Find it all a little too overhyped and mushy? If you are looking for something different to the dozen red roses and dinner out this Valentine’s week, there are events happening in the Harrogate district that may be an option for you and your loved one.
Whether you’re into the supernatural, a night at the Opera or just an evening of laughter, here are four ideas for an interesting, if less romantic, night out.
My Bloody Valentine – Ouija Event
If you really are anti-Valentine’s and seeking something sinister this year, Paul Forster and Dead Northern’s séance may be an option.
The event will take place on the rooftop of the Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate on Saturday 11 February, from 7pm – 10pm.
Organisers say guests can expect “a cross between an interactive séance and a psychological spook show”. There will be a Ouija board present at the event – some may even attempt to connect with spirits passed.
Tickets include entry to the event and a hot meal in the intermission.
Guests are invited to bring a personal item with them to add value to their experience.
Ticket prices start at £33.30.
For more information, click here.
Four Weddings and a Murder
Keeping in line with the darker side of love, an immersive murder mystery event, Four Weddings and a Murder, will take place at Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate.
The event will run from 7.30pm – 10.30pm on Friday 24 February.
Guests join a group of friends celebrating a wedding, during which a murder takes place. The audience are invited to help solve the murder before it’s too late.
The night includes a three-course meal. Guests can also upgrade their tickets to include an overnight stay in the hotel with breakfast the following morning.
Tickets for the event start from £51.
Find more information here.
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- New Masham restaurant wins Michelin Guide accolade
Royal Opera House Live: The Barber of Seville
On a slightly more romantic note, if culture is what you are looking for this Valentine’s, Everyman Cinema is hosting a live stream of the Royal Opera House’s adaptation of “The Barber of Seville”.
The Everyman Cinema is located in the centre of Harrogate.
The Italian comic opera tells the story of a young girl, Rosina. After falling in love with a mysterious suitor, Rosina must use her cunning wit and disguises to outsmart her calculated guardian.
The live stream will take place on Wednesday 15 February at 6.45pm.
Click here for more information.
Harrogate Theatre: Bouncers
Budding thespians might fancy a trip to the local theatre this Valentine’s. John Godber Company presents “Bouncers” at Harrogate Theatre.
The play will run from 13-15 February, with both evening and matinee performances.
The play follows four friends reliving a night in a Yorkshire disco in the 1980’s. Guests can expect all aspects of the night out on stage, including the DJ and even a fish & chip van.
Tickets for the play start at £18.
Find more information here.
Photo of the Week: Comet ZTF
This week’s photograph was taken by Thomas Russell, who captured an eye-catching green comet as it flew through the night sky for the first time in 50,000 years. Thomas was able to capture this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime image from his front garden in Harrogate.
Comet C/2022 E3(ZTF) by Thomas Russell
Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.
Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.
Harrogate Restaurant Week: keep your tummy and bank balance happyOn Monday 5 February, Harrogate Restaurant Week will begin. Restaurants in and around Harrogate are taking part in a promotional week, serving up some tasty discounts and helping us enjoy the luxury of dining out for less.
Restaurant Week is running from Monday 6 – Friday 10 February.
To help you save your pennies, we have curated a list of six participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week offers.
The Fat Badger
The Fat Badger is offering a homemade pie with a pint of bitter for just £10 during the promotional week.
Customers can enjoy a hearty steak, mushroom and ale pie, washed down with Tetley’s Best.
For more information on the restaurant, visit here.
The West Park Hotel
The West Park Hotel is offering two courses for £15, or three courses for £20 during Restaurant Week.
Customers can choose their courses from the new Restaurant Week menu.
Click to find more information on The West Park Hotel.
The West Park Hotel will have a specific Restaurant Week menu.
Cosy Club
Cosy Club is offering customers a main and dessert for £15.
The Restaurant Week menu includes buttermilk fried chicken with fries, coleslaw and smoked red pepper aioli, along with a vegan baked vanilla cheesecake with raspberries.
Read more:
William & Victoria
William & Victoria will also be partaking in Restaurant Week, offering customers two courses for £15, or three courses for £20.
Customers can expect to see dishes such as honey glazed goats cheese, fresh Moules Marinière and affogato on the promotional menu.
The menu will be available during both lunch service from 12pm – 2.30pm, and dinner service from 5pm – 9m.
Rudding Park Hotel
Rudding Park Hotel’s Clocktower Brasserie is offering two courses and a glass of Prosecco for £20 during Restaurant Week.
The offer will be available from 12pm – 5pm during the promotional week.
Customers can choose their courses from the Restaurant Week menu.
For more information, click here.
The Clocktower Brasserie will be participating in Restaurant Week.
The Inn, South Stainley
The Inn, South Stainley between Harrogate and Ripon is also offering a starter and main course for £20.
The offer is available during lunch and dinner services.
The Restaurant Week menu includes a homemade soup and giant Yorkshire puddings.
Harrogate gaming cafe launches fundraiser for autism calm spaceA gaming café in Harrogate is raising money to create a calm space in its store designed specially for autistic customers.
Geek Retreat has teamed up with autism support specialist KoKoPie Families to hit its £250 fundraising target and is already a third of the way there.
Supporters can make a donation to guess the number of sweets in a large jar in-store or enter a prize draw to win a hamper.
The initiative will culminate on Saturday, February 25, when the Geek Retreat will hold its main fundraising event at its Oxford Street premises, with a bake sale, portrait-drawing and game-play.
Geek Retreat staff member Maddy said:
“It’s really important to me and the team at Geek Retreat that everyone has a space where they feel safe and wanted. I already see this happening at Geek Retreat, and can’t wait to see how the fundraiser makes that goal include as many people as possible.”
The funds will be used to supply sensory equipment, a film-screening licence and equipment, bean-bags, stim-kits, and inclusive books to add to the café’s diversity library.
Nurse consultant Laura Hellfeld, who runs KoKoPie Families, said:
“Partnering with Geek Retreat was a quick decision as we share a vision of creating inclusive and accepting spaces. The resources bought through this fundraiser will be incredibly valuable for ensuring even more community members know that they are valued and welcomed into a café that has been adjusted to fit their needs.”
Geek Retreat is a national franchise operation, with about 50 stores across Britain.
To donate to Geek Retreat’s inclusive calm space fundraiser online, go to its JustGiving page.
Read more:
- ‘Long waiting lists’ for child ADHD and autism in Harrogate, says MP
- Harrogate’s Geek Retreat to create autism-friendly space
- Harrogate Library to launch Lego club for children with autism and disabilities
Developer withdraws former Harrogate Orvis store flats plan
A developer has withdrawn plans to create six new flats above the former Orvis store in Harrogate.
The proposal lodged by York-based Balance Planning Solution Ltd on behalf of Andrew Farr would have seen the upper floors of the unit on West Park converted for housing.
Orvis closed its doors back in April 2022 after 25 years of trading in the town.
The plan would see part of the ground floor unit converted for access to the apartments, along with an entrance to the back of the building next to the Coach House flats on Robert Street.
However, the developer has since withdrawn the application.
It comes despite supportive comments from Harrogate Borough Council’s economic officers and Harrogate Civic Society.
Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the authority, said in a letter:
“Upper floor residential at this location will add to the vibrancy of the town, supporting both the daytime and evening economy.”
Meanwhile, Henry Pankhurst, of the civic society, said:
“The civic society has for many years – decades actually – supported the use or better use of unused or underused upper floors of town centre premises, especially residential use.”
Read more:
- Plan to create six flats above former Harrogate Orvis store
- Developer withdraws plan for 55 retirement homes in Kirk Hammerton
- Harrogate council refuses James Street aparthotel plan
Former teacher aims to sprinkle Stardust across the generations in Harrogate
A free drama class will use common experiences to unite the generations in Harrogate this month.
The Cuttings extra care apartments in Starbeck will welcome pre-school children to take part in the new drama class run by a familiar face around the Harrogate district.
Ami Stott is running the event, on February 13, through her new venture, Stardust Drama. The free class will see young and old unite to explore the weather theme, with storytelling and music to guide them through.
Ami said:
“I had already formed a link with The Cuttings before covid and it was amazing to take classes there.
“Then covid struck and that stopped everything. They weren’t able to have groups coming in for a long time, but they’ve been wanting me to come back for a while.
“It’s brilliant for the residents. It’s new faces, it helps combat loneliness and it just brings a bit of joy to their days.
“For the children, there’s no fear at that age. As children grow up, they can become nervous of elderly people and it’s if you get these activities form a younger age, hopefully you can avoid that.”
Taking “great British weather” as a universal theme, the session will use drama and imaginative play to take participants from a trip to the beach to a storm and into snow.
Familiar songs and stories will help residents to recall trips to the seaside and they will be able to join in the action from the comfort of their own seats.
Ami said she hopes the event, which has already sold out, will become a monthly fixture in the calendar at The Cuttings.
Read more:
- Harrogate mum launches group for neurodiverse children and their parents
- Harrogate district school launches parent and baby group to help with cost-of-living crisis
Meanwhile, Ami is also launching weekly drama classes for children aged between two and four.
Taking place at Oatlands Community Centre on Wednesdays and Elim Pentecostal Church on Park View on Thursdays, they aim to encourage children to develop a range of abilities, including theatre skills, confidence and making friends.
Ami, who trained in drama and arts education at Bretton Hall, was previously head of drama at Heckmondwike Grammar School for seven years, before leaving teaching to raise her children.
She has since led classes for other baby and children’s groups around the Harrogate district. Stardust Drama is her first solo venture, and classes begin at the start of March.
Ami said:
Overnight arson attack on shed in Harrogate’s Dalby Avenue“I am so excited, I just want to get started now. The themes of each week will link to national events, so we’ll be starting with one on World Book Day and exploring We’re Going On a Bear Hunt.
“We’ve got a mascot, TaDa the Star, and I’m absolutely loving creating all the lesson plans and getting ready to deliver the classes in the way that benefits the children the most. That’s where my passion lies.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough firefighters were called out last night to a shed that was set alight on purpose.
The crew was summoned to Dalby Avenue in Harrogate at 4.53am to deal with the incident.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:
“The cause was deliberate.”
Earlier in the night, a crew from Harrogate went to Starbeck High Street at 1.14am to a report of a male locked out of his home.
The incident log said:
“The male needed access to medication inside therefore crews used a lock snapper and spreaders to gain entry.”
Read more:
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- Harrogate district teachers go on strike — and firefighters could be next
Accident reignites calls for traffic lights at ‘horrendous’ Killinghall junction
A collision involving a pedestrian this week has reignited debate about what can be done to improve safety at a bottleneck junction in Killinghall.
The Ripon Road and Otley Road junction has been added to the agenda of Monday’s Killinghall Parish Council meeting in the wake of the accident.
It may be a new agenda item but it is an old topic, as parish council chairman Anne Holdsworth is only too aware. She says:
“I’ve lived in the village since 1961 and that junction has always been a problem.
“People in the village have been anticipating a collision like this. It’s horrendous but the question is, what do you do?
“I’m not sure what the solution is. All we can do is draw attention to it to the experts.”
The junction is frequently snarled up at rush hour so there are concerns about traffic flow as well as safety.
Vehicles turning right from Otley Road or turning right on to Otley Road often face particularly long delays, and the addition of the Tesco Express — although widely welcomed in the rapidly-expanding village — has added another dimension to drivers’ thoughts at the junction.
Turning right on to Otley Road
North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, considered installing traffic lights pre-covid but nothing happened.
Cllr Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on the county council, said the traffic lights plans were “paused” due to work on the Tesco Express, which opened last year. Cllr Harrison added:
“I have asked the council highways team for an update on this.
“I have previously voiced concerns about potential congestion that signalising that junction might cause, although obviously that has to be balanced against safety concerns which are more apparent since the pub was converted to a Tesco.”
Tackling speed ‘the priority’
Villagers agree it’s time for action — but what is the solution?
Harvey Radcliffe said the junction was “poorly designed and an accident waiting to happen”, adding:
“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed. I’ve lived in the village for 12 years and I’ve never seen driving like it recently. I’m genuinely concerned for the kids and older residents of the village.”
Mr Radcliffe said speed prevention measures were the first priority. He said adding traffic lights and moving the bus stop that is close to the Tesco entrance, would help. He added:
“Everyone’s in a rush but when you drive in a populated area, if there is one straight road the quality of driving becomes worse as people just see it as a race track, especially at night. I’ve seen taxis doing 60 or 70mph down Ripon Road.”
The Tesco Express has created another factor for drivers to think about.
A mini roundabout, similar to the ones that have improved traffic flow at Bond End, has been suggested but Killinghall resident Tom Beardsell, who recently posted a video on social media highlighting the problems facing motorists at the junction, isn’t keen. He said:
“There would be more accidents with a mini roundabout as most people don’t know how to use them.”
Mr Beardsell said locals were “absolutely fuming” following this week’s collision and suggested introducing smart lights that allowed traffic to flow on the A61 most of the time but changed when someone pulls up at Otley Road. He said:
“It will disrupt traffic flow but it will be safer.”
Read more:
- Refurbished church aims to meet needs of growing Killinghall community
- Killinghall Cricket Club applies to build new two-storey pavilion
Former parish councillor Mike Wilkinson also thinks it’s time for traffic lights.
“As a resident and parent living in Killinghall, l am daily concerned that a fatality at the junction of Ripon/Otley Road will occur due to the unsafe driving witnessed on a daily basis.
“Incidents have been reported to the police and also Harrogate Borough Council but no safety measures have been put in place to give reassurance to the Killinghall residents. I would like a meeting to be set up with relevant agencies and the public to share the recent issues
“Traffic lights would be the best option, and this would stop traffic rushing through the junction especially trying to turn right from Otley Road onto Ripon Road.”
Whatever the parish council calls for this week, the final decision will rest with North Yorkshire County Council, and North Yorkshire Council — which will succeed it on April 1.
Paperchase in Harrogate to closePaperchase in Harrogate is holding a closing down sale after the company went into administration this week.
Tesco bought the rights to the cards, gifts and stationery brand, entitling it to sell Paperchase items in its supermarkets, but did not buy the stores.
It means the shop on James Street is one of 106 stores facing uncertain futures. More than 800 staff nationally are affected.
Signs have now gone up in the window confirming the closure, although the final day of trading is not yet known.
In-store notices confirm administrators Begbies Traynor have been running the business since Tuesday.
They say no further gift cards will be sold and customers have until 5pm on February 14 to use existing gift cards.
Read more:
- Paperchase in Harrogate faces uncertain future as company goes into administration
- Valley Gardens visitors urged not to feed ducks
Rescuers help injured mountain biker near Harrogate
A mountain biker had to be rescued when he broke his leg riding near Harrogate this week.
The cyclist came off his bike at Norwood Edge, which is a popular location for on and off-road cyclists.
Volunteers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were summoned to help the man on Monday.
Pic: Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association
In a Facebook post, the association said:
“We received a call from Yorkshire Ambulance Service to assist with a 43-year-old male mountain biker who had fallen off his bike sustaining a broken leg.
“First team members on the scene carried out a primary survey while waiting for the team vehicles and the ambulance crew.
“The team assisted the crew to package casualty and then carry off to waiting ambulance. We wish him a quick and full recovery.”
Read more: