I am pretty clueless when it comes to beer. For example, I had no idea that IPA stood for Indian Pale Ale or that you some beers were more “hoppy” and “juicy” than others, depending on when the hops are introduced to the brewing process. Did you know hops could also come in a pellet form resembling fish food? Me neither.

So when I spent a morning with the guys at Turning Point Brewing Co in Knaresborough, I was ready to be educated.

I figured that, as Harrogate was launching its very first ever beer week on Monday, now was the perfect time to learn.

Turning Point co-founder Aron McMahon said:

“A hop is just like a little dried bud or flower and we use whole hop cones and also use pellets as well, which are like minced up hops. They are processed and packed into tiny little pellets, a bit like fish food, and they are supposed to give more of a stronger, more intense aroma and flavour.

“You can get different properties from the hops depending on how you use them and what stage you use them.”

Humble beginnings

The story of how rapidly Turning Point Brew Co has grown is an impressive one – particularly with a worldwide pandemic thrown into the mix.

The brewery was originally launched in Kirkbymoorside by friends Aron and Cameron McQueen in 2017. Aron worked for another brewery in North Yorkshire and Cameron used to run a pub in York.

Aron said:

“I used to be one of his customers and I was probably delivering to him for about 18 months before we set off on this magical mystery tour.

“We became friends, we had the same interests and the same sense of humour.

“I decided I was leaving my job at the brewery and didn’t know what I was going to be doing and wanted to stick with something in the beer industry and start a new brewery or bar.

“I said to Cam, just out of jest, if I started a brewery would you fancy coming on board with me and he didn’t really hesitate and just said yes.”

After Aron realised that Cameron was serious, the two friends got together, had a chat, and realised the idea had legs. Through contacts in the industry, they found out about the brewery site in Kirkbymoorside.

And in just four months the pair had gone from talking about running a brewery to actually making their first beer.

Aron said:

“We managed to do it so quickly because of our contacts. Everything just fell really well for us. The site the brewing kit and everything else. We started brewing in Kirkbymoorside in 2017 and quickly got busier and busier.”

Sales went from local, to national to global within a year and within two years they had outgrown their brewery.

New brewery

Aron said:

“Just by a chance conversation with one of the owners with Roosters brewery, they told me that they were looking at moving and their site would be up for grabs in the near future. That was in January 2019 and by August 2019 we were in.

“We bought their old kit and brought our stuff as well. We were in about three months and then covid hit and we worked out we have actually only traded normally for about six months, despite being here for two years.”

The company now has five employees at its brewery at Grimbald Park in Knaresborough, as well as three part-time members of staff who work in the taproom, which is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

A taproom – for those, like me, who don’t know – is a space in which a brewery serves its beer to customers. In most cases, this is either part of the actual brewery or is attached to it.

Co-founder Cameron McQueen pours a lager at the Turning Point taproom.

Aron said:

“Here you feel like you’re actually in the brewery. It’s a quirky location where people can come and try fresh beers brewed on the premises and we have a different street food vendor every week. We’ve had a really good reaction locally.”

When the pandemic hit, the duo had to move towards online sales to keep their business going.

Fortunately Turning Point already had an online shop set-up, so they were able to flip their production completely over from mainly cask and keg to cans, which had formerly only made-up around five per cent of their business.

Aron said:

“When covid hit we had a load of beer in the tanks and we then just canned all of it. We plunged all of our beer into cans then and started selling cans on the online store.”

Online events

Once they started selling cans online, they created four different collaboration beers with breweries they admired, including Roosters, and ran their first online event to launch the beers. This was to become the first in a series of online collaborative events aimed at bringing people together during lockdown.

They also started up a beer club called Disco Royalty, which is still running as a way of keeping up engagement with their drinkers – a positive that came out of the pandemic. Brand awareness also increased due to people physically being able to look at the bold artwork on the cans, rather than just a pint in a glass.

The brewery at Grimbald Park, Knaresborough.

And it is this continued soaring success that has led them to becoming a key player in the inaugural Harrogate Beer Week, which starts on Monday.

Beer collaboration

As well as offering live music and a brewery tour, Turning Point has created a special beer for the event in collaboration with local brewers. These include Roosters, Cold Bath Brewing Co, Harrogate Brewing Co and Daleside Brewery.

The result is a West Coast 6.2% IPA is called Out Spaced – named after a B-side from a Super Furry Animals album incase you’re wondering. It will be available in cask and keg at more than 10 venues in Harrogate and Knaresborough next week, before cans are sold online from next Friday.

Aron said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough are totally the right places to really shout about beer right now because there is so much happening.

“The number of good beer places that have opened up in Harrogate have been phenomenal. There’s probably 10 to 12 really good independent places to drink craft beer now, which is absolutely fantastic. It’s a great place to go and drink.

“Knaresborough is always going to be like it’s little brother, but it’s really good as well now. The latest addition is the Track & Sleeper at the station.

“For Harrogate to have its own beer week and shot about these venues is great.”

Taste test – I tried three Turning Point beers and this is what I thought:

OUT SPACED
WEST COAST IPA 6.2%  Brewed for Harrogate beer week in collaboration with Turning Point’s local brewing friends, Roosters, Harrogate, Cold Bath, and Daleside. Tasting notes: A West Coast classic hopped with Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial. Properly bitter just like in the olden days.

Aron told me that West Coast IPA has “massive aromas and flavours from American hops”. He explained that West Coast IPA is is often a light to dark bronze colour with “a malty backbonet. So you get a bit of juiciness from the malt and slight caramel and slight biscuity flavours”. They also have higher levels of bitterness than New England IPA.

I had no idea beer could be so complex. But I could definitely taste a slight bitterness, however it was nicely balanced out with the sweetness and juiciness of the malt and the hops – or so Aran told me when I was trying to sum up  what I could taste. I definitely got a caramel and slightly floral flavour and I actually really liked it, despite its slightly bitter flavour. The artwork on the can is outstanding.

DISCO KING
AMERICAN PALE ALE 5.1% Tasting notes: Big on American hop flavour and aroma from Mosaic and Chinook hops. Drinkability for its ABV from a clean malt base. A real juicy little disco of a beer.

This was one of the first beers Turning Point ever brewed and it has now become their flagship top-selling beer.  It is really light, smooth and drinkable. I actually went through a phase of liking German wheat beer when I was a student. This reminded me a bit of that. I loved its slightly floral taste and it is a beautiful colour – like an old fashioned English cloudy apple juice.

EXILE
PILSNER 5% Czech-style Pilsner with Saaz hops. Tasting notes: Bready and crisp with a balanced bitterness and delicate hop aroma. Showcasing perhaps Turning Points least celebrated ingredient: Soft Yorkshire water.

This is Turning Point’s lager offering and this was actually my favourite. Aron described it as “smashable” and he wasn’t joking. As it was only 11am when I visited, I just about managed to restrain myself from drinking the whole glass. It was really fruity in flavour and had a grapefruity taste. Apparently I had done well to pick this flavour out, so I felt pretty pleased with myself.

This one takes ages to make apparently. Once it has brewed it has to sit in the tank and “lager” – a German word for “store” – for around eight weeks. This is what makes it so drinkable. Totally worth it.

Venues

If all this talk of beer has made you thirsty, you can try Out Spaced at these venues during Harrogate Beer Week:

Major Tom’s – keg and cask

Cold Bath Brewing Co. – keg

Roosters – keg

Harrogate Brewing Co. – cask from October 1st

Tap On Tower Street – keg

Half Moon, Knaresborough – cask

The Disappearing Chin – keg

Devonshire Tap House – cask

Paradise Tap & Taco – keg

Little Ale House – cask

Husk Beer Emporium – cans and possibly keg

• Harrogate Beer Week runs from September 20 – 26. For the full programme click here.

There’s been a rise in demand for cosmetic dental treatments from teeth whitening to full smile makeovers according to Harrogate dentists who specialise in the field. Treatments such as veneers and composite bonding are at much higher levels than 18 months ago.

Now we are venturing out again and social calendars are filling up, people are looking to fix the things that have always bothered them, like crooked smiles or stained teeth.

Constant Zoom video calls during the pandemic also caused the ‘mirror effect’ meaning there’s no escaping hours looking at your dental imperfections.

Dr Shoreh Ghasmi, from The Harrogate Clinic

Dr Shoreh Ghasmi, who runs The Harrogate Clinic, on Prospect Crescent, said:

“I think everybody now wants to do something nice for their smile. Before they didn’t care that much.

“Many people stayed at home during the pandemic and have been using Zoom and I think it makes them aware of their smile and the state of their teeth. I have many patients now who have said they think they look awful on Zoom and don’t want to smile.

“Also when people have stayed at home, their partners have seen them much more and have noticed their teeth, so that’s another reason they are wanting to improve them.

“One of the crucial things is people are removing their masks and they are seeing much more of their smiles. Where as before when everybody had masks, people got used to their teeth. Now half of their face isn’t under a mask all of a sudden.”

Dr Jatinder ‘Sonny’ Sagoo, clinical director of Clover House dental practice, on Skipton Road, said he had also noticed a significant increase in elective treatments in the wake of the pandemic, as well as treatments to secure and maintain dental health.

He said:

“The two have to go hand-in-hand for long term successful outcomes. Although patients do come in asking for specific treatments we find it best to have a detailed conversation of the outcome they desire and then working out the best way of achieving it. Sometimes simple interventions can make a remarkable difference. With modern dentistry we increasingly make use of digital technologies to help plan, visualise and deliver results.

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Dr Sagoo also said people have money to spend after a year of lockdown:

He said:

“In addition the inability to make other discretionary spending, such as holidays and eating out, probably means there is a higher level of disposable income available. Costs of treatments can now be easily spread over several months, making treatment more affordable from monthly cash flow.

“Dental treatments have also become really accessible and easier to tolerate, for example clear and invisible braces that straighten teeth without anyone knowing about the treatment.

“I definitely agree Zoom is a factor. In normal circumstances you can’t see your own smile, so it’s easier to ignore it if there’s something that’s not right.

“When you see your smile on the monitor – now often in high res – it can be a prompt. People generally want to present themselves in the best possible light and with Zoom the only bit of the person you normally see is their face and smile.”

Dr Jatinder ‘Sonny’ Sagoo, from Clover House dental practice

There has also been a notable increase in the number of adults getting braces in a bid for straighter teeth, said Dr Sagoo.

He said:

“In the noughties there was a marked trend in instant smile makeovers using ceramic veneers and crowns. If teeth were not straight they could be disguised to look straight.

“Whilst this gave instant results, there were long term consequences such as damage to enamel and dentine and also eventually the ceramics needed replacing.

“With the advent of clear aligner and invisible brace systems, it became easier and more acceptable to move crowded teeth so they were straight.

“If you couple this with tooth whitening to lift the colour and cosmetic bonding to make subtle refinements, it became easier to get great results and keep the natural tooth perfectly intact.

“The “Align, Bleach, Bond” method is much more conservative in its approach and therefore better for long term dental health.”

Successful teeth whitening and cosmetic recontouring at Clover House dental practice

An example of composite bonding at Clover House dental practice

Whitening and composite bonding at The Harrogate Clinic

An example of dental aesthetic treatment at The Harrogate Clinic

As the craft beer explosion continues in the UK, Harrogate is set to launch its first ever Beer Week. The town is firmly at the forefront of the industry, boasting five breweries in the HG postcode alone.

So what makes Harrogate beer so special? There’s definitely something in the water..

Harrogate is undeniably famous for its water. Its development as a prosperous and flourishing spa town dates back to the 16th century.

William Slingsby discovered the first spring in 1571 in the area now known as High Harrogate. It was named the Tewit Well Spring and the water was found to be medicinal. People, rich and poor, began to flock to the town to test the curative powers of the waters.

Perhaps it is therefore unsurprising to learn that the district’s water – and Yorkshire water as a whole – is perfect for brewing some of the best craft beers in the country.

More breweries have been opening in Yorkshire than anywhere else in the UK, including London.

And Harrogate now boasts five breweries within the HG postcode – internationally-renowned Roosters; rising star Harrogate Brewing; Turning Point, which chose Knaresborough for its expansion two years ago; Daleside, the town’s longest-standing local brewery; and Cold Bath Brewing, which is making waves across the town with its beers, bar and clubhouse space.

The brewery at Roosters Brewing Co.

To celebrate the town’s growing brewing culture, as well as the bars, pubs and restaurants which support the breweries, this month Harrogate is launching its first ever Beer Week from September 20 to 26.

Harrogate beer communications specialist Rachel Auty, who founded Women on Tap and has secured backing from Harrogate BID to help bring the idea to fruition, said:

“I have been told by breweries that Yorkshire is a key place for brewing because of the water. Harrogate is known for its water so it’s a nice link. It is known for its water history and heritage and it is now attracting breweries to the area.

It [Beer Week] is something we have wanted to do for quite a few years now. We were hoping to get it off the ground las year, but Covid put a stop to holding any events.

“I have seen the beer scene in the town explode over the last seven or eight years. It has got really interesting. We have really exciting beer here actually being brewed.”

With special beer weeks being held in places like Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, Rachel, who is delivering the event under her specialist food and drink brand TASTE, said Harrogate’s beer scene was strong enough to rival the cities. It’s thought Harrogate is the only town in the country set to host such an event.

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A programme of special events and initiatives will be hosted at bars, brewery taps, and eateries across Harrogate. The event will culminate in a big beer weekend in the town centre. Other features on the programme will include an ‘Indie Beer Trail’, live local music, and a home brewing competition, with some big names in UK beer heading to Harrogate to host a range of talks and tastings.

Guest headliners include award-winning beer writer Pete Brown presenting ‘Craft: An Argument’ at Cold Bath Clubhouse, a beer tasting and reading with author Matthew Curtis at Roosters taproom, a Conversation on Harrogate Beer with award-winning writer Melissa Cole and Discovering Harrogate Beer with beer sommelier Annabel Smith also at the Cold Bath Clubhouse.

And for those who have ever imagined beer and donuts as the perfect combination, there will even be a chance to try sour and stout-filled doughnuts at The Tap on Tower Street, which has commissioned Harrogate business Doe to create the unique flavour especially for the event.

A collaboration between all the local breweries will also see a special beer produced for Beer Week – a West Coast IPA brewed at Turning Point.

Co-owner of the Cold Bath Brewing Co Jim Mossman, who also sits on the board of Harrogate BID, said:

“I have been very receptive to the idea of putting something positive together with regards to an event in Harrogate, promoting not only breweries in the town, but all the local great independent bars and restaurants as well.

Harrogate is internationally famous for the quality of its water, so it’s by no coincidence you see some great breweries and gin distilleries in this geographical area. They are using it to make quality beer and gins.

We are hosting a series of events in Cold Bath Club House and we are really looking forward to a number of things, from just generating community spirit and bringing venues together, which is great after 15 months of the pandemic – from live music events, to some really credible industry speakers coming to town to do beer tastings and talks.”

Jim said the Harrogate brewing scene was mainly about craft beer, which has seen an explosion in the UK, including lager, pilsner, pale ale and West Coast IPA, but said it was impossible to choose a favourite due to the vast amount of different brewing processes and flavours.

However, he said Cold Bath Brewery was in the process of launching new barrel-aged beers. These are beers that have been aged in oak barrels, allowing the wood to impart extra flavour.

He said:

“We have launched a barrel-aged process in terms of flavours you can create, for example we are using old bourbon barrels.”

Cold Bath Brewing Co.

Pubs, bars and eateries taking part in Harrogate Beer Week include:

The Harrogate Tap

Starling Independent

The Tap on Tower Street

The Little Ale House

Major Tom’s Social

Cold Bath Clubhouse

The Disappearing Chin

Roosters Brewery and Taproom

Blind Jack’s, Knaresborough

Cold Bath Deli and Wine Bar

HUSK Beer Emporium

Turning Point Brewery and Taproom

A charity wellbeing and fitness event is being held in the grounds of Ripon Cathedral today to bring the community together after the pandemic and raise funds for the city’s YMCA branch.

Participants will be able to take part in yoga, meditation, dance fitness and Clubbercise, which will be led by local personal trainers and fitness instructors, who have given up their time for free, as well as enjoy head massages from Head to Toe Healing.

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Wellbeing Day for the YMCA will take place in the Dean’s Garden from 2-4pm and currently has more than 40 people signed up.

Louise Jones, who owns Oliver’s Pantry, on North Street, and is one of the organisers, said:

“We are holding it to raise funds and awareness, our objective was to have some fun and bring people together and to also help some of our local yoga and PT instructors promote what they do.

“Also from a mental health and wellbeing aspect, these activities really do help so many people locally. So it’s about feeling great, having some fun, coming together and simply seeing people together – knowing after lockdown many have struggled with coming back out in to normality.”

Four 30-minute sessions will be provided by:

Nicola Lymer – yoga (Exhale Fitness)

Frayah Humphries – Essential Yoga with Frayah

Hayley Anderson Fitness – Clubbercise

Edina – dance fitness (M-Unity)

To book a place email events@riponymca.org The suggested donation is £20 and participants should bring a mat, blanket or towel, and a drink.

The pandemic has had a major impact on interior design trends, with a notable shift in how people are now choosing to live in their homes.

In a relatively short period, the home has become a place to work, exercise, relax and even attend school – and this continues to be one of the single biggest influences on design.

So, what does this mean for the future of interior design? Here’s how the design of our homes are changing and evolving as a reaction to the health crisis and the need for more adaptable, flexible spaces, according to interior designers from the Harrogate district.

No expense spared

Design ideas at Furnish & Fettle.

As a result of multiple lockdowns, people have been spending more time in their homes than ever before and there has also been a major surge in moving to bigger properties. This has led to more investment in design and interior designers are in greater demand than ever – no longer just an asset of the rich and famous.

Elisa Fanella, of Elisa Interiors, on Tower Street, Harrogate, said:

“It has been the busiest 18 months out of my 11 years as a self-employed interior designer. It has been an interesting shift, as at the start of the pandemic it was all very worrying, wondering if my business going to survive, but because people are spending so much more time at home, houses have become the main investment in their life.”

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Eleanor Goddard, director of Furnish and Fettle, which has showrooms in Harrogate, Wetherby and Pocklington, said:

“We are definitely seeing a huge increase in the number of people wanting the help of an interior designer.

“Everybody is doing their homes up. People have been stuck at home a lot more and have realised the value of making their houses beautiful and having a space which is fluid. People are using their houses in a different way, such as for homeschooling and working from home.

“The other thing is because people haven’t been going away on holiday and spending as much, some have managed to save and they see the value of spending on their home. Other people have moved because their house is no longer serving their needs and when they move into a house they want to put their own stamp on it.

“There’s a general move towards people seeing interior design as important.

“A lot of professional people would have a cleaner and someone who mows their lawn, interior designers have perhaps moved into that realm. It’s fair to say it used to be more of a service for the wealthy, but now people are saying ‘you know what? I just want my home to feel like a home for me’.”

A focus on wellbeing

After spending months at home, many have decided they love their houses and want to stay but need more space and have chosen to extend.

However many, particularly those who have lived in apartments, have decided to move to bigger properties with an outside space or to a more rural location surrounded by countryside. An emphasis on wellbeing in the home has had a major influence on these decisions.

Elisa said:

“The house has become a place for wellbeing. In that respect a lot of money has been invested in houses and refurbishment because of that.

“People want to be in an environment where they spend their lives and are happy and have all the possible commodities.

“They want something that makes them happy looking at it. From walls to ceilings, windows, everything has to convey the sense of wellbeing and make us smile at the same time.

“In particular people have been using light, not just as a functional element, but to create that calmness and give you that sense of peace.”

Natural and electric light flood this bathroom designed by Elisa Interiors.

Zoning

Zoning – which means separating areas according to their function – has gained momentum in the wake of the pandemic, with a need for different areas for work, entertaining, family time and wellness.

A clever way to create sub-spaces, which cater for these different needs, is to zone.

Eleanor said:

“People are wanting to look at how to use a space. They are looking to zone areas, so they can have an area to do work or an area to do yoga or relaxation. They want a space for them.

“In zoning areas, because people aren’t going out as much, they are eating at home or entertaining at home, there’s a pull towards creating luxurious dining rooms.”

Cinema rooms and home bars

A cinema room designed by Elisa Interiors.

A home cinema provides a luxurious addition to any large home with space to spare, and provides opportunities for entertaining at home – or just enjoying movies with family.

There has also been a rise of the home bar, with more and more people choosing to host cocktail evenings at home.

Elisa said:

“Cinema rooms are a big trend as they are spaces where you can be with your family. I find people call it a family room and in the middle you have a big TV, an audio system and a place where you can play your X-Box or PlayStation and the kids can also be in there with their friends.

“It’s all about having everything you want in your own home.”

Eleanor said:

“More people are creating home bar areas and the bigger properties will have a home cinema room. Home bar areas were actually coming into fashion before the pandemic with gin and cocktail trolleys, but people are now having bars built in their homes and there’s a move back towards that.”

A home bar designed by Elisa Interiors.

Luxurious kitchens and bathrooms

With people having more time on their hands during lockdown, and with restaurants being closed, many turned to cooking as a form of indulgence and entertainment. People also focused on their bathrooms, which became many peoples’ sanctuary and place to escape.

Elisa said:

“Many people were cooking in the first lockdown and were making things like their own bread and own pasta and that has made people realise the limits of their kitchen, so this has been a particular area people have wanted to improve.

“People want the coffee machine, the larder, the spice racks in drawers and space to cook, they want the top notch oven and accessories.

“Bathrooms have also become a room in the house where you can indulge yourself. All sorts of extras have gone in and people have introduced baths as well as a shower.”

A luxurious kitchen designed by Elisa Interiors.

Home offices

With many now fully accustomed to a new, more flexible way of working, home offices have become hot property. Closing the door at the end of a working day has helped many workers to enforce that work-life balance.

Elisa said:

“A lot of spaces have been redesigned. We are just doing one at the moment, where we are converting a dressing room into a home office. Even the smallest corners of a house can take a home office. That has been key, trying to find where you can put a desk, a monitor, storage and a printer. The home office has been crucial for some people.”

Natural and raw materials

The growing focus in design on products made from wood, wool, stone and ceramics add a human dimension to the home environment that may have beneficial effects on health and happiness.

Elisa said:

“I think we felt somehow Mother Nature was trying to tell us something. There has been this trend of trying to show in some way what is organic and what is belonging to the outside. Suddenly everybody wants to bring it inside. So we have seen people using a lot of natural materials like marble, wood and limestone.

“Although I’m very much the queen of colour, I have noticed how much this year I have worked with neutrals and textures and I have tried to create an ambience and convey the sense of coziness which has a welcoming, relaxing and peaceful kind of atmosphere when you walk in.”

As the summer holidays draw to a close and older siblings return to school, it can often be more of a challenge entertaining toddlers.

The Harrogate district boasts a wealth of activities for babies, but what is there to do with preschoolers, particularly now the cooler weather is approaching?

Here are four classes to do with your toddler in the Harrogate district to keep the little ones entertained.

Little Gym Harrogate

Little Gym in Harrogate is a firm favourite on the parent-scene in Harrogate, offering progressively structured gym classes for babies from four months to children up to six-years-old.

Toddler classes include Beasts and Super Beasts for children aged 19 to 36 months, which see little ones attend sessions with parents and a class teacher, helping them to develop new physical and social skills.

Karen Dalby, from Little Gym Harrogate, said:

“We do get a lot busier when the kids are back at school, it’s so important to have something for toddlers where they can explore, take part in a semi-structured class and build confidence physically, socially and emotionally.

“Parents play a really active role in these sessions – the more fun they have, the more fun their children have. Our sessions are all based around movement – or assisted movement – for the younger children.

“At The Little Gym we use non-competitive activities like gymnastics to help children develop physically and mentally. Helping improve their confidence, aid their sleeping patterns, as well as developing vital motor and social skills. It’s time to get moving again. Let’s help them feel good about it.”

Toddler Sense

Run by Clair Miller in Harrogate, Wetherby and Staveley, near Karesborough, Toddler Sense offers sessions for children aged 13 months to five years.

Sessions are in two parts and involve a free play section and have an ever-changing set of equipment to explore – from bouncy castles, to tunnels, soft play to tents and balance beams.

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There are then led activities for parents and toddlers to do together – all based on  a weekly theme – these include games, bubbles, songs, dances and puppet shows.

Owner Claire, who was a primary school teacher for 11 years, said:

“I do find these classes are always busier in September once the older siblings return to school and families can give their toddlers some extra one-to-one time but classes are popular all year around.

“Our families have loved coming back to venue-based class again and seeing their toddlers begin to socialise.

“Toddlers have not had the same opportunities in recent times, so it is so lovely – and important developmentally – to see them learning new skills and meeting new friends.

“Something the grown-ups have appreciated too – I have seen many grown-up friendships forged in class which is so important. We all need that support.”

Moo Music

Moo Music, which holds classes in Harrogate, Ripon, Thirsk and Boroughbridge, offers interactive music sessions for children up to the age of five, where they can sing, dance and play alongside their parents, grandparents or carers.

The sessions are aimed at helping children gain confidence and develop memory, language and coordination skills in a multi-sensory way.

Owner Chantelle Riddle said:

“My sessions mainly operate during term time because of older siblings being off school, however I do run some summer holiday events in which older siblings are welcome to join in.

“This summer we’ve had special summer-themed classes, mobile soft play, messy play events and a visit from my mascot, Maggie Moo. However, these do seem to lend themselves to the younger audience up to the age of about six, which can be difficult for families with older children.

“Once we return to term-time – September especially – our numbers increase dramatically. The interest since Covid has had a massive effect on my business as parents are desperate to socialise and meet other mums. It’s actually been quite sad seeing so many new parents who haven’t been able to make the most of their maternity leave

“Moo Music is tailored for both babies and toddlers.

“I do love teaching the toddlers. I come from a teaching background and taught in primary for 10 years, so I love being able to adapt my sessions to suit their developmental needs. The progress is instant with toddlers right up to pre-school age.

“The aspect of development that I find the most rewarding is the little one’s self confidence. I’ve had many parents concerned with their little ones shyness, especially since Covid, so to see them thrive at Moo is amazing.

“As for mums – or dads – I think toddler groups are such an important part of their day. A great chance to socialise with other mums, share advice or any worries they have. I’ve seen many friendships blossom at Moo Music including some of my own.

“It’s been lovely to see parents bonding with their child at class too, having that time to really focus on enjoying their time together – one of the best parts of my job.”

Urban Circus

Based in Harrogate and Ripon, Urban Circus started life as a single pole fitness class in January 2013, appealing to ladies who wanted to get more active and see results without being bored at the gym.

It has now expanded across two venues, offering more than 40 classes including, pole, aerial hoop and children’s circus classes.

TwinkleTops and TumbleTots are instructor-led classes for children aged 12 months to four-years-old and are for both mum and little one to enjoy together.

The non-traditional mum group combined with baby cirque-gymnastics is aimed at helping improve motor skills, balance, coordination and more.

The class includes a fun warm-up, lots of action games, a circus or gymnastics circuit, including playing on all the apparatus, and learning skills such as forward rolls and handstand fundamentals, and provides an opportunity to make new friends and for parents to chat too.

The circus apparatus includes custom-made mini aerial hoops an aerial hammock and a pole.

From comedy at Harrogate Cricket Club, to pig-themed scarecrows at Ripley or a family-friendly festival at Stockeld Park, here are the best activities on offer over this three-day weekend: 

Music and culture

Leeds Festival, Wetherby

Festivals are back with a bang, and Leeds Festival is once again set to take over Bramham Park, near Wetherby. Almost 90,000 people are expected at Bramham for the three-day event, which starts on Friday and is headlined this year by the likes of Liam Gallagher, Biffy Clyro and Stormzy. This year new format will see two main stages instead of the previous one. Friday to Monday, leedsfestival.com

Stockeld Rox, Wetherby

Family-friendly festivals have surged in popularity over the years, so Stockeld Park’s family tribute festival is sure to get parents and children singing along and dancing to the likes of Madonna, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Take That. Pizzas, snacks and drinks, including a full bar will be available. Each evening will end with a spectacular firework finale. All ticket holders will now also get free access to the adventure park from 3.30pm to 6pm to enjoy the attraction before the event. Sunday and Monday, tickets from £14, stockeldpark.co.uk

Stockeld Park is holding Stockeld Rox, a family-friendly tribute music festival.

Silly Point Comedy, Harrogate 

Balcony Bar at Harrogate Cricket Club has teamed up with Sitting Room Comedy to bring a night full of much-needed laughs. The outdoor show features award winning comedians: Chris Washington, Steve Day, Andrew Bird and MC Matt Stellingwerf. Sunday, tickets £12, sittingroomcomedy.com

Our Gate, Harrogate 

For those interested in a theatrical experience with a difference, Our Gate is an immersive community play with Harrogate and its citizens at its core. The show travels between indoor and outdoor locations through the town, rather than being fixed on stage like a traditional theatre show, with the audience at the centre of the action. Friday to Sunday, tickets from £18, harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Food and drink

Harrogate Food and Drink Festival, Harrogate

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is returning to Ripley Castle, with a huge selection of food, drink, independent traders and family entertainment. The dog-friendly event follows on from the previous sell-out festival held on The Stray in June and also features live bands, chef demos and art. Saturday to Monday, tickets £2.95 for under 16s and £6.98 for adults, under 5s free, harrogatefoodfestival.com 

Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is back – this time at Ripley Castle.

Malton Food Lovers Festival, Malton

Further afield, the quaint market town of Malton considers itself the food capital of the North, and this family-friendly festival is a huge hit with locals as well as tourists, who flock from all over the country to eat and drink local produce, listen to music and enjoy foodie talks. Saturday-Monday, free entry, visitmalton.com

Read more:

• What’s On across the district?
• Ripon to host another weekend of free family entertainment

Attractions

Fireworks Championships, Ripon

A dazzling night of fireworks at Newby Hall and Gardens, which sees three teams create stunning displays choreographed to music and the audience voting for a winner on the night via SMS. The event also includes a final display by the organisers to round off the night. Watch from a picnic rug or camping chair against the stunning backdrop of 17th century house and its impressive grounds. Saturday, fireworkchampions.co.uk

Mamma Mia! Harewood

This is the first time that the original Mamma Mia! stage show has been performed in the open-air and the Bank Holiday weekend is the last chance to catch this unique production, set in the grounds of Harewood House. Friday to Monday, tickets from £39.50, mamma-mia.com/harewood-house

Outdoor Cinema, Bedale

Outdoor Cinema at Thorp Perrow Arboretum.

Free events

Wath Street Fair, Ripon

Wath’s main street will be filled with stalls, a Pimms and prosecco stand and a children’s treasure hunt. Other attractions include a bouncy castle, a brass band and a dog show, while teas will also be available in the village’s Samwaies Hall. Saturday, Free entry, funds raised go to St Mary’s Church.

Ripley Scarecrow Pigfest, Harrogate

Organised by Karen Evans for the last 21 years – with one year off in 2020 due to Covid19 – the scarecrow trail was originally started in 2001 to encourage visitors back to the countryside after the foot and mouth crisis and has a fun take on the traditional scarecrow hunt. The Scarecrows are inspired by the story of Thomas de Ingilby, an ancestor of Sir Thomas Inglby of Ripley Castle, who saved King Edward III from a wild boar attack in 1355 and whose crest (the boar’s head) is the emblem of Ripley village. All the scarecrows have pigs heads and pig names such as Boarglar Bill, Pigmaylion, Porkupine, Thumboarlina and the Statue of Liboarty. Competition sheets cost £4 and list the names of the scarecrows. Each scarecrow has a number and the idea is to match the name to the number. Those who get them all correct are entered into a hat, with the winners drawn at random. A great family day out and a good excuse for a Ripley ice cream! Friday to Monday, ripleyscarecrowpigfest.co.uk

A free weekend of entertainment on the Market Square, Ripon

The August Bank Holiday weekend will see the return of fairground rides and a climbing wall. The event-staged by Ripon City Council follows the Yorkshire Day weekend, that brought hundreds of people to the city centre. There will be musical entertainment from 7pm on Saturday, featuring three tribute acts singing a selection of chart-topping hits from the best-known boy bands, Paloma Faith and ABBA. On Sunday Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market. Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders. Saturday and Sunday.

Families gather in Ripon Market Square.

Harrogate Car Enthusiasts Motor Show and Family Fun Day, Harrogate 

With everything from super cars to classic cars and “boy racer” cars, Harrogate Car Enthusiasts is hosting its fifth charity Motor Show and Family Fun Day in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance at a brand new venue – Harrogate Rugby Club. More than 250 vehicles, including tractors and motorbikes, are set to go on display and there will also be a variety of stalls and children’s entertainment, including a bouncy castle and rides. Monday.

Water Trail, Harrogate

Harrogate Mumbler has teamed up with the Harrogate BID to celebrate Harrogate’s most famous export… water. The Water Trail has two different challenges for families to enjoy – firstly finding the 20 water-themed pictures and secondly answering 20 Harrogate trivia questions. There are four different trails in total and participants have to simply spot the water-themed image in participating retailer’s windows. There is a prize for everyone who completes a trail. Until Sunday, September 5th, harrogate.mumbler.co.uk

The Harrogate Water Trail is a free activity for families.