Roecliffe pub’s ‘glory days’ will be restored, say new owners

The Crown Inn at Roecliffe has reopened with new owners and managers in the hope of restoring the pub to its former “glory days”.

The inn, in the village near Boroughbridge, went into voluntary liquidation last year under its former owners. It has been bought by the Coastal and Country Inns group, which owns three other inns in the UK.

Despite its owners saying the midst of a pandemic “could be the worst time to open,” they have spoken of their gratitude for the warm welcome from local residents.

Chris Hannon, managing director of Coastal & Country, said:

“We’ve been looking at it for over a year and we were excited to finally get it. This could be the worst time to open: we are either stupid or very brave, but the world has to keep turning and good pubs will always survive. We don’t want to mess around with it too much – we want to keep the traditional pub charm.

“We’ve had a fantastic welcome from the locals and we want to be a central point. It’s really important to keep it going. It’s nice to buck the trend and open a pub when so many are closing.”

The interior of The Crown Inn, Roecliffe

The pub has reopened and hopes to continue to be a central hub for the village.

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Its new managers, Lukas and Veronicka Alman, have previously worked at another of the group’s inns in the Peak District.

The pub has been refurbished and is offering food and drink, accommodation and events space.

District’s house building sites hotspots for burglaries

North Yorkshire Police is urging for vigilance following an increase in burglaries on new home development sites across the district.

During the past 24 hours, two incidents have been reported. One at a new site one in Langthorpe, near Boroughbridge, and the second in Penny Pot Gardens in Harrogate.

Boilers are the main item to be stolen. The perpetrators are cutting the gas and water pipes before removing the boilers, meaning some of the homes are left flooded.

Other targeted locations in the district include Knaresborough and Ripon. Furnishings valued at £70,000 were stolen from two show houses at a site in Knaresborough. In Ripon, a dumper truck was stolen from a site in the nearby village of Markington.

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The police are asking local residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity.

It has also asked if any CCTV overlooking any of the targeted sites is checked for activity such as large vans driving around the sites.

Information can be reported using the 101 number, dial 1 and pass the information onto the Force Control Room.

Uncertain future for General Tarleton

The fate of the General Tarleton is unclear as it shows no sign of reopening after being closed for five months. 

Award-winning chef John Topham and his wife Claire have shared full ownership of the hotel and eatery in Ferrensby since 2005, according to information on the Companies House website.

Over the past 15 years the couple have built a reputation for serving quality food.  

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In 2016, the couple also gained a stake in the Alice Hawthorn, a country inn in Nun Monkton.  

The Alice Hawthorn is managed by the Tophams and in 2017 it was named the Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year. 

The Alice Hawthorn has reopened since the coronavirus lockdown but the General Tarleton remains closed.

The Stray Ferret contacted the Alice Hawthorn yesterday to inquire about the future of the business but it declined to comment.  

Discount scheme extended in district restaurants

As the Eat Out To Help Out scheme comes to an end today, its success has led some local restaurants to extend it at their own expense.

The scheme has allowed restaurants and cafes to boost their profits after being forced to close during lockdown.

Restaurants in the district extending the scheme include:

Customers should contact the restaurant regarding the offer prior to booking.

Simon Wade, owner of The Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge, said:

“It’s been phenomenal – it’s been like having a six-day weekend. We’ve had to bring in new suppliers as many just didn’t realise it would be this busy.

“In terms of money, we lost £250,000 of turnover during lockdown. The scheme has drastically increased our turnover but we have had to employ more staff.

“We are introducing our own scheme – I just think we can’t not piggy back on the back of something so successful. We know everyone loves a bargain and I am pleased to offer it.”

Interior of The West Park Hotel, Harrogate

Both restaurants are extending the scheme in order to capitalise the surge in bookings it has encouraged.

The owner of The Empress on the Stray, Sharon Colgan, said:

“Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday throughout August have been a real success changing people’s perspective on early-week dining. We are hopeful it will continue through September and we will look at possibly extending until the end of the year if it continues to be a success.”

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The West Park Hotel is extending the scheme in celebration of its owner Provenance’s 10th anniversary.

Anthony Blundell, assistant general manager, said:

“It has gone incredibly well – it’s been like having Saturdays at the beginning of the week. Lunch and dinners have been much busier, we’ve had to take on more staff to cover demand.

“We’ve had a lot of people who may not have come before the scheme. We saw a high increase in sales, 120 at night and 60 to 80 diners for lunch, whereas before it was around 20. We lost three months of sales and had renovations so it’s good to start paying that back.

“Extending the discount is a great thing and it gives people who missed out the chance to give it a go.”

Boroughbridge man jailed for taking indecent photographs of three-year-old girl

A Boroughbridge man has been jailed for taking indecent photographs of a three-year-old girl and three other offences involving indecent images of children.

Geoffrey Crowther, 72, a self-employed heavy goods driver, was sentenced to 12 months in jail at York Crown Court today (August 26) and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Mr Crowther previously pleaded guilty to four charges of:

North Yorkshire Police’s Online Abuse and Exploitation Team arrested Mr Crowther on November 12, 2018, and carried out a search warrant of his home following intelligence of suspicious website activity linked to him.

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Numerous telephones and other devices were seized for examination by the force’s Digital Forensics Unit.

Mr Crowther was then charged on April 1, 2020, and later pleaded guilty at York Crown Court on July 9.

Safeguarding measures have been put in place regarding the youngster whose photograph was taken by Crowther. Police are satisfied there have been no contact offences against the girl.

DC Fiona Saunderson, of the Online Abuse & Exploitation Team, said: 

“Geoffrey Crowther did something unthinkable by taking indecent images of a young child. His despicable actions were a grotesque breach of trust which has devastated lives.”

DC Saunderson added:

“Crowther claimed he did not have a sexual interest in children. But when presented with the evidence he admitted to taking indecent photographs of a three-year-old girl.

“Again, he stated he got no sexual gratification from them and that he had deleted the photos immediately.

“Despite his continued denials that he has a sexual interest in children, all the evidence, including his very specific online search history, suggests otherwise.

“Crowther still hasn’t properly explained why he has been taking and making and indecent images of children.”

Boroughbridge Community Care calls for more volunteers and funding

Boroughbridge Community Care has been providing essential support during the pandemic and is now in need of further funding and volunteers to cover demand.

The charity has adapted its needs to those in the community, offering food parcels, gardening services and advice for those experiencing financial struggles as a result of covid.

It has missed out on vital fundraising opportunities and, as volunteers return to work, the need for more is growing.

Manager of the charity, Karen Parker, said:

“We would be really keen to have new volunteers come forward to help in any way they want. It’s difficult to get hold of funds currently, of course we can’t fundraise during these times. But any ideas are welcome! Organisations that have stepped up and come forward the help the community accounts for additional funds but there is only limited funding coming in whilst our expenses are increasing.”

The charity has always provided transport to appointments and social sessions such as coffee mornings and lunch clubs. Recently, it has seen the needs change within the community to cover younger families as well as the elderly and vulnerable.

Karen added:

“There’s nothing that beats that face to face chatting, that contact is invaluable. It’s just about finding alternative ways to continue support whilst keeping everyone safe. I think there is still the need but a different need, we’ve always supported older and more vulnerable people but since covid we now cover younger families too.

“I think there’s a gap in some people’s finances after being furloughed or out of work for months, so it’s about fulfilling the need to offer those essential services and making sure they know we’re here to help if they need it. Particularly those people that find themselves in a new situation, we can help.”

The charity, found above the library in Boroughbridge, is hopeful to resume its usual social events and fundraising once government restrictions ease.

It is determined to offer support to those in need with the help of additional volunteers.

Paddle board litter pick set for Boroughbridge this weekend

An upcoming stand-up paddle board litter pick event has proved extremely popular in Boroughbridge.

Alfresco Adventures, based in Richmond, will be grouping up with UK organisation Plastic Patrol to take a small group out on the River Ure tomorrow.

Sam Johnson, owner of Alfresco Adventures, said:

“The event filled up in seconds before it was even put on Facebook. As a company, and the owner, it is important we look after the areas we use. We’re conscious about the environment so we want to keep it clean and protected.”

The outdoor adventure company is the Plastic Patrol partner for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Lake District.

The business will be taking a small group of five people out to comply with coronavirus health measures. They will start at the marina in Boroughbridge before stand-up paddle boarding down to the locks where the bulk of the litter is expected to be.

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A spokesperson for Plastic Patrol said:

“We’re excited to be partnering with Alfresco Adventures to bring our paddle boarding clean ups to North Yorkshire for the first time. In return for a free session, participants pay their ‘nature tax’ by picking up litter and recording. Every piece collected contributes towards the mission to remove and log one million pieces of litter! We’re thrilled to be providing an opportunity for the local community to come down and try a new activity and learn more about the extent of the problem we face with plastic pollution.

Plastic Patrol intend to run more river clean ups in the area, with a date planned for September. The litter pick is a free event. Details can be found on the company’s Facebook page or the Plastic Patrol website.

Three arrested after police chase car thieves in Ripon and Boroughbridge

Three teenagers have been arrested after a car was stolen in Ripon, leading to a chase between the city and Boroughbridge.

Officers responded after a car was reported stolen from Wellington Gardens in the city on Saturday at around 3.10pm.

The dark blue Ford Focus was then seen being driven at speed in Boroughbridge, where it failed to stop for police, leading to a pursuit. With use of a stinger deployed on the B6265 Boroughbridge Road towards Ripon, police stopped the car at around 4.20pm.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“The three occupants of the car ran off on foot but were located by an officer and police dog a short time later. Two 15-year-old boys and one 16-year-old boy were arrested and have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

“Police thank many members of the public who reported sightings of the vehicle, which ultimately led to the offenders being caught and arrested.”

Anyone who saw the vehicle between around 3.10pm and 4.20pm in the Ripon and Boroughbridge area is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press 1 and pass information onto the Force Control Room, quoting reference number 12200141434.

Boroughbridge restaurant wins top award

Shahi Raj Indian restaurant has won a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award while working to try and recover after lockdown.

The award is based on customer reviews which have placed Shahi Raj in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.

Since reopening last week, the restaurant is trying to rebuild its success despite decreased bookings. Capacity has had to be halved to meet safety guidelines, and some evenings only three tables have been in use.

The family-owned restaurant has been a part of the Boroughbridge community for 20 years. Restaurant manager Shahenur Rahman said:

“When I first received the award I was shocked because, in the present situation, we were still working hard to make sure the restaurant is safe for our customers. It was difficult at the beginning: before we were doing 10 to 15 sit-down meals a night during the week but that had to be halved for safety. Dining is still in decline as people are wary but we just have to make the best out of the situation.

“I don’t think it’ll get back to how it was for six to 12 months. We can’t just throw the towel in when things get tough.”

Interior of Shahi Raj restaurant, Boroughbridge.

The Indian restaurant has struggled since lockdown but hopes that as people gain confidence they will return.

During lockdown the restaurant was delivering meals to members of the community who were in need of help. A takeaway was also set up to continue to generate funds whilst the restaurant had to remain closed.

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Councillor urges rejection of £47m spend on Harrogate Convention Centre

An Independent  Ripon councillor is urging fellow councillors representing outlying areas of the Harrogate district, to vote against plans for a £47m redevelopment of Harrogate’s conference and exhibition facilities.

Councillor Pauline McHardy claimed:

“If this gets the go-ahead, it will be a financial burden around the district’s neck for years to come.”

The three-times Mayor of Ripon added:

“I think it’s totally wrong for Harrogate Borough Council to even be considering spending money of this magnitude, while there are so many other things that need support in places such as Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Spofforth and here in this city.”

Photograph of Councillor Pauline McHardy

Councillor Pauline McHardy

Cllr McHardy said many areas require more council investment such as  social housing, particularly for the elderly, more town centre parking provision to accommodate the increase in cars brought by new housing developments and community bus services for those in rural areas who do not have alternative transport.

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She pointed out:

“We keep being told that the Harrogate Convention Centre brings economic benefit across the whole of the district, but I don’t see evidence of that and people I speak with here and in Knaresborough feel the same.

“It’s time for councillors of all political colours, particularly in the outlying areas, to think first about the people who elected them, before putting their hands up for more spending on the convention centre.”

The proposals for Harrogate Convention Centre were set out at a virtual extraordinary meeting of the Harrogate Borough Council cabinet last Wednesday, when centre director Paula Lorimer said:

“We need this redevelopment not only to drive more conferences, but for the district and the community. We run school events, remembrance events, entertainment, orchestras and community groups.

“We do a great deal to support the community and the revenue we provide goes back into the council. What comes into us ripples out into the district. We need a successful HCC.”

This evening, a virtual extraordinary meeting of the full Harrogate Borough Council will be held at which elected members from across the district will vote on the HCC spending plans.