5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend, May 1-4Kirkby Malzeard all set for its three-day big weekend

Kirkby Malzeard is set to host a three-day weekend of community activities, starting tomorrow.

The Big Weekend will include live music, a Black Sheep bar, street food and artisan stalls in the first event of its kind in the village.

Visitors can expect performances from Hyde Family Jam, Reeth Brass Band, Kirkby Tunes Folk Group, and many more over the Father’s Day weekend.

The event promises something for all ages, from the inaugural 11K Crackpots Run to a TikTok disco.

There will also be a scarecrow trail – with 32 scarecrows scattered around the village – as well as a parade, a farm and tractor fest and a dog show and scurry.

Nigel Robertshaw, a village resident overseeing the live music event, said:

“This is a first for the village and we know it will be something completely different.

“We are also running a Kirkby’s Got Talent session to allow local people the chance to perform on a live stage.”

During the live music on Saturday night, Manchega Tapas and Skellgill Burgers will be offering pop-up food, alongside the village’s own fish and chips. Tickets for the live music can be found here.

The Big Weekend will round off at the village pub, the Queens Head, with an all-ages karaoke and barbecue.

Any money raised from the weekend will be used to fund future community events, including the bonfire and youth projects.

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Visitors brave showers to join Ripon street party

Today’s Totally Locally party in Ripon provided a taste of how Kirkgate could be utilised throughout the year if the street was permanently pedestrianised.

The event, which was organised by independent traders in the city with the backing of Ripon Business Improvement District, attracted hundreds of visitors.

Despite an unfavourable forecast, the day of sunshine and showers saw family groups and individuals arrive from 10am to listen to live music, purchase gifts and enjoy some alfresco dining, as cafes, restaurants and other retailers lined the street with their stalls, tables and chairs.

Performers included the Hyde Family Jam (main picture) the All for One Ripon band (pictured above) and the Knaresborough Vestal Social Club Band.

Richard Hughes, one of the event’s organisers and owner of Manchega Tapas Bar on Duck Hill, told the Stray Ferret:

“Independent businesses, not just in Kirkgate, but throughout the whole of Ripon, have made this happen.”

Mr Hughes, (pictured above, centre) with colleagues from the left: Tilly Whild, Brad Lucas and Felix Lees, added:

“It shows what Ripon could do by properly pedestrianising Kirkgate and enabling small businesses to work together to unlock the street’s full potential by making it a vehicle free area.”

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:

“It has been great to see how traders in Kirkgate and other parts of Ripon have collaborated to create such a tremendous community event under the Totally Locally banner and we hope that there will be many more to follow.”

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Village to stage first Kirkby Live event on Saturday

The first in a new series of live music in Kirkby Malzeard will take place on Saturday evening.

The Kirkby Live initiative aims to boost the village economy as well as increase community spirit.

This weekend’s opening event at the Mechanics Institute sees York-based Hyde Family Jam,  who put their own spin on popular hits remixed as ‘folk gone wrong’, take centre stage.

Volunteer and Kirkby parish councillor Jane Aksut, who is organising the event with fellow councillor and volunteer Richard Hughes, said:

“The aim is to build Kirkby Malzeard’s sense of ‘place’ as somewhere people want to live, work, play and invest.

“Kirkby Live is a new part of this relentless drive to make our area a destination and to draw in visitors from outside to support and invest in local business.

“This new venture sees live music hitting Kirkby Malzeard in 2023 with the aim of improving community spirit in this rural area and also benefitting local businesses and community organisations.”

As part of the objective to attract people from the wider area into the village on Saturday, a  coach from Ripon has been arranged, enabling visitors to leave their cars at home and have a drink at the event.

It will leave the city’s bus station at 6.30 pm and will return to Ripon after the concert, leaving Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30 pm.

More information about booking tickets for the coach and the concert can be found by clicking here.

The Hyde Family Jam features vocals, guitar, accordion, violin and double bass. Cllr Hughes said:

“The band is showing their infectious enthusiasm also comes with a huge heart – they are making a great effort to support our rural area by agreeing to play in a much smaller venue than usual, and offering lots of time and advice to help our aim of making Kirkby Malzeard a music venue.”

He added:

“The Kirkby Malzeard Business and Community Group, which is supporting Kirkby Live, focuses on networking to bring together community cohesion and also to promote local businesses and services. This event is a brilliant example of networking, with local businesses, community groups and even the Hyde Family Jam themselves all benefitting from new contacts.”

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