Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show: Day 1 round-upPlanning your wedding? Here’s why a pre-nup might be a good ideaRipley Castle cancels weddings as sale loomsNew bridal boutique to open in Ripon

A bridal boutique offering new and second-hand dresses will open its doors in Ripon on Friday.

Gail’s Wedding Boutique, which can be found in Duck Hill Shopping Quarter, will sell pre-loved dresses which have been repaired to sell on, as well as new dresses and sample cut dresses.

Owner Gail Byrne, who lives in Ripon, has been a seamstress for more than 30 years. She decided to venture into the bridal industry after paying for her daughter’s wedding dress last year, which set her back more than £2,000.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Don’t get me wrong it was worth every penny, but I couldn’t help but think how expensive it was for just a few hours of wear.

“It’s so much money which a lot of people don’t have, and I wanted to help those people.”

Ms Byrne will also offer repairs and alteration services, for both new and second-hand dresses, which would take “no longer than two weeks to turn around”.

Gail's Wedding Boutique dresses.

Some of the dresses in store.

There will be a range of designer brands in stock, she added, but these will vary dependent on which dresses are brought in to re-sell.

“Brands and individuals bring their pre-loved dresses to me to repair and then sell on.”

Ms Byrne also said she has placed affordability at the forefront of her newest venture, with all dresses costing £1,000 or less.

She will also sell bridesmaids dresses and evening wear.

Gail’s Wedding Boutique will open on Friday, December 22.

It will be open Monday to Friday from 1pm – 4pm. The shop is appointment-only on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays.

Read more:

 

‘Devastated’ parents miss son’s wedding celebration after passport delay

A “devastated” Harrogate mum was unable to attend her son’s wedding celebration because of a delay in receiving her passport.

Alison Johnson was due to fly to Sweden with husband David last Thursday ready for the event on Saturday, which would also have been the first time she met her daughter-in-law’s family.

She applied for a new passport in early May, as soon as the event was arranged – around the recommended 10-week window before travel – after realising she could not find her old one.

The Passport Office confirmed it had received it within two days and asked a friend to verify the photo.

However, with no sign of the new passport by early July, Mrs Johnson was beginning to worry.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Every time I tried to contact them, the phone went dead. When I did get through, I was promised call-backs that never materialised.

“I got a message earlier in July telling me not to keep contacting them because it slowed the process down, so I stopped.”

After sending off the passport, Mrs Johnson said she heard nothing until she was told the photograph she had sent had been rejected just 10 days before they were due to travel. She sent a new one immediately, then heard nothing more.

After paying to upgrade to a fast-track service, last Monday, July 18, she received a call from the Passport Office reassuring her that the new passport would arrive by special delivery before 9am on the Wednesday, July 20.

Mr and Mrs Johnson were due to travel to Manchester that afternoon, ready for their flight the next day.

Mrs Johnson said, with the promise of the passport’s arrival, she even baked a wedding cake for her son Matt and his new wife Linn. They were married at New Year, but decided to have a celebration for the whole family in the summer in her native Sweden.

“It was going to be in the most idyllic setting at a place called Osby. He’s allergic to nuts, so I made a traditional English wedding cake without the nuts, cooked with brandy.

“I iced it on the Tuesday on the morning of the awful heat.

“Then the passport didn’t turn up on Wednesday. The cake is now in a cake box in a case and it’s going to have to stay there.”

Read more:

With no passport, Mr and Mrs Johnson were left with no option but to cancel their flights. She said they could have rearranged their travel plans, but the cost of doing so was too much for them to afford.

It was also made more complicated by the fact Ms Johnson has ME and requires a mobility scooter. Arranging for it to be taken on a plane can be complex even with a lot of notice.

She said:

“I am just devastated. He is our only child and we just wanted to be there.

“I’ve been there for every other milestone of my son’s life. This was a bit special – a highlight after a few awful years.

“We haven’t seen them since the beginning of January and they’re going away on honeymoon now, then they’re both working flat out when they get back so I don’t think we’ll see them until next year.

“There’s another celebration planned in London next year so we can go to that and take the cake, but that’s no compensation for what we’ve missed.”

A spokesperson for HM Passport Office said:

“Between March and May, we processed approximately three million applications, and 98.5% of applications were completed within 10 weeks. But we cannot compromise security checks and people should apply with plenty of time prior to travelling.”

Mrs Johnson said although she has missed out on the important family event, she hopes other people will learn from her experience and apply as early as possible or pay to receive their passport sooner.

Knaresborough couple’s Dower House wedding cancelled due to refurb

A couple from Knaresborough tried for months to contact their wedding venue only to be told their special day was no longer secure and they should look elsewhere.

Toni Kinder and Michael Shelton were due to get married at Dower House Hotel in Knaresborough this December after booking the venue in August 2021.

The hotel was bought by The Inn Collection Group (ICG) in December 2021 but the couple were assured it would not affect their wedding.

However, after months of not being able to get in touch with anyone the couple rang the St George, another ICG hotel in Harrogate. It was only then, eight months after they made the booking, they were told planned refurbishments meant their date was no longer secure.

Last week, the Stray Ferret revealed a multi-million pound expansion plan would lead to the closure of the gym and spa facilities and the hotel for some time as works got underway.

Ms Kinder said she had picked her food, booked entertainment and imagined her pictures at Knaresborough Castle but said this all had to be put on hold whilst they found an alternative venue.

Ms Kinder said:

“There was never much communication with the Dower House, I only found out because I got a number from a friend for someone at the St George.

“We were set on the Dower House but don’t want to wait any longer to be married, we just have to hope we like the St George.”

The couple, who have been together nearly five years, are due to visit the St George in Harrogate after it said it could offer them the same date and honour the price they paid.

Read more:

The couple have four children between them and were left feeling “disappointed and frustrated” by the lack of communication from Dower House.

The ICG has said:

“There is no date for closure of the hotel so they are correct in that there has been no formal cancellation as yet but guests have been advised of possible disruption. We have been offering guests the opportunity to move venues for certainty but at this stage we do not know when the hotel will close.”

Ms Kinder added:

“It’s a shame because we picked there, of course it’s not what we wanted but it’s not a disaster. We had friends who’s weddings were delayed loads over lockdown and we know we will get married on that day it just won’t be at Dower House.”

Meet the Knaresborough woman who is a dog chaperone at weddings

Would you like to have your dog walk down the aisle with your wedding ring?

It’s all part of a service offered by wedding dog chaperone Katie Abbott, who looks after couples’ pooches during their special day.

The Knaresborough-based professional dog walker first heard about the trend from America, and she thought she could offer newlyweds something a bit different in Yorkshire.

“People were getting family members in to look after their pets, but it took the day away from them.”

Prices start at £225 to hire Ms Abbott as a wedding dog chaperone. She usually stays with the dog for the wedding service and photos afterwards.

She can also stay overnight with the dog whilst newlyweds enjoy themselves at the reception and evening party.

Ms Abbott said the service is particularly popular with millennials who look at their furry companion as a member of their family.

“They want their dog there for the biggest day of their lives.”

Read more:

Ms Abbott is trained in canine body language, so on the day, she looks out for fear or stress signals to make sure the animal is not overwhelmed.

At a recent wedding, an excitable labrador charged down the aisle, so she took the dog outside for a walk to calm it down.

One of her jobs is ensuring that the bridal dress is not spoilt by mucky paws — and the dog is kept safely away from the cake.

She’s been to two weddings this year where she walked the dog down the aisle, and there are even custom collars with on them pillows so they can carry the ring.

She said:

“I love my job so much. As an animal lover, being able to work with dogs is amazing, as is being at a wedding, which is the happiest day of people’s lives.

“Having a dog there is the cherry on top of the cake.”

Regional Wedding Award presented to Harrogate business

Harrogate Wedding & Events have been awarded the Regional Wedding Award for the Décor category.

Its partner business, DJMikeRobson, won the Regional Wedding Award for the DJ category.

The business, which provides wedding services in Harrogate, won the award for within the Yorkshire and North East region.

It was presented by the Wedding Industry Awards for the year 2022.

The awards bring together businesses in the wedding industry from across the UK and are held every year in London.

Ina Robson, owner of Harrogate Wedding & Events, said:

“We are delighted to receive the award and pride ourselves on excellent customer service. To know this award is also driven from customer feedback, means a lot to us.

“The industry itself has had a very difficult few years, but we are now looking forward to a bright future.

“I would like to thank all our clients and DJs for all of their support over the last year, and for helping to make our businesses a great success.”

New managing director appointed at Ripon BID 

Lindsay Elizabeth Mcphearson Austin has been appointed as managing director at Ripon BID.

News of the appointment was recently published on Companies House.

The appointment replaces former directors Sheila Webb and Sarah Blenkinsop.

There are currently twelve active directors as a part of the Ripon BID.

BIDs, which are funded by a levy on local firms,  aim to increase visitor numbers to towns and cities.

Real Food Harrogate asks for local food producers to join market

Real Food Harrogate market

Real Food Harrogate market, Crescent Gardens

Real Food Markets is looking for independent food producers to join its Harrogate market.

The not-for-profit organisation operates in both Harrogate and Ilkley and supports local, independent and speciality producers.

Real Food Harrogate is run by a selection of traders and volunteers on Crescent Gardens on the third Sunday of each month from 10-3pm.

Set up in 2022 with the support of Harrogate BID and Harrogate Council, the market has gradually expanded in size.

Now, organisers are looking for local food producers to take part in Real Food Harrogate.

To join their group of traders and volunteers, you can find out more information here. 

Read more:

Send us your firm’s business news and we’ll publish it.  Business Breakfast is a daily round-up of all things related to business and the economy in the district. Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Bride’s disappointment as Harrogate Register Office maintains covid guest limit

A bride-to-be has expressed disappointment after discovering Harrogate Register Office is still imposing covid restrictions on the number of wedding guests.

Deanna Contreras and Sean Wilkinson are due to tie the knot at the register office on May 27.

They have been told the maximum amount of guests permitted remains 32 rather than 55 — which was the number pre-covid.

Ms Contreras, who got engaged shortly before covid struck two years ago, said:

“We were supposed to get married last year but postponed it because we wanted all our family there.

“It never entered my head that the limit would still be 32 people.”

It means the couple have had to restrict family invitations as well as partners of guests.

Harrogate Register Office

The register office on Park Parade.

Ms Contreras, who lives in Starbeck, said:

“We thought ‘let’s wait and have a happy time in 2022’ — and it will be a happy time but this has put a dampener on it.

“I’m not going to get stressed about it. I’m 56 and have been married before but I do feel sorry for young brides.

“I think this is a bit over the top. We can’t keep putting everything on hold for covid.”

Read more:

Last month Ms Contreras wrote to Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper about the matter.

Cllr Cooper replied to say:

“From my point of view I cannot see what possible justification there can be for restrictions in numbers to be given when all national restrictions have been lifted and the event is three months away.”

He added he would contact the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for the register office, urging it to think again.

‘Reviewing arrangements’

Neil Irving, assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities at the county council, told the Stray Ferret:

“Until April 1 we are required by law explicitly to consider covid transmission risks around public events.

“Government continues to advise that space and ventilation are important factors in minimising covid transmission.

“We are currently reviewing all our arrangements for events such as weddings and to bring in changes from the beginning of April, but for the present we continue to take steps to minimise covid transmission as rates, though falling, continue to be relatively high.”

Sneak peek: New owners refurbish The Old Deanery in Ripon

The new owners of The Old Deanery are set to be the first couple to have their wedding at the venue after completing the first phase of a major refurbishment.

It is a new chapter for the Grade II* listed mansion. The venue has sat in the shadow of Ripon Cathedral since it was built in 1625.

Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who also own the Galtres Lodge Hotel in York, took on the business in August 2021.

The previous owners closed the business in June 2020 due to coronavirus. That closure came as a major blow for the city with countless memories attached to the building.

Where couples will have their wedding breakfast. Photo: Tim Hardy

So with news of new owners came a lot of interest from locals curious about Chris and Rebecca’s plan for the place.

While they are open-minded about how The Old Deanery will operate in future, they have put the restaurant and hotel side of the business on hold to focus on weddings and events.

The new owners have been busy refurbishing and redecorating the venue since they took it on last summer.

Read more:

The Old Deanery will look quite different to how people remember the venue. The couple have brought out the original features of the building where they can and opted for a more neutral colour palette.

A new look for The Old Deanery.

Mr Layton and Ms Hill told the Stray Ferret:

“We do most of the work ourselves so we don’t have to decide on a vision for the place straight away and it evolves naturally. In a way the place tells you what it wants.

“By no means is the renovation over. We are looking at orangeries, oak garages for the drive and a library. All of the things that would have gone with a big stately home.

“We want this to be part of the community. That is why we are opening as more of an events venue than a hotel.”

Lewis Carroll was apparently inspired to write Alice in Wonderland during his time in the garden here.

The first wedding at the new Old Deanery

It is now ready for its first wedding of the new era later this month — which just so happens to be the wedding of Mr Layton and Ms Hill. Rebecca added:

“We have been engaged a while. With a big chunk of coronavirus in the middle you can forget how much time has passed.

“Chris wanted to get married in our own place but our venue in York was too small.

“We only decided before Christmas to get married here so we didn’t have long to plan it but everybody we wanted just happened to be available. It all just fell into place when we found The Old Deanery.”