List of open gardens in Harrogate district5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend June 28 – 305 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend June 21-23From the dawn of motoring to modern supercars – Harrogate is in for a treat this weekendSpoil him this Father’s Day with these 5 unmissable activities within an hour of Harrogate5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend June 14-165 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend 7-9 JuneMeet the man behind the Candlelit Beatles concert happening in Harrogate this Friday

The Stray Ferret details everything you need to know about this candlelit event taking place in Harrogate on Friday that has been trending on social media.

It’s set to be an evening of The Beatles’ greatest hits, accompanied by a string quartet, and later joined by the captivating vocals of Alistair Griffin who is the founder of Ignite Concerts. We speak to him ahead of the show…

When did you first know you wanted to become a singer songwriter? 

I was always keen on writing and knew I could sing, but it took quite a while for it to become a possible career. The turning point was when I was at university in York when I started busking, playing open mic nights, and performing with other artists.

You’ve performed other candlelit concerts in the past, can you tell me more about these and why this time you decided to perform The Beatles hits? 

I created Ignite Concerts just under a year ago. As a performer I’ve seen the music world change a lot, so I started to create and produce my own shows, starting small and growing bigger, culminating in some big shows across Yorkshire and beyond.

Now I’ve got a team and we’ve added the candlelit element. We go to beautiful venues and light them up with 1,000 candles. Of course, great music is always the heart of what we do but we want to create an atmosphere and an experience people remember. So that when they walk in, they feel they’re part of something really special.

We aim to play iconic music in a slightly different way using string players. What’s more iconic than The Beatles? That’s how I learned to play the guitar, strumming Lennon and McCartney classics.

Alistair Griffin, founder of Ignite Concerts

How do you feel performing another artist’s music?  

It’s always different than performing my own songs. My own songs have a personal angle. I’ve never had a problem covering other people’s songs and I hope I do them justice.

You can never better the original, but you can give it a new take. Singing The Long and Winding Road with a string quartet behind you is pretty amazing.

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Which Beatles song holds the most significance for you? 

There are so many special songs but I think Let It Be was the first Beatles song that really moved me. It has a hymnal uplifting quality that I often look for in a song.

Many moons ago I was on a BBC talent show called Fame Academy and got to sing this song in the final. Remarkably, it was introduced by Paul McCartney himself. A surreal moment.

How many candles do you have in the church and how do they add to the atmosphere?

We have 1,000 candles. Now, you might be thinking how does it pass health and safety rules, but they are all LED candles. But don’t let this put you off, when the light goes down people often don’t realise the difference. It is a remarkable sight and creates an amazing effect and a unique atmosphere.

How does the orchestra add to the songs? 

The string quartet really takes the songs to a different place. They can be so dynamic taking you from an intimate sound to a much bigger anthemic sound. And just hearing some of the songs played instrumentally without the words allows the audience to fill in the rest for themselves. You can sing if you want to or just take it in and listen.

You live in York, do you come over to Harrogate often?

I have friends in Harrogate so get over quite a bit. I like to go for a pint in The Old Bell.

If you weren’t a singer-songwriter, which career avenue would you go down? 

Well, I’ve always said the best job I ever had was being the milkman in the village of Staithes. But as far as another career I would have loved to have worked in sport.

From £25, doors open at 7pm, concert is 7.30pm-9.30pm, May 10, Christ Church, High Harrogate, HG1 4SW. 

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5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekend

Above: Ripley Decorative Home and Salvage Show

Go to the Decorative Home and Salvage Show

Shop for charming and unique pieces for your home and garden, with a wide range of designs coming from country-wide traders and home buyers at the Decorative Home and Salvage Show at Ripley Castle.  

There is food and refreshments to buy onsite so that you can make a day of it. Dogs are also welcome. 

£15 per person on Friday, £10 per person on Saturday and Sunday. Free for accompanied under 16-year-olds. 12-5pm May 10, 10am-5pm May 11 and 12. Ripley Castle, Ripley, HG3 3AY. 

Go to Jo Caulfield’s stand-up comedy

Laugh along with Jo Caulfield at her Here Comes Trouble performance at Masham Town Hall.  

Having showcased two extremely popular Edinburgh festival performances in 2022 and 2023, attendees will get to experience her bold attitude and greatest one-liners. 

With appearances on Mock the Week and The John Bishop Show, she is sure to fill your weekend with priceless wit. 

From £15 per person, 7.30pm, May 10, Masham Town Hall, Little Market Place, HG4 4DY. 

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Shoot your shot at Harrogate’s National Shooting Show 

At Harrogate’s National Shooting Show, the aim of the game is to have fun. Enjoy the day with activities such as archery, bushcraft, and a shooting range to name a few.  

There will also be food, and a chance to speak with licensed representatives and the UKPSA, United Kingdom Practical Shooting Association, if you wish to learn more about the sport.  

Tickets in advance cost £24.70 per adult, £5 for children aged six to 15, and free for children five and under. Weekend tickets in advance are £32 per adult, £10 for children aged six to 15 and free to children five and under. 8.30am to 5.30pm May 11, 9am to 4pm May 12. Great Yorkshire Showground, HG2 8NZ. Book tickets here.

Attend The Dales String Quartet and Ensemble 

Fill your evening with stunning music played by The Dales Ensemble, performing an arrangement of J. S Bach’s Goldberg Variations which is certain to bring a harmonious end to your week.  

The Ensemble is being played in memory of dramatist Ian Curteis who lived at the property and helped to reinstate the historic Great Hall into a beautiful library.   

From £20, 7.30pm on May 11 at Markenfield Hall, Ripon, HG4 3AD.  

Unwind at May Gong Relaxation Session 

If you’re looking for a way to treat yourself after a busy week, the May Gong Relaxation Session at Killinghall Methodist Church offers a relaxing afternoon; an opportunity to recover from stress and claim back your energy. 

With soothing background sounds, it can be a beneficial way to improve both your physical and mental wellbeing. 

£20 per person. 4pm, May 12. Killinghall Methodist Church, Ripon Road, Killinghall, HG3 2DF. 

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop an email to francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekend

Above: Darren Taylor.

Go to photographer Darren Taylor’s exhibition

Showcasing his photography work that he has taken in and around Harrogate, Darren Taylor is putting on an exhibition at Harrogate Library.

Expect to see work from Harrogate town, aerial and vintage-style photography, as well as ICM photography; the art of moving a camera to create beautiful blur.

Free, various times, from May 3, Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EG.

Kick off the bank holiday weekend with live music at The West Park Hotel

The West Park Hotel in Harrogate is hosting its Courtyard Sessions with soundtracks to start the bank holiday weekend in style.

Proceedings begin at 5pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday with an array of DJs, and both evenings will be seen out with a saxophonist.

And if the weather takes a turn for the worse, fret not, as the area is covered with blankets and heaters.

Free, call 01423 524471 to book, from 5pm on May 3 and 2pm on May 4, The West Park Hotel, 19 West Park, HG1 1BJ.

Admire the tulips at Constable Burton Hall & Gardens

The beauty of spring flowers blooming is always a sight to behold thanks to it signalling the start of a new season, and this year it seems particularly fitting as we keep hoping for warmer climes to be on their way.

See them in all of their glory at Constable Burton Hall & Gardens, Leyburn where it is showcasing more than 6,000 tulips planted throughout its formal and woodland gardens. Its lawn marquee will also host a display of cut blooms and there will also be expert advice on hand on how to care for your own garden arrangements.

Tickets in advance cost £5 for children aged three to 16 years old and £10 for adults, 10am-4pm, 4-6 May, Constable Burton Hall & Gardens, Leyburn, DL8 5LJ.

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Go to Henshaws Beer Festival

The annual Henshaws Beer Festival is back for 2024.

Visitors will get to enjoy live music across two stages, street food and family-friendly activities, along with a carefully curated selection of beers, wine, gins, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks all crafted in Yorkshire.

There will also be an adult only evening session on the Saturday night.

Tickets in advance cost £5 for children aged three to 17 years old, £15 for adults. 12-5pm on Saturday daytime (family friendly), 6-11pm on Saturday evening (adults only), 12-6pm on Sunday (family friendly), May 4-5, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, 50 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AL. 

Visit Sports Cars in the Park at Newby Hall

There will be many different models of sports cars at this event that returns this spring to Newby Hall on its 20th anniversary. It currently expects to see more than 1,350 display cars in attendance.

Not only can you admire the motors, but the ticket price also includes access to Newby Hall’s gardens, restaurant, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.

Under 4s free, tickets in advance cost £15 for children aged four to 15 years old, £18 for adults, 10am-3pm, May 5, Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, HG4 5AE.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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