The former director of the Great Yorkshire Show, Bill Cowling, has paid tribute to the Queen who he chaperoned during her last visit in 2008.

Mr Cowling, who is also a retired Deputy Lieutenant of North YorkshireDeputy , said her death was a “tremendous shock” and it felt like losing a family member.

He described the Queen’s visit to the showground in Harrogate as one of the highlights of his career.

He recalled talking to her in the back of a Range Rover and enjoying lunch with her at the president’s pavilion.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I was so very lucky to have met her. To think I sat and talked to her over an extended period of time was a huge honour. It’s something I shall remember forever.

“Her ability to put me at my ease – and everybody else she met – was an amazing thing. She was such a consummate professional at what she was doing.”

Read more:

• ‘I chatted to the Queen in the back of a Range Rover’: Her Majesty’s many visits to the district
• Flags raised back up to full mast across the district as Charles III proclaimed new sovereign

Mr Cowling said not only was the Queen a lover of animals, but she also had a great appreciation of agriculture and rural life.

He said:

“She knew what she was looking at in the way of horses, but also cattle and sheep. She had a huge interest in all the exhibitors and their livelihoods.”

The Queen unveiling a plaque to commemorate the start of work on the Regional Agricultural Centre in 2008.

Mr Cowling said, like the rest of the nation, he will now start coming to terms with the change.

He said:

“There’s no doubt a change has happened. But I’m confident King Charles III will make a splendid King. Again at the show, I was privileged to have met him a few times and his interest and empathy with rural life is the same.”

This column is written for the Stray Ferret by the Chair of The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Russell M Davidson. 

There is huge national grief at the passing of a much loved Queen, yet as the mourning period gradually passes, thoughts will increasingly turn to her successor.

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust has been privileged to have the new King, in his capacity of Prince of Wales, as its patron for some fifteen years. I had twice met the Prince before I got involved in the trust, but those meetings were at formal events and while he was affable and friendly, I had no knowledge about Charles beyond the ups and downs one reads in the press, including the negative stuff following the death of Diana.

It was not until I met Charles again, with my predecessor, the late Lilian Mina, at the 2008 reopening of the refurbished Royal Hall that I first saw the kindness of the man. Lilian was gravely ill and had difficulty standing and walking, yet the Prince never left her side, helping her up and down stairs, while constantly letting her hold onto his arm for support. I succeeded as Chair of the trust after Lilian’s death and the trustees set about a range of further projects. I discovered the close personal interest Charles takes in those charities he is involved with.

It is not just a case of having a grand name on the notepaper – in contrast, regular contact is maintained with each charity via the private secretaries. The relationship is very much a ‘How can we help you?’ one. When the trust needed assistance developing a future project for the rear of the Royal Hall, we sent our initial designs to the Prince and were immediately invited to visit his architectural foundation in London. We discovered an impressive set-up, housing a school training young woodworkers and designers (beautiful examples of work on display) and were greeted by a friendly American architect who had led the scheme to restore Dumfries House and who provided further expert help without charge. I learned from him that Charles personally, and regularly, reviews the work undertaken by each of his charities and draws on his extensive contacts to find ways of making useful introductions to assist.

He must work incredibly hard, for our trust is only one of many that he is patron of.  We learned that the drawings and letters we sent, via the private secretaries, were actually looked at and discussed by him. Suggestions as to how to alter the presumably not so liked aspects of our designs were made so very tactfully too! And when we have asked for a visit to help with fundraising, there have always been efforts to find a diary slot, difficult though his schedule makes that. We have never had a ‘no’.

It is evident the new King cares passionately about our country, its community and the environment, both built and natural. I am confident, based on my personal experience of dealing with him as patron, that Charles will prove to be a good and kindly King.

Read More: 

• ‘Fondly’ remembering the Queen’s visits to the Harrogate district
• Harrogate ceremony to mark proclamation of King Charles III on Sunday

King Charles has built strong links with the Harrogate district over many decades.

He is patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, a position he took up when the group faced the mammoth challenge of raising £2.7m to save the historic building.

Opened in 1903, the hall was forced to close less than 100 years later when part of its ceiling collapsed, leaving it in need of more than £13m of repairs.

An urgent project was undertaken to carry out repairs, led by Harrogate Borough Council and the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Once work was completed, King Charles officially opened the newly refurbished Royal Hall in 2008, welcomed by its chairman, the late Lilian Mina MBE.

In support of the trust, King Charles said:

“As Patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, I am delighted to lend my support to the Trust’s efforts to raise the funds towards the restoration of this unique part of our national heritage.

“Over the past one-hundred years, this magnificent building has faithfully served the people of Harrogate and the surrounding district in many different roles.

“The inherent versatility of Frank Matcham’s brilliant concept for this theatre building has enabled the Royal Hall to be used for a range of purposes – from a cinema to a boxing arena, from an area for exhibition displays to a dance hall; from ballet to theatre performances, from school speech days to concert hall – the list is almost endless.

“It has truly justified the “act of faith in the future of the town” made by those far-sighted local leaders who were so inspirational in its creation and who saw it as a vital part of Harrogate’s future prosperity.

“I would urge you to support the appeal in any way that you can.”

Read more:

• Mayor leads Harrogate tributes to Queen’s ‘constant source of courage’
• Ripon hornblower holds two minute silence to mark Queen’s death

King Charles has other long-standing links to the Harrogate district.

King Charles is a freeman of the city of Ripon, an honour conveyed to him in 2002 for his support to the community.

A plaque was unveiled near the front door of the town hall to mark the occasion and the future king visited the city for the occasion.

His interest in farming and the countryside saw him become patron of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society in 1998, taking the role from the Queen who had held it since 1952.

His first visit to the Great Yorkshire Show was the following year, 1999. He returned in 2006, 2011 and 2015, accompanied by the Queen Consort.

Their last visit was last summer, when the show was held over four days for the first time in order to enable more social distancing during the covid pandemic.

Read More: 

• ‘Fondly’ remembering the Queen’s visits to the Harrogate district

Police searching for missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday have found a body near the railway at North Rigton.

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the 73-year-old’s family have been informed and are being supported.

Due to the location of the body, British Transport Police is leading the investigation and will establish circumstances surrounding the death.

Rail and road closures have been in place following the report, which was made just after 12.20pm today.

Police say one lane of the A658 at North Rigton has now reopened, however officers remain at the scene.

Ms Holliday left her care home on Harcourt Road in Harrogate at 10.32am two weeks ago today on Saturday, August 27. She was then captured on CCTV at Harrogate bus station and later in Library Gardens at 10.43am.

Read more:

• ‘Help us get Judith home’; plea from family of missing Harrogate woman
• Police use drone in search for missing Harrogate woman Judith

It is believed she then caught a bus out of Harrogate and then flagged down a member of the public and asked for a lift to North Rigton, where the last confirmed sighting took place.

Police used a drone to search for Ms Holliday in large open areas around North Rigton and Lindley Wood Reservoir.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret last week, her niece Lucinda Edwards appealed for her safe return and praised the response of the community.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We thank everyone who has supported the missing person inquiry.

“Our thoughts are with Judith’s family.”

The district’s churches have been open with books of condolence for people to sign. Tomorrow prayers for Her Majesty The Queen, the new King and the Royal Family will be held across the district. Some parishes have changed their normal orders of service.

Sunday 11th September 

Ripon Cathedral

The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.

8am – Holy Communion

9.30am – Morning Prayer

10.30am – Eucharist with the Bishop of Ripon. The service will include prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

3.30pm – Choral Evensong to mark the death of the sovereign Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Cathedral open until 7pm

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate

Harrogate

St Peter’s Church  

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

8.30am Holy Communion

9.30am Family Communion

11.00am Choral Matins

4.15pm Stepping Stones Service

6.30pm Choral Evensong

St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open between 9am and 5pm today for “people to be quiet, reflect and pray as they remember and give thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Knaresborough 

Read more

• LIVE: Bells to toll at midday across the district to mark the Queen’s death

Pateley Bridge

A book of condolences has been open at St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge.

Vicar Darryl Hall invited people to “feel free to light a candle and say a prayer.”

Prayer stations in Holy Trinity Dacre Banks, St Jude’s Hartwith, Christ Church Darley and St Saviour’s Thornthwaite have been set up where people can light a candle reflect, remember and pray.

Sunday Services:

9:30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks

11am Holy Communion at St Saviour’s, Thornthwaite

6:30pm Holy Communion at Christ Church, Darley

Boroughbridge

St Andrew’s

A parish-wide service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday, September 18 at 10am.

Roecliffe Church and St James’s 

Both churches, as well as St Mary’s in Dunsforth and St Andrew’s in Aldborough, will remain open as much as possible during the week for people to visit and to sign books of condolence.

Masham

Healey, Masham North Stainley, Well with Snape and West Tanfield 

There are changes to the services for 11 September to enable communities to pray and reflect on her life, reign and contribution to our nation and to pray for the new monarch, King Charles III and all the family.

8.00am         Masham                        BCP Holy Communion
9.30am         West Tanfield               Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45am       Masham                         Baptism
11.30am       Masham                        Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45pm       Snape                             Holy Communion
4.00pm                                                 Telephone Service
6.30pm        Healey                           Evensong

Rail and road travel has been disrupted this afternoon between Leeds and Harrogate.

Police say one lane of the A658 at North Rigton has now reopened, however officers remain at the scene.

Traffic was diverted through North Rigton when the incident happened earlier today.

Police at the scene.

Officers advised motorists to use the A659/A61 or the B6161 as an alternative while emergency services attended.

Meanwhile, Northern Rail tweeted at 1pm that all train services between Harrogate and Leeds have been cancelled or delayed.

A statement on their website said:

“Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Harrogate and Leeds all lines are blocked.

“Trains running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 7.30pm.”

Flags across the Harrogate district have been raised back up to full mast, on the occasion of the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.

They will return to half mast tomorrow in observance of the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents are continuing to pay tribute to the Queen following her death on Thursday afternoon.

Flowers have been have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate, with some featuring heartfelt messages.

One family wrote:

“Flowers for HRH Queen Elizabeth in thanks for the love, protection and stability you gave our nation. Rest in peace.”

Churches remain open today for tributes, reflection and mourning.

Read more:

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

Special services in commemoration of the Queen are also taking place across the district, including at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate town centre and Ripon Cathedral.

The Rev Judith Clark, assistant curate on placement at St Peter’s, said:

“The church will remain open between 9.30am and 6.30pm during the official mourning period. People can come and write in the condolence book and light a candle and have a period of quiet prayer if they wish.”

Yesterday around 100 people signed the book of condolence at the church, which will hold a special prayer service today at 12pm.

Ripon Cathedral will hold a special Choral Evensong at 5.30pm with prayers.

Later today church bells will ring out once more to formally proclaim Charles as the new sovereign. This time it will be a celebratory peal and the bells will be unmuffled.

Staff and residents at care and assistance service Harrogate Neighbours have paid tribute to the Queen.

The CEO, Sue Cawthray, said she wanted to express her “deepfelt sorrow.” She added:

“We will all have our own personal memories of a remarkable woman and I am sure over the coming days and weeks we will gain strength as we come together to mourn as a nation.”

Residents have also recalled their past experiences and meetings with the Queen.

Kate Smith, 89, said:

“I remember sleeping on The Mall at the age of 19 years old to watch The Queen’s Coronation it was a wonderful experience and something that has stayed with me all my life. She was a remarkable woman.”

Read more

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death

This sentiment was shared by Chris Taylor, who looks after maintenance and the grounds at the company’s The Cuttings retirement complex. He said:

“I served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from 1976 to 1991.  HM The Queen was my Colonel in Chief. On two occasions I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty.

“I was one of her escorts for a regimental tercentenary celebrations and in later years I was part of an armoured escort from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles Cathedrals.  She made all of us feel at ease during her visits.”

Harrogate Neighbours have said that they ‘would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for serving the people for over 70 years with commitment, dedication and unwavering and selfless loyalty to our country and the commonwealth.’

Ms Cawthray added that the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which the team received in 2020 would be treasured.

She confirmed that the flag on the company’s site would be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

In special Evensong and Vigil services last night led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, the congregation joined in one voice to remember the late monarch and offer sympathy and support for the new king – a Freeeman of the City for 20 years.

From the opening of the doors at Ripon Cathedral to the setting of the watch on Market Square events in the city underlined its deep royal roots.

It began with private prayers at the cathedral from 8am until 9pm and throughout the day people wrote  messages in the books of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Books of condolence were signed throughout the day and will remain in place in the north transept of the cathedral for people to leave their messages.

The Bishop of Ripon the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley gave blessings at the end of the Vigil Service in the cathedral and the setting of the watch ceremony

After the service the senior clergy and mayor of Ripon walked to the market square for the setting of the watch.

A plaque by the front door of the town hall, says that the honour bestowed on King Charles III in October 2002, when he was the Prince of Wales, was ‘In deep appreciation of his unique contribution to the regeneration of Ripon.’

Standing on the same steps that The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stood on in May 2004, when Ripon celebrated the 400th anniversary of its Royal Charter, Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke was joined by the bishop and dean, canons Ailsa Newby, Michael Gisbourne and Richard Cooper and head verger Charlie Brown, as hornblower Allison Clark, announced that the watch had been set. (see main image)

Today there will be hourly prayers at the cathedral from 8am and a special choral Evensong at 5.30pm, to mark the proclamation of the King.

Tomorrow at 10.30am there will be a sung Eucharist service led by the Bishop of Ripon, followed by a choral Evensong at 3.30pm.

Read More:

• Watch: Bells toll across district to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

The links between the Queen and the Harrogate district stretch back decades, including a visit in 1952 before her coronation.

They include appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to her trips to Ripon, including her 2004 visit for another important anniversary – 400 years since the granting of the city’s Royal Charter.

Reflecting on her visit on December 10, 1998, a spokesperson for Harrogate Theatre said:

“Harrogate Theatre fondly remembers her visit and the warmth she extended to our staff and members of the public. Our sincere condolences go out to the Royal Family.”

The Queen visits Harrogate Theatre in 1998. Photo: Harrogate Theatre.

The Queen touched the lives of all those who met her, including residents in the district. Many recalled those occasions just recently, when communities celebrated her platinum jubilee.

Janine Jennings, from Hampsthwaite, said:

“It was her Silver Jubilee 1977 and I was pulled out of the crowd to meet her and as I presented her the flowers, she asked if I had grown them myself. I said yes, but actually, my mum, Mrs Johnson and I borrowed them from the empty police house next to us. So I lied to the queen!

“This picture (below) appeared in the paper, my mum kept it framed in her bedroom. It was really very special to meet the Queen and I remember it clearly to this day and always will.”

Claire H Beresford-Robinson said:

“I was lucky to meet the Queen when she visited the Great Yorkshire Showground and our tent ‘Growing up in North Yorkshire’.

“I attended Woodlands School at the time. It was our moment to shine. The Queen looked at the work I was doing and said “splendid work”. I will never forget this moment.

“Our school was chosen to attend the same day the Queen was coming. I’ll never forget the fabulous feeling at age 11 to be told I was selected to meet the Queen.”

Claire H. Beresford-Robinson also sent the above photograph of the Queen looking at the work of Woodlands School pupils.

She said:

“This is me and my friends at Woodlands School with headteacher Mr Dunmore in the background.”

Read more:

• Mayor leads Harrogate tributes to Queen’s ‘constant source of courage’
• Lord Lieutenant pays tribute to the Queen from North Yorkshire

Karen Wenham said:

“I remember when I was in my last year at Starbeck CP School and the Queen came to visit in 1977. We all went up to the Great Yorkshire Showground and I took a posy of flowers for her. It always sticks in my mind.

“A couple of years ago I was invited to go to the palace, as I am an ambassador for a charity, and Sophie Wessex was lovely and we chatted.

“We were told the Queen was in residence that night and not to be surprised if she came down with her corgis, as she likes to surprise people.”

Rick Vai sent the photo below of the Queen visiting Knaresborough, which sparked memories from other residents.

Karen Allan said:

“They passed along King James Road, fronting King James School. We were all lined up for her.”

Sarah Brown added:

“I remember this. I was one of those school children lined up outside King James School in Knaresborough.”