North Yorkshire Police says a member of the public reported seeing missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday in Wetherby yesterday, as officers continue to search for the missing 73-year-old.
Judith was last seen on Saturday at 10.43am at Library Gardens in Harrogate after she left her care home.
Police believe she may have walked from here to use public transport.
She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a coat.
The police have deployed their operational support unit as well as a drone to search for her in rural areas around Harrogate.
Extensive CCTV enquires are also taking place to try and establish any further positive sightings.
North Yorkshire Police critical incident inspector, Martin Smith said:
August Bank Holiday 2022: Events happening this weekend in the Harrogate District“We’re currently extremely concerned for the welfare of Judith. I believe that Judith has either walked from this location on foot or has used public transport.
“I would urge members of the public, in particular people in the Harrogate and Wetherby areas to remain vigilant, and report any sightings to police immediately.”
The August Bank Holiday weekend is upon us and it’s our last long weekend until Christmas.
If you haven’t decided how you will be spending it, here’s a guide to some of the events taking place in the Harrogate district.
There’s a wide range of events happening from live music to children’s activities. They offer a perfect excuse for families and friends to get together while the sun is still shining.
Jurassic Crazy Golf, Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza, Harrogate
Some of the Jurassic Crazy Golf holes.
This nine-hole mini golf course combines crazy golf with dinosaurs and is accompanied by an educational Dino Trail around the town centre.
Matthew Chapman, manager at Harrogate BID which commissioned the course and trail, said:
“With the school summer holidays nearing an end, parents maybe scratching their heads thinking what to do to entertain their children.
“Well, we have the answer – jurassic golf! And what could be me more fun than a combination of dinosaurs and crazy golf?”
The Dino Trail is a fun, educational trail where people can find answers to jurassic-themed questions by scanning a QR code on a poster, displayed in shop windows.
The answer will then appear on their phones.
As people complete the trail, they will also be collecting letters that form a simple, themed anagram. Users can then submit the anagram/answer via the LoyalFree app for an additional chance to win a prize draw.
Those wishing to play a round of golf can turn up on the day or book at the jurassic golf website here.
The cost is adults £3, children £2.50, family of four (two adults and two children) £10 and one adult and one child £5.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, jurassicgolf.co.uk/harrogate
Fireworks Championships, Newby Hall, Ripon
A dazzling night of fireworks at Newby Hall and Gardens, which sees three teams create stunning displays choreographed to music and the audience voting for a winner on the night via SMS.
The event also includes a final display by SmartPyro to round off the night. Watch from a picnic rug or camping chair against the stunning backdrop of 17th century house and its impressive grounds
There will also be a drone light show, courtesy of DroneSwarm, funfair rides, music and food and drink.
Mat Lawrence, managing director at event organiser MLE Pyrotechnics, said:
“It’s an honour to return to Newby Hall for another year of our Firework Champions event. We’ve got a tonne of great entertainment in store thanks to our three competitors, as well as a spectacular closing display. It’s going to be a great day out for families.”
Gates open for entry at 4pm, alongside pre-show entertainment. The DroneSwarm light show takes place at twilight and the main event begins at 9.30pm, with SMS voting at 10.15pm. The larger closing display takes place at 10:30pm and the results are announced at 10.40pm.
Book your ticket here.
Saturday, fireworkchampions.co.uk
Read more:
- What’s On across the district?
- Free activities to do with the kids this summer in the Harrogate district
Leeds Festival, Wetherby
Leeds Festival is once again set to take over Bramham Park, near Wetherby.
Thousands of people are expected at Bramham for the three-day event, which starts on Friday and is headlined this year by the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Dave, Halsey, Bring Me the Horizon and Megan Thee Stallion.
Last year’s new format continues, with two main stages instead of the previous one.
Friday to Monday, leedsfestival.com
Family Fun Day at Ripon Races
The final family fun day of the season is taking place at Ripon Races on Bank Holiday Monday. It will also be hosting the only listed race of the season, the EBF Ripon Champion Two-Year Old Trophy. Pack a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy lots of free fun for the children in the course enclosure including:
- Balloon modelling and face painting
- Barrel train ride
- Kub karts
- Inflatable assault course and giant inflatable slide
- Punch ‘n’ Judy and magic show
Monday, ripon-races.co.uk/family-days
Free entertainment on the Market Square, Ripon
Ripon City Council’s season of complimentary summer events for residents and visitors will finish on a high tomorrow (Saturday), with a full-size ferris wheel operating on Market Square from 2pm until 8pm.
City council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“This is the first time that the council has had a ferris wheel for families to enjoy as part of its fairground attractions.
“It will be alongside a climbing wall for older children and a ride for younger children.”
A climbing wall will be among the attractions
All rides will be free of charge, like the evening of musical entertainment starting at 6.30pm, when Ripon singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary takes the stage.
He will be followed by tribute acts singing the hits of Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Olly Murs and country and western favourites.
Performances will go on until 11pm with a break from the contemporary sounds at 9pm, when attendees will be able to see one of Ripon’s team of Hornblowers, setting the watch.
On Sunday and Monday the Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market. Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders.
Saturday and Sunday.
Pop-up parties, Knaresborough Castle and Ripon Spa Gardens
Harrogate Borough Council has organised these summer events for the whole family to enjoy.
The events are all free and are a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos.
They follow a party held in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens earlier this month, which was a huge success.
Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm
- 11am – Bubble circus tricks show
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm
- 11am – Circus tricks workshop
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Circus tricks workshop
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Friday and Saturday
Harrogate petanque player triumphs in national competitionA Harrogate petanque player has won a prestigious national competition as part of a team from Yorkshire.
Charles Stewart was one of three players who travelled to Leicester for the Petanque England National Veterans Triples competition.
Along with Alan Swift from Wetherby and Richard Burrow from Leeds, he took part in the league stages of the contest before going on to the knock-out rounds.
“Our main aim was to qualify for the main knock-out, getting through to the last eight. We achieved that last year but got knocked out in the quarter final.
“This time we went and played the quarter final, then the semi, and got through to the final where we played three ex-international players. I imagine we were probably the solid underdogs on paper, playing the pedigree of the people we were up against!
“It was one of those great occasions where things go your way. We were 11-1 or 12-1 up and said to each other, ‘it’s not over yet’. They had a little flurry of activity but we managed to nip it in the bud and the final score was 13-5.
“It was certainly worth the trip to Leicester!”
The team of three, who play under the name Le Dragon, are now set to represent Yorkshire in Lowestoft at an inter-regional contest in September. Yorkshire has just been promoted back into the first division so the trio know they will face strong competition across the two-day event.
Despite the high level they play at, Mr Stewart said the events retain the friendly, sociable feel of local, informal games, which is one of the attractions for participants.
Read more:
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Mr Stewart, who was a founding member of Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club and is now president of Yorkshire Petanque, said interest in the sport across the Harrogate district has never been higher.
A new terrain has been built in Darley, while the Harrogate club has created a new headquarters with 10 courts in the grounds of Pannal Ash Junior Football Club next to Oatlands Junior School.
Meanwhile, local club members often travel to play in Ilkley, Wetherby, Horsforth and Leeds.
Mr Stewart said:
“Terrains are popping up everywhere, usually on a smaller scale because it’s often an enthusiastic group of individuals who get the ball rolling.
“In lockdown, when it was permitted to play socially distanced sport outside, it was perfect. Every club I’m aware of grew during the last two years.
“We’re trying our best to motivate and get these small clubs enthused. When you are playing in a highly visible site, like the pierhead in central Harrogate, it attracts people to stop and watch. It goes from six or eight people involved to now around 50 members in Harrogate.
“A lot of clubs suffer from being hidden away behind a hedge or a fence. The more people see it’s a game for all ages and there’s no restriction on who can play, the better.”
Harrogate club chairman Nigel Clay added:
Petrol station in Harrogate district has joint most expensive fuel in country“We are delighted for Charles and his success at becoming a national champion. As the regional chairman, Charles is also working very hard to help develop the sport across Yorkshire, and with increasing interest across the county.”
Wetherby Services on the A1 has the joint highest petrol price in England — costing an eye-watering 202.9p per litre to fill up.
Prices at the pump have risen yet again this week due to increases in the cost of crude oil, which is used to make petrol and diesel.
The website PetrolPrices publishes up-to-date fuel prices at sites across the country.
It shows the BP station at Wetherby Services has passed the £2 per litre threshold and is now the joint highest petrol price in the country.
It’s the same price as other BP motorway petrol stations in Cumbria, Sunderland and Wiltshire.
It was announced today that it now costs over £100 to fill up a 55-litre family car, which the motoring body RAC called a “truly dark day” for motorists.
Read more:
- Car window smashed in Knaresborough by slingshot
- Reservoir parking costs could cause ‘tremendous problems’ on nearby roads
In Harrogate, PetrolPrices says the most expensive place to fill up is Texaco on Skipton Road where it costs 197.9p a litre for petrol and 194.9p for diesel.
The cheapest place for petrol is Morrisons in Starbeck, where it’s 170.4p.
For diesel, it’s Asda where it currently costs 181.7p
In Ripon’s three petrol stations, the most expensive is BP where it costs 183.9p for petrol. The cheapest is Morrisons at 180.9p.
In Knaresborough, the Co-op on Manse Road has the most expensive petrol at 184.9p.
Driver stopped on A1(M) after failing to pay at three petrol stationsPolice arrested a driver on the A1(M) near Allerton Park after they filled up at a petrol station without paying multiple times.
The motorist was stopped after they failed to pay at Exelby Services on the A19.
Once stopped, police discovered that the driver had also not paid at two other petrol stations at Wetherby and Scotch Corner in the last month.
Officers from North Yorkshire Police also discover that the driver was wanted by Police Scotland for dangerous driving.
[1 of 2] This driver filled with ⛽️ at @ExelbyServices #A19 & left without paying. We stopped him at #AllertonPark #A1M/#A59 It turns out he has also done this twice previously at #Wetherby @bp_UK & #ScotchCorner @ShellStationsUK in the last month Arrested x 3 #Bilking #MOWP … pic.twitter.com/7NS8fek0rV
— David Minto (@TC174_NYP) April 12, 2022
Read more:
- Man denies causing death by dangerous driving near Boroughbridge
- Drug driver who reversed at police car in Pateley Bridge avoids jail
- Unfair to move Skipton Magistrate cases to Harrogate, says solicitor
Butcher serving Harrogate district appoints first resident chef
A butcher that provides meat and poultry to restaurants, cafes and homes across the Harrogate district has appointed its first resident consultant chef.
Greg Lewis will help Wetherby-based Sykes House Farm develop products and build and run a new demo kitchen on site.
Rachael Hirst, who runs the third-generation family business with her brother Robert Smith, said:
“We are delighted to have Greg on board and are extremely excited for our future plans with him.”
Mr Lewis began his career as a bakery assistant in New Zealand, then progressed onto cooking for athletes at the Sydney Olympics. He then moved to the UK and worked under Jeff Baker at Pool Court, Leeds, which was England’s only inner-city Michelin starred restaurant outside of London at the time.
Estate agent makes series of appointments
Georgie Williams
Estate agent Dacre, Son & Hartley has made a series of appointments and promotions across its North Yorkshire offices.
Georgie Williams has been promoted to branch manager in the Wetherby office, where she will lead the team selling homes throughout the town and surrounding areas including Boston Spa, Collingham, Tadcaster, Spofforth, Sicklinghall, Bramham, Harewood, Scarcroft and Kirk Deighton.
Alison Reilly from Dacres’ Pateley Bridge office and Dan Rice from the Ripon office have both been promoted to sales managers. Reilly has worked at Dacres for almost 19 years and Rice joined in 2018.
In the company’s Harrogate office, Alex Jackson and James Curtis-Bean have been appointed as sales negotiators. The pair will work alongside the team’s branch manager Sophie Tillisch.
The North Yorkshire teams are led by area director Paul Baxter. He said:
“These promotions and appointments will enhance the standard of service that our clients enjoy, and further strengthen our Wetherby, Harrogate, Ripon and Pateley Bridge offices.”
Harrogate IT firm acquires company
Harrogate IT firm Redcentric has acquired a provider of security testing, incident response management and consultancy services.
7 Elements works with customers to assess security threats, identify weaknesses and provide tailored support.
The company, which has operations in Edinburgh and Leicester, has an annual revenue of about £1m.
Following the acquisition, it will continue to operate as a standalone business and will be led by its former owner, David Stubley, who established the company in 2010.
Redcentric paid £1.95m in cash, which could rise to £2.4m based on the future performance of the business over the next 13 months.
Chief executive Peter Brotherton said:
Creepy caves, pumpkins and witches: half-term fun in the district“I am delighted to welcome 7 Elements into the Redcentric family. The addition of its services to Redcentric’s existing DDOS, SIEM, managed WAF and information security consultancy services means we are now able to offer a complete portfolio of security services to our customers.”
This article is sponsored by Berwins
With Halloween falling during October half-term, there is a seriously spooky theme to this year’s family activities across the district.
And with last year’s Halloween celebrations being pretty much cancelled due to the pandemic this year’s spooky season is bigger and better than ever.
So whether you fancy a trip to some dark, scary caves, some pumpkin picking on a farm or some ghostly fun in Harrogate town centre, we’ve put together a list of five places to take your little witches and wizards for some Halloween fun.
Birchfield Farm Pumpkin Festival
Pick your own pumpkins at Birchfield Farm.
When Birchfield Farm launched its Pumpkin Festival on October 2, I think most of Harrogate visited. My social media feeds were jam-packed with pumpkins in wheelbarrows and smiling faces.
Fortunately there are plenty of pumpkins to go around and you can visit everyday until Halloween.
A firm favourite with families across the district, including my own, there are also lots of activities to do on the farm so you can make a morning or afternoon of it.
After you have picked your pumpkin from the patch – and there really is a huge selection of all shapes and sizes – you then have the option of visiting the farm for £5 per person. Then take your kids for a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café, which is currently serving takeout food and drinks.
Activities include:
- A huge carving barn where you can create your pumpkin masterpieces
- Bouncy castles
- Play equipment
- A 6-acre maize maze
- Woodland and den building
- Animals
- A giant bale mountain
HarroScream 2021
Enter Harrogate town centre if you dare this half-term…
- A supernatural-themed interactive trail on the loyalfreeapp
- A mysterious pop-up photobooth in the Victoria Shopping Centre
- Ghostly street entertainment
- A sinister, live radio show with Your Harrogate
- Petrifying prizes to be won throughout
Mother Shipton’s The Witching Hour
Mother Shipton’s is hosting The Witching Hour over half-term.
It’s the witching hour at Mother Shipton’s. Deep in the spooky forest where the world-famous prophetess was said to have been born during a terrifying thunderstorm, the spirits are flying high. You may hear the cackle of old souls wandering the ancient woodland or feel a shiver down your spine as you step into the Haunted Halloween Village.
Suitable for all ages, watch out for witches, ghosts, and creepy skeletons around every corner. There’s frightful fun to be had with photo opportunities and fancy dress competitions. Share your spooktacular photos and inventive costumes on social media using the hashtag #mothershiptons to be in with the chance of winning prizes and tickets.
See the incredible Petrifying Well as it turns items to stone as if by magic. Become spellbound as you make a wish in the wicked wishing well, warm-up with refreshments and hot drinks served from the vintage-style coffee kiosk.
The park has scenic picnic areas alongside the River Nidd, an adventure playground, and a museum, featuring petrified celebrity items. Access to the adventure playground is subject to weather conditions.
Stump Cross Caverns Halloween Half-term
Go on a Halloween trail at Stump Cross Caverns.
Spooky family films, including Casper and Scooby Doo, will be shown in the cinema room daily, with food and drink served from the Time Café to your seat for the ultimate Halloween experience.
From 3pm to 6pm every day during half-term and on Thursday until 8pm, you can also experience the caves as you have never seen them before with a self-guided torchlit ultraviolet tour.
Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure
Stockeld Park has a new skeleton trail this half-term.
Stockeld Park is another firm family favourite and the Halloween festivities are always great fun.
As always, there will be lots of spellbinding surprises in store in the Enchanted Forest, and little ones will love to exploring the pumpkin patch and will be able to pick their very own pumpkin to take home. Every paying child will get to choose a free pumpkin.
Spooky real live characters will be dotted around the park, providing photo opportunities and fun interactions for families.
New for this year, skeletons have taken over Stockeld with the skeleton trail. You can also try your luck with a spot of graveyard golf – the attraction’s brand new Halloween mini golf, which is undercover so you can play whatever the weather.
There’s something suitably scary for all ages.
When I overheard a mum saying she had set her alarm for 5.30am to book a Santa visit when tickets went on sale, I was pretty shocked.
Mainly because it’s September, but also because I didn’t realise this was now a thing.
Is the surge in popularity due to the pandemic and feeling like our kids missed out last year? Or is this now another “must-do” task to tick off on our ever-growing festive to-do lists? Don’t get me started on Elf on a Shelf and Christmas Eve boxes – cheers for that America.
Sally Haslewood, founder of Harrogate Mumbler, said:
“I think that September has always been a time that people start booking Christmas things – well people who are organised do anyway. I’ve never been that organised!
“I think particularly this year, parents want to give their kids a really good Christmas. They probably missed out last year so they want to book early to avoid disappointment.
“And to be honest I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing, because I think it will help the businesses as well. If it helps them plan and staff properly and know where they are from a business point of view I think that can only be a good thing.”
Now I am all about making my children happy, I love seeing their little faces light up when they see Father Christmas. But is there now more pressure than ever to deliver the best experience for your little ones?
If you can’t afford a visit or, God forbid, you forget to book anything in time, do you feel like a bad parent?
Sally said:
The thing is around Harrogate there are always last minute things that crop up as well. So if like me you are not as organised and you haven’t booked something for Christmas, there are always things you can get in last minute.
I think this year is potentially a little bit worse than normal, but parents are pretty organised. As soon as the kids are back at school in September, the next big thing is Santa visits. So hopefully this year the kids will have the Christmas they missed out on last year.”
Read more:
Don’t panic if you haven’t got yours booked yet. Here are three ideas for you:
Mother Shipton’s – Knaresborough
Wander through the winter woodland to see the enchanted Christmas Village, festooned with festive delights and merry displays to marvel at along the way.
Chief Elf Chestnut will be delighted to meet little visitors and lead them to see Santa Claus.
Santa will be keeping warm in his cosy grotto, and visitors can say hello or take an ‘elfie with the big man himself.
To keep Santa safe, Mother Shipton’s will be adhering to social distancing, but visitors will be able to see and speak to him before he sets off on his long journey.
November 21 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.
Santa’s Grotto – Stockeld Park
Santa is back for 2021! With twinkling lights and Santa in a rustic wooden cabin, the whole family will feel the festive cheer.
Subject to availability. Santa needs to check on his elves and reindeer every night, so ticket sales will cease once he has no time left available to see any more children each day.
Visitors can also check out the dazzling Winter Illuminations.
November 20 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.
Santa’s Grotto – Thorp Perrow Arboretum
- Do you want to send us a review of your Santa visit? Email me at nina@thestrayferret.co.uk
The pandemic has had a major impact on interior design trends, with a notable shift in how people are now choosing to live in their homes.
In a relatively short period, the home has become a place to work, exercise, relax and even attend school – and this continues to be one of the single biggest influences on design.
So, what does this mean for the future of interior design? Here’s how the design of our homes are changing and evolving as a reaction to the health crisis and the need for more adaptable, flexible spaces, according to interior designers from the Harrogate district.
No expense spared
Design ideas at Furnish & Fettle.
As a result of multiple lockdowns, people have been spending more time in their homes than ever before and there has also been a major surge in moving to bigger properties. This has led to more investment in design and interior designers are in greater demand than ever – no longer just an asset of the rich and famous.
Elisa Fanella, of Elisa Interiors, on Tower Street, Harrogate, said:
“It has been the busiest 18 months out of my 11 years as a self-employed interior designer. It has been an interesting shift, as at the start of the pandemic it was all very worrying, wondering if my business going to survive, but because people are spending so much more time at home, houses have become the main investment in their life.”
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Eleanor Goddard, director of Furnish and Fettle, which has showrooms in Harrogate, Wetherby and Pocklington, said:
“We are definitely seeing a huge increase in the number of people wanting the help of an interior designer.
“Everybody is doing their homes up. People have been stuck at home a lot more and have realised the value of making their houses beautiful and having a space which is fluid. People are using their houses in a different way, such as for homeschooling and working from home.
“The other thing is because people haven’t been going away on holiday and spending as much, some have managed to save and they see the value of spending on their home. Other people have moved because their house is no longer serving their needs and when they move into a house they want to put their own stamp on it.
“There’s a general move towards people seeing interior design as important.
“A lot of professional people would have a cleaner and someone who mows their lawn, interior designers have perhaps moved into that realm. It’s fair to say it used to be more of a service for the wealthy, but now people are saying ‘you know what? I just want my home to feel like a home for me’.”
A focus on wellbeing
After spending months at home, many have decided they love their houses and want to stay but need more space and have chosen to extend.
However many, particularly those who have lived in apartments, have decided to move to bigger properties with an outside space or to a more rural location surrounded by countryside. An emphasis on wellbeing in the home has had a major influence on these decisions.
Elisa said:
“The house has become a place for wellbeing. In that respect a lot of money has been invested in houses and refurbishment because of that.
“People want to be in an environment where they spend their lives and are happy and have all the possible commodities.
“They want something that makes them happy looking at it. From walls to ceilings, windows, everything has to convey the sense of wellbeing and make us smile at the same time.
“In particular people have been using light, not just as a functional element, but to create that calmness and give you that sense of peace.”
Natural and electric light flood this bathroom designed by Elisa Interiors.
Zoning
Zoning – which means separating areas according to their function – has gained momentum in the wake of the pandemic, with a need for different areas for work, entertaining, family time and wellness.
A clever way to create sub-spaces, which cater for these different needs, is to zone.
Eleanor said:
“People are wanting to look at how to use a space. They are looking to zone areas, so they can have an area to do work or an area to do yoga or relaxation. They want a space for them.
“In zoning areas, because people aren’t going out as much, they are eating at home or entertaining at home, there’s a pull towards creating luxurious dining rooms.”
Cinema rooms and home bars
A cinema room designed by Elisa Interiors.
A home cinema provides a luxurious addition to any large home with space to spare, and provides opportunities for entertaining at home – or just enjoying movies with family.
There has also been a rise of the home bar, with more and more people choosing to host cocktail evenings at home.
Elisa said:
“Cinema rooms are a big trend as they are spaces where you can be with your family. I find people call it a family room and in the middle you have a big TV, an audio system and a place where you can play your X-Box or PlayStation and the kids can also be in there with their friends.
“It’s all about having everything you want in your own home.”
Eleanor said:
“More people are creating home bar areas and the bigger properties will have a home cinema room. Home bar areas were actually coming into fashion before the pandemic with gin and cocktail trolleys, but people are now having bars built in their homes and there’s a move back towards that.”
A home bar designed by Elisa Interiors.
Luxurious kitchens and bathrooms
With people having more time on their hands during lockdown, and with restaurants being closed, many turned to cooking as a form of indulgence and entertainment. People also focused on their bathrooms, which became many peoples’ sanctuary and place to escape.
Elisa said:
“Many people were cooking in the first lockdown and were making things like their own bread and own pasta and that has made people realise the limits of their kitchen, so this has been a particular area people have wanted to improve.
“People want the coffee machine, the larder, the spice racks in drawers and space to cook, they want the top notch oven and accessories.
“Bathrooms have also become a room in the house where you can indulge yourself. All sorts of extras have gone in and people have introduced baths as well as a shower.”
A luxurious kitchen designed by Elisa Interiors.
Home offices
With many now fully accustomed to a new, more flexible way of working, home offices have become hot property. Closing the door at the end of a working day has helped many workers to enforce that work-life balance.
Elisa said:
“A lot of spaces have been redesigned. We are just doing one at the moment, where we are converting a dressing room into a home office. Even the smallest corners of a house can take a home office. That has been key, trying to find where you can put a desk, a monitor, storage and a printer. The home office has been crucial for some people.”
Natural and raw materials
The growing focus in design on products made from wood, wool, stone and ceramics add a human dimension to the home environment that may have beneficial effects on health and happiness.
Elisa said:
August Bank Holiday Weekend: 14 things to do from festivals to fireworks“I think we felt somehow Mother Nature was trying to tell us something. There has been this trend of trying to show in some way what is organic and what is belonging to the outside. Suddenly everybody wants to bring it inside. So we have seen people using a lot of natural materials like marble, wood and limestone.
“Although I’m very much the queen of colour, I have noticed how much this year I have worked with neutrals and textures and I have tried to create an ambience and convey the sense of coziness which has a welcoming, relaxing and peaceful kind of atmosphere when you walk in.”
From comedy at Harrogate Cricket Club, to pig-themed scarecrows at Ripley or a family-friendly festival at Stockeld Park, here are the best activities on offer over this three-day weekend:
Music and culture
Leeds Festival, Wetherby
Festivals are back with a bang, and Leeds Festival is once again set to take over Bramham Park, near Wetherby. Almost 90,000 people are expected at Bramham for the three-day event, which starts on Friday and is headlined this year by the likes of Liam Gallagher, Biffy Clyro and Stormzy. This year new format will see two main stages instead of the previous one. Friday to Monday, leedsfestival.com
Stockeld Rox, Wetherby
Family-friendly festivals have surged in popularity over the years, so Stockeld Park’s family tribute festival is sure to get parents and children singing along and dancing to the likes of Madonna, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Take That. Pizzas, snacks and drinks, including a full bar will be available. Each evening will end with a spectacular firework finale. All ticket holders will now also get free access to the adventure park from 3.30pm to 6pm to enjoy the attraction before the event. Sunday and Monday, tickets from £14, stockeldpark.co.uk
Stockeld Park is holding Stockeld Rox, a family-friendly tribute music festival.
Silly Point Comedy, Harrogate
Balcony Bar at Harrogate Cricket Club has teamed up with Sitting Room Comedy to bring a night full of much-needed laughs. The outdoor show features award winning comedians: Chris Washington, Steve Day, Andrew Bird and MC Matt Stellingwerf. Sunday, tickets £12, sittingroomcomedy.com
Our Gate, Harrogate
For those interested in a theatrical experience with a difference, Our Gate is an immersive community play with Harrogate and its citizens at its core. The show travels between indoor and outdoor locations through the town, rather than being fixed on stage like a traditional theatre show, with the audience at the centre of the action. Friday to Sunday, tickets from £18, harrogatetheatre.co.uk
Food and drink
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival, Harrogate
The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is returning to Ripley Castle, with a huge selection of food, drink, independent traders and family entertainment. The dog-friendly event follows on from the previous sell-out festival held on The Stray in June and also features live bands, chef demos and art. Saturday to Monday, tickets £2.95 for under 16s and £6.98 for adults, under 5s free, harrogatefoodfestival.com
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is back – this time at Ripley Castle.
Malton Food Lovers Festival, Malton
Further afield, the quaint market town of Malton considers itself the food capital of the North, and this family-friendly festival is a huge hit with locals as well as tourists, who flock from all over the country to eat and drink local produce, listen to music and enjoy foodie talks. Saturday-Monday, free entry, visitmalton.com
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Attractions
Fireworks Championships, Ripon
A dazzling night of fireworks at Newby Hall and Gardens, which sees three teams create stunning displays choreographed to music and the audience voting for a winner on the night via SMS. The event also includes a final display by the organisers to round off the night. Watch from a picnic rug or camping chair against the stunning backdrop of 17th century house and its impressive grounds. Saturday, fireworkchampions.co.uk
Mamma Mia! Harewood
This is the first time that the original Mamma Mia! stage show has been performed in the open-air and the Bank Holiday weekend is the last chance to catch this unique production, set in the grounds of Harewood House. Friday to Monday, tickets from £39.50, mamma-mia.com/harewood-house
Outdoor Cinema, Bedale
Ending Thorp Perrow Arboretum’s season of family-friendly outdoor cinema evenings on a high, with a unique screening of everyone’s favourite bear, Paddington. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Thorp Perrow Hall, grab a picnic blanket and bring the whole family along to enjoy a special afternoon of entertainment. Sunday, tickets £7.50 for children and £10 adults, thorpperrow.com
Outdoor Cinema at Thorp Perrow Arboretum.
Free events
Wath Street Fair, Ripon
Wath’s main street will be filled with stalls, a Pimms and prosecco stand and a children’s treasure hunt. Other attractions include a bouncy castle, a brass band and a dog show, while teas will also be available in the village’s Samwaies Hall. Saturday, Free entry, funds raised go to St Mary’s Church.
Ripley Scarecrow Pigfest, Harrogate
Organised by Karen Evans for the last 21 years – with one year off in 2020 due to Covid19 – the scarecrow trail was originally started in 2001 to encourage visitors back to the countryside after the foot and mouth crisis and has a fun take on the traditional scarecrow hunt. The Scarecrows are inspired by the story of Thomas de Ingilby, an ancestor of Sir Thomas Inglby of Ripley Castle, who saved King Edward III from a wild boar attack in 1355 and whose crest (the boar’s head) is the emblem of Ripley village. All the scarecrows have pigs heads and pig names such as Boarglar Bill, Pigmaylion, Porkupine, Thumboarlina and the Statue of Liboarty. Competition sheets cost £4 and list the names of the scarecrows. Each scarecrow has a number and the idea is to match the name to the number. Those who get them all correct are entered into a hat, with the winners drawn at random. A great family day out and a good excuse for a Ripley ice cream! Friday to Monday, ripleyscarecrowpigfest.co.uk
A free weekend of entertainment on the Market Square, Ripon
The August Bank Holiday weekend will see the return of fairground rides and a climbing wall. The event-staged by Ripon City Council follows the Yorkshire Day weekend, that brought hundreds of people to the city centre. There will be musical entertainment from 7pm on Saturday, featuring three tribute acts singing a selection of chart-topping hits from the best-known boy bands, Paloma Faith and ABBA. On Sunday Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market. Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders. Saturday and Sunday.
Families gather in Ripon Market Square.
Harrogate Car Enthusiasts Motor Show and Family Fun Day, Harrogate
With everything from super cars to classic cars and “boy racer” cars, Harrogate Car Enthusiasts is hosting its fifth charity Motor Show and Family Fun Day in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance at a brand new venue – Harrogate Rugby Club. More than 250 vehicles, including tractors and motorbikes, are set to go on display and there will also be a variety of stalls and children’s entertainment, including a bouncy castle and rides. Monday.
Water Trail, Harrogate
Harrogate Mumbler has teamed up with the Harrogate BID to celebrate Harrogate’s most famous export… water. The Water Trail has two different challenges for families to enjoy – firstly finding the 20 water-themed pictures and secondly answering 20 Harrogate trivia questions. There are four different trails in total and participants have to simply spot the water-themed image in participating retailer’s windows. There is a prize for everyone who completes a trail. Until Sunday, September 5th, harrogate.mumbler.co.uk
The Harrogate Water Trail is a free activity for families.