Ripon Proms concert to raise money for two charitiesTwo charities are set to benefit from a Last Night of the Proms concert being staged by the Rotary Club of Ripon at the city’s Holy Trinity Church.
Ripon Community Link Walled Garden and Yorkshire Dales Motor Neurone Disease Support Group will share proceeds from the sale of tickets for the event being held on June 30.
The concert will feature soloist Jessa Liversidge, accompanied by Ripon City Band and include a performance by the community link Sing and Sign Choir.
Event organiser Wendy Richardson said:
“During pandemic the café at the walled garden had to close to become a classroom as members had to be taught in small groups.
“When the pandemic ended it was decided that it would give members wider life-skills and more catering opportunities to convert the café to a proper catering kitchen. This is working well with members preparing food to sell at the shop and outdoor café which of course had to close in the winter months.”
The foundations are being put in place for the new development at Ripon Walled Garden
She added:
“Planning permission has been granted for the new café and shop and work is already under way, with the aim of opening later in the summer. funds permitting.”
David Stubley, Rotary Club of Ripon’s new president, who takes over the post at the end of June, lost his father to MND and this prompted him to choose Yorkshire Dales Motor Neurone Disease Support Group as one of his charities for 2023/24
There are at least six known sufferers of MND in Ripon alone and the club wants to help by contributing to the ever-growing research funds raised by rugby players Rob Burrows, Kevin Sinfield and the late Doddie Weir.
Tickets for the June 30 concert cost £14 and can be obtained by clicking here.
They can also be purchased from The Little Ripon Bookshop on Westgate and Stuff 4 Business on Fishergate.
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See Ripon’s Royal Engineers display equipment and skills on Market Square
An impressive display of machinery and skills used by Ripon’s Royal Engineers in many parts of the world can be seen on Market Square until 3pm today.
Since 1949, the Engineers have had the Freedom of Ripon and the right to enter the city with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.
Lance Corporal Craig Kerr (left) and Sapper Conner Bull, who have charge of this Terrier tractor, used in mine clearance and other tasks.
They will exercise that right tomorrow morning, when hundreds of members of 21 Engineer Regiment based at Claro Barracks will march through the city streets.
Ahead of this, today’s Freedom Weekend activities are designed to give members of the public a close-up view of equipment, engineering techniques and construction skills, such as bricklaying, concreting and plumbing, employed by the regiment, at many different locations.
In recent years, 21 Engineer Regiment’s main focus has been on support to UN peacekeeping operations and has included deployments to Afghanistan, Cyprus, Poland, Somalia and South Sudan.
Among their key skills is bridge construction, dating back to World War II, when Engineers based in Ripon were involved in the development and installation of Bailey bridges, which played a crucial role in many theatres of war.
Today, people will be able to see displays showing how a medium girder over bridge – a modern-day successor the bridge invented by Donald Bailey – is constructed.
Attendees will also be able to see gymnastics displays, visit information stalls and meet with members of the Ripon Military Heritage Trust, whose aim is to protect priceless heritage assets at Ripon’s barracks site when it is redeveloped for housing.
Our main picture shows Lance Corporal Adam Smith (left) and Corporal John Rogers in front of a Mastiff Mk III armoured vehicle used for force protection.
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Famous author to return to Ripon Poetry FestivalInternationally-famous children’s writer Michael Rosen, who helped to launch the first Ripon Poetry Festival in 2017, is returning to the city to take part in this year’s event.
The author, whose works include We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, features in a packed programme that also includes theatre legend Barrie Rutter, the actor and director who founded Northern Broadsides to champion acting talent from the north.
The festival, which will run from September 21 until October 1, is the biggest of its kind in Yorkshire and will also see performances from poets Hadley-James Hoyles, Alison Carr, Robert Powell and Sarah Wimbush.
In addition to workshops for children and adults and an open mic evening organised by Write-on Ripon and Ripon Writers Group, Tim Harrison, former director of music at Middlesbrough Cathedral is joining forces with author, poet and festival curator Andy Croft for the world premiere of a chamber oratorio.
At the heart of the festival is a competition for poets of all ages who are being invited to submit their creative work for consideration by an independent panel of judges.
Entries are now open for three categories — under-11s, 12 to 18 year-olds and adults.
Those judged to be the best will be published in anthologies covering each of the three age ranges. More details about the festival and how to enter can be found by clicking here.
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Ripon bistro introduces dog menuDog-loving Ripon bistro owners have created a menu designed to attract customers accompanied by canines.
Lou Grant and her husband Tim, have launched Olly P’s Doggy Diner at Oliver’s Pantry on North Street, so that man (and woman’s) best friend can tuck into a meal or snack alongside their owners.
The menu includes Pooch’s Brekkie comprising sausage, scrambled egg and buttered toast, Scooby Scrambled, with eggs cooked to order and WaggyChino cups of whipped cream.
Ms Grant, pictured above with her two-year-old Labradoodle, Wilma, told the Stray Ferret:
“We trialled our doggy menu at Easter and got such an amazing response that we decided to make it a permanent part of our offer.
“Each of the dishes created for our canine customers has been tried by Wilma and her favourite is definitely the Scooby Scrambled.”
People wanting to dine with their dogs can use the downstairs and garden areas at the bistro, while upstairs is for humans only.
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Ripon military heritage campaigners to hold public launchAn organisation fighting to save forgotten but nationally important military heritage will hold its public launch in Ripon on Saturday.
Members of Ripon Military Heritage Trust (RMHT) will be on hand at Market Square from 10am to tell people about the campaign to protect and preserve structures and buildings currently threatened by demolition as part of a redevelopment of MoD property by the government agency Homes England.
The redevelopment area at Clotherholme is currently occupied by Claro and Deverell Barracks and the Laver Banks Training Ground.
Trust chairman Guy Wilson, former Master of the Royal Armouries (RA) who played a leading role the creation of the RA museum in Leeds, said:
“Ripon has a long and rich military heritage but its key role in helping secure the liberation of Europe in the Second World War and then maintain it has been largely forgotten.
“The redevelopment site at Clotherholme contains a number of unique and very rare military buildings and structures, worth preserving on their own account, but even more so when what was happening in and around them is understood.”
The relocation of the Royal School of Military Engineering to Ripon in 1940 meant the city played a huge part in training combat engineers.
It was here that the famous Bailey bridge, in its many varieties, was tested and perfected before seeing use in theatres of war across the world. So important was bridge building and the other engineering activities in Ripon that the US Army formed its own ‘American section’ to train its key engineers.
Early in the war British army bomb disposal training was centralised on the site and in the aftermath of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour, a secret delegation of US Army personnel, led by Major Thomas Kane, came to the city to train.
On completing the course they were presented with Royal Engineer ‘Bomb Disposal’ patches and given the unique honour of being able to wear them on their US Army uniforms.
Kane returned to the Unites States where, with British help, he set up his own version of the Ripon School. He is regarded as the father of US Army Bomb Disposal.
Saving some of the remaining structures at Clotherholme that tell this story and its continuation into the Cold War is the RMHT’s first important task. But it has a wider remit and is dedicated to researching and preserving Ripon’s long and varied military heritage.
The trust aims to preserve a number of the surviving structures on a site at Laver Banks and develop a military heritage centre alongside countryside trails which will interpret the city’s unique military heritage.
Pictured above are members of the trust on the Heavy Girder Bridge at Laver Banks. From the left: Lt Col Bob Lisle (ret’d), Jane Furse, Stuart Martin MBE, Guy Wilson and Michael Furse. Picture: Ripon Military Heritage Trust.
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Dignitaries gather for Ripon’s mayor making ceremony
Local dignitaries, alongside representatives from the Royal Engineers, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police, gathered at Ripon Town Hall to see Councillor Sid Hawke elected as the city’s mayor for a third term in office.
Ripon City Council’s annual meeting and mayor making ceremony was held last week and this coming Sunday Cllr Hawke will be installed as mayor at a civic service to be held in Ripon Cathedral.
He will be accompanied by his wife Linda, who will be mayoress during his mayoral year.
Local dignitaries pictured during the mayor making Ceremony
Speaking following his election, Cllr Hawke, said:
“I am proud to be elected as the mayor of this wonderful city for a third time and thank my fellow councillors for their continuing confidence in me.
“I would also like to thank the many people who supported me throughout the past year, particularly in helping to raise thousands of pounds for my chosen charities Ripon Dementia Forward and Harrogate and District Mind.”
Born and bred in the city, Cllr Hawke is semi-retired and has previously served in the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in Ripon.
He was elected to represent the Ure Bank ward on Ripon City Council in 2002 and became mayor for the first time in 2008-2009.
His recently completed second mayoral year proved a busy one, including the Queen’s platinum jubilee in June, the mourning of Her Majesty’s death in September, the subsequent proclamation of King Charles III and coronation celebrations – all of which involved major civic events in Ripon.
On being elected as mayor for the third time, Cllr Hawke matches fellow Independent councillors Eamon Parkin and Pauline McHardy, both of whom served three terms in mayoral office.
At the mayor making event Cllr Parkin was elected to serve as Cllr Hawke’s deputy.
Main picture: The Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda (middle row, centre) with Serjeant at Mace, David Coates, councillors and the Dean of Ripon the very Revd. John Dobson, following the mayor making ceremony.
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Summerbridge Players to perform a tale of spying and spooky eventsSummerbridge Players will perform the comedy Give Us A Sign by award-winning playwright Tony Domaille next week.
The play, which features a Russian spy, spooky happenings, a drunk CIA man, MI5 and the ghost of a dead professor, makes for a hilarious comedy of errors.
The players’ preview, says:
“When unemployed Ken Lockwood sets himself up as a clairvoyant he bites off more than he and his wife Rachel can chew and things soon get out of hand.”
Performances will be staged at Dacre and Hartwith Village Hall in Dacre Banks on May 18, 19 and 20, starting at 7.30pm and tickets costing £6, are available from Todds stores, Summerbridge or can be reserved by e-mailing Jackie Kerr – jackiekerr812@btinternet.com
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Tree campaigners protest against Ripon Cathedral development plansCampaigners who have raised a petition signed by about 500 people seeking to save an ‘irreplaceable’ veteran beech tree from being felled, gathered at Ripon’s Minster Gardens yesterday.
Their petition, which will be submitted to North Yorkshire Council, objects to Ripon Cathedral’s Ripon Cathedral Renewed planning application.
The application proposes erecting a two-storey building on Minster Gardens, which would require the loss of the tree – described as T14 – and 10 other trees on site.
The petition states:
“We, the undersigned, do not approve of the felling of ancient trees on public land, to make way for the new build proposed by the cathedral. We believe there are alternative solutions, including the utilising of pre-existing buildings.”
The petition reflects concerns raised by statutory consultees including Jack Taylor, the Woodland Trust’s lead campaigner for woods under threat and North Yorkshire Council’s principal ecologist, Dan McAndrew.
In his response to the planning application, which can be seen on the council planning portal, Mr Taylor said:
“This loss of a veteran tree is contrary to both local and national planning policy and this application should be refused in its current form.”
The veteran beech tree described as T14 in documents relating to the annex planning application.
He added:
“Veteran trees are irreplaceable habitats, once lost they are gone forever. Any development resulting in loss or deterioration of veteran trees should not be taken forward.
“The Woodland Trust objects to this application on the basis of loss of a veteran beech tree and the loss and potential deterioration of other notable trees that are also likely to hold considerable value now and in the future, ecologically and culturally.
“Therefore, we request that planning permission is not taken forward for this site unless the plans can be suitably altered to avoid the loss of the veteran tree and suitably protect both retained veteran and notable trees on site.”
Mr McAndrew said in his response:
“I object to this application in its current form because I do not accept that there is no possible alternative location or configuration of the layout of the proposed building, which could avoid the loss of the veteran beech tree, T14, which I view as an unnecessary loss of ‘irreplaceable habitat’.
“In my view, it ought to be possible for the applicant to devise a solution, involving the reconfiguration of the building or its location which would enable T14 to be retained.”
The National Planning Policy Framework identifies ancient and veteran trees as ‘irreplaceable habitat’. It states development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.
Petition organiser Jenni Holman (pictured above, front middle) said:
“The petition has been signed by local residents and some visitors to Ripon, who are totally opposed to felling of the veteran beech and other mature trees that play an essential role in the biodiversity of this area of the city.
“This is a lovely, peaceful open space and many of those that have signed find it inconceivable that this is even being contemplated.”
Fellow campaigner Pat Waterfall said:
“The loss of trees and this green space when other alternatives are available, is unacceptable.”
Response from Ripon Cathedral
A spokesperson for the Ripon Cathedral Renewed programme said:
“The planning application is going through its due process, as such we don’t respond to individual comments or objections during this process.
“What I can say is that we have investigated all available options within the cathedral estate, and none of the sites were suitable for the new building. This was the opinion of a range of external experts who specialise in heritage buildings and conservation as well as architects and project management experts. The needs of all internal and external users of the proposed new building cannot be met by using any other existing chapter property and all cathedral property is currently being used to its maximum capacity.
“As we’ve previously said, the building will be an asset to the people of the city, providing much needed facilities, including a safe space for our choristers to rehearse that is fully accessible, along with public toilet facilities (including a new Changing Places toilet, suitable for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets).
“While we understand that some people may see the loss of 11 trees as too heavy a price to pay, the development will tidy up an unloved part of the city, increase the amount of public open space and enhance the existing much-valued memorial garden. The plans we’ve submitted also include the planting of 14 new trees around the cathedral, along with a further 300 trees on land made available by a supporter of the project and will see an overall increase in biodiversity across the area.”
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As it happened: Second day of coronation celebrations in Harrogate districtCoronation celebrations continued across the Harrogate district today.
Today’s events include a parade of floats in Masham, The Big Lunch in Pateley Bridge, free entertainment in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard, a picnic in Beckwithshaw, street parties and a fireworks display and Beatles tribute band at Spofforth Castle.
Our reporters were out and about capturing the fun and celebrations.
For a full list of events, visit our coronation diary here.
You can catch up with Saturday’s live blog here.
7.04pm – Big crowd for Coronation Concert in Knaresborough
Kelly Young (centre), alongside other chamber members
Nearly 400 people have gathered in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle to watch a livestream of the Coronation Concert on a big screen.
As the sun still shines, families and friends are seated with picnics and drinks waiting to enjoy the BBC concert. Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has also created a video compilation of iconic moments in the King’s life, including his christening, his crowning as the Prince of Wales, and music from the 1940s up to the 2000s.
Knaresborough Castle is part of the Duchy of Lancaster, a property portfolio owned by King Charles III himself, but the castle is predominantly run by North Yorkshire Council and the people of Knaresborough.
Kelly Young, director of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:
“We’re grateful to Matthew Walker and North Yorkshire Council for the funding to host this event.
“We hope to have many more events like this in the future”.
6.32pm – Coronation tea at Oatlands
A good turnout for the coronation afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre in Harrogate. Pics by Oatlands Community Group.
4pm Carr Close Street Party, Ripon
With nearly 100 attendees, Carr Close in Ripon hosted a street party to continue the royal celebrations. Residents of the street have enjoyed a lunch in the sun, a royal raffle and lots of dancing and games.
The party began at 1pm and will end at 6pm when the road closure ends. It has been in the works for six months, after Harrogate Borough Council allowed the street closure.
The party’s royal raffle raised £100 for Harrogate Road Methodist Church in Ripon.
The residents of Carr Close gave a cheer to the new King.
Organiser Jane Lincoln, a resident of Carr Close, said:
“Today has made me feel so lucky to be part of such a lovely community”.
Carr Close resident Julie Carr said:
“It has been a great day, with lovely weather and lovely company.
“We have spent it with our friends and family”.
3.30 Ripon Cathedral begins Commemorative Service
Whilst the festivities continue in villages across the district, the bells of Ripon Cathedral have been ringing to mark the start of a special commemoration service.
The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner, representing the newly-crowned King Charles III, arrived at a packed Ripon cathedral this afternoon for a commemorative service to celebrate yesterday’s coronation.
She was greeted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson. Both pictured below.
Among the 600 plus in attendance are civic dignitaries from across the county. The service will see the cathedral’s girl choristers, choral scholars and lay clerks sing with the additional accompaniment of Ripon City Band (pictured).
The service is being led by the Dean, with readings from The Lord-Lieutenant, and the commanding officer of the Royal Engineers’ 21 Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Perry Bishop. The regiment is based at Claro Baracks, Ripon.
3pm – Masham parade
Flora has now moved from Kirkby Malzeard to Masham to cover the afternoon fun.
The coronation float parade has begun into the town’s square, featuring a performance from Elvis, a live band and the fire service.
Richard and Sandy Cole, drivers of a Morgan in the parade, said:
“It’s been a wonderful day. It’s lovely to be in the fresh air and always good to be in our cars. We feel we’re in good hands with King Charles III.”
The First Rainbows, Brownies and Guides won best float
Vick Greensit who’s two daughters were on the winning float (below) told the Stray Ferret:
“ It’s been a fantastic day and atmosphere. Masham has pushed the boat out and we all love a community event.”
Ellie Greensit (L) aged 7 and her 10 year old sister Jessica on the winning float
1.10pm – Kirky Malzeard’s Big Lunch gets underway
The Stray Ferret’s Flora Grafton has started her coverage of the district today in Kirkby Malzeard.
Around 300 people have gathered in the village in aid of the national Big Lunch event.
As well as a picnic lunch, visitors can enjoy maypole dancing, sword dancing and a bouncy castle.
Villager Karen Pickles said:
“People gathered together to have lunch and I’m just to glad it has brought the village together.”
Pippa Manson chair of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council (R), Karen Pickles and Jeni Cropper (L)
The Kirkby Malzeard Long Sword Dancers
12.50pm – weather forces change of venue in Pannal
The earlier torrential rain has meant a change of venue for today’s festivities in Pannal to the Village Green and Church car park.
Ripon bell ringers prepare to ring for the King
Their work high up in the south west tower of Ripon Cathedral goes unseen, but they are heard across the ancient city.
The 32-strong team of bell-ringers, whose numbers have increased recently with four new recruits, will ‘ring for the king’ once more this afternoon, with a joyous quarter peal between 2.15 and the start of the North Yorkshire commemorative service at 3.30, which celebrates yesterday’s coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Ringing master Martin Davies, told the Stray Ferret that 10 of the cathedral’s 12 bells were cast in 1932 and were rung to mark the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953.
This afternoon’s service will be attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Ms Jo Ropner, along with other civic dignitaries. It will be led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson.
Our pictures show members of the bell-ringing team in action prior to this morning’s Sung Eucharist Service and a group photo supplied to us by Mr Davies.
Rockets and rock bring rousing end to Ripon coronation concertFlash:Queen and a fireworks display fit for a king provided a sparkling end to two days of coronation celebrations on Ripon Market Square last night.
The accomplished tribute act entertained a crowd of more than 1,500, with a selection of favourite hits from the songbook of Mercury, May and Taylor.
The 90-minute top of the bill performance, featuring Radio Ga Ga, We are the Champions, Under Pressure and Don’t Stop Me Now, among others, engaged the audience and saw many join in the Queen classics that have become rock anthems.
The band was still performing on stage when Ripon Town Hall clock clicked onto 10.50pm, and a fireworks display lit up the sky above buildings in Market Square East, providing a double crescendo that brought the night of entertainment to an end.
Celebrations to mark the coronation of their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla, were organised by Ripon City Council and funded from the parish precept,
They included more than 12 hours of musical entertainment provided by tribute acts and Tamsin (pictured above) who performed under her own name,
In addition to the coronation concerts held over two days ,free fairground rides were provided yesterday and proved popular with children of all ages.
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