image gallery Archives - The Stray Ferret

Image Gallery: Cherry Blossoms bloom on Harrogate’s Stray

The long Easter weekend saw the blooming of Harrogate’s Cherry Blossoms, with the most noticeable lining the footpaths of the Stray.

The 200-acre landscape is now multiple shades of pink after the weekend’s warm weather brought out the cherry blossom trees.

The blooming trees have come just in time for the start of the Harrogate Spring Flower Show which opens at the Showground tomorrow, April 21.

This beautiful picture was sent in by Lizzie Gentry

Photograph: David Simister

This shot was sent in by Margaret Smith from the Tewit Well area of the Stray

Another blossom picture sent by Wil Lo

Image Gallery: Spring has sprung in Harrogate

Spring is in full swing in the Harrogate district, so we asked readers to send in pictures capturing the seasonal beauty.

Here is a selection in our image gallery, which will hopefully brighten your day.

This was sent in by Sue Coates.

Beverley Fox sent this photo of the cherry blossoms on Harrogate Stray.

In Boroughbridge Steph Coward captured this shot of a rainbow.

Mark Hooper also captured the beauty of Harrogate’s cherry blossoms in the spring.

Artemis Swann sent us this close-up shot of Spring florals.

Sue Coates took this on her walk through the Stray this week.

Gallery: stunning images of snow in the Harrogate district

Ahead of another night of snow forecast for this evening, we asked our readers to photograph what they could see from their doorsteps.

We had people sending images from across the Harrogate district, here are some of the highlights.

In Harrogate and Beckwithshaw …

Mark Pallant captured the Stray just before dawn today.

Sylvia Skipper sent us this photo from Beckwithshaw.

The snow was still think outside of Martin’s house this morning. Photograph: @FIRSTmarty on twitter.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, Patrick Dunlop captured this image of the snow settled on rooftops.

There was still plenty of snow on Harrogate stray this morning.

On another part of the Stray people were enjoying a walk in the wintry conditions. Photograph: Victoria Purdy

Another photo of Harrogate Stray was sent to us by Megan Hatfield.

Andy Flockhart sent us this picture from Church Avenue in Bilton.

In Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale …

Joyce Liggins sent us this photo overlooking Pateley Bridge this morning.

Greta Knight sent us this image of the Nidderdale Greenway near Bilton today.

Susan Wrightson took this from the viaduct over the river nidd along the greenway.

Menwith Hill just outside of Darley still had plenty of snow today. Photograph: Sue Barlow

Elsewhere in the district …

Alison Fitzpatrick took this photograph in Summerbridge today.

These were the views from Charli Walker’s garden in Stainburn today.

Hannah Inglis captured this in High Birstwith this morning.

Gallery: the day snow returned to the Harrogate district

Snow has been falling throughout the day in the Harrogate district.

The weather has forced schools to shut, even to the children of key workers, as roads and pavements became treacherous.

Cars and lorries have found themselves stuck and police and council officials have urged people to only drive if it is essential.

Readers from across the district have sent their photos of the snowy scenes. Here are some of the highlights:

In Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge …

Henry the llama (left) and Basil the alpaca (right) are loving today’s wintery conditions in Nidderdale. Photograph: Nidderdale Llamas

St Mary’s Church in Pateley Bridge surrounded by snow. Photograph: Ben Derrick

These two photos of snowy Pateley Bridge were sent to us on Twitter. (Left) by @suzehu on and (right) the B6265 down towards Pateley Bridge by @juliatetley.

In Ripon …

Ripon Cathedral stood out against the snow.

The obelisk in Ripon.

In Harrogate …

The Stray Ferret captured this image of Harrogate this morning as some braved the conditions.

Someone was able to enjoy the snow on the Stray today. Photograph: Samantha Armitage.

Sylvia Skipper, a reader, sent these snowy photos of Beckwithshaw.

Snow causes treacherous roads in Harrogate

Harrogate town centre was quiet today as many people stayed indoors.

The Pinewoods in Harrogate looked like something out of a film. Photograph: @PinewoodsHgt on twitter.

Sean Rutter sent us this photo of Harrogate Grammar School in the snow today.

In Knaresborough …

This pup enjoyed its morning walk in the Knaresborough snow this morning. Sent by Mark Hook on Twitter.

This stunning picture of Knaresborough viaduct was sent in by Sharon Colgan on Facebook.

Elsewhere in the district …

Spofforth in the snow sent on Facebook by Rory Ffoulkes.

The snow in Kettlesing was heavy today. This was sent by reader @Kettlesingbob on Twitter.

One of our readers sent us this shot on Markington today. Photograph: Tracie Kay

Thousands tune in to first ever online Harrogate Literature Festival

Thousands tuned in to the first ever digital Harrogate Literature Festival this past weekend.

The festival was forced to be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers say the event was still a success.

Viewers tuned in to the free programme of 17 events, with the digital delivery allowing book lovers from across the UK to engage with prominent writers, politicians and journalists.

Among those who gave talks were author Matt Haig, classicist Natalie Haynes and Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David Lammy.

Although the events moved online, Harrogate International Festivals, the arts charity behind the literature festival wanted to keep the community at the heart of the project.

Hundreds of stories were submitted to the 10 Word Story competition, and over hundred books were gifted in the Raworth’s Blind Date With a Book initiative.

As author talks began, literature came to life in Harrogate with a light installation in the form of a book. The story of Harrogate, 10 word stories and traditional tales were illuminated on its pages.

The story of Harrogate was illuminated on the book’s pages.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“The light of human stories and the power of books certainly shone through, breaking down barriers of isolation and reaching new audiences, demonstrating the importance of festival in our cultural landscape.

“Ticket sales are normally a huge part of our income, but this year’s events were all free of charge. We thank those audience members who donated to our arts charity in lieu of tickets, helping us work towards bridging the financial gap, the first step to securing the future of Harrogate International Festivals.

“This was an extraordinary festival for an unpreceded year, and whilst we celebrate the success of the event – taking Harrogate to the world – in order for our arts charity to survive we need to be able to welcome the world to Harrogate. Whether that will be possible in 2021 we just don’t know.”