A swimmer from Knaresborough is one of four locals warming up to represent their country at the world ice swimming championships this week.

Jacqui Hargrave – known as Open Water Woman – is part of a team of four from the Harrogate district competing in the event.

Millie Bell, Emily Smailes and Jonty Warneken will also be taking part in the contest from January 12 to 15 in the French Alps.

The team face water temperatures as low as 2C when they compete against 500 athletes from around the world.

Jacqui will be competing in the 50m and 100m categories and has been in training with the team in Doncaster. She said:

“There’s very strict rules. You can’t dive in head first because it’s so cold you could die.

“It can be dangerous.”

Her sprint race may only last a couple of minutes, but it is still important that Jacqui takes the cold seriously and warms back up gradually.

She uses a hot drink and hot water bottle to help her recover, before taking a warm shower about an hour later. She added:

“There is one person that is there for you, to put your clothes back on and take you inside to see the medical team.”

The team was given a major boost recently when adventurer and Chief Scout Bear Grylls, whose sister Lara is also in the squad, stopped by for a training session.

He posted about the experience on his Twitter account:

Great to swim today with some of the ice swimming GB team! What they’re doing takes courage and determination, and I’m so proud of my sister Lara who is swimming next month in the world ice championships – you’re going to smash it! pic.twitter.com/87K16vIc3E

— Bear Grylls OBE (@BearGrylls) December 27, 2022

Always a keen athlete, Jacqui only began open water swimming 12 years ago after problems with her hips preventing her from running.

She first tried swimming with her friend Andrea and said:

“That was it, we fell in love with it.”

Read more:

• Starbeck woman, 67, takes on swimming charity challenge
• Harrogate channel swimmers reach the finish line

This article is sponsored by Myrings.

Harrogate’s leading family estate agents Myrings has scooped four prestigious titles at the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

The independent agency received the Gold Estate Agent Award, Gold Landlord Award, Silver Tenant Award and Best in County for North Yorkshire at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2022.

The team from Myrings, which is based on Princes Square, collected the award at a glittering ceremony in London.

The winners were announced by Phil Spencer, who co-presents Location, Location, Location with Kirstie Allsopp.

The awards are powered by the ESTAS customer review platform that highlights the best agents, conveyors and brokers for customer service in the UK.

Gemma Myring, Managing Director of the family-run business, which was established in 1998, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS.

“It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice. We have always been very proud of the personal service, and this proves we are delivering what we promise.”

Ms Myring put the continued success of the agency, which is ranked in the top 2% for sales in the country, down to the hard-working team.

She said:

“The staff have pulled out all the stops and I’m so proud of all of them. A good team is what sets you apart.

“We are going into our 25th year really proud of what we have achieved.”

Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003, addressed the audience at the awards.

He said:

“I’ve said it many times but the work of agents, conveyancers and brokers is vastly underrated by the general public and it’s only when clients go through the process that they understand the effort, complexity and hard work that goes into your job.

“It’s your passion for what you do that makes The ESTAS the most important day in the property calendar every year.”

To find out more, visit the Myrings website. You can call the sales department on 01423 566400, or contact the lettings team on 01423  569007.

Members of Harlow Hill’s new ‘men’s shed’ have been busy repairing a damaged display board in the Pinewoods.

The men’s shed was set up in February for men in the Harlow Hill area to boost mental health and tackle loneliness in the area.

Many of their members have woodwork skills so the charity Pinewoods Conservation Group asked if they could help out repair a display board that helps visitors navigate the 96-acre woodland.

For their first job, men’s shed members have spent time over the last few weekends replacing rotten timbers and putting the board back in place.

Men’s sheds are part of a wider organisation of ‘sheds’ that began in Australia. Their goal is to create a space for older men to come together to create and build while making friends. Women are welcome, too.

Read more:

• Harlow Hill men’s shed aims to boost mental health

• Ripon Men’s Shed opens door to new friendships

John Hart, who set up Harlow Hill men’s shed said:

“Our members know the Pinewoods well and were pleased to be able to help the Pinewoods Conservation Group. This was our first official job the group had carried out and are very pleased with the result. We know like many charities funding can be challenging so we hope there are more opportunities for us to support local groups”.

Neil Hind, chair of The Pinewoods Conservation Group said:

“We heard that the group was up and running so were delighted that they agreed to help us. Originally, we thought a whole new display board maybe required but with some ingenuity from the group they were able to repair the board in situ saving us considerable funds. The display board should now be operational for a good number of years to come.”

Pannal Ash Whites U14’s won the Leeds and District Cup on Sunday.

The team won the trophy after a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Wortley at Whitkirk FC.

After a good start, the team survived an early scare when Wortley hit the crossbar.

Two goals from Henry Collings saw the Whites take a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The win was capped off with a long-range effort from Jamie Stokoe.

Head coach Dave Holdsworth said.

“We’re delighted that a great set of boys who support and work so well together have their reward. This trophy is hard-earned and reflects what can be achieved with effort, practice and respect for others in the game. Brilliant achievement! Well done to all the lads!”

Read more:

• Pannal Ash under-11s football team set for cup final
• Green Shoots: Harrogate Town’s vegan footballer who is passionate about environment

Next up for the U14’s is the County Cup final on 24th April against Yorkshire Amateurs.

Pannal Ash Whites U14 squad are: Toby Sharkey, Otis Baker, Sam Caine, Charlie Dunsmore, James Meehan, Aaron Brompton, Sam Grass, Charlie Moss, Oliver Holdsworth, Lewis Jalal, Kuba Balcerzak, Henry McQuade, Henry Collings, Jamie Stokoe

Whilst the under 14s picked up the trophy, the club’s under 11’s team lost 6-1 in their final Leeds and District Cup final against Hunslet Club, which was also played on Sunday.

Pannal Ash Whites under-11s football team will play in the Leeds and District cup final tomorrow.

A total of 98 teams entered the competition in September 2021 and the road to the final has seen the team beat Leeds City, Pontefract Collieries, Farsley Celtic, Chapeltown and Whitkirk.

Pannal Ash have scored an impressive 34 goals and only conceded 3.

The team will play Hunslet Club in the final.

Head coach Andy Pears said:

‘’I am immensely proud of the boys on what they have achieved in reaching the cup final.’’

‘’Myself and Simon Evans started the Whites team last season and despite disruption due to the pandemic, the way they have progressed and developed is a credit to the group we have.

‘’A talented group that always want to learn, they have really matured this year.”

Read more:

• Green Shoots: Harrogate Town’s vegan footballer who is passionate about environment
• Harrogate student scores wonder goal for Leeds youth team

The final will take place tomorrow at Whitkirk FC, Selby Road, Leeds, LS15 OAA.

Kick-off is at 10:30 and there is a small entrance fee for anyone that wants to come and support the team. It’s £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

A good season for the club

It has been a good season for Pannal Ash as its under-14s and under-16s have also made cup finals.

The under-14s will play in the Leeds FA District cup final against Wortley FC on March 27. They will also play in the County Cup final against Yorkshire Amateur Juniors on April 24.

The under-16s will play in the Harrogate FA Final against Pannal Sports JFC on a to-be-confirmed date. They will also play in the County Cup final against Horsforth St Margarets on April 1.

Bilton Dragon Bowling Club is due to open a new clubhouse next Sunday.

The crown green bowls club was founded in 1909 and has members aged 14 to 93. The club plays on a green behind the Co-op on Skipton Road.

Its first clubhouse was a wooden pavilion erected in 1910 at a cost of £17 and 10 shillings.

The new one has been funded by a £20,000 grant from Sport England and fundraising by members.

The club had hoped to open it last year but it was delayed due to covid.

Players at the club.

Read more:

• New woodland with 2,000 trees planted in Bilton
• Bilton and Woodfield Community Library closed due to flooding

Mayor of Harrogate Trevor Chapman will be there today to cut the ribbon.

The club is also looking for new members. If you’re interested in playing or have any questions, email the club’s chairman Trevor Whincup here or call John Archer on 07715030832.

Mr Whincup said:

“Bowls is perceived to be an older person’s sport, but we have members of all ages. It’s good exercise and it’s a good game.”