Ripon cafe owner retains humour despite break-inIt was business as usual this morning for one of Ripon’s most popular cafe bistros following a break-in in the early hours.
The entrance door to Oliver’s Pantry was extensively damaged by criminals when they forced their way in.
Tim Grant, who jointly owns Oliver’s Pantry with his wife Lou, told the Stray Ferret:
“Words fail me, we could have done with this like a hole in the head.
“Things are hard enough for the hospitality sector, but we’ve just had to get on with sorting things out.
“We’ve been in contact with the police and our insurers, have carried out a clean up and we are open.”
The couple managed to retain their sense of humour by putting up a sign telling people they were still open — and had cake.
The Grants have run the business on North Street for 12 years and Mr Grant added:
“Fortunately whoever did this didn’t steal anything, but they smashed the door in and caused a mess.”
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Civic society plea to protect key Knaresborough heritage buildingKnaresborough Civic Society has called on North Yorkshire Council to protect Knaresborough House from vandalism.
The High Street building is one of the Knaresborough’s grandest properties and was built in 1768 for the town’s former vicar.
It’s now owned by the new council after previously being in the hands of Harrogate Borough Council until it was abolished on March 31.
The Northallerton-based authority is currently advertising office space to rent inside Knaresborough House.
But according to the civic society, which has a motto of ‘protect, preserve and conserve’, the building is in a poor state of repair following a spate of vandalism.
Andrew Grinter, secretary at the civic society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the group has written to the new council to ask when boarded-up windows will be replaced.
He said:
“It appears that Knaresborough House has been facing vandalism issues for a while and we would like to know what, if any, plans are in place to restore the boarded windows and address the continuous problem of vandalism?
“[We’d like to know] what steps have the local council, the police and others taken to address the worsening situation and protect individuals using the building or its grounds particularly for civic duties?
“And have there been any efforts to engage with the community, particularly youth groups, to address the root causes of anti-social behaviour?”
Long-term concerns
North Yorkshire Council is facing much-publicised cost pressures that are set to continue over the next few years.
It is estimated the council will cut £70m over the next three years just to balance its books.
One of the new unitary council’s early cost-cutting programmes will be to sell off some of the former district, borough and county council properties, which comes to more than 3,500 properties excluding schools.
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Although there is no indication at this stage that Knaresborough House will sold, Mr Grinter raised concerns that the cost-savings could lead to further decline at the property.
He added:
“As far as cost saving budgets are concerned, we want to know what criteria are being used to determine which properties are deemed surplus to requirements?
“One obvious concern is that under-investment, including in Knaresborough House, aligns with the council’s overall cost-saving strategy and this will impact on decisions concerning the upkeep and repair of one of Knaresborough’s key heritage assets.”
North Yorkshire Council has been approached for comment.
Vandalism causes extended closure of Ripon playgroundA children’s playground at Quarry Moor Park in Ripon will remain closed for the foreseeable future because of ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
The decision to maintain the closure was taken by councillors in private session at Monday evening’s Ripon City Council meeting and confirmed in a statement on the council’s Facebook page.
It said that the council “regretfully resolved not to reinstate the playground at Quarry Moor at the present time”.
It added:
“Unfortunately the site is being vandalised almost daily. We are working with North Yorkshire Police who are responding to the regular reports of anti-social behaviour when they occur.
“Until we can plan a way forward with our partners that includes measures that impact on the behaviour at the site we are unable to commit funds to the playground.”
The statement added:
“We appreciate that this is caused by a small minority and that it is affecting our residents using the site. We are actively seeking solutions to the issue (and) will provide a further update as soon as possible.”
Quarry Moor is funded by an annual grant from the city council and the budget for 2023-24 is £15,000.
The playground has remained closed since a vandal attack In March and this followed a six-month closure from September 2021 due to a rat infestation which was eradicated after rubbish bins were removed from the site.
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Police appeal after spate of vandalism in Pateley BridgePolice are appealing for information about a spate of vandalism in Pateley Bridge this week
Overnight on May 30 to 31, damage was caused at the recreation ground near the youth shelter and the band stand.
Graffiti has been sprayed on the bus shelter at Station Square.
Later in the week, broken glass and bottles were left near the youth shelter and graffiti discovered in the toilets at Southlands car park.
North Yorkshire Police urged any witnesses or people with information to email Mike.Spittlehouse@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire police on 101 or on-line at www.northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference 12230100002.
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Vandalism prompts closure of Ripon playgroundQuarry Moor playground in Ripon has closed to the public after vandals damaged equipment and daubed graffiti.
Ripon City Council, which manages the site, said on social media it had taken the decision today “for safety reasons”.
It added:
“Unfortunately the site has been vandalised, we’ve been left with damaged equipment and really unpleasant graffiti written on site.
“We are seeking quotes for repair and will provide an update on when the repairs will be undertaken when we can.”
Signs have been put up announcing the closure.
The 24-acre Quarry Moor limestone grassland was donated by Alderman Thomas F Spence in 1945, and held in trust for the benefit of the people of Ripon.
It was designated a site of special scientific interest in 1986.
The playground previously closed for six months from September 2021 due to rats.
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Historic Ripon church is attacked by vandals
A Catholic church considered one of Ripon’s architectural gems has suffered thousands of pounds of damage after being attacked by vandals.
Canon Ian Smith, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s very disheartening for parishioners and others who visit for prayer and quiet reflection, to see the aftermath of mindless destruction.”
He added:
“I don’t know what kind of pleasure they got from throwing stones through windows and damaging roof tiles, but their acts are deeply disappointing to all those who cherish this building.”
Canon Ian estimates the the repair bill for three leaded windows, an internal window in the reception area and roof tiles, will run into thousands of pounds.
The vandalised window in the church reception area
He pointed out:
“The leaded windows are originals that have been in place since the church opened in 1862 and it’s ironic to think that they survived undamaged through world wars and have now been wilfully broken in this way.”
Police were informed about the vandal attack, believed to have occurred between 7pm last Saturday, February 4, and 9am on Sunday, February 5. They have inspected the damage and their investigation is ongoing.
The first phase of a £500,000 restoration of the Grade II* listed building was completed in summer 2021, after parishioners supported an appeal that helped to pay for the refurbishment and renewal works.
In spite of the vandalism, St Wilfrid’s remains open as usual for services and private prayer.
Vandals damage Mercedes in HarrogatePolice are appealing for help after vandals damaged a Mercedes in Harrogate.
The incident happened on Alderson Road, off Leeds Road, shortly before 6.30am on Monday this week.
A North Yorkshire Police statement said two men in dark clothing approached the vehicle on foot from the Leeds Road junction. It added:
“One appears to have kept a look-out while the other damaged the windows of an unattended black Mercedes.
“North Yorkshire Police are requesting the public’s assistance to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, officers are asking a female jogger to get in touch. She was wearing a high-vis harness, and may have run past the offenders on Leeds Road immediately prior to the junction of Alderson Road.”
Police also want to contact the driver of a white pick-up truck — possibly a milk delivery vehicle — that pulled into Alderson Road as the damage was taking place.
Anyone else with information or dash cam footage is also asked to email peter.henderson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1668 Henderson.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230004592.
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Vandals leave Harrogate hospital facing large flood repair billHarrogate District Hospital has been left with a repair bill after vandals caused thousands of pounds’ worth of flood damage.
The perpetrators pulled away panelling behind a men’s toilet sink and ripped pipework off the wall, causing significant flooding to the antenatal department, the ground-floor corridor in the Strayside wing and several offices.
The attack was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, December 27.
As a result, there was damage to equipment stored in the area and flooring in the departments needs to be replaced.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust estimates the clean-up and repair operation – which includes hiring equipment to dry the areas out – will cost £4,000-£6,000, which it said “could be used for patient care rather than repairing damage caused by vandals”.
A spokesperson for the trust said:
“Such anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and whilst the safety of the patients in our care was unaffected, it did cause additional work for our staff when they should be focused on patient care. Repairs also have a financial implication for our trust.
“The people responsible were recorded on a CCTV camera within our hospital and the incident was reported to the police.”
Harrogate town centre business vandalisedA health and beauty business in Harrogate is counting the cost of the damage after its premises were attacked by a vandal.
The Wellness Clinic on Raglan Street sustained hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage, with windows smashed, a sign broken, furniture damaged and five large outdoor terracotta plant-pots ruined, destroying the plants.
The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services at its Raglan Street premises.
In a post on social media, the clinic said:
“Luckily no one was physically hurt, but we are devastated.
“We are, of course, insured but when the excess is £750-plus, it doesn’t make sense to make a claim.
“We have worked incredibly hard to create a beautiful and safe clinic that our professionals work from. To see that your business has been targeted by a reckless individual for a couple minutes of adrenaline is incredibly upsetting.”
Police are using CCTV footage to try to identify the suspect, who caused hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage.
The Wellness Clinic provides a range of services, including physiotherapy, beauty therapies, electrolysis, mindfulness and even private midwifery.
The business is still open and operating, and is now working with North Yorkshire Police to create still images from CCTV footage of the suspect, who struck on New Year’s Day.
According to the clinic, the suspect was described as female, wearing grey jogging bottoms, a dark-coloured top and no shoes.
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Criminals damage third business on Harrogate’s Cold Bath RoadA salon has become the third business in quick succession to fall victim to criminals on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.
Sara Pugh Hairdressing put four mini Christmas trees in plant boxes outside the shop and decorated them with lights to spread seasonal goodwill.
But one tree has been stolen, another uprooted and the lights on all four vandalised.
Charlie Woolley, a stylist at the salon, said her friend alerted her to the damage when she noticed it on her way to work early on Sunday morning. Ms Woolley said:
“It’s just really bad and immoral. Sara does so much for charity and put so much effort into the Christmas display so it looks nice for children on their way to school.
“It’s so sad that people enjoy doing this.”
One tree was uprooted and another was stolen.
Fortunately the giant toy bear outside the shop, which is brought inside at night, was not harmed.
Last month Dangerfield & Keane, another salon just yards from Sara Pugh Hairdressing, had its Christmas lights vandalised for the first time in 14 years.
Days later two thieves smashed their way into James Barber Tobacconist on the other side of the road closer to town and stole cigars and whiskey.
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