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Jubilee excitement is increasing across the district ahead of the start of four days of celebration tomorrow,
This weekend will see street parties galore as neighbours and friends come together to commemorate the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Keep us updated on what you’re doing via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
4.40pm: 28 street parties in Harrogate district
North Yorkshire County Council has issued orders preventing traffic from entering 28 streets in the Harrogate district over the jubilee weekend.
Most orders are for Sunday, which is the main day for street parties, but there are some for Friday and Saturday.
Remember, many of these events are for residents living on the streets to enjoy so if you don’t live on the street check with the organisers before you attend.
3.56pm: Motorway works in Yorkshire paused for jubilee
Good news if you’re planning to head out on the motorways, including the A1(M) in the Harrogate district, over the next four days.
National Highways, the government-owned company that maintains the motorways, has halted most roadworks.
We’re lifting almost 1000 miles of roadworks ahead of the #Jubilee bank holiday weekend, meaning that 98% of our network will be roadwork free.
Information on the planned closures that are still going ahead can be found here:https://t.co/ytYaVU0s8b#WeAreWorkingForYou pic.twitter.com/UR06U0JHOP— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) June 1, 2022
1.30pm: Jubilee celebrations begin in Bilton
A jubilee celebration took place this morning at the weekly coffee morning Thirst, held at Dene Park Community Centre in Woodfield and organised by St John’s Church in Bilton.
12.09pm: Weather forecast good – except for Sunday
There won’t be too much sunbathing but at least it will be mainly dry, although the forecast for Sunday doesn’t look great for the street parties.
10.15am: Preparations in place in Ripon
Preparations are also in place in Ripon ahead of the platinum jubilee celebrations tomorrow.
A road closure will be in place around Market Square in readiness for the stage where 24 acts will be performing.
Meanwhile, red, white and blue flags are flying in Kirkgate and across the city centre.
Ripon Cathedral is decked out in finery for tomorrow’s civic service. It will also host jubilee tea party on Friday afternoon with people born in every year of the Queen’s reign in attendance.
Dean John Dobson told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s going to be very busy few days, but everybody is looking forward to this special celebration.”
10am – Fresh bunting on West Park Stray
Fresh bunting has been put up this morning on West Park Stray as excitement builds up for the jubilee.
Preparations for Jubilee Square on the Stray are expected to continue throughout today.
9am: Harrogate Borough Council issues street party bins plea
Waste and recycling collections are happening as usual over the four-day weekend, prompting Harrogate Borough Council to say:
“If you’ve put bunting up in your village or across your street please ensure it is high enough for our vehicles – and emergency vehicles – to get past.”
We're operating a business-as-usual waste and recycling collection service this week.
If you're unsure you can check your collection day on the In My Area section of our website at: https://t.co/dkWa0QqOBn pic.twitter.com/yLvllUHmSY
— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) May 30, 2022
Kirkby Overblow crafts its own jubilee beacon
People in Kirkby Overblow have come together to make a jubilee beacon.
The beacon has been designed, made and engineered by locals ahead of it being lit on Thursday night.
The groundwork and engineering plans were done by the Moortown group, ran by the McManus family from Kearby. The Oak Pole was made by Yorkshire Oak Frames.
The horse shoe basket was made from old horseshoes from the Great Yorkshire Shoe by farrier Adam Fox, from Netherby, as a nod to the Queen’s love of horses.
The final step to get it in place was the job of local farmer Rob Parkes.
The village will also host a BBQ on Thursday ahead of the beacon being lit. Organisers say the beacon will be able to be seen as far away as Almscliffe Crag and the White Horse near Thirsk.
Windsor House rebrands as The House of Windsor
The Windsor House in Harrogate has rebranded itself to The House of Windsor ahead of the jubilee.
The period office building, near Valley Gardens, has also been decorated. Passers-by will now see the Queen, in cardboard form, stood alongside the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Karen Winspear, property manager at Windsor House said:
“We wanted to create something to celebrate the jubilee that the businesses in our building could enjoy, as well as those who will be visiting the number of events planned at Valley Gardens. With a name like ours, we couldn’t resist a royal makeover to mark such a fantastic occasion!”
Queen Mary’s jubilee hat parade
Students at Queen Mary’s School at Topcliffe wore straw hats when they took part in a jubilee hat parade.
Judged by hat maker Jonny Beardsall, the parade also included a performance of the platinum jubilee song.
There was also a picnic and a summer fete. 
Read more:
- Jubilee business boom for Harrogate district independents
- From corgis to bollard covers: Harrogate district is getting into jubilee spirit
Belmont Grosvenor School hosts jubilee garden party
“Our BGS Jubilee Garden Party was an afternoon to remember with all our school community, from the youngest in nursery, to our oldest pupils in Year 6, joining in and enjoying all the fun of the fair.“There was some wonderful baking, and some most impressive artistic creations – thanks to our PTA for staging such a fabulous event.”
Pupils at Queen Mary’s School between Ripon and Thirsk have created some artistic masterpieces as part of a worldwide festival.
The art students took part in the 2021 Big Draw Festival trying to reflect the themes of respecting nature, the world we want and reusing resources.
With such emphasis on protecting the planet, the students used materials like fabriano, natural forms, acrylic screens, posca pens, cardboard and recycled paper.
The Big Draw Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing promoting the drawing as a tool for learning, expression, and invention.
Read more:
- Green light for 1,000 solar panels on Harrogate Convention Centre roof
- New designs of Harrogate town centre after £10.9m project revealed
The festival is made up of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities, and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small.
Art Captain, Hettie Kimberley, age 15, thoroughly enjoyed helping to lead the event:
“I love drawing and the emotional response I have when I see drawings in a gallery, so it was wonderful to encourage the whole school to create their own masterpieces.
“It was also a great leadership opportunity as all the Art Scholars were able to mentor younger pupils.”
Plenty of pupils took part in the event.
Dr Emma Radley, Queen Mary’s Head of Art, and Mrs Carole Cameron, Head of Queen Mary’s School, were delighted with the event:
“With excellent GCSE Art results each year, scholarships for budding artists and many opportunities to exhibit work, Queen Mary’s has an extremely strong Art Department.
“What makes it even more special are the events and opportunities for inclusivity from the Annual Art Exhibition to the Big Draw where everyone joins in to create and embrace artistic challenge.
We may have been producing art to ‘Make the Change’ for the Big Draw but we also promote drawing as an activity to relieve stress and improve mental health.”
Queen Mary’s School welcomes Art for Youth North this half term. This is an opportunity to view and buy contemporary and affordable art from over 70 new and established artists.