strength training for menopausal women

A Harrogate gym has launched strength training sessions for women over 40 in an bid to “change the narrative” around menopause.

The sessions will be held at Eleven Eleven Sports Performance, which launched a studio on Otley Road in May.

The programme will focus on heavy lifting and increasing strength training to stimulate and build muscles to make up for the decline in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It will also include sprint interval training, plyometrics and stabilising exercises.

Information will also be given on how to lead a healthier lifestyle to help lower cortisol levels, which is known as the stress hormone.

The sessions will be led by coaches Mark Nel and Kelly Loe, who moved to Harrogate from South Africa a year ago.

The couple co-own Eleven Eleven with Liz and Dean Kemp.

Empowering women

Ms Kemp said:

“Lifting weights is going to be good for anyone over the age of 40, but for women specifically because of the imbalances in hormones and the massive impact it has. Estrogen is a muscle-building hormone, so if that’s dropping you need to replace it.

“It’s trying to empower women to say you can do something about it. You can lift heavy and you will get the same effect and you will be able to build that lean muscle mass. This is even more important when you get older.

“It’s turning something negative into something positive. It’s about getting the narrative out there that you can pick up a barbell at any age if you are coached in the right way.”

The semi-private classes are limited to four participants to allow them develop their technique and lift safely.

They are being held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes from 12-1pm and 1pm-2pm.

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New skills

It is hoped that under the guidance of Mr Nel and Ms Loe, who are both skilled weightlifters, the sessions will encourage women to try something new and gain new skills.

Ms Kemp said:

“I turned 50 this year and I’m a control freak. I didn’t like the changes going on in my life without knowing how I could help and take back control. I think that was where it started from.

“You can’t control what your hormone levels are doing, but there are so many ways you can improve your health and body composition.

“I was training with Mark and Kelly and I realised what they were doing is what the over 40s need in their life to create a healthier and fitter lifestyle going forward.

“It’s about changing the conversation and mindset around it and focussing on the positive.

“It’s being in the right environment to be able to train safely and do what we need to do to replace what our hormones used to with nutrition, healthy living, sprint training and jumping and not being scared of doing it.”

Age is just a number

Mr Nel, who has 24 years experience in the fitness industry, said no matter what age you are, you should still be able to achieve the same ability as someone who is younger if you are taught correctly.

He said:

“You might not lift the same weight or speed, but you are not restricted to ‘you can’t do that because you are this age’. To me it doesn’t matter if you take the right approach. There are athletes doing it at 70.”

Mr Nel, who has a string of accolades under his belt in both CrossFit and weightlifting, added that programmes can be modified for individuals depending on their ability.

He said:

“If your ability is just a barbell, you have that option to go through. If you are someone who is a fit 67-year-old and you want a little bit more intensity that option is there as well.”

Foundations

There will be a focus on mastering three basic foundations of bench, squats and deadlifts before advancing further.

Ms Kemp said:

“The other thing that makes it unique is you are benchmarked. So you have your set standard and until you reach the next level you don’t progress. It allows you to understand what your weaknesses are and what you need to work on.”

Ms Loe, who has been coaching since 2015 and specialises in CrossFit, added:

“I think we have created an environment where we respect more of the technique side of it than lifting heavy. We cheer on the person who is coming last and trying the hardest, as opposed to the person coming first. We do not tolerate massive egos.”

Ms Kemp said there was so much information out there about menopause that it could be overwhelming.

She added:

“That’s what we want to strip back to the bare functions of what you can do to take control and turn the difficult transition into something positive.”

Harrogate support group launched for pupils moving up from primary to secondary school

A Harrogate therapy centre is launching a support group for pupils moving up from primary to secondary school in the wake of the pandemic.

Created by The Harlow’s new psychotherapeutic counsellor Laura Keay, ‘Stepping Up’ is a programme aimed at providing children with an environment of “listening, sharing and empowerment”, so that they can embrace this change.

Ms Keay works with adults and has a specialism in children and young people at the centre at Cardale Park.

She has worked with people suffering from a wide range of issues including anxiety, stress, social anxiety, exam pressure, harmful eating, self-esteem issues and bullying.

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She said:

“Moving from primary school into secondary education can be a huge challenge for young people; even more so when we take into account the last few years of educational disruption due to the pandemic.

“The whole premise behind Stepping Up is to give children the tools to navigate this change and thrive in their new environment.”

Stepping Up will also support parents and guardians. It will help them understand the stages of child development and gain insight into effective language and behaviours that will support the confidence of their child through this key stage.

With a maximum group size of eight – with one parent or guardian per child – Stepping Up involves five two-hour sessions at £20 per session.

For more information call 01423 595000 or email info@theharlow.co.uk.

Boroughbridge girls savour day to remember at Euro 2022 final

A gamble that the England would get to the final of Euro 22 paid off on Sunday for 70 members of Boroughbridge Juniors Football Club.

Chris Fahy, the club’s chairman and coach, wanted his girls teams to see top level football.

So a year ago he applied for tickets to the Euro 2022 final — and it paid off as they got to see the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1.

He said:

“Seventy from the club went to Wembley for the final, including girls and parents.

“I applied for tickets a year ago. I gambled that England were going to get to the final. Luckily it paid off! Even if it didn’t, I wanted the girls to see top level football.

“It was absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere is different from men’s football – it’s more family orientated. You feel there’s going to be no trouble, no danger, at the women’s game.”

Mr Fahy said the girls had an amazing time at the game, which saw the Lionesses clinch victory in extra time.

He said:

“The girls loved it. We were all really excited going down. We had a fantastic view – we were behind the goal where England scored twice.

“We stayed until the celebrations were more or less finished, about half an hour afterwards.”

The club is holding free taster sessions throughout August for girls aged five to 15, with the first session at Boroughbridge Football Club, on Aldborough Road, starting at 10.15am this Saturday, August 6.

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Rachel Daly continues to support Killinghall team, coach reveals

The Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club has praised the Lioness for her ongoing support.

David Terzza remembers Daly playing in the boys teams at the junior club from U8s to U11s.

He said she had kept in touch and sponsored last season’s Adidas football kits for the girls’ teams.

The girls were also invited to meet Daly and her fellow Lionesses at a training session at St George’s Park and to watch the England v Netherlands friendly at Elland Road in Leeds.

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Mr Terzza, who has coached at the club for 22 years, said:

“I remember seeing her play, she was outstanding. When Rachel started playing she was the only girl at the time who played on the boys’ teams. She was fearless and could hold her own. The coaches used to point her out and say she was going to go far.

“Rachel has kept in touch and has sponsored Adidas football kits for the girls teams. They were proudly worn by the U11 and U14 Girls last season. Both teams were inspired by this act of kindness to become league winners.”

Mr Terzza has coached girls’ football for the last 12 years and is also the secretary for the Harrogate and District Junior Girls Football League, which is overseen by the Football Association.

He believes the Lionesses’ Euro win will have a lasting impact on girls ‘and women’s grassroots football.

He said:

“It has inspired our girls tremendously and has been an incredible boost to women’s and girls’ football, with the Lionesses now well-known household names.”

Ripon’s historic St Wilfrid’s Procession returns to huge crowds

Thousands of people lined the streets of Ripon to watch the return of the historic St Wilfrid’s Procession.

It was a party atmosphere as the crowds clapped and cheered as the parade made its way around the city, which is celebrating its 1,350th anniversary.

Led by an actor on horseback playing the role of St Wilfrid, the parade was accompanied by the award-winning Ripon City Band.

An actor on horseback playing the role of St Wilfrid.

It featured a colourful assortment of decorated floats, with designs created by businesses and organisations, including Bishopton Vets, Ripon Farm Services and Winksley cum Grantley Young Farmers Club.

You can watch a video of the procession on the Stray Ferret Facebook page here.

The parade was unable to go ahead in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Bishopton Vets’ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory float.

But it was back in force today, with a total of 16 floats taking part.

Antony Prince, chairman of the St Wilfrid’s Procession Committee, said:

“It has been a huge success. It’s fantastic that it is able to take place again.
“The community and public have really got behind it. There is no procession without all the people who put it together. They are all volunteers and all the money raised goes back into keeping it going.
“The weather has held off and it is just fabulous to get the community back together again.”
The parade started on Studley Road at 1.30pm and finished at Ripon Cathedral at 4.15pm, where a service was held and awards were given out for the best floats.

Ripon Farm Services’ Top Gun float.

Held on either the last Saturday of July or the first Saturday in August each year, the St Wilfrid’s Parade is a unique event, whose origins date back to 1108 when King Henry I granted a royal charter to the City Of Ripon to hold an annual fair.

St Wilfrid is celebrated as the man, who in AD 672, founded the church in the location where Ripon’s iconic cathedral now stands and the stonework in the crypt, dating back to that year, is the oldest remaining building remnant to be found in any English cathedral.

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Ripon City Council event

While the revelry was on-going around Ripon’s streets, the city council held a Celebrating Yorkshire Day event, which included free fairground rides, a climbing wall, face painting and Punch and Judy shows.

At 6pm, local singer songwriter Freddie Cleary, kicked off an evening of free musical entertainment and he will be followed on stage by tribute acts, either side of the 9pm setting of the watch ceremony performed by one of the Ripon hornblowers.

Lifelong friends celebrate a year transforming faces in Harrogate

This story is sponsored by HGFace.

When Dr Lynda Allman and Jo Banks met 27 years ago at a party in Harrogate, they formed an instant connection, and a lifelong friendship was born.

After retiring from their respective careers in dentistry and nursing, they felt the time was right to create their own business together.

Realising they shared a mutual passion for facial aesthetics, they launched HGFace in 2021, and have just recently celebrated the business’ first birthday.

The medical aesthetics and skin clinic, located in Harrogate’s Windsor House, offers patients non-surgical treatments with a strong emphasis on professional, ethical and safe methods and techniques.

The wide range of treatments available include consultations for wrinkle relaxation treatments, dermal fillers, lip enhancements, PRP, microneedling, chemical peels and dermaplaning.

Lynda, who owned  her own dental practice, Acomb Dental and Implant Clinic, in York, for 20 years, explained:

“We have been great friends for so many years and we always thought we would do something together when the time was right.

“We both have continued with our professional registrations and with around 70 years of clinical experience between us in our previous careers, this has meant that the transition into facial aesthetics was a natural progression for us.”

Lynda first began carrying out medical aesthetics treatments whilst in a dental practice over 15 years ago.

She said:

“It has long been a passion of mine and ultimately what I have loved doing most.

“Aesthetics itself has evolved enormously in the time since I started out. It’s gone from being the treatment of isolated fine lines and wrinkles, to treating the face as a whole. We’ve continually expanded our knowledge and had the benefit of some world-class training. The subject becomes more and more interesting as the years go by.”

Self-confessed “skin geek” Jo added:

“The science and the psychology are so interesting and there is always so much to learn. It’s a good job that we are both life-long learners!

“Unlike the pressures of our previous careers, we can now give our patients the time that our aesthetic and skincare consultations and treatments require. There is no rushing here.

“Listening and understanding our patients is of great importance. We focus on building rapport and trust to make sure our patients are comfortable with and informed about their choices.”

The friends chose to base their clinic at Windsor House, on Cornwall Road. Both agree it is “a fabulous setting”, which is peaceful, discreet and also has parking available.

Whilst they both offer a full range of treatments, Jo tends to specialise in skincare and Lynda in the injectable procedures, such as wrinkle relaxation treatments and facial rejuvenation with dermal fillers.

Jo said:

“Skin care and injectable non-surgical aesthetic treatments go hand-in-hand.

“Well-proportioned features, along with a glowing complexion are the goal. Our aim is never to change a face, rather to enhance what is naturally there already.

Lynda highlighted the importance of good nutrition, hydration and appropriate supplementation.

She said:

“We retail a great range of supplements specifically for the skin. Jo and I would never be without our supplements now.”

Dr Lynda Allman (left) and Jo Banks.

Women tend to make up most of the patient list at HGFace, but the team are treating an increasing number of men.

Lynda said:

“There is a worldwide increase in men having aesthetic treatments. It’s not just the girls who want to look and feel great and full of confidence.”

A more recent addition to the treatment menu at HGface is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment.

This involves harnessing the regenerative powers of natural factors present in our own blood.

A blood sample is taken, centrifuged and the plasma removed. This plasma, rich in natural growth factors can be used in many areas of the body where healing and regeneration are required.

This is proving successful in treating hair loss in both men and women.

PRP can also be used as a great skin rejuvenator. The treatment is pain free and without any down-time.

HGFace is Save Face accredited annually, which means that the clinic has been assessed and has met ‘best practice standards’.

For more information visit www.hgface.co.uk

Wheelchair user praises Harrogate restaurant for buying ramp

A wheelchair user has praised the owner of Harrogate restaurant Oliveta who personally went out and bought a ramp so she could dine inside.

Now, Nichola Emmerson is calling for other businesses in the town to follow suit in a bid to make eating out more accessible.

Ms Emmerson, who is a campaigner and advocate for disabled access, said she believed any public service should be available to everyone.

She said:

“I’m finding in Harrogate that as much as I love the town, there are an awful lot of businesses that aren’t accessible. I think there are a lot that could be.

“I feel a bit let down by society. I want it to change. The legislation in this country is not good enough for access and there are ways and means of getting around it. So companies get away with not providing access.”

Ms Emmerson, who lives in Harrogate, said she enjoyed going to restaurants, but often ended up being limited to chains, which usually provided access.

A few weeks ago, she spotted Oliveta, on Station Parade, which she saw had steps but decided to call the restaurant to see if there was another entrance.

She said:

“The owner was extremely polite and whilst informing me that he didn’t have wheelchair access, it was something he was working on.

“In the meantime, he suggested that he would put a table and some chairs outside. A great idea I thought, so the following evening, the sun was shining and I met my friend at Oliveta’s. We had a wonderful evening and the food was sublime.”

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Since that evening, Ms Emmerson spent time working with the owner, Kole Lleshi, in an effort to get a ramp, doorbell and signage installed to make it wheelchair accessible.

She said:

“To my absolute delight, Kole has now got a ramp, which he funded himself, following an attempt to get help from the local council and failing.

“I am now able to access the restaurant, which has the most wonderful interior and the icing on the cake is knowing there is also a fully accessible disabled toilet. These adjustments make such a different the lives of disabled people.”

Kole Lleshi, who opened the Mediterranean restaurant with his wife Bukurie, in December 2021, said he had tried to seek support from Harrogate Borough Council, but did not get a response.

He said:

“Nichola will be my customer now forever, so I checked the legislation and it said we could use a safety ramp.

“I found a ramp in Doncaster on a website. So I went with my wife, we bought it. I called Nichola and told her to come back and we tried and it’s working. She came in and that night she was supposed to stay only one hour and stayed for three.”

Ms Emmerson explained that there was a huge potential spending power from the country’s disabled people, known as “the purple pound”. This is thought to contribute around £249 billion annually to the economy.

She said:

“Our money is as valuable as anyone else’s. If we can’t get into services to use it, then it’s not good for the economy.”

“The fact that this has happened is very close to my heart. When I went into the restaurant I just felt free. It has also got a disabled toilet. Quite a lot are full of changing tables and they are an after thought, but this is a nice environment.

“I now want other disabled people to come here to enjoy the food and use the facilities and I want other businesses to follow suit.

“Of course Harrogate is hilly and full of old buildings, but I’m finding that retailers are either not bothered about trying to make what in most cases could be a simple change to their premises. Or they are unaware of the the purple pound and the pieces of equipment that are available.”

The disabled toilet at Oliveta.

Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.

A spokesman for the charity said for some businesses it was impossible to adapt the premises and make them fully accessible. However, he said there were ways of making them more welcoming for disabled people.

He said:

“For someone to buy their own ramp, that’s absolutely fantastic. Now wheelchair users can go and have a meal there.

“If anybody wants advice on this issue, please contact Disability Action Yorkshire. We can work with businesses to help them operate in a disability-friendly way.”

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council commented:

“Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses should ensure they do not discriminate against individuals with a disability. Further guidance, including all statutory requirements for businesses, can be found on the government’s website.

“Any eligible individuals who may need financial support to help adapt their home in order to meet the needs of any disabled children or adults living there can apply for a disabled facilities grant (DFG). Further information is available via our website.”

Comedian Alan Carr spotted filming in Harrogate today

Comedian Alan Carr has been spotted filming in Harrogate today.

The ‘Chatty Man’ drew a crowd of onlookers at the Westmorland Sheepskins shop on Montpellier Parade.

The production team confirmed they were shooting an episode of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters.

They were unable to give an exact date on when it will be broadcast, however it is expected to be at least six months.

Comedian Alan Carr, pictured in Harrogate fighting off a wasp.

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The popular show follows 10 aspiring designers all looking for their big break in the fast-paced world of commercial interior design.

The designers take on a new interior design challenge up and down the country each week, ranging from show homes, shops and restaurants to beach huts, bars and luxury holiday villas.

They are usually given two or three premises each to either do up individually or as a team.

At the end of each challenge, the weakest designers face the judges and explain their design decisions, with at least one contestant being eliminated.

Mr Carr was also spotted in Bettys, on Parliament Street, today.

Harrogate independent school offers free places for Ukrainian refugees

A Harrogate independent school is offering free places to Ukrainian children displaced by war in their home country.

Brackenfield School, on Duchy Road, has already welcomed one child and another is set to join in September.

Staff are giving them extra support to make sure they feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment and “have a fair opportunity to thrive”.

Joe Masterson, headteacher at Brackenfield, said:

“We are privileged to welcome these extremely brave and resilient children into our school community and are doing all we can to ensure our new pupils are as much a part of school life as every other child.

“Everyone deserves an education in a safe and caring space and we’re proud to be hosting Ukrainian children in our school and making them part of the Brackenfield family.”

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Mr Masterson said it was also a valuable learning opportunity for other students.

He added:

“They can learn and ask first-hand about Ukrainian culture, gain a better understanding of the world around us and see with their own eyes that giving a helping hand makes everyone stronger.”

It’s believed that 2.5 million children have fled Ukraine since the start of the war, many leaving everything behind and being displaced for months before arriving in a safe country.

Paul Jenkins, deputy head at brackenfield-min (1)

Deputy head Paul Jenkins with pupils.

Brackenfield is one of seven independent schools owned by Forfar Education to welcome Ukrainian refugees.

John Forsyth, chief executive of the Forfar Group, said its schools had a moral duty to support Ukrainian families as they settle into UK life.

He said:

“Forfar had taken the decision to offer free places to Ukrainian children fleeing conflict at the time the war broke out, so we’re proud to be leading the way for other independent schools considering doing the same.

“It’s important to show solidarity in times of crisis. We believe everyone has the right to a good and safe education, which is why we have opened our doors to those who need it most exactly when they need our help.”

Forfar has offered places in all of its schools, with no limit of the number of spaces available.

Free activities to do with the kids this summer in the Harrogate district

As the cost of living continues to rise, the thought of six weeks of trying to keep the children entertained on a tight budget can be daunting.

Fortunately you don’t always have to spend a fortune to have a fun day out.

We have put together a selection of free activities to enjoy with your family across the Harrogate district.

Pop-up parties – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

The Jubilee activities in Harrogate and Ripon were hugely enjoyed, so the summer programme organised by Harrogate Borough Council is sure to be popular.

There will be a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos at three of the district’s picturesque parks and gardens.

Valley Gardens, Harrogate on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 between 11am and 4pm

Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm

Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm

The venues are also all worth visiting for a free day out, even if you are unable to make the parties.

You could enjoy a picnic and play in the Valley Gardens, plus a walk up to the Pinewoods. You could grab an ice cream and head to Knaresborough Castle, before wandering down the steps to the riverside. Or you could play a game of crazy golf in Ripon Spa Gardens.

 

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A day out at Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale

If you live in the district, chances are you have already visited the unusual moorland rock formations at Brimham Rocks.

However, the summer holidays are the perfect excuse to head up there again with a picnic.

If you haven’t been, you’re in for a treat as it really is nature’s playground for the whole family. Just make sure the kids are wearing decent shoes so they can climb the rocks. Also taking a photo of your children pretending to either push a huge boulder over or hold one up is essential.

The views over Nidderdale are stunning too.

There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.

For non-National Trust members, car parking charges are  £6 for up to four hours and £8 thereafter.

Library events – district wide

On a rainy day, nothing beats a free trip to the library, where you can lose yourself in all the amazing children’s books on offer.

A Summer Reading Challenge is taking place to encourage your children to pick up a book, which isn’t always easy in the holidays.

Children aged four to 11 years just need to call in at their local library to sign up.

The challenge is free to take part in and children get to collect rewards for the reading that they do over the summer holidays. To complete the challenge they have to read six library books between now and September 10.
There are also lots of free activities on offer over the school holidays, including workshops, Lego building and family board games days.