A free yoga event will be held in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this evening to mark the summer solstice.

Today is the longest day of the year, with the sun not due to set until 9.42pm in Harrogate.

To mark the occasion, Ebru Evrim, who owns a yoga and pilates studio on James Street in Harrogate, will lead people through 108 sun salutations, which are moves to greet the sun.

The event is open to everyone who brings a mat, and people can take part in as much or as little as they like. Instructors will be on hand to show beginners through modified variations.

It is free but pre-booking is required.

The company’s website says there will be “beautiful calming music in a stunning natural, peaceful setting”, adding:

“It is a truly powerful evening of connection – with self, with others, and with nature and the sun.”

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The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

The business is the longest-standing yoga and pilates studio in Harrogate, having opened on Duchy Road in 2003.

The owners said opening the studio was a “big financial risk at the time”.

However, founder Anne-Marie Burford believes “post-covid anxieties” caused a surge in prioritising health and boosted the credibility of yoga and pilates, as well as causing a shift in attitudes towards them.

She said:

“Yoga in the West can often be about images, especially now a lot of celebrities do it.

“That isn’t the true form of yoga – we just want to support health and wellbeing”.

Ms Burford also said social media has “probably caused the most significant change” in attitudes towards wellbeing.

The studio centres on being entirely holistic and focusses on incorporating Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing therapy, into the yoga, pilates and tai chi classes.

The centre also “places focus on the spiritual aspect of wellbeing”, including soul coaching, reiki, and various Eastern-style massages.

Staff members have extensive spiritual and physical training, including one-to-one training with Deepak Chopra, as well as a South Asian spiritual pilgrimage. The business also offers yoga retreats to members, both nationally and abroad.

James Burford, one of the teachers at the wellness centre, said:

“I feel very encouraged by the support we already receive form our students, many of whom I consider friends, and the increase in number of students joining and connecting with our centre over the last few years“.

Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing is holding an anniversary celebration on Saturday, April 16, with pop-up classes, afternoon tea and live music. Full details are on its Instagram feed.

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February half-term is just around the corner, meaning many parents will be racking their brains for ideas to keep their children entertained for a week. Luckily, there are many options around the Harrogate district to help – keeping both your children and your bank balance happy.

Whether you fancy some fresh air, culture or just harmless fun, we’ve pulled together seven ideas for all the family.

Birchfield Farm: Spring on The Farm

A rural and inexpensive option, Birchfield Farm in Summerbridge will be open 7 days a week for the duration of the school holidays.

Spring on The Farm invites visitors to see pregnant sheep settling in the barns before birth. Some people may even be lucky enough to witness a baby lamb being born. Visitors are also able to bottle feed the lambs from 11am-2pm on a first come, first served basis.

Children can also enjoy seeing piglets, goats, ponies, donkeys and even pet the guinea pigs.

If that isn’t enough, children can also burn off steam on the bouncy castle, play in the mini construction play area and in the outdoor play area. Go-Karts, pedal tractors, swings and a giant outdoor sandpit can also be enjoyed.

The farm also has a café serving hot and cold food & drinks.

All activities are included in the entrance prices – with adults & children’s prices set at £5.95 and under 2s going free.

No booking is required. No dogs are permitted, except for guide dogs or service dogs.

For more information, click here.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair

If your child requires a little (or a lot) more tiring out over half-term, Harrogate Indoor Funfair could be a great option for you. The Funfair will run from 11-19 February, with a quieter session being held on 12 February from 10am-1pm.

With rides, traditional funfair snacks and inflatables, Harrogate Indoor Funfair offers all the joy of a regular funfair in an indoor, climate-controlled space. A nice way to shelter from the inevitable half-term rain.

Harrogate Indoor Funfair will take place at Yorkshire Event Centre, at the Yorkshire Showground. There is free parking at Yorkshire Events Centre and priority parking for Blue Badge holders.

The number 7 and X70 buses stop at Sainsbury’s on Wetherby Road, just one mile from the Funfair entrance.

Prices range from: £12.99 online and £14.99 on the door. Babies in arms go free.

Keep an eye on their website for the upcoming ride list.

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Half-Term Kids Yoga Workshop

If your child has ever asked what you get up to whilst they’re at school, this half-term activity may give them an idea.

Harrogate Yoga and Pilates studio, Ebru Evrim, is hosting a one and a half hour kids yoga workshop this half-term.

The workshop will be brought to life with specially designed music linked to the theme and stories behind the session and lead the children to ultimate relaxation.

The workshop is set to improve concentration and focus, as well as aiding the children to deal with their emotions and self-regulation of moods.

Who knows, your child may even go to bed without any protest that night.

The workshop host, Jenny White, holds a DBS, is fully insured and is also paediatric first aid trained.

Children can expect a day of yoga, arts, dance, mindfulness and, most importantly, lots of fun.

The session is suitable for ages 6-11 years and will cost £12.

Find more information here.

 Ebru Evrim is hosting a kids yoga session.

The Little Gym Holiday Camps: School’s Out, Fun’s In

For those children that may require a little more bounce in their half-term break, The Little Gym Holiday Camps may be a good solution.

Running from Monday 13-Sunday 19 February, The Little Gym in Harrogate is offering gymnastics camps that run from 8.30am-5pm – including a Breakfast Club to help those parents working over the holiday. The camps vary from as little as 3 hours to 7.5 hours a day and children will learn new skills that they can practise and perfect throughout the session.

The sessions vary each week to stimulate children both physically and mentally, all under the care of qualified and dedicated instructors.

The camps, classes and session suitability ranges from 3-8 & 5-12 years.

Half-day prices begin at £35.

Click here for more information.

Ripon Ghost Walk: Children’s Half-Term Special

The Ripon Ghost Walk half-term special is a spookily inexpensive option to feed your child’s fear-factor!

The half-term special Ghost Walk promises the discovery of ancient burial sites, bone finds and maybe even the presence of deceased Ripon residents.

The half-term Ghost Walk begins much earlier than usual at 16.15pm in the Market Square, meaning it will be dark enough for the ghosts to come out, but early enough to ensure your children are still in bed on time.

Prices start from £4 for under 16s and £6 for adults.

Find more information on their website.

Beyond Imagination Emporium Princess Academy: Valentine’s Special

Calling all Prince and Princesses! Beyond Imagination Emporium in Harrogate is re-opening their Princess Academy this February half-term with a Valentine’s special.

The one-hour Princess Academy sessions take place on select dates during school holidays.

There are two Princess Academy sessions taking place on Saturday 11 February. At 11am, children will be joined by Frozen’s Anna and Kristoff, while the 2pm session will be hosted by Beauty and The Beast’s Prince Adam & Belle.

Children spend time learning royal dances, princess etiquette, arts and crafts and fairy-tale play. The session includes sweet treats for the children, as well as refreshments for the parents.

Children can also make a Valentine’s Day card to give to someone special to them.

The sessions cost £13.95 and are ideal for ages 3 – 9 years.

Find more information here.

Children can meet their favourite Prince and Princesses.

Fountains Abbey: Mindful Family Crafts

If you’re looking to join your children in their half-term fun, Fountains Abbey in Ripon is hosting a Mindful Family Crafts event.

The crafting will take place in Swanley Grange, located in the grounds of the Abbey. The event will be running from 11 – 19 February (excluding 12 February), starting at 11am.

Children and parents can get their creative juices flowing using sustainable and natural materials.

The event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Those that may prefer to craft quietly can attend the “crafting quiet hour” from 2pm – 3pm.

The event itself is free, but regular admissions prices apply. Admission for one adult and three children starts from £27.

Click here for more information.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will be a celebratory night with prize draw and afterparty. Richard Flinton, the chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council is the guest speaker. Early bird ticket prices are available until February 9 and available to buy here. Bring your team, network and have fun. 

Harrogate’s Windsor House has opened a dedicated yoga and pilates studio for tenants.

Towards the end of last year, Boultbee Brookes – owners of the former Grand Hotel which is now home to more than 115 businesses – trialled lunchtime yoga classes..

As a result, the company has now created a dedicated yoga and Pilates studio, where two instructors are offering morning, lunchtime and evening classes, four times a week to its tenants.

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

“When we introduced a weekly yoga class, we weren’t sure just how popular it would be.

“It proved to be a great success, and that led to us taking the step to not only increase the number of yoga classes, but to also introduce Pilates classes.

“We have created our own studio, and I’m delighted to announce that regular classes, led by Jess Barnard, for yoga, and Fern Summerton, for Pilates are now in full swing.”

Further information about Windsor House can be found at its website here.

New Harrogate business group launched to support women

Pictured from left are Carol Beeley and Sarah Shaw from LWL Harrogate and Jan Moxham of Lilypad Restaurant.

A new business group has been launched in Harrogate aimed at offering professional support and friendship to women working in the area.

Part of the nationwide Ladies Who Latte (LWL) network, the group is free to attend and open to all women who are in employment, own a business or are starting a business.

The group will meet at Lilypad restaurant on King’s Road between 9.30am and 11.30am on the second Wednesday of every month, with the first event on February 8. 

It is being led by Carol Beeley, director of On The Spot Accountants, and Sarah Shaw, a European strategy consultant with WEConnect International.

Ms Shaw said:

“If you’ve always been nervous about networking, or are looking to meet like-minded working women in an open and relaxed setting, please do come along.

“Even if you can only spare half an hour to drop by for a quick coffee, you’ll be given a warm welcome.”

LWL is for women who want to build a professional, local support network and feel part of a business community. It offers them the opportunity to promote themselves while sharing their knowledge and passion with others, gaining inspiration and confidence to drive their ambitions and business forward.

For more information on Ladies Who Latte, visit the group’s website here.

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