The council has approved plans to renovate the site where Oliver Cromwell reportedly stayed during the siege of Knaresborough in 1644.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee met virtually today to consider the plans and councillors approved them unanimously.

80 Knaresborough High Street, which dates back to 1764, has been derelict for decades and councillors commented today that it has been “an eyesore”.

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The council itself is behind the application to turn the building, as well as a former weaver’s workshop at 82 High Street, into flats and new shops.

It purchased the two Grade II listed properties in 2019 from developer Freshwater Group with the intention of bringing them back into use.

Plans to repair church wall in Kirby Malzeard

The planning committee also unanimously approved a £19,000 reconstruction and repair of a church wall at St Andrew’s in Kirby Malzeard.

A 10-metre section of wall collapsed onto Church Street on February 19, causing the closure of the road between Kirkby Malzeard and Masham.

There has been a diversion in place for more than eight months.

The collapsed section of wall in Kirkby Malzeard.

Planning permission was required for reconstruction of the collapsed section and repair of a further 30-metre length of the wall.

Before work can proceed, further discussions need to be completed with Historic England, which has raised concerns about the proposed method of reconstructing the wall.

A carer from Knaresborough has been overwhelmed with donations after calling on the local community to send photographs of the town in an effort to boost the morale of care home residents.

After being stuck inside for months some of the residents at The Manor House care home were feeling low. Carer, Alison Morgan, set out to ask local people to send their own photos to display around the home.

At first Alison was hoping for three canvases, one to hang on each floor of the home. So far she has been sent four canvases, one framed image and multiple digital images.

One of the donated canvas by Shirley Holden.

Alison said she has been overwhelmed by the response. She said:

“It all came from hearing some of the residents worrying they may never see the autumn colours or the viaduct again and it really hit me. The residents and staff feel like its never going to end, this will give them a boost.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve even had emails from people just sending their love to staff and residents.”

The hope is for all the pictures to be displayed in a social area for residents to look at before they’re placed throughout the home.

Another donated canvas by Paul Birtwhistle. Doreen and Amy Hodgson from the Old Station Cafe in Knaresborough contributed to the printing costs.

Alison hopes the effort can continue and the home can have more local photographers or amateur enthusiasts send some of their work as residents prepare for a “difficult” Christmas.

As a result of the project, Alison has been introduced to several members of the community wanting to continue to help the care home.

They are beginning to make plans for next year, if restrictions allow, including events such as a Spring fair and an outdoor concert for residents to enjoy.

To donate a canvas or send digital prints to the care home call 01423 797555.

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A community project which has provided thousands of meals to vulnerable families this year is hoping to spread extra cheer at Christmas.

Resurrected Bites has received almost 3,000 calls for help since lockdown began in March, delivering three days’ worth of food, toiletries and cleaning products to the equivalent of 4,528 adults and 2,807 children – though many of these are returning customers.

Yet this was never what the community interest company was set up to be. It was a pay-as-you-feel cafe, using food intercepted from restaurants, supermarkets and suppliers before it was sent to landfill, offering hot and cold meals at three churches in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

However, director Michelle Hayes said when lockdown began and the cafes had to close, she immediately knew what she would do.

“Within two days I had switched over. I decided to close the cafes on the Monday and by Wednesday we had started the food distribution.

“I knew there would be lots of people needing food and people were panic-buying. I knew a lot of businesses would have to close really quickly and there would be a lot of food going to waste. Supermarkets were struggling with their ordering systems.

“We were able to get a lot of food and start delivering straight away.”

Although other organisations, such as the foodbank, were already set up to support families in need, Michelle knew there was still a gap for additional help. Where the foodbank supplies mostly tinned and dried food, Resurrected Bites uses perishable items such as fruit and vegetables, eggs, and bread.

Volunteers Sally and Richard sort through donations to make parcels of food for local families

It can also provide cooked meals thanks to a team of volunteers who turn some of the ingredients into complete dishes. Though Resurrected Bites never distributes food which is out of date or of poor quality, using it to make meals can extend its usable life.

After lockdown began, requests for help began to escalate quickly, largely through referrals from other organisations but in some cases direct from struggling families. With several months of activity now behind them, Michelle and her team have settled into a rhythm of deliveries each week.

Michelle knows demand is likely to rise again if more lockdown measures are put in place.

“We’ve got really busy again this week. I wanted to be running at capacity of 30 orders a day – but when you realise how much food that involves, it’s quite overwhelming. By Friday, you’re just hoping there’s enough food available for everyone who needs it.

“I’m expecting that demand is going to go up as more people get laid off. People who are waiting for Universal Credit to start, people who have been self-employed and their business has closed. Quite a few families whose kids have been sent home from school and families have to self-isolate, but can’t get a supermarket deliver for a few days.”

If she needs to increase capacity, the only option for Michelle is to source more food and other supplies. She could request more from charity supplier Fareshare, but demand is likely to increase everywhere and more deliveries may not be available.

The only other option would be to buy more in, which they have been doing as necessary – but that needs more money to be coming in as well. It already costs more than £4,000 each month to meet the existing demands for food and toiletries.

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Now, with Christmas looming, Michelle is keen to make it special for the families supported by Resurrected Bites and is calling on the community to help.

She’s asked each family to say what their children are interested in so supporters can buy something from the list, and can donate wrapping paper and sticky tape too. She added:

“Hopefully we’ll try and get the right kind of present to the right child so there’s something for everybody.”

Donations of food and toiletries can be made at drop-off points around Harrogate and Knaresborough. Financial donations are also welcome to help fund any extra supplies. Details of both, along with order forms for people needing support, can be found on the Resurrected Bites website.

This weekend Knaresborough high street will welcome a new addition called The Clothing Store of Knaresborough.

Owner Rebecca Lombardi is passionate about catering for all sizes and will stock women’s clothes sizes eight to 32 once it opens on Saturday.

The store has been a dream of Rebecca’s since she started working in retail at 16.

The shop is flooded with light and the clothes racks are spread out to allow for an easy shopping experience.

She opened her own online business in 2017 and her extensive retail experience has given her an eye for style. As she scans the racks of clothing, her passion is obvious.

The array of colours and fabrics is set against the shop’s white walls. The space is clean and bright with industrial touches, such as steel racks for the clothes to hang on.

Rebecca said:

“I loved the feel of the front of the building and I thought it would make a lovely shop.

“I wanted the industrial look and white walls. I wanted the feel of a high-end boutique but without the price tag.”

Bright and colourful clothes hang in abundance around the shop.

Her online site, Deals Direct, dealt with customers from all over the country but Rebecca wanted to offer the full shopping experience too.

She said:

“I think I can be a specialist to the plus-size range and I have a lot of regular customers that I think will travel to have the shopping experience.

“The average UK size is 16 to 18 yet you go into most shops and all those sizes have sold out. It’s really important to look at the average size and shape of your customers and cater for those customers that may be excluded by other retailers.”

Knaresborough’s high street has evolved in recent months with many other shops opening. Rebecca fell for the town’s charm, and said she was welcomed with excitement and positivity from residents and other businesses.

Some of Rebecca’s team. Maisie Withnell, Aimee Blakeborough and Katie Shaw.

Customer service is a priority for Rebecca, who hopes to offer shoppers a one-to-one service.

“I want my customers to get a feel-good shopping experience and also find something they want to purchase.”

Currently the shop only stocks women’s clothes but she hopes to bring in men’s items before Christmas.

The entrance area to the shop.

It has taken Rebecca years to build up her customer base and it is only now she has the confidence to open a shop. She is also offering some space to other small businesses to stock their products.

“I want to give small businesses the chance to get their foot in the door. I know I would have really appreciated it at the beginning.”

North Yorkshire County Council is extending temporary pedestrianisation measures in Harrogate and Knaresborough until next year.

Parking suspensions and road closures have become a familiar sight and the council confirmed today they will remain until at least January 31.

To improve the look of the scheme, traffic cones on Albert Street and James Street in Harrogate will make way for planters.

The planters will be funded by Harrogate Borough Council through the government’s £50m reopening high streets safely fund.

The two councils hope the move will reassure the public it is safe to shop in the towns.

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However, some business owners on James Street have warned of empty shops to come if the county council persisted with pedestrianisation.

The county council said in response it had listened to those views and will keep the measures under review.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access at the county council, said:

“We are committed to supporting the county’s recovery while ensuring people can visit shops safely and buy local. We hope that these measures are making shoppers feel confident to visit our high streets as we approach the Christmas shopping period.”

Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“Feedback from both businesses and visitors alike has been positive and I’m glad these measures have encouraged people back to the high street that it so desperately needs.”

Parking spaces between Princes Square and West Park on the A61 in Harrogate will be reopened, it was also announced.

The full list of measures in Harrogate:

• Albert Street – parking bays suspended
• Commercial Street – some parking bays suspended
• James Street – parking bays suspended
• Montpellier Hill – some parking bays suspended
• The Ginnel – closed between 5pm and 11pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 1pm to 11pm on Sundays

The full list of measures in Knaresborough:

• High Street – barriers in place to widen sections of footpath
• Market Place – closed on market day between 6am and 5pm on Wednesday
• Castlegate – partly closed on market day between 6am and 5pm on Wednesday

Harrogate district organisations are urging people to commemorate Remembrance Day at home this year after covid restrictions forced traditional annual services and parades to be cancelled.

The Poppy Appeal, organised by the Royal British Legion, will continue to go ahead but collections and activities have been disrupted by social distancing requirements.

Remembrance Sunday activities on November 8 have also been affected, forcing local branches of the Royal British Legion and other groups involved to adapt.

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion is asking residents to hold their own two-minute silences at home as the church service and parade through the town will not go ahead.

David Houlgate, vice-chair of the branch, said:

“Arrangements are being made to lay wreaths safely but townsfolk are discouraged this year from attending at the war memorial.

“We are having to limit the number of collection boxes we can distribute this year to 20% of our usual number of boxes.”

Despite the limitations, the branch is asking people to continue to support the Poppy Appeal, as funds help servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

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The service at Harrogate war memorial has also been cancelled. The Harrogate Mayor, councillor Stuart Martin, said:

“I urge people across the district to observe the national two minutes silence with your family and show your support for the armed forces community by displaying a poppy in your window.”

The annual remembrance service at Stonefall Cemetery has been cancelled. Credit: Guy Wilson

The annual service at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery, organised by Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club, has also been cancelled.

A private wreath laying and blessing ceremony has been organised instead.

At least 13 wreaths will be laid on behalf of British and Commonwealth forces. Event co-ordinator Guy Wilson said:

“While this year we cannot meet together to remember those who gave their lives for us and the freedoms we now enjoy, we nevertheless recognise that the act of remembrance is important and will see that it is done with proper respect. Over 1,000 lives given for us lie in Stonefall. We will be there to honour them all on November 8.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains Stonefall, has launched a tool that allows people to find out about the lives of local servicemen and woman who died in battle.

Barry Murphy, CWGC’s director general, said:

“This year has been like no other, and sadly this will have an impact on the usual traditions around Remembrance Sunday.”

A historic building in Knaresborough, which is believed to be on the site where Oliver Cromwell stayed during the siege of the town in 1644, is set for a facelift.

80 Knaresborough High Street, which dates back to 1764, has been derelict for decades.

Knaresborough was a Royalist stronghold during the English civil war but surrendered after Cromwell’s Parliamentarian forces laid siege to the castle for four months.

Harrogate Borough Council has applied to turn the building which is on the site where he is reputed to have stayed, as well as a former weaver’s workshop on number 82, into flats and new shops.

The council purchased the two Grade II listed properties in 2019 from developer Freshwater Group with the intention to bring them back into use.

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The application proposes to refurbish and retain the existing vacant retail units on the ground floor and turn the upper levels into four flats.

The council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday next week to decide on the plans, which are recommended for approval.

The application is supported by both Knaresborough Civic Society and York Georgian Society.

The coroner’s office is appealing for information to find the family of a Knaresborough man who died at home this month.

Police officers have been unable to trace the family or next of kin of Brian George Abbott, 73, who died on October 15.

Mr Abbott, who lived in Finkle Street, was discovered after a concerned neighbour raised the alarm when post began to build up at his home.

His death is not believed to be suspicious.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed to anyone who knew Mr Abbott or has any information that could help find his family to contact the coroner’s office.

You can do so by calling 01609 643614 or emailing coroner@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

A mental health support group in Knaresborough is raising awareness of the support it offers during the gap people face while waiting for therapy.

Project Bob, based at Gracious Street Methodist Church, runs weekly meetings and a 24/7 WhatsApp group offering support to people who are struggling.

The group’s founder, Chris Rawson, insists it isn’t a counselling service but instead calls it a “community”.

The volunteers are Christians but it isn’t a religious group: some members are suffering with current or past mental health issues.

Mr Rawson is aware more people are suffering lockdown anxieties and face widening delays in waiting to access professional help.

He has therefore invited people to reach out if they feel in need a boost.

The group is particularly keen to help those who have struggled to cope during lockdown. Credit www.radarfilm.co.uk

He said:

“The gap between getting the help is getting wider. We wanted to set something up to support working age adults. It’s not an official service, its a community of support to anyone that needs it.

“Over lockdown we met over Zoom, which is difficult because a lot of people come to talk to us about their home. People lost their jobs or are wary of getting ill or feel stuck at home – these are the anxieties we can help with.”

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The group offers a safe space for people to talk openly about their anxieties.

Mr Rawson added:

“We want to raise awareness that we’re there and have the space to help.”

Project Bob is suitable for people suffering with mild depression, anxiety and compulsive thoughts and behaviours.

The name is derived from St Robert of Knaresborough who was said to help vulnerable people.

To contact the group, click here.

A Knaresborough woman will attempt to break a world record tomorrow for the most netball goals scored in one hour. 

To set the record, Sue Hobson, who plays goal shooter for the Hawks netball club in Harrogate, needs to shoot more than 756 goals – more than 12 goals a minute.

Sue is aiming to reach more than 900 goals in total and has already raised more than £1,100 for Saint Michael’s Hospice in the process. To support Sue, click here. 

Speaking about why she has chosen to fundraise for the charity, Sue said: 

“It just felt too unusual or quirky an activity to not try and use it for something positive, especially when there’s not a lot of positivity in the world at the moment.

“Living in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area I know people that have been helped by Saint Michael’s Hospice, and it seems like a great local charity.”

Sue has been training for this challenge since the beginning of lockdown, when her regular netball training sessions and matches stopped.

After setting herself challenges in her back garden, such as scoring 100 goals in a row, she began researching world records for netball. 

Sue said the support from other local organisations, such as King James’s School and Harrogate Netball League, have spurred her on to complete the challenge.

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