The Stray Ferret asked the candidates from the four main parties who contested the Skipton and Ripon constituency to reflect on what has happened since the 2019 General Election and the coronavirus crisis.

The election saw Conservative  candidate Julian Smith comfortably hold the seat with 34,919 votes, while Labour candidate Brian McDaid, finished second with 11,225 votes; Andrew Murday was third for the Liberal Democrats with 8,701 votes and Green Party candidate Andy Brown finished fourth, polling 2,748 votes.

Mr McDaid, Mr Murday and Mr Brown, all responded to our request, but The Stray Ferret has received no response from Mr Smith.

Brian McDaid, whose wife is a paramedic, and Andrew Murday, a retired NHS cardio-thoracic surgeon who also worked in palliative care, both expressed concerns about under-funding for the NHS and social care, while Andy Brown, says that the government should have banned mass events earlier:

Mr McDaid (left) said:

“It’s shocking to see the deaths and outbreaks of COVID-19 in care homes in our local community. Following concerns raised by the Alzheimer’s Society and others on the pressures facing the social care system, it is imperative we have clarity from the government on the support it will provide to increase testing, access to PPE and financial support.   My wife is paramedic and listening to what she is facing every day, really hits home how vital our front-line workers are to all of us. It has also opened our eyes to how under-resourced our NHS is.”

Mr Murday, (left) who is a recently retired doctor, is preparing to resume working to help the NHS, believes that the government failed to heed warnings at the end of January as the coronavirus pandemic approached.  He said:

“They failed to invest in testing kits, ventilators and PPE, leaving our front-line healthcare workers over exposed and under equipped. I am particularly aware of the hazards involved.”

Mr Brown, points to the breakdown of human beings’ relationship with the environment as one of the root causes of disasters ranging from flooding in the Skipton and Ripon constituency, to the eating of bats from a Chinese wet market, that caused the coronavirus crisis.

He claims that the UK government dithered, while other countries took action – an example being the fact that the Cheltenham Festival was allowed to go ahead in March, while mass attendance events were banned elsewhere.

Mr Brown, (left)  said:   “The Cheltenham races took place when the virus was already spreading within the population and some (who attended) will have taken the virus back across the country.”

‘Nobody in Nidderdale or the Washburn Valley should go unnoticed’ – that’s the mission for the army of 600 volunteers, who are helping self-isolated people whose homes are located in far-flung rural communities within the two valleys.

In geographical terms, the neighbouring valleys take up almost half the land area of the Harrogate district, but the population is around 12,000 and the number of households approximately 6,000 – highlighting the logistical challenge that volunteers face in ensuring that nobody is missed out.

The coloured areas are in Nidderdale and the Washburn Valley and are divided into 13 areas where the volunteer networks are operating.

The response to the coronavirus crisis is being co-ordinated by the Nidderdale Plus Community Hub in Pateley Bridge, which is providing the umbrella organisation, advice and support, to 13 volunteer networks, whose volunteers are working on a daily basis to deliver food, prescriptions and other vital items to people who are self-isolated in their homes.

Helen Flynn, who co-chairs Nidderdale Plus, with Paula Newson-Smith, told The Stray Ferret:

“We have a very wide area to cover, but are determined to ensure that nobody in Nidderdale or the Washburn Valley should go unnoticed, or be out of reach of the help that the volunteers are providing.”

Working with parish councils, churches, GP practices, the Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, local shops, pubs that are providing takeaway services and the teachers from Bewerley Park Centre for Outdoor Education, Nidderdale Plus has established links with trusted organisations, who themselves marshal the volunteer activities in their own area.

Mrs Flynn (pictured above, outside the Nidderdale Plus Community Hub) pointed out:

“Our aim is to make the home delivery service as local as possible, with zones served by volunteers that typically include no more than 20 homes. This, as well as encouraging the use of local shops and a prescription delivery service that reduces the number of people going to their GP practice, is designed to limit social contact and help people to keep safe.”

Nidderdale Plus is providing the  volunteer networks with a crucial single point of reference on issues ranging from safeguarding policies to ensuring the safety of the volunteers who make the deliveries – which now include library books as well as food, medicines and pet supplies.

The huge team effort across Nidderdale and the Washburn Valley is being carefully coordinated to keep coronavirus at bay and Mrs Flynn expressed a collective wish when she said:

“We don’t want to see blue lights in our area.”

Ripon Cathedral will make history on Sunday, when its Easter Day service is streamed live on YouTube, as the building remains closed to the public because of restrictions caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, whose roots go back more than 1300 years, is using the internet to ensure that the key day in the Christian calendar can still be shared by parishoners and other viewers, in their own homes.

The Dean of Ripon, The Very Reverend John Dobson, told the Stray Ferret:

“I will be leading the service, which will be shown live at 10.30am and the address will be given by the Bishop of Leeds, The Rt Reverend Nick Baines.”

The last Sunday service held in the cathedral was on the fourth Sunday of Lent, when just seven parishoners – spaced throughout the building to ensure social distancing was maintained – observed as the Dean conducted the Sung Eucharist. That service was also beamed live into approximately 100 homes.

As the government stepped up its advice on the need to adhere to measures to reduce social contact, the Church of England, in common with other faiths, closed all of its churches.

Those wishing to tune in to the Cathedral’s Easter Sunday service can do so via its website.

An Easter Day message from The Very Reverend Dobson, will be posted on The Stray Ferret on Sunday.

With Easter approaching, Ripon Grammar School (RGS) is doing its bit to support the NHS, by donating safety spectacles to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

All pairs of new and nearly new spectacles from the school’s laboratories have been given to Darlington and Durham NHS Trust’s medical director, Jeremy Cundall, for use by key hospital workers. RGS head of science, Dr Richard Grime, said:

“They were accepted with grateful thanks. The school is only too happy to donate anything that can help in the fight against coronavirus.”

While RGS thinks of the wider community, it has also been reflecting on the school community and the early closure caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb, spoke of the ‘sense of sorrow’ that the school community felt with the early departure of year 11 and 13 students.

In a message to students, their families and staff, he said:

“We have been living in strange times, with the school running largely in a virtual world.”

Mr Webb, added:

“We have particularly felt a sense of sorrow that our year 11 and 13 students departed school rather earlier than was expected and that their end goal of preparing for formal examinations, which they have worked so hard towards over the last two years, will not be happening. Once we have greater clarity from Ofqual, we will work hard to ensure the right grades are awarded for these two year groups.”

Mr Webb (pictured above) said that there will be opportunities to welcome the school’s departing leavers back as RGS hopes to run a reunion event for upper sixth-formers.

With the focus very much on home working, as students prepare for exams later in the year, RGS psychology teacher, Claire Judd, is keeping in touch with her students and colleagues via Microsoft Teams, and has offered some calming advice. She said:

“You’re not alone” and “Don’t panic.”

Mrs Judd has given practical tips on homeworking for both students and her colleagues.

For students, it includes setting up folders for emails in different in boxes covering each subject, establishing realistic periods of time for completing tasks and ensuring that they get enough sleep.

For both students and fellow teachers, working in isolation at home, the advice is to keep in touch with colleagues and friends and don’t panic.

Mrs Judd pointed out to all:

“You’re not alone in this!”

Angels are coming to the aid of 20 households in Masham, where people are in self-isolation because of coronavirus.

Masham’s Shopping Angels – a small band of volunteers who collect and deliver food, prescriptions and pet supplies free of charge, has seen clergy from the Parish Church of St Mary The Virgin working in an ecumenical partnership with Masham Methodist Church, to assist anybody in the parish who is isolated at home and in need of help.

The venture was launched after The Reverend Sian Lawton, curate at St Mary The Virgin (pictured above) self-isolated with coronavirus symptoms on Friday 13th March.

Rev. Lawton, whose husband, The Reverend Chris Lawton, is the Vicar of  St Patrick’s Church in Patrick Bromtpon and in charge of six churches in  Lower Wensleydale, told The Stray Ferret:

“I thought, if my family can be affected by this terrible virus, there will be others in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves who need help.”

After she spoke with The Reverend David Cleeves, Vicar of St Mary The Virgin and with Steve Laugher, a regular speaker at Masham Methodist Church. Shopping Angels was up and running in a matter of days and advertised through signs around Masham, including on the gates of the Parish Church, itself currently closed because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Reverend Sian Lawton waits to collect a prescription at the Day Lewis Pharmacy in Masham

Among those to call on the shopping service, are Norman and Geri Stephenson, who have been in self-isolation in their home for several weeks.

Mrs Stephenson, said:

“As well as collecting prescriptions, we have had shopping done, which we just can’t do for ourselves at present. We don’t know how we would have managed without this help. It’s marvellous.”

In addition to the work of the Shopping Angels,  Masham residents are helping their neighbours, as the community rises to the challenges that coronavirus poses. The Rev Lawton, pointed out:

“It is great to see that in almost every street, there is somebody looking out for and helping others, but we still need to tackle the issue of rural poverty, that causes a form of isolation for people on low income.”

She added:

“The nearest food bank is in Ripon and it costs £6 for a round trip on the bus – money that some people can’t afford to pay. We will be addressing this by setting up a Masham food bank when the coronavirus crisis is over.”

People living in Masham can contact Shopping Angels via: revsianlawton@gmail.com  revdavidcleeves@gmail.com and steve@thelaughers.co.uk

The owners of a Masham-based distillery are desperately appealing for additional bottle producers and suppliers to contact them, as demand for the hand sanitiser they are making increases on an almost hourly basis.

Spirit of Masham, which turned to hand sanitiser production to help meet the shortfall in supply of the product for people working in the front-line services, has orders from North Yorkshire County Council, the NHS, local GP practices, hauliers and others who need to sanitise their hands on a regular basis.

However, Derek Harle, who is producing the hand sanitiser along with his wife Carol, told the Stray Ferret: “We have the product produced to the 80%  abv alcohol formulation recommended by the World Health Organisation, but just can’t get enough of the trigger-action and pump-action refillable bottles to meet the demand. It is so frustrating.”

He is conscious of the fact that some people have been attempting to profiteer, by buying bulk amounts of hand sanitiser and selling it on at a marked-up price. He added: “To counter this, we have put a recommended retail price of £4.95 per 100 ml bottle, each of which is bar coded and has a batch number on it.”

He and his wife, who have been working flat out on production, are determined to ensure that the bottles end up in and on the hands of those who need them most.

In addition to the 100 ml bottles, Spirit of Masham is supplying the sanitiser in five litre containers, which means that organisations such as hospital wards or GP practices are able to refill the smaller bottles that they give out to their employees.

Mr Harle can be contacted on 01765 688500.

Ripon Rugby Club has been left devastated and feeling numb, following the sudden death of club treasurer and long-term supporter Jonathan Rutter, who died in Harrogate Hospital last week, after contracting coronavirus.

Mr Rutter, who lived in Great Ouseburn, had been involved with the Mallorie Park-based club since his son Benjamin, started playing there as a junior. He maintained his involvement, first as supporter and then as treasurer, as Benjamin progressed to the club’s senior team.

Club secretary, Andrew Rickard, told the Stray Ferret:

“He was feeling unwell on the Friday, admitted to hospital and died on the Monday, it was a massive shock to all of us. He was a lovely man, friend and supporter of the club. When we needed a treasurer, Jonathan immediately put his hand up and he was in that position for more than ten years, bringing expertise to the club that he had gained in his work as a senior banker.”

Mr Rickard, added:

“We are devastated and feeling numb and adding to our sadness, is the fact that we couldn’t go to see him in hospital and have not been able visit his wife Hillary, daughter Jennifer and son Benjamin. We have, however, been in contact with them by other means on a daily basis.”

The club is planning to hold an event in his memory when the coronavirus crisis is over.

Mr Rutter who was 57, was HSBC’s relationship director for corporate banking in the north and former colleague Neil Ballantyne, who was shocked and saddened to hear of his death, said:

“I worked with Jonathan in Harrogate and York. He was a gentleman – an old-fashioned banker, who looked after his customers and staff. He enjoyed his rugby and the socialising that went with it. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him at HSBC.”

Alison Hope (pictured above) who has sold at Masham’s ancient Market for more than 20 years, has made an impassioned plea for shoppers to support small businesses and local farmers.

On Saturday, Alison, who was running the No. 12 Greengrocer’s stall, a few metres apart from David Forman’s Posh Cheese stall, said:

“Last Saturday there was a full market and we had a very busy day, but today, with only a couple of stalls standing, we have been much quieter, even though we have done better than expected as the lockdown takes grip.”

Customers attending the market adhered to the social distancing advice from the government as they waited to be served one at a time and signage on the stalls reminded them to keep safe.

The scaled-down Masham Market, which had two stalls on Saturday.

Clutching handfuls of locally-grown cabbage, carrots and purple-sprouting broccoli, Alison told The Stray Ferret:

“Last week we saw a number of new customers and I hope that when the coronavirus crisis is over they will come back, support small businesses and the local farmers and British farmers in general, who are working around the clock, playing a crucial role in keeping us all fed. I feel very passionate about this.”

David Forman, who has been standing at the Saturday market for 12 years, wore a mask and protective gloves as he served customers with locally-produced Wensleydale cheese varieties. and other cheeses. He said:

“I’ve never known things as bad as this. These are unprecedented times and I just hope that the market survives, as we are part of this community.”

Masham Market was granted its first Royal Charter by Henry III on 1st June 1251 and, in common with Ripon and Knaresborough, has been allowed by Harrogate Borough Council to continue operating through this crisis only if it sells fresh food.

Last week, the council was criticised of this decision, as some felt it flouted the government’s social distancing measures.  However, the council pointed out that it was supporting the traders at the open air markets and ensuring that stalls are spread wide apart, with the requirement for two metres of separation between customers and serving staff strictly enforced.

In the wake of criticism levelled at Harrogate Borough Council for allowing markets to go ahead, traders setting up in Ripon this morning urged customers to act sensibly and adhere to distancing guidance given by the government.

Two fruit and vegetable stalls and Carricks fishmongers – occupying pitches yards apart – were open for business today as the only traders on Market Place.

Martin Carrick, whose family has traded at the market for 90 years, set up a hand sanitiser station for customers, while Brian Murphy, whose family has been selling fruit and vegetables on the market for more than 100 years, has put up signage and taken other measures to protect the safety of his customers.

Martin Carrick at his stall

Mr Murphy, who represents the Ripon Market Stallholders, told The Stray Ferret – “This is a crucial day and whether or not we are allowed to trade in Ripon beyond this Thursday, will depend upon how people behave.

“I, along with the other traders here today, urge customers to act sensibly, be patient and ensure that they keep their distance in the queues as they wait to be served.”

Mr Murphy and his colleagues will also stand yards apart as they serve customers.

Mr Carrick said:

“The safety of people buying goods from our van and our own safety, is uppermost in our minds. We are wearing protective gloves and we are asking customers to use the hand sanitiser station that we have set up.”

Carricks, which operates from Bedale and Snape, has seen a huge increase in demand for home delivery of its fresh fish and other seafood items. In the past week alone a team of five has delivered 250 plus orders in Ripon, Northallerton and throughout Wensleydale and Swaledale. There is no physical contact with customers as orders are made and paid for online or over the phone and deliveries are left at the door.

Police Community Support Officer. Alison Swan ensures people stick to the guidelines

Yesterday, Harrogate Borough Council defended its decision to allow scaled-down markets to go ahead, pointing out that they are open air events and the few fresh food traders allowed to trade are spaced a safe distance from each other.

A council spokesperson said: “While keeping people two metres apart can be a challenge, we believe our residents can be trusted to be mindful of the current advice and respect each other and our valued independent traders.”

Harrogate Borough Council has defended its decision to allow today’s scaled down market in Knaresborough and tomorrow’s in Ripon to go ahead.

It comes after criticism on social media and from Knaresborough Chamber of Trade. The Chamber, a stalwart supporter of the historic market, said it was incredulous at the councils decision.  Bill Taylor, secretary and treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“In normal circumstances we support the market, but these are not normal circumstances. From our reading of the government’s advice on COVID-19, what is happening is flying in the face of everything the government is telling us to do, with the coronavirus crisis deepening.”

Yellow lines on the ground marked where shoppers were to stand

The market in Knaresborough today was small and only sold food today. A supervisor from the council had worked with the police to ensure government guidelines were followed as they set the stalls out this morning. A number of different social distancing measures had been set up  — at one set of stalls, yellow lines had been drawn in chalk on the ground 2 metres back from the stand. At another, tables had been set back from the stalls themselves (main picture) with traders bring bags of fruit and vegetables around to the shoppers who stood well back as they did so.

In a statement issued by the council explaining its decision, a spokesperson said:

“Knaresborough and Ripon Markets are open air, not enclosed spaces like supermarkets. While keeping people two metres apart can be a challenge, we believe our residents can be trusted to be mindful of the current advice and respect each other and our valued independent traders.”

When the Stray Ferret arrived at around 11.30am it did seem as though shoppers were keeping their distance. Two police officers were watching to ensure people kept to the guidelines. The Chamber of Trade has argued that there are other ways people can get access to fresh food such as  the umbrella group Knaresborough Connections but Sergeant Andy Graham, from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team in Knaresborough, said:

“The market is only selling food and following government guidelines. The people who come to the market tend to be older- they can’t get to supermarkets, haven’t got the facilities to shop online and may be alone with no family. It’s vital they get fresh food”

Sgt Andy Graham in the foreground watching todays trading

Traders and shoppers were pleased it had opened. Judy Matlocks, who runs a vegetable stall, said she was surprised it opened but she was operating within the guidelines. Shoppers too said they appreciated the market opening as it provides quality, affordable fresh fruit and vegetables.

Judy Matlocks serves a customer at her vegetable stall

Harrogate Borough Council said it was not the only council in North Yorkshire currently permitting open air markets to continue but would continue to “review these arrangements on a daily basis, in line with the advice we receive from government”.