Boroughbridge business leader Richard Doyle, the founder of Pabasso, has been awarded Northern mentor of the year at the Northern Leadership Awards. 

Pabasso is a peer advisory board, which connects business leaders across the UK to support the growth of their businesses. The company organises weekly meetings, 1 to 1 mentoring sessions and peer coaching events.

Richard Doyle said the award was “unexpected but gratefully received.”

He added:

“It’s always nice to be publicly recognised but it’s really about the business leaders that we are working with and helping to grow and develop their businesses.”

The awards ceremony took place last week at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, and it was attended by around 300 people.

The event was hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com and included a leadership conference before the awards were announced.

Harrogate florist awarded silver-gilt medal at Chelsea flower show

Harrogate florist, Helen James Flowers, has been awarded a silver-gilt medal at the RHS Chelsea flower show.  

The floristry exhibit ‘Nature’s Table’, was praised by the judges and members of the public who attended the show.  

The ‘Roots for Life’ brief was to design and create a tablescape that took inspiration from the beauty of the natural world, and included a horticultural message. 

Sustainable techniques and materials were used in the installation, as oil based floral foams & plastics are now banned from RHS Shows. 

Helen James said:  

“Chelsea was amazing and although we have competed at Chelsea before, the competition format was completely different this year.

The exhibit was much bigger and took three days to install but preparations have been ongoing since January.” 

She added:  

“We even had a few visitors from Harrogate who made a point of coming to say hello and offer their congratulations.” 

The silver-gilt medal at the Chelsea flower show comes between silver and gold. This year, it was awarded to three other tablescape installations alongside Helen James Flowers. 

Ms James has previously won RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2019.  

Read more: 

• Harrogate garden centre launch new hydrangea at Chelsea Flower Show 
• Killinghall awnings company wins national business award  

The club belonging to the Harrogate and district branch of the Royal Air Forces Association is to close after 56 years.

The local branch of the charity, which supports the RAF community, formed at a meeting in August 1945 at Harrogate YMCA.

Membership has dwindled in recent years and trustees felt they could no longer justify the expenditure required to retain the current three-storey building on Harrogate’s East Parade.

A special general meeting agreed to sell the club and donate the proceeds to the national RAFA charity.

A farewell party will be held on June 25 at the club. Members and their family and friends are welcome to drop in between noon and 10pm for a cup of tea, a light buffet and some comradeship.

Harrogate air cadets will also be in attendance during the afternoon.

Philip Crebbin, chairman of the branch, said the club was simply no longer viable.

He said the branch had 100 members but few of them visited the club often, particularly as the building wasn’t suitable for some older members.

But he said the branch would continue to operate and meet monthly at new premises.

Read more:

• Cuts to Harrogate fire crews would ‘put money before lives’, says ex-firefighter
• £41,000 given to 14 community groups in Harrogate district

History of the club

RAFA members in the early years met in several places in Harrogate, including the North Eastern Hotel and the Home Guard Club.

Towards the end of 1957 they moved to ‘The Rear Turret’ at the back of Albert Street, which was a rented cottage, and transformed it into headquarters.

Membership increased and eventually the thriving branch and club moved into its current premises, at 6 East Parade, in 1966.

Me Crebbin, a retired squadron leader, said:

“Although the club is closing, Harrogate’s RAFA branch will endure and will continue to undertake its charitable endeavours including welfare support and charity collections.

“The branch will also continue to provide representation at association conferences and parades as well as holding numerous activities, including its flagship annual events: the Battle of Britain commemorative parade at Stonefall Cemetery and the annual dinner.”

As we approach the Queen’s platinum jubilee, many of us are starting to scroll through Pinterest and Instagram to get some inspiration on how to decorate our homes.

The monumental royal celebration is the perfect excuse to string up the bunting, blow up balloons and do a spot of baking to host unforgettable parties throughout the long weekend.

We asked Harrogate interior designer Joan Maclean, who has launched a new online course, for some styling tips to help make your jubilee party one to remember.

Use a teapot as a display

“Isn’t tea the most quintessentially British thing? So dig out that old teapot, but use it instead of a vase and fill it with flowers. Here it is sitting on a bread board which is made of oak – the most English of trees.”

Think red, white and blue

 “You don’t just have to wave a flag – add a few red, white or blue touches. Here the Union Jacks just add a nod to the celebrations.”

Use a tray as a frame

“A tray is always a great way to contain your pieces – it acts like a frame. Here, alongside some bubbly and champagne flutes, I’m using the coronation glasses and mug for my red, white and blue flowers.”

Start at your front door

“I’ve planted up some perfect red flowers and with the addition of some tall silver branches and a couple of flags in my tall concrete planters,  here’s a stylish way to embrace the jubilee spirit at your door.”

Keep it simple – but striking

“If you just want to make a nod to the festivities, then raid your garden for some seasonal leaves or branches. With the addition of some red and white roses, here’s a striking, but simple, display in my hallway.”

Use a cake stand to display treasures

“A cloche or a glass cake stand, with its dome, is the perfect way to display a few treasures. Here are three pieces of coronation memorabilia.”

Raid your attic

“My family has treasures in the attic that don’t often see the light of day. These lead figures, with the incredible gold carriage, are part of a complete set from the coronation that are still in perfect condition.

“This window sill is the perfect spot – in fact window sills are the perfect place to display all kinds of treasures.”

Display memorabilia

“Here’s an old biscuit tin, which has found new life on my mantlepiece.”

“We used to get commemoration mugs and coins from school and here are some little things my mum had squirrelled away at the back of a cupboard.

“Dig out your family’s treasures and put them out – they stir fascinating memories and are a reminder of quite how long it is since 1952.”

Set the table for a traditional British afternoon tea

“A perfect British occasion calls for a fabulous afternoon tea – champagne, anyone?”

Read more:

• How to put on a good Jubilee spread and celebrate in style in the Harrogate district
• Platinum Jubilee Harrogate district: What’s On

Jubilee fever is increasing, with the Harrogate district transforming into a sea of red, white and blue ahead of the celebrations this week.

From costumes to bunting, there are plenty of ways to get into the party spirit.

But if the thought of daubing yourself in face paint or wearing a giant hat is just that little bit too extra, there is a more discreet way to get involved.

We have teamed up with Harrogate nail artist Helen Wren to offer a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect Union flag design for your digits.

Helen, who has a studio at her home on Cold Bath Road, said:

“I’ve definitely noticed people getting excited in the run-up to the jubilee weekend.

“Some are talking about celebrating with friends and family, street party style, and others are using the bank holiday in half-term to get away.

“So appointments have been full and fun. Classic post box red is always on point. Then royal blue and strong white are really popular colours for nails right now anyway – so simple great British colours are perfect.

“Of course you can’t beat a Union Jack. Keep it low key and just pop it on one nail.”

1. Primer/base coat.   2. Blue all over the nail

3. Thick white strip vertically.   4. Thick white strip horizontally

5. Slightly thinner white stripe diagonally through the cross both ways.   6. Go over the white with a fine vertical red line 

7. Fine red line horizontally.   8. Fine red lines diagonally and finish using a top coat in either a high shine or matte. 

Top tip: If using gel polish and a lamp then be sure to cure in between stages. If using a normal nail polish then leave enough time in between stages to dry a little, otherwise they’ll run.

Read more:

• Princess Anne to visit Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• Timetable of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Valley Gardens
• How to put on a good Jubilee spread and celebrate in style in the Harrogate district

Schools in the Harrogate district are celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee ahead of next week’s half-term holidays.

Pupils have been making crafts, performing re-enactments and putting on performances to commemorate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.

If you have images of jubilee activities at your school, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add them to this article.

Harrogate Ladies’ College 

The Harrogate Ladies’ College held a special jubilee dinner and finished it off with a ceilidh.

Springwater School 

The sixth form students at the Harrogate school put on a opened their own jubilee bakery with home-made scones, cakes and jam.

The students also decorated the school in red, white and blue and had their own version of the Queen sat in the school.

St Peter’s Church of England Primary School

Pupils at St Peter’s have had a busy week celebrating the platinum jubilee.

This week Owl class held a tea party with a specially choreographed dance to perform alongside ‘Dancing for Wellbeing’ a local group of elderly residents who dance for their health and enjoyment.

The school had a full church service followed by an afternoon of craft making flags, keyrings and painting canvases and stones.

Years 3 and 4

Starbeck Primary Academy

Children dressed up in red, white, blue, purple and silver. They had a day making craft and artwork that was all dedicated to Her Majesty.

Scotton Lingerfield Primary School

Children at Scotton Lingerfield dressed up in red, white and blue and took part in craft activities this week.

Fountains Church of England Primary School

Fountains Church School has held a week of jubilee activities for its students.

The children danced and sang whilst decorating plates to keep as a momento of the platinum jubilee.

An afternoon tea was also held for all the parents with the children spending much of the morning preparing sandwiches and cakes for the adults to enjoy.

Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation – Glasshouses Community Primary, St Cuthbert’s C of E and Fountains Earth C of E Primary Schools

This week the three schools have been learning about the Queen’s reign and commemorated the event by burying a time capsule and planting a rose tree.

The children also performed a song, made crowns and painted portraits of the Queen.

Over the week, the schools invited parents in to enjoy tea and cakes.

Today, children across all three schools will come together to enjoy an afternoon tea at lunchtime.

Kirkby Malzeard Church of England Primary School

Children at Kirkby Malzeard School made crowns and decorated cakes to celebrate the jubilee.

Dacre Braithwaite Church of England Primary School

Pupils at Dacre Braithwaite Primary enjoyed a jubilee themed day yesterday with a variety of activities.

The children learnt about the significance of the Union Jack flag and to sing the National Anthem. They also made and decorated 96 jubilee buns and made their own crowns.

They did plan to have an outdoor street party but unfortunately the weather meant it had to be inside but headteacher, Jo Dobbs said it was still a “brilliant day”.

Western Primary School

Children from Western Primary School had their faces painted and got to dress up for the day today as they learnt about the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The students spent the morning learning about the jubilee and what the Queen has done during her reign.

Angelique Coatesworth, year 3 and four phase leader, said:

“We watched a clip of the original coronation and marvelled at the pomp and ceremony, especially the golden coach.  All the children were fascinated with our discussions on what life was like back when the queen was coronated at just 25 years old.

“We made some commemorative art of the queen’s face. The children worked very carefully on these. Our dress up winners each received a royal themed book. This was organised by our wonderful family and friends.”

Killinghall Church of England Primary School

Pupils at Killinghall Primary School held a coronation with a garden party and a musical concert.

Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School

Students at the school held a coronation re-enactment using props and costumes they made themselves.

Andrew Breckon, year 5 and 6 teacher, said:

“We held it in the village church and then had a tea party back at school with our new ‘Elizabeth sponge’ which the children made too.”

Students from Grewelthorpe made their own costumes for the re-enactment.

St Robert’s Catholic Primary School 

The year 2 Starlings class at St Robert’s got their very own visit from the Queen.

Read more:

• Knaresborough to host history festival for jubilee weekend
• Harrogate youngster watches Leeds drama from bench…before sitting GCSEs today

Brackenfield School 

Brackenfield School is preparing for a jubilee showcase tomorrow with readings, music and performances by the children.

The first half will be led by the infants performing two original songs written by the school’s music director, Helen Leaf, and classic London-based songs such as Lambeth Walk.

The second half of the showcase will begin with a montage from the school’s junior choir, including musical numbers and readings, guiding the audience through the life of the Queen up to the present day.

Headteacher Joe Masterson said:

“The jubilee is a fantastic opportunity for us to hold an afternoon filled with delicious cakes and impressive entertainment, highlighting the wonderful and wide-ranging talents of our children. They have been rehearsing tirelessly, all eagerly anticipating their performances, and can’t wait to host our special guests.”

Moorside Primary School

Children at Moorside Primary School in Ripon were gifted special, wooden pennies from the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels to commemorate the jubilee.

The pennies have been made by a team of workers at Jennyruth Workshops and have been gifted to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in the city and surrounding villages.

The school held a garden party, attended by a woman looking very much like Her Majesty, organised a Royal Bake Off and dressed in red, white and blue.

Headteacher Claire Rowett said:

“We’ve had a week of celebrations involving our children and staff and everybody was in a joyous jubilee mood, as we look forward to the the events being held in the city centre and residential streets.”

“As a prelude to the extended Bank Holiday weekend, we created a portrait gallery with pictures of the Queen drawn by pupils.”

The children, with Union Jacks in hand, prepare for ‘The Queen’s’ arrival

The Queen’ meets one of the pupils at Moorside Primary

Follifoot Church of England Primary School

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

St Joseph’s school celebrated on earlier this week with all the children dressing in red, white and blue and enjoying a street party on the playground and playing field.

Children and their families were invited to join the event. Children sang, shared foods, played party games and took part in a royal quiz.

Harrogate Borough Council is set to award a £40,000 contract to create a pet crematorium at Stonefall Cemetery.

The crematorium will be built inside a converted shipping container at the crematorium on Wetherby Road.

The contract would cover the purchase and installation of a cremator, as well as five years maintenance.

Councillors backed plans for the district’s first pet crematorium in March 2022.

Stephen Hemsworth, bereavement services manager at the council, said at the time it was likely to cost about £50 for a rabbit to be cremated and over £200 for a dog.

The contract, which is being advertised on a government procurement website, is expected to start in June this year.

Read more:

• Bird flu forces cancellation of poultry classes at Great Yorkshire Show
• Councillors approve ‘much-needed’ Harrogate pet crematorium

It says:

“This contract includes the purchase of a pet cremator and container in which the cremator will be housed and operated, including delivery, installation, training and periodic maintenance.

“The anticipated contract value is £40,000.00 for the purchase, delivery, siting and installation of the containerised pet cremator including five years maintenance from the date of installation.”

The move to set up a pet crematorium follows in the footsteps of councils in North East Lincolnshire and Barnsley, which have built similar facilities.

The Harrogate facility will include a “goodbye room” in a converted garage where owners can say final farewells to their pets.

Boroughbridge Town Council has called on North Yorkshire County Council to prioritise repair work on Roecliffe Lane.

The council has described the pot holed-road as an “eyesore” and a “hazard” and say it has been like this for several years.

The road is frequently used by motorists heading into the town centre. It is also part of Sustrans’ ‘Ways of the Roses’ long distance cycle route.

The town council has been lobbying senior members at the county council, which is the highways authority, for two years ago but is yet to receive a formal date when repairs can begin.

Today, the county council responded to the Stray Ferret to say it is looking to add it to a list of planned works for next year.

A spokesperson for the town council said:

“Boroughbridge Town Council remain deeply concerned about the condition of the surface of Roecliffe Lane in Boroughbridge. We are pushing hard at executive level at North Yorkshire County Council to get the required action taken and will continue to do so.

“We have formally requested the remedial action required to be prioritised ahead of a large list of other road improvement programmes North Yorkshire County Council are working their way through.

“We are very much aware of complaints from residents about the road which makes us fight even harder for the required corrective action.”

The town council added that the road does “not reflect Boroughbridge in a good light”.

Karl Battersby, corporate director for business and environmental services, said:

“North Yorkshire is England’s largest county with 5,753 miles of roads, and our teams work hard throughout the year to maintain a safe, efficient road network.

“We have listened to the concerns raised by Boroughbridge Town Council and agree that repair work will be needed and a scheme is to be included in our Forward Programme. Although it is not included in our planned works for the current financial year we are looking at our budget and the options we have to deliver a scheme as soon as possible after that.”

Read more:

• Fears for trees in next Otley Road cycle path phase
• Surface dressing on local roads begins under new contractor

Rural property firm GSC Grays has opened a new office in Boroughbridge.

The High Street branch, which opened on Monday, is the company’s ninth office to open in the past 10 years.

It now employs over 100 people, mainly in the north of England. Twenty-three are based at the Boroughbridge branch, five of whom have been newly recruited. 

A number of the farm and land management consultants are from the local area, and some members of staff grew up or live on farms.  

Managing director Guy Coggrave said:  

“This gives us exceptional expertise at a time when the farming industry is dealing with the impact of the Agricultural Transition Plan, the biggest change in agricultural policy in half a century.”

GSC Grays specialises in land and farming, estate agency, planning and development, and environment and sustainability.  

HSBC and Harrogate BID install third contactless donation point for Street Aid

A third contactless donation point for Street Aid has been installed by HSBC and Harrogate Business Improvement District in Harrogate town centre.  

The ‘tap terminal’ encourages people to make donations to Street Aid, which supports people in Harrogate who have experienced homelessness.  

The most recent donation point is in the Cambridge Street branch of HSBC, where donations from £3 to £20 can be made via a contactless payment.  

The new donation point in HSBC

Linda Lewis, senior network manager at HSBC, said:  

“It’s our pleasure to be part of this scheme and house the third Street Aid terminal.  

“Since its installation, I’ve seen a number of customers tapping it with either a card or a phone to make a donation.” 

The scheme was launched in October 2019, after research was conducted by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Horizons.  

Since then, the charity has raised over £20,000 through online donations and the three donation points. 

The two other stations are in the Oxford Street M&S window and in Victoria shopping centre. 

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:  

“We are delighted to throw our weight behind the Street Aid scheme, which helps those who are genuinely in need get back on their feet. 

“We want Harrogate to be known as a friendly, caring, welcoming town.” 

Money raised has been administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation to fund items for 28 individuals, ranging from fishing equipment, furniture, a gym membership, bikes and clothing.  

A Conservative MP has described plans by his own government to build an asylum centre in Linton-On-Ouse as an “abuse of power”.

Kevin Hollinrake, who represents Thirsk and Malton, called a debate in the House of Commons on the matter yesterday.

The government is pressing ahead with plans to house 1,500 asylum seekers for up to six months in a ‘reception centre’ a former RAF base in the village, which is four miles from Great Ouseburn and Little Ouseburn in the Harrogate district, nine miles from Boroughbridge and 13 miles from Knaresborough.

However, the plan has been widely criticised by residents and politicians.

During the debate yesterday, Mr Hollinrake said:

He said:

“I said right at the start that this is an abuse of power, and I do not think that is putting it too strongly. The Home Office is using its emergency powers, with a Q notice, so it did not have to go through the planning process for this material change of use, which it undoubtedly is.

“The reason for those powers—why is it an emergency?—was, we were told, covid. Well, we thought that covid was actually largely behind us, especially at this time of year.

“I do not think it is right to say that covid can be one of the reasons why we are using emergency powers in this way.”

Read more:

• Ripon refugee charity joins calls opposing 1,500 asylum seekers at Linton
• Village on fringes of Harrogate district to house asylum seekers

Mr Hollinrake went on to question what support and funding would be in place ahead of asylum seekers arriving at the centre.

Police car and CCTV to be deployed

He said he had been told a double manned police car would be located in the village 24/7 and CCTV would be installed.

However, Mr Hollinrake said it was unclear when those plans would be put in place.

He said:

“Those potential mitigations would help, but it is not clear that those plans will be in place on May 31 when service users move in. I have also not seen a clear plan anywhere.”

He added that there has been “an indication” by the Home Office that next week’s first set of arrivals, which includes 60 people, may be delayed.

Last week the chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary joined calls to pause plans for the centre.

Residents in Linton-On-Ouse ahead of a public meeting over the planned asylum centre. Picture: Linton-On-Ouse Action Group.

Nicola David, chair of the sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret the centre was not suitable for refugees or the village.

She said there would be too many asylum seekers to residents at the site.

She said:

“Everybody is in agreement. Everybody is saying it is completely unsuitable.

“The only people who are saying it is [a good idea] is the Home Office.”

Why are refugees being sent to Linton?

The controversial proposal for Linton-on-Ouse is part of a wider plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to have their claims processed.

Before potentially being flown out to the African country, asylum seekers will be held in ‘reception centres’ across the UK for up to six months, with the first announced being at Linton-on-Ouse.

Ms Patel said:

“The global migration crisis and how we tackle illegal migration requires new world-leading solutions. There are an estimated 80 million people displaced in the world and the global approach to asylum and migration is broken.

“Existing approaches have failed and there is no single solution to tackle these problems. Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK illegally.”

North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable issued an apology today after admitting that policing “still contains racism, discrimination and bias”.

Lisa Winward was speaking in response to the publication of the Police Race Action Plan, which covers all forces in England and Wales.

The plan outlines proposals, such as mandatory training for all police officers and staff about racism and Black history.

However, although it admits failures, it does accept that forces are institutionally racist, which has drawn criticism from the father of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in London in 1993.

Chief Constable Winward said in a statement:

“On behalf of North Yorkshire Police, and all our current and former employees, I accept that policing still contains racism, discrimination and bias.

“I apologise for where North Yorkshire Police has fallen short of the standards we hold ourselves to, and the impact that this has had on individuals, communities and police colleagues.

“However, there is also frustration – both inside and outside of policing – that we have not been able to tackle the accusation of being institutionally racist.

“We have fantastic officers and staff supporting the communities of North Yorkshire who come to work every day to make a positive difference to the lives of everyone we have responsibility for.

“The national Police Race Action Plan proposes that racist bias continues to persist in policing due to our processes and systems. We can’t begin to tackle this issue until we accept that there is a problem in how our force operates.

“We are going to use the Plan to shine a light on the disparities that exist in how we police our communities and individuals and explain or amend our ways of working.”

Read more:

• Gay man says Harrogate police take women victims of stalking more seriously
• Harrogate’s Sun Pavilion awarded Grade II listed building status

Chief Constable Winward added North Yorkshire Police would put plans in place “to challenge our own policies, procedures and practice” and would “work closely” with North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe on making changes.

‘Right and courageous’

Ms Metcalfe said in a statement:

“There should be no place for racism in North Yorkshire and York, and no place for racism in North Yorkshire Police.

“This action plan, the response of police forces nationwide and reaction of North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable is welcome.

“Unless we recognise there is a problem, not enough will be done to address it, so it is right and courageous for Lisa Winward to accept that policing still contains racism, discrimination and bias.”

She urged people to take part in a national survey on the plan, which has gone out for consultation. It can be completed here.