This article is sponsored by Craven-Holmes.

Boroughbridge estate agents Craven-Holmes has been named a finalist in one of the most prestigious awards in the UK property industry.

The independent family-run business is one of 38 agencies shortlisted in the Small Estate Agency of the Year category at The Negotiator Awards 2022.

The winner will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on Friday, November 25.

Owner Tracey Wrigglesworth, who bought the agency in 2018, said it was a huge honour to be nominated.

She said:

“The Negotiator Awards are like the Oscars of the industry. Just to be shortlisted is massive.

“The criteria is incredibly tough. You have got to prove your worth.

“When I got the email to say I’d been shortlisted, I’m surprised you couldn’t hear me screaming in Harrogate!”

Tracey, who has more than 20 years experience in the local property market, runs the business with her daughter Mahalah Mulholland. Her friend Pauline Wardman also works at the agency and her son also gets involved when needed.

The sales, lettings and property agency works across the region in the Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Bedale and Wetherby areas.

Tracey and her team have all lived and worked in the area for many years and therefore have an in-depth knowledge of the local market.

Tracey said:

“We pride ourselves on our relationships and our customer service, as well as trust and integrity. We are really proud of what we do.

“We are an independent on Boroughbridge High Street and we are very much a supporter of the local community.

“I’m so proud of what we have achieved. The support that I’ve had has just been lovely with continued repeat business and recommendations.”

Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or letting, Tracey and her team are ready to help. Get in touch by emailing sales@craven-holmes.co.uk or lettings@craven-holmes.co.uk

For more information, visit www.craven-holmes.co.uk

The steel frame for the new leisure and wellness centre on King James Road in Knaresborough is starting to take shape.

The centre, which is due to open at the end of next summer, will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, spin studio, café, electric car charging points and cycle storage.

It is being built next to the current leisure centre, which will stay open until the new facility is ready.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is funding the project,  previously said this will be in July next year.

Once it opens, the existing pool will be demolished and replaced by a new play area, which is due to take a further 15 weeks.

The council has appointed Bristol-based firm Alliance Leisure to carry out construction work.

Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said in a statement today:

“This new facility for Knaresborough will be a fantastic asset for the town and shows our commitment to investing in leisure provision across the district.”

Councillors Stanley Lumley (left) and Phil Ireland

Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability and borough councillor for the Knaresborough Aspin and Calcutt ward, said the centre would be “a brilliant addition for the town of Knaresborough”, adding:

“What is also so important is the fact it will be built to BREEAM standard of ‘Excellent’, ensuring that is as energy-efficient as possible to help us achieve our net-zero emissions target.”

The BREEAM standard is based on an assessment of the building’s sustainability and energy performance.

Councillors Phil Ireland and Stanley Lumley with project manager Julian Donnelly.

Civic society view

The centre will be powered by air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.

Andy Grinter, secretary of Knaresborough Civic Society, said it was pleased the centre was not going to be run on gas.

Speaking after a recent civic society visit to the site, Mr Grinter said it was also heartened to hear the council planned to appoint local caterers.

He aded:

“We were disappointed by some aspects of the planning process; in particular the lack of interaction by Harrogate council officers, who appear to have taken decisions without any consultation with residents eg the design of the new play area, which has it seems already been designed, bought and paid for.”

He said senior manager “gave us reassurances that it is on time and on budget” but the society was surprised to discover the centre is only expected to have a shelf life of 25 to 30 years.

Mr Grinter also said the society remained unconvinced there was a need for a new centre and was disappointed by the modern design, close to Knaresborough conservation area. He said:

“I don’t think we will ever be happy about the look of it.”

Main photo shows Councillors Stanley Lumley and Phil Ireland, Alliance Leisure business development manager Sean Nolan and ISG project manager Julian Donnelly.

Read more:

• Building society opens new branch in Knaresborough Library
• Pictures show progress of £28m Harrogate Hydro and Knaresborough Leisure Centre works

The owner of Knaresborough’s Dower House has said it is finalising the appointment of a contractor.

The hotel closed this year for refurbishment after the hotel was acquired by the Inn Collection Group in December last year.

The decision to permanently close the hotel gym and spa as part of the changes upset some members.

A former member Michael Ward contacted the Stray Ferret last week to say he was concerned by the lack of activity at the site in recent months. The Stray Ferret asked the owner for an update.

“Planning permissions have been received and listed building consents are now in place.

“We are now in the process of finalising a contractor appointment ahead of refurbishment works getting underway.”

The spokesman described the renovations as “complex” but said they would “enhance the Dower House’s environment, improve accessibility, and align the site with our food-driven pubs with rooms offer”.

However, he was unable to say when the venue will reopen.

Gym and spa replaced by 16 bedrooms

The works will see an extension to the rear of the Dower House and will include a portico entrance, the installation of an accessible ramp, pergolas, a retaining wall and a keg store.

The renovation will also include the replacement of roof coverings, repairs to brickwork, the creation of a footpath and parking, and the installation of an extract flue.

The spokesman added:

“Once complete, the works will see 16 additional bedrooms created in the space previously occupied by the gym and spa.

“In the public report provided as part of the process, it was noted that ‘the overall the development will preserve the setting of the listed building’.”

Read more:

• Knaresborough’s Dower House accelerates closure of spa and gym
• Knaresborough man jailed for ‘punishment beating’ of ex-partner

Mother Shipton’s Cave is set to open late for the first time as part of Halloween celebrations.

The Knaresborough attraction is hosting a Hocus Pocus themed event, which includes wicked witches, a wacky wizard and a spooky woodland.

To conclude the Halloween celebrations, Mother Shipton’s will be open until 8.30pm tonight.

The last admission will be at 7pm.

A spokesperson for Mother Shipton’s Cave said:

“The team at Mother Shipton’s have decided to conclude their event with a late night opening on Halloween – visitors will have the chance to see the spooky woodland lit up after dark and cast spells with the witches and wizard on All Hallows’ Eve itself.

“So if you’re looking for a safe and family-friendly alternative to ‘Trick or Treating’ tomorrow, this Halloween adventure could be the perfect way to celebrate.”

Tickets for the Halloween event can be booked online here at the Mother Shipton’s website.

Read more:

• Spooky castles, pumpkins and haunted houses: Halloween fun in the district
• Ripon pumped up on pumpkins for Halloween half-term
• Hairdresser’s spooktacular display wins Knaresborough Halloween contest

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In October, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister after just 44 days. As a result, another Conservative leadership contest was held with Rishi Sunak beating Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson to enter 10 Downing Street.

The government also U-turned on most of its planned tax cuts amid mounting pressure from MPs and financial markets.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found out on Mr Jones:

• Mr Jones backed Rishi Sunak to be leader of the Conservative party. He said the former Chancellor “has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country”.
• On October 19, Mr Jones voted with the government on an opposition motion to introduce a bill to ban fracking in the UK. The vote proved controversial amid allegations of Conservative whips being aggressive with MPs in the voting lobby.
• Mr Jones announced he was launching a “non-political” fact checking service. He said his videos on Instagram will be ‘an occasional series where we just present facts — no politics’. His first video was on investment zones.
• In the second of his Instagram videos on October 21, Mr Jones denied he had voted in favour of fracking following the controversial vote in the House of Commons.
• On October 17, Mr Jones spoke in the House of Commons on investment zones where he said it was “far from the case” that the measure would harm the environment.
• On October 13, Mr Jones called for a debate on designated bathing areas in rivers. It came amid a campaign by Nidd Catchment Anglers Group to create designated areas on the River Nidd.
• On October 24, Mr Jones asked transport minister Kevin Foster MP to consider the role of the private sector in rail reform and to make York the headquarters of Great British Railways.
• On October 27, Mr Jones supported a Dogs Trust campaign to end puppy smuggling.

Read More:

• Consultation launched over £540m North Yorkshire devolution deal
• Levelling up council tax charges over two years is ‘best compromise’

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• Mr Smith also threw his support behind Richmond MP, Rishi Sunak, to become the next Prime Minister.
• On October 11, Mr Smith asked ministers to confirm that they would not “balance the forthcoming tax cuts on the backs of the poorest”.
• Mr Smith was a critic of the government’s plan to cut taxes earlier this month. On October 2, he tweeted that MPs “cannot clap for carers one month and cut tax for millionaires months later”.
• He later welcomed the government’s decision to backtrack on most of its tax cut pledges.
• He voted along with the government on the controversial fracking vote on October 19.
• On October 25, an article on Bloomberg said ‘dark arts specialist’ Mr Smith could be in line for a role in Mr Sunak’s government. As yet, nothing has transpired.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

• Mr Adams, who is a close ally of Boris Johnson, backed the former Prime Minister in the Conservative leadership contest.
• Mr Adams has kept a low profile since Mr Johnson stepped down as Prime Minister. He made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in October and only voted on two occasions.
• On October 18, Mr Adams tweeted his support for the Foreign Secretary’s decision to summon the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires to demand an explanation for scenes outside the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester.

A transport leader has branded the performance of trains by the Harrogate line operator as “dire”.

Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, today called on the government to urgently intervene to help end the current “unacceptable” levels of performance on the rail network in the north of England.

His comments come after new figures showed more than a third of Northern trains fail to run on time. Northern operates the Harrogate and Knaresborough line between Leeds and York.

In mid-summer, only 62% of Northern trains arrived on time. The figure increased marginally to 64% for the period from August 21 to September 17.

A press release by Transport for the North, which is a partnership of public and private sector representatives campaigning for better transport infrastructure in northern England, said services by Northern and other rail operators in the north “have been of a poor quality for far too long now”.

Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, said:

“The current situation on the north’s rail network is simply unacceptable.

“It’s completely inexcusable that communities in the north of England are having to experience such a dire level of service. It requires an urgent intervention as it’s undermining businesses and holding back economic growth.”

He added “far too many trains” were being cancelled and “too many are cancelled at short notice causing chaos for commuters and local communities”.

Read more:

• Rail strikes to cause six days of Harrogate district disruption
• Boy, 16, caught with 110 wraps of heroin and cocaine in Harrogate’s Library Gardens

Lord McLoughlin, who is a Conservative peer, added:

“We want to see the operators given the freedom to negotiate a solution to Rest Day Working by themselves, and for a rail academy for the north to be fast-tracked, and for current devolved structures, such as the Rail North Partnership Board, to be strengthened and play a bigger role working with our partners across the north.”

The Stray Ferret asked Northern if it wanted to respond to Lord McLoughlin’s comments but we did not receive a response.

Here is this morning’s update on traffic and travel across the Harrogate district.

Spotted anything else? Email us the details and we’ll add it below to help others get around this morning.

Harrogate

The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.

Motorists are still unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction and traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right but by next week the restrictions should have ended.

Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end today.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.

The top of Woodfield Road is also closed to traffic leaving Skipton Road, though open to vehicles leaving Woodfield onto Skipton Road. Those works are scheduled to end today.

Kingsley Drive remains closed between Birstwith Road and Rydal Road until November 6. There are also temporary traffic lights on Kingsley Road while work continues to create an access road to the new housing development.

Knaresborough

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

Kirkgate Road in central Knaresborough is closed today for works to the kerbs.

Several sets of two-way traffic lights are in place along the A6055 Boroughbridge Road between Knaresborough and Minskip.

Branton Lane in Great Ouseburn is closed until next Friday while Yorkshire Water lays a new main.

Ripon and Nidderdale

In Ripon, roadworks are due to conclude on Heckler Lane and New Road today.

Stumps Lane in Darley is closed for another week for a sewer to be connected.

Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge, the B6451 Dacre, Menwith Hill Road, Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.

Trains and buses

Rail operator Northern is not reporting any significant problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.09am Northern service to York is currently running seven minutes late.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations or significant delays on its services.  You can get updates here.

An early warning for you: there are some changes to bus timetables on the horizon, taking effect from Sunday, November 6. Most of these are minor, but in a more significant change, the 36 will no longer offer ‘neighbourhood journeys’ from Bilton and Jennyfield to Leeds.

The bus company said this is down to low passenger numbers. Passengers can still get tickets through to Leeds if they start their journeys on the 2A, 2B or 3.

Check the full details on the Harrogate Bus Company website.

Read more:

• Harrogate roadworks ‘paused’ until New Year
• Roadworks lead to long queues on A59 near Knaresborough

A father-of-three has been jailed for subjecting his partner to a vicious “punishment beating” in which she was dragged out of her home, thrown into his car and then driven to another address where she was yanked along the street.

Alan Bell, 47, erupted in a fit of drunken rage at the woman’s home in Knaresborough where he punched her repeatedly after discovering she had recently tried drugs, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Daniel Ingram said the couple, who had drunk three bottles of wine together, got into an argument on Christmas Day last year after the named victim told Bell she had recently taken cocaine because she had been feeling down.

Bell, who worked for Huttons Butchers in Castlegate, Knaresborough, reacted with fury and accused her of cheating on him with another man.

The victim started talking to this man on the phone, whereupon Bell “began hitting her, punched her on the head and dragged her off the settee onto the floor”.

He then threw a pair of Dr Martens boots at her, before dragging her outside to his van, telling her that if she wanted to see the man, he would drive her to his house. Mr Ingram said:

“She begged him to stop (but) he dragged her outside to the van and threw her into the passenger seat.

“He drove to the male’s address and dragged her out of the van. He (then) punched her to the face and pushed her over.”

Taken to hospital

The victim was dragged along the ground towards the unnamed man’s house and then “dragged back (again)”.

She said she “smashed her face on the floor” after being pushed to the ground and was then kicked to the body, but Bell denied this. Mr Ingram added:

“(Bell) then moved away, leaving her lying on the floor.

“She was helped by strangers who called police and she was taken to hospital.”

The victim, who had since separated from Bell, discharged herself from hospital before she could be seen by medical staff.

When she returned home, she found her plants pots, Christmas presents and a glass candle had been smashed, and drink had been “poured all over (the presents)”.

Read more:

• Prolific Harrogate criminal jailed after hospital rampage
• Knaresborough paedophile jailed for three years

Bell had gone into her house and damaged the items as part of a “revenge” attack which lasted into the early hours of Boxing Day.

The victim also alleged that in the first attack at her home, Bell had kicked her to the body and hit her over the head with a TV remote control and her own shoes.

Bell denied these allegations but admitted punching her in the face “four or five times” before throwing her Dr Martens at her and dragging her into his van.

Mr Ingram said the victim suffered “nasty” bruising to her arms, face and body, a black eye, cut forehead and an ear injury after her earring was ripped out. He added:

“She said she was sore all over and in pain for a long time afterwards.

“She said she felt the need to hide away from others as a result of the bruising and…that at the time she thought she might die.”

Bell, of Castle Yard, Knaresborough, was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damaging property.

He admitted both offences on the basis that he didn’t kick the victim or hit her with the TV remote. He appeared for sentence today after the prosecution accepted his plea.

Never been violent before

Peter Minnikin, for Bell, said his client had led an otherwise “blameless” life.

He added that Bell, who divorced from his ex-wife in 2016, had never been violent in previous relationships.

A character reference from his employer at Huttons Butchers, where he earned a good living, described Bell as a “hard-working man”.

Mr Minnikin said Bell met the victim in 2019 but their relationship became “toxic” and they were both drinking heavily.

Judge Sean Morris branded the attacks a “disgraceful incident”. He told Bell:

“This was a prolonged incident of degradation. You dragged (the victim) out of the van and dragged her back again in the street and she’s ended up with all these injuries.

“While she is out without any shoes on, looking for help, you are ripping all (her) Christmas presents and spoiling them with drink.

“It was a cowardly offence and you were inflicting punishment which you are not allowed to do.”

Mr Morris said the violence was “just too prolonged and too serious” for anything other than an immediate jail sentence. He added:

“I know that this is going to have an effect both on your employer and your family, but these kinds of domestic assaults have to be deterred so that people know what happens if they subject their partners, wives, girlfriends, to prolonged, humiliating punishment beatings.”

Bell was jailed for 10 months and given a five-year restraining order, which bans him contacting the victim or going to her house in Knaresborough.

Rail operator Northern has told passengers to expect six days of disruption during the next wave of strikes.

The RMT union has scheduled strikes on Saturday, November 5, Monday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 9 as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

Northern, which operates the line passing through Knaresborough and Harrogate, today advised people not to travel by train on those days.

It also warned that “services are also expected to be affected”  on November 6, 8 and 10 November.

The company added disruption would occur “especially in the morning, so please check before you travel”.

The RMT previously announced a strike on November 3, however, this was cancelled and Northern said trains will be operating as usual that day.

The company said in a statement:

“On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead — especially the first and last trains of the day.  Remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected.

“Advanced tickets will be withdrawn from sale, until an alternative strike timetable is in place.”

Read more:

• Picket line at Harrogate station today as rail strikes resume
• Ambulance workers in Harrogate district could be set to strike

This story is sponsored by Little Bird Made.

Jackie Crozier’s ambition is to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets, where local traders can showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods and customers can find those extra special and unique items.

In the four years since she hatched a plan to hold an inaugural market in her home city of Ripon, Jackie’s Little Bird Made venture has spread its wings and now has more than ten venues in North and West Yorkshire where its events are regularly held.

Pictures above and below, from the bustling artisan markets held by Little Bird in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens last Christmas

The latest exciting addition to a fast-growing list of attractive and historic locations is Harewood House, where the talented and hard-working Little Bird team will curate a four-day Artisan Winter Market from Thursday November 3 until Sunday November 6.

Little Bird founder and managing director Jackie, said:

“This will be the largest event that we have ever staged, with more than 100 stalls each day located on the North Park Walk facing onto the magnificent 18th century country house.”

She added:

“It’s a fabulous setting for a pre-Christmas market and there will be a wonderful atmosphere for visitors and our community of traders.

“In addition to the wide-range of handmade goods and food and drink items on sale, there will be demonstrations of artisan crafts and a special letterbox where children can post a letter to Santa.”

Entry to the winter market is £5 and includes access to the grounds, but there will be no charge for Harewood members. Tickets can be booked by clicking here.

The market will be open daily from 10am until 4pm.

Jackie, who was born and bred in Ripon, launched Little Bird after being away from the city for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later as an events manager working on a number of high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics.

The expertise that she gained in working with stakeholders including local councils, community groups, performers and suppliers, has been put to good use in developing the Little Bird business and ethos.

She said:

“Our aim is to create added value events that bring increased footfall to the marvellous market towns that we have in the Harrogate district and further afield.

“Visitors who come to our markets often stay to look around local attractions and spend money in shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, before they go home.”

Jackie, added:

“We are planning to add to our list of locations next year and believe that there will be further economic, and community benefits all round if we can make this area a Mecca for artisan markets.

“We are also always looking for local artisans who would like to join us and share in the Little Bird experience.”

Upcoming Little Bird Christmas markets

Following the Winter Market at Harewood House, Little Bird will, for the second year running, be holding Christmas Markets with 75 stalls in the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on December 3,4,10 and 11.

Between November 12 and December 18, one day markets with up to 60 artisan traders present, will be held in Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Richmond, Thirsk, Leyburn, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery, Ripon, Driffield and Northallerton.

Click here to see the full list of Little Bird Made events coming soon.