Summerbridge Players have put out an urgent call in a search for actors, lighting/sound technicians and people who can perform various backstage roles.
With a proud history of many performances over 73 years, the players are looking to the future.
The Rev Alastair Ferneley, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks, who in May was in the cast of Give us a Sign – a comedy of errors written by award-winning playwright Tony Domaille – said:
“We are asking the Nidderdale community to help keep our local theatre group going – and have fun doing it.
“Anybody who feels that they can play a role – whether acting or behind the scenes – will be made most welcome at the open day we are holding at Dacre and Hartwith Village Hall on Saturday, September 9.”
Those who visit between 11am and 2pm will have the opportunity to find out more about the players and their planned future productions and further details about the open day can be obtained by emailing Sue Wright on suewr1ght@yahoo.co.uk
Since its foundation as an independent group in 1950, the Summerbridge Players have performed a broad portfolio of plays, ranging from The Vicar of Dibley to The House of Frankenstein.
Other notable productions include Oliver!, My Fair Lady, Jonah and the Whale, Twelfth Night and A Christmas Carol.
Read more:
Last summer concert brings hundreds to Ripon Market Square
Hundreds of people gathered on Ripon Market Square yesterday for the last large-scale public event of the summer organised by the city council.
Families with children from tots to teenagers came early in the afternoon to ride the Ferris wheel and roundabout, both of which proved a constant draw until dusk, when tribute acts took centre stage in front of the town hall.
The queue for the Ferris wheel stretched the length of Market Square
Evening entertainment was provided by tribute acts playing the hits of Neil Diamond, Elton John and Robbie Williams, while the Big Boyband Reunion, played a selection of the chart-topping songs made famous by leading boy bands.
The crowd on Market Square steadily grew throughout the evening.
One of the concert highlights came when the Neil Diamond lookalike and soundalike sang Sweet Caroline, the adopted anthem of the England women’s football team.
Sweet Caroline struck a chord with the Ripon crowd
The Robbie Williams tribute act
Elton John’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me rang out before sunset arrived and at 9pm Allison Clark, a member of the Ripon hornblower team (pictured below) provided a reminder of the city’s ancient roots, by performing the nightly setting of the watch ceremony, which has reputedly been carried out without break for more than eleven hundred years.
You can watch a live video from last night on our Facebook page.
More free Bank Holiday entertainment
The free family-focused entertainment continues in Ripon on Monday, with a street party in Kirkgate from 11am until 4pm and a Spanish-themed fiesta on Minster Gardens from 5pm until 9.30pm.
Organised by independent businesses in the city as part of the Totally Locally initiative developed with Ripon BID, the Bank Holiday event will see the closure of Kirkgate from 9am.
Ripon is preparing for another bank holiday weekend of free family-focused entertainment, featuring live music, fairground rides and a Spanish-flavoured fiesta.
Tomorrow (Saturday) a ferris wheel and Mini Miami ride will be among the attractions on Market Square from 12 noon until 8pm, as part of the last public event of the summer organised by Ripon City Council and financed through the parish precept.
From 7pm until 11pm music will take centre stage, with tribute acts performing the hits of Neil Diamond, Elton John and Robbie Williams, before the Big Boyband Reunion provides a rousing end to the entertainment.
Popular tunes and ancient tradition will come together at 8.55pm when a member of the Ripon hornblower team sets the city watch with blasts of their horn at the four corners of the obelisk.
The Easter street party in Kirkgate brought hundreds of visitors to the city
Bank Holiday Monday street party
As a follow-up to the highly-successful Easter Bank Holiday Monday street party held in Kirkgate, Ripon’s independent businesses have joined forces once more to arrange an event designed to draw visitors into the city and entertain local residents.
Kirkgate will close to traffic from 9am, for a day of entertainment running from 11am until 4pm and including buskers and on-street food and drink offers.
Between 5pm and 9.30pm, Minster Gardens will be transformed into a musical fiesta venue, with decorative lighting for a paella picnic among the trees.
The entertainment will be provided by Knaresborough Vista Social Club, Bailey Brown and virtuoso Ukrainian violinist Nadia.
There will be a horsebox bar and a pop-up paella restaurant supplied by Manchega Tapas Restauarant, whose owner, Richard Hughes, said:
“Ripon should be the destination for anyone visiting the north of England! It has everything to offer.”
He added:
“This whole event is an example of the local business community promoting a can-do attitude. It has been funded almost entirely by donations from local businesses and also by sponsorship from Voneus Broadband, along with ongoing administrative support from the Ripon BID, as part of the excellent Totally Locally initiative.”
Fashion retailer Peacocks recruiting staff for new Ripon store
Value fashion retailer Peacocks looks set to come to Ripon after advertising for staff on a number of websites.
The company, which sells men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, has advertised vacancies for a Ripon store manager, assistant store manager and sales assistant, on the Indeed recruitment site.
The store manager advert, which can also be found on the SimplyHired and Retail Human Resources) sites said:
“Here at Peacocks we have a fantastic opportunity for a store manager based in our new store in Ripon.
“If you would like to be part of a forward-thinking business and have a job with excellent career prospects, we would love to hear from you.”
When approached today by the Stray Ferret, Peacocks’ head office in Cardiff would not say when they will be opening in the city, how many people they will employ and which vacant unit they will be taking.
However, a hint towards a possible Ripon location came last month when the retailer opened a store at premises in Market Place, Driffield, previously occupied by M&Co, which went into administration in December.
The former M&Co unit on Fishergate closed in April and later that month specialist retail publication Drapers Online reported that Peacocks was aiming to take 20 stores from the M&Co estate.
Read more:
Ethical dilemmas to be discussed in Pateley Bridge
Sex, death, war and artificial intelligence will be discussed in a series of monthly Food for Thought talks by a leading theologian in Pateley Bridge.
Dr Peter Vardy, who has written extensively on religion and ethics and was vice-principal of Heythrop Jesuit College in London, from 1998 to 2011, will lead the events at St Cuthbert’s Church.
For more than 30 years he has run conferences for GCSE and A level students in this country and overseas.
Dr Vardy, whose first talk will take place next month, said:
“The aim of this initiative is to engage those attending with contemporary issues, but also to explain different approaches particularly to Christian understandings of ethical dilemmas.”
Everyone from within the parish and beyond is welcome to attend the Food for Thought events.
The Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Revd Darryl Hall, said:
“Our mission action plan inspires us to grow confident Christians, devoted to growing deeply as disciples.
“We have a dedicated team looking after the youth ministry in the parish and also a team looking after adult discipleship – which is where Food for Thought first came from as a confirmation course during Lent.
“It proved to be so popular that we ran a second series before taking a break for the summer.
“We are very fortunate that Dr Peter Vardy kindly offered to run a monthly series on Christian ethics from September to February.”
Starting on September 6 with the subject of ‘how to make ethical decisions’, the 45-minute talks will start at 7pm followed by 15 minutes for questions. Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.
The other subjects to be covered are:
- Euthanasia and Death (October 4)
- Sex, Fertility, New Methods of Reproduction and Marriage (November 8)
- Can Wars be Just? (December 6)
- Money, Power and Economic Justice (January 10)
- Artificial Intelligence (February 7)
To find out more and to help with managing numbers, attendees are asked to email darryl.hall@leeds.anglican.org
Read more:
Ripon’s Old Deanery to launch fine dining after key appointment
Plans put on hold because of covid are finally set to come to fruition at the Old Deanery in Ripon following the appointment of Adam Jackson.
The award-winning executive chef is working with owners Rebecca and Chris Layton to provide fine dining and accommodation to sit alongside the wedding and events business the couple launched two years ago at the historic grade two listed Minster Road property.
The Jacobean mansion is situated in the shadows of Ripon Cathedral.
Ms Layton told the Stray Ferret:
“We always had an appetite for making the Old Deanery a fine dining destination that would be open on a more regular basis, but covid meant that we had to put our plans on hold.
“Now we believe that the time is right and Adam joins us as part of our exciting plans to open as Yorkshire’s newest dining experience. He is already working on menu development.”
Executive chef Adam Jackson. Picture: The Old Deanery
Award-winning Mr Jackson was head chef at the Black Swan at Oldstead, near Thirsk, where he helped it win its first Michelin star in 2012.
He then set up his own York restaurant The Park in Marmadukes Town House Hotel, which gained three AA Rosettes.
Latterly, he has worked at the Faversham Arms in Helmsley and the Bow Room at Grays Court in York.
From November, in addition to its weddings and receptions, The Old Deanery will be open for dinner, bed and breakfast stays and meals, including grazing-style meals and Sunday lunches.
Organisers of Ripon’s third Summer Funfest are celebrating its success and looking to build on this further in 2024.
Ripon Together director Simon Hewitt said last week’s free activities at locations across the city and at Studley Royal Cricket Club were fully booked, with 400 youngsters taking part.
Activities included football, cricket, athletics, croquet, tennis, crazy golf and circus skills.
The week culminated in a megafun day on Thursday with obstacle courses, tug-of-war, sumo wrestling and many other sports and games, plus free Syrian street food.
Mr Hewitt said:
“Attendances at these events are growing year by year and this year they were all full up. Ripon Together will be considering how to grow the initiative further next year.”
In addition to its own funding, Ripon Together received grants from the locality budgets of city and North Yorkshire councillors Barbara Brodigan and Andrew Williams, the Jepson Trust and the Ripon Girls Fund.
The week was also supported by Ripon Runners, Ripon Spa Croquet Club, Studley Royal Cricket Club, JD Football Academy and the Sun Parlour Cafe, as well as Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Booths and M&S.
Oyez, oyez, oyez! the pronouncement from Ripon Bellman Geoffrey Johnson rang out loud and clear on Ripon Market Square last night,
The simple message for the economy of The Cathedral City of the Dales is that Ripon has many attractions for both tourists and local residents to enjoy’ and now has new boundary signs to attract more visitors.
To emphasise the point, the official unveiling of the signs was also attended by Patricio Maglio, a member of the Ripon Hornblower team who, like Mr Johnson, features on notice boards at key locations.
Following the bellman’s announcement, the hornblower performed the nightly ceremony of setting the city’s watch minutes after the new signs were officially unveiled.
As part of Ripon BID’s commitment to improve wayfinding it partnered with North Yorkshire highways to upgrade the boundary signage on the bypass, Boroughbridge Road, Kirkby Road and Studley Road.
The project was supported by city and North Yorkshire councillors Barbara Brodigan and Andrew Williams through donations from their locality budgets.
The BID also worked with the highways team to refurbish, repaint and restore the notice boards and finger posts that include bespoke maps and tourist information’
BID manager Lilla Bathurst told the Stray Ferret:
“These have been designed to help guide visitors around Ripon’s ancient streets, while providing an insight into the city’s rich history and heritage attractions.
“Our objective is to generate increased footfall to benefit the local economy and we are pleased to say that Ripon now has signage befitting a cathedral city and we hope that our businesses, residents and visitors will all agree that it’s a huge improvement.
“The boundary signs are designed to tempt motorists into Ripon from the road network, while the notice boards help tourists to locate the attractions, while also including information about events happening in the city, which is updated weekly.”
Pictured with Ripon bellman Geoffrey Johnson (right) and hornblower Patricio Maglio at last night’s unveiling event, are: Councillor Barbara Brodigan, Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst and BID directors Richard Taylor and Stuart Baldwin.
Read more:
- Chance for Harrogate district community groups to win £3,000
- Search begins for Ripon’s community stars of 2023
Two charities that provide much-needed support for local people are benefiting from the £7,000 raised through the Mayor of Ripon’s annual appeal.
Dementia Forward‘s community fundraiser Amy Senior visited Ripon Town Hall on Tuesday to accept a cheque for £3,500 and the same amount will be presented shortly to Harrogate District Mind.
Dementia Forward, which operates throughout North Yorkshire, opened its flagship community hub in 2017 at George Armitage House in Burton Leonard and a further five have followed across the county.
Ms Senior said:
“This donation is greatly appreciated and will support the day services that we provide through our hub club for people affected by dementia.”
Mind’s Harrogate District association was founded in 1973 and over the past 50 years, the charity run by local people, for local people, has been a constant source of support and confidential services including befriending, counselling and outreach.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, said:
“We are delighted to support two great charities and have been able to do so because of the generosity of the local community and the tremendous work of the appeal committee, which organised and ran fundraising events throughout the last mayoral year.”
Read more:
- Chance for Harrogate district community groups to win £3,000
- Search begins for Ripon’s community stars of 2023
Record £200,000 prize money for St Wilfrid’s day at Ripon Races
Ripon is preparing for its most valuable race day ever on Saturday, with more than £200,000 of prize money on offer across seven races.
This includes a total pot of £100,000 for the winner and placed horses in the principal race, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap.
It will feature some of country’s top sprinters, including current favourite Summerghand trained by David O’Meara.
Mr O’Meara, who trains at Upper Helmsley, said:
“He ran well in the race last year but was drawn on the wrong side. He is in really good form and he likes Ripon so fingers crossed for a nice draw and we’re very hopeful of a good run.”
The highly-competitive six furlong sprint, now in its 30th year of sponsorship from bookmaker William Hill, has been run in honour of Ripon’s patron saint since 1839.
One of the many floral displays at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse
A further reminder of the link between the historic course and ancient cathedral city will come when blasts from the Ripon hornblower, whose nightly ceremony dates back to King Alfred the Great in 886 AD, signal the start of racing.
William Hill is sponsoring five of the races on Saturday’s card and Ripon Racecourse managing director and clerk of the course, James Hutchinson, said:
“We’re immensely proud to be William Hill’s longest standing sports sponsorship and we’re delighted with the quality of entries for the big race.”
He added:
“It’s been 13 years since we last saw the trophy head south of Yorkshire and with a very strong contingent from Yorkshire and the North it would be no surprise if that extended to fourteen on Saturday.”
Operations and marketing manager Jon Mullin said:
“Advanced sales have been good, with the club enclosure sold out, but space is still available in the paddock and course enclosures and we’re hoping plenty of people come along to enjoy a great afternoon of racing. Families are always welcome and under 18s will be admitted free.”
While the Great St Wilfrid takes centre stage, the card also includes the William Hill Silver Trophy. Both races will be shown live on ITV4.
The gates will be open from 11.15am and the first race is off at 1.35pm.