Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

I have lived in Yorkshire for ten years, and I am still pleasantly surprised when I discover places on my doorstep that I didn’t know existed. Growing up in Nigeria, my mum took my brother and I to look at sculptures and my love for the Arts was born.

So, when a reader, Margaret Smith, suggested I visit the Himalayan Gardens near Ripon to check out the sculptures and the café, I knew I had to go. A chance to be outdoors, get close to nature, see an array of plants was topped off with a promise of a ‘cherry on top’ visit to the café.

Yorkshire weather was on its best behaviour when I visited the Himalayan Gardens, it was sunny without being too hot and cool without being too breezy; sky had the best shade of blue and it was the perfect day to take in the breath-taking beauty of the Garden.

It was a welcome assault on four of my five senses with the array of colourful flowers, buzzing bees, the singing birds, sweet smells and different textured plants. It was lovely to come across loads of locals and tourists and crack a joke with a few.

I couldn’t resist taking a lot of pictures as everywhere I turned, there was beauty waiting to be captured. With 45 acres of woodlands to cover, there were much needed places to sit and catch a breath, enjoy a drink and picnic or perhaps meditate.

My sense of taste had to wait until I was at the café. After three and half hours of exploring, I was ready to join a queue of people at the café to try the highly recommended food.

There was a good selection to choose from including four options of panini, five sandwich options, Gardener’s platter including pork pie and cheese, soup, four options of warm tarts, steak ciabatta, and lamb kofta.

I opted for the Himalayan Space bowl which included Himalayan spiced vegetables, with coconut and lime chicken and naan bread. It was either that or the lentil and chickpea dhal also served with a naan bread.

Poke is traditionally Hawaiian which along with the Korean and Japanese versions tend to include raw fish. The Buddha bowl is usually vegan or vegetarian with a warm or cold base. Most bowls have a base of rice or grains, topped with pulses, a sauce, crunch nuts, some raw or cooked protein and lots of vegetables.

The first time I had a ‘poke bowl’ type dish was at the Wild Plum in Harrogate and I couldn’t wait to get back home to recreate some of the elements.

What I love about poke bowls is the amount of varieties of ingredients and the consequent experience of flavours and textures from sweet, salty, umami, bitter, crunchy, and soft, to spicy and sour notes. With every bite, you can alter your taste bud experience as you mix and match the different elements.

One of my personal rules when I eat out is to never order something I regularly cook or can cook so it was easy to give the dhal a miss even though it sounded delicious.

I didn’t know what to expect with my pot of Yorkshire tea and I was pleasantly surprised by the deliciously creamy coconut sauce with a generous portion of grilled but succulent chicken pieces. The fluffy naan bread cut into perfect mini circles was topped with the chicken and some crunchy salad including pea shoots, cherry tomatoes and brown rice. I ordered a portion of oven baked wedges which was perfect for dipping into the rich and creamy sauce. The sign of an enjoyed food is an empty plate and my plate was definitely licked clean. My compliments to the chef.

The service was fast which is a good thing considering the queue was relentless and unending. The tomato and cheese toasty was popular as they ran out but there were loads more alternatives on offer including little pots of ice cream and a good selection of cakes and bakes with loads of gluten free options.

The catering manager and wait staffs were welcoming and worked efficiently to get the food out quickly.

I had an amazing day at the Himalayan Gardens and agree with Margaret that the café is well worth a visit.

My next stop will be to Hutton’s butchers in Knaresborough on June 3 followed by the Harrogate Food Festival on June 24.

Read More: 

• Yemi’s Food Stories: Perfect pies in Pateley Bridge
• Yemi’s Food Stories: a porky discovery at Crimple

A naked walk is to be held near Ripon to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

British Naturism, which promotes naturism, is organising fundraising walks in which people will strip off and feel the breeze on their skin at gardens, stately homes and castles across the country.

The seven venues taking part in this year’s Naked Heart Walks include the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, between Ripon and Masham.

It will host a two kilometre walk for over-18s only on July 1.

This year’s walks are clothing-optional so there is no compulsion to strip naked.

An Ipsos poll commissioned by British Naturism in 2022, revealed almost seven million Brits describe themselves as naturists or nudists.

Andrew Welch, national spokesman for British Naturism, said:

“Taboos around nudity are eroding and the health and well-being benefits of going naked are more widely understood, with more and more people wanting to get the exhilarating feelings for themselves.

“I’m delighted to see the number of our Naked Heart Walks more than double this year and would encourage anyone to come and give it a go — and raise much needed funds for our charity partner.”

Ben Bishop, fundraising manager at the British Heart Foundation, said:

“There are lots of ways you can support the BHF and this is one of the more unusual, but why not try something new?

“Whether you dare to bare or keep your clothes on you can take part knowing that you will be helping our researchers find the new treatments and cures that can keep families together longer.”

Read more:

• Historic Harrogate naturist club holds first open day since covid
• Assets to be sold at failed Ripon firm Farmison

A new sculpture has been completed at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon.

Yorkshire chainsaw sculptor Karl Barker spent three days carving out the model, which was made from a felled Hungarian oak tree.

The tree, which stood at 9ft tall, was felled for safety reasons last year.

In its place, the Himalayan garden team commissioned Mr Barker to create a new sculpture ahead of its reopening on Tuesday, April 4.

He came up with the idea to create a ‘hungry owl seat’.

Mr Barker said:

“As a chainsaw carver based in the heart of North Yorkshire I make a range of bespoke, wooden chainsaw sculptures each one filled with character and charisma. 

“I offer a stump carving service and am delighted to have created the hungry owl seat, transforming what was left of the Hungarian Oak Tree into something visitors can interact with for years to come.”

Will Roberts, owner of the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, said:

“We are delighted with the beautiful piece Karl has created for us. At the start of his three days beavering away with his many chainsaws we really didn’t know what was going to emerge from the stump.

“We really think visitors are going to love the new owl seat and wonder who is going to be the first to sit in it.”

Read more:

• Harrogate and Ripon gardens win gold at Yorkshire in Bloom awards
• Display of 1,300 clay poppies takes over Himalayan Gardens

The Unsung Hero Award is sponsored by The Big Bamboo Agency.

The Harrogate marketing and PR firm provides creative solutions to its clients.

The company’s expertise is delivering specialist strategies, brand development and website and social media management.

The Unsung Hero Award is designed to shine a light on individuals who are not only integral to the day to day, but are prepared to go the extra mile without prompt or payment.

The Finalists

Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the Content Creator and Social Media Manager.

Sally Haslewood, Founder of Mumbler, said,

“Kayti immediately got stuck in and wrote countless blogs for me, all focused on her life as a young mum in Harrogate.

“Kayti is a joy to work with. To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman”.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Kayti Mewis said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award – let alone shortlisted!  Harrogate Mumbler is such an important resource for parents and carers in the area.

“Harrogate is a great place for families to live, and having a job which involves shouting about how great it is, is brilliant!”

Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to deep cleaning Harrogate town centre.

As the town’s Street Ranger Chris Ashby has delivered staggering results from his work and faced situations no one wants to face.

He has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, disposed of 57 used needles and painted numerous bits of street furniture.

His actions in July last year hit the headlines when he rescued a person he found hanging from a tree in the town centre.

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“We nominated Chris as, not only is the work he delivers top notch and making an evidential difference on a daily basis, but he is also somewhat of a Harrogate Ambassador. Chris reacts to the day job instantly, is offering regular and positive good mornings, hellos, helping with directions, alongside supporting some of the most vulnerable.

“As a sole person covering a huge area, Chris’s work has now become the norm. We have nominated him because, if there wasn’t a Chris, Harrogate would be very different place”.

Jago Wallace, Himalayan Garden

Jago Wallace’s “quiet determination” and passion for gardening has found him shortlisted for Unsung Hero.

Jago, a gardener at Ripon’s Himalayan Garden, began his horticulture career aged 17 and, six years later, has full responsibility for the gardens Plant Nursery. He also oversees the gardens National Collection of Rhododendrons. His duties involve knowledgeable plant care, training others, writing reports, keeping plant records and hosting talks and tours of the collection.

Jago always acts as a media spokesperson for the garden and is continuously developing new ideas for activities and features within the business.

Jago’s colleagues describe him as “a humble, gentle soul, who always surprises with his humour, willingness and knowledge”.

Jago said:

“It’s lovely to have been picked as a finalist for this award. Working at such an amazing garden with rare and incredibly interesting plants, the conservation we do helps these plants that are in danger in the wild from habitat loss, is hugely rewarding work.

“Being able to do this where I grew up and live makes what I do feel even more magical.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

National recognition for plant specialism at Himalayan Garden

A visitor attraction near Ripon has been awarded National Plant Collection status by Plant Heritage.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe has been given the award for its collection of rhododendron subsect fortunea, of which it has 29 different types across its 45 acres.

Plant Heritage is a national horticultural charity aiming to conserve the diversity of garden plants in the UK and prevent species becoming extinct.

Jago Wallace, pictured, head of the national collection of rhododendrons at the garden, said:

“We have worked hard to achieve this award, undertaking specific recordings, research, care, and maintenance of these plants to keep them in good condition.

“We have created a new national collection bed to help visitors see the fortunea more closely. With the propagation of our plants being a major aim, all of the garden team have attended master classes on rhododendron propagation, which gives us the skills to improve the care of our national collection.”

The Himalayan Garden also aims to run master classes in future to allow visitors to learn the art of rhododendron propagation.

Read more:

• Carter Jonas makes new senior appointment in Harrogate
• Harrogate pregnancy brand raises £2m to grow company

Gritter firm builds community links with cricket sponsorship deal

A Ripon gritter manufacturer has agreed a deal to sponsor Thirsk Cricket Club for the 2022 season.

Econ Engineering, which has recently completed the construction of a £7m engineering facility in Sowerby, has backed the club as it builds its links with the local community.

The company has an 85% share in the UK winter roads maintenance vehicle market

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s managing director, said:

“We are delighted to associate our name with Thirsk Cricket Club, and see this as the start of a long and fruitful partnership.

“Sowerby is now home to our 1,000-strong gritter hire fleet, which is also where they will be serviced ahead of going back out to councils, civil engineering companies and highways contractors across the UK.

“Our rental fleet had previously been based at our Ripon headquarters; however, it has now grown to such a size we needed a new base, therefore extending our operation into Sowerby.

“We are looking to increase our workforce by 50, and we hope we can attract a good number of these from the local community, hence us starting to forge a close relationship with the local community.”

Thirsk Cricket Club secretary David Richardson added:

“We would like to thank Econ Engineering for becoming our latest sponsor. The backing will enable us to continue our coaching for those looking to develop their skills within this sport.”

Entries are now open for Ripon Civic Society’s biennial design awards, which recognise the best architecture in the Ripon area.

The awards are usually held every two years but covid forced their cancellation in 2020. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 7.

Applications are being sought in six categories, from private individuals, developers, builders and related trades for suitable projects, completed within the past four years.

A copy of the application form for the 2022 awards, which should be completed and submitted by January 31, can be downloaded from the civic society website. 

The last awards in 2018 marked the society’s golden jubilee year.

Winners included the Himalayan Garden in Grewelthorpe, which won the Younge Rosebowl for Best Environmental Improvement.

The Spa at Swinton Park and High Trees, a new house on the former college site in Ripon, were named joint winners of the Hazzard Cup for the Best New Building.

The Spa at Swinton

High Trees also took the Sustainability Award.

High Trees

The Folly! art installations in the water garden at Studley Royal were named as winner of the John Whitehead Award, with which the civic society recognised an outstanding contribution to the area.

The Folly! art installation.

Society chairman Christopher Hughes, said:

“Due to the onset of the covid pandemic in 2020 our design awards ceremony due to be held that year was unfortunately but unavoidably cancelled.

“We are delighted to announce however that the delayed awards ceremony will now be held on Thursday 7 April and further details regarding the venue will be announced shortly.”

The full list of categories for which applications can be made are:

• The Hazzard Silver Cup for Best New Building
• The Price Flagon for Best Restored Building
• The Younge Rosebowl for Best Environmental Improvement
• The Craftsmanship Shield for Best Craftsmanship
• The Taylor Plate for the Best Contribution to City Centre Revitalisation
• The Sustainability Award

Read more:

• Ripon and Harrogate vaccination centres reopen
• Plans for new classroom at Bishop Monkton Primary School

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon is set to reopen today. The 45-acre site in Grewelthorpe is home to 80 outdoor sculptures and nearly 20,000 plants.

The gardens were shortlisted for the BBC Countryfile Magazine awards 2020 and were winners of the Yorkshire in Bloom tourist attraction award in 2018 and 2019.

Read more:

• Ambitious bid to reinstate Harrogate – Ripon – Northallerton trainline
• Ripley Show cancelled due to covid

A spokesperson for the gardens said:

“We believe that being outdoors and in beautiful gardens is restorative and important for people’s wellbeing. It can be a source of much-needed tranquillity in these super-anxious times.

“We are, however, mindful that the safety of visitors and our staff is our number one priority. We’re pleased to welcome visitors, that they may enjoy the blooms of spring in a safe and tranquil environment.”

The gardens have implemented additional staff training and measures to ensure key points, such as the visitors’ entrance, are safe. Natural materials have been used to create one-way systems and social distancing markers. Visitors must book tickets in advance. The plant sale area will be open and the tearoom and refreshment horsebox will be serving takeaways.

The spokesperson added:

 “Thankfully, our attraction benefits from being in the great outdoors with plenty of space.”

The actor Joanna Lumley, who is patron of the gardens, said:

“They are a slice of paradise. Gardens are the greatest healers on earth, and as our stressful anxious lives tie us up in knots, we may turn to the sweet silence of the great green earth for solace.”