Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 957 of 1034

Colourful donut shop is a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’

Pink wafer donuts, Mr Whippy donuts and rainbow donuts are just some of the flavours on offer. This is far from your ordinary bakery. This bright and colourful donut shop tucked away on the back streets of Harrogate is the first of the Stray Ferret’s hidden gems.

Evie Jackson was worried about footfall when she opened her shop last year. But with an eyecatching social media presence she has managed to draw customers in.

Doe Harrogate on Bower Street serves up an ever-changing and wider range of donuts as well as bakes and speciality coffees.

A vegan friendly ‘cookie doe’ with vegan chocolate drizzle on top.

You may not have heard or seen Doe Harrogate but it is growing in popularity. So much so that the young businesswoman behind it is opening a second shop in York.

With rainbow walls, glitter tassels, multi-coloured chairs and bright murals Evie has positioned the shop as “an Instagram dream“.

Miss Jackson told the Stray Ferret how Doe Harrogate has managed to get recognition in the town with more than 20,000 followers on Instagram:

“Obviously we are quite hidden away. But I think because we are so active on Instagram, we are constantly tagging where we are and showing our donuts. It spreads the word through social media and that is what we are built on. People like to come in and take photos of our donuts and our coffees.”

A selection of four Doe Harrogate donuts.

She is not afraid of changing things up in the shop. The latest change at Doe Harrogate is the move towards a wider vegan range. Half of the donuts are now vegan and they purposefully baked them bigger to make them stand out.

In fact, Doe Harrogate was changing the flavours up so much at one point that the shop started getting complaints from customers who were looking for donuts from the day before.

Coronavirus hit when the donut shop was still quite young. Doe Harrogate closed for a few weeks for a kitchen refurbishment and then expanded its delivery service.

“We embraced postal in a big way and it has been really positive. If something is not working then we will change it. I did not want to stay closed. I thought I could be sat at home or I could be doing something with my time. You have got to keep moving.”

This is the first in the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eyecatching and unique product. Send us an email with your nominations.

More Harrogate district schools set to appeal A level grades

More Harrogate district schools and colleges have released data showing the a large number of A-level grades have been adjusted under the new standardisation process.

The figures paint a clearer picture of the scale of the issue.

Each congratulated students for their resilience during this unprecedented school term but expressed disappointment with the grading system.

St Aidan’s & St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form had more than 500 results adjusted after being sent to Ofqual, amounting to 38% of the total number of grades. The school said:

“Many students have asked about the possibility of appealing using their mock exam grades following the government’s last minute announcement this week. Clearly we have to wait for clarification of this process before we can offer guidance for specific individuals. We are truly proud of the students’ achievements and we are confident that they will move on to rewarding careers”

Harrogate Ladies’ College, it said 33% of its grades were reduced with a smaller number of grades going up.

King James’s Sixth Form in Knaresborough saw 80% of its students have at least one grade changed. Head teacher Carl Sugden said:

“Whilst the vast majority of students have what they need for the next stage of their education there are some clear cases of the grades not reflecting the true potential of students and that has also negatively impacted on some individuals’ university entry. We are now waiting to see what right to appeal we will have for these students.”

Harrogate Grammar School reported yesterday that 35% of grades were changed after being sent to Ofqual.

Rossett School are planning to release this data at a later date and said they were “extremely proud” of each of its students. Helen Woodcock, headteacher, said:

“Whilst the school celebrated the achievements of all students, they were particularly disappointed in the disparities thrown up by the national moderation process. As many Rossett students have had their places confirmed today, others have been affected by national moderation, outside of the school’s control, and will be the subject of robust appeals. Along with other schools both locally and nationally, we have concerns about the methodology used to calculate the grades this year and the ‘triple-lock’ appeals process.”

The majority of those changed achieved a grade lower than the school anticipated.

The Stray Ferret put requests in to other schools in the district who are yet to publicise the data.

Council requests temporary James Street pedestrianisation

Harrogate Borough Council has put in a request to North Yorkshire County Council for a controversial plan to temporarily pedestrianise James Street.

At the same time as the request went to the county council, Harrogate Borough Council asked for views on the scheme from the BID.

In an e-mail to levy-payers, Harrogate BID said it had been contacted by the authority looking for support on the move which could see the street closed off to vehicles.

The email said the council’s reasoning for the move was for “safety and social distancing measures” and that it would be a significant benefit for shoppers, visitors and businesses.

It added that the pedestrianisation could improve the experience for shoppers and that there was “anecdotal evidence” of an increase in speed from cars on the street due to no parking.

However, this has been fiercely opposed by traders such as William Woods and trade body Independent Harrogate.

Mr Woods said the current widened pavements was already effecting businesses on James Street and the town’s masterplan, which includes a potential pedestrianisation, is out of date.

“It’s had an adverse effect and to say that it would be helpful to pedestrianise is nonsense.

“The masterplan is out of date and we want a well organised, structured plan which is up to date.”

Any such closure of James Street would be made by North Yorkshire County Council and Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said the authority would respond to the borough council’s request shortly.

He said:

“I can confirm that I have received a letter this week from the HBC Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport, in which he requests a temporary closure of James Street. I have discussed the request with senior officers and we will be responding shortly.

“It is worth remembering that the successful bid to the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund for the £7.9 million Harrogate Gateway scheme includes partial closure of James Street on which the County Council will be consulting in the near future.”

In its e-mail, Harrogate BID said it was looking for views from businesses before responding to the borough council.

It comes as James Street already has suspended parking spaces in order to widen the pavement for social distancing, which were put in place by the county council in May.

But the plan to pedestrianise fits into a wider strategy for Harrogate drawn up by the borough council in its 2016 Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan. It states:

“The council’s preferred option is for the full pedestrianisation of James Street. This option will serve to link the public realm schemes at Prospect Square and Station Square.”

Harrogate Borough Council has been approached for comment on the proposal.

Harrogate gins take home gold, silver and bronze

Global critics have awarded Harrogate gins gold, silver and bronze in a competition deemed the Oscars of the drinks industry.

Slingsby Gin Marmalade bagged top of the class in England with an outstanding gold medal in the “other flavoured gin” category at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Judging was done “double-blinded’ to ensure impartiality by drinks specialists including master distillers and global drinks business owners.

When awarding Slingsby Marmalade, judges said:

“Think thick cut marmalade with this beautifully balanced and elegant gin. A plump, jammy nose is met with fresh and concentrated flavours. A juicy gin with a marvellous flavour journey. “

Harrogate Tipple won a highly respectful 91 out of 100 in the “London Dry gin” category with its premium Downton Abbey gin and a bronze medal in the “other flavoured gin category” for its first entry with English Rhubarb.

Founders of the distillery, Steven and Sally Green, use botanicals grown from Ripley Castle where they are based.

Mr Green said to The Stray Ferret:

“The ISWC is the most sought after award in the world. There’s a lot of awards that just want you to pay money but don’t really mean a lot. It’s the one to have, people know about it all around the world.”

Harrogate Tipple sent in premium gin to the 2018 ISWC awards where it won 85 points and scored silver. Since then the grade boundaries have increased, but so has Harrogate Tipple’s sense of competition.

“We entered our premium gin in the 2018 awards and won 85 points, this was before we had launched the Downtown Abbey range. We chose Downtown Abbey because it was mostly set in Ripley and Ripon and Jim Carter, who played Mr Carson, is actually from Harrogate. When I approached Downtown about the gin they were on board straightaway. Making it was a voyage of discovery. We took four or five months perfecting the rhubarb flavour.”

Harrogate Tipple’s prize winning gins

Over 70 countries take part each year in the ISWC which launched in 1969. It was founded by a German/British man called Anton Masse. He was an oenologist, which is someone who studies the science behind wine and wine-making.

Mr Green said:

“We were supposed to be in Vegas tonight to collect two more awards at the Licensing International Excellence Awards which is huge, but obviously we can’t be there. We will be going out tonight and getting drunk to celebrate!”

Harrogate Town to begin new season in three weeks

Harrogate Town will begin the 2020/21 season on September 5 in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The team have not had long to bask in promotion glory and will play again on September 8 or 9 in the EFL Cup before kicking off their first-ever campaign in League Two on September 12.

The season will conclude on 8/9 May 2021 with the play-off final taking place at Wembley Stadium over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 29-31 2021.

Because the season is starting six weeks later than usual there will be 11-midweek fixtures.

If the team wins their first-round Carabao Cup clash on September 5 it would put them into the hat for a mouth-watering tie with Premier League outfits Manchester City, Liverpool and newly promoted Leeds United.

Manager Simon Weaver has been busy in the transfer market since their historic win at Wembley less than two weeks ago, adding Jake Lawlor, Tom Walker and Connor Kirby in recent days.

Town fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement of who they will play in the league next season which will be released by the EFL on August 21 at 9am.

Town will play the first few games of the season at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium due to the artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium being replaced with grass due to EFL regulations.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret last week about the 3G pitch being replaced, Town managing director Garry Plant said “it’s time to say goodbye to a very old friend that’s done brilliantly for the club.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed yesterday that fans can begin to return to football stadiums from October 1, pending no spikes in coronavirus infections.

Harrogate bars want alfresco drinking and dining to be permanent

Two Harrogate bars and restaurants have seen a boost as a result of temporary alfresco drinking and dining and want it to become the new normal.

Both the Blues Bar and the Yorkshire Hotel have taken full advantage of the temporary relaxing of rules around alfresco dining.

They do not know when the scheme will end but suspect that it might come to a close as social distancing rules relax further.

Sharon Colgan said that the Blues Bar has seen its overall sales double compared to the same period last year. Simon Cotton also said that the bar sales at Yorkshire Hotel has doubled.

Mr Cotton told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been very fortunate with the weather. We might not be as busy without the sun but when it shines we have a good continental vibe that lots of people enjoy. Even when weather isn’t great we could put out some blankets and heaters.”

The Blues Bars has also enjoyed a boost.

Mrs Colgan also told the Stray Ferret:

“It might have taken the pandemic for the council to soften up a bit on this but we have welcomed it. I would love it if we could continue to use the grass just outside and I think there is a real appetite for it in Harrogate. The town would really stand out.”

North Yorkshire County Council relaxed the rules on outdoor dining to help businesses without dedicated outdoor spaces to welcome customers back with social distancing in mind.

It has always been a temporary measure but the local authority has now said it is “happy to review any requests for longer term use of the public highway” for alfresco dining.

David Bowe, the corporate director for business and environmental services at the county council, added:

“We have had some really positive feedback from businesses about the measures already in place. However, it is important to understand that there are inevitably differing demands for all road users and these have to be safely balanced.”

‘Save our trees’ plea from Harrogate residents

A group of Harrogate residents have raised concerns after a property developer chopped down five trees in the grounds of St Mary’s Church.

One of the residents, Matthew Weller, said he noticed that three trees had been felled last week. A couple of days later he woke to the sound of chainsaws.

It is unclear at this time whether the trees are protected or in a conservation area. The council is investigating.

Mr Weller rushed out of his flat as he watched the fourth tree fall. He asked to see their workman’s paperwork but said he was dismissed. The workers chopped down a fifth tree soon after.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The planning department has not made any decision on the original planning application from a year ago so we stopped paying attention to it. We are not trying to halt this process, we recognise that it needs redevelopment. This group just wants the best possible outcome for everyone.”

The group has now got 45 members and has called a meeting for residents outside Westcliffe Hall at 4pm this Saturday. The organisers have asked just one person per household to attend.

St Mary’s Church on Harlow Terrace dates back to 1916 and is a Grade II* Listed Building. The church has structural problems and is in need of a lot of work.

What remains of the trees at St Mary’s Church.

The Stray Ferret approached Hattersley Property Solutions as well as Shaw and Jagger Architects with a request for comment. Both said they were not responsible for the felling of trees.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council told the Stray Ferret that it is considering placing a Tree Preservation Order on the remaining trees:

“We have been made aware of trees that have been removed from the site and we are now looking into whether that has been a breach of planning conditions, or not.”

Those who deliberately destroy a protected tree face fines up to £20,000 per tree through a magistrates’ court.

‘I found more than 30 pellet wounds in my cat’

A woman who lives near Thruscross Reservoir has found more than 30 pellet wounds in her cat.

Clare Brandstrom found her one-year-old cat Elvis in the garage on Wednesday morning in a bad state.

She believed that an animal had attacked him so took the cat to the vets. The vet examined him and found pellets all over his body.

They managed to remove around 10 pellets near the surface of his skin but did not remove the ones which were more embedded.

The vets are hopeful that Elvis will manage to survive with the pellets in his body provided that the wounds do not get infected.

It is not the first time that Mrs Brandstrom has found her cat with gunshot wounds. Her other cat Jarlie also lost an eye a few years ago.

Mrs Brandstrom told the Stray Ferret that she has reported this latest incident to the police and added:

“It is really alarming. I thought at first that animals had done this to Elvis. When we found out that he had been shot we realised we were right. The person responsible is an animal. Elvis is such a gentle cat, he would never hurt anything. He is still purring now and it breaks my heart.”

Heather Eastham worked on Elvis at Crab Lane Vets in Harrogate and told the Stray Ferret:

“There is no way that anybody could mistake this young cat for any other animal. We believe that this was a malicious attack. It is just disgusting to see. This is definitely one of the worst cases we have dealt with. I have never seen this many pellets in an owned cat before.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police has appealed for anyone with information that could identify the culprit to call them on 101 with reference 12200139610.

Starbeck residents mark National Allotment Week in lockdown garden

The Cuttings near Starbeck is celebrating its hard work this National Allotment Week on a fruit and vegetable patch built at the start of lockdown.

Since March, the elderly community in Starbeck has been growing produce to be used in charitable meals. Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels provide a meals on wheels delivery service to over 100 people living alone.

Margaret Mitchell, 85, has spent most of her time in the allotment since coronavirus began.

Margaret said:

“I’ve always enjoyed gardening so it has been a pleasure to help and watch the fruit and vegetables grow. Being in lockdown has had its downsides but having the opportunity to be outdoors and grow our own produce has been wonderful. I am looking forward to trying the fruits of our labour.”

Both the The Cuttings and Food Angels scheme are run by Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association.

Sue Cawthray, CEO at Harrogate Neighbours, considers the green-fingered initiative a sustainable success. She said:

“There are many challenges of lockdown for those who are vulnerable, or shielding, so the allotment was started to encourage tenants to spend more time outdoors. There is lots of evidence to suggest that nature, being outdoors and watching things grow has a significant positive impact on mental health. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated space in the garden of The Cuttings where tenants have enjoyed planting and watching fresh produce grow.”

Ms Cawthray said that the allotment even has beehives. As the organisation’s own personal beekeeper, she showed the tenants how to remove honeycomb safely and put it into jars.

She said:

“It was a most enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine and everyone got a chance to taste our very own Harrogate Neighbours honey!”

National Allotment Week was founded by The National Allotment Society in 2002. The theme for 2020 is “growing food for health and wellbeing”.

Harrogate council donates £10,000 through cremation metals

Harrogate Borough Council has donated £10,000 to Dementia Forward through money it made recycling cremation metals.

The council makes money twice a year through the recycling programme with consent from the bereaved families. It then chooses a different charity for each six-month period.

When a person is cremated the process leaves behind metals from implants like hip and knee replacements as well as from the construction of the coffin.

Councillor Andy Paraskos, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“I’d like to thank those families who, during a difficult time, have consented to us recycling metals recovered. By raising this money, everyone involved has done their bit to helping local charities such as Dementia Forward.”

Jillian Quinn, CEO of Dementia Forward, said:

“We would like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for this very generous donation, which has come at a really important time. Our services are needed more than ever and many of our fund raising events are on hold at the moment. We have extended our help line team and this will keep the service going strong. We rely heavily on local support and we are very grateful.”

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