Two of Ripon’s key tourist and heritage attractions have reopened their doors to the public and a third will re-open next month.
The Workhouse Museum & Garden and Prison & Police Museum, reopened yesterday (Wednesday) and the Courthouse Museum is expected to be open again from August 1.
Helen Thornton, director of Ripon Museum Trust, said:
“I am so excited to be able to offer a warm welcome to visitors once again. The whole team here has worked extremely hard to get ready to provide an enjoyable and safe museum experience.”
She added:
“I hope people will be inspired by the fascinating history we have at Ripon museums and will have fun with their families exploring our beautiful gardens and discovering the amazing stories within our walls.”
The museums will open six days a week, closing on Mondays for a deep clean, as part of a package of measures designed to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff.
Numbers of people allowed in at any one time are being limited. Visitors must have pre-booked and paid for their tickets and should present their email ticket on a mobile phone or a printed copy at museum receptions.
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Ripon Museum Trust is also introducing additional cleaning and hygiene measures on its three sites, with social distancing markers in place to help visitors keep a safe distance apart.
Anybody displaying symptoms of coronavirus is asked not to visit.
The measures have been taken following government guidance and following Public Health England recommendations. The trust has received accreditation from Visit England, which recognises that government and industry Covid-19 guidelines are being followed, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
Visitors to the Workhouse Museum will be able to purchase refreshments and can bring a picnic to eat in the museum’s grounds.
Ripon Museum Trust previously received £40,100 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to safeguard its heritage buildings and provide much-needed support for essential costs during the coronavirus crisis.
M&S Ripon opens with a trickle, not a floodOn a rainy Wednesday morning, there was more of a trickle than a flood of customers for the 8am opening of the new M&S Food store in Ripon.
Store manager Paul Nicoll told The Stray Ferret:
“Because of COVID-19 and the requirements for social distancing, we decided on a ‘soft’ opening to ensure the safety of customers and staff.”
He added:
“That’s why we didn’t make a big thing about publicising our first day opening time.”
The new store opened today with staff eager to serve their new customers.
The store, which is the first to open on the St Michael’s Retail Park on Rotary Way, Ripon, was scheduled to start trading on April 29, but the planned opening was put on hold because of the coronavirus crisis.
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Even with the government relaxing social distancing from two metres to one, the need for caution was evident in store, with hand sanitiser, a one way in and one way out system for customers and staff wearing masks.
The first shopper through the doors was Janis Stone of Bishop Monkton, who said:
“I’m delighted that M&S are back in Ripon, I used to go to the small store they had in the city centre until it closed.”
She added:
“I think they will do very well here.”
Bishop’s blessing for new Ripon M&S store
The Bishop of Ripon, The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, has given her blessing to the new M&S Food store opening in Ripon tomorrow morning.
Dr Hartley, who joined the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin for a preview visit, said a prayer of blessing as members of M&S staff gathered at a safe distance with their heads bowed.
The preview was arranged because tomorrow’s planned opening ceremony, due to be carried out by Cllr Parkin, had to be called off because of the coronavirus crisis – which itself saw the original April 29 opening rescheduled.
Cllr Parkin told The Stray Ferret:
“This is a fabulous development for Ripon and a vote of confidence in our city at this difficult time for the retail sector. It gives us hope and brings us very welcome new jobs.”
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Paul Nicoll, centre, showed Mayor Eamon Parkin and Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley around the new Ripon store
Before he showed them around the store, which is part of the £10 million St Michael’s Retail Park development, manager Paul Nicoll said almost 60 jobs had been created and 90% of the workforce has been recruited from the Ripon area.
As the Bishop and Mayor looked around, they saw a hive of activity among staff putting the finishing touches to the filling of shelves where thousands of items are already in place.
Mr Nicoll added:
“We’ve gauged from what we’ve seen on social media that local people have been looking forward to us opening.”
M&S is returning to the city years after it closed a small shop unit in The Arcade. It joins a line-up of supermarkets in the city including Aldi, Booths, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, while Lidl has recently announced that it is also looking for a suitable site in Ripon.
Ripon councillor calls for vigilance after his van is stolenFormer Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, is calling on residents to be vigilant, after his van was stolen from outside his home.
The theft of his blue Ford Transit Sapphire van, between 11.15pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday, June 30, came as a financial blow, which has cost him more than £10,000 and almost two weeks of work as a window cleaner – a job he has done for more than 50 years.
Cllr Hawke, a Ripon city and Harrogate district councillor, told The Stray Ferret:
“The van, with its ladders and cleaning equipment, is my work on four wheels and was gone in a matter of seconds. I was devastated and it has caused me days of inconvenience and disruption.”
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He added:
“I want to bring it to the attention of others, because I suspect my vehicle was stolen to order by professional thieves and has probably been dismantled and its parts sold on. “
Ripon’s combined Police and Fire Station
Cllr Hawke said the van, with the personalised number plate Y60 SJH, had been parked and locked up outside his home on the Low Mill Estate. North Yorkshire Police, to whom the theft was reported, told him that the vehicle was picked up on a camera at the Empress roundabout in Harrogate at 12.15am
Cllr Hawke pointed out: “We all need to be vigilant and report to the police anything that looks suspicious. I don’t think I’ll be getting the van that was stolen back, but raising awareness of criminal activity in the area might help others.”
The theft was also reported to Cllr Hawke’s insurers, but while he waits for his claim to be settled, he has bought a new van, ladders and equipment and is back in business.
Ripon charity plans further expansion despite coronavirus
When Jonathan Evason was born with Down’s Syndrome in 1964, his parents Barrie and Sue, were told by a paediatrician that his disability meant he would never learn anything – but the doctor was wrong
The Evasons set out to show that people with learning disabilities, could have a productive and happy life.
Their belief lead to the creation of the Jennyruth Workshops at Bridge Hewick near Ripon, where learning through working, is at the heart of the charity’s operation, as it aims to develop the potential of its workers, staff and volunteers.
Barrie, who raised money to set up the workshops through a series of sponsored long-distance walks with Jonathan, died in February and his ashes will be buried later this year in an urn in a memorial garden on the site.
Nicky Newell (above, left) is the chief executive officer who heads the charity, which has a small number of full-time employees and a growing team of regular volunteers working with 28 workers aged between 19 and 73.
Pictured with her are, from the left, staff members Denise Carrigan, Phe Morris, Jackie Grant and PR and media adviser Anna Smith.
The workers are currently working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but remain linked to their colleagues through use of computers for twice-daily Zoom meetings and receipt of a weekly online bulletin.
Nicky, whose daughter Lucy, is among the workforce that produces hundreds of brightly-painted wooden goods, from bird houses and bee homes, to custom-made bespoke items and Christmas decorations, told The Stray Ferret:
“We are currently at full capacity, but have plans for further expansion that will enable us to work with more adults with learning disabilities.”
The remote services developed to link all those involved in the charity’s daily activities, will be offered to others as part of an outreach programme after the workers are able to return to the workshops.
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Nicky pointed out:
“We don’t want to be in a position where we are having to turn anybody away.”
Despite the fact that the pandemic caused the loss of major fundraising and sales events, including its annual golf day; The Great North Run and stalls at the Harlow Carr and Newby Hall flower shows, the charity remains optimistic. Anna Smith, said:
“Those who have been unable to support us through these events, can still make donations on Go Fund Me as part of our Rainbow Miles fundraiser.”
Ripon and Knaresborough market traders face rent increase
Market traders in Ripon and Knaresborough who were hoping for financial help from Harrogate Borough Council, face a rent increase of more than 25% this summer.
Before the coronavirus crisis hit the economy of the Harrogate district, the council had agreed its budget for 2020-2021, which included a rent rise for stall holders, which should have come into effect on April 1st – but was put on hold.
The council’s market rates for Ripon and Knaresborough as published on its website, show that from July, the summer rental for regular traders will rise from £19.50 to £24.50 and the winter rate increase from £16.40 to £21.40. This additional £5 is to cover the setting up of the stalls by the council, and will be charged per stall rather than per market trader.
Dave Tomlinson, trades on Knaresborough market and said:
“Its quite depressing really, all the other markets seem to be helping us apart from HBC. It’s pretty appalling and the morale is way down. The council are very shortsighted because if they continue to put the rent up they will lose traders. I know for a fact we’d lose two traders and maybe even two more and thats a lot of money to lose.”
At Wednesday’s full council meeting, Councillor Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, whose portfolio covers the markets in the Harrogate district, said that rates would be held at the 2019-2020 level “until the end of July”.
Knaresborough Market, bouncing back quicker than Ripon
The Stray Ferret asked the council when the new rates will come into effect, but was still awaiting clarification at the time of publication.
On Wednesday, Cllr Paraskos pointed out that a number of measures have been put in place by the council to both support market traders and promote the markets, including waiving of fees for traders unable to attend because of government restrictions and promotion of market days on social media.
He added:
“There has been a rumour going around that Harrogate Borough Council is wanting to get rid of the markets. This is not true.”
The Ripon stallholders representative, Brian Murphy, said:
“After the financial struggle many have experienced, including those non-food traders who didn’t earn a penny for 11 weeks of lockdown, any rent increase will feel like a kick in the teeth.”
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The discussion on market rents was prompted by Ripon Independent Councillor Pauline McHardy, who submitted a written question calling on the council to follow the lead of neighbouring local authorities. Other local authorities had given rent holidays reductions to help traders post lockdown.
As well as asking for stall holders to be provided with rent-free periods or reductions for a given time, Cllr McHardy, said:
“I hope that the council is not planning rent increases this year or next.”
Cllr McHardy has invited Cllr Paraskos and Cllr Graham Swift, the council’s cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, to visit Ripon Market with her and speak with traders.
Student aims for dream job as astronautA Ripon student literally has ambitions that are out of this world, as she plans to study aerospace engineering at the University of Manchester.
Layla Osman, from Ripon, wants to be an astronaut, but first hopes to become an RAF pilot before going into space.
The 17-year-old, who took maths, physics and chemistry A Levels at Ripon Grammar School, said:
“I have wanted to do this for a few years now due to my passion for maths and physics and love for space. The thought of being able to be even a small part of exploring it excites me tremendously. To become an astronaut is my dream job.”
Layla Osman, who has ambitions to be an astronaut
The school’s upper sixth form students, whose school lives came to an abrupt end in March, have secured offers and internships from a range of universities, art colleges, employers and voluntary organisations
A total of 167 have applied to university this year, alongside a significant number planning to take a year out, gaining industry insight and life experience.
Around 70 per cent of students plan to take up places at Russell Group universities – despite most universities planning to run their first terms online – with seven receiving Oxbridge offers, nine having offers to study medicine and one for veterinary medicine.
Head of sixth form Terry Fell said:
“These are among the most challenging applications students can put themselves through, and the most demanding of universities, and their success reflects a very bright year group indeed.”
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He added:
“But our students and staff are very clear that there is so much more depth and success to be celebrated in this year group than just these simple headline figures.”
The unique year group is setting off on a wide range of paths, with some pursuing their art and others gaining internships and undergraduate placements in industry. A number are looking forward to setting off on adventurous expeditions and volunteering projects, with two students choosing to study abroad, in New Zealand and the US.
Jack Ibbotson, 17, from Burton Leonard, who studied economics, history and geography at A-level, will be starting a deck officer cadetship, sponsored by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines at Glasgow College, where he will take a degree in nautical sciences and marine operations. He said:
Vulnerable Ripon woman sent rotten food from government scheme“This is something I have always wanted to do, and it is a fantastic opportunity to travel the world for a living,”
For five consecutive weeks, a vulnerable Ripon woman received food boxes from a government-led scheme containing items unfit to eat.
The woman, who wishes to stay anonymous, contacted The Stray Ferret, after receiving weekly boxes containing bags of rotting potatoes and carrots and dented tins.
The woman who is currently staying in sheltered accommodation, as she recuperates following life-saving surgery, has been in self-isolation for many weeks and has shown The Stray Ferret timed and dated photographs taken on her smartphone of the sub-standard items received in boxes delivered over a five-week period.
A dented can of peach slices
To verify her claims, we have also taken our own photography of goods, which are delivered each Wednesday from a Bidfood-UK depot in Wakefield.
The woman, who initially complained direct to the depot via phone and email, was unhappy with the response received and decided to call The Stray Ferret.
She said:
“For five consecutive weeks I received boxes containing some items, particularly potatoes and carrots, that were unfit to eat. There were also numerous dented cans. I am not being ungrateful, because the boxes are delivered free of charge, but I think it is only right that people who already have health issues should receive food that is fit to eat.”
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In May, the government’s Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced that more than a million boxes of essential food had been delivered to those at highest risk across England. He praised national food distributors, including Bidfood, for the part played by the company in delivering packages directly to clinically vulnerable people’s doorsteps.
The food box programme, which began in late March has seen government partner with the food industry and local councils and in May, Mr Jenrick said:
“The coronavirus emergency has brought uncertain and difficult times but the willingness of people to pull together and support those most in need is an inspiration to us all.”
Jim Gouldie, supply chain and technical services director at Bidfood:
“We’d like to apologise for the experience this individual has received, and reassure her that all feedback is incredibly important to us. Bidfood takes the quality of the products we supply very seriously and would never knowingly supply products of poor quality.
“This has come as a surprise to us as we’ve previously spoken to the lady concerned to ensure that we had addressed any issues she had faced, and taken appropriate actions to resolve the matter. We also revisited this issue subsequently, and the recipient indicated that she was happy with our response and approach.”
Mr Gouldie, added:
“Our service to Defra is managed against a strict set of performance measures, and our performance both in terms of delivery, and box contents has always been exceptional. We are, however, grateful to have received this feedback, to help us in identifying any issues so that these can be rectified going forward and will do all we can to ensure she encounters no further problems.”
Holy smoke at Ripon Cathedral lights the path out of darkness
A persistent breeze whipping its way around the western entrance of Ripon Cathedral on Saturday evening, could not extinguish the new light of hope being carried into this ancient place of worship.
The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt. Rev. Nick Baines (pictured right) in a ceremony designed for the whole of the diocese, marked the return of public prayer to churches. Only private prayer has recently been allowed in buildings which were shut for weeks because of the coronavirus crisis.
The Easter candle was lit from a brazier of burning twigs, before it was carried into the cathedral by Canon Michael Gisborne.
The Bishop, said:
“May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.”
The lockdown that forced the closure of churches and places of worship of all religions across the UK, meant that the Paschal candle could not be lit in the cathedral on Easter Sunday.
Its use in the ceremony added to the symbolism of the event, which was followed by a service attended by dozens of parishioners and guests – all of whom were asked to sanitise their hands, give name and contact details to assist the NHS Test and Trace programme and observe social distancing.
The cathedral opened for private prayer on June 15 and since then has seen a steady flow of people across its threshold, coming to pray, light candles and speak with its priests.
Ripon Cathedral now open for public prayer
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The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said:
“We are encouraged by the positive response to our opening for private prayer; notwithstanding all the necessary demands to ensure the public are kept as safe as possible, it is clearly the case that there is a significant need both amongst regular worshippers and the wider community to cross the thresholds of our churches and cathedrals both for private prayer and public worship.
“At Ripon Cathedral we are very keen to respond to the heightened awareness that many now have of God’s presence and activity in their lives.”
Some services and reflections will continue to be streamed on YouTube and these can all be accessed via the cathedral’s website.
Vital role of district’s village pubs revivedQueen’s Head regular Mike Smith has waited a long 105 days since the pandemic denied him his favourite pulled pint of draught bitter.
Mr Smith, who lives across the road from the Kirkby Malzeard pub that he and his wife Sally consider an essential part of local life, told The Stray Ferret:
“I’ve been looking forward to this day, having had my last pint of draught beer on the evening that the pub had to close down because of the coronavirus crisis.”
He said that he has had cans of beer at home, but drinks in isolation don’t come with the social interaction, friendly banter and ambience experienced in a pub bar.
Mr Smith pointed out:
“For us, the pub is a vital part of village life and if there wasn’t one here, my wife and I would move elsewhere.”
His words will come as reassurance to landlady Sue Maguire, her husband Paul (aka Rocky) and daughters Zanne and Lucie, who took over the Queen’s Head in April 2017 and have been running the only pub in the village ever since.
Having missed out on the extra trade that would have come with Mother’s Day, Easter, VE Day, the late May Bank holiday, the Tour De Yorkshire and Father’s Day, the family hopes that a staycation summer with people coming to nearby holiday homes and caravan sites, will bring in the business that they need to keep their heads above water.
Sue said:
“I cried my eyes out the evening that we were told we had to temporarily close because of coronavirus. We had only just taken a delivery and had a cellar full of casque beer and lager we thought we might never be able to sell.”
Being enterprising however, they were able to draw the drink off into bottles and sell it in conjunction with the takeaway food service the family set up to help them survive through the lockdown period.
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Zanne, said:
“To sell the bottled beers, we put a ‘your pub needs you’ shout out on FaceBook and fortunately that worked and helped us with sales,”
Social media will continue to play a role in raising awareness of the village pub and the takeaway service, with the option of home deliveries, will continue, enabling villagers who remain in self-isolation, to have a pub meal.
Sue added:
“We are doing all we can, but at the end of the day, we need people to come through the door to put money in our till and both regulars and new customers can be sure of a warm welcome.”