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The Skell Valley Project is embarking on a new oral history venture featuring the experiences of people living and working in the Skell Valley.
The four-year project, led by the National Trust and Nidderdale AONB, aims to conserve, enhance and celebrate the 12 miles of the River Skell from the moorlands of Dallowgill into Ripon.
A spokesperson for the project said:
“We are looking for people to share their stories of everyday life here, whether it’s about farming or working in the valley, growing up and childhood days, memories of past generations, local characters, and some of the amazing wartime history too.
“Oral history is exactly that – talking about the past. Participants will have an informal chat with a couple of volunteers who will record stories in the comfort of their home or another convenient place.”
The £2.5 million Skell Valley Project is using funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect local communities with unexplored heritage on their doorstep.
The oral history is just one part of the overall project, which began in 2019 and is set to run for five years.
The spokesperson added:
“At present, we don’t have a great deal of archive information about twentieth century life in the Skell Valley which runs along the 12-mile length of the Skell River, from Dallowgill, through busy rural villages and into the city of Ripon.
“We hope that by speaking to members of the community about their lives here, we’ll be able to make sure that the rich local history of the last century is documented and can brought to life for future generations.
“We’re also looking for volunteers to help carry out oral history interviews to collect these new stories and will provide full training for anyone who is interested in taking part. If you have a passion for history and would like to help, then we’d love to hear from you.”
Anybody wanting to share their story or interested in volunteering with the project, is asked to contact Karen Collins, Skell Valley Heritage Officer, on 07816 204585, karen.collins@nationaltrust.org.uk.
A Catholic church considered one of Ripon’s architectural gems has suffered thousands of pounds of damage after being attacked by vandals.
Canon Ian Smith, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s very disheartening for parishioners and others who visit for prayer and quiet reflection, to see the aftermath of mindless destruction.”
He added:
“I don’t know what kind of pleasure they got from throwing stones through windows and damaging roof tiles, but their acts are deeply disappointing to all those who cherish this building.”
Canon Ian estimates the the repair bill for three leaded windows, an internal window in the reception area and roof tiles, will run into thousands of pounds.
The vandalised window in the church reception area
He pointed out:
“The leaded windows are originals that have been in place since the church opened in 1862 and it’s ironic to think that they survived undamaged through world wars and have now been wilfully broken in this way.”
Police were informed about the vandal attack, believed to have occurred between 7pm last Saturday, February 4, and 9am on Sunday, February 5. They have inspected the damage and their investigation is ongoing.
The first phase of a £500,000 restoration of the Grade II* listed building was completed in summer 2021, after parishioners supported an appeal that helped to pay for the refurbishment and renewal works.
In spite of the vandalism, St Wilfrid’s remains open as usual for services and private prayer.
The Conservative majority on North Yorkshire County Council has been reduced to two after Liberal Democrat Felicity Cunliffe-Lister – the Countess of Swinton – swept to victory in yesterday’s by-election for the Masham and Fountains division.
With this result, the make-up of North Yorkshire County Council – and the new North Yorkshire unitary authority that comes into being on April 1 – will see the Conservatives with 46 seats to the 44 belonging to opposition parties
The countess polled 1,349 votes in a two-horse race against Conservative candidate Brooke Hull, who received 801.
The seat became vacant after the sudden death in November of Conservative councillor Margaret Atkinson, who was appointed as the last chair of North Yorkshire County Council following the local elections in May.
At that May 2022 election, Felicity Cuncliffe-Lister stood as an Independent and polled 738 votes to finish second to Mrs Atkinson, who received 1,076 votes. The Liberal Democrat candidate Judith Hooper received 620 votes.
The Masham and Fountains division covers a large rural area that includes Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Grewelthorpe, Grantley, Sawley, Markington and Ripley, as well as Masham.
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New plans submitted for redevelopment of former Ripon timber yard site
A new planning application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council for redevelopment of the former North Yorkshire Timber yard on Trinity Lane in Ripon.
Site owner Red Tree Developments Ltd is seeking consent for the change of use and conversion of the former warehouse space to form 12 houses.
Approval is also requested for construction of two further dwellings on the 0.64 acre plot, which was home to a timber yard from 1860 to 2018.
The application includes plans for formation of access onto Trinity Lane, along with associated landscaping and parking provision.
In a previous application submitted in September 2020, Red Tree sought permission to demolish buildings on the site to make way for 13 new homes.
That application was refused by council planners in December 2020 and last month an appeal against the refusal decision was lodged with the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
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- Developer appeals refusal of 13-home Ripon scheme
- Planning consent sought for homes development at former Ripon timber yard
Planning consent was refused on the grounds that the scheme would cause “unacceptable harm” to the Ripon Conservation Area, but Jay Everett, a planning consultant who submitted the appeal on behalf of Red Tree, argued that the loss of the existing building would cause ‘less than substantial harm’ to the conservation area.
The newly-submitted application would see retention and regeneration of the former warehouse building and the design and access statement in support of the submissions, says:
“The re-submitted scheme seeks to create 14 new dwellings of a size which will make them ideally suited to a wide range of residents from professional couples to retirees.
“They will be suitably priced such that they will likely appeal to first-time buyers, while the south-facing front gardens and proximity to the local school, nursery, shopping areas and parks will also make them attractive to families.”
Villagers aged 10 and upwards in Kirkby Malzeard and Sharow are being invited to learn how to Ring for the King.
With the coronation of Charles III just three months away, Jonathan Couchman of the Two Dales ringers group, based in Wensleydale and Swaledale, is keen for new bellringers to be in place for the occasion.
Mr Couchman said:
“The online sessions will begin in mid-February and will be supplemented by hands-on training in the dales’ bell towers.
“All in the two dales are most welcome to attend but we are especially seeking new ringers for Sharow and Kirkby Malzeard.”
Bell ringers in action
Mr Couchman, added:
“The bell towers participating in this course include those at the churches of Askrigg, Aysgarth, Grinton, East Witton, Masham, Kirkby Malzeard and Sharow. People living within reach of those churches are particularly welcome to participate in the course.
The Wensleydale and Swaledale bell ringers first ran their introductory online course in 2021 and, following a successful launch, repeated the course in 2022.
For hundreds of years church bells have rung out, not only as a call to worship, but also to proclaim special events.
In June bell ringers celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee with the sound of bells and in September the bells rang as a mark of respect following her passing..
Mr Couchman said:
“Bell ringing is a team activity that keeps your brain active and your body agile. It does not require great strength and we have had children as young as 10 learning in Wensleydale. Many others learn in retirement.”
The online course comprises five interactive sessions that will include online ringing for all participants as well as an informative presentation. Attendees will be put in touch with a local bell tower where they will be taught hands-on bell ringing and invited to join the regular bell band.
For further information message the Wensleydale Ringers on Facebook or email David Scrutton at wensleydaleringers@gmail.com.
For more than 40 years a Ripon group has provided a platform which has enabled writers, ranging from novices to published novelists, to develop their talent and share their thoughts with like-minded people.
Now, with the disruption of covid lockdowns behind it, Ripon Writers Group is looking to attract new members to the twice-monthly meetings it holds at St Wilfrid’s Community Centre. The next meeting is on Wednesday evening (February 8).
RWG was launched in 1982 by Daphne Peters whose stories and poetry for children, published under her maiden name of Daphne Lister, gained international acclaim.
Following her death in April 2020, long-term member and award-winning author Maggie Cobbett said:
“Daphne was always interested to hear what the rest of us had been working on and unstinting in her encouragement.
“I loved to hear her reading her own poems, whether comical or whimsical, in her own inimitable style and will miss that very much.
“Ripon Writers’ Group will never be quite the same without Daphne, but I know that she will be counting on us to continue what she started all those years ago.”
RWG continues with Ms Peters’ husband Joe as its president and Ian Gouge as chairman.
Publisher Mr Gouge (pictured above), who is also writer in residence at Ripon Library, was the 2022 winner of the highly-prized Swanwick Short Story Competition.
In liaison with fellow committee members, he has introduced new elements to the events programme, including a ‘flash fiction’ activity called All Write on the Night.
Mr Gouge, said:
“The aim is to make our meetings thought-provoking, stimulating and enjoyable and create an atmosphere in which all attendees gain from the the shared experience.”
Two-time Swanwick prize winner Ms Cobbett, whose latest book My ‘Extra’ Life was published in August, added:
“We are a friendly group seeking new members from the Ripon area and beyond .
“Whether their interest is in poetry or prose, novels, short stories, plays, wacky humour or, a more analytical style of writing, they will be made most welcome.”
The demolition of a block of four empty Ripon homes affected by subsidence and sinkhole issues will begin shortly, taking up to seven weeks for completion.
The properties at 1, 3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths were evacuated in October 2020 after being deemed unsafe for habitation.
Planning permission for their demolition was granted by Harrogate Borough Council in November.
Ashley Hutchinson, site manager for Dewsbury-based Hutchinson Demolition & Dismantling Ltd, told the Stray Ferret:
“The work will be carried out by a team of four using hand-held tools.”
“Following a fortnight of preparation, which has involved erection of scaffolding and putting fencing in place, we anticipate completion over the next six to seven weeks.”
Site safety signage is in place
Mr Hutchinson added:
“We will be using a cherry picker for the removal of roof tiles and they, along with bricks, timber and other materials will be removed from the site and recycled.”
Neighbouring residents have been contacted and advised that the demolition will be carried out Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.45am and 4.30pm
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A vehicle activated sign has been installed on Clotherhome Road in Ripon In a bid to make drivers reduce their speed.
It has been located between the junctions for Ash Bank Road and Doublegates Avenue after residents raised concerns about the dangers posed by speeding drivers.
Lib Dem councillor Barbara Brodigan, who represents the Ripon Ure Bank and Spa Division on North Yorkshire County Council and is also a city councillor, told the Stray Ferret:
“I approached the county’s highways team after being contacted by residents who said that speeding motorists on Clotherholme Road have been putting lives at risk.
“Family pets have been killed after being hit by vehicles and some people believe it’s only a matter of time before there is a human fatality.”
Cllr Brodigan added:
“This is a growing residential area with new homes under construction and the prospect of more housing in the future with the barracks development.
“Clotherholme Road is also the location for the city’s two secondary schools and we must do all that we can to raise awareness of speed limits and the need for motorists to drive safely.”
The VAS sign has been funded through the Section 106 monies paid by Harran Homes as part of the planning agreement drawn up for its Bishop’s Glade development, in the Doublegates area.
The sign, installed by TWM Traffic Control Systems Ltd, working in liaison with traffic engineers from the county counil, employs the latest technology and is solar powered.
It has a range of 200 metres and is activated by any vehicle being driven at 27 mph or above. The display also includes a ‘slow down’ message for vehicles exceeding the 30 mph speed limit.
Ripon Civic Society ‘strongly criticises’ location of proposed £6m cathedral building
Ripon Civic Society has reiterated its objection to the proposed location of a new £6 million cathedral building.
Ripon Cathedral has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council to build a two-storey standalone annexe on the Minster Gardens site to the north of the cathedral.
The Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson has said plans to create a cathedral quarter would attract more visitors to the city and benefit the local economy.
But the society called for a rethink in August before formal plans were submitted. Now the planning application has been lodged, it has re-stated its position.
A statement from the heritage watchdog today said:
“The proposed location of a new structure to the north of Ripon Cathedral to serve as much-needed extra accommodation for the cathedral’s mission is strongly criticised by Ripon Civic Society.
“The society has long supported the cathedral’s aim to provide space for a song school, refectory, shop, toilets and storage space. The society also agrees that any new building should be to the north of the cathedral rather than the south. It cannot, however, support the intended position of the proposed new building, as set out in the latest planning application.”
Ripon Cathedral
It added:
“The cathedral’s intention is to build a two-storey structure on part of the public open space known as Minster Gardens. This is an area of grass and mature trees that has been a green space to the north of the cathedral for more than two centuries – and that in the Middle Ages was the site of the Archbishop of York’s Ripon palace. It is surrounded by important Ripon listed buildings – the Old Court House, the Old Deanery and the Courthouse Museum.
“The proposal will take up approximately half the open space and will involve the felling of at least 10 trees which currently contribute to the green nature of the site. One of the trees proposed for removal is a large beech tree in the centre of Minster Gardens, recognised as ‘entering veteran status’ and graded A1. Proposals to plant new trees elsewhere — many of them outside the city — are intended as an attempt to offset the loss of these trees.
“The site of the proposed structure, which will abut Minster Road, is currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council and will pass to North Yorkshire Council in April. It is protected as open space by policies in the Harrogate district Local Plan and in the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan.
Read more:
- Civic society calls for re-think on Ripon Cathedral plan
- City council support the principle of Ripon Cathedral development
RCS co-chairman David Winpenny, said the society was set up more than 50 years ago to safeguard the city and to encourage good, long-term development. He added:
We are, therefore, very disappointed that Ripon Cathedral has decided that it needs to take away an important open space in the city and to propose a building that will dominate the cathedral’s north side and detract from its setting, as well as affecting the setting of the nearby listed buildings and resulting in a significant loss of trees.
“This will be one of the most important interventions in the city for many years, and construction on this historically open site cannot be accepted without a fuller consultation of all interested parties in the city, and beyond, than appears to have been carried out until now.
“We have already urged the cathedral authorities, which has environmental as well as spiritual responsibilities, to build a new structure on the former Stoneyard, next to Minster Gardens. This is already in the cathedral’s ownership, and a new building sited there would be both less dominating and more able to act as a welcome entrance to the cathedral estate from Ripon’s main car park.
“Ripon Civic Society will welcome further discussion of the plans with both the Cathedral and with other interested parties, to help achieve a solution that is acceptable to the city of Ripon.”
Six months after Harrogate Borough Council announced plans to open a temporary gym at Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon, there is no confirmed date for its installation.
In a statement to the Stray Ferret, a council spokesperson said:
“To ensure residents can keep fit and active, while we carry out ground stabilisation works, a temporary gym is due to be installed at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon.
“We are awaiting the final programme for the ground stabilisation works before announcing further news on when the temporary gym will open.
“Until this time, customers can continue to (use) the existing gym at the leisure and wellness centre.
“We hope to have further news in the coming weeks.”
On July 28 last year, the council said it had submitted a planning application to install the temporary structure on the car park next to the centre’s main entrance and added that it would open in the autumn at a date to be confirmed.
In December a spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:
“I’m led to believe the temporary gym will not require planning permission now and we’ll be looking at installing the temporary gym in the new year (date TBC).
“Ahead of opening, we’ll be making all customers/members aware.”
Since the December statement, the Stray Ferret has contacted the council in a bid to find out when the gym will be installed and ready for use.
In the meantime, the existing gym on site located on the upper floor of the 1995 leisure centre building — where remedial ground stabilisation works are due to take place at a cost of £3.5 million — remains open.
Read More:
- Plan announced for temporary gym at Ripon leisure centre
- Ground stabilisation work at Ripon leisure centre to cost £3.5 million
At the time of the council’s announcement in July, Cllr Stanley Lumley, the cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, the council-controlled leisure company which runs the centre, said:
“By providing a temporary gym, while the ground stabilisation works take place, we can minimise the disruption to current and potential customers and ensure they can continue to maintain their health and wellbeing goals.”
The need for ground stabilisation works follows the discovery of a void under part of the existing leisure centre understood to have been present for a number of years.
It was discovered when the reinforced concrete slab for the new swimming pool was cast.
The temporary gym will include equipment currently available in the existing leisure and wellness centre and expert advice and guidance will be provided by members of the Brimhams Active team.
Customers will be able to use the changing and shower facilities in the new pool area – as well as the sauna and steam suite – which opened in March and group exercise classes will also continue to be provided at Hugh Ripley Hall.