Harry Gration to speak at charity jubilee dinner

A Queen’s Platinum Jubilee dinner will be held in Harrogate next month to raise money for Ukraine.

Guest speaker Harry Gration will reminisce about his career at the BBC, while a charity auction and raffle will be held on the night.

The event is being organised by Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club and the Yorkshire Society, of which Mr Gration is a vice president.

It takes place at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate on Friday, June 17. Tickets are £49.50 per person, or £470 for a table of 10, and include a three-course meal with complimentary wine, coffee and mints.

For more information, click here.

Swinton Park nominated for a national award

Swinton Park near Masham has been shortlisted for the title of Independent Hotel of the Year in the national Catey awards.

The prestigious estate is up against Aviator in Hampshire, Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire. The Gallivant in Rye.

The awards will be handed out in a ceremony held at the Grosvenor Park Hotel in London on July 5.

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• Business Breakfast: Harrogate charity seeks trustees with business skills
• Future of Harrogate district McColl’s in question

Black Sheep Brewery in Masham has secured a major deal with Leeds-based airline Jet2.com.

Black Sheep Ale will be available in a 330ml can on all the airline’s flights from its 10 UK bases from May 1.

Jet2.com is the UK’s third largest airline.

Black Sheep Ale is one of the brewery’s best loved beers.  It was the first beer to be bottled at Black Sheep and is nationally available in 500ml bottle.

Charlene Lyons, chief executive of Black Sheep Brewery, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of this agreement with Jet2.com to feature Black Sheep Ale on flights to and from the UK, which will introduce one of Yorkshire’s best exports to new audiences.

“This is a great collaboration between two Yorkshire companies that will also offer international visitors to Britain a taste of our wonderful county before they touch down in the UK.”

Managing director at Harrogate Spring Water steps down

After 15 years at the helm, James Cain has announced he will be stepping down as managing director of Harrogate Spring Water.

French firm Danone acquired Harrogate Spring Water two years ago and Mr Cain said “it is now the right time for me to hand over the baton”.

Mr Cain will remain a minority shareholder alongside the rest of the Cain family, he said:

“During my time with Harrogate Spring Water, I have been immensely proud of the brands that we have created as well as the people who have been a part of our journey, helping to build a business and continue a legacy in revitalising the town’s illustrious spa heritage.”

Mr Cain is to be replaced by Richard Hall, who is currently a vice president within Danone’s UK & Ireland business. He will take on the role from May 3.

Richard Hall

Mr Hall said:

“Harrogate Spring Water is a great brand with great heritage and is a very important part of Danone’s UK water business. It will be my privilege to lead the operation as we look to grow further and take the Harrogate Spring Water brand to more venues and consumers in 2022.”

Celebrated Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam has published a book documenting the golden age of the town’s spa past.

Mr Neesam began work in 2005 on Wells & Swells – The Golden Age of Harrogate Spa 1842-1923.

With more than 1600 pages of glorious detail it begins with the opening of Harrogate’s pump room and covers the town’s glory days at the height of the Victorian Spa boom. It ends with the construction of the war memorial after the First World War.

Mr Neesam said:

“The ‘swells’ in the book are mostly the grand visitors – kings, queens, grand dukes and duchesses and millionaires.

“The ‘wells’ are the Harrogate waters, which were exploited with every new discovery and promoted to cure different illnesses.”

The book is the second in a planned trilogy. The first history, The Great Chronicle, charts Harrogate from its earliest times to 1842.

Today’s launch, organised by Harrogate Civic Society at the Cedar Court Hotel, was attended by more than 150 people.

Mr Neesam has written more than a dozen histories relating to Harrogate. In 1996 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate in recognition of his contribution to the town.

Stuart Holland, chair of the civic society, said:

“We learn from the past and it helps us plan for the future. The civic society has a huge role to play in studying the history of the town, take pride in the town and learn from the past.

“Malcolm was a founder member of Harrogate Civic Society and has inspired many to discover the history of their town.”

Today’s book launch.

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The book is published by Carnegie Publishing Ltd. Its managing director, Anna Goddard, told the Stray Ferret:

“There is nobody other than Malcolm Neesam who could have written this. The depth of the research, the detail of the writing, the quality and range of the illustrations he has selected are all second to none.

This book will last forever – it is a treasure for future generations”

If you wish to order a copy you can contact Carnegie Publishing here.

Mr Neesam will be at Woods of Harrogate tomorrow at 11am to celebrate his book and the 127th  anniversary of Woods as one of the oldest family-run business in the town.

Businesses in Yorkshire’s tourism industry are being invited to an online event to ask them what they want from a new tourism organisation.

In March the troubled tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire went into administration as council leaders withdrew funding for it.

The Yorkshire Leaders Board, which is made up of local authority leaders, says there now needs to be a new approach to marketing the county. It plans to set up a new organisation to replace WTY and will meet in May to agree a timeline for its creation.

In a statement on the new website Yorkshire Tourism it said:

“We would like to ensure that Yorkshire’s tourism and hospitality businesses, and local destination managers are involved in the development of this organisation. We believe in the power of collaboration and open communication, and look forward to creating a more positive future for the Yorkshire tourism industry.”

If you want to be part of the free Zoom discussion contact Yorkshire Tourism here. 

Property firm, Artium Group, launches in Harrogate

A new Harrogate firm specialising in property development, investment, construction, and asset management is to launch.

Artium Group is headed by property developer Thomas Shotton and chartered surveyor Sam Colley, owner of Ousebank Consultancy.

The firm will have three subsidiaries; Artium Investments, Artium Construction and Artium Asset Management.

The pair have already secured projects totalling almost £30m in gross development value including two high-end residential conversion schemes, a leisure conversion with a rooftop in Harrogate and a residential new build scheme in York.

Mr Colley said:

“We are thrilled to announce the establishment of Artium Group.

“Operating initially in Yorkshire and the Humber, we are positive about the prospect of owning and operating a portfolio, focussing on occupiers and their requirements which drive quality throughout and give our investors added confidence.”

A group of die-hard Eurovision fans gathered outside the Harrogate Convention Centre yesterday evening to celebrate the night, 40 years ago, when Harrogate hosted the event.

Getting into the Eurovision spirit, the fans strummed a guitar and sang 10 songs, including UK winners such as Katrina and the Waves “love shine a light”.

Eloise Flint, her sister Emily Roberts and her nephew Alex Hill, all from the Harrogate district, were part of the group.

Eloise couldn’t remember exactly how many times she’s been to a Eurovision – it’s that many. Maybe nine or 10 she thought.  The event she said is magical:

“It is an amazing spectacle! It’s technologically very impressive especially with the way the songs are presented. There is fantastic creativity.

“The audience and the fans are incredible – it’s like we are one big Eurovision family.”

Emily Roberts on guitar

Read More:

• 40 years on: Jan Leeming’s memories of when Harrogate hosted Eurovision
• 40 years on: Remembering when Harrogate hosted Eurovision

The group ended by singing the 1982 winner for Germany, Nicole’s “a little peace”.

Eloise said the song is particularly poignant this year with war in Ukraine:

“We’re ending on this song as it was the winning song in Harrogate – but it seems the message is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago”.

The next Eurovision is just a few weeks away in Turin, Italy.

If you are thinking of having a punt, the Stray Ferret has been reliably told Sweden and Belgium are the ones to watch.

An independent movie created by a young filmmaker from Harrogate will have its UK premiere at the Everyman cinema later this month.

Created on a low budget, Cardboard Fort is a coming of age movie that follows the story of secondary school student Charlie.

The film, which has been directed by Sam Hartshorn, pays tribute to the borough of Harrogate and celebrates the town’s creative talent. It’s due to be shown at the Everyman on April 23.

One of the central characters, Dom, is played by a student from Harrogate Grammar School, and was found by Mr. Hartshorn through a local school performance of Les Misérables.

Regional musicians are also included, with music from Hope & Social, The Superlatives, and Ben Snowden.

It first premiered in Texas at the Austin Film Festival alongside big-budget movies such as Spencer and C’Mon C’Mon.

Sam Hartshorn (left) director, with Thomas Sandler (right) director of photography on Cardboard Fort

Sam Hartshorn, director of the film, said:

“I’m immensely proud of the film. It’s certainly rough around the edges as we shot it for peanuts in an incredibly short period of time.

“As debut features go, I think we’ve created an entertaining comedy that successfully captures how much fun was had behind the camera during production. I’m indebted to all the actors, supporting artists, crew members and post-production team.”

Cardboard Fort received praise from Shane Black, the director behind Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3. 

Tickets can be purchased online at the Eventbrite website.

Read more:

• From the Valley Gardens to owning her own art gallery: Claire Baxter’s road to success
• Ripon fundraisers for Ukraine aim to beat £20,000 target

HGTE collaborates with BrewBar for Harrogate Homeless Project

Sara Shaw, owner of HGTE clothing, is collaborating with BrewBar cafe in Harrogate to help the homeless.

A portion of the profits raised from the sale of the clothing will go to the Harrogate Homeless Project.  The company has already raised over £14,000 for the charity since Christmas 2016.

Ms Shaw explained that the idea of HGTE is to not just to raise funds, but also to raise awareness about homelessness in Harrogate.

“The aim is to support a vital local charity with a quality product that is ethical.

“BrewBar is situated right in the heart of Harrogate, and Simon has such a loyal customer base due to his teams brilliant customer service – I couldn’t say no.”

Simon Somerville-Frost, owner of Brewbar, added:

“In our collaboration we provide a space for Sara’s vision to take place. To see the benefits of these contributions to the community is truly humbling, and we look to continue to give back to the community.”

HGTE started as a one-off, with Ms Shaw printing 25 sweatshirts with the logo. However, it continues to grow, with pieces being posted internationally.

From law graduate to part-owner of Harrogate Family Law: Laura Mounsey 

Laura Mounsey who only became a qualified solicitor at Harrogate Family Law in 2019 has now become a partial owner of the firm.

Andrew Meehan, managing director of HFL, said:

“I am delighted to announce that Laura Mounsey is now a part owner and director of Harrogate Family Law. Laura joined HFL in 2015 and will be a key part in taking the firm from strength to strength as it continues to grow.”

Ms Mounsey was awarded the Cohen and Career Guarantee Scholarship at BPP Law school and was recognised with a ‘Safe Pair of Hands’ award for her ability to help people.

Ms Mounsey wrote a series of columns for the Stray Ferret in 2020:

• Laura’s Law: Is your ex weaponising your children?
• Laura’s Law: Leaving an abusive relationship
• Laura’s Law: How to prepare yourself for getting divorced

Provenance Inns wins ‘Best Food Offer’ at Publican Awards 2022

Provenance Inns and Hotels has won a national award for ‘Best Food Offer,’ after being recognised for its consistent, high-quality dishes.

The North Yorkshire based company was up against competitors such as well-known Farmhouse Inns which owns 70 sites across the UK.

Group executive chef, Jason Wardill, said:

“To beat off every other pub company in the UK is testament to our fresh food, and our hard-working chefs who deliver the menu to the same standard every day across all seven sites.”

The company continues to expand across North Yorkshire, having acquired The Coach and Horses in Harrogate last year which it hopes to refurbish.

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A woman has died in a house fire in the village of Brearton near Knaresborough.

Fire crews from Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge were summoned to the home by concerned neighbours at just after 10pm last night.

The home suffered severe fire, heat and smoke damage to the living room, hallway and front of the property, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A statement issued by North Yorkshire Police this afternoon sadly confirmed that a person had died:

Despite the efforts of firefighters and paramedics to save her life, a woman aged in her late 60s sadly died at the scene. Her family are being supported by the police.

Firefighters had to put the blaze out and ventilate the smoke-filled property.

There were no other occupants, and no neighbouring properties were damaged.

The police and fire service are asking people to come forward with any information that could help the inquiry.

If you can help, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference number 12220056029 when providing details.

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A row of derelict properties on Knaresborough High Street have been renovated with a £1m investment from Harrogate Borough Council.

The council bought the seven Grade II listed properties in 2019 after they had been unoccupied for several years. They consist of three retail units and four residences.

Renovation began with planning permission and listed building consent in 2020, and has just been completed.

One of the properties that did not need renovation has already been occupied by Knaresborough Exotic Rescue.

The other properties have been listed for rent or sale.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and Cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said;

“These properties had been a blight on the high street in Knaresborough for several years.

“But after they were brought to our attention by Councillor Darling, we recognised the potential they could have to provide both homes and business spaces, we took the necessary steps to purchase them.”

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A former resident of one of the properties, Ms Hassall, wrote to Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough Andrew Jones to share her thanks for the project, saying;

“I am so very pleased that 82a Knaresborough High Street has been renovated; I lived there when I first got married in 1949.

It was quite a bad state then. However, we decorated it and made it as nice as we could.

It is good to see these properties being renovated.”

This article is sponsored by Deliveree

Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances visits Cardamom Black in central Harrogate.

Having spent four consecutive years in India cooking with some of the world’s greatest chefs at sophisticated dinners for charity, I came to marvel at the joy of their cuisine.

The combination of texture, colour and warmth is unique. Personally, I tend to err away from very hot and spicy foods, having considered them in the past to kill flavour. I have been wrong. It is all about technique and I would go so far as to say there isn’t another country that produces such flavour in their food made from very little.

So it was with great pleasure that I dined at Cardamom Black in Harrogate with friends. I was at first in awe of the size of the menu! Suitable for everyman’s palate but hard to execute, but they did it.

Whether you want a quick curry after a good night out, British style or you are wanting a more academic supper, it is there for the asking. Being into the creation of Vegan and Vegetarian food at the moment I decided to go with their sensational platter of vegetables. Stuffed, fried and unique – all my party had a great time sampling these delicacies.

My friends had two chicken dishes, one mild and one hot, they were very different and once again all down to the seasoning. The preparation of the rice to accompany them was sensational. One with Lime and Coriander and one with Tamarind. Beautiful flavour. The only slight difficulty I might have had was getting all these flavours together to compliment the chosen dish. It took some degree of concentration.  Having said that, the true Indian style of service was friendly and informative and made you feel at ease.

Read more

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• Harrogate Café Culture with a difference
• The Galphay Inn, Ripon

I listened to another guest on the night we were there who boasted he had tried every dish on the menu!  He must have been going there for a very long time and he was a very happy man! 

Like all my Indian experiences, Cardamom Black reflects colour, warmth and happiness.

Well worth a visit. All taking place in a converted Methodist Church and theatre. It certainly takes central stage in Harrogate.

Star Rating: 4. This is a place to watch!

Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise  at Daleside Nurseries.

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