Loved local pianist talks Eurovision in Harrogate and the power of music

Derry Jones is a songwriter and pianist from Harrogate and has played in multiple venues but most will know him for his days in the Jimmy O Show band in the 60s and 70s.

Mr Jones now plays in Bettys tea rooms regularly but often looks back at his time in the Jimmy O Show band. He joined the band in 1959 but his career began in the early 1950s in jazz bands.

In the early years of rock n’ roll, the 86-year-old was accompanying comedians such as Ken Dodd and Charlie Chester as well as former professional footballer turned comic Charlie Williams . He also performed at The Cavern in Liverpool “before the Beatles made it famous”.

Mr Jones said one of the highlights of performing in the Jimmy O Show band was performing at venues such as the Royal Hall and spending an afternoon with Dustin Hoffman:

“It was a really enjoyable few years and we were all from Harrogate. We were pretty popular back in those days, appearing on TV and in big venues.

“People still ask us to get back together, but we aren’t all around now so it wouldn’t be right.”

Mr Jones was busy performing when the Eurovision came to Harrogate in 1982 but says he remembers the town being swept up in Eurovision fever.

He still plays Germany’s winning song from that year Ein bißchen Frieden, which translates to A Bit of Peace, when performing at Bettys.

One year before the Eurovision in Harrogate, in 1981, Derry Jones and the Jimmy O Show band appeared on Tyne Tees TV to perform his original song “The Nicest Place”.

The song was played to promote the opening of the Harrogate Convention Centre and says “the grass is greener and the streets are cleaner”.

Read more:

Even at 86 Mr Jones said his passion for music has never wavered, he has continued to write songs and perform regularly, adding it remains his biggest passion.

Over lockdown, Mr Jones and his wife Jowita would regularly perform for their neighbours on the street. He would play accordion and she would sing whilst neighbours sat on garden walls or even danced in the street.

“Music has been a constant for me. Sometimes I wish I could get the old days back but I’m happier ow than I’ve ever been.”

Barclays in Ripon to close despite increase in customers

Barclays bank in Ripon is to close in August even though the amount of counter transactions is going up.

The branch, on Market Place, currently opens four days a week, from Monday to Thursday.

A report explaining the reasons for closure says the number of counter transactions went up in the two years to March 2020.

It added that more than 3,000 customers visited regularly for personal or business banking purposes in the last year.

But only 121 customers use the branch exclusively for banking. Eighty percent of customers also use online and telephone banking.

The report says 41% of Ripon customers also use nearby branches, such as Harrogate and Thirsk.

Barclays, which will close on August 25, is one of five banks currently open in the city alongside HSBC, Halifax, Skipton Building Society and Yorkshire Building Society.

Last year it announced the closure of its Wetherby branch.

Read more:

 

Skelton on Ure residents plead with owners to save ‘eyesore’ pub

Residents from Skelton on Ure are calling for answers about a beloved village pub that has lain dormant for two-and-a-half years.

The Black Lion pub was bought in December 2019 by Admiral Taverns, which owns 1,600 pubs across the UK.

With no sign of a sale residents are fed up and say the owners are being “extremely vague” about their plans for the future.

The pub, which sits on Skelton Lane and is close to Newby Hall, was bought by the company as part of the acquisition of 137 pubs from Marston’s brewery.

Residents said it had begun to decline just before the deal was done, but they were hopeful the new buyer could reinvigorate the country pub and restaurant.

Sandy Delf, who has lived in the village for more than a decade, said:

“We would really like it open again. Admiral Taverns just aren’t telling us anything and the pub is in a shocking state inside and out. One of my neighbours was outside weeding around it the other day.

“I think people are tired of seeing it in the state it’s in at present. There are so many opportunities, being in the location that it is.”

‘Community asset’

Another local resident, Penn Wall, said there may be an opportunity to develop around the back on the pub where a caravan park used to be:

“There is massive potential for this pub to be a great success. We have Newby Hall [nearby] which has numerous events over the year. If the pub were developed, with perhaps cabins at the back, it could be a great money-spinner for the new owners.

“There are many people who would support the pub if it was well-managed and welcoming. It would be very sad to lose such a valuable community asset, particularly when in this case so many of us feel that there is such potential.”

Read more:

With no sign of a listing online for its resale, residents are worried that the building could fall into further disrepair.

Jane Mosley added:

“As it stands now, it is an eyesore, a blot on the landscape and falling into further disrepair as the weeks pass.

“As a temporary measure, it would help if they could cover it in a building wrap like you see on some inner city building works, or paint the windows like they do in Knaresborough – anything to detract from the way it looks now.

“I am sure the directors at Admiral Taverns wouldn’t like this on their own doorsteps. Enough is enough.”

Other villagers on the village’s Facebook page suggested the only likely buyer would be a developer looking to change its use – and some agreed this would be better than the site staying in its current state.

Admiral Taverns has not confirmed whether the site is being sold as a development opportunity or as a pub.

A spokesperson said:

“We are strong believers in the importance of community pubs and our focus is always on helping our licensees to run sustainable pub businesses. After careful consideration, however, we felt in this instance that the Black Lion did not have a long-term sustainable future and therefore we’ve taken the decision to put the pub up for sale.”

Repairs on collapsed Kirkby Malzeard wall set to start on Monday

A senior Harrogate Borough Council officer has tried to allay concerns that a church wall in Kirkby Malzeard could collapse again.

Jonathan Dunk, executive officer for strategic property and major projects, told councillors today that the “appropriate” action was being taken to repair and monitor the wall at St Andrew’s Church.

The works are finally set to start on Monday after a section of the wall collapsed during heavy rainfall in February 2020.

Speaking at a meeting today, Ripon Spa councillor Mike Chambers said he was concerned that other parts of the wall, which is opposite the village primary school, could give way.

Mr Dunk said:

“We have taken professional advice from Mason Clark – our structural engineers who are used to dealing with these types of listed assets.

“Our advice was that we needed to rebuild the section that collapsed and we are making appropriate repairs to another 15-metre section.

“We are then going to monitor another section that is in much better condition and is therefore at lower risk. We have got the right balance.”

Mr Dunk also said “time is of the essence” for the repairs, which will cost £491,670 and mean the collapsed wall is no longer blocking Church Street:

“The road has been closed for two years – it is causing inconvenience and we need to address that quickly.

“The longer the wall is left unprepared, then there is a risk of further collapse.”

The works will involve a five metre high section of wall being rebuilt, while steel rods will also be driven into the surface for reinforcement.

September completion date

September is the target completion date – and the council said the works could not have been completed before now because the use of lime mortar requires moderate temperatures during spring and summer.

It also said the project required “detailed surveys and an extensive project plan”, including feedback from Historic England.

Read more:

However, local councillors have accused the borough council of paying too much attention to Historic England and not listening to their concerns.

Speaking on Wednesday, councillor Jane Aksut, a member of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, said:

“All of the work has been delayed by interventions from Historic England, who have raised concerns about the ‘visual impact’ of pattress plates needed to restrain the bulging wall.

“We regret that Harrogate Borough Council paid more heed to the view of Historic England rather than to the parish council and residents, who argued that a swift and robust repair to keep the wall safe and the road open for the long term, is more important than how pretty the wall looks.”

Two teenagers arrested following police appeal into Harrogate robberies

North Yorkshire Police has arrested two teenage males after it published an appeal yesterday about a robbery on Harrogate’s Hookstone Chase.

The two males are also being questioned about a further alleged robbery that took place on Wentworth Drive in Harrogate on the same night.

The first alleged incident, on Hookstone Chase, is said to have happened at around 6pm on Tuesday, May 17. The Wentworth Drive incident followed at 10.30pm.

The two males are in custody. Police said they are assisting officers with their enquiries.

Yesterday, police published an appeal for two teenage white males wearing grey tracksuits.

Read more:

 

North Yorkshire Police officer admits making 8,700 indecent child images

A North Yorkshire Police officer pleaded guilty today to making 8,707 indecent images of children over seven years.

Christopher Groom was charged with making the Category C indecent photographs over a seven-year period between December, 3 2014 and November, 14 2021.

Groom, who was a serving officer at the time, was suspended and arrested on December 16, 2021, and had his computer and phone examined.

At today’s hearing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Angela Terenzini said there was no evidence he had distributed the images.

Groom, of Main Street, Claxton, Malton, will be sentenced on June 14. He received unconditional bail.

North Yorkshire Police has said it will make a formal response when the case is concluded.

Read more:

 

Tractor stolen from farm in Weeton

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a tractor theft in Weeton.

The tractor was stole from Weeton Lane at 2.10am on May 12. According to police, a vehicle entered a farm and stole the orange Kubota Compact b7100 tractor.

Officers are asking for the public to come forward with information, particularly sightings of vehicles on Weeton Lane at the time of the incident.

You can contact the police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk.

The crime reference number is 12220081066.

Read more:

 

Meet the team at Harrogate’s new hair salon

This advertorial is sponsored by Allertons

Allertons has built an incredible team of highly qualified stylists since opening in Harrogate just six weeks ago. The team is here to help people in Harrogate achieve their dream hair.

Allertons has just celebrated eight years in business and has two salons in Leeds, one in Nottingham and another in Harrogate.

The company’s owner Nicholas Nicola is hugely proud of everything his staff has achieved including being Leeds’ highest rated salon, with plenty of five star ratings on Google.

Nicholas lives in North Leeds and has always enjoyed visiting Harrogate. So when a unit became available on Montpellier Street he knew it would make the perfect addition to the Allertons family.

Following a £60,000 refurbishment the salon opened with a team of four and with further plans to transform the two upper floors the team is eager to continue building its reputation.

Lauren Wood, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“I specialise in most things including colour, extensions and blow-drying. A bit of an all-rounder.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“We get a lot of support from Nick and everyone in the team, there’s a lot of training opportunities too. We are also kept up-to-date on what is going on so there’s never any surprises.”

Who is your celebrity hair crush?

“Definitely Hailey Bieber, she’s just spot on every time and I love that sometimes she can surprise you.”

Jess Hewitt, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“Definitely say I prefer colour, it’s a little bit more enjoyable transforming someone’s hair. I really like it when someone comes to me for a complete change in style.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“It’s the team, we all get on really well. It just feels good coming to work and getting on with everyone. Plus the simple things like being paid on time just makes the experience that bit better. We just all really support each other.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“It’s opened my eyes to new careers, so I’ve thought about going down the hair education route. All the courses we get sent on just help us develop into the stylist we want to be.”

How does a consultation work?

“Normally someone comes to us with a picture and we can talk through the process of getting to that point. Unfortunately there are times when the client’s hair type might not suit the hair they want but I’ll always give advice and other inspirations.

“I also want to make sure the client can maintain their hair, so if someone can’t make it to use every six weeks I wouldn’t suggest bleach blonde. It’s about making sure the client gets the hair they want without spending hours a day making it look fabulous.”

Francis Emechette, national educator

What is your speciality?

“Precision cutting and training.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“My position at Allertons allows me to utilise my skills and work on my passion whilst passing my experience on to the rest of the team.”

What is your favourite hair era? 

“An Eaton Crop wonderfully modelled by Charlize Theron and Tilda Swindon also there’s a style called Wolf Cut which gives more volume at the root and front of the head. Then celebrities like Billie Eilish have brought the Japanese Anime style back into the mainstream.”

Robyn Mackin, apprentice

What is your speciality?

“I’m really enjoying the colouring aspects of hairdressing, learning techniques and developing my skills. Especially highlighting hair.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“I love the area where Allertons is, I’m from Harrogate so it’s really nice to work where I’ve grown up. Our clientele are lovely and always come in with smiles on their faces so it makes my job even more positive.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“Allertons are so supportive with my training with in house training every week and they send me on courses to develop my skills regularly which enables me to reach my goals of becoming a really good hairdresser.”

The salon is currently offering up to three free appointments as part of its eighth anniversary celebrations. To find out more click here.

Allertons Harrogate has plans to expand to 15 staff once all the refurbishments are complete. The renovations are set to get underway by summer and will include beauty rooms offering facials, massage, manicures and pedicures.

The salon is currently looking to hire a full time salon manager and hair stylist and two part time hair stylists.

Harrogate drug dealer sentenced to four years in prison

A Harrogate man has been sentenced to four years in prison after police officers stopped him during a drug deal on Knaresborough Road.

Ben Michael Hargreaves, of Dragon Avenue, was sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.

The 42-year-old’s sentencing comes after an 18-month investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate Operation Expedite Team.

On September 9, 2020, officers spotted a man leaving a vehicle on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate and suspected he had purchased drugs from the driver.

The man was found to be in possession of cocaine. Officers then stopped the vehicle and detained the driver, Hargreaves.

Officers found a quantity of cocaine in the car and following a roadside drug wipe, Hargreaves tested positive for cannabis. He was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and supplying drugs.

At his home address police found more cocaine and digital microscales. His phone was also examined which revealed a large amount of drugs related content and showed him organising the importation of drugs from the United States, as well as discussions about evading customs and border control.

The drugs seized from Hargreaves were valued at around £1,500 if sold at street level. As well as the four-year sentence he was disqualified from driving for five years.

Read more:

Detective Sergeant Peachman, from the North Yorkshire Police Harrogate Operation Expedite Team, said:

“Hargreaves has received a significant custodial sentence at York Crown Court and this sentence reflects the severity of his offending and the extent of it.

“He was found to be supplying a Class A drug on the streets of Harrogate and the impact of this offence should not be underestimated. The knock-on effects of increased criminality to fund drug addictions creates misery for those trapped in the cycle of addiction and those people who live in their communities. Hargreaves was financially profiting from that misery and exploiting the addictions of his customers for his own greed.”

Harrogate woman sets up Lupus support group after 40-year battle

Forty years on from her diagnosis, a woman has set up a Harrogate Lupus support group for local people to find support and hopefully comfort in hearing the experience of others.

Cherry Bratkowski was 23-years-old when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. She’s now 61-years-old and over the years has experienced severe fatigue, rashes, liver and brain inflammation and numerous cases of pneumonia.

A main motivator for setting up the group for her was having to go through years of hospital admissions with her daughter, Tess Bratkowski, before she got an autoimmune diagnosis at 26-years-old.

Similar to her mum, Tess developed symptoms from the age of 12 but it has taken years of letters to MPs and consultants to get the right referral.

Tess Bratkowski

Ms Bratkowski is a professional musician and the resident pianist at the Old Swan, Harrogate. She said her diagnosis meant she couldn’t follow her original career path because she was too ill.

She knows other people will have similar experiences and hopes they could find comfort in sharing them with others:

“I’ve been very lucky in a lot of ways, I was told it was 80% unlikely that I could carry a child but I had two. But I’ve also been very ill, I just feel like there needs to be a lot more awareness.”

Lupus is thought to affect one in every 1,000 people but with no specialist lupus nurse at Harrogate District Hospital she believes there isn’t enough support.

Read more:

She said she had wanted to set up a group after the previous Harrogate group disbanded.

The musician plans to hold meetings at Woodlands Methodist Church Hall, with the first next Tuesday, May 24, between 1pm and 3.30pm.

Ms Bratkowski has worked with national charity Lupus UK to set up the group and hopes to encourage people across the district to attend.

She added:

“Watching my daughter brought it home to me how many people are suffering, whether its their medication side effects or isolation during covid it’s been very difficult for us.

“The help just isn’t there, people just don’t know enough about it even doctors and specialists.”

To contact Ms Bratkowski about the meeting, email Organpipe@icloud.com.