Beauty pageants have become somewhat alien to us Brits in recent years, and still come with a lot of stereotypes.

However, one Harrogate woman, who is now in the running to become Miss England, is determined to use her beauty queen status as a means of empowering those who have faced similar struggles to her.

Chloe McEwen — the recently-crowned Miss Yorkshire — was just 16 when she had a mental breakdown.

Although it was never proven, she believes her drink was spiked while on a night-out for her birthday, and attributes the events that followed to that night.

She did not sleep for three days and doctors ended up sectioning her after she began hallucinating and threatening to jump from a window.

She said:

“I went through hell and was diagnosed with a severe bipolar condition.

“I was shifted from one psychiatric hospital to another while doctors tried to get to the bottom of my condition.”

Ms McEwen added her weight “shot up” after living off pizza, chips and sugary treats during her eight-month stint in hospital.

“I peaked at 12 and a half stone and hated my body image.

“I look at the pictures of me from those days and cannot believe it is the same person.”

It was then that she realised she could use her time in hospital to improve both her physical and mental health.

“I realised that I could get myself better by getting fit and modifying my diet.

“I started reading up on the science of fitness and convinced doctors that I was well enough to go home.”

Ms McEwen has spent the last five years rebuilding her life. Now 21 and four stone lighter, she is a qualified personal trainer, model and, of course, beauty queen.

She now leads both group and private fitness classes, and is currently writing her own cookery book to help improve people’s relationship with food.

In addition, she has also become a Sports Traider ambassador – a charity that uses fitness to help young people thrive.

After entering the Miss Yorkshire competition to celebrate her new-found body confidence, Ms McEwen discovered it was “not just all about beauty” as contestants were required to show the impact they had on other people’s lives.

“Beauty pageants have had to modernise like everything else and contestants show they have a purpose.

“For me, that is talking positively about my road to recovery and working with the charity Mind to help other people going through the awful mental health trauma that I suffered.”

Her story remains at the forefront of her Miss England campaign, during which she will continue her advocacy for mental wellbeing in partnership with Mind.

She has also teamed up with The Prom Den – a dress shop in Brighouse – and will wear one of its gowns during the national competition. She added:

“I would have loved to have attended my old school prom after GCSEs, but unfortunately that was when I was still in hospital.

“Girls love dressing up to the nines for a big night of celebration after working so hard on their exams.

“Prom dances are huge at schools in Yorkshire, and it is great to be modelling for such a fantastic brand.”

If triumphant, Chloe will qualify for the international competition, Miss World.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Miss Yorkshire and the role of the modern beauty queen
• Miss Yorkshire contestant from Harrogate hopes to inspire others

The death of a man who had just got off a bus near Harrogate this week has prompted calls for better visibility on the unlit stretch of road.

The unnamed man, who was in his 90s, died after being hit by a vehicle on the A61 Ripon Road between New Park roundabout and Killinghall at about 5.50pm on Monday, November 6.

The man had just alighted at the northbound bus stop on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane.

Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire Council, contacted council officers after the incident. She said:

“It is a very dark stretch of road with a speed limit of 40mph and no central reservation. I feel that work could be done to improve the visibility for both drivers and pedestrians in that area.

“North Yorkshire Council need to ensure that bus stops are located in safe places and I have asked them to have a look at what they can do to increase the safety of  bus passengers using that stop.”

The unlit stretch of road where the collision occurred.

Cllr Slater received a response saying the council’s road safety team was working with North Yorkshire Police “to fully assess the incident and identify the cause”.

The council officer replied:

“This includes an assessment of the road condition, signs, lines and lighting in the area. Once the report is completed it goes to the North Yorkshire Council executive to review and this would include, if appropriate, any recommendations to alter any of the signs, lines, lighting, etc.

“This is not a quick process as the investigation is very detailed, but we will keep you appraised as this is progressed.”

Read more:

• Speed limit could be reduced on A61 Harrogate to Ripon Road
• Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision

Hundreds of people gathered outside Bettys in Harrogate today to watch the tearoom unveil its fifth annual Christmas window display.

Carol singers, minced pies and hot chocolate added to the festive atmosphere as the excitement mounted.

Staff worked through the night to finalise the display, which features numerous presents. Then finally at 5.30pm this afternoon, a countdown began and the fruits of the staff’s work became apparent.

The Parliament Street tearoom is regarded as Bettys’ flagship store and marks the start of Christmas for the town’s most famous brand.

You can see a video of the big reveal on the Stray Ferret’s social media channels.

Crowds gathered on Parliament Street.

Read more:

• Search for Harrogate’s best Christmas shop window begins
• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife

Harrogate‘s nightlife will offer even more choice from tonight, with the official launch of a new cocktail bar.

Locus Bar, on Cheltenham Crescent, is the brainchild of Flavia Milovi, who will run it with the help of bar manager Natasha Murray. The launch event starts at 6pm and everyone is welcome.

Natasha said:

“We want to give people a reason to get out of their homes and come to a nice, welcoming place that feels just as comfortable, but more stylish.

“We’re strong on wines and cocktails, with a range not just of the classics, but also of some that guests might not have tried before, like the Locus 21 and the Lost in Locus.

“In the future, we have plans to offer meat and cheese platters, live music and even singles nights, and we also have a private function room for hire.”

Locus Bar, which is in premises formerly occupied by Bijou & Wild, is named after a Leeds establishment owned by Flavia’s business partner, Gerti Masllavica, but this is Flavia’s first foray into Harrogate’s social scene. She said:

“We have a lot of friends here, and the people are nice. Harrogate really fits our style of venue, so I very much hope people will come along from 6pm tonight and see what we have to offer.”

Read more:

• New South Indian restaurant opens in first for Harrogate
• Refugees set up Harrogate district’s first Afghan pop-up restaurant
• The Ripon Inn opens after multi-million pound refurbishment

North Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to find a key witness follow a sexual assault in Harrogate.

The incident, which happened in the Victoria Shopping Centre toilets, took place on September 17.

A man and a woman entered a cubicle together and police believe the man in the image may hold important information.

The force said in a statement:

“The suspect in the case has been identified and officers want to stress that the man they want to trace is not a suspect, but a witness who may be able to provide vital information.

“A man and a woman went into public toilets in Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate, opposite the railway station.

“They were both followed into the toilet by the man in the image below. The man appears visibly surprised to see both the man and woman enter the male toilet together and may remember the incident.”

The statement added officers hope the man reads the appeal and gets in touch because he “may be able to provide key information that could assist their investigation”.

The police added:

“If you believe that you are the man, or you also saw a man and woman in the male toilets that day, please get in touch.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email lorraine.whipp@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, press option 2 and ask for Lorraine Whipp.”

Quote reference number 12230176639 when passing on information,

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Read more:

• Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision
• Two men arrested after Boroughbridge burglary

Remembrance services will take place across the Harrogate district to honour the fallen.

We’ve collated a list of the services across the district that are being held.

You can email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk if you know of others to add.

Ripon

Thursday, November 9.

Ripon Community Poppy Project will hold a concert of remembrance at Ripon Cathedral.

Ripon City Band, The Dishforth Military Wives Choir and Brackenfield School will all perform.

The event will begin at 7pm and tickets cost £13.50.

Sunday, November 12.

A service will be held in Ripon Spa Gardens from 10.45am. It will include two minutes’ silence and the laying of wreaths, followed by the usual parade.

A civic service of remembrance will then be held in Ripon Cathedral from 11.40am – 1pm.

The Right Reverend Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, will lead the service.

Harrogate

St Peter’s Church — Friday, November 10

The Festival of Remembrance will be held at St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, as part of the Cenotaph Centenary.

The Harrogate Band and The Fishers Singers will perform at the event, which will be led by Harry Satloka of Harrogate’s Free Walking Tours.

There will also be presentations and poetry, as well as a remembrance service.

Tickets cost £10 and all proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion.

It begins at 8pm.

St Wilfrid’s Church — Saturday, November 11

A two-minute silence will held be at 11am at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road.

This will be followed by a talk on the men named on the church’s WWI memorials, as well as an exhibition in their honour which is on display.

Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place.

Town centre – Sunday, November 12

The annual Harrogate Remembrance Day parade and service will be held at the cenotaph war memorial.

People can arrive from 10am. The service will begin at around 10.50am, followed by the two-minute silence at 11am.

After that, the Reveille and wreath laying will commence.

The Kohima Epitaph will be read before the march-past begins.

St Peter’s Church — Sunday, November 12

A Remembrance service with a choir will be held at St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, just after the cenotaph service.

It will begin at approximately 11.15am.

Starbeck – Sunday, November 12

A two-minute silence will be observed at 11am at the war memorial on Starbeck High Street. Wreaths will be laid.

Later, at 3pm, the Starbeck Remembrance Ceremony will take place at the cenotaph on Starbeck High Street.

It will be led by the Harrogate branch of the Royal British Legion, with a parade by local uniformed organisations.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones will attend the service, and readings will be led by the church and pupils of Starbeck Primary Academy.

Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – Sunday, November 12

A service starting at 1pm will include prayers, music from the Harrogate Band, a short talk by Reverend David Hoskins and a two-minute silence. Also, wreaths will be laid by community leaders and representatives of British and allied forces, and students from Ashville College and Harrogate’s Army Foundation College will lay flowers on each grave.

West Park Church — Sunday, November 12

A service will be held at the church, including an act of remembrance, from 10.30am.

It will be led by Reverend David Hughes.

Another service will be held at 3.30pm to mark the end of the More Than a Name on a Memorial exhibition.

Knaresborough

Sunday, November 12

The commemorations will begin with a service at St John’s Church from 9.30am.

A parade from the church to the war memorial in the castle grounds will follow.

There will be a two-minute silence at 11am, followed by a service of remembrance at the memorial.

Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge

Saturday, November 11.

The annual Armistice Day service and parade takes place at the war memorial from 10am.  Those attending will include a representative of the lord-lieutenant’s office, a platoon of troops from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, local dignitaries and community organisations and schools etc.

It is organised by the Nidderdale branch of the Royal British Legion and The Church in The Dale.

Sunday, November 12
10am Joint Service of Remembrance at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks with a collection for the Royal British Legion.

11am Act of Remembrance at Summerbridge War Memorial, followed by refreshments at Summerbridge Methodist Church.

2pm Remembrance Concert and Service at Darley Memorial Hall

6pm The Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at St Mary the Virgin, Greenhow Hill. Led by the Reverend Darryl Hall, there will be a two-minute silence, a sermon by Jane Spooner and music from Nidd Chorale.

Boroughbridge

Sunday, November 12.

A remembrance service and parade will be held at St James’s Church in Boroughbridge.

It will begin at 10am.

Masham

Friday, November 10. 

A remembrance service will be held for locals and pupils of Masham School at St Mary’s Church from 10.45am.

Read more:

• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas
• Knaresborough’s Remembrance Sunday parade saved

Large crowds are expected in Harrogate town centre on Sunday for the annual Remembrance Day service and parade.

The event is always a major occasion, with road closures and large crowds gathering around the war memorial to pay their respects and observe a two-minute silence.

But this year’s activities will be especially poignant as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the town’s war memorial, which was unveiled by Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood, on September 1, 1923.

It cost £12,000 and contains the names of 1,163 men and women who died in two world wars.

Sunday also marks the end of the Cenotaph Centenary — a programme of events since the start of September commemorating the centenary.

You Must Remember This, which is being held tonight at the West Park United Reformed Church, will feature military-themed music by three choirs.

Attention will then turn to Sunday’s Remembrance Day activities.

Service at the war memorial

Crowds are invited to gather at the war memorial from 10am.

The service will commence at 10.50am, followed by the two-minute silence at 11am.

Wreaths will be laid, the Kohima epitaph will be read the and the reveille will play.

The memorial was built in 1923.

Road closures

North Yorkshire Council has said the following roads will be closed on Sunday from 8:30am to 1pm to facilitate the parade and service:

Cheltenham Crescent, Oxford Street, Union Street, Parliament Street, Albert Street, Prospect Place, James Street, John Street, Princes Street, Cambridge Crescent, and Cambridge Road.

Only one lane will be open on West Park during the parade.

A full list of services across the district is available here.

Read more:

• Remembrance Day: A guide to services in the Harrogate district
• Last Post marks 100th anniversary of Harrogate war memorial

Kindercare nursery on Pannal Ash Road in Harrogate, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

The findings were published in a report yesterday following an inspection in October.

Government inspectors rated the nursery, which was registered in 1993, as ‘good’ in all four categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

However, the assessment did see the grading fall from a previous ‘outstanding’ in 2018.

The report said “children enjoy their time at the nursery” and found staff provide a “safe and well-resourced” learning environment. It added:

“Children and babies are keen to explore and have a go at the wide range of activities on offer.

“They like trying tricky activities, such as catching falling leaves and taking turns to build ‘wobbly’ towers of bricks.”

Inspectors said the behaviour and attitudes at the nursery, which has 86 pupils, are “very good”.

The report also described the 20 members of staff as “wonderfully positive role models”, adding:

“They treat children with respect and are consistently kind and calm in their manner.

“Staff use sensitive and age-appropriate methods for managing unwanted behaviour.

“They frequently praise children for being kind and helpful. This helps to support children’s confidence and self-esteem.”

The manager was described as “knowledgeable, proactive and enthusiastic”. She seeks and receives good support from senior managers and reflects on staff training and wellbeing needs, the report added.

Inspectors also praised the “fun and warmth” shown by staff to babies, and noted they “clearly adore the job they do”.

They said:

“The special educational needs coordinator has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities.

“Staff work with partner agencies to ensure that children’s individual needs are identified and well met. This makes sure that children have a consistent approach towards their care and learning.”

Safeguarding was found to be “effective”.

Read more:

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Areas of improvement

However, the inspectors did say not all staff interactions with children “fully support them to make the best possible progress”. They added:

“Some staff do not give children sufficient time to deepen their ideas, solve problems, predict outcomes and find different ways of doing things for themselves.”

The report also found:

“At times, staff do not ensure that the outdoor learning environment has a rich range of play experiences to further support children’s development. This limits children to build on their growing physical skills.”

Ofsted said to improve, staff should “strengthen the already good teaching” to improve the children’s focus, as well as make full use of the outdoor space “to help to keep children engaged in their play”.

The Stray Ferret contacted Kindercare for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The nursery is owned by Busy Bees Ltd, which has more than 390 nurseries across the UK and Ireland.

Developers behind a former Leon restaurant in Harrogate which was due to become a Starbucks have remained silent on the scheme.

North Yorkshire Council approved plans to change the signage around the Wetherby Road site to Starbucks branding in August but the building remains closed.

Permission was given for a total of 20 signs, just over half of which would be illuminated, including totem signs, menus and directional signs around the drive-through.

Leon, which opened last June, closed its doors on April 2 with the loss of around 20 jobs.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

The Stray Ferret asked EG Group for an update on the project and whether it had confirmed an opening date, but received no response by the time of publication.

We also asked Starbucks whether it had a potential launch date for the new store.

In response, a spokesperson for the company said:

“I’m afraid we don’t comment on pieces of planning application.”

Currently, the building has been empty for seven months and has been stripped of its Leon branding and signage.

The coffee brand has only one existing presence in the Harrogate district, on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

Read more:

• No conditions for Wetherby Road drive-thru to be a Starbucks, says council
• Leon confirms Harrogate closure amid speculation over site’s future
• Former Harrogate Leon site to become Starbucks

Harrogate firefighters and colleagues from Moortown in Leeds were called a two-vehicle collision in North Rigton last night.

The incident, which happened at 7pm, took place on Harrogate Road.

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

“Two males were able to self-extricate from their vehicles prior to fire brigade arrival.

“Both men were left in the hands of the ambulance.”

It added the men had sustained “unknown” injuries.

No further details have been revealed.

Read more:

• Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision
• Harrogate bar staff to be trained to prevent attacks on women

The Harrogate crew was also called to the St Patrick’s Way area of the town following reports of young people starting a fire in a recreational ground.

The log said staff at the nearby ambulance station reported the incident, which happened at 1.11am this morning.

It added:

“[The] crew extinguishes a fire measuring one square metre using a hose reel.”