Flower power to flood Harrogate in summer competition

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Flower power to flood Harrogate in summer competition

Town centre shops are pulling out all the stops to take part in a floral competition organised by Harrogate BID.

The Floral Summer of Celebration will see the organisation work with Harrogate in Bloom to stage the contest after a two-year absence.

More than a dozen businesses have already signed up across five categories as they aim to live up to Harrogate’s reputation for floral excellence.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and to mark this wonderful heritage we are staging a Floral Summer of Celebration.

“This will take place between July 15 and August 12, and will see the town centre become home to a floral trail featuring eight unique displays. There will also be an exhibition in Victoria Shopping Centre looking at different aspects of Harrogate’s floral history.

“Floral-themed shop windows will play a big part in this celebration, and we hope as many businesses as possible will participate in the competition.

“We already have more than a dozen businesses signed up, and with three weeks to go, I’m confident they will be joined by plenty more.

“The floral displays will be located across the town centre, and together with dozens of hanging baskets outside town centre businesses, the numerous flower beds maintained by Harrogate Borough Council, more than 200 barrier baskets funded by Harrogate BID, and some specially commissioned floral street art, Harrogate will be a blaze of colour and well worth a visit.”

The project is being supported by Harrogate Borough Council through the government’s Covid-19 business recovery funding.

There are three weeks left for businesses to sign up before judging takes place, with criteria including first impression, overall design, containers’ size and style, and condition of plants.

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Charity seeks sponsor to maintain vital minibus service

A sponsor is being sought for a vital transport service provided by a Harrogate charity.

Harrogate Skills for Living Centre (HS4LC) runs a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) to enable its service users and residents to get around.

With adaptable seating, it can carry up to two wheelchairs and was in use throughout the pandemic to ensure people could access important services.

Now, a partner is being sought to support the service, which costs £1,500 a month to lease, or to buy a new vehicle for around £35,000. It could carry the sponsor’s branding to show the company is supporting a local charity.

HS4LC CEO Hadyn Moorby-Davies said:

“The WAV is an absolute lifeline for our residents and other service users and frees them from reliance on public transport services.

“During the pandemic, it was the only way some of our residents could get out. Both our care homes use the WAV regularly both for local shopping trips and trips further afield, for instance out to the countryside and coast.

“The only downside is sharing it across services as the demand is always there. In reality we could do with two or even three!”

For more information about sponsoring the vehicle, contact HS4LC.

Until a partner is found, HS4LC continues fundraising to keep the minibus on the road. To donate, visit the JustGiving page.

Runners unite to volunteer for community through new Harrogate group

A new project is bringing together fitness, socialising and giving time to the community in Harrogate.

Community Fit will see a group of volunteers get together for a short, social run to a location where they will help out with a project for an hour before running back again.

Organisations to benefit could include charities, schools, community groups or environmental organisations.

Anna Glazier from HADCA said:

“Community Fit ticks all the boxes – being active, socialising, helping others – all of which can improve your sense of wellbeing.

“We aim to be accessible to people who may not yet be regularly active, as well as to committed runners who would like to incorporate something a little bit different into their weekly training.”

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Two trial events have already been held, which saw more than 16 hours of help given by volunteers to the Pinewoods Conservation Group and Artizan Cafe and Creative Space across two evenings.

The new project is a collaboration between North Yorkshire Spot and Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) which each have a member of staff dedicated to organising it. They said runners at the trial events loved the energy and enthusiasm of the group, as well as how much they could achieve in just an hour when working together.

The first meeting of the group takes place on Wednesday, June 15 at 5.45pm. The group will run around 1-2 miles from Community House on East Parade in Harrogate, returning by around 8pm after the work is complete.

New participants are welcome and do not have to be fast or experienced runners – the journeys will be at a social pace. To register to attend, visit the Community Fit website or find the group on Facebook or Instagram.

Mixed picture for Harrogate town centre as jubilee celebrations end

The jubilee weekend may have been one of celebrations for communities but it was a mixed picture for businesses in Harrogate town centre.

The Harrogate Tea Rooms in the Westminster Arcade was among those to say the jubilee did not prove to be a recipe for success as it had its worst ever Saturday, after 10 years in business.

Tony Wilkinson, who owns the business with his wife Carrie, told the Stray Ferret:

“We had a good Friday and the Thursday was OK too. But Saturday was 70% lower than normal.

“We did open on Sunday, which we don’t usually, but it was very quiet.”

Despite support from customers on social media, even the celebratory high tea menu was not enough to draw patrons away from events elsewhere.

Not sure about where all the events were, but for us that was our worst Saturday EVER!!!

— The Harrogate Tea Rooms (@HarrogateTeaRms) June 5, 2022

Around the corner at Baltzersen’s on Oxford Street, Saturday and Sunday also proved to be quiet. However, owner Paul Rawlinson was philosophical:

“We’ve served a lot of guests and hopefully delivered a positive experience for everyone that chose to visit us. We appreciate the ongoing support of families in Harrogate and Wetherby.

“In terms of the business, we saw a hugely increased demand on Thursday and Friday but recorded quietest weekend days of the last six months over the weekend.

“Weather will have been a factor and the end of the school half-term holidays can often lead to a quieter weekends too. The differences largely cancelled each other out so in many ways it was business as usual.”

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At food retailer Cook on West Park, trade was also slow across the weekend. However, shop leader Mike Jarvis said the previous few days had been extremely busy as people stocked up ready for the bank holiday.

“We had such a big surge from Monday to Wednesday. Home deliveries were up for us too.

“We do a lot of buffet food and we had coronation chicken and Eton mess parfait – all good things for street parties.”

Working across the company’s shops in Harrogate and Moortown, Mr Jarvis said the picture was similar, as it was at Cook branches around the country.

Harry Gration opens the Little Bird Artisan Market for the Queen’s platinum jubilee in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Among those who did very well during the jubilee weekend itself were the traders at Little Bird Artisan Markets, which had events in Knaresborough and in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens. Managing director Jackie Crozier said:

“We are absolutely delighted with how the platinum jubilee celebrations have gone over the weekend. We have delivered seven events over four days including Knaresborough and, of course, Harrogate for three days.

“I have lost count of the amount of traders who have said they have had their best trading day ever.

“This weekend was just what the country needed and especially our artisan traders. It was so wonderful to be part of so many events working alongside local councils.

“As we have our regular artisan market on the first Sunday of the month in Valley Gardens, it was great to see so many of our regular customers returning.”

The weekend was also a success for the Harrogate Bus Company. Partnering with Harrogate BID, it offered free travel on its electric services between the town centre and Jennyfield, Harlow Hill and Bilton.

Managing director Alex Hornby tweeted that passenger numbers were significantly up on previous comparable dates.

⚡️ Amazing news following a busy #PlatinumJubilee in Harrogate: our #JubileeFreeway of free buses on #HarrogateElectrics saw:

⬆️ Thu +25% more customers than May Day
⬆️ Fri +51% v May Day
⬆️ Sat +60% above average of last three Sats
⬆️ Sun +34% above average of last three Suns pic.twitter.com/GGpzk6umGc

— Alex Hornby (@alexhornbybus) June 6, 2022

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID which also helped to organise the Jubilee Square events on Montpellier Hill, said:

“I was in town every day of the celebrations and there were certainly plenty of people around.

“Each of four days of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations saw thousands of people visit Jubilee Square.

“We deliberately didn’t have any food and drink concessions at Jubilee Square, as we hoped those coming to it would go into town either before, or after, and patronise our pubs, bars and restaurants – which they did!

“The ‘Jubilee Freeway’ brought passengers travelling on electric buses into town for free on Thursday through to Sunday, and the numbers riding these buses was significantly more than for previous bank holidays and the last three weekends.

“We also had street entertainers on three of the four days, which were very well receive, and again gave people another reason to come into town.”

GPs back campaign for reform as Harrogate district practices ‘running on empty’

GPs across the Harrogate district have called for urgent public support to ensure the area’s practices can remain viable.

Local practices have publicly backed national campaign Rebuild General Practice, highlighting the need for urgent reform to keep doctors and patients safe.

Leeds Road Practice in Harrogate and Beech House Surgery in Knaresborough are among those to have shared a letter on their social media pages which highlights the pressures facing GPs.

The strongly-worded letter states that a quarter of GPs know a colleague who has taken their life because of work pressures, and almost 90% say they do not feel safe at work.

“General practice is in crisis. Not because of us, or the staff who work with us.

“It is because of decades of underfunding and neglect, broken government promises and political contempt for you – our patients – that the system is fractured.

“This crisis is putting you – and us – at an increased risk.”

In the Harrogate district, the statutory body representing and supporting GPs, YORLMC, is backing the campaign.

Dr Brian McGregor of YORLMCIts medical secretary, Dr Brian McGregor, told the Stray Ferret the district’s GPs are working extremely long hours, often unable to take holidays because there is no cover, and worried about burnout and making mistakes.

The national campaign for reform has been launched in association with Jeremy Hunt. As chairman of the health select committee, Dr McGregor said Mr Hunt believes general practice needs investment and support from the government.

Retention

In 2016, he said thousands of new GPs were needed and a recruitment campaign began. However, Dr McGregor said, they “completely took their eye off the ball” when it came to retention.

“We’re now in the position where we’re about 1,600 GPs down compared to 2016, but providing four times more appointments in a month.”

Some of that increase in appointments being provided is thanks to the rise of virtual and phone consultations during covid. They require less time than face-to-face appointments and are suitable for many patients’ needs, he said.

However, there are many cases where a face-to-face appointment is necessary, but he said demand for those is extremely high following the covid pandemic.

“Patients want good access to general practice but, as the numbers drop down and the demand has gone up, it’s not that the GPs aren’t working, it’s that the appointment you want has gone to your neighbour who called a bit quicker than you.”

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Dr McGregor said the situation in the Harrogate district has been exacerbated by house building, putting pressure on existing practices to accommodate more patients.

He said although housing developers have put money into pots for infrastructure including GP services, no new practices have been built or even planned across the district.

He added:

“Historically, Harrogate has been very attractive as a place to work compared to other areas in North Yorkshire which have struggled to recruit.

“Now, everywhere is struggling. Practices in Harrogate are advertising two, three, four times for places they can’t fill.

“In Scarborough, they were 1.5 GPs down per practice three or four years ago. Now Harrogate is getting to that position too.”

Backlog

While hospital waiting times have been in the headlines repeatedly since the beginning of the covid pandemic, Dr McGregor said the number of hospital doctors has actually risen by around 20% in that time – while GP numbers have dropped by up to 4%.

Hospitals and secondary care have been allocated £20bn of government money to deal with the backlog of work caused by covid, he said, but general practice has received nothing.

Now, through the Rebuild General Practice campaign, GPs are calling for the workplace plan, promised by the government in 2019, to be created.

It would set out how the problem of falling GP numbers would be tackled, focusing on retention as well as recruitment, and ensuring GPs can work in a way that is safe for both them and their patients.

“It’s really about recognising GPs are doing their best in very difficult circumstances. Just a simple ‘thank you’ rather than some of the aggression and abuse they are getting would help.

“Your GPs are working as hard as they can and providing as much access as they can and trying to keep everybody safe.

“We want to support patients in every way we can, but it’s about letting them know we are running on empty.”

Nazi symbol outside Harrogate home leads to police visit

A Harrogate man’s efforts to commemorate the sinking of a ship in the Second World War led to a social media outcry and a visit from police.

He put up a German naval flag for “less than six hours” on Friday afternoon to remember those who lost their lives in the sinking of the Bismarck on May 27, 1941.

However, the flag includes a swastika symbol, which was spotted by a passer-by who posted a photograph on Twitter that evening.

The home owner – who we are not naming because police said they are concerned about putting him at risk – said he was taken aback by the reaction.

“It’s what’s called a kriegsmarine flag. It’s not the first time it has flown – I’ve flown it twice a year, to mark the sinking of the Bismarck and the Battle of the River Plate [the first naval battle of the Second World War].

“I spoke to my neighbours and they know it’s not a racist or anti-Jewish or pro-Nazi thing. It’s just a commemoration.”

‘Naval tradition’

The man said he regularly displays flags to mark significant days in the calendar and has been doing so for almost three years.

He often puts a sign in his window explaining the significance of that day’s flag, which he said also did on Friday. It outlined the loss of the battleship along with 2,200 sailors, as well as more than 100 captured by the British Navy.

The homeowner said:

“They died for their country as much as our naval crew did for ours. It’s a naval tradition to respect your foe as well as your own men.

“My father was in the Navy and my uncle was in the air force. I’m more of a pacifist – I wouldn’t ever do anything to offend anyone.”

He said the photograph was not close enough to show the information about the Bismarck so, when it was shared on social media, it lacked the context of his explanation.

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After being posted on Twitter, the photograph was shared in local Facebook groups, attracting dozens of responses. One called the owner “vermin” while others described flying the flag as “inexcusable”, “disgusting” and “sickening”.

A handful of responses on social media identified the flag and made reference to the anniversary of the sinking of the Bismarck, as well as pointing out it was adjacent to a British naval flag and one displaying poppies.

The homeowner added:

“I did try and get a modern kriegsmarine flag but the only one that was available was a Second World War one.”

‘Repercussions’

He took down the flag on Friday evening but, on Sunday, had a visit from North Yorkshire Police officers who had been contacted by members of the public who had seen the photo.

“They were very nice – they were more concerned about whether there would be repercussions for me.

“I told them I will try and find a modern Kriegsmarine flag for next time, or I’ll put a piece of white fabric over the middle.”

We have not identified the man or given the location of his house because police said they are concerned about potential risk to the resident.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:

“Police visited an address in Harrogate after concerns were reported by a member of the public about a flag in a garden. On arrival, the flag in question wasn’t on display.

“An officer talked to the resident, who confirmed he flies many different flags throughout the year and it was a naval flag flown alongside other flags to commemorate a battle.

“No further action was necessary as no crime had been committed.”

Local Lotto marks £200,000 raised for good causes in Harrogate district

More than £200,000 has been raised for good causes across the Harrogate district thanks to a community lottery scheme.

The Local Lotto, run by Harrogate Borough Council, has passed the milestone this month after being established in 2018 as a way for groups to raise more funds.

For each £1 ticket bought, 60p goes to local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups. Meanwhile, players have the chance to win a £25,000 jackpot as well as smaller cash prizes each week.

Karen Weaver, strategic lead at Harrogate and District Community Action, said:

“The Local Lotto has been such a great success in supporting good causes across the Harrogate district, providing a regular monthly income and an easy way for local people to support local community action.

“There is also a vital and fruitful link with the Local Fund, with 10p from every ticket sale being donated directly and helping to ensure that it exists in perpetuity to provide grants to grass roots volunteers, community groups and charities.”

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A total of 112 groups have signed up to be part of the Local Lotto to generate additional funding.

Beneficiaries include Autism Angels, Woodfield Millennium Green, Horticap, the Harrogate branch of Parkinson’s UK, Harrogate Dramatic Society, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, and other groups including Scouts, churches, sports clubs and more.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council and voluntary and community sector chair, said:

“It’s an incredible achievement to raise more than £200,000 in less than four years for our voluntary and community sector across the Harrogate district, through the Local Lotto.

“These vital funds can sometimes be a lifeline for smaller community groups and I’d like to thank everyone for getting involved and signing up to play the Local Lotto.

“It’s never too late to take part, whether as an organisations or a participant, and I’d urge anyone to sign up online.”

Where to see jubilee beacons lit in the Harrogate district

A series of beacons will be lit across the Harrogate district on Thursday night as part of national celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

From a caravan park to a castle, the venues come in all shapes and sizes, and cover the length and breadth of the district.

Beacons are set to be lit at 9.45pm, in line with the national event which will see thousands lit around the UK and more across the Commonwealth.

Many of the public locations of beacons in the Harrogate district are listed below. Others are being organised as private events, such as by Scout groups.

If your town, village or community is lighting a beacon and you would like us to include details, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Ripon Market Square

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

A piper will play Diu Regnare, written for the platinum jubilee by Stuart Liddell, the 2020 Glenfiddich champion and pipe major of the world.

 

Knaresborough Castle

The highest point above the river in Knaresborough will offer a spectacular setting for the town’s beacon.

 

Masham: Roomer Common

A bugle call will announce the beginning of the event at 9.40pm, with the beacon set to be lit five minutes later.

Spofforth Castle

The village’s beacon is being created by farrier Gary Harland, using discarded horseshoes to mark the Queen’s love of horses.

Members of Spofforth School Choir will sing a medley of songs from 9pm, followed by a performance the Commonwealth Song, written for the occasion, by Spofforth Church Choir.

The lighting of the beacon will be accompanied by music from saxophonist Millie Hope.

 

Almscliffe Crag

The lighting of the beacon is not a formal public event because of concerns over health and safety, so anyone attending does so at their own risk.

However, the beacon should be visible for some distance from its position on top of the crag.

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Dallowgill

A jubilee bonfire will be lit at Greygarth Monument.

There is limited parking available at Greygarth if the weather is dry, and at Tom Corner or the Methodist Chapel.

The evening will include a sing-along and music. Visitors are encouraged to bring an instrument, a chair and their own refreshments. A bugle jubilee call will mark the lighting of the beacon.

 

Dacre

The village beacon will be list at Dover Castle, near Low Hall, with songs including the national anthem. Visitors are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.

 

Woodhouse Farm Caravan Park, Winksley

Residents and visitors are invited to gather in The Barn from 8.30pm, when hot chocolate will be available in commemorative jubilee mugs from £4. The group will move onto the park at 9.30pm ready for the beacon lighting and singing the national anthem.

 

Langthorpe

The jubilee beacon will be lit in Back Lane. Visitors are asked to park on the main road and walk up to the site.

 

West Tanfield

The beacon is in a field on the left-hand side of the road as you approach West Tanfield from Ripon, just before the bridge into the village.

Libido advice top of wish list at new Harrogate menopause group

A new group set up to support women going through menopause has attracted almost 100 members after its first meeting.

Set up by Vic Smith-Dunn through her social enterprise MyLifePool, the group met for the first time on Monday evening at Oatlands Community Centre.

As well as hearing from nutritionist Linda Le Floch of Quality Health Foods, the evening offered members the chance to ask questions anonymously — which produced some surprising results.

Ms Smith-Dunn said:

“We ran a questionnaire asking what kind of topics people would like covering at future events.

“The responses ranged from the best types of exercise for bone health to skin care and fashion advice. However, one of the biggest demands was for advice on how to improve libido.”

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Ms Smith-Dunn was able to share some tips about supplements which can help, but the group discussed how much it comes down to mindset and self-confidence.

She added:

“I would love to make contact with local businesses or professionals who may have information or products to share that may support and empower our growing tribe of women, who are determined to grab back their lives along with their libido to truly make the most of living through this hormonal change rather than just pushing through.”

For more information about the group, visit the MeNoPause website.

Community library marks 10 years at the heart of Bilton and Woodfield

The 10th anniversary of the Harrogate district’s first community library will be marked this weekend.

Bilton and Woodfield Community Library opened its doors in May 2012, after more than a year of planning and preparation.

The volunteers decided to take it on when North Yorkshire County Council said it could no longer afford to staff and run the library.

While they have support from the council, they have had to raise up to £9,000 a year just to cover running costs.

Greta Knight, who has been involved in organising and running the library since the beginning, said:

“I realised the other day that since we took on running a community library, in total we have raised in excess of £100,000 to keep it running.

“It’s not a huge sum, but that has got to be raised by us each year by us as an organisation.”

The funds are collected from fines for overdue books, as well as selling second hand books. The library also offers printing and photocopying and is a member of the Harrogate Local Lotto.

St John’s Church supports the library too, such as with a fundraising coffee morning being held later this month.

Greta Knight

Alongside the challenges of raising money, the last 10 years have brought numerous changes for the library — and some less than welcome surprises.

After just a couple of years in the Old Vicarage on Bilton Lane, the library moved to new premises on the site of Woodfield Primary School, adjacent to the children’s centre, on Woodfield Road.

In 2017, the building suffered a catastrophic flood thanks to a faulty boiler, which left it unable to open for more than two months.

This year, a second flood happened thanks to a burst pipe in the children’s centre. Ms Knight said:

“I found it – I saw the reflection of the books in the water on the floor and I just burst into tears.

“It does cause lots of problems. You have to make arrangements so people’s books aren’t accruing fines when they can’t return them.

“They had to move everything and remove all the carpeting – there were drying machines in for several weeks because it had soaked right down and come up the walls too.”

Once the building was dry, repairs were carried out and the volunteers were finally able to get back in to put all the furniture and books back in place.

Flooding at the Bilton and Woodfield Community Library.

Flooding at Bilton and Woodfield Community Library.

Adding to two years of closures and disruption through the pandemic, it was a very unwelcome setback – but the volunteers have worked determinedly to enable it to reopen fully again.

Now, as well as books, the library is offering its popular schedule of events each week. They include a scrabble club, children’s story time and a monthly coffee morning.

Today’s celebration

Tomorrow, however, the coffee morning makes way for an event to celebrate 10 years of the community library. From 10am tomorrow, visitors can read display boards about its history, meet some of the volunteers, and see decorations made by children in a craft session last weekend.

The cake will be cut by Pat Webber, wife of the late county councillor Geoff Webber, who was very supportive of the library and even suggested the location of its current home.

While the anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far they have come, the volunteers are not content to sit back. They have plans for more activities in future – including reintroducing visits for local primary schools from September – and are always on the look-out for new people to join their team.

Despite the uncertain future of the neighbouring Woodfield Community Primary School, Ms Knight said the library is in safe hands and will continue to open its doors to the community for many years to come.

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Harrogate district given toilet twinning status by national charity

Harrogate has become the first district in the UK to achieve toilet twinning status thanks to a group of campaigners.

Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District arranged for the title to be given by national charity Tearfund’s Toilet Twinning project.

It aims to provide safe toilet facilities, along with education about sanitation, for people in developing countries by encouraging people in the UK to sponsor a toilet in Asia, Africa or the Americas.

The Harrogate district has now twinned with 36 individual toilets and a block of four toilets in low income countries, equating to £2,400 donated by local schools and businesses, Harrogate Borough Council and the Soroptimists themselves.

The certificate was presented by the group’s president, Val Hills, and Toilet Twinning project leader Sue Williams, to outgoing Mayor and Mayoress of the Harrogate district, Cllr Trevor Chapman and his wife Jen.

Ms Hills said:

“We are delighted to achieve toilet twinning status for the Harrogate district which, we believe, is the first district to be given the award in the country.”

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