Abba and Queen tribute bands will perform in Knaresborough tonight in the first of two outdoor concerts this weekend.

North Yorkshire Council is staging the events with partners in the grounds of Conyngham Hall.

The venue is not believed to have staged large outdoor live music events previously.

The council, which took control of the venue in April, agreed to trial live music as part of its outdoor programme of events.

Michael Leah, the council’s assistant director for environment, said:

“Friday night sees the 21st Century Abba and Queen tribute concerts come to our area for the first time produced by Chapterhouse who we have successfully worked with on previous outdoor theatre events.

“And on Sunday the space will be used to host the Paradox Orchestra performing 50 Years of Pink Floyd.

“We had hoped to host a further event on Saturday but unfortunately the organiser was unable to go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Electronic band N-Trance were due to headline Saturday’s cancelled 90s music festival.

Tickets are still available for both remaining events.

People are urged to bring their own seating on chairs or blankets and a picnic but alcohol is not allowed to be brought onsite. Food and drinks can be bought onsite.

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Theatre company Chapterhouse, which is organising tonight’s event, promised “hit after hit of arguably the greatest artists of all time” at “one of the most wonderful gardens in the UK”.

A spokesperson for Sunday’s Pink Floyd event said:

“We hope on the back of the success of our concert this Sunday that we are able to book orchestra events at Knaresborough Castle, Valley Gardens and other council-owned properties in the near future.”

A wooden badger carved from a fallen tree has been unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate the late Queen.

Bewerley Parish Council commissioned Sherwood Carvings to transform the tree, which was brought down by storms last year, into the adopted emblem of the town to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents of the town and surrounding areas took part in an informal poll to decide what the carving should be. The badger came out victorious over an orb and sceptre, or a crown.

The transformation took a day and a half and was funded by a legacy grant from Harrogate Borough Council as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations last year.

The carving is located in the Pateley Bridge play area and is around 7ft tall.

The parish council said in a statement:

“We’re delighted to reveal this amazing carving of a badger on the play area at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground.

“Jonathan of Sherwood Carving has transformed the tree brought down in storms last year into a beautiful tribute to HM The Queen”.

The carving was predominantly done by chainsaw and power tools but is stain-based and treated with Danish oil.

Jonathan Sherwood, of Sherwood Carving, said:

“It was very enjoyable to carve something in commemoration of the late Queen.

“The work was challenging due to the nature of the wood, but I’m glad it will be enjoyed for years to come”.

Read more:

• Daleside Garage in Pateley Bridge reopens in new location
• North Yorkshire Council set for £513,700 redundancy payout to three senior managers

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

September was a monumental month for the country. Queen Elizabeth II died after over 70 years on the throne, a new Prime Minister was appointed and proposed tax cuts by the Conservatives sent the value of the pound into a tailspin.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found out on Mr Jones:

• Mr Jones praised Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget last week. He wrote on Community News: “There are a huge number of measures, many focused on our productivity and investment which are the platforms for future growth”.
• On September 10 in the House of Commons, Mr Jones paid tribute to the Queen on behalf of the residents of Harrogate & Knaresborough.
• Constituents can now find out what the MP has been up to through his new Instagram account that he launched this month.
• Following reports in the Stray Ferret about water pollution in Oak Beck, Mr Jones called for action against those responsible. He wrote on Community News: “I am keen that those responsible face a substantial penalty for doing so”.
• On September 28, Mr Jones posted a photo on his Instagram page of a Scout group in Knaresborough where he spoke to young people about life as an MP.
• The MP welcomed the government’s announcement that household energy bills will be capped at £2,500 a year for two years. He called the plan “a welcome step” on Community News.

Read more:

• Is there a part for you in Ripon Theatre Festival project?

• Knaresborough car finance company shortlisted for four awards

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• In sharp contrast to fellow Harrogate district Tory MP, Andrew Jones, Mr Smith has been critical of the government’s proposed tax cuts and called them “wrong”.
• He has continued to offer his thoughts about the financial crisis on Twitter in recent days. On Wednesday he tweeted: “It is critical that the government is honest about the current situation & plays its part in stabilising markets. It can keep a growth plan but needs to make changes. Not doing so will only continue further stress & strain on UK citizens”.
• On Thursday, he tweeted: “The government must scrap 45p, take responsibility for the link between last Friday & the impact on peoples mortgages & make clear that it will do everything possible to stabilise markets & protect public services.”
• Following the Queen’s death, Mr Smith attended a service at Ripon Cathedral.
• Mr Smith attended the Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge. It was brought forward a day to Sunday September 18 due to the Queen’s funeral.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

• On September 6, the Boris Johnson loyalist resigned from cabinet ahead of new Conservative Party leader Liz Truss becoming Prime Minister. He was minister without portfolio.
• The latest MPs register of interests show Mr Adams was paid £3,950 by the Jamaica Tourist Board as part of a Lords and Commons Cricket delegation to Kingston. The trip was to celebrate 60 years of Jamaican independence.
• Mr Adams hailed King Charles III after he delivered his first address to the nation. He said: “It was as good as it gets, God save the King.”
• The MP got into a Twitter spat with Lib Dem leader Tim Farron after he joked about Liz Truss’ history with his party. “You’d struggle to fill a phone box full of ministers let alone a cabinet, so pipe down,” Mr Adams retorted.

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Concerns over Scotton Weir removal

Over the last few years, ecologists and others have been busy building dams and weirs in streams throughout the UK in order to slow the flow of water into river catchments thereby reducing the impact of flooding. It’s been pretty successful, dams and weirs are well known to help in lessening the impact of flooding. Indeed, in some areas we now employ beavers to do it for us.

Why then has Scotton Weir on the River Nidd been removed?

Scotton Weir has, for over 200 years, held back thousands of cubic metres of flood water that will now race down the catchment increasing flooding and the risk of flooding in Knaresborough and downstream communities.

The work, as I understand it, is to help fish migrate upstream towards Harrogate North sewage treatment works outfalls and west which is great news for the fish but not so for those at risk of flooding.

I did ask the scheme promoter for comment, he didn’t have the courtesy to respond. I spoke to North Yorkshire County Council’s flood and water management team who describe themselves as “the lead local flood authority” — they batted it on to the Environment Agency quicksticks and I finally got a lengthy and rather tedious phone call from a chap at the EA who assured me I was wrong and that there would be no impact on downstream flooding.

I hope he’s right but I fear he isn’t.

David Howarth, Bilton

Call for Knaresborough cemetery group to be formed

Responding to Jayne Jackson’s letter regarding the cemetery in Knaresborough, I think it would be really helpful if a ‘Friends of the Cemetery’ group was formed.   

It could then formulate policy and practice about how the cemetery is managed.  Personally, I’m always aiming to maximise biodiversity and wildlife havens, since humans destroy so much nature all the time, so we need to find places where we can give nature a home.  

It seems to me that cemeteries are an ideal place to have wild areas, as long as there are pathways so that it’s still possible to get close to the graves.

Many cemeteries have this policy, such as the wonderful York Cemetery,  Sharow Church, and now also St John’s Church in Knaresborough.

Shan Oakes, Knaresborough

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Queen’s great-grandchildren were well behaved

The most important part of a funeral if you have to take your children, for them to pay their, respects to their great grandma the Queen is that they know how to behave in the service and try to follow and understand what is going on.

I congratulate William and Kate on their upbringing of their children. It was a very long day for two young people. Their behaviour was impeccable when required.

If the children outside of the service behaved as children do, it doesn’t matter. They are human children

Any grown up does not have the right to criticise any parents about the behaviour outside the services their children have had to go through.

Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Many organisations across the Harrogate district closed today as people paid their final respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Streets were quiet and there was a sombre mood as the nation watched the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ripon Cathedral and Harrogate’s Royal Hall broadcast the event live on big screens, as did numerous pubs and churches.

Many other people watched the day’s events unfold live on BBC One.

Here are some photos taken during today’s funeral capturing local tributes and the unusually quiet state of the district.

Cambridge Street deserted during the funeral.

Ripon Cathedral today

Flowers to the Queen at Harrogate’s war memorial.

Floral tributes in Knaresborough Market Place.

St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck broadcast the funeral live.

Starbeck High Street devoid of traffic.

A shop front tribute in Harrogate town centre.

Events across the Harrogate district are being cancelled or rearranged on Monday when the state funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is held.

The service at Westminster Abbey will be broadcast at Ripon Cathedral and the day has been declared a national bank holiday.

Our list below, which is continually updated, details how the district is affected. If you have any news for inclusion, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate

• The Yorkshire Film Archive’s planned screening of “Harrogate On Film” will now take place at the Odeon at Monday, October 3. Screenings will be held at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
• Bettys Tea Rooms in Harrogate will be closed on Monday, September 19.
• RHS Harlow Carr will be closed and reopen on Tuesday, September 20.
• Harrogate Borough Council has said its services, including garden waste, refuse and recycling, will be unavailable on Monday due to the state funeral.
• Nuffield Health, Hornbeam Park, will be open from 3pm to 8pm.
• Pure Gym on Tower Street will be closed between 10am and 2pm on Monday.

Ripon

• The state funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will be screened at Ripon Cathedral from 9.30am on Monday (September 19).
• Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal will be closed. This includes the abbey, water garden, visitor centre, shop and cafes. Studley deer park will be open for walks.

Transport

• Harrogate Bus Company has announced that its services on Monday will run as a Sunday service.
• The DalesBus 825 from Knaresborough and Harrogate to Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Masham, Leyburn and Richmond will not operate on Bank Holiday Monday.

Supermarkets

• Sainsbury’s on Wetherby Road will be closed on Monday. However, its petrol station and Sainsbury’s Local on Cambridge Street will be open from 5pm.
• Asda on Bower Road will be closed on Monday until 5pm. Its petrol station will open from 5pm.
• M&S in Ripon and Harrogate will be closed all day.
• Lidl in Knaresborough will be closed all day on Monday.
• Co-Op stores will be closed until 5pm on Monday.
• Tesco has said its main stores will be closed all days and its Express outlets will be open from 5pm to 10pm.
• Morrisons on Hookstone Chase will be closed. The petrol station will reopen at 5pm.

Read more:

• Ripon hornblower holds two-minute silence for The Queen
• The makers of Ripon’s royal miles of bunting

North Yorkshire Police has said policing levels in the Harrogate district “won’t be adversely affected” despite officers being redeployed to London for the Queen’s funeral.

The state funeral of Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday. About 10,000 police officers are expected to be in the capital in the days leading up to the funeral and during it.

The Met has drafted in officers from around the UK to boost security, including both specialist and general officers from North Yorkshire Police.

The Stray Ferret asked the force how many officers based in the Harrogate district will be in London but it said it was unable to give a figure due to “operational reasons”.

Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said NYP will allocate officers in the district “in a way that does not adversely affect the level of policing the public.”

He said:

“Like other police forces, North Yorkshire Police is supporting the Metropolitan Police in helping to deal with the significant challenges for them at this very difficult, and very sad time.

“We are providing both specialist and general duties police officers to work alongside other national colleagues to ensure the safety of the public visiting the capital to pay their respects.”

Read more:

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday
• Junior soldiers in Harrogate among first to swear oath to King Charles III

Longstanding Harrogate butchers Addyman has come up with a creative window display tribute to the Queen.

Keith Addyman has traded on Commercial Street for 48 years and his grandfather previously had a pork butchers at New Park.

His wife, Sue, created a ‘cake’ for this year’s platinum jubilee made out of a crown and containers the shop uses to make pork pies for weddings.

Ms Addyman, who once met Princess Margaret, said:

“I did it for the jubilee and when it ended I removed the crown. When the Queen died I put it back on.”

The pork pie wedding cake

The pork pie wedding cake, as it’s known, now adorns the shop window alongside a photo of Her Late Majesty.

Ms Addyman added:

“A gentleman came in and said ‘you’re one of the only shops in Harrogate doing something to commemorate the queen.”

Addyman will be closed on Monday, when the state funeral takes place.

Read more:

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday
• No requirement for staff day off on Queen’s funeral, says Harrogate solicitor

Harrogate’s Royal Hall will be broadcasting the Queen’s funeral live on Monday.

The broadcast will start at 10am and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A book of condolence will also be available for people to sign.

The state funeral at Westminster Abbey will also be broadcast live at Ripon Cathedral, with visitors asked to attend from 9.30am.

Monday has been declared a bank holiday and many businesses will be closed.

The Stray Ferret has published a live blog that covers cancellations and rearrangements across the district.

Read more:

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday

• No requirement for staff day off on Queen’s funeral, says Harrogate solicitor

One of the largest Women’s Institute groups in the district has celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

Knaresborough WI is the biggest of the town’s seven WI groups and is the only one that meets in the afternoon.

Yesterday it held a tea party to celebrate but also used the event to commemorate the Queen and pay tribute to her. The Queen herself was the longest serving member of the Sandringham WI.

Christine Keane was the first president of the Knaresborough WI back in September 2012:

“There appeared in our local supermarket an advertisement which said the Federation would like to start a new WI in Knaresborough in the afternoon which was quite a new thing as traditionally they’re always in the evening.

I had just retired and I went along to a meeting. There were only 8 of us there and none of us knew anything about how to run one or how they worked.

“Fortunately we grew quite rapidly in that first year and we got better at it as our experience grew.”

Christine said being a part of the WI has given her to much:

“Friendship, love, support and education. I’ve learned so much. There are so many opportunities that you wouldn’t get in any other organisation to do things”

Read More: 

• Queen’s coffin drape supplied by royal flag makers in Knaresborough
• The Queen’s funeral to be televised at Ripon Cathedral

Over the years the Knaresborough WI grew so large it had to move to its current home of The Hub at St John the Baptist Church.

It now has a membership of 65 and is the second largest in the North Yorkshire West Federation, which is based in Ripon.

Maddy Willmott the current president said:

“Being an afternoon WI we are geared to older members but we take on any age and do have some younger members. We are never short of people and currently we have a waiting list.

We meet, we chat, we drink tea! Tea is the stalwart of the WI. We have a very successful book group, we have a craft group  and a walking group.

“We try to keep up with the times and adapt.”

The Stray Ferret asked both Christine and Maddy who would be their dream WI speaker — the answers …Gyles Brandreth and King Charles III.

Knaresborough WI is one of the largest in the district