Robot polar bear and 18m whale set to tour Harrogate district

A robot polar bear and an 18 metre beached whale are among the attractions travelling round the Harrogate district this month as part of an environment-themed week of events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer free acitivities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

Events will take place between Monday, February 21, to Saturday, February 26, in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge.

The week will begin in Boroughbridge with earth-themed storytelling sessions at the library between 10am and 1pm. On Tuesday, there will be sea inspired craft activities available to children at Masham Town Hall.

The Masham event is on between 11am and 4pm and children are encouraged to attend both days in fancy dress.

Robot polar bear to highlight the plastics crisis

On Wednesday February 23, an animatronic polar bear will roam Ripon’s Market Square with its keeper throughout the day. Visitors are also being invited to help an artist to create a five foot sculpture out of plastics, which will then be donated to a local school.

The two spectacles are there to highlight the urgent plastic crisis affecting the oceans. There will also be live music, face painting and crafts going on nearby between 11am and 4pm.

18 metre whale to arrive in Valley Gardens

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is the venue for Thursday, February 24, which involves a 18 metre whale, two life-size kangaroo impersonators, The Roo’s and a huge animatronic tortoise all to fascinate visitors.

This day’s aim is to educate families about sea-life preservation. Alongside the three main attractions there will also be a sea fairy glob, with a magical sea fairy inside,  and Bob the Lobster to entertain children.

Craft activities will also be held throughout the day between 11am and 4pm.

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

On the Friday, an earth-themed craft session is being held in Pateley Bridge between 11am and 4pm.

The week concludes in Knaresborough Castle Grounds on Saturday. Boat-About, a life-size boat cruise with actors, will move around the grounds to entertain visitors between 11am and 4pm.

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Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate said:

“Our Planet, Your World is the perfect family-friendly event to kick off what we hope will be an exciting year of live events across the Harrogate district. Events like this increase footfall to our town centres, and attract visitors from further afield, which in turn helps support our local businesses. I would encourage everyone to come along this February half term, enjoy the events, celebrate the world we live in and learn about how we can protect it.”

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.

The event is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the government’s Welcome Back Fund.

Historic 37-room Boroughbridge pub and hotel sold

The Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge has been sold to a national chain.

RedCat Pub Company has bought the 37-room hotel and former coaching inn from Best Western for an undisclosed fee.

It will be run by RedCat’s subsidiary, The Coaching Inn Group, which operates 24 coaching inns in market towns across the UK.

Kevin Charity, chief executive of the group, said:

“We’re pleased to have added The Crown Hotel to our high quality and fast-growing estate. I’m delighted with how The Coaching Inn Group is accelerating its growth with RedCat’s support.”

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The building has been in the town for centuries.

In 1569, it was known as the Manor House and was the meeting place for the Council of the North where local notables, led by the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, planned to free Mary, Queen of Scots.

In the 1570s, it was turned into a Mass centre for seminary priests and local families.

22-home ‘affordable’ development in Staveley refused

Harrogate Borough Council has refused plans to build 22 “affordable” homes in Staveley.

Jack Lunn Properties hoped to build three one-bedroom, 13 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom homes on Main Street in the village, which is four miles north of Knaresborough.

The site isn’t in the council’s Local Plan outlining where development can take place in the district, which in normal circumstances would mean it’s highly unlikely the development would be granted planning permission.

However, the application had been brought forward through a rural exception scheme, which allows councils to grant planning permission for affordable housing in the open countryside if a developer can prove there is a need for it.

The government defines affordable as homes sold at 80% of the market rate, homes for social rent or sold through shared ownership schemes.

In the council’s refusal, chief planner John Worthington said there were “no exceptional circumstances” for granting the application and that it did not satisfy the requirements of the affordable housing exception scheme.

A similar plan by the same developer to build 23 affordable homes in Scotton was refused last month.

Carl Wright, director of Jack Lunn, said the company was considering an appeal.

He said:

“We’ve only received a copy of the decision today and have yet to fully digest the same. Suffice to say we are somewhat disappointed that the council have included reasons for refusal that we have not been allowed to comment on or respond to prior to issue.

“Naturally this is disappointing to say the least and we will now take further advice from our consultants prior to deciding whether we ought to appeal or take matters further.”

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Villagers formed a group called SV2 to fight against the plans.

Julie Bowland from SV2 said she was relieved that the council refused the proposal.

Ms Bowland said:

“I can only applaud, with a certain level of relief, that planning law has been upheld robustly and with great regard to the potentially catastrophic damage to the Staveley conservation area and the wildlife that proliferates this beautiful village.”

One of UK’s youngest heads keeps standards high at Nun Monkton school

Ofsted inspectors praised one of the youngest headteachers in the UK after their first visit to Nun Monkton Primary Foundation School under her tenure.

Lauren Simpson joined the village school as a teacher in September 2016 and became acting head when the previous headteacher left just two laters in September 2020.

She secured the position of headteacher full-time in March 2021 at just 25-years-old.

Not only did Miss Simpson take the school through coronavirus but in that time she also quadrupled pupil numbers — there are now 45 students up from 12 when she started.

Miss Simpson believes the new forest school learning, the new nursery and wraparound care has helped drive up those pupil numbers

Teachers at forest schools regularly take pupils outside to learn through exploration and challenges.

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In recent months, children have built shelters, base camps, fire circles, tyre swings and more. That practical learning has been very attractive to parents looking for something different for their children.

Nun Monkton Primary School.

Ofsted carried out an interim inspection in November 2021 and published the results earlier this week. They said the school continues to be good and added:

“Pupils are very proud of their school. They enjoy school. Pupils have confidence and trust in staff. They know that staff care for them.

“There is a culture of openness and mutual respect that ensures pupils are kept safe.

“Leaders and teachers have high expectations for all pupils. They plan lessons that encourage pupils to enjoy their learning and work hard.”

Miss Simpson, who hopes to earn an outstanding Ofsted report at the next full inspection, told the Stray Ferret:

“The school has grown massively — it has really gone from strength to strength. So I am really proud of the staff and the children.

“We have a fantastic group of children here. They are a real credit to their community.

“People should be able to look back at primary school as some of their best years. That’s possible when you have a great relationship with teachers and when you make amazing friends.”

Harrogate district libraries offer self-care toolkit for young people

A toolkit which encourages self-care and aims to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of young people is now available to borrow from libraries across the Harrogate district.

The kit, which contains a variety of self-help activities, includes a portable collection of items and books for individuals or groups to share at home, in the library, or out in the community.

They also provide contact details for organisations, including Childline Mind and Health for Teens, that offer help and advice for young people.

Kits can borrowed for up to three weeks by library members, who can also borrow books, e-books, audiobooks and DVDs free of charge and use computers to access free online resources.

Cllr Greg White, executive North Yorkshire county councillor for libraries, said:

“We are delighted to be launching the self-care toolkits. The last two years have presented a number of challenges for us all – especially young people – with the impact highlighting more than ever the need and importance for all of us to look after our mental health.

“The self-care toolkits are a valuable addition to the wider health and wellbeing offer at your local library, including wellbeing bags for adults, Reading Well books on prescription and events and activities to support social connections.”

More details are available by clicking on this link.

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Boroughbridge High School agrees to close sixth form

Boroughbridge High School will temporarily close its sixth form in the summer due to issues with funding and declining student numbers.

It means the school will suspend applications for the sixth form from September 2022. All courses and pastoral support will transfer to King James’s School in Knaresborough.

The two schools federated last year, which means they have a single governing body overseeing both schools.

Boroughbridge High School held a consultation with staff, students, parents/carers and governors from mid-November to mid-December 2021 — just three people responded and they all opposed the move.

They raised concerns about increased travel times/cost, the suitability of alternative post-16 education in the area and the loss of relationships between students and teachers.

A letter sent to parents/carers yesterday revealed how the school received “a number of additional responses” ahead of the governing body’s meeting, which they took into account.

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There are currently 12 students in the sixth form — the governors do not believe that such numbers are financially or educationally sustainable.

After two years, the school will hold another consultation on the future of the sixth form.

Malcolm Dawson, chair of governors, said:

“It is not effective educationally for students to be taught in classes of one or two students.

“We have examined the situation carefully and believe this is the best way forward for the communities around Boroughbridge.”

A minibus service operates between the two sites.

Kathryn Stephenson is the headteacher at Boroughbridge High School.

Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson said:

“This is a decision which has not been taken lightly.

“Over the last few years, the school and governing body have worked tirelessly to ensure that our students have access to a high-quality post-16 provision.

“We are extremely proud of the outstanding results our students have achieved, enabling them to access many top universities.

“However, changing demographics combined with funding changes mean it is not viable to continue to operate our sixth form at the current time.”

Concern over level of consultation

Town and parish councillors in Boroughbridge High School’s catchment area have concerns about the level of consultation on the proposed closure of the sixth form.

Boroughbridge Town Council met with a school governor on Tuesday.

According to sources, councillors told the governor they had not been consulted and requested another meeting with more representatives from the school.

They said nearby Langthorpe Parish Council and Kirby Hill and District Parish Council share the same concerns. No meeting date has been set yet.

Concern over lack of consultation on proposed Boroughbridge sixth form closure

Town and parish councillors in Boroughbridge High School’s catchment area have concerns about the level of consultation on the proposed closure of the sixth form.

The school held a consultation between mid-November and mid-December on the proposal, which would see all sixth form courses and pastoral support transfer to King James’s School in Knaresborough for two years from September.

The two schools federated last year, which means they have a single governing body overseeing both schools.

Staff, students, parents/carers and governors were asked for their thoughts on suspending the sixth form.

But local councils have concerns the consultation was not wide enough.

Boroughbridge Town Council met with a school governor on Tuesday.

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According to sources, councillors told the governor they had not been consulted and requested another meeting with more representatives from the school.

They said nearby Langthorpe Parish Council and Kirby Hill and District Parish Council share the same concerns.

No meeting date has been set yet. However, councillors plan to quiz the school on how it can increase student uptake, its future plans and what the two-year suspension would mean in practice.

The Stray Ferret asked the federation of governors whether a decision has been made following its meeting on the consultation last week.

The chair declined to comment until all parents and carers have been informed.

However, the school is expected to announce its decision shortly.

Booming Boroughbridge trade inspires clothes shop relocation

A women’s clothes shop has moved to bigger premises in Boroughbridge after customers flocked to support independents in the town during coronavirus.

Espada Boutique, which opened its flagship store on St James Square around nine years ago, has now relocated to a new unit on Fishergate next to G Craggs Ltd.

The independent clothes shop, which is owned by Wendy Hepworth, also has a branch in Wetherby.

Alison Auckland, manager at Espada Boutique, told the Stray Ferret the move had been planned for a while but the extra customer support during coronavirus helped move it along.

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She added:

“We have just outgrown the old shop. Everyone has supported us and Boroughbridge on a whole during the coronavirus lockdowns.

“At the old shop we had lots of new brands coming in but they were going straight off the shelves. We could not stock enough.

“Already we have a lot more stock coming in. It is heaven here. We have plenty of room but I am sure we will soon fill it.”

Espada Boutique Boroughbridge reopened yesterday but it will hold a big launch on Saturday with prizes and prosecco up for grabs.

More pictures from inside the shop:

The shop has moved to a bigger unit.

A customer browsing the new shelves.

New owners unveil Minskip pub’s fresh look

The new owners of a pub near Boroughbridge have unveiled a fresh look in the first part of major plans for the venue.

Three friends from Harrogate and York clubbed together to buy The Wild Swan in Minskip last summer. After running the pub for a few months they closed it in January for a refurbishment.

Supply issues caused by coronavirus delayed the reopening. What was only meant to take a few days ended up taking three weeks but the owners managed to open the doors today.

Diners enjoying The Wild Swan on reopening day.

Owners Stephen Lennox, Alex Bond and Alastair Benham have replaced the greens and yellows of the pub with more muted off-white tones.

While they are keen to make a name for themselves for the menu, which is under the direction of new head chef Liam Philbin, the trio also want to improve the pub in other ways for locals.

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Mr Lennox told the Stray Ferret today:

“The pub side has been improved in a cosmetic way. The restaurant side has had a total renovation with new flooring, new furniture and decorations.

“We’ve also improved the bathrooms and extended the kitchen. From the outside as well you can see the pub has had a refurbishment. We’ve painted the building, installed planters and outdoor seating.

“There wasn’t anything wrong with what it was before but it wasn’t what we wanted it to be. It’s a real freshen-up and brighten-up. We want to keep the country pub feel but put our own stamp on it.”

The dining room has undergone a major refurbishment.

The owners are also planning to convert a building at the back of the pub to make room for a private dining room and a microbrewery with a beer garden connecting the two.

Mr Lennox said he hoped those additional works would be completed by May.

Tree planting across Harrogate district this weekend to mark Queen’s jubilee

Trees will be planted this weekend in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge as part of an initiative to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Queen’s Green Canopy, which was created as part of celebrations for the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.

Trees will be planted in Valley Gardens and on Wetherby Road in Harrogate, at Jacob Smiths Park in Knaresborough, at High Cleugh in Ripon, at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground and at Boroughbridge Recreation Ground on Sunday.

All but one tree at each of the locations has been planted already. The final tree ones will planted this weekend to coincide with Her Majesty’s accession day.

Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Trevor Chapman, will unveil the ceremonial tree in Valley Gardens, Harrogate at 2pm.

The Lord Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Johanna Ropner, will join Councillor Andy Paraskos to unveil the ceremonial tree at Boroughbridge Recreation Ground at 11am.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones will join the mayor of Knaresborough, Councillor Christine Willoughby, at Jacob Smith Park in Knaresborough at 1pm.

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Cllr Eamon Parkin, the mayor of Ripon and Cllr Mike Holt, the mayor of Pateley Bridge, will plant trees in their respective locations.

Species being planted include elm, oak, hornbeam, sycamore and lime.

Individuals, town and parish councils, community groups, schools, businesses and landowners will be encouraged to plant tress during the planting season from October to March.

White Rose Forest

The Queen’s Green Canopy will coincide with the council’s plans to plant thousands of trees in Bilton Beck Wood and Willow Wood, Harrogate and Upper Horse Shoe Fields, Knaresborough as part of the White Rose Forest partnership.

The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire being created by local authorities, landowners, businesses and communities.

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

“The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful opportunity for us to not only honour Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee but also help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.

“Similar to the White Rose Forest project, we want to encourage as many people as possible in the district to get involved to improve air quality and biodiversity.”

Sarah Wells, community manager at Bettys & Taylors Group, which has supported the scheme, said:

“Trees remain very close to our hearts at Bettys & Taylors and we are delighted to support this unique project which not only highlights the importance of climate action, but also the positive impact of community collaboration. We hope that these trees will be enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area for many years to come.”