GALLERY: Late night festive fun in Boroughbridge

Hundreds of people turned out last night for the annual Christmas late night shopping in Boroughbridge.

The event is organised by Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade to give businesses a pre-Christmas boost and to foster community spirit.

About 45 shops in a town with a high percentage of independent traders stayed open late.

A visit by Santa Claus, courtesy of Boroughbridge Lions, plus Christmas carols, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts created a festive feel.

The Christmas tree lights were also officially switched on.

Besides shops in the town centre, the nearby Tap on the Tutt pub on Horsefair took part by hosting about a dozen market stalls outside their premises.

Hairdressers Watkins Wright beat 20 other entrants in the shop window display competition, which adopted the theme ‘Christmas chart hits – with a Christmas theme’.

Here are some photos from last night’s event.

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The hog roast sold out.

 

Carol singers

The Crown Hotel looking festive.

Hundreds of people turned out last night.

The Christmas tree lights were officially switched on.

The Tap on the Tutt hosted about a dozen stalls.

Late night Christmas shopping in Boroughbridge tonight

Boroughbridge will hold its annual late night Christmas shopping event tonight (December 6).

About 45 shops and businesses will be open late and judging will take place for the shop window display competition, which was won last year by estate agency GSC Grays.  Twenty-one organisations have entered this year under the theme ‘Christmas chart hits – with a Christmas theme’.

The event will begin with the official switch-on of the Christmas tree lights in Hall Square at 5.30pm by radio presenter Georgey Spanswick and Boroughbridge mayor Sean Hynes.

Organised by Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade, there will be children’s rides, a hog roast, mulled wine and roast chestnuts.

Boroughbridge Lions will host Santa and his sleigh and there will be performances by three school choirs from Boroughbridge Primary, Roecliffe Primary and Boroughbridge High School.

Independent of the chamber’s event, The Tap on the Tutt pub on Horsefair is organising some temporary market stalls outside their premises tonight too.

The chamber said in a statement:

“Last year’s event was truly marvellous, with an amazing number of people turning out in support of the event – it will certainly be a challenge to top that.”

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Harrogate women offer to cook free Christmas meals for people in need

Two Harrogate women have offered to cook and deliver free Christmas meals to people in need as a way of giving back to the community.

Anna Howe and Aimee Ions, who are both 20, got the idea after local people helped the couple through a “rough financial situation”.

The pair have now pledged to cook free Christmas meals to return the favour.

Ms Howe told the Stray Ferret:

“It was a hard time for us. My partner lost her job and we thought we would lose our house. We had to use a foodbank before getting back on our feet.

“We’re getting there now and we’re in a comfortable enough position to do this.

“Christmas can be a hard time for people – we just want to give back.”

Ms Howe, who is originally from Manchester but moved to Harrogate in April, said the meal will be “the full works” — with all the trimmings — and the pair will cater to any dietary requirements.

It will be made at their home on Christmas Day before being delivered to people’s front doors, she added.

Ms Howe also said anyone is welcome to get in touch and use their services.

“There is no real criteria.

“It can be daunting to ask for help – we felt the same. You don’t want that judgement.

“Those who helped us told us to ‘give forward’ when we wanted to give back to them. So, that’s what we’re doing.”

Ms Howe said people can order meals as late as Christmas Day and the pair will “do their best” to help anyone they can.

They will deliver across the Harrogate district, including to Ripon and Boroughbridge, and will travel as far as Leeds and Thirsk.

You can email Anna Howe on annahowe13@hotmail.co.uk or contact her on Facebook to find out more.

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5 Gifts for her this Christmas from Jules B

This article is sponsored by Jules B.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and perhaps the most wonderful feeling of all is the joy of gift giving. There’s nothing quite like seeing a smile on your loved one’s face as they remove the wrapping paper to reveal a thoughtful something. But how do you succeed in delivering the perfect present? And in particular, what should you buy for the women in your life?

A cashmere jumper, a pair of fleece-lined slippers or a dreamy new scent… the gifting options are infinite. But the perfect gift for a particular person can vary, and therefore requires some thought. Succeeding in your goal to impress on Christmas morning takes care, effort and time.

At the same time, the run up to Christmas can be as hectic as it is magical, leaving many distressed in the quest to find presents. Fortunately, Jules B has you covered. Whether you’re visiting the Harrogate womenswear store or doing some online shopping, there’s plenty of gifts to love.

To guide you toward gift-giving victory, here are five fabulous gift ideas for fabulous women, handpicked by the Jules B team.

Eddy & Ivy 1985 Crew Neck Jumper 

Give the gift of warmth this Christmas with a signature jumper from Eddy & Ivy, Jules B’s in-house brand. The crew neck jumper has a nostalgic feel to it, and is incredibly soft from its cashmere and merino wool makeup. A versatile wear, Eddy & Ivy’s luxury knits are sure to satisfy the most stylish of recipients.

“The Eddy & Ivy knitwear makes a superior gift,” says Lynne Markham, manager of the Jules B Harrogate store.“It’s the premium quality and the softness of the wool that people fall in love with.”

Elizabeth Scarlett Sun Goddess Everyday Pouch

For the ladies who like to carry essentials on their travels, the Elizabeth Scarlett velvety pouch doubles up as an evening clutch and makeup bag. Scattered with embroidered golden suns, it is perfectly sized to hold cosmetics and any other precious bits and pieces they like to keep close.

And if you’re somebody who loves a gift set, the Elizabeth Scarlett collection also includes mini pouches and lavender-infused eye masks, perfect for putting together a gorgeous little bundle.

 

Chelsea Peers Christmas Tree & Wreath Long Pyjamas 

Everybody loves a nightwear upgrade, and for the dedicated follower of lounging, luxurious sleepwear is the ultimate gift. The Chelsea Peers Christmas tree & wreath printed pyjamas offer festive fun while bringing a touch of elegance to evening rituals. Most importantly, they make for a soothing night’s sleep.

As Lynne says: “The Chelsea Peers pyjamas are perfect gifts for a great price. The fabric quality feels so lovely next to the skin, and the variety of patterns make them suitable for a range of personalities.”

If you prefer to lean away from Christmas-themed nightwear, there is a whole range of Chelsea Peers sleepwear to shop at Jules B, from plain and simple to giraffe and zebra prints.

Dr. Vranjes Firenze Rosa Tabacco 250ml Fragrance Diffuser

For the woman who takes pride in her home, a Dr. Vranjez Firenze diffuser is something she’s sure to adore. The Rosa Tabacco fragrance is expertly infused with delicate ingredients, combined together in a stunning antique-style glass bottle, complete with bamboo reeds.

After filling the home with a scent bold like tobacco yet gentle like a rose, they’ll be left with a bottle that sits pretty next to any interiors. A real treat for the senses.

 

Vivienne Westwood Kitty Pearl Bracelet

Nothing says I love you quite like a piece of forever jewellery. The Kitty pearl bracelet by Vivienne Westwood is an elegant design with hand-knotted glass pearls and the brand’s signature safety pin motif and orb silhouette.

Best of all, it looks just as good with partywear as it does everyday clothes. Looking for a set? You can also purchase the matching earrings and necklace. And as Lynne remarks, “the pieces are wonderful for women of all ages.”

 

 

Can’t decide? There’s always the fail-safe option of treating family and friends to a Jules B gift card.

With a range of values available up to £500, the lucky recipient is sure to discover something they love in one of the five stores, including here in Harrogate.

Review: Leeds Playhouse’s Oliver! is a glorious festive treat

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com. 

Leeds Playhouse’s festive season kicks off with family favourite Oliver!, and it’s a real Christmas treat. 

Set and Costume Designer Colin Richmond creates a Dickensian masterpiece of the Playhouse’s vast Quarry space. His Victorian London is gloomy, grimy and shadowy, where candle-lit lamps illuminate the night and ash falls from a smog-laden sky. 

The production is staged in the round, with audience members observing the action from all angles. Additional staging, featuring stairways and platforms, surrounds and spans the main set, with characters departing the stage to appear suddenly elsewhere, creating the feel of a hustling, bustling metropolis, where anyone could be hiding around the corner. 

Direction and choreography are flawlessly orchestrated to ensure all audience members, regardless of their seat, feel present and part of this world. Costume and props are also splendidly immersive, and swaps are seamlessly integrated. 

The production is made complete by its huge cast, many of whom, naturally, are youngsters, chosen for their parts via an open call-out across the north, and whose talent and commitment shine. 

The roles of Oliver and The Artful Dodger are each shared by three young actors over the course of the run; on Friday, 9-year-old Nicholas Teixeira took on the titular role with ease, delivering an adroit rendition of Where is Love? to pull many a heartstring. Felix Holt’s Dodger is as Dickens intended: a boy old before his time. Holt has a natural comedic swagger that will undoubtedly take him far.

As for the grown-ups: Steve Furst makes for a memorable and multidimensional Fagin, his wickedness and greed mingling with fleeting displays of kindliness for his young criminal apprentices. Chris Bennett’s Bill Sikes, meanwhile, shows not a shred of humanity and may be the fiercest iteration of one of fiction’s most vicious antagonists that I have ever seen. 

And there is, of course, tune after glorious tune, all familiar, but all elevated by Lucy Hind’s exciting choreography. I loved That’s Your Funeral, led by the marvellously macabre undertakers under whose care Oliver briefly finds himself, and Consider Yourself, a musical lover’s dream with its dazzling, full-cast, high-octane performance.  

I’d do anything to encourage you to catch this impeccably produced Christmas spectacular at Leeds Playhouse, running until 27 January 2024.  

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Festive Cheer and Generosity at Starlings for the Finale Business Club of 2023

Starling Bar played host to the final Stray Ferret Business Club event of the year, which included great camaraderie, intellectual challenges and heartfelt generosity.

The main event was an engaging Christmas quiz that tested the knowledge of those in attendance. Questions such as “How many gifts are there in the 12 days of Christmas song?”, “What is the name of the Grinch’s dog?” before moving onto a round all about local news from the past year.

Taking the winning team prize was the ‘IDK (I don’t know)’ team comprising Mel and Phil O’Boyle, Connor Creaghan and Ian Ladley who were rewarded with a delightful Mr. Stanley’s goodie bag, overflowing with lots of sweet goodies!

Winning quiz team ‘IDK’ Connor Creaghan, Phil and Mel O’Boyle and Ian Ladley.

The raffle proved successful thanks to the amazing prizes donated from local businesses, raising an astounding £500 for the Stray Ferret Christmas appeal dedicated to supporting Dementia Forward.

Prizes included a Jules B diffuser, Cloud Nine straighteners, £25 Starling Independent voucher, two hours of court time at Surge Padel,  a family ticket to Leeds Knights Ice Hockey match, two tickets to Harlow Carr’s Glow Event, a Betty’s goodie bag, Sophie Allport Kitchen bundle and a £55 voucher for the Inn Collection Group.

Annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to Knaresborough

A festive forest will be sprouting in the church aisles next month, when the Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival returns. 

More than 70 decorated trees will be on display in St John’s Church in the centre of Knaresborough from Saturday, December 2 to Saturday 23, all entered by individuals, businesses, educational establishments and community organisations.

The Christmas Tree Festival has run every year since 2014, and thousands of visitors come to view the trees each year. 

Photo of Christmas trees and three large model sailing ships in the aisles of St John's Church in Knaresborough, at the Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival in 2022.

Admission to the church to view the trees and other displays is free, but the various fundraising events and activities around the festival raise money for church funds and its nominated charities. Last year, the festival raised £3,000 for charity. 

Visitors can get a sneak peak of the trees before the rush at an official preview evening – complete with seasonal music and mulled wine – from 7pm on Friday, December 1; tickets cost £5. 

There will be live music on the first three Saturdays of the festival, with performances from around 20 local choirs, bands and musicians, and the Christmas Tree Festival Concert is on Sunday, December 10 at 7pm, will feature St John’s Choir and special guests The Paul Mirfin Band. 

The Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival will be open from Monday to Friday at 12 noon to 5pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 12 noon to 4pm.

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Yemi’s Food Stories: Christmas drinks to impress your guests

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

 

Christmas is a very special time, so it’s an excuse to go all-out in the kitchen.

The Christmas Day meal, of course, takes centre stage and can be stressful for many of us. We often over-estimate what we need and end up with overstocked fridges, cluttered worktops, and eventually a lot of waste.

The secret to reducing the stress over this period is planning — and festive drinks are no exception to the rule.

By asking what people like to drink in advance, you can prepare your Christmas cocktails ahead of time and reduce any unnecessary stress (which can instead be channelled into tending to the turkey!)

Winter hero

One delicious festive cocktail is the winter hero and, luckily, it’s simple and easy to make.

The ingredients are:

To make this, simply stir all ingredients in a wine glass with ice and add the garnish.

Mocktail

Not every alcohol-free person wants to be relegated to water, so I’ve added something a little more special for those who are spending their Christmas sober.

To begin, you need to make a simple syrup. These are easy to make and can be stored in your fridge for up to a week in advance.

To make it, add equal parts of water and sugar to a pot and bring to a gentle simmer. You can get creative with the flavours here; my favourites include mint and lemon, or strawberry and pomegranate.

Simmer for a few minutes until the fruits soften. Then, turn the heat off and leave to infuse for as long as possible.

Finally, pass through a fine sieve and store your syrup ready for the mocktails.

Serve over ice with sparkling water and garnish with fresh fruit and a sprig of herbs.

Black forest martini

No matter how much we’ve eaten, we always seem to find room for pudding on Christmas Day.

For an elaborate drink to accompany your dessert, I’d recommend giving a black forest martini a try.  To make it, you will need:

Simply stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a cherry and enjoy!

Hibiscus tea

Warm hibiscus tea is another alcohol-free option that is perfect after a heavy meal.

To make this, add dried hibiscus flowers to a pan and add water to it before bringing to a boil. Allow to simmer until the colour seeps out.

You can add spices, like cloves or star anise, but hibiscus also pairs well with citrus, like lemon or lime. Sweeten with honey or agave and serve warm with slices of fresh oranges.

Christmas drinks can be prepped in advance and help you to take a back seat on the day.

You might even get to tell them if you like yours shaken or stirred.

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GALLERY: Knaresborough’s Christmas lights switch-on

Hundreds of people filled Knaresborough Market Place last night for Bright Friday.

The community event began with a light parade from Knaresborough Castle to the Market Place, where there was festive music and entertainment.

At 6.30pm, Father Christmas appeared and at the end of a countdown the Christmas tree lights were switched on, marking the start of the festive period in Knaresborough.

Bright Friday began several years ago. It always takes place on the same day as Black Friday but rather than being about shopping and money, it is a free community event that brings people together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Here are some photos from last night.

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The light parade was led by torchlight.

Hundreds of people wait for the lights to be switched on.

Town crier Mark Hunter and his consort.

Mayor Hannah Gostlow paves the way for Santa.

 

Bright Friday to begin Christmas season in Knaresborough tonight

The Christmas season will get underway in Knaresborough tonight with Bright Friday.

The event — billed as the antidote to Black Friday — is a free community occasion that includes the Christmas tree lights switch on, a parade to music, mulled wine, Father Christmas and a school choir.

Organised by Knaresborough Town Council, it begins with a performance by Meadowside Academy Choir in the Market Place.

At 6pm, the light parade sets off from the war memorial in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle and at 6.30pm the Christmas tree lights are switched on.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, the Mayor of Knaresborough, said the event is always held on the same day as shopping extravaganza Black Friday.

She added:

“It’s an antidote to Black Friday because it’s all about community and doing something positive — the true spirit of Christmas.”

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