Halloween 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

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.

Halloween Trail – Swinton Bivouac, Masham

Stately Superstitions: Eerie Encounters at the Castle – Castle Howard, York

It 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.

Christmas at Mother Shipton’s, Knaresborough

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. 

The Magical Christmas Experience – Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

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.

A Harrogate district autism charity is celebrating its 10^th 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.

Read more

• Harrogate autism advocate using YouTube to break down barriers
• Harrogate Library to launch Lego club for children with autism and disabilities
• Knaresborough photographer hoping to change perceptions of autism

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.”

The 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’

The temperatures have risen across the Harrogate district this week and that summer feeling has well and truly kicked in.

And what better time than to enjoy some of the stunning flora and fauna that our area has to offer.

There are lots of gorgeous gardens to explore over the next few months as part of the National Garden Scheme.

The initiative gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in the UK and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities. The scheme also promotes the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.

We have put together a list of the participating gardens in our district from now until August:

Birstwith Hall, Birstwith

When: Sunday, June 19, 2pm-5pm

Admission: Adults £5, children go free

About: A charming and varied four-acre garden nestling in a secluded Yorkshire dale.

A formal garden and ornamental orchard, as well as extensive lawns leading to a picturesque stream and a large pond. There is also a walled garden and Victorian greenhouse.

The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Yorke House and White Rose Cottage, Dacre Banks

When: Sunday, June 26, 11am-5pm

Admission: Adults £5, children go free

About: An award-winning English country garden in the heart of Nidderdale.

A series of distinct areas flowing through two acres of ornamental garden. There are also colour-themed borders, as well as a natural pond and stream with delightful waterside plantings. Secluded seating areas and attractive views.

The adjacent cottage has a recently developed garden designed for wheelchair access. There is a large collection of hostas and an orchard picnic area.

The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Prospect House, Burton Leonard

When: Friday, June 24, 1-.30am-2pm

Admission: Adults £35, children go free

Booking: A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special event. Tickets must be booked in advance here

About: Following a welcome by the owner, there will be talks on the development of the garden, the creation of a cutting garden and colour-themed borders plus demonstration of cut flower arrangements in the potting shed. Buffet lunch included.

Prospect House features a one-acre walled, landscaped garden with ornamental pond, pergola, large oval lawned area, cutting and vegetable beds.

There is a colour-themed herbaceous long border, ‘hot’ borders, and a physic bed. There is also mature hedging, trees and seasonal interest throughout. Additional new planting areas are being established.

A renovated outhouse has been converted into a potting area used for garden workshops.

The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Cobble Cottage, Whixley

When: Sunday, July 3,11pm-5pm

Admission: Adults £4, children go free

About: An imaginatively designed, constantly changing, small cottage garden full of decorative architectural plants and old family favourites.

There is an Interesting water garden, containers and use of natural materials. It also features a black and white courtyard garden and Japanese-style garden with growing willow screen.

The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Group openings – gardens that open on the same day

Grafton gardens, Marton-cum-Grafton

Well House.

When: Sunday, July 3,11am-5pm

Admission: Adults £6, children go free

About: These two gardens in adjacent rural villages are also connected by a public footpath.

Paddock House is on an elevated site with extensive views down a large sloping lawn to a wildlife pond. A plant lover’s garden where the house is encircled by a profusion of pots and extensive plant collections combining cottage gardening with the Mediterranean and Tropical. A curved terrace of Yorkshire stone and steps using gravel and wood sleepers leads to many seating areas culminating in a cutting garden and small greenhouse.

Well House, in Grafton, nestles under the hillside, with long views to the White Horse. This one-and-a-half acre garden was begun 40 years ago and is constantly changing.  A traditional English cottage garden with herbaceous borders, climbing roses and ornamental shrubs with a variety of interesting species. Paths meander through the borders to an orchard with ducks. Refreshments are available at The Punch Bowl pub, a five-minute walk from Well House.

Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens

Woodlands Cottage.

When: Sunday, July 10,12pm-5pm

Admission: Adults £10, children go free

About: Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens are situated in the beautiful countryside of Nidderdale and designed to take advantage of the scenic Dales landscape.

The gardens are linked by attractive walks along the valley, but each may be accessed individually by car.

Low Hall has a romantic walled garden set on different levels around the historic C17 family home (not open) with herbaceous borders, shrubs, climbing roses and a tranquil water garden. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Riverside House is an atmospheric waterside garden on many levels, supporting shade-loving plants and features a Victorian folly, fernery, courtyard and naturalistic riverside plantings. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Woodlands Cottage is a garden of many rooms, with exquisite formal and informal plantings, and an attractive wildflower meadow which harmonises with mature woodland. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Yorke House has extensive colour-themed borders and water features with beautiful waterside plantings. The newly developed garden at White Rose Cottage is specifically designed for wheelchair users. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Read more:

• Top gardening tips from Harrogate horticulture experts
• The £2.25m eco-house for sale that ‘blends in’ to the Nidderdale countryside

The Priory, Nun Monkton

When: Thursday, July 7,11pm-5pm

Admission: Adults £6, children go free

About: A large country garden surrounding William and Mary house (not open), at the confluence of the River Nidd and River Ouse.

It features species trees, calm swathes of lawn, clipped yew, beech and box, formal rose garden and mixed borders.

There is a new area of soft perennial planting and informal parkland. There area also kitchen gardens with a greenhouse and swimming pool where teas will be served.

The Nun Monkton Ferryboat will be running a special service on this day, connecting Nun Monkton with Beningbrough and Moor Monkton, from the riverbank next to The Priory.

Markenfield Hall, Ripon

When: Tuesday, July 12, 2pm-3pm

Admission: Adults £5, children go free

Booking: By guided tour only (max 10 people). Tickets must be booked in advance here

About: The work of the hall’s owner Lady Deirdre Curteis and gardener Giles Gilbey.

Mature planting combines with newly designed areas, where walls with espaliered apricots and figs frame a mix of hardy perennials.

In 2018 the farmhouse border was replanted to eventually blend seamlessly with the hall’s main east border.

Goldsborough Hall, Goldsborough

When: Sunday, July 24, 11pm-5pm

Admission: Adults £5, children go free

About: An historic 12-acre garden and formal landscaped grounds in parkland setting around Grade II*, 17th-century house, which was the former residence of HRH Princess Mary, daughter of George V and Queen Mary.

Goldsborough Hall boasts Gertrude Jekyll inspired 120ft double herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a woodland walk.

There is a large restored kitchen garden and glasshouse which produces fruit and vegetables for the hall’s commercial kitchens.

Greencroft, Littlethorpe, Ripon

When: Sunday, August 7, 12pm-4pm

Admission: Adults £5, children go free

About: A half-acre informal country garden created by the owners. It features long herbaceous borders packed with colourful late summer perennials, annuals and exotics culminating in a circular garden with views through to large wildlife pond and surrounding countryside.

Special ornamental features include a gazebo, temple pavilions, formal pool, stone wall with mullions and gate to pergola and cascade water feature.

The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.

Firefighters were called to a home on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road last night when a napkin in a toaster caused a blaze.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said help was summoned at 7.25pm. It adds:

“Crews attended a fire in a residential building. Fire was caused by a napkin inside a toaster. Fire was out on arrival.

“Minor fire damage to toaster and napkin. Crews gave resident advice.”

In a busy night for the fire and rescue service, firefighters were later called to a single vehicle collision near Summerbridge in which a man was taken to hospital with suspected pelvic injuries.

The collision occurred at 9.25pm at Middlesmoor. The incident log says:

“One male was trapped and crews extricated him using hydraulic cutting gear. Male is believed to have pelvis injuries and was taken to hospital.”

Firefighters were also called when a children’s toy car caught fire in a rear yard off Market Place, Ripon, shortly after 6pm. The fire was out on arrival.

Read more:

• Warning after cigarette causes Penny Pot Lane fire
• The Ship Inn near Boroughbridge to reopen after serious fire

A Nidderdale primary school has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Inspectors visited Summerbridge Community Primary School in February and have now given the ‘Good’ rating across all five areas assessed, as well as for its overall effectiveness.

They highlighted pupils’ behaviour and concentration, after-school clubs and residential trips, and the ambitious learning opportunities, as among the areas where the school performed well.

The inspectors’ report said:

“Leaders want the best for pupils at this small village school. The school has a caring ethos where pupils are taught to develop skills and knowledge to maximise their potential… Positive relationships between staff and pupils are evident throughout the school. Pupils feel safe, happy and well cared for.”

The report praised the school’s teaching across numerous subject areas, as well as the special educational needs and disabilities provision. It also recognised the leadership team’s effectiveness, and said staff were positive about their jobs and enjoyed working at the school. It added:

“Staff feel valued and say that leaders are considerate of their well-being.”

To improve further, the school was advised to offer staff the opportunity to refresh and update their knowledge of the method chosen to teach phonics, and to support subject leaders to ensure staff understood how best to deliver lessons that match the intended learning outcomes.

Read more:

• Bilton playgroup rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted
• Tractor run inspires children’s learning in Pateley Bridge

Reacting to the new Ofsted report, headteacher Nick Coates said:

“I am delighted with the outcome following a four-year journey of hard work by everyone involved with the school.

“The parents, the governors, the staff, the local authority and of course the children have all had a significant part to play in the success of the school and given the challenges of the last two years, this hasn’t always been easy, but we are thrilled that all our hard work has paid off and has been recognised by the inspection team.”

At its last inspection in 2018, Summerbridge Primary School was rated as ‘Requires Improvement’.

Mr Coates became headteacher in September 2016. He has also been headteacher at Darley Primary School since January 2009 and the two schools have formed a federation, with a total of 160 pupils.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough tackled a wildfire on moorland near Brimham Rocks this afternoon.

The cause of the blaze, which affected a 50 metre x 50 metre stretch of land at the popular visitor spot near Pateley Bridge, is unknown.

The fire, which was reported at 2pm, was extinguished quickly.

But it prompted Harrogate Fire Station to issue a warning to people to be aware that the land is dry and to be careful putting out cigarettes and avoid open fires and barbecues, except in safe areas.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says:

“Crews used one hose reel jet and grass beaters to extinguish the heather fire which measured 50m x 50m. The cause is unknown at this time.

Harrogate Fire Station issued a tweet warning the land is dry and for people to be extra careful in the countryside.

This afternoon, fire engines from Harrogate and Knaresborough attended a wildfire measuring 50m x 50m at Brimham Rocks near Pateley Bridge.

Fortunately they managed to get this under control and prevented the fire from spreading. Cause is unknown 1/5 pic.twitter.com/m9n890ufnL

— Harrogate Fire station (@Harrogate_NYFRS) March 22, 2022

Oven fire and trapped child

Firefighters responded to two other local fires today.

At 12.49pm, crews from Ripon and Bedale were summoned to reports of an oven on fire at a home in Melmerby.

The fire was out by the time the firefighters arrived.

At 2.41pm, Ripon firefighters responded to reports of a small child accidentally locked in a car at Stonebridgegate in Ripon.

The incident log says:

“Crews from Ripon released the child, who was distressed, by gaining entry through the rear window.”

Half-term is almost upon us and the February break can often be one of the trickier holidays to navigate when it comes to keeping the kids entertained.

The weather isn’t always the kindest and it is still too early to bribe them with Easter eggs – even if they did arrive in shops on Boxing Day.

Fortunately there are lots of activities being planned in the Harrogate district, so parents can escape relatively unscathed.

We have put together a list of activities to do with the kids this half-term.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair – February 21-27

Always a popular one with families in the area, the indoor funfair is back at the Yorkshire Event Centre at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.

With rides and inflatables for all ages, the event offers all the fun of the fair under one roof – perfect if you need to escape the unpredictable February weather.

Read more:

• Robot polar bear and 18m whale set to tour Harrogate district
• Dads create ‘Dingle Dangle’ toy to make nappy changing a breeze
• What’s On: A guide to events taking place across the Harrogate district 

Morning sessions run from 10am until 1pm and afternoon sessions from 2pm until 5pm. For the first time, there will also be two 6pm-9pm sessions on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets on the door will be limited. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Online tickets are £10.99 for unlimited rides per session and can be purchased here.

Fountains Abbey, Ripon – February 19 – February 27

For those little explorers who love being outdoors, a number of activities are taking place at Fountains Abbey.

Children can pull on their wellies and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.

Families will be able to plant their own snowdrop to take home from 11am-1pm on February 19, 21, and 23 and the weekend of 26 and 27.

They can also grab a ‘spring-go’ activity sheet to take with them on their adventures, spotting signs of spring – as they go!

For a full list of half-term events click here.

Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

This year the popular attraction, set in the stunning Nidderdale countryside, is opening earlier than usual.

Visit the farm this spring and say hello to all the expectant ewes in the barns ready to give birth. If you are lucky, you may even see a lamb being born.

The farmers will be on hand to answer any questions and tell you more about the animals.

For little animal lovers, as well as sheep, there are also piglets, goats, ponies, guinea pigs and donkeys.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café – it’s never too cold!

No booking is required and the farm is open from 10am-4pm

Admission is £5 for adults and children – under twos are free.

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby – February 19-27

The ever-popular family attraction is holding a ‘Talking Animals Week’ over half-term.

Our Planet Your World, across the Harrogate district – February 21-February 26

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

A robotic polar bear and an 18-metre whale are among the attractions travelling round the district as part of an environment-themed week of free events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer activities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

The events are as follows:

Monday, February 21

Boroughbridge Library, storytelling sessions

10am-1pm

Tuesday, February 22

Masham Town Hall, sea-theme crafting activity

11am-4pm

Wednesday, February 23

Ripon Market Square, animatronic polar bear, interactive art sculpture, face painting, craft activities for children and live music.

11am-4pm

Thursday, February 24

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

11am-4pm

Friday, February 25

Pateley Bridge play area, environmentally-themed crafting activity for children

11am-4pm

Saturday, February 26

Knaresborough Castle Grounds, Boat About, crafting activity for children, face painting

11am-4pm

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.

A builder has been fined more than £1,300 for burning demolition waste on land at Harewell Wood Cottage, Glasshouses.

Harrogate Borough Council visited the property on April 29 last year and witnessed remnants of a fire from the previous evening, which consisted of timber and some corrugated roofing sheets.

Philip Snow, 31, from Glasshouses had carried out demolition work – operating under PR Snow Services – at the former butchers in Summerbridge and then disposed of some of the waste on land owned by his parents, in order to burn it, rather than disposing of the waste at an authorised waste disposal site.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue had extinguished the fire at the property on the previous evening.

The blaze had been emitting dark smoke caused by the burning of timber, insulated sandwich panels and corrugated roofing sheets.

The fire sent large amounts of black smoke into the atmosphere, causing environmental pollution and potential harm to health.

This dark smoke caused by the burning of these materials is an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993 so Harrogate Borough Council took Mr Snow to court.

The Environment Agency provided a witness statement stating there was no environmental permit or exemption in place for the burning of waste on the land at the time of the incident.

Read more:

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Last month York Magistrate Court fined Snow, who pleaded guilty, £678 for the offence under section 2(1) of the Clean Air Act 1993 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £635.

Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“Mr Snow has shown a complete lack of awareness or consideration for the law, as well as the environment, by disposing of commercial waste in this way.

“I’d like to thank the concerned residents who raised the alarm, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for dealing with the fire swiftly and safely as well as the council officers.

“I hope this is a reminder to business owners that the illegal disposal of waste is a criminal offence and we will, with proper evidence, seek to prosecute the offender.”

Waste disposal law

Anyone employing an individual or business to remove waste from their property or business has a responsibility to ensure they dispose of it legitimately.

The easiest way to do this is to check they have a waste carriers licence (Upper Tier). This can be done on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling 0370 850 6506.

The council also advise asking for a receipt documenting the waste that was taken, by who and at what cost.

More information about fly-tipping is available on the council’s website.