Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 978 of 1071

Covid forces cancellation of 50th anniversary Stray bonfire

The annual Stray bonfire and firework display will not take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Usually drawing crowds of thousands of local spectators, the bonfire was set to mark its 50th anniversary this year. However, the latest restrictions announced by the government have made the event impossible.

Organised by volunteers from Harrogate District Round Table, it raises money for charity through donations from the public. It also sees local groups benefit, including the Scouts, who sell refreshments, and schools which are given a share of the profit from the sale of glow sticks and other items.

Harrogate District Round Table chairman Andrew Rickard said:

“We are genuinely devastated to have to postpone the 50th anniversary of the Harrogate Stray Bonfire and we have held off making this decision for as long as we possibly could, in the hope that it could go ahead. Unfortunately we have had to make the decision to postpone our 50th Stray Bonfire until 2021.

“As a Round Table, we are extremely proud of our annual charity Stray bonfire, not least because it provides a free event for all local residents, but also because organisations such as the Scouts and our nominated charities rely on it to bolster their much-needed fundraising efforts.

“We will be back next year (Covid restrictions permitting!) with a bigger and better event for our local residents to celebrate the 50th year of the Stray bonfire.”

In order to mitigate the losses from cancelling the event, the organisers have set up a fundraising effort to support local charities. They are asking anyone who would usually attend and who can afford to make a donation to do so on the Crowdfunder page.

All donations will be given to the organisations which usually benefit from the bonfire, traditionally held on the Saturday closes to November 5.

The bonfire is the latest major event to be called off in the Harrogate district over the coming months. Harrogate Christmas Market’s organisers announced they could not meet all Covid safety requirements at the end of August, pre-empting similar decisions for markets elsewhere in the country, including Leeds and Bath.

However, organisers of Knaresborough Christmas Market told the Stray Ferret they are still hopeful of going ahead in the run-up to the festive season – even if they have to run at a loss in order to support local businesses.

The guy display ready to burn on Harrogate Stray

The 50th anniversary bonfire will be postponed to 2021 because of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, members of Harrogate District Round Table have not let the coronavirus lockdown stop them supporting other local organisations.

Among other activities since March, they have been working with Supporting Older People to buy, pack and deliver more than 200 food packages to vulnerable local people.

Harrogate Town sign defender Dan Jones and keeper Melvin Minter

Simon Weaver has bolstered his squad with two new signings ahead of Town’s first-ever League Two fixture at 3pm this afternoon.

Left sided defender Dan Jones has signed on a season long loan from Salford, keeper while Melvin Minter arrives on a short-term contract.

Jones, who can play at either centre back or left back spent two seasons at Barrow before the 25-year-old joined Salford last season, then being sent back to Holker Street on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Born in County Durham, the 6ft tall defender started his career at Hartlepool in the Football League, before spending time at Grimsby, Gateshead and Fylde before signing with Barrow at the start of the 2017/18 season.

During his time at Barrow Jones accumulated over 75 appearances for The Bluebirds, also making the 2018/19 National League Team of the Season.

Jones has also been involved with the England C team. He made his debut on 20^th March 2018 when starting in a 3–2 away win over Wales.

On joining Harrogate Town, Jones said:

“I’m over the moon to finally get the deal done, speaking to the gaffer and to Thirs I couldn’t wait to get it done.

“Everything they’ve said, the way they portray the club and the lads I’m delighted to be involved.”

Jones is eligible for todays fixture against Southend and is hoping to add quality to the Town side:

“I want to play as many games as possible and help the lads as much as I can. I like to play left back as I like to get on the ball and get forward. I’m quite quick and like the battle of the one v one.”

Goalkeeper Melvin Minter joins the Town squad with over 100 senior appearances under his belt.

The 25-year-old has played with semi-professional sides Hanwell Town, Harrow Borough, Whitehawk FC and most recently Kings Langley in the Southern Football League.

The London born keeper spent time at Brentford as a youngster, training with the first team and featuring for the U21 side before leaving at the start of the 2013/14 season.

Jones will wear the number three shirt for the 2020/21 season, while Minter will wear number 25.

StrayArt with Johnny Messum: The power of glass and feathers

StrayArt is a monthly column written by Johnny Messum, Director and Founder of art gallery and centre Messum’s Wiltshire, London and Harrogate. Johnny joined the family business Messum’s of London as a Director in 1999, after studying History of Art at Edinburgh University and working for Christie’s in London. Johnny’s passion is for contemporary art and sculpture.

Each month he will look at art, exhibitions and events across Yorkshire and sometimes further afield with the aim of guiding and inspiring us.

At a time when the high streets are in free-fall and we cannot congregate in numbers, we decided to open a new art space in James Street, Harrogate, in July. James Street is the perfect location with its tall, elegant buildings – isn’t it traditionally known as the Bond Street of the North?

Art steps forward in a crisis. Faced with the ongoing uncertainty within our large metropolis, it is in the art galleries, heritage sites and country houses up and down the country where innovation, inspiration and understanding can be found. With my father in the business since the 1960s, I have grown up surrounded by interesting artworks. I believe that we can all be moved by art, literature, music, and architecture – we just do not know when that moment will be – we can be swept off our feet at any moment. That is why it is important to make it a part of our lives.

It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the art scene here in Yorkshire and to share my insights with you once a month. Each week I am now covering 282 miles as I go from my gallery in Cork Street, London, to our tithe barn in Wiltshire and then on to central Harrogate. What could be easier than covering three far flung locations, united by a common purpose?

As I was nearing Harrogate, I passed the sign to one of my favourite places in Yorkshire – the church of St Mary’s in Nun Monkton. Inside the only surviving part of the 12th century Benedictine Priory, there is a hidden gem – a Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, a stained-glass window made by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones; with its glowing colours and flowing foliage. I recommend a visit as soon as churches are permitted to reopen.

Image of Virgin Mary and St Anne at Nun Monkton St Mary’s Church. Picture credit: George Westhaver.

I spent the day at our gallery overseeing the installation of a lorry load of sculpture by Leeds born artist Bridget McCrum. Now aged 86, she is having her debut show in Harrogate.

Sculpture by Bridget McCrum

On my return journey I stopped by a brilliant exhibition at Harewood House to see Kate MccGwire’s inspirational installation Menagerie. Material plays such an important part in helping us to understand art. How significant are glass and feathers? Such distinctive and attractive materials they almost don’t need any help from the human hand, so when it is applied by Burne-Jones and Morris in one instance and MccGwire in the other you realise how their technical skills can entwine narrative with natural beauty.

A flow of feathers – one of the sculptures by Kate MccGwire featured in Harewood House. Above image and featured image credit: Jonty Wilde / Harewood House Trust

Next month I shall be talking about the places nearby to see extraordinary sculptures and making suggestions about how to think about placing artworks outside.

As part of our architecture symposium Messum’s has an online talk on Friday, September 18, by Yorkshire-based art historian, Suzanne Fagence-Cooper about Jane and William Morris. If you are interested in joining, do book your place on our website.

Kate MccGwire’s exhibition at Harewood House is open for viewing from Monday, July 20 to Sunday, October 25 from 11am to 4pm.

Blue plaque commemorates how Harrogate raised funds for Spitfires

A plaque to commemorate how the people in Harrogate raised funds for Spitfires during the Second World War has been unveiled today.

A government campaign in 1941 asked communities to raise funds to build more Spitfires. The people of Harrogate managed to raise £7,000 in support of the Spitfire campaign and, alongside other communities, was awarded a plaque by the government.

Over time, the plaque deteriorated and was sadly lost. The Harrogate Civic Society, and individual donors, have lead the efforts to fund a replica plaque.

Local historian, Malcolm Neesam, will write for the Stray Ferret tomorrow morning about Harrogate’s contribution to the Spitfire campaign.

The new plaque will be mounted at the Crown Hotel, in Harrogate, on Monday. It was unveiled today by Lord Houghton of Richmond – former Chief of Defence Staff.

The small group invited included MP Andrew Jones, two female war veterans, members of the armed services and donors.

Molly Todd (left) and Sheila Pantin (right) are both veterans from World War Two.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic that we will have this on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It reflects the way the people of Harrogate came together in this moment of national emergency and contributed so much money to help the war effort. It has been a powerful and fascinating unveiling of this plaque and I look forward to to seeing it go up into location on Monday.”

Stuart Holland, Co Vice Chair of the Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“The civic society are really proud to have been given the opportunity to have a new plaque I’m quite moved by the response of the donors, people have been so generous in putting the money forward. The Civic Society now have been responsible for 86 plaques in the town now. We are working towards bringing together the masses of information about the town onto our website, before we lose it.”

Harrogate council threatens to remove tables from outside bars

Harrogate Borough Council has told the owners of two bars in the town that they must remove their outside tables and chairs by next week.

Simon and Sharon Colgan run both The Blues Bar and The Empress, and took advantage of the relaxed rules on outdoor dining in recent months.

The couple told the Stray Ferret recently that the alfresco-style dining had doubled bar sales compared to the same time last year.

But the party appears to be over. Mr and Mrs Colgan said they received an “aggressive” letter from the council telling them that they can no longer use Stray land.

The letter said the changing weather in autumn meant the Stray could be damaged, or customers could be put at risk, if the grass continues to be used. It advised that unless furniture was removed by next Thursday, the council would remove it and dispose of it.

Sharon told the Stray Ferret that she would be willing to contribute towards maintenance of the Stray if it became an issue:

“There can be a small amount of damage from tables and chairs but we are willing to look after the grass. If the council had a conversation with us then we would have made that clear, but they have just sent us a letter out of the blue with a week’s deadline.”

Yorkshire Hotel has taken full advantage of the temporary outdoor seating rules.

The Blues Bar and The Empress appear to be the only businesses affected. Simon Cotton, the group managing director at The Yorkshire Hotel, said he has not seen any such letter after using the grass along West Park.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council told the Stray Ferret:

“Over the summer we have taken a pragmatic view of allowing businesses to use public open spaces so that they can operate while adhering to social distancing requirements.

“Given the time of year and the impending bad weather, we are now asking all businesses who have been using Stray land for tables and chairs to remove them. This is to prevent damage to the Stray and also reduce the risk of injury should it become wet and muddy.”

North Yorkshire County Council had previously said it would be “happy to review any requests for longer term use of the public highway” for alfresco dining.

Call for volunteers to plant 60,000 crocuses on Harrogate Stray

The council is calling for volunteers to help plant 60,000 crocuses on the West Park Stray in the coming months.

Following last year’s UCI World Cycling Championship, West Park Stray underwent months of landscaping work to repair the land.

Harrogate Borough Council is now asking for help to dig 60,000 holes so the crocus display next spring will be as impressive as ever.

The council has said the recent works and heavy rainfall make this the right time to plant the bulbs. Approximately, 8,000,000 bulbs have been planted across the whole Stray over the years, blooming in late spring.

Local voluntary groups and organisations have been approached to help with the effort. The council has said the planting will be done in line with covid restrictions.

In an email to local voluntary organisations, a council horticultural officer Sue Wood said:

“We are working on a project to refurbish the West Park Stray with crocus following the remedial work to the Stray following the UCI Cycle races last year. The idea would be for the volunteers to dig the holes and then other groups will do the planting of the bulbs.

“There are approximately five areas to plant, some smaller areas and some very large areas on West Park Stray and we are hoping that it will be a real community project.”

After months of mud, the Stray is once again green and open for the public to enjoy

The Stray was protected by orange netting during the repair until recently when it was opened to the public.

The landscaping work is thought to have cost the council around £130,000 and was completed by Glendale Services. The outsourcing of a Lancashire company was met with criticism from local firms.

Harrogate police officer ‘bitten by man claiming to have coronavirus’

A police officer has alleged that he was bitten and spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus in Harrogate.

The police attended a shop on Railway Road at around 5pm to reports that a 32-year-old man was being abusive and threatening towards customers and staff.

When the police got there the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and said he had coronavirus.

They managed to arrest a man from Bradford on suspicion of racially-aggravated abuse. He remains in police custody for questioning.

After a 12 hour shift, the last thing I expect is my colleague to have to visit A&E after a suspect bit him & spat in officers faces during arrest in #Harrogate The individual is now in custody for numerous offences & thankfully my colleague is safely home #ProtectTheProtectors pic.twitter.com/IrAQCN52ef

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) September 10, 2020

In the arrest one of the officers was spat at and suffered a bite to the hand. He needed to attend A&E for medical treatment.

North Yorkshire Police said the officers adhered to coronavirus safety measures throughout the incident and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the force on 101 and quote reference number 12200158787.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.

Final day for public survey on Harrogate’s leisure investment

Today is the final opportunity to take part in a survey on plans for a multi-million pound leisure services investment.

Harrogate Borough Council is giving residents the opportunity to give their views on the £26.5 million plans, which include a complete refurbishment of the Hydro in Harrogate and a new pool and leisure centre for Knaresborough.

Leisure services in the district will soon be under the control of an authority-owned company, Brimhams Active. Senior councillors previously said the new company and investment plans go “hand in hand”.

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council about the next steps for the plans following the consultation and for an update on the four proposed sites for Knaresborough’s new leisure centre.

A council spokesman said:

“Following the end of the leisure centre consultation, the results will be evaluated and used to inform the various options and subsequent recommendations for the multi-million pound investment in sport and leisure across the Harrogate district.”

The council is yet to narrow down the four proposed areas for Knaresborough’s new pool and leisure centre.

The plans for Knaresborough’s new leisure centre are yet to be confirmed. Four areas of the town are currently being investigated – including Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and an unspecified site at Hay-a-Park, as well as the existing location of Knaresborough Pool.

Development plans for Conyngham Hall have created opposition, with hundreds of people joining a Facebook page against the plans.

Scaled-back Heritage Open Days begin today

Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, begins today – but events are thin on the ground in the Harrogate area.

Most events have been cancelled due to coronavirus although an additional virtual programme has been added to the schedule, allowing people to go behind the scenes at cultural sites across England.

The only physical event scheduled for Harrogate is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission walk and talk at Stonefall Cemetery, which is limited to six tours of five people over two days and is currently fully booked.

Nearly 1,000 airmen who died in the Second World War are buried at the cemetery. More than two-thirds are Canadian.

The neo-Norman church of St Mary’s in Roecliffe, which has a Jacobean pulpit, is opening its doors to visitors on all 10 days of the open days, which end on September 20.

St Martin’s Church in Knaresborough is also welcoming visitors, as is the church of Christ the Consoler at Skelton-cum-Newby at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

Heritage Open Days, which is being held for the 25th year, has adopted a hidden nature theme in 2020. It is coordinated by the National Trust.

To search for events, click here.

Ready Steady Mums to stop weekly walks due to ‘rule of six’

The Harrogate parent group Ready Steady Mums will hold its final walk today before the government’s new ‘rule of six’ forces it to stop.

Ready Steady Mums, which was formed in 2016, provides parents with the opportunity to stay fit and socialise.

The group usually meets at St Mark’s Church at 10am on Fridays, does a group walk then enjoys refreshments.

The Stray Ferret recently reported that the parents were able to meet up again following the easing of restrictions.

However, the group’s meetings are set to be cancelled once again due to the new restrictions, which state that from Monday it will be illegal in most circumstances to gather socially in groups of more than six people.

Laura Brett, group leader, said:

“We just can’t justify it. We don’t want to do anything wrong. That being said, we are very disappointed. Particularly as Professor Chris Whitty is emphasising how coronavirus is more dangerous when you are unfit. Our group helps mothers to stay physically fit and it helps their mental health.”

The new rules take away other benefits of Ready Steady Mums – besides promoting mental and physical health, the group provides a network to help navigate parenthood.

Ms Brett believes groups like hers should be exempt from the rules because of their health benefits and intends to seek clarification from the government on this matter. She said:

“Mums have lost the opportunity to make friends. Some of our members have just moved to the area and haven’t had the chance to meet anybody. The group also provides encouragement, as it is easy to lose confidence in any circumstance, never mind in the current situation. Many of the volunteers were previously midwives, which means that the group allows us to signpost concerns and guide the members to professional help if they need it.”

The group attempted to stay in touch during lockdown to support each other. However, its activities now fall foul of the new rule.

After the final session on Friday the network will still encourage members to meet in smaller groups.

Read more:

Read More:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more: