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”

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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

The developer behind a proposed new Harrogate district town of up to 10,000 people are proceeding with a consultation event today despite calls for it to be deferred.

Caddick Group is holding a public drop-in event at Green Hammerton Village Hall from 3pm to 7pm.

The proposed new town, called Maltkiln, will be built in the Hammerton and Cattal area and include up to 4,000 homes, as well as two primary schools, shops and a GP surgery.

But some councillors and residents feel the event should be postponed until after the Queen’s mourning period ends.

Cattal train station would be at the heart of the new development.

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council have postponed meetings this week.

Paul Townsend, a member of Kirk Hammerton Parish Council, questioned whether it was appropriate for the event to proceed. He said:

“The guidance we have been given as parish councils is that it is expected that non-urgent business should be deferred until after the period of national mourning.

“I have therefore informed the scheme promoters that Kirk Hammerton parish councillors will not be attending the event in their official capacity.”

Read more:

• Council faces calls to hold in-person Maltkiln consultation events
• New Harrogate district town could have up to 4,000 homes

Today’s event is not part of any official consultation process. Harrogate Borough Council, the planning authority, is expected to open an official consultation next month.

Local resident Alex Smith said:

“It feels unseemly right now even to be drawn in to a debate about whether or not this event should go ahead. I think many residents were just assuming Caddick would postpone it out of respect — and also out of a professional concern to have an effective consultation, with residents’ full attention.

“Volume developers aren’t renowned for their sensitivity, and if Caddick have pressing commercial reasons to hold this event right now, however compromised it might be and whatever the optics — they’re within their rights to do.”

‘Cancelling now would cause confusion’

A spokesman for Caddick said it was “shocked and saddened” to hear of the Queen’s death, adding:

“In line with government guidance on the period of national mourning, which was published on Friday, we decided that the correct course of action is to continue with our consultation event.

 

“To cancel this at very late notice would risk causing confusion amongst the 1,250 residents and businesses we have written to in the local area, and it is important that we conclude this specific consultation process well before Harrogate Borough Council consults on their draft development plan document in October.

 

“However, we can confirm that we will extend the duration of the consultation period by two days, to midnight on September 21. In addition, as part of our ongoing application and engagement with the local community we are always ready to discuss our proposals and receive comments regarding these.

 

“We updated politicians and stakeholders advising them as to our decision to proceed with the consultation, on Friday 9th September. We have been absolutely committed to consulting fully on our proposals throughout this process and are constantly reappraising what we need to do as a business to ensure the widest variety of views can be heard.

 

“If we receive any requests to meet separately with stakeholders, then we will of course consider those and seek to arrive at a suitable outcome. It is of course a difficult time for many and we will further review our approach as the consultation progresses.”

About 100 floral tributes to the Queen have now been placed at Harrogate war memorial.

People began laying flowers shortly after the Queen’s death was announced on Thursday.

The number has grown steadily since, with many accompanied by moving handwritten notes, some written by children.

Yesterday, Andrew Jones, the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, signed the book of condolence at St. Peter’s Church in Harrogate.

Mr Jones had previously attended the choral matins special memorial service for the Queen.

St. Peter’s is open from 8:30am-6-30pm every day during the period of mourning where there is a book of condolence that people can write in.

Also, on Wednesday and Friday at 12noon there will be a short act of prayer.

Andrew Jones signs the book of condolences at St Peter’s Church. Credit: Steve Martin

At County Hall in Northallerton, councillor Margaret Atkinson, who is chair of the council and represents Masham and Fountains, read the local proclamation of King Charles III yesterday.

Today, the local proclamation of King Charles III was read by Cllr Margaret Atkinson, Chair of the Council, on the steps of County Hall in Northallerton.

God save the King. pic.twitter.com/AKgSitiNlh

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) September 11, 2022

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The former director of the Great Yorkshire Show, Bill Cowling, has paid tribute to the Queen who he chaperoned during her last visit in 2008.

Mr Cowling, who is also a retired Deputy Lieutenant of North YorkshireDeputy , said her death was a “tremendous shock” and it felt like losing a family member.

He described the Queen’s visit to the showground in Harrogate as one of the highlights of his career.

He recalled talking to her in the back of a Range Rover and enjoying lunch with her at the president’s pavilion.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I was so very lucky to have met her. To think I sat and talked to her over an extended period of time was a huge honour. It’s something I shall remember forever.

“Her ability to put me at my ease – and everybody else she met – was an amazing thing. She was such a consummate professional at what she was doing.”

Read more:

• ‘I chatted to the Queen in the back of a Range Rover’: Her Majesty’s many visits to the district
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Mr Cowling said not only was the Queen a lover of animals, but she also had a great appreciation of agriculture and rural life.

He said:

“She knew what she was looking at in the way of horses, but also cattle and sheep. She had a huge interest in all the exhibitors and their livelihoods.”

The Queen unveiling a plaque to commemorate the start of work on the Regional Agricultural Centre in 2008.

Mr Cowling said, like the rest of the nation, he will now start coming to terms with the change.

He said:

“There’s no doubt a change has happened. But I’m confident King Charles III will make a splendid King. Again at the show, I was privileged to have met him a few times and his interest and empathy with rural life is the same.”

Staff and residents at care and assistance service Harrogate Neighbours have paid tribute to the Queen.

The CEO, Sue Cawthray, said she wanted to express her “deepfelt sorrow.” She added:

“We will all have our own personal memories of a remarkable woman and I am sure over the coming days and weeks we will gain strength as we come together to mourn as a nation.”

Residents have also recalled their past experiences and meetings with the Queen.

Kate Smith, 89, said:

“I remember sleeping on The Mall at the age of 19 years old to watch The Queen’s Coronation it was a wonderful experience and something that has stayed with me all my life. She was a remarkable woman.”

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• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death

This sentiment was shared by Chris Taylor, who looks after maintenance and the grounds at the company’s The Cuttings retirement complex. He said:

“I served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from 1976 to 1991.  HM The Queen was my Colonel in Chief. On two occasions I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty.

“I was one of her escorts for a regimental tercentenary celebrations and in later years I was part of an armoured escort from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles Cathedrals.  She made all of us feel at ease during her visits.”

Harrogate Neighbours have said that they ‘would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for serving the people for over 70 years with commitment, dedication and unwavering and selfless loyalty to our country and the commonwealth.’

Ms Cawthray added that the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which the team received in 2020 would be treasured.

She confirmed that the flag on the company’s site would be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

At midday today, bells at several of the Harrogate district’s churches rung out to mourn the Queen.

Churches including Ripon Cathedral, St Peter’s in Harrogate and St John’s in Knaresborough rung throughout the hour.

They joined with churches across the country such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral to pay their respects to the Monarch.

Janet Hurst was one of the bellringers in Hampsthwaite. She explained the process of ‘muffling’ the bells as part of the tribute.

“The bells are fully muffled, which only happens for the Monarch, normally it’s half-muffled… so that people can pause and pay their respects to Her Majesty.”

Read more:

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
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The mayor of Harrogate will read the proclamation of the new King at the town’s war memorial on Sunday.

At the moment Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday as the UK’s longest-serving monarch, the throne passed immediately and without ceremony to her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales.

But there are a number of traditional steps which he must go through to be crowned King Charles III.

It is expected that Charles will be officially proclaimed King on Saturday at St James’s Palace in London. After this, the historic occasion will be marked up and down the country at smaller ceremonies.

In Harrogate, councillor Victoria Oldham, mayor of the district, will read the proclamation at the War Memorial opposite Bettys from 4pm on Sunday (September 11).

Paying tribute to the Queen’s “constant source of courage and inspiration” yesterday, Cllr Oldham said:

“Throughout her 70-year reign, she has touched so many of our lives and led us through many dark but also many positive times.

“On behalf of everyone across the Harrogate district, I would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Royal Family during this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

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• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

A book of condolence is available in the reception of Harrogate’s civic centre for people to pay their respects to the Queen.

This will be available between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays.

An online book of condolence is also available on Buckingham Palace’s website.

Harrogate Borough Council has asked that any floral tributes for the Queen are left on the grassed area in front of the Cenotaph.

The authority – along with North Yorkshire County Council – has also cancelled all of next week’s public meetings as a mark of respect.

Prayers will be said at Ripon Cathedral tonight for her Majesty the Queen after her doctors expressed concern for her health.

Early this afternoon doctors issued a statement saying the 96-year-old Queen’s health was a concern and that she was comfortable at Balmoral.  Members of the royal family have travelled to Scotland to be by her side.

This evening at Ripon Cathedral, evensong prayers will be said for her majesty and the royal family.

The Bishop of Ripon, the right reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley issued this statement:

With so many others across the world, I send my prayers, thoughts and very best wishes to Her Majesty The Queen and all members of the Royal Family at this time of deep concern about Her Majesty’s health.

Our Cathedrals and churches in the Diocese of Leeds are open for people who want to gather in quiet contemplation, to light a candle if that is your tradition, and simply offer their own words, silent or spoken, and their thoughts.

As Archbishop Justin, the Archbishop of Canterbury has tweeted, ‘May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral’.

Harrogate Borough Council’s claim that 120,000 visitors attended two jubilee events over the recent four-day weekend has been questioned.

To celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, the council and Harrogate Business Improvement District turned part of the Stray into Jubilee Square. The venue included a stage and big screens showing events such as the Queen’s birthday parade.

Valley Gardens hosted a free family festival, organised by the council, which featured jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. An artisan market was also held in the Sun Colonnade in the gardens.

The free rides in Valley Gardens were a hit with families.

Following the two events, the council’s tourism body Destination Harrogate issued a news release that said 120,000 visitors attended over the four days.

Whilst the events were clearly popular, the council’s figures suggest as many people attended them as the British Grand Prix, Leeds Festival or the Great Yorkshire Show.

How was the figure calculated?

The Stray Ferret asked the council how the figure of 120,000 was calculated.

At Valley Gardens, a system called PFM counted whenever someone entered, meaning one person could be counted multiple times.

A council spokesperson confirmed that “if people went between two sites then they could be counted twice”. They added:

“Of course, when it isn’t a ticketed event you can’t be 100 per cent but we believe over the four days there were more than 120,000 visits to both locations.”

The council’s method of counting visits means that a family of four would have been counted 8 times if they had begun the day at the Valley Gardens, gone to the Stray and returned to Valley Gardens later in the day.

Jubilee Square on the Sunday night.

If they did the same thing again the next day, the same family would have been counted another 8 times.

This suggests the true number of people that attended the events could be significantly lower than the “120,000 visitors” stated in the news release.

Read more:

• Mixed picture for Harrogate town centre as jubilee celebrations end
• How the Harrogate district celebrated the jubilee

‘Loose with the facts’

Harrogate district resident and transparency campaigner Alex Smith has queried the council’s use of statistics on previous occasions.

He has questioned its claim that three million people visit Valley Gardens a year and has also queried a comment by Conservative council leader Richard Cooper that 88% of Harrogate Convention Centre conference delegates return to the district for leisure.

Mr Smith accused the council of using “bogus” visitor numbers to trumpet its jubilee events and to justify spending on projects such as the proposed £47m redevelopment of the convention centre.

He added:

“Obviously this is an attempt at PR for their Destination Harrogate intentions.

“But with the future of of the town centre at stake we deserve better than a council playing fast and loose with the facts.”

Asked to respond to Mr Smith’s comments, the council spokesperson insisted its jubilee figure was accurate. They said:

“We use a system called PFM that records visitor numbers to Valley Gardens in Harrogate. This system recorded 120,258 visitors between Thursday 1 June and Sunday 4 June.

“As we knew visitors could – and would understandably want to – enjoy all the events taking place across Harrogate town centre, we used a rounded figure and phrase of ‘more than 120,000’.”

A former Knaresborough cadet played a major role in the jubilee celebrations when he captained the Lancaster bomber that flew over Buckingham Palace.

Flight Lieutenant Paul Wise was in charge of the aircraft that flew over the palace following Thursday’s Trooping the Colour parade.

Flt Lt Wise joined the RAF’s 1953 (Knaresborough) squadron in 1993.

Paul Wise (centre) Pic courtesy of Tim Holderness

After leaving cadets in 1999, he joined the RAF and flew the C-130 Hercules for many years before becoming a qualified flying instructor with 45 squadron at RAF Cranwell, training the next generation of RAF multi-engine pilots and crew.

He still performs this role with the RAF, however in 2018 he also joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a Dakota captain and co-pilot for the Lancaster. This year he became a captain of the Lancaster.

Flt Lt Wise said:

“I still remember visiting Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a cadet whilst on Easter camp with Knaresborough ATC.

“Never did I think that one day I would be in the privileged position to captain the Lancaster for the Queen’s platinum jubilee flypast.”

The flypast started in the Wash and included much of southern England, including the palace.

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