Ghost walks launch in Knaresborough for spooky season

With spooky season almost here, one man from Knaresborough is preparing to reveal the town’s scary tales with a new ghost walk.

Organiser Mark Ellison says Knaresborough’s history means there are plenty of spooky tales to give his audience goose bumps.

This will be the first year of the ‘Knaresborough Knightmares’ ghost walks.

Mr Ellison, also a performer for Ripon Ghost Walks, said the walks went down well in Ripon and he wanted to bring them to Knaresborough.

The walk will be held on October 27 and take people from the Market Square to the castle. Tales of murder, witchcraft and ghosts will be shared along the way.

Mr Ellison will be joined by other performers and well-known group, the Knaresborough Mummers, who will help tell the town’s history.

He said:

“A lot of stuff like this couldn’t happen during the pandemic and myself and the Mummers wanted to do something in case we couldn’t do our normal festivities.”

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To join the Knaresborough Knightmares ghost walk, click here.

Mr Ellison is also hosting a Christmas ghost walk on December 22 which will follow a similar format.

Video shows memories of the 1977 Knaresborough Bed Race

A video was posted on the British Film Institute’s (BFI) Facebook page this week showing the Knaresborough Bed Race from 1977.

The Bed Race is a pageant of decorated beds, passengers and runners, combined with a 2.4-mile race through the town. Thousands of pounds are raised for charity every year and it’s been a fixture in the calendar of Knaresborians since 1966.

Watch the video below — do you recognise anybody?

The Bed Race was cancelled in 2020 and again in 2021 due to the covid pandemic.

The video is owned by charity the Yorkshire Film Archive. Its website hosts several other videos from the past from around the Harrogate district.

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The September scramble to book Santa after a difficult year

When I overheard a mum saying she had set her alarm for 5.30am to book a Santa visit when tickets went on sale, I was pretty shocked.

Mainly because it’s September, but also because I didn’t realise this was now a thing.

Is the surge in popularity due to the pandemic and feeling like our kids missed out last year? Or is this now another “must-do” task to tick off on our ever-growing festive to-do lists? Don’t get me started on Elf on a Shelf and Christmas Eve boxes – cheers for that America.

Sally Haslewood, founder of Harrogate Mumbler, said:

“I think that September has always been a time that people start booking Christmas things – well people who are organised do anyway. I’ve never been that organised!

“I think particularly this year, parents want to give their kids a really good Christmas. They probably missed out last year so they want to book early to avoid disappointment.

“And to be honest I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing, because I think it will help the businesses as well. If it helps them plan and staff properly and know where they are from a business point of view I think that can only be a good thing.”

Now I am all about making my children happy, I love seeing their little faces light up when they see Father Christmas. But is there now more pressure than ever to deliver the best experience for your little ones?

If you can’t afford a visit or, God forbid, you forget to book anything in time, do you feel like a bad parent?

Sally said:

The thing is around Harrogate there are always last minute things that crop up as well. So if like me you are not as organised and you haven’t booked something for Christmas, there are always things you can get in last minute.

I think this year is potentially a little bit worse than normal, but parents are pretty organised. As soon as the kids are back at school in September, the next big thing is Santa visits. So hopefully this year the kids will have the Christmas they missed out on last year.”

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Don’t panic if you haven’t got yours booked yet. Here are three ideas for you:

Mother Shipton’s – Knaresborough

Wander through the winter woodland to see the enchanted Christmas Village, festooned with festive delights and merry displays to marvel at along the way.

Chief Elf Chestnut will be delighted to meet little visitors and lead them to see Santa Claus.

Santa will be keeping warm in his cosy grotto, and visitors can say hello or take an ‘elfie with the big man himself.

To keep Santa safe, Mother Shipton’s will be adhering to social distancing, but visitors will be able to see and speak to him before he sets off on his long journey.

November 21 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets. 

Santa’s Grotto – Stockeld Park 

December 3 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets.

 

Police: no rise in far right activity in Harrogate district

North Yorkshire Police has said there is nothing to suggest an increase in far right activity in the Harrogate district despite several shocking incidents this year.

The Stray Ferret has reported three instances of swastikas and anti-semitic slogans appearing in Harrogate and Knaresborough in 2021, including one last weekend.

In addition, racist stickers appeared on the window of a disused shop on James Street in September.

A Freedom of Information request to the police revealed it had logged just five incidents of anti-Jewish hate crime in total in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

So far this year swastikas have appeared on Trefoil Drive and Bilton Lane in January, on the iron bridge in Bilton in August and on Knaresborough castle last weekend.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“These incidents are clearly abhorrent and disturbing. We can assure the local community that the police take such matters extremely seriously.

“It is unclear what the motivation was behind the recent incidents in Knaresborough, and it is not yet known if they are linked or have any connection with the previous incidents of this nature at Harrogate.

“However, there is nothing to suggest an increase in extreme right-wing ideologies or activity in the local area.”

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The constabulary urged residents to report hate-related incidents, such as graffiti and criminal damage, by dialling 101.

The Stray Ferret approached the Harrogate Hebrew congregation to ask if it had noticed any increase in ant-semitic activity but it declined to comment.

The swastikas and a vile anti-semitic message sprayed on Knaresborough castle last weekend have now been removed.

Police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attacks in January and remains under investigation.

‘It’s hugely disappointing’: Knaresborough affordable homes refused

Knaresborough Community Land Trust’s bid to build affordable apartments on the town’s high street has been refused by Harrogate Borough Council.

The not-for-profit group wanted to build the housing because it believes Knaresborough has become too expensive for local people to live.

Three homes would have been built on a disused plot of land that once housed a public toilet near Knaresborough House.

The CLT would have owned the homes and rented them to local people at below the market rate.

Innovative design

The plans received support from Knaresborough Civic Society, which praised their “innovative design”.

However, Harrogate Borough Council planning department disagreed this week and said the proposal would harm Knaresborough Conservation Area.

The council also refused the application because of the loss of open space and seven trees. The CLT had planned to replant 14 trees at alternative locations in town.

Hilary Gardner, secretary of Knaresborough CLT, told the Stray Ferret the refusal was “hugely disappointing”, particularly as the council had initially offered it the plot to build affordable housing.

Ms Gardner said:

“Harrogate Borough Council has wasted two years of volunteers’ time on a project that was their idea. That leaves me aghast. They suggested the land as they wanted affordable housing on it.

“We are deciding whether to go to appeal. There were some very good people in Harrogate Borough Council housing that were with us all the way.

“This is a brownfield site. The council are allowing large building on greenfield sites. They offered us this particular piece. I feel that was quite cynical. They like the idea of the CLT but there are other pieces of land that would have been much more straightforward.”

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‘Knaresborough needs its young’

In December, the Stray Ferret spoke to Steph Getao, a director of Knaresborough CLT who is in her early 30s.

She said she was moving away from Knaresborough with her husband due to high house prices. She believes the CLT is necessary to keep young people in the town.

She said:

“Without young people, Knaresborough will get more and more sleepy. The high street is basically all old dear shops! Knaresborough needs its young.”

Knaresborough Audi plans to expand with new repair shop

The Audi dealership at St James Retail Park in Knaresborough plans to expand by building a standalone repair shop.

Plans lodged with Harrogate Borough Council say the repair shop would cater for cosmetic problems like scratches, chips or dents and create 12 jobs for technicians and managers.

Sytner Group, which runs the Audi dealership, hopes to expand to the rear of the site where it currently stores cars.

The repair shop would be constructed using similar materials to the existing dealership, which is made of metallic silver cladding.

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A design and access statement submitted to the council on behalf of Sytner Group says:

“The development will have minimal impact upon the surrounding area and is fully compliant with planning policy.

“The proposals will have no negative social impact but will have a positive impact for the dealership.

“The facility is essential for the continued sustainability of the business at this location. The ability to expand and create employment opportunities is essential to the current and future business models.”

The council’s planning department will decide whether to approve or reject the proposal.

 

Local father starts boxing classes for people with autism

A father to autistic children in the Harrogate district has started boxing lessons for people with the condition.

Dean Lund from Knaresborough has two young children who have been diagnosed with autism.  He decided he wanted to teach boxing to both children and adults with autism while studying Sport Coaching and Development at Harrogate College.

Mr Lund called his weekly classes ‘The Zone’ and feels that boxing is a great sport for autistic people to focus on as it helps develop fitness and confidence.

Autism is a disability that affects around 700,000 people in the UK.

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Mr Lund has a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified course in Autism, Sport and Physical Activity.

Dean said a qualification from the National Autistic Society was important:

“I needed to know the parameters of autism, how my own boys fall within that, and what to expect when it comes to teaching boxing outside of college.”

“I really want to expand the autism sessions. As its an area that isn’t provided enough, considering how many people have autism”

The Zone provides a safe spaces for people to take a break if their autism is triggered and also teaches boxing in lanes, allowing participants to have their own space.

Parents can come along to do the session with their autistic child.

For more information about ‘The Zone’ click here or email deano@fighting-fit-coaching.co.uk.

Calls for more police as anti-semitic graffiti remains in Knaresborough

Anti-semitic graffiti is still covering some of Knaresborough’s key monuments, amid calls for more police officers to patrol the streets.

The town’s 12th century castle and statues of Blind Jack and Mother Shipton on Market Place were defaced in an overnight attack on Saturday night.

Crude images and Nazi swastikas remain sprayed on the side of the castle and the bronze statues in the Market Place are still discoloured.

The castle graffiti is situated in full view of Knaresborough police station, which has cameras on top of the roof.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We have launched an investigation in to the graffiti from the Castlegate area of Knaresborough. All lines of enquiry are currently been pursued.

“North Yorkshire Police takes all reports of hate crime seriously. Anyone who is the victim of a hate crime is encouraged to report the incident to police via 101.”

Harrogate Borough Council said in a statement today it was aware of the vandalism and was looking into the best way for it to be removed but gave no timeframe.

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Councillor Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“It is incredibly disappointing that someone, or a group of individuals, have found it appropriate to deface the heritage of Knaresborough in this way and we will be doing what we can to identify those responsible.

“If any members of the public witnessed any of the damage being carried out, or if any businesses have their own CCTV in the area that has captured any relevant footage, I would encourage them to contact North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.”

Steve Teggin, a local business owner and the chair of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said anti-social behaviour was becoming a serious concern for local businesses.

He said further action needed to be taken, including more police officers in the town:

“The chamber and traders are getting quite concerned. Ninety per cent of people visiting Knaresborough are great and contribute to the economy but there are some letting us down. There just isn’t enough police presence and people thing they can get away with stuff.

“We need more police on the streets.”

Coneythorpe pub rises from ashes to reopen after 11 months

A family-run pub in Coneythorpe is to reopen its doors, 11 months after a devastating fire.

Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in November.

When the pub reopens on Monday, October 25, owners Ian and Barbara Gill will donate £5,000 to the Firefighter’s Charity as a thank-you.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

Firefighters tackling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in November.

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The Gills have run the Tiger Inn, near Knaresborough, for 15 years. Mr Gill said:

“As you can imagine, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging.

“We were already struggling with the serious effects of covid last year, when the huge fire struck. As a result we have been closed ever since.

“However, we have been so heartened and encouraged by the support we have received from all our regulars.

“They have given us the strength to carry on and to ensure that The Tiger will re-open in style.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said at the time of the blaze that fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen and the cause was believed to be accidental.

Neighbours said they were devastated and described the pub as a pillar of the community.

Swastikas sprayed as Knaresborough monuments desecrated

Some of Knaresborough’s most famous monuments were vandalised in a shocking rampage last night.

Nazi swastikas and naked genitals were graffitied on to the wall of the town’s 12th century castle.

Whoever did it climbed up the side of the castle into the castle’s King’s Chambers, which is in full sight of Knaresborough police station.

Town centre statues of Blind Jack and Mother Shipton were also covered in spray paint overnight. Several signs and information boards were covered in paint.

The Stray Ferret spoke to shocked locals at the castle and in the Market Place today, where the bronze statues of road builder John Metcalf, better known as Blind Jack, and prophetess Mother Shipton, had been desecrated.

Knaresborough castle

Knaresborough castle

One local resident, who asked not to be named, told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m shocked and disgusted that this has taken place. It’s absolutely vile.”

Another person visiting the town said:

“Who in their right mind does this kind of thing?”

The Stray Ferret has chosen not to show the graffiti on the castle wall, which contains a hateful anti-semitic message as well as swastikas and crude sexual imagery.

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