Coneythorpe pub reopens by thanking firefighters who saved it

The owners of a family-run pub in Coneythorpe, which reopened yesterday after 11 months, have thanked firefighters who saved the building.

Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling a blaze at the Tiger Inn, near Knaresborough, in November.

To mark the reopening 11 months on, Ian and Barbara Gill, who have owned the Tiger Inn for 15 years, presented a cheque for £5,000 to the men and women who saved the pub from total destruction.

The money will now go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps firefighters and their families cope with injury, illness and rehabilitation.

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Paul Metheringham, who was the incident commander on the night of the fire, said:

“This is a tremendously generous gesture by the Gills and we are very appreciative. The fire was massive and we were thankful that we were able to save the Tiger from being completely destroyed.

“We know what an important part of the local community the pub is and we are delighted it has now reopened. This cheque presentation makes the re-opening even more special.”

The Knaresborough crew released this picture today.

Mr Gill said:

“This was the least we could do. The local fire brigades from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb were absolutely brilliant, showing incredible courage and expertise. We have so much to thank them for.

“We are delighted to have reopened – and to welcome back our regulars after being closed for so long. During our closure, we have been so heartened and encouraged the support we have received from the local community, who have given us the strength to carry on and to ensure that The Tiger has re-opened in style.

“We were left devastated by the fire. It was accidental and we were grateful that no-one was hurt. As you can imagine, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging. We were already struggling with the serious effects of covid last year, when the huge fire struck.”

Ms Gill added:

“Had it not been for covid, someone would have been on the premises when the fire started. But, on the plus side, as the pub was empty, it meant there was no danger to life. Even so, the part the brave firefighters played in saving our pub was absolutely crucial. We will be forever grateful to them.”

Coneythorpe pub rises from ashes to reopen after 11 months

A family-run pub in Coneythorpe is to reopen its doors, 11 months after a devastating fire.

Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in November.

When the pub reopens on Monday, October 25, owners Ian and Barbara Gill will donate £5,000 to the Firefighter’s Charity as a thank-you.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

Firefighters tackling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in November.

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The Gills have run the Tiger Inn, near Knaresborough, for 15 years. Mr Gill said:

“As you can imagine, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging.

“We were already struggling with the serious effects of covid last year, when the huge fire struck. As a result we have been closed ever since.

“However, we have been so heartened and encouraged by the support we have received from all our regulars.

“They have given us the strength to carry on and to ensure that The Tiger will re-open in style.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said at the time of the blaze that fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen and the cause was believed to be accidental.

Neighbours said they were devastated and described the pub as a pillar of the community.

Strong objections to Northern Energy plan to move from Hampsthwaite

Residents and parish councils have lodged strong objections to plans for a major oil and gas company to relocate to Marton-cum-Grafton.

Northern Energy is currently based In Hampsthwaite and has had its headquarters in the village for more than half a century.

However, the company tabled proposals to Harrogate Borough Council in February to move to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.

The firm, which has an annual turnover of £27 million, supplies more than 50 million litres of oil and liquid petroleum gas across the UK each year.

But two parish councils have written to the council to object to the plans.

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They say the development is inappropriate and would have “unacceptable consequences”, such as loss of agricultural land, increase in traffic and the proximity of the site to local residents.

Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton Parish Council wrote to the council to object in “the strongest terms”.

It said:

“The other consequence is of course that valuable agricultural land will be lost. 

“Such land is increasingly being lost to development and for us to be as sustainable as a nation we need to preserve our agricultural capacity rather than rely on importing foodstuffs from abroad.”

Meanwhile, Marton-cum-Grafton added in its response that the development was “not of exceptional quality” and “does not enhance its immediate setting nor is it sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area”.

The application has so far attracted 33 comments to the council, with 32 of those objecting and just one in support.

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

Company has “outgrown” its site

However, Northern Energy has said it has outgrown its current site and needs to move.

The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, LPG and oil storage tanks and a new car park.

The site would accommodate 30 office staff and 20 operations staff.

The proposed Northern Energy site off the A168 as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in planning documents.

The proposed Northern Energy site off the A168 as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in planning documents.

In documents submitted to the council, the company said the current location was “beginning to hinder business”.

It said:

““Such is the success of the business, the company have now outgrown their current premises on the edge of Hampsthwaite.

“Indeed, the location of the facility, some distance from the local highway network, and the absence of oil and fuel storage capacity on site is now beginning to hinder the business.”

Northern Energy is currently consulting on its plans to relocate. Residents can have their say on the plans here.

Coneythorpe pub devastated by fire plans August reopening

A Coneythorpe pub devastated by fire a month before Christmas looks set to reopen in summer.

Fire crews battled for six hours to control the blaze at the Tiger Inn in November.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said the cause was believed to be accidental and broke out in the pub’s kitchen, which had only been fitted the previous January.

Neighbours said they were devastated by the fire and described the pub as a pillar of the community.

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Now, the owners of the Tiger Inn have said they are eyeing an August reopening and confirmed that repair works are underway.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

A post on the Tiger Inn Facebook page said:

“The covid pandemic has been difficult for everyone and to have a serious fire on top of it was the icing on the cake so to speak.

“However we now have some excellent news for you all. We have finally got the go ahead from our insurance company and re-building works have started.

“Our anticipated re-opening will be early August when Team Tiger will be ready and waiting to welcome you all back in.

“We will try and keep you updated with progress as we go along but in the meantime stay safe.”

Villagers left devastated after fire at Coneythorpe pub

Neighbours have been left devastated after a fire at a much-loved community pub in Coneythorpe last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to the Tiger Inn at 5.04pm after a fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen, which had only been fitted in January.

Crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb were called out to the blaze which lasted for six-hours. Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform, main jets, breathing apparatus and hose reels to tackle the incident.

Owners said the fire was accidental and that they will be aim to reopen the pub “as soon as we possibly can”.

But neighbours say they are devastated as the pub is a pillar of the community in the village.

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One resident, Carole Topham said she saw smoke coming from the building before calling the fire service.

She said:

“We saw billowing smoke at first and called the fire bridge who spent hours at the site.

“We are devastated for the owners, this is our community pub and we were looking forward to a Christmas get together.”

The damage after the fire, which broke out in the pub’s new kitchen.

Meanwhile, Karin Terry, another neighbour, said:

“The flames got bigger and bigger.

“We were very worried about a gas tank that was at the back of the building.”

The fire is a blow for the pub, which traditionally hosts a village Christmas party.

A member of the Gill family, which owns the pub, said they were “gutted” and had been looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the villagers.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Obviously the family is devastated about it. We had 15 weeks of closed down and reopened on July 2 and was almost as busy before we went into lockdown.

“We will reopen as soon as we possibly can do. We have just been speaking to the fire fighters today, it was an accidental fire and we just want to get back to where we have been.

“We are a bit gutted this year because we do a village Christmas party where all the villagers get together. We were struggling with the lockdown and social distancing and how we were going to fit everyone in.

“There’s about 70 odd people who live in the village and they all tend to get in here, but that’s gone out of the window now. We will just see when we can get reopen better and stronger than ever.”

Crews called to blaze at Coneythorpe pub

Fire crews from across North Yorkshire were called to a fire at a pub in Coneythorpe yesterday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to the incident at the Tiger Inn at 5.04pm.

Crews from Knaresborough, Harrogate, Acomb and appliances from Wetherby and Moortown were called out to the fire.

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Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform, main jets, breathing apparatus and hose reels to tackle the fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue will investigate the cause today (November 14).

If you witnessed the fire please get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.couk

Police appeal after four caravans stolen in Coneythorpe

Police have launched an appeal after four caravans were stolen in Coneythorpe overnight.

The four Swift caravans were taken from a premises in the area between 6.30pm on October 7 and 6.30am the following day.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information that may assist with the investigation.

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Describing the thieves’ actions after breaking in, a North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Once there, they have removed locks, alarms and trackers from four Swift caravans and caused extensive damage to a fifth, before driving off over a field back onto the road.

“Police are appealing for any information that could assist in this investigation – for example, if any vehicles were seen in the area, and any footage from CCTV in nearby villages.

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for PC528 Pierre Olesqui. You can also email pierre.olesqui@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200176598.