A Harrogate girl will represent Great Britain at a European tennis final following her success in the county round.

Roberta Gaskell, 12, won the U12’s match at the Babolat Cup UK 2023 last month – a tournament she has won every year since she was 8 – and will compete in the final in 2024.

The Harrogate Grammar School pupil played against 15 others representing UK counties.

Roberta also received the opportunity to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca for one week.

In addition, she was awarded a 12-month sponsorship contract with Babolat UK Hardware and will be kitted out with rackets, strings and other equipment.

The dates of the training camp have not been confirmed yet, but Roberta’s mother said she will “hopefully get to meet Nadal”.

Mel Gaskell told the Stray Ferret:

“She was amazing at the county competition; she kept her cool and did so well.

“The ironic thing is I nearly didn’t take her to the tournament!”

Roberta will compete in the The Babolat Cup European Masters, which will take place at the All in Country Club, in Lyon. It will see players from the UK, Spain, Holland, Italy, France and Germany go head-to-head.

Her tennis career began when she was 5 at The Academy in Harrogate, which was taken over by David Lloyd in 2017.

Roberta now trains three times a week at Leeds Beckett University and is ranked 47th in the UK for her age, according to the Lawn Tennis Association.

Her mum added:

“She’s such a happy little soul and she’s loving tennis.

“We think of her like a little racehorse.”

Roberta helped her school tennis team reach the regional stage last week.

She also plays rugby and competes in tetrathlons, which involve shooting, swimming, running, and riding.

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A planning application has been submitted to convert a former Harrogate music studio into an immersive magic show venue.

Magician Neil Bradley-Smith applied for a change of use of the Blue Sky Music Studio, on Mayfield Grove, which was previously occupied by a piano teacher.

Mr Bradley-Smith has proposed to turn the site into a “speakeasy-style” entertainment venue to perform live shows.

These would be ticketed events.

He told the Stray Ferret he provisionally took the lease on in August, but said he’d only commit to the property providing his planning application is successful.

He added:

“I’d like to partition the venue and make the first room an entirely interactive magic show.

“For example, I’d have a deck of cards stuck to the wall which would then be used in the show later on.

“Then, the other half of the venue would become a 1920s-style parlour where I’d perform traditional card tricks.”

The application, which was submitted to North Yorkshire Council in September, outlines the change of use from retail to sui generis, which means the use of the venue does not fall into a particular category due to it being unusual.

Mr Bradley-Smith said he was inspired by a friend who runs a similar venue in Durham, adding:

“It would be a new venture for me, but I’ve been thinking about it for around the last 5 years.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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A Christmas shopping event will be held in Hampsthwaite for another year to raise money for The Roddy Scott Foundation.

Lovingly Made in the Dales will make its return to the Harrogate village to showcase the work of local artisans and artists.

Guests can expect locally-made candles, jewellery, art and glass decorations, as well as a raffle and festive food and drinks.

The foundation is an educational charity that is dedicated to teaching English and providing career opportunities to the children of the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia.

Roddy Scott was a BBC journalist who was killed there while reporting on the second Chechen war – his family live near Pateley Bridge.

Founder Katie Andrew held the first event last Christmas raising £900 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

She said:

“It will be a fun evening to enjoy with friends, whilst doing your Christmas shopping, supporting local artists & makers, and the amazing charity, The Roddy Scott Foundation.”

Those that would like to be involved in showcasing their work can contact Katie on 0777 5630 260.

The event will take place in Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm – 9pm.

Tickets, which can be bought by contacting Katie, cost £10 per adult and includes a glass of wine, nibbles and a raffle ticket.

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A Harrogate family is preparing to climb Africa’s highest mountain in aid of a local charity.

Richard Pughe, who is a partner at Begbies Traynor Group, will take on the 19,340 ft climb next February alongside his wife Nikki Sutcliffe, his son and stepson, as well as his friend.

The family visited Artizan Café in Harrogate, which employs and supports 23 people with various disabilities, and was inspired by its “fantastic work”.

They then chose to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Artizan International.

Mr Pughe said:

“The passion and joy with which both the trainees and trainers work is incredible.

“They’re making a tremendous difference to people’s lives, both here in Harrogate with their café and creative workshop and through projects in Ecuador and Peru.

“We were looking to take on a fundraising challenge to mark a few different significant birthdays that are happening next year in our family, and we were so impressed by Artizan International that we wanted to help them.”

The family is training for the eight-day expedition across the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, as well as hiking in the French Alps this summer.

They hope to raise at least £1,500 for the charity.

Mr Pughe added:

“Without doubt, coping with the altitude and low oxygen levels will be the most challenging aspect of the climb.

“We are doing as many high-level walks as we can and all trying to increase our fitness in preparation for February’s trip.

“We want to raise as much money as possible for Artizan International and it would be brilliant if our expedition inspires people to sponsor us.”

The charity was launched in Harrogate in 2013 after founder, Susie Hart MBE, set up a social centre in Tanzania to support and employ local people with disabilities.

Ms Hart also said:

“We’re tremendously grateful to Richard, Nikki and family for choosing to support our work with differently-abled people locally and overseas in this way and the funds they raise will make a huge difference.

“We’ll be able to provide training and support that’s literally life-changing, for many more people with disabilities, thanks to their support. We’ll be cheering them on, all the way.”

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North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has rejected advice to delay the appointment of a new chief constable.

The current chief constable, Lisa Winward, announced last month she will retire on March 31, 2024.

As a result, members of North Yorkshire and York’s police, fire and crime panel, which met at City of York Council yesterday, urged Conservative commissioner Zoë Metcalfe to postpone the recruitment process for up to 15 months.

Ms Winward’s retirement will come just weeks before a new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who will take on police commissioner powers including the ability to appoint a chief constable, will be elected.

The panel felt the delay would ensure senior police officers had sufficient time to see eye-to-eye with the new mayor.

Ms Metcalfe, however, rejected the guidance today. She felt months of temporary leadership would not be in the public’s best interest.

She said:

“As the single elected individual with responsibility for the totality of policing and crime for York and North Yorkshire, I have a duty to ensure that the force has outstanding, inspirational long-term leadership to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.

“I was surprised that some panel members saw fit to substitute their preference, not just for my decision, but for the considered professional views of all national stakeholders with a remit for excellence in police leadership.

“It gives me no pleasure to say that the recommendations of those key national stakeholders outweigh the panel’s recommendation.

“I stand by my decision.”

Ms Metcalfe added:

“This is a crucial time for the programme of improvements for North Yorkshire Police.

“The role of chief constable of North Yorkshire Police is a terrific opportunity for an inspirational, visionary chief police officer.

“The process for selection will be open, rigorous, exciting and challenging – and will involve a broad range of local and national key partner organisations so that York and North Yorkshire can be sure that we have the very best of police leadership for our communities.”

The move comes as members of the panel raised concern that the selection of the chief constable would coincide with the election of the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire.

Cllr Lindsay Burr, who represents Malton, said it would be an incorrect decision for the public to appoint a chief constable when the force’s strategic direction had not been set by the incoming mayor.

Huby councillor and former police officer Malcolm Taylor said while moving ahead with recruiting a chief constable might be a good decision in the short-term, the appointment was a long-term role.

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe also rejected an option to appoint an interim chief constable earlier this month.

The Stray Ferret reported that the commissioner was also given alternatives, including appointing the deputy chief constable to role until after mayoral election, but turned down both options in favour of starting a recruitment process.

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A Harrogate man will begin his drive from Harrogate to Georgia today to deliver an ambulance on his 49th humanitarian trip.

John Shackleton, 85, has bought and stocked 36 ambulances over the last 30 years to provide emergency vehicles and vital medical equipment to humanitarian organisations in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Last month, Mr Shackleton appealed for co-drivers last month and has since been “inundated” with applications.

One passenger, a Harrogate man who works as a veterinary regional manager, finishes work at midday today and will venture straight to Georgia.

The other, who is from High Wycombe, is an army paramedic who took the opportunity while on leave.

Mr Shackleton told the Stray Ferret a Berlin-based film crew also contacted him to follow the 3,000-mile journey. The producers will be dropped off en route in Berlin.

The group plans to deliver the ambulance, that Mr Shackleton collected from Amsterdam earlier this week, to a small organisation building a hospice on a farm on the Georgian and Russian border.

He said the organisation has been “praying for an ambulance for years”.

When asked if this would be Mr Shackleton’s final mission, he added:

“Well, I’ve said my trips before would be my final one and I’m still going now.

“I had a heart attack – which I’m mending from very quickly – but I lost a lot of weight and, as I’m struggling to put it back on, it’s becoming difficult to chop the wood I sell to fund the ambulances.”

Mr Shackleton anticipates the journey will take around 10 days. He said:

“I’m not nervous about this trip – I don’t get nervous. If problems are there, I solve them. They’re there to be solved.

“It’s a waste of time to worry.”

Mr Shackleton began his humanitarian work after seeing news reports revealing the poor conditions of Romanian orphanages following the borders opening in 1990. He was joined by a team of volunteers to install flushing toilets and showers at the orphanage.

This time, the team will stay in Georgia for just under a week to help the organisation, before hitchhiking to the nearest international airport to return home.

Mr Shackleton and his co-drivers will depart from his Harrogate home at midday today.

Click here to find out more about John Shackleton’s previous trips.

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A Knaresborough man will drive to Ukraine later this month to deliver two fire engines.

Bob Frendt, who is in his 70s, began his humanitarian work just over 18 months ago after the war between Ukraine and Russia began.

He said:

“I saw it on the TV when it started and saw the conditions these people were living in.

“I said to my wife ‘I can’t just sit here; I need to do something to help’.”

He is now preparing to make his ninth trip to the city of Volodymyr.

The Mayor of Volodymyr requested Mr Frendt, who is a retired truck driver, to supply the community with a fire engine after the original one was taken for use in Kyiv.

Bob Frendt’s fire engine.

He has held several fundraising events to pay for the £24,000 fire engine, including quiz nights and choir concerts, but said he has not worked out the total amount raised yet.

A company also donated a second vehicle to Mr Frendt after hearing about his venture.

He will be joined by his wife Maureen and two other passengers along the way.

The group will set off on Friday, October 27 at 2pm, from Aldi car park in Knaresborough.

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North Yorkshire Police believe a collision in Scotton could be linked to a recent car theft in Knaresborough.

Emergency services, including North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, were called to the incident, which happened on Market Flat Lane in Scotton at 6.17pm yesterday.

Fire crews found a 53-reg blue Land Rover Freelander on its roof on arrival.

A police spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“The vehicle had overturned and two young men ran off into a nearby field, off Scotton Way.

“Despite ground searched and assistance from a police airplane, they have not yet been located.”

The force does not believe the men suffered serious injuries.

It added an investigation into the theft of the Land Rover Freelander in Knaresborough, which happened on Wednesday, October 11, has been linked to the collision.

The car is believed to have been stolen between 2pm and 6pm that day.

A spokesperson added:

“Witnesses or anyone with dash-cam or doorbell footage are asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 4, and speak to the Force Control Room.”

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12230193555 when providing details.

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A fresh planning application to convert part of a vacant Kirkby Malzeard pub has been submitted.

The Henry Jenkins Inn, near Ripon, has been at the centre of a long-standing battle between residents and developers over the years.

Now, developer Justin Claybourn, who already owns the eastern annexe of the site, wants to convert redundant outbuildings at the site into a holiday cottage.

The application, which was submitted in August by Jennifer Hubbard Town Planning Consultant, outlines the details of the proposed house – including one bedroom and one bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Mr Claybourn also hopes to reduce the existing ten car parking spaces down to four, as well developing a garden and patio around the building.

Access to the building would be from Main Street via an existing pedestrian and vehicular access across land already owned by Mr Claybourn, it adds.

In a cover letter, the agent said the applicant and his family have “long standing connections with the area”.

A decision has not been made about the application yet, but it has proved unpopular with local residents.

One resident commented on the application:

“This application appears to be one of a series of planning applications by the owner in an attempt to split up the original pub property and obtain residential planning permission by steadily reducing any chance that the original pub, can be bought & run successfully.

“The village needs affordable housing rather than a holiday cottage for someone already living elsewhere.

“It is difficult enough for young people to rent & work in the village as it is; they hardly have a chance at buying properties.”

The proposed plans.

The Henry Jenkins Inn opened in the 1700s and closed in 2011.

The current owner David Fielder bought it the following year.

It was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017 as requested by local residents. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Claybourn. 

Community grant

The objections to the application follow a £330,000 grant awarded to villagers campaigning to the save the former public house.

Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young, announced the resident-controlled company, Henry Jenkins Community Pub (HJCP), was successful in its application to receive the Community Ownership Fund in September.

Campaigners hope to buy and refurbish the building and transform it into a community-owned pub, bistro, and coffee shop.

However, the grant is understood to be dependent on a 20% match funding and will only be given to the HJCP providing they come up with £66,000.

The group has already made six purchase offers to Mr Fielder – all of which he has rejected.

In September, however, he told the Stray Ferret he would be “happy to sell for the right price”.

Mr Fielder bought his first pub in 1987 and now owns 18 across North and West Yorkshire.

His broad property portfolio also includes industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.

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Fire crews were called to a single vehicle collision near Knaresborough last night.

Knaresborough and Harrogate firefighters arrived at the scene at 6.13pm on Market Flat Lane, in Scotton, and found a car was on its roof.

The vehicle, which was a Land Rover Freelander, had lost control, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported.

The incident log added:

“Witnesses had seen two persons running from the scene and no other persons were involved.

“Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to check the nearby vicinity for any casualties, none were found.”

The incident was left with the police and no further details were provided.

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