Pubs, sports clubs and other venues across the Harrogate district are gearing up for a morning like no other tomorrow, as England’s Lionesses face Spain in the World Cup Final.
The match takes place at Stadium Australia in Sydney, kicking off at 11am UK time.
The early start has not deterred fans and businesses alike from making the most of the occasion.
No doubt the biggest cheers will be for Rachel Daly, the former Rossett School student and Killinghall Nomads junior player, who will be hoping to start once again for the Lionesses.
Here’s a round-up of some of the places putting on a special event for the match.
If you know anywhere else, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it to the list.
Harrogate
The Empress on the Stray will be open from 10am to welcome fans.
The Tap on Tower Street is opening its doors at 11am for the match.
The Den, on Cambridge Road, will be showing the match.
The Balcony at Harrogate Cricket Club will be open from 10am, with bacon butties, hot drinks and the bar open. Book a seat via the website.
Husk Beer Emporium will be open for the match from 11am.
Harrogate Conservative Club on East Parade will be showing it from 10.45am.
Bilton Cricket Club on Bilton Lane is opening at 10am and offering a free pint to anyone who wears their England shirt. Check the club’s Facebook page for booking details.
Starbeck Working Men’s Club on Forest Avenue will be showing the match on a big screen, with doors open from 10.30am.
The Knox in Bilton will be serving breakfast butties from 10.30am ready for kick-off.
The Shepherd’s Dog on Otley Road will be open from 10.30am and serving sausage and bacon butties.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough Town Football Club on Manse Lane is hosting a watch party, with doors open from 10.30am.
The Cricketers on Thistle Hill will be open from 10am for the match.
Ripon
The Black Swan in Westgate is throwing a Women’s World Cup Final party from 10.30am, with a raffle and England merchandise.
So! Bar and Eats in Old Market Square will open its doors at 10.30am. There will be free bacon sandwiches until kick-off.
Ripon Bowling Club in Bondgate Green is opening from 9am for fans to gather and watch the build-up and match together.
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Spofforth after-school club praised by Ofsted
Ofsted has given Spofforth Childcare a glowing report following an inspection.
The education inspectors visited the club, which operates at Spofforth Church of England Primary School on School Lane, in June.
The setting provides before and after-school care for 47 children in term times and during the summer holidays.
Ofsted found that children who attended the setting “behave well and show respect for others” and staff “set clear expectations for children’s behaviour and are good role models”.
It added:
“They offer children plenty of praise and encouragement. This supports children’s confidence and self-esteem.”
“Children thoroughly enjoy their time in this before- and after-school club. They are happy and settled.”
Inspectors also found that the club had effective safeguarding measures in place and have a good understanding of how to identify possible signs of abuse.
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They also said the management team is keen to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, have their individual needs met.
Responding to the report, Sharon Hoskin, owner, said:
“When Ofsted visit you know every area of your practice will be scrutinised and the inspection was fairly rigorous, but it was fair. We’re delighted with the final outcome because we realise all our hard work and effort is worth it. This isn’t only a positive for staff morale, it’s for the parents and children too.”
After-school and holiday clubs can now only receive a ‘met’ or ‘not met’ rating from Ofsted.
Ms Hoskin added:
Runners unite to volunteer for community through new Harrogate group“We would prefer the old way of doing it because if you do one thing considered ‘not met’ then the whole thing is graded ‘not met’.
“Not just for us, but for other settings, we always strive to try and get an ‘outstanding’ but we can’t do that now. It doesn’t alter our practice, but it would be nice to be able to achieve that. Quite a few settings who have had ‘outstanding’ can’t get that now.”
A new project is bringing together fitness, socialising and giving time to the community in Harrogate.
Community Fit will see a group of volunteers get together for a short, social run to a location where they will help out with a project for an hour before running back again.
Organisations to benefit could include charities, schools, community groups or environmental organisations.
Anna Glazier from HADCA said:
“Community Fit ticks all the boxes – being active, socialising, helping others – all of which can improve your sense of wellbeing.
“We aim to be accessible to people who may not yet be regularly active, as well as to committed runners who would like to incorporate something a little bit different into their weekly training.”
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Two trial events have already been held, which saw more than 16 hours of help given by volunteers to the Pinewoods Conservation Group and Artizan Cafe and Creative Space across two evenings.
The new project is a collaboration between North Yorkshire Spot and Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) which each have a member of staff dedicated to organising it. They said runners at the trial events loved the energy and enthusiasm of the group, as well as how much they could achieve in just an hour when working together.
The first meeting of the group takes place on Wednesday, June 15 at 5.45pm. The group will run around 1-2 miles from Community House on East Parade in Harrogate, returning by around 8pm after the work is complete.
New participants are welcome and do not have to be fast or experienced runners – the journeys will be at a social pace. To register to attend, visit the Community Fit website or find the group on Facebook or Instagram.
Knaresborough daredevil, 70, performs 50th skydiveKnaresborough woman Helen Westmancoat, 70, has performed her 50th skydive, this time raising over £1,200 for Martin House children’s hospice.
Ms Westmancoat is well-known for her skydiving and fundraising efforts, and the Knaresborough Rotarian performed her latest jump from 15,000 feet with Harrogate Brigantes Rotarian David Billington.
The money the pair raised is enough to pay for six months’ worth of parent support, four sessions of bereavement counselling and a visit from bereavement counsellors offering support through the most difficult of times.
Her 50th jump was postponed several times to covid and unfavourable weather conditions but she finally made the dive this year, landing at Hibaldstow in Lincolnshire.
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Chris Verney, regional fundraiser for Martin House, said:
“What an amazing impact for those families who need it. We are truly grateful for Helen and David’s support in taking on this challenge, and I am so glad that Helen finally got to do her 50th jump. Congratulations on reaching this milestone!”
Ms Westmancoat told the Stray Ferret last year how her unusual hobby began.
She said:
Harrogate Town commentator hangs up microphone after 40 years“The diving started in 2011 when I worked at York St John’s and there was a call to do a dive for the student support charity. I can’t do it alone in this country now as I’m over the age limit that it allows but I do hope to do more maybe abroad in the future.”
The much-loved Harrogate Town matchday commentator for BBC Radio York has hung up his microphone after a four-decade career with the BBC.
Barry Parker is a familiar and idiosyncratic voice to Harrogate Town fans, commentating on the club’s games since 2015.
He also featured on Town’s live matchday stream, which was a lifeline to many fans during the covid pandemic when they weren’t allowed into the grounds.
His last game was at the weekend when Harrogate Town lost 2-0 at home to Sutton United. Fans paid tribute to Mr Parker by chanting his name at half-time.
Looking back on his career, Mr Parker said:
“When I came out of college in 1979 I had no idea what I was going to do.
“I’ve had 40 wonderful years doing a job that I loved and being paid for it — I’ve been so lucky.
“If I’ve done the job well, it gets appreciated not by one or two people but by thousands, which is very heart-warming.”
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The commentator was praised by Town boss Simon Weaver, who said he has been “absolutely magnificent” for the club.
He said:
“Absolutely brilliant commentary – and sometimes totally biased in our favour! I really do appreciate him, as do all the players and the faithful who haven’t been able to travel, especially due to the pandemic. Barry has been immense for the football club. Thank you so much Barry – you are always welcome at Harrogate Town.”
BBC Radio York’s executive producer Anna Evans added:
Historic Harrogate club set to reopen for first time in 17 months“Barry’s career with the BBC has been immense, spanning four decades. It’s rare to find someone so passionate about sport and radio. Following his final commentary game, we received so many messages from listeners sharing memories and wishing him well. It’s been an honour to have him as part of our team. We will miss him here at BBC Radio York.”
A historic club in Harrogate that has been closed for 17 months is preparing to open its doors for the first time since coronavirus hit.
St Robert’s Club, which opened on Robert Street in 1912, initially as The Catholic Club, will host music nights, quizzes and more from tomorrow.
The club committee had hoped to reopen earlier but decided it was not financially viable with coronavirus restrictions still in place.
Initially it will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If there is enough demand it will open for more nights in the week.
It has been a difficult year-and-a-half for the club but treasurer Liz Alderson and chairman Mike Carpenter hope better times are on the way.
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Ms Anderson, who has a family connection with the club dating back to its inception as The Catholic Club, told the Stray Ferret:
“We couldn’t open before because we need total freedom to pack the place otherwise we would not make enough money.
“It has been sad to keep it closed for so long. I mean we are lucky, we own the building. So we could just mothball, that was the most sensible thing to do.”
Mr Carpenter added:
“About a year ago we did a poll of our 140 members because we were uncertain of the future of the world, let alone the club.
“The vast majority, I am talking about 90%, wanted us to reopen. It was reassuring to know that the membership are still interested.”
Membership costs £15 a year and entitles members to a discounted rate at the bar.
But the club also welcomes non-members and is encouraging new groups and those looking to hold events to get in touch.