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”.

The government’s “stay at home” message appears to have worked in Ripon with very few people out and about today.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, whose own business – The Magdalens pub in Princess Road – is closed because of the coronavirus crisis, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think the message has finally hit home and people have realised the gravity of the situation we are all in. This particularly applies to the young people I have spoken with, who were thinking up until now that they are invincible.”

The Mayor of Ripon Cllr Eamon Parkin

Cllr Parkin, who has lived in Ripon all his life and been landlord of The Magdalens for four years, added:

“The community spirit in Ripon has been magnificent and I am very proud of how people have responded by helping one another.”

Though he doesn’t know when he will be able to pull the next pint in his pub, the Mayor has turned it into a temporary community hub supporting local people, including the elderly who live in the nearby Almshouses of The Hospital of St Mary Magdalene. They can call for fresh fruit, vegetables and milk to be delivered and also have prescriptions collected on their behalf.

Very few people were on the streets of Ripon this morning and those who were, were either heading to or from the handful of food shops that remain open, or going to chemists, banks and building societies.The centre will see more activity on Thursday, as the market will be open to sell fresh food items only.

One business unsure of when it will be back again is Oliver’s Pantry café in North Street, which has been closed for a couple of days. There is a poignant message in its window from owner Louise Grant, reading:

From 7.30 to 8am, there was a steady and orderly stream of health sector employees and care workers going into the Sainsbury’s in Ripon, arriving through its car park entrance at the rear. To gain access they were asked, by a member of the security team, to show badges proving their eligibility.

Among them was North Yorkshire County Council care and support worker, Jackie Harrison, who looks after elderly and vulnerable people living in extra care housing.

Mrs Harrison, (pictured above), who had just finished a night shift, said:

“This is a great help to me, because of my shift pattern I have only been able to get to the shops at times when the shelves have been cleared of the items that I need.”

Her shop included a large tin of coffee, oranges and two packs of self-bake baguettes.

While NHS employees and care workers had the store to themselves from 7.30am until 8am, between 8am and 9am elderly and vulnerable people had the opportunity to buy.

Widower Ian Hepburn (below), who is 77 and volunteers two days a week to help people with learning difficulties at the charity Ripon Community Link, was delighted to be able to buy pasta and pizza.

He told The Stray Ferret:

“I live on my own and don’t need to buy a large number of things, but with the panic buying that has been going on across many shops, I’ve recently found that the odd item I’m looking for is already gone from the shelves. At least this gives me and others like me a chance.”

Dan Richardson, who is manager of the Ripon store, was on-hand to greet the priority early-morning shoppers. He said:

“It’s only right that society as a whole pulls together and ensures that key workers from the NHS and care sector, along with older and vulnerable people, are given a fair chance to buy what they need and in that respect, we are happy to do our bit.”

Priority Opening Hours for NHS staff and care workers:

• Sainsburys:  7.30am to 8am opening for NHS and care workers every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
•  ASDA: 8am to 9am Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• The Co-Op:8am to 9am Monday to Saturday and 10am to 11am on Sundays
• M&S: 8am to 9am Tuesdays and Fridays
• Morrisons: 7am to 8am Monday to Saturday

Priority opening for elderly, disabled people and their carers :

• The Co-Op:  providing a dedicated hour for those at higher risk -times vary from store to store
• M&S: 8am to 9am Mondays and Thursdays
• Sainsburys: 8am to 9am priority opening for elderly and vulnerable people.
• Morrisons: 9am to 10am Monday to Saturday
• Waitrose: 8am to 9am Monday to Saturday

It’s 9pm and no virus in the world is going to stop the Ripon Hornblower.  It’s a sound that has been heard every night on Ripon Market Place for 1134 years, marking the setting of the watch and a guard against unwelcome invaders. 

The 9pm ceremony has been performed continuously, without fail, since Ripon was granted its first charter in 886 by Alfred the Great, King of the Saxons. It has survived the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the English Civil War and two world wars. And now, as the city faces a very different threat, undeterred, the Hornblower stands and blows the horn. 

There are 3 Hornblowers in Ripon at this time who share the nightly ritual of standing in the market place and blowing the horn. Each Hornblower has their own instrument from a collection of five, that still includes the ancient horn given to the city by King Alfred – a prized and priceless item, only on display at civic occasions. 

Allison Clark became the first woman Hornblower in 2017

 “I think I speak for fellow Hornblowers Wayne Cobbett, Richard Midgley and also Jim Vauvert, who retired recently, when I express the wish that we can play our part in blowing coronavirus away.”  

Allison Clark earlier this week

The Hornblower heritage began after King Alfred presented the city with its first ceremonial horn as a gift of gratitude for the way in which Riponians fought ferociously to repel a Viking attack. 

Richard Midgley points out:  

“Over the centuries, Ripon has had to fight off many threats, from war to plague and the sounding of the horn and setting of the watch reminds us that we can and will overcome adversity – as we have done for centuries.”

Every night there is usually a small crowd that gathers to witness the historic event.  Usually, the Hornblower gives a short talk to the visitors after the horn is sounded, telling them about the tradition and about Ripon – not in these days though as the market place empties.  

Despite a lack of audience, nothing will stop the Hornblower from doing his or her task. 

Wayne Cobbett pointed out:  

“The role of Hornblower is part of the fabric of Ripon. It has stood the test of time and will not be defeated by coronavirus. In the light of government advice about the need to limit social contact, we will not be giving our usual talk on the city’s history, but can confidently say that the ceremony is here to stay in perpetuity.” 

Coronavirus won’t be the last crisis to hit Ripon. In the centuries to come, it’s likely future residents will face as many challenges as their ancestors. The Hornblower will be there, every night, a sound of hope in such troubling times.  

The rural community of Kirkby Malzeard has a population of 872, three shops, a church, a pub and a primary school.

Around a third of its population are aged over 60 and most have followed government guidance and are self-isolating. The younger ones have speedily made arrangements for the continuing education of their children and finding the best way to support their parents. Kirkby Malzeard’s nearest town is Masham and the city of Ripon is more than 6 miles south.

St Andrew’s Church Kirkby Malzeard

Amanda and her partner Gianni, run Kirkby Fisheries, have five children and moved to the village from Middlesbrough three years ago.The practicalities of shopping, filling the car up with fuel, budgeting to run a business and a family and the question of who looks after their children have dominated their thoughts.

Amanda, who looks after the books for the business as well as her pre-school children, Louka,11 months, and  3 year old twins, Georgio and Georgia, now has another child to think about:

“I will have Amelia  (aged 6) at home from Monday and will be teaching her, using the teaching pack that the school has provided.”

A worry for Amanda and Gianni is the fall off in custom among village regulars, a number of whom have self-isolated and have stopped coming to the fisheries for the time being. They have taken the financial gamble of launching a free home delivery service and hiring local drivers, in the hope that self-isolaters and other customers further afield, will continue to buy fish and chips and other hot food.

On the Kirkby Fisheries’ FaceBook they posted. ‘We helped feed the nation through two World Wars, we’ll do our best to feed you through this.’

Amanda Parry (left) and Donna Crouch with their children

Donna Crouch moved to Kirkby a couple of years ago from Ripon. She has three children and is a care worker. The private company Donna works for looks after elderly people across Ripon and its surrounding rural communities. She is due to return to work on Monday after an operation.

“I’m waiting to see if my job classes me as a key worker. If it does, my older children who go to Nidderdale High School and Outwood Academy will be looked after, but I’m concerned about who can look after my three-year-old daughter, Madison.”

For Donna and Amanda and many other like them living in the district the dilemma of how to juggle all these many aspects of life is something that will dominate their lives in the weeks to come.