Knaresborough wall repair completed five weeks early

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed work to fix a Knaresborough wall has been completed five weeks earlier than expected.

The £200,000 project began after a section of the wall on Briggate collapsed on to the road last September. Nobody was hurt, but rubble remained on the road for almost three months after.

Initial repair work began at the end of November and paused over Christmas, but resumed last month to fix another section of the wall.

Two-way traffic lights were put in place on January 8 by the council, which said the maintenance work was due to be completed by Friday, March 14.

However, traffic lights were removed last Friday (February 9) – just over a month after the work began.

The Stray Ferret contacted the council to ask if the work had paused or finished. We also asked if it had been carried out with effective long-term maintenance measures in place after a reader in Calcutt got in touch to say he didn’t see any reconstruction of the wall take place and “most of the work was repointing”.

A spokesperson responded:

“I’m pleased to confirm the work has been completed ahead of schedule.”

The wall pictured at Christmas before the latest repairs.

A  Freedom of Information request submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed the wall was assessed as safe three times in the weeks before it collapsed despite complaints that it was crumbling and damaged by weeds.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East, told the council in June 2022 that the wall “could potentially be a risk to life”.

‘Lessons must be learned’

Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, today told the Stray Ferret the “sorry saga would never have happened if the wall had been properly maintained”, adding:

“The cost involved does not represent value for money for the taxpayer. As the work has taken less time than anticipated the council should now look to challenge the price. A local builder told me they could have done the work for a third of the price; had they been asked to tender. I will be asking the council to review its process for tendering and awarding of contracts.

“I would expect as a minimum the wall to be safety checked on an annual basis. Although a schedule of inspection hasn’t been confirmed with me. If residents raise any concerns they should be listened to and acted upon.

“The contractor should be congratulated for getting the work done ahead of time and I now hope the council can get the road resurfaced as planned in April.”

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Bishop Monkton man with ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’ jailed for 26 weeks

A Bishop Monkton man who drove an uninsured vehicle while disqualified and resisted arrest has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Paul Moehr was also banned from driving for 89 months when he was sentenced at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

Moehr, 51, of St John’s Road, pleaded guilty to four charges: driving whilst disqualified; obstructing a constable in the execution of duty; use of a vehicle on a road without third party insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The court heard he drove a Vauxhall Vectra whilst disqualified and uninsured on North Street in Ripon on January 20, 2024.  On the same day, he resisted police at the White Horse Inn, in Ripon.

He also admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he was taken into custody at Harrogate Police Station on the same day.

Magistrates said he “had a flagrant disregard for court orders”, which played a part in his sentencing, alongside a previous record of offending and persistent driving offences.

Moehr was also ordered to pay £154 to the court.

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‘Fire-damaged’ pub near Knaresborough for sale at £495,000

A pub near Knaresborough that suffered two fires in three years has been put up for sale.

The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe has remained closed since the second fire in August last year.

Now, after months of uncertainty, the inn has been offered for sale for £495,000.

According to Fleurets, the listing agent, the pub was “superbly successful” with a turnover in the region of £900,000 in recent years.

However, it acknowledged “the kitchen was damaged by a fire in August”, adding:

“The business has not re-opened and the tenant has left.

“The landlord has undertaken works to make good the damage caused by the fire, and the kitchen is ready to be fitted out.”

It said the remainder of the property was in “very good condition, unaffected by the fire and ready to trade”.

The interior of The Tiger Inn. Pic: Fleurets.

Fleurets said the two-storey property included a ground floor bar and restaurant and a recently refurbished studio flat upstairs.

It added:

“The front bar is in three sections.. The three sections can accommodate 10, 16 and 18 covers for dining. The right side extends into the restaurant area providing 68 covers.

“[It includes] ladies, gents and disabled toilets, an office and an upland beer store. The catering kitchen is huge, and purchasers may choose to reduce its size prior to refitting.”

The property, which is under a freehold tenure, also still holds a premises licence.

The upstairs flat. Pic: Fleurets.

The Stray Ferret has reported on the fires at the Tiger Inn over the years – most recently in November.

It suffered its first fire in November 2020. The blaze, which started in the kitchen, lasted for six hours and caused widespread damage to the site.

It then re-opened after renovations in October 2021, only for a second blaze, attributed to an overheating ice machine, to occur last year.

The blaze at the Tiger Inn pub in Coneythorpe yesterday (November 13).

The fire in 2020.

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Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital rated ‘good’ by Care Quality Commission

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate, has been rated ‘good’ in a recent report by the Care Quality Commission.

The hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, was assessed to be good in all five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The healthcare watchdog also rated the surgery, outpatients and diagnostic and screen service departments as good.

The inspection, which took place in November, was the first since 2017, after which the hospital was rated “requires improvement”.

Michelle Eardley, executive director of the hospital, said:

“This is a challenging time for people working in healthcare and to have had our culture and delivery of care recognised as making a difference to the patients we care for is incredibly rewarding.

“We are fully committed to delivering the best possible care for patients in Harrogate and further afield. We look forward to building on this to achievement and working towards obtaining an “outstanding” rating across all domains.”

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to meet tonight

The monthly Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting will take place tonight.

The meeting will focus on corporate social responsibility and will include speakers from Harrogate Spring Water, EnviroVent and the charity Supporting Older People.

Chamber chief executive officer Martin Mann said:

“Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer simply a business buzzword or tick box exercise; it is fundamental to modern business practice.

“Organisations that live and breathe strong social and environmental values positively impact the communities and people around them, making for a better place to live and do business.”

The meeting will be held at The Old Swan Hotel, from 5.30pm – 8pm.

Ripon restaurant nominated for national award

Jaflong in Ripon has been shortlisted for Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the National Curry Awards in Manchester next week.

Salauddin Khan, owner of Jaflong, said:

“Our priority is always to give our customers the best experience in food preparation. We are delighted that our passion for excellence has been recognised in these awards.”

The restaurant, which is on Kirkgate, gained national recognition at the same awards event last year.

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Another cyclist knocked off bike in Harrogate collision

A cyclist was knocked off his bike in a collision with a vehicle in Harrogate yesterday (Tuesday, February 6).

North Yorkshire Police, which is now appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage, said the incident happened at around 7.30am on the B6161 Oaker Bank.

Both the cyclist and the car were travelling towards the Jubilee Roundabout prior to the collision, the force added.

Police today said:

“The car driver did not stop at the scene.

“The vehicle is believed to be a white Volkswagen Golf, 2014-2019 model. A wing mirror light bar and cover were detached during the collision, and so the car will have distinctive damage to its wing mirror.”

Officers said the cyclist, a man in his 40s, was “not seriously injured”. They added:

“If you were the car driver involved, please contact North Yorkshire Police.

“In addition, anyone who witnessed the collision, recognises the car involved, or is aware of a VW Golf with wing mirror damage, is asked to get in touch.

“Please email david.minto@northyorkshire.police.uk, or call 101, quoting reference 12240022993.”

This is the fourth incident of its kind in less than two months.

It follows a spate of separate incidents, which saw three cyclists knocked off their bikes in Harrogate in just one month.

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Harrogate Town manager and winger nominated for Sky Bet awards

Harrogate Town AFC manager, Simon Weaver, and winger, Abraham Odoh, have both been nominated for Sky Bet League Two awards.

Weaver, who has been the club’s manager since 2009, has been shortlisted for the manager of the month award after a successful run that has taken the team into the promotion reckoning.

The English Football League said Weaver has gained momentum in the second half of last season and “continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire”, adding:

“The momentum gained in the second half of last season continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire.

“Weaver has made light of recent injuries to guide his side calmly into the promotion race with 10 points from four unbeaten matches.”

Lee Bell of Crewe Alexandra, Graham Coughlan of Newport County and Karl Robinson of Salford City are all up for the manager of the month award.

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Abraham Odoh, 23, who joined the club last summer following a spell at Rochdale, is one of four players up for the Player of the Month award.

The EFL said although he is a winger Mr Odoh “pops up all across the Harrogate front line” and “takes on defenders at will”. It added:

“Witness his stunning solo goal against Doncaster and a fine assist at Forest Green. Two goals and two assists in four games.”

Wrexham’s Steven Fletcher, Notts County’s Jodi Jones and Danilo Orsi of Crawley Town are also among those nominated for the award.

Harrogate Town are currently eighth in the league.

The team will play Colchester United at home on Saturday.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Food and Drink Company to cater the MOBO Awards

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Harrogate Food and Drink Company has landed a catering contract for the MOBO Awards this week.

The company will spend four days providing the catering for artists, crew and media at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

The MOBO Awards, which launched in 1996, celebrates hip hop, grime, R’n’B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music.

Artists such as Central Cee, Dave, Stormzy, Jorja Smith and RAYE are among those nominated for a MOBO this year.

Andi Aikman, owner of the Harrogate Food and Drink Company, said:

“This is not our first rodeo. This is undoubtedly a massive event for us, but we regularly cater for big events with equally as demanding customers.

“The priority is to ensure that all the hardworking contributors to these awards are fed regularly – they need their energy.”

Harrogate hairstylist shortlisted for national award

Luan Barlow, owner of Harrogate-based Luan Hairstylist Extensions Bridal, has been shortlisted for two awards at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Ms Barlow is a finalist in the Best Bridal Individual and Hair Extension Specialist categories.

She said:

“I am completely overwhelmed once again, my small business has grown so quickly in such a short space of time, and now for the second year running I am a finalist in one of the most prestigious hair and beauty awards!

“Not only for one category this year but for two which is an incredible achievement. I cannot wait to see where my business will be in the next few years and I’m proud to be representing small businesses in Harrogate.”

Knaresborough energy company to sponsor local 10k run

Harmony Energy, a renewable energy company in Knaresborough, is set to sponsor the Burton Leonard 10k and 3k races.

The event, which began more than 30 years ago, will raise money for Ripon Community House, which provides emergency food parcels those in need locally, as well as the village school.

Peter Kavanagh, chief executive office of Harmony Energy, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a brilliant local event. It will be great to see people of all ages taking part and enjoying the day.

“Sport and fitness are vital to people and to communities, and we’re delighted to support local races like this.”

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Floods heighten concerns about state of Harrogate district drains and gullies

Harrogate district residents have expressed concerns about the state of local drains and gullies.

Recent storms have led to flooding and although water levels are high, the Stray Ferret has had a flurry of messages from readers who feel the infrastructure to deal with rain is inadequate.

Paul Kelley said Slingsby Walk in Harrogate had been turned into a stream and residents were having to take action. He said:

“For many months, indeed years in others’ experience, excess water runs off the Stray and creates a stream along Slingsby Walk footpath and on St James Drive where it floods at the lowest point.

“Residents are having to run a floodwatch, involving at times hourly clearance of debris from the few functioning gullies. On occasions this involves standing in the road at night or hacking ice away and risking slipping.

“Both the excess water and ice are hazards to walkers, cyclists, and motorists. The route is a designated cycleway! An accident is waiting to happen.”

Mr Kelley said he and his neighbours had highlighted the issue to a councillor but were “not getting anywhere”.

He added:

“The only significant thing to have happened, after months of asking, is a gully wagon was allegedly sent out last week.

“Well at least one, opposite me, is still full of debris!”

‘Foul water bubbling up’ near Pannal

Robert Newton said he saw “toilet paper and other stuff” flowing among the flooded areas near Almsford Bank in Pannal.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“[This] then ran down across the public footpath and into the River Crimple.

“We hear all the time about sewage in our watercourses, but for this to flow right across where people walk and take their dogs and kids really surprised me. I would have thought this was a public health issue.

“There is obviously something seriously amiss as the foul water is bubbling up from underground all around the main outfall area.”

The Stray Ferret has received several other emails raising similar concerns.

The flooded Pannal footpath.

Officers ‘work tirelessly’ to keep gullies clean

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said in response to the concerns:

“Our officers work tirelessly throughout the year to keep gullies clean and operational. We have a programme of regular cleaning, which check that they are fully functioning and can involve clearing the pipes.

“Many parts of the country have experienced exceptional levels of rainfall in recent days and following a prolonged wet period the ground is already saturated and prone to standing water.

“In several places across North Yorkshire, flooding occurred in areas with clean and well-maintained drainage systems. When we get significant heavy rainfall such as this, the gullies and the drainage system can’t cope with the volume of rainwater.

“In places such as Stray Rein, we see significant run-off from the Stray. However, in this instance the gullies and pipework coped extremely well, with no reports of flooded properties.”

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‘I didn’t go on The Apprentice to be an influencer, I’m a serious businesswoman’

Some readers may have recognised one of the candidates on last night’s episode of The Apprentice on BBC One.

Rachel Woolford, who is originally from Leeds, owns Harrogate’s North Studio and was one of 18 hopefuls on the latest series.

The Cold Bath Road site, which opened in January 2023, offers small group fitness classes, including running, reformer pilates, boxing and HIIT workouts.

You might be wondering why Rachel applied to be on the show, on which the lucky winner receives a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar.

The Stray Ferret found out today when we spoke to Rachel. She said:

“I was originally asked to go on a similar show a few years ago, but I turned it down at the time.

“As a fan of The Apprentice, it led me to applying for it – I felt it aligned with my plans better.”

Rachel, who made her debut on the show’s first episode last night, said she “wanted to prove to herself she could do something like the show” when applying.

The 28-year-old set up her first North Studio site in Roundhay near Leeds in 2020, after which she opened the second premises in Harrogate. She added:

“I do have a successful business, but there was something in me that wanted to prove I could do something like that.

“It’s easy for people to say what people should do on the show when they’re watching it, but going on it is harder than it looks.”

She told the Stray Ferret, if she won, she’d use the investment to “expand across the north” and hoped to roll out more sites in York or Manchester. Rachel said:

“My business plan going in was to promote and expand North Studio.

“It’s about making sure we provide a consistent service to roll out in the new locations.

“North provides a very personal group workout, the whole point is for it to give clients a setting of being remembered and known.

“It’s not an intimidating or competitive environment. It’s fun and I want fitness to be something people look forward to – a social thing – rather than dread. Inclusivity is my biggest thing; anyone is welcome.”

North Studio on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate. Pic: North Studio Facebook.

Rachel attended four interviews, which included profit and loss tasks, working with others and proving why she should be chosen out of tens-of-thousands of applicants. She said:

“I personally think it was quite a rigorous interview process, but I think that’s necessary looking back now.

“They basically ask about your business, like why you’re different and why you should be picked. I know there were tens of thousands of applicants and people are all going to say the same thing.

“You’ve got to show your personality, but also that you’re a serious person in business.

“I didn’t go on to be a reality TV star or an influencer, I went on because I’m a serious businesswoman.”

Filming took place at the beginning of 2023. The only thing standing in her way of winning was 17 other people, all hungry for the same prize.

Rachel Woolford (R) and her fellow candidates on The Apprentice. Pic: BBC Pictures

Rachel (right) and the other candidates in last night’s episode. Pic: BBC Pictures.

Boardroom is ‘the craziest thing ever’

Those readers who have watched the show will have a good idea of what Lord Sugar’s boardroom looks like.

When asked if it is really like it seems on screen, Rachel said:

“The boardroom is as tense as it seems. The first time we went in, you could hear each other’s hearts beating.

“It’s also the first time you all see each other, including Karen, Tim and Lord Sugar.

“I’ve never done TV before, so not only are you thrown into the boardroom and all individually asked about your business – which wasn’t actually shown last night – you’ve also got five cameras on your face. It’s the craziest thing ever.

“The cameras just keep rolling.”

Rachel said candidates are not allowed to discuss the process outside of filming, meaning they “genuinely don’t know who has won each task”.

It’s so nerve-wracking going in there, she said, adding “but it’s just an amazing feeling hearing you’ve won the task”.

Show myths

Some readers assume parts of the programme are staged. But Rachel said:

“The corporate clients really do exist in those tasks! I don’t know who the boys had, but ours was a hotel company that took their staff on a company away day.

“Honestly, you’re told what the task is and then thrown straight into it. You film for around two to three days and then it’s straight into the boardroom.”

Candidates don’t have phones, there’s no access to the internet and they are forced to use their initiative on the spot, she added.

Traditionally, candidates are woken up by a phone call at ungodly hours of the morning and given around 20 minutes to get ready before leaving for a task.

Asked if it’s really such a time crunch, Rachel said:

“We live in the house the whole time – eat, sleep etc.

“You really do have so little time to get ready, you have around 20 minutes.

“The girls learned to get your dress out the night before, curl your hair the night before and get your make up on as quick as possible in the morning before leaving.

“Let’s just say it got to points where 5am was a lie in.”

The truth about Lord Sugar

The 76-year-old billionaire, who has been the face of the programme for 19 years, is known for his no-nonsense attitude and, at times, ruthless honesty towards the candidates.

We asked Rachel what he is really like:

“We only interacted with him when filming, but he’s just like what you see on camera.

“He’s very honest, which I really respect and like. He is so sharp and can easily pick up if you’ve said something that’s not true.”

Baroness Karren Brady, who has been an aide for Lord Sugar since 2010, follows candidates on their tasks, alongside Tim Campbell, who won the first series of  the show.

Rachel said they’re “both really great and very fair”, adding they’re not on the tasks to help, but simply to “watch and give feedback”.

“They also give credit when it’s due if you’ve done something good, but they’ll also tell Lord Sugar straight away if someone tries to say something that’s not true.”

Rachel Woolford and the girls on The Apprentice celebrating their win. Pic: BBC Pictures

Rachel (centre in green) and the girls celebrating their success last night. Pic: BBC Pictures.

‘It’s changed my life’

Rachel said the biggest challenge she faced during the process was being away from her business and her friends and family. However, she said it has had a huge impact on her life since:

“It’s changed my life. It’s not even about it airing – even if it hadn’t been on TV it would still have changed my life.

“It made me step away from my business, which no one could ever usually make me do. It made me think about what I wanted to change in the business, where I wanted to take it and majorly took me out of my comfort zone.

“It takes serious balls to do.”

Although Rachel could not reveal much about what is to come on the series, she said it “certainly takes some turns”.

Viewers should take it with a pinch of salt, she said, adding candidates “should not be defined by the first take – there’s more to come”.

We also asked Rachel what advice she’d give to anyone wanting to apply:

“Make sure you’re applying for the right reasons, and make sure you prepare for the interviews because it is a lot more challenging than it appears on TV.”

Following the girls’ team success last night, you can watch Rachel again on The Apprentice next week.

It airs every Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.

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Ripon singer serenades couple’s romantic Harrogate engagement

A Ripon musician serenaded a couple during a surprise marriage proposal outside The Blues Bar in Harrogate last Friday.

Singer and guitarist Freddie Cleary was asked by Conor Walsh, the soon-to-be-groom from Newcastle, to be a part of a secret proposal during a weekend trip to Harrogate with his now fiancé, Ashley.

Conor took to social media to find a singer who could pose as a busker and then perform Ashley’s favourite song while he got down on one knee.

Freddie, who is well known locally, told the Stray Ferret:

“Last month I saw a post from Conor on Facebook asking for a busker.

“He was planning an engagement proposal and wanted it to be in Harrogate.

“He had never been to the town before and wanted to see if he could hire a ‘busker’ to just be playing random songs and, as they arrived, to play a specific song on request, Waiting for Superman by Daughtry, which has a special meaning to both him and Ashley.”

Conor Walsh pops the question outside the Blues Bar. Pic: LS Photography.

Freddie said he helped Conor choose a location in the town, adding it was a “no brainer” to select the Blues Bar on Montpellier Parade bar, a live music venue where he regularly performs.

Noticing Freddie being photographed while performing outside the bar as they arrived, Ashley said she “just assumed he was having promo pictures taken”.

She told the Stray Ferret she was then left “completely speechless” when Freddie played the song and Conor got down on one knee. She said:

“We’re not the type of people that care about aesthetics, so it was just the perfect engagement.

“It was just us listening to live music – which we always like to do – and I didn’t even realise anyone was watching until they started cheering.

“I couldn’t have asked for it to have been better.”

Pic: LS Photography.

The couple also said they were so impressed by Freddie they have already planned for him to be part of their wedding day.

They had not visited Harrogate before the engagement, they said, but added it now holds a “special place in our hearts”.

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