Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Masham based brewery, T&R Theakston has partnered with Newcastle’s Blackrose Pubs as the brewery seeks to broaden the appeal of cask beer to a new generation.

The partnership will make Theakston Best Bitter available in the group’s 27 cask-serving pubs.

Alongside supplying the group’s venues, the brewery has also provided training at its brewery on conditioning, tapping the casks, cellar maintenance and achieving the perfect pour.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:

“As a brewery we’re passionate about our product and about championing the wider cask market, so it’s fantastic to be working with Blackrose Pubs who appreciate the craftmanship that goes not just into creating the beer, but also ensuring it’s delivered in prime condition to customers.

“With almost two centuries of brewing expertise behind us, we know how important it is to pass on the skills of conditioning, tapping casks and cellar maintenance to the next generation of pub leaders. We’re very excited to see where our journey together takes us.”

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Harrogate legal firm, Raworths is to sponsor the Business Growth category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Awards on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate will celebrate business excellence across the district with 10 prestigious awards.

The judging panel is made up of four of the most influential leaders in the area.

Simon Morris, Managing Partner at Raworths said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Business Growth category at the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023. This category offers businesses who have experienced unprecedented growth and expansion, in a challenging economic climate, a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate their achievements.

“Here at Raworths, we are extremely proud of our Harrogate roots, having been based in the town for more than 125 years, and we are excited to have this opportunity to champion the incredible business community we have in the district.”

Entries are open so if you have a positive business story to tell apply now.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Law firm Raworths has renewed its sponsorship of the Harrogate Literature Festival for the next five years.

This year marks a decade of Raworths association with the annual event, which is produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

Festivals Managing Partner, Simon Morris said:

“We are very proud to have supported the Harrogate Literature Festival since its inception a decade ago. Over that time it has grown from strength to strength, bringing a diverse array of speakers to Harrogate, enriching the community and promoting the region.

“We are delighted to be committing to the next five years and look forward to working alongside the festival team in continuing to develop this cultural keystone.”

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals Chief Executive, said:

“This month sees us celebrating ten years of an amazing partnership with Raworths, and I’m thrilled it’s to continue for another five years.

“We are incredibly proud of our relationship, and delighted that the firm has put its faith in us to continue to produce an exciting programme of events as part of our literature festival.”

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The General Tarleton at Ferrensby has been awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellence after a recent inspection.

The restaurant was recognised for culinary excellence and also achieved a five-star Inn rating for accommodation.

General Manager, Silviu Hasna, said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded two such important awards.

“It’s been a difficult journey out of the pandemic and to be recognised by the AA is an incredible achievement indeed.

“Whilst the hospitality market is constantly evolving, what remains a constant for me is the need and desire to provide the best possible overall guest experience… Whilst quality is key we also recognise customers demand value at the same time.

“I know it’s cliché but as a team we work really hard to source the very best quality ingredients Yorkshire has to offer. Even the toiletries are from H2K in Harrogate.”

The General Tarleton 

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Local businesses attended an event yesterday to find out how Harrogate College can help them fulfil their training and recruitment needs.

The college set up an employers’ network to allow employers from the Harrogate district to influence the college’s courses and training.

Yesterday’s annual event gave representatives from the businesses the opportunity to find out more about what has been achieved in the last year and say what more could be done.

Employers also got a first-look at the proposed pathway to employment programme, which would support the cost and challenges of recruitment and retainment.

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Raworths has been recognised as one of the leading law firms in the north of England.

The Harrogate law firm has been included in the new Chambers UK legal guide 2023, including Band 1 rankings for its Employment and Family teams.

Chambers UK is one of the leading legal professional guides; its rankings drawing on independent research carried out with clients and professional contacts.

Simon Morris, managing partner at Raworths said:

“This is a fantastic boost for the whole team who work so hard to ensure that we provide the best service for our clients across all practice areas.

“To have our teams recognised is a testament to the range and quality of our services and our genuinely integrated commercial and private client expertise, enabling our teams to work together on complex issues across our clients’ personal and business affairs.

“It’s fantastic that these rankings draw directly on client feedback – as cultivating trusted, longstanding relationships with our clients is at the very heart of our business.”

Former Calendar news presenters Christine Talbot and Gaynor Barnes are to attend this month’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

The pair will be putting their presenting skills to use when they each interview one of this year’s guest writers.

Christine will interview Antique Roadshow star Ronnie Archer-Morgan about his autobiography, Would it Surprise You to Know…? at 11.30am on Saturday, October 22.

Gaynor will have a conversation with Radio 5’s Nihal Arthanayake – whose book is coincidentally titled How to Have Better Conversations at 1pm on Saturday, October 22.

The festival runs from October 20 to 23. Further details are available here.

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Seven Harrogate law firms have been included in the Legal 500 Guide for 2023.

Berwins, LCF Law, McCormicks and Raworths are all listed across a number of areas of law, including corporate and commercial, employment and private client work.

Harrogate Family Law and Stowe Family Law are listed for their work in this area, with Raworths, LCF Law and McCormicks also included.

McCormicks is mentioned for its sports law, Berwins for its IT and telecoms law provision, and Hempsons for its work in healthcare and with charities.

The latest version of the guide was welcomed by Raworths, whose managing partner Simon Morris, pictured above, said:

“We’re extremely proud to be recognised once again in the Legal 500 Guide, as this cements our reputation as one of the leading law firms based in the north of England delivering a genuinely integrated service to business and private clients.

“The guide highlights our commitment to delivering a high-quality service through our genuine team approach. We feel that our personal approach to looking after our clients sets us apart, and it certainly has helped us to build trusted, longstanding relationships with our growing client portfolio.

“Half of our lawyers are referenced in the guide across various practice areas, which is a testament to their knowledge and skills. It is particularly gratifying as the results are based on independent feedback and reiterates our approach which puts clients first.”

Chief executive Paul Berwin said he was particularly pleased the guide described Berwins’ support for clients, adding:

“I am naturally delighted to see the firm recognised in this way. We have some outstanding lawyers and it is a testament to them that their teams have been recognised as regional leaders.

“Essential though this deep expertise is to the way we support clients, what is particularly pleasing to see is the way the guide have identified Berwins’ high standards of service.

“From day one, we have had two overriding mantras – that care for the client is paramount and that, if we cannot do something well, we won’t do it at all. This outstanding directory recognition, built as it is on the feedback of clients and commentators, affirms the fact that we are being successful in both.”

The prestigious guide, which lists the top legal practices for each region of the UK, is independently researched and uses data from in-house peers.

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Late businessman behind coach donation to Knaresborough special school

A school in Knaresborough has been given a coach thanks to the generosity of a late businessman.

The Forest School received a special Variety Sunshine Coach in memory of Paul Ziff, a Yorkshire philanthropist who was a lifelong supporter and former regional chairman of Variety.

The children’s charity has helped to provide more than 5,700 coaches for SEND schools and other non-profit organisations working with disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK since it was founded in 1949.

At The Forest School, 94% of pupils have speech, language and communication needs, and the specially-adapted minibus will give them the chance to visit new places and gain experiences which will support their development.

Mr Ziff’s widow Lea said:

“Paul had a lifelong passion to help others, and in particular to champion young people and unlock their full potential, no matter what their circumstances or disabilities. That’s why he was so dedicated to working tirelessly for Variety for so many years, having the same aims at heart.

“I chose Forest School to be the recipient of this sunshine coach, as Paul himself suffered from severe aphasia for 20 years so we both knew how challenging language and communication impairments can be.

“I really hope this bright new sunshine coach will broaden horizons for all the children at Forest School and give them the freedom and opportunity to experience many wonderful  educational and recreational days out.”

Paul Ziff’s widow Lea hands over the Sunshine Coach keys to The Forest School

Paul James, co-headteacher at The Forest School, said:

“We are extremely grateful to our sponsor and Variety, the Children’s Charity for providing a Sunshine Coach.

“A donation such as this means our pupils will benefit for many years to come by having transport to allow them to take part in opportunities such as horse riding, swimming, learning in the community, theatre visits and school residentials. Thank you so much.”

Mr Ziff was made chairman of the Leeds committee of Variety from 1975 and continued his support for the charity until his death in 2020, aged 84. As well as helping to organise coaches for schools across the region, he set up numerous events including the sportsman of the year dinner and the first ever woman of the year awards.

Historical novelist Robert Harris, SAS hero Chris Ryan and broadcaster and political commentator, Iain Dale, have added their names to the line up of speakers at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

They are the latest headline names that have agreed to appear at the celebration of books, which is being held between October 20 and October 23, at the Harrogate’s Crown Hotel.

Other names already announced include the 8th Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor, The Great British Dig co-presenter Dr Chloë Duckworth, and broadcaster and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake.

Commencing with a literary lunch staring Countdown’s Susie Dent, this year will see 23 names appearing on the Raworths stage.

Bringing the curtain down at the end of the four-day event is Fatherland author, Robert Harris, who has had many of his novels adapted for TV or film, including Enigma, which starred Kate Winslet, and Archangel featuring Daniel Craig.

He will be talking about his latest thrilling novel, Act of Oblivion – set in 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy — with BBC Radio Four’s Mark Lawson.

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Iain Dale’s latest book, On This Day in History, charts the main events of the last few hundred years, with one event per page, per day.

He will be joined on stage by former LBC stablemate and festival regular, Matt Stadlen, as the pair take a journey through Britain’s political history, told in 365 events.

Former SAS corporal, Chris Ryan will talk about how his own experiences have influenced his writing.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, which produces and curates the event, said:

“The latest names added to this year’s roll call, Robert Harris, Chris Ryan and Iain Dale, are all best sellers in their own right and need no introduction, and the
quality of speakers is a testament to the ever-rising prominence of this annual literature festival.”

Further information about the festival is available here.

Countdown’s Susie Dent, the 8th Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, veteran broadcaster Peter Snow and former president of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, are amongst the guest speakers headlining at the 10th anniversary year of Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2022.

They will be joined over the course of the four days by British philosopher and author Prof AC Grayling, The Great British Dig’s Dr Chloe Duckworth, writer and theatre maker Stella Duffy, political journalist Otto English, and novelist and playwright Stephen May.

Produced by Harrogate International Festivals, the literary event is being held between Thursday, October 20 and Sunday, October 23 at the town’s Crown Hotel.

This is the tenth year that Harrogate law firm Raworths has been the headline sponsor.

Beginning with a literary lunch starring lexicographer Susie Dent, best known for her role in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4’s Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cat Does Countdown, the festival continues with a programme of author interviews, panel discussions, book signings, a yoga workshop and a pop-up Waterstones bookshop.

Other speakers adding their name to the line up include political news correspondent Carole Walker and BBC Radio 4 producer and journalist Phil Tinline, who will join a panel to discuss what’s next for British politics.

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One of the country’s leading psychotherapists and author of Sunday Times Best Seller Ten to Zen, Owen O’Kane will be joined by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Penelope Campling to examine how covid has affected our mental health.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“Over the years, this four-day event has grown in stature and importance, and has rightly claimed its place as one of the country’s leading literature festivals. As ever, we are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Raworths solicitors, who have been our partner in this event for a decade.”

Simon Morris, from Raworths solicitors, said:

“This is one of the premier literary festivals in the UK, and we are delighted once again to have our name associated with this wonderful four-day celebration of books and writing.”

Further information about the festival is available here.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate’s Raworths Solicitors has announced four new promotions at the firm.

The promotions have been made in the private client and commercial teams.

John Carter, a lawyer in commercial property is promoted to senior associate and Claire Hunter, a solicitor in family children and divorce, Jessica Toller, a solicitor in wills and estates and Jennifer Watson, a solicitor in corporate, have each been promoted to associate.

Deborah Boylan, head of employment and people partner at Raworths, said: 

“It’s always incredibly gratifying to be able to recognise and reward the huge contribution and commitment of our people, particularly when they have been integral to the firm’s success for many years.

“It’s important that we nurture and support our people and encourage them to be the best they can be by investing in their professional development and progression.  Our commitment to developing talent also helps to position us well for the future.”

Harrogate estate agent donates cash to replace charity van

Former Yorkshire TV and Calendar News presenter Christine Talbot receives the keys off Linley & Simpson chairman Will Linley.

A Harrogate estate agent has donated £20,000 to a charity to help replace a stolen van.

Martin House Children’s Hospice fell victim to its van being stolen from its warehouse in Wetherby in January.

Now, Linley and Simpson, which also has an office in Ripon, has donated cash to help replace the vehicle.

And the keys to the new vehicle were picked up from Linley & Simpson chairman, Will Linley, by former Yorkshire TV and Calendar News presenter Christine Talbot, who is also a long-standing Martin House ambassador.

Mr Linley said:

“We shared the whole community’s shock at news of the theft. The fantastic work of the Martin House team touches the lives of so many people across Yorkshire, so we welcomed the opportunity to help.

“Many of our people have volunteered at the hospice, and our branches act as collection points for bric-a-brac that its shops can sell, so the work of the warehouse and the vans is very close to our hearts.”

Stephanie Rimmington, head of retail at Martin House, said:

“Without their donation, we could have been without a van for months while our insurance claim is processed, adding to an already challenging situation amid covid.

“By replacing the stolen van much quicker, our retail team is now able to get back out on the road, collecting donations to keep our retail outlets fully stocked, and generating more income for the hospice.”

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Harrogate law firm Raworths has announced two senior promotions in its commercial team.

Jon Healey, who leads the corporate and commercial team, has been promoted to partner of the firm.

Matthew Hill has been made head of commercial client services, after Simon Morris became managing partner in April. Mr Hill will also continue in his role as head of dispute resolution. 

He said:

“Raworths’ commercial team has considerable breadth and our clients benefit from a genuinely collaborative approach.

“I am looking forward to continuing Simon’s great work in overseeing the delivery of outstanding client service”

He also congratulated Mr Healey on his promotion, adding:

“Since joining Raworths in 2019 his expertise and leadership have been invaluable to our clients and the wider team.” 

Raworths has been based in Harrogate for over 125 years.

Samaritans of Harrogate calls for donations from local businesses

Samaritans of Harrogate has called for local businesses to donate prizes for its upcoming charity golf day.  

The event, on June 24, will be the charity’s first golf day since 2019 due to covid. 

It has asked local businesses to donate prizes in sets of four, such as hampers and food vouchers. They will be awarded to the winning golf teams or used to make up the raffle.  

Fundraising co-ordinator Carol Chapman said:  

“The involvement of local businesses would help us to raise vital and much needed funds to keep this service running, which is run solely by local volunteers.

“We are extremely grateful for any donations from local businesses that help us achieve this.”

Members of the public can enter as teams of four for the golf competition, with five places left to fill. 

The event will begin at 1:30pm at Harrogate Golf Club and will continue into the evening, with raffle prizes being announced at the clubhouse.  

In 2019, the golf day raised almost £6,000 for the charity, which contributed to the £35,000 a year needed to keep the charity running.  

Samaritans offers a confidential phone service for people feeling distressed or who are struggling with their mental health.  

The Harrogate branch has around 120 volunteers who listen and offer advice to callers, as well as helping with fundraising events.  

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Harrogate business groups set out wish lists for Spring Statement 

Harrogate business groups have given their thoughts on what should be included in today’s Spring Statement.

It has been five months since Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his autumn budget but since then the country has been hit by rising living costs and now Russia is at war with Ukraine.

David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said:

“Businesses are now facing unprecedented challenges in terms of rising bills; raw materials, wages, inflation, taxes, interest rates, fuel and energy bills. The Chancellor can bring some relief by hitting the pause button on increasing National Insurance, which will also benefit employees too.

“It would to be good to see Mr Sunak showing great creativity in approaching this crisis to deliver remedies that suit all with regard to finances.”

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate Business Improvement chair, said:

“As a business owner, what I want is for the Chancellor to announce measures that will help us, and not cause extra financial burdens

“During the covid crisis, Mr Sunak rose to the occasion, and he needs to do the same now. He needs to be bold and demonstrate that he understands the pressures we are all facing.”

Harrogate law firm appoints new managing partner 

Simon Morris has been appointed managing partner of Raworths Solicitors. He succeeds Zoe Robinson, who is stepping down after a decade in the role.

Mr Morris, who is a board member and the head of Raworths’ commercial team, will take on the role in April.

Mr Morris said:

“My priority going forward is to continue building on our strong team culture, delivering high quality work for clients and growing sustainably.”

Rachel Tunnicliffe, the firm’s head of private client, has also been promoted to senior partner with a focus on client engagement.