Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 295 of 1133

Charity Christmas shopping event to return to Hampsthwaite

A Christmas shopping event will be held in Hampsthwaite for another year to raise money for The Roddy Scott Foundation.

Lovingly Made in the Dales will make its return to the Harrogate village to showcase the work of local artisans and artists.

Guests can expect locally-made candles, jewellery, art and glass decorations, as well as a raffle and festive food and drinks.

The foundation is an educational charity that is dedicated to teaching English and providing career opportunities to the children of the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia.

Roddy Scott was a BBC journalist who was killed there while reporting on the second Chechen war – his family live near Pateley Bridge.

Founder Katie Andrew held the first event last Christmas raising £900 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

She said:

“It will be a fun evening to enjoy with friends, whilst doing your Christmas shopping, supporting local artists & makers, and the amazing charity, The Roddy Scott Foundation.”

Those that would like to be involved in showcasing their work can contact Katie on 0777 5630 260.

The event will take place in Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm – 9pm.

Tickets, which can be bought by contacting Katie, cost £10 per adult and includes a glass of wine, nibbles and a raffle ticket.

Harrogate family to climb Kilimanjaro to raise money for local charity

A Harrogate family is preparing to climb Africa’s highest mountain in aid of a local charity.

Richard Pughe, who is a partner at Begbies Traynor Group, will take on the 19,340 ft climb next February alongside his wife Nikki Sutcliffe, his son and stepson, as well as his friend.

The family visited Artizan Café in Harrogate, which employs and supports 23 people with various disabilities, and was inspired by its “fantastic work”.

They then chose to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Artizan International.

Mr Pughe said:

“The passion and joy with which both the trainees and trainers work is incredible.

“They’re making a tremendous difference to people’s lives, both here in Harrogate with their café and creative workshop and through projects in Ecuador and Peru.

“We were looking to take on a fundraising challenge to mark a few different significant birthdays that are happening next year in our family, and we were so impressed by Artizan International that we wanted to help them.”

The family is training for the eight-day expedition across the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, as well as hiking in the French Alps this summer.

They hope to raise at least £1,500 for the charity.

Mr Pughe added:

“Without doubt, coping with the altitude and low oxygen levels will be the most challenging aspect of the climb.

“We are doing as many high-level walks as we can and all trying to increase our fitness in preparation for February’s trip.

“We want to raise as much money as possible for Artizan International and it would be brilliant if our expedition inspires people to sponsor us.”

The charity was launched in Harrogate in 2013 after founder, Susie Hart MBE, set up a social centre in Tanzania to support and employ local people with disabilities.

Ms Hart also said:

“We’re tremendously grateful to Richard, Nikki and family for choosing to support our work with differently-abled people locally and overseas in this way and the funds they raise will make a huge difference.

“We’ll be able to provide training and support that’s literally life-changing, for many more people with disabilities, thanks to their support. We’ll be cheering them on, all the way.”

Starbeck Working Men’s Club changes name in ‘family-friendly’ move

Starbeck Working Men’s Club (WMC) has become the latest social club in Harrogate to change its name.

Now known as the Forest Club, it was founded in 1901 and has played a pivotal role in community life ever since.

The newly rebranded club does everything the WMC did, but members felt they should move with the times and voted overwhelmingly to rebrand at the club’s annual general meeting back in April.

The club is working with the CIU (Club and Institute Union) to change the name officially by the end of the year, and in the meantime will be developing a new website, email and logo.

Club secretary Catriona Patterson said:

“People have an image of what a Working Men’s Club is, and we’re not that – we’re trying to distance ourselves from it.

“We want to be more family-friendly. We’ve got a large function room, which we’ve used for big family events such as the King’s coronation and a beach party on the August bank holiday.

“We’re planning to hold another big one on New Year’s Eve, with games for the children and a big screen showing the countdown live from London. People often struggle to get babysitters on New Year’s Eve, so this will allow the whole family to come out and celebrate.”

She said the name change was a response to a wider cultural shift that has seen many licensed premises – including Working Men’s Clubs – fall victim to the growing trend for home drinking, exacerbated in part by increases in beer duty. She said:

“Covid hit us hard, and habits changed – people just don’t go out as much as they used to – so we had to do something.

“There isn’t a Working Men’s Club in the country that isn’t struggling, and we need to attract younger members. A name-change will help bring us into a new era.”

But she stressed that the Forest Club was not about to lose touch with its roots as a Working Men’s Club with over a century of service to the community. She said:

“We’re rebranding our lounge as the Heritage Lounge, and we’ll be keeping all the old WMC memorabilia there. It’s an important part of our history, and we shouldn’t forget it.”

The Forest Club’s name change, which reflects its location in the ancient Forest of Knaresborough, is part of a wider trend. Last year, Bilton Working Men’s Club slimmed its name down to simply Bilton Club, and a few months later, High Harrogate Working Men’s Club on Skipton Road rebranded to High Harrogate Bar and Lounge.

Working Men’s Clubs were first created in the mid-19th century, predominantly in industrial areas outside the south of England, to provide recreation and education for working-class men and their families.

There are several in our district, including those in High Harrogate and Bilton, as well as Harlow Hill Club, Knaresborough WMC, The Oatlands, and Boroughbridge Social Club.

The Forest Club will be holding a Disco Inferno night of 70s, 80s and 90s disco classics – for members and non-members – on Saturday, October 28 from 7pm till late.

Yemi’s Food Stories: Let’s ‘mise en place’ this Christmas

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food and sharing cooking tips– please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

This summer, I did many demos at food festivals across Yorkshire and Manchester. At every food festival, there is a scramble for ingredients because a chef has left a key item at home or forgotten a gadget; this happens to everyone which means we sometimes have to improvise or hope that another chef or food vendor can bail us out.

For one cook, I forgot my oil by the door as I packed all the ingredients and equipment into the car and this happened on the day when what I was cooking needed to be fried. Thankfully a food vendor came to my rescue.

If you’ve ever watched a cookery show, you will be familiar with the term ‘mise en place’, which is a French term for getting things ready or putting things in place before you start cooking to make it a speedy and stress-free experience.

The concept helps you to organise and prepare the ingredients and all the other components needed before cooking, but ultimately it helps you to also get your space ready to support you.

You will need to anticipate what is needed for all your dishes and get them ready, which will save time and ensure that no ingredient or seasoning is forgotten when cooking. As part of mise en place, you must consider kitchen utensils, cookware, tools for plating, and ingredients.

As home cooks, we don’t always think of mise en place because most things are within reach. However, there are some dishes that can be easily destroyed if we overlook the prep – like an omelette, soufflé and desserts.

Pancakes can get cold while we are faffing about sorting out the toppings, and a self saucing chocolate pudding will keep cooking and turn into a cake if we forget to take the ice cream out at the right time. Sticky toffee pudding batter will have to wait until we have soaked the dates, so knowing the order to prep our ingredients and cook our dishes matters.

I do my food prep in two stages: firstly I get out all the ingredients I need and set them out, then I move onto the ones that need to be prepped, like peeling or chopping onions for example, or grating the garlic and ginger, or whipping the cream. This improves my chance of cooking the dish I set out to make.

Christmas is a time when there is a lot going on in the kitchen with Christmas dinner having many components. There is a reason some shops open on Christmas day for the last minute dash for cream, butter, milk and spices. The season is already stressful enough for most people – we need to find ways to make it less so.

Also, good planning helps us to reduce overspending and food wastes during the season.

We need to ‘mise en place’ our Christmas by putting things in place to ensure we have a stressless celebration with family and friends.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing ideas for Christmas hampers, cheese boards, gadgets I can’t do without and tips that get me through the Christmas season when I am mostly confined to the kitchen.

There will be restaurant recommendations if you prefer to dine out for Christmas and, if like me you are not super keen on sprouts, Christmas pudding or mince pies, I will recommend alternatives for you.

And what about those leftovers? They either get used or buried in the freezer until they get freezer burn. So, in the lead up to Christmas, I will share some recipes that might even prove to be more popular than the dinner itself.

Look out for tips from the region’s chefs about how to make your celebration a tad more special.

This Saturday, I will be joining Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours for a Harrogate Food tour. You can also join me at the Afghan Kitchen Pop up in Harrogate on Saturday 21 October. I will be at Fodder on Friday 27 at 3pm; come say hi if you’re in the area.

More importantly please share your own tips, wine and cheeses that you want me to consider for my recommended lists, hamper ideas, alternative roast ideas and venues you want me to check out.

Harrogate vegetarian café hosts art exhibitions to create ‘neighbourhood feel’

Harrogate vegetarian café, Delicious, is to host art exhibitions every month highlighting the talents of local artists.

The café, on Mayfield Grove, has only been open since June this year.

It’s owner, Olivier Roch, told the Stray Ferret that he wants it to become a hub for the local community -whether or not they are vegetarian.

“The purpose is to promote local artists. My place is on Mayfield Grove and we are seeking to be a neighbourhood café and be a place of soul. To offer something else other than food.”

Mr Roch grew up in France but has lived in Harrogate for the past 30 years and previously ran the Zinc bistro on John Street where he also used to promote local artists.

Seven artists are booked at Delicious, with a new display and opening on the last Friday of the month. The artist work is then hung on the café walls for the following four weeks. There is also a writing course on Tuesdays.

Mayfield Grove has been the scene of violent crime in recent years. Mr Roch says no area is immune from crime but believes the street is changing:

“Unfortunately crime is everywhere and I do not think Mayfield Grove is particularly different from anywhere else.

“I think the area is getting a little bit like Cold Bath Road.

“When I first came to Harrogate, my first bedsit was on Franklin road – now a lot of those beautiful houses have been transformed into single homes.

“It has turned around and now people want to live in the centre of town. There is a neighbourhood feel in the area and people are looking for that – a sense of community and we are trying to establish that.”

Olivier Roch outside his cafe and an example of the art displayed

North Yorkshire housing companies estimate end of year profits

Two North Yorkshire Council housing companies are estimating to report a profit by the end of this financial year.

Brierley Homes and Bracewell Homes are expected to post improved performance after completing further sales, according to a council financial report.

Both companies were taken over by North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

Bracewell, which is a former Harrogate Borough Council firm, is forecasting a profit return of £1.52 million by the end of 2023/24.

A report said the company had seen sales of shared ownership properties and the “receipt of rental income on the proportion retained within the company”.

However, it added that Bracewell was still awaiting the completion of purchasing a further two sites.

It said:

“The main challenge for the Company relates to receiving accurate information from developers.

“Bracewell is due to complete on house purchases at two sites this financial year however neither developer has managed to achieve their initial forecast completion dates.”

Meanwhile, Brierley Homes, which was set up by the former North Yorkshire County Council, is forecasting a profit of £959,000 by the end of the year.

The figure is based on the company completing sales at sites in Marton cum Grafton, Pateley Bridge and Great Ouseburn.

Meanwhile, the firm is expected to start work on another housing site in Kirby Malzeard this year.

It comes as the council reported a “positive outlook” for the company in March amid an increase in sales.

Police commissioner rejects advice to delay appointment of chief constable

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has rejected advice to delay the appointment of a new chief constable.

The current chief constable, Lisa Winward, announced last month she will retire on March 31, 2024.

As a result, members of North Yorkshire and York’s police, fire and crime panel, which met at City of York Council yesterday, urged Conservative commissioner Zoë Metcalfe to postpone the recruitment process for up to 15 months.

Ms Winward’s retirement will come just weeks before a new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who will take on police commissioner powers including the ability to appoint a chief constable, will be elected.

The panel felt the delay would ensure senior police officers had sufficient time to see eye-to-eye with the new mayor.

Ms Metcalfe, however, rejected the guidance today. She felt months of temporary leadership would not be in the public’s best interest.

She said:

“As the single elected individual with responsibility for the totality of policing and crime for York and North Yorkshire, I have a duty to ensure that the force has outstanding, inspirational long-term leadership to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.

“I was surprised that some panel members saw fit to substitute their preference, not just for my decision, but for the considered professional views of all national stakeholders with a remit for excellence in police leadership.

“It gives me no pleasure to say that the recommendations of those key national stakeholders outweigh the panel’s recommendation.

“I stand by my decision.”

Ms Metcalfe added:

“This is a crucial time for the programme of improvements for North Yorkshire Police.

“The role of chief constable of North Yorkshire Police is a terrific opportunity for an inspirational, visionary chief police officer.

“The process for selection will be open, rigorous, exciting and challenging – and will involve a broad range of local and national key partner organisations so that York and North Yorkshire can be sure that we have the very best of police leadership for our communities.”

The move comes as members of the panel raised concern that the selection of the chief constable would coincide with the election of the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire.

Cllr Lindsay Burr, who represents Malton, said it would be an incorrect decision for the public to appoint a chief constable when the force’s strategic direction had not been set by the incoming mayor.

Huby councillor and former police officer Malcolm Taylor said while moving ahead with recruiting a chief constable might be a good decision in the short-term, the appointment was a long-term role.

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe also rejected an option to appoint an interim chief constable earlier this month.

The Stray Ferret reported that the commissioner was also given alternatives, including appointing the deputy chief constable to role until after mayoral election, but turned down both options in favour of starting a recruitment process.

New Harrogate care home set to open in January

A new care home is set to open in Harrogate in January 2024.

Fairfax Manor, which will be based on Wetherby Road opposite Harrogate Town’s football stadium, will be operated by Staffordshire-based Lovett Care Ltd.

The 90-bed care home was built on the site of the former Tate House after being given planning permission back in April 2021.

The company said the home would be a “welcome addition” to Harrogate amid increasing demand for elderly care.

Gillian Allat, general manager at Fairfax Manor, said:

“I am thrilled to be joining a growing organisation. Fairfax Manor will be somewhere that our residents will be proud to call home.

“I am passionate about providing exceptional person centred care and looking forward to growing a team who share my values. If anyone is interested in living or working with us then please get in touch.”

Visual inside Fairfax Manor.

The new facility is set to offer ensuite rooms, 24-hour care and landscaped gardens.

It will also feature an orangery, coffee lounge, bar, cinema, beauty salon and private dining room for special family get togethers.

The move comes as Lovett Care Ltd agreed to acquire the home from Harrogate-based Angela Swifts Developments.

The firm also completed acquisitions for Eden Manor Care in Carlisle and another facility in St Helens.

Fairfax Manor will become the tenth home to be operated by the company.

Hopewalk in Valley Gardens marks suicide prevention charity’s 10th anniversary

The annual Hopewalk will take place in Harrogate‘s Valley Gardens this Sunday in support of Papyrus, a UK charity that aims to prevent suicide in young people.

Over the last six years Harrogate Grammar School has supported the event in memory of one of its students, Dom Sowa, who died by suicide in 2017.

Dom’s mother, Pat Sowa, has since become a campaigner for the charity.

This year marks the charity’s tenth anniversary and it is hoping the walks will be “bigger and better than ever”.

The walk will be held on Sunday (October 15) at 10am.

Participants meet at the entrance to Valley Gardens, walking through the Pinewoods and back again. To sign up click here.

Harrogate’s John Shackleton, 85, to embark on 49th humanitarian trip today

A Harrogate man will begin his drive from Harrogate to Georgia today to deliver an ambulance on his 49th humanitarian trip.

John Shackleton, 85, has bought and stocked 36 ambulances over the last 30 years to provide emergency vehicles and vital medical equipment to humanitarian organisations in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Last month, Mr Shackleton appealed for co-drivers last month and has since been “inundated” with applications.

One passenger, a Harrogate man who works as a veterinary regional manager, finishes work at midday today and will venture straight to Georgia.

The other, who is from High Wycombe, is an army paramedic who took the opportunity while on leave.

Mr Shackleton told the Stray Ferret a Berlin-based film crew also contacted him to follow the 3,000-mile journey. The producers will be dropped off en route in Berlin.

The group plans to deliver the ambulance, that Mr Shackleton collected from Amsterdam earlier this week, to a small organisation building a hospice on a farm on the Georgian and Russian border.

He said the organisation has been “praying for an ambulance for years”.

When asked if this would be Mr Shackleton’s final mission, he added:

“Well, I’ve said my trips before would be my final one and I’m still going now.

“I had a heart attack – which I’m mending from very quickly – but I lost a lot of weight and, as I’m struggling to put it back on, it’s becoming difficult to chop the wood I sell to fund the ambulances.”

Mr Shackleton anticipates the journey will take around 10 days. He said:

“I’m not nervous about this trip – I don’t get nervous. If problems are there, I solve them. They’re there to be solved.

“It’s a waste of time to worry.”

Mr Shackleton began his humanitarian work after seeing news reports revealing the poor conditions of Romanian orphanages following the borders opening in 1990. He was joined by a team of volunteers to install flushing toilets and showers at the orphanage.

This time, the team will stay in Georgia for just under a week to help the organisation, before hitchhiking to the nearest international airport to return home.

Mr Shackleton and his co-drivers will depart from his Harrogate home at midday today.

Click here to find out more about John Shackleton’s previous trips.

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read More:

Read More:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read More:

Read more: