New paths at RHS Harlow Carr made with recycled plastic

RHS Garden Harlow Carr has replaced a series of paths with a new resin material made with recycled plastic.

The RHS garden in Harrogate, which receives 450,000 visitors a year, has re-used the equivalent of one and a half million plastic straws.

It is part of an ongoing maintenance programme after rain and snow damaged the site, particularly the paths.

RHS contracted resin specialists Oltco, which has headquarters in Cornwall but a base in Harrogate.

The resin paths are made of plastic that is already in circulation, such as straws, bottles and food packaging, sourced from plastic recycling.

Read more:

Paul Cook, curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, said:

“The new pathways have helped to transform the landscape and we’re excited for our visitors to experience this.”

The new look for the paths in the gardens.

Paul Cowham, director at Oltco Harrogate added:

“I have been regularly visiting the gardens for many years with my family so I was particularly proud to be able to work alongside Paul Cook and partner with Harlow Carr to transform its pathways.”

RHS Harlow Carr set to start work on new bridge

RHS Harlow Carr is set to start work building a new bridge later this year, which has been made possible thanks to the estate of a key supporter.

The Thaliana Bridge will cross the Queen Mother’s Lake at the south end of the gardens to improve access and provide new routes for visitors.

Dr Rachel Leech, whose research into the plant Arabidopsis thaliana inspired the design of the bridge, left money to the RHS as part of her will.

Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as the thale cress or mouse-ear cress, has a small genome of approximately 135 megabase pairs and it was the first plant to have its genomes fully sequenced. This meant it became a model organism for other research programmes.

Gagarin Studio and DP Squared Engineers are behind the project, the same team that recently built a footbridge for Leeds Climate Innovation District.

Work on the Thalina Bridge is expected to start in autumn 2021.

Read more:

It will be 21 metres long and three metres wide, made from steel and pre-weathered larch cladding.

Liz Thwaite, head of site at RHS Harlow Carr, said:

“The new bridge is part of our overall masterplan for the RHS Harlow Carr site, and will improve the flow of people and the overall visitor experience.

“We’re so grateful that Dr Leech’s estate are supporting the project and we’re delighted to be working with Gagarin Studio and DP Squared to design and name the bridge in celebration of this pioneering plant science research.”

Gagarin Studio director, Steve Gittner said:

“The paired curving forms of the bridge not only reflect the site-specific routes and orientation but also refers to the chromosomes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

“The rear curved element forms a back screen, deliberately neutral and simple in appearance, whilst the front balustrade facing the lake and gardens beyond is a sculptural element formed in a sequence of weathered steel fins and faces which vary in density and represent the sequenced RDA of the Arabadopsis Thaliana chromosome.”

New footbridge for RHS Harlow Carr given go-ahead

A new footbridge at RHS Harlow Carr has been given council approval.

Harrogate Borough Council gave the go-ahead to the proposal, which will see the wooden bridge cross over Queen Mother’s Lake.

It forms part of proposals to improve the visitor experience at the attraction.

Liz Thwaite, head of site, said:

“The new bridge is part of our overall masterplan for the RHS Harlow Carr site, and will improve the flow of people and the overall visitor experience.”

Meanwhile, RHS Harlow Carr has partnered with illustrator and children’s author, Chris Riddell, to transform the gardens with an Alice in Wonderland theme this summer.

Read more:

It will offer families the chance to view the gardens through the eyes of Alice, encountering topsy-turvy installations along the way.

The event, which is being held in partnership with charity Macmillian Publishers, celebrates 150 years of the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There stories by Lewis Carroll.

RHS Harlow Carr is also set to open a sculpture exhibition at the gardens this summer.

The Four Seasons, a collection of busts by contemporary American artist and filmmaker Philip Haas, will go on display from July 7 until summer 2022.

The 15ft tall fibreglass heads are three-dimensional interpretations of Renaissance paintings created by Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo in the late 16th century.

Paul Cook ,RHS Garden Harlow Carr Curator,  said:

“These sculptures feel as though they’re made for garden lovers, and we’re looking forward to hearing what our visitors think as they encounter them around the garden. 

“The locations of the Four Seasons have been carefully chosen with the artist to interact with the planting schemes.

“Summer is set in a woodland glade surrounded by meadow flowers, whilst Winter in the woodland echoes the mature trees around the sculpture. 

“Autumn will be a talking point as the real-life fruit and vegetables in our kitchen garden mature through the growing season and the spotlight will be on Spring, also in the woodland, next year, as new foliage emerges once again.”

Sculpture trail heads to Harrogate’s RHS Harlow Carr

A new sculpture trail inspired by the seasons is heading to RHS Harlow Carr next month.

The Four Seasons will open in the Harrogate gardens on July 7 and run until summer 2022, so there’s opportunity to experience the trail at all times of year.

Each sculpture is a four and a half metre tall fibreglass head inspired by Renaissance paintings by Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

Artist and filmmaker Philip Haas’s heads depict spring, summer, autumn and winter in human form. They are adorned with seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers and crops.

Read more:

As well as the trail, RHS Harlow Carr will also hold a series of floristry workshops. The first event, where people can create bouquets and wreaths, will be on July 1.

Paul Cook, RHS Garden Harlow Carr curator, said:

“The locations of the Four Seasons have been carefully chosen. Summer is surrounded by meadow flowers, whilst Winter echoes the mature trees around the sculpture.

“Autumn will be a talking point as the fruit and vegetables in our Kitchen Garden mature and Spring will see new foliage emerge.

“With the exhibition taking place at Harlow Carr over multiple seasons, another transformation will occur to alter and enrich the viewer’s perspective – the passage of time, the play of light and weather on the sculptures.”

Outdoor Shakespeare theatre returns to Harrogate’s Harlow Carr next month

Live theatre will make its comeback in Harrogate next month when Shakespeare is performed in the grounds of RHS Harlow Carr.

The family-friendly adaptation of The Comedy of Errors will be performed as part of Harrogate International Festivals.

Oddsocks Productions, which is known for its high-energy performances of Shakespeare classics, will tell the story of a servant and master from Syracuse in search of their long-lost twin brothers.

As the name suggests there are plenty of twists and turns leading to a happy ending which defies all probability.

The production company is staging the play in the grounds of the gardens on July 6 and 7, and promises lots of audience participation.

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:

“As an organisation that is best known for delivering a wide range of cultural events and festivals, the last 15 months have been particularly challenging for us.

“Oddsocks Productions have been a firm favourite of ours for decades and I couldn’t think of a more fitting play than The Comedy of Errors to help bring some much-needed laughter to the town.

“So pack your picnic and join the crazy theatre troupe for a festival of music, magic and mayhem.”

Read more:

The audience is advised to prepare for all types of weather during the outdoor event, with rugs and deckchairs highly recommended.

Tickets can be bought here. Adult tickets cost £22.

Unleash your creativity at RHS Garden Harlow Carr with courses throughout 2021

This article is sponsored by RHS Garden Harlow Carr

As summer begins to bloom in the Harrogate district, don’t forget to add these dates to your diary!

In the last year, RHS Harlow Carr has been a wonderful place for local residents to enjoy the fresh air. As the seasons change and restrictions lift, Harlow Carr is increasing its capacity for visitors.

As well as being a spectacular place to connect with nature, the garden is now able to plan special events and activities again. These give people the opportunity to source wonderful locally-produced items and also develop their own skills and discover new pastimes.

In the Bath House from 22 May to 27 June, the Designer Makers Market features original art and crafts by local practitioners, including textiles, ceramics, glass, paper collage and wood art to browse and buy.

Visitors can also enjoy daily demonstrations by visiting artists. The Bath House is open every day and admission is included with garden entry.

For those who found solace in creativity during lockdown, the RHS has the perfect programme of courses and workshops to develop your skills further. Each course is led by a friendly and knowledgeable tutor and places are limited. There’s a whole host of topics covered, starting on 24 June with an Introduction to permaculture.

For avid gardeners, other courses include one focused on aquatic plants and ponds on 7 July, advanced propagation on 15 July and a range of other one day workshops on different aspects of growing and garden design. Creative craft workshops include floristry, textiles, printing, photography and wood carving.

The garden will also be welcoming Harrogate & Ripon Beekeepers Association for a number of one day courses through the year, which will inspire many more keen gardeners to foster these vital pollinators.

The full courses and workshops programme has been confirmed for the rest of 2021, so why not take a look and see if you can find inspiration in them?

The Garden Centre at Harlow Carr stocks a comprehensive range of plants, seeds and tools and the friendly team is always on hand to offer advice, giving visitors the opportunity to take inspiration home to their own garden. The shop also stocks a beautiful range of high quality gifts, stationery and books. The garden centre and shop can be visited without booking a garden ticket.

Watch this space for more 2021 events and garden features which will be announced in the coming weeks. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a complete beginner, or someone who doesn’t garden but likes to admire the amazing work of the horticultural team at Harlow Carr, there is always a reason to visit.

New footbridge planned for RHS Harlow Carr

RHS Harlow Carr has lodged plans for a new footbridge in its gardens.

The application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council would see the wooden bridge cross over Queen Mother’s Lake.

It forms part of proposals to improve the visitor experience at the attraction.

Liz Thwaite, head of site, said:

“The new bridge is part of our overall masterplan for the RHS Harlow Carr site, and will improve the flow of people and the overall visitor experience. 

“It has been made possible through a generous donation, which we will release more information about in due course.”

The gently curved bridge would be built at the south of the gardens, near to Otley Road.

Read more: 

According to planning documents, the bridge would be three metres wide so that there is space for people to pass on foot, in wheelchairs or with prams and scooters.

The path at the south of the gardens would also be realigned towards the bridge as part of the wider masterplan.

A decision on the planning application will be made at a later date.

Bettys and Harlow Carr to close on Saturday for Prince Philip’s funeral

Bettys’ Harlow Carr branch and RHS Harlow Carr have said they will close on Sunday as a mark of respect to Prince Philip.

Prince Philip’s funeral is due to take place at St George’s Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 3pm on Saturday.

Bettys tweeted this morning its Harlow Carr branch and tea house will be closed all-day on Saturday.

Our Harlow Carr branch and Tea House will be closed on Saturday, along with @RHSHarlowCarr, as a mark of respect for the funeral of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.

— Bettys (@Bettys) April 15, 2021

RHS Harlow Carr will also be closed on the day.

Its gardens also closed on Friday last week when news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death was announced.

It said:

“As a royal charter charity, the closure is a mark of respect to our patron, HM The Queen, in line with traditions organisations like ours wish to follow.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience and are offering a refund or a chance to rebook and retail vouchers to visitors affected.”

Saturday afternoon’s sports fixtures are also affected.

Harrogate Town’s game on Saturday has been brought forward to 12.30pm in line with all professional fixtures.

The England and Wales Cricket is requesting local cricket to stop for an hour to pay their respects.

“We are asking all recreational cricket clubs across England and Wales to pause play between 3pm and 4pm next Saturday in order to pay their respects alongside observing the one minute silence at 3pm.”

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate has said there will be no official mark of respect but those officers that can will honour the minute’s silence during the service.

Read more:

 

Bettys to start reopening from end of the month

Bettys is to start reopening its branches from the end of the month.

The famous Harrogate-based company will re-open its tea house in RHS Harlow Carr for takeaway food and drinks from March 29.

Bettys shops will then open to visitors on April 12, which is the earliest that non-essential shops can re-open under the government’s road map.

All Bettys cafes will then re-open on May 17, except for the Stonegate branch in York, which the company has said is too small for social distancing.

As part of the reopening, Bettys is now accepting bookings for afternoon tea in the Imperial Room in Harrogate and the Belmont Room in York from May 17.

Read more:

However, Bettys has warned the dates may change subject to the government’s lockdown rules and road map.

Bettys closed its branches completely in January.

Simon Eyles, Bettys managing director, said at the time:

“Given the severity of the coronavirus pandemic that we are currently witnessing, Bettys has decided to close its Yorkshire branches completely. This means our café tea rooms and now our shops too will be shut until further notice.”

Venues close as heavy snow approaches Harrogate district

Gritters are out in force today as the Harrogate district braces itself for a second bout of heavy snow in a week.

Fountains Abbey near Ripon and RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate have already decided to close tomorrow, with the Met Office warning of road closures, stranded vehicles, power cuts and loss of mobile phone coverage.

With heavy snow forecast all day tomorrow (Jan 14), Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including the deer park will be closed all day for the safety of visitors and staff.
If you've booked to visit tomorrow you should receive a cancellation email shortly.@GHRHarrogate pic.twitter.com/iwPF7JWxWi

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 13, 2021

Unfortunately with more heavy snow forecast in Harrogate tomorrow, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Garden Centre will be closed on Thurs 14th January.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have paid for tickets, please contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. pic.twitter.com/oW6oKnTMJI

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 13, 2021

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place until 9pm tomorrow.

Although less severe than amber and red warnings, the Met Office still warns of “possible significant travel disruption”.

Overnight temperatures are forecast to fall as low as minus two degrees centigrade and not rise above freezing until Saturday, when another weather warning — this time for heavy rain — if effective.

A @metoffice yellow #weatherwarning for #snow and #ice in #NorthYorkshire is in place until 9pm tomorrow. Our gritting crews are treating priority roads but, if you must travel, please take extra care.

You can keep up to date with the forecast here ⬇️https://t.co/zHvC8EqeVU pic.twitter.com/02QCYkusKz

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 13, 2021

There are currently no flood warnings in the Harrogate district but they are in place nearby on the River Swale and River Ouse.

The Stray Ferret will provide weather and travel updates throughout the day tomorrow.