Ray Mutimer from Knaresborough was the main Postman Pat artist for fourteen years.
Now 84 years old, Ray is holding what he believes will be his last exhibition and sale of his original artwork for the much loved children’s books.
Ray has lived most of his adult life in the Harrogate district. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator he was head of art at St Aidens School. It was only when his son was born that he started creating children’s picture books.
In 1989 he began illustrating the Postman Pat book series and quickly become the franchises’ premier artist.
Looking back on his career Ray said:
“I’m surprised I’ve been paid to do it, I enjoyed doing it so much. I like drawing, I don’t find it difficult. I tried to make the stories come alive as much as possible.
For example if Pat was talking to Mrs Goggins, I’d put Jess the cat in the background on a wall trying to jump on a bird. I liked to create a little subplot. “
Original artwork for Postman Pat can now sell for up to £600.00 but Ray said more commonly it’s around £250.00.
Read More
- Knaresborough’s 10-day arts festival set to begin
- Open art exhibition expands beyond Harrogate district
In 2001 on its 20th anniversary, the creator of Postman Pat, Ivor Wood, sold the rights to Entertainment Rights and Ray lost his job. He told the Stray Ferret that he thinks it doesn’t have the charm it had.
“The original had a help you neighbour feel and a wonderful sense of community. When Ivor sold it, it changed and was brought up to date. I think they spoiled it.
“I followed the old look and was told I wasn’t allowed to and had to follow the new style”
The exhibition is part of Knaresborough’s FEVA festival. Roy said he could have sent his illustrations to London to be sold but he wanted to do it locally so people could enjoy them.
“I get Grandmother’s buying the pictures and want to take a photo with me and their baby grandchildren. It’s embarrassing but lovely” .
Ray’s exhibition can be found at 8 Whiteway Head, Calcutt, Knaresborough HG5 8LE.
It’s open between 11am and 4pm each day from August 12th to the 21st.
Some of Ray’s original illustrations
Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, will be in Knaresborough tonight for one of the highlights of the town’s Feva festival.
Almost 200 tickets have been sold for An Evening With Simon Armitage, which takes place at Holy Trinity Church at 8pm. Just a few seats remain.
Armitage, who is from Marsden in West Yorkshire, was appointed Poet Laureate by the queen in 2019. he is also professor of poetry at the University of Leeds
He will read his poetry and answer questions from the audience before signing books.
Feva started last weekend and continues until this weekend.
Picnic in the Park, the last major event, takes place on Saturday afternoon in Knaresborough House. Entry is free.
Street entertainers will round off the festival on Sunday.
Read more:
- Image gallery: Knaresborough Feva festival gets underway
- Knaresborough Beer Festival is making a comeback next weekend
Knaresborough Beer Festival is making a comeback next weekend
Knaresborough Lions’ Charity Beer Festival is back this year after a year away with members eager to raise as much as they can for charity.
Coronavirus cancelled the 2020 festival but this year the Lions are back with their charity beer festival next weekend, Friday August 20 to August 22.
In previous years the festival has raised up to £4,000, with 80% of the funds staying locally. The Lions distribute the funds to numerous community and charity causes as well as to individuals and families identified by social services as in need of extra support.
The pandemic meant a number of the group’s usual events, including the Bed Race and Christmas Market, couldn’t go ahead so they’re hoping to make up for it this year.
The beer festival will be held in the assembly rooms inside Knaresborough House. Numbers will be regulated indoors so there is no overcrowding.
Mike Pyle, president of Knaresborough Lions said:
“There will be a running barbecue operated by Andy from McQueens, with separate vegan and street food on the Friday evening and all day on Saturday. Sunday, as ever, is pot luck day to see what’s left.
“The town feels like it is ready for a party and in conjunction with feva we are delighted to bring our beer festival back.”
Read more:
- Knaresborough Christmas Market set to go ahead after land dispute settled
- Knaresborough men trek 900 miles in wheelchair and on foot to raise £2m
The Saturday afternoon section of the festival will run alongside the feva festival‘s Picnic in the Park.
Organisers promise there will be something for everyone with beers like Bad Kitty, Ay Up, Pale Rider, Screech Owl and Strength in Numbers as well as prosecco, wine, soft drinks and ciders.
Entertainment will be provided by Chorus Crew and Paul Watson on Friday. Saturday afternoon will be devoted to feva’s line-up in the gardens, with Paul Mirfin and Paul Watson playing later.
Sunday afternoon visitors will be entertained by the Tewit Youth Band.
The beer festival runs across the weekend; 7-11pm on Friday, 12-11pm on Saturday and Sunday from midday.
Image gallery: Knaresborough Feva festival gets underwayKnaresborough has been taken over by festival fever this weekend as feva gets underway.
The annual festival showcases artists, musicians and community groups across the town.
This year sees its return after last year’s covid cancellation. It is the 25th anniversary of the event which began yesterday and will continue until next weekend.
Local residents are invited to the town to attend numerous events including art exhibitions, outdoor music contests and multiple workshops.
One of our journalists headed to Knaresborough today to capture the atmosphere. Have you got any pictures of the town dressed up in pink for feva? Send them in to us via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Yorkshire Life Aquatic gathered a crowd on the Market Place today
Their comical and musical act went down well in Knaresborough
The team behind the Knaresborough Museum were excited to hold a pop-up ahead of opening the centre next year. (Left to right: Sam Roberts, Clare Joia, Kathy Allday and Suzanne Coulson)
Members of the public were eager to read about the upcoming museum project
The Holy Trinity Church lit up pink for feva. Photograph: Richard Maude
Even Knaresborough’s bollards are getting into the feva spirit
Shirley Vine has been exhibiting her watercolours in the festival for 15 years. You can find her at 8 York Place
Read more:
- Ripon Men’s Shed opens door to new friendships
- Knaresborough men trek 900 miles in wheelchair and on foot to raise £2m
Knaresborough FEVA set to return next month
Tickets for Knaresborough FEVA festival have gone on sale after the committee decided next month’s event will go ahead.
The festival of entertainment and visual arts, which is taking place for the 25th time, will feature the likes of poet Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Jez Lowe and the musician Snake Davis.
Shops have begun decorating their windows in the pink theme in preparation for 10 days of arts at multiple Knaresborough venues.
Planning was delayed this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the lifting of covid restrictions but Gwen Lloyd, the FEVA chairperson, said the committee was now working hard on making it happen.
The event, from August 13 to 22, will feature indoor and outdoor events, including numerous workshops for all ages and hobbies, as well as the much-loved Picnic in the Park.
Picnic in the Park, which is being held on August 21, normally attracts about 450 people to the grounds of Knaresborough House for a free afternoon of music. DJ Trev is among this year’s acts.
To celebrate the 25th festival, a special event will be held in the grounds of Henshaws Arts and Craft Centre at which some 300 people will enjoy music.
Yorkshire Life Aquatic, the dry land synchronised swimmers, will be performing.
The street performers on Market Place will include a Punch and Judy act, jesters and dry land synchronised swimmers will be performing.
Read more:
- Richard Osman closes Harrogate’s crime writing festival
- Harrogate and Knaresborough to get community grocery shops
Ms Lloyd said:
“It’s been months of planning, of course it’s nerve wracking because normally tickets are nearly sold out at this point but we have had to wait for lockdown announcements. I’m sure it’ll be a huge success.”
The festival programme is available here.
Knaresborough FEVA festival calls for volunteersKnaresborough’s FEVA festival is calling for volunteers to join its committee as it begins to plan for its comeback in 2021.
The festival went virtual this year holding events and a “Knaresborough’s Got Talent” show online.
2021 marks 25 years since the first ‘Knaresborough Festival’ and organisers are planning a celebratory event.
The committee is looking to fill a number of vacancies including secretary, treasurer and other general event support roles.
The large group of volunteers help to organise over 90 separate events for FEVA each year. These include live music, plays and workshops.
Current Chair Lucy Barrow says it’s an exciting time to get involved:
“It’s been devastating for so many to have cancelled events in 2020, and it was the first time FEVA has ever been pulled.
“We’ve used the time wisely to take stock, and now we are working on establishing a new organising committee.”
Read more:
- FEVA’s weekend of virtual events begins.
- Harrogate Mind calls for more volunteers for its programme offering a companion to those isolating.
The committee is working hard to raise funds for next year. They say they have a “responsibility” to boost morale for the town.
Lucy added:
“As a community festival we believe we have a responsibility in 2021 after such a difficult time to bring joy back to the local community and to boost tourism for the good of our local businesses. We’ll be working harder than ever to do just that and we have everything crossed.”
To get involved in the committee applicants are being asked to email admin@feva.info.
Knaresborough feva festival goes virtual this weekendThe feva festival in Knaresborough is going ahead online this weekend, with 10 days of performances posted online for audiences to enjoy.
Coronavirus restrictions have forced the festival to become virtual this year, beginning on Friday, August 14.
The itinerary includes a brand-new play, ‘Shake The City’, about the lives of female clothworkers in 1970, as well as music and poetry.
The festival has proved popular with people in Knaresborough and this year the committee is hoping for an even wider audience to view the acts online via the website.
Lucy Barrow, chair of the feva organising committee, said:
“Obviously, we haven’t been able to pay the acts as there is no prospect of money coming in. Despite this, many have been still willing to record something which they have sent in for the online version of feva.
“It means that our loyal audiences in and around Knaresborough who usually come to the festival will still get to enjoy a little of what the live 10-day event would have had to offer, with top-of-the bill attractions like Simon Armitage and Snake Davis. As word has started to spread, there has been a wonderful reaction from the public for the effort that we are making.”
Previous years have seen theatre companies perform at the festival. This year it has relied on acts filming themselves.
Local businesses will also continue to be involved with art shows available to visit in a number of locations. The venues include McQueen’s Café and The Atkinson Pet Store on the high street, Floral Decor and Tanacetum on Kirkgate, Cave and Castle on Castlegate, Ruebury Flowers in the Market Place and Briggate Art.
Read more:
- Knaresborough’s Frazer theatre will have to remain close due to difficulties surrounding social distancing.
- New York Brass Band brought some excitement to Harrogate’s streets.
The event is also hosting a Knaresborough’s Got Talent competition. Residents are being encouraged to send in videos of their act for shortlisting by the committee.
They will then be posted on the Facebook page and a public vote at the end of the 10 days will choose the winner.
For more information visit the feva festival Facebook page or visit feva.info.