Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Nature-inspired murals brighten up Starbeck underpass

A striking new set of murals aims to bring the natural world into an unloved urban part of Starbeck, its creator says.

Sam Porter has painted three murals to brighten up the underpass near the level crossing.

They feature wild birds and plants, as well as symbols of the area’s history, on three boards put up along the white walls.

Harrogate-based Sam was commissioned by Starbeck in Bloom to do the work, which was funded by Northern Rail.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The thing I found quite difficult was, I’m used to painting directly onto the walls and you can work with the environment easier.

“It could have spanned through the whole underpass, but we would have had to close the underpass, which would have been a problem.

“But doing this has been really good, because it has added another strand to my work, using panels if people don’t want things directly onto walls.”

Sam said he was fortunate to be offered space to work in the yard at Amara Jane, the furniture shop next to the station, keeping him close to where the paintings would go on display.

He has struck up a friendship with the business owner, Andreas Mandrekas, and has been offered use of the yard again in future.

After years of travelling to Manchester, where he was being commissioned regularly, Sam is happy to have been asked to do more work in Harrogate in recent years.

His murals can now be seen in Cross James Street in Harrogate, as well as on Cheapside and near the Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria in Knaresborough.

He has also created artwork for community buildings, including Aspin Park and Western primary schools.

He will soon be working on a mural for the Kiosk at Conyngham Hall as part of Knaresborough’s Feva Festival.

As part of his work, Sam enjoys researching local history to come up with the designs for his murals.

In Starbeck, he has featured some of the local buildings, as well as the Pump Room in Harrogate. He said:

“When people used to come to Harrogate for the waters, they used to get the train to Starbeck and then get coaches up, because people in Harrogate didn’t want the dirty trains coming into town.

“The workhouse was in Starbeck, so it has always been the more working class area of Harrogate, but a vital part of the whole thing.”

Much of his work has been commissioned to brighten up unloved or troubled areas of towns and cities.

Sam said statistics show levels of crime and anti-social behaviour can be reduced if hotspots are improved, prompting more local pride among the community.

His inspiration comes from the world around him, which he began to appreciate more during the pandemic.

“It was during lockdown I reconnected with nature a lot. There are a few things about that time that I miss.

“Obviously it was grim, but for the first time ever, you were told, ‘you don’t have to do anything and you aren’t expected to do anything’, so I focused in on some things I loved and started looking at nature again.

“I became aware of how lucky we are with what’s around us – so much beautiful countryside.

“I like bringing nature back into an urban environment. I think that’s really what needs to happen in the world, in order to save it. You need to live with nature, rather than keep on harming it.”

Pop-up shop offer proves a hit with Knaresborough businesses

A pop-up shop on Knaresborough High Street has proved so popular it has been booked up for the rest of the year.

The owners of Sid Horner and Son decided to offer their former premises as a pop-up for a week at a time to help boost the town’s independent businesses.

After offering the shop at £250 a week including all bills, the company was inundated with interest and, within two days, had filled the calendar until 2024.

Owner Natalie Horner told the Stray Ferret:

“Knaresborough is thriving at the moment, with less than a handful of empty units and lots of new businesses opening.

“We know lots of people want to open a shop in Knaresborough and so want this to be an opportunity for independent businesses to test the water before signing in to big leases.

“We think it will be a great addition to the high street as well as a fantastic opportunity for businesses to trial opening a shop, and hopefully some will go on to open full time in town.”

Mrs Horner said the people who had signed up would be offering a range of products including homeware, clothing, stationery, swimwear, and eco and sustainability items.

The shop, which was previously used by Sid Horner and Sons before becoming a chiropodist’s treatment room, is currently undergoing renovations, including colourful paintwork outside,

The first pop-up is expected to open in mid-September.

Liquidators appointed at Harrogate conference company

The company behind one of Harrogate’s largest business events is set to be wound up after appointing liquidators this week.

Brand Yorkshire Limited, which runs the annual Brand Yorkshire conference, passed a resolution for winding up yesterday.

It has appointed business recovery specialist firm Leonard Curtis, based in Leeds, to deal with the liquidation.

The company was founded in 2010 and its sole director is Richard Norman.

After being cancelled in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, the Brand Yorkshire conference – held at Pavilions of Harrogate – returned in 2021.

The event was held for the 12th time on October 6 last year.

It featured almost 60 businesses in the exhibition halls, as well as a programme of speakers, and around 1,000 visitors attended.

Until recently, the Brand Yorkshire website was advertising its 2023 event for October 5. However, the website has been taken down, with a holding page saying it is “under maintenance”.

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Norman but he declined to comment.

Compulsory strike-off action against the company began in February, after the company failed to file its 2021-22 accounts by the deadline of December 31 last year.

However, on March 10, a statement was issued by Companies House which said:

“Action under section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006 has been temporarily suspended as an objection to the striking off has been received by the registrar.”

Family fun and rural education on offer at Tockwith Show

Thousands of people will flock to a field in the Harrogate district on Sunday for the annual Tockwith Show.

One of the biggest agricultural shows in the region, it boasts more than 800 classes, 120 trophies and just over £6,000 in prize money.

Along with providing a family-friendly event, the organising committee is keen to ensure the show serves another purpose.

Show committee chair Georgina Watson said:

“It’s a really important event for the community because, as well as being a fun day for everyone, it provides a valuable educational opportunity.

“Farming has faced many changes and challenges since this event was first held as a horticultural show way back in 1945, but each year since then the show has been able to reflect the importance of the industry in this region, and this year is no exception.”

In the farmers’ market section, demonstrations will be given by experts including BBC Masterchef quarter-finalist Owen Diaram.

With this year’s show themed around pigs, the Harrogate-based private chef will be demonstrating one of his dishes from the show: stuffed pork tenderloin with a deep wood mushroom glaze.

Georgina added:

“Everything is looking good for a great family day out. There’s something in this year’s show for everyone – now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed for a warm sunny day.”

Tickets are £12.50, or free for children aged 12 and under, and available online in advance or on the gate.

Garden near Ripon to open its gates for charity this weekend

Five decades of dedication will be on show in a village near Ripon this weekend as part of the national open gardens scheme.

David and Sally Walden have lived at Greencroft for 49 years, slowly transforming the one-acre garden and adding new features.

For the last 25 years, they have opened the gates to the garden on Pottery Lane as part of the National Garden Scheme, and will do so again this Sunday, from noon until 4pm.

Daughter Rachel Beadle told the Stray Ferret:

“When they bought the property it was just one field going right up to the back of a two-up, two-down house.

“My dad is a builder, now retired aged 80, and mum is the gardener, aged 79.

“They have built and gardened the whole thing over 49 years, adding bits on over the years. Mum spent many, many days mixing cement for dad!

“Dad has built every structure, wall and waterfall, from the log cabin to the the summer house. Mum still gardens the whole thing herself: there are no external gardeners.”

The annual open afternoon always raises money for charities chosen by the NGS. Over the years, Rachel said the couple have raised £35,000 for the likes of Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the Carers’ Trust.

Entry is £5 for adults, while children go free, and there will be tea and cakes available.

Rachel added:

“My sisters, brother and I are all super proud of them.”

To find out more about the open afternoon, visit the Greencroft entry on the NGS website.

‘Rapid improvements’ help Beckwithshaw school return to ‘good’ Ofsted rating

A village primary school near Harrogate has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted just 19 months after it was found to be failing.

Beckwithshaw Primary School‘s latest Ofsted report reveals inspectors found there had been “rapid improvements” after the previous ‘inadequate’ rating.

The report, published after the end of term following an inspection in July, said:

“Beckwithshaw is a small school with big ideas. Leaders have worked swiftly and tirelessly to bring about great improvement in the school.

“Staff and parents value the changes that have taken place. They recognise that the improvements have led to pupils receiving a better quality of education. This a happy place for pupils to learn.

“Leaders have placed well-being at the heart of what they do for pupils and staff. People care about each other. They are welcomed into school each day with a smile. Courtesy, politeness and respect are modelled by everyone.

“Relationships are strong. This leads to pupils being happy and considerate of others. They enjoy being part of the small school community.”

Inspectors found the school was offering lots of opportunities for reading, from first phonics lessons onwards.

Meanwhile, teaching of maths was found to be “effective”, with teachers adapting the curriculum to suit children’s differing needs.

The report added:

“There is a feeling of positivity in the school, which pupils share. Leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils. They have high expectations for the future.

“Leaders have reviewed the curriculum. They ensure that pupils access learning in a broad range of subjects. They ensure that learning is planned carefully for pupils in mixed-aged classes. In some subjects, learning builds progressively from the early years to Year 6. This helps pupils to use past knowledge to learn more.

“Leaders recognise that there is more to do in some subjects to identify the important knowledge they want pupils to remember.”

After the last Ofsted report, Beckwithshaw – which is federated with Ripley Endowed and Kettlesing Felliscliffe primary schools – was put under the leadership of an interim executive board (IEB).

Two interim executive headteachers, Victoria Kirkman and Chris Whitehead, oversaw all three schools.

Mr Whitehead left last October, when the schools were expected to become part of a multi-academy trust (MAT), as required by Ofsted following the ‘inadequate’ rating given to both Beckwithshaw and Ripley.

However, those plans fell through, and the chair of the IEB, Robert Ling, said the schools continued to look for a trust to join.

Miss Kirkman remains in post on an interim basis, along with co-executive headteacher Rebecca Foy. Along with Beckwithshaw’s new rating, Ripley was ranked ‘good’ in May.

While recognising the improvements that had been made, the latest Ofsted report urged the school to make long-term plans. It said:

“The current arrangements for governance have proved to be effective in supporting improvements in the school. However, the arrangements are not permanent.

“The IEB, alongside the local authority, should work with continued urgency to ensure that a transition to a sustainable and high-quality governance model is well managed, and in place as soon as possible.”

North Yorkshire Council has welcomed news of the new grade and sent its congratulations to the school.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said:

“A huge thank you to the teaching staff, pupils, parents, carers and the school community for their continued support in this remarkable journey.

“I am delighted that Beckwithshaw Primary School is now a school where children can flourish.

“The school leaders have worked closely with the interim executive board (IEB), local schools and the local authority to address previous areas of weaknesses, which has resulted in the Ofsted good grading in all areas.

“Ofsted inspectors praised the school for its positivity and stated that ‘leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils and have high expectations for the future’ and they recognised the effective approach in which maths is taught.

“We are committed to continue developing the best possible provision for the pupils and will work tirelessly to build on these successes.”

Former Harrogate Leon site to become Starbucks

The former Leon drive-through restaurant in Harrogate is set to become a Starbucks.

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to change the signage around the Wetherby Road site to Starbucks branding.

Permission has been given for a total of 20 signs, just over half of which would be illuminated, including ‘totem’ signs, menus and directional signs around the drive-through.

Leon, which opened last June, closed its doors on April 2 with the loss of around 20 jobs.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

Currently, the building has been empty for four months and has been stripped of its Leon branding and signage. No date has been given for it reopening as a Starbucks.

The coffee brand has only one existing presence in the Harrogate district, on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

Following the closure of the fast-food restaurant, speculation mounted over whether a Starbucks would open at the site.

The company initially considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 proposed a drive-thru “to be operated by Starbucks Coffee Company” on the site.

However, following planning approval on appeal, EG Group announced a Leon would open instead.

Residents near to the drive-thru raised concern that the scheme was not as advertised in the initial plan.

The Stray Ferret asked the borough council in April 2022 how the company was able to build the scheme as a Leon drive-thru when the original approval for the site showed a Starbucks coffee shop.

At the time, a council spokesperson said:

“Permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate for a ‘coffee shop to include a drive-thru’, not specifically for a Starbucks.

“The Inspectorate did not add any conditions to the permission they gave restricting the use of the premises solely to a coffee shop, so it can legally be used for any other use within the same use class, which includes a drive thru food and drink establishment.”

The former Leon restaurant

Harrogate’s Lioness scores final goal in 6-1 win over China

Harrogate footballer Rachel Daly got her name on the scoresheet as England’s Lionesses won a place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup today.

The former Killinghall Nomads junior player scored the last of England’s six goals against China, volleying the ball in emphatic style in the 85th minute.

It was the second time Daly had been selected to start in the group stage matches, having been brought on as a substitute in the last 15 minutes in England’s first game, against Haiti.

She made her presence felt, getting involved in some tough tackles as China fought to stay in the competition.

But England were too strong, with Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Lauren Kemp all contributing to the 6-1 final score in Adelaide.

The Lionesses now face Nigeria in the next round, with the match kicking off at 8.30am on Monday.

Daly, who grew up in Harrogate and went to Rossett School, plays for Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.

She was the winner of the golden boot in the 2022-23 season, but has more often been selected to play in defence for England — a role she again filled today.

Free autism-friendly craft workshop with Nidderdale artist at care home

A care home in Knaresborough will welcome children through its doors for a special event this summer.

The Manor House will run an autism-friendly community craft session with a special guest host – Nidderdale artist James Owen Thomas.

Activities coordinator Katie Pickering, who has organised the session with colleague Joanne Doherty, said she was inspired by her daughter being diagnosed with autism.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We’ve known for years there’s been different things about her but because she’s masked it so well, it was quite a shock when we started talking about autism.

“I think socially, she’s struggled the most, and finding something which she can join in is hard. I’m struggling to find any groups that are for her age, but she’s very artistic and loves arts and crafts, so that’s where the idea came from.

“It was great that James Owen Thomas wanted to join in.

“My colleague and I were talking and saying we must have residents here who have had autism all their lives, and they don’t know and their family have no idea.

“I think it’s nice to start raising awareness of autism in seniors.”

The Manor House, on Hambleton Grove, has been running a parent and baby group every month for more than a year.

It has also introduced family sessions during the holidays, and will run two themed events this summer.

A Harry Potter craft morning for children aged five and over takes place on Monday, August 7, from 11am to noon. Children aged up to give can attend a story and activity session at the same time on Monday, August 14, themed around classic children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

A craft session at The Manor House

The autism-friendly event, which takes place on Tuesday, August 22 at 2.30pm, is the only one to require booking, as places are limited to keep the atmosphere calm and welcoming.

A chill-out room will also be available for anyone who needs a break.

Katie said she hoped the free events would be an affordable option for families looking for things to do over the summer – and would bring benefits to the residents too.

She added:

“They just get so much joy from spending time with the younger generation. Jo and I have done so much research into inter-generational care and it brings so much joy.

“Even just talking to them, not doing anything, just observing the babies makes them so happy. Through the craft and being creative too, it’s a really nice atmosphere.”

To book a place for the autism-friendly session, call Manor House on 01423 797555.

‘Beeping’ barriers to be removed by September at Harrogate hospital

A new “beeping” sound coming from a car park barrier will be removed in the next few weeks, Harrogate Hospital has said.

A resident contacted the Stray Ferret to say the noise, which activates every time the barrier at the entrance is used, was causing a nuisance.

David Spain, who lives around 100m from the hospital, said the beeping sound had originally been present when the barrier was first installed many years ago.

After residents complained about the noise, it was switched off. However, the barrier was recently repaired and, when switched back on, the beeping had returned.

He said:

“With my doors and windows closed, I can hear it clearly from about 6am when people start coming to work.

“Being retired and not having to get up at that time, I don’t really want to be woken by it. It’s not going to shatter any windows, but it is irritating.

“It’s when it goes up that it beeps. When it comes down, it doesn’t beep, which seems strange.”

Mr Spain said he had contacted the hospital to raise the issue when it started around 10 days ago, but had no response.

However, he said he was still pleased to live close to the hospital, which had treated him in an emergency, adding:

“They saved my life – I’ve got no beef with the hospital. I would be dead if it weren’t for them.”

A spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), which runs the hospital, said:

“The Trust holds a duty of care for the safety of our patients, visitors and colleagues. Our barriers at the main visitor car park at Harrogate District Hospital are fitted with an alert noise with a set volume as a safety measure to ensure we warn and protect anyone in the vicinity of them.

“This is to ensure that we adhere to our health and safety commitments of keeping our patients, visitors and colleagues from harm and injury.”

Parking at the hospital has been under review for some time, in a bid to reduce the amount of queuing onto the road at peak times.

HDFT announced earlier this year that a new system would be introduced later this year.

The spokesperson today confirmed this, adding:

“We have recognised that improvements are required to our car parking provision and we are implementing a new car parking management solution across the hospital site that will be in place by September 2023.

“This new car parking system will have number plate recognition which will replace the current barrier system, ensuring no further warning noises are necessary.”

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