A yoga and pilates instructor will hold a free sun salutation event in Harrogate to mark the summer solstice on Tuesday.
Ebru Evrim, who is set to open a new studio on James Street on July 2, will hold the event in the Valley Gardens, near the cafe, from 6pm to 8.30pm.
She will lead participants through 108 sun salutations, a number representing spiritually significant landmarks including the number of sacred sites in India.
She said:
“Summer solstice is a lovely time of year, and it adds something extra special when practicing yoga outside in the evening sunshine – hopefully!
“This free event is a great opportunity for anyone with experience of yoga to enjoy an outdoor session, or for those interested in trying it for the first time.”
While beginners are welcome to participate, Ebru said the session will be physically demanding, though she will offer modifications to suit different abilities. Anyone taking part will be asked to complete a health questionnaire and must alert the instructor to any injuries or difficulties.
To book a place, email info@ebruevrim.com or call 01756 229356.
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Children ‘valued and respected’ at Knaresborough nursery, says Ofsted
A day nursery in Lingerfield near Knaresborough has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection.
Nidderdale Children’s Day Nursery, run by Kids at Heart, was praised for the way it helped children to develop new skills, from beginning to write their names to learning early mathematics.
Inspectors also highlighted the way children were taught about healthy lifestyles, including eating nutritious meals and staying safe in the sun. The report said:
“Children behave very well throughout the nursery. Staff are skilful at helping children to learn what is expected of them.
“They help children understand the difference between right and wrong, and consistently explain the consequences of any negative behaviour. They also encourage children to talk about their feelings. This helps children feel valued and respected.”
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The report said the nursery could further improve by engaging more with parents about ways to support their children’s learning at home.
It also recommended encouraging younger children to do more for themselves at mealtimes, to develop their skills and independence.
“Parents speak very highly of the management and staff. They make written comments, such as ‘staff are incredible’.
“Parents share a consensus that communication from the staff throughout the [covid-19] pandemic has been faultless. They say they are delighted to be able to return inside and see their children’s play areas again.”
The report has been welcomed by the nursery. Proprietor Julie Shaw said:
Business breakfast: Experienced lawyer joins Harrogate firm’s life team“We are delighted that we received a ‘good’ grading throughout all areas.
“The inspector commented on the good practice she observed, the caring and positive relationships between the staff and families and our clear understanding of children’s development, progress and safety. She also mentioned the very good behaviour of the children, amongst many other things.
“I would like to say how pleased I am with this report and feel it truly reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of our staff team.
“It also reflects on our wonderful children who are amazing and to our parents, for your supportive comments, not only on the inspection day, but on an on-going basis.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Experienced lawyer joins Harrogate firm’s life team
A new senior lawyer has joined Harrogate law firm Berwins.
Liam O’Neill has been appointed as head of life at the practice, having previously been a partner in another firm of solicitors.
He brings 25 years of experience to the role and is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists as well as STEP, the global body for practitioners helping families to plan for their futures.
Mr O’Neill said:
“I’m proud to have joined such as well-respected team in what is a very progressive firm. Expansion across the region and recent investments made in the business means that Berwins is well placed to thrive in the coming years and I’m excited to be part of that.”
Berwins managing director Paul Berwin added:
“The appointment of such an outstanding legal professional is a significant development for us. Technically excellent, Liam’s deep expertise – particularly in matters relating to will disputes – adds a great deal to an already outstanding department.”
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Profits soar at Harrogate equipment rental company
An equipment rental specialist based in Harrogate has posted strong growth in its sales and profits.
Vp, which has its headquarters at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, recorded increased revenues of £350.9m compared to £308m in 2021.
Its pre-tax profits also rose by 67% to £38.9m from £23.3m.
A formal sale of the company was launched earlier this year, but Vp describes operations as “business as usual” until it has an update for its shareholders.
Neil Stothard, chief executive of Vp plc, said:
Body found in search for missing Minskip man“The quality of the recovery in our trading performance is extremely pleasing and these results demonstrate a significant increase in profitability and a material recovery in the quality of those profits. These strong results have been largely supported by the core markets which we serve.
“Over the last financial year, I am particularly pleased with our ESG [environmental, social and governance] initiatives where we have continued to invest in apprenticeships and our employees as well as our commitment to the environment.
“Throughout the year we continued to invest in our ambition to be net carbon zero by 2050 with all our businesses continuing to introduce new greener equipment solutions to their customers.”
A body has been found in the search for a missing 31-year-old from Minskip, near Boroughbridge.
Luke Earnshaw was reported missing after leaving home on Saturday just before 2.30pm.
He was seen walking down Thorndikes Lane towards Staveley.
North Yorkshire Police said the body found today has not been formally identified but is believed to be that of the missing man. His family have been informed.
Posting on a local Facebook group, a family member thanked everyone who had helped in the search for Mr Earnshaw.
She also praised police officers’ support to the family, adding:
“He’s finally at peace after suffering with mental health for many years.”
Read more:
Ex-Lib Dem candidate will not stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough at next election
The former prospective parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats has announced she will not stand for the party again in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Judith Rogerson, who won 20,287 votes to Conservative Andrew Jones‘s 29,962 in 2019, said she had been asked by “lots of people” whether she would make a second bid to be elected.
However, posting on Twitter this morning, she said:
“Lots of things have changed for me in the past 18 months. Last year I had to step back from politics after I needed major surgery for cancer.
“Happily I am fully recovered and 2022 has been much kinder with a wedding and, in the autumn, a new member of our family.
“As much as I would like to carry on as H&K’s PPC, I’ve had to recognise that it won’t be possible for me to give that important role the time and dedication it needs this time round.”
The local Liberal Democrat party said a selection process has begun to select a new PPC, decided by a vote of its members in the constituency.
The chosen candidate is expected to be announced by the end of the summer.
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Ms Rogerson added:
“I loved my time as H&K’s candidate and am proud of everything we achieved.
“We built up a strong team of campaigners, won some excellent council by-election victories and halved the Tory majority in 2019.
“Most recently the Lib Dems became the biggest council group within the constituency.
“Whoever is the candidate next time will be starting from a strong position and I will be supporting them all the way.”
In response to Ms Rogerson’s announcement, David Goode, constituency chairman for the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems, said:
“After some tough times, the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem family are so pleased to see her happy and healthy and we thank her for all the hard work she invested in this constituency.
“Being a PPC takes up a huge amount of time and we fully support Judith’s decision to prioritise her family life. We wish her well for the exciting times ahead!
“We know our new PPC will continue to build on Judith’s achievements, as we continue to build momentum towards the next election…
“The local election results clearly showed that voters in Harrogate and Knaresborough have had enough of this government, with voters putting Boris’s Conservatives on notice.
“The Lib Dems will be campaigning for a win at the next general election, be that in the autumn, 2023 or early 2024.”
The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency has been represented by Mr Jones since 2010, when he won the seat from retiring Lib Dem MP Phil Willis, who had previously had a majority of more than 10,000.
Then, the Conservative majority was just 1,039 over Claire Kelley of the Lib Dems. In 2015 and 2017, Mr Jones increased this to more than 16,000 and 18,000 respectively.
None of the other parties have confirmed who will represent them in any upcoming election. A date has yet to be set, but it will have to be held by December 2024 in line with the maximum five-year parliamentary term.
Business Breakfast: how to make the most of TikTokBusiness Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Secrets of TikTok success to be shared at Harrogate networking event
A business owner who uses TikTok for recruitment will be the guest speaker at a networking event next month.
Sally Bendtson, who runs Limelight HR, became a social media sensation with her entertaining videos during the first covid lockdown.
She has used them to raise the profile of her business and, most recently, even as part of her own recruitment.
She will be sharing the secrets of her TikTok success with Business Ladies around Harrogate (BLaH) on Friday, July 1.
The group meets at William and Victoria Restaurant on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, at 11.50am on the first Friday of each month. The speaker’s presentation is followed by informal networking over a two-course lunch, finishing at 2.30pm.
Tickets are £30 per person. For more information, visit the BLaH website.
Harrogate colleagues climb Snowdon at sunrise for Yorkshire Cancer Research
A group of Harrogate colleagues have climbed Snowdon at sunrise to help raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
The employees from Belzona hiked up the highest mountain in Wales as part of their year-long fundraising for the charity.
Lily Alexander-Pike from the company said:
“We first suggested the idea to the team after one of our colleagues had done it and said how amazing it was.
“We had so much interest and everyone really got behind it, either taking part or donating. We were amazed to raise over £3,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research in sponsorship.”
The team, which consisted of 28 people from design and manufacturing firm Belzona and two employees from Yorkshire Cancer Research, began their climb at 1am to reach the 1,085-metre peak for sunrise.
Lily added:
“It was surreal walking up in complete darkness, but when the sun rose the views were just incredible. The journey back down was like a completely different walk when you could see everything around you.”
Yorkshire Cancer Research was nominated as one of this year’s charities by Sarah Furber, a member of the finance department, because she has family members who have been affected by cancer.
The team has also organised a chocolate raffle, a cutest pet competition and more to add to its fundraising.
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Teens left in tears by Northern train guard’s ‘heavy-handed’ fine
The parents of three teenagers left “in tears” after being issued with a fine on a train journey have criticised the guard’s “heavy-handed” approach.
Freddie Fulford, 15, and his friends Evie and Oscar Bartle were travelling from Cattal to York on Saturday, June 3.
It was the first time the three had gone into York together and Freddie’s dad, Tony, said they were looking forward to a day out on their own.
“They jumped on the train with no tickets because it was in the station when they arrived.
“There is a ticket machine at the station, but they didn’t know you couldn’t pay on the train.”
Cattal Station
Once the guard realised the teens didn’t have tickets, he issued them with fines of £20 each. The teenagers said they were told in an “intimidating and frightening” way that the maximum penalty was three months in prison.
Upset by the fine and the threat of a criminal record, the teens called their parents from York station in tears.
Mr Fulford, who lives in Harrogate, said:
“They could have paid there and then or the guards could have said ‘buy at ticket on the app and we’ll come back in a minute’. It was just so heavy-handed.
“The obvious answer would have been to let them buy the tickets on the train and explain what they should do for next time.”
He said both families have submitted complaints and appealed against the fines. They had heard from other parents whose children had been fined for similar situations and had successfully appealed.
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Both sets of parents are in a position to pay the fines, he said, but he was concerned about other families who were not. He added:
“The main point is to stop it happening again.”
The Stray Ferret contacted Northern for a response to Mr Fulford’s concerns about their handling of the situation.
In response, Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said:
Experienced fundraiser joins Harrogate mental health charity“Customers have a duty to buy a ticket for travel before they board a train.
“They can do so in advance via our app and website or, if they wish to purchase at an un-staffed station, they can do so from one of the more than 600 ticket machines we have installed across the network – one of which is at Cattal station.
“Customers should arrive at the station in time to purchase their ticket before they travel. Anyone issued with a penalty fare has the right to appeal the decision to an independent appeal service.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Experienced fundraiser joins Harrogate mental health charity
A new head of fundraising has been appointed at a Harrogate counselling and training charity.
Kennie Cheung, whose experience includes time at Oxfam and a cancer charity in her native Hong Kong, joins Wellspring Training and Therapy in Starbeck.
Emily Fullarton, the executive director of Wellspring, said demand for mental health care had risen and was continuing to grow since the covid pandemic. She added:
“In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at least once in their lifetime. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true.
“There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing. The NHS, which is responsible for mental health care, simply can’t cope.”
Wellspring offers affordable counselling from just £5 per hour to people who cannot afford to pay for private appointments and who face long waiting lists on the NHS.
Clients can have short-term support or a long-term course of sessions with a qualified counsellor, depending on their needs.
Kennie said:
“This is a dream job for me. The political situation in Hong Kong, combined with the fact that our son Samuel is studying at University of Leeds, meant that we wanted to relocate to England and, in particular, Yorkshire.
“Harrogate is the most wonderful town – and I count myself incredibly blessed to have found a job here, which is suited to my skills and which is so worthwhile. I look forward to making new friends and contacts here and to reach out to individuals and businesses who are keen to help such a brilliant mental health charity like Wellspring.”
Read more:
Great British Menu chef appointed at Ripon hotel
A leading Yorkshire chef has been appointed to lead the pan-Asian restaurant at Grantley Hall.
Samira Effa will be head chef at Bar & Restaurant EightyEight, joining the five-star hotel from TRUEfoods where she was a senior production chef.
She is widely known for competing in the 2019 and 2020 series of Great British Menu, showcasing Yorkshire produce as well as her love of diverse cooking techniques and flavours thanks to her Iranian mother and Nigerian father.
The Huddersfield-born chef said:
“I’m honoured for the opportunity and so excited to be joining the Bar & Restaurant EightyEight team and know that with my breadth of knowledge across the industry, I’m ready to showcase some exciting flavours and bring new ideas to the EightyEight menu.
“I’ve always had a passion for food and with my parents’ rich backgrounds, it was common for us at home to cook together using traditional Iranian and Nigerian recipes – both of which are bursting with flavour. I can’t wait to get stuck in at EightyEight and bring my own flair to the restaurant which I know is a popular spot for hotel guests and diners alike.”
Simon Crannage, executive head chef at Grantley Hall, added:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Samira to the Grantley Hall family and are very excited to see what she brings to Bar & Restaurant EightyEight.
“Samira has an exceptional culinary track record, along with having a genuine passion and love for food that I know will translate into her dishes for our diners to enjoy.”
Petanque players invited to sign up for return of charity tournament in Harrogate
A charity tournament with a friendly feel will return to Harrogate this summer.
The Saint Michael’s Cup sees teams of petanque players – from amateur to more experienced – compete to win the trophy and support the town’s hospice at the same time.
Teams of three can enter for a £20 donation to the hospice and will then be put in a group to play against others. The winner from each group will go into the knock-out rounds.
Although it marks 10 years since the first Saint Michael’s Cup was held in 2012, it has had a two-year gap thanks to covid. Organisers Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club are hoping there will be renewed enthusiasm for the simple yet competitive game.
Club chairman Nigel Clay said:
“We’re fortunate we still have support from Ellis Bates as our sponsor for the tournament. We’re looking forward to raising money for the hospice again, and hopefully meeting some new teams as well as those who’ve taken part before.”
The tournament will be launched next Sunday and run until September, when the finals will be held.
The new club headquarters in Oatlands
The launch will be part of the official opening of the club’s new base at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club (PAJFC) on the playing field next to Oatlands Junior School, off Hookstone Road. The event runs from 11am to 3pm, with the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opening the new courts and kicking off the charity tournament.
Club members will be playing against a team from Leeds, offering visitors a chance to see how the game works, and there will be time for social play.
Read more:
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- Community invited to launch day at Darley boules courts
While covid may have put a stop to the tournament for two years, the club has seen a rise in membership. As a game which lends itself to social distancing yet is sociable, petanque – also known as boules – was ideal for playing outdoors when covid restrictions allowed.
The launch of the new venue with its 10 courts adds to the existing four at the pierhead bouledrome on top of Montpellier Hill in Harrogate town centre. Club chairman Nigel Clay said:
“The pierhead is ideal for social play and small groups, but lacks facilities. We have been working for some time to find a larger venue to host full club events and competitions.
“Oatlands provides all we need in terms of facilities over the summer, when we will use it, and for PAJFC during the football season.”
For more information about the Saint Michael’s Cup tournament, visit the club website or call Nigel Clay on 07735 388359.
Public meeting next week over future of Woodfield schoolA public meeting will be held next week over the future of Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton.
North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has vowed it will take parents’ views into consideration as part of a consultation over a possible closure of the school.
The authority has now confirmed the closure would take effect from December 31 this year.
It has announced three options for future school allocations: the Woodfield catchment area could become part of that of Grove Road or Bilton Grange primary schools, or it could be split or shared between the two other schools.
The meeting will take place at Woodfield school on Wednesday at 6pm.
Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, member for education and skills at NYCC, said:
“Woodfield Community Primary School governors, together with North Yorkshire County Council, have worked extremely hard to find a solution which would see the school remain open but, sadly, this has not produced any viable options.
“During the consultation we will listen to parents’ views; we will also review the opinions of other groups involved with the school. Everyone will be given the opportunity to contribute.”
NYCC said it would welcome any views on its proposals, or alternative plans being put forward. All contributions will be part of a formal review which will be considered by the council’s executive before a final decision is made.
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News about the consultation over the proposed closure was announced last month, ending months of speculation about the school’s future.
It followed its last Ofsted report labelling the school ‘inadequate’ in January 2020. Woodfield was then forced to try to find an academy to join.
Governors were in negotiations with nearby Grove Road Community Primary School, but a planned amalgamation to take effect from September fell through this year.
Woodfield’s governors said they had “exhausted all options” and were left with no choice but to consult over the closure.
Parents have protested to keep the school open.
As well as attending the meeting on Wednesday evening, parents can take part in the consultation on the council’s website.
Part of the consultation will include asking parents of current pupils to state their preference for an alternative school for their children to attend, either following any decision to close Woodfield, or sooner if they prefer.
A council spokesperson said:
“The overall intention will be to ensure fairness around the school transfer process in the event that a decision is ultimately taken to close the school.
“It will allow the local authority to apply consideration of admissions criteria to each request and avoid allocating places on a first-come, first-served basis.”
The authority said its admissions team is always happy to give advice to parents and can be contacted at schooladmissions@northyorks.gov.uk.