Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency get sore feet for mental health charity

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

A team from Harrogate marketing agency, Big Bamboo, has raised more than £2,500 for the mental health charity, Mind.

Staff completed the 23-mile-long Harrogate Ringway trek and also walked barefoot across red-hot embers on the Leeds Mind firewalk.

Some of the bolder members of the group spent a hour training and then walked across the red-hot embers.  The company said the challenge was more mental than a physical, and  felt it was an appropriate way to raise money for a mental health charity.

Jen Winterschladen, Operations Director at The Big Bamboo Agency, said:

“We are thrilled to have exceeded our fundraising target for this year, raising £2,572 for Mind…

“..The fundraising challenges we undertook emphasised the importance of mental health: walking in the countryside around Harrogate took us away from our screens and gave us a chance to have a proper talk, while the firewalk was a lesson in the power of the mind and believing you can do anything you put your mind to.

“We felt Mind was a truly fitting charity to support, and we look forward to supporting another amazing charity in 2023.”

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ASE Computer Services Ltd is to sponsor the Digital Innovation category at the Stray Ferret Awards 2023.

The award ceremony on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate will recognise excellence in a wide range of business practices with 10 coveted awards.  The judging panel comprises some of the most influential business leaders in the district.

Chris Dickinson Managing District ASE said:

“As an IT consultancy with support services, ASE works in a wholly the digital space. We’re delighted to sponsor the Digital Innovation category in the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

“Technology moves so fast that keeping up and making it bring benefits to a business can seem daunting.  We’re here to help with that.

“So celebrating and sharing digital best practice, new ideas and creativity is something we are very interested in promoting, both for our clients and the wider Harrogate business community “

Entries are open now until mid January. Put your business or team forward for an award that recognises their achievements.

Free Christmas holiday clubs for low income families in Harrogate district

Eight holiday clubs, which are free for those receiving benefits-related free school meals during term-time, will operate in the Harrogate district over Christmas.

The clubs provide food and activities for pupils during the holidays and are available to all children but free for families whose children receive free school meals.

North Yorkshire County Council invests more than £135,000 in its holiday club programme, known as FEAST. During the summer holidays, 12,000 children in the county took part in the initiative, which included activities ranging from sports and forest camps to dance and drama workshops.

The FEAST programme aims to tackle the financial strain school holidays have on family finances amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Activities in the Harrogate district run from December 19 to January 2.

King James School in Knaresborough is among those taking part. Its ‘Dopeamin programme’ helps young people take care of their wellbeing and develop a positive mind-set through fitness, nutrition and other techniques.

Here is the calendar for the upcoming clubs across Harrogate district:

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The FEAST programme is run by North Yorkshire Together, a partnership between North Yorkshire Youth, North Yorkshire Sport and Rural Arts.

The programme is also funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Cllr Carl Les said:

“We are delighted at the number of organisations who have come forward to provide a varied programme of holiday clubs and activities. The funding ensures children on free school meals receive at least one nutritious meal while they attend the activities.

“The holiday club programme has been running for just over two years in North Yorkshire and has quickly expanded to include a very varied selection of activities focusing on sports, arts and wellbeing right across the county.”

More information regarding the holiday clubs can be found on the FEAST programme website.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Chamber holds ‘Business Safari’ on Monday

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will hold a December ‘Business Safari’ meeting.

The event at Harrogate Ladies College on Monday, December 12,   is also being opened up to Harrogate BID levy payers.

Sue Kramer, Harrogate Chamber of Commerce President, said:

“Our December Business Safari will be fun, fast and furious. Business owners or their representatives are tasked with delivering short pitches that encapsulate the essence of their business, including any special offers and samples.

“We are excited as, for the first time, we are opening it up to BID Levy payers, so our members will get the opportunity to meet with even more local businesses.

“It is also an ideal opportunity to market their goods or services to a room full of potential customers and expand their business contacts.

“The event is a highlight of the Chamber’s calendar, and we are grateful to Harrogate Ladies College for hosting this latest instalment of the ‘Business Safari’.”

The event is from 5.30- 8pm.

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Thompsons’ chartered accountants is to sponsor the Rising Star Under 30 category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards on March 9 in the Pavilions of Harrogate will celebrate business excellence across the district. The ten awards will recognise all aspects of business practice. Four of the regions top business leaders make up a stellar panel of judges.

Managing Director of Thompsons, Gyles Behhood, said:

“Having been given the opportunity and trust to head up Thompsons back when I was 26 years old, the firm is a huge advocate for youth success in all forms. The value of recognition, hard work and achievements by young individuals is vitally important to all of us.

The Rising Star Under 30 award gives the drive, inspiration and encouragement to those who will soon be the key driving force in our everyday lives and who we will rely upon to continue improving and breaking through new boundaries.

“We are thrilled to be able to support driven entrepreneurs through The Stray Ferret Business Awards”.

If you want your business or staff to get the recognition they deserve enter now. 

Business Breakfast: New partnership for Masham’s Theakston brewery

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Masham based brewery, T&R Theakston has partnered with Newcastle’s Blackrose Pubs as the brewery seeks to broaden the appeal of cask beer to a new generation.

The partnership will make Theakston Best Bitter available in the group’s 27 cask-serving pubs.

Alongside supplying the group’s venues, the brewery has also provided training at its brewery on conditioning, tapping the casks, cellar maintenance and achieving the perfect pour.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:

“As a brewery we’re passionate about our product and about championing the wider cask market, so it’s fantastic to be working with Blackrose Pubs who appreciate the craftmanship that goes not just into creating the beer, but also ensuring it’s delivered in prime condition to customers.

“With almost two centuries of brewing expertise behind us, we know how important it is to pass on the skills of conditioning, tapping casks and cellar maintenance to the next generation of pub leaders. We’re very excited to see where our journey together takes us.”

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Harrogate legal firm, Raworths is to sponsor the Business Growth category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Awards on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate will celebrate business excellence across the district with 10 prestigious awards.

The judging panel is made up of four of the most influential leaders in the area.

Simon Morris, Managing Partner at Raworths said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Business Growth category at the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023. This category offers businesses who have experienced unprecedented growth and expansion, in a challenging economic climate, a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate their achievements.

“Here at Raworths, we are extremely proud of our Harrogate roots, having been based in the town for more than 125 years, and we are excited to have this opportunity to champion the incredible business community we have in the district.”

Entries are open so if you have a positive business story to tell apply now.

Model boaters in Valley Gardens call for public support to stop fountain

Claro Marine model boating club has called on the public to help stop a fountain being installed in the Valley Gardens’ boating pond.

Harrogate Borough Council plans to put the fountain in the pool next year at a cost of £6,000.  The boaters have argued it will stop their hobby as water from the fountain will damage the engines of their model boats.

The club’s secretary, Dave Finnegan, wrote to the council outlining its concerns and earlier this month received a response.

Head of parks and environment services, Alison Wilson, wrote:

“As the body [of the fountain] consists of a base and jets there is little infrastructure involved. Once in place, we will consider any protection required to ensure there is no damage to the jets from boats and vice versa.

“We do not wish to curtail your clubs activities, simply make the area more attractive and usable at other times of the week”.

Mr Finnegan told the Stray Ferret he was unhappy with Ms Wilson’s reply.

“You can’t use a model boat where there is a fountain. If your boat goes wrong or there is some interference with the remote control you can find the boat in the fountain area which damages the boat.

“If there is a fender cutting off the fountain, then you’re cutting off a huge area for the boats to go. It is a small pond really not a lake. The boats need the deeper water which is where they’ll put the fountain. “

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The council has also said it was working on a scheme where the club could disable the fountain but Mr Finnegan said it had additional concerns that in hot weather the fountain water could pose a public health risk. As a result it doesn’t want responsibility for operating it

“The pond is shallow and we’re concerned that if the water temperature rises above 20 degrees celsius the fountain could create the risk of spreading legionnaires disease.”

The council has rejected this, saying the pond will be monitored and tested in hot weather.

The boating pond in Valley Gardens, which is currently drained

The club though has its supporters — retired lawyer, Dr Trevor Dale, wrote to Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones, outlining concerns for the boaters and raising the legionnaires disease issue.

Mr Jones then contacted Alison Wilson and sent Dr Dale a letter with her response in it.

So the club felt it had got no further and it has left the boaters feeling frustrated and powerless.

Mr Finnegan said:

“We’ve no idea how to change their minds. When you consider it has been used as a boating pool for 98 years, it’s very sad.

“Nobody is helping us so I’d like the public to get involved and write to the council or to Andrew Jones and call for the fountain plan to be cancelled.”

 

Business Breakfast: Christmas Harrogate networking event this Sunday

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A free Harrogate business networking event is to be held at Cold Bath Brewery this Sunday, December 4.

Normally the Harrogate Social meets on the first friday of every month. It’s a space where around 50 local business owners get together  for a drink at a local independent bar and share news.

The Christmas event though is on a Sunday afternoon and this year the venue is Cold Bath Brewing on Kings Road.

The organisers, Liz Wild or Wild and Co Chartered Accountants and Martin Mann of Martin Mann- I.T. are asking participants to support the Harrogate Homeless Project.

For more information click here.

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Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors in Harrogate are to sponsor the Inclusivity Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Inclusivity Award recognises a company that has demonstrated working practices with a proactive approach to inclusivity.

In total there are 10 Award categories for the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 which will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate.  The main event sponsor is Knaresborough based financial advisers and consultants, Prosperis. 

Andrew from Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors said:

“Harrogate has many legends…..  Betty’s, Valley Gardens, The Blue’s Bar…. But, there is a new kid on the block, The Stray Ferret and we are proud to be working as a partner with them.

“The Stray Ferret has quickly become known as the place to find impartial, honest, local news, at Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors we are pleased to be partnering with the Stray Ferret, after all our clients want impartial honest advice on their property purchase”

The event promises to be great occasion which recognises best practice and business excellence.

If your business has a good story to tell enter now . Entries close on January 13.

 

Owners of Harrogate trophy store retire after 40 years

A Harrogate couple who have run a small independent trophy store for 40 years are to retire.

Martin and Jane Newton have operated Trophies and Engravings out of their small shop on Valley Mount since the early 1980’s.

Before his career in trophy making,  Mr Newton worked for ICI at Hornbeam Park but left to set up a darts shop.

A keen dart player, he was running a number of darts leagues across the district at the time.

When he was asked to run a competition for Theakston’s Brewery and make the trophies, it marked the start of a new business that would soon take over his life for the next four decades.

Now at the age of 72, he said. it’s time to hand the business over to people younger.

“I was busy up to covid and I was worried afterwards that we wouldn’t have enough business but we’ve had queues since then and we’ve not stopped running. Once you hit 70  it is hard work.

Making trophies for the Great Yorkshire Show starts early in the year and goes onto June. We also have school presentations at that time of year and all the winter sports leagues ending, it’s manic. ”

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The trophies the Newtons have made and commissioned come in all shapes, sizes and budgets, ranging from £5 for a school award to hundreds of thousands of pounds for a bespoke trophy plated in silver or gold.

Whilst the couple have worked with local organisations such as the Army Foundation College, Harrogate Swimming Club and Yorkshire Gymnastics, they also have contracts much further afield.  Their bus awards – a gold coloured bus on a plinth- are popular in Australia and America.

Jane Newton has run the business with her husband. Even in a world now obsessed with social media, she said, there’s nothing like winning an actual physical trophy:

“People are really proud when they get their name on a trophy – they’re beaming”

The Newtons have now sold the business to Paul and Linda Shreeve who will soon be creating  moments of joy for award winners everywhere.

Business Breakfast: Prosperis to be main sponsor of Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Prosperis, the Knaresborough based financial advisors and employee benefit consultants, are to be the main sponsor of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

Nominations are now open for 10 award categories that highlight all aspects of business from leadership, business growth to inclusivity.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards judging panel is made up of some of the districts most influential leaders : Marcus Boardall CEO of Reed Boardall, Charlene Lyons CEO of Black Sheep, Martin Rae CEO of Cloud Nine and James Farrar COO of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Managing Director of Prosperis, Niall Gunn said:

“We’re delighted to be the main sponsor of the Stray Ferret Business Awards.  As a leading corporate consultancy working across Yorkshire, we know there is so much best practice in the Harrogate district to celebrate and highlight.

“The event promises to be a great occasion – the judging panel is impressive and I’m sure competition for each award will be stiff.”

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 will be held on 9 March 2023.

If your business, team or staff member has an award winning story to tell then now is your time to shine!

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Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors has appointed a new Partner.

David Birks (left) joins as head of the commercial disputes and sports litigation team which offers a wide range of litigation services to both individuals and businesses across the region as well as nationally.

Before becoming a solicitor Mr Birks headed up the North Yorkshire Trading Standards Consumer Advice Team and Special Investigations team, dealing with regulatory matters and specialising in anti-counterfeiting matters.

 

Senior Partner Peter McCormick OBE said:

“We are delighted to welcome David on board, bringing as he does in-depth expertise in a complex area of law which is a key focus for the practice.”

Mr Birks has experience in sports disputes, including arbitrations, tribunals and FA, Premier League and EFL regulatory matters. His specialisms include insolvency (individual and corporate) and Directors Disqualification Act Proceedings.

 

The Stray Ferret launches 2023 Business Awards

Does your business or workplace have a good story to tell? We’re looking to recognise the best and the brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community.

On March 9 next year, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will celebrate those businesses at a glittering black tie ceremony in the Pavilions of Harrogate and we want your entries.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district including Ripon, Masham, Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

We are delighted to announce four of the region’s most influential leaders are on the Stray Ferret Business Award’s judging panel:

There are 10 award categories − from Dynamic Leader to Business Growth and Inclusivity.

It doesn’t matter if the business is large or small − the awards are to recognise excellent organisations, their leaders or unsung heroes.

It’s free to nominate and we will profile the great work of all the winners, so we would encourage you to put forward your business today.

You can see a full list of award categories on our Awards page. Entries close January 16.

In tough times we need, more than ever, to celebrate success and give individuals and teams the recognition they deserve.

Appeal for pet food donations in Harrogate

There’s been an appeal for donations of pet food in Harrogate as owners struggle to feed their animals.

The call for donations has come from the Harrogate District Foodbank after finding that many pet owners feel they cannot afford to keep their pets with the rising cost of living.

Dog food prices in particular have risen by 40%.

Seeing the appeal, a Harrogate pet shop owner volunteered to collect and deliver pet food donations for distribution across Harrogate district.

Jon Bradley, owner of HG Pets on Cold Bath Road is asking pet owners to come to the store and give unwanted pet food away.

He said:

“We will take any pet food – if it has been sitting in the cupboard because your pet doesn’t like it, we’ll have it. If it is opened, we can tape it up and it can be donated.

The appeal is for all types of small animal pet food –whether that is for a budgie or a dog.”

Mr Bradley said many pet owners are being forced to consider giving away their pets:

“Having got two dogs, I can’t think of anything worse than having to choose between them or myself… I’d put my animal first if I didn’t have a wife and daughter.”

More information regarding food banks in Harrogate district is available on the Harrogate District Foodbank website or via their email at: info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk.

If you wish to donate pet food to HG Pets, you can visit them at 47 Cold Bath Road or call at: 07921 169061.

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