Five year old Harrogate boy wins competition with ‘happy pizza’ design

A five year old Harrogate boy has won a charity competition that will see his ‘happy pizza’ on sale at a local cafe.

The competition, organised by the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, was made to promote the local show ‘Oliver!’ . Around 60 school kids sent in drawings of pizza designs.

Henry Elvin, aged five, was the winner. His pizza face had a ham smile, pepperoni eyes, a tomato nose and sweetcorn for hair.

Competition winner Henry (middle) with his Mum (Katy) & Dad (Dan) and two actors from ‘Oliver,’ Amber & Grace

The creation will be on sale at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen, and £2.00 of every pizza bough will be donated to the Harrogate District Foodbank. Henry also won four tickets to see Oliver next week.

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Hannah Ruddy, from the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society , said:

“Some of the themes in Oliver! surround poverty and going without. Sadly, we are all too aware there is still a huge issue and far too many people have to rely on the support of organisations, such as local foodbanks.

“As well as providing a food donation point at Harrogate Theatre foyer throughout the show’s run, we also wanted to get younger people involved, and thought the competition would be a nice way to raise awareness. We are grateful to Starling for joining us in this and agreeing to make a donation from their weekly special.”

‘Oliver!’ will be shown at Harrogate theatre from 20th-23rd April, and will feature 25 local children from ages six years old and above.

Two years on: What has ‘Think Harrogate’ achieved?

It’s now more than two years since a marketing drive to attract visitors and investors to Harrogate was launched with the backing of £45,000 in taxpayer’s money.

Think Harrogate set out to create a “brand” for the district and was supported by several businesses ready to sell Harrogate’s “story”.

But what has the project actually achieved?

That was a question put to Conservative councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, at a meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Swift said it was “quite extensive” how much Harrogate has got for the “modest” amount of money spent on the project which has been led by Preston-based marketing firm Thinking Place.

Yet this was not a view shared by the Liberal Democrats whose councillor Chris Aldred said they had heard “very little” about Think Harrogate’s achievements.

Cllr Swift, who is also cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, responded:

“A recent Ipsos survey looking into the UK’s economic recovery from covid identified Harrogate as the third best performing city or town.

“That is a direct impact of the work of our officers and covid recovery plan, and is also part of the whole environment of what Think Harrogate is about.”

He added:

“I’ve read a few Liberal Democrat leaflets recently that claim much of this work is not worthwhile.

“I suggest that’s because they ignore the data.”

Cllr Swift said branding material produced as part of Think Harrogate had created a “clear narrative” for the district and been used in shops and on road signs, as well as part of a ‘shop local, shop safe’ campaign earlier in the Covid pandemic.

He also said the branding had been used by Harrogate Convention Centre and in a new tourism strategy led by the council’s destination management organisation.

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But Cllr Aldred argued these marketing campaigns and strategies would have still gone ahead – even without Think Harrogate.

He said:

“We would have had the destination management organisation and we certainly had a tourism industry before the wonderful Think Harrogate came along.”

In the first phases of the project, around £42,000 was spent on research on how the Harrogate district is perceived by the public and how its offer can be improved to attract more visitors and investment.

This also included consultations with businesses and residents, as well as the creation of a steering group and branding material.

A further £14,400 was spent on the project launch, printing costs, and events and classes which councillor Swift said were “very welcomed by very large numbers of people.”

He also said a Think Harrogate leadership group had met six times during 2020.

And when questioned by councillor Aldred why they had not met more, Cllr Swift said:

“I don’t know if you’re aware but there is a thing called coronavirus which stopped a lot of meetings taking place.”

Cllr Swift added:

“The funds we have spent on supporting our £4 billion economy are modest, but they are cumulatively highly effective as demonstrated by the vibrancy of our town and the return to normal from coronavirus.

“There is also the marvellous work of our destination management organisation, the convention centre, our museums, leisure facilities and 1,100 staff – all of whom collectively add to the excellent product to ensure we all Think Harrogate.”

Harrogate rugby club under 15s win international tournament in Portugal

Harrogate rugby club’s under 15s have won the International Rugby Festival Tournament in Lisbon.

The ‘Harrogate Raptors’ won the event in Portugal, beating Welsh side, Cwmbram, 12-7 in the final.

Matthew Grant, Harrogate rugby’s under 15s group manager said:

“It was a life changing experience for the kids. They won gracefully and represented the club really well. There was no fighting or trouble and everyone was well behaved.

“It was great that we brought 25 players and everyone got some minutes.”

Harrogate under 15s after winning the tournament

The tournament saw Harrogate play five teams from Portugal and Wales, winning all of them.

Oliver Spence, Harrogate’s captain, was named player of the tournament.

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The final between Harrogate and Cwmbram was 7-7 after twenty minutes, which took the game into extra-time. Harrogate then scored the ‘golden try’ to win the tournament.

The festival was held over two days and featured teams from across the world. The games were livestreamed across Portuguese TV and featured 118 teams throughout all age groups.

Harrogate Railway FC set for Easter weekend play-off match

Harrogate Railway Athletic will play in the tenth-tier division play-off semi-final tomorrow.

After finishing fourth in the NCEFL (Northern Counties East Football League), Railway will travel to Brigg Town to play a ‘one off’ fixture.

Railway manager, Mick O’Connell, is a former jockey and took over in February 2020 when the club was struggling.

He’s turned the club into a play-off team with the second-best home defensive record in the division.

He said:

“It’s great. When we took over we were relegation favourites, so we had to come in and change the culture. We had players who were too comfortable with losing and it needed to change.”

Manager Mick O’Connell (Right.) Photos by – Craig Dinsdale

Speaking about playing the match away, Mick said:

“It was a shame we couldn’t get the home game, but we have to treat it like any other match. We won’t go too gung-ho as it is a one off game. We ended the year in a good run of form so we are confident and we have a couple of sessions the week before the match to freshen the lads up.”

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Formed in 1935, Railway are the second highest semi-professional team in the district, after Knaresborough Town. If they win the play-offs, they will be promoted to the ninth tier of English football.

In the 2000’s, Harrogate Railway reached the second round of the FA cup twice, playing Bristol City and Macclesfield Town. With a record attendance of 3,500 in 2002, it will be the twenty year anniversary of their match against Bristol later this year.

Michael Edwards, the club chairman, said:

“With our budget, we were fighting above our weight this season, but we just had to consolidate the right players around Mick (O’Connell.) We just want to play at the highest level possible without damaging the club financially. Hopefully success can bring more sponsorship opportunities to the club.”

Harrogate Railway Athletic will play Brigg Town on Saturday 16th April. The game will be held at the EC Surfacing Stadium and will kick off at 15:00. Tickets will be available at the gate.

Harrogate woman with severe sight loss to walk 100km non-stop for charity

A Harrogate woman with severe sight loss and her friend are set to walk 100km continuously for almost 40 hours whilst tethered together in aid of Retina UK.

Penny Uglow has been losing her sight since she was 13 and is now left with just a 10 pence piece area of her vision in focus. Her condition is called retinitis pigmentosa which progressively breaks down the cells in the retina.

Her sight loss makes the challenge of 100km continuous walking even harder.

But Penny will have the help of her personal trainer and friend James Winder, a crew manager at Harrogate Fire Station, who has to describe each step to Penny and alert her to any obstacles.

Penny chose to fundraise for Retina UK as the charity is currently funding a research trial into a possible cure for her condition. The treatment is attempting to stop the cells dying to maintain as much sight as possible.

Penny is undergoing tests to be part of the trial and although her sight will never return this treatment may help pause any further degeneration.

The pair are taking on the Yorkshire Ultra Challenge and instead of spreading the distance across two days, they have chosen to push through in one go.

When asked why she wanted to take on such a challenge, Penny said:

“I am very excited but also nervous, I don’t know how it will go until I’m there. Maybe it was a slightly crazy plan but I knew it had to be a huge challenge to get people to donate.

“It’ll be such a big achievement for me and that is what will keep me going, especially through the night.”

The pair will be connected by a 60cm tether rope.

Due to Penny’s sight loss and the need for constant guidance the pair expect to walk at a reduced pace of 3km an hour meaning they are likely to be walking for up to 40 hours.

The route is split into two 25km loops going north and south of Pateley Bridge, the pair will walk each loop twice to reach their total distance.

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James Winder said:

“This is a huge challenge for anyone never mind someone with such reduced sight like Penny. When she first came to me with the idea of a marathon for charity I, of course, said yes and then it just progressed. How could I say no when the charity is working so hard to help people like Penny?”

Penny has set her target at £3,500 and has nearly reached £3,000. To donate and support the pair click here.

Harrogate chocolatiers gear up for the sweetest time of their year

Easter, a top-tier holiday as far as I’m concerned.

Less stressful than Christmas and with even more chocolate, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. And no, you are never too old for an Easter egg.

While times are undoubtedly tough at the moment, chocolate is an affordable luxury that most of us are still willing to splash out on.

And during times of economic hardship, it is not uncommon to see chocolate sales increase.

I spoke to three Harrogate-based chocolate businesses that are gearing up for their busiest time of year.

Bettys

I couldn’t really write about Easter treats without including this famous Harrogate institution. You can’t deny the chocolatiers at Betty’s make the most stunning creations and they taste pretty amazing too.

Ruth Burke-Kennedy, PR Manager at Bettys, said this year the business expected to sell a total of 47,000 Easter novelties, including treats like sugar-coated mini eggs and speckled rabbits, plus 25,000 Easter eggs.

She said:

“The best-selling Easter product this year is our milk chocolate sugar-coated miniature eggs – we have sold almost 8,000 so far.

“The milk chocolate buttons egg  is the most popular large egg, with 2,800 sold between branches and online so far.

“The best-selling hamper is our family Easter gift box, with 1,951 sold.”

When asked how many of their famous made-to-order milk chocolate Imperial Easter Eggs – priced at £295 – they had sold, she added:

“We have sold seven. We can’t reveal details of who we sell these to, but in the past we know they have been used at Easter weddings in place of a cake!”

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The 100-year-old Betty’s Craft Bakery has a dedicated chocolate room, where it is kept at a lower temperature than the rest of the bakery.

The chocolate team works there from the very early hours of the morning until around midday, so the increasing temperature of the bakery ovens doesn’t affect the chocolate.

Ruth said:

“Bettys has been providing little luxuries for over 100 years now.

“We have noticed that when times are tough, especially during the pandemic for example, that when people were fed up and missing their friends, family and colleagues, our online sales increased.

“While many of the sales were from people sending love to those they missed, we also saw in an increase in people treating themselves.”

Farrah’s of Harrogate

One of Harrogate’s oldest businesses, Farrah’s has been serving up sweets and chocolate for more than 100 years – and its toffee-making roots go back even further.

At Easter Farrah’s, offers a selection of hand-wrapped Belgian chocolate eggs filled with mini eggs or luxury chocolates.

There is also an option to choose your own hand-wrapped Belgian chocolate egg filling, whether it be your favourite sweets, chocolates or even a miniature gin.

Natalie Smith, manager of Farrah’s Olde Sweet Shop, on Montpellier Parade, said:

“Other than Christmas, this is our busiest time of year and we work hard to fulfil all of the Easter Bunny’s orders.

“Our most popular product is a milk chocolate egg shell filled with a fine caramel selection or a half-and-half milk and white chocolate egg filled to the brim with mini eggs.”

Hotel Chocolat

It might be a chain, but there’s no denying that Hotel Chocolat’s Easter offerings are always impressive.

Manager of the Harrogate store Hannah Cosgriff said sales were starting to ramp up as the Easter school holidays get underway.

She said:

“The Extra Thick eggs are definitely our best-sellers. Whereas most people do a really thin egg and package them up with the filled chocolates on the edge, we did the opposite and did really thick chocolate eggs with the chocolates inside. They come in sustainable packaging as well.

“Our eggs aren’t the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for. Not only do they include quality ingredients, but the way we grow our cocoa is really ethical and sustainable as well. For me that’s really important, and I think a lot of people are more aware of that now.”

Hannah said she had noticed that when times were tough, the shop was often busier as people wanted an affordable treat.

She said:

“This is the first Easter we’ve been properly able to celebrate in two years. I think that although people might be starting to feel the pinch, it’s not going to stop families wanting to come together and celebrate.

“With the energy increases, people might not be able to afford holidays, but might treat themselves to a nice Easter egg. It’s smaller treat but still a luxury. People don’t want to feel like they are completely going without. You have to have those little perks.”

Like Betty’s, Hotel Chocolat does a giant luxury egg. Their version is an Ostrich Egg, filled with chocolates, priced at £85. My husband moans at the price of Lindt Gold Bunnies, so I won’t hold my breath.

Hannah said:

“This is definitely one to share. We actually do sell a lot of these, especially the patisserie version.”

Developers lodge plan for 49 homes at Kingsley Farm

Developers have lodged plans to build 49 homes on Kingsley Farm in Harrogate.

Quarterly Kingsley Ltd has submitted the plan for the north and north east of the site off Kingsley Road.

It comes as the area has seen multiple planning applications lodged to build houses on Kingsley Farm, including a proposal for 181 homes by Persimmon Homes.

The latest proposal would include 20 homes allocated as affordable housing.

The developer said in a planning statement submitted to Harrogate Borough Council that the scheme would help to offer a “sense of place”.

It said:

“Kingsley Farm brings together complex ideas of identity, community, ownership sensibilities, public spaces and landscape into a singular harmonious place for the residents and neighbours, creating a sense of place and identity.”

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The borough council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

The latest proposal comes as residents in Kingsley have voiced their objection to more housing developments in the area.

In February, 100 residents packed into St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck for a meeting on a scheme to build 181 homes off Kingsley Road.

Three Persimmon employees attended, as did two highways consultants and a planning consultant, Paul Butler, who spoke on behalf of the developer.

Mr Butler told residents that the site is allocated for development in the Harrogate district Local Plan, a council document that outlines where new housing schemes can be built until 2034.

However, John Hansard, from Kingsley Ward Action Group, said residents “will fight tooth and nail” to stop it from happening.

He said:

“People lived here for decades and have had this beautiful view, how do you think they will feel [when it’s gone]?”

Fashion retailer Jules B to open in Harrogate

Fashion retailer Jules B is to open a shop in Harrogate at the start of September.

The shop, which will be in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent, will sell only womenswear.

It becomes the latest national retailer this month to confirm plans to move to Harrogate, after Oliver Bonas and Pret A Manger.

Julian Blades, managing director of Jules B, said its brands “will be perfect for the sophisticated customer demographic in Harrogate and surrounding areas”.

He added:

“We have wanted to open in Harrogate for a very long time but never found the right location but once I saw that the old Jaeger unit was available we decided the time was right.

“The store will be purely womenswear and we have some very exciting new collections that I’m sure will prove very popular with the discerning public.

“We will be looking for four full time members of staff and two part time, preferably with a good fashion retail background.”

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Mr Blades and his wife, Rhona, opened their first womenswear store in Jesmond in 1984.

The retailer offers collections by designers, including Hugo Boss, Armani, Victoria Beckham, Barbour and Vivienne Westwood.

Jackie Wilson, property manager for landlord Hornbeam Park Developments, said:

“We are delighted to have secured award-winning independent retailer Jules B as a tenant in the former Jaeger Shop on Cambridge Crescent; a great addition to the high street which will enhance the shopping experience of locals and visitors alike.”

Harrogate election hustings: three parties confirmed already

Three parties have confirmed candidates already for the Stray Ferret election hustings in Harrogate.

The hustings will be held at the Wesley Centre, Oxford Street, on Tuesday, April 26, from 7pm until 9pm and is free for people to attend.

It will give local residents the chance to quiz candidates ahead of local elections on May 5.

The elections will be the last before North Yorkshire Council replaces North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council.

The hustings was announced yesterday and so far Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Independents have said they will send representatives to take questions.

The event will focus on the future of Harrogate.

The candidates confirmed so far are:

The Green Party has also indicated it will be sending a candidate — the Conservatives have yet to respond.

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You can book your free ticket here.

If you would like to submit a question to the candidates, send it to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with the subject heading ‘hustings question’.

We will also invite questions on the night from the audience.

Harrogate Lib Dem leader accuses council leader and MP of harassment over ‘threatening’ legal letters

The leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrats has revealed she received legal “threats” from the council leader and local MP over alleged defamatory statements.

Councillor Pat Marsh said one letter from lawyers representing Conservative council leader Richard Cooper included demands for £5,000.

The letters, which Cllr Marsh waived in her hand at the meeting, relate to claims she made that Cllr Cooper was not “direct in condemning” the former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott who resigned last October over comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting that month, Cllr Cooper said Mr Allott’s previous comments that women needed to be “streetwise” were “very, very wrong.”

Councillor Cooper then repeated his remarks, saying there was “no credible defence” for what Mr Allott said. In an email sent to several media outlets after this, Cllr Marsh claimed “Cllr Cooper’s response did not lead to a direct condemnation”.

The legal letter to Cllr Marsh ended with a demand she pay £5,000 as “an interim payment” ahead of any legal proceedings:

An extract of the letter from a law firm representing Cllr Cooper.

Meanwhile, another letter from lawyers representing Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, demanded an apology from Cllr Marsh. This related to comments she made that a resident had become “caught up” in a “web” of problems because Cllr Cooper is employed by Mr Jones.

At a council meeting last night, Cllr Marsh said she believed the letters amounted to “harassment”. She said:

“I would like to make the chamber aware of two recent legal letters which I felt were threatening – I had one from Cllr Cooper and Andrew Jones MP.

“The legal letter from Cllr Cooper went on so far as to demand £5,000 from me personally.

“These letters made me feel extremely stressed – I considered them harassment and they forced me to seek legal advice to defend myself.”

In response, Cllr Cooper said last night:

“I’m afraid if you say something that is libellous and a lie, then you can expect legal activity.
“I’ve had it in my various roles going back as far as 1996.”

The Stray Ferret understands that neither letter led to any further action being taken against Cllr Marsh.

Calls for ‘positive’ campaign

The revelations came during last night’s meeting as Cllr Cooper made calls for a “positive and constructive” local election campaign ahead of elections to the new North Yorkshire Council on 5 May.

However, the meeting soon turned sour with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats trading blows on several issues, from their records on attending meetings to claims made in their campaign material.

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Later in the meeting, Cllr Cooper, who is not standing in the elections, said:

“I’m not going to get into this tit for tat.

“I tried to do something nice to enable us all to say to the people who will be elected – there will be some Liberal Democrats, some Conservatives – good luck to you, fight for all of us.

“I wish that could have been reciprocated in a rather less hostile way.

“Nonetheless, the sentiments expressed stand and, I believe, irrespective of the comments made, they stand for all of us.”

Cllr Cooper added:

“We have worked together on the vast majority of things this council does well over the eight years that I’ve been leader.
“We agree on 99% of things but on the 1% of things we don’t agree about, we can make a hell of a lot of noise.”