Bid to list church near Ripon as asset of community value rejectedA parish council’s bid to have a village church designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been rejected by North Yorkshire Council.
Kirkby Malzeard Methodist Church – also known as Ebenezer Chapel – had been disused since 2022 and Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council applied to have it listed as an ACV in August.
It is currently listed for sale as a commercial property with a guide price of £180,000 by Skipton estate agent David Hill.
North Yorkshire Council made its assessment last week and decided to reject the nomination because the church “does not meet the definition of community value as detailed in the Localism Act 2011”.
It also recommended that the church, which is on the village’s Main Street, be placed on the North Yorkshire Council Assets of Community Value List of Unsuccessful Nominations.
Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council will next meet on Monday (October 30), when members are expected to discuss the matter.
Read more:
Fresh plan submitted to convert part of Kirkby Malzeard pub into housingA fresh planning application to convert part of a vacant Kirkby Malzeard pub has been submitted.
The Henry Jenkins Inn, near Ripon, has been at the centre of a long-standing battle between residents and developers over the years.
Now, developer Justin Claybourn, who already owns the eastern annexe of the site, wants to convert redundant outbuildings at the site into a holiday cottage.
The application, which was submitted in August by Jennifer Hubbard Town Planning Consultant, outlines the details of the proposed house – including one bedroom and one bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area.
Mr Claybourn also hopes to reduce the existing ten car parking spaces down to four, as well developing a garden and patio around the building.
Access to the building would be from Main Street via an existing pedestrian and vehicular access across land already owned by Mr Claybourn, it adds.
In a cover letter, the agent said the applicant and his family have “long standing connections with the area”.
A decision has not been made about the application yet, but it has proved unpopular with local residents.
One resident commented on the application:
“This application appears to be one of a series of planning applications by the owner in an attempt to split up the original pub property and obtain residential planning permission by steadily reducing any chance that the original pub, can be bought & run successfully.
“The village needs affordable housing rather than a holiday cottage for someone already living elsewhere.
“It is difficult enough for young people to rent & work in the village as it is; they hardly have a chance at buying properties.”
The proposed plans.
The Henry Jenkins Inn opened in the 1700s and closed in 2011.
The current owner David Fielder bought it the following year.
It was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017 as requested by local residents. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Claybourn.
Community grant
The objections to the application follow a £330,000 grant awarded to villagers campaigning to the save the former public house.
Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young, announced the resident-controlled company, Henry Jenkins Community Pub (HJCP), was successful in its application to receive the Community Ownership Fund in September.
Campaigners hope to buy and refurbish the building and transform it into a community-owned pub, bistro, and coffee shop.
However, the grant is understood to be dependent on a 20% match funding and will only be given to the HJCP providing they come up with £66,000.
The group has already made six purchase offers to Mr Fielder – all of which he has rejected.
In September, however, he told the Stray Ferret he would be “happy to sell for the right price”.
Mr Fielder bought his first pub in 1987 and now owns 18 across North and West Yorkshire.
His broad property portfolio also includes industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.
Read more:
Housing companies start work on 33-home Kirkby Malzeard schemeTwo North Yorkshire housing companies have announced a partnership which will see them build 33 homes at Kirby Malzeard, near Ripon.
It will see Brierley Homes, which is owned by North Yorkshire Council, and Broadacres Housing Association create a new development called Laverton Oaks.
Thirteen of the 33 houses will be classed as affordable.
Brierley Homes is delivering the scheme following an agreement to buy the land from Broadacres.
Work on the site is expected to be completed within two years.
Stuart Ede, managing director at Brierley Homes, said:
“This announcement is the result of 12 months of hard work and negotiations between ourselves and Broadacres on this and other schemes.
“It is an exciting partnership between two North Yorkshire companies that will deliver high-quality housing in areas of greatest need.”
Helen Fielding, director of development and investment at Broadacres, said:
“Working in partnership with Brierley Homes, we are pleased to be able to provide 13 much-needed affordable homes in this part of rural North Yorkshire.
“It’s important that we continue investing in even more affordable housing across the county, ensuring our rural communities remain sustainable for local people now and in the future.”
Read more:
Campaigners toast £330,000 grant to relaunch village pubVillagers campaigning to save an old inn have been awarded a £330,000 government grant to help them buy and refurbish it as a community-owned pub, bistro and coffee shop.
Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young announced the Community Ownership Fund grant this week for the Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, which has been the subject of a long battle by local residents to save it from redevelopment.
The application for the funding was submitted by Andy Taylor, treasurer of Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd (HJCP), the resident-controlled company trying to buy the pub. He said:
“We burned the midnight oil to get our Community Ownership Fund application in shape and I’m enormously proud that we’ve been selected for grant approval.
“There is a lot to do, including raising the funds pledged by our membership, but this vote of confidence from the government will get some real impetus behind the campaign to restore the Henry Jenkins as a much-loved community asset in the village.”
The £330,000 grant is understood to be dependent on 20% match funding, meaning that HJCP needs to come up with £66,000 in order to access it.
The chair of HJCP, Richard Sadler, said:
“We’re delighted that the minister and the Community Ownership Fund team have recognised that we’ve put forward a realistic and properly costed business plan for the purchase and refurbishment of this important local asset. Together with more than £200,000 worth of pledged community shares from local people, this puts us in a strong position to do something exceptional.
“We’re convinced that the revival of this historic building as a community-owned facility can make a huge difference to our village by creating an exciting new social space, bringing people together and helping to kick-start the regeneration of the local economy.”
Read more:
The Henry Jenkins opened in the 1700s but closed in 2011 and was bought by current owner David Fielder the following year. At the instigation of local residents, it was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Fielder’s business associate, Justin Claybourn.
Since then, the owners and campaigners have been at loggerheads, with Mr Fielder rejecting six purchase offers from the HJCP group and refusing permission for a site survey. Mr Claybourn once even told HJCP that he would not sell to them “at any time or any price”.
Happy to sell
But Mr Fielder told the Stray Ferret today he’d be willing to sell the pub immediately, for the right price. He said:
“I’d be happy to sell. It’s up to them to call in the pledges, and then we’ll sell – for either £250,000 for the pub or £500,000 for the whole site including the house next door.
“It’s stood empty since 2012, so it’d be nice to see it put to proper use.”
Mr Sadler would not be drawn on how much HJCP would be willing to pay, but said:
“We remain open to discussions with Mr Fielder, but we won’t entertain the idea of buying at above market price, and we insist on being able to have a survey and structural assessment carried out before negotiations begin, so that we can calculate exactly what the refurbishment costs would be.
“The owner has allowed the pub to fall into a dilapidated state, he’s stripped out the interior, the roof has started to fall in, and the beer garden is completely overgrown. Through our local ward councillor, we have begun preliminary discussions with North Yorkshire Council over a proposed compulsory purchase order to break the deadlock and secure the Henry Jenkins for future generations.
“We would like to make clear that we still regard compulsory purchase as a last resort. We are always open to discussions with the owner over purchase of the site but we will only pay a fair market price and so would need his permission for a proper valuation and structural survey.”
The Mechanics Institute in Kirkby Malzeard
The Queen’s Head is also in the village.
Mr Fielder, who lives near Selby, bought his first pub in 1987 and has since amassed a broad property portfolio, which includes 18 pubs across North and West Yorkshire, industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.
Despite being prepared to sell the Henry Jenkins, he said he feared what impact its refurbishment might have on other local businesses. He said:
“God knows what effect it’ll have on the Queens Head and the Mechanics’ Institute. There’s no way a village like Kirkby Malzeard can sustain three licensed premises plus an off-licence. That’s a fact, and I’ll be proved right.
“There’s a lot of people struggling at the moment, so I think they might have difficulties collecting all the pledges. But that’s their problem, not mine.
“If they can come up with the money, that’d be fantastic, but if they can’t then there’s no story, I’m afraid.”
The Henry Jenkins is named after a Yorkshire supercentenarian from Ellerton-on-Swale – 20 miles north of Kirkby Malzeard – who was said to have been 169 years old when he died in 1670.
11-foot sunflower leaves rivals in the shade at Kirkby MalzeardA 350cm sunflower stood tall at the annual Kirkby Malzeard and District Flower and Produce Show on Saturday.
The sunflower, which is over 11 feet tall, was found to be the tallest in one of many categories judged at the show.
This year’s show, which was the 41st, featured a record breaking number of entries.
The judging included categories for vegetables and fruit, flowers and plants, flower arranging, arts and crasfts, photography, preserves, produce and record breakers.
There were also categories for children and funny shaped fruit and vegetables.
Here are some of the exhibits.
The event began as a marrow competition in the pub in 1982.
Committee member Heather Clark-Kelly said:
“All money raised goes towards being able to fund the following year’s show.
“Its so lovely to have an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate together and have a bit of fun.”
Read more:
Multiple fire crews called to barn blaze at Kirkby MalzeardCrews from four fire stations were called to Kirkby Malzeard last night to deal with a fire in a barn containing hay bales.
Firefighters from Ripon, Bedale, Lofthouse and a water bowser from Boroughbridge rushed to a farm at Ringbeck Road at 6.11pm.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:
“Crews worked to protect surrounding buildings and to extinguish the fire.
“The farmer assisted with a tractor in turning the bales over as crews battled with a changeable wind to extinguish the fire.
“The fire resulted in 100% damage to approximately 85 hay bales and also fire damage to the roof of the barn.”
Read more:
Kirkby Malzeard all set for its three-day big weekendKirkby Malzeard is set to host a three-day weekend of community activities, starting tomorrow.
The Big Weekend will include live music, a Black Sheep bar, street food and artisan stalls in the first event of its kind in the village.
Visitors can expect performances from Hyde Family Jam, Reeth Brass Band, Kirkby Tunes Folk Group, and many more over the Father’s Day weekend.
The event promises something for all ages, from the inaugural 11K Crackpots Run to a TikTok disco.
There will also be a scarecrow trail – with 32 scarecrows scattered around the village – as well as a parade, a farm and tractor fest and a dog show and scurry.
Nigel Robertshaw, a village resident overseeing the live music event, said:
“This is a first for the village and we know it will be something completely different.
“We are also running a Kirkby’s Got Talent session to allow local people the chance to perform on a live stage.”
During the live music on Saturday night, Manchega Tapas and Skellgill Burgers will be offering pop-up food, alongside the village’s own fish and chips. Tickets for the live music can be found here.
The Big Weekend will round off at the village pub, the Queens Head, with an all-ages karaoke and barbecue.
Any money raised from the weekend will be used to fund future community events, including the bonfire and youth projects.
Read more:
GALLERY: A weekend of Harrogate district celebrations fit for a kingA three-day weekend of celebrations and volunteering saw thousands of people mark the coronation of King Charles III in the Harrogate district.
Stray Ferret reporters were out and about every day capturing the fun and numerous activities taking place to commemorate the historic occasion.
Sunday’s glorious weather attracted a huge turnout to Knaresborough Castle for Party in the Castle.
Sunday Party in the Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography
People getting into the swing of the coronation concert at Knaresborough Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography
Knaresborough Castle was lit up for the occasion. Pic: Mike Whorley Photography
The royal city of Ripon once again proved it is the little city that knows how to stage a big party as live music filled Market Place on Saturday and Sunday nights, culminating in fireworks to the sounds of a Queen tribute band.
Ripon Cathedral also provided a focus for official events marking the coronation.
Jo Ropner, Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and Dean John Dobson at Sunday’s coronation commemorative service at Ripon Cathedral
Mr and Mrs Alex Petherbridge and their daughters Tabitha, Silvia and Claudia arrive to watch Ripon cathedral’s livestream of the coronation.
Carr Close in Ripon enjoyed the best of the weather when it staged a street party on Sunday.
Fireworks in Ripon Market Place rounded off Sunday’s activities.
In Harrogate, a big screen in Valley Gardens broadcast the coronation live. Many community groups staged events in villages nearby and also organised volunteering activities yesterday as part of the Big Help Out national initiative.
Watching the coronation in Valley Gardens
Oatlands Community Centre’s coronation gathering
Community Fit’s Anna Gazier (left) and Lisa Tilburn, who work with HADCA, litter picking in Valley Gardens.
Three generations of bell-ringers took part in Saturday’s coronation service at St Wilfrid’s. Pictured are Sally McDonagh, mum Shirley and daughter Bethany, 11.
Sixteen thousand plants were woven together to create the royal cypher on Montpellier Hill.
The sun shone in Masham for its parade of floats on Sunday and nearby Kirkby Malzeard had a lunch party.
One of the Masham floats
Masham Market Square on Sunday
Flying the Union flag in Kirkby Malzeard
Read more:
Kirkby Malzeard to hold three-day village galaKirkby Malzeard is to revive its village gala over three days in June.
Now known as The Big Weekend, it will include street food, stalls, a bar and an 11k run as well as children’s activities.
Details of the event, which will be held from June 16 to 18, were unveiled this week at a launch event that included Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who was recently elected to represent Masham and Fountains on North Yorkshire Council.
Pippa Manson, chairman of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, said:
“For many years we had a gala with a parade and all the trimmings but this gradually faded.
“However, in recent years we have put on amazing events to support the Tour de Yorkshire and last year a four-day extravaganza over the jubilee. Attendance was very high so we know people support and enjoy these village festivities”.
The playing field activities will include an 11k crackpot run, a mini mosaic walk and children’s disco.
There will also be a youth arts festival, a parade, a scarecrow trail and a dog show and scurry.
Read more:
The Big Weekend will round off at the village pub, The Queen’s Head, with an all-age karaoke and barbecue.
Ms Manson said:
“This is the first time we will be holding such an ambitious event and opening it up to the area. The more the success, the more the community benefits.”
Profits from the weekend will be used to host other activities, such as the bonfire and youth projects.
Photo shows: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, parish council chair Pippa Manson, parish councillor Richard Hughes and Big Weekend committee members.
Kirkby Malzeard road reopens after three-year closure
A road linking Kirkby Malzeard and Masham has reopened three years after a collapsed section of wall caused its closure.
The reopening follows repair, reconstruction and reinforcement works costing almost £500,000 at the parish church of St Andrew in Kirkby Malzeard.
After heavy overnight rain in February 2020, part of the stone retaining wall for the churchyard fell onto Church Street, making it impassable.
The road, which runs past St Andrew’s and is part of a route from the village to Masham, remained closed up until last Thursday.
The reconstructed section of wall
Harrogate Borough Council initially earmarked £250,000 to fund the project, which was given planning approval in February 2022.
However, the final bill for the work was almost double that amount at £491,670 after council officials said the cost reflected the “volatile nature of the construction market at the moment”.
The increased cost is being funded from the council’s investment reserves.
A report to the council urgency committee in May said:
“The work was not able to be contracted until the planning process was concluded and permissions put in place.”
The repair works which followed came after residents and parish councillors frustrated by the delays, urged the council to end the “farce” of the church wall.
Read more: