While Easter egg hunts in the garden and eating chocolate eggs are always a nice way to spend the bank holiday weekend, your children may require something more to burn off the sugar rush.

From bunnies and forests, to dragons and the Mad Hatter, we have collated a list of eight Easter-themed activities taking place in the Harrogate district over the holidays that will keep you and your children hopping.

Free craft workshop at Fountains Abbey

If your child is looking to get creative, an Easter craft workshop could be for them.

Swanley Grange, at Fountains Abbey, is hosting a free workshop where you and your children can make your very own sheep badge.

The workshops will be held daily from 11am – 3pm, until Sunday April 16.

All ages are welcome. The event is free, but normal admission prices to Fountains Abbey apply.

Family tickets start at £27.

Find more information on the National Trust website.

Make decorations for free

Ripon charity, Jennyruth Workshops, is inviting visitors to Fountains Abbey to join them in creating an Easter decoration.

Jennyruth provides adults with learning disabilities with a variety of valuable skills, including crafts.

The workshop is free and welcomes families to drop in for some seasonal fun.

Join them at Swanley Grange on Wednesday April 12, from 11.30am – 2.30pm.

The event is free, but normal abbey admission charges apply.

Children’s entry starts at £9.

Click here for more information.

Mad Hatter & Friends Tea Party

If your children fancy a taste of wonderland this Easter, Rascal Entertainment’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is a good option.

The event will take place at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate on Good Friday.

Children can expect cookie decorating, on-stage entertainment, face painting and a visit from the Easter bunny – all under the same roof as the Hatter himself.

Family tickets start at £47.

The tea party will run from 12pm – 2pm.

Find more information here.

Mother Shipton’s Easter Bunny Tipi Trail

Mother Shipton’s Easter Bunny Tipi Trail is a place where “every bunny’s welcome”

Children are invited to follow the clues, peep inside the bunny houses and even discover giant eggs.

The trail will also include Easter stories, told by a storyteller, as well as the chance to plant spring seeds.

The trail will run every day until Sunday April 16, from 10am to 5.30pm.

Dogs on leads are welcome everywhere, except for the playground.

Admission prices can be found here.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park: The Dragon Egg Quest

For those hoping for a mythical Easter, The Dragon Egg Quest at the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park in Ripon may be a good option.

Children are invited to help storyteller, Dragonella, find a dragon’s egg hidden somewhere in the Himalayan Garden.

The activity will weave a tour of the gardens with some mystical Easter fun.

The quest is suitable for children ages 4 to 10 – children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets cost £10.

Adventure walks at RHS Harlow Carr

Whether your children need to let off a little more steam, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, the adventure walks could be a good solution for all the family.

Families can immerse themselves in a guided walk of the grounds of the RHS site, accompanied by the Garden Detectives.

The activity is included in garden admission and is suitable for ages 3+.

The walk will take place on Tuesday April 11 at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Click here for more information.

The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt

The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt is a family-friendly way to keep your little bunnies hoppy this Easter.

Ceramic bunnies are hidden in local business around the town centre for you to find.

Families purchase a map to find the bunnies for £3 and all profits go to Lauren Doherty Road Safety talks, New Beginnings and The Memory Lane Café, Knaresborough.

Bunny-finders can expect a sweet prize in return, as well as an entry to win a £50 voucher for event organiser, Painting Pots.

The event will run daily until April 16 and maps can be purchased from Painting Pots.

Find more information on social media.

Birchfield: Easter at the Farm

Birchfield Farm’s Easter at the Farm activities could be a good way to entertain your little lambs.

Children can expect lamb feeding, an Easter trail, and a bouncy castle.

The Easter bunny will also be making an appearance over the bank holiday weekend.

Farmer Tom will be offering farm rides to visit the outside animals, including newly hatched chicks and ducklings.

The family-friendly farm will be offering seasonal activities until April 16, from 10am to 4pm.

Prices start from £6.95.

Find more information here.

A key witness in Donald Trump’s court case used to run a media company in Harrogate.

David Pecker was chief executive of American Media Inc in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential elections. Court documents say he agreed to be the “eyes and ears” for the Trump campaign to prevent negative stories.

AMI owned the tabloid National Enquirer and was at the heart of the ‘catch and kill’ policy in which it paid hush money to bury stories to protect the former president. Trump is alleged to have falsified accounts when paying back the money.

Adult entertainer Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both claim to have had affairs with Mr Trump, received payments.

AMI acquired Weider Publications, an international fitness and bodybuilding media company with offices at Windsor Court in Harrogate, in 2003.

The Harrogate business, which was run by an American, employed about 30 people and published European and Australian editions of the market-leading magazines Muscle&Fitness and Flex. It also ran a mail order business.

Mr Pecker kept a close eye on developments in Harrogate and often summoned staff from the town to America for business meetings.

He authorised the decision to close the Harrogate office in 2015 and sent a message to staff thanking them on their final day. The building, in the shadow of Windsor House, was later converted to flats.

Windsor Court has been converted from offices to flats.

Despite being a major player in US media circles, Mr Pecker keeps a low media profile so his testimony is eagerly anticipated.

Ryan Goodman, a former special counsel at the Department of Defense, tweeted this week that “David Pecker is going to be a star witness”.

Trump is alleged to have falsified records “to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election”.

He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records and claims Judge Juan Merchan “hates” him.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Windsor House gets new co-working space and cafe
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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

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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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.

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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

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.

A 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.”

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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.

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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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