The Ship Inn will re-open its doors tomorrow, after a fire damaged the pub last October.
The fire, at the pub in Aldborough, was started by a washing machine and caused extensive damage. The restoration has cost £500,000 and the pub is now larger with enough seating to accommodate up to 200 people inside and outdoors.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January.
Brian said:
“It’s been amazing the response we’ve had from the community and our staff. We had 16 staff members and they all wanted to stay on, which I have to say was quite moving.
“We now can seat around 200 people throughout the garden and pub. We now have wi-fi outside and a second card machine to bring outside. We’ve also now bought a new pizza oven.”
Last October, the pub set on fire through an electrical fault with a washing machine. The emergency services were called when a fire alarm sounded at 2am.
Brian spoke about his experience when the pub set alight. He said:
“It was hardly believable, I thought I was hallucinating. When we called 999, five fire engines turned up. We were told that if we ingested smoke for another ten minutes we wouldn’t be here today.

The store room after the fire
“We just stuck some face masks on and I knew we needed to get out of there.
“After the fire, we had no heating so we spent a lot of time in bed, simply to get warm. We had one electric heater plugged in and that’s it.”
Read more:
Brian and Elaine have seen many high-profile guests to their pubs, including Prince William and Harry, as well as Gordon Ramsay.
The couple’s old pub, The Fenwick Arms, was featured on an episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares in 2006. In the episode Gordon said he had ‘a lot of respect’ for Brian, as well as claiming that their Yorkshire puddings were ‘excellent.’
The episode led Gordon and Brian to set up a ‘Real Gravy’ campaign, which was created to promote Brian’s gravy and Sunday roast.
“I’ve had five million emails about the Real Gravy campaign and I’ll never be able to get through all of them,” Brian said.
More than 200 amblers took part in the Boroughbridge Walking Festival over the Easter weekend.
The event saw people from as far away as Leeds and Wetherby visit the town and discover local walks.
Organised by Boroughbridge Walkers are Welcome group, the event aims to encourage people to the town and surrounding areas. There were a collection of walks featured in the festival to accommodate everyone with each walk sponsored by a local business.
The walkers were also told about the history of the town, attend a guided walk of Staveley nature reserve and learned of the connection between Ouseburn and the Bronte sisters.
“It was lovely to see so many people visiting the town, which is one of the aims of the group. We were lucky to have such good weather. Hopefully next year’s festival will see the return of the popular ghost walk and the afternoon tea walk at Myton-on-Swale.”
Read more:
- Ripon Spa Croquet club offers free sessions at new home
- Photographer on why Swinsty Reservoir saved his life after addiction
During the rest of the year, the group ensures that local paths are clear and in a good state of repair. They will also advise on environmental issues such as litter problems and report broken stiles and fences to North Yorkshire County Council.
The group’s website is also host to numerous walks in and around Boroughbridge.
An artisan market is being held at Minskip Farm Shop near Boroughbridge on Sunday.
The market is the result of a partnership between Yolk Farm, which owns the shop and Little Bird Markets, which already runs numerous markets. including ones in Harrogate. Knaresborough and Ripon.
Stalls will sell handmade goods, artisan products and local produce.
Exhibitors include Marley Fields Pet Boutique, Flora & Co, which sells garden products, York Swirling Soapery and Blueberry Hill Preserves, which sells chutneys, preserves, honey, curds and cheeses.
Jackie Crozier, managing director of Little Bird Markets, said:
“We will have a wide variety of traders selling their artisan goods and Easter items, for last minute gifts. The farm shop will be open for food and the farm for visiting the animals.”
The farm, which provides alpaca experiences, is also running an Easter egg hunt.
The market will take place from 10am to 3pm at Yolk Farm on Minskip Road.
Read more:
- New monthly food market to start this weekend after storm forced cancellation
- Boroughbridge walled garden opens as wedding venue
Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
The list of candidates standing for election to the new North Yorkshire Council in the Harrogate district has been revealed.
Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the authority, which will replace both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.
The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Green Party and independents have all fielded candidates ahead of polling day.
Harrogate Borough Council has published a list of election agents and names of candidates. A full list of party candidates will be published today (April 6).
A total of 21 councillors will be elected from the Harrogate district as the council is made up of new divisions.
The deadline to register to vote is Thursday, April 14. You can register here.
List of Harrogate district election candidates
Coppice Valley and Duchy
- Patricia Ann Foxall, Labour Party
- Peter Charles Lacey, Liberal Democrat
- Leighton Anunda Regayre, Green Party
- Graham Kevin Swift, Conservative
- Daniel Jonathan James d`Arcy Thompson, Independent
Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate
- Lucy Jayne Gardiner, Independent
- Samuel John Gibbs, Conservative
- David Johnson, Liberal Democrat
- Paul Ko Ferrigno, Green Party
- Andrew Williamson, Labour Party
Bilton Grange and New Park
- Matthew Robert Scott, Conservative
- Monika Slater, Liberal Democrat
- Tamsin Jade Worrall, Green Party
- Andrew Morris Zigmond, Labour Party
Harlow and St Georges
- John Charles Adams, Labour Party
- Sarah Jane Hart, Independent
- Steven Jackson, Conservative
- Andrew Rickard, Green Party
- Michael John Schofield, Liberal Democrat
Read more:
- No deals expected between Harrogate district opposition parties ahead of election
- Council chiefs promise ‘seamless transition’ to new North Yorkshire Council
Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone
- Helen Burke, Labour Party
- John Radcliffe Ennis, Conservative
- Patricia Ann Marsh, Liberal Democrat
- Anna Rosanna McIntee, Independent
Fairfax and Starbeck
- Philip Anthony Broadbank, Liberal Democrat
- Elizabeth Susan Lumby, Conservative
- Gordon Schallmo, Green Party
- Christopher John Watt, Labour Party
Bilton and Nidd Gorge
- Paul Steven Haslam, Conservative
- Deborah Anne Havercroft, Labour Party
- Andrew Graham Kempston-Parkes, Liberal Democrat
High Harrogate and Kingsley
- Christopher James Aldred, Liberal Democrat
- Geoffrey Ronald David Foxall, Labour Party
- Timothy Ian Myatt, Conservative
Knaresborough West
- David Tom Crosthwaite, Labour Party
- Philip George Ireland, Conservative
- Matthew James Walker, Liberal Democrat
Knaresborough East
- Sharon-Theresa Calvert, Labour Party
- Edward William John Darling, Conservative
- Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat
Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate
- Edward Charles Clayson, Labour Party
- David Ryland Goode, Liberal Democrat
- Michael Harrison, Conservative
- William James Rigby, Green Party
Oatlands and Pannal
- Justin James Peter Chan, Liberal Democrat
- Gillian Rosemary Charters, Green Party
- John Mann, Conservative
- Margaret Smith, Labour Party
Boroughbridge and Claro
- Andrew Bell, Liberal Democrat
- Noel Frank Evans, Independent
- Clark Pearson, Green Party
- Jonathan William Starkey, Independent
- Robert Windass, Conservative
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Dispute over Harrogate council by-election raised in House of Lords
Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith
- John Philip Hall, Yorkshire Party
- Alexandra Graham Marsh, Green Party
- Andrew John Paraskos, Conservative
Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale
- Alison Harris, Yorkshire Party
- Stanley Lumley, Conservative
- Andrew James Murday, Liberal Democrat
Ripon Minster and Moorside
- Thomas James Averre, Conservative
- Thomas Mark Cavell-Taylor, Liberal Democrat
- Andrew Williams, Independent
Ripon Ure Bank and Spa
- Barbara Jean Brodigan, Liberal Democrat
- Robin John Burgess, Green Party
- Michael Geoffrey Chambers, Conservative
- Sidney James Hawke, Independent
Washburn and Birstwith
- Ian Roger Galloway, Independent
- Nathan Roger Hull, Conservative
- Paul Geoffrey Trewhitt, Green Party
- Thomas Watson, Liberal Democrat
Wathvale and Bishop Monkton
- Nicholas Malcolm Brown, Conservative
- Hannah Katherine Corlett, Green Party
- Christopher James Knight
Ouseburn
- Richard Musgrave, Conservative
- Arnold Francis Warneken, Green Party
Masham and Fountains
- Margaret Edna Atkinson, Conservative
- Felicity Clare Cunliffe-Lister, Independent
- Judith Mary Hooper, Liberal Democrat
A Harrogate man has denied causing death by dangerous driving on the A168 near Boroughbridge.
Andrew Jackson, 36, from Hunsingore near Wetherby, died on A168 northbound between Allerton Park and Boroughbridge on May 10, 2020.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
James Bryan, 36, of St Mary’s Avenue in Harrogate, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Read more:
- Harrogate district care worker jailed after sexually abusing vulnerable resident
- Four men jailed for Harrogate district burglary spree
- Harrogate council housing officer stole from elderly residents
He appeared at York Crown Court yesterday where he entered a not guilty plea.
A trial will be held at the court on September 19, 2022.
The rivers beckon for paddlers from the Harrogate districtCovid lockdowns put a two-year hold on the outdoor activities of the Dales Canoe Club, but members of all ages will soon be taking to the water once more.
The multi-generational, family-focused club has 40 paddlers aged from 11-year-olds to people in their mid-70s, who come from across the Harrogate district..
They keenly await April 28, when they will head for the River Nidd in Knaresborough for their first meet of the season.
Between then and September, the Thursday evening gatherings will be held on rivers and canals throughout the Yorkshire Dales and further afield.

Winter practice at Starbeck Baths.
Fundraiser Jeremy Dunford has been involved with the club since 2015, when his son Reuben started as a novice.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“We had a boost with a successful application to the National Lottery, which brought nearly £10,000 and we have also received financial support from North Yorkshire County Council.
“The money has ensured that we are able to take all the new paddlers on the river at the same time over the summer.
“A key principle of the club is to ensure that paddling is affordable to all and the equipment can be expensive.
“We keep a certain amount of stock but this ages quickly as well as getting damaged. All our new paddlers have access to club kit for as long as they need (including kayaks and paddles).”

The club caters for people of all ages, from children to grandparents
Through the winter, members have been practicing at Starbeck Baths, but with the warmer weather and lighter nights they will be back on river banks across the region and ready to go immediately after the Easter holiday.
Educational and enjoyable
Mr Dunford said:
“Paddlers often use their involvement with the club as a springboard to academic progression elsewhere. One is currently studying outdoor adventure sports at uni having done, as my son did, a BTec in outdoor adventure sports at Askham Bryan and this in turn has enabled them to get places on camp in Canada.
“Some members also use the club as part of BTec course evidence, GCSE Sports Science and D of E awards evidence.
“We welcome, paddlers with conditions such as epilepsy, autism and ADHD, all of whom have had their paddling experience adjusted to ensure their needs are met.”

Members enjoy the social, as well as the sporting activities of the club.
Long-term members
The club started in 1976. and Maurice Young, a retired GP now in his 80s who took his sons along from day one, has been chairperson since 1978..
Dave Titchmarsh, who is the second in command, is a paddler in his 70s and has been with the club for many years as well.
One of the club’s senior members, Ted Walton, started as a teenager and is now in his 50s and leads a lot of activities.
The club, which adheres to all safety standards, currently has a full complement of members but opportunities for more people to join in September will open up as some move on to university.
Further details are available by clicking here.
Read More:
- A sport for all across the Harrogate district
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Harrogate district house severely damaged in fire
Firefighters from four fire stations were called to a blaze at a house in the Harrogate district last night.
Crews from Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge were summoned to the home in Brearton just after 10pm.
The house suffered severe fire, heat and smoke damage to the living room, hallway and front of the property, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The rest of the property suffered moderate smoke damage.
Brearton is about three miles from Knaresborough.
The fire service’s incident log said “the incident remains open whilst the cause is investigated”.
It added:
“Crews used eight breathing apparatus, four hosereel jets, two main jets, thermal imaging cameras, nine-metre ladder, triple extension ladders, small tools and lighting.”
Read more:
- Firefighters battle large wildfire near Brimham Rocks
- Man suffers serious head injuries in minibus collision in Knaresborough
Snow affects schools and traffic across Harrogate district
Schools and traffic across the Harrogate district were affected by overnight snow.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather for ice across the district, which was in place until 10am this morning.
You can recap our live blog and updates from the Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham areas this morning below.
10.10am – Picture of Pateley Bridge this morning
Joyce Liggins has sent in this picture from Pateley Bridge of the town covered in snow.
She said:
“We woke up to a covering of snow this morning and it’s looking like there is plenty more to come by the look of the sky.”
9.31am – Met Office weather warning in place until 10am
The Met Office weather warning for ice remains in place until 10am.
Gritters have been out on main roads in Harrogate this morning during the overnight snow.
9am – Readers’ pictures
Stray Ferret readers have sent their pictures from this morning’s snow. Here is a couple they have shared with us.
If you have any pictures of the snow that you would like to share, you can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on Facebook and Twitter.

Picture from Jackie Bedford.

Picture from Hornbeam Park this morning. Picture from Vicky Galbraith.
8.50am – St Aidan’s in Harrogate open as usual
St Aidan’s Church of England Secondary School will be open as normal this morning.
School is open as usual today. Please only travel if safe. Let us know if your child is not coming in. All students should sign in at reception if late. Many thanks. pic.twitter.com/pXNVZ3vJiO
— St Aidan's (@StAidansCEHS) March 31, 2022
8.36am – Only a handful of Ripon Market traders this morning
Only a handful of Ripon Market traders have set up stall this morning due to hazardous conditions on the roads.
Brian Murphy, stallholders’ spokesperson who runs a fruit and vegetable stall, said:
“Because many of the traders come from a distance and travelling conditions are horrendous coming into Ripon, they decided to turn around and go back home.
“I’m keeping an eye on the weather, but will stay open for as long as I can.”

Brian Murphy at his stall on Ripon Market this morning.
8.30am – Heavy but moving traffic on Otley Road
Traffic is heavy but moving this morning on Harrogate’s Otley Road.
Overnight snow has left some side roads treacherous, but main roads in and around Harrogate have been gritted.
8.15am – Rossett Acre Primary School opening at 10am
Rossett Acre Primary School in Harrogate will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
8am – Harrogate Grammar School delayed opening
Harrogate Grammar School has delayed the start of the school day due to the adverse weather.
The school will begin lessons from period three. Those pupils already on their way to school will still be accommodated and should report to the Hub on arrival.
7.45am – More pictures from across Harrogate
7.40am – Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School delayed opening
Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School will open at 10am due to the overnight snow.
The school said that those pupils who arrived before 10am should use the intercom to be let in.
7.35am – RHS Harlow Carr to open at 11am
RHS Harlow Carr gardens will open at a slightly later time this morning.
The gardens will open at 11am due to the snow in order to allow for the car park and pathways to be cleared.
⚠️ Thursday 31st March
Please note, due to snow, the garden will open slightly later today at 11am. This is to allow our teams time to clear the car park and pathways. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this, please check back for further updates. pic.twitter.com/Yb8tj5DakF
— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) March 31, 2022
7.30am – Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School to have delayed starts
Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School and Beckwithshaw Primary School will both open at 10am this morning.
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
7.25am – Traffic moving normally in Harrogate
Traffic around Harrogate Town Centre is running normally at the moment.
Gritters have been down York Place and West Park this morning to clear the roads. However, traffic is expected to pick up in the next hour.
7.20am – Is your school affected by the snow?
If your school is affected by this morning’s adverse weather, get in touch and let us know.
You can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or on Facebook and Twitter.
7.12am: Weather warning in place until 10am
The @metoffice has issued a yellow #weather warning for #ice from 8pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.
Forecasters say #snow & hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption.
Take extra care if out and about.
More: https://t.co/nyJZTWA2Gn pic.twitter.com/s1roUeqCrO
— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) March 30, 2022
7.03am: Harrogate covered in snow
https://twitter.com/MrsReedGeo/status/1509405530086948865
6.50am: Harrogate district wakes to blanket of snow.
Here’s the scene on Ripon Road in Killinghall. Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Plans have been lodged to convert a neglected outbuilding at a Minskip pub into a microbrewery.
The owners of The Wild Swan on Main Street in the village, near Boroughbridge, have lodged the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council.
It would see a building on the site converted into a microbrewery and function room, which would include a food preparation area and toilet.
Documents submitted to the council say the conversion of the outbuilding would help to provide “much needed flexibility” for the pub.
It added that the proposal would lead to “significant investment” in the building. which is deteriorating and has been “seriously neglected”.
The document said:
“The outbuilding has been seriously neglected and is in need of significant investment to rescue it from further, irreversible, deterioration.
“The building will convert efficiently to provide the proposed accommodation requiring only limited alterations, thus removing any risk of changing the character and appearance of the area.”
Read more:
The move to refurbish the building comes after three friends from Harrogate and York clubbed together to buy The Wild Swan in Minskip last summer.
After running the pub for a few months they closed it in January for a refurbishment and reopened to customers the following month.

The outbuilding at The Wild Swan at Minskip.
Owners Stephen Lennox, Alex Bond and Alastair Benham unveiled a new and improved pub and told the Stray Ferret earlier this year that a microbrewery was on the cards as part of the refurbishment.
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Harrogate district residents’ chance to learn about new North Yorkshire CouncilHarrogate district residents are being invited to take part in interactive virtual meetings to learn more about the new North Yorkshire Council.
The new council will start operating in April next year, as part of the largest local government reorganisation since 1974.
The shake-up will see the demise of eight local authorities, including Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council. All the services they provide will transfer to North Yorkshire Council.

Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished next year.
The first locality roadshow is designed for people living in the Ripon and Skipton parliamentary constituency, It will be held next Monday (April 4).
Those living in the Selby and Ainsty constituency are invited to a meeting on April 6 and the virtual meeting for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency will take place on April 12.
All meetings will be held on Teams between 6.30pm and 8pm. Information on how to attend can be found here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/new-council-virtual-roadshows
Among panel members present to answer questions at each meeting, will be Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson and Neil Irving, North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities.
Read more:
- Council tax hike for the Harrogate district
- North Yorkshire councillors clash over tax increase
- 15,000 Harrogate district households could miss out on rebate
From April 2023, the new authority will deliver all services across the whole of the county. North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton said:
“We value your views and the roadshows will also help to answer any questions and allay any fears that you may have
“This is an exciting moment for North Yorkshire and we are working with our district and borough colleagues and partners to ensure the very best outcomes for our local residents.
“In preparation for April, 2023, we will continue the unitary conversation with residents, communities, the emergency services, our partners in health, education, and the voluntary sector, as well as our members, our towns and parishes and our staff.”