Students and staff at Ripon Grammar School marked National Tree Week with an ambitious 3,000-sapling hedge-planting drive.

Hundreds of students gathered in the school grounds last week to plant the first 2,000 trees over two days.

The project was made possible by The Tree Council’s branching out fund, which supports schools and others across the UK to plant trees, hedges and orchards as National Tree Week inspires people to get outdoors and get planting in the first week of December.

Ava Edwards, who worked with Year 7 students on their massive planting project, in addition to digging in with fellow sixth formers throughout the week, said:

“The tree planting has provided fantastic opportunities for us all to get involved in regenerating the environment on school grounds.”

RGS gardening and wildlife champion, teacher David Bruce, who has been working with student volunteers from other year groups during lunchtime breaks, said:

“This year’s National Tree Week is more important than ever as we work together to tackle the climate and nature crises.

“Trees and hedgerows store carbon, reduce flood risks and improve our air quality, and by planting more we can help grow a greener future. The young people in our community are an amazing force for nature and by planting these new hedgerows they are helping to create a nature-filled legacy for all of us.

“We managed to get around two thirds of our trees planted so far, with the remaining 1,000 set to be planted at a more leisurely pace over the next couple of weeks. Although the planting is almost done, it’s not over because sustaining the growth of the young trees and maintaining them in a wildlife-friendly way is going to be an ongoing project.”

Ripon Grammar School has been named as the top performing state school in the north of England by The Sunday Times for the ninth year running.

The school, which ranked 53rd nationally, was the only school in the Harrogate district to make the top 10 in the north. Skipton Girls’ High School was second and Ermysted’s Grammar School, also in Skipton, was third.

The results are contained in the 29th edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power tables, which identify the highest achieving schools in the UK, ranked by their examination results from 2017-19. A total of 78 per cent of Ripon Grammar School pupils achieved A-level grades A to B during this period.

Jonathan Webb (pictured above with students), headmaster of Ripon Grammar school, said the accolade was a tribute to the efforts of staff and pupils during the pandemic. He added:

“After a truly difficult 18 months this will give our students and everyone who works at the school a real boost.

“We offer an exceptional all-round, holistic education, with music, drama and sport also thriving.

“Staff have created recently a pioneering new student development programme as now, more than ever, we need to ensure students gain the valuable skills, qualifications and experience outside the classroom which will prepare them well for life beyond school.”

The Plus One programme will be showcased at the school’s sixth form open evening on January 17.

Alastair McCall, editor of Parent Power, said the need for clarity about school examination performance had never been greater, following two years of centre- and teacher-assessed grades, during which the numbers of top grades had increased dramatically.

Mr McCall, said:

“At a time when some schools are making it hard to substantiate claims of academic prowess based on outcomes from 2021 and 2020, we believe these rankings – and all the additional information on offer in Parent Power – provide parents with a more reliable guide to academic achievement in schools today.”

Ripon City Council has issued new covid guidance in the run-up to staging another large public event in the Market Square this weekend.

The guidance follows measures brought in by the government this week to combat the Omicron variant of the disease.

The first of two artisan Christmas markets will be held on Sunday, alongside free fairground rides for children and a festive grotto with Santa (pictured below).

The city council said in a statement:

“Anyone who is planning on attending our events is encouraged to take a lateral flow test beforehand to help to stop the spread of covid.

“Please help us by following the guidance below if you are visiting our grotto, fairground and Christmas market on December 5 and 12.”

The guidance is as follows:

• People going to events are strongly advised to take a lateral flow test at home before attending
• Anyone with a positive test result must stay at home, and household members should follow national guidance for close contacts
• Face coverings should be worn indoors and in crowded spaces
• Keep a respectful social distance between yourselves and people who are not in your group
• Do not travel to the event if you are feeling unwell. If you start to feel unwell whilst at an event, you should leave the site immediately
• Follow all covid-19 measures in place at events, including regular hand hygiene

A record £25,000 was raised at Ripon Cathedral’s Christmas Gift and Food Fair, as 2,500 visitors braved Storm Arwen to attend the two-day event.

Proceeds from the fair (pictured above), held last Friday and Saturday, exceeded pre-pandemic levels and will help fund the cathedral’s development plans for the future.

As a covid safety measure, pre-bookable time slots were made available online.

Visitors, who came from Yorkshire and further afield, enjoyed a festive atmosphere, with 100 stalls selling seasonal gifts and food.

Aysgarth School Choir, The Yorkshire Decibelles, Knot Another Choir and Emily and Adrian Roberts were among those providing entertainment.

The pop-up cafe’s offerings included hot turkey sandwiches and homemade cakes, along with tea, coffee and mulled wine, all served by cathedral volunteers. Children’s craft activities, a chocolate tombola and a raffle were also available.

The cathedral’s development campaign manager, Margaret Hammond, said:

“The fair marks the start of the Christmas celebrations for the local community. It was wonderful to see so many people back enjoying the spectacular setting of Ripon Cathedral.

“There are so many individuals to thank for helping to make this year’s Christmas Fair such a truly special event: Freda Bottomley, one of our volunteers, along with Dean John and his team of clergy, raised a record £1,600 selling raffle tickets; 70 volunteers manned the door, served refreshments and baked wonderful Christmas Cakes which were sold on the fundraising stall.

“Ripon businesses including Morrisons supermarket provided raffle prizes and provided the mince pies. Soldiers from Claro Barracks helped set up the event and everyone worked incredibly hard and helped in so many different ways to make sure it was a huge success.

“The event completely relies on the generosity of volunteers giving up their time to help raise funds.”

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has said it is unable to reopen the Spa Baths while Ripon residents wait for the delayed opening of the new pool.

The reopening request came from Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, following Friday’s news from HBC that its multi-million pound scheme won’t be opening next week.

A fault found in the lining of the six-lane pool (pictured below) means that its opening will be delayed to an unspecified date in January.

In the meantime, Spa Baths, which was closed by HBC on 7 November, won’t be reopening as a stop-gap.

In response to an email that Cllr Williams sent to Councillor Stanley Lumley, HBC’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said:

“The swimming pool at Ripon Spa Baths is currently being emptied and the utilities that serve the pool have been turned off.

“We have also transferred staff from the baths to Ripon Leisure Centre for training at the new pool or to other facilities across the Harrogate district to ensure leisure provision can continue to be provided.

“Therefore, we are unable to re-open the Spa Baths, residents will be most welcome in the short term at one of our other district pools.”

Earlier this week HBC said the fault with the new pool is not related to sinkhole issues. Cllr Lumley, pointed out:

“Every large building project has snagging issues to resolve when nearing completion and this project is no different, it is very important we address any defects before opening so we can hand over this superb facility for the people of Ripon.”

Cllr Williams, told the Stray Ferret:

“Surely, it would have been sensible to have kept Spa Baths open until all necessary testing at the new pool had been carried out, but Ripon residents now have to wait until an unknown date when they can go swimming once more in the city.

“For many, having to travel to Harrogate, Pateley Bridge or Knaresborough for a swim is not a practical proposition.”

He added:

“We have had delays, alongside substantial increases in the cost of the project and there is still uncertainty about the opening date.”

Read more:

• EXCLUSIVE: Ripon leisure scheme racks up additional £1m cost
• Conservative councillor says Ripon leisure scheme is poor use of public money

Campaigners in Kirkby Malzeard, seeking to purchase and restore a now-derelict village pub (pictured below) have suffered a major setback.

The Henry Jenkins Community Pub group (HJCP) has failed for a third time to have part of the building re-listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The campaigners – some of whom are pictured above – raised a petition of more than 500 signatures in support of their bid.

They were advised of the decision by Harrogate Borough Council, which said:

“The nomination for part of the Henry Jenkins site (the eastern part) is unsuccessful and does not meet the definition of community value as detailed in the Localism Act 2011 Section 88 (2).”

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Chair of the HJCP group, Richard Sadler, said:

“We are very disappointed that despite all the evidence, the council has chosen once again to side with private developers from outside the area – rather than supporting local grass roots community groups.

“The council cut our feet from under us by delisting part of the pub – simply because the developer sold this part to his business associate. Now they have turned their backs on us again by refusing to relist this part of the pub – when the council has a clear duty to help communities in rural areas fighting to save community facilities.

“This is despite overwhelming support of local residents, local businesses, the parish council and our local ward councillor for our plans to bring back this much-loved facility as a revitalised pub, bistro and coffee shop.

“With more people working from home and greater appreciation of the importance of community hubs, there’s a crying need for a great range of facilities in this fast-expanding village. “

Mr Sadler pointed out that the group has secured more than £230,000 in share pledges from nearly 200 residents in support of plans for a community buyout.

The Henry Jenkins closed its doors in 2011 and was purchased out of administration by pub company Fielder Holdings.

In 2017 a nomination made by campaigners for an ACV listing was successful, but the eastern annex was subsequently sold by David Fielder to his business associate Justin Claybourn, who applied for and was granted planning permission to convert his part of the building into a single dwelling.

This led to removal of the CVA covering the eastern portion – a decision the campaigners have fought to overturn ever since.

When announcing its decision on the third attempt to secure CVA listing for the whole building, HBC referred to the HJCP petition, which was received by the council at its full meeting on 6 October and pointed out:

“There is nothing in the Assets of Community Value legislation or council constitution to enable the consideration of petitions, therefore this does not form part of the assessment process.

“However, it is noted that only 25 of the names on the petition are from Kirkby Malzeard itself and almost two-thirds of the signatories do not live in the Harrogate district.”

Mr Claybourn, said:

“I’m pleased that the council has made this correct and sensible decision and I now look forward to progressing plans to convert my part of the building into a holiday home for my family.”

The sole Conservative councillor who spoke out against the choice of Dallamires Lane for Ripon’s new pool, says the project is a poor use of public money.

Originally scheduled to open in May, the scheme, which includes refurbishment of the adjoining leisure centre, is already more than £3 million over budget at £13.5 million with the costs set to rise even further.

Cllr Nigel Simms, who represents the Kirkby Malzeard and Masham Ward, told the Stray Ferret:

“Nothing has happened to change my mind, the geology of the site with its sinkhole issues, means it’s the wrong place.

“I’m all in favour of new leisure facilities for Ripon, but a more stable area should have been selected.”

At the June 2019 planning meeting where the application for the pool and leisure centre refurbishment was approved, Cllr Simms, said:

“I do not believe that you can build this thing and that in 50 years time it will still be there for the use of the people of Ripon.

“I don’t think it’s an economic use of public funds.”

Earlier this month Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet approved further investigation of the unstable ground conditions under the 26-year-old leisure centre building, ahead of remedial works in the New Year.

In the meantime, the long-awaited new pool for Ripon is scheduled to open on 8 December.

The Stray Ferret asked HBC about the final costs for the leisure centre work and a council spokesperson, said:

“As outlined during the cabinet meeting, the costs for the investigation works are not as yet known. Following the investigation works, there will then be assessment of the proposed remediation strategies, together with an assessment of the estimated cost.

“The council would not be able to disclose details of costs until the agreed remedial works are contracted as we view that providing this information may prejudice future commercial negotiations with supply partners.”

Two Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to HBC by the Stray Ferret about the cost of ground remediation work at the site, which caused the initial six-month delay to the swimming pool opening, received similar responses.

However, in September, the council provided details of additional costs incurred for the project in response to an FOI request submitted by Ripon resident and chartered civil engineer Stanley Mackintosh.

In its  FOI response to him, HBC said that:

• Money already paid for construction and associated works stood at £12,936,235.55.
• A further £619,427.06, had been allocated for payment.

This running tally of £13,555,662 in September compares with the original 17-month contract signed with construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon for £10.2 million.

Mr Mackintosh told the Stray Ferret:

“I have always been in favour of a new swimming pool and leisure centre for Ripon, but along with others, have argued over many years that the Camp Close site, with its known history of ground instability, was not the right place for it.”

Dog owners (pictured above) who visit Hell Wath nature reserve in Ripon on a regular basis, fear a potential future clash with cyclists.

The area, with its wooded and riverside walks and wildlife, is popular with people who take their dogs there for daily exercise.

Currently, signage at an entry near the football pitches (pictured below) states ‘no pushbikes’ but there are concerns that this could change, if a cycle route was created on the site, following an approach from the community.

Dog owners Janet Anderson and Brian Don, who attended a Friends of Hell Wath committee meeting earlier this month, made their feelings known.

Ms Anderson, told the Stray Ferret:

“Dogs and cyclists just don’t mix in a setting like this and we are very worried that we will not be able to let our dogs off the lead, to get the exercise they need, for fear of them being involved in an accident with a bicycle.”

Mr Don, added:

“We have absolutely no issue with paths being made more accessible to people in wheelchairs, but a cycle route is a completely different proposition.”

Discussions about a possible route for cyclists were initiated following a community event held at the nature reserve in September by the Skell Valley Project, headed by the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Working with volunteers, the project aims to bring about environmental and other improvements to a 12-mile stretch of the river valley – part of which runs through Hell Wath.

The minutes of the Friends of Hell Wath meeting of 1 November meeting, state:

“The committee confirmed that it had been approached about a cycle route and that it also had reservations.

“It also noted that Hell Wath is secured for community use and the committee is not the arbiter for who can use it and should therefore explore whether safe access for cycling could be facilitated.”

Committee chair, Councillor Stuart Martin, who was not present at the 1 November meeting, pointed out:

“Friends of Hell Wath are consultees and should there be any plan for a cycle route, or improved access for people with limited mobility, we will be consulted alongside all statutory bodies and the public.”

Mr Don welcomed the opportunity for wider consultation and said:

“Hundreds of local people take their dogs to Hell Wath each week and some of them have been going there for up to 50 years. It is important for our voices to be heard

“We just ask that any consultation that takes place is publicised in a way that can be accessed by everybody – particularly older people who are not familiar with the use of social media.”

Additional safety measures have been taken at a Ripon residential block in danger of collapse through subsidence caused by sinkhole activity.

Ripon City Council is in the process of writing to North Yorkshire County Council, calling for the four properties at Bedern Court to be demolished.

In the meantime, Bedern Court Ltd (BCL) – a not-for-profit company controlled by owners and leaseholders with houses and apartments in the 29-unit development – has installed the steel fence (pictured above) inside the courtyard to keep people away from the affected block.

The new fencing is in addition to the continuing closure of Peacock’s Passage, at the side of Bedern Court on Skellgarths (pictured below).

BCL chair Mat Pritchard, told the Stray Ferret:

“With its worsening state and the risk of collapse or falling masonry and tiles, we have concerns about use of parking spaces close to the property. The fence also prevents access to the block.”

BCL has set up a wardens group to keep an eye on the block, which was has remained empty since its evacuation more than a year ago.

Mr Pritchard pointed out:

“They will advise of any further deterioration that they witness and we will continue to liaise with all relevant authorities.”

At its full meeting earlier this month, Ripon City Council agreed to write to NYCC, calling for it to demolish the stricken block on the grounds of public safety.

At the meeting, council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“The movement of the affected block caused by sinkhole activity in the area is gaining speed and the implications for public safety are enormous.

“The block fronts onto the public highway and pavement and the potential impact of collapse and possibility of opening up of more damaging sinkholes in neighbouring areas cannot be ignored.

“If the perilous state of the building means it’s not safe to walk along Peacock’s Passage, it can’t  be safe to walk or drive past it on Skelgarths. It needs to be demolished as quickly and safely as possible.”

BCL, which is still awaiting settlement of a long-standing insurance claim relating to the affected block, has provided its insurers with reports from a monitoring engineer and geologist in support of the claim.

While Santa was busy all afternoon, his reindeer also attracted a great deal of attention.

After the switch on, the musical entertainment continued, with a tribute act (pictured below) signing the chart-topping hits of girl bands.

They were followed by a Beatles Tribute act, who provided a fab-four finale to the day’s festive fun.