36 community groups in Harrogate district awarded £92,000

Thirty-six voluntary organisations have celebrated being awarded a total of £92,828 by The Local Fund for the Harrogate district.

The fund awards grants of between £200 and £3,000 each year to small organisations with charitable aims in the Harrogate district where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

It is funded by The Local Lotto, with support from North Yorkshire Council, Harrogate and District Community Action and the Harry Bolland Trust Fund. Two Ridings Community Foundation, which coordinates local giving in North and East Yorkshire, administers the fund.

Two Ridings organised Monday night’s celebration at West Park Hotel in Harrogate, which recognised volunteers from the organisations awarded grants.

They provide services ranging from providing lunches for the homeless, tackling domestic abuse and enabling people in Nidderdale to run safely to improve their wellbeing.

North Yorkshire high sheriff Clare Granger, who joined local councillors at the event, said the successful applicants provided ‘literally a lifeline’ for many people in North Yorkshire.

Celia McKeon, chief executive at Two Ridings, said the fund supported groups with basic running costs, to ensure they can keep their doors open.

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Here is a list of the successful applicants, how much each one received and for what purpose.

Community Group Amount Awarded Project Description
Artizan 2688 Funding towards staff, craft supplies and refreshments for craft and socialising opportunities for children and teens with Special Educational Needs, alongside support for their parents.
Badapple Theatre Company 1580 Funding towards staff, hall hire, DBS checks and training to run youth session in the rural area of the Ure Valley, and to enable them to earn a recognised award.
Bilton dragon bowling club 1000 Funding towards sprinkler system to make water use more efficient and to support club members with maintenance.
Boroughbridge and District Community Care 3000 Funding towards staff and room hire to train befriending volunteers for people experiencing bereavement, or living with dementia or disabilities, for recently recruited, existing and to-be recruited volunteers.
Claro Enterprises 3000 Funding towards staff, insurance and utilities to run community workshop to support people with mental health difficulties to improve their health and wellbeing.
Dales and Bowland CIC 3000 Funding towards running rural bus service on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Dancing for Well Being 1200 Funding towards operational costs, including a Dance Movement Therapist, for a trial series of sessions to support those who care for family members with dementia, to support carer’s own needs.
Darley Playing Field Association (DPFA) 3000 Funding towards outdoor play equipment for children in rurally isolated village.
Harlow Hill Community Centre Association 2000 Funding towards new doors to improve the carbon footprint and look of community building.
Harrogate & District Community Action 3000 Funding towards staff and room hire to support befriending and signposting services for older members of the community, particularly the weekly club and where some clients have more complex needs.
Harrogate Hospital Radio 1170 Funding for radios to lend to lonely in-patients in the Harrogate area hospitals.
Inspire Youth Yorkshire 3000 Funding for staff and overheads towards free weekly youth activities.
Jenny Ruth Workshops Limited 3000 Funding for staff and travel costs to offer workers with learning disabilities outreach opportunities, including sales at local shows, visits to stockists and delivering talks to other local groups.
Jenny Ruth Workshops Limited 1500 Funding towards Jennryruth branded t-shirts and fleeces to provide new workers with learning disabilities pride in their work, and being able to represent the organisation at events.
Kairos Network Church 1000 Funding for a second-hand trailer and new security locks, for taking unusual bicycles to events to encourage confidence in cycling, ensuring the organisation no longer has to borrow a trailer.
Knaresborough Museum Association 1500 Funding towards travel, overheads, and display stands to take displays to sheltered accommodation and residential homes to engage those who would not otherwise be able to visit the museum.
Knot Another Choir CIO 3000 Funding towards staging for local inclusive community choir, which will also raise income for the group by being hired out to other community groups.
Lifeline Harrogate 2400 Funding for fruit and veg boxes (subsidised by the provider) to provide a healthy equivalent to crisis loans for food, to people who have recently experienced homelessness and are now accommodated in supported housing.
Lifeline Harrogate 2600 Funding for food and room hire for fortnightly lunch club, to support current and former residents of supported accommodation.
Living Potential Care Farming 1740 Funding for tools, raised beds, compost and seeds to start therapeutic sessions in the walled garden for people living with mental health difficulties.
Low Harrogate Crown Green Bowling Club 2250 Funding to buy bowls and equipment which will make the club more inclusive and to review the irrigation system.
Masham Community Office 3000 Funding towards purchasing the organisation’s premises to secure it as a community asset.
New Beginnings Peer Support 2690 Funding for staff, volunteers, materials etc for workshops looking at self, worth, boundaries and resilience, to increase the health and wellbeing of families, especially children.
Nidderdale Fell & Trail 3000 Funding for training for volunteers to become qualified in leadership and coaching in running, to allow the organisation to expand and offer more running sessions.
Nidderdale Plus Partnership 3000 Funding for three months of Digital Champion Coordinator time to continue to run project to support older people to be safe and confident online, and to stay connected.
Open Country 3000 Funding for staff, volunteer costs, and operational costs towards running an allotment and tree nursery to offer skills development, mental health benefits and social activities for people with disabilities.
Open Country 2450 Funding for staff, volunteers, accessible minibus, and allotment rent to ensure members can access mixed gardening and outdoor activities for those with disabilities or with poor mental health.
Pateley Bridge & BewerleyMemorial Hall 1000 Funding towards extending a local social event by opening for longer, and to offer hot food for the first time as part of the group becoming a warm space, for older people in a rurally isolated area.
Pinewoods Conservation Group 2410 Funding towards tools and PPE to create a new volunteer group to care for the woodland and to support volunteer’s health and wellbeing.
Reflect 2800 Funding for staff, volunteer costs and overheads to publicise support and to increase face to face sessions for people experiencing pregnancy and baby loss, and for those seeking post-termination support.
Ripon City Festival Trust 1986 1800 Funding to support teenagers to engage more with their local community and to address self-care and mental health, by experiencing live theatre themed around wellbeing, taking part in drama workshops and volunteering to encourage other young people to take part in the Festival.
Ripon Disability Forum 2940 Funding to set up a website, particularly to create an interactive route mapping tool, that people with disabilities can design their own travel routes into and around Ripon and the surrounding area.
Samaritans of Harrogate and District 3000 Funding towards volunteer expenses, operational costs and overheads for organisation seeking to reduce the number of people dying by suicide.
Supporting Older People CIO 2940 Funding for staff, DBS checks are publicity to recruit and train befriender volunteers to support older people, and to start a new social group for older residents.
Taking Baby Steps CIC 2530 Funding for staff, travel expenses and sundries to be able to run community drop in groups as a pilot in rural areas, for parents facing pregnancy loss, baby loss, or peri- and post- natal mental health problems in more rural areas of the Harrogate district.
The Trauma Centre Community Interest Company 3000 Funding towards staff to support the running of heavily subsidised self-help evening classes for people with mental health difficulties, which would help reduce the need for more intensive therapy.
The Wellness Gateway CIC 3000 Funding towards staffing, to set up trial Wellness Hub to offer mental health support and signposting in Ripon and surrounding areas.
Village Voices Killinghall 640 Funding for keyboard and accessories to be able to keep rurally isolated village choir running for years to come.
Wellspring Therapy & Training 3000 Funding towards volunteer travel expenses, to be able to offer more counselling sessions and reduce waiting times for people to support people with poor mental health, experiencing family problems and more.

 

 

Review: Calendar Girls The Musical is a cheeky and heartfelt roller coaster 

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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. 

It’s the Yorkshire tale we all know and love: the remarkable story of a group of ladies in a small Women’s Institute in the Dales, who, after the death of one member’s husband, and wanting to raise money for the hospital that cared for him, did what no WI had ever done before. They produced a nude calendar. Twenty-five years on, the women have raised an incredible £6 million for Blood Cancer UK.

The story was shared with the world in 2003 with the release of a major film, Calendar Girls, featuring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters and a slew of other big names. It was followed by a stage adaptation in 2008 with the same writer, Tim Firth, at its helm.

The newer musical production, now on tour across the country, is a fresh take entirely and a collaboration between Firth and long-term friend, Take That’s Gary Barlow. I was lucky enough to experience the result of this perfect partnership at Leeds Grand Theatre last night.

The two writers’ skills combine to create something totally magnificent. Barlow’s lyrics and melodies elevate the piece to a whole new level: it is as if it was always intended to have a soundtrack. And, to deliver the magic to the stage: an all-star cast of music, television and theatre talent, including Maureen Nolan of the Nolan Sisters and Lyn Paul from the New Seekers.

Eastenders’ Tanya Franks plays the newly widowed Annie beautifully; her rendition of Kilimanjaro, in which she mourns the everyday struggles of grief, is truly heart-breaking. Amy Robbins, of Coronation Street fame, is extraordinarily entertaining as Annie’s best friend, Chris.

Tanya Franks as Annie. Pic: Alex Harvey-Brown

And it really doesn’t end there: every single cast member performs with such life and understanding, their lyrics delivered with meaning and purpose. Each character has her moment, with her own challenge to overcome, from the process of ageing and worries over children, to cheating spouses and turning to the bottle.

I cried with laughter and with sadness; the whole production filled me with an unbridled joy that reminded me why I love theatre. Poignancy, comedy, bittersweet beauty, wrapped up so effortlessly like a present: it’s a rare thing, and a full standing ovation was the proof of the pudding.

As if that wasn’t enough of a roller coaster of emotions for one evening, the revelation that members of the famous WI branch were among the audience was the icing on the proverbial cake.

If you do anything this week, go and see the Calendar Girls doing their thing on stage, plum jam, bare bums, iced buns and all.

The final performance is on Saturday night.

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed 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, Flora spoke to a local couple about how Dementia Forward has helped them.

This Christmas, many people in the Harrogate district – families, friends, colleagues – won’t remember the festivities like others will, and their families can only sit by and watch as they lose their memories.

One local couple, Val and David Smith, have used the services on offer at Dementia Forward – including its Hub Club – during their nine-year battle with dementia.

The Smiths, who have been happily married for 56 years, received David’s diagnosis in 2014. Dementia has continued to rob David of his former life, and rob Val of the husband she knew.

Val, who was previously a legal secretary, took on the role as her husband’s carer, but soon realised this was not something she could face alone.

She said:

“There was a seven-year gap in between. David’s symptoms became more obvious and it was clear I needed much more help.

“I rang up and told the staff about David’s diagnosis. They came and did a home visit before he joined the Hub Club.

“He was reluctant at first but once I’d convinced him, he started coming once a week. He loved it so much, he now comes three times per week.”

Before his diagnosis, 79-year-old David lived a normal life – he worked for Leeds City Council and was a proud Leeds Rhinos fan. But dementia can affect anyone and quickly changes the lives of those around them. Val added:

“This is a disease that touches so many people’s lives and, without Dementia Forward, both our lives would be very different.

David attends the Hub Club – which takes places every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – where he is surrounded by dementia support advisers and other people living with the disease who understand each other.

He does crosswords, plays dominos, snooker and, apparently, wins the morning quiz every time.

The Dementia Forward team strive to make the Hub Club a place where those living with dementia feel cared for and seen. They even curate playlists for each member made up of their favourite music to sing along to.

David said:

“I find it somewhere comfortable with nice people – it’s just something to do and gives me an interest.”

Dementia Forward not only provides support for those living with such a progressive condition, but also vital respite and advice for their carers.

Val described the charity as a “lifeline” and said the help they have provided both her and her husband has drastically improved her mental health. She added:

“It’s amazing – it’s just a break for me. I can go swimming, meet a friend, or just go home and potter around.”

Val also noted the positive impact it has had on her husband:

“It’s given him independence from me because we were spending 24/7 together. He’s made friends and he’s chatting to people.

“It gives me comfort to know he is comfortable, safe and secure.

“It’s a godsend.”

Even Val and Dave’s little grandson loves to drop grandpa off at Hub Club.

However, Val is losing her husband before her eyes – a heartbreaking experience shared by thousands of families and carers of those with dementia across the district. Dementia Forward eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

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

Dementia Forward’s current bus 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. 

Please, click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found that one in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

 

Metal fences to remain in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens until next year

The metal fencing around the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens will remain in place until the new year, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed.

The fencing was erected last month as a “temporary measure” to prevent a group of rough sleepers from occupying the building.

The group, which inhabited the pavilion for two weeks in September, returned twice after being dispersed by officials.

A spokesperson for the council told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“The fencing is a temporary measure, but will remain in place until the new year as a result of the Christmas ice rink going into the gardens this month.”

The ice rink, which was put up on Crescent Gardens for the first time last year, is part of a three-year Christmas activity licence introduced by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

In a report at the time, Kirsty Stewart, the council’s grounds and maintenance manager, said the festive licence “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year”.

A rose arch has been erected as part of the Crescent Gardens revamp.

This has helped to fund a £21,000 revamp of Crescent Gardens.

Last year, the pavilion was used as a makeshift boot room for ice skaters, however its use this year is uncertain following the recent update.

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Harrogate district adorned in poppies as Remembrance Sunday approaches

The Harrogate district has been adorned in poppies in the lead up to this weekend’s Remembrance Day.

Scores of poppies have been put up in Ripon, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham and in villages in between in honour of the fallen.

Bilton Community Centre is among the organisations to mark remembrance with a wall display.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors, which is based on Hookstone Chase, has created a display in the shape of a poppy featuring old photographs of servicemen.

Meanwhile, Ripon Spa Gardens and Knaresborough Station are also adorned in poppies ahead of Sunday.

Remembrance services will be held across the district this coming weekend. You can read a list of the commemorations here.

Ripon Spa Gardens

Bilton Community Centre

Bilton Ladies Forum members have made many of the poppies on Bilton Community. Centre.

Knaresborough rail station

 

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors's display.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors’s display.

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Lib Dem leader accuses Tories of ‘pinching’ Harrogate Station Gateway ideas

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Harrogate and Knaresborough has accused the Conservative transport chief of “pinching” their ideas for the £11.2 million Station Gateway.

North Yorkshire Council is hastily assembling new proposals for the scheme after admitting its previous plans failed to follow the correct procedure in the wake of legal action.

Councillor Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways, revealed last week that two of the most controversial aspects of the scheme — reducing Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianising James Street — would be scrapped.

A detailed new plan has yet to be published but it is expected to include improvements to Station Square and One Arch and upgrading traffic signals.

Lib Dem leader Pat Marsh said the Lib Dems suggested dropping the Station Parade and James Street proposals at an online meeting of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee working group on October 31 — shortly before Cllr Duncan’s announcement.

She said the 13 members of the area constituency committee are due to walk around the gateway site tomorrow (Thursday, November 8) with a senior officer at the council.

Cllr Marsh said the visit would enable the council to better understand the area and consider a “better connected” Lib Dem plan for the town centre.

She said previous gateway proposals “started nowhere and ended nowhere”.

Cllr Marsh said:

“There are simple solutions that would connect the town better. They would enable cyclists to feel safer and not upset motorists.”

She added she would reveal full details of the proposals after tomorrow’s meeting but said they included improvements to the public realm near the train and bus stations, keeping the Station Parade taxi rank where it is and “tidying up” the area around the train station car park.

Cllr Marsh said:

“What we feel we have come up with is a better connected scheme.

“We are not playing politics — that is why we put something forward and offered to do a walk round.”

The Stray Ferret has asked Cllr Duncan to respond to Cllr Marsh’s comments but has not had a response.

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Business Breakfast: Yorkshire Events Centre hires new events director

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

Yorkshire Events Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate have announced a new events director.

Richard Moorhouse has been promoted to the role after being venue manager at the centre for the last 12 years.

Mr Moorhouse will be tasked with heading up events and conferencing venues at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

In a post on its social media, Yorkshire Events Centre said:

“Richard has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and previously held operational roles at the Freedom Centre, Hull and in hospitality at Doncaster Racecourse.”

Grantley Hall recognised at hospitality awards

Grantley Hall near Ripon has been recognised at an industry awards ceremony.

The hotel was awarded the “best service” award at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024.

The awards aim to recognise excellence within the hospitality industry.

Richard Sykes, managing director at Grantley Hall, said:

“Receiving the award for ‘Best Service’ at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024 is a moment of immense pride for the entire Grantley Hall family.

“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, our dedicated team’s passion for hospitality and the genuine care we extend to each and every guest.

“We are deeply honoured by this recognition, as it only strengthens our resolve to continue exceeding the expectations of those we have the privilege to serve and experience the magic of Grantley Hall.”

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A59 Kex Gill resurfacing to be complete on Friday

Work to resurface a section of road on the A59 Kex Gill is set to be completed on Friday.

North Yorkshire Council closed the road for five weeks to undertake the resurfacing between Church Hill and Pace Gate as part of a £500,000 scheme.

It also involved essential stabilising work to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, cat’s eyes replacement and maintenance of ground monitoring equipment

The move has caused a lengthy diversion through Pool in Wharfedale and Otley before rejoining the A59.

Now, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council has said the work is on schedule to be completed on Friday (November 10).

The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.

The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.

A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips. 

The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.

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Almost 100-year-old Harrogate sports club to get upgrades

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights.

The members club on Firs Road was founded in 1924 on the same site and as it approaches its centenary next year, there will be a major upgrade of the facility which offers a place to play tennis, table tennis and badminton.

It includes four tennis courts with artificial grass but planning documents state they have been in use for 14 years and are wearing out.

The foundations under the courts have also “deteriorated significantly” and the fencing needs replacing.

Three of the four courts are floodlit but the lights were installed more than 20 years ago. The plans will see the structure under the courts reinforced, the surface of the courts replaced with new state-of-the-art artificial grass, new fencing installed and floodlights on courts 1-3.

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Plans submitted by St Aidan’s CE High School in 2020 to install new floodlights on its sports pitches proved to be controversial due to the potential for light pollution on neighbouring properties.

Harrogate Racquets Club said it sought expert advice and believes the new lighting will reduce the flare currently emanating from the courts and will meet guidance on obtrusive light.

The club sent letters to neighbouring properties and received six responses, none of which raised concerns about the plans.

It has outreach programmes with local schools including Oatlands Primary and Junior schools, Harrogate Ladies College and Pannal Primary School.

The club also runs coaching programmes with over 200 children participating in the weekly programmes across all three sports during term times as well as easter and summer camps.

It’s situated in a residential cul-de-sac off Leeds Road on the south side of Harrogate, opposite the Oatlands Marks & Spencer supermarket.

The facilities are open every day of the week between 8am and 10pm.

Saturday’s Stray bonfire may be last, say organisers

The organisers of the annual bonfire on the Stray in Harrogate have warned that last Saturday’s event could be the last.

Harrogate Round Table has organised the town’s main bonfire for 52 years.

But the charity said today it was struggling to cover the costs and there was a question mark over whether it would be held next year.

In a statement expressing its “heartfelt appreciation” to those who attended Saturday’s event, despite wet weather, the round table said:

“The cost of holding this wonderful community event has risen dramatically over the last three years in line with inflation and the dramatic cost of living that we are all feeling.

“We are still processing payments and accumulating this year’s totals, but at this stage we can see that it is unlikely we will meet previous totals raised and may well struggle to cover the cost of the event. This brings into question the viability of future bonfire events.

“The annual Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night has been a cherished tradition, bringing our community together for the past 52 years. However, due to the increased expenses and risks involved in its planning, we are faced with the unfortunate possibility that this may be the last Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night that Harrogate Round Table hosts, if we do not receive the necessary financial support.”

The statement appealed for donations to “ensure the continuity of this treasured tradition”.

A GoFundMe campaign with a £5,000 has currently generated less than £2,000. You can donate here.

The round table said:

“Your generosity will directly impact our ability to continue hosting these events for everyone to enjoy.

“The Harrogate Round Table team firmly believes in the power of community, and with your support, we can overcome the current challenges and continue to provide memorable experiences for all. Please join us in preserving this wonderful tradition for future generations.”

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