Knaresborough residents will get a rare opportunity to audition for the role of town crier next month.

Roger Hewitt, who is part of a lineage dating back to 1680, is to step down from the role after eight years at the end of May.

Potential successors are invited to pitch for the role at the annual Knaresborough Connectors‘ community festival on April 22 at Meadowside Academy on Halfpenny Lane.

Contestants will announce town news and events, deliver proclamations and ring a bell to capture the attention of the public. There will be a pre-prepared shout for all participants and they will also be asked to prepare an original shout.

It will be judged by Mr Hewitt and the mayor of Knaresborough.

Knaresborough and District Chamber member Charlotte Gale said:

“We are seeking a talented individual with a strong, clear voice and a passion for communicating important messages to the community.”

“Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talents and become a key part of our town’s heritage.”

The town crier shouts at the town’s ancient Wednesday market as well as other markets and at community and charity events in the town. Knaresborough and District Chamber member manages the role and provides the uniform.

Mr Hewitt offered some words of advice to anyone interested in succeeding him:

“You have to shout but a big voice is not enough. You have to be able to write your own stuff, it has to be engaging.

“It’s all about intonation, accuracy, engaging your audience and doing your best. It’s a good thing that volume isn’t the main thing!”

You can register to take part in the contest by emailing hello@knaresboroughchamber.org and including a brief introduction stating why you would make a great town crier and your connection to Knaresborough.

Top rotary award for Roger

(left to right) Knaresborough Rotary president David Kaye, Roger Hewitt and rotarian Bob Weddall

Knaresborough rotarians surprised Mr Hewitt by presenting him with a Paul Harris Fellowship after he gave a speech to the group.

Paul Harris founded Rotary and the award is the highest which can be given by rotarians.

Rotarian Bob Weddall said:

“Roger is, as town crier, the personification of Knaresborough. A brilliant ambassador for the town he enjoys chatting to visitors and has played a major role in recent events celebrating the platinum jubilee and proclaiming the Queen’s passing and the accession of the new King.

“His unfailing good humour and willingness to serve the community make him a worthy recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship”.

Knaresborough and District Chamber member Charlotte Gale added:

“Roger has been an exemplary town crier and is a hugely popular and recognisable figure in the town.

“For the past eight years his regular and often witty cries have kept townsfolk informed about all the latest Knaresborough news and he has also opened countless town events and welcomed many new businesses to the town.

“Everyone at chamber would like to extend a huge thank you to Roger for eight years of dedication to the role and wish him well in his retirement.”

Roger’s life and times

Pic: Charlotte Gale

Born in Bradford in1948, Mr Hewitt moved to Knaresborough in 1976.

At 21 he started to train as a teacher but changed his mind and instead joined the scientific civil service but in 1988 he resumed his teacher training and  after a spell in Bradford he spent 23 years at Harrogate Grammar School.

Appointed as a chemistry teacher, he taught physics and biology at key stage 3.

After retiring,  he was appointed as town crier by the chamber of trade and town council in 2015.

His main task is to open the market at 11am each Wednesday wearing the splendid regalia made in Knaresborough by Gill Ford.

In town crier competitions, he has twice won the trophy for best dressed crier.

In the 1980s Roger was a member of Knaresborough Players and also performed as Father Christmas at school events and at the town Christmas market.

For one very challenging Christmas market he was both Father Christmas and town crier, doing quick changes in the stock room of the old chemist shop.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

Global hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has opened two new studios at its Harrogate headquarters, bringing all previously outsourced photo and video shoots in-house.

The beauty company says the aim of the new studio is to develop the creative, commercial and media skills of its team.

The hair and skin stylist area has mirrors and lights with different coloured walls to suit models with different skin tones. There’s also a Green Room designed for the models and guests to relax in before and after each shoot.

CEO Martin Rae, who launched the business with his brother, Gavin, in 2009, said:

“We have created our own studios for two very good reasons. The first is we have a fantastically talented team based within our Harrogate headquarters, who are eager to create their own campaigns, from inception through to execution”.

“And secondly, harnessing the artistic skills of our own people makes perfect business sense, and will benefit us commercially”.

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Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

A lorry full of of medical equipment, blankets and warm clothing, supplied Knaresborough charity PhysioNet and the town’s Rotary Club, is due to arrive in Ukraine today.

The lorry left Knaresborough five days ago and has made its way to Zaporizhzhia in the South East of Ukraine.

Knaresborough Rotary President and Chairman of Physionet, David Kaye, said:

“This is the sixth PhysioNet consignment for Ukraine. The £6,000 transport costs have been paid for entirely by Rotary in Yorkshire”.

PhysioNet was founded in 2005 by Knaresborough Rotarian Peter Thompson.

It collects and refurbishes discarded mobility and physiotherapy equipment – including wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, crutches and walking sticks – and redistributes it for use by the disabled in developing countries.

PhysioNet and Rotary volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to load the lorry for Zaporizhzhia.

Knaresborough woman Helen Westmancoat, 70, has performed her 50th skydive, this time raising over £1,200 for Martin House children’s hospice.

Ms Westmancoat is well-known for her skydiving and fundraising efforts, and the Knaresborough Rotarian performed her latest jump from 15,000 feet with Harrogate Brigantes Rotarian David Billington.

The money the pair raised is enough to pay for six months’ worth of parent support, four sessions of bereavement counselling and a visit from bereavement counsellors offering support through the most difficult of times. 

Her 50th jump was postponed several times to covid and unfavourable weather conditions but she finally made the dive this year, landing at Hibaldstow in Lincolnshire.

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Chris Verney, regional fundraiser for Martin House, said:

“What an amazing impact for those families who need it. We are truly grateful for Helen and David’s support in taking on this challenge, and I am so glad that Helen finally got to do her 50th jump.  Congratulations on reaching this milestone!”

Ms Westmancoat told the Stray Ferret last year how her unusual hobby began.

She said:

“The diving started in 2011 when I worked at York St John’s and there was a call to do a dive for the student support charity. I can’t do it alone in this country now as I’m over the age limit that it allows but I do hope to do more maybe abroad in the future.”

Knaresborough woman Hazel Haas has been awarded the title of Honorory Freedom of the Town for her “extraordinary contribution” to the community.

Ms Haas became the first woman to join Knaresborough Rotary Club and in 1996 became its first female president.

For many years she has chaired the Knaresborough Christmas Markets Committee and has also been involved in the BEBRA town twinning association.

With the advent of covid, she has helped to run local vaccination centres as principal co-ordinator.

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The freedom of the town title has been awarded by Knaresborough Town Council.

Cllr Christine Willoughby, Knaresborough’s Mayor, paid tribute to Ms Haas who she called one of the town’s doers.

She added:

“She works incredibly hard for our community and we are very grateful to her. This award is very well deserved.”

Peter Lacey, chair of Knaresborough Connectors, said:

“Knaresborough Connectors recognise the invaluable work that Hazel undertook from the start of the pandemic to co-ordinate volunteers and keep a cheery face during difficult and stressful times.

“Her organisational skills and energy when applied to supporting the vaccination centre with local volunteers was equally heroic and we’re delighted that she continues to steer the work of Connectors through her role as a Director.  Long may her wisdom and example inspire others!

Harrogate Borough Council has said it would consider selling Rotary Wood to Harrogate Spring Water, as the company looks to expand its bottling plant on Harlow Moor Road.

The move was revealed in an email sent by Trevor Watson, the council’s director of economy and culture, to HSW in October 2021. It was obtained via a freedom of information request.

HSW leases the land where it is based, on Harlow Moor Road, from the council. The company pays the council ground rent of £13,000 a year plus turnover rent revenue, but this figure has never been publicly revealed.

The council is also the planning authority and in January last year councillors rejected a bid by HSW to expand its bottling plant into Rotary Wood.

The woodland was planted by the Rotary Club of Harrogate and local schoolchildren and is part of the council-owned Pinewoods.

In July 2021, Harrogate Spring Water said it would table new proposals to expand the bottling plant ‘within weeks’ but eight months on it has yet to do so.

Asset of Community Value

Pinewoods Conservation Group successfully registered the Pinewoods as an Asset of Community Value in 2015.

This means if the council decided to sell any of it, it must pause any sale for six months whilst it gives local community groups the chance to make an offer to buy it.

The email from the HSW employee, whose name is redacted, to Mr Watson reveals that representatives from HSW had a ‘helpful’ meeting with Conservative council leader Richard Cooper and deputy leader Graham Swift in September 2021. The ACV status of the woodland was discussed.

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In the email to Mr Watson, the HSW employee asked about the process for “releasing the land of this status”.

The email says as HSW decided to ‘do right by the town’ by not appealing last January’s refusal to grant planning permission, it asks the council to ‘lend your assistance’ around the ACV status of the wood, which it would like removed to speed up its planning application. It adds:

“A key element of the new application would be to try to expediate the process of releasing this land of its status, in order to avoid an unnecessarily protracted period of consultation and media scrutiny. I firmly believe this would be in the best interest of both parties.”

Open to offers

Mr Watson’s reply said that any sale of land with ACV status must follow due process but the authority would be open to offers.

Mr Watson added:

“The timing of all this therefore largely rests with HSW, in terms of how soon you wish to commence negotiations for the land and ultimately whether an in-principle agreement can be reached on potential disposal terms.”

He said informal discussions between the council and the business about buying the land took place “a number of years ago” but terms could not be reached.

Harrogate Spring Water’s head office on Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate.

Mr Watson said if a bid came in from HSW for the land, it would be subject to the usual six-month consultation period.

“We would therefore see the ball being in the HSW court in terms of formally approaching the council with a new, meaningful proposal for our consideration.

“If and when disposal terms are agreed in principle, the ACV process would then be formally triggered and we would carefully follow all the legal processes required, including public consultation as appropriate.”

Planning process ‘needs to be followed’

A Harrogate Spring Water spokesperson said:

“Harrogate Spring Water is evaluating its plans for the site and will communicate any update as and when that occurs. We are committed to working with the public and we will continue to keep people engaged and informed as part of the process”.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokeswoman said:

“This matter remains entirely in the hands of Harrogate Spring Water.  We wrote to them back in Autumn 2021 setting out a factual response to questions that they asked us about our decision-making processes.  We made very clear that there are distinct, statutory processes that we need to follow and that planning and land disposal processes are, quite rightly, dealt with as very separate matters. We have not had a response or any further discussions with the company on either the planning or land ownership situation”.

A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group said

“With each year that passes the Rotary Wood area of The Pinewoods becomes a more mature woodland with increasing bird and plant life, improving the biodiversity of the area and improving air quality.

“We are aware that Cllr Swift has been vocal in his support of this planned development but would be very concerned if any promises had been made to expedite any part of this complicated process and avoid full transparency and consultation. We also note that Cllr Cooper has recently been attending planning committee meeting and would hope he would now excuse himself from any future planning committee that considered these planning matters.

“However, we are somewhat comforted by comments from council officers restating the legal and planning processes that needs to be followed with respect to disposal of public land, and land that is protected as an ‘asset of community value’.

“Our lawyers will continue to monitor progress with interest.”

The president of the Rotary Club of Knaresborough will skydive next month to raise funds for the organisation.

Helen Westmancoat is an experienced skydiver, having completed 43 tandem jumps since 2011.

She will make her latest leap from an aircraft on October 9 at Hibaldstow in North Lincolnshire.

The rotary club’s fundraising efforts have been hampered this year due to Covid, which has forced some events to be cancelled.

It is hoped the skydive will generate funds to enable the club to continue to support the local community.

Ms Westmancoat said:

“It is a difficult time for everyone, Rotarians have an important role to play. Financial support has been given to both Harrogate Foodbank and Resurrected Bites.

“The club has been involved in setting up and operating Knaresborough Connectors. Disposable face masks have been donated to community groups.

“For the time being the club will continue to meet online and respond to the challenges that the pandemic has created.”

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Since becoming president, Ms Westmancoat has set out to encourage new members such as women and younger people.

To support her jump, click here.

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary club is climbing to the peak of Everest, virtually, to raise money for its Covid Relief Fund.

To succeed members have to walk over 1,500 miles and climb 1,000,000 feet.

Over the past few weeks, members have been banking their miles by trekking across Yorkshire Dales, climbing up the steps to Knaresborough Castle or even in a high-rise apartment.

Twenty members have accumulated enough miles to reach Everest base camp. Now, all are working hard towards the President’s final assault to the peak.

The target is £5000 and most of the money raised will go to support two organisations. Carers’ Resource and Wellspring offer a variety of services to help people and communities suffering from the fall-out from Covid.

President of the club, David Hayes, said:

“The Covid pandemic has greatly increased the needs of many in our community. At the start of lockdown Harrogate Brigantes established a Covid Relief Fund to direct money to the most needy people and causes. To raise money for this we have had to think of innovative initiatives. The biggest so far is our virtual expedition to conquer Everest and get me to the top.

This is a great challenge as we’re all past our prime and are having to do a great deal of hill walking and stair climbing to get near the miles along and feet up we need. But I’m looking forward to the final assault.”

The rotary President stands on the peak of “Everest” – ahead of the final assault.

The President is expected to reach the peak over the next couple of weeks.

The Covid Relief Fund has been used to support a wide variety of local charities, projects and causes. Including supply of PPE to local health workers and care homes, afternoon teas for isolated older people, baking packs for young carers.

As lockdown has eased, the focus has changed to helping local charities dealing with the longer term issues such as mental health.

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The club has already raised £2500 in sponsorships. To donate to the cause, you can click here.

Knaresborough Rotary Club’s new president is a skydiving enthusiast and hopes her leadership can encourage more members.

Helen Westmancoat has taken over the presidency determined to encourage new members to join the club. Following over 30 years in the scouting movement she also hopes to support young people in the community through the club’s fundraising.

Helen isn’t just a rotary member she is also an avid skydiver having completed 42 jumps. Her hobby began as a fundraising attempt and now she hopes to introduce it to the scout groups she works with.

She said:

“The diving started in 2011 when I worked at York St John’s and there was a call to do a dive for the student support charity. I can’t do it alone in this country now as I’m over the age limit that it allows but I do hope to more maybe abroad in the future.

The main thing to focus on now is the rotary, raise the profile to encourage more members. We’re open to everyone, all ages.”

Helen wants to use her presidency to increase membership and “look forward”.

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Over the coronavirus period the club has continued to meet virtually to plan how it can help the community during and following the pandemic. It is currently working with Knaresborough Connectors to help those in need as well as providing face masks to public facing groups such as Knaresborough food bank.

“We will be doing community things working to support people in the town following the pandemic as well. We did have a plan for which charities to support this year but with everything going on the main for me is Knaresborough Connector’s. It’ll be a challenging year but we are committed to helping people, if we can use this as an opportunity that’ll be great.”

The Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club have launched a poetry competition for children to raise funds for its covid relief appeal.

Children, under 12 years old, can enter the can enter their poem until the end of the summer term (17 July). The £5 entry fee will be donated to the group’s covid relief fund which helps local causes and organisations.

Children can submit any number of poems under the following subjects- “my hero”, “I wish”, and “a better world”. Poems must be no more than 28 lines long and the writer of the best poem on each subject will receive a £30 book token.

Club member Guy Wilson said:

“When Covid-19 struck we were making plans for ‘save our planet’ concerts next year in the Royal Hall, linked with an exhibition by the children in Ripon Cathedral and a poetry competition. Sadly we have had to cancel, or at least postpone, all of these. But then it struck us that, using our good contacts with schools, we could run a different poetry competition.”

The covid relief fund has been used to support local charities, including Wellsprings.

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The covid relief fund continues to support local causes, Guy Wilson added:

“The Club has given away over £9000 in cash or kind to care providers and charities in need in the Harrogate area. At first the priority was ’emergency help’ but now the focus has changed to helping local charities that are coping with the longer term issues that are arising such as mental health, such as Wellspring Therapy & Training, Supporting Older People and Carers’ Resource.”

For further information click here.