Tim Flanagan, Author at The Stray Ferret

Church bell chimes nightly in Nidderdale

A church bell is being rung in the heart of Nidderdale each evening throughout November, as the power of prayer is harnessed during the pandemic.

With communal worship banned during lockdown, Christians are being encouraged to participate in a month of reflection in their homes, focusing on issues of national concern arising from the coronavirus crisis.

The Rev. Alastair Ferneley, Vicar of Dacre with Hartwith and Darley with Thornthwaite, is ensuring that Nidderdale’s daily tea-time chime joins those ringing out at cathedrals and churches across England.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m ringing our single bell at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks at 6pm each evening – so far successfully on time, though it’s possible the time will vary a little.”

The call for a daily collective moment of national prayer signalled by the sound of bells, has the support of senior religious leaders from many different denominations.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said:

“We might understandably feel helpless, anxious and vulnerable. And we do what we can to halt the spread of this virus – but we can still feel powerless.

“Is there anything else we can do? Really do?

“Yes. Yes there is. We can pray. Prayer is my first response when I feel out of my depth, when I need help, when I am worried, when I am concerned for those I love.

“It is a gift that God gives to all.”

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, added:

“At this challenging time when all of us are fearful and anxious, and when so many are suffering, it is the one thing we can all do.”

Nidderdale – taking part in the national call to prayer

Christians are being encouraged to follow a seven-day prayer cycle, praying for a specific area each day, including the NHS and frontline workers, the bereaved, and those struggling with physical and mental ill-health, and for children and young people.

Prayers and other resources are being shared on social media with the hashtag #PrayerForTheNation

Rev Alastair is keeping his parishioners updated. He said:

“I’ve been sending out the information about the month of prayer so that people can take part in their own homes, if they wish.”

Fond farewell to Ripon Cathedral’s music man

Andrew Bryden was concerned when his wife, Lisa, said they were going to see friends who needed urgent help.

What he didn’t know, was that she was taking him to a surprise party in Spa Gardens to celebrate his transformational 22 years of work as the director of music at Ripon Cathedral.

Mr Bryden, who has moved on to provide private tuition for organists and pianists, realised something was afoot as he approached the park.

Families he hadn’t seen in the flesh since the first covid lockdown in March suddenly emerged from behind trees with gifts in hand.

Photograph of Andrew Bryden meeting choristers at Spa Park

Choristers and their families went to Spa Gardens to say goodbye to Andrew Bryden (Photograph courtesy of Lisa Bryden)

He told the Stray Ferret:

“It was an emotional occasion and I am so grateful to the mums, dads, children and other friends who turned out on a damp and windy day.”

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The covid pandemic, which closed the cathedral in spring and put services such as Sung Eucharist in suspension, meant choir practice and other activities were restricted to virtual sessions on Zoom.

Mr Bryden said:

“I created a website and the use of technology, which was also employed to put services online during the first lockdown, meant we had a way of keeping the choir community connected.”

Community is a key word because the Ripon Cathedral Choir School on Whitcliffe Lane, which for generations developed the vocal talent of young choristers, closed at short notice in 2012 and is now being redeveloped for housing.

Chorister success

Suddenly Ripon Cathedral, whose choir is recognised as being among the best in the UK, had to change its focus.

An outreach programme, developed as part of Mr Bryden’s forward-looking strategy, saw more new members recruited from schools in the local community.

Children aged six and upwards were invited to take part in rehearsals and some eventually joined teenage and adult members in the 36-strong choir.

Testimony to the success of the strategy is the fact that within 10 years, the choir had six finalists in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition, including 2018 winner Emilia Jaques.

With the cathedral back in lockdown, it will be some time before choristers will be heard in the ancient building.

When it does, many of those occupying the choir stalls, will be singing the praises once more of Mr Bryden and the part he played in their musical development.

City’s MP lays wreath as Ripon remembers

They thought it might not happen because of the second COVID-19 lockdown, but wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen at Ripon’s War Memorial this morning.

The Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, were present for the two minutes silence at Spa Gardens.

Also present to respect the dead of two World Wars and other conflicts, was Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.

Earlier this morning, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, was a lone figure at the memorial, as he lay a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council and the citizens of Ripon.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Because of the coronavirus crisis and the need to adhere to strict social distancing requirements, it has not been possible for the council to hold its normal Remembrance Sunday service at the cathedral.”

Photo of Mayor Eamon Parkin at Ripon War Memorial

The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council, two hours before the Royal British Legion ceremony

Cllr Parkin, added:

“With the lockdown rules in place to protect the safety of everybody, I would urge people who wish to pay their respects in Spa Gardens, to do so on an individual basis.”

Shortly before 11am, as the music of a lone piper echoed in the mist of a November morning, former service men and women wearing campaign medals, gathered at safe social distance along with current service personnel, Army and Air Cadets and representatives of North Yorkshire Police.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson said a greeting and led prayers, before the wreaths were laid in front of the memorial dedicated to the hundreds of people from Ripon named in alphabetical order from Akers to Young, who gave their lives in the 1914-1918 conflict.

Prayers were said for those of all nationalities who died in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts and the overall wish expressed by Dean John, was for lasting peace.

Pateley Bridge hamper competition supports mayor’s appeal

With a second lockdown now affecting Pateley Bridge High Street, Pat and Andrew Waite hope to bring some festive cheer.

The couple, who have run The Sandwich Box takeaway for 10 years, are currently collecting prizes for three hampers that can be won in a Christmas competition.

Local shops and and other businesses have responded enthusiastically by donating items for the hampers.

Numbered squares on a competition board, costing £5 apiece, will be on sale from 16 November and proceeds will help boost the Mayor’s annual appeal.

Mr Waite, said:

“It has been a strange old year for Pateley Bridge, starting with Storm Dennis and floods, followed by COVID-19.”

The coronavirus crisis, which has brought two lockdowns, has put paid next month’s late-night shopping event in the town and Mrs Waite, added:

“We thought that the hamper competition would be a way for Pateley Bridge to say a big ‘thank you’ to the customers who have supported the town through all the difficulties.”

Photograph of Pateley Bridge High Street

Shops and other businesses in Pateley Bridge are supporting the Christmas hamper competition

All shops and other businesses that donate prizes will have their name listed against the item they have given.

The list will be on display in The Sandwich Box, in Back High Street, where entrants in the competition can also select a square or squares.

Because the business is a takeaway, it will remain open throughout the current lockdown.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Mike Holt, who has donated a bottle of champagne for the competition, told the Stray Ferret:

“Pat and Andrew exemplify the community spirit that has helped us to tackle everything that has been thrown at the town this year.

“Naturally, we all hope that 2021 will be a better year for local shops, other businesses and residents and the money raised will fund activities that support our community.”

Following a successful Christmas lights appeal, supported by the town’s traders and residents, Pateley Bridge High Street will have enhanced Christmas decorations this year.

A collective effort saw the town council work alongside retailers and other business owners, Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and the local community to raise the funds for extension of the lights.

Harrogate Borough Council will provide two large Christmas trees.

Empty Ripon market reveals a city in lockdown

The sparse number of stalls on Ripon market this morning told its own story of a city that had woken up to day one of covid lockdown two.

Traders selling non-essential goods cannot work again at the market for at least four weeks — adding to the 11 weeks of lost business caused by the first lockdown from March until June.

Sonya Johnson, who would normally have been at Ripon market today with her female accessories stall, said:

“It’s not good obviously because it’s the busiest time of the year. We just need to grin and bear it and hope we can reopen for December. It’s come at the worse time ever as November and December are always really busy.

“We normally have the Christmas trade to tide us over through January and February but if we come back then it could be difficult.”

Non-essential shops attempted to maximise sales yesterday in the final few hours before lockdown.

So did salons and barbers, which stayed open late for customers desperate to get a trim.

Wetherspoon’s Unicorn Hotel – the largest pub in Ripon – offered its real ales at 99 pence a pint before it closed.

Cafes and restaurants served their last November customers in the hope they will be back in early December.

No takeaways

Oliver’s Pantry in Fishergate kept its head above water during the first lockdown by introducing a limited takeaway service, but is not doing the same this time.

Lou Grant, joint owner of the business with husband Tim, said:

“We have considered all options and made the decision to fully lockdown.

“Hopefully, we will only be closed for a few weeks. We will monitor the news and hope to be able to open again very soon with a big bang.”

A sign in the cafe’s window this morning sent a simple message to all of Ripon’s businesses – ‘Don’t quit.’

Teenager stars in Ripon Grammar photography competition

A teenage photographer has won Ripon Grammar School’s (RGS) Lockdown Photography Competition.

Tai Newman’s image of stars in the early morning sky, earned praise from National Geographic and Time magazine photographer Mark Read, a former student of RGS.

Mr Read, who judged the competition, said the photograph was conceptually very strong and showed great technical ability.

He added:

“I like how he put a lot of thought into the process, stayed up late and pulled off what’s quite a difficult photograph.”

Tai Newman

The former RGS student who lives in Ripon and is now studying photography at Harrogate Grammar School, stayed up until 2am to capture his photograph, entitled ‘Light in the Dark.’

Having set up his camera on a tripod with a ten second timer, he ran to the top of a hill near his home to appear in the photograph.

Tai said of his conceptual work:

“Even through hard times we can find the light in the dark to guide the way.”

The competition, which was organised by RGS, with prizes donated by Ripon Business Services, was open to the local community.

Entrants were invited to submit images captured on camera during the first lockdown period.

Entries featured a wide range of locations from the coast to the countryside and urban settings.

A photograph taken from her window, won 12-year-old RGS student Martha Jones of Burton Leonard, the runner-up prize, while RGS premises manager Andrew Hogg’s photograph of a woman on a bench at Saltburn, was placed third.

Tai’s winning photograph will be reproduced on a large canvas; Martha’s on a slate and Mr Hogg’s on a mug.

Harrogate district charity shops count the cost of lockdown

Many charities will be left counting the cost of another lockdown when their shops are forced to close tomorrow.

It took many stores a long time to re-open after the first lockdown and now their attempts to raise funds for charitable causes are to be hindered again.

Charity shops are a big part of the retail scene in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham.

Ripon’s 10th charity shop was all set to open, but Martin House will now have to wait at least a month before serving its first customers.

When the first lockdown of non-essential retailers ended in June, the charity, which provides family-led care for young people with life-limiting conditions, took over large premises on Fishergate.

Martin House’s £2.2m loss

At the time, the charity projected a £2.2 million loss of planned income stretching into summer 2021.

Stephanie Rimmington, the head of retail, said:

“The income we get from our shops is vital to helping Martin House raise the money we need to care for families in this area.”

Further down Fishergate, The Oxfam shop remains closed, having never reopened since the first covid lockdown in March.

Saint Michael’s, which has shops in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough, spends £6 million per year on hospice care from its base in Crimple Valley.

Saint Michael’s has charity shops across the Harrogate district.

With one in three people in the Harrogate district requiring hospice care or support at some point in their lives, the demand for its services is unrelenting.

A Saint Michael’s spokesperson pointed out:

“We can only care for as many people as we have the funds to help.”

The money required is £15,000 a day and there is reliance on the income from retail shops, alongside bequests, personal donations and fundraising events, which pay for 80 percent of the charity’s work.

British Heart Foundation shop closure

Today marks the last day of trading for the British Heart Foundation books and music shop in Beulah Street, Harrogate.

Like the clothing and bric-a-brac shop it once had further down the street, it will not be reopening.

While shops close, either temporarily or for good, all of the organisations involved – both local and national – continue their work despite the difficult times that they face.

In an appeal for financial donations, the British Heart Foundation, said:

“Covid has put people with heart and circulatory conditions at greater risk than ever. But the effects of the virus have also cut our lifesaving research in half. Slowing down now would put even more lives at stake.

“At a time when hearts need help now more than ever, we urgently need your support.”

Though the shops are closed, there are other ways of supporting the work of all charities and details can be found on their respective websites.

Ripon retailers stay open until 7pm tonight ahead of lockdown

Ripon retailers classed as selling ‘non-essential’ goods are preparing for a second COVID-19 lockdown with trepidation – many staying open late tonight on the last day of trading.

Sarah Groom, owner of the Forbes giftshop on Westgate, told the Stray Ferret:

“For me, the timing could not be worse – the run-up to Christmas is my most important trading period of the year.”

She added:

“It’s when I make the money that sustains me through the quieter times, like January and February. I just hope that I can reopen in early December to serve customers with the Christmas goods that they want.”

For Sarah, this is the second blow in a key trading period, as the first lockdown left her with Easter stock that she was unable to sell.

Also anticipating a double blow is Peter Wilkinson, owner of The Easy Learning Shop in the Duckhill Shopping Quarter (pictured above).

He said:

“It’s annoying to have another break in trade, I personally think that a 6pm curfew would work better than a lockdown.”

As well as the potential loss of pre-Christmas sales, items sold in the shop include the Grimm’s brand of wooden toys, which are imported from Germany and Peter pointed out:

“In the New Year we will be facing Brexit and tariffs that will make goods imported from Europe more expensive, which won’t help.”

This week both Forbes and The Easy Learning Shop will be staying open each night until 7pm before the lockdown comes into effect and after this, Peter will be stepping up on his online sales, free delivery and click and collect service.

The attempt to lighten the pre-lockdown mood saw clothes store M&Co in Fishergate go out on social media to encourage retailers in Ripon to offer late night shopping tonight.

Assistant manager Sophie Hattersley, said:

“We are supporters of the Love Local campaign and want to ensure that all of Ripon’s retailers get through these difficult times.”

She added:

“We have had a good response from other stores and hope that the extra hours of trade will give people a chance to come and shop safely before we shut down for a month.”

Ripon churches and museums affected by lockdown

Churches of all denominations and museums in Ripon will be affected by the second coronavirus lockdown.

Ripon Cathedral will remain open each day for private prayer, with social distancing and hygiene measures in place, but there will be no public acts of worship

The government has said that from Thursday only funerals, limited to a maximum of 30 people, will be allowed inside church buildings.

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

“Daily services will happen with one priest at the start and end of the day when the building’s closed.

“The cathedral will be open daily for private prayer.”

Ripon Museum Trust, which runs the workhouse, prison and police and old courthouse museums will close all three sites at 4pm on Thursday until further notice.

Management has said to visitors on the trust’s website:

“If you had a booking for this period please get in touch with us to organise a refund or an alternative date to visit. People who have bought an annual pass will have one month extra added on automatically.

Ripon Workhouse Museum

“We would like to thank all our visitors and school groups for their support over the past three months enjoying our museums in a covid-safe way.

“Thanks too to all our volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly to make our museums safe and great places to visit. Our utmost priority during these unprecedented times is ensuring the safety of all and we will follow all government advice to enable us to safely reopen.”

Ripon dedication ceremony remembers war dead

The Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion has held a dedication ceremony at the city’s Garden of Remembrance, where the dead of two World Wars and other conflicts are remembered.

The event, a week before Remembrance Sunday, went ahead following consultation with Harrogate Borough Council.

Numbers in attendance were kept to a minimum and social distancing measures were in place, as the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson, blessed the garden and led prayers.

Photograph of the Dean of Ripon leading prayers at the GaRDEN

The Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson leads prayers at the Garden of Remembrance

In the shadow of Ripon Cathedral, where the dead of many battles and wars have been mourned over the centuries, he said:

“We assemble today in the presence of almighty God to dedicate this ground as a Garden of Remembrance.”

He added:

“This coming week, tokens of remembrance will be placed in memory of those who fell in the cause of freedom for our country.

“In the name of the Royal British Legion, we pledge ourselves to help, encourage and comfort others and to support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.”

With the coronavirus crisis and a second nationwide lockdown coming into effect on Thursday, this has been a challenging year for all charities and has impacted heavily on the annual Poppy Appeal run by the Royal British Legion.

Ripon branch chair, Jeet Bahadur Sahi, who organised the dedication event, told the Stray Ferret:

“In these difficult times, we all have to be careful and as well as limiting the number of people in attendance at the ceremony we have followed strict social distancing to ensure all are safe.”

He added:

“The lockdown has seen the cancellation of Remembrance Sunday services across the country, but people can still come individually to put a cross in the ground at the garden, in memory of friends or family members who have fallen in war.

“I would just stress that people must follow the government’s social distancing requirements if they come to the Garden of Remembrance.”

The covid pandemic means Poppy Appeal street collections that normally raise up to £20,000 to support the Royal British Legion’s work, cannot be held this year.

Supermarkets across Ripon have poppies on sale.