Mystery surrounds future of Spofforth Golf Course

The owners of Spofforth Golf Course have remained silent following the apparent sale of the site last year.

The course was listed for sale for £2 million last summer and appeared to be under new ownership in October after agent Lister Haigh changed the listing to sold subject to contract.

But, five months later, there appears to have been no further developments.

The Stray Ferret made enquiries after receiving several emails asking about the status of the club. One said:

“This is the only non-members club in the district offering both nine and 18-hole playing opportunities at affordable rates but it has now been closed for several weeks.

“I am aware the course was up for sale but has the sale been finalised and are the new owners going to reopen the course?  If so, when?

“This course is an important local amenity and I’m sure a lot of golfers in the area want to know what us happening.”

They added:

“The gates to the course are closed, there are no notices on the gates yet the website says the course is open although you can’t book a tee time. In this day and age communication is easy and inexpensive yet the future of the course is unknown.”

The Stray Ferret has approached the golf club for an update but has not had a reply.

We contacted Spofforth Parish Council to see if it could shed light on the situation. It replied:

“The parish council are not involved with the sale of the golf club, although we understand the sale has been concluded.”

The parish clerk added the family that owns the club is “still in residence at the house”, but did not provide any further detail.

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Several people have taken to social media with similar enquiries.

People commented on the club’s Facebook page, which has not been updated since September, asking whether the course is open, with one adding:

“Does anyone know? No one ever picks up the phone or replies to messages/emails.”

Spofforth Golf Course, which opened in 1994, was originally a family-run farm, before becoming an 18-hole pay and play site.

The sale of the 130-acre property included a six-bay driving range, a clubhouse, green-keeping complex and car park, a four-bed detached bungalow, a one-bed stable annexe and a double garage.

According to the sale listing, the property is still subject to an agricultural occupancy restriction, which states:

“The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed or last employed in the locality in agriculture.”

It also said the sporting rights were included in the sale, so far as they are “owned or exist”.

At the time of the sale, we contacted Lister Haigh for further information, which declined to comment and said it was a “private family matter”.

Kirk Hammerton furniture company withdraws plans for 24 retirement flats

A well-known furniture store in Kirk Hammerton has withdrawn plans to build 24 retirement flats at the site.

Geoffrey Benson and Son Furniture Showroom submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to build the two-bedroom apartments for over-55s last June.

The company, which has been at the site since 1992, also hoped to build a further four two-bedroom flats on the first and second floors of its existing showroom building, as well as a tearoom on the ground floor.

The application also outlined plans to create new access onto Station Road, car-parking with electric charging points and new landscaping.

However, the application was withdrawn in a decision notice uploaded by the council on Tuesday.

Martin Benson, owner of the site and company, told the Stray Ferret the paddock, which would have housed some of the new apartment blocks, is not included in the current Local Plan set out by the council but the existing showroom building is.

For this reason, Mr Benson was told the plans are a “no go”, he added.

He said:

“The paddock was previously included in the Local Plan, but now its outside of it and I’m told it cannot be developed on.

“Developers that have approached me all want to knock this building down, but I don’t want that, I have an attachment to it.

“I think there is a real shortage of good retirement flats in this area and any money I make from the apartments would be invested back into them to keep making them better.”

A 3D graphic of the proposed site.

Peter Roth of Sayle Roth Architects, who is working with Mr Benson, also told the Stray Ferret the plans have been in motion since early 2021.

He said although the existing showroom building is not of listed status, it is recognised as a building of local interest:

“It’s a building of local and historic interest – it’s been there since the 1920s.

“Many developers want to just abolish the building, which we would be a loss, and Mr Benson is so passionate about it.

“We’re going to amend the plans and re-submit them.”

Mr Benson and Mr Roth both said they hope to put the land forward at the council’s next call for sites, which gives landowners an opportunity to offer up their land to be included in the next Local Plan.

The upcoming call for sites will happen in March and April, however, the revised Local Plan currently being drawn up by the council won’t come to fruition for around another four years.

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Harrogate man to run seven ultramarathons in seven days

A Harrogate man is to run seven ultramarathons in seven days to raise money for research into Crohn’s and colitis, which are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Kevin Easley, from Plompton, will take on the mammoth 320 kilometre run in March.

He said he was inspired by his own experiences with ulcerative colitis:

“I’m undertaking this challenge, which is nothing like I’ve ever attempted before, because Crohn’s & Colitis UK is a cause close to my heart.

“Having battled ulcerative colitis two decades ago, and witnessing my sister and nephew confront Crohn’s, I understand the impact these conditions have on individuals and their families.

“This challenge is my way of giving back and supporting the invaluable work of the charity.”

Mr Easley will start the run at his workplace, Bannatyne Health Club and Spa, in Leeds.

He will run through various parts of the Harrogate district, including the Plompton Rocks area, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Huby, Kirkby Overblow and Follifoot.

He then hopes to pass the reservoirs at Swinsty, Thruscross and Fewston before heading towards Wharfedale and then around the Harrogate ringway.

On his penultimate day, he will run from Malham to the Pennine Way and out to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, after which will finish at Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in York.

Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the health club, as well as former dragon on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, praised Mr Easley for his efforts:

“Kevin’s dedication to this cause is truly inspirational.

“I am always inspired by the charitable challenges our team and members take on, and Kevin’s is no different. Across the group, thousands of pounds are raised every year for good causes and as a business we support several charities directly.

“I wish Kevin the very best of luck. We’ll have the ice packs ready for his knees at the end of the week.”

Mr Easley will begin the ultramarathon challenge on Sunday, March 10.

He will pass through the Harrogate district on March 11, 12 and 14.

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Harrogate man releases UK’s Eurovision song entry

A Harrogate-born pop star flying the flag for the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has today released his entry.

Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, announced the news that he would represent the UK on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in December.

The contest, which will be held in Malmö in Sweden, will mark the beginning of Olly’s solo career. Now, with just over two months until the competition, he has released the UK’s Eurovision entry song Dizzy to the public.

He said the song was inspired by 1980s artists including Erasure, Adamski and the Pet Shop Boys, adding:

“I wrote the song last summer with Danny L Harle, we started off with the word ‘Dizzy’ because it just popped into my head and I liked it.

“I was thinking about fun things that could make you dizzy and I remember saying “dizzy from your kisses”, so the song is about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out.”

The music video, which was directed by Colin Solal Cardo, was also released this morning and is already trending on YouTube.

Olly took to social media to tease the release of Dizzy, where he wrote:

“I’m so proud of this song and video, I can’t wait to get going with this new chapter honestly, I’m so excited.”

Despite the competition, which is marking its 68th anniversary this year, being Olly’s first solo venture, the 33-year-old is no stranger to global success.

Since 2015, Years and Years have scored two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after reaching 6.5 billion global streams.

He has worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys, and also been recognised for his acting skills.

He starred in the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which won best new drama at the National Television Awards and was nominated for leading actor at the BAFTA Television Awards for the same programme.

Olly even has his own figure in Madame Tussauds in London.

All three live Eurovision programmes – including two semi-finals and the final – will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

They will be held on May 7, 9 and 11, 2024.

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MPs Watch: Antisemitism, £380m transport fund and road safety

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In February, the newly launched York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was allocated £380 million to improve local transport, and a Harrogate councillor came under local and national spotlights following an antisemitism row.

Here’s what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Andrew Jones:

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent details of his February engagements.

These included meeting with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to discuss VAT on dementia day care services, as well as meeting with Cancer Research UK to mark World Cancer Day.

Mr Jones also chaired a meeting of public transport providers with Disability Action Yorkshire and hosted the UK Infrastructure Bank in Parliament for a reception.

He hosted the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Parliament to launch its latest report and also met with chief executive of Elevate, Nigel Ashley, to discuss plans for the new primary school in Knaresborough.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Julian Smith:

We contacted Mr Smith to see if he would like to share any particular highlights. His office responded with a review of his February engagements.

They included visiting Farewell Funerals in Masham, which offers bespoke and environmentally friendly funeral services.

Mr Smith also welcomed the news of an increase to North Yorkshire Council’s budget, which will see a rise of nearly £45 million for 2024 and 2025, as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

The MP also met with local farmers after the Prime Minister announced the government’s plan to back British farmers. This includes investing in sustainable farming businesses, strengthening food security and improving support available to farmers. His office said this is “welcome news” for farmers in Ripon.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes parts of south Harrogate, here is what we found on Labour MP Keir Mather:

When we contacted Mr Mather for comment, his office sent details of his engagements for February.

These included meeting with North Yorkshire Council to discuss preparations for flooding, as well as hosting his first cost-of-living advice hub.

Mr Mather also took to X to claim the Prime Minister has “plunged standards in public life to new depths”. This came after Rishi Sunak criticised Keir Starmer’s definition of a woman as the mother of Brianna Ghey, a transgender teenager who was murdered last year, sat in the Commons during the debate.

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Happy Mondays’ Bez among headliners for Harrogate dance music festival

The line-up for the “biggest dance music festival to ever take place in Harrogate” has been revealed.

Love to Be, a Sheffield-based record label and house music events company, will bring the festival to the Stray this September — as reported by the Stray Ferret four week ago.

It was revealed today that some familiar faces are set to appear.

Bez, a member of the Happy Mondays, will perform an acid house DJ set on the Café Mambo stage – one of three stages at the festival.

Grammy award-winning DJ Roger Sanchez will headline the main stage, along with Barbara Tucker, who had six US number 1 hits.

Iranian DJ Darius Syrossian, who has performed in some at Ibiza’s Amnesia, DC-10 and Space, will also take centre stage.

Adelphi Music Factory, K-Klass and Carly Foxx are also among those performing at the festival.

Credit: Charlie Mitchell.

Love to Be, which has been hosting events for 30 years, said the event will be a “full festival production” with two arenas, VIP areas and a food court.

It added:

“[The festival] will be the biggest dance music festival ever to take place in Harrogate.

“The response has been absolutely insane and the buzz is real.”

Love to Be Festival will take place on Saturday, September 14, from 1pm to 11pm.

Tickets are available now.

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Five arrested after county lines drug bust in Harrogate district

Five people have been arrested following a county lines drugs bust in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said it seized large amounts of what are believed to be a class A and class B drugs, as well as “thousands of prescription-type drugs” including tramadol and diazepam, at addresses in the Harrogate district and Leeds.

A significant amount of cash and several “offensive weapons” were also recovered in the warrant, the force added.

Officers arrested five men who were aged between their 30s and 50s from the Harrogate, Ripon and Leeds area as part of the operation on Tuesday (February 27).

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“The substances will be sent for laboratory testing as part of the investigation.”

Police said the men have been released under investigation to allow for further enquiries.

The force said the raid came as part of an operation to tackle county lines drug dealing, which refers to drug supply lines run by organised crime gangs from urban areas who carry drugs into rural counties.

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Nidderdale Show chair reveals why £2m sports tourism event moved to Masham

The chairman of Nidderdale Agricultural Society today revealed the reason behind the change of location of the new sports tourism event Long Course Weekend.

The three-day weekend, which North Yorkshire Council expects will attract thousands of competitors and pump £2 million into the Nidderdale economy, was due to be held at the Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge in September.

The council is holding it in collaboration with a private company and with local organisations. But it announced last week the event had been moved to Masham because of “difficulties over using the Nidderdale Showground”. No further details were released.

However, Martin Smith, chairman of Nidderdale Agricultural Society, which organises the annual Nidderdale Show, discussed the matter today.

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret that staging the inaugural Long Course Weekend raised “too many questions” about what condition the showground would be left in ahead of the agricultural show, which is being held later that same month on September 24.

He said:

“The show is our absolute priority.

“We were initially told the Long Course Weekend could be held in May. We avoid hiring out the showground in September completely due to the show — and the infamous weather we usually get with it — as we have to make sure the showground is in the best condition it can be to go ahead.

“However, it was then moved to September. We provided the Long Course Weekend with some terms and conditions, which we do when the ground is being hired out, because we wanted assurance the ground would be left in good order ahead of the show.

“We agreed to hosting the show this September on the basis it would be brought forward to earlier in the year — like May or June — the following years. This was in the hopes of better weather or, if the weather was poor, that there would be sufficient time to get the ground in good condition again in time.”

However, Mr Smith said the council began “calling the shots” and “would not budge” on the show being held annually in September. He added:

“We realised holding it every September just raised too many questions about whether the showground would be left in good condition.

“That’s when we thought it would be better to just pull out of hosting it, rather than risk the state of the land ahead of the show, which again is our priority.”

Mr Smith added the re-location was “marvellous for Masham”.

Masham Parish Council ‘delighted’ about move

Ian Johnson, vice-chairman of Masham Parish Council, today told the Stray Ferret councillors were delighted the event was coming to Masham. He added:

“It will be a huge boost to the local and indeed the wider economy in the dales.

“Masham has a history of showing huge public support for cycling events, being on the route of the grand depart, and not forgetting several Tour de Yorkshire events also came through Masham largely because it worked for them, we saw huge visitor numbers at such times.

“Masham has always welcomed visitors to locally organised events such as the steam rally and the sheep fair.”

What is the Long Course Weekend?

The Long Course Weekend will take place from September 6 to 8.

It caters for cyclists, swimmers, runners and triathletes of all abilities. It is based on a triathlon, but competitors have the opportunity to take part in all three disciples or just one.

The swim in Grimwith Reservoir includes 1.2 miles and 2.4 miles options, cycling routes are from 56 miles to 112 miles, and the running races range from 5km to a full marathon. There will also be a children’s running event.

The council paid a £26,000 hosting fee to the company which runs the event and predicted it would generate £2 million for the local economy.

Events are still expected to pass through Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge, but Masham is set to host the event for the next three years.

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Black Sheep Brewery chief executive leaves

The chief executive of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery has stepped down after nearly nine years in post.

In a press release today, the company said Charlene Lyons had left to “pursue other interests”.

She is succeeded by Mark Williams, the chief executive of Keystone Brewing Group, which acquired Black Sheep last May after it entered administration.

Mr Williams said:

“We wish Charlene all the best in the future.”

He will be assisted by John Hunt, former managing director of Purity Brewing Co., who will take on the role of chief financial officer at Keystone Brewing Group.

It was also announced today that private equity firm Breal Capital, which bought Black Sheep for £5 million on May 26 as part of a pre-package administration deal, had rebranded as Keystone Brewing Group.

The Black Sheep rescue package resulted in a “small number” of staff losing their job. However, Ms Lyons was kept on.

Administrators Teneo Financial Advisory revealed sales fell from a high of £19 million in 2019 to £14 million in 2022, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss.

The move left creditors, including HMRC and suppliers, owed nearly £3 million.

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‘People need a community pub these days’, says new Jennyfields pub landlord

The Stone Beck pub reopened last week following its sudden closure six months ago.

The pub, which is part of the 1970s-built Jennyfield Local Centre, was forced to shut after police discovered it did not have a designated premises supervisor.

People in Jennyfields awaited a new landlord prepared to take on the pub and, arguably, turn its reputation around. Yesterday, the Stray Ferret spoke to the man who has taken on the challenge to do precisely that.

Alan Evans, 42, who previously owned Geek Bar in Harrogate, says he decided to take on the Stone Beck as a form of “semi-retirement”.

“I’ve been in the hospitality industry since I was 14 and I have 26 years of experience running bars. If you’ve drunk alcohol in Harrogate, likelihood is I have served you.

“I also own a mobile bar business and I’ve spent the last 10 years driving up and down the country. I loved it, but I’d like to be settled in one place rather than serving footballers at different events.

“I’m back home now and I want to put my all into this.”

Mr Evans, who is originally from Jennyfields, doesn’t shy away from the pub’s reputation. He says he and his team feel passionately about making people that “may not have previously felt comfortable coming into the pub” feel welcome.

He adds:

“We won’t tolerate any trouble-making.

“I’ve been in this industry a long time and I feel I know how to handle those situations. Sy, the manager, also has a lot of experience working on doors, so he too knows how to diffuse those situations in the right manner.

“We’re also working with the police and Punch Pubs, which owns the site, to ensure that sort of behaviour is limited, and people feel welcome.

“So far, we’ve had no trouble and some people, who have never come in before now, told us they felt happy and safe here.”

What changes can people expect?

Mr Evans says he plans to transform the Stone Beck into a community pub, with a goal to “make good, make money and make better”.

The team has re-vamped areas that were “in need of some TLC” while remaining focused on providing a good service to make a profit and “re-invest it into the pub”, he says, adding:

“We spent about four weeks cleaning the place!

“We’ve added in new windows, we’re changing the lighting, refurbishing the beer garden and adding some licks of paint too.

“We also actually turned the heating on. We are really aware of presentation and although it’s a work in progress right now, I’d say we’re just lifting everything rather than turning it into a trendy bar.”

He also said the pub will offer a range of themed nights and events to encourage different members of the community to visit the pub.

These include daytime bingo sessions for older people, which will be in partnership with Jennyfields Fisheries, as well as line dancing evenings and charity events. 

Mr Evans also told the Stray Ferret there will be a wide range of board games on offer. He added:

“This idea came off the back of Geek Bar.

“We’re working with The Secret Lair. It’s a not-for-profit that invites people to play board games – a lot of people play Dungeons and Dragons too – and just encourages people to socialise.

“It’s for absolutely anyone, but it’s proven popular with people that may be on the autistic spectrum, those with social anxiety and members of the LGBTQ+ community. People can be whoever they want to be when playing those games or getting into a character.

“It’s just a way of getting people out the house and socialising. It’s great.”

These will be free to play but require a deposit. People will also be able to take part in tournaments.

Food and drink

Mr Evans says the pub will serve “premium products at mid-range prices” to ensure it is affordable for the local community.

There are a range of draught beers and ales, including John Smiths and Stella Artois, which range between £3.50 and £4.50 per pint. Wine, spirits and soft drinks are also available.

The pub will also serve food in the coming weeks. Mr Evans says the menu will consist of “traditional pub-grub”, as well as American-style hot dogs and chilli, adding:

“We’re looking at getting a coffee machine so we can serve bacon rolls and hot drinks for people. Also, we’re in talks with street food vendors to host summer events.

“Basically, the pub is a place where you can buy a bottle of wine and not break the bank.”

In addition, the Stone Beck team also hopes to make the site a hub for remote workers, with free WIFI and charging points available.

Mr Evans told the Stray Ferret:

“We’ll be abiding by all the rules and regulations that are in place for the pub and we welcome anyone that does the same.

“Providing people respect the rules and laws, the venue and us, they are welcome.

“We’re running this pub as a business, not as a hobby, and we’ve got plans to keep it up and running for a long time.

“People need a community pub these days and that’s what we plan to deliver.”

The Stone Beck is open daily from 11am to 11pm.

Mr Evans says the reaction has already been positive since last week’s reopening:

“I feel really enthusiastic about it. People have already given great feedback and we’ve already encouraged people who didn’t feel comfortable coming to the pub to come down, which is great.

“I’m really excited about the future of the Stone Beck.”

It’s been a difficult time for the local centre. In November, Boots announced it would be closing its pharmacy located in the Co-op.

Following that, several residents expressed concerns to the Stray Ferret about the future of retail in Jennyfields, as just one of four shops remains open at the site.

Most of the shops are still boarded up — but the reopened Stone Beck is breathing new life into the area.

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