Harrogate Town Council agrees donation towards Stray bonfireLandscaping underway at £20 million Ripon leisure siteDonor pledges £1 million to Harrogate district charities in “extraordinary act of generosity”Harvey George donates £10,000 of cutting-edge equipment to school design department

This story is sponsored by Harvey George.

A Harrogate company that specialises in bespoke fitted furniture has donated £10,000 worth of equipment to a secondary school’s Design and Technology department.

Harvey George, which is the UK’s largest manufacturer of bespoke bathroom vanity units, presented the fibre laser marker machine to Harrogate Grammar School as a demonstration of its commitment to contributing to the community and investing in education.

Harvey George director Sophie Griffiths, whose son Harvey is a student at Harrogate Grammar School, said:

“We are thrilled to be able to contribute this machine to the school and hope that it will benefit a multitude of students, enhancing their educational journey.

“We hope it offers the students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, potentially opening doors to various fields such as engineering, design, and manufacturing.”

Fibre laser marking machines are used to make permanent marks on metals and some plastics. A focused beam of light is sent through a fibre-optic cable and marks the surface of the material. The desktop machine donated by Harvey George has a maximum marking speed of 7,000mm per second.

Tom Williams, Leader of Harrogate Grammar School’s Design & Technology Department, said:

“Harvey George’s generosity lights the way for our students’ success! With their generous donation of a laser marker machine, Harvey George has provided an exciting path to innovation and excellence for the Design students at Harrogate Grammar School.

“We are immensely grateful for their support, as this cutting-edge technology will empower our young learners in using high-calibre industry-standard manufacturing techniques.”

In addition to bespoke painted and oak bathroom vanity units, Harvey George also makes kitchen cabinets and storage solutions of every kind – all made to measure by Yorkshire craftsmen. Its full range can be viewed at its 10,000 sq ft showroom on Hookstone Park in Harrogate. 

Find out more: 

Visit Harvey George’s Harrogate showroom to discuss your bespoke furniture needs over a complimentary drink at The Inspiration Centre, Unit 3, Hookstone Park, Harrogate HG2 7DB. 

To make an appointment, call 01423 810070.

Donation will improve children’s area at Starbeck Library

A post office has made a donation to Starbeck Community Library to help improve its children’s area.

Andrew Hart and Asma Ola, of Starbeck Post Office and Starbeck Community Group, presented a £500 cheque to Peter Davies, chair of Starbeck Community Library trustees.

The money is set to go towards improvements to the children’s section at the volunteer-run library, including more seating and an alcove.

Mr Davies explained that new projectors would also be bought to help advertise events and information at the library.

He said:

“This has come just in time to do the things that we really needed to do.”

The donation comes as part of ongoing support to the library from Starbeck Post Office and Starbeck Community Group.

Mr Hart said:

“Since we started Starbeck Community Group on Facebook, Starbeck Post Office have put almost £15,000 back into the community in and around Starbeck.

“We want to work with both the residents and traders in rejuvenating Starbeck and helping its many good causes.

“We have some great supporters and volunteers who are working on and planning several projects as we speak.”

Read more:

 

Children at Starbeck school plant new community garden

Children at Springwater School in Starbeck have been busy planting fruit trees, edible herbs and wildflowers in a new community garden.

The special needs school on Starbeck High Street offers a modified curriculum for young people aged two to 19 with special needs.

The community garden was the brainchild of Life Destiny Church and Starbeck Community Group, which wanted to collaborate on a new green space in Starbeck where produce can be enjoyed by the local community.

The herbs and fruit trees that were planted will be used in the school’s curriculum cooking sessions. Food will also be donated to the food bank that takes place at the church.

Around 80 students spent a day working on the area last week along with Andrew Hart from Starbeck Community Group and Jeremy Fennings from the church.

Read more:

Kelly Tomlinson, RE lead at Springwater School, said:

“It will create a wonderful area of greenery in Starbeck that can be enjoyed into the future. All students shared the common goal of supporting the community in a project that cares for our planet.

“Andrew and Jeremy were fantastic at guiding students throughout the day and we continue to work with them, developing the area further. “

Andrew Hart added:

“A smaller group of Springwater students are now attending the garden weekly with Life Destiny Church and Starbeck Community Group to bring this garden to fruition. The produce will all go to Springwater School and the vulnerable in the community. It’s another great example of the community working together in Starbeck.”

Rural property firm opens office in Boroughbridge

Rural property firm GSC Grays has opened a new office in Boroughbridge.

The High Street branch, which opened on Monday, is the company’s ninth office to open in the past 10 years.

It now employs over 100 people, mainly in the north of England. Twenty-three are based at the Boroughbridge branch, five of whom have been newly recruited. 

A number of the farm and land management consultants are from the local area, and some members of staff grew up or live on farms.  

Managing director Guy Coggrave said:  

“This gives us exceptional expertise at a time when the farming industry is dealing with the impact of the Agricultural Transition Plan, the biggest change in agricultural policy in half a century.”

GSC Grays specialises in land and farming, estate agency, planning and development, and environment and sustainability.  

HSBC and Harrogate BID install third contactless donation point for Street Aid

A third contactless donation point for Street Aid has been installed by HSBC and Harrogate Business Improvement District in Harrogate town centre.  

The ‘tap terminal’ encourages people to make donations to Street Aid, which supports people in Harrogate who have experienced homelessness.  

The most recent donation point is in the Cambridge Street branch of HSBC, where donations from £3 to £20 can be made via a contactless payment.  

The new donation point in HSBC

Linda Lewis, senior network manager at HSBC, said:  

“It’s our pleasure to be part of this scheme and house the third Street Aid terminal.  

“Since its installation, I’ve seen a number of customers tapping it with either a card or a phone to make a donation.” 

The scheme was launched in October 2019, after research was conducted by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Horizons.  

Since then, the charity has raised over £20,000 through online donations and the three donation points. 

The two other stations are in the Oxford Street M&S window and in Victoria shopping centre. 

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:  

“We are delighted to throw our weight behind the Street Aid scheme, which helps those who are genuinely in need get back on their feet. 

“We want Harrogate to be known as a friendly, caring, welcoming town.” 

Money raised has been administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation to fund items for 28 individuals, ranging from fishing equipment, furniture, a gym membership, bikes and clothing.  

Bus leaves Knaresborough on 1,550-mile mission to help Ukrainians flee

A van has set off from Knaresborough to transport Ukrainians out of the war-torn country to safety.

The 34-seat bus has been provided by two Harrogate district businessman, Mark Smith of The HACS Group and Ray Allott of Chimneycrete.

Mr Allott had the idea after a chat with a friend called Pavl in Poland.

Pavl said he was using his car to drive 39 miles from his home to the Polish/Ukraine border each night to transport people and supplies.

Mr Allott wanted to do all he can to help so, with support from Mr Smith at HACS, he acquired the bus.

He set off from Knaresborough yesterday afternoon to drive 1,550 miles to Ukraine.

The bus will then be left in Ukraine to be used to help refugees get to safety. It is currently packed with generators and radios, donated by local supporters.

Once it reaches the border it will be handed over to local activists to help get women and children out of Ukraine to other European countries, including the UK.

Mr Smith said:

“It was all Ray’s idea, as soon as he asked I just said ‘yes’. We’ve got to do something and do it fast, there’s plenty of people that need help. Our aim is to get as many people as possible out of Ukraine or further from the Polish border into mainland Europe.

“We’ve put a tracker on the bus too, to see how often Pavl is going into Ukraine then we can send over sufficient funds to cover petrol costs.”

Mr Allott has set up a justgiving page for people to donate to. Money raised will be used for petrol and supply costs. So far it has raised more than £3,000.

Read more:

Ray Allott

Harrogate volunteers make second attempt to ship donations to Ukrainian refugees

Harrogate volunteers trying to ship donations to help Ukrainian refugees are to make a second attempt to send the goods this week.

Most of the donations were handed in by Harrogate residents to Sowa Polish Shop on Bower Road and Claro Court Business Centre.

Volunteers Joanna Papros, Adam Goldsmith and Kinga Goldsmith packed the donations last week. They were then taken in four vans to Halifax, where they were due to be moved on for shipping to refugees in Poland.

But the donations were turned away because the depot couldn’t cope with the volume of goods being moved on.

It meant the volunteers had to quickly come up with a Plan B. Over the weekend, they managed to find a new unit to store the donations and a Ukrainian man living in Harrogate who agreed to help with shipping.

Mr Goldsmith said:

“We thought it would be done and dusted, but when our drivers got there they said there were piles of donations outside and we just knew we couldn’t leave things out in the rain.

“I’m not even counting the hours we’ve spent organising this. It is what it is. I’m just grateful we’ve found another route for the donations.”

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Roman Kot, a local businessman with export experience, is the man helping with the shipping. He moved to the UK 10 years ago but still has family in Ukraine and some friends are fighting for the country.

Mr Kot said:

“They’re all still afraid — one of my cousins has said he’s going to get on a bus to try escape today. He’s got young kids so it’s just not safe.

“I’m Ukrainian. It’s in my blood, I can’t go over there and fight with them so hopefully this will still help them.

“Most people couldn’t see themselves in the military but so many are signing up, including friends. They want to fight for their freedom, they are determined not to live under Putin’s rule.”

Mr Kot has organised for 26 pallets worth of donations to be driven to Grimsby where they will then be shipped to Poland and distributed to Ukrainian refugees.

He added:

“There is a problem with bottleneck transport on the border because so many people are trying to send stuff out. We’re really hoping to get it shipped by the end of the week.”

More donation spots in Harrogate to help Ukrainians

An overwhelming number of people from the Harrogate district have offered donations to help Ukrainians following the Russian invasion.

We will update this blog with new donation spots as we hear about them. If you know about any more drop-off points or other Ukrainian initiatives please let us know via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

6.15pm: Hampsthwaite’s donations heading to Ukraine

Villagers in Hampsthwaite have been donating goods over the past few days at the village church.

A post on the Hampsthwaite Village Facebook page thanked the “incredible” effort of everyone involved. The donations have been dropped off at Hales Bar in Harrogate and will be on their way to Ukraine next week.

“The response for donations for Ukraine has been incredible to the extent that over the last three and a half days the baptistry of Hampsthwaite Church was completely crammed. One carload was taken on Monday to the collection centre on Claro Road, which has since become overwhelmed and they could not take any more goods.

“This afternoon, with the help of Debbie Bruce and Nick Beaton we transported all of the remaining donations to Hales Bar in town. We could not have managed this so efficiently had it not been for Acklams Motorcycles and the lovely Joel who volunteered the use of one of their vans to transport all of the donations. Your donations will be on their way early next week to the Polish/Ukraine border where they are much needed.”

Hampsthwaite has thanked Acklam’s Motorcycles for helping transport goods.

5.30pm: Charity dog walk organised

A group of professional dog walkers in Harrogate have organised a charity dog walk for Ukraine. It will start at Hookstone Car Park, HG2 8PN on Sunday March 27.

It costs £5 per dog and starts at 1pm.

For more information visit this Facebook page.

2.50pm: Ripon Cathedral sounds bells for peace

Ripon Cathedral took part in an initiative today to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Canon Michael talks to @joncowap on @BBCYork at 11.35am as we prepare to ring our bells at midday in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. The bells ring for 7 minutes, 1 min for each day of the war. As they ring – we pray for peace @nickbaines @JulianSmithUK @churchofengland pic.twitter.com/wXg59taZbr

— Ripon Cathedral (@riponcathedral) March 3, 2022

1.58pm: New drop-off point in Harrogate

American-born Whitney Vauvelle, who now lives in Harrogate, has told us she is working with the Global Empowerment Mission to collect items for the Ukraine relief effort.

Items can be dropped off at 52 Cornwall Road, postcode HG1 2PP. Ms Vauvelle says:

“We have specific requests for warm clothes for women and children of all ages: thermals, jumpers, sweats, trousers, socks, nappies, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitisers, backpacks and small suitcases.”

Ms Vauvelle is personal friends with Michael Capponi, the founder of Global Empowerment Mission. She said:

“Michael and his team have been in Poland on the border for the last week. The situation is becoming very challenging.

“We are also fundraising to cover further trucking and transportation costs for trucks from the UK to Poland.

“These people desperately need our help.

Ms Vauvelle adds that her great grandparents were Ukrainian and supposedly raised horses for Czar Nicholas II.

12.58pm: Business gives day’s takings to those in need

Bob Partridge, who owns VetDentist, which has a practice in Harrogate, has got in touch to say he was so moved by the plight of Ukrainians that his company donated a day’s takings to the British Red Cross Ukraine appeal.

He said many of his team also made personal donations.

British Red Cross donations are now being overseen by the Disasters Emergency Committee, which co-ordinates the aid agency response to crisis. You can give here.

10.30am – Hales Bar opens as donation drop-off point

Hales Bar in Harrogate has opened as a donation drop-off point for goods to be sent to Ukraine.

Owner Amanda Wilkinson said people can donate any time between 10am-10pm. Anyone arriving before 3pm is asked to go round the back and ring the bell as the bar itself isn’t open.

The most needed items:

Ms Wilkinson has a system in place to store the items in offices at the back of the bar before filling up a truck, which will be taken to a dry store unit.

She has requested people to only stick to items in the list to make the process as easy as possible.

10am – WATCH as Harrogate group prepare boxes of donations to send to Ukrainian refugees

A group of Harrogate residents began collecting donations last weekend in their front rooms, the incredible response from locals meant they had to take up a unit at Claro Business Centre to store teh “tonnes and tonnes of wonderful donations”.

This drop-off point has now stopped taking donations but will be shipping them to those in need tonight.

Joanna Papros, Kinga Goldsmith and Adam Goldsmith have made contact with a haulage company in Halifax which is owned by a Ukrainian man. He is sending over a shipment of clothes, toiletries and other essentials this tonight.