Your Harrogate

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton speaks to the Harrogate and Knaresborough toy library, plus Harrogate College pop by for a chat too.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough toy library is a local charity that offers a toy borrowing service. It is continuing to thrive as it enters its 31st year - and it's still open for new members.

They provide a toy borrowing service alongside regular play sessions from the base in Knaresborough.

With currently over 150 members, including families, childcare settings and schools, there's room for more!

Plus volunteers and trustees are needed too, as Laura Chandler and Natasha Bromhall explain...

Meanwhile, Harrogate College hosted a high-pressure cook-off that saw four of the town's most promising chefs compete for the prestigious 'Chef of the Year' title.

Part of the 2025 Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards (HHTA), the event was held in the college’s professional-standard training kitchens and gave Harrogate College’s hospitality students the opportunity to support the event through logistics and food preparation.

They worked closely with the competitors - observing, assisting, and learning from the region’s culinary elite - gaining valuable insight into real world culinary environments.

The finalists were challenged to create two standout dishes - a refined amuse-bouche and an impressive main course - under the watchful eyes of industry judges and with just 90 minutes on the clock.

We hear from college principal, Danny Wild and programme manager Jason Parry...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, Pete Egerton discusses the Nidderdale Walk (18th May), a brand new app set to help Knaresborough, plus, a gold award for Harrogate Town!

The 31st Nidderdale Walk takes place this Sunday, raising funds for local charities, and organised by the Rotary Club of Harrogate, in association with Verity Frearson.

The routes available include a 4, 8, 15, 18, 22 and 26 mile course. Pete learns more from Brian Stuttard, the project leader for the Nidderdale Walk group.

Meanwhile, Pete has also been speaking to the chief executive of the Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough.

If you're not aware, they are a local charity who serve the community of Knaresborough and surrounding areas, so people are welcomed, supported and empowered to fully develop their potential and that of their community.

Within the last week, a new app has been launched; "Knaresborough Together" which is aimed at groups, charities, or community organisations needing support to help do good in the to town.

The final part of the podcast features presenter Nick Hancock, speaking to Harrogate Town chief executive Sarah Barry, and fan engagement officer Hamilton Mattock, about a Family Excellence Gold Award for the 2024/25 season for delivering unforgettable matchday experience for families....  

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Squadron Leader Paul Wise, Knaresborough-born and responsible for leading the VE Day flypast in London. Also, Knaresborough Town Women have been promoted! We hear from head of development, Ged Maloney.

A former pupil of the long since closed Castle Church of England Junior School, Squadron Leader Wise, or "Ernie" as his colleagues call him, had the privilege of leading more than 20 military aircraft over Buckingham Palace on Monday (5th May).

Sqn Ldr Wise remembers speaks to Pete about when his passion for aviation began, plus, the pressure of such an event, like the flypast on Monday.

The flypast, which featured a mix of 23 current-day and historic planes, culminated with the spectacular Red Arrows. Paul says it is not until they have flown over the Palace, that they have time to take it all in...

Meanwhile, Knaresborough Town Women have this week, secured a third promotion in as many years.

They will now be assured of playing in the West Riding County Women's Football Premier League, but they may be able to go higher as Ged Maloney explains...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver. Plus, the countdown begins to the 2025 Great Yorkshire Show!

Harrogate Town hosted their final fans' forum on Wednesday (30th April) at the Exercise Stadium, allowing fans to put their questions to a panel that included first team manager, Simon Weaver.

Now safe for another campaign in league two, the gaffer admits that the 24/25 season has been extra tough with too many long-term injuries.

The team head to Morecambe this Saturday (3rd May) and hope to finish with another three points, to send the ever-growing fanbase home with some smiles!

State-of-the-art tractors, an Aberdeen Angus bull and some famous faces joined forces to launch the countdown to this year’s Great Yorkshire Show on Thursday (1st May).

The show will return to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground on Tuesday 8th July and run till Friday 11th July.

The Show is elevating its digital platforms this year with a new GYS App and a new YouTube series focussing on some of the exhibitors and contributors who make the Show the success it is today.

The YouTube series "Great Yorkshire Show: Behind the Scenes "will see TV presenters Christine Talbot, Jon Mitchell and Duncan Wood joined by farming YouTuber and TikTok star Joe Seels as they meet some of the farmers and exhibitors as they prepare for, and compete in, the Show.

We hear from the four presenters, plus Yorkshire Agricultural Society's chief executive Allister Nixon, alongside show director, Rachel Coates...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Harrogate Town's chief executive, Sarah Barry. Plus, we look ahead to an open day at Harrogate Ladies' College.

Harrogate Town secured a 6th season in the football league, following victory over Fleetwood Town on Easter Monday (21st April).

Sarah says the sense of relief is immense for all involved and now, looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign, she hopes the new ticket pricing structure can attract even more fans!

Town play Notts County at the Exercise Stadium on Saturday (26th April), with an earlier kick off at 1PM. Sarah hopes that once again, the fans can prove to be the 12th man.

In the second half of the podcast, Pete speaks to a number of staff, pupils and parents, all connected with Harrogate Ladies' College and Highfield Prep.

The two schools benefit from being next to each other and if interested, you're urged to attend their open day on Friday 2nd May.

Listen for further information and to discover why those who are speaking to Pete, believe the schools have something unique to offer...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Harrogate Town defender Warren Burrell. Plus, the Birstwith man who is cycling to London from Harrogate, on a tandem, and then competing in the marathon!

Recently acting captain, Harrogate Town's Warren Burrell has been praised by manager Simon Weaver for his attitude, in driving the squad forward.

Warren speaks to Pete about his love for the club, of which he has now featured over 400 times for!

Town have two league two matches over the Easter period; the first takes them to Walsall on Good Friday (18th April) and if results go their way, they could be safe in the football league for another season.

Meanwhile, a charitable Harrogate father-of-three is set for another mammoth challenge in memory of his late wife.

Birstwith resident James Badger is tackling his most extreme challenge to date – a 500km tandem cycle ride followed by the London Marathon.

His three-day 500km 'Tandem to the Thames' ride will see him cycle from dawn to dusk on a 42-year-old vintage tandem bike from St James’ in Birstwith to St James’ in London.

He’ll again be fundraising for Blood Cancer UK in memory of his wife Philippa, 42, who died suddenly of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in 2022.

Since then, the Morrisons supermarkets director has dedicated himself to raising £300,000 to fund a Blood Cancer UK research project in his wife’s memory... 

In this episode of the Your Harrogate podcast, presenter Nick Hancock speaks to the Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen. Plus, we hear from Harrogate Town manager, Simon Weaver.

Harrogate’s popular dog show returns this weekend - 12th April and is hosted by Your Harrogate Radio and Harrogate BID.

The event will be back on the Piazza outside the Victoria Shopping Centre from 10AM and Amanda Owen is the star judge; she's been telling Nick what she loves about the day.

Meanwhile, in league two, Harrogate Town could take a huge step towards EFL safety if they can win against high-flying Grimsby Town. Manager Simon Weaver knows it won't be easy...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, we have an eclectic mix of the best of life in Harrogate!

Harrogate Town hosted their first ever season ticket holder evening on Tuesday (25th March) to simply say thank you to loyal fans for their support. Presenter Pete Egerton was there to chat to a panel of guests, including manager Simon Weaver...

Last Saturday (22nd March) St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate hosted their annual sponsored walk around Knaresborough, "The Twilight Walk." Despite the weather taking a turn for the worse, plenty of folk strolled the 4-mile route with smiles on their faces, in order to raise vital funds for the local charity.

Presenter Alex Cann, spoke to deputy chief executive of St Michael's Hospice, Tina Hedges.

In the final part of the podcast, a rather unique Harrogate business features: "Homepet Waste Solutions," launched by Harrogate resident Adam Dickinson, is billed as an "affordable, hassle-free way" for pet owners to stay on top of waste removal.

It is aimed at busy households, elderly pet owners, and anyone who wants to "reclaim their garden." Presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Adam to find out if it's true what people have always said; where there's muck, there's brass...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, Ripon celebrates, Resurrected Bites get set to mark a major milestone and presenter Pete Egerton speaks to Harrogate Town striker Josh March.

Ripon has been named among the best places to live in the North and North East by The Sunday Times.

The news outlet's annual guide of the UK’s best places to live is based on factors including schools, transport, broadband speeds, culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.

It includes 72 locations across the country, with Ilkley taking top spot for the North and North East, whilst Saffron Walden in Essex was named the overall winner.

Ripon was one of seven locations in the region that received an honourable mention; we hear from several key figures within the city and Tim Palmer, chief judge for the Best Places To Live guide.

Meanwhile, a community organisation in Harrogate that works to reduce food poverty and waste is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone. 

Resurrected Bites, which aims to ‘fill bellies not bins’, has served almost 20,000 weekly food shops to low-income families since it started in 2021.

Its community grocery stores in Harrogate and Knaresborough offer an affordable way for people to access good quality, nutritious food.

And the sites, which are based in New Park Primary Academy in Harrogate and Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough, are opening their doors to welcome new members on 27th March. Pete speaks to grocery manager, David James.

Finally in this episode, as Harrogate Town get set to travel to Chesterfield this weekend (22nd March), Town striker Josh March tells Pete that the squad are all together and ready to fight for their football league status...

In this episode of the Your Harrogate Podcast, presenter Pete Egerton features manager Simon Weaver from Harrogate Town. Plus, Stoneacre Harrogate - Mazda and Ford, along with a new programme at Harrogate Ladies' College.

Harrogate Town make the long trip to South Wales this weekend (15th March) to play Newport County.

Manager Simon Weaver is still on a high from a last minute win at home to struggling Carlisle last Saturday, but is all too aware that Newport, following a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Accrington, will be chomping at the bit to bounce back!

Although the illness situation within the Town squad is an improving one, the gaffer is without three key players...

At Your Harrogate radio, we like to feature the "best of life in Harrogate" and that includes chatting to local businesses.

Rob Taylor is one of the sales managers at Stoneacre Harrogate and alongside Mazda, they are also the new home of Ford in the town.

Rob expresses the excitement surrounding some forthcoming electric vehicles and how everyone should embrace the change...

Finally this week, we hear from head of 6th form at Harrogate Ladies' College, Bonnie Christie.

They have launched "The Empower Programme" - a pioneering leadership and development initiative.

It’s designed to equip Sixth Form pupils with the skills, confidence, and resilience to excel beyond school...