Midnight licence request for new Knaresborough bar in former bank

A new bar and restaurant could be opened in Knaresborough if a licence is granted by North Yorkshire Council next week.

An application has been made for an alcohol licence at the former Natwest bank premises at 42 High Street.

Planning permission was granted last year to convert the ground floor into a cafe and sports therapy rooms.

Now, owner Jaime Wilkinson is seeking a licence to sell alcohol until midnight seven days a week, under the business name 1858 Bar and Restaurant Ltd.

Mr Wilkinson has requested extended opening hours until 2am on bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The application also states there will be live music until 11pm.

As part of the application, Mr Wilkinson said there will be a “higher retail price for alcohol than other venues in Knaresborough to restrict over drinking and commotion”.

He also committed to install CCTV at the premises, as one of a number of conditions suggested by North Yorkshire Police’s licensing officer.

However, there have been five objections to the plans submitted to the council.

One nearby resident said an alcohol licence until midnight and reference to the premises as a bar is not in line with the planning approval given last year. They said:

“Harrogate Borough Council conducted a public hearing for a former license (sic) application and the resulting decision limited operation and licensing hours to strict terms and much earlier hours than those being applied for again here.

“We kindly ask the team and [North Yorkshire] Council to review the former hearing outcome and consider this in review of this latest application, where all points we believe are relevant, as are the views of those objecting and as such the restrictions should adhere again here to this license (sic) at the least, if indeed permitted at all.”

The application will be decided by North Yorkshire Council’s licensing committee at a meeting next Thursday.

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‘Two in three chance’ Conservatives will lose Selby & Ainsty

The upcoming by-election in Selby and Ainsty is the most likely of three in the UK to see a win for the Conservatives, according to bookmakers’ odds.

Parliamentary seats in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, and Somerton and Frome, will also be contested on Thursday, July 20.

Statistics from bookmakers’ odds, analysed by the Telegraph, reveal the Selby and Ainsty seat is the most likely of the three to remain in Tory hands.

However, it still has a 66% likelihood of being lost to another party or independent candidate.

By comparison, Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip has a 92% likelihood of being lost, and Somerton and Frome – previously held by David Warburton until his resignation after having the whip removed by the party – is rated at 71%.

In Selby and Ainsty, the by-election was triggered by the resignation of Nigel Adams, a close ally of the former prime minister.

He had held the seat since 2010, when it was first formed, and won a majority of just over 20,000 at the last election in 2019.

This time, the Conservative candidate will be Claire Holmes. She will stand against 12 other candidates, including two who have stood in the constituency before: Arnold Warneken for the Green Party and Mike Jordan for the Yorkshire Party.

The full list of candidates is:

Any constituents who have not yet registered to vote have until midnight tonight to do so on the government’s website.

It will be the first time voter ID will be required for an election in North Yorkshire. Acceptable forms of ID include photocard driving licences, UK passports, and bus passes for older or disabled people.

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‘Do it for David’: Harrogate Festivals boss set for Great North Run

A well-known figure in Harrogate’s cultural life has set herself a new challenge to support a cause close to her heart.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, is aiming to complete the Great North Run to raise money for the Stroke Association.

She has chosen the charity after leading Harrogate businessman David Simister suffered a life-changing stroke in early March.

Having set a target of £1,500, she is already more than a third of the way there, just 24 hours after setting up her fundraising page – and said she hopes to raise even more before the event in September.

Sharon said:

“David is so well-loved. He was involved in so much and really cared about everything he worked on. Particularly over the pandemic, he was great with keeping the show on the road.

“I don’t think I’ve met anyone with a bad word to say about him.”

After growing up in Harrogate and attending Ashville College, Mr Simister trained as a journalist before founding Different PR with former schoolmate Richard Chew.

As well as working with a number of high-profile clients, he was heavily involved with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and became its chief executive in 2021. He has stepped back from his current roles as a result of his illness.

Harrogate International Festivals team with David SimisterSharon Canavar in green next to David Simister and the HIF team

Having done the Great North Run three times previously, Sharon said it will be emotional running for a close business connection and personal friend.

She has not run regularly since suffering an injury during the covid pandemic, and credits the Harrogate Town Running Group with getting her back to training to be ready for the Great North Run.

However, she has the small matter of HIF’s busiest few weeks of the year to get through first.

The summer season was launched at the weekend, with the flagship Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival scheduled for two weeks’ time.

This year’s events also include a children’s festival on July 15 and 16, and the Harrogate Carnival on July 30, which falls just six weeks before the run.

Sharon said:

“Running is quite good for stress relief. It’s good to get out and go for a stomp and work things through in my mind.

“David has been such a key part of my personal and festivals life, it’s really giving me the motivation to keep going and raise as much as possible to support him and other people affected by strokes.”

To support Sharon’s fundraising for the Stroke Association, click here.

Lib Dems withdraw support for Harrogate’s Station Gateway

The Liberal Democrats have withdrawn their support for the Station Gateway proposal in central Harrogate.

The move was announced by Cllr Chris Aldred at North Yorkshire Council’s executive today, after several of the party members voted in favour of the scheme in May.

He said their support had been on condition that North Yorkshire Council engaged in a meaningful way with residents, businesses and the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee over the plans.

Cllr Aldred, who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley division, said:

“It is with disappointment that I am speaking here today. Disappointment at the failure of this executive to engage with business and residents in a meaningful way.

“Disappointment at the failure of this executive to respect the recommendations of Harrogate’s democratically elected Councillors on Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee.

“And disappointment that those most closely affected are left feeling ignored, with their genuine concerns sidelined.”

The issue had already split the party, with area constituency committee chairman Cllr Pat Marsh voting against the plans, while several other Lib Dems supported them.

Cllr Marsh then went to a meeting of the executive to ask its members to drop the proposal, despite her committee having voted to ask the executive to proceed.

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Cllr Aldred said the executive had failed to meet a deadline of June 30 to set up a working group of the area constituency committee and to arrange face-to-face meetings with concerned residents and businesses.

Calling for more engagement with the local councillors over the Station Gateway plans, he added:

“Liberal Democrat members will continue to monitor every aspect of this scheme, on behalf of our residents and hold the executive to account for every pound of public money spent on it.

“But we simply can not support a scheme that is being driven by an administration determined to ignore residents, businesses and councillors alike – an administration who constantly fall short of what is expected.

“This administration seems more focused on clinging to power and has prioritised its own political backroom conversations aimed at maintaining a majority in the chamber, above getting a grip on this controversial issue.

“We have given you enough opportunities to demonstrate you are sincere and competent. Sadly, you have clearly demonstrated that you are neither.”

The declaration prompted a row between the party’s councillors from across the Harrogate area and the ruling Conservatives on the executive.

In response, Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive councillor for highways, described the move as “playing politics” with the gateway scheme.

He accused Cllr Aldred of “rowing back” on his support to achieve “harmony within the Liberal Democrats” – which Cllr Aldred denied.

Cllr Duncan said:

“We are drawing up an engagement plan, that will determine who we are going to speak to in terms of businesses and residents throughout the construction period.

“A decision has been taken at this executive to support the gateway scheme. We are delivering on the support that you gave and that the majority of your colleagues gave.

“We will engage and we will ensure that we deliver this plan. We are very clear that the Conservative group on this council and this executive supports the gateway. The Liberal Democrats have now been clear that you do not.

“We will see in the long term how that plays out. I believe we have a fantastic scheme and I believe that this investment should be made in Harrogate for the long term and long lasting benefit of residents.”

A61 reopens after gas leak at Ripley

The A61 at Ripley has reopened this morning after a collision involving a lawn mower caused a gas leak last night.

As well as closing the road, emergency services advised nearby residents to close their windows.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew was called to the scene just after 6.30pm.

Its incident log said:

“A crew from Harrogate and an officer from Ripon responded to reports of a grass cutting machine that had impacted a large gas main and caused it to rupture creating a significant leak.

“Crews stood by and assisted with traffic management whilst gas engineers excavated to locate the leak and worked to isolate the supply.”

Northern Gas Networks was on the scene soon after and firefighters issued advice on social media.

https://twitter.com/SierraZero4/status/1675929780955258904?s=20

 

Traffic between Harrogate and Ripon was diverted through the village as engineers worked to repair the rupture.

The road is open this morning.

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Drummer hopes to inspire young musicians at Knaresborough concert

A percussionist performing in Knaresborough next month is hoping to inspire other young women to follow in her footsteps.

Sophie Mullender is an accomplished musician and will be playing percussion with the Knaresborough Choral Society.

She hopes seeing her perform on the drums will help girls in the audience to realise that the instrument is open to everyone.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I did try out pretty much every instrument. The reason I stuck with drums was because, growing up, I never saw anybody that looked like me playing drums.

“It was a bit of a duty to show it’s possible. Every time I perform, I think, ‘if one person looks at me and says, if she can, maybe I can, I’ve made a difference’.

“There are plenty of women out there doing it, it’s just finding ways for them to gain exposure. Social media has been great for that.

“We’re making progress, but I still think fundamentally there’s a lot of work to do.”

She only moved to Harrogate in 2021 and works for the Diocese of Leeds as a fundraiser and in its music department.

In her spare time, she often accompanies choirs at concerts – but the Knaresborough event on July 8 is particularly special.

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She will be joining her boyfriend, conductor William Bruce, for the performance, and it will feature some of her favourite songs.

Under the title The Great American Songbook, the choir will perform songs by Duke Ellington, Rogers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and More.

Sophie said:

“I’m a jazz drummer by trade, but I also did quite a lot of musical theatre growing up. I haven’t had much opportunity to play it since moving to Harrogate.

“It’s a very varied, lively, upbeat programme. I think it will uplift everybody that comes to see it.”

Knaresborough Choral Society will perform The Great American Songbook at King James’s School on Saturday, July 8 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £12 for adults, and free for under 18s and essential companions and carers.

Knaresborough man launches crowdfunder to send fire engine to Ukraine

A retired lorry driver who has taken seven truckloads of aid to Ukraine from Knaresborough has set himself a new challenge.

Bob Frendt, who is in his 70s, made his final trip to eastern Europe earlier this month and has said he will not complete another aid journey.

However, he is hoping to help in another way.

While visiting Volodymyr in western Ukraine over the last year, he discovered the town’s fire engines had been commandeered by the army.

During his last visit, he was told about the impact of this. He said:

“We heard there had been people killed in a fire four weeks earlier because they don’t have a fire engine.

“I said, ‘I promise I will buy you a fire engine. I don’t know how, I don’t know where I’m going to get the money from, but I will do it by the end of the year.'”

Bob is known for keeping his promises.

Over the last 15 months, he has been transporting medical equipment for the hospital, as well as IT and other supplies the school requested.

Before Christmas, he transported hundreds of gifts to distribute to local children, and took Easter eggs to the hospital’s children’s ward during his visit in April.

As well as taking donations from people around Knaresborough and beyond, he contacted numerous businesses across the area to ask for contributions of unwanted medical equipment and more.

He was given the lorry by a supporter, but it cost him £2,500 in fuel, insurance and ferries every time he travelled to Ukraine and back, and he now plans to sell the lorry to clear the overdrafts he and wife Maureen had used to fund the last trip.

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Bob is determined to raise enough money to buy and transport at least one fire engine to Volodymyr, to prevent more lives being lost and homes and businesses being destroyed if a fire breaks out.

He is being supported by Chain Lane Community Hub, which has been working with many Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia invaded last February.

Knaresborough is now home to around 350 Ukrainians, many of whom have been helped to learn English, find work and settle into the community through the Chain Lane hub.

Bob has also been instrumental in moves to twin Knaresborough with Volodymyr, with both mayors keen to sign up to a twinning agreement.

A Crowdfunding page has been set up to help Bob reach the £20,000 he needs for the cause. On it, the team from the hub wrote:

“Chain Lane Community Hub want to support Bob in his continued support for this town by helping Bob to fundraise for further Humanitarian Aid to Volodymyr, with one of the intentions to purchase and transport a fire engine specifically for this town.

“We can feel so helpless watching the news from Ukraine but this is a way we can really make a difference to these brave people in their time of need.”

To donate to the cause, visit the Crowdfunding page.

Body found in search for missing Sophie Lambert

Police searching for missing Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert have found a body.

It was found in the River Nidd near Nidd Gorge this morning.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“It is too early to confirm the identity, but Sophie’s family have been informed and are receiving specialist support. We ask that their privacy is respected.

“We thank everyone who has supported the missing person appeal over the last few days.

“A further update will be issued in due course.”

Sophie, 22, was last seen leaving home in Starbeck on the evening of Friday, June 16.

Her family alerted police later that evening and extensive searches were carried out.

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New kitchen team celebrates top rating for Harrogate nursing home

A nursing home on the outskirts of Harrogate has achieved the top food hygiene rating after a major refurbishment of its kitchen.

Bilton Hall Nursing Home on Bilton Hall Drive was given a rating of just one out of five after an inspection in March, but has now achieved the top rating of five after a revisit.

Tracey Turner, interim manager at the home, owned by We Care Group, said the improved rating was down to the hard work of the kitchen staff.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I’ve been here for four weeks. I came in as a new manager, had a look around and decided the kitchen should be a priority. In the last three weeks, we’ve turned it around.

“The company have invested in new flooring and new equipment. That kitchen team really, really worked and it has paid off. It’s so much better.”

The original low-scoring report found “poor levels of cleanliness” and said there was a lack of food safety systems and monitoring.

Both the inspector and the home’s former manager said some of the problems were linked to the use of agency workers, after it had struggled to recruit permanent staff for the kitchen.

The entrance to Bilton Hall Nursing Home

Ms Turner said those problems had now been resolved and the restoration of the full five-star rating was a reflection of the effectiveness of their work.

A new permanent manager is set to take up the post in the next few weeks, she added.

Meanwhile, other areas of the historic building are also being refurbished, she said, to ensure it offers the best possible living accommodation to its 52 residents.

The latest food hygiene inspection and rating had been celebrated by staff and residents alike, Ms Turner said.

She added:

“[A poor rating] quickly gives the place a bad reputation, which it doesn’t really deserve.

“It just goes to show in a couple of weeks how, as a team, you can pull it together. That’s what care is about. It’s wonderful.”

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Search for missing Sophie Lambert enters fifth night

Searches for missing Starbeck woman Sophie Lambert are continuing this evening, as her disappearance goes into a fifth night.

There has been no update from North Yorkshire Police since yesterday, but officers are still out around Nidd Gorge.

The area has been the focus for the search since the weekend, conducted by North Yorkshire Police officers alongside mountain and underwater rescue crews.

Members of the public are also covering as much ground as possible to try to find the 22-year-old.

Sophie’s family has also asked the community to get involved in the search and has invited people to meet at Conyngham Hall car park at 6pm today. From there, people will go out in groups to continue searching into the evening.

Those helping with the efforts have been posting the routes they have taken in a Facebook group dedicated to the search for Sophie, which now has more than 1,600 members.

Anyone who sees Sophie is urged to call 999 and speak to North Yorkshire Police, quoting reference 12230110845.

Meanwhile, posters have been put up across Harrogate and Knaresborough asking people to look for her.

Swaledale Mountain Rescue vehicles on Bilton Lane near the Nidderdale GreenwayMountain rescue organisations have also been involved in the search

Sophie left home around 6.50pm on Friday evening and was seen 15 minutes later on CCTV, but has not been seen since.

However, police revealed yesterday that her mobile phone, bank card and top had been found by a member of the public near the river at Nidd Gorge in Bilton on Saturday morning.

At a press conference in the area yesterday afternoon, critical incident inspector Graham Waller said:

“We are very concerned for Sophie’s welfare.

“It’s totally out of character for her to be away from home for this long.

“At the moment we don’t have any suggestion she has come to harm but we are keeping an open mind.”

An appeal video was posted by North Yorkshire Police yesterday evening

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