Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Harrogate filled with charm and heart

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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Cyclist injured in crash with Mercedes at New Park roundabout

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 still ‘exploring options’ over expansion plans

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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Business Breakfast: Ripon meat retailer appoints new chief executive

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 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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Jail for drug dealers caught outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Two drug dealers arrested outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens have been jailed.

Plain clothed county lines drugs officers from North Yorkshire Police were on patrol in Valley Gardens in October 2020, when they came across Ishmaal Mahmood and Ifaaq Mahmood in a Volkswagen Jetta parked on Valley Drive.

According to police, Ishmaal Mahmood, 25, of Stonegate Chase, Harehills, Leeds, appeared to try and delete messages from the phone he was using as officers tried to speak with him.

He and Ifaaq Mahmood, 28, of Leeds at the time, were detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act after what police described as “implausible and inconsistent reasons for being in Harrogate”.

Drugs recovered from the car 

Both pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing MDMA with intent to supply.

Ishmaal was jailed for three years and four months and Ifaaq was jailed for one year and eight months. In 2020, Ishmaal was previously sentenced to seven months in jail for possessing a knife linked to the same incident.

‘I’ve got a knife on me’

Ishmaal Mahmood said to one of the officers outside Valley Gardens “I’ve got a knife on me” and was found to be in possession of a curved hunting knife.

On searching the vehicle, a blue latex glove containing multiple snap bags containing white and brown powder, believed to be cocaine and MDMA, were recovered. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Ishmaal was also arrested for possession of the knife.

Addresses linked to both were searched and at the address of Ishmaal officers found a small amount of cannabis, further weapons and a large amount of deal bags.

Drug analysis on the suspected class A drugs seized from the vehicle confirmed the drugs as 32 individual wraps including 28 cocaine and 4 MDMA. This has a street value of approximately £1,500.

Forensic analysis of the drugs and phone analysis ultimately linked both men to the supply of cocaine and MDMA in the Harrogate area. It also showed Ishmaal was occasionally acting as a recruiter and trying to set up his own drug line.

The seized hunting knife

The pair were sentenced for the drug offences at York Crown Court yesterday,

Investigating officer, PC Michael Haydock from the county lines Operation Expedite team in Harrogate, said:

“Ishmaal and Ifaaq Mahmood were working together for a county line with the sole objective of selling highly dangerous and addictive drugs on the streets of Harrogate.

“They have done this freely and for their own gain, without the slightest bit of thought or consideration for the wider implications of their actions.

“Furthermore, they were on our streets in possession of a knife which had the potential to cause devastating injuries or worse. There is no place for this and both have received all that they deserve. Hopefully the pair have now seen the error of their ways and similarly, anyone who believes they can commit drug crime in North Yorkshire can expect to face the consequences.”

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Two men appear in court charged with wounding man in Harrogate

Two men have appeared in court charged with wounding a man in Harrogate.

Adam Fogarty-Walker, 18, of Ash Grove, Bradford, and Joshua Dane Rider, 18, of Fairfield Terrace, Leeds, appeared at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

Both were charged with maliciously wounding a man in Dragon Road car park on Thursday, June 8.

A third man was initially charged by police in connection with the incident, but charges were later dropped.

Fogarty-Walker and Rider were also charged with carrying a kitchen knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority.

Meanwhile, Rider also faced two charges of having in his possession two wraps of diamorphine and 28 wraps of cocaine with intent to supply.

The cases were referred to York Crown Court where the three men were ordered to appear on July 10, 2023.

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‘I feel liberated’: Harrogate Lib Dem councillor goes independent

Harrogate councillor Michael Schofield has left the Liberal Democrats and will sit as an independent on North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Schofield was elected in May 2022 in the Harlow and St Georges division after winning 45% of the vote.

However, after just over a year he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning that with the Lib Dems preparing for a potential general election next year he has stepped away from the party to focus on local issues.

He said:

“It’s a case of with the political turmoil going on nationally, and all parties gearing up for a general election, the worry is my local area will get left behind. I was elected to serve Harlow Hill and St Georges and my only aim is to do that.

“It’s time for a clean break and for me to serve in the town. People get bogged down with the electioneering. I’ll let people go and do and that. That takes me away from things I want to do and serving the community.”

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Cllr Schofield, who is the landlord of the Shepherds Dog pub on Harlow Hill, said he apologised to any of the voters who voted for him because of his former political affiliation but added that he’s not a “national political animal”.

He said some of his former Lib Dem colleagues are “probably not happy” with his decision but he said he now feels liberated free of the party machine.

He added:

“I have a lot of friends within that group but my aim is do cross-party politics. The only way we can move forward is by having cross-party politics. If you have two parties arguing all the time you’re never going to move forward. I’m all for collaboration.”

Cllr Schofield’s decision to stand as an independent follows similar moves by councillors on different parties in recent months.

In April, Scarborough councillor Tony Randerson resigned from the Labour party and stood as an independent in a by-election that he won.

This week Conservative councillor for Camblesforth, Mike Jordan, quit the party citing dismay with the national party.

North Yorkshire Council has 45 Tory members and the same number of Liberal Democrat, Liberals, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate directors shortlisted for industry awards

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.

Two local directors have been named on shortlist for the Institute of Director’s awards.

Astrid Wynne and Rich Kenny, both of Harrogate firm Interact DC Limited, have made the shortlist in two separate categories.

The Institute of Directors 2023 director of the year awards will be held on September 29 and includes nine categories.

Ms Wynne, who is head of partnerships at Interact, has been named in the sustainability category while Mr Kenny, managing director, is up for innovation.

Jon Geldart, director general of the IoD, said: 

“Britain’s directors have had to dig deep over the past few years to overcome business conditions which continue to prove challenging.

“These awards are about people, not profits, and celebrating those who celebrate others. It is therefore particularly pleasing to be able to bring together all our finalists to share and celebrate the achievements of innovative directors across the country, for their businesses, the environment and the communities within which they work and live.”

Free business workshop in Harrogate

A free business networking session will take place in Harrogate on Friday.

ActionCOACH Harrogate is hosting a ‘better business’ masterclass at Roosters Brewery at Hornbeam Park from 9.30am.

The session will focus on business coaching and will include tips on marketing concepts, sales promotion and profit building systems.

For more information on the networking session, visit the Eventbrite page here.

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Appeal after golf clubs stolen from car parked at Harrogate guest house

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a car was broken into at a Harrogate guest house.

Officers say a golf equipment was stolen from a Volkswagen Polo which was parked at the Camberley Guest House on King’s Road between 5.30pm on Thursday, 8 June, and 7.30am on Friday, 9 June.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said some John Letters golf clubs and a Callaway driver were stolen.

Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to email Neel.Seth@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to PC 1442 Seth.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230104724.”

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Police patrols monitoring travellers at Harrogate’s Ashville School

Ashville College in Harrogate said today police were conducting regular patrols after travellers set up camp on the sports field.

An encampment arrived at the independent school on Friday night.

In an update today, a spokesman for the college said it had been working with North Yorkshire Police “and other authorities to expedite the removal of the travellers from our sports field”.

He added:

“As a precautionary measure, there is a fence running the width of the site to separate the school from the travellers.

“They have been instructed by the police, who are carrying out regular patrols, not to go near school buildings or any pupils.”

Home sports fixtures were postponed following the weekend arrival of travellers.

The spokesman said:

“Thanks to the hard work and vigilance of all our teaching and support staff, the school is fully operational today, although there have been some minor adjustments for our youngest pupils in Acorns pre-prep and reception.

“GCSE and A-level examinations are running as usual in the sports centre. Sports lessons, and after-school clubs and activities, are also uninterrupted.

“We are providing regular updates to families until the situation is resolved, and thank them for their continued support and understanding.”

Travellers previously pitched up on Ashville’s sports fields off Yew Tree Lane in August 2021 and demanded money to leave.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police what action it had taken but has not received a response.

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