Churches have opened their doors and put out books of condolence; flags across the Harrogate district were lowered to half mast and flowers laid as the district begins to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 96-year-old Queen, who was the country’s longest-serving monarch, died yesterday at Balmoral.
This blog has followed the days events as they unfolded across the district:
4.00pm: Mourners lay flowers by Harrogate’s War Memorial
Around ten bouquets have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate.
3.15pm: Historic Harrogate hotel remembers Queen’s visit
DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa has posted a photo from the time Princess Elizabeth visited the hotel, four years before she became Queen.
Elizabeth and her husband Philip visited The Majestic for a banquet in 1949 on the same day they visited the Great Yorkshire Show.
They couple was greeted at the hotel by Mayor Mary Fisher. Following the event, the Princess and Duke made a balcony appearance, waving to the crowds on the Majestic grounds
Credit: DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa
2.30pm: Stonefall Cemetery tours cancelled
Commonwealth War Graves Commission has cancelled free Stonefall Cemetery tours that were set to take place tomorrow as well as on September 15, 17 and 18.
Around 200 people were booked on tours to learn about the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who are buried there.
However, as a mark of respect for Her Majesty, the events have been cancelled.
1.45pm: Businesses pay unique tributes to Queen
Harrogate district businesses are paying their unique tributes to Elizabeth II.
Everyman cinema on Station Parade has replaced its usual notices that tell cinemagoers what films it is showing with a single somber quote. It says:
“Every thank you will never be enough 1926 – 2022”
The Harrogate Tea Rooms in Westminster Arcade has baked some special cupcakes inspired by the former monarch.
https://twitter.com/HarrogateTeaRms/status/1568218656818987010?s=20&t=noSrMM1VvqgwIEwubizUIQ
1.00pm: Boroughbridge
St James church in Boroughbridge has joined other Anglican churches in the district in setting up a book of condolence for mourners to sign.
12.30pm: Church bells ring out for the Queen
The Stray Ferret had reporters at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate, St John’s Church in Knaresborough and Ripon Cathedral from 12pm.
Most of the country’s 16,000 churches haven’t rang bells muffled since the death of the Queen’s father in 1952.
Watch videos below of the bells ringing below:
Leather mufflers were attached to the bells at St John’s Church in Knaresborough so they can make the muffled sound
12.10pm: Earl of Harewood issues personal tribute
The Earl of Harewood David Lascelles has issued a personal statement that remembers his relative Elizabeth II.
His father, the late George Lascelles, was the Queen’s first cousin.
David Lascelles
The Earl’s tribute includes an anecdote of when the Queen visited Harewood in 2002 and watched Emmerdale being filmed.
The statement also highlight’s the Queen’s appreciation of Yorkshire’s different faiths and communities.
Mr Lascelles said:
“Queen Elizabeth was my first cousin once removed, Cousin Lilibet, the name she was called by all her family. Though we were related, I only really met her on formal occasions during my adult life, so have less personal memories of this remarkable woman. But I do remember the last time she was at Harewood, in July 2002 for her Golden Jubilee.
“It was a gloriously sunny day and the first stop was at the long-running TV soap opera Emmerdale, the village set for which is on the southern edge of Harewood Estate, where my wife Diane and I greeted her. The Queen met and shook hands with the cast and crew and watched the Post Office being set on fire, a stunt staged in her honour and not part of their regular storyline.
“The main event of the day was in front of Harewood House, where, accompanied by my father and step-mother, an hour long pageant was staged for her and for Prince Philip and an enthusiastic crowd. This was Yorkshire at it most culturally diverse: on a smaller scale, but not unlike the parades along the Mall for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, still fresh in everyone’s memory.
“There was music from many different traditions and performers representing all Yorkshire’s different communities. There were spectacular costumes from Leeds’ West Indian Carnival, brass bands from the mining villages of South Yorkshire, Indian dancers from Bradford, operatic arias from Lesley Garrett and guest appearances from Mel B, Brian Close and Terry Venables (who had just been appointed as Leeds United’s new manager) on the steps of Harewood House.
“The Queen’s enjoyment was clear for all to see. These were the rich, mixed, varied, sometimes contradictory cultures of 21st century Britain, a Britain very different from the country she knew when she came to the throne in 1953 but one with which she continued to identify and one which she continued to represent with grace and with great dignity.
“The length of her reign and the many changes she witnessed during those years are unprecedented in our history. Her death is truly the end of an era, the end of the Second Elizabethan Age.”
11.45am: Harrogate’s Muslim community pays its respects
Whilst the district’s Anglican churches have led the tributes to Elizabeth II, Harrogate’s Muslim community has also paid its own respects.
Harrogate Islamic Association said:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (“To God we belong and to Him we return”)
We are united in sorrow for, by all measures, a remarkable woman https://t.co/rfL8HrYXIa
— Harrogate Islamic Association (@HarrogateIA) September 9, 2022
11.30am: Harrogate Town game called off
Harrogate Town’s game against Carlisle United tomorrow has been called off. It was due to kick off at 3pm at the EnviroVent Stadium but the English Football League has decided to postpone all fixtures as a mark of respect to Elizabeth II.
Leeds United’s game against Nottingham Forest on Monday night has also been postponed by the Premier League.
Saturday 10th September's fixture against Carlisle has been postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/KP3Cuyy5C8
— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) September 9, 2022
11.00am: Harry’s tours to focus on the Queen
Tour guide Harry Satloka will continue with his free Harrogate walking tours today with a special focus on Harrogate’s connection with Elizabeth II.
He said he will be wearing black as a mark of respect until after the funeral.
Harry Satloka this morning by the War Memorial
10.30am: St Peter’s Church plans special services
St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Road will be holding special services to remember the former Queen over the weekend.
The church’s bells will ring today from 12pm for one hour.
Vicar Alan Garrow said:
“The church will be open as a focal point for people to express their grief. For flowers we recommend people leave them at the garden of remembrance, which is on the Cambridge Street side of St Peter’s.
“We have eight bell ringers and they are going to ring all of the bells for the full one hour from 12pm.”
Mourners signing the book of remembrance at St Peter’s
10.15am: Flags at half-mast in Knaresborough
Knaresborough House. Credit: Charlotte Gale
The Union Flag is flying at half-mast outside Knaresborough House.
The town has proud links to the Royal family dating back centuries.
Knaresborough Castle is still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster Estate (although currently leased to Harrogate Borough Council).
It’s a former Royal summer residence and was also the administrative centre for the Forest of Knaresborough, an administrative area and royal hunting ground that covered 45 square miles.
The Mayor of Knaresborough Kathryn Davies said:
“For a lot of people in Knaresborough Queen Elizabeth II will be the only monarch they have known. The loss of her calm and constant presence in their lives will be felt keenly. They are not alone in their grief. As well as the rest of the United Kingdom, many across the world will also miss her greatly.
“When the news of her death was announced, I was with a party of Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians. Without exception they had been following her progress in the last few days and were immediate in their expressions of condolence and their own sense of loss.
“She was a great monarch who steered us through some exceptional times in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Good luck and best wishes to our new King Charles II. God save the King.”
10.00am: Betty’s closed until 11am
Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street is closed until 11am. A notice has been posted on the window that includes its own tribute to the former Queen.
9.30am: Yorkshire Agricultural Society pays tribute
Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the organisation that runs the Great Yorkshire Show, has issued its own tribute to Elizabeth II. She had long standing links to the show and visited four times as Queen (1949, 1957, 1977 and 2008).
The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957. Credit: YAS
The statement said:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
“The Royal Family and Her Majesty The Queen have been an integral part of the Society’s heritage since it first formed in 1837.
“The Queen was the first female Patron of the Society and remained so for 45 years from 1952 to 1997. TRH Prince of Wales has been the Society’s Patron since 1998.
“Her Majesty first visited the Great Yorkshire Show in 1949, before becoming Queen, and went on to visit a number of times over the years before a final visit in 2008 with The Duke of Edinburgh. During the visit, The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the start of the construction of Fodder and the adjoining Yorkshire Agricultural Society offices.
“The Society is honoured to have had the privilege of The Queen supporting the work it does for agriculture as both our Patron and as our guest.”
9am: RHS Harlow Carr remaining open today
The Royal Horticultural Society will be opening RHS Harlow Carr today but it will close on the day of the funeral, which has not yet been announced, as a mark of respect.
The RHS said in a statement:
“Her Majesty became Patron of the Society on accession to the throne in 1952. From an early age, The Queen regularly accompanied her parents to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, visiting the show more than 50 times during her reign, and always took great pleasure in touring the gardens and plant displays and speaking with exhibitors.
“We were extremely grateful and proud to have Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as our Patron and we are immensely saddened by yesterday’s news.”
8.45am: Bilton church opens book of condolence
St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open until 5pm for people to pray and give thanks for the life of the former Queen. There will be candles to light and a book of condolence to sign.
8.25am: Pateley Bridge
We’ve been in Pateley Bridge this morning to see how the town has responded to the death of the Queen. Below is a picture of St Cuthbert Church with the St George’s flag flying at half-mast.
The police station and council offices:
8.10am: Ripon pays its respects
Reporter Tim Flanagan is in Ripon this morning where the Union Flag is flying at half mast over Ripon Town Hall.
The building is still decked in the banners put in place to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the historic building in May 2004 when the city celebrated the 400th anniversary of the granting by James I of its Royal Charter.
Some 19 years earlier in April 1985, The Queen was at Ripon Cathedral for the Royal Maundy Service.
8am: Harrogate district MPs issue statements
Our three Conservative MPs, Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams have all issued statements following the death of the Queen.
— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) September 8, 2022
— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) September 8, 2022
Such heartbreaking news.
HM Queen Elizabeth II served our nation and the Commonwealth selflessly for 70 years.
May she rest in peace.
God Save The King. https://t.co/rGHlhY8DZw
— Nigel Adams (@nadams) September 8, 2022
Church Bells will toll
Church bells across the district will toll at noon today to mark the Queen’s death. The bells will be muffled and toll for one hour.
The Church of England has sent out guidance to parish churches, chapels and cathedrals encouraging them to toll their bells or open for prayer or special services.
The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has issued a statement:
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the figurehead of our nation for over 70 years, a loyal servant who has provided stability and support to so many for so long. It is impossible to imagine life without her, and I know many will find the fact we now have to face that reality very difficult.
“Our emergency services will play a key role in the coming days in supporting our communities, and their commemorations and celebrations of Her Majesty’s life.
“My thoughts today are particularly with the Royal Family who have not just lost a leader but a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. No matter who you are or when it happens, the death of a loved one is incredibly hard, and my respects and condolences go to them.”
The Royal Hall this morning with the flag lowered at half mast
Read More:
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Watch: Bells toll across district to mark the Queen’s death
At midday today, bells at several of the Harrogate district’s churches rung out to mourn the Queen.
Churches including Ripon Cathedral, St Peter’s in Harrogate and St John’s in Knaresborough rung throughout the hour.
They joined with churches across the country such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral to pay their respects to the Monarch.
Janet Hurst was one of the bellringers in Hampsthwaite. She explained the process of ‘muffling’ the bells as part of the tribute.
“The bells are fully muffled, which only happens for the Monarch, normally it’s half-muffled… so that people can pause and pay their respects to Her Majesty.”
Read more:
- LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
- Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen
Harrogate district churches open for tributes, reflection and mourning
Churches across the Harrogate district are opening so people can pay tribute to the Queen and sign books of condolence. We report on what each parish has planned to allow people to mourn, reflect and celebrate her life.
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral will be the main focal point for the mourning of the Queen in the Harrogate district.
A book of condolence for the Queen opened at 10am this morning.
The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.
There will be a special Evensong service at 5.30pm and a vigil service at 8.30pm. A specific place has also been designated outside the cathedral where people can lay flowers.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, said on the cathedral’s website:
“We are very sorry to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
“She was one of the world’s greatest figures of our time, one who dedicated her life as monarch to the wellbeing of the people of this nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world.”
Saturday 10th September
Hourly prayers taking place on the hour
8.30am – Morning Prayer
12 noon – Holy Communion
5.30pm – Special Choral Evensong with prayers to mark the Proclamation of the King
Cathedral open until 9pm
Sunday 11th September
8am – Holy Communion
9.30am – Morning Prayer
10.30am – Eucharist with the Bishop of Ripon. The service will include prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III
3.30pm – Choral Evensong to mark the death of the sovereign Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Cathedral open until 7pm
A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate
Harrogate
In Harrogate, a book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Street in the town centre.
St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open between 9am and 5pm today for “people to be quiet, reflect and pray as they remember and give thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Knaresborough
Read more
Pateley Bridge
A book of condolences has been open at St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge.
Vicar Darryl Hall invited people to “feel free to light a candle and say a prayer.”
Prayer stations in Holy Trinity Dacre Banks, St Jude’s Hartwith, Christ Church Darley and St Saviour’s Thornthwaite and been set up where people can light a candle reflect, remember and pray.
Sunday Services:
9:30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks
11am Holy Communion at St Saviour’s, Thornthwaite
6:30pm Holy Communion at Christ Church, Darley
Boroughbridge
Roecliffe Church will hold a short prayer service at 7.30pm Friday tonight.
St James’s in Borougbridge will hold prayers for the Queen and the new King on Monday morning at 9.30am.
Both churches, as well as St Mary’s in Dunsforth and St Andrew’s in Aldborough, will remain open as much as possible during the week for people to visit and to sign books of condolence.
A parish-wide service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday, September 18 at 10am.
Masham
St Mary’s Church in Masham is open between 10am and 6pm today for people to light candles and say prayers.
A book of condolences will be opened on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the district
Nidd Church will be open for an hour today from 12pm.
A book of condolences has also been opened at the church in Hampsthwaite.
Craig Marshall, the rector of North Rigton, Weeton and Kirby Overblow, said:
“May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory.
“Our prayers are with King Charles and the royal family.”
He said books of condolences would be opened in each church alongside an image of the Queen.
The churches opened at 9am there will be prayers at 12 noon today in St Barnabas, Weeton and 7pm tonight in All Saints’ Kirkby Overblow.
Mayor leads Harrogate tributes to Queen’s ‘constant source of courage’Harrogate’s mayor has led tributes to the Queen’s “constant source of courage and inspiration” following the announcement of her death today.
Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, this afternoon. She died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
Councillor Victoria Oldham, mayor of the Harrogate district, said in a statement:
“It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her Majesty The Queen has been a constant source of courage and inspiration throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and across the world.
“Throughout her 70-year reign, she has touched so many of our lives and led us through many dark but also many positive times.
“On behalf of everyone across the Harrogate district, I would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Royal Family during this time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
Other leading figures in the Harrogate district have also begun paying tribute to the Queen, including the leader of North Yorkshire County Council.
Councillor Carl Les said:
“The Queen’s reign has already been noted as the longest ever of any of the country’s monarchs, but she will be remembered for so much more than the length of her time as the Sovereign of our nation.
“Her tireless and unstinting commitment to the role has been an inspiration throughout the whole of her reign, and her legacy will leave an indelible impression for generations to come.
“I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the Royal Family for not only their loss, but the nation’s loss too. God save the King.”
County council chairwoman and Masham councillor Margaret Atkinson also said:
“I have always had a great deal of admiration for the Queen, and she was such a beautiful, kind and remarkable lady who I was fortunate enough to meet at a Garden Party in 1997 due to my charity work for Yorkshire Cancer.
“She had such dignity and humanity and kept to her promise that she would dedicate her life to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth. Which given her age of 96 when she passed away, is an incredible achievement.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrat party added:
“We wish to pay our respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We thank her for her lifetime of dedicated service, our thoughts lie with the rest of the Royal Family today.”
The Royal Family gathered at the Queen’s Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier today.
Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will now lead the country in mourning as the new King.
Read More:
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died
Buckingham Palace has announced that her Majesty the Queen has died.
Earlier today the Queen’s doctors had issued a warning that they were concerned about her health. This afternoon the Royal family travelled to Balmoral in Scotland to be at her side.
The Stray Ferret will temporary suspend publishing district news as a mark of respect.
For more news we link to BBC news, as the state’s broadcaster. bbc.co.uk
Prayers tonight at Ripon Cathedral for the Queen
Prayers will be said at Ripon Cathedral tonight for her Majesty the Queen after her doctors expressed concern for her health.
Early this afternoon doctors issued a statement saying the 96-year-old Queen’s health was a concern and that she was comfortable at Balmoral. Members of the royal family have travelled to Scotland to be by her side.
This evening at Ripon Cathedral, evensong prayers will be said for her majesty and the royal family.
The Bishop of Ripon, the right reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley issued this statement:
With so many others across the world, I send my prayers, thoughts and very best wishes to Her Majesty The Queen and all members of the Royal Family at this time of deep concern about Her Majesty’s health.
Our Cathedrals and churches in the Diocese of Leeds are open for people who want to gather in quiet contemplation, to light a candle if that is your tradition, and simply offer their own words, silent or spoken, and their thoughts.
As Archbishop Justin, the Archbishop of Canterbury has tweeted, ‘May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral’.
Harrogate businesses ‘still unable to pay energy bills’ despite PM’s pledge
Harrogate business leaders have warned that Liz Truss’s energy plan is “too little too late” to save struggling firms from closure.
The new prime minister today announced that annual energy bills for households will be frozen at £2,500 until 2024 as part of a huge support package which could cost up to £150 billion.
However, the scheme is less generous for businesses than had been expected as their bills will be capped for six months – a shorter period than many had hoped for.
Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:
“As the owner of a town centre restaurant, one that uses a lot of gas and electricity, I don’t think the support being offered goes far enough, or long enough.
“It pains me to say this, but even with the energy price cap some business will simply not be able to pay higher bills.
“It is going to be another tough time for the high street.”
Energy prices have soared this year, largely due to the conflict in Ukraine which has reduced supplies of gas.
This has driven up the UK energy price cap which sets the highest amount suppliers are allowed to charge households and had been due to rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October.
Unlike households, small businesses are not covered by the cap and Harrogate district MPs were last month warned that many firms would soon reach a “tipping point”.
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- Business group to help boost growth in Kirkby Malzeard
- Harrogate district business groups call for more support after new PM’s energy announcement
Speaking in the commons today, Ms Truss said she was “acting immediately” in her premiership and that the support for businesses may be extended for vulnerable sectors after the six-month period.
“Extraordinary challenges call for extraordinary measures, ensuring that the United Kingdom is never in this situation again.”
Reacting to her announcement, David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said it would be “too little, too late” for some businesses.
Business Breakfast: Harrogate Italian restaurant expands“Businesses have had it incredibly tough for more than two years, and it isn’t going to get any easier. Surging energy costs are just one of the pressures facing businesses.
“When Ms Truss recently came to Harrogate, members of Independent Harrogate challenged her about business rates.
“Her response was that she would review them. This she needs to do urgently, along with looking at VAT, fuel duty, National Insurance and corporation tax.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Italian restaurant Pranzo is to expand its premises on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate. The company has taken a lease on the former hairdressers next door.
The new larger restaurant will see an extra 25 covers inside, a private dining area and double its capacity outside. Work to convert the building is expected to take a couple of months.
The Harrogate restaurant is the second Pranzo – the first was opened in Ilkley and the company plans to open a third in Horsforth outside Leeds in the near future.
Stephen Peace, operations manager, told the Stray Ferret that despite the gloomy economic outlook the business was resilient:
“I think hospitality is always going to be a struggle however, because of our business model where we make and produce all our own pasta daily, it has allowed us to remain competitive.
“We have a small intimate venue and are always fully booked.
The former hairdressers which will be converted into the larger Pranzo restaurant
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Consultancy firm expands role in Ripon Spa Hotel redevelopment
Silverstone Building Consultancy is to project manage the transformation of the Ripon Spa Hotel, in a multi-million-pound construction contract.
The 43-bedroom Edwardian hotel was acquired by The Inn Collection Group in 2021 and is due to re-open in the spring of next year.
Silverstone Building Consultancy, is a specialist firm of chartered building surveyors and project managers, with offices in Newcastle and Leeds.
Ben Rennocks, director at the Leeds office of Silverstone Building Consultancy, said:
“We have a long-standing relationship with The Inn Collection Group and we were initially brought in to act as project manager when it came to preparing pre-tender estimates, managing the necessary planning permission and appointing both a contractor and design team on behalf of the client.
“As well as the project management appointment our role, has now developed into a contract administrator. The work has started on site with the main contractor, STP Construction appointed, following a competitive tendering process.
“This is a 40-week construction programme which will see the hotel undergo extensive internal and external works.”
Louise Stewart, property director at The Inn Collection Group, said:
“We’re excited to be working with Silverstone Building Consultancy again for this project. We have worked together on numerous projects and look forward to continuing our ‘eat, drink, sleep, explore’ brand with its help.
Its team shares our commitment to reaching the highest of standards and has a proven track record of producing fantastic refurbishment projects.”
Towns at centre of North Yorkshire culture strategy
North Yorkshire County Council has put town centres at the heart of its plans to revitalise culture in the county.
The council has begun to roll out its new cultural framework after two years of consultations across the county.
A report for the framework found that the pandemic had a large impact on town centre visitor numbers.
Along with the growth of online shopping, it argued that high streets needed new ways of staying relevant, with cultural attractions seen as key.
The report states that:
“Town centres traditionally serve their rural hinterland’s needs for retail and civic amenities but as shopping and banking move online culture can help in animating spaces through activity or art, driving footfall and creating a buzz and amplifying sense of identity.”
Ideas on how to do this include promoting different towns’ heritages, installing public art and working with local stakeholders.
Over the last year, more cultural events have returned to the district’s towns as organisers recognise the important role they play in attracting visitors.
In July, Harrogate staged its first carnival since 2019, which saw street theatre, international street food and music performances. In September, the Ripon Civic Society is organising Heritage Open Days across the town and the city is also hosting a four day Poetry Festival which is growing in popularity.
A possible redevelopment of the Royal Pump Rooms Museum in Harrogate was also reported to be in the planning stage.
The 2022 Harrogate Carnival
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The consultation on the state of culture in North Yorkshire began in March 2020, before the first Covid lockdown.
The framework also recognises the impact that the lockdowns had on people’s wellbeing. It found:
“During the Covid pandemic issues of social isolation and loneliness have been exacerbated. A key factor in reducing loneliness is the social interaction experienced while participating in cultural activity.”
Other aspects of the framework concern regeneration, developing and supporting cultural industries, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting community development.
The plans are to be discussed at the county council’s area committees, including the one for the Skipton and Ripon constituency next week.
The framework was developed in partnership between the district and county councils, including Harrogate Borough Council.
Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID to host energy saving workshops for businesses
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) is to hold three workshops around saving energy.
The organisation is partnering with energy consultant Ryan Edwards to look at ways of dealing with rising electricity and gas prices.
There will be three events during the day on Monday, September 19.
The first is being held at Hustle & Co on Prince Albert Terrace at 9.30am, the second on Zoom at 11am and the third at 5.30pm at Starling Café on Oxford Street.
The sessions will last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Business who want to attend the Zoom meeting have been asked to email the BID for the link.
Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:
“We are acutely aware of the struggles our members are continually having when it comes to understanding, managing and securing new energy contracts for their businesses.”
He said Mr Edwards has expertise that will be helpful:
“He will be able to help us have a better understanding of what is happening within the energy market, and offer practical advice on securing energy contracts.
“Ryan works with more than 26 UK Suppliers, so can assure you that he can find the very best contracts on the market at this time.
“He can also bulk buy energy by buying all Members energy, at the same time driving the unit prices down significantly. It goes without saying, the more businesses we can get involved, the cheaper the unit.”
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Richard Levin of Loop Cashmere, Anne Blanden of Finance Yorkshire, Claire Heathcote of Loop Cashmere and Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire
Harrogate cashmere company secures Finance Yorkshire investment
Harrogate luxury cashmere brand Loop Cashmere has secured funding from the business loan organisation Finance Yorkshire.
The company makes its products using sustainable yarn from Inner Mongolia.
The £250,000 it has secured has gone towards opening a warehouse in Leeds and appoint a head of marketing.
Claire Heathcote opened the business with Richard Levin two years ago. She said:
“We saw a gap in the market for a sustainable cashmere brand offering contemporary styles made in the softest high-quality cashmere. Sustainability is the heart of brand from the way we source our sustainably accredited yarn, who we select as expert makers to craft our styles, our small production runs and the use of recyclable and compostable packaging.”
Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said:
“In just two years Loop Cashmere has developed a strong brand with sustainable credentials which will appeal to fashion-conscious customers. We look forward to supporting them in the next chapter of their growth journey.”