Thirty-three trees could be felled as part of the Royal Horticultural Society‘s plans to convert the former Harrogate Arms into a café.
The horticultural charity was granted planning and listed building consent in 2019 to convert the pub, which closed a decade ago, into a café.
But a new planning application was submitted this month to landscape the surrounding area to improve the view between RHS Garden Harlow Carr and the Harrogate Arms
The plans include diverting a public right of way and felling trees such as ash, sycamore and beech.
According to an aboricultural impact statement submitted to Harrogate Borough Council to support the planning application, nine of the trees are classed as category B, 18 as category C and six as category U.
Category B trees are deemed to be of moderate quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 20 years; category C are said to be of low quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 10 years and category U trees are regarded as being in such poor condition that they cannot realistically be retained as living trees for longer than 10 years.
A spokeswoman for the RHS said:
“As part of our plans to re-establish the historic connection between the Harrogate Arms, Bath House and the garden it is necessary to remove 33 trees, primarily those that are of low quality, for example, young self-seeded trees, are in declining health or are suppressing other significant trees that we want to retain.
“Within the new landscape we will be replacing these with 37 new trees of equivalent amenity value as required by local planning policy plus an additional 45 trees, including beech, birch, hornbeam, oak and maple, providing a new generation of trees to enhance the landscape for years to come and making a long-term contribution to the habitat and natural character of the site.”
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Pleasure gardens
Originally built in 1844 by then-owner of the estate Henry Wright, the Harrogate Arms and the nearby Bath House were set in pleasure gardens which are now part of RHS Harlow Carr.
The RHS said in a statement “reconnecting the landscape to the buildings” represents an important link with the garden’s past and the local heritage of Harrogate as a spa town.
The Bath House now serves as an exhibition and event space within the garden, while the former hotel will be converted for use as an RHS-run café. The statement added:
“A number of local stakeholders have been kept informed of the process, including the Harrogate Group of Ramblers, which has indicated no objection to the proposals to move the public right of way.
“The RHS has also collaborated with a local college to look at menu ideas for the new café, which will make use of fresh, seasonal produce from RHS Harlow Carr’s kitchen garden.”
Head of RHS Harlow Carr Liz Thwaite said:
Details of warm spaces in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon“We are delighted to be at the final stage of seeking approval of our plans for the Harrogate Arms.
“This project has been a long time in the making, as we wanted to create something fresh and exciting for our visitors that celebrates our rich heritage.
“We hope that our members and visitors will lend their support to our application.”
The first blast of winter has left many Harrogate district people worried about the cost of staying warm.
We have therefore compiled information about warm spaces available in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. If you know of any others in these places or in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham let us know and we will add them. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
The information has been provided by community groups across the district.
Netmakers, formerly known as Harrogate Hub, is a movement of local churches working together to make a difference in the community.
Its website has details of the following places in Harrogate, Starbeck and Knaresborough offering, warm and welcoming safe places to go.
Information provided by Netmakers
Further details are available here on the Netmakers website.
The community benefit society Knaresborough Connectors has also devised details of warm spaces in Knaresborough. ]
Knaresborough Connectors’ list
More details of the locations, known as public living rooms, are available here.
Numerous public buildings in and around Ripon are throwing open their doors for free in Ripon each day, including Ripon Library and Allhallowgate Methodist Church.
Ripon Cathedral has compiled details here.
Wynn James, senior pastor of Life Destiny Church in Starbeck and trustee of Harrogate District Foodbank said:
“Our doors are open. We want our community to know that we are here to help. By working together across our area we hope to offer spaces in every corner of our community.
“I urge people to use the warm spaces and not to feel alone at this tough time.”
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Links to all of the organisations providing warm spaces, along with details of voluntary organisations that are at the forefront of the campaign to help people who are struggling this winter, are available on the Harrogate & District Community Action website.
Frances Elliot, chief executive of HADCA, said:
“Please do check out where to turn in your area, through churches or through other community organisations and encourage anyone you come across who feels reluctant about speaking up to do so, this particularly hard winter”
Is Harrogate ice cream van the best in the country?
Harrogate ice cream seller John Taylor is in line for another industry award.
Mr Taylor, whose van is parked outside Victoria Shopping Centre most days from March to September, is one of the most familiar faces in Harrogate.
Besides selling in Harrogate town centre, he takes his van to events across the district and to the streets of Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge during summer.
He has now been named in the final three in the mobiler of the year category at the Ice Cream Alliance‘s Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show, which will be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate in February.
The mobiler category recognises all aspects of running an ice cream van. Last year Mr Taylor scooped the gold award at the same event for the taste of his Mr Whippy ice cream but he thinks winning the mobiler category would top that.
Although the number of vans has decreased significantly in recent decades, Mr Taylor, who runs C and M Ices, said there were still about 3,000 to 4,000 operating and he was thrilled to be recognised in the top three by his trade association:
“This is our equivalent of the Oscars or the Premier League. It is the highest accolade you can win.”
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The three finalists will go in front of a five-person judging panel.
Harrogate born and bred Mr Taylor, whose family has been selling ice cream since 1889, said 2022 had been a better year due to the warm summer and he hoped to be back outside the Victoria Shopping Centre in spring. He added:
Knaresborough urchins to invade pubs again this Christmas“The weather is our kingmaker. Whatever happens to the economy, and things like covid, if the weather is not good you can’t make a living.”
Pubs in the Harrogate district are set to be invaded by a group of scruffy urchins from Knaresborough this Christmas.
Knaresborough Mummers will perform five-minute plays at pubs around Knaresborough this Saturday before moving on to other parts of the district.
Mummers plays, which date back to the 1700s, were originally performed by peasants and beggars to make money at Christmas and Easter.
Knaresborough Mummers, which was founded in 1974 and performed annually prior to covid, donates proceeds from a whip-round at the end to charities.
They will give a version of the Blue Stots play, which is a Mummers play from the Vale of York traditionally presented by agricultural workers in tattered coats and dirty faces, with trousers tied at the knees to stop rats running up them.
Leader John Burrell said the 10-strong team was anxious to get back to playing in local hostelries again after a break due to covid.
He added re-establishing their 40-year-old tours had not been easy as some pubs have closed and others have changed into restaurants, but gradually a full programme of five tours was put together. Details of venues are here.
Mr Burrell, who used to run a folk music club in Knaresborough, said the group was keen to accept new members.
He said no experience was necessary besides “a sense of humour and not minding going into a pub and acting daft”.
Money raised from this year’s plays will go to Jennyruth Workshops, Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group, Greatt North Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Martin House hospice.
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Knaresborough business criticises electric vehicle parking ‘madness’
A Knaresborough businesswoman has described as “madness” a decision to close 20 parking spaces in the run-up to Christmas.
Harrogate Borough Council has allocated 10 parking bays in Chapel Street car park and 10 at Conyngham Hall for electric vehicles only. But the bays are currently sealed off, meaning no vehicles can use them.
The loss of spaces in a town where it is notoriously difficult to park has angered traders, particularly as it has occurred in the busy run-up to Christmas.
Kelly Teggin, who owns Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty in Castlegate, said yesterday:
“In the middle of December we have people driving out of Knaresborough because they can’t get parked. It’s unbelievable — total madness.
“I agree we need more electric vehicle parking. But why close these spaces now in the run-up to Christmas so nobody can use them? I lost two customers today and as a small business I can’t afford this.
“I’m part of the chamber of trade and everyone is ringing me saying ‘why are the council doing this at Christmas?'”
Chapel Street car park in Knaresborough
One of Ms Teggin’s customers, called Lynn, described the situation as “ludicrous”. She added:
“It defies common sense. Kelly lost one customer when I was there today because she couldn’t get parked. The town is losing people it needs. We are all a bit gobsmacked this is happening now.”
Ms Teggin’s father, Steve Teggin, a businessman and former president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:
“Knaresborough has always been drastically short of car parking. Now we have a line of bays empty yet people are driving around trying to get parked up. It’s unfair and where was the consultation?”
100 charging bays being installed
A council spokesperson said:
“To help achieve our net zero-carbon economy by 2038, and to support the demand and rapid uptake of electric vehicles (EV), almost 100 charging bays are being installed across the Harrogate district.
“More than 20 of these will be installed in Knaresborough, including Chapel Street car park, Conyngham Hall and the new Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.
“These bays account for less than three per cent of the more than 800 spaces available in Knaresborough, not to mention the various on-street disc parking spaces available,, so we are confident that non EV drivers will still be able to find a space.
“These new charging points support the uptake in electric vehicles for both our residents and our visitor economy, and complement other sustainable travel options.”
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Police ‘increasingly concerned’ for Ripon man missing since Sunday
North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for information about a Ripon man who has been missing since Sunday.
Gavin Dhont, 45, was last seen in the Ripon area on Sunday night. He is described as having a thin build and short dark brown hair.
Police said in a statement today they “are becoming increasingly concerned for his safety”. They added:
“If you’ve seen him or have any information about where he is, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 to speak to the force control room and quote reference 12220219012.
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National Trust plans major £3.6m building project at Fountains Abbey
The National Trust today revealed designs for a new £3.6 million building and landscape project at the Studley Royal end of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.
The project, called Studley Revealed, aims to create a more accessible café, admission point and toilets and restore historical sightlines to the 18th century Georgian water garden created by John Aislabie.
However, the new building would be situated inside the water garden and only be accessible to people who pay to enter.
The current tea room on the deer park side, which is free to enter, will close. A kiosk providing drinks and snacks will be built in the deer park car park, accessible to everyone.
The restaurant and parking at the main visitor centre will remain free for all to access.
How the new entrance and outside seating to the building from the canal bridge might look.
The trust says the plans, which went out to consultation in 2019 before being paused due to covid, will make Studley Royal less “muddled”.
It will submit a formal planning application to Harrogate Borough Council in the new year.
The organisation said in a statement today:
“This area is currently muddled with 20th century buildings and additions which make up an admission point, toilets, and the boundary of the pay-for entry area.
“For years this has created a large number of conservation and operational issues which are not appropriate in a World Heritage Site.
“The updated improvements will consolidate these facilities into one building and improve the way visitors move through this area.”
The trust added the landscape plans would “open up lost views and create walks that echo the original 18th century design”.
How the view of the building from the deer park might look.
New facilities including historical information, accessible toilets and a ‘space to change’ have also been included.
The trust has consulted Historic England, Harrogate Borough Council, World Heritage Site partners and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on its plans.
It has appointed London heritage architects Feilden Fowles and Edinburgh landscape architects Rankinfraser to carry out the work.
How the new cafe seating area might look.
Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:
“The Studley Revealed project is an exciting part of the ongoing conservation of the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site.
“It has long been our ambition to improve the appearance of this area of the site and how visitors experience it.
“Crucially, it means we can create a place for our visitors to learn more about the fascinating history of Studley Royal.”
The designs and information about the project will be displayed at the Studley entrance from tomorrow until December 22 (excluding December 16) and can also be viewed here.
The trust aims to open the new facilities to visitors in late 2024.
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Harrogate’s special care baby unit receives donated toys
The special care baby unit at Harrogate District Hospital has received a consignment of toys in time for Christmas.
Harrogate Convention Centre donated dolls and a toy kitchen, which were donated by exhibitors at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair it hosted this year.
The convention centre has helped event organisers and exhibitors to donate toys, food and other event supplies and display samples to local schools, hospitals, homeless people and charities over the years.
Sally Baxter, unit sister at the special care baby unit, which cares for sick and preterm infants, said:
“It means so much to the families who have a baby on the unit that also have young siblings.
“The toys will really help make our parents’ experience on the unit so much better in what is a very stressful time for them. Thank you once again, it makes such a difference.”
The donated toy kitchen
This year’s Harrogate International Nursery Fair took up an additional hall at the convention centre. It attracted 140 exhibitors and visitors from over 15 countries.
Event organiser Adrian Sneyd said:
“Harrogate has been home to our nursery trade show annually for over five decades with around 4,000 participants enjoying the town’s hospitality each year.
“We are delighted that our exhibitors have donated toys for the benefit of local families and their babies.”
Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said:
“As a member of the community and especially in this festive season in the midst of the cost of living crisis, we are delighted to do what we can to help make sure those in need can benefit from the event industry.”
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Fire at Fountains Abbey causes carols to be cancelled
An electrical fault caused a fire at Fountains Abbey near Ripon yesterday.
Ripon firefighters were called to the National Trust-owned property at 12.13pm after staff discovered there had been a small fire.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said staff on site had already summoned an electrician and firefighters isolated the electricity supply.
A spokeswoman for Fountains Abbey said:
“There was a small electrical fire in the abbey on Sunday morning.
“Ripon fire service were contacted immediately and on arrival, they confirmed the fire was out and had been contained.
“Due to the nature of the fire, as a precaution, we took the decision to cancel Carols by Candlelight – despite its name, the event does require electrical power for a sound system to amplify the service to visitors, and to ensure there is sufficient lighting the abbey for the safety of our visitors.
“We’re very grateful to the fire service for their quick response and support.”
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England.
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Viper Rooms: council issues statement after repossessing Harrogate nightclub
North Yorkshire County Council has said it acted in the “best interests” of taxpayers after it repossessed Harrogate’s Viper Rooms.
Bailiffs acting on behalf of the council entered the Parliament Street nightclub on Friday and changed the locks.
Notices pinned to the doors said any attempt to re-enter the premises would result in criminal or civil proceedings.
It prompted the club to announce on social media, hours before it was due to open, that it had closed with the loss of 30 jobs.
The venue, which was Harrogate’s last remaining nightclub, is part of the Royal Baths commercial investment portfolio acquired by the council for £9 million in 2018.
The club is part of the Royal Baths.
Gary Fielding, corporate director for strategic resources at the council, said in a statement to the Stray Ferret:
“We are unable to discuss details about specific cases that North Yorkshire County Council is involved in.
“However, we will pursue our policies that protect the best interests of North Yorkshire’s taxpayers, and will therefore act accordingly.”
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- Harrogate nightclub Viper Rooms closes suddenly
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The council has been under pressure to generate better returns on the Baths.
It was described as an “underperforming trophy asset” by one councillor last year because of its low rate of investment returns.
Last month the council warned it would take a tougher line on tenants following further poor investment returns.
Mr Fielding said the council “has done all it reasonably can to support its tenants” through covid, adding:
“We work with our tenants to understand their circumstances in order to maximise the income into the council.
“However, it is not the council’s responsibility to support tenants indefinitely, and if businesses are not sustainable then we work with tenants to bring tenancies to a close.”