This story is sponsored by Lucy Pittaway.

Lucy Pittaway, the celebrated British artist renowned for her vivid and colourful paintings, has launched a new collection at her gallery in Harrogate which is celebrating its first birthday this weekend.

In the spirit of appreciation, the Harrogate gallery has planned a weekend of entertainment and fun starting tomorrow.

The gallery will have a lucky dip for those who purchase art or merchandise including the chance to win a special 25% off voucher. There will a gallery trail quiz to keep the little ones entertained as well as new art and merchandise in the store in time for Christmas.

The most exciting of the new releases in the gallery will be the new “Little Lucy” collection.

All six of the original “Little Lucy” pieces have just gone on display at the gallery on Prospect Place in the town centre.

This captivating collection takes us on an enchanting journey through the complexities of childhood experiences, illuminating their enduring impact on our lives. With a rich tapestry of emotions and narratives, “Little Lucy” promises to captivate hearts and minds alike.

The “Little Lucy” collection draws its inspiration from the profound notion that our early life experiences, both joyful and challenging, intricately shape the individuals we become. At the core of this collection lies the compelling narrative of a young girl named “Little Lucy,” who navigates the uncertainties and anxieties of her youth with a heart full of compassion and boundless creativity.

In the enchanting world of “Little Lucy,” we meet a character who embodies the innocence of youth yet grapples with a lack of confidence. Her vivid imagination and compassionate nature serve as her guiding stars, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the backdrop of overthinking, school worries, and a constantly shifting home life. She is the girl who gazes out of her window, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts, earning her the affectionate nickname “Dolly Daydream” from her parents.

As Little Lucy grows, she adapts to the changes life throws her way and steadfastly endeavours to infuse positivity into her existence. Her story is a poignant reminder that our early experiences do not dictate our future; rather, we hold the power to script our own destinies.

Lucy Pittaway herself taking in the new collection.

At the heart of “The Little Lucy” Collection lies a profound message: “Sometimes life may not grant us the best start, for reasons beyond our control. However, these experiences do not define who we are or who we can become. Each experience is but a chapter in our book of life, and we possess the pen to write the subsequent chapters. Reach for the stars.”

Lucy Pittaway’s intention with this collection is to resonate deeply with individuals on their personal journeys, instilling the belief that they can surmount challenges and aspire to greatness.

Little Lucy represents resilience and a belief in brighter days

“Little Lucy” represents a departure from Lucy Pittaway’s earlier works in that it openly addresses mental health issues, particularly among young individuals. While her signature painting style remains consistent, the introduction of “Little Lucy” and her story adds a deeply personal and relatable dimension to her art. Elements familiar to her audience, such as the iconic round Swaledale sheep, continue to make appearances, forging a connection between this collection and Lucy’s established body of work.

The launch of “Little Lucy” comes at a poignant time, as the world grapples with unprecedented challenges. Widespread suffering has underscored the need for support and the dissemination of positivity. This collection seeks to provide solace and hope to young people contending with mental health issues, fostering resilience and nurturing the belief in brighter days ahead.

The creative journey behind “Little Lucy” commenced with Lucy Pittaway’s thoughts and emotions taking shape on paper. Ideas flowed freely, leading to sketches, studies, and ultimately, fully realised paintings. From an array of visual concepts, Lucy selected six pieces that authentically encapsulate the essence of this remarkable collection. 

The six-piece collection is available as artists’ proofs, sketches for the very first time, originals, and prints. 

Lucy Pittaway’s responsibility to wanting to make a positive impact goes beyond her art. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the “Little Lucy” collection will be donated to a local charity, The Junction based in Teesside, is focused on supporting young people. By combining her artistic talent with a charitable spirit, Pittaway aims to provide tangible support to those in need.

Lucy’s aspiration for “Little Lucy” is to inspire positivity and a sense of accomplishment in those who have traversed arduous paths. She hopes viewers will perceive these paintings as more than just art; they are profound expressions of resilience and hope. If these vibrant creations can brighten even a single person’s life, then they have undeniably fulfilled their purpose.

For more information about Lucy Pittaway and the “Little Lucy” collection, please click or tap here or visit the Harrogate gallery today.

Two major parts of Harrogate’s £11.2 million Station Gateway project look set to be scrapped.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire Council, said reducing Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianising James Street would need be dropped from the scheme in order for it “to be successful”.

The move comes as council officials are currently drawing up alternative options for the project after the previous proposals were paused last month.

The original plans included reducing a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade to single lane to make space for cycle lanes and the part-pedestrianisation of James Street.

Cllr Keane Duncan.

However, Cllr Duncan, who is also the Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said new proposals for the gateway project required major changes.

He said:

“We need to make fundamental changes to the gateway if we are to secure investment for Harrogate.

“The proposal to reduce Station Parade to a single lane has been the most divisive element. To be successful, we would need Station Parade to remain as two lanes.

“And plans for James Street would need to be removed from the scheme’s scope altogether.”

The council halted the scheme immediately after lawyers acting on behalf of local property firm Hornbeam Park Developments launched a judicial review.

As a result, the authority announced it would draw up alternative options which would focus on “a high quality pedestrian-focussed public realm scheme, with improved access into the bus station, and better traffic flow through co-ordinated signal timings”.

Read more:

• Council concedes it should have held public inquiry into Harrogate Station Gateway
• Harrogate Station Gateway ‘on life support but not dead yet’

Full proposals are expected to be put before senior North Yorkshire councillors at a later date.

Cllr Duncan added that the new scheme would still be able to deliver public realm improvements.

He said:

“A new gateway proposal would allow us to move forward with first-class public realm improvements to Station Square, give One Arch the attention it needs and tackle congestion by upgrading the myriad of uncoordinated traffic signals.

“We have a final window of opportunity to produce a deliverable and beneficial scheme. This will not be easy, but I am committed to a cross-party effort. Constructive conversations are already taking place between Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

“My hope is to achieve a revised project plan with clear support from the public.

“I hope that residents and businesses can be encouraged by the pragmatic effort under way and the prospect of key changes to the Gateway that would see more controversial elements removed.”

Police have made an arrest after reports of a man wearing an offensive costume depicting Manchester Arena bomber, Salman Abedi.

North Yorkshire Police said yesterday that it had received complaints about a man wearing the costume on social media.

Officers have since arrested a Harrogate district man in his 40s in connection with the incident.

In a statement, the force added:

“The man was arrested on 1 November on suspicion of a number of offences including using a public communication network to send offensive messages.”

In an update this morning, police said the man was released on conditional police bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.

Abedi killed 22 people in a suicide attack at Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017.

Read more:

• Police seek woman after dog attacks man in Harrogate town centre
• ‘Lone wolf terrorist’ plotted to blow up RAF Menwith Hill, trial hears

Cats Protection, the largest cat welfare charity in the UK, will open a Harrogate store tomorrow.

The boutique-inspired store, located on Oxford Street, will sell designer clothes to raise money for the charity.

Store manager, Joanna Swinburn, said people can expect the likes of Paul Smith and Kenzo to be stocked for both men and women.

She added:

“The aim was for it not to look like a typical charity shop.

“There was a need for a boutique store in Harrogate; there’s lots of run-of-the-mill charity shops – there’s nothing different.”

The charity, which launched in 1927, helps to re-home unwanted and stray cats.

The Harrogate shop will be the fourth of its kind – with others in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ealing.

Ms Swinburn added:

“The reception to the store opening has been amazing.

“Since we put the mannequins in the window, lots of people have knocked on the door and asked what the store will be.”

Cats Protection Harrogate will open its doors tomorrow at 10am. There will be prosecco and cakes on offer for the official opening.

It will be open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm.

Read more:

• Harrogate Tea Rooms closes immediately
• Trespass recruiting staff for new Ripon store

An amateur netball player from Knaresborough has set a world record for the most goals scored in one minute.

Sue Hobson, 45, doubled the existing record after scoring 40 goals – or one every 1.5 seconds – smashing the minimum target of 20 set by Guinness World Records.

Ms Hobson has been a goal shooter for Harlow Hawks in the Harrogate and District league for 25 years.

She said:

“I think I’ve scored about 10,000 goals for Hawks across the years and I just love it! It’s definitely my happy place.

“I never get bored of shooting goals, whether it’s in league games, training or just in my garden.”

The attempt was held at Ms Hobson’s former school, King James’s, where she was joined by her family who kept the balls flowing for her.

The strict rules also required two independent witnesses or timekeepers and qualified netball umpires to be present.

All equipment had to meet the World Netball regulations and Ms Hobson’s attempt had to be filmed for verification by Guinness World Records.

Read more:

• New bike track could be in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens by April
• Ripon man to run four ultra-marathons in memory of father

Ms Hobson also set the world record for the most netball goals scored in one hour – scoring 1,252 — three years ago.

She set herself the challenge after practicing in lockdown. Ms Hobson added:

“Getting the first world record gave me the bug and everyone in my team and at netball matches kept asking me when I was going to do another.”

Ms Hobson raised £2,440 for Saint Michael’s Hospice during her first world record, and is now fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, which supported her father following a heart-attack in 2021.

“It feels great to be a double world record holder, and being able to raise money for charity makes it even more rewarding.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in helping me with my world record. My family, umpires Sharon Hardisty and Hayley Blaymires, and King James’s School for the use of the sports hall on the day and for practice beforehand.

“It brought back memories for us all being at the school again and it was really special to be able to set the world record there.”

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’.

A Harrogate consultancy firm has announce two new appointments as part of growth at the company.

Harlow Consulting, which is based at Cardale Park, has hired James Legard and Carolyn Black as associate directors.

Mr Legard has joined the firm from Purcell Architecture, while Ms Black has been appointed from the public sector in Scotland.

Jennifer Brennan, director at Harlow, said:

“We are delighted that two such strong candidates have chosen to join our growing team. James is adept at interpreting complex information to produce clear, actionable recommendations. He’s also particularly skilled in the fields of construction and heritage, which are important and growing research areas for us.

“Carolyn is a great fit for us, in terms of both her experience and values. Her diverse and expert skill set in social research will greatly strengthen our ability to deliver for our Scottish clients.

“Her understanding of the needs of the public and third sectors will be especially valuable in forwarding our mission to undertake projects with positive social impacts.”

Harrogate chamber event to focus on carbon emissions 

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its next meeting on November 13.

The event will focus on the way in which businesses can reduce their carbon footprint.

Zero Carbon Harrogate will introduce practical steps that businesses can take to tackle carbon emissions, including what resources and support are available.

The event will be held at Harrogate College from 5.30pm. More information is available on the EventBrite page.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: ‘Invest in a garden shed where you can blow things up’, says Dragon
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate robots help reduce UK’s greenhouse gas emissions
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate bus operator launches skills drive for engineers

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please read Flora’s story below and give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. They need your help.

Christmas is a time to create happy memories, to connect with family and enjoy each other’s company. But Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease take those memories away, and life can become confusing and isolating.

Local charity Dementia Forward works to support people living with these life-changing and disabling conditions, but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

So this Christmas, the Stray Ferret is asking you to support to this local organisation and ensure it can continue to offer the vital services it provides.

We want to raise £30,000 to buy a new minibus so that Dementia Forward can carry on bringing people struggling with memory loss to social events and a supportive environment.

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare, so every penny donated will go directly to Dementia Forward.

The charity’s minibus service is currently used by more than 50 people. It also takes them on days out across the county, which is a huge part of the Dementia Forward programme. It is used to help people access the charity’s social events for those that can no longer drive, as well as weekly day trips for those with young onset dementia. The group visits a variety of places, including the Yorkshire coast, nature reserves, walking trails, llama farms, art galleries and so much more.

However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and 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. 

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward to help us hit our £30,000 target.

Over the next seven weeks, we’ll be bringing you stories that show just how important Dementia Forward is, and the impact it has on local people’s lives.

Please read them, share them, and donate whatever you can.

Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser. 

Vida Healthcare offers specialist residential and nursing care across three state-of-the-art homes.

James Rycroft, managing director of Vida Healthcare, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal in aid of Dementia Forward.

“It is such an amazing local charity supporting people living with dementia.”

North Yorkshire Council is set to consult residents on a new local plan that will guide decisions on housing and infrastructure in the Harrogate district over the next two decades. 

The North Yorkshire Local Plan will set out where new developments will take place, along with policies and strategies that planning applications will be considered against.

Once adopted, it will replace the existing local plan for the Harrogate district. 

As part of the first stage of a five-year process to create the plan, residents are being encouraged to sign up to a new online portal that will enable North Yorkshire Council to keep them informed about when consultations and engagement will take place and how to have their say. 

Read more

• Council to bid for government funding to progress Harrogate social housing schemes
• ‘No more new houses’: Harrogate residents and councillors call on council to remove sites from Local Plan

Cllr Derek Bastiman, the council’s executive member for open to business, said:

“Anyone with an interest in what, where, when and how development could take place in the county during the next two decades is encouraged to register their details on the portal.” 

A consultation is due to start this month about the council’s new Statement of Community Involvement, which will set out how it will consult people on planning, as well as early engagement about the local plan.  

Anyone already registered on the existing Harrogate District Local Plan database will be contacted by the council about the new portal.

Those not yet registered can sign up to the database at www.northyorks.gov.uk/localplan or call the council on 0300 131 2 131, stating ‘Local Plan’ when prompted. 

This story is sponsored by OctaPlus.

A Yorkshire company says it can provide hyperfast broadband at a lower price than any available via the well-known price comparison websites. 

OctaPlus is offering a huge speed of 900Mbps – download and upload – for just £1 for the first three months and £27 a month thereafter, beating its competitors on both speed and price by a considerable margin for those who have the install completed before December 31, 2023.

The deal, which comes with no upfront costs, is available only on two- or three-year contracts, but the price for a one-year contract is just £32 per month, which is still cheaper than the company’s rivals. 

Gladstone Gonsalves, who founded Hull-based OctaPlus after partnering with award-winning broadband business CityFibre, said: 

“Other companies simply cannot beat us on value for money. Energy bills, mortgages, groceries – they’ve all gone crazy – but we’re here to lower your costs and help you move over to fibre.” 

He added: 

“All the old copper-wire connections are going to be decommissioned – the government intends to replace them all by 2030 – and all too often they only give you 5-10Mb of the 60-70Mbps promised by the provider anyway. 

“With full fibre, you get higher speeds for a lower price – so what’s stopping you from moving?” 

Hyperfast broadband is commonly considered to refer to connections exceeding 500Mbps – far faster than superfast (30 to 300Mbps) or ultrafast (300 to 500Mbps) – and enables users to download movies in seconds. 

But, says Gladstone, hyperfast broadband is merely a taste of greater things to come: 

“Full-fibre broadband is totally scalable. We can provide 900Mbps today, but our partner, CityFibre, have already tested their network and proved it’s ready for 2,500Mbps – that’s an upto 2.5 Gigabytes service. In the near future, even faster speeds will be available as they develop their multi-gig portfolio.  

“By moving over to full fibre now, you’ll supercharge your connection – with higher speeds, a lower price, and you’ll be ready for the next generation of gigabyte broadband that’s just around the corner. It’s a no-brainer.” 

OctaPlus broadband is available across the Harrogate district. To find out if you can supercharge your connection, visit the OctaPlus website. 

Two Harrogate mums have launched parent and child classes to combat the impact of covid on local education.

Fiona Cunningham, who teaches at Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery, and Charlotte Davison, who teaches at Grove Road Community Primary School, felt the pandemic stunted young childrens’ speech and language development, as well as “overall school readiness”.

Early Explorer classes will offer sensory story time sessions improve communication and speech skills ahead of starting school.

Ms Cunningham said:

“Having had children of our own we are hoping to provide something we felt was missing in this area.

“As passionate teachers and mums, we noticed the impact that covid had on children’s development in terms of speech and language. We wanted to use our teaching skills and experience to support families and children in the area to inspire a love of learning through sensory stories and experiences.”

Read more:

• Angry parents say closure of Lofthouse school will ‘rip heart out of community’
• Harrogate district school unable to find new teacher for five years

The pair hope the classes will help children better understand narratives, increase vocabulary and cognitive development.

Ms Cunningham added:

“In our classes, stories come to life through a symphony of sights, sounds, textures and scents.

“Through carefully curated tales, interactive props, soothing music and tactile elements, children will embark on a journey of exploration and imagination.”

Once established, Ms Cunningham and Ms Davison hope to offer maths and writing classes too.

“We are so excited to be starting this new project and have enjoyed meeting our first Early Explorers in the recent weeks and can’t wait to welcome even more of you to our sensory story time classes!”

Early Explorers will be held at Staveley & Copgrove Village Hall on Monday mornings, and at Killinghall Village Hall on Friday mornings.

The classes are suitable for parents with babies and children up to the age of 4. Prices start at £9.