Tim Flanagan, Author at The Stray Ferret

Councillor calls for market traders to be treated fairly

A district councillor who has championed the cause of market traders is calling on Harrogate Borough Council to treat them fairly, in the wake of lockdown losses.

Independent Ripon Councillor Pauline McHardy, pictured above, with market trader Mike Finan (centre) and his son Will, told The Stray Ferret:

“For hundreds of years, the markets in Ripon and Knaresborough have made a major contribution to their local economy, by providing an important service for shoppers and bringing additional footfall that benefits other retailers, cafes, pubs and restaurants – but they appear to be undervalued by the local authority.”

The three-time Mayor of Ripon, who supported the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign set up in 2012 to fight for the future of markets across the UK, added:

“I have been speaking with non-food traders who have been coming here for years and they feel that, while other parts of the business community have been given proactive support from the council, in terms of advice and financial assistance, they have been left to sink or swim.”

Campaigners have called for traders at Ripon and Knaresborough markets to be given more support

HBC has given a three-month rent break to all commercial tenants in its premises, at a cost of £200,000 to the authority.

Cllr McHardy added:

“Other local authority areas in Yorkshire, including Hambleton, Craven, Leeds and Ryedale, have helped traders with either rent-free periods or reduced rents. However, following 11 weeks in which they were unable to earn any money, they found themselves having to pay full rents in Ripon and Knaresborough. It’s time for Harrogate Borough Council to start treating them fairly.”

Stallholder Mike Finan, whose family has sold women’s clothing on Ripon Market for more than 50 years, said:

“It has been really tough having weeks with no money coming in. When we returned to the markets at Thirsk and Northallerton, we were helped by the fact that rents have been reduced by 50 percent for June, but Harrogate has given us nothing.”

Steve Teggin, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“The value of these traders to our communities can be seen week in, week out, as market day is a magnet that attracts much-needed business to our town centre. They deserve more help.”

Traders selling goods classed by the government as non-essential, did not have to pay rent during the weeks when they have been unable to stand, but food stall holders trading at scaled-down markets during the lockdown, were charged full rents.

Brian Murphy whose family has sold fruit and vegetables at Ripon Market for more than 100 years, said:

“At Otley, we have not been charged any rent during the coronavirus crisis and that continues, but we have had zero financial help from Harrogate.”

When approached for comment on the continuing concerns raised by stall holders, Harrogate Borough Council reiterated a previous statement in which it said:

“Where we have charged, fees have been held at last year’s rates. It’s disappointing to hear that one or two traders feel we’ve not been supportive. We’ve done all we can to ensure our markets can fully re-open safely and to enable traders to get back to business as usual.”

Ripon curtain retailer re-opens after helping mask makers

Since the coronavirus crisis began, Ripon retailer Caroline Lodge has literally given material assistance to an army of volunteer sewers who have been making masks, scrubs and scrubs bags for front line workers.

Rosie & Clover, her shop in Westgate, reopened on Wednesday and Caroline told The Stray Ferret:

“It’s good to be back. When we had to close it was a nerve wracking experience, as we did not know when we would be able to reopen.”

Rosie & Clover, which has been trading in Ripon for six years, sells made-to-measure curtains and blinds, associated home furnishings and specialist furniture paint. It was temporarily closed along with many others in the city as government restrictions on the retail sector came into force.

As her shop went into lockdown, Caroline posted an item on Facebook offering free rolls of fabric for use in making PPE and had soon given away more than £750 worth of material to sewers based in Ripon, Boroughbridge and surrounding villages.

She said:

“When I heard about the urgent need for masks in particular to be made, I thought that I could help out by donating material to sewing groups. After the item on Facebook I had a line of 15 people waiting at the shop to collect rolls from me.”

Her generosity has been praised by Ripon-based mask maker Eileen Jordan (pictured above), who said:

“It tells you a lot about a person when they think about others at a time when they are facing a difficult situation. I’m pleased that Caroline’s shop is back open and I wish her every success.”

Eileen, who has produced hundreds of masks over the past three months, added:

“With the material, the thread, the buttons, the elastic and cord that has been donated by businesses and individuals in the community, thousands of masks, scrubs and scrubs bags have been made by sewers across in the area for front line workers, including local undertakers.”

Sharow Parish Council leads fight to save village pub

Villagers in Sharow have joined the parish council in voicing opposition to plans that would see The Half Moon Inn become a single private dwelling.

The closing date for views on the planning application to be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council is next week. Twenty-five letters of objection from the public have been lodged – and there have been no letters of public support at the time of writing.

The Half Moon, located on Sharow Lane, opened in 1822 and closed four years ago, but Sharow Parish Council wants the building to be registered as an asset of community value (ACV) in the hope that it could re-open as a pub.

Sharow parish clerk Nick Reed told The Stray Ferret:

“There is a strength of opposition to the proposed change of use and a growing wish in the village to see it registered as an ACV. We would seek outside help with this.”

In a letter to the council’s planning department, Mr Reed said: “Our main objection is that converting a historic village pub into a private residence would be of enormous detriment to life within the parish.”

He added:

“The conversion of this building into a private residential house would result in the loss of the pub as a community facility.”

The premises have been marketed for let under their existing usage – as ‘restaurant and bar with accommodation’ – but the parish council argues that all options for continuance as a pub have not been fully explored.

Should villagers be successful in having The Half Moon registered as an ACV, they will be following in the footsteps of Kirkby Malzeard, where members of the local community have raised more than £200,000 in a bid to prevent residential redevelopment of a site occupied by The Henry Jenkins Inn.

Ripon Cathedral ‘Angel’ appeal raises £130,000

As Ripon Cathedral opens for private prayer, volunteers are needed to help make 11,000 origami angels which will form an art installation in its nave.

‘A Wing and a Prayer’ was launched in early May in conjunction with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The aim of the project is to create an installation that fills the nave with angels bearing prayers for those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus and other front line staff risking their own lives.

So far the project has raised over £130,000 which will be split between the charity and the cathedral.

People are asked to send in their prayers via the cathedral website to remember a loved one or a key worker; the prayers will then be said by the clergy during services and will also be borne by the origami angels hanging in the nave. Those leaving a prayer are also invited to make a donation.

Margaret Hammond, development manager of Ripon Cathedral Development Trust said:

“A number of our cathedral volunteers (like Malcolm Hansom, pictured below) have already come forward and together with volunteers from Yorkshire Air Ambulance have made an amazing 2,000 origami angels.”

Margaret added:

“However, with at least 11,000 angels to create over the next month this is a huge challenge and we are now seeking more volunteers to get involved. Perhaps if you are shielding and have some spare time during lockdown you could help? Making the first origami angel may seem complicated but they become easier once you have made two or three!”

From 1st August, visitors and donors will have the opportunity to come and see the display – reflecting how people from the community have come together during these uncertain times to support one another.

Cathedral re-opens for private prayer

Bungee training keeps Ripon champion swimmer fit

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said:

“This project is doing several positive things and responding to a real desire on the part of many people to make their prayers in or through Ripon Cathedral. The angel art installation will be an expression of all of these including memories of some who have died and gratitude for both healing and the exceptional service provided by so many in society.”

Dean John, added:

“There is no doubt that the financial support resulting from all the generous donations is very welcome for ourselves and for Yorkshire Air Ambulance; for both of us income has been hit drastically during the time of lockdown.”

Further details about the Wing and A Prayer appeal and how to support it, are available on the Ripon Cathedral website.

Bungee training keeps Ripon Grammar School swimmer fit

A bungee cord attached to the side of a pool is providing champion swimmer and Ripon Grammar School student Darcy Harper with an innovative way of keeping fit during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 14-year-old, who lives near Bedale, has competed in national championships with her school swimming team and has qualified for the Irish national championships and got the idea from one of her mother’s work colleagues.

Darcy, said:

“We bought a four-and-a-half metre pool, which was hard to get as they had almost sold out – we got the last one!”

Boarding student Darcy, who has achieved third and fourth placings in county and Ulster championships, has been swimming in her rigged-up pool most days of the week, initially in a wetsuit until she can buy a heater to warm up the water. She pointed out:

“It has been great for me to train in and help strengthen my ankle after a netball injury.”

Swimming competitively from the age of nine, she has also been running and cycling to stay fit in lockdown and her ambition is to qualify for regional swimming championships and earning herself a Ripon Grammar School sports tie.

As well as being a member of the RGS swim team, Darcy plays hockey, rounders and is a member of the athletics club. Before lockdown, she did swimming training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and on Friday and Sunday mornings.

She, added:

“I love the feeling of when you’ve built up so much adrenaline and you can let it all out in a race. I also just love being in water and for me swimming is a way to get rid of stress you may have gathered over the week and it’s a great community too. Even if I stop competing, I will never give up swimming.”

Ripon department store hopes summer trade will secure its future

Wrens, the Ripon department store that is home to 55 independent retailers, reopened on Tuesday, hoping that summer trade will secure its future.

Owner Mark Butler, told The Stray Ferret:

“The lockdown period has been an extremely difficult time for all of the businesses here and I think as we gradually come out of it, it will be a case of battening down the hatches and hanging on in there, hoping that the loyal customer base that has supported us, returns as we re-open our doors.”

Day trippers, visitors and holiday makers who stay in the Ripon area, make up 65 percent of the store’s customer base. With air travel out for many this summer, retailers hope that more people will stay in the holiday homes and nearby caravan sites and come to the city to spend their money.

Mr Butler pointed out:

“If we can get over the next few months and also see our tearoom re-open, it can help set us up for Christmas, which is always our most important trading time of the year.”

Wrens was established seven years ago, when the Fishergate premises, previously occupied by the Philip Hall department store, was transformed into an outlet that helps small independent retailers enter the market place at low financial risk, with affordable short to medium term leases.

The success of the concept, launched by Mr Butler and his wife, Philomena, can be seen in different parts of the city: Fig & Willow gift-shop, Antiques and Collectables, Eastwick handbags and the Easylearn toy shop, are all among Ripon retailers, formerly based at Wrens, who now have their own shops.

The department store continues to feature an eclectic mixture of retailers, from a cooper who turns the ends of barrels into unique clocks, to a trader who sells vintage toys and train sets.

In addition to handmade gifts, cards and collectables, there is a large women’s wear section and furniture department.

In 2014 Wrens received recognition for the ingenious way in which it nurtures new retail businesses with an award from the small business network and advice hub, Ingenious Britain,.

Now, Mr Butler and the retailers that he works with, will be showing all the ingenuity that they can to ensure that they make it through the tough times that lie ahead.

Ripon Cathedral re-opens to the public for private prayer

Clergy, led by the Very Reverend Dean John Dobson, re-opened the doors of Ripon Cathedral at 10am on Monday to welcome in parishioners and visitors wishing to say private prayers.

After more than 10 weeks of lockdown caused by the coronavirus crisis, the cathedral is one of only a handful of places of worship in the Harrogate district to re-open at the first opportunity allowed by the government.

Dean John (pictured centre), told The Stray Ferret:

“We knew that this day would arrive and planned ahead and it was pleasing to see the first people back through our doors to say their prayers.”

The Cathedral, which will be open between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Saturday and 12 noon until 4pm on Sundays, is following very strict social distancing and hygiene rules to protect the wellbeing of visitors who come to pray, or light a candle. Hand sanitiser is available on entry; seating has been reduced and signage is in place.

During lockdown, services have been streamed live on YouTube – including the Easter Day Sung Eucharist and these have attracted a growing audience.

Dean John believes that prayer plays an important role in daily lives and said:

“Many people, through these weeks and months of lockdown, have sensed their need of spiritual nourishment and their need to pray and that is quite a universal thing among many people of different faiths and different parts of the Christian church.”

He and fellow clergy, Canon Ailsa Newby, Canon Michael Gisbourne, The Rev. Caitlin Carmichael-Davies and The Venerable Clive Mansell, welcomed in the first small group of people waiting for the cathedral’s doors to open.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, is one of the most ancient places of worship in the UK and prayers have been said at this location for more than 1300 years.

Ripon Post Office to move to more accessible location

Ripon’s main Post Office is moving from Finkle Street to a more easily accessible retail unit in The Arcade, off Market Place.

Postmistress Amy Kaur, told The Stray Ferret:

“We have wanted to move for some time, because the steps outside our current premises make access difficult for the elderly, disabled, wheelchair users and people with children in prams and pushchairs.”

The city’s Post Office (pictured) has been in Finkle Street for more than 60 years and over the last six decades the services it provides have evolved.

Amy, pointed out:

“In additional to selling postage stamps, accepting parcels for delivery, paying out pensions, handling passport and driving licence applications and car tax renewals, we provide financial services ranging from travel currency to business banking and cash and cheque transactions.”

The new unit in The Arcade, which has street-level access, will be fully operational by September, when Amy and her colleagues Raj Raj, Sue Lewis and Gordon Royle move to the new location.

As well as providing the full range of Post Office services, the office will include a Quidz In value store.

A key element of the service provided is also expanding – as the mobile Post Office unit headed by Gordon Royle, now covers 22 towns and villages in the Ripon area, with the possibility of a further two locations to be added.

Gordon, said: “During the current coronavirus crisis, when many people living in rural communities remain isolated in their homes and unable to travel to Ripon, the mobile service has grown in popularity.”

Restaurant owner looks forward to reopening Valentino’s in Ripon

At the age of 15, Rick Jones was washing pots in Valentino’s and 22 years later he is its owner and looking forward to re-opening the newly-refurbished Italian restaurant in the heart of Ripon.

Rick (pictured) who was born and bred in the city, made a rapid rise from ‘washer up’ to chef, having studied at Harrogate College following his secondary education at Boroughbridge High School.

He has made his mark in the hospitality business at the Water Rat pub and restaurant, on the bank of the River Skell, overlooking Alma Weir and later this year, will be double-handed, when Valentino’s re-opens its doors following a £500,000 restoration that has seen the addition of five en suite rooms.

Valentino’s, located on the corner of Westgate and Blossomgate, was where Rick learnt the Roman style of Italian cooking and cuisine under brothers Fermino and Mario di Silvestro, who opened in Ripon in 1986 after selling the well-known No. 6 Restaurant in Harrogate.

He told The Stray Ferret:

“Fermino and Mario treated me like family and taught me so much. They were perfectionists and always required the very highest standards.”

Inspired by what he had learnt at Valentino’s, Rick took over the Water Rat in February 2007, but the premises were hit by flooding in June of that year.

The coronavirus crisis, has disrupted the latest stage in his hospitality career – as the original plan was to re-open the new-look Valentino’s with its hotel facilities on 30th April and now August is the target date.

However, in spite of natural disaster and pandemic – with their financial consequences – Rick has remained positive, saying:

“It may appear dark at times, but I know that the sun will always shine again.”

Many of the Water Rat regulars, who he looks on as an extension of his own family, have been using the weekend takeaway pizza, pasta and dessert delivery and collection service that gives them a taste of the Valentino’s menu.

As well as bringing in welcome revenue while the pub remains closed, Rick pointed out that it has helped him and his team to keep in contact with each other and customers, ready for the day when both of his establishments are open again.

Ripon market traders argue for rent reductions

Ripon’s non-essential market traders returned to their stalls today after months of lockdown. But some traders believe they have been poorly treated by Harrogate Borough Council.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is planning to increase the rent for each stall by up to 32.4%, has offered the traders no rent holidays or reductions as they get back up and running.

The stallholders argue that due to the inability to trade over lockdown rental reductions should now be offered as they ease back into trading.

Nick Farnsworth, who has been selling women’s nightwear and underwear at Ripon for 25 years, said:

“It’s a disgrace that we are still being charged the full whack, when other areas are doing their best to help their market stallholders.”

Ripon market traders want more support from the council as they adjust to trading again.

One market trader, Andrew Sutcliffe, who also trades in Knaresborough, agreed with other traders that more support from the council is necessary. He told The Stray Ferret that other markets he works on are currently offering rent holidays and reductions as they adjust to trading at full capacity.

In the week beginning 1st June, other local authorities including Barnsley and Leeds allowed stall holders selling goods classed as non-essential, to trade however the council decided to delay reopening to this week.

Harrogate Borough Council responded to the traders’ claims that they felt unsupported. They said:

“Throughout lockdown, the markets at Knaresborough and Ripon have continued to open in line with government guidance. We supported those essential goods traders to ensure they could continue to work. We’ve not charged for any trader who chose not to attend or wasn’t allowed to because of the coronavirus restrictions.

“Where we have charged, fees have been held at last year’s rates. It’s disappointing to hear that one or two traders feel we’ve not been supportive. We’ve done all we can to ensure our markets can fully re-open safely and to enable traders to get back to business as usual.”

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