Plan to convert former Bishop Thornton school into house

Plans have been lodged to convert the former Bishop Thornton Church of England Primary School into a house.

Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance has lodged the application to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former school site off Colber Lane.

The school closed in 2019 after it outgrew the site and moved to the former Burnt Yates Church of England Primary School building.

It has since been renamed Admiral Long Church of England Primary School.

According to plans submitted to the council, the Bishop Thornton building would be converted into a three bedroom house with two parking spaces.

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The developer said in its documents that the proposal would represent a “satisfactory replacement” for the former school building.

It said:

“Making use of empty buildings and placing great weight on using suitable sites within existing settlements is supported by national planning policy.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Tributes paid to Valley Gardens head gardener who retires after 43 years

Tributes have been paid to Valley Gardens head gardener Simon Collier who has retired after 43 years working for Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Collier led a small team at one of Harrogate’s most famous parks. He tended to its plants, trees and green spaces but has hung up his shears for good, as has his wife Paula who has also retired from gardening for the council.

In recent years Mr Collier was instrumental in the works to restore the Japanese and New Zealand gardens and he helped to bring the Old Magnesia Well Pump Room back to its former glory.

Jane Blayney, who last year co-authored a book on Valley Gardens and is a former chair of Friends of Valley Gardens said the couple “will be sorely missed”.

“Simon and Paula are absolutely brilliant. I’ve learnt an awful lot from both of them and nothing is too much trouble.

“It will be very difficult to find a replacement. We were very lucky to have them.”

A HBC spokesman said:

“We’d like to thank Simon and his wife for their dedication to the gardens across the Harrogate district and hope they enjoy their retirement.”

Friends of Valley Gardens said:

“Their hard work and dedication to the gardens will be missed.”

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Malcolm Neesam History: the colourful past of what could become Harrogate’s first mosque

Malcolm Neesam

 

This history is written for The Stray Ferret by celebrated Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam.  

 

 

The first hospital for the people of Harrogate, as distinct from the Bath Hospital in Cornwall Road, was opened in 1870 in three cottages in Tower Street after an appeal by the Vicar of old St. Mary’s Church.

Placed under the supervision of Dr. Loy, patients paid from three shillings to seven and six a week, depending on their means.

Within a space of only two years, the new “Cottage Hospital” was found to be too small, so its governors investigated some property on the opposite side of Tower Street that belonged to a Mr. Hudson, which they purchased for £550, and after refitting, the hospital moved into these new premises in 1873.

The numbers of patients dealt with at the Cottage Hospital increased throughout the decade. During the half year between 13th September 1870 to 14th March 1871, 25 patients were admitted as bed cases and 63 as out patients. During the year 1877-8, the annual total numbered 66 bed cases and 213 out patients.

The former Home Guard club and potential mosque.

In June 1878 the highly esteemed Dr. Loy died. His successor was a Mr. Hartley, who did not remain in position for very long. He was succeeded in 1879 by Dr. Neville Williams as the institution’s medical officer. By the end of the decade, patient numbers had increased to 75 bed cases and 292 out patients.

Charge of the Light Brigade

Perhaps the Cottage Hospital’s most famous patient was Sergeant-Major Robert Johnston, who had participated in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, consequently receiving the Crimean medal, which later included clasps for his service at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman.

In all, Sergeant-Major Johnston served his country for 22 years, 336 days, during which time his health deteriorated, which was probably why he came to the celebrated health resort of Harrogate.

When Sergeant-Major Johnston died at the Cottage Hospital on 28th November 1882, his funeral was attended by an estimated 20,000 people at a time when Harrogate’s population was around 12,000. He is buried in Grove Road cemetery.

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The following year, the hospital moved into new, purpose-built premises that now contain St. Peter’s School.

The Masons move in

In December 1883, the press reported that the old hospital premises had been purchased by John Richardson and Moses Perkin on behalf of the Harrogate and Claro Lodge of Freemasons, who paid £560 for the building.

They subsequently doubled the size of the building, adding to the older Tower Street section, which dates from the 1840s, the wing that now stands next to St. Peter’s School.

The Masons remained there until moving into their new Station Avenue building in 1931. A little later, the building at the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road was occupied by the Home Guard Club.

Home Guard members would play snooker at the club.

Today, the building presents a somewhat forlorn appearance to the passer-by, as its windows have been covered, the walls are badly stained, much of the external decoration has vanished, and pigeons have left unmistakable signs of their presence.

I was therefore not surprised to see an application to convert the building. I may be alone in this, but I would be sorry to lose this piece of Harrogate’s medical history, particularly in view of its connection with our Charge of the Light Brigade resident, if demolition occurs.

The building, even in its present condition, is an original feature of an especially delightful Victorian townscape, which if restored — assuming restoration is possible — would enhance, rather than diminish, the whole locality.

Northern Lights visible in Harrogate district last night

The Northern Lights were visible in the Harrogate district last night.

The lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are rarely seen this far south in the UK.

Although they weren’t as bright in the Harrogate district as some places, they made a rare appearance to bring some colour to the sky.

Sally Margerison sent us this photo she took of Beckwith Close on Harlow Hill.

“I took it yesterday evening from my loft window when I saw on Twitter that the aurora was active in northern England.”

Ms Margerison also took this image later last night.

Sadly tonight’s forecast doesn’t bode well for anyone wishing to witness the phenomenon.

Northern Lights by Sally

Northern Lights by Sally

If you have any great photos of the Harrogate district, send them to us by email at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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”.

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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”.

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