Two titans of the British classical music scene will perform in Harrogate as part of the new season of concerts at the Wesley Centre.

Pianists Sir Stephen Hough and Angela Hewitt headline the 29th season of events organised by Andrew Hitchen.

It will be Sir Stephen’s 10th appearance in Harrogate and Ms Hewitt’s third.

There will also be a sixth recital at the Wesley Centre by acclaimed French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. He is due to appear on February 12 — two days after Sir Stephen. Bach specialist Ms Hewitt will perform on April 13.

Besides pianists, the season also includes lieder, jazz and chamber music.

Last year’s average attendance was 15% up on the previous year, as people returned to live events after covid.

The schedule includes 10 lunchtime concerts, usually on the first Monday of the month, and two evening concerts.

The season begins tomorrow (Monday, October 2) when Elisabeth Brauß performs Schubert and Schumann.

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The rest of this season’s programme includes: 

November 6 — Leeds Lieder recital

December 4 — Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux and Joseph Havlet (violin and piano)

January 8 — Mithras Trio

February 5 — Beethoven and Brahms trio

February 10 — Sir Stephen Hough (piano)

February 12 — Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)

March 4 — Jean-Paul Gasparian (piano)

April 13 — Angela Hewitt (piano)

May — to be confirmed

June 3 — Nicholas Daniel and Huw Watkins (oboe and piano)

July 1 — Richard Wetherall Trio (jazz)

Forty years ago, Allerton Castle near Knaresborough was in a dilapidated state.

The castle was built between 1848 and 1854 on the estate given to William Mauleverer, who came to England with William the Conqueror.

But when Dr Gerald Rolph bought it in 1983, the roof leaked and it was riddled with rot.

Dr Rolph, an American classic car enthusiast who made a fortune at the pioneering electronics company Tandy Corporation, had considered buying other great British homes but was drawn to Allerton’s Castle’s gothic revival style.

Today it is one of the finest buildings in the north of England. The Great Hall, with its balconies, staircase and hammer-beam ceiling, gives visitors an immediate sense of grandeur.

The Great Hall at Allerton Castle. Pic: Chris Chambers

Dr Rolph not only funded the renovation, but also travelled the world to find the beautiful artefacts that now fill the rooms.

Allerton Castle attracts visitors and wedding parties and has also hosted everything from film crews to Europe’s Strongest Man.

This week, Dr Rolph was awarded an OBE for services to historic preservation and conservation for his restoration of Allerton Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II awarded the honour but covid delayed the ceremony. Now aged 90, and unable to fly, he made a 13-day journey on board the Queen Elizabeth ship to receive the OBE off Jo Ropner, the lord-lieutenant of North Yorkshire, at her Camp Hill home near Bedale.

Dr Rolph with Jon B Wright, a trustee of his foundation.

Looking back at his first visit to Allerton, Dr Rolph told the Stray Ferret:

“It was in a derelict state. Virtually everything has had to be restored, including the roofing, the electrics system and the water system.”

In 2005, just as the restoration was almost complete, fire destroyed about a third of the castle. Undeterred, he simply redoubled his efforts.

In 2016, Dr Rolph gifted the castle, its contents, grounds and estate to the UK charity The Gerald Arthur Rolph Foundation for Historic Preservation and Education, which was formed to preserve Allerton Castle for English and world heritage.

Dr Rolph in Allerton Castle

Dr Rolph, a private man who visits England about three times a year, said the honour meant a lot but he was embarrassed to be catapulted into the limelight.

He said he enjoyed England’s beauty and way of life, but times were changing and the castle was a testament to the country’s heritage.

Did he have a message to local people who have regularly driven by Allerton Castle but perhaps never visited?

“The key thing is for you and your friends and relatives to come here. That’s why it has been preserved. We want you to come here and see Allerton Castle.”

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Knaresborough’s first pop-up shop will open on the High Street tomorrow.

The former Sid Horner and Son unit will provide week-long premises for a wide range of businesses.

Clothing and accessories firm Martha and Bea will be the first to occupy the site tomorrow.

Jane Weston, who runs Martha and Bea, said the concept was perfect for small firms like hers that didn’t require full-time premises.

“Natalie and Rob Horner have done an absolutely amazing job with the shop.

“It’s a stunning and a fabulous addition to the High Street.”

Ms Horner said the pop-up was fully booked until the end of the year and will host a wide range of businesses selling items ranging from glass ornaments to lingeries and photographic images.

Asked about the striking design, she said:

“We just wanted to something eye-catching that was fresh and clean and the polka dots seemed to work well with the pop-up theme.”

Sid Horner and Son now operates from premises on Finkle Street.

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More Afghan refugees are to be housed in Harrogate and Ripon following an urgent request from the Home Office.

North Yorkshire Council has approved the use of eight Ministry of Defence properties in the county — but also flagged up concerns about the pressure on its housing stock.

Six of the new homes are in Catterick and one each is in Harrogate and Ripon.

A council report cited humanitarian concerns as the reason for agreeing to the request and said eight properties “would be manageable in relation to school places, integration support and English language classes”.

But it added:

“Caution is necessary in relation to accommodating more than eight additional households.

“Existing housing pressures in the county need to be considered alongside the fact that North Yorkshire Council is responsible for finding move-on housing for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy households in the service family accommodation properties should they wish to stay in North Yorkshire.”

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The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, which was implemented in April 2021, entitles Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK in Afghanistan and their partners and children to relocate to the UK.

The report said North Yorkshire had resettled 175 people from 45 Afghanistan households under the scheme since February 2021 and had also received over 1,300 Homes for Ukraine arrivals since spring 2022 , “some of whom are requiring move-on housing in the county following the end of their sponsorship period”.

Rachel Joyce, the council’s assistant chief executive local engagement, said:

“There are specific timelines for this process, however, the Ministry of Defence have identified eight properties in total in Harrogate, Ripon and Catterick Garrison which would provide safe and suitable accommodation for eligible Afghan refugee families.

“Families will be matched to the properties giving them the independence, space and privacy they require. It’s also a chance for them to integrate with the local community and play a part in community life.

“We are unable to reveal the exact addresses of the properties at this stage.”

A government inspector has rejected a bid to erect a 20-metre high 5G mast overlooking the Stray in Harrogate.

The inspector acknowledged the mast would boost poor 5G coverage in Harrogate but ruled it would also be “a conspicuous and intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, wanted to build the mast at Granby Park, which is adjacent to the Stray by Skipton Road.

The now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan because of concerns about its visual impact not only on the Stray but also on Skipton Road and Claro Road in February.

CK Hutchison Networks took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which adjudicates on disputes.

It argued the mast would not have a detrimental impact on the street scene and the 20 metre height was the “absolute minimum height which can be deployed to bring the benefits of 5G”.

But in a judgement published yesterday, inspector F Harrison said the mast would be “starkly incongruous” and “an intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

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Developers held a drop-in session yesterday to discuss their latest plans for a 25-home scheme in the Kingsley area of Harrogate.

Quarters Kingsley received planning permission to build up to 30 homes on the site of the former chicken farm at Kingsley Farm in January.

The company, based in Felliscliffe, is now preparing to submit a reserved matters planning application to North Yorkshire Council, which seeks to finalise details such as the layout, design and appearance.

Development director David Williams and architect Nigel Jacques displayed a proposed site design and answered questions at Starbeck Community Library between 4pm and 8pm at yesterday’s event.

Starbeck Community Library

It revealed Quarters Kingsley plans to build a new road off Kingsley Road, which would provide access to 20 of the properties. The other five would be served by a road off Hawthorn Place.

The main access road would be supplemented by short private roads leading to clusters of houses, which unlike many developments will not be built in straight lines. Each cluster will include a range of two- to five-bed properties.

The proposed design would retain an ancient woodland and also include an orchard and five-metre “ecological edge” at the site boundary to encourage wildlife such as badgers. However, three trees would be felled.

Mr Jacques said the amenities and “blended” nature of the design would make it a desirable place to live and open up private land for local access. He added:

“We want to provide a true community site that cuts across age and financial stature.”

Mr Williams said the fact Quarters Kingsley planned to build 25 homes rather than the permitted 30 highlighted it was willing to listen to concerns.

He added:

“We are a local developer with a genuine and sincere desire to deliver something unique.”

Some 600 new houses have been approved in the Kingsley area in recent years and residents have expressed frustration about the long-term impact of so much development.

Mr Jacques and Mr Williams declined to discuss concerns about the level of development in Kingsley but said they were keen to engage with local people before submitting the reserved matters application.

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TV personality Gyles Brandreth has bemoaned the state of a Harrogate hotel after enduring a sleepless night on a tilting bed.

The author and raconteur appeared at the Royal Hall last night for his one-man show Gyles Brandreth Can’t Stop Talking.

His prolific tweets indicated the evening went well — until it was time for bed.

At about 7am this morning, he posted the following unappealing image and said:

“The view from right here right now … very little sleep on a bed that tilted to the left so that I had to cling on all night. The hotel is in King’s Road but has no number so in the dark we couldn’t find it. Taxi couldn’t find it either. Eventually we did. Rather wish we hadn’t.”

In response to a tweet suggesting he should have called reception, he said:

“There was no reception. At midnight we tried to book in to the Crowne Plaza opposite, but it was full.”

Mr Brandreth declined calls to name and shame the establishment to his 208,000 followers.

After his show last night he hailed the “warm and wonderful audience” and said it was “a privilege to be be on the stage that both Ken Dodd & Marlene Dietrich once appeared on. Not together. (Though wouldn’t that have been glorious?)”.

He later praised The Ivy for its “delicious post-show supper: cheese soufflé followed by iced berries”.

Mr Brandreth added:

“Normally at this time of night, we’re perched on the edge of our bed in the local Premier Inn with a Pret sandwich. Tonight we’re in Harrogate being treated to this …. Thank you.”

However, his night appeared to go downhill once he left The Ivy.

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Ripon Spa Hotel is to reopen on October 16 with a new name and look.

The Inn Collection Group, which bought the property in June 2021, revealed the date today.

The historic Park Street hotel, which will be known as The Ripon Inn, has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment.

The Northumberland-based owners, who have over 30 venues, market their properties as “inns with rooms” rather than hotels so the change is likely to be considerable.

With a strong emphasis on dining, the company hopes to attract local people as well as overnight guests.

The Inn Collection Group has already re-opened the St George Hotel in Harrogate and the Dower House in Knaresborough as The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn respectively this year.

Ripon Spa Hotel before the multi-million pound refurbishment.

The Ripon venue will hold a VIP launch event on Thursday, October 12 before opening to the public on the following Monday.

The elegant Edwardian 40-bedroom Spa Hotel, which was in the ownership of the Hutchinson family for decades, opened a year after the nearby Spa Baths.

The two buildings, nestling alongside Spa Gardens and Spa Park, were key elements of Ripon’s stylish spa quarter.

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Roadworks are to begin next week on some of Harrogate town centre’s busiest routes.

The work, which is due to start on Monday and last for seven weeks, will see traffic lights on key routes including Parliament Street, Ripon Road, King’s Road and Cold Bath Road.

The disruption will enable gas distributor Northern Gas Networks to replace metal pipes with plastic pipes.

Cold Bath Road could be the worst affected route, with “multiple lights” operating for five weeks.

It is the continuation of road works that were “paused” a year ago following delays.

Northern Gas Networks said last week it would be digging up Skipton Road in a separate scheme over half-term.

Here’s what the company said is involved with the latest work starting next week.

Crescent Road lane closure and traffic lights 

A lane closure will be introduced on Crescent Road and Ripon Road along with four-way lights at the junction of Crescent Road, Parliament Street, Ripon Road and Kings Road for two weeks. The existing lights will be bagged, and temporary traffic lights will be in operation from 7am to 7pm.

Traffic on Parliament Street is likely to be affected.

Montpellier Road (roundabout) & Montpellier Hill Lane closure

A lane closure will be implemented on Montpellier Road (roundabout) and Montpellier Hill Lane for two weeks.

Cold Bath Road traffic lights and parking suspensions

Multiple two and three-way lights will be introduced on Cold Bath Road for five weeks starting from Monday.

Multiple traffic lights will be on Cold Bath Road.

Wellington Square Road closure

A road closure will be implemented on Wellington Square for two weeks.

Northern Gas Networks said traffic lights will be manned seven days a week between 7am and 7pm “to ensure a smooth flow of traffic”.

Scott Kitchingman, business operations lead for Northern Gas Networks, said the work was vital “to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Harrogate” and apologised for any inconvenienced.

He added:

“We completed phase one of this project in autumn 2022. It was a complex scheme during which we faced multiple engineering challenges because of the depth of the gas main.

“This caused a delay to our timescales and meant we were unable to complete the following phase within a reasonable timeframe without impacting customers and businesses during the busy Christmas period.

“Collaborating closely with North Yorkshire County Council, we’ve worked hard to review the remaining work and plan this final phase in a way that minimises impact to residents and local businesses as much as possible.”

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Killinghall Cricket Club has been given the go-ahead to build a new two-storey pavilion.

North Yorkshire Council approved the club’s planning application today, after saying previous designs would have been too large and overbearing.

The decision paves the way for the demolition of the current 1970s building, which has two small changing areas and communal showers that give little privacy.

The club hopes the new pavilion will be more appealing to female players and umpires, who currently have to arrive in kit or get changed in the toilets or communal areas.

The current pavilion

Trevor Watson, assistant director of planning at the council, included a series of conditions attached to the decision.

They included that development must begin within three years and construction work can only take place between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Killinghall finished fourth in division one of this year’s Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League.

Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and the long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club pavilion and bar has become a social centre for the village at weekends.

It hopes the new pavilion will enhance this and encourage junior players.

The club said in planning documents:

“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community.”

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