There’s nothing quite like a game of Monopoly between friends and family, especially during the holidays. Launched just in time for Easter, the official Monopoly: Yorkshire Dales has been released and highlights iconic places, landmarks and game pieces from God’s own country.
The new Yorkshire Dales game follows on from previous local editions including Monopoly York that was released in 2010, Monopoly Harrogate which was launched in 2019, Monopoly Leeds released in 2008, and Monopoly Sheffield launched in 2007.
Monopoly Harrogate
Bolton Abbey features as the new ‘Mayfair’ as it is the game’s top-ranking space, while other famous Yorkshire Dales sites that the board features include Malham Cove, Fountains Abbey, Masham Market and Settle Railway Station.
Players will ‘pass GO’ on more than 30 local landmarks that are on the board such as The Forbidden Corner, with well-known Yorkshire hotels including the Stone House Hotel and Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa also on the board.
John Keen-Tomlinson, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK said:
“We have been absolutely spoilt with choices when putting this Monopoly game together, including the customised wording on Community Chest and Chance playing cards.
“For example, some players could be penalised for ‘wild camping’, whilst others could be rewarded for ‘quality sheepdog trials.’ Very Yorkshire!”
The board also features miniature game pieces of a dry stone wall, a slab of Wensleydale cheese, a pair of walking boots, a Craven Ram, a cricket bat, and a bicycle, instead of traditional tokens like the Scottie dog and boot.
Jason Bunn, proud Yorkshire resident and Britain’s only Monopoly world champ said:
“It’s a real slice of Yorkshire.
“I have a one of the world’s largest collections of Monopoly editions – more than 300 different themes, from Elvis to the Wizard of Oz, but Monopoly: Yorkshire Dales edition could very well be my favourite now.”
Did you know?
The first game of Monopoly was launched in 1935, and today the game is enjoyed by more than one billion players in 114 countries across the globe. In total it is licensed in 103 countries and printed in 37 languages.
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5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend from 22-24 March
Get out and about with our guide of the top activities and things to do this weekend.
Play crazy golf at a movie-themed course in the Yorkshire Dales
At The Stray Ferret we like to publish events that are slightly out of the ordinary – and if a movie-themed crazy golf experience isn’t that, then we don’t know what is.
Taking place at Uredale Mill in the picturesque Dales village of Askrigg, channel your inner Happy Gilmore and get competitive with friends and family on this 18-hole course that’s themed around films.
Dance the can-can at the Moulin Rouge or get a miserly score that would make The Grinch proud. This fun activity is one to pop on the weekend list – or as it runs for two weeks, it could be one for the Easter holidays too.
Children under 12 £8, adults £10, discounts for group bookings are available – email tickets@incredibleartists.uk, various time slots, March 23 – April 7, Uredale Mill (ex Carrs Billington Yard), Station Road, Askrigg, DL8 3HZ.
Listen to the soundtracks of the silver screen performed by a live orchestra
(Image: London Concertante)
This week’s ‘5 things to do in and around Harrogate’ has a slight film feel (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is also being released on 22 March, 40 years after the original – book your tickets at The Everyman or The Odeon), while Ripon Cathedral is also hosting a Music from the Movies by Candlelight, performed by London Concertante.
Be mesmerised by the orchestra who will play some of the most iconic film scores of all time, including the suave sophistication of James Bond, the ethereal sounds of ET and the dark allure of The Godfather, to name but a few.
From £19, March 23, Ripon Cathedral, Liberty Court House, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT.
Visit Knaresborough Wellness Festival
(Image: Pixaby)
Think about your mind, body and soul at Knaresborough Wellness Festival, which is being held for the fourth year running. Featuring something for everyone including treatments such as reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki, and Indian head massage, to live music, aura photography and tarot card reading, you’ll be sure to find your inner zen here.
There will also be activities such as yoga, workshops and talks so you can learn more about a wide variety of wellness practices, and there will also be plenty of crystals too.
Free, March 24, 10am-4pm, Knaresborough Wellness Festival, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, 50 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AL.
Go to Springtime Live at the Great Yorkshire Showground
(Image: Springtime Live)
The event for all the family is back. This year attendees won’t be disappointed as there will be a spaniel dog show, a crazy climbing wall, Mini Land Rover rides, tractor trailer rides and a sheep show. That’s not to mention all farm animals you could possibly imagine, as well as hands-on workshops and demonstrations, which are just some of this year’s highlights.
And once you’re inside the event, all of the attractions are free. Bonus. Be quick though as some of the tickets have already sold out.
Pre-booking is necessary, children £8, adults £12, March 23, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.
Meet the extreme artist and explorer Philip Gray
(Image: Philip Gray)
Irish artist Philip Gray combines his love of painting with his passion for exploration and discovery. He often embarks on challenging expeditions for his art and paints these scenes from across the world, whether it’s tropical rainforests or icy mountain peaks.
Join him at Clarendon Fine Art Gallery where he will launch his Harrogate exhibition and tell the tales of some of the adventures he’s been on. It’s sure to make for an awe-inspiring evening.
Free, 6-8pm, March 23, Clarendon Fine Art, 1a James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS.
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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- 7 Easter activities to keep the kids entertained
- What’s on
- The hidden stories behind Harrogate’s newest chocolate shop
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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Ripon’s Yorkshire cricketer John Waring dies aged 81
A Ripon cricketer who opened the bowling for Yorkshire with Fred Trueman has died on his 81st birthday.
John Waring was taken ill on Saturday morning while playing golf at Ripon City Golf Club. He died at Harrogate District Hospital the following morning — his 81st birthday.
Fast-medium pace bowler John played 29 first-class matches for Yorkshire from 1963 to 1966. He took 55 wickets at an average of 22.74.
The highlight of his career came in the championship-winning season of 1966 when he returned incredible match figures of 10 wickets for 63 runs in a Roses fixture against Lancashire, out-performing even the great Trueman.
John made one appearance for Warwickshire and later played minor counties cricket for Cumberland and was the club professional at Darlington. He also played for Leeds, Harrogate, Scarborough and Bingley.
A talented golfer, he was the youngest ever captain at Ripon City Golf Club and later became club president. He was also president of the Harrogate and District Union of Golf Clubs.
John married Jean in 1964 and they lived in Scarborough before moving to Dishforth in 1972.
He is survived by Jean and their son Jonathan, who lives in Thirsk with wife Zoe.
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Sun shines on Yorkshire-Lancashire match in Harrogate
After days of rain, spectators were granted a day of sunshine for the 50-over Roses cricket match in Harrogate today.
Any game between Yorkshire and Lancashire is likely to be hard-fought, but this one is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.
The priority for both county second teams at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground is practice.
Lancashire coach Karl Krikken said the outcome of the match didn’t matter.
Lancashire second team coach Karl Krikken told the Stray Ferret:
“It doesn’t matter about the outcome today – this is just about getting the lads some overs.
“Winning’s always nice, but it’s not the most important thing today.”
Lancashire will face Essex at Sedbergh when the One-Day Cup starts next week.
Assistant coach James Lowe was confident of Yorkshire’s mix of youth and experience.
In the home camp, assistant coach James Lowe said:
“We’ve got some good players – Dom Bess, Harry Duke, Will Luxton and Ben Mike – as well as a couple of young players from the academy, so we’ve got a nice mix of youth and experience.
“It’d be nice to get a win, especially against Lancashire, but whatever happens, it’s sure to be a good game.”
Yorkshire will play Cheshire in the 50-over competition on Sunday.
Kit Turnbull (left) had brought along his children (l to r): Kit, Caspar, Elsa and Ava.
As the players practised ahead of the 11am start, Harrogate resident Kit Turnbull was settling in on the stands with his children: Caspar, 12; Elsa, 14; and Ava, 16.
He said:
“I’m here mostly as an accompanying adult for Caspar, who plays cricket at Bilton. For the girls it’s just something different to do on a nice day – and it’s free.
“For Caspar, this acts as kind of a benchmark. You can watch the cricket on TV as much as you want, but it’s different in person. Just to see the speed they bowl the ball at, you get a real appreciation of it when it’s right there in front of you.
“My only concern was the weather, but it’s looking OK. We’ve got our packed lunch with us, so we’ll be here all day.”
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Yorkshire vs Lancashire cricket match at Harrogate next week
Yorkshire will play Lancashire in a 50-over men’s cricket match at Harrogate on Wednesday next week.
The match, which will be staged at Harrogate Cricket Club‘s St George’s Road ground, is a warm-up for the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup 50-over competition.
Although it is a friendly fixture, Roses cricket matches are always fiercely contested and the fast-paced action will feature some outstanding cricketers.
Spectators are welcome to watch what will be the local highlight of the cricketing summer. Play is due to start at 11am.
Steve Clark, co-chair of the club, said:
“Whilst this won’t be the full Yorkshire first team — they have a county championship game at Scarborough on the same day — we have been told that a number of the Yorkshire’s white ball specialists will be playing.
“It should be a fantastic day and some quality cricket will be on display. The bar will be open throughout the day and will be serving a range of refreshments and hot and cold food.”
Harrogate Cricket Club
Mr Clark added:
“Admission to the ground will be free of charge but any donations to the club will be gratefully received. The club will also be running a raffle, tuck shop and an ice cream van throughout the day.
“We also planning that some local junior cricket will be played on the main outfield during the interval.”
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- Knaresborough hosts county’s biggest ever female cricket festival
Ripon Races offer a warm welcome as new season beckons
This story is sponsored by Ripon Races
Ripon Races are under starter’s orders for another exciting season, with thoroughbred stars providing the thrills on the track and live musical entertainment adding to a memorable day or evening out at ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.’
The first fixture for 2023 will be held on the afternoon of April 20 with a further 16 days featuring races over sprint, middle and long distances to follow,
Dates for the diary include Ladies’ Day on Thursday June 22 and the highlight of the season on Saturday August 19, when many of the UK’s top stables will have sprinters vying for the £75,000 prize money in the ultra-competitive six furlong Great St Wilfrid Handicap, which has been sponsored by William Hill since 1994.
Free entry for under 18s
Famed for its floral splendour, Ripon provides an attractive and welcoming setting for racegoers of all ages, including families, where accompanied under 18s go free of charge and groups of 11 people and above, can enjoy discounted entry to the paddock area by booking in advance.
Catering to suit all tastes
Alongside the floral beauty that provides a feast for the eyes, the Boroughbridge Road course has a wide range of food and beverage outlets to suit all tastes and budgets, from the award-winning Club Restaurant and Silks and Saddles Bar in the Club Enclosure to the Fountains Bar in the Paddock Enclosure. There’s also the stylish Champagne and Seafood Bar and the Wakeman and Claro bars.
Jon Mullin, operations and marketing manager at the course, said:
“Racegoers wanting to dine in style can enjoy the a la carte menu at the Club Restaurant, while The Fountains Bar caters for those looking for a quick bite to eat.”
He added:
“The aim of our friendly racecourse team is to provide a fantastic and affordable day or evening out at great value for money, including four family fun days throughout the season, free parking and a free shuttle bus service on race days between Ripon city centre and the course.
“Mindful of our award-winning environmental credentials and our aim to cut carbon emissions, we offer reduced price entry to people arriving by bicycle or those whose race day journey includes travel on the 36 Leeds/Harrogate bus service to and from Ripon.”
A day out for all the family
Ripon prides itself in being a family friendly course and in addition to providing free entry for under 18s who are accompanied by adults, it is hosting four special family fun days during the season.
These will be held at the afternoon meetings on April 29, May 21, August 7 and August 28 (Bank Holiday) where there will be a wide range of activities and fun for all ages from Punch ‘n’ Judy and fancy dress to Kub Karts, bouncy castles, fairground rides, arts and crafts, circus, face painting and much more all free for children
Evening meetings
The delight of an evening at the races can be enjoyed by Ripon racegoers on May 12, June 7, June 21 (when the course will hold its Best Dressed Gentleman competition) July 10, August 8 and September 5.
An award winning course
Ripon finished ahead of a strong field of entrants to become a winner at the 2022 RCA Racecourse Association Showcase & Awards.
It beat Hamilton Park, Go Racing in Yorkshire, Scottish Racing and The Jockey Club to collect the Racing Connection Award, for an innovative scheme that it ran to recognise and reward the work of stable staff.
This followed on from the RCA Spotlight Award that the course received in 2019 for its Green Cycle Maps initiative.
Ripon Races are under starter’s orders for another exciting season, with the first fixture for 2023 on the afternoon of April 20th.
Click or tap here to get your tickets for Ripon Races now.
Harrogate’s Finlay Bean scores first century of county cricket seasonHarrogate-born Finlay Bean has scored the first century of the county cricket season while playing for Yorkshire.
Bean, 20, made headlines last year when he scored 441 for Yorkshire second XI — the highest score in second X1 championship history.
At the time he didn’t have a professional contract and played for York Cricket Club but he was subsequently signed by Yorkshire and made his first class debut against Lancashire in September.
Bean, who studied at Ripon Grammar School and Queen Ethelburga’s, scored 118 off 149 balls against Leicestershire in the opening day of the first fixture of the year at Headingley.
The four-day match is still ongoing.
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Popular artist Lucy Pittaway ‘blown away’ by Harrogate gallery launch
This story is sponsored by Lucy Pittaway.
One of the UK’s favourite artists says she has been “blown away” by the reception since opening her new gallery in Harrogate before Christmas.
Lucy Pittaway already has four other galleries across the North – in Richmond, Yarm, Keswick and near her home in Brompton-on-Swale – where she sells original artwork and prints of her paintings, which she calls “art that makes you smile” – but wanted a presence a little further south.
She said:
“We’ve been blown away by the reception we’ve had in Harrogate – not just from other traders, but from local people coming into the gallery too.The feedback’s been wonderful. The gallery has been really well received, which makes us feel we’ve definitely made the right decision opening here.
“Footfall’s been incredibly strong. We were getting people wanting to come in before we’d even opened. It’s actually been quite challenging, because we’ve had to take on more people just to cope with demand.”
Lucy Pittaway graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in Graphic Design, and went on to teach and lecture at Darlington Technical College of Art and Design. It was only after she had started a family with childhood sweetheart Neil that she felt it was the perfect time to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.
Her pictures, which often feature scenes, animals and characters from the Yorkshire Dales, can now be found in homes and galleries across the UK and beyond.
She has won an armful of prestigious awards from the Fine Art Trade Guild, including Best Up-and-Coming Artist, Best Art Website of the Year, and the UK’s Most Popular Published Artist in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Nevertheless, when Lucy decided to open her gallery in the heart of Harrogate, on Prospect Place at the end of James Street, she had little idea of how local traders would respond – but she needn’t have worried.
She said:
“Coming to Harrogate has been really eye-opening. It’s a very welcoming town. From a business-to-business point of view, we were really quite overwhelmed by the help we received from [tourism body] Destination Harrogate. They took a lot of time out to answer all our questions about recruitment, seasonality, advertising and business organisations.
“Other businesses have been very supportive too, and I think that says a lot about the genuine nature of businesses in Harrogate. They want to do the best for their customers and are interested in improving choice on the high street.”
Buoyed by the success of the Harrogate opening, Lucy is now hoping to repeat the achievement in other towns in the region.
She said:
“We’ve just gone through some major renovation at our head office in Brompton-on-Swale, and have invested a lot in new warehousing and office space, which will help us feed more galleries and expand.
“We want to bring a vibrancy to the high street to make people smile. We’re planning to open more galleries this year – so watch this space!”
Find out more:
Discover why Lucy Pittaway is the UK’s most popular published artist by visiting her newest gallery at 21 Prospect Place, Harrogate.
Or check out her latest paintings on her award-winning website, lucypittaway.co.uk.
How Harrogate Family Law can help if you are a victim of coercive control
This article is sponsored by Harrogate Family Law.
Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse in which a person attempts to exert an unreasonable, oppressive amount of control over their partner’s life.
Harrogate Family Law are specialists in this area and they are helping a growing number to resolve the difficult situation.
Abuse does not have to be physical or sexual to be an offence. Coercive control can include emotional and psychological abuse and can be very subtle, so is harder to identify.
By its very nature, coercive control can instil confusion and self-doubt in the victim, but Harrogate Family Law can help you be clear about what is taking place and prepare a safe route out of the situation for you and your family.
Andrew Meehan, director of Harrogate Family Law, said:
“We are getting clients from all over the country who are married to a controlling, narcissistic spouse. They have often been controlled financially and emotionally and have been kept in the dark about money. They often don’t have a clear picture of how much things cost and how they can afford to pay for things.
“We can offer advice and help them to move forward with a secure financial future.”
What are the signs of coercive control?
There are clear indications that the relationship you are in has spiralled towards coercive control, even if you have received no physical harm and the relationship is not necessarily “toxic”.
Coercive control happens when:
- You are isolated from your support system, i.e. family and friends
- Your activity is being monitored all day everyday – known as invasive surveillance
- Your freedom and autonomy is being denied – such as access to money or health and body freedom
- You are subjected to name-calling, shaming or criticism
- Your children are being turned against you, known as parental alienation
- You are subjected to jealous accusations
Mr Meehan has offered his three top tips on what to do if you think you are a victim of coercive control.
You are not alone
“There are a lot of people in the same situation. They are often conditioned to think there is no way out for them and they are effectively trapped.
“But their situation is something we see a lot of and something we can sort out for them. The situation is not hopeless.”
Get legal advice early
“We have a niche in dealing with people who have been controlled by spouses or those who are married to a narcissist. We have got clients from all over the country and overseas looking for our expertise.
“Speak to a solicitor who understands how to deal with these kinds of people.”
Everyone’s situation is different
“Try to come to your first meeting as prepared as possible so that the advice we give can be as tailored to your circumstances as much as possible.
“This is difficult if your finances are being controlled. However, have a think about what you do know and we can take things from there. We can then be prepared to deal with what is most important to you.”