Masham Archives - Page 12 of 31

Business Breakfast: Harrogate company in ‘strong financial position’ despite interest rate hike

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm.

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has said the firm remains in “strong financial position” despite a hike in interest rates this past month.

Vp, which is based at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, recorded a 6% increase in revenue to £371.5m for the year ending March 2023.

In a statement to its annual general meeting, Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of the company, said the group “remains in a strong financial position”.

He added that he expected company results for the upcoming financial year to be in line with board expectations despite “market headwinds” and the Bank of England’s decision to hike interest rates to 5.25%.

Mr Pilkington said:

“We remain focused on the quality of our equipment and excellent service delivery to our customers with an ongoing drive to deliver sustainable solutions to our customer base.

“The group remains in a strong financial position with an excellent track record of delivery. Despite both market headwinds and increases in interest rates, we continue to see opportunities and expect performance for the current financial year to be in line with board expectations.”

Black Sheep launches beer in partnership with Rob Burrow

Black Sheep Brewery has launched a new beer in partnership with Rob Burrow MBE.

The brewery, which is based in Masham, released Burrow Blonde to raise funds for Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust and the Rob Burrow Racing Club.

A total of 10p from every pint and bottle sold is donated to charity.

Picture (from left) Phil Hawthorne, The Good Racing Co, Alex Brandon-Davies, Senior Brewer at Black Sheep Brewery and Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.

Barrie McDermott, Sky Sports pundit and former Leeds Rhinos teammate of Rob, said:

“I’m incredibly proud to support the launch of Burrow’s Blonde, a fantastic beer for a fantastic cause, it’s yet another way to get behind our little mate Rob Burrow and his family in their battle against MND.”

Rob’s wife, Lindsey Burrow, said:

“We’re really excited to be working with Black Sheep Brewery and launching Burrow’s Blonde. It’s a great opportunity for people to support Rob by simply buying a beer and enjoying a drink with loved ones.”

Government urged to help rural areas near Masham get broadband

Masham and Fountains councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister has written to the government urging it to help rural areas without broadband get connected.

About 300 homes in Masham and Fountains — about nine per cent of the total — are without fibre optic broadband to their premises.

A meeting organised by Cllr Lister last month heard this number might not reduce for several years.

This has prompted her to write to science, innovation and technology secretary Michelle Donelan asking her to bring back a voucher scheme that enabled people to install their own gigabit-capable connections at reduced cost.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister, a Liberal Democrat who was elected to North Yorkshire Council this year, said in her letter:

“A voucher payment could, for example, help subsidise the cost of a Starlink satellite connection (£500), or for a community to pay to install a mobile mast or wireless broadband transmitter.

“This would otherwise be out of reach for most of my rural residents who are largely hill farmers, agricultural workers or otherwise on a relatively low income.”

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said the roll out of broadband had been effective in urban locations in North Yorkshire but “rural residents will be feeling more remote and isolated than ever before”.

She added:

“There are many issues that are a daily challenge to living in remote locations, but a good broadband connection would be transformational and would help breathe life back into communities that are struggling to survive.

“In terms of the levelling up agenda, these are the residents who should have been first in the queue.”

Woman seriously injured in Masham tractor accident becomes fundraiser for rescuers

A woman seriously injured in a tractor accident near Masham has become a fundraiser for the air ambulance charity that came to her rescue.

Michelle Raine suffered a broken pelvis and serious spinal injuries when a tractor she was a passenger in rolled down a hill in August 2017.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance provided her with critical emergency medical care, pain relief and airlifted her to Leeds General Infirmary.

Ms Raine underwent emergency surgery to stabilise her pelvis and during her two-week hospital stay she also battled pneumonia, which resulted in the collapse of her lungs.

She then spent two months in a wheelchair but eventually made a full recovery.

Ms Raine, whose rescue was broadcast on the TV programme Helicopter ER, has now become a community fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

She said:

“Their swift response and expert care during my accident were nothing short of miraculous.

“Now, as part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance family, I cherish the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of others, just like they did for me.”

Ms Raine’s passion for the cause has been evident a long time already: one year after her accident she organised a fundraising ball that raised £15,000 for the charity.

Regional fundraising manager Linda Stead said:

“Michelle is an invaluable asset to our fundraising team. Her firsthand experience as an ex-patient allows her to connect with donors and supporters on a deeper level, inspiring them with her remarkable journey and gratitude.”

Rev Jane Ball installed as new vicar for Masham group of parishes

Rev Jane Ball has been installed as the new vicar of the Masham group of parishes in a service led by the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Rev Nick Baines.

The new Bishop of Ripon, Rt Rev Anna Eltringham — who had only moved into her new home in Yorkshire the day before — was also present at St Mary’s Church in Masham for the service on Wednesday.

The Masham group of parishes covers a wide area north of Ripon at the gateway to Wensleydale, with churches in Masham, Healey, Well, Snape, West Tanfield and North Stainley.

Rev Ball has returned to North Yorkshire where she was ordained in Ripon Cathedral in 2003. After being a curate in Bedale, she spent 18 years in southern England in various school, parish and military chaplaincy posts.

A packed congregation of people from these churches and the wider community welcomed her.

The previous vicar was Rev Canon David Cleeves, who retired in June 2021.

Bishop Anna, who succeeds Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley as the area Bishop of Ripon, will begin her main ministry in September.

The photo shows Rt Rev Nick Baines (Bishop of Leeds), Ven Jonathan Gough (Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven), Rev Jane Ball (Vicar of the Masham group of parishes), Rt Rev Anna Eltringham (Bishop of Ripon) after the service of institution and induction in St Mary’s Church in Masham.

Rural homes in North Yorkshire could face years of poor broadband

Some rural homes in North Yorkshire could face years of poor broadband, a public meeting in Masham heard this week.

Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who cited rural connectivity as a key issue during her successful campaign this year to represent Masham and Fountains as a Liberal Democrat on North Yorkshire Council, organised the meeting.

Representatives of NYnet, the North Yorkshire Council-owned company set up to increase digital connectivity in the county, said 895 premises in Masham and Fountains currently didn’t have access to super-fast broadband.

They said the third phase of Nynet’s Superfast North Yorkshire project, which is due to end in March next year, should reduce this number by 594, leaving 301 homes unable to get 30 Mbps — the speed required to be classed ‘superfast’.

Robert Ling, speaking at the meeting.

Robert Ling, director of transformation at the council, said superfast coverage across North Yorkshire was expected to be 97% by March.

Mr Ling said this represented significant progress “but this is cold comfort to people here who don’t have it”.

Project Gigabit, the £5 billion government programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband, would reach more homes but Mr Ling admitted there was no timeframe on when all premises would be reached.

Many of the 40 people who attended the meeting at Masham Town Hall expressed frustration at the WiFi they received.

Masham Town Hall. Pic: David Dixon

One said it was a “dreadful service that’s not fit for purpose” and another commented that their WiFi frequently went down whenever it rained hard, making it difficult to run a business.

Mr Ling said because Project Gigabit was a government scheme, and this dependence on central government along with other factors such as cost made it difficult for NYnet to accurately predict what will happen after March next year,

NYnet chair Peter Scrope said the organisation would probably have to run its own project to help the hardest to reach homes.

NYnet chair Peter Scrope

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said she hoped to arrange a follow-up meeting in March to discuss progress.

Afterwards, she told the Stray Ferret she would like to see the re-introduction of a government voucher scheme that enabled people to install their own gigabit-capable connections at reduced cost. She added:

“This is a matter of concern to many people and there is a great deal of doubt about what is being delivered and what the solutions are.”

Masham steam rally set to return for its 56th year

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally is set to return this weekend for its 56th year.

The two-day event, which started in the 1960s as a fundraiser to save Masham Town Hall, has become one of the Harrogate district summer highlights.

The event, which is held in the rally field just outside the town, is set to see thousands of people attend.

This year’s event is set to include a range of exhibitors including classic cars, tractors, steam engines and motorbikes.

A grand parade of steam is set to be held on the Saturday, along with Moto Stunts International which will perform a “high octane” stunt show in the arena on both days.

There will also be a funfair, face painting, mini trains and other activities for the family.

Peter Usher, who organises the rally, said:

“There is a huge amount of things going on whether you are a heritage enthusiast or a family of four.

“The location is lovely and frankly it is very good value for money.”

Entry costs £12 for adults, £11 for concessions and £3 for children up to 16. Younger children under five get in for free. A caravan park is available for overnight visitors.

For more information, visit the Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally website here.

Black Sheep Brewery makes redundancies at Masham office

Black Sheep Brewery has announced a “small number” of redundancies at its head offices in Masham.

In a statement, the brewery also said three of its pubs in Leeds and York would close with immediate effect.

A spokesperson for Black Sheep said the redundancies would be made in its retail arm.

Meanwhile, The Tap & Kitchen and Mr. Foleys in Leeds, along with The Last Drop Inn in York, will shut following an “extensive review” of the brewery.

A spokesperson said:

“Having recently conducted an extensive review of our business, we have explored every angle to try to keep these locations trading profitably, but without success.

“Unfortunately, the only avenue left for us was the closure of these premises. It is always the last resort for us to make redundancies, and we are saddened to see such dedicated colleagues leaving us, at this time.”

Breal Capital bought the brewery for £5 million on May 26 as part of a pre-package administration deal.

Teneo Financial Advisory, which was appointed as administrators of Black Sheep, revealed sales fell from a high of £19 million in 2019 to £14 million last year, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss.

It added the company’s performance “suffered during the covid pandemic and trading challenges continued as a result of the current economic environment”.

The move also left creditors, including HMRC and suppliers, owed nearly £3 million.

Following the sale, Charlene Lyons, who was kept on as chief executive of Black Sheep, warned that other breweries faced administration amid the current economic climate.

Masham brewery Theakston returns to profit

Masham brewery T&R Theakston has reported a return to profitability in its annual report and accounts for the year ending December 31, 2022.

The family-controlled business, which has been brewing beers in Masham for almost 200 years, recorded a pre-tax profit of £18,000 for the period, compared with a £2,000 loss the previous year.

Turnover increased by 14% to £6.7 million in the same period, despite what the accounts note as a third successive year “affected by external events”.

Staff numbers grew from 28 to 30 and dividend payments to shareholders rose from zero to £100,000.

Fellow Masham firm Black Sheep Brewery was sold by administrators to London investment firm Breal Group for £5 million in May in a pre-packaged deal that left creditors owed £3 million.

Black Sheep’s sales fell from £19 million in 2019 to £14 million last year, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss, with the company blaming covid and sudden rising costs.

Theakston’s accounts highlight the difficulties facing brewers, which include a 40% increase in barley prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The company said it ceased all trade with Russia, which was its largest export market, following the invasion.

Covid, inflation and the cost of living crisis have also hit the sector hard.

The report’s strategic review by the directors said:

“We were forced to pass most of these cost increases on in higher prices, but pricing in the off trade did not fully recover the increased costs and hence margins in this channel were squeezed.

“While customers have been largely understanding, consumers have squeezed disposable incomes. Our pubs customers are caught between increased supplier costs, increased running costs of their own and less affluent consumers, so we are very mindful of keeping price increases to the minimum we can afford.”

Theakston has changed its sales model by broadening its supply routes to the on trade and by spreading its interests beyond beer by launching a cider and whisky as well as new ales.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:

“With a healthy balance sheet and secure financial arrangements, we remain focused on growing our revenue and are excited about some of the upcoming opportunities to forge new partnerships and bring innovative new products to market.

“We have made a good start to the year and, as a result, the board of directors is confident that as trading conditions continue to improve and the economy stabilises, we will see a steady improvement towards pre-pandemic levels of profitability.”

Scrapping YorBus will leave thousands without a bus service, councillor warns

Scrapping an on-demand bus service will leave thousands of passengers a month without a service, a councillor has warned.

North Yorkshire Council is examining cost-effective ways of boosting transport services after the authority admitted its flagship Yorbus demand-responsive transport pilot had failed.

It has emerged the Yorbus service for the Bedale, Ripon and Masham area cost more than £15 per passenger to run.

Ahead of launching the two-year pilot, which ends later this month, the council had been warned by public transport providers, including Moorbus, that demand-responsive transport would prove far too costly.

However, councillors disagree over whether there is any appetite for public transport in rural areas and if more frequent services would entice people to leave their cars.

The authority’s opposition leader, Cllr Bryn Griffiths said the ending of the trial later this month would mean “about 1,000 passengers a month without a bus service”.

A meeting of the council’s Richmond constituency committee heard him call for answers as to why the council had failed to win bids for huge amounts of government funding for public transport schemes such as Yorbus.

During a debate over Yorbus, Cllr John Weighell, who led North Yorkshire County Council for nearly 14 years, said Yorbus had not met the needs of residents with mobility issues in rural areas as the stops were too far apart.

He said even before the Yorbus pilot was launched it had never appeared viable as the authority had previously worked on the principle of supporting services that needed a subsidy of £6 or less per passenger journey.

Cllr Weighell questioned whether demand-responsive transport services would work better if they were limited to short journeys, close to larger market towns.

He said the authority should instead invest more money into developing and supporting voluntary-run community transport.

Cllr Griffiths replied:

“The problem is they rely on volunteers and we are struggling for volunteers at the moment. Stokesley has two community care buses and they are crying out for volunteers.”

Northallerton councillor Caroline Dickinson, a member of two North Yorkshire bus user groups, said there was “a big concern about the buses and getting people to appointments”.

She said:

“There’s all the talk about getting people out of their cars onto buses, but in the Dales we don’t have buses.”

The authority’s leadership said they had believed it could have been the “silver bullet” for North Yorkshire’s sparse public transport provision, particularly in rural areas.

Responding to criticism over the authority paying more than £200,000 to continue the pilot for a second year, the council’s leader Cllr Carl Les said it had been necessary to thoroughly test ways to attract more customers, such as bookings arrangements.

He said:

“It is right to stop now we have proved the costs are prohibitive.”

The authority is now considering increasing its work with volunteer-run community transport providers to reduce the cost of vehicles.

Cllr Les said the Little White Bus service, which has provided scheduled travel in Wensleydale and Swaledale since 2011, could be a better model to help improve transport access in rural areas.

Despite being in a remote area, the service run by paid and volunteer minibus drivers carries in excess of 60,000 passengers a year across 500,000 miles and provides school transport.

He said the authority was already promoting a car share scheme in Harrogate and would consider supporting such schemes for villages where people could search for any journeys they wanted to share, either as a driver or a passenger.

Business Breakfast: Swinton Estate launches wild swimming lake

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

The Swinton Estate in Masham has launched a wild swimming lake for guests and visitors.

The lake has been introduced as part of the summer “wild swimming” season and includes a ladder platform to access the water.

It is open to both guests at the Swinton Hotel and day visitors.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, owner of the Swinton Estate, said:

“We are excited to launch our 2023 wild swimming season on our private lake.

“Swimming in open water is an amazing way to connect with nature, and we are delighted to offer this activity to our guests in such a beautiful location.”

The private lake is located in the heart of the 200-acre estate.

Wild swimming season at the estate runs from May to September and the lake is free to hotel guests.

Day visitors can purchase a Parklands & Gardens Pass for just £10 per day, or £60 for a whole year.

For more information, visit the Swinton Estate website here.

Harrogate training company expands into North East

A Harrogate-based training company has appointed a new regional manager as part of an expansion of its programme.

Quarterdeck, which was founded in 2007, provides training schemes for companies in Harrogate and Leeds in areas such as leadership.

The firm has now announced it will now offer courses and programmes in Newcastle.

It has also appointed Gavin Hutchinson as regional director to oversee the operations in the North East.

He said:

“I am really excited to lead Quarterdeck’s expansion into Newcastle and bring our transformative leadership seminars to professionals in the region.

“Our seminars go beyond theory, offering practical guidance and empowering individuals to become impactful leaders in their respective roles.

“I look forward to partnering with local businesses and helping them unlock their leadership potential.”

Black Sheep launches beer in partnership with Rob Burrow

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