A 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.”
Ripon’s largest pub re-opens for early risers
The Unicorn, Ripon’s largest pub, re-opened its doors prompt on the eighth chime of the Cathedral clock this morning.
There was a quiet trickle of customers arriving for their first breakfast or coffee at the pub since it went into lockdown in March.
Owned by hospitality giant Wetherspoon, the pub and hotel in Market Place, has put many safety measures in place in readiness for up to a maximum of 135 customers at a time on its premises, which include a beer garden to the rear.
Duty manager Dawn Tull (pictured) told The Stray Ferret:
“We are keeping a count on numbers and if we are at capacity, customers will need to wait outside at social distance until space becomes free.”
On entry, pub goers will be required to complete an NHS Test and Trace form which is designed to assist health professionals in contacting individuals in the event of a local coronavirus outbreak.
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- Look at the long queue outside a Ripon barber’s at 6.30am this morning
- Super Saturday crucial for the district’s hospitality industry
Perspex screens have been fixed at the bar and other locations; a one way system in and out has been introduced and leaflets handed out to customers asks them to keep themselves, other pub goers and staff safe, by following guidelines, which include customers only entering the premises if they feel well; washing hands on arrival with the sanitiser provided; making contactless payments and using an app to order at table, where possible.
Wetherspoon has pointed out on its leaflets:
“Our adjustments follow extensive consultation with employees at all levels and incorporate advice from government, health and safety advisers and UK Hospitality.
“As part of the process, pub managers have carried out a risk assessment in their own pub, leading to a pub-specific operating plan.”
Doors close on the first day back after lockdown at midnight and Dawn, said:
“We look forward to welcoming our customers back.”
Desperate for a trim -6am queue outside Ripon barber
On a normal Saturday, City Barbers in High Skellgate Ripon, would open at 9am – but this was no normal Saturday.
A queue of men of different ages, with different hair lines and lengths of hair, started to form from 6am and waited in orderly fashion for their turn in one of the two chairs.
Adam Blackburn, a customer of the shop for more than 15 years and with a full head of hair, told The Stray Ferret:
“I just couldn’t wait to get it cut, so got up early, but when I arrived here at 6.30, there were 17 people ahead of me!”
The queue stretched up High Skellgate and, at the time writing, up to 25 men were waiting for their first post-lockdown hair cut.
Desperate for a trim – it’s been 3 months since many had a trip to the barbers
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At the Fadezone Hair Studio on North Street, where three barbers were in operation from 9am, customers also waited patiently on the pavement, some reading newspapers as they awaited their first trim in more than three months.
At both shops and all other hairdressing businesses around the city, owners have put social distancing and hygiene arrangements in place, including the installation of perspex screens to protect customers and staff, along with the wearing of face shields and masks, use of hand and surface sanitisers and prominently displayed signage.
Ripon hairdressers ready to cut hair and chatScissors, trimmers, combs and brushes, along with face shields, masks, hand and surface sanitisers, are at the ready as Ripon’s hairdressers prepare to cope with the pent up demand tomorrow..
For Sharon Bielby, who owns and runs a men’s barbers shop bearing her name and Deborah Chalmers, owner of Love Hair and Beauty Boutique, it’s going to be a busy weekend.
The new post-lockdown reality means no magazines to read, a strict one in, one out system and chat kept to the absolute minimum.
Both women,say it’s going to be strange re-acquainting themselves with customers who have become more like friends than clients, but they appreciate that the hygiene and social distancing measures are there to protect everybody.
Deborah Chalmers, in her hair and beauty boutique
Deborah, who has been involved in the beauty business since leaving Ripon Grammar School aged 15, told The Stray Ferret:
“We have had a refurbishment over the past few weeks and are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.
“Unfortunately, that means no conversations while we cut and style hair, which will be difficult, because I haven’t been able to see customers face to face for ages.”
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Sharon, whose North Street shop is approximately 100 yards down the road from Deborah’s, is booked to provide dozens of haircuts over the weekend. She said:
“It will be odd cutting hair while wearing a face shield and that in itself will make speaking difficult.”
In spite of being closed since 23rd March, her premises, have provided a shop window for bird houses and bee homes made by adults with learning disabilities at the Jennyruth Workshops charity.
Sharon, pointed out:
“Jennyruth had the shop before I took it over six years ago and I thought it would be nice to help them raise funds. I’m pleased to say that I have been able to sell quite a few during the lockdown, as people rang me to ask for them and I’ve delivered to their homes.”
For Deborah, the coronavirus crisis meant she has temporarily lost out on revenue that would have come from her core business of providing hairstyling and make up for brides and bridesmaids.
Since March, she has had 40 wedding postponements and though this was a devastating blow, she felt the need to give something back during the lockdown to her home city.
She turned her hand to supporting friends Annette and Nathan Kite, by volunteering to cook hot meals for 14 weeks, which were delivered to people in need around Ripon.
Deborah, added: “This gave me a purpose that helped me to get through these difficult months.”
Police ask Ripon parents to help reduce anti-social behaviour
Ripon police has called for parents to be more vigilant to help tackle anti-social behaviour in the city,
Making a direct appeal for assistance, sergeant Clare Mayes of North Yorkshire Police’s Ripon Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“Parents, please take responsibility and find out where your children have been, what they’ve been up to and who they have been with – before you receive a knock on the door from a police officer. “
Many of the reports received by the police identify young people at the heart of the problems being experienced in the community.
A vandalised window at the Lamb and Flag pub in High Skellgate, Ripon
Sergeant Mayes pointed out:
“We all have a part to play in helping everyone to stay safe and feel safe in their homes and any behaviour which undermines this will be dealt with accordingly
“We are absolutely committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and will be doing everything we can to ensure our communities remain safe and pleasant places to live.”
She added:
“We know that lockdown has caused many of our community members to become isolated from their normal social groups and practices, but nothing excuses the unacceptable behaviour we have recently seen and had reported.”
Ripon Neighbourhood Policing Team says it is working with partner agencies to deal with incidents that are reported, but would urge the public to ensure reports are made by calling 101.
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It advises that updates given by members of the community via Facebook or other social media accounts cannot be used as a formal reporting method. Anyone witnessing any anti-social behaviour or crime should report this to by ringing 999 if the incident is ongoing or 101 if it has already happened.
By doing so, witnesses are not only helping the police to deal with incidents in real time but also to build up a picture of what is happening so they can proactively target problem areas.
The police add that any evidence to support reported incidents such as CCTV or mobile phone footage is very helpful in identifying those involved, particularly as it finds suspects may have run away or dispersed when the police arrive.
Witnesses to incidents are advised not get involved in any situation; take whatever details it is safe to obtain and contact the police immediately.
Ripon photography competition on life in lockdown
Ripon’s citizens are being asked to capture, in one compelling image, what living through the coronavirus pandemic means to them.
Ripon Grammar School has launched a community-wide lockdown photography competition, to be judged by an award-winning documentary photographer, whose work has appeared in National Geographic and Time magazines.
Organiser Ruth Savage, said:
“Perhaps people have already captured their lockdown image over the past three months, or may wish to explore the simple pleasures of appreciating something anew as lockdown restrictions are slowly eased and we adapt to a new way of life.”
Judge Mark Read, whose work has also appeared a range of high-profile UK publications including The Sunday Times, Telegraph and Guardian said the brief was wide.
An example of lockdown art caught on camera
The RGS past pupil, who is now based in Los Angeles, said:
“It’s an interesting time and many people are looking to art to represent how they are feeling. You should feel that you can express your relationship with the current times in any way you feel fit. I’ll be looking for something that feels personal, arresting and thoughtful.”
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Mrs Savage added that the competition is also open to past and present RGS students, parents and staff and entries will be displayed in an online exhibition on the school website:
“Each photo will be assessed more on the story and emotions it conveys than on its technical expertise. We want people to use their camera lens to provide a window into their world during the extraordinary times we are living through.”
Headmaster Jonathan Webb said he was looking forward to seeing entries:
“Our freedom of movement may have been restricted – but our freedom of expression knows no bounds. It will be interesting to see how people choose to use their cameras to reflect on their experiences during these very strange and challenging times.”
The competition is open now and throughout the summer holidays, with prizes donated by Ripon Business Services. Email your image to Ruth Savage on SavageR@ripongrammar.com by Tuesday, September 1st, providing your name, age if under 18 and connection with RGS, if any.
Young Ripon artists display work at Royal Academy
Three talented Ripon Grammar School artists have been selected from more than 17,700 students to have their paintings on display in a national exhibition.
The works by Isaac Henson, Hugo Wade and Milly Lennox will sit among those by 400 young artists picked by a panel of experts for the Royal Academy Summer Show, which launches online on July 12.
Milly, 15, from Ripon, said of her still life of a fish in acrylic:
“I really enjoyed using tone and texture and using my imagination to enhance the painting. I love being creative and find art a good break from other lessons, which don’t allow as much personal input.”
Isaac, 15, from near Kirkby Malzeard, enjoys exploring different forms and shapes and his painting of a building designed by architect Frank Gehry was chosen for the Royal Academy show.
Issac who is also from an artistic family hopes to continue creating art.
Young artist Hugo with his painting
Hugo, 13, from Studley Roger (pictured above) revealed that his painting was inspired by a photograph of a building in Ripon. He said:
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard I had been selected. It was very exciting.”
He would now like to go to art school and pursue a career in art, perhaps as a graphic designer.
Open to students up to 19 years old, the Young Artists’ exhibition, which provides a national platform to recognise particularly high quality student work, is now in its second year.
RGS head of art Fiona Henson said it was a real honour to be picked for such a prestigious national art show:
“We are thrilled to have three students selected and this was made even more special as we were determined lockdown was not going to stop our submission.”
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Supported by philanthropist Robin Hambro, the judging panel consisted of Royal Academician Cathie Pilkington, curator and head of the Royal Academy Schools, Eliza Bonham Carter and RA Schools students Catinca Malaimare and James Lomax.
Mr Hambro, said:
“It is such an important exhibition of artworks from young people, and the standard is very high. The enthusiasm for this exhibition shows how important art is for young minds and must always be a part of their educational life,”