White horses decorated with purple will carry Harrogate’s Sophie Lambert on her final journey this week.
Sophie, 22, was found dead last month after a five-day missing person search that touched the lives of thousands of people in Harrogate and beyond.
Animal lover Sophie was particularly fond of horses and her big brother Craig Robinson has chosen two to pull a carriage carrying her body to Harrogate’s Stonefall Crematorium on Friday.
Her pet chihuahuas Boston and Bentley will wear jumpers saying ‘my mummy is in heaven’.
Sophie loved animals and had two dogs.
A crowdfunding appeal set up by Craig to give Sophie “the best send-off ever” has raised more than £3,700 — well above the £3,000 target.
He wrote on social media:
“Well, Soph, these beautiful horses are the ones I’ve picked for you with purple on there as well as you loved bright colours, these horses will bring you home one last time my angel.
“I hope I’ve done you proud and done everything to be perfect for you.”
The 40-minute service at 11am, which will be live-streamed, will be followed by drinks celebrating Sophie’s life at the Malt Shovel in Brearton.
The purple and white horses will match Sophie’s favourite colours.
There is no dress code but Craig has requested everyone wears odd socks because, as Craig puts it, “Sophie never did believe in wearing the same coloured socks as she said life was to short to match them”.
He has been setting of bio-degradeable lanterns this week in memory of Sophie, and said:
“I thank you all once again for the support help and donations you guys have given us in order to give Sophie the spend off she has always deserved. Rest easy Sophie my little Angel night night.”
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Malt Shovel reopens today under new owners
The Malt Shovel at Brearton is due to reopen today under new ownership.
The 16th century venue near Knaresborough forged a good reputation for traditional pub food under previous owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell.
But they decided to sell after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015.
The Malt Shovel
It has been taken over by Ignition Pub Management on a three-month trial, and will be managed by partners Laura Davis and James Campbell.
Both worked at the pub previously: Mr Campbell, who was a sous chef, will run the kitchen and Ms Davis, who has 15 years experience in hospitality, will be in charge of front of house.
The couple held a pre-opening for villagers and regulars last night but will open to everyone from noon today. Ms Davis said:
“I want to reassure people that we are very much keeping it the same. We don’t want to change things too much.
“It’s a great opportunity and we are very excited.”
The dining area
Ms Davis said the menu would be “very similar” although there were plans for a lower priced lunchtime menu featuring sandwiches and they were also considering introducing afternoon teas.
She added the couple also hoped to eventually spruce up the outside space.
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Malt Shovel pub near Knaresborough up for sale
A popular village pub near Knaresborough has been put on the market for the first time in almost three decades.
The freehold of The Malt Shovel at Brearton has been listed for sale on property website RightMove at £550,000.
Owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell have decided to sell up after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015. Ms Mitchell said:
“When Les and I moved from the Scottish Highlands with our young children, we chose The Malt Shovel because of its prime setting in a beautiful village, within the aptly named ‘golden triangle’ between Harrogate, York and North Leeds.
“We fell in love with the sizeable and atmospheric, yet always welcoming, bar and dining areas and the four-bedroom apartment upstairs was perfect for our family. In fact, Brearton and The Malt Shovel ticked all the boxes.
“That was back in 1994 and 28 years later that has not been altered. It is still a superb village to live and work in and the catchment area remains affluent, popular and aspirational.
“The current lease is coming to an end, and aged 74 and 62, we think it’s time to pass this iconic building and business on to a new enthusiastic owner who can take it forward.”
The leasehold of the pub was last sold in 2017 for £40,000.
The property is now being marketed by Christie & Co, including the four-bedroom flat, which the company said gave it “potential to become a residential dwelling” or for letting accommodation.
The particulars describe the pub as “character-filled” but “neither listed nor an asset of community value”. The turnover is listed as £467,000, with an annual rental income of £38,000 or 11% of turnover from the current tenants who plan to continue to run the pub until a sale completes.
The pub has 65 covers inside and 35 outside, with parking for 15 cars. Christie & Co said it is currently fully booked for Christmas parties and there was potential to grow trade significantly outside the current opening hours of 12-3pm and 6-9pm Wednesday to Saturday, and noon until 6pm on Sunday, during which it is “trading exceptionally”.
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The company highlighted the pub’s strong rating on TripAdvisor as well as its position in “one of the most desirable villages in North Yorkshire”.
Alex Rex, senior business agent in Christie & Co’s Pubs & Restaurants team, is handling the sale. He said:
“The sale of The Malt Shovel in Brearton offers an exciting opportunity for a new owner to carry on a highly reputable hospitality business or alternatively, acquire a great piece of real estate with potential for multiple uses, in a highly desirable village.
“There is a real shortage of good quality freehold, free of tie, properties on the market in North Yorkshire currently and the business is offered for a fantastic price, so we don’t expect it to be on the market for long.”