Harrogate Borough Council’s impending demise following last week’s devolution decision has prompted Ripon councillors to secure the future of two city assets.

A ‘for sale’ sign remains in place outside Spa Baths, but city councillors at their July full meeting agreed to progress an application to nominate the Edwardian building for listing as an Asset of Community Value.

At the same time, they agreed to renew calls for Harrogate Borough Council to transfer the freehold of Hugh Ripley Hall — a building named in honour of Ripon’s last wakeman and first mayor.

Council leader Andrew Williams said:

“We have been told by Harrogate Borough Council that the freehold on the hall is not available and they have no plans to sell the building.

Ripon City Council wants to have full control of Hugh Ripley Hall.

“With our lease still having 30 years to run and changes coming about through devolution on the horizon, it would seem sensible for the city council to take over the freehold.

“Under the terms of the lease, we have responsibility for maintaining the building, but have to apply for permission from the landlord (Harrogate Borough Council) for any work we need to carry out on it.

“That’s just a complete waste of everybody’s time.”

Ripon’s Spa Baths reopened in May, after being closed for more than a year by the covid lockdown.

Weeks before the reopening, Harrogate Borough Council put the 116-year-old listed building up for sale, despite protests that it could lose its community use if bought by a private developer.

Groups including, Ripon Civic Society and Ripon Together have supported the city council’s call for the sale to be suspended, to allow more time for proposals to be brought forward.

With the call to put the sales process on hold rejected by Harrogate Borough Council, Ripon councillors are pursuing the asset of community value route.

If successful, it would secure the baths — a key element of the city’s spa quarter — for community purposes.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council previously said:

“We have no plans to withdraw the sale of Ripon Spa Baths.

“The building will soon become surplus to our requirements and we do not have the resources to maintain it.

“Selling the baths for redevelopment, subject to planning permission and listed building consents, would allow this local asset to be given a new lease of life, retain its key features and remain as a city landmark.

“Ripon City Council, or another interested party, is welcome to submit a bid.”

Read more:

• Will devolution affect HBC’s development and disposal plans?
• Report raises serious safety concerns about Ripon Leisure Centre

The spokesperson added that the building will no longer be needed when construction of Ripon’s new pool and refurbishment of the leisure centre is completed by November.

A Ripon councillor who voted in favour of the city’s new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment, is now supporting calls for an independent investigation into the scheme.

Sid Hawke was one of eight councillors on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee that approved an application two years ago for a new six-lane pool to be built alongside the existing leisure centre, which would be refurbished.

But following fresh concerns about sinkholes, Cllr Hawke, an independent who represents Ripon Ure Bank on Harrogate Borough Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“If I knew then, what I know now, I would have definitely voted against it.

“I’ve wanted a new swimming pool for Ripon for years, but the public interest must come first.

“I fully support an independent investigation looking into safety issues, so we can get them all sorted out.”

Also on the planning committee, which met on June 25, 2019, was Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader on Harrogate Borough Council, who was one of three councillors to abstain. Conservative councillor Nigel Simms voted against, because of misgivings about the suitability of the site two years ago.

Last week Cllr Marsh called for an independent investigation into the multi-million pound development at Camp Close, off Dallamires Lane.

Her comments followed safety concerns raised in a report by the multi-national consultancy Stantec, which were amplified by Dr Alan Thompson, a leading authority on the gypsum and sinkhole issues affecting all types of development in the Ripon area.

Cllr Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh’s call came in the wake of the Stray Ferret’s exclusive story about safety concerns that came to light after Stantec’s inspection of a cavity discovered close to the leisure centre entrance in September.

The cavity, in the area where the new pool is due to be attached to the existing leisure centre, is in close proximity to a sinkhole that opened up on the centre car park.

That sinkhole arose 16 months before the planning meeting where the new pool was voted through.

Cllr Marsh, said:

“I’m pleased that Cllr Hawke supports my call for an investigation and I hope that other Ripon councillors will follow suite.

“The people of Ripon deserve a new pool — but there have been long-term ground stability issues in this area, as I know from the time when the leisure centre was being built.

“With this in mind, I couldn’t vote for further development at Camp Close as I thought that other site options should have been considered.

“We will see what the investigation commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council says about the cavity and then press for an independent safety investigation.”

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said last week:

“The multi-million pound investment project at Ripon Leisure Centre shows our commitment to providing modern, fit-for-purpose leisure facilities for the people of Ripon.

“Given the well-known ground conditions in Ripon, we employed qualified and experienced geologists and geo-technic engineers to carry out necessary investigation works and advise on what would be required to provide this much needed facility.

“A total of 441 grouting sites received 3,043 tonnes of grout which, along with the casting of a reinforced concrete slab, provides the foundation for the new swimming pool building.

“The void which is underneath the existing leisure centre is understood to have been present a number of years. This was only discovered as a result of the work to prepare the new swimming pool site.

Read more:

• Portrait of Olympic hero Jack is inspiring Ripon students
• Ripon hornblowers  return to round of applause

“It is now being investigated and should any remedial work be required then it will be carried out.

“We are committed to providing this much-needed facility that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

With the Tokyo games now underway, a portrait of Olympic gold medallist diver Jack Laugher is providing inspiration to Ripon Grammar School students.

The former RGS pupil became an Olympic champion alongside partner Chris Mears at Rio 2016, when the duo made history in three-metre springboard synchronised diving.

Having become, with Mears, the first GB Olympic divers to win gold, he went on to take silver in the men’s individual three-metre springboard competition.

The painting by artist and RGS parent Fiona Scott, which features Jack holding his medals from Rio, now has pride of place at the school.

The school, along with sports fans across Great Britain, will be cheering him on as he competes in Tokyo.

An inspirational painting – artist Fiona Scott (right) with, from the left: RGS headmaster Jonathan Webb, Dan Brown and Eliza Polito

The synchronised event will be broadcast live on the BBC on Wednesday morning (7am UK time).

The individual event begins with the preliminary round at 7am UK time on August 2, with the semi-final and final respectively starting at 2am and 7am UK time, on 3 August.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb is thrilled to have the stunning oil painting of the Olympic gold medal winner hanging in school, particularly as it was installed just before the games. He said:

“Students and staff are all very excited and we’ll all be willing him on.”

Ms Scott, who arranged a sitting with Laugher at Leeds Aquatics Centre, said he was delighted to hear the painting was now on show at his old school.

Keen swimmer Darcy Harper was among the students who met the sporting hero when he returned to RGS to present prizes to pupils three years ago.

The 15-year-old, who has competed in national schools finals, said:

“I found it inspiring to hear his story and how far he’s come.”

Laugher, who left RGS in 2013, has also inspired Dan Brown, who has represented RGS in county swimming championships, athletics and tennis.

Read more:

• Meet the Littlethorpe women behind Jack’s success
• Olympic champion dives for Gold once more

The 14-year-old, who is aiming for a career in sport, said:

“He has shown how it’s possible to combine a professional sporting career while managing his schoolwork, which I really admire.”

Eliza Polito, a 14-year-old swimmer and runner, added:

“I think it’s so cool to know that Jack Laugher came to this school and has gone on to achieve so much.”

Artist Ms Scott’s daughter Lily Wainwright is a Year 10 boarding student, whose two older brothers also studied at RGS.

The Laugher painting was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters‘ annual exhibition in London in May last year before the exhibition was cancelled due to covid.

Ripon’s famous hornblower ceremony has taken on a new international angle.

When the 9pm ritual returned to Market Square for the first time in 16 months on Monday, Patricio Maglio was unveiled as a new member of the team.

Mr Maglio, who was born and bred in Argentina, told the Stray Ferret:

“When I saw there was a vacancy, I just had to apply.

“It’s an absolute honour to be part of this rich Ripon tradition, which is part of the history of this fantastic city.”

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, with the city’s hornblowers – from the left: Alison Clark, Richard Midgley, Wayne Cobbett and Patricio Maglio

Mr Maglio, who moved to the UK 13 years ago, works in the corporate team at Asda’s Leeds headquarters.

He and Ripon-born partner Rebecca live within earshot of the nightly blasts of horns that will now signal the nightly setting of the watch on the city’s ancient Market Square.

Covid social distancing requirements and lockdowns meant that the hornblowers had to perform behind closed doors for more than a year.

But, working on a rota basis, they did not miss a single night and maintained a tradition dating back to 886 AD.

The four hornblowers brought the 9pm ritual back to Market Square on Monday

After the newly-enlarged team played their part in the ceremony, they shared details of the history of hornblowing and their respective instruments, with a crowd of appreciative onlookers.

Read more:

• Halls of Ripon a hit with shoppers
• Olympics just days away for Ripon’s star diver

This included the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who said:

“We’ve now got a fab four and it’s great to have the hornblowers back and able to perform in public.

“As well as being a part of Ripon’s heritage, they play an important role in attracting visitors to the city.

“For citizens and visitors alike, the setting of the watch each night, should make us all feel a little safer.”

Clubs and organisations in Ripon are to provide a programme of free summer activities for the city’s children.

Community interest company Ripon Together has organised a wide range of events, starting on Saturday.

Summer of Play aims to get children out together again, trying new sports and activities.

It will also help local organisations encourage young people to join up.

A spokesperson for Ripon Together said.

“The children of the city have been especially brave and resilient over the last 18 months.

“They’ve seen huge upheaval with schools and their usual activities have been cancelled and adapted during the pandemic.

“Now, as the restrictions lift, amazing organisations across the city have joined in with the initiative. The result is a programme of free events giving kids of all school ages the opportunity to try sports or other activities over the summer.”

Hugh Ripley Hall is the venue for wheelchair bowls (Boccia) and yoga on Sunday

Events range from formal team sports such as cricket and football, through to karate and croquet, dance, yoga, mindfulness and orienteering, as well as nature hunts at Fountains Abbey.

First up on Saturday is a free taster session at Karate Dojo, the chance to have fun with the whole family at a free play day at Ripon Tennis Centre and an opportunity to get moving in a fun dance class hosted by Ripon Dance Studio.

On Sunday, fun with tennis and karate continues and children will also be able to try their hands at boccia and yoga at the Hugh Ripley Hall.

There are sessions for people with disabilities too, including wheelchair bowls.

Read more:

• Jobs on offer at cafe-bar that’s coming to Ripon
• Return of Ripon’s hornblowers

Karate coach Ady Gray, who was named UK’s Children’s Coach of the Year in 2018, said:

“It’s great to welcome our children and young people back into the social community of sport and recreation.

“This initiative will promote the great clubs and groups to all the local people of Ripon, offering benefits to fitness, health and mental wellbeing after what has been a hard year both physically and mentally for our children.”

Diane Hutchinson, from Ripon Tennis Centre, said:

“Health and fitness should be fun and tennis is a fantastic game that is not only fun to play but also offers great social opportunities also. We have classes to suit all levels of player so if you want to get involved we would love to see you!”

Activities have been arranged throughout July and August. The full programme can be viewed at www.ripontogether.com

A leading authority on Ripon’s long-standing gypsum and sinkhole problems has raised serious safety concerns about the site of Ripon’s new swimming pool and existing leisure centre.

The Stray Ferret has obtained a copy of a letter sent by geologist Dr Alan Thompson to Harrogate borough councillors in which he states issues around the stability of the ground of the existing leisure centre haven’t been taken seriously enough.

Dr Thompson, a director of Cuesta Consulting in Somerset, was the principal author of a definitive document in 1996 on land in Ripon where there is a risk of ground instability, which subsequently provided the basis for Harrogate Borough Council’s planning policy.

His intervention follows an inspection carried out by global consultancy firm Stantec into a “cavity” that appeared near the entrance to the existing leisure centre building in September 2020.

In a strongly-worded letter he claims that the council has not followed its own protocols.

“My stark conclusion is that, if the lessons to be learned from the Stantec report are not heeded, the council could be walking blindly into a major problem – not least in terms of public finances and political consequences but also, potentially, in terms of future public safety.”

In May, Michael Constantine, head of culture and sport and interim head of operations, answered questions on the safety of the development at the leisure centre site.

Dr Thompson claims cabinet members  were not made aware of the wider concerns about the site contained in the Stantec report:

He said:

“The purpose of this letter is to draw the Councillors’ attention to a number of key findings identified in that report, (that) clearly demonstrate the cavity in question is associated with ongoing subsidence activity relating to gypsum dissolution.

“The findings also reveal serious concerns about the extent of instability beneath other parts of the existing building and the inadequacy of the foundations that were used.

“Those concerns have clear implications for the new swimming pool development.”

What was said to cabinet members in May? 

At the cabinet meeting on May 26, Mr Constantine was asked by councillor and deputy leader Graham Swift if the project had followed protocols. Cllr Swift said:

“I think you are aware that there are residents out there who have written to members either under their amateur-guise of geology or potentially historic professional credentials for geology and have expressed some concerns about the work that is carrying out there.

“I just really wanted to take this opportunity to receive your assurances that although we are not necessarily in negotiations with the amateurs or the residents that are making the claims, just make sure we are undertaking professional surveys throughout this work, we have got the right technical geologists on all the work and that all the right protocols are taking place for the progress of this project.”

Mr Constantine responded, saying:

“I am very content to be able to give cabinet, council and any interested residents my assurance that as a project team we are employing sufficiently qualified and experienced geologists and geo-technical engineers.

“The ground investigations works is proposed to take place and be delivered by the company who have undertaken the main series of investigations and re-enforcement works for the main new pool facility. They have a very detailed knowledge of the site and they are pretty much the UK industry experts in stabilisation.”

Mr Constantine also said that the cavity discovered in September 2020:

“Is a shallow void which goes underneath the building and is not thought to be a related dissolution feature.”

What does the Stantec report say?

The ‘void’ was discovered on 14 September 2020, when principal contractor Willmott Dixon (WD) was excavating foundations for the new swimming pool extension to the leisure centre.

Stantec’s report, which has been seen by the Stray Ferret, raised concerns about the load-bearing capacity of existing piles under the existing leisure centre, which would have been used to support the connection between the new pool and the leisure centre.

Discussions where held with Willmott Dixon and construction and property consultants Pick Everard  (PE) and a new design solution was put forward.

The report states that this approach is:

“Expected to provide sufficient mitigation of the risk of future ground collapse to the new extension.

“The risk of the ground collapse further impacting on the existing building can’t be overlooked, in the short term the void should be backfilled with inert crushed gravel and should be monitored and regularly topped up to maintain sidewall support to allow works on the extension and the raft foundation to be undertaken.

“Further detailed investigations are required to evaluate the stability of the existing building given the concerns raised.”

Dr Thompson’s letter to councillors makes it clear that he thinks more needs to be done following the report:

“Any further development in the same area (such as the new swimming pool) would clearly require very extensive ground investigations and very careful foundation design, in line with the protocols set out in Policy NE9.

“Even then, it would not be surprising to conclude that, on this particular site, an adequate engineering solution for a public building might not be financially feasible.

“Inadequate ground investigations may have been carried out, leading to reliance being placed on inappropriate engineering solutions.

What is the council’s response to Dr Thompson’s concerns? 

In a statement to the Stray Ferret a council spokesman said:

“The multi-million pound investment project at Ripon Leisure Centre shows our commitment to providing modern, fit-for-purpose leisure facilities for the people of Ripon.

“Given the well-known ground conditions in Ripon, we employed qualified and experienced geologists and geo-technic engineers to carry out necessary investigation works and advice on what would be required to provide this much need facility.

“A total of 441 grouting sites received 3,043 tonnes of grout which, along with the casting of a reinforced concrete slab, provides the foundation for the new swimming pool building.

“The void which is underneath the existing leisure centre is understood to have been present a number of years. This was only discovered as a result of the work to prepare the new swimming pool site.

“It is now being investigated and should any remedial work be required then it will be carried out.

“We are committed to providing this much needed facility that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Read more:

• Council to spend £110,000 to investigate ‘hole’ on Ripon leisure site
• Final cost of Ripon pool/leisure scheme ‘unknown’

This timeline sets out the key events from before plans for Ripon’s new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment were approved, to the present day.

Concerns about ground stability on the Camp Close site were highlighted before Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee approved the council’s own planning application on 25 June 2019.

• February 2018:  A sinkhole opens up on the leisure centre car park
• June 2019: The planning application for new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment is approved
• June 2019: Local press reports that some councillors at the planning meeting had expressed ‘deep concerns’ about Camp Close site and hadn’t supported the application
• June 2019: Dr Alan Thompson sends email to HBC principal planning officer Gill Ritchie claiming that when the application was approved, ground stability issues were ignored and the council ignored its own planning policy
• November 2019 principal contractor Willmott Dixon (WD) starts on site, after being awarded a £10.2million contract for delivery of the scheme over 17 months
• September 2020 WD discovers a ‘void’ while digging foundations at the entrance of the leisure centre
• September 2020 construction and property consultancy Stantec inspects the void and meets on site with WD and property infrastructure and construction company Pick Everard to discuss possible mitigation measures
• October 2020: Stantec produces a detailed cavity inspection report for WD and HBC, which raises concerns about the load-bearing capacity of piles under the existing leisure centre and flags up wider ground stability issues affecting the site
• October 2020: The report says that the ‘void’ discovered by WD should, in the short term, be backfilled with gravel, regularly monitored and topped up
• The Stantec report states: “The risk of the ground collapse further impacting on the existing building can’t be overlooked” and “further detailed investigations are required to evaluate the stability of the existing building”
• November 2020: HBC issues press release saying that the project had been ‘slightly delayed’
• May 2021: HBC cabinet approves additional spending of £110,000 for investigation of the void
• May 2021: Michael Constantine, the council’s head of culture, tourism and sport, answers questions from councillors and gives assurances about the site
• June 2021: A Freedom of Information request is submitted to HBC for the engineering reports on the Camp Close site, by chartered civil engineer and local campaigner Stanley Mackintosh
• July 2021: Mr Mackintosh receives a redacted copy of the Stantec report from HBC and supplies it to Dr Thompson
• July 2021: Dr Thompson sends letter by email to all HBC cabinet members, with his observations on the report and raises new concerns from a geological perspective.

A branch of the café-bar chain Lounge is expected to open in Ripon this autumn.

Loungers, which owns the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, is currently refurbishing the building on Market Place formerly occupied by NatWest.

It is next to Ripon Town Hall, and the planned opening in September is set to create 25 jobs.

Sophia Stancer, community coordinator for the Loungers group, told the Stray Ferret:

“Recruitment is an ongoing challenge within the hospitality industry.

“At present, we are aiming for September for opening. All our vacancies are, or will, be listed on the Lounge website.

“We’d love to encourage local people who know and love their community to apply – as community really is at the very heart of what we do.”

The Lounge will have a distinguished neighbour in Ripon Town Hall

Loungers was founded by friends Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop, who wanted to create a neighbourhood café-bar that they would want to go into themselves.

The trio, all of whom had previous experience of working in the restaurant and bar trade, opened their first venture in Bristol in 2002.

They describe the Lounge brand as “a café/bar combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture”.

Now the group has approximately 150 restaurants and cafés in England and Wales.

Ripon’s hornblowers will make their keenly awaited return to Market Square on Monday night.

Ripon City Council has organised a special gathering to mark the occasion, as all three members of the hornblowing team will be on duty for the city’s 9pm ritual.

Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“We believe that the ceremony, which dates back to 886AD, is the world’s longest unbroken daily tradition.

“It has been a continuous feature of Ripon life since then and is a key element of the city’s proud history.”

The ceremony is carried out around the four corners of the Obelisk on Ripon Market Square

He added:

“To ensure that the return of the hornblowers is properly celebrated, all of them will play a part in the ceremony at the obelisk.

“We said that we would have them back as soon as covid restrictions allow and the city council is keeping that promise.”

Social distancing requirements announced by the government in March 2020 meant that Wayne Cobbett, Alison Clark and Richard Midgley could not perform the ceremony in public.

Instead, the hornblowers, who are employed by the city council and work on a rota basis, kept the tradition alive behind closed doors.

The ‘setting the watch’ ceremony was conducted at their respective homes and was live-streamed on Facebook every evening.

Before the covid lockdown, the nightly event involved them blasting the horn at the four corners of the obelisk and giving a brief talk on the history of Ripon.

Read more:

• Bishop’s concerns about vandalism in Ripon
• Why have pyramids appeared at Fountains Abbey?

The city council welcomes public attendance at Monday’s event, but attendees will be required to observe social distancing during the ceremony and subsequent history talk.

During summer months in particular, the ceremony attracts large crowds.

The Bishop of Ripon has spoken out about vandals after another incident in the city.

Dr Helen-Ann Hartley’s comments come after she saw the Welcome to Ripon sign on the North Bridge approach to the city had been vandalised.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I was greatly saddened to see the Welcome to Ripon sign smashed up.

“Sadly, a minority are clearly intent on inflicting harm on our local community.

“While I appreciate there are many challenges that people face today, destroying things of value is not the answer.

“I hope whoever is doing this, can pause to reflect on how their actions hurt others, and think again before they smash something else up.”

Destroyed and discarded — the sign was torn down and thrown off the bridge.

The sign, bearing the words: ‘Welcome to Ripon, Stay Awhile Amid its Ancient Charms’ was erected in 1986 by the city’s civic society, in memory of former member Catherine Elmes.

Dr Hartley said:

“I remember early on when we moved here, I walked into Ripon and stopped at the sign and took a photo of it.

“I felt pleased to be in our new home here.”

The plaque in memory of Catherine Elmes on the vandalised sign

The North Bridge ‘welcome’ sign is one of two on the approaches to the city centre — the other being at the junction of Harrogate Road and Quarry Moor Road.

Vandalism, alongside other anti-social behaviour, is a recurring problem in Ripon.

The cabmen’s shelter — a rare heritage item and listed building on Market Square — had its windows smashed twice in the space of three months.

Read more:

• Rare Ripon building attacked by vandals
• Mobile CCTV employed in Ripon’s bid to tackle crime
• New Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner takes a close look at Ripon

Prior to this, vandals also broke windows at Ripon Town Hall and the Ripon Cathedral office and deliberately damaged the protective rubberised surface of the children’s playground in Grove Lane.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott visited the city last month and pledged investment in policing to address the spike in anti-social behaviour.

He said he intended to give local officers the resources they needed, including a phased investment in the city’s combined police and fire station on Stonebridgegate.