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.

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• 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.

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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.

Diseased and damaged trees at Quarry Moor Nature Reserve in Ripon that pose a potential risk to public safety will be felled.

A total of 17 trees, some of which are affected by ash dieback disease, were identified as requiring removal in a report prepared for Ripon City Council by arboriculturists.

The felling will be carried out by specialist contractors in liaison with the council and Natural England.

City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“The trees that need to be felled to ensure the safety of the public, are in a number of different parts of the nature reserve.

“Some have been affected by ash dieback and others have become weakened through storms earlier in the year.”

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

The nature reserve was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest 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.

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Television pictures bridged the 220 miles between Ripon Cathedral and Westminster Abbey today as attendees at both iconic buildings were in one voice for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Images on four screens located throughout the cathedral, captured the respectful solemnity, pageantry and precision of the monarch’s state funeral – the like of which has never been seen before.

The service at the abbey, as well as celebrating The Queen and her unparalleled 70-year reign, included prayers for King Charles III who was made a Freeman of Ripon in 2002 when, as Prince of Wales, he was recognised for his ‘unique contribution to the regeneration’ of the city.

In 2004, The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the town hall and went on a walkabout in the city to mark the 400th anniversary of Ripon’s Royal Charter, granted by James I.

Ripon, which revels in its long-established royal roots, traditions and customs dating back to 886 AD and Alfred The Great, has, over the past 11 days, played a key role in marking her passing and the end of a remarkable reign.

Services at the cathedral attended by civic dignitaries from across North Yorkshire and local residents, have provided the opportunity for reflection and prayer within the ancient building.

Ripon’s streets have been quiet today with the majority of city centre businesses closed.

The normally bustling Kirkgate was quiet today as Ripon paid its last respects to The Queen

While people attended in hundreds at the cathedral for the televised state funeral, a small group of regulars at The Hornblower Tavern paid their respects to Her Late Majesty, by watching the service at the city centre pub.

Shelly Burrell of Ripon’s Hornblower Tavern, which screened The Queen’s funeral service

Landlady Shelly Burrell, dressed all in black, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have seven television screens here that usually show football matches and other sporting events.

“When a number of our regulars asked if we would screen The Queen’s funeral so that they could watch it together, we were happy to do so.”

A congregation of 500 attended Ripon Cathedral this afternoon, to commemorate and give thanks for The Queen’s service to the nation.

The Anglican Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd. Nick Baines, gave a sermon from the pulpit, in which he said that Her Late Majesty:

“Held herself to the highest standards of accountability throughout her reign.”

He added:

“We give thanks for her disciplined and selfless service and faith and witness through all these years.”

Ripon Cathedral was full for this afternoon’s service

The service, was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson and included a reading from The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Richard Compton and prayers from the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

The bishops of Leeds and Ripon are pictured with Dean John Dobson and Richard Compton, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire

Members of the Ripon Cathedral Choir who sang at this afternoon’s service

Dignitaries from across North Yorkshire, including the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Victoria Oldham, the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke and members of Ripon City Council, were present for the service.

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Ripon Business Improvement District is urging businesses who are looking for help or advice with navigating the ever-changing business cost market to get in touch.

Appointments with the BID’s cost-saving expert, Rishi Sood of Place Support Partnership (PSP) were originally planned for September 19, but have re-scheduled to October 20, following the Queen’s death.

BID manager Lilla Bathurst (pictured) said:

“Our aim is to deliver on issues that are important to our member businesses and cost saving in the current economic climate is considered high priority.

“In response to business needs, PSP were commissioned by Ripon BID to support local businesses through our Place Saving Programme focussing on business critical spend areas including energy, telecoms, merchant services and water.”

Appointments can be made via info@riponbid.co.uk or by calling call 01765 530 910.

The new units on Cambridge Street.

Project to bring Harrogate retail unit back into use complete

A project to bring a vacant Harrogate retail unit back into use has been completed.

The boarded-up shop on Cambridge Street was purchased by Broadland Properties in 2020 and the 25,000 sq ft former Topshop store has now been reconfigured into a mixed-use retail and leisure development.

It now includes Cosy Club, Sainsbury’s Local and Skipton Building Society.

Matt Harriman, associate direct at GV&Co which project managed the scheme, said:

“It’s great to see this scheme come to such a successful conclusion, with an impressive line-up of new retail and leisure tenants taking their place on this busy Harrogate high street.

“The unit had been vacant since 2017 and we managed the extensive enabling works to divide the property into separate units, with new services and several structural changes to suit the revised layouts, as well as external refurbishments over three phases. These included new windows, stone cleaning, and stonework repairs.

“Now fully let and brought back to life with Sainsbury’s, Cosy Club and Skipton Building Society all in place, we have thoroughly enjoyed working with a big project team that included engineers, GGP, architects, DLA, RGP building control specialists, Ball and Berry letting agent, Robinson Webster managing agent, Ryden, Brentwood Consulting Engineers, and contractor JP Wild for Broadland Properties.”

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