Live the Dales Issue 2 Summer 2024

Visit our mill. It’s much more than just a kitchen showroom. It’s full of stuff, full of ideas and inspiration. It’s our home six days a week.

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Saturdays, 10am-3pm.

Unit 6 Eastburn Mills Main Road, Keighley, BD20 7SJ T: 01535 656297 E: mail@eastburn.co.uk

10 SPA, SPAWS AND WATER CURES

The health-giving benefits of water brought prosperity to Harrogate and Ilkley, turning them into fashionable spa towns. Local historian Mike Dixon examines the rise of the Yorkshire “spaws”.

66 DIPPING INTO WILD SWIMMING

The wonderful world of wild swimming comes under the spotlight as increasing numbers of people discover its physical and mental health benefits - and the hobby is a strong contender for the UK’s fastest-growing outdoor activity.

98 MICHELIN STARRED SUCCESS - FROM NORTH BEACH TO YORKSHIRE’S FINE CUISINE

Young Australian chef Brayden Davies talks about his journey from a Perth suburb to his prestigious job at The Box Tree in Ilkley.

116 MIND THE WHARFE!

Seven time Ryder Cup competitor and long time Wharfedale resident, Mark ‘Jesse’ James, talks about his long golfing career and his love of the Ilkley course.

124 CAPTURING THE POWER OF NATURE

From his Hetton studio contemporary landscape artist Brian Burton captures the breathtaking power and shifting beauty of water.

LIVE MAGAZINES

Chairman: Simon Smith

Publisher: Tedd Walmsley

Company Secretary: Elizabeth Walmsley

Editor: Annette McIntyre

Operations Manager: Kate Hyde

Production Manager: James Britton

Sales Account Manager: Jo Dixon (jo.dixon@live-magazines.co.uk)

Business Development & Sport: Mark Dixon

Graphic Designers: Nick Dittrich and Rob Walmsley

Photography: Kirsten Platt, Suzanne Skeen and Gemma Suckley

Editorial Contributors: Dominic Adams, Paul Agnew, Lucy Bale, Kate Bowyer, Mark Dixon, Mike Dixon, Rebecca Hay, Ben Hopkins, Matt Rayson, Joe Varley and Jan Woolley

LIVE MAGAZINES LIMITED HEAD OFFICE

Office 9, The Old Bakery Green Street Lytham FY8 5LG

T: 01772 319 465 live@live-magazines.co.uk www.live-magazines.co.uk

LIVE THE DALES magazine is hand delivered to selected households and businesses in: Addingham, Airton, Arncliffe, Askrigg, Askwith, Austwick, Aysgarth, Bainbridge, Beckwithshaw, Ben Rhydding, Birstwith, Bishop Thornton, Bradley, Buckden, Burley-in-wharfedale, Burley Woodhead, Burn Bridge, Burnsall, Burnt Yates, Carleton, Carlton, Carperby, Casterton, Clapham, Conistone, Copt Huick, Cowan Bridge, Dacre, Dacre Banks, Darley, Dent, Draughton, East Witton, Eastby , Embsay, Fearby, Galphay, Gargrave, Glasshouses, Grantley, Grassington, Grewelthorpe, Hampsthwaite, Harmby, Harrogate, Hawes, Hawkswick, Hellifield, High Grantley, Horton in Ribblesdale, Hutton Conyers, Ilkley, Ingleton, Kettlewell, Killinghall, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kirkby Malham, Kirkby Malzeard, Langcliffe, Leyburn, Lofthouse, Long Preston, Low Bradley, Malham, Markington, Masham, Mickley, Middleham, Middleton, Newbiggin, North Lees, North Stainley, Oldfield, Pannal, Pateley Bridge, Ramsgill, Ripley, Ripon, Sawley, Settle, Shaw Mills, Skipton, South Stainley, Stainforth, Starbotton, Studley Roger, Summerbridge, Thoralby, Wensley, West Burton, West Tanfield, West Witton, Winksley, Wormald Green.

LIVE MAGAZINES LIMITED cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts or photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Live Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors. We reserve the right to publish and credit any letters. All rights reserved.

For advertising please contact jo.dixon@live-magazines.co.uk

The Box Tree represents a combination of 21st century ef ciency and exquisite good taste. Whilst the kitchens boast the latest equipment, the restaurant features a collection of art and antiques which de ne the style and luxury for which The Box Tree is famed.

“Whatagreattastinglunchmenu.Everycourseatastysurpriseinwelcoming relaxedsurroundings.Feltreallywelcomeandpampered.Deliciousfood.”

35-37 Church Street | lkley, West Yorkshire | LS29 9DR T: 01943 608484 | E: info@theboxtree.co.uk | W: theboxtree.co.uk

Live Editor

It’s hard to believe we’re already on our second edition of Live The Dales - after a very successful launch and fantastic support from local people and businesses.

This time we’re moving into summer - and what could be better on a hot day than relaxing in one of the area’s beautiful rivers or outdoor pools. We dip into wild swimming with a look at some of the best bathing spots in the area - and for those who prefer their exercise to be a bit less wild we examine the attractions of Ingleton Swimming Pool and Ilkley Lido.

For anyone who would rather be on the water than in it we take a look at the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, talking to people who live, work and enjoy their leisure time on the canal and finding out about fears for its future.

Water has played a big role in the history of the area - not least with the advent of spas, which helped bring prosperity to towns such as Harrogate and Ilkley. Their growth from backwater to booming health resorts is examined by local historian Mike Dixon in his article Spa, Spaws and Water Cures.

We love the Dales - and it’s nice to see our enthusiasm is shared by others, including the makers of the best-selling game Monopoly with the launch of its Yorkshire Dales edition. Some of this area’s most stunning beauty spots and iconic landmarks, such as Bolton Abbey and Aysgarth Falls, feature in the new edition - taking this part of God’s Own County to a wider audience.

The Dales are a dream come true to artists - none more so than Brian Burton, who creates stunning paintings of the North Yorkshire countryside with its magnificent waterfalls and rivers.

Also creating, but in a totally different way, is Brayden Davies, who serves up culinary masterpieces in his role as Executive Chef at The Box Tree in Ilkley.

Meanwhile Ilkley Golf Club is the setting for our interview with champion golfer Mark James, who has enjoyed a career at the top of his game.

So sit back, have a good read - and enjoy the sunshine!

Annette McIntyre Editor

The Dales

SPA, SPAWS & WATER CURES

The health-giving benefits of water brought prosperity to Harrogate and Ilkley, turning them into fashionable spa towns. Local historian Mike Dixon examines the rise of the Yorkshire ‘spaws’

The word ‘spa’ comes from the town of the same name in Belgium, famous for its mineral springs (and more recently for its Formula 1 circuit).

The waters of Spa have been known since Roman times, but it was only after a physician to Henry VIII visited the town in the mid-16th century and affirmed the water’s health-giving properties that the word entered the English language. However, its entry into English met with a little local difficulty.

About 1570, a Knaresborough gentleman, William Slingsby, discovered a spring in parkland in High Harrogate (now The Stray) which had chalybeate (iron-containing) properties. He was well acquainted with the taste and smell of the chalybeate spring at

Spa, or ‘Spaw’ as our Yorkshireman called it, which he had experienced on a Grand Tour of Europe taken twenty years earlier with his new wife. Slingsby proceeded to build a low wall around the well to prevent contamination by cows and sheep, and named it the Tuewhit or Tewit Well, a dialect name for ‘peewit’, as these birds flew in substantial flocks in the area. Slingsby began to drink the water every day for the sake of his health.

About twenty years later, a Sheffield physician, Dr Timothy Bright, visited the

Jeffrey’s map and Ilkley Spaw

well and declared it to be ‘The English Spaw’ thereby perpetuating the Yorkshire spelling. Thereafter, other wells in Yorkshire that were thought to be health-giving, were called ‘spaws’. For example, Thomas Jeffrey’s 1771 map of Yorkshire shows ‘spaws’ at Thorp (Thorpe Arch), Ilkley and Scarborough, as well as at Harrogate, but there were others that were not even dots on the map. It was only when the word ‘spaw’ spread outside Yorkshire, that ‘spa’ became the received pronunciation, and was used as a generic name for any medicinal spring.

‘TAKING THE WATERS’ BECAME KNOWN AS THE ‘HARROGATE CURE’ AND DOCTORS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BASIC LENGTH OF TREATMENT SHOULD BE NOT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS

Over the next hundred years, several more medicinal springs were discovered in Harrogate. Foremost among these was the Old Sulphur Well in Low Harrogate. This became so acclaimed for its curative powers that in 1842 its original rudimentary shelter was replaced by a grand octagonal building, The Royal Pump Room. Here, glasses of sulphurous water were dispensed to eager visitors, who gathered to sit and sip while bands played and the more able and fashionable promenaded around the room carrying their glasses. This ‘taking the waters’ became known as the ‘Harrogate Cure’ and doctors recommended that the basic length of treatment should be not less than three weeks.

Invariably, treatment did not end with the

drinking of water. Visitors were encouraged to take baths, which could be warm water, or of the Turkish variety, and to have massage and other ancillary treatments. Social activities flourished. Harrogate became a famous spa town, and its stature was confirmed by the building of the Promenade Room in 1805 (now the Mercer Art Gallery), the Victoria Baths in 1871, the luxurious Royal Baths with their splendid Turkish baths in 1897, and the Grand Opera House in 1900 (now the Harrogate Theatre).

Wharfedale that “its purity and softness only … makes it more efficacious, by passing sooner to the utmost and finest limits of the circulation than any water known”. Fortunately for Ilkley, it was the purity of the water that in due course led to it becoming renowned for ‘water treatment’ following the discovery and application of ‘Hydropathy’ or ‘The Cold Water Cure’. As an aside, ‘hydropathy’ is an absurd term for a cure, as it literally means ‘disease caused by water’. This folly was only

The upward trajectory of Harrogate was not mirrored in other Yorkshire ‘spaws’, for instance, those at Knaresborough, Ossett, Horley Green and Croft-on-Tees have faded into obscurity. Those ‘spaws’ that lacked a medicinal water source were at a particular disadvantage, but a few countered with an emphasis on the purity of their waters.

Dr Thomas Shaw promoted the Ilkley water by declaring in his 1820 book on

appreciated later in the 19th century when the more appropriate term ‘Hydrotherapy’ was introduced.

The cold water cure was ‘invented’ around 1820 by the son of a Silesian peasant farmer called Vincent Priessnitz. Silesia is now part of the Czech Republic. Priessnitz hit upon a treatment regime centred on cold water that soon became popular for its curative results. The main tenets of his regime were: 1. Cold

Hamer Stansfeld

Memorial to Vincent Priessnitz

Dr William Macleod

baths and ‘wet sheet’ treatment; 2. Drinking large quantities of pure water; 3. Regular exercise, and 4. A good, plain diet.

THE ‘WATER PATIENT’, DRESSED ONLY IN COTTON UNDERGARMENTS TO PRESERVE THEIR MODESTY, IS WRAPPED IN LINEN SHEETS WHICH HAVE BEEN SOAKED IN ICE-COLD WATER

The ‘wet sheets’ requires further explanation; the ‘water patient’, dressed only in cotton undergarments to preserve their modesty, is wrapped in linen sheets which have been soaked in ice-cold water. Thus swathed, the patient wears the sheets for the next three to four hours, after which time there follows a vigorous rub-down by the bath attendant.

The result is a ‘reaction’ felt as the body warms up and blood flow is restored to the skin and subcutaneous tissues. This reaction impresses the patient, even if its therapeutic value is debatable. Nevertheless, wet-sheet treatment formed one of the pillars of the hydropathic regime and was held to be useful in many kinds of illness.

One person who benefitted from a visit to the Priessnitz establishment was a Leeds businessman called Hamer Stansfeld. He was so impressed by the cold-water cure that he returned to Leeds convinced that the treatment should be available in Yorkshire. Stansfeld cast about for somewhere to establish it in the locality and quickly settled on Ilkley. The village had an abundant supply of pure water, a bath-house, and hills and moors for exercise.

Stansfeld persuaded a Silesian water-doctor,

Antoine Rischanek, to come to Ilkley. He installed the ‘doctor’ in Usher’s Boarding House in Wells Road, had John Jackson’s donkeys lined up for transport to White Wells and arranged a special rate with the attendant at the bath-house. Rischanek’s water treatment was advertised in the local newspapers and patients started to roll up in substantial numbers. Stansfeld soon realised that there was a great appetite for the water cure and, with the help of other investors, decided to erect a purpose-built hydropathic establishment. They purchased land to the east of Ilkley, a little way beneath the Cow and Calf Rocks, and spent £25,000 erecting a ‘hydro hotel’, which they called Ben Rhydding, a name said to be the romanticised spelling of an old field name, Bean Ridding, but this is not supported by the title deeds. The hydro opened in 1844. Under the inspired ownership of Dr William Macleod, Ben Rhydding Hydro became very successful. Other hydros followed; Wells House, Craiglands, Troutbeck, Stoneylea, the Grove, and several smaller hydros, all of which attracted visitors to Ilkley. The village grew into a town, and in the 20th century it became the ‘Heather Spa’ famed for its Moor –and cold water.

RISCHANEK’S WATER TREATMENT WAS ADVERTISED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND PATIENTS STARTED TO ROLL UP IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS

With the introduction of the NHS in 1948 and the universal availability of ‘free’ treatment, the demand for water-based therapies plummeted. The water-patients disappeared and, with them, many of the hydros. But some hotels survived, as did much of the spa infrastructure, like the public gardens, the Winter Gardens, concert halls, bandstands, theatres – and fashionable shops. In modern times, the benefits of hydrotherapy and spa treatments in general, have been increasingly recognised. The curative properties of ‘taking the waters’ may be questioned, but few would challenge the well-being engendered by spa treatments. The ‘spaw’ is dead; long live the ‘spa’. n

Photography:

Chris Lawrence Travel / Shutterstock.com

Walking up to White Wells

Inspired By Nature

Great interior & furniture designs incorporate pleasing proportions and colours borrowed from nature.

Nature-derived hues are a big trend that’s set to continue. From forest green furniture to leafy wallpaper here’s how you can give your home an uplift and create moody yet relaxed interiors in your home.

The ultimate in nature-inspired decorating green is a practical and versatile colour for any room of the home bringing a sense of wellbeing. It’s also a gift for interior design schemes as it is a very ‘liveable’ colour and is mercifully easy to match with new and existing fi xtures and fittings. In many ways green has become the new neutral, working equally well in contemporary and traditional spaces. Notable pairings with green include white, pink, grey and black.

A very effective way to use green is to paint the cabinetry green, like this Secret Drawer kitchen. The island fi nished in Calke Green No. 34 by Farrow & Ball reflecting the verdant border from the garden outside.

The deeper shade of Studio Green No.93 on the kitchen island, for the remodelling of a Georgian house, The Secret Drawer designed and completed brings vibrancy without it feeling loud.

Green is well known as a calming colours creating a tranquil feeling making it ideal for bedrooms. The Secret Drawer bedroom is a lesson in successfully mixing bold colours by picking up luxurious undertones. The use of heavy velvet cushions, the graphic green design of the wallpaper and the ‘grass is greener’ carpet contrasts with the bespoke, handcrafted Secret Drawer furniture fi nished in Farrow & Ball Wimborne White No.239.

Green can be used in so many different ways in a room, from wallcovering and paint to cabinetry and built-ins, you can wrap a whole room in shades of green to create any mood from dramatic to soothing.

The Secret Drawer design, create and fit bespoke, handcrafted furniture with additional services such as interior design to ensure cohesive and beautifully proportioned interiors.

Utility

Symbolising balance, growth, renewal, and harmony, green can be a refreshing, calming and invigorating colour, making it the perfect choice for the hardest working rooms in the home such as this attic laundry room designed, handcrafted and installed by The Secret Drawer.

Boot Room

Boot rooms give dirty boots caked in mud and wet coats a place to dry while offering much-needed storage for other outdoor gear. A fusion of strategic planning and skilful design, the handcrafted furniture, with formal panelling detail, is finished in Ball Green by Farrow & Ball that contrast beautifully with the oak bench seat in this country manor boot room by The Secret Drawer. The space also doubles as an entrance porch to the backdoor.

Kitchen

Green has really become a new neutral and works well with notable pairings of white, brass and pink. This remodel by The Secret Drawer of a Georgian home uses green very effectively giving the predominately white kitchen life and interest with a Studio Green island, brass accents and pink blind. A fresh and classic cooking and entertaining space.

Bathroom

Contrary to what you might think, wall panelling isn’t just for traditional bathroom and conservative period designs. Scrap the interiors rulebook that says so, as this chic cladding can be applied to any bathroom design. This Secret Drawer design fully embraces green and cladding, using both to maximum effect on the walls, bath panel and cabinetry of this Lake District home.

Bedroom

This Secret Drawer bedroom is a great lesson in successfully mixing bold colours, where blue and green should be seen, creating a luxurious feel. The graphic green and white wallpaper harmoniously balance with the grassy green carpet and the handcrafted purity of the bedside cabinet. The impressive headboard, paintings, lighting, and cushions peacefully coexist with spectacular results.

Living Room

A deep green can be warm and cozy like in like this sitting room, we redesigned the chimney for symmetry, adding shelving for the two walls either side and painted them all in a Studio Green. Aside from the fabulous blue velvet and leather sofas, the key components that make this living room work are the handcrafted panelling, fire surround, Tedd Todd flooring Champagney and brass accents that create a luxe feel overall.

SETTLE FOR NOTHING BUT THE BEST

Anita Allen from Peter Allen Floor Coverings in Settle tells Joe Varley how her wonderful staff contribute to their success

The adage of “Teamwork makes the dream work” could have been written specifically for Peter Allen Floor Coverings – a thriving business nestled in the southwest corner of the Dales.

If done properly, local enterprises are the community’s heartbeat. Relying on traditional values with a nod to the future, Peter Allen Floor Coverings in Settle has expanded to become one of Yorkshire’s favoured companies for every type of home furnishing, whilst keeping a firm grip on good old-fashioned customer service.

Peter was a relative fledging when he discovered his skills could become the focus

of an empire. Trained from the age of 16, he honed his expertise for floor fitting and realised his dream of serving Yorkshire with top-notch service that matches his products.

Here customers can find a treasure trove of homely goods, from the finest carpets and a multitude of rugs to luxury vinyl tiling (LVT), made-to-measure blinds, robust but stylish furniture, beds and mattresses, as well as appealing knick-knacks to complement any household.

AFTER DEVELOPING A GOLD-STANDARD INDUSTRY REPUTATION, PETER AND HIS WIFE, ANITA, OPENED THEIR FIRST STORE IN 2005

Peter established the business in the late 1980s. Realising both the potential and demand for quality home furnishings, Peter and his family quickly looked towards expansion. After developing a gold-standard industry reputation, Peter and his wife Anita opened their first store in 2005. Serving Settle and the Dales, business flourished and they made the easy decision to increase trade

by moving to a larger unit on the Sowarth Field Industrial Estate adjacent to the River Ribble. They installed a bed showroom, and in 2016 a full mezzanine was built to double the floor space for displaying more stock. The rest is history, thanks in no small part to their remarkable team.

Fast forward several years. The company adopted a second premises in 2018, and their Home Interiors Shop was born. Showcasing modern art by award-winning Lucy Pittaway – official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire –the shop is packed with unique furniture, homeware and gifts galore.

OUR TEAM IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUSINESS

In Settle no one is a stranger. That’s certainly the opinion of the town’s residents, who hold local business owners in the greatest esteem. In times when contacting a bank or government agency can seem like an impossible task, it’s refreshing to know that family-run businesses are approachable and still make a huge difference.

Peter and Anita employ all their staff; they’ve never felt the need to subcontract any work, thus maintaining their high fitting standards. Instead, they put their faith in

all those who have helped them become the only Amtico One Flooring Retail partner of choice in The Yorkshire Dales. This is quite the accolade, with only selected showrooms across the country showcasing the full Amtico range. Customers can also see what

their design flooring will look like in their own home with the use of the company’s impressive state-of-the-art computer screen.

As Anita says: “Our team is probably the most important part of the business. All our fitters are fully accredited, and we

continually invest in training where needed. We know that if our staff enjoy their work then their enthusiasm and knowledge rubs off on our customers.

“Most of our staff have been with us for years, which helps keep a happy, stable relationship between them and our customers. Peter works with all types of flooring, although you’ll often see him working alongside Paul fitting Amtico LVT, engineered wood by Ted Todd or fitting our wide variety of blinds.

“Jonah is another key member of staff with over thirty years’ fitting experience, and he works alongside Steven fitting all our carpets and vinyls.

“Our Home Interiors Shop is proving to be a revelation, and with Yvonne, Lynda and Paula on-hand to assist with home furnishings and to offer advice, we know the shop will continue going from strength-to-strength.

“I’ve been running the busy office and showroom since we started, and we brought in Kimberley ten years ago to help run the showroom, who’s been invaluable.”

The latest addition to the company is a new purpose-built warehouse on site, meaning they could ditch metal containers and store the customer’s flooring more safely –and in a more organised way.

The heartbeat in the famous North Yorkshire market town has never sounded louder – nor the future appeared brighter. It seems teamwork really does make the dream work, and Peter and Anita are proud of their dream. n

Peter Allen Floor Coverings Ltd Unit 2, New Road

Sowarth Field Industrial Estate

Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9AG

Home Interiors Shop 7 Duke Street

Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9DU peterallenflooring.co.uk

Photography: Gemma Suckley

Photography: Gemma

Suckley

LUTRON WIRE-FREE SHADING SYSTEMS

Like a dimmer for the sun. Whisper-quiet privacy, UV protection, and a choice between hundreds of premium textiles.

Unique innovative technology ensures 3-5 year battery life, for hassle-free maintenance.

Adjust shades from the comfort of your home with a handheld or wall-mounted control, or from anywhere in the world with the Lutron App. Eliminate glare, increase privacy, or create the perfect atmosphere with just one touch.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS THAT PUT YOU IN CONTROL.

Bernard Dickinson, 13 Beech Drive, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3NB

01772 862 266

bernarddickinson.co.uk andrew@bernarddickinson.co.uk

DESIGN CRIME OR FOCAL POINT?

IS A FEATURE WALL STILL FASHIONABLE?

Recently, feature walls have been seen as something of a “design crime” but for me they still have a place if used correctly. I do dislike the approach of three walls in a white or a neutral paint and the fourth wall as a block of bold colour, it always looks cold and lacking cohesion and this approach feels very dated now.

A successful feature wall creates a focal point, adding visual interest to a room with bold colour or pattern without overwhelming the space. Usually, the place for a feature wall is opposite the entrance to a room, giving immediate impact and if the colour palette or texture is repeated elsewhere you can create a design scheme that has flow and individual style.

When clients ask for a feature wall I like to determine whether it is because they are nervous using bold colour or pattern around

Dalesbred Interiors, based in Settle, offers a full range of interior design services including curtains, blinds, soft furnishings, paint, wallpaper, sofas, upholstery and reupholstery. In future editions members of the Dalesbred team will be answering questions relating to your interior projects. This month Carolyn Kelly, Interior Designer for Dalesbred, addresses a question she is frequently being asked on new interior design projects

the room and see the feature wall as a soft option. My advice in this instance is if you love it, go for it. But if you do take the bold approach, there are certain key rules to prevent your space becoming too overwhelming.

MAKE SURE YOU BALANCE BUSY PATTERNS BY MIXING THEM WITH ‘CALMER’ ELEMENTS IN THE ROOM SUCH AS A WOODEN FLOOR OR A PLAIN SOFA

Make sure you balance busy patterns by mixing them with “calmer” elements in the room such as a wooden floor or a plain sofa and above all, unless you are a fan of maximalism, do not overdress the room with too many accessories, pictures or wall art. If an overall pattern or colour is just too much of a stretch, think about how you can introduce strong accents at key points around the room rather than just all over the walls. Look at your skirting boards, or architrave around doors, these can look fabulous in a dark saturated colour but won’t dominate or feel too heavy. In a similar way, eclectic and interesting prints do not only come as wallpapers, they are readily available as fabrics and work brilliantly when used on lampshades, cushions or rugs.

So for me the debate about feature walls will continue. We should not just reject them as being outdated or old fashioned, because each room is as individual as the people who occupy it. n

Bespoke fitted bedrooms by Clearly Interiors.

At Clearly Interiors, we take the hard work out of renovating your home. Our showroom in Burnley showcases over 25 kitchen displays, over 60 bathrooms and 10 bedrooms for you to feast your eyes upon and get inspiration. We can kit you out using reputable brands like Bauformat, Blanco, Quooker, Neff, Siemens, Daval, Crosswater, and Vitra. Creating a state of the art design for any room is something we pride ourselves upon.

If you are looking for a new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom then there is no need to look further. At Clearly Interiors, we measure, design, quote and install. We can manage your project from start to finish. Contact us to see how we can make your dream project come to life with our FREE survey and design service.

PAVING THE WAY

TO A REVOLUTION

When it comes to creating a lasting first impression and that all-important kerb appeal, few things rival the allure of quality stone paving

Aside from its natural beauty, one of the inherent advantages of using stone paving in any hard landscaping project such as gardens and driveways, is its strength, durability and its ability to retain its pristine appearance if well maintained.

However, research carried out by the team at Bannister Hall highlighted that it is not necessarily the cost of the stone that is a barrier to it being used on a specific project, but more often the lengthy installation time, resulting in higher labour costs than alternative materials such as resin, coupled with the availability of skilled installers, which can sometimes be prohibitive.

For over 20 years Bannister Hall Landscaping Supplies and Plant Nurseries has grown to become the North West’s largest single-source supplier of plants and landscaping materials.

As landscaping and paving contractors with 30 years’ experience, supported by 19 years of supplying landscaping products to the trade

and more recently directly to the public, they lead the way in the industry.

Continuous investment and development into creating new and exciting products has resulted in the creation of the PietraPave paving system, unique and exclusive to Bannister Hall, which confidently delivers on every level – visually, practically, financially and ecologically throughout the supply chain including designers, contractors, the end user and the environment.

PietraPave brings natural stone to the forefront of paving by supplying beautiful

natural stone setts bonded to a revolutionary durable and robust backing mat. The mat allows the stone to be laid with maximum accuracy and efficiency, significantly reduced manual handling and delivering astonishing results at a fraction of the price when compared to ordinary methods – making

DEFINITELY A PRODUCT I WOULD RECOMMEND…

“It was the first time our landscaping team had laid PietraPave. Following the detailed guidance provided, using PietraPave couldn’t have been simpler. The speed of the installation was truly outstanding compared to regular paving methods, for such a complex design it literally saved weeks – not days. I very quickly realised my initial reservation was completely unfounded after seeing the accuracy and quality of the finished job. PietraPave is definitely a product I would recommend.”

Adam

Rawcliffe –

Contract Manager Barton Grange Landscapes

natural stone a real option once more for both small and large-scale projects.

Think mosaic tile sheets – but on a much bigger scale, it can be used on small residential projects as well as in large scale commercial developments as can be seen at the Flower Bowl entertainment complex in Garstang where a bespoke natural stone motif was created to match exactly with the huge abstract floral designs on the side of this inspirational, contemporary building.

THE HIGH-QUALITY PIETRAPAVE SYSTEM WAS LAID AND FINISHED JUST FOUR-AND-A-HALF HOURS AFTER BEING DELIVERED TO LONGTON PARISH CHURCH. COMPLETING THIS PROJECT WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PAVING SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TAKEN UP TO TWO WEEKS

Paul Kenworthy from Gardenscene

Linear, fan and circular designs are all offered in a range of colours and finishes to ensure there is something for everyone and there is a large variety of styles to suit a multitude of paving schemes and personal preferences. Bespoke paving designs using a CAD service allows paving to be taken to the limits of the designer’s imagination offering a truly revolutionary service. All PietraPave designs can be tweaked and customised to suit a particular scheme – the colour, finish and thickness of the stone can all be modified to suit the setting and terrain and elevations.

It’s got to be seen to be believed. Richard Hull, Sales Manager at Bannister Hall landscaping supplies says: “We are certainly seeing the trend shift from homeowners wanting resin bound driveways to now desiring the durability and aesthetics of natural stone block paving, mainly due to the revolutionary fast installation time of PietraPave and its cost-saving benefits.” n

Bannister Hall

Potter Lane, Higher Walton Preston PR5 4EN 01772 877087

bannisterhall.com

OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY

FREE ON-SITE PARKING

FRESH, CLEAN AND PERFECTLY PRESSED

With extensive experience in the hospitality sector, Joseph Hook and his family have worked hard to build their commercial laundry company supporting businesses across Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria,

writes Gail Bailey. Photography: Kirsten Platt

Founded in October 2019 RV Pure Clean had a difficult beginning having opened a business to support the hospitality sector just prior to Covid. However, since then Joseph Hook and his team have proved their worth and in a short time have increased the capacity in their brand-new purpose built 10,000 square ft unit. “It was a tough time to begin with,” says Joseph. “But we’ve come out the other side and have been able to increase our capacity 10 times over since commencing.”

The increase has allowed RV Pure Clean to build their customer base and focus even more on the quality of the service they provide: “Even though we have grown substantially from four to now over 25 staff, we are still very much a local, family business and providing a first-class service to our customers is our number one priority,” Joseph adds.

The company has increased their washing

machine capacity and has also invested in a £200,000 industrial ironing line to ensure they can provide a quality product to an ever-expanding customer base. Joseph has already visited Spain and Belgium this year with the plan to import an additional ironing line from July and upgrade the washers and dryers, making their operation even more efficient and eco-friendly.

THE WHOLE TEAM HAVE THE SAME ETHOS –WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ENSURING WE OFFER QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

RV Pure Clean have a growing list of prestigious customers such as the Inn at Whitewell, James’ Places and Crow Wood Hotel and Spa, along with venues further afield in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

“As a company we are flexible, approachable

and accessible to all. The whole team have the same ethos – we are passionate about ensuring we offer quality and reliability,” says Joseph, whose dad and sister also work alongside him in the business.

Paula Seddon, Executive Head Housekeeper at Crow Wood Hotel and Spa commented:

“We have been using RV Pure Clean for all our hotel linen since 2022 and it has been a revelation. The service offered has been second to none, anyone within the hospitality industry knows how difficult it is to find a reliable laundry with excellent standards and for us it’s only 20 minutes down the road. I would highly recommend.”

Having a keen eye for business, Joseph and his team have now launched another arm to the company, Holiday Rental Supplies, with a new website: holidayrentalsupplies.co.uk.

“Whilst we cater for large hotels, we are now expanding our services for bed and breakfasts, holiday homes, Airbnb’s and lodges,” he explains.

“This won’t only be our laundry service, but we will also be retailing commercial linen. We have many customers who struggle with finding the correct linen often purchasing from high street shops, which is expensive and falls short of the quality and longevity you would find in the hospitality sector – our new range will be perfect and cost effective for anyone in the holiday rental sector.

“We are offering a range of products to support hospitality rental businesses including guest amenity packs, consumables and cleaning products – all with a focus on quality and accessibility.” n

RV Pure Clean

Unit 45, Twin Brook Business Park Clitheroe BB7 1QX 01200 411390

info@rvpureclean.com rvpureclean.com

Genuinely bespoke kitchens and fine furniture

Bespoke handcrafted kitchens and fine furniture

ROOMS | BEDROOMS

Bespoke

KITCHENS

Colne

NEXT GENERATION…

Celebrating 25 years, the founders of Shackletons Home and Garden pay homage to their many loyal customers, who have made the business the success it is today.

Photography: Suzanne Skeen

Thirty years ago brothers David and Paul Shackleton took a leap of faith and decided to set up in the gardening business. With a tiny overdraft and an old van, they embarked on a journey that would see them go on to gain thousands of loyal customers with a business that has grown into a hugely popular lifestyle destination.

Five years later they acquired a former market garden nursery on the main road running through Chatburn, with hopes of turning it into a modest enterprise based on their gardening and plant expertise. They had a shared vision to open a garden centre with unbeatable value and customer service at its heart.

Putting all their energy and knowledge into the fledgling business, the brothers did their research and listened to their growing clientele.

Fast forward two-and-half decades later and Shackletons Home and Garden Centre is one of the region’s most successful retail destinations. The growth of the business from humble beginnings to a major garden and lifestyle hub, has been nothing short of remarkable, but it is clear that hard work and astute business decisions have been

crucial to that success.

While the gardening and plant side of the business has always been at its core, it soon became clear that it was very much weatherdependent, so the decision was made to diversify into lifestyle – a move that was to transform the way Shackletons operated.

Today the brothers are still as hands-on as they were all those years ago. While David deals mainly with the interiors and lifestyle aspect of Shackletons, Paul deals with the gardening and outdoor furniture – but they now have additional support in terms of a 48-strong team that includes family and loyal employees, many of whom have been with the company for many years.

Loyalty is a word that is often associated with Shackletons – the brothers realise how fortunate they are to have such a dedicated team and, just as importantly, the loyal

customers who have supported them over the years.

Still located on their original site, Shackletons now operate from a purposebuilt 46,000 sq ft showroom that houses beautiful interior room sets, soft furnishing and stylish accessories. Working with some of the UK’s most respected brands, Shackletons stock upholstery by the likes of Tetrad, Vintage and Alexander & James, along with furniture and interior accessories by Gallery Direct. For garden furniture and accessories, leading brands include, 4 Seasons, Barlow Tyrie and Lifestylegarden.

Over the years, as the business has grown, Paul, David and sister Kirsti have kept constantly ahead of the curve, putting quality at the forefront of all of their collaborations with top manufacturers.

The gradual evolution of Shackletons

Home and Garden led the brothers to set up online stores in 2007 – a move that took the business to the next level offering a national delivery service. Their price-match promise also assures customers that they are getting great value, whether that’s buying in-store or online and their 4.9 star Trust Pilot reviews confirms this.

WHILE WE HAVE WORKED HARD, WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS

Online sales now match in-store trade 50/50, thanks to a 32,000 sq ft warehousing facility with stock that can be shipped anywhere in the UK within 10 days: “Having most of our products in stock makes a huge

difference,” says David.

David and Paul have always taken a relaxed approach to sales ensuring their customers are never under pressure –knowing that this ultimately works and keeps customers coming back.

“Customers visit us and experience a relaxed environment where they can browse our products, which are displayed within lifestyle settings while, our knowledgeable sales team are always on hand to give advice and ideas. This enables the customer to browse with confidence on regular visits, without feeling pressured,” adds David

Continuing to evolve, the gardening side of Shackletons is also seeing changes with a new plant manager and an enhanced customer retail experience: “We are always looking at ways we can improve the customer experience and with the plants,

Photography:

Kirsten Platt

we are mixing it up, putting beautiful plants and shrubs alongside stunning pots and containers so customers can envisage how they work together.”

Being a small independent family business, Shackletons has undoubtedly become one of the Ribble Valley’s enduring success stories and that’s largely due to understanding their clientele. Thanks to their long-standing team and family, the business also has a robust continuity that is rarely found.

“We are a relatively small business, but that makes us more agile, so we can respond quickly to trends and what our customers want,” adds David.

Working alongside David, Paul and sister Kirsti, is Paul’s wife Mel and David’s partner Julie while the next generation is also progressing through the ranks with Paul’s sons Tom and Ben now part of the team along

ALWAYS LOOKING AT WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN PROGRESS, LAST YEAR THE BROTHERS LAUNCHED AN ADDITIONAL 10,000 SQ FT MILL SPACE IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH REDBRICK IN BATLEY

with David’s son Alastair.

This next generation of Shackletons are keen to learn and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the business – just as founders Paul and David did all those years ago.

Always looking at ways in which they can progress, last year the Operations Manager, Tom, whom has worked with the brothers for over 17 years, project managed the launch of an additional 10,000 sq ft mill space in a partnership with Redbrick in Batley, where coincidentally, the brothers’ grandparents were originally from.

The collaboration is a perfect fit, with Shackletons core ethos of quality and

customer service dovetailing neatly with Redbrick, which is one of the UK’s largest furniture and home accessory outlets outside of London.

Super-excited about their grand entrance into West Yorkshire, Shackletons join 40 plus curated stores in Redbrick mill which takes visitors on a fascinating journey through design history and innovation: “It’s a massive set up and it’s going really well for us,” adds David.

While this is Shackletons first foray out of the Ribble Valley, it has been an interesting new development for the brothers who have high hopes for the future. They have

ambitions to extend their present Ribble Valley premises onto adjacent land where it is hoped another lifestyle retail space will be created along with the potential to make the popular Pavilion Café larger.

Never standing still, this is all part of the evolution of Shackletons but the brothers don’t take anything for granted. Their customers take priority along with quality and value –and as their journey continues, this ethos remains at the heart of Shackletons Home and Garden: “We have so much respect for our customers and we are so grateful to them. While we have worked hard, we couldn’t have done this without their support.” n

Home & Garden

Clitheroe Road, Chatburn BB7 4JY 01200 441230

shackletonsonline.co.uk

Shackletons

Mark James Kitchens design and hand-make outstanding furniture and kitchens to meet your exacting needs. Our bespoke kitchens are crafted in our workshop in Clapham, near Settle, North Yorkshire, with the utmost care and attention.

We believe that superior workmanship and customer service should come as standard. We personally see each project from first contact, through design, manufacture and fitting. Providing the best service and crafting the best product is as paramount to us as it is to you.

It’s been great to see the weather turn a corner eventually, after what feels like an eternity of winter! The trees are green, the flowers are finally blooming and it’s been lovely to see many of our regular customers return, along with many new faces too.

These months are a busy time in the garden for many. It’s natural to want to go outdoors when the days are longer, brighter and the temperatures more pleasant. We watch and enjoy nature’s growth and perhaps we feel growth within ourselves too. This may be when we embark on new projects in the garden, spur new ideas and find new plants to make a home for.

INSPIRE, EDUCATE & UNDERSTAND

John Foley of Holden Clough Nurseries highlights the benefits of getting outside in the garden and offers some tips to prepare for the new season

At Holden Clough we’ve been focusing a lot lately on helping to educate people on plant combinations. It’s so easy to end up planting a pickle of plants, where the colours or plants don’t work harmoniously, and you only have interest in a short part of the year. It can seem a little outfacing, but we suggest starting with a brew and a notebook. Have a think about what style you are looking for your space. Soft colour schemes that include pinks, whites, blues and purples can create a quintessentially

AT HOLDEN CLOUGH WE’VE BEEN FOCUSING A LOT LATELY ON HELPING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON PLANT COMBINATIONS

English garden, or if you prefer a wide range of colours, then a cottage garden scheme might be better for you. If it’s less about the flower and more about the foliage, venture into recreating a tranquil Japanese garden with spotlights of flowering colour.

watch this space! For now, happy gardening and fingers crossed for a lovely summer. n holdenclough.com

Jobs for summer

Weeding – Remember, one year’s seeding is seven years weeding! A good bark mulch can suppress seeding weeds. Hoeing the soil regularly will also keep them at bay before they take root!

At Holden Clough our new Wonder Garden area ‘Down-by-the-Beck’ aims to be a space that inspires, educates and helps our customers understand what goes into planning a flowerbed, using planting schemes. We look forward to sharing this at the flower shows this summer and we hope to eventually run this through public parks and gardens, so

Watering – The warmer weather calls for more attention towards watering pots, containers and baskets. Water well early in the morning or at the end of the day to soak in well.

Garden projects – There are more usable hours in the day so get planning a new project in the garden this summer – a new seating area, a flowerbed or even a water feature to add more wildlife!

10% o plants

Get 10% o all plant purchases from Holden Clough Nurseries, by presenting this voucher at the till. O er only valid on plant sales. Not available for purchases from e Reading Room Kitchen.

Expires 31st July 2024. Voucher supplied through Live e Dales - Summer 2024 issue.

farm manure and grow them strongly to repel the greenfly attack, leaving the aphids for the birds and ladybirds to devour. If there is a heavy infestation, blast them off with a jet of water for the ground beetles to pick up off the soil.

ATTRACTING WILDLIFE

Nigel Eaton from Moss & Moor Garden Centre gives tips on attracting wildlife into your garden

According to a recent survey, UK wildlife habitats have declined by nearly 20 per cent over the last 50 years. Our critical native flora and fauna are all in decline. Since 1980 we have lost one in every six birds. Here are five simple things you can do to help our wildlife this summer:

1. Put in a freshwater source. Clean, fresh water is an essential for all life, and a birdbath supplies this for birds and insects through the summer and autumn. A stone or resin water feature also provides water for small mammals and other garden visitors if it’s not treated with chemicals. Install a small pond to attract dragonflies and red bellied newts. Marginal plants such as hostas, iris and astilbes around the perimeter give wildlife cover and attract insects.

2. Continue to provide food for birds. A lot of feeding is done in the winter and early spring months. But many birds fledge three broods of young each season, so a ready supply of food and drinking water is a great addition to their diet in summer. By bringing in the birds you will also reduce the insect pest population.

WORK WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND

4. Bee populations have fallen fast due to the reduction in meadows and the use of neonicotinoid chemicals. If every garden owner sowed a 2m x 1m patch of annual with open flowers this would give 27 million square metres of nectar rich foraging for bees. That is a phenomenal statistic and would help replace the 97 per cent reduction in wild meadows. Seed suppliers have produced some beautiful annual meadow mixes – from vibrant fiery red poppies and orange calendula mixes, to blue anchusa and purple clover for a cooler palette.

5. I also advocate the reduction in chemical usage. For too long we have relied on chemicals to solve our pest and disease problems, but we didn’t have them centuries ago. We grew things well and didn’t try to beat nature at her own game. Growing the right plant, in the right conditions, in the right place is a great way of working with nature to get fantastic results. It also allows our native wildlife to forage and thrive in safety. Work with the natural environment and you will get brilliant results. n

RESULTS

YOU WILL GET BRILLIANT

3. Don’t spray your roses. Blue tits and other small birds are avid gatherers of aphids for their fledglings. Instead of spraying chemicals, feed your roses with a balanced feed such as MiracleGro rose and shrub granules and mulch your plants with a layer of decorative bark or well composted

Moss & Moor Coutances Way, Ilkley LS29 7HQ 01943 663699

hello@mossandmoor.co.uk mossandmoor.co.uk

Him:

Above left: Fisherman’s smock £54 thenauticalcompany.com

Above right: Barbour Vivienne jacket £249 with matching trousers £169 barbour.com

Opposite page: Saint James Kerlouan cotton jumper £155 Helen Midgley  29-31 Main Street Grassington BD23 5AD 01756 752579 helenmidgleyshoes.co.uk

BESPOKE TAILORS

Wherever

PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FEET

Visit one of the UK’s top specialist, retail shoe shops and find comfortable footwear that fits.

Photography: Kirsten Platt

Treat your feet and get them ready for spring and summer by booking yourself a unique, one-to-one appointment with one of the friendly and professionally-trained shoe fitters at fitright footwear.

We have measured and fitted hundreds of feet and helped customers – both men and women, find and select fabulous shoes that fit.

Our feet are as individual as we are and are all shapes and sizes, so our appointments are tailored to meet the needs of each customer that walks through our door. We can look after feet that have bunions, Morton’s neuroma, hammer toes, arthritis and plantar fasciitis as well as many other foot problems you may be experiencing. We have a superb selection of footwear that offers a variety of brands, styles and a range of sizes, widths and depths. We can also help those customers who are struggling to find shoes that fit orthotics.

The more we know about your feet, prior to your visit the better as this helps us to select shoes that we think will fit you best,

are fit for purpose and help relieve any problems you have. So, when you ring to book your appointment be prepared to answer a few questions about your feet!

We are highly recommended by podiatrists, physiotherapists, chiropodists and hospitals because we are so successful at helping customers to find comfortable shoes that fit and because many of us are guilty of wearing shoes that just do not fit properly.

WALKING HELPS OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, IT LIFTS OUR MOOD TO GET OUT AND ABOUT AND THE BEST THING IS IT’S FREE!

This is simply because our feet have changed but we have not changed our footwear to accommodate this. We persist in wearing shoes that are not deep enough, not wide enough or not long enough.

Here at fitright footwear our aim is to fit you with shoes so comfortable you can forget they are on your feet. If we walk better, we live better. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes. Walking helps our physical and mental well-being, it lifts our mood to get out and about and the best thing is it’s free! Our customers return time and again to

purchase footwear from us. After benefitting from our in-depth knowledge, footwear advice and years of experience they are reluctant to shop anywhere else.

Fitright footwear – more than just a shoe shop – we are dedicated to helping you think differently about footwear.

Book your appointment now. If you love your feet, be kind to them, don’t neglect them. Visit fitright footwear to make sure you have footwear that fits – your feet will thank you for it. n

Appointments only: Available Wednesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm

Fitright Footwear

3 Bower Road, Harrogate HG1 1BB 01423 561172

harrogate@fitrightfootwear.co.uk

32D King Street, Clitheroe BB7 2EP 01200 425399

clitheroe@fitrightfootwear.co.uk

fitrightfootwear.co.uk

comfort.fit.style

_fitright

COLOUR POP

Scruples 1984 continues to extend its collaborations with worldleading fashion labels. Photography: Kirsten Platt

As one of the region’s leading menswear retailers, Scruples 1984 is looking forward to a summer of colour and style. The Barrowford store is popping with a palette of vivid brights and subtle pastels, as store manager Tom Orrell explains: “It’s definitely all about pop colours – something that will give an outfit the real wow factor! The variation of colour this season is pretty wild from bright orange, raspberry and yellow to pale pink, pastel blue and variations in neutral tones – beiges and a solid favourite, camel – the choice is amazing!”

Scruples has a wonderful collection of colourful ties from Eton, pocket handkerchiefs and quirky belts by Elliott Rhodes and bespoke accessories by silk specialist Italo Ferretti.

Tom and founder Stephen Collins welcomed regular customer John Rogerson. With his made-to-measure jacket, John chose a 100 per cent raw cashmere cloth from world-leading Italian brand Loro Piana in a stylish shade of orange. Made in-house at Scruples, the jacket has a contrasting skull and roses lining in orange and beige: “John is absolutely thrilled with the jacket that can be dressed up or dressed down with jeans.”

Customers who buy a bespoke jacket also get a bespoke Eton shirt.

Loro Piana’s premium clothes include their stunning cashmere collection, with jackets that can be made for warmth in winter and to keep cool in summer.

with pieces like their orange bomber: “That was really different,” recalls Tom.

Sitting alongside Canali and Pal Zileri, Scruples’ own-brand tailoring label Rupert Totti is a popular choice for smart made-tomeasure: “We have had some fabulously colourful check jackets – lightweight and unstructured that are perfect for summer.”

WITH NEW INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS, IT HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE BUY AND HAS SUBSTANTIALLY ELEVATED OUR COLLECTIONS

Leading Italian suiting brand Canali is also a strong style contender with sharp tailoring and stylish footwear.

Italian giant Pal Zileri have also been reestablishing their position in casual menswear

Having the likes of Loro Piana and Canali on board has meant that Scruples 1984 has attracted the attention of other global names –in turn bringing in many more customers.

“When we bring these worldwide labels in, we’re attracting clientele who have been buying the brand from Harrods for years,” Tom says.

Scruples 1984 have been a trusted Tom Ford stockist for some time and other leading eyewear brands have followed suit. Scruples have introduced Zegna to their customers and they are the only independent menswear retailer in the UK to stock DITA Eyewear: “The Zegna and Dita brands are massive for us as they’re such big names.”

Bringing global labels to Scruples 1984 has been key to the evolution of the store which continues to go from strength to strength with new international collaborations:

“It has changed the way we buy and has substantially elevated our collections.” n

Scruples 1984  85-87 Gisburn Road, Barrowford BB9 6DX 01282 695770 scruplesmenswear.co.uk

@scruplesmenswear

@scruplesmens

While bespoke suits and shirts with matching cufflinks and personalised monograms are a staple of the business, there is plenty to offer for grooms and shooting enthusiasts.

Choosing a custom-fit Charles Campbell suit provides confidence for any special occasion. Grooms can stroll down the aisle in some of the most luxurious wedding suits in the North of England. Neil offers consultations to put every groom and guest at ease, giving them the confidence to look their best on the day. He is happy to meet clients at wedding venues if required.

TAILOR-MADE HOME-VISITS

You

don’t have to pay Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring a visit to find luxury, writes Joe Varley

Located on the banks of the River Ribble, Manor Court in Ribchester is a thriving network of modern business suites.

Based here is Neil Aitkenhead, owner of Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring. Set in a converted barn, the location reflects the company’s classical yet contemporary vision.

Neil has been at the business’s helm since 2010. With private fitting rooms, convenient parking spaces and insightful consultations, Charles Campbell fits in perfectly with Manor Court’s individuality. Clients can expect exquisite made-to-measure attire, with an emphasis on the best English, Italian and Scottish tailoring for distinguished gentlemen with a penchant for elegance and flair. Whether it’s for a three-piece suit or a fashionable gilet, a visit here to acquire the finest bespoke clothing is more a pleasure than a shopping necessity.

Clients can relax with a drink at Manor Court while they peruse the numerous cloth books. Because different styles suit different people, Neil and his team of tailors like to familiarise themselves with their clients to help them achieve the desired look, as acquiring the right fit is crucial to the business’s success – and a client’s satisfaction.

Though Neil conducts his bespoke tailoring in the Ribble Valley, he enjoys his home comforts in Kirkby Lonsdale. The historic market town is where he relaxes on weekends and in the evenings – when he’s not conducting home-visits.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE BUSY SCHEDULES, SO CONDUCTING HOME-VISITS IS A PART OF THE BUSINESS NEIL KNOWS HIS CLIENTELE WILL BENEFIT FROM

Many people have busy schedules, so conducting home-visits is a part of the business Neil knows his clientele will benefit from. While attention to detail of traditional tailoring remains paramount, Charles Campbell is always keen to explore new avenues. Consequently, they acknowledge that it may be more convenient to offer clients their expertise at their place of work, as well as at their home.

Home-visits provide a solution to anyone with limited time. Neil can visit any client within the Ribble Valley, as well as further afield, to discuss individual style preferences, sizes, and materials.

Fashionistas don’t have to wait for August to show off tweed, as the Charles Campbell shooting style is as functional as is it synonymous with the Glorious Twelfth. With over 500 tweeds of various weights to choose from, dressing for a season of shooting is rarely as chic.

Charles Campbell’s client base primarily extends from Cumbria’s west coast to the east side of the Dales, and they are the predominant bespoke tailors anywhere west of the A65. Get in touch to find out more. n

Neil Aitkenhead

Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring 9 Manor Court, Salesbury Hall Road Ribchester, Preston PR3 3XR 01254 367968 07714 758296

ONE SOLE PURPOSE…

To discover all he could about the art of shoe-making, LANX founder Marco Vaghetti travelled to 10 different countries to meet and work with leading designers and manufacturers. From Thailand to Tokyo, his travels influenced how the LANX ethos has evolved –creating limited edition collections using the most innovative designs and the best quality materials.

Now in its eighth year, LANX is a classic success story that moves with the times in an ever-changing world. Growing year on year, the original capsule men’s collection has diversified and now features sneakers, brogues, boat shoes and Chelsea boots. In 2022 LANX ventured into the women’s market, which has been a resounding success with the collections mirroring the men’s using the same first- class materials and styling, but with a nuanced female fit.

Hop over the border to Lancashire and visit LANX, where adventurers can discover first-class, ‘proper’ shoes made by some of the best craftsmen in the world

Showcasing all that they have to offer, the LANX pop-up team will be visiting a show near you soon, so pop along to meet them. They’re a knowledgeable bunch and proud of the LANX brand, that features the stamp of the British White Bull and (dare I say it) the Lancashire rose: “We’re really looking forward to venturing over to Yorkshire this summer with our pop-ups,” says Marco. “We’ll be at the Great Yorkshire Show, the Harrogate Food Festival and the Westmoreland Show so do come along to meet the team! Visitors can see what we’re all about – we are all passionate about what we do as we have so much confidence and pride in our product.”

IT’S LESS THAN AN HOUR TO THE LANX WAREHOUSE WHERE MARCO AND THE TEAM ARE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU WHAT THEY DO

If you don’t get the chance to catch up with the LANX team at a show don’t despair – it’s less than an hour’s journey to the LANX warehouse in Whalley in the heart of the Ribble Valley, where Marco and the team are happy to show you what they do in a totally relaxed environment.

“It’s a great day out,” says Marco. “Visitors can come to the Ribble Valley, visit us here at LANX then enjoy a great lunch at one of the fabulous country inns that we have nearby. The valley is well known for its artisan food and first-class restaurants – as well as its fabulous footwear!”

With new summer collections for both men and women and a capsule collection of LANX clothing, one of the latest developments by LANX has been the LANX 365 Vibram –a stylish, comfortable, worn-in, water-resistant boot suitable for any occasion.

LANX’S LATEST MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SUMMER CASUAL COLLECTIONS

FEATURE SNEAKERS, SLIP-ON MOCCASINS AND BOAT SHOES IN FABULOUS SHADES OF SOFT SUEDE AND LEATHER

The boot was designed with the LANX team in mind – constantly on the road, at country shows in muddy fields, they needed a boot that could handle harsh British weather and all that it threw at them. After much research and four years of designing and testing, the 365 became a reality. While all the LANX collections are made

MEET THE LANX TEAM

Harrogate Food & Drink Festival 29th – 30th June

Great Yorkshire Show 9th – 12th July

Westmorland County Agricultural Show 11th – 12th September

lanxshoes.com

with premier leather and materials sourced mostly from the north of England, the 365 Vibram offers stand-out outdoor protection while losing nothing on style.

Using water-resistant leathers combined with a rugged performance-focused sole, plus the styling for which LANX has become renowned, the 365 Vibram is suitable for any occasion – 365 days of the year.

Good looking and ultra lightweight, the leather gives a worn-in feel, and for added comfort there is a cushioned leather in-sole and extra room for a pair of LANX’ thick, made-in-England socks.

“We believe our 365 designs are suited for people with active lives, who value smart-casual footwear suitable for any environment. Whether you have a meeting

in the city, rambling at the weekend, drinks down the pub or on a walk with the dogs, you can wear your LANX 365 boots anywhere.”

LANX’s latest men’s and women’s summer casual collections feature sneakers, slip-on moccasins and boat shoes in fabulous shades of soft suede, leather and nubuck.

With all products named after iconic places across the county, the LANX brand has become renowned for producing ‘proper’ shoes that are made to last. n

Check out the LANX website, meet the friendly pop-up team on home turf in Yorkshire or call into see them at their Ribble Valley warehouse.

LANX Group Limited

Unit 29-30, Mitton Road Business Park Mitton Road, Whalley BB7 9YE

7 Oak Street, Northern Quarter Manchester M4 5JD

lanxshoes.com

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN ENERGISING MARINE CLEANSER £46

Supercharged with minerals magnesium, zinc and copper and a trio of acids, this advanced formula leaves the complexion looking revived and rejuvenated.

Long Ashes Pure Spa 01756 752261 longashespurespa.co.uk

HYDRAKATE™ RECHARGING WATER CREAM £65

This is expertly formulated with Nobel prize-inspired AquaPort technology and hyaluronic acid to deliver instant and lasting hydration exactly where and when skin needs it. katesomerville.co.uk

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE...

These luxurious water-based products hydrate skin giving it a dewy glow

ESPA DEEPLY NOURISHING BODY CREAM £53

A rich hydrating body cream for smooth, supple skin, this contains ylang ylang to delicately fragrance while mulberry and bearberry revives.

Spa Space Gilpin Hotel and Lake House gilpin.co.uk

MAC STUDIO WATERWEIGHT SPF 30 FOUNDATION £34

A water-based foundation that immediately hydrates skin, while providing sheer coverage and a satin finish. maccosmetics.co.uk

PURE LAKES HYDRATING EYE GEL £16

Brighten and moisturise the delicate skin around the eyes with this vitamin rich eye gel, which is blended with rosehip seed oil, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.

Spa Space Gilpin Hotel and Lake House 015394 88818 gilpin.co.uk

CHANEL LES BEIGES WATER FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH £55

For fuller coverage and a flawless makeup look, this lightweight gel is composed of approximately 60 per cent water, for an instant splash of freshness. Hoopers Harrogate 01423 504091 hoopersstores.com

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN VITALITY EYE CREAM £74

This eye cream is powered by padina pavonica for hydration, hawthorn and Arabian jasmine flower essence to visibly reduce dark circles, upcycled elderflower extract for undereye puffiness and Japanese artemisia capillaris to help restore radiance and luminosity. The Spa Hotel Ribby Hall Village 01772 671111 ribbyhall.co.uk

ESPA HYDRATING FLORAL SPA-FRESH MIST £22

A hydrating toner enriched with essential oils and flower water to refresh and comfort skin.

Spa Space Gilpin Hotel and Lake House gilpin.co.uk

MILK MAKEUP HYDRO GRIP PRIMER £35

Enriched with niacinamide and aloe water, this adds additional moisture that helps to leave the skin ready for makeup. spacenk.com/uk

SKIN CANCER SOLUTION

Mohs surgery is the most effective technique for removing common skin cancers, we discover what makes it the gold-standard and meet a doctor leading the field

Highly-regarded Consultant

Dermatologist, Dr Arif Aslam, has made the prevention and treatment of skin cancer his life’s work. His dedication and passion have resulted in him working internationally due to the high demand for his specialist surgical skills. In 2021, he brought his unique skill-set home to the people of the North.

Arif is a double fellowship-trained Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. One of only 14 UKbased members of the prestigious American College of Mohs Surgery.

Mohs surgery is considered the goldstandard for treating common types of skin cancer. Done in stages, including immediate microscopic review while the patient waits, all cancerous cells are removed and healthy tissue is le untouched. All while leaving the smallest possible scar.

Mohs surgery has the lowest cancer recurrence rates and highest cure ratesup to 99% for primary lesions and 98% for reoccurring lesions unsuccessfully treated by other methods. It also has the best cosmetic results of any skin cancer treatment.

“It was amazing doing high volume Mohs surgery in New Zealand and Australia where they have the highest incidence of skin cancer, but I always wanted to return home to the north of England and set up my own surgical practice,” says Arif.

“My friend and colleague Dr Miguel Montero, a highly-regarded skin specialist, heard I was back and asked me to consider joining his team. I jumped at the opportunity. What better place than Miguel’s beautiful Medical Skin Clinic, located privately within the Crow Wood Resort in Burnley, to ful l my ambition of having a local clinic o ering Mohs and advanced dermatology services.”

Dr Montero commented: “I’ve diagnosed

and treated non-cancerous lesions for many years in my clinic and in the NHS.

“Patients with more serious abnormalities previously required a referral to a specialist dermatologist, which can be a lengthy and worrying process. So, when I heard Arif was

MOHS SURGERY IS CONSIDERED THE GOLD-STANDARD FOR TREATING COMMON TYPES OF SKIN CANCER

returning to the UK and looking to set up his own practice, I was straight on the phone,” says Miguel.

“Lesion removal is di cult to obtain via the NHS, especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Even if you get to see your GP, there are few with a dermatology speciality. Sadly, some serious cases get missed or caught too late.

MOHS SURGERY HAS THE LOWEST CANCER RECURRENCE RATES AND HIGHEST CURE RATESUP TO 99%

“With Arif on board, we are helping more people, giving them safe, fast and e ective private dermatology treatment that eliminates unnecessary wait times and worry.”

“Miguel and his wife Gill, who is Clinic Director, have thoroughly spoiled me,” Arif says with his trademark warm and friendly smile. “I have an excellent purpose-designed

Mohs suite and lab within their clinic, where I work with their team to carry out my Mohs surgery.

“Because it involves a special multistep process, Mohs surgery is slightly more expensive but more cost-e ective than other skin cancer treatments. Health insurance plans also cover it. For patients seeking a traditional approach, I also remove noncancerous and cancerous skin lesions using long-established surgical methods.”

Skin cancer, whilst rare, is on the increase, but should you get a diagnosis, it’s more treatable than ever. Dr Aslam encourages everyone to keep on top of their skin health because early detection leads to a better diagnosis. ■

TO BOOK A DERMATOLOGY CONSULTATION call Discover Laser’s friendly team on 01282 420886

To find out more about treatment visit: www.discoverlaser.co.uk

ON A MISSION TO CARE FOR YOU

When Hazel Barry couldn’t find soothing products for her sensitive and inflamed skin she set about inventing her own. Now a successful businesswoman she described her journey to Rebecca Hay

Skincare expert Hazel Barry is bubbling with new ideas as she gears up to celebrate 25 years of inventing lotions and potions. Not content to rest on her laurels, Hazel is a woman on a mission and determined to create more organic and recyclable products for people, like herself, who have sensitive skin.

Based in the picturesque town of Harrogate, renowned for its “looking after yourself’’ ethos, the award-winning H2k Botanicals flagship shop in Montpellier Parade is where people love to pop in and talk to Hazel about her impressive range of products and plans for the future.

Born from a frustration of not being able to find a vegan range which helped ease the pain from having hyper sensitive and inflamed skin, Hazel discovered Kalahari melon seed oil from Namibia.

The hydrating oil reduces inflammation in the skin and can help with eczema and psoriasis and Hazel was inspired to expand her brand when she was contacted by a customer full of praise for its healing powers.

Now her sleep, mood enhancing and well-being products can be found in high end hotels and in the bathroom cabinets of many homes across the world with the

SINCE SHE FIRST HAD HER LIGHT BULB MOMENT IN 2000, HAZEL HAS RUN ON ADRENALINE, EXPERTISE AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF LUCK

main aim to “care for yourself”.

Using such beautiful scents as clementine, lavender, black cherry and rose, the body, hair and home products are specially designed to help people relax, sleep well and have a good karma.

One of Hazel’s latest and successful products is the OMG Magnesium Spray which contains natural ingredients and helps ease away pains and strains. It’s a great way to relax after being in the gym or exercising.

Special products are available to help with pregnancy, the menopause and for people with sensitive or mature skin pain or sleep problems.

Affordability is important to Hazel and she has a range of gift ideas for men and women.

As a member of the prestigious Yorkshire Businesswoman, Hazel is particularly proud that many of her customers are local and that she has won accolades, including the Veggie Award for best shampoo of the year.

Since she first had her light bulb moment in 2000, Hazel has run on adrenaline, expertise and a healthy dose of luck and hasn’t let any negatives get in her way.

From nursing a family member through cancer to welcoming her daughter Iris, now 14, into the world, Hazel has taken it all in her stride and continued to push the business. After suffering from an inflamed pelvis in 2012, she had to learn to stand again and her determination and tenacity shone through.

“Feeling burnt out, stressed or just tired with everyday life, is extremely difficult to deal with and it’s only when we have a bit of

me-time, do we realise, we need to look after ourselves. It is this vision that has inspired me to create sleep, mood-enhancing and well-being products, all of which have a sense of purpose – to care for you,” said Hazel. She is determined to ensure that products are affordable too, so everyone has the chance to enjoy some me time and improve their well-being.

A favourite part of the job is being in the kitchen and mixing oils and scents to come up with new products and the Covid pandemic gave Hazel the chance to concentrate on selling a sanitiser she had made three months before the virus struck, for one of her hotel clients.

A

FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB IS BEING IN THE KITCHEN AND MIXING OILS AND SCENTS TO COME UP WITH NEW PRODUCTS

“Lockdown was tough, but a joiner friend and I worked on making brackets and containers in lockdown and I used to take the sanitiser to the local hospital. Since Covid I have had to rebuild the business and online and trade sales have risen steadily,” she said.

To mark her 25th anniversary in 2025, Hazel is working with videographers and influencers to make sure her products are alive on social media while she develops even more products using soothing scents.

Sustainability is important to Hazel, with all packaging vegan and cruelty free as well as recyclable, and refill options available to keep the planet green.

As she moves into her 25th year, Hazel is more determined and enthusiastic than ever to push her business on. And with her skill, energy and drive, no doubt H2k Botanicals will be pushing the boundaries and inspiring for many years to come. n

Visit: h2kbotanicals.com for more information on the company, shop and products

H2K Botanicals

10-11 Montpellier Parade

Harrogate HG1 2TJ

01423 709030 h2kbotanicals.com

STEP IN TO SELF CARE

Life-enhancing aesthetic treatments are now within reach for more Dales residents, with the opening of Jacqui Mac Medispa on The Grove in Ilkley

Previously known as Jacqui Mac Aesthetics, Jacqui Mac Medispa has moved to a new, central location. With more treatment rooms, the expanded team is also increasing its portfolio of individually-focused consultations, treatments and exclusive experiences.

The owner, Jackie McGarry, a registered nurse specialising in holistic care and implementing regenerative medicine, is responding to demand by expanding her popular aesthetic skincare clinic.

Inside you’ll discover friendly, expert advice, the best clinical hygiene and the most advanced energy based machines, globally recognised for efficiency and safety. You’ll benefit from superb aftercare from Jackie and her friendly team of highly trained medical nurses.

The clinic’s advanced, holistic aesthetics treatments include: pioneering topical and non-invasive procedures, fillers, microneedling, laser hair removal, effective reduction of pigmentation, skin tags, thread veins and rosacea.

Jackie said: “Responding to our customers’ feedback, we’ve helped with anonymity by making the new clinic appointment-only. View our full range of treatments online, then book your initial consultation there too. You’ll receive your confidential door code online, and be greeted directly on arrival by your practitioner. People are already saying how much simpler and more relaxing they’re finding this new exclusive, discreet system.”

WITH LIFE INCREASINGLY BUSY, SELF-CARE AND MAKING TIME FOR YOU IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

CQC-accredited, and a registered phlebotomy clinic, Jacqui Mac puts physical and mental health first, offering a nurse prescriber-led weight loss service from initial consultation to bespoke treatment plan and regular follow-ups. With access to the latest treatments and support, measured reduction to a healthy weight range boosts energy and confidence, while reducing the possibility of joint issues, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.

Putting the ‘treat’ into ‘treatment’, groups of four to six can now enjoy the ultimate social pamper afternoon, booking exclusive use of the clinic, practitioners and most advanced treatments.

“Sessions are proving even more fun than I imagined,” says Jackie. “We might have one friend having HIFU (High-Intense Focussed Ultrasound) non-surgical facelifting, another having a hydrafacial or massage, and two chatting away during immunity-boosting Intravenous Vitamin Therapy. Then they all come out and compare notes over afternoon tea before swapping treatments and heading back in!”

Proving popular with men as well as women, couples, friends and families are discovering a fun way to meet up, relax, be pampered, celebrate, or prepare for a special occasion, with the benefit of visibly long-lasting results.

“With life increasingly busy, self-care and making time for you is even more important,” says Jackie, “Whether that’s peaceful oneto-one ‘me time’, finding the treatment that makes you feel happier, healthier and more comfortable in your skin, or catching up with those you care about for an exclusive afternoon of endorphin-boosting bespoke treatments, you’ll find it at Jacqui Mac on The Grove.” n

Jacqui Mac Medispa

58 The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9PA 01943 618181

jacquimacaesthetics@gmail.com jacquimac.com

jacquimacaesthetics

and hosts fortnightly visits from expert Advanced Aesthetics of London clinical nurse prescribers for anti-wrinkle and filler treatments.

Specialising in permanent makeup, Rebecca’s natural-looking, years-lasting brows and lips treatments have led to so many recommendations, husband Tom now works alongside her.

“He’s an award-winning successful chef,” she smiles, “But this appealed to his creative side, so he’s taking a break and retrained. Now he’s built up quite his own following – clients love having their brows done by ‘Tom Tattoo’!”

This has allowed Rebecca to specialise in a very personal treatment: 3D hyper-realism areola tattooing, a fundamentally empowering procedure for women who have been through breast cancer and mastectomy. “It’s a very

SMOOTHING YOUR FUTURE

It’s the aesthetic clinic where a warm welcome and understanding approach are as important as their life enhancing results. Kate Bowyer meets Skipton skincare and permanent makeup expert Rebecca Rennolds, and talks treatments, tattoos and her tight knit team

From laser hair removal to permanent makeup, today’s advanced non-invasive beauty treatments are the secret to better skin, appearance, confidence and self-esteem, as well as rescuing back hours spent on daily makeup routines.

The friendly greeting and chic, welcoming décor that greets me at Rebecca Rennolds Clinic, on Skipton’s bustling Newmarket Street immediately melts away any self-consciousness or apprehension this life-stretched mother of two might feel.

Creating a dedicated following since qualifying first in her year at the Yorkshire College of Beauty in 2015, Rebecca is passionate about the life-changing positivity that liking what we see in the mirror can enrich how we feel inside.

WHAT EXCITES ME EVERY DAY IS HELPING YOU LOOK AND FEEL YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST

“What excites me every day is helping you look and feel your absolute best,” she says. “Everybody deserves to feel great about the way they look, and myself and my team pride ourselves on achieving that with affordable, safe and painless treatments for women and men of all ages.”

Rebecca and her team champion top of the range non-invasive procedures that yield long-lasting, life-enhancing results as well as being stockists of the transformational Obagi medical-grade skincare. Team members Anna and Jenny specialise in laser hair removal, professional Dermapen microneedling, Cryopen, Hydrafacials and Lumecca Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for pigmentation, rosacea and sun damage.

The clinic is the only one locally to offer award-winning Morpheus8 Skin Tightening,

rewarding, and essentially life-enhancing, treatment that I feel honoured to be able to offer,” says Rebecca.

I’m fortunate to get an early demonstration of the clinic’s brand new futuristic-sounding skin scanner analysis machine, OBSERV 520x. This remarkable device scans and analyses from the top epidermal down to the deepest dermal layers, enabling expert diagnosis and the most personalised, targeted and effective treatment plans. This is your key to “the best skin of your life”.

“It takes rapport, trust and treatment to a whole new level,” says Rebecca, whose rapport, results and reputation certainly go a lot more than skin-deep. n

28 Newmarket Street, Skipton BD23 2JD 07395 267068

enquiries@rebeccarennolds.com rebeccarennolds.com

Rebecca Rennolds Clinic

SO SPA… SO GOOD

A new £16 million development in the heart of the Lancashire countryside, is set to become one of the UK’s largest, luxury spas

The success story that is Crow Wood is about to become an iconic destination on the UK map, thanks to an impressive new multi-million-pound extension that will see the Woodland Spa become arguably the largest and most luxurious spa in the country.

The original Woodland Spa will double in size to a huge 60,000 sq ft, featuring:

The dramatic Vitality Pool boasting no less than four spacious hot tubs, two of which are elevated with an infinity edge, water canons, massage stations and a gentle rain shower

• Ergonomic heated loungers, accessed via the heated poolside promenade

• A mezzanine featuring a variety of bespoke relaxation areas with sensory lighting

• A world-leading, multi-sensory KLAFS ice lounge – the first in the UK

• Roman foot baths featuring foot reflexology massage

• Additional luxury spa treatment rooms and changing facilities

• Spacious and beautiful relaxation room providing the ultimate, peaceful environment

• A south-facing rooftop terrace giving

prominence to the UK’s largest hot tub, with its infinity edge, a range of sun loungers, comfortable firepit lounge and a restaurant and bar with retractable roof and windows

• Bertram’s Restaurant will also double in capacity and be completely refurbished whilst benefiting from a huge new state-of-the-art kitchen

• Imposing double-height welcoming reception and beautiful guest areas

“We know what people enjoy and we know what they have come to expect. In terms of turnover, square footage and the number of visitors we are anticipating, this is arguably the biggest and best spa in the UK.”

The latest development began three years ago when the need for expansion became apparent. Andrew and his management team, collaborated with architects, builders and spa and leisure specialists to design his vision for the future of Crow Wood’s resort, choosing the very best, world-class equipment and materials.

Today, this stunning redevelopment is almost ready. The new spa extension will seamlessly integrate with the existing facilities. Crow Wood is not afraid of investment having recently invested £2 million in its fabulous health and fitness club which includes dedicated studios for yoga, dance and aerobics plus one of the most technologically advanced spinning studios in the UK.

The re-imagined Woodland Spa is set to attract visitors from all over the UK with the emphasis on quality and pure luxury at its heart.

Speaking of the development, Andrew adds:

“It’s all about the guest journey and experience,” says Crow Wood’s Andrew Brown. “The new spa will be more impressive, even in comparison to what we had before.

EXPERIENCE PURE LUXURY…

The Woodland Spa, which is launching in July, is inviting guests to register to be one of the very first to experience it when it opens its doors. thewoodlandspa.com

“We have the capacity to double guest numbers in line with the sheer size of the spa. However, we won’t be doing that, instead we see this as another opportunity to enhance our guest experience, ensuring that we maintain an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. The aim of this project has always been to produce a world-class spa and offer affordable exclusivity –and that’s exactly what we have achieved.” n

The Woodland Spa Crow Wood Resort, Holme Road Burnley BB12 0RT 01282 471913 thewoodlandspa.com

THE MIRACLE OF WATER

Therapist Amy Brown of The Power of Your Mind in Skipton talks about water wellbeing

Water is a miracle liquid. We know that we need good hydration to be at our best, and research

proves that being around water also has a positive impact. In recent years it has transformed my life.

I started to doubt my daily wild

COMPASSION AND CARE

Registered and Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Dr Kim Whitaker has 20 plus years’ post qualification experience. Dr Kim is skilled in the assessment of children, young people, and adults.

Dr Kim specialises in comprehensive, evidence-based reports in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

We also offer therapy for co-occurring and other mental health disorders, including Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress.

The team includes a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist/Social Worker and a second Clinical Psychologist.

Assessment for ADHD can be in person or online and involves a structured clinical interview, observation and psychometric measures. ASD assessments require face to face assessment, which can be supplemented by online history taking.

swim fundraiser in December when my dog’s fur froze, after she joined me in a 3 degree river. It was the -7 air temperature that did it! However, a quick plunge in nature lifts my spirit all year round and has helped me manage perimenopausal issues.

WATER IN NATURE CAN HAVE PROFOUND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Water in nature can have profound mental health benefits, offering a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Immersion in water has many positives including relief from physical discomfort, changes to metabolism and improved immunity, or ‘swimmunity’. The gentle resistance of being in or on water provides a low-impact workout that can improve mood, feelings of freedom and alleviate symptoms of depression and

anxiety. Free group sessions are held by mentalhealthswims.co.uk

Negative ions occur when water interacts with itself, such as through the flow of a waterfall or the crash of waves. These mood enhancing particles are propelled into the air and, through inhalation, make a difference to our hormones, boosting energy and sleep. That soggy walk in a shower of rain, or storm is benefitting you more than you may have realised. n

thepowerofyourmind.co.uk

WE ARE RECRUITING DELIVERY PEOPLE

Live Magazines need enthusiastic and reliable delivery people to join our established teams across The Dales.

These opportunities are ideally suited to distributors working independently across two or three areas.

To do this you’ll need to be physically fit, have access to your own transport and have somewhere to store the magazines.

We are looking for people across The Dales especially in: HARROGATE, ILKLEY, SKIPTON, ADDINGHAM, BURLEY-IN-WHARFEDALE, RIPON, SETTLE AND KIRKBY LONSDALE.

Please register your interest with Mark Dixon please email mark.dixon@live-magazines.co.uk

Photography: Charlotte Krag Photography

Photography: Amy Brown

ARE YOU OVERWEIGHT AND STRUGGLING WITH DIETS?

RejuvaMed’s CQC-approved slimming clinic can help

Are you heading towards summer and worrying about how you’ll look in your summer wardrobe? Have you tried multiple diets, but find that you can’t shift excess weight, or if you do it all comes back on again?

RejuvaMed offers a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss via our medical weight loss programme. The first step is a detailed consultation with RejuvaMed’s medical director Dr Grant, who will recommend suitable treatment options for you. These may include support from our dietician, Mairi, and the prescription of medication which is self-injected weekly, which suppresses the appetite and reduces calorie intake. He will also consider levels of exercise.

Please be aware that any practitioner offering medication to assist with weight loss must be registered with the CQC, to

ensure that your treatment programme is safe.

Once you have lost those inches you may find that you have stubborn pockets of fat, or loose skin, that would benefit from body sculpting. RejuvaMed offers state-of-the-art treatments including Morpheus8 and 3D lipo which can help get your body back into shape.

To arrange a weight loss consultation with Dr Grant, which can be either in clinic or by phone, please call the clinic on 01200 538668, email us at info@rejuvamed.co.uk, or book online using the QR code on this page. Choose ‘consultations’, then ‘weight loss consultation with Dr Grant’.

We look forward to helping you in your weight loss journey! n

BANISH VARICOSE VEINS

There’s

no need to undergo expensive and risky surgery under general anaesthesia if you wish to say goodbye to your varicose veins, thanks to RejuvaMed’s vein centre

Delivered by consultant vascular surgeon Mr Vittorio Perricone, RejuvaMed offers the only dedicated varicose vein treatment centre in Lancashire. With a nationwide reputation for quality care and exceptional results, the centre is now established as the leading provider of varicose vein treatment in the North West at prices way below Lancashire’s private hospitals.

Mr Perricone has worked within the NHS and privately for more than 25 years, and now consults privately solely at RejuvaMed.

As Dr Grant McKeating, RejuvaMed’s Medical Director explains, the centre offers a real alternative to the NHS: “Funding for

treatment for varicose veins has been rationed by the NHS, meaning patients often have to pay for their procedure. Where NHS treatment is available, waiting lists are incredibly long. We offer appointments within a couple of weeks and safe, relatively painless treatments with excellent results and minimal recovery time.”

As well as offering radiofrequency (RF) ablation treatment for varicose veins from just £1950, RejuvaMed offers the innovative VenaSealTM procedure, which uses medical adhesive rather than a heat source to seal the diseased vein.

Normally priced at over £3,000 in other clinics and hospitals, RejuvaMed’s price is £2500 for one leg and £2835 for both. n

For more information on pricing, or to book a consultation with Mr Perricone, email: info@rejuvamed.co.uk or call the clinic on: 01200 538668

DALES ATTRACTIONS

‘PASS GO’

The Yorkshire Dales have joined an elite group of tourist hotspots from around the globe to feature in their own edition of one of the world’s best loved board games. Annette McIntyre takes a look at the new Yorkshire Dales Monopoly

It’s Monopoly but not as we know it. Forget about London’s crowded streets –the latest version of the family favourite highlights some of Yorkshire’s most stunning beauty spots and best loved landmarks.

The new – and decidedly greener –Yorkshire Dales edition of the nearly 90 year old board game includes a whole host of much-loved local attractions including Malham Cove, Ingleborough, Burnsall, the Ribblehead Viaduct and Fountains Abbey –famed for its majestic ruins and awe-inspiring water garden. Some other notable inclusions

are Giggleswick School, Sedbergh School, Masham Market and the Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa. In all more than 30 Dales landmarks and organisations have ‘passed go’ to feature on the board after the public

WE WERE FLATTERED TO RECEIVE SO MANY VOTES FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TO BE AWARDED ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS POSITIONS ON THE BOARD

were invited to send in suggestions.

Even the traditional tokens have had a makeover, being replaced with newcomers such as a slab of Wensleydale cheese, a miniature dry-stone wall and a bike – in a nod to the Tour de Yorkshire.

In this new version of the game top-ranking Mayfair is replaced with Bolton Abbey, while Park Lane gives way to The Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub, at 1732 feet above sea level.

At the other end of the board, Old Kent Road, the game’s most affordable square, has morphed into the stunning Aysgarth Falls – with its brown space partner, Whitechapel Road, now replaced by impressive Malham Cove.

It’s no surprise that Bolton Abbey has landed on the top spot. The stunning estate has everything for the perfect day out – from its ruined priory to its beautiful riverside location. Bolton Abbey is surrounded by 30,000 acres

of gorgeous countryside with more than 80 miles of footpaths.

A spokesman for the estate said they were delighted to feature in the game.

“We were flattered to receive so many votes from the general public and to be awarded one of the most prestigious positions on the board,” she added.

Andrew Hields, owner of Tan Hill Inn, at Long Causeway, Richmond, said: “Myself and the team at Tan Hill feel privileged to be part of such a Yorkshire Dales landmark and would like to thank those people who voted for us. We were very pleased to discover that Tan Hill Inn sits where the prestigious Park Lane would normally take residence on the board.”

For Sedbergh School the inclusion is beautifully timed, coming as it is preparing to celebrate its 500th anniversary next year.

Headmaster Dan Harrison said: “It is great to be featured on the new Yorkshire Dales Monopoly board. Our school has many links with businesses and landmarks in the region,

SOME PLAYERS COULD BE PENALISED FOR ‘WILD CAMPING’. WHILST OTHERS COULD BE REWARDED FOR ‘QUALITY SHEEPDOG TRIALS’. VERY YORKSHIRE!

and we are looking forward to sharing the boards across our boarding houses and with the wider Sedbergh community.”

The new-look game is produced by Winning Moves UK under licence from Hasbro. Winning Moves makes Monopoly editions for high-profile tourist hotspots all over the world, including Palm Beach, Dubai and The Hamptons.

“We have been absolutely spoilt with choices when putting this Monopoly game together, including the customised wording on Community Chest and Chance playing cards,” said John Keen-Tomlinson, the company’s Custom Games Executive.

“For example, some players could be penalised for ‘wild camping’. Whilst others

could be rewarded for ‘quality sheepdog trials’. Very Yorkshire!”

He added: “The slab of Wensleydale and miniature dry stone wall were almost unanimous choices when we had a public

consultation period earlier this year. Both are unique to the Dales, as is the Craven Ram. We threw in the cricket bat because as we toured the Dales we noticed just about every village, however small, seemed to have a cricket pitch.”

“The response from the public to Monopoly: Yorkshire Dales Edition has been overwhelming. A very big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations and congratulations to everyone featured in the game.”

The new edition has been given the thumbs up by the world’s only Monopoly champion Jason Bunn, a former taxi driver from Leeds.

“It’s a real slice of Yorkshire,” he said.

“I have 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!”

Today, Monopoly is the world’s favourite family game brand and is enjoyed by more than one billion players in 114 countries across the globe. n

NOT JUST A BIKE SHOP

Nestled in the heart of Settle, 3 Peaks Cycles prides itself on being more than just a bike shop. The business, which also includes a café, focuses on the four R’s – retail, repair, rental and refuel

Having evolved from a car parts shop 3 Peaks Cycles started stocking a few inner tubes when the previous bike shop, Settle Cycles, closed.

Unlike bike shops of years gone by, with a selection of ageing bikes and a few items of clothing hung in a dusty corner, 3 Peaks is equipped with a wide range of bikes, clothing and accessories – as well as a café.

The shop, on Market Place, is perfectly located at the cross-roads of three major cycle routes. The Way of the Roses is perhaps the most travelled of the routes, going from Morecambe on the west coast to Bridlington on the east. Riders start coming through on the route from March and it is popular through to October.

The Pennine Bridleway cuts just behind

the shop and the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway goes right past the front door. In addition, this part of the Dales has long been a favourite of the cycling cognoscenti, coming from cities such as Leeds and Liverpool as well as the Lancashire towns near Clitheroe.

WE ALSO STOCK A RANGE OF THINGS THAT APPEAL TO FOLK VISITING THE AREA FOR THE SCENERY AND THE INCREASINGLY POPULAR THREE PEAKS WALK

A spokesperson said: “We sell bikes and accessories from a range of brands and stock (almost) everything you might need on a bike. If someone walks into the shop with a bike related request, we try to make sure we can answer ‘yes’ to the question. Clothing for those that like lycra, and those that don’t. Bags for all sorts of gear carrying, especially those that support gravel set-ups.

“But not only do we sell bike parts but as our name suggests we also stock a range of things that appeal to folk visiting the area for the scenery and the increasingly popular Three Peaks Challenge, which will appeal to

walkers and riders alike.”

The shop boasts experienced and Cyctec qualified mechanics, and is well equipped to deal with a range of bikes including Bosch and Shimano powered e-bikes. All sorts of bikes are maintained and repaired in the workshop, from race-ready Di2 machines to everyday commuting bikes.

The shop stocks a range of bikes for hire, from electric full suspension bikes, gravel bikes and touring bikes with enough racks and panniers for a few days away from base. It also offers suggestions on routes.

The café serves all manner of people – not just cyclists. Its coffees include the Lonton blend, produced in Teesdale. It also serves “amazing” cakes and a range of foods to suit all tastes, with special consideration for different diets. n

3 Peaks Cycles Market Place, Settle BD24 9EJ 01729 824232

3peakscycles.com

Win a spa stay for two!

Enter our competition to win a spa stay for two at Yorkshire’s landmark destination hotel, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa.

Set within 1,400 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa has been family run for more than 50 years. Starting out as a local farm shop, it has grown to become one of North Yorkshire’s premium destination hotels, boasting award-winning dining, a luxury spa, and bedrooms with far-reaching views of the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel and grounds have a range of exceptional facilities, including one of the best shooting grounds in the country and a Land Rover off-roading experience, plus a suite of event spaces perfect for weddings and conferences.

The Coniston makes the most of its location on a picturesque and private 1,400-acre estate surrounded by the spectacular Dales. Guests can unwind and relax in the award-winning Nàdarra Spa. The spa features two infinity pools with commanding views across the estate, lake and Yorkshire Dales; a lake-view terrace with relaxed seating, fire pits and a covered outdoor bar; a 15m indoor swimming pool; and a thermal experience including an infrared sauna, Finnish sauna, Himalayan sauna, aromatherapy steam room, indoor bubble pool and ice fountain. There is also a luxury couples suite including double spa bath and mud rasul. A spectacular private spa garden complete with a relaxation pod, loungers and two outdoor baths boast the most incredible views. The hotel spa is also a finalist in the category Best Day Spa in the annual Good Spa Guide Awards 2024. Find out more about The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa at theconistonhotel.com.

• Overnight stay in a Dales room

• 2-hr spa access

• Dinner in The View Restaurant (to the value of £35pp)

• Yorkshire breakfast

LET’S TAKE A WALK…

This wonderful Grassington circular walk offers fine views of Wharfedale without straying far from the nearest facilities. Quickly rising above Grassington, it passes over stiles through woodland and hay meadows across farmland to the pretty village of Hebden.

Photography: Stephen Garnett

The walk affords impressive views across the valley and the distinctive pattern of earthwork lynchets –terraces for growing crops – as well as the patchwork of drystone walls, a classic feature of the Yorkshire Dales.

GRASSINGTON TO HEBDEN RETURN

Distance: 6.5km (4 miles)

Time: A minimum of 11/2 hours

Parking: Grassington National Park Centre (BD23 5LB—SE 00283 63750)

Toilets: Grassington National Park Centre

Refreshments: Shops, cafés and pubs in Grassington

Accessibility: The footpath is rough and muddy in places, with several narrow stiles and steps. This is a moderate walk with a long steady climb from Hebden to Edge Lane

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

1. From the National Park Centre car park, follow the road up through Grassington Square to the top of the village.

2. Bear right in front of the town hall onto Low Lane. After a short distance bear left onto High Lane, an ancient walled lane, once used as a packhorse route linking villages together. Follow the signpost to ‘Hebden 1.5 miles’. Fine views of the lower Wharfedale valley can be enjoyed along here, looking towards Simon’s Seat and Barden and Burnsall Fell. At the end of the lane continue through the open fields using the narrow stiles and gates, to the site of the old Grassington isolation hospital. In the early 1900s the hospital was built as a TB sanatorium, to help cure people of the disease. The site was developed for houses in the 1980s.

3. The information panel marks the start of Grassington Park Estate meadows. The hay meadows you walk through survived when the site was developed and are one of the finest examples of herb-rich hay meadows in the Dales. Early summer is the best time to enjoy the display and aroma of wild flowers and butterflies. Continue along the path through the open fields to the road at Hebden village.

4. A footpath immediately leaves the road

on the left signposted ‘Tinkers Lane’. After 45 metres bear left to climb steadily through fields and in front of Garnshaw House up to Edge Lane. Rewarding views of Grass Wood Nature Reserve, Lea Green iron age field systems and Upper Wharfedale can be seen from along the lane.

5. Continue along to the end of the lane to join the tarmac road.

6. Turn left, heading back down into Grassington village to retrace your steps to the car park. n

Discover more about the the history, landscape, wildlife and culture of Yorkshire Dales National Park, including many other walking routes, at: yorkshiredales.org.uk

STAY THE NIGHT from £111.00

STAY, DINE, CELEBRATE

Whether you’re visiting Mytton Fold Hotel for a country staycation, celebrating a milestone or simply visiting to enjoy a delicious Lancashire classic in The Fold Restaurant, you’ll be met with a welcome smile from the dedicated team on hand.

Stay the night from £111.00, with breakfast and dining options available on request. Make a night of it and enjoy an upcoming event in the 2024 calendar, with something for everyone, from live music to murder mystery dinners, makeup masterclasses to foodie date nights and more.

Mytton Fold recommends: The Dynamos Live - The ultimate ABBA experience, Friday 5th July. Step into summer and enjoy an evening boogying to all the classics, as we welcome The Dynamos - a fresh and exciting trio, adding their spin to the infamous ‘Donna and the Dynamos’.

Visit us: Mytton Fold Hotel: Whalley Road, Langho, BB6 8AB Food served Monday to Saturday 12-9, and Sunday 12-8. Scan the QR code to browse all upcoming events and offers. Plus, purchase your tickects direct through our website.

WILD SWIMMING DIPPING INTO

With increasing numbers discovering its physical and mental health benefits, wild swimming is a strong contender for the UK’s fastest-growing outdoor activity. Kate Bowyer dips a toe into the wonderful world of wild swimming in the Dales

“In my day, we just called it swimming,” says 73 year-old Brenda, resplendent in floral costume and bright pink woolly hat. But she says it with a warm smile, as she introduces me to the art of taking the plunge.

Surrounded by birdsong in some of the UK’s most beautiful locations (many right here in the Dales), a world away from the pressures and responsibilities of everyday life; a social activity with notably friendly participants and measurable health benefits, it’s no wonder an estimated 7.5 million people a year are participating in some form of outdoor swimming, double that of just five years ago.

But swimming in remote locations and cold, deep or flowing water requires sensible preparation and responsible practice to stay safe. Follow a few key rules, get help, support and guidance from organisations like the Wild Swimming Society and let the benefits wash over you.

FROM FLOWING RIVERS TO SCENIC POOLS

BENEATH TUMBLING WATERFALLS, THE DALES BOAST SOME OF THE MOST SCENIC SPOTS FOR WILD SWIMMING

The 2023 Outdoor Swimming Parliamentary Group Report identified physical benefits including increased cardiovascular fitness, muscle building and bone density improvement, along with an increase in immune systemboosting white blood cells. It can also reduce inflammation and raise dopamine and serotonin levels, mood-enhancing endorphins which help lower stress and maintain mental wellbeing and resilience.

Top Dales swimming spots

From flowing rivers to scenic pools beneath tumbling waterfalls, the Dales boast some of the most scenic spots for wild swimming, including:

River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey: Deriving from Old English for ‘swift, winding river’, the Wharfe provides many wild swimming opportunities throughout the Dales. The wide, still stretch beside the famous Bolton Abbey stepping stones provides a great, accessible starting location for new wild swimmers.

Burnsall: Only experienced swimmers should enter the deep plunge pool Loup Scar, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. The upper stretch, with grassy riverbanks, meadows and beaches, provides a much gentler setting for all.

Grassington Weir: A great location for families, children have long enjoyed splashing about here. In the summer months it can get very busy, so serious swimmers tend to head for more remote locations.

Kisdon Force: Top of many Dales’ swimmers’ spots, this series of waterfalls tucked into a deep woodland gorge is perfect for walks, picnics and a cooling dip.

Janet’s Foss: A short trail from Malham Cove, a shallow pool beneath a gentle waterfall steeped in folklore make this a fantastic family-friendly location.

Wain Wath Force: Tucked away in Upper Swaledale, close to the scenic village of Keld, this secluded gorge combines a waterfall,

deep pool with ledges, and shallower upstream waters.

Stainforth Force, Ribblesdale: A spectacular series of river pools, waterfalls and shallow sections for paddling, beneath an old packhorse bridge: something for everyone.

Before you plunge in, make sure you prepare thoroughly. If apprehensive, consider a session with a wild swim guide such as Les Peebles, ‘The Dales Dipper’, who holds a qualification from the Royal Life Saving Society. Or acclimatise by starting in a supervised outdoor swimming pool like Ingleton or Ilkley.

Tips for safe and enjoyable wild swimming

Whenever possible, swim with others to enhance safety (and sociability!). Look out for each other and know what to do in an emergency.

Research the recommended safe and accessible wild swimming spots. Onsite, check for currents, sharp and slippery rocks, and a rise in water due to rainfall.

Dress appropriately: a wetsuit will conserve

warmth, especially in colder months, as will a woolly hat!

Enter the water slowly to acclimatise, and limit time in cold water, especially when you’re new to it, to avoid cold water shock and hypothermia.

Prepare towels or dryrobe, warm clothes and a warm drink ready for when you get out.

SWIMMING IN REMOTE LOCATIONS AND COLD, DEEP OR FLOWING WATER REQUIRES SENSIBLE PREPARATION AND RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE TO STAY SAFE

Check out online and local groups. As well as great information, advice and locations, the Wild Swimming Society publishes contact details for groups across the country. Based in Skipton, the ‘Wild Swimming in the Yorkshire Dales’ group covers Wharfedale and Airedale, while sister group ‘The Dales Dippers’ covers the western side of the Dales.

Go with the flow, as Brenda encourages me, and even if you don’t release your inner mermaid, you might just find your cares floating away. n

The Outdoor Swimming Society: outdoorswimmingsociety.com

Wild Swimming in the Yorkshire Dales: facebook.com/groups/136471153161596/

The Dales Dippers – Wild Swimming in the UK: facebook.com/groups/783541888674979/

The Dales Dipper (Lee Peebles): thedalesdipper.co.uk

LET’S TAKE A RIDE…

This is an extended version of the well known ‘Settle Loop’. Settle is a great little market town with Three Peaks Cycles, where bikes can be hired, right in the centre

SETTLE – THE LONG

LOOP

Start and finish: Settle SD 818 636 or Malham SD 900 627

Distance: 35km (21 miles)

Toilets, pubs and cafes: Settle and Malham

Nearest train station: At Settle

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

1. From Settle market place climb

Constitution Hill in front of the Co-op. After it levels take the track on the right signed Pennine Bridleway. The track becomes grassy and is followed to meet a road.

2. Turn right and carry straight on as the road goes left. Gorbeck road is a mixture of stone track and grassy sections. Where the Pennine Bridleway Settle Loop turns right, go straight on. Follow the route through a road.

3. Turn left, go over a cattle grid, then immediately right to follow a grassy bridleway.

A short climb is followed by a descent to a road and parking area. Turn right and follow the road for 1km. Where it goes right you go straight on to a gate.

4. The start of the old monastic way known as Mastiles Lane is signed to Kilnsey. Follow the obvious route down to a stream crossing. A short climb leads to an undulating section, which becomes a walled lane, and then just has a wall on the left.

5. At the next gate take the bridleway on the right to Bordley. At the crossroads of paths and roads, go straight on to Bordley Farm.

6. Follow the bridleway out of the farm – the stone track becomes grassy. Follow bridleway markers to Lee Gate Farm and a minor road. A very fast descent goes past Gordale Scar, up a short climb, and another quick descent to Malham.

7. Turn left in the village, and then right as if

into the National Park Centre car park. Follow a track going behind the car park. After 300m take the bridleway on the left. The stone track becomes grassy. After a gate it goes into a field and climbs to meet a road. Turn left and keep climbing. After 300m take the signed bridleway through a gate on the left.

8. The climbing – at times steep – continues up Stockdale Lane until the second gate. You are back on the Pennine Bridleway which is followed over a flat grassy section before the start of rocky descending, which is slippery in the wet, and eventually leads through a tarmac track close to Stockdale Farm. Carry straight on, still descending to meet a T-junction.

9. Turn right then left down another bridleway. Follow this walled lane to meet the top of a tarmac road. Do not go down it. Turn left on the stone track and follow alongside a woodland for 200m. Follow a track on the right, down through Lodge Farm to a road. Turn right and head into Settle. n

For more routes see: cyclethedales.org.uk

Photography: Paul Harris

Photography: Paul Harris

Photography: Paul Harris

Photography: Christopher Werrett

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Everything Retreat was quite literally, everything we dreamed of with its luxury lodges set in the tranquil Ribble Valley countryside, writes Mark Dixon

Luxury can be an over-used word when it comes to selling a holiday or a short break. I’ve been to some places that have eulogised about their luxurious this or luxuriating that and they really haven’t delivered.

However, owner Louise Monk and her team at Everything Retreat, have developed something really special in the hills above the Ribble Valley which certainly befits the term. From the moment we were introduced to our unique lodge by the most welcoming GM Kelly, we realised that this luxury was more than a sales sizzle.

Once we got settled we wasted little time before trying out the top of the range ‘twin-turbo’ (as we christened ours) hot tub. With no children to interrupt proceedings (Everything Retreat is an adult only venue) we could take our time enjoying the finer

things in life.

The welcome drink had fizzed and so, post-plunge we sampled the locally distilled Everything Retreat gin (a collaboration with Preston-based Wild Fox) – all part of the generous welcome. Once we had showered –similarly high powered as the hot-tub jets –and changed, we headed to the resort’s Balance

Bar where we sampled some superb tapas –the meatballs and the chorizo particular favourites for this carnivore’s taste, courtesy of chef Simon, and we were well looked after by Louise and Mandy. There’s no stuck-up, five-star snobbery about this place, the luxury is served up with a smile and a good dollop of northern humour.

THERE IS SOMETHING POWERFULLY RESTFUL AND CONTEMPLATIVE ABOUT THE RETREAT, AWAY FROM THE STRESSES OF CORPORATE LIFE

After a restful night thanks to the oh so comfy mattress, complete with superb cotton sheets and dreamy pillows, we tucked into our breakfast box, which naturally, was full of healthy and yummy locally-sourced morning treats. Once replenished we headed out to make the most of what the Ribble Valley has to offer. After a bracing walk up and down Pendle Hill, where witches and folklore follow every step, we were spoilt for choice for a pub lunch – we settled on the Millstone at Mellor. And we were not disappointed. One of the great

things about the Retreat’s location is the sheer number of superb eating places from great pubs like The Millstone to a special Chinese at Yu and even the Michelin-starred offering at Northcote – all within a 10 minute drive.

We felt like a browse in the afternoon and again we could have driven in all directions and found a smart country town, which would serve our needs. Whalley provided just the right amount of shop action and after my wife had purchased a new pair of boots – from a shop with Whalley and Manchester addresses – we felt we had deserved afternoon tea and another go in the hot tub back at Everything.

There is something powerfully restful and contemplative about the Retreat, away from children and the stresses of corporate life, it makes the perfect place to recharge the batteries, both physically and mentally.

It was whilst walking her dog Archie in 2018 that Louise stood in one of the fields, and imagined stunning lodges nestled amongst the beautiful landscape looking out over the valley.

Fast forward six years and after all the design, planning and hard work through the construction period, she now looks around and sees 12 luxury cedar lodges, already weathering into the hillside.

Six of the lodges are individually themed with inspiration being taken from Louise’s favourite places around the world, these form the Unique Collection. The remaining six are designed to complement the beautiful surroundings in which they sit, creating the Signature Collection. We were lucky enough to stay in the Unique ‘Bothy’, Louise’s nod to the Highlands, which brings all the character of a traditional Scottish country lodge,

complete with tartan accessories and dark oak flooring. We took in the spectacular views from the full-length windows with the log burner glowing – though the underfloor heating made it already cosy.

We can’t wait to go back to try a different one next time, perhaps Skála – the Scandi lodge where you step into light, airy and relaxed minimalism. With crisp white walls, cosy blankets and neutral accessories, we’d relax in the understated open-plan living room, which encompasses pale parquet flooring and textured tiles, and revel in the Scandinavian charm.

Our two-night stay was not enough, there is so much to do and see, both rural and urban, within a short drive of the Retreat, and as always just when we were feeling more rested and beginning to rejuvenate, we had to depart. Next time we will certainly look to do a Monday to Friday stint, giving us the excuse to bring our Labradoodle. Oh yes, in honour of Archie, all canine companions are most welcome.

But Louise is not stopping here with plans and planning applications in progress. One to create a wonderful space in the original farmhouse for groups of up to 12 and secondly to build a new room giving more space for yoga, pilates and corporate wellbeing sessions.

So, whether it’s a romantic stay for two (or three with dog) or as part of a larger group retreat, there really is luxury for everyone at Everything Retreat. n

Everything Retreat

Primrose Hill, Primrose Lane, Mellor BB2 7EQ 01254 965095

hello@everything-retreat.com

everything-retreat.com

everythingretreat

RibbleValley

DECADES OF LIDO FUN

Two of Yorkshire’s best loved outdoor swimming pools are approaching their 90th anniversaries. While many have closed since the boom of the 1930s Ilkley Lido and Ingleton Swimming Pool are still going strong

There was a time when the UK boasted more than 300 public outdoor pools – but now that number has reduced to roughly half.

Lidos enjoyed huge popularity from their golden era in the 1930s, but a shift in policy towards indoor pools and the advent of cheap

foreign holidays helped spell the end for many. Ilkley and Ingleton are among those which have bucked the trend, not just to survive but to thrive.

Ilkley Lido was opened in May 1935 and has remained a firm favourite with locals and visitors ever since – attracting up to 150,000

visits each year, with around 4,000 swimmers expected on hot summer days.

Jennifer Cawood is undoubtedly one of the longest standing users of the lido. Now 86 she learned to swim there when she was about eight – and she has been a regular at the pool ever since.

“It wasn’t called a lido then – it was just a bathing pool,” she remembers.

“The indoor pool wasn’t there then – it wasn’t built until some time in the late 60s I think, because my children learnt to swim there.”

In its early days the lido had a “magnificent” slide and a series of diving boards.

Jennifer remembers some brave (or foolhardy) men going down the high slide standing up –while other bathers would climb to the top only to lose their nerve and have to descend slowly back down the steps to safety.

Born in 1938 Jennifer has been a keen visitor to the lido for nearly eight decades and has seen many changes in that time.

IT’S LIKE A SHOCK TO YOUR SYSTEM, BOOSTING EVERYTHING INTO ACTION

She remembers four seating areas around the pool with two rows in each – along with a special, cheaper spectator price, ideal for families with grandparents.

Jennifer has also seen some changes in the way people use the pool: “These days you get a lot more people that are perhaps training for things. And of course a lot of them wear wetsuits most of the time.”

But some things never change – and the lido’s popularity seems to be a case in point. Today hot weather draws large crowds of visitors from Ilkley and the surrounding areas – just as it has in the past.

Jennifer remembers the lido being very busy and she recalls seeing long queues from Brook Street down to the bridge as swimmers waited for Sammy Ledgard buses to take them back to Leeds.

The health benefits from cold water swimming are well known, but Jennifer doesn’t remember dwelling on it much in the past.

“I suppose years ago you never thought about it, it’s just what you did,” she says. But these days she notices it more – “it’s like a shock to your system, boosting everything into action”.

There’s no doubt the beautiful setting adds to the sense of well-being.

“Even if you go down and sit you’ve got the full view of the moor – and it’s a wonderful

Photography: Danny Lawson/Alamy

view,” she says.

When it comes to beautiful locations Ingleton’s outdoor swimming pool is also well worth a visit.

Opened in August 1934 it’s the perfect example of community collaboration – as it was dug with the help of striking miners from the local colliery. In 1974, it underwent a major facelift and is now heated and chlorinated.

The strong community feeling is still there today.

Pool manager Toby Nicholson said: “I only took on the role of manager in July of 2023 but ever since I’ve started I have seen so many

WE PUT IN SO MUCH EFFORT TO KEEP THE POOL UP AND RUNNING AND IT’S SO LOVELY TO SEE THE POSITIVE IMPACT IT HAS ON PEOPLE’S LIVES

new and lovely people express their gratitude towards the pool, whether that be our wonderful team of volunteers who run and maintain the pool, local staff who put in lots of effort to keep the pool open, the local community supporting us or the customers that come from far and wide to use the pool.

He added: “We put in so much effort to keep the pool up and running and it’s so lovely to see the positive impact it has on people’s lives. With the rising costs of running the pool we are so grateful for the support we have.

“In September 2022 we started running our cold water swimming sessions. This was a bit of a gamble for us however the support for these has been overwhelming, with the cold water swimming community growing we are so pleased to be able to offer a safe environment for when open water might not be the ideal.” n

ESTATE LIFE

Gisburne Park Estate is owned and managed by Guy and Amber Hindley, who are converting it into a thriving five-star wellness resort

Welcome to our inaugural Estate Life. It feels right to be a part of the Dales magazine as Gisburne Park Estate was originally part of West Riding of Yorkshire.

As you may or may not be aware, in 2021 during the Covid pandemic Amber and I managed to acquire Gisburne Park Hospital, my old family home, and incorporate it back into the wider estate. We also managed to purchase the next door NHS building. So after 35 years we have complete control of the entire estate again and can start to realise our dreams.

We have recently partnered up

with Rural Solutions Ltd who are helping us to achieve these long term objectives. Originally based at Broughton Hall they are now situated in Skipton and specialise in helping landed

for generations to come. We are extremely excited to be working with William and his team and look forward to submitting our application to RVBC within the next few months.

OUR GOAL IS TO RESTORE THE MANSION HOUSE TO ITS FORMER GLORY AND CREATE A BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND THE NORTH OF ENGLAND’S FIRST PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB

estates diversify. They are the UK’s leading specialist on developing whole estate plans (WEP) which assist the owners in master planning their estates

Our goal is to restore the mansion house to its former glory and create a boutique hotel and the north of England’s first private members club. The hall is

situated in the most spectacular setting which will become part of the gardens and grounds of the club. Also planned is a wellness centre which will be the heart of a biohacking / weight loss / longevity program that Amber is currently developing with a team of experts.

Over the last 20 years we have worked non-stop and developed a lodge park called Ribblesdale Park which employs around 50 people and consists of 80 lodges. This has enabled us to renovate some of the listed cottages and houses across the estate into gorgeous holiday accommodation.

We also have a wedding venue situated by the river, organic vegetable gardens, a glamping village, 1,000 acres of historic parkland, three miles of the river Ribble, a bronze age burial ground and a herd of wild Sika deer.

The setting of Gisburne Park, with its various rivers, steep cliffs, magnificent buildings, and abundance of wildlife, offers us endless possibilities. We are extremely excited for the next chapter of the Estate and to share that journey with you. n

Gisburne Park Estate

Mill Lane, Gisburn BB7 4LP 01200 415300

gisburneparkestate.co.uk

@hindelinis

@ribblesdalepark

@gisburneparkestate

WHAT MAKES A HEALTHY RIVER?

Reconnecting

with our rivers is the key to looking after them, explains Victoria Benn, Membership and Events Officer at Friends of the Dales

With drought and hosepipe bans (cast your mind back!) and record levels of raw sewage discharge making headlines, it feels like a good time to talk about river health.

The recent report by The Rivers Trust (riverstrust.org), tells us that just 15 per cent of rivers in England reach good ecological health standards, and toxic chemicals are present in every stretch. A shocking indictment of what is essentially the life blood of our planet.

The rivers of the Yorkshire Dales in a healthy state are home to myriad species from invertebrates like mayfly nymphs and dragonfly larvae, to fish such as brown trout and grayling, and mammals including otters. Glorious birds such as kingfishers

and heron also thrive by clean water. Clean rivers are havens for people too. Green and blue spaces to walk beside, swim in or connect with nature – more vital than ever with social isolation, anxiety and depression at unprecedented levels.

Finally, healthy rivers and catchments play a significant role in sequestering carbon and ‘slowing the flow’, widely recognised as key to effective flood management.

WE NEED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THE RIVER ECOSYSTEM WORKS SO THEY WILL GROW UP FEELING A CONNECTION AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THEM

Reasserting and rekindling our bond with nature is one of the best ways for us to collectively improve the health of our rivers. Government, water companies, and all the different users, must stop thinking of them as simply, ‘water conveyance channels’ and try to remember that it is actually the river that comes out of our taps! Additionally,

we need to help children and young people understand how the river ecosystem works so they will grow up feeling a connection and sense of responsibility towards them.

Other practical actions we can all take include:

• Conserving water at home through the use of water butts or using less.

• Checking pets are not contaminating river water or grey water via home bathing through the use of highly toxic topical flea and tick treatments – speak to your vet about switching to safer oral supplements.

• Water users should aim to adopt the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ campaign to prevent aquatic plants and animals unwittingly being transported by footwear, kayaks and fishing gear to new, delicate water environments as invasive species.

• Litter picking in and besides rivers –where safe to do so.

Encouraging children and young people to love and respect rivers and river life – a range of educational resources are available at Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust: ydrt.org.uk

• Finally, with more than half of sewer flooding caused by blockages, a significant cause of pollution – please only flush ‘the three Ps’, i.e. ‘poo, pee and paper’ – not other so-called ‘flushable’ products, such as wipes and never pour fats, oils and greases down the sink. n

#LivingWaters friendsofthedales.org.uk

... e h rt e Y k ire D

Experience the romance and grandeur of Falcon Manor, where every detail is designed to make your wedding day magical. To book a private viewing please visit our website or call us on 01729 823814 - we’d love to show you around!

Photographers: The Wedding Guy, Becki Dakin, Bowness Film, James Jebson & Folega Photography

Scan to view our brochure

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

The newly refurbished Wennington Hall is poised to become Lancashire’s most stunning wedding venue. With countless photo opportunities both inside and out, we invite both professional and amateur photographers to capture the beauty of this spectacular estate. We are hosting two dedicated photography days with unrestricted access to all public areas. The venue will be dressed to impress, and we’ll have a roaming bride to complete the picture.

OPEN HOUSE & GARDEN DAYS

13TH & 14TH JULY 10am-4pm

Please submit up to 5 photographs by 28th July 2024. The photographs will be displayed on the Wennington Hall and Dream Venues Collection social channels for a public vote. The winner will be announced on 16th August 2024. OPEN TO PROFESSIONAL &

The top 20 photographs, selected by the James’ Places team, will be digitally displayed for a public vote, with the winner receiving a £1000 prize. Additionally, commercial photographers will have the chance to attend our wedding open days and have their work tagged on our social channels.

Photographers: Rachel Joyce & www.thisisrichard.co.uk

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Jody

Located in the market town of Leyburn, family run Tennants Auctioneers offers a personable approach to the world of buying and selling at auction. Visitors can browse the auctions and gallery areas, arrange meetings with specialists and enjoy the centre’s bistro and café. All auctions are on view to the public, providing the opportunity to view rare, beautiful, and valuable objects that have often been in private hands for generations and never seen in public.

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

MEAN YOU CAN HANDLE ALL THE OBJECTS AND TALK TO SPECIALISTS

“Public viewings mean you can handle all the objects and talk to specialists,” says Jody Beighton, a Specialist in British and European Ceramics and Asian Art at Tennants who has 25 years in the business. “People can gain a lot of knowledge and advice here from some of the UK’s leading specialists.”

For Jody, the world of auctioneering runs in the blood. Upon leaving college in the late nineties, he joined his father’s auctioneers in South Yorkshire. Then, after 20 years in the family business, he joined Tennants in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Jody was already a skilled auctioneer and valuer and had found his passion for British and European ceramics before he joined the business.

Jody’s interest in ceramics was originally piqued by a book about the 18th century German alchemist Johann Friedrich Bottger, credited by many as the first European to discover the secret of hard-paste porcelain in 1708. Invented by the Chinese in the sixth century AD, porcelain was worth more than gold in 17th century Europe, treasured by the elite, and can still be a highlight at auction houses around the world. Indeed, in 2012, Tennants had its biggest sale to date when a Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bottle Vase, bearing the six-character mark of Yongzheng sold for the eye watering sum of £2.6 million. The vendor had no idea of the item’s value, which is why Tennants always stresses that it offers free, no obligation valuations for auction.

FOR JODY, THE WORLD OF AUCTIONEERING RUNS IN THE BLOOD. UPON LEAVING COLLEGE IN THE LATE NINETIES, HE JOINED HIS FATHER’S AUCTIONEERS IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

And if you’re a buyer, don’t be put off by the prices of some items. As Jody is keen to point out, costs for ceramics typically begin at around £100.

“Once an area of interest gets under your skin, the knowledge sticks”, says Jody. “Many a collector started with a modest bid at their local auction house and were bitten by the bug.”

Trust is key to any successful business, and it’s this trust, built over generations, that has established Tennants as the UK’s largest family-owned auction house outside of London. It’s a reassuring environment for anyone approaching the world of fine art auctioneers for the first time as well as a go to for collectors with an eye for the next big sale. n

To find out more about buying and selling visit: tennants.co.uk

Beighton of Tennants Auctioneers describes what drew him into the fascinating world of ceramics

LEEDS AND LIVERPOOL CANAL – OUR

HERITAGE AND OUR FUTURE

Walking the towpath from Barnoldswick to Skipton Ben Hopkins meets a few of the characters who live, work and enjoy their leisure time on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

“It’s who we are, where we come from,” says Roland Johnson, a retired boat engineer and ex Royal Marine now enjoying life as a constant cruiser on the Leeds and Liverpool. “Lose this and we lose an important part of our heritage.”

Moored up on the edge of Barnoldswick with his wife Vicky, two dogs and a saxophone for company it’s a life many would envy. It’s also a lifestyle in jeopardy.

“These locks were built fantastically, nobody can argue with that,” says Roland with the eye of an engineer. “But with government funding coming to an end there’s a real danger large sections will be shut down.”

The idea of losing this 250-year-old masterpiece of engineering may seem far-fetched to many. But with a recent government announcement to reduce

funding for Canal & River Trust (CRT) by £300 million from 2027, or almost half of what it is today, the prospect of seeing large sections of the nation’s canal system shut down through lack of maintenance has become a real possibility.

IT’S

LIKE BEING A SNAIL. YOU TAKE YOUR HOME WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO

If allowed to happen it would mean a hammer blow for tourism, biodiversity and our heritage, not only locally but nationwide. According to independently verified research, canals support 80,000 jobs nationwide and contribute £1.5 billion annually to the economy. Like Malham Cove and Bolton Abbey they act as a magnet for tourism into the Dales, boosting the economy and enriching biodiversity.

The view across the Pennines from the deck of Roland’s barge is one to lift the spirits even when the April mist is hanging low. From here, Roland and Vicky plan to journey west then south towards the midlands, cruising the heartlands of the industrial revolution while living as close to nature as possible in 21st century Britain. “It’s like being a snail”, says Vicky. “You take your home with you wherever you go.”

Continuing my walk towards Skipton I pass groups of trekkers and cyclists, a lone fisherman and a couple of canoeists before meeting Hazel, one of the nation’s thousands of canal volunteers. Like a lot of volunteers, she’s a retiree with bucket loads of energy. “I do this because it gets me out of the house,” she says while separating weeds from industrial waste. “There’s always someone to talk to on the canals, even on a day like this.”

Her concern is the impact potential closures will have on nature. It’s a concern echoed by Roland and Vicky who lived on their boat during lockdown. “The locks were only closed for about four months, but by the end of those four months the weeds were horrendous,” Vicky recalls.

MAINTAINING

AND KEEPING ALL OF OUR 2,000-MILE NETWORK OF CANALS OPEN IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CHALLENGE IN THE COMING YEARS

“If they’re shut down for longer a blanket of bad weeds will block out the light, starve the canal of oxygen and kill the fish. If that happens the herons and all manner of birdlife will disappear.”

By midday the mist has cleared and there’s a rare burst of sun, lifting the spirits of boaters working the locks between Barnoldswick and Gargrave.

Maintaining and keeping all of our 2,000mile network of canals open is going to be a huge challenge in the coming years. In the opinion of Ian Clarke, owner of Skipton’s Pennine Cruisers boat hires, it’s a challenge that won’t be fixed by money alone.

“Personally, I feel until canal funding is spent more wisely an increase in funding

will make matters worse. CRT is top heavy with management. What we need are more bodies on the ground, more skilled engineers with the knowledge of maintaining the canals in a traditional manner. Until this is rectified and the use of preferred contractors is reduced completely extra money will be spent with no gain in canal standards.”

For Seán McGinley, CRT Director for Yorkshire and North East, the challenge is ongoing.

“The Trust has been taking action for several years to prepare for the possibility of a challenging financial future, to ensure that our incredible waterways in Yorkshire and across the nation remain open and available to be used by the public,” he said.

By the time I make Skipton it’s lateafternoon and the sun is still playing musical chairs with the clouds. Day trippers are returning their boats and the popular Boathouse Bar is filling up with people enjoying early evening drinks next to the canal basin. For anyone out there tempted to set out on their first canal cruise it’s the perfect spot to sit back, enjoy a pint and raise a toast to this masterpiece of British engineering. One that deserves to be kept open.

Both for our sake, and for generations to come. n

EDUCATION NEWS

ALL ABOARD!

Children at Wharfedale Montessori School at Bolton Abbey were thrilled with the arrival of a four-carriage wooden train, kindly donated to the school by Billy Bob’s Ice-cream Parlour. WMS is the only Montessori primary school in the North of England and is a successful feeder to both selective and non selective schools in the state and private sectors. At the school, children follow Maria Montessori’s philosophy of self directed learning supported by highly skilled Montessori educators, in a carefully prepared classroom environment that is beautiful, calm, and inviting. Wharfedale Montessori School caters for children aged between three and 11.

NEW SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Woodhouse Grove School has announced the completion of its new Sixth Form Centre. The dynamic learning environment boasts features including high-tech seminar rooms and study booths. The new centre has already hosted networking events, student workshops and a post 18 careers evening. A spokesperson for the Apperley Bridge school said: “With its sleek and professional design, the new building offers a corporate atmosphere that mirrors real-world settings, facilitating our innovative Pathways Programme and ensuring that students are well-prepared for life beyond their academic years at The Grove.”

AYSGARTH BIG WALK

Every five years, the Aysgarth School community embarks on the Big Walk, a 16-mile journey from Aysgarth Falls to Aysgarth School. On 12th May, 2024, the community rallied behind two remarkable charities, Changing Faces and The Yorkshire Vikings Visually Impaired Cricket Club, both of which are deeply connected to two of the school’s present pupils. A spokesperson said the event had raised more than £20,000, “reminding us of the power of community”. Aysgarth School is a leading independent prep school in Yorkshire for boys aged three to 13 and girls aged three to eight.

SCHOOL’S BOARDING AWARD

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in York has been awarded the Boarding Schools’ Association Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award 2024. The award recognises the quality of the school’s recent large-scale renovation project of Abbey Chambers, its boarding house for Years three to five. QE has also been shortlisted and Highly Commended in the BSA Belonging and Inclusion Initiative Award. Principal, Dan Machin, said the whole community was thrilled to have won the refurbishment award and to have been shortlisted for the inclusivity award. “It is great to see the hard work of our estates, boarding, pastoral and academic teams recognised in this way,” he added.

CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

The results are in for the 31 pupils from Stonyhurst Sixth Form who participated in the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad earlier this year. Following a written test designed to test chemical knowledge with real-world problems, including the composition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and fuel producing bacteria, 12 pupils earned bronze and two secured silver medals, placing them in the top 25 per cent of entries nationwide. Chemistry teacher Sam Bewick said he was “incredibly proud” of all pupils who took part. “We’ve been entering the Chemistry Olympiad since 2013, and this year represents some of our best ever results.”

ASHVILLE’S HISTORIC INVESTMENT

Ashville College, Harrogate’s leading co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, has announced the biggest investment in its academic and sporting facilities in its history. The first phase of its three-year development plan will be complete in September and will include the creation of new study and social bases for Year 10 and 11. Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, Head of Ashville College, said: “The bases will afford a much more ‘grown up’ experience of school in these important GCSE years.” The school, which was founded in 1877, has a 70-acre campus.

MEET THE HEAD

Dan Machin was inspired to become a teacher by a student housemate – and he has never looked back. Now Principal of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate he talks to Annette McIntyre

Where did you go to university?

I studied BA Management at Hull University followed by my PGCE Economics and Business at Warwick University and then took my Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Innovation, Development and Change at York St John University.

What inspired you to go into teaching?

I originally studied towards a management degree at university but in my first and second year I lived with a student teacher and the stories she came home from school with inspired me to do the same myself. We used to have a house rule when she came home that we could only speak to her once she was ready to speak to us, such are the demands of doing your teacher training, so she could never understand why I decided this was

something that I wanted to do myself!

Even at that early stage though, you could see what she was gaining personally from working with young people and despite the challenges, how much fun it was.

In terms of becoming a principal, going right back to my degree days I have always enjoyed leadership and management and this role allows me to play my part in supporting so many staff and students to achieve what they want to achieve – it is a fantastic job and I’d encourage more staff in schools to do the same.

How has your career progressed over the years?

I joined QE as a Teacher of Business Studies and ICT in September 2005 and in the years since then, I have been the Head of Sixth Form, Head of College, and Vice Principal, before taking on the role of Principal in March 2021.

What are the rewards of the role?

I enjoy working with people and seeing them develop, whether with their education or careers, and this has to be the most satisfying part of the role. QE has such an aspirational group of students and staff, with such a diverse

range of interests and skills, that every day brings new experiences and a lot of fun.

What attracted you to Queen Ethelburga’s and what makes the school stand out?

Queen Ethelburga’s is a truly cosmopolitan day and boarding school, with an ethos for every member of the community to realise and reach their individual potential – both in terms of academic success and personal wellbeing.

The students and staff take pride in the diversity of our community and the varied aspirations of our students.

What are the most important lessons for life that children learn at your school?

We promote a culture of self-awareness with our students, encouraging and developing their individual potential and personal qualities, such as those of leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility.

Our students have a good understanding of the world around them and a strong moral compass in terms of social awareness. They leave us as resilient, independent, confident and self-aware young adults. n

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Thorpe Underwood Estate York YO26 9SS 01423 333333 qe.org

NAVIGATING THE SCHOOL MAZE

How should parents pick a senior school? Aysgarth School Headmaster Jonathon Anderson gives advice on the thorny question

It’s October and you have just dropped off your happy child at the prep school they began in September. They skipped in merrily and you saunter back to your car. On the way, another parent stops for a chat and amongst all the things you touch upon the question that continues to bother you is this: “It’s so lovely to see how they settled in, have you decided where they are going for senior school?”

Having done so much research to find them the right prep school, it seems there is no respite before that process begins again. How should parents pick a senior school and when should that process begin?

First and foremost, you must speak to your prep school. Whichever senior figure you

speak to, pick their brains during an initial chat in Year 5 or after your child has done a couple of terms. Prep schools have excellent contacts and can present an up-to-date picture

PREP SCHOOLS HAVE EXCELLENT CONTACTS AND CAN PRESENT AN UP-TO-DATE PICTURE OF A SCHOOL’S DIRECTION

of a school’s direction, its leadership and the fortunes of recent leavers who went that way. Also, whilst this might seem early, bear in mind that some schools start their admissions process very early and waiting until Year 7

might mean some destinations are off the table. Have family discussions about a few basic foundation stones: day or boarding, what size of school you think might suit your child and how far away you see your child travelling. Check websites and social media feeds. Look out for a school’s range of feeds, as an area that is of particular interest or importance to you might have its own site. Read the last ISI inspection report and look at reviews in

other publications. Sound out other parents as some may already have children at one of your long-list schools. However, take it all with a pinch of salt, it is your decision!

Next, come visits. You may not meet the heads of all senior schools as you did for prep but you should ask about them and their priorities. This is your golden opportunity to speak to existing pupils and staff. Ask about how things are organised pastorally and how staff anticipate hurdles. Ask how pupils communicate with their teachers and try to listen to conversations around school – what is the rapport like? If you are sending your child as a day pupil to a school with boarding, ask about integration and involvement.

Have another conversation with your prep school and, armed with a couple of favourites, get back in touch with the admissions department. Take your child for their own tour of the school and find out what you need to do next whether it is gearing up for an interview, completing an assessment or getting a reference sent from the prep school. n

Aysgarth School Newton-le-Willows, Bedale DL8 1TF 01677 450240 aysgarthschool.com

AVictorian mill in a Yorkshire village is really the perfect setting for the bespoke kitchen and furniture company Eastburn.

Not only is there plenty of space for its workshops, offices and showroom across three sprawling floors – but the building itself could symbolise the business’s focus on traditional down to earth products, in some ways harking back to an age before our throwaway society became the norm.

Eastburn’s bespoke kitchens, furniture and interiors are made to last – lovingly created by hand by the company’s team of talented craftsmen and designers; combining contemporary style with old-fashioned workmanship.

The company, which takes its name from the village and mill where it is based, began life more than 30 years ago.

EASTBURN’S BESPOKE KITCHENS, FURNITURE AND INTERIORS ARE MADE TO LAST – LOVINGLY CREATED BY HAND

It was launched by Simon Byrne and his wife Sarah and was originally called Eastburn Pine, before becoming Eastburn Country Furniture and then simply Eastburn.

After decades of success the business was sold just over a year ago through a management buy-out to employee Andrew Starkey. He is now managing director, while his colleagues Matt Harris and Sam Waddington are technical director, and creative director respectively, both owning shares in the business. Simon also continues to work part-time.

The three directors are now building on the company’s strong reputation for quality and on the public’s growing taste for traditional handmade products.

Although the directors are relatively new to their roles they were already well established within the company when they took over the reins.

“Basically we all worked at Eastburn for the last 10 years or so,” Sam says. “Simon and Sarah set up the business buying and selling pine furniture and then slowly the three of us came on board and it has grown into fully bespoke joinery projects, kitchens and furniture. It has evolved quite nicely.”

Bespoke kitchens, furniture and interiors company Eastburn is set to take on more staff just over a year after a management buyout. Annette McIntyre talks to creative director Sam Waddington

Its growing success means more jobs are set to be created over the next year to add to its 37-strong workforce.

“The company has been around for more

than 30 years and it has a great reputation but there’s huge potential to do more,” Sam said. “Now we are a younger team and we employ a lot of apprentices. Our average age is around 30 so there’s lots of momentum to do a lot more work.

“It’s not unreasonable to say that very soon, within a year, we could have 10 more people. We’re not talking mega numbers just yet, but it’s growing steadily.”

Other than that Sam says the company’s plan for the future is “simply to do more of what we do best, producing more bespoke cabinetry, but importantly maintaining the quality that we do now – which is not an easy thing.

“It sounds daft, but manufacturing is hard work, especially when pretty much everything we do is made by hand. So it’s just about keeping and building on the quality we have now whilst growing the brand and reaching more people.”

EVERYTHING IS MADE FROM REAL WOOD. IT’S ALL SUSTAINABLE AND WE BUY IT ALL FROM GOOD SOURCES

He believes the public are increasingly turning to old-fashioned, long lasting quality:

“I feel people like context, they like to know where it’s made and who by. We can take them down to the workshop, we send them photographs as their furniture is getting made. Customers love it, and it’s made just for them.

“I think people love provenance. We all want to know where stuff comes from. It’s the same with clothes. There’s a huge trend to buy less but buy better.”

Sustainability is at the heart of what Eastburn does – with products made to last a lifetime and the company prides itself on its low carbon footprint.

“This is the beauty of Eastburn, this is the bit I love the most,” Sam says. “Pretty much everybody in the business lives within about four miles of our workshop. It’s unbelievable.”

In fact the majority live within two miles or less: “So the lads in the workshop walk to work or come on their bikes.”

“Everything is made from real wood. It’s all sustainable and we buy it all from good sources. Everything is made by hand and it’s all made in Eastburn, and by local people. It goes into people’s houses that are 20 miles away tops. It’s a very low carbon footprint.

“And it’s also a product that stays in someone’s home for 20 years. They’re not throwing it away.”

In keeping with its Yorkshire heritage the company focuses on producing solid wood, well-made, affordable furniture.

“We’re down to earth, we produce beautiful cabinetry, it’s normal, it’s nothing flash, and it’s an affordable price for a fully bespoke kitchen,” Sam says.

It’s proving to be a winning formula – the company now has a £2.8 million turnover and is aiming for £3 million. n

SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

For over 14 years Raymond James, Ribble Valley has been helping clients to achieve their financial goals. Here they explain how they can help you

Are you on track to secure the financial future you dream of for you and your family? Are your pensions and investments performing as you want them to?

Do you have the exit from your business that maximises your interests?

Will you be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour in the years ahead?

These are all questions we help our clients answer every day at Raymond James, Ribble Valley. We provide bespoke financial planning and investment management for our clients, helping them achieve their financial goals, whatever they may be.

Raymond James Financial Inc. was established in 1962 and has just reported its 145th consecutive quarter of profitability,

with $1.45 trillion of assets under management (as at 31st March 2024).

WE DON’T SUBCONTRACT TO OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS OR COMPANIES. WE HAVE THE CAPABILITIES, RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO DO EVERYTHING IN BRANCH

Raymond James, Ribble Valley exists to create and manage bespoke investment portfolios tailored to the client’s needs, taking into account their appetite for risk and individual circumstances relating to work, tax position, family, health and beyond. It

offers the financial strength, infrastructure, systems, research and resources of a large multinational financial services company but with the personable, quality service of a local branch.

Branch Principal, Wayne Hayhurst explains: “We don’t subcontract to other service providers or companies. We have the capabilities, resources and expertise to do everything in branch. Our team of 22 highly qualified and motivated professionals helps hundreds of business owners and individuals reach their financial goals, always having regard for our clients’ ever-changing lifestyle and circumstances. I was delighted that the Ribble Valley branch was recently recognised as being one of the Raymond James Global Top 50 advisors, an accolade never before achieved by a UK branch. Every two to three years Raymond James’ nearly 9,000 wealth managers in the UK, Canada and the US are assessed against a range of criteria including our compliance standards, customer satisfaction, growth trajectory and

revenues. To be included in the Raymond James Global Top 50 Advisors is fabulous.”

Your Raymond James, Ribble Valley story starts with a free initial consultation, designed to understand your current financial position, likely career trajectory, retirement plans and financial goals in retirement. Our team will examine aspects including business owner exit, consolidation of two or more company pension schemes, inheritance tax efficiency, capital growth above inflation, appetite for risk and ethical investment preferences. A robust and disciplined investment plan will then be presented to

clients alongside a full costing document. The investment process is guided by actively allocating assets to ensure your portfolio is best positioned to optimise the opportunities afforded by the various stages of the economic cycle. Assets are diversified across classes,

SIMPLY PUT, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, THEN WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU

geographies, sectors and fund managers to manage risk and deliver sustainable returns. We are not restricted to in-house funds, Raymond James’ stockbroking capabilities provide us with access to individual securities and bonds directly.

“Once the plan is agreed between us, we keep you at the forefront of our thinking. We are not simply algorithms managing your money. We are real people who you can meet to ensure that your plan is on track to meet your objectives. Simply put, if you are serious about your financial future, then we are serious about working with you.”

To arrange an initial consultation, in your home or in our offices, please call 01772 780300 or email info@rjiswealthmanagement.co.uk.

We look forward to meeting you! n

Risk Warning: With investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. This article is intended for informational purposes only and no action should be taken or refrained from being taken as a consequence without consulting a suitably qualified and regulated person.

Raymond James, Ribble Valley 8 Berry Lane

Longridge, Preston PR3 3JA 01772 780300

info@rjswealthmanagement.co.uk

ribblevalley.raymondjames.uk.com

SHEER LUXURY

Paul Agnew takes a spin in a ‘beast of the highway’ – the new striking BMW X7, offering an impressive combination of power, style and comfort. Photography: Gemma Suckley

So, they reckon size isn’t everything. Try telling that to the BMW X7. For this true heavyweight champion of a vehicle affords enormous punch, presence and power.

An impossible-to-ignore, true beast of the highway.

But a heavyweight that also offers huge chunks of style and sophistication and that makes for a very heady combo.

A car that demands attention – drive it, own it and gain respect.

Tempting to call it a VIP – a Very Imposing Peoplecarrier – but that would fail to do it justice; for this is far more than a vehicle capable of carrying an above average number of people.

I was invited to take the X7 M601 Xdrive for a spin and, oh my, what an experience! Let’s get the technical bit out of the way… a TwinPower Turbo V-8-cylinder petrol engine with 530hp, 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, 2-axle air suspension, torque of 750Nm, a top speed of 155mph and a capability to zoom from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds. And, even allowing for all that, you can still squeeze out more than 23mpg.

LOOKS-WISE, IT IS STRIKING AND ELEGANT WITH IMPRESSIVE LINES LEADING TO ITS FORMIDABLE FRONT GRILL!

Statistics to force any would-be rival to concede defeat, curl up and crawl into the corner.

Looks-wise it is striking. Big, black and beautiful with deep bumpers, formidable front grill and 23-inch alloys.

Inside is sumptuous – think five-star hotel, first class lounge – with a whole host of features and services to tap into and enjoy.

There is a real mix of luxury and dynamism, with aluminium and leather adorning most of the surfaces and the benefit of ambient lighting throughout.

I doubt whether you could find comfier seating anywhere – the headrests are pillowlike – making for easy travelling irrespective of distance.

Light pours through the panoramic sunroof and you’ll find lots of storage with big door pockets and a large bin under the armrest.

As a seven-seater, it comes in three rows with an adjustable middle section and plenty of space even in the rearmost seats.

At full passenger capacity there are 326 litres of luggage room, but that figure rises to 750 litres when the rear seats are folded; the middle row seats can be put down too.

The drive is as impressive as the appearance, whether on a twisty country road or a motorway. Much of that is down to the superb suspension which offers great balance as you glide across the many bumps and potholes we all confront these days. Adaptive cruise control and keep-lane assist make long distance trips particularly smooth.

Although more than five metres long and

very muscular, it manages to move with not only great power but surprising grace too.

Big cars can be sluggish or slow off the mark, but not the X7. I’d go so far as to call it agile, handling is excellent and driving fun.

Included in a catalogue of features, in and out, there are also roof rails, sun protection glazing, aerodynamics package, crystal

ALTHOUGH MORE THAN FIVE METRES LONG AND VERY MUSCULAR, IT MANAGES TO MOVE WITH NOT ONLY GREAT POWER BUT SURPRISING GRACE TOO

headlight glow, leather steering wheel, massage function, alarm system, velour floor mats, automatic locking, ambient air package, five-zone air conditioning, electric heated seats, roller sunblind, soft close doors … the list is endless.

Infotainment is provided via a huge panel across the dashboard which incorporates both driver display and touchscreen. The BMW designers have concentrated on providing everything you could possibly need with the minimum of fuss. Not any easy trick to pull off, given the never-ending list of graphics and gadgets available, but a very welcome move for those of us who can sometimes find car tech a touch complex.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both simple to connect and also capable of showing the map application in the instrument screen –a very useful feature.

There isn’t sufficient space here to explain everything about the infotainment on offer; trust me, everything is there!

The X7 is a more than perfect alternative to the Range Rover and an undisputed champion of the motoring world. In short, it’s a knockout. n

Lloyd Colne BMW Crown Way, Colne BB8 9NP 01282 720720

lloydcolnebmw.co.uk

@lloydcolnebmw

FROM NORTH BEACH FINE CUISINE

Young Australian chef Brayden Davies is enjoying a prestigious job at The Box Tree, Mark Dixon meets him

Within five minutes of meeting Brayden you know you’re in the company of someone going somewhere. In fact he’s already accomplished career goals that most people twice his age could only dream of.

At the age of only 26 few can boast a CV which includes numerous Michelin awarded restaurants including Northcote and Grantley Hall. And now he’s just months into a dream job as Executive Chef at one of Yorkshire’s most famous restaurants, The Box Tree at Ilkley.

That’s where I meet Brayden and the history hangs around us like a warm blanket. Originally a Yorkshire stone farmhouse dating from 1720, The Box Tree is one of the oldest buildings in Ilkley.

Turned into a tearoom in 1962 before becoming a restaurant it was one of the first four British restaurants to win two stars in 1977, under head chef Michael Lawson. After losing both stars, it regained a star between 1996 and 2001, whilst owned by Madame Helen Avis, and then between 2005 and 2019 under the Gueller’s ownership.

I CAN’T WAIT TO SAMPLE HIS ‘DISH INSPIRED BY SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE –SCOTTISH LANGOUSTINE, AUSSIE FINGERLIME, KENT MANGO & AVOCADO’

Both the local, and Michelin history, do not seem to be about to suffocate Brayden in any way. Indeed, he’s remarkably relaxed about the responsibility of rejuvenating the restaurant to its former greatness. He even says some of his inspiration “comes from The Box Tree itself, this building, these surroundings”.

Brayden grew up in a suburb of Perth, Western Australia and left school at 15 to begin his culinary apprenticeship at Clarke’s of North Beach.

He came to London aged 19 and went to work for New South Wales chef Brett Graham –the only Aussie to have been awarded three Michelin stars, at his Ledbury in Notting Hill.

Partly due to financial necessity and also to his parents’ Lancashire heritage Brayden headed north and with his headstrong determination found a job at Northcote near Clitheroe.

“It wasn’t easy at first. I missed my parents and friends, and I didn’t immediately get the different kitchen banter. But I was determined to stick at it, and I learnt a lot.”

He also met his partner, and now mother of their five-month-old boy Albie.

He went on to Grantley Hall to work with one of Yorkshire’s few Michelin chefs, Shaun Rankin. Brayden undoubtedly counts Shaun as his greatest mentor, and there is real affection when he mentions their regular phone calls.

After three years under Shaun’s tutelage, Brayden was ready to jump at a chance for his biggest challenge to date, leading the team at the Box Tree under the new ownership of Adam Frontal. Cooking in a completely refurbished kitchen, Brayden has already wowed diners with his creative takes. I can’t wait to sample his “dish inspired by shrimp on the barbie – Scottish langoustine, Aussie fingerlime, Kent mango & avocado”. Though Brayden will always try to use seasonal Yorkshire favourites such as asparagus and rhubarb, he wants to bring the best of British to the table together with echoes of his Australasian roots.

The desserts are almost magical; “Trifle” (Gariguette Strawberry, Cardamom, Tasmanian Mountain Pepper) and ‘Tea & Toast’ (Mille-Feuille, Earl Grey Tea, Orange Marmalade, Sourdough Ice Cream). But when I say they do sound and look like Michelin starred dishes, Brayden plays it cool and invites me back to taste them. “I’m not thinking about that. If I do my job and we give customers a great experience, then

THE WALK ON MALHAM COVE IS A FAVOURITE TO CLEAR HIS HEAD AND IMAGINE NEW DISHES, AND THE WOODS IN SKIPTON GIVE HIM THE CHANCE TO FORAGE FOR WILD GARLIC, WOODRUFF AND MEADOWSWEET

we would obviously like that to come. But I can’t be in the kitchen every night trying to force that to happen.”

As well as attracting newcomers to his way of cooking, he stresses how important those regulars are to him and the team. Hence the traditional Sunday lunch – 50 Day Aged Wing Rib (from Kirkby Malzeard) – is not going anywhere.

Now living in Skipton, Brayden revels in the Dales on his doorstep. The walk on Malham Cove is a favourite to clear his head and imagine new dishes, and the woods in Skipton give him the chance to forage for wild garlic, woodruff and meadowsweet. He wants the menu to change every eight weeks or so with the self-made challenge “that every dish is at least as good if not better than the one it replaces”. He knows he can’t meet this challenge alone and is quick to name check the team, newbies like Cameron and Nick and stalwarts like Chris and Didier.

A chef going places and taking his team with him. I’d guess to the (Michelin) stars and back. n

The Box Tree

35-37 Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DR 01943 608484

info@theboxtree.co.uk theboxtree.co.uk

A CELEBRATION OF NATURE AND CUISINE

Nature-led farming and culinary excellence is at the heart of new restaurant Eight at Gazegill, writes Gail Bailey

It is very much a field-to-fork philosophy at Gazegill Farm where nature is central to everything the shop and now the restaurant, create: “Our organic pastures are a biological heritage site,” explains Ian O’Reilly, who owns Gazegill Organics along with his wife Emma, whose family have farmed at Gazegill for generations. “We have over 80 species of grasses, plants, herbs and wildflowers growing on the land for our animals to freely feed on and this is reflected in the produce we sell to our customers through the farm shop and now served to our diners.”

The brand-new addition of an outside terrace space at the restaurant is a celebration of all that Gazegill offers, with the most wonderful view over the landscape and its rich tapestry: “The terrace is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the whole experience. It’s a large space where guests can listen to the birdsong along with the cattle, the sheep and all the wildlife,” says Ian. “And with a simplified menu, including a selection of light bites and charcuterie sharing boards, it doesn’t get much better. There is no pressure while dining at Gazegill, and our terrace space is the perfect spot.” There is even a fully

enclosed play area so parents can relax while their children play happily in a safe space, surrounded by nature.

It isn’t only a chilled glass of wine customers can enjoy on the terrace – already a firm favourite is Emma’s soft-serve ice-cream: “Homemade on the farm using our own organic raw milk, produced by our Old English Dairy

Shorthorns heritage herd, it tastes delicious and is perfect to eat in the sunshine and like everything we serve, will be seasonal –rhubarb being a recent popular pairing!”

Doug Crampton is the experienced Chef Patron at Gazegill. Doug worked alongside James Martin in his Manchester restaurant for many years: “We are privileged to have Doug as Head Chef and even more happy that he has now been joined by his former sous chef Luke Canning. Doug and Luke are building the perfect team!”

The whole concept of a team approach matters to Ian and Emma: “The team are working hard to make Eight at Gazegill the very best it can be, going above and beyond and our philosophy is to be equally invested in them,” Ian says. A small, professional team with the perfect dynamic is evident the minute you walk through the door. Experienced Restaurant Manager, Kim Talbot, and talented barista and Beverage Manager Ben Clayton are on hand to welcome

Photography: Suzanne Skeen

guests and along with the rest of the team, create the perfect atmosphere.

The open kitchen means customers can see the skill that goes into every dish: “With all the wonderful ingredients, mostly grown or foraged on the farm, Doug uses his craft to serve wonderful culinary creations,” explains Ian. “Dishes such as Gazegill organic beef cooked simply over fire, forager chipolotas served with Gazegill honey and hogweed or BBQ carrot served with black garlic ketchup and home cured pancetta are just a few of the dishes our guests can enjoy.”

The name Eight evolved as the restaurant project did as Ian further explains: “The shape of our oak octagon became key to every aspect of the build. We had to maintain maximum aspect views alongside a space that affords a window of our greatest asset, our land and nature. As we celebrate our soil we were

reminded of the eight festivals of the Pagan calendar and the name Eight just felt right, it grew on us and Eight was born!”

THE TERRACE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE. IT’S A LARGE SPACE WHERE GUESTS CAN LISTEN TO THE BIRDSONG ALONG WITH THE CATTLE, THE SHEEP AND ALL THE WILDLIFE

With Doug’s knowledge and passion for local, seasonal and organic food, combined with the commitment to sustainable and nature-led farming at Gazegill the collaboration is the perfect pairing: “We are really excited to share Eight at Gazegill

with customers,” says Ian. “The dishes Doug, Luke and the kitchen team create are a celebration of our own organic meat and local artisan producers and champion sustainability, quality and an accessible, welcoming restaurant for all,” Ian adds.

Customer feedback is always the best recommendation with one recent diner saying: “We are just blown away – this place is amazing! The staff are extremely welcoming and very helpful answering any questions you may have regarding the food and its origins and the dishes are to die for. Presentation, quality, taste and size of portions were for us, just perfect. If you haven’t tried this hidden gem it is perfection on the eye and on the palate!” n

Lower Gazegill Farm

Dancer Lane, Rimington Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 4EE 01200 445519

bookings@eightatgazegill.co.uk eightatgazegill.co.uk

A YORKSHIRE GIN PARADISE

Lucy Bale visits the Wright Wine Company to try out some of Yorkshire’s evocative gins

Nestled in Skipton on Raikes Road, The Wright Wine Company is a treasure trove of alcoholic delights. Home to an impressive collection of specialist wines, whisky, gin and everything in between, there are treats for all tastes. I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon sipping some of their favourite Yorkshire gins, learning about the people behind the spirits and the history of one of the nation’s most loved tipples.

The story behind today’s classic G&T is a fascinating one. I wonder if ancient physicians pictured the stratospheric (but bumpy) rise

in the popularity of gin over the centuries when they discovered its medicinal properties. Either way, distilleries up and down the country certainly won’t have complained about this over the past few years.

I was met by a line up of five gins, all distilled locally in Yorkshire – it really is God’s own country isn’t it! With around 160 gins

I THEN TRIED SING GIN, INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE DALES WITH AN ODE TO THE ICONIC FOUNTAINS ABBEY IN ITS DESIGN

and 50 or so from Yorkshire, the gin world really was my oyster! First up was Cotton Gin, embracing its Yorkshire Dales surroundings, distilled with local botanicals such as spruce and watercress. I then tried Sing Gin, inspired by the beauty of the Dales with an ode to the iconic Fountains Abbey in its design. Next, I sipped Whittaker’s Gin, distilled at the family farm in North Yorkshire. The family use botanicals inspired by the hedgerows of Yorkshire and even have handmade stills from – you guessed it – Yorkshire! I then moved on what I discovered to be a new favourite,

Sheep Town Gin, exclusively distilled with local botanicals for The Wright Wine Company. Finally, I tried Masons Pear & Pink Peppercorn Gin – a delicately fruity and spicy twist on the classic from Yorkshire’s first gin. I left with the conclusion that we really have produced some of the country’s best gins in this county. I promise I only had a sip of each!

While I’d love to reminisce about the delicious gins of the Dales further, it would be remiss of me not to mention the other delights The Wright Wine Company has to offer. Perhaps their biggest asset is their team with encyclopaedic knowledge on everything the store has to offer. If you’re in the area for the last Saturday of every other month, try their wine tasting events between 12pm and 3pm. Their 12 bottle mixed wine cases at £85 are perfect for stocking up or gifting (to yourself or a loved one – I won’t judge either way).

Whether you’re in the market for trying some of the finest gins Yorkshire has to offer, tempted by their vast range of whisky or just after a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for Friday night, The Wright Wine Company really is a one stop shop! n

wineandwhisky.co.uk

Gourmet Breaks

Escape to Northcote for the ultimate foodie retreat in The Ribble Valley

Craving a Culinary Escape?

Immerse yourself in culinary artistry, Michelin-starred chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen crafts innovative seasonal menus, while our award-winning wine list offers the perfect pairing for every dish. Step inside Northcote and discover a timeless blend of tradition and modernity. Relax in our luxurious garden lodge suites or the elegant manor house rooms. Summer is the perfect time to soak up the sunshine on our inviting terraces, enjoy a walk through the Forest of Bowland or along the river banks in the Ribble valley.

Northcote - where gourmet experiences and luxury escapes collide.

Northcote Road, Langho, BB6 8BE Northcote.com

cocktail, this with locally sourced crayfish, which looked amazing on the plate, and was zingy in the mouth and generous in portion. The soup was warming and spicy, effusing just the right amount of onion flavour, with fresh gluten free bread being particularly well received.

My steak and ale pie was filled with succulent meat in a tasty ale suffused

INN’S KNOCKOUT FARE

Mouthwatering goodies are served up in a former gamekeeper’s cottage turned pub and hotel. Mark and Jo Dixon sampled lunch at The Gamekeeper’s Inn

Drive down the tree-lined avenue into one of Wharfedale’s many Arcadia – otherwise known as Long Ashes Park – a skip and a hop from Grassington on the road towards Kettlewell. Pass the rustic lodges and you’ll find the aptly named Gamekeeper’s Inn, you guessed it, formerly a gamekeeper’s cottage.

Now transformed into a modern and comfortable venue it offers guests cosy corners, the best local ales and hearty homemade food, with produce locally sourced and prepared fresh in the kitchen by the talented team of chefs. This team is led by Chris Griffiths, only in situ for a few months and already making positive waves. Chris is a local lad hailing from Hetton. His culinary journey started as a 14-year-old in The Angel, working for Pascal and Bruce there before spreading his wings. He seems genuinely thrilled at finding an establishment in the Dales that matches his enthusiasm and dedication to the task in hand.

As well as the lunchtime menu, which we so enjoyed, there are numerous other options ranging from traditional Sunday lunch to different themed evenings including Tapas, Steaks, Curry and Chinese. Perhaps the piece de resistance is a grand

alternative afternoon tea (order 24 hours ahead) which contains such mouthwatering goodies as mini chicken pie with garlic mayo and pork, chorizo and apple sausage roll followed by macerated strawberry and

A FRIENDLY WELCOME IN THE PRETTY CONSERVATORY WAS FOLLOWED BY RELIABLY SPEEDY SERVICE. OUR STARTERS WERE KNOCKOUT

Chantilly mille-feuille and sticky toffee bite with toffee sauce and honeycomb.

But back to our lunch. A friendly welcome in the pretty conservatory was followed by reliably speedy service. Our starters were knockout. A twist on a classic prawn

sauce, and the mushy peas and gravy were the comfort I was looking for. Her vegan asparagus, green bean and pea risotto was interesting and filling, requiring a doggybag to take home for supper. We had no room for the yummy sounding desserts or even coffees. The Gamekeeper’s had certainly kept its promises.

If you’re planning on coming from further afield, The Gamekeeper’s is home to 11 en suite bedrooms, and the Netherside Suite, an ideal wedding and event venue. Within Long Ashes Park, you’ll also find four self-catering lodges, five glamping pods and a countryside barn available to book for holidays. All guests can enjoy complimentary use of the Leisure Club facilities including swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym and jacuzzi. n

Gamekeeper’s Inn

Our spring summer menu has sprung!

The Gamekeeper’s Inn invites you to sample our new spring - summer menu; featuring an innovative selection of dishes, expertly crafted by our new Head Chef. From steak and pies to sharing platters and tarte tatin, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out our specialty dining nights!

Join us this Father Day... Father's Day is just around the corner, and we've got the perfect way to celebrate with your amazing dad! Join us at The Gamekeeper's Inn for a hearty homemade Sunday lunch. Our famous carvery is a feast fit for a king. Book now to avoid disappointment:

MASTERING THE ART OF COFFEE

From planting a coffee tree to barista training, Blue Cherry Coffee’s journey to perfection ends in your cup.

Photography: Kirsten Platt

Whether it’s an essential pick-me-up or an affordable indulgence, a great cup of coffee has the power to transform your day. Meet Chris Tattersall, the visionary behind Blue Cherry Coffee, who is dedicated to making the quest for the perfect cup more accessible throughout the region.

Blue Cherry Coffee specialises in providing everything necessary for a diverse range of businesses to establish and offer coffee services. This includes coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels, farm shops, universities, leisure centres and offices.

Chris, the founder, transitioned from working as a barista during his university days to entering the world of wholesale and supply. He honed his expertise in roasting, blending and tasting high-quality specialty graded coffees. With three decades of experience, he understands the profound impact a great cup of coffee can have on your day.

Teaming up with his longtime friend

and business partner, Joseph Lanzante, Chris leveraged their skills, experience and connections to create a comprehensive trade supplier. Interestingly, their journey began over a cup of coffee!

“We cover everything related to coffee, from the machine to the bean,” explains Chris. “Once we understand the specifics of the operation’s type and size, we handle the entire setup process. Our machines come with a fully installed three-year parts and labour warranty. We don’t just supply coffee,

we also offer ancillary products such as cups, sugar and a variety of teas.”

From planting a coffee tree to the first crop, all the way to your cup, the journey takes six years. However, a barista can either perfect or ruin that process in just six seconds! Chris emphasises continuous support for customers through barista training to ensure the perfection of their coffee in every cup.

WE COVER EVERYTHING RELATED TO COFFEE, FROM THE MACHINE TO THE BEAN

When it comes to coffee, Blue Cherry Coffee specialises in 100 per cent Arabica specialty grade coffee sourced from four renowned coffee-growing regions worldwide. Chris insists on supplying it in compostable packaging, promoting minimal waste for maximum taste. For a complimentary tasting demonstration, contact Chris to arrange a session. You can even challenge him to a blind tasting with your current coffee.

Now featured in restaurants and coffee shops, simply keep an eye out for the distinctive Blue Cherry sign. Here’s to raising a cup to that! n

Blue Cherry Coffee 07803 816138

chris@bluecherrycoffee.co.uk

bluecherrycoffee.co.uk

@bluecherrycoffee

BUON APPETITO!

Enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean with this perfect summer salad recipe, presented by Maurizio Bocchi, chef patron of La Locanda

KING PRAWN SALAD WITH ORANGE AND FENNEL

Ingredients

2 oranges

10g sugar

5 king prawns, peeled with black filament removed and cut in half lengthways

Fennel bulbs finely cut

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

20ml extra virgin olive oil

Method

In a pan place 5ml of the olive oil, when warm gently place the king prawns and cook until they colour. Add the juice of one of the oranges and the sugar, then gently leave to cook until the orange juice is fully absorbed. Peel and cut the other orange into segments, place into a bowl, add the finely cut fennel, season with salt and pepper and add the remaining olive oil. Toss the salad and then add the king prawns, combining the ingredients. Buon appetito! n

and the Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire and the enchanting Yorkshire Dales is steeped in history, character, and natural beauty... with its charming villages, bustling market towns, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the openness of the Yorkshire Dales, where rolling hills create a picturesque backdrop for outdoor adventures. Hike along scenic trails that criss-cross the countryside, taking in panoramic views of lush valleys and meandering rivers. Or for a more sophisticated break, immerse yourself in the towns and cities with rich cultural heritage, from the historic city of York with its ancient walls and majestic cathedral to the quaint towns of Harrogate and Skipton.

The Beverley Arms, Beverley beverleyarms.co.uk

The Lister Arms, Malham listerarms.co.uk

The Red Lion, Burnsall redlion.co.uk

The Judge’s Lodging, York judgeslodgingyork.co.uk

danielthwaites.co.uk

Middletons Hotel middletonsyork.co.uk

The Golden Lion, Settle goldenlionsettle.co.uk

The Lister Arms, Malham

The Golden Lion, Settle

The Red Lion, Burnsall

The Beverley Arms, Beverley Middletons, York

The Judge’s Lodging, York

SUMMER IN THE GARDEN ROOM

With a laid back country vibe, the Rum Fox is a smart, versatile space where guests can enjoy fabulous food in fantastic surroundings

The Rum Fox at Grindleton is constantly evolving both in terms of the menu and in the way the space can be used – whether that’s for luxury private dining or enjoying the views of Pendle Hill from the garden room that becomes a lovely al fresco dining space thanks to a retractable roof.

With comfortable armchairs, open stonework and large dining tables, the space is just perfect for summer dining in the sunshine. Light and airy, this addition to the Rum Fox when it was in the initial design stages, was a triumph and today it continues to be a favourite spot for many diners – especially with the arrival of warmer weather.

“It’s great that diners can enjoy the sunshine even when they are inside at the Rum Fox. It’s a lovely relaxing place to be and the views

over Pendle are spectacular!” says chef-patron Bob Geldeard, who has been wowing guests with his stunning, creative dishes since the Rum Fox opened last year.

The classic bar area in the pub with it’s flagged floors and log fire, is a space where walkers and their dogs can gather to enjoy a drink and the popular set menu, which was originally a lunch menu, has now been extended to early evenings on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

With the choice of two or three-courses the great-value menu changes weekly. Diners

can expect a meal that reflects the best of the season – among the starters maybe leek potato and wild garlic soup or Shetland mussels in wine, garlic and cream served with seaweed chips. Among the main courses expect to find a delicious home-made pie like the Rum Fox’s renowned cheese, onion and potato pie served with mustard sauce or cod loin in thai green curry sauce: “The set menu is very popular and it’s perfect for guests who simply want to visit for lunch, unwind after work or relax after a walk in the countryside.”

ENJOY THE SUNSHINE AND THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF PENDLE HILL FROM THE LIGHT AND AIRY GARDEN ROOM THAT BECOMES AL FRESCO WITH A RETRACTABLE ROOF

Having recently won the Best New Tourism Business Award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards, the Rum Fox is a wonderful place to visit for lunch or dinner. It has also become an extremely popular place for private birthday and wedding celebrations – a luxury private dining experience in the small intimate Den can cater for up to 10 people, the garden room can hold 30 people while for larger events the whole pub can cater for up to 70 guests with bespoke menus available. n

The set menu is available Wednesday to Saturday lunchtime and Wednesday and Thursday between 5pm and 6.30pm.

The Rum Fox Sawley Road, Grindleton Clitheroe BB7 4QS 01200 871691 info@therumfox.co.uk therumfox.co.uk

Cream

MOUTHWATERING FONDANT

Award-winning chef Michael Wignall and his wife Johanna have been running the Michelin-starred Angel at Hetton since buying it and opening for business in 2018. Here Michael shares a simple recipe with readers

Michael has a wealth of prestigious experience in the industry, having gained his first Michelin Star at Bolton Abbey’s Devonshire Arms before gaining two further stars at The Latymer restaurant at Pennyhill Park in Surrey and Gidleigh Park in Devon.

CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH RASPBERRIES AND CREAM

Ingredients

195g unsalted butter

195g 63% dark chocolate

206g whole eggs (4 large eggs)

30g yolks

150g icing sugar

23g cocoa powder

51g potato flour

51g plain flour

6g baking powder

150g whipping cream 1/4 vanilla pod, (scraped out seeds) optional 1 punnet of raspberries

Method

1. In a bowl set over hot water, on a low heat, melt the butter and chocolate.

2. Mix in the eggs, then add all the dry ingredients and mix until very smooth and silky.

3. Allow to rest for one hour, remix until smooth and then place in a piping bag.

4. Pipe into ring moulds or ramekins lined with butter and paper.

5. Cook in a preheated oven at 180°c for 7 minutes. Then leave to rest for 1 minute and serve.

6. Whip the cream with vanilla until thick enough to neatly shape with a dessert spoon (Rocher) and finish the dish with raspberries. Cut in half.

7. Place the cream, vanilla and fruit around the fondant. n

The Angel Inn Back Lane, Hetton, Skipton BD23 6LT 01756 730263 reservations@angelhetton.co.uk angelhetton.co.uk

Enjoy Michelin-starred dining by Michael Wignall in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with our special lunchtime offer.

Served with our signature Yorkshire hospitality, we’ve carefully created dishes with the finest, freshest ingredients of the season. We’re offering our four-course ‘A Taste of the Season’ menu, from Monday to Saturday, for just £65 per person.

the pub marks the start of the private dining area. Separated by sliding oak doors, the two areas seat a total of 40 people and are ideal for events such as conferences, parties, or christenings.

Around the pub is an eclectic mix of artwork and memorabilia – some reflecting

SUSTAINABLY DELICIOUS

TV chef Nigel Haworth’s beautifully refurbished countryside pub is a beacon of seasonality, simplicity, and sustainability. Matt Rayson finds out more about the pub and its owner

Former Northcote’s chef Nigel took on The Three Fishes in collaboration with Martin Aspinall and has prospered in his native Lancashire.

After a string of TV appearances Nigel re-acquired the Mitton pub in 2021. He had previously launched it as a gastropub in 2004 and it was later sold and shut down.

As chef patron at The Three Fishes, Nigel’s focus is on zero-waste, farm-to-fork cooking and making use of the pub’s green surroundings to grow a bounty of seasonal produce.

The pub’s outdoor seating has been rejuvenated, with a stunning outside patio featuring an exclusive Chef’s Table that seats 12 diners to be served directly by the chefs, who will have a charcoal grill to cook alfresco.

The updated outdoor terrace will also have up to 50 covers and offer tranquil views of the Ribble Valley. A pagoda will keep guests dry in bad weather.

The pub’s green area will feature planters and an edible garden, and Nigel will create an exclusive ‘outdoor’ menu of light bites and

dishes from the grill.

The Michelin-starred chef’s ‘farm to fork’ ethos is crucial to The Three Fishes.

“We grow as much as we can in our two-acre kitchen garden. Using a ‘no dig’ method with no chemicals whatsoever,” says permaculturalist Nigel.

THE MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF’S ‘FARM TO FORK’ ETHOS IS CRUCIAL TO THE THREE FISHES

The kitchen is self-sufficient in micro salads and herbs, baby vegetables, and edible flowers, and a wide range of vegetables are grown in the garden to enable only the freshest seasonal produce to be served.

At the heart of Nigel’s sustainable plan is a menu that will change with the seasons.

“Most of the ingredients are organic, wild, or grown here. Seasonality, simplicity, and sustainability is at the heart of what we do,” he says.

While renovating the building, Nigel has continued to focus on sustainability. The chef and his wife, Kathrine Haworth, have mixed classic and contemporary furnishings with feature lighting. This excludes the original bar, which is complete with a traditional oak top.

Kathrine, who has taken inspiration from the heritage of the Ribble Valley, has stocked the pub with renovated furniture.

notable moments from Nigel’s career as a chef. A new state-of-the-art kitchen designed by Nigel, has been built.

Dining experiences include the five or eight course Farm to Fork set menu, the Choice menu and classic dishes, all served with exceptional hospitality. This is a country pub, after all.

“We have been working hard since we started this project, and it’s going really well,” says Nigel.

“I’m delighted to be back!” n

A mighty stone archway in the heart of

The Three Fishes Mitton Road, Mitton, Clitheroe BB7 9PQ 01254 826666

reservations@thethreefishes.co.uk thethreefishes.co.uk

thethreefishesmitton

3fishesmitton

#LOVEANDLAUGHTER

MAGICAL MINI BREAKS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

MAGICAL MINI BREAKS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

One of our favourite things that our guests say, is that when they think of Gilpin, they think of love and laughter – ours, and theirs, which is such a lovely compliment. At the heart of Gilpin is a passionate family and team, dedicated to creating lasting memories for our guests, who return time and again for romance, celebrations and escapes. For us, hospitality starts with a very warm welcome and ends with a friendly goodbye, with extraordinary service, exquisite décor, beautiful spa experiences, and stunning culinary experiences in our restaurants – the Michelin Starred SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and the Michelin listed pan Asian Gilpin Spice.

One of our favourite things that our guests say, is that when they think of Gilpin, they think of love and laughter – ours, and theirs, which is such a lovely compliment. At the heart of Gilpin is a passionate family and team, dedicated to creating lasting memories for our guests, who return time and again for romance, celebrations and escapes. For us, hospitality starts with a very warm welcome and ends with a friendly goodbye, with extraordinary service, exquisite décor, beautiful spa experiences, and stunning culinary experiences in our restaurants – the Michelin Starred SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and the Michelin listed pan Asian Gilpin Spice.

CELEBRATE • SPA • DINE • STAY

CELEBRATE • SPA • DINE • STAY

WE HOPE TO WELCOME YOU TO GILPIN SOON

WE HOPE TO WELCOME YOU TO GILPIN SOON

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Crook Road, Near Windermere, The English Lake District hotel@thegilpin.co.uk 015394 88818 www.thegilpin.co.uk

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Crook Road, Near Windermere, The English Lake District hotel@thegilpin.co.uk 015394 88818 www.thegilpin.co.uk

MIDWEEK HEAVEN

With welcoming décor and service, stylishly comfortable bedrooms and seasonal local produce, the Three Millstones is a real treasure. Kate Bowyer discovers a midweek treat well within reach.

Photography: Kirsten Platt

On a Wednesday lunchtime, I’m not the only one discovering the Three Millstones in the picturesque hamlet of West Bradford, just outside Clitheroe. Outside the Grade II listed Ribble Valley inn cyclists poring over the menu in the sunshine exchange recommendations with a family heading to their accommodation.

Inside, it’s a balance of traditional flagged floors, solid wooden tables and comfortable, richly upholstered chairs. Front of house manager Lindsay gives me a warm hello and a seat by the handsome 18th-century fireplace.

Luckily chef-patron Matthew Frost arrives before I decide to order everything on the menu, which is a blend of traditional favourites with tempting fresh touches. “Well, if I order too, you can try a bit of mine,” he offers. My kind of host!

Blacksticks Blue Lancashire cheese, Bury black pudding, Goosnargh chicken breast –the menu bursts with regional provenance: “We’ve been sourcing locally long before it became Instagram-friendly!” smiles Matthew. “So, we’ve built up great relationships with our suppliers. The sausages come from Whalley, bacon from Southport, fish from Wellgates in Clitheroe, as well as fruit, vegetables and game like pheasant and venison from local farms and estates.”

It’s hard to look up from my pulled pork

starter with homemade barbecue sauce and apple and cucumber salad, to steal some of my host’s, equally mouth-watering goat’s cheese with roasted red pepper, olives, grapes and toasted walnuts. A generous serving of bread, home-baked by Matthew and warm from the oven, has become something of a local legend, along with the Three Millstones’ homemade pastries, desserts and ice cream.

FROM THE BAR TO THE FOOD, TO THE ACCOMMODATION, EVERYTHING WE DO IS ABOUT CREATING THAT WELCOMING FEELING

Matthew’s ‘use everything’ policy honours how the kitchens here must have operated in centuries past, sourcing whole pigs and lambs from neighbouring farms.

I chose the roast leg of lamb, with Dauphinoise potatoes, baby carrots, pea puree,

blackcurrant sauce and lovely rich gravy.

The puff pastry on Matthew’s homemade Lancashire cheese and onion pie is light enough for me to squeeze in several tasty, tester forkfuls.

A tour of the newly-renovated 10 suites and en-suites is next. Rooms in the main building boast 300-year-old oak beams and sash windows – and the new stone-built lodge features stylish rooms and suites, with sumptuous beds and underfloor heating.

“From the bar to the food, to the accommodation, everything we do is about creating that welcoming feeling,” confirms Matthew, who took over the Three Millstones together with Lauren in 2008 after a successful cheffing career in Australia. Now with four children (the eldest working in the kitchen) it remains a family endeavour, including the tight-knit team.

The inn offers family, fully-accessible and pet-friendly rooms, as well as a secure bike storage. A special midweek offer of dinner, bed and breakfast starts at just £120 for two people.

Before I leave I’ve just about room for a decadent dessert of caramel ice cream mixed with crushed meringue, honeycomb, marshmallows, vanilla fudge, brownie pieces, butterscotch sauce and toasted almonds.

Wow! n

Three Millstones Inn Waddington Road West Bradford, Clitheroe BB7 4SX 01200 443339

3millstones.co.uk

BUCKING THE TREND!

Cooking is in chef Michael Heathcote’s blood and his passion is shared by the diners who pack his country pub night after night in search of good honest traditional food. Rebecca Hay learns the secret to his success. Photography: Kirsten Platt

Consistency is the key to the popularity of The Higher Buck in Waddington and chef and patron Michael Heathcote is determined never to rest on his laurels.

“Just keeping doing what we do well, is what I remind my chefs of every day. I might not be cooking every minute of every day, but I am in and out of the kitchen all the time making sure standards are kept high,’’ said Michael.

This beautiful Ribble Valley establishment rides high in the Estrella Damm Top Gastropubs guide, testament to Michael’s philosophy of delivering genuinely honest to goodness food with a keen attention to detail.

Using local produce and being loyal to suppliers allows Michael to cook with the seasons and the fact he doesn’t change his menu too often is also key.

Instead Michael concentrates on offering

a healthy dose of specials, even though regular diners will often plump for their favourite dish.

Number one starters include crispy duck and chorizo salad, with pickled cucumber and hoi sin sauce or king prawn bhaji served with pickled ginger and spring onion salad and a mango and chilli dressing.

RIDING HIGH IN THE ESTRELLA DAMM TOP GASTROPUBS GUIDE, IS TESTAMENT TO MICHAEL’S PHILOSOPHY OF DELIVERING GENUINELY HONEST TO GOODNESS FOOD

Steamed steak and ale suet pudding with spring greens, hand cut chips and gravy literally fly out of the kitchen as mains, along with a traditional fish pie topped with a Lancashire cheese and herb crumble and spring greens.

“If I change the menu too much, people come in and ask why their favourites are not there, so it’s just a case of being consistent,’’ added Michael.

The menu is complemented by the relaxed atmosphere of the foodie haven. Open every day for lunch and dinner, Michael will

typically serve up to 60 covers for lunch during the week and up to 200 on a Sunday.

“Whereas many pubs are closed early in the week, we stay open and people seem to appreciate this and we are busy,’’ said Michael.

The Higher Buck is a haven for the mixed crowd, with serious diners happily rubbing alongside walkers, keen to explore the beauty of the surrounding Forest of Bowland.

Child and dog friendly too, the pub has seven lovely bedrooms to stay in, all individually designed to reflect the countryside and with ensuite bathrooms.

Rooms start at £75 per night for mid week, rising up to £130 including breakfast and are perfect for people wanting to enjoy the outdoors or the area which is steeped in history and was home to Henry V for 12 months in the 1400s.

Its home from home comforts and traditional food and drink are consistently of the highest quality, guaranteeing a happy and healthy visit every time! n

The Higher Buck

The Square Waddington

Nr. Clitheroe BB7 3HZ 01200 423226

higherbuck.com

MIND THE WHARFE!

Dominic Adams catches up with seven time Ryder Cup competitor and long time Wharfedale resident, Mark ‘Jesse’ James, at his beautiful riverside golf club in Ilkley

Whilst Mark’s nickname is an obvious reference to the 19th century American outlaw, its origins are obscure. It was first coined about the successful English golfer in the early 1980s but he can’t recall by whom. Probably a reference to his sharp shooting with a golf club as he began to amass the first of his 18 wins on the European Tour and 31 worldwide.

Born in Manchester, Mark grew up in Stamford, Lincolnshire where, at nearby Burghley Park, he first took up the game of golf. With greens surrounded by little electric fences to protect them from the numerous

ovine green keepers (sheep), he honed his skills, eventually graduating to the facilities at the home of England Golf at Woodhall Spa.

IT’S CLEAR FROM TALKING TO HIM THAT HE REALLY DOES LOVE ILKLEY GOLF CLUB, WHERE HIS BEST SCORE IS 63

He moved from north Leeds to Burley-inWharfedale in 1989 and his friendship with then professional at Ilkley Golf Club, John Hammond, saw him invited to join the club. He and his wife Jane have moved further up the “lovely valley” now, even handier for golf at Ilkley where he finds much more time to play these days than during his busy professional career.

It’s clear from talking to him that he really does love Ilkley Golf Club, where his best score is 63. He is rather proud that he and his wife have their names on the honours boards for a couple of mixed tournaments they’ve won together – perhaps a little surprising for a man who has five top 10 finishes in the Open Championship.

Ilkley is his favourite course. “I love it just for a nice round of golf and not losing too many balls – unless you go in the river!”

The river is a constant companion for anyone playing this picturesque track set between the moors of Ilkley and those around Beamsley Beacon.

His favourite hole is the short par three 15th – one of three at the club designed by renowned course architect, Alister MacKenzie which once featured no less than eight bunkers. It has a more modest three now but there are plans to increase that number in the near future.

One of his most embarrassing moments was on the Champions Tour in America playing alongside Lee Trevino – who he beat in a playoff at the 1986 Benson & Hedges at Fulford, York – and Gary Player. “Fortunately,” he laughs, “I was introduced first before the announcer went on to reel off their long list of honours by which time the spectators had forgotten how few I’d won!”

His toughest matchplay opponents were Nicklaus and Watson in his first Ryder Cup in 1977 in which he partnered Tommy

Horton. They lost 5&4.

“This was two months after the legendary ‘duel in the sun’ [Open Championship] at Turnberry,” he recalls, adding “Nicklaus was unerringly long and straight whilst Watson was wilder but with a great short game.” He’s been fortunate enough to play with them both a number of times since.

He points out that his fellow Ilkley member, Colin Montgomerie, was a ‘brutal opponent’ whom he would have hated to play against in Ryder Cup singles, Monty being undefeated in eight appearances in these matches.

When asked about his current favourite player to watch, he answers without hesitation Rory McIlroy, who “I could watch all day.” Apart from his prodigious length, James particularly enjoys the “element of the unexpected” adding “He’s a really nice guy –I will him on every time I see him” and he’s hopeful he finally achieves the grand slam by winning the Masters and adding to his other major successes.

Back to Ilkley and the Wharfe valley, when not playing or enjoying his post round favourite snack of the club’s popular sausage sandwich – eaten with a pint of shandy on the elevated terrace at the clubhouse overlooking the river – James enjoys gardening where his free draining soil ensures plenty of water is

NICKLAUS WAS UNERRINGLY LONG AND STRAIGHT WHILST WATSON WAS WILDER BUT WITH A GREAT SHORT GAME

required in dry spells. He is also a keen skier and heads off to the mountains whenever time allows.

The legendary Yorkshire bowler Freddie Truman was an Ilkley member, but Mark

didn’t cross paths with him there, although he knew him from other social circles. He did come across Sir Geoffrey (Boycott) on various occasions in pro-am competitions and enjoyed the gruff Yorkshire nature of both these characters.

This August Ilkley GC stages the Yorkshire Invitational, hosted by former Ryder Cup regular, Thomas Bjørn, who Mark describes as a “good friend”. Other commitments mean Mark can’t play in the event, but many other top players and celebrities will be there. n

improved and new bunkers introduced.

Irrigation has also been upgraded on the tees and approaches, to help provide members and visitors with a well-manicured and beautifully presented course. n

Check out the website and the flyover with member Mark James at: ilkleygolfclub.co.uk

WHARFEDALE’S GOLFING GEM

If you haven’t played Ilkley or visited it for some time, then make a date in your diary to do so this summer

As well as being one of the most picturesque courses in Yorkshire, with the River Wharfe playing an integral part, and the famous Ilkley Moor providing

a dramatic backdrop, it is also a fantastic course to play.

THE GOLF CLUB HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN RECENT YEARS, THE LAYOUT HAS BEEN IMPROVED AND NEW BUNKERS INTRODUCED

Each hole presents a fresh test. Whether it is playing onto a par three green with water on three

sides, or the daunting drive off an island to a par five. And as you move away from the river, fresh challenges are thrown up, combined with breathtaking views.

Getting round is quicker than most courses, with greens close to tees, and no thick rough, so ball searching is kept to a minimum.

The golf club has invested heavily in recent years. Working with leading architects Mackenzie & Ebert, the layout has been

Ilkley Golf Club

Nesfield Road Myddleton Ilkley LS29 0BE 01943 600214 ilkleygolfclub.co.uk

not sample the

it is probably the unusual and everchanging terrain that make the greatest

ILKLEY GOLF CLUB

27-28 AUGUST 2024

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Yorkshire Invitational will be hosted by the 16 time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup Captain, THOMAS BJØRN!

Thomas has solidified his status as the most successful Danish golfer in the history of the game and became the first Danish golfer to earn a spot on a European Ryder Cup team. He later went on to captain the victorious European team at the 2018 Ryder Cup.

The 2024 Yorkshire Invitational is set to be yet another exciting event. With Gold and Celebrity packages available, you have the opportunity to play with Senior Professional Golfers such as Philip Price, Roger Chapman, Peter Baker and Steven Dodd.

Other sporting legends who have previously played at the Yorkshire Invitational have included Nile Wilson, Darren Gough, Robbie Fowler and Gary McAllister, making it even more interesting for spectators.

The 2024 Yorkshire Invitational promises to be another fun-filled event with competitions, food and drink, live entertainment, and amazing prizes to be won, making it an unmissable experience for any golf enthusiast. FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT sgh.events/events/the-yorkshire-invitational-2024

To register for your free tickets to the event scan the QR code FOR BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES CONTACT team@sgh.events 0800 170 70 77

acknowledge the achievements and hard work of those involved in the sport.

Pontefract’s Beer Festival and music night starts proceedings on Friday 19th July.

Oasis tribute band Definitely Mightbe will be taking to the stage after the competitive action on the course has finished.

The Saturday afternoon at Ripon is always a busy meeting with a great atmosphere.

FUN FESTIVAL FOR ALL

A week of fun for old and young will showcase Yorkshire racing

Plans are well underway for this year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, which includes ten race meetings, over nine days at eight of Yorkshire’s racecourses. A week which gives the opportunity to showcase Yorkshire racing at its very best.

Afternoon, evening and weekend meetings offer all racegoers a chance to enjoy the action. There are family days, music nights and a beer festival. Racegoers will get to see horses of all types competing, from local course specialists, like Dandy’s Angel, who relishes Beverley, to Group level horses, who line up for the top-level action at York.

The Summer Festival has a different feel to other race meetings – its relaxed atmosphere allows the crowd to learn more about the human stars of the sport. Throughout the week a different type of competition, Paddock and Chip, tests the football skills of the jockeys where the will

to win is evident from the outset.

A leading trainer and jockey competition, plus a best turned out competition ties the week together. There’s also an award for Sky Bet’s moment of the day, culminating in the moment of the week, all of which

THE SUMMER FESTIVAL HAS A DIFFERENT FEEL TO OTHER RACE MEETINGS –ITS RELAXED ATMOSPHERE ALLOWS THE CROWD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HUMAN STARS OF THE SPORT

A look at their racegoer packages which offer great value and include admission, food, drink and a racecard is a must to enhance your day. That evening, racing takes place at Doncaster.

A visit to the seaside course of Redcar on Sunday 21st July, for Circus Family Fun Day is a great day out and with under 18’s admitted free at all race meetings it’s budget friendly too.

After work on Monday 22nd July, take a trip to Beverley for their evening meeting. There’s a day off on Tuesday, then racing resumes at Catterick for another family fun day on Wednesday 24th July and an afternoon meeting at Doncaster on Thursday 25th July.

A second double header on Friday 26th July sees family fun at Thirsk and an evening meeting at York where the Kaiser Chiefs will be playing after the racing.

The final meeting of the Summer Festival takes place at York on Saturday 27th July. It features the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, plus more music with S Club performing after the racing. n

To find out more and book tickets, visit: goracing.co.uk/summer-festival

adult and an artist, I began to recognise the sheer power of this most wild and fascinating element; essential to life and yet, in a moment, capable of threatening it, too.”

Painting ever since he can remember, Brian studied at Loughborough College of Art and Design, and Stafford Art College, before achieving a degree in textiles at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University) “after my parents wanted me to train for a paying career!”.

AS AN ADULT AND AN ARTIST, I BEGAN TO RECOGNISE THE SHEER POWER OF THIS MOST WILD AND FASCINATING ELEMENT; ESSENTIAL TO LIFE AND YET, IN A MOMENT, CAPABLE OF THREATENING IT, TOO

Throughout a forty year career, including lecturing in drawing and design, over three decades designing woven and printed fabrics for the Yorkshire textile industry, Brian has

CAPTURING THE POWER OF NATURE

Rainy days are simply inspiration for Brian Burton, contemporary landscape artist based in the heart of the Dales. Preparing for his forthcoming Studio Open Days, Kate Bowyer discovers his art capturing the breathtaking power and shifting beauty of water

Bathed in changing light under bright sun or gusting clouds, the rolling fields and spring-green woodlands surrounding Hetton, home of Brian’s painting studio, would surely be enough to tempt anyone of an artistic temperament to pick up a pen, brush or instrument.

If, like me, you prefer to remain on the admiring side of nature and art, a step into Brian’s light, airy studio immediately heightens your senses. Covering the white-painted solid stone walls are substantial paintings in which the element of water is depicted in, fittingly, its element. Waterfalls tumble, glitter and roar, canvasses seeming to thrum with dynamic energy and movement.

“It’s been a lifelong fascination,” confirms Brian. “As a child I loved making dams in local streams, controlling and diverting this minor, yet unstoppable, force of water. As an

continued to paint, exhibit and sell his work. He has many paintings and designs throughout the UK, Europe and North America. He has devoted himself solely to painting since 2020.

“I started exhibiting locally via Craven Arts at our ‘pop up’ gallery in the centre of Skipton, sadly no longer available to us. It is a perennial problem for visual artists to find somewhere to exhibit their work to an ever hungry audience. I’m very fortunate to be able to show in the best gallery I’ve yet had, right here at home!”

Just 100 yards down the road from the acclaimed Angel at Hetton, a walk around the picturesque village to Brian’s studio makes the perfect pre or post-lunch pursuit. His next Studio Open Days are 14, 15, 16th June and every Saturday and Sunday in July between 10am and 3pm. Signs guide visitors to the Old Coach House, at the end of the village green, and gorgeous wirehaired dachshund, Percy, is on welcoming waggy-tail duty – but don’t expect to find Brian relaxing in his lovely garden.

“I paint every day, because, as most artists will agree, it’s an innate need too strong to resist,” he says. “So I’ll be at my easel while

people are visiting; which works well, because it gives them time and space to absorb my paintings. Layered with colours and texture, there’s a lot to discover behind the instant impact. When anyone needs me, I’ll happily stop, pop my brushes in the water and chat.”

Captivated by the local landscape, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar remain constant muses for Brian but his new series inspired by Catrigg Foss, a sublime waterfall hidden a steep climb above Stainforth Village, steals the show. With

prices ranging from £300 to £2,000, these big, enigmatic, energetic and atmospheric canvasses are purchases for life.

“Each painting is informed by numerous days sketching; every visit is different,” he says. “It could be the weather, the volume of water coming down; the pattern, light and noise. As a painter, you respond instinctually, trying to express that commanding power of water.”

I PAINT EVERY DAY, BECAUSE, AS MOST ARTISTS WILL AGREE, IT’S AN INNATE NEED TOO STRONG TO RESIST

Taking inspiration from the fundamentals of nature, Brian delights in passing it on through his work. “One of my favourite visits was a lady who stated very clearly she wasn’t here to buy anything (that’s fine, of course, I’m happy for people to come, browse and chat to me!) So, I left her to wander, take her time to look as she pleased.

“Afterwards, she came up and enthused:

‘I’ve been totally inspired by this, it makes me want to get out into the landscape with my sketchbook and begin a painting course!’

“If I can inspire somebody to take up their sketchbook again, or simply explore nature, inspired with a fresh pair of eyes –what more could I want?” (Oh, and then she bought a painting!!) n

www.brianburton.art

Atkinson House is a truly exceptional period property, set within the Grade I listed country estate of Brough Hall. • South Facing

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUILDING CONVERSION

Creating your dream home doesn’t automatically mean starting from scratch. Zara Moon of ZMA explains

Many of ZMA’s clients already have buildings that just need to be re-designed to suit their requirements and some of the most unique properties are conversions of existing buildings.

In the same way that it is important to maximise a site, it is equally important to utilise the existing fabric of the building.

1. Does it have heritage value?

Before any design work commences, you have to understand the history of the building. You need to know if the building is listed. This can be found by visiting historicengland.org.uk. Even if your building is not listed, it may be classed as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, it may be located within a Conservation Area or be within the setting of a listed building.

2. What is the site/building history?

Next it is important to understand what the building was used for historically, what constitutes the ‘original’ building. Is the original building still evident, or has it been lost? Are there any original openings/features remaining which should be preserved.

3. Is it convertible for the proposed use?

Your building needs to be structurally suitable for converting without having to significantly re-build and would require a structural survey to accompany a planning submission. It may

be feasible to extend as well as convert. This is dependent on the site location and other constraints such as green belt, AONB or Conservation Areas.

4. What are the site conditions?

Depending on the building’s previous use, the ground may be contaminated, the foundations may not be sufficient for the new use and the building may contain asbestos. This can be assessed through a site survey.

5. Is planning approval required?

Some change of use schemes do not require planning approval as they may fall within permitted development, but they may still need prior approval from the local authority. Always ask your architect if planning approval is required. If your project does not require planning permission, the conversion will still need Building Regulations approval.

6. Is the plot suitable for the proposed use?

The external area surrounding the building will also need to be adequate for your conversion to suit the specific use such as access, garden areas, bin storage and parking spaces.

7. Does any wildlife live in or close to the building?

Many conversions will require an ecology survey which investigates habitats such as bat, bird and barn owls. If any are present, the

construction phase will be restricted, you would require a license to carry out the work and you will need a strategy of how to ensure the ecology will not be affected.

8.  Does it have appropriate access?

Barn conversions can be in remote locations. Access needs to be suitable – this includes parking, turning and exit the site without having to reverse onto the highway, and adequate passing places on country lanes.

9. Does it have existing services?

Services and utilities will need to be provided, sometimes you can connect to existing utilities or the location is within easy reach of mains services, however other locations may require bore holes, package treatment plants and on-site power generation.

10. Is the design appropriate for the building?

In order to satisfy your specific requirements and the local authority – the design needs to be appropriate for the building, site and context.

If you have a building which requires a re-design, change of use or conversion, then contact a member of our team for a free consultation. n

Zara Moon Architects

Rodney began his 40-year career in his family’s businesses, that included house clearance auctions, before going to work for Sotheby’s in London. Now living in Yorkshire he takes an active role in the day to day running of the Tennants salesrooms and undertakes visits and valuations across the North of England and London.

Where is home?

Middleham in Wensleydale where our family has lived for four generations.

What’s your favourite Dale/ favourite spot?

It’s impossible to choose! This part of the world is so diverse, every dale has its unique character and charm.

What’s your favourite place to eat?

There are so many wonderful places to eat but I have to say my wife’s home cooking is the best!

Where do you go shopping?

As a family business ourselves, we always support local independent shops such as

MY DALES…

Rodney Tennant lives in the Yorkshire Dales and also has deep family roots in the area. The Chairman of Tennants Fine Art Auctioneers answers a series of questions about his life in Yorkshire

Campbells and Milners in Leyburn and Barkers in Northallerton.

What are the plans for the rest of the year?

We already have a good reputation for handling single owner estates and private collections and plan to continue to expand our reach internationally. We are increasingly working with overseas clients as well as across the UK, having handled consignments from The Cayman Islands, Vienna, Toronto and West Virginia as clients appreciate our ability to achieve the best prices for their estate.

Favourite walk/view?

The view from the top of Penhill in Middleham is hard to beat as it takes in the whole of Wensleydale and on a clear day Teesside is in the distance.

Favourite Sunday roast?

It has to be roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The beef is always from Campbells who only buy from local farmers from Leyburn Auction Mart.

Favourite flower or tree in your garden?

Every season brings something new to appreciate in the garden, at this time of year it is flag irises which seem to be enjoying all the rain we’ve been having!

Favourite Yorkshire artist/writer?

I have always appreciated the works of Marie Hartley and Ella Pontefract who did so much to capture the social history of the Dales during the 1930s and 40s, just as the traditional ways of life started to change. Their illustrated books are a joy to read for

anyone interested in the way people used to live and work in what were then very isolated communities.

Favourite Yorkshire person?

Freddie Trueman, a cricketing legend and classic Yorkshireman.

A Yorkshire dinner party – pick five guests (alive or dead):

We are privileged to have hosted so many fascinating celebrities, TV personalities and historians, who have come to the Garden Rooms to give talks, that my guest list changes all the time! Recently speakers have included Michael Portillo, Ben Fogle, Sir Trevor McDonald, Alice Roberts and Ross Kemp so that would be today’s guest list.

Favourite, most inspiring quote or advice:

Always keep your word. n