Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division which will see four candidates standing for election.

Michael Harrison, Conservative

The Conservative candidate for the division is Michael Harrison.

Mr Harrison currently sits on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council as a councillor.

He is also the executive member for adult services and health integration on the county council.

On why he is standing, Mr Harrison said:

“I am the only candidate who lives in the Killinghall, Hampsthwaite & Saltergate electoral division.

“I have represented the area for 20 years as a parish, borough and county councillor. I have a track record of working all year round, not just at election time and will help deliver the new council for North Yorkshire if given the opportunity on May 5.”

Bill Rigby, Green Party

Bill Rigby is the Green Party candidate for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division.

Mr Rigby lives in Knaresborough with his family and became the first Green Party mayor of the town in 2016.

He worked as a consultant and teacher in eduction and set up a university in East Africa.

He said he spent his working life “fixing” things and feels this experience will help him being a councillor.

Mr Rigby said:

“It has become apparent that our society needs ‘fixing’, but the problems run deep, so the mending process involves us all working together, in harmony, with an eye on a common goal. 

“I feel my experience is just right to help our district succeed in this endeavour. Old methods and ‘business as usual’ have led us in the wrong direction. 

“I am now convinced that Green values and principles offer the best route to a happier future, not only for ourselves but also for all our companions and fellow creatures.”

Edward Clayson, Labour

The Labour candidate for the division is Edward Clayson.

Mr Clayson is a mental health nurse in the NHS and has lived and worked in Harrogate for 30 years.

He is currently branch secretary for the Harrogate Labour Party and has been a member for the past decade.

Mr Clayson said, if elected, his aim would be to get a “fair and equitable” service from the council for all.

He said:

“I am passionate about the NHS and, in particular, trying to improve mental health services in the Harrogate district

“I have been involved in local campaigns, including the Save Nidd Gorge campaign and also have campaigned for a mental health services.

“If elected for North Yorkshire County Council, I will work in the best interests of all residents in this ward hoping to ensure a fair and equitable service from the council to all.”

Read more:

• How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

David Goode, Liberal Democrat

David Goode is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the division on election day.

A Knaresborough resident for 30 years, Mr Goode is currently a councillor on North Yorkshire County Council and Knaresborough Town Council.

He is also a member of Knaresborough Connectors, Community Land Trust and Chair of Governors at Aspin Park Academy school.

During his working life, he worked as an IT consultant and sales and marketing specialist. He has since retired.

Mr Goode said, if elected, he would help establish stronger rural and urban communities.

He said:

“Through NYCC Locality Fund I have supported the establishment of a new youth group for 7-to-11-year olds, provided funding to set up community gardening projects, helped fund two defibrillators in the town and in partnership with Knaresborough Connectors helped fund laptops for school children during the pandemic. 

“The key to establishing stronger urban and rural communities is the provision of affordable public transport – subsidised – fairer integrated ticketing between bus companies and rail with integrated timetables between bus companies and rail.”

The Curious Cow of Harrogate will open to the public tomorrow after a £650,000 rebrand.

Revere Pub Company, which has transformed the former Old Spring Well pub, has held a series of soft launches and opening parties over the last week.

The pub, on the A59 in Killinghall, provides contemporary dishes alongside pub classics, plus pizza and steak.

General manager Michael Baravelli is well known on the local hospitality scene, having worked at venues such as the Gino D’Acampo restaurant in Harrogate, The Joiner’s Arms in Hampsthwaite and The Pine Marten in Harrogate.

Michael Baravelli

He said:

“We are looking forward to creating a beautiful space where the community can escape, switch off and enjoy what we have to offer.”

The revamp has created 40 jobs at the site, which was known as the Travellers Rest before it became the Old Spring Well.

Revere Pub Company, which has 16 pubs in the UK, has replaced the children’s play area outside with a seating area.

Read more:

• Old Spring Well to be renamed Curious Cow in luxury revamp
• Sneak Peek: Paradise arrives in Killinghall

Mayor Trevor Chapman pulls a pint.

A Killinghall woman has contacted the RSPCA as part of the attempt to solve the mystery of the village’s missing peacocks.

A muster of peacocks has roamed the village for years but there are fears about 10 have been killed.

The number of peacocks rose sharply in the last couple of years, prompting some residents to say they were sick of the noise and calling for action.

Just two peahens remain, prompting fears somebody has taken matters into their own hands.

Sarah Leanne Hughes said it was possible the birds had been re-homed by the animal charity, which re-homed Peter the Peacock from Bilton. She added:

“I have spoken to three different people at the RSPCA. I’m just asking for advice to see if they have been reported.”

“All I want to know is where the birds have gone. It’s the not knowing that’s awful. People are starting to point fingers. Somebody’s name has been mentioned a couple of times but it’s not a witch hunt.”

Ms Hughes set up the Killinghall Peacocks Facebook page two years ago to celebrate the peacocks, which used to visit her garden regularly.

She moved to Killinghall from Bilton and whereas sightings of Peter were rare, she saw the Killinghall birds regularly. Her home, on Cautley Drive, is close to the tree where the animals roost.

Peacocks roosting in Killinghall last summer.

Ms Hughes said the number of page members had doubled recently amid concern for the peacocks’ welfare. She said:

“It’s causing a lot of upset in the village. Somebody knows something and they should do the decent thing and say what has happened.”

Ms Hughes has asked Killinghall Parish Council to discuss the peacocks at tonight’s monthly meeting.

The Stray Ferret has asked the parish council if the matter will be raised and whether it plans to take any further action to investigate the plight of the birds.

Sue Reid, the clerk, said the peacocks were not on the agenda for the monthly meeting at 7pm but the annual parish meeting, which followed at 8pm, was an open forum that gave residents the opportunity to raise any subject they liked.

The Nelson Inn in Killinghall is to reduce its opening hours after agreeing to a takeover bid.

The pub, which is situated on the A59 Skipton Road, posted on social media today that it will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from next week but open as normal for the rest of the week.

It said:

“The reason for this change in opening hours is because we have been approached by an established company to take over The Nelson Inn and has made us an offer we can’t refuse.

“We believe they will continue with the values and beliefs we have founded into bringing The Nelson Inn back to its former glory.

“We’ve tried to put our very best energy and effort into creating a family friendly pub with good home cooked food. We are hopeful we have created a stepping stone for something special.”

The post thanked customers for their support, adding:

“Hopefully we can see everyone before we close the doors, we will be updating with more information as soon as we know our final date.”

Read more:

• Plan resubmitted to convert Sharow pub into house
• Have missing Killinghall peacocks been secretly killed?

There are fears that about 10 peacocks have been secretly killed in Killinghall.

A muster of peacocks has roamed the village for years. But the number exploded last year to as many as 16, upsetting some residents with their loud screeching and damage to gardens.

There were calls for the peacocks to be rehomed — but it seems someone may have taken matters into their own hands.

Killinghall Parish Council said in a statement on social media yesterday it was “made aware that there are concerns regarding our resident peacocks”.

It added:

“There have been sightings of only four of the birds and people are speculating as to what has become of the rest.

“If action was taken to remove any of the peacocks, the parish council is unaware of this and certainly had no involvement.”

Parish council unfairly blamed

Last year, after receiving complaints about peacock anti-social behaviour, the parish council had suggested working with residents to address the problem.

It floated the idea of rehoming and even looked into the possibility of neutering — an idea that was dropped as impractical.

Read more:

• Some Kilinghall peacocks could be re-homed
• Councillor fails in bid to rehome Peter the Peacock on his farm

The parish council said yesterday it hadn’t received any further communication from residents since last year.

Nevertheless, its attempts to respond to concerns.have led to some unfair speculation on social media that it was responsible for the missing birds — something it has been keen to clarify that it wasn’t.

Speculation is now rife about the fate of the peacocks, with some suspecting a disgruntled villager may be responsible.

There are also fears for the safety of the remaining birds, which tend to roost in a large tree in the new development at the back of Cautley Drive.

Some residents in nearby Bilton were upset last year when its resident peacock, Peter, was rehomed by the RSPCA animal charity after concerns for his welfare. He is believed to be in Lancashire.

A fire officer saved a tiny kitten when it got stuck inside a recliner chair in Killinghall.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call to help the animal after it somehow became trapped in the chair.

Paul Metheringham, station manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said a single person was dispatched in a car to help the feline.

Using small tools, the rescuer was able to help the kitten escape unharmed.

The incident happened at about 7pm on Tuesday. No further details are available.

The fire service’s incident log said:

“A fire service officer rescued a tiny kitten that had got stuck inside a recliner chair. The kitten was rescued and had no injuries.”

Read more:

• Police appeal after dogs chase sheep near Beckwithshaw
• Sneak Peek: Paradise arrives in Killinghall

Traffic is reportedly queuing in Killinghall this morning due to the temporary lights outside of the new Tesco store in the centre of town.

Yorkshire Water is responsible for the works. It says they will be in place until the end of today.

Delays are currently around six minutes on Ripon Road, A61.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Killinghall, the large village near Harrogate with little to offer visitors, is having a moment.

A Tesco Express opened today on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub on Ripon Road. Tomorrow, an 80-seat cafe offering food cooked by a Michelin-starred chef will open a short stroll down the road at Daleside Nurseries.

On April 8, the Old Spring Well at the other end of the village will re-open as The Curious Cow of Harrogate, promising a high-end dining experience.

Finally it seems people may have a reason to visit Killinghall other than to view new houses.

Large plants grown in hothouses are a prominent design feature.

Plants to buy and eat

The creation of Paradise Cafe has particularly caught the imagination because it fuses two successful local businesses on one site.

Daleside Nurseries has been operating in the village since 1958; Frances Atkins, Roger Olive and John Tullett forged a formidable reputation for food 20 years ago at the Yorke Arms at Ramsgill, where Ms Atkins became the first British female chef to win a Michelin star in 2003.

For 18 months the trio operated out of a van in the Daleside car park, which seemed as incongruous as seeing Ronaldo having a kickabout on The Stray.

But finally the long-planned 80-seat cafe is ready to welcome its first customers.

Situated at the rear of the nursery, the cafe has a light and airy modern feel, with large plants grown in hothouses liberally dotted around. The plants, like the art on the walls, are for sale.

The chef’s table at Paradise Cafe.

The cafe will open from 9am to 5pm six days a week and on Friday evenings.

An outdoor area overlooking the lake outside the café is due to open later this year, catering for another 80 people.

Main courses from £14 to £20

On arrival, diners are able to sit at the chef’s table directly opposite the kitchen and watch the food being prepared.

As for the menu, it includes several small plates for starters, main courses, sandwiches made with home-made bread, pastries and pudding.

Main courses include limed and ginger seared scallops, Swiss potato cake, artichoke and apple for £14, crispy duck pancake, crunchy greens and red orange gel for £15 and dry-aged Yorkshire beef steak, baked stuffed garlic potato, crisp leaf and aubergine relish for £20.

A scallops dish

Ms Atkins says the menu will change frequently but the idea is to combine plant-based food with produce from local farmers. Local cheeses will be sold at a later date.

“This is what we perceive as being healthy food, full of flavour, made with great ingredients.

“We want people to be relaxed. It’s not about how great we are. It’s about how great the food is.”

Chefs Frances Atkins and Roger Olive in the kitchen.

Stuart Townsend, managing director of Daleside, said this was the biggest improvement in Daleside’s 64-year history.

“It broadens our offering. I love growing good quality plants and Frances and her team enjoy serving good quality food so it seems the perfect fit.

“People expect more from nurseries and garden centres these days. We want to grow top quality plants and we want to sell top quality food.”

The new Tesco Express in Killinghall will open on Friday.

The shop is located on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub on Ripon Road in the heart of the village.

Tesco confirmed the news today, saying the new store will provide 15 jobs and be “an exciting new addition for the community”.

It will open for the first time at 8am on Friday and then be open from 7am to 11pm every day.

The Three Horseshoes in Killinghall before it was destroyed.

Store manager Matthew Gilbert said:

“We are extremely excited to be opening our Killinghall Express store and helping to serve the local community at this difficult time.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and we have been working hard to introduce the social distancing measures designed to keep everyone safe, whilst still offering the local community brilliant service, a broad range of products including fresh food and food to go, and we look forward to welcoming our first customers.

“We have new colleagues joining the team at the store who are from the local area and that local knowledge and experience will be so important as we look to build connections and play our part in the community.”

Read more:

• Tesco moves forward with plans on Killinghall pub site
• Nearly 200 sign petition supporting new Harrogate Tesco

A statement by Tesco said the shop will give community grants and contribute to local food banks.

Any local groups that would like to apply for grants can do so here.

Tesco has submitted a planning application to open a large store a mile away on the site of the former gas works at New Park.

A Harrogate-based Christian charity, which has reached its 10-year anniversary, has helped over 100 people on their journey following addiction.

Horizon Life Training offers a 12-month rehabilitation programme for people who have previously completed nine months of rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol.

The programme gives people a home whilst providing other forms of support they need to gain life skills training through education and work-based placements to live independent, drug-free lives.

The charity works closely with Teen Challenge Leeds, another charity working to help people with addictions.

A decade ago Teen Challenge found many men and women were returning to old habits after going into rehab so the idea for a training and residential centre to help them stay drug-free was born.

Horizon Life Training runs two centres: Kennel Hall Farm for men, just outside of Killinghall, and Bramall House for women, near Menwith Hill.

Kennel Hall Farm and Bramall House

More than 100 men have completed the programme, with 75% of them now living free from addiction independently and with jobs.

The women’s house opened in 2019 and has since supported eight women successfully.

Centre manager Bernie Francies said:

“We are passionate to see broken lives transformed, everyone has a back story, no one is beyond repair and everyone is born with a divine purpose.

“Our role as staff is to awaken potential, dreams, aspirations through the love of god and by providing a safe place to renew confidence and strength following addiction.”

Centre manager Bernie Francies

The charity is always looking for more local businesses to work alongside to provide employment opportunities.

The residents work on a voluntary basis but some have gone on to gain full-time employment.

Ms Francies added:

“We have the privilege of walking alongside our residents for 12 months as they re-discover their identity and upskill their CVs to equip and prepare them for successful moves back into the community, social inclusion and future employment.

“We encourage all local businesses, charities and agencies to partner with us to see a life restored back into work whilst also adding value to their team.”

Read more:

• Harrogate charity chief executive Frances Elliot receives MBE
• Harrogate charity furnishes homes for domestic abuse survivors

Horizon Life Training also works with local churches to offer residents additional support.

To apply for the programme or find out how you can support the charity, click here.