Killinghall resident looks into ways to reopen village pub

A Killinghall resident is looking to investigate what can be done to re-open the only remaining pub in the heart of the village.

The Greyhounds Inn, a Samuel Smith‘s pub at the junction of Ripon Road and Otley Road, has been closed for several years.

Its loss has been particularly keenly felt since the Three Horseshoes opposite was razed to the ground last year to make way for a new Tesco Express store, which is due to open next year.

It means the rapidly expanding village has gone from having two pubs in its centre to none.

Jonny Smith, who moved to Killinghall five years ago, recently floated the idea on social media of villagers getting together to see what could be done to re-open The Greyhounds.

Mr Smith said:

“I’m trying to understand where we stand, and whether as a collective we can do anything.

“It’s a nice old building with so much potential. It has a lovely old pub feel to it and just needs some TLC. Killinghall has more homes and families than ever so it could do well.”

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Sam Smith’s occasionally posts adverts looking for people to run the pub but it has been closed for about five years. Mr Smith said:

“I know others in the village want to see it re-open. I’m hoping somebody might have an idea on where we go from here but I don’t have a massive amount of hope.”

The Stray Ferret attempted to contact Samuel Smith’s but has not yet received a reply.

Tesco has begun advertising for 15 staff to work at the Express store that is being built on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub.

The advert initially said the positions were for a Jack’s store, which is Tesco’s budget brand, but a spokesman for the company told the Stray Ferret this was an error and it would be an Express.

The Tesco spokesman also said a planning application for the proposed new full size Tesco store in Harrogate, about a mile from the site of the Killinghall Express, was “imminent”.

 

Two miles of heavy traffic between Harrogate and Ripley

Drivers experienced two miles of bumper to bumper traffic on Ripon Road between Harrogate and Ripley this morning due to construction works.

There are two-way temporary lights near Ripley which came online at 8am but they are due to come down later today at 3pm.

It is unclear what works are taking place but they have been approved by North Yorkshire County Council.

The majority of congestion was heading northbound. At around 9am this morning cars queued from New Park roundabout to Ripley.

Join the Stray Ferret’s “Harrogate district traffic and travel” group for all of the latest transport news.

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Killinghall residents worried about ‘dangerous’ mole traps

Residents in Killinghall believe several poorly signposted mole traps placed around a new housing estate could hurt dogs or children.

Moles are among the UK’s most elusive mammals. They spend most of their lives underground, leaving only molehills as signs of their presence.

About four weeks ago, eight traps appeared on the Cricketers View development after the number of molehills increased.

Some traps were set-up close to footpaths used by families and dog walkers. They were marked with small white sticks, which residents believe are inadequate because they are easy to fall over, making them harder to see.

White sticks have been used to mark the traps.

Modern mole traps are legal and have a spring inside them that crushes and kills the mole when it enters.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the traps were “dangerous” and could hurt more than just moles.

They said:

“At the moment residents are furious over mole traps that have been left around Cautley Drive in KIllinghall. These are up and down some of the main walking paths and sit close to where some of the kids play football and they’re only marked with a nondescript white stick.”

“Some holes have parts of the traps sticking out of the ground and when they’re set off they look less than safe for dogs and small children.”

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The RSCPA does not recommend the use of traps and says if you have moles in your garden, removing or flattening the molehills will solve any unsightly problems. Frequent lawn mowing, children playing and other noisy activity can also help to deter them.

A spokesperson for First Port, which manages the estate, said:

“We have been in regular contact with residents, as well as our pest control contractor, to resolve the issue of moles at Cricketers View. “We have been assured that the working parts of the traps are buried safely underground, with white sticks visible to indicate their locations. Following feedback from residents, our contractor will also be covering the top part of the traps throughout the remainder of their use, which we hope will provide further reassurance.”

Some residents have approached Harrogate Borough Council with their concerns about the traps.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said it was looking into the matter.

Final approval for 135 homes in Killinghall

A plan to build 135 homes in Killinghall has been given final approval.

Harrogate Borough Council has granted permission for the scheme, which was submitted back in 2017.

The homes will be built off Otley Road, before the junction with the A59 Skipton Road.

Approval was given after the council agreed a section 106 with Leeds-based Home Group.

The agreement will see 50 homes classed as affordable built on the site.

Of these, 34 will be made available to rent, including one, two, three and four-bed properties. Another 16 will be offered as part of a shared ownership scheme.

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The remaining homes will be sold on the open market.

The agreement also includes the “ongoing management and maintenance” of public open space at the development.

Following submission of the proposals, Killinghall Parish Council offered no objection to the plan.

However, it raised concern that access to the site from Otley Road would create a “rat run” through to Skipton Road.

A statement put before the council by planning agents Lichfield and Partners on behalf of the developer said the scheme would bring economic benefits to the area.

It said:

“The application proposals would have significant net social, economic and environmental benefits, which clearly outweigh any adverse impacts of the development.”

Some Kilinghall peacocks could be re-homed

Some of Killinghall’s peacocks could be re-homed following longstanding concerns about noise and damage.

The number of peacocks in the village has expanded rapidly in recent years and there are currently believed to be between nine and 16 birds roaming freely.

Some villagers love them but others, particularly those living in the Cautley Drive area where they roost, have complained about noise and damage.

In a social media post today. Killinghall Parish Council clerk Sue Reid said it had contacted Harrogate Borough Council, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs, the RSPCA and a peacock breeding organisation for help.

But because nobody owns the birds, and they wander around, nobody is responsible for their welfare — or any problems they create.

Some people in the village have said they suffer long-term sleep deprivation due to the birds’ loud screeching.

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Ms Reid’s post said:

“We understand that the situation with the peacocks has caused a huge divide in opinion.

“We would urge residents to try to be understanding of each other’s experiences and opinions of these birds.”

‘Difficult situation’

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Ms Reid said depending on the outcome of the RSPCA welfare checks, it was likely some of the birds would be re-homed by a peacock society in southern England.

She added some peacocks would remain in the village.

She also stressed the council was impartial on the issue but was acting in response to numerous complaints by villagers — not only by newcomers but also by people who have lived in Killinghall for years. She said:

“It is a very difficult situation and we are trying to do the best we can.”

Bilton’s resident peacock Peter was recently re-homed following concerns about his health.

 

 

Teens set fire to abandoned farm buildings on Skipton Road

A group of teenagers is believed to have set fire to abandoned farm buildings between Killinghall and Harrogate.

Cow Dyke Farm, on Skipton Road, was targeted on June 20 at about 7.15pm.

It has been the victim of numerous arson attacks in the past.

North Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to help find the culprits behind the latest incident.

It said in a statement:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about any identification of people who were in that area at the time.”

You can call the police on 101, select option two and ask for Joshua Harrison. The officer can also be contacted on Joshua.Harrison@northyorkshire.police.uk.

The police reference number is 12210143681.

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Killinghall cricket club keeps pub-less village spirit alive

A cricket club is fostering community spirit after the last remaining pub in the heart of the village closed.

For years, Killinghall CC players enjoyed an after-match pint at the Three Horseshoes on Ripon Road.

But the pub has been razed to the ground to make way for a Tesco Express and The Greyhounds nearby has been closed for years, leaving one of the biggest villages in the Harrogate district bereft of pubs.

So the club, which is on a promotion charge in division two of Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League, has been opening its bar on match days and welcoming villagers along.

The move has proved popular as a steady stream of locals, not all of whom know the difference between a googly and a bouncer, enjoy the sun and a drink on Saturday afternoons.

Harvey Radcliffe, the club secretary, said:

“It’s important for us to be part of the village community. We used to support the Three Horseshoes and when it died we saw an opportunity for us to keep the community spirit going.

“We only open the bar when we are at home on Saturdays at the moment but we are hoping to open it on Fridays and Sundays too later in the year.

“We are trying to get a junior section going. If we can get more people down it might encourage more juniors to come along and play.”

After a nervy one-wicket win last weekend away to Alne, the club is back at its home ground on Otley Road today when the bar will be open for the match against Thornton Watlass.

A recent match in Killinghall

Killinghall are currently third in the division as they aim to return to division one after a five-year hiatus.

The team will be hoping for fair weather and a good crowd for this weekend’s event.

Mr Radcliffe said:

“A cricket club is the perfect place for an outside socially distanced event.”

“There’s an old fashioned village feel. Cricket is a massive social event. Sports clubs are important.”

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Image Gallery: Demolition of historic Killinghall pub

Work has begun to demolish the historic Three Horseshoes pub in Killinghall.

The pub has stood on the site for 150 years but closed in September and will make way for a new Tesco Express supermarket and four flats.

When plans were first submitted in 2019, a petition was launched by residents to try to save the building.

It was signed by 124 people who agreed that to lose the pub would be a “travesty”. The petition read:

“The Three Horseshoes is the hub of our community and plays an important part of bringing people together.”

However, there were also many people who submitted comments to the council in favour of the redevelopment.

One person wrote:

“We have been without a grocery or convenience shop for many years which has been to the detriment of the community.”

Anna, who runs the Killinghall Village Community Facebook page, shared photos of the demolition with us.

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New vicar for Killinghall, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite

The Reverend Suzy McCarter has been appointed vicar of Hampsthwaite with Felliscliffe, Killinghall and Birstwith.

Revd McCarter, who lives in Birstwith vicarage, will be installed at an induction service with the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, on July 28 at 7pm in Killinghall.

Born in Northampton, Revd McCarter was ordained in Blackburn Diocese.

She said:

“I then served a curacy in Standish, Wigan and my first appointment as a clergyperson was in the benefice of Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth and Denholme in West Yorkshire where I stayed for nearly 11 years before moving here.

“We hope to settle and remain here for a nice long time.”

Birstwith and Hampsthwaite churches reopened for worship during Holy Week and are now back to the normal pattern of worship.

Killinghall, however, is having work done to repair the chancel after some water damage to the foundations resulted in the floor sinking.

It is expected to open for worship on May 30.

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Killinghall man who headbutted police officer spared jail

A judge has spoken out about violence to police officers after a Killinghall man head-butted a constable.

Two officers were called to Bedlam Lane, near Fewston reservoir, after reports of a man slumped on the steering wheel in a Peugeot 20 parked in an isolated spot, York Crown Court heard.

When the officers arrived, they found 38-year-old Richard Brewins intoxicated but, despite his slurred speech, able to identify himself.

Prosecutor Thomas Parsons-Munn said that after noticing empty Strongbow cans in the footwell, officers asked Brewins to undergo an alcohol breath test but he became aggressive, shouting and swearing at the officers, one of whom grabbed him by the arm.

Brewins pushed one of the officers and tried to get away, at which point the other officer used his pepper spray.

Mr Parsons-Munn said:

“Brewins responded by head-butting (the named officer) in his face, cutting the bridge of his nose.”

A passer-by helped the police restrain Brewins and take him to ground, where he was handcuffed.

Due to his heavily intoxicated state, Brewins was taken to Harrogate District Hospital as a precaution. He was later discharged and taken in for questioning, where he denied “assaulting anyone”.

Brewins, of Thomas Drive, ultimately admitted assaulting the officer, causing actual bodily harm. The offence occurred on January 19.

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Seven previous convictions

The court heard that Brewins, a pizza delivery driver, had seven previous convictions for 15 offences, including three for common assault.

Defence barrister Ayman Khokhar said Brewins was “at the end of his tether” at the time and had parked up in the secluded spot in a highly emotional state.

He said Brewins had “complex” psychiatric difficulties and was now receiving treatment.

Recorder Andrew Dallas told Brewins:

“You head-butted a police officer, causing a nasty cut to the bridge of his nose.

“It was very painful and there appears to be some ongoing psychological effect (to the victim).

“Just because a person is in a uniform doesn’t mean he isn’t a human being and doesn’t suffer the effects of psychological trauma. He should not have to put up with this sort of behaviour.”

It was the second time in a week that Mr Dallas had bemoaned attacks on police officers, which is a topical issue following recent protests in Bristol and London that descended into violence.

Police attacks

The day before Brewins’ court appearance, a 40-year-old man from Scarborough was jailed for attacking a traffic constable at a funeral wake.

Mr Dallas said Brewins’ offence was so serious that it could only be met with a custodial sentence but agreed to suspend this because he was trying to turn his life around through professional help.

The eight-month prison term was suspended for two years but Brewins was ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work.

He must also complete a 25-day rehabilitation programme and pay the injured officer £300 compensation.