Harrogate neighbourhood news: Your weekly round-up of what's going on around the district in the coming days

Here is your round-up for the week ahead.

Beckwithshaw news with Nanci Downey

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH: Christingle (especially suitable for children) is at 4pm on Sunday, December 10. Morning Prayer at 9.15am on Tuesdays and the church is open daily for private prayer. The website (www.stmichaelsbeckwithshaw.org) gives further information on services.

COFFEE, CAKE AND CONVERSATION: The next Tuesday morning get together is on December 12 at Beckwithshaw Village Hall. The 'coffee, cake and conversation mornings' run fortnightly from 10am to noon and are currently priced at £2.50 per person.

ELSA STUDY – DIABETES SCREENING FOR CHILDREN: The Research Team at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust are holding a community recruitment event for the ELSA study - a type 1 diabetes screening study for children aged 3-13 years who do not have type 1 diabetes. It's on Saturday, December 9 between 9am and 1pm at Christ Church Parish Centre (Church Hall), HG1 4SW. For more information, email [email protected]. Details of the ELSA study can be found at elsadiabetes.nhs.uk.

YORKSHIRE CANCER RESEARCH – HELP YORKSHIRE SHINE: Join this free festive celebration event at 4.30pm on Thursday, December 14 at Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre, Hornbeam Square West, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, HG2 8PA. Enjoy live music, browse the charity’s new boutique-style shop and sample delicious treats from the new cafe. See the Yorkshire Stars Tree shine, enjoy face painting and balloons for children, pick up a free tote bag and help shine a light on people affected by cancer in Yorkshire this Christmas.

KEEP WELL AND WARM THIS WINTER: Tips on keeping warm, safeguarding your health, and accessing financial support from North Yorkshire Council. This (northyorks.gov.uk/healthy-living/) should throw up the longer link on which to click.

TOP TIPS FOR FEELING MORE CONFIDENT AT WORK: The thing about confidence is that it is a quality we often perceive and admire in others but feel we don’t possess enough of in ourselves – and – why does confidence even matter to us? See dsc.org.uk/content/building-your-confidence-at-work/

PINEWOODS ADVENT WALK: Twenty-four numbered elf doors have been placed throughout the woods to form an advent walk with some additional festive surprises. The doors, designed and built by Harlow Hill’s Men Sheds group, have been decorated by local schools, youth groups, businesses and families. The doors can be found from the top of Valley Gardens to Crag Lane (near RHS Harlow Carr) down the main paths through The Pinewoods. Doors will be removed early January 2024 (pinewoodsconservationgroup.org.uk).

HELP OUT HARROGATE: The latest Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) project recognises that not everyone has the time to dedicate to regular volunteering. Help Out Harrogate is an initiative offering local people the chance to volunteer at a variety of one-off events without the need to make any regular commitment. The Help Out Harrogate crew have already got involved with crocus planting on the Stray, flu vaccination marshalling at Mowbray Square and helping at the Harrogate Bonfire. If you're over 18 years of age and would like to join the crew, visit hadca.org.uk/HelpOutHarrogate.

Pannal news with Nanci Downey

CRIMPLE MEADOWS: Work to install a surfaced path across Crimple Meadows is underway! The path will go up to the playground and outdoor gym equipment, and connect into the path beside Allen Wood. Drainage will also be installed across a large area of the entrance to the park at Crimple Meadows. It is envisaged that this will work will be ongoing for a period of three weeks, starting on December 4. There will be some temporary restrictions: coned off areas on Crimple Meadows to protect access for contractors’ vehicles; large areas at the Crimple Meadows Park entrance will be cordoned off for the three-week period for plant and drainage works – but with some access for walkers always to be kept open beside the works area; during work on that part of the path beside Allen Wood, there will be restricted access along the path but always one way through. The parish council expresses their appreciation and thanks to everyone for their anticipated co-operation and assistance during this time.

PANNAL METHODIST CHURCH: Harrogate Male Voice Choir Concert at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 9. Adult tickets £10 (£12 on the door) and under 16s free – [email protected] for more information. Communion Service led by Rev Ben Clowes at 10am on Sunday, December 10. The next Community Tea is on Tuesday, December 12 from 2.30pm to 4pm with donations raised going to Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP).

ST ROBERT'S: Holy Communion (also streamed live) at 9.15am on Sunday, December 10, with Advent Reflections at 6pm. Morning Prayers are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9.15am, with a service of Holy Communion on Thursdays at 10.30am. The church is open daily for private prayer. The church office is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: phone 873577 or email [email protected]. Details of services and activities in the Chapter House are on the website (www.strobertschurch.co.uk).

CAROLS ON THE GREEN: On Monday, December 11 starting at 6pm by the splendid lights on the trees! The Tewit Youth Band will again provide musical accompaniment and Iain Ward-Campbell will again act as choirmaster. After the carols, there will be mulled wine, mince pies and suitable non-alcoholic beverages for younger participants at Pannal School. One important point... while pets are welcome on Pannal Green, council and school rules forbid the presence of dogs or other pets at Pannal School. The chosen recipient of donations from this year's Carols on the Green is St Robert’s Church. Let's hope for a good turn out for this wonderful community event.

TABLE TENNIS: Back to league action this week for all the Burn Bridge teams. The C team confirmed their championship potential in Division 3 with a crushing victory by 30-9 against Harrogate Racquets Juniors B. Also victorious were the B team who defeated Copt Hewick C by 23-14. Less successful were the A team who lost to defending champions Racquets A by 21-14 and the D team who were narrowly defeated 21-18 by Boston Spa B.

LUNCH CLUB AT ST ROBERT'S: The next lunch club will be on Tuesday, December 19 in the Chapter House at 12.30pm. For £13 per person, there's a home cooked main course (with veg), dessert and drinks. Transport can be arranged. Further details and to book, phone Jean Hannam (545646) or the church office (873577).

PANNAL VILLAGE HALL - COMMUNITY CAR PARK PLANS: North Yorkshire Council’s lease on the community car park will run out shortly and the Village Hall committee is keen to save this amenity for hall and community users so it has decided to take on the lease. This was a difficult decision because rent levels are high which means that, to offset some of the costs, it will be necessary to introduce a small charge for all day parking. The aim is to keep short stay parking free for the community, maintain spaces for the growing number of activities at the hall and overcome the current difficulties people have with finding a space to park off-street in this area. If things go to plan, the new lease will begin on April 1, 2024 with long stay parking charges introduced shortly after that. The Village Hall committee knows that parking is a sensitive issue and it hopes that the community will support this initiative.

NEW AUTISM STRATEGY – PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT: At the Civic Centre, Harrogate from 10am to 12pm on December 18. This (northyorks.gov.uk/news/2023/events) should throw up the longer link on which to click to find out more. For a list of events across the county this (northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations) should throw up the longer link on which to click. To book a place call 01609 534299 or email [email protected].

THE BIG LUNCH AT CHRISTMAS: The Big Lunch brings millions of people together to share friendship, food and fun as the UK’s annual celebration for neighbours and communities. There are all the resources you need to host a Big Lunch at Christmas, from invites to cracker templates and food flags. This (edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch/) should throw up the longer link on which to click.

ADVICE FOR WINTER WELLNESS: North Yorkshire Horizons have put together some tips for boosting your health and happiness throughout the winter months. It’s important to remember you are not alone. Many people experience low mood and other challenges at this time of year (nyhorizons.org.uk/index.php/winterwellness/).

CHRISTMAS KINDNESS: Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) has put together a few ideas for ways to give to our community this festive season, supporting local charities and the people who turn to them. Small acts can make a big difference (hadca.org.uk/news/christmas-kindness-2023).

AND FINALLY: Farewell to Howard West who stands down from the Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council as he moves to be nearer to family. Many tributes have been paid - here is one recently sent in to the Parish Clerk. “From the creation of the PC, Howard as chair has provided first class leadership and insisted on good governance. Moreover, the PC has been recognised by both the former Harrogate BC and former North Yorkshire CC as one of the more respected PCs because of their credibility in raising issues of real concern and putting forward rational arguments backed up with sound evidence. Howard’s persistence and refusal to be pushed aside by the two local authorities has played a large part in earning this respect and credibility. He has served Pannal and Burn Bridge well and thoroughly deserves our praise and congratulations.” Thank you Howard!

Pateley Bridge news with Kirsty Shepherd

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Singing group Treble Clef is looking forward to kicking the festive season off in style at Pateley Playhouse on December 8 at 7.30pm. They will sing a programme of well known Christmas carols and songs. Tickets are £12.50 and will include mulled wine and mince pies in the interval. Tickets on sale from Alison Simpson on 01423 780186 or 07977 121455. Email [email protected] for more information. All proceeds from the evening will go to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Please join the Dacre and Summerbridge Silver Band at their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 9 at 2pm in Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall. There'll be festive brass band tunes and carol singing, with mince pies and mulled wine kindly provided by the Memorial Hall, plus a raffle. Tickets £8 from Pateley Pharmacy, band members or on the door. All raising vital funds for the hall and the band.

FAMILY CAROLS: At St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge, Sunday, December 17 at 10.30am.

FAMILY CAROLS: At St Chad’s, Middlesmoor, Sunday, December 17 at 6.30pm.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: At Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks on Sunday, December 17 at 4pm.

CAROLS: At St Michael's, Wilsill on Sunday, December 17 at 4pm with Nidd Chorale accompanist, Hilary Dexter.

CAROL SERVICE: Darley Methodist Church are having their carol service on Sunday, December 17 at 6.30pm. Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band will be playing. Following the service they will be serving tea/coffee and mince pies, collection for Action For Children.

CAROLS ON THE GREEN: In Darley on Thursday, December 21. Meet at 6.15pm on Low Green, Darley. They’ll be singing with members of the Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band.

CAROL ON THE GREEN: In Dacre Banks on Thursday, December 21. Meet at 7.15pm on Dacre Banks Village Green. There will be singing carols around the Christmas tree with Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band. On in the Royal Oak, Dacre Banks if the weather is disagreeable!

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: At Bewerley Grange Chapel on Saturday, December 23 at 6.30pm.

CAROLS ON THE GREEN: In Ramsgill on Sunday, December 24 at 3.30pm.

CAROLS IN THE STONEHOUSE INN: On Saturday, December 23 at 7pm. They will be singing with members of the Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band.

If you would like to contribute an item to Neighbourhood News, please contact your local correspondent (if you are unsure who the correspondent is for your part of the district, email [email protected] and we will be happy to help).

You can also send in items via the Your World portal on the Harrogate Advertiser website – www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk – accessible via the “Submit Your Story” tab on the homepage.

The deadline for submissions is Monday at 12pm.

The weekly Neighbourhood News community noticeboard will then be published on the Advertiser website each week on a Wednesday.