Two miniature paintings of Derby winners are to be auctioned in Ripon next month after lying unnoticed for 180 years.

The oil on metal paintings belonged to John Bowes, founder of the Bowes Museum and one of the greatest-ever racehorse owners.

They make up a set of four identically presented paintings depicting all of Mr Bowes’ Derby winners.

The other two are held by and are on view at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, and until recently art experts knew nothing about the whereabouts of the missing pair.

The two paintings show Mundig and Cotherstone, who won the Derby in 1835 and 1843 respectively.

They are being offered for sale by auction house Elstob & Elstob as part of its pictures and sculpture sale on November 30, together with a portrait of Issac Walker, who was head groomsman at the Streatlam Stud owned by Mr Bowes, who died in 1885.

Head groomsman, Issac Walker, with the two paintings.

Mr Elstob said:

“It is remarkable that these paintings have finally come to light.

“They have come forward from a client in Matlock, Derbyshire, who has had them in the family for as long as can be remembered.

“The family originated from Weardale in County Durham – close to the Bowes Museum – and the client remembers them hanging in his grandparents’ cottage in the village of Howden le Wear. His grandfather was friendly with Issac Walker’s family, which may explain how the paintings came to be in their hands.”

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Each painting measures only 12.5cm x 13cm and are presented in horse shoe frames known as racing plates and would almost certainly have come from the Derby winners themselves.

The two paintings, together with the oil on board portrait of Issac Walker, carry a price estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.

It is not known who painted them but they are attributed to the circle of Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851).

John Bowes and the four Derby winners

The paintings are particularly significant to the equestrian world due to John Bowes’ fame as one of the most successful racehorse owners this country has ever known.

During his career he had four Derby winners, a feat matched by only five other breeders in the history of the race and only exceeded by the Aga Khan III with five

John Bowes earned a fortune from racing, which played a major part in funding the Bowes Museum; built in an elaborate French Chateaux style to house the art collection of John and Josephine Bowes and opened to the public after their deaths in 1892.

Mundig was the first of Bowes’ hugely successful horses. He was foaled in 1832, the year that John Bowes turned 21 and indeed Mundig is German for mature or ‘of age’.

He was in the first batch of horses that Bowes sent to trainer John Scott, known as ‘the wizard of the north’, who had the Whitewall training stables at Malton, near York.

When Mundig won the 1835 Derby, he became the first northern-bred horse ever to do so, despite relatively poor odds.

Cotherstone was another outstanding champion, again trained by John Scott and ridden by his brother William Scott to victory in the 1843 Derby. He won the Two Thousand Guineas and came second in the St Leger in the same year, earning Mr Bowes more than £12,000 (£1.2 million in today’s values), and securing his position as one of the most valuable horses in the country.

Issac Walker was head groomsman at the Streatlam Stud from 1833-1872.

Mr Elstob said:

“These paintings represent a snapshot of one of the most remarkable success stories in racing history and, together with the links to the renowned collection of art in the Bowes Museum, we are expecting them to attract worldwide interest from equestrian enthusiasts and art collectors alike.”

The sale will take place at Elstob & Elstob’s Ripon salerooms on November 30 at 10am, with viewing on November 29 between 10am and 7pm.

For further information, contact Rohan McCulloch on 01765 699200 or email: rohan@elstobandelstob.co.uk

A new restaurant offering live music is set to open in the Harrogate building formerly occupied by Samsons.

Samsons opened in the former home of Le Bistrot Pierre in Town Centre House on Cheltenham Crescent in March.

But it proved a short-lived venture, closing just months later.

Now signs advertising HG1 Grill and World Bar have gone up on the building.

The Stray Ferret understands the spacious restaurant will offer a seasonal menu featuring Mediterranean cuisine and seafood.

There will also be live music and a cocktail bar.

An opening date has yet to be announced but it is expected to be within days or weeks rather than months

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Andrew Jones MP has told Parliament there are long waits for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism diagnosis in Harrogate.

During a debate on mental health services yesterday, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough asked what steps were being taken to support people with mental health issues.

Mr Jones added:

“I recently met the child and adolescent mental health services team in Harrogate and they confirmed that there are long waiting lists for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism diagnosis.

“Will the minister consider the criteria to help those who need the service most to get the support they need?”

Women’s minister Maria Caulfield replied by saying Mr Jones “does a huge amount of campaigning in Harrogate and Knaresborough on this issue”, adding:

“We recognise there can be long waits for diagnosis both for ADHD and autism, and that is why we refreshed our national autism strategy last year, backed by more than £74 million to help to reduce diagnosis waiting times.

“NHS England is now setting out the process of how children, young people and adults might receive a diagnostic assessment much more quickly.”

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A McColl’s in Harrogate is among more than 100 of the convenience stores set to close.

The news comes after Morrisons completed the acquisition of McColl’s from administration last week.

Morrisons said in a statement it now plans to close 132 McColl’s, including the Otley Road store at Harlow Chase. About 1,300 jobs nationally are at risk.

The Stray Ferret visited the Otley Road shop this afternoon and was told it was still trading for the time being. The member of staff said she was the only person employed there and was awaiting further details.

There are currently 1,164 McColl’s stores trading, 286 of which are Morrisons Dailys.

The company said it planned to convert “the substantial majority” of McColl’s stores to Morrisons Dailys within the next two to three years but it plans to sell 28 stores and close 132 others.

It said:

Of the 132 stores to close, 55 include a Post Office counter. Morrisons will delay the closure of these stores until next year to allow them to serve communities over Christmas.

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Community groups in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £3,000.

The Local Fund for the Harrogate District opened today for applications to its latest round of awards.

The fund is a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

it focuses on small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

The guidance notes say:

“Local groups can apply for activities and services that support people, keeping them connected to their community and with each other.

“This may be particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis, you may want to run more activities throughout the winter months, so people have a warm space to access.

“We cannot support overheads alone but encourage you to include them as part of your application and our commitment to full cost recovery.”

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A total of 14 groups received a total of £40,688 in the last funding round, which was celebrated at an event at West Park Hotel in Harrogate last night.

Successful applicants included Boroughbridge and District Community Care, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, St. Andrew’s Church in Burnt Yates, Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Harrogate District of Sanctuary.

A total of £84,681 was given to 29 groups in the previous year.

The deadline for the new funding round is January 9. Decisions will be made by mid-February.

Grants from £200 to £3,000 are available.

Applicants must be based in and/or working in the area served by Harrogate Borough Council.

Further details are available here.

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said:

“It is five years since The Local Fund was launched and since 2018, 88 projects have been supported and £237,266 paid out in grants.

“These grants have supported activities around mental health, inequality, hidden poverty and loneliness. More recently they have assisted in the response to and recovery from covid and now the impact of increases in the cost of living.

“Despite the local government changes in 2023 the fund will remain for the long term, supporting local grass roots community action across the whole of the district and with local people involved in decisions about the awards.”

Pic shows: Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham (centre), with voluntary sector representatives at last night’s event.

The steel frame for the new leisure and wellness centre on King James Road in Knaresborough is starting to take shape.

The centre, which is due to open at the end of next summer, will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, spin studio, café, electric car charging points and cycle storage.

It is being built next to the current leisure centre, which will stay open until the new facility is ready.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is funding the project,  previously said this will be in July next year.

Once it opens, the existing pool will be demolished and replaced by a new play area, which is due to take a further 15 weeks.

The council has appointed Bristol-based firm Alliance Leisure to carry out construction work.

Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said in a statement today:

“This new facility for Knaresborough will be a fantastic asset for the town and shows our commitment to investing in leisure provision across the district.”

Councillors Stanley Lumley (left) and Phil Ireland

Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability and borough councillor for the Knaresborough Aspin and Calcutt ward, said the centre would be “a brilliant addition for the town of Knaresborough”, adding:

“What is also so important is the fact it will be built to BREEAM standard of ‘Excellent’, ensuring that is as energy-efficient as possible to help us achieve our net-zero emissions target.”

The BREEAM standard is based on an assessment of the building’s sustainability and energy performance.

Councillors Phil Ireland and Stanley Lumley with project manager Julian Donnelly.

Civic society view

The centre will be powered by air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.

Andy Grinter, secretary of Knaresborough Civic Society, said it was pleased the centre was not going to be run on gas.

Speaking after a recent civic society visit to the site, Mr Grinter said it was also heartened to hear the council planned to appoint local caterers.

He aded:

“We were disappointed by some aspects of the planning process; in particular the lack of interaction by Harrogate council officers, who appear to have taken decisions without any consultation with residents eg the design of the new play area, which has it seems already been designed, bought and paid for.”

He said senior manager “gave us reassurances that it is on time and on budget” but the society was surprised to discover the centre is only expected to have a shelf life of 25 to 30 years.

Mr Grinter also said the society remained unconvinced there was a need for a new centre and was disappointed by the modern design, close to Knaresborough conservation area. He said:

“I don’t think we will ever be happy about the look of it.”

Main photo shows Councillors Stanley Lumley and Phil Ireland, Alliance Leisure business development manager Sean Nolan and ISG project manager Julian Donnelly.

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Seven neighbouring parish councils have jointly raised concerns about the quality of the proposed new town in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate Borough Council is running a six-week consultation until November 14 on plans to create a new settlement called Maltkiln, which will be roughly the size of Thirsk. Up to 4,000 homes could be built.

The consultation sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how the site is designed and developed and proceeds any formal planning application.

Parish councils representing Moor Monkton, Nun Monkton, Tockwith, Whixley, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton, Hunsingore, Great Ribston with Walshford and Cattal met last week to consider a joint response.

A summary of their response describes the documents residents are being urged to comment on as “technical and jargon-heavy”.

The summary acknowledges “major development is coming to the area” but adds Harrogate Borough Council’s development plan document “doesn’t provide a sound framework for delivering the ‘exemplar’ new settlement that’s required; nor does it address with sufficient care the implications for nearby villages”.

There are also concerns about the extent to which a genuine consultation is taking place for the new town, the name for which was chosen by developers Caddick without consultation with residents.

The summary says:

“Residents have raised concerns that the consultation process itself hasn’t been inclusive. Despite its far-reaching implications, there have been no in-person exhibition/public-hall meetings about the development plan document.

“The development plan document documents and response forms themselves are difficult to navigate, potentially preventing many residents from taking part.”

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Alex Smith, a spokesman for the councils, said:

“There are several important areas — the development framework itself, transport, flooding — where the development plan document offers a wish-list, not deliverable policies backed up by evidence.”

Mr Smith said the speed at which the development was being considered, five months before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished, had “added to the confusion” and the development plan document felt “premature”. He added:

“It’s about meeting a political objective and getting outline approval for the Caddick application before the council is disbanded on April 1 — not about making sure that we get the best possible development for the future generations who will live in, and near it.”

Concerns about transport, flooding and schools

Arnold Warneken

Arnold Warneken, a Green councillor who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, also attended the parish councils’ meeting.

He said many residents had concerns about issues such as transport, flooding and education and “a combined voice” was more powerful. Cllr Warneken added:

“The consultation process has been questioned by residents for lots of reasons wondering why it was so arms-length and not at all easy to understand or comment on by those residents not at ease with planning terminology and also those who struggle with computers and emails

“I think this coalition of councils is showing how a community can come together for the good of the wider community.”

Cancer patients will take to the catwalk in Harrogate next week for a fundraising fashion show.

Harrogate woman Jean Williams and husband Alan have raised £100,000 for cancer charities since she had breast cancer 25 years ago. Ms Williams even took part in the 2018 New York marathon aged 71 to generate funds.

Now she has teamed up with West Park Hotel to stage the Strutting for Cancer fashion show for the first time since covid in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on November 10.

The event will feature people who have been affected by cancer as well as professional models showcasing new collections from sponsors, including local fashion businesses Sheer Bliss lingerie, Smithers, Prey Four, Georgies and Aurélie, as well as high street retailer Marks & Spencer.

There will also be a charity auction, raffle and live music.

Ms Williams said:

“Having launched our inaugural Strutting for Cancer fashion show six years ago, it has proved to be a hugely popular event with local people as well as raising vital funds for this amazing charity.

“After missing two years due to the pandemic, we are thrilled that the show is returning and would like to thank West Park Hotel for providing such a fantastic venue as well as our generous sponsors for their support.

“Having had cancer twice myself, this is a cause close to my heart and I am excited to see the return of this event which we hope will once again raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

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Jodie Middleton, events manager at West Park Hotel, said:

“The Strutting for Cancer fashion show has become a much-loved local event on the town’s social calendar, thanks to the efforts of Jean and her team. We are proud to be among the local businesses supporting it and look forward to hosting another fun and successful fundraising evening.”

Tickets cost £25 and can be bought from West Park Hotel, Sheer Bliss, Smithers and Georgies. Call 07557 196233 for more details.

The owner of Knaresborough’s Dower House has said it is finalising the appointment of a contractor.

The hotel closed this year for refurbishment after the hotel was acquired by the Inn Collection Group in December last year.

The decision to permanently close the hotel gym and spa as part of the changes upset some members.

A former member Michael Ward contacted the Stray Ferret last week to say he was concerned by the lack of activity at the site in recent months. The Stray Ferret asked the owner for an update.

“Planning permissions have been received and listed building consents are now in place.

“We are now in the process of finalising a contractor appointment ahead of refurbishment works getting underway.”

The spokesman described the renovations as “complex” but said they would “enhance the Dower House’s environment, improve accessibility, and align the site with our food-driven pubs with rooms offer”.

However, he was unable to say when the venue will reopen.

Gym and spa replaced by 16 bedrooms

The works will see an extension to the rear of the Dower House and will include a portico entrance, the installation of an accessible ramp, pergolas, a retaining wall and a keg store.

The renovation will also include the replacement of roof coverings, repairs to brickwork, the creation of a footpath and parking, and the installation of an extract flue.

The spokesman added:

“Once complete, the works will see 16 additional bedrooms created in the space previously occupied by the gym and spa.

“In the public report provided as part of the process, it was noted that ‘the overall the development will preserve the setting of the listed building’.”

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Roadworks on the A658 Harrogate Road have diverted a large volume of traffic through two Harrogate district villages.

Five days of roadworks began today between Gravelly Hill Lane and Hall Green Lane on the busy Harrogate Road.

It is causing delays for vehicles travelling in both directions. But it has also brought problems to locals because traffic is being diverted along Crag Lane, The Sleights and Gravelly Hill Lane through North Rigton and Huby while work takes place.

Villagers have expressed concerns about the speed and volume of traffic passing through the villages as well as the effectiveness of the diversion signs.

One makeshift cardboard sign (see below) appeared in Huby this morning to help drivers navigate the diversion.

Work is being carried out to resurface the Harrogate Road.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said it wasn’t aware of any issues. She said:

“Works on the A658 are taking place from October 31 to November 4. The closure runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily. A signed diversion is in place.”