Newby Hall has opened a new sculpture trail.

Newby22 features work from established and emerging artists in the gardens of the stately home near Ripon.

The exhibition includes 40 pieces from 21 artists in a range of mediums from bronze and stone to resins and galvanised wire or glass.

Newby artist in residence during the Queen’s platinum jubilee Freddy Paske and Knaresborough sculptor and prop maker Ben Greenwoodvare among those exhibiting.

Another Harrogate district artist displaying is Joseph Hayton, from Pateley Bridge.

Ruin by Joseph Hayton

Built in the 1690s, Newby Hall is the Compton family home.

Orlando Compton, son of owners Richard and Lucinda, assembled the collection. He said:

“It is thrilling to be able to stage our sculpture exhibition again after the pandemic enforced a two-year break.

“The exhibition features stunning artworks from artists from across the country and we are delighted to be able to showcase their talent to visitors over the coming months.

“This year’s exhibition is truly spectacular and demonstrates why art and culture are such an important part of life’s experiences.”

Blue Marlin by Graham Anderton

Read more:

• World-class opera singers to perform in Aldborough
• Shortlist revealed for Harrogate’s crime writing festival

This is the 17th year Newby Hall has held a sculpture exhibition.

It is open to the public until October 3. Admittance is included in the ticket price for the hall and gardens.

All the sculptures are for sale directly from Newby Hall.

A pub in Skelton on Ure has gone up for sale after the owners said it did not have a “long-term sustainable future”.

The Black Lion pub, which sits on Skelton Lane and is close to Newby Hall, was bought in December 2019 by Admiral Taverns.  However since then it has stood derelict, leaving locals questioning its future.

The company, which owns 1,600 pubs across the UK, said it saw selling it as the only option.

It is currently listed online by agents Everard Cole for offers in the region of £375,000 described as needing a “full refurbishment” with space for 105 covers, inside and out, and sitting on 0.8 acres of land with a former caravan site to the rear.

The listing also says the owners will consider offers “for existing pub use” only, suggesting local residents may get their wish and see the return of their much-loved village pub.

In May a number of residents contacted the Stray Ferret calling for the pub to reopen in its former glory.

The Stray Ferret went to Admiral Taverns for a comment but hadn’t received a reply at the time of publication.

Read more:

• Knaresborough scuba diving facility ‘woefully misunderstood’, says businessman
• Hot Seat: Harrogate Spring Water’s new boss faces old dilemma

After two years away, Tractor Fest returned to Newby Hall to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations in its unique way.

Scattered across the famous gardens were an estimated 1,000 exhibitors, including tractors adorned for the occasion.

Hundreds of people ranging from hardcore enthusiasts and novices, flocked to the stately home near Boroughbridge to enjoy an array of machinery, engines, attractions and even some vintage car displays.

Kevin Watson, organiser of the festival, said he was initially nervous about returning after so long away.

The festival was one of many mainstay events in the Harrogate district which fell victim to the covid pandemic in 2020.

Ian Muir and tractor fest organiser Kevin Watson with a golden painted Queens coronation tractor.

Kevin said:

“It has been a while and we wondered if we had done the right thing in making it a three day event.

“But, in the end it feels like we have never been away.”

The return of the popular festival coincides with the landmark platinum jubilee and it would have been remiss of those regular exhibitors not to mark it in their own way.

Read more:

• Village near Knaresborough creates collage to mark jubilee
• JUBILEE LIVE: Parade in Masham, street opera in Harrogate

Among the thousands of tractors was one special exhibit, which stood out with its golden paint and draped in Union Jack bunting.

The golden coronation tractor which was introduced in 1953 is owned by Northumbrian Ian Muir, who had to rebuild it twice to get it into shape to display at festivals.

Marking the jubilee 

Elsewhere, engine enthusiasts were also marking the jubilee in their own way.

Tom and Alison Moffat made the three-hour journey from Ayre in Scotland to be among fellow engine collectors.

Tom’s engine was made in 1939 at the outbreak of the war and was used as an emergency lighting plant for Ballochmyle Hospital in Ayrshire.

Hundreds flocked to Newby Hall for the return of Tractor Fest.

The couple have toured the exhibit around various festivals, but today they decided to flock our their stall in red, white and blue.

After learning they were going to be at Tractor Fest over the jubilee weekend, Alison borrowed some of her parents flags which had also been used as part of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1977.

She said:

“I borrowed them from my parents, who had also used them to celebrate. We felt we had to mark it.”

Mervyn Hoyle with his vintage car at Newby Hall.

Those who brought vintage cars to the festival were also in on the celebrations.

Mervyn Hoyle bought his 1933 Austin Seven deluxe saloon 42 years ago and prided himself on keeping it in good condition ever since.

He and his sister draped the car in red, white and blue for the occasion and his fellow collectors even set up a picnic table for the weekend.

To top off the day’s entertainment, a Hawker Hurricane took to the skies above Newby Hall.

While people filled the streets and bunting adorned buildings across the Harrogate district, the Tractor Fest marked the occasion in its own way.

A new avenue of locally-sourced English oak trees has been planted by Newby Hall’s gardeners as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project.

The UK-wide initiative is designed to provide a lasting and eco-friendly reminder  of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

A blessing ceremony conducted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Mrs Jo Ropner, and pupils from nearby Skelton Newby Hall CE Primary School.

The children helped to plant the last of the 34 trees that make up the avenue. They and future generations of pupils from the village school, will assist with maintenance of the oaks as they grow to maturity.

The new avenue of English oak will add to the sylvan splendour of Newby Hall

The avenue, south of the hall’s main gates and on a popular walking route for local residents, replaces lime trees that had reached the end of their life.

To be known as Jubilee Avenue, it will provide a backdrop for a bench being supplied by Skelton Cum Newby Parish Council.

Read more:

• Ripon’s Jubilee horn will blast out for the Queen
• Sharow school plants tree for the Queen

Grade I listed Newby Hall, which remains in private ownership as the family home of Mr and Mrs Richard Compton. is one of the UK’s finest Adam Houses.

It was first opened to the public in the 1950s and the 2022 season starts on 1 April.

Mr Compton said:

“We are delighted to play our part in enhancing our environment by planting this wonderful avenue of oaks which will not only benefit future generations but creates a legacy in celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service and leadership of our great nation.”

Some of the Harrogate district’s most famous scenes and landmarks have been captured by members of Knaresborough Camera Club.

The club, which meets weekly and welcomes new members, sent us a selection of photos to showcase to a wider audience.

They capture everything from an aerial view of Oakdale Golf Club in Harrogate to Ripon Canal to sculptures at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe.

We love showing great photos of the Harrogate district. If you would like us to consider yours for publication, please email details to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Read more:

• StrayArt with Johnny Messum: Photography
• Brimham Rocks photography exhibition inspired by what lies beneath

Oakdale golf course in Harrogate by Mike Morley.

Ripon Canal by Mervin Straughan

Ripley Castle deer by Mervin Straughan

Himalayan Gardens, Grewelthorpe, by Mervin Straughan

Newby Hall, by Mervin Straughan

Thousands flocked to this years Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.

The sun beamed down on the show this weekend, which was held at a new location at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

The event featured favourites like garden installations, plant nurseries, a world-famous giant veg competition, live theatre and Britain’s biggest display of autumn blooms.

It was also the first of its kind where ticket holders had access to the gardens at the stately home.

Read more:

• Boroughbridge sunflower field opens in memory of BBC radio presenter Dom Busby
• 7 ways covid has shaped design trends in the Harrogate district

Ahead of the show, Nick Smith, show director, said:

“It has been an incredibly tough year for everyone and there can be no better way to welcome our visitors and exhibitors back to the autumn flower show than re-opening at a spectacular new location like Newby Hall.”

Take a look at our image gallery from the show below.

Ripon has a tremendous opportunity to enhance its reputation and attract more people from this country and abroad over the next five years.

That’s the view of Ripon Business Improvement District chairman Richard Compton.

In June, Ripon businesses voted in favour of creating a BID, which aims to increase footfall in the city.

Ripon BID will have an annual budget of £160,000 over the next five years to spend on projects that encourage visitors. A BID manager is being recruited.

In the meantime, Mr Compton points to a number of positive developments already taking place, including the refurbishment of the Spa Hotel, the reopening of The Old Deanery Hotel under new operators and the imminent opening of the Claro Lounge, on a high street where voids are steadily finding new occupiers.

Read More: 

• Battle to save Ripon Spa Baths being sold for housing receives boost

• Ripon Curzon cinema to reopen this month with James Bond film

Longer-term he sees even greater opportunities.

He said next year’s 1,350th anniversary of St Wilfrid’s founding of the city’s cathedral could provide a springboard to future growth.

Mr Compton, the owner of Newby Hall, whose own family roots in the area go back centuries, sees heritage, history and tradition as cornerstones to build on.

Ripon Cathedral celebrates its 1,350th anniversary next year.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“If our magnificent cathedral was in the Cotswolds, it would attract wide international recognition.

“Next year’s landmark anniversary gives us the opportunity to put Ripon on the national and international map.”

Improve the appearance of the city

Mr Compton said the cathedral, combined with the city’s museums, the ancient Market Square, Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall, provided a package of heritage and visitor attractions that would benefit the wider local economy.

He said:

“The aim is to promote and make Ripon more attractive as a retail and tourism destination and the BID can help in a number of ways.

“These range from improving the appearance of the city and making better use of Market Square as a public space, to enhancing car parking and lobbying for better wayfinding and signage.

“The signs are looking good and I’m feeling confident about the future.”

Are you a train enthusiast wanting to get your career on track? Newby Hall is advertising for a new full-time driver for its miniature railway.

The stately home and gardens between Ripon and Boroughbridge is looking for a full-time driver and engineer to run its narrow-gauge railway.

The railway has 1.2km of track taking nearly 50,000 passengers each year through the estate’s gardens.

Newby Hall said in a statement the successful applicant needs to be enthusiastic about trains and engineering and have relevant experience. They will have to drive along the steam, battery and gas-powered track and be in charge of train, track and station maintenance.

If your childhood dream was to be a train driver then operations director, Stuart Gill, says this is the ideal job for you:

“This is a chance to perhaps turn your hobby or childhood dream into a career, particularly if you feel your job aspirations have been shunted into the sidings.

“We need someone who has a real passion for trains and engineering, preferably with previous relevant experience, and they also need to be great at managing our team of amazing railway volunteers.”

The successful applicant will also be responsible for the interactive Tarantella water fountain in the children’s play area.

To find out more about the job, click here.

Read more:

• “Quirky” Starbeck mural could see famous faces floating on teabags
• Meet Coco: Harrogate’s tea-drinking parrot

Newby Hall near Ripon will feature in this weekend’s Antiques Roadshow programme on BBC One.

The programme, which will be broadcast at 7pm on Sunday, is the second of two that were filmed at Newby in August last year. The first programme came out on January 31.

Antiques Roadshow attracts about six million viewers, who will see footage of Newby’s house and gardens.

Filming took place in warm sunshine one day and rain and gales the next. Covid restrictions were enforced.

Newby Hall

Presenter Fiona Bruce, who was filming her 13th series of Antiques Roadshow, said after filming she had a “wonderful time at Newby Hall filming some stunning items in the blazing sunshine and pouring rain!”.

She added:

“Our experts have seen some really intriguing and valuable objects and I can’t wait to see the finished programmes.”

Read more:

• Dig out your treasures” Antiques Roadshow comes to Newby Hall
• BBC’s Fiona Bruce on unearthing treasures on the Antiques Road Show

Series editor Robert Murphy said Newby was selected because of its “incredible house, award-winning gardens and collection of stunning Roman statues”.

Richard Compton, Newby Hall’s owner said:

“We are very much looking forward to showing off our beautiful corner of North Yorkshire to all the viewers of this flagship programme.”

Newby Hall and Gardens are set to reopen today after months of closure due to covid restrictions.

The gardens and adventure gardens will reopen alongside a new attraction – the enchanted wood trail.

Described as a “beautiful woodland walk”, the trail is for children and families to enjoy. Children can meet a number of woodland characters and even Titus the Troll along the way.

Unlike last year when Newby Hall missed out on the Easter holiday, this year it can take advantage of the easing of lockdown rules and reopen to the public.

However, the miniature train and the river boat cannot open until April 12. The restaurant is also only open for takeaways.

From May, it is hoped the house itself, the dollhouse and the teddy bears can be fully opened.

Read more:

• Image Gallery as sunbathers flock to sunny spots in Harrogate this week.
• New Skipton music festival announces line-up.

Commercial director, Stuart Gill said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to open on time this year. We were so disappointed to not open as usual at Easter last year; we all look forward to opening and to not have that or even a prospective opening date was a huge blow.

“We hope to welcome visitors back with the stunning gardens and our enchanted wood trail, which should keep the children entertained!”

The enchanted wood trail runs from today until April 11 and tickets must be booked in advance here.