This article is sponsored by Jules B.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and perhaps the most wonderful feeling of all is the joy of gift giving. There’s nothing quite like seeing a smile on your loved one’s face as they remove the wrapping paper to reveal a thoughtful something. But how do you succeed in delivering the perfect present? And in particular, what should you buy for the women in your life?

A cashmere jumper, a pair of fleece-lined slippers or a dreamy new scent… the gifting options are infinite. But the perfect gift for a particular person can vary, and therefore requires some thought. Succeeding in your goal to impress on Christmas morning takes care, effort and time.

At the same time, the run up to Christmas can be as hectic as it is magical, leaving many distressed in the quest to find presents. Fortunately, Jules B has you covered. Whether you’re visiting the Harrogate womenswear store or doing some online shopping, there’s plenty of gifts to love.

To guide you toward gift-giving victory, here are five fabulous gift ideas for fabulous women, handpicked by the Jules B team.

Eddy & Ivy 1985 Crew Neck Jumper 

Give the gift of warmth this Christmas with a signature jumper from Eddy & Ivy, Jules B’s in-house brand. The crew neck jumper has a nostalgic feel to it, and is incredibly soft from its cashmere and merino wool makeup. A versatile wear, Eddy & Ivy’s luxury knits are sure to satisfy the most stylish of recipients.

“The Eddy & Ivy knitwear makes a superior gift,” says Lynne Markham, manager of the Jules B Harrogate store.“It’s the premium quality and the softness of the wool that people fall in love with.”

Elizabeth Scarlett Sun Goddess Everyday Pouch

For the ladies who like to carry essentials on their travels, the Elizabeth Scarlett velvety pouch doubles up as an evening clutch and makeup bag. Scattered with embroidered golden suns, it is perfectly sized to hold cosmetics and any other precious bits and pieces they like to keep close.

And if you’re somebody who loves a gift set, the Elizabeth Scarlett collection also includes mini pouches and lavender-infused eye masks, perfect for putting together a gorgeous little bundle.

Chelsea Peers Christmas Tree & Wreath Long Pyjamas 

Everybody loves a nightwear upgrade, and for the dedicated follower of lounging, luxurious sleepwear is the ultimate gift. The Chelsea Peers Christmas tree & wreath printed pyjamas offer festive fun while bringing a touch of elegance to evening rituals. Most importantly, they make for a soothing night’s sleep.

As Lynne says: “The Chelsea Peers pyjamas are perfect gifts for a great price. The fabric quality feels so lovely next to the skin, and the variety of patterns make them suitable for a range of personalities.”

If you prefer to lean away from Christmas-themed nightwear, there is a whole range of Chelsea Peers sleepwear to shop at Jules B, from plain and simple to giraffe and zebra prints.

Dr. Vranjes Firenze Rosa Tabacco 250ml Fragrance Diffuser

For the woman who takes pride in her home, a Dr. Vranjez Firenze diffuser is something she’s sure to adore. The Rosa Tabacco fragrance is expertly infused with delicate ingredients, combined together in a stunning antique-style glass bottle, complete with bamboo reeds.

After filling the home with a scent bold like tobacco yet gentle like a rose, they’ll be left with a bottle that sits pretty next to any interiors. A real treat for the senses.

Vivienne Westwood Kitty Pearl Bracelet

Nothing says I love you quite like a piece of forever jewellery. The Kitty pearl bracelet by Vivienne Westwood is an elegant design with hand-knotted glass pearls and the brand’s signature safety pin motif and orb silhouette.

Best of all, it looks just as good with partywear as it does everyday clothes. Looking for a set? You can also purchase the matching earrings and necklace. And as Lynne remarks, “the pieces are wonderful for women of all ages.”

Can’t decide? There’s always the fail-safe option of treating family and friends to a Jules B gift card.

With a range of values available up to £500, the lucky recipient is sure to discover something they love in one of the five stores, including here in Harrogate.

Work has started on the construction of a new twin electricity sub-station next to the old council offices in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens. 

The existing sub-station is located in the basement of the council building, but this will be removed and replaced with a more modern version at ground level. 

The council building was bought in 2020 by Harrogate-based property developer Impala Estates for £4 million, and the company has planning permission to turn it into offices, a roof garden restaurant and gym, and to create a two-storey extension. 

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid, which is responsible for electricity supply in the region, told the Stray Ferret: 

“We’re relocating the sub-station for three reasons. The old one in the basement of the old council building was not particularly accessible, but the new one at ground level will be. 

“It will also be more secure from the elements, as its old location underground made it more susceptible to flooding. 

“And more modern equipment will help make this section of the network stronger, improving security of supply for more than 230 properties in the immediate area.” 

The spokesperson estimated the project could take between 12 and 18 months in total and said the work represented a £275,000 investment by the power company. 

They added: 

“The transition from shutting down the old sub-station to energising the new one is usually seamless, but if any interruption to supply is required for safety reasons, we will let local residents and businesses know.”

Read more:

• Plans submitted to convert Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens to private road
• Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens £21,000 makeover underway
• Rose arch erected — but will Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens be renamed?

An office for hire in Harrogate rail station has been removed after just seven months.

Sheffield-based Workfromhub designed the facility to create private working space for an “ever growing remote workforce”.

It opened in Harrogate train station on March 23 and joined hubs in Sheffield and Swinton in Rotherham.

The facilities include space for two people along with internet access, a second screen and desk space.

However, the hub appears to have been removed after just seven months in post.

The space occupied by the hub pictured this week.

The Stray Ferret approached Workfromhub to ask why the facility has been removed and if it will be replaced, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

The company’s website still lists the hub as one of its locations.

When it opened, Neal Byers, founder of Workfromhub, said the firm was working with Northern to make use of vacant space in train stations.

He said:

“We are working closely with Northern Rail to help transform underused spaces within stations. We can see the need for people who are on the move to have somewhere private and connected to work from.

“We feel that there are not enough remote working private spaces around to keep up with the demand of a growing remote workforce.”

Read more:

• New office hire hub to open at Harrogate station today
• Dutch lifestyle brand takes last empty unit on James Street

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.

Harrogate Town AFC have announced a new sponsorship deal with sports drink brand Cellnutrition Sport.

The Sunderland-based company will be the official hydration partner of the club, providing its HYDRATE 78 and HYDRATE 78 Night products to the entire first-team squad for the 2023/24 season.

Both products, which are included in the company’s Cellular Fitness protocol, are designed to aid fast recovery from exertion, sustain focus, eradicate cramps, help deeper sleep, prolong stamina and enhance brain hydration.

First-team manager Simon Weaver said:

“We are thrilled to partner with Cellnutrition Sport, a company that shares our commitment to excellence. Hydration is essential for athletes of all levels, and the Cellular Fitness protocol provides the best hydration solution on the market.

“We are confident that this partnership will help our players perform at their best and recover quickly after games.”

Town trialled the Cellular Fitness protocol for a period of three months at the end of last season.

Ben Rome, first-team strength and conditioning coach said:

“We had an issue with three of our first-team athletes becoming susceptible to cramping in the latter stages of games.

“The three players started to use HYDRATE 78 before, during and after training and matches, along with taking HYDRATE 78 night on an evening before bed.

“The results we saw was an instant improvement in all player’s hydration testing scores, along with a reported improvement in both sleep quality and muscle soreness.

“The three players were able to complete all remaining fixtures without reporting any problems with muscle cramping; one player even scored a crucial equaliser in the 98th minute of a game.”

Spa declared best in region

Rudding Park in Harrogate is celebrating after being named Best Spa in the North East at the annual Good Spa Guide Awards in London.

Rudding Park was a runner-up in this category last year, and this time beat stiff competition from six other finalists across Yorkshire and the North East.

Sarah Johnson, head of Rudding Park Spa, said:

“We are thrilled to have won this award, particularly against such strong competition. We always strive to offer guests the very best experience and are looking forward to launching some new spa experience in the new year.”

Rudding Park Spa has expanded in recent years with £9.5 million of investment and now has a roof-top spa and garden, hydrotherapy pool, spa bath, oxygen pod, garden cabin sauna and cabana.

In September, the estate announced it would invest between £30 million and £40 million to build a brand-new five-star country club.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Century-old nurseries rebrand for growth
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency announces two new hires
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate PR agency joins B Corp ethical elite

Firefighters were called to a kitchen fire in a bungalow at Starbeck today.

Crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough were summoned to Forest Way at 9.30am this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:

“The fire originated on a cooker hob when an air fryer was placed on top and the hob was switched on.

“The fire spread to nearby kitchen utensils, and subsequently caused one square metre of fire damage, and 20% smoke damage to the kitchen.

“Two occupants were out of the building on arrival of the fire service.”

Read more:

• Firefighters called to water heater blaze in Ripon
• Harrogate braced for second leisure services shake-up in three years
• Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Knaresborough banking hub

Road safety campaigners say they are shocked after data revealed the Harrogate district has the highest number of fatal accidents in the county.

Data released by North Yorkshire Council, showed 16 of 89 fatal collisions in North Yorkshire happened in the Harrogate district. Only Selby had the same number.

The data is taken from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022.

Hazel Peacock, Dr Jenny Marks, Dr Vicki Evans and Ruth Lily of the Oatlands and Pannal Ash Road Safety & Active Travel Campaign, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is shocking and sad to hear Harrogate has one of the highest fatal collision rates in North Yorkshire.

“Given the overwhelming evidence between speed limits and road safety we urge North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to take a proactive approach to delivering improvements across the Harrogate town and the wider area.”

The group said the statistics show the need to reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph is “really clear”.

Annual fatal accident statistics 

2019: Six fatal collisions happened in the Harrogate and Scarborough districts which is the highest number within the period – equating to around one every two months.

During the same period, Richmondshire did not report any fatal collisions, while Selby reported just one.

A breakdown of collisions (and the severity) in the Harrogate district. Credit: North Yorkshire Council.

However, the statistics show numbers more than halved in the Harrogate district during the pandemic.

2020: Three fatal incidents happened but in Craven and Selby numbers shot up with six fatal crashes in the same year.

2021 and 2022: After lockdown restrictions lifted, the Harrogate district saw a further seven fatal collisions.

Selby reported another nine during the same period, while Craven and Richmondshire saw just two.

Read more:

• Council quashes hopes of west Harrogate bypass
• 20mph speed limit proposed for Harrogate’s Woodfield Road

The number of fatal collisions in the Harrogate district is inconsistent over the four-year period.

Although the Harrogate district has the largest population many people will question why the figure is so much higher than the rest of the county.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:

“We take our road safety responsibilities very seriously. Every fatal collision that occurs on our roads network is inspected by an investigation team and, where appropriate, we put in place measures to reduce the risk of further incidents.

“Harrogate is the county’s largest, most heavily populated town, with significant local and through traffic.

“This number of collisions is the result of a variety of factors, including population density and distances travelled.”

The Harrogate district also saw 730 road collisions in total during the period — the highest in North Yorkshire – which accounted for almost a quarter of all collisions across the county.

Mr Duncan added:

“We invest heavily in road safety engineering across North Yorkshire and long-term collision numbers in the county are down.

“We have also recently committed to an ambitious new approach to setting speed limits that will see these reviewed on every inch of the county’s 5,750-mile network. We will soon consult on our most extensive 20mph zone in Pannal Ash and Oatlands.

“We will continue to work with our partners, including the emergency services, in an effort to ensure this downward trend in collisions continues.”

2023 – a bad year 

Throughout 2023, the Stray Ferret has already reported on six fatal collisions in the Harrogate district, meaning this year’s figures have increased again.

Five people died in car crashes on the A61, which runs between Ripon and Harrogate, this year.

A 59-year-old motorcyclist was killed on the A61 on August 29. Officers believe that the motorcyclist was travelling with a group of unknown motorcycles immediately before the collision and he was at the rear of the group.

Just a few days later, three members of a Ukrainian family were killed in a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker bus on Sunday, September 3. One child was left orphaned.

Most recently, a man in his 90s was hit by a car on the road, near Killinghall, after getting off the 36 bus.

Fatal collisions also happened on Brimham Rocks Road, near Pateley Bridge, North Park Road in Harrogate and the B6265 near Boroughbridge.

Wonderful Harrogate panto

Our 40-something son Dan has been over from the States for a few days and expressed a wish to see the pantomime.

The three of us went to Harrogate Theatre’s Dick Whittington and were not disappointed. It’s a treat for all ages, with great sets, music, comedy, dancing and costumes. And the best Dame I’ve seen in ages.

I urge you all to book now!

Barbara Coultas, Harrogate

There has not been a single fine for littering in the Harrogate district over the past three financial years.

The figure was revealed by North Yorkshire Council following a Freedom of Information request by the Stray Ferret after repeated coverage of residents’ concerns about litter.

The council said it is “very fortunate” that most local people choose to do “the right thing” and dispose of their litter responsibly.

It also said dedicating officers to catching and fining people is “very resource intensive” and requires them to “be in the right place at the right time”.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“We have a team who are out every day, in all weathers, keeping the district clean and tidy.

“Dedicating officers to deal with catching and fining people is very resource intensive, and requires us having people in the right place at the right time to catch someone committing an offence within the 505 square miles of what was the Harrogate district.”

The Stray Ferret also asked the council to breakdown any littering fines into specific locations where they were issues – including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon and Nidderdale. The number remained at zero.

Neil Hind, chairperson of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said litter remains a “constant problem” in the Pinewoods area, and feels there is a lack of enforcement locally:

“It seems clear there is no real enforcement undertaken.

“As such we have taken our own direct action with regards to litter within the Pinewoods that has made a noticeable difference.

“We have a committed group of volunteers who regularly collect litter across the woods to keep the area tidy.”

An ongoing problem

The results of our FOI is likely to upset many people in the district.

Throughout 2021, Pinewoods volunteers urged people to “just use a bin” after a rise in littering, while post-covid parties on the Stray left the land carpeted with rubbish.

More recently the council’s decision to reduce the number public waste bins but make them larger, has also caused concern.

In August this year, the Stray Ferret reported on a call for an urgent review of litter bins in the Jennyfields area after reports of dog poo bags piling up.

In July, we reported on a Starbeck community group which gathered to litter-pick after seeing an increase in rubbish around the area.

The issue of litter is a subject that always raises the public’s blood pressure. It’s likely many residents will struggle to accept the council’s approach and be appalled at a total absence of litter fines.

Read more:

• Yorkshire Water’s £1m pay-out to charities branded ‘pathetic’
• Council spends £478,000 on halving number of litter bins

Just three years since its last overhaul, Harrogate’s leisure services look set for another restructure.

With the formation of Brimhams Active, a council-owned company, Harrogate Borough Council officials promised a new dawn for facilities in the district.

This came in the shape of multi-million pound investments in Harrogate and Knaresborough leisure centres – the latter of which is set to open on December 11.

Now, three years on, North Yorkshire Council looks set to carry out another overhaul of its leisure operation.

Bringing services in-house

The council’s plan, which is detailed in a report due before councillors on Monday, would see the entirety of its operators brought in-house over the next four years.

Currently, the county is served by five separate leisure providers – including Brimhams Active in Harrogate – which cover 19 leisure centres, 16 pools and three well-being hubs.

A private company called Everyone Active provides services in Ryedale and Scarborough; Richmond Leisure Trust runs facilities in Richmond and a charity called Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles oversees sites in Selby. Services in Craven and Hambleton are ran in-house.

The Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.

The council has argued in its report that the current management of leisure is “complex” and bringing it in-house would represent a “bespoke model for the unique circumstances of North Yorkshire”.

It has also promised a “renewed focus on physical and mental health and wider well being”.

The overhaul is expected to cost in the region of £135,000.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“The strategic leisure review provides us with an exciting opportunity to transform the delivery of our leisure service and improve outcomes for communities across North Yorkshire.

“What we are recommending puts us at the forefront of a national movement to transform services with a renewed focus on physical and mental health and wider well-being.”

Brimhams’ facilities ‘envy of North Yorkshire’

It comes at a time when North Yorkshire Council is shaping its services, such as licensing, planning and housing, following devolution.

However, it also represents yet another service overhaul for the Harrogate district’s leisure services.

In 2020, the Stray Ferret reported extensively on the borough council’s review of its leisure facilities which culminated in the creation of Brimhams Active in August 2021 to run centres across the district.

The company, which is now owned by North Yorkshire Council, recently embarked on £46 million worth of projects at Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active.

In an interview with the Stray Ferret in September, Mark Tweedie, managing director at the company, described the facilities as the “envy of North Yorkshire”.

Centres in Ripon, Harrogate and Knaresborough also feature Brimhams branding, which could be removed not long after they were put up.

In its report, the council acknowledges that the company’s model is “particularly advanced” and could be scaled up.

However, despite the advanced nature of Brimhams’ operation, the council still plans to streamline its operators and bring them in-house.

The report adds:

“Whilst there is a desire to streamline the current position into a single operating model, this is no reflection on the current provision or providers who deliver much valued and high quality services across the county.”

‘Devil in the detail’

Brimhams currently employs 160 staff and has a turnover of £8.4 million.

At the time of its creation, unions raised concern over the transfer of staff to Brimhams and sought reassures over terms and conditions for leisure workers.

In the end, staff transferred to the company under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, better known as TUPE, on August 1, 2021.

Read more:

• Ripon leisure centre halts price increase due to ongoing work
• Harrogate Hydro delay will see no change in £13.5m project budget, says council
• ‘Our leisure centres will be the envy of North Yorkshire’

Speaking on the fresh proposals, Dave Houlgate, secretary of the Unison Harrogate Local Government branch, said he supports facilities being brought in-house.

However, he added that the “devil will be in the detail”.

He said:

“The key for us is the delivery of quality public services but also improving the terms and conditions and pay for our members who are currently enduring a cost of living crisis.  

“If this proposal delivers on these two things and avoids any compulsory redundancies then we are likely to give it our full support.”

The proposal appears to represent the council embarking on a transformation of its services in its image for North Yorkshire following devolution.

However, it also raised questions over how the Harrogate district’s leisure facilities will look and function in the future.

North Yorkshire Council’s transition overview and scrutiny committee will consider the leisure review proposal at a meeting on Monday (December 4).

The Conservative Party candidate to be the first Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is prepared to use franchising to improve local bus services.

Bus franchising, which is used in London, Manchester and in numerous cities across Europe, means that bus operators are only able to provide services under contract to the local transport authority.

According to the Urban Transport Group, the current free market method means bus operators are free to run whatever services they like and decide on their own fares and vehicles, resulting in “an uncoordinated network with a confusing array of ticketing options”.

Keane Duncan, the 28-year-old Conservative candidate for the York and North Yorkshire combined authority mayoral election in May 2024, has pledged to assess whether bus franchising is an affordable method to improve transport.

He said:

“Our buses should work better. They need to be available, reliable and affordable. I really want to revolutionise bus services in our region.

“I’m prepared to use franchising, which is a new power the government is handing to the new mayor.

“It’s right that the new power is looked at seriously, it’s right to pursue it and do that with a totally open mind.

“My pledge on day one as mayor is to launch a full assessment of bus franchising.

“That is a pledge not based on ideology but based on what is best for buses and bus passengers across our region.”

Read more:

• Conservatives select highways councillor Keane Duncan to stand for North Yorkshire mayor
• Yorkshire Party mayoral candidate promises free chickens if elected

If Mr Duncan wins the election, he could be the first Tory metro mayor to introduce bus franchising.

Estimated costs for the scheme in Greater Manchester were £135m, and while Mr Duncan said there are no estimations of cost for franchising buses in York and North Yorkshire, the assessment would determine this.

Mr Duncan said:

“It must be cost-effective and it must make sound financial sense.

“I’m not prepared to write a blank cheque and we’ve seen the extreme costs that can come with bus franchising.

“Whatever we do has to command public confidence.”

Once the York and North Yorkshire combined authority is set up, it will have control of a long-term investment fund, with £18m per year of funding promised by the government over 30 years.

Mr Duncan said: 

“That’s immensely powerful, but it’s just the start.

“I need to be very clear that what we’ve got now is great, but I want more over future years.

“That requires demonstration of our credibility, showing that we can get results to government.

“This is the start and I’m very excited by what we’re going to achieve looking ahead into the future.”

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: 

“I welcome the fact that politicians of all stripes are open to the idea of bus franchising.

“This is not about ideology but delivering a sustainable, affordable network for passengers.

“Private companies will still have a role to play in running day-to-day services under a franchise model, while routes and fares will come under public control.”