More than double the number of people expected turned up to help tidy up Starbeck in the pouring rain this morning.

The volunteers were part of  UK’s The Big Help Out which encouraged people to try some voluntary work on the third day of The King’s Coronation celebrations.

Starbeck’s community rose to the occasion and this morning, despite the weather, a small army of more than 100 people turned up at St Andrew’s Church to help out – some doing some pretty tough jobs.

The event was supported by the Starbeck Residents Association, Starbeck in Bloom, Starbeck Lights and the church.

The Starbeck volunteers

Adrienne Amos, one of the organisers, told the Stray Ferret that plans had begun back in January:

“Once the new year had started we realised that it was going to come around very quickly. Phil our vicar offered the church as a hub and we know that lots of people in Starbeck are very community minded.

“We met all the different groups and decided that the easiest thing to do was to simplify it so we have gardeners who are edging and weeding, we have got street furniture cleaners and litter pickers.”

The Lancaster family, mum Sarah, dad Phil and Nina 13, Sol 12 and Reuben 9 all came along to help – their designated task was to litter pick along Spa Lane.

Sarah said:

“You can just put a little bit into the community to improve it and do some good in the world and it is good for the soul – it doesn’t matter where you live, you can put something back.”

Reuben, who is a local cub,  told the Stray Ferret that he didn’t mind being dragged out on a wet Monday “it’s good for the environment” he said.

Edging the pathway seemed to be the toughest job on offer. Ben Nichols, one of those braving a bad back tomorrow said  the King’s event had pushed him into doing something he’d been meaning to do for ages:

“This is my first time volunteering properly. I’ve been wanting to do it for a really long time. It was that final little push- everyone is getting involved and there are more things going on. It’s a nicer way to get everyone involved.”

One of the organisers, Neil Holmes, cleaning some street furniture

Valley Gardens, Harrogate 

Across Harrogate, in Valley Gardens,  Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) had set up a stall with leaflets of information and advice on where to get involved – the organisation has a volunteer directory on its website.

Karen Weaver, from HADCA (pictured below) said:

“We’re here as part of The Big Help Out, and it’s all about getting people to think about what you can do in your community. It doesn’t have to be a regular commitment, it can be one-off. There are all sort of possibilities – our online directory has more than 200 opportunities to get involved in the district so there is something for everyone whatever your interest.”

Community Fit’s Anna Gazier (L) and Lisa Tilburn who work with HADCA had been litter picking

The Harrogate District Soroptimists took part of today’s Big Help Out by holding a tombola tent in Valley Gardens to raise money for local young carers.

Oatlands 

A free barbecue, drinks, children’s crafts, face paints and coronation cakes helped the community in Oatlands celebrate the Big Help Out.

Organised by volunteers from Oatlands Community Group, the event helped to highlight the facilities on offer at the community centre and the activities it hosts on a regular basis.

From community meals for people living along to baby bundle evenings packing up donations to the special care baby unit at Harrogate District Hospital, the venue is used for events throughout the month – along with private hire for birthday parties and more.

Today proved popular with locals, with dozens of families visiting this afternoon.

Organiser Vic Smith-Dunn said:

“It has been really great. We’re fortunate we could do a lot of it indoors and the barbecue was under the gazebo, so the rain didn’t matter.
“I was worried people would stay away because of the weather but they haven’t. It has been a lovely afternoon.”

Ripon Cathedral will be the focus of celebrations for the bank holiday weekend for many people, with special events including live streaming of the coronation from Westminster Abbey and a commemorative service for the region on Sunday.

Floral displays by Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club, depicting the six stages of the coronation ceremony and the role of the King, now adorn the cathedral.

To add to the celebratory atmosphere, the cathedral’s bell ringers will ‘Ring for the King’ before both the coronation ceremony and the civic service on Sunday.

Among them will be four new recruits trained for the weekend’s events. The team of ringers has also been supporting ringers at other towers in the area so that they too can ‘Ring for the King.’

The coronation can be followed from 9.30am on Saturday, with live streaming on large screens in the surroundings of the cathedral nave.

Free light refreshments and activity sheets for children will be available with coverage continuing until after the royal family has appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

On Sunday afternoon the focus switches to a special commemorative service for North Yorkshire to mark the coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The service, which will see Ripon City Band accompany the cathedral choir, is being hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Ms Jo Ropner, representing the King and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a coronation beer festival on bank holiday Monday in the Dean’s Garden, where a large number of volunteers will be giving a helping hand, reflecting on the King’s request for a focus on volunteering on this day, as part of The Big Help Out.

Dean Dobson said:

“We are delighted to be playing our part in helping the region to celebrate the coronation. Our spectacular floral displays will speak of the spiritual dimensions of monarchy, an institution which binds us together as a national community. We pray for God’s blessing upon the King and the Queen and upon all the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“Without a whole host of volunteers much of the weekend’s activities would not be possible. I am grateful to them and to our business sponsors for their wonderful support of the beer festival.”

For those attending Ripon Cathedral coronation beer festival, the Dean’s garden is entered from the corner of High St Agnesgate, from 11.30am to 5pm. Visitors can enjoy award-winning beers and ciders accompanied by hot food and live music.

To keep children entertained there will be a bouncy castle, ice cream van and children’s trails.

As last year, the main sponsor is Wolseley of Ripon and the cathedral’s business partner, Raworths solicitors, will also be heavily involved. Hambleton Brewery, Rudgate Brewery and Rick Jones from Valentinos of Ripon will support the event’s logistics. Further details are available here.

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