Harrogate Borough Council staff should receive a minimum £2,000 salary increase, according to trade unions.

Unison, GMB and Unite today formally lodged the 2022/23 pay claim for local government workers.

The claim also called for a covid recognition payment, a national minimum agreement on homeworking policies for all councils, the introduction of a home working allowance and a reduction in the working week to 35 hours.

It is the start of a negotiation process with the Local Government Association, the national membership body for local authorities. The claim is for all council workers in England and Wales.

David Houlgate, secretary of the Harrogate local government branch of Unison, said council employees had seen their pay reduced by 27% in real terms over the last decade.

He added:

“Councils can’t get staff and they can’t keep staff because of pay. They need to wake up and smell the coffee.

“It is impacting services, such as swimming pools being open for reduced hours, bins not being collected as often, streets not being cleaned and streetlights not being fixed.

“I’ve worked for the local council for 25 years and I’ve never known it to be as bad as this.”

Read more:

• Woodfield school closure ‘an absolute disgrace’, says union
• North Yorkshire fire service ‘struggling to buy the basics’, says union

Mr Houlgate said staff morale was poor and the looming abolition of Harrogate Borough Council had created extra uncertainty but the key issue was pay and recruitment. He added:

“If local councils can’t be competitive with other employers we are not going to overcome the recruitment problem.”

Responding to the unions’ claims, Cllr Sian Timoney, chair of the National Employers at the Local Government Association, said:

“We will be consulting with councils during June to seek their views which will inform the National Employers’ response to the unions.

“Local government continues to face significant financial challenges, which became more acute during the pandemic, having lost more than £15 billion in government funding since 2010.

“As well as rising inflation, cost of living, energy and fuel prices, the forecast increases to the National Living Wage also presents a significant cost to local government that will put further pressure on council budgets.”

North Yorkshire Police want help to identify a man seen climbing on top of a red car in Harrogate causing damage to its bodywork.

The incident took place on Skipton Road on Thursday, May 19 at around 11.35am when the man, who is described as skinny, aged 22 and with brown hair, managed to get on the car’s roof.

He was wearing a navy blue short-sleeved shirt, orange shorts and black trainers.

A second man was also at the scene and is described as skinny, around 20 years old and with blond hair.

He was wearing a red shirt, black Adidas trousers with white stripes down the sides, and white trainers.

If you recognise either man pictured in the CCTV or can provide any other information about the incident, email geeta.maharjan@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, press option two and ask for Geeta Maharjan.

Read More:

• Harrogate man gives garden a Ukraine-themed makeover
• How the Harrogate district celebrated the jubilee

Harrogate man Paul Ivison has given his landmark garden a Ukraine-themed makeover to raise money for the Disaster Emergency Fund.

Mr Ivison has lived in his house on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace for over 15 years and likes to decorate his garden with different themes.

When the Stray Ferret visited last summer, he had created a loud and proud mental health-themed garden to raise money for Mind.

For winter, he created a ‘Toytropolis’ with toys to make children and their parents smile.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s ‘Toytropolis’ garden bringing smiles to children’s faces
• Harrogate man says ‘outrageous, camp and wild’ garden saved his life

This time he wants to support the humanitarian effort in Ukraine and also pay tribute to Poland for housing two million refugees.

During the 1990s, Mr Ivison was the manager of LGBT magazine, Now UK, and he is also displaying photos he took of celebrities including Graham Norton, Lily Savage and Ian McKellen.

The garden is open to visitors seven days a week and all of the toys are for sale. It’s been sponsored by the sweets supplier Maltese Connections. Some pictures are below:

To donate to his fundraiser visit here.

From street parties to concerts, the Harrogate district celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee in style this past week.

Across the district people draped themselves and their neighbourhoods in red, white and blue as part of the four-day bank holiday weekend.

In Harrogate, a jubilee square was set up just for the occasion while Ripon had a feast of celebrations in the market square.

Read More:

• New horn is the jewel in the crown of Ripon’s royal celebrations
• Your memories of how the district celebrated the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977

Masham featured a parade of floats and fancy dress, and Knaresborough had an array of events to mark the jubilee.

The Stray Ferret was out every day capturing the celebrations and you can watch our montage of how the district celebrated the jubilee below.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has said he will vote against Prime Minister Boris Johnson in tonight’s confidence vote.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench MPs, confirmed this morning that a ballot will be held at 6pm today.

The move comes as the threshold of 15% of the parliamentary Conservative party seeking a vote of confidence in Mr Johnson was met. He will need the support of 180 MPs this evening to remain as PM.

In a statement published in various media outlets, the MP said he will not be supporting the PM due to the partygate scandal.

The MP said he has received emails from “hundreds of people” in Harrogate and Knaresborough, with most of them calling for the PM to resign.

The statement said:

“There were many harrowing stories in those emails where people couldn’t visit elderly relatives or mourn them at their funerals. These were people following the rules the Prime Minister set and championed.”

The Stray Ferret has asked Mr Jones for a copy of the statement but we did not receive a response.

The statement in full is below:

Credit – Yorkshire Post

Read more:

• MPs watch: ‘anger’ over partygate and Northern Ireland politics
• Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones MP named as Tory ‘rebel’

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert a former Lloyds pharmacy in Starbeck into an Italian kitchen and takeaway.

Under the plans, the site would be refurbished to include an Italian trattoria on the ground floor and two apartments above.

SSA Architects tabled the proposal on behalf of the developer for the site on Starbeck High Street.

It said that the kitchen would provide employment for between five to eight people.

Read more:

• Bilton Working Men’s Club decides on new name
• Key planning document delayed for west Harrogate residents facing 4,000 new homes
• Harrogate Spring Water to submit new plans to expand bottling plant soon

The kitchen would be open from 12pm until 12am, according to the proposal.

Meanwhile, both flats proposed as part of the development would be one bedroom.

The developer said in its application:

“The proposal looks to rejuvenate the plot by refurbishing the existing structure within the setting.

“Within this outlined development, the design aims to create an inviting setting for the new residents, and customers for the takeaway business.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm, Truth Legal. 

Posh Paws pet shop celebrates 10th anniversary  

Posh Paws pet shop in Harrogate is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its opening.  

Brother and sister Ben and Michaela opened the shop in April 2012, offering a unique personal shopping service for its customers.  

The shop sells products for cats, dogs and other small pets, specialising in enrichment toys and natural treats as well as offering health and wellbeing advice for pet owners.  

When asked how she was feeling about the shop’s 10th anniversary, co-owner Michaela said:  

“I am excited and shocked, especially after working through Covid. 

“I would just like to say thank you to all of our customers, past and present, who have supported us.” 

To celebrate the 10-year milestone, Posh Paws sponsored the jubilee dog shows held over the bank holiday weekend. The winners of the competition were awarded with vouchers for the shop.  

 Read more: 

• Pet shop misses out on puppy boom during lockdown
• Harrogate chamber announces all-female line-up for June meeting

Women’s networking event

Business Ladies around Harrogate (BLAH) is hosting a networking event on June 10th exclusively for women.  

The event will focus on social media advertising and will be held at restaurant William & Victoria in Harrogate.  

Guest speaker Rachel Hatfield from Shoo Social Media, will run the one hour workshop followed by an informal networking lunch.  

BLAH aims to create an inclusive and friendly environment for business women in the Harrogate district that differs from traditional networking events.  

The organisation offers monthly events on a number of different topics, including sales, marketing strategy and personal development.  

Event manager, Fiona MacPherson said:  

“When I set up my own business 13 years ago, I found attending networking events daunting, especially the larger networking groups which were very prescriptive. 

“BLAH was a refreshing group of female business owners, who wanted to share their experiences and provide support / collaborate with each other.” 

BLAH became a non-profit organisation in 2012 and is now run by volunteers, with the aim of organising low cost and accessible workshops.

This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.

A feast of street parties is set to bring the jubilee weekend to a close. We will be praying for fine weather and covering the festivities in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, as well as the villages in between.

Our reporters will be out and about but please let us know what’s happening where you are and send us pictures so we can add them to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.35pm: Jubilee reunion for sisters of 1977

Three sisters who celebrated the 1977 silver jubilee waving flags did the same thing today on the same street where they grew up.

Their parents, David and Nelda, are one of two original families still living on Carr Close in Ripon.  The couple, aged 82, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this year.

They bought the house new in 1973 and all three daughters live around the corner.

That seems like a fitting way to end our four days of live jubilee coverage. We hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for all your photos of beacons, street parties, pig races and everything else.

We will publish a jubilee photo gallery tomorrow.

4.46pm: Ripon rotary clubs unite

The family day provided a meeting point for friends from the Rotary Club of Ripon and Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, whose charity work can be seen all over the city. They were joined by major Ripon benefactor Michael Abrahams (left).

He is pictured with, from the left: Peter Race (Rotary Club of Ripon) Josie Suddards (Inner Wheel of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels) Janet Race, Jenny Moss and Audrey Long (all members of the Inner Wheel of Ripon Rotary Club) and, front David Suddards of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, which gave platinum jubilee pennies to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in Ripon and neighbouring villages.

After such a busy week for event stewards Elaine Reed (pictured left) and Cat Midgley, you might have expected them to be flagging, but there were smiles from them right until the end of four fantastic days that underlined Ripon’s status as one on the most royal and loyal places in the land.

3.55pm: Ripon’s big weekend draws to a close

Ripon’s packed programme of jubilee events is coming to an end. Our city-based reporter Tim has been at the heart of things for the last four days.

It was a day for both waving and wearing the flag, as the curtain came down on Ripon’s platinum jubilee celebrations with the focus on families, as epitomised by the fact that great grandmother Hazel Barker, of event organiser The Ripon Community Poppy Project had four generations of her family present, including grandson Martin Wright and great grandchildren Evie (aged 6) and cousins Alana and Imogen aged 5.

For Martin, it was an opportunity to dress to impress, with his Union Jack jacket, trousers and hat.

Ensuring that activities went off safely, was Andy Langford (pictured left) the safety manager overseeing four days of revelry in Ripon Market Square and this afternoon’s family day in Spa Park. He is pictured with Stuart Martin of Ripon Community Poppy Project, who told the Stray Ferret:

“The city-wide celebrations have been amazing and Ripon has done Her Majesty proud.”

3.05pm: Neighbours sing along to Sweet Caroline

This is what it’s all about… dancing in the street with neighbours to Sweet Caroline.

Almost 100 people from Carr Close in Ripon and invited guests got together this afternoon after resident Jennifer Spurgeon applied to close the street.

The gathering included a couple from Australia, who are friends with people who live on Carr Close.

June Wren, 91, wore a hat her mother made for the coronation in 1953.

There was a Queen’s pudding tent, line dancing and badminton.

2.40pm: Maypole fun in Burton Leonard

2.15pm: Band starts family fun in Ripon’s Spa Park 

The Ripon City Band kicked off Spa Park’s Platinum Jubilee family day with an ABBA medley..

1.40pm: Huby gets in the swing

There’s a fabulous party going on in Strait Lane, Huby. Below are some images we’ve been sent.

Send us pics of your jubilee events today and we will include then in our blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

1.25pm: Street parties underway!

Valerie Sanderson, 99, was invited to cut the ribbon this afternoon to start the street party in Almsford Oval, Harrogate.

The street is having a bake-off at 3pm organised by resident Karen Loughran.

Here’s a video and some images of the party.

Jake Crossfield who is 3 years old sent the Queen a letter and drew a picture of her majesty on it to tell her the street was having a party. She wrote back to thank him and wished him a lovely time!

Jean Whinnett who organised making the banner with her husband Alan said:

“We wanted to include all the children in the street – around 20 children were involved. The youngest was 6 months! We have an amazing community here. Everybody takes part”

1.02pm: Ripon Spa Park hosts family afternoon

From 2pm to 5pm today, Ripon Spa Park will be the main focus of the city’s final jubilee celebrations. The family day includes an afternoon tea along with music and children’s entertainment, including face painting, jubilee crafts and a treasure hunt led by Ripon Community Poppy Project. Members of Ripon City Band will performing its version of Last Night at the Proms.

12.32pm: Spitfire flypast at Newby Hall cancelled

Bad news – the weather has put paid to today’s Spitfire flypast at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, near Boroughbridge.

@thestrayferret @your_harrogate @HgateAdvertiser @yorkshirepost Unfortunately bad weather in the South means no Spitfire flypast over the show today. Still lots of tractors and engines to enjoy though on our final day! #ripon @visitripon #yorkshire #tractor #tractors

— Tractor Fest (@thetractorfest) June 5, 2022

12.23pm: Picnic on the Stray in Harrogate

A picnic has just got underway on the Stray. Later in the day it will broadcast the films Encanto and The Greatest Showman on the big screens at 3pm and 5pm respectively.

Here’s a pic from last night’s big screen broadcast of the jubilee party at Buckingham Palace.

11.41am: Thunderstorm weather warning removed!

The weather forecast continues to inch in the right direction. The yellow weather warming for thunderstorms in the Harrogate district has been removed and the maximum temperature forecast has crept up to, er, 14 degrees centigrade!

Good news!

The yellow thunderstorm warning that just crept in to our district for today has been cancelled. While we may still see rain there are currently no weather warnings in force for the HBC area and the flood risk is very low.

Have a grand Sunday. pic.twitter.com/BzUb9SeTXl

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) June 5, 2022

11.26am: Free electric buses today

The electric service on the 2A, 2B, 3 and 6 are free today as part of a joint initiative between the Harrogate Bus Company and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

⚡️ Ride the #JubileeFreeway – all buses on #HarrogateElectrics 2A/2B, 3 & 6 will be FREE right through the Jubilee Weekend from Thu 2nd until Sun 5th June!

🎉 Get to all the big celebrations in town, and back, with us – for FREE!

🙌 Supported by Harrogate BID

🇬🇧👑🇬🇧👑🇬🇧👑🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/CHag6wfiXc

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) June 5, 2022

10.20am: 3,000 people party in Ripon as new horn handed over

Ripon’s impressive bank holiday celebrations continued yesterday when about 3,000 people attended the Market Square celebrations, which included 12 hours of live music.

Last night also saw the new ceremonial horn handed over. You can read more here.

9.47am: 500 people expected at Bishop Monkton street party 

Bishop Monkton is preparing to stage one of the biggest street parties in the Harrogate district today. The throne which will transport the village Queen at the head of a ‘seven decades’ fancy dress parade is ready and the village is expecting to have an even bigger event than the last jubilee in 2012 with almost 500 people, about two thirds of the population, booked to attend.

9.27am: Free entertainment for kids about to start in Valley Gardens

It’s your last chance to catch the runaway train, bungee jump on trampolines and enjoy numerous other rides for children. There will also be magicians, a choir, juggling and face painting.

9.22am: Weather forecast improves!

We’ve had three days of mainly pleasant jubilee weather. Today’s forecast has looked a bit iffy for a while and although you’re unlikely to need your sun cream, with temperatures struggling to get above 14 degrees centigrade in Harrogate, the threat of rain has receded sightly.

It was due to rain from about midday but according to the latest update from the BBC, it might hold off until this evening. There’s also the small matter of a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in place, but let’s not worry about that just yet.

9.15am: Where the Stray Ferret reporters will be today

Tim will be covering events in Ripon.

John will be in and around Harrogate.

Tamsin will be covering events across the district.

Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to begin legal moves to evict Travellers on the Stray tomorrow.

Six caravans and several cars arrived on the Oatlands section of the Stray yesterday.

Three days earlier Travellers also parked on the old rugby field at Knaresborough.

The council, which is the legal protector of the Stray, has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s request for information about what action it is taking.

But Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, said the council had informed her that is is “aware and prepared to serve papers on Monday if required with a court hearing already scheduled for Thursday. Unfortunately due to the legal process, this is the fastest we can progress the situation.”

It is thought the Travellers are on their way to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, which begins on Thursday.

Read more:

• Travellers arrive on Harrogate’s Stray
• JUBILEE LIVE: Harrogate district set for street parties

Ms d’Arcy Thompson said the council had informed her that its street cleaning team was “prepared to check the area and clear any waste left behind”.

She added the council appeared to be doing everything it could to resolve the situation, adding:

“With experience of similar events in the past we appreciate the complexity of the legal process.

“We naturally hope that they respect our Stray and that the minimum of mess and damage is left behind when they depart.”

The Stray Defence Association was founded in 1933 to safeguard the Stray against building and encroachment.

This article is sponsored by Boundless Networks

The four-day celebration of the Queen’s 70-year-reign is underway.

We have compiled a What’s On diary of events for the Harrogate district across those four days. Please send us details of your event for the extended jubilee weekend holiday so we can add it in.

Harrogate

Civic Celebration: 

Part of the Stray will be transformed into Jubilee Square. It will include a large stage and a big screen for the bank holiday.

Thursday: The big screen will be showing the Trooping of the Colour, The Queen’s birthday parade and the RAF flypast. Harrogate Spa Town Ukes will be performing, along with the big school sing, Freddie Cleary and band, Undercovered.

Friday: There will be a jubilee dog show, the Harrogate mastermind quiz, and live music from Ben & George. The big screen will also be playing the Service of Thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Saturday: A wellbeing morning has been organised, along with a second Harrogate mastermind quiz. The big screen will stream The Derby at Epsom Downs and the platinum party at the palace.

Sunday: There will be a jubilee picnic with DJ Mark Green, and the big screen will be showing films Encanto and The Greatest Showman throughout the day.

The town centre will be adorned with 4km of bunting and there will be street entertainers performing across the four days.

Valley Gardens will host a free family festival, which will feature jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. For a full timetable of events in Valley Gardens click here.

Little Bird Artisan Market  

Friday to Sunday: Little Bird Artisan Markets will be hosting an artisan market in Valley Gardens

The market holds stalls with an array of traders who sell baked goods, food, drink, arts, and crafts.

Palm Court Café Afternoon Tea

Friday and Saturday: Yorkshire Appetite have organised a guided walk and afternoon tea at 3pm.

The walk will include a short stroll through Harrogate central led by a local guide, keeping to the themes of the monarchy.

An afternoon tea will be held after in the Palm Court Café.

Tickets are £22.50 per person and can be booked here.

Cedar Court Hotel Tea Parties

Friday: Cedar Court Hotel is holding a Garden Tipi Jubilee Afternoon.

Priced at £16.00 per head the tea menu is extensive. For tickets book here.

Harrogate Street Parties

Currently, there are twelve officially planned street parties being held by the residents of Harrogate.

Rudding Park: 

Thursday to Saturday: Deer House Family pub at Rudding Holiday Park will be hosting a series of events such as a Jubilee disco and tea party. For more information click here.

Harrogate Library: 

Tuesday: Harrogate library is hosting the Twixt t’Covers regional event, where five special guests will discuss their favourite books from The Big Jubilee booklist. It will be livestreamed to audiences across the nation from 7:30pm to 9pm.

The 70 books, made up of 10 books from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will be available to borrow from Harrogate library. 

Oatlands Community Centre: 

Thursday: Oatlands Community Centre are hosting jubilee crafts for children from 10-12am. There will also be the chance to learn about Oatlands’ industrial heritage, view the centre’s ceramic mural design and sign up for a free clay workshop.

Live music at Harlow Carr: 

RHS Garden Harlow Carr are hosting a series of live music performances on each afternoon of the bank holiday weekend. The groups playing are:

Thursday: Take 2 Big Band

Friday: New Horizons Dance Band 

Saturday: Barnsley Brass 

Sunday: Chris Irvin Concert Orchestra

Knaresborough

Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee Committee has planned a celebration and entertainment programme. Flags, bunting and shop window decorations are already up. There will be a children’s shop window trail around the town. 

Thursday to Saturday: A community history display will be open in Knaresborough House from 10am to 4.30 pm daily. Admission is free.

Thursday: Knaresborough Flower Club will be decorating the Market Cross in the Market Place for the Platinum Jubilee.

At 9pm, along with more than 1,500 locations across the UK, the Mayor of Knaresborough will light a beacon on the castle top. All are welcome.

Friday: There will be a tea dance from 2pm to 4pm at the Knaresborough Community Centre, Stockwell Avenue. It is a free event, but people are asked to register their interest in attending. Tel. 01423 862702 

Saturday: There will be an artisan market in the morning, followed by an afternoon garden party and performances at Knaresborough House. Musicians and entertainers are booked for the free garden event with people encouraged to dress up in 1950’s attire.

From 10-11 am, there will be a children’s flag-making workshop at Gracious Street Methodist Church. The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop. 

At 11am there will be a flag procession from the Market Place led by the Town Crier to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party which opens at 12 Noon.

There will be a dog show. Entries are taken from 11am at the show ring. Entry £1 per class. Proceeds for Ukraine animal charities.

The approximate times are 12pm Best Rescue, 12.45pm Prettiest Bitch, 1.30pm Most Handsome Male, 2.15pm Waggiest tail and 3pm Fancy Dress.

Visitors can bring their own picnics, but a range of food and drink stalls will be available.

In St John’s Church, a specially commissioned film from Yorkshire Archives, looking at the Queen’s reign in Yorkshire and the Northeast, will be on a rolling programme with free entry.

In the Knaresborough House gardens entertainment will be provided by, The Hummingbirds, Roundel Pop group, Meadowside School Choir, Knaresborough Youth Theatre, Studio 3 and a traditional Indian Dancer. Knaresborough Silver Band will provide a fitting end to the day with music from the Last Night of the Proms.

Sunday: Christians Together in Knaresborough invite everyone to a Jubilee Celebration Service of worship at 10.30am in St John’s Church. Share with all the churches in the town as they come together to give thanks to for the Queen’s reign. 

Sunday afternoon is reserved for individually arranged street parties.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has announced a fancy dress competition. Get into the spirit of things with your best 1950’s outfits and you could win £50 (and some free publicity for your business or group if appropriate). Upload a photo of yourself or your team in your best 1950’s or Jubilee themed outfit. Use the hashtag #knaresboroughjubileedressup

See https://knaresboroughchamber.org for more details and terms. 

Ripon

Ripon City centre will be adorned with banners knitted by Ripon Community Poppy Project.

Ripon’s Civic Celebrations

Thursday to Saturday:  The focus of festivities will be on Market Square where there’ll be musical entertainment alongside free fairground rides. The entertainment will run from 11am -11.30pm

To accommodate the crowds, road closures will be in place on Market Place roads.

At 9pm on Saturday, the Platinum Jubilee Horn commissioned by the council will be used for the first time in the setting of the watch ceremony. All four of the city’s hornblowers will be on duty.

Ripon Cathedral service and tea party

Thursday: Ripon Cathedral, which is also celebrating its 1,350th anniversary year, will be the focus of North Yorkshire attention, as it hosts the civic service for the county between 11am-12pm.

Friday: Platinum Jubilee Tea Party 2-4pm for invited guests, who were born in each of the 70 years of the Queen’s reign.

Ripon’s new Platinum Jubilee Horn, will be unveiled to the public at 9pm on June 4

Children’s Entertainment in Spa Gardens

The focus on Sunday switches to Spa Park, where a day-long programme of family entertainment is being organised by Ripon Community Poppy Project.

Tractor Festival

Friday to Sunday: The UK’s largest tractor festival returns to Newby Hall, Ripon. After experiencing a break for two years, the festival will be extended to three days to cover the jubilee celebrations.

On average, the festival attracts around 12,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitions of vehicles.

The event will run from 10am-5pm over three days.

Food, drinks, arts and crafts will be available to make the day more inclusive to children and families that wish to come down. Tickets are available on the Newby Hall website.

Boroughbridge

Wednesday, June 1: Boroughbridge Community Library is taking part in the Big Jubilee Read, and will be hosting a story time for children. There will be two story times for the book The Queen’s Knickers, starting at 10:15am for children aged 0-5 and 11:30am for children aged 5-11. The event will also involve activities based on the book.

Friday: The Great Afternoon Tea for the jubilee takes place at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm. An afternoon of fun and games will raise money for the charity Dementia Forward.

There will be a barbecue and bar, along with a bouncy castle, tug of war, face painting, beat the goalie competition, and a raffle. There will also be an afternoon tea for local care home residents.

Pateley Bridge

Civic Celebration

Friday: A jubilee garden party will take place from 12pm – 4pm at Pateley Bridge Masonic Hall, including food, drink, face painting and games. The event will raise money for the Yorkshire air ambulance.

Saturday: The main festivities in Pateley Bridge are focused on a big party in the town’s recreation ground from midday until 3pm and there will be a royal themed fancy dress competition, a cake competition and live music.

Sunday: A platinum jubilee afternoon tea will be held from 1pm-4pm at Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Memorial Hall with live music, a raffle and a kids “design a crown or corgi” competition. No need to book.

Masham

Civic Celebration

Masham Parish Council has organised four days of events for the town.

Thursday:

• 10am onwards five-a-side football knockout tournament begins, plus bowls, snooker, quoits and a tug-of-war between businesses and community groups.
• 2pm Town Crier will read the proclamation
• 7.30pm A celebratory ring of church bells St Mary’s Church
• 9.40pm Lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacons – bugle call to fanfare
• 9.45pm Lighting of the beacon on Roomer Common

Friday:

• 1pm Parade of Floats led by Reeth Brass Band – leaving from I’Ansons Mill, circling Masham.
• 2pm Fancy Dress judging – prizes for ‘best’ 5years and under, 6years to 10years, up to 16years and adults on Masham Market Place
• 3pm BYO BBQ on the Square – bring your own food and BBQ with friends on the square (dedicated veggie & gluten free BBQs available), people advised to bring a chair, on Masham Market Place
• 7.30pm Band on the Square – local popular band ‘The Doubtful Bottle’ on Masham Market Place
• 10pm Fireworks – what every celebration needs at St Mary’s Church yard to be viewed from the Market Place

Saturday:

• 10am Children’s Royal Crafts – craft a crown with Rev Sian Lawton at St Mary’s Church
• 3pm Afternoon Tea – enjoy a tasty light bite with a glass of fizz before the choir concert at St Mary’s Church. Tickets are £10
• Jubilee Choir Concert – come and enjoy music from members of Masham Musical Society, Singing for Fun and St Mary’s Choir. Tickets are £5
• 7.30pm Jubilee Evening Concert

Sunday:

• 10am Royal Peal of Bells – honouring the Queen at St Mary’s Church 10.45am  Service of Thanksgiving
• Midday The Great Get Together – bring your own food and share at this community luncheon, tables and chairs will be provided

For full details there’s more information on the Mashamshire Jubilee Programme website

Birstwith

Saturday and Sunday: The Birstwith Annual Village Show in Harrogate has planned separate events for both days

Saturday: A royal pig race will be held at the Station Hotel gardens in Birstwith. The event is family friendly and will start from 4:30pm running onwards.

Food and drink will be available with attendees having to bring cash for betting and food.

Sunday: BAVS have organised a village picnic to mark the Queen’s jubilee. Anyone is able to join, with participants required to bring their own picnic and drinks.

Dacre

A programme of events have been organised and Dacre, like Ripon, will be taking part in the beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday.

It will be lit at Dover Castle, up the path near Low Hall, by locally-based firefighters and attendees are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.

Songs will be sung, including the National Anthem.

Family fun day

Friday: A family fun day from noon until 4pm, will be held at the Max Pullan Playing Fields.

In addition to the live music and refreshments, there will be an egg and spoon race, coconut shy, bouncy castle, face-painting and  tug-of-war competition.

Sunday: The playing fields will also be the venue for an open air thanksgiving service starting at 11am.

It will be followed by a traditional village street party between the village green and church hall, from noon until 4pm attendees are asked to bring a picnic.

Throughout the week there is also a ‘Royal Treasure Hunt’ within Dacre Banks, with check in for the event at the village store.

Kirkby Malzeard  

Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council has organised a packed timetable of events across the four day bank holiday.

Thursday: A historical tour of the church has been organised, to begin at 3pm.

There will also be a jubilee bonfire lit at 9:45pm at Greygarth Monument, including a singalong where guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments. 

Friday: An off-road social run will begin at 9am, lasting for 90 minutes and setting off from The Mechanics’ Institute. 

Reeth Brass Band will be playing from 11am in Mowbray Crescent. 

From 2pm, Laverton’s party will be hosted on the green, including live music and the option to bring your own food and drink.

The Mechanics’ Institute are holding a coronation music night, starting at 8pm. 

Saturday: A Royal parade will begin at midday, where trailers and floats will lead the procession. The parade will start at the Market Cross, leading to the playing fields where the ‘Kirkby Queen’ will present a gift to every child taking part.  

This will be followed by an afternoon of games, entertainment and a barbeque from 12:30pm.  

At 1:30pm, the Kirkby Queen will plant an Elizabeth II rose in the jubilee garden.

The Mechanics Institute are ending the day with a royal quiz at 8pm.  

Sunday: A street party will take place from 1.30pm– 4.30pm on Church Street. Guests can bring their own food, drinks and table decorations, and The Queen’s head will also be running a barbecue. At 1:30pm the children of Kirkby School will perform a maypole dance, there will be a royal teddy bear’s parade followed by a teddy bear’s picnic, and a dance and singalong to live music. 

Spofforth  

Spofforth with Stockeld Parish Council is one of the villages to be awarded funding from Harrogate Borough Council to be used for the jubilee.

Thursday: A children’s party will start at 2pm at the cricket club, including a helter skelter, a bouncy castle, hook a duck, a craft tent and a dunking stool. There will also be afternoon tea and a barbeque.

At 2:15pm a parade of the Kings and Queens of England will begin, where children can dress up as their favourite King or Queen from history.  

At 9:45pm, Spofforth will join other communities across the district in lighting the jubilee beacon. This event will begin at 9pm in front of Spofforth Castle and will include music from Spofforth School Choir and saxophonist Millie Hope.  

Friday: A tea party with prosecco, afternoon tea and music for Spofforth and Stockeld seniors has been organised in the Long Memorial Hall, starting at 3pm.   

Royal party in the park  

Saturday: A party in the park will begin at 7pm outside the castle, where people are encouraged to bring their own picnics. The evening will include face painting, circus entertainers, a 50s style band, and an Oompah band.

A disco and fireworks will bring the night to a close at 11:30pm.  

Killinghall 

Killinghall is putting on a jubilee celebration on Sunday at the village hall and the cricket club.  

It will begin at midday with a packed timetable of activities, including a bouncy castle, a cricket match, a tug of war, and children’s races.

At 12:15pm a jubilee fancy dress parade is taking place, and at 3pm judging of the jubilee cake competition will begin. The day will be brought to a close with the live band Let Luce.  

People are encouraged to bring their own picnics, and refreshments will also be available at the cricket club bar.  

Winksley 

Saturday: Woodhouse Caravan Park is holding a garden party at 3pm, including games, face painting, a cake sale, a quiz and a raffle at The Barn restaurant.

There will also be a party tea between 5pm-7pm and music entertainment into the evening. The profits made from the event will be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  

Roecliffe and Westwick  

Saturday: The parish council have organised a platinum jubilee lunch on the village green from midday.   

Fewston and Blubberhouses  

Thursday to Sunday: Fewston and Blubberhouses are holding a flower festival at Blubberhouses church, lasting all four days of the bank holiday. Refreshments will be served from 11am – 4pm each day, with live music on Saturday from 2pm – 3pm. 

North Rigton  

There is a red, white and blue trail to do around the village, starting from 22nd May, and a jubilee flagpole will be put up in the village garden.

Thursday: An evening garden party will be held from 7pm -10pm at Hill Top Farm, where guests are encouraged to bring their own drinks and meal. 

They will also be lighting a beacon at 9:15pm, which can be viewed from the garden. 

Sunday: A bring-your-own picnic has been organised, which will be held in the church grounds.

Topcliffe and Asenby  

Thursday and Friday: The Angel at Topcliffe pub has organised a jubilee celebration between midday and 5pm. There will be a bouncy castle, a treasure hunt and games. The Cherry Tones will also be performing, with songs from across the seven decades of the Queen’s reign.  

Saturday: The main event in Topcliffe and Asenby will be a party in the park on Saturday. The event will include an inflatable assault course, children’s games, a bowls competition, an ice cream van and live music. There is also the chance to pre-order afternoon tea. It starts at 2pm on the village playing field.  

On Saturday afternoon, St Columba’s Church is offering guided tours, where the church tower will be open for people wishing to see the village’s jubilee decorations from above.  

Sunday: St Columba’s Church has organised a Choral Evensong with the choir at 6:30pm.  

Whixley  

Saturday: From 7pm there will be an evening of entertainment at the village hall, with songs, dances and tales of the past.  

Sunday: A jubilee picnic will start at midday, where events throughout the afternoon include a royal fancy dress parade for guests and their dogs, a dog show, sports day races and an inflatable assault course.  

Hampsthwaite 

Saturday: From 2pm the Memorial Hall will open, offering a hog roast and barbeque. There will also be a bouncy castle and live music from Spa Town Ukes and Still Crazy.  

Sunday: The Memorial Hall will continue its celebrations on Sunday, opening again at 2pm until 5pm. There will be tea, cakes and sandwiches, as well as a raffle and screenings of film clips and newsreels.  

Follifoot  

Sunday: Follifoot parish council have organised a jubilee picnic on the village hall lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics and dress in red, white and blue or 1950s style fashion. There will be sports, music and a craft corner.  

Great Ouseburn  

Friday: Great Ouseburn village hall will hold a jubilee celebration all day, with a number of activities planned.

Guests are encouraged to dress in 1950s style outfits, and there will be a 1950s themed window trail around the village, as well as a Queen’s parade. Children’s crafts and games will take place, including dress making and crown creating. A jubilee lunch has also been organised where guests will need to bring their own food and reserve a table beforehand. There will be live music into the evening, and food available from Bistro Guy and Pool Bridge Farm Shop.  

A commemorative mosaic plaque is also due to be unveiled on Friday.  

Norwood 

Sunday: Norwood social hall is hosting afternoon tea and family games to mark the jubilee weekend. The event will begin at 2pm, and will include an afternoon tea and picnic boxes for children, family games, a children’s craft corner and a children’s colouring competition.  

Markington 

Saturday: Markington village hall has organised a jubilee celebration that includes afternoon tea and live music. The event will be at 1pm – 4pm, with the singer beginning at 1:30pm. Tables can be booked via committee members.  

Bishop Monkton

Bishop Monkton has a large variety of events for the jubilee weekend. Throughout the four day bank holiday, there will be a decorated house and garden trail through the village, and St John’s Church will be hosting a flower festival each day from 10am – 4pm.

Wednesday 1st June: A community concert with the theme ‘seven decades of song’ will take place in the village hall from 7:30pm.

Thursday: From 10am – 4pm there will be music from DJ Billy Miller, followed by live music at 4pm – 7pm from the seven-piece band Groove Council.

From 11am to 1pm there will be the ‘It’s a knockout’ sports competition on the playing fields, with tea and coffee also available in the village hall.

Children’s games will take place from midday on the playing fields, along with a magician.

There will also be a selection of refreshments available throughout the day on the playing fields, with bacon baps and a barbeque from 10am, and a bar from 2pm – 7pm.

Friday: At 9:45am there will be a coffee morning at St John’s Church.

The village hall will be screening two films, ‘The Village Likes to Party’ and ‘The Village Pubs’ from the local history group. There will be two viewings of each film at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.

From 10am the Methodist Church will hold a wedding dress and photos display. This will also be open on Saturday.

The Masons Arms is putting on an afternoon tea from midday until 3pm, which must be booked in advance.

Saturday: A hog roast with stalls, games and pig racing will begin at midday on Main Street.

In the school hall, there will be cream teas available, as well as the school’s jubilee exhibition, open from 12pm – 5pm.

From 7pm, the village hall has organised a ceilidh, with a cash bar on the night.

Sunday: At 10:30am, there is a join service from both the churches in Bishop Monkton in the school playground.

A fancy dress parade will take place from 2pm, where guests are invited to dress up to represent people and events from the Queen’s reign. This will be followed by a street party at 3pm on Main Street, then a prize giving at 4pm.

Monday 6th June: The parish council will present the children of Bishop Monkton primary school with commemorative mugs.

To bring the celebrations to a close, a time capsule will be created and buried at 10:30am in Jubilee Woods by the village hall.

Marton le Moor

The parish council have organised tea, cake and games on Devonshire green. The event will begin at 2pm and refreshments will be provided.