Harrogate wins gold at national Britain in Bloom awards

Harrogate Business Improvement District has won gold at the RHS Britain in Bloom awards.

The organisation, which aims to increase footfall in the town centre, was successful in the BIDs, town centres and city centres category.

It was recognised for its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign, a fortnight-long initiative that celebrated the town’s international connections through a series of town centre floral designs.

The summer of celebration was in addition to Harrogate BID’s regular floral offering of almost 200 barrier baskets, shop doorway planters and hanging baskets.

One of the gold-winning displays.

Matthew Chapman, the manager of Harrogate, said:

“Three years ago this award was a huge aspiration of Harrogate BID and after winning gold in last year’s Yorkshire in Bloom awards and then being entered as an RHS Britain in Bloom finalist, we are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a gold award.”

“This summer’s Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration was the second year of the campaign and it was a huge success, increasing footfall, spend and first impressions with visitors and residents alike.”

Pictured receiving the award from left to right: Pam Grant (Harrogate in Bloom), Bethany Allen (Harrogate BID), Matthew Chapman (Harrogate BID), Kitti Johnson (Harrogate BID) and Nick Smith (Harrogate Flower Shows)

Read more:

 

Proposals for Harrogate Town Council expected next year

New proposals to set-up a Harrogate Town Council are now expected next year, according to North Yorkshire Council.

Harrogate and Scarborough were expected to get their own town councils in May 2024 but the process was delayed after councillors on North Yorkshire Council, which is charged with setting up the local authorities, asked to redraw its ward boundaries.

Residents had previously backed the creation of two councillor wards arranged by the current 10 North Yorkshire Council divisions. Saltergate would have had just one councillor.

However, Conservative councillors on North Yorkshire Council said they didn’t want to proceed with this model and instead wanted to see single councillor wards based around the 19 former Harrogate Borough Council boundaries.

This means there will have to be a third public consultation so the public can have their say on the new wards.

The consultations are a legal necessity but it will take the combined cost of holding them to more than £140,000.

Barry Khan, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive legal and democratic services, said: 

“Officers are continuing to work on possible warding patterns for both Harrogate and Scarborough town councils and a report setting out options will be taken to the standards and governance committee next year.”

This month, the council revealed the winners and losers of the 12 ‘double-devolution’ bids from parishes that would like to take control of assets in their areas.

Read more:

Harrogate Town Council, if it’s created, could apply to run services in the town such as looking after its parks or the Stray, operating car parks or managing the Royal Hall.

The council has said that households would initially be asked to pay between £40 and £60 on top of their council tax to allow the town council to have an annual budget in the range of £1m to £1.6m.

If residents approve the proposals laid out in the next consultation, the council would likely form in April 2025 with elections taking place in May, although this has not been confirmed yet.

Harrogate poppy appeal seeks volunteers

The Harrogate branch of the Royal British Legion has issued a plea for volunteers to help with this year’s appeal.

Chairman Mike Comerford said the branch needed six to eight people to distribute poppies and collection tins as well as to take part in street collections.

Poppies were due to start going up in Harrogate today ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 12. Ripon already has a magnificent display.

Mr Comerford said there was a shortage of volunteers this year because some regular helpers were either too old or unwell to give as much time.

He said volunteers who could drive were required from tomorrow (Tuesday) to distribute the poppies and collection tins on prescribed routes.

Street collections begin on Saturday (October 28) but shops can sell poppies before then.

Six hundred boxes, each containing 150 poppies, are distributed as part of Harrogate’s poppy appeal.

The poppy appeal provides support for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.

The town raised about £50,000 of the £48 million generated nationally by the Royal British Legion last year.

Anyone interested in helping can call Mr Comerford on 07954125891 or email him at mike.comerford@ntlworld.com.

Read more:

 

Met Office issues another rain warning in Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain in the Harrogate district.

The warning is in place from 3am until 4pm tomorrow (October 24).

It warns the district could see heavy rain, which may lead to further flooding.

Land remains saturated in the wake of Storm Babet, which disrupted travel and closed attractions across the district.

All Storm Babet flood alerts and warnings for the district have now been removed.

An alert for the River Ure in Ripon was taken down this morning.

Read more:

 

Artist and designer open gift shop in Harrogate

An artist and designer have combined their talents to open a gift shop in Harrogate.

Katie and Howard Shelmerdine opened Lighthouse Lane on Royal Parade.

The couple, who have two other shops, describe the venture as a “design-led gift, art, homeware and greetings card brand”.

Katie is responsible for the artwork and Howard specialises in the Yorkshire product range.

About half of the products are designed and often made in house.

Katie said:

“We opened our first retail store in Haworth in 2015. After welcoming our first child, we left our jobs working for a high street bank and decided to give running a business a go.

“We had no experience in the creative world but knew we were passionate about it and decided the time was as right as it could have been.”

They opened a second shop in Skipton in 2019 and have now set-up business in Harrogate. Katie said:

“We are very excited to become a part of the community of vibrant Montpellier independent retailers, cafes and bars.

“We hope that our store is a welcoming, fun and relaxing place to visit where you might find that special something to treat yourself to.”

Read more:

 

Rose arch erected — but will Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens be renamed?

A rose arch has been erected in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens — but a decision on whether to rename the area has yet to be finalised.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, announced plans to re-landscape Crescent Gardens in February, shortly after it hosted an ice rink and funfair last Christmas.

The activities are due to return for a longer period this year and for the following two years.

A report at the time by Kirsty Stewart, the council’s parks and ground maintenance manager, said “we would like to take the opportunity to upgrade the area to enable better accommodation of future events with less disruption to the planting in this area”.

The report also proposed changing the name of the area to The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden as part of the £21,000 makeover, stating:

“A large plaque in the central bed to be relocated is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The plaque has recently been removed as it required repair.

“Given the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II, the relocation of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother plaque and the sale of the Crescent Gardens building, we are proposing the gardens area is renamed as the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Gardens and would welcome cabinet members view on this.”

Although Harrogate Borough Council approved the recommendation, the Stray Ferret asked the successor authority North Yorkshire Council if the new name will be adopted.

Jonathan Clubb, head of parks and grounds at council, said:

“In February, the former Harrogate Borough Council agreed to look into whether the area of Crescent Gardens can be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden.

“There is a process we have to follow to apply for the naming and we will continue to pursue this.”

The steel rose arch, which will nurture climbing roses, has been installed along with flower beds as part of the re-landscaping, which used £10,000 of the budget.

The works were part of the ongoing management of Harrogate’s parks and grounds to maintain a vibrant, attractive location for residents and visitors, Mr Chubb added.

However, the nearby pavilion remains sealed off by fencing after it was recently used by a group of homeless people.

Read more:

 

Stray Views: Valley Drive parking fines a ‘money spinner’

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.

Valley Drive parking fines are a council money spinner

It is little wonder the council makes so much money from parking fines on Valley Drive in Harrogate as one side of the road permits three hours of parking whilst the opposite side gives only one hour.

It’s fairly obvious that if someone who does not know the road parks on the one-hour side and looks across to the other and sees the three-hour parking sign, they may well think that applies to their side too without checking.

It has always seemed unfair to me that this anomaly could catch many people out. I daresay the council realises the anomaly too but are hardly likely to remedy it when it is such a money spinner.

Carol Trueman, Harrogate

Ripon councillors still dining out on anti-Harrogate rhetoric

Ripon city councillors have dined out on anti-Harrogate antics from 1974 to 2023 — almost 50 years of negative opposition instead of creative engagement — ensuring the continuous election of the same.

How long before they then turn their sights on the new North Yorkshire Council for failing to give them what they want, which is complete control of everything Ripon-related?

The ‘leader’ of Ripon City Council (actually a parish council) — is there even such a role in most parish council standing orders? — was elected as an ‘independent’ but has subsequently decided to support the Conservative councillors on North Yorkshire Council.

John Edmonstone

(Ex-parish councillor nearby to Ripon)    

Read more:

Why weren’t pedestrians consulted about Station Parade roadworks?

I was disappointed to see that pedestrians have been given little thought in the redevelopment of Copthall Towers on Station Parade. The footpath along one whole side of Station Bridge is now entirely blocked off.

I walk this way on the school run daily, coming from the direction of East Parade. This obstruction means we have to go clockwise around the roundabout in order to reach the far side of Station Bridge.

This may not seem like a significant detour to some, but try adding a pushchair and early walkers into the mix.

More significantly, it also necessitates crossing two roads which don’t have a pedestrian crossing, one of which has two lanes approaching the roundabout.

Was any thought given to adding temporary pelican crossings at Station Avenue and North Park Road? Or perhaps, giving pedestrians priority over Station Bridge, rather than drivers?

It would be refreshing to see our elected leaders and planning officials put pedestrians first for a change; prioritising greener, more sustainable travel choices and making it easier and safer for people to walk.

It’s already hard enough to navigate the piles of dog excrement, pot holes and parked cars which furnish our pavements so abundantly.

Jessica Eaton, 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.

 

Harrogate squash captain eyes first title in 25 years

Harrogate-born Declan Christie is ranked among the highest non-professionals in the world at squash — but he still wants to achieve more.

The 31-year-old estimates he plays the sport, which will be added to the Olympic programme in 2028, at least three hours a day.

He pits himself against professional players every week and also has the chance to get into the top eight of the British rankings in padel tennis.

But, as captain of Harrogate’s premier squash team, he has his eyes on more.

Picking up a racquet

The club has not won the league in 25 years. Declan wants to rectify that.

By his own admission, Declan does not come from a sporting family.

His dad would take him to his local tennis club as a child and he became addicted to racquet sports.

But, it was squash which got him hooked in.

“I used to play tennis originally, I started playing when I was about seven. I played for about three years.

“I used to get dropped off at the squash and tennis club and I would be there all day. After my tennis lessons had finished, I’d go inside and play squash.

“Squash is a much faster sport and that’s what got me hooked.”

Declan playing in a squash match.

Declan playing in a squash match.

Declan entered local tournaments and went on to represent Yorkshire at under-13s.

The intensity of the sport and the glory that comes with it being a single player contest is addictive to Declan

“Squash is often described as boxing with rackets. It’s physically demanding.

“It’s between boxing and chess. You’ve got to think a few moves ahead.”

‘No other sport like squash’

Despite his commitment to the sport, Declan does not play it professionally.

Instead, he has ran his own business, Luxury Flooring, since he was 17.

“I’m a business owner. There’s not a lot of money in squash, so I chose not to go down that route.”

Owning his own business was a foundation for him to be able to pursue squash, he says.

Sport took a back seat while Declan was building his company.

“I was working like 18 hours a day building that up. I didn’t really have much time for sport.

“I played a little bit here and there, but not like I do now.”

Read more: 

These days, Declan has handed over the reigns of his firm to a management company.

It means he has been able to commit more time to squash and padel tennis and his pursuit of building up his ranking.

He estimates that he plays sport around three hours a day, in particular squash.

“I love squash. No other sport that I have played comes close to squash. I have played a lot of tennis and padel.

“But the feeling of winning a squash match when there is just two people on the court, there is no feeling like that.”

Aiming for the title

Declan already has a league championship under his belt from his time at Chapel Allerton in Leeds.

Sat inside Harrogate Sport and Fitness Centre, where Harrogate play their home games, he explains that the club has been without a title for 25 years.

The league will take Declan and his side across the county to Pontefract, Hull and Doncaster, where they will be pitted against professional and high ranked players from across the world.

At Harrogate, Declan has top 100 ranked Stuart MacGregor as his teammate as well as players who play for Yorkshire.

For Declan, he feels this year the team has a good chance to end that period.

He became captain after the club asked him to lead the side going into the season.

“The club asked me and I’m quite ambitious with it. 

“We want to win the league and that’s what I want to do. It’s about putting a team together that can do that.

“I’ve won the league with another club in Chapel Allerton. This club hasn’t won the league in about 25 years, but we feel this year we’ve got a really good chance of winning it.”

Declan counts the Hungarian open, Swiss open and Italian open as among his achievements in squash.

In the future, he also has ambitions to play for his country in the senior team and represent Great Britain at padel tennis.

But, this year, winning the title at Harrogate is the ultimate goal.

“I know what to do to win this league, so I’m pretty confident that we can win it.”

If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Boroughbridge community larder hosts cost of living event

Two Harrogate district charities are holding a community event which hopes to combat the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Boroughbridge Community Larder operates a food bank at Boroughbridge Methodist Church which aims to reduce food waste.

It has partnered with local mental health charity, Mind in Harrogate District to host the Boroughbridge Community Larder Event, which will offer visitors legal advice, cooking demonstrations and mental health support during the financial climate.

The event will begin with a cooking demonstration from Season Well – a Leeds-based project which promotes organic and healthy eating. Attendees can expect to learn budget-friendly recipes using produce from the community larder and local ingredients.

North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Support will offer drop-in sessions to those looking for energy-saving strategies, priority services registers and financial guidance through the cost-of-living crisis.

Mind will also provide mental health signposting services for those that may need it, as well as on-site support.

Kirsty Dawson, rural wellbeing coordinator at Mind in Harrogate District, said:

“We’re facing the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation. The pressure from this crisis is impacting everyone, from people who were already struggling, right through to people who’ve never worried about money before.

“That stress and worry can make it hard to stay mentally well. Mind can’t fix the cost-of-living crisis, but we can help the people, families and communities in our district feel more able to cope.

“By working with other local organisations and helping to highlight the support that is available locally, we hope we can help people to better manage these difficult times.”

The event is open to everyone and is entirely free to attend.

It will take place Wednesday, November 8, from midday until 4pm, at Boroughbridge Methodist Church.

The larder will operate as usual on the day and will provide food resources from noon until 1.30pm at the same venue.

Those that would like to watch the cooking demonstration must register by Tuesday, October 31. You can register in person at the Community Larder or contact Kirsty at kirsty@mindinharrogate.org.uk or on 07305 049296.

Read more:

 

Yemi’s Food Stories: Exploring Harrogate with Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing 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.

I’ve lived in Harrogate for over 10 years, so when I got the invite to join the Yorkshire Appetite Food Tour team on a tour of Harrogate, I was certain we would visit some familiar places – but I was wrong.

There is something to be said about being a tourist in your own town, as you get to see it through a fresh pair of eyes — especially when it’s through the eyes of someone who knows and appreciates the history.

I learnt about Harrogate and enjoyed many stories that Jill, our guide, told us about William Slingsby, the soldier who discovered Harrogate, and why we see street names like ‘Montpellier’ and ‘Parliament’.

The tour started at Starling Beer & Coffee House on Oxford Street. I have walked past this road before but never noticed the venue. It is a popular brunch spot in town that serves pizza throughout the evening, as well as unique dishes like poutine – a Canadian reputed hangover-cure!

Our first dish was eggs florentine. It included locally sourced poached eggs with spinach and mushrooms, served with a hollandaise sauce and micro herbs.

We then had another history lesson on the town centre, including the significance of the war memorial, how the town got its name and even some background into the Harrogate institution that is Bettys.

After this, the tour took us to Yorkshire Tapas. Chef Dane champions local produce and creates tapas-style dishes from Yorkshire staples, such as fish and chips, Yorkshire puddings and roast dinners.

Here we enjoyed a generous portion of Yorkshire pudding with pulled pork, shoestring fries, and crackling powder.

Yemi and her fellow food tour members at Vanilli’s and Yorkshire Tapas (R)

The next stop was Cold Bath Deli where we enjoyed a delicious sausage roll served with a leafy salad and French dressing. The mixed beans and roasted cauliflower were both delicious, and I never thought I’d see the day I would be like Oliver Twist asking for more broccoli!

There were lots of other things to try here, so I must visit again to sample other menu items.

Chocolate ice cream at Vanilli’s

Next up was Vanilli’s – an ice cream parlour on Cold Bath Road that has been running for 12 years.

We tasted a variety of lovely ice creams, including some gluten free ones.

Alex, the owner, is passionate about making great ice cream with no artificial flavourings, and I could certainly taste the difference. I have never ordered a chocolate ice cream but was an instant convert when I tasted Alex’s.

I am heading back for his Christmas flavours, so look out for my post on that – I might even save you a job of looking for a quality dessert.

Before heading to Hales Bar – the final leg of the tour – we ventured through Valley Gardens to learn about the town’s rich spa history. We finished the tour with a drink, a slice of parkin and Farrah’s sweets.

The tour is designed to give insight into Harrogate and its history, as well as enjoying a four-course meal from local businesses. I found it eye-opening and discovered lots of new places I’d like to try.

If you’re like me, you can lose sight of what is around you because you are a creature of habit. It’s time to see our gorgeous town through a fresh pair of eyes and to look at both sides of the road.

We need to walk through doors to see the foodie jewels that are lurking behind them.

I am certainly going to be more present as I continue to explore the vibrant food scene across Harrogate and the rest of Yorkshire.

Read more: