A country pub near Boroughbridge is closed indefinitely after fire broke out in the early hours of this morning.
Firefighters from Ripon, Thirsk, Knaresborough and Harrogate were summoned to the Ship Inn at Aldborough after a fire alarm went off in the kitchen at about 2am.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s incident log said:
“Crews discovered a fire in the kitchen believed to have originated from a tumble dryer.”
“Crews used 2 hose reel jets, one covering jet, four breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, one short extension ladder, positive pressure ventilation (fan) and lighting to extinguish the fire and assist them with the incident.”
The Stray Ferret called the pub this morning and a woman, who did not leave her name, said:
“It was an electrical fire. At the moment we are closed and need to assess the damage.
“It’s absolutely devastating — after everything that’s happened with covid and now this.”
The pub, run by Brian and Elaine Rey, made headlines in 2011 when Princes William and Harry were among a group of 16 that visited for a friend’s wedding. Kate Middleton was also present.
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Free entry to Aldborough Roman site this weekend
The Aldborough Roman Town Site will be free for all residents in the YO51 postcode tomorrow.
The initiative agreed by The Friends of Roman Aldborough and English Heritage is to encourage locals to learn about the site on their doorsteps.
Two thousand years ago Aldborough was the most northerly regional capital in the Roman Empire. It was called Isurium Brigantum and was a major administrative and trading centre for the Romans.
This discovery has only been made in recent years as archaeologists from the University of Cambridge continue to delve into the area’s history.
As well as the vast Roman ruins, visitors can explore the recently updated museum on site. It includes the new analysis by the Cambridge team, as well as artefacts found during their digs.
Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred, chairman of The Friends of Roman Aldborough (Fora), said:
“This offer is the result of collaboration between Fora and English Heritage, who have recently upgraded their museum at the site. These are exciting times as the importance of Aldborough In Roman times is only just starting to be understood in a new light and I highly recommend a visit to the site.”
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YO51 residents will need to book via the English Heritage website using the promotion code PASS21 and produce evidence of residence in the area on arrival.
Entry fees are usually £5.50 for adults and £3.30 for children aged five to 17, with family tickets available.
Vineyard mural celebrates Aldborough’s rich Roman historyThe owner of a vineyard near Aldborough has commissioned an 18-square metre mural that recreates how the village looked 1,800 years ago in Roman times.
Aldborough, which is near Boroughbridge, was the administrative centre of the Roman empire in northern Britain, with a population of 3,000, which was similar to York at the time.
Archaeologists found a tablet in the Roman fort of Vindolanda at Hadrian’s Wall, which referred to wine in production at Aldborough.
It inspired Ian Townsend, the owner of Dunesforde Vineyard, to commission what he believes to be the first-ever painting of what Roman Aldborough is thought to have looked like.
Dunesforde Vineyard, which was created in 2016, produces 3,500 bottles of white, rose and sparkling wines a year.
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Working in acrylics, Leyburn artist Lynn Ward took six months to complete the work, which spreads across six boards.
It features almost 1,400 people, 86 horses, 18 dogs, a tiger fighting a gladiator in the amphitheatre and a vineyard.
Mr Townsend hopes the artwork will attract visitors to the vineyard all-year round.
“Everyone involved has worked hard to ensure that this portrayal is as accurate as possible.
“Attracting visitors to your vineyard is relatively easy during the summer. But tempting people at other times of the year can be more of a challenge. We hope this wonderful work of art, along with our other wine-related artefacts, will help attract people all year round.
“Aldborough, or Isurium Brigantum, to give it its Latin name, was an incredible place. It had an amphitheatre, a forum, heated baths, a temple and we have reason to believe there was a vineyard there too.”
According to Mr Townsend, Roman wine was very different to what is produced today.
He added:
“They added a lot of honey so the wine was sweet, and some would water it down. Drinking wine instead of untreated water meant there was less chance of becoming ill. Modern technology would suggest that today’s wines would be superior in quality.”
Aldborough and Boroughbridge Agricultural Show has become the latest major event in the Harrogate district to fall victim to covid this year.
This year’s show, which would have been the 107th, was due to take place on July 25 at Newby Hall.
The event includes animal judging as well as craft tents and stallholders selling food and drink.
This is the second year the show has been cancelled due to covid.
The show committee announced the decision on Facebook. It said:
“It is with an exceptionally heavy heart that the committee have decided to cancel the show this year.
“This has not been a decision that has been taken lightly and all considerations and options have been considered.
“We are still discussing the possibility of a virtual event or perhaps something later in the year, however at this time I can confirm that our full show will not be going ahead on July 25.
“We will confirm next year’s date shortly and we really do hope that that show will be our best one yet.”
The event follows the likes of Ripley Show and Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally in being cancelled for a second year running.
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Sunday roast returns to district’s village pubs
Yesterday saw the return of a much-loved Sunday roast as pub owners across the district welcomed back familiar faces.
Despite only serving half the number of customers they usually would, village pubs tried to make the experience “as normal as possible.”
The Ship Inn in Aldborough served fifty Sunday lunches compared with its usual one hundred before lockdown. Brian Rey, chef and license holder for the pub told The Stray Ferret:
“We’ve tried to make the place just as it was without people realising the changes we’ve made.”
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Customers enjoyed tucking into their roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Jean and Malcolm Rawlinson, who travelled all the way from Lancaster for their lunch said:
“We couldn’t wait to come back here. We have travelled sixty-three miles to get here, we come every Sunday because the food is fabulous.”
Malcolm enjoyed tucking into his long awaited roast.
Despite seeing lots of drinkers in the beer garden, The Royal Oak in Staveley saw a significant decrease in the number of lunches served. Landlady Catherine Audsley said:
“I think a lot of people are still nervous to come out. We just need people to be comfortable and confident to come out now, because if they don’t the country pub won’t survive.”
Catherine Audsley outside The Royal Oak in Staveley.
However, locals Stephen and Lesley Smith said they were happy to be out . Lesley said:
“We have waited a long time for this. I would normally be at home cooking the roast but we thought we would come out and enjoy a roast instead.”
Overall the opening of pubs, bars and restaurants across the district appears to have gone well, with the police noting no major incidents across the weekend.
Church prepares to bless all creatures in online pet serviceAll creatures great and small will gather together – virtually – tomorrow, as churches in the Boroughbridge area unite for a pet service.
Rev Karen Gardiner, vicar of the united parishes of Aldborough, Boroughbridge, Dunsforth, Minskip and Roecliffe, is preparing to bring families and their four-legged friends together despite the lockdown.
Animals will receive a blessing in the 4pm online service, which is open to anyone who wants to participate, including those without pets.
Rev Gardiner said: “We’re looking forward to it very much. We’ve actually got the Bishop of Ripon joining us and giving the final blessing, so that’s going to be really nice.
“It should be a fun-packed service. We know we’ve got horses, dogs and cats so far, and we’re hoping for more.”
The united churches in the Boroughbridge area have been offering online services since lockdown began
With three cats in her family home, Rev Gardiner said animals have become particularly important to people during lockdown and she hopes tomorrow’s service will attract people who do not usually go to church. She added:
“Something like a pet service is one of those things that people relate to. At the moment, people’s pets have come to mean such a lot to them, especially if you’re on your own – but even in a family, our cats have been a tremendous emotional support. It feels right to have a chance to say thank you to them.”
Rev Gardiner’s cats will be joining the pet service too
Last year, a pet service at Dunsforth proved very popular among locals and it was scheduled to take place again this year. When lockdown began, rather than cancel, Rev Gardiner decided to move the event online.
This Sunday’s pet service will be conducted via Zoom, but anyone without the technology who wants to join in can send a photo of their pet in advance for inclusion in the service. A written transcript will also be available.
More information about how to join the service can be found on the churches’ Facebook page.