In Pictures : the joy of Harrogate Carnival

Thousands lined the streets of Harrogate today as a colourful parade of dancers, costumes and music from all over the globe made its way from the centre of town to Valley Gardens.

This year’s Carnival was paid for by Harrogate Borough Council‘s tourism body, Destination Harrogate, and was put on by Harrogate International Festivals. Unlike the last carnival in 2019 when the weather was atrocious, this year the rain held off allowing everyone to have a great time.

Here are some images that aim to capture that carnival spirit:

 

Play tells story of Harrogate seance held by Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle

A seance held in Harrogate by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Houdini forms the inspiration for a new play by a local writer.

Paul Forster started looking into the 1921 event at the Harrogate Club when he was researching a new book about the town’s ghostly connections.

He said:

“I love history and things that are a bit spooky. When I found out the story about the Harrogate Club where Arthur Conan Doyle had gone, that really intrigued me.

“To then find out that Houdini – someone I really admire – was there, it was too good to be true, really.”

Paul then did more research into the pair’s relationship, which he discovered was fractious.

Houdini, still in the early stages of his career, was keen to make a name for himself and contacted the Sherlock Holmes author. Paul said:

“They enjoyed a good friendship together and came to Harrogate and visited the spa and went to the club, where they held a seance.

“Doyle was a strong believer in clairvoyance. Houdini was open-minded, but being a magician he could see a trick a mile off. He thought they were all fakes.”

The friendship between the famous pair was short and their contrasting views increasingly came between them.

However, inspired by the unlikely pairing and unusual event, Paul – a trained actor who has worked in the arts most of his life – wrote a play, Conjuring the Dead.

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A combination of lecture and performance, it sees him share his research into what took place, before reading some letters he has written based on imagined correspondence between the two.

After that, Paul transports the audience to the Harrogate Club, where he recreates the seance, bringing the story to life.

He has been performing it at Durham Town Hall as part of the city’s fringe festival this week, with the last show due to take place this evening.

Later in the year, Paul hopes to bring the show to Harrogate in combination with the ghost walks he already runs in the town. They take place on the first and last Friday of each month, setting off from the Royal Pump Room Museum.

He said:

“They’ve been incredibly popular – about 900 people have been on the walk.

“I’ve been rwriting a book about Harrogate ghost stories and I’ve found some new material to use.

“My plan is to do a new half-hour ghost walk just to a few locations from my book, then afterwards we go to the Crown Hotel and I’ll perform the show.”

Although describing himself as a paranormalist, Paul said he only saw his first ghost while researching the new book, when he was speaking to staff in the Turkish Baths on Parliament Street.

Spooky experiences

He said he saw a woman look out of a cubicle which staff later told him, without prompting, was haunted. They said the ghost often shut the cubicle door so Paul challenged the ghost to do so – and the door closed just as the interviews finished.

He then heard a woman’s voice saying “ha ha!” which a customer told him she had also heard on a previous occasion.

He has had a number of other spooky experiences – including at this week’s performances, where he made changes to the play after an incident on the first night left him and producer Neil Bradley-Smith perplexed.

He said:

“Something went wrong in the routine that shouldn’t and couldn’t go wrong. There was a bit with a fake key that I gave to an audience member and asked her to unlock a box.

“The key worked. I shot a look to my producer – neither of us could understand it. Then the lady tried it again and it didn’t work. How can a key work and then not work, when it shouldn’t work in the first place?

“I took that bit out of the play the next night!”

Harrogate Town to kick off third Football League season

Harrogate Town are set to kick off their third season in the Football League this afternoon.

Town will take on Swindon Town at the EnviroVent Stadium at 3pm.

Simon Weaver’s men will be hoping to consolidate their position in the EFL League Two and build upon last season’s 19th place finish.

Speaking ahead of the opening day, Weaver said pre-season had gone well for Town.

He said:

“It’s been a positive pre-season, as tough as we have ever given the lads to be honest both in the physical workloads and the games and the opposition they have had to face.

“When you take into consideration quite wholesale changes to the squad, it’s been quite challenging. But I think the last three performances have been positive and the results have suggested an upward curve as well.”

Wholesale changes

Town have made 10 new signings during the summer transfer window so far and seen 11 players leave the club.

Among the new arrivals is Tyler Frost, who signed a six-month deal this week and will be available for the Swindon clash.

Weaver said the squad needed to improve defensively on last season.

He said:

“We were reflecting on last season and there was no getting away from that defensively we weren’t good enough.

“We looked at how we could revamp it individually. First of all, we started with the shape and looked at the shape of our team and then looked at the players – round pegs for round holes – and then fitted the players for each of those positions we needed to sort out.

“There’s more youth about us as a squad, but also at the same time it has been more challenging bringing in more pedigree as well which is necessary. We looked at little bit raw for the level at times last year.

“But hopefully there is more flexibility within our squad now to be able to tweak and change when necessary, even within games. But overall we’re happy with the recruitment.”

Tough opening game

Town will take on last season’s play-off semi-finalists Swindon Town for their opening game.

Rory McArdle will miss the game with an injury sustained at the end of last season.

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Meanwhile, skipper Josh Falkingham also misses the game through injury, but is closer to a return to action.

New signing Max Wright will also miss out with an ankle injury which will keep him out for four months.

Weaver described the clash against Swindon as a big game for the opening match.

He said:

“They don’t get much bigger do they? They reached the play off semi-final stage last season and they’re a strong outfit, aren’t they?

“Historically, they’ve played at the top level and they’ve got some good quality players and it will be a test.

“This week, we’ve just tried to inform the lads of what to expect in terms of their style of play and how they like to keep the ball and get into key areas.”

Harrogate Town women’s team appoints new manager

Liam Cope has been appointed manager of Harrogate Town’s women’s team, the club announced today.

Cope has previously managed Ossett Town Ladies and been assistant manager at Leeds United Women.

He brings with him a backroom team including a nutritionist and goalkeeping coach, details of which will be confirmed later.

Cope has set his sights on taking Harrogate to the next stage up the football pyramid by reaching the Women’s National League. He said:

“The Women’s National League is somewhere I’d like to be again, I see no reason why Town can’t be playing in that league in the next year or two.

“The team has gone from strength to strength in the past few years and we’re going to give getting to the next level a real good go.”

Cope, who begins his role next week, has already set the ball rolling recruiting players for another season in the North East Regional Women’s Football League, which also includes the likes of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies and York City Ladies.

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He said:

“I’m looking to build a squad of players that are comfortable on the ball, with a good range of passing, technical and tactical ability, but most importantly have the right mentality.

“I want players to be brave on the ball, if a player makes a mistake we move on, but the one thing I will not accept is lack of intensity or lack of effort.

“We are welcoming new players who want to play good football in a positive environment with a coaching team that will support you 100% no matter what.

“If you want to join an ambitious club then this is the place to be.”

Player development

Cope will also play a role in the club’s player development centre, helping nurture young footballers throughout the development stages. He said:

“I know we have a real good programme coming through the girls’ player development centre and that’s something I want to promote and grow.

“The impact of the Euros is going to be huge, to beat Sweden in the manner we did shows the standard of women’s football in this country, if that encourages local talent to get involved at any age then that is a massive positive.”

Cope can be contacted on 07798 841696, or via girls development officer Becky Wilson at Beckywilson@harrogatetownafc.com.

Harrogate-based care provider receives top inspection ratings

A Harrogate-based care provider has had all three of branches rated “outstanding” by health inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission gave the highest rating for Carefound Home Care and described it as “being a role model to other services”. 

The care provider was founded in Harrogate in 2011 by Oliver Stirk and has branches in Bishop Thornton, Nottingham and Cheshire.

It currently employs more than 130 people.

Oliver Stirk, Managing Director of Carefound Home Care, said:

“It’s an incredible achievement for all of our branches to be rated Outstanding by the CQC and makes us unique in the UK.

“We are so proud of the brilliant people we employ across our teams and this recognition is testament to their compassion, hard work and dedication.”

The company is set to expand its branches to York with a new branch and is also investing in development of the service including in areas such as staff development, digital health monitoring and complex care.

Mr Stirk added:

“We’re incredibly excited as we continue to invest in growing and improving our service at Carefound Home Care, so that we can enable more older people to live a better quality of life at home.”

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Ex-Harrogate guest house owner Yoko Banks given court ultimatum

Former Harrogate guest house owner Yoko Banks was told today she would not be allowed to change solicitors again after the latest attempt to recover any gains from her crime was adjourned.

Banks, 74, of Scargill Road, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in August 2021 for renting out her properties to an Albanian drug gang for “industrial” cannabis production “in the expectation of significant profit”.

She appeared at Leeds Crown Court today via a link from New Hall Prison in West Yorkshire for a confiscation hearing.

It was the latest in a series of attempts to recover any financial gain under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A previous hearing in May was postponed when the court heard Banks intended to appeal her conviction and wanted to leave her legal team in favour of another firm of solicitors.

At the hearing before that in January, the Crown said it was not yet in a position to make a financial confiscation ruling because Banks’ defence team needed more time to delve into her “complicated” accounts and extensive “property empire”.

The court heard today she intended to change solicitors again but Judge Christopher Batty told her there was “absolutely no way” he would permit this.

He told her she either had to stick with current solicitor Sian Barber or “deal with it by yourself”.

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Ms Barber said she had spoken with Banks, who has been granted legal aid, for the first time this morning and had 600 pages of notes to go through.

She added she was due to meet Banks again next month and therefore requested an adjournment.

In adjourning the case until November 4, Judge Batty said it had been a “wretched hearing”.

Michael Bosomworth, prosecuting, said:

“Her case has been dreadfully complicated. Frankly, she has messed everyone around for months.”

London gang

Banks was sentenced in August 2021, after the court heard that a London gang had invested tens of thousands of pounds into three cannabis factories at Banks’ properties on Alexandra Road, Woodlands Road and Somerset Road near Harrogate town centre.

The criminals had even dug a trench outside the three-storey Edwardian villa on Alexandra Road through which they fed electricity cables to the house to power the “highly sophisticated” cultivation system and bypass the electricity grid.

Their plot unravelled when police were called to the five-bedroom villa on September 26, 2020, after reports of a “disturbance” in the street involving what appeared to be two rival gangs vying for the cannabis farm.

Lifelong friends celebrate a year transforming faces in Harrogate

This story is sponsored by HGFace.

When Dr Lynda Allman and Jo Banks met 27 years ago at a party in Harrogate, they formed an instant connection, and a lifelong friendship was born.

After retiring from their respective careers in dentistry and nursing, they felt the time was right to create their own business together.

Realising they shared a mutual passion for facial aesthetics, they launched HGFace in 2021, and have just recently celebrated the business’ first birthday.

The medical aesthetics and skin clinic, located in Harrogate’s Windsor House, offers patients non-surgical treatments with a strong emphasis on professional, ethical and safe methods and techniques.

The wide range of treatments available include consultations for wrinkle relaxation treatments, dermal fillers, lip enhancements, PRP, microneedling, chemical peels and dermaplaning.

Lynda, who owned  her own dental practice, Acomb Dental and Implant Clinic, in York, for 20 years, explained:

“We have been great friends for so many years and we always thought we would do something together when the time was right.

“We both have continued with our professional registrations and with around 70 years of clinical experience between us in our previous careers, this has meant that the transition into facial aesthetics was a natural progression for us.”

Lynda first began carrying out medical aesthetics treatments whilst in a dental practice over 15 years ago.

She said:

“It has long been a passion of mine and ultimately what I have loved doing most.

“Aesthetics itself has evolved enormously in the time since I started out. It’s gone from being the treatment of isolated fine lines and wrinkles, to treating the face as a whole. We’ve continually expanded our knowledge and had the benefit of some world-class training. The subject becomes more and more interesting as the years go by.”

Self-confessed “skin geek” Jo added:

“The science and the psychology are so interesting and there is always so much to learn. It’s a good job that we are both life-long learners!

“Unlike the pressures of our previous careers, we can now give our patients the time that our aesthetic and skincare consultations and treatments require. There is no rushing here.

“Listening and understanding our patients is of great importance. We focus on building rapport and trust to make sure our patients are comfortable with and informed about their choices.”

The friends chose to base their clinic at Windsor House, on Cornwall Road. Both agree it is “a fabulous setting”, which is peaceful, discreet and also has parking available.

Whilst they both offer a full range of treatments, Jo tends to specialise in skincare and Lynda in the injectable procedures, such as wrinkle relaxation treatments and facial rejuvenation with dermal fillers.

Jo said:

“Skin care and injectable non-surgical aesthetic treatments go hand-in-hand.

“Well-proportioned features, along with a glowing complexion are the goal. Our aim is never to change a face, rather to enhance what is naturally there already.

Lynda highlighted the importance of good nutrition, hydration and appropriate supplementation.

She said:

“We retail a great range of supplements specifically for the skin. Jo and I would never be without our supplements now.”

Dr Lynda Allman (left) and Jo Banks.

Women tend to make up most of the patient list at HGFace, but the team are treating an increasing number of men.

Lynda said:

“There is a worldwide increase in men having aesthetic treatments. It’s not just the girls who want to look and feel great and full of confidence.”

A more recent addition to the treatment menu at HGface is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment.

This involves harnessing the regenerative powers of natural factors present in our own blood.

A blood sample is taken, centrifuged and the plasma removed. This plasma, rich in natural growth factors can be used in many areas of the body where healing and regeneration are required.

This is proving successful in treating hair loss in both men and women.

PRP can also be used as a great skin rejuvenator. The treatment is pain free and without any down-time.

HGFace is Save Face accredited annually, which means that the clinic has been assessed and has met ‘best practice standards’.

For more information visit www.hgface.co.uk

Community prepares for return of Birstwith Show this weekend

Visitors are expected to flock to the show field in Birstwith tomorrow for the first annual village show in three years.

Last held in 2019, the show is already attracting more interest than in previous years, with advance ticket sales up and a flurry of late bookings for trade stands in recent weeks.

Andrea Walwyn, a member of the organising committee, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s going really very well. It has been a difficult couple of years and we haven’t had a show since 2019.

“This year we’ve had a real influx of volunteers and I think one of the reasons is because there has been a lot of new houses in the village. I think those people haven’t lived in a village before and they’re really excited to be involved in village life.”

As well as the traditional attractions, there have been a number of changes to this year’s show, which begins at noon.

When the show princess parades into the ring, for the first time her attendants will be two boys instead of two girls.

The show ring will have displays including 3Sixty Stunt Team, Harrogate District Dance Company and Pete White’s Suitcase Circus, and entries will be welcome on the day for the dog classes.

And while there will be the usual array of classes for everything from children’s baking to crafts, there have been some new trends in the entries received.

Ms Walwyn said:

“We’ve had a lot of entries, particularly in cookery classes. The fruit and veg classes are down, probably because of the weather this year, but cookery classes are up.

“We only usually get three entries in the painting class and this year we have got about 20. We wondered if people during lockdowns have been painting and cooking more.

“It’s interesting how things have changed in terms of our exhibitions.”

Tickets for the event will be available on the gate at £5 per adult, while children go free. Following the daytime entertainment, three bands will provide live music in the marquee from 6.30pm.

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Meanwhile, Weeton Show also takes place this weekend, with the gates opening at 9am on Sunday.

Brass bands, vintage tractors, rural craft demonstrations and a bar featuring Daleside Brewery’s exclusive show ale Weeton Wiggle will all be on offer.

Tickets are only available in advance via the website and organisers have warned people to book early after last year’s show sold out. Entry is £10 for adult and £5 for children, with those under five going free.

County council boss set to be appointed chief executive of new North Yorkshire Council

The chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council is set to be appointed as the head of the new unitary authority next month.

Richard Flinton, who has held his current role since 2010, was today named as the preferred candidate to take the helm at North Yorkshire Council.

Mr Flinton, who lives in Ryedale, will be paid up to £197,000 for the role,

The recommendation comes from NYCC’s cross-party chief officer appointments committee, which conducted the selection process.

The final decision will be made by councillors at a full meeting of NYCC on Wednesday, August 17.

The committee chairman, Cllr Carl Les – who is also leader of NYCC and will become leader of the new authority next year – said:

“Our new council will be one of the largest authorities in the country but we are building it around the needs of people, communities and businesses; so it will also be one of the most local.

“The successful candidate for the role of chief executive will be in charge of ensuring that the county’s 600,000 residents, and tens of thousands of businesses, get the best possible service and value for money.

“The person will also manage a revenue budget of around £1.4 billion and an ongoing capital programme of around £350 million while driving the transformation programme to bring public services together in a way that is effective and practical. This programme is estimated to make significant financial savings, which will then be used to help finance frontline services.

“As you would expect for a job this important, the process to select a preferred candidate has been competitive and robust and involved all political parties. It is now for wider councillors to make the final decision when they meet in a few weeks’ time.”

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Mr Flinton, who was born in Scarborough, has worked for NYCC since 1987, initially in trading standards. He rose through the ranks to become corporate director of business and environmental services in 2008, before becoming chief executive two years later.

The county council said the recruitment process for his new role was open and promoted nationally.

He said:

“I am humbled to have been chosen as the preferred candidate for the role of chief executive officer of the new North Yorkshire Council. The move to the new authority represents huge challenges and opportunities, and to be able to play a part in that would be a huge honour.

“There are so many hugely talented people across all of the eight councils which will become one next year, and it would be a real privilege to work with them.”

He will take up the post on April 1, when the new North Yorkshire Council comes into effect.

At that point, the 90 councillors elected in May to NYCC will transfer to the new authority where they will serve the first four-year term before another election is held.

At the same time, North Yorkshire’s seven district councils – including Harrogate Borough Council – will be abolished.

Police warn of increase in house and car thefts in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police has urged people in the Harrogate area to be vigilant after an increase in house and car thefts.

The constabulary issued the alert this morning, saying the number of incidents had risen “over the last few weeks”.

No further details were released.

In a post on social media, the police added:

“Please ensure you keep your homes and vehicles secure.”

Over the last few weeks there has been an increase of theft from insecure vehicles and homes across the Harrogate area. Please ensure you keep your homes and vehicles secure. If you have any information on these crimes call NYP on 101 or crime stoppers anonymously on 0800555111

— North Yorkshire Police – Harrogate (@NYP_Harrogate) July 29, 2022

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