Harrogate Theatre panto tickets selling fast

Harrogate Theatre’s chief executive has said panto ticket sales are almost at normal levels despite the uncertainty caused by covid.

Tickets went on sale later than usual this year and David Bown said there was some initial nervousness about attendance figures.

But 80% of tickets in between schools breaking up and the new year have already been sold. The fortnight before Christmas, in particular, is proving popular.

Cinderella begins on Friday next week and will run until January 16. Tim Stedman is once again one of the main stars.

The pantomime is the theatre’s biggest event of the year and Mr Bown said the strong sales were welcome after a difficult 18 months due to covid.

“It’s great to see we are nearly back to levels in previous years but we still have a few reservations and people concerned about covid. We still don’t know what the government has as its plan B and as a mass gathering we would be the first to be hit.

“I think Harrogate is doing well for visitors, we’ve had a few sold-out shows at other venues and we really hoped the panto would be the same and we weren’t disappointed.”

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Building work won’t dull the magic

The theatre has been undergoing building work for about six months.

The 120-year-old building was in need of a huge roof replacement, costing around £1 million. As a council-owned building, the project has been run in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Theatre Trust.

But although scaffolding will remain outside the building until March, Mr Bown said the magic of the theatre is still intact.

The complexity of the work, difficulties in sourcing building materials and staff shortages has meant the works are now due to finish in March 2022.

Looking ahead to 2022, Mr Bown said panto ticket sales make him optimistic for future shows:

“Being back is a bit weird, in some ways it feels like forever and in others it feels like the pandemic never happened. Of course we’re nervous because the last 18 months has proven you can’t plan for everything but the audience numbers are very encouraging.”

If you want to get in the mood ahead of the panto, check out our Panto Stories performed by Tim Stedman.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, happy Friday – it’s almost the weekend! It’s Suzannah with you today and I’ll be giving you all the travel alerts you need to have a smooth journey.

If you spot any new roadworks, traffic or anything that could cause a delay get in touch on 01423 276197.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

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⚠️ Sorry – due to driver unavailability, #The36 is unable to run the following buses:

9.10am – Harrogate to Leeds
10.10am – Leeds to Harrogate

Our apologies for letting you down

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) November 19, 2021

8.30am – Full Update 

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Traffic is building in its usual spots but no hotspots just yet.

Yesterday, the closure of Leadhall Lane, just iff Leeds Road, was causing traffic coming into Harrogate from the south so take care.

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.

Yesterday, the closure of Leadhall Lane, just iff Leeds Road, was causing traffic coming into Harrogate from the south so take care.

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⚠️ I’m sorry but these journeys on #the36 are unable to run due to a driver not being available.

0621 Bilton – Harrogate – Leeds
0755 Leeds – Harrogate

🙏 We apologise for letting you down.

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) November 19, 2021

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Yesterday, the closure of Leadhall Lane, just iff Leeds Road, was causing traffic coming into Harrogate from the south so take care.

Road closures:

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Trains

Buses

⚠️ I’m sorry but these journeys on #the36 are unable to run due to a driver not being available.

0621 Bilton – Harrogate – Leeds
0755 Leeds – Harrogate

🙏 We apologise for letting you down.

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) November 19, 2021

 

Harrogate jewellers Fattorini expected to close by Christmas

The manager of the oldest jewellers in Harrogate has said he expects the store will close by Christmas.

The Stray Ferret revealed two weeks ago that A.Fattorini The Jewellers had announced it planned to cease trading after 190 years.

Anthony Tindall, the manager of the shop and great-great grandson of its founder, has not set a closing date yet. But he said today it will close when stock expires in a few weeks time, probably before Christmas.

Customers have flocked to the shop on Parliament Street since news broke of its closure.

Mr Tindall insisted that there were currently no confirmed buyers and that he intended to go ahead with the closure, despite rumours that a buyer had been lined up.

Mr Tindall’s great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831. His son, Antonio junior, moved it to Parliament Street in the 1880s.

He said if a buyer was found he hoped they would continue the Fattorini name — but this was definitely the end of the line for his family.

Mr Tindall said the decision to sell was a difficult one but it was time for him to retire and none of his family was eager to take it on.

‘This is the end for my family’

Mr Tindall said the rapid rate at which items were selling meant stock was beginning to “peter out”.

He added:

“We’d love to last until Christmas but if we have to close before then we will. If there’s no stock left then we will be closing.”

Jewellery is on sale for as much as 50% off.

Talking of the decision to close he said:

“I started looking at buyers a few years ago when I knew I needed to retire, we have a few offers but nothing confirmed yet. Inevitably we’ve had people get in touch since the sale but nothing has been confirmed.

“I’m going, you won’t see me here again. This is the end for my family.

“It could be that no one picks it up and it’s an empty site. I’d love to see someone take on the name and keep it as a jeweller.”

Read more:

Fattorini connection to the FA Cup

Antonio Fattorini set up another store in Bradford, Fattorini & Sons, with his sons John and Edward, who designed and manufactured football’s FA Cup in 1911. Remarkably, Bradford City then won the cup that year.

Mr Fattorini’s other son, Antonio junior, stayed to run the Harrogate business.

Mr Tindall said the response from customers since news of the shop’s demise had been surprising:

“I always thought people loved us but I didn’t know how much, I was worried we’d have no one at all. We’ve had people whose grandparents got their engagement rings here and are coming back.”

Knaresborough Christmas Market returns in two weeks

Knaresborough Christmas Market is making a comeback after last year’s cancellation with the organising committee promising a “Yorkshire experience to remember”.

The market will take place in the town’s Market Square on December 4 and 5.

There will be almost 50 stalls selling Christmas decorations, gifts and locally sourced produce.

While visitors sip on their mulled wine they can also enjoy live entertainment from local dancers, choirs and brass bands.

As in previous years, the market will culminate with a fireworks display over Knaresborough’s iconic viaduct at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 5.

Market chair, Hazel Haas, said:

“Sadly we had to cancel last year’s market, so there is a real buzz in the town about its return. It’s been a difficult 18 months for Knaresborough residents and businesses and we wanted to give everyone something to look forward to.”

The Christmas Market committee has been working with other local organisations to promote all festive events in the town in the hope of encouraging more people to visit.

The not-for-profit committee are also supporting Knaresborough RAF Cadets, Knaresborough Lions, Rotary Knaresborough, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Knaresborough Cricket Club.

Committee member Charlotte Gale said:

“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. The businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.”

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A free park and ride will operate from the GSPK car park, postcode HG5 8LF, from Manse Lane to Chapel Street, near the Market Square.

The Knaresborough market will take place on the same weekend as a new Christmas market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.

Organised by Little Bird markets, it will be an artisan markets with 60 local and regional traders and producers selling festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware and jewellery, as well as food and drink.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Thursday. It’s Suzannah back with you this morning with frequent travel alerts to try and make your journey as smooth as possible.

I’ll let you know about roadworks, delayed buses and any traffic hotspots that could cause you delays.

If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

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8.30am – Full Update

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7.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are beginning to pick up but no traffic hotspots just yet.

There looks to traffic building due to a crash on the Ripley roundabout, just north of the Castle. Does anyone have any further information?

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are still looking quiet so far this morning. They’re likely to get busier in the next 30-45 minutes.

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.

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WATCH Ripon residents give their views on MP Julian Smith’s £144,000 consultancy work

We went out on the streets of Ripon today to ask people about the controversy surrounding their MP Julian Smith’s paid consultancy work.

Mr Smith, who has represented Skipton and Ripon since 2010, could lose £144,000 under proposals put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson wrote to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle yesterday proposing MPs are banned from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists in order to maintain public confidence in Parliament.

Mr Smith, who earns £144,000 from three part-time consultancy roles, all of which were approved by the Advisory Committee of Business Appointments, would be one of the worst affected MPs if the new proposals come into force.

Mr Smith’s constituents in Ripon today expressed mixed views. Some said it was acceptable because the earnings had to be declared and it was healthy for MPs to have a wide range of skills. Others disagreed and questioned whether his consultancy commitments meant less time working for his constituents.

Watch our video to hear residents’ views.

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Harrogate nursery currently closed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’

A Harrogate nursery that has existed for more than 50 years has closed.

Oatlands Pre-School, which opened in 1968, was situated in the former Oatlands Methodist Church on Mount Street and was owned and managed by a voluntary committee.

According to its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2017, it catered for 25 children aged two to five.

Claire Temple, chair of the Oatlands Pre-School and community centre committee, told the Stray Ferret it had closed due to “unforeseen circumstances” and said she was unable to provide any further information at this time.

The pre-school, which it is believed closed in September, operated from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday throughout term times and provided a lunch club.

Ofsted rated the nursery as ‘good’ in 2017 but its website now describes it as closed.

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Will you be going for a spin on Harrogate’s helter skelter?

Have you spotted Harrogate’s new Christmas attraction in front of the war memorial?

Harrogate Borough Council has installed a full-sized helter skelter opposite Bettys ahead of the festive season.

The fairground ride, which arrived last night, will remain in the town centre until January 2.

Rides will operate during the afternoon, subject to weather, throughout November and December.

The attraction is one of various ideas Harrogate BID, Visit Harrogate and the council have organised this festive season, along with Christmas markets, a Santa visit and a Christmas train, to encourage footfall into the town.

Read more:

A full size Helter Skelter has gone up outside Bettys in #Harrogate this evening 😀 pic.twitter.com/IDfj7LjK7D

— Richard Maude (@Silverginger) November 15, 2021

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Tuesday. It’s Suzannah with you again this morning offering frequent travel alerts to try and make your journey as smooth as possible.

I’ll let you know about roadworks, delayed buses and any traffic hotspots that could cause you delays.

If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

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Trains

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8am – Full Update 

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Traffic is building here:

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7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is building in its usual spots around the district, but no major delays yet. Keep an eye on the blog.

Road closures:

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are still looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.

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Harrogate school to honour former student who made running history

A school in Harrogate is to honour a former pupil who became the first woman to run a mile in under five minutes.

Diane Leather, who attended Harrogate Ladies’ College, made history on May 29 1954 in Birmingham when she ran a mile in 4 minutes and 59.6 seconds.

She only received a fraction of the acclaim given to Roger Bannister when he ran the first sub-four-minute mile 23 days earlier.

Her former school plans to establish an award for promising female runners in recognition of her extraordinary feat.

Sylvia Brett, the principal of the college, said:

“Diane was a pioneer and an amazing athlete. We’re determined her legacy for female athletes won’t be forgotten, and we hope the new award will help others achieve their dreams.”

The school intends to establish the award for athletes as part of its annual Speech Day.

Inspired by the Olympics

Staffordshire-born Diane attended Harrogate Ladies’ College between 1943 and 1951 and enjoyed all sports, particularly netball and lacrosse, but her running ability marked her out from a young age.

She trained as a chemist and joined her local athletics club, Birchfield Harriers, after watching the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

The following year she set a women’s ‘best’ for running a mile in 5 minutes and 2.6 seconds. After she broke the record she recorded another two sub-five-minute miles by running 4 minutes 50.8 seconds and 4 minutes 45 second.

It wasn’t for another 13 years until after she set the ‘best’ time that the International Amateur Athletics Federation, now known as World Athletics, recognised women’s world records for the mile. Unfounded medical concerns meant women were banned from the Olympic marathon until 1984 and only began ski jumping at the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Diane held the record for eight years. She also held the British 1500m record for 11 years.

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She competed at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games as Diane Charles, running in a preliminary heat in the 800m. Later that year she retired from competitive running, aged 27, and in 1961 gave birth to her first child.

Ms Leather died in 2018 aged 85 after working in social work and caring for her four children in her later life.

In 2015, on the 60th anniversary of her record, she said:

“I had no idea that I would ever be called a pioneer.”