How to put on a good Jubilee spread and celebrate in style in the Harrogate district

We are just weeks away from celebrating HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, making her the country’s longest-reigning monarch.

Her Majesty actually succeeded the throne from her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952, but as her jubilee would also mark the date of his death, it has always been celebrated four months later on June 3.

Events are being planned across the Harrogate district in celebration, but many will want to enjoy the occasion more privately with friends and family at home.

We spoke to seven Harrogate food and drink businesses to find out how they are celebrating and got some tips on what to include in good old-fashioned British spread:

Mama Doreen’s Emporium

The 1950s-inspired Jubilee afternoon tea at Mama Doreen’s

Jessica Wyatt, owner of Mama Doreen’s, said:

“We are doing a 1950s-inspired afternoon tea. We are taking the most popular puddings from around that decade and including them in our afternoon tea. It’s something a little bit different and a little bit special. You’ve got the cherries Jubilee, English trifle, Victoria sponge butterfly buns, shortbread, Coronation chicken sandwich and even a cucumber sandwich.

“My favourite afternoon tea item is butterfly buns because that’s what my grandma used to make. I think a lot of people have that same nostalgia.”

“For the actual Bank Holiday weekend we’re going to dress up in 1950s outfits, we’ve got singers performing throughout the day. We are going above and beyond with the balloons outside. We are also doing the Jubilee afternoon teas to take away and we can deliver to the Stray.

“We are really trying to push the street parties and get communities together. So we have put everything for a street party on our website, from the bunting down to the hats.

“I’m really looking forward to just feeling the buzz around Harrogate. Loads of people will be visiting and all the locals will be out and hopefully the weather will be lovely as well. I just think after the last couple of years it’s what the community needs. “

Spirit of Harrogate, producer of Slingsby Gin

A Slingsby Gin Platinum Punch cocktail.

Beth Gordon, digital copywriter at Spirit of Harrogate, said:

“A party isn’t a party without some amazing drinks, and for the Jubilee it should definitely be the Queen’s favourite spirit; gin.

“If you’re thinking of serving Slingsby Gin, make sure you have everything you need for our signature serves. This means our perfect pairing of tonic and garnishes that guarantee an amazing gin and tonic every time. For example, you’ll need Elderflower tonic for your Yorkshire Rhubarb gin and Mediterranean for Gooseberry.

“A Jubilee party is the perfect excuse to get the pitchers and jugs out and fill them with cocktails. You could even fill up some Kilner jars with the pre-made mixtures so that your guests can help themselves. Our Platinum Punch is a delicious cocktail, as well as our Slingsby Sangria with London Dry gin. Don’t forget to accommodate your guests who aren’t drinking alcohol too – and make sure you have lots of garnishes alongside ice so that people can help themselves and add extra flavour (and aesthetics) to their cocktails.”

Weetons

Weeton’s Jubilee picnic hamper

Thomas Lonsdale, restaurant supervisor at Weetons, said:

“It’s only right that you should have strawberries and cream for your picnic or with your afternoon tea. I’d also choose choose sausage rolls, pork pies, salads, baguettes, cheese, olives and wine. We’ve actually got some cans of mixers coming in, which will be really good.

“I’ll be getting into the spirit of the weekend on the Stray or at a street party.

“We have luxury Jubilee hampers available, which are perfect for just picking up and carrying across the road to the Stray.”

Fodder

Iced shortbread biscuits and a cup of Yorkshire tea at Fodder.

Jo Francisco, PR manager at Fodder, said ready-made picnics would be available at the food hall.

Jo said:

“People can book their Jubilee picnic at Fodder with pies, quiches, cheese boxes, meat packs and barbecue packs all available to pre-order ready for the Jubilee celebrations.

“Throughout the Jubilee week,  there will be a Jubilee-themed afternoon tea on offer in Fodder café, as well as stunning cakes from the Cake Lady Harrogate. These will include Champagne truffle chocolate cake, raspberry blueberry and white chocolate cake and Victoria sponge cupcakes.”

Read more:

All of Fodder’s profits help to fund the work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity which supports and promotes the farming industry.

Former CEO of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Nigel Pulling, meets HM The Queen in Harrogate in 2008.

West Park Hotel

The Classic Dubonnet Cocktail.

Anthony Blundell, hotel commercial manager, said:

“We are doing a Jubilee cocktail, which is going to be a ‘Classic Dubonnet Cocktail’ – her Majesty’s favourite. It includes Dubonnet, Tanquery Gin and Angustura Orange Bitters with a flavour profile of fig, red berries, orange and junipers, which is elegant yet strong – quite like her Royal Highness.”

Thug Sandwich Company

Edward Lee with a ‘pig in a blanket’ at Thug Sandwich.

Edward Lee, barista at Thug Sandwich, said you can’t beat a good sausage roll or scotch egg when it comes to the perfect accompaniment for your Jubilee picnic.

He added:

“When it comes to sandwiches, I’d recommend a good old fashioned Ploughmans, as it includes popular British ingredients and you can’t go wrong.

“This should all be washed down with a good sessionable pale ale.

“Having great food and drink is important. However, it’s not all about the occasion, but about the people you spend it with.”

Whittaker’s Gin

The Jubilee edition Whitaker’s Gin.

Jane Whittaker, co-founder of Whittaker’s Gin, which is based in Dacre Banks, said:

“We are releasing a Jubilee Edition gin.

“We have based the recipe on our existing Summer Solstice Gin, but tweaked the amount of grapefruit in the distillation and have added natural colouring to the liquid.

“We have changed all our gold foiling to silver to match the with Platinum theme and added an additional commemorative label.

“We thought this would not only be pleasing to the eye because of the colouring on the official Palace Jubilee roundel, but also our Summer Solstice is so popular, especially at this time of year.”

Yorkshire Agricultural Society appoints new chief executive

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has appointed Allister Nixon as its new chief executive.

Mr Nixon, who has been chief operating officer at Castle Howard Estate Limited for the past six years, will replace Nigel Pulling in the role.

He has also held positions at multinational companies, such as Global and Kanter Media Audiences.

Mr Pulling is retiring at the end of the month after 20 years in charge of the society, which organises the annual Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Its other businesses include Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park and Springtime Live.

Mr Nixon, who is a chartered accountant, said:

“I am delighted to be joining this outstanding organisation which does so much invaluable work for the agricultural industry. There is a lot of good work to continue and there are many opportunities for the society to develop still further.

“I am really looking forward to working with the trustees, staff and other stakeholders in the industry to ensure that, by supporting, promoting and celebrating the industry as effectively as possible, the exceptional reputation of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society continues to grow.”

Read more:

Nigel Pulling

Rob Copley, chairman of trustees, said: 

“On behalf of all the Trustees, council members and all staff we would like to thank Nigel for his hard work, determination and expertise and we are looking forward to welcoming Allister and beginning the next phase of development under his leadership and direction.”

Meet the showground heroes boosting Harrogate’s vaccine programme

About 20,000 people are expected to receive booster jabs at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground between December 6 and 22. Another 35,000 are set to follow in the New Year.

Most people who go agree it’s a slick, well-run operation. That it works so well is down to the efforts of 50 staff and 60 volunteers behind the life-saving operation.

The Stray Ferret spoke to some of those on site this week. The 60 volunteers are divided into four teams of 15 volunteers a day supplied on alternate days by community groups Boroughbridge Community Care, Harrogate and District Community Action, Nidderdale Plus and Knaresborough Connectors.

The Boroughbridge team, led by volunteer coordinator Jan Seymour, was on duty when we visited.

Ms Seymour was holding a box of chocolates, donated by a patient. All such gifts get shared between the helpers. She jokes:

“The people we like most are the ones that bring us chocolate and cake!

Jan Seymour

The set-up at the Yorkshire Event Centre is the same as it was from February to August this year when some 120,000 first and second dose vaccines were administered.

The volunteers remain relentlessly cheerful and helpful but there is a wearier feel to the place than there was in spring. Ms Seymour says:

“When we opened in February everyone was absolutely desperate to get it. Now the attitude is ‘I’m a bit busy today, can I come tomorrow?'”.

Volunteers typically do half a day each, either from 8am to 1pm or 1pm to 6pm. They meet and greet people, direct traffic and take people to one of the 16 vaccination pods, which can cater for up to eight vaccinators. Ms Seymour says:

“During lockdown it was easy to get volunteers but recently it’s become harder. Some people are back at work and many volunteers are older people who have childcare duties.

“The majority of patients are absolutely wonderful. They could not be more thankful. We get the odd one who isn’t. One guy had a go at me on Monday when he said ‘why can’t I go to my doctor for this? But that’s unusual. Most people are great.”

Staffing fatigue

Yorkshire Health Network, which is a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, manages the vaccination sites at Harrogate and Ripon racecourse.

Tim Yarrow, operations manager for the network, says the Harrogate site can handle greater numbers of walk-in patients because of its size and abundant parking.

Tim Yarrow

The quietest time, he says, is early to mid afternoon, then numbers soar towards the end of the day as many people try to get in at the end of their working days. The decision to allow walk-ins this week sparked a surge of visitors with queues of up to an hour at peak times.

Mr Yarrow says:

“We set this up in one-and-a-half days. It was easier second time round. We knew the snagging points from last time.

“The main challenge is staffing fatigue. During lockdown we had a lot of people with not a lot else to do. As people have gone back to their day jobs their availability has become more sparse.”

Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which owns the site, has “bent over backwards to enable it to happen”, says Mr Yarrow. When the site re-opens in January, jabs will take place in another building at the showground so the society can resume holding events in the Yorkshire Event Centre.

Moderna provided

Barnaby Roe, general manager of Yorkshire Health Network, oversees the operation at the showground.

In a makeshift office on site, he explains that the 50 staff are comprised of GP practice staff, who are helping for free on their days off, members of Yorkshire Health Network, pharmacists, pharmacist technicians and nurses. Half work the morning shift and half work in the afternoon.

“This programme will be for 20,000 to December 22 then going forward we think it will be another 35,000.”

Barnaby Roe

The site is giving doses of the Moderna booster but also administers some Pfizer jabs to children from immunosuppressed families.

“The people who work here have done it for some time and it’s down to a fine art.”

Booster appointments can be booked at the showground here. The site provided some walk-in appointments this week for over-18s who were eligible for jabs and has yet to decide whether they will be available next week.

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show to remain four-day event

The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate is to remain a four-day event next year.

Event organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society confirmed today next year’s show will be held from July 12 to July 15.

The event was first held over four days for the first time ever this year in order to comply with covid regulations.

It meant a significantly reduced capacity each day but the format proved popular with tickets selling out. Prince Charles paid a surprise visit in glorious sunshine.

Next year’s show will follow the same measures, including limits on attendance and tickets being purchased in advance.

Read more:

The daily programme of events will be finalised early next year.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the society said: 

“The pandemic forced us to change the way we did things at the show and there was not one section of the Great Yorkshire Show that was unchanged. This pressed a reset button on our whole operations and some of these changes were so successful, they are here to stay.

“Spreading the event over four days was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from our exhibitors, visitors and staff. Visitors felt that more space to navigate the showground made their whole show experience more enjoyable, while for exhibitors, four days and shorter hours meant they felt less pressurised.”

Tickets will be on sale from November 1.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive to retire in March

The chief executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society is set to retire after 20 years in charge.

Nigel Pulling will step down from his role in March 2022.

Mr Pulling joined the society in 2001, when the Great Yorkshire Show was cancelled due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

It was the first time show had been cancelled other than for the two world wars. The show was then also cancelled after one day in 2012 due to torrential rain and didn’t take place at all last year due to covid.

Mr Pulling has overseen commercial projects such as the building of Fodder, the Regional Agricultural Centre (the society’s headquarters) and the multi-million pound rebuild of hall one in the Yorkshire Event Centre.

This year, he oversaw the Great Yorkshire Show return amid the covid pandemic. Prince Charles was among the guests at this year’s four-day event.

Mr Pulling said there were similarities between the event and the show held in 2002.

He said:

“We overcame the tough challenges on both occasions to deliver successful Great Yorkshire Shows and I couldn’t have ended my tenure on a better show.

“We were devastated to cancel last year and despite the challenges and restrictions placed on this year’s event, it was an incredible achievement for the team. The atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment from both the farming community and visitors was second to none.”

Read more:

Mr Pulling added:

“I leave my role on a high, the Great Yorkshire Show is in a strong position ready for next year. 

“Events are returning to the showground after this difficult 18 months, the charitable activities team is stronger than ever before in its support for farming families and promotion of agriculture to the next generation – and I know it will go from strength to strength.”

Rob Copley, chairman of trustees said: 

“Nigel has been a real asset, he is hugely respected in the industry and his leadership has taken the society up to the next level.

“On behalf of all the trustee and council members past and present I want to thank him for all his hard work, determination and expertise.”

Children learn about food at Summerbridge farm

Schoolchildren enjoyed a different kind of lesson today when they visited a Summerbridge farm to learn how food goes from the field to the dinner plate.

The children visited Birchfield Ice Cream Farm as part of a new initiative from Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

The society launched the Farm to Fork campaign to teach the younger generations about farming, food and the countryside.

The children, from Ashfield Primary School in Otley, enjoyed a trailer ride around the farm as the Whitley family, who run the farm, explained how they look after animals.

The children also got to see farm’s cows, pigs and hens up close as well as visit the farm’s dairy parlour to see how ice cream is made.

Sarah Whitley, of Birchfield Ice Cream Farm, said:

“We’ve loved hosting Ashfield Primary School with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and hope the children have come away with a real insight into how farmers produce food and look after their animals and crops.”

school kids visit summerbridge farm

The children meet the animals.

Ben Nowell, class teacher at Ashfield Primary School, said:

“As a teacher, we try to teach the children to make the best choice they believe in with the information that they have.

“We believe it is important for children to understand where their food comes from and how it is made so they can make informed, healthy decisions for themselves.”

Read more:

Today’s visit is one of several organised throughout the year. The campaign was launched by the society during last year’s first lockdown.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the society, said:

“It is so important to educate new generations about where their food comes from and our Farm to Fork visits are great opportunities to do exactly that.

“Yorkshire has such a wonderful farming story to share and the earlier we can get this message across to children the better.”

Extra safety measures announced for Great Yorkshire Show

Further control measures have been announced today for next week’s Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate following the increase in Delta variant covid cases.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the event, has been working with public health officials at North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to discuss measures.

It means the 162nd show will be held mainly outdoors and considerably different to previous ones.

Capacity has been limited to a maximum of 26,000 people a day to minimise crowding and to ensure social distancing.

It means about 104,000 people are expected to attend from Tuesday to Friday as opposed to the usual 135,000 that pass through the gates over three days.

Opening hours have been extended from 8.00am to 6.00pm to allow visitors to arrive and leave in a more staggered way to avoid queues.

Ticket sales were temporarily halted while the capacity numbers were finalised, and the final raft of tickets are now on sale via the Great Yorkshire Show website.

Lateral flow tests

Visitors are encouraged to have a lateral flow covid test before they arrive and to download the NHS app before arriving in order to be able to scan QR codes where necessary, such as in hospitality areas.

People working at the show, including catering and trade stands, will be required to have a negative lateral flow test within 24 hours before arriving at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Read more:

Tickets can only be bought in advance only and should be printed out as e-tickets. They will not be on sale on the gates.

This year most of the event will be held outdoors and it has been extended to run over four days for the first time in its history.

Show director Charles Mills said:

“This will be a very special Great Yorkshire Show and one we are all so looking forward to after these difficult times.

“It will be a slightly different show to normal but we have done our best to bring you an event which will fly the flag for farming and celebrate our industry.”

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services, said:

“We, along with partners from Harrogate Borough Council, have been working very closely for some months with the Great Yorkshire Show organisers and Public Health England to make sure the event is as safe and successful as possible, being mindful ofcCovid transmission rates and national restrictions.

“However, we recognise the importance of the show, not only for the people of North Yorkshire and Yorkshire but also for the farming community which has played such a vital role during the pandemic with food supplies and keeping the whole supply chain going.”

Sections that will not feature in this year’s show include the fashion show, the WI stand, the pole climbing competition and the cookery theatre in the food hall although the game cookery theatre will go ahead as usual.

Other safety measures this year

• Track and Trace at hospitality points
• Grandstand capacity reduced to 25% – 30% with tickets purchased in advance
• Extra security to disperse any crowding
• One way system around the Food Hall
• Hall 2 closed to public although the entrance will be a celebrity meet & greet
• Face coverings to be worn in all indoor areas, including toilets and the grandstand, and encouraged when in queues
• Enhanced cleaning
• Table service only at bar areas

 

Great Yorkshire Show to go ahead

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate have confirmed the event will go ahead next month after all.

The event appeared in doubt after the government announced on Monday that existing social distancing restrictions will continue until July 19.

The extended period included the show, which is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 16.

This led to two days of uncertainty before this afternoon’s statement from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the event. It said:

“We are delighted to announce that the Great Yorkshire Show will take place as planned despite the delay to ending coronavirus restrictions.

“The Great Yorkshire Show was planned under social distancing measures and we are continuing to work closely with North Yorkshire County Council public health to deliver a covid-safe show.

“We are discussing some of the details which may require additional measures to be put in place.

“We have already adapted the show so that most of it is held outdoors this year and it’s been extended to run over four days for the first time in its history.”

Read more:

 

Great Yorkshire Show still waiting to hear if it can go ahead

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show have issued a statement saying it is still awaiting confirmation that the event can go ahead.

The event is scheduled to take place in Harrogate from July 13 to 16.

All social distancing measures were due to be lifted next week but Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last night current restrictions would remain until July 19.

Twenty-four hours after Mr Johnson’s announcement, the impact of this on the show remains unclear.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the agricultural charity that organises the event, has already included various social distancing measures into this year’s planning.

They include holding the show over four days, rather than three, capping daily visitor numbers to 25,000, reducing the grandstand capacity to 30% and adapting the show to use as much outdoor space as possible.

In a statement today, the society said:

“Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday night, we continue to await confirmation from North Yorkshire County Council public health that we can deliver this year’s Great Yorkshire Show as planned.

“What we can say is that the Great Yorkshire Show has been fully adapted to be covid-safe and we have been working with the relevant agencies every step of the way.

“The show has also been endorsed by Visit England as part of its Good to Go campaign.

“Measures include adapting the show so most of it is held outdoors this year and extending it to run over four days for the first time in its history.

“A full list of measures are here and these were always going to be in place whether lockdown was extended or not.

“Please bear with us while we await news, and a statement will go out as soon as we have a definitive answer.”

Read more:

 

Great Yorkshire Show ‘monitoring situation’ as lockdown announcement looms

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show have said they are “monitoring the national situation” ahead of tonight’s government announcement on lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to give a news conference at 6pm tonight.

All social distancing measures are due to be lifted on June 21 but Mr Johnson is expected to say current restrictions will remain in place for four more weeks until July 19.

The Great Yorkshire Show is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 16 so the announcement could impact on its plans.

However, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the agricultural charity that organises the event, has already included various social distancing measures into this year’s planning.

They include holding the show over four days, rather than three, capping daily visitor numbers to 25,000, reducing the grandstand capacity to 30% and adapting the show to use as much outdoor space as possible.

This has raised hopes the event will be able to proceed as planned but the situation should become clearer after the ramifications of tonight’s announcement are known.

In a statement today, the society said:

“The Great Yorkshire Show is monitoring the national situation and we are awaiting details from tonight’s announcement.

“We continue to work closely with North Yorkshire County Council public health and Harrogate Borough Council.”

Read more: