Richard Taylor Primary School in Bilton has received a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

The government schools inspector, which visited Richard Taylor in June, praised the quality of learning as well as how much children enjoy attending.

The report said pupils work hard to meet the high expectations set by teachers and that children with special educational needs were particularly well supported by a “broad and ambitious” curriculum.

The report said:

“Pupils say that they love school and their friends at Richard Taylor primary.

“Pupils feel safe, and are safe, because staff look after them well and help them with any problems they may have.

“Teachers help them to do their best. They are well supported by school staff.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire gets less than half national average for special schools
• Closure notice published for Harrogate school

The report praised the “calm and orderly environment” and said child welfare and safeguarding were well catered for. It said:

“Pupils say that bullying does not happen, but if it did, they trust that adults would deal with it quickly.”

Richard Taylor school

Staff, it added, “are proud to work at the school” and “say that leaders support them well”.

Most parents say the school is a “great community to be part of” and feel supported by staff.

Founded in 1793

Richard Taylor was founded in 1793 and moved to its current site on Bilton Lane in 1973.

The 275-pupil school, which is a founding member of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, was last inspected in 2017, when it was also rated ‘good’.

The latest report highlighted “some inconsistencies in staff expertise to deliver phonics”, adding:

“As a result, some pupils in the earliest stages of reading are not competent at blending letter sounds to read a word.”

It said leaders were in the process of putting in place “a more systematic approach to the teaching of phonics”.

Headteacher Andrew Symonds and deputy headteacher Emma Crisell

Andrew Symonds, who has been headteacher at Richard Taylor for 13 years, said:

“Everyone at Richard Taylor school is very pleased with the outcome of our most recent report.

“We are delighted that the inspector recognised the strong sense of community where a culture of respect and kindness is in every classroom.

“The report also clearly identified the strong duty of care and united vision for the pupils, based upon our Christian values, which is shared by everyone associated with the school.

“I would like to thank the children, parents, governors and leaders within the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust for their hard work and support which is reflected in this report.

“As a school we are ready to focus on the agreed targets for development as we prepare to celebrate 230 years as a learning community in Harrogate and our 50th anniversary on our current site.”

A pair of Louis Vuitton shoes donated to Harrogate’s Oxfam shop have appeared in a national campaign to promote secondhand shopping.

Television presenter Miquita Oliver was tasked with giving her mum and grandma a charity shop makeover for an article in The Guardian.

Worn by her grandma, the shoes, priced at £225, are vintage size 7 blue mules from Louis Vuitton of Paris.

They are described as ‘quality leather with the LV embossed in leather’.

The newspaper feature promotes Secondhand September. Now in its fourth year, Oxfam’s annual campaign challenges shoppers to buy only secondhand clothes for a month. It is aimed at promoting sustainability as “fast fashion” continues to dominate the high street.

According to Oxfam, when a new pair of jeans is made, an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted – the equivalent of driving more than 58 miles in a car.

Thanks to Harrogate’s affluence, volunteers at the Harrogate charity shop, on Montpellier Parade, describe opening every box or bag as a bit like Christmas.

Online shop manager Frances Wood said:

“We get really excited when it’s worth a lot of money. That’s part of the joy of it. You open a bag and you don’t know what it’s going to be. You name it, we get it in here.”

Approximately £29 million is raised each year from selling clothes in Oxfam shops. Designer clothing is a major stream of revenue for the charity and also helps to support sustainability.

While you can find some of it on the shop rails, the more expensive items tend to go on Oxfam’s online store, which lists the location where the piece has been donated.

Read more:

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The site currently includes a Prada dress, priced at £180, Christian Dior boots, which are £800, and a gold necklace, listed at £1,200 – all donated in Harrogate.

James Smith, Oxfam Harrogate’s bookshop manager, said:

“While we also have a lot in the shop, the prices you can get online are much higher. It’s a big money maker.”

James Smith with a Prada dress and Christian Dior boots, donated to Harrogate’s Oxfam shop.

And it doesn’t stop at clothing, with designer homeware and rare books also donated.

Mr Smith said:

“We get amazing things in here. We sold a designer purse for £1,000. Every week something goes on the website for hundreds of pounds.

“A couple of years ago we had a set of art journals from Paris from 1930, which went for £2,000.”

Oxfam Harrogate is looking for volunteers to help list items online. Call the shop on 01423 565497 or email oxfamshopf0609@oxfam.org.uk to get involved.

Harrogate Business Improvement District will be joined by representatives from Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate to share plans for Christmas 2022 to businesses.

Last Christmas saw a change to previous years with the creation of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, in the town centre from December 3 to 12. Festivities included a free road train called the Candy Cane Express, a carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel.

It followed Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to deny a licence to the former market organised by the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill.

The meeting this Thursday is at the Yorkshire Hotel’s Sky Bar at 5.30pm.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“At Thursday’s BID Club, we will be informing businesses what will be happening within the town centre this festive season.

“We will be joined by Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe, who will update us on this year’s Christmas Fayre, including location and number of stalls.

“This meeting is open to all businesses within the BID area, and will be an opportunity for them to ask questions, and to find out how that can get involved with making Christmas 2022 a festive season to remember.”

To reserve a space email info@harrogatebid.co.uk..

M&S temporarily closes cafe at Harrogate Oatlands 

How the food hall will look.

Marks and Spencer has temporarily closed its cafe at its Oatlands food hall in Harrogate.

The company planned to close the cafe for good as part of an expansion of its Leeds Road site, but decided to retain it after a customer petition.

But a smaller, new-look cafe will open when the expanded site is launched.

The rest of the food hall will continue to trade throughout with some areas blocked off while the work is underway.

Store manager David Anderson said:

“We’re delighted to confirm that as part of the upcoming extension and refresh of our Harrogate Oatlands store, customers will be able enjoy a new-look M&S cafe alongside a fresh-market style food hall, offering a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.

“We expect to complete the works later this year and will keep the local community updated as they progress. We would also like to thank local residents around us for their ongoing support as we work to improve the store.”

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• Business Breakfast: Harrogate private hospital joins forces with Mumsnet
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Many organisations across the Harrogate district closed today as people paid their final respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Streets were quiet and there was a sombre mood as the nation watched the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ripon Cathedral and Harrogate’s Royal Hall broadcast the event live on big screens, as did numerous pubs and churches.

Many other people watched the day’s events unfold live on BBC One.

Here are some photos taken during today’s funeral capturing local tributes and the unusually quiet state of the district.

Cambridge Street deserted during the funeral.

Ripon Cathedral today

Flowers to the Queen at Harrogate’s war memorial.

Floral tributes in Knaresborough Market Place.

St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck broadcast the funeral live.

Starbeck High Street devoid of traffic.

A shop front tribute in Harrogate town centre.

The Stray Ferret will suspend publishing district news today until after the funeral service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A congregation of 500 attended Ripon Cathedral this afternoon, to commemorate and give thanks for The Queen’s service to the nation.

The Anglican Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd. Nick Baines, gave a sermon from the pulpit, in which he said that Her Late Majesty:

“Held herself to the highest standards of accountability throughout her reign.”

He added:

“We give thanks for her disciplined and selfless service and faith and witness through all these years.”

Ripon Cathedral was full for this afternoon’s service

The service, was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson and included a reading from The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Richard Compton and prayers from the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

The bishops of Leeds and Ripon are pictured with Dean John Dobson and Richard Compton, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire

Members of the Ripon Cathedral Choir who sang at this afternoon’s service

Dignitaries from across North Yorkshire, including the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Victoria Oldham, the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke and members of Ripon City Council, were present for the service.

Read More: 

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday
• The Queen’s funeral to be televised at Ripon Cathedral

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. This Sunday you sent us your thoughts on the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

I worked for Taylor’s and Betty’s and had been off work with a very bad shoulder but I was invited to a special day at the Parliament Street café to meet the Prince Charles, now the King.

I and all in attendance on that day felt and feel so privileged to have shaken his hand and have a chat. When asked what I did , saying I worked at the Taylor’s part of the business and that we try to make the best cup of tea, he gave me a big pat on my shoulder and I winced.

I still suffer with pain but that is not from the royal pat but now old age.

Long live my King.

Terence Mason, Harrogate

My husband, Richard, and I are on holiday in Alassio, Italy and were in a gin bar when we heard the dreaded news that the Queen had so very sadly died. We were both in tears.

Today we found a hand written letter from the manager of our hotel, The Grand Hotel Alassio, expressing his deepest condolences to the Royal Family, Governments and all citizens of the UK and Commonwealth countries.

He also said the profound dignity for which she held office for such a long period has been an increasing source of admiration for generations. We were so very touched that our lovely monarch meant much to people of other countries and cried again.

JoJo Haytet, Harrogate

Read More: 

• Column: The Herculean responsibility of inheriting a role at a young age
• Column: I discovered the close personal interest Charles takes in those charities he is involved with

Rachel Daly’s remarkable year continued today when she scored twice on her Aston Villa debut in the Women’s Super League.

Daly was a key player in England Lionesses’ success at Euro 22 in the summer.

The Harrogate-born player subsequently signed a three-year contract with Villa to return to England after a six-year stint in the National Women’s Soccer League in America with Houston Dash.

In today’s opening WSL fixture, Daly’s curled strike gave Villa a 2-0 lead in the home fixture against Manchester City. After City fought back to lead, Daly pounced to score the winner and be named player of the match.

The exciting match was broadcast live on BBC Two and watched live by 7,000 fans at Villa Park in Birmingham.

Daly played at left back for England at Euro 2022 but has reverted to her forward role with Villa, who finished ninth of 12 in the WSL last season. City were third, so today’s thrilling win was an ideal start to Daly’s new adventure.

Read more:

• Rachel Daly joins Aston Villa on three-year deal
• Rachel Daly picked for England World Cup 2023 qualifier squad

A conference will take place in Harrogate on September 24 based around the themes of peace and demilitarisation.

It will happen from 10am to 6pm at Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade and has been organised by Harrogate Quakers and HUFUD (Humanity United for Universal Demilitarisation).

The wars in Ukraine and Yemen are expected to be touched upon and speakers will also discuss the environmental impact of war.

Speakers include Columbian human rights activist Angelo Cardona, Shan Oakes & Victoria Wild from Extinction Rebellion Harrogate, Martin Schweiger from Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign and artist and peace campaigner Shahina Jaffer.

It’s free to attend and for a full list of speakers click here.

The day will end at 6pm with a 30-minute peace concert by musicians from the Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra and guests.

Paul Whitmore from Harrogate Quakers said:

“This will be a good conference to learn more about how the world and individuals are affected by militarism and what you can do to counteract it.”

Read more:

• Work begins to create Harrogate’s first mosque
• County council set to reject climate change action appeal

A former manager in Harrogate’s Claro League is looking for football players from the late 1970s and early 1980s to take part in a reunion.

Harry Teggin, who managed the Claro Catholic team between 1967 and the 1983/84 season, is organising an event at the Bilton Club on Friday, September 23.

After realising that he had begun only seeing some of his fellow footballers at funerals, he decided a more positive event was needed.

Mr Teggin said:

“I’d had enough of that really. Let’s have one where we’re not saying goodbye.”

He is hoping to reach players from multiple clubs in the Claro League from the period such as Belford, Gluepot and Harrogate Phoenix.

At the time, many teams had formed around pubs or youth clubs.

Read more

The Claro League ended in 2017 after a drop in interest levels in Sunday league football. Only six teams had applied to play in the following season.

Some teams applied to play in West Yorkshire but others were disbanded.

It marked a decline from the 1970s when the league was one of two in the town and had five divisions,

Teams came from as far away as Wetherby and Tadcaster.

‘We’ve always been a close-knit team’

When he started out as manager at Claro Catholic, Mr Teggin said his job mainly involved getting players home from nights out and setting up the pitch on a Sunday morning.

But friendships formed and still endure today. He said:

“We’ve always been a close-knit team and we always had good camaraderie with the other teams.”

Some of the players, Mr Teggin revealed, later went on to play for Harrogate Town.

The former manager urged anyone who was involved to contact him and come to the event.