Harrogate florist wins third gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A Harrogate florist has been awarded its third gold medal at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.

Helen James Flowers, based on Station Parade, received the accolade for the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year category.

It is the fifth year the company has been invited to compete at the show.

Laura Pannitt, daughter of owner Helen James, created the design and represented the business at the show.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“This year was the first time I’ve submitted a design and exhibited at Chelsea.

“The RHS usually release a schedule at the end of the previous year or beginning of the year. You then submit your design with an explanation of how it would be executed and what flowers would be used, then you’re selected from there.”

Ms James said her daughter was one of just 10 lucky florists selected to compete in the category.

Helen James Flowers’ display at Chelsea Flower Show.

The category brief was ‘colour’, Ms Pannitt said, adding she felt inspired to create something “bold” and “energetic”.

She said:

“I wanted to represent something like the cycle of nature.

“The base structure was neutral, a little like a seed first being sowed, then it becomes this colourful and exciting display. It’s a bit like the seed then blossoming into a plant or flower.”

The display, which had to sit on a 40cm x 40xcm plinth, featured a range of fresh flowers, including gloriosa, knipofia, scabious, clematis, dahlias and more.

The base structure took around a week to build, Ms Panitt said, adding the flower arrangement then took another 7 hours to put together.

She added:

“I was so excited but it’s also so nerve-wracking. You know you’re down there with the best of the best.

“I’d love to do it again though. Hopefully, if we get selected again, I can.”

Helen and Laura are only the second mother-daughter team to win gold medals at the show, Ms James said.

Helen James Flowers also struck gold at the show in 2019 and 2023. It was awarded a silver gilt medal in 2022.

The floristry firm was also named RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2019.

Lara Thorpe of London-based Wild at Heart Flowers won the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year award this year.

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Police launch investigation after girl, 13, attacked on the StrayOpposition parties prepare for chance to end Tory stranglehold in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Opposition parties have welcomed the chance to end 14 years of Conservative domination in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the general election.

Andrew Jones has held the seat for the Tories since 2010, winning four elections in a row.

But with some national forecasts predicting a Liberal Democrat win, and Labour buoyant after David Skaith’s mayoral victory, there appears to be everything to play for on July 4.

Electoral Calculus currently gives the Lib Dems a 65% chance of success in Harrogate and Knaresborough, compared with 22% for the Conservatives and 12% for Labour.

But UK Polling Report says the Conservatives have a 35.78% chance, the Lib Dems 35.62%, Labour 24.05% and the Greens 4.1%

Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate said it was a “once-in-a-generation chance to kick the Conservatives out of power”, adding:

“It’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Harrogate and Knaresborough, it’s neck and neck here and every vote will count.

“After years of struggling to get GP and dental appointments, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it’s time for a change in Harrogate & Knaresborough.”

Conrad Whitcroft, who was named Labour’s parliamentary candidate yesterday (May 22) just hours before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election, said:

“After 14 years of Conservative-led failure I am glad that Rishi Sunak has finally had the guts to call a general election. The people of Harrogate and Knaresborough now have the chance to give their verdict on this government’s record of chaos and decline.

“I am proud to have been chosen by the Labour Party to stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough. I am ready to give Harrogate and Knaresborough the chance to vote for change.”

Green Party candidate Shan Oakes said a vote for her party was “a vote for real change”, adding:

“We’re the only party to have clear and consistent policies to move us all towards a fairer,  healthier world where we work with nature instead of trashing her. I’m deeply saddened by the outrageous  profiteering we are seeing at the expense of nature.

“People and nature have been sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed . The Greens have been clear on this for at least half a century…and it’s time our voice was heard.”

John Swales, Reform UK’s candidate, said he hoped to poll a higher percentage of votes in Harrogate and Knaresborough than the 12% to 14% the party was generating nationally.

Mr Swales said Harrogate was no longer a genteel spa town; it had expanded hugely and many people had concerns about issues such as housing that were shared by Reform, he said, adding it was the only real party for change.

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Harrogate surgery accused of discriminating against older people

A Harrogate charity for older people has raised concerns about a GP surgery making it more difficult for patients to request prescriptions.

Spa Surgery at Mowbray Square Medical Centre has sealed up letterboxes outside the surgery where patients could deposit prescriptions to encourage more people to post orders online.

It prompted 68-year-old patient Michael Burlinson to claim the move was an “egregious example of ageism’, as reported by the Stray Ferret last week.

Kate Rogata, director of Supporting Older People, told the Stray Ferret the move “does feel discriminatory”.

Ms Rogata, whose organisation alleviates isolation and loneliness, said the surgery should recognise “not everyone can use the technology to order prescriptions online”, adding:

“It feels as though they are disenfranchising elderly people. We have to remember the minority and make sure there are options that everyone can use.”

The sealed letter boxes.

Ms Rogata urged the surgery to “reverse” the move, which she described as “slightly retrograde”, and “consider all means for people to request their prescriptions”.

Spa Surgery has said patients can still drop off paper requests in person at the surgery. Ms Rogata welcomed this but said she still had concerns:

“That can only really be done when the practice is open. There should be methods in which people can request or send their requests at any time – like posting it in the letterbox.

“My own surgery welcomes any method of requesting prescriptions.”

‘We are sorry if there’s been any confusion’

Spa Surgery said it had nothing to add to its previous statement in response to Mr Burlinson’s concerns.

Practice manager Clare Hedges said at the time:

“We are sorry if there’s been any confusion.

“In the letter to our patients we wanted to first direct people to our telephone and online services. However, we realised that people who had contacted us with issues which prevented them using digital media or a telephone service may still have a paper prescription.

“If they were heading to our surgery with the intention of using our post box – now sealed – we thought it would be helpful for patients to know they could still drop these off in person or post them to us using Royal Mail.”

Mowbray Square Medical Centre comprises of Spa Surgery, East Parade Surgery and Park Parade Surgery under one roof.

The sealed letter boxes belong to all three practices.

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Who will be standing in the Harrogate district at the general election?

Five candidates have so far been announced to stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough at this year’s general election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed today that the country will go to the polls on July 4.

The announcement came amid heightened speculation in Westminster after Mr Sunak called ministers to a cabinet meeting this afternoon.

It means Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, will be defending his 9,675 majority in six weeks’ time.

Mr Jones will be hoping to win the seat he won in 2010 for the fifth consecutive election.

He will be up against at least four other candidates from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Green Party and Reform UK.

The confirmed candidates so far are:

Skipton and Ripon

Meanwhie, Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, will also be defending the seat he won in 2010.

Mr Smith currently holds a 23,694 majority in the constituency, which he has held since 2010.

So far, Andy Brown has been confirmed as the Green Party candidate for the seat and Simon Garvey will stand for the Reform UK.

The upcoming election will also see the newly created Wetherby and Easingwold be contested for the first time.

The new seat was created as part of parliamentary boundary changes announced by government and will include locations including Boroughbridge, Spofforth and Bishop Monkton in the Harrogate district.

So far, Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke has been announced as the Conservative candidate for the seat and Mike Jordan will stand for Reform UK.

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Labour names candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough

The Labour Party has selected Conrad Whitcroft as its candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election.

Mr Whitcroft, who has never previously stood for parliament, lives in York and works as a project manager for insurance firm Aviva.

He was elected to represent Fishergate on City of York Council this month and supported David Skaith’s successful mayoral campaign for Labour.

Mr Whitcroft attended school in Northampton then graduated from the University of York with a degree in politics.

A profile on the York Labour Party website describes him as an ‘active union rep’ and environmental campaigner. He has also been an intern in the House of Commons.

Mr Skaith’s victory in this month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election boosted local Labour supporters.

But the party faces an uphill battle to win in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election. Mark Sewards, its candidate in 2019, polled just 10% of votes to finish third behind Conservative Andrew Jones and Liberal Democrat Judith Rogerson.

Mr Jones will defend the seat for the Tories while Tom Gordon will stand for the Lib Dems.

Conrad Whitcroft with supporters.

In a Labour press release today, Mr Whitcroft said Harrogate and Knaresborough “has been let down by more than a decade of Conservative-led government”.

He added:

“It will be an honour to lead the campaign for Labour in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

“My priorities in our area include tackling anti-social behaviour, building more affordable housing and working closely with David Skaith.

“I know Harrogate and Knaresborough well and enjoy campaigning there with the local Labour Party. I particularly enjoy the Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brewery which I have had a tour of in the past.”

The press release added:

“As a councillor, Conrad has delivered ward funding to fight the cost of living crisis and has recently taken a leading role in a campaign to stop a new takeaway in a residential area.

Harrogate-born Mr Skaith said:

“Conrad worked hard for my election campaign and has proven himself as a councillor. He will make an excellent Labour candidate for my home town.”

Chris Watt, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said:

“As Labour’s win in Harrogate and Knaresborough in the recent mayoral election showed, it’s all to play for locally and when Rishi Sunak finally has the courage to call the election the choice will be clear: more chaos under the Tories or real change and a fresh start with Labour.

“Conrad has shown that’s he an effective and energetic campaigner who gets results and we are looking forward to working with him for the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

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Harrogate Cat Rescue unable to take in any more pets

Harrogate Cat Rescue has said it is unable to take in any more cats or kittens.

The Harrogate charity shelter cats and cares for them until they can find their forever homes.

It said in a statement today it had received a record number of animals this year and due to slow adoption rates did not have the capacity to take in any more.

The organisation is not a traditional cat rescue with an animal shelter where it can host cats; it relies on foster carers for cats until they are adopted.

Technically it does not have a maximum capacity but the charity currently has more than 80 kittens in its care, not including older cats. and needs more volunteers to help shelter cats until they can be adopted.

Volunteer Lisa Francis told the Stray Ferret the cost of living crisis and education about the care cats needed were the biggest factors limiting the adoption process. She said:

“We know that times are tough, and this is very noticeably reflected in the rate of adoptions.

“Normally, there is a reasonably steady flow of enquiries and subsequent adoptions, which in turn adds to our resources and frees up foster space to allow us to take in other cats and kittens in desperate need.”

“Due to the incredibly slow rate of adoptions, we are currently stuck, unable to take in any more cats and kittens until we can free up space through adoptions.”

Many people buy young kittens without doing any research first and they the animals later end up in care. The charity currently has cats in foster care ranging from young kittens, older kittens (6 months+) to cats over 1 year all ready to be adopted.

The charity educates people on the advantages of adopting an older cat or kitten. Including that older cats do not need so much attention and are less demanding, they don’t have to be closely monitored with young children, they can be homed alone and they generally already know house rules.

Ms Francis added that pressure on the charity would be reduced if people considered adopting older cats. She also said cat owners can help the situation by neutering their pets.

She said:

“Many people don’t realise that kittens can get pregnant after four months and after having a litter they can be pregnant again within two weeks.”

The charity urged anyone considering getting a pet to speak to them prior to buying a cat.

Ms Francis said:

“People might want to buy a cat but can’t afford one at the moment. Fostering can be a great opportunity for this situation, we cover the main costs such as medical bills and someone gets a cat to look after.

“Please bear us in mind if you are looking to adopt a cat or kitten and talk to us about options. Quite often what people think will be right for them isn’t, and we can help you find the right new addition to your family.”

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Digger stolen in ‘high value’ theft at Nidd Gorge

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after four items of machinery were stolen from a worksite near Harrogate.

The force said in a statement today the “high value” commercial burglary happened at Nidd Gorge, near Bilton Lane, between Friday evening (May 17) and Monday morning (May 20).

One digger and three smaller tracked barrows were stolen.

The statement said:

“We’re appealing for information about any suspicious 4×4 vehicles sighted leaving Bilton Lane over the weekend, potentially with a trailer carrying the stolen equipment.

“Please email ben.wheatley@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.

“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Ben Wheatley, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Quote reference number 12240088312 when passing on information.

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Councillors pin hopes on Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle path

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors are set to spend £40,000 on design work that could eventually lead to a cycle path being created between Bilton and Hornbeam Park.

Each year, the area constituency committee is given a pot of money by North Yorkshire Council to go towards local projects.

Councillors put forward a host of ideas that could receive funding and the list has now been whittled down to the three that are considered to be most viable.

The prospect of a cycle route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park dates back to at least 2019 when North Yorkshire County Council commissioned consultants to draw up a cycle infrastructure plan for Harrogate.

With a distance of around 2.5km between the two areas, it would be one of the most ambitious cycle routes ever created in Harrogate if it came to fruition.

As the proposal is still in its early stages, no details have been given about which roads could be used though it could potentially take advantage of Slingsby Walk, a path adjacent to the Stray that is already accessible for cyclists.

When designs for the scheme are eventually drawn up, it’s hoped the council will have a “bid ready” scheme to apply for funding through the government’s Active Travel Fund.

There is also money available through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority which is led by newly-elected Labour mayor David Skaith.

A report has been prepared for councillors ahead of a meeting next week where councillors are expected to give the green light for design work to begin.

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The council has modelled how successful a route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park could be and claims an extra 1,612 cycle trips a day is possible.

It said the cycle path could get people out of cars and remove a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

The council has faced strong criticism for its track record delivering cycle schemes in Harrogate from both Harrogate District Cycle Action and the public.

The one significant cycle route it has built in recent years, the Otley Road cycle path, has been lambasted for its “confusing” design that weaves on-and-off the pavement.

It has resulted in the section between Harlow Moor Road and Arthurs Avenue being largely ignored by cyclists who prefer to use the road with motorists.

Business Q&A: Natalie Leworthy, Urban Circus

This week, we spoke to Natalie Leworthy, aerial athlete and business owner of Urban Circus in Harrogate.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. 

We’re offer fitness classes for adults and children. We cover aerial and pole fitness – basically anything off the ground. Anything not too conventional!

It’s loosely rooted in the circus tradition, but I’m not – I’m a fitness instructor. I started with the pole, then went on to the aerial hoop (or lyra), aerial silk and hammock.

What does it take to be successful in business? 

Good question – when somebody answers that for you, tell me!

We’ve been around for over a decade and we’ve survived entirely through word-of-mouth. If you have a good product and a safe environment, it sells itself.

Having a passion for whatever it is you do is very important. Also, when you’ve been doing something for a while, it’s very easy to think ‘I’m the master of this now’, but that’s not how it goes in any business. It’s always evolving. So I’ve scoured the internet over the years to find courses to learn more, and I’ve grown with my industry. It’s important to keep up with the times.

Photo of the instruction team at Urban Circus in Harrogate.

Natalie (centre) with her instruction team at Urban Circus.

What drives you to do what you do every day? 

I really, really enjoy it. Not many people are excited to go to work, but I am.

I also love the impact what we do has on people who do it. Women often walk in here so self-conscious and embarrassed, but within a few weeks they come in wearing fewer clothes so they can grip the pole better, and they’re just generally more confident and sociable.

I have two daughters, and I love the fact that here they can be in a really positive, female, empowered environment.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months? 

Keeping up with inflation. Our electricity bill has gone up by 500% over the last year – it’s crazy.

My biggest struggle, though, is being a mum at the same time as trying to be a businessperson. Finding that balance is very challenging!

Which other local firms do you most admire, and why? 

There’s a business near me in Claro Court Business Centre called Atlas Fitness – it used to be called Schofield Fitness. They try to change people mentally as well as physically, so they grow in confidence. I like their ethos.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders? 

One person I find super-inspiring is Tim Broad, headteacher at Western Primary School in Harrogate. Nobody works harder than him.

Both my nephews have autism and one has ADHD, but they’re both thriving there, and that’s due in large part to the effort Mr Broad and his staff put in.

I’ll also mention a teacher, Miss Ward, who has gone above and beyond, doing research in her own time to learn more and put in place better systems to help the boys. She doesn’t have to, but she makes a huge effort.

Photo of Natalie Leworthy of Urban Circus on the pole.

Training on the pole builds up strength, fitness, flexibility and confidence.

What could be done locally to boost business? 

There could be easier access to support for small businesses. I got in touch with North Yorkshire Council about grants for leisure businesses but I didn’t hear anything. I was bounced around different departments but I’m still waiting!

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate? 

For me, the worst is that I’d like to expand the business, but I can’t find suitable premises. There are lots of offices and large industrial units, but not many light industrial units in between. Every so often I’ll see one, but every time it turns out it’s been bought by a developer to turn into something else.

The best thing is that I like the community in Harrogate. I’m terrible at social media, so my business survives on word-of-mouth. Everybody in Harrogate and Knaresborough seems to know everybody else in Harrogate and Knaresborough, so once you put something out there, people talk and tend to find out about it.

What are your business plans for the future? 

I’d love to expand. We offer children’s classes and birthday parties, but we don’t have the space to accommodate them all. I also want to get into primary schools, doing taster days. We did  it last year, introducing children at Grove Road Primary School to the pole, hoop, hammock and ground skills, and they loved it.

I think it’s really important that children learn that exercise isn’t just about changing your body – you should also do it because it’s fun and it’s good to move.

What do you like to do in your time off? 

What’s ‘time off’?! I like to run around after my children, and when I’m not doing that, I’m really very boring – I like doing DIY or training.

Then again, if there’s any chance in hell I can get to a spa, I’m gone – you won’t see me for dust!

Best place to eat and drink locally? 

Thug Sandwich Company is the best place in North Yorkshire, if not the country. Everything seems to taste amazing – I don’t know how they do it. I’m a picky eater, but they mix different flavours together that you would think would work, but they do. I also like how cheeky the owners are.

Another good place is Tilly Peppers on Cold Bath Road – it’s really nice to be able to take a toddler in without fear of upsetting anyone!

This is the latest in a regular series of weekly Business Q&A features. If you’d like to suggest someone in business in the Harrogate district for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

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