Masham Archives - Page 26 of 31

Guide to fireworks displays in the Harrogate district

Bonfire night is fast approaching so we have compiled a list of events coming up this weekend in the Harrogate district.

Bonfires in Masham and Bilton were cancelled this year but we have still managed to find nine that are due to go ahead either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197 and we will add you to the list.

Friday 5th November

Knaresborough Cricket Club Fireworks Night

Where: Aspin Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 8EP

When: 6:15pm start, 7pm firework display

Tickets: adult £2, concessions £1

Aspin Park Academy, Knaresborough

Where: School grounds, parking on Manse Lane, Knaresborough

When: 5pm start, 6.30pm firework display

Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4

Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display

Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG

When: 5:30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7:30pm firework display.

Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free

Spofforth Village Firework Display

Where: Spofforth cricket ground

Timings: Gates open 5pm

Tickets: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tockwith & District Agricultural Society Annual Bonfire & Firework Display

Where: Show field, Cattle Moor Lane, Tockwith, YO26 7QH

Timings: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks

Tickets: 13 and over £5, under 13s free

The Tockwith event is back.

Saturday 6th November

50th Annual Stray Bonfire, Harrogate Roundtable

Where: The Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ

When: 6pm start, 6:30pm fire lit, 7pm fireworks

Tickets: free entry, donations welcome

Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire

Where: Pateley Bridge Showground

When: 5:30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks

Tickets: free entry, donations welcome

Wath and Melmerby Community Bonfire

Where: Roger Clarke Motor Engineers, The Sidings, Melmerby, HG4 5EX

When: 6pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks

Tickets: £5 per family

Sunday 7th November

Staveley Arms Bonfire

Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT

When: 4pm-6pm

Tickets: £3 per person

Swinton Bivouac Quiet Bonfire Night

Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ

When: 6:30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.

Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café

Starbeck Community Firework Night – Harrogate Railway Sports and Social Club, Friends of Starbeck School

Where: Harrogate Railway Sports & Social Club, Station View, Starbeck, HG2 7JA

When: 5pm start, 6:30pm fireworks

Tickets: under 5’s free, 5 to 15’s £1, over 16’s £2

Harrogate district firm ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Yorkshire Tea, which is based in the Harrogate district, has ended its sponsorship of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the district, has been fiercely criticised for saying it didn’t plan to take any disciplinary action against individuals following an investigation into the allegations by former player Azeem Rafiq.

The row escalated today when it was revealed Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton, chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon would be questioned by MPs on November 16.

Now, Yorkshire Tea, which is part of the Bettys and Taylors Group based in Harrogate, revealed today it has ended its sponsorship with the club.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Tea told the Stray Ferret:

“We were upset to read about the experiences of Azeem Rafiq during his time at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We wholeheartedly believe that cricket should be a sport for everyone, but his experiences and the way the panel report has been handled don’t reflect that.

“Our current sponsorship of YCCC was naturally coming to an end but we have taken the decision to end it with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate Spring Water, which also sponsors the club, said it had raised concerns with senior officials at Yorkshire over the matter.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“We are deeply disappointed at the allegations which have come to light concerning individuals within Yorkshire County Cricket Club and have expressed our concerns in discussions with senior personnel at the club.

“Racism has no place in sport or society and we are keen to hear further from Yorkshire CCC how they intend to bring about meaningful, positive change on this issue.”

The news comes as Anchor butter, which had its logo on Yorkshire’s website, confirmed it had cut ties with the club.

Meanwhile, Emerald Publishing, which has naming rights to Headingley cricket ground, said it would review the findings of an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The company added that Yorkshire had a “great deal to do” to restore trust.

Yesterday, Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, told the Stray Ferret that the county club’s actions “sent mixed messages” to grassroots cricket and that the club was “extremely disappointed” in Yorkshire’s actions.

Masham Cricket Club criticises Yorkshire response to racism allegations

Masham Cricket Club has said it is “extremely disappointed” by Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s response to allegations that it is institutionally racist.

The allegations were made in August 2020 by Azeem Rafiq, who was an off-spin bowler for Yorkshire and became the club’s youngest ever Twenty20 format captain in 2012.

Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the Harrogate district, has faced fierce criticism after it insisted no disciplinary action would be taken against former players, employees or executives following an investigation.

Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, said the response from Yorkshire “felt like double standards”.

He said grassroot clubs encouraged inclusivity and fostered communities, but felt like the county’s actions “sent mixed messages”.

Mr Ellis said:

“What I see here is that Yorkshire County Cricket are the most senior club in the county and there just seems to be double standards.

“What message does that send to grassroots cricket?

“I accept there has been some kind of apology, but it feels as though they are being forced to do that.”

In a tweet this morning, Masham Cricket Club said the response from the club to the allegations had left it “angry”.

It said:

“As a Yorkshire grassroots cricket club, [we are] extremely disappointed and angry that our county club is not taking the right actions over this matter and therefore the only conclusion that can be drawn is that they are institutional racist.”

As a Yorkshire grassroots Cricket Club, extremely disappointed and angry that our county club is not taking the right actions over this matter and therefore the only conclusion that can be drawn is that they are institutional racist. https://t.co/hrLUhpsH9a

— Masham Cricket Club (@MashamCricket) November 2, 2021

On September 10, Yorkshire released a summary statement of the panel’s investigation into the allegations and apologised to Rafiq.

But the club faced criticism, including by Jo Stevens, Shadow Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for releasing the statement in the midst of the cancellation of England’s final test match against India.

The club later cited legal reasons for not releasing the full report.

However, yesterday, ESPNCricinfo reported that the investigation panel found at least one player used the P-word when talking to Rafiq.

‘Banter’ between players

The investigation cleared the player of any wrongdoing after the report said it was perceived as friendly, good-natured “banter” between the two players.

Following the publication of the summary report, Rafiq has continued to campaign against racism and taken to social media to criticise Yorkshire’s response.

The Stray Ferret has approached Yorkshire County Cricket Club for comment.

In response to the allegations, Roger Hutton, chairman of Yorkshire, said in a statement in September:

“There is no question that Azeem Rafiq, during his first spell as a player at YCCC, was the victim of racial harassment. He was also subsequently the victim of bullying.

“On behalf of all at YCCC, I wish to extend my sincere, profound and unreserved apologies to Azeem and to his family.”

Harrogate Town and Black Sheep Brewery launch new beer

Harrogate Town FC and Black Sheep Brewery in Masham have collaborated to launch a new beer.

Called Yellow Black Army, the launch is part of the brewery’s official sponsorship of the club.

The beer, which is a session IPA, will be available to buy online and from the club’s shop on Commercial Street from Monday.

Simon Weaver, manager of Harrogate Town, said:

“I’m sure our fans will be delighted to be able to drink our very own, official beer.

“Just like our club, Black Sheep does things its own way and has created a unique sense of identity in the process. We can’t wait to see our fans’ response to Yellow Black Army, and give them another chance to enjoy how far our club has come in recent years.”

Charlene Lyons, chief executive of Black Sheep Brewery said:

“We’ve been working really hard behind-the-scenes to create a beer that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Harrogate Town AFC, and we think fans will absolutely love the final result.

“Given the club’s recent promotion to the Football League for the first time in its history, we felt it was only right to celebrate Harrogate Town’s success in true Black Sheep fashion – with its very own, official beer.

“Our deal with Harrogate Town is the first time Black Sheep has sponsored a football club.”

The sponsorship deal is for two years with an option to extend. It’s the first time the company has sponsored a football club.

Government rejects £6m levelling up bid for Ripon and Masham

A £6 million bid for government funding for regeneration projects in Ripon, Masham and Skipton has been rejected.

Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council made the joint submission for “high-quality place-making, improved cultural and community assets, and improved sustainable connectivity” across the three areas.

However, the authorities were dealt a setback when the government announced during its budget last week that the bid had been unsuccessful.

A joint statement from the councils said:

“We’re very disappointed to hear that the joint bid between Craven District Council and Harrogate Borough Council in the government’s Levelling Up Fund has been unsuccessful.

“The Levelling Up Fund is a competitive process and sadly only a small proportion of priority three areas – which we were identified as – received funding in round one.

“There also appears to be no areas in North Yorkshire that have received funding.”

More than 100 bids around the UK have been awarded a combined total of £1.7 billion from the fund, with another £3.1 billion to be awarded after the next application window opens in 2022.

£187 million awarded in Yorkshire

In Yorkshire, around £187 million was secured by councils for 10 projects, including a major waterfront extension in Doncaster and a refurbishment of Halifax Swimming Pool.

The cash will be used to improve transport connections across west Leeds and to help convert a derelict site in Wakefield into a new museum and art gallery.

The funding is said to be targeted at areas in the greatest need and for investing in “infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets”.

The joint bid from Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council required an approval from Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.

If approved, match funding from the private sector would have seen the total cost of the regeneration projects climb to £8.8 million.

The joint statement from the councils continued:

“We are grateful to all the organisations who supported the bid, which would have delivered a wide range of regeneration projects across Skipton, Masham and Ripon.

“We still believe that there is a strong case for investment and we will continue to work with partners to try and bring these schemes forward in the future.”

More than 500 excess deaths in North Yorkshire during coronavirus

There have been 559 excess deaths in North Yorkshire during the coronavirus pandemic, new figures have revealed.

Excess deaths are a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected when compared to previous years and can be used to show the overall impact of the pandemic.

Figures presented to a meeting of North Yorkshire’s Outbreak Management Advisory Board showed 11,347 deaths from all causes were expected during the weeks of the pandemic based on the five-year average.

A total of 11,906 deaths from all causes were recorded up until 1 October – giving an excess of 559.

Dr Victoria Turner, public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, told today’s meeting that these figures were “largely reflective of the national position”. She said:

“The largest peaks of excess deaths, unsurprisingly, were during covid’s first and second wave.

“This was followed by periods where deaths were actually a bit below the expected number, however, those periods were not enough to offset the very high numbers of excess deaths that we saw during both wave one and two.”

According to Public Health England figures, there have been a total of 1,227 deaths in North Yorkshire where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The recent rate of Covid deaths and hospital admissions has increased slightly since the end of summer, however, the figures are lower than previous waves.

20 patients still in intensive care

Despite this, Sue Peckitt, chief nurse at NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said the heath service was still facing “unprecedented” demand with 171 Covid patients currently in the county’s hospitals.

She told today’s meeting that the majority of these patients were over-65 and that 20 were in intensive care:

“We continue to see high demand into our primary and emergency care departments.

“Whilst we are seeing high numbers of Covid infections in our younger population, it is the older population that is presenting into hospital.”

Ms Peckitt also said the vaccine rollout was continuing with a focus on booster jabs for over 50s and increasing uptake for 12 to 15-year-olds who will be offered their single dose by the end of November. She added:

“The schools programme for 12 to 15-year-olds is now rolling out through our provider Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, but we have also opened up three sites on the national booking system.

“These are the pharmacy site at Knaresborough, the Askham Bar site at York and the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough.”

Food safety standards in Harrogate district ‘deteriorated significantly’ during pandemic

Food safety standards at some Harrogate businesses have “deteriorated significantly” during the covid pandemic, a report has revealed.

Inspections by food safety officers resumed in July after being halted earlier in the pandemic and there has since been three voluntary closures of businesses and two emergency hygiene prohibition orders issued – more than the two previous years combined.

That is according to a new report from Harrogate Borough Council, which said “standards have deteriorated significantly” and that staff were now working through a backlog of inspections.

The report said:

“Since recommencing full on-site food hygiene inspections in July 2021 it appears that standards have deteriorated significantly in some premises.

“This seems to be partly due to changes in food business operators during the lockdowns whilst we were unable to carry out full on-site inspections.

“However, some existing traders have just let standards slip.”

While the council carried out inspections at all ‘high risk’ food establishments, just 16% of new businesses were inspected against a target of 90% in 2020/21.

During the same period, 24% of ‘lower risk’ businesses were inspected against a target of 95%.

The report said this was “entirely due to the impact of the covid pandemic” during which staff focused their efforts on infection control, advice and enforcement.

Rodent infestation in pub

One business which was served an emergency hygiene prohibition order was the Black Swan Inn in Fearby near Masham which was found to have a rodent infestation and dirty kitchen during a routine inspection.

The order was served in August by the council which said the pub was “dirty throughout” and that staff were unable to wash their hands after handling raw food.

Speaking at the time, Cllr Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at the council, said:

“It is imperative that food businesses maintain hygiene and food safety at all times, even more so during the current covid pandemic.

“The council’s environmental health officers work hard to provide guidance and advice to businesses in ensuring that they can operate safely.

“Any business failing to heed and act on such advice – which then subsequently fails an inspection which identifies a risk to public health – needs to understand that we will, when necessary, not hesitate to take formal action which could well result in prosecution.”

At a meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Chambers approved a food service recovery plan which details the work to be carried out by inspectors over the coming year.

This includes inspecting the average 200 new food establishments that register each year, targeting efforts towards ‘high risk’ businesses and managing food safety standards at the increasing number of events and festivals.

The plan said:

“The overall aim will be for the local authority to choose the most appropriate action to be taken to drive up levels of compliance by food establishments with food law.”

Masham restaurant founders to sell business after 16 years

The owners of a fine dining restaurant in Masham have put the business up for sale after 16 years at the helm.

Jon and Laura Vennell opened Vennell’s Restaurant on Silver Street in 2005.

Since then the restaurant founders can boast 14 consecutive years in the Michelin Guide, the Good Food Guide and the AA Restaurant Guide.

Vennell’s is set in a large Grade II listed Georgian property, which has recently been refurbished. The restaurant is on the ground floor and there is accommodation on the first and second floors.

Inside the restaurant.

However, Mr and Ms Vennell have decided to move on and have listed the restaurant for sale at an undisclosed fee with Christie & Co. They said in a joint statement:

“Now in our 17th year as guardians of this amazing building, it is time to pursue our next adventure. The locals have always supported the restaurant on this site, which dates back to the 70s.

“The building, following an extensive renovation both inside and out this year is in exceptional condition, as is this business breaking all records in the last four months.

“The scope to run this restaurant more as a business than a lifestyle is massive.”

David Cash, associate director in Christie & Co’s hospitality team, is handling the sale. He said Vennell’s was “a quality eatery and presents massive potential”. He added:

“Ordinarily town centre restaurants are held on a leasehold basis and rarely do freehold opportunities like this one present themselves.

“In addition, rarely do hospitality business premises come with such substantial living accommodation.

“Vennell’s presents an opportunity for an experienced chef to live and work in an immaculately presented property, which has seen a great deal of investment recently.

“Not only that, but they stand to benefit massively from the reputation that Jon and Laura have built over the past 16 years.

Heather burning season begins on Harrogate district moors

Controlled burning of heather has started on moors in the north of the Harrogate district.

Moorland managers carry out burning between October 1 and April 15 to remove old growth and promote the development of new heather and grass shoots in spring, which helps grouse and other species thrive.

It is carried out with the agreement of Natural England, the licensing body.

Smoke drifted over areas such as Pateley Bridge and Lofthouse over the weekend as burning took place.

The North Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group, which represents moorland managers, said in a statement that ground nesting birds have left the moors by October and the heather has faded.

“If the conditions are right and the wind is not too strong then the experienced keepers will recognise these opportunities and use their expertise to carry out very controlled rotational burns where the old heather has grown long and rank.”

It added that long, old heather has little nutritional value for grazing animals or grouse and loses its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Burning in winter also reduces the risk of summer wildfires, it added:

“Heather is a dwarf shrub that will become woody with time and if left unchecked will accumulate large amounts of combustible material that dries in summer and poses a huge wildfire risk. Summer wildfires are devastating events both financially and environmentally.

“They pose serious risk to people and property and can release millions of tons of locked in carbon that has taken millennia to accumulate.”

Calls for a ban

But the Yorkshire-based campaign group Wild Moors has called for burning to be banned.

It claims that the practice actually damages peatland formation and is harmful to the environment.

Luke Steele, executive director of Wild Moors, said:

“At COP26 Britain has a prime opportunity to be a trailblazer in managing land for nature as a solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.

“But how can we be a role model for other nations to follow when we still allow our carbon-rich peatlands to be torched to benefit grouse shooting?”

Beer barrel maker graduates in rare and peculiar Masham ceremony

A curious tradition dating back seven centuries took place in Masham today when, for the first time in a generation, an apprentice barrel maker became a cooper.

Euan Findlay, who started work at Theakston Brewery five years ago, was centre stage for the historic ‘trussing in’ ceremony.

Fellow coopers from across the country gathered in Masham to witness Mr Findlay’s coronavirus-delayed initiation into the Federation of Coopers.

The event, which dates back to the 14th century, last took place more than 20 years ago. It rarely happens because Theakston is one of only two breweries in the UK to still have an in-house barrel maker.

Most breweries opt for the more modern steel containers these days but Theakston still uses the traditional wooden barrel for its Old Peculier beer.

Starting with the “ringing of axes” the coopers got the barrel into shape with hammers and metal rings before placing Mr Findlay inside.

The last trussing in ceremony happened more than 20 years ago.

They then poured beer and any rubbish lying around over his head before placing the barrel on its side and rolling him around while still inside.

Apprentice Mr Findlay was then unceremoniously sacked in front of a crowd before being immediately re-employed as a fully-qualified cooper.

To celebrate the ritual, the brewery launched Stave Bender, a new pale ale. Mr Findlay had the honour of pouring the first pint.

Talking to the Stray Ferret after the ordeal, he said:

“It was very, very hot to start with. Then it got very loud as they started hammering. They then chucked the rubbish in so it got very cold and messy.

“When they started rolling it around like a washing machine I was just trying to brace for dear life. But now I am onto the next stage of my career.

“The plan now is for me to get an apprentice and pass this tradition onto the next generation.”

Simon Theakston, the joint managing director of TR Theakston Ltd, told the Stray Ferret:

“Well you have watched a very unique and rare ceremony. So now he has finished his apprenticeship his fellow coopers give him a tough old time.

“This is a rite of passage. We are very proud of making our excellent beer and making the casks that it goes into.”

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