Celebrity antiques expert David Harper to host new game show in Ripon

Celebrity antiques expert David Harper is joining forces with a Ripon auction house for a new antiques game show.

The show will be filmed at Elstob & Elstob‘s saleroom at Ripon Business Park and broadcast online.

Members of the public are invited to join in either as contestants or as part of the audience.

Mr Harper, who has presented programmes such as Antiques Road Trip, Flog It, Cash in the Attic and Bargain Hunt and appeared on numerous other programmes, has own YouTube channel, which will host the new show.

He will work alongside David Elstob, who opened Elstob & Elstob at Ripon three years ago.

Outside Elstob & Elstob in Ripon.

Mr Harper said:

“Much of my career to date has been spent on TV and radio but I am now keen to take the familiar game show format online, for a faster, more informal and interactive feel that will reach even wider audiences.

“I wanted to base the show within an auction house setting and as I already had an excellent working relationship with Elstob & Elstob they were an obvious choice for a media partner.

“They also have a very innovative approach to buying and selling antiques and are always looking to try new things, which is very important for an experimental project such as this.”

Two contestants will attempt to describe items brought in by the audience before antiques expert Mr Elstob awards points based on how accurate they are.

Whoever gets the most points will be invited to choose a prize from the auction house’s collection.

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The show’s first six-part series will be shot over three days at Elstob & Elstob  on September 15, October 5 and October 19 from 10am to 3pm.

Anyone interested in watching can just turn up on the day at anytime between those hours. You don’t need to book.

Mr Elstob said:

“We hope to welcome as many people to the auction house as possible on the filming days.

“I am sure it will be hugely enjoyable for everyone involved. Just come along and join in the fun.”

Anyone interested in taking part as a contestant is asked to get in touch in advance with the auction house on 01765 699200 for more information or email: info@elstobandelstob.co.uk.

The first series will be screened weekly from Friday 7 October at 7pm and can be viewed here.

Ripon online butcher acquired

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister, who has been named as the new chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.

Viral TikTok video sees Brimham Rocks staff kick out mobile DJ

Brimham Rocks has gone viral in a bizarre TikTok video in which National Trust staff tell a mobile DJ he is unable to film there.

DJ Zach Sabri, better known online as SUAT, claims he is “just trying to make the world dance” — something he seeks to do by blasting out rave music in unusual places.

His latest video, which appears to be his most successful yet with more than one million views in just 24 hours, sees the DJ dance and sing in precarious places at National Trust-owned Brimham Rocks.

He also appears to lick one of the rocks.

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Soon though two National Trust staff, who look taken aback by Mr Sabri, ask if he has permission to film before explaining he would need an activity licence.

In the interaction which ensues the TikTok star asks: “I am just wondering what you categorise this as?” That question gets the response: “well, I don’t know.”

@suatism

Karen never lets me rock climb… #karen #climbing #dancemusic #nationaltrust #harrogate

♬ original sound – SUAT

The DJ appears to relent in the end as he tells staff he will leave — although, he ignores their warning not to play music or film on the way out.

TikTok is a social media app popular with young people. The National Trust may not have welcomed DJ SUAT’s appearance but his video will have introduced a lot of people to Brimham Rocks, which is near Pateley Bridge.

10,000 tune into to Harrogate International Festivals’ virtual weekender

Harrogate International Festivals says its first ever virtual event was a success, with over 10,000 people tuning in from more than 60 different countries worldwide.

The HIF weekender had to adapt to an online format for the first time in its history. The festival saw people enjoying the event from countries such as Brazil, Japan, Australia and Canada.

The weekend began with the announcement of the winner of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. This year the award was given to Uber driver and barman Adrian McKinty for his book The Chain. 

Cover of the crime novel 'The Chain'

McKinty’s book has since been published in 36 countries with its movie rights sold in a seven figure deal.

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This was followed by a line-up featuring internationally acclaimed musicians and best selling authors. The weekend also saw the world premiere of Eclipse, an exclusive new piece of music written by internationally renowned composer Dr David Lancaster.

In an interview with the Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar told the Stray Ferret that the online event was a different experience. She said:

“We are an arts charity which delivers live events, so not having that in our arsenal was really strange for the organisation. What makes great events is the fact that people come together to share a live experience, not having that was very odd.”

The Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival usually welcomes nearly 15,000 people to its three day event. Sharon said that it was important that the festival still took place. She said:

“The crime festival runs across three days so it is very different when you put an event like that online, but the reach and opportunity is much more. We wanted to make sure artists and our team were kept in work. We felt there was an element there that we wanted to keep people in work but also still offer the viewers a taste of Harrogate.”

Great Yorkshire Virtual Show announces line-up

The line-up for this year’s Great Yorkshire Show has been announced ahead of the first day today.

For the first time in history the show will be broadcast online from the Great Yorkshire Show website and will feature a packed schedule which celebrates farming, food and the countryside.

Some top attractions include a behind the scenes tour with Olympic show jumper Graham Fletcher, a Q&A with stars of The Yorkshire Vet and a performance from East Yorkshire based TV stunt performers Atkinson Action Horses.

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Charles Mills, the show’s director, said:

“Never before has the Great Yorkshire Show been celebrated as a virtual event and so we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing the show to life in this way. There will be something for everyone to enjoy online over the show’s three days and we dearly hope that you will join us for what promises to be a very special showcase…”

Charles Mills, Show Director.

The show, which normally welcomes more than 130,000 visitors and 8,500 animals was cancelled in March due to the pandemic. In previous years the show has generated large amounts of traffic through Harrogate.

The organisers were determined that “the show must go on” and instead encourage people to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home.

To view the full schedule visit – https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk 

Harrogate International Festivals commission ‘exclusive’ new piece of music

An exclusive new piece of music commissioned by Harrogate International Festivals will premiere online next month.

The charity commissioned internationally renowned composer Dr David Lancaster to write the music, before asking musicians from all over the world to get involved by playing their part from the comfort of their living rooms.

HIF said the response was “phenomenal” with musicians submitting videos from countries including Australia, South Africa and Malaysia, as well as the UK.

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One of the submissions came from Matthew Gee, Principal Trombone with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He said:

“It’s great to see the arts organisations taking a fresh and radical approach to music making – for them to be commissioning new material during lockdown is even better.”

Internationally renowned composer, Professor David Lancaster.

The chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar, also noted the importance of “keeping the arts alive in Harrogate”, despite coronavirus putting paid to its usual summer programme. She said:

“We are incredibly excited to be able to bring the world premiere of Eclipse to life this July. It is going to be a truly international collaboration and one that will help shine a bright light on the power of the arts.”

Eclipse will premiere globally from 23 to 26 July. Further details of HIF at Home are available here – https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/hif-at-home/.