On the first really hot day of summer, Emily Watson’s dog walker arrived early to exercise her bichon frise Molly before the heat fully hit.
At about 9.20am, Emily received a call from the dog walker to say Molly had been spooked by another dog at Nidd Gorge and she’d spent the last 20 minutes looking for her.
Emily and her partner Ben went to join the hunt, thinking it was only a matter of time before Molly turned up. But by dusk she was panicking and her family’s life hasn’t been the same since.
On the two-month anniversary of when Molly went missing, Emily sat down with her mum Beverley Malins to talk about the story that has gripped Harrogate — and how she remains desperate for a final chapter with a happy ending.
Molly has distinctive red fur on her chest.
Amid the ongoing torture, the search has revealed the best of humanity as hundreds of people have given thousands of hours to join the quest to find Molly and dozens of people have donated everything from thermal imaging cameras to signs.
On the day we met, a couple from Glasgow, who were visiting York on holiday, had been in touch offering to come to Harrogate to help. Emily says:
“The generosity of even total strangers has been amazing. I don’t know how I can repay everybody or thank them enough.
“From the moment the dog walking community found out, they were all there to help.
First family pet
Molly was 12 weeks old when she became Emily and Ben’s first dog. Beverley says:
“I was apprehensive because Emily had never had a dog before but she has absolutely blown me away with her commitment.”
Molly was aged four when she went missing and a treasured part of the family that also includes three children aged 12, 10 and three. Youngest Hugo sometimes sleeps in Molly’s bed and often carries a stuffed dog toy.
Hugo sleeping in Molly’s bed.
Few hunts for pets have been more intense. It has involved search parties of up to 50 people, drones, thermal imaging cameras, wildlife cameras, a live cam, sniffer dogs and a huge awareness campaign that has led to a Facebook group with almost 3,000 followers. Emily says:
“People have been out to the middle of the night. Everybody has been incredible.”
Read more:
- Missing dog Molly: new poster released on two-month anniversary
- Harrogate rallies in search of missing dog Molly
Emily’s phone barely stops ringing. Sometimes she gets hoax calls and possible sightings are reported daily. She has learned the hard way to be wary.
“A month ago a man called me. He said, ‘I’ve got your dog, she’s got cuts to her legs but she’s fine. I’m 100% certain it’s her. Come to Ripley to collect her.
“I started crying and my heart was absolutely pounding. We got to Ripley car park and I went to pick her up from the back of his vehicle and my heart just dropped when I realised it wasn’t her.
“I didn’t know what to say. The man messaged later to say he was really sorry.
“I didn’t even think to say ‘could you send me a photo?’ because I was so excited. Now I ask for a photo or video because it’s too upsetting to be let down.”
‘Like getting on a roundabout every day’
Molly has distinctive red staining on her chest from drinking water and getting her fur wet.
Emily is acutely aware some people think she is dead but lost dogs have turned up years later and she refuses to give up hope. She says:
“It’s the not knowing. Sometimes you feel deflated because you think you are chasing nothing. We just want an answer.”
Beverley, who has joined 40 Facebook pages for missing dogs, says:
“It’s like getting on a roundabout every day. Every day is the same and it’s never ending.”
While everything has been going on, Emily has had to be a mum and hold down two jobs. She runs a business providing balloon for events and works at the Yorkshire Hotel, which has granted her time off.
Emily and her mum Beverley Malins
Amid the dozens of people helping, three people — Jen Bell, Colin Corker and Mark Smith — are singled out for special thanks for helping with everything from social media to drones.
They’ve done a remarkable job keeping a missing dog story in the news so long. Now everybody is hoping for a happy ending. Emily says:
“It’s now at the point where we have to hope for sightings, hope for good news. I will just cry and cry if she comes back.”
Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m
County council officials today warned that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.
The cost of the scheme to build a diversion on the A59, near Blubberhouses, has increased to £68.8 million.
Senior North Yorkshire county councillors today approved a further £7.2 million to the project in order to cover the shortfall caused by a rise in inflation.
It takes the council’s contribution to the major highways project to £12.7 million after the Department for Transport capped its contribution at £56.1 million.
Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, told councillors today that the reduction in funding from ministers combined with inflation soaring would leave high risk on the council for capital schemes such as Kex Gill.
He said:
“In terms of capital, you are seeing two things happening in general and I think it is right that members are aware of the risks.
“We have got allocations in government funding across the board actually reducing in quantum for the forthcoming period and in parallel with that we have got inflation rates taking off.
“So what you have actually got is a much reduced spending power going forward and a higher profile of risk based upon major schemes where the burden of risk will fall 100% with the council.”
A report before councillors today warned that any “unforeseen events” with the Kex Gill scheme which lead to increased cost would fall upon the authority.
Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the council, added:
“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased to be having to recommend a further £7.2 million to the Kex Gill project, but nonetheless it shows our commitment to major road improvement.”
Read more:
- Kex Gill realignment cost increases to £68m
- Delayed A59 Kex Gill reroute now set to start next year and finish in 2025
The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.
Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.
North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.
Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.
New royal walk created for HarrogateA royal walk has been created celebrating Harrogate’s links with the monarchy.
The route takes people past 18 locations with royal connections, such as the Sun Pavilion, which was re-opened by the Queen in 1998 and the King Edward VII gates to Valley Gardens.
It starts at Cathcart House and proceeds up Victoria Avenue and across Library Gardens to the Queen Victoria memorial.
It then goes down James Street, across to Old Tom’s Cabin, Farrah’s and Victoria Drive and up to the Edward Vll gates, Royal Baths Hospital, Sun Pavilion, Crescent Gardens before finishing at the Crown Hotel.
Walkers are advised to allow up to 90 minutes.
Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:
“The walk is an opportunity to reflect on the many royal connections across the town.”
Read more:
The self-guided walk is accompanied by a leaflet providing information about the route as well as details of royal visits to Harrogate.
The leaflet is available from libraries, the tourist information centre and Mercer gallery, as well as online here.
The walk is a joint venture between Harrogate Dramatic Society, Harrogate Civic Society and Harrogate Borough Council.
The route was devised by Mr Holland and Harry Satloka, who operates Harrogate Free Walking Tours, as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Mr Holland and Mr Satloka led an inaugural walk today, which was followed by a one-act play by Harrogate Dramatic Society. Cllr Victoria Oldham, mayor of the Harrogate borough, was among those attending.
Riverdale star Camila Mendes believed to be filming in Harrogate todayRiverdale star Camila Mendes is believed to be back in Harrogate today to film for an Amazon Prime production.
Upgraded Films UK has been unloading vans on James Street in preparation for filming this afternoon.
The American-Brazilian actress and singer, who made her debut portraying Veronica Lodge in the teen drama series Riverdale, was photographed filming on the Stray two weeks ago.
She and Archie Renaux are starring in a romantic comedy called Upgraded directed by Carlson Young, who could also be in town.
Camila Mendes filming on the Stray a fortnight ago.
Mendes’ Instagram story also showed her visiting Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, on her last visit.
Since then filming has taken place around West Yorkshire.
Several vehicles parked on the side of James Street this lunchtime and began unloading kit. Signs said filming was due to take place.
James Street is expected to stay open throughout the duration of today’s filming.
Read more:
Extension to be built on former Ali Raj restaurant in Harrogate
Plans to build an extension at the back of the former Ali Raj restaurant on Cheltenham Crescent have been approved by Harrogate Borough Council.
The plans were submitted by the owners of the building, who also own the pub downstairs, The Little Ale House.
Richard Park and his wife Danni opened The Little Ale House in 2016 to recreate a rustic country pub atmosphere in the town centre.
The Ali Raj was a longstanding Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Harrogate that closed in 2021. It was the first Bangladeshi restaurant in town when it opened more than 35 years ago.
A change of use application was approved in February to turn the restaurant into a bar.
The latest plans will create improved back-of-house and toilet facilities and a roof terrace to increase seating capacity.
Mr Park told the Stray Ferret that building work is set to begin next summer when he will say which business will use the space.
He stressed the new venue will not be an extension of the Little Ale House, which will remain a separate business downstairs.
A CGI image of how the extension will look
Read more:
- Knaresborough pub co-founder leaves after two years
- Four traditional pubs to visit in the Harrogate district
Harrogate boy, 15, sentenced for stealing car and carrying knife
A 15-year-old Harrogate boy has been referred to a youth offender panel for 12 months for stealing a car and carrying a knife and bolt cutters.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also ordered to pay a £22 surcharge to fund victim services.
Magistrates in Harrogate imposed the sentence on Friday after the teenager pleaded guilty to three offences, which all took place on January 20 this year.
The first was stealing a car of unknown value on John Street, Harrogate.
The second was having a kitchen knife on West Park Stray on January 20 and the third was for going equipped to steal with bolt cutters at the same location.
The court took into account the boy’s guilty pleas when imposing the sentence.
Read more:
- Girls aged 13 and 14 admit setting fire to bins in Harrogate
- Man jailed for stealing MBE medal in Harrogate burglary
Missing dog Molly: new poster released on two-month anniversary
The owners of missing dog Molly have released a new poster today on the two-month anniversary of her disappearance.
Molly, a white bichon frise, was spooked by another dog and ran away in Nidd Gorge on June 23.
Her disappearance sparked a huge search involving search parties, drones and thermal imaging cameras.
A Facebook group devoted to finding Molly has 2,600 members.
Emily Watson, who lives in Starbeck, continues to oversee the hunt on behalf of her devastated family.
But so far the mystery remains unsolved.
The family hopes the poster will keep the search fresh in people’s minds. Emily said:
“We are now at the point where we have to hope for sightings, hope for good news.
Hundreds of people have given their time for free to help the Watsons. Emily said:
“I don’t know how I can ever repay everybody enough. The support we have had has been overwhelming.”
Read more:
- Search for missing dog Molly set to enter second month
- Calls to grit more Harrogate district roads set to be rejected
Plan to convert Harrogate guesthouse into holiday lets
Plans have been submitted to convert a Harrogate guesthouse into nine holiday lets.
The proposal has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Leeds-based Maison Parfaite, which runs Shannon Court on Dragon Avenue.
It would see nine holiday apartments created, which include living and kitchen areas and bedrooms with en-suit bathrooms.
The developer, which also runs holiday properties in Pateley Bridge, said in documents submitted to the council that “the holiday industry is changing” and that visitors preferred “self-contained accommodation”.
It said:
“Although the proposal is for a change of use to a residential use, the proposal would be to provide nine holiday letting rooms which would enhance the tourist offer to the local economy.
“The holiday industry is changing with visitors requiring an improved quality of accommodation and enjoy self contained accommodation rather than the communal dining facilities provided in the existing guest house.”
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
Read more:
- Campaign to improve Knaresborough High Street
- 170-home plan ‘not right’ for Knaresborough, says town councillor
CCTV appeal after man’s eye socket fractured in Harrogate
Update: Police have now identified the man pictured in the CCTV.
A teenager has been arrested following a serious assault in Harrogate town centre that left a man in hospital with multiple injuries.
It happened in the alleyway at the rear of Primark on Oxford Street at around 5.20pm on Friday (19 August).
Police want to speak to a man pictured by CCTV as officers believe he may have information about the incident.
The victim, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital where he was treated for a fractured eye socket, black eye, lacerations to his face and cuts to his hands.
A 17-year-old male has been arrested following the incident.
A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said:
“Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident as well as identifying a second male pictured by CCTV.
“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email graham.truman@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC1563 Truman.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220147511.”
Read more:
- Police plea to Ripon parents after anti-social behaviour complaints
- Police seize drugs, knife and machete from car near Harrogate
Yorkshire Water giving out free bottled water at Ripon’s Market Place
People in the Ripon area have woken up to a water outage for the second time in a week.
North Road in Ripon is flooded, with pictures of it on Blow Your Horn Facebook page prompting comments by people in Ripon, Melmerby, Dishforth and Sharow they have no water.
Ripon and surrounding villages were hit by an outage last Thursday after a pipe burst on North Street.
In Harrogate, a burst main in Otley Road has cut water to some homes in HG2.
Follow our live coverage below.
5.45pm – Engineers ‘recharging the system’
The Stray Ferret asked a Yorkshire Water spokesperson if the burst main could leave some households without water into tomorrow.
He was unable to give any timescales but said engineers are working to ‘recharge the system’ which should restore the water supply. However, he said this needs to be done carefully to manage water pressure.
The spokesperson said he expects water will be ‘back on soon’.
5.20pm – Still no water for parts of Ripon
There is still no water for some properties in Ripon following this morning’s burst water main on North Street.
Yorkshire Water has arranged a bottled water station in Market Place, where anyone is free to come and collect bottles of water.
2.00pm – Yorkshire Water pumping water into Ripon network
Yorkshire Water is currently pumping water into its network via tankers. It’s so the city centre remains with water whilst engineers work to fix the burst main. No time has been given for when water will return back to normal.
The company is also looking for somewhere in the city for customers to collect bottles of water.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:
“We are on-site fixing the issue and working hard to restore water supply as soon as possible.
“Our teams are delivering bottled water to customers on our priority service register, additional vulnerable customers and care homes. We’re also working with our partners to deliver bottled water to rural communities and set up a bottled water collection point for customers in Ripon. We will update as soon as we have a location for that.
“We’ve also put measures in place – such as tankering into our network – to make sure we can restore supply to as many customers as possible, as quickly as possible.”
12.05pm – Water restored in Harrogate, but Ripon awaiting a fix
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson has said the burst water main in Otley Road, Harrogate has now been fixed with customers back to their normal supply.
However, in Ripon engineers are still working to fix the burst pipe on North Street. It happened because last week’s burst, also on North Street, weakened another part of the pipe today causing it to burst.
Bottled water is being delivered to vulnerable customers and a bottled water station will be set up soon.
“Last week there was a burst on a 12-inch main on North Street, Ripon – we fixed the issue on the same day, but unfortunately it weakened another area of the pipe, which burst this morning. The new burst is around 20m away from the original burst.
“We’re on site working on the fix this morning – with temporary traffic lights and the same diversion still in place. We’re currently delivering bottled water to vulnerable customers, care homes and those on our priority services register. We will be setting up a bottled water station for other customers shortly.”
10.05am – Works on Otley Road
This is the current scene on Otley Road near to the junction with Pannal Ash Road where work is being carried out to restore water in the HG2 area.
9.55am – Ripon residents pitch in to prevent flooding
Barry Dolan, who helped to clear the drains.
A group of residents of North Road whose houses are beyond the clock tower junction when heading out of the city, ensured that their gardens and those of neighbours across the road, were not flooded for long, as they worked to unblock drains full of straw debris and fallen leaves.
Barry Dolan (pictured) said:
“The reason that the gardens were flooded by the water from the burst main, was because of the blocked drains (see photo) that get jammed up with straw that comes off passing trailers whose loads get caught by overhanging branches.
“When we woke to see what had happened a number of us joined in to clear the blockages and the water subsided.”
One of the blocked drains on North Road, Ripon.
Mr Dolan added:
“Because the drains are not cleared out regularly, we also get flooding along this section when there is heavy rain.”
9.45am – Ripon retirement apartment manager hopes water can be restored quickly
Yvonne Mulholland, outside McCarthy and Stone’s Dawson Grange.
For the second time in four days, Yvonne Mulholland, the manager of McCarthy and Stone’s Dawson Grange retirement apartments on North Street (pictured) had to call Yorkshire Water for an emergency supply of bottled water.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We have residents in 28 apartments, some of whom are vulnerable and needing to keep hydrated.
“Yorkshire Water were very good last week and supplied us with 40 bottles to give to residents and I have spoken with them again this morning.
“With the burst main immediately outside our premises, I just hope that the problem can be sorted out quickly and with the minimum of disruption to our residents and neighbours.”
9.40am – Temporary lights on Pannal Ash Road
Temporary lights have been put in place between the junction of Pannal Ash Road and Pannal Ash Drive.
Yorkshire Water said this morning that technicians were on site to carry out repairs and return water to residents.
8.45am – Water could be off for up to six hours
Yorkshire Water is reporting on its social media that water in Ripon could be off for between four to six hours.
The company added that it will “aim to get the water back as soon as possible”.
https://twitter.com/YWHelp/status/1561596914608619521?s=20&t=a4N3hfvun0oDwQWv6NjV-g
8.20am – Technicians on Otely Road
Yorkshire Water has confirmed that technicians are on site at Otley Road to try and get water back on for residents.
https://twitter.com/YorkshireWater/status/1561608712887930880?s=20&t=RJa7hFCYZHV6nTLeUeZ1tQ
8.10am – Pictures from North Street
This is the current scene at North Street in Ripon, where a burst pipe is causing a water outage for residents in the area.
7.55am – Yorkshire Water confirms burst pipe
Yorkshire Water has tweeted this morning to say a burst pipe on North Street is causing the outage in Ripon.
⚠️ #HG4 #Northstreet ⚠️ I am sorry to inform. Customers may have low pressure or no water due to a repair of a main needed due to a burst pipe. Apologies for any inconvenience. Updates to follow. -Laura pic.twitter.com/jAqfVMoKmr
— Yorkshire Water Help (@YWHelp) August 22, 2022
7.52am – Ripon resident: ‘This is ridiculous’
One resident in Ripon has got in touch with the Stray Ferret to report the outage.
They said:
“The burst water main in North Street has gone again, this morning it’s flooding the road again. We live on a residential park on Palace Road and had no information the first time.
“This is ridiculous, how are pensioners supposed to carry four litres of water to their homes.”
7.48am – Bishop of Ripon reports outage
The Bishop of Ripon, Helen-Ann Hartley, tweeted to Yorkshire Water:
“No water in Ripon again. Any idea how long this time? Will more bottled water and information be forthcoming, especially to outlying villages please?”
7.45am – Reports of water outage
Reports have come in from Harrogate and Ripon of a water outage and low pressure in the areas.
Yorkshire Water said on its website:
“Customers may have no water or low pressure due to a burst main. We are working to restore supplies back to normal as soon as possible.”
In Harrogate, a burst main n Otley Road has cut water to some homes in HG2.
One person affected received the following response from Yorkshire Water:
“Our technicians are on site dealing with the repair, however it could be 4-6 hours before the water comes back on and when it does it may be a little cloudy and discoloured.”
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