Knaresborough’s Dower House accelerates closure of spa and gym

Members of Knaresborough’s Dower House gym and spa have been told that the facilities will close next month, seven weeks earlier than originally planned.

The Stray Ferret reported last month the gym and spa were closing after the hotel was acquired by the Inn Collection Group (ICG) in December last year.

At the time the group said the gym and spa, which includes a swimming pool and sauna and provides beauty treatments, would close on August 31 as part of a “multi-million pound expansion” plan.

However, letters sent to members this week said the facilities will now close on July 11. Kate Bentley, rooms director for ICG, said the closure was brought forward due to a decline in users and rising operating costs.

She said:

“Since buying The Dower House in December 2022 we have spent a lot of time familiarising ourselves with the hotel and surrounding area while meeting and listening to customer feedback.

“Dower House — including the spa — is in desperate need of investment which is long-overdue. We have made the decision to accelerate the closure of this part of the hotel.

“We appreciate this may be disappointing for spa users, however we look forward to carrying out a significant investment in the building that a wide range of people can enjoy.”

The ICG has said that all Dower House members who chose to move to the Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge could have their joining fee waived. The Boroughbridge hotel is part of the Coaching Inn Group and also has gym, pool and spa facilities.

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Michael Ward, a member, said:

“I am disappointed at the closure, and the way it has been handled. The first I knew about it was when the story appeared on the Stray Ferret. I am not impressed with the Inn Collection Group.

“I will therefore not be taking up their offer of joining the Crown Hotel at Boroughbridge, despite the joining fee being waived. It’s disappointing because the Dower House is the only facility of its kind in Knaresborough.”

40 years ago today: PC David Haigh was murdered in Beckwithshaw

North Yorkshire Police officers are paying their respects today to PC David Haigh, who was shot on duty 40 years ago by multiple murderer Barry Prudom.

PC Haigh, 29, was sent to arrest a petty criminal sleeping rough in woodland near Beckwithshaw on the morning of June 17, 1982,

Instead he found Barry Prudom, asleep in his car, and was murdered by a fatal shot on the side of the road.

An error in the police system meant PC Haigh wasn’t aware the petty criminal had been arrested the night before, retired PC Mike Clipston told the Yorkshire Post when he recalled the incident a decade ago:

“The person he had a warrant for, I had taken into the police station the night before. If he had known, David would never have gone.”

PC Haigh is now buried at Stonefall Cemetery.

David Haigh was the the first victim of Prudom, who over 17 days killed a further two people, including another officer Sergeant David Winter. He also attempted to kill dog handler PC Ken Oliver.

The search for Prudom became the biggest manhunt the country had seen at the time.

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Barry Prudom, ‘The Phantom in the Forest’

In the summer of 1982, Prudom avoided trial at Leeds Crown Court for violent assault with an iron bar and went on the run. He was found by PC David Haigh sleeping rough in a car near Norwood Edge, Beckwithshaw. He murdered the officer and drove off in a green Citroen.

After abandoning the car, he hitchhiked to Lincolnshire and broke into the home of Freda Jackson on June 20 and stole £4.50. By June 23 he’d made it to Nottinghamshire and shot both George Luckett, 52, and his wife Sylvia, 50, in the head after tying them up. Remarkably Sylvia survived and crawled to her neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.

By this point, Lincolnshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police and North Yorkshire Police had shared information and realised they were all after the same man.

Prudom was stopped on a routine check by dog handler PC Ken Oliver near Dalby Forest, eight miles from Scarborough. He shot PC Oliver in the face and the dog reacted giving the officer time to run for shelter. PC Oliver was hit seven times but none were fatal, the dog was also shot twice and survived.

Within hours a huge manhunt had commenced in the forest involving police marksmen, helicopters and 1,000 police officers on foot.

Prudom’s name was released to the media as the police’s prime suspect and a report came in of a suspicious man seen in Old Malton, North Yorkshire. Police Sergeant David Winter, 31, and PC Mick Wood went to the scene.

Sgt Winter was shot three times and died from his injuries, Prudom managed to escape capture once again.

Police put a cordon around the village of Malton believing Prudom was nearby, they told the media they were focused on Dalby Forest in the hope Prudom would believe it and resurface in the town.

He was found in a shelter he made using his survival training, near Malton’s Tennis Club just 300 yards from the police station that became the temporary headquarters co-ordinating the manhunt.

Police opened fire on the shelter but a port mortem revealed Prudom died from a self-inflicted shot to the head.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district travel roundup

Traffic is still normal so far this morning however roads are likely to get busier towards 8am.

Numerous cancellations have been reported on bus services this morning, including the 36.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel roundup.

Roads

Traffic is running as normal this morning, but, as always, be aware of the usual traffic build ups on Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road heading towards Harrogate during rush hour.

Trains and buses

Train services are running as normal from Harrogate to Leeds and York this morning.

However, Northern has now published its timetables for next week which includes three days of industrial action.

Due to this there will be limited services on the Harrogate line and the train operator is advising people to avoid trains adding there will be no replacement bus options.

Click here to find the reduced timetable for next week.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting some early morning cancellations on the numerous routes this morning.

The 36 from Harrogate to Leeds includes frequent cancellations between 9am and 3.30pm; 9am, 9.25am, 9.55am, 10.55am, 11.25am, 11.55am, 12.55pm, 1.25pm and 3.25pm.

There are further cancellations on the Leeds to Harrogate route starting at 7.40am to 4pm. Click here for more details.

Other services including the 1A, 1B, 1C and the number 7 are affected. You can find out more here.

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Harrogate firefighter brands plans to rely on one fire engine ‘farcical’

A Harrogate firefighter has spoken out against proposals to cut the number of overnight fire engines in the town.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Office held a roadshow in Harrogate town centre yesterday to discuss its new three-year plan for the county’s fire service.

Its proposals include reducing the number of fire engines stationed in Harrogate overnight from two to one.

The plans would also see the station lose its tactical response vehicle, which would be moved to an on-call station elsewhere in the county.

The Stray Ferret went along to yesterday’s roadshow, which was not attended by Zoe Metcalfe, the police, fire and crime commissioner.

We spoke to Harrogate resident and firefighter of 16 years, Steve Applewood, who described the plans as “ridiculous” and a matter of huge concern.

He said a large fire or a fire that puts lives at risk required two water pumps and therefore two fire engines.

Harrogate Fire Station, Skipton Road.

Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road.

If only one was available at night, Harrogate firefighters would have to wait 10 minutes for a crew to arrive from Knaresborough, he added.

“A 10-minute wait at a house fire is a long time. It also doesn’t give your first breathing apparatus crew a back-up team so in 10 minutes they could have worn down their air supply but with the delay on the second unit there isn’t another crew to take over straight away.

“Or sometimes, tactically, we send two teams in two directions and we wouldn’t have that option straight away.”

Changes are ‘farcical’

Currently one emergency fire engine and a tactical response unit operate in Harrogate overnight, which Mr Appleword accepted did not guarantee two crews with breathing apparatus. But he said the driver of the tactical response unit could become another member of the breathing apparatus crew if necessary.

He said colleagues thought the proposed changes were “farcical” adding:

“I’m against most of them, I think it’s ridiculous they’re looking at cutting the cover in Harrogate by 50%. It’s a real concern for us, a 10-minute wait could be the difference between life and death.”

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Currently, 10 crew members cover each shift in Harrogate and Mr Appleyard said the amount of new housing being built in the town  was an added factor to consider with any planned reduction in service.

Councillors and a firefighter’s union have raised their concerns in recent weeks.

Tom Thorp, deputy monitoring officer for the commissioner’s office, who spoke to people at yesterday’s event, told us:

“It’s been a mix [of opinions], people can see the sense in some of it and for others it’s a concern. For us it’s about explaining the proposals and getting people’s opinions.”

Staff from the commissioner’s office will be holding pop-up roadshows across the county over the next nine weeks, returning to Harrogate on July 19.

People are encouraged to complete a survey on the proposals and share their views.

Focus on preventing fires

Ms Metcalfe has previously said her proposals focus on preventing fires.

“The role of a fire and rescue service has changed and continues to change, with only 26% of our incidents last year relating to a fire emergency.

“We want to ensure we are addressing our current and future challenges and that we have the capacity to prevent and protect to stop incidents happening in the first place and prevent harm before it can take place, while also having the capacity to respond to emergencies when they do take place. We are confident these proposals would do that.

“Inevitably, there are some areas where the setup of the service would change but I’m confident the right people, right equipment and the right support would continue to be available to everyone.”

Boy, 11, rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks

An 11-year-old boy had to be rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks.

The young boy was coming down from one of the high rocks near the car park when he fell onto a grassy area on his arms.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was summoned to help the boy. The team stretchered him to an ambulance where he was treated for arm injuries.

One of the association’s volunteers, Derek Hammond, said he thought the boy fell “about three or four metres”, putting his arms out to protect himself as he fell.

The volunteer rescue team were at the the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge for 52 minutes.

Just last month, The Stray Ferret wrote about the latest young boy to fall from the rocks. 

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district travel roundup

Traffic is moving normally on the roads in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, some cancellations have been reported on bus services.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel roundup.

Roads

Traffic is running as normal this morning, but, as always, be aware of the usual traffic build ups on Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road heading towards Harrogate during rush hour.

Roadworks remain in Knaresborough at the junction between Wetherby Road and York Road, these have been causing delays recently so it may be worth leaving a few minutes early.  The works are in place until August 15.

Trains and buses

Train services are running as normal from Harrogate to Leeds and York this morning.

However, be aware of planned strike action on the railways next week. Industrial action is due to take place over three days from June 21 and will affect Northern services from Harrogate.

Northern has put out a statement yesterday asking commuters to avoid the trains next week adding there will be no replacement bus options.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting some early morning cancellations on the 36 from Ripon to Harrogate at 7.10am.

The 1A at 7.10 from Harrogate to Aspin has also been cancelled.

The bus company is reporting early morning cancellations to the 1A, 1C and 36 services. You can find out more here.

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Harrogate Spring Water unveils mindful drinking bar at Royal Ascot

Harrogate Spring Water unveils mindful drinking bar at Royal Ascot

Harrogate Spring Water has opened the first mindful drinking bar at Royal Ascot with celebrity guests.

The company teamed up with wellbeing advocate and former Love Islander Dr Alex George and much-loved bartender from First Dates Merlin Griffiths for the launch.

The reduced and no-alcohol bar was devised after a survey of 2,000 people showed 24% had cut down their alcohol intake post-covid.

The water brand has launched its Drinking Life In campaign with a dedicated platform encouraging people to make the most of their experiences. It also includes mindful drinking tips from Dr Alex George.

Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said:

“Our survey clearly shows how adults really are being more mindful about their alcohol intake post-lockdown as they now focus on creating memories from their experiences.

“With that in mind, it’s such a joy to bring people together to connect again at Royal Ascot as we encourage racegoers to make the most of their celebrations.”

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Harrogate wealth management firm acquired

Harrogate-based wealth manager Gore Browne Investment Management (GBIM) has entered into a deal with Hawksmoor Investment Management.

The merger means Hawksmoors is set to acquire 100% of GBIM. The amount offered has not been disclosed.

While Gore Browne and Hawksmoor will become a single enterprise, the Gore Browne name and offices will be maintained, and the business will continue to use Pershing as its custodian.

The GBIM firm has a reported funds under management of £520 million across its offices.

Chief executive of GBIM, Mark Awkwright, said:

“For some time the Gore Browne board and shareholders have been seeking a partner who was already operating in the private client sector, to invest in our business.

“We selected Hawksmoor as this was the best fit for our clients and our people. It has always been our creed, in an increasingly unapproachable investment world, to put clients first. We have known and respected the team at Hawksmoor for many years and feel confident that together we will continue to deliver an exceptionally high quality, personal service.”

Grenadier Guards band coming to Harrogate

Hundreds of North Yorkshire school children will perform alongside one of the world’s oldest and most famous military bands in Harrogate this week.

About 350 children from schools will share a stage with the Band of the Grenadier Guards.

The band, known for its scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, has a history dating back 300 years and 15 monarchs.

The concert to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee will be held at Harrogate Convention Centre on Friday at 7pm.

The North Yorkshire County Schools’ Big Band, the Junior and Primary Schools Choirs and Wind Band, Richmond Chamber Choir and the County Youth Choir will also be performing.

They will play music from each decade of the Queen’s reign, including Waterloo by Abba, I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 and Hey Jude by The Beatles.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards will perform numbers including Crown Imperial, music from West Side Story, Symphony by Clean Bandit before rounding off the evening with the National Anthem.

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Ian Bangay, head of North Yorkshire county music service, said:

“North Yorkshire Music Service and school bands, orchestras and music ensembles have a long history of producing talented musicians. We are very proud that one of those former music service musicians, George Hirst, will be returning with the Grenadier Guards, which he joined last year.

“It’s a great honour and a fantastic experience for our young people to be performing with one of the world’s most prestigious and recognisable military bands to mark the platinum jubilee. It should be an evening for everyone to remember for many years to come.”

Tickets are available here.

Harrogate’s Ernest Jones jewellery store closes

The Ernest Jones shop on James Street in Harrogate has closed.

Removal vans were spotted outside the jewellery store yesterday morning.

The store has been a fixture on James Street for 20 years, having opened in 2002.

Attempts to clear the unit began yesterday morning.

There have been a number of shops opening and closing in Harrogate recently, particularly on James Street.

Last week Oliver Bonas announced its new Harrogate store would open on James Street in September.

Ernest Jones set up in 1949 in London’s Oxford Street and now has more than 100 stores across the UK.

The company did not respond to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries by the time of publication.

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Eco business park near Ripon set for expansion

Melmerby eco business park set to expand

A business park at Melmerby, near Ripon, has been granted planning permission to build a further three units at its 60-acre site.

The park, owned by Potter Space, is located close to the A1 (M) and has previously won awards for its carbon neutral unit.

The new units will add 70,000 square foot to the site and include solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and cycle stores.

Potter Space operates five business parks across England with a business model that prioritises sustainability, biodiversity and wellbeing.

Jason Rockett, managing director at Potter Space, said:

“We’re pleased to be able to bring our latest investment plans to fruition at our Ripon business park and create more high-quality warehousing and industrial space to meet demand.”

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Nominations open for Knaresborough Business Awards 

Nominations for the first Knaresborough Business Awards are now open.

The awards, which will be held in August, have been organised by Knaresborough Business Collective.

Members of the public can now nominate their favourite Knaresborough business in 15 categories, including business of the year, favourite family run business, favourite group or class and favourite place to stay.

To nominate, click here.