A petition headed ‘Save Your Market’ is being launched in Knaresborough tomorrow.
Market traders in both Knaresborough and Ripon hope public support will force Harrogate Borough Council to cancel rent increases of more than 25% from Saturday which, they say, will put some of them out of business.
The petition, which will be available to sign at stalls at Knaresborough Market tomorrow and Ripon Market on Thursday, calls for ‘urgent’ public support to make the council think again about the increase. It says:
“Increasing the cost of rent and stall assembly to traders by over 25% will mean that it will not be financially viable to continue trading for several market traders.
“Other local councils helped market traders who could trade during lockdown providing essential food products. This was through charging no rent or discounting rent.
“When non-food traders were allowed to return, after not being able to trade for 3 months, full rent was charged despite other local councils providing financial assistance.
“This 25% increase is being introduced on August 1 and excludes VAT which is charged by Harrogate Borough Council but not by other councils, most traders are not VAT registered so cannot recover the VAT.
“This will lead to the loss of more traders from the ancient markets of Knaresborough and Ripon.
At a full council meeting earlier this month, Councillor Andrew Paraskos, the HBC cabinet member whose portfolio includes the markets across the Harrogate district, said:
“There is a rumour going around that Harrogate Borough Council is wanting to get rid of the markets. This is not true.”
In response to questions raised by Ripon Independent councillor Pauline McHardy, he said measures had been put in place to support and promote the markets – including the waiving of fees for those traders who were not allowed to attend for 11 weeks because of government restrictions and the holding of rental levels at the 2019-2020 rates from April until July.
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Stephen Teggin, pictured, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and a long-time supporter of the town’s market – which is the longest continuously operating in England – described the council’s handling of spending across the district as ‘unfair’.
In response to news that the council plans a multi-million pounds package of spending on Harrogate Convention Centre, Mr Teggin told The Stray Ferret:
Easy riders like a Sunday morning in Nidderdale“It’s all about Harrogate. We are struggling like mad to keep Knaresborough going and attract tourists and the council finds £50m to keep something going that already loses money.”
On most Sunday mornings a section of the car park just off Pateley Bridge High Street, is packed with a leather and denim clad brigade who come to town on motorcycles of many colours and engine sizes.
This stop-off point for men, women and their machines has been firmly-established on the motorcyclists’ map for decades and this year, more than any other in recent times, they are providing a welcome boost for a local economy emerging from the coronavirus lockdown and attempting to make up for lost time and lost earnings.
Cafes, takeaways and shops are among those to benefit from the flow of business brought by riders who are seeking refreshment, before setting off on the next stage of a journey that takes many of them through the Dales and on to destinations on the East Coast.
Motorcyclists head out of Pateley Bridge and onto their next stop-off point
Nidderdale, with its combination of long, winding and steep stretches of road, was in the national and international spotlight when the Grand Depart of the Tour de France came to Yorkshire in July 2014.
It is a Mecca for travellers on two wheels – both pedal and petrol-powered, who are out in force on summer Sundays.
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For friends Mike Haste, Alexander Kubansky and Keith Weston, who hail from West Yorkshire, Pateley Bridge is akin to a resting point on a pilgrim path that leads to the sea and home again, with return journeys often covering 200 miles plus.
Mike, whose 1700cc Harley Davidson is one of a limited edition model produced in 2013 to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the world-famous motorcycle maker, told The Stray Ferret:
“Every Sunday, if there’s blue in the sky, we are on our bikes and heading for Pateley Bridge – our first stop-off point.”
He added:
“Over the years you get to know the places that are biker-friendly and we share that information with other motorcyclists.”
Alexander, whose pride and joy is a 21-year-old Honda Valkyrie with a 1500cc engine, said:
“Pateley Bridge is a nice place to come to. We can park up safely, have a cup of tea or coffee and use the public toilets before heading off again.”
Keith, with his BMW K 1300 GT, started taking part in rides with his friends a few years ago and highly recommends it. He said:
“It’s a great way to enjoy a Sunday day out.”
With the Pateley Bridge stop off lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, riders who head for the road are soon replaced by the next group, providing a stead stream of customers, who come to rest awhile and take refreshment beside the River Nidd.
Messages from the heart link Ripon and Rajasthan
Messages of hope and encouragement have been ringing out from a Ripon retailer to craftsmen and women in Rajasthan.
Liz and Kevin Hill, who own and run clothing and gift shop Karma in Kirkgate, have remained in regular contact with tailors, jewellers and leatherworkers in the north India state, where the majority of the goods they sell are produced.
Throughout the crisis, Liz has been writing messages inside a rainbow heart in the shop window – the latest being: ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’
Liz Hill, pictured on a visit to Rajasthan with leatherworker Chandra Goyal and his wife Anu (Photograph courtesy Karma, Ripon)
Others include: ‘Follow your dreams, they know the way’ and ‘kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere.’
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Liz, told The Stray Ferret:
“The vast majority of people have been through a hard time in recent months and we hope that the messages give those who read them a bit of a lift – from passers by, to others many miles away who see them on WhatsApp.”
Kevin, added:
“This technology has enabled us to keep in touch with the leatherworkers, jewellers and tailors in Rajasthan, who make items ranging from handbags, to earrings, rings and dresses made from up-cycled saris. They are more like an extension of our family than suppliers.”
The Hills, who opened their Kirkgate shop in 2017, became lovers of India’s culture and customs when they first visited the sub-continent more than 20 years ago.
They sell goods that are ethically sourced, made and priced and have supported their suppliers during the difficult trading period by providing cash advances ahead of the supply of items, where production and delivery was interrupted because of the pandemic.
Angel delight at Ripon CathedralA throng of 10,000 paper angels will be looking down from on high in Ripon Cathedral early next month.
When the doors of the cathedral closed in March due to Covid-19, its development team was tasked with creating a new project to support the community during lockdown.
This led to the Wing and a Prayer initiative, which was run in partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).
With the cathedral out of bounds, even for private prayer for many weeks, the project enabled people to pray for loved ones and key workers by sending prayers online through the cathedral website.
The prayers were then said by the cathedral’s priests during online services.
Phase two of project saw the creation of thousands of origami angels to reflect the prayers offered.
The final phase will see the creation of an awe-inspiring art installation of the angels that will fly over the nave of the cathedral. Its aim – to inspire quiet reflection and contemplation during these challenging times.
Donations to the appeal have raised more than £130,000, which will be shared between the cathedral and YAA.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said:
“We never anticipated that this project would capture the imagination of people right across the region in the way that it has.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance has raised valuable funds through the Wing and A Prayer project (Photograph courtesy of Yorkshire Air Ambulance)
“The thousands of angels speak of gratitude and prayer; adorning the wonderful space that is the nave of Ripon Cathedral. They will be a spectacular arrangement of beauty for all, and an expression of praise for the faithful.”
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YAA and the cathedral appealed for volunteers to help create the angels and within four weeks they had been made.
The volunteers, whose ages range from three to 90 – all live in the area covered by YAA. A number of schools also became involved with making the angels.
Volunteers are now invited to come to the cathedral to help with the preparation of the angels ready for hanging from Monday. They will be attached to a large net that will be fixed in place high across the nave.
The installation will be in place during August and September. Further details are available on the cathedral’s website.
Ripon Cathedral takes step towards £6m extension
Ripon Cathedral has taken the first step towards seeking approval for a £6 million extension of the ancient building.
If successful, plans which will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) following public consultation, would see the first major extension in hundreds of years, for a building containing the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral – St Wilfrid’s crypt – dating back to 672 AD.
The church attracts visitors and pilgrims from around the world and in autumn 2019, launched the Ripon Cathedral Renewed project.
Key elements of the plan are the provision of toilets. which will include Ripon’s only adult changing room; a cafe and creation of rehearsal space for Ripon Cathedral Choir, which currently rehearses in a former burial vault.
With the provision of new storage space, it is also intended that large areas within the cathedral will be opened up to the public for the first time in centuries.
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An initial approach has been made to the council and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, told The Stray Ferret:
“We are at an early stage of our formal engagement with HBC as we look to develop our plans and work out what would be needed for a planning application.”
He added:
“There will be a presentation of plans in the cathedral from mid-August – showing people where our thinking has got to and asking for their comments.”
The plans are part of the cathedral’s strategic vision Growing God’s Kingdom which aims to see the cathedral as a force for good, serving both the church and wider community – locally, regionally and nationally.
When the Ripon Cathedral Renewed project was launched, Dean John (pictured above), said:
“It is clear that the development of the cathedral is vital to bring this national treasure into the 21st century.
“As custodians of this fantastic building we are only too aware of the legacy we uphold. We have this ancient history, this wonderful architecture – what we haven’t got are the facilities that people need.
“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its own contributions. We take none of this for granted and we have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”
He added:
“Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to a growing number of people that the development of Ripon Cathedral is vital as we seek to serve the communities of the region now and in the future.”
Knaresborough and Ripon market traders launch petition
A joint ‘save our markets’ petition will be raised by traders in Knaresborough and Ripon, who say above inflation rent increases will make them financially unviable in both centres.
The joint action by Knaresborough and Ripon traders comes after Harrogate Borough Council confirmed the cost per stall is to increase by more than 25 percent.
David Tomlinson, who sells stationery and is a spokesman for Knaresborough stallholders, told The Stray Ferret:
“The last time Knaresborough Market was under threat, we raised a petition of more than 3,000 names and there was a meeting at Knaresborough House in December 2017 that attracted so many people who were against the council’s plans, that they backed down.”
A stall at Knaresborough Market
The 2017 plans involved the ending of council-supplied stalls and meant all traders would have to provide their own. It was a proposal that the majority of traders found unacceptable.
Mr Tomlinson, said:
“I hope the council will see sense and realise that putting rents up is not the answer, it will make many stallholders financially unviable and force their withdrawal from the markets here and in Ripon, making both less attractive to the shoppers we are desperately trying to win back.”
He added:
“Even though social distancing rules have been relaxed, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and some regular customers – particularly the elderly – are staying away as they remain self-isolated. Others do not want to travel to Knaresborough on public transport and the coaches that used to bring in trips on market day are not running at present.”
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Among traders who will be asking the public to support a petition is Sonya Johnson, who sells women’s handbags and accessories at both Ripon and Knaresborough markets.
She, said:
“I wasn’t able to trade for 11 weeks and since I came back my takings have been down by 70 per cent. I did a little better in Knaresborough yesterday, but if I make a loss in Ripon today, I am seriously considering not coming here again.”
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, said
Ripon heritage attractions reopen to the public“The costs for market stallholders, that were agreed in February and put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be introduced from August 1st now that markets are able to trade normally.
“Depending on the trader, they may actually pay less this financial year. The pitch rental remains the same as 2019/20 and we have offered traders an incentive if they erect their own stalls of a £5 reduction per week.
“Those who don’t wish to erect their own stalls will pay the same rate as 2019/20 but will pay a surcharge to cover the costs of us erecting a stall on their behalf.”
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.