Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is coming to an end – get your last minute donations in

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal will come to an end this weekend after almost two months of raising vital funds for Dementia Forward.

You can still donate to the appeal until midnight on Sunday, January 7.

So far we have raised around £8,000 for the charity, which will go towards funding a new minibus.

Jill Quinn MBE, chief executive at Dementia Forward, said:

“We really value the support that The Stray Ferret and all your readers have given us this Christmas.
“The stories and videos have shone a light on our services, and we really hope that everyone has a good understanding of what Dementia Forward offers to people in the local community, and knows where to turn if they ever they need us.
“It is exciting that we have received enough donations to be able to lease a new minibus for the next two years, so that we can continue to provide vital transport for people living with dementia in the Harrogate District.
“Once again, huge thanks and we wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2024!”

We didn’t reach our target, but we know times are tough and the money raised will still make a huge difference to the lives of those living with dementia and the people struggling around them.

Director of The Stray Ferret, Tamsin O’Brien said:

“We’d like to thank VIDA Healthcare for its wonderful support of our Christmas Appeal. As someone who’s family has experienced the heartbreak of Alzheimers, this was an appeal close to my heart.

“Thank you to everyone who donated. Please give generously this weekend — you never know when you may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.”

The appeal was kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

No Harrogate to London trains over next two weekends

There will be no trains running between Harrogate and London King’s Cross over the next two weekends.

It comes after Northern Rail announced four days of engineering work on the billion-pound East Coast Digital Programme.

LNER, which runs between London King’s Cross and the north east, is among the lines affected.

It will be operating a reduced service starting and terminating at Grantham, with hourly trains running between Leeds and Grantham over the two weekends.

From Grantham, people can get a rail replacement bus to Corby, where they will connect with other operators’ services to and from London St Pancras.

The disruption will be in place from Saturday, January 6 to Sunday, January 7, and Saturday, January 13, to Sunday, January 14.

LNER said there are no planned changes to the regular weekday schedule.

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Free events revealed for Harrogate’s first self care week

Details have been revealed for the first Harrogate self care week this month.

The free events, which will be held from January 22 to 27, include activities ranging from yoga and acupuncture to sound baths and making face masks.

There will be a mixture of workshops and classes, along with a themed market to help visitors work on their ‘body, soul and mind’, according to organisers.

Some of the sessions will be held in a pop-up self care unit on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre. However, others will be held in different venues across the town centre.

Harrogate Business Improvement District announced the initiative last month.

The Turkish Baths will host the launch event on January 22, with a session in the facilities from 6.30pm until 9pm. This is already fully booked.

Also on the Monday, an hour-long acupressure and acupuncture talk and demonstration with Patti Hemmings will be held in the shopping centre unit from 12.30pm, as well as a mosaic making session at Artizan from 5-7pm.

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Kicking things off on the Tuesday, a slow yoga flow for beginners with Michelle Foxall will be held in the shopping centre at 5-6pm. Then, Chantelle Coles will host an intriguing sound bath session, a meditative experience involving bathing in sound waves, in the vacant space between 6-7pm.

Mat pilates with Emma Ryder is the opening event on the Wednesday at 12.30pm. 

Then, staff members at Lush will host a face mask making session in their Cambridge Street store from 5pm. Anyone looking to learn more about Thai Chi can join a beginner class with Alison Newband from 6-7pm. Meanwhile, Ebru Evrim is putting together a yoga and reformer Pilates session at their studio on James Street from 6pm to round off Wednesday’s events.

To open Thursday, a two-hour interactive workshop on doshas will be held from 5-7pm with Green Ayurveda Spa. This will be followed by a circuit session with F45 at its studio in Albert Street from 6.15pm, lasting for around 45 minutes.

On Friday from 12.30pm, Tomm Melody will teach visitors more about ageing and strength.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Since we launched the Harrogate Self Care Week in mid-December, we’ve had so much interest and positive responses.

“A huge thanks to the many BID members and local providers who are supporting this campaign, which we hope will drive footfall and spend into the town centre in what can often be a quieter month.”

For more information on self-care week and to book places, visit the Harrogate BID website here.

Missing Harrogate teenager found

North Yorkshire Police has said a missing Harrogate teenager has been found.

A police statement today said the girl, who was reported missing this morning, was found “safe and well”.

We have updated this article to anonymise the details of the girl.

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Person suffers leg injury following Bishop Thornton crash

A person was injured following a crash near Bishop Thornton this morning.

A witness told the Stray Ferret the collision happened at a crossroads on Fountains Road near the village.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue incident log said the collision happened at 10:12am. It said:

“Both Harrogate crews responded to a road traffic collision involving two vehicles.

“All casualties were out on arrival when fire crews arrived.”

The service added that crews helped with “scene safety” and causalities were transported to hospital in an ambulance.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the injured person suffered a “possible broken leg”.

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Council approves staff accommodation plan at Follifoot equestrian centre

North Yorkshire Council has approved a plan to convert stables at Follifoot Park Riding Centre into accommodation for staff.

The stables that will be converted into a one-bedroom flat are currently home to three horses. The proposal will also see a barn extended to replace the space lost in the conversion.

The family-run equestrian centre near Harrogate has been in operation since 1986 and offers riding tuition for beginners to advanced riders.

It’s also home to the Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group and Follifoot Park Young Riders club.

The centre has 36 stables, an indoor arena, outdoor flood-lit menage, function and teaching rooms, as well as a simulator horse to practice riding.

However in a statement submitted to the council by applicants Mr and Mrs Pedley, it says the business does not offer significant salaries so an accommodation package is important for staff retention.

It will mean staff can be on site around the clock to check on horses and deter thieves.

According to the statement, there was a recent incident at the centre where three men in balaclavas attempted to steal a quad bike and there have been numerous other break-in attempts.

The statement added: 

“The application property would be offered to one of the three full time staff members who currently commute from outside the Harrogate district and cannot afford to move closer due to house prices.

“This would then provide two full time members of staff on site and alleviate some of the pressure of the applicant’s family to cover such a significant operation.”

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Government rejects 5G mast plan in Harrogate

The government has rejected a bid to install a new 5G mast in Harrogate.

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, proposed installing the mast on Park Parade.

It submitted the plan to the former Harrogate Borough Council in November 2022.

The developer said the proposal would help to “improved network coverage and capacity” in the area.

However, the council rejected the plan on the grounds it would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the site.

The telecommunications company took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate and challenged the refusal.

However, in a decision notice, Mr N Teasdale, a planning inspector, rejected the appeal.

He said the proposal on balance would fail to enhance the character of the area and that the company had not demonstrated that the site was the only viable option for the mast.

He said:

“On the basis of the evidence in front of me and my own observations on site, I have found that the proposed development would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.

“It has not been demonstrated that the appeal site represents the only viable option.

“Therefore, notwithstanding the need to upgrade the network and assist the government’s digital connectivity vision along with the associated benefits, the harm that would arise from the siting and appearance of the development would not be outweighed by the overall need in this location.”

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The decision is the latest refusal for a 5G mast installation in Harrogate.

In September 2023, a government planning inspector rejected a bid to erect a 20-metre high 5G mast overlooking the Stray.

The proposal was also submitted by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd.

The inspector acknowledged the mast would boost poor 5G coverage in Harrogate but ruled it would also be “a conspicuous and intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

Sisters to open oxygen therapy and skincare clinics in Harrogate

Two East Yorkshire sisters are set to open a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic and a skincare clinic on the same site in Harrogate.

The Heal-Air and Pure Skin Clinic will both be located in the former Dangerfield & Keane salon on Cold Bath Road but operate as two separate businesses.

The Heal-Air will operate hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers, which will allow customers to breathe in almost pure pressurised oxygen.

Owner Tara Hickson told the Stray Ferret this increased the level of oxygen the body can absorb, meaning more oxygenated blood flows through the body.

She said:

“Although it is not a guaranteed fix for anyone, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help increase blood flow, reduce pain, improve sleep and increase stem cell activation.

“It has also been found to help with conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, long covid and Parkinson’s disease.”

Ms Hickson set up The Heal-Air with her partner in 2021 after struggling with long covid.

She said she suffered with fatigue, headaches and brain fog and was recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers:

“I did my research into it; I looked on forums and websites and found lots of people saying it helped with long covid.

“It helped me so much – I’m pretty much cleared of symptoms now.

“I want people to have the same experience as I did.”

The pair previously had a clinic in Hull but decided to relocate to Harrogate after “falling in love with the area”.

Ms Hickson added:

“We’re really excited about opening and we feel Cold Bath Road is a great spot for the clinic.

“We’re also just looking forward to welcoming people and for them to feel the benefits of this service – I know I certainly did.”

The Heal-Air hopes to be open by mid-January. Appointment-only services will be available Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm.

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Skin Clinic

Pure Skin Clinic, situated just across the hall from The Heal-Air, will offer a range of skin treatments.

Owner Jade Hickson said people can expect “state-of-the-art laser treatments and the newest advancements in bio-chemical cellular renewal”, adding:

“Our treatments slow down the ageing process whilst having the cutting-edge technology to turn the clock back altogether.

“We pride ourselves in undertaking sympathetic but effective treatments that deliver results, whilst helping people love the skin they are in, assisting them as they learn to care for it.

“We also offer facials, consultations for skin conditions, general advice, massage therapy and so much more.”

After leaving a career in the army to have her daughter, Ms Hickson said she struggled to find a job that offered the flexibility she required as a new parent.

That was when she looked into laser technology and became captivated by human physiology, she added.

“I decided to re-enter part time education and gained a diploma in anatomy and physiology. In the years since I progressed to senior technician and continued to study and advance my education in the science behind the skin.

“I knew that I wanted to continue to invest into myself and so in 2018 I opened the first Pure Skin Clinic in East Yorkshire.”

Ms Hickson said the “time is right” to bring her business to Harrogate.

She said:

“As a little girl I would visit Harrogate with my mother and grandmother and I remember the huge Stray, the quaint side streets, and of course visits to Betty’s tea rooms!

“The pace of life felt tranquil, the people friendly, and the town has a style and elegance which makes it a perfect setting for an aesthetics clinic.

“When I met my fiancé, who also happened to live in Harrogate, it felt the stars had aligned and Harrogate was the natural choice for Pure.”

Pure Skin Clinic Harrogate will open on January 15. It will be open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, and Thursdays from 10am – 8pm.

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company acquires Newcastle financial firm

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a Newcastle-based financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired Stephen McDine Limited, which is a financial advice business.

The move comes as the Knaresborough firm completed the acquisition of fellow finance company, RMB Financial Management Ltd, in October 2023.

Niall Gunn, chief executive officer and founder of Prosperis Ltd, said: 

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business, allowing us to continue to provide clients with an excellent level of service going forward.

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will greatly benefit all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the Northeast as we continue with our growth plans.”

Council leaders to address Harrogate business event

North Yorkshire Council bosses are set to address business leaders in the Harrogate district a year on from devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the authority, will give a presentation at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on January 15.

The speeches are expected to cover how devolution has progressed in North Yorkshire since last year.

Held at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, the event will be open to both chamber members and business owners in the district.

The evening will start at 5.30pm and people can register to attend here.

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Harrogate Ice Rink organiser says it has ‘no plans’ to return this year

The company operating the Harrogate Ice Rink has revealed it won’t be returning to the town this year.

York-based Events by Cynosure is running the rink in collaboration with Destination Harrogate, North Yorkshire Council’s tourism body, in Crescent Gardens.

The venture is in the second of a three-year deal between the two organisations.

However, John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret the ice rink will not be returning for the next festive season. He said:

“We have no plans to return for 2024 due to the losses sustained this year from the weather and lack of footfall in the area.”

The news comes after the company faced criticism from customers about the condition of the ice and poor customer service.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday on complaints from some unhappy customers, one of whom described the surface as “extremely dangerous” and said the “rusty blades” had not been maintained.

One customer described the rink as “wet and rippled”.

Mr Lowery said the company had “suffered like all outdoor ice rinks” following adverse weather conditions throughout December, which led it to close eight times in just over a month.

The rink opened on December 1 and will run until Sunday, January 7.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council to respond to the complaints made by readers and also whether it would comment on Events by Cynosure’s announcement that its deal would end a year early. But it declined to comment.

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