The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate has been chosen to host the UK’s biggest trade show for holiday homes, caravans and motorhomes next year.
The Great Holiday Home Show will see major manufacturers launch their latest models to the public as well as to parks, dealers and distributors from across the country.
The show will be held from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10 for the public, followed by a trade-only show from Tuesday, September 12 to Thursday, September 14.
The event, which was first held as The Lawns Show in 1976, is organised by the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association.
The show is moving from Hull, which is the epicentre of the UK caravan industry, to the 250-acre Great Yorkshire Showground to allow more manufacturers to attend than in previous years.
Richard Jones, chairman of HERCMA, said:
“This is an exciting time for the industry as we bring everyone together to put on a comprehensive show, in a central location for an industry that is constantly evolving. The show will be managed for us by the organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, one of the UK’s biggest events.”
Heather Parry, managing director of the Great Yorkshire Showground, said:
“We are delighted to be hosting and managing The Great Holiday Home Show, this is a significant event for the industry, set in the heart of the UK at a venue that boasts acres of outdoor space along quality indoor space too. Happily, David Ritchie, who has managed the event for over 20 years, will continue to work with us as the show adviser as the show moves to its new venue.”
Event manager David Ritchie said:
“This show is in my blood and it is wonderful to see it develop at a new venue and work with a new team as it continues to expand”.
According to the National Caravan Council, there are more than a million caravan and motor homes in the UK, and around 50 million nights are spent in them each year. The caravan industry contributes more than £6 billion a year to the UK economy.
Ripon woman sets up dyspraxia support groupA Ripon woman who believed she was “broken”, but went on to graduate from university after being diagnosed with dyspraxia, has launched a not-for-profit company to help others who may share the condition.
Carol Turnbull set up Chrysalis Dyspraxia Awareness last year with a view to providing one-to-one support for people pre- or post-diagnosis and helping them to understand their potential.
She has also given a talk to a government department and hopes to expand this side of the business, speaking to companies and organisations about neurodivergency and its workplace implications.
Dyspraxia is a condition affecting physical co-ordination and causes children to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
How people make plans and decisions, organise their lives and regulate their emotions may also be affected. The condition is closely associated with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and dyscalculia.
Carol Turnbull
Carol was 47 before she was diagnosed with the condition, but says she had always known there was something wrong.
“I had a life of thinking I was broken; I could feel something wasn’t right,” she says.
“As a child, I was always looked on as different and was picked on a lot. I always wondered why people didn’t like me, and that lasted right through till adulthood.”
After more than 30 years working in the care industry, Carol happened to take her son to an open evening at York College, but ended up herself enrolling on an access course. That led to her taking a psychology degree at Leeds Beckett University, where she was first diagnosed.
She says:
“It changed my life. Learning about myself and how I function neurologically and socially has greatly improved my confidence and this directly contributed to the development of Chrysalis.”
Now, she wants to pass on that knowledge, giving others the support that she missed out on. Contact can be made via her website here. She says:
Guide to bonfire and fireworks displays in the Harrogate district“A lot of people with dyspraxia pigeonhole themselves, and it can feel quite disabling if people around you don’t know why you are the way you are if you yourself don’t know why.
“Giving others this power and supporting them to understand themselves and their dyspraxia better can open up the world to so many people who may feel their wants and desires are beyond their capabilities. This is something I am passionate about. I strongly believe that, given the right support, people can achieve absolutely anything!”
This story is sponsored by Belmont Grosvenor School which will be holding a Bonfire Night Party on Friday, November 4. There will be s’mores round the campfire, music, hot food, a licensed bar, stalls and more. Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display starts at 7.20pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate and cost £10 for adults (children under the age of 18 are free). Get them in advance by emailing kaye.walker@bewonder.co.uk.
Bonfire night is fast approaching so we have put together a list of events coming up in the Harrogate district.
They all take place over the weekend of November 4, 5 and 6.
Let us know if we have missed your event and we will add it to the list. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197.
Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party
Where: Belmont Grosvenor School, Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2JG
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm fire lit, 7.20pm firework display
Tickets: £10 with children under the age of 18 entering for free
Ripon Rowels Rotary Charity Bonfire and Firework Display
Where: Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
When: 5.30pm start, 7pm fire lit, 7.30pm firework display
Tickets: adults £6, children £3, family (2 adult, 2 child) £12, under 3s free
Spofforth Village Firework Display
Where: Spofforth Cricket Ground, School Lane, Spofforth, HG3 1BA
When: Gates open 5pm, 7pm-7.15pm firework display.
Tickets: Family pre-paid £12:50 and on the gate £15. Adult pre-paid £4 and on the gate £5. Child pre-paid £2:50 and on the gate £3.
Swinton Bivouac Silent Bonfire Night
Where: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ilton, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
When: 6.30pm bonfire lit. There will be no fireworks or loud bangs.
Tickets: free entry, food and drinks available from the Bivouac Café
Aspin Park Academy Fireworks Night, Knaresborough
Where: School grounds
When: 5.15pm start, 6.30pm firework display
Tickets: Advance online booking – adults £4, children £3, family ticket £12, preschoolers free. On the gate – adults £5, children £4
Harrogate Stray Bonfire and Fireworks, Harrogate Round Table
Where: Oatlands Stray, Harrogate, HG1 1BJ
When: 5pm start (there will be entertainment), bonfire lit 5.30pm, 7.15pm firework display
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
Where: Pateley Bridge Showground
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm torchlit procession and bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: free entry, donations welcome
Kirkby Malzeard community village bonfire
Where: North Close Farm, Ripon Road, Kirkby Malzeard
When: 6pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, 7pm fireworks
Tickets: Free entry but donations welcome to fund next year’s event. Parking is available at North Close Farm. No sparklers allowed. Bring a torch.
Yolk Farm Bonfire and Burger Night – dog-friendly
Where: Yolk Farm, Minskip Road, Minskip, York, YO51 9HY
When: 5.30pm start, 6.30pm bonfire lit, no fireworks
Tickets: free entry for the event, advanced bookings only for Burger Night in the restaurant – 5:30pm and 8pm sittings
Staveley Arms Bonfire
Where: The Staveley Arms, Greenfields, North Stainley, Ripon, HG4 3HT
When: 6pm
Tickets: £5 per person to include a choice of hot dog or cup of soup
This story is sponsored by North Blinds.
With so many styles of blinds and shades to choose from, finding the right one for your needs can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.
However, using their vast knowledge and expertise, Lucas and his business partner Chris can help you find the perfect window covering.
Since launching their business, North Blinds, in 2018, the team have commissioned and installed thousands of blinds.
Their unrivalled customer service has earned them hundreds of five star ratings on review sites including Google and Trustpilot.
This is thanks to their personal face-to-face approach, which includes bringing their unique ‘mobile showroom’ to customers’ homes.
Lucas said:
“We bring the showroom to customers, so they don’t need to leave the comfort of their homes.
“We, as an independent family business, have got large collections of books of different swatches and types of blinds, so they can see what the actual material or fitting is going to look like against the wall or against the furniture.
“This really helps customers to find what they are looking for.
“We are always friendly and our free no-obligation consultations are carried out in a relaxed way. We keep the best interest of our customers at heart.”
Lucas, from North Blinds.
Lucas, Chris and the team personally offer advice on what blinds would be suitable for customers’ needs.
For example, a heavy wooden blind might not necessarily be suitable for a large window and a motorised blind might be a more preferable option for a skylight.
Lucas said:
“Using our expertise and our experience, we advise them so they get the results they want. Sometimes as a customer, you have something in mind but you don’t know the full range or what options you have. So we can help solve this.”
The company also offers a unique lifetime aftercare service. As well as a standard two-year warranty on all blinds, North Blinds stay on standby to help customers with any future issues.
Lucas said:
“Our lifetime aftercare helps you to keep your blinds in tip-top shape, even when they get accidentally damaged. So if your dog took too much of a liking to your bone print kitchen blinds, we will fix the damage for free. We only charge for replacement parts if needed. You can’t say fairer than that!
“We focus on the experience and the customer service so they feel they have got value for money. We want to take away all the stress of ordering blinds, fitting them and making sure they are ok.”
North Blinds is based in Skipton, however they offer their top-class service across the Harrogate district, including Knaresborough and Ripon.
The firm works with the best manufacturers to supply a complete range of blinds, including blackout blinds, motorised, ‘perfect fit’, pleated, Venetian, roller, day and night, conservatory, skylight Roman and vertical. As well as the huge variety window blinds on offer, the business also offers a wide range of curtains and shutters.
Lucas added:
“Customers expect excellent quality materials, a high-level of workmanship, professionalism and excellent customer service, and that’s exactly what we believe in too.”
Ripon auction to sell paintings of Derby winners found after 180 years
Two miniature paintings of Derby winners are to be auctioned in Ripon next month after lying unnoticed for 180 years.
The oil on metal paintings belonged to John Bowes, founder of the Bowes Museum and one of the greatest-ever racehorse owners.
They make up a set of four identically presented paintings depicting all of Mr Bowes’ Derby winners.
The other two are held by and are on view at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, and until recently art experts knew nothing about the whereabouts of the missing pair.
The two paintings show Mundig and Cotherstone, who won the Derby in 1835 and 1843 respectively.
They are being offered for sale by auction house Elstob & Elstob as part of its pictures and sculpture sale on November 30, together with a portrait of Issac Walker, who was head groomsman at the Streatlam Stud owned by Mr Bowes, who died in 1885.
Head groomsman, Issac Walker, with the two paintings.
Mr Elstob said:
“It is remarkable that these paintings have finally come to light.
“They have come forward from a client in Matlock, Derbyshire, who has had them in the family for as long as can be remembered.
“The family originated from Weardale in County Durham – close to the Bowes Museum – and the client remembers them hanging in his grandparents’ cottage in the village of Howden le Wear. His grandfather was friendly with Issac Walker’s family, which may explain how the paintings came to be in their hands.”
Each painting measures only 12.5cm x 13cm and are presented in horse shoe frames known as racing plates and would almost certainly have come from the Derby winners themselves.
The two paintings, together with the oil on board portrait of Issac Walker, carry a price estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.
It is not known who painted them but they are attributed to the circle of Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851).
The paintings are particularly significant to the equestrian world due to John Bowes’ fame as one of the most successful racehorse owners this country has ever known.
During his career he had four Derby winners, a feat matched by only five other breeders in the history of the race and only exceeded by the Aga Khan III with five
John Bowes earned a fortune from racing, which played a major part in funding the Bowes Museum; built in an elaborate French Chateaux style to house the art collection of John and Josephine Bowes and opened to the public after their deaths in 1892.
Mundig was the first of Bowes’ hugely successful horses. He was foaled in 1832, the year that John Bowes turned 21 and indeed Mundig is German for mature or ‘of age’.
He was in the first batch of horses that Bowes sent to trainer John Scott, known as ‘the wizard of the north’, who had the Whitewall training stables at Malton, near York.
When Mundig won the 1835 Derby, he became the first northern-bred horse ever to do so, despite relatively poor odds.
Cotherstone was another outstanding champion, again trained by John Scott and ridden by his brother William Scott to victory in the 1843 Derby. He won the Two Thousand Guineas and came second in the St Leger in the same year, earning Mr Bowes more than £12,000 (£1.2 million in today’s values), and securing his position as one of the most valuable horses in the country.
Issac Walker was head groomsman at the Streatlam Stud from 1833-1872.
Mr Elstob said:
“These paintings represent a snapshot of one of the most remarkable success stories in racing history and, together with the links to the renowned collection of art in the Bowes Museum, we are expecting them to attract worldwide interest from equestrian enthusiasts and art collectors alike.”
The sale will take place at Elstob & Elstob’s Ripon salerooms on November 30 at 10am, with viewing on November 29 between 10am and 7pm.
For further information, contact Rohan McCulloch on 01765 699200 or email: rohan@elstobandelstob.co.uk
Grantley Hall appeals council order preventing it from using helipad
Grantley Hall has appealed a council order to prevent it from using a helipad after an alleged planning breach.
Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice against the hotel for using the helipad for take off and landings without planning permission.
The luxury hotel, which is located five miles west of Ripon, withdrew plans to operate the helicopter landing pad in June 2021.
The authority then ordered the hotel to “cease the use of the land for the taking off and landing of helicopter flights” and remove the helipad from the land.
According to the notice, the helipad’s location causes damage to the area and the significance of a heritage asset in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The order adds:
“It fails to protect or enhance those features which contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of the heritage asset and does not make a positive contribution to the character of the area.”
A picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
However, Grantley Hall has since appealed the order and requested that permission is granted for the helipad.
The hotel said that 70 flights took place at the hotel between October 2021 and September 2022, with visitors coming from Jersey, Bournemouth and Melrose in Scotland.
It added that all the flights took place during the day time and it was “clear evidence for the demand for this facility”.
In documents submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with appeals, the hotel said it had met with the council in September 2022 and confirmed it had stopped taking helicopter bookings.
The hotel said it was happy for conditions to be placed on its proposals and was willing to meet with the council to discuss mitigation measures.
It said in its planning documents:
“The appellant is eager to work with Harrogate Borough Council to ensure that Grantley Hall’s ability to deliver a first-class service and contribution to the local and regional economy does not compromise the local amenity and setting and significance of Grantley Hall.”
The Stray Ferret approached Grantley Hall for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A government planning inspector will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
The hotel withdrew plans for the helicopter landing pad for a third time in June 2021 after council officers recommended rejecting the proposal.
Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Grantley and Sawley Parish Council and several residents objected to the plans, with one local describing the application as “totally unnecessary” and “self-fulfilling”.
The hotel has withdrawn three applications and had another rejected since first asking for permission to use an existing helipad in 2018.
Grantley Hall opened as a hotel after a £70 million refurbishment in 2019.
It was once used by West Riding County Council between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college, as well as a training and conference centre by North Yorkshire County Council.
Business Breakfast: More than half of units let at Ripon Business ParkBusiness Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
More than half the units under construction on a Ripon business park are now pre-let ahead of the project being completed.
Canalside Business Park, which was previously used by Econ Engineering to store its 900-strong gritter hire fleet, is looking to help redress the shortage of small-scale industrial units in the district.
Owned by Canalside Developments and being constructed by HACS, it is a 25,000 sq ft development located opposite Ripon racecourse, off Navigation Way opposite Travis Perkins, and is scheduled for completion in spring next year.
Jonathan Lupton, Canalside Developments director, said:
“Canalside Business Park will help meet the growing demand for industrial units for start-ups and growing business in our district.
“We are delighted by the fact that 65% of the units are now pre-let. Built to a modern specification, they will provide much-needed industrial space for micro businesses and SMEs.”
Ripon Business Improvement District is inviting businesses to enter their Christmas window competition, which has adopted a theme of peace and sanctuary.
The BID hopes as many businesses as possible get involved and make Ripon’s Christmas windows a magical spectacle.
A judging panel, consisting of the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson and The Stray Ferret, will be judging all the windows during the week beginning November 21.
The winning window will receive £200 in advertising from one of the BID’s media partners.
Locals and visitors will be invited to vote via social media and will have the chance to win a Ripon Hamper Company hamper.
The BID will be running its Christmas marketing campaign using the #christmasinripon and will include video footage of the windows and festivities.
The Visit Ripon website will have a dedicated Christmas page highlighting the businesses Christmas windows, offers and events.
Businesses are asked to confirm whether they wish to enter by November 14 via info@riponbid.co.uk and be ready for judging by the panel during the week beginning November 21.
The Ripon Christmas brochure, whose production is being supported by the BID, will be available to businesses and the public both in print and online at the beginning of November and Seasonal music in Market Square will complement the BID’s ‘Free After Three’ car parking on Friday November 25, and on December 2, 9 and 16.
Boroughbridge estate agency Craven-Holmes shortlisted for top national award
This article is sponsored by Craven-Holmes.
Boroughbridge estate agents Craven-Holmes has been named a finalist in one of the most prestigious awards in the UK property industry.
The independent family-run business is one of 38 agencies shortlisted in the Small Estate Agency of the Year category at The Negotiator Awards 2022.
The winner will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on Friday, November 25.
Owner Tracey Wrigglesworth, who bought the agency in 2018, said it was a huge honour to be nominated.
She said:
“The Negotiator Awards are like the Oscars of the industry. Just to be shortlisted is massive.
“The criteria is incredibly tough. You have got to prove your worth.
“When I got the email to say I’d been shortlisted, I’m surprised you couldn’t hear me screaming in Harrogate!”
Tracey, who has more than 20 years experience in the local property market, runs the business with her daughter Mahalah Mulholland. Her friend Pauline Wardman also works at the agency and her son also gets involved when needed.
The sales, lettings and property agency works across the region in the Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Bedale and Wetherby areas.
Tracey and her team have all lived and worked in the area for many years and therefore have an in-depth knowledge of the local market.
Tracey said:
“We pride ourselves on our relationships and our customer service, as well as trust and integrity. We are really proud of what we do.
“We are an independent on Boroughbridge High Street and we are very much a supporter of the local community.
“I’m so proud of what we have achieved. The support that I’ve had has just been lovely with continued repeat business and recommendations.”
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
The Harrogate founder of a not-for-profit organisation has received a national award for his work.
John Longden OBE, chief executive of Pub is the Hub, was given the Industry Champion Award by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) at its annual dinner.
It was presented in recognition of his work to help pubs diversify and support local communities by providing essential local services.
So far, the organisation has helped more than 600 pubs to diversify, with almost 200 of those receiving help from its community services fund. Diversification can provide village shops, community cafes and libraries, as well as allotments and even cinemas.
Receiving his award, Mr Longden said:
“You have no idea how special this is. This is also for the family of Pub is The Hub and to our family of supporters.
“We all enjoy collaborating and helping publicans in their local areas. For every £1 invested in a shop, community café, village garden or play area it creates between £8 to £9 of social value. It is the social value that helps to bind us together in this wonderful industry.”
“We believe we can inspire 1,000 projects over the next three years and we have over 50 expressions of interest at this time.”
Emma McClarkin OBE, chief executive of the BBPA, added:
“This time last year we hoped we were done with ‘unprecedented times’ but here we are again after another year of surprises, challenges, and once-in-a-lifetime events.
“And throughout all of it our pubs and brewers have remained at the heart of villages, towns, and cities across the countries, providing a place of solace and community for so many and it’s why I am really proud to stand here tonight representing our brilliant industry.”
A group of Ripon independent retailers are joining forces later this month to take part in a special Christmas event, where a gift hamper worth more than £100 will be won by a lucky shopper.
The businesses – seven of them on North Street and one on Fishergate – will be open from 10am until 8pm on Thursday November 17.
There will be discounts at selected stores and shoppers are invited to enjoy a glass of fizz and a festive treat while they browse the goods and services on offer.
The participating retailers are The Castle, The GreenHouse, Memorable Moments, Carlton Couture Bridal, Absolute Bliss Health & Beauty, Eastwick, St Michael’s Hospice Shop and Halls of Ripon.
Details about the discounts and how to enter the prize draw for the hamper can be found by clicking here.
Taxi licensing changes will cause ‘chaos’, says Ripon cabbieA Ripon taxi driver has said plans for a single licensing policy for North Yorkshire will lead to “chaos”.
Under proposals just put forward, the new North Yorkshire Council would create a single licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the entire county.
It would mean drivers in Harrogate could operate anywhere in North Yorkshire whereas they are currently restricted to the Harrogate district.
Richard Fieldman, who has operated his cab in Ripon for 28 years, said the planned changes would see drivers “swamp” areas during the busiest times of day.
Mr Fieldman said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.
He said:
“It will mean that any taxi can work in any area.
“You are going to have swamps of taxis in busy areas at busy times. That in itself brings chaos.”
Mr Fieldman added that he feared the council could introduce a single fare rate for the county, which he said would make business “unviable” for drivers.
The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire County Council for comment.
County council officials said the planned policy would offer drivers “flexibility to operate across the county”.
The authority has launched a public consultation on the changes, which is set to last for 12 weeks.
A review of fare rates across the county will be carried out at a later date.
The council said in a statement:
“In accordance with the Department for Transport’s best practice guidance, it is proposed that the new council will operate one hackney carriage ‘zone’ for North Yorkshire.
“Thereby providing drivers with the flexibility to operate across the county, encouraging environmental efficiencies and creating a wider distribution of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
“There are no plans to impose hackney carriage quantity restrictions on the creation of a new single zone. Hackney carriage fares and fees will also be reviewed at a later date.”
A consultation into the policy changes is open until January 19, 2023. You can have your say here.