David Kitching, who founded the Harrogate firm Kitching Plant Hire, has died at the age of 80.
Mr Kitching, who was born in Bridlington and brought up in Pateley Bridge, founded the firm as D&S Kitching with wife Shirley in 1967.
The company began operating out of a small yard and workshop in Darley, where Mr Kiching lived.
It moved to Hookstone Park in Harrogate in the early 1990s but outgrew the premises and moved to its present location, the former Harrogate bus depot on Camwal Road in Starbeck, in the early 2000s.
The firm now employs about 20 staff and has more than 400 machines for hire, including diggers, rollers and cement mixers
The Camwal Road site in Starbeck.
Mr Kitching stepped back from day-to-day involvement with the company a few years ago.
A message on the firm’s Facebook page, posted by Shirley and sons Jason and Matthew, who are both directors of the firm, said:
“A void in our family has been formed which can never be ratified and we will miss him greatly.”.
Mr Kitching’s funeral will be held on September 1 at St James’ Church in Birstwith, It will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Wellington Inn in Darley.
Guests are requested to wear a hint of yellow as a nod to the yellow machinery that contributed so much to Mr Kitching’s life.
As a mark of respect, the business will close on the day of the funeral and reopen on September 4.
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White horses to carry Harrogate’s Sophie Lambert on her final journey
White horses decorated with purple will carry Harrogate’s Sophie Lambert on her final journey this week.
Sophie, 22, was found dead last month after a five-day missing person search that touched the lives of thousands of people in Harrogate and beyond.
Animal lover Sophie was particularly fond of horses and her big brother Craig Robinson has chosen two to pull a carriage carrying her body to Harrogate’s Stonefall Crematorium on Friday.
Her pet chihuahuas Boston and Bentley will wear jumpers saying ‘my mummy is in heaven’.
Sophie loved animals and had two dogs.
A crowdfunding appeal set up by Craig to give Sophie “the best send-off ever” has raised more than £3,700 — well above the £3,000 target.
He wrote on social media:
“Well, Soph, these beautiful horses are the ones I’ve picked for you with purple on there as well as you loved bright colours, these horses will bring you home one last time my angel.
“I hope I’ve done you proud and done everything to be perfect for you.”
The 40-minute service at 11am, which will be live-streamed, will be followed by drinks celebrating Sophie’s life at the Malt Shovel in Brearton.
The purple and white horses will match Sophie’s favourite colours.
There is no dress code but Craig has requested everyone wears odd socks because, as Craig puts it, “Sophie never did believe in wearing the same coloured socks as she said life was to short to match them”.
He has been setting of bio-degradeable lanterns this week in memory of Sophie, and said:
“I thank you all once again for the support help and donations you guys have given us in order to give Sophie the spend off she has always deserved. Rest easy Sophie my little Angel night night.”
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Fundraising appeal set up for Sophie Lambert’s funeral
The brother of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert has set up a crowdfunding appeal for her funeral.
Sophie’s body was found in the River Nidd this week, five days after she wet missing from her home in Starbeck.
Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.
Her older brother Craig Robinson launched a gofundme appeal yesterday to raise £3,000 to pay for ‘the best funeral for my sister Sophie’.
It was already over halfway towards its target last night.
Craig said Sophie was a bright girl who loved to laugh and had two dogs but had battled suffering every day for 10 years.
Craig shared this photo of his sister.
He added:
“This gofundme is for her funeral for us to be able to give her the best send off ever, please don’t feel pressured into donating as we have already set one up before for fuel and other resources,
“Sophie my little sister what can I say, you’ve grown your wings and flown away, I hope you’re safe up there.”
You can support the appeal here.
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Harrogate district pays final respects to the Queen
Many organisations across the Harrogate district closed today as people paid their final respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Streets were quiet and there was a sombre mood as the nation watched the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.
Ripon Cathedral and Harrogate’s Royal Hall broadcast the event live on big screens, as did numerous pubs and churches.
Many other people watched the day’s events unfold live on BBC One.
Here are some photos taken during today’s funeral capturing local tributes and the unusually quiet state of the district.
Cambridge Street deserted during the funeral.
Ripon Cathedral today
Flowers to the Queen at Harrogate’s war memorial.
Floral tributes in Knaresborough Market Place.
St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck broadcast the funeral live.
Starbeck High Street devoid of traffic.
A shop front tribute in Harrogate town centre.