Calls for police in Bilton to tackle ‘yobs on bicycles’

There were calls last night for police to do more to tackle teenagers on bicycles in Bilton who residents say are causing havoc in the Harrogate suburb.

A meeting was held at Bilton Grange United Reform Church and residents asked questions to a panel that included PC Brendan Frith from NYP, Bilton Conservative councillors Matt Scott and Paul Haslam, Liberal Democrat councillor and Mayor of Harrogate,Trevor Chapman, and Julia Stack from Harrogate Borough Council’s safer communities team.

It was chaired by Reverend Alan Crump who invited questions from around 30 residents who were in attendance.

One resident said “something has to be done” about the groups of youths who congregate on bicycles after 10pm.

“On Bilton Lane in the dark these cyclists have no lights on or high vis jackets on, and they have given us the finger.

“Sooner or later someone will get killed.

“There are eight or nine yobs, and I’ve seen them trying car and front doors.

“Something has to be done. It’s dangerous.”

Read more:

PC Brendan Frith circulated a leaflet of crime statistics in the Woodfield area of Bilton. It said there had been 11 reports of arson and criminal damage in January 2022, compared with 2 in January 2021 and 5 in January 2020.

He said “a number of arrests” have been made recently linked to anti-social behaviour in Bilton.

He said:

“We are aware of anti-social behaviour problem of kids on bicycles. We think they are linked to trying doors [of cars and houses]. When we are about, we do deal with them”.

Last night’s meeting was the third to have taken place since September 2021. Police were praised by some residents for increasing their presence in Bilton and performing more arrests in recent months on suspected criminals.

The next meeting is set to take place in June.

Four released on bail after Jennyfields drugs raid

Four people have been released on bail after police seized a “large amount” of suspected class A and class B drugs in Jennyfields.

North Yorkshire Police arrested two men and two women on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and handling stolen goods.

Officers executed a drugs warrant at a property on Newby Crescent in Jennyfields on Wednesday.

In a statement, the force said a “large amount” of suspected class A and class B drugs were seized alongside items officers believed to have been stolen.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added:

“The officers executing the warrant were from the Expedite team, the operational support unit and the neighbourhood policing team.

“A large amount of suspected class A and class B drugs were located at the property alongside items believed to have been stolen.

“Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and handling stolen goods. They have been released on bail while the investigation continues.”

Read more:

 

Fattorini jewellers to reopen under new management in Harrogate

Harrogate jewellers Fattorini is to re-open next month with a slightly different name and under new management.

The name Fattorini has been on Harrogate’s high street for 190 years. But the shop closed last month following the retirement of former owner Anthony Tindall, who is the great, great grandson of founder Antonio Fattorini.

Previously called A.Fattorini, it will now reopen as Fattorinis. The new business is being run by Wayne Beales, who worked in A. Fattorini for 20 years.

The shop will stay in the same unit on Parliament Street. Mr Beales said customers could expect similar brands as well as some new ones and perhaps a more up-market feel.

The store is currently going under a refurbishment and Mr Beales said it will open in March. He added:

“I’ve been thinking about taking on the business since Anthony announced his retirement a year ago.

“During the sale it became apparent a lot of people were upset we were closing. It would be such a shame to see the name vanish from the high street.”

Read more:

The now-closed Bradford branch of Fattorini made both the FA Cup and Rugby League Challenge Cup.

A number of staff have chosen to stay but Mr Beale has said he is looking to hire two more full-time staff members.

He added:

“It’s really nice to know its moving forward with some of the same team. The name holds such a reputation locally, customers can see this as a new chapter for the Fattorinis they love.”

Harrogate’s St George Hotel sold again

The 90-room St George Hotel in Harrogate has been sold for the second time in just over a year.

Northern pub company The Inn Collection Group has bought the Edwardian hotel, which is opposite Harrogate Convention Centre, for an undisclosed value.

The hotel re-opened less than a year ago under new owner Bespoke Hotels after previous owner Specialist Leisure Group went into administration with the loss of 2,500 jobs

The hotel, which includes The Swaledale restaurant and six function rooms, will continue trading before undergoing refurbishment this year.

The Inn Collection Group portfolio also includes Dower House Hotel in Knaresborough, Ripon Spa Hotel in Ripon and Dean Court in York.

Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group said:

“The Hotel St George is an exciting acquisition for us as we continue to expand our customer base and imprint in Yorkshire while continuing to roll out our buy and build strategy as an operator.

“We have had Harrogate in our sights for a considerable time while identifying a site that is a fit with our ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand.

“We are delighted to have completed on this superb site which will be a tremendous asset for our customers and our portfolio of inns in the best UK locations.”

Read more:

Mr Donkin added the hotel was “perfect site for exploring Harrogate and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales”.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Inn Collection Group is redeveloping Northallerton’s former police station into a 32-bedroom pub with rooms called The Northallerton Inn.

The group also owns The Stables at Whitby, The King’s Head Inn at Newton under Roseberry and in October reopened The Black Swan in Helmsley.

Outside Yorkshire, it has sites in Northumberland, the Lake District, County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Lancashire.

Plans approved for 38 flats at ‘Pannal skyscraper’

Plans have been approved for a second time to build an apartment block at the former Dunlopillo factory in Pannal.

Developer Echo Green Developments was granted planning permission in September last year to demolish the main office block and build 48 apartments.

In December the developer then submitted new plans that would supersede the previously approved plans.

It included 38 apartments, fewer than the original proposal, but would still be two storeys taller than the demolished building.

The initial decision to approve the plans, which was made under permitted development rights, was met with anger from some residents.

Pannal historian Anne Smith said the village would be lumbered with a “skyscraper-type building”.

Read more:

Permitted development rights were brought in under the Conservative government and can be used by developers to fast track the redevelopment of disused offices.

Nevertheless, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough Andrew Jones intervened to say the scheme should have been decided by a vote from the council’s planning committee.

A review by the council concluded the plans were “appropriately considered”.

Mr Jones called on residents to submit objections to the second application. In the end, it received 26 objections.

 

Plan approved to convert former Smarties nursery in Ripley into home

Plans have been approved to convert the former Smarties Day Nursery in Ripley into a home.

Smarties opened in 1987 and catered for 52 children. The building, which is called Wood Close, is part of the Ripley estate and is owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby.

However, it closed last year after its owners decided not to renew its lease.

Now, Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans by Sir Thomas to convert the former nursery into a house.

Sir Thomas lodged the proposal as the Ingelby’s son and family plans to move there from Ripley Castle.

The nursery’s closure last year prompted an emotional response from many parents on the Stray Ferret’s Facebook page, with one saying she was “absolutely gutted” and another calling it “really sad news”.

Read now:

 

Man denies murder at flat on Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove

A man has denied murder following the death of a 41-year-old man in Harrogate.

Vitalijus Koreiva, 36, is accused of murdering Gracijus Balciauskas on December 20 last year. Mr Balciauskas’s body was found at a flat in Mayfield Grove at about 11.30pm.  

Koreiva, of Mayfield Grove, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link today when he pleaded not guilty to the allegation. 

A second murder suspect, 38-year-old Jaroslaw Rutowicz, of no fixed address, has yet to enter a plea to the charge. 

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC adjourned the case for a trial on June 20. It is expected to last 10 days. Koreiva and Rutowicz were remanded in custody.

Read more:

 

More roadworks coming to Harrogate’s Skipton Road

More roadworks will begin on Harrogate’s Skipton Road next week.

Highways authority North Yorkshire County Council will be carrying out improvements at the junctions with Bilton Lane and Woodfield Road.

At Bilton Lane, the pedestrian island will be removed and the island at the end of King’s Road will be widened.

The left turn from Woodfield Road on to Skipton Road will change from being controlled by traffic lights to being a give way to improve traffic flow and air quality.

The lights in the traffic lights at both junctions will be replaced with more energy-efficient LED lights.

Read more:

The work will begin on Monday and is due to complete on February 27, when half-term ends. However, temporary traffic lights are not expected to be required until February 19 as the initial work will take place off road.

Lights will initially be in place at the Bilton Lane junction before moving to the King’s Road and Woodfield junctions.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how much the work will cost.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said:

“These works are included in our annual highways maintenance budget of around £55 million, which covers planned maintenance programmes as well as responding to problems as they arise.”

Man suffers serious injuries after Harrogate car crash

A man in his 60s suffered series injuries after a crash at Buttersyke roundabout at Pannal in Harrogate yesterday.

Emergency services were called at 7.20am after two cars, a blue Seat Ibiza and a black Volkswagen Golf, crashed near to the A658 roundabout and the A61.

The incident caused long delays at rush hour yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said a man from Leeds in his sixties, who was driving the Seat Ibiza, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

The passenger of the Ibiza was unharmed and the driver and passenger of the Volkswagen, a couple from Harrogate, sustained minor injuries

Read more:

Officers are now appealing to anyone who may have information or dashcam footage of the crash.

A police statement added:

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have dashcam footage of either the collision itself, or either vehicle prior to the incident.

“Anyone with information which would assist the investigation is asked to dial 101, select option 2 ask to speak to Traffic Constable Steve Wright. Alternatively you can email steve.wright1@northyorkshire.police.uk – please quote reference 12220023352.”

Valentines’ gift ideas at Hotel Chocolat to make hearts soar

This article is sponsored by Hotel Chocolat.

If there’s one thing you can’t go wrong with on Valentine’s Day, it’s a box of chocolates.

Well, unless it’s a box hastily purchased from the petrol station the night before.

But even then, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Fortunately there is no need to get to that stage, as Hotel Chocolat has launched its Valentine’s Day collection for 2022.

There really is something for everyone this year, from a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates (because sometimes we love a bit of nostalgia) to luxury hampers and quirky love potions.

A selection from Hotel Chocolat’s Valentine’s Day collection.

Hannah Cosgriff, manager of Hotel Chocolat Harrogate, which moved to bigger premises on James Street in October 2021, said:

“Typically Valentine’s Day tends to be a last-minute holiday. What we are finding now we have moved to the new site is that, because the café is bringing people in, people are being organised. So actually our sales during January have been up this year.

“This year we also have a lot more new products in the Valentine’s Day range.”

Hannah said her favourite chocolate this year was a limited edition Baklava Selector, inspired by the traditional Turkish treat.

She said:

“It’s in a little pack of six and it’s amazing. It’s a honey, pistachio and pastry blend. It has a real traditional flavour to it, which I actually love. We do a honey and pistachio slab all-year-round which is fabulous, and this is like a deep-filled, soft centre version of it.

“We’ve done a Cherry Bakewell Selector too and it really does taste just like the real thing. They have managed to create the illusion of pastry in the chocolate.”

Hannah has found that there is often no expense spared when it comes to buying chocolates for loved one on Valentine’s Day.

She said:

“I still remember we had one customer come in one year and say they had already got their partner a card for Valentine’s Day and just wanted ‘a little token’ to go with it.

“They asked what our biggest box of chocolates was and they bought one of the Large Chocolatiers Table boxes, which are £120. They are sensational.”

However, she added that there were always people who dashed into the store at the final hour.

She said:

“There are two really distinct groups.

“So you have the people who come in and get everything in advance. Or there is a particular product they know they want to get before it sells out.

“You then get a lull before you get all the people who come in last minute and grab lots of different things like the night before.”

However, it’s not all about the loved-up couples this year. Following a tough few years, which saw us spend last Valentine’s Day in lockdown, Hotel Chocolat has created some ‘With Love’ products that can be bought for any special person in your life – including yourself!

The Just to Say chocolate collection.

Hannah said:

“It’s themed towards Valentine’s Day, but I think it can be anyone you’ve not seen in a while. Or if could be a birthday, an anniversary or a best friend.

“Our Valentine’s Day message tends to be, sharing love with your close ones. It’s not necessarily aimed at romantic partners in particular.

“You can also obviously treat yourself – especially now we have the Valentine’s Day limited edition Selectors.”

When it comes to gifts, Hannah said her top three were the Velvetised Chocolate Tasting Experience, priced at £14.95, which includes two cream liqueurs, a Hotel Chocolate coupe glass and chocolate caramel batons.

She said:

“This is what I want to get for me. I’ve earmarked this for myself. The chocolate liqueurs are fantastic.”

He second choice is the Straight from the Heart box.

She said:

“I’ve always loved it. It just encapsulates that traditional Valentine’s Day feel. I think they are always a really good choice.”

But it’s the special edition Valentine’s Day Selectors that have really captured her heart this year.

She added:

“They are really colourful and nice for a self-treat as you can mix and match. Although obviously I would treat myself to a big box as well!”

My top five picks from the Hotel Chocolate Valentine’s Day collection

It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. I tried a selection of chocolates from the new collection, here are my favourites:

Amaretto chocolate heart from various selections

The Straight From the Heart selection.

This is available in the With Love Sleekster, H-Box and Straight from the Heart selection. If you’re a fan of the warming almond flavour of amaretto, this is the one of you. As with all the boozy chocolates, Hotel Chocolat certainly doesn’t scrimp on the alcohol, and this one certainly packs a punch in the best way possible. Tastes just like the real thing, with the welcome addition of a chocolate hit. And with it’s pink topping, it looks pretty too. If you would prefer an alcohol-free option, the banana or raspberry smoothie chocolates taste just like you got the Nutribullet out and whipped up your favourite fruity treat. Check out the hearth-shaped white chocolate strawberry mousse too if fruit is your thing.

Love Potions – £15

Not only do the little chocolates taste amazing, they also come in a really cute little potion bottle, which can be re-used. There are six different flavours of chocolate, including You’re Berry Special, Hello Honey and Pistachi-oh! But my favourite actually surprised me as it was a dark chocolate Sour Cherry. It sounds like it could taste pretty bitter, but the white ganache filling resulted in a smooth, decadent treat.

A Dozen Chocolate Little Lovebirds – £8.50

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, but want something cute, these little lovebirds are super sweet in every way. They taste like raspberries and cream and didn’t last very long at home, as the kids took a shine to them. A little bit on the sweet side? Try A Dozen Dapper Dogs – made with 40 per cent milk chocolate – instead. If you like both of these but want something a little more grown-up, I recommend the Just to Say chocolate collection, which includes a variety of chocolate batons with similar flavours. The packaging on all the boxes is lovely by the way – with little heart shapes cut out of the cover, showcasing all the bright colours of the chocolates.

Classic Champagne Truffle Tin – £10

Champagne and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand and these super boozy delights come in a re-useable pretty silver tin. What I would say is that if you don’t like alcohol, these aren’t for you. Their strong flavour is a result of using a splash of real Mercier Champagne. Apparently other chocolatiers normally use Marc de Champagne – a fiery spirit made from grape skins and stalks. I’m obsessed with these beauties, but some might find the flavour quite overpowering. I personally love the boozy kick. They also aren’t badly priced at £10 and look more expensive than they are.