Jubilee celebrations in Harrogate district draw to a close
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
A feast of street parties is set to bring the jubilee weekend to a close. We will be praying for fine weather and covering the festivities in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, as well as the villages in between.
Our reporters will be out and about but please let us know what’s happening where you are and send us pictures so we can add them to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
5.35pm: Jubilee reunion for sisters of 1977
Three sisters who celebrated the 1977 silver jubilee waving flags did the same thing today on the same street where they grew up.
Their parents, David and Nelda, are one of two original families still living on Carr Close in Ripon. The couple, aged 82, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this year.
They bought the house new in 1973 and all three daughters live around the corner.
That seems like a fitting way to end our four days of live jubilee coverage. We hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for all your photos of beacons, street parties, pig races and everything else.
We will publish a jubilee photo gallery tomorrow.
4.46pm: Ripon rotary clubs unite
The family day provided a meeting point for friends from the Rotary Club of Ripon and Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, whose charity work can be seen all over the city. They were joined by major Ripon benefactor Michael Abrahams (left).
He is pictured with, from the left: Peter Race (Rotary Club of Ripon) Josie Suddards (Inner Wheel of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels) Janet Race, Jenny Moss and Audrey Long (all members of the Inner Wheel of Ripon Rotary Club) and, front David Suddards of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, which gave platinum jubilee pennies to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in Ripon and neighbouring villages.
After such a busy week for event stewards Elaine Reed (pictured left) and Cat Midgley, you might have expected them to be flagging, but there were smiles from them right until the end of four fantastic days that underlined Ripon’s status as one on the most royal and loyal places in the land.
3.55pm: Ripon’s big weekend draws to a close
Ripon’s packed programme of jubilee events is coming to an end. Our city-based reporter Tim has been at the heart of things for the last four days.
It was a day for both waving and wearing the flag, as the curtain came down on Ripon’s platinum jubilee celebrations with the focus on families, as epitomised by the fact that great grandmother Hazel Barker, of event organiser The Ripon Community Poppy Project had four generations of her family present, including grandson Martin Wright and great grandchildren Evie (aged 6) and cousins Alana and Imogen aged 5.
For Martin, it was an opportunity to dress to impress, with his Union Jack jacket, trousers and hat.
Ensuring that activities went off safely, was Andy Langford (pictured left) the safety manager overseeing four days of revelry in Ripon Market Square and this afternoon’s family day in Spa Park. He is pictured with Stuart Martin of Ripon Community Poppy Project, who told the Stray Ferret:
“The city-wide celebrations have been amazing and Ripon has done Her Majesty proud.”
3.05pm: Neighbours sing along to Sweet Caroline
This is what it’s all about… dancing in the street with neighbours to Sweet Caroline.
Almost 100 people from Carr Close in Ripon and invited guests got together this afternoon after resident Jennifer Spurgeon applied to close the street.
The gathering included a couple from Australia, who are friends with people who live on Carr Close.
June Wren, 91, wore a hat her mother made for the coronation in 1953.
There was a Queen’s pudding tent, line dancing and badminton.
2.40pm: Maypole fun in Burton Leonard
2.15pm: Band starts family fun in Ripon’s Spa Park
The Ripon City Band kicked off Spa Park’s Platinum Jubilee family day with an ABBA medley..
1.40pm: Huby gets in the swing
There’s a fabulous party going on in Strait Lane, Huby. Below are some images we’ve been sent.
Send us pics of your jubilee events today and we will include then in our blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
1.25pm: Street parties underway!
Valerie Sanderson, 99, was invited to cut the ribbon this afternoon to start the street party in Almsford Oval, Harrogate.
The street is having a bake-off at 3pm organised by resident Karen Loughran.
Here’s a video and some images of the party.
Jake Crossfield who is 3 years old sent the Queen a letter and drew a picture of her majesty on it to tell her the street was having a party. She wrote back to thank him and wished him a lovely time!
Jean Whinnett who organised making the banner with her husband Alan said:
“We wanted to include all the children in the street – around 20 children were involved. The youngest was 6 months! We have an amazing community here. Everybody takes part”
1.02pm: Ripon Spa Park hosts family afternoon
From 2pm to 5pm today, Ripon Spa Park will be the main focus of the city’s final jubilee celebrations. The family day includes an afternoon tea along with music and children’s entertainment, including face painting, jubilee crafts and a treasure hunt led by Ripon Community Poppy Project. Members of Ripon City Band will performing its version of Last Night at the Proms.
12.32pm: Spitfire flypast at Newby Hall cancelled
Bad news – the weather has put paid to today’s Spitfire flypast at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, near Boroughbridge.
A picnic has just got underway on the Stray. Later in the day it will broadcast the films Encanto and The Greatest Showman on the big screens at 3pm and 5pm respectively.
Here’s a pic from last night’s big screen broadcast of the jubilee party at Buckingham Palace.
11.41am: Thunderstorm weather warning removed!
The weather forecast continues to inch in the right direction. The yellow weather warming for thunderstorms in the Harrogate district has been removed and the maximum temperature forecast has crept up to, er, 14 degrees centigrade!
Good news!
The yellow thunderstorm warning that just crept in to our district for today has been cancelled. While we may still see rain there are currently no weather warnings in force for the HBC area and the flood risk is very low.
— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) June 5, 2022
11.26am: Free electric buses today
The electric service on the 2A, 2B, 3 and 6 are free today as part of a joint initiative between the Harrogate Bus Company and Harrogate Business Improvement District.
10.20am: 3,000 people party in Ripon as new horn handed over
Ripon’s impressive bank holiday celebrations continued yesterday when about 3,000 people attended the Market Square celebrations, which included 12 hours of live music.
Last night also saw the new ceremonial horn handed over. You can read more here.
9.47am: 500 people expected at Bishop Monkton street party
Bishop Monkton is preparing to stage one of the biggest street parties in the Harrogate district today. The throne which will transport the village Queen at the head of a ‘seven decades’ fancy dress parade is ready and the village is expecting to have an even bigger event than the last jubilee in 2012 with almost 500 people, about two thirds of the population, booked to attend.
9.27am: Free entertainment for kids about to start in Valley Gardens
It’s your last chance to catch the runaway train, bungee jump on trampolines and enjoy numerous other rides for children. There will also be magicians, a choir, juggling and face painting.
9.22am: Weather forecast improves!
We’ve had three days of mainly pleasant jubilee weather. Today’s forecast has looked a bit iffy for a while and although you’re unlikely to need your sun cream, with temperatures struggling to get above 14 degrees centigrade in Harrogate, the threat of rain has receded sightly.
It was due to rain from about midday but according to the latest update from the BBC, it might hold off until this evening. There’s also the small matter of a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in place, but let’s not worry about that just yet.
9.15am: Where the Stray Ferret reporters will be today
Tim will be covering events in Ripon.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
New horn is the jewel in the crown of Ripon’s royal celebrations
Ripon has added another possession to its priceless collection of ceremonial and historically-significant items.
Residents and visitors to this proud royal city now have a permanent reminder of the Queen’s platinum jubilee after a specially-commissioned horn was added to a treasure chest including the horn that Alfred the Great gave to the people of Ripon in 886.
That point was made by former mayor of Ripon and Honorary Freeman of the City, John Richmond BEM, as he presented the horn to the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Cllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke.
Mr Richmond, who is 86 and the longest surviving former mayor, remains the only one in the city’s long and distinguished history to perform the setting of the watch ceremony while in mayoral office.
Last night, he told the packed crowd gathered on Market Square:
“I’m here to officially present the horn, but not to blow it this time!”
Mr Richmond who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in the 2021 New Year’s Honours, added:
“This is another moment in history for this wonderful city and I hope you all remember this day forever.”
Jubilation – John Richmond who served as mayor of Ripon in 1975-1976 presented the new horn to the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Clllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke.
Cllr Hawke, who was recently installed as mayor for a second term of office, said:
“Ripon has always been a royal city and we have been graced by the Queen’s visits with her late husband Prince Philip.
“I can’t think of a better way of marking her 70-year reign than by having a jubilee horn dedicated to her and the lifelong service she has given to this country.”
In May 2019, to mark the end of her third term of mayoral office, Cllr Pauline McHardy, presented the Quest McHardy horn to the city.
The largest crowd of the extended Bank Holiday, estimated by organisers as being in excess of 3,000, was present to see the city receive the Platinum Jubilee Horn.
It, alongside the platinum jubilee horn, will be in regular use as the team of four hornblowers take it in turns to set the watch – in the world’s longest-standing ceremonial activity, dating back 1,136 years.
History of Ripon’s horns
Alfred the Great’s 886 horn was succeeded by the 1690 horn, costing six shillings and eight pence and to mark 1,000 years since the granting of Ripon’s first charter, Ripon received a ceremonial drinking horn from the famous Chillingham herd, presented to the city by the then Dean of Ripon the Very Revd W.R. Freemantle at the millenary festival held on August 25, 1886.
A further 100 years of Ripon’s history was marked in 1986 when an ox horn with ornate copper fittings was created by a local craftsman and financed and donated to the city by Sigma Antiques.
During the covid lockdowns, which prevented them from appearing on Market Square, the hornblowers kept the custom alive by blowing their horns behind closed doors at their respective homes.
The four-day celebration of the Queen’s 70-year-reign is underway.
We have compiled a What’s On diary of events for the Harrogate district across those four days. Please send us details of your event for the extended jubilee weekend holiday so we can add it in.
Harrogate
Civic Celebration:
Part of the Stray will be transformed into Jubilee Square. It will include a large stage and a big screen for the bank holiday.
Thursday: The big screen will be showing the Trooping of the Colour, The Queen’s birthday parade and the RAF flypast. Harrogate Spa Town Ukes will be performing, along with the big school sing, Freddie Cleary and band, Undercovered.
Friday: There will be a jubilee dog show, the Harrogate mastermind quiz, and live music from Ben & George. The big screen will also be playing the Service of Thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral.
Saturday: A wellbeing morning has been organised, along with a second Harrogate mastermind quiz. The big screen will stream The Derby at Epsom Downs and the platinum party at the palace.
Sunday: There will be a jubilee picnic with DJ Mark Green, and the big screen will be showing films Encanto and The Greatest Showman throughout the day.
The town centre will be adorned with 4km of bunting and there will be street entertainers performing across the four days.
Valley Gardens will host a free family festival, which will feature jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. For a full timetable of events in Valley Gardens click here.
Tuesday: Harrogate library is hosting the Twixtt’Covers regional event, where five special guests will discuss their favourite books from The Big Jubilee booklist. It will be livestreamed to audiences across the nation from 7:30pm to 9pm.
The 70 books, made up of 10 books from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will be available to borrow from Harrogate library.
Oatlands Community Centre:
Thursday: Oatlands Community Centre are hosting jubilee crafts for children from 10-12am. There will also be the chance to learn about Oatlands’ industrial heritage, view the centre’s ceramic mural design and sign up for a free clay workshop.
Live music at Harlow Carr:
RHS Garden Harlow Carr are hosting a series of live music performances on each afternoon of the bank holiday weekend. The groups playing are:
Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee Committee has planned a celebration and entertainment programme. Flags, bunting and shop window decorations are already up. There will be a children’s shop window trail around the town.
Thursday to Saturday: A community history display will be open in Knaresborough House from 10am to 4.30 pm daily. Admission is free.
Thursday: Knaresborough Flower Club will be decorating the Market Cross in the Market Place for the Platinum Jubilee.
At 9pm, along with more than 1,500 locations across the UK, the Mayor of Knaresborough will light a beacon on the castle top. All are welcome.
Friday: There will be a tea dance from 2pm to 4pm at the Knaresborough Community Centre, Stockwell Avenue. It is a free event, but people are asked to register their interest in attending. Tel. 01423 862702
Saturday: There will be an artisan market in the morning, followed by an afternoon garden party and performances at Knaresborough House. Musicians and entertainers are booked for the free garden event with people encouraged to dress up in 1950’s attire.
From 10-11 am, there will be a children’s flag-making workshop at Gracious Street Methodist Church. The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop.
At 11am there will be a flag procession from the Market Place led by the Town Crier to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party which opens at 12 Noon.
There will be a dog show. Entries are taken from 11am at the show ring. Entry £1 per class. Proceeds for Ukraine animal charities.
The approximate times are 12pm Best Rescue, 12.45pm Prettiest Bitch, 1.30pm Most Handsome Male, 2.15pm Waggiest tail and 3pm Fancy Dress.
Visitors can bring their own picnics, but a range of food and drink stalls will be available.
In St John’s Church, a specially commissioned film from Yorkshire Archives, looking at the Queen’s reign in Yorkshire and the Northeast, will be on a rolling programme with free entry.
In the Knaresborough House gardens entertainment will be provided by, The Hummingbirds, Roundel Pop group, Meadowside School Choir, Knaresborough Youth Theatre, Studio 3 and a traditional Indian Dancer. Knaresborough Silver Band will provide a fitting end to the day with music from the Last Night of the Proms.
Sunday: Christians Together in Knaresborough invite everyone to a Jubilee Celebration Service of worship at 10.30am in St John’s Church. Share with all the churches in the town as they come together to give thanks to for the Queen’s reign.
Sunday afternoon is reserved for individually arranged street parties.
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has announced a fancy dress competition. Get into the spirit of things with your best 1950’s outfits and you could win £50 (and some free publicity for your business or group if appropriate). Upload a photo of yourself or your team in your best 1950’s or Jubilee themed outfit. Use the hashtag #knaresboroughjubileedressup
Ripon City centre will be adorned with banners knitted by Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Ripon’s Civic Celebrations
Thursday to Saturday: The focus of festivities will be on Market Square where there’ll be musical entertainment alongside free fairground rides. The entertainment will run from 11am -11.30pm
To accommodate the crowds, road closures will be in place on Market Place roads.
At 9pm on Saturday, the Platinum Jubilee Horn commissioned by the council will be used for the first time in the setting of the watch ceremony. All four of the city’s hornblowers will be on duty.
Ripon Cathedral service and tea party
Thursday: Ripon Cathedral, which is also celebrating its 1,350th anniversary year, will be the focus of North Yorkshire attention, as it hosts the civic service for the county between 11am-12pm.
Friday: Platinum Jubilee Tea Party 2-4pm for invited guests, who were born in each of the 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
Ripon’s new Platinum Jubilee Horn, will be unveiled to the public at 9pm on June 4
Children’s Entertainment in Spa Gardens
The focus on Sunday switches to Spa Park, where a day-long programme of family entertainment is being organised by Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Tractor Festival
Friday to Sunday: The UK’s largest tractor festival returns to Newby Hall, Ripon. After experiencing a break for two years, the festival will be extended to three days to cover the jubilee celebrations.
On average, the festival attracts around 12,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitions of vehicles.
The event will run from 10am-5pm over three days.
Food, drinks, arts and crafts will be available to make the day more inclusive to children and families that wish to come down. Tickets are available on the Newby Hall website.
Boroughbridge
Wednesday, June 1: Boroughbridge Community Library is taking part in the Big Jubilee Read, and will be hosting a story time for children. There will be two story times for the book The Queen’s Knickers, starting at 10:15am for children aged 0-5 and 11:30am for children aged 5-11. The event will also involve activities based on the book.
Friday: The Great Afternoon Tea for the jubilee takes place at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm. An afternoon of fun and games will raise money for the charity Dementia Forward.
There will be a barbecue and bar, along with a bouncy castle, tug of war, face painting, beat the goalie competition, and a raffle. There will also be an afternoon tea for local care home residents.
Pateley Bridge
Civic Celebration
Friday: A jubilee garden party will take place from 12pm – 4pm at Pateley Bridge Masonic Hall, including food, drink, face painting and games. The event will raise money for the Yorkshire air ambulance.
Saturday: The main festivities in Pateley Bridge are focused on a big party in the town’s recreation ground from midday until 3pm and there will be a royal themed fancy dress competition, a cake competition and live music.
Sunday: A platinum jubilee afternoon tea will be held from 1pm-4pm at Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Memorial Hall with live music, a raffle and a kids “design a crown or corgi” competition. No need to book.
10am onwards five-a-side football knockout tournament begins, plus bowls, snooker, quoits and a tug-of-war between businesses and community groups.
2pm Town Crier will read the proclamation
7.30pm A celebratory ring of church bells St Mary’s Church
9.40pm Lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacons – bugle call to fanfare
9.45pm Lighting of the beacon on Roomer Common
Friday:
1pm Parade of Floats led by Reeth Brass Band – leaving from I’Ansons Mill, circling Masham.
2pm Fancy Dress judging – prizes for ‘best’ 5years and under, 6years to 10years, up to 16years and adults on Masham Market Place
3pm BYO BBQ on the Square – bring your own food and BBQ with friends on the square (dedicated veggie & gluten free BBQs available), people advised to bring a chair, on Masham Market Place
7.30pm Band on the Square – local popular band ‘The Doubtful Bottle’ on Masham Market Place
10pm Fireworks – what every celebration needs at St Mary’s Church yard to be viewed from the Market Place
Saturday:
10am Children’s Royal Crafts – craft a crown with Rev Sian Lawton at St Mary’s Church
3pm Afternoon Tea – enjoy a tasty light bite with a glass of fizz before the choir concert at St Mary’s Church. Tickets are £10
Jubilee Choir Concert – come and enjoy music from members of Masham Musical Society, Singing for Fun and St Mary’s Choir. Tickets are £5
7.30pm Jubilee Evening Concert
Sunday:
10am Royal Peal of Bells – honouring the Queen at St Mary’s Church 10.45am Service of Thanksgiving
Midday The Great Get Together – bring your own food and share at this community luncheon, tables and chairs will be provided
Saturday: A royal pig race will be held at the Station Hotel gardens in Birstwith. The event is family friendly and will start from 4:30pm running onwards.
Food and drink will be available with attendees having to bring cash for betting and food.
Sunday: BAVS have organised a village picnic to mark the Queen’s jubilee. Anyone is able to join, with participants required to bring their own picnic and drinks.
Dacre
A programme of events have been organised and Dacre, like Ripon, will be taking part in the beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday.
It will be lit at Dover Castle, up the path near Low Hall, by locally-based firefighters and attendees are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.
Songs will be sung, including the National Anthem.
Family fun day
Friday: A family fun day from noon until 4pm, will be held at the Max Pullan Playing Fields.
In addition to the live music and refreshments, there will be an egg and spoon race, coconut shy, bouncy castle, face-painting and tug-of-war competition.
Sunday: The playing fields will also be the venue for an open air thanksgiving service starting at 11am.
It will be followed by a traditional village street party between the village green and church hall, from noon until 4pm attendees are asked to bring a picnic.
Throughout the week there is also a ‘Royal Treasure Hunt’ within Dacre Banks, with check in for the event at the village store.
Thursday: A historical tour of the church has been organised, to begin at 3pm.
There will also be a jubilee bonfire lit at 9:45pm at Greygarth Monument, including a singalong where guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments.
Friday: An off-road social run will begin at 9am, lasting for 90 minutes and setting off from The Mechanics’ Institute.
Reeth Brass Band will be playing from 11am in Mowbray Crescent.
From 2pm, Laverton’s party will be hosted on the green, including live music and the option to bring your own food and drink.
The Mechanics’ Institute are holding a coronation music night, starting at 8pm.
Saturday: A Royal parade will begin at midday, where trailers and floats will lead the procession. The parade will start at the Market Cross, leading to the playing fields where the ‘Kirkby Queen’ will present a gift to every child taking part.
This will be followed by an afternoon of games, entertainment and a barbeque from 12:30pm.
At 1:30pm, the Kirkby Queen will plant an Elizabeth II rose in the jubilee garden.
The Mechanics Institute are ending the day with a royal quiz at 8pm.
Sunday: A street party will take place from 1.30pm– 4.30pm on Church Street. Guests can bring their own food, drinks and table decorations, and The Queen’s head will also be running a barbecue. At 1:30pm the children of Kirkby School will perform a maypole dance, there will be a royal teddy bear’s parade followed by a teddy bear’s picnic, and a dance and singalong to live music.
Thursday: A children’s party will start at 2pm at the cricket club, including a helter skelter, a bouncy castle, hook a duck, a craft tent and a dunking stool. There will also be afternoon tea and a barbeque.
At 2:15pm a parade of the Kings and Queens of England will begin, where children can dress up as their favourite King or Queen from history.
At 9:45pm, Spofforth will join other communities across the district in lighting the jubilee beacon. This event will begin at 9pm in front of Spofforth Castle and will include music from Spofforth School Choir and saxophonist Millie Hope.
Friday: A tea party with prosecco, afternoon tea and music for Spofforth and Stockeld seniors has been organised in the Long Memorial Hall, starting at 3pm.
Royal party in the park
Saturday: A party in the park will begin at 7pm outside the castle, where people are encouraged to bring their own picnics. The evening will include face painting, circus entertainers, a 50s style band, and an Oompah band.
A disco and fireworks will bring the night to a close at 11:30pm.
Killinghall
Killinghall is putting on a jubilee celebration on Sunday at the village hall and the cricket club.
It will begin at midday with a packed timetable of activities, including a bouncy castle, a cricket match, a tug of war, and children’s races.
At 12:15pm a jubilee fancy dress parade is taking place, and at 3pm judging of the jubilee cake competition will begin. The day will be brought to a close with the live band Let Luce.
People are encouraged to bring their own picnics, and refreshments will also be available at the cricket club bar.
There will also be a party tea between 5pm-7pm and music entertainment into the evening. The profits made from the event will be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Roecliffe and Westwick
Saturday: The parish council have organised a platinum jubilee lunch on the village green from midday.
Fewston and Blubberhouses
Thursday to Sunday: Fewston and Blubberhouses are holding a flower festival at Blubberhouses church, lasting all four days of the bank holiday. Refreshments will be served from 11am – 4pm each day, with live music on Saturday from 2pm – 3pm.
North Rigton
There is a red, white and blue trail to do around the village, starting from 22nd May, and a jubilee flagpole will be put up in the village garden.
Thursday: An evening garden party will be held from 7pm -10pm at Hill Top Farm, where guests are encouraged to bring their own drinks and meal.
They will also be lighting a beacon at 9:15pm, which can be viewed from the garden.
Sunday: A bring-your-own picnic has been organised, which will be held in the church grounds.
Topcliffe and Asenby
Thursday and Friday: The Angel at Topcliffe pub has organised a jubilee celebration between midday and 5pm. There will be a bouncy castle, a treasure hunt and games. The Cherry Tones will also be performing, with songs from across the seven decades of the Queen’s reign.
Saturday: The main event in Topcliffe and Asenby will be a party in the park on Saturday. The event will include an inflatable assault course, children’s games, a bowls competition, an ice cream van and live music. There is also the chance to pre-order afternoon tea. It starts at 2pm on the village playing field.
On Saturday afternoon, St Columba’s Church is offering guided tours, where the church tower will be open for people wishing to see the village’s jubilee decorations from above.
Sunday: St Columba’s Church has organised a Choral Evensong with the choir at 6:30pm.
Whixley
Saturday: From 7pm there will be an evening of entertainment at the village hall, with songs, dances and tales of the past.
Sunday: A jubilee picnic will start at midday, where events throughout the afternoon include a royal fancy dress parade for guests and their dogs, a dog show, sports day races and an inflatable assault course.
Hampsthwaite
Saturday: From 2pm the Memorial Hall will open, offering a hog roast and barbeque. There will also be a bouncy castle and live music from Spa Town Ukes and Still Crazy.
Sunday: The Memorial Hall will continue its celebrations on Sunday, opening again at 2pm until 5pm. There will be tea, cakes and sandwiches, as well as a raffle and screenings of film clips and newsreels.
Follifoot
Sunday: Follifoot parish council have organised a jubilee picnic on the village hall lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics and dress in red, white and blue or 1950s style fashion. There will be sports, music and a craft corner.
Great Ouseburn
Friday: Great Ouseburn village hall will hold a jubilee celebration all day, with a number of activities planned.
Guests are encouraged to dress in 1950s style outfits, and there will be a 1950s themed window trail around the village, as well as a Queen’s parade. Children’s crafts and games will take place, including dress making and crown creating. A jubilee lunch has also been organised where guests will need to bring their own food and reserve a table beforehand. There will be live music into the evening, and food available from Bistro Guy and Pool Bridge Farm Shop.
A commemorative mosaic plaque is also due to be unveiled on Friday.
Norwood
Sunday: Norwood social hall is hosting afternoon tea and family games to mark the jubilee weekend. The event will begin at 2pm, and will include an afternoon tea and picnic boxes for children, family games, a children’s craft corner and a children’s colouring competition.
Markington
Saturday: Markington village hall has organised a jubilee celebration that includes afternoon tea and live music. The event will be at 1pm – 4pm, with the singer beginning at 1:30pm. Tables can be booked via committee members.
Bishop Monkton
Bishop Monkton has a large variety of events for the jubilee weekend. Throughout the four day bank holiday, there will be a decorated house and garden trail through the village, and St John’s Church will be hosting a flower festival each day from 10am – 4pm.
Wednesday 1st June: A community concert with the theme ‘seven decades of song’ will take place in the village hall from 7:30pm.
Thursday: From 10am – 4pm there will be music from DJ Billy Miller, followed by live music at 4pm – 7pm from the seven-piece band Groove Council.
From 11am to 1pm there will be the ‘It’s a knockout’ sports competition on the playing fields, with tea and coffee also available in the village hall.
Children’s games will take place from midday on the playing fields, along with a magician.
There will also be a selection of refreshments available throughout the day on the playing fields, with bacon baps and a barbeque from 10am, and a bar from 2pm – 7pm.
Friday: At 9:45am there will be a coffee morning at St John’s Church.
The village hall will be screening two films, ‘The Village Likes to Party’ and ‘The Village Pubs’ from the local history group. There will be two viewings of each film at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.
From 10am the Methodist Church will hold a wedding dress and photos display. This will also be open on Saturday.
The Masons Arms is putting on an afternoon tea from midday until 3pm, which must be booked in advance.
Saturday: A hog roast with stalls, games and pig racing will begin at midday on Main Street.
In the school hall, there will be cream teas available, as well as the school’s jubilee exhibition, open from 12pm – 5pm.
From 7pm, the village hall has organised a ceilidh, with a cash bar on the night.
Sunday: At 10:30am, there is a join service from both the churches in Bishop Monkton in the school playground.
A fancy dress parade will take place from 2pm, where guests are invited to dress up to represent people and events from the Queen’s reign. This will be followed by a street party at 3pm on Main Street, then a prize giving at 4pm.
Monday 6th June: The parish council will present the children of Bishop Monkton primary school with commemorative mugs.
To bring the celebrations to a close, a time capsule will be created and buried at 10:30am in Jubilee Woods by the village hall.
Marton le Moor
The parish council have organised tea, cake and games on Devonshire green. The event will begin at 2pm and refreshments will be provided.
Harrogate district jubilee: Relive Saturday’s celebrations
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
It’s the Saturday of the jubilee weekend and we will be covering all the festivities in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Our reporters will be out and about but please let us know what’s happening where you are and if we can’t attend we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
Party in the Park in Pateley Bridge
Free live music in Ripon’s Market Square.
Horse racing on the big screen on the Stray in Harrogate.
6.06pm: Harry Gration cuts the ribbon in Valley Gardens
To most of us, he’s the bloke that used to present Look North on BBC One.
But he’s also known as Dr Harry Gration, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, and he was invited in that capacity to open Valley Gardens in Harrogate today.
The venue has hosted free rides for children throughout the four-day weekend and will do so again tomorrow.
Harry even hitched a ride on the runaway train .
5.38pm: Saturday night partying begins
There is free live music in Harrogate and Ripon tonight and, mercifully, it’s still sunny.
The big screens on the Stray in Harrogate will be showing Ed Sheeran and others at Buckingham Palace while in Ripon, where they have had two days of solid live music, there will be tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix in Market Square.
5.03pm: Mr Snout wins Birstwith Pig Race
A wacky village tradition finally made its comeback today as the Birstwith Pig Race returned to the Station Hotel.
For £5 you could sponsor the race and for £3 you could name one of the battery-powered pigs.
In the first round it was between Mr Snout, Stinky Pig, Chunky Cheeks, Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig.
There are two concerts on the Stray tonight. Street Party starts at 5pm, followed by Party at the Palace at 7pm.
3.58pm: Prince of Wales leads celebrations in Starbeck
Not the actual Prince of Wales, but the Prince of Wales pub in the centre of Starbeck, which is probably just as well known locally as Prince Charles.
The large pub has hosted a family party this afternoon, organised by Starbeck Community Group, with the proceeds from the raffles and stalls going to a Starbeck charity.
Tonight, from 7pm, the adults take over for a night of games and karaoke.
Iron Man was among those making an appearance. He should be safe walking home tonight.
3.30pm: Tractor parade and BBQ in the sun at Kirkby Malzeard
Hillside Playing Fields is the place to be in Kirkby Malzeard today.
As Suzannah arrived some families were just drying off after taking part in a friendly ‘It’s a Knockout’ tournament.
The BBQ was well underway with organiser Marlon Johnson saying they’ve already had to make an emergency trip to the shops after running out on burgers.
Today was the third day of festivities in the village with the highlight being this morning’s tractor parade through the town.
Marlon said he expects people to be on the fields until 5pm with other activities including a tug of war and egg throwing planned later this afternoon.
He said:
“I’m amazed by how many people have come down, I think the weather definitely helped. It’s great to get everyone together again.”
2pm: Rocking around Pateley Bridge bandstand
Pateley Bridge’s ‘Party in the Park’ was enjoyed by hundreds this afternoon with many bobbing along to second act of the day Ant & Frank.
The event is being held in the town’s recreation ground until 3pm.
Our roaming reporter Suzannah filmed a Facebook live of the performance, check it out here:
1.14pm: Dachshunds dominate in Knaresborough
Two Dachshunds caught the eye of the judges in the prettiest dog contest in Knaresborough today.
The winning dogs are in the top picture.
Our devastated reporter Tom, whose dog didn’t get the verdict, has at least had the pleasure of meeting town crier Roger Hewitt, who in a former life taught Tom chemistry at Harrogate Grammar School.
1pm: Pateley’s Picnic in the Park gets underway
Our reporter Suzannah has hot-footed it from Knaresborough to Pateley Bridge where 150 people are already at the recreation ground to enjoy the town’s big event today, Party in the Park.
Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band has kicked things off and two other acts are set to follow this afternoon.
The free event, organised by Bewerley Parish Council and Pateley Bridge Town Council, runs until 3pm today.
Event manager Tracey Dawson said:
“I’m just so pleased with how many people have come out. It’s all generations coming together and enjoying the weekend.”
12.45pm: Knaresborough sisters meet town crier
The flag parade has been Knaresborough’s morning highlight. Scroll down to see our reporter Suzannah’s video of it.
Caroline McHuge sent us this lovely picture of her children Elodie (left) and Clemmie with town crier Roger Hewitt. Keep your pictures coming!
12.27pm: Patriotic pug in Harrogate
There seems to be a lot of dog action on our website today — dog shows, stray dogs and now a jubilee dog. It’s all good.
Sue Lovatt from Harrogate sent us this picture of her adorable pug Betsy, as well as this picture of the Queen making an appearance in her window, waving at passers by.
Do send us your jubilee pictures and we will add them to our live blog. You can DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Thanks to Lesley Dalton, who has written to say Knaresnorough Flower Club has installed bunting and flowers on the Market Cross in Knaresborough’s historic Market Square.
The cross was erected in 1953 for the Queen’s coronation so it’s very fitting, Lesley adds.
Our reporter Tom has entered his pet into the prettiest dog category in the dog show in Knaresborough today. Do you think she has a chance? She’s looking a bit camera shy here. Or perhaps the pre-match nerves are kicking in. Come on, number 6!
11.28am: Knaresborough festivities underway with flag parade
Children dressed in red, white and blue and waved homemade flags for the Knaresborough Flag Parade today.
Families, local cadets and town crier Roger Hewitt marched through Market Place to the grounds of Knaresborough House.
Stray Ferret reporter Suzannah was there — you can watch her video here.
This afternoon multiple events are taking place in the town, including dog shows, band performances and the museum exhibition at Knaresborough House.
10.55am: Thunderstorm threat to tomorrow’s street parties
Harrogate Borough Council has highlighted the threat posed by a Met Office weather warning, which is in place from midnight tonight until 6pm tomorrow.
A Yellow thunderstorm warning will be in place from midnight tonight to 6pm tomorrow that just catches the bottom part of our district. More info below: https://t.co/lBYAWuQYWc
— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) June 4, 2022
10.29am: The Queen in Harrogate in 1957
Great photo of Her Majesty at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957 — the year of the Suez crisis and when Paul McCartney and John Lennon first met.
The highlight of Saturday’s jubilee celebrations in Bishop Monkton will be a hog roast in the centre of the village.
The cooking of the 87kg pig started at 4am this morning in preparation for a day which will also include duck races down the beck running through the village, tabletop pig races and a village ceilidh.
9.50am: Live music and new jubilee horn in Ripon
The royal revelry continues in Ripon’s Market Square today with tribute acts signing the songs of Elvis, Tina Turner, Madonna, Madness and Little Mix.
Striking a different note just before 9pm, the Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn will be officially handed over to the city by ‘Mr Ripon’, former mayor and Freeman of the City, John Richmond, when he presents the specially commissioned instrument to Ripon’s new mayor, Cllr Sid Hawke.
9.41am: More free rides for children in Valley Garden
Valley Gardens is again offering free rides for children.
Elsewhere in Harrogate, there will be street entertainers in the town centre and the big screen on the Stray will be showing horse racing. The Stray will also host a wellbeing morning and another Harrogate mastermind quiz before some tribute acts take to the stage.
Here’s a pic of yesterday’s dog show.
9.22am: Festivities in Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill
Thanks to Pippa Manson, chairperson of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council for sending us these images of what’s been going on in the parish.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog.
Garden party yesterday afternoon at Laverton.
Reeth Brass Band in Kirkby.
Thursday’s night’s bonfire beacon at Greygarth.
9am: Where the Stray Ferret reporters will be today
Suzannah will be in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard and Birstwith.
Tim will be covering events in Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Derby Day and Ripon’s royal connection to the world’s greatest horserace
Away from the the sights and sounds of the platinum jubilee celebrations across the Harrogate district, it’s a fitting day to remember another royal connection from the Ripon area that goes directly to the Queen, via her great great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
It was Derby Day on Epsom Downs and the world’s most famous race grabbed national and international attention, with the easy winner and 5-2 favourite, Desert Crown, trained by Sir Michael, destined to earn a fortune at stud.
On the boundary wall at the Parish Church of St Lawrence in Aldfield — between Ripon and Fountains Abbey — there is a blue plaque recognising that William Powell Frith, the world-renowned painter, whose signature work was called The Derby Day was born in the tiny village on November 2, 1819.
A portrait of William Powell Frith as a young man. Picture: Mary Evans Picture Gallery
His mother Jane, was house steward to Sophia Lawrence of Studley Royal, before the family moved to Harrogate in 1826 to manage the Dragon Hotel.
Nine years later, at the age of 16, Frith decided to take his prodigious artistic talent to London, telling his family that his aim was to make his fortune.
This was no misplaced boast, as he was entered into the Royal Academy and earned the accolade of being one of Queen Victoria’s favourite painters.
The Queen, who is Victoria’s great great grandaughter, has never won the Classic race as either owner or breeder and the nearest she came was in her coronation year , when her horse Aureole finished second in the 1953 running.
Dreams of a fairy-tale win in platinum jubilee year were dashed when her horse Reach for the Moon was withdrawn from today’s race by joint trainers John and Thady Gosden, after the three-year-old colt suffered a training setback.
For only the third time in her 70-year reign, the 96-year-old Queen is also a ‘non-runner’ at Epsom today, with ongoing health issues meaning she will be watching the race on television.
Frith, who lived to the age of 89, died in 1909 assured that his Derby Day work created between 1856 and 1858 had earned him the fortune that he predicted.
His classic painting and other celebrated works – have put him forever in the frame as one of the world’s best known artists
Hotspots cause second fire in days at old rectory near Ripon
Firefighters were called to the old rectory at West Tanfield yesterday for the second time in three days.
The building, next to the parish church of St Nicholas, suffered major damage when the roof caught fire on Tuesday.
But fire crews from Ripon, Bedale and Harrogate were summoned back to the site, near Ripon, at 8.50am yesterday when smoke was seen.
Firefighters discovered the smoke was coming from the roof space above a first floor bedroom.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:
“This was believed to be caused by hotspots from the previous fire.
“Crews used one hose reel jet to cool the beams and set up an aerial ladder platform to carry out observation from above and check for further hotspots.”
70 guests representing Queen’s 70 years attend Ripon tea party
Ripon Cathedral has hosted a tea party at which guests represented every year of her Queen’s 70-year reign.
The 70 attendees ranged in age from one-year-old Hugo Krippner to Lynn Gray, who was born in 1952.
Each invitee brought a guest with them and in total, 150 people were present for the event organised by Canon Aisla Newby and supported by a large team of volunteers
At your tea service … the volunteers ensured guests were topped up with tea and buns.
Another canon of the cathedral, Charles Dodgson, had a son, also named Charles, who wrote under the name Lewis Carroll and was the author of the world famous children’s classic Alice in Wonderland, which featured the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Today’s gathering was well-organised in contrast to Carroll’s fictional and chaotic Mad Hatter event and the guests marked the monarch’s reign in an elegant and respectful manner.
Ms Gray who travelled to Ripon from Grassington, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s an absolute privilege to be here, joining with different generations of people to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee and her incredible service to this country.”
For one-year-old Hugo, whose father Dr Ronny Krippner is Ripon Cathedral’s director of music, high tea was taken in a high chair and today’s get together will be a memory in the family album that he can look back on in future years.
Dr Krippner, whose wife Audrey and three-year-old daughter Sophie also attended, said:
“We are delighted to be part of an occasion which has historic significance for this community and the country.”
Harrogate district jubilee: what happened on day 2
This live blog of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is proudly sponsored by Boundless Networks – delivering quality broadband connectivity at a reasonable cost to homes and businesses in the Harrogate district.
Welcome back to day two of our live jubilee blog, where we will be covering all the Friday fun in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, and the villages in between.
Let us know what’s happening where you are and we will add it to this blog. DM us on Facebook or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Today’s highlights include:
Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Garden and a dog show on the Stray.
Free rides for children in Market Square and a Timeline Tea Party.
Newby Hall Tractorfest, featuring a Hawker Hurricane.
Masham parade of floats this afternoon and band and fireworks tonight.
The Great Afternoon Tea at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm.
5.38pm: Buglers on Coldstones Cut
Two buglers from Summerbridge Band provided the musical backdrop for last night’s beacon lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut, near Pateley Bridge.
Our #PlatinumJubilee appearances got underway last night with 2 buglers taking part in the Beacon Lighting ceremony at Coldstones Cut above #PateleyBridge#Nidderdale. An honour to be invited & amazing to think of the 1000's of people taking part across the country and beyond. pic.twitter.com/tYBkhHBID6
We’ve just been to Westbourne Grove where we’ve seen the biggest street party so far.
A welcoming crowd of about 200 people are enjoying the sun in chairs on the street after a competitive best cake competition.
Viv Poskitt, who applied for the road closure, said the street had hosted parties on several previous occasions, including for the diamond jubilee 10 years ago and for VE Day celebrations. She said:
“We just plan to keep going until dusk.”
Here’s a video of the fun.
4.05pm: Knaresborough gets dancing
These residents at Knaresborough Community Centre got on their feet for a tea dance as the celebrations continue well into this glorious Friday afternoon.
3.45pm: Burn Bridge street party underway
Cheers to the residents of Westminster Grove in Burn Bridge, who are having one of several street parties in the Harrogate district today. Tamsin from the Stray Ferret was there to capture this great community moment.
If you’re holding a party, send us a photo to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
3.20pm: Street entertainers in Harrogate town centre
Have you seen the street entertainers in Harrogate town centre? They will be out and about throughout the four-day weekend.
Our roaming reporter Calvin is now in Boroughbridge where an afternoon of entertainment is getting in full swing at the football club.
There are bouncy castles, carnival games, face painting, tug-of-war, a barbecue, a raffle and a visit from Boroughbridge firefighters.
Proceeds from the event will go to the charity Dementia Forward.
Organiser Laura Hutton
2.50pm: Hawker Hurricane due to flyover Newby Hall shortly
The flyover at Tractorfest is due to take place at 3.10pm. We’d love to see your photos – send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
2.35pm: Staveley women make village collage
A group of Staveley women have made a village collage as a lasting memento to the Queen’s platinum jubilee. You can read more here.
1.50pm: Superb parade in Masham
Masham has done itself proud with this wonderful parade of floats through the town centre, captured a few minutes ago by our reporter Calvin. It’s hard to imagine a more English scene.
1.35pm: Opera in the streets of Harrogate
Full marks to the West Park Hotel in Harrogate for one of the most innovative jubilee ideas so far. Two opera singers appeared on the balcony and began belting out classics, ranging from Jerusalem to Schubert’s Ave Maria.
Here they are singing Rule Britannia to an appreciate crowd below.
12.59pm: Archbishop of York tweets Ripon picture
Ripon Cathedral hosted North Yorkshire’s civic service honouring the Queen, which attracted a host of dignitaries.
Among them was Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who has posted this photo of himself at the 1,350-year old cathedral.
— Archbishop of York (@CottrellStephen) June 2, 2022
12.28am: Ripon is rocking again
Ripon is having a good jubilee, with Market Square the focus of the fun and the cathedral the centre of civic activity. There are large crowds and a great vibe in the city.
Today’s highlights include the Timeline Tea Party for 150 invited guests, including 70 Riponians representing the 70 years of the Queen’s reign — from a year-old child to a 70-year-old.
Tomorrow’s highlights include the handover ceremony for the new Ripon Platinum Jubilee Horn from 8.30pm onwards and Sunday’s line-up includes a picnic in the park at Spa Park.
Iris, 8, and brother Rafael, 5, wait to go on the fairground rides.
12.07pm: Free rides for children in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Every parent knows how quickly you can burn money on funfair rides so it’s little surprise the lure of free rides in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is proving irresistible to many.
It’s been less busy in Jubilee Square, where BBC coverage of the thanksgiving service for the Queen’s 70-year reign has been shown on big screens, but it’s expected to pick up later when the dog show and a Harrogate Mastermind competition take place.
There are also street entertainers in the town centre, which is part of a Harrogate Business Improvement District initiative.
11.58am: Jubilee book competition for children
North Yorkshire County Council, which runs the county’s libraries, is running a jubilee initiative to encourage children to read.
Children who borrow two books from our libraries until June 11, will be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of Michael Morpurgo's book, There Once is a Queen.
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) June 3, 2022
11.15am: Tractor heaven at Newby Hall
If you like tractors and machinery, Newby Hall near Boroughbridge is the place to be for the next three days.
Our reporter Calvin is amongst the hundreds of people there for Tractorfest, which has returned to the Harrogate district for the first time in two years.
An estimated 1,000 exhibits are on display, including tractors from the Queen’s coronations and silver jubilee.
11.10am: Spofforth skies lit up
Last night’s beacons appear to have been a big hit. Do keep sending us your photos of them.
Thanks to Mike Streeton for these wonderful images at Spofforth Castle last night.
Mike says:
“The local farrier created a wonderful beacon constructed of horseshoes which seemed very appropriate because the Queen is so fond of horses and equestrian events.
“It was rather ingenious and quite unexpected since a tractor lifted the blazing beacon up in the air high above all the spectators who were positioned at a safe distance. It was enjoyed enormously by all the excited onlookers.”
10.56am: Sports day fun in Bishop Monkton
An estimated 400 people — more than half the population of Bishop Monkton — turned out for a village sports day and children’s games yesterday. Twenty-one teams competed in seven different games based on sports clubs represented in the village.
10.29am: Beacons prompt 999 calls
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service reports that fire crews responded to numerous reports of large fires in the open, which turned out to be controlled burnings of jubilee beacons.
Harrogate fire station did not get called out to any — we are unaware if other fire stations in the Harrogate district were.
About 3,000 beacons were lit across the UK and the Commonwealth last night.
10.21am: Tractorfest at Newby Hall underway
Our reporter Calvin is at Newby Hall, which is hosting Tractorfest for the next three days.
Here’s a photo of Ian Muir and Tractorfest organiser Kevin Watson with a special Queen’s coronation tractor that Ian painted.
10.15am: Almscliffe Crag beacon lights up the sky
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, has tweeted some images of last night’s beacon lighting at Almscliffe Crag in North Rigton.
Night-time adventures in Knaresborough and at Almscliffe Crag. Love a bit of firestarting. pic.twitter.com/CuYCAMhoXK
9.40am: Ripon prepares for a second day of partying
Ripon is waking up this morning after the biggest royal party in its history and with three more days of family fun and entertainment ahead.
Away from Market Square and the cathedral, which were hives of jubilee activity yesterday, in the city’s residential streets Union Jacks are flying. Every house in Victoria Grove (named after the Queen’s great, great, grandmother) is linked by a string of red, white and blue flags.
The same applies to the railings at the nearby bus station, also adorned with bunting produced by the tireless knitters of the Ripon Community Poppy Project. Hillshaw Park Way is ready to party again today and, the promise of fine weather, will make for a busy day of pulling pints at The Magdelen’s pub on Princess Road.
9.26pm: North Stainley beacon
Thanks to Steve, who has sent us this image last night’s beacon lighting in North Stainley. The beacons appear to have been a big hit, drawing large crowds — we’d love to see your pics and hear your thoughts. Drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
9.15am Today’s Stray Ferret team on the road
Calvin will be at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall and also in Boroughbridge and Masham.
Tim will be covering events in his home city of Ripon.
Tom will be in Knaresborough.
John will be in and around Harrogate.
Tamsin will be covering events across the district.
Say hello if you see us in our Stray Ferret hats and please send us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will do our best to upload them on to our blog throughout the day.
Union Jack flies high at Newby Hall’s Tractor Fest
After two years away, Tractor Fest returned to Newby Hall to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations in its unique way.
Scattered across the famous gardens were an estimated 1,000 exhibitors, including tractors adorned for the occasion.
Hundreds of people ranging from hardcore enthusiasts and novices, flocked to the stately home near Boroughbridge to enjoy an array of machinery, engines, attractions and even some vintage car displays.
Kevin Watson, organiser of the festival, said he was initially nervous about returning after so long away.
The festival was one of many mainstay events in the Harrogate district which fell victim to the covid pandemic in 2020.
Ian Muir and tractor fest organiser Kevin Watson with a golden painted Queens coronation tractor.
Kevin said:
“It has been a while and we wondered if we had done the right thing in making it a three day event.
“But, in the end it feels like we have never been away.”
The return of the popular festival coincides with the landmark platinum jubilee and it would have been remiss of those regular exhibitors not to mark it in their own way.
Among the thousands of tractors was one special exhibit, which stood out with its golden paint and draped in Union Jack bunting.
The golden coronation tractor which was introduced in 1953 is owned by Northumbrian Ian Muir, who had to rebuild it twice to get it into shape to display at festivals.
Marking the jubilee
Elsewhere, engine enthusiasts were also marking the jubilee in their own way.
Tom and Alison Moffat made the three-hour journey from Ayre in Scotland to be among fellow engine collectors.
Tom’s engine was made in 1939 at the outbreak of the war and was used as an emergency lighting plant for Ballochmyle Hospital in Ayrshire.
Hundreds flocked to Newby Hall for the return of Tractor Fest.
The couple have toured the exhibit around various festivals, but today they decided to flock our their stall in red, white and blue.
After learning they were going to be at Tractor Fest over the jubilee weekend, Alison borrowed some of her parents flags which had also been used as part of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1977.
She said:
“I borrowed them from my parents, who had also used them to celebrate. We felt we had to mark it.”
Mervyn Hoyle with his vintage car at Newby Hall.
Those who brought vintage cars to the festival were also in on the celebrations.
Mervyn Hoyle bought his 1933 Austin Seven deluxe saloon 42 years ago and prided himself on keeping it in good condition ever since.
He and his sister draped the car in red, white and blue for the occasion and his fellow collectors even set up a picnic table for the weekend.
To top off the day’s entertainment, a Hawker Hurricane took to the skies above Newby Hall.
While people filled the streets and bunting adorned buildings across the Harrogate district, the Tractor Fest marked the occasion in its own way.
‘I chatted to the Queen in the back of a Range Rover’: Her Majesty’s many visits to the district
The links between the Queen and the Harrogate district stretch back decades, including a visit in 1952 before her coronation.
From her appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to her trips to Ripon, including her 2004 visit for another important anniversary – 400 years since the granting of the city’s Royal Charter.
Former director of the Great Yorkshire Show, Bill Cowling, described chaperoning the Queen’s during her last visit in 2008 as one of the highlights of his career.
Royal visit
He told the Stray Ferret:
“The show makes requests for royal visits, sometimes more than a year in advance. It was agreed that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh would come to the show to mark its 150th anniversary.
“Everything was going ahead, plans were progressing. Then an MP called David Davies fell out with the Conservative party, so he resigned his seat and a by-election was called.
“After attending the show in the morning, the Queen and the Duke were then meant to be going to Hull to open a hospital. But due to protocol, the by-election meant the Monarch could not go into an area where this was taking place.
“We thought this meant we had lost our royal visit. But after a week or so, we got a phone call from the palace to say they had been talking it over and they wondered if the Queen and Duke could stop for longer at the Great Yorkshire Show. So in the end the royal visit was for more than five hours!”
HM The Queen arriving in Harrogate for the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957.
Mr Cowling remembered that as the Queen was getting older, it was decided that they would drive to the far end of the showground and walk back.
‘An absolute expert’
He said:
“I never thought I would be sat in the back of a Range Rover with the Queen. You don’t think these things are going to happen.
“She is an absolute expert and makes people who are meeting her comfortable and at home and relaxed.
“One of the things we spoke about was that they had had a garden party at the palace the day before. She said the wet weather had made a bit of a mess of the lawn. She was very down to earth.”
The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957.
Mr Cowling said on the walk back she spoke to lots of people at the event.
He said:
“She always gives everybody the full treatment as it were. Everyone will feel like they are the most important person on that visit. That is why she is so expert at putting people at their ease and showing an interest in what they are showing or doing.
“On the way back she also laid the foundation stone for Fodder, which was being built at that time.”
The Queen unveiling a plaque to commemorate the start of work on the Regional Agricultural Centre in 2008.
Mr Cowling said many things stood out about her visit, but he remembered one particular conversation.
The most wonderful visit
He said:
“We stayed for lunch at the show in the president’s pavilion, which is upstairs. The carpet is quite a light colour. The ground conditions were quite muddy and there were a few muddy footprints on the carpet and she turned to me and said “don’t worry it will vac out” It was absolutely out of the blue and so natural.
“It was the most wonderful visit and we were so lucky. In the end we were thanking David Davies for calling a by-election!”
Mr Cowling said he had to “pinch himself” when he saw her on TV after spending so much time with her.
He said:
“It’s a huge honour for the Harrogate region that she comes and shows such an interest.
“We will definitely be raising a glass or two to her this weekend.”
Harrogate Conference Centre
Other visits from the Queen, include the Harrogate Conference Centre in the mid 1980s, where she was the guest of honour at a gala concert in aid of Y Care.
Performers included AHA, Rory Bremner and Wayne Sleep. Terry Waite, who was prominent in the Anglican Church, was also present on behalf of Y Care.
On Thursday, April 4,1985, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Harrogate on the Royal Train and did a 20-minute walkabout in front of the station, where they met members of the public and various charities, including St George’s Home, on Otley Road.
They then went on in a royal convey to Ripon Cathedral where the Queen gave out Maundy Money to local parishioners and church volunteers.
Sun Pavilion
In 1998 the Queen re-opened the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate following its restoration. The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade has recently been given Grade II listed status as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Ripon
On May 27, 2004, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Ripon to mark the 400th anniversary of the city’s Royal Charter, granted by James I in 1604.
As well as visiting Ripon Town Hall, where they stood on the balcony to wave to the mass crowds, they also did a walkabout in Ripon Market Square and spoke with local residents and visitors.
The Queen and Prince Philip pictured in Ripon in 2004 when Cllr Stuart Martin and his wife April, were the mayor and mayoress of the city
In her long 70 year reign the Queen has touched many hearts in the district. The memories of those who have met her on those very special occasions will stay with them forever.
Ripon City centre will be adorned with banners knitted by Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Suzannah will be in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard and Birstwith.
Calvin will be at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall and also in Boroughbridge and Masham.
