Harrogate and Knaresborough will have a community woodland after the Long Lands Common group reached its target to buy 30 acres of local land.

Today, the volunteers announced the £300,000 target had been reached thanks to a huge response from people in the district and beyond buying shares.

The Long Lands Common group, ran solely by volunteers, can now buy the greenbelt land and begin its plans to turn it into an area for all to use. One of its main aim is to improve the biodiversity of the land and make it a woodland nature reserve.

The group made an agreement a year ago to raise the money to buy the two large fields to deter a bypass being built in the future.

The area will be managed by the Long Lands Common Ltd, a community benefit society.

A bird’s eye view of the area bought by Long Lands Common Ltd. Photograph: Gary Lawson.

After four months of community share sales Chris Kitson, secretary of Long Lands Common Ltd,  said he was thrilled:

“It’s all systems go, we’re absolutely delighted. I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet. It’s a community empowerment project and hopefully it’ll encourage others to do the same.

“It is proof that there is great enthusiasm and demand for a greener, more sustainable way of life. Record numbers of local people responded to show that they want a nature reserve instead of a road and they have funded it from their own pockets. It shows we can think and act for ourselves and be the change we wish to see in the world”

The share offer will be extended until December 20 to attempt to reach the maximum target of £375,000. This funding will be used for infrastructure projects to make it a publicly accessible green space.

Further funding will allow the construction of an access ramp, a new site entrance to the site from the Nidderdale Greenway, footpaths, ponds and a compost toilet can be built.

Read more:

• Planning decision, that includes the felling of local trees, has been delayed.
• There are now two climate coalitions groups in Harrogate   – is the town big enough for both?

The following six months will be used to put together the final plans for the 30 acres, previous ideas have included a duck pond and a sensory garden. Long Lands Common Ltd says it will consult with ecologists and take on the views of the local community.

To learn more and buy shares, head to the website here.

The future of Harrogate’s Jaeger store is uncertain after the company entered administration today.

Parent company Edinburgh Woollen Mill has so far failed to find a buyer for Jaeger and its sister company Peacocks.

The two companies, which between them have 4,700 staff and almost 500 stores, have both gone into administration.

No redundancies or store closures have been announced yet.

At the end of last month, ‘closing down sale’ notices were displayed on the Harrogate shop front window in Cambridge Crescent.

Today’s announcement is another example of the devastating impact of the pandemic on high street retail. Local businesses had warned of the impact of a second lockdown.

Read more:

• More than £7 million worth of grants will be offered to district businesses affected by covid.
• Knaresborough’s retailers close up shop and head online during second lockdown. 

Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Homes also went into administration this month. Both had shops on Ripon high street. They also belong to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill group.

Jaeger had not replied to the Stray Ferret by the time of publication.

A Pateley Bridge artist has created six images of Yorkshire in collaboration with the organisers of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Claire Baxter’s images celebrate scenic views the riders have passed since the annual event began in 2015.

Ms Baxter, the official Tour de Yorkshire artist , said she wanted to capture the diversity of Yorkshire and the excitement of the race.

Her images have been released despite last week’s announcement that the Tour de Yorkshire has been postponed to 2022 due to covid.

The collection is called Tour Baht’at, which refers to the folk song Ilkley Moor Baht’at.

Ms Baxter, who works mainly with oils at her Pateley gallery, said:

“I was excited and honoured to be announced as the official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire 2020 and despite the difficulties we have faced this year and postponement of the race itself, I am so pleased to finally release the six images I have painted.

“To get inspiration I spent several days driving along different sections of the route which brought home to me how lucky I am to live in God’s Own County and how gruelling the Tour de Yorkshire is for the riders. I am thrilled with the end result.”

Read more:

• Three hamper, including donations from Pateley Bridge businesses, are going on sale to support the Mayor’s appeal.
• A new gallery in Harrogate is hoping to put the town “on the map” for art. 

According to Welcome to Yorkshire, the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire generated £98 million for the local economy.

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive James Mason said:

“We had no choice but to postpone this year’s Tour de Yorkshire but we’re delighted to have Claire’s incredible artwork as a reminder of how fantastic this race is and how it showcases the county in a spectacular way.

“There has never been a more important time to support independent artists and businesses, whilst celebrating the arts and sport.”

To look at the art in more detail click here.

Frank’s Fund is a Harrogate-based charity set up by the Ashton family after their son Frank died from a rare form of bone cancer last year.

Frank Ashton was a “brave, funny, kind and positive” young man who loved playing sports and going to Nando’s with friends.

He lived in Harrogate with his family and beloved dog Barney and attended St Aidan’s high school.

But in May 2016 the family’s world changed when Frank was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. Frank went through relentless rounds of chemotherapy, all the time staying positive.

Frank’s family said he was always smiling.

By May 2017, Frank’s tumour had been removed during an eight hour operation and he had gone through 12 months of chemotherapy – he was in remission.

Only five months later, in September 2017, the cancer came back. This was just before Frank’s 13th birthday. Louise Ashton, Frank’s mum, said:

“With a cancer like this when it comes back there is no treatment, it’s like being given a life sentence. The doctors said he has two years to live, he had another seven months of chemo.”

Over the next year Frank continued to remain positive and see his friends but in January 2019 his health was failing fast and Frank died a month later, aged 14.

Frank’s Fund was set up to keep Frank’s memory alive and remind people of the positive person he was.

Louise added:

“He had a fantastic smile and we miss him massively. We set up the charity to keep Frank’s memory alive, we want him to be remembered as the funny boy he was.”

Frank’s Fund was set up to raise funds to go to dedicated cancer research. Primary bone cancer received just 0.028% of funding from major UK cancer charities in 2018/2019. The treatment and survival rates of this cancer haven’t improved in over 30 years.

To donate to the fund click here.

Louise said:

“It’s really shocking how little this cancer receives. The best way for people to fund bone cancer research is to give to a dedicated charity. I would have been really angry if I knew how little funding went into research when Frank was alive.

But now we are doing something about it with Frank’s Fund.”

Read more:

• Charity Corner: the charity offering “new beginnings” to domestic abuse victims.
• The dogs charity trying to raise funds for a new charity base. 

Frank’s family with Maisie Adam a charity patron (second from the left) and other comedians who performed during the charity’s comedy night last year.

The family are determined to raise as much as they can to follow Frank’s wishes to prevent children suffering as he did.

This year several of their fundraising events have been cancelled but they are continuing to fundraise with a virtual comedy night on December 11 and selling Christmas cards, follow the charity on Facebook to see updates.

Santa Claus will be visiting Harrogate next month as part of a Christmas experience for children held at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

This event is one of few the showground has been able to hold this year due to covid restrictions.

Santa’s grotto will be manned by his elves and has been set up in a covid-secure manner.

On the weekend of the 5 and 6 December families can visit the grotto in groups of up to six people.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society which manages the showground, forecasted a £2 million loss this year due to the number of cancelled events.

Its chief executive, Nigel Pulling, warned of the ongoing impact of covid which has left the society running at “well below 10 per cent” of capacity at the moment.

Graham Thompson, general manager, said:

“This has been a challenging year for all of us and it gives us great pleasure to provide some fun for the youngsters and welcome Santa on several dates throughout December.”

Other dates will be included, but tickets must be booked prior to the event. They can be bought here.

Read more:

• This year’s cancelled events at the show ground has cost the local economy £70 million. 
• Harrogate spring flower show set to go ahead at the show ground in 2021. 

Knaresborough’s FEVA festival is calling for volunteers to join its committee as it begins to plan for its comeback in 2021.

The festival went virtual this year holding events and a “Knaresborough’s Got Talent” show online.

2021 marks 25 years since the first ‘Knaresborough Festival’ and organisers are planning a celebratory event.

The committee is looking to fill a number of vacancies including secretary, treasurer and other general event support roles.

The large group of volunteers help to organise over 90 separate events for FEVA each year. These include live music, plays and workshops.

Current Chair Lucy Barrow says it’s an exciting time to get involved:

“It’s been devastating for so many to have cancelled events in 2020, and it was the first time FEVA has ever been pulled.

“We’ve used the time wisely to take stock, and now we are working on establishing a new organising committee.”

Read more:

• FEVA’s weekend of virtual events begins. 
• Harrogate Mind calls for more volunteers for its programme offering a companion to those isolating. 

The committee is working hard to raise funds for next year. They say they have a “responsibility” to boost morale for the town.

Lucy added:

“As a community festival we believe we have a responsibility in 2021 after such a difficult time to bring joy back to the local community and to boost tourism for the good of our local businesses. We’ll be working harder than ever to do just that and we have everything crossed.”

To get involved in the committee applicants are being asked to email admin@feva.info.

The Knaresborough Community Land Trust is hoping to develop a disused area in the town centre to provide three flats as affordable housing.

The group, made up of volunteers, says there isn’t enough affordable housing for key workers to live close to work.

The site for the group’s first project is at the bottom of the high street near the roundabout for Boroughbridge Road.

It is currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council but could be sold to the land trust under the proviso it was made into affordable housing.

Previously a public toilet and an air raid shelter the trust feel it is a good spot for accommodation as it is in a residential area and has nearby travel links.

(Left) The ground floor plans of the building and its proposed stret view (right). Photograph: Bauman Lyons Architects.

Hilary Garner, secretary of Knaresborough Community Lands Trust, said:

“We need the housing in Knaresborough – we have a lot of care workers and professionals but there isn’t the affordable housing.

“Any profit made goes back into the next project. We aren’t looking to build social housing because that is taken up by the big housing associations. This is to provide for the town’s population.

We all care very much about keeping Knaresborough alive. This is about catering for the population that lives here and catering for the young people too.”

The plans – as they stand – will include a bus shelter with a ‘living’ roof and maintain the public access to the buildings at the rear. Seven trees will have to be felled and 14 others will be planted elsewhere in the town.

Read more:

• Whinney Lane developed pledges to stick to agreement with the council following resident complaints.
• A new set of plans have been put forward for 170-home development in Knaresborough.

On Monday, November 9, the plans were discussed at Knaresborough Town Council planning meeting.

A resident and some town councillors voiced concern about the look of the building:

“KTC is unhappy about the colour of the finished building. Design is not in keeping with the Grade II listed buildings next door and nearby. Given the very prominent location within the conservation area this needs to be revisited. KTC is very concerned about the removal of seven trees.

“This particular development as a whole is unsuitable for the land and surrounding area.”

The resident, living near to the site, said the development would have a “detrimental effect” on their property.

“We congratulate the Community Land Trust on producing an innovative design that respects the conservation area setting of the site and reflects the surrounding historic buildings without trying to imitate them.

“It is exciting to see a community led development bring affordable housing of this quality to the centre of Knaresborough.”

The current plans are yet to be agreed by Harrogate Borough Council as they’re open for public consultation until December, 5.

Remembrance Day was commemorated differently this year because of covid but residents across the Harrogate district still paid their respects to those who lost their lives in battle.

Although annual services and parades were unable to go ahead, people held two-minute silences at home and some paid their respects at war memorials.

In Harrogate …

After a two-minute silence and the playing of the Last Post by a single bugler, pupils and a small number of staff from Ashville College laid wreaths at the school’s on-site war memorial.

The rest of the college participated in the annual commemoration from their classrooms.

Upper sixth pupils and joint heads of school Niamh Boyle (left) and Massimiliano Ernesto Nobile (right) with year 6 pupil Taylor Henderson (centre).

Local people congregated at the Harrogate war memorial at 11am yesterday for the two-minute silence.

On Sunday members of the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club gathered at Stonefall Cemetary. A small service was led by Rev. David Hoskins.

Photograph: Guy Wilson.

Rotarian Manuel Camacho laying a wreath. Photograph: Guy Wilson.

In Ripon …

On Sunday, the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, stood at the war memorial in Spa Gardens.

Local MP Julian Smith and the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid wreaths in the mist.

Yesterday, about 40 people gathered at social distance outside Ripon Cathedral at 11am to observe the two-minute silence. Prayers after the silence were led by the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson.

In Pateley Bridge …

The chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Tim Ledbetter, laid a wreath on behalf of the chamber.

Elsewhere …

At the North Yorkshire County Council’s offices in Northallerton, Cllr Jim Clark laid a wreath.

When Rachel Mundy was made redundant during the first lockdown, she decided to embark on a major career change.

She had always toyed with the idea of photography and, after 15 years in fashion, decided this was her moment.

Rachel, from Harrogate, set up Boo Boo Photography and rented a studio where she could do shoots of babies and families.

Another of Rachel’s pre-lockdown family shoots. Photograph: Boo Boo Photography

She said:

“There was massive anxiety because I was no longer in my full time job and that feeling of being without security is difficult.”

But her plans were thrown up in the air again when the second lockdown was announced suddenly.

She had only officially set-up business in the last week of October and just as she was trying to build momentum, everyone’s movements were restricted again.

So she went back to the drawing board and decided to start offering doorstep photoshoots in the hope she could continue building her business safely during lockdown. She says:

“I was feeling really down. I thought I’d need to get another job but my husband convinced me to stick with it.”

Read more:

• Lockdown Stories: Harrogate DJ forced to swap his decks for twins. 
• His image of the night sky won Tai Ripon Grammar School’s Lockdown Photography Competition.

Christmas doorstep shoots are among her offerings now. She is donating 10% of profits to Leeds Cares, the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, in honour of a friend’s son who is battling cancer.

Christmas doorstep shoots are allowing Rachel to continue earning. Photograph: Boo Boo Photography

Rachel’s struggle has brought her closer to other small, local businesses who have offered to collaborate on projects. She says working with other businesses in the same situation has been a positive experience:

“There’s been so many other small businesses working together and seeing how we can help each other. It’s kept me positive too as I know I’m not alone.”

Do you have a lockdown story to tell? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk as we’d love to hear from you.

A Harrogate illustrator has designed a Leeds United Christmas card to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Graeme Bandeira’s wintry scene features the iconic Billy Bremner statue wearing a blue Santa hat at Elland Road, with Yorkshire Cancer Research’s rose on the East Stand.

The cards are being sold in packs of five for £6, with £2 from each pack donated to Yorkshire Cancer Research, which is based in Harrogate.

Leeds United, who have many supporters in the Harrogate district, began a charity partnership with Yorkshire Cancer Research in September to raise awareness of the organisation’s work.

Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:

“We were keen to mark our partnership with Leeds United in a special way and offer the fans an opportunity to celebrate Christmas while raising money to save lives in Yorkshire.

“Inviting Graeme to design our Christmas card felt like the perfect choice. We hope Leeds United supporters will love it as much as we do.”

Left to right: Angus Kinnear, chief executive at Leeds United, Graeme Bandeira and Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Mr Bandeira said:

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to join forces with two Yorkshire icons and it being for such a great cause too.”

Money raised from the cards will fund research, end of life care and cancer screening.

The packs of cards can be bought online here or in any of the five Leeds United stores if they are allowed to reopen before Christmas.

Mr Bandeira is also auctioning the original artwork on eBay to raise will be donated to Yorkshire Cancer Research. To make a bid, click here.

Read more:

• Junior football clubs have had to close over lockdown, coaches have raised concerns about the “massive” impact on the players.
• This community project is hoping to spread a little festive cheer to those in need over the coming months. 

Paul Bell, executive director at Leeds United, said:

“Christmas is always a special time of the year and it’s fantastic that we’re able to mark the occasion this season with our official charity partner.

“We know our supporters will get behind the initiative, with money raised from the sales helping to support the world-leading research taking place to help more people survive cancer.”