5 minutes with… the artist behind BEAM Light Festival, James Bawn

BEAM is a brand-new event for 2024 by Harrogate International Festivals. The Stray Ferret spotlights James Bawn, the man behind the event that’s lighting up Harrogate this weekend.

You’ve worked in events for more than 20 years; can you tell me a bit more about your background?

Lighting design has always been a passion of mine, even from a very young age where I took charge of after-school productions or local lighting events. I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented people within the industry, and you can always take inspiration from both the most complex of installations, or indeed, the simplest, purest form of light. The latter can quite often deliver the most dynamic impact.

What do you most enjoy about your work?

Great question. I call it the ‘The Gig Buzz’. The moment the doors open, or the sun sets, and the crowd finally gets a chance to view and (hopefully) enjoy my work, that is what gives me a real spike of adrenaline; it never leaves or wears away.

The lighting beams and projections will animate Harrogate’s most famous buildings this weekend from March 15-16, how did you select these?

Harrogate is a wonderful town with impressive architecture; it’s a fabulous canvas for any artist or creative. Choosing the final locations was in fact one of the hardest parts of this event. If allowed, I’d have covered the entire town in glistening photons of light, but I had to obviously consider the realities and logistical timescales in delivering the project across multiple sites. I’m grateful to the Harrogate International Festivals team in making it a reality and reining me in when necessary.

(Image: a map of where you can see the lights)

Can you tell me a bit about the soundscapes?

They are pieces of composition which I have chosen to complement the lighting design in two of the locations. The lighting is key, but the music adds an extra dynamic which will really help with the narrative.

In your opinion, why have lighting installations become more popular in recent years?

I think there are several factors. One of the biggest influences from my side is the advancement in technology; we can deploy LED fixtures and beam lights in a very short timeframe. This has had an overall impact on the lighting industry as it means more outdoor-based entertainment-style fixtures can be produced efficiently. It has huge benefits and makes large-scale installations more accessible for a whole new range of clients and event organisers.

Another big factor is that light installations provide an opportunity for social bonding within the community, for local families to get together as well provide local businesses with more footfall. The sense of excitement, mystique and a general happy buzz that lighting festivals create is wonderful.

Growing up in Yorkshire, who inspired you most?

I’m very fortunate that my parents introduced me to the world of the creative arts through theatre and my dad was a professional musician, so I was always exposed to music, light and art exhibitions. They literally carved out my career path without knowing it!

I’ve also been fortunate to work with many local talented creative artists over the years including David Blackburn and Patrick O’Mahony but Yorkshire is an absolute hotbed of creative talent and I for one am very proud of my county.

BEAM Light Festival, free, from dusk until 10pm, March 15-16, venues across town – click here for the map of where you can see the lights and for more the information, click here. 

Main image: photography credit, Richard Maude

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Farming life on display as Tockwith Show returns on Sunday

A one-day show attracting around 8,000 visitors is set to make its return this Sunday, August 7.

Tockwith Show has not been held since 2019 thanks to the covid pandemic — and organisers have said this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before.

Committee chair Georgina Watson said:

“Basically we are an educational charity and a huge part of why we hold the show is to showcase the range of farming activities that make up such an important part of this region’s economy and community.

“One of our main themes this year is sheep. We have performances of dancing sheep, demonstrations of sheep shearing, and a chance for younger visitors to work with wool.

“But we also have pigs, horses, pigeons, rabbits, falcons, dogs, tractors, classic cars and even our very own sandy beach for children to play in. So hopefully we have got something for everyone.”

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The one-day event features more than 300 prize classes for everything from farm animals and show jumping to crafts and cookery.

It is held on Tockwith Show Field, on Cattal Moor Lane on the edge of the village. Entry is £12.50 for adults and teenagers, either via the website or on the gate, while children aged 12 and under go free.

For show president Michelle Lee, the return of the event on Sunday can’t come soon enough. She said:

“Being chosen as the show president is a great honour, and I had that honour back in 2019. But then covid struck and the 2020 and 2021 shows had to be cancelled so hopefully Sunday will be third time lucky for me!

“It’s always a really fun day. It takes a huge amount of work but it’s worth it and our aim is to ensure that our community is able to share in the rich agricultural heritage we have and also have a great day out: in short, to educate and entertain.”

Your guide to Valley Gardens’ Fire and Light Experience, which starts tonight

Harrogate’s skies have been ablaze with long-awaited sunshine this week.

And the heat is set to continue when the ‘The Fire and Light Experience – a trail of blaze and brilliance through the Valley Gardens’ begins its three-day run tonight.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of event organisers Harrogate International Festivals, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are so excited to be back to running events, especially something on this scale.

“It has been tremendously difficult for the last two years due to the many restrictions, but as we approach this weekend with the sun shining and flowers in bloom, to be producing something so special in the Vallely Gardens is really exciting!”

Here is a brief guide to the trail to help you enjoy Harrogate International Festivals’ first big event of the year.

Who is organising the event?

Harrogate International Festivals has teamed up with outdoor events company Culture Creative for the event, which is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

What can I expect to see?

Visitors will be able to see “mythical creatures, fire performers and captivating displays of fire and light”, according to HIF. Harrogate — a destination famed for water — will bring “all the elements of nature alive; earth, air, water and fire in a spectacle of brilliance and blaze”.

Will it be similar to Cie Carabosse Fire Garden event in Valley Gardens in 2016? 

Ms Canavar said:

“Carabosse was an event in 2016 especially produced to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

“Whilst this event does have some fiery spectacles, this is very much about celebrating nature around us with lights and flame and we’re thrilled to be working with a fantastic company called Culture Creative who create amazing arts installations from Blenheim and Kew to locations around the world.”

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When does it take place?

The event starts tonight and takes place over three evenings until Saturday, from 6.30pm until 10.30pm.

Where does it take place?

It takes place at the lower end of Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, with entrance to the event via the main access to the gardens, located by the Royal Pump Room Museum.

Will I still be able to access the Valley Gardens during the day?

HIF has taken a license of the Valley Gardens, so whilst people can wander through and see the build process throughout the day, each evening the lower area of Valley Gardens will be turned into a ticketed event space.

Are there still tickets available?

Most of the earlier time slots have gone, however there are tickets left for most of the later times.

How much are tickets? 

Tickets for the event are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for 5 to 16-year-olds, and under-fives go free. You can buy tickets here.

What type of footwear is suitable?

Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes, as the trail takes place on natural paths covering areas of uneven ground and variable terrain.

Can I take photographs?

Photographs are allowed and visitors are encouraged to share images on social media using the hashtag #HIFfireandlight.

Will there be refreshments available to purchase?

There is no food and drink available on site as it is hoped people will use the event as an opportunity to experience “the great food and drink” offer available across Harrogate.

‘Fire and Light Experience’ arrives in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this week

In 2016, 40,000 people headed to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to see it transformed into a stunning fire garden, featuring a flaming display of sculptures and installations.

Now, five years later, the town’s iconic landmark is set for a second blaze of glory, when a magical fire and light trail arrives on Thursday evening.

Harrogate International Festivals has teamed up with outdoor events company Culture Creative for the occasion, which is being billed as ‘The Fire and Light Experience – a trail of blaze and brilliance through the Valley Gardens’.

‘Captivating displays’

Visitors will be able to see “mythical creatures, fire performers and captivating displays of fire and light”, according to HIF, which was also responsible for bringing the hugely successful Cie Carabosse Fire Garden to the town in 2016.

Sharon Canavar, HIF chief executive, said:

“We are incredibly excited to be launching our 2022 festival season with our Fire and Light Experience.

“Culture Creative are masters at delivering stunning visual displays in large, outdoor settings, and they are now adding the Valley Gardens to their impressive list of locations, which includes some of the most famous gardens in the UK, America and Australia.”

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Taking place from 6.30pm until 10.30pm from Thursday to Saturday it will be HIF’s first event of 2022 and is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Useful information

Indoor and outdoor half-term family fun across the district

Half-term is almost upon us and the February break can often be one of the trickier holidays to navigate when it comes to keeping the kids entertained.

The weather isn’t always the kindest and it is still too early to bribe them with Easter eggs – even if they did arrive in shops on Boxing Day.

Fortunately there are lots of activities being planned in the Harrogate district, so parents can escape relatively unscathed.

We have put together a list of activities to do with the kids this half-term.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair – February 21-27

Always a popular one with families in the area, the indoor funfair is back at the Yorkshire Event Centre at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.

With rides and inflatables for all ages, the event offers all the fun of the fair under one roof – perfect if you need to escape the unpredictable February weather.

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Morning sessions run from 10am until 1pm and afternoon sessions from 2pm until 5pm. For the first time, there will also be two 6pm-9pm sessions on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets on the door will be limited. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Online tickets are £10.99 for unlimited rides per session and can be purchased here.

Fountains Abbey, Ripon – February 19 – February 27

For those little explorers who love being outdoors, a number of activities are taking place at Fountains Abbey.

Children can pull on their wellies and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.

Families will be able to plant their own snowdrop to take home from 11am-1pm on February 19, 21, and 23 and the weekend of 26 and 27.

They can also grab a ‘spring-go’ activity sheet to take with them on their adventures, spotting signs of spring – as they go!

For a full list of half-term events click here.

Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

This year the popular attraction, set in the stunning Nidderdale countryside, is opening earlier than usual.

Visit the farm this spring and say hello to all the expectant ewes in the barns ready to give birth. If you are lucky, you may even see a lamb being born.

The farmers will be on hand to answer any questions and tell you more about the animals.

For little animal lovers, as well as sheep, there are also piglets, goats, ponies, guinea pigs and donkeys.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café – it’s never too cold!

No booking is required and the farm is open from 10am-4pm

Admission is £5 for adults and children – under twos are free.

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby – February 19-27

The ever-popular family attraction is holding a ‘Talking Animals Week’ over half-term.

Visitors can channel their inner Doctor Dolittle to work out the answers to the Enchanted Forest quiz, by listening to the animals.
Ice-skating and the giant maze will be open too, along with the five adventure playgrounds.
There is also a brand new panto featuring Farmer Foster and his animals,
Book tickets here.

Our Planet Your World, across the Harrogate district – February 21-February 26

Two life-size kangaroo impersonators will arrive in Harrogate.

A robotic polar bear and an 18-metre whale are among the attractions travelling round the district as part of an environment-themed week of free events.

Visit Harrogate, Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body, has organised the week of events named ‘Our Planet, Your World’, to offer activities for families with an over-arching message of protecting the environment.

The events are as follows:

Monday, February 21

Boroughbridge Library, storytelling sessions

10am-1pm

Tuesday, February 22

Masham Town Hall, sea-theme crafting activity

11am-4pm

Wednesday, February 23

Ripon Market Square, animatronic polar bear, interactive art sculpture, face painting, craft activities for children and live music.

11am-4pm

Thursday, February 24

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

11am-4pm

Friday, February 25

Pateley Bridge play area, environmentally-themed crafting activity for children

11am-4pm

Saturday, February 26

Knaresborough Castle Grounds, Boat About, crafting activity for children, face painting

11am-4pm

Organisers have said some activities are weather dependent so are asking visitors to follow the Visit Harrogate social media channels.

The September scramble to book Santa after a difficult year

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.”

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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 

December 3 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.