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Yorkshire man takes grandad’s 40-year-old invention on Dragon’s Den

This might be the most Yorkshire invention ever

Georgina Pellant - 3rd June 2021

A man from Halifax is appearing on Dragon's Den tonight with an invention of his grandfathers that dates back over 40 years.

Robert Simpson will face the Dragon's tonight, Thursday 3rd June, on the hit BBC1 programme - bringing with him his grandfather's Tipsi Tray invention.

First designed and built by Andrew Townson in the early 1980s, the handled tray is pure practicality at its best.

It's perfect for moving around cold Yorkshire houses, as it can easily be held with one hand whilst you close your draughty doors with the other.

“My grandad lived in an old and draughty house near Halifax and wanted a tray that he could hold comfortably one-handed while closing doors and windows to keep the cold out,” Robert explains.

“I took that idea and brought the Tipsi Tray to market because of the benefits that it could bring to older people and those with disabilities.

"As it happens, it has also proved to be very popular in the hospitality and catering industry too as a really useful tool for serving and waiting staff.”

Robert's already had some success with the tray, first bringing it to market in May last year during the middle of the pandemic.

Between direct sales and online purchases, he's seen some great success with it already - but now he's looking for that extra bit of help from the Dragons.

He's keeping the outcome of their meeting close to his chest, but all will be revealed tonight on BBc1 at 8pm.

Calderdale

Hardcastle Crags – the prettiest winter walk in the north

The National Trust site is just beautiful this time of year.

This is the time of year where it’s particularly difficult to drag yourself off the sofa and into the great outdoors.

It's pretty crisp outside, but most of us (even the pumpkin spice latte, cardigan-clad crew) are missing the more reliable warmth of the summer months.

But winter is here, like it or not, and it definitely has its perks.

One of which is the undeniable beauty the season brings.

The sunsets and sunrises that become so much easier to catch while the days are shorter (you have to admit, the commutes are prettier when they coincide with sunrise), The Manc reports.

river with walkway on the side. — The riverside walk at Hardcastle Crags. Credit: Unsplash

And there aren’t many places better to soak in all the autumn beauty than Hardcastle Crags, just across the border in West Yorkshire.

The National Trust site sits between Leeds and Manchester and is a popular day trip destination for northerners, given the trains that run regularly to Hebden Bridge.

A walking route around Hardcastle Crags at this time of year will take you through a landscape of blazing orange trees, babbling streams, and dappled sunlight.

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When you catch a golden autumnal day the leaves will crunch underfoot, but even on a soggy day the leaf mulch has its own special kind of beauty here.

There are two walking routes between the main car park and Gibson Mill, a former 19^th century cotton mill which is now home to a lovely cafe.

One will take you down to the river, where wooden boardwalks weave right along the water’s edge.

There are even stepping stones you can use to scamper across the river – a great Instagram pic, or just a way to keep the kids entertained for a few minutes.

Gibson Mill. — Gibson Mill at Hardcastle Crags. Credit: Flickr

The other route goes up through the upper woodland, where pine trees loom and you get a great view of the valley below.

For an easy loop, you can do both – a stroll through the trees, a stop for coffee and cake, then return along the river (or vice versa).Hardcastle Crags – the prettiest autumn walk in the north west

But with 15 miles of footpaths, you can explore way beyond that.

The National Trust’s list of walks includes everything from a wheelchair and pram-accessible estate track to peaceful woodland loops, to rocky scrambles and former railway lines.

And when you’re done with Hardcastle Crags itself, there’s a world-class restaurant in the gorgeous town centre itself.

Coin sits in the shell of the former Lloyd’s bank, with exposed brick and massive period windows, and specialises in natural wine and small plates.

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When The Manc Eats visited earlier this year, we found plates of freshly-cut meat and cheese served alongside ice-cold batched classic cocktails, where ‘quality is key, and it shines through on the plate’.

Our reviewer said: “With its higgledy-piggledy stone mill houses, surrounding woodland, hidden waterfalls and treasure-trove charity shops, Hebden Bridge is a popular attraction all of its own for those wanting to venture beyond the city. Coin is simply the cherry on top.”

Featured image: The Manc Group

Calderdale

You could be fined £1,000 for walking your dog on these Yorkshire beaches

Georgina Pellant

From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are banned from a number of beaches in Yorkshire.

The seasonal restrictions are introduced over the summer every year to help Yorkshire's largest beaches prepare for the seasonal influx of tourists.

Dog owners walking their dogs on banned beaches could be fined up to £1,000, so it's worth familiarising yourself with where you can and cannot go.

Image: The Hoot

Which Yorkshire beaches ban dogs in the summer?

Beaches to avoid in Yorkshire during this period include Bridlington North and South, Filey, Hornsea, Sansend, Scarborough South and North Bays, Whitby and Withernsea.

Bridlington - At Bridlington, dog walkers are not to cross the areas between the northern end of North Marine Promenade and the north-eastern face of the North Pier, or between the southern face of the South Pier and the eastern face of Princess Mary Promenade Sea Wall.

Filey - Placed tenth in 2020 on a list of the UK’s favourite beaches, Filey also bans dogs over the summer. Walkers need to look out for the northernmost side of the beach slipway, which separates the Coble Landing from the Promenade. Everywhere from here to the southernmost point of the sea wall at Royal Parade is out of bounds.

Hornsea - Another popular Yorkshire beach included in the 2014 Good Beach Guide, Hornsea excludes dogs between the concrete ramp at Headland View and the steps south of Sands Lane.

Image: PxHere

Sansend - Everything at Sansend is out of bounds for pups, from the steps below the public conveniences below Sandhills to the slipway at the southern end of Bank Bottom car park. Similarly in Scarborough, both the North and South Bays are entirely off-limits to dogs.

Whitby - At Whitby, dogs are allowed at Tate Hill if they are kept on a lead – but must avoid the West Beach, from the West Pier to the promenade from the east side of the beach steps adjacent to the western end of the beach chalets.

Which beaches can I take my dog to in Yorkshire this summer?

Fortunately, not every beach is off-limits to man’s best friend this summer.

Hunmanby Gap – just 4 miles from Filey, this beach is absolutely massive and extends right along to Reighton Sands. A car park at the end of Sands Road charges £1 per hour up to 3 hours or £5 for all day, and there’s also a dog-friendly beach cafe if you fancy a slice of cake afterwards.

Fraisthorpe Beach – part of Bridlington Bay, popular with dog walkers all year round. There’s a private car park at the top of the beach, charges vary according to the season but even in summer it’s only £3.00 for the day. Sometimes you can also get dog lollies at the Cowshed Cafe (because ice cream isn’t just for humans).

Image: The Hoot

Runswick Bay – 9 miles north of Whitby, arguably one of Yorkshire’s prettiest beaches. Parking available, dog friendly pub in the village.

Cayton Bay – 3 miles south of Scarborough. check out the WW11 pill boxes at the northern end of the beach. Surf shop in carpark sells coffees.

Feature image - The Hoot