Vicky Carr, Author at The Stray Ferret

Village pub near Boroughbridge put up for sale

A village pub near Boroughbridge which was once well-known as a wedding venue and dining destination has been put up for sale.

The Crown Inn at Roecliffe has been listed by Christie & Co, with an alternative option for it to be let to “an experienced and credible operator”.

The pub, which has a function room seating 80 people as well as space for 80 covers in its restaurant and bar, is on the market for £875,000.

It includes five en-suite letting rooms as well as outside dining space and a car park, and the purchase would include “the majority” of its fixtures and fittings.

The description by Christie & Co says:

“The Crown Inn presents an excellent opportunity for an experienced operator to purchase a large, characterful hospitality property in an extremely desirable location. An established business which previously upheld a fantastic reputation.

“Historically, annual turnover was [circa] £1.2m (£25k per week net of VAT). In the hands of an experienced operator there is huge, tangible potential for The Crown Inn to re-establish itself as a bustling village pub, wedding/events venue and destination restaurant with rooms.”

The particulars say the owner’s preference is for it to be sold, but it could be rented for £60,000 per year on a 10- or 15-year agreement. A one-off payment of £15,000 would be required for the fixtures and fittings.

The Crown Inn has been closed for around a year, with the particulars saying this was down to “being underfunded and significantly impacted by the pandemic”.

Its lessee was Chris Hannon, who ran a number of pubs around the UK, and was last month reported by the Mirror to be facing bankruptcy after his previous company fell into liquidation in 2020.

The pub is understood to be owned currently by a number of villagers who bought the premises in 2018.

Knaresborough mayor wants to ‘give back’ to new home

A new Mayor of Knaresborough has been elected at the annual meeting of the town council.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, who has been a councillor since 2015, said she hoped to use her year for the benefit of a town which had made her welcome when she moved there.

She said:

“Since moving to Knaresborough 10 years ago, I have been in awe of this beautiful town and welcoming community.

“It is a place you want to give back to – so I am honoured to be given this opportunity and promise to work hard to champion our wonderful town as mayor.”

As well as sitting on Knaresborough Town Council, Cllr Gostlow represents Knaresborough East on North Yorkshire Council after being elected for the Liberal Democrats last year.

Her election as mayor was witnessed by mayors of neighbouring towns and representatives of community groups in Knaresborough at the annual meeting.

Cllr Gostlow’s chosen charities for the year will be Inspire Youth and Knaresborough Community Energy Limited. She added:

“The sense of community is so strong. We are spoilt by the number of events throughout the year, delivered with such creativity and enthusiasm, thriving independent businesses, schools, church communities, and there are so many amazing community groups, run and supported by dedicated individuals.

“So, when it came to choosing the charity to support, it was a very difficult decision.”

Harrogate student among top achievers in national physics contest

A Harrogate teenager attended a national awards ceremony in a historic venue after achieving one of the highest scores in a prestigious physics competition.

Patrick Fleming, a year 12 student at Rossett School, achieved a ‘gold’ in the British Physics Olympiad senior challenge.

As a result, he was one of just five students from around 6,000 entrants to be invited to the annual awards ceremony at the Royal Society in London.

Patrick said:

“Visiting The Royal Society was really inspiring, especially looking around the many portraits of previous fellows and heads of the society since it was founded in 1660.

“It was also amazing to talk to other young physicists and receive such a prestigious award. “

Patrick is currently studying maths, physics, computer science and further maths at A level, and was joined in the competition by a number of other talented students.

The Olympiad, hosted by the University of Oxford, aims to encourage younger students to study physics and recognises excellence among them through a series of competitions.

The senior challenge saw students sit a one-hour paper designed to test their problem-solving abilities.

Rossett School physics teacher Stephanie Hunt said:

“Well done to all our students who took part in the Olympiad, and congratulations to Patrick for his exceptional achievement – we are incredibly proud of him.”

UPDATE: Police find 500 cannabis plants in raid at village pub near Harrogate

Police uncovered a farm of 500 cannabis plants during a raid at a disused pub near Harrogate at the weekend.

Officers swooped on the Star and Garter pub at Kirkby Overblow on the morning of Sunday, May 28, where they discovered the “large cannabis production farm”.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the plants were at various stages of growth, adding:

“Officers remained at the scene to recover the plants and drug production equipment and to allow crime scene investigators to examine the scene.

“The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.”

Villagers told the Stray Ferret that police were on site for more than 24 hours after the raid and were removing large numbers of plants from the building.

The pub closed several years ago and was boarded up last year.

Police were seen outside the Star and Garter pub from Sunday morning onwards.

Following the raid, North Yorkshire Police has urged people to report any suspicions of properties being used to grow cannabis.

As well as a strong, sweet smell of cannabis in the area, suspicious signs might include blacked out windows and blocked up vents, bright lights throughout the night, high levels of condensation on windows, noise from fans inside the building, and large amounts of rubbish including compost bags.

The police spokesperson added:

“We’re continuously tackling ‘cannabis farms’ – sophisticated set-ups in houses or other properties, used by organised crime gangs to produce several crops of cannabis over time.

“Cannabis production is extremely harmful to communities, and often used to fund criminal gangs involved in human trafficking, sexual exploitation and the distribution of other drugs including cocaine and heroin.

“Furthermore, the electricity supply may have been tampered with (to bypass the meter), creating a high risk of fire – which could spread to neighbouring properties.”

Teachers back plans for specialist autism school in Harrogate

Schools across the Harrogate district have given their backing to plans for a specialist school for students with autism.

The proposal for the site of the former Woodfield Primary School will be discussed by North Yorkshire Council leaders today – and teachers are urging them to support it.

Samina O’Brien, special educational needs coordinator (Senco) and inclusion manager at Ripon Grammar School, said a specialist facility for students with autism across the Harrogate district was badly needed.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We are getting so many more diagnoses of autism and a lot of these students can’t cope, to the point where they stop coming to school.

“When they come back, the school can’t change. The students can’t cope with the routine, the rigidity of the rules, and even when we make allowances they still struggle.”

Mrs O’Brien said schools did their best to help children with autism, but did not receive adequate funding to deliver the right support, such as one-to-one help or quieter rooms to work in.

She said Ripon Grammar School was not as badly affected by the situation as some schools because it was selective based on academic ability. However, she said many autistic students were highly academically able, but were unable to reach their full potential because they could not cope with the school environment.

When that was the case, specialist provision was often a significant distance away, she said, and students were not always able to make the journey.

There were private specialist schools students could attend, but cost was a barrier for most families. She added:

“There’s some stereotyping about the students in North Yorkshire, but the problems are the same wherever you are in the country. They don’t just change because you’ve crossed into an area that’s perceived as more wealthy or more rural.

“We’ve got a few students here who we know would be so much more suited to [a specialist school]. It would still be academic, but we would reduce the amount of stress the students went through.

“Our biggest concern is how unhappy some of those youngsters are. I think it would be so beneficial for all those students that are struggling.

“If this goes ahead, for some parents and more importantly the children, this will be what saves them and puts them back into mainstream where they should be and can thrive.”

The proposal for the former Woodfield site is for a school catering for students aged between 11 and 19. It would have capacity for around 80 children, who would not need to have a formal diagnosis of autism.

Rossett School is also in favour of the proposal. Newly-appointed headteacher Tim Milburn said:

“It is so pleasing to see significant investment being proposed for specialist provision in the area. This is such welcome news for children and families who have been seeking this support for a number of years.

“I will be really interested to hear how the investment will support children and families for whom mainstream education is the most appropriate setting.”

Liz Zoccolan, Senco and assistant headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, added:

“Any increase in provision which will meet the needs of the growing number of students with education, health and care plans is to be welcomed in the area. This would further enable potentially vulnerable young people and their families timely access to specialist support if that is their choice.

“We would be keen to work alongside and collaborate with the proposed provision so that as many students as possible may benefit.”

If the plans are approved by NYC’s executive member for children and young people’s services and corporate directors today, a consultation could be launched in two weeks’ time, running until late July.

Knaresborough luxury car dealer faces 16 fraud charges

The owner of a car dealership in Knaresborough has appeared in court charged with 16 counts of fraud amounting to more than £1 million.

Andrew Mearns, 54, is alleged to have committed the offences at Gmund Cars in Knaresborough between August 2016 and March 2019.

Sixteen different victims were named in the charges, with the largest individual fraud said to be worth £220,000.

Mr Mearns, whose current address was given as Colwyn Place, Llandudno, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning to face the charges.

Wearing a white shirt and grey trousers, he spoke to confirm his name and address but did not enter pleas to the 16 counts of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Alison Whitely told the court the alleged offences took place over a “considerable period” while Mr Mearns owned and ran Gmund, a company dealing luxury cars.

Magistrates said the case was too serious for them to deal with and told Mr Mearns he would face trial at York Crown Court. His first appearance there was set for June 26.

Headteachers unite to warn of vaping dangers to children in Harrogate district

Headteachers from across the Harrogate district have issued a joint letter to all parents warning of the dangers of vaping.

The unusual move by secondary school leaders was prompted by “an increase in the number of incidents in our local community”, the letter said.

The heads of Boroughbridge High, Harrogate College, Harrogate Grammar, Harrogate High, King James’s, Nidderdale High, Ripon Grammar, Rossett, Springwell, St Aidan’s and St John Fisher schools have all put their names to the letter, which says:

“We are aware that there have been reports of young people becoming unwell and needing medical attention after using vapes.

“Vapes can come in a variety of different forms, shapes, and sizes. Some common styles of vapes include ones which look like a thick pen or highlighter pen.

“These devices are usually very small and can be concealed on a person or blend in with school/college equipment, therefore they can be easily mistaken or missed.”

Respiratory problems

The letter warns that vaping from a young age may lead to respiratory problems in later life, and recent research shows children could be inhaling unsafe amounts of lead and nickel. There have been reports of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, being used in vaping, the letter said.

The headteachers also said young people could view vaping as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, but the nicotine is still addictive.

The letter points parents towards information from Ash, Kids Health, and West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, and says anyone with concerns can speak to their child’s school. It concludes:

“We are sure that you agree that the possession and use of vapes on any school/college premises is something that we simply cannot tolerate.

“Any student found in possession of a vape will be subject to a serious school/college sanction, including the risk of suspension. Please note that we will report possession of any illegal substances to the police.

“We hope that you welcome this letter in the spirit with which it is intended and that you share and understand our shared concerns about this potentially harmful issue.

“We want to be open about the risks involved and we encourage you to have a conversation with your child about this subject matter.”

Hope for tourism boost as John Cleese heads to Comic-Con in Harrogate

One of Britain’s best-known comedy names will be in Harrogate next weekend as thousands of fans descend for the annual Comic-Con Yorkshire.

John Cleese is among the line-up of celebrities appearing at the Yorkshire Event Centre gathering, on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4.

The Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star will be joined by actors from Gremlins, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Netflix hit Wednesday – and the town’s tourism managers are hoping to capitalise on the event.

Destination Harrogate‘s events arm, Events Harrogate, is launching its Town Welcome programme of activity, alongside local businesses, designed to encourage people to explore outside the event.

Attendees at Comic-Con will be able to pick up comic-style guides to Harrogate which will include details about places to visit, discounts to use with local businesses, and even a cosplay competition.

Cold Bath Brewing on King’s Road will be hosting an official after-party for Comic-Con, complete with give specially-brewed beers.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:

“We’re delighted that Harrogate has been chosen as the location for Comic-Con Yorkshire 2023 and look forward to welcoming this fun and dynamic, family-friendly event to our fantastic town.

“It’s testament to Harrogate’s position as a first class events destination that our patch was picked for Comic-Con Yorkshire.

“Our Town Welcome activity will encourage event attendees to make the most of their time here in North Yorkshire, and offers a great opportunity for our local business community to get on board with extending the Comic-Con party beyond the event itself. We’re really pleased that so many businesses are supporting the Town Welcome programme.”

If this year’s event is a success, Destination Harrogate is hoping Comic-Con organiser Monopoly Events will make it a regular feature in the events calendar.

Heather Parry, managing director of Yorkshire Event Centre, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting Comic-Con at the Yorkshire Event Centre for the first time and we know organisers chose our venue because of its potential for growth.

“Comic-Con will bring thousands of visitors into the area from across the UK which will not only benefit the charity we help fund, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, but also Harrogate and the local area. We are sure this is set to be a spectacular event.”

Meet the local man behind a new Turkish restaurant in Harrogate

A young Harrogate man is taking his first solo steps in the family trade by launching a new restaurant.

Along with two business partners, Hakan Aydin has set up Efes Bar and Grill on the site formerly occupied by Fashion House Bistro on the corner of Swan Road.

It may be a new venture, but it is far from a new career for Hakan, whose father ran restaurants and gave him his first hospitality job. Hakan said:

“My dad is my role model. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

Hakan was raised in Harrogate, attending Harrogate High School, and still lives in the town, along with his brother and parents.

Since leaving school, the 29-year-old has travelled extensively, including a memorable spell teaching English to locals in Turkey:

“I had to have a fake name because it needed to sound English. Steven Gerrard is my hero, so I was Steven.”

When home from travelling, Hakan was working with his father, who ran Istanbul Bar and Grill in Harrogate and is now based at Rubins on Cheltenham Parade.

It was his father who suggested the location for Hakan’s first restaurant and the turnaround has been quick: just three weeks from getting the keys to opening the doors.

Alongside business partners Yusef and Mehmet, responsible for front-of-house and kitchen respectively, Hakan is determined to make a success of a unit that has changed hands repeatedly in recent years.

The trio are adding more outdoor seating with a decking area at the front overlooking Swan Road, and have developed an extensive menu of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes.

They are confident there is space in the local market for what they offer, even though there are several established Mediterranean restaurants in Harrogate already, because Hakan believes people want to revisit a style of dining they have enjoyed on holiday.

Yusef and Hakan

The food at Efes is already going down well. Hakan’s friends from playing football and squash, along with people he knows from the gym, were among the first customers when Efes quietly opened its doors at the weekend.

Having already introduced himself to neighbours around Swan Road, Hakan has welcomed a few into the restaurant this week. He hopes it will become a regular spot for locals, as well as attracting visitors to the nearby Harrogate Convention Centre.

He said:

“Even if you don’t want to come for something to eat, just come for a conversation and a coffee. I like to meet different people of different backgrounds.

“I’d like to think people will come here as guests or customers and leave as friends.”

Efes – named after the ancient Turkish town Ephesius – will be open daily from noon until 10pm. Hakan, Yusef and Mehmet will be there every day, along with a small team of staff who Hakan hopes to give the same help into a career in hospitality that he had as a child.

He also wants the restaurant to give something back to his home town. He said:

“I love this town. I wanted something to link my heritage with my town.

“I’ve been lucky to travel the world – places like Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Greece – but I wouldn’t swap Harrogate for the world. If Harrogate wins, I win.”

Trans-Pennine Run cancelled as organisers seek new Harrogate venue

A popular event that has been held in Harrogate for more than 50 years will not return this summer.

The Trans-Pennine Run, first staged in 1969, sees dozens of historic vehicles driven from Greater Manchester to Harrogate.

Residents and visitors would flock to the Stray along Oatlands Drive to look around the vans, lorries, buses and other vehicles after their arrival.

However, in 2019 the Stray was left unusable by heavy rain, leading the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society, which organises the event, to seek an alternative site.

It found a home at the Yorkshire Event Centre, on the Great Yorkshire Showground, and returned there in 2022 after a two-year break during the covid pandemic.

But this year, event chairman Chris Sant told supporters:

“The management of the Yorkshire Events Centre have informed us that the large area of hard standing that we have in past years used for the finish will not be available this year.

“I contacted them in early January to request the use of the site, and after confirming receipt of my request it [took] over two months to inform us that the area will be unavailable, leaving us too little time to find an alternative.”

Mr Sant said he was hopeful it would be possible to hold the Trans-Pennine Run again in 2024 and was working to find another location for the vehicles to convene at the end of the route.

A spokesperson for the Yorkshire Event Centre said no agreement had been made to use the venue this year, adding:

“We stepped in to help organisers two days before the Trans-Pennine Run in 2019 when their original site at the Stray was waterlogged. The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to covid and an agreement was made for it to be held again at the showground in 2022.

“Unfortunately, no agreement was put in place for 2023 and the area is now under offer for another event.”

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