Victoria Oldham Archives - Page 2 of 3

Harrogate’s Windsor House gets new co-working space and cafe

A new co-working space, meeting area and café have opened in Harrogate’s Windsor House.

The facilities were created during the second phase of a refurbishment of the imposing building, which overlooks Valley Gardens.

Owned by property firm Boultbee Brooks, Windsor House is home to more than 115 businesses, and includes 75,000 sq ft of flexible workspace.

Harrogate borough mayor, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opened the new facilities at an event attended by more than 100 dignitaries.

Mayor Victoria Oldham cuts the ribbon.

The refurbishment, which included repairing the leaky roof and installing new furniture, has been overseen by interior design firm and Windsor House tenant RU Creative, which sourced and installed the main focal point — an olive tree.

The new space seats 110 people, who can visit the renovated café, which has been renamed The Pantry at Windsor House. The pantry is run by husband-and-wife Antonio and Jo Nobile.

The building, formerly the Grand Hotel, is a short walk from the town centre.

Karen Winspear, Boultbee Brooks’ building manager for Windsor House, said:

“After four months of intense work and much anticipation, we are delighted to have opened this beautiful new space for our tenants.

“The grand foyer, which has been returned to its former glory, is a luxurious space for workers to meet clients, to work together, or just relax over a coffee or lunch.

“There is more to come at Windsor House, with plans to open a new yoga studio in the new year.”

Grants up to £3,000 available to Harrogate district community groups

Community groups in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £3,000.

The Local Fund for the Harrogate District opened today for applications to its latest round of awards.

The fund is a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

it focuses on small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

The guidance notes say:

“Local groups can apply for activities and services that support people, keeping them connected to their community and with each other.

“This may be particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis, you may want to run more activities throughout the winter months, so people have a warm space to access.

“We cannot support overheads alone but encourage you to include them as part of your application and our commitment to full cost recovery.”

A total of 14 groups received a total of £40,688 in the last funding round, which was celebrated at an event at West Park Hotel in Harrogate last night.

Successful applicants included Boroughbridge and District Community Care, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, St. Andrew’s Church in Burnt Yates, Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Harrogate District of Sanctuary.

A total of £84,681 was given to 29 groups in the previous year.

The deadline for the new funding round is January 9. Decisions will be made by mid-February.

Grants from £200 to £3,000 are available.

Applicants must be based in and/or working in the area served by Harrogate Borough Council.

Further details are available here.

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said:

“It is five years since The Local Fund was launched and since 2018, 88 projects have been supported and £237,266 paid out in grants.

“These grants have supported activities around mental health, inequality, hidden poverty and loneliness. More recently they have assisted in the response to and recovery from covid and now the impact of increases in the cost of living.

“Despite the local government changes in 2023 the fund will remain for the long term, supporting local grass roots community action across the whole of the district and with local people involved in decisions about the awards.”

Pic shows: Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham (centre), with voluntary sector representatives at last night’s event.

Harrogate cadet centre reopens after £750,000 refurbishment

Harrogate’s joint cadet centre has officially reopened following a £750,000 refurbishment of the drill hall.

The centre, on Strawberry Dale, is home to both the town’s army and air cadets and also houses the region’s first virtual reality aviation centre for cadets.

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Yorkshire and the Humber hosted the official opening by Jo Ropner, the lord-lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

Ms Ropner unveiled the commemorative plaque with representatives of the town’s army and air cadets looking on.

Thursday’s opening was also attended by Harrogate borough mayor Victoria Oldham.

Mayor of Harrogate Victoria Oldham with RFCA chairman and chief executive (1)

Mayor of Harrogate Victoria Oldham with the RFCA chairman and chief executive.

The funding was provided predominantly by the RAF, with support from the Yorkshire Cadet Trust and the Royal Flying Corps.

RFCA chief executive Jason Wright said:

“The refurbishment of Harrogate joint cadet centre has transformed the experience of the 100 or so local cadets who parade here every week.

“It’s created bright, attractive classrooms, offices for our adult volunteers, a wonderful drill hall and has even made room for Yorkshire’s first virtual reality training centre.

Mr Wright said 28 other cadet squadrons also used the virtual reality training centre.

Mr Wright added:

“We couldn’t be more delighted that the benefits this new development is already bringing to young people in the town and we are delighted that His Majesty’s lord-lieutenant in addition to Harrogate’s mayor have been able to join us for its official opening.”

Shoppers form long queue for opening of Harrogate’s first Lidl

A long queue of shoppers formed outside Harrogate’s first Lidl supermarket this morning for the grand opening.

On a bright but cold morning, people began queueing well before 8am when the doors opened for the first time.

Work began on the new store in February this year. Today the Mayor of the Harrogate borough, councillor Victoria Oldham, formally announced the store open and cut a ribbon before local residents poured in.

The Stray Ferret was there for a live broadcast on Facebook:

Chris Aldred, the Liberal Democrat councillor for the Harrogate Fairfax ward, said it was important the area had a lower cost supermarket:

“Times are hard aren’t they? We’re all trying to save whatever we can save so having this on the doorstep on this side of town is good.

“It’s also better for the environment as people won’t have to travel long distances to get bargains. I just think it’s really, really good for Harrogate.

“I’ve been really impressed with Lidl’s attitude throughout the process – it was a proper consultation. They went around knocking on doors talking to people and, as a result, there wasn’t a single objection.

They even refurbished the public bench on the pavement which they didn’t have to.”

Pupils from Starbeck Primary School hold up their winning designs after the store held a competition to create a poster for the opening.

Store manager Martin Hart told the Stray Ferret he was surprised by the number of people outside the store today:

“There was a massive push from the team last night and this morning to get the store ready for customers.

“When I saw the queue I was a bit overwhelmed but excited and it’s great to see how much interest is there and I think the store is going to be good for Harrogate.”

Lidl Harrogate store manager Martin Hart

Proclamations of King Charles III made in Harrogate and Ripon

Residents from across the Harrogate district have gathered to pay their respects to the late Queen today, and to welcome the new King.

Proclamations of the accession of King Charles III were made at the war memorial in Harrogate and at Ripon Town Hall at 4pm.

At the former, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, read the words of the proclamation to the gathered crowd. She said:

“In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer how people learn for the first time that they have a new monarch.

“Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving monarch came to an end and our new sovereign succeeded.”

The ceremony included “inverting the mace” as a symbol that the crown had passed to a new sovereign.

Several hundred people stood in silence until she concluded by declaring “God save the King!”, echoed by the audience.

It was followed by three cheers for the new King.

Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremony were the council chief executive Wallace Sampson and its leader, Cllr Richard Cooper. Those gathered included Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as many local councillors.

All were dressed in black and wearing black armbands.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton, centre, with other dignitaries outside Ripon Town Hall

The Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, was present for the city’s proclamation of the new King, along with its Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Linda.

The proclamation was read out by Richard Compton, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, at Ripon Town Hall.

The crowd then sang the national anthem before giving three cheers for King Charles III.

Meanwhile, this morning, hundreds of people gathered at Ripon Cathedralfor a special Sung Eucharist Service, at which prayers were said to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

What was originally scheduled to be a civic service for the Mayor of Harrogate changed its focus following the Queen’s death on Thursday.

Cllr Oldham was in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, as well as Ripon MP Julian Smith and the chair of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Margaret Atkinson.

The service was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson. As chaplain to the Mayor of Harrogate, he was also in Harrogate this afternoon for the Proclamation of King Charles III.

New royal walk created for Harrogate

A royal walk has been created celebrating Harrogate’s links with the monarchy.

The route takes people past 18 locations with royal connections, such as the Sun Pavilion, which was re-opened by the Queen in 1998 and the King Edward VII gates to Valley Gardens.

It starts at Cathcart House and proceeds up Victoria Avenue and across Library Gardens to the Queen Victoria memorial.

It then goes down James Street, across to Old Tom’s Cabin, Farrah’s and Victoria Drive and up to the Edward Vll gates, Royal Baths Hospital, Sun Pavilion, Crescent Gardens before finishing at the Crown Hotel.

Walkers are advised to allow up to 90 minutes.

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“The walk is an opportunity to reflect on the many royal connections across the town.”

The self-guided walk is accompanied by a leaflet providing information about the route as well as details of royal visits to Harrogate.

The leaflet is available from libraries, the tourist information centre and Mercer gallery, as well as online here.

The walk is a joint venture between Harrogate Dramatic Society, Harrogate Civic Society and Harrogate Borough Council.

The route was devised by Mr Holland and Harry Satloka, who operates Harrogate Free Walking Tours, as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.

Mr Holland and Mr Satloka led an inaugural walk today, which was followed by a one-act play by Harrogate Dramatic Society. Cllr Victoria Oldham, mayor of the Harrogate borough, was among those attending.

Sensory garden with braille plaques opens in Harrogate

A sensory garden created purposefully for visually impaired people in Harrogate was officially opened today.

Spenceley Gardens on Station Parade in Harrogate was refurbished in a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Vision Support Harrogate District.

The gardens, which were originally created in 1973 after the land was gifted to the council by Alderman George Spenceley, has been planted with grasses and herbs to create a sensory area. Braille plaques have been installed to help visually impaired people identify the various plants.

Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham and deputy lord-lieutenant Simon Mackness opened the site today.

Councillor Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“I’m delighted to see Spenceley Gardens has been given a new lease of life. The Harrogate district is internationally recognised for its horticultural offering and this sensory garden perfectly complements that.”

Spenceley Gardens 04 (1)

The new garden was designed by Phil Keesing and planted by a team of horticulturists from RHS Harlow Carr with the support of students, following funding from local resident Patricia Swallow.

A new sign for the garden has also been designed and provided by Vision Support Harrogate.

Herbs in the garden include sage, rosemary, thyme and southernwood.

Paul Cook, curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr said:

“A key part of the RHS vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants and so we wanted to create a garden full of flowers, herbs and grasses that heighten the senses of smell, touch and sound to ensure the garden is a truly immersive experience for visually impaired people to enjoy.

Who was George Spenceley?

Nick, Julian and Adrian Spenceley, grandchildren of George Spenceley, said in a statement:

“Our grandfather, George Albert Spenceley is fondly remembered by all of us.

“His abiding loves were music and gardens and helped establish the Harrogate cultural scene after the war, inviting Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra up to perform in the town.

“Setting up the sensory garden was typical of the warm-hearted, generous grandad we knew. He was to pass away just two years after the garden was established, so this was the last public act he performed.

“He would be delighted to see that they have now got a new lease of life.”

Final Harrogate borough mayor takes office

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has taken office as the final mayor of the Harrogate borough as other top roles were handed out during an official ceremony.

Cllr Oldham said it was her aim to bring “harmony and peace” during her one-year term before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished in April.

She was sworn in at the Royal Hall in Harrogate yesterday and took over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who served as mayor for the past 12 months.

Conservative councillor Robert Windass was also made deputy mayor.

Cllr Oldham, who represents the Washburn ward and works as an accountant and farmer, said:

“Throughout the year there will be a need to take stock, but more importantly it is a matter of bringing people together.

“I’d like to thank councillor Trevor Chapman for all of his hard work in the last year.

“I naturally am looking forward to continuing with this civic tradition, albeit until Harrogate Borough Council unfortunately will be no more.”

Also at yesterday’s meeting, re-elected council leader Richard Cooper appointed councillor Sam Gibbs as cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling.

Cllr Gibbs succeeds councillor Andy Paraskos who was previously a member of the seven-person cabinet.

Rebecca Burnett returns to planning

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, who previously oversaw the creation of the Harrogate district Local Plan as cabinet member for planning, was made chair of the planning committee.

She replaces councillor John Mann, who will remain a committee member.

Newly-elected mayor Cllr Oldham also passed her previous title of chair of the licensing committee to Cllr Ed Darling.

The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.

Cllr Oldham has chosen Yorkshire Air Ambulance as the first of her nominated charities.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, Cllr Cooper said councillor Oldham will be an “outstanding mayor for all of our borough.”

He said:

“During this year she will meet hundreds of community groups, businesses and individuals. They will see in her what many of us have seen since we met her in 2017.

“She will see us out with flair, fun and dedication.”

Cllr Cooper, who will step down as the longest-serving leader of the borough council in April, also said the authority would continue pushing ahead with major projects during its final year before the new North Yorkshire Council takes over.

He said:

“I pledge to you – on behalf of the cabinet – that this will not be a year of winding down. It will be a year of handover.

“As part of that handover, we continue to have a string of exciting initiatives and projects to take forward.

“And in the cabinet I have appointed, we have a team that can do a great job for the people of the borough.”

Councillors approve ‘much-needed’ Harrogate pet crematorium

Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee has unanimously backed plans to build the district’s first pet crematorium.

The crematorium will be built inside a converted shipping container at Stonefall Cemetery on Wetherby Road, Harrogate.

There will also be a ‘goodbye room’ in a converted garage where owners can say final farewells to their pets.

The council, which approved its own plans for the crematorium yesterday, currently charges £36 to collect dead pets from people’s homes. The closest pet crematoriums are in Leeds, Thirsk and Skipton.

John Club, the council’s commercial and community development manager, told the meeting there are around 47,000 pets in the Harrogate district and that owners increasingly want to give them a dignified send-off after they die.

The move follows the lead of councils in north east Lincolnshire and Barnsley, which have already opened or started work on pet crematoriums.

This storage building will be converted into a ‘goodbye room’.

Stephen Hemsworth, bereavement services manager at the council, took questions from councillors about the project.

Mr Hemsworth said it would cost around £50 for a rabbit to be cremated whereas a dog would cost over £200. He said revenue would be invested back into the council.

He added the facility would be used by the general public as well as local vets.

Good news for pet owners

Conservative councillor for Washburn ward, Victoria Oldham, who is also a farmer, said she fully supported the proposals.

She said:

“It’s much needed in the area. I’m jolly glad that it’s coming forward now. I am sure it will be well used. Having a goodbye room will mean an awful lot to pet owners.”

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham nominated as final Harrogate mayor

Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has been nominated as the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council.

She will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who has held the role since April 2021 during a term disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a full council meeting last night, Cllr Oldham said it was an “absolute thrill” to be nominated.

Conservative council leader Richard Cooper congratulated her on her nomination, saying:

“Vicki and I have known one another since she first became the candidate for the Washburn ward.

“It was my great pleasure to support her during that by-election, and it will be my great pleasure to support her during her mayoral year.”

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, also described the nomination as “wonderful”.

She said:

“Not only will Vicki be our last civic mayor, but she is female and she is rural. Those two pluses are amazing.”

Cllr Oldham will be the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council as the authority will be abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire Council from April 2023.

Elections to the new council will take place in May.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Trevor Chapman.

Also at last night’s meeting, Conservative councillor Robert Windass, who represents the Boroughbridge ward, was also elected as deputy mayor.

He will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby who represents the Knaresborough Eastfield ward.

The new mayor and deputy mayor will be officially sworn in at an annual full council meeting in May.

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Who was George Spenceley?

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Rebecca Burnett returns to planning

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Good news for pet owners

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