State of the art: Harrogate’s boom in independent galleries

If you have wandered around Harrogate, you may have noticed a boom in the number of independent art galleries in the town.

In recent years, at least three have launched, including Messums Yorkshire, Watermark Gallery, and Bils and Rye.

And this is in the addition to the established galleries in the town, such as the Mercer, Silson Contemporary, RedHouse Originals and York Fine Arts – to name but a few.

All have proved to be a major draw for both artists and collectors, with many placing an emphasis on promoting Northern talent.

Silsen Contemporary Art Gallery, based at Sarah Collier’s home on Harlow Oval.

Liz Hawkes, director of Watermark Gallery, which opened on the historic Royal Parade in March 2020, said:

“I think there are lots of reasons why Harrogate is great for art. There is the town’s antiques and art heritage.

“There’s also Yorkshire’s art heritage. From Hockney to Hirst, you have got very well-known Yorkshire artists. This area is very well-served by local artists who love to come here and paint, because it’s so beautiful.

“A lot of people also love to visit Harrogate and it’s a very affluent area, with lots of residents who like to buy art.”

Liz, who owns the gallery with her husband Richard, said all the galleries in the town offered something completely different, from ultra-modern contemporary art to traditional Victorian watercolours.

She said:

“You’ve got some fabulous galleries. Each have their own identity.

“We have 57 artists across all media, which is the main point of difference for us.

“Not everybody is always in the market for a painting, but you might pop in for some ceramics or jewellery.

“I think the other thing about us is accessibility. We have really focused on making this gallery accessible to all people. So many people find galleries intimidating.”

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Liz explained that art had become more accessible than ever in recent years thanks to the Own Art scheme. The national initiative makes buying contemporary art and craft affordable by providing interest-free credit for the purchase of original work.

The Watermark gallery is holding six exhibitions this year, with the next, Off the Beaten Track, featuring Yorkshire ceramicist Michele Bianco and Scottish-based Swiss painter, Pascale Rentsch, planned in March.

A number of workshops, courses and lectures will also take place in the studio space at the back of the gallery.

The Watermark Gallery. 

Liz said:

“I think the days of dusty old galleries have gone. The modern gallery is one where things are happening. It’s interactive and fun.”

Johnny Messum, director of Messums Yorkshire, also known as Messums Harrogate and Messums North, agrees that the town is a perfect location to showcase artistic talent.

After an extended stay on James Street following a successful temporary pop-up exhibition in 2020, Messums is moving out of the building at the end of this month.

However, the contemporary art dealer is hoping to find another location in Harrogate and is currently looking for a new site.

Photograph: @messumsyorkshire, Instagram

He said:

“We really want to stay, we just need to find the right venue. We hold very good relationships with our collector base here and have a strong presence in Yorkshire.

“Harrogate is a great place to act as a lightening rod for drawing attention to creativity in the area.”

Johnny said the quality of the art and the number of galleries in Harrogate attracted to people to the town, with many collectors making a special visit.

The gallery’s most recent exhibition, Routes North, has just come to an end, which brought together multiple artists whose work reflects the variety and vibrancy of the region, from Knaresborough to Newcastle.

The exhibition represented the first presentation in the North of this programme, which has been championing emerging talent across Messums sister galleries in London and Wiltshire for the last five years.

It’ also set out to prove that that all roads don’t lead to London when it comes to the quality of work and artistic talent.

Johnny said:

“What’s driving the future of our stay in Yorkshire is that the creativity of the art produced in the area is really exciting.”

Work by Jill Tate and James Thompson at the Routes North exhibition. Photograph: Messums Yorkshire.

An afternoon of traffic chaos after heavy snow in the district

Heavy snowfall this afternoon caused widespread disruption.

Roads have been gridlocked in Harrogate town centre and Harrogate Town’s match has been postponed.

Follow live coverage below. Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

A DPD van gets stuck after going around the barrier on Beech Grove and trying to cross the Stray…

5.24pm – Knaresborough FC have fun in the snow

Knaresborough FC played an interclub game in the snow this afternoon because Hestle were unable to fulfil the fixture.

Matthew Youngson from the club sent us this photo. He said:

“We also retired our number 11 jersey for the weekend due to the unfortunate passing of a player down south last weekend.”

Knaresborough FC

4.38pm – A59 now clear

https://twitter.com/northyorkswx/status/1495071961889841155

 

4.11pm – Things returning to normal on the roads.

The situation appears to be getting back to normal on the district’s roads.

Thanks to reader Gordon Tennant for sending these images of Leeds Road in Harrogate earlier today.

snow blog Leeds Road

snow blog Leeds Road

3.43pm – Transdev appeals for patience on buses

Transdev, which owns the Harrogate Bus Company, is urging people to be patient and use its app to keep up to date with journeys in the snow,

Our teams are doing their best in snowy conditions. #HarrogateElectrics 3, #Dalesbus 36 and #The 7 have started to run again.

Please follow #Transdevgo app for live departures from your stop

@northyorkscc pic.twitter.com/oeKyQwtb5o

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) February 19, 2022

 

3.18pm – Harlow Carr closes today and tomorrow

⚠️ CLOSED SUNDAY 20TH FEBRUARY
Unfortunately due to the forecast of yet more wind and heavy rain, the garden will be closed on Sunday, this is for the safety of everyone. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank all our customers for your continued understanding. pic.twitter.com/7MUv6cXGLc

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 19, 2022

3.15pm – Snow easing in Harrogate — what’s it like near you?

As forecast, snow is easing in Harrogate. Rain is forecast so the snow might not last long. What’s the situation like in higher and more rural parts of the district, like Greenhow and Blubberhouses? Is the traffic bad in other towns like Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge, or in the city of Ripon? Let us know by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

3.07pm – Fountains Abbey closes early

The World Heritage Site near Ripon looks glorious in snow but people will have to admire it from a distance for the rest of the day as it has taken the decision to close early.

Well… That escalated quickly!
We've had unexpected heavy snow fall here and it's now forecast to keep going until early evening.
We've made the decision to close to make sure our visitors and team can get home safely.
It's proper Yorkshire weather! pic.twitter.com/pindOjHXnm

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) February 19, 2022

2.50pm – Cars heading down Parliament Street in the snow

A reader has sent this footage of cars driving slowly down Parliament Street in the snow this afternoon.

2.45pm – Yellow weather warning until 3pm

The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow remains in place until 3pm.

It warns that longer journey times by road, bus and train services should be expected.

2.34pm – Gridlock in Harrogate town centre

Traffic is at a standstill on Cheltenham Parade in Harrogate town centre.

2.11pm: Traffic problems building up

Reports of long delays on many main routes in the Harrogate district – particularly around Parliament Street and  Cheltenham Parade.

1.50pm: Harrogate Town match off

Town were due to entertain Leyton Orient at 3pm.

❌ GAME OFF ❌

This afternoon’s @SkyBetLeagueTwo fixture against @leytonorientfc has been postponed #ProudToBeTown pic.twitter.com/M3PS9g1lVt

— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) February 19, 2022

 

Harrogate distillery wins RHS branded drinks licence

A Harrogate distillery has partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society to create branded spirits including whiskey, gin and rum.

The RHS has handed the licence to Harrogate Tipple to prepare the products for the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

The bottle and labels are still at the design stage but will use imagery that, like the spirits, captures and combines Harrogate Tipple’s artisan ideals with the inspirational aims of the gardening charity.

Steven Green, founder of Harrogate Tipple, said:

“We were thrilled to be asked to develop a series of spirits that reflected the excellence and love of British gardens that is the hallmark of the RHS.

“It has been a delight to work with the UK’s favourite gardening charity and a strong supporter of British craft company produced food and drink.”

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The range will then be available at retail from the beginning of June, selling at several physical and online outlets that include spirit retailers, garden centres and independent wine stores.

It will also be sold via the Harrogate Tipple and RHS websites and at RHS Gardens.

Cathy Snow, licensing manager at RHS, said:

“Our intention was partnering with a distillery that combined a true artisan approach with the creativity and excellence that would make RHS gin, whisky and rum stand out.

“Not an easy task, but in Harrogate Tipple we have found the ideal partner for a range of spirits that are both memorable and delicious.”

Parents object to merger of two Harrogate primary schools

Parents objecting about the merger of two Harrogate primary schools claim it will be unfair on some pupils after one school was judged inadequate by inspectors.

Woodfield Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School will become one in September 2022 if the proposals are approved.

The plans are set to be progressed at a North Yorkshire County Council meeting on Tuesday after a consultation with parents, staff and governors ended in January.

Concerns have been raised that the move will cause disruption for pupils and parents, some of which said Woodfield Primary School should remain as it is after it was judged inadequate by Ofsted in January 2020.

One parent said:

“Woodfield School’s problems should not become Grove Road’s problems.

“Inspectors said pupils at Woodfield were being “let down” by poor leadership and that “too many pupils do not achieve what they are capable of.”

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Any council-run school which is rated inadequate is required to become a sponsored academy.

However, no sponsor could be found for Woodfield, and the county council instead put forward plans for the merger with good-rated Grove Road.

Stuart Carlton, the county council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said in a report: 

“While it is acknowledged that the proposed closure of Woodfield Community Primary School will cause uncertainty and disruption for pupils, parents and staff, Grove Road School would work closely with parents, as both schools do now, to meet the needs of individual children.

“Several consultees have noted the benefits of the Woodfield site including the large grassed area not available at Grove Road.

“It is proposed that the additional space freed up at the Grove Road site will be developed into specialist provision, intervention areas and library spaces.”

“Our family really hope that this amalgamation never happens”

The proposed merger has been agreed by both governing bodies of the schools, and statutory proposals will be published in March if councillors vote in favour of progressing the plans on Tuesday.

After this, a final decision on the move would then be made by the county council’s executive in April.

Commenting on the proposals, one parent said: 

“After the past two years the children have had, I think the uproot out of a school they love and know is not good for mental health and a total disregard for the children and parents of Woodfield.”

Another said: 

“Our family really hope that this amalgamation never happens, otherwise our family and many parents I know will choose for their kids to go to St Peter’s School.”

Meanwhile, one parent commented in favour of the merger, saying her disabled child had a much improved experience at Grove Road after leaving Woodfield.

They said: 

“Having been a parent of a SEND child at Woodfield nearly three years ago… I saw the decline in leadership and poor care of my child’s needs.

“We left this school because we were tired of fighting and getting nowhere.

“I’ve no doubt that under Grove Road leadership, the Woodfield site will become a thriving and flourished school again.”

If the proposals go ahead, nursery aged children will attend the site at Woodfield, which will be re-named Grove Road Nursery, from September.

Eventually all Key Stage One pupils will be taught at the Woodfield site, with Key Stage Two being taught at the larger Grove Road site.

Dramatic photos show firefighters saving Bilton tree in storm

Firefighters braved strong winds to activate an aerial ladder platform and prevent a tree in Bilton from falling during yesterday’s Storm Eunice.

The storm uprooted several trees in the Harrogate district, including one that splintered on West Park Stray at rush hour — fortunately not hitting any passing pedestrians or vehicles.

Harrogate fire station was summoned early in the evening “to deal with a tree in a precarious position”, according to a post on the station’s Facebook page.

Despite the winds, the crew took action.

A fire spokesperson said:

“The top of a large fir tree was blown at an angle into an overhead telephone cable and was in danger of snapping and falling onto a house.

“Harrogate’s serial ladder platform was used as a safe platform to work from. It involved using an electric saw to cut the tree trunk above and below the cable so that if it did blow down, it wouldn’t reach the house.”

Storm Eunice Bilton tree rescue Pics: GM Tony Peel

Pic: GM Tony Peel

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Storm Eunice eases after uprooting trees in Harrogate district

A yellow weather warning is in force across the Harrogate district this afternoon as Storm Eunice brings rain and winds of up to 60mph.

A Met Office yellow weather warning means residents can expect more disruption to roads and public transport and there’s a chance of damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.

Strong winds are forecast until 9pm today when it is set to subside.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for ice from 6pm this evening until 9am tomorrow.

A yellow warning for rain has been issued for Sunday between midnight and 6pm.

Follow all the latest updates below.

6.30pm: Harrogate town centre traffic lights not working

There are reports the traffic lights at the junction of Station Parade and Victoria Road in Harrogate are not working. It’s not known if it is related to the storm but it is making it difficult to pull out of Victoria Road at the moment.

5.45pm: Trains to Leeds cancelled.

Northern is running a reduced service to-and-from Leeds this evening with several trains cancelled due to the weather.

Trains will be leaving Harrogate Station every hour rather than twice an hour until 20.18. After that, only one more train is scheduled to leave at 23.18.

Visit National Rail for the latest updates.

5.40pm: Father and daughter see tree fall into cabman’s shelter

A father and daughter have told of the moment they watched a tree come crashing down on a cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Colin Reynolds and his daughter, Lauren Reynolds, had just driven around the Prince of Wales roundabout and on to West Park Stray when they noticed the mature tree splinter.

You can read more here.

5.15pm: Tree crashes into cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray

A tree has just come crashing down on to West Park Stray. Traffic is reduced to single lane.

storm Eunice

4.59pm: Tree down in Harrogate

Beckwith Head Road.

 

4.56pm: Gritters out tonight

We are #gritting priority roads across #NorthYorkshire overnight.

Road surface temperatures will widely fall below zero leading to a widespread risk of ice.

Remember gritting doesn't guarantee an ice or snow-free surface.

More info https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/itSpVUu2as

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 18, 2022

 

4.51: North Yorkshire Police issues safety advice

– Check your windscreen wipers and all of your car’s lights are working

– Gusts of wind can unsettle vehicles so keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel at all times
• If a road is flooded, turn around. Never drive through floodwater@HighwaysYORKS for travel updates pic.twitter.com/4YRqTQQCxj

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) February 18, 2022

4.35pm: Increase in calls for firefighters

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has noticed an increase in incidents in the last hour.

We've had a busy day with various incidents but only just getting a few storm related incidents in the past hour – a tree fallen onto a house in #Selby, unsafe chimney stack in #Bentham and a tree blocking the #A162 in #Tadcaster and an unsafe roof in #Harrogate

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 18, 2022

4.15pm: Tree down in Weeton

A tree has fallen in the wind on Weeton Lane in Weeton and is blocking the road.

3pm: Tarpaulin in Bilton

A roof tarpaulin has landed on a driveway in Bilton this afternoon.

 

Father and daughter see tree fall on cabman’s shelter on Harrogate Stray

A father and daughter have told of the moment they watched a tree come crashing down on a cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Colin Reynolds and his daughter, Lauren Reynolds, had just driven around the Prince of Wales roundabout and on to West Park Stray when they noticed the mature tree splinter.

A large section of the tree, which is alongside one of the busiest streets in Harrogate, fell — fortunately in the opposite direction of the road. It damaged the roof of the distinctive green shelter

Lauren said they had just been discussing how the storm hadn’t been too bad when the incident happened.

She added:

“It was lucky it didn’t fall in the other direction or it could have killed someone.”

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The father and daughter, who live in Harrogate, pulled over to check if anybody was hurt. Luckily nobody was passing at the time.

Colin said:

“We were worried that somebody might be under the tree. There’s also a power chord in a lighting cable that was in the tree.”

storm Eunice

The cabman’s shelter

After checking nobody was hurt, they dialled 999.

A council worker was on hand almost immediately to prevent traffic using the inside lane.

Air ambulance called after three injured in Harrogate district car crash

An air ambulance was summoned to the Harrogate district today when three people were injured in a car crash.

The air ambulance was called to assist other emergency services at the scene of the collision on the B6165 between Nidd and Brearton.

The incident is believed to have happened at about 1pm this afternoon.

According to reports on social media, three fire engines and three ambulances were at the scene.

It is unknown how many vehicles were involved but Yorkshire Air Ambulance confirmed three people were injured.

A spokesperson said:

“Our paramedics provided on-scene medical support to three patients and those who needed further treatment were taken to hospital by land ambulance.”

The extent of injuries in unclear.

The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for details but has yet to receive a response.

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Model railway exhibition pulls in to Harrogate tomorrow

A model railway exhibition is arriving in Harrogate tomorrow, with the organisers hoping it will encourage more people to take up the hobby.

Harrogate Model Railway Group holds meetings twice a week at St Aidan’s Church of England High School for rail enthusiasts to share ideas and modelling tips.

Clem Dye, one of about 20 members, said he expected as many as 500 people to attend tomorrow’s exhibition, depending on weather conditions. It will be the group’s first since covid.

As well as model railways created by members, there will be additional exhibitors there including Wenselydale Railway and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

Visitors will also have the chance to browse a number of trade stands.

Mr Dye said:

“We have a number of exhibitors, who model in different gauges, be that ’009’, ’N’, ‘OO’ or ‘O’. There should be something for everyone at the show.

“Just because you might model in one particular gauge it doesn’t stop you appreciating a layout in a gauge that you’re not familiar with. People come and see the exhibits to gather ideas and inspiration for their own layouts. I’m looking forward to checking them out too.”

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He added he hoped events like this, and a further exhibition planned for August, will open the hobby up to more people.

Tomorrow’s event takes place from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 for children and £10 for a family.

To join the group or find out more, click here.

Man jailed for dealing crack and heroin in Harrogate

A man has been jailed for 20 months for dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Harrogate.

Tyler Walton, 20, from Northallerton, was stopped by officers on January 18 this year in a vehicle on Parliament Street in Harrogate.

Officers found cash and a set of digital scales on Walton so arrested him for possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Once in custody, officers found 14 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin in his mouth.

Walton appeared in court on Monday and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin. Yesterday, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison at York Crown Court.

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Constable George Frost from Harrogate’s Expedite Team, which tackles county lines drug dealing, said:

“Tyler Walton was actively involved in selling potentially lethal drugs to vulnerable users and preyed on them in order to further his own financial gain.

“I hope that our communities are reassured by the swift police action taken in this case. We will not accept this sort of activity on the streets of Harrogate and North Yorkshire.

“We are continuing our efforts every day to ensure that the vulnerable people who fall victim drug addiction are safeguarded and that the dealers who exploit them are targeted and prosecuted.

“Please can I take this opportunity to encourage members of the public who concerned about drug dealing activity and those affected by it to contact North Yorkshire Police or contact Crimestoppers.”