A bequest of £20,000 for the benefit of Quarry Moor, could lead to new recreational facilities for young people living in Ripon.

Ripon City Council, which holds the site in trust, agreed to use the donation received from the estate of a local parishioner, as the seed funding to get a major project under way.

At Monday’s full council meeting, council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“We already have £70,000 set aside to upgrade play equipment at the site and I recommend that we use the bequest to employ consultants who can develop a plan and help us to apply for Lottery funding and other grants.”

He added:

“We need to think outside the box and look for something that is big, bold and imaginative for the young people of Ripon, such as a climbing centre or trampoline park.”

Councillor Julie Martin-Long, who chairs the Quarry Moor Committee, said:

“This is a great location, with a lot of potential and it will be extremely helpful to have professional consultants advising us.”

The Quarry Moor Activities Centre

The site, which includes a nature reserve, children’s playground, and a run-down activities centre in a poor condition, is located next to McDonald’s on the Harrogate Road,

Quarry Moor was donated to Ripon by Alderman Thomas F Spence in 1945 and has been held in trust by the city council for the use of local people ever since.

The nature reserve was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1986 in recognition of its unique geology and rare, species-rich magnesian limestone grassland.

Through careful management over the years, it has become a place of nature conservation and quiet recreation, while providing a habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

A six-acre portion of the site where the activities centre, playground, picnic area and parking facilities are located, does not come within the SSSI designation.

Read more:

• Ripon Racecourse in the running for two national awards
• Opportunities to learn more about Ripon’s ancient trees

Ripon councillors are calling on North Yorkshire County Council not to sanction spending £3.5 million on remediation works at the city’s leisure centre.

The city council believes that other options should be fully investigated, including building a new centre at a different location where there are stable ground conditions.

The ground floor of the leisure centre has stayed closed due to safety concerns and Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) is to install a temporary gym on the site.

The call from city councillors comes after a report by engineering firm Stantec into the ground stability issues affecting the existing centre’s foundations.

The report, supplied following a Freedom of Information Request made to HBC, ruled out a new location for the centre, but Independent city council leader Andrew Williams, who was elected to NYCC in May, said:

“They (HBC) are blindly and belligerently pouring money into propping up a centre that is nearly 30 years old and there is no guarantee that more funding won’t be needed after remediation works begin.”

He added:

“These works would take the total spending on this project to £18 million – some £8 million above the original budget – and they can’t continue ploughing money into this site, with its known history of ground stability issues, including a sinkhole that opened up on the leisure centre car park in 2018.

“Instead of throwing good money after bad, we need to call on North Yorkshire Council, who will take over responsibility from April, to put an end to this additional spending and look for a suitable location for a new leisure centre to be built on sound land.”

As part of the devolution process, any major financial decisions by HBC will need to be approved by NYCC’s executive. Permission needs to be given for capital projects costing £1 million and above.

A report to a meeting of HBC’s cabinet in August said the authority had made “every effort to provide an accurate estimate” of the costs of the remediation works but added these could rise further once the ground stability works begin.

Response from Harrogate Borough Council

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Building a new leisure centre at another site in Ripon would cost a significant amount of money and would result in two separate facilities to maintain, two sets of running and staffing costs, for example.

“It would also involve purchasing land in a suitable location that we don’t currently have, going through the planning application process and disposing of the existing building safely, all of which would take time and a considerable amount of money. And there is no guarantee that a different site wouldn’t have similar ground conditions.

“Co-location of both wet and dry leisure facilities is also important for increasing and sustaining participation in exercise, as well as optimising revenue and cost recovery.

“The new gym combined with the pool on one site is proving to be extremely popular, and will be further complimented by two new activity studios, sports hall, a spin studio as well as meeting facilities.”

The spokesperson, added:

“Our consulting engineer has advised that a do-nothing approach is not advised. And although there is no immediate change in the geological risk profile to the building – that was originally built in 1995 and has provided sport and leisure services for more than 25 years – it is recommended that ground stabilisation works are undertaken to ensure people in Ripon can keep fit and active for years to come.”

This autumn, Ripon’s Skell Valley Project is celebrating the numerous ancient trees that can be found throughout the valley.

On October 26, the project team will be holding an Ancient Tree Discovery Day at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, where ancient tree advisor and author Brian Muelaner will be exploring the world of veteran trees.

The family-friendly event will run from 1-4pm and will include a slideshow and talk about the ancient trees of the National Trust and their cultural heritage connections.

This will be followed by a guided walk exploring the spectacular veteran trees of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

Attendance is free, but does have to be booked by contacting karen.collins@nationaltrust.org.uk

Before the discovery day, Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate is hosting a book talk on October 21 at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate.

Running from 7.30pm until 9.30pm, it will feature authors Simon Toomer and Max Adams.

They will be discussing the importance of trees in the landscape and celebrating the wonder of trees. The event is being held in partnership with Little Ripon Bookshop, and tickets are available online or directly from the bookshop. Bookings can be made online by clicking here.

Gabby Crisp, Skell Valley area ranger said:

“Ancient trees are so important in the Skell Valley because of how incredible they are for wildlife and biodiversity.

“Rot holes provide homes for nesting birds, and invertebrates, which are vital to the ecosystem.

“We also consider the beauty and heritage value of our ancient trees. They’ve seen all the changes in the valley over hundreds of years and we need to continue to look after them.

“The Skell Valley is an important place for ancient trees. The designed landscape at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal means that there are lots of surviving ancient trees. There are lots of ancient and oaks and ash living in the valley too.

“Some of these are already suffering from ash dieback and one of the ambitions of the project is to monitor these so that we can plan for resilient future planting.  We’ll be working with volunteers to map and record veteran and ancient trees in the valley, and will be running a number of public events too”

Read more:

• Ripon Racecourse in the running for two national awards
• Police crackdown brings reduction in North Yorkshire poaching cases

Ripon Racecourse has been selected as a finalist in two categories of the Racecourse Association’s Showcase and Awards.

The awards, run in partnership with Great British Racing, Racing Post, the Racing Foundation and Racing Together, celebrates excellence and innovation in racecourse operations and raceday experience.

Ripon, which is known as Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse, is in the running for both the Racing Foundation Green and Racing Connection categories.

The winners will be revealed at the Showcase and Awards ceremony at Pontefract Racecourse on November 10.

The Racing Connection Award recognises activities at racecourses that extend the reach of the sport to customers.

In this category, Ripon’s Stables Championship, sponsored by the company Goodbye Flys, is in competition with entries from Go Racing in Yorkshire, The Jockey Club, Hamilton Park and Scottish Racing.

In the Racing Foundation Green Award, where the winner will receive a grant of up to £20,000, Ripon’s Greening Up initiative was selected as a finalist alongside Newmarket and The Jockey Club.

Entries were asked to demonstrate how environmental initiatives have been identified and executed with a focus on the results achieved and the legacy of the work.

Jonathan Mullin, operations and marketing manager at Ripon Racecourse, said:

“It’s wonderful for us to be finalists in two categories. The Goodbye Flys Ripon Stables Championship was really well received by the stable staff and it’s great that it has been recognised.

“It is especially pleasing to be a finalist in the inaugural Racing Foundation Green Award. As Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse we take great pride in our environment and realise the importance of working towards and promoting a sustainable future so we’re delighted with this acknowledgement of our work in this area.”

Rob Hezel, chief executive at the Racing Foundation, said:

“Environmental sustainability is vital to protect racing’s future and racecourses have a massive opportunity to contribute, not only in their operational practises but in positively influencing the behaviour of racegoers and their communities.

“We’d like to congratulate the three finalists on their environmental sustainability efforts and look forward to working with the winner to develop their project.”

Read more:

• St Wilfrid’s Stars recognise Ripon’s community heroes

• Bloom awards for Ripon garden

A life size cardboard cut-out of Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones is catching the eye of people walking along Ripon’s Westgate.

On Saturday afternoon, from 12.30, the Welsh actor and best-selling author can be seen in real life at The Little Ripon Bookshop, where she will sign copies of her third novel, Love Untold.

Simon Edwards, who owns and runs the shop with his wife, Gill, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are receiving a lot of pre-orders for the book from people who are looking forward to meeting Ruth and it promises to be an exciting day.

“Many of those who will be coming to the signing previously bought her other books Never Greener and Us Three.”

The newly published Love Untold, which tells the story of four generations of the same family, is already earning rave reviews for the warmth with which it is written.

It follows Ms Jones’s debut novel Never Greener, a number one best seller whose central storyline focuses on the destructive effects of a love affair.

Us Three described by fellow comedy actor Dawn French as ‘a touching celebration of the beauty and endurance of female friendship’ topped the Sunday Times charts.

Mr Edwards, said:

“We have copies of all three books available and are anticipating a busy time, because Saturday is also Bookshop Day.

“After Ruth’s visit, we are hosting The Great North Author Tour, when eight top children’s authors will be present from 4:45pm to meet children and sign books.”

The authors on the tour are Vashti Hardy, James Nicol, James Harris, Sally Nicholls, Lysette Auton, Alex Foulkes, Beth Walker and Dan Smith.

Read more:

• Star awards for Ripon’s community heroes
• Ripon man’s art focuses on the horror of Ukraine war

Organisations, individuals and a business that have made a positive contribution to life in the city, gathered at Ripon Cathedral for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards.

The event was organised by Ripon Together as part of the cathedral’s 1,350th anniversary celebrations and more than 150 people were present to discover who had won the trophies designed and produced by Jennyruth Workshops.

At Friday’s presentation evening, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, pointed out that the star was the symbol of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in 672 AD.

He said:

“All of those who were nominated are stars for what they do to contribute to the life of Ripon and we thank and applaud them.”

One of the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards produced by Jennyruth Workshop

Hundreds of knitted stars made by the Ripon Community Poppy Project were hung high in the nave for the presentation evening and there was special mention from Dean John for Alwyn Hartley, who produced more than 200 of them.

The dedicated team of knitters who have decorated the city with extensive displays for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, Remembrance Sunday and the Winter Wonderland at Spa Gardens, were winners of the award for tourism.

Lou Jones, who owns Oliver’s Pantry cafe on North Street with her husband Tim, received the business award and was recognised for ‘boosting the community’s wellbeing and signposting them to all that Ripon has to offer.’

St Wilfrid’s Stars youth award winner Rosie Sturt, is pictured with the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, presented the youth award to Rosie Sturt, for her work in leading a team of young volunteers who have delivered a Lego Club at Ripon Library.

The aim of the club is to help young children to increase their social skills and confidence in the wake of the covid lockdowns.

A St Wilfrid’s Star also went to Sarah Jaques – a Ripon Library volunteer and co-ordinator – who won the community award for her tireless work.

Her citation read:

“Without volunteers, there would be no library and there would be a great gap in the life of the city.”

For the overall volunteer of the year award the panel of judges selected Gloria Sturdy, who has devoted her life to supporting many causes in the city.

This includes the provision of lunches each Thursday at Holy Trinity Church for people in need, to sewing PPE kits for frontline workers during the pandemic.

The culture award was presented to the Ripon Theatre Festival organising committee, in recognition of staging a highly successful inaugural performing arts event from a standing start.

Caroline Bentham, who has supported groups in Ripon through her community scrap fund, which raises money from the sale of recycled metal, received the environment award.

As well as being a supporter of many good causes, she is an active Girl Guide Leader and an assistant county commissioner.

Read more:

• Former Ripon mayor’s book raises £6,300 for charity

• Ripon Tractor Fest provides £4,000 boost for children’s ward

The importance of donations that support the work of Breast Cancer UK was emphasised in Ripon Town Hall last weekend.

Thalie Martini, the charity’s chief executive, made the 440-mile round trip from London on Saturday, to receive a cheque for £6,300 from Freeman of the City and former mayor John Richmond.

All proceeds from the sale of his book Beyond the Farm Gate, which was dedicated to his wife Barbara, who died of breast cancer in 2013, were donated to the charity.

Ms Martini, thanked Mr Richmond for his generosity and said:

“Our focus is on the prevention of breast cancer and this money will prove invaluable to our work.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, but research has shown that more that 30 percent is preventable.”

In addition to the donation, Ms Martini was given a signed copy of the book.

Mr Richmond’s 280-page memoirs take the reader on a journey from his childhood and growing up on a farm at Dallowgill, to becoming a history-making mayor of Ripon in 1975-1976.

During that period, he became the only person to carry out the nightly hornblower ceremony of setting the watch. While in mayoral office he also went on to represent Ripon at USA bicentennial celebrations held in San Francisco and attended by the mayors of Ripon California and Ripon Wisconsin.

Beyond the Farm Gate was published as a limited edition in March and sold out within a month — including a consignment of 20 books bought by people living in California.

At Saturday’s presentation Mr Richmond said:

“Having sold the first 400 copies so quickly, I ordered a reprint which also proved in great demand.

“The initial intention was to raise £6,000, but I am thrilled that the amount for donation to Breast Cancer UK increased to £6,300.”

The presentation was attended by the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, members of Mr Richmond’s family and friends.

Read more:

• The book that raised the money for Breast Cancer UK
• Poets take centre stage at Ripon festival

Images of death and destruction in Ukraine remain fresh in the mind of Ripon man Lewis Edwards.

Now he is expressing his feelings through art, to help him come to terms with the terrifying turmoil of the Russian invasion that turned his life and the lives of millions of others, upside down.

Mr Edwards, a former student of Ripon Grammar School who studied contemporary art at Leeds Met (now Leeds Beckett University), has created paintings on a series of panels. They provide an insight into the impact the war has had on the people of Ukraine, as well as the Russian army.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“When I arrived back in the UK with my partner, Tanya, earlier this year, I went through the process of thinking about what happened to us and what we witnessed as we fled to the safety of Slovakia.

“I then decided to turn these thoughts into paintings, including one that I have called Still (a) Life which tells the story of our rapid departure from our home, with food left uneaten on our table.”

Minska Metro

Another canvas captures scenes from the Minska Metro in Kyiv, where Mr Edwards and his Ukrainian partner stayed on the eve of their perilous 500-kilometre journey to Slovakia.

Once they were safely over the border, they set up a shelter to help fellow refugees. The humanitarian venture was made possible through £20,000 raised in Ripon from charity events and a GoFundMe page set up by the Edwards family.

Mr Edwards is planning to exhibit his work and has already made arrangements for the paintings to go on show at the Slung Low community arts hub in Leeds.

He said:

“I would very much like to put on an exhibition in the Ripon area if I can find a suitable location.”

Mr Edwards can be contacted via his Instagram account eye.fly.art

The fifth Ripon Poetry Festival came to a close yesterday after four days of readings, performances, workshops and book unveilings at venues across the city.

Among the highlights were the launches, at a packed Ripon Arts Hub operatic hall, of two anthologies containing the works of children and adults who entered the festival poetry competition.

Festival curator Andy Croft told the Stray Ferret:

“There was a record 260 entries from children and adults this year and the standard of writing was so high that the judges found it difficult to decide which of the poems to select for inclusion in each of the books.

“We published the children’s anthology for the first time this year and it was delightful to hear them reading out their work.

“One little girl, who was too small to reach the microphone, went on stage holding her mum’s hand and delivered her poem like a seasoned professional.”

In the children’s category, the under 11 winner was Merry Reeves, while the 11 to 18 prize was awarded to Beatrice Harrison.

A moving poem titled Three-legged Dog by Simon Strickland, which featured the impact of a colliery’s closure on a mining community, was selected as the best poem in the category for adults.

Ripon Poetry Festival curator Andy Croft

First-time competition entrant Nicky Hasson achieved a remarkable treble when three of her poems were selected for publication in the adult anthology and there was double delight when her daughter Jess, a third-year student studying English literature and creative writing at Lancaster University, also had her poem selected for inclusion.

Nicky said:

“I was amazed because I only started writing poetry in November and I certainly wasn’t expecting this. I was also delighted for Jess.”

The festival, which is the largest of its kind in Yorkshire, featured the published works of well-known poets Linda France, Helen Mort, Tara Bergin, Henry Raby and Jim Greenhalf, alongside amateur wordsmiths who write for pleasure.

The Great North Art Show (GNAS) whose planned opening was delayed because of The Queen’s death, is now open to the public at Ripon Cathedral.

Among those with works on display is Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson, whose ‘Jubilee Ma’amalade Tea’ illustration of Her Majesty holding hands with Paddington Bear, touched the hearts of the nation and became even more poignant after her passing.

The painting was inspired by the now-famous TV sketch, that was broadcast as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

Ms Tomlinson, whose artwork and illustrations are inspired by the countryside and wildlife around her, is exhibiting six new pieces, plus her jubilee themed prints.

A selection of Kay Latto’s works, which are on display at the exhibition

The exhibition, which is open until October 9, can be visited free of charge and is also showcasing the work of Ripon-based sculptor Kay Latto, who has exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy.

This month, The Society of Portrait Sculptors is exhibiting her sculpture ‘Talented Too’ at their FACE 2022 exhibition in Chelsea Barracks, London.

The GNAS, is providing a platform to the charity Vision Support Harrogate District, with sculptor Kim Murphy, who started out by sculpting her guide dog, one of eight vision impaired artists exhibiting their sculptures.

The work of vision impaired sculptors, including Kim Murphy, is on display at the Vision Support Harrogate and District stand

This is the 20^th GNAS exhibition in a year of anniversaries, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 1350^th anniversary of Ripon Cathedral’s consecration by St Wilfrid in 672 AD.

Pictures at the exhibition

Wendy Orme, the artist who started the show in 2001, explained the origins of the event:

“I felt at the time that the market for art was very much based around London and I thought it was high time we had something that allowed the work of northern artists, often rural, to be seen by people who live in the north.

“We wanted to bring art to the wider community and to people who had possibly never attended an art exhibition before, thus enabling them to view a large-scale exhibition in an open, neutral space – albeit in this case, the house of God.

“There is an important need for cathedrals to play a part in the community, bringing people together – and Ripon Cathedral does this so well. We are grateful for the use of this sacred space, which can be accessed by all, for free.”

The exhibition runs alongside the cathedral’s 1350^th anniversary installation From Rome to Ripon, produced in partnership with Art in the Churches. It features work by Syrian artist Sara Shamma, whose paintings of Wilfrid and his contemporaries hang between the great pillars of the nave; the late Jack Chesterman; poet Olivia Mulligan and sound artist Paul Baily.