Drone pic shows Ripley Castle after major scaffolding project

An aerial photograph shows historic Ripley Castle after a four-week scaffolding project.

The 14th Century, Grade I Listed building, home to the sixth Baronet Ingilby and his family, is about to undergo major renovations to its roof.

Elite Scaffolding, which has completed similar projects at Knaresborough Castle and Allerton Castle, overcame three storms to erect the poles around the castle.

Spencer Cassidy, managing director of Thorpe Arch-based Elite Scaffolding, said:

“This is the third Yorkshire castle that we have scaffolded, and in terms of scale it is certainly the most significant.

“Before starting, we worked closely with Ripley Castle owner, Sir Thomas Ingilby, and main contractor, HACS, to ensure our work would not visually impact on two weddings it was hosting.

“We have been keeping a very close eye on the weather, and despite enduring three significant storms which have brought gale force winds, torrential rain and snow, I’m pleased to say haven’t given us any problems.”

Ripley Castle is a private house but its grounds are open to the public.

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More donation spots in Harrogate to help Ukrainians

An overwhelming number of people from the Harrogate district have offered donations to help Ukrainians following the Russian invasion.

We will update this blog with new donation spots as we hear about them. If you know about any more drop-off points or other Ukrainian initiatives please let us know via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

6.15pm: Hampsthwaite’s donations heading to Ukraine

Villagers in Hampsthwaite have been donating goods over the past few days at the village church.

A post on the Hampsthwaite Village Facebook page thanked the “incredible” effort of everyone involved. The donations have been dropped off at Hales Bar in Harrogate and will be on their way to Ukraine next week.

“The response for donations for Ukraine has been incredible to the extent that over the last three and a half days the baptistry of Hampsthwaite Church was completely crammed. One carload was taken on Monday to the collection centre on Claro Road, which has since become overwhelmed and they could not take any more goods.

“This afternoon, with the help of Debbie Bruce and Nick Beaton we transported all of the remaining donations to Hales Bar in town. We could not have managed this so efficiently had it not been for Acklams Motorcycles and the lovely Joel who volunteered the use of one of their vans to transport all of the donations. Your donations will be on their way early next week to the Polish/Ukraine border where they are much needed.”

Hampsthwaite has thanked Acklam’s Motorcycles for helping transport goods.

5.30pm: Charity dog walk organised

A group of professional dog walkers in Harrogate have organised a charity dog walk for Ukraine. It will start at Hookstone Car Park, HG2 8PN on Sunday March 27.

It costs £5 per dog and starts at 1pm.

For more information visit this Facebook page.

2.50pm: Ripon Cathedral sounds bells for peace

Ripon Cathedral took part in an initiative today to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Canon Michael talks to @joncowap on @BBCYork at 11.35am as we prepare to ring our bells at midday in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. The bells ring for 7 minutes, 1 min for each day of the war. As they ring – we pray for peace @nickbaines @JulianSmithUK @churchofengland pic.twitter.com/wXg59taZbr

— Ripon Cathedral (@riponcathedral) March 3, 2022

1.58pm: New drop-off point in Harrogate

American-born Whitney Vauvelle, who now lives in Harrogate, has told us she is working with the Global Empowerment Mission to collect items for the Ukraine relief effort.

Items can be dropped off at 52 Cornwall Road, postcode HG1 2PP. Ms Vauvelle says:

“We have specific requests for warm clothes for women and children of all ages: thermals, jumpers, sweats, trousers, socks, nappies, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitisers, backpacks and small suitcases.”

Ms Vauvelle is personal friends with Michael Capponi, the founder of Global Empowerment Mission. She said:

“Michael and his team have been in Poland on the border for the last week. The situation is becoming very challenging.

“We are also fundraising to cover further trucking and transportation costs for trucks from the UK to Poland.

“These people desperately need our help.

Ms Vauvelle adds that her great grandparents were Ukrainian and supposedly raised horses for Czar Nicholas II.

12.58pm: Business gives day’s takings to those in need

Bob Partridge, who owns VetDentist, which has a practice in Harrogate, has got in touch to say he was so moved by the plight of Ukrainians that his company donated a day’s takings to the British Red Cross Ukraine appeal.

He said many of his team also made personal donations.

British Red Cross donations are now being overseen by the Disasters Emergency Committee, which co-ordinates the aid agency response to crisis. You can give here.

10.30am – Hales Bar opens as donation drop-off point

Hales Bar in Harrogate has opened as a donation drop-off point for goods to be sent to Ukraine.

Owner Amanda Wilkinson said people can donate any time between 10am-10pm. Anyone arriving before 3pm is asked to go round the back and ring the bell as the bar itself isn’t open.

The most needed items:

Ms Wilkinson has a system in place to store the items in offices at the back of the bar before filling up a truck, which will be taken to a dry store unit.

She has requested people to only stick to items in the list to make the process as easy as possible.

10am – WATCH as Harrogate group prepare boxes of donations to send to Ukrainian refugees

A group of Harrogate residents began collecting donations last weekend in their front rooms, the incredible response from locals meant they had to take up a unit at Claro Business Centre to store teh “tonnes and tonnes of wonderful donations”.

This drop-off point has now stopped taking donations but will be shipping them to those in need tonight.

Joanna Papros, Kinga Goldsmith and Adam Goldsmith have made contact with a haulage company in Halifax which is owned by a Ukrainian man. He is sending over a shipment of clothes, toiletries and other essentials this tonight.

Harrogate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school aims to build children’s confidence

This article is sponsored by Gracie Barra Harrogate

After months spent in various lockdowns, I was determined to find a club for my eight-year-old son that would allow him to meet other kids and help him to rebuild some confidence.

Like the majority of parents in the pandemic, the struggle to juggle work, homeschooling and a toddler was real.

Inevitably screen time went up while we attempted to work from home.

So when gyms and clubs were allowed to re-open again, I wanted my son to channel his energy into a sport or martial art.

And there was one club in particular that caught my eye when I was scrolling Instagram one evening.

Under the leadership of Lewis Matthews and his team of coaches, Gracie Barra Harrogate had been teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes over Zoom during the lockdown.

Once restrictions had eased, a full timetable of children’s sessions was launched at the newly-refurbished school at Hornbeam Park.

The popularity of BJJ has soared in recent years. With many high-profile personalities preaching its benefits. As well as building fitness levels, the martial art allows children to experience and understand core values like focus, discipline, persistence, co-operation and respect.

The academy is part of the global martial arts organisation, Gracie Barra, and forms part of a network of schools across the world offering the highest standard of BJJ instruction.

The structured curriculum is age and skill level appropriate, with children ranging from four-years-old to 15, before moving into adult programmes. It is aimed at teaching kids practical self defence skills that will give them confidence moving through life, as well as introducing them to an exciting and challenging new sport.

Techniques taught within BJJ focus not on striking, but on grappling and defending yourself, without the need to punch or kick someone.

Lewis said:

“These are valuable skills that are needed, as the potential consequences for striking someone often outweigh the benefit. But we also practice the sport of BJJ, which is incredibly fun too.”

So in November I signed my son up for a free trial at the facility, which is impressive in itself, with its huge floor space and its striking blue and red interior.

I was able to sit in the bright and airy reception area and watch him enjoy his session.

In just a few months his confidence has soared, he has made friends – and grappled with – lots of other children from across Harrogate and he has realised that hard work pays off.

I put this down to the quality of the coaching, which sees sessions delivered in a fun and relaxed manner, while also being incredibly thorough.

Recently he was awarded the first stripe on his belt, which gave him a huge sense of achievement.

Lewis said:

“In BJJ there is a huge emphasis placed upon enjoying the process of practice as much as the end result.

“As such, ‘gradings’ and new belts are not as frequent, but recognition comes in the form of stripes at intervals between belts.

“This teaches children about patience, persistence and to not just get hung-up on collecting the shiny object at the end.”

Other parents have also sung the school’s praises.

Ryan Ellis has two children, aged eight and five, who started at Gracie Barra in June 2021.

He said:

“I chose Grace Barra Harrogate as I had a taster session there myself the previous year. I remember how welcoming and helpful everybody was and this prompted me to look into the kids’ classes.

“My children both enjoy being active and the class gives them plenty of opportunity for this.

“The classes contain a great variety of activities, from the animal warm-ups, to finishing with a game of dodgeball, there’s something for everyone.”

Ryan said he had noticed an improved sense of confidence in his children which had transferred into school life, particularly with his son.

He said:

“I like how the classes promote respect and resilience, both of which are important life skills for them growing up.

“I couldn’t recommend the classes enough. Lewis and the team are exceptional role models to both of my children and every child should give BJJ a go.”

Gracie Barra Harrogate’s owner Lewis Matthews started teaching BJJ in 2017 as he wanted somewhere to train closer to home, with there being no real offering in Harrogate.

He started the kids’ classes after his American friend, and former business partner, Geoffrey Cumbus, a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner working at Menwith Hill, suggested offering a juniors programme. BJJ is extremely popular in the States.

Lewis said:

“There was a doctor on the base who knew Geoff and his children had practiced BJJ back in the States. He kept asking Geoff if we would start a class for his four kids.

“His children started training on the edge of the mat in the adult classes and eventually we made the jump and launched a Saturday kids’ class.”

From 2018 until 2020, the classes continued to grow, so when Lewis became a dad in 2020, he faced a big decision.

He said:

“I used to work in construction and I was working on a job at Betty’s and Taylors that I knew was going to come to an end.

“For me I had a lifestyle choice to make. I realised that if whatever new project I was working on took me away from Harrogate, I would have to almost close the club down.

“I came to a bit of a crossroads. I realised I could go all in on this, make it a full-time job and have a better work/life balance, which meant I could see my family and stay in Harrogate.”

So Lewis, who started training in BJJ in 2006, decided to go for it and spent the first national lockdown transforming what was formerly BigKat Fitness and Martial Arts into the now full-time Jiu-Jitsu academy at The Zone, Hornbeam Park.

However, when the newly-refurbished school opened with a full children’s timetable, like many businesses, Lewis then had to navigate two more lockdowns and a string of constantly-changing Government restrictions.

He said:

“Fortunately we went from strength-to-strength.

“I remember being so nervous leaving my job, but I had faith in what me and the team were building. 

“When I first started training Jiu-Jitsu in Harrogate, it was for my own benefit. Before that first kids’ class I wasn’t so sure about teaching children’s classes, or whether I would enjoy it. 

“But now something I was initially nervous about doing, has become my most enjoyable part of coaching.

“You see the impact, how much they enjoy it and how much you can help develop a child that maybe doesn’t have much confidence, or isn’t very co-ordinated, or needs to improve their healthy habits. It’s really rewarding in that sense.”

Tiny Champs classes are for children aged four and five, Little Champs, ages six to nine, and Juniors and Teens is age 10 plus.

Kids classes run at Gracie Barra everyday apart from Friday and Sunday. You can view the full timetable here.

To book a free trial session click here.

Follow Gracie Barra Harrogate on Instagram @gracie_barra_harrogate

Street party fees waived in North Yorkshire for Queen’s jubilee

People in the Harrogate district can apply for road closures free of charge for celebrations marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The nation will mark the Jubilee with a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5.

North Yorkshire County Council announced today it would waive standard £300 street closure fees for the long weekend. The will apply to residential streets.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways and the Conservative representative for Harrogate Saltergate, said:

“To show our support we are waiving the normal administration fee and allowing residents to close their streets to through-traffic.

“This will create a safe open space for communities to come together for the anniversary to mark the Queen’s extraordinary 70-year reign. Please come forward and organise a street party in your community.”

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The council website says:

“In order to close the road to traffic for a street party, the council must go through a legal process required by the Town Police Clauses Act 1847. This will incur costs in the region of £300.”

County council leader Carl Les said:

“We recognise the significance of 2022 as the platinum jubilee year for Her Majesty the Queen and know how passionate our communities are to celebrate this special event.

“There will be a host of events taking place in North Yorkshire, which we will announce in due course and we have already pledged our support for the Queen’s green canopy tree-planting initiative.”

Anybody wishing to host a street party must apply before April 29, 2022. For more information click here.

Sneak Peek: Cheese, wine and charcuterie bar opens today in Harrogate

A new cheese, wine and charcuterie bar will open on King’s Road in Harrogate today.

The aptly-named Barcuterie is the latest project by Cold Bath Brewing Co, which operates a pub and brewery opposite Harrogate Convention Centre.

Barcuterie is situated in Cold Bath Clubhouse next door to the brewery and is described by the owners as a “space for flavour experimentation as well as showcasing artisanal food and drink”.

As well as local cheeses, fine wines and meat dishes, the menu will include barrel-aged cocktails and, of course, craft beer from the brewery next door.

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

As the name suggests, the brewery was originally set up on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road before moving to King’s Road.

Jim Mossman, Cold Bath Brewing Co founder described the venue as “a space with enormous potential for a life and identity all of its own and brings another dimension to the Cold Bath experience”.

He said the company had worked with “some wonderful people in a series of pop-ups”, adding:

“Now we feel it is time to really reclaim the space as our own. With that, the concept of The Barcuterie was born.”

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Recently, the clubhouse was home to Paradise Tap n’ Taco which closed after 16 months of residency.

Mr Mossman added:

“Our Barcuterie is a showcase of independent, hand crafted food, drinks and products of our own and from around the country.”

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

The bar is due to open tonight from 4pm to 10pm and will then open on Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-10pm, on Friday from 4pm-11.30pm, on Saturday from 12pm-11.30pm and on Sunday from 12pm-8pm.

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham nominated as final Harrogate mayor

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has been nominated as the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council.

She will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who has held the role since April 2021 during a term disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a full council meeting last night, Cllr Oldham said it was an “absolute thrill” to be nominated.

Conservative council leader Richard Cooper congratulated her on her nomination, saying:

“Vicki and I have known one another since she first became the candidate for the Washburn ward.

“It was my great pleasure to support her during that by-election, and it will be my great pleasure to support her during her mayoral year.”

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, also described the nomination as “wonderful”.

She said:

“Not only will Vicki be our last civic mayor, but she is female and she is rural. Those two pluses are amazing.”

Read more:

Cllr Oldham will be the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council as the authority will be abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire Council from April 2023.

Elections to the new council will take place in May.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Trevor Chapman.

The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.

Also at last night’s meeting, Conservative councillor Robert Windass, who represents the Boroughbridge ward, was also elected as deputy mayor.

He will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby who represents the Knaresborough Eastfield ward.

The new mayor and deputy mayor will be officially sworn in at an annual full council meeting in May.

WATCH: Harrogate residents prepare to ship donations to Ukrainian refugees

A group of Harrogate residents are working hard to get tonnes of donations ready to ship to Poland to help Ukranian refugees.

Kinga Goldsmith, Adam Goldsmith and Joanna Papros started collecting donations of clothes and toiletries at Ms Papros’ Sowa Polish shop on Bower Road.

She said the response was “overwhelming” and the team quickly had to find a space big enough to store all the donated supplies. They have since been storing the donations in a unit at Claro Business Centre.

Clothes, toiletries, nappies and torches are the most requested items for refugees.

As Polish nationals, Ms Goldsmith and Ms Papros have heard from friends of the number of people trying to cross the border for safety. They wanted to help and are grateful to the people of Harrogate for getting behind them.

The donations are due to be driven to Halifax tonight and then later on will be shipped to Poland.

Ms Papros said:

“The people in Harrogate and around have always been so supportive, it’s not a surprise we’ve had such a response. There’s no question we just have to help.”

The group said they’re monitoring the situation and in contact with people on the ground, they said if the need is there they will launch another appeal for donations.

Volunteers sorting through donations. Photograph: Joanna Papros

Co-op claims new Tesco would cut takings at Jennyfields store by 15%

The Co-op has submitted an objection to Tesco’s plans to build a new supermarket on Skipton Road, saying it would reduce takings at its Jennyfields store by 15%.

The Co-op on Jennyfield Drive is less than a mile from the old gasworks site where Tesco hopes to build its new supermarket.

It also operates smaller shops tied to petrol stations on Skipton Road and Ripon Road.

Planning consultant Barton Willmore submitted the objection last week on behalf of the retailer.

It was submitted two days before Waitrose submitted an objection of its own that claimed a new Tesco would have a “significant adverse impact” on its large supermarket on Station Parade as well as the large Asda on Bower Road.

Questions over retail assessment

The Co-op has criticised a retail assessment written on behalf of Tesco that was produced to support the retailer’s claim that a new supermarket is needed in that area of Harrogate.

The assessment suggested a Tesco would only divert 4% of trade from the Co-op in Jennyfields, which the Co-op called “absurd” in its objection.

It said the true number would be closer to 15%.

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Tesco’s retail assessment also said the Co-op was “locally-focused” and is “essentially a facility for the Jennyfield community”.

It said any adverse impact from Tesco would be compensated for because residents at new housing developments around Skipton Road and Killinghall would use it.

The Co-op has disputed this suggestion and called on Tesco to produce new data that gives a “more accurate reflection” of the number of new homes that will be built in the area.

‘Consider all feedback’

Tesco submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council to build the new store in December.

It would be 38,795 square feet and include a petrol filling station, 200 car parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points and 24 cycle spaces. A new mini-roundabout would also be built on Skipton Road.

Tesco says 100 jobs would be created.

A Tesco spokesperson said it will consider all feedback from other supermarkets about the application.

They said:

“We will consider all feedback received on our application and will have further discussions with Harrogate council about the issues raised.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

Knitting show gives Harrogate economy £2m boost

The Knitting & Stitching Show has agreed a deal to stay at Harrogate Convention Centre for the next three years.

The show, which is open to the public, features hundreds of stands from retailers, more than 200 workshops, a theatre with live demos, gallery exhibitions and expert advice.

The economic impact of the show on the town is estimated to be £2 million over the three years of the deal.

Organisers predict 12,000 to 14,000 visitors will attend the four-day show from November 17 to 20, which will mark the 30th year the show has exhibited in Harrogate.

Paula Lorimer, director at the centre, said:

“This news follows on from a raft of other flagship events that have signed contracts to return to our venue for the next three or four years, including the Flooring Show, Home and Gift, the Bridal Show and Fashion Week.

“These are crucial as they mark the confident return of big exhibitions, which are such big drivers of the wider local economy.”

Harrogate firm completing £2m refurbishment of Leeds building

A Harrogate-company has almost completed a £2m refurbishment of a historic Grade II listed building in Leeds city centre.

Westcourt Group‘s upgrade of 56 Wellington Street, with the building dating back to 1873, will provide 10,254 sq ft of prime grade A office space over six floors in the city’s professional district.

56 Wellington Street

Tim Hodgson, managing director of Westcourt Group, said:

“This is a truly unique building that we have sensitively reinvented to provide grade A workspace with an attention to detail that that really accentuates the building’s heritage, whilst importantly bringing into the 21st century.”

Johnsons of Whixley fundraiser

Some of the staff taking part.

Johnsons staff pledge to walk 280,000 steps for Cancer Research UK

Staff at Harrogate district nursery Johnsons of Whixley have pledged to walk 10,000 steps each during March as they take part in Cancer Research UK’s Walk All Over Cancer challenge.

Throughout March, 28 staff members at Johnsons will walk a total of 280,000 steps combined, which equates to approximately 140 miles per day, 980 miles per week and an overall estimate of 5,000 miles for the month.

Marketing manager Eleanor Richardson has organised the challenge.

“The steps challenge is a great way to fundraise for the charity and a great activity for team building and general fitness. There are many benefits to walking 10,000 steps per day.”

You can support Johnsons walking challenge here.

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

Harrogate tourism body makes health and wellbeing top priority

Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism organisation has identified health and wellbeing, events and responsible tourism as its priorities over the next three years.

The council set up Destination Harrogate last year as its new ‘destination management organisation’ to showcase the Harrogate district and to grow the visitor economy and attract inward investment.

Destination Harrogate has now unveiled its three-year plan to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment”.

The plan was approved by senior councillors at a cabinet meeting yesterday.

According to a council press release, the visitor economy makes up 14.3 per cent of the economy in Harrogate district.

The plan cites health and wellbeing as its top priority. It says it wants to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice health and wellbeing destination”.

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Its second priority is to “position Harrogate district as a first-choice events destination by attracting, hosting and delivering exceptional events”.

The council press release said:

“A year-round festival, conference and events programme will ensure a lift in the visitor economy and enable sustainable growth.”

Responsible tourism is the third priority. The press release says:

“As we become more conscious of and conscientious about green travel and sustainable tourism, the DMO will work with partners to develop a responsible tourism strategy in order to be recognised as a destination for responsible tourism by 2030.

“In doing so, the DMO intends to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of tourism, and enhance the economic and cultural benefits for visitors, businesses, and residents.”

Worth £600m to economy

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the council, said:

“The visitor economy plays a huge role locally, underpinning 8,000 jobs and bringing £600 million in to our economy. Without it our district would be a very different place with fewer shops, businesses and job opportunities. That is why it is important that we seek to grow the visitor economy.

“This plan is the culmination of a number of interviews and surveys provided by people and businesses that have a direct input into the success of our visitor economy and who have shared their ideas and suggestions to take us forward.”

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said: 

“To attract business and investment, a destination must be distinctive, attractive and well managed and we have developed this destination management plan to set out the vision, priorities and actions, we – as a destination – need to put in place to meet that vision.

“Key stakeholders from visitor attractions and restaurants, independent hotels, conference venues and event organisers from across the district have contributed towards the shared goals of our ambitious plan to achieve the long-term vision of a visitor economy worth around £835 million per annum by 2030.”