First Harrogate Christmas Fayre set to showcase local charities

The new Harrogate Christmas Fayre is set to showcase local charities when the festive market comes to town next month.

Organisers Market Place Europe have set aside a stall for 10 charities, which they can use to raise awareness and fundraise.

Across the 10 days, Samaritans of Harrogate and District, Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation, Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, Dementia Forward, Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre, Harrogate Easier Living Project, Citizens Advice Craven and Harrogate Districts, Harrogate International Festivals, Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and Horticap will also use the stall.

A press release today by Harrogate Borough Council, which is organising the event in partnership with Market Place Europe, said the charities ‘were identified through the council’s Local Lotto initiative’, which conducts weekly prize draws that generate money for local charities.

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:

“Almost 50 coach companies are set to arrive across the 10 days, along with the thousands of Harrogate district residents and regional visitors, so it is anticipated that traders, local businesses and charities are going to benefit from the additional footfall the fayre will bring.”

The organisers hope the stall will help fill the void left by the original Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill, which over the last five events contributed more than £90,000 to local charities.

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Gemma Rio, Harrogate Borough Council’s head of destination management, said:

“There is a lot of excitement building for the market, and we are anticipating thousands of people visiting Harrogate this festive period, so I’d like to thank Market Place Europe for donating a stall that will no doubt raise the profile of local charities and The Local Lotto.”

Location and dates for new Harrogate Christmas Fayre

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will feature around 50 stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.. They will be spaced out wider than usual to encourage social distancing.

New Harrogate cocktail bar given go-ahead

A new cocktail bar is set to open in Harrogate town centre.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans for the former Moss Bros clothes shop on Parliament Street to be converted into a bar.

Owners of Leeds-based cocktail bar, Roland’s, submitted the proposal along with a licence application to open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until 2.30am.

Roland’s website says it serves up “exceptional drinks, great music and a good time”. The Leeds bar opened in 2014 and is situated at 39 Call Lane, one of the most popular streets in the city for nightlife.

ELG Planning, which lodged the proposal on behalf of Roland’s, said in documents submitted to the council that the move was an opportunity for the bar to expand its business.

It said:

“The unit on Parliament Street, Harrogate provides the best opportunity for our client to expand their existing business Roland’s.

“The client has been looking for suitable premises for a long period and due to a combination of the location and size the application site is suited to their operational needs.

“They have considered a number of locations in the last five years to provide a similar facility in Harrogate to that already trading in Leeds.”

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The new bar would be the latest addition to Parliament Street’s nightlife scene, which includes the Harrogate Arms, Revolución de Cuba, Mojo, Wetherspoons and the Viper Rooms.

The Ginnel hosts bars Montey’s and Major Tom’s Social.

Some venues on Parliament Street have struggled to survive in recent years, including Jamie’s Italian, Wagyu Bar and Grill and The Restaurant Bar and Grill, which all closed.

Your guide to Harrogate’s three Christmas markets

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…So, with a few changes to the plans this year, we have compiled this guide of everything you need to know about Harrogate’s Christmas markets.

After the loss of the original Harrogate Christmas Market, the festive offering has splintered into three markets.

While some of the original stalls will be at the newly-refurbished Crimple Hall at the end of November, new stall holders will be at events across the town centre and Valley Gardens in December.

Harrogate Christmas Fayre across the town centre

Market Place Europe is taking on the main event in Harrogate but rather than Montpellier Hill this new Harrogate Christmas Fayre will take place across the town centre.

There will be a mixture of local and European stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will feature around 50 traders spaced out wider than usual to try to encourage social distancing.

Rather than the usual four-day market, the Market Place Europe event will take place over a week from December 3 until December 12.

Market Place Europe is behind the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Christmas Market Weekend at Crimple Hall

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of Harrogate Christmas Market, has worked with some of the stallholders who were planning to go to his cancelled event to get them at a new venue.

Crimple Hall will hold the Christmas Market Weekend, which will feature more than 20 food and craft stalls.

There will also be plenty of children’s activities, a festive animal farm, face painting, treasure trails, wreath making demonstration and live music.

The Christmas Market at Crimple Hall will be held on November 27 and 28, from 8am to 7pm on the Saturday and 10am to 4pm on the Sunday.

There will be a festive offering at the new Crimple Hall.

Artisan Christmas market in Valley Gardens

Little Bird Made, which has made a name for itself across North Yorkshire with its artisan markets, is set to hold a festive version of its market in Valley Gardens.

More than 60 local traders and producers will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as locally produced food and drink.

This is a new addition to the town called Artisan Festive Market, with the organisers working with Harrogate Borough Council.

It will be held on the weekend of December 4 and 5 between 10am and 3pm.

The Artisan Festive Market will be held in Harrogate's Valley Gardens.

The Artisan Festive Market will be held in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.

Stray Views: Scrap the Station Gateway in its current form

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.

Scrap the Station Gateway

The Station Gateway project should be scrapped entirely in its present form even if this means losing out on the current funding. The current proposal is a highway engineer’s solution to a problem that simply does not focus on the important issues from an holistic point of view.

It is ‘pocket planning’ and requires an urban design-led concept which addresses all concerns, operating less on the imposed ‘we know best’ principle by the project leaders, and more on engagement with all sectors, especially those who care and whose livelihoods depend on Harrogate.

It needs to be a replacement vision with the real support of the businesses and people of our town. It needs to be one which above all addresses the problem of through traffic and the serious consideration of a park and ride service. Until this happens there is no successful considered alternative solution to Harrogate’s problems

A replacement funding stream is likely to materialise for a replacement vision and one which has the real support of the businesses and people of Harrogate. Once again, as with the Otley Road cycle route, the current proposal is another case of ‘putting the cart before the horse’. In other words, ‘grab the money while we can and then, oh, what shall we do with it?’ without having any masterplan in place.

If the current leadership is not capable of accepting this then I consider we, the citizens of Harrogate, should call for a vote of no confidence in the current project leadership. This could be arranged through an online petition.

Barry Adams, Harrogate

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Harrogate should have had a bypass

This multi-million pound moving of the deckchairs around the Titanic will only serve as a timely reminder of the dismal failure to deliver a bypass (ably aided and abetted by our member of parliament) and the absurd notion that 95% of Harrogate’s traffic is “local”. Never mind, the Skipton and Wetherby roads can cope, as ever.

Nick Hudson, The Saints, 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.

 

Green Shoots: The Harrogate wind farm that powers 8,000 homes

COP26 has made it crystal clear that time is running out for the world to shift away from polluting fossil fuels and towards green energy.

Knabbs Ridge Wind Farm on the outskirts of Harrogate on Pennypot Lane. It’s the only large commercial wind farm in the district and is at the forefront of tackling climate change locally.

Its eight turbines, which have mammoth 35m long blades, power around 8,000 homes with renewable energy.

The wind farm is owned by German energy firm RWE Renewables, and the Stray Ferret spoke with its site manager, Richard Couzens, about how Knabbs Ridge works and why it is so important.

Energy generation

Knabbs Ridge is designed to operate unmanned and includes complex computer systems that ensure the turbines run as optimally as possible.

It’s maintained twice a year by engineers, which Mr Couzens described as being similar to servicing a car.

There’s a weather station on every turbine, which will move to tell the systems which direction the wind is coming from.

Each turbine can generate up to two megawatts of power, which at full capacity would mean the wind farm could power the equivalent of 32,000 homes.

There may be times when you drive past Knabbs Ridge and the turbines are not turning, even on a windy day. Critics of wind energy say they are inefficient compared to other forms of energy generation.

This year 7% of the country’s energy mix came from wind, a steep drop from 2020 when it generated 25%.

Mr Couzens said Knabbs Ridge generates around 30% of its total capacity, which he said is normal for an on-shore wind farm.

“Wind turbines don’t run at full capacity so it’s naive to think we can think it will get the full two megawatts [per turbine] 365 days a year. Realistically that’s not going to happen.

Turbines move when the wind speed is between four metres a second and 25 metres a second.

“Turbines have an operating window where they can generate power. They don’t run unnecessarily when wind speed isn’t running and they protect themselves when the wind is too strong as it can cause damage to internal components.

“There are occasions when the wind is too low, even if it feels theres a breeze, if wind speed is not up to four metres a second for 10 minutes, the turbines will remain idle until wind picks up.”

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Part of the landscape

Knabbs Ridge became operational in 2008 following a bitter battle with residents and Harrogate Borough Council who refused the plans in 2005.

The decision was overturned by the government’s planning inspector who said the wind farm’s green benefits outweighed its visual impact.

At the time, current Harrogate Borough Council leader and then cabinet member for planning Richard Cooper said the decision “flied in the face of common sense”.

But back then the energy mix was still dominated by coal and the climate crisis was not a mainstream concern. Cllr Cooper has since become one of the council’s biggest proponents of green infrastructure, highlighting how attitudes towards wind farms have changed over the last 15 years.

Knabbs Ridge from Beckwithshaw

Knabbs Ridge is now largely an accepted, and for some, admired, part of the rural landscape.

Mr Couzens said:

“I can see why some people want them out at sea, but there’s a great cost. For us a business it’s about balancing cost versus convenience on shore and making sure that balance is done sympathetically.

“Younger children come up and express their opinion on wind turbines, they are not seen as the blot on the landscape as they were seen in the early days.”

Subsidies scrapped

Since Knabbs Ridge was approved, no other large wind farm has been granted planning permission in the Harrogate district.

In 2015 an application to approve a wind farm overlooking Almscliffe Crag was refused by HBC.

Then in 2016, David Cameron’s government announced subsidies for on-shore wind farms would be scrapped, which has seen a sharp fall in new sites across the UK.

Mr Couzens hopes COP26 will help see wind power back on the agenda.

“The construction and development of [wind farms] is ongoing. It’s not ground to a halt, there’s been a reduction in the amount of windfarms, it’s potentially being driven by government incentives.

“I would like to think something meaningful will come out of COP26. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”

Anti-vaccine protest at Harrogate roundabout

About 10 people took part in a demonstration against covid vaccines at a roundabout in Harrogate today.

The group held placards alongside the Prince of Wales roundabout from about 1pm to 3pm.

It is part of a national movement called Rebels on Roundabouts, which co-ordinates similar anti-vaccine protests at roundabouts across the country.

A Rebels on Roundabouts website says it believes ‘the virus has been ruthlessly exploited by a global elite through their puppet politicians and mainstream media’ and is a ‘scapegoat for the inevitable upcoming collapse of the scam economy’.

Those taking part held up signs saying ‘how may vaccines are you going to have before you question it?’. ‘why vaccinate teens?’ and ‘this is not about a virus’.

 A participant from Harrogate, who asked not to be named, said the event was organised by people from Leeds and Otley.

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Guide to Remembrance services in the Harrogate district

Events are happening across the Harrogate district this week to mark Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

The pandemic reduced last year’s commemorations to small scale events but this year organisers are encouraging people to attend services and parades to remember those who have given their lives.

Below is a list of events. If you know of others that we have missed let us know so we can add them to this guide. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Sunday November 14

Harrogate

Harrogate War Memorial:

A service at the war memorial will begin at 10.30am before a two-minute silence is observed. Local dignitaries, members of the armed forces and community groups will attend and lay wreaths.

Harrogate Borough Council has asked those attending to social distance and wear face masks if possible.

Stonefall Cemetery:

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has arranged a service for 1pm. Wreaths will be laid by the Harrogate Mayor and Mayoress, Andrew Jones MP, the Army Foundation College and representatives from the Commonwealth.

St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road

Remembrance services on at 9am and 10.30am.

Killinghall:

A Remembrance Sunday service will take place at St Thomas’s Church, Killinghall at 10am. Members of the public are invited to join staff and junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College.

At approximately 10.40am the congregation we will walk to the war memorial on Ripon Road for a short Act of Remembrance service followed by refreshments at the village hall.

Starbeck:

A service will be held later in the afternoon on Sunday. A parade will start at Starbeck Methodist Church at 2.40pm to arrive at the war memorial for a service at 3pm.

Knaresborough

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a parade on Remembrance Sunday.

A church service at St John’s Church will begin at 9.30am on Sunday. Then a parade of the Knaresborough Royal British Legion standard will march up the High Street towards the castle grounds for a short service at the war memorial at 11am.

Ripon

Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service is held at the city’s war memorial, followed by a service at the cathedral.

Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at Spa Gardens from 10.30am. Around 300 troops are expected to attend alongside local dignitaries and the city’s branch of the Royal British Legion.

Following the service, there will be a march past and salute in front of Ripon Town Hall, with the procession leading to the cathedral, where a further service will be held.

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Masham 

In Masham, a small service will be held on the market square. People are being asked to congregate from 10.30am.

Boroughbridge 

The Boroughbridge branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a service of remembrance and wreath laying at the town’s war memorial on the Butermarket led by Rev Karen Gardiner.

People are invited to start arriving from 10.30am. There will be no parade this year.

Image Gallery: Cosplayers descend on Harrogate for Comic Con

Hundreds of comic book fans flocked to the Harrogate Convention Centre this weekend for the Thought Bubble Comic Convention.

Three exhibition halls were filled with artists, illustrators and authors who were meeting fans and selling copies of their art. It’s Harrogate’s biggest celebration of comic culture.

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The cosplay phenomenon was popularised in Japan and involves dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game.

See our image gallery of Saturday’s cosplayers below. Many will do it all again tomorrow.

Which costume is your favourite?

 

Group marches through Harrogate demanding climate change action

A group of over 50 people marched through Harrogate town centre this morning to demand action on climate change.

The good-natured march was organised by Harrogate resident Ian Hallett who was inspired after cycling to COP26 in Glasgow and back.

There were chants and banners with messages about climate change as curious shoppers looked on.

The group included members of Extinction Rebellion Harrogate, Harrogate & District Green Party and Harrogate District Cycle Action,

Mr Hallett said:

“[After COP] it was an opportunity to invite people along for a march.”

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The march was attended by people of all ages. At the front was a colourful banner made by Anna Bryer and her children with the message “Act on the science”.

The colours represent Met Office temperatures from 1850 to the present day and show how the planet has heated.

It was made from recycled fabric, including a prom dress and an old pillow.

Ms Bryer said:

“It’s a striking dramatic and frightening image. It’s based on scientific fact, and we can’t argue with that.

“This is about our children’s future”

Harrogate’s Got Talent: Have you got what it takes to liven up the town?

Can you hang a tune, juggle a bit maybe or do a few nifty dance moves? If so, your town needs you.

Harrogate Business Improvement District, which is made up town centre businesses, is looking for new street entertainers to liven the town up and make shopping a more upbeat experience.

Matthew Chapman the Harrogate BID manager said:

“We are looking for entertainers from all genres whether it be singers, magicians, actors or dancers – anything that will add to the shopping and hospitality  experience – the quirkier the better.”

Harrogate already has regular buskers who knock out Adele or Sinatra classics outside M&S on Cambridge Street in the hope of making money.

Mr Chapman says there’s no move to stop them. The aim is to provide a more consistent offer in the town and place entertainers in different areas, possibly at the rear of Primark on Oxford Street or at the end of Cambridge Street outside HSBC.

The BID has a small budget to support the new performers.

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If you think you’ve got what it takes and want to get involved, get in touch with the BID. Mr Chapman said:

“If people have got videos or YouTube accounts then we can see them perform – or you can email us and come in for an audition. We want to create a vibrant town centre so that people can enjoy the experience as well as the retail and hospitality offerings.”

The BID is keen to trial new performers during the Xmas period and roll it out across next year.

To contact the BID email info@Harrogatebid.co.uk

Do you know that Harrogate has a long history of street entertaining and that in Victorian times it could all get a bit raucous?  Read Harrogate Historian, Malcolm Neesam’s article on the very lively scene that existed in previous centuries.