Business Q&A: Jackie Crozier, Little Bird Made5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekendLittle Bird markets to light up Christmas across the Harrogate district
This article is sponsored by Little Bird Made.
From the garden of the Magdalens Pub in Ripon to the stately splendour of the Harewood estate, it has been a remarkable journey for Jackie Crozier and the Little Bird Made venture that she launched five years ago in her home city.
In 2018, Jackie’s first artisan market was held just a stone’s throw from Ripon’s magnificent cathedral, providing a platform for 20 local traders to showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods.
Since then, Little Bird has spread its wings, increasing year on year the number of historic Yorkshire towns and cities where its markets are held.
As Christmas approaches, a very busy period lies ahead, beginning with their biggest event of the season on the North Park Walk at Harewood House.
Visitors flocked to the 2022 Winter Market curated by Little Bird at Harewood House
Over five days between November 8 and 12, the home to Earls and Countesses since the 18th century, will be the exquisite backdrop for a very special winter market, curated for the second successive year by Jackie and her 14-strong team of professional event managers.
It will feature 130 local makers, crafters and producers and with pre-booked entry available at the reduced price of £5, those visiting the market will also be able to explore Harewood’s 150 acres of stunning grounds, including the Terrace Garden, Himalayan Garden, Walled Garden, Farm Experience and Adventure Playground.
For the energetic, there’s a three-mile walking trail across the North Park, South Park and Lakeside.
Little Bird will also be back by popular demand for the third year running to curate the Christmas Markets being held in the elegant setting of the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s glorious Valley Gardens. These will take place over three consecutive weekends on December 2,3, 9,10 and 16, 17.
The Christmas markets in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens will be held over three consecutive weekends
On November 25 and 26, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery is the venue for a Christmas market staged by Little Bird and further festive markets will also be held in Northallerton, Easingwold, Richmond, Leyburn, Thirsk, Wetherby and, of course, Ripon.
A birthday celebration
Before the festive season gets into full swing, Sunday October 22 will see Little Bird’s fifth birthday celebrated with an artisan market on Ripon’s Market Square.
The day will be dedicated to Jackie’s late parents David and Marilyn, who ran the former Fleece Pub on St Mary’s Gate for ten years.
Jackie, said:
“I think about them every day and know that they would be proud of what I have achieved since returning to the city where I was born and bred and am now an Independent member of the city council.
“I had been away for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later working on high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics, Manchester’s Parklife Festival and the Download Festival at Donnington Park.”
Jackie, added:
“Dad’s nickname was Crow and I was known as Little Crow – so that’s how the Little Bird name came about, though sadly he didn’t live to see my fledgling venture get off the ground,
“Mum was in the intensive treatment unit at Harrogate Hospital for much of the time when I was setting up the business. I visited her every day and though she was very poorly, she never failed to take an interest and offer me words of advice and encouragement.
“That meant so much to me and has made me determined to use the expertise that I have gained through 25 years in event management, to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets which support independent traders, while bringing increased footfall and economic benefits to the communities where they are staged.”
Visiting a Little Bird Made market is a great way to support local businesses and find unique Christmas gifts.
Here’s when you can visit a market near you:
St Wilfrid’s Stars judging panel on challenge of deciding winnersThe Stray Ferret is the media partner for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards 2024, with our coverage kindly sponsored by Little Bird Made and Grantley Hall.
A prestigous judging panel met today to decide on the winners of the St Wilfrid’s Stars awards for 2023.
The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner, Paul Matless of the YMCA, the Dean of Ripon John Dobson, chairman and CEO of Newby Hall Richard Compton, the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke and Stray Ferret director Tamsin O’Brien were all part of the panel that met in Ripon at Thorpe Prebend House.
The judges were all impressed with the number of nominations and the range of community minded people that work hard for the city of Ripon.
There were 11 categories this year taking in areas such as business, culture, tourism and more. The judges also selected an overall volunteer of the year from all of the nominees.
Winners will be at a glittering ceremony hosted by Ripon Cathedral on the evening of Thursday, October 26. Ripon Together organised the event, which made its debut last year.
Jo Ropner, the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, said:
“There was a very broad spectrum. It is lovely to see different ages and cultures working so hard in Ripon. It is good for the city that we have an event like this that can give recognition to some of our rising heroes.”
Paul Matless, housing operations manager at the YMCA, added:
“Today has been excellent, this event has brought the local community together and hopefully it will reward all of the work done in the area. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of people celebrating on the big night.
The Very Reverend John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, said:
“The panel this year is really switched on, we’ve got a good cross section of people. It has been quite challenging because we have received so many nominations in all categories.
“There is clearly much talent, much commitment and generosity of spirit in Ripon to celebrate.”
Little Bird spreads its wings with markets across the Harrogate district and further afield
This story is sponsored by Little Bird Made.
Jackie Crozier’s ambition is to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets, where local traders can showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods and customers can find those extra special and unique items.
In the four years since she hatched a plan to hold an inaugural market in her home city of Ripon, Jackie’s Little Bird Made venture has spread its wings and now has more than ten venues in North and West Yorkshire where its events are regularly held.
Pictures above and below, from the bustling artisan markets held by Little Bird in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens last Christmas
The latest exciting addition to a fast-growing list of attractive and historic locations is Harewood House, where the talented and hard-working Little Bird team will curate a four-day Artisan Winter Market from Thursday November 3 until Sunday November 6.
Little Bird founder and managing director Jackie, said:
“This will be the largest event that we have ever staged, with more than 100 stalls each day located on the North Park Walk facing onto the magnificent 18th century country house.”
She added:
“It’s a fabulous setting for a pre-Christmas market and there will be a wonderful atmosphere for visitors and our community of traders.
“In addition to the wide-range of handmade goods and food and drink items on sale, there will be demonstrations of artisan crafts and a special letterbox where children can post a letter to Santa.”
Entry to the winter market is £5 and includes access to the grounds, but there will be no charge for Harewood members. Tickets can be booked by clicking here.
The market will be open daily from 10am until 4pm.
Jackie, who was born and bred in Ripon, launched Little Bird after being away from the city for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later as an events manager working on a number of high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics.
The expertise that she gained in working with stakeholders including local councils, community groups, performers and suppliers, has been put to good use in developing the Little Bird business and ethos.
She said:
“Our aim is to create added value events that bring increased footfall to the marvellous market towns that we have in the Harrogate district and further afield.
“Visitors who come to our markets often stay to look around local attractions and spend money in shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, before they go home.”
Jackie, added:
“We are planning to add to our list of locations next year and believe that there will be further economic, and community benefits all round if we can make this area a Mecca for artisan markets.
“We are also always looking for local artisans who would like to join us and share in the Little Bird experience.”
Upcoming Little Bird Christmas markets
Following the Winter Market at Harewood House, Little Bird will, for the second year running, be holding Christmas Markets with 75 stalls in the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on December 3,4,10 and 11.
Between November 12 and December 18, one day markets with up to 60 artisan traders present, will be held in Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Richmond, Thirsk, Leyburn, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery, Ripon, Driffield and Northallerton.
Click here to see the full list of Little Bird Made events coming soon.
Artisan market set to expand to Knaresborough Castle this weekendA popular monthly market will move into a new location in Knaresborough this weekend.
Little Bird Artisan Market will hold its first even in the castle grounds on Saturday, after growing in popularity over recent months.
Jackie Crozier, managing director of organisers Little Bird Made, said:
“We are always looking at ways to improve the markets and we had outgrown our previous location in the Market Place.
“We are grateful to be working with both [Knaresborough Town and Harrogate Borough] councils to find an alternative venue in the castle grounds, which will allow us the opportunity to continue to grow and develop.
“Both staff are traders are really looking forward to the first market and we promise all our customers a great day out when they come to visit us.”
The event will also be in Harrogate this weekend, with its monthly market at the Valley Gardens on Sunday.
Both markets, running from 10am to 3pm, will feature independent bakers, crafters, designers, artists and photographers from around the region.
Visitors to the Valley Gardens will also have the opportunity to hear Harrogate choir The Stray Notes, fresh from their appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing in the bandstand from 2-4pm.
Read more:
Businesses surveyed on Harrogate Christmas market preferencesBusinesses are being surveyed on what kind of Christmas market they would like to see in Harrogate this year.
The organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market, which attracted almost 200 stallholders to Montpellier Hill annually until 2019, is conducting the survey.
Brian Dunsby, co-organiser and founder of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, handed out questionnaires at Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly meeting this week.
He told the meeting his company was “in discussions with Harrogate Borough Council about bringing back the Christmas market in 2022″.
As part of this, it has been asked to find out what businesses think.
Read more:
Speaking to the Stray Ferret after the meeting, Mr Dunsby said:
“The council said ‘find out what the business community thinks’. So that’s what we intend to do.
“The council have said they only want one market. We were thinking two or three would be better. So we are asking businesses what they think and will then look at the results and talk to the council.”
Andy Pidgen, operations manager at Marketplace Europe, at the start of last year’s fayre.
The questionnaire gives businesses four options to select from. Options A, B and C are for Harrogate Christmas Fayre, Harrogate Christmas Market and the artisan market in Valley Garden.
The fourth option is for all three “in a planned programme of Christmas events through November and December”.
All change last year
Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd was in advanced planning stages when the council declined to accept its event management plan.
It had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend the annual event on Montpellier Hill in November when their plans were scuppered in July.
Harrogate Christmas Market was held on Montpellier Hill until 2019.
Instead, the council staged an alternative 10-day Harrogate Christmas Fayre in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester. It included about 40 stalls, a free road train, a carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel.
There was also a two-day artisan market in Valley Gardens, organised by the company Little Bird Made.
Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to get monthly artisan marketsAn artisan market is set to be held monthly in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens after the success of a festive event there this month.
Little Bird Artisan Markets will relocate to the sun colonnade in the gardens from February.
Little Bird Made, the company that runs the events, has held monthly markets at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road in Harrogate since the summer.
It plans to continue staging occasional pop-up markets at the church but its regular monthly events in Harrogate will move to the more central Valley Gardens.
Read more:
Harrogate Borough Council invited Little Bird Made to Valley Gardens to attract more visitors to the town at the start of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which was held from December 3 to 12 in the streets of Harrogate town centre.
At the time, Cllr Andy Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said the council hoped that first event would lead to a longer-term relationship.
The two-day event in the first weekend of December hosted about 60 stalls and a steady stream of visitors.
Jackie Crozier, managing director of Little Bird Made, said it was one of the company’s busiest events so far. She said:
“We are really excited to be moving our monthly Little Bird Artisan Market to the bigger venue of Valley Gardens in the heart of the town from February 2022.
“Valley Gardens is the natural progression for Little Bird to expand and offer more opportunities for small local business and to promote our ethos of shopping local.
“It will be great to work with Harrogate Borough Council throughout 2022 and we are looking forward to delivering our events with them.”
When can you next visit Little Bird artisan markets in the Harrogate district?
- Saturday, December 18 from 10am to 3pm: St Wilfrid’s Church, Duchy Road, Harrogate, HG1 2EY
- Sunday, December 19 from 9am to 3pm: Market Place, Knaresborough, HG5 8AL
Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts today: here’s the lowdownHarrogate Christmas Fayre begins today. With plenty of stallholders to buy gifts from, attractions to enjoy and festivities to embrace, it looks like being a memorable few days.
Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council from today until December 12.
It is a new venture so there are lots to look out for. The event will be spread out over more locations and days than the previous Harrogate Christmas Market, which took place on Montpellier Hill.
Here is everything you need to know:
Where will the stalls be?
There will be about 50 local and European stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.
For this weekend only there will also be stalls in Valley Gardens, where more than 60 local traders will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts plus food and drink at a separate artisan Christmas market.
When will the fayre be open?
It will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.
Little Bird Made’s Artisan Festive Market in Valley Gardens will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.
Do you have to wear a face mask?
Harrogate Borough Council has advised visitors to wear face masks around the fayre and on the free Candy Cane Express road train, which will shuttle people around town.
A map of the Christmas road train.
The government brought in new rules this week stipulating people must wear face coverings in shops, shopping centres, transport hubs and on public transport.
Children under 11 and those with a health condition or disability which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt.
What will the weather be like?
According to the Met Office, outbreaks of rains and drizzle will clear in the morning to leave a largely dry day. It will be cloudy at first with some brighter spells in the afternoon.
Temperatures are set to increase tomorrow but it is not set to stay mild for long.
From then we are set for a chilly weekend with some sunny spells and showers. It will be occasionally windy with some rain and snow possible on Monday morning.
Will there be rides and transport?
A free road train will take visitors around Harrogate from today as part of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.
The Candy Cane Express will stop at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It will also pass Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.
Not only that but there are also festive rides, including a carousel and ferris wheels at Crescent Garden and a helter skelter at the war memorial. All of those rides cost £3 for a ticket.
The Helter Skelter next to the war memorial in Harrogate town centre.
Free parking at Harrogate multi-storey
Parking will be free after 3pm in Harrogate’s Victoria multi-storey car park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The initiative will last until December 23 and will be paid for by Harrogate Business Improvement District to encourage Christmas shoppers and revellers into the town midweek.
Valley Gardens Christmas market confirmed for DecemberHarrogate Borough Council confirmed today that an artisan market will go ahead in Valley Gardens as part of the town’s festive offering.
The market, which will be held on December 4 and 5 between 10am and 3pm, will be one of two Christmas markets in Harrogate.
The council said it had approved an event management plan submitted by market organisers Little Bird Made.
It had previously failed to approve an event management plan for the traditional Christmas market on Montpellier submitted by Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, meaning it will not take place.
Sixty local and regional traders and producers will sell festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware and jewellery, as well as food and drink, at the Valley Gardens event.
Read more:
Kirsty Stewart, parks and grounds maintenance manager at the council, said:
“The market will showcase some fantastic home-grown traders and producers and what better setting than Valley Gardens.”
Jackie Crozier, owner of Little Bird Made, said she was delighted by the news and urged anyone interested in having a stall to get in touch. She added:
“Our markets showcase some of Yorkshire’s finest small businesses and are a great opportunity to bring some festive cheer and buy that special gift for the holidays.”
The market will accompany a separate council-approved event called Harrogate Christmas Market, which will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent in Harrogate town centre between December 3 and 12. This event will be run by Market Place Europe.
A ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and road train will also be part the council’s Harrogate’s festive package.
The festivities will last from November 15 to the first week of January.