A Harrogate rugby team has visited Canada as part of a town winning scheme.
Players from Harrogate Rugby Club’s under-16s visited Barrie in Ontario, where they were given a tour and even appeared on local television.
The city was twinned with Harrogate in 2013.
Sir Robert Barrie was a Royal Navy officer who fought against the USA in the 19th century and is buried in the Harrogate district.
He then took up a post in Ontario, Canada, to inspect a key trading route called the Nine Mile Portage. He settled there, calling it “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. In 1833 the area was renamed in his honour.
The Harrogate rugby side, which included students from Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College, embarked on the nine-day tour in July.
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The tour was sponsored by Harrogate International Partnerships and included matches which saw Harrogate run out victorious.
Harrogate coach, Ralph Zoing, described the games as “competitive, but played in an excellent spirit”.
Harrogate Rugby Club raising the Yorkshire flag in Barrie, Ontario.
The team also raised a Yorkshire flag in Barrie during Yorkshire Day on August 1.
Dennis Richards, chair of Harrogate International Partnerships, said the visit was a success.
“Twinning works best through community groups, sport and music being prime examples.
“The success of this trip should inspire many others in years to come.”
A civic reception was also held by Alex Nuttall, mayor of Barrie, as part of the Harrogate club’s visit.
Mr Nuttall said:
“These young men were excellent ambassadors for Harrogate and their rugby club.
“They were a delight to host and strengthened a rapidly developing link between our two towns. Both towns have so much to offer each other”
A reciprocal visit is planned to take place in 2024.
Twinned
Barrie was twinned with Harrogate in 2013 at the suggestion of local aristocrat Sir Thomas Ingilby.
Sir Robert married Sir Thomas’s ancestor, Julia Wharton Ingilby, in 1816.
In mid-1834, Barrie returned to England and King William IV made him a knight commander of the Royal Guelphic Order. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1837 and knight commander of the Order of the Bath in 1840.
Barrie retired in Swarthdale, Lancashire and was buried at All Saints Church in Ripley in 1841.
Harrogate’s Valley Gardens celebrates twinning anniversaryHarrogate’s Valley Gardens has unveiled a new flower bed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its twinning with the town of Barrie in Canada.
The beds will be made up of 3,750 flowers, primarily petunias and begonias in a variety of colours.
The unveiling will coincide with Barrie Day, a holiday celebrated across Canada.
Sir Robert Barrie, the town’s namesake, was married to Julia Wharton Ingilby of Ripley Castle. Both are buried in the family vault at All Saints’ church in Ripley. Barrie was a naval officer instrumental in keeping Canada from joining America in 1812.
Former mayor of Harrogate and trustee of Harrogate international partnerships, Michael Newby, who is set to visit Barrie, said:
“I am delighted to be going to Barrie to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our relationship, having been the mayor who signed the twinning agreement on behalf of Harrogate.”
Part of the New Zealand flower bed section, as Harrogate is also twinned with Wellington the capital.
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New Leeds Bradford flights link Harrogate district passengers with North America
Two new daily flights have been announced to help travellers from the Harrogate district reach Ireland, the USA and Canada.
Emerald Airlines will be operating its Aer Lingus Regional flights on the route from Leeds Bradford Airport to Dublin from today.
As well as visiting the Irish capital, the route gives travellers the option to pre-clear US immigration at Dublin Airport, allowing them to enter North America as a domestic passenger and avoid lengthy queues on arrival.
Nicola McMullen, aviation director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:
“As passenger levels return to normal, the connection between LBA and Dublin remains an important one for our region, with many passengers travelling for both business and leisure.
“The route will provide a valuable connection to the US with pre-clearance, meaning passengers can travel through immigration smoothly.”
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Flights will depart Leeds Bradford at 8.35am every day, as well as 7.40pm every day except Saturday. Return flights depart Dublin at 6.50am daily and 5.45pm every day except Saturday.
Ciarán Smith, head of commercial at Emerald Airlines said:
“We recognise the vital importance of regional air connectivity and the key role that this air link to Dublin provides for business, tourism and leisure travel.
“In addition, we’re excited to add additional capacity to our existing service from Leeds to Belfast City from mid-May, and I am sure this additional capacity will prove popular for business customers.
“In particular, the new morning and afternoon flight facilitates day return options.”