The Sporting Influence Foundation is raising money to help disadvantaged youngsters in the Harrogate district attend sports clubs during school holidays.

Classes will take place at Harrogate Ladies College during the Easter break to develop young people’s sporting, teamwork and social skills.

Children will be able to choose five activities, ranging from swimming and tennis to football and dodgeball. At the end of the day, there will be a presentation of social skills wristbands.

The foundation is a community interest company that uses sport and exercise to tackle social inequalities. Its crowdfunder for this initiative, known as The Together Project, hopes to raise £1,500 to help pay for classes. If that target is reached, Sport England will donate £750.

Perks for donating include a year’s supply of Yorkshire Tea.

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David Moss

The foundation’s director, David Moss said:

“We realise that Harrogate is seen as an affluent area by many people, however at the Sporting Influence Foundation we see many children across our schools living with challenging circumstances every day.

“Sadly, they don’t get the same opportunities as others. The foundation will make positive steps forward in supporting our young people by working on their social skills. The Together Project is seeking crowdfunding to enable us to make school holidays fun, healthy, and safe for all children”.

This article is sponsored by Cundall Manor School.

It is ranked in the top nine per cent of independent schools in the UK and is situated in an idyllic part of rural North Yorkshire.

Now, prospective families are being invited to explore Cundall Manor School as it opens its doors for two special events in February and March.

The open days will take place at the “friendly, supportive and caring” school, which offers provision for boys and girls from the age of two to 16.

The first will be held on the morning of Saturday, February 5, followed by another on Saturday, March 26.

Amanda Kirby, who has been the headteacher at the school for almost 10 years, said:

“We hold open days to invite prospective parents to the school with the opportunity to see the school facilities and to get a feel of the Cundall experience. It allows them to meet the pupils ask them questions but also talk to the teachers as well.”

Mrs Kirby said the events provided an opportunity for the school to get a feel for who the prospective families are and in return parents and children are able to inspect the facilities and chat with pupils and staff.

She said:

“Parents can get an insight into our school culture, the curriculum and the type of pupils we produce. It also allows parents to meet our fantastic senior leadership team and they can establish a relationship.”

In terms of what the school has to offer, including state-of-the-art facilities, Mrs Kirby said Cundall Manor is “proof that the world of Enid Blyton can be at one with the 21st century”.

She added:

“Seeing is believing. Rather than driving success we promote success on an individual basis. We are not afraid to push pupils out of their comfort zone, cultivating a ‘yes’ mentality which prepares children to embrace the world and to think and act independently and without inhibitions.

“We possess excellent grass pitches for rugby, football and cricket. We have a 4G astro turf that is used for hockey, netball, football and tennis. We also possess a 20-metre, four-lane swimming pool.

Located in a magnificent 28-acre site in the Vale of York, between Ripon and Thirsk, Cundall Manor School mainly attracts pupils from a 20-mile radius, including the Harrogate district.

Mrs Kirby said:

“We attract pupils from a Harrogate as we have an extensive bus routes and one of the routes goes through the town centre.”

The open days will see parents greeted by some of the school’s prefects, before being accompanied to a welcome tent.

They will then be taken on a tour of the whole school by a prefect and will be invited to ask questions about the school and life from a pupil perspective.

Mrs Kirby said:

“During their tour of school, they will visit our Wild Wood, this will showcase some of the extracurricular activities we offer such as axe throwing, fire building and much more.

“They will then go onto our school field, which is a magnificent 26-acre field containing rugby, football and cricket pitches.

“We also have a new 4G astro turf, which allows us to mainly play hockey, but we also use it for netball and tennis.”

At the end of the tour, parents will be taken back to the tent where they will have the opportunity to speak with Mrs Kirby and her deputies. They will also have the opportunity to talk to the school’s new headteacher, Christopher James-Roll, who starts at the school in September.

Mrs Kirby added:

“Open days give prospective parents the opportunity to see Cundall in ‘full-flow’. We are not just the sum of our stunning surroundings, enriching curriculum, and extra-curricular opportunities. Parents say they can tangibly feel the friendly and purposeful atmosphere when they meet our pupils and staff. It is always wonderful to see everyone engaged in learning activities.

“Pupils lead our tours, giving prospective families a real insight into what it is like to be a pupil at Cundall Manor School. Some of these pupils have been here since they were in nursery and have many wonderful anecdotes of their time at school.

“Chatting over refreshments after the tours allows prospective families to meet with our head, head of admissions and deputies, affording parents a relaxed environment to ask any questions as they arise.

“Families leave feeling they’ve had a snap-shot into life at Cundall Manor School, ready to make informed decisions about the next steps to joining our family community.”

To register for one of the school’s open days click here to fill out a contact form or call 01423 360200.

A new £1.5 million fitness hub opened in Harrogate today featuring the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK and an “affordable but boutique” gym.

Coach gym and Surge Padel are located in the same unit, called the Matrix Building, on Hornbeam Park.

It is a major investment in the town after a difficult couple of years for business. The new venture has also created 40 jobs.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This development seeks to put Harrogate at the epicentre of that surge in interest. It’s the largest of its kind in the country with six courts.

Surge Padel has only opened on the first floor of the building but International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.

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Coach which can be found on the ground floor and comes with more than 200 pieces of equipment and guided classes.

Stuart Perrin, who owns both Coach and Surge Padel, told the Stray Ferret:

“People of Harrogate are already voting with their feet and moving here. I think they appreciate this premium product at an affordable price, particularly in this economic climate.

“It just so happens that I used to live in Harrogate and it’s close to where I live now so it was an easy decision for me when this property came up.

“We were planning to open the first Coach in Leeds when the first lockdown came. It was a difficult time but that business was very successful.

“During the lockdowns we were on the search for more properties as a result. So we have more places in the pipeline and think now is the time to invest.”

So it seems more jobs could be on the way too as the business expands across the UK, with head office based in the same Hornbeam Park building.

More pictures from Coach and Surge Padel:

Padel is a different type of tennis.

It is the largest indoor padel tennis court in the UK.

Coach has more than 200 pieces of equipment.

Staff can help with training.

Both Coach and Surge Padel are based at Hornbeam Park.

Harrogate Town have confirmed that there will be no requirement to show proof of coronavirus vaccination at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Under the government’s Plan B restrictions, unseated venues with more than 4,000 people need to check for a negative covid test result or an NHS covid pass.

The EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road can hold up to 5,000 fans so it is just over that limit. However, attendance has not gone over the 3,500 mark so far this season.

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A spokesman for Harrogate Town told the Stray Ferret:

“If it came to it, we would cap ticket sales below 4,000, however we don’t foresee this being necessary with average numbers falling well below 4,000 this season to date.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and are still waiting on further advice, but will follow government, English Football League and local authority guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors and staff alike.

“We are encouraging face masks, hand washing and ask anyone with covid symptoms or living with anyone with covid symptoms not to visit the stadium.”

There is a mixed picture across League Two. Some clubs, like Harrogate Town, have opted for reduced capacity while others will ask for a covid pass.

Harrogate Borough Council wants to build a new two-storey extension to The Hydro swimming pool as part of a major refurbishment of the ageing facility.

The council has submitted a planning application this week to upgrade the building, which opened in 1999 and replaced Coppice Valley pool.

The council is proposing to demolish the current ‘drum’ entrance and replace it with a larger structure that includes a bigger café and reception area on the ground floor and a new 400 square metres fitness suite on the first floor.

Plans also include a refurbishment of the changing rooms and pool hall. Five electric vehicle charging points would also be added.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how much the works will cost, and whether it will affect opening hours at the pool, but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.

The Hydro’s ‘drum’ entrance would be demolished and replaced.

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The application has received the backing of Sport England, which said:

“An improved and modern leisure facility in this sustainable location delivers a series of benefits, including increasing the opportunity for physical activity, increasing membership and usage and encouraging better interaction with the facilities and services on offer”.

Other Hydro projects

There are now several building projects underway at The Hydro.

In July, the council confirmed it is to buy a new diving platform to replace the damaged one that has kept divers out of the pool for eight months.

This month, the council was also given approval for 420 solar panels to be installed on the roof of the pool.

The Hydro is now run by Brimhams Active, a new arm’s length leisure company set up by the council this year. It has taken over the running of 12 leisure facilities in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge.

Clubs and organisations in Ripon are to provide a programme of free summer activities for the city’s children.

Community interest company Ripon Together has organised a wide range of events, starting on Saturday.

Summer of Play aims to get children out together again, trying new sports and activities.

It will also help local organisations encourage young people to join up.

A spokesperson for Ripon Together said.

“The children of the city have been especially brave and resilient over the last 18 months.

“They’ve seen huge upheaval with schools and their usual activities have been cancelled and adapted during the pandemic.

“Now, as the restrictions lift, amazing organisations across the city have joined in with the initiative. The result is a programme of free events giving kids of all school ages the opportunity to try sports or other activities over the summer.”

Hugh Ripley Hall is the venue for wheelchair bowls (Boccia) and yoga on Sunday

Events range from formal team sports such as cricket and football, through to karate and croquet, dance, yoga, mindfulness and orienteering, as well as nature hunts at Fountains Abbey.

First up on Saturday is a free taster session at Karate Dojo, the chance to have fun with the whole family at a free play day at Ripon Tennis Centre and an opportunity to get moving in a fun dance class hosted by Ripon Dance Studio.

On Sunday, fun with tennis and karate continues and children will also be able to try their hands at boccia and yoga at the Hugh Ripley Hall.

There are sessions for people with disabilities too, including wheelchair bowls.

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Karate coach Ady Gray, who was named UK’s Children’s Coach of the Year in 2018, said:

“It’s great to welcome our children and young people back into the social community of sport and recreation.

“This initiative will promote the great clubs and groups to all the local people of Ripon, offering benefits to fitness, health and mental wellbeing after what has been a hard year both physically and mentally for our children.”

Diane Hutchinson, from Ripon Tennis Centre, said:

“Health and fitness should be fun and tennis is a fantastic game that is not only fun to play but also offers great social opportunities also. We have classes to suit all levels of player so if you want to get involved we would love to see you!”

Activities have been arranged throughout July and August. The full programme can be viewed at www.ripontogether.com

A world championship gymnast will be visiting a primary school in the Harrogate district to help boost pupils’ morale and fitness after months of national lockdown.

Gymnastic gold medalist, Jaydon Paddock, will visit Beckwithshaw Primary School this July to talk to pupils and host a sponsored fitness circuit.

Sports for Champions UK which is running the event has also set up a crowdfunder open to the public aimed at boosting the school’s resources. The goal is currently set at £600.

60 percent of funds raised will go towards the areas in the school most in need. The rest will go towards supporting the professional athletes employed by the organisation.

Jaydon is a junior European and World gold medal champion in junior gymnastics and bronze medalist in the Senior World Championships.

He will host an assembly at the school to talk about his success and inspire pupils to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle.

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Hannah Bushell, a representative from the school, said;

“We are very excited to have a sports champion visit our school and it will be a really exciting way to end the school year.”

Sports for Champions UK was founded 11 years ago and brings over 45 professional athletes to schools across the UK to inspire them to be active.

It also aims to support young professional athletes with their training and expenses by raising money for them at the same time.

The community interest company Ripon Together is organising free events for children to encourage a summer of play in the city.

The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2016 to bring people together to make Ripon a better place.

As the country edges towards the lifting of social distancing requirements, the city is springing back to life.

The artisan market was the first of Ripon City Council’s programme of public events for 2021

Monday’s artisan market on Market Square, was Ripon City Council’s first public event for 18 months. Many more are planned.

In conjunction with the council’s programme, Ripon Together is organising a series of community events.

These can be seen at www.ripontogether.com/whats-on/

The aim is to get children out together again, to take part in coordinated, free events. This will enable them to trying new sports or activities.

Local sports and other groups are being encouraged to become involved.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, who is on the Ripon Together board, said:

“Ripon is a brilliant and vibrant place with lots going on, but people find they miss out on things they would have liked to get to.

“If all local groups put their events on the community calendar they will get more people there.

“They, the city and its people will all benefit.

“Lockdown has been very difficult for many members of our community, including children. “

Fellow board member David Ingham has been in contact with a broad spectrum of local organisations and was pleased with their very positive response.

The objective is to get all interested parties together and agree as full a programme of activities as possible.

Simon Hewitt, a director on the Ripon Together board said:

“We are excited by the response we have had.

“If we can get local organisations and clubs along to that meeting we think we can get a great programme together for our youngsters”.

Any group, organisation or individual wanting to become involved, is invited to join a Zoom meeting at 7pm on May 12.

If anyone wants to attend, or cannot do so but still wishes to be involved, they can e-mail info@ripontogether.com or message the organisation through its Ripon Together Facebook page.

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