It is now nine months since ground stabilisation work costing £3.5 million began at Ripon Leisure Centre, but North Yorkshire Council (NYC) remains unable to give an opening date for the refurbished building.

The original £10.2 million contract awarded in November 2019 by the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council to construction company Willmott Dixon, was designed to give Ripon a new six-lane swimming pool attached to a fully revamped and equipped leisure centre building which opened in 1995.

Work began at the Camp Close site off Dallamires Lane in November 2019 and was scheduled to last 17 months.

Equipment used in ground stabilisation pictured at the site yesterday morning (Wednesday)

The total project also includes the provision of a new children’s playground and landscaping and restoration of playing fields that were donated in 1948 by Alderman Cyril Tetley Wade ‘for the benefit of the young people of the city.’

Rising costs

The running total for completion of the project has risen to £18 million and to date the pool at the Jack Laugher Leisure & Wellness Centre, which opened behind schedule in March 2022 and the playground that opened in February 2022, have been delivered.

A temporary gym has been in place on the car park in front of the Jack Laugher Leisure & Wellness Centre since last April. The children’s playground opened in February 2022

A year ago, a temporary gym costing £300,000 was installed on the centre car park and during the period that ground stabilisation works have remained ongoing, gym members have been attending spin classes at Hugh Ripley Hall.

During the four years since it was launched, the Stray Ferret has kept a close watch on the leisure scheme and has sought regular updates, initially from Harrogate Borough Council and from North Yorkshire Council since April 2023, when the unitary authority took over responsibility for the problematic project.

The questions we asked

On March 11 we asked the council the following six questions:

• What is holding up the work?
• Have additional issues arisen since NYC’s last update to the Stray Ferret in January
• Have additional costs been incurred (on top of the £3.5 million allocated for ground stabilisation?
• If yes, how much?
• Is there an opening date in prospect for the fully refurbished leisure centre building
• What progress has been made on the restoration of the children’s playing fields?

A reply received from a council spokesperson three days later said:

“We have nothing further to add to the last statement.”

In that statement, issued by the council on January 16, it said:

“The nature of the work is complex and is under constant review, dates will be announced to key partners when they are confirmed.

“Refurbishment work to the leisure centre began at the same time as the construction of the new swimming pool building, however it was paused when the extent of ground remediation work was identified. Refurbishment work will therefore be finished after completion of the ground stabilisation works.”

In October, the Stray Ferret reported that the leisure centre work had been temporarily paused after ground movement was detected in the 1995 building,

The North Yorkshire spokesperson said in the January statement that since October “no further issues have come to light”.

Working ‘within the confines of the existing budget’

On the question about potential additional costs for the delayed project, the NYC spokesperson stated:

“We continue to work within the confines of the existing budget.”

The Stray Ferret also asked about restoration of the children’s playing fields and football pitch, which have been no go areas for more than four years.

We were told:

“Seeding work will be carried out in advance of the opening date, but this will need to be given time to fully germinate and establish.”

Main image: As work continues on ground stabilisation, no opening date for the refurbished facility is available for North Yorkshire Council

Read more:

• £3.5 million remediation work underway at Ripon leisure centre
• Ripon leisure centre halts price increase due to ongoing work
• City councillors call for an end to spending on Ripon leisure centre

George Egg brings his latest show, Set Menu, to Ripon on Thursday (March 21) as the main dish in a crazy culinary evening to launch the 2024 Ripon Theatre Festival.

Festival director Katie Scott, told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re getting off to a good start with all tickets quickly snapped up for the show from George Egg  – the comedian who cooks.

“This award-winning, multi-sell-out, international-touring performer presents a delightful evening’s cooking-with-laughs comprising the best bits from his previous acclaimed shows, plus a few new surprises.

“Over the past half-decade George has toured three shows (‘Anarchist Cook’, ‘DIY Chef’ and ‘Movable Feast’), he’s cooked over a thousand dishes, all of them in front of a live audience and none of them with a kitchen.”

Revisiting those unlikely environments armed with the chef’s skills he’s honed, he’ll show how to make food on a train with a laptop, in a shed with power tools and with hotel bedroom appliances. Plates of gourmet food prepared in the most unconventional of ways and with the opportunity to taste the results at the end.

Ms Scott, added:

“It’s time for the funniest recipes and the most delicious jokes. George has appeared and cooked on ‘Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ (Channel 4), ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’
(Channel 4) and ‘This Morning’ (ITV).

“He’s made food live on the radio too on ‘Loose Ends’ (BBC R4) a show which is now regularly co-hosts, you can hear him every Monday on Craig Charles’ (BBC 6 Music)
Show, and he’s even presented an episode of ‘The Food Programme’ (BBC R4).”

Full details of this year’s Ripon Theatre Festival will be announced at Thursday’s event which takes place at Ripon Arts Hub with refreshments courtesy of Valentino’s Ristorante. The evening is sponsored byGolden Frog Marketing.

The summer festival will take place from Tuesday 2 – Sunday 7 July with five days and six nights crammed with events and activity.

Tickets for seven events are already on sale, but audiences at the George Egg event will hear announcements about the full programme, including outdoor, free, and family events set to take place at a multitude of locations across the city. click here for full information about all events.

Image George Egg. Picture Ripon Theatre Festival

The latest episode in the Ripon Cathedral annexe story is set to be seen in the next day or so on Channel 4 news.

Alex Thomson, Channel 4’s chief correspondent and environmental reporter, was among 300 people at a parish meeting in the city last night.

What brought him to Ripon is the uncertain fate of 11 trees on Minster Gardens, which remain the central focus of attention in a controversial planning application that will be decided by North Yorkshire Council planners.

Alex Thomson at last night’s meeting with his producer Nanette van der Laan.

Mr Thomson told the Stray Ferret:

“We are interested in this story because of the trees. That’s why we are here in Ripon.”

The Channel 4 news item will primarily focus on the issue of trees.

The 11 trees are under threat because of the proposed two-storey standalone £8 million annexe, which would include a song school, 80-seat refectory, gift shop, accessible toilets and additional storage space.

The application has also attracted the attention of the Woodland Trust, whose inventory of ancient trees includes the 200-year-old veteran beech on Minster Gardens that would be removed if the cathedral does not revise its plans.

The Parish Meeting

The 300 people at last night’s meeting included the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, a large contingent from the Ripon Cathedral congregation and supporters of the ‘save our trees’ campaign, which has raised a petition of more than 2,200 names.

They gathered at Holy Trinity Church for a parish meeting called by Ripon resident Stanley Mackintosh and five fellow registered electors.

The meeting was held under the provisions of the Local Government Act and would have led to a parish poll on the annexe application, had Mr Mackintosh been successful in gaining the requisite 10 votes to take the process forward. But just four, including himself, voted for, while an overwhelming majority voted against.

Stanley Mackintosh (standing) had his call for a parish poll rejected.

Speaker after speaker called by meeting chair and Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, raised concerns about the potential £10,000  of Ripon council tax payer money that would have been required by North Yorkshire Council to stage the poll.

There was applause for Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams when he said:

“This meeting must decide whether the people of Ripon want to pay an unbudgeted £10,000 for North Yorkshire to carry out a totally meaningless exercise, or use that money for things such as the city’s Christmas lights, supporting children and families or helping the elderly.”

He added:

“As a member of the North Yorkshire planning committee that will decide upon this application, I am unable to talk about its merits or demerits, but I can say that a parish poll on the matter will carry no weight and will not have any influence on the final outcome.”

There was similarly loud applause when former mayor of Ripon Mick Stanley, said:

“We have heard the mood of the meeting, so let’s kick this call for a poll into touch.”

A vote was taken and Mr Stanley’s proposal was overwhelmingly supported, ahead of a further vote which sought to see if Mr Mackintosh had sufficient support to trigger the parish poll.

His bid to gain 10 votes failed.

Dean John (pictured above) echoed the views expressed by a number of speakers, when he said:

“This is a complex matter and I thank the mayor for the way he has handled this meeting.

“It has brought together people who have differing views about the planning application and through our continuing drop in sessions, we want to hear as many constructive views as possible,

“We are sincere and we are listening to everybody, both for and against.”

Ripon Theatre Festival, which goes from strength to strength, has announced a strategic partnership with the Stray Ferret.

North Yorkshire’s leading online news service has been appointed media sponsors for the fast-growing festival, which was launched in 2022,

As preparations continue for an extended third year programme and with tickets now on sale festival director Katie Scott, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Stray Ferret as our media sponsors for the 2024  festival.

“We have appreciated the encouragement and coverage which the Stray Ferret has given us. Working together helps us to reach more people with news of our vibrant and exciting plans for the summer.

“All of us involved in planning for and running the festival. like to think that we “punch above our weight”

Ms Scott added:

“With its wide range of professional and community performances and activities,  entirely volunteer-led, we make this happen though imaginative partnerships with venues, funders and community groups who are all working to help put Ripon on the map and make it a great place to live, work and visit.”

Charley Christopher, marketing and audience manager at the Stray Ferret, said:

“We are thrilled to be the festival’s principal media sponsor. It’s a partnership we’re excited about and we know from recent research, our readers are very much inspired by arts, culture and events happening in the area.

“Not only does the festival make the arts accessible to all and encourages visitors to this beautiful, unique city.”

Festival highlights for 2024

This year’s festival highlights include an appearance by radical theatre company Red Ladder, a cabaret act featuring the music of Victoria Wood and a return visit from actor Barrie Rutter.

Newby Hall will be a new location for festival favourites and open-air theatre specialists Illyria and the garden at the Old Deanery will provide a backdrop for theatre al fresco when it hosts the Sunday night Shakespearean finale.

Full details of all the festival’s plans including street theatre, pop-up events and free family activities will be announced at the official launch on Thursday, March 21.

Tickets are already on sale for this event, which features comedy cook George Egg with his latest show Set Menu. Tickets include the show, refreshments and festival information.

Full information is available here.

Picture: Ripon Theatre Festival director Katie Scott (right) is pictured with Charley Christopher, the Stray Ferret’s marketing, events and customer manager.

Read more:

• Look back at the 2023 Ripon Theatre Festival
• More green shoots on Ripon’s high street

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Sarita McDermott and her talented team of dancers will provide a taste of Indian culture in Ripon on Monday evening (March 18).

Ripon Library is the venue and all are welcome to attend from 5pm to both watch and join in 11 traditional dances that will celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi.

To round off the evening, attendees are invited to sample, free of charge, some genuine Indian cuisine.

Ms McDermott (pictured above) who owns Realitea Indian bistro and tearoom on North Street has, through performances that focus on the Holi and Diwali festivals, given Ripon residents an insight into the the culture of her native country

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Holi signals the arrival of spring — focusing on love, new life and reconciliation. It’s all about making a fresh start, forgiving and forgetting, loving and looking forward, as we leave the cold winter weather behind us and enjoy the spring and sunshine.”

On Monday, Lisa Fletcher, who works at Ripon’s Walled Garden, will have her debut Holi dance, alongside Martin Grainger, who works at Reality and Bethany and Matthew Evason, who are employed at Jennyruth Workshops,

Main picture: The team led by Sarita McDermott performing at Holi Dance at last year’s event in Ripon Library. Picture Sarita McDermott

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Tom Tate has a personal reason for installing a defibrillator at the Ripon garden centre and nursery that bears his family’s name,

The family-run business, which was founded by Fred and Frank Tate more than 80 years ago, faced a worrying time when Tom’s son Freddie — the newest member of the dynasty — was diagnosed with a heart condition after he was born at Harrogate District Hospital two years ago.

Tom told the Stray Ferret:

“It was an anxious time for his mum Sarah, myself and all the family, but the doctors sorted him out and he is a healthy and happy little boy.”

Freddie Tate carrying out an inspection of the family-owned garden centre on his miniature John Deere Gator. Picture: F. Tate & Sons

He added:

“With this experience, it made me realise that heart issues can affect anybody, from new born babies to the elderly and  with the 150,000 plus visitors that we welcome here each year, installing a defibrillator made a lot of sense.

“We have people who come to buy flowers. plants and ornaments for their gardens, or to dine in our Olive Tree restaurant and in addition to this, thousands come in all weathers to the annual charity tractor events that we stage”

Tom’s mum Jayne, pointed out:

“With the newly-installed defibrillator we are equipped to look after hearts as well as flowers and we hope that this gives added peace of mind to people who visit us.”

Tates garden centre is the 24th location in Ripon and the surrounding area to install a defibrillator. All other locations can be found be clicking on this link to the Defibs Ripon Facebook page.

Main picture: Tom Tate with his mum Jayne next to the newly-installed defibrillator

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Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, will re-open with new traders from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 13).

The store on Fishergate closed for a major revamp and reconfiguration in January.

Ahead of tomorrow’s reopening, the Stray Ferret was invited for a sneak peek at the new-look layout.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured above) said:

“For the next few days, entry will be via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and Hive Cafe – which has remained open throughout the reconfiguration works.”

He added:

“Following discussions with our landlord, we decided that it was safe to allow customers in to the part of the building where the refurbishment has already been completed. The remaining works on the Fishergate frontage is ongoing.”

Hedley Hall’s vintage vehicles and collectables

The reconfiguration has increased floorspace and Mr Cooper added:

“We will be reopening with new entrants including Timeless Treasures (archaeological finds) Dennis Fielding (antiques and collectables) and Signature Baby Boutique.”

Halls of Ripon’s expanded offer includes a wide range of women’s fashion.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Operations director Barry Cooper, who works alongside his father Mike and runs the Red Buttons Jewellers in Halls, said:

“We anticipated that the post-covid bounce back for Ripon retail would be led by the city’s strong mix of independent businesses and we got it right.

“The proof of the pudding can be seen in the fact that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are downsizing their portfolios and closing stores.”

Simon Richardson with his Timeless Treasure stall, is one of the three new entrants.

He added:

“We’re sure that Peacocks who opened a few doors down from us at the end of February, and Trespass who opened in the former Barclays Bank building in November, will have chosen Ripon ahead of other locations.

“This is because Ripon’s mixture of independent retailers and hospitality businesses, combined with affordable parking and £2 fares on the 36 bus all make this historic city an attractive proposition.”

Read more:

• Ripon-based property company plans further investment in the city
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Canal-side walks in Ripon have become a pleasant experience once more after North Yorkshire Council stepped in to clear dog poo packages.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who also represents the Minster and Moorside division on the council, told the Stray Ferret:

“After the Canal and River Trust stopped emptying the black litter bins on the stretch from the canal basin to beyond Farmison, I started receiving complaints about the little black bags piling up around the overflowing bins.

“Clearly, this was an unsatisfactory situation for dog walkers, walkers, boat owners and other visitors to this picturesque part of Ripon.”

A penalty notice at Ripon Canal.

A red bin for dog poo bags.

He added:

“The matter was also raised by my colleagues at the city council and, after I met on site with officers, I was pleased when the unitary authority agreed to empty the black bins, along with the limited number of red bins dedicated for disposal of dog excrement that already came within their remit.

“It’s great to get this type of common-sense co-operation between councils and pleasing that the issue has been resolved ahead of the Easter holidays, when more people will be out and about enjoying this popular Ripon tourist attraction,”

Picture: Cllr Williams at one of the canal-side black bins now emptied by North Yorkshire Council.

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With its history, heritage attractions, magnificent cathedral, traditions, customs, rivers, canal and garden racecourse, Ripon has many reasons to blow its own horn.

It will be doing just that later this month when Allison Clark, a member of the city’s hornblower team, attends a major show with the aim of attracting more visitors.

Ripon Business Improvement District — under Visit Ripon branding — has partnered with Newby Hall and Harewood House to attend the British Travel & Tourism Show on March 20 and 21 at the NEC in Birmingham.

BID manager Lilla Bathurst (pictured below) told the Stray Ferret,:

“The British Travel & Tourism Show is the largest UK show for the group travel trade. Ripon BID is committed to encouraging more visitors to Ripon and as the group travel market is an important part of that, we feel it is vital to have a presence at the show.”

She added:

“The Visit Ripon stand will showcase Ripon for groups with a newly-commissioned video of all the attractions by local Ripon videographer Save the Dog Productions and a specially produced brochure which includes all relevant details for group tours.

“We will also have Allison joining us to give talks on the history of the hornblowers at three set times each day, which we are sure will mean our stand will be a major draw.”

Coach party parking

Ms Bathurst also said that with the help of Cllr Andrew Williams, the BID had successfully lobbied North Yorkshire Council to have the coach parking four-hour restriction lifted. She said:

“This should be actioned before the summer which will aid in our drive to encourage tour parties to stay for longer in Ripon and increase spend in our businesses.”

With Ripon being at the forefront of a resurgence in bricks and mortar retail and trading due to the innovative approach taken by many of its independent businesses, Ripon BID has entered the Visa/British Retail Consortium ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ competition.

The city is one of 30 entrants shortlisted and the winners are due be announced on March 13 at the House of Lords in London.  There are eight prizes of a £15,000 grant to go towards a community project plus skills and education training for SMEs to be awarded.

At Monday’s full Ripon City Council meeting, councillors voted in favour of ordering new frock coats and hats for the hornblowers.

It is understood that the coats made by a military tailor will cost approximately £900 apiece and be designed for use in all weather conditions.

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Homes England‘s suggestion that extremely rare military buildings on the Ripon barracks site could be demolished and replaced with replicas, was greeted with derision at last night’s city council meeting.

Council leader Andrew Williams drew laughter from fellow councillors when he said:

“It’s like saying we’re going to knock down Fountains Abbey and replace it with a model that can be moved closer to Ripon!

“It’s clearly ridiculous and shows a complete lack of understanding of the major significance of the city’s military heritage.”

Cllr Williams and Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who are Ripon’s two representatives on North Yorkshire Council, spoke of their frustration at the lack of progress being made in discussions with Homes England about the protection and maintenance of ‘priceless’ historic buildings and structures, which could be bulldozed to make way for 1,300 houses on a development known as Clotherholme.

A computer generated image of the proposed barracks site which is rich in military history.

Members voted unanimously to support a proposal from Cllr Brodigan for the city council to write a letter backing the work of Ripon Military Heritage Trust, which was formed last year to research, conserve, interpret and provide access to the tangible and intangible military heritage of the City of Ripon.

Cllr Brodigan said:

“Both Homes England and North Yorkshire Council need to know that the barracks site is unique because it is unique in having heritage features of a national and international significance that help to tell the story of Ripon’s role in the two World Wars and the subsequent Cold War.

“Homes England just don’t seem to get this, as they showed when they came up with the idea of replacing the priceless huts dating back to World War II with replicas.

“They also seem to think that a few noticeboards and relevant street names will suffice, rather than a proper heritage trail, as recommended by the trust.”

Response from Homes England

Last month, after city councillors raised concerns about Homes England’s approach to military heritage at the barracks site, a spokesperson for the government’s housing and regeneration agency, said:

“We remain committed to delivering a military heritage strategy as part of our wider proposals for the site and continue to discuss options with the local planning authority and the Ripon Military Heritage Trust.”

The government agency pointed out:

• Details for the heritage strategy, its funding, and potential use of the existing military structures continue to be fine-tuned as part of the planning application process.
• As part of ongoing discussions with North Yorkshire Council, Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation have committed to spending £100.000 towards the progression of the submitted heritage strategy. The council has asked Homes England / the DIO to continue engagement with Ripon Military Heritage Trust over the submitted heritage strategy and a number of options are now being explored as part of those discussions.

Main image: Are these extremely rare Second World War huts at the Ripon barracks site, going to remain or be removed? Picture: Ripon Military Heritage Trust

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