The organisers of Saturday’s Stray bonfire and fireworks have announced they have raised a minimum of £4,061 for Harrogate Homeless Project.
An estimated 10,000 people attended the event, which included a bonfire after Harrogate and District Round Table initially decided against the idea.
Andy Rickard, one of the volunteers at the Round Table, said the event had exceeded expectations by generating around £20,000.
He said when the costs of staging the event were deducted it left £4,061.
Picture by Mark Dimmock
Donations are still open, with the Round Table pledging to match fund up to £1,000.
The volunteer-run event, which is now in its 51st year, is funded entirely by donations and sponsorship.
Mr Rickard said he was concerned before the night that the gofundme appeal had only raised about half as much as last year.
But better-than-expected cash and card payments on the night, along with sponsorship funds and percentage takings from the food, bar and face painting stalls boosted the total. He said
“We do try to develop the event every year and are pleased with the addition of a licensed bar which proved very popular, we also hope that the provision of toilets was appreciated.
“We’ve already started reviewing what we could improve and welcome feedback. We did look at replacing the bonfire with a funfair based on the feedback survey from last year so would encourage people to give us their thoughts as we start planning next year.”
Picture by Mark Dimmock
Francis McAllister, chief executive of Harrogate Homeless Project, said the Round Table’s support would “make a huge difference to our clients”, adding:
“It was a fantastic event, well organised and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”
A survey to gather people’s views on the event can be completed here.
Donations can still be pledged here.
Harrogate pub evacuated due to fireA Harrogate pub was evacuated late this afternoon after fire broke out in the kitchen.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received two calls from the pub at 5.07pm today saying there was a fire in the kitchen.
The emergency service, which has not said which pub was involved, tweeted this evening:
“The venue had been evacuated and the fire had been extinguished using a fire blanket prior to our arrival but we ensured the area was safe.”
Less than an hour later, just before 6pm, fire crews were. also called to reports of six people stuck in a lift in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted at 6.18pm that “our crews are assisting with this”.
November 5 is one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.
The emergency service tweeted:
“We hope you are all enjoying yourselves this bonfire night but stay safe.”
Read more:
- Final appeal for donations towards £10k cost of Harrogate bonfir
- Fire crews tackle blaze at Scotton caravan storage site
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