The Anchor Inn in Boroughbridge has reopened today after a six-figure refurbishment.

The pub, based on Leeming Lane next to the river, has been closed for three weeks to undergo work.

The pub has been redecorated inside and out. The most noticeable difference to visitors is the new cream exterior, which has replaced the grey walls in the hope of looking more inviting to locals and tourists.

Landlady Lesley Jackson has been running the Anchor for 18 months since she returned to Boroughbridge following 10 years in Spain.

The bar area has also had a facelift.

The refurb was “well overdue”, according to Ms Jackson. Built in 1860, the pub has had numerous extensions and refurbishments since then but Ms Jackson said it now looks like the “proper” pub she’s wanted it to be.

“It’s a good old-fashioned drinking pub, it doesn’t matter what age you are or who you are we don’t judge. If you want to have a chat, we’ll chat, if you want some information we can get that. It’s about being social and that’s what pubs are about.”

Ms Jackson previously ran another pub in Boroughbridge called LJ’s Bar, which closed and became flats, before moving to Spain

“I’ve got the same old people, which is fantastic but of course they’re 20 years older like me!”

A “proper old-fashioned pub” wouldn’t be complete without a pool table and darts board.

As well as fresh lick of paint and new carpet, the outdoor area is set to have a makeover when the weather improves. Ms Jackson said the south-facing garden overlooking the river is much-used during summer.

“It was definitely needed, there’s just some things that you can clean as much as you want but it never looks as good as it did. I’m so glad we’re back again, lockdown was really difficult so it’s great to swing open the doors again.”

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The Anchor Inn is known to locals as the place to go to watch big football games but Ms Jackson said it welcomed locals and tourists alike.

Once work has finished on the kitchen, towards summer, the Anchor is hoping to start serving food as well to allow it to compete with other local pubs and restaurants in the town.

The sitting area has been completely refurbished.

The pub is owned by Red Oak Taverns, which owns more than 200 pubs.

Harrogate charity and garden centre Horticap welcomed gardening celebrity Alan Titchmarsh today to officially open its cafe area and to tour the new nature trail.

Horticap is based on Otley Road, across from RHS Harlow Carr, and provides training in horticulture and rural skills to adults with learning and other disabilities.

The TV presenter and patron of the charity was invited when the cafe and nature trail first opened last summer but was unable to attend due to covid restrictions so he performed the official opening today.

Mr Titchmarsh also spoke to students and staff about new projects underway at the centre.

Phil Airey, operations manager at Horticap, said:

“We don’t really make it public when he is coming because the place gets too busy, but he came down to speak to students and see the new cafe and shop.

“It was great, he really spent time with the students and spoke to them about the projects they’re working on.

“He said he had a lovely time and even visited Bettys to take some Fat Rascals home!”

Cutting the ribbon at Horticap today. Photograph: Horticap

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This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors.

As life starts to get back to normal, for some, covid has uncovered irretrievable cracks in their relationship. Now might therefore be the time to make the first tentative steps towards separation and divorce.

Ison Harrison Solicitors in Harrogate provide advice on what to do next to make the transition as amicable as possible.

Where To Begin

If you feel that the only outcome for you and your partner is to divorce, the process can seem really daunting. You may be thinking; where do I start, how long will it take and how much will it cost?

The biggest step for most people is the first one, engaging a family solicitor. To do this you have to accept that the marriage is over and have the motivation to do something about it. This is no easy task and can often lead people to stay in unhappy relationships.

Shaun Hulme who is a partner and family solicitor at the Harrogate branch, said:

“I am all too aware of the difficulties faced by those who are separating and facing a future they did not necessarily expect for themselves.

My role as a family solicitor is to help my client navigate this difficult and unexpected future not only for themselves but for their family.”

What to expect from a divorce case

Divorce is never something someone can plan for. It is often a decision that has taken careful consideration and comes with varying emotions such as heartbreak, upset and stress.

To think of a life without your partner may be hard to imagine but solicitors at Ison Harrison, like Shaun, are already thinking of the end goal before you’ve even got there:

“Whilst clients are at the very outset of the case, often with heightened emotions making difficult decisions even harder, I am already at the end point planning the case backwards to get them on the road to independent living.

“I help them to look forward to a future albeit one they had not planned.”

Often during proceedings, it can get heated between couples with each person determined to have the last word. Shaun Hulme makes sure to help his clients navigate this tricky part. He said:

“I advise all of my clients to avoid the need to have ‘the last word’ and move forward. This is particularly true with children. At the end of the process people want to look back and know that they have acted in the best interest of their children.”

Ultimately, Shaun said his main aims throughout a divorce case is to meet his clients expectations whilst managing them, to build trust and to ensure they feel supported throughout.

Top tips for reducing stress and getting the best outcome

Ison Harrison solicitors have provided some advice on what to remember as you work through the process:

• Start as you mean to go on – try and stay as calm and focused as possible rather than letting resentment guide you
• Be open and honest – hiding information only results in increased costs and animosity
• Be respectful – if you are feeling hurt it can be difficult to be respectful, however if you make things difficult for your ex-partner they of course will be less likely to cooperate
• Put the children first –  the welfare of your children should be the first thing you consider when making decisions. Children are often most affected by family breakdowns and will remember a bad experience for the rest of their life
• Consider what you want in the long term and the short term – to ensure that you walk away with a result that works for you both now and in the future

For a 30 minute free initial discussion about the steps involved in the divorce process, contact Ison Harrison Solicitors, Harrogate on 0113 284 5000 or email us on harrogate@isonharrison.co.uk

To download a copy of our Roadmap to Divorce document which takes you through all of the stages in the process, click here.

The Harrogate district has been battered by wind, snow and torrential rain during 72 hours of wild weather.

Winds started picking up at around midday on Friday when Storm Eunice arrived, uprooting trees in its wake. By Saturday afternoon the district experienced its first significant snowfall of the weekend, which caught out motorists with its severity.

But worse was to come yesterday when torrential rain caused widespread flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the River Nidd in Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

Today has been a day for residents and business owners to clear-up debris and salvage what they can.

Here’s a look back at the extreme weather.

Friday, February 18 – trees uprooted by Storm Eunice

A fallen tree on Beckwith Head Road.

Minutes later a tree splintered on top of the shelter on West Park Stray.

Harrogate fire crews used the aerial ladder platform to prune a tree in danger of falling in Bilton. Photograph: GM Tony Peel

Saturday, February 19 – Snow show

Traffic came to a standstill on Cheltenham Parade and Parliament Street in Harrogate.

This DPD van got stuck on the Stray on Saturday when it tried to avoid the Beech Grove road closure.

Sunday, February 20 – Flooding begins

The water gardens at Fountains Abbey were ‘devastated’ by flooding. Photograph: National Trust

Pateley Bridge High Street flooded.

This screenshot of a video taken by Charlotte Gale shows the state of the River Nidd.

Monday February 21 – The clean up commences

Most of Margaret Pearson’s garden at Nidderdale Lodge Park, Knaresborough, remains underwater after she was forced to evacuate yesterday.

The water level begins to subside on Greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge. It had risen as high as the wheelie bin lids.

Flood defences couldn’t hold back all the water at Marigolds Cafe, Knaresborough

Plans have been submitted to open a cafe and sports therapy centre in the former NatWest bank building on Knaresborough High Street.

The NatWest bank closed in May 2017 and many businesses have been rumoured to be moving in over the years. However, plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council this week indicate it could finally open its doors once again.

The plans are for a change of use from a bank to a ground floor cafe and sports therapy rooms.

According to documents submitted to the council, the proposed cafe would be big enough for 50 customers. The application also includes an ice cream parlour, a hot and cold takeaway and three treatment rooms.

Space for 20 bike storage boxes to the back of the unit are also detailed. The applicant is named as Ms S Holmes.

This building was earmarked to open as a bar under a joint enterprise between Turning Point Brewery in Knaresborough and Major Tom’s Social in Harrogate.

The businesses applied for an alcohol license last October but when asked about plans for the bar Aron McMahon from Turning Point Brewery said there was “no update just yet”.

A Harrogate-based Christian charity, which has reached its 10-year anniversary, has helped over 100 people on their journey following addiction.

Horizon Life Training offers a 12-month rehabilitation programme for people who have previously completed nine months of rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol.

The programme gives people a home whilst providing other forms of support they need to gain life skills training through education and work-based placements to live independent, drug-free lives.

The charity works closely with Teen Challenge Leeds, another charity working to help people with addictions.

A decade ago Teen Challenge found many men and women were returning to old habits after going into rehab so the idea for a training and residential centre to help them stay drug-free was born.

Horizon Life Training runs two centres: Kennel Hall Farm for men, just outside of Killinghall, and Bramall House for women, near Menwith Hill.

Kennel Hall Farm and Bramall House

More than 100 men have completed the programme, with 75% of them now living free from addiction independently and with jobs.

The women’s house opened in 2019 and has since supported eight women successfully.

Centre manager Bernie Francies said:

“We are passionate to see broken lives transformed, everyone has a back story, no one is beyond repair and everyone is born with a divine purpose.

“Our role as staff is to awaken potential, dreams, aspirations through the love of god and by providing a safe place to renew confidence and strength following addiction.”

Centre manager Bernie Francies

The charity is always looking for more local businesses to work alongside to provide employment opportunities.

The residents work on a voluntary basis but some have gone on to gain full-time employment.

Ms Francies added:

“We have the privilege of walking alongside our residents for 12 months as they re-discover their identity and upskill their CVs to equip and prepare them for successful moves back into the community, social inclusion and future employment.

“We encourage all local businesses, charities and agencies to partner with us to see a life restored back into work whilst also adding value to their team.”

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Horizon Life Training also works with local churches to offer residents additional support.

To apply for the programme or find out how you can support the charity, click here.

A Boroughbridge walking group has announced its annual Easter walking festival will return in April after a two-year hiatus due to covid.

The Boroughbridge and the Lower Ure Valley Walks group is made up of volunteer walking enthusiasts helping to share local walks. The group also organises an annual festival which includes a long walk for people to enjoy together.

This year’s walks include a 16-mile river walk and will take place across four days, April 15 to 18.

The festival has been going since 2008 and will this year feature a new walk from Whixley to a grade II listed church in Allerton Mauleverer.

The walk is in conjunction with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge. The battle, between Edward II and his cousin the Earl of Lancaster, who was in collusion with the Scots, involved several thousand soldiers. The majority supported the king.

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The festival includes a walk, a tour of the town and a visit to the Devil’s Arrows- four standing stones with the highest almost seven metres tall.

The festival had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to various covid restrictions.

The full festival guide will be available here shortly.

An air ambulance was summoned to the Harrogate district today when three people were injured in a car crash.

The air ambulance was called to assist other emergency services at the scene of the collision on the B6165 between Nidd and Brearton.

The incident is believed to have happened at about 1pm this afternoon.

According to reports on social media, three fire engines and three ambulances were at the scene.

It is unknown how many vehicles were involved but Yorkshire Air Ambulance confirmed three people were injured.

A spokesperson said:

“Our paramedics provided on-scene medical support to three patients and those who needed further treatment were taken to hospital by land ambulance.”

The extent of injuries in unclear.

The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for details but has yet to receive a response.

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A model railway exhibition is arriving in Harrogate tomorrow, with the organisers hoping it will encourage more people to take up the hobby.

Harrogate Model Railway Group holds meetings twice a week at St Aidan’s Church of England High School for rail enthusiasts to share ideas and modelling tips.

Clem Dye, one of about 20 members, said he expected as many as 500 people to attend tomorrow’s exhibition, depending on weather conditions. It will be the group’s first since covid.

As well as model railways created by members, there will be additional exhibitors there including Wenselydale Railway and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

Visitors will also have the chance to browse a number of trade stands.

Mr Dye said:

“We have a number of exhibitors, who model in different gauges, be that ’009’, ’N’, ‘OO’ or ‘O’. There should be something for everyone at the show.

“Just because you might model in one particular gauge it doesn’t stop you appreciating a layout in a gauge that you’re not familiar with. People come and see the exhibits to gather ideas and inspiration for their own layouts. I’m looking forward to checking them out too.”

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He added he hoped events like this, and a further exhibition planned for August, will open the hobby up to more people.

Tomorrow’s event takes place from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 for children and £10 for a family.

To join the group or find out more, click here.

Boroughbridge High School has maintained its ‘good’ Ofsted rating — but the schools inspector indicated the grade “might not be as high” if it had carried out a full inspection.

The 446-pupil school’s Ofsted report was published this week following a short inspection on January 11 and 12.

The school received a ‘good’ grading in its last full Ofsted inspection in 2012.

Schools assessed to be ‘good’ do not receive graded judgements on their next visit.

Instead they are subject to short inspections and if Ofsted finds evidence that they would now receive a higher or lower grade, they are told they will receive a full inspection next time — which is what happened in this instance.

The school was commended for its approach to tackling bullying. Pupils said they know adults will help if it occurs and it is “very rare”. The school was also praised for creating a positive atmosphere where pupils feel safe.

The report added leaders have coped well with the pandemic and have adapted the curriculum to ensure pupils have time to catch-up on missed work, such as science lessons.

Enrichment opportunities and the focus on individual pupils’ needs also earned praise. Safeguarding was deemed “effective”.

Classroom disruption

But the report raised concerns around an ‘inconsistent approach to dealing with low-level disruption’ — a view shared by parents.

It also said ‘teachers do not always make their expectations clear’ and ‘plans to develop pupils’ love of reading are not well embedded’.

Inspectors will return to the school within two years for a full inspection.

The report says:

“In some lessons, some pupils lack engagement. Teachers do not always have high enough expectations of pupils’ behaviour in lessons.  Staff do not consistently apply expectations around uniform. Consequently, pupils’ attitudes are variable.

“Governors do not challenge leaders about standards of behaviour, to ensure that what leaders tell them is accurate.”

Kathryn Stephenson, the school headteacher

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Sixth form closure

School governors decided this month to temporarily close the sixth form in the summer due to issues with funding and declining student numbers.

The Ofsted report says there are currently only 12 sixth form students.

All courses and pastoral support will transfer to King James’s School in Knaresborough. The two schools federated last year.