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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 29/12/2020

Health

Looking back: Happiness in Harrogate district amid the challenges of 2020

by Vicky Carr

| 29 Dec, 2020

Today, we look back on some of the highlights of the year when, amid the bleak events, the spirit of the community and individual strength shone through.

https://youtu.be/H6XZHr38FdM

As 2020 draws to a close, the Stray Ferret looks at the news stories that stood out among a year of extraordinary events.

Today, we look back on some of the highlights of the year when, amid the bleak events, the spirit of the community and individual strength shone through.

After facing a disrupted end to his school life and an uncertain path ahead, 18-year-old Morgan Glazier decided to set himself a challenge.

Raising money for mental health charity Mind, he completed a mile to correspond with the date of every day in June. After one mile on the first, two miles on the second and so on, he finished 30 miles on June 30, totalling an incredible 465 miles in the month.

As a result, he raised more than £9,000 for a charity close to his heart.

Also raising money, but for a completely different reason, was former Harrogate Grammar School student Harry Pritchard.

He had secured a place at the prestigious LAMDA drama school in London, but with fees of almost £14,000 feared he would be unable to take it up. Friends and family rallied around – but when Hollywood star Russell Crowe shared the campaign, the money rolled in.

For football fans, meanwhile, the crowning achievement of the year was Harrogate Town securing promotion to the football league for the first time. They may not have been able to be there for the 3-1 win over Notts County at Wembley, but fans were able to enjoy the occasion when the team held an open top bus parade through town on their return.

The football season was able to conclude after a delay during the first lockdown – but many events were not able to proceed as planned. However, communities united to ensure the important dates did not go by unmarked.

VE Day was a highlight for many, with socially-distanced street parties held across the district. From scarecrows telling a village’s war stories to Ripon Cathedral lit up in red, white and blue, there were plenty of celebrations despite continuing restrictions.

A special delivery of fish and chips was sent to residents of a Starbeck care home by Drake’s Fisheries, while a war veteran was toasted by his neighbours, who were determined to make him the guest of honour at their celebrations.

For the Stray Ferret, 2020 saw us launch our news site as the pandemic reached the UK in March. Our audience has grown enormously in the last 10 months, and we’re grateful to everyone who has got in touch, told us their story or shared their concerns.

As the new year approaches, we’re as determined as ever to bring you the most important stories from across the Harrogate district, as well as those chinks of happiness in what can often seem a very gloomy world.

Please do keep in touch with us about anything you think we should know – you can email our news team at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197. And keep following us for the latest news as it happens via our website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Thank you for your support in 2020. We wish all our readers a healthy and happy new year.