A well-known figure in Harrogate’s cultural life has set herself a new challenge to support a cause close to her heart.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, is aiming to complete the Great North Run to raise money for the Stroke Association.

She has chosen the charity after leading Harrogate businessman David Simister suffered a life-changing stroke in early March.

Having set a target of £1,500, she is already more than a third of the way there, just 24 hours after setting up her fundraising page – and said she hopes to raise even more before the event in September.

Sharon said:

“David is so well-loved. He was involved in so much and really cared about everything he worked on. Particularly over the pandemic, he was great with keeping the show on the road.

“I don’t think I’ve met anyone with a bad word to say about him.”

After growing up in Harrogate and attending Ashville College, Mr Simister trained as a journalist before founding Different PR with former schoolmate Richard Chew.

As well as working with a number of high-profile clients, he was heavily involved with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and became its chief executive in 2021. He has stepped back from his current roles as a result of his illness.

Sharon Canavar in green next to David Simister and the HIF team

Having done the Great North Run three times previously, Sharon said it will be emotional running for a close business connection and personal friend.

She has not run regularly since suffering an injury during the covid pandemic, and credits the Harrogate Town Running Group with getting her back to training to be ready for the Great North Run.

However, she has the small matter of HIF’s busiest few weeks of the year to get through first.

The summer season was launched at the weekend, with the flagship Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival scheduled for two weeks’ time.

This year’s events also include a children’s festival on July 15 and 16, and the Harrogate Carnival on July 30, which falls just six weeks before the run.

Sharon said:

“Running is quite good for stress relief. It’s good to get out and go for a stomp and work things through in my mind.

“David has been such a key part of my personal and festivals life, it’s really giving me the motivation to keep going and raise as much as possible to support him and other people affected by strokes.”

To support Sharon’s fundraising for the Stroke Association, click here.

Harrogate Carnival is set to take place on Sunday, July 30.

The free event will begin with a street parade through the town centre before heading to Valley Gardens.

The attractions will include a troupe from Leeds West Indian Carnival and a dance stage with belly dancing.

First staged in 2019, the carnival is commissioned by Destination Harrogate, which is a tourism organisation run by North Yorkshire Council and produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

The event, which celebrates global diversity, costumes, sounds and flavours, will include music, dance, themed food zones, art and craft workshops and street theatre.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“This exciting and unique event is perfectly suited to the Valley Gardens, one of many fantastic event spaces that we’re fortunate to have here in Harrogate.

“Carnival will also draw visitors from further afield to join in the celebrations with our residents, with opportunity to boost our visitor economy and showcase the town as an amazing visitor destination.”

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Cllr Derek Bastiman, the council’s executive member for open to business,  said:

“Carnival is a chance for our community to come together, embrace diversity and create lasting memories.”

The full programme will be announced closer to the date on the Harrogate International Festivals website for more information: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/

The arts charity is seeking volunteers to take part in the carnival.

Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason will make her Harrogate debut this month – three years after her cellist brother, Sheku, accompanied by sister Isata, performed in the town.

The 20-year-old will perform work by Shostakovich, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Prokofiev as part of the Harrogate International Sunday Series on February 26. She will also give  an exclusive performance of Florence Price’s Fantasie Negre.

Hosted by Harrogate International Festivals and staged in the Old Swan Hotel, the Sunday Series coffee concerts have been an annual fixture on Harrogate’s classical music calendar since 1991.

Ms Kanneh-Mason, the fifth of seven musically-gifted siblings and the third to establish herself as a soloist, is a former Classic FM rising star and a keyboard category finalist in BBC Young Musician 2018.

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Discussing her Harrogate appearance, Ms Kanneh-Mason said:

“This programme has a large range of repertoire – from Prokofiev and Beethoven to Shostakovich.

“The individual pieces in the Romeo and Juliet and the Estampes show the importance of story-telling in music, which is something I am drawn to.”

Her brother and sister were the last performers to appear at Harrogate International Festivals in 2020 before lockdown devastated the arts world, and Jeneba admits it was not an easy time for her.

Jeneba’s programme comprises of Shostakovich’s Prelude and Fugue in D major; Prokofiev’s 10 Pieces from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 75; Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 in E major; Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, and Florence Price’s Fantasie Negre No.1 in E minor.

Now is your time to shine with the Stray Ferret Business Awards. We are encouraging businesses of all sizes from right across the Harrogate district to enter for our awards and get recognition from our top panel of judges. Entries close on January 16.

Harrogate-based Berwins Solicitors has announced it has renewed its sponsorship of Harrogate International Festivals’ Salon North series.

The series of speaker-events will return in February with six TED-style talks.

Martin Whincup, associate director of Berwins, said:

“We are delighted to be having our name associated with Salon North for another season.

“Each year, the Harrogate International Festivals team has conjured up a wonderful selection of first-class speakers, and I can’t wait to see who they will be bringing to Harrogate in 2023.

“Berwins Salon North, which has been a permanent fixture on Harrogate’s cultural calendar for many years now, promotes reflection and deep thinking, habits we consider vital for self-improvement, and we are proud to play our part in the staging of these events.”

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate Festivals chief executive, said: 

“Thanks to the announcement from Berwins, it is full steam ahead planning this year’s programme of  events, which will be hugely appreciated by the loyal and growing Berwins Salon North fan base.

“Without the financial backing of Berwins Solicitors, we simply wouldn’t be able to stage these wonderfully challenging and fun talks, which have been listed in ‘The Top 100 Things to do in the World’ by GQ magazine.

“Producing these evenings featuring such incredible speakers helps us reinforce the cultural prestige of Harrogate, and without Berwins Salon North the town would be the poorer.”

The three confirmed for the first Berwins Salon North of 2023, taking place on Thursday, February 9 at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate,, are professor of circadian neuroscience Russell Foster, fashion psychology expert Dion Terrelonge, and geneticist and science populariser Adam Rutherford.

For more information on the series, visit the Harrogate International Festivals website.

Harrogate charity appoints experienced CEO as chair

Sir Alan Langlands, new chair of trustees at Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Harrogate’s Yorkshire Cancer Research has appointed an experienced chief executive as its new chair of trustees.

Sir Alan Langlands, whose career in the NHS, universities and health charities spans 50 years, will take up the post.

His career includes significant periods as the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, chief executive of the NHS in England, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee, and vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds.

Sir Alan, who lives in Harrogate, said: 

“I am looking forward to working with the researchers and clinicians who undertake vital research and provide pioneering services for the people of Yorkshire, and to supporting the tremendous work of Yorkshire Cancer Research’s selfless community of volunteers and donors who make this possible.”

Sir Alan replaces Graham Berville who served as a Trustee for 10 years, chairing the Board over the last five years and playing a central role in developing a new strategy for the charity.

Graham said: 

“I am delighted that Alan is taking over as Chair and I am sure that he will bring new experience, insight and ideas to Yorkshire Cancer Research.

“The charity is in a strong position, and I am confident that people in Yorkshire will continue to see real and meaningful benefits from the work it funds.”

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Weetons has been declared the overall winner of the Harrogate Christmas Window Dressing competition 2022.

Store manager Jess Upson and Vicky Davis designed and produced the award-winning display at the food hall on West Park.

A total of 26 shops entered the competition, which was organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District and the Rotary Club of Harrogate.

Weetons won the overall category as well as the prize in the large shops category. West Park Hotel, Bettys and Mama Doreen’s Emporium were highly commended in the large shops category.

Helen James Flowers on Station Parade won the medium shops category, with The Yorkshire Soap Company highly recommended.

In the small shops category, Harrogate International Festivals came out on top. Sophie Likes, Foxy Vintage and interiors, Susie Watson Designs and Bijouled earned highly recommended accolades.

The winners were announced at the West Park Hotel on Tuesday. Harrogate borough mayor Cllr Victoria Oldham handed out certificates.

Helen James Flowers won the Christmas window shop for medium retailers

Harrogate International Festivals won the Christmas window shop for small retailers

The North Pole post office in Harrogate has reopened in time for children to post letters to Father Christmas.

The festive attraction is once again located at Harrogate International Festivals’ office, on Cheltenham Parade, and will remain open until Christmas Eve.

Funded by Harrogate Business Improvement District and produced by Harrogate International Festivals, the post office features snow flurries, Christmas music as well as the post box.

The Christmas attraction began in 2020 as a way of lifting spirits during the second covid lockdown and has returned both years since.

The post office is so busy the elves who sort through the letters are not able to reply individually, however, visitors can download a letter and message from Father Christmas, via the HIF website, or by scanning the QR code located next to the post box.

The post office is one of the key features in this year’s Destination Christmas campaign, which is a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, Visit Harrogate, Harrogate BID and Harrogate International Festivals.

It also includes an ice-skating rink, fairground attractions, the candy cane express, Harrogate Christmas Fayre and the Father Christmas Experience.

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Clemence Roux, from Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We are delighted to bring this attraction back again, and will make sure once again that Father Christmas gets all the children’s letters.

“Harrogate BID has been extremely kind in sponsoring the scheme for another year, they have helped us make Harrogate a little more festive.”

Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:

“The Christmas attraction lifts spirits and contributes to the efforts of so many who are working together to make Harrogate ‘Destination Christmas’.”

Pictured from left are: Clemence Roux, from Harrogate International Festivals, Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman, Harrogate borough mayor Cllr Victoria Oldham, and Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar at the opening of the post office.

Historical novelist Robert Harris, SAS hero Chris Ryan and broadcaster and political commentator, Iain Dale, have added their names to the line up of speakers at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

They are the latest headline names that have agreed to appear at the celebration of books, which is being held between October 20 and October 23, at the Harrogate’s Crown Hotel.

Other names already announced include the 8th Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor, The Great British Dig co-presenter Dr Chloë Duckworth, and broadcaster and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake.

Commencing with a literary lunch staring Countdown’s Susie Dent, this year will see 23 names appearing on the Raworths stage.

Bringing the curtain down at the end of the four-day event is Fatherland author, Robert Harris, who has had many of his novels adapted for TV or film, including Enigma, which starred Kate Winslet, and Archangel featuring Daniel Craig.

He will be talking about his latest thrilling novel, Act of Oblivion – set in 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy — with BBC Radio Four’s Mark Lawson.

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Iain Dale’s latest book, On This Day in History, charts the main events of the last few hundred years, with one event per page, per day.

He will be joined on stage by former LBC stablemate and festival regular, Matt Stadlen, as the pair take a journey through Britain’s political history, told in 365 events.

Former SAS corporal, Chris Ryan will talk about how his own experiences have influenced his writing.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, which produces and curates the event, said:

“The latest names added to this year’s roll call, Robert Harris, Chris Ryan and Iain Dale, are all best sellers in their own right and need no introduction, and the
quality of speakers is a testament to the ever-rising prominence of this annual literature festival.”

Further information about the festival is available here.

Countdown’s Susie Dent, the 8th Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, veteran broadcaster Peter Snow and former president of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, are amongst the guest speakers headlining at the 10th anniversary year of Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2022.

They will be joined over the course of the four days by British philosopher and author Prof AC Grayling, The Great British Dig’s Dr Chloe Duckworth, writer and theatre maker Stella Duffy, political journalist Otto English, and novelist and playwright Stephen May.

Produced by Harrogate International Festivals, the literary event is being held between Thursday, October 20 and Sunday, October 23 at the town’s Crown Hotel.

This is the tenth year that Harrogate law firm Raworths has been the headline sponsor.

Beginning with a literary lunch starring lexicographer Susie Dent, best known for her role in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4’s Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cat Does Countdown, the festival continues with a programme of author interviews, panel discussions, book signings, a yoga workshop and a pop-up Waterstones bookshop.

Other speakers adding their name to the line up include political news correspondent Carole Walker and BBC Radio 4 producer and journalist Phil Tinline, who will join a panel to discuss what’s next for British politics.

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One of the country’s leading psychotherapists and author of Sunday Times Best Seller Ten to Zen, Owen O’Kane will be joined by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Penelope Campling to examine how covid has affected our mental health.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“Over the years, this four-day event has grown in stature and importance, and has rightly claimed its place as one of the country’s leading literature festivals. As ever, we are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Raworths solicitors, who have been our partner in this event for a decade.”

Simon Morris, from Raworths solicitors, said:

“This is one of the premier literary festivals in the UK, and we are delighted once again to have our name associated with this wonderful four-day celebration of books and writing.”

Further information about the festival is available here.

Thousands lined the streets of Harrogate today as a colourful parade of dancers, costumes and music from all over the globe made its way from the centre of town to Valley Gardens.

This year’s Carnival was paid for by Harrogate Borough Council‘s tourism body, Destination Harrogate, and was put on by Harrogate International Festivals. Unlike the last carnival in 2019 when the weather was atrocious, this year the rain held off allowing everyone to have a great time.

Here are some images that aim to capture that carnival spirit:

A parade featuring music, dancers and colourful costumes is set to wind its way through Harrogate this weekend with the return of the Carnival.

The free event on Saturday will see flag-waving crowds line the streets for the procession, which will snake its way through the town centre and down to the Valley Gardens.

It will include performers from Leeds West Indian Carnival, who will be joined by Houriat Belly Dancing, Sweep of Swallows kite puppets, Chinese dragon dancers, the Bare Brass Band and more.

The party will then continue throughout the day and will feature street theatre, interactive workshops, international street food and two stages hosting music and dance performances.

The event, which was previously held in 2019, has been paid for by Harrogate Borough Council‘s tourism body, Destination Harrogate, and will be delivered by Harrogate International Festivals.

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Sharon Canavar, chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“The Carnival is free for everyone to attend and celebrate the diversity, colours, costumes, sounds and flavours from the four quarters of the world, right here in Harrogate.

“With global music and dance stages, themed food zones, art and craft workshops and street theatre, this family-friendly day is a true party in every sense of the word.”

The Carnival Parade starts at 11am at St Peter’s Church, On Cambridge Road, it will head up Oxford Street, along Station Parade, down Cambridge Street, past the Cenotaph and along Montpellier Hill into Valley Gardens.

Within Valley Gardens there will be family-friendly craft workshops, which will include chalking art, spray art graffiti, environmental craft, bunting making, mask making with the Leeds West Indian Carnival, and a dance workshop.

There will be a Global Music Stage, featuring DJ Trev, the Leeds West Indian Carnival, Bare Brass Band, Ajay Karmic Blues, Buffo’s Wake and Fernando Brazil.

And a Global Dance Stage, will feature Annapurna Dance, Houriat Belly Dancing, St. Aelred’s Irish Dancers, and Anonymas Dance.

There will also be a food zone featuring food from around the world.