Repairs on collapsed Kirkby Malzeard wall set to start on MondayA senior Harrogate Borough Council officer has tried to allay concerns that a church wall in Kirkby Malzeard could collapse again.
Jonathan Dunk, executive officer for strategic property and major projects, told councillors today that the “appropriate” action was being taken to repair and monitor the wall at St Andrew’s Church.
The works are finally set to start on Monday after a section of the wall collapsed during heavy rainfall in February 2020.
Speaking at a meeting today, Ripon Spa councillor Mike Chambers said he was concerned that other parts of the wall, which is opposite the village primary school, could give way.
Mr Dunk said:
“We have taken professional advice from Mason Clark – our structural engineers who are used to dealing with these types of listed assets.
“Our advice was that we needed to rebuild the section that collapsed and we are making appropriate repairs to another 15-metre section.
“We are then going to monitor another section that is in much better condition and is therefore at lower risk. We have got the right balance.”
Mr Dunk also said “time is of the essence” for the repairs, which will cost £491,670 and mean the collapsed wall is no longer blocking Church Street:
“The road has been closed for two years – it is causing inconvenience and we need to address that quickly.
“The longer the wall is left unprepared, then there is a risk of further collapse.”
The works will involve a five metre high section of wall being rebuilt, while steel rods will also be driven into the surface for reinforcement.
September completion date
September is the target completion date – and the council said the works could not have been completed before now because the use of lime mortar requires moderate temperatures during spring and summer.
It also said the project required “detailed surveys and an extensive project plan”, including feedback from Historic England.
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However, local councillors have accused the borough council of paying too much attention to Historic England and not listening to their concerns.
Speaking on Wednesday, councillor Jane Aksut, a member of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, said:
“All of the work has been delayed by interventions from Historic England, who have raised concerns about the ‘visual impact’ of pattress plates needed to restrain the bulging wall.
“We regret that Harrogate Borough Council paid more heed to the view of Historic England rather than to the parish council and residents, who argued that a swift and robust repair to keep the wall safe and the road open for the long term, is more important than how pretty the wall looks.”
33 homes set to be built in Kirkby MalzeardPlans have been approved to build 33 homes in Kirkby Malzeard.
Mulberry Homes Yorkshire submitted the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to construct the scheme off Back Lane in the village.
The development will see a mixture of one, two, three and four bedroom houses built at the site.
A total of 40% of the homes will be allocated for affordable housing.
In a letter to the council, Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council said it welcomed the reduction in homes for the site.
Initially, outline planning permission was granted for 37 homes.
Victoria Preston, clerk at the parish council, said:
“We note that the total number of units proposed is to be 33, rather than the maximum permitted under the outline consent of 37, and we feel that this is a useful reduction, given the concerns of residents in respect of the increased flow of traffic which the development will create through the village.”
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The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the scheme would respect the local area and its characteristics.
It said:
“The result of this design process is a proposed development of 33 dwellings, which would be delivered through a variety of house types that promote local distinctiveness.
“The development would be designed to respect the site location, the physical characteristics of the site and the positive architectural elements of existing development which contribute to its sense of place.”
Wall repair costs to Harrogate council double to nearly £500,000Harrogate Borough Council is set to spend almost double what it planned to repair a collapsed wall in Kirkby Malzeard.
The council is due to appoint construction firm Keir to repair and rebuild the wall at St Andrew’s Church, which collapsed due to heavy rain in February 2020.
Officials at the authority had initially earmarked £250,000 to fund the project, which was given planning approval in February this year.
However, a report due before the council’s urgency committee next week says the project will now cost £491,670.
Council officials said the cost reflected the “volatile nature of the construction market at the moment”.
Jonathan Dunk, executive officer for strategic property and major projects, said in his report:
“The work was not able to be contracted until the planning process was concluded and permissions put in place.
“Any further delay now would create the additional risk of further wall collapse and would mean that the work could not take place over the coming summer months.”
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The increased cost is set to be funded from the council’s investment reserves. If approved, work on the wall is scheduled to start this month and end in September.
The move to repair the wall comes after residents and parish councillors urged the council to end the “farce” of the church wall earlier this year.
Cllr Peter Saxon, of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, told the borough council’s planning committee in February:
“Kirkby Malzeard as a community is no stranger to controversial planning decisions. This is not one of them.
“Speaking as the parish council, we presented a unanimous view, as with every resident I have spoken to, to ask you to please, please end this farce.”
Archbishop of York presents long-service medal in Kirkby MalzeardThe Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, made a rare visit to St Andrew’s in Kirkby Malzeard to honour one of the church’s most loyal servants.
In what was the first visit by an archbishop to the church in living memory, he presented a specially-commissioned silver medal to Chris Slater.
Mr Slater retired from his unpaid role of parish sexton and verger at the church near Ripon last year.
The award was in recognition of his work over more than six decades, which included meticulously caring for the grounds at St Andrew’s while keeping the building’s fabric in good condition and the clock on time.
Chris Slater, wearing his silver medal for long-service, is pictured at St Andrew’s.
Mr Slater married his wife Mary at St Andrew’s 58 years ago and the church, where they and their daughter Susan were christened, has been supported by the family for decades.
Mr Slater, who is 81, told the Stray Ferret:
“This church has been my life for more than 60 years and I looked after it in the way I have looked after Mary and Susan, with care and devotion, taking great pride in everything I have done there.
“It was a surprise, when I heard that the archbishop was coming to Kirkby Malzeard and I was honoured to receive the long service medal from him.”
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As well as looking after the grounds and the fabric of the church, Mr Slater attended, without fail, funerals there while his wife and daughter prepared the church for wedding services.
An indication of his dedication to St Andrew’s came in 2003 when he raised £3,000 with the help of family and friends to pay for the installation of an electronic mechanism to wind the church tower clock and its chimes.
He said:
“Before then, I had to wind the clock twice a week – with hundreds of turns each time – one to keep the clock going and the other to set the chimes. It was hard work.”
The presentation of his medal was made as part of the Plough Sunday service at the church.
‘End this farce’: Kirkby Malzeard wall to finally be rebuiltHarrogate Borough Council has approved plans to repair and rebuild a church wall in Kirkby Malzeard that has been blocking the highway for nearly two years.
Residents and parish councillors urged the council at a planning meeting yesterday to end the “farce” of the St Andrew’s Church wall, which collapsed in February 2020 due to heavy rain.
The council will now rebuild the retaining wall and carry out stabilisation work to its other sections.
Cllr Peter Saxon, of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, told the borough council’s planning committee yesterday:
“Kirkby Malzeard as a community is no stranger to controversial planning decisions. This is not one of them.
“Speaking as the parish council, we presented a unanimous view, as with every resident I have spoken to, to ask you to please, please end this farce.
“It’s been almost two years to the day since this wall collapsed.”
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Cllr Saxon added that the road on Church Street is often busy with children as it is next to the primary school and it was therefore fortunate that the wall collapsed at night.
He added:
“It is very easy to imagine what would have happened. That road is normally full of children walking home.”
Risk of further collapse
Jonathan Dunk, executive officer for property and major projects at the borough council, told the meeting that there was still concern that the remaining wall could collapse.
He said:
“Our view is that it would be sensible to repair the wall as set out in the application at the same time as rebuilding the section that has collapsed. It is sensible to do that.
“Our view is that there remains a risk that the part of the wall that remains standing now could collapse in the future.
“If that were to happen it would cause a risk to public safety and may cause further road closure.”
Mr Dunk added that the council would look to start the works on the wall in the Easter holidays.
Double delay for Kirkby Malzeard road usersIt’s almost two years since a section of church wall collapsed in Kirkby Malzeard, raising safety concerns and causing the closure of one of the principal routes through the village.
The retaining wall at St Andrew’s Church collapsed after heavy rain in February 2020.
Harrogate Borough Council’s plans for reconstruction of the collapsed 10-metre section and refurbishment of a further 30 metres of wall have been revised following drawn-out consultation with villagers and statutory bodies including Historic England.
It means the road to Masham remains shut, with no date for its reopening currently known as Harrogate Borough Council is unable to say when the wall will be rebuilt. However, things could move forward next week.
A council spokesman said:
“An application relating to St Andrew’s Church Wall, Kirkby Malzeard will be considered by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday (15 February), the outcome of which will inform next steps, costs and timescales”.
Lynda English, whose children are pupils at Kirkby Malzeard Primary School, which is across the road from the damaged stone structure, told the Stray Ferret:
“Each time it rains, more debris falls from the graveyard onto Church Street and there are an increasing number of gaps between the stones on the section of wall that is due to be rebuilt.”
Church Street, where Kirkby Malzeard Primary School is located, has been closed to through traffic for almost two years
“Fencing has been put in place to block off the collapsed section but it still doesn’t feel safe to me and other families living in the Church Bank area, who have to pass each day, when taking children to school.
“The whole village is fed-up with the delay in fixing the wall but, at the same time, we want to ensure that a proper and lasting repair job is done.”
Creets Bridge traffic lights
In a further blow for motorists travelling to, from and through Kirkby Malzeard, traffic is being held up at the grade II listed Creets Bridge, which crosses Kex Beck, on the main road between the village and Ripon.
The centuries-old bridge was reconstructed by North Yorkshire County Council after suffering severe damage in the floods of November 2000.
Now traffic lights, cones and a concrete barrier have been put in place and only single file traffic can cross, as the route awaits new repair work,
At the time of publication the Stray Ferret was unable to establish from NYCC how long it will take to carry out the works.
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Kirkby Malzeard’s bells could ring again for Queen’s jubileeThe bells of St Andrew’s in Kirkby Malzeard, which have been silent for several years, could ring again this year to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Jonathan Couchman of Two Dales Bell Ringers, which is an informal group that encourages and promotes bell ringing in Wensleydale and Swaledale, said:
“St Andrew’s church has six beautiful bells but nobody to ring them so in liaison with the church, we would like to mark the jubilee by establishing a bell band there.”
Last year, the Wensleydale ringers held a course of short, interactive online presentations on bell ringing, which resulted in nine new recruits.
The activity does not require great strength and children as young as 10 are able to participate.
This spring, a second course is planned, with hands-on training in local towers, including St Andrew’s, and other church towers in Askrigg, Aysgarth, Grinton and Richmond.
Training will be interspersed with online presentations. Times and dates of sessions will be arranged in agreement with participants and the aim is to hold the first session in late February.
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“We invite everyone to join us, from those who have simply wondered about how the bells are rung through to those interested in whether bell ringing is for them.
“It is a team activity that keeps your brain active and your body agile. Some do it for the community of friends, some do it to contribute to church life, some to keep the glorious sound of bells alive, and some do it for the pure pleasure and feeling of wellbeing it brings.”
For more than 500 years church bells have resounded across Wensleydale and Swaledale, but for the first time since World War II, they fell silent because of social distancing requirements and covid lockdowns, which put bell ringing on hold.
Anybody wanting to find out more and how to participate, can email David Scrutton at wensleydaleringers@gmail.com.
Bid to convert Kirkby Malzeard pub at centre of long-running campaignThe acrimonious tug of war over the now-derelict former Henry Jenkins Inn in Kirkby Malzeard, has entered a new phase.
David Fielder, who owns the western portion of the building, has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council to convert it into a single dwelling.
The application, which will be considered by council planners later this year, was considered last night by Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council, which decided to adopt a neutral stance, by neither objecting to, nor supporting the proposal.
Mr Fielder, who attended the meeting, told the Stray Ferret:
“I’m happy with that decision, as it shows that the parish is not opposing the application and I hope that we can move on from here.
“Planning permission is already in place for the eastern annex of the building to be converted to residential use by my business associate Justin Claybourn and I believe it would make sense for HBC to approve my similar application and hopefully bring this saga to an end.”
One of Harrogate district’s oldest pubs
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.
In 2017 the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group successfully obtained an Asset of Community Value listing for the building.
However, in 2018, the listing on the eastern annex was removed by the council, when the property was sold to Mr Claybourn.
Since then, the campaign group has made three unsuccessful attempts to have the listing reinstated on the eastern portion of the building — which it said was crucial to its plans to reopen the Henry Jenkins as a community facility comprising a pub, bistro and coffee shop.
HJCP chair Richard Sadler said:
“Harrogate Borough Council quite rightly has rigorous policies to protect and enhance community facilities ‘unless it can be clearly demonstrated … there is no reasonable prospect of the existing use continuing on a viable basis with all options for continuance having been reasonably explored’.
“Well in this case there is every chance the Henry Jenkins Inn can be revived and refurbished as a community-owned pub and restaurant. More than 170 villagers have banded together and raised more than £230,000 in pledges and shares and we should now be in a strong position to qualify for another £230,000 in government match funding.”
Case for re-opening ‘stronger than ever’
Mr Sadler added that the case for regenerating the 250-year-old Henry Jenkins was stronger now than ever, with the pandemic leading to increased awareness of the importance of places for people to meet up and socialise.
“Here in Kirkby Malzeard, as elsewhere, we have more people working from home, many more new houses are planned and there’s an urgent need for a broader range of facilities.
“A revitalised Henry Jenkins would boost the local economy – providing jobs, encouraging people to go out more in the village and attracting more visitors to the area.
“We already have one pub – the Queen’s Head – but this is one of the largest villages in the area and all the evidence suggests there is room for a different type of pub serving a different clientele.
“We trust that our elected representatives will do the right thing by sticking to their policies and putting the long-term interests of the wider community above those of a private developer looking to make a quick profit.”
Fears that 15 cockerels have been shot on moors near RiponStray cockerels cared for by volunteers on moors near Ripon have gone missing amid fears they have been killed and fed to dogs or ferrets.
Animal lover John Richmond, a former mayor of Ripon, and eight volunteers set up a daily rota to tend to up to 30 abandoned birds.
But last week only 15 could be found at ‘Cockerel Corner’ between Kirkby Malzeard and Dallowgill, where they normally gather to be fed.
Following a thorough search of the moorland undergrowth, one of the birds was found dead with a pellet hole in its chest.
Mr Richmond told the Stray Ferret:
“I believe that the birds, who have become very tame and trusting, came out expecting to be fed and half of them were shot by a person or persons with air rifles and the carcasses taken off in a vehicle to be fed to dogs or ferrets. I have reported this to North Yorkshire Police.
“In the meantime the team of volunteers, who come from Harrogate, Ilkley, Knaresborough and Masham are determined to keep feeding the remaining hungry cockerels, though it is proving difficult to get the birds to come out of the undergrowth at feeding time.
“The birds clearly remain traumatised by what they have experienced and we are at a complete loss to understand why anybody would do this to harmless creatures.”
The former mayor, who was awarded the British Empire Medal last year for services to the community, took over feeding the cockerels when his cousin Ken Ellis became too poorly to continue the daily task.
Mr Ellis died in July and since then a growing number of volunteers have been assisting Mr Richmond in looking after the birds.
Mr Richmond, who is 86, added:
“I am still looking for more volunteers who can help out with looking after the cockerels and if they want to know more, they can contact me on 01765 607 096.”
Drink-driver who crashed in Harrogate district was six times over limitPolice officers who arrested a man in a village near Ripon after a crash found that he was almost six times over the legal limit for alcohol.
North Yorkshire Police said today the man was so drunk he could barely speak and had to be physically held up.
Officers responded to reports of a two-car collision in Kirkby Malzeard at around 9.30pm on New Year’s Eve.
Nobody was injured but police said in a statement that one of the drivers was “clearly” under the influence of alcohol.
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When tested, the unnamed man’s breath sample contained 208 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms so he was almost six times over.
A statement from the officer at the scene said:
“He appeared so intoxicated he could barely speak, never mind drive a vehicle, and had to be physically held up as he was unable to stand by himself.
“The man was arrested and upon arriving in police custody he provided a further positive evidential sample of breath before being charged for drink driving.
“Mercifully the collision was a minor one with no injuries but this has clearly been a very lucky escape for everyone involved.
“Despite the clear dangers of drink driving there are still individuals who continue to do so. Not only do they pose a danger to themselves, but they put the lives of many others at risk too. It is nothing short of stupidity.”
The man has been released on bail to appear at court later this month.
North Yorkshire Police has urged anyone who suspects someone of drink driving to call 999.