A big screen and live music will be on offer when Harrogate BID celebrates the coronation next month.
The BID is putting on the event in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa, and is inviting families and groups of friends to join in.
People can bring picnic blankets and deckchairs to watch the coronation of King Charles III on the screen on Saturday, May 6, as well as the run-up to the ceremony. There will also be entertainment and the chance to win prizes.
The celebrations continue on Sunday, May 7, when DJ Mark Green will provide the music. Food and drink will be available to buy from the hotel throughout the weekend.
BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“We are delighted to be hosting this event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa. The coronation will be a joyous occasion – it gives people the chance to come together and enjoy some fun, whilst celebrating.
“The hotel is the perfect venue for the event, with plenty of room in the grounds for local residents to watch the official proceedings on a huge screen, with a great atmosphere to boot.”
The event is expected to open at noon on both days, and full details of timings will be announced once details of the coronation have been released by Buckingham Palace. Attendance is free and there is no need to book.
Destination Harrogate has already announced it will hold three days of celebrations for the coronation in the Valley Gardens.
Plans are also being put in place for big screens and other events in Knaresborough and Ripon, as well as community celebrations across the Harrogate district.
The Stray Ferret will be reporting on how our communities are celebrating the coronation in the run-up to and during the bank holiday weekend. Make sure your event is included by sending us an email with the details.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to host three-day coronation celebration
- Coronation Competition: A crown fit for the King
Designer kitchen showroom opens in Harrogate
A new kitchen showroom has opened in Harrogate.
Designer Kitchen Direct, which is based in Sheffield, has opened the outlet on Ripon Road.
The company was founded by Mary Major and Dawn Raynor seven years ago and has since expanded to four showrooms and a manufacturing facility in the north east.
It also has showrooms in Staffordshire, Newton Aycliffe and Sheffield.
Gareth Wiseman, a director at Designer Kitchen Direct, said:
“Harrogate was an obvious choice to the directors for a new showroom as Harrogate is a beautiful popular location for retail.
“We chose the location on Ripon Road. It’s a unique spot and building with character with free parking outside.”
A display in the Harrogate showroom.
The showroom will include six displays over two floors.
The Harrogate site will be open seven days a week from 9am until 5pm.
You can find out more here.
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- Ofsted praise for Harrogate training centre’s new salon-based approach
- ‘Broken’ system prompts closure of Harrogate hair and beauty training school
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Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider celebrates 10th anniversary
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate dementia care provider is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Vida Healthcare was set up in 2013 and now employs 550 staff and cares for 230 residents across its care homes.
The company currently has homes in Starbeck, Pannal and Harlow Carr.
As part of the milestone, Vida held an awards ceremony and tea party for its staff.
James Rycroft, managing director of Vida Healthcare, said:
“My father and I established Vida to transform the care available to people living with dementia. It was clear at the time that many traditional residential care homes simply didn’t have the resources or expertise to fully support their residents who were living with dementia.
“We set about challenging perceptions and practices in dementia care, with an emphasis on reducing the use of medications and instead providing bespoke environments and alternative therapies. I’m extremely proud of how far Vida has come since we opened the doors to our first care home back in 2013.“
Pictured above left to right: Chris Rycroft, chairman, Bernadette Mossman, healthcare director, Jillian Young, operations director and James Rycroft, managing director at Vida Healthcare.
Harrogate law firm hosts networking event
A Harrogate solicitors is set to hold a free networking event next month.
Ison Harrison Solicitors will host the session at West Park Hotel on Thursday, May 4.
It will be held from 4.30pm until 6.30pm.
The event will include a quiz, networking session and fundraising for charity Harrogate Neighbours.
For more information and to register for a place, visit the EventBrite page here.
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Knaresborough pest control company appoints new chief
- Business Breakfast: Masham brewery partners with donor milk charity
Tim Stedman to star in Harrogate Theatre panto again
Panto legend Tim Stedman will return to Harrogate for the 23rd time this Christmas.
Harrogate Theatre announced today Mr Stedman will play Idle Jack in Dick Whittington.
The production will run from November 22 to January 14. Tickets are already on sale.
Mr Stedman’s first appearance at the Victorian theatre on Oxford Street was in Sleeping Beauty in 2000. Since then he has become a huge favourite.
A Harrogate Theatre spokesperson said:
“Stay tuned as we release more information on the cast and creative team throughout the year.”
The spokesperson added this year’s production would be “packed with sparkle, silliness, and side-splitting jokes”.
You can book online here or via the box office on 01423502116.
Read more:
- Panto legend Tim Stedman brings Christmas magic to Harrogate again
- Christmas market on Harrogate’s Montpellier Hill bids to return this year
Dales Bus summer service to return this weekend
The Dales Bus summer service will begin its season this weekend.
The bus company provides access into and around the Yorkshire Dales on a not-for-profit basis.
It operates on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays throughout summer until October.
The 74 service from York Railway Station, which goes through Knaresborough and Harrogate and onto Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Burnsall and Grassington, starts on Saturday.
Another Saturday route, the 59, will help people travel from Harrogate to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton.
The 875 will depart from York every Sunday and Bank Holiday, starting this Easter weekend.
This year, an additional Sunday and bank holiday service – the 876 – will run from York to Leeds, Otley, Ilkley and Grassington, with onward connections to Upper Wharfedale and Hawes.
The national £2 single bus fare cap, which has been extended until June 30, will apply to Dales Bus services.
Find more information on services and timetables here.
Motorcyclist seriously injured in crash in Harrogate districtA man has been seriously injured in a crash in a village on the edge of the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information about the collision on the B6161 Leathley Lane near Leathley on Sunday (April 2).
It happened at around midday and involved a red motorcycle and green agricultural tractor.
The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A police statement added:
“Officers are asking anyone who saw the collision, or the vehicles involved prior to the collision – or has relevant dashcam footage – to get in touch.
“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12230058477.”
Read more:
- Police: All lines exhausted into missing man last seen on A61 near Harewood Bridge
- Harrogate crime hotspot gets £6,000 railings to prevent loitering
- Beckwithshaw man found guilty of attempted murder
Harrogate office issues urgent plea for help to save stranded pigeon
A shared office space in Harrogate has issued an urgent plea for help after an injured pigeon was found in the building this morning.
Staff at Community House on East Parade discovered the young bird hiding behind a box in reception this morning.
They turned a cardboard box into a makeshift home and are attempting to keep it alive while help is found.
Karen Weaver, strategic lead at Harrogate and District Community Action, which is based in the building and has responsibility for it, said:
“We’re keeping it hydrated but it’s not keen to eat so far. So if any one can offer it a good home and more expert knowledge than we have here we’d love to hear from them ASAP.”
Staff at Community House, which has 30 serviced offices, believe the pigeon was dislodged when the building’s gutters were cleaned yesterday.
https://twitter.com/KarenWeaver2020/status/1643572483977629696
They think the bird is too young to fly and contacted animal welfare charity the RSPCA but it was unable to help.
Ms Weaver said:
“We need someone to give it some TLC, help it feed and drink, hopefully survive and thrive and then fly off.
“We’ve got interest from the teenage daughter of one of our team but mum would be happy for it to be rehomed elsewhere if we can find someone willing this afternoon.
“We get lots of requests for help here at Community House but we’ve not had one from a homeless bird before!”
Community House reception can be contacted on 01423503700.
Read more:
- Ex-soldier to walk 104km in a day for homelessness charity
- Harrogate BID to launch campaign for second term
Birstwith artist Clare Granger becomes High Sheriff of North Yorkshire
High Birstwith artist Clare Granger has become the first High Sheriff of North Yorkshire to be appointed by King Charles III.
Ms Granger succeeded James Lambert at a ceremony at York Crown Court this week in the presence of the deputy lieutenant, Philip Ingham, Lady Justice King and Sean Morris, the Recorder of York.
High sheriffs represent the monarch in matters relating to law and order whereas lord-lieutenants are the sovereign’s personal and military representatives.
Ms Granger will seek to raise awareness of the value of the arts in the areas of mental health and the criminal justice system.
In her declaration speech, she said:
“We are all aware how many people are suffering with their mental health particularly following the pandemic. The arts have a huge role to play in helping people to find a way of coping.”
Clare Granger (left) and Lady Justice King
Ms Granger qualified as a solicitor and worked in York before changing career to become a professional artist. She trained in Florence and has been represented by a London gallery for 20 years.
She is also a school governor, a champion of IDAS, the domestic violence charity and a patron of Henshaws, a charity which supports people with disabilities.
She said:
“I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to this role and I look forward enormously to meeting, thanking and supporting, where I can, the judiciary, those who work in the emergency services and the wonderful volunteers who are working so hard in our county.”
Main photo shows (left to right), Simon Hickey, Edward Granger, Mark Granger, Clare Granger, Lady Justice King, Philip Ingham, James Lambert, Peter Worth and Sean Morris, Recorder of York
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Beckwithshaw man found guilty of attempted murder
A man has been found guilty of attempted murder in Beckwithshaw.
The accused, who is in his 40s, denied attempting to murder both children, one of whom had his throat slit, on June 20 last year.
A jury at Leeds Crown Court returned a guilty verdict this morning.
The man was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 16.
The trial heard prosecuting barrister Robert Stevenson say the man slit the boy’s throat with a 10-inch serrated knife during the incident in June last year.
He told the boy “this needs to happen”, the court heard.
Neither of the children can be named for legal reasons.
The defence told the court that the man had paranoia and deteriorating mental health.
He initially admitted wounding the boy with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and attempting to cause the girl serious harm but denied two counts of attempted murder.
Read more:
- Harrogate woman jailed for 10 weeks
- Harrogate crime hotspot gets £6,000 railings to prevent loitering
- Beckwithshaw attempted murder accused told boy ‘this needs to happen’
Ping pong parlour returns to Harrogate
A ping pong parlour has returned to Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre.
The attraction, which was set up by Harrogate Business Improvement District, will be open for seven days a week during retail hours.
It includes four table tennis tables and bats and balls are provided.
The BID is funding the free initiative as part of its mission to encourage people to visit town centre shops.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“This is ever popular with workers and students alike and evidentially brings people into town. It is open until mid-July before it will take a short break for the Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebrations’ immersive exhibition. It will then return and run through to the autumn.
“Table tennis is a great sport, and anyone can play it, no matter how young or how old. This parlour is for the public to use, free of charge. All we ask is that if there are a lot of people wanting to play, then please be sensible and don’t hog the tables too long. Give others a chance.”
The BID is encouraging people to come along and take part and there will be a monthly competition for those who ‘check in’ through a QR code to win a £50 Harrogate Gift Card.
Read more:
- New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID
- Harrogate firms prepare to vote on whether to continue funding business group