A Harrogate financial firm has appointed a new joint chief executive.
Matt Beddall has joined Titan Private Wealth as joint chief executive, alongside existing chief executive Mark Puleikis
Mr Beddall joins Titan from Investec Wealth & Investment, where he was divisional director and head of the Sheffield office.
Titan Private Wealth, previously Cardale Asset Management, is an investment management business providing portfolio management to private clients, pension schemes, charities, corporates and intermediaries across the UK.
Mr Beddall said:
“I am thrilled to be joining such a successful and award-winning business as Titan. I look forward to helping lead the business through its next growth phase and continuing the amazing work that has already been put in place.”
Grantley Hall restaurant collaborates with champagne house
Grantley Hall has unveiled a new Mediterranean-inspired menu at one of its restaurants.
The menu is launched in time for the summer at The Orchard and is in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot.
The Orchard changes with the seasons and is one of five restaurants at Grantley Hall.
Monika Czop, food & beverage manager at Grantley Hall, said:
“I am so very excited that our new concept for The Orchard is now live for our guests to experience this summer.
“Our collaboration with Veuve Clicquot encapsulates the spirit of the summer and we are delighted to be one of only a few locations to be part of its Road to the Sun campaign this year! I can’t wait to welcome you all to experience The Orchard in all its glory – let’s celebrate with Champagne this season.”

Orchard, Grantley Hall
Cedar Court Hotels is the latest sponsor of Harrogate International Festivals
Harrogate International Festivals has announced a new sponsor.
Cedar Court Hotels, which has a hotel in the town, is the latest company to agree sponsorship of the festival.
Cedar Court managing director Wayne Topley said:
“Harrogate is synonymous with world-class art and culture – attracting amazing musicians as well as some of the biggest names in literature. To be a festival sponsor feels like a perfect match.”
Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:
“Art and culture go hand in hand with hospitality and the fact that Cedar Court Hotels believe in Harrogate and are prepared to invest in the town makes this partnership all the more rewarding.”

(Left to right) Wayne Topley, Sharon Canavar and Oliver Stott, the hotel manager. Image: Mike Whorley
Nomad Catering opens tasting room
Nomad Catering, a Harrogate based catering company, moved to Cardale Park on the outskirts of Harrogate in June last year. This week it celebrated finishing its tasting room.
The room provides a modern industrial space for clients to taste their food ahead of booking them for events.
In the past year Nomad Catering has catered for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at Media City in Salford, the centenary dinner for the Flying Scotsman at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and provided food for a Michelin three-star chef’s wedding.

Nomad Catering event. Image: Leanne Peacock Photography
Harrogate Bridal Boutiques Named in UK Top 50
Two wedding dress shops in Harrogate have been named among the Top 50 bridal boutiques in the UK, according to one of the leading hen party providers in its annual rundown.
Joana Bridal and Bee Bridal were listed by GoHen.com which compiled its list based on a variety of factors including style, variety, value for money and service.
Fourth award for Ripon photographer
Ripon photographer Helen Tabor has won her fourth bronze award from the British Institute of Professional Photography for her architectural images.
Her photo of architect Santiago Calatrava’s railway station at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV station won the award in the BIPP’s monthly image competition. Her January entry, of the spiral staircase at Victoria Gate Leeds was also awarded a bronze.
Ms Tabor said:
“My architectural work all stems from my love of interesting buildings and their structure, and I like to bring out the art in their design through careful composition in my photographs.”

Into the unknown by Helen Tabor
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Business Breakfast: Berwins Solicitors continues partnership with Harrogate International Festivals
Berwins solicitors continues its partnership with Harrogate International Festivals with its title sponsorship of Salon North for another season.
The series of speaker-events will make its return later this month, with the next of this season’s talks being held on Thursday April 11 at The Crown Hotel, Harrogate.
At each Salon three guest speakers explore ideas in art, science and psychology. Previous guests include former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger; classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes, zoologist, and science writer Matthew Cobb.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals which curates and produces the Salon series, said:
“We are thrilled that Berwins Solicitors is continuing its sponsorship of these events and I’ve no doubt the loyal and growing Salon North fan base will be too. Without the backing of Berwins Solicitors we simply wouldn’t be able to stage these wonderfully engaging, enlightening and fun talks, which have been listed in ‘The Top 100 Things to do in the World’ by GQ magazine. We love producing these evenings that help us highlight the cultural prestige of Harrogate. Berwins Salon North has attracted some incredible speakers during its time and we have exciting plans for this year’s programme – watch this space.”
Associate director of Berwins Solicitors, Martin Whincup, said:
“We are delighted to have our name associated with Salon North for another season. Berwins Salon North, which has been a permanent and much-loved fixture on Harrogate’s cultural calendar for many years now, encourages reflection, deep thinking and self-improvement – habits that very much chime with our own – and we are proud to support these truly unique evenings. Each year, the Harrogate International Festivals team conjures up a diverse array of brilliant speakers, and I can’t wait to see who they will be bringing to Harrogate in 2024.”
Entrepreneur expands peer support model for business leaders
Richard Doyle, founded one of the region’s biggest IT businesses Esteem Systems in 1985, growing it to a £30m technology business before selling it in late 2004. He has unveiled plans to expand his latest venture across Yorkshire and the North East.
Having served as a non-executive director on over a dozen boards, Richard developed his own peer advisory board business, Pabasso, which provides support for regional Managing directors and CEOs.
He is now searching for others to help him grow his peer support model and make it accessible across a wider area. Ideally, searching for retired or semi-retired CEOs, managing directors or business coaches who want to run their own peer advisory board on a part-time basis. Those looking for a fuller time commitment have the option of running two boards.
Mr Doyle said:
“I have found it incredibly rewarding working with multiple business leaders helping them on their journey and sharing the expertise and experience of the other board members. By creating a board of business leaders, each with their own diverse businesses and individual challenges, the chair will find themselves at the heart of a dynamic process, facilitating cross-industry collaboration and transformative strategic insights.”
“As the founder of the original Pabasso foundation board, I have been able to use four decades of experience as a CEO and Non-Executive Director to help our members progress. Our mission is to make peer advisory boards one of the key support functions for established business leaders in the UK and I am looking forward to supporting our new chairs/franchisees to develop their own boards and help fuel economic growth in each designated region.”
Each board will operate as a commercial business, supporting up to 12 regional business leaders. Richard has developed the franchise model in collaboration with the Lime Licensing Group. The expansion will create new peer advisory boards including North Yorkshire.
Event management company move to accommodate growth
Impulse Decisions has purchased new offices in Cardale Park in Harrogate as part of significant growth.
Currently based Windsor House its recruitment plans for 2024 mean they will outgrow their current office.
James Marsden, chief executive officer said:
“I am Incredibly proud to have completed on our new Impulse Decisions offices. From humble beginnings in 2010, hiring out a couple of desks in the Additive-X Ltd offices, to the last 10 years in the brilliant Windsor House, to purchasing our very first offices is very special to the team and I.
“Even though we’ve got the keys, the hard work starts here as there is plenty of renovation work to be done until we can fully move in. The new space provides us with the opportunity for growth, allowing us to hit our goals of being best in class for our clients and takes us into the next chapter. Thank you to everyone that worked on getting this deal done at Progeny & the agents at Feather Smailes Scales.”
Libby Addyman, experiences and bookings assistant, said:
“I can’t wait to move to our new office and have a space that truly reflects who we are as a company. The open plan layout will enable us to work more collaboratively whilst offering a range of spaces for focused work, meetings and team building exercises. I’m excited to see what this next chapter brings for Impulse Decisions as we continue to develop and grow as a team!”.
Jack Nelson, designer of the new interior, said:
“Impulse are a unique company, who very much focus on their staff, who have all had input to the new building. The design will very much reflect impulse as a company and brand promoting communal working and a sense of community, whilst providing spaces for focused work and team building exercises etc. It will also enable Impulse to host more external clients/meetings in house as well as networking events in the future. It’s a very exciting project, which we are delighted to be part of.”
The new offices are expected to be ready by June.
Charity ball makes over £70,000
A charity Ball put together by local businesswoman Alice Maguire was held on Friday February 9 at Rudding Park Hotel with nearly 170 guests enjoying a LOVE themed evening all in aid of local Children’s Hospice, Martin House. Organisers have since announced that overall the amount raised for Martin House is in excess of £73,000.
This was the second year the Charity Ball put together after the inaugural event last February. Organiser Alice Maguire put the ball on after a close family member lost their son and she wanted to give something back.
Alice Maguire said:
“I cannot thank everyone enough for all the kindness and generosity in supporting our second Love Ball event. My intentions of organising an enjoyable fun evening whilst raising for this incredible Charity, exceeded anything I had imagined with the amount we have raised the first time to then repeat again this year is just mind blowing. I want to thank all my sponsors and for the generous donations we received before the event that included cash and prizes , without whom the night would not be possible and the great success it was. To Simon Cotton who gave his time and services yet again to be our auctioneer for the night , free of charge. To all my guests for coming along and being so supportive and generous on the night, I cannot thank you enough and really express how grateful I am to you all.”
Regional Fundraiser at Martin House, Rebecca Taylor said:
“The Love Ball was such a delight to be part of. The whole evening was buzzing with so much warmth and excitement. Thank you to all of the guests and businesses involved in ensuring its phenomenal success. The incredible £73,373.35 raised could help to fund a Clinical Nurse Specialist for 18 months, to provide specialist palliative care to children and their families in the place of their choice. Alice is an incredibly valued supporter of Martin House, and we are so grateful for her continued support and commitment to us.”
Plant Nursery collaborates to landscape M8 footbridge
Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, one of the UK’s leading plant nurseries, has completed a project in collaboration with Edinburgh-based P1 Contractors to landscape a new pedestrian and cyclist footbridge across the M8 as part of a £250 million regeneration north of Glasgow.
The £190,000 contract saw Johnsons Nurseries Ltd provide over 30,000 plantsnfor the 58-metre-long footbridge which will form an active travel route between the area of Sighthill and the city centre.
The landscaping work marks the completion of a 30-month build to install the bridge and represents a milestone in the delivery of the £250 million Sighthill Regeneration. It is the biggest project of its kind in the UK outside of London.
Johnsons Nurseries Ltd marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson, said:
“We are known for our expertise in supplying top-grade plants and trees to major construction and landscaping projects, and are proud to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.”
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What our business community is saying about 2024
As 2023 winds down and we start to look to the year ahead, there are some things we can be fairly certain will come our way over the next 12 months.
North Yorkshire will go to the polls in May to elect its first ever Mayor, and there will probably be a General Election too. One has to be held by January 28, 2025, but sometime in 2024 – May or November, perhaps – seems far more likely.
The Bank of England expects inflation to continue to fall over the coming year, and so too will house prices, according to most forecasters.
Locally, though, individual people in business have their own forecasts – and hopes – for the year ahead. So we asked a cross-section of the district’s business community what their aspirations and expectations are for 2024. From electric gritters to selling beer in Taiwan, here’s what they had to say:
Katie and Paul Rawlinson – owners, Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersen
“Small business owners have to be optimists by nature, so we’ll enter 2024 full of determination to make it our best year yet.
“We’ll invest further in making sure Baltzersen’s can compete with a growing number of really great venues in Harrogate.
“We’re also planning to raise our game in the bakery, Bakeri Baltzersen, with refinements and improvements planned across our whole range of bread and pastry, including a good number of new products and the launch of our first vegan range.”
Photo: Matthew Lloyd.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill – owner, The Crystal Buddha, Knaresborough
“I’m very excited for what 2024 will bring for The Crystal Buddha.
“I have so many things planned for next year, including organising the Knaresborough Wellness Festival on March 24, which is a celebration of lots of lovely local holistic businesses, where anyone can come along and sample what they have to offer!
“We have talks and workshops, stalls and an opportunity to experience a sound bath or aura photography alongside some self-care and retail therapy.”
Simon Eyles – managing director, Bettys
“As with the last few years, I am sure this next year will bring lots of uncertainty, challenge, and change. One thing that is for certain, Bettys will continue to focus on delighting every single customer.
“I’m expecting customers to be increasingly selective in where they spend their money, so we will ensure we provide a brilliant Bettys experience like no other.
“I’m also looking forward to some amazing new menu items and delicious new products from our craft bakery. Look out for those!”
Matthew Chapman – manager, Harrogate BID
“Looking ahead to 2024, as we launch the new objectives within our term 2 business plan of pride in our town, a vibrant town and voice and vision is looking as positive. Dates for events are set, promotional plans for our town taking shape and proactive Harrogate BID teams on the street likely to be expanded.
“Strategically, we would like to see the Government follow up on a policy announced in May 2022 on local leaders being given more power within long-term commercial vacant units.
“We are also keen to continue our positive collaboration with the local authority and future North Yorkshire Mayor as we head towards devolution that should provide more local powers, decision making and funding.”
Zakaria Battal – owner, Kurdish Kitchen, Harrogate
“I think my business will carry on growing in 2024.
“It can be hard to get bookings, and when I do, there’s so much paperwork, but that’s actually good, as it makes me more experienced.
“It also makes it safer for people – I have a five-star food hygiene rating.
“My dream is to open a Kurdish Kitchen restaurant here in Harrogate, so hopefully I’ll get closer to doing that. I’m starting small and slowly getting bigger, one step at a time.”
Sharon Canavar – chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals
“2024 will be the first year we have the Harrogate International Festivals team back up to full strength post-Covid, so I am looking forward to an amazing year of events and festivals.
“We have our usual programmes with one or two very special events including a free light festival across Harrogate town centre, as well as the return of the Spiegeltent – so lots to celebrate.
“We know times are hard for everyone, so I hope that the range of work we do will touch everyone in some way, bringing a little joy or fun into their lives and the community which we serve.”
Richard Bradbury – managing director, T&R Theakston
“At Theakstons, we expect to see continued growth for our major brands like the iconic Old Peculier and some of the new beers which have been going down incredibly well as increasing numbers of pubs and supermarkets choose to stock our beers. Although prices continue to increase, the fact that the rate of increase is much lower than 12 months ago gives us confidence that we can continue to keep our beers affordable for drinkers, wherever they’re purchased.
“As a business, our focus for 2024 will continue to place beer quality at the centre of everything we do. As a result, we are substantially growing our investment into the brewery to keep this at the heart of our business and honour our commitment to drinkers.
“Turning further afield, having re-entered the US market in 2023, we’ve been buoyed by the growing worldwide demand for our beers and are looking forward to building new distributor relationships in countries including Poland, Sweden and Taiwan.”
Lee Bellwood – co-owner, Major Tom’s Social
“Being an independent in the bar and restaurant trade is always challenging. With various terrible things happening around the world, I’m happy if we can keep our heads above water. We are in a fortunate situation compared to lots of others.
“At Major Tom’s Social we are looking at extended opening hours and organising some more social educational events.
“Hopefully, Harrogate will still attract visitors and tourists even with its dwindling high-street presence.”
Paula Lorimer – director, Harrogate Convention Centre
“Future forward bookings for the year ahead look promising and we are expecting to exceed driving £40 million of economic impact in 2024/25 to support businesses.
“I would like to thank businesses across the borough, especially the hotels and restaurants who support our clients and make event organisers and delegates feel so welcome in our spa town. If Harrogate Convention Centre is successful in making the business case for further investment, then the sky’s the limit to what we can achieve!”
Charlene Lyons – CEO, Black Sheep Brewery
“It goes without saying that 2023 has been a turbulent year, with inflated prices and the cost-of-living crisis impacting us and so many businesses across the Harrogate district. However, Black Sheep Brewery is still moving forwards and we’re hopeful for a much stronger 2024 with some positive changes coming soon. We remain committed to securing local employment as well as continuing to innovate and produce high-quality beers, brewed right here in Yorkshire.
“There have been many positive things that have happened at the brewery in recent months that have helped the team finish strongly for the year. This includes the opportunity to collaborate with and raise funds for Rugby legend Rob Burrow MBE with the launch of ‘Burrow’s Blonde’, a delicious new beer now on tap in your local pub that is already proving to be one our most popular brews.
“In 2024, we also plan on further cementing partnerships with pubs and retailers both across Yorkshire and the wider country, as well as supporting our local communities by renewing sponsorships with grassroots sports clubs such as Harrogate Town AFC.”
Jonathan Lupton – managing director, Econ Engineering, Ripon
“This year has seen Econ continue to develop and demonstrate the UKs first ever fully electric gritter, the E-QCB, which is currently being used at various sites across the country. A major stride in the push for a more sustainable solution to our nation’s working fleet of vehicles, we look forward to working with councils and contractors in 2024, helping them to cut their emissions footprint.
“The E-QCB, which has a unique swap-body system allowing it to be used all-year round as a gritter, tipper and caged body vehicle, has already made quite an impact and is a major game-changer when it comes to the environmental impact of fleet operations up and down the UK. We hope 2024 will see us build on that initial success.”
Peter Lacey – joint managing director, Whole Systems Partnership; executive team member, Knaresborough & District Chamber
“During 2023, Knaresborough & District Chamber, along with other groups in the town, planted the seeds for what I hope will be a year in which we begin to realise the full potential of our fantastic town.
“Securing funds from North Yorkshire Council to explore exciting new ventures will enable us to find our voice for the benefit of businesses and the wider wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.
“The Whole Systems Partnership is in the business of helping the health and care systems across the country to deliver the best possible services for their local populations. For example, early in 2024 we’re looking forward to spreading our wings across the Pennines to help Lancashire County Council work more closely with the different NHS organisations in their area.
“The great thing about being in Knaresborough, however, if that the lessons we learn elsewhere can also be applied in our town, something we’ve supported through Covid and in our support to Knaresborough Connectors in their work to make the town an even better place to live, visit or work in.”
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Novelist Ruth Ware to curate Harrogate crime writing festival
Novelist Ruth Ware has been named as festival programming chair for next year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate.
The festival, organised by the charity Harrogate International Festivals, is hailed as the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction.
Held next year from July 18 to 21 at the Old Swan, the festival regularly attracts some of the world’s most popular crime and thriller writers to Harrogate.
Ms Ware, whose books have sold six million copies, follows in the footsteps of the likes of Ian Rankin, Elly Griffiths, Denise Mina, Lee Child, Val McDermid and Vaseem Khan.
Her 2015 debut thriller In a Dark, Dark Wood, about a bachelorette party gone disastrously wrong, was a Richard and Judy Choice, and a Sunday Times and New York Times top ten bestseller.
Since then, her novels have appeared on bestseller lists and been optioned for both film and TV, including her latest thriller Zero Days which was selected by Universal International Studios.
Ms Ware, who lives near Brighton, said:
“When I first began writing, one of my most cherished dreams was a panel at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
“To be invited to chair the festival is truly an honour I could never have imagined – and it’s been my privilege and delight to work alongside the phenomenal programming committee to create a programme that showcases the strength, diversity and sheer literary inventiveness of our brilliant and bloody craft.
“From writers I’ve admired for years to newcomers I’ve been thrilled to discover – I can’t wait to share it with you all.”
Simon Theakston, of Masham brewery T&R Theakston Ltd, which has been the festival title sponsor since 2005, added:
“I’m delighted that such a talented writer as Ruth Ware is taking on the role of festival programming chair.”
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North Pole Post Office returns to Harrogate for Christmas
Children can once again send their letters to Father Christmas this year, thanks to the return of the North Pole Post Office in Harrogate.
The seasonal initiative, which is back for its fourth year, is produced by Harrogate International Festivals and funded by Harrogate BID.
Located at the Harrogate International Festivals office on Cheltenham Parade, the North Pole Post Office – Harrogate branch – has been a key festive feature in the town since 2020, with bright lights, snow flurries, Christmas music and the all-important postbox, which receives thousands of letters every year.
Visitors can download a special letter and message from Father Christmas via the Harrogate International Festivals website or by scanning the QR code located next to the post box.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“Harrogate BID are thrilled to be sponsoring the North Pole Post Office again in 2023.
“It is a superb attraction that adds to the Christmas offer in Harrogate. It brings so many families into the town during the festive season and has become an annual tradition for many.
“Harrogate is sure set for another great Christmas period with so many great things to do and see, thanks to a host of different organisations all working together.”
The North Pole Post Office is one of the key features in the town’s Christmas campaign this year, alongside the Christmas lights, the Christmas Fayre, the Candy Cane Express, the ice-skating rink, the Father Christmas Experience, and the open-top bus, which is a new addition this year.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“Originally conceived during lockdown, the North Pole Post Office continues to be one of our favourite community events. A free-for-all-the-family opportunity, and perfect for the festive pictures, the lights, snow and festive music all surrounding this very special post office bring lots of footfall to this side of town at all times of day.”
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Classical line-up for Harrogate’s Sunday Series revealed
This winter’s line-up for the Harrogate International Sunday Series of chamber and classical music has been revealed.
Five concerts will take place in what will be the 30th annual series at the Old Swan in Harrogate.
It will begin with the return of clarinettist Robert Plane, accompanied by pianist Tim Horton, on January 28 to give a programme featuring 20th century and contemporary composers, complemented by Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Op.120, No. 1.
The two appearances by solo pianists will see Daniel Lebhardt play Brahms, Scriabin, Bartok and Ligeti and Clare Hammond perform a diverse programme featuring work by Hélène de Montgeroult, Clara Schumann, Ravel, Coleridge-Taylor, Spanish post-Romantic Isaac Albéniz, and contemporary composer Edmund Finnis.
The Astatine Trio will give a traditional recital comprising Haydn, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Tailleferre.
Rounding off the series, violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Zlata Chochieva will perform Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, sonatas by Mozart, Debussy and Grieg, and Distance de fée by 20th century Japanese composer, Tōru Takemitsu.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“We’re delighted to unveil the programme for Harrogate International Sunday Series 2024, which once again brings some of the world’s most talented classical and chamber musicians to Yorkshire.
“Whilst celebrating our 30th anniversary, this year’s programme is decidedly forward-looking, featuring award-winning young performers and platforming an exciting blend of both traditional and innovative works.
To encourage young people to attend, tickets for under-35s are priced at just £5.
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Harrogate people given free short stories as literature festival begins
A free short stories dispenser has been brought to Harrogate to mark today’s start of the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.
The four-day festival, which ends on Sunday, takes place at the Crown Hotel. The line-up includes Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Andy McNab, Gaby Roslin, Carrie and David Grant and Sir Vince Cable.
As part of the celebration of books, local residents are being encouraged to head to the Crown Hotel until Sunday to collect a free bite sized piece of literature from the dispenser.
The stories are selected from a range of over 10,000 short works of literature and cover a range of genres, including romance, drama, crime fiction, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, comedy, children’s stories and the classics.
At the touch of a button, visitors will receive a short story that will take one, three or five minutes to read. The story is printed on eco-friendly paper to read straight away or take away and read in a spare moment.
Authors range from Emily Dickinson to Lewis Carrol, Ernest Hemingway and William Shakespeare to contemporary stories by lesser-known authors and aspiring new writers.
The annual festival is curated and produced by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by Raworths Solicitors.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner at Raworths, said:
“The short stories dispenser allows us to take a moment to celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling, no matter how busy we are. It’s a fun and engaging way to bring great writing and literature to the whole community.”
The photo shows Ms Tunnicliffe and Dan Siddle, general manager of the Crown Hotel, with the short story dispenser.
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Line-up for Harrogate literature festival revealed
The line-up for this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival has been announced today.
Authors and thinkers will descend on the Crown Hotel in Harrogate for the four-day event produced by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by Harrogate law firm Raworths Solicitors.
Speakers at the festival, which takes place from October 19 to 22, range from leading authors Victoria Hislop, Alison Weir and Andy McNab to ex-cricketer Monty Panesar and media star Dr Hilary Jones.
For lovers of historical literature, Ms Hislop will introduce her new novel, The Figurine and historian and author Ms Weir, author of the Sunday Times bestselling Six Tudor Queens series, will explore the life of one of Britain’s most infamous monarchs, Henry VIII, the subject of her latest historical novel.
Royal correspondent and author Robert Hardman will share insights from his account of Elizabeth II’s reign,Queen of Our Times and ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar will recount stories from his sporting career.
Andy McNab, who has written three best-selling books about his life in the SAS, will give the inside line on his latest fictional thriller, Down to the Wire and comedian Rosie Holt will share the story behind how she became an internet sensation.
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Dr Hilary Jones will join a panel exploring the challenges currently faced by the NHS and husband and wife team Carrie and David Grant tell the tale of their extraordinary family, explored in their new book A Very Modern Family.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner at Raworths Solicitors, which is sponsoring the event for the 11th year, said:
“This year’s line-up of literary names is outstanding – a true celebration of great books, thinking and writing. We are proud to play a part in bringing such a prestigious event to our town.”
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said the festival “features a terrific mix of fiction writers, TV broadcasters, sports personalities, historians and journalists, with more thrilling programme announcements coming soon”.
More information is available here.
Nicola Sturgeon visits Harrogate’s crime writing festivalFormer Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Harrogate today for the second day of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
More than 17,000 tickets have been sold for the four-day festival, which ends on Sunday with a discussion featuring TV historian and author Lucy Worsley.
Today’s special guest is Ann Cleeves, creator of Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez, who was due to be interviewed by Vaseem Khan at 8.30pm.
But the attendees also included Ms Sturgeon, who stood down after more than eight years as First Minister in March.
Arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, which organises the event at the Old Swan each year, uploaded this image of her looking relaxed alongside fellow Scot Val McDermid on its social media sites today.
Ms Sturgeon is no stranger to the festival — in 2019 she interviewed Ms McDermid at the event.
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Thousands of people have begun to arrive in Harrogate for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which begins today.
The annual four-day festival sees Harrogate become the centre of the UK literary scene, with numerous best-selling authors and celebrities in town. More than 17,000 tickets have been sold.
This year’s line-up includes TV historian and author Lucy Worsley, who will be interviewed by broadcaster Natasha Knight on Sunday’s final day.
Jeffrey Deaver, who has sold 150 million books worldwide, will be interviewed by broadcaster and author Mark Lawson on Saturday.
Tomorrow’s big names include Val McDermid while tonight sees an appearance by Ann Cleeves as well as the announcement of the winner of the crime novel of the year award.
As usual, the event will be held at the Old Swan, which is where crime writer Agatha Christie was found after she went missing in 1926.
Organised by Harrogate International Festivals, 2023 festival chair and award-winning crime and thriller author Vaseem Khan has curated this year’s programme.
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