Lauren Ryan, Author at The Stray Ferret

Final Ripon ‘Stonehenge’ site sold to English Heritage

The final henge of a 5,000-year site near Ripon known as the ‘Stonehenge of the north’ has been sold to English Heritage.

The Thornborough Henges complex includes three large circular earthworks each more than 200 metres in diameter dating from 3,000 to 2,500 BC. It is located near West Tanfield, between Ripon and Masham.

Today all three henges are clearly visible as massive circular banks, ranging in height up to four metres high.

Historic England described the Neolithic site as “probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland”.

Currently under woodland, the northern henge is the best preserved of the three and one of the best-preserved henges in the country.

Property firm Knight Frank announced today it had sold the northern henge on behalf of a local private landowner to English Heritage.

Last year, as reported by The Stray Ferret, the central and southern henges plus their surrounding lands were gifted to Historic England and English Heritage by the construction companies Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings.

Today’s news means all three parts of the monument are under one single owner for the first time in at least 1,500 years.

Thornborough Henges will be joining the likes of Stonehenge and numerous Roman sites on Hadrian’s Wall on English Heritage’s national heritage collection.

The site falls within the Richmond constituency of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said:

“Having recently visited the henges site, I know how truly remarkable the totality of the monument is. Bringing all three henges together in the ownership of English Heritage ensures their preservation and enhances the charity’s ability to tell the story of the earthworks and their importance to the pre-history of our nation.”

Photo of the neolithic Thornborough Henges.

One of the UK’s most important neolithic sites, the Thornborough Henges, north of Ripon. Photo: English Heritage.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said:

“Thornborough Henges is one of England’s most impressive and important prehistoric monuments so it’s wonderful news that the entire site is now in the care of English Heritage for the benefit of the nation. The acquisition of the third henge marks the culmination of years of hard work and tenacity to unite and safeguard Thornborough Henges for future generations.”

Gerard Lemos, chair of English Heritage, said:

“Reuniting the henges like this means that the public is now able to explore all three and re-connect with the people who gathered here 4,500 years ago.”

Entry to Thornborough Henges is free although the northern henge is currently closed because a number of trees were damaged in recent storms. It is expected to open this year.

For more information, click here.

Historic Harrogate silverware goes on display at Ogden’s

A historic solid silver model of Harrogate’s Royal Pump Room has gone on display in the town centre.

The model, which was created in Ogden of Harrogate jeweller’s workshop in 1927, has been hidden from view, stored as part of the council’s civic collection.

But it has returned on loan to Ogden’s shop on James Street for public display as part of the jewellers’ 130th year celebrations.

Robert Ogden, a great, great, grandson of James R Ogden, who founded Ogden of Harrogate in 1893, said:

“This is one of the most famous artefacts to come from the Ogden workshop and has been lovingly brought back to its former glory in the workshop for our planned display. It also brings to light an overlooked philanthropic figure in our spa town’s history.

“It’s a rare object, of unique quality and finery and a testament to Ogden’s craftsmanship; a piece we are very proud to display and celebrate.”

The piece was commissioned by Captain Whitworth, who served as Harrogate Mayor between 1926-28.

He presented the piece to Harrogate in 1927 for use at civic occasions, such as gracing the mayor’s table during banquets.

The model, also known as the Civic Salt, is inscribed with the words: ‘Let your speech be always with grace and seasoned with salt.’

Captain Whitworth lived in Harrogate on the edge of the Stray for many years. He chaired several organisations including Harrogate Hospital, the Ripon Divisional Conservative Association and the Yorkshire Home for the Disabled. He also inherited the Boroughbridge Brewery.

He became a territorial captain in the West Yorkshire Regiment fifth battalion in 1902, suffering minor wounds in the First World War in Belgium.

Royal Pump Room model being cleaned in Ogden’s workshop. Photo credit: Ogden of Harrogate.

The piece came to light after a chance encounter between the great, grandson of Captain Whitworth, Ben Whitworth, and Lynne Mee, a former mayor’s secretary for Harrogate Borough Council.

Lynne Mee said:

“As one of the volunteers marking last year’s centenary of Harrogate’s War Memorial, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ben after the Remembrance Service. As part of the commemorations, we were seeking family stories and Ben spoke about the Whitworth-Ogden connection.”

Lynne then introduced him to Robert and Ben Ogden.

She added:

“As mayor’s secretary, I was responsible for the civic collection which I came to know well and to greatly care about. As Ben had never seen the silver Royal Pump Room model, it struck me it could be loaned to Ogden’s for public display. I approached Harrogate charter trustees, including charter trust mayor Cllr Michael Harrison, who were very supportive of the loan, and I am delighted this beautiful item will be seen and admired by many more people.”

The piece went on display yesterday (Thursday, February 8) at Ogden of Harrogate’s shop on James Street.

Harrogate family to appear on Channel 4’s Love It or List It tonight

A Channel 4 show is to air an episode based in Harrogate tonight.

Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It is hosted by Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp. Each episode shows them trying to help homeowners decide whether they want to stay in their homes or try to sell them.

Tonight’s episode at 8pm will follow up a previous episode in 2018 when Harrogate couple Carol and Andrew Pogson took part to find a multigenerational family space.

The Pogsons will return to our screens in a programme that shows Phil Spencer visiting their home to see how things worked out.

Carol and Andrew are back! Join @Philspencertv as he returns to Harrogate 7 years on to find out what’s changed with the couple and whether they followed through with their decision. 8pm on Channel 4. #LIOLI pic.twitter.com/dbyfN7YtrQ

— Love It or List It (@LoveitListitUK) February 7, 2024

Firefighters rescue man from Knaresborough toilet — again

A man had to be rescued from a toilet cubicle in Knaresborough today.

This is the second time firefighters have been called out to free a man from public conveniences in the town in the last six months.

Today’s incident took place on Waterside just after 8am.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident report said:

“Knaresborough fire crew released a male trapped in a toilet cubicle due to a faulty locking mechanism.

“Crews used small tools only.”

The previous incident took place in the York Place car park in August last year.

Firefighters used a door enforcer on that occasion.

No similar incidents in other Harrogate district toilets have been reported recently.

Fundraiser launched for former Harrogate BID director with terminal cancer

An open coffee, fizz and cake afternoon is being held in Burton Leonard this weekend in support of a resident with terminal bone cancer.

The family of Christine Armstrong, 62, are fundraising for the Bone Cancer Research Trust after she was diagnosed with the illness.

Christine recovered from breast cancer only to be told in December 2022 she had bone cancer and that it was terminal. It has now spread throughout her body and into her brain.

Ms Armstrong is a prominent figure around Harrogate and Knaresborough: she started The Met Club which she eventually sold and also ran the Harrogate BID and later the Wakefield BID.

She now lives with her son, daughter-in-law and two of her grandchildren in Burton Leonard.

Christine Armstrong and her grandchildren Charlie and Elle at home in Burton Leonard.

Ms Armstrong’s daughter-in-law, Katie Heptonstall said:

“Christine has spent a year fighting and going through so much both physically and mentally but throughout it all has remained incredibly positive and happy to be around.

“Despite all that she is going through, she never moans or complains about their noise levels and instead lets them snuggle up with her in bed and still tries to help look after them.”

Family friend Bethan Pritchard signed up to do the London Marathon in April to raise money to fight bone cancer following Christine’s diagnosis.

Last year Ms Pritchard ran 12 marathons in 12 months, raising almost £27,000 for Tommy’s Baby Charity and Ryedale Special Families Charity.

Ms Pritchard said on the JustGiving page dedicated to Ms Armstrong:

“Christine is fighting hard and still manages to smile despite everything so I feel the least I can do is put my trainers on and run some miles for an extremely deserving cause.”

Beth Pritchard training to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust

Her target is £2,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust but Ms Armstrong’s family want to help her raise as much as possible.

Her family are holding the coffee, fizz and cake afternoon this Saturday February 10 from 1.30-3.30pm at Burton Leonard Village Hall to kickstart the fundraising.

Katie Heptonstall added:

“We have been overwhelmed with the level of support, so many people have messaged to contribute or support the event which means so much to us as a family.”

To donate to the cause click here.

Read more:

Study unlocks secrets of the Knaresborough Hoard

A university study has made some fascinating discoveries about the mysterious Knaresborough Hoard.

The hoard, which consists of 30 items discovered in 1864, is the only known example of a late Roman hoard of this type to be recovered from a bog or marsh in Britain.

Although it was found 150 years ago, there has never been any detailed analysis of the items and its discovery has never been fully understood.

Most of the items are on display in The Yorkshire Museum in York, having been donated in 1864 by Knaresborough ironmonger and town councillor Thomas Gott.

Now Newcastle University archaeology student Jessica De Maso has carried out the first comprehensive study of the hoard as part of her MA degree.

Ms De Maso’s research suggests the hoard was discovered in a boggy area near Farnham, approximately two miles north of Knaresborough.

Two Roman roads ran through the area, providing connections to York and Hadrian’s Wall, which suggests the items may have come from wealthy Romans in the area.

The research team thinks the items were to impress guests because when polished, the bronze would have resembled gold.

It is unknown why the items were together or in a bog. It could be for ritual or spiritual reasons, to hide them, or make them irretrievable.

The research also discovered more about Thomas Gott and his discovery. At the time he was Knaresborough improvement commissioner and knew the estate manager of land near Farnham.

The landowner commissioned work on drainage in a marshy part of his land, making it likely that is where the hoard was found.

They also found evidence that there were originally more items in the hoard when discovered, but many had been mistakenly melted down by Gott.

Ms De Maso said:

“The study of the Knaresborough Hoard at the Yorkshire Museum was an incredible opportunity to engage with the idea that endless avenues of research can be done on existing collections in museums. I found this to be especially engaging and wonderfully challenging.”

Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, said:

“It is fantastic. It is one of the most important and historically significant artefacts in the country. All the work they have done is brilliant, it has an interesting story behind it and it was found only two miles away from Knaresborough.”

She added:

“It would be wonderful to return it, even on loan, but it is not something to happen in the short term.”

Large fluted bowl from the Knaresborough Hoard. Image: the Yorkshire Museum

James Gerrard, professor of Roman archaeology at Newcastle University, said:

“This project has shown the value in re-visiting old discoveries and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Yorkshire Museum to understand more about this extraordinary collection and who Thomas Gott was. It’s good to know that more than 150 years on, our research has helped tell a fascinating, if complex, part of the story about this remarkable discovery.”

Adam Parker, curator of archaeology at the Yorkshire Museum, said:

“The Knaresborough Hoard is an exceptional collection of Roman copper alloys. The excellent work has unlocked the research potential of these objects for the first time and will allow us to tell their story more completely.”

Former Ripon Grammar student breaks Atlantic rowing world record

A former Ripon Grammar School student has broken a rowing world record.

Bobbie Mellor, 34, was part of a three-strong female team that rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 40 days, 10 hours and 51 minutes.

The Stray Ferret reported on the World’ Toughest Row challenge when it happened and now team Wavebreakers is the fastest female trio ever to row across the Atlantic.

The previous record, set in 2022, was 42 days, seven hours and 17 minutes.

The team has raised more than £80,000 for the charity WWF’s climate crisis fund and the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR‘s climate change charities. Their employer, Vodafone, has offered to double donations up to the team’s target of £140,000.

Ms Mellor who began as a novice was skipper, and she and teammates Hatty Carder and Katherine Antrobus finished 10th overall against 38 crews, including professional rowers.

The race began in La Gomera in the Canaries on December 13 and finished in the Caribbean island of Antigua on January 22.

Ms Mellor said:

“It’s been wild. We had a shaky start but then some magic happened.”

The team had a rocky start, capsising early in the race and battling sea sickness, sleepless nights and waves of up to 10 feet high.

Bobbie Mellor (centre) and her teammates Hatty Carder and Katherine Antrobus

Bobbie’s mother Bridget, from Burton Leonard, said:

“The girls did us proud, showing great resilience, courage and teamwork. I found their arrival very emotional and was so relieved they made it. I always knew Bobbie would be a great skipper, she’s so positive, cheerful and calm. It’s an inspiration to other girls to know anything is possible.”

Ripon Grammar School director of sport Adam Milner said:

“’I know Bobbie, who took up rowing for the first time during lockdown, has joked that her old PE teachers would be shocked at what she’s doing now, since she was never sporty at school.

“But whether you’re naturally sporty or not, it’s all about giving your best, which is what we encourage all our students to do – and Bobbie is clearly a shining example of that.

“We’re all incredibly proud of her achievement, she has given it her all.”

“Bobbie reminds us all that it’s never too late to try something new – it doesn’t have to be as big as a world record, or even winning medals, just being part of a team or achieving your own personal best is something to celebrate.”

For more information about the fundraiser click here.

Council bids to save £3.2m on free school travel in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Council has unveiled proposals to reduce spending on school transport by £3.2 million.

About 10,500 of 75,000 pupils in North Yorkshire currently receive free transport, according to a council report. It says the proposals could affect 1,866 children over seven years.

The report says the cost of providing home to school travel is the council’s third largest spending item after adult social care and waste management. It has increased from £20 million in 2015/16 to a forecasted £42.1 million in 2023/24.

It says this is mainly due to an increase in the number of pupils eligible and the rising costs of providing the service.

It plans to run a 28-day consultation from February 5 to March 20 on the proposed changes, which could mainly affect families whose children do not attend the nearest schools to their homes.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Liberal Democrat councillor Barbara Brodigan who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa division and is on the the council’s appeals committee for home to school transport.

She said that councillors will not know the exact details of the policy until after the consultation, but “there are very specific guidelines from the Department for Education” for the council to follow.

Cllr Brodigan said:

“We should know imminently but it is difficult to say what the impact will be at this stage, there will be gains and disadvantages.

“We know there are some changes and only funding for catchment areas has been withdrawn. Depending on circumstance it is now only the nearest school that funded transport is provided for.”

Cllr Brodigan said sending children to schools that are not closest to home was often down to “parental choice”.

But she added:

“There are always winners and losers, I’m afraid. The criteria for catchment areas have seen a lot of ambiguity. It is often difficult for parents to understand and there could be anomalies.”

Cllr Brodigan says this has been an issue previously with children living on the borders of towns and counties.

She said:

“Home to school transport is one of the largest parts of the education budget and it is increasing as more rural schools close. The authority still has an obligation.

“There are advantages and disadvantages in the current economic climate when all councils are struggling there are financial impacts.”

What is being considered?

The North Yorkshire Council website states the upcoming consultations should include:

Retention of early eligibility in the Reception year
Retention of extended eligibility in Year 3
Amendment to the main eligibility criterion to be ‘nearest school (with places available)’ to match the statutory requirement
Removal of eligibility on the basis on 50/50 second address
Removal of eligibility for the primary phase on low-income denominational grounds
Removal of blanket eligibility to transport support for 2 days SEND transitions

The Department for Education’s 2023 statutory guide for local authorities states a child is eligible to free home to school travel if “they are of compulsory school age, attend their nearest suitable school and live more than the statutory walking distance from that school.”

The guide clarifies:

“Suitable school’ does not mean the most suitable school for a child. Schools are able to meet a wide range of needs. The nearest secondary school to the home of a child of secondary school age, for example, will almost always be their nearest suitable school (provided it would be able to admit them).”

Major new bar planned for Harrogate’s Parliament Street

A company has revealed £750,000 plans to transform the former Jamie Oliver restaurant on Parliament Street in Harrogate into a large bar.

Newgate Pubs and Bars has applied for a premises licence to open The Mayfair Pub and Kitchen at the unoccupied venue in the heart of Harrogate’s night time scene.

The application is to open from 9am until 1.30am seven days of the week, play live music, have large TVs showing sport and allow dance performances.

Newgate Pubs and Bars, which was established five years ago, already operates bars under the Mayfair brand in Newcastle and Doncaster.

Director Joe Smith, who has been in the industry for 40 years, said although the company was small, it was “growing rapidly” and the Harrogate site would create 35 to 40 jobs.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate is a great town to be in and we see it being ideal for us. There is a gap in the market and it ticks all our demographics.

“I’m sure we’ll be well received. Our quality is superb and people will like what we do. We’ll see you soon.”

The building has struggled to find long-term tenants since Jamie’s Italian closed in 2018.

Since then it has operated as Wagyu Bar and Grill and Solita Foodhall but neither lasted long and the unit has been vacant since 2021. Plans to open a Tomahawk Steakhouse never materialised.

Mr Smith said he hoped this would be the right fit and the size of the unit didn’t faze him as the Mayfair in Newcastle was situated in a 12,000 sq ft building and that had worked well.

Parliament Street is home to a number of bars including Mojo, Manhatta and All Bar One. Mr Smith said there was enough trade for them all, adding:

“I don’t like the word ‘competition’, I think we will complement each other. We know our neighbours very well in Newcastle and we’ll fit in beside them here so we can complement each other and work together.”

Mr Smith said the company had looking at multiple sites in north England before choosing Harrogate.

There is no current opening date planned for the venue.

Reservoir parking charges reignite Washburn residents’ concerns

The newly introduced parking charges at Harrogate district reservoirs this week have reignited concerns about the impact on nearby areas.

The Stray Ferret reported that the new charges by Yorkshire Water for motorists at Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs would begin yesterday.

Since we broke the news back in 2022 that charges would be in place we have reported on equipment installation and residents’ concerns about the plans.

Now that the charges are active, concerns remain that people will try to avoid the charges by parking on nearby roads and verges.

The reservoirs are situated near narrow rural roads, which has led to concerns about congestion, danger to pedestrians and blockages to farm machinery.

Victoria Oldham, the last mayor of the Harrogate borough who lives in the Washburn Valley close to Fewston and Swinsty, said she was “not overly happy with the decision”.

She said:

“If people are not prepared to pay they will park on the roadside, and it is very narrow. There is nowhere else unless you live locally”

“It was an issue in lockdown, because the car parks were closed. The roads became impossible to drive on and the police had to be summoned. They destroyed the verges driving there.

“Some people are prepared to take it on the chin. The annual charge sounds reasonable, but many people will be caught unawares and won’t come back. It is a shame, and we would’ve preferred not to, but you pay to visit any attraction.”

The Stray Ferret approached Yorkshire Water for comment on how the new system was working. A spokesperson said the charges had only come into force this week.