Ripon’s Old Deanery hotel to reopen under new occupiers
Ripon’s Old Deanery Hotel is to reopen with a focus on wedding receptions and events.
The historic property, which neighbours and is owned by Ripon Cathedral, closed in March after months of lockdown due to covid.
Now it is being prepared for reopening by new occupiers Layton Hill Hotels Ltd, which operates the Galtres Lodge Hotel close to York Minster in the city’s Low Petergate.
The company was formed in May 2018 by Christopher Layton and Rebecca Hill.
In a social media post announcing their plans for the iconic Grade II listed building, Ms Hill said:
“We’re going to run it as wedding/events venue.
“It has 11 bedrooms, a huge lawn and loads of public rooms – restaurant, function rooms, reception rooms etc.
“Seems we like cathedral cities and the Old Deanery is opposite the beautiful Ripon Cathedral.”
Having obtained the keys for the property, the two Layton Hill directors are organising a deep clean in readiness for an opening date that will be announced later.
Refurbishment work in progress at the Spa Hotel
Across Ripon, refurbishment work has begun at the Spa Hotel, which was purchased in June by The Inn Collection Group.
Headquartered in Northumberland, the group now owns four sites in Yorkshire in a portfolio of 24 locations across the north of England.
The company says that the Spa Hotel:
“Will remain closed while a major but sympathetic refurbishment is carried out to enhance and repurpose the venue and bring it in line with The Inn Collection Group’s award-winning ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand.”
Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group, said:
“The Ripon Spa is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of properties. It has huge potential which we have an exciting vision to realise. We’re looking forward to starting that journey while expanding the group’s footprint in Yorkshire.
“The Inn Collection Group excels at revitalising classic, landmark sites like The Ripon Spa and realising their full potential with significant capital spend, detailed planning and care to retain the unique, historic character of landmark sites such as this.”
In a third boost to the city’s economy, café-bar-restaurant operator The Loungers Group has confirmed that its Claro Lounge, currently being fitted out on Market Square South, will open on September 15.
Display focuses on Ripon’s Spa Quarter regeneration
An exhibition organised by Ripon Civic Society (RCS) emphasises the importance of the Spa Quarter to the city’s heritage and future regeneration.
The outdoor display panels at Spa Baths, the adjacent gardens, Spa Park and close to the Spa Hotel, will remain in place for the rest of the summer.
Richard Taylor, vice-chair of RCS, told the Stray Ferret that the panels are:
“Designed to spark interest in this important area of Ripon at a time of change in store for the Spa Baths and Spa Hotel.”
The baths , a Grade II listed building, were put up for sale by Harrogate Borough Council in February and are being marketed by property agents Sanderson Weatherall.
In June, after being closed for 16 months since the first covid lockdown, the 40-bedroom Spa Hotel was sold by the Hutchinson family to The Inn Collection Group, which has plans to refurbish and reopen.
At the time of its royal opening in 1905, the ornate spa building, was launched as a health resort.
However, its attempt to rival Harrogate’s famous spa facilities, did not materialise and it was converted to a public swimming pool in 1936.
With Ripon’s new £10million plus pool and refurbished leisure centre, scheduled by HBC to open within three months, the future use of the Edwardian Spa building remains in doubt.
At the time that Sanderson Weatherall’s sale boards went up, RCS pointed out that the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan identified the baths as ‘an important and accessible location for Ripon’s NHS facilities.’
The Stray Ferret understands that the NHS has no interest in the site. Ripon City Council has subsequently applied to HBC to have the spa building designated as an asset of community value.
The final panel in the display, raises the question ‘what does the future hold?’
The sixth panel in the society’s Spa Quarter sequence, says:
“As the baths site is nationally recognised as a listed building, the expectation is that it will remain.
“But what use or uses would be best for it?”
WATCH: Elusive otter filmed on Ripon riverbank
Amid tales from the river bank of otters spotted at play in Ripon, the Stray Ferret wanted to see one for itself.
But day after day of dawn and dusk patrols up and down the Skell and neighbouring canal, proved fruitless.
Social media posts told of sightings at Alma Weir, near the Water Rat gastro pub, where diners had witnessed the elusive creatures searching out their own fish of the day.
Riverside regular Pippa Hicks told of a family group that passed by – but unfortunately the keen nature photographer didn’t have her smart phone handy to capture the moment. It was gone in a flash, with a splash.
Dog walkers, runners, people on morning and evening exercise – all had their otter spotter experiences to share.
Then came a chance morning meeting with John Heselton – a man used to rising early himself, as a former postman in Ripon.
Now retired, after 20 years of door to door service in the city, he takes 18-month-old border collie Ruby for daily walks by the river.
The question to him: ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen any otters along here?’
Not only had he seen one, several in fact, but he had photos and videos taken just days ago.
Nature-lover and otter spotter John Heselton with his border collie Ruby
Mr Heselton is an animal lover, beekeeper and a photographer. He was also a font of knowledge.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“My wife Maggie and I have lived in Ripon for 40 years and we had never seen one for ourselves until very recently.
“Then, because I am known locally for my nature photography, a young lady knocked on my door one afternoon and told me there was an otter swimming around in the nearby Skell.
“I was quickly off with smartphone at the ready.”
Mr Heselton, added:
“The sight was magnificent and I felt totally elated. There he was, a dog otter diving and re-emerging from the water and even tucking into a fish!”
The refugee resettlement groups welcome news that the UK is committed to resettle up to 20,000 men, women and children.
However, they want to ensure that the selection criteria is not limited exclusively to those associated with Western organisations – including the military and diplomatic missions.
The groups believe the programme should also be open to women and ethnic minorities who have already been targeted by the Taliban.
They are also concerned about the possible impact on the current resettlement programme for refugees from war-torn Syria, that has been in place since 2016.
The tranquility of Nidderdale – a far cry from the troubles that the Afghan people are facing
Nicola David, chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret:
“We are concerned that the government’s new Afghan programme will probably slam the doors on further Syrian resettlement.”
Ripon City of Sanctuary, has been fundraising since April, anticipating that it would be bringing another Syrian family to the city.
It has raised 85 per cent of the money needed and a has a house in prospective.
Ms. David, pointed out:
“We have been trying to build a little Syrian community here.”
“Some Afghan interpreter families are currently being assisted to resettle in the UK, and a very small number arrived in the Harrogate district last week.”
In June, the Stray Ferret reported that Harrogate Borough Council was set to provide homes for four of the families.
With homes already found for some in the Harrogate and Ripon areas, NCW hopes to provide similar support for a family in the Dales by Christmas.
Peter Wright, who heads the Nidderdale group, said:
“The first refugees from Afghanistan are starting to arrive in the area. Maybe we will get a family in Nidderdale, we don’t know at this point, but we should all do as much as possible to support those fleeing for their lives.”
Ripon to host another weekend of free family entertainment
As the school summer holidays draw to a close, families can look forward to another free weekend of entertainment on Ripon Market Square.
The August Bank Holiday weekend, will see the return of fairground rounds for young children and a climbing wall for those a little older.
The event-staged by Ripon City Council on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August, follows the Yorkshire Day weekend, that brought hundreds of people to the city centre.
The fairground rides and the climbing wall will be in place from 2pm until 8pm on the Saturday and 10am until 4pm on the Sunday.
All the fun of the fairground – for free
Following the same pattern as the Yorkshire Day Weekend, there will be musical entertainment from 7pm on Bank Holiday Saturday.
This will feature three tribute acts, singing a selection of chart-topping hits from the best-known boy bands, Paloma Faith and ABBA.
On Bank Holiday Sunday, in addition to the fairground rides, Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market.
Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders.
In addition, to activities in the city centre, two temporary toilets have been installed by the city council for families visiting the Borrage Green Lane paddling pool.
These will remain in place until the end of the summer holidays.
City council continues to press for better Ripon bus service
City councillors will renew efforts this autumn to secure a bus service designed for Ripon’s residential roads and streets.
The city is well-served by Transdev’s 36 service, which provides regular buses to and from Leeds, via Harrogate and last month an uber-style service linking Ripon, Bedale and Masham, was launched as a pilot.
However, in-city bus services in Ripon have been patchy for many years.
Council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“With the Section 106 monies from the Bishops Glade residential development and St Michael’s Retail Park, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) as the integrated transport authority, has the financial means to fund a properly joined up city-wide bus service for Ripon.
“In addition to the contributions that developers are required to make towards the provision of bus services, the city council has funds ready to put into the pot.”
Cllr Williams pointed out:
“With a growing population, bringing increased traffic and more pressure on Ripon’s road network, it makes sense to encourage greater use of public transport for visiting the city centre, getting to work, school and for other travel needs.”
Section 106 monies from the developer of the Bishops Glade scheme could be used to improve city-wide bus services in Ripon
Harron Homes, which is building 145 dwellings at the Bishops Glade development in the Doublegates area of Ripon, is making payments totalling £500,000 over three years, towards the cost of providing a regular Monday to Saturday bus service between the development and the city centre.
At Rotary Way, where the St Michael’s Retail Park is home to a Marks & Spencer Food store, developer Commercial Projects Ltd, is required to make a Section 106 payment of £475,000 towards the cost of a local bus service.
This is designed to provide a public transport means for customers to visit the edge-of-city scheme, where Lidl also has plans to open a supermarket.
Elected members have been seeking improved public transport provision for some time and Cllr Peter Horton, who chairs the city council transport group, said earlier this year:
“We will liaise with North Yorkshire County Council to discuss how the sources of funding can be drawn together.
“As a growing city, it makes sense to have a robust and regular bus service that reduces the need for cars to come into the centre, where parking is at a premium, while also providing a means for non-drivers to come into town.
“There are environmental benefits as well, as fewer car journeys into Ripon city centre will reduce the emissions that cause global warming.”
Discussions with NYCC have been delayed by the covid lockdowns, but the city council will seek meetings at county hall in the autumn, in the hope that the tendering process for a new, comprehensive inner Ripon service, can be held at the earliest opportunity.
Still no TV or radio services for district residents after transmitter fire
Thousands of homes across the north of the Harrogate district remain without TV or radio freeview services, a week after a major fire at a transmitter mast.
The blackout was caused by the fire last Tuesday that put the 315-metre Bilsdale transmitter out of action.
The loss of the transmitter is affecting parts of Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Kirkby Malzeard, Knaresborough, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Ripon and other locations that rely on a signal that serves the Tyne Tees region.
An update issued on Friday by Arqiva, owners of the transmitter, estimated that the repair work will take up to 14 days.
As viewers and listeners ask questions about when they can tune in once more to freeview on TV and radio, one resident has contacted Julian Smith MP requesting that the government look at the bigger picture, in relation to critical infrastructure that serves millions of people.
Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.
James Thornborough, who lives in Sharow and whose work saw him specialise in disaster planning, recovery and business continuity, told the Stray Ferret:
“I emailed Mr Smith to raise wider concerns about the potential ramifications of the loss of the service from the mast.
“There is clearly a need to have robust contingency plans in place that anticipate the potential for this kind of occurrence at the Bilsdale transmitter and how to resolve it. ..
In my email to Mr Smith, I said – I am sure you will concede that a TV service being lost to one million viewers qualifies as the loss of a critical national infrastructure service, not least because it deprives the broadcasting companies of the ability to share public safety communications (breaking safety news) by TV or Radio to the design scope audience.”
In an email response, Mr Smith said:
“I note the concerns you have raised in this respect, and have sent a copy of your email together with an email of my own, to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, to pass your points on to him.
“I will write to you again as soon as a reply is received.”
In its statement on Friday, Arqiva, provided an update on on-going reinstatement works at the existing site and efforts to bring a television signal back to thousands of properties.
It said:
“We have had some success during phase 1 of our recovery plan using the Eston Nab site to restore services for some areas.
“Eston Nab is unfortunately unable to reach all the areas served by the larger Bilsdale mast, as broadcast signals rely on line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver (your rooftop aerial).
“This is the reason why masts such as the one at Bilsdale need to be so tall, and why they are located where they are – to reach as many homes as possible.”
For many avid TV watchers and radio listeners, a two-week wait is too long and they are looking for other means of tuning in to their favourite programmes.
This can range from re-setting digital TV boxes, to calling in professionals to have their aerials turned to pick up the signal from the Emley Moor Transmitter, which serves the Yorkshire television area.
People can also tune in via the BBC iPlayer.
New arrivals boost Ripon’s high street
Ripon’s high street is bouncing back, as the city emerges from 18 months of covid lockdowns.
Independent retailers, regional and national chains, are taking over voids in readiness for the Christmas period.
The former Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home stores on Market Place East Kirkgate are being prepared for new occupiers.
Both long-established brands closed in October, as owners Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group went into liquidation amid trading conditions that it described as a ‘brutal environment.’
The Kirkgate premises will be home to the family-run business Clayton’s Carpets, Home and Gifts, which also has a shop in Pateley Bridge High Street.
Mountain Warehouse is relocating to a unit previously occupied by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Mountain Warehouse, which currently has a small shop in Fishergate, is making the short move across Market Square.
Its relocation to larger premises is due to be completed within the next four weeks.
An autumn opening has been scheduled by Loungers Limited – the national café-bar chain – for its Claro Lounge on Market Place South.
Located next door to Ripon Town Hall, the building, which was formerly a Natwest bank branch, has been vacant since 2018.
The Claro Lounge is due to open this autumn
An autumn opening is also planned in The Arcade by Yorkshire Cancer Research in the 4,000 sq ft unit formerly occupied by a Fultons Foods store, which closed in February.
Along with new entrant The Real Junk Food Project, which redistributes surplus food, The Arcade will be home to four of Ripon’s 12 charity outlets.
Halls of Ripon which opened last month
The mall underwent a £100,000 refurbishment after Bradford-based property development and investment company Frank Marshall Estates acquired it in 2019 from the Westcourt Group.
The imminent arrival of new names in the city centre, follows the opening in July of Halls of Ripon in Fishergate – where more than 20 retailers and The Hive coffee shop are located.
Ripon races ready for biggest crowd of the season today
Ripon holds its most valuable race day of the season this afternoon, with the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap taking centre stage.
The six furlong sprint, with total prize money of £75,000, has attracted a highly-competitive field of 20 runners.
Jonathan Mullin, marketing manager for Ripon Races, told the Stray Ferret:
“There’s £150,000 in prize money on offer across the card, which also includes the Great St Wilfrid Silver Trophy and the Hornblower Conditions Stakes – races also sponsored by William Hill.
He added:
“They have been sponsoring the St Wilfrid for 28 years and that gives us the added prize money to attract the entry of some of the best sprinters from the UK’s top stables.”
Advance sales bode well for a good-sized crowd.
Mr Mullin pointed out:
“Tickets for the club, paddock and course enclosures have gone well.”
Last year, with a covid lockdown in place, the feature race and all others on the card were run in front of empty stands.
With the easing of social distancing restrictions, racegoers have been steadily returning to Yorkshire’s ‘garden racecourse.’
The maximum attendance was 4,000 for Ripon’s meetings from late May, but since 19 July larger numbers have been able to attend.
In 2020 the big race was won by Staxton, trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by Duran Fentiman.
The shrewd North Yorkshire trainer, who is having a highly-successful season, has won the St Wilfrid on three occasions.
This year he has six runners, with Music Society, Lampang, Boardman, Golden Apollo and Manigordo, lining up alongside Staxton, in a bid to make it a fourth win for the Great Habton stable.
As well as the action on the course, attendees will be entertained by the Ripon City Band.
Racing fans who are unable to attend, will be able to watch the Great St Wilfrid and Silver Trophy races on ITV.
Ripon’s racing history
Meetings have been held at the Boroughbridge Road racecourse since August 1900 and the city has a rich horseracing heritage.
The first recorded races were held on nearby Bondgate Green in 1664 and over the next 236 years other venues hosted meetings.
In 1723, history was made when the first-ever race exclusively for lady riders was held in Ripon.
Ripon Men’s Shed opens door to new friendships
Ripon Men’s Shed opened its doors this week, bringing an enormous collaborative effort to fruition.
Following a June 2019 meeting at Community House in Allhallowgate to gauge interest in the project, the charity’s trustees – Andrew Makey, Caroline Bentham, Ed Moore and Tony Johnson – made great strides, in spite of the intervening limitations brought by covid.
The Men’s Shed movement, which addresses issues of loneliness and social isolation, has a specific focus on the older male population, but women are welcome too.
Getting to know the drill – Catherine Limbert joins in woodworking activities with fellow members
There are also Sheds in Harrogate, Starbeck and Pateley Bridge, offering weekly activities ranging from joinery to the restoration of bicycles.
Mr Makey, who is responsible for publicity for Ripon Men’s Shed, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our initial focus is on woodworking, but there are opportunities to look at other areas as well, such as computers.
“The activities, which the members will decide upon themselves, provide a focus and we hope that through their attendance, they will get to know each other and enjoy the social interaction.”
For John Hayson, a retired master plumber living in Boroughbridge, the Men’s Shed will be something to look forward to.
He said:
“I’ve been in hospital recently and after I was discharged, I was bedridden for a few weeks.
“That left me feeling hopeless, particularly as I have a disabled wife that I am caring for.
“I heard about the men’s shed and thought that attending it would be a way of rebuilding my confidence and making friends, by being with like-minded people for a few hours a week, while my wife is looked after by some lovely neighbours we have.”
Catherine Limbert is currently the only female member, but is not phased by being in an all-male environment.
Catherine Limbert — looking forward to learning new skills and making friends at the Men’s Shed
The NHS nurse said:
“I’m happy to speak with anybody and to learn from the expertise they have in areas that I’ve never tried before, such as using an electric drill.
“I have a couple of free days a week and this is a great way of getting out of the house, learning DIY skills and meeting new people.”
While the social aspect of the shed is good for members, it is also beneficial for the people involved in delivering the sessions.
The Ripon Men’s Shed premises, to the rear of the New Life Church in Water Skellgate
Barry Sutton, who was formerly secretary of Selkirk Community Shed, has brought the knowledge he gained in Scotland back to his native country.
The retired forester and now community volunteer, said:
“I believe it’s important for people to stay as active as possible, use their skills and have a sense of purpose.
“Being involved in an organisation like this is a win-win situation for all involved.”
With a chair lift provided from monies secured by Ripon’s North Yorkshire county councillors Stuart Martin and Mike Chambers, the Tuesday sessions between 10am and 4pm are being made as accessible as possible.
Anybody wishing to become a member, or get involved in other ways, such as making a donation or providing practical assistance with provision of tools that can be used in woodworking sessions, can find out more on the Ripon Men’s Shed Facebook page.
