Nidderdale hosts green week events to tackle climate changeA series of environmental activities are being held in Nidderdale as part of the Great Big Green Week, which runs from June 10 to 18.
The green week, which first started in 2021, encourages community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Organised by the Climate Coalition, which includes organisations including the National Trust, WWF-UK and the RSPB, it sees tens of thousands of people take part in events ranging from litter picks to seaweed foraging to tackle climate change.
The activities in Nidderdale include a low impact lunch at Summerbridge Methodist Church, a biodiversity walk and talk at Bank Woods in Summerbridge, a community litter pick in Glasshouses
Make It Wild, Church in the Dale, Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group are among those organising the local events.
Details of these and other events being held during the green week are available here.
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Collapsed Harrogate firm Amvoc set to enter administrationAn insolvency firm has been appointed to handle the process of placing failed Harrogate firm Amvoc into administration.
Staff at the telemarketing firm were left shocked on Tuesday night when they received a late night email from chief executive Damian Brockway saying “all our offices are closed with effect from tonight”. It went on to blame “covid debts”.
Law firm Aticus Law has now been contacted by 145 former employees as it investigates the circumstances of the company’s collapse and concerns around how the redundancy process was managed, as well as whether ex-staff are eligible to claim for compensation.
Gareth Lewis, director of Leeds firm Lewis Business Recovery and Insolvency, said today it was handling the administration process.
He said:
“I can confirm that following the directors’ decision to make all employees redundant on Tuesday evening, this firm was engaged on Wednesday to assist with the process of placing the company into administration.
“It is anticipated that the company will be placed into administration in the coming days, and we are now collating all financial and employee information to enable us to perform our duties.
“We have contacted former employees through our agents IPERA, who will assist employees with the process of making their claims through the government’s Redundancy Payments Service”.
Founded in Dacre
Mr Brockway set up Amvoc, the trading name of A Marketing Vocation Ltd, from a small office in Dacre in 2010. It sold telemarketing services, initially in the legal sector, and grew rapidly, moving first to Pateley Bridge and then to large offices at New York Mills near Summerbridge.
It opened a new head office on Cardale Park in Harrogate in 2015, a facility in Leeds in 2018 and an office in Manchester in 2022. It also had plans to expand to London.
Amvoc’s clients included BP, Barclays, Virgin Media, Leeds Beckett University, and both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.
Its website said it employed 450 staff but the Stray Ferret believes the figure at the time the company collapsed was under 300.
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We again attempted to contact Mr Brockway today. An immediate emailed response said:
“I regret to inform you that Amvoc has been forced to cease trading with immediate effect due to financial difficulties.
“We understand that this news may come as a shock to many of you, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to manage the situation.
“We are in the process of contacting all our staff, clients and partners to inform them of the situation and provide any necessary information. We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption this may cause, and we are committed to minimising the impact on our stakeholders as much as possible.”
Plan approved to convert former Summerbridge chippy owned by councillorCouncillors have approved a plan to convert a former fish and chip shop in Summerbridge that was owned by a Harrogate councillor into an office and living space.
Tom Watson, Liberal Democrat councillor for Nidd Valley, ran Valley Fisheries for 40 years before it closed eight years ago.
In 2019, Cllr Watson submitted a plan to convert the building into a home but it was withdrawn due to concerns from planners that the house that would replace the chip ship was too small.
At the time, 90 residents signed a petition calling on the local chippy to be saved despite it having closed its doors more than half a decade previously.
A fresh application to extend the building into a larger home was approved in 2020 but it has lapsed.
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The new plan will see the former chippy form a home office and annexe for Lyndale Cottage, which is next door and also owned by Cllr Watson.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee met this afternoon at the Civic Centre in Harrogate to consider the application.
Cllr Watson sits on the planning committee and along with fellow Liberal Democrat councillors Pat Marsh and Hannah Gostlow he sat out on the vote to avoid a conflict of interest.
There was no debate and the plan was approved unanimously.
Man rescued after getting trapped under tree in NidderdaleA man was rescued after he became trapped under a tree in Summerbridge today.
Crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon were called at 9am to help the male, who got trapped after trying to fell a tree that was hanging dangerously over a road.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:
“Male had been rescued by contractors prior to fire service arrival.
“Male was given precautionary checks by paramedics but was discharged on scene with bruising and grazing. No action was required by fire service.
Strong overnight winds uprooted numerous trees across the district overnight, including two at Ripon Grammar School (see below).
The Stray Ferret asked the school about the incident but has not yet received any details.

Tree fell Jan 2023
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Emotional farewell to remarkable Nidderdale lollipop woman Mary FisherPupils past and present turned out in force to bid a fond farewell to North Yorkshire’s longest serving lollipop woman.
Mary Fisher has helped generations of schoolchildren cross the busy Pateley Bridge to Harrogate road outside Summerbridge Community Primary School since 1975. After 47 years and about 18,000 shifts, she retired on Friday.
Mary’s final patrol took longer than usual as dozens of children and adults turned out to cross the road and give her a hug.
At the school, children lined up to say thank you and give three cheers to the woman who has done so much to serve the community.

One of many hugs for Mary on her last day. Pic: Nevin Ward
Nevin Ward, a former chair of governors at Summerbridge school and near-neighbour of Mary, said Mary never forgot a child’s birthday and always gave them a small present. he added:
“She’s one of those lovely, selfless people who believes in being kind.”
An online fundraising campaign, set up to raise £100 to buy Mary a present, generated about £1,600.
A vacancy for a lollipop person now exists.

Friday’s emotional farewell at the school. Pic: Nevin Ward
Mary and her late husband Jim, who was a chimney sweep and volunteer firefighter, came to North Yorkshire in 1954 and moved to Summerbridge two years later.
They had four children, who all went to Summerbridge school and Mary developed an attachment to the school that eventually saw her become a lollipop woman.
Two years ago, when she celebrated her milestone of 45 years, she said:
“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”
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Developer plans 24 homes in SummerbridgeDevelopers have lodged plans to build 24 homes in Summerbridge.
Nidderdale Estates Ltd submitted the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to build the scheme on land at Braisty Wood off the B165.
It would see a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes built at the site, which is allocated for housing under the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-2035.
The developer said in documents submitted to the council:
“A high quality development is proposed that will sit comfortably within the village and the AONB setting.
“The design and detail will build upon the qualities found within the local vernacular, creating a development with a sense of identity.”
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
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Mary, 87, retires after 47 years and 18,000 shifts as a lollipop woman in SummerbridgeA Nidderdale lollipop woman is set to retire after 47 years of helping children cross the road.
Mary Fisher, 87, is North Yorkshire’s longest-serving lollipop woman.
She has supervised generations of children crossing the busy Pateley Bridge to Harrogate road outside Summerbridge Community Primary School since 1975 — the year the Vietnam war ended, Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party and Leeds United were beaten in the final of the European Cup.
Now, after 18,000 morning and afternoon patrols involving thousands of children, she has decided to retire. Her last day is due to be December 16.
Nick Coates, executive headteacher of Darley and Summerbridge Community Primary School Federation, said:
“Mary will still be a regular visitor to school but in a guest capacity rather than a working role and is going spend her retirement taking it easy, gardening, baking with the odd bit of knitting thrown in.
“We wish her all the best and of course, it goes without saying, all our love.”
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Mary came to North Yorkshire in 1954 with her husband Jim, and soon became firmly embedded within the local community.
In 1956 the couple moved to Summerbridge, where Mary worked at New York Mill and Jim worked in the building trade.
Over the next decade or so Mary and Jim raised their four children, all of whom attended the school. It was at this point that Mary’s relationship with the school really began.
Bringing the children to school everyday, it was soon noticed by the local ‘bobby’ that Mary would make a great lollipop lady and despite initial reluctance, she eventually agreed.
Two years ago, when she celebrated her milestone of 45 years, she said:
“One of the best parts of the job is that everyone recognises you – everyone always waves at me.
“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”
Now, after 47 years and five headteachers, she has finally decided to call it a day.
Spooky castles, pumpkins and haunted houses: Halloween fun in the districtHalloween is creeping up, with the celebrations and events across the district becoming bigger, better and more ghoulish each year.
This year it falls just after October half-term, so there is plenty going on for little witches and wizards – and big ones too!
So whether you fancy some pumpkin picking on a farm, spooky trails, or haunted houses, we’ve put together a list of five places to enjoy some Halloween fun.
Birchfield Farm Pumpkin Festival – Summerbridge

Birchfield Farm’s Pumpkin Festival is a firm favourite amongst families in the Harrogate district. Is it even Halloween if you haven’t taken a selfie with a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins at the picturesque Summerbridge farm?
You don’t need to book for this one and there are plenty of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colours to go around and you can visit everyday until October 31.
There are also lots of activities to do on the farm so you can make a morning or afternoon of it.
After you have picked your pumpkin from the patch – and there really is a huge selection of all shapes and sizes – you then have the option of visiting the farm for £5.95 per person. Then take your kids for a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café.
Activities include:
- A huge carving barn where you can create your pumpkin masterpieces
- Bouncy castles
- Play equipment
- A 6-acre maize maze
- A spooky woodland walk
- Animals
- A giant bale mountain
When: Everyday until October 31 from 10am until 4pm
Where: Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge, Harrogate, HG3 4JS
Price and booking: No booking is required for this event and the pumpkin patch is free to enter. Pumpkins are priced by size from £1 up to £12.The farmyard area is £5.95 per person, however this is optional. Under twos are free.

Creepy Castle: The Spooktastic Halloween Trail – Knaresborough
Soak up the spooky atmosphere at Knaresborough Castle – the setting of the new Creepy Castle Spooktastic Halloween trail.
Set in the grounds of the ancient monument, expect to see see wizard magic shows and spooky characters along the way. There will also be face painting, stories in the castle, cookie decorating and more scary surprises.
When: October 27 – 29
Where: Knaresborough Castle, Castle Yard, Knaresborough, HG5 8AS
Price and booking: Tickets are £3.75 for both children and adults (under 2s are free) with time slots available from 3pm – 7.20pm on Thursday, October 27 to Saturday October, 29. Book your trail tickets for a specific event day and time
here.
Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure – Wetherby

Stockeld Park is another firm family favourite and the Halloween festivities are always magical.
This year The Enchanted Forest will be transformed into an explosion of colour for a Day of the Dead Fiesta. Interact with the enchanting ancestors as you venture round the forest and look out for friendly skeletons.
Little ones will love exploring the pumpkin patch and will be able to pick their very own pumpkin to take home. Every paying child will get to choose a free pumpkin.
The Playhive will be open to explore and you can salso ee the family-friendly Monster Mash show.
There’s something suitably scary for all ages.
When: October 22 – October 30 from 9.30am until 5.30pm
Where: Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AN
Price and booking: Prices vary. Online pre-booking is essential – click
here to book
Halloween Trail – Swinton Bivouac, Masham
Are you brave enough to follow the spooky Halloween trail?
Head up to Swinton Bivouac, part of the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate, and follow the ghoulish clues to help you find your way through the eerie woodland.
Dogs are welcome and fancy dress is encouraged!
When: October 22 – October 31
Where: Bivouac at Druid’s Temple, Masham, Ripon, HG4 4JZ
Price and booking: £5 per trail sheet with prize upon completion. Trail sheets are available from the Bivouac Café from 10am daily.
Stately Superstitions: Eerie Encounters at the Castle – Castle Howard, York

An experience for adults, venture a little further outside the Harrogate district and explore the uncanny on this behind-the-scenes tour of the house where not all is as it seems.
If you were to venture beyond the visitor route, below stairs, you’d encounter a labyrinth of dark cellars and never-ending corridors.
Long since servants walked the halls and a fire ripped through the now empty wings, these parts of Castle Howard have remained largely unchanged.
Those interested in the history of the house may revel at the chance to explore these quarters, but a stay longer than necessary provokes a sense of unnerving discomfort causing the imagination to try and make sense of the darkness.
Flickers of light, footsteps, and the unexpected sounds of a servant’s bell can pierce the silent eeriness of these spaces, making this grand house feel somewhat awry.
You are encouraged to stay close to your guide as they lead you through these ghostly cellars, dark passages, and fire-damaged rooms, revealing stories and surprises that will make those childhood beliefs you thought you’d grown out of suddenly seem very real…
Calm your fears with hotdogs and refreshments at the Fitzroy Café before your experience begins.
When: October 21 -23, 28-31.Tours will depart at 6pm, 6:45pm, 7:45pm and 8:30pm.
Where: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
Price and booking: Adults from £20. Book tickets
here. Unfortunately, this experience uses narrow staircases and so is unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Seven places to see Santa across the Harrogate district this ChristmasIt feels like it creeps up on us earlier every year. Yes folks, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s time to book your Santa visit.
Attractions across the Harrogate district have already started to release tickets.
And while Christmas might still be three months away, it’s advisable to act fast if you want to secure an audience with Mr Claus.
I’ve had the pleasure of taking my boys to meet him a few times over the years at various locations in the area.
Each experience has been excellent and we are definitely spoilt for choice. Santa is clearly a big fan of the Harrogate district.
To help you get organised, here are seven places to see Santa this year:
The Harrogate Father Christmas Experience – Cedar Court Hotel

It’s back and it has been hailed as “bigger and better than ever”.
Last year Father Christmas’s Chief Elf Tinsel, from Enchantica’s, delighted children and grown-ups alongside the big man himself at The Crown Hotel.
This Christmas you can join Santa, Tinsel and all of the Elves at a very magical Elf Village at the Cedar Court Hotel.
And those who are on the good elf list can book places to enjoy two shows this year:
- Elf Training Show – an immersive sing-along elf training experience for the whole family to enjoy.
Or
- New for 2022 – Code Breakers Christmas show – for ages seven plus to adult – an escape room style family show wrapped up with magic, illusion and festive code breaking challenges to help save Christmas.
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 27 and you can be among the first to get them by signing up to the mailing list here.
November 26 – December 24. Check here for show dates, times and availability.

Wander through the winter woodland to see the enchanted Christmas Village, festooned with festive delights and merry displays.
Chief Elf Chestnut will meet little visitors and lead them to see Santa Claus in his cosy Christmas grotto.
Children will be presented with a pack of festive activities and will also be able to listen to tales from Holly Berry, make reindeer food and post a letter to Santa at the North Pole Post Office.
November 26 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.

This hugely popular experience is making a welcome return following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets.
Then head to the sleigh pick up point to be greeted by Buddy the Elf, who will help you board Santa’s sleigh for your magical sleigh ride .
You will arrive at father’s Christmas woodland grotto where you can sit by the fire and tell him your Christmas wishes.
November 26 – December 23. Click here to buy tickets.
Santa’s Grotto – Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale

Follow the festive trail through the Arboretum, until you find yourself at the grotto, nestled deep in the woods.
The elves welcome and guide you through the winter wonderland, where you’ll meet a host of wonderful creatures before arriving outside Santa’s log cabin home.
Find him waiting in his cosy sitting room for a chat and a photo. He also has a gift for every child.
November 24 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets from September 26.
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Father Christmas will be bringing the magic back to Stockeld Park this winter.
With twinkling lights and Santa in a rustic wooden cabin, the whole family will feel the festive cheer.
Visitors can also check out the dazzling Winter Illuminations.
November 19 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.

The hotel’s popular Santa Sunday lunch is back for Christmas 2022.
The family dining experience features a table magician and face painter to entertain the children.
It also includes a visit to Father Christmas’s grotto with gifts for the children and an individual photo to take away.
Book now by calling 01937 580 115 or email reservations@bridgewetherby.co.uk

This experience is slightly further afield, but is definitely worth a mention if you fancy some extravagance at Christmas.
After the sell-out success of last year’s ‘Christmas in Narnia’ experience, Charlotte Lloyd Webber Events and The Projection Studio are back and set to transform grand rooms into magical forests and faraway kingdoms.
Expect to be enchanted by theatrical installations and projections that bring to life your favourite fairytales. The sounds of glass slippers on ballroom floors and horse-drawn pumpkins will echo through the great halls via state-of-the-art soundscapes.
The theme also means Father Christmas will pay a special visit throughout December, bringing an immersive theatrical experience in the main house and a storytelling grotto in the courtyard.
Ticket prices will vary subject to whether you choose to book on a peak or off-peak date. You can buy them here.
Harrogate district autism charity celebrates 10th anniversaryA Harrogate district autism charity is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Autism Angels hosts sessions for autistic children and their families at Throstle Nest Farm near Summerbridge.
The charity offers horse-riding therapy sessions along with kids’ clubs and day camps.
Sarah Kekoa, who founded the charity in 2012, said she believed that the charity had led to “breakthroughs” with children’s experiences.
Ms Kekoa added that they took a positive approach which was not always present in everyday life:
“A lot of people project on to them that they can’t do [things] and we don’t believe that. We believe they can do. It’s just how.”
The charity aims to teach life skills such as teamwork, kindness and feeling able to speak up.
It also uses the occasional unpredictability of the horses to help children address their fears and anxieties.
The organisation also works as a space for the parents to come together to talk about their experiences and share their advice.
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For Ms Kekoa, the last decade has brought “breakthroughs” in terms of helping children.
However, she stressed, the end outcome was not the same for every child. She said:
“We had children coming last week who weren’t even in school and are now going back to school now in September… The aim isn’t always to get them back into school, but the aim is to always to keep their mental health and wellbeing a priority.”
To celebrate the anniversary, Autism Angels is hosting a party for those involved in the charity this weekend.
In April, some of the families undertook a 150-mile journey coast-to-coast journey and raised more than £10,000.

Sarah Kekoa founded the Autism Angels charity in 2012 (photo: Autism Angels)
Time with “the Horse Whisperer”
Ms Kekoa was inspired to start the riding therapy after spending time with American horse trainer Monty Roberts, who is known as “the Horse Whisperer” in the United States.
She noticed similarities between the non-verbal communication methods of the horses and autistic children. She said:
“It’s the way that they move and behave which tells their story.”