Sneak Peek: Starling shows off new spacious bar after major renovation

Harrogate’s Starling Independent Bar Cafe and Kitchen has been showing off it’s impressive new space this week following a major renovation.

The restaurant and bar on Oxford Street serves craft beer, hot drinks and pizza, as well as a brunch menu.

The venue, which launched in 2017, now boasts a ground floor three times the size after expanding into the former TSB bank next door.

The refurbishment, which was completed in just three weeks, offers a more fully accessible space and a more vibrant bar atmosphere.

Dan Howard, general manager, said:

“The main idea was we didn’t want to reinvent the wheel. We didn’t consider the concept broken. We just wanted to expand on what we were offering already.

“We offer a great service and a great selection of products that people already liked. We definitely didn’t want to break that.

“We wanted to make sure people who come to Starling already would enjoy what we have done with it and that it would attract a new crowd as well.

“During a testing time in hospitality, we’ve managed to push through with the refurb and now it’s onwards and upwards.”

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Mr Howard said the increased capacity would also allow the upstairs area to be used more.

He said:

“We are looking at putting football on up there. We already get quite a lot of bookings for functions and we now have the space available to allow those to happen more frequently.”

Starling, which is owned by Simon Midgley, will still offer full table service during the day. This will continue upstairs, however from 3pm the new downstairs area will operate as bar service only.

Mr Howard said:

“We are hoping that will just create a bit more of a social environment. It will just create a bit more of a bar vibe on an evening and really get the place buzzing. We will still be offering the same great service we always have done.

“We have got much more of a presence on the street now and when you look in you can see what we’ve got to offer.”

Starling is also well known for its charity quiz nights, with ‘Dan’s Questionable Quiz’, returning this Sunday.

The quiz raises money for the Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and will now be held in the downstairs bar area.

Uncertain future for Harrogate Tea Rooms due to ‘nightmare’ energy bills

The owner of The Harrogate Tea Rooms has said energy bills that have risen “five-fold” are having a major impact on his business.

Tony and Carrie Wilkinson have owned the tea rooms in Westminster Arcade for 10 years.

Mr Wilkinson described the price hike as a “nightmare” and said a cloud of uncertainty was hanging over the cafe’s future as a result.

He said his business was currently running at a loss and he couldn’t rule out closure if more government support was not provided. He added:

“Even with the government incentive, our energy bills have gone up five-fold.

“Last month my wife was trying to energy save and she managed to reduce the bills by 22 per cent just by not having the lights on as much and doing baking in the morning. But the bills are still five times higher than they were.

“We are having to change the menu so we are not offering things that take a long time to cook. It’s a real problem.”

It comes after a turbulent period for the hospitality industry, which is still recovering in the wake of the pandemic.

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Last month Ainsty Farm Shop closed due to soaring energy bills and many other businesses are struggling to cope.

Mr Wilkinson said:

“It’s a nightmare really.

“At least with covid we knew where we were and what we were doing. With this, we don’t know what’s coming tomorrow.

“We can’t pass on the costs to the customer. We are effectively running at a loss and for how long I don’t know. It has made a massive difference to us.”

‘Closure is a possibility’

Mr Wilkinson said footfall had also taken a hit due to people cutting down on spending amid the cost of living crisis.

He said:

“Visitor numbers are down. We are just going to have to see what happens and hopefully the shows at the Harrogate Convention Centre and the Royal Hall will help things to pick up.

“It’s a difficult time for anyone in the industry.

“Closure is a possibility if we don’t get more help and support.

“But we battle on. We offer a good service and home-cooked food. We get support from our regular customers. We just need more visitors. We hope things are going to pick up.”

Expansion plans for busy Harrogate bar and cafe

A popular bar and cafe in central Harrogate is set to expand to offer more space for customers.

Starling on Oxford Street will close its doors on Sunday at 3pm to knock through to the neighbouring unit, tripling the ground floor space it currently has.

Owner Simon Midgley told the Stray Ferret that, despite the current economic uncertainty, he was confident the move was right for the business.

He said:

“We bounced back really strongly after the closures and lockdowns. We know what we do is well thought of and we’ve got a good team delivering it.

“It has been a slow burn to get to this point. We first looked next door at the start of the year and it has taken quite a long time to get to the point we are now.

“The world has changed a bit so it brings more challenges than there were 12 months ago. But I’ve done cash flow models working with our accountants, Wild and Co, and they’re doing a fantastic job to support us.

“We’re just really thrilled it has all come to fruition.”

Work has been taking place in the neighbouring building for around 12 weeks already, with the landlord also converting the upper floors into residential space.

Starling is expected to close for around three weeks while the ground floor is completed.

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One of the key reasons for the expansion, as well as extending the ground floor space, is to give a better view of what Starling offers from the street to entice people inside. The bar will be turned around and there will be more seating for customers.

Once it re-opens, more jobs will be created, including full- and part-time front-of-house roles and positions in the kitchen.

Simon said, like many other hospitality businesses, recruiting chefs had proved tricky this year and he was still seeking the right people to deliver the menu of brunches and pizzas to complement the soft and alcoholic drinks on offer.

He said:

“We’re expecting to be significantly busier.

“We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. I’ve got every confidence in the team and the sort of food and drink we offer.

“We aren’t trying to recreate what we are so much as create a better ambience and a more comfortable space in which to do it.”

He added:

“There are always challenges. As long as you assess the risk and go at it in a calculated way, when times are hard you’re better showing a bit of spark and attacking that situation than sitting back and being cautious.

“Put your best foot forward.”

Legendary chef Marco Pierre White on why Harrogate is one of his ‘spiritual homes’

Legendary chef Marco Pierre White started his culinary career in Harrogate four decades ago.

Since then, Marco has gone on to lead the country’s restaurant scene and helped kick-start the careers of chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.

Later this month he is returning to the town he calls one of his “spiritual homes” to host a three-day food festival.

He spoke to the Stray Ferret about learning the trade in Harrogate, favourite Yorkshire restaurants and… tripe.

‘First break in life’

Forty five years ago a young Marco Pierre White was instructed by his dad to go and search for work in Harrogate. This was because it was less than 10 miles away from his Leeds home and crammed with hotels.

So one morning in March 1978, sandwiches in hand, he caught the bus to the town, went to the St George Hotel, on Ripon Road, and knocked on the kitchen door.

He said:

“I was there for about a year. I didn’t learn much about cooking. That’s the truth. But what I did learn was how to use a knife well. I learned how to absorb pressure, I learned to be organised. I learned to work hard. Very hard.

“I also used to stand and watch the chef, Stefan Wilkinson, do the pass. He was the greatest at doing the pass that I ever saw. He gave me my first break in life for which I’m very grateful for.

“I learned a lot there, but not about food.”

Marco said his time at the Harrogate hotel was very important as it prepared him for his role at The Box Tree in Ilkley.

The famous Yorkshire restaurant opened in 1963 and was one of the first four restaurants in the UK to hold two Michelin stars.

Marco began working in the kitchen at the age of 17 in 1979, where he remained for two years.

He said:

“In those days it was one of only four restaurants in Britain to have two Michelin stars. A lot of people regarded it as the best restaurant in Britain at the time.”

‘Spiritual home’

While he hasn’t visited Yorkshire since 2019 as a result of the pandemic, he is looking forward to returning to Harrogate on October 28 for his three-day food festival.

He said:

“I always say Harrogate is one of my spiritual homes.”

And while he hasn’t dined out in the region for almost four years, he credits his favourite Yorkshire restaurant as the Cleveland Tontine, Northallerton.

He said:

“I’ve been there many, many times. My friend Eugene has left there and now he has got the Crathorne Arms, just outside Northallerton. He’s a very good chef and cooks food you want to eat.

“But when I was a boy, Harrogate had restaurants like the Drum and Monkey (which is still open today) and we had Oliver’s and Number Six. The first ever posh restaurant I took a girl to was Oliver’s in Harrogate. We both had beef wellington and a langoustine cocktail.”

Marco also recommends Simon Shaw’s tapas restaurant, El Gato Negro, in Leeds, where he plans to dine ahead of the food festival.

The Great White Food Festival

The Great White Food Festival will be held at the Harrogate Convention Centre and Royal Hall from October 28-30 and is expected to attract around 15,000 visitors.

Marco said:

“It’s basically a celebration of food and there will be lots of artisan producers who make things like salami, pork pies and black pudding.

“There will be produce like smoked salmon and haddock. In my opinion Alfred Enderby, from Grimsby, smokes the best smoked haddock in the world and they are coming.

“Redefine Meat are coming who make vegetarian steaks.

“Pierre Koffmann, Simon Shaw, Jean-Christophe Novelli and I will be doing masterclasses. There are a lot of chefs doing them.

“But it’s a celebration of Yorkshire really and all those individuals who contribute to it being wonderful.”

And his favourite Yorkshire dish?

“Tripe. Tripe is one of the most delicious things on earth. There used to be a tripe shop in Leeds Market. They used to hang it in all the butchers’ shops. People used to eat it cold with malt vinegar, black pepper and salt.”

Frustration over delays to new Harrogate steakhouse

The team behind a steakhouse which was set to move into an empty Harrogate restaurant almost six months ago, have spoken of their frustration over the delay.

Last November, Tomahawk Steakhouse revealed it was planning to move into the former Solita Food Hall. 

It was set to open in April, but the unit on Parliament Street, which was also formerly Jamie’s Italian, has remained empty.

A spokesman for Tomahawk told the Stray Ferret:

“At the moment Tomahawk are tied up with legalities that have unfortunately been completely out of our control.

“We were all prepared and ready to go, but with liquidators from the previous owners comes a lot of red tape. We have had to sit on the sidelines whilst it gets thrashed out between the relevant parties.

“It is a shame because we would love to get going with everything and get open, but it’s completely out of our hands.

“So if the people of Harrogate are wondering what is going on with the venue, we are in exactly the same boat.

“We are, however, hoping this will draw to a close very soon and are waiting for information due to come our way anytime over the next few days.”

The steakhouse had initially planned to move into the empty Bistrot Pierre unit on Cheltenham Parade in January, before deciding to change its location to Solita Food Hall’s space.

Instead Samsons brasserie and bar moved into the Cheltenham Parade site in March. However it is currently shut “for essential works”, according to a spokesperson for the restaurant.

Tomahawk Steakhouse has restaurants in a number of locations, including Chester, York and Newcastle.

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Platinum Jubilee Harrogate district: What’s On

This article is sponsored by Boundless Networks

The four-day celebration of the Queen’s 70-year-reign is underway.

We have compiled a What’s On diary of events for the Harrogate district across those four days. Please send us details of your event for the extended jubilee weekend holiday so we can add it in.

Harrogate

Civic Celebration: 

Part of the Stray will be transformed into Jubilee Square. It will include a large stage and a big screen for the bank holiday.

Thursday: The big screen will be showing the Trooping of the Colour, The Queen’s birthday parade and the RAF flypast. Harrogate Spa Town Ukes will be performing, along with the big school sing, Freddie Cleary and band, Undercovered.

Friday: There will be a jubilee dog show, the Harrogate mastermind quiz, and live music from Ben & George. The big screen will also be playing the Service of Thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Saturday: A wellbeing morning has been organised, along with a second Harrogate mastermind quiz. The big screen will stream The Derby at Epsom Downs and the platinum party at the palace.

Sunday: There will be a jubilee picnic with DJ Mark Green, and the big screen will be showing films Encanto and The Greatest Showman throughout the day.

The town centre will be adorned with 4km of bunting and there will be street entertainers performing across the four days.

Valley Gardens will host a free family festival, which will feature jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. For a full timetable of events in Valley Gardens click here.

Little Bird Artisan Market  

Friday to Sunday: Little Bird Artisan Markets will be hosting an artisan market in Valley Gardens

The market holds stalls with an array of traders who sell baked goods, food, drink, arts, and crafts.

Palm Court Café Afternoon Tea

Friday and Saturday: Yorkshire Appetite have organised a guided walk and afternoon tea at 3pm.

The walk will include a short stroll through Harrogate central led by a local guide, keeping to the themes of the monarchy.

An afternoon tea will be held after in the Palm Court Café.

Tickets are £22.50 per person and can be booked here.

Cedar Court Hotel Tea Parties

Friday: Cedar Court Hotel is holding a Garden Tipi Jubilee Afternoon.

Priced at £16.00 per head the tea menu is extensive. For tickets book here.

Harrogate Street Parties

Currently, there are twelve officially planned street parties being held by the residents of Harrogate.

Rudding Park: 

Thursday to Saturday: Deer House Family pub at Rudding Holiday Park will be hosting a series of events such as a Jubilee disco and tea party. For more information click here.

Harrogate Library: 

Tuesday: Harrogate library is hosting the Twixt t’Covers regional event, where five special guests will discuss their favourite books from The Big Jubilee booklist. It will be livestreamed to audiences across the nation from 7:30pm to 9pm.

The 70 books, made up of 10 books from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will be available to borrow from Harrogate library. 

Oatlands Community Centre: 

Thursday: Oatlands Community Centre are hosting jubilee crafts for children from 10-12am. There will also be the chance to learn about Oatlands’ industrial heritage, view the centre’s ceramic mural design and sign up for a free clay workshop.

Live music at Harlow Carr: 

RHS Garden Harlow Carr are hosting a series of live music performances on each afternoon of the bank holiday weekend. The groups playing are:

Thursday: Take 2 Big Band

Friday: New Horizons Dance Band 

Saturday: Barnsley Brass 

Sunday: Chris Irvin Concert Orchestra

Knaresborough

Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee Committee has planned a celebration and entertainment programme. Flags, bunting and shop window decorations are already up. There will be a children’s shop window trail around the town. 

Thursday to Saturday: A community history display will be open in Knaresborough House from 10am to 4.30 pm daily. Admission is free.

Thursday: Knaresborough Flower Club will be decorating the Market Cross in the Market Place for the Platinum Jubilee.

At 9pm, along with more than 1,500 locations across the UK, the Mayor of Knaresborough will light a beacon on the castle top. All are welcome.

Friday: There will be a tea dance from 2pm to 4pm at the Knaresborough Community Centre, Stockwell Avenue. It is a free event, but people are asked to register their interest in attending. Tel. 01423 862702 

Saturday: There will be an artisan market in the morning, followed by an afternoon garden party and performances at Knaresborough House. Musicians and entertainers are booked for the free garden event with people encouraged to dress up in 1950’s attire.

From 10-11 am, there will be a children’s flag-making workshop at Gracious Street Methodist Church. The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop. 

At 11am there will be a flag procession from the Market Place led by the Town Crier to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party which opens at 12 Noon.

There will be a dog show. Entries are taken from 11am at the show ring. Entry £1 per class. Proceeds for Ukraine animal charities.

The approximate times are 12pm Best Rescue, 12.45pm Prettiest Bitch, 1.30pm Most Handsome Male, 2.15pm Waggiest tail and 3pm Fancy Dress.

Visitors can bring their own picnics, but a range of food and drink stalls will be available.

In St John’s Church, a specially commissioned film from Yorkshire Archives, looking at the Queen’s reign in Yorkshire and the Northeast, will be on a rolling programme with free entry.

In the Knaresborough House gardens entertainment will be provided by, The Hummingbirds, Roundel Pop group, Meadowside School Choir, Knaresborough Youth Theatre, Studio 3 and a traditional Indian Dancer. Knaresborough Silver Band will provide a fitting end to the day with music from the Last Night of the Proms.

Sunday: Christians Together in Knaresborough invite everyone to a Jubilee Celebration Service of worship at 10.30am in St John’s Church. Share with all the churches in the town as they come together to give thanks to for the Queen’s reign. 

Sunday afternoon is reserved for individually arranged street parties.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has announced a fancy dress competition. Get into the spirit of things with your best 1950’s outfits and you could win £50 (and some free publicity for your business or group if appropriate). Upload a photo of yourself or your team in your best 1950’s or Jubilee themed outfit. Use the hashtag #knaresboroughjubileedressup

See https://knaresboroughchamber.org for more details and terms. 

Ripon

Bunting on High SkellgateRipon City centre will be adorned with banners knitted by Ripon Community Poppy Project.

Ripon’s Civic Celebrations

Thursday to Saturday:  The focus of festivities will be on Market Square where there’ll be musical entertainment alongside free fairground rides. The entertainment will run from 11am -11.30pm

To accommodate the crowds, road closures will be in place on Market Place roads.

At 9pm on Saturday, the Platinum Jubilee Horn commissioned by the council will be used for the first time in the setting of the watch ceremony. All four of the city’s hornblowers will be on duty.

Ripon Cathedral service and tea party

Thursday: Ripon Cathedral, which is also celebrating its 1,350th anniversary year, will be the focus of North Yorkshire attention, as it hosts the civic service for the county between 11am-12pm.

Friday: Platinum Jubilee Tea Party 2-4pm for invited guests, who were born in each of the 70 years of the Queen’s reign.

Ripon Hornblowers

Ripon’s new Platinum Jubilee Horn, will be unveiled to the public at 9pm on June 4

Children’s Entertainment in Spa Gardens

The focus on Sunday switches to Spa Park, where a day-long programme of family entertainment is being organised by Ripon Community Poppy Project.

Tractor Festival

Friday to Sunday: The UK’s largest tractor festival returns to Newby Hall, Ripon. After experiencing a break for two years, the festival will be extended to three days to cover the jubilee celebrations.

On average, the festival attracts around 12,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitions of vehicles.

The event will run from 10am-5pm over three days.

Food, drinks, arts and crafts will be available to make the day more inclusive to children and families that wish to come down. Tickets are available on the Newby Hall website.

Boroughbridge

Wednesday, June 1: Boroughbridge Community Library is taking part in the Big Jubilee Read, and will be hosting a story time for children. There will be two story times for the book The Queen’s Knickers, starting at 10:15am for children aged 0-5 and 11:30am for children aged 5-11. The event will also involve activities based on the book.

Friday: The Great Afternoon Tea for the jubilee takes place at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm. An afternoon of fun and games will raise money for the charity Dementia Forward.

There will be a barbecue and bar, along with a bouncy castle, tug of war, face painting, beat the goalie competition, and a raffle. There will also be an afternoon tea for local care home residents.

Pateley Bridge

Civic Celebration

Friday: A jubilee garden party will take place from 12pm – 4pm at Pateley Bridge Masonic Hall, including food, drink, face painting and games. The event will raise money for the Yorkshire air ambulance.

Saturday: The main festivities in Pateley Bridge are focused on a big party in the town’s recreation ground from midday until 3pm and there will be a royal themed fancy dress competition, a cake competition and live music.

 

Sunday: A platinum jubilee afternoon tea will be held from 1pm-4pm at Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Memorial Hall with live music, a raffle and a kids “design a crown or corgi” competition. No need to book.

Masham

Civic Celebration

Masham Parish Council has organised four days of events for the town.

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

For full details there’s more information on the Mashamshire Jubilee Programme website

Birstwith

pigs

Saturday and Sunday: The Birstwith Annual Village Show in Harrogate has planned separate events for both days

Saturday: A royal pig race will be held at the Station Hotel gardens in Birstwith. The event is family friendly and will start from 4:30pm running onwards.

Food and drink will be available with attendees having to bring cash for betting and food.

Sunday: BAVS have organised a village picnic to mark the Queen’s jubilee. Anyone is able to join, with participants required to bring their own picnic and drinks.

Dacre

A programme of events have been organised and Dacre, like Ripon, will be taking part in the beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday.

It will be lit at Dover Castle, up the path near Low Hall, by locally-based firefighters and attendees are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.

Songs will be sung, including the National Anthem.

Family fun day

Friday: A family fun day from noon until 4pm, will be held at the Max Pullan Playing Fields.

In addition to the live music and refreshments, there will be an egg and spoon race, coconut shy, bouncy castle, face-painting and  tug-of-war competition.

Sunday: The playing fields will also be the venue for an open air thanksgiving service starting at 11am.

It will be followed by a traditional village street party between the village green and church hall, from noon until 4pm attendees are asked to bring a picnic.

Throughout the week there is also a ‘Royal Treasure Hunt’ within Dacre Banks, with check in for the event at the village store.

Kirkby Malzeard  

Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council has organised a packed timetable of events across the four day bank holiday.

Thursday: A historical tour of the church has been organised, to begin at 3pm.

There will also be a jubilee bonfire lit at 9:45pm at Greygarth Monument, including a singalong where guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments. 

Friday: An off-road social run will begin at 9am, lasting for 90 minutes and setting off from The Mechanics’ Institute. 

Reeth Brass Band will be playing from 11am in Mowbray Crescent. 

From 2pm, Laverton’s party will be hosted on the green, including live music and the option to bring your own food and drink.

The Mechanics’ Institute are holding a coronation music night, starting at 8pm. 

Saturday: A Royal parade will begin at midday, where trailers and floats will lead the procession. The parade will start at the Market Cross, leading to the playing fields where the ‘Kirkby Queen’ will present a gift to every child taking part.  

This will be followed by an afternoon of games, entertainment and a barbeque from 12:30pm.  

At 1:30pm, the Kirkby Queen will plant an Elizabeth II rose in the jubilee garden.

The Mechanics Institute are ending the day with a royal quiz at 8pm.  

Sunday: A street party will take place from 1.30pm– 4.30pm on Church Street. Guests can bring their own food, drinks and table decorations, and The Queen’s head will also be running a barbecue. At 1:30pm the children of Kirkby School will perform a maypole dance, there will be a royal teddy bear’s parade followed by a teddy bear’s picnic, and a dance and singalong to live music. 

Spofforth  

Spofforth with Stockeld Parish Council is one of the villages to be awarded funding from Harrogate Borough Council to be used for the jubilee.

Thursday: A children’s party will start at 2pm at the cricket club, including a helter skelter, a bouncy castle, hook a duck, a craft tent and a dunking stool. There will also be afternoon tea and a barbeque.

At 2:15pm a parade of the Kings and Queens of England will begin, where children can dress up as their favourite King or Queen from history.  

At 9:45pm, Spofforth will join other communities across the district in lighting the jubilee beacon. This event will begin at 9pm in front of Spofforth Castle and will include music from Spofforth School Choir and saxophonist Millie Hope.  

Friday: A tea party with prosecco, afternoon tea and music for Spofforth and Stockeld seniors has been organised in the Long Memorial Hall, starting at 3pm.   

Royal party in the park  

Saturday: A party in the park will begin at 7pm outside the castle, where people are encouraged to bring their own picnics. The evening will include face painting, circus entertainers, a 50s style band, and an Oompah band.

A disco and fireworks will bring the night to a close at 11:30pm.  

Killinghall 

Killinghall is putting on a jubilee celebration on Sunday at the village hall and the cricket club.  

It will begin at midday with a packed timetable of activities, including a bouncy castle, a cricket match, a tug of war, and children’s races.

At 12:15pm a jubilee fancy dress parade is taking place, and at 3pm judging of the jubilee cake competition will begin. The day will be brought to a close with the live band Let Luce.  

People are encouraged to bring their own picnics, and refreshments will also be available at the cricket club bar.  

Winksley 

Saturday: Woodhouse Caravan Park is holding a garden party at 3pm, including games, face painting, a cake sale, a quiz and a raffle at The Barn restaurant.

There will also be a party tea between 5pm-7pm and music entertainment into the evening. The profits made from the event will be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  

Roecliffe and Westwick  

Saturday: The parish council have organised a platinum jubilee lunch on the village green from midday.   

Fewston and Blubberhouses  

Thursday to Sunday: Fewston and Blubberhouses are holding a flower festival at Blubberhouses church, lasting all four days of the bank holiday. Refreshments will be served from 11am – 4pm each day, with live music on Saturday from 2pm – 3pm. 

North Rigton  

There is a red, white and blue trail to do around the village, starting from 22nd May, and a jubilee flagpole will be put up in the village garden.

Thursday: An evening garden party will be held from 7pm -10pm at Hill Top Farm, where guests are encouraged to bring their own drinks and meal. 

They will also be lighting a beacon at 9:15pm, which can be viewed from the garden. 

Sunday: A bring-your-own picnic has been organised, which will be held in the church grounds.

Topcliffe and Asenby  

Thursday and Friday: The Angel at Topcliffe pub has organised a jubilee celebration between midday and 5pm. There will be a bouncy castle, a treasure hunt and games. The Cherry Tones will also be performing, with songs from across the seven decades of the Queen’s reign.  

Saturday: The main event in Topcliffe and Asenby will be a party in the park on Saturday. The event will include an inflatable assault course, children’s games, a bowls competition, an ice cream van and live music. There is also the chance to pre-order afternoon tea. It starts at 2pm on the village playing field.  

On Saturday afternoon, St Columba’s Church is offering guided tours, where the church tower will be open for people wishing to see the village’s jubilee decorations from above.  

Sunday: St Columba’s Church has organised a Choral Evensong with the choir at 6:30pm.  

Whixley  

Saturday: From 7pm there will be an evening of entertainment at the village hall, with songs, dances and tales of the past.  

Sunday: A jubilee picnic will start at midday, where events throughout the afternoon include a royal fancy dress parade for guests and their dogs, a dog show, sports day races and an inflatable assault course.  

Hampsthwaite 

Saturday: From 2pm the Memorial Hall will open, offering a hog roast and barbeque. There will also be a bouncy castle and live music from Spa Town Ukes and Still Crazy.  

Sunday: The Memorial Hall will continue its celebrations on Sunday, opening again at 2pm until 5pm. There will be tea, cakes and sandwiches, as well as a raffle and screenings of film clips and newsreels.  

Follifoot  

Sunday: Follifoot parish council have organised a jubilee picnic on the village hall lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics and dress in red, white and blue or 1950s style fashion. There will be sports, music and a craft corner.  

Great Ouseburn  

Friday: Great Ouseburn village hall will hold a jubilee celebration all day, with a number of activities planned.

Guests are encouraged to dress in 1950s style outfits, and there will be a 1950s themed window trail around the village, as well as a Queen’s parade. Children’s crafts and games will take place, including dress making and crown creating. A jubilee lunch has also been organised where guests will need to bring their own food and reserve a table beforehand. There will be live music into the evening, and food available from Bistro Guy and Pool Bridge Farm Shop.  

A commemorative mosaic plaque is also due to be unveiled on Friday.  

Norwood 

Sunday: Norwood social hall is hosting afternoon tea and family games to mark the jubilee weekend. The event will begin at 2pm, and will include an afternoon tea and picnic boxes for children, family games, a children’s craft corner and a children’s colouring competition.  

Markington 

Saturday: Markington village hall has organised a jubilee celebration that includes afternoon tea and live music. The event will be at 1pm – 4pm, with the singer beginning at 1:30pm. Tables can be booked via committee members.  

Bishop Monkton

Bishop Monkton has a large variety of events for the jubilee weekend. Throughout the four day bank holiday, there will be a decorated house and garden trail through the village, and St John’s Church will be hosting a flower festival each day from 10am – 4pm.

Wednesday 1st June: A community concert with the theme ‘seven decades of song’ will take place in the village hall from 7:30pm.

Thursday: From 10am – 4pm there will be music from DJ Billy Miller, followed by live music at 4pm – 7pm from the seven-piece band Groove Council.

From 11am to 1pm there will be the ‘It’s a knockout’ sports competition on the playing fields, with tea and coffee also available in the village hall.

Children’s games will take place from midday on the playing fields, along with a magician.

There will also be a selection of refreshments available throughout the day on the playing fields, with bacon baps and a barbeque from 10am, and a bar from 2pm – 7pm.

Friday: At 9:45am there will be a coffee morning at St John’s Church.

The village hall will be screening two films, ‘The Village Likes to Party’ and ‘The Village Pubs’ from the local history group. There will be two viewings of each film at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.

From 10am the Methodist Church will hold a wedding dress and photos display. This will also be open on Saturday.

The Masons Arms is putting on an afternoon tea from midday until 3pm, which must be booked in advance.

Saturday: A hog roast with stalls, games and pig racing will begin at midday on Main Street.

In the school hall, there will be cream teas available, as well as the school’s jubilee exhibition, open from 12pm – 5pm.

From 7pm, the village hall has organised a ceilidh, with a cash bar on the night.

Sunday: At 10:30am, there is a join service from both the churches in Bishop Monkton in the school playground.

A fancy dress parade will take place from 2pm, where guests are invited to dress up to represent people and events from the Queen’s reign. This will be followed by a street party at 3pm on Main Street, then a prize giving at 4pm.

Monday 6th June: The parish council will present the children of Bishop Monkton primary school with commemorative mugs.

To bring the celebrations to a close, a time capsule will be created and buried at 10:30am in Jubilee Woods by the village hall.

Marton le Moor

The parish council have organised tea, cake and games on Devonshire green. The event will begin at 2pm and refreshments will be provided.

 

Artizan café in Harrogate expands to second floor

Artizan café, which opened on Cambridge Road late last year, is set to expand to an upper floor.

The floor was initially used for offices and storage space. Due to increased demand, it will now be opened up to the public as an extended café area.

Artizan International was founded by Suzie Hart MBE in 2013.

Ms. Hart will be behind the design of the second floor, which will include the same tiles, mosaics and artisan textures on the ground floor.

The café was introduced to help people with disabilities learn hospitality skills and get into the job market.

Anna Maria Wilson, part-time manager at Artizan café, said:

“It was always in the plan. We are definitely doing it sooner than was anticipated because there was that increased demand.

“We have been so busy, that we needed the extra space. It is beautiful up there, and we aim for it to be more of a tranquil and relaxed area for people to enjoy.”

Although the official date is not yet known, the second floor should be open in a couple of weeks for customers to enjoy.

Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

Specsavers, vision test

Specsavers Harrogate is joining the Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service (CUES) scheme

Specsavers Harrogate has announced that it will be joining the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service programme.

Those with urgent eye health issues can visit the store for treatment under the CUES scheme.

The service was launched to reduce pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients with urgent eye issues and in need of treatment will now be able to visit Specsavers Harrogate to have vision checks, which will be covered free-of-charge by the NHS.

Robert May, optometrist director at Specsavers Harrogate, said:

“The Cues scheme has been set up as we have the expertise and equipment in-store to deal with a range of eye-related emergencies.

“We’re seeing around one hundred customers every week through the scheme, which is definitely taking the pressure off the NHS’ services and waiting times.”

You can find out more about the CUES scheme here.

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Harrogate farm shop to stage art exhibition

Mackenzies in Blubberhouses to host art exhibition

Yorkshire artist Lynda Logan and her husband Terry are to display their work at Mackenzies Farm Shop in Blubberhouses to raise money for charity.

Ms Logan, who has a studio near Harrogate, was one of the original Calendar Girls in the 2003 film. She played a model and her husband was a photographer.

Their exhibition, which begins on April 9, will donate 10% of all sales to Blood Cancer UK.

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in adults and the most common in children.

Paul Palmer, the owner of Mackenzies, said:

“We’re delighted to have Lynda and Terry exhibiting with us in the gallery. Their previous work for charity has been exceptional and we’re excited to help raise even more.”

Events company brings food festival to Pateley Bridge

A previous event hosted by Lily and Lister.

The first Yorkshire Feastival will take place at Pateley Bridge on June 25 and 26.

The event is primarily a food and drink festival but also has an inflatable village, fun fair and a mini farm.

The event will host multiple small business owners, artists and entrepreneurs from Yorkshire. The event is organised by Lily and Lister Events.

Anna Lister, from Lily and Lister, said:

“With so many amazing producers, food, drink and artists from Yorkshire we wanted to create an event celebrating the best of what Yorkshire has to offer and in exceptional countryside in the heart of Yorkshire.

“It’s a great opportunity to come and support local businesses whilst having an amazing day out.”

Two Harrogate restaurants launch charity menu and easter egg hunt 

Provenance Inns & Hotels Group is launching a charity menu and a large easter egg hunt across all its seven venues.

The venues include the West Park Hotel in Harrogate and The Punch Bowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton. Dozens of eggs will be hidden in and around each venue and customers will attempt to find them using clues posted on Facebook.

Anyone who finds one of the chocolate treats can enjoy a free drink at their local Provenance bar.

The Inns group has also launched a new menu.

Tom Patrick, head of marketing at Provenance, said:

“Our Easter egg hunt is going to be quite epic, with not one but seven of Yorkshire’s finest pubs taking part.”

£1 from each Chicken Kyiv dish sold at Provenance venues will go to the Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.

 

Sneak Peek: New brasserie and bar will offer ‘a taste of Harrogate’

One thing Harrogate isn’t short of is restaurants.

However the team behind Samsons brasserie and bar, which opens its doors tomorrow, is confident their new venture will stand out from the crowd.

Executive chef Josh Whitehead, who is known for his work with the Harewood Food and Drink Project, is heading up a talented kitchen team. He was also a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals 2016.

The bar will serve a range of beverages including cocktails, beer and spirits.

His menu will focus on “real cookery”, using quality British produce that has been mainly sourced from within a small radius of the restaurant, which is based at the former Le Bistrot Pierre site on Cheltenham Crescent.

Mr Whitehead said:

“We are buying really good, really local produce and presenting it in a really accessible way for everyone.

“It’s British ingredients, British cooking and finding a way to replace what you would normally get from other countries. For example instead of olive oil, we will use rapeseed oil from Wharfe Valley Farms in Collingham.”

The menu will offer a taste of the local area and ingredients will include Harrogate’s iconic Stray cherry blossoms.

Dishes start from £4 for small plates, classic starters from £6 and mains from £14.

Signature dishes will include duck crumpets.

The dining area seats up to 80 people.

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Mr Whitehead said:

“We will be offering a taste of Harrogate, which you won’t be able to get anywhere else.

“It’s a really exciting time. My first ever kitchen job was in Harrogate around 10 years ago in what was Restaurant Bar and Grill on Parliament Street, which is now Piccolinos.

“I’ve always thought something like this needs to be in Harrogate. I don’t want to say it’s like a homecoming, but it’s quite cool that this is the biggest job I’ve had thus far in the same place I started.

“I was looking for next challenge and this one just stuck out like a sore thumb. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mr Whitehead will be reunited in the kitchen with his best friend and former colleague Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club in Leeds.

The famous cherry blossoms will also feature as garnish on the extensive cocktail menu, which will feature 12 classic and 15 signature cocktails, all of which have been given Harrogate-themed names.

The name of the restaurant is also linked to the town.

Managing director of Samsons, Mark Morrison, who moved to Harrogate from London seven years ago, said:

“There was a chap called Samson Fox who brought the first street lights to the world. He was also quite philanthropic, he did a lot of work helping the poor. He built the Royal Academy of Music, which happens to be in London, not far from where I grew up. So there’s a nice link there.

“But when I was looking around for things about Samson Fox, there was one brown plaque 12 streets away on his old house at Grove Road and that’s it.

“And this is the only three-time mayor of Harrogate, a significant figure, and nothing really to celebrate him or his life.

“It’s a nice name for a restaurant.”

Samsons, which is described as “a light, airy design-led space”, seats up to 80 people in the restaurant and 20 people in the bar area. There is also additional seating on the outdoor terrace,  which is set to launch in the warmer months.

Stray Foodie: Taste of India in central Harrogate

This article is sponsored by Deliveree

 

Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances visits Cardamom Black in central Harrogate.

 

 

 

Having spent four consecutive years in India cooking with some of the world’s greatest chefs at sophisticated dinners for charity, I came to marvel at the joy of their cuisine.

The combination of texture, colour and warmth is unique. Personally, I tend to err away from very hot and spicy foods, having considered them in the past to kill flavour. I have been wrong. It is all about technique and I would go so far as to say there isn’t another country that produces such flavour in their food made from very little.

So it was with great pleasure that I dined at Cardamom Black in Harrogate with friends. I was at first in awe of the size of the menu! Suitable for everyman’s palate but hard to execute, but they did it.

Whether you want a quick curry after a good night out, British style or you are wanting a more academic supper, it is there for the asking. Being into the creation of Vegan and Vegetarian food at the moment I decided to go with their sensational platter of vegetables. Stuffed, fried and unique – all my party had a great time sampling these delicacies.

My friends had two chicken dishes, one mild and one hot, they were very different and once again all down to the seasoning. The preparation of the rice to accompany them was sensational. One with Lime and Coriander and one with Tamarind. Beautiful flavour. The only slight difficulty I might have had was getting all these flavours together to compliment the chosen dish. It took some degree of concentration.  Having said that, the true Indian style of service was friendly and informative and made you feel at ease.

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I listened to another guest on the night we were there who boasted he had tried every dish on the menu!  He must have been going there for a very long time and he was a very happy man! 

Like all my Indian experiences, Cardamom Black reflects colour, warmth and happiness.

Well worth a visit. All taking place in a converted Methodist Church and theatre. It certainly takes central stage in Harrogate.

Star Rating: 4. This is a place to watch!

Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise  at Daleside Nurseries.

 

 

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