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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Government rejects yurts plan for Kirkby MalzeardThe government has refused plans to build three yurts in Kirkby Malzeard.
The proposal would have seen the yurts created on Back Lane North, to the west of Pipistrelle Barn, in a field previously used for grazing sheep.
The application was submitted by Frederick Atkinson to create the yurts, each on raised decking and with its own hot tub along with a ‘services area’ of toilet, sink and shower in a wooden hut.
Harrogate Borough Council turned down the proposal in September.
The authority said the plan would have “an adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the Nidderdale Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty”.
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Mr Atkinson argued that the plan would help to create a “peaceful, low impact and eco-friendly retreat” and took the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.
But Adrian Caines, a government planning inspector, rejected the challenge.
He said the plan would give rise to “significant conflict” with the council’s development plan, in particular the area of outstanding natural beauty.
Mr Caines said:
“The proposal would give rise to significant conflict with the contents of the development plan relating to the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB, and in relation to the living conditions of neighbouring residents.”
Government rejects bid to convert Kirkby Malzeard pub into houseThe government has rejected plans to convert a Kirkby Malzeard pub into a home.
David Fielder, who owns the former Henry Jenkins pub, challenged a Harrogate Borough Council decision to refuse the plan back in May last year.
The authority said “insufficient marketing” had been carried out to demonstrate that “in the absence of any use as a public house there is no alternative community use for which the property may be suitable”.
Mr Fielder challenged the decision and appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
However, a government planning inspector has dismissed the appeal and ruled in favour of the council.
David Wyborn, who oversaw the appeal, said in a decision notice that he felt all options for the pub had not been “fully explored”.
He said:
“Overall, while there are some concerns with the details for the community pub project which I have highlighted above, I consider that the plans of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub to open a community pub have a reasonable prospect of succeeding and being viable.
“There can be no certainty on this matter at this stage and I understand the objections and criticisms from the appellant who has wide experience on these matters. Nevertheless, in particular, in the absence of an independent valuation to assist with an offer and potential purchase, and with the information, analysis and comments I have examined above, I do not consider that the policy requirements in criterion C of Policy HP8 of the Local Plan have been met.
“Specifically, it has not been clearly demonstrated that there is no reasonable prospect of the existing public house use continuing on a viable basis and all options for continuing that use have not been fully explored.”
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The move is the latest turn in the ongoing saga over the pub and efforts from local campaigners to bring it back into community use.
The Henry Jenkins, which is named after a man that legend states lived to be 169-years-old, is one of the oldest inns in the Harrogate district. It closed in 2011.
Richard Sadler, chair of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group, said:
“We’re pleased that the inspector has taken the right decision and recognised that we are a genuine and credible community group- and that we should be given the chance to breathe new life into this much-loved local asset.
“We believe a revived Henry Jenkins could boost to our local economy, attract more visitors and transform the whole feel and atmosphere of the village.
“Harrogate council rightly has policies to protect facilities in rural areas and with our village expanding fast, the need for a wider range of services is greater than ever.”
Village to stage first Kirkby Live event on SaturdayThe first in a new series of live music in Kirkby Malzeard will take place on Saturday evening.
The Kirkby Live initiative aims to boost the village economy as well as increase community spirit.
This weekend’s opening event at the Mechanics Institute sees York-based Hyde Family Jam, who put their own spin on popular hits remixed as ‘folk gone wrong’, take centre stage.
Volunteer and Kirkby parish councillor Jane Aksut, who is organising the event with fellow councillor and volunteer Richard Hughes, said:
“The aim is to build Kirkby Malzeard’s sense of ‘place’ as somewhere people want to live, work, play and invest.
“Kirkby Live is a new part of this relentless drive to make our area a destination and to draw in visitors from outside to support and invest in local business.
“This new venture sees live music hitting Kirkby Malzeard in 2023 with the aim of improving community spirit in this rural area and also benefitting local businesses and community organisations.”
As part of the objective to attract people from the wider area into the village on Saturday, a coach from Ripon has been arranged, enabling visitors to leave their cars at home and have a drink at the event.
It will leave the city’s bus station at 6.30 pm and will return to Ripon after the concert, leaving Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30 pm.
More information about booking tickets for the coach and the concert can be found by clicking here.
The Hyde Family Jam features vocals, guitar, accordion, violin and double bass. Cllr Hughes said:
“The band is showing their infectious enthusiasm also comes with a huge heart – they are making a great effort to support our rural area by agreeing to play in a much smaller venue than usual, and offering lots of time and advice to help our aim of making Kirkby Malzeard a music venue.”
He added:
“The Kirkby Malzeard Business and Community Group, which is supporting Kirkby Live, focuses on networking to bring together community cohesion and also to promote local businesses and services. This event is a brilliant example of networking, with local businesses, community groups and even the Hyde Family Jam themselves all benefitting from new contacts.”
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