This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
It’s the Saturday of the jubilee weekend and we will be covering all the festivities in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Our reporters will be out and about but please let us know what’s happening where you are and if we can’t attend we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
- Party in the Park in Pateley Bridge
- Free live music in Ripon’s Market Square.
- Horse racing on the big screen on the Stray in Harrogate.
- See our full jubilee what’s on guide here.
6.06pm: Harry Gration cuts the ribbon in Valley Gardens
5.38pm: Saturday night partying begins
There is free live music in Harrogate and Ripon tonight and, mercifully, it’s still sunny.
The big screens on the Stray in Harrogate will be showing Ed Sheeran and others at Buckingham Palace while in Ripon, where they have had two days of solid live music, there will be tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix in Market Square.
5.03pm: Mr Snout wins Birstwith Pig Race
A wacky village tradition finally made its comeback today as the Birstwith Pig Race returned to the Station Hotel.
For £5 you could sponsor the race and for £3 you could name one of the battery-powered pigs.
In the first round it was between Mr Snout, Stinky Pig, Chunky Cheeks, Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig.
You can watch the video here.
4.58pm: Street Party on Harrogate ‘s Stray
There are two concerts on the Stray tonight. Street Party starts at 5pm, followed by Party at the Palace at 7pm.
3.58pm: Prince of Wales leads celebrations in Starbeck
Not the actual Prince of Wales, but the Prince of Wales pub in the centre of Starbeck, which is probably just as well known locally as Prince Charles.
The large pub has hosted a family party this afternoon, organised by Starbeck Community Group, with the proceeds from the raffles and stalls going to a Starbeck charity.
Tonight, from 7pm, the adults take over for a night of games and karaoke.
Iron Man was among those making an appearance. He should be safe walking home tonight.
3.30pm: Tractor parade and BBQ in the sun at Kirkby Malzeard
Hillside Playing Fields is the place to be in Kirkby Malzeard today.
As Suzannah arrived some families were just drying off after taking part in a friendly ‘It’s a Knockout’ tournament.
The BBQ was well underway with organiser Marlon Johnson saying they’ve already had to make an emergency trip to the shops after running out on burgers.
Today was the third day of festivities in the village with the highlight being this morning’s tractor parade through the town.
Marlon said he expects people to be on the fields until 5pm with other activities including a tug of war and egg throwing planned later this afternoon.
He said:
“I’m amazed by how many people have come down, I think the weather definitely helped. It’s great to get everyone together again.”
2pm: Rocking around Pateley Bridge bandstand
Pateley Bridge’s ‘Party in the Park’ was enjoyed by hundreds this afternoon with many bobbing along to second act of the day Ant & Frank.
The event is being held in the town’s recreation ground until 3pm.
Our roaming reporter Suzannah filmed a Facebook live of the performance, check it out here:
1.14pm: Dachshunds dominate in Knaresborough
Two Dachshunds caught the eye of the judges in the prettiest dog contest in Knaresborough today.
The winning dogs are in the top picture.
Our devastated reporter Tom, whose dog didn’t get the verdict, has at least had the pleasure of meeting town crier Roger Hewitt, who in a former life taught Tom chemistry at Harrogate Grammar School.
1pm: Pateley’s Picnic in the Park gets underway
Our reporter Suzannah has hot-footed it from Knaresborough to Pateley Bridge where 150 people are already at the recreation ground to enjoy the town’s big event today, Party in the Park.
Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band has kicked things off and two other acts are set to follow this afternoon.
The free event, organised by Bewerley Parish Council and Pateley Bridge Town Council, runs until 3pm today.
Event manager Tracey Dawson said:
“I’m just so pleased with how many people have come out. It’s all generations coming together and enjoying the weekend.”
12.45pm: Knaresborough sisters meet town crier
The flag parade has been Knaresborough’s morning highlight. Scroll down to see our reporter Suzannah’s video of it.
Caroline McHuge sent us this lovely picture of her children Elodie (left) and Clemmie with town crier Roger Hewitt. Keep your pictures coming!
12.27pm: Patriotic pug in Harrogate
There seems to be a lot of dog action on our website today — dog shows, stray dogs and now a jubilee dog. It’s all good.
Sue Lovatt from Harrogate sent us this picture of her adorable pug Betsy, as well as this picture of the Queen making an appearance in her window, waving at passers by.
Do send us your jubilee pictures and we will add them to our live blog. You can DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
11.59am: Knaresborough’s Market Cross looking splendid
Thanks to Lesley Dalton, who has written to say Knaresnorough Flower Club has installed bunting and flowers on the Market Cross in Knaresborough’s historic Market Square.
The cross was erected in 1953 for the Queen’s coronation so it’s very fitting, Lesley adds.
Our reporter Tom has entered his pet into the prettiest dog category in the dog show in Knaresborough today. Do you think she has a chance? She’s looking a bit camera shy here. Or perhaps the pre-match nerves are kicking in. Come on, number 6!
11.28am: Knaresborough festivities underway with flag parade
Children dressed in red, white and blue and waved homemade flags for the Knaresborough Flag Parade today.
Families, local cadets and town crier Roger Hewitt marched through Market Place to the grounds of Knaresborough House.
Stray Ferret reporter Suzannah was there — you can watch her video here.
This afternoon multiple events are taking place in the town, including dog shows, band performances and the museum exhibition at Knaresborough House.
10.55am: Thunderstorm threat to tomorrow’s street parties
Harrogate Borough Council has highlighted the threat posed by a Met Office weather warning, which is in place from midnight tonight until 6pm tomorrow.
A Yellow thunderstorm warning will be in place from midnight tonight to 6pm tomorrow that just catches the bottom part of our district. More info below: https://t.co/lBYAWuQYWc
— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) June 4, 2022
10.29am: The Queen in Harrogate in 1957
Great photo of Her Majesty at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957 — the year of the Suez crisis and when Paul McCartney and John Lennon first met.
https://twitter.com/nyccarchives/status/1533010681984782338
10.18am: Hog roast in Bishop Monkton
The highlight of Saturday’s jubilee celebrations in Bishop Monkton will be a hog roast in the centre of the village.
The cooking of the 87kg pig started at 4am this morning in preparation for a day which will also include duck races down the beck running through the village, tabletop pig races and a village ceilidh.
9.50am: Live music and new jubilee horn in Ripon
The royal revelry continues in Ripon’s Market Square today with tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix.
Striking a different note just before 9pm, the Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn will be officially handed over to the city by ‘Mr Ripon’, former mayor and Freeman of the City, John Richmond, when he presents the specially commissioned instrument to Ripon’s new mayor, Cllr Sid Hawke.
9.41am: More free rides for children in Valley Garden
Valley Gardens is again offering free rides for children.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, there will be street entertainers in the town centre and the big screen on the Stray will be showing horse racing. The Stray will also host a wellbeing morning and another Harrogate mastermind quiz before some tribute acts take to the stage.
Here’s a pic of yesterday’s dog show.
9.22am: Festivities in Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill
Thanks to Pippa Manson, chairperson of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council for sending us these images of what’s been going on in the parish.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog.
Garden party yesterday afternoon at Laverton.
Reeth Brass Band in Kirkby.
Thursday’s night’s bonfire beacon at Greygarth.
9am: Where the Stray Ferret reporters will be today
Suzannah will be in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard and Birstwith.
Tim will be covering events in Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Harrogate district jubilee: what happened on day 2
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
Welcome back to day two of our live jubilee blog, where we will be covering all the Friday fun in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
- Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Garden and a dog show on the Stray.
- Free rides for children in Market Square and a Timeline Tea Party.
- Newby Hall Tractorfest, featuring a Hawker Hurricane.
- Masham parade of floats this afternoon and band and fireworks tonight.
- The Great Afternoon Tea at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm.
5.38pm: Buglers on Coldstones Cut
Two buglers from Summerbridge Band provided the musical backdrop for last night’s beacon lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut, near Pateley Bridge.
Our #PlatinumJubilee appearances got underway last night with 2 buglers taking part in the Beacon Lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut above #PateleyBridge #Nidderdale. An honour to be invited & amazing to think of the 1000's of people taking part across the country and beyond. pic.twitter.com/tYBkhHBID6
— Summerbridge Band (@sdpsb1) June 3, 2022
5.31pm: Great Almscliffe beacon
Thanks to Barbara Massey for this dramatic image showing last night’s beacon on top of Great Almscliffe, organised by North Rigton Parish Council.
5.20pm – Newby Hall flypast captured
This RAF enthusiast captured the moment the Hawker Hurricane flew over Newby Hall as part of the return of Tractor Fest.
https://twitter.com/SpotterPD/status/1532736925022420995?s=20&t=4WFoiw1UGsd0CSAV1Q6l7g
4.55pm: Big street party in Harrogate
We’ve just been to Westbourne Grove where we’ve seen the biggest street party so far.
A welcoming crowd of about 200 people are enjoying the sun in chairs on the street after a competitive best cake competition.
Viv Poskitt, who applied for the road closure, said the street had hosted parties on several previous occasions, including for the diamond jubilee 10 years ago and for VE Day celebrations. She said:
“We just plan to keep going until dusk.”
Here’s a video of the fun.
4.05pm: Knaresborough gets dancing
These residents at Knaresborough Community Centre got on their feet for a tea dance as the celebrations continue well into this glorious Friday afternoon.
3.45pm: Burn Bridge street party underway
Cheers to the residents of Westminster Grove in Burn Bridge, who are having one of several street parties in the Harrogate district today. Tamsin from the Stray Ferret was there to capture this great community moment.
If you’re holding a party, send us a photo to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
3.20pm: Street entertainers in Harrogate town centre
Have you seen the street entertainers in Harrogate town centre? They will be out and about throughout the four-day weekend.
https://twitter.com/BidHarrogate/status/1532728005507928064
3pm Boroughbridge entertainment is underway
Our roaming reporter Calvin is now in Boroughbridge where an afternoon of entertainment is getting in full swing at the football club.
There are bouncy castles, carnival games, face painting, tug-of-war, a barbecue, a raffle and a visit from Boroughbridge firefighters.
Proceeds from the event will go to the charity Dementia Forward.
Organiser Laura Hutton
2.50pm: Hawker Hurricane due to flyover Newby Hall shortly
The flyover at Tractorfest is due to take place at 3.10pm. We’d love to see your photos – send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
2.35pm: Staveley women make village collage
A group of Staveley women have made a village collage as a lasting memento to the Queen’s platinum jubilee. You can read more here.
1.50pm: Superb parade in Masham
Masham has done itself proud with this wonderful parade of floats through the town centre, captured a few minutes ago by our reporter Calvin. It’s hard to imagine a more English scene.
1.35pm: Opera in the streets of Harrogate
Full marks to the West Park Hotel in Harrogate for one of the most innovative jubilee ideas so far. Two opera singers appeared on the balcony and began belting out classics, ranging from Jerusalem to Schubert’s Ave Maria.
Here they are singing Rule Britannia to an appreciate crowd below.
12.59pm: Archbishop of York tweets Ripon picture
Ripon Cathedral hosted North Yorkshire’s civic service honouring the Queen, which attracted a host of dignitaries.
Among them was Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who has posted this photo of himself at the 1,350-year old cathedral.
Great to be @riponcathedral this morning to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with @joropner1 and @nickbaines Big one tomorrow @StPaulsLondon pic.twitter.com/dbkPUwuvQl
— Archbishop of York (@CottrellStephen) June 2, 2022
12.28am: Ripon is rocking again
Ripon is having a good jubilee, with Market Square the focus of the fun and the cathedral the centre of civic activity. There are large crowds and a great vibe in the city.
Today’s highlights include the Timeline Tea Party for 150 invited guests, including 70 Riponians representing the 70 years of the Queen’s reign — from a year-old child to a 70-year-old.
Tomorrow’s highlights include the handover ceremony for the new Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn from 8.30pm onwards and Sunday’s line-up includes a picnic in the park at Spa Park.
Iris, 8, and brother Rafael, 5, wait to go on the fairground rides.
12.07pm: Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Every parent knows how quickly you can burn money on funfair rides so it’s little surprise the lure of free rides in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is proving irresistible to many.
It’s been less busy in Jubilee Square, where BBC coverage of the thanksgiving service for the Queen’s 70-year reign has been shown on big screens, but it’s expected to pick up later when the dog show and a Harrogate Mastermind competition take place.
There are also street entertainers in the town centre, which is part of a Harrogate Business Improvement District initiative.
11.58am: Jubilee book competition for children
North Yorkshire County Council, which runs the county’s libraries, is running a jubilee initiative to encourage children to read.
Our library staff are excited for the #PlatinumJubilee.
Children who borrow two books from our libraries until June 11, will be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of Michael Morpurgo's book, There Once is a Queen.
More: https://t.co/P9YyHeQUZR pic.twitter.com/qUlv0yfVw0
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 3, 2022
11.15am: Tractor heaven at Newby Hall
If you like tractors and machinery, Newby Hall near Boroughbridge is the place to be for the next three days.
Our reporter Calvin is amongst the hundreds of people there for Tractorfest, which has returned to the Harrogate district for the first time in two years.
An estimated 1,000 exhibits are on display, including tractors from the Queen’s coronations and silver jubilee.
11.10am: Spofforth skies lit up
Last night’s beacons appear to have been a big hit. Do keep sending us your photos of them.
Thanks to Mike Streeton for these wonderful images at Spofforth Castle last night.
Mike says:
“The local farrier created a wonderful beacon constructed of horseshoes which seemed very appropriate because the Queen is so fond of horses and equestrian events.
“It was rather ingenious and quite unexpected since a tractor lifted the blazing beacon up in the air high above all the spectators who were positioned at a safe distance. It was enjoyed enormously by all the excited onlookers.”
10.56am: Sports day fun in Bishop Monkton
An estimated 400 people — more than half the population of Bishop Monkton — turned out for a village sports day and children’s games yesterday. Twenty-one teams competed in seven different games based on sports clubs represented in the village.
10.29am: Beacons prompt 999 calls
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service reports that fire crews responded to numerous reports of large fires in the open, which turned out to be controlled burnings of jubilee beacons.
Harrogate fire station did not get called out to any — we are unaware if other fire stations in the Harrogate district were.
About 3,000 beacons were lit across the UK and the Commonwealth last night.
10.21am: Tractorfest at Newby Hall underway
Our reporter Calvin is at Newby Hall, which is hosting Tractorfest for the next three days.
Here’s a photo of Ian Muir and Tractorfest organiser Kevin Watson with a special Queen’s coronation tractor that Ian painted.
10.15am: Almscliffe Crag beacon lights up the sky
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, has tweeted some images of last night’s beacon lighting at Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton.
Night-time adventures in Knaresborough and at Almscliffe Crag. Love a bit of firestarting. pic.twitter.com/CuYCAMhoXK
— Sharon Canavar (@sharoncanavar) June 2, 2022
9.40am: Ripon prepares for a second day of partying
Ripon is waking up this morning after the biggest royal party in its history and with three more days of family fun and entertainment ahead.
Away from Market Square and the cathedral, which were hives of jubilee activity yesterday, in the city’s residential streets Union Jacks are flying. Every house in Victoria Grove (named after the Queen’s great, great, grandmother) is linked by a string of red, white and blue flags.
The same applies to the railings at the nearby bus station, also adorned with bunting produced by the tireless knitters of the Ripon Community Poppy Project. Hillshaw Park Way is ready to party again today and, the promise of fine weather, will make for a busy day of pulling pints at The Magdelen’s pub on Princess Road.
9.26pm: North Stainley beacon
Thanks to Steve, who has sent us this image last night’s beacon lighting in North Stainley. The beacons appear to have been a big hit, drawing large crowds — we’d love to see your pics and hear your thoughts. Drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
9.15am Today’s Stray Ferret team on the road
Calvin will be at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall and also in Boroughbridge and Masham.
Tim will be covering events in his home city of Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Union Jack flies high at Newby Hall’s Tractor Fest
After two years away, Tractor Fest returned to Newby Hall to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations in its unique way.
Scattered across the famous gardens were an estimated 1,000 exhibitors, including tractors adorned for the occasion.
Hundreds of people ranging from hardcore enthusiasts and novices, flocked to the stately home near Boroughbridge to enjoy an array of machinery, engines, attractions and even some vintage car displays.
Kevin Watson, organiser of the festival, said he was initially nervous about returning after so long away.
The festival was one of many mainstay events in the Harrogate district which fell victim to the covid pandemic in 2020.
Ian Muir and tractor fest organiser Kevin Watson with a golden painted Queens coronation tractor.
Kevin said:
“It has been a while and we wondered if we had done the right thing in making it a three day event.
“But, in the end it feels like we have never been away.”
The return of the popular festival coincides with the landmark platinum jubilee and it would have been remiss of those regular exhibitors not to mark it in their own way.
Read more:
- Village near Knaresborough creates collage to mark jubilee
- JUBILEE LIVE: Parade in Masham, street opera in Harrogate
Among the thousands of tractors was one special exhibit, which stood out with its golden paint and draped in Union Jack bunting.
The golden coronation tractor which was introduced in 1953 is owned by Northumbrian Ian Muir, who had to rebuild it twice to get it into shape to display at festivals.
Marking the jubilee
Elsewhere, engine enthusiasts were also marking the jubilee in their own way.
Tom and Alison Moffat made the three-hour journey from Ayre in Scotland to be among fellow engine collectors.
Tom’s engine was made in 1939 at the outbreak of the war and was used as an emergency lighting plant for Ballochmyle Hospital in Ayrshire.
Hundreds flocked to Newby Hall for the return of Tractor Fest.
The couple have toured the exhibit around various festivals, but today they decided to flock our their stall in red, white and blue.
After learning they were going to be at Tractor Fest over the jubilee weekend, Alison borrowed some of her parents flags which had also been used as part of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1977.
She said:
“I borrowed them from my parents, who had also used them to celebrate. We felt we had to mark it.”
Mervyn Hoyle with his vintage car at Newby Hall.
Those who brought vintage cars to the festival were also in on the celebrations.
Mervyn Hoyle bought his 1933 Austin Seven deluxe saloon 42 years ago and prided himself on keeping it in good condition ever since.
He and his sister draped the car in red, white and blue for the occasion and his fellow collectors even set up a picnic table for the weekend.
To top off the day’s entertainment, a Hawker Hurricane took to the skies above Newby Hall.
While people filled the streets and bunting adorned buildings across the Harrogate district, the Tractor Fest marked the occasion in its own way.
Harrogate district jubilee: day one blog
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
The sun is out as four days of jubilee celebrations get underway in the Harrogate district today.
The Stray Ferret will be covering the festivities and the fun, the street parties and the ceremonies over the next four days in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
We want to hear what’s happening in your town, village or city so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it to the blog.
5.24pm: Will it stay dry for tonight’s beacons?
It’s been a warm and sunny opening day to the jubilee celebrations but it is clouding over.
Beacons are due to be lit across the Harrogate district tonight, with most occurring at 9.45pm. According to the BBC weather forecast for Harrogate, some rain is possible.
Spofforth Castle, Ripon Market Square, Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton, the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Kirkby Malzeard and Roomer Common in Masham are among the locations taking part.
So too is Knaresborough Castle, where Tamsin from the Stray Ferret will be among the onlookers.
4.35pm: Spofforth hosts children’s party
Fresh from his trip to Blubberhouses, our reporter Tom has been to Spofforth to witness today’s jubilee activities.
You can read his full account here.
4.17pm: Great and the good attend Ripon Cathedral’s civic event
Julian Smith MP
Harry Gration
North Yorkshire dignitaries gathered at Ripon Cathedral today for a service in honour of the Queen.
Those attending included the Archbishop of York, Ripon MP Julian Smith, Grantley Hall owner Valeria Sykes and former Look North presenter Harry Gration.
You can read our Ripon reporter Tim’s full account here.
3.58pm: Human plant pots in Harrogate town centre
Last year there was fake grass in Harrogate town centre — now there are human plant pots. And they’re certainly proving more popular with visitors, who posed for photos alongside them. It’s all part of the jubilee fun. Send us your jubilee pictures to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
3.27pm: First street party underway in Pannal Ash
Most street parties are on Sunday but the residents of Castle Hill Glade in Pannal Ash thought today might be a more family-friendly day and, judging by the weather forecast, they may have chosen the right day
Rachel Baskin (pictured far left), who applied for the street closure, told us the party idea evolved from covid, when residents living on the cul-de-sac would have socially distanced meetings on Thursdays.
There’s also an informal group called Ladies of Glade, who meet a glass of wine each week.
Residents in nearby streets are bringing their own teas and sitting outside together to enjoy the occasion.
2.55pm: Bilton’s Party on the Pitch proves a hit
People are pouring into Bilton Cricket Club’s free Party on the Pitch event, which runs until 9pm.
We’ve just been down and there is a wonderful atmosphere, which shows there is a great community spirit in Bilton and a thirst for get togethers like this since the demise of Bilton Gala on May Day.
There’s a barbecue, live music and plenty for children to do. People are just rocking up and having a picnic on the pitch.
Matt Thomas, cricket secretary, estimated about 1,000 people were there an hour ago and the number is growing. He added:
“It’s a great opportunity for the local community to get together and have fun.”
There is a collection for Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause dear to the club’s heart after a player had a heart attack on the pitch at an away game last year.
1.20pm: Jubilee shenanigans on Harrogate’s Beulah Street
It’s not every day you wander along Beulah Street and see people dressed like this belting out Land of Hope and Glory. But that’s what the jubilee does to you. It’s that kind of weekend.
What’s happening out in Bilton, Starbeck and Jennyfields, or in Pateley Bridge? Wherever you are in the Harrogate district we want to receive your jubilee news and images. Email us and we will add them to this live blog.
1.12pm: Live music all day in Ripon
Among those early to arrive on Market Square was four-year-old Aylar and her mum Susannah (pictured), who were blowing bubbles as the free entertainment started on stage with Lily Worth.
Lily sang a selection of songs from musicals, including the Greatest Showman. There is free live music all day in Ripon’s Market Square.
Meanwhile, a giant TV screen next to Ripon Town Hall linked the city to Horseguards Parade in London, where the Trooping the Colour ceremony, broadcast live on the BBC, marked the Queen’s official birthday.
Lily Worth on stage in Ripon today.
The big screen.
1.01pm: Blubberhouses flower festival tells Queen’s story
Our reporter Tom has been to Blubberhouses, where a jubilee-themed flower festival is underway.
You can visit it at St Andrew’s Church in Blubberhouses, just past Fewston Reservoir off the A59, from 11am to 4pm every day over the four-day weekend.
Further details are here.
12.26pm: Bishop leads county service of celebration
Ripon is pulling out the stops this weekend with activities galore, and Ripon Cathedral is at the heart of things. The Bishop of Ripon has tweeted about a service she led this morning.
https://twitter.com/HartleyHAM/status/1532321794765488128
12.05pm: Ripon mum wins Bettys Jubilee Bake Off
Ripon mum Lori Hendry (pictured holding the cake) has beaten three other shortlisted bakers to win the Bettys Jubilee Bake Off.
Lori’s Victoria sponge decorated with red, white and blue icing adorned with a crown and Union Jack flags wowed the judges. You can read more here.
11.10am: Free rides, entertainment and face painting in Valley Gardens
Free events are taking place in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens until 6pm. It’s very much a family occasion: kids can meet Elsa, Batman and Cinderella (pictured above), ride on the runaway train, climb a wall, jump on a bungee trampoline, watch jugglers — all for free.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, on a section of the Stray, which has been renamed Jubilee Square, people can watch a big screen of the BBC coverage of the jubilee.
10.27am: Recycling depots open as usual
North Yorkshire County Council tweets that its household recycling centres are open as normal this bank holiday weekend.
All our household waste recycling centres are open, as usual, from 8.30am to 5pm, throughout the Queen's #PlatinumJubilee bank holiday weekend.
Find your nearest site and what items you can take athttps://t.co/llRAH0z30s pic.twitter.com/rASZiF1jhk
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 2, 2022
9.32am: Bishop Monkton choir starts the jubilee weekend
Bishop Monkton kicked off the jubilee weekend last night a community concert given by a choir developed on Zoom during the pandemic.
The choir entertained an audience of 120 in the village hall with a show titled Seven Decades of Song, featuring music from the 1940s to the present day. The concert included hits from musicals like Oklahoma and the Sound of Music as well as more recent numbers from Leonard Cohen and Gary Barlow.
The choir grew out of the village’s Singing for Fun group, which had started just before the pandemic and which kept going through the covid lockdowns by meeting on Zoom. The show included a live rendition of a song called Lockdown, written during covid by the village’s jubilee queen, Pauline Beecroft, to the tune of the Petula Clark 1960s hit Downtown.
The concert ended with the singing of Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and the National Anthem.
Thanks to Colin Philpott for sending us this jubilee news in Bishop Monkton. What’s happening where you are? Message us your jubilee news and pictures at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
8.52am: Free music all day in Ripon
The stage is set in Ripon for the biggest royal party of the ancient city’s long history. Lily Worth will kick off a day of free music at 10.30am and she will be followed by Ripon’s own talented singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary.
Later, tribute acts will sing the songs of Stevie Wonder, Cilla Black, George Michael, the Everly Brothers and Katherine Jenkins. For nostalgia lovers, there will be wartime songs of Vera Lynn and others from 4.50pm.
Organisers Ripon City Council are hoping that the blue skies that have started the day will remain over the town hall and stage facing onto Market Square, where large crowds are anticipated.
8.45am: Stray Ferret journalists set to hit the road
Tim will be in Ripon all day and for the lighting of the beacon.
Tom plans to head to Blubberhouses and Spofforth
John will be in and around Harrogate
Tamsin will be in Knaresborough for tonight’s beacon lighting.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Police and army officers amongst Harrogate district residents honoured by Queen
A Boroughbridge police officer and an army officer based at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate are amongst the local residents recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
In this jubilee year, the Queen has recognised the service of four Harrogate district residents.
Knighthood
Martyn Oliver, chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, has been knighted for services to education.
The trust sponsors 40 schools in northern England, including Outwood Primary Academy Greystone and Outwood Academy in Ripon.
MBE
Barry Appleton, at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, has been made an MBE for his military service.
The warrant officer’s role at the college is to take care of the welfare of the 300 military staff and their families.
The college provides basic training to 1,300 under 18s. The honours list describes how he uses his imagination to “engage with and support his community, providing constant oversight and support in excess of what seemed possible”.
He has worked at the college for more than a decade and in that time looked after hundreds of military and civilian families.
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ellen Hughes, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to sport during covid.
Ms Hughes is currently director of special projects at Sport England after starting her career in grassroots sport as a project manager at North Yorkshire County Sports Partnership.
She has been responsible for delivering the government’s £600million sports survival package to support spectator sports during covid when fans weren’t allowed in venues.
She has given funding to more than 1,200 organisations through this scheme and was also responsible for giving £32.7million worth of covid funding to rugby league teams.
Colin William Rodham, from Knaresborough, has been made an MBE for services to flood risk management in the Yorkshire region.
Mr Rodham currently works as a senior officer in the Environment Agency.
Read more:
- From corgis to bollard covers: Harrogate district is getting into jubilee spirit
- LIVE: 28 Harrogate district street parties planned as jubilee nears
BEM
Sharron Moverley-Homes, from Boroughbridge, has been made an BEM for services to policing.
Ms Moverley-Holmes is a special chief officer in the North Yorkshire Police Special Constabulary. Since joining the police in 1984 she has remained in the North Yorkshire force calling it “the family I could never leave”.
Over the three decades, she said she has worked in a number of departments but being out in the community remains the most rewarding part:
“The bread and butter of policing is being visible and speaking to members of the public. That could be walking the streets or it could be when they need us the most and are at the worst point in their lives.”
Ms Moverley-Holmes manages the special constabulary which is a collection of part-time volunteer officers. She said working with those willing to give up their free time is “truly rewarding” and dedicated her award to their hard work.
She said another passion of her’s is to ensure the force is as open and inclusive as it can be, she said to serve the community we must represent it, adding:
“Policing was very different when I started and so was the world. I hope my legacy is that we are open to everyone and inclusive.”
Talking about receiving the award, she said:
“I was shocked, surprised, I had to hide it away for a few hours and go back and check I hadn’t read it wrong. It’s a huge privilege to be recognised for a job I love.”
This weekend, on June 5, a group of special constables and Ms Moverely-Holmes will be walking 30 miles from York to Tadcaster to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Special Constable Glenn Goodman who was fatally shot whilst on patrol in Tadcaster.
Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service
Lisa Winward, the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Ms Winward joined Humberside Police as a regular officer in 1994, before transferring to North Yorkshire in 2008, and took the position of Chief Constable in April 2018.
She is a national ambassador for volunteering, taking the National Police Chief Council lead for Citizens in Policing for a number of years and is national lead for women’s health and the intelligence portfolio.
Ms Winward, said:
“I simply wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the people who have helped me, taught me, inspired and motivated me and worked alongside me in the wonderful team that is policing. It is a privilege to be a public servant and a police officer.”
Boroughbridge business leader wins Northern business mentor of the year award
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
Boroughbridge Town Council ‘very concerned’ about state of road
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 opens office in Boroughbridge
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.
Home Office asylum centre near Harrogate district an ‘abuse of power’, says MPA 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:
Ripon refugee charity joins calls opposing 1,500 asylum seekers at Linton“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.”
A Ripon refugee charity has joined calls to pause plans to house 1,500 asylum seekers at a former RAF base in Linton-on-Ouse.
Nicola David, chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary, attended a public meeting in the village last night which saw Home Office officials jeered on arrival.
The government is pushing forward with its plan to house 1,500 asylum seekers for up to six months in a ‘reception centre’ on the site, which is four miles from Great Ouseburn and Little Ousburn in the Harrogate district and not far from Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.
At the meeting, Ms David described Priti Patel, the home secretary, as a “hypocrite” because she comes from a Ugandan refugee family but shows little compassion for other refugees.
She said the Home Secretary had “pulled up the ladder” behind other refugees.
Ms David told the Stray Ferret:
“How can you put people fleeing war on a military base?”
“It’s a troubling thing to do to asylum seekers.”
Read more:
- Stunning Green win in Ouseburn sets blueprint for future collaborations
- Village on fringes of Harrogate district to house asylum seekers
Ms David, who discussed the issue on BBC Breakfast today, added that it was only the Home Office which wanted the scheme to go-ahead. She pointed out that 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.”
Home Office were not living their best life last night – from the moment they arrived, they took a pounding. I put it to them that Priti & Rishi are hypocrites who, as children of immigrants, have had every opportunity in this country but have pulled up the ladder behind them. https://t.co/t8hygkNlRY pic.twitter.com/jdjmgXL5iT
— Ripon City of Sanctuary (@RiponCoS) May 20, 2022
Residents at last night’s meeting were told that 60 asylum seekers will arrive at the site by the end of the month and will be mostly men.
Home Office officials also said Ms Patel planned to visit the village to speak with residents about the centre.
The controversial proposal for Linton-on-Ouse comes as 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.”