Former CNG building goes on the market

The Harrogate headquarters of energy firm CNG, which ceased trading lat year, has gone on the market.

Montpellier Property Consultants is advertising the four-storey property on Victoria Avenue.

The air-conditioned building was built in the 1990s and refurbished in 2015. The advertisement says:

“It offers modern high specification office accommodation and benefits from the latest systems and technology.

“The quality of its specification and the very extensive office accommodation it provides makes it unique in the business district.”

Slingsby Gin signs sponsorship deal with Ascot Racecourse

Harrogate firm Slingsby Gin has become the official gin supplier to Ascot Racecourse.

Royal Ascot, which is held in June, is one of the premier events on the British horseracing calendar.

The partnership will generate considerable exposure for the local firm through exclusive branding and activations, branded bars for the season and inclusion in event coverage that is broadcast worldwide.

Slingsby Gin said in a statement:

“We are delighted to add this to our existing long-standing sponsorship with one of the golf world’s most exciting events, the BMW PGA Championship, and we hope that the new Ascot partnership will further strengthen our strong sporting connections.”

JB Gill to appear at Great Yorkshire Show

JB Gill

Pop star turned farmer JB Gill has agreed to appear on the new GYS stage at the Great Yorkshire Show.

He will appear twice on stage on Wednesday, July 13, as part of a chat show style section before meeting fans afterwards.

Former ITV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot will host the GYS Stage.

The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate will take place from July 12 to 15.

JB rose to fame as a member of boy band JLS, who had five number one singles, before setting up a farm in the Kent countryside,

Send your business news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Harrogate Triathlon will return on May 8 — and as many as 300 people could take part.

The triathlon, which will take place in the grounds of Ashville College, has been going for about 10 years and new event director Paul Sykes hopes it will get bigger each year.

The most recent event, in September 2021, saw an increased number of participants after a covid hiatus. Harrogate Tri Club, which organises the event, hopes to capitalise on the eagerness of people to get back into events after lockdowns.

Mr Sykes said:

“Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and our sprint and GO TRI distance events are perfect for anyone who is curious about or new to the sport. We have a great venue at Ashville College, and this year’s event will be bigger than ever as we will be hosting an under-18s event for the first time.

“It promises to be a great family day out and I’d really encourage people to either sign up or come along and spectate if they’re at all curious.”

The event is run by Harrogate Tri Club volunteers. Photograph: Harrogate Tri Club

The main event is the sprint triathlon, which involves a 420m pool swim, 24km bike ride and a 4.6km run. The run goes along Green Lane and Yew Tree Lane whereas the bike ride takes participants towards Beckwithshaw.

The second event, called a GO TRI, is aimed at people who are less confident about tackling the sprint triathlon. It consists of a 180m swim, 12km bike ride and a 2.3km run.

There is also an event for juniors, aged 8 to 18-years-old, which ranges in distances depending on age.

Read more:

• Sparkling awards evening for Ripon City Netball Club
• Scenic 42-mile walking route from Bradford to Ripon created

The Tri Club, which organises the event, said the event was set up in 2012 following the London Olympics.

There will be stands from multiple brands including Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewery and OTE Nutrition from Leeds.

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.

Our ‘sunshine politician’ should update us more

I notice on Andrew Jones MP’s website that as of the March 25, the News and Campaigns section was last updated on January 19 with a criticism of the behaviour of the Prime Minister.

Since then, we have had the ‘Russian cash for something’ the Conservative Party has welcomed from oligarchs connected to Putin. Also, the arrival of Russian troops in the Ukraine carrying out an attack on a country and risking the possibility of world war. Not to mention the murderous bombing and shelling of civilians.

As the Conservative Party has the funds to cover MPs’ expenses, why would this website not be covering such important issues that should be reported to constituents by every means possible?

The definition of a sunshine politician is here clear to see.

Andrew Williams, Harrogate

Read more:

• Andrew Jones MP urges Northern to ‘rethink’ cuts to Harrogate trains
• Fire dancers and art installations take over Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Shops should close their doors to preserve heat

I’m amazed by the number of shop doors open and heating on full blast in the shops. Some particular promoting their green policies but letting expensive heat out of the door.

Rachel Rawlings, Harrogate

Thanks to my lovely helpers

Please would you convey my grateful thanks to all the people who came to my aid when I had an accident in Springfield Avenue on a recent Friday. It’s heartwarming to know there are such lovely people around. I am recovering well.

Joy Garratt, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Legends from Leeds United’s 1992 title winning side are set to reunite in Harrogate to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the triumph.

Held at Cedar Court Hotel on April 29, members of the squad will speak at a celebration dinner and relive some of the key moments from the milestone season.

Manager Howard Wilkinson, who led Leeds to their first Division One title in 18 years, is set to make an appearance along with captain Gordon Strachan.

Full-backs Mel Sterland and Tony Dorigo, as well as Jon Newsome, Chris Whyte, Steve Hodge and Rod Wallace will also be in attendance.

The evening will include interviews with the players and clips of key moments from throughout the season.

Read more: 

• Harrogate student scores wonder goal for Leeds youth team
• Harrogate man’s 40-year love affair with Leeds United

The highlights that season included clinching the title in a 3-2 win at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United and defeating Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park in one of the few games which were broadcast on television.

Strachan and Wilkinson will also give extended insight into the United side, which became the last team to win the First Division before it became the Premier League.

Tickets are available from promoters MJK Sports Events. You can find more information on the event here.

This weekend is my favourite time of year – the clocks are going forward! Finally!

And after a glorious week of weather, I think most of us are getting in the mood for summer.

We are finally able to turn our attention to the spring-summer 2022 fashion trends. While we might still need to have a chunky knit on standby, rest assured, balmy eves are just around the corner.

So with that in mind, it’s time to clue up on all the biggest styles, colours, prints and It-pieces set to dominate the season ahead.

And fortunately Harrogate has some incredible clothes shops – both independents and chains – so you don’t even need to travel to get kitted out.

Here are some top picks from three fashion boutiques in Harrogate:

Infinity & Co, Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza

Infinity & Co owner Sam Gallagher models her first spring summer outfit choice.

Sheer pink top with tassels: £99

White trousers: £45

Straw bag with statement tassel, sparkly trim and leather strap: £92

Shoes: Model’s own

Sam Gallagher, owner of Infinity & Co boutique, which moved from a pop-up unit to a bigger space at the Victoria Shopping Centre seven weeks ago, said:

“Across the whole of this season we are seeing lots of bright colours coming through and I think we are all ready for that after the last two years.

“What we are seeing as we are coming into summer is the brights are becoming more neon and we have seen a lot of Aztec influence – in bag straps, in embroidery, so this top is a typical example of what we are seeing coming through. We are also seeing the bohemian trend going bigger this year. So this top is a combo of both the Aztec and bohemian trends.

“The white trousers are a “magic pant”, which is a new technology of fabric, which doesn’t go see-through when it stretches, so you can buy a size 10-16. For an independent this is great as it means we can stock a lot more styles. They also have an elasticated waist, which I call ‘lockdown clothing’, so when you are feeling a bit bloated it’s comfortable.

“Then you have this gorgeous straw bag with a statement tassel.”

Joined by Bailey the dog, Sam models her second spring summer outfit choice.

Dress with gold embroidery: £99

Bohemian-style tassel pendant: £28

Shoes: Model’s own

Sam said:

“This is from a new collection that we have got in, which has really pretty gold embroidery and, again, lots of beading.

“I’ve teamed this with one of the bohemian-style pendants, which we have got in loads of different colours. It’s just great for layering.

“It’s so pretty and would be great for going beach to bar or a garden party, or for a drink on West Park.”

Mint Velvet, James Street

Tan casual leather jacket: £299

Bronze sequin ruffle top: £69

Hazelnut Monroe crop wide trousers: £79

Anges white leather saddle bag: £119

Fern gold metallic wedges: £169

Manager Suzie Poole said:

“This year there is lots of tonal dressing with neutrals, such as whites, creams and golds. There is usually some sparkle added to this with sequins. It’s kind of a reaction to the pandemic – casual but with a bit of extra sparkle. It’s about making you feel a bit more special about the outfit you’re wearing.”

Ivory gathered back shirt: £79

Zest chunky v-neck tabard: £79

Utility slim jeans: £89

Camille tone leather loafers: £99

Gold ball pendant: £29

Supervisor Terina Daly said:

“Lime green is really on-trend at the moment and bright colours in general. It just looks really fresh. The lime seems to be a colour that suits everyone, even though people can be scared of brighter colours.

“We have noticed more people coming in since the pandemic saying they need some more colour in their wardrobes.

“Animal print is also huge and it’s coming through a lot in accessories. So if you don’t feel confident enough, you can just wear a headband and have a little pop of print.

“The military trend is still big and these khaki trousers are really popular. We also do them in other colours.”

Read more:

• Sneak Peek: Wild Thing promises something unique in Knaresborough
• Sneak Peek: New women’s shoe store opens on Montpellier today

Porters, James Street

Universal Works navy bakers jacket: £249

Oliver Spencer navy and cream conduit stripe T-shirt: £85

Universal Works light olive fatigue trousers: £135

Hoffs Bangkok City beige and orange trainer: £99

Carhartt Nomad script bucket hat: £45

Carhartt WIP Vista tie dye socks: £20

Website manager Charlotte Woodhead said:

“This outfit is smart/casual with some nice layering. With the warmer weather coming, it’s nice to have a bucket hat for summer vibes, which you can use to dress down an outfit.”

Traffic People ITJ Cleo animal print jumpsuit: £120

Matt & Nat chili vie vintage bag belt: £70

Rebecca Jones, website assistant, said:

“The jumpsuit is made with a really lightweight fabric, it’s really floaty with three-quarter length sleeves and a wide leg, which is great because if it’s too long it’s really easy to hem up. It has a really flattering waistband.

“Jumpsuits are here to stay as it’s an outfit in one, you don’t have to worry about what you have got on top and bottom.

“They are really smart and easy to wear. You could dress this up with a pair of heels and a nice blazer, or down with a pair of trainers and a leather jacket. We do this jumpsuit in different colourways.

“The bag is made from a sustainable vegan leather. It’s what you would call a ‘bumbag’ and it’s really on-trend to wear them across the shoulder as it’s a more stylish way to wear them. We do them in black as well.”

A Harrogate and Knaresborough care provider has bought a fleet of electric bikes to reduce emissions, avoid congestion and boost the mental health of its staff.

My Homecare offers at-home care to around 40 clients in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Carers can be driving to people’s homes from 7am to 9pm, clocking up “absolutely loads of miles’ and contributing to local air pollution, says Sarah Kemp, care manager at the company.

Visits have also been disrupted over the past few years due to the seemingly endless number of roadworks linked to new housing developments in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Ms Kemp said:

“Harrogate is quite a big town when you realise how many people you are visiting. We go everywhere from Bilton, Jennyfields and the town centre.

“But if you need to visit people multiple times the miles soon rack up.”

Holly with one of the bikes

More responsive

The Cycle 2 Care initiative began with seven bikes. It will be trialled in Harrogate and Knaresborough and could be rolled out to other My Homecare locations in other parts of the country if it’s successful.

Ms Kemp added:

“Electric bikes will help us be a lot more responsive.”

Read more:

• Green Shoots: Boroughbridge heat pump engineer on his environmental ‘obsession’
• Green Shoots: Harrogate Town’s vegan footballer who is passionate about environment
• Green Shoots: What it’s like to own an electric car in Harrogate

Recruitment boost

Recruitment problems in the care sector have been well documented.

It’s estimated there are around 1,000 jobs available across North Yorkshire, with providers struggling to fill roles.

My Homecare Harrogate believes electric bikes can help persuade carers to come on board and work for them.

It also currently has a small number of carers that don’t have a car, so the bikes will help them get to clients more quickly.

Ms Kemp said she brought up the electric bikes at a recent job interview, and the candidate was impressed.

“The person who we interviewed said no other providers have offered this.

“Nobody is using electric bikes as a recruitment tool the way we are.”

Kim and Clare

‘Greener way of delivering care’

Each carer will have a full induction on how to use the bike and will be provided with a helmet, lights and a lock.

Ms Kemp hopes will not only improve the environment but improve the mental health and wellbeing of staff too.

She added:

“This hopefully will be a greener way of delivering care.”

Firefighters were called last night to deal with two vehicles that had been deliberately set alight in Knaresborough.

A fire crew from the town was summoned to Maundy Grove at 10.22pm.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log, they used two hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

No further details are available.

In a separate incident last night, firefighters were alerted to reports of a fire in woodland on Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate.

The incident log, which says the call was received at 5.53pm, adds:

“This turned out to be a camp fire well supervised. Fire service not required.”

Read more:

• Firefighters battle large wildfire near Brimham Rocks
• Traffic lights coming to busy Knaresborough junction

A day of free events in Harrogate will promote wellbeing to mark the beginning of Stress Awareness Month next weekend.

The Festival of Wellbeing on Saturday, April 2 will include pilates, yoga, barre, and nutrition sessions hosted by the company OneWellness at its studio on Mowbray Square.

It is the third time the festival has been held and aims to boost participants’ moods as well as increasing their energy levels through activities as part of a group.

Alasdair Everest-Ford, head of OneWellness, said:

‘’Lack of support can cause loneliness and isolation, lowering personal wellbeing and impacting people’s health.

“At OneWellness, we believe community support should continue during and beyond challenging times. A community is much more than just a group of people; it’s about connection, having fun, and feel supported and accepted.”

The day will also feature Rose Petal Tea Room from Knaresborough, Sweaty Betty, and The Body Shop. It will raise money for mental health charity Mind, including through donations as part of a series of fitness challenges.

For more information or to book a place on one of the sessions, click here.

Amazing photos taken above Harrogate district skies during the first half of the 20th century have been published by Historic England.

The public body this week opened up an archive of over 400,000 shots capturing Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon during a bygone era.

The photos were taken by a company called Aerofilms, which was a pioneering firm of commercial aerial photographers formed in 1919. It combined the fledgling technologies of flight and photography.

We’ve included some of the best photos below but if you visit Historic England’s website and type in a location you will be able to view more from its archive.

The photographers also captured villages such as Pannal during the 1940s when it looked much smaller than the present day.

How has Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough changed since these photos were taken?

Read More:

• Refurbishment reveals ‘ghost sign’ of former Harrogate library
• Photos reveal hidden history of Harrogate’s abandoned railway tunnel

The present-day Prince of Wales roundabout, 1921

West Park Stray, 1921

Knaresborough Road, Granby Road, Skipton Road, 1921

Queen Ethelburga’s school, Pennypot Lane, Harrogate, 1926

Knaresborough Castle and the town centre, 1926

Ripley, 1926

Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods, 1928

Goldsborough, 1928

Knaresborough, 1926

Ripon, Williamson varnish and enamel works, 1932

Knaresborough, 1946

Pannal, 1949

Octavious Atkinson, Starbeck 1952

We have been bathed in glorious sunshine this week and it feels amazing to get outside and feel the sun on our skin again.

While our sunny disposition may change with the weather, it’s always good to make the most of it while you can – and that includes exercising outdoors.

Because, let’s face it, the treadmill and weights areas just don’t have the same appeal when it’s warm outside.

If you’ve only ever really worked out at a gym, however, you might be wondering how to make your sweat session an al fresco experience.

From wild swimming and cycling to bootcamps and running, here are six outdoor workouts across the Harrogate district to get you out in the sunshine this spring and summer:

Outdoor fitness sessions with Set the Tone Fitness – Ripon and Knaresborough

A Set the Tone outdoor fitness session.

Head fitness coach Stu Clark and his team run outdoor sessions across Ripon and Knaresborough.

You can expect a mixture of cardio and non-cardio exercises and activities, along with fun warm-ups, team and pair work, accompanied by some “excellent tunes”.

The sessions are suitable for all levels of fitness.

Stu said:

“There’s nothing better than breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your back while you’re doing squats or a one-minute plank.

“It makes you feel alive. There’s something about being in amongst nature and hearing those sounds that brings peace and calm.

“You can forget your other pressures and focus on enjoying the outdoors – even if that involves getting a bit of a sweat on and doing more star jumps than you thought possible.

“The sessions and are great fun. After all, laughter is great for your stress levels and may lower blood pressure.”

Parkrun – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

A parkrun in Harrogate from 2015.

Parkrun sees runners of all abilities take part in a 5km run every Saturday morning.

It holds three events in the Harrogate district: on The Stray in Harrogate, at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough and at Fountains Abbey in Ripon.

It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the beautiful green spaces and get physically active at the same time – and best of all, it’s free!

Read more:

• Harrogate district set to become health destination in echo of Victorian past
• Four wellness retreats in the Harrogate district to re-energise mind, body and soul

Wild swimming – various locations

Ben Pitts tests the waters at Janet’s Foss in Malhamdale.

Wild – or outdoor – swimming has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, with more and more people even braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons.

If winter swimming sounds a little on the chilly side, then luckily late spring and early summer is a more favourable time to start.

Wild swimmer Ben Pitts, from Harrogate, said:

“I started back in 2019 with a friend from work. For some reason we decided November would be a great time to start, so there was actually frost in the shaded part around the lake. I’m pretty sure we were only in there for a minute, but that was long enough.

“I wanted to get into it after reading about the benefits of it in one of Ross Edgley’s books.

“The mental clarity you get from being in the cold and the rush of energy once you’re out are fantastic, so it’s not hard to see why more people are getting into it with everything that has been going on. It also increases your white blood cell count, which helps your immune system.”

Swimming outdoors is a great way to stay fit and connect with nature, but some basic safety precautions must be taken.

When it comes to locations, a good place to start is here.

Cycling with The Personal Cyclist, Harrogate area

Head outside on a bike with confidence – even if you don’t know where to start.

If you’re anything like me and you love the idea of heading out on a bike, but have no idea where to start, The Personal Cyclist offers cycling confidence coaching and personalised guided cycling tours in and around Harrogate.

Founder Kate Auld said:

“Cycling outdoors with the wind in your hair is one of the best ways to see the world, get close to nature and get a cracking workout in the process.

“You can’t check your phone and just ‘switch off’, you have to really engage with your surroundings and that’s what makes it magic.

“Often people who haven’t ridden for years just need a little extra support to cycle safely and socially. It’s a myth that you need to have all the gear (or go fast) to reap the benefits of cycling outside.”

Ready Steady Mums walking group – Harrogate

Ready Steady Mums brings new parents together once a week to walk together.

In Harrogate, simply going for a weekly walk around The Stray has been a lifeline for dozens of new parents, who bring their babies along to get out of the house and make friends at what can be a very isolating time.

Formed in 2016, the volunteer-run group offers “friendship, support, cake, fresh air and fitness” and meets at St Mark’s Church, just off Leeds Road, at 10am every Friday.

It is free to attend and there is no need to book. I’ve heard amazing things about the homemade cakes!

Bootcamps with Lauren Randall Fitness – Harrogate

Bootcampers get stuck in at “The Ranch”, just outside Pannal.

Personal trainer Lauren coaches at the biggest outdoor gym space in the area, just outside Pannal, complete with a full gym rig and plenty of kit – perfect for adult PE.

Sessions at “The Ranch” are 45 minutes and focus on everything from weight lifting technique to cardio endurance to sport specific training, catering for all levels of fitness.

Lauren said:

“Research continues to prove that being outdoors and around nature improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and relieves stress.

“Combine that with the endorphin release and plethora of benefits of exercising and you can’t go wrong.

“The winter weather can make it more challenging to get outside, but you’ll soon notice a surge in outdoor activities and better moods.”