Junior football club created to meet growing demand in Knaresborough areaA new junior football club has been set up to meet a growing demand for the sport in the Knaresborough area.
The club at Staveley, known as the Staveley Scorchers, is aimed at children aged six to nine and is based at the village’s former cricket ground.
It has been set up by Scotton Scorchers, which has been working with Staveley Sports Association to bring the cricket club facilities back to life.
Staveley Cricket Club’s ground will host Staveley Scorchers junior football club.
Mike Collier, from Scotton Scorchers, said:
“It came to our attention that the former cricket club was no longer used as the cricket team now plays at Boroughbridge.
“With waiting lists at our club, it seems such a shame we couldn’t find space for local children. So we put the two together to create a new junior football club so local children get the chance to play. The demand is definitely there.”
The club will initially be run and subsidised by Scotton and the first season will consist of friendly matches. It will then aim to join the Nidderdale Junior Football League next year.
The teams are U8s (school years 2 and 3) and an U10s (school years 4 and 5).
The club meets on Saturdays from 9am until 10am.
To find out more contact Mike Collier at mikeandjanec@googlemail.com, text 07979 682670 or simply register at the Scotton Scorchers website.
Business is booming in Knaresborough as empty shop units continue to fillKnaresborough has seen a stream of new businesses opening in the past year despite the challenges posed by the cost of living crisis.
Recent additions include The Secret Bakery and River and Rose and last week high street bakery Greggs confirmed it was opening a branch in the town.
There are currently only six empty units available compared a peak of more than 40, according to the two women behind the Knaresborough Business Collective.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, and Natalie Horner, from Sid Horner and Son, who launched the not-for-profit venture in January, said there were a number of reasons why Knaresborough was so attractive to businesses.
Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:
“There is a lot of new energy coming into the town. More than 12 business have opened here this year.
“I think we have a lot to offer, because we are a tourist destination as well. We bring a lot of tourists in for a good half of the year and the other half sees locals use a lot of the businesses.”
Annie Wilkinson-Gill (left) and Natalie Horner.
Ms Horner added:
“Most of the businesses are quite unique. We offer a lot as a town. You can get everything here. I also think after covid a lot of people wanted to support local.
“You get amazing customer service in Knaresborough. When customers walk in, staff know them by name. All that helps to make it a community. We also have the market on a Wednesday.”
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The women, who set up the collective to stage events and be a voice for businesses, have both had a presence in the town for more than a decade.
During this time they have seen the town experience struggles with shop closures and empty units.
However, in a post-covid world, they believe there is now more support than ever for local businesses, including amongst the business community itself.
Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:
“As well as the people who live here, the shops all support each other. We all know the importance of keeping each other going. We have all got the same goal.
“I have got the most amazing group of friends in different businesses. It’s a really lovely town full of lovely people.”
Harrogate coffee shop launches ‘community table’A Harrogate coffee shop has launched a ‘community table’ to allow people to chat to others as fears over the cost of living crisis grow.
Brew Bar, on St Winifred’s Avenue, is also inviting customers to gift a coffee in advance for those who are not in a position to buy a drink.
It comes after what business owner Simon Somerville-Frost described as “a tough few years”.
He said:
“I’m feeling it, like most other people in this world, the daily pressures are visible.
“What a tough few years we’ve all had, and many are feeling nervous about the imminent future, myself included.
“However, it’s normal to feel like this and it is now we rely on those around us.”
To help those struggling, Mr Somerville-Frost has introduced the community table to Brew Bar.
He explained:
“If you’re feeling low and want to chat to someone, or just want to leave the house to gain some headspace, we invite you to sit at our community table to chat to others in similar positions, make friends and see that things will be ok.
“For those who are in a position who unfortunately are unable to purchase a drink, don’t worry, we want you to be apart of our family and we invite customers to gift a coffee in advance for those who would appreciate receiving it.”
Simon Somerville-Frost
Tucked away on a residential street just off the Stray, the Harrogate cafe became a lifeline for the local community and nearby hospital staff. during the pandemic.
Brew Bar opened in May 2018 after Mr Somerville Frost realised that, after nearly a decade of living in the Saints area, he didn’t know any of his neighbours and felt the sense of community had been lost.
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In an effort to put that right, he took on a shop unit opposite his home and soon expanded next door.
Some tried to dissuade him from opening a cafe outside the town centre, but he was confident that it could become the heart of the local community.
And this latest initiative forms part of his ongoing mission to continue rebuild the community network by bringing people together.
Mr Somerville-Frost has previously spoken out about his battle with depression and anxiety after lockdown and how his customers helped him get through it.
Speaking to his customers in a social media post, he said:
“Personally once again, you keep me going, you give me the hope that together things will be ok and for this I thank you immensely.
“It’s not about buying something you can’t live without, it’s about supporting a business and people you don’t want to live without.”
Harrogate commuters set for fewer ‘leaves on the line’ delays?Rail operator Northern is fitting new technology to its trains to combat leaves on the line, which can cause autumn frustration for commuters.
Leaves stick to damp rails and are compressed into a smooth, slippery layer, reducing the trains’ grip.
This can delay services so Northern is fitting what it describes as ‘leaf-busting’ technology to 16 of its 170 passenger trains operating between Leeds, Harrogate, and York.
Routes between Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and Scarborough will also be upgraded. The locations were chosen because they are some of those most affected by leaves.
The technology – Water-Trak – creates rainy-day conditions on the rail surface by spraying a small amount of water from the train onto the track when a slippery rail is detected.
While this might appear counter-intuitive, researchers discovered that leaf-coated rails only become slippery when damp, and that trains stop safely in heavy rain.
Rob Cummings, seasonal improvement manager at Northern, said:
“This is the next step in finding a solution to tricky autumn conditions. One of the biggest risks to our performance during October and November is leaves on the line, but by helping to develop new innovative technology we aim to deliver the very best service for our passengers.”
Two of Northern’s Class 319s fitted with Water-Trak have been successfully operating in passenger service since late October 2021. The trials with Northern are being run thanks to funding from Network Rail’s performance innovation fund.
John Cooke, co-founder at Water-Trak, said:
“We are really excited to be working with Northern to show how Water-Trak can help to solve the age-old problem of leaves on the line.”
‘Where the foundations of children’s learning are laid’: An invitation to visit Barnard Castle School
This article is sponsored by Barnard Castle School.
Barnard Castle Prep School is where the foundations of children’s learning are laid.
It is here that children enjoy an inspiring and nurturing experience that sets them on a rewarding and happy journey in education.
Ahead of this major milestone, parents and children are being invited to learn more about where “Barney’s” school journey begins.
An open morning is being held at the co-educational independent day and boarding school in County Durham, which has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.
The event on October 1, which also includes the Senior School, is aimed at giving parents and pupils an opportunity to get a feel for the school, inspect the facilities and chat with peers and staff.
Barnard Castle School’s Prep School headmistress Laura Turner said:
“We tell our parents that our collective role, as parents and teachers, is to arm our children with the tools with which to clear the path ahead of them, not to clear the path for them.
“This means we have to allow them to fail at times, in a supportive environment. If we do that together, we are doing our best to prepare our young people for the challenges ahead.”
Pupils at Barnard Castle School.
The Prep School, which ranges from reception to Year 6, offers creative curriculums in each year group allow children to be engaged and become independent learners and thinkers.
These are practiced alongside a robust, wide-ranging extra-curricular activity programme, including regular lessons in Forest School.
Ms Turner said:
“In the pupils’ final year at Prep School, we focus on preparing the children for transition to Senior School whilst maintaining the safety and security of a familiar class environment.
“As an alternative to SATs, Barney’s Year 6 Achievement Award provides a focus for the children, fostering in them a more mature, ambitious and independent approach to study and recognising their commitment right across the curriculum.
“We place enormous emphasis on ensuring each and every pupil feels a sense of belonging at ‘Barney’; only then will they come close to maximising their potential.”
The school has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.
The Prep School also offers junior boarding, which boasts a “wonderful community of pupils” and a “family feel”.
Ms Turner added:
“Boarders at Barney become rounded, independent, and responsible Barnardians. They develop empathy and kindness for their peers, as well as a true appreciation for the family environment, mutual trust, and respect.
“Our boarding family is a wonderful community of pupils from a variety of countries, with the largest percentage coming from UK-based families.
“Our team have created an environment that pupils aspire to part of; it is one of warmth and nurture, enthusiasm and House spirit and, overwhelmingly, a sense of family.”
Situated on the outskirts of historic market town of Barnard Castle, an extensive transport service is operated from across the North East and North Yorkshire to the school.
To find out more about what makes education at Barnard Castle School so special, contact a member of the admissions team on 01833 696030 or email admissions@barneyschool.org.uk
Seven places to see Santa across the Harrogate district this ChristmasIt feels like it creeps up on us earlier every year. Yes folks, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s time to book your Santa visit.
Attractions across the Harrogate district have already started to release tickets.
And while Christmas might still be three months away, it’s advisable to act fast if you want to secure an audience with Mr Claus.
I’ve had the pleasure of taking my boys to meet him a few times over the years at various locations in the area.
Each experience has been excellent and we are definitely spoilt for choice. Santa is clearly a big fan of the Harrogate district.
To help you get organised, here are seven places to see Santa this year:
The Harrogate Father Christmas Experience – Cedar Court Hotel
It’s back and it has been hailed as “bigger and better than ever”.
Last year Father Christmas’s Chief Elf Tinsel, from Enchantica’s, delighted children and grown-ups alongside the big man himself at The Crown Hotel.
This Christmas you can join Santa, Tinsel and all of the Elves at a very magical Elf Village at the Cedar Court Hotel.
And those who are on the good elf list can book places to enjoy two shows this year:
- Elf Training Show – an immersive sing-along elf training experience for the whole family to enjoy.
Or
- New for 2022 – Code Breakers Christmas show – for ages seven plus to adult – an escape room style family show wrapped up with magic, illusion and festive code breaking challenges to help save Christmas.
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 27 and you can be among the first to get them by signing up to the mailing list here.
November 26 – December 24. Check here for show dates, times and availability.
Wander through the winter woodland to see the enchanted Christmas Village, festooned with festive delights and merry displays.
Chief Elf Chestnut will meet little visitors and lead them to see Santa Claus in his cosy Christmas grotto.
Children will be presented with a pack of festive activities and will also be able to listen to tales from Holly Berry, make reindeer food and post a letter to Santa at the North Pole Post Office.
November 26 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.
This hugely popular experience is making a welcome return following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets.
Then head to the sleigh pick up point to be greeted by Buddy the Elf, who will help you board Santa’s sleigh for your magical sleigh ride .
You will arrive at father’s Christmas woodland grotto where you can sit by the fire and tell him your Christmas wishes.
November 26 – December 23. Click here to buy tickets.
Santa’s Grotto – Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale
Follow the festive trail through the Arboretum, until you find yourself at the grotto, nestled deep in the woods.
The elves welcome and guide you through the winter wonderland, where you’ll meet a host of wonderful creatures before arriving outside Santa’s log cabin home.
Find him waiting in his cosy sitting room for a chat and a photo. He also has a gift for every child.
November 24 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets from September 26.
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Father Christmas will be bringing the magic back to Stockeld Park this winter.
With twinkling lights and Santa in a rustic wooden cabin, the whole family will feel the festive cheer.
Visitors can also check out the dazzling Winter Illuminations.
November 19 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.
The hotel’s popular Santa Sunday lunch is back for Christmas 2022.
The family dining experience features a table magician and face painter to entertain the children.
It also includes a visit to Father Christmas’s grotto with gifts for the children and an individual photo to take away.
Book now by calling 01937 580 115 or email reservations@bridgewetherby.co.uk
This experience is slightly further afield, but is definitely worth a mention if you fancy some extravagance at Christmas.
After the sell-out success of last year’s ‘Christmas in Narnia’ experience, Charlotte Lloyd Webber Events and The Projection Studio are back and set to transform grand rooms into magical forests and faraway kingdoms.
Expect to be enchanted by theatrical installations and projections that bring to life your favourite fairytales. The sounds of glass slippers on ballroom floors and horse-drawn pumpkins will echo through the great halls via state-of-the-art soundscapes.
The theme also means Father Christmas will pay a special visit throughout December, bringing an immersive theatrical experience in the main house and a storytelling grotto in the courtyard.
Ticket prices will vary subject to whether you choose to book on a peak or off-peak date. You can buy them here.
63rd+1st: A taste of Manhattan in Harrogate town centre
This story is sponsored by 63rd+1st.
Harrogate’s answer to a Manhattan cocktail bar, 63rd+1st, launched in November last year and has continued to grow in popularity on the town’s dining scene.
We visited after work on a Monday evening and it was a perfect way to start a busy week.
Decked out in trendy dark blue and gold, and featuring lots of greenery, the restaurant, lounge and bar on Albert Street gives off a relaxed and welcoming vibe.
The menu is inspired by Manhattan street food and features small plates to enjoy with a cocktail or mocktail.
The restaurant area.
It includes a signature burger, steaks and seafood, as well as plant-based and vegetarian dishes and loaded fries.
The idea is you choose a few dishes each and order more if you fancy it – like an American-style tapas.
To start, I had seared king scallops, black pudding and pea puree (£12). The scallops were cooked perfectly and melted in the mouth like butter. The pea puree provided a refreshing accompaniment to the saltiness of the black pudding. My partner went for the Maryland crab bon bons and crab mayo (£10), which had a light, crispy coating and were perfect for sharing.
Scallops.
We followed this up with a mozzarella corn dog on a stick – just like you have in New York – and a sirloin steak. I’ll admit, I’ve never had a steak sharing dish before, so I was delighted to be able to pinch a bit of my partner’s sirloin (£14). It was perfectly cooked and came with a tangy chimichurri sauce. You can also choose a topper to add to your steak from options including garlic and chilli prawns, seared scallops and short rib croquettes.
Sirloin steak.
We decided to order loaded fries with chipotle mayo and crispy onions to accompany our dishes (£5). We could have kept going, but decided to save room for a dessert instead.
If there’s one thing Americans know how to do, it’s dessert. And it did not disappoint. We chose a banana taco, which was served with salted candied pecans, caramel and vanilla ice cream . It was essentially like a banana pancake and the salty pecans added the perfect crunchy texture to the dish. Ridiculously good. Other desserts include peanut butter and jelly donuts (£6) and an NYC baked cheesecake (£7).
We also had some fabulous cocktails to accompany our meal from the (very) extensive cocktail menu, including an old fashioned woodford rye (£15).
If you fancy a drink and a few nibbles after work, this is a great place to visit as you can order as much or as little as you want.
There is also a bottomless brunch available on a weekend for just £20 per person down from £35 with a special Stray Ferret voucher offer. Get your voucher now!
Greggs to open shop in KnaresboroughA new Greggs shop is set to open in Knaresborough this year, the high street bakery giant has confirmed.
Its location has yet to be officially announced, but it is believed to be at the former Fultons Foods unit on the High Street.
The building has remained empty since the frozen food store closed in March 2021.
The former Fultons Foods store, 32 High Street, Knaresborough.
A Greggs spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:
“Greggs is due to open a new shop in Knaresborough later this year. While we are unable to share any details at the moment, we will be sure to share further information in the coming months.”
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A staff recruitment advert seeking ‘retail team members’ for the new branch has been posted online.
It lists the location as 32-32B High Street, the unit formerly occupied by Fultons.
The advert says:
“Our shop will trade from 6:30am through to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, and 8am until 6pm on a Sunday.
“We are looking to build a team to support this new shop for us.”
Play exploring life of Harrogate inventor Samson Fox to premiere tomorrowA play exploring the life of one of Harrogate’s most famous citizens premieres at the Royal Hall tomorrow — a theatre he helped to build.
Samson Fox, who died in 1903, was an inventor, philanthropist and Harrogate mayor, whose legacy is evident throughout the town.
The Man Who Captured Sunlight explores Samson’s life and controversial legal battle with author Jerome K Jerome.
Yorkshire actor Joe Standerline stars as the inventor, whose ideas had a major impact around the world.
His greatest creation, the corrugated boiler flue, saved thousands of lives and revolutionised engine construction.
His philanthropic legacy to the arts includes the creation of the Royal Hall and the Royal College of Music in London.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret at the dress rehearsal, Mr Standerline said:
“He takes interesting to another level. I feel a bit boring in comparison. There is definitely pressure to become one of the most uber human beings that has ever walked the planet. The guy was simply amazing.
“I think the people of Harrogate are definitely in for a treat. We’ve put the work in and we now get to play in this astounding theatre. Samson paid for a fair dollop of the place. We are ready now to project this piece.
“It’s part biopic, part period drama. The language in it is absolutely delicious and it’s surprisingly funny.”
As the great grandfather to actors Edward and James Fox, Samson also helped to create the UK’s most famed theatrical acting dynasty.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have starred in major TV shows and movies, from Edward Fox in the Day of the Jackal, to Emilia Fox in Silent Witness, and Freddie Fox in The Crown.
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Freddie Fox will attend the matinee performance and take part in an audience Q&A. The actor Joanna David, Freddie’s mother, will also attend.
Freddie Fox (photo by Tavistock Wood) and Samson Fox.
Mr Standerline, who has appeared in TV series such as ITV’s Victoria, joked:
“I’ll just say I’m perfectly fine with it. There’s no pressure at all performing in front of one of the greatest acting dynasties in the whole history of cinema and the theatre.”
Mr Standerline said the people of Harrogate had been extremely welcoming. He added:
“It’s been great spending the last few weeks here, integrating ourselves into the community that we are representing. It is a responsibility and we are taking it seriously and we can’t wait to get people in these seats.”
Born into poverty
Samson was born into poverty in Bradford in 1838 and worked in the mills from the age of nine. An impresario of his day, he famously ‘bottled the sun’ as Harrogate’s streets became the first thoroughfares in the world to be lit with his Fox Water-Gas.
Samson Fox and his family.
The play, written by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson, charts Samson’s meteoric rise, followed by the 19th century libel trial involving the author and editor, Jerome K Jerome.
Mr Collinson told the Stray Ferret:
“What I wanted to do is show his human side, show his family, show his heart. I wanted to show everything he risked, which was his considerable fortune, to clear his name. I also wanted to look into his ambiguities. Was he a good man? Hopefully that’s something the play explores.
“When the opportunity came up to tell his story, it was something I couldn’t refuse.
“The Fox family have read the script and they were incredibly kind. I hope they enjoy it tomorrow.
“I’m in awe of all the cast. I just sit there and write the lines but they bring it to life.
“I hope the people in Harrogate will enjoy the play. It’s a cast of Northern voices. There’s a reality and celebration of where we are from and I hope people embrace that.”
Cause UK, the Harrogate-based creative agency, has produced and sponsored the play.
The Man Who Captured Sunlight premieres in Harrogate’s Royal Hall tomorrow, with the matinee at 2.30pm and evening performance at 7pm. Buy tickets here.
Sneak Peek: The Secret Bakery, KnaresboroughHarrogate’s The Secret Bakery has expanded and launched a second branch in Knaresborough.
The shop and cafe, in Market Place, sells baked goods, including artisan bread, cakes and sandwiches, which are all made at the Knaresborough Road site.
The new outlet, which also serves drinks, including coffee, is being run by the bakery’s co-owner Jane Spencer, a former teacher from Keighley.
She said:
“This shop used to be The Reading Room and we used to deliver bread here from our shop in Harrogate. When they decided to close, we thought it was a great opportunity for us to open in Knaresborough
“A lot of our Harrogate customers come from Knaresborough, so it’s nice that we can be here.
“I would say our most popular product is our bread, particularly our sourdough. People come from all over to buy it. Our cakes and scones are also really popular.”
Jane Spencer (right), co-owner of The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough and Aime McNaught in the new shop and cafe.
Opening hours are currently under review, but the aim is to eventually open seven days a week, from 8am until around 4pm and from 10am on a Sunday.
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Mrs Spencer and her husband James bought The Secret Bakery in November 2020.
The business is continuing to grow, with work starting next week to develop the Harrogate site.
Mrs Spencer said:
“It will give us some more space in the back to make all the bread and cakes and everything.
“We are also going to be opening later from Thursday through to Sunday and offering things like bread and dips. We will also be serving alcohol.”
The cafe area at The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough.