This story is sponsored by Belmont Grosvenor School which will be holding a Bonfire Night Party on Friday, November 4. There will be s’mores round the campfire, music, hot food, a licensed bar, stalls and more. Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display starts at 7.20pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate and cost £10 for adults (children under the age of 18 are free). Get them in advance by emailing kaye.walker@bewonder.co.uk.
Bonfire night is fast approaching so we have put together a list of events coming up in the Harrogate district.
They all take place over the weekend of November 4, 5 and 6.
Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197.
Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party
Where: Belmont Grosvenor School, Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2JG
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm fire lit, 7.20pm firework display
Tickets: £10 with children under the age of 18 entering for free
Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display
Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
When: 5.30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7.30pm firework display
Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free
Spofforth Village Firework Display
Where: Spofforth Cricket Ground, School Lane, Spofforth, HG3 1BA
When: Gates open 5pm, 7pm-7.15pm firework display.
Tickets: Family pre-paid £12:50 and on the gate £15. Adult pre-paid £4 and on the gate £5. Child pre-paid £2:50 and on the gate £3.
Swinton Bivouac Silent Bonfire Night
Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
When: 6.30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.
Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café
Aspin Park Academy Fireworks Night, Knaresborough
Where: School grounds
When: 5.15pm start, 6.30pm firework display
Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4
Harrogate Stray Bonfire and Fireworks, Harrogate Round Table
Where: Oatlands Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ
When: 5pm start (there will be entertainment), bonfire lit 5.30pm, 7.15pm firework display
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
Where: Pateley Bridge Showground
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm torchlit procession and bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Kirkby Malzeard community village bonfire
Where: North Close Farm, Ripon Road, Kirkby Malzeard
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: Free entry but donations welcome to fund next year’s event. Parking is available at North Close Farm. No sparklers allowed. Bring a torch.
Yolk Farm Bonfire and Burger Night – dog-friendly
Where: Yolk Farm, Minskip Road, Minskip, York, YO51 9HY
When: 5.30pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, no fireworks
Tickets: free entry for the event, advanced bookings only for Burger Night in the restaurant – 5:30pm and 8pm sittings
Staveley Arms Bonfire
Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT
When: 6pm
Tickets: £5 per person to include a choice of hot dog or cup of soup
Harrogate Theatre will not receive any funding from Arts Council England from next April until 2026.
The funding body had previously given the White Rose Theatre Trust, which runs the theatre, just over £140,000 a year since 2015 through its national portfolio scheme.
The last round of awards from 2018 to 2022 gave the theatre a total of £563,636.
In today’s funding announcement, however, the theatre misses out completely — and no other organisations in the Harrogate district are included either.
Deborah Larwood, chair of the Harrogate Theatre board, said:
“Following this news, the board and leadership team will take some time to reflect and reimagine our plans from April 2023, as we continue to support the [ACE] Let’s Create agenda and ensure that Harrogate Theatre continues to deliver a vibrant cultural offer for people of all ages across the Harrogate district.
“We will continue to work alongside Arts Council England and to advocate for the value of the arts in all our lives.”
In a statement, the theatre said it was disappointed by the news, but was grateful for ACE’s support to date.
It said the money had enabled the theatre not only to bring a “fantastic range” of artists to Harrogate, but also to engage with children and young people and to support emerging artists – as well as putting on the annual pantomime.
Arts Council funding has helped Harrogate Theatre to put on its popular annual pantomime. Photograph: Karl Andre
Theatre chief executive David Bown said:
“I am proud of the positive impact Harrogate Theatre has on our community. Our extensive programme of events and workshops reach an audience of over 150,000 per year due to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our staff, volunteers, board and the incredible artists on our stages.
“Harrogate Theatre has played a key role in the economic recovery of Harrogate post-pandemic and will continue to provide a rich artistic programme to inspire and entertain the town and its visitors.”
ACE said it was sharing out £446m each year across 990 organisations around England.
It said the list of organisations receiving funding was “richer and more varied than ever before”, featuring the likes of Blackpool illuminations, Unlimited in Yorkshire which commissions work by disabled artists, and community arts organisation intoBodmin.
ACE chief executive Darren Henley said:
“Together, each of the 990 organisations that have been offered funding today will contribute to a portfolio that is rich, varied and truly national. This is our widest ever spread of investment across the country, ensuring that many more people will have access to a wider choice of exceptional art, culture and creative opportunities on their doorsteps.
“We are in tough times but we must remember creativity brings with it extraordinary dividends, boosting our country’s economic growth, creating jobs, bringing communities closer together, and making us happier as individuals.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits it brings, and with this investment, we believe we’ve taken a decisive step towards making that vision a reality.”
The organisation’s chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, added:
Harrogate Town submits major new ground redevelopment plans“As well as continuing our commitment to our many established and renowned cultural organisations, I am deeply proud of the support we will be giving to those new organisations which will help ignite creativity across the country.
“We are facing economic pressures at present but this funding is about an investment in our future. This portfolio will support the next generation of visionary inventors, makers, performers and artists. In particular, the growth of our funding for organisations that support and develop work for children represents a profoundly important long-term investment in our country’s talent.”
Harrogate Town has submitted major new plans to redevelop its Wetherby Road ground.
The club has until April 30, 2024 to provide a capacity of 5,000 fans with a minimum of 2,000 seats to comply with English Football League membership criteria.
It currently caters for 5,000 fans but only has 1,000 seats.
Planning documents published today by Harrogate Borough Council reveal the club has applied to convert the Black Sheep and Myrings standing terraces to seated areas, providing 603 seats.
It also intends to demolish the 1919 venue and construct a new 1919 terrace with seating, a spectator refreshment area and toilets.
The club also wants to install ball stop netting and has submitted a separate planning application for a temporary marquee containing a refreshment bar.
David Smith, associate director of planning consultants WSP, which is acting on behalf of the club, said in a letter to the council:
“The proposed works will provide additional seating and spectator facilities for existing fans.
“The new spectator facility will encourage away fans to get to the ground earlier on match days and ease congestion immediately before kick-off.
“As such, the proposals will not give rise to any significant traffic congestion and road safety problems.
The club needs to create another 1,000 more seats.
The club previously applied to build a new, bigger South Stand.
Mr Smith’s letter said:
“This further application proposes an alternative, less disruptive and more efficient means of achieving the EFL requirement.
“There will be less demolition of existing buildings and a quicker construction programme with this proposal.
“This proposal will also help improve the match day experience. The proposal will mark an important step in the on-going success of the club.”
The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Town, which secured promotion from the National League to the EFL for the first time in the club’s history in 2020, how much the project will cost and when it hopes work will take place.
A club spokesman said:
“Cost – we don’t know as yet, we are still working through the preliminary work but needed to get the application through early to reach the target date for having 2,000 seats.
“We aim to start in December/January time subject to planning and be ready for the start of season 2023 though we may still have some internal works to finish.”
We also asked how the club will handle the disruption on match days and what happens if the club, which is currently 21st of 24 in division two of the English Football League, gets relegated.
The spokesman said:
Myrings estate agents scoops four top awards at ‘the Oscars’ of the UK property industry“No plans to move any games, work can be done in between games and facilities may be affected on match days at the away end but suitable provisions will be made if that’s the case.
“The plans will progress as we are aiming to improve facilities and match day experience for our loyal supporters and we have more families visiting us now to cater for, plus we hope to attract more first generation fans as we grow.”
This article is sponsored by Myrings.
Harrogate’s leading family estate agents Myrings has scooped four prestigious titles at the biggest awards in the UK property industry.
The independent agency received the Gold Estate Agent Award, Gold Landlord Award, Silver Tenant Award and Best in County for North Yorkshire at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2022.
The team from Myrings, which is based on Princes Square, collected the award at a glittering ceremony in London.
The winners were announced by Phil Spencer, who co-presents Location, Location, Location with Kirstie Allsopp.
The awards are powered by the ESTAS customer review platform that highlights the best agents, conveyors and brokers for customer service in the UK.
Gemma Myring, Managing Director of the family-run business, which was established in 1998, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS.
“It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice. We have always been very proud of the personal service, and this proves we are delivering what we promise.”
Ms Myring put the continued success of the agency, which is ranked in the top 2% for sales in the country, down to the hard-working team.
She said:
“The staff have pulled out all the stops and I’m so proud of all of them. A good team is what sets you apart.
“We are going into our 25th year really proud of what we have achieved.”
Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003, addressed the audience at the awards.
He said:
“I’ve said it many times but the work of agents, conveyancers and brokers is vastly underrated by the general public and it’s only when clients go through the process that they understand the effort, complexity and hard work that goes into your job.
“It’s your passion for what you do that makes The ESTAS the most important day in the property calendar every year.”
The organisers of the Stray Bonfire are appealing for help to meet the costs of putting on one of Harrogate’s best-loved events tomorrow.
Harrogate Round Table has set a £10,000 fundraising target, but so far less than a tenth of that has been pledged.
The Stray Bonfire event costs about £13,500 to stage, with £5,000 spent on fireworks alone. Organiser Andy Rickard said:
“We run the event as volunteers, but there are costs we can’t avoid, such as parking, medical care and closing roads. It’s free to attend and we’d like to keep it that way, so if you can afford to help out with the costs it would be very much appreciated.”
The event, which starts at 5pm tomorrow (Saturday, November 5) and finishes with a fireworks finale at 7.15pm, will also feature music from three bands, hot food stalls, a licensed bar and – new this year – on-site toilets. The Met Office is forecasting an evening of dry weather.
The organisers had planned to ditch the traditional bonfire this year in favour of other entertainment, but changed their minds last week and reinstated it.
As well as individual donations, the team of volunteers is interested in hearing from any businesses or other organisations which might sponsor the event.
Mr Rickard said:
“If there are any companies that are interested, for £250 you can become a community sponsor and we’ll put your logo up on the big screen in front of about 10,000 people – right before Christmas.
“You can also donate at our GoFundMe page, or give £5 by texting BONFIRE to 70460.
“On the night we’ll even have card-readers, so you can donate that way, but we’ll only have four of them, so we’d urge people to bring cash, as we’ll have 60 bucket-shakers collecting donations.”
Any surplus funds will be donated to Harrogate Homeless Project, which marks 30 years in the town this year.
Mr Rickard added:
Harrogate groups ‘continue to oppose’ new Leeds conference venue“We really wanted to celebrate Harrogate Homeless Project’s 30th anniversary, but also, the cost-of-living crisis is going to affect everybody, but the homeless are potentially the most vulnerable, so we wanted to help as much as we can as winter approaches.”
Harrogate Convention Centre bosses will continue to oppose a new Leeds venue after plans were given approval.
Yesterday, Leeds City Council backed proposals for a new conference centre near to Leeds First Direct Arena off Clay Pit Lane in the city.
The proposal faced objection from Harrogate Convention Centre, Destination Harrogate, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate Business Improvement District.
The groups argued that the centre would drive away business from the town.
Paula Lorimer
Speaking following the approval, Paula Lorimer, director of the HCC, said the centre would continue to object to the plan in its current form.
She said:
“Unfortunately and as anticipated, the development was granted outline planning permission even though it is common sense that if you build a conference and events venue just 16 miles away from another and target the same customer base, trade diversion is inevitable.
“Harrogate Convention Centre will continue to oppose this development in its current form and we have agreed to have dialogue at a senior level with Leeds City Council in order to try and reach a compromise on the size and scope of the development.
“However, this demonstrates how important it is that HCC’s redevelopment is forthcoming and I am looking forward to working with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council over the coming months in order to make the case for investment.”
An independent study commissioned by Leeds City Council suggested the impact on Harrogate Convention Centre would be minimal.
However this was, disputed by the objectors.
Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, Martin Farrington, director of city development at the city council, said “standing still” was not an option for Leeds and that the facility was required to compete with the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool.
He said that he was aware of concerns from Harrogate, but added that the planned centre would have minimal impact on trade for the town.
Mr Farrington said:
Sneak peek: Artist Lucy Pittaway’s new Harrogate gallery“We know that new developments in Leeds can cause concern with our neighbours. We saw this with the development of the arena itself and Sheffield’s concern that the facility would undermine the core viability of Sheffield arena.
“Clearly, that didn’t happen. Rather, Sheffield progressed with their own refurbishment plans and invested in their facility to improve the quality of its facility for the wider benefits of the Yorkshire region.
“Holding back the development of Leeds to protect another facility was not the answer in 2010 and this position remains today.
“Indeed, in this instance, we know that Harrogate has plans for significant investment in its facilities which is something we whole heartedly support so that Harrogate conference and exhibition centre can continue to thrive.”
North Yorkshire-based artist Lucy Pittaway is ready to open the doors at her debut Harrogate gallery this weekend.
The gallery, which sells original works of art as well as prints, homeware and stationery, had a preview night last night.
The shop replaces the former menswear shop Austin Reed on Prospect Place, which had been empty since 2016.
It’s been a long wait for Ms Pittaway, who has had her eyes on a site in Harrogate for five years.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret ahead of tomorrow’s official opening, she said:
“We have been wanting to be in Harrogate for some time now but we are finally here, and in an absolutely fabulous location.
“The response we have had from local businesses and shoppers has been amazing. We are absolutely thrilled with the interest we have seen already.
“It wasn’t easy but we have managed to get this space turned around in just three weeks which is a testament to our amazing team. I feel very proud looking around.”
Ms Pittaway’s best known works are her signature sheep art and her work on the Tour de Yorkshire and UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate.
The Harrogate store will be open Monday to Saturday from 9.30pm to 5.30pm and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays.
A number of promotions are in the pipeline for Christmas and various other initiatives are also on the horizon, including a meet-the-artist event and debut showings of original pieces of art.
Lucy Pittaway with husband Neil and the rest of her team.
The new store looks ready for Christmas.
The gallery also sells homeware, stationery and more.
You can also find some of Ms Pittaway’s original work.
Pinewoods Conservation Group has called on Harrogate Borough Council to be “transparent” over a housing plan amid concerns over loss of green space.
The council looks set to press ahead with plans to build on the Harlow nursery site next to the woods.
Consultants hired by the local authority came up with two options this year. The first was to build 57 homes and flats. The second was to build 62 homes and flats with smaller gardens.
A report due before councillors next week recommends the 62-home option and invites expressions of interest for the land before proceeding to tender for a conditional sale.
The nursery, where the council cultivates plants for floral displays and sells plants to the public, falls within the 96-acre woodlands known as the Pinewoods.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity set up to protect the area, says it has concerns over the potential loss of green space due to the need for an access route.
They said the proposals indicate that trees would be lost and have called for the authority to be transparent with the group and address the concern.
The spokesperson added:
“We were pleased by the early consultation in May 2021 but had heard nothing since on plans or feedback regarding our initial concerns. The nursery site is a key across point to the Pinewoods used by hundreds of people every week, especially local residents.
“Whilst we are encouraged by the confirmation that it seems public access will continue, there will obviously be major disruption for a substantial period, and we suspect path closures during any development works. However, this is still likely to be several years away.”
They added:
“Our main concerns raised during the consultation were around proposals to widen Nursery Lane East, from the proposed development site to Harlow Moor Road. This is currently a single width track and we understand that the highways authority were looking for two-way access with associated footpath.
“This would likely require the loss of an area of the Pinewoods with this area being a designated green space under the local plan with additional protection under the Localism Act as an asset of community value.
“The published proposals seem to indicate the building on an additional access route that would result in loss of trees and green space.
“We would encourage the council to be transparent on its plans and engage further with groups such as us to help address the concerns already being raised.”
In response to the concerns, a council spokesperson said:
Rising nursery costs in Harrogate district ‘could put children at risk’“The existing horticultural nursery off Harlow Moor Road is allocated for new homes within the council’s adopted local plan. This site provides an exciting opportunity to deliver innovative, high-quality private and affordable homes to help meet the current housing demand.
“It is also hoped that this development will complement the surrounding area and provide a dedicated pedestrian and cycle tree-lined avenue at its heart.
“Any proposals for the development of the site would need to go through the formal planning process and at this stage no plans are yet to be submitted. Once an application has been submitted, community groups and members of the public will be able to share their views that will be considered through the planning process.
“If the proposal identifies any loss of trees, these will be replaced at a minimum ratio of 2:1 should the application be approved.”
A parent from Harrogate has raised concerns that the growing cost of living, including childcare fees, could see children put at risk.
The mum, who asked us not to use her name, said rising fees were putting pressure on household budgets as they also faced increased costs for mortgages, fuel and more.
As an NHS nurse, whose partner is in the police, she said she had little money left each month after bills were paid – and now she faces a further rise in nursery fees from January.
She said:
“Even we are struggling on fairly decent wages. I have considered taking my son out of nursery, but we don’t have much alternative – my mum has got health needs and I want to know his needs are being met.
“If I’m considering that on the wage that I’m on, what are other people considering?
“We aren’t paid any more – how are we supposed to afford all of these rises without going bankrupt?”
With a take-home monthly pay packet of £1,700 from her full-time role, the mum said she already pays more than £550 a month on childcare, and her mortgage has recently risen by £200 a month. She also pays for business insurance on her car to be able to do her job, and often buys equipment out of her own pocket because NHS budgets are so stretched.
She also said she worried that families facing growing costs might decide to remove their children from childcare, even after accessing funded hours on government schemes.
Not only could they potentially be left somewhere unsafe or unregistered, such as with an older sibling or family friend, but their contact with professionals would also be delayed and any early warning signs not spotted.
She added:
“From a safeguarding perspective, the reason those [funded] hours have been brought in is because the ages of nought to five are the most vulnerable time in a child’s life, where they are more likely to experience significant harm or death.
“If children are in nursery, parents get that break. If they don’t get that break, we’re putting pressure on people. But if they’re not in childcare, nothing is going to get pocked up until those children start school or end up needing medical care.”
Her son is at Nature’s Little Learners nursery in Starbeck, where he is entitled to 30 hours’ free childcare funded by the government. That provision is given to working parents of children aged three and over and only applies during term-time, so is used by many pro-rata across the full year.
However, the owner of the nursery said the money paid through North Yorkshire County Council for those funded places was significantly below the cost of offering them.
Sam Williams said parents would pay £62.50 for a full day’s nursery, from 8am to 6pm, from January. By contrast, the money paid to the nursery through the funded hours scheme was just £43.10 per day.
As a result, most nurseries charge a fee to cover extras, such as food and equipment. Nature’s Little Learners had been charging £8 per day for this, but from January will charge £19.40 to cover the difference in costs.
If it did not do so, she said, it would not be able to continue offering childcare.
Other nurseries around the UK have been forced to close their doors as a result of rising costs. Ofsted data for April 2021 to March 2022 showed there was a net decrease of 4,000 childcare providers.
Ms Williams said:
“All businesses have their own operating cost. This will be different for each unique setting. When deciding on the daily rate at Nature’s Little Learners for 2023, we have taken into consideration staffing cost, training, rent, rates, utilities, food costs, resource cost, travel, recruitment cost etc.
“We understand that families need to be able to afford childcare in order for them to go to work, and without working families we wouldn’t have a nursery.”
Ms Williams said the nursery had introduced flexible timings for families who did not need childcare from 8am or until 6pm, allowing them to pay less and use only the hours they needed.
As a result, the nursery’s staffing costs would be lower during those times. She said while staffing was the highest cost for any nursery, there were also growing pressures with rising costs which childcare providers were facing.
She added:
Business Breakfast: Kirkby Malzeard business group hosts free advice session“We have considered that this coming year is set to be challenging for families as well as businesses. We appreciate the financial pressures that families are currently facing, and to minimise the impact of another increase to families’ expenses, we have attempted to amend our sessions, and offer a more flexible approach instead of an increased fixed daily rate.
“We are thankful for all our families who have support the introduction of the new session times and prices and really appreciate everyone’s words of kindness.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
A business group in Kirkby Malzeard will host a free pop-up advice session with some of North Yorkshire’s top business advisers on Monday.
David Kerfoot and David Poole feature in the line-up of consultants at the event, organised by Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Business/Community Group.
The advisers will be giving free advice on funding, networking, training and bespoke business strategy planning.
Mr Kerfoot, who comes from Northallerton and is a deputy lieutenant for North Yorkshire, is a successful businessman who founded a company in 1980 and built it into a £75m business, supplying oils to the food, cosmetics and aromatherapy industries.
Mr Poole, from Bishopdale, is a retired businessman who was formerly managing director and deputy chairman of Thalis plc, and is now a driving force in the Lower Wensleydale Business Network.
The KMLD Business/Community Group, which is part of the local parish council, aims to support rural businesses during challenging economic times and also a special interest in arts and crafts businesses due to the large number of artisans living and working in the area.
The pop-up session will be held from 10am to 11am on Monday, November 7 at St Andrew’s Church, Kirkby Malzeard.
Businesses from across the Harrogate district took part in a recruitment fair at Harrogate College this week.
Representatives from 10 businesses visited the college on Wednesday to meet with and interview local students.
Businesses from across the district met with and interviewed Harrogate College students.
Firms including Springfield Healthcare, West Park Care, Cairn Group, Disability Action Yorkshire, Vida Healthcare and Harrogate Healthcare Facilities Management Ltd (Harrogate Hospital) attended the event.
ATM Ltd, Arc Inspirations, Anchor Care Homes and Morrisons also took part.
Danny Wild, Harrogate College principal, said:
“We were delighted to have so many of our key local employers coming along to support this event, which attracted a lot of interest from our students.
“To have a couple of job offers being made on the day was fantastic, and I know that most of the participating businesses also took away contact details for a number of other students that they may well be back in touch with.
“This recruitment fair emerged following Harrogate College Employers’ Network feedback, and is part of our continuing push to ensure our training helps local businesses thrive.
“It was very encouraging to see the first one go so well and we look forward to holding more fairs, supported by our local business partners, as a regular part of the college’s calendar going forward.”