Harrogate community organisations win funding in photography competition

Two Harrogate community organisations have received £3,000 in funding after winning a photography competition showcasing their work.

Artizan International won the Our People category and the 1st Pannal Scout Group the Our Place category of the amateur photography competition, which was run by the Two Ridings Community Foundation in conjunction with North Yorkshire’s High Sheriff Clare Granger.

Artizan International’s Harrogate cafe supports adults with learning disabilities by providing real-life working experience, a sense of confidence and self-esteem.

Liz Cluderay from Artizan said:

“We were delighted to win first place and the funding is very well timed as we need to replace key pieces of equipment such as a dishwasher and under counter fridges and freezer.”

The 1st Pannal Scout Group is planning to use their prize money to gain match funding for the refurbishment of the Scout Hall, which is used by their 80 children and young people as well as the whole community.

A number of other Harrogate groups were also highly commended in the competition and will receive a small amount of funding. They are Dancing for Wellbeing which runs ‘Keep Dancing’ sessions at Oatlands Community Centre, Harrogate Clothes Bank, New Beginnings Peer Support, and Open Country, which helps disabled people access and enjoy the countryside.

The Artizan Cafe in Harrogate

Two Ridings helps individuals and businesses across North and East Yorkshire to invest in and support small local charities and community groups by turning their donations into funding.

The winners of the competition were announced at a Photography Exhibition & Showcase in the ballroom of Allerton Castle. The event gave local business leaders, friends and supporters of Two Ridings the opportunity to view the impact of community organisations through 16 photographs, and to hear the stories behind the images.

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Two Ridings chief executive Celia McKeon praised Two Ridings’ donors and supporters for enabling the foundation to channel resources direct to the front line, where it makes a difference.

She said:

“The work everyone here does is the humble, selfless work of people acting out of love. Some of the people supported by this work are often failed by our institutions. And yet they are centred in these images. And that is because they are centred in the work of the organisations.

“This work is transformational. It changes people’s lives. This everyday extraordinary work is the power of community action, and it enriches all our lives. We must not take it for granted.”

Sixteen cash prizes were handed out on the night, including to the photography competition runners-up Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue, Chopsticks in Northallerton that supports adults with disabilities to develop new skills in a workshop environment, the Walled Garden Whitby, and York-based Shine 21 which supports families who have a child with Down’s Syndrome.

Two Ridings recently launched a Cost of Living Crisis Fund appeal, to help support community organisations that offer a lifeline to people in need. Make a donation here.

Bonfire Night: guide to events in the Harrogate district

Bonfire Night is approaching. From torch-lit processions and alpacas to live music and traditional bonfires, we’ve collated a list of bonfires in the Harrogate district.

If you know of an event we haven’t included, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it.

Friday, November 3

Ripon City Bonfire

Ripon City Bonfire will take place at Ripon Racecourse.

The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and fireworks will begin at 7.30pm

Gates open at 5.30pm.

Advance tickets start at £2 and can be bought at various venues in the city.

No own fireworks other than sparklers are permitted for safety reasons.

There will be no parking available at the racecourse due to the poor weather conditions.

Spofforth village fireworks

The event will be held at Spofforth Cricket Club.

There will be hot food, a bar and live music to enjoy ahead of the fireworks display.

Gates open at 5pm.

Family tickets cost £12.50 and can be bought at the village deli or post office.

Knaresborough Cricket Club and Aspin Park Academy PTA Fireworks Night

The event will be held at Knaresborough Cricket Club.

As well as a firework display, guests can expect food and drink, music and light-up toys for sale.

Gates open at 6pm and fireworks will be lit at 7pm.

Tickets start at £3 and can be bought at the gate.

Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party

Belmont Grosvenor School will host a bonfire party in the school grounds.

There will be a bonfire, fireworks, food and drinks stalls, children’s activities, and music.

Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display will begin at 7.20pm.

Tickets are free for U18s and cost £10 for adults. They can be bought at the gate or by contacting the PTA on pta@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk or 07525 907156.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

Stray Bonfire. Pic: Mark Dimmock.

Saturday, November 4

Stray Bonfire, Harrogate

The bonfire will be lit on the Oatlands Stray near to St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

It will take place from 5pm until 8.30pm and include fireworks, food and drink, and live music.

The event is free to attend but Harrogate Round Table, which is a charity, encourages donations. Proceeds will go towards Harrogate Homeless Project.

Yolk Farm, Minskip

Yolk Farm, near Boroughbridge, is hosting a dog and baby-friendly event without fireworks.

There will still be a bonfire and tickets include entry to the yard where visitors can see the animals, including goats and alpacas, as well as the opportunity to feed the pigs.

Hot food will also be on offer.

Gates open at 5.30pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm

Tickets can be bought online for £5.

Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire

The event will be held at Pateley Bridge Showground.

Guests can expect a torchlit procession and bonfire, which begin at 6.30pm, and fireworks at 7pm.

There will also be hot food and a best Guy competition.

Entry is by donation and doors open at 6pm.

No sparklers are allowed.

Masham Bonfire

Masham Bonfire will be held on The Holme.

Food will be served from 5.30pm, followed by the bonfire at 6.15pm.

There will also be a firework display at 7pm.

The event is free to attend.

Kirkby Malzeard Community Bonfire

The event will be held at North Close Farm.

There will be a bonfire, fireworks and food and drink on offer.

Gates open at 6pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm.

It is free to attend but organisers have asked for donations to continue running the events.

Sparklers are not permitted.

Birstwith Community Bonfire

Birstwith bonfire will be held on the field behind West House on Nidd Lane.

As well as the bonfire, which will be lit at 5.30pm, visitors can enjoy a bar, hot dogs and a children’s stall.

Organisers will be raising money for a vehicle-activated speed sign near Birstwith School.

No dogs or sparklers are permitted.

Gates open at 5pm.

Wath & Melmerby Community Bonfire

The event will be held Roger Clarke Motor Engines in Melmerby.

Visitors can expect a bonfire, fireworks, a BBQ and a bar.

It begins at 6pm and tickets cost £5 per family.

Sunday, November 5

Lightwater Valley, Ripon

Lightwater Valley will put on a firework display accompanied by the music of Swan Lake.

Admission is included in a day entry ticket.

The display will begin at 5.15pm.

The Queen’s Head, Kettlesing

The Queen’s Head will have a bonfire and fireworks on offer.

There will also be pizzas, sparklers and a charity cake to stand available.

The event will be fundraising for Felliscliffe School.

It begins at 5pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6pm.

Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for children under 16.

Scotton Cricket Club

The event will be held at the cricket club on Lower Moor Lane.

Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.45pm and the firework display will begin at 7.30pm.

Visitors can look forward to a bar, a BBQ and a cake stall.

Car parking is limited, so organisers have recommended people walk or car share to the event.

Donations are welcome on entry.

Harrogate Railway Football Club 

A firework display will be held at the club, which is on Station View in Starbeck.

There will be a DJ, fairground rides, a bar and a BBQ on offer.

The event is in association with Friends of Starbeck School and entry is £2.

Gates open at 4pm, followed by fireworks at 6.30pm.

There is no parking available at the venue.

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Historic Harrogate chapel up for auction

A converted chapel in Harrogate will go to auction next week.

The Chapel, on Grove Road, was built in 1896 and is a Grade-II listed building.

Mark Hinchcliffe, from Harrogate, bought the property in 2013. He originally lived in it before spending four years converting it into an eclectic bed and breakfast, which featured on Channel 4’s The Restoration Man.

However, Mr Hinchcliffe put The Chapel on the market for £1.5 million in 2020, but subsequently lowered the price to £1 million in April this year.

The empty building remains unsold and is now listed with Allsop — with a guide price of £850,000 plus.

The Chapel offers six bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, two separate bathrooms, two reception rooms, a vaulted drawing room, a dining room, an orangery and a library.

It also boasts a large entrance hall and a 50ft atrium, as well as a utility room and plant room.

The Chapel’s floor plan.

The listing states:

“The property may afford possible potential for change of use and/or redevelopment, subject to obtaining all necessary consents.”

The auction will be live-streamed on Tuesday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 8.

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Classical line-up for Harrogate’s Sunday Series revealed

This winter’s line-up for the Harrogate International Sunday Series of chamber and classical music has been revealed.

Five concerts will take place in what will be the 30th annual series at the Old Swan in Harrogate.

It will begin with the return of clarinettist Robert Plane, accompanied by pianist Tim Horton, on January 28 to give a programme featuring 20th century and contemporary composers, complemented by Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Op.120, No. 1.

The two appearances by solo pianists will see Daniel Lebhardt play Brahms, Scriabin, Bartok and Ligeti and Clare Hammond perform a diverse programme featuring work by Hélène de Montgeroult, Clara Schumann, Ravel, Coleridge-Taylor, Spanish post-Romantic Isaac Albéniz, and contemporary composer Edmund Finnis.

The Astatine Trio will give a traditional recital comprising Haydn, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Tailleferre.

Rounding off the series, violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Zlata Chochieva will perform Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, sonatas by Mozart, Debussy and Grieg, and Distance de fée by 20th century Japanese composer, Tōru Takemitsu.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We’re delighted to unveil the programme for Harrogate International Sunday Series 2024, which once again brings some of the world’s most talented classical and chamber musicians to Yorkshire.

“Whilst celebrating our 30th anniversary, this year’s programme is decidedly forward-looking, featuring award-winning young performers and platforming an exciting blend of both traditional and innovative works.

To encourage young people to attend, tickets for under-35s are priced at just £5.

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Harrogate BID says amended Station Gateway scheme ‘should proceed’

Harrogate Business Improvement District has said the town’s £11.2 million Station Gateway scheme should proceed amid plans to scrap major elements of the project.

Yesterday, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire Council, said reducing Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianising James Street would need be dropped from the scheme in order for it “to be successful”.

The move comes as council officials are currently drawing up alternative options for the project after the previous proposals were paused last month.

In a statement, Harrogate BID chair Dan Siddle and BID manager Matthew Chapman said the organisation would back the scheme under the new plans.

They said:

“Whilst we accept the Station Gateway Project has been a divided subject we believe, after consulting with sector representatives within the BID membership, that the project should now proceed.

“The local authority has listened to the concerns raised, adapted the project to a plan that works for the majority and given assurances that the finished product will further enhance the Harrogate welcome and experience.”

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Mr Siddle and Mr Chapman added that the organisation felt the £11.2 million worth of funding would be “amiss to reject”.

The statement added:

“This level of investment to town and city centres is a once in a generation opportunity that Harrogate BID feels would be amiss to reject. Looking at the data that demonstrates how and where town centres are heading the Station Gateway Project will be the foundation of many more centrally funded projects that keeps Harrogate as a key destination for residents and tourists alike.

“As an organisation we must stress we do not see this project as anti-car or pro-cycling, purely one which will give people more choice on how they wish to travel to and move around our town.

“Furthermore, this funding, which has to be used towards this gateway scheme has earmarked some fundamental and positive improvements to public realm that we fully support if, as promised, is finished to a first-class standard.”

Full proposals on how the gateway scheme will be amended are expected to be put before senior North Yorkshire councillors at a later date.

The council halted the scheme immediately after lawyers acting on behalf of local property firm Hornbeam Park Developments launched a judicial review.

As a result, the authority announced it would draw up alternative options which would focus on “a high quality pedestrian-focussed public realm scheme, with improved access into the bus station, and better traffic flow through co-ordinated signal timings”.

Mackenzies Farm Shop and Cafe under new ownership

Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café has re-opened under new ownership.

David Suttill, from Harrogate, and Aissa Guessis, from Bradford, took over the Blubberhouses company and opened the doors for trading yesterday.

Mr Suttill, who worked as the café manager under the previous owners, said he hopes the new venture will “give something back to the community”.

He added:

“We’re just two hard-working guys.

“We’ve put our own touches on it and the new menu is launching next week.”

The re-opening comes after the former Mackenzies Smoked Products Ltd, trading as Mackenzies Smokehouse, went into voluntary liquidation in February – owing more than £1 million.

Clark Business Recovery was appointed to oversee the liquidation and found HMRC was among the 156 creditors. The company owed more than £45,000 for VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contribution.

However, Mr Suttill told the Stray Ferret the smokehouse is “a different business” and is not part of the new ownership.

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Mr Suttill has previously managed Michelin star restaurants and said he is “well-known in the area” for his “fantastic” customer service.

His business partner, Mr Guessis, worked as a chef in London and at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate, and is now the chef at the café.

Mr Suttill added:

“We’re going to host lots of charity events too, we’re already planning a Christmas event.

“I’ve been in this business for many years – I know it – so it’s just going to be good food, good service and a focus on community.”

The farm shop and café will use both new and existing suppliers to sell locally-sourced produce, including meats, baked good and home accessories.

Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café is open seven days a week from 9am – 5pm.

Mint Velvet opens new Harrogate store

Women’s high street fashion chain Mint Velvet has opened its new Harrogate store today.

The company, which was previously located across the road from its new unit, has taken over the former Joules store on James Street.

The previous store closed its doors after 11 years on Saturday. The new 2,500sqft shop opened this morning.

Store manager, Suzie Poole, told the Stray Ferret:

“We were looking for a bigger unit for around two years.

“It had to have character and enough space for the customers to really appreciate the products, since we get such high footfall.”

The new store offers a range of women’s clothing and accessories and is the third-largest Mint Velvet store in the UK.

Ms Poole added:

“We’ve had a fantastic reception since opening this morning.

“It’s been lovely to see the excitement because there was a lot of anticipation around the new store.”

The company, which launched in 2009, had already taken over two former Joules store in Solihull and Chelmsford. It follows Joules falling into administration in November 2022, until Next bought the business for £34 million, plus another £7 million for the head office.

Mint Velvet in Harrogate will be open seven days a week.

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Harrogate Stray bonfire to go-ahead after safety inspection

Harrogate’s annual bonfire is set to go-ahead this weekend after a safety inspection.

The event, which is organised by Harrogate and District Round Table, will return on Saturday, November 4, for its 52nd year.

The bonfire will be lit on the Oatlands Stray near to St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

In a post on its social media this morning, Harrogate and District Round Table said:

“Follow a safety inspection this morning, we are delighted to confirm that the Stray Bonfire and Fireworks is going ahead as planned.”

The decision comes despite heavy rain in Harrogate this week caused by Storm Ciarán.

Meanwhile, nearby Wetherby Town Council has been forced to postpone its bonfire event on Saturday due to adverse weather and ground conditions.

The Harrogate event will take place from 5pm until 8.30pm and include fireworks and live music.

The bonfire is free to attend but the round table, which is a charity, will raise funds for Harrogate Homeless Project.

It has set up a GoFundMe page and urged people to text BONFIRE to 70560 to donate £5.

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Kingsley Drive developer to pay £1m towards Harrogate schools

Persimmon Homes will pay more than £1m to local schools including Grove Road and Harrogate Grammar School after North Yorkshire Council gave final approval for its 162-home Kingsley Drive development.

One of the last acts of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in February was to approve the controversial plans, subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement.

The agreement between the council and developer has now been agreed and covers Persimmon’s contribution to public services that the future residents will use such as education, roads as well as affordable housing.

According to a report written by planning officer Kate Broadbank, Permimmon will pay £600,000 to Grove Road Primary School, £400,000 to HGS, Harrogate High and Rossett and £120,000 for early years provision.

The developer will also pay £220,000 to the NHS for healthcare costs, £150,000 towards Kingsley Drive being resurfaced and an £80,000 contribution towards a new mini roundabout being built at the junction of Kingsley Road and the A59.

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The site is allocated for development in the Harrogate local plan, which maps out where housebuilding can take place in the district and remains in use until North Yorkshire Councils agree its new county-wide plan.

The Kingsley proposals were unpopular with local residents who protested outside the Civic Centre before the planning committee meeting wearing t-shirts branded with slogans like “enough is enough” and “breaking point”.

Visuals of the Persimmon Home plan for homes on Kingsley Drive.

Visuals of the Persimmon Home plan for homes on Kingsley Drive.

Many of the objections centred on nearby roads like Knaresborough Road and Bogs Lane and how they will cope with the increased traffic from new residents.

Around 500 homes could be built in the area if plans by different developers are eventually built.

Persimmon has included two access points for vehicles on Kingsley Drive, one to the west of Birstwith Road and one midway between Leyland Road and Rydal Road.

The first 92 homes will include air source heat pumps to provide 100% of the heating and hot water.

The remaining properties will have conventional gas boilers, however, the developer says these will be supplemented by solar panels and waste water heat recovery, which recycles energy in wastewater to pre-heat the mains cold supply before it is boosted by the boiler.

The scheme would also include 65 affordable homes through a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership sales.

HMRC unlikely to receive payment from Harrogate company collapse

Unsecured credits and HMRC are unlikely to receive any payment after the collapsed of failed Harrogate company Amvoc, administrators have said.

The telemarketing company, which was based at Cardale Park, collapsed and was placed into administration in March this year.

In a latest administrators report published this week, Gareth Lewis, Lewis Business Recovery and Insolvency, said it is anticipated funds will be available to pay former staff.

However, HMRC, which is classed as a “secondary preferential creditor”, and unsecured credits are expected to receive no money.

According to the report, employees are owed £233,507.52 in wages, holiday pay and pension contribution arrears.

Meanwhile, HMRC is owed £1.1 million in unpaid VAT, unpaid employees PAYE and national insurance, student loan deductions and industry scheme deductions.

Mr Lewis said in his report that it is unlikely that any repayment will be made.

He said:

“If funds are available to pay a dividend to the secondary preferential creditors, this claim will be adjudicated accordingly.

“However, at present, it is not anticipated that there will be sufficient funds to do so.”

Mr Lewis added that there was “no likelihood” that unsecured creditors, who were previously estimated to be owed £868,267, would receive payment. 

According to the report, equipment from the company’s old offices on Cardale Park, such as computers, desk and chairs, had now been sold.

‘Cash flow difficulties’

Damian Brockway set up Amvoc, the trading name of A Marketing Vocation Ltd, from a small office in Dacre in 2010. It sold telemarketing services, initially in the legal sector, and grew rapidly, moving first to Pateley Bridge and then to large offices at New York Mills near Summerbridge.

It opened a new head office on Cardale Park in Harrogate in 2015, a facility in Leeds in 2018 and an office in Manchester in 2022.  It also had plans to expand to London.

At the time of its collapse, Amvoc employed 230 staff.

Staff were left shocked on March 17 this year when they received a late night email from Mr Brockway saying “all our offices are closed with effect from tonight”. It went on to blame “covid debts”.

Mr Lewis said in his administrator’s report that in September 2017, the company entered into a company voluntary arrangement as a result of “cash flow difficulties” because of the loss of a major customer and “significant bad debt”.

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