Organisers of this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre have said they won’t erect any seasonal attractions until wartime remembrance activities have concluded.
The decision to put up a helter-skelter next to the war memorial two days after Remembrance Sunday divided opinion last year.
Some claimed it was disrespectful to locate it so close to the memorial, so close to Remembrance Sunday; others said the war dead fought for freedom and would have liked the idea of children playing on the rides.
Ivan Nicholson van Ingen, a former soldier of 40 years’ service, contacted the Stray Ferret to seek clarification on this year’s arrangements.
Mr Nicholson van Ingen said many veterans were upset last year at seeing the helter-skelter alongside the memorial and urged the fayre organisers not to install it before Remembrance Sunday, which is on November 13.
A spokeswoman for Destination Harrogate, a tourism division of Harrogate Borough Council, which is one of the Christmas fayre organisers, confirmed this would not happen. She said:
“We would like to assure Mr Nicholson van Ingen and your readers that, as with last year, Harrogate Borough Council has been in contact with the Royal British Legion to advise of plans for the town centre festive attractions prior to any final decisions being taken.
“We can also confirm that as with last year, no festive installations will be put in place this year or in future years before remembrance activities have taken place.”
Read more:
- Harrogate council asked British Legion about helter skelter location
- Ice rink will be part of ‘bigger and better’ Harrogate Christmas
The spokeswoman said the helter-skelter was put up on November 15 last year, increased footfall and and “provided a fun, safe, family-friendly experience that was particularly welcomed following the challenges of the pandemic”. She added:
“Our Christmas attractions will be in situ and open to the public between December 2 and January 8 and we look forward to a great opportunity for our residents and visitors to enjoy the festivities in Harrogate.”
Harrogate Poppy Appeal urgently searching for volunteers
Harrogate Poppy Appeal is urgently searching for volunteers to help out with the distribution and collection of poppies.
This year organisers from the Royal British Legion aim to deliver an appeal on a similar level to pre-covid, with a full delivery schedule and street collections.
They will be operating a poppy office and distribution centre from Harrogate fire station from October 20 for pick-up of stock and wreaths between 10am and 2pm.
About 600 boxes of poppies need delivering from there to selected retail outlets by November 1. From November 14, the boxes will need to be collected.
Read more:
- Knaresborough flowerbed marks Royal British Legion centenary
- Royal British Legion’s Nidderdale branch in danger of closure
Michael Comerford, Poppy Appeal organiser, told the Stray Ferret its number of volunteers had dwindled during covid and it was hoping to recruit about a dozen people who are able to drive around the district distributing and collecting boxes of poppies. He added:
“We are desperate for new and old volunteers to help out in distribution and collection of retail poppy boxes from October 20 and collecting back in from Monday, November 14.
“We are also looking for street collectors from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, November 12.
“We have cadets from all three services on the streets on Saturday, November 5 and 12, plus junior soldiers on the 12th.”
The Poppy Appeal will be opening Garden of Remembrance, which will allow people to place small remembrance crosses near the war memorial in central Harrogate, from 11am on Friday, October 28 and will be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day – 11/11/22 – with the sounding of the last post at the memorial.
To volunteer email poppyharrogate@gmail.com or call 07935 596762.
Royal British Legion’s Nidderdale branch in danger of closureThe Royal British Legion Nidderdale branch could close after 96 years.
The branch, which covers Pateley Bridge, Summerbridge and nearby villages, was founded in 1926.
But membership has dwindled to below 20 and the current officers, who are in their 80s, plan to step down at the end of this year.
Paul Darley, who is on the Royal British Legion’s county committee for north and east Yorkshire, said:
“No branch would mean no standard to raise at armistice parades.
“We don’t want that to happen and hope we can get enough people to keep the branch going.
“Anyone can be a member of the Royal British Legion and and annual subscription is less than £20.”
Mr Darley, who is also president of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said the workload wasn’t high, except for activity surrounding the annual Poppy Appeal fortnight in November.
Anyone interested in joining the branch can email Mr Darley at pauldarley@btinternet.com.
Read more:
- ‘We want to disappear,” says Knaresborough British Legion
- Nidderdale campsite owner calls for more regulation of ‘pop-up campsites’
Tributes paid to Harrogate D-Day veteran, who has died aged 97
Tributes have been paid to a Harrogate’s D-Day veteran who has died at the age of 97.
John Rushton, who was also known as Jack among friends, passed away peacefully at Harrogate District Hospital after a visit from his family on New Year’s Day.
Mr Rushton not only fought in World War II but when he settled in Harrogate in the 1970s he carried on in public service with his work at Harrogate College and the Tewit Youth Band.
On VE Day in May 2020, he was the star of the town’s celebrations. Leaning out of his window, he watched performances and warmed the hearts of his neighbours. He told the Stray Ferret on the day:
“It’s very nice that they would do all this for me. I don’t deserve it, I just happen to be the one that has lived the longest.
“I have had a good life. It’s very good of them to have done this as if I am a hero. I am not, I am just an ordinary Yorkshireman.”
Mr Rushton was never one to command attention and always rejected the title of hero, but he was held in high regard by his peers and all that knew him.
Dave Rushton, one of John’s four sons, said:
“We are very sad but my dad has left a great legacy and history. We have had so many goodwill messages, which has been an enormous help.
“He fought the illness really hard, he fought right to the end. I want to put on record our thanks to the staff on Wensleydale Ward and at Lister House care home in Ripon.
“I think people will remember him for his character. So many people have told me how much of a character he was, even if he never thought he was a hero.
“We did manage to get in a trip back in 2019 to Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. We had hoped to go again but we certainly ended on a high.
“I already know a lot about his life but since his passing I have learned a lot more about the affection people held him in.”
A British Army spokesman said:
“We are indebted to the bravery of Mr Rushton and his comrades. Our thoughts are with Mr Rushton’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
David Houlgate, vice chair of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said:
“What I will say is clearly he was in a sense a true hero of this country. John defended this country and helped to free Europe from tyranny.”
The life of John ‘Jack’ Rushton
Mr Rushton was born in Doncaster on May 24, 1924, where he was brought up and educated before leaving school to become an apprentice joiner.
At the outbreak of World War II because he was too young to enlist, he joined the home guard before he volunteered for service shortly after his 18th birthday.
On the night of June 5, 1944, he set off from Portsmouth, having been sent in place of another marine who had taken ill.
The crossing was made in a flat bottomed tank landing craft, and as the weather was poor, he sheltered with a comrade underneath one of the tanks, lying on top of the ammunition.
Read more:
- Harrogate fire fighters cook up a surprise for war veteran Jack’s 96th birthday
- Residents throw heartening street party to thank Harrogate war hero
It was such a rough crossing, he later said he preferred being shot at in France to staying on board.
Arriving on the Normandy beach at 6am on June 6 he proceeded to deploy and arm his unit’s tanks and guns and spent much of the assault without his helmet or rifle as they impeded his tasks.
During that day, he narrowly avoided death three times including running over an anti-tank mine several times. He often says with a wry smile that only the good die young. He also says that the real heroes are the ones who didn’t return home.
Jack ready to celebrate VE Day in 2020.
Having been promoted to Sergeant, Jack was then sent out to India, travelling by ship and often sleeping on riveted steel decks. On arrival in Bombay his unit was tasked with keeping the peace during the country’s internal struggles, and later training to join the war against Japan further east.
In 1945 he was sent to Malaysia to await deployment to the battlefront, however when the atomic bombs were dropped, he was spared the ordeal of the next fight.
Although the war was now over, his unit was sent back to India to help quell a naval mutiny, and as a result, he didn’t make it home until 1946, when he was demobbed, and returned to Doncaster.
He moved jobs and towns before he settled in 1972 with a final family move to Harrogate College of Further Education.
Jack retired in 1988 and turned to his interests in the local brass bands and the Royal Naval Association. He was widowed in 2012 after almost 61 years of marriage and has four children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Harrogate council asked British Legion about helter skelter location
Harrogate Borough Council has said it asked the Royal British Legion if it had any objections before placing a large helter skelter next to the war memorial.
The attraction appeared on the grass in front of the memorial on Tuesday. Harrogate BID, Visit Harrogate and the council hope it will encourage footfall during the festive season.
The Victorian-style ride has received some online criticism from residents who say it is disrespectful because of its close proximity to the memorial and its appearance just two days after Remembrance Sunday.
Others say the war dead would have wanted life to continue as normal and welcomed the idea of children playing on the rides.
A council spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret that it had chosen where to put the helter skelter “very carefully”. She added the council had received six complaints from residents about the structure.
The spokeswoman said the council asked the Royal British Legion if it had any objections beforehand, adding the charity did not but asked the council to monitor anti-social behaviour caused by the attraction.
Read more:
- Will you be going for a spin on Harrogate’s helter skelter?
- TV acting school for children opens in Harrogate
The spokeswoman said:
“We considered the location of the Helter Skelter very carefully and as part of our pre-event planning we consulted with the Royal British Legion on the proposed site. We received no objections but agreed with their only request that we are vigilant for anti-social behaviour in the area, which we are happy to do.
“We will monitor any anti-social behaviour caused by the attraction over the period and will act accordingly.
“The council have received half a dozen complaints in relation to its location, however we have also received a significant number of positive responses towards our Destination Christmas campaign.
“This includes many positive comments on Facebook from veterans and those whose relatives fought for the country, who are hugely supportive of what we are doing.”
Events are happening across the Harrogate district this week to mark Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
The pandemic reduced last year’s commemorations to small scale events but this year organisers are encouraging people to attend services and parades to remember those who have given their lives.
Below is a list of events. If you know of others that we have missed let us know so we can add them to this guide. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Sunday November 14
Harrogate
Harrogate War Memorial:
A service at the war memorial will begin at 10.30am before a two-minute silence is observed. Local dignitaries, members of the armed forces and community groups will attend and lay wreaths.
Harrogate Borough Council has asked those attending to social distance and wear face masks if possible.
Stonefall Cemetery:
Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has arranged a service for 1pm. Wreaths will be laid by the Harrogate Mayor and Mayoress, Andrew Jones MP, the Army Foundation College and representatives from the Commonwealth.
St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road
Remembrance services on at 9am and 10.30am.
Killinghall:
A Remembrance Sunday service will take place at St Thomas’s Church, Killinghall at 10am. Members of the public are invited to join staff and junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College.
At approximately 10.40am the congregation we will walk to the war memorial on Ripon Road for a short Act of Remembrance service followed by refreshments at the village hall.
Starbeck:
A service will be held later in the afternoon on Sunday. A parade will start at Starbeck Methodist Church at 2.40pm to arrive at the war memorial for a service at 3pm.
Knaresborough
The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a parade on Remembrance Sunday.
A church service at St John’s Church will begin at 9.30am on Sunday. Then a parade of the Knaresborough Royal British Legion standard will march up the High Street towards the castle grounds for a short service at the war memorial at 11am.
Ripon
Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service is held at the city’s war memorial, followed by a service at the cathedral.
Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at Spa Gardens from 10.30am. Around 300 troops are expected to attend alongside local dignitaries and the city’s branch of the Royal British Legion.
Following the service, there will be a march past and salute in front of Ripon Town Hall, with the procession leading to the cathedral, where a further service will be held.
Read more:
- Ceremony marks start of remembrance events in Ripon
- Knaresborough’s 30,000 knitted poppies honour the dead
Masham
In Masham, a small service will be held on the market square. People are being asked to congregate from 10.30am.
Boroughbridge
The Boroughbridge branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a service of remembrance and wreath laying at the town’s war memorial on the Butermarket led by Rev Karen Gardiner.
People are invited to start arriving from 10.30am. There will be no parade this year.
Ceremony marks start of remembrance events in RiponRipon’s week of events to remember the dead of two world wars and other conflicts began at the weekend.
The Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd. John Dobson, led prayers as he blessed the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance next to the cathedral.
Saturday’s ceremony was attended by serving officers and standard bearers representing all of the armed forces, along with civic dignitaries, including Stuart Martin, the chair of North Yorkshire County Council and a Ripon councillor, and city council leader Andrew Williams.
Attendees were invited to place small wooden crosses bearing a poppy, in front of the plinth at the garden
A two-minute silence was observed before small crosses with poppies on them were put in place by a number of attendees in front of the garden plinth.
Jeet Bahadur Sahi, who served in the Gurkhas for 22 years and is chair of the Royal British Legion Ripon branch, told the Stray Ferret:
“This is a special year for the legion and the branch as we celebrate our 100th anniversary.
“The remembrance garden, which opened in 2018, was created by the Ripon branch with support from the public, businesses and authorities.
“In addition to the war memorial in Spa Gardens, it provides a permanent and prominent place where the fallen can be remembered.”
Photograph: Tyler Parker Photography
Spa Gardens will be the focus next weekend when Ripon’s civic Remembrance Sunday service is held at the city’s war memorial, followed by a service at the cathedral.
The event, which starts at 11am, will honour the service and sacrifice of the armed forces, British Commonwealth veterans, allies and civilians involved in the world wars and other conflicts.
Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at Spa Gardens from 10.30. Following the service, there will be a march past and salute in front of Ripon Town Hall, with the procession leading to the cathedral, where a further service will be held.
Read more:
Ripon remembers with 75,000 hand-made poppies
Ripon is being wrapped in a cloak of red as the city prepares for next month’s Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
This year, with no covid restrictions in place, Ripon Community Poppy Project is installing its largest display to date, involving 75,000 hand-made woollen flowers, alongside banners and flags.
These reminders of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, can be seen throughout the city centre, from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, on roundabouts on the bypass and at other locations.
Ripon Town Hall, decked in Remembrance poppies
Hazel Barker, who along with Councillor Stuart Martin and Carol Dunkley, runs the project, with support from an army of volunteers, told the Stray Ferret:
“We decided to do something special to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in 2018 and it captured people’s imagination.
“The initial plan was to produce a poppy trail from Spa Gardens, where the war memorial is located, to the cathedral and it has grown from there.”
The display outside Ripon Cathedral.
Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, added:
“We started off with no funding and put out an appeal on Facebook asking if people could help us by knitting poppies and the response was phenomenal.
“As well as getting strong support from the local community, Hazel started receiving deliveries of poppies made by people living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Malta and other countries.”
The community poppy project continues to thrive, with knitters – both female and male – in the city and further afield providing their assistance.
At its core is the Knit and Natter group that meets between 9.30am and 11am each Monday morning in the Sun Pavilion Cafe in Spa Gardens.
Ms Barker said:
“They are knitting all year round and as well as making the poppies, they are producing decorative items for other events, such as next year’s celebration of the queen’s platinum jubilee.”
One of the specially produced banners attached to railings in the city centre
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and the messages ‘RBL 100’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ have been included on poppy wreaths.
The legion’s Ripon branch and the community poppy project, will benefit from the proceeds of a fundraising concert of remembrance being held at Ripon Cathedral on the evening of November 11. Tickets costing £15 are available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate.
A centrepiece of the event, which will include performances from Ripon City Band and the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be a replay of a video first shown in November 2018, when it was projected onto the front of the cathedral.
Cllr Martin said:
“It was produced, with the support of sponsors, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and is both spectacular and moving. This time, we will be showing it inside the cathedral.”
Read more:
30,000 poppies to cover Knaresborough castle for Remembrance Day
Knaresborough Castle is to be covered in 30,000 knitted poppies as part of this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations.
The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised the poppy display to mark the armed forces charity’s centenary.
Last year’s remembrance commemorations were reduced due to covid so the Knaresborough branch was determined to do something big this year.
The 30,000 knitted poppies have been collected over the past two years from local women’s institutes, craft groups and individuals who have spent hours supporting the project.
The poppies will be installed onto the castle from November 2 and remain there until November 15.
Children from five Knaresborough primary schools are making 1,500 poppies using recycled petals from last year’s wreaths.
Large scale silhouette figures of the classic British ‘Tommy’ and modern service personnel will also be displayed along with a dog, to commemorate the sacrifice animals have played in conflict.
The lamppost poppies and flags will also make a comeback to the Market Square.
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital charity seeks Christmas hamper donations
- Sharow school plants tree in honour of Queen
This year also marks to return of Poppy Appeal collectors, who raise funds for the RBL. The Knaresborough branch has put out a plea for more volunteers to sell poppies in Lidl and Marks & Spencer.
Knaresborough branch may not survive
Previously, the branch has warned it may not last much longer if more members can’t be found.
David Houlgate, the vice chair of the Knaresborough branch, said:
“There is a real danger that the branch in Knaresborough may not see out another five years, let alone another 100.
“The branch is now down to just a handful of active members and the concern is that the Knaresborough ‘standard’ that is strikingly visible at Remembrance events and the annual Remembrance parade through the town, will have to be laid up if new members cannot be found.”
Mr Houlgate emphasised that anyone can join the RBL, they don’t have to have served in the military.
To volunteer or become a member call Alan Pitchfork, chair, on 07984700429.
Knaresborough flowerbed marks Royal British Legion centenaryThe Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has designed and planted a flowerbed to commemorate 100 years of the charity’s work.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) has been supporting those in the armed services and ex-servicemen and women for a century and the Knaresborough branch wanted to recognise this locally.
The branch has worked with Harrogate Borough Council for more than two years to create the design, which features two poppies on either side of “100”, for the space next to the bowling green.
A total of 4,000 plants were used in the flowerbed including 3,900 polyanthus in red, white and blue and some black grass for the centre of the poppies.
The flowerbed can be found in the grounds of the castle near the bowling green.
The RBL was formed on May 15 1921 by bringing together four national organisations of ex-servicemen that had been set up after the First World War.
That was also the the first year poppies were sold, with the appeal raising more than £106,000 to help veterans with housing and jobs.
Alan Pitchfork, the chair of the Knaresborough branch, said:
“The Legion was as important now as it was 100 years ago.
“Throughout the last 100 years service men and women had served their country and in many cases this had left them scarred for life, both physically and mentally, with many more losing their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Read more:
Each year town residents raise around £30,000 for the RBL, but the branch is hoping more people will join as currently there are just a handful of active members.
Mr Pitchfork added:
“For the branch to keep functioning we do need more people to join.
“The fear also is that soon there simply will not be enough members to sustain the branch, which would mean retiring the Standard and an end to the Parade through the town on Remembrance Sunday.”
Anyone who is interested in becoming a member can call him on 07984700429.
The branch already has further plans in place for this centenary year, including the return of its pop-up market stall and the knitted poppy tribute at Knaresborough Castle this autumn.