It is an ancient organisation shrouded in mystery, which conjures up images of aprons, arcane symbols and secret handshakes.

However, in an effort to bring the fraternity into the modern era and attract younger members, Freemasons in Yorkshire are attempting to become TikTok famous.

The Province of Yorkshire West Riding has posted two videos on its new account – @wrfreemasons – including a take on the staircase scene from Titanic, set to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On.

@wrfreemasons

If you would like to know more about Freemasonry in Yorkshire, West Riding, visit http://wrprovince.org.uk #freemasons #brotherhood #fraternity

♬ My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from “Titanic”) – Céline Dion

The second is a TikTok of the famous Masonic aprons, described as “a badge of honour” being packed into a suitcase, with the caption ‘Freemasons wear aprons’. This is set to the track Run, by Becky Hill and Galantis.

@wrfreemasons

Freemasons wear aprons. #freemasons #fraternity #brotherhood #community #clothing #Yorkshire

♬ Run – Becky Hill & Galantis

Both have been filmed by member of Harrogate’s Harlow Lodge David Simister.

He said:

“Obviously we are a secret society, but we are hoping to open it up to a new, younger audience on TikTok.”

Harrogate’s Royal Hall to feature in next video

A third TikTok video which will be a take on the Kingsman movies – complete with bowler hats – is set to be filmed outside Harrogate’s Royal Hall on Saturday.

It follows the launch of a video on the The Province of Yorkshire West Riding’s website last month, which throws light on what Freemasonry is all about.

The film features a number of Freemasons, including a university undergraduate, retired firefighter, former soldier and a financial consultant, explaining what enticed them to join.

It also shows the splendour of a Masonic ceremony, the charitable side of the organisation and, more importantly, the diversity of its members from so many different walks of life and social backgrounds.

Read more:

• ‘So beautiful I can’t believe it’s real’: TikTok video of Knaresborough goes viral

• TikTok famous: 4 videos featuring the Harrogate district’s people and places

Based on the old West Riding of Yorkshire, the Province has more than 5,000 members and over 180 individual Lodges, and covers an area from Sheffield in the south, to Ripon in the north, Goole in the east and across to High Bentham in the west.

Five lodges in Harrogate

There are five individual lodges in Harrogate, with around 400 members who meet at the Masonic Hall on Station Avenue.

James Newman, who will become the Province’s most senior member at a ceremony held in Harrogate next month, said:

“Freemasonry in Yorkshire dates back well over 200 hundred years and, in a nutshell, it is about making good men better.

“Our members range in age from those in their late teens and early twenties to those who are in their nineties and older and they hail from many different professions, ethnic backgrounds and religions.’’

Mr Newman said charity was at the heart of Freemasonry, with the Province of Yorkshire giving more than £200,000 to a variety of local causes each year, including schools, hospices, youth organisations and community groups.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Aldred has issued a plea for Harrogate Borough Council to halt a controversial planning application for 181 homes on Kingsley Drive in Starbeck.

At a full council meeting last night, Cllr Aldred asked Conservative cabinet member for planning, Cllr Tim Myatt, if he would consider issuing a ‘moratorium’ on the plans, which were submitted this week by Persimmon Homes.

It is the third time the developer has submitted a proposal at the location, which used to form part of Kingsley Farm. A larger application for 217 homes was rejected by councillors in August.

Cllr Aldred, who currently represents the Fairfax ward, cited government Housing Delivery Test figures that revealed Harrogate Borough Council has exceeded its housebuilding target by almost 1,700 homes over the last three years.

He said he attended a meeting of Kingsley residents last month to discuss the application and heard how various housing schemes have heaped “misery” on local residents due to the disruption caused.

Read more:

• Developer submits 181-home Kingsley Drive plan
• Starbeck residents pledge to fight 181-home Kingsley Drive plans ‘tooth and nail’

Cllr Aldred said:

“We’ve met the target, so would the cabinet member be prepared to consider an immediate moratorium halting the proposed development of a further 181 homes that went into planning yesterday?

“It’s greatly affecting the physical and mental health of Kingsley residents.”

‘Intense period of development’

In response, Cllr Myatt, who represents High Harrogate on the council, said he had “great sympathy” for people affected by the “intense period of development” in the ward.

But he said over the past six years, the council was still below the housing need target identified in the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-2035, which maps out where development can take place until 2034.

Cllr Tim Myatt

The government and the council’s Local Plan have different housebuilding targets for the district.

Cllr Myatt said:

“I have been speaking with residents regularly about this application and about what I think the weaknesses are.

“We have a Local Plan, which was adopted recently. It has a target for local need for the past six years. It’s around 690 homes per year. If you look at those figures, we haven’t exceeded that target over the past six years, in fact we are slightly below it.”

Local Plan

The Local Plan was adopted in 2020 but can be reviewed after five years.

Cllr Myatt confirmed that officers are already working on the review, which could see some sites removed if it is deemed the housing need for the district has changed.

Cllr Myatt added:

“Can I order a cease of planning applications? That simply wouldn’t hold up on a national level and I think the councillor knows that, he was just trying to get me to say no. It’s not something within my gift to cease housing applications, if I tried to do so, it would be overturned nationally.

“Our Local Plan is in place, it was voted on by this council and received a strong approval.”

A new restaurant celebrating “exceptional British produce” is set to open at the former Le Bistrot Pierre site in Harrogate this month.

Work is underway to transform the building into Samsons restaurant and bar, dubbed a “vibrant yet elegant dining and drinking destination”.

The spacious unit on Cheltenham Parade has remained empty since July 2020 after Le Bistrot Pierre became one of the first restaurant casualties of the pandemic.

Managing director Mark Morris said:

“I am thrilled to bring the people of Harrogate and the surrounding area a unique drink and dining location in the heart of the town.”

The team behind Samsons includes executive chef Josh Whitehead, who is known for his work with the Harewood Food and Drink Project. He was also a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals 2016. Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club, Leeds, is also involved.

No opening date has been announced yet.

Roof garden

It aims to be the first carbon-neutral restaurant in the UK. This includes plans to launch a full roof garden with a wild flower meadow and bee hives next year.

The ‘design-led’ restaurant, which will offer an all-day dining space with plush booth seating, will have space for up to 182 guests across the main restaurant and bar, as well as a snug room for private wine-tasting.

Read more:

• Sneak Peek: Cheese, wine and charcuterie bar opens today in Harrogate
• Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway

Samsons is currently recruiting staff, with a job advertisement for various positions stating:

“Samsons is unique, reflecting its heritage and location, but founded on the core values and principles. Sustainability, provenance, seasonality and traceability shines through.

“We will be striving to be the best restaurant in Harrogate.”

The empty premises were due to be occupied by Tomahawk Steakhouse, however the restaurant chain is now planning to move into Solita Food Hall’s space on Parliament Street, which closed last year after just six months.

The steakhouse had planned to open in January, but with the change of location it is now planning to launch in April.

The site was also formerly Jamie Oliver’s restaurant.

This article is sponsored by Gracie Barra Harrogate

After months spent in various lockdowns, I was determined to find a club for my eight-year-old son that would allow him to meet other kids and help him to rebuild some confidence.

Like the majority of parents in the pandemic, the struggle to juggle work, homeschooling and a toddler was real.

Inevitably screen time went up while we attempted to work from home.

So when gyms and clubs were allowed to re-open again, I wanted my son to channel his energy into a sport or martial art.

And there was one club in particular that caught my eye when I was scrolling Instagram one evening.

Under the leadership of Lewis Matthews and his team of coaches, Gracie Barra Harrogate had been teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes over Zoom during the lockdown.

Once restrictions had eased, a full timetable of children’s sessions was launched at the newly-refurbished school at Hornbeam Park.

The popularity of BJJ has soared in recent years. With many high-profile personalities preaching its benefits. As well as building fitness levels, the martial art allows children to experience and understand core values like focus, discipline, persistence, co-operation and respect.

The academy is part of the global martial arts organisation, Gracie Barra, and forms part of a network of schools across the world offering the highest standard of BJJ instruction.

The structured curriculum is age and skill level appropriate, with children ranging from four-years-old to 15, before moving into adult programmes. It is aimed at teaching kids practical self defence skills that will give them confidence moving through life, as well as introducing them to an exciting and challenging new sport.

Techniques taught within BJJ focus not on striking, but on grappling and defending yourself, without the need to punch or kick someone.

Lewis said:

“These are valuable skills that are needed, as the potential consequences for striking someone often outweigh the benefit. But we also practice the sport of BJJ, which is incredibly fun too.”

So in November I signed my son up for a free trial at the facility, which is impressive in itself, with its huge floor space and its striking blue and red interior.

I was able to sit in the bright and airy reception area and watch him enjoy his session.

In just a few months his confidence has soared, he has made friends – and grappled with – lots of other children from across Harrogate and he has realised that hard work pays off.

I put this down to the quality of the coaching, which sees sessions delivered in a fun and relaxed manner, while also being incredibly thorough.

Recently he was awarded the first stripe on his belt, which gave him a huge sense of achievement.

Lewis said:

“In BJJ there is a huge emphasis placed upon enjoying the process of practice as much as the end result.

“As such, ‘gradings’ and new belts are not as frequent, but recognition comes in the form of stripes at intervals between belts.

“This teaches children about patience, persistence and to not just get hung-up on collecting the shiny object at the end.”

Other parents have also sung the school’s praises.

Ryan Ellis has two children, aged eight and five, who started at Gracie Barra in June 2021.

He said:

“I chose Grace Barra Harrogate as I had a taster session there myself the previous year. I remember how welcoming and helpful everybody was and this prompted me to look into the kids’ classes.

“My children both enjoy being active and the class gives them plenty of opportunity for this.

“The classes contain a great variety of activities, from the animal warm-ups, to finishing with a game of dodgeball, there’s something for everyone.”

Ryan said he had noticed an improved sense of confidence in his children which had transferred into school life, particularly with his son.

He said:

“I like how the classes promote respect and resilience, both of which are important life skills for them growing up.

“I couldn’t recommend the classes enough. Lewis and the team are exceptional role models to both of my children and every child should give BJJ a go.”

Gracie Barra Harrogate’s owner Lewis Matthews started teaching BJJ in 2017 as he wanted somewhere to train closer to home, with there being no real offering in Harrogate.

He started the kids’ classes after his American friend, and former business partner, Geoffrey Cumbus, a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner working at Menwith Hill, suggested offering a juniors programme. BJJ is extremely popular in the States.

Lewis said:

“There was a doctor on the base who knew Geoff and his children had practiced BJJ back in the States. He kept asking Geoff if we would start a class for his four kids.

“His children started training on the edge of the mat in the adult classes and eventually we made the jump and launched a Saturday kids’ class.”

From 2018 until 2020, the classes continued to grow, so when Lewis became a dad in 2020, he faced a big decision.

He said:

“I used to work in construction and I was working on a job at Betty’s and Taylors that I knew was going to come to an end.

“For me I had a lifestyle choice to make. I realised that if whatever new project I was working on took me away from Harrogate, I would have to almost close the club down.

“I came to a bit of a crossroads. I realised I could go all in on this, make it a full-time job and have a better work/life balance, which meant I could see my family and stay in Harrogate.”

So Lewis, who started training in BJJ in 2006, decided to go for it and spent the first national lockdown transforming what was formerly BigKat Fitness and Martial Arts into the now full-time Jiu-Jitsu academy at The Zone, Hornbeam Park.

However, when the newly-refurbished school opened with a full children’s timetable, like many businesses, Lewis then had to navigate two more lockdowns and a string of constantly-changing Government restrictions.

He said:

“Fortunately we went from strength-to-strength.

“I remember being so nervous leaving my job, but I had faith in what me and the team were building. 

“When I first started training Jiu-Jitsu in Harrogate, it was for my own benefit. Before that first kids’ class I wasn’t so sure about teaching children’s classes, or whether I would enjoy it. 

“But now something I was initially nervous about doing, has become my most enjoyable part of coaching.

“You see the impact, how much they enjoy it and how much you can help develop a child that maybe doesn’t have much confidence, or isn’t very co-ordinated, or needs to improve their healthy habits. It’s really rewarding in that sense.”

Tiny Champs classes are for children aged four and five, Little Champs, ages six to nine, and Juniors and Teens is age 10 plus.

Kids classes run at Gracie Barra everyday apart from Friday and Sunday. You can view the full timetable here.

To book a free trial session click here.

Follow Gracie Barra Harrogate on Instagram @gracie_barra_harrogate

A new cheese, wine and charcuterie bar will open on King’s Road in Harrogate today.

The aptly-named Barcuterie is the latest project by Cold Bath Brewing Co, which operates a pub and brewery opposite Harrogate Convention Centre.

Barcuterie is situated in Cold Bath Clubhouse next door to the brewery and is described by the owners as a “space for flavour experimentation as well as showcasing artisanal food and drink”.

As well as local cheeses, fine wines and meat dishes, the menu will include barrel-aged cocktails and, of course, craft beer from the brewery next door.

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

As the name suggests, the brewery was originally set up on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road before moving to King’s Road.

Jim Mossman, Cold Bath Brewing Co founder described the venue as “a space with enormous potential for a life and identity all of its own and brings another dimension to the Cold Bath experience”.

He said the company had worked with “some wonderful people in a series of pop-ups”, adding:

“Now we feel it is time to really reclaim the space as our own. With that, the concept of The Barcuterie was born.”

Read more:

• Harrogate bar bans Russian vodka in support of Ukraine
• Harrogate’s Coach & Horses pub ‘coming back soon’ as plans approved

Recently, the clubhouse was home to Paradise Tap n’ Taco which closed after 16 months of residency.

Mr Mossman added:

“Our Barcuterie is a showcase of independent, hand crafted food, drinks and products of our own and from around the country.”

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

The bar is due to open tonight from 4pm to 10pm and will then open on Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-10pm, on Friday from 4pm-11.30pm, on Saturday from 12pm-11.30pm and on Sunday from 12pm-8pm.

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has been nominated as the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council.

She will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who has held the role since April 2021 during a term disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a full council meeting last night, Cllr Oldham said it was an “absolute thrill” to be nominated.

Conservative council leader Richard Cooper congratulated her on her nomination, saying:

“Vicki and I have known one another since she first became the candidate for the Washburn ward.

“It was my great pleasure to support her during that by-election, and it will be my great pleasure to support her during her mayoral year.”

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, also described the nomination as “wonderful”.

She said:

“Not only will Vicki be our last civic mayor, but she is female and she is rural. Those two pluses are amazing.”

Read more:

• Victoria Shopping Centre value falls by more than 80% in 10 years
• 15,000 Harrogate district households could miss out on council tax rebate

Cllr Oldham will be the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council as the authority will be abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire Council from April 2023.

Elections to the new council will take place in May.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Trevor Chapman.

The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.

Also at last night’s meeting, Conservative councillor Robert Windass, who represents the Boroughbridge ward, was also elected as deputy mayor.

He will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby who represents the Knaresborough Eastfield ward.

The new mayor and deputy mayor will be officially sworn in at an annual full council meeting in May.

A group of Harrogate residents are working hard to get tonnes of donations ready to ship to Poland to help Ukranian refugees.

Kinga Goldsmith, Adam Goldsmith and Joanna Papros started collecting donations of clothes and toiletries at Ms Papros’ Sowa Polish shop on Bower Road.

She said the response was “overwhelming” and the team quickly had to find a space big enough to store all the donated supplies. They have since been storing the donations in a unit at Claro Business Centre.

Clothes, toiletries, nappies and torches are the most requested items for refugees.

As Polish nationals, Ms Goldsmith and Ms Papros have heard from friends of the number of people trying to cross the border for safety. They wanted to help and are grateful to the people of Harrogate for getting behind them.

The donations are due to be driven to Halifax tonight and then later on will be shipped to Poland.

Ms Papros said:

“The people in Harrogate and around have always been so supportive, it’s not a surprise we’ve had such a response. There’s no question we just have to help.”

The group said they’re monitoring the situation and in contact with people on the ground, they said if the need is there they will launch another appeal for donations.

Volunteers sorting through donations. Photograph: Joanna Papros

The Co-op has submitted an objection to Tesco’s plans to build a new supermarket on Skipton Road, saying it would reduce takings at its Jennyfields store by 15%.

The Co-op on Jennyfield Drive is less than a mile from the old gasworks site where Tesco hopes to build its new supermarket.

It also operates smaller shops tied to petrol stations on Skipton Road and Ripon Road.

Planning consultant Barton Willmore submitted the objection last week on behalf of the retailer.

It was submitted two days before Waitrose submitted an objection of its own that claimed a new Tesco would have a “significant adverse impact” on its large supermarket on Station Parade as well as the large Asda on Bower Road.

Questions over retail assessment

The Co-op has criticised a retail assessment written on behalf of Tesco that was produced to support the retailer’s claim that a new supermarket is needed in that area of Harrogate.

The assessment suggested a Tesco would only divert 4% of trade from the Co-op in Jennyfields, which the Co-op called “absurd” in its objection.

It said the true number would be closer to 15%.

Read more:

• Waitrose objects to plans for new Tesco in Harrogate
• Nearly 200 sign petition supporting new Harrogate Tesco
• Tesco consultation results reveal support for new Harrogate store

Tesco’s retail assessment also said the Co-op was “locally-focused” and is “essentially a facility for the Jennyfield community”.

It said any adverse impact from Tesco would be compensated for because residents at new housing developments around Skipton Road and Killinghall would use it.

The Co-op has disputed this suggestion and called on Tesco to produce new data that gives a “more accurate reflection” of the number of new homes that will be built in the area.

‘Consider all feedback’

Tesco submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council to build the new store in December.

It would be 38,795 square feet and include a petrol filling station, 200 car parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points and 24 cycle spaces. A new mini-roundabout would also be built on Skipton Road.

Tesco says 100 jobs would be created.

A Tesco spokesperson said it will consider all feedback from other supermarkets about the application.

They said:

“We will consider all feedback received on our application and will have further discussions with Harrogate council about the issues raised.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

The Knitting & Stitching Show has agreed a deal to stay at Harrogate Convention Centre for the next three years.

The show, which is open to the public, features hundreds of stands from retailers, more than 200 workshops, a theatre with live demos, gallery exhibitions and expert advice.

The economic impact of the show on the town is estimated to be £2 million over the three years of the deal.

Organisers predict 12,000 to 14,000 visitors will attend the four-day show from November 17 to 20, which will mark the 30th year the show has exhibited in Harrogate.

Paula Lorimer, director at the centre, said:

“This news follows on from a raft of other flagship events that have signed contracts to return to our venue for the next three or four years, including the Flooring Show, Home and Gift, the Bridal Show and Fashion Week.

“These are crucial as they mark the confident return of big exhibitions, which are such big drivers of the wider local economy.”

Harrogate firm completing £2m refurbishment of Leeds building

A Harrogate-company has almost completed a £2m refurbishment of a historic Grade II listed building in Leeds city centre.

Westcourt Group‘s upgrade of 56 Wellington Street, with the building dating back to 1873, will provide 10,254 sq ft of prime grade A office space over six floors in the city’s professional district.

56 Wellington Street

Tim Hodgson, managing director of Westcourt Group, said:

“This is a truly unique building that we have sensitively reinvented to provide grade A workspace with an attention to detail that that really accentuates the building’s heritage, whilst importantly bringing into the 21st century.”

Some of the staff taking part.

Johnsons staff pledge to walk 280,000 steps for Cancer Research UK

Staff at Harrogate district nursery Johnsons of Whixley have pledged to walk 10,000 steps each during March as they take part in Cancer Research UK’s Walk All Over Cancer challenge.

Throughout March, 28 staff members at Johnsons will walk a total of 280,000 steps combined, which equates to approximately 140 miles per day, 980 miles per week and an overall estimate of 5,000 miles for the month.

Marketing manager Eleanor Richardson has organised the challenge.

“The steps challenge is a great way to fundraise for the charity and a great activity for team building and general fitness. There are many benefits to walking 10,000 steps per day.”

You can support Johnsons walking challenge here.

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