Walkers are set to flock to Nidderdale today for the annual charity walk and run.

The Nidderdale Charity Walk and Run, which is organised by The Rotary Club of Harrogate, is returning for its 27th year and aims to raise money for charitable causes while encouraging people to keep active.

Over the years, participants have raised money for a number of charities including Harrogate Hospital and Community, Dementia Forward and Harrogate Easier Living Project.

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The rotary club also offers those causes which have received 10 or more supporters an 80% donation of the entry fees their fundraisers have paid.

Held annually, five routes will be included in this year’s event with a mixture of distances ranging in distance from four to 26 miles.

All walks start at Pateley Bridge Scout Hall and lead into Upper Nidderdale, with some going beyond into Lofthouse and Ramsgill.

The Nidderdale Charity Walk is set to return next month for its 27th year.

The event, which is organised by The Rotary Club of Harrogate, will be held on Sunday, September 5, aims to raise money for charitable causes while keeping active.

Over the years, participants have raised money for a number of charities including Harrogate Hospital and Community, Dementia Forward and Harrogate Easier Living Project.

The rotary club also offers those causes which have received 10 or more supporters an 80% donation of the entry fees their fundraisers have paid.

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To date participants of the Nidderdale walks have raised more than £880,000 for charity.

Held annually, five routes will be included in this year’s event with a mixture of distances ranging from four to 26 mile walks.

All walks will start in Pateley Bridge Scout Hall and lead into Upper Nidderdale, with some going beyond into Lofthouse and Ramsgill.

For more information on how to take part and entry fees for the Nidderdale Charity Walk, visit the website here.

The Rotary Club of Harrogate has celebrated its centenary by planting a colourful flowerbed in the Valley Gardens.

Coronavirus has meant the club has been forced to cancel and postpone its much bigger events this year.

March 22 had been set as the date for a sold-out centenary concert at the Royal Hall.

Lockdown restrictions meant this couldn’t go through, but they encouraged ticket holders to donate the refunded money to the upkeep of the Royal Hall.

The members dressed in 1920s clothing and even hired a 1920s Rolls Royce as a nod to the Rotary Club’s origins when they met for the dedication ceremony earlier this week.

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Since 1921, The Rotary Club of Harrogate has raised money for hundreds of causes, from tackling environmental issues to providing affordable accommodation.

Stephen Ellis, district governor for Rotary District 1040, the Mayor and Mayoress, and Rotary Club of Harrogate president John Fordyce

A spokesperson for the club said:

“Great plans to celebrate our centenary have been cancelled or suspended but the Rotary Club of Harrogate did manage to persuade Harrogate Borough Council to dedicate a flowerbed in the town’s famous Valley Gardens.

“The club has always paid a great deal of attention to the environment, having planted many thousands of trees, crocuses and daffodils in the area.

“Outgoing president Alistair Ratcliffe has worked tirelessly to ensure that the centenary bed does credit to the achievements of the club, particularly in what must have been one of the most challenging years for every club president.”

The incoming president John Fordyce hosted the event with the Mayor of Harrogate district, Trevor Chapman.

Harrogate Business Improvement District launched its annual Christmas window competition today.

The annual contest was featured in the Channel 5 documentary, Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas, last year.

It aims to promote the town centre’s shops and encourage people to shop locally using the BID’s online directory of shops.

Shops have until 8am on December 8 to dress their windows. After a few days of deliberations a winning window will be announced.

The judges will be looking for three elements: illumination, innovation and the sprit of Christmas.

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The contest will be restricted to 50 businesses within the BID’s quarters of Kings, Montpellier, Victoria and West Park.

As in previous years there are three separate categories for large, medium and small retailers.

Winners will be presented with a framed certificate to display on December 14. The overall winner will receive the prized rose bowl.

This year Harrogate BID has partnered with the Rotary Club of Harrogate on the initiative. One of the club’s members, Graham Saunders, said:

“More than ever we need to encourage residents and visitors alike to venture into Harrogate and view the wonderful Christmas display the town is famed for.”

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID acting chair, said:

“We would encourage everyone to come in to Harrogate town centre, but in a Covid-safe way, and wherever possible, do all their Christmas shopping with local traders.

“The Harrogate Gift Card is also a great Christmas present and ensures every one pound loaded onto a card is one pound spent within local community.”