Apollo Capital’s supercars event was received with great fanfare by the local community yesterday.

Held at its headquarters The Lenz at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, on 17 March, more than 100 supercars turned up to showcase their impressive vehicles to the public.

It’s the first Supercars and Caffeine event that Apollo Capital and partners Petrolheadonism.club has put on together and all of the profits went to Apollo Capital’s 2024 charity sponsor, Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Founded in 2020 by chief executive Andy King and managing director David Moss, Apollo Capital specialises in funding luxury, classic, super and hypercars.

See our interview with Andy above, along with images of the many luxury cars that were at the event below.

Gallery

(Image: Ferrari F12, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F355, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Huracan STO, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Apollo McLaren 600LT, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: group of supercars, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

Read more:

• What’s on
• The hidden stories behind Harrogate’s newest chocolate shop
• Harrogate brewery’s keg beer named best in Britain

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

The Institute of Directors and the Family Business Community have teamed up to hold an event around the theme of “the art of decision-making”.

Sponsored by Harrogate firm LCF Law, the evening event will feature speakers from two North Yorkshire family businesses: Rudding Park, in Harrogate, and Skipton-based Whitakers Chocolates.

Rudding Park director Matthew Mackaness will share insights into his family’s 50 years of ownership of the estate and some of the decisions that had to be made to sustain the growth and ambition of the business.

Rudding Park now has 90 bedrooms and suites, a spa, two restaurants, two golf courses, a private cinema, and conference and events space set in 300 acres of grounds. Earlier this year, it revealed plans to create Yorkshire’s first ever five-star country club at a cost of “between £30 million and £40 million”.

The Whitaker family has been in the chocolate business for over 135 years; they started with a small greengrocer’s shop and now have a factory making over 10 million chocolates per week.

In recent years, managing director William Whitaker had a key decision to make. At this event, he will play back his scenario to a team of business owners and gain their perspectives before revealing the decision he actually made.

‘When you run a family business don’t be afraid to make decisions’ will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, November 16 at Rudding Park.

Tickets cost £25 and include drinks and canapés throughout the evening. Booking fees apply.

Roosters celebrates anniversary with new supermarket listing

Harrogate‘s Rooster’s Brewing Co is celebrating a decade of selling its flagship IPA with a new supermarket listing.

From today, Waitrose will stock 440ml cans of the international award-winning Baby-Faced Assassin, which is already available at Asda and Morrisons.

Baby-Faced Assassin was first brewed as a hobby homebrew recipe by Rooster’s commercial director, Tom Fozard, in 2011 while he was working at a local specialist beer shop in Leeds, and the 6.1% ABV brew gained some notoriety among fellow enthusiasts due to its strength. Later that year, Tom, alongside twin brother Oliver, now Rooster’s head brewer, joined Rooster’s as part of an eventual change of ownership spearheaded by their father, Ian.

The first commercial, cask-only batch of Baby-Faced Assassin was released in November 2013 and eventually added to Rooster’s core range in 2014. It went on to pick up awards at the International Brewing Awards in 2015, 2017 and 2021.

Tom Fozard said:

“Having first created Baby-Faced Assassin as a homebrew recipe back in 2011, I never could have imagined the success the beer would go on to enjoy in the years since. As a small, family-owned, independent brewery, we’re delighted to mark its 10th year of being a Rooster’s beer with the news of its continued success.”

Read more:

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• Business Breakfast: Harrogate consultancy firm hires new associate directors
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate shoe firm celebrates 30 years

This story is sponsored by Jules B

After opening its doors for the first time in September 2022, the team at Jules B Harrogate are all set to celebrate its first birthday. To mark the milestone, the designer womenswear store is planning a special event this coming weekend.

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, the Harrogate team are welcoming visitors to join in the celebrations with cake and refreshments in store. Those who make a purchase on full-price items can also expect another exclusive treat.

Jules B Harrogate is the youngest of five Jules B stores selling a handpicked selection of designer brands like Barbour, Holland Cooper and OSKA.

Located at 5 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, fashion enthusiasts can find luxury clothes, shoes and accessories covering two whole floors. And it’s fair to say it’s been a successful first year with an incredible response from all involved.

Founder Julian Blades said:

“It’s been an enjoyable first year in Harrogate getting to know our new customers and building a fantastic enthusiastic sales team here, and it has not disappointed! We are really excited about our new autumn/winter collections, introducing some amazing new brands to our portfolio. 

“It makes all the hard work worthwhile when you have such an appreciative audience, and we are looking forward to continuing the progress we have made so far.”

If you’re in the area this weekend, drop by to raise a glass and discover the new arrivals awaiting. To discover more about the first year, read this interview with store manager Lynne Markham.

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally is set to return this weekend for its 56th year.

The two-day event, which started in the 1960s as a fundraiser to save Masham Town Hall, has become one of the Harrogate district summer highlights.

The event, which is held in the rally field just outside the town, is set to see thousands of people attend.

This year’s event is set to include a range of exhibitors including classic cars, tractors, steam engines and motorbikes.

A grand parade of steam is set to be held on the Saturday, along with Moto Stunts International which will perform a “high octane” stunt show in the arena on both days.

There will also be a funfair, face painting, mini trains and other activities for the family.

Peter Usher, who organises the rally, said:

“There is a huge amount of things going on whether you are a heritage enthusiast or a family of four.

“The location is lovely and frankly it is very good value for money.”

Entry costs £12 for adults, £11 for concessions and £3 for children up to 16. Younger children under five get in for free. A caravan park is available for overnight visitors.

For more information, visit the Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally website here.

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This story is sponsored by Rooster’s Brewing Co.

Brewers from across the UK and the United States have been invited to bring their finest beers to Harrogate for Rooster’s Brewing Co’s first ever Suds With Buds festival of beer, street food and music. 

The event on Saturday, July 1 will see more than 20 breweries converge on Rooster’s Hornbeam Park home, spanning the brewery and yard, Taproom, beer garden and The Sample Room upstairs. 

Tom Fozard, commercial director at Rooster’s, said: 

“Suds With Buds is an event we’ve been wanting to put on for several years, but one thing or another has stopped initial ideas from becoming reality… until now! On the back of Rooster’s celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2023, we’re biting the bullet and making it happen. 

“Some of the UK’s most respected and talked about breweries will be descending upon our little corner of the world, as well as a handful travelling from much further afield, creating a truly unique, combined line-up of over 100 beers.” 

Brewers and food from across the world

Joining brewers from Britain, such as Burning Sky in Sussex and Cromarty Brewing Co in Scotland, will be Colorado brewers Odell Brewing Co and Crooked Stave, and Stiegl from Austria. Some brewers will even be flying in specially to pour their brews in person, including: Jeremy Grinkey, co-owner of California start-up Everywhere; Kevin Smith, head brewer at Bale Breaker Brewing Co in Yakima, Washington; Evan Price, owner of Green Cheek Brewing Co in California; and Jaakko Saivosalmi, managing director of Finnish cider company Brinkhall. 

On top of the beers, some of the tastiest street-food the North has to offer will be served up by local legends Paradise Tap & Taco and Jack In A Box, as well as Knead Pitta and the Pizza Bus from further afield. 

There will also be live music on a specially-built stage in the beer garden, featuring Sheffield two-piece Hot Soles, Ralph Pelleymounter, David Broad, Ramona Rose, The Silver Reserve and Trainer Trouble. 

Tom said: 

“To say this is the first event of its kind we’ve decided to put on, we can’t quite believe the quality of the musicians we’ve managed to secure! It really is just a ridiculous line-up.

“As with the previous annual open days we used to host back on our old site in Knaresborough, we’ll have Tony Safari spinning his ever eclectic collection of funky vinyl in The Sample Room throughout the day too.” 

Suds With Buds will run from 2 to 8pm on Saturday, July 1. Tickets cost £25 and the price includes a souvenir Suds With Buds glass, as well as an event programme with full beer menu. The price of the tickets will also cover all of the associated costs of putting on the break-even event, including staffing, equipment, the provision of a wellness area, security, the musicians and additional facilities. 

Find out more: 

To secure your ticket for this unprecedented celebration of modern UK and US brewing and to sample some of the finest beers in the world, some of them never before served on this side of the Atlantic, just head to the Suds With Buds page of Rooster’s website.

Use code FERRET_10 at checkout and save 10%!

The Stray in Harrogate has been chosen as one of three locations for a new UK fundraising walk.

Dementia research charity Alzheimer’s Research UK is staging five-kilometre Walk for a Cure events in Harrogate, London and Edinburgh in July.

The event on the Stray will take place on Sunday, July 23 and people are being encouraged to take part and raise £100 each.

Sara Hoxhaj, north of England and Yorkshire fundraising officer for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK today. Tragically, not one of them will survive. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that.

“Come and join us on the Walk For A Cure.  Your support will help us fund pioneering dementia research, that will help us to save people from the heartbreak of dementia.”

Read more:

• New opening dates for Harrogate and Knaresborough leisure centres revealed
• Ramshackle phone box transformed into Stray information point

Besides the walk, there will be a host of activities to help people understand their brains and the things they can do to look after them in an area on the Stray that will include:

• A large wooden brain sculpture to capture visitors’ thoughts and reflections on dementia.
• A range of craft activities – colouring, making paper brain hats.
• A giant game of brain health Kerplunk.

Local supporter John Hirst will take part to raise money for dementia research in memory of his wife Pat, who died with frontotemporal dementia aged just 66.

Mr Hirst said:

“I know that one day there will be a cure for the diseases that cause dementia and I’m proud to be doing my bit to help us get there.”

More details of the walk are available here.

A freelance entertainer is hoping to explore some of Harrogate’s most haunted places when he launches a series of ghost hunts this month. 

Paul Forster is a mind-reader, magician and tour guide and has already led almost 2,000 paying visitors around Harrogate’s haunted hotspots – or rather, cold spots – over the past 18 months during his twice-monthly ghost walks. 

He is now offering tickets for a ghost hunt at the historic Crown Hotel, and has been given exclusive access to some of its darker recesses. 

He said: 

“People always want to know what’s waiting for them behind the doors they’re not allowed to open, and now we can take them there.

“The Crown Hotel has some really interesting hauntings. Second World War RAF airmen have been sighted there, disembodied voices have been heard, and there has even been poltergeist activity in the cellar.

“This will be the first time the hotel has been investigated, so it will be fascinating to see what we turn up.”

The ghost hunt will take place between 9pm and 1am, with 30 guests splitting into small groups in the hopes of capturing evidence of unusual activity.

Paul will be working in conjunction with paranormal investigation firm Angelic Forces, using techniques including table-tipping and glass divining, as well as specialist equipment such as digital thermometers and thermal imaging cameras to measure temperature, humidity, and electromagnetic fields. 

There are just six tickets left for the event on April 29, but Paul has already scheduled further events at the Crown Hotel on June 10 and at the Turkish Baths on June 16. 

He said:  

“I’d always sat on the fence when it came to paranormal activity, but then I went to the Turkish Baths to speak to members of staff who had seen some apparitions, and I saw my first ever ghost when I was there. I even heard her laugh. It changed my entire belief system.” 

Paul – whose book, Haunted Harrogate, was published last year – now believes some apparitions may simply be an imprint, or “recording”, of one moment in someone’s life, rendered visible because energy has been left behind in objects, such as stone – a phenomenon described by the “Stone Tape Theory”. 

He hopes the events will attract both die-hard ghost-hunters and curious sceptics, but says whatever happens, the events will be unlike anything else. He said: 

“It’ll be interesting, different and exciting, and that’s just what Harrogate is. There are a lot of ‘stone tape’ ghosts in Harrogate. Because it’s a spa town, I think it may be something to do with the water flowing beneath us – it acts like a plug socket, giving them energy.  

“We can’t guarantee we’ll see some ghosts on the night, but, having spent time in these places myself, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we did.” 

Tickets for the Harrogate Ghost Hunt cost £49 and be booked online at www.harrogateghostwalk.com. 

Read more:

• Ghost hunt to be held at Harrogate’s Odeon
• Author on the hunt for Harrogate ghost stories
• Ghosthunting with a paranormal investigator on the Stray