Harrogate based ventilation manufacturer EnviroVent has relocated to a purpose-built zero carbon headquarters just outside the town.

The new 61,000 sq. ft premises on Harrogate West Business Park, near the Army Foundation College on Penny Pot Lane, is the culmination of a 10-month building project.

It brings together EnviroVent’s manufacturing facility, warehousing, head office and training suite into one purpose-built headquarters.

EnviroVent’s 260 employees have relocated from two existing premises on Hornbeam Park in Harrogate.

The new building will reduce the company’s environmental impact significantly and includes many energy efficient initiatives, including solar panels, air source heat pumps and a ventilation heat recovery system to ensure high levels of indoor air quality.

There are also electric charging points for vehicles and LED lighting units and responsive lighting.

Construction of the site

Andy Makin, managing director of EnviroVent, said:

“It is fantastic for the company to be together under one roof in our new zero carbon headquarters.  We are truly committed to good environmental practices throughout our business and these purpose-built premises allow EnviroVent to operate on an even more sustainable basis.

“With much larger premises, we have room to expand and  ambitious plans. Working alongside our parent company Soler & Palau, we fully expect to grow our brand, protecting and creating employees roles, benefitting our customers, our suppliers and the wider community.  We are very excited about the future!”

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The build was carried out by Skipton-based construction company Sutcliffe Construction, working alongside developer of the new business park, Teakwood Developments. York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership also supported the project with an allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund. 

Daniel Martin, director of Teakwood Developments, said:

“It’s been a long road but so rewarding to reach the end, providing a facility that we can all be proud of. It secures the future of this fantastic business in Harrogate, providing a state of the art facility, with the all-important expansion capabilities.”

To offset any further carbon emissions, EnviroVent has also entered a partnership with MoreTrees, which will plant 5,000 trees per year on its behalf.

The photo shows (left to right) Andy Makin, managing director of EnviroVent outside the new headquarters with apprentices Dovile Stankeviciute and Stephanie Banks, Rachael Tranter, head of people and sustainability) and
Anna Campey, H&S/HR advisor.

An unusual charity dinner at Harrogate’s Rudding Park next month will see diners eat their main course blindfolded.

The event is being organised to raise money for Guide Dogs UK in Harrogate and to stimulate what dining out is like for people with a visual impairment.

Dine in the Dark will take place at the hotel on November 11.

Guide dog owner Kim Murphy said:

“Having my guide dog Jango has completely changed my life and events such as this are crucial for raising funds so that somebody else with sight loss can get a life changing guide dog like Jango.”

Nicola Ridgway, community fundraising manager for Guide Dogs UK in Harrogate, added:

“Dine in the Dark gives you the opportunity to enjoy great company and to have fun while experiencing the sensory effect of eating food with no vision.

“It will give you an insight into how visually impaired guide dog owners experience life on a daily basis.”

Tickets are £53.30 each (Inc booking fee) and are available here.

All funds raised will be donated to Guide Dogs UK.

Harrogate Poppy Appeal is urgently searching for volunteers to help out with the distribution and collection of poppies.

This year organisers from the Royal British Legion aim to deliver an appeal on a similar level to pre-covid, with a full delivery schedule and street collections.

They will be operating a poppy office and distribution centre from Harrogate fire station from October 20 for pick-up of stock and wreaths between 10am and 2pm.

About 600 boxes of poppies need delivering from there to selected retail outlets by November 1. From November 14, the boxes will need to be collected.

Read more:

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• Royal British Legion’s Nidderdale branch in danger of closure

Michael Comerford, Poppy Appeal organiser, told the Stray Ferret its number of volunteers had dwindled during covid and it was hoping to recruit about a dozen people who are able to drive around the district distributing and collecting boxes of poppies. He added:

“We are desperate for new and old volunteers to help out in distribution and collection of retail poppy boxes from October 20 and collecting back in from Monday, November 14.

“We are also looking for street collectors from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, November 12.

“We have cadets from all three services on the streets on Saturday, November 5 and 12, plus junior soldiers on the 12th.”

The Poppy Appeal will be opening Garden of Remembrance, which will allow people to place small remembrance crosses near the war memorial in central Harrogate, from 11am on Friday, October 28 and will be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day – 11/11/22 – with the sounding of the last post at the memorial.

To volunteer email poppyharrogate@gmail.com or call 07935 596762.

This story is sponsored by Revo Kitchens.

A new German kitchen superstore aimed at making stylish designs an affordable luxury has opened its doors in Harrogate.

Revo Kitchens is a new showroom concept created by the family behind Inter Ceramica, which they launched in Harrogate more than 30 years ago.

It is based in a 10,000 sq ft unit at Hornbeam Park and offers Germany’s number one kitchen brand ‘Nolte Kuchen’, alongside an expert design service and superior customer support.

Adam Challis, owner of Revo Kitchens, said:

“Essentially we splintered off from Inter Ceramica and Revo is it’s own lone-standing concept that is born out of our experience from doing kitchens at Inter Ceramica. We felt it was ready to stand on its own two feet as a really strong offering.”

Family business

Mr Challis is the eldest of three children, along with brother Ed and sister Amy, who work in the business. His entrepreneurial father set-up Inter Ceramica in 1990 and over the years the “Harrogate born and bred” family have all played a part in helping to run the company.

He said:

“My dad is an inspiration. He genuinely leads from the front, never stops and always keeps everyone happy. He is non-stop, but in a very good way. He got this place launched and got us to where we are.

“It is a proper family business, but the Revo side of things is on the next sort of professional level from that. We want it to come across as a really slick operation – because that’s what it is.”

Mr Challis also runs a company called Robica Project Interiors, which is aimed at developers and features tiles and bathrooms from Interceramica and kitchens from Revo.

He said:

“Another exciting pathway from the Revo side is this is only one third of the total showroom space. So we have got a whole other concept to follow for the remaining two thirds.

“It’s being kept secret for now, but it will be extremely unique and we will be the only people doing it. We will be launching it in the New Year and will hopefully be somewhere the people from Harrogate and further afield can come and visit as a bit of a destination.”

The perfect blend

Revo Kitchens is aimed at being a blend of the family company-based caring approach, featuring in-depth knowledge and product quality, alongside the benefits offered by bigger corporate brands. This includes finance options, a delivery team with a large fleet of vehicles and an installation service.

Mr Challis said:

“So it is hopefully ticking every box. I don’t think there is too much more we could have done.”

The German kitchens range from £3,000 upwards and finance is available from £29 per month.

Mr Challis added:

“Some people want to spend £30,000 to £40,000 on a kitchen. Whilst we do offer this, I’d say we lean a lot more towards the affordable side of things. I think that’s what is needed. All the products are amazing quality whatever the budget.

“The idea behind it is, it all arrives pre-built. It is as simple as fitting a kitchen can get. We do genuinely get retail customers who fit the kitchens themselves.”

Latest trends

Mr Challis said colourful kitchens were currently on-trend, with customers wanting a combination of unique colours and natural finishes.

He said:

“We do a lot of the real metal, concrete and wooden doors. Texture is really popular. It’s also fairly even between modern and traditional. Usually it is way more modern, but currently it’s a blend of the two.”

As part of the launch, Revo ran a competition to win a dream kitchen, worth up to £10,000, which was run via social media, in-store and in partnership with the Stray Ferret.

The winner, who entered via the Stray Ferret, was announced as Angela Ratcliffe, who lives near Wetherby. Her name was drawn from more than 1,000 entries.

She said:

“I still can’t quite believe it. We are really looking forward to working with Revo on planning our new kitchen. A kitchen refurb has been on the to-do list for a long time and is well overdue. This win will make it a reality. We can’t wait to get this project going.”

Excited to finally get the family-friendly showroom up and running after lots of planning and hard work, Mr Challis said:

“It means a huge deal to us to open. It’s what we have been picturing. I think it will do really well and I think the next phase of the plan is even bigger and better and we can’t wait to launch that. We are really excited and really proud.”

Opening offers

Revo Kitchens is currently running the following opening offers:

• For kitchens priced over £12,000, including VAT, customers can choose from a free upgrade from laminate to quartz worktops, a free Quooker tap, a free Bosch wine cooler or a £1,000 discount off tiles at Inter Ceramica.
• For kitchens priced over £6,000, including VAT, customers can choose from  a £500 discount off tiles at Inter Ceramica or free 40mm Nolte bespoke laminate worktops.

Train operator Northern has announced a flash sale of £1.50 return tickets from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds this week.

The ticket drop, which is expected to be sold out by about 5pm today, is timed to help people get to and from the Light Night Leeds, a free event showcasing art in the dark.

As part of its Go Do Your Thing after work campaign, Northern is offering more than 2,000 £1.50 advance purchase tickets.

Passengers on the Harrogate line, which also includes Knaresborough, Starbeck, Hornbeam Park, Pannal, Weeton and Cattal, are eligible for the deal.

Tickets are available for journeys into Leeds between 4pm to 6pm and departing Leeds 8pm to 10pm on Thursday’s opening night.

The promotional fares are available only through Northern’s website and app.

Light Night Leeds features are and performances by artists across the city.

Light Night Leeds

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said:

“Light Night Leeds is a highlight in the region’s cultural calendar. The £1.50 ticket drop is our way of helping our customers go do their thing after work, with fares that will get you there for less.

“Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage should book early to avoid disappointment. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Read more:

• Some Harrogate train tickets sold for £1 in Northern ‘flash sale’
• Northern’s new timetable includes early Harrogate to Leeds trains

The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is to be moved from Harrogate to Buxton after the organisers claimed the cost of the venue doubled.

The Royal Hall hosted the event annually from 2014, except when it was cancelled due to covid.

It attracted thousands of visitors from around the world and provided a major summer boost for Harrogate’s hospitality sector.

But next year’s 15-day event will be held at Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire from July 29 to August 12 instead.

Bernard Lockett, one of the festival organisers, said:

“Last week, festival directors Janet and Neil Smith were presented with Harrogate Convention Centre‘s new costings for 2023, which would see overall costs double, making the festival in its present form impossible to stage. With no compromises forthcoming, there was sadly no option but to leave the town.

“The decision was not taken lightly. The festival has invested heavily in growing the festival in the town, and we know our visitors, who travel from all around the world every year, will certainly miss Harrogate, and particularly the magnificent Royal Hall.”

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An email from the organisers to festival supporters last week said Buxton Opera House, “pulled out every stop to accommodate the festival, ensuring a sustainable future for this important event”.

The event moved to Harrogate in 2014.

The festival was first staged in Buxton in 1993 before moving to Harrogate. The email said:

“We are immensely sorry to leave so many fantastic friends in Harrogate and the magnificent Royal Hall theatre.

“Buxton is, and always will be, the spiritual home of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.  We are excited to return and look forward to seeing everyone there next year.”

The Stray Ferret has approached Harrogate Borough Council, which manages the Royal Hall, for comment.

Roads

Temporary traffic lights were due to arrive last week on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road, according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map. The work, due to last for five weeks by Northern Gas Networks, did not begin, but it is likely to do so this week.

Traffic control in the form of stop / go boards is due to be active for two days at the junction of Skipton Road and Regent Parade.

Roadworks remain in place on Montpellier Road in Harrogate, as well as on Crescent Road. The latter works mean motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Resurfacing work at Abbey Road in Knaresborough are due to be in place until October 21 so resurfacing can take place. A road closure and signed diversion will be in place during the works.

The Fellbeck bridge closure, which involves a diversion, is scheduled to last until November 12.

Trains and buses

No reported problems on Northern trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning after Saturday’s rail strikes.

Good news for rail passengers on Harrogate’s LNER services after major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail caused disruption to services for almost two weeks. However, the 7.44am York to London service has been cancelled.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems this morning after police closed the A61 between Ripley and Ripon last night.

You can check bus service updates here.

Read more:

• Major blow to hospitality sector as Harrogate loses 15-day festival
• Pedestrian seriously injured in collision at Knaresborough retail park

Activist Sarah Gibbs has pledged to step-up the campaign to save Harrogate’s Rotary Wood after more than 100 people took part in the latest event.

Harrogate Spring Water, which is owned by French firm Danone, has revived 2017 plans to fell trees in Rotary Wood so it can expand its bottling plant.

Ms Gibbs has been at the forefront of the campaign to persuade councillors to reject the application when it comes before Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee.

She has organised numerous protests and stunts, often while dressed as a tree, to raise awareness of the issue.

The start of the walk to Rotary Wood. Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee

Last weekend’s walk to Rotary Wood was perhaps the most popular yet, attracting local people as well as delegates in Harrogate for the Green Party autumn conference.

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Among those taking part was 19-year-old Lucy Turner, who travelled from Manchester, where she attends university. She said:

“I’m from Harrogate and planted the trees here with Western Primary School when I was seven years old. Rotary Wood is extremely valuable to me.

“Expanding a company that produces plastic bottles is already extremely damaging to the environment and the fact that in doing so the Rotary Wood would be destroyed exacerbates the carelessness of this proposal, especially given the climate crisis we are currently battling.”

Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee

Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:

“We know the expansion plans remain a concern for the majority with the potential loss of acres of woodland and community green space.”

Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee

Ms Gibbs said the “fantastic turn-out was a reminder that these woods really do matter to so many people” and she feels the campaign is gathering momentum.

She said:

“Since our walk on Sunday there has been new and renewed interest and enthusiasm to save Rotary Wood.

“Members of the community have come forward to offer their support and so we plan to have discussions together regarding next steps asap.

“This is community in action so everybody’s input is welcome and valued.

“We envision future events and actions to be fun, creative, and educational. Most importantly, we hope to offer a variety of approaches to be as inclusive and engaging as possible.”

It is not known when Harrogate Spring Water’s planning application will come before the council’s planning committee.

Leading football clubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough are considering whether to kick-off earlier on Saturday afternoons over winter to save money on floodlights.

Rising energy bills mean the cost of lighting up matches is expected to soar this season, especially after the clocks go back on October 30.

Bringing forward the traditional 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off could save those clubs in the district with floodlights — Harrogate Town, Harrogate Railway Athletic and Knaresborough Town — thousands of pounds over the season.

For the district’s only professional club, Harrogate Town, any change seems unlikely. A club spokesman said:

“We have no plans to move our kick-offs at this stage.

“It was discussed at an English Football League meeting with all clubs last week and the overriding feeling was that it would be detrimental to attendances.”

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But the issue is less clearcut for semi-professional teams, which attract smaller attendances.

Michael Edwards, chairman of Harrogate Railway, who play in the Northern Counties East League Division One, said it was one of many teams in the league pursuing the idea. He said:

“It could save hundreds if not thousands of pounds over a season and every little bit counts.”

He said Harrogate Railway were looking to start some matches at 1.30pm or 2pm from November onwards — but any change has to be agreed by both teams three weeks in advance.

Clare Rudzinski, secretary of Knaresborough Town, who play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, one tier above Harrogate Railway, said the issue would be raised at a committee meeting next week.

Floodlights will continue to be used at midweek matches, when the evening kickoff times make floodlights essential.

An ambitious new two-day music festival in a small Harrogate village began last night.

The Amy Woodforde-Finden Music Festival was created to promote a female composer who is buried in Hampsthwaite.

About 70 people attended a recital of her songs at St Thomas a Becket Church, featuring London mezzo-soprano Patricia Hammond.

A guided tour of Amy’s Hampsthwaite this morning will be followed by a concluding concert this evening featuring two baritones and talented local musicians at St Thomas a Becket.

It is hoped the festival will become an annual event, promoting the work of Amy and other female composers, as well as engaging local artists and schools.

Amy’s music was much sought-after at the turn of the last century but her reputation fell into obscurity following her death in 1919.

Amy Woodforde-Finden’s tomb

Her tomb in St Thomas a Becket Church attracted little attention for a century until the German composer and pianist Thomas Flessenkaemper was appointed director of music for the benefice of Hampsthwaite, Killinghall and Birstwith.

Mr Flessenkaemper noticed the tomb during his interview for the role and when he took up the position he became curious. He said:

“I set out to track down this extraordinary artistic personality. I quickly realised that I had struck gold and read everything I could find about Amy Woodforde-Finden.”

He became “completely drunk on the colourfulness of her musical language” and set about establishing a festival to promote her work.

St Thomas a Becket Church last night

Mr Flessenkaemper accompanied Ms Hammond at last night’s recital, the highlight of which was Amy’s four-song Indian Love Lyrics.

The programme notes included a supportive quote from international pianist Stephen Hough, who said he “immediately fell in love with the alluring melodies, the exotic harmonies and the ultra-sentimental words” of Amy’s music.

A video set to Amy’s music featuring Hampsthwaite is available here.

Tickets for this evening’s concert are available here and at the church door tonight.

Read more:

• New music festival to mark composer’s link to Nidderdale village
• Oatlands community artwork to be unveiled in Harrogate this weekend