Wanted man fell to death from tree in Harrogate district, inquest told

A man wanted by police was found dead in a field in the Harrogate district, an inquest has heard.

Marcin Mikulski, 42, fell from a tree after telling police he intended to kill himself. He had also posted a video on social media up a large tree saying this was where he wanted to “fall asleep”.

His body was found in a field 500 metres from the A6055 near Staveley, which is between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough.

The inquest heard he was a suspect in a serious incident in Boroughbridge.

The precise nature of the incident wasn’t revealed but statements from senior police officers revealed a helicopter and police dog units were deployed to find him.

Mr Mikulski died on July 16 last year — when police began searching for him.

Police intelligence and phone tracking enabled police to narrow their search for Mr Mikulski but his body wasn’t found until the day after his death.

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Coroner Oliver Longstaff told the inquest that letters addressed to family, which were found in Mr Mikulski’s car, acknowledged his involvement in the crime and expressed regret and upset at his actions.

Mr Longstaff said the letters, along with phone calls to the police, were enough to suggest Mr Mikuslki did intend to end his life.

He recorded a verdict of suicide at Friday’s inquest in Northallerton.

 

 

 

Medieval combat and walks mark 700th anniversary of Battle of Boroughbridge

A medieval combat re-enactment was among the highlights today to commemorate 700 years since the Battle of Boroughbridge.

Organised by Boroughbridge Historical Society and The Battlefields Trust, the day began with a wreath laying. Around 60 people attended at the battle cross in Aldborough.

Dignitaries including the Earl of Hereford, a direct descendent of one of the men killed at the battle, attended alongside the public.

A service was held at the battle cross this morning.

The day’s other activities took place in Boroughbridge. There were several stalls, including the Battlefield Trust and a traditional bow and arrow maker who showed how a bow could be carved from a piece of ash wood.

At 10am crowds gathered to watch a demonstration by 3 Swords. The men and women taking part were dressed in traditional military attire and spoke to the public about the kinds of weaponry and armour soldiers would have been wearing in 1322.

Dean Davidson, Stuart Ivinson and Wayne Reynolds also performed medieval martial arts and battle techniques.

The history group performed a selection of medieval battle techniques.

The day also included hour-long history walks, which took people to the key battle sites. The main battle was fought on a timber bridge believed to be close to the site of the current bridge over the River Ure.

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The battle was fought between a rebellious group of barons and supporters of Edward II. The rebels, led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, were defeated by the king’s army.

Baby and toddler groups back on after the pandemic

Being a new parent can be a lonely time under normal circumstances, so for many these feelings were compounded during the pandemic.

Baby and toddler groups were either cancelled or took place over Zoom, which clearly isn’t the same as being able to open your heart to a fellow mum about sleepless nights or unruly behaviour over a strong cup of coffee.

Thankfully the majority of these are now fully back in action across the district.

And this week a new parent and baby group has launched at Ashville College in Harrogate.

The independent school is hosting the free sessions between 10am and 11am every Friday morning during term-time for children up to the age of two and their parents or grandparents.

The Baby Acorns group is meeting in Ashville’s Little Acorns cabin, located off Yew Tree Lane.

It is being run by Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep staff, and tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. Looking ahead to the summer months, the school also aims to hold some outdoor events.

Charlotte Cryer, head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, said:

“In the last two years the pandemic has severely affected opportunities for both parents and young children to socialise, with many baby groups being cancelled or restricted.

“The impact this has had on parents’ mental health should not be underestimated, and we hope that our Baby Acorns group can ease that anxiety for parents.

“It is a safe, comfortable space in which children can interact and play alongside our highly-experienced early years staff.”

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We have put together a list of five other baby and toddler groups across the Harrogate district:

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library – Knaresborough

Play session at Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library

Play sessions at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library.

A firm favourite in the district, the toy library’s play sessions currently run on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Mary’s Church, Knaresborough, from 10am until 11.30am.

Toys are set-up for children to access, while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others. Sessions are £3.50, plus 50p per additional child.

The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.

The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games

Stay and Play – Harrogate

Stay and Play is an fun parent and toddler group for pre-school children hosted at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.

There are lots of activities to entertain little ones, including toys, bikes, bouncy castle and games from 9.30am until 11.30am during term-time only.

Sessions are £2.50 per child and £1 for each additional child, including a snack and drink.

Tea and Tots – Boroughbridge

Ride-ons, slides, toys, colouring and refreshments feature at this baby and toddler group at St James’ Church.

Sessions take place from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday during term-time for children up to age five.

Prices are £1 and 50p for additional children.

Little Fishes Tots Group – Nidderdale

This friendly group, based in Christ Church Community Centre, Darley, is run by members of Nidderdale Community Church.

Activities include play stations, a baby corner and a craft table. There is also snack time, nursery rhyme time and a bible story.

Sessions are £2 per family from 9.15am and 11.15am on Tuesdays.

Soft Play Toddler Fun – Ripon

A group for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups, held in the hall of Allhallowgate Methodist Church every Friday from 9.15am until 12.30pm.

There is soft play equipment for the little ones and coffee, tea and snacks for the adults.

Harrogate man accused of causing cyclist’s death by dangerous driving

A Harrogate man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a cyclist by dangerous driving.

James Bryan, 36, of St Mary’s Avenue, was driving a Porsche Carrera when the incident occurred on the A168 northbound between Allerton Park and Boroughbridge on May 10, 2020. The A168 runs alongside the A1.

He is accused of causing the death of Andrew Jackson, 36, a husband and father-of-two from Hunsingore, near Wetherby.

Mr Jackson died at the scene.

Mr Bryan appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday, where the case was sent for trial at York Crown Court.

It is due to be heard on April 4.

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Ukraine crisis: Guide to how you can help locally

As the war in Ukraine wages on, the Harrogate district has stepped up its response to help those fleeing the conflict.

The Stray Ferret will be providing updates on where to give donations and how the district is responding to the ongoing war.

If you have any details on where to donate to those fleeing the conflict or any other information, write to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate

Ukrainian woman opens house for donations 

Olga Whiting, from Ukraine, is opening up her home so she can take donations to be sent to her Mum’s village in Ukraine.

Ms Whiting now lives in Harrogate but is in regular contact with her mum who has said the items they’re most in need of are:

Ms Whiting has a friend who has been transporting donations into Ukraine every three weeks. Her friend will now add her native village of Nova Borava to his list of drop-off points.

People can drop donations off at anytime at 14 Yewdale Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NF. Ms Whiting has said if no one is in call her on 07307876103 and she will describe a safe place for them to be left.

Tiger Fifty 7 taking donations

The children’s store on Cold Bath Road has opened itself up as a drop-off point for donations.

It is asking for:

For anyone who would rather donate money via JustGiving link, click here.

Boroughbridge

Car dealer accepting donations

Charltons of Boroughbridge is accepting donations for those feeling the conflict in Ukraine.

Items collected will be sent to a large depot at Thirsk and then forward to Eastern Europe.

Organisers will accept:

The dealership has said it is open for donations from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 5pm.

Plans approved to demolish Little Ouseburn pub for homes

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to demolish a Little Ouseburn pub to build new homes.

The proposal by Low Lane Developments will see the Green Tree Inn flattened to make way for four houses.

The pub, which is on the main B6265 from Green Hammerton to Boroughbridge, closed in late 2019.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the plan would help to enhance the local area.

It said:

“We believe that redevelopment of this site will enhance the conservation area and will bring a positive contribution to the local environment.”

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In 2017, pub owners Michael and Barbara Briggs were granted permission to convert the property into housing while retaining part of the downstairs as a micro pub.

However, planning documents state Mr Briggs died in January 2017 and Mrs Briggs struggled to maintain the pub alone.

After three years of trying to market the micro pub, Mrs Briggs decided it was no longer a viable business.

Harrogate district volunteers wanted to fill sandbags for floods

A team of volunteers hopes to fill more than a thousand sandbags in Harrogate tomorrow.

Harrogate Borough Council keeps a stockpile of around 3,000 sandbags to support communities across the Harrogate district when they’re threatened with flooding.

The recent floods have depleted its stock so the council wants to prepare for future floods by filling up sandbags from 7am at its depot on Claro Road in Harrogate.

During floods in Pateley Bridge in February, some residents reported difficulties in getting hold of sandbags to help protect their properties.

Volunteers will come from Ready for Anything, which is a database of North Yorkshire County Council volunteers that are called upon in times of emergency.

If you are interested in coming along contact Harrogate Borough Council’s emergency planning officer Ash Demaline at ash.demaline@harrogate.gov.uk

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Former pub near Boroughbridge to be converted into flats

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert a former pub near Boroughbridge into flats, despite objections from local residents over the loss of a community asset.

Stonefield Developments applied to the council to convert the building in Lower Dunsforth, It was most recently a restaurant called The Hideaway Kitchen. Before that it was a pub called The Dunsforth.

The village is four miles from Boroughbridge.

The restaurant closed last year. Planning documents cite a “lack of customer trade and consequent viability issues” as the reason.

Now, proposals will see the ground floor of the former restaurant converted into two two-bedroom flats, along with car parking.

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The upper floor of the building already has three existing flats, so if approved the building would have six in total.

37 letters of objection

The decision comes despite objections from the local parish of Dunsforth, which said the conversion would “strip a community of a vital asset”.

Chris France, who submitted the objection to the council on behalf of the parish, added in his letter:

“The pub is the only secular amenity in the village so its removal would severely impact village life leaving nowhere for the above to take place.”

In addition, 37 letters of objection were submitted to the council pointing out that the former pub has been a community asset in the village for more than 100 years.

The move comes as other applications have been lodged to convert former working men’s and private members clubs into flats.

In January, a proposal was lodged to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Ripon City Club into a house.

Activities announced for Battle of Boroughbridge anniversary day

Re-enactments and guided tours will take place in a fortnight to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge.

The battle in 1322 was fought between a rebellious group of barons and supporters of Edward II. The rebels, led by Thomas, Ear of Lancaster, were defeated at Boroughbridge by the king’s army.

The battle itself took place over a timber bridge, thought to have been close to the site of the current bridge over the River Ure in Boroughbridge, and a ford thought to be in the Milby area.

An event to commemorate the battle will be held in the town on March 12 between 10 and 4pm. Members of the public can attend the living history event on the field next to Back Lane carpark throughout the day.

The display will include a combat and weapon demonstration by 3 Swords medieval history group at 10.30am and 2pm on the field as well as numerous other activities throughout the day.

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Guided tours around the town will take place at 11.30am and 3pm. Louise Whittaker, from the Battlefields Trust, will lead the hour-long tours, which will take in the sites connected to the battle, including the bridge.

There will also be an art display curated by students at Boroughbridge Primary School held in the library.

The event is being put together by Boroughbridge Historical Society and the Battlefields Trust.

Sneak Peek: Boroughbridge pub reopens after six-figure refurb

The Anchor Inn in Boroughbridge has reopened today after a six-figure refurbishment.

The pub, based on Leeming Lane next to the river, has been closed for three weeks to undergo work.

The pub has been redecorated inside and out. The most noticeable difference to visitors is the new cream exterior, which has replaced the grey walls in the hope of looking more inviting to locals and tourists.

Landlady Lesley Jackson has been running the Anchor for 18 months since she returned to Boroughbridge following 10 years in Spain.

The bar area has also had a facelift.

The refurb was “well overdue”, according to Ms Jackson. Built in 1860, the pub has had numerous extensions and refurbishments since then but Ms Jackson said it now looks like the “proper” pub she’s wanted it to be.

“It’s a good old-fashioned drinking pub, it doesn’t matter what age you are or who you are we don’t judge. If you want to have a chat, we’ll chat, if you want some information we can get that. It’s about being social and that’s what pubs are about.”

Ms Jackson previously ran another pub in Boroughbridge called LJ’s Bar, which closed and became flats, before moving to Spain

“I’ve got the same old people, which is fantastic but of course they’re 20 years older like me!”

A “proper old-fashioned pub” wouldn’t be complete without a pool table and darts board.

As well as fresh lick of paint and new carpet, the outdoor area is set to have a makeover when the weather improves. Ms Jackson said the south-facing garden overlooking the river is much-used during summer.

“It was definitely needed, there’s just some things that you can clean as much as you want but it never looks as good as it did. I’m so glad we’re back again, lockdown was really difficult so it’s great to swing open the doors again.”

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The Anchor Inn is known to locals as the place to go to watch big football games but Ms Jackson said it welcomed locals and tourists alike.

Once work has finished on the kitchen, towards summer, the Anchor is hoping to start serving food as well to allow it to compete with other local pubs and restaurants in the town.

The sitting area has been completely refurbished.

The pub is owned by Red Oak Taverns, which owns more than 200 pubs.