Harrogate’s Archie Gray wins EFL Championship Young Player of the Season

Harrogate’s Archie Gray has won EFL Championship Young Player of the Season at the EFL awards.

The former St John Fisher’s Catholic High School pupil and Leeds United midfielder made his debut in the club’s opening game against Cardiff City at Elland Road in August.

Since then, Gray, 18, has been a regular name on the team sheet for United this season playing at both right back and central midfield. He has made 46 appearances for the club across all competitions this season.

In January, he signed a new contract with the Whites until 2028.

The youngster picked up the award at the EFL Awards 2024, which was held at a ceremony in London.

On winning the award, Gray said:

“I’m honoured to win this award, having heard the previous names that have won it. I’ve just got to stay humble and keep on working hard because I’ve come a long way. I’ve gained a lot of experience and learned a lot of new things along the way.

“I trusted my ability but I’ve been lucky with the teammates and manager that I’ve got. Since I’ve come in when I was 15, my teammates have all been really helpful with me. Especially this season, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu when I’ve been moving to right-back and teaching me a lot of things and analysing things with me after the game.”

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Gray completed his GCSEs at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate in 2022.

He signed his first professional contract with Leeds United in March last year.

He is the great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.

Harrogate school gets boost in bid to create outdoor classroom

A Harrogate primary school’s plans to create an outdoor classroom have been boosted by success in a national IKEA competition.

Coppice Valley Primary School on Knapping Hill is one of four UK winners of a sustainable schools’ competition.

To enter the IKEA-Let’s Go Zero competition, schools sent in videos showcasing the sustainability work pupils are doing and how an award would enhance it.

A student eco team at Coppice Valley made a video explaining the school’s current eco focus and how it had plans to build an outdoor classroom. The school has already achieved the Eco-schools green flag award and has a community garden.

Coppice Valley was today named as one of four winners alongside schools in London, Newcastle and Lisburn in Northern Ireland.

It has won IKEA furniture, including tables and chairs, worth £1,500 to be used in its new outdoor learning space.

Samantha Wright, pupil and family support leader at the school, said:

“It is amazing, the children are thrilled about winning and the new space. I am really proud of the kids and the school. The children are all very passionate about it.”

Coppice Valley Primary School in Harrogate.

Coppice Valley Primary School

Besides developing an outdoor classroom, Coppice Valley is also fundraising for a canopy to cover the area.

The outdoor space currently needs £600 in extra funding to create a wellness garden and one brave parent, Emilie May, will skydive from 10,000 feet on May 18 to raise funds. To find out more or donate click here.

The Let’s Go Zero’s campaign aims to make all 32,000 schools in the UK zero carbon by 2030.

Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero, which is a campaign to unite schools that want to become carbon zero, said:

 “These schools show clearly that they can inspire children to protect the environment, create beautiful learning spaces and provide students with vital new skills all at once.”

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Harrogate’s ex-Tourist Information Centre goes on the market

The search to find tenants for Harrogate‘s former Tourist Information Centre has begun.

‘To Let’ signs were put up on Friday outside the building on Crescent Road, which is part of the Victorian Royal Baths complex.

The rental asking price is £40,000 a year, according to the website of Align Chartered Surveyors, which is marketing the 2,394 square foot property on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.

The website also says the property has a rateable value of £23,500 and a £24,300 service charge, which includes maintenance, waste collection and cleaning costs.

It says:

“The site is one of the most famous attractions of the affluent town, a town whereby domestic visitors alone provide over £640m of investment each year.

“The building is grade two listed comprising Yorkshire stone masonry elevations under multi-pitch and gabled roof. The windows are double glazed with timber framing.”

The Stray Ferret reported in February the council had decided to relocate the Tourist Information Centre in the nearby Royal Pump Room Museum.

Harrogate’s new tourist information service consists of leaflets.

It said in a report the move would enable it to save costs and generate income from the Royal Baths, which has been dogged by low investment returns since the council paid £9.5 million for it in 2018.

The report said the number of visitors to the Tourist Information Centre fell from 135,000 pre-covid in 2019 to 68,000 last year, mainly due to people seeking information online.

It added it was “important to maintain access to the service to support tourism within the area and to provide services for those who are unable or prefer not to use digital services”.

The report said relocation would “improve the tourist information service” and have “minimal” impact on customers.

However, the service has been downgraded to just a desk with leaflets of mainly council services within the Royal Pump Room Museum, which has prompted concern among local businesses.

It means three of the five commercial unites within the Royal Baths are vacant.

Two are occupied by the JD Wetherspoon pub and the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant but the former Viper Rooms nightclub and Potting Shed bar remain empty, even though the council said in February it had accepted an offer on the Viper Rooms.

 

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Business Breakfast: Massage therapy business opens in Harrogate

A massage therapist has opened her new practice, Bodyworks by Corey, in Harrogate on Oakridge View this week.

Corey Lofthouse moved to Harrogate from the USA in 2022. Soon after moving she faced a challenging battle with Breast Cancer.

Her personal experience with pain management during surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy encouraged her to open the business.

Still undergoing treatment but heading for full recovery, her business is ready to go. Offering all forms of massage therapy including deep tissue, Swedish, Orthopaedic and Oncology her practice is home based.

Ms Lofthouse said:

“I was always fascinated with oncology massage and had planned to add it to my services anyway, but this just solidified it, and made it a huge priority for me. There is so much pain management during breast cancer care that just isn’t catered for during treatment. The nerve damage that occurred with lymph node removal meant that I had to re-learn how my skin understood touch.”

Private wealth company plant 250 trees to extend Harrogate forest

Titan Private Wealth volunteers at the White Forest

Fourteen volunteers from Titan Private Wealth and Titan Financial Planning have planted trees to extend the White Rose Forest, near Bilton in Harrogate.

They cleared spaces for saplings to be planted, staked the plants and put a mulch mat around the saplings.

The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire. It is the largest of England’s community forests.

Mark Puleikis, joint chief executive of Titan Private Wealth, said:

“Our staff really relished the opportunity to contribute to the local area and we hope to continue our partnership with the forest in the future.”

Firm donates £4,000 to Harrogate mental health charity

Robert Beaumont (left) fund-raiser for Wellspring, with Hussein Kahil of Pegasus

Pegasus World Holding, has donated £4,000 to Harrogate mental health charity Wellspring Therapy & Training.

Chief executive Ivan Zhou said:

“Wellspring provides private counselling at affordable rates, easing the overwhelming demand on the NHS’ mental health services, and providing hope for children, families and individuals who are struggling with mental ill health and distress.”

Nick Garrett, interim chief executive of Wellspring said:

“This much needed donation is also vital as it will help us improve peoples’ mental health. I can’t thank Ivan Zhou enough for his company’s generosity.”

Wellspring Therapy & Training, which is based in Starbeck, was founded in 2003. It provides affordable short and long-term counselling for the Harrogate and district community.

Tax consultants open new Harrogate office

PD Tax. Front L to R: Lucy Bagnall, Paul Davison, Charlotte Wardle. Back L to R: Laura Brennan, Lloyd Bean, Daniel Hill, Peter French

Leeds based PD Tax Consultants have opened a new Harrogate office at Royal House on Station Parade.

The company was founded by Paul Davison in 2013, with head of the Harrogate branch Lucy Bagnell joining in 2023.

Ms Bagnall said:

“This is an exciting step in the growth of PD Tax and I am looking forward to working with the business community of Harrogate.”

A company spokesperson added:

“Paul and Lucy have a wealth of expertise to call on. We are looking forward to working with entrepreneurs and businesses in Harrogate, but also supporting local accountants with their clients’ more complex tax needs if their in-house tax team needs additional one-off support.”

Live for Today opens new shop at Ripley Castle

Live for Today store at Ripley Castle

Outdoor activities business, Live For Today, have acquired a new shop at Ripley Castle.

The company is owned by Marc Wise and Dan Miller. The new Live For Today shop is now co-located with the Grindhus Coffee Shop.

The new store offers direct access to Ripley Castle’s grounds and includes a meeting space upstairs.

Designed to accommodate up to 15 people, the meeting space is set to be ready to book in the coming months, offering a place for corporate groups, educational outings, or private gatherings.

Izak Jackson, marketing manager for Live For Today said:

“This move signifies an evolution for Live For Today. Our new shop at Ripley Castle, while only a few doors down from the old one, offers a perfect backdrop for our adventurers to experience the thrill of the outdoors, grounded in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Yorkshire.”

New salon opens in Harrogate

Era Salon Harrogate

A new salon, Era Harrogate, has opened on Grange Avenue. Co-Owners Jenny Addyman and Kirstie Bowdin, both originally from Harrogate, have been in the industry for 10 years.

The salon will offer hair services from bridal, to extensions, to colour changes, colour maintenance and then trims right through to restyles. As well as nails, lashes, brows and facial waxing.

The unit has undergone a full refurbishment costing thousands. The site was a salon previously, meaning the team managed to “upcycle a few things”.

Ms Addyman and Ms Bowdin said in a joint statement:

“We opened in Harrogate as we both grew up, went to school and trained as hairdressers here and so this is where our families and clienteles are. But we knew we wanted more of a residential area to suit our already existing clients and to make parking less of a hassle. Our dream of opening a salon together from those younger years has stood the test of time. This just seemed like the perfect time to take the leap and go into business together.”

Owners of Era Harrogate Salon, Jenny Addyman and Kirstie Bowdin

Big Bamboo appoints PR director

Matt Reeder Big Bamboo PR director

Full-service marketing and communications agency, Big Bamboo, has appointed Matt Reeder as its new PR director.

Mr Reeder, a journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, takes the role having worked alongside the team as a PR consultant since November 2023.

Mr Reeder said:

“Having already experienced first-hand how extremely talented and dedicated the team of marketing experts are at Big Bamboo, the opportunity to join them was simply too good to turn down.”

Nicola Stamford, the company’s owner and founding director, said:

“Matt is a welcome addition to the team, having already demonstrated his PR capability to us since November last year. I have no doubt he will be an asset to us and our clients.”

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Landscape artist to hold Harrogate exhibition

Landscape artist Jason Hicklin’s work is to go on exhibition in Harrogate this month.

His new collection of etchings, which is inspired by Yorkshire’s heritage coast, will be on show at the Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade from April 12 – 27.

Hicklin is a Shropshire based landscape artist acclaimed for his ability to produce dramatic images capturing the feel of the weather and light and its effect on the landscape.

All of his work begins outdoors after stopping to sketch the views, from which he creates the etchings and his prints are then produced.

The works set to go on display are the final pieces produced from a three-walk trilogy along the Yorkshire coast, the Thames and the Pembrokeshire coast. Seven prints have been created from the etchings, some 1 x1.5 metres in size, which will get their premiere at the exhibition.

Hicklin, Stottle Bank Nook from Cradle Head 2024

Etching is a technique that uses acid to create a chemical action to produce incised lines in a metal printing plate which then hold applied ink to form the image from which prints are made.

Hicklin believes printmaking from etchings ‘democratises art’ by making works accessible to greater numbers of people, as even limited-edition prints are much more affordable than original paintings.

He said:

“That stretch of the Yorkshire coast is dramatic and has been shaped by the impact of the sea and storms over the centuries. It was a real pleasure to be able to spend three days walking the coast and taking in those views. It ended perfectly with a beer and a bag of chips on the beach at Filey.”

Liz Hawkes, owner of the Watermark Gallery, said:

“Jason is an outstanding artist producing works that are full of drama and impact. I am delighted that we are able to stage the premier of the works from his Yorkshire Walk, the final part of his Three Walks trilogy. They provide a new and stunning interpretation of coastal views that will be familiar to many people.”

Hicklin, Selwicks Bay 2024

For more information on the exhibition click here.

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Readers’ Letters: Bins weren’t overflowing when Harrogate Borough Council existed

Readers’ Letters 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. 

This letter follows an article about overflowing bins in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens. Many readers were upset about the state of the bins over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The problem of overflowing waste bins in Harrogate is a recent problem.

We often commented on overflowing bins when visiting other towns, as it was so rare here. How lucky we were to have Harrogate Borough Council in charge, which took pride in this town.

But it all changed a year ago after our local council disappeared and we had North Yorkshire Council inflicted on us – a change that none of us voted for.

Anne Boodt, Harrogate

More grammatical errors on road signs in Harrogate

This letter is in response to a story about North Yorkshire Council eliminating apostrophes from road signs. The new format will be adopted when signs are replaced.

Regarding the missing apostrophe on St Mary’s Walk, there also should not be a full stop after St (as per one of the signs).

So, vigilantes looking to insert an apostrophe with their marker pens should also paint out the full stop.

Michael Clarke, Harrogate

Are we really planting trees as a tick box exercise?

This letter follows a story about 29,000 trees being planted in Masham to create new woodlands.

I am the last person on earth to criticise a tree planting initiative, as exemplified at Swinton Estate in Masham.

But what drives me to utter distraction is the wholly unnatural and mechanical way in which trees are planted in perfectly straight lines.

Are we seriously doing this as a box ticking exercise or trying to create new natural habitats?

Think about when these trees have matured. It will look ludicrously unnatural and probably end up serving as a sustainable source of wood or paper – NOT a habitat for wildlife or a place for people to enjoy the benefits of nature.

Trees do not grow in straight lines.

You might as well be part of a planting scheme along a motorway verge if that’s the approach you condone. Totally ignorant of natural habitats, but nonetheless giving oneself a pat on the back.

I am so frustrated by these examples of mass tree planting…

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

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.

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Local history spotlight: Dr Laura Veale

If you’re walking down Victoria Avenue in Harrogate and keep your eyes peeled, you’ll notice a brown sign affixed to a stone wall outside one of the impressive town houses.

If you stop to take a closer look, the person commemorated by this plaque might not be known to you – but Dr Laura Veale has left a worthy legacy in the field of medicine, both in Harrogate and beyond.

As the first female doctor in North Yorkshire, she’s been described as a pioneer and a trailblazer, but it can be argued that both words fall short of encapsulating her extraordinary life.

The early years

Dr Veale was born on August 30, 1867, in Hampsthwaite, a village near Harrogate. It appears as though medicine was something of a family affair; her father Dr Richard Sobey Veale was a prominent doctor in the area, and both her brothers Henry and Rawson Augustus also pursued medical careers.

It was sadly unsurprising, and reflective of the general sentiment of the time, that Dr Veale encountered hostility and derision when she expressed her intention to follow the same path as her family.

Despite the fact her father was associated with the Leeds School of Medicine, it would not accept her as a student, which led her to apply to the University of London instead.

She felt as though she had received an ‘unsatisfactory schooling’ compared to her male peers which made the university’s matriculation especially daunting.

Hampsthwaite

In a move that must have been considered quite unusual at the time, the headmaster of Harrogate College allowed her to work with the sixth form boys in order to improve in the areas she felt she lacked knowledge.

Dr Veale then went on to the Royal Free Hospital to complete her medical studies in 1904, and once qualified she returned to Yorkshire and took up a position at the Hospital for Women and Children in Leeds.

After six months, she moved back to Harrogate and set up a general practice at 3 Victoria Avenue, cementing her status as the first female doctor not only in the town, but in the North Yorkshire region too.

An advocate for women and children’s health

While in Harrogate, Dr Veale made a big impact not only in the medical profession, but in the local community too.

At a time when not only were women and children still considered inferior to adult men, she was at the forefront of advocating for improvements in the care offered to those groups, especially in deprived communities.

Notable achievements include setting up a dispensary in New Park, acting as medical officer at the Municipal Babies Hospital and helping set up numerous child welfare and antenatal clinics in Harrogate.

The clinic at 2 Dragon’s Parade still stands today, and is a base for child and adolescent mental health services.

Dr Veale worked as an obstetrician and a gynaecologist at Harrogate Infirmary for many years. By 1937, the first maternity ward was finally opened at the hospital – something that she had campaigned hard to establish for nearly three decades at that point.

Outside of her profession, she continued to improve life for residents of the area, and was heavily involved in several charitable organisations, including the Yorkshire Council for the Empire Cancer Campaign, and organising the Yorkshire Children’s Jewel Fund.

She retired from medicine in 1936 but continued to play a huge part in the local community, taking on an integral role in establishing the Women’s Voluntary Service for Harrogate during the Second World War.

A continued legacy

The plaque outside 3 Victoria Avenue

Dr Laura Veale died on August 14,1963, at Scotton Banks Hospital in Knaresborough at the age of 95.

Her obituary in the British Medical Journal described her as a ‘remarkable woman’, and The Harrogate Advertiser accredited her with having a ‘noble mind’ that kept pace with the ‘vast changes in her profession’ over the years.

In 2017, the Harrogate Civic Society installed a brown plaque on Victoria Avenue, where her general practice had been located.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret in 2020, Dr Paul Jennings from Harrogate Civic Society History said:

“She deserves recognition as an important figure in the history of both medicine and feminism and a key figure in medical provision, especially for women and infants, in her native county and more particularly Harrogate.

“It is as a pioneering woman in the medical profession and through her wider work for the community that she is so important to Harrogate.”

Sources for the article include an article on nycroblog.com, the Harrogate Civic Society website, the Harrogate plaques website and Dr Veale’s obituary on bmj.com.

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A new era for assisted living in Harrogate

For 11 disabled people preparing to move into their own flat within a new assisted living development in Harrogate, there are mixed emotions.

There’s a natural apprehension about the change and challenges ahead, as they make their desired move towards more independence and control over the way they live their lives.

But there’s also excitement at the prospect of having their own key to a home that is theirs alone. For most, it will be the first time in their lives that they will have their own front door. Their fully-accessible, modern and spacious apartments will bring them a new level of independence. They will be able to use their space as they wish – to relax, entertain, cook and have friends round.

The £7.5 million St Roberts Grove development was unveiled on Wednesday by the charity and social enterprise, Disability Action Yorkshire. It will replace the organisation’s existing 20-bed residential care home for younger adults on Claro Road.

The scheme is designed to empower people with disabilities to be independent and live their life to the fullest, as they want to live it, while ensuring that support is on hand for them when they need it.

Each flat has its own kitchen, living area, bedroom and en-suite wetroom, and has been custom designed for the individual needs of its inhabitant. Staff from the charity will be on site 24 hours a day to provide personalised care and support. Each flat will also have a call bell system so tenants can ask for assistance if they need it.

‘Nervous and excited’

Supported living development in Harrogate

Jacqueline Kelly, left, with Claro Road support carer Tracey Wilson.

Jacqueline Kelly is among the first group of residents, mostly aged between 18 and 45, who will be moving into their new homes on Monday.

Attending the official opening of the development last Wednesday, Jacqueline had just a few bits left to pack over the weekend. For the last 24 years, she has been living at Claro Road, where she’s had her own bedroom and en-suite wet room but has shared a communal living room, dining room and kitchen. So this will be a big change for her. She said:

“I’m nervous but I’m excited about having my own space. I’ve been to see my new flat and have been trying to imagine it with my furniture in there. I want to be relaxed in it and make a good job of it, to make a life. I want to enjoy it.”

‘This is just the next challenge’

Supported living development in Harrogate

Nick Moxon outside his new flat.

Nick Moxon feels the same way. He’s slightly apprehensive about moving into his own flat after 14 years at Claro Road. But, at the same time, he’s looking forward to being more independent and is relishing the challenge ahead of him. He said:

“This will be the first time I’ve lived on my own. It’s a bit daunting and a new experience. I’ll need to adapt to my new support package and the set times that I’ll have help, but it should make me more independent. Sometimes you have to go out of your comfort zone, but you take it step by step.”

Nick said he’d gained a lot of self-confidence during his time at Claro Road and had met some great people, who he would miss. He said:

“I’ve been used to living in a community, so I’ll miss seeing the other people as often. I’m quite active socially so I’ll be inviting them over – I’ll able to have people round to the flat when I want to.”

Nick said he was very impressed by the spaciousness of the flats, with the size of the bathrooms really standing out for him.

And once he’s settled in, there’s one thing that he’s set his sights on achieving this year. He said:

“I’m looking forward to doing some cooking. I won’t be able to cook completely independently and will need a bit of support, but by the end of this year I want to have mostly prepared a meal by myself. I’m going to cook a meal and have my family over as my first visitors to try it. If I can cook a meal for them, I’ll be dead proud.

“It’s the little things that people take for granted that for people like me are so emotional. Last year I went to Norway on a cruise and this is just the next challenge.”

Setting the standard

The facility is owned by Highstone Housing Association, with Harrogate-based Disability Action Yorkshire providing care and support. The first phase of the development comprises 23 individual one and two-bed apartments. A further 12 will be built on the site of the existing care home, which will be demolished later this year. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

“St Roberts Grove sets the standard,” said Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a multi-gold-medal-winning Paralympian and now Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. She was at the official unveiling and open day, and was impressed with the new development. She continued:

“It’s lovely. It’s so good for people to have their own space and to have decent quality accommodation. It helps them be more independent, fitter and healthier.

“I’ve looked around one of the flats and it was lovely, with two bedrooms and two big bathrooms. Having that support on site is really important for the residents, as well as having their own living space. It’s personalised. It’s something that other places can really learn from.”

The kitchen at the new St Roberts Grove assisted living development in Harrogate

The kitchen of one of the new assisted living flats.

Baroness Thompson’s words were echoed by the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, who cut the ribbon on the new development. Congratulating Disability Action Yorkshire, he described the new supported living scheme as a major project for the charity and one to which they’d aspired for a long time. He said:

“This is an absolutely fantastic facility that sets the standard for what supported living can look like in our area. These are beautiful apartments and they are unique in our area. This is what the future of care looks like.”

Andrew Jones MP cuts the ribbon, with Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson pictured second from left, along with residents of the current care home, community representatives and charity staff and trustees.

‘The same opportunities as everyone else’

The best thing about the open day for Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, was getting the chance to show Jacqueline, Nick and the other residents around the development. Some hadn’t seen their flats before, while others were visiting with an interest in moving there. Jackie said:

“From the people that we work with at our care home, we identified the demand for this development. Some of them didn’t need to have the 24-hour care that was available in the care home. They told us they wanted their own front door, they wanted their own homes. They wanted to live independently. We’ll be providing the care and support they need to enable them to live their lives as they want.”

Jackie said demand for flats had been high and encouraged people to register their interest. More people will be moving in over the next few months, leaving the new accommodation almost fully occupied.

It has taken nearly a decade for the scheme to be completed, after multiple false starts and the pandemic meant it took longer than expected, said Jackie. She added:

“There’s supported housing in the area but a lot of it is group living. This scheme is quite unique and it is needed.

“Eight years ago we started working on how we could move away from residential care, so it’s amazing to see it come to fruition. Disabled people should have exactly the same opportunities as everybody else.”

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Yemi’s Food Stories: top tips for cooking with limited ingredients

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Every Saturday Yemi writes on the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.

In our busy lives, finding time to cook can be challenging, let alone with a limited pantry. With the increasing cost of living crisis, many people need a helping hand with providing delicious food for their family.

Unhealthy food and microwaveable meals are often cheaper than their healthier counterparts so it can be tempting to fill your shopping trolley with them. This is a time to buy better ingredients in lesser quantity and get more creative with limited ingredients.

Cooking with limited ingredients doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour or nutrition. With a bit of creativity and these helpful tips, you can whip up tasty meals that are both satisfying and easy to make.

Embrace staple ingredients

The key to cooking with limited ingredients is to rely on pantry staples that can be used in multiple ways. Ingredients like rice, pasta, flour, canned beans, sweetcorn, eggs, frozen vegetables, and canned tomatoes are versatile and can form the base of many dishes.

One-pot tomato rice and peas

Keeping a well-stocked pantry with these basics ensures you always have something to work with. With flour, eggs and bacon, you can whip up home made pasta with carbonara sauce. Involving the children will create memories of making an elegant dish from basic ingredients.

Use seasonings and herbs

Even the simplest ingredients can shine with the right seasonings and herbs. Invest in a few quality spices like garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, or basil.

A splash of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice can transform a dish instantly. Experiment with different combinations to discover your favourite flavour profiles.

Keep it simple

Remember, cooking with limited ingredients doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on simple recipes that highlight the flavours of the ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make substitutions based on what you have available.

Potatoes, sausage and tomatoes

Batch cooking and freezing

Simplify your cooking routine by preparing meals in batches. When you have the time, cook larger portions of meals like stews, soups, or casseroles, then freeze individual portions. This way, you’ll always have a homemade meal ready to go on busy days.

In my fridge or freezer, I always have ingredients for my base sauces – pepper, onion and tomato blend; ginger, garlic, and spring onion blend; and ginger, garlic and onion blend.

I also have different types of homemade stocks, roasted or confit garlic, peppers and baby tomatoes and frozen vegetables. This allows me to create exciting dishes. Let’s dive into some recipes that are perfect for busy days or when you’re short on ingredients:

Yemi’s recipe: Sweetcorn fritters

Sweetcorn fritters topped with sautéed peppers

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Finely dice the shallot, spring onion and onion; add to a bowl
  2. Add all the remaining ingredients apart from the flour and mix well
  3. Add just enough flour to bind the ingredients together
  4. Fry in a nonstick pan with a little oil
  5. Serve topped with a poached egg and some fried onions or with some spiced or flavoured mayonnaise.

Yemi’s recipe: Udon noodles with tomatoes and onions

Udon noodles with tomato and peppers

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, onion or shallot and sauté until fragrant; add the chilli flakes
  2. Pour in canned tomatoes with their juices and bring to a simmer
  3. Add the Udon noodles and stir
  4. Season with salt and pepper; check and adjust seasoning
  5. Top noodles with a boiled egg or leftover chicken

By embracing the concept of cooking with limited ingredients, you’ll discover a new level of creativity in the kitchen.

With these tips and recipes, you’ll be able to prepare delicious meals effortlessly, even on the busiest of days. So, grab those pantry staples and get cooking.

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By-election suggests tactical voting may topple Tories in Harrogate and Knaresborough

It may only have been a council by-election but this week’s Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone vote in Harrogate provided some fascinating insights into the local political landscape at a crucial time.

Andrew Timothy won the seat vacated by the resignation of fellow Liberal Democrat Pat Marsh.

His 44% share of the vote was down on the 52% achieved by Ms Marsh in 2022 after a bruising campaign in which the Lib Dems were reported to the police for wrongly stating the Green Party was not fielding a candidate.

But the 326-vote margin of victory over Conservative runner-up John Ennis was comfortable enough and brought relief to the Lib Dems, who were in danger of losing control of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee in a difficult by-election triggered by Ms Marsh’s anti-semitic comments.

Cllr Timothy left the count at Woodlands Methodist Church without giving interviews but Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said in a statement afterwards the result “proves elections here in Harrogate and Knaresborough are a two-horse race between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives”.

He added:

“We will take the new members, new deliverers, new activists, new councillor and momentum forward into the general election to win back the parliamentary seat from the Conservatives.”

‘Labour supporters voted tactically’

Labour candidate Geoff Foxall did little to challenge Mr Gordon’s view that Harrogate and Knaresborough was shaping up to be a straight fight between the Tories and Labour — and hinted tactical voting was the way to go.

Despite his party riding high in the national polls, Mr Foxhall finished last with just 116 votes yet he appeared far from downbeat.

He said:

“The Liberal Democrats should be thankful for the many Labour voters who have voted tactically. I hope Lib Dem voters reciprocate in the mayoral election.”

Mr Foxall said “voters in Harrogate are sophisticated” and frequently voted tactically. He highlighted how Labour did “particularly badly” in Harrogate and Knaresborough in 1997 when Barbara Boyce polled just 9% despite Tony Blair securing a national landslide, paving the way for Phil Willis to win locally for the Lib Dems.

Mr Foxall said Labour was “used to getting squeezed” locally and even suggested it would be open to a coalition with the Lib Dems and Greens at county level, where he said the parties were “akin on most issues”, and together could end the Conservatives’ dominance.

Asked what voting advice he would give Labour supporters in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election, he said:

“Vote according to your conscience.”

For the Conservatives, so long the dominant force in North Yorkshire, it was a disappointing night.

During the campaign Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, wrote to Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urging him to take action against local party members following the police complaint.

The ill feeling was apparent on the night when the Lib Dems complained to election officials about the number of Tories witnessing the count.

Mr Ennis and local activists campaigned hard in Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone but he still finished a distant second with 31%. The party polled 35% in 2022.

Speaking straight after the result, Mr Ennis said he had “campaigned in good faith on local issues, offering a positive message”.

He acknowledged “the national situation hasn’t helped” but added it was “difficult to extrapolate” conclusions from a by-election and he remained “confident we can hold the parliamentary seat”.

He also said the situation in next month’s mayoral election was “looking hopeful”.

Some Green Party members had hoped to claim second place but Gilly Charters still finished well ahead of Reform UK and Labour in third.

Ms Charters was upbeat afterwards, saying “a Green vote was a hopeful vote”, adding:

“The Greens will be back — and we hope we won’t have to call the police in next time.”

As for Reform UK, its 6% was below its national polling but it still finished above Labour. John Swales, its candidate, said:

“From a standing start and around four weeks to prepare we are building our presence in Harrogate and further progress will come in time.

“It was a good experience for us and we learnt a lot, performing with integrity and honour during the campaign and we would like to thank all the voters who supported us this time and we look forward to future campaigns with confidence.”

Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election result

The turnout was 41%.

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