Firefighters used breathing apparatus to deal with a kitchen fire that broke out in Harrogate last night.
Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge were called to Grange Avenue, which is one of the roads between Skipton Road and King’s Road, at 9.37pm.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:
“The fire had started under the kitchen units, believed to have been caused by faulty wiring.
“Crews entered the property wearing breathing apparatus and used one hose reel jet to extinguish. They then assisted with ventilating the property using a positive pressure ventilation fan.
“The fire caused approximately 15% fire damage to the kitchen units and smoke logging throughout the property.”
Read more:
‘Without my carer I’d be a mess’ – Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal aims to raise money for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, we hear from members of the charity’s singing group.
“Dementia Forward has been such a lifeline for us.”
These are the words of so many people who have been helped – and continue to be helped – by Dementia Forward.
It supports people living with dementia, and their carers who may be struggling to do their best to help them.
However, in reality, hundreds of families are fighting a losing battle with this condition. It is robbing people of their former selves daily – and none of us can stop it.
The Stray Ferret hopes to raise £30,000 to buy the charity a new minibus but we’re still a long way off our target – and we need your help.
We know times are hard, but please donate whatever you can to this vital cause.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward. It will fund a new minibus and improve the lives of people living with dementia and those around them.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Let’s not forget those who need our help this Christmas.
Thank you.
Christmas Markets: a guide to the Harrogate districtThe festive season is fast approaching, so we’ve collated a list of all the Christmas markets taking place across the Harrogate district.
If you know of one that we have missed, please email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we can add it.
Harrogate
Harrogate Christmas Fayre
The 17-day Christmas market will return to Cambridge Street this year.
There will be a variety of traders, selling festive foods and gifts, as well as live music and entertainment.
It will run from December 1 to December 17 and will be open daily.
The market will take place from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.
Harrogate Ice Rink at Crescent Gardens
The fairground and ice rink will return to Crescent Gardens this year.
There will be a carousel and a collection of small rides for children to enjoy, as well as some market stalls.
It will run from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
The ice rink and attractions will open from 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays and 11am to 8.45pm on weekends.
Harrogate Festive Artisan Market
The Valley Gardens will also host a Christmas market again this December.
Little Bird Market has arranged for vendors to sell a range of food and drinks, as well as Christmas gifts.
Market days are Saturday (10am – 5pm) and Sunday (10am – 4pm) between December 2 – 17.
Christmas Market at Harrogate Horticultural Nursery
The Harrogate Horticultural Nursery will run a two-day Christmas market in November.
On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, there will be a range of Christmas plants, gifts and Christmas trees on offer.
It will be open 9.30am – 3.30pm and entry is free.
St Wilfrid’s Church Christmas Fair
St Wilfrid’s Church, on Duchy Road, will host a Christmas fair.
Gifts, art, clothing and food and drink will be on offer.
There will also be a free film screening for families from 4pm, with a welcome drink and snack for children.
It will run on Sunday, December 10 from 11am – 4pm.
Entry is free.
Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the film screening.
St Wilfrid’s Church – Christingle-making
St Wilfrid’s Church is also hosting a christingle-making session.
The event will be held in the Parish Hall and will be followed by a crib service at 5pm.
It will begin at 4pm on Sunday, December 24.
Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the christingle-making session.
North Bar Christmas Market
North Bar is hosting a “keep it local” Christmas Market.
Stalls will be inside the bar with 20 traders selling a range of art, knitted and crocheted good, jewellery and more.
There will also be charity stalls to raise money for Harrogate Cat Rescue.
The event will include a table ran by Artventurers of Harrogate and Knaresborough for children to enjoy.
Mulled wine and food will be served accompanied by live music.
The event is free and will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 6pm.
Country Living Christmas Fair Harrogate
Country Living is holding a Christmas Fair at Harrogate Convention Centre.
The fair will include gift stalls which will include artisan designers, independent producers and small businesses.
There will also be workshops and a food hall.
The event will be held from November 30 to December 3.
Ripley Christmas Market
A Christmas market run by Real Markets will be held in the grounds of Ripley Castle.
The event will take place on Sunday, December 10, from 10am until 3pm.
It will include 40 independent and artisan traders, as well as festive carols from local school children and craft activities.
The market is free to attend.
Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity — Outdoor Pop up Christmas Market at Harrogate Railway AFC
The Christmas market will offer a range of stalls offering arts, crafts and handmade jewellery, as well as food and drink vendors.
There will be live music, donkeys and even a Father Christmas grotto to enjoy.
The event will be held on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm at Harrogate Railway AFC.
All proceeds will go towards supporting staff, patients and families at Harrogate District Hospital.
Tickets are available now for a donation of £5 per adult and £2 for children over three — U3’s go free.
Tickets include a drink and a mince pie on arrival.
Starbeck Christmas Fair
Starbeck Christmas Fair, which will be held at St Andrew’s Church, will offer more than 30 stalls selling festive goods.
St Andrew’s Choir will be singing, followed by a performance from the Summerbell Dance Academy.
The Starbeck Christmas lights will be switched on just before 6pm, where mince pies will be handed out.
Harrogate Theatre Choir will then lead a festive sing-along.
It will take place on Saturday, November 25 from 2pm – 6pm.
St John’s & St Luke’s Churches Christmas Fair
St Luke’s Church, in Franklin Square is hosting a Christmas fair this December.
There will be a range of stalls selling jams, plants, jewellery, books, gifts and more.
Light refreshments will also be on offer.
The fair will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 10:30am – 1pm.
Admission is £3 and includes coffee and cake. Accompanied children go free.
Bilton Area Methodist Church Christmas Fayre
The church will host 16 craft stalls for its Christmas fayre.
Coffee, cake, festive sandwiches and soup will all be on offer.
There will also be a Christmas hamper raffle and a lucky dip for children.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 25, from 10am – 3pm.
West Park & St Paul’s Churches Community Carol Service
A community carol service will take place at the West Park United Reform Church, on Victoria Avenue, in December.
There will be plenty of carols to sing followed by coffee and mince pies.
Anyone is welcome.
The service will be held on Friday, December 22 at 5pm.
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food and Gift Fair
The cathedral will host more than 100 stalls during its Christmas fair.
There will be hot turkey sandwiches, mulled wine and Christmas gifts on offer.
The event will take place on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and U16s go free.
There is also a free park and ride available.
Little Bird Christmas Artisan Market
Little Bird will offer a variety of stalls in the Market Square.
There will be homewares, personalised gifts, toys and food and drinks on offer.
It will take place on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm.
Ripon Community Christmas Craft Fair
A Christmas market will be on offer at Ripon Community House.
There will be handmade gifts, local produce and arts and crafts.
There will also be a visit from Father Christmas for young ones to enjoy.
All proceeds from the tombola and refreshment area will go towards the Community House.
Entry is 50p and the event will take place from 10am – 3pm on Sunday, November 19.
Late night Christmas shopping
There will also be a late night shopping event around Ripon.
Traders will stay open until 8pm.
It will take place on Thursday, November 30.
Festive Winter Warmer Cruises & Local Makers Market at Canal Basin
The Pride of Ripon will be running festive cruises on the canal this Christmas.
The boat ride, which will be 30 minutes in total, will also include mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles – including brownies and mince pies from The Secret Garden.
Local traders will also have stalls running alongside the boat rides.
It will take place on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17 from 11am — 3pm.
Tickets start at £8.95.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough Christmas Market and fireworks
Knaresborough Christmas Markets will take place around the town’s Market Place.
There will be almost 60 stalls, including festive food, clothing and Christmas gifts.
Live music and entertainment will also be on offer, with performances from a Ukrainian Dance Group, Knaresborough Choral Society and Harrogate Spa St John’s Church Choir.
There will also be a free park and ride for the weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square. Buses will run from 8am to 5.30pm throughout the weekend.
A firework display at the Castle grounds will bring the market weekend to a close.
The markets will run on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.
Nidderdale
Pateley Bridge Late Night Shopping
Pateley Bridge will hold a late-night shopping evening on Friday, December 8.
Local shops will be involved and hand out samples, while children can enjoy the santa’s grotto.
It will begin at 6pm.
St Nicholas Fair at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge
A Christmas fair will be held in Pateley Bridge on Sunday December 2.
There will be a range of stalls selling jewellery, cakes and gifts, as well as a festive tombola and a raffle.
The Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Prize Band will also be performing from noon until 1.30pm.
Admission is £3 and includes a hot drink and a mince pie.
Soup and a roll will be available from noon.
The event starts at 10.30am.
Christmas Big Sing at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge
To continue the festivities, a “big sing” will be held at the church later in the evening on December 2.
Tickets cost £5 on the door and there will also be a raffle.
Tables of 4 or more can be booked in advance by emailing me.mitch@btinternet.com
The bar opens from 6.30pm and the event will run from 7pm – 9pm.
Masham
Masham Christmas Fayre
A traditional Christmas fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.
There will be a variety of gifts available to buy.
The event will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 10am .
SYD Christmas Craft, Vintage and Collectables Fayre
An eclectic Christmas Fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.
There will be two floors of handmade craft, vintage and collectables stalls.
It will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 10am.
Boroughbridge
Late night Christmas shopping
A late-night Christmas shopping event will be held across Boroughbridge.
Shops will stay open late and will compete in a window display competition.
There will also be festive street stalls, a hog roast, choir performances and children’s rides.
Children can also expect a visit from Father Christmas.
The event, which will take place on Wednesday December 6, will be kicked off by the official light switch-on at 5.30pm.
Christmas Fayre — Minskip Village Hall
A Christmas Gift Fayre will be held in Minskip, near Boroughbridge, this month.
The event, which will be held in Minskip Village Hall, will run from 1pm – 4pm.
It will feature a wide range of local traders selling festive gifts, food and homeware, as well as a tombola and refreshments.
All proceeds will go to the local church.
The fayre will be held on Saturday, December 9.
Entry is free.
Villages
Lovingly Made in the Dales — Hampsthwaite
An artisan Christmas market will be held in Hampsthwaite village hall.
There will be more than 20 vendors selling locally-crafted gifts.
Tickets cost £10, which includes a glass of wine and a raffle ticket, and money raised will go towards the Roddy Scott Foundation.
It will take place on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm – 9pm.
Artisan Christmas Market — The Inn at South Stainley
The Inn at South Stainley will host three-days of Christmas markets in November and December.
It will host a range of local sellers.
There will be mulled wine and bratwurst on offer while shopping.
The event is free to attend and will take place on Wednesday, November 29 from 4pm, and December 6 and 13 from 8pm.
The Christmas Kitchen — The Washburn Heritage Centre
The Washburn Heritage Centre will be hosting a Christmas market in December.
There will be a range of stalls selling homemade seasonal goods, including jams, alcohol and sweet treats, baked by the centre’s volunteers.
The Tea Room will also be serving a seasonal menu with hot soup, turkey rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake to enjoy.
The Fewston Musick singers will be performing at the event.
It will take place on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 4pm.
Copt Hewick Christmas Fair
A festive market will be held in Copt Hewick village church and hall on Saturday, December 2.
There will be craft stalls, a tombola and raffle, food and drinks, and even a visit from Father Christmas on a horse-drawn sleigh.
The event will run from 11am – 3pm.
Admission is free.
Read more:
- Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife
- Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: It is our ‘honour’ to be part of the journey, says Vida Healthcare
Yemi’s Food Stories: Spice up your Christmas dinner
People can be frightened by the idea of spice, but spice doesn’t have to mean heat.
In fact, the right spices can elevate any dish and a Christmas meal is no exception.
This week, we’ll look at how to be a little more adventurous this festive season without running the risk of burning your guests’ tongues…
Turkey
As mentioned, spice doesn’t have to equal heat and can often bring a balance of sweet and savoury to your plate.
So, why not try brining your turkey in a spiced solution for a warm and festive flavour?
Just add the meat to water with cloves, star anise, cinnamon, salt and a bit of sugar. Leave to rest and, once cooked, you’ll have a turkey bursting with flavour.
If the sweetness doesn’t appeal to you, you can try something a little more traditional. Add onions, peppercorns, crushed garlic, fresh herbs, grated ginger and salt to the water.
Gravy
To go with your aromatic turkey, you could also add some spices to your gravy for an extra kick.
Begin by using all juices from the meat to make the base of the gravy as flavourful as possible. Then, try adding some grains of selim and grains of paradise to it.
Both have a similar flavour profile to black pepper, while grains of selim have a musky essence which compliments the meaty flavour.
Roasties
I know roast potatoes can be a little polarising in terms of how they’re made; some like a simple olive oil and salt garnish, others like the full-whack with a homemade herb salt and goose fat.
No matter how you like them, I can guarantee a little added spice will take your roasties to the next level.
I like to add some urfa biber chilli flakes to my potatoes — a sweet and smokey chilli with an added kick. This is a simple step that will really elevate your dish.
If you’re wanting to go one step further, try making a spiced oil using a mix of black and white mustard seeds.
I then add shallots and spring onions, chilli flakes, mixed herbs and a pinch of smoked sea salt before grinding it together.
With so many flavours involved, your guests will be begging you for the recipe, I’m sure!
Yemi’s sara saffron and thyme crème brûlée.
Dessert
I’d recommend adding sara saffron to your puddings this year.
It pairs well with cream-based desserts, like panna cotta, ice cream or crème brûlée, and creates a lovely golden colour.
Top any of the above with raspberries and you have a perfectly light but indulgent dessert.
There is no end to the flavours you can create once you start experimenting with spices – and I hope you add a little more spice to your Christmas this year.
Read more:
- Yemi’s Food Stories: My inexpensive kitchen gadget Christmas wish list
- Yemi’s Food Stories: My festive favourites from local suppliers
New butchers to open on Harrogate’s King’s Road tomorrow
A new butchers shop will open in Harrogate tomorrow.
The Harrogate Butcher, which has taken on the former Ramus Seafood site, will be owner Daniel Brady’s first solo venture.
Mr Brady, who is originally from the Midlands but has lived in Harrogate for the last 15 years, said he will bring a mix of traditional Anglo-French, American BBQ and Asian-style butchery to the town.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I’ve been a butcher for almost 10 years in Harrogate.
“My background has always been food-related. I grew up in a pub that served food and was always involved in the kitchen from a very young age.
“I’ve worked as a chef in kitchens across Yorkshire but this is my first butchers shop that I’ve opened.”
The Harrogate Butcher will focus on locally-sourced meat and products, with pork, lamb, beef and chicken on offer. But Mr Brady said he “won’t shy away” from international meats, such as Japanese wagyu, Spanish Iberico pork and American meat cuts.
He added:
“The focus will be on high welfare, high quality, delicious meat.
“The inspiration for the business was mainly due to my passion for butchery and high-quality produce.”
There will also be a range of prepared food on offer once the shop gets going, Mr Brady added, including dauphinoise potatoes, curries, homemade kimchi and sauces.
As well as butchery, Mr Brady said another driving factor for his new venture was his family.
After working as a freelance chef, he realised he needed “more stability and less late nights” to get home and read his young children bedtime stories.
He also said:
“This project has been in the pipe line for almost 18 months at this location, but I got the lease five months ago.
“I waited so long as I really love this historical Harrogate building that has been providing the local community with food since at least the 70s.
“I have taken on most of the renovations myself, from plastering, tiling, plumbing, decorating. It’s been a tough five months but I’m really happy with how it’s looking.
“I can’t wait to get open and start serving the beloved people of Harrogate.”
The Harrogate Butcher will open from 9am tomorrow.
It will be open every day in the lead up to Christmas. In the New Year it will be open 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Read more:
- Harrogate magic show venue approved – subject to noise plan
- £15m bid to transform Harrogate’s Grove House into care home approved
£15m bid to transform Harrogate’s Grove House into care home approved
A £15 million transformation of Harrogate’s Grove House into a major new care home and community facility has finally been approved.
Grove House, a grade two listed building opposite the fire station on Skipton Road, was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.
It was later used as a hospital during the First World War and as the headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
Harrogate’s Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, bought the six-acre site from the Buffaloes for more than £3m in 2017.
Samson Fox lived at Grove House.
Plans were submitted five years ago to create what Mr Lee calls “the holy grail of care”, combining high quality facilities for residents with extensive community use.
Now, after a lengthy planning process, North Yorkshire Council has published a decision notice approving the application, subject to conditions.
It means Grove House can undergo extensive conversion work to create a care home consisting of 24 flats. In addition, a 62-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s will be built on land alongside Grove House.
How the site will look.
An aerial view of the site.
Grove House, which is hidden from traffic on Skipton Road, has stood derelict for years.
Talking about the project last year, Mr Lee said schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School will be invited to participate in activities alongside residents and use the gardens for study and play, and the site would also host an annual garden party for the community.
He said it would become “one of the best examples of developing relationships between older people and young people in the UK”.
Mr Lee’s company already owns seven care homes, including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate,
Read more:
- Hot Seat: The Harrogate man leading the way in luxury care
- Harrogate’s Crimple bought by Weetons food hall owner
Harrogate’s Crimple bought by Weetons food hall owner
The Stray Ferret understands that the owner of Harrogate firm Weetons has bought Crimple, the garden centre, food hall and gift shop in Pannal.
Crimple underwent a £6 million refurbishment and rebranding in 2021.
It’s not known how much the TGH Property Group, which is owned by Tim Whitworth, has paid to acquire Crimple.
Weetons on West Park
TGH, which is based at Bramham, near Wetherby, also owns Weetons, whose flagship Harrogate food hall on West Park opened 20 years ago.
Last year it also began operating in Leeds.
We will bring further details of this story when available.
Read More:
- Crimple applies to serve alcohol and play music until 2am
- Well-known Harrogate family business mourns death of founder
Harrogate magic show venue approved — subject to noise plan
A planning application to convert a former Harrogate music studio into a magic show venue has been approved — subject to conditions.
Magician Neil Bradley-Smith applied to change the use of Blue Sky Music Studio on Mayfield Grove in September.
He told the Stray Ferret in October he proposed to turn the site into a “speakeasy-style” entertainment venue to perform live shows, adding:
“I’d like to partition the venue and make the first room an entirely interactive magic show.
“For example, I’d have a deck of cards stuck to the wall which would then be used in the show later on.
“Then, the other half of the venue would become a 1920s-style parlour where I’d perform traditional card tricks.”
The application was for the change of use from retail to sui generis, which means the use of the venue does not fall into a particular category due to it being unusual.
During consultation, an environmental health officer proposed a condition for controlling noise.
In its decision notice, published yesterday, North Yorkshire Council granted planning permission subject to the development not taking place “until a scheme has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority that specifies the provisions that will be implemented for the control of noise emanating from the site”.
The council said the measure was being taken to “protect the amenity of the locality, especially for people living and/or working nearby.”
The Stray Ferret contacted Neil Bradley-Smith for a response to the decision, but he did not respond by the time of publication.
Read more:
- Plans submitted to convert Harrogate music studio into magic show venue
- Another Harrogate retail unit could be converted to flats
Business Breakfast: Council hires marketing firm to promote numeracy project
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.
North Yorkshire Council has hired a marketing firm to help promote an adult numeracy project across the county.
Leeds-based The Marketing Optimist has been appointed to help promote the MultiplyNYorks scheme, which is aimed at people aged over 19 who do not have a GCSE in maths at grade C.
The digital marketing agency is supporting the council with marketing strategy, social media marketing, SEO, website design and copy on the programme.
Richard Michie, CEO of The Marketing Optimist, said:
“This project is one of our biggest to date, and we are thrilled to be chosen as the marketing partner for such an important initiative.
“This project requires a thorough, collaborative approach to deliver an extensive multi-channel marketing strategy, as there are over 20 delivery partners across York and North Yorkshire.”
Homebuilder donates wildlife-friendly gifts to Boroughbridge
Homebuilder Barratt Developments Yorkshire West has donated a selection of RSPB wildlife-friendly items to Boroughbridge Allotment Society.
Situated opposite the new Harclay Park and Manor Chase development in Boroughbridge, the society received a selection of bird houses, bee biomes, insect and hedgehog houses to boost their ongoing ecological efforts to protect wildlife.
Boroughbridge Allotment Society was founded in December 2009 to create a space for local people to watch nature thrive.
Geoff Hustwit, secretary at the society, said:
“This donation will help us create valuable habitats for beneficial wildlife which will assist us in developing a sustainable culture on our allotments.”
Sam Wood, sales director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, said:
“We are dedicated to creating green and pleasant places to live, and to giving those living on and around our developments the tools to help nature thrive.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate firm wins dealer excellence award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesses collect chocolate for people in need
- Business Breakfast: Ripon bucks national footfall trend – data
‘I just want my husband back’ – The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, we talked to a woman who cares for her husband.
“I didn’t sign up for this, Mark didn’t sign up for this, and our sons didn’t sign up for this.”
Wendy Thickett is a carer for husband Mark.
Mark, who was a high-flying computer programmer for more than 32 years, was diagnosed with young onset dementia in 2017 in his early 60s.
Within just one year of his diagnosis, Mark lost his job.
Wendy said:
“He was 20 times more intelligent than me; he loved military history and cricket.
“The first sign was that he couldn’t count back from 100 in threes – he could do that with ease before.”
Mark was initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but Wendy wasn’t happy with that and asked for further tests to be done. Finally, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“When Mark was diagnosed, we were given some leaflets, he had his driving licence taken off him and that was it.”
Wendy said Mark managed for around a year, but things began to decline after that.
“Two years ago, he went on a walk and got lost.
“We had to get the police to look for him. When they found him, he didn’t know where he’d been, but he was covered in mud and blood.
“He’d obviously fallen, but he didn’t understand.”
The Time out Together group
Wendy’s father was also living with dementia and was supported by Dementia Forward. Karen, the head of young onset at the charity, reached out to her about Mark’s diagnosis.
After some convincing, Mark agreed to try the Time Out Together group and, six years later, he visits Dementia Forward three times every week.
Wendy added:
“It’s been an absolute lifeline.
“When you’re at the point where you desperately need help, you need the communication Dementia Forward can give.”
However, Wendy said Mark has declined rapidly and is now practically non-verbal. She said:
“It’s like having a two-year-old – I can’t take my eyes off him. I have a 14-month-old granddaughter and, when I have them together, it’s almost like there’s two of them.
“The worst part isn’t even me losing him, it’s knowing my boys are losing their father in front of them – they’re his carers now – they can’t sit and talk about football and cricket like they used to.
“I just want my husband back.”
Despite this, Mark loves his time at Dementia Forward, Wendy said.
He goes on days out with the group and takes part in social events and activities. He has walked with llamas, visited nature reserves, enjoys colouring and, apparently, beats everyone at table tennis.
Mark (left).
Dementia Forward is a lifeline for Wendy and Mark, as well as hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.
That’s why we need your help to ensure the minibus service remains and those living with dementia can access the support they need.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may need Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.