Four trees on the Stray in Harrogate are to be felled by North Yorkshire Council.

The trees, close to Beech Grove, are deemed to be in poor condition and pose a safety risk due to their proximity to the road.

Resident Chris Graville sent us this video of one of the trees being cut down.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways at the council, said:

“This lime tree is one of four along Beech Grove on the Stray which are in poor condition and are to be removed as they are deemed high risk due to their position next to the road.

“This work is in line with the national tree and woodland policy which ensures two trees are planted to replace every one cut down.

“This means we are sustaining and increasing the number of trees across the county.”

North Yorkshire Council took over responsibility for managing the Stray on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council was abolished.

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A million pound farmhouse near Harrogate could be won for just £10 in a prize draw.

The American company Omaze today announced the 17th century property between Hampsthwaite and Birstwith, which also comes with a guest cottage, as its latest million pound prize draw.

The draws, which take place every two months, raise money for charities and Omaze keeps 20 per cent of net proceeds. The firm said it has raised £13.25 million for charities since its UK launch in 2020.

Omaze’s latest property in Nidderdale, which is its first in the Harrogate district, will generate funds for Blood Cancer UK.

The gardens of the house near Birstwith

The winner will receive £100,000 in cash as well as the farmhouse, which is estimated to have an annual rental value of almost £50,000.

Blood Cancer UK supporter, Celia Imrie, who starred in the film Calendar Girls, has backed the draw.

She was reunited with original Calendar Girls Tricia Stewart and Lynda Logan, as well as Lynda’s husband Terry, the famous calendar’s photographer – to mark the launch of Blood Cancer UK’s latest partnership with Omaze.

The Calendar Girls reunited to support the cause.

In a promotional video, Lynda joked:

“It’s only 10 minutes away from where I live so I’ll be popping round for a cup of sugar.”

The draw closes on July 30 for online entries and August 1 for postal entries.

James Oakes, chief international officer at Omaze, said:

“By offering this beautiful property, along with £100,000 in cash, we’re giving people the chance to live mortgage and rent free for the rest of their life – as well as raising money for charities whilst introducing them to brand new audiences.

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A Harrogate woman has unveiled a giant blanket embroidered with her family’s final message from the Holocaust.

Michelle Green’s grandparents, Gisela and Josef Schwarz, and her uncle Kurt were all killed in a Nazi concentration camp.

With the help of artist Laura Fisher, Michelle has created a piece of artwork to commemorate their communication to their family. She said:

“Holding the blanket felt like hugging the grandma I never met. I really didn’t expect to feel such strong emotions.

“The blanket dominates the room from floor to ceiling and it won’t let you ignore it. It makes you think about a telegram that was once written and had so much love poured into it – a last vestige of hope that a family could one day be together again.”

The Red Cross telegram was sent to Michelle’s aunt Aranka and was the last message they received from her family still in Nazi-occupied Vienna. Translated from German, it read:

“Dearest children,

“(I’m) very worried. Last message in March. Thank God we are well. Hope you are. Message from Papa (received).

“Millions of kisses also from your brother,

“Mama.”

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Michelle, now 70, went on to be head of learning support at Ashville College in Harrogate. This experience taught her that hearing people speak isn’t necessarily enough to embed knowledge.

That understanding inspired her decision to make the blanket.

Artist Laura Fisher created the giant woven blanket as part of an artists’ residency at Holocaust Centre North in Huddersfield. It is on display at the centre until July 27, along with a number of other artworks as part of a free exhibition called Memorial Gestures.

It is open from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm.

Laura said:

 “When I first visited Holocaust Centre North, I was initially overwhelmed and the scale of the tragedy felt incomprehensible.

“I remember feeling a pit in my stomach, like nothing I could do would possibly be enough. How could I create art that would make those affected feel seen, cared about, witnessed?

“I hope the work I have created as part of Memorial Gestures helps others to understand the depths of what was lost during the Holocaust-what was stolen from families whose lives were irrevocably changed.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he will vote to accept the recommendations of the parliamentary investigation into Boris Johnson.

The seven MPs on the House of Commons Privileges Committee today found the former Prime Minster deliberately misled parliament over lockdown parties.

The cross-party committee said the former PM had committed repeated offences and it would have recommended a 90-day suspension from the House of Commons had Mr Johnson not resigned as an MP last week.

MPs are expected to vote on Monday on whether to approve the committee’s recommendations.

Mr Jones said:

Speaking in a Commons debate on April 21 last year on the referral of Mr Johnson to the committee, Mr Jones said:

“When there are questions about the conduct of any Member in this place, it is right for the Committee of Privileges to take a look at that case. It is right for it to investigate, it is right for it to make a judgment and it is right for that to happen whoever the Member is.”

He added he wanted to “see more focus on standards across parliament”.

Local Lib Dem says Tories in ‘full-blown civil war’

Tom Gordon

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said today voting against the committee’s recommendations  would be “an insult to bereaved families who grieved alone while Boris Johnson partied.”

Mr Gordon added:

“This report is completely unprecedented. Never before has a former British Prime Minister been found to have lied to parliament and treated the public with such contempt.

“The Conservative Party is now in a full-blown civil war, while people struggle to afford to pay their mortgage or get a GP appointment.”

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Selby and Ainsty Conservative MP Nigel Adams, a close ally of Mr Johnson, also resigned last week, triggering a by-election.

The Conservatives and Greens have named their candidates to fight the seat, which includes numerous villages close to Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, including Spofforth, Follifoot, Kirkby Overblow, Goldsborough, Little Ouseburn, Nun Monkton, Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton.

Labour is expected to name its candidate tonight.

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate beauty brand Cloud Nine has appointed a new chief executive.

Danny Emmett joins the company from AO, where he was chief executive for four and a half years.

It means current directors and founders, Martin and Gavin Rae, will become non-executive chairman and non-executive director.

The move comes as Cloud Nine is eying further growth as part of its strategy to double in size and expand into new territories by 2027.

Mr Emmett said:

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Cloud Nine, an ambitious brand with fantastic products, a unique culture and sustainability at its heart.

“I am looking forward to working with Martin and Gavin and the rest of the senior leadership team, as well as the wider team – all of whom have done a fantastic job of getting the company to where it is today.”

Harrogate clinic to host open evening

A Harrogate clinic is set to hold a beauty evening later this month.

The Harrogate Clinic, which is based on Prospect Crescent, will host the event from 5.30pm until 7pm on June 20.

It will include a chance to explore treatments such as anti-ageing skincare, facial rejuvenation, skin boosters for menopause, hair rejuvenation and women health packages.

For more information on the event and to register attendance, contact Dr Farzana on info@theharrogateclinic.com or call 01423 637172.

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A chain of antiques markets that claims to be the biggest in the UK has taken over premises in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter. 

Montpellier Mews Antiques Market was sold when its owner retired, and has been bought by Antiques on High, which already has centres in Oxford, Sidmouth, Taunton and Bowness-on-Windermere. 

Vincent Page, who co-owns the business with partner Lesley White, said: 

“Harrogate is a beautiful place and suits our trade very well. Our initial goal is to bring some new dealers in from the locality, and indeed many from our other stores have already shown an interest, so I don’t think it will take too long.” 

Antiques on High operates an unusual business model, which, said Mr Page, works “tremendously well”. Antiques traders can rent a display cabinet in one of its centres for as little as £50 in Taunton or as much as £160 in Oxford, and as part of the deal they must commit to working in the centre for three days a month. 

But they may also rent an additional cabinet in any of the company’s other centres for just £10 a month, plus an extra day’s work in their local shop. The business will transport their stock to whichever centre it is to be sold in.

To rent a cabinet at the antiques centre, dealers must pay a monthly fee and work there three days a month.

Mr Page said: 

“We offer dealers something they can’t get anywhere else in the UK, if not Europe. Convincing them can be tricky because typically, they are very protective of their stock, so the idea of us taking it around the country to our different antiques centres can seem bizarre. But the model works; we’ve opened five shops in six years – and that’s with two years out for covid.” 

Harrogate has long been known in the trade as the “antiques capital of the north”, and the antiques market at 11 Montpellier Street has contributed to that reputation. It is currently home to 27 dealers, but Mr Page, who only picked up the keys to the premises on Tuesday, reckons he could accommodate up to 50 if better use was made of the available space. 

There are currently 27 dealers with cabinets at Antiques on High, but co-owner Vincent Page says it could accommodate up to 50.

Ultimately, he says he’d like to bring more younger people into the antiques trade. He said: 

“Traditionally, this business attracts people over the age of 50, and they tend to operate on a one-man, one-shop basis. But there might be loads of people, say, in their 30s who might have been made redundant and have always had an interest in antiques. They could work in the shop for just 10 or 12 days a month and earn a full-time living.

“The antiques business is very unusual. How many sectors do you know where five shops make you the largest high-street retailer in the market?”

Antiques on High has opened five new centres in just six years. Last year in Taunton, Somerset, it opened a 4,000 sq ft shop with an 11,000 sq ft area to host a Monday antiques market, creating what Mr Page claims is Britain’s largest antiques centre.

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Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a family classic that surely needs no introduction, and Tuesday’s performance by the Harrogate Operatic Players (HOPS) overflowed with all the joy, humour and whimsy you’d expect.

Opening night brought with it some inevitable nerves, but after a few initial hiccoughs, all handled toot sweet and with consummate professionalism (including by the youngest members of the cast), the show went on, proving itself a well-oiled machine.

Always set to be challenging – a flying car alone would have any director scratching their head – the HOPS team were undeterred, delivering suitable magic to their set and staging. Costume, too, was a highlight, the outfit changes seemingly infinite, from white petticoats to regal regalia to samba ruffles. Performing a host of lively choreographed numbers, the cast, chorus and band dazzled with energy.

The stage adaptation is not the 1968 film reincarnate: it has all the classics we know and love, and then some, with a few extra surprises and catchy new numbers to boot. The script does not shy away from the more wicked humour of the film. Indeed, refreshingly, it might just be even more risqué, particularly with the help of two hilarious duos: Rohan Green and Rob Hastings as the court spies, and Chris Cowling and Georgie Gladwyn as the tyrannical Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria.

As for the more sinister threads of the tale? Jack Moran’s Child Catcher is a spine-tingling caricature, sniffing out his innocent prey with zeal and revelling in his role. Stealing a glance at some of the young children around me, they appeared somewhere between captivated and terrified; indeed, I overheard one nervously ask his mother, ‘Can he smell me?’.

Kate Griffiths deserves special mention as Truly Scrumptious, capturing the essence of the sweet but fiery heroine. Lucas MacLeod and Eva Lofthouse played siblings Jeremy and Jemima, and I think it would be fair to say, are probably the hardest-working children in Harrogate this week.

A production filled with charm and heart, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is so suited to the joys of local community theatre, with a huge cast and crew dedicated to putting on their very best show. This is what it’s all about: theatre that makes you smile, at whatever age; that has you humming as you leave, with a skip in your step.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at the Harrogate Theatre from today (June 14) every day until Saturday, June 17. For more information and to book tickets, visit the theatre website here.

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Police have appealed for witnesses to a collision involving a cyclist and a Mercedes at a busy roundabout in Harrogate this week.

The cyclist came off their bike at New Park roundabout just after 2pm on Monday.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the cyclist “took action to avoid the black Mercedes SUV, came off his cycle, and sustained minor injuries”.

The victim was travelling east on Skipton Road and the Mercedes entered the roundabout from Ripon Road in the Ripon direction.

A police statement said:

“We are appealing for witnesses to the incident or anyone who recalls seeing the pedal cyclist or Mercedes prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

“If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number NYP-12062023-0659.”

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Harrogate Spring Water has said it is still “exploring options” over the planned expansion of its bottling plant — almost a year on from a public consultation.

The French-owned company plans to fell trees in Rotary Wood, including some planted by schoolchildren in the 2000s, to expand its site on Harlow Moor Road.

Amid environmental concerns over the use of plastics and the loss of trees, the company held a consultation event at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate on July 13 last year.

It said afterwards it was “working on defining the plans” and would “publicly share our final plans ahead of submitting our application to Harrogate Borough Council”.

But 11 months on, it has yet to reveal its plans. Harrogate Borough Council was abolished on March 31 and replaced by North Yorkshire Council.

Asked for an update, a spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water said:

“We are working hard exploring options to address the points raised during the course of our consultation process last year on plans to expand our production site.

“It is because we are determined to create a solution which tackles those points and delivers for the people of Harrogate, for the town and for Harrogate Spring Water that we are taking time to get it right.

“As soon as we are able to, we will share the updated scheme with the public – we plan to host a public drop-in exhibition, as well as engage with key local groups.

“We are keen to do this in as timely a manner as we can and while we are still not in a position to put a precise date on when this will take place, as soon as this situation changes, we will let everyone know.”

The firm, which is part of Danone, has had outline planning permission to expand its factory next to the Pinewoods since 2017. This means the principle of development has been established but the details have not.

Plans to extend the site by 40% were refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in January 2021.

Harrogate Spring Water subsequently revealed it planned to submit further plans on how it intended to develop the site, which led to last year’s consultation. But nothing has yet transpired.

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It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Farmison & Co has appointed a new chief executive.

The online butcher, which was recently bought out by a consortium led by former Asda CEO Andy Clark, has recruited Andy Adcock to take up the position.

Mr Adcock is a former managing director at M&S and has spent 20 years in the food trade.

Mr Clark, executive chairman at Farmison, said:

“I’d like to welcome Andy to the Farmison team – I’ve every confidence he’ll bring even more momentum as we build a sustainable future for our business.” 

The appointment comes as the meat retailer has also announced a partnership with delivery service Gopuff.

It means products including bacon, sausages chicken and steaks, will be available for 15 minute delivery in Gopuff’s London delivery area.

New partner at Harrogate’s solicitors

Harrogate solicitors Raworths has announced it has appointed a new partner.

Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor will join the firm’s trusts, wills and estates team as part of a strategic growth plan at the company.

Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor. Picture: Raworths

Rachel joins the firm from London-based Farrer & Co, where she advised individuals, families and trustees on issues including succession, wealth structuring and governance.

Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner and head of private client services at Raworths, said; 

“We are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Rachel’s calibre, contributing further to the strategic growth of our specialist teams across the firm.

“As families become more international, Rachel’s cross-border experience will be a particularly valuable addition to the support which we already offer to our clients.”

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