Let Grantley Hall bring your Christmas wishes to life this year

This story is sponsored by Grantley Hall

If you’re looking for a touch of magic this Christmas, Grantley Hall is on hand to make all your Christmas wishes come true.

As the most wonderful time of the year fast approaches, the five-star options on offer at the hotel will bring friends and families a taste of luxury and is just on the district’s doorstep.

From festive parties and Christmas lunches to festive afternoon tea and New Year celebrations, Christmas at Grantley Hall promises to be nothing short of perfection.

Festive Dining

Grantley Hall, better know as indulgence on our doorstep, will boast range of festive dining options to be enjoyed by locals and hotel guests this Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for a long lunch with friends or a seasonal afternoon tea with family, the hotel can guarantee you will leave with a belly full of Christmas spirit!

Why not kick-start December with a reservation at the festive champagne lunch on 2 December. This lunch combines a three-course lunch crafted by Grantley’s top chefs including a half bottle of Veuve Clicquot per person. Whilst enjoying the delightful food, a DJ and saxophonist will entertain.

From edible Christmas trees and chocolate reindeer to French fancies and glittering bauble cakes, the Festive Afternoon Tea will truly make you wish it was Christmas everyday.

Experience a magical Grantley Hall Christmas

Après at the Orchard

The Après alpine winter wonderland at the Orchard is reopening on 4 November. Dine in a cosy winter themed restaurant whilst enjoying the new menu as well as indulge in the Möet & Chandon champagne cocktails which have been created specifically to pair with the menu. Book to attend the spectacular launch event on 3 November.

The hughely popular Sunday sessions will be returning over the winter months.

Christmas Parties

Picture this: Champagne flowing, friends laughing and snowflakes glistening. Well, with Grantley Hall’s Christmas Parties, that can soon become a reality.

Who needs to travel when the Grantley Suite can become a magical winter wonderland?

With a private bar, dance floor and terrace area, up to 150 guests can dance the night away and celebrate the party season in style.

If that wasn’t enough, guests can expect a four-course dinner including Braised Blade of Limousin Beef and a Glazed Raspberry Délice in between the partying.

Let Grantley Hall work its magic and make it a Christmas to remember with their seasonal celebrations.

All Christmas bookings can be made now on Grantley Hall’s website or by emailing either dine@grantleyhall.co.uk or events@grantleyhall.co.uk.

New Year’s Eve Gala Ball

As a fairy Godmother once said: you will go to the ball.

Ditch the midnight countdown from your sofa and get your glad rags on, as the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve Gala Ball fast approaches!

Expect an evening of exquisite food, including Dressed Crab and Yorkshire Salt Aged Beef Fillet, flowing drinks and only the happiest of memories.

This dazzling event will whisk you and your loved ones into 2024 with the sounds of a traditional pipes, a live firework display and even more bubbly at midnight.

Just a short taxi ride from Harrogate and Ripon, embrace the luxury on offer at Grantley Hall — after all, that level of enjoyment is hard to put a price on.

Celebrate the arrival of 2024 in style at the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve House Party!

For those looking to go the extra mile this Christmas or New Year, Grantley Hall also offers two or three-night stays with its Christmas House Party and New Year House Party Packages — who says you have to travel far for ultimate grandeur?

The packages include five-star accommodation, food and spa access, with added bonuses of National Trust visits and entertainment.

So, whether you’re looking for a festive getaway, a family affair or just a good old knees up, Grantley Hall is guaranteed to bring you and your loved ones a Christmas or New Year that is nothing short of perfection.

Find out more about the packages or non-residential options available at Grantley Hall at grantleyhall.co.uk

Ripon drink driver banned after police chase near Harrogate

A drunk driver from Ripon who failed to stop for police in a village near Harrogate has been banned from driving for 14 months.

Jonathan Michael Peter Harrison, 42, of Risplith, near Ripon, led officers on a pursuit along winding, wet country roads in Killinghall.

He was arrested after his manner of driving caught the eye of officers on patrol in Killinghall in the early hours of November 26 last year.

According to North Yorkshire Police, Harrison failed to stop when requested and drove his pick-up erratically along country roads for about 20 minutes. His vehicle finally came to a stop when he drove onto the driveway of a farm.

He refused to get out and officers had to use force to extract him. He smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

He refused to provide a breath test at the scene and was taken to hospital to be checked over, where he agreed to provide a specimen of blood that showed his alcohol level to be almost 50 percent over the legal limit.

He was charged with drink driving, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for a police officer and obstructing a police officer.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced on Thursday this week.

Investigating Officer, PC Lewis Grainge of North Yorkshire Police’s specialist operations unit, said:

“Mr Harrison put other road users in danger through his drunk and erratic driving. The result is that he has now lost his licence and must take an extended driving test.

“He had no consideration for other members of the public using the roads or those living in the residential areas in which he drove through. It was fortunate that no-one was injured during this incident and Mr Harrison facing more serious charges.”

Read more:

 

Ripon man denies impersonating police officer to steal scooter

A Ripon man has denied impersonating a police officer to steal an electric scooter.

Harley Stacey, 18, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning (October 27) and spoke only to confirm his name, address and enter a plea.

He denied a charge of impersonating a police constable with intent to deceive in Harrogate on March 18 this year.

Stacey also pleaded not guilty to dishonestly making a false representation as an officer to steal an electric scooter for himself on the same date.

In a statement at the time, North Yorkshire Police said the alleged incident happened in Bilton.

The 18-year-old, of Cedar Close in Ripon, was granted conditional bail ahead of his next hearing.

Magistrates set a trial date of January 16 and 17 at York Magistrates Court.

Read more:

 

Walls in Studley Royal lake risk collapse without repair

Work is needed to repair two walls in the lake at Studley Royal near Ripon that are at risk collapsing into the water.

Studley Royal is a water garden and has pools, canals and cascades fed from the River Skell.

The National Trust, which owns the site, has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to repair walls that form part of the weir on the north-east side of the lake. They would be fixed with re-used stone to maintain the historic appearance.

The park was laid out in the 18th century by John Aislabie and was extended later by his son to encompass the medieval Fountains Abbey ruin and other elements of the surrounding landscape.

The plans have been backed by Historic England but it said the works must be done in an “appropriately sensitive manner”.

Planning documents submitted by the National Trust said:

“Following construction of the scheme the flanking walls will be visually improved compared to present, although it will take time before the works weather in.

“The repair works will also serve to protect the weir and cascade outlet from future erosion damage.

“The works are considered to have a minor positive impact on the weir and cascade outlet and Studley Royal Park as a whole.”

One of the damaged walls.

In August, the National Trust revealed £3.5 million plans to improve the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including offering revamped visitor facilities.

The plan called Studley Revealed focuses on the water garden area of the estate and the canal gates area. It will remake landscape features that were at the heart of the original 18th century garden design.

The plans would also see the creation of new welcome and visitor facilities. They would include accessible toilets, a larger café and a space to bring the story of the Water Garden alive.

Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:

“The Studley Revealed project is an exciting part of the ongoing conservation of the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site. It has long been our ambition to improve the appearance of this area of the site and how visitors experience it.

“Crucially, it means we can create a place for our visitors to learn more about the fascinating history of Studley Royal, its international significance and our role in caring for it, whilst simultaneously having a more enjoyable and accessible experience.”

Read more:

 

Ripon man to run four ultra-marathons in memory of father

A Ripon man will run 224 kilometres in November in memory of his father.

Former Ripon Grammar School pupil Harry Cleary, 25, will aim to complete four ultra-marathons, which are each 56km.

The first three will be in London and the fourth and final leg will begin in Ilkley and end inside Elland Road Stadium — which he described as “a lifelong dream for a Leeds United fan”.

Mr Cleary’s father died this year after a long-term struggle with alcoholism and mental health.

Harry said:

“As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m determined that won’t happen to me.

“My dad was a very proud man who struggled to accept and discuss his emotions, and instead, leaned on the vices of life.

“The distance represents the 56 years of my dad’s turbulent, but incredibly impactful life.”

Harry Cleary, pictured at the front, taking part in a race.

Following his father’s death, Mr Cleary took up running as a coping mechanism and found it has been “invaluable” to his own mental health.

“As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years, I have sought these physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.

“I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it.”

He is raising money for men’s mental health charity Movember and has set a target of £5,000.

The charity hosts an annual event which involves growing a moustache for the month of November. It aims to raise awareness and de-stigmatise male health issues, including suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

It won’t be the first time Mr Cleary has punished his body for the charity. Over the last three years, he has walked from the Scottish border to Newcastle in 32 hours and walked the 140km-length of Hadrian’s Wall — both on no sleep.

He added:

“I think about my dad every day, and I hope he’ll be looking down with pride as I complete these ultra-marathons to stop men like him dying far too young.

“I know I’ll be completing all my ultra-marathons with my dad.

“We’re marching on together, dad.”

Mr Cleary’s London runs will take place on Saturday, November 4, 11 and 18, and his Yorkshire leg will be on Sunday, November 26.

He told the Stray Ferret anyone is welcome to run with him and those interested should contact him on Facebook.

Read more:

 

Man arrested following Ripon burglary

A man has been arrested following a burglary in the Ripon area.

Matthew Segger, 35, from Darlington, was wanted in connection with an incident in August this year.

North Yorkshire Police had appealed for information about his whereabouts last week.

Read more:

 

Council hires West Yorkshire company to clean Ripon toilets amid staffing issues

North Yorkshire Council has hired a West Yorkshire company to clean toilets in Masham and Ripon amid staffing issues.

Cleaning at public toilets in both areas of the Harrogate district were previously carried out by the local authority.

However, council officials said the service had been “failing” due to a lack of staff and the toilets were at risk of closure if a contractor was not brought in.

As a result, a £32,760 contract has been directly awarded with no competitive tender to Marsden Contract Services.

According to the government’s contract portal, the company is based on Hollins Lane in Keighley although its website says it is based in Skipton.

Karl Battersby, corporate director for environmental services at the council, said the move was necessary as a recruitment process had found “no suitable applicants” to take on the cleaning roles.

When asked why the service was not put out to competitive tender, Mr Battersby added:

“Toilet cleaning has been undertaken in Ripon and Masham by staff from North Yorkshire Council, and previously the former Harrogate Borough Council, but the service had been falling behind due to staffing issues, and our recruitment process had found no suitable applicants to take on the roles.

“A direct award was made with a trusted contractor as the service needed immediate attention.

“Failure to act quickly would have resulted in a fall in cleaning standards or closure of sites and neither of these options would have been acceptable.

“This contract is for one year to help us maintain our services, after which, if needed, we will follow a competitive tender process.”

Read more:

 

Business Breakfast: Minskip bedding company secures £100,000 funding

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Minskip-based luxury bedding company has secured £100,000 worth of investment to help expand the brand.

Floks, which is based at Yolk Farm on Minskip Road, has been awarded the funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The company was founded by Sophie Platts after she came up with the idea for a bedding brand during the covid lockdowns.

The fund is managed by Mercia Asset Management and aims to award companies funding to help with growth.

The investment will help Floks to step up its marketing campaign and develop new products to expand the range.

David Wright of Mercia said: 

“Sophie has a wealth of experience in designer homewares. Floks builds on Yorkshire’s wool trade heritage and fills a gap in the market for sustainable luxury bedding that promotes healthy sleep.

“The funding will help her to expand the business and establish the brand as a market leader in premium British wool bedding.”

Ripon Racecourse nominated for awards

Ripon Racecourse has been shortlisted as a finalist at an industry awards ceremony.

The Racecourse Association’s Showcase and Awards are set to be held on November 23 at Aintree Racecourse.

The event aims to celebrate excellence and innovation in racecourse operations and raceday experience.

Ripon has been shortlisted in both the marketing and racing foundation green categories at the ceremony.

Jonathan Mullin, operations and marketing manager at Ripon Racecourse, said: 

“It’s wonderful for us to be finalists in two categories. We’ve managed to win an award at the last two Showcase Awards, at Hamilton in 2019 and at Pontefract in 2022, which is fantastic for a small independent racecourse and it’s great to be in with a chance once more.”

Read more:

 

Stray Views: Valley Drive parking fines a ‘money spinner’

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Valley Drive parking fines are a council money spinner

It is little wonder the council makes so much money from parking fines on Valley Drive in Harrogate as one side of the road permits three hours of parking whilst the opposite side gives only one hour.

It’s fairly obvious that if someone who does not know the road parks on the one-hour side and looks across to the other and sees the three-hour parking sign, they may well think that applies to their side too without checking.

It has always seemed unfair to me that this anomaly could catch many people out. I daresay the council realises the anomaly too but are hardly likely to remedy it when it is such a money spinner.

Carol Trueman, Harrogate

Ripon councillors still dining out on anti-Harrogate rhetoric

Ripon city councillors have dined out on anti-Harrogate antics from 1974 to 2023 — almost 50 years of negative opposition instead of creative engagement — ensuring the continuous election of the same.

How long before they then turn their sights on the new North Yorkshire Council for failing to give them what they want, which is complete control of everything Ripon-related?

The ‘leader’ of Ripon City Council (actually a parish council) — is there even such a role in most parish council standing orders? — was elected as an ‘independent’ but has subsequently decided to support the Conservative councillors on North Yorkshire Council.

John Edmonstone

(Ex-parish councillor nearby to Ripon)    

Read more:

Why weren’t pedestrians consulted about Station Parade roadworks?

I was disappointed to see that pedestrians have been given little thought in the redevelopment of Copthall Towers on Station Parade. The footpath along one whole side of Station Bridge is now entirely blocked off.

I walk this way on the school run daily, coming from the direction of East Parade. This obstruction means we have to go clockwise around the roundabout in order to reach the far side of Station Bridge.

This may not seem like a significant detour to some, but try adding a pushchair and early walkers into the mix.

More significantly, it also necessitates crossing two roads which don’t have a pedestrian crossing, one of which has two lanes approaching the roundabout.

Was any thought given to adding temporary pelican crossings at Station Avenue and North Park Road? Or perhaps, giving pedestrians priority over Station Bridge, rather than drivers?

It would be refreshing to see our elected leaders and planning officials put pedestrians first for a change; prioritising greener, more sustainable travel choices and making it easier and safer for people to walk.

It’s already hard enough to navigate the piles of dog excrement, pot holes and parked cars which furnish our pavements so abundantly.

Jessica Eaton, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

 

Photo of the Week: Studley Royal Deer Park

This week’s photograph was taken by Heather Middleton, capturing a herd of deer at Studley Royal Deer Park.

Heather Middleton

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.