A Harrogate resident has raised concerns after discovering a yoga event in the town tonight is being run by an organisation that has been described as a cult.

The free to attend Sahaja Yoga Music, Dance and Meditation event takes place at the Crown Hotel this evening.

The event is organised by Sahaja Yoga, whose website says it is a ‘world-wide movement for peace and self-awakening’.

But a woman who booked to attend became suspicious after researching the organisation and got in touch with the Stray Ferret to alert local people.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said alarm bells started ringing when she discovered all yoga classes run by the organisation are completely free of charge.

She said:

“Naturally, I asked myself ‘what is the catch?’

“Usually, these things are taster sessions to encourage you to take up a block of paid classes or something as part of a wider PR campaign on behalf of a brand.

“But then I watched one of their recorded videos where two stoic women got on stage to talk to a room of seated people about their Indian-born leader Shri Mataji, someone who had supposedly achieved “self-realisation” and wanted to share it with the world.

“They began sharing their stories talking about this person as if they were a god, and that the only way people would see the truth is if they followed her.

“Now there’s nothing wrong with spirituality, but the way they were talking it dawned on me, this sounds like a cult.”

Cult allegations

The Sahaja Yoga organisation has faced long-term allegations of being a cult.

In an article by the Independent in 2001, several ex-followers of the movement recounted their experiences on the inside.

One man claimed Sahaja Yoga “insisted he break off all family ties” and that followers became “zealous disciples” who followed instructions.

Another ex-disciple said he “wasted” six years of his life after becoming involved with Sahaja Yoga at the age of 19.

A Wikipedia page also lists cult allegations against the organisation.

Charitable status

Despite the claims, Sahaja Yoga, which is officially called Life Eternal Trust UK, was registered by the Charity Commission in August 1985.

The commission’s site says the organisation’s activities include “disseminating the knowledge which promotes and actualises physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, balance and wellbeing; in particular the techniques of Sahaja Yoga meditation and the teachings of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi”.

The commission website says the organisation has 220 volunteers.

The organisation was established in 1970 by Indian-born Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, who died in 2011.

According to its UK website, its classes involve “simple meditation techniques, with guided meditation to help reduce stress and achieve the peace of true meditation”.

The website, which refers to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi as “the all-compassionate Divine Mother”, adds:

“Shri Mataji established a living integration of all the great religious traditions, thereby laying a firm and lasting foundation for cross-cultural unity, universal love and world peace.”

Hotel ‘does not represent or endorse views’

The Stray Ferret contacted the Crown Hotel to ask whether it was aware of the allegations. We also forwarded the resident’s concerns.

A spokesperson said in response:

“The Crown Hotel Harrogate is the event venue for Journey into Silence on April 30, which was booked independently by event organiser Sahaja Yoga Meditation, as a part of its ongoing tour across the UK.

“The Crown Hotel does not represent, endorse or support the views of any organisations hiring its event spaces.”

We also put the allegations to Sahaja Yoga UK and offered it the opportunity to respond. The Stray Ferret did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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• Harrogate’s Miss England contestant rescued after Yorkshire peak challenge 
• ‘Unbelievably disappointing’ – cyclists respond to Victoria Avenue plans

A Harrogate woman has received a suspended jail sentence for a two-year benefit fraud in which she failed to declare the proceeds from a property sale.

Vanessa Boyd, 49, acted out of “sheer greed” by failing to disclose to the Department for Work and Pensions that she had received £126,518 from the sale of a property, York Crown Court heard.

That resulted in benefit overpayments of just over £13,881 over a period of more than two years from September 2020, said prosecutor Brooke Morrison.

She said that Boyd started receiving Universal Credit payments in September 2020 due to being out of work and having very meagre savings.

Ms Morrison added:

“However, she informed the Jobcentre Plus that she would have an amount of money coming from solicitors as a result of the sale of a property, but (that there was) some delay in receiving those funds.”

Boyd, of Tewit Well Road, received just over £126,518 in November 2021 from the proceeds of the sale which would have affected her benefit entitlement, but she failed to declare it to the authorities.

Ms Morrison said:

“She had been informed of her need to do so before receiving the funds.”

Boyd made “multiple declarations” about her savings which didn’t include the proceeds from the property sale.

When questioned about these omissions by fraud investigators, she claimed she didn’t think she had to declare the proceeds of the sale because “the money was going to be used to purchase another property”.

Boyd admitted fraud by making the false declarations and appeared for sentence today.

Her barrister Benjamin Bell said she had since been making repayments to the DWP at a rate of £55 per month and had never been in trouble before.

Judge Simon Hickey said that Boyd had acted out of “sheer greed” and fraudulently claimed a “substantial amount of money over a substantial period”.

He said the offence was so serious that it had to be met with a jail sentence, but that it could be suspended because Boyd had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had child-caring responsibilities.

The six-month jail sentence was suspended for 18 months. As part of that sentence, Boyd was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 rehabilitation-activity days.

Read more:

• ‘Unbelievably disappointing’ – cyclists respond to Victoria Avenue plans
• Harrogate’s Miss England contestant rescued after Yorkshire peak challenge 

A Harrogate district cycling group has described new plans to improve Victoria Avenue as “unambitious” and “unbelievably disappointing”.

North Yorkshire Council announced yesterday it had scrapped plans to create cycle lanes on the avenue in favour of other measures, such as new parking meters and making the Belford Road junction left-turn only.

You can read the proposals here.

The proposals include making it illegal to turn right from Belford Road.

The government body Active Travel England awarded the council £1 million in 2020 for cycling schemes, and £250,000 was allocated towards creating a cycleway on Victoria Avenue.

As recently as February this year the council said the cycleway was a “priority“.

So yesterday’s announcement that it would no longer happen due to “budgetary constraints” has not been well received, particularly as the funding will be spent on other measures to improve the road for pedestrians instead.

In an article on its website, the campaign group Harrogate District Cycle Action said the new scheme “does nothing at all for cycling”.

It added:

“Given that the successful bid for this funding was to build four ambitious cycling schemes, that is unbelievably disappointing.

“North Yorkshire has been making promises of ‘jam tomorrow’ for cycling for at least 10 years. It is always just about to deliver a meaningful cycling scheme, but then at the last minute it changes its mind.”

It cited the second phase of the Otley Road cycleway, the abandonment of Beech Grove modal filters, other undelivered Active Travel England-funded schemes and the watered down Harrogate Station Gateway as examples.

The group has urged people to respond to the consultation by calling on the council to change its mind and support cycling infrastructure.

Beech Grove, pictured from the end of Victoria Avenue.

It called on the council to make Victoria Avenue right-turn only at the junction with West Park to remove traffic from Beech Grove and said the proposed measures would have only marginal benefits.

It said:

“The new scheme for Victoria Avenue is unambitious, and all the cycling elements have been stripped out of it.

“Among other things, the council plans to spend the active travel fund cycling money on car parking ticket machines and a bus stop.

“Whenever we ask for improvements to the cycle network, we are told by the council that it is not possible due to lack of funding.

“Then when they do have funding for cycle improvements, they spend the money on a bus stop instead.”

Have your say

Consultation on the proposals ends on May 12. As part of this, an engagement session will take place from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 7 at the council office. The address is Stray Room, St Luke’s Mount, Harrogate HG1 2AE.

To comment, you can email Area6.Boroughbridge@northyorks.gov.uk using ‘Victoria Avenue ATF 2 Consultation’ in the title of your email or letter.

Or post comments to: NYC Highways, Area 6 Boroughbridge Office, Stump Cross, Boroughbridge YO51 9HU

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• Cycle lanes scrapped and new traffic measures proposed for Harrogate’s Victoria Avenue
• Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens set to become private road

Harrogate’s very own Miss England contestant was rescued after getting lost on one of the Yorkshire three peaks.

22-year-old Chloe McEwen, who was last year crowned Miss Yorkshire, took on the challenge alongside another Miss England finalist on April 22 as part of their pageant campaigns.

The former Rossett School pupil was raising money for Mind, a local mental health charity, which she volunteers for following her previous struggles with bipolar.

The women set off at 9am and started their final climb at 6.30pm. However, by the time they reached the Ingleborough summit at 8.30pm, nightfall and cold weather had begun to close in.

Chloe said:

“It was pitch black at the top and we were terrified we would fall down one of the steep slopes. We were so grateful to get down in one piece.

“We got lost and it meant that we were on top of Ingleborough at night. The batteries on our phones had nearly died and we had no back up map and compass to guide us.

“We could have fallen at any point, and we feel very lucky to have climbed down safely.”

Chloe added her hiking partner, Lisa Ellis, managed to ring 999 before their phones died and emergency services called in a mountain rescue operation.

She said the rescue team was searching for the girls for “hours”, but the pair managed to “navigate their way down the peak safely”.

They eventually reached a farm near Clapham, which was a six-mile detour from their original route, where the mountain rescue team picked them up.

The Harrogate beauty queen also said:

“We are both physically fit and had packed food and warm clothing. Our mistake was setting off too late at 9am, which meant that we did not get to the final peak until nightfall. We were determined to finish the trek for the charities that we were supporting but we should have turned back or had an expert guide to show us the way.

“When our phones were about to die at the top, Lisa felt the safest option was to call the emergency services but we really didn’t want the challenge to end. We did think about bedding down on the top, but it was bitterly cold and we were worried that we might suffer from hypothermia.

“Thankfully we found a safe route down by using our torches and we were so relieved when we got to the farmhouse where we were picked up by mountain rescue. It was six miles from the route we should have taken because we had got lost in the dark. I am very grateful to the emergency services for their help and I would urge anyone attempting the three peaks to make sure they have an experienced walker with them, head home if the weather deteriorates and don’t climb after dark.”

Chloe and fellow Miss England finalist Lisa Ellis during their three peaks challenge.

Despite the ordeal, Chloe raised more than £1,700 for Mind during her three peaks challenge. She added:

“I learnt a lot along the way, too. I know that with a positive attitude, inner faith, gratitude and courage you can overcome your greatest fears and challenges.

“I love working with Mind and have found my purpose helping and inspiring those struggling with mental health.”

Chloe’s work with the charity comes after she suffered a breakdown aged just 16.

She was sectioned for eight months after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led her weight to soar by almost four stone at the time.

She made it her mission to embrace a healthier lifestyle and dedicated fitness regime, leading Chloe to became a personal trainer and is now in the running for a national beauty queen title.

Chloe will compete against 39 others at the Miss England final at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton on May 16 and 17. The winner will qualify for Miss World later this year. You can choose who to vote for here.

Read more:

• Harrogate charities urged to apply for share of £100,000 
• Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens set to become private road

Charities and community groups in the Harrogate district have the opportunity to bid for thousands of pounds in funding.

A benefactor left over £100,000 in his will to Harrogate Brigantes Rotary, which raises money to help local and international communities.

The donation was given by a resident and member who wanted to see the funds being put to good use within the district.

Harrogate Brigantes is now preparing to give away £50,000 in the first wave of donations.

Groups are asked to outline why they should benefit. A second phase of funding, again offering £50,000, will be made available at a future date.

Brigantes president Bill O’Rourke said:

“Although we were very saddened to hear the news of our friend’s passing, we were honoured and delighted that they chose to bequeath such an incredible amount of money to us, which will in turn be used to help and support worthy causes across the Harrogate district. They understood our policy of ‘making a difference’ and wanted to ensure that we continued to have the ability to support local organisations which have a significant impact on the wellbeing of our community.

“In accordance with his wishes we are therefore making a first tranche of £50,000 available to local good causes, with another to follow at a future date. We are now seeking applications from organisations located within the former Harrogate Borough Council district and we are particularly keen to support those which have a strong connection to their local community and for whom a donation would make a significant difference.”

Matthew Stamford, director of estate agent Verity Frearson, Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals and Frances Elliot, chief executive of Harrogate and District Community Action, will draw up a shortlist of applicants.

Mr Stamford said:

“This is such a fantastic amount of money that can do so much good for many groups across the town and the district.”

Ms Canavar added:

“We know that Harrogate is home to a great number of wonderful charities and community groups, all of whom need financial support in these difficult times.”

Mr Elliot said:

“This money can really make a difference to people and groups within our community, and I would urge anyone who thinks they can make good use of it, to apply.”

Harrogate Brigantes is part of one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world, with around 1.4 million members across 200 countries and geographical regions.

To find out more click here and to apply for the funding click here.

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• Best garden at Harrogate Flower Show revealed
• Council has pumped almost 3,000 tonnes of grout into Ripon void

A bid to close Crescent Gardens road in Harrogate to the public looks set to clear its first hurdle next week.

North Yorkshire Council has recommended councillors approve an application to install bollards and planters at either end of the road to prevent public access.

The move would involve the loss of 35 public car parking bays and could also eventually lead to the closure of the pedestrian footpath on Crescent Gardens.

Impala Estates, which bought the former Harrogate Borough Council headquarters for £4 million in 2020, submitted plans to close the road to the public last year.

The firm was granted planning permission to convert the building into offices, a gym and a restaurant / bar, and to construct a two-storey roof-top extension in May 2022. However, work has yet to begin.

The public parking bays lost would be retained for the private use of businesses using the building.

A 12-page report by case officer Gerard Walsh to councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee recommends they approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday, May 7.

The planning application would see the road running between Swan Road to the west and Montpellier Road to the east closed. Block paving would be installed on the road in front of the building to “form a clear pedestrian connection between the building and the Crescent Gardens park opposite”, the report said.

If approved, the Secretary of State for Transport could then issue a stopping up order extinguishing the public right of way.

The report said:

“Officers consider that the proposed development will have a minor positive impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area and no significant impact on the setting of nearby listed buildings.”

It added:

“The council’s highways team have no objection to the proposed development subject to proposed conditions requiring the submission of a bollard and access management plan, a construction phase management plan, and provision of a tactile pedestrian crossing at the junction of Crescent Gardens / Swan Road to improve the pedestrian facilities on the remaining highway.”

The view from the Swan Road junction.

The report said the loss of parking bays “is not a significant concern and would not warrant refusal, as there are sufficient alternative on-street parking facilities nearby, in addition to an abundance of available off-street parking options in the town centre”.

But Harrogate Civic Society, which lodged one of seven objections, said:

“Loss of public access to the parking spaces on the road would compound the previous loss of parking beside the Royal Hall.

“Crescent Gardens is important as a highway for two-way traffic to ease the passage of vehicles to Ripon Road and to and from Swan Road and the Duchy estate etc. The fact that a route other than Crescent Gardens exists is not a reason for stopping up this right of way.”

The planning committee will vote whether to accept Mr Walsh’s recommendation.

Read more:

• Plans submitted to convert Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens to private road
• Harrogate named as one of UK’s best shopping destinations

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to demolish the main building at Harrogate College and build a hub to train students in green technology.

The £22m proposals will see new state-of-the-art facilities at the Hornbeam Park college including a mock hospital ward, digital technology suite, electric vehicle workshop and a construction centre focused on modern building methods.

The college said it hopes it will become a “centre of renewable and sustainable excellence”.

Harrogate College, part of the Luminate Education Group, caters to a range of full and part-time students, including offering apprenticeships as well as education for adults.

The plans were approved by a council officer last week and the project is expected to be completed by July 2025.

Planning documents state the main office block that was built in the 1980s has fallen into disrepair.

The replacement will be 2,000 square metres smaller than the former building which documents said will make education more efficient and streamlined for students.

The plans received 28 objections with some people unhappy with a reconfigured car park that will see the number of spaces reduced from 242 to 88.

However, the college said there is an over-provision of parking at the current car park of 48%.

Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, said the approval was “great news for the college, town and North Yorkshire.”

He said:

“This £22 million redevelopment will enable us to upgrade our campus to enhance our industry-standard training facilities, including an electric vehicle workshop, mock hospital ward, and a renewable energy technology hub.

“It will help us provide even more targeted support for local employers by tailoring our training to produce the skilled workers they need to plug gaps and prosper. The main building phase of our project is set to be completed for the 2025-26 academic year and we look forward to welcoming students, parents and guests into our new campus.”

Mr Wil added:

“To minimise any impact in the local area we are instructing staff not to drive to college but to switch to public transport instead, and we will be covering the parking costs of all colleagues who do so.

“We will also be employing staff to patrol the local area to ensure things go smoothly, and disruption is kept to a minimum, during the construction. We’ll be formalising those details, and other arrangements including those for our contractors, as part of the conditions attached to the planning permission.”

Read more:

• Best garden at Harrogate Flower Show revealed 
• Council has pumped almost 3,000 tonnes of grout into Ripon void 

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s garden has been crowned best in show at the Harrogate Flower Show 2024.

The charity’s Reflection and Remembrance Garden encompasses the service that the organisation provides, while providing tranquil space for those who have been affected by the work of the air ambulance to remember and reflect.

Designed by Kate Smithson, a York-based horticulturist, in collaboration with landscaper Nick Fryer and his team, the garden was awarded the prestigious accolade because judges felt it was ‘well scaled and in proportion… an excellent garden that followed the brief closely’.

Tessa Klemz, regional fundraising manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said:

“The garden has far exceeded our expectations and it’s been wonderful to have so much lovely feedback from the show visitors too who all love it as much as we do.

“Kate’s design captures exactly what we were looking for — to create a place of memories, tranquillity and peacefulness and we cannot thank her enough for the time and effort she’s put into the garden over many months.

“And also, to our landscaper Nick Fryer and his team who have taken Kate’s concept and built it to make it a reality – their craftsmanship on the project is outstanding.”

(Image: YAA)

The main feature of the garden is a yellow pergola, representing the blades and colour of the air ambulance helicopters, with the planting and central water feature celebrating the varied landscapes of Yorkshire.

Kate Smithson added:

“I am absolutely thrilled to have not only been awarded a premier gold award, but also to be given the accolade of best in show.

“It has been a real honour and privilege to have designed this garden for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and to work with such a talented landscaper in Nick Fryer and his team.”

The garden will now move to its permanent home in Roundhay Park, near Leeds, where it is expected to be officially unveiled this year.

Designer Kate Smithson (Image: YAA)

Yorkshire Air Ambulance plans to utilise the garden for future fundraising and awareness too, allowing the public to leave lasting dedications to loved ones or as individuals who have used the service.

The garden was funded through charitable donations and sponsorship from organisations that include Redmayne Bentley, The North of England Horticultural Society, Woods of Harrogate, The Arnold Burton Charitable Trust, RB Gray Charitable Trust, Ilkley Charitable Trust, and The Peacock (Leeds) Trust.

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Harrogate has been named as the 17th best shopping destination in the UK in a new study.

Commercial real estate company Newmark analysed the health of 1,000 UK retail centres based on factors including retail unit vacancy rate, the change in vacancy rate, space being adapted for other uses, shopper spend per annum and footfall figures.

The company’s Vitality Rankings, which have been produced annually since 2014, this year ranked Harrogate in the top 25 best places to shop — ahead of York and Leeds.

The top 25 was dominated by southern locations. Cambridge city centre was named as the best place to shop, ahead of Cobham in Surrey and then five London locations.

The only northern locations to finish higher than Harrogate, which was ranked 15th last year, were Chester city centre in eighth and Ilkley, in 13th.

Newmark director Andy Metherell said in the introduction to the report:

“Luxury destinations have performed better this year than in the past: the demise of tax-free shopping may be affecting overall sales in these locations, but their retail vitality compared to other centres is stronger – particularly benefiting from tourism and the presence of high-net wealth individuals who are unaffected by cost of living.

“These specific trading dynamics may being boost luxury locations specifically, but overall the health of retail centres across the UK is looking better than at anytime in the past three years.”

Newmark Retail Vitality Rankings 2024, Top 25 Retail Centres. Source: Newmark

Read the full report here.

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This story is sponsored by Glampfest, Suds with Buds, Malton Food Lovers Festival and Spiegeltent.

Glampfest

About: Step into the magic of Glampfest, the beloved family festival just a five minute drive away from Knaresborough. Prepare for a weekend overflowing with laughter, adventure, and live music, promising an unforgettable experience for every member of the family.

With the option to camp for the entire weekend or simply join for a day of excitement with a Saturday day ticket, there’s a way for everyone to take part in the festivities.

As Glampfest celebrates our seventh year, it has become known for its family-friendly atmosphere, boasting a vibrant array of traders, delicious street food sure to satisfy every craving, and an outstanding line-up of live performances that will have you dancing the night away.

But the fun doesn’t stop there – dive into a whirlwind of activities, from quirky quizzes to lively bingo games, from circus workshops to drumming sessions, where all ages are welcome.

(Image: Glampfest)

The little ones are sure to be kept busy with party games and sports activities designed just for them, ensuring smiles throughout the weekend.

And let’s not forget about the renowned silent disco. Slip on your headphones and choose from three channels to dance along to, or head to the acoustic stage to discover hidden musical gems from across Yorkshire.

Excitingly, 2024 marks the debut of a Wellness Tent, a sanctuary where families can unwind and recharge amidst the festival bustle. From yoga to meditation, indulge in moments of tranquillity and connection together.

Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a newcomer to the scene, pack your bags and join Glampfest for a weekend filled with fun.

About: Rooster’s Brewing Co. will be playing host to the 2024 instalment of Suds With Buds, the Harrogate-based brewery’s invitational beer, street food and live music festival. Taking place on Saturday June 29th and spanning the combined site of the brewery, yard, taproom, event bar and beer garden, tickets are now on sale at the Rooster’s website.

The inaugural event took place in 2023 as part of Rooster’s 30th anniversary celebrations and proved to be such a success that it’s expected to sell-out once again, despite capacity having been increased for 2024.

Suds With Buds will once again deliver a line-up of over 100 exceptional beers from some of the UK’s most respected and talked-about breweries, including for the first time, Kernel, DEYA, Burnt Mill, Track, and Marble.

Stiegl from Austria and Spanish brewery, Peninsular will also be pouring their beers. On top of the beers, there will be four street food traders serving up some of the tastiest food the North has to offer, across an eclectic mix of styles and dietary requirements.

(Image: Suds with Buds)

Rooster’s will be announcing who each of the traders are in the run-up to the event. The purpose-built live music stage in the beer garden will play host to some fantastic musical talent from the Harrogate area and from further afield too – ideal for pairing with a few tasty suds with your buds.

The single-session event will run from 2pm – 8pm and is ticket-only entrance, with the taproom closed to non-festival goers on the day.

Malton Food Lovers Festival

About:  Taking place across the historic market town of Malton, North Yorkshire, the Malton Food Lovers Festival is a celebration of seasonal local produce and Yorkshire’s finest cooking. Expect artisan food stalls, street food, live music, family entertainment, chef demos, producer talks and more.

There’s also the popular Malton Sculpture Trail too – there really is something for everyone! Malton’s family foodie extravaganza is a festival like no other – a giant celebration, a huge gourmet street party – ‘Yorkshire’s Foodie Glastonbury’ is back for 2024.

With over 100 food stalls confirmed, an exciting itinerary of chef demos and ‘sofa chats’ with celebrated local chefs on the main stage, there’ll be plenty to enjoy. All the demos on the main stage are free of charge.

Younger family members can enjoy the festival too, with Be Amazing Arts hosting a series of children’s activities and workshops over the whole bank holiday weekend and Magical Quests North will be running free shows in Kemp’s Courtyard as well.

(Image: Malton Food Festival)

The Malton Food Lovers Festival is free to enter, and the fun begins at 9am on Saturday, and 10am on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

There are designated festival Park & Ride car parks operating at a small charge each day. The Park & Ride service will be available at each entrance to Malton from the A64, with a regular shuttle bus service direct to the event entrance.

Malton is also easily accessible by train or bus with an hourly service on the Liverpool to Scarborough line and the award-winning Yorkshire Coastliner service – the station is just a 10 minute walk from the festival entrance.

Harrogate Spiegeltent

About: With its bohemian mirrored walls, wooden floors, red velvet booths and lamped lighting, the Spiegeltent is a unique and magical venue, much-loved by festival-goers from Harrogate and beyond.

Returning to Crescent Gardens from June 28 – July 7, 2024, the Spiegeltent, sponsored by Ogden of Harrogate, will host a vibrant party in town this summer, with nine days of music and entertainment in a lineup that includes cabaret, jazz, soul, dance, burlesque and more.

Drag queen superstar Divina De Campo opens on June 28 with a glamourous evening of cabaret, whilst Festival favourites The Gypsy Queens and the feather-ruffling House of Burlesque with their iconic silent disco are back to join this year’s line-up.

Also making a welcome return is the hugely talented British jazz singer Jo Harrop, who has garnered a host of awards and rave reviews – and performed sell-out gigs at Ronnie Scott’s. And of course, Harrogate’s legendary nightclub, Jimmy’s, is also back by popular demand with DJ Trev hitting the decks.

(Image: Richard Maude for Harrogate International Festivals)

Bradford-based dance company Punjabi Roots, who went down a storm at last year’s Harrogate Carnival, will make their Spiegeltent debut, along with contemporary soul singer Mica Sefia.

Classical music fans will love the prize-winning Gildas Quartet, famed for exploring new ways of performing classical music, whilst the brilliant Maxwell Quartet will perform on Sunday, July 7, bringing their signature mix of folk tunes and a smattering of classical favourites as the Spiegeltent draws to a close.

Keep an eye out for the Children’s Festival on July 6 – 7, as well as yoga, sound baths and a series of daytime activities throughout the week. There’s something for everyone down at the Spiegeltent, so get the dates in your diary and book now for an unforgettable night out in a magnificent venue.