Business Breakfast: Move to residential for Harrogate interiors firmBusiness Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Move to residential work for Harrogate interiors firm
A Harrogate business specialising in commercial interior design has expanded its work into the residential property sector.
The House Collective, based in Windsor House on Cornwall Road, has already completed a hat-trick of residential projects and is about to begin work on a 17-room home in Roundhay, Leeds.
It was set up by Rob Umpleby, who founded commercial interior design agency RU Creative. When a client struggled to find an interior designer, the RU Creative team stepped up to the challenge.
As well as providing detailed drawings instead of simple mood boards, the team offers a 3D visualisation service, creating photorealistic images and using virtual reality to give an exact picture of how the project will look when complete.
Mr Umpleby said:
“We are really excited to have launched The House Collective, and whilst it is a brand-new business, we bring with us a long and successful history within the world of commercial interior design.
“Over the years we have worked on some amazing refurbishment schemes, and our skills in creating workspaces with a residential feel has given us the confidence to break into the residential property world.”
Read more:
Arrow Electronics adds £10k to children’s hospice fundraising
A children’s charity will benefit from £10,000 of fundraising thanks to a team of colleagues in Harrogate.
Employees at Arrow Electronics, along with their vendors and suppliers, cycled more than 150 miles from Harrogate to Whitby and back in support of Martin House Children’s Hospice.
The 28 cyclists completed the route including a 4,000ft climb at the start of a second year of fundraising for the hospice. Since May 2021, they have raised more than £23,100.
Nick Bannister, vice president sales for Arrow’s enterprise computing solutions business in the UK and Ireland, said:
“I’m really proud of our team who have gone out of their way to support this great charity over the last 12 months.
“It was great to see so many of our vendors and suppliers get involved in the Arrow Great Yorkshire Cycle, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much we can raise this year.”
Martin House cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire, as well as supporting their families. Its care includes planned respite stays, emergency and symptom control stays, end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Abigail Proctor, partnerships manager at Martin House, said:
“We’re so grateful for the support of Arrow over the last 12 months. The support they are giving us will make such a big difference to the hundreds of families we care for every year.”
The Arrow team will take on another challenge in September, tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Ghostbuster wish granted for Harrogate boy with half a heartGhostbusters super fan George Hinkins, who lives with half a working heart, can now live out his dream of being one of his heroes for the day.
George lives with a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and had his first open-heart surgery at just 36 hours old.
The defect means his heart can’t pump blood to his lungs as well as other people and he struggles with oxygen levels.
In April, the Stray Ferret published an appeal for funds from Make-A-Wish UK to grant the wishes of 62 children living with a critical condition in the North East.
For eight-year-old George, it was a success. Leeds City Council will be helping to grant his wish to be a Ghostbuster for the day by transforming Leeds Central Library into a ghoul-infested haunted house.
The Yorkshire Room, in particular, will be decorated to fit the spooky theme and ghosts will be projected onto the walls. Members of fan group East Midlands Ghostbusters will also be there, dressed up to add to the adventure.
George will also travel from Harrogate to Leeds in the Ghostbusters’ iconic car, Ecto-1.
George Hutchins dressed as a ghostbuster
George said:
“When I’m in hospital, it’s a bit scary. But just like the Ghostbusters, I try to face my fears. I try to be brave.”
George’s love for the Ghostbusters franchise started when he was six years old. He took his Ghostbuster figurines into his third surgery in March 2020.
Rhian Isaac, senior librarian for Leeds City Council, said:
“It has been a pleasure to work with Make-A-Wish to bring George’s wish to life. George’s story touched the hearts of the Leeds Libraries team from the moment we heard it, and we hope that we can help create a memory that George and his family will remember forever.”
George’s family said more surgeries are inevitable and a transplant may be considered when George is older.
To find out more or donate to Make-A-Wish UK, click here.
Read more:
Aaron Bertenshaw’s family to fundraise at Knaresborough Bed RaceThe family of Harrogate singer songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw, who died in December, will be raising money for Diabetes UK at this weekend’s Knaresborough Bed Race.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died aged 26 after struggling with diabetes and mental health issues.
Since his death, his mother Sammy Oates has been campaigning to plug the gap in services between people affected by the two conditions.
She is now lending her support to Diabetes UK’s new Diabetes is Serious campaign, which calls on the government to create a national recovery plan to support frontline healthcare teams getting diabetes services back on track after covid.
Ms Oates and Christine Holmes, a volunteer for Diabetes UK, will be part of a team operating a stand at Saturday’s bed race. The stand will provide information about diabetes and raise funds through a raffle and tombola. Tickets can be bought at the Worlds End and Castle Inn pubs in Knaresborough and The Blues Bar in Harrogate.
Supermarket Morrisons has agreed to match fund the sum raised.
(from left) Samantha Oates, Andrew Jones and Christine Holmes at the House of Commons.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who recently met Ms Oates and Ms Holmes at the House of Commons, is expected to draw the winning raffle ticket.
Read more:
Mr Jones said in a statement he “strongly supported” the Diabetes Is Serious campaign. He was one of 100 MPs who recently attended an event about it at the Commons. He added:
“Diabetes is a growing issue and has implications across other parts of healthcare including mental health as Samantha’s family story so powerfully shows.
“Samantha has taken an event that is very personal and painful and turned it into a campaign that is public and positive.
“It is impressive. I look forward to attending the Knaresborough Bed Race and supporting Samantha’s raffle raising money for Diabetes UK’s important work.”
Next week is Diabetes Week in the UK
A new Diabetes UK report revealed that 47% of people with diabetes in England experienced difficulties managing their condition in 2021. Sixty-three per cent attributed this in part to not having sufficient access to their healthcare team.
The charity, which organises Diabetes Week next week, said in a statement:
“Diabetes is serious and isn’t something you can ignore. If people do not receive the care they need, it can put them at risk of serious complications, which can lead to premature death.
“The coronavirus pandemic has created a backlog in the delivery of this routine yet vital care and, despite the tireless efforts of the NHS, many people living with diabetes are still struggling to access it.”
“We’re calling for an urgent recovery plan from the UK Government to tackle these devastating diabetes care delays before it’s too late. Urgent action is required now.”
Pateley Bridge turns pink to fundraise for baby Arlo with leukaemiaThe town of Pateley Bridge has turned itself pink this week as part of a fundraising initiative on behalf of young resident Arlo, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Arlo Marshall turned one today and is off to the zoo with family to celebrate. He was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February.
Since then he can only see friends and family outside, to protect him from picking up any illnesses. On Saturday the family were able to invite around 20 friends to Pateley Bridge’s party in the park to celebrate the jubilee and Arlo’s birthday.
The Marshall family turned out in force on Saturday.
Throughout his treatment, the family have been supported by Yorkshire charity Candlelighters, which supports families dealing with childhood leukaemia.
The family has now begun fundraising for the charity and has so far generated more than £1,000.
Pink It Up week is a Candlelighters initiative to raise awareness of children with cancer and the town of Pateley Bridge has wasted no time getting involved.
Shops have decorated their windows in pink, schools have organised non-uniform days, local group Knit and Natter has knitted bunting for the Methodist Church and Sunflower Nursery and bakeries and cafes have sold special buns and cakes.
Pateley Bridge shops turn pink
Arlo’s parents, Katie and Jowayne Marshall, said:
“Our world has been turned upside down, but Candlelighters have been there to support us every step of the way. They do so much to support families like us by funding support and social workers, providing closer accommodation whilst Also has been in hospital in Leeds, funding research, providing extra play teams, offering counselling and wellbeing sessions … the list goes on!
“As a family we would like to support this amazing Yorkshire charity by wearing pink and making everything as pink as possible. This way we can create a memento to look back at Arlo’s 1st birthday.”
Read more:
Each year, more than 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer.
Pink It Up runs in Pateley Bridge until Sunday. To donate to Arlo’s fundraiser, click here.
Two senior promotions at Harrogate law firm RaworthsHarrogate law firm Raworths has announced two senior promotions in its commercial team.
Jon Healey, who leads the corporate and commercial team, has been promoted to partner of the firm.
Matthew Hill has been made head of commercial client services, after Simon Morris became managing partner in April. Mr Hill will also continue in his role as head of dispute resolution.
He said:
“Raworths’ commercial team has considerable breadth and our clients benefit from a genuinely collaborative approach.
“I am looking forward to continuing Simon’s great work in overseeing the delivery of outstanding client service”
He also congratulated Mr Healey on his promotion, adding:
“Since joining Raworths in 2019 his expertise and leadership have been invaluable to our clients and the wider team.”
Raworths has been based in Harrogate for over 125 years.
Samaritans of Harrogate calls for donations from local businesses
Samaritans of Harrogate has called for local businesses to donate prizes for its upcoming charity golf day.
The event, on June 24, will be the charity’s first golf day since 2019 due to covid.
It has asked local businesses to donate prizes in sets of four, such as hampers and food vouchers. They will be awarded to the winning golf teams or used to make up the raffle.
Fundraising co-ordinator Carol Chapman said:
“The involvement of local businesses would help us to raise vital and much needed funds to keep this service running, which is run solely by local volunteers.
“We are extremely grateful for any donations from local businesses that help us achieve this.”
Members of the public can enter as teams of four for the golf competition, with five places left to fill.
The event will begin at 1:30pm at Harrogate Golf Club and will continue into the evening, with raffle prizes being announced at the clubhouse.
In 2019, the golf day raised almost £6,000 for the charity, which contributed to the £35,000 a year needed to keep the charity running.
Samaritans offers a confidential phone service for people feeling distressed or who are struggling with their mental health.
The Harrogate branch has around 120 volunteers who listen and offer advice to callers, as well as helping with fundraising events.
Read more:
Local Lotto marks £200,000 raised for good causes in Harrogate districtMore than £200,000 has been raised for good causes across the Harrogate district thanks to a community lottery scheme.
The Local Lotto, run by Harrogate Borough Council, has passed the milestone this month after being established in 2018 as a way for groups to raise more funds.
For each £1 ticket bought, 60p goes to local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups. Meanwhile, players have the chance to win a £25,000 jackpot as well as smaller cash prizes each week.
Karen Weaver, strategic lead at Harrogate and District Community Action, said:
“The Local Lotto has been such a great success in supporting good causes across the Harrogate district, providing a regular monthly income and an easy way for local people to support local community action.
“There is also a vital and fruitful link with the Local Fund, with 10p from every ticket sale being donated directly and helping to ensure that it exists in perpetuity to provide grants to grass roots volunteers, community groups and charities.”
Read more:
A total of 112 groups have signed up to be part of the Local Lotto to generate additional funding.
Beneficiaries include Autism Angels, Woodfield Millennium Green, Horticap, the Harrogate branch of Parkinson’s UK, Harrogate Dramatic Society, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, and other groups including Scouts, churches, sports clubs and more.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council and voluntary and community sector chair, said:
“It’s an incredible achievement to raise more than £200,000 in less than four years for our voluntary and community sector across the Harrogate district, through the Local Lotto.
“These vital funds can sometimes be a lifeline for smaller community groups and I’d like to thank everyone for getting involved and signing up to play the Local Lotto.
“It’s never too late to take part, whether as an organisations or a participant, and I’d urge anyone to sign up online.”
New £6m plans to extend Ripon Cathedral facilities proposedPlans for a £6million extension to the south side of Ripon Cathedral’s west-facing frontage are on hold and alternative proposals have been put on public display.
The Ripon Cathedral Renewed Project, which aims to provide 21st century facilities for the cathedral’s parishioners, choristers, the wider community and an ever-increasing number of visitors, already has £4 million in pledges.
But it needs to secure a further £2 million if ambitions are to be achieved.
Signs at the exhibition, being held in the north transept, explain that the alternative plan has been brought forward after reservations were expressed about the previously proposed extension
The new plan, captured in this artist’s impression, involves creating new indoor and outdoor space.
Proposals involve a standalone two-storey development to the north of the iconic building on an area of land that also houses the Old Courthouse Museum and the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance.
Proposal to close Minster Road to through traffic
They also include the suggested closure of Minster Road to through traffic, to provide a safe link for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs or families with prams and buggies, to move between the cathedral and the new building.
The proposal includes the provision of pedestrian-friendly links between the cathedral and the new building and into the Cathedral Car Park.
The community consultation aims to gauge views on the design of the new building, landscaping of the site and the Minster Road proposal.
Approval required at every level
A message from the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, thanks donors who have already pledged support to the Ripon Renewed Project and adds that the bid to make the vision a reality is ‘nearer than ever before.’
He points out that in addition to obtaining further financial pledges:
“We need plans that will attract approval at every level.”
The wooden model on display shows the new two-storey building to the right and its relationship to the cathedral.
The new building would incorporate indoor toilets, including a Changing Places toilet for disabled people, a café/refreshment area, improved shop, meeting room, new facilities for the choir school and additional storage capacity to take the pressure off use of space in the cathedral.
A national treasure
When the Ripon Renewed project that was announced Dean John, said:
“It is clear that the development of the cathedral is vital to bring this national treasure into the 21st century.
“As custodians of this fantastic building we are only too aware of the legacy we uphold. We have this ancient history, this wonderful architecture – what we haven’t got are the facilities that people need.
“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its own contributions. We take none of this for granted and we have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”
The site for the proposed new building, is to the right of the Old Courthouse Museum and adjacent to the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance
Serving future communities
He added:
“Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to a growing number of people that the development of Ripon Cathedral is vital as we seek to serve the communities of the region now and in the future.”
The community consultation will help to shape a formal planning application that will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council and people who go to view the plans, are asked by Dean John to fill out a short questionnaire available at the exhibition.
If successful, plans would see the first major development in hundreds of years of the cathedral’s facilities, for a building containing the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral – St Wilfrid’s Crypt – dating back to 672 AD.
Knaresborough daredevil, 70, performs 50th skydiveKnaresborough woman Helen Westmancoat, 70, has performed her 50th skydive, this time raising over £1,200 for Martin House children’s hospice.
Ms Westmancoat is well-known for her skydiving and fundraising efforts, and the Knaresborough Rotarian performed her latest jump from 15,000 feet with Harrogate Brigantes Rotarian David Billington.
The money the pair raised is enough to pay for six months’ worth of parent support, four sessions of bereavement counselling and a visit from bereavement counsellors offering support through the most difficult of times.
Her 50th jump was postponed several times to covid and unfavourable weather conditions but she finally made the dive this year, landing at Hibaldstow in Lincolnshire.
Chris Verney, regional fundraiser for Martin House, said:
“What an amazing impact for those families who need it. We are truly grateful for Helen and David’s support in taking on this challenge, and I am so glad that Helen finally got to do her 50th jump. Congratulations on reaching this milestone!”
Ms Westmancoat told the Stray Ferret last year how her unusual hobby began.
She said:
“The diving started in 2011 when I worked at York St John’s and there was a call to do a dive for the student support charity. I can’t do it alone in this country now as I’m over the age limit that it allows but I do hope to do more maybe abroad in the future.”
Ripon soldiers in Cyprus to undergo mammoth charity challengeA team of Ripon-based soldiers are rowing and cycling the equivalent distance from Cyprus to the UK to raise money for a men’s mental health charity.
21 Engineer Regiment has been in Cyprus since April as part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force. They’ve been carrying out patrols on the buffer zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Whilst there, they have decided to raise funds for men’s mental health charity CALM.
They will use a combination of static bikes and rowing machines and plan to cover the 4,338 kilometres from their base in Nicosia all the way back to the regiment’s headquarters in Ripon.
Read more:
Spr Parker from the regiment said:
“Fitness is very much part of our daily lifestyle and so combining such challenges to highlight an important cause works really well for me.
“Mental health is hard to face, but for some reason it’s even harder with young men. In society I feel mental well-being among men is often not taken seriously enough or just overlooked”.
The link to donate is: https://www.justgiving.com/team/Road2Ripon
Harrogate mum hosting family fun day to mark daughter’s legacyA Harrogate mum is hosting a family fun day in June to raise money for two organisations that supported her daughter before she died 13 years ago.
Katie Beadle gave birth to her daughter Millie in August 2009. But immediately after she was born, she knew something wasn’t right.
Millie was diagnosed with hypoxia, a condition that results in low oxygen levels in the blood. It can lead to multiple medical conditions and requires around-the-clock care.
Ms Beadle said:
“Most of Millie’s time with us was spent in Manchester St Mary’s Children’s Hospital in the beginning. When she was allowed back to Harrogate, we spent a few days on Special Care Baby Unit at Harrogate District Hospital, before finding a new way of living on Woodlands Ward.”
Millie spent a few weeks at home before she contracted an infection. The family returned to the Woodlands, which is the hospital’s children’s ward, before they were told the devastating news:
“Millie has suffered a substantial amount of trauma at such a young age, her body is tired and I’m afraid this time she isn’t strong enough to fight this one off. It’s only a matter of time, so enjoy your final days with your precious daughter.”
Read More:
Millie wasn’t strong enough to travel to Martin House Hospice in Wetherby, so the hospice came to them and set up a room for her on the ward until she passed away in December 2009.
She would have been coming up to her 13th birthday in August so her mum wants to mark her legacy by raising funds for Martin House and Harrogate hospital’s children’s ward.
The family fun day will be held at Knaresborough Rugby Club on June 25 from 11am where there will be a bouncy castle, live music, face painting, stalls, food and drink, rides and more.
Ms Beadle added:
“I am arranging Millie’s 13th birthday party with an open invite for everyone! It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, stress and required copious amounts of coffee & fizz, however, things are just about finalised and it should be a grand day for all.”
“An incredible job”
The two organisations both paid tribute to Ms Beadle for her fundraising efforts.
Chris Verney, regional fundraiser for Martin House, said:
“Katie has done an incredible job in organising this event and we hope everything goes well for her. Fundraising like this makes a huge difference to the families with seriously ill children that we support across West, North and East Yorkshire.”
Victoria Lister, manager of acute paediatrics at Harrogate District Foundation Trust, said:
“Katie has worked tirelessly to organise this event to help support our unit. We as a ward are so grateful for her hard work and preparation for Millie’s Fun Day in June. The funds raised will help transform the ward into a more welcoming, bright environment for the children attending Woodlands at HDFT.”
There are still some spaces to hold a stall on the day. If anyone would like more information email Katie-beadle92@hotmail.com
