Tickets go on sale for third Ripon Theatre FestivalRipon’s fast-growing theatre festival — now in its third year — will take place from Tuesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 7.
Building on the success of the two previous festivals, the events and activities will run over five days and six nights.
With interest expected to be high, tickets for six of the events will go on sale on Saturday (February 10).
This year’s 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 (pictured below)
Barrie Rutter. Pic: Nobby Clarke
Natalie Bellingham
This summer’s programme will see Newby Hall as a new location for festival favourites and open-air theatre specialists Illyria and the garden at the Old Deanery will also provide a backdrop for theatre al fresco when it hosts the Sunday night Shakespearean finale.
Festival director Katie Scott told the Stray Ferret:
“The first release of tickets includes Look After Your Knees, a beautiful and touching one-woman show from up-and-coming artist Natalie Bellingham, Shakespeare’s Royals from Barrie Rutter (plus special guest), Looking for Me Friend – the Music of Victoria Wood and We’re Not Going Back – Red Ladder’s thought-provoking musical comedy set during the 1984/5 miners’ strike.
“Tickets also go on sale this weekend for open air family theatre at Newby Hall (The Adventures of Doctor Doolittle) and Shakespeare’s As You Like It at the Old Deanery.”
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 21 March.
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 at www.ripontheatrefestival.org
Main image: We’re Not Going Back – Red Ladder’s thought-provoking musical comedy, will be one of the festival highlights: Picture Ripon Theatre Festival
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Ripon book sleuth attempts to solve 90-year-old Sackville-West mysteryWho exactly was Mrs Carey and what was her connection to Bloomsbury Group poet Vita Sackville-West?
That’s the tantalising mystery that Ripon-based professional book sleuth and curio hunter Daniel Hornsey of Hornseys Gallery, is attempting to unravel.
Mr Hornsey, who has worked from his Kirkgate shop for three decades, is recognised in the world of literature and collecting for his uncanny knack of tracking down the rarest of first edition books, with associations to some of the world’s best-known real life and fictional characters.
These have ranged from James Bond creator Ian Fleming to Winnie The Pooh – who has his 100th birthday in December.
Now his attention is turned to Mrs Carey, the sleuth’s only missing piece in the Sackville-West story,
Her name appears in a signed letter which, along with an enclosed three-page hand-written manuscript, was posted to her by the world-famous poet in May 1933.The letter and manuscript are among the rarest items in Mr Hornsey’s possession and he is trying to find out why she gave it so readily to Mrs Carey, instead of keeping it on her files
The married Ms Sackville-West raised eyebrows in 1920s society when she and Virginia Woolf became lovers. Both were members of the group of artists, writers and philosophers and progressive thinkers, whose influence is still apparent to this day.
The May 1933 letter to Mrs Carey
Dates on the letter check out and substantiate the provenance of the enclosure — an amended draft, of the epic poem Sissinghurst, celebrating the splendour of the garden that the writer lovingly created at the Kent castle of that name.
But Mrs Carey and her part in this literary quiz, remains unanswered and in the ancient city of Ripon, the sleuth’s online search continues.
Vita Sackville-West
Virginia Woolf. Pic: The Parish Review
Sackville-West’s ‘Collected Poems, Volume One, published in 1933 at the Hogarh Press owned by Ms Woolf and her husband Leonard, is a collectors’ item in its own right, but there is much more to it.
Found concealed within the pages of the anthology was a signed letter and a three-page hand-written manuscript, which had been posted by the poet to the mysterious recipient.
Mr Hornsey told the Stray Ferret:
“With the passage of time, highly sought-after collectors’ items of this quality and condition very rarely come on the market and they can be worth a fortune.
“This isn’t just any manuscript with accompanying signed letter, but one featuring an iteration of Ms Sackville-West’s epic and most famous poem Sissinghurst, celebrating the splendour of the garden that the writer created at the Kent castle of that name The property is now owned by the National Trust.”
The letter read:
“Dear Mrs Carey, I find that I have not got a typewritten copy of the poem you wanted, so I hope you will forgive me for sending it to you in manuscript’.”
Mr Hornsey said:
“Attached to this letter with a now-removed but retained paperclip are three pages of lined A4 paper onto which she has extraordinarily written the entire Sissinghurst poem in fountain pen. Written in praise of her house and garden, which she had bought as a farmstead ‘of squalor and disorder’ in 1930.
“It contains a number of corrections by her with directions where spaces should be, changes in punctuation, some in pen, some in pencil and some textual differences to the version published in this Collected Poems and in the first individual edition of 1931 which was also published by Virginia and Leonard Woolf at The Hogarth Press.
“This manuscript was not in fact written specifically for Mrs Carey: We believe that it is an exceptionally early draft.”
Vita Sackville-West’s hand-written poem
He added:
“Much of this belief hinges on her use of ‘slender tower’ rather than ‘springing tower’, ‘the stagnant moat’ rather than ‘a stagnant moat’ on the first page and ‘Himalayas’ rather than ‘snowy mountains’ mid-way through the poem.
“These words were changed before the 1931 edition and we can never know why Sackville-West gave away this manuscript. She usually kept all her papers, but the language of the letter shows that she was more than happy to do so.”
Mr Hornsey continued:
“Sackville-West had dedicated the Sissinghurst poem: ‘Thursday. To V.W.’ Their love affair covered the period from 1925 – 1935 and from 1930 onwards Vita would begin the transformation of Sissinghurst itself into Britain’s finest 20th century garden.
“Her Sissinghurst home remains as Vita left it when she died, decorated with two photos: one of her husband and one of Virginia Woolf, for whom she wrote this poem.”
The next question for the book sleuth, is where will his incredible discovery next be seen?
The vast majority of Vita Sackville-West’s papers and manuscripts are held by Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library., But, in view of the subject matter, a return to Sissinghurst Castle, would seem appropriate.
However, the National Trust, to whom Mr Hornsey has made an approach, may find itself in a transatlantic bidding war for this very scarce and important item.
In the meantime, the hunt for Mrs Carey goes on …
Main picture: Book sleuth and curio hunter Daniel Hornsey, with the signed letter and three-page hand-written Sackville-West manuscript.
Still time to enter Ripon Civic Society’s design awardsWould-be candidates for the biennial Ripon Civic Society design awards have until the end of the month to submit entries.
The awards, which will be presented in April, recognise project excellence within Ripon and its surrounding areas.
Awards are made in seven categories, ranging from best new building to city centre revitalisation and entries are open until the end of January.
Details of all categories can be found here and more information can be found by calling the society’s co-chair David Winpenny on 01765 608320
He told the Stray Ferret,
“We keep a weather eye on local developments and events, but we are conscious that things can sometimes slip below our radar. So we should appreciate hearing about anything that might potentially qualify for recognition at our awards ceremony.
“Although judging of a shortlist will not take place until early March, long-listed nominations are required by the end of January. Entries can be submitted online.”
Picture: Grantley Hall was a multiple winner at the society’s 2022 design awards
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Ripon photographer Tyler, 17, is turning his passion into a careerRipon-based photographer Tyler Parker (pictured above) is staking the claim of being the youngest businessman in North Yorkshire.
At 17, the former Harrogate College and Nidderdale High School student, is gaining clients through the quality of his work and a willingness to cover assignments in all weather conditions.
Tyler told the Stray Ferret:
“Having completed my level 3 extended diploma photography course at the college, I decided the time was right to launch my business.
“Sometimes the photoshoots involve early morning starts covering mass participation events that take place come rain or shine and this has seen me carrying out paid work for organisations such as Ripon’s Royal Engineers, the young farmers’ organisation and tractor clubs.”
One of Tyler Parker’s many photos from the tractor run at F. Tate and Sons.
A testimonial from Ripon’s 21 Engineer Regiment, which can be seen on his website, says:
“We love having Tyler along with us at public events as he is always so punctual and always works around us, while being able to create photos we love.”
Tyler started taking photographs two years ago and made the smart move of getting himself and his photography known by initially working on a pro bono basis.
He said:
“I put myself out there by contacting everyone I could find who was hosting an event and then offering to take and supply the photographs free of charge. I’m pleased to say that this led to paid-for assignments.
“Currently I offer indoor and outdoor services, including portable studio photography, use of drones for aerial shots and videography.”
Tyler added:
“I’m always looking for new ways of expanding my business and the latest addition is the provision of a on-site printing service, which gives people taking part in events the opportunity to purchase and go home with photographs taken on the day.”
Are you a young entrepreneur who has just set up in business? Let us know your story by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
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National broadcasters focus on Ripon Cathedral’s £6 million annexe plan
The decision to pause
Ripon Cathedral’s controversial annexe planning application came 14 days before Channel 4’s chief correspondent Alex Thomson was due to put the issue under the national spotlight.
BBC wildlife presenter and conservationist Chris Packham urged his 630,000 followers on X, formerly Twitter, to support the ‘save our trees’ petitioners in Ripon on Friday.
He said:
“Ripon Cathedral were due to fell 11 beech trees in a conservation area to build a cafe, but paused when made aware @Channel4News were coming to interview campaigners.”
“Tree vandalism’ in our precious urban green spaces must end – please support those that are fighting back . . .”
Chris Packham
Alex Thomson
Feargal Sharkey
The cathedral responds
In response to Mr Packham’s claim that the cathedral’s actions in pausing the planning application were carried out only because of the Channel 4 interest in the plans, a spokeswoman for the Dean and Chapter, said:
“This is not the case at all. This pause and opportunity for further consultation was discussed by Chapter in the autumn and the decision made to request a pause in December. This took effect once planning officers gave their approval in January. Conversations with Channel 4 about the opportunity to speak with them are unrelated.”
The spokeswoman, added:
“It should also be noted that the cathedral is not planning to remove 11 Beech trees from a conservation area.”
The 1,000 sq metres annexe would include an 80-seat refectory, gift shop, song school, new toilets with accessibility for disabled people and space for storage. But the cathedral proposes to make space by removing the trees and compensating for their loss by planting 300 trees on private land near Studley.
Last month, the proposed removal of a veteran beech and 10 other mature trees from Minster Gardens brought a similar call from pop star-turned-environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey who brought the issue to the attention of his 229,000 followers on X.
He described the proposal to plant 300 trees on land near Studley as compensation for the felled Minster Gardens trees as “greenwashing at its finest”.
Environmental journalist Mr Thomson was scheduled to visit Ripon on January 30 to report on plans for a £6 million development and while that is now on hold, he is keeping an eye on developments in liaison with fellow environmental journalist and Ripon-based tree campaigner, Brian McHugh.
The Woodland Trust’s reaction
The beech tree is on the Woodland Trust’s inventory of ancient trees.
Jack Taylor, lead campaigner at the conservation charity, said on Wednesday it was “delighted” the cathedral was reconsidering its plans. He added:
“With 80% of the UK population living in urban areas, urban trees provide so many benefits, from cleaning our air, to capturing carbon, shading our streets and supporting urban wildlife.
“We would also like to extend our gratitude to the local people who have taken up the fight for their trees. These irreplaceable living legends absolutely need people to stand up for them. We now encourage Ripon Cathedral to go back to the drawing board and ensure they are protected.”
The day before the trust’s announcement,
the Stray Ferret revealed the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson and the cathedral chapter, had put the plans on hold “for a number of months”.
An aerial computer generated image of the proposed annexe development. Picture Ripon Renewed..
Ripon city council leader Andrew Williams, had called for the cathedral to pause its plans shortly before it did so.
The cathedral’s statement
A statement issued on behalf of the Dean and Chapter on Tuesday afternoon, said:
“Following continued and constructive collaboration with planners from North Yorkshire Council, Ripon Cathedral has taken the decision to pause the planning application for its proposed north side development for a number of months.
“During this period, there will be opportunities for additional consultation, where we will once again be able to listen to comments and concerns from the people of Ripon and the region in relation to the proposed new building. We will also continue to work constructively with the planners and other key stakeholders.
“We hope that this will allow us to move forward in a way that considers people’s genuine concerns and takes in the opinions of stakeholders, whilst allowing us to deliver the amenities that the cathedral so desperately needs along with the benefits the building will bring to the city and region.
“The exhibition of the project remains in the cathedral and further opportunities for informed feedback will be advertised on our social media channels and website in due course.”.
Main image: Save our Trees campaigners led by Ripon resident Jenni Holman who has raised a petition with more than 2,100 signatures.
Exclusive: Ripon Cathedral ‘pauses’ controversial annexe planning applicationRipon Cathedral is to pause its controversial annexe planning application following a request by city councillor Andrew Williams.
The proposed £6 million development, which would house a refectory, song school, shop and Changing Places Toilet, will be put on hold ‘for a number of months’ to allow further consultation with all interested parties.
These include campaigners with a 2,100-name petition raised in a bid to save a veteran beech and 10 other mature trees from being cut down to make way for the two-storey standalone building on Minster Gardens — a green public open space currently owned by North Yorkshire Council.
A statement issued this afternoon, on behalf of the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson and the Cathedral Chapter said:
“Following continued and constructive collaboration with planners from North Yorkshire Council, Ripon Cathedral has taken the decision to pause the planning application for its proposed north side development for a number of months.
“During this period, there will be opportunities for additional consultation, where we will once again be able to listen to comments and concerns from the people of Ripon and the region in relation to the proposed new building. We will also continue to work constructively with the planners and other key stakeholders.
“We hope that this will allow us to move forward in a way that considers people’s genuine concerns and takes in the opinions of stakeholders, whilst allowing us to deliver the amenities that the cathedral so desperately needs along with the benefits the building will bring to the city and region.
“The exhibition of the project remains in the cathedral and further opportunities for informed feedback will be advertised on our social media channels and website in due course.”
A petition by Ripon resident and save our trees campaigner Jenni Holman has already been signed by 2,100 people, some of whom attended this peaceful protest on November 25.
Cllr Williams approached the cathedral seeking a three-month pause following a vote taken last month by city councillors to withdraw its ‘in principle’ support for the scheme and formally object to the proposal.
The vote to object was carried by four votes to three at the December 11 meeting. Councillors Williams and Barbara Brodigan, who sit on North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee planning committee, absented themselves from the meeting and did not take part in the debate that preceded the vote.
Cllr Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“As the divisional member for North Yorkshire Council I indicated in February last year that I have a duty to represent those on both sides of the issue.
“As a result, I asked the cathedral to pause their application to allow them time to assess fully the objections raised to their current proposals.
“This will allow time for a site meeting to take place with officers from North Yorkshire Council planning and the applicant to see whether it is possible to meet the core objectives of the cathedral whilst addressing the concerns raised to the current plans.”
The veteran Beech tree.
He added:
“If after further deliberations have taken place it does prove possible for Ripon Cathedral to bring forward new proposals, these should be the subject of widespread public consultation and I have already suggested to the Dean that such public consultation would be best undertaken away from the cathedral itself.
“I hope that all sides of this debate will now take a step back and look at how best Ripon can move forward together as a community. In my view it is vital that Ripon has a viable and sustainable cathedral as I believe do the vast majority of the objectors to the current proposals.
“I would like to make it clear that I am not expressing any view on the merits of the current planning application, simply seeking to see if common ground can be found between everyone.”
The cathedral said in a statement the Dean was “pleased that Cllr Williams’ views were consistent with the thoughts of Chapter”, adding it had been “listening to many voices and working constructively with planners”. It added:
“It is as a result of all of this that the cathedral reached a decision to engage in renewed consultation before further developments.”
Ripon’s military heritage under threat again after U-turnRipon’s priceless military heritage assets are under threat once more after an about-turn from the government’s housing and regeneration agency Homes England.
Ripon played a major role in both world wars and the Cold War. The poet Wilfred Owen was among thousands stationed in the city during the First World War and the Laver Banks site played a pioneering role in military bridges. Further details are available here.
Military and civic organisations campaigned to preserve this heritage when plans were revealed to build 1,300 homes at the city’s barracks, which will be the biggest single residential development in Ripon’s history.
They thought the section 106 agreement agreed with developers when the project was approved last year would do this but Jane Furse (pictured below) a trustee of Ripon Military Heritage Trust, told the Stray Ferret:
“Homes England has said that the military heritage aspects of the barracks site has not been included in the section 106 agreement that they have been drawing up with North Yorkshire planners.
“This comes as a massive disappointment after we have fought so hard to ensure that the extremely rare and historically-important assets currently on the proposed housing development site have the legal protection that would be afforded through the 106 agreement.
“Homes England’s actions fly in the face of a democratic decision made at a Harrogate Borough Council meeting last February, when members agreed that a legally-binding agreement needed to be in place to protect the site’s military heritage.”
Ms Furse added:
“Ripon, as a military city played a crucial role in both world wars and the subsequent cold war period in areas ranging from bomb disposal to the development of Bailey Bridges that were used in many different theatres of war.
“Its Royal Engineers received the Freedom of the City in 1949 in thanks for their worldwide service and it is rather ironic, in a year when we will be marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, to find ourselves in an uncertain position with regard to the heritage that Ripon has built over decades, and which now could be lost to a housing development
“Our fight goes on and we will be pressing North Yorkshire Council to call on Homes England to carry out the wishes of the councillors who represent Ripon and the wider area.”
This heavy girder bridge over the River Laver on the barracks site was the successor to the Bailey Bridge.
At the Harrogate Borough Council planning meeting in February at which Homes England was effectively given the green light for the 1,300-home development to be known as Clotherholme, councillors agreed a clause, referring to: ‘provision within the s106 to secure a strategy to secure military heritage within the site.’
Without this in place any plans to preserve and promote Ripon’s military history and develop a trail that has potential to attract heritage tourists to the city will remain in doubt.
The Stray Ferret is seeking a response from Homes England.
Main image: Rare huts that were home to Second World War soldiers are among the heritage buildings the trust is trying to preserve. Picture RMHT
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Ripon’s inner-city bus service to be extended to Ure BankA route on Ripon’s city-wide bus service is being extended to serve residents living in the Ure Bank area.
Launched last April, the service has guaranteed funding for four years and the prospect of more to follow.
Councillor Peter Horton, chair of Ripon City Council’s transport group, told the Stray Ferret:
“The Ure Bank extension has been approved by North Yorkshire Council and will come on stream from April.
“Usage of the bus service is steadily increasing across the four routes that serve the city and we are delighted that its reach is being extended to take in another residential area in Ripon.”
The runs from Monday to Saturday and city council leader Andrew Williams, who is also the North Yorkshire Council member for the Minster and Moorside division, said:
“We have been able to make this happen with the support of the new unitary authority, in addition to section 106 monies from retail and residential developments in Ripon and money from the city council’s contingency fund.
“Looking beyond the first four years, we will be seeking further section 106 contributions to support the service as more residential schemes, such as West Lane, come on stream.”
Picture: The Ripon bus service covers for routes
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Will Sharow’s potholed roads ever be top of a levelling up agenda?Will enough of the pots of money for pothole repairs announced by the government find its way to sorting out Sharow’s unresolved road issues?
The village near Ripon has 195 potholes of varying dimensions along 300 metres of Sharow Lane — its principal throughfare — and New Road.
When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled the HS2 high speed rail project and promised to use the billions saved on solving the nation’s persistent pothole problems, Sharow resident and former parish councillor James Thornborough initially felt that his lobbying on the issue would finally reap reward.
But the long-time road and environmental campaigner now believes that his village could be overlooked as the re-directed HS2 is spent on other locations across North Yorkshire.
Spending of £630,000 to solve nearby Ripon’s long-running rocky road issues around Market Square looks a certainty, but Mr Thornborough has already spotted the potential get-out clauses that would enable North Yorkshire highways to make a last-minute swerve around Sharow’s resurfacing request.
The potholes run the length of New Road
An email sent to him last month by Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire’s assistant director for highways and transportation said:
“The Highways Capital Annual Programme for 2024/25 was recently approved. The roads in Sharow were not included in this programme, however, North Yorkshire Council has been awarded additional funding as part of the government’s Network North funding.
“We are currently in the process of developing an updated programme for 24/25 which will outline how this additional funding will be spent.
“Both New Road and Sharow Lane are being considered for this additional programme in 24/25. It is the intention that the updated programme will be finalised and formally approved in late January 2024.”
‘So many false dawns’
For Mr Thornborough, it’s the words ‘being considered’ which gives him most concern. He told the Stray Ferret:
“There have been so many false dawns on this long and bumpy journey and I currently feel pessimistic rather than optimistic, but have fingers crossed.”
He believes that the on-going situation is unsustainable and pointed out:
“All we are getting is reactive repairs to an increasingly worsening situation
“The current default of filling every new pothole does not constitute ‘corrective action’. Corrective’ action requires a sustainable solution and filled in Sharow potholes barely survive three months.”
Sharow Lane, where temporary-fix repairs have been made to the deteriorating road surface
Mr Thornborough added:
“New Road and the top of Sharow Lane bear manifest evidence of a failed defect strategy. At last count 195 repaired pot holes spanned 300 metres of highway. No other road section in the region bears evidence of such wholesale degradation. Driving over the road surface is a ‘bone shaker’.
“The North Yorkshire highways director has conceded repairs amounting to £200,000 are needed. To date that sum has never received capital award, despite the appalling condition. Intervention is required.
“In the case of Sharow, future tarmac repairs will only survive if the road is returned to a level surface. Highways engineers will need to complete a graded mechanical scrape followed by a new tarmac top. North Yorkshire Highways have no other option because they have admitted that the road surface is so decrepit that it will not support ‘dressing’ with chippings.”
Halls of Ripon to expand through major reconfigurationHalls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, is increasing its floorspace as part of a major revamp and reconfiguration.
The store in Fishergate which is home to 16 independent retailers, will be temporarily closed from Friday and is scheduled re-open in early February.
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.
Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured below) whose son Barry runs Red Buttons Jewellers within the store, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s testimony to the strength of Ripon’s independent retail offer that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are closing stores.”
He pointed out:
“The demand for space remains very strong and we will be able to satisfy that demand with a reconfiguration that will create room for up to seven more independent businesses.”
Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper
For Zoe Wotherspoon, who owns the ladies fashion, accessories and gifts retailer Robin Gifts, the increased space is timely.
She said:
“We have done so well since opening our second outlet at Halls last February, that we decided to move out of Harrogate and consolidate our offer at one location.”
Ms Wotherspoon, added:
“The revamp will give us 40 percent more space in the prime location at the front of the store and we feel very confident for the future as we continue to attract new customers.”
While the work at the front half of the department store is under way, The Hive Cafe, which can be accessed from the Marshall Way car park entrance, will remain open throughout.
Keeley Buller who co-owns the business with her partner David Ward, said:
“Over the past 30 months we have built a loyal customer base and the enhancements that will come with the revamp are good news for us.”
In addition to the reconfiguration of the department store, Sterne Properties will be remodelling the building and installing a new roof to create two high quality apartments on the upper floors of the building.
Main image: Zoe Wotherspoon, whose Robin Gifts business is expanding with the increase in floorspace at Halls of Ripon
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