The Mayor of Ripon is heading for the history books after being asked to stay in office until May.

Councillor Eamon Parkin, who became mayor in 2019, will be the first person to hold the title in the city for three consecutive years.

His term has been extended due to covid, which forced the cancellation of many of the civic events that normally take place in a mayoral year, including the fundraising mayor’s ball.

However, in its place,  he and his consort Nigel Guy will host a hog roast and afternoon of entertainment on September 4 at the Magdalens pub that they own and run.

Tickets are available from the pub and proceeds will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.

The Mayor’s hog roast will raise money for Ripon Vision Support and the city’s Christmas Lights Appeal.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I planned the fundraiser as the finale to my term, but then my city council colleagues asked me to stay on, giving me more time to raise money for both causes.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be mayor of this wonderful place.

“With its unique character, rich heritage and community-minded approach, Ripon has weathered storms for more than 1,300 years — the latest being the coronavirus crisis.”

Ripon’s resilience

Like other small businesses in the city, The Magdalens suffered the financial effects of lockdown, social distancing requirements and limitations on the number of customers able to visit.

But the hardship faced by the pub and so many other traders brought a collective response that underlined Ripon’s resilience.

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Cllr Parkin said:

“During our enforced closure, Nigel and I decided to turn the pub into a community hub, where neighbours could call for help, or drop off donated goods and other items for delivery to people in self-isolation.

“But we were not the only ones providing this kind of support and it was replicated by individuals, groups and organisations, all spontaneously rallying to assist others in need.”

With the easing of lockdown seeing the city return to a more normal way of life, Cllr Parkin can look back on highlights that emerged in the darkest hours of the pandemic.

Among them, is his long-held desire to see the extension of area covered by Ripon’s Christmas lights, adding to the city’s festive attraction for residents and driving greater footfall to benefit local businesses.

The decision to extend Cllr Parkin’s term in office until May will ensure that the person selected to be the city’s first citizen next year will be able to look forward to a term in office back in sync with the normal civic calendar.

The not-for-profit group Ripon Together has organised a mass walk called the Yorkshire Pilgrimage from the the city’s cathedral to Fountains Abbey next month.

Like the Boxing Day pilgrimage between the iconic religious sites, which has been staged for 45 years, walkers will trace the steps of the 13 Benedictine monks who, in 1132 AD, were the original founders of the abbey.

The pilgrimage, which takes place on 4 September, is part of Walkshire series of walks organised this year by the tourism organisation Welcome to Yorkshire, which encourages people to discover the county’s great outdoors.

It is also part of  Ripon Together’s Healthy Journeying campaign to encourage people to walk in the Yorkshire countryside, following the lifting of covid restrictions.

The Ripon Together Yorkshire Pilgrimage will depart from the cathedral at 12.30pm on September 4.

The walk will be led by Canon Barry Pyke, of the cathedral, and will take approximately an hour at a leisurely pace.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson, said:

“Ripon Together has been promoting walking and cycling for a couple of years now.  This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Ripon and across the region to walk together from the oldest cathedral in the country to Fountains Abbey, one of Yorkshire’s World Heritage Sites.

“Ripon Together is devoted to improving the wellbeing of people in Ripon and the area. I am delighted that people are uniting to encourage healthy journeying and urge people from across the area to join us in the pilgrimage.”  Further walks and cycle routes can be found at https://www.ripontogether.com/healthy-journeying/.”

Book in advance

Justin Scully, general manager at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal said:

“The past 18 months have been tumultuous to say the least, so we’re delighted that the long-running tradition of a pilgrimage between Ripon Cathedral and Fountains Abbey is taking place in September.

“We know that the pilgrimage, which normally takes place on Boxing Day, is much loved by our community and we were so disappointed that we couldn’t run the event in 2020.”

The Yorkshire Pilgrimage is free to take part in, but to ensure a safe journey Ripon Together needs to know the numbers attending in advance.

Tickets for the event are available through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pilgrimage-from-ripon-cathedral-to-fountains-abbey-tickets-158397195275.

For those who cannot access that link, paper numbered tickets are available from Ripon Cathedral and Fountains Abbey visitor centre.

There are three food outlets at Fountains Abbey.  Cakes and liquid refreshments will also be available on the Abbey Green.

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Music will be provided at the abbey by Ripon City Band, which is one of the country’s leading brass bands.

They will perform two sessions, including Yorkshire pieces, finishing at about 3.30pm.

Philip Allott, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, has announced a £1,162,000 upgrade for the building shared by Ripon’s police and fire officers since 2018.

The spending will improve facilities deemed ‘no longer fit for purpose’ at the Stonebridgegate site.

Following a fact-finding visit to the city in June, Mr Allott (pictured below) said he would give police officers the resources they needed to tackle crime.

A statement, which has now been issued by his office, said plans for refurbishment had stalled due to ‘site complications’.

It added:

“This has now come to a head and the current accommodation is no longer fit for purpose for either service.”

Under the county’s previous crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, the city’s former police station on North Street was sold to a private developer.

In 2014, a conditional agreement for the disposal was signed and North Yorkshire Police pledged to provide new ‘fit for purpose’ premises within 18 months.

But this did not materialise and in February 2018 the Ripon policing team moved to the fire station.

This subsequently raised concerns among city councillors and members of the public about the ability of the police, with its limited resources and cramped accommodation, to handle a spike in anti-social behaviour, vandalism and other crime.

The statement issued by Mr Allott’s office added:

“An options assessment has been conducted to develop a suitable solution in conjunction with key stakeholders across the two services.

“A modular build on the current site to provide accommodation, with continued use of the appliance bays and tower, has been determined as the most suitable option which delivers a good medium-term solution in a reasonable timescale, and which provides the best value for money to the public purse.”

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This year has seen a lively debate about the merits of leaving grass to grow in public areas such as the Stray, cemeteries or on roadside verges to benefit bio-diversity.

For three decades, Simon Warwick, director and trustee of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, has been involved in a programme of activity focused on the churchyard at St John’s Church in the village of Sharow, where he lives.

The long grass close to some graves is part of a planned re-naturalising regime.

Mr Warwick, who has been honoured with an MBE in recognition of his lifelong work as a conservationist, told the Stray Ferret how re-naturalising is different from re-wilding:

“Today’s landscape is very different from the one our ancestors would have known .

“It is now largely a ‘tidy’ and ‘ordered’ landscape, of arable monoculture and species-poor grass in which wildlife, in many cases, struggles to thrive

Graves among the grass – some long, some short, is part of a planned and managed programme of re-naturalising

“Much of our native wildlife is adapted to a richer mosaic of habitat; a tapestry, a varied environment.

In the case of species-rich grassland, this is often a result of active management, reflecting traditional farming methods.

“In the case of the churchyard at St John’s, Sharow, the management follows that of a traditional hay meadow.

“We will cut the area on the summer meadow until early April, then let it grow, flower and largely set seed; only cutting it for hay in mid-July.

“Essentially it is allowed its ‘head’ for about 14 weeks of the year and after that mown short, with all the cuttings removed (essential to lower nutrient levels); this practice follows the tradition of early spring grazing, a hay cut and an ‘aftermath’ graze.”

“The end result is spectacular, with a carpet of wildflowers in May and June. Mr Warwick said it is always a little painful to cut it for hay, when it is alive with butterflies, bees and beautiful burnet moths.

“However, despite what seems like a damaging act, the cut and remove process is central to maintaining a species-rich are”So why is long grass often species-poor?

“The simple answer is that many species of wildflowers and grasses are easily shaded out, dead vegetation increases fertility, which in turn encourages rank species to grow.

“Sharow churchyard is special, the principle reason being that when the land was consecrated in the 1800s, it was almost certainly an established hay meadow.

“Irregular cutting and perhaps grazing by the Dean’s sheep will have maintained many of the old meadow species.  Having managed the churchyard in a traditional manner now for 30 years, it has duly been recognised for its importance on a county and national level.

“Whilst the summer meadow is in many ways the gem of the churchyard, the spring meadow is managed similarly but left to flower from early-March to the cut in late June, followed by regular mowing.  Spring is a riot of wild daffodils, bluebells, violets and wood anemones.

“Other areas, accommodating more modern graves, are cut perhaps every week to six weeks; other bits only once a year, or even longer.

“So, you may ask ‘which way is the right way?’   and the answer is that they sort of all are!

“We have lost the connection with the traditional mosaic of our natural and managed landscape; no real surprise that we have lost so much of our native wildlife.  We need to re-welcome a tapestry back into our landscape and be less ‘tidy.!”

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A Sharow resident has called for mains water leaks to be treated as an emergency.

James Thornborough, who is an international expert on oil spills on land and at sea, has turned his attention to water and raised concerns with Ripon MP Julian Smith.  The issue has now been escalated to the Cabinet Office at Westminster.

In the wake of a burst main in Sharow Lane, which was first reported to Yorkshire Water on the morning of Friday, July 30, and finally fixed on Wednesday afternoon (August 4) he told the Stray Ferret:

“When dealing with burst mains, I strongly believe that there is a need for water companies to act with urgency like the blue light services.”

Sharow Lane – a patchwork of repairs

Based on the number of homes in Sharow, Mr Thornborough estimates that 2,160,000 litres of water was lost over the five days before the main was repaired.

That’s almost the same volume needed to fill the Olympic swimming pool in Tokyo.

Mr Thornborough pointed out:

“Sharow has suffered significant mains water leaks over the last year. No sooner is one fixed when another manifests itself.

Flooded by water from a burst main. Picture: James Thornborough

“In view of the large amount of a precious resource that goes down the drains before problems are fixed, there is a need to have a robust emergency contingency and action plan in place, rather than treating the repair of mains as a project to be fixed as part of a day-time work schedule.”

In response to Mr Thornborough’s calls, 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 Cabinet Office, to pass your points on to the minister concerned about your request, that they conduct a process review of the utility services to establish if they operate distinct emergency services as compared with project-based work hours repairs.”

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Mr Smith, added:

“As you will no doubt appreciate, the minister will not be able to reply about individual cases such as that in Sharow, but about the general point you make.

” I will write to you again as soon as a reply is received.”

The people of Pateley Bridge and Bewerley have been recognised for their selfless contribution to the community during the covid pandemic.

Plaques have been unveiled within both of the parishes that make up the town council serving the area.

The unveilings were carried out by the Mayor and Mayoress of Pateley Bridge, Cllr Mike and Dr Janet Holt and the chair of Bewerley Parish Council, Cllr Graham Spooner.

The wording on the plaques says that each council: ‘Acknowledges and thanks the volunteers, shopkeepers and parishioners who have all contributed so much to the town during the covid-19 pandemic.’

Cllr Holt said

“This has been a great opportunity to make people aware that our town is governed by two councils, and how those councils work together for the benefit of the whole community, the local businesses and of course our all-important visitors.

The Pateley Bridge plaque. Photo: Cllr Stanley Lumley

He added:

“We are privileged to live in this amazing area and although everybody in this country has, to a greater or lesser extent, been affected by covid we have been incredibly lucky.

“We have an amazing community which, over these last 18 months has pulled together to help their neighbours, relatives and friends to cope with the personal issues that have occurred during this time.

“Both councils appreciate how our community has worked selflessly to help during this crisis and the plaques will act as a long-standing reminder of both councils’ gratitude, and they will also hopefully remind everyone how monumentally life-changing this pandemic been.”

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The purchase and erection of the plaques came after Pateley Bridge Town Council was approached by many people recommending that individuals should be recognised for their efforts during the pandemic.

While it was not possible to recognise each individual, because of the large number involved in voluntary activities and service that helped others, it was agreed that the plaques would be a poignant way of marking the collective community effort.

Film enthusiasts in Ripon remain in the dark about the future of the city’s Curzon cinema after the company released contradictory statements about its plans for the North Street site.

The cinema chain has said it gave ‘misleading information’ to the Stray Ferret when we got in touch in May about its reopening plans.

As the government moved towards the easing of covid lockdown restrictions, the company said in a statement on May 18:

“Curzon Ripon is planning on reopening June 4, 2021.”

Not coming soon… advertising for one of the films that was due to be shown at Curzon Ripon before it closed in March last year.

However, less than 24 hours later, on 19 May, it said:

“Unfortunately, due to Curzon Ripon’s venue being so small, with only 20 seats, they are unable to open safely at present with the government guidelines for social distancing.

“As soon as they can safely reopen there will be updates on the website.

“We apologise for the disappointment this may cause but we want to be able to reopen safely whilst following guidelines.”

Now, after a Curzon customer raised fresh concerns about reopening with the Stray Ferret, the London-headquartered company said this week it would like to ‘apologise for the misleading information’ given and for ‘the delayed reopening of our Ripon venue’.

But the question marks over its reopening remain.

The company said in a statement:

“As soon as we open the venue it will be shown on our website.

“We haven’t lifted our covid restrictions in any of our venues, due to this we can’t re-open Ripon until we lift our social distancing measures.”

Ripon not on Curzon website

The two-screen Ripon cinema, which opened in November 2013, is not currently featured on the company’s website, where 13 venues are listed.

Seven of the Curzon cinemas are in London, while in the north the company has locations in Sheffield and Knutsford, both of which have three screens.

Annual memberships range in price from £65 for a package that provides five credits for tickets or home cinema streams, to Curzon Cult + costing £850 per annum for 10 weekly credits.

A film lover, who was bought the basic £65 package in March 2020 as a birthday gift and asked to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret:

“More than a year after I received the gift from my family, I contacted Curzon’s national number in May to ask when I could watch films in Ripon again.

“I was advised go to the cinema on June 4 and it would all be sorted out.

“Then I saw the story on the Stray Ferret saying that the cinema would not be opening on 4 June.

“I was annoyed and rang Curzon to ask why they had given out wrong information, but gave up after being on the phone for more than an hour listening to a repeat message saying that they were dealing with a high volume of calls.

“This is a very unsatisfactory situation and Curzon is doing itself no favours by treating its customers like this.”

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In its statement on Tuesday, Curzon said:

“For our Ripon members who brought an annual membership there will be a full extension for the time they missed out on their membership due to us closing our venues.

“If anyone missed out on a screening due to our venue closure, we do offer a full refund for this, if they could contact us with a booking reference.”

A summer programme of exhibitions and activities has been launched by Ripon’s museums.

The Workhouse Museum on Allhallowgate is one of three heritage attractions operated by Ripon Museum Trust.

On Saturday August 14, from 11am to 2pm, it will be the venue for Hazel Waite’s counted threads workshop.

Using motifs from features of the workhouse building, participants will be able to create a stitched sample, which could be used as a small picture, bookmark or greetings card.

For more details see the Ripon Museums website.

The Lives Unravelled exhibition is on display at the Workhouse Museum until Sunday 5 September.

Featuring five textile installations, located throughout the museum, the exhibition was inspired by the lives of women who lived and worked in Ripon’s former union workhouse.

Based on their research into the workhouse, textiles group 6-Ply has created crafted and unique textile pieces, which reflect the real experiences and imagined emotions of impoverished women.

Children will be able to explore the newly-created den in the Workhouse Museum garden

Over the school summer holidays, family-focused activities will be staged from Tuesday to Friday each week.

On Friday and from August 10 to 13, the theme is Make Your Mark.

Visitors can join in with the creation of a giant wall hanging depicting feelings and life during lockdown, as well as following a museum trail.

This includes the opportunity to bake in the Workhouse Museum’s Victorian kitchen and have a go at Rag Rugging.

During the second half of the school holidays, the theme for activities will be garden camp.

From August 17 to 20, 24 to 27 & 30 and September 1 to 3 , visitors can explore the Workhouse Museum garden and make and decorate a recycled plant pot holder to take home.

The trust will also be offering a museum trail, plus bird and bird call identification activities and a bird search game.

Children will also be able to play in a new garden den, with family activities included in the cost of museum entry.

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During the summer, the Prison and Police Museum is offering a creative walk through the criminal justice system with the My Path exhibition.

It showcases artworks from across Yorkshire, which were submitted to the 2020 Koestler Awards for arts in the criminal justice system.

Every work shown was made by someone in a prison, secure hospital, young offender institution or on probation. The exhibition runs until September 26.

Entrance to the exhibition is included in the cost of museum entry.

The Lady Chapel, with its Pugin-designed reredos

For Canon Ian Smith, it’s a welcome return, following a life in lockdown for the parish, though he told the Stray Ferret:

“Our need to use the community centre had a good effect in bringing people closer together and helping them to get to know each other better.

“However, it is lovely to be back and see the church returned to its former glory.”

Fr Smith pointed out:

“The work was made possible thanks to Barrie Price and his fundraising committee, while I also say a thankyou to principal contractor Willoughby’s  who have done a great job.”

The reopening of St Wilfrid’s was originally planned for Easter, but had to be re-scheduled because of a hold-up in the supply of specialised glass to replace windows in the church tower.

Let there be even more light – the new windows in the tower have increased the amount of natural daylight that floods into the church

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St. Wilfrid’s, which opened in 1862, is recognised as one of finest parish churches in England.

In 1909, fittings from the private chapel at nearby Studley Royal, were transferred to St Wilfrid’s following the death of  George Frederick Robinson the Marquess of Ripon — the city’s first Catholic mayor since the Reformation and a former Viceroy of India.

A Pugin masterpiece – the reredos screen which provides a stunning backdrop to the high altar

The marquess, who converted to Catholicism, had previously created the Lady Chapel within the church.

The restoration follows years of fundraising by parishioners and awards from trusts, boosted by a £75,000 grant from Historic England.The grant from Historic England will  eventually enable construction of a south porch extension, including toilets, which will come as part of phase two of the restoration programme.

 

There was a kiss that crossed the world as Ripon’s diving hero Jack Laugher added to his Olympic medal haul with bronze in the men’s individual three-metre springboard event.

TV viewers this morning could hear him saying ‘love you Mum, love you Dad’  as he blew a kiss to his parents Jackie and Dave in Littlethorpe.

Mrs Laugher told the Stray Ferret:

“It was very emotional hearing that and he also Facetimed us immediately after the event.”

She added:

“The turnaround from last week’s disappointment in the synchronised competition was incredible.

“He let his diving do the talking this morning and it was neck and neck for the silver medal until his last dive.”

Jack Laugher winning the bronze medal. Photo: British Swimming

Mrs Laugher added:

“Dave and I could not be prouder. He is a fine son and a very special and inspirational person.”

In a nail-biting finish at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre,  the medal placings were only decided in the sixth and final round.

With just two points between them after five dives, Laugher scored 87.75 while China’s Wang Zongyuan was awarded 102 points by the judges.

However XIE Siyi’s 102.6 saw him add Olympic Gold to his world championship title, with his countryman in silver and Laugher in the bronze medal position.

Laugher, a member of the City of Leeds Swimming club, has the distinction of being the only GB diver in history to win Olympic medals in the men’s individual competition, securing his name forever in the sporting record books.

He now has the full medal set with today’s bronze adding to the gold and silver he won five years ago at the Rio 2016 games.

Laugher, who was born and bred in Littlethorpe, has proved a sporting role model to students at his former schools, Cathedral Primary and Ripon Grammar and also supports Ripon City Netball Club, where his mother is a player.

Close family friend Helen Mackenzie, who is head coach at the club, said:

“Something very special about Jack is the fact that he has never forgotten his roots.

“He is a kind, generous and thoughtful young man, who has given back so much to the local community.”

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