Get out and about with our guide of the top cultural goings-on from 19-21 April.
Now that the weather is finally fine and dry, it’s time to dust off those walking boots and get out into the great outdoors. And this walk is especially for you if you’re an experienced hiker as it’s a 20-mile loop.
Starting in Hampsthwaite, you’ll walk along the River Nidd then onto Brimham Rocks and Ripley Castle, and on it you’ll see all of the springtime sights including the beautiful bluebells of Nidderdale.
Free, 8am, April 20, starting at Hampsthwaite Church, Station Lane, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, HG3 2HB. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on this guided walk.
(Image: Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs)
Unleash your creativity at one of PopUp Painting’s events held at Harrogate’s Major Tom’s Social Bar. Themed on artist Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs, try your hand at painting a masterpiece that you can hang on the walls of your home afterwards.
The two-and-a-half-hour class includes all art supplies, and you can also ask for guidance if you so wish.
£35.99, 3-5.30pm, April 21, Major Tom’s Social Bar, The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB.
You can’t go wrong with a musical, and Sister Act the Musical is especially uplifting. The community production presented by Ripon Amateur Operatic Society tells the story of Deloris van Cartier who witnesses a murder and takes refuge in a convent.
Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior and she turns the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire.
From £20, 7.30pm April 17 – 20, and a matinee at 2.30pm on April 20, Harrogate Theatre, 6 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.
(Image: Pixaby)
Learn the basics of how to use printing blocks at this workshop at St Mark’s Church where you can pick your own pattern to stamp a pattern or a message onto a piece of fabric.
All materials are included, as well as light refreshments.
Free but suggested donation £5, 10am-4.30pm, April 20, St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate, HG2 8AY.
Local author Derek Shelmerdine is co-presenting Harrogate Film Society’s Season 1 of Music Legends.
The first film of the series of four is on Friday night is Hitsville: The Making of Motown that details the golden age of the soul music legend. It looks at the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
Featuring rare performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage offer insight into the history and cultural impact of Motown Records.
£6 or £5 for HFS members, doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm, April 19, Bilton Club, Skipton Road, Harrogate, HG1 4LL.
Also check out… French Impressions that explores music by two of the great French Impressionist composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. It’s on at Ripon Cathedral at 7.30pm on April 20 and tickets cost from £20.
Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk
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The cherry blossom is in full bloom on the Stray, Harrogate
The annual display of cherry blossom is now in full bloom – catch it while you can as you walk along the Stray’s paths.
Here are five fun facts you might not know about the sakura trees…
Email in your images of the blossoms – either in Harrogate or from your local area – for a chance to be featured in our extra-special spring edition of Photo of the Week to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
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A petition has been launched to stop an animal testing company from felling two semi-mature trees in Harrogate.
American healthcare firm Labcorp Drug Development, which was previously known as Covance and has a site on Otley Road, conducts tests on animals, including dogs and mice.
It is frequently the subject of animal rights activists’ protests.
The company has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to fell trees at its Harrogate site.
The application, submitted by agent Arbotech on behalf of the company, says both trees — a Swedish whitebeam and a grey alder — are protected by tree preservation orders, which requires applicants to provide a reason for felling to take place.
A tree report carried out by Boroughbridge environmental consultants Barnes Associates on behalf of Labcorp says the grey alder is “dead” and poses a “moderate risk”. The arboriculturists recommended the tree is felled.
It adds the Swedish whitebeam poses a “slight” risk, but also recommends the tree should be removed.
However, one Harrogate resident is taking action against the application.
Shelagh Dixon, who set up the petition yesterday, told the Stray Ferret she wants to alert people to Labcorp’s plans, as well as its animal testing work in general. She said:
“Labcorp is now hacking down protected trees. The destruction of these trees disrupts local eco-systems and contributes to climate change.
“We cannot stand by while this happens. We need your help. It’s time we hold Labcorp accountable for their actions.”
The proposed visual of the site extension, as submitted by Labcorp at the time.
Ms Dixon also said she fears the tree-felling could lead to plans to expand the drug development site, which she added would mean “more harm would ensue”.
Her concerns follows the former Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to approve plans to refurbish and expand the Otley Road site in February 2022.
Labcorp purchased six vacant buildings in December 2020 and planned to create a new entrance, a one-way system to access the car park and reconfigure the ground and first floors.
However, it is not known whether work has since started on the site.
The Stray Ferret approached Labcorp about the petition and the tree-felling plans, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Ms Dixon’s petition has already received more than 500 signatures. She hopes it will achieve at least 1,000.
North Yorkshire Council will decide on the application at a later date.
New headteacher appointed at Harrogate primary school
Western Primary School in Harrogate has appointed a new headteacher to take over at the end of the academic year.
Johanna Slack will take over from current headteacher Tim Broad, who is to retire.
Ms Slack is currently headteacher at Tang Hall Primary School in York and has over 20 years teaching experience.
She will take charge of Western Primary, which more than 500 children aged from two to 11 attend on Cold Bath Road.
Ms Slack said:
“My leadership style is one that is open and nurturing. It is built from developing strong relationships with everyone in the school community which has mutual respect at its core.
Joining Western Primary School will see me starting my third headship and I am looking forward to bringing to my new role a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge which will support me and the team to continue the improvement journey to ensure all our children are getting the very best we have to offer.”
Ms Slack and Western Primary School
Mr Broad became acting headteacher of Western Primary in January 2020 before his full-time appointment in 2021.
Prior to this, he had worked as a teacher, phase leader and deputy head at the school since September 1999.
Mr Broad said:
“I feel very proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to lead this fantastic school. I have very mixed emotions around the prospect of retirement but feel it is the right time for me, my family and the school.
“I have been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented colleagues over many years, both at Western and within our Trust, and am grateful for their support and for their sustained contribution to our pursuit of excellence for our pupils and families.”
Western Primary is a member of Red Kite Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust of 14 schools across North and West Yorkshire.
Trust chief executive Richard Sheriff said:
“We are indebted to Tim Broad for leading Western through some of the most challenging years any of us have faced. His constant, reassuring presence at the school during the pandemic was a huge comfort to children and parents.
“He has led his wonderful team with skill and moral purpose, ensuring Western has become even stronger under his tenure.”
Campaigner launches crowdfunder to battle Harrogate Spring Water
The woman behind a campaign to stop Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion into Rotary Wood has launched a crowdfunder to raise money for site surveys, monitoring equipment and printing flyers.
The Danone-owned water company has lodged plans with North Yorkshire Council to expand its bottling plant on Harlow Moor Road.
The planning application is expected to be considered by Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors this year.
The firm says a bigger factory will mean it can create 50 new jobs and boost economic output by around £2.3m a year to £6.2m a year.
But Sarah Gibbs, who regularly wears a tree costume to highlight her opposition to the plans, argues the company will destroy a “well-used and well-loved” woodland that is enjoyed by the local community.
Rotary Wood is part of the Pinewoods and was planted by schoolchildren in the 2000s. Ms Gibbs’ GoFundMe crowdfunder has a goal of £3,000 and is currently at £200. You can read more about it here.
Ms Gibbs said:
“Rotary Wood supports a variety of flora and fauna, including protected species and local priority species. Our woodland is now at the stage for optimal carbon sequestration, supporting a sustainable future.
“Our woodland is still under threat from Harrogate Spring Water’s development plans. Harrogate Spring Water intends to expand its existing single-use plastic water bottling plant into our community woodland.”
Harrogate Spring Water secured outline planning permission for the scheme in 2017, which remains valid, but the reserved matters stage deals with its appearance, size and crucially — trees.
Around 450 trees planted by local schoolchildren in an area of the Pinewoods called Rotary Wood would be chopped down to make way for the expansion.
This led to a previous reserved matters application being refused by the council in 2021 amid widespread public opposition and negative attention in the national press.
This time, the company hopes to win over critics in a new reserved matters application by planting an additional 1,200 trees on two acres of land next to Rotary Wood and to the rear of the existing Harrogate Spring Water HQ.
Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said he hopes the new woodland will become a “valued resource” for the local community for years to come.
The National Shooting Show is back for 2024 – here’s what you need to know
This story is sponsored by The National Shooting Show.
Fieldsports fans are in for a treat if they go along to the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate from May 11-12, 2024 where The National Shooting Show (NSS) is being held.
Clay shooting, airgunning, HFT shooting, practical shooting and fullbore target shooting are all on offer. For non-shooters there are working dog displays, ferreting, falconry, archery and axe throwing too – the event promises to be an event the whole family can enjoy.
You may have known of the National Shooting Show under its previous guise as The Northern Shooting Show, so why the name change?
James Gower, CEO of organisers Stable Events explained:
“We looked where visitors to the show were coming from and rather than being focused on the north, people were coming from all over the UK – from London to Cornwall, Wales and the Midlands.
“So it was obviously a show of national interest and we changed the name to illustrate this. There are no plans to take it down south – we’ve also signed up for Harrogate in 2025 too.”
Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of the NSS is that it enables visitors to try guns and optics outside on a range and see how kit they’re interested in buying handles.
(Image: The National Shooting Show)
Key figures from the worlds of stalking, keeping, clay shooting, wild food, gun dog training and pigeon shooting are acting as ‘ambassadors’ for the NSS. All will be present at the NSS, giving talks and on hand to answer questions and give useful tips.
Ever fancied trying a .50 calibre rifle? Well, that’s just one of the experiences on offer, thanks to the Fifty Calibre Shooters Association (UK), which is offering visitors a rare chance to learn how to handle, load and aim a .50 calibre rifle under careful instruction.
Airsoft devotees will be pleased to hear that this fast-paced combat game is on offer at the Airsoft experience.
Watching a well-trained gun dog at work is a joy and Kirkbourne Spaniels will be running the BASC-sponsored scurry, as well as holding a working test competition. There is also a dog creche run by a qualified vet.
(Image: The National Shooting Show)
In the symposium area, figures from the world of fieldsports will be discussing the hot topics of the day. It is the perfect place to sit back, watch and listen when a rest is in order.
The Shooting Lodge is a great place to catch up with friends over a pint and a new cafe area will be offering wild game and venison.
Those searching for culinary inspiration will find it in BASC Hunter’s Kitchen, where game chefs will create new dishes for all levels of cookery skills, using nature’s larder.
The Swan on Devonshire Place in Harrogate is to be rebranded by new owners.
The Harrogate pub will reopen as The Mucky Duck, under the ownership of Appetite for Life Ltd.
The company also run SO! bars in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, the Devonshire Tap House in Harrogate and Tap On Tower Street in Harrogate.
The High Harrogate venue was previously owned by Market Town Taverns, a Harrogate company which operates a chain of pubs in Yorkshire and north-west England.
An application for a pavement licence has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council by Robert Thompson, who is named as the licensee of Appetite for Life Ltd on Companies House. He and Alison Thompson are the new owners of the venue.
The application, which was submitted at the start of the month, is for ‘the ability to place several tables and chairs outside the front of the premises for the sale of food, drinks and alcohol’.
The new signage is set to go up this week with the pub expected to open in May, although there is no confirmed date at this time.
Mr Thompson said:
“We knew the area lacked a good quality pub, serving great freshly prepared British & pub classics with a modern flare, great familiar beers, and a proper friendly welcome, so that’s what we plan to do”.
“We have made Harrogate our home since the mid-nineties and knew the pub was known as The Black Swan before it was the Swan on the Stray but was affectionately known as the Mucky Duck by locals. We wanted to modernise the pub a bit, but with a nod to its past, hence adopting the locals nickname for the pub”.
Developer appeals decision to refuse 53 homes in Harrogate
A property developer has launched an appeal after its bid to build 53 homes in Harrogate was refused.
Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee rejected plans for the homes off Knox Lane in the Bilton area in September last year.
Now Teesside developer Jomast has appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which means the council faces a potentially costly legal battle.
Jomast’s appeal form indicates it has opted for an inquiry rather than a hearing or written representations.
It expects the inquiry to last four days and to call witnesses in the fields of planning, highways, design, landscape and ecology
The document says the 3.2-hectare site is owned by the Greenbank family near Boroughbridge.
The council must now decide whether to contest the appeal.
It is the latest round in the long running campaign to build homes off Knox Lane, which has been fiercely resisted by local people.
The site earmarked for houses.
A 45-page report by council case officer Andy Hough before last September’s planning meeting said the application was “considered to now be in compliance with development plan policy” and should be approved.
But councillors cited concerns about land contamination and the lack of a travel plan to go against Mr Hough’s recommendation. The site is alongside a narrow cul-de-sac and not close to a bus route.
Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting. He said:
“There have been over 500 objections to this application from residents. Not because they are ‘nimbys’, but because they believe the council is making a mistake.”
Independent candidate Keith Tordoff has said he will aim to pay compensation to businesses affected by the A59 closure if he becomes mayor of York and North Yorkshire.
The main route between Skipton and Harrogate has been shut since February due to a landslip. It’s led to a lengthy diversion through Ilkley and Otley with the road not likely to reopen until June.
Last month the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited Dalesway Cafe near Skipton. Owner Kate Bailey described the current period as “heartbreaking” for her business. The closure has led to a £2,000 decrease in earnings, forced her to cut the opening hours and led to four members of staff being let go.
Other businesses that have been affected include Mackenzie’s Farm Shop in Blubberhouses, The Outside Inn near Harrogate, Billy Bob’s Parlour near Halton East and The Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey.
However, this month North Yorkshire Council poured cold water on any hopes of businesses receiving compensation and instead said it would offer “general business advice” to those affected.
Mr Tordoff, who is a former police detective and previously owned The Oldest Sweet Shop In The World in Pateley Bridge, told the LDRS that he plans to create a mayoral fund which businesses could apply for compensation from.
He said wealthy people, businesses and charities would pay into this pot of money that would be used to invest in the region.
It would be separate from the £18 million a year the mayor will get from the government and he hoped to raise £5m for the fund in his first year.
Mr Tordoff said he has already emailed Ms Bailey about her plight. He said compensation would likely be a “nominal” one-off amount but would show “that somebody actually does care”.
He said:
“My heart goes out to the business affected. It’s been an absolute disgrace. There are huge detours and the signage is terrible. There are so many issues. If I am elected, I’ll be fighting on their behalf.
“I will access funding and try and support them. There’s no guarantee, but as a small business owner myself it’s appalling what they’ve put up with.”
Alternatively, Mr Tordoff said he could also launch a crowdfunding campaign where individuals could pledge money that would be redistributed to affected businesses.
He accused North Yorkshire Council of “incompetence” regarding the closure.
Regarding compensation, the council’s corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby said earlier this month:
“We appreciate that the closure of the A59 is having a significant impact on businesses, commuters and residents, and we sincerely apologise for this disruption.
“There is no legal requirement under the Highways Act to pay compensation as a result of disruption caused by highways works, but we are doing all we can to complete the repair as quickly and safely as possible.
“In the meantime, we are speaking to individual local businesses to see if they would like general business advice. We will keep the public updated as work progresses.”
The York and North Yorkshire mayoral election will take place on May 2. The candidates are as follows:
Amber’s at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate is now open.
The hotel, which has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment over the last 12 months, has invested £500,000 into the venture.
Yorkshire-based interior design practice, Studio Two, orchestrated its redesign and renovation, which has been designed to elevate the usual hotel restaurant experience. Inspired by the building’s rich history, think ornate detailing, earthy warm tones, and intricate details.
Offering a Yorkshire take on contemporary British cuisine in a sophisticated setting, the chefs have been working closely with local suppliers to design a carefully curated menu.
Beef brisket at Amber’s
Dishes include 28-day dry aged steaks Hereford breed beef, sourced locally from Sykes House Farm, Wetherby, roasted Gressingham duck breast and Sunday lunches with all the trimmings.
Meanwhile, its bar offers a mixture of traditional and modern drinks and includes the signature Amber’s margarita cocktail, which is made with pineapple tequila, agave syrup and lime juice. This is inspired by Lady Amber Fitzwilliam and her travels to South America, a fictional character, which has been invented to add depth and intrigue to the backstory of the new restaurant.
The private dining room at Amber’s
Alongside its main restaurant and bar which seats 75 people, there is a newly created private dining and entertaining venue, The Imaginarium, which offers capacity for up to 28 people, and the refreshed banqueting venue, known as The Queen Suite, has a capacity of up to 250 people.
The main dining room at Amber’s
Wayne Topley, Managing Director, Cedar Court said:
“It is fantastic to finally be able to share our brand-new restaurant, Amber’s, with guests, visitors and members of the local community after months of hard work.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our event on Tuesday 16 April to showcase what we have been working on, celebrate and make connections!”
Amber’s Restaurant, Cedar Court Harrogate, Park Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5AH.
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