The owner of the Stump Cross Caverns tourist attraction has confirmed that one lucky supporter will win a flat in Pateley Bridge on Christmas Day. 

The news came after a £130,000 crowdfunding target, which had to be reached by December 25, was achieved yesterday with just a few days to spare. 

Lisa Bowerman and fiancé Nick Markham launched their Crowdfunder campaign in autumn 2021, offering their one-bedroom flat on Pateley Bridge High Street as a raffle prize and asking supporters to buy tickets for £10 each. 

It took 20 months for the campaign to break through the £100,000 barrier, but just a week to raise the final £30,000. 

In a Facebook post, Lisa said:

“This is going to happen now! We will definitely be giving this apartment away on Christmas Day!”

Read more:

• Stump Cross Caverns owners live underground for 105 hours
• Stump Cross owners in last push to raise £130,000 target by Christmas Day

The couple are raising funds to pay for a much-needed specialist lighting system at Stump Cross, whose limestone caves stretch for miles under Greenhow Hill. The new German-made illuminations can resist the cold and damp conditions underground, and cost around £200,000. 

Lisa said:

“The profits that we have made as a business would normally be used to reinvest in the business, however they are being reabsorbed due to the rising cost of living/bills.  

“It almost seems even more appropriate now than before to give the flat away on Christmas Day and make at least one person’s life easier whilst going through these tough times. £10 could turn into £130,000 for someone.  

“Monies raised will in turn help to protect and preserve a little bit of history for our future.”

Tickets for the draw will still be on sale right up until midday on Christmas Day, unless the next target, of £200,000, is reached first. The draw will be held in the afternoon of December 25.

Lisa Bowerman in Stump Cross Caverns, whose strange formations were created by dissolved limestone in dripping water over thousands of years.

Stump Cross Caverns were formed around 500,000 years ago, but only discovered by lead miners in the mid-1800s. Ancient animal bones have been recovered from the caves, some of them from the last Ice Age, including wolves, reindeer, bison, and wolverines. 

NIdderdale Agricultural Society has apologised for confusion caused by sudden changes to parking at Nidderdale Showground car park.

Many people were taken by surprise by the recent introduction of automatic number plate recognition cameras to the car park in Bewerley.

Some were also unaware the annual £12 Pateley Bridge parking permit no longer applied to the showground and they were liable for fines if they continued using the site without paying the daily charge, which ranges from 50p an hour to £1.80 a day.

Pateley’s parking permit traditionally runs from April to April and the decision to change the rules before the current permit has expired drew an angry response from Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat county councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Whoever is responsible has ridden roughshod over the previous arrangement, which should have been honoured until the end of March.

“People in all good faith bought permits that entitled them to park in the showground car park until then.

“It is a disgrace. People have been blindsided and it’s unfair to issue fines.”

Cllr Andrew Murday

Asked if there had been any consultation on the new system, Cllr Murday said there had been “absolutely none”.

Read more:

• Pateley Bridge Christingle service returns to St Cuthbert’s
• Pateley school rated ‘good’ by Ofsted after major changes

NIdderdale Agricultural Society, which owns the showground and stages the annual Nidderdale Show, previously leased the car park to Harrogate Borough Council.

‘We don’t receive any revenue from this’

The society published a statement today, which said:

“Due to the council’s 21-year lease ending on the car park, the decision was made to hand over the running of the car park to a private company.

“We also took the decision to keep the charges to exactly the same rate as the council charged.

“We understand that unfortunately some people have prepaid car park passes, which are no longer viable for the showground car park, but these could be used in the other car parks in Pateley Bridge.

“The car park now operates on an ANPR camera system which registers number plates on entry. There is a window of 10 minutes to park, pay or leave. Failure to do this unfortunately results in a fine which in no way is charged by the show society, and who do not receive any revenue from this.

“At present to pay an annual parking pass can be downloaded onto your smart phone or there is a number to ring and pay using card details.

“A card pay machine is to be fitted due hopefully by mid January 2023 to make payment simpler.

“The show society apologises for any confusion.”

Pateley’s annual permit still applies to the town’s Southlands car park, which continues to be operated by Harrogate Borough Council.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said:

“Nidderdale Showground is owned and managed by Nidderdale Agricultural Society so you would need to speak to them regarding the parking system in place.

“Previously we have managed car parking at the showground but this is no longer the case.”

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Business Growth Award, which is sponsored by Raworths.

This award is designed to recognise those businesses that have seen significant growth in the last three years.

Business growth could be measured either financially, by employee numbers of market share increase.

Companies looking to enter for the Business Growth Award need to provide evidence of the growth, background information as to the reason for growth and plans for the future.

Does your business deserve to win the Business Growth Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

First up is the Inclusivity Award, which is sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors.

This award is designed to give vital recognition to a company that has demonstrated working practices with a proactive approach to inclusivity.

These businesses have made employees and customers feel welcome, safe and free to be themselves, regardless of nationalities, gender, race or sexual orientations.

Companies looking to enter for the Inclusivity Award need to provide details of its policy for inclusivity and, if applicable, provide and example where it has given significant support to an employee or customer.

By giving vital recognition to those who have inclusivity at the heart of their business, we hope others will follow their example.

Does your business deserve to win the Inclusivity Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Volunteer firefighters from Lofthouse rescued a family whose car was stuck on black ice last night.

The on-call firefighters were called to the notoriously steep Trapping Hill just outside the village at 6.50pm last night, on the final day of the recent freeze.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:the car “had become immobile on black ice” and the family had been informed it would take six hours for a recovery vehicle to attend. It added:

“Firefighters walked two adults and one child into the safety of Lofthouse village.”

The incident log also noted that fire crews do not recover vehicles.

Temperatures have risen sharply today after more than a week of sub-zero conditions.

Read more:

• Gallery: Stunning photos of Nidderdale in winter
• Firefighters from Ripon, Harrogate and Masham called to garage fire

A crowdfunding campaign offering people the chance to win a flat in Pateley Bridge is set to end on Christmas Day.

Lisa Bowerman and her fiancé Nick launched their competition through Crowdfunder 20 months ago and hope to reach their £130,000 target by the time it closes at midday on December 25.

At the time of going to press, it had generated £103,000.

The campaign aims to raise enough money to install new lighting at Stump Cross Caverns. The current lights have been in place since 1948.

Ms Bowerman said this would not only “preserve and protect the cave” but also be more sustainable and environmentally friendly because the system would use less energy. The lights will only come on if there are people in the cave. Ms Bowerman also said that the new system would minimise algae growth.

Tickets to win Ms Bowerman’s one-bedroom apartment on Pateley Bridge High Street cost £10.

An image of the flat.

Ms Bowerman said:

“Once the winner is announced they can pick up the keys there and then.”

She explained there would need to be discussions with solicitors to change the property into the winner’s name, but after that it’s theirs.

The couple have held multiple fundraisers to draw attention to the campaign, including their 105-hour sleepover in the caves that took place in October 2021.

Lisa and Nick have also been taking part in a 105-day bike challenge to raise money for the campaign. The number of days relates to Geoff Workman, who lived in the cavern for 105 days on his own in 1963.

More recently, they held another sleepover in the cave, where they took 12 people down with them from 9pm to 9am.

Ms Bowerman said:

“It was full within hours of launching the idea.”

However, of the 12 that Ms Bowerman took down, only eight lasted the full 12 hours because of the cold and damp.

Read more:

• Stump Cross Caverns owners live underground for 105 hours
• Stump Cross owners to raffle their £130,000 flat

In the lead up to the closing date, Ms Bowerman has been doing “everything she can” to get the message out there, including updating social media platforms including TikTok “every waking minute” to try to reach as many people as possible.

Lisa and Nick want to improve the cave lighting.

Stump Cross Caverns has awarded free meals in the cafe and cinema to the public as part of their marketing drive.

Ms Bowerman said that when the lights are being fitted, the caves will close for a period of time.

If the campaign does not reach its target of £130,00 by midday on Christmas day then the supporters will receive a full refund and the campaign will be declared unsuccessful.

Click here to visit the Crowdfunder page.

Christmas markets are taking place across the Harrogate district.

Here’s our guide to what’s taking place. If you know of one that isn’t included, let us know and we will add it. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

RHS Harlow Carr, Bath House Gallery: Christmas Crafts 

10am, Thursday, October 20 to 4pm, Friday, December 23 

Country Living Christmas Fair, Harrogate Convention Centre 

10am, Thursday, December 1 to 4pm, Sunday, December 4 

Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair, The Yorkshire Events Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

9.30 to 5am Thursday, December 1 to Sunday December 2022 (4.30pm finish on Sunday)

Harrogate Christmas Fayre, Harrogate town centre

10am, Friday, December 2 to 4.30pm, Sunday, December 11 

Pateley Bridge and Bewerley late night shopping, Pateley Bridge High Street

December 2, 5.30pm

Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Saturday, December 3, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 4

Knaresborough Christmas Market, Knaresborough Market Place

10am, to 5pm Saturday, December 3 and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4, finishing with firework fiesta over the viaduct at 4.30pm 

Knaresborough Artisan Market, Gracious St Methodist Church, Knaresborough HG5 8AN

10am to 3pm, December 3

Copt Hewick Christmas Fair, Copt Hewick village hall and church

11am to 3pm, December 3, cash-only event, Santa arrives at noon and carols at 1.30pm

St Luke’s Church Parish Christmas Fair, St Luke’s Church, Franklin Square, Harrogate

10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, December 3

Belmont Grosvenor School Christmas Fair, Belmont Grosvenor School, Birstwith

Saturday, December 3, £3 entry for adults, free for children

Minskip Christmas Gift Fayre, Minskip Village Hall

Saturday December 3, 1pm to 4pm – all gifts priced at under £10

Nativity Festival, St Cuthbert’s Church Pateley Bridge

Saturday December 3, 10.30am to 2.30pm. Followed, at 7pm by Christmas carol singing accompanied by local choirs. (Tickets for the carol concert cost £5 and will be available on the door or from church members)

SYD* Christmas Craft, Vintage & Collectables Fayre, Masham Town Hall 

10am, Sunday, December 4 

* Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs 

Knaresborough Winter Fayre, Knaresborough Market Place

10am to 4pm, Saturday, December 10

Little Bird Artisan Market, Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Saturday, December 10, 10am to 5pm, and 10am to pm on Sunday, December 11

The festive season gets underway in Knaresborough this weekend with the Christmas Market and the launch of the Christmas Tree Festival.

Centred around the large Christmas tree in the town’s historic Market Place, the two-day shopping event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, will feature almost 60 stalls selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and locally-sourced produce.

Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by local dancers, brass bands and choirs promise to add to the festive atmosphere.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce committee member Charlotte Gale said:

“We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street.

“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. There is even a book signing at Castlegate Books with best selling local crime author Wes Markin from noon on Saturday.

“Knaresborough’s businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.

“There are lots of events happening around the town too, including a shopping event at Knaresborough train station and the start of the stunning Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church, which features beautifully decorated trees from local businesses and organisations.”

The Christmas Market is organised by volunteers from Knaresborough Rotary, Knaresborough Chamber and Knaresborough Lions.

Free park and ride

The centre of Knaresborough will be largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park and ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the Market Square.

The weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s famous viaduct and the Nidd Gorge. This is best seen from any viewpoint which overlooks the river area.

Market chair Hazel Haas, of Knaresborough Rotary, said:

“We are keen that this year’s market benefits the town as a whole.

“Members of our volunteer committee have been liaising with other local organisations and businesses to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend, including the popular Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church.”

The Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s will run from Saturday December 3 until December 23.

Every year more than 70 Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses are displayed in the church on Vicarage Lane.

Read more:

• Guide to Christmas fairs and markets in the Harrogate district
• Time to sparkle: Your guide to Christmas lights switch-ons across the district

Admission is free, but there will be the opportunity to donate to the church and the event’s chosen charity for this year.

For more information on Knaresborough Christmas Market, including travel information, entertainment timings and events taking place throughout the town, click here.

Meanwhile, Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre kicked off today and tonight (Friday) sees the return of late night shopping in Pateley Bridge and Bewerley for the first time since 2019.

Shops will stay open until about 7.30pm to offer festive treats and community groups will operate stalls along the High Street.

Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre got underway today and next week sees Boroughbridge’s late night shopping and Christmas lights switch-on event on Wednesday (December 7).

Does your business or workplace have a good story to tell? We’re looking to recognise the best and the brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community.

On March 9 next year, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will celebrate those businesses at a glittering black tie ceremony in the Pavilions of Harrogate and we want your entries.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district including Ripon, Masham, Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

We are delighted to announce four of the region’s most influential leaders are on the Stray Ferret Business Award’s judging panel:

• James Farrar:  COO, York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership
• Charlene Lyons: CEO, Black Sheep Brewery 
• Marcus Boardall: CEO, Reed Boardall 
• Martin Rae: CEO, Cloud Nine

There are 10 award categories − from Dynamic Leader to Business Growth and Inclusivity.

It doesn’t matter if the business is large or small − the awards are to recognise excellent organisations, their leaders or unsung heroes.

It’s free to nominate and we will profile the great work of all the winners, so we would encourage you to put forward your business today.

You can see a full list of award categories on our Awards page. Entries close January 16.

In tough times we need, more than ever, to celebrate success and give individuals and teams the recognition they deserve.

A Pateley Bridge primary school has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School has undergone major changes over the last 18 months.

A new executive headteacher and deputy headteacher were appointed in April last year and in January this year the school became part of the Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation.

The federation also includes Glasshouses Community Primary School and Fountains Earth Church of England Primary School in Lofthouse.

Ofsted inspectors visited St Cuthbert’s for two days last month and their report, published yesterday, said the school “has been on a journey of improvement over the last 12 months” and rated it good in all areas.

They described the school as “a safe and caring place” and said pupils had caring attitudes, behaved well and don’t tolerate bullying. Staff have high morale and feel well supported.

Safeguarding arrangements are described as effective and leaders are praised for introducing “a well-considered and ambitious curriculum to the school” and for having “high expectations” of pupils.

The report says:

“This school has been on a journey of improvement. Pupils, staff, parents and carers acknowledge the changes that have been made. Leaders are committed to ensuring that this journey continues at pace.”

The report also highlights how the school provides good opportunities for personal development but says it should provide a wider breadth of extra-curricular opportunities, such as after-school clubs and activities

Nicola Thornber

Executive headteacher Nicola Thornber said:

“This report recognises the hard work and drive that leads to excellent outcomes, while developing the pupil’s character as part of a supportive and caring school community.

“Despite the new rigorous inspection framework where judgements are harder to achieve, combined with the ongoing demands of the pandemic, this report recognises the excellent work, progress and achievement the school has made. Our inspiring federation staff team and pupils work tirelessly together to provide an excellent education.”

Chair of governors Abi Broadley, said

“We, as the governing board, are delighted that this final inspection across the Federation highlights the skill, competency and hard work of the executive headteacher, leadership and staff team.

“As governors, we have seen first-hand the positive impact on pupil behaviour and educational quality, that means that each child at St Cuthbert’s has an excellent opportunity to develop and thrive. We look forward to continuing to support the school’s leadership to build on this strong foundation.