Starbeck tap dancers take part in world record bid

Forty dancers from Starbeck took part in a bid to break the world record yesterday for the largest number of people to perform the same tap routine at multiple venues simultaneously.

Children and adults from Summerbell Dance Academy took to the floor of the Victoria suite at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate as part of BBC Children in Need’s fundraising activities.

The youngest tapper was aged two and the oldest was 86.

They performed a routine they had been learning since September to Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

The figures are being collated today to see whether the tapathon world record of 7,596 was beaten.

Regardless of whether the target was achieved, the local dancers managed to raise £380 for Children in Need.

Performing their routine at the Crown Hotel.

Jennie Summerbell, the principal of Summerbell Dance Academy, said:

“It was a national initiative but it gave us a challenge and something to aim for.”

Summerbell Dance Academy, which is based at St Andrew’s church hall in Starbeck, has 200 students.

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A Christmas Networking Extravaganza at Starlings Bar and Kitchen

The festive season is nearly upon us, and what better way to kick off the fun than by attending a Christmas networking event at Starling Bar and Kitchen in Harrogate on November 30th.

This promises to be an evening filled with laughter, good company, and the spirit of giving, all in support of the Christmas appeal for Dementia Forward.

The highlight of the evening will be a fun Christmas quiz, adding a competitive edge to the networking experience. Gather your colleagues and friends to form teams and put your Christmas knowledge to the test. The winning team will not only earn bragging rights but will also each take home a delectable hamper filled with Mr. Stanley’s fudge and sweet goodies. It’s the perfect way to blend merriment with a touch of friendly competition.

In the true spirit of giving, the event will also feature a raffle with an array of fantastic prizes generously donated by local companies.

The proceeds from the raffle will contribute to the Christmas appeal for Dementia Forward, making this evening not just about professional connections but also about making a positive impact in the community.

Among the coveted prizes up for grabs are Cloud Nine hair straighteners, ensuring you’ll be in style for all Christmas events. The Inn Collection Group has contributed a £55 dinner voucher, providing the perfect excuse for a festive night out. If you’re looking to bring the holiday spirit into your home, Jules B has donated a luxurious Dr. Vranjes Firenze diffuser worth a whopping £350.

For those seeking a more active experience, there’s the opportunity to win 2 hours free at Surge Padel, a thrilling and engaging sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate the family ticket to watch the Leeds Knights, a fantastic ice hockey team that promises an exciting evening for all.

For a touch of magic, win 2 tickets to the enchanting Harlow Carr Christmas Glow event, where the gardens come alive with festive lights and decorations. Finally, the Christmas bundle from Sophie Allport is a delightful addition, ensuring your home is adorned with charming and seasonal decorations.

Starling Bar and Kitchen is the perfect venue for this festive gathering, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for networking and celebration in the heart of Harrogate.

Gather your colleagues and friends, and join us at Starlings Bar and Kitchen for a night of networking, laughter, and giving.

Click or tap here to register your ticket now, as space is limited.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency wins contract

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

A Harrogate marketing agency has won a contract with a luxury car financial broker.

The Big Bamboo Agency, which is based at Windsor House, has been appointed by Apollo Capital to oversee its communications.

The company will be tasked with overseeing Apollo’s PR, social media strategy and implementation as well as brand, design and community positioning work.

Nicola Stamford, founding director of Big Bamboo, said:

“We are thrilled to have been appointed by Apollo Capital, which is a leading player in its field.

“The company’s story is an impressive one, led by a very passionate and inspirational CEO, managing director and wider team – all of whom we look forward to working with.”

Small businesses offered £10,000 grants

Small businesses in the Harrogate district are being urged to bid for up to £10,000 of funding.

The fund, administered by North Yorkshire Council through the North Yorkshire UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), is focused on increasing business growth, productivity and resilience.

Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available.

Micro businesses, with less than 10 employees, and small firms with less than 50 employees can also access free support beyond the grant through the business advisory teams at the council and the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Cllr Carl Les, council leader and chair of the shared prosperity fund board, said:

“We are delighted to open up this funding stream, which we hope will be accessed by all – sole traders, start-ups, home businesses and social enterprises as well as landlords and people looking to diversify their farm businesses and limited companies.”

For more information on how to apply for the grants, visit the North Yorkshire Council website here.

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Stray Views: ‘Shame’ on councillors who voted for allowance rise

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

How dare they give themselves a pay rise at this time. They already all got a rise when everything went to Northallerton because they were going to have more responsibility with the wider district to cover. 

Then instead of the economies of scale and savings we were promised we find they have given us £25 million debt. Shame on them.

Diane Stokes, Starbeck

Briggate would be fixed quicker in Northallerton

I have just read John Plummer’s article on the lack of progress with the roadworks on Briggate, Knaresborough

I believe that Ms Burnham is being somewhat economical with the truth when she states that the work will take until Christmas to complete but only begin in a few weeks time. There are only 25 working days until Christmas.

I also believe that had this happened in Northallerton – it would have been fixed in September. It is not equitable to leave local council tax payers ‘simply’ having to put up with the daily misery of the situation which currently has no committed end in sight

Having examined the collapse closely myself, the rubble could easily be removed – thus freeing up the road again. Despite significant rainfall and gale force winds since September it has shown no further signs of collapse. I note also that the houses above have not been evacuated nor the footpath itself closed to pedestrians. The situation could then be monitored regularly until such time as the work could be carried out.

And bad weather can’t be blamed for lack of progress either since it hasn’t prevented significant , planned gas works from being carried out on Aspin Lane etc

Ultimately the situation appears to boil down to the council’s apathy or disinterest in sorting this problem out for local taxpayers.

Alice Woolley, Knaresborough

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Thanks to Connexions Buses

Connexions Buses have ended their X1A and B services Harrogate to Knaresbrough estates.

I would like to thank them for their reliable service over the past years and the friendly drivers who always would wait for us older passengers to be seated and wish them all the best for their future employment.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Bilton Grange remains a ‘good’ school, says Ofsted

Bilton Grange Primary School in Harrogate has retained its ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

The findings were published in a report on Thursday, following an inspection in October.

It comes after the school was rated ‘good’ in 2018. Ofsted carries out short routine inspections every four years to confirm schools previously assessed as ‘good’ have maintained standards.

Government inspectors said the school, which is part of the Yorkshire Collaborative Academy Trust, is a “very happy place to learn” and found “pupils are proud to be themselves”.

The report added:

“The school has established a curriculum that helps pupils to secure a deep knowledge of the subjects that they encounter.

“Leaders have established an extra-curricular offer that significantly enriches pupils’ learning.

“Learning is brought to life by visits and trips, as well as the clubs on offer. Many pupils attend the exceptional school choir. They enjoy the frequent opportunities to rehearse and perform. Pupils participate with pride and enthusiasm.”

Behaviour is exemplary, inspectors added, and said the school, which has 315 pupils, gives children the right support when they struggle to manage their behaviour.

The report also said, “pupils recognise the importance of their learning, so lessons are calm and focused”, adding that children “understand what they learn now will support them in the future”.

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The inspectors found:

“Pupils understand differences and know that everyone deserves to be respected. One pupil summed this up saying, ‘we are a respectful community here.’

“Pupils talk with maturity about issues such as healthy relationships and consent.

“They are well prepared for their future lives.”

The report also said pupils receive expert guidance from teachers across a range of subjects, adding:

“Pupils find this learning absorbing.  As a result, their knowledge is impressive.

“Children in early years get off to a flying start with phonics. They use their secure knowledge of phonics to become confident readers.”

Inspectors also noted pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “learn the same ambitious curriculum as their peers”, and said adults “work to remove any barriers that pupils might face to their learning”.

Pupils with SEND flourish because of this support, the report added.

The report also praised those responsible for governance for being “extremely knowledgeable about the school”, and said “the trust and the school deliver highly effective support and professional development for staff at all levels”.

It did not include any areas of improvement for the school to work on.

Ofsted also said, if a graded inspection was carried out now, the evidence gathered suggests it might be rated ‘outstanding’.

‘We are thrilled’

Sian James.

In response to the report, Sian James, headteacher of Bilton Grange Primary School, said:

“The report captures everything about Bilton Grange Primary School that we are so very proud of.
“Everything we do at Bilton Grange has the children’s best interests at heart and we are thrilled this ethos was encapsulated throughout the inspection.
“Our success is because of the dedication and talents of everyone who works at Bilton Grange, alongside the fantastic support we receive from our Academy Trust, YCAT, and the positive relationships we have we our parents, carers and of course our amazing children.”
Photo of the Week: Tewit Well

This week’s photograph was taken by Brian Morrison, capturing the autumnal colours around Tewit Well in Harrogate.

Brian Morrison

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘There’s no light at the end of the tunnel’

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 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, Flora spoke to someone on the helpline team.

Hundreds of families in the Harrogate district are losing their loved ones to dementia every day and now, more than ever, specialist support services are needed.

Today, Keith Townson tells us about swapping his working life in Qatar for a role on the Dementia Forward helpline.

“I was working as a mechanical engineer in Qatar.

“The maximum working age there is 60, so when I reached that, we moved back to Burton Leonard and I took on the role as chairman of the parish council.”

It was then that Keith spotted George Armitage House, Dementia Forward’s flagship hub in the village, and realised he wanted to give something back in his retirement.

He was offered a position as a volunteer bus driver in 2016 and spent five happy years transporting people across the county.

The minibus allows people to access vital care that they may not otherwise be able to access, and helps to combat loneliness those living with dementia may feel. It is also used to take people on day trips out and to social events, like going to the beach, to art galleries or even just to a café for a cup of tea.

Keith added:

“I loved driving the bus so much – it’s so lovely when clients are singing.

“What better thing can you do than help people?”

Two years ago, Keith was offered a position on the helpline.

“I actually originally suggested my son apply for the role – since he was out of work at the time – but after he was offered a job, Dementia Forward offered it to me.”

 

The helpline is the first point of contact for those with dementia-related enquiries.

The advisers help anyone in need — including family members, clients and medical practitioners — whether it’s providing emotional guidance to people losing their loved ones, or support on how to find dementia care.

It covers the whole of North Yorkshire and refers people to dementia experts in their local area or district.

Keith said:

“No two days are the same. You can receive some pretty horrible calls relating to very sad situations.

“But then there are some really lovely ones too — it’s a real mixture of emotions.

“The most common call is from a family member or loved one that has just received the devastating diagnosis and is looking for the next step.

“That’s what we’re here to give them.”

Dementia Forward’s flagship hub, George Armitage House

The helpline is one of many amazing services on offer for those living with this life changing disease, as well as their loved ones. Keith added:

“The helpline is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work – it’s the best feeling I’ve had from a job.

“It can be heart-breaking though. No two people with dementia are the same, and I’ve learnt there’s no real light at the end of the tunnel…that it doesn’t get better.”

Dementia Forward helps hundreds of families across the Harrogate district every day. The charity eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

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 bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired 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.

Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Homeware brand Piglet in Bed to open first store in Harrogate

A homeware and bedding company is set to take over an empty unit on Harrogate’s James Street.

Piglet in Bed, which was founded by Jessica Hanley from her mother’s West Sussex garden shed in 2017, will open its first UK store in the former Mint Velvet unit.

It comes after the fashion retailer moved across the road into the old Joules unit earlier this month.

The company will sell a wide range of linen and cotton bedding, tableware, home accessories and nightwear.

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Rhiannon Johns, head of brand, told the Stray Ferret:

“We love the feel of the town, there are plenty of cool independents that we’re excited to collaborate with, great places to eat and beautiful surroundings.

“The position on James Street is ideal being at the very centre of the hustle and bustle.

“We believe Harrogate will be a place for establishing regular customers but also raising brand awareness from the many visitors that come here.”

The company will employ eight members of staff at the new shop.

Ms Johns added:

“Ultimately, we’re really looking forward to having a physical space where we can meet and connect with new and existing members of our community of comfort lovers – we can’t wait to meet everyone.”

Piglet in Bed hopes to open the Harrogate store by mid-December.

Police silent on Harrogate street closure

North Yorkshire Police has remained silent on why it closed a Harrogate town centre street yesterday.

Cordons were placed at either end of Back Cheltenham Mount on Friday, November 17.

Police also sealed off the steps on Cheltenham Mount and Kings Road that cut through Back Cheltenham Mount.

The steps on Kings Road

 

Officers at the scene would only say they were investigating a crime.

Residents were advised to remain indoors.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident last night but has not received a response, and the force has yet to publish any information.

We will give more details when they are available.

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Harrogate Grass Machinery to close after 24 years

Well-known firm Harrogate Grass Machinery is to cease trading after 24 years of trading.

The South Stainley company, which services and sells lawnmowers and grass machinery, announced its closure on social media.

Owner Victoria Waite set up the business with her husband in 1999, and employed four staff, but told the Stray Ferret she now wanted to retire.

Ms Waite added:

“It’s very bittersweet.

“People have been saying ‘what am I going to do now?’”

The 58-year-old also said her husband’s death four years ago “played a big part” in deciding to close the business.

“It’s been emotional, but things need to keep moving forward — that’s what I tell myself.”

Harrogate Grass Machinery’s last day of trading will be on Wednesday, December 20.

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