The team behind Long Lands Common is set to unveil plans to create a food forest on Harrogate’s green belt.

Long Lands Common is Harrogate and Knaresborough’s first community owned woodland and nature reserve.

It was established after around 3,000 people bought shares in Long Lands Common Ltd and raised almost £400,000 to purchase 30 acres of land near Nidderdale Greenway at the end of 2020.

Now organisers want to spend the small amount of surplus money they raised to buy an extra four acres of Harrogate green belt and plant a forest that would be a source of local food.

The company, which is a community benefits society, is to hold its AGM on Saturday, June 25, when the proposal will be put to shareholders for approval.

Secretary of Long Lands Common Ltd, Chris Kitson, told the Stray Ferret :

“The aim is to expand Long Lands Common, bring more green belt into local ownership and produce food for the local community.

We need a more sustainable world and a more localised, resilient economy.

Never in my life have I seen so much insecurity. We need to return to a more sustainable way of producing local food for local people.”

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What is a food forest? 

Kate Wilkinson is a horticulturalist who specialises in permaculture design and is advising the Long Lands Common team.

She says at one point the ancient forest of Knaresborough would have been a food forest — local people would have had the right to forage for naturally grown food such as mushrooms and blackberries.

She said the concept is the same when you create a modern food forest:

” A food forest is based on observing natural ecosystems. Trees are planted with scrubs underneath that copy natural systems . The plants are perennials and stay there for years enabling invertebrates, animals and birds to thrive.

“It’s aim is to be a social project too – the forest is accessible to everyone. People can forage with permission and feel that they belong there. The forest is owned by the people”.

The Annual General Meeting will start at 11am at Long Lands Common where the committee is also organising a picnic day.

The North Yorkshire branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it’s seriously concerned over proposed cuts to the service in Harrogate and warned public safety will be put at greater risk.

The warning from the FBU comes after the proposals were made public by Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, last month and include halving Harrogate fire station’s overnight capacity. 

The station, on Skipton Road, currently operates two fire engines 24 hours a day. But under new plans, it would have just one appliance from 10pm to 9am when fewer incidents usually occur.

Ms Metcalfe said at the time that she was confident “the right people, right equipment and the right support would continue to be available to everyone”.

Read More:

• Five Harrogate firefighters could lose jobs in plans to reduce service
• Cuts to Harrogate fire crews would ‘put money before lives’, says ex-firefighter

A public consultation was launched last month to gather the community’s views on the proposals.

The union is urging firefighters and the public to have their say, and make their concerns heard over the impact the plans will have on emergency fire cover across the region.

North Yorkshire FBU Brigade Secretary Steve Howley said:

“Firefighters urge that the public reject these proposals and call on people to visit the PFCC’s website to strongly oppose all cuts to emergency response. The PFCC needs to fight for the correct funding from government, not simply mask underfunding by slashing services and providing the public of North Yorkshire with a second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk.”

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been promising these IRMP proposals for the past two years, and time after time we have been given delays and excuses. For a chief fire officer to table cuts of this magnitude to emergency fire response in York, Harrogate and Scarborough just weeks before retiring is quite frankly appalling.

“We need Zoe Metcalfe to stand up for her communities and reject these proposals rather than put their safety at risk.”

Organising an official street party with North Yorkshire County Council and closing a road takes a bit of paper work and bureaucracy.

Neighbours Jilly Adams and Angela Palladino in Westminster Grove, Burn Bridge, were undeterred.

Both work for the NHS and thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring their neighbours together post covid.

This afternoon that happened as the cul-de-sac closed and neighbours brought food, drink, tables and chairs to meet and celebrate the jubilee.

Angela said:

“The local community is so important. We’ve lost looking after each other. Covid has highlighted how important it is to look after one another”

Angela Palladino (left) and Jilly Adams (right) 

Angela is a relatively new resident of the road, her neighbour Jilly Adams has lived in Westminster Grove for a long time:

“I think a lot of us have forgotten how important the Queen is. I’ve lived here for 18 years and have never done anything like this before.

“It’s taken our lovely, lovely Queen to get us together”

Both neighbours feel the Queen’s example of dedication and care is important for future generations.

Indeed sitting the shade was great grandmother, Margaret Holtby who is 80 years old holding her great grandson, Cooper, who is only two months old (pictured below).

As the sun shone in the afternoon the Stray Ferret left the Westminster Grove party in full swing. S Club 7 was playing loudly on the sound system and the bubbly was in full flow.

This afternoon the regulars of Trinity Dancing dressed up in red, white and blue as the organisers put on a special dance for the jubilee.

Around 40 dancers formed a large circle and swirled around what had become the dance floor of   Knaresborough Community Centre.

Here are some images and a taste of the dancers’ sartorial elegance:

From L-R : Tom and Maureen Stamford, John and Shirley Thompson and new joiners to the dancing group Christine and Mark Howson 

Derek Almack from Ripon and Helen Rogers from Knaresborough — both new to the group

Dance partners Edna Holliday from Harrogate and Bart Blok from Knaresborough (note the little bit of bling on Bart’s shirt) 

June Weirs from Bilton WI set up a stand in the corner with knitted craft work done 25 years ago for the Ripley Show that celebrated the history of the Queen. 

L-R Lesley Bolton, Gloria Tolson, Enid Shaw and Pam Godsell. Enid is one of the Trinity Dance organisers, Gloria and Lesley help too. 

Pam Godsell is on the working group for the town council’s jubilee celebrations and is also involved in the Knaresborough Loins. She said:

“I am really pleased with how many have turned out today. I volunteered to open up the community centre as it would normally have been closed and I’m a key holder. It’s a special day and this dance is a free event.”

The whole dance group (just before a cup of tea)

Knaresborough Castle, a once mighty fortress for medieval kings, was lit in red, white and blue last night as around 800 people gathered to watch the lighting of a jubilee beacon.

Minutes before the beacon was lit on the dot of 9.45pm, the town crier, Roger Hewitt, made a proclamation of loyalty to the Queen.  The crowd cheered as he called out “God Save The Queen”.

The Mayor of Knaresborough, Kathryn Davies, then lit the beacon which was one of 3,500 across the world. You can watch the historic moment in this video.

Cllr Davies said it was wonderful to be a part of the event:

“It is an absolutely unique privilege and great honour in my first term as councillor and mayor.

“Having been to the Platinum Jubilee service at Ripon Cathedral this morning on behalf of the people of Knaresborough, it was a great pleasure to do something with the people themselves here tonight.”

Ripon too saw a big turnout for the lighting of its beacon with an estimated two and a half thousand people in Market Square.

Above: The stage is set for the jubilee beacon to be lit

Above: Bagpipe player, Graham Hall, plays as a prelude to the lighting of the beacon

The beacon was lit by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Dean John Dobson who was accompanied by the Mayor Ripon councillor Sid Hawke — pictured below.

Ripon’s beacon had a burner head in the shape of a globe, representing the countries of the Commonwealth, surrounded by a crown.

These two historic venues were not the only places across the district to light a beacon. 

Please send us your pictures of these other beacon lightings and of any jubilee festivities to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Above Knaresborough Castle resplendent in red, white and blue and below the crowd get into the spirit of the weekend

This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.

The sun is out as four days of jubilee celebrations get underway in the Harrogate district today.

The Stray Ferret will be covering the festivities and the fun, the street parties and the ceremonies over the next four days in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.

We want to hear what’s happening in your town, village or city so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it to the blog.

5.24pm: Will it stay dry for tonight’s beacons?

It’s been a warm and sunny opening day to the jubilee celebrations but it is clouding over.

Beacons are due to be lit across the Harrogate district tonight, with most occurring at 9.45pm. According to the BBC weather forecast for Harrogate, some rain is possible.

Spofforth Castle, Ripon Market Square,  Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton, the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Kirkby Malzeard and Roomer Common in Masham are among the locations taking part.

So too is Knaresborough Castle, where Tamsin from the Stray Ferret will be among the onlookers.

4.35pm: Spofforth hosts children’s party

Fresh from his trip to Blubberhouses, our reporter Tom has been to Spofforth to witness today’s jubilee activities.

You can read his full account here.

4.17pm: Great and the good attend Ripon Cathedral’s civic event

Julian Smith MP

Harry Gration

North Yorkshire dignitaries gathered at Ripon Cathedral today for a service in honour of the Queen.

Those attending included the Archbishop of York, Ripon MP Julian Smith, Grantley Hall owner Valeria Sykes and former Look North presenter Harry Gration.

You can read our Ripon reporter Tim’s full account here.

3.58pm: Human plant pots in Harrogate town centre

Last year there was fake grass in Harrogate town centre — now there are human plant pots. And they’re certainly proving more popular with visitors, who posed for photos alongside them. It’s all part of the jubilee fun. Send us your jubilee pictures to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

3.27pm: First street party underway in Pannal Ash

Most street parties are on Sunday but the residents of Castle Hill Glade in Pannal Ash thought today might be a more family-friendly day and, judging by the weather forecast, they may have chosen the right day

Rachel Baskin (pictured far left), who applied for the street closure, told us the party idea evolved from covid, when residents living on the cul-de-sac would have socially distanced meetings on Thursdays.

There’s also an informal group called Ladies of Glade, who meet a glass of wine each week.

Residents in nearby streets are bringing their own teas and sitting outside together to enjoy the occasion.

2.55pm: Bilton’s Party on the Pitch proves a hit

People are pouring into Bilton Cricket Club’s free Party on the Pitch event, which runs until 9pm.

We’ve just been down and there is a wonderful atmosphere, which shows there is a great community spirit in Bilton and a thirst for get togethers like this since the demise of Bilton Gala on May Day.

There’s a barbecue, live music and plenty for children to do. People are just rocking up and having a picnic on the pitch.

Matt Thomas, cricket secretary, estimated about 1,000 people were there an hour ago and the number is growing. He added:

“It’s a great opportunity for the local community to get together and have fun.”

There is a collection for Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause dear to the club’s heart after a player had a heart attack on the pitch at an away game last year.

1.20pm: Jubilee shenanigans on Harrogate’s Beulah Street

It’s not every day you wander along Beulah Street and see people dressed like this belting out Land of Hope and Glory. But that’s what the jubilee does to you. It’s that kind of weekend.

What’s happening out in Bilton, Starbeck and Jennyfields, or in Pateley Bridge? Wherever you are in the Harrogate district we want to receive your jubilee news and images. Email us and we will add them to this live blog.

1.12pm: Live music all day in Ripon 

Among those early to arrive on Market Square was four-year-old Aylar and her mum Susannah (pictured), who were blowing bubbles as the free entertainment started on stage with Lily Worth.

Lily sang a selection of songs from musicals, including the Greatest Showman. There is free live music all day in Ripon’s Market Square.

Meanwhile, a giant TV screen next to Ripon Town Hall linked the city to Horseguards Parade in London, where the Trooping the Colour ceremony, broadcast live on the BBC, marked the Queen’s official birthday.

Lily Worth on stage in Ripon today.

The big screen.

1.01pm: Blubberhouses flower festival tells Queen’s story

Our reporter Tom has been to Blubberhouses, where a jubilee-themed flower festival is underway.

You can visit it at St Andrew’s Church in Blubberhouses, just past Fewston Reservoir off the A59, from 11am to 4pm every day over the four-day weekend.

Further details are here.

12.26pm: Bishop leads county service of celebration 

Ripon is pulling out the stops this weekend with activities galore, and Ripon Cathedral is at the heart of things. The Bishop of Ripon has tweeted about a service she led this morning.

https://twitter.com/HartleyHAM/status/1532321794765488128

12.05pm: Ripon mum wins Bettys Jubilee Bake Off 

Ripon mum Lori Hendry (pictured holding the cake) has beaten three other shortlisted bakers to win the Bettys Jubilee Bake Off.

Lori’s Victoria sponge decorated with red, white and blue icing adorned with a crown and Union Jack flags wowed the judges. You can read more here.

11.10am: Free rides, entertainment and face painting in Valley Gardens

Free events are taking place in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens until 6pm. It’s very much a family occasion: kids can meet Elsa, Batman and Cinderella (pictured above), ride on the runaway train, climb a wall, jump on a bungee trampoline, watch jugglers — all for free.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, on a section of the Stray, which has been renamed Jubilee Square, people can watch a big screen of the BBC coverage of the jubilee.

10.27am: Recycling depots open as usual

North Yorkshire County Council tweets that its household recycling centres are open as normal this bank holiday weekend.

All our household waste recycling centres are open, as usual, from 8.30am to 5pm, throughout the Queen's #PlatinumJubilee bank holiday weekend.

Find your nearest site and what items you can take athttps://t.co/llRAH0z30s pic.twitter.com/rASZiF1jhk

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 2, 2022

9.32am: Bishop Monkton choir starts the jubilee weekend

Bishop Monkton kicked off the jubilee weekend last night a community concert given by a choir developed on Zoom during the pandemic.

The choir entertained an audience of 120 in the village hall with a show titled Seven Decades of Song, featuring music from the 1940s to the present day. The concert included hits from musicals like Oklahoma and the Sound of Music as well as more recent numbers from Leonard Cohen and Gary Barlow.

The choir grew out of the village’s Singing for Fun group, which had started just before the pandemic and which kept going through the covid lockdowns by meeting on Zoom. The show included a live rendition of a song called Lockdown, written during covid by the village’s jubilee queen, Pauline Beecroft, to the tune of the Petula Clark 1960s hit Downtown.

The concert ended with the singing of Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and the National Anthem.

Thanks to Colin Philpott for sending us this jubilee news in Bishop Monkton. What’s happening where you are? Message us your jubilee news and pictures at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

8.52am: Free music all day in Ripon

The stage is set in Ripon for the biggest royal party of the ancient city’s long history. Lily Worth will kick off a day of free music at 10.30am and she will be followed by Ripon’s own talented singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary.

Later, tribute acts will sing the songs of Stevie Wonder, Cilla Black, George Michael, the Everly Brothers and Katherine Jenkins. For nostalgia lovers, there will be wartime songs of Vera Lynn and others from 4.50pm.

Organisers Ripon City Council are hoping that the blue skies that have started the day will remain over the town hall and stage facing onto Market Square, where large crowds are anticipated.

8.45am: Stray Ferret journalists set to hit the road 

Tim will be in Ripon all day and for the lighting of the beacon.

Tom plans to head to Blubberhouses and Spofforth

John will be in and around Harrogate

Tamsin will be in Knaresborough for tonight’s beacon lighting.

Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.

The old rectory in West Tanfield, north of Ripon, has been seriously damaged by fire today.

Crews from Ripon, Masham, Bedale, Leyburn, Northallerton and Thirsk tackled the blaze, which occurred next to the parish church of St Nicholas.

The Stray Ferret understands the roof of the property has collapsed.  It is not yet known how the fire started but it is not believed anyone was injured.

Firefighters tackle the blaze in West Tanfield.

Masham fire station said in a social media post this evening that it and Ripon fire crews were called to reports of a fire in the roof at 10.50am. It added:

“After arriving a short time later a serious fire was developing in the attic space of the property.

“Further appliances from Bedale, Leyburn, Northallerton and Thirsk and an aerial ladder platform from Harrogate fire station was requested.

“Crews entered the building in breathing apparatus to attempt to stop the fire from spreading, but had to be withdrawn due to safety reasons.

“The house has suffered serious damage and crews remain at the scene into the evening damping down.”

Read More: 

• Cuts to Harrogate fire crews would ‘put money before lives’, says ex-firefighter
• North Yorkshire Police among slowest in country responding to 999 calls

At its peak, Harrogate Scrubbers had 800 members making scrubs for hospital staff during the first covid lockdown. The group worked frantically and in just six weeks, 2037 scrubs were handed over to front line staff at Harrogate District Hospital.

It was an extraordinary community response to a health crisis and a serious shortage of PPE supplies.

To celebrate and remember their achievement, scrubbers were invited to sew a square of fabric for a quilt. Each was asked to detail what it meant to them to be part of the sewing group.  The squares have been made into five beautiful quilts. The scrubbers founder, Fran Taylor, has also created a book with photos of the squares and each group member’s memories.

Tonight, the group will gather at the Pavilions of Harrogate to see the quilts on display in what is expected to be an emotional event.

Fran explained,

“The experience of being part of the Harrogate Scrubbers meant so much to so many people, that we wanted to commemorate the groups achievements, and also give everyone something to remember for the part they played supporting the NHS in the pandemic”

Read More:

• Harrogate Scrubbers hit target of making 2,000 items for hospital
• The Harrogate Scrubbers Hall of Fame

One of the five completed quilts (above) and below an excerpt from Fran’s book. 

Lisa Sumpton from Harrogate, who two years ago was in charge of logistics for the scrubbers, said:

“It’s just nice to see all the squares that have been lovingly made by individuals- to represent a moment when a community came together to something good at a time of great uncertainty”.

The contribution the scrubbers made to support the NHS and its staff locally has not been forgotten.

Sammy Lambert, the business development, charity and volunteer manager for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“It does feel surreal two years on. Unless you lived through the time and felt the community spirit, it’s hard to explain.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Fran and all the scrubbers for helping us to do our jobs at such a difficult time”

Tonight the scrubbers will come together, many having formed friendships through the project, they’ll raise a glass to each other and be formally thanked by Sarah Armstrong, Chair of Harrogate Hospital Trust for their wonderful work during the pandemic.

Details have been published of events in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens over the four-day holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The free events have been organised by Harrogate Borough Council, are for all ages, and include magicians, juggling shows, fairground rides, live music performances and mini discos.

Thursday 2 June

• 10am until 4pm – Face painting
• 10am until 6pm – Fairground rides, climbing wall, character meet and greet
• 12noon until 1pm – Children’s show and mini-disco on the bandstand
• 11am, 1pm and 3pm – Juggling show on the bandstand

Friday 3 June

• 10am – Harrogate Borough Mayor Councillor Victoria Oldham officially opens the event
• 10am and 1pm – Pantasy steel band (various locations)
• 10am until 4pm – Face painting
• 10am until 6pm – Artisan market, fairground rides, climbing wall, character meet and greet
• 11am until 12noon – Live performance from Harrogate Operatic Players, Ripon Operatic Players, Phoenix Players and St Andrew’s Players ‘songs from the shows’
• 12 noon until 1pm – Children’s show and mini-disco on the bandstand
• Juggling shows in various locations throughout the day

Saturday 4 June

• 10am until 1pm – Pantasy steel band in the bandstand
• 10am until 2pm – Face painting
• 10am until 6pm – Artisan market, fairground rides, climbing wall, character meet and greet
• 12 noon until 1pm – Children’s show and mini-disco on the bandstand
• Juggling shows in various locations throughout the day
• Magician and magic shows throughout the day in various locations

Sunday 5 June

• 10am until 4pm – Artisan market
• 10am until 4pm – Face painting
• 10am until 4pm – Character meet and greet
• 10am until 6pm – Fairground rides and climbing wall
• 11am until 12noon – Knot Another Choir live on the bandstand
• 12noon until 1pm – Children’s show and mini-disco on the bandstand
• Juggling shows throughout the day in various locations
• Magician and magic shows throughout the day in various locations

Councillor Andy Paraskos, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“Valley Gardens provides the perfect backdrop for our four day event to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“There will be children’s entertainers, magicians, jugglers, face-painting, rides, live music performances, an artisan market and much more. There truly is something for everyone and even better, it’s all free.”

Sponsored by broadband provider Boundless Networks, the Stray Ferret has compiled a list of events across the district over the big jubilee weekend. click on the banner below for details.

Henshaws Beer Festival is back this weekend after a two year absence.

The event, on Saturday and Sunday, is a vital fundraiser for the Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough which works with disabled adults from across the district.

In June 2020 Henshaws announced the centre would be closed for the “foreseeable future” . Almost a year later the charity received a grant from Arts Council England from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which allowed the centre to reopen.  Henshaws said it needs to raise £200,000 of non-statutory income a year to keep the centre running.

Henshaws said the beer festival will be bigger and better than ever.  Five local breweries have joined forces to present the best of beer, including a specially brewed Henshaws Ale. Wines, gins, cider and low-alcohol beer will also be on offer.

The weekend will also feature sets from a range of local performers and a DJ . There will be a special acoustic stage on the Sunday.

There will be five different types of food and a range of family activities. Daytime family-friendly sessions take place on both days and there is an adults-only evening on the Saturday.

Fundraising development manager Helen Donkin said:

“Ticket sales are going well and we are beginning to get quite excited! The Arts and Crafts Centre offers a unique outdoor setting for the festival, with a large stage area, undercover spaces and outdoor and indoor seating. The event has been incredibly well supported in the past and, given the pressure that all charities are under, we hope for even more visitors this year. During our first event, we welcomed over 750 guests and pulled more than 2,500 pints and this year we want to do even better!

“We are already hugely grateful for the support of our sponsors including our title sponsor, Berwins Solicitors, and from the local breweries taking part, Cold Bath Brewery, Daleside, Harrogate Brewery, Turning Point and Roosters.”

Read More: 

• Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: What’s On in the district
• Harrogate business man praises ‘amazing’ charity following £2m aid convoy into Ukraine

Martin Whincup, Head of marketing at Berwins, said:

“We’re delighted to be associated with this popular event as it returns from a pandemic enforced absence.

“This festival represents a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community and to raise money for a very important cause – Berwins is proud to support the work of Henshaws in this way.”

Tickets are available at Henshaws Beer Festival 2022 – Henshaws and each adult ticket receives a limited edition souvenir pint glass and two half-pint tokens, while children’s tickets come with a complementary soft drink voucher.