The issue of homelessness and the hard times that go with it will be in focus on Friday night when Ripon YMCA holds its Sleep Easy event at the city’s Workhouse Museum.

Staff from the YMCA, along with volunteers, will be sleeping outside in the grounds of the former workhouse on Allhallowgate to raise awareness of youth homelessness, while raising money to support the charity’s work with young and vulnerable people.

Jayne Shackleton, community and development manager for Ripon YMCA, said:

“In the past year we have seen young people staying in cars, sleeping on a kitchen floor and in a shed, with many more ‘sofa surfing’.

“Homelessness is often hidden in society and small communities such as Ripon, where young people who have no fixed home will often find themselves sleeping at a friend’s house on a sofa or the floor.”

Ms Shackleton, pointed out:

“We provide housing for 22 young people and help enable them to be free from danger, hunger and isolation. We provide individual support, skills and training to help them lead an independent life and reach their potential.”

All fundraising or donations from the Sleep Easy event will go directly to Ripon YMCA to support its work.

Figures for England and Wales provided  by the YMCA, show that 47% of youth homelessness is caused through family breakdown.

A total  of 278,110 people were declared homeless or threatened with homelessness in 2021 and of these 56,080 were aged 16 to 24,

Anybody who would like to support Ripon YMCA,  can find out more here

Donations to the Sleep Easy event can be made via JustGiving here.

Ripon’s St Cecilia Orchestra is promising a programme of epic proportions on Saturday evening, as it unites with the horn section of Opera North.

Entitled ‘Horns and Heroes’, the concert at Ripon Cathedral calls for a large orchestra, which will include no fewer than 12 French horn players.

Helen Dawson of St Cecilia Orchestra said:

“The concert will open with Tchaikovsky’s romantic classic Romeo and Juliet. Described by Classic FM as Tchaikovsky’s ‘first true masterpiece’ and one of his most enduringly popular works, this fantasy overture is full of drama and sweeping melodies, and its love theme has been used in countless films.

“Next, the orchestra will be joined by the four horn players of Opera North – Alex Hamilton, John Pratt, Sam Yates and David Tollerton – in Schumann’s inventive and compelling Konzertstück.

“Written in 1849 to showcase the horn section of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Konzertstück is a virtuosic work, exploiting the full range and capability of the valve horns that were only just coming into fashion.”

After the interval, the concert will turn to Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben, which he began working on in 1898 with the intention of writing a “heroic work” like Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony.

Called A Hero’s Life, the piece features eight French horn players, a large wind and brass section, multiple percussion players, two harps and a string section.

Ms Dawson added:

“Strauss’s writing for orchestra is always virtuosic and Ein Heldenleben does not disappoint here – the eighth of his tone poems, Heldenleben exceeds any of its predecessors in its orchestral demands and should make for an exciting and spectacular conclusion to the concert.”

Tickets, priced at £20 for adults and free for under 18s, are available via Ticketsource, from the Little Ripon Bookshop, and on the door.

Read more:

• New city-wide bus service is launched in Ripon
• Ripon City Council bids to take charge of key assets

Ripon’s new city-wide bus service, which launched today, has guaranteed funding for the next four years and the prospect of more to follow.

From today, the current Ripon services – RS1 Lark Lane, RS2 Lead Lane and RS3 Gallows Lane – will increase in frequency and see routes extended, as well as operating on Saturdays.

A new route, numbered RS4, will serve North Bridge.

Andrew Williams, Independent city council leader and the North Yorkshire Council member for Minster and Moorside, told the Stray Ferret:

“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.”

The new service will be run using buses from Dales & District Travel and North Yorkshire Council.

Fellow Independent councillor Peter Horton, who chairs the city council’s transport committee, said:

“Ripon’s residents have been telling us for years that they want an improved inner-city bus service and after a great deal of detailed discussions, first with North Yorkshire County Council and now the new authority, it has come to fruition.

“We hope that people will become regular users of  this sustainable means of transport.”

Today’s changes

RS1 has a new timetable and route via Bishopton Lane, Ash Bank Road and Lark Lane which extends via the bus station to St Michael’s Retail Park for the M&S Food Store. It will depart hourly from 7.15am to 6.15pm with additional journeys between the bus station and St Michael’s Park twice hourly.

RS2 and RS3 have a new timetable with an earlier bus at 7.40am and a later bus at 5.35pm Monday to Friday. The daytime service has new times and will run Monday to Saturday.

RS4 is a new route from the bus station to North Bridge via North Street returning via Magdalen’s Road. There are three journeys per day Monday to Saturday.

The services will be run with buses from Dales & District Travel and North Yorkshire Council, with a single journey costing no more than £2 and pensioners with bus passes travelling free. More details are available from www.northyorks.gov.uk/businfo

Pic shows: Cllr Andrew Williams (centre) with his daughter Lilly-May, with Cllr Peter Horton (left) and Paul McMillan, one of the team of drivers providing the new service.

Read more:

• Ripon City Council bids to take charge of key assets
• Months of roadworks ahead on Ripon to Harrogate road

The UK’s largest-ever health research programme has arrived in Ripon and is seeking volunteers aged over 18 from all backgrounds and communities to take part.

Residents and visitors in Ripon are to benefit from easier travel with improved bus services to many parts of the city.

The city’s bus network is being boosted to help encourage sustainable travel following a series of new retail and housing developments.

From Monday, the current Ripon services – RS1 Lark Lane, RS2 Lead Lane and RS3 Gallows Lane – will increase in frequency and see routes extended, as well as operating on Saturdays. A new route, numbered RS4, will serve North Bridge.

The current services run between 9.25am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and for some time Ripon City Council and the newly formed North Yorkshire Council have been pushing for expansion.

The improvements have been made possible due to funding from developers including CDP Marshall at St Michael’s Park and by Harron Homes at Doublegates and Bishops Glade. Ripon City Council is also contributing, alongside the existing provision made by North Yorkshire Council.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“We are pleased to support these much-needed improvements to public transport in Ripon. The services will be of benefit to all, particularly residents of the new housing developments.

“We have been working closely with the city council, developers and partners to improve the level of service. We want more residents in Ripon, and across North Yorkshire, to be able to choose public transport to get around sustainably.”

RS1 has a new timetable and route via Bishopton Lane, Ash Bank Road and Lark Lane which extends via the bus station to St Michaels Park for M&S Food Store. It will depart hourly from 7.15am to 6.15pm with additional journeys between the bus station and St Michael’s Park twice hourly.

RS2 and RS3 have a new timetable with an earlier bus at 7.40am and a later bus at 5.35pm Monday to Friday. The daytime service has new times and will run Monday to Saturday.

RS4 is a new route from the bus station to North Bridge via North Street returning via Magdalen’s Road. There are three journeys per day Monday to Saturday.

Ripon City Council has been working on the plans for five years. Cllr Peter Horton, who chairs the transport group, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the new unitary council and are extremely grateful for the assistance of officers in the passenger transport team.”

Store manager at M&S Ripon, Richard Johnston, said:

“This is brilliant news and helps our store become even closer to our community. It means customers further out will be able to enjoy our products and it’s also a great resource for our store colleagues.”

The services will be run with minibuses from Dales & District Travel and North Yorkshire Council. The timetables will be live from Monday next week (April 17) at www.northyorks.gov.uk/businfo

Read more:

• New sponsorship deal for Ripon Races
• Months of roadworks ahead on Ripon to Harrogate road

The children’s paddling pool at Borrage Green Lane playground in Ripon is being refurbished, with funding from North Yorkshire Council.

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

“The work on re-lining the pool is being carried out to prevent future leaks.

“The aim is to have it re-opened ahead of the school summer holidays. so that families can use it once more.”

A new concrete base has been put in place as part of the refurbishment.

In addition to the re-lining of the pool in time for the arrival of warmer weather, Ripon City Council is arranging for portable toilets to be put in place at the playground for the third consecutive summer.

Read more:

• New sponsorship deal for Ripon Races
• Months of roadworks ahead on Ripon to Harrogate road

This story is sponsored by Ripon Races

Ripon Races are under starter’s orders for another exciting season, with thoroughbred stars providing the thrills on the track and live musical entertainment adding to a memorable day or evening out at ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.’

The first fixture for 2023 will be held on the afternoon of April 20 with a further 16 days featuring races over sprint, middle and long distances to follow,

Dates for the diary include Ladies’ Day on Thursday June 22 and the highlight of the season on Saturday August 19, when many of the UK’s top stables will have sprinters vying for the £75,000 prize money in the ultra-competitive  six furlong Great St Wilfrid Handicap, which has been sponsored by William Hill since 1994.

Free entry for under 18s

Famed for its floral splendour, Ripon provides an attractive and welcoming setting for racegoers of all ages, including families, where accompanied under 18s go free of charge and groups of 11 people and above, can enjoy discounted entry to the paddock area by booking in advance.

Catering to suit all tastes

Alongside the floral beauty that provides a feast for the eyes, the Boroughbridge Road course has a wide range of food and beverage outlets to suit all tastes and budgets, from the award-winning Club Restaurant and Silks and Saddles Bar in the Club Enclosure to the Fountains Bar in the Paddock Enclosure. There’s also the stylish Champagne and Seafood Bar and the Wakeman and Claro bars.

Jon Mullin, operations and marketing manager at the course, said:

“Racegoers wanting to dine in style can enjoy the a la carte menu at the Club Restaurant, while The Fountains Bar caters for those looking for a quick bite to eat.”

He added:

“The aim of our friendly racecourse team is to provide a fantastic and affordable day or evening out at great value for money, including four family fun days throughout the season, free parking and a free shuttle bus service on race days between Ripon city centre and the course.

“Mindful of our award-winning  environmental credentials and our aim to cut carbon emissions, we offer reduced price entry to people arriving by bicycle or those whose race day journey  includes travel on the 36 Leeds/Harrogate bus service to and from Ripon.”

A day out for all the family

Ripon prides itself in being a family friendly course and in addition to providing free entry for under 18s who are accompanied by adults, it is hosting four special family fun days during the season.

These will be held at the afternoon meetings on  April 29, May 21, August 7 and August 28 (Bank Holiday)  where there will be a wide range of activities and fun for all ages from Punch ‘n’ Judy and fancy dress to Kub Karts, bouncy castles, fairground rides, arts and crafts, circus, face painting and much more all free for children

Evening meetings

The delight of an evening at the races can be enjoyed by Ripon racegoers on May 12, June 7, June 21 (when the course will hold its Best Dressed Gentleman competition) July 10, August 8 and September 5.

An award winning course

Ripon finished ahead of a strong field of entrants to become a winner at the 2022  RCA Racecourse Association Showcase & Awards.

It beat Hamilton Park, Go Racing in Yorkshire, Scottish Racing and The Jockey Club to collect the Racing Connection Award, for an innovative scheme that it ran to recognise and reward the work of stable staff.

This followed on from the RCA Spotlight Award that the course received in 2019 for its Green Cycle Maps initiative.

Ripon Races are under starter’s orders for another exciting season, with the first fixture for 2023 on the afternoon of April 20th. 

Click or tap here to get your tickets for Ripon Races now. 

Today’s Totally Locally party in Ripon provided a taste of how Kirkgate could be utilised throughout the year if the street was permanently pedestrianised.

The event, which was organised by independent traders in the city with the backing of Ripon Business Improvement District, attracted hundreds of visitors.

Despite an unfavourable forecast, the day of sunshine and showers saw family groups and individuals arrive from 10am to listen to live music, purchase gifts and enjoy some alfresco dining, as cafes, restaurants and other retailers lined the street with their stalls, tables and chairs.

Performers included the Hyde Family Jam (main picture) the All for One Ripon band (pictured above) and the Knaresborough Vestal Social Club Band.

Richard Hughes, one of the event’s organisers and owner of Manchega Tapas Bar on Duck Hill, told the Stray Ferret:

“Independent businesses, not just in Kirkgate, but throughout the whole of Ripon, have made this happen.”

Mr Hughes, (pictured above, centre) with colleagues from the left: Tilly Whild, Brad Lucas and Felix Lees, added:

“It shows what Ripon could do by properly pedestrianising Kirkgate and enabling small businesses to work together to unlock the street’s full potential by making it a vehicle free area.”

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:

“It has been great to see how traders in Kirkgate and other parts of Ripon have collaborated to create such a tremendous community event under the Totally Locally banner and we hope that there will be many more to follow.”

Read more:

• Ripon Spa Croquet Club offers free taster sessions
• New sponsorship deal for Ripon Races

Ripon Spa Croquet Club is extending an invitation to anybody who would like to learn more about the game through taking part in a free taster session.

The club, whose lawns are located within the Studley Royal Cricket Club (SRCC), is holding two introductory sessions between 6pm and 7.30pm on Monday, April 17 and Monday, April 24.

Club secretary Sue I’Anson told the Stray Ferret:

“We had similar taster sessions last year which helped up to attract some new members and are hoping to build on this as we look to bring on the next generation of players.

“With this in mind, in addition to the introductory sessions at the Studley Royal ground we are, with sponsorship from the Croquet Association, making arrangements to visit two Ripon junior schools, where we will set up mini courses for the children to try their hand.”

She added:

“This is a great game for people of all ages, with the more seasoned players helping newcomers to master the technique of swinging the mallet and making good contact with the ball.

“It’s a sport that can be played at all levels, from simple enjoyment to the highest international standards.”

Anyone wishing to take part in the sessions should book in advance via email.

International pedigree

The club relocated to SRCC in April 2021 following the closure of the Spa Hotel, where it had previously played.

Formed  as Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club, it was founded in the early 1990s by Croquet Association Federation officer Keith Smith, hotel owner Andrew Hutchinson and managing director Samantha Currie.

It soon attracted players from across the district, including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.

By 1997, Ms Currie, Mr Hutchinson and clubmate Syd Jones all achieved world rankings and took part in the GC World Championships in Cairo and the pristine lawns within the hotel’s gardens had the distinction of hosting international matches.

Read more:

• New sponsorship deal for Ripon Races
• Months of roadworks ahead on Ripon to Harrogate road

Hopes are high that Ripon will once again be able to stage a city centre fireworks display as part of the coronation celebrations for King Charles and Queen Camilla on Saturday May 6.

Traditional New Year’s Eve displays in 2021 and 2022 did not go ahead because of safety concerns about the launch site at the rear of the town hall, but a new location on a section of The Arcade Car Park looks set to get official approval.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“Following constructive discussions with officers at the new North Yorkshire Council,  I am confident that we will receive the necessary approval  required from the authority and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to hold a city centre display.

“Subject to that approval, the display on May 6, will provide the finale to an evening of free musical entertainment on Market Square, featuring a number of tribute acts.”

Cllr Williams added:

“It will also mean that the city can return to the tradition of holding a fireworks display as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.”

Ripon City Council’s programme for coronation celebration activities taking place on the evening of Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6, is still to be published, but will include free live music on both days and free fairground rides for children on May 6.