Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town. You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com.
Ripon Amateur Operatic Society brought the house down at Harrogate Theatre last night with their take on the feel-good musical comedy, Sister Act.
Grace Knill assumes the role of sassy heroine Deloris van Cartier, a singer and wannabe star who is forced into hiding in a convent after witnessing a hit by her gangster boyfriend. Arriving to a frosty reception by the nuns’ stern Mother Superior (an excellent Rowenna Naylor), Deloris ultimately finds her purpose: to help the ladies learn how to sing.
Knill makes for a perfect Deloris; with joyful energy, she captures the humour and warmth of her character, belting out one showstopper after another with ease.
There are so many great personalities in this show, and the cast do them real justice, embracing their roles with gusto, providing a sense of warmth, familiarity and connection; audience members are drawn into the narrative easily.
Chris Wall as Deloris’ nasty ex, Curtis, and his trio of hilariously hapless gangsters, TJ (Luke Bailey), Joey (Will Thirlaway) and Pablo (Elliot Hutchinson), drew the biggest laughs, their choreography planned and executed to a T.
RAOS transport us to 1970s Philadelphia, with set, costume and sound combining to create an eruption of vibrant vivacity and fun on stage. John Atkin’s band sprinkle sparkle on the musical, with a good splash of soul and upbeat funk.
I had some difficulty hearing the occasional lyric early on, and many of the songs are appreciably tricky ones to sing, especially above a band, but any initial teething issues were swiftly ironed out. With banger after banger, you’re sure to come away feeling good.
A production filled with habits aplenty, gun-wielding gangsters, confession boxes and knockout showtunes, but mostly with colour, happiness and charm, the amateurs of Ripon know how to put on a show.
Sister Act is at Harrogate Theatre until Saturday, 20 April.
(Lead image: Helen Tabor Photography)
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The Otley Road cycleway in Harrogate is to be extended, a meeting heard last night (April 17).
The cycleway was conceived as part of wider plans to form a safe off road cycling route from Harrogate town centre to Cardale Park.
The first phase from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road, was constructed at a cost of £2.2 million but North Yorkshire County Council scrapped plans for the second phase last year.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transportation at the council, said at the time none of three options put forward proved popular with cyclists, walkers or motorists — despite cyclists highlighting how a consultation revealed more people were in favour of going ahead than not.
However, last night’s spring meeting of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association heard that although there were no plans to revive the second phase, the third phase would go ahead.
Hapara chair Rene Dziabas said it had been informed of the news by North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded North Yorkshire County Council in April last year.
Mr Dziabas told the meeting, which was attended by council highways officials, the 1.1km phase three would be built on the north side of Otley Road between Harlow Moor Road and the western edge of Harlow Carr.
It would be a two-way shared cyclist / pedestrian route measuring three metres wide, he said.
He added five trees and about 1,500 square metres of grass verge would be lost as part of the scheme and there would be toucan crossings at Beckwith Head Road/Crag Lane and Cardale Park junctions.
The cycleway will be funded by developers who are in the process of building 4,000 homes in the west of Harrogate.
Mr Dziabas said:
“Just about everyone thought because phase two had been cancelled, phase three wasn’t going ahead. It’s going ahead. We have had it confirmed by highways.”
He added there will be no specific public consultation on phase three, which will be considered as part of a far broader west of Harrogate traffic assessment.
A leaflet by Hapara said:
“The general view of this scheme is that it will not deliver any real benefits to mitigate against the high levels of traffic on Otley Road which is how it was sold when initially launched.
If the intention is to get more people cycling, which is a perfectly sensible aim, this scheme seems to be an expensive way of delivering the
objective.”
It added:
“No timescales are available at the moment, but North Yorkshire Council has indicated that they wish to see phase 3 constructed prior to the occupation of dwellings on the relevant major sites, including H49 and H45. This could be years away but meanwhile design studies will continue.”
Preloved clothing shop to open in Harrogate today
A clothes shop selling preloved, designer and high-street womenswear is due to launch in Harrogate today (April 18).
Preloved Chic Harrogate will be located in Windsor House on Cornwall Road. The business is co-owned by Harrogate women Cat Stanford, 52, and Kate Watts, 49 who said they aim to offer the town’s shoppers a sustainable alternative.
Ms Stanford has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years and has been offering a preloved service for the past four years. The duo met when Ms Watts was a customer and proposed becoming a business partner.
The move to Windsor House marks a new start for the business.
Windsor House was built as a hotel in 1900 and is now used mainly as contemporary office space.
It underwent a refurbishment to create a co-working space, meeting area and café in 2022.
The building, which overlooks the town’s Valley Gardens, is home to over 100 businesses, and covers 75,000 sq ft.
Inside Preloved Chic
Ms Stanford and Ms Watts said in a joint statement:
“Harrogate lacks a place where ladies can come and shop for amazing pieces at greatly discounted prices, you can buy a Stella McCartney Jacket for less than a third of the original price and a beautiful dress from Zara new with tags.
“Everything that we sell is preloved with most of it never worn, still with the original tags. Sustainability and recycling is huge now and we felt that we needed to offer this to the ladies of Harrogate.”
The store will be open every day except Mondays. Personal shopping appointments will be available in store.
Heaven knows what Morrissey was doing back in Harrogate…
Morrissey, the elusive former frontman of The Smiths, has been photographed in suitably mysterious circumstances in a tiny hamlet between Ripon and Harrogate.
The 64-year-old, who is known for his enigmatic persona, posed with his arms folded in front of street signs and a dry stone wall on Cut Throat Lane in Shaw Mills.
Why he happened to be in Shaw Mills, which is six miles from Harrogate, is not known.
London photographer Andrew Quinn shared the image on his Instagram page yesterday.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Quinn for permission to show the photo in our article, but he politely declined, saying:
“[Morrissey] is quite a private person and I don’t think he’d be comfortable with that.”
Mr Quinn has since made his Instagram account private, but not before the picture was shared on a Morrissey fan page. Fans commented that the “maverick” star looked “healthy”.
The Stray Ferret received reports of Morrissey being seen leaving the Fat Badger pub in Harrogate at the end of March but no pictures emerged.
Yesterday, we showed James Bond star Pierce Brosnan enjoying a drink in the Fat Badger.
Morrissey is becoming a bit of a Harrogate regular.
Last year he was spotted enjoying a pint in the Harrogate Arms by Chris Russell, who runs Zombie Clothing in Knaresborough.
Chris sent us this photo, which to add to the Mozzer intrigue was taken at about the same time of year as the latest one.
The Smiths rose to rock fame in the 1980s and went on to win the NME Award for Best Band and Best Single, and had the number one album, Meat is Murder, in 1985.
The group split in 1987, after which Morrissey launched his solo career.
Send us your photos and selfies if you bump into any celebrities in Harrogate district. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend
Get out and about with our guide of the top cultural goings-on from 19-21 April.
Now that the weather is finally fine and dry, it’s time to dust off those walking boots and get out into the great outdoors. And this walk is especially for you if you’re an experienced hiker as it’s a 20-mile loop.
Starting in Hampsthwaite, you’ll walk along the River Nidd then onto Brimham Rocks and Ripley Castle, and on it you’ll see all of the springtime sights including the beautiful bluebells of Nidderdale.
Free, 8am, April 20, starting at Hampsthwaite Church, Station Lane, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, HG3 2HB. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on this guided walk.
(Image: Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs)
Unleash your creativity at one of PopUp Painting’s events held at Harrogate’s Major Tom’s Social Bar. Themed on artist Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs, try your hand at painting a masterpiece that you can hang on the walls of your home afterwards.
The two-and-a-half-hour class includes all art supplies, and you can also ask for guidance if you so wish.
£35.99, 3-5.30pm, April 21, Major Tom’s Social Bar, The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB.
You can’t go wrong with a musical, and Sister Act the Musical is especially uplifting. The community production presented by Ripon Amateur Operatic Society tells the story of Deloris van Cartier who witnesses a murder and takes refuge in a convent.
Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior and she turns the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire.
From £20, 7.30pm April 17 – 20, and a matinee at 2.30pm on April 20, Harrogate Theatre, 6 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.
(Image: Pixaby)
Learn the basics of how to use printing blocks at this workshop at St Mark’s Church where you can pick your own pattern to stamp a pattern or a message onto a piece of fabric.
All materials are included, as well as light refreshments.
Free but suggested donation £5, 10am-4.30pm, April 20, St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate, HG2 8AY.
Local author Derek Shelmerdine is co-presenting Harrogate Film Society’s Season 1 of Music Legends.
The first film of the series of four is on Friday night is Hitsville: The Making of Motown that details the golden age of the soul music legend. It looks at the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
Featuring rare performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage offer insight into the history and cultural impact of Motown Records.
£6 or £5 for HFS members, doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm, April 19, Bilton Club, Skipton Road, Harrogate, HG1 4LL.
Also check out… French Impressions that explores music by two of the great French Impressionist composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. It’s on at Ripon Cathedral at 7.30pm on April 20 and tickets cost from £20.
Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk
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The cherry blossom is in full bloom on the Stray, Harrogate
The annual display of cherry blossom is now in full bloom – catch it while you can as you walk along the Stray’s paths.
Here are five fun facts you might not know about the sakura trees…
Email in your images of the blossoms – either in Harrogate or from your local area – for a chance to be featured in our extra-special spring edition of Photo of the Week to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
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The Green Party’s Kevin Foster says he does not see himself as a politician, more of an “ordinary person done good”.
Mr Foster’s background includes serving in the British Army reserves for 30 years before moving into politics.
He successfully stood for election on RIchmondshire District Council in 2019, before being elected to the newly created North Yorkshire Council three years later in Hipswell and Colburn division.
Since then, he has gone onto become the council’s armed forces champion as well as the Green Party leader on North Yorkshire Council.
Much of Mr Foster’s campaign has focussed on the “circular economy”, which is defined as reusing products, labour and materials in order to get the best value from them.
He points to the potential for green technology and artificial intelligence in the county as an example of how the economy could work.
“Why can’t we be a leader in those technologies and bring them in?”
He has also campaigned for better public transport and for more funding from government as part of its devolution deal.
Kevin Foster.
Mr Foster said the £18 million a year which currently makes up the mayoral budget would need to be “10 times more” in order for the mayor to make a difference in the county.
When asked how he would intend to get more money from government, he said his political career has been spent working with opposition parties.
“Being a minority party and the only one in Richmond, I learned very quickly how you have got to work in a team.
“I hear from people that politics is broken, well lets have someone else in there to make a difference.
“I have worked with Conservatives in Richmondshire District Council. I still work with the Conservatives and I work with other parties.I do not make a judgement on party, I make a judgement on that idea.”
Mr Foster added that he was not whipped by his party, so would be able to work with opposition leaders on the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
As part of his campaign, Mr Foster has also stopped short of announcing any marquee policies and pledges.
So far, he has committed to setting up a mayoral innovation fund and a poverty support fund.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Foster whether he would use the powers to franchise bus services afforded to the mayor as part of his transport plans.
In response, he said he was not going to “overpromise and under deliver”.
Mr Foster said that part of the mayor’s remit will be to hammer out proposals with the combined authority’s staff, including interim head of paid service James Farrar.
He said:
“People make these promises, but when they go into that room and start the discussions they are going to be surprised because it is not that easy.
“The last person who made big promises and went running in somewhere was Liz Truss. That did not work out well.”
Heading into polling day, does Mr Foster feel confident that he can secure the mayoral position for the Green Party?
He points to the fact that North Yorkshire Council currently has four Green councillors and that national parties have adopted green policies over the years.
“If we do not keep voting for what we believe in, we do not change anything.”
The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The deadline to register to vote is 11:59pm, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
The full list of candidates are:
A petition has been launched to stop an animal testing company from felling two semi-mature trees in Harrogate.
American healthcare firm Labcorp Drug Development, which was previously known as Covance and has a site on Otley Road, conducts tests on animals, including dogs and mice.
It is frequently the subject of animal rights activists’ protests.
The company has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to fell trees at its Harrogate site.
The application, submitted by agent Arbotech on behalf of the company, says both trees — a Swedish whitebeam and a grey alder — are protected by tree preservation orders, which requires applicants to provide a reason for felling to take place.
A tree report carried out by Boroughbridge environmental consultants Barnes Associates on behalf of Labcorp says the grey alder is “dead” and poses a “moderate risk”. The arboriculturists recommended the tree is felled.
It adds the Swedish whitebeam poses a “slight” risk, but also recommends the tree should be removed.
However, one Harrogate resident is taking action against the application.
Shelagh Dixon, who set up the petition yesterday, told the Stray Ferret she wants to alert people to Labcorp’s plans, as well as its animal testing work in general. She said:
“Labcorp is now hacking down protected trees. The destruction of these trees disrupts local eco-systems and contributes to climate change.
“We cannot stand by while this happens. We need your help. It’s time we hold Labcorp accountable for their actions.”
The proposed visual of the site extension, as submitted by Labcorp at the time.
Ms Dixon also said she fears the tree-felling could lead to plans to expand the drug development site, which she added would mean “more harm would ensue”.
Her concerns follows the former Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to approve plans to refurbish and expand the Otley Road site in February 2022.
Labcorp purchased six vacant buildings in December 2020 and planned to create a new entrance, a one-way system to access the car park and reconfigure the ground and first floors.
However, it is not known whether work has since started on the site.
The Stray Ferret approached Labcorp about the petition and the tree-felling plans, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Ms Dixon’s petition has already received more than 500 signatures. She hopes it will achieve at least 1,000.
North Yorkshire Council will decide on the application at a later date.
New headteacher appointed at Harrogate primary school
Western Primary School in Harrogate has appointed a new headteacher to take over at the end of the academic year.
Johanna Slack will take over from current headteacher Tim Broad, who is to retire.
Ms Slack is currently headteacher at Tang Hall Primary School in York and has over 20 years teaching experience.
She will take charge of Western Primary, which more than 500 children aged from two to 11 attend on Cold Bath Road.
Ms Slack said:
“My leadership style is one that is open and nurturing. It is built from developing strong relationships with everyone in the school community which has mutual respect at its core.
Joining Western Primary School will see me starting my third headship and I am looking forward to bringing to my new role a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge which will support me and the team to continue the improvement journey to ensure all our children are getting the very best we have to offer.”
Ms Slack and Western Primary School
Mr Broad became acting headteacher of Western Primary in January 2020 before his full-time appointment in 2021.
Prior to this, he had worked as a teacher, phase leader and deputy head at the school since September 1999.
Mr Broad said:
“I feel very proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to lead this fantastic school. I have very mixed emotions around the prospect of retirement but feel it is the right time for me, my family and the school.
“I have been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented colleagues over many years, both at Western and within our Trust, and am grateful for their support and for their sustained contribution to our pursuit of excellence for our pupils and families.”
Western Primary is a member of Red Kite Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust of 14 schools across North and West Yorkshire.
Trust chief executive Richard Sheriff said:
“We are indebted to Tim Broad for leading Western through some of the most challenging years any of us have faced. His constant, reassuring presence at the school during the pandemic was a huge comfort to children and parents.
“He has led his wonderful team with skill and moral purpose, ensuring Western has become even stronger under his tenure.”
Campaigner launches crowdfunder to battle Harrogate Spring Water
The woman behind a campaign to stop Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion into Rotary Wood has launched a crowdfunder to raise money for site surveys, monitoring equipment and printing flyers.
The Danone-owned water company has lodged plans with North Yorkshire Council to expand its bottling plant on Harlow Moor Road.
The planning application is expected to be considered by Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors this year.
The firm says a bigger factory will mean it can create 50 new jobs and boost economic output by around £2.3m a year to £6.2m a year.
But Sarah Gibbs, who regularly wears a tree costume to highlight her opposition to the plans, argues the company will destroy a “well-used and well-loved” woodland that is enjoyed by the local community.
Rotary Wood is part of the Pinewoods and was planted by schoolchildren in the 2000s. Ms Gibbs’ GoFundMe crowdfunder has a goal of £3,000 and is currently at £200. You can read more about it here.
Ms Gibbs said:
“Rotary Wood supports a variety of flora and fauna, including protected species and local priority species. Our woodland is now at the stage for optimal carbon sequestration, supporting a sustainable future.
“Our woodland is still under threat from Harrogate Spring Water’s development plans. Harrogate Spring Water intends to expand its existing single-use plastic water bottling plant into our community woodland.”
Harrogate Spring Water secured outline planning permission for the scheme in 2017, which remains valid, but the reserved matters stage deals with its appearance, size and crucially — trees.
Around 450 trees planted by local schoolchildren in an area of the Pinewoods called Rotary Wood would be chopped down to make way for the expansion.
This led to a previous reserved matters application being refused by the council in 2021 amid widespread public opposition and negative attention in the national press.
This time, the company hopes to win over critics in a new reserved matters application by planting an additional 1,200 trees on two acres of land next to Rotary Wood and to the rear of the existing Harrogate Spring Water HQ.
Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said he hopes the new woodland will become a “valued resource” for the local community for years to come.