Meet the man behind the Candlelit Beatles concert happening in Harrogate this FridayThe Stray Ferret details everything you need to know about this candlelit event taking place in Harrogate on Friday that has been trending on social media.
It’s set to be an evening of The Beatles’ greatest hits, accompanied by a string quartet, and later joined by the captivating vocals of Alistair Griffin who is the founder of Ignite Concerts. We speak to him ahead of the show…
When did you first know you wanted to become a singer songwriter?
I was always keen on writing and knew I could sing, but it took quite a while for it to become a possible career. The turning point was when I was at university in York when I started busking, playing open mic nights, and performing with other artists.
You’ve performed other candlelit concerts in the past, can you tell me more about these and why this time you decided to perform The Beatles hits?
I created Ignite Concerts just under a year ago. As a performer I’ve seen the music world change a lot, so I started to create and produce my own shows, starting small and growing bigger, culminating in some big shows across Yorkshire and beyond.
Now I’ve got a team and we’ve added the candlelit element. We go to beautiful venues and light them up with 1,000 candles. Of course, great music is always the heart of what we do but we want to create an atmosphere and an experience people remember. So that when they walk in, they feel they’re part of something really special.
We aim to play iconic music in a slightly different way using string players. What’s more iconic than The Beatles? That’s how I learned to play the guitar, strumming Lennon and McCartney classics.
Alistair Griffin, founder of Ignite Concerts
How do you feel performing another artist’s music?
It’s always different than performing my own songs. My own songs have a personal angle. I’ve never had a problem covering other people’s songs and I hope I do them justice.
You can never better the original, but you can give it a new take. Singing The Long and Winding Road with a string quartet behind you is pretty amazing.
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Which Beatles song holds the most significance for you?
There are so many special songs but I think Let It Be was the first Beatles song that really moved me. It has a hymnal uplifting quality that I often look for in a song.
Many moons ago I was on a BBC talent show called Fame Academy and got to sing this song in the final. Remarkably, it was introduced by Paul McCartney himself. A surreal moment.
How many candles do you have in the church and how do they add to the atmosphere?
We have 1,000 candles. Now, you might be thinking how does it pass health and safety rules, but they are all LED candles. But don’t let this put you off, when the light goes down people often don’t realise the difference. It is a remarkable sight and creates an amazing effect and a unique atmosphere.
How does the orchestra add to the songs?
The string quartet really takes the songs to a different place. They can be so dynamic taking you from an intimate sound to a much bigger anthemic sound. And just hearing some of the songs played instrumentally without the words allows the audience to fill in the rest for themselves. You can sing if you want to or just take it in and listen.
You live in York, do you come over to Harrogate often?
I have friends in Harrogate so get over quite a bit. I like to go for a pint in The Old Bell.
If you weren’t a singer-songwriter, which career avenue would you go down?
Well, I’ve always said the best job I ever had was being the milkman in the village of Staithes. But as far as another career I would have loved to have worked in sport.
From £25, doors open at 7pm, concert is 7.30pm-9.30pm, May 10, Christ Church, High Harrogate, HG1 4SW.
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Best garden at Harrogate Flower Show revealedYorkshire Air Ambulance’s garden has been crowned best in show at the Harrogate Flower Show 2024.
The charity’s Reflection and Remembrance Garden encompasses the service that the organisation provides, while providing tranquil space for those who have been affected by the work of the air ambulance to remember and reflect.
Designed by Kate Smithson, a York-based horticulturist, in collaboration with landscaper Nick Fryer and his team, the garden was awarded the prestigious accolade because judges felt it was ‘well scaled and in proportion… an excellent garden that followed the brief closely’.
Tessa Klemz, regional fundraising manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said:
“The garden has far exceeded our expectations and it’s been wonderful to have so much lovely feedback from the show visitors too who all love it as much as we do.
“Kate’s design captures exactly what we were looking for — to create a place of memories, tranquillity and peacefulness and we cannot thank her enough for the time and effort she’s put into the garden over many months.
“And also, to our landscaper Nick Fryer and his team who have taken Kate’s concept and built it to make it a reality – their craftsmanship on the project is outstanding.”
(Image: YAA)
The main feature of the garden is a yellow pergola, representing the blades and colour of the air ambulance helicopters, with the planting and central water feature celebrating the varied landscapes of Yorkshire.
Kate Smithson added:
“I am absolutely thrilled to have not only been awarded a premier gold award, but also to be given the accolade of best in show.
“It has been a real honour and privilege to have designed this garden for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and to work with such a talented landscaper in Nick Fryer and his team.”
The garden will now move to its permanent home in Roundhay Park, near Leeds, where it is expected to be officially unveiled this year.
Designer Kate Smithson (Image: YAA)
Yorkshire Air Ambulance plans to utilise the garden for future fundraising and awareness too, allowing the public to leave lasting dedications to loved ones or as individuals who have used the service.
The garden was funded through charitable donations and sponsorship from organisations that include Redmayne Bentley, The North of England Horticultural Society, Woods of Harrogate, The Arnold Burton Charitable Trust, RB Gray Charitable Trust, Ilkley Charitable Trust, and The Peacock (Leeds) Trust.
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7 Easter activities to keep the kids entertainedRipon Theatre Festival announces partnership with Stray FerretRipon Theatre Festival, which goes from strength to strength, has announced a strategic partnership with the Stray Ferret.
North Yorkshire’s leading online news service has been appointed media sponsors for the fast-growing festival, which was launched in 2022,
As preparations continue for an extended third year programme and with tickets now on sale festival director Katie Scott, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Stray Ferret as our media sponsors for the 2024 festival.
“We have appreciated the encouragement and coverage which the Stray Ferret has given us. Working together helps us to reach more people with news of our vibrant and exciting plans for the summer.
“All of us involved in planning for and running the festival. like to think that we “punch above our weight”
Ms Scott added:
“With its wide range of professional and community performances and activities, entirely volunteer-led, we make this happen though imaginative partnerships with venues, funders and community groups who are all working to help put Ripon on the map and make it a great place to live, work and visit.”
Charley Christopher, marketing and audience manager at the Stray Ferret, said:
“We are thrilled to be the festival’s principal media sponsor. It’s a partnership we’re excited about and we know from recent research, our readers are very much inspired by arts, culture and events happening in the area.
“Not only does the festival make the arts accessible to all and encourages visitors to this beautiful, unique city.”
Festival highlights for 2024
This year’s festival highlights include an appearance by radical theatre company Red Ladder, a cabaret act featuring the music of Victoria Wood and a return visit from actor Barrie Rutter.
Newby Hall will be a new location for festival favourites and open-air theatre specialists Illyria and the garden at the Old Deanery will provide a backdrop for theatre al fresco when it hosts the Sunday night Shakespearean finale.
Full details of all the festival’s plans including street theatre, pop-up events and free family activities will be announced at the official launch on Thursday, March 21.
Tickets are already on sale for this event, which features comedy cook George Egg with his latest show Set Menu. Tickets include the show, refreshments and festival information.
Full information is available here.
Picture: Ripon Theatre Festival director Katie Scott (right) is pictured with Charley Christopher, the Stray Ferret’s marketing, events and customer manager.
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5 minutes with… the artist behind BEAM Light Festival, James BawnBEAM is a brand-new event for 2024 by Harrogate International Festivals. The Stray Ferret spotlights James Bawn, the man behind the event that’s lighting up Harrogate this weekend.
You’ve worked in events for more than 20 years; can you tell me a bit more about your background?
Lighting design has always been a passion of mine, even from a very young age where I took charge of after-school productions or local lighting events. I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented people within the industry, and you can always take inspiration from both the most complex of installations, or indeed, the simplest, purest form of light. The latter can quite often deliver the most dynamic impact.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
Great question. I call it the ‘The Gig Buzz’. The moment the doors open, or the sun sets, and the crowd finally gets a chance to view and (hopefully) enjoy my work, that is what gives me a real spike of adrenaline; it never leaves or wears away.
The lighting beams and projections will animate Harrogate’s most famous buildings this weekend from March 15-16, how did you select these?
Harrogate is a wonderful town with impressive architecture; it’s a fabulous canvas for any artist or creative. Choosing the final locations was in fact one of the hardest parts of this event. If allowed, I’d have covered the entire town in glistening photons of light, but I had to obviously consider the realities and logistical timescales in delivering the project across multiple sites. I’m grateful to the Harrogate International Festivals team in making it a reality and reining me in when necessary.
(Image: a map of where you can see the lights)
Can you tell me a bit about the soundscapes?
They are pieces of composition which I have chosen to complement the lighting design in two of the locations. The lighting is key, but the music adds an extra dynamic which will really help with the narrative.
In your opinion, why have lighting installations become more popular in recent years?
I think there are several factors. One of the biggest influences from my side is the advancement in technology; we can deploy LED fixtures and beam lights in a very short timeframe. This has had an overall impact on the lighting industry as it means more outdoor-based entertainment-style fixtures can be produced efficiently. It has huge benefits and makes large-scale installations more accessible for a whole new range of clients and event organisers.
Another big factor is that light installations provide an opportunity for social bonding within the community, for local families to get together as well provide local businesses with more footfall. The sense of excitement, mystique and a general happy buzz that lighting festivals create is wonderful.
Growing up in Yorkshire, who inspired you most?
I’m very fortunate that my parents introduced me to the world of the creative arts through theatre and my dad was a professional musician, so I was always exposed to music, light and art exhibitions. They literally carved out my career path without knowing it!
I’ve also been fortunate to work with many local talented creative artists over the years including David Blackburn and Patrick O’Mahony but Yorkshire is an absolute hotbed of creative talent and I for one am very proud of my county.
BEAM Light Festival, free, from dusk until 10pm, March 15-16, venues across town – click here for the map of where you can see the lights and for more the information, click here.
Main image: photography credit, Richard Maude
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Ripon’s free winter wonderland begins tomorrowRipon Spa Gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland from tomorrow until Sunday.
The free public event will see the trees in Spa Gardens decorated with illuminations to bring the magic of Christmas.
There will also be activities, including Christmas carols and bellringing, from 2pm to 8pm from Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17.
Organiser Caroline Bentham hopes the event will ease financial pressure on families in the run up to Christmas as there is no charge to enter.
She said:
“When it gets to Christmastime everything gets so expensive.”
The event, which costs around £7,000 a year to organise, is made possible by donations, grants and volunteers.
Ripon City Council, North Yorkshire Council, the Ripon Inn, and Ripon’s community scrap fund have all given money.
All those involved are volunteers and all the crafts are made by local people.
The winter wonderland will host local performers, including Yorkshire Voices, Masham Hand Bell Ringers, Jolly Wassailers, and Brackenfield School.
Ms Bentham said:
“It really is a community event.”
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While the event is free, visitors are encouraged to make a donation or buy refreshments. The Sun Parlour cafe in Spa Gardens will be open.
This is the fourth year the wonderland has taken place.
Other free attractions in Ripon this week include a giant snow globe display.
The snow globe, which even has biodegradable snow, is popular for social media images.
The Greenhouse’s Christmas window entry.
There is also a Christmas window competition in town this week.
Visitors can vote for their favourite display among 34 entries.
Voting is open until Sunday, December 17.
Nearby 17th century house Grantley Hall will also be hosting jazz nights throughout the Christmas period.
Little Bird markets to light up Christmas across the Harrogate district
This article is sponsored by Little Bird Made.
From the garden of the Magdalens Pub in Ripon to the stately splendour of the Harewood estate, it has been a remarkable journey for Jackie Crozier and the Little Bird Made venture that she launched five years ago in her home city.
In 2018, Jackie’s first artisan market was held just a stone’s throw from Ripon’s magnificent cathedral, providing a platform for 20 local traders to showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods.
Since then, Little Bird has spread its wings, increasing year on year the number of historic Yorkshire towns and cities where its markets are held.
As Christmas approaches, a very busy period lies ahead, beginning with their biggest event of the season on the North Park Walk at Harewood House.
Visitors flocked to the 2022 Winter Market curated by Little Bird at Harewood House
Over five days between November 8 and 12, the home to Earls and Countesses since the 18th century, will be the exquisite backdrop for a very special winter market, curated for the second successive year by Jackie and her 14-strong team of professional event managers.
It will feature 130 local makers, crafters and producers and with pre-booked entry available at the reduced price of £5, those visiting the market will also be able to explore Harewood’s 150 acres of stunning grounds, including the Terrace Garden, Himalayan Garden, Walled Garden, Farm Experience and Adventure Playground.
For the energetic, there’s a three-mile walking trail across the North Park, South Park and Lakeside.
Little Bird will also be back by popular demand for the third year running to curate the Christmas Markets being held in the elegant setting of the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s glorious Valley Gardens. These will take place over three consecutive weekends on December 2,3, 9,10 and 16, 17.
The Christmas markets in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens will be held over three consecutive weekends
On November 25 and 26, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery is the venue for a Christmas market staged by Little Bird and further festive markets will also be held in Northallerton, Easingwold, Richmond, Leyburn, Thirsk, Wetherby and, of course, Ripon.
A birthday celebration
Before the festive season gets into full swing, Sunday October 22 will see Little Bird’s fifth birthday celebrated with an artisan market on Ripon’s Market Square.
The day will be dedicated to Jackie’s late parents David and Marilyn, who ran the former Fleece Pub on St Mary’s Gate for ten years.
Jackie, said:
“I think about them every day and know that they would be proud of what I have achieved since returning to the city where I was born and bred and am now an Independent member of the city council.
“I had been away for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later working on high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics, Manchester’s Parklife Festival and the Download Festival at Donnington Park.”
Jackie, added:
“Dad’s nickname was Crow and I was known as Little Crow – so that’s how the Little Bird name came about, though sadly he didn’t live to see my fledgling venture get off the ground,
“Mum was in the intensive treatment unit at Harrogate Hospital for much of the time when I was setting up the business. I visited her every day and though she was very poorly, she never failed to take an interest and offer me words of advice and encouragement.
“That meant so much to me and has made me determined to use the expertise that I have gained through 25 years in event management, to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets which support independent traders, while bringing increased footfall and economic benefits to the communities where they are staged.”
Visiting a Little Bird Made market is a great way to support local businesses and find unique Christmas gifts.
Here’s when you can visit a market near you:
New Harrogate cafe to offer space for all the familyA new cafe in Harrogate is set to have family at its heart – in more ways than one.
Brood Coffee House will open next month at the bottom of Commercial Street, in a unit previously occupied by Foxy Vintage and Interiors.
It is being converted by Hannah and Frank Pinder to offer space for children to play and enjoy classes, while parents can also enjoy a coffee or light lunch.
Hannah told the Stray Ferret:
“My husband’s passion is coffee. I’m more on the baby development side.
“I run multi-sensory and baby development classes all over the place. This gives me a bit more of a base.
“I’ll be doing a couple of days here, and then renting the space out to other class providers during the week.”
The ground floor coffee shop will be open from 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
As well as café seating, it has toys for youngsters to play with – all selected by Hannah using her expertise.
Dark Woods will be supplying the coffee, pastries will be provided by Manna Bakery, and Hannah is currently speaking to cake suppliers to fill the counter with sweet treats.
Sandwiches will be made in-house by her mum, who has been part of the family effort to get the business ready to open.
Hannah’s dad – an artist and designer who runs classes for students at Henshaws in Knaresborough – came up with the name and branding, and has been hard at work on the DIY with Frank.
He has also designed some colouring sheets for young visitors to use at the tables.
Since setting up the cafe’s website and Instagram account, Hannah said she has been “inundated” with interest from people hoping to use the newly-converted basement to run classes and activities.
If they all sign up, she’s hoping to offer everything from baby yoga and drama classes to pre- and post-natal sessions and a breastfeeding café.
As a class leader herself, Hannah said she has experienced how hard it can be to find a high-quality venue.
“Running my classes in Leeds, I was done with the cold, horrible church halls and mums having to use nasty toilets with nowhere to change their babies.
“A couple of things started popping up that were really nice spaces, but there was nothing in Harrogate like that.
“I’m from a group of six girlfriends with children of similar age and we really struggled with where to go. You can meet at the Valley Gardens for an hour, but where can you go after that’s child-friendly and also a nice place?
“There’s such a lovely mum culture of people wanting to meet friends with children and hang out and do thing for the kids, but also for them.”
While the space will be used every week during term time for regular classes, Hannah is also hoping to run special events during the school holidays.
Her mum is already signed up to run storytime sessions, and there will be crafts and other activities on offer.
The studio is also going to be available for private bookings, mostly on Sundays, to host birthday parties, baby showers, christening celebrations and more.
Hannah and Frank will be test-running the space as a party venue for their own son, Reg, who turns two this month – and has also been in the shop daily checking out the toys in time for the planned launch events on Saturday, September 2.
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Free autism-friendly craft workshop with Nidderdale artist at care homeA care home in Knaresborough will welcome children through its doors for a special event this summer.
The Manor House will run an autism-friendly community craft session with a special guest host – Nidderdale artist James Owen Thomas.
Activities coordinator Katie Pickering, who has organised the session with colleague Joanne Doherty, said she was inspired by her daughter being diagnosed with autism.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We’ve known for years there’s been different things about her but because she’s masked it so well, it was quite a shock when we started talking about autism.
“I think socially, she’s struggled the most, and finding something which she can join in is hard. I’m struggling to find any groups that are for her age, but she’s very artistic and loves arts and crafts, so that’s where the idea came from.
“It was great that James Owen Thomas wanted to join in.
“My colleague and I were talking and saying we must have residents here who have had autism all their lives, and they don’t know and their family have no idea.
“I think it’s nice to start raising awareness of autism in seniors.”
The Manor House, on Hambleton Grove, has been running a parent and baby group every month for more than a year.
It has also introduced family sessions during the holidays, and will run two themed events this summer.
A Harry Potter craft morning for children aged five and over takes place on Monday, August 7, from 11am to noon. Children aged up to give can attend a story and activity session at the same time on Monday, August 14, themed around classic children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
A craft session at The Manor House
The autism-friendly event, which takes place on Tuesday, August 22 at 2.30pm, is the only one to require booking, as places are limited to keep the atmosphere calm and welcoming.
A chill-out room will also be available for anyone who needs a break.
Katie said she hoped the free events would be an affordable option for families looking for things to do over the summer – and would bring benefits to the residents too.
She added:
“They just get so much joy from spending time with the younger generation. Jo and I have done so much research into inter-generational care and it brings so much joy.
“Even just talking to them, not doing anything, just observing the babies makes them so happy. Through the craft and being creative too, it’s a really nice atmosphere.”
To book a place for the autism-friendly session, call Manor House on 01423 797555.
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Ripon car rally set for 9am start from Market PlaceRipon Motorsport Club is inviting the public to join them on a drive, with the chance to view some classic cars.
The club is best known for the Riponian Stages Rally and the St Wilfrid’s Road Rally.
The stages has been running since 1986 on February 12 and consist of several timed stages. St Wilfrid’s is held on August 6 and runs for almost 150 miles stretching across the Vale of York and the Yorkshire Moors.
The historic cars will start in Ripon Market Place tomorrow at 9am. Among the cars expected to attend are classic Ford Escorts, Minis and Mercedes.
Club members plan to drive through the Vale of York before reaching the NY500 motoring cafe near Pickering around 11:30am.
The club has encouraged the public to join them either on the drive or at the start and end destinations. There will be opportunities for members of the public to be shown round the cars.
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