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A focus on Christian and Norse culture will be brought to a dramatic conclusion at Ripon Cathedral this evening.
At 7.30pm, the Hazelsong Theatre group will perform Whiteblade, featuring the 7th century Northumbrian King Oswald who was made a saint for his defence of the Catholic faith.
Subtitled ‘King Oswald, the Sword and the Cross’ it tells the story of a courageous man who pre-dates Wilfrid, the founder of Ripon Cathedral.
Andy Bates of Hazelsong, said:
“Seventh century Britain was a time of turmoil and warfare, where pagan fought Christian and Saxon battled Briton.
“In this time arose a great king, bearing both the blade and the cross, to fight for the people and the soul of the kingdom.”
Hazelsong Theatre group set off on Thursday’s dragon parade with musical accompaniment from The Brothers Gillespie
Those wishing to attend the performance can book free tickets on the Ripon Cathedral website.
Prior to tonight’s performance the legend of Sigurd the dragon slayer and Fafnir the dragon slain by the Viking warrior, takes centre stage.
A second dragon parade with a puppet of Fafnir, will set off from the cathedral today at 12.30 and make its way through city streets to the band stand at Spa Gardens.
Before then, between 9.30am and 12 noon, people will be able to visit the cathedral to make dragon sock puppets.
The famous Norse tale of the warrior and the dragon was represented in music and song on Thursday.
Local musicians were invited to bring their own instruments and join in music making at the cathedral
The Sigurd legend, which dates back more than a thousand years, was marked with a recital led by The Brothers Gillespie – James and Sam – who had earlier invited local people to join them and Hazelsong in an impromptu music-making session.
The Sigurd Stone
Next year the cathedral celebrates its 1350th anniversary and in the ancient building’s treasury is the Sigurd Stone – believed to have marked the tomb of a Norse settler who was buried in Ripon.
The prized and unusual artefact, combines Christian imagery in the shape of a cross and Norse mythology, depicting the warrior and the dragon.
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Ripon’s only toy shop relocates
Ripon’s only toy shop has moved to a new location in time for Christmas.
Although The Easy Learning Shop has only relocated a matter of feet, owner Pete Wilkinson believes it can make a big difference.
He has moved from inside the Duck Hill Shopping Quarter to a unit on Duck Hill with a street frontage.
Mr Wilkinson told the Stray Ferret:
“This is something I’ve wanted for some time, as it gives me the opportunity to do window displays that change through the year, with Christmas an obvious time to try and catch people’s eyes.”
Animal glove puppets at the Easy Learning Shop
The shop, which sells traditional wooden toys and games, alongside puppets, books and goods designed to help educate children as they play, opened four years ago, when Mr Wilkinson was forced to change career.
He said:
“I was a bus driver for 18 years and used to drive the 36 double deckers, but that came to an abrupt halt after I sustained serious back injuries in a fall, which made driving buses too painful.
“I had to look for something else to do to earn a living and that’s when I decided to go into retail and I’m pleased to say that things have worked out.”
Since the move on Monday, he has already attracted new customers and he looks forward to building on that as the festive season rapidly approaches.
Dancers share the joy of Diwali at Ripon LibraryRipon was given an insight into the festivities associated with Dawali at a special event in the city’s library this week.
The five-day Festival of Lights, whose principal day is today, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Its focus is on new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
Sarita McDermott, who owns Realitea, the Indian tea room and bistro on North Street, organised the event at the library with outreach librarian Claire Thompson.
She told the audience:
“Diwali is like Christmas in this country. People put on their best clothes, enjoy some lovely food, music and dancing.
“I wanted to show friends and other people in Ripon, the peaceful joy that this festival brings.”
Sarita McDermott leads the dancing.
Among those joining in the celebrations was a team of dancers from Jennyruth Workshops who wore traditional Indian dress.
They had been practicing for a month prior to their performance, which included dancing to music from the Punjab and the Gujarat region as well as Bollywood-style dance.
Following the display, there was an opportunity for the performers and members of the audience to enjoy some authentic Dawali dishes and treats.
Ms Thompson said:
“We had planned to stage an event of this nature for some time and I’m delighted that it has now happened and gone so well.”
Pictured: Claire Thompson (left) and Sarita McDermott, with Jennyruth dancers (from left) Matthew, Bethany and Ben Evason and Martin Grainger
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Poor state of Ripon roads comes under spotlight
The rapidly-deteriorating condition of many Ripon roads came under the spotlight at a virtual meeting yesterday.
Officers from North Yorkshire County Council were invited by Ripon City Council to explain the reason for extended delays to repair and renewal work for roads, including those surrounding the Market Square, Minister Road and Dallamires Lane.
The city council had wanted NYCC to make the meeting, which was held on Teams, open to the media, but in an email exchange yesterday .Karl Battersby, NYCC’s corporate director for business and environmental services, said:
“My position remains that I am not prepared to have the discussion with the media present.”
Minster Road, which runs past Ripon Cathedral, is in need of repairs
In an earlier email, Mr Battersby said:
“Our understanding was that this would be a frank and open discussion in private to try and reach a better understanding together of the possibilities and restrictions. At no point was this to be a press conference.”
After the meeting, city council leader Andrew Williams, who was involved in the email exchange and made the unsuccessful attempt to have it open to journalists and the public, told the Stray Ferret plans to improve Market Place East were agreed. He said:
“I can’t understand why North Yorkshire County Council didn’t want the press and public to be involved. It was cordial and constructive and would have given the officers a means to explain to the wider population the situation they face in Ripon and other parts of the county.
“With the government settlement meaning a loss of £4million from the highways budget, they are strapped for cash, but the officers did understand the concerns raised by myself and other councillors involved in the call.
“We were pleased to hear that a scheme for Market Place East will be drawn up and other areas are being looked at.”
Councillor Williams added:
“While roads in an around the city are in need of repair, we will continue to bang the drum on Ripon’s behalf.”
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Ripon BID appoints management team
The Ripon Business Improvement District board has appointed a management team to deliver events and projects aimed at helping local businesses thrive.
Eighty per cent of Ripon traders voted in favour of creating a BID in June. BIDs, which are funded by a levy on local firms, come up with ideas to increase visitor numbers to towns and cities.
Elizabeth Faulkner, former manager of Altrincham BID, has been appointed Ripon BID manager and Lilla Bathurst, who previously worked for Hull BID, has been named assistant Ripon BID manager.
Ms Faulkner worked for tourism organisation Visit Manchester for 12 years. Her experience as a destination marketing specialist was put to good use in Altrincham, where she led the submission that saw the town win the Great British High Street Award in 2018.
Ms Bathurst worked as a stockbroker in the City of London prior to her move north to Hull and change of career. Her initiatives included the award-winning Hull Street Food Nights, which supported the city’s evening economy by increasing footfall.
The two women are excited by the prospect of working alongside businesses to promote Ripon as a destination locally, regionally and nationally.
Ms Faulkner said:
“This is a wonderful city with a rich history and so much more and it’s our job to make as many people as possible aware of what Ripon has to offer.”
Promoting what the city has to offer and increasing footfall are two of the objectives of the Ripon BID
Ms Bathurst added:
“I relocated to the area and soon discovered that it has a great community spirit, with people who work together and have a positive attitude.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with businesses of all sizes who make Ripon such a special place.”
Deep clean
Projects to be delivered over the next few weeks include a deep clean for city streets, the first stage of a way-finding strategy looking at signage and evaluation of Ripon’s destination and social media platforms, material and websites.
In addition, at a time of rising fuel and power costs, businesses will be offered free consultations on ways to save money.
Rick Jones, who owns Valentino’s restaurant and the Water Rat in Ripon, and is a member of BID board, said:
“We are all looking forward to moving things forward through initiatives that focus on many aspects of the Ripon economy, from heritage to hospitality to the city’s retail offer and major visitor attractions, such as Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall.
“There is a collective benefit – If they do well, we all do well and the city thrives.”
“In the first instance, we are getting the foundations right and in the appointment of Elizabeth and Lilla, we have made a great start.”
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Halloween in Ripon — heavy showers and a helter skelter
On a day of heavy rain mixed with bright sunny intervals, Ripon residents and visitors braved the elements to visit Market Square for a mini Halloween funfair.
The event included children’s rides, a helter skelter and an artisan market.
Children and their parents queued up to take a turn on the helter skelter
While the weather limited the time for enjoyment of the free rides, they were in demand when the sun finally broke through in early afternoon.
The playground occupied the southern half of the square and the Little Bird Artisan Market, was on the northern section.
In spite of pouring rain and windy conditions, 40 stallholders set up their pitches from early morning.
The market, designed to give local traders the opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade goods – ranging from food to home decorations – have been a constant feature of the public events in 2021 staged by Ripon City Council and paid for out of the parish precept.
Between the showers shoppers browsed the stalls at the artisan market
Council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“With all of the effort that goes into organising these activities, particularly by our town clerk, Paula Benson, we are pleased that the rain didn’t ruin the day.”
The next free public entertainment that will be staged on Market Square is on November 20, when a tribute band concert will be held to mark the switch on of Ripon’s Christmas lights.
Helter skelter twist for Halloween in Ripon
A Halloween helter skelter for people of all ages, will add to the family-focused fun in Ripon on Sunday.
In the latest in a series of free events organised by Ripon City Council, the ride will take its place alongside two roundabouts for younger children.
While the mini-fairground is in operation on Market Square South, in front of the town hall, a Little Bird artisan market will be held on the northern portion of the square.
The event runs from 10am until 4pm.
City council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“During the summer, in addition to the artisan markets, we have had the roundabouts and a climbing wall to cater for children of all ages.
“This time, the wall is replaced with a helter skelter so that adults can also take their turn.”
Flashback to the summer and a children’s roundabout on Ripon’s Market Square
As the city has emerged from the covid lockdowns, which prevented large-scale public gatherings from taking place, Ripon has used money from the parish precept to pay for free concerts featuring tribute acts, a Last Night at The Proms event, firework displays and the children’s rides.
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The aim has been to provide entertainment for local residents and bring visitors to the city centre, for the benefit of retailers, hospitality businesses and Ripon’s heritage attractions.
There are more events to follow before the year is out, with the switch on of the festive lights on the evening of November 20, Christmas markets on December 5 and 12 and a New Year’s Eve tribute act concert on Market Square.
Ripon building owners apologise for “eyesore” as redevelopment plans progress
Owners of a historic Ripon site, which fell into a state of disrepair, have apologised to neighbours as the area is prepared for residential redevelopment.
Leeds-based Graycliffe Homes bought the former Girls’ High School Old Lecture Building, on College Road, as a development opportunity ten years ago.
Over the past decade, the two storey red brick Edwardian building has had windows broken and slates stolen while its grounds became overgrown.
Graycliffe’s managing director, Wayne Butterfield, who has been involved in a major tidy up of the area, told the Stray Ferret:
“It has become something of an eyesore and for that I would like to apologise to our neighbours.
“The new homes development here will see a transformation, that I hope is to the liking of people who live nearby.”
Planning permission was granted by Harrogate Borough Council for the former high school to be refurbished and converted to create eight townhouses.
An architect’s drawing showing how the refurbished building will look. Picture: Graycliffe Homes
There will also be five new-build homes on the site, which will be landscaped, with green spaces retained.
Graycliffe will not carry out the conversion and new build, but it is in discussions with developers who will carry forward the scheme.
Christopher Hughes, chair of Ripon Civic Society, welcomed the activity on site.
He said:
“This is an historically important building dating back to 1908 and we are pleased to see that is is being retained for conversion within the overall redevelopment plans.
“The society has taken a great interest in this site over the years and, at long last and many hold ups and frustrations, we are pleased to see it being tidied up in readiness for disposal to a developer, who will convert the former school building and carry out the other works.”
The building as it currently looks
The former school provided secondary education for girls, until its amalgamation with Ripon Grammar School in the early 1960’s.
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Afterwards, the building was used as part of the Ripon Teacher Training College and later the College of Ripon & York St John.
Following the closure of the training college, it was let to Leeds Metropolitan University whose lease on the building ended in 2012.
Artworks honour Ripon’s military pastSoldiers from Ripon were involved in an art installation yesterday that provides an echo of the city’s military past going back 107 years.
Members of 21 Engineer Regiment helped with ground preparation before three metal silhouettes, depicting soldiers of World War I, were put in place at Hell Wath.
The works, created by artists Dan Metcalfe and Jeanne Mundy, in collaboration with Ripon Cathedral’s visual media artist and photographer Joe Priestley, replicate pieces from previous installations produced by the trio for the project ‘Fields of Mud, Seeds of Hope’
Members of the 21 Engineer Regiment did the spade work
Figures from that project can be seen near the cathedral and around the city as part of the Wilfred Owen memorial walk, created in honour the famous war poet who was based briefly at Ripon Army Camp from March 1918 and died in action in northern France just seven days before peace was declared.
Mr Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:
“During World War I, this area was the southern half of a huge camp that at any time was providing temporary accommodation for upwards of 30,000 troops.
“When you consider that the population of the city was around 8,000 before the camp arrived, it makes you realise how dominant it was and the impact it would have had.
“I hope that these works serve as a permanent reminder for generations to come of the part that Ripon played in the war and those who never returned.”
The logistics of the installation have been led by Ripon Community Poppy Project, which is also involved in producing the annual remembrance displays in the city centre.
Councillor Stuart Martin, who was one of the founders of the project, said:
“This has happened thanks to a massive collaborative effort, with support from Econ Engineering, Ripon Farm Services, Harrogate Borough Council, the Royal Engineers and Tarmac, which owns the land.
“Thanks to their assistance, combined with donations of materials, time and labour, they have enabled the creation of this stunning installation that underlines the historical significance of Ripon’s military roots, which go back many years.”
The photograph shows artist Dan Metcalfe (front, left) with Councillor Stuart Martin, of Ripon Community Poppy Project, and soldiers from the 21 Engineer Regiment.
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Ripon remembers with 75,000 hand-made poppies
Ripon is being wrapped in a cloak of red as the city prepares for next month’s Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
This year, with no covid restrictions in place, Ripon Community Poppy Project is installing its largest display to date, involving 75,000 hand-made woollen flowers, alongside banners and flags.
These reminders of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, can be seen throughout the city centre, from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, on roundabouts on the bypass and at other locations.
Ripon Town Hall, decked in Remembrance poppies
Hazel Barker, who along with Councillor Stuart Martin and Carol Dunkley, runs the project, with support from an army of volunteers, told the Stray Ferret:
“We decided to do something special to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in 2018 and it captured people’s imagination.
“The initial plan was to produce a poppy trail from Spa Gardens, where the war memorial is located, to the cathedral and it has grown from there.”
The display outside Ripon Cathedral.
Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, added:
“We started off with no funding and put out an appeal on Facebook asking if people could help us by knitting poppies and the response was phenomenal.
“As well as getting strong support from the local community, Hazel started receiving deliveries of poppies made by people living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Malta and other countries.”
The community poppy project continues to thrive, with knitters – both female and male – in the city and further afield providing their assistance.
At its core is the Knit and Natter group that meets between 9.30am and 11am each Monday morning in the Sun Pavilion Cafe in Spa Gardens.
Ms Barker said:
“They are knitting all year round and as well as making the poppies, they are producing decorative items for other events, such as next year’s celebration of the queen’s platinum jubilee.”
One of the specially produced banners attached to railings in the city centre
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and the messages ‘RBL 100’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ have been included on poppy wreaths.
The legion’s Ripon branch and the community poppy project, will benefit from the proceeds of a fundraising concert of remembrance being held at Ripon Cathedral on the evening of November 11. Tickets costing £15 are available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate.
A centrepiece of the event, which will include performances from Ripon City Band and the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be a replay of a video first shown in November 2018, when it was projected onto the front of the cathedral.
Cllr Martin said:
“It was produced, with the support of sponsors, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and is both spectacular and moving. This time, we will be showing it inside the cathedral.”
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