Does your business or workplace have a good story to tell? We’re looking to recognise the best and the brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community.

On March 9 next year, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will celebrate those businesses at a glittering black tie ceremony in the Pavilions of Harrogate and we want your entries.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district including Ripon, Masham, Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

We are delighted to announce four of the region’s most influential leaders are on the Stray Ferret Business Award’s judging panel:

• James Farrar:  COO, York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership
• Charlene Lyons: CEO, Black Sheep Brewery 
• Marcus Boardall: CEO, Reed Boardall 
• Martin Rae: CEO, Cloud Nine

There are 10 award categories − from Dynamic Leader to Business Growth and Inclusivity.

It doesn’t matter if the business is large or small − the awards are to recognise excellent organisations, their leaders or unsung heroes.

It’s free to nominate and we will profile the great work of all the winners, so we would encourage you to put forward your business today.

You can see a full list of award categories on our Awards page. Entries close January 16.

In tough times we need, more than ever, to celebrate success and give individuals and teams the recognition they deserve.

With fuel bills soaring, a guide to more than 40 activities that people can join in to keep warm this winter has been produced by the Ripon Cathedral Community Connections group (C3).

The guide titled Find a Warm Welcome in Ripon, features the activities and facilities that churches, including the cathedral, charities, community groups, the library and other organisations across the city are providing, as people of all ages face a cost-of-living crisis caused by rising gas, electricity and heating oil prices.

Anne-Marie Tarter, of C3, told the Stray Ferret:

“The response from the community to production of the guide has been magnificent – for example, the Ripon churches told me what they were already doing and then added in whole new sessions specifically designed for people wanting a warm place to go this winter.”

Holy Trinity Church is providing a wide range of activities to help people keep warm

She added:

“Before long I had an amazing list of ideas for people looking for a warm place in Ripon and these have been included in a 4-page booklet.”

The activities cover people of all ages from families with babies and toddlers to the elderly and include free play sessions, free breakfasts and lunches, opportunities to become involved with sewing, knitting and other craft groups and indoor bowling.

Full details can be found by clicking here.

Read more:

• Hundreds attend Ripon’s Christmas lights switch-on
• City council opens funding scheme to more Ripon organisations

Hundreds gathered on Ripon Market Square yesterday evening as the city council signalled the beginning of the festive season with its Christmas lights switch-on.

With heavy rain relenting by early afternoon, the crowd, largely made up of family groups, grew throughout the day, visiting the square to see Santa and his reindeer and enjoy the free fairground rides and musical entertainment.

Families met with Santa and his reindeer Alfie, Dancer and Izzy

Among the early visitors to see Santa were two-year-old Taylor, her 12-year-old brother Toby and their mother Catherine (pictured above).

The three free fairground rides proved popular throughout the afternoon and into the evening

Live musical entertainment was provided from 2pm by local singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary, and tribute acts Tamsin and Kaylie and Jersey Beyond (pictured below)

By 5pm when the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke performed the switch-on, the large crowd was in festive mood, joining with him in singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The Christmas lights on Kirkgate

Among those hoping that Ripon’s traders have a happy and successful festive season is city council leader Cllr Andrew Williams.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“This is going to be a very challenging end of year for the vast majority of people with the cost of living crisis meaning they have less disposable income to spend.”

He added:

“We hope, however, that the lights will help to attract increased footfall and provide a festive boost to the city’s economy with local residents, as well as visitors, supporting Ripon’s independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs by spending their money here.”

Read more:

• City council opens funding scheme to more Ripon organisations
• Bid to save bus linking Ripon, Thirsk and Northallerton

A historic luxury car and bronze horse sculpture are set to be auctioned later this month.

Ripon based auction house Elstob & Elstob is set to auction off a classic Ferrari and a 105cm bronze horse sculpture.

The Ferrari F355 GTS, one of the most sought-after cars of all time, will be sold at auction on November 25. The bronze horse sculpture by Sally Arnup will follow on November 30.

The exotic car is a 1995 model of the Ferrari F355 GTS in a red livery.

The model is well preserved with a black leather interior. It has racked up only 40,390 miles from three previous owners since its release in 1994.

The car is expected to sell for between £40,000 and £60,000.

The auctioneer, David Elstob, said:

“However revolutionary it was at the time, the F355 is now considered the last of the ‘old school’ Ferraris before the introduction of the 360 and, as such, is greatly revered by collectors and motoring enthusiasts alike.

“Its popularity has been further sealed by the classic Ferrari wedge-shaped styling and iconic pop-up headlights. It is a truly beautiful machine and a nostalgic icon of its time.”

Also in the auction taking place on November 25 is a 2011 BMW 6-Series and a 2012 Ford Transit Campervan.

Read more:

• Ripon auction to sell paintings of Derby winners found after 180 years
• Hot Seat: the Ripon auctioneer bringing a modern edge to antiques
• Ripon auctioneer recruits new painting and sculpture specialist

Sally Arnup’s bronze horse sculpture

The sculpture named Arab Horse Aslan was created in 1985 by Yorkshire-based artist Sally Arnup (1930-2015).

She is considered to be one of the finest bronze sculptors of her time with her life-like recreations of animals.

Her work resides in major collections worldwide and she had received commissions from Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, among others.

The bronze horse is expected to sell for between £10,000 – £15,000.

Elstob & Elstob’s paintings and sculpture specialist, Rohan McCulloch, said:

“This fantastic sculpture of a trotting horse really captures the fluidity and elegance of this beautiful animal. Arnup is famed for the life-like qualities of her pieces and used to work with the live animal in front of her rather than using sketches or photographs.

“In fact, it is said that the subjects often came to live with her family for weeks at a time while she studied them in detail.”

The late Duke of Edinburgh commissioned Ms Arnup to sculpt a statue of his fell pony Storm for his 80th birthday. He said:

“It is no mean achievement to be able to convey the character, and characteristics, of individual animals in bronze.

“Sally Arnup has a wealth of experience in the sculpture of animals, and she also has the talent to capture their personality.”

The sculpture is set to headline the paintings and sculpture sale which takes place on November 30. Two miniature oil paintings depicting two Derby winners owned by the acclaimed John Bowes will also feature int he auction.

Fire crews were called to a kitchen fire in Ripon yesterday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue received the call to flats on the city’s Blossomgate at 3.17pm.

A woman who lived in the flat was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

Crews from Ripon and Harrogate attended the kitchen fire. North Yorkshire Police and paramedics were also on the scene.

An incident log from the fire service said:

“Ripon and Harrogate crews attended a kitchen fire. Two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet was used.

“Female occupant was treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics on the scene.”

Read more:

• Firefighters called to sauna fire at Rudding spa
• ‘Harrogate firefighters being used as guinea pigs’, says union

During the current climate, we all need a bit of sparkle in our lives.

And what better way to inject some festive cheer than switching on the Christmas lights.

Here are the dates for your diary for switch-on events across the district:

Harrogate – Thursday, November 17

The countdown to Christmas in Harrogate will officially get underway this evening, with Harrogate BID flicking the festive switch.

There will be no official switch-on event this year, however Christmas lights around the town centre will start to dazzle for the first time this evening.

The whole town will be illuminated by the weekend.

Ripon – Saturday, November 19

Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing this weekend, with the switch-on of the city’s Christmas lights on Saturday.

The city’s Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm, ahead of the lights switch-on, which takes place at 5pm.

The reindeer, which proved popular when they visited Ripon for last year’s event, will be returning with Santa and once again there will be free fairground rides and a climbing wall for children to enjoy.

The Ripon City Council event will also provide free musical entertainment from 2pm.

Knaresborough – Friday, November 25

Boroughbridge – Wednesday, December 7

Santa’s sleigh out and about in Boroughbridge in 2018.

The annual late night Christmas Shopping and lights switch-on event, organised by the town’s Chamber of Trade, will take place on Wednesday, December 7.

The event kicks-off with the official switch-on of the Christmas tree lights in Hall Square at 5.30pm, followed by short performances by school choirs.

Boroughbridge Lions will have Santa and his sleigh on display and there will be children’s rides, along with the Scouts’ roast chestnuts and Brighter Boroughbridge with a mulled wine and mince pies stall. There will also be a hog roast.

The shop window display competition theme this year is “A Christmas Panto”.

The lights on the Christmas tree will be switched on by BBC Radio York’s Georgey Spanswick and the Mayor, Sean Hynes.

Planning consent has been granted for the demolition of a block of four empty homes in Ripon’s conservation area, which have been affected by subsidence and sinkhole issues.

The properties at 1,3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths, were evacuated in October 2020 after being deemed unsafe for habitation.

A section of Peacock’s Passage, which is adjacent to the site, has been fenced off ever since.

Permission has also been granted for steps (pictured below) to be demolished and for the erection of hoardings following demolition of the block, so the area can be enclosed while investigation of the site is carried out.

A report from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) planners states that:

“Demolition of the buildings is considered appropriate to ensure safety within the conservation area and to allow for investigations to determine an appropriate redevelopment of the site.”

The report says that the four properties:

“Have been adversely affected by the local ground conditions that arise notably from the dissolution of gypsum.”

It also points out that HBC’s building control officers:

“Have been involved with these buildings as a dangerous structure in recent months so we are aware of the concerns regarding their stability.”

Bedern Court Ltd, a not-for-profit company controlled by owners and leaseholders with houses and apartments in the 29-unit residential development, employed engineers to monitor and report for more than a decade on signs of movement in the affected block, after subsidence occurred on an adjacent site.

With signs that subsidence causing damage to the block of the four properties is continuing, the application seeking permission to demolish was submitted to HBC in September.

Read more:

• Council answers call to remove bins from Ripon car park
• Bid to save bus linking Ripon, Thirsk and Northallerton

Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing this week, with late night shopping tomorrow and the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights on Saturday.

Tomorrow, eight independent retailers located on North Steet and Fishergate will remain open until 8pm and there is the opportunity for shoppers to win a hamper.

The participating retailers are: The Castle, The GreenHouse, Memorable Moments. Carlton Couture Bridal, Absolute Bliss Health & Beauty, Eastwick, St Michael’s Hospice and  Halls of Ripon department store.

On Saturday, Ripon Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm ahead of the Christmas lights switch on, which takes place at 5pm.

Santa’s reindeer return to Ripon Market Square on Saturday afternoon

The reindeer, which proved popular when they visited Ripon for last year’s switch on will be returning with Santa and once again and there will also be free fairground rides and a climbing wall for children to enjoy.

The Ripon City Council event will also provide free musical entertainment from 2pm with singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary followed by Christmas songs from Tamsin and Kaylie, before the Jersey Beyond tribute act take centre stage.

This year, the council’s festive programme in Ripon is being supported by Ripon Business Improvement District, which is paying for the production and distribution of a Christmas brochure, setting out the events that will be happening in the city between now and New Year’s Eve.

Read more:

• City council opens funding scheme to more Ripon organisations
• Bid to save bus linking Ripon, Thirsk and Northallerton

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A new networking group has been set up for businesses in Harrogate.

1 and 3 Networking was founded by local businessmen Steve Simmonds and Graeme Fountain to help connect business owners and develop contacts across the district and beyond.

The networking group holds informal breakfast meetings at Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate, on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Mr Simmonds, who is a data specialist, said:

“We have set out to launch a simple networking proposition for businesses in and around Harrogate. There are no membership fees and businesses simply register online and pay £10 for each session they would like to attend. 

“The idea is to help businesses of all sizes make new contacts at the meeting and develop business connections.”

Graeme Fountain, a local business consultant, added: 

“Business people who come along to 1 and 3 Networking are invited to provide an informal presentation, for a couple of minutes, on who they are and what they do as a business. 

“They also explain how other members of the group can help them, by providing introductions to suitable clients or potential business partners. 

“We know that local businesses want to help others thrive and this is the perfect opportunity to do that.”

Businesses wishing to attend pay £10 for each session, which includes a light breakfast and coffee.

For more information, visit the 1 and 3 Networking website here.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Reed Boardall awarded top ranking for product safety
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate solicitors funds junior staff development

Econ Engineering manager celebrates three decades in post

A senior Econ Engineering manager has been recognised for this long service to the business, which has so far spanned three-and-a-half decades.

Colin Thewitt was 16 when he joined the Ripon company as a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) trainee. 

He started in the in the drawings office, making detailed drawings of the parts needed to create Econ’s legendary gritters.

Colin Trewhitt, factory manager at Econ Engineering.

Now, he was made factory manager in 2020 and is in charge of a team of 140 people.

Colin said: 

“When I joined Econ I had no idea I would still be here 35 years later and still enjoying it.

“Engineering is a fantastic career as every day is different. I was lucky to start as a trainee, which is different to being an apprentice.

“I would certainly recommend a traineeship, as being a trainee you learn more specific skills relevant to the job you are doing and industry you want to work in.”

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering director, said: 

“It was my father who took Colin under his wing as he clearly saw something in him – and I’m very glad he did.

“Colin is a key part of our business and is highly regarded by his colleagues. And as you would expect from someone who has been here 35 years, he knows the business inside out, and gladly shares his knowledge with those keen to learn from him.”

A charity that supports desperately ill children and their families will benefit for the fourth consecutive year from a fundraising event staged by Ripon cafe owner Tina Whincup.

Ms Whincup, who owns Caffe Tempo in The Arcade, will be hosting story time with Santa on the evenings of December 13 and 14, to raise money for Yorkshire Children’s Trust.

The popularity of the event is underlined by the fact that tickets sold out within days of going on sale.

Santa will be reading Christmas stories at Caffe Tempo next month to raise money for Yorkshire Children’s Trust.

Ms Whincup told the Stray Ferret:

“We are going to raise a record of at least £700 this year through ticket sales and a silent auction being conducted online for an exclusive Caffe Tempo jumper, made for us by The British Christmas Jumper Company.

“The trust is a wonderful charity that helps families across Yorkshire and I would encourage people to support them in whatever way they can.”

The auction for the jumper lasts until Sunday (November 20) and anybody wanting to make a bid can find out more details by clicking here.

Yorkshire Children’s Trust was founded by two sets of parents after their daughters were diagnosed with leukaemia. The charity helps children and their families cope with the emotional and financial strain of many life-changing illnesses, something the founders of the charity understand after dealing with their own children going through the long and harsh treatments for cancer.

The charity doesn’t receive any lottery, NHS or government funding and relies heavily on voluntary donations.