Family’s involvement in Harrogate charity ends after 100 yearsA Harrogate charity has said goodbye to one of its trustees after 42 years, ending a century-long family connection.
At its latest AGM, Vision Support Harrogate District gave a special thank-you to Bob Sergeant for his long service, bringing to an end his family’s involvement since the organisation’s early days.
Bob joined in 1979, following in the footsteps of various family members including his father, Russell Sergeant, after whom the charity’s drop-in centre in East Parade is named.
Russell Sergeant
The Sergeants first became involved with the Harrogate Society for the Blind, as it was then known, in 1923.
The organisation had been founded two years earlier to support local soldiers returning from the First World War with visual impairments caused by mustard gas.
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Bob’s grandparents, Henry and Marion Sergeant, were near neighbours of the charity’s founder Miss Fripp, who lived in Spring Grove.
Henry had a shop on James Street, where Waterstones is now situated, and offered to display and sell basketry work made by visually impaired people.
Henry Sergeant
Henry went on to become vice chairman of the charity for six years from 1932, while Marion continued to be involved as a committee member.
Later, their son — and Bob’s father — Russell, became a trustee, serving as secretary, chairman and president before being made honorary president in 1993. Russell’s sisters, Jean, Alison and Joyce, were volunteers at the charity’s social centre, while Jean’s husband Les Topham was on the committee.
Volunteers essential
Looking back over nearly a century, Bob said he was proud of his family’s connection and honoured to have been personally involved for so long. But he praised the hard work and commitment of many others in ensuring the society’s longevity and success. He said:
“There is no way that it could survive without the help of its loyal volunteers, some of whom have been there for a number of years.
“I also think the centre would not be here today without the very valuable help from the Rotary Club of Harrogate, which was formed in the same year as the society and has been involved since the start. The club’s members have been absolutely incredible over the decades.”
Bob said some of his highlights included the fundraising garden parties at Dacre Banks and the yearly trip to Scarborough for visually impaired people and their carers.
End of an era
He remembers big events like the annual Christmas party at The Lounge Hall, now Wetherspoons, which welcomed around 400 people. It was funded by the society, with transport arranged by the Rotary Club. He said:
“Funding has become more difficult now. But one of the society’s strengths has always been that over 90 per cent of the money we raise goes back to the direct benefit of the visually impaired people we support.”
Bob and his wife, Mary, still intend to be involved with the society in the future, but his resignation from the committee marks the end of an era as their two sons live too far away to continue the Sergeants’ active contribution. He said:
“Right the way through the charity’s history there has been the Sergeant family and the Rotary Club.
“It’s been part of my life and my family history for so long, but I feel that the time has now come to stand down.”
First look at Harrogate cafe helping disabled people into jobsA new ethical cafe in Harrogate, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, has opened.
Artizan International quietly opened its South-American themed cafe in the former Game unit on Cambridge Road at the start of the week — and it’s already drawing a crowd.
Demand is so high that the cafe is looking to accelerate the renovation of the first floor to make way for more seating.
The charity opened a shop around the corner on Oxford Street in 2020, which helps visually impaired people overseas earn a living by selling their craft work.
However, Artizan International founder Susie Hart discovered there were “countless” young people with other disabilities in North Yorkshire. As a result, she set the cafe on a different path by giving them the opportunity to find employment.
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The cafe serves a speciality Peruvian hot chocolate. All of its coffee, tea and sugar are from Fairtrade sources. It also stocks a range of soups, panninis and cakes.
It is open from 10am until 5pm Mondays to Saturdays. The cafe is closed for art workshops for children on Sundays.
Liz Cluderay, UK programmes officer at Artizan International, told the Stray Ferret:
“The long term aim of the project is very much about reaching local businesses. We want them to see young adults with learning disabilities and just how capable they are.
“Work like this is particularly important because of coronavirus. In the first lockdown they were sent home and, for the most part, their work opportunities have not returned.
“But people shouldn’t come here because they feel sorry for the people who work here. We want customers to come here simply because it’s a brilliant cafe with amazing coffee and food.”
More pictures from inside the cafe
There is plenty of food and drink on offer.
The cafe has been decorated beautifully.
Matthew is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
During the pandemic, one Harrogate and Knaresborough charity has seen a huge increase in pleas for help after some of the most vulnerable in our communities found themselves feeling lonely.
Supporting Older People helps more than 300 members combat isolation and loneliness by providing activities, trips and a befriending service.
The charity works with people over 60 and say many come to them because they often only see one person a week and need more opportunities to socialise.
Director Kate Rogata said:
“During covid the thing people loved the most was just standing at the door for a chat. It was clear when we restarted sessions last June how vital they were, the demand was enormous.
“People were depserate to see others again.”
Members visited Harrogate Bowling Club in September. The club has raised more than £1,500 for the charity.
Ms Rogata said a lot of the people the charity helps are over 75 and may live alone due to bereavement or moved to Harrogate and Knaresborough to be closer to family but don’t have a network of friends.
The charity is there to help. It holds monthly lunches, tea and talk events and weekly exercise classes. All of these are always in demand.
Ms Rogata began working for the charity in 2013 when there were just 75 members and 45 volunteers. She said the demand just keeps growing, since the pandemic they’ve seen a 60% increase in people coming to the charity for help.
“We need to make sure we keep doing all we can and stick around because the demand won’t go away.”
Ms Rogata said they are always in need of new volunteers. Currently, the charity has 150 trained befrienders but with 30 older people on the waiting list they are pleading for more people to come forward.
She added:
“There’s been some wonderful friendships formed over the years. We take our time pairing people up, they have to have similar interests for it to work. Our befrienders can make a real difference to the older person’s life, and vice versa.”
Care home resident Richard was able to go for a spin in a classic car this year thanks to his volunteer befriender Peter.
Set up in 1982, the charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and hopes to encourage more people to volunteer as befrienders and give an hour a week to visit an older person.
During the pandemic the charity has been unable to do as much fundraising as it likes. It costs around £70,000 a year to pay its three part-time staff, train volunteers and put on events.
It gets a £11,000 from North Yorkshire County Council but the rest has to come from fundraising and grants.
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It plans to host events all year to celebrate its anniversary. Ms Rogata said:
“Any fundraising is so helpful. It cost £60 to train each befriender and we need 30 new ones.
“We feel like a bit of a well kept secret and we want more people to know about us and get involved however they can.”
Funeral celebrates life of Harrogate musician Aaron BertenshawFamily and friends of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw celebrated his life at a funeral in Bilton this morning.
A procession led by motorbikes, including some Harley-Davidsons, set off from the family home on Woodfield Road and arrived at St John’s and St Luke’s Church for the 11am service.
The service was broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page and can still be viewed there.
A wake was held afterwards at The Empress on the Stray.
Aaron Bertenshaw died suddenly last month.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died suddenly aged 26 last month. He had struggled with diabetes and mental health issues.
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Sammy Oates, Aaron’s mother, set up a fundraising page to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems. That fundraiser is currently on £6,910.
The family said donations at the service would go to Diabetes UK and CALM, the campaign against living miserably.
Ms Oates is now campaigning for extra support for those who struggle with diabetes and mental health. She told the Stray Ferret previously:
“Aaron touched a lot of lives. He was only 26 but packed a lot in. He also worked as a barber and played rugby for Otley when he was young.
“He was such a bright shining star and an absolute social butterfly. Everyone knew him and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.
“What I remember most is his smile. He had the most infectious smile. There was always a twinkle in the eyes.”
Hundreds raised for charity thanks to return of Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war
Villagers raised around £800 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after the Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war competition made a welcome return.
Hundreds of people watched the annual event at Hampsthwaite cricket ground on New Year’s Day, which was cancelled last year due to covid restrictions.
The tradition dates back to the 1980s, but about eight years ago it became a competition between two pubs in the neighbouring villages; The Joiners Arms, in Hampsthwaite, and The Station Hotel, in Birstwith.
The crowd cheered as Hampsthwaite claimed the victory in both the men’s and women’s events, which were captained by Robin Hardcastle and Nicola Binns.
Hampsthwaite’s winning men’s team.
This was despite Birstwith putting up a strong fight.
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The event finished with children from the villages having a go – with a bit of help from the adults – before people headed to The Joiners Arms for pie and peas.
Rebecca Cranage, owner of the Joiners Arms, said:
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who came to the tug of war and who donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I would also like to thank Amy Howard, who organised both the Birstwith teams.”
Ms Cranage has lived in the village for 20 years and, like many villagers, has fond memories of watching the event.
It has evolved over the years after starting as a Brits vs Americans competition featuring men from the RAF Menwith Hill base.
Hampsthwaite’s winnning women’s team.
A raffle also raised funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Knaresborough’s Boxing Day tug of war was cancelled due to covid uncertainty, but organisers have said they are hopeful the event will be able to take place this year.
Salvation Army brings a ray of hope across the Harrogate districtDespite the cancellation of its traditional lunch in Ripon, The Salvation Army has given gifts and festive treats to those in need across the Harrogate district.
On Christmas Day 2019, the Salvation Army Hall on Lead Lane was a hive of activity, as volunteers cooked and served three-course meals for dozens of people.
The lunch, held annually for almost two decades, will not take place today. As in 2020, it has fallen victim to coronavirus.
For the usual attendees, who are lonely, short of money or have health issues, the cancellation will come as a disappointment.
But behind the scenes, the spirit of Christmas has continued.
Although unable to invite guests for lunch, The Salvation Army has reached out to hundreds of men, women and children across the Harrogate district.
Donated gifts and festive treats (some of which are pictured above) were gathered through its annual appeal, from individuals, retailers and other businesses.
They have now been given to more than 150 families facing difficult circumstances.
Pat Clark and Alison Hewitt – members of the church leadership team at Lead Lane – have witnessed the growing need across the district, as an increasing number of people have struggled to make ends meet.
Both believe that a combination of factors, including the increased cost of gas and electricity, the end of the furlough scheme, rising food prices and changes to Universal Credit, have added to a worsening situation for many.
Pat, told the Stray Ferret:
“Because of the semi-rural area that we live in, wages are traditionally low for a large number of people and those on a tight budget have no room for manoeuvre.
“This can lead to them getting trapped in a level of debt that they can’t handle and they don’t know where to turn.
“We are here to listen and help in a confidential and non-judgemental way.”
Alison, added:
“This year we have seen a lot more families who have been finding it hard and Christmas puts them under even greater financial pressure.
“We hope that the gift packs that we are able to give them through the appeal have helped to ease their burden.”
The packs include four gifts, a book and a selection box for children and there are also presents for adults.
In addition, each family receives a bag of festive food goodies.
The names of recipients, which remain confidential, are provided by agencies that act as a link between those in need and The Salvation Army.
It is not as yet known if the Christmas Day lunch will be able to return next year, but the annual appeal will continue to provide a lifeline for families in the festive season.
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Pateley Bridge Christingle service is postponed
One of the main Christmas events in Pateley Bridge has been postponed because of covid concerns.
The annual Christingle Service, which has been held at the parish church of St Cuthbert for more than 30 years, has been put on hold until next year.
Organiser Joyce Liggins told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s disappointing, as we were all set for Christmas Eve, but we decided to postpone, because of the covid situation.
“We are now looking to re-schedule, possibly for the first week in February.
“It’s a shame, because many local people view the service as their start to the festive season and the church is usually packed.
“Over the years, the service has also raised funds for the Children’s Society and while we can’t go ahead on Christmas Eve, we hope that people will still support the society.”
Donations can be made through a newly set up JustGiving page.
Last year, with a covid lockdown in place, a virtual Christingle service from St Cuthbert’s was posted on Facebook and £750 was raised through donations.
Since 1968, Christingle services have been held across the UK to raise money for the Children’s Society charity, which helps vulnerable young people.
The Christingle tradition has, like the bringing of an evergreen tree into a house, its roots in Germany and dates back to the 18th century, when it was introduced by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville.
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Sainsbury’s sets opening date for Harrogate town centre storeSainsbury’s has confirmed that its new store in Harrogate town centre will finally open next month.
The Sainsbury’s Local on Cambridge Street will welcome customers on January 13. The supermarket chain had hoped to open in the summer but only received planning permission in July.
The store will create about 25 jobs and some roles are still available.
Surplus food from the store will go to Harrogate District Foodbank, which has partnered with Sainsbury’s to help those who need it most.
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New store manager Simon Wilton said:
“I’m delighted to confirm the opening date for our new store and we’re really looking forward to welcoming customers from next month. My colleagues and I are working hard to get everything ready for opening.
“It’s been a fantastic team effort so far and we can’t wait to bring our passion for food and brilliant customer service to Cambridge Street.”
The development will bring the former Topshop unit at 33-37 Cambridge Street back into use after four years.
The developer plans to split the building into three separate units. Sainsbury’s occupies the largest on the left side.
Skipton Building Society is also planning to move in but it is unclear at this stage which business will take on the third unit.
Harrogate transplant patient completes 850-mile charity walkA double transplant patient from Harrogate received a warm welcome at the hospital today when he completed a year-long 850-mile charity walk.
Mark Smith, who received a new kidney and pancreas, is a keen walker and has completed various challenges raising £17,000 in total but this latest feat was his most difficult yet.
Hospital staff, representatives of Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity, as well as Harrogate borough mayor and mayoress Trevor and Janet Chapman cheered as he arrived at the hospital this afternoon.
His 850-mile target represented the 850 million people who suffer with kidney disease across the world.
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His latest challenge has raised £615 for Kidney Care UK and Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity. You can donate by clicking or tapping here.
Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret:
“My favourite walk was a 23-mile walk from my home in Jennyfields. I first went to Ripley then all the way out to Birstwith and then to Winksley and back. I got some ice cream on the way.
“It’s about determination and resilience. You can’t think about the ‘what ifs’. Life is short. The transplants have not stopped me and neither have my other conditions.
“When you go on the organ donor register you are not just saving someone’s life but you give them the chance to lead a better life they never imagined.”
Harrogate domestic abuse charity sees referrals triple due to covidThe founder of a Harrogate domestic abuse charity has blamed coronavirus for an increase in domestic abuse after the number of referrals tripled in a year.
Lindsay Oliver is chief executive of New Beginnings, which provides comfort and support to abused women when they have settled into new homes and the crisis team has withdrawn.
This time last year the charity took two referrals a month. More recently it has been receiving on average six a month.
The number of active clients over the same period has also more than doubled, from 15 to 35.
That increase in referrals and clients, Ms Oliver believes, is the after-effects of coronavirus lockdowns this year and last year. She told the Stray Ferret:
“We are just now starting to see the outcome of coronavirus. Many people need support but the Harrogate district has been so generous.
“It’s very difficult, particularly at Christmas. Part of the abuse is financial so these women often have lots of debt so struggle to buy gifts and a nice meal.
“With donations from the community and businesses we work with Roots and Fruits (Harrogate greengrocers) to provide our families with a big hamper of food and a turkey.
“Not only are we able to provide food with the support of our amazing community but we are also able to give them gifts, not just for the children but for the women too.”
Some of the donations for the Christmas campaign.
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Where can I go for further support?
If you are in a physical or emotionally abusive relationship, click here to contact IDAS, which is the largest charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
If you’re out of an abusive relationship but need further support, you can self-refer to New Beginnings. Email enquiries@newbeginningspeersupport.com.