Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 149 of 1036

Wreath laid in Killinghall to honour heroic Harrogate airman

A wreath was laid in a churchyard in Killinghall on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the death of a local RAF pilot in the Second World War.

Flying officer Ted Thackway lost his life on Black Thursday — the worst night in British military aviation history. He was just 23 years old.

Bilton-born Ted was part of the elite RAF Pathfinder force that guided British bombers to their targets.

He was one of five men killed flying back to Britain from Berlin when their Lancaster crashed in dense fog near Hardwick, east of their home airfield of RAF Station Bourn. Two members of the crew survived. Fifty members of the Pathfinders crews died on the night of December 16 and 17 due to fog and low cloud.

Ted Thackway. Pic: rafpathfinders.com

Relatives laid a wreath on Ted’s grave at St Thomas the Apostle in Killinghall, where his headstone is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Debbie Havercroft said her father, who died in 2021, brought them up on tales about Ted, whose youthfulness and modest upbringing made him something of a rarity among RAF officers.

Nick Wrightson, who lives in Birstwirth, said Ted grew up in Killinghall and Bilton and left school at 15 before joining the RAF in 1939 aged 19.

Ted (left) with his family in Bilton in 1938. Pic: www.rafpathfinders.com

His funeral was held at St John’s in Bilton, where Ted had been a choir boy, and later that day he was buried at Killinghall, where his mother had grown up. His grandfather had been churchwarden at St Thomas.

Ted’s mother Elsie met a Canadian after the war, remarried and moved to a town called Egansville, where a commemoration also took place marking the 80th anniversary of his death.

You can read more about Ted and Black Thursday here.

Children’s Corner is the only double winner at Family Business Awards

This story is sponsored by Children’s Corner Childcare.

Companies from across the region were recognised at the Yorkshire & Humber Family Business Awards last month, but none had a better night than Children’s Corner Childcare.

The group, which runs 10 childcare settings, including one in Harrogate, all rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, was the only double winner of the evening.

It not only scooped the Business Services award, but operations manager Nicola Stanworth also won the only individual award of the evening, for Employee of the Year.

Nicola beat a field of 16 finalists from every sector across the region. She said:

“I was over the moon – I never expected to be singled out like that for doing what I do. To know that other people recognised all the effort I put in was an amazing feeling.

“I’m completely dedicated to Children’s Corner. I started working here as a 15-year-old while doing my GCSEs, and had a part-time role here while I was doing my teaching degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Once I’d graduated, Early Years education called me, and I came here full-time.

“I have a diverse role, looking after all the operations and logistics, and I never switch off – it’s just how I’m built!”

Children’s Corner was set up in 1995 by former police officer Lesley Dawson and her husband Allan when they couldn’t find a nursery they liked for their first son. Nearly 30 years later, two of their three sons also now work in the company, making it a truly family-run enterprise.

A photo of Nicola Stanworth of Children's Corner playing with her children.

Nicola Stanworth was named Employee of the Year at the Family Business Awards.

Nicola said:

“We treat all the children as individuals and focus on making them independent, to prepare them for their next steps in life. We keep our sites fresh, and replace all the resources regularly, and everything’s included in the price, such as healthy meals, milk and nappies.

“Parents can even keep up to date with their children’s progress with the Children’s Corner app.

“A lot of people say our nurseries feel like a home from home.”

Children’s Corner is now recruiting across all its nurseries, and is looking for only the best candidates with a small number of opportunities still available at their Harrogate nursery.

Children’s Corner Harrogate is currently hiring for an Early Years Educator. Click or tap here to apply.

All the company’s key staff have recognised childcare qualifications however Children’s Corner were also recognised at the House of Commons this year as one of the Top 50 SME’s in the UK offering Apprenticeships with a number of apprenticeship opportunities also available for anyone looking to get into the Early Years sector.

Nicola said:

“Working at Children’s Corner is fantastic anyway, but in addition to the usual benefits, we offer childcare discount, a four-day working week, and even the possibility of study trips abroad, through our charity arm in Malawi. If you’ve got the skills and qualifications join the best nursery group in the region, get in touch.”

Find out more:

For more information about childcare with Children’s Corner, go to www.childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk.

If you’re a childcare professional and are interested in joining the Harrogate team, take a look at our current vacancies.

Police release CCTV image after Harrogate bike theft

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after the theft of a bike in Jennyfields.

The incident happened outside the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre on Jenny Field Drive at 10.45am on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

The victim locked his electric bike in the bike rack and when they returned they discovered that the bike had been stolen.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to, as he may have information that could help the investigation.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email stephen.mangham@northyorkshire.police.uk You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Stephen Mangham.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230192233.”

Harrogate gallery owner plans new woodland after Sycamore Gap success

A North Yorkshire-based artist plans to plant a new woodland after the success of her Sycamore Gap tree painting.

Lucy Pittaway, who owns a gallery on Harrogate’s James Street, painted an image of the famous tree with a Northern Lights backdrop after being moved by its destruction in September.

She pledged to plant a tree for every print sold. In just eight weeks, she sold almost 1,500 copies.

Now, Ms Pittaway wants to team up with a landowner to use the trees to create a public woodland.

She said:

“The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the most iconic features of the northern landscape and its felling has had a deep impact on many people,

“The tree can never be replaced but hopefully we can do something to ensure its legacy lives on.”

She has a vision of the new woodland being used for recreation and education. Features might include a forest school which children can visit to learn about nature, woodland walks, picnic areas and areas for quiet reflection.

Nicki Wilkinson, who is business development manager and has previously managed two of Ms Pittaway’s galleries, said:

“The response has been phenomenal, firstly from people getting in touch to ask Lucy to paint something in memory of the tree and then secondly in response to the painting with almost 1,500 prints sold in the first eight weeks.

“Hopefully something positive can come out of what has been such a sad event which has impacted so many people.”

Business Breakfast: MP visits Harrogate company in support of IT campaign

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Andrew Jones MP has visited a Harrogate IT company in support of a digital waste campaign.

Mr Jones visited Techbuyers’ headquarters on Hornbeam Park, where he signed the IT Repairs and Reuse Declaration.

The campaign urges the UK government to enhance legislation concerning the extension of IT product lifespans.

The Techbuyer team offered a tour of their facilities with a particular focus on their e-waste and repairs departments, highlighting the work they do to extend the lifespan of technology and divert IT hardware from landfill.

Astrid Wynne, head of sustainability and public sector at Techbuyer, said:

“There is a lot of waste associated with the delivery of our digital services. The best way to avoid this is to think about electronic equipment as a long-term investment – something to take care of and repair when necessary.

“In order to this, we need to change the way the market works. Legislation is an essential part of this.”

Harrogate company reports improved revenues in interim results

A Harrogate rental company has reported improved revenues in its interim results.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP posted £190.9m for the six months ended September 30, up from £186.5m in the same period last year.

The company described the results for the first half of the financial year as “solid”.

Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of VP, said:

“We have delivered a solid performance with continuing sector leading returns in the period reflecting the strength of our diverse business offering. We are particularly pleased to have maintained net margin and a strong return on average capital employed, demonstrating high quality of earnings in difficult market conditions.

“Having multiple sector exposure diversifies our revenue streams and has contributed to the robust performance in the period, with infrastructure demand remaining supportive, and whilst there are immediate challenges within general construction, I am confident that the actions taken will be of benefit in the medium term. The group continues to produce strong operating cash flows and maintains a solid financial base, having refinanced our RCF in November on similar terms for a further three years, and we are well positioned for growth.”

Harrogate’s Coach and Horses bids to bring back bigger bar

The Coach & Horses in Harrogate has revealed plans to expand its bar.

Provenance Inns bought the pub on West Park in 2021 and extensively refurbished it.

But the new, much smaller bar has met with a mixed reaction.

Provenance Inns has now applied for a variation of its premises licence to relocate the bar. A notice advertising the move has been posted in the pub window.

Anthony Blundell, head of business development at Provenance Inns, which bought the site in 2021, told the Stray Ferret:

“The application is for moving the bar.

“It is in response to the feedback we’ve received from our guests, since our remodel, to have a much larger bar that our guests can sit or stand at.”

Mr Blundell added the company had also applied for another bar in the upstairs dining room, adding:

“[This will be to] service dinners and make it even more appealing for private parties.”

The Coach and Horses has rebranded as the Sleigh and Reindeers over the festive period.

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: An important message from Dementia Forward’s CEO

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, we spoke to Dementia Forward’s founder and CEO, Jill Quinn.

“I sometimes feel national charities have lost touch with local communities.

“The need for dementia support was huge and the funding was usually decided in London.

“We felt we could do a better job by being rooted in the community.”

It was this realisation that prompted Jill Quinn MBE to improve local dementia support in the Harrogate district.

Jill, who previously worked for two national dementia charities, said she wasted many years in retail management before realising that the voluntary sector was where she belonged.

Dementia Forward was born in 2012 after Jill and other founding members left their previous healthcare jobs on a Friday and launched the charity the following Monday.

The team places need at the centre of the charity – something that can’t be done from 200 miles away. She added:

“People know when they put their pound in the pot, they’d be getting better services in the local area.

“You can’t design a service to be delivered in the local area from an office in London.”

It began with just seven members of staff. The team were donated second-hand laptops and worked from a small office in Ripon.

Now, with a flagship hub in Burton Leonard, 64 employees and more than 250 volunteers, Jill was right – Dementia Forward can serve the local community better.

It now covers the whole of North Yorkshire and helps more than 4,000 families.

“It was meant to a small, fluffy, local charity, but we hit a model that works.

“I like to believe every single person at Dementia Forward is just as passionate as me.”

Some of the Dementia Forward team.

Jill and her team made – and still make – it their mission to help those living with dementia and the people around them from the very early stages, all the way until end of life.

“We meet people, we gently inform them of what may come in the years ahead, and then we’re here for them going forward.

“We don’t hold hands with people because they’re independent enough, but we’re just an arm’s length away.”

The charity also educates people in the wider community on dementia, as Jill felt general awareness of the disease was very poor when it started, and has worked with transport companies, shops and churches to increase knowledge.

She has also led the charity to receive various awards for its work, including the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award and the King’s Fund Impact Award.

The Dementia Forward team receiving the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award in 2021.

Jill said:

“It’s hard to describe what Dementia Forward means to be – it’s just my life.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve done, but there’s still a lot to do, and some things are harder to fundraise for than others – like a minibus.”

Dementia Forward offers various social events and groups to combat loneliness and bring those living with dementia together. The groups go on regular trips out and many use the minibus service to access the support services.

However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Harrogate man to represent UK at Eurovision

A Harrogate-born pop star will represent the United Kingdom at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest next year.

Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, announced the news on the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night.

The contest, which is being held in Malmö in Sweden, will mark the beginning of Olly’s solo career.

In a press release published by the BBC, he said:

“I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year.

“As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour.

“I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour.”

Despite this being his first solo venture, Olly is no stranger to global success.

Since 2015, Years and Years have scored two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after achieving 6.5 billion global streams.

He has also worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kylie and Pet Shop Boys.

He added:

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name.

“I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all.”

But the Harrogate-born star is not just a singer – he has also received prestigious recognition for his acting skills.

Olly starred in the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which won best new drama at the National Television Awards.

He was also nominated for leading actor at the BAFTA Television Awards for the same programme.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, also said:

“To have an artist of Olly Alexander’s calibre representing the UK in Malmö in 2024 is testament to just how much the BBC wants to keep momentum of Eurovision riding high since the UK had the honour of hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine in Liverpool earlier this year.

“Olly is the perfect ambassador for the UK as both an immensely talented and world-renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition.”

Olly’s Eurovision song, co-written by British producer Danny L Harle, has not yet been released.

All three live Eurovision programmes – including two semi-finals and the final – will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

They will be held on May 7, 9 and 11, 2024.

Andy’s Man Club to open Harrogate branch

A new branch of Andy’s Man Club is set to open in Harrogate in January.

The male suicide prevention charity, which hosts free peer-to-peer sessions at locations across Yorkshire and the north of England, will open at Harrogate College.

The weekly sessions will begin on Monday, January 22, at 7pm and are open to men aged 18 and over.

The

branch has received the backing of Emmerdale actor Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk in the soap.

He said:

“I’m overjoyed to let you know that there’s a new Andy’s Man Club opening in Harrogate, at Harrogate College.

“So see you there: it’s ok to talk.”

The arrangements for the new branch were led by Neil Waine, who appeared in an episode of Emmerdale earlier this year when the storyline focused on men’s mental health, and saw ‘Paddy’ seek out a local Andy’s Man Club for help.

The aim of the sessions are for men to talk through their issues and help each other deal with their mental health.

Mr Waine, who is project development champion at Andy’s Man Club, said:

“We are really excited to get going in Harrogate and delighted with the college’s support.

“We have been trying to open here for roughly twelve months and once we had the right team in place it was time to find a venue.”

The charity was founded by Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler after Andrew Roberts, Elaine’s son and Luke’s brother-in-law, took his own life aged 23 in 2016.

It held its first session in Halifax, Andrew’s hometown, and now helps to support more than 3,000 men on a weekly basis at more than 150 locations.

For more information on the Harrogate branch, follow them on Facebook here or email info@andysmanclub.co.uk.

Morning trains disrupted due to trespasser at Starbeck

Trains between Harrogate and Knaresborough were disrupted this morning due to a trespasser near the line at Starbeck.

Northern Rail alerted commuters on social media at 9.18am, saying a “trespass incident” was causing delays.

Network Rail and British Transport Police both attended the incident, which happened at around 8.20am.

In a statement, British Transport Police said:

“Officers were called to the line near Starbeck railway station at around 8.20am today (18 December) following reports of concern for welfare.

“Officers attended and a person has been taken to a place of safety.”

Lines have re-opened but Northern said disruption is expected until 12.45pm.

No further details have been released.

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Harrogate company reports improved revenues in interim results

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