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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Jack Laugher is bidding for further Olympic glory this morning.

A superb series of six dives took him into the men’s individual three-metre springboard final, which can be seen live on BBC TV from 7am.

The former Ripon Grammar School student, whose family home is in Littlethorpe, finished in third position behind China’s XIE Siyi and Wang Zongyuan in today’s semi-final.

Early-bird television viewers, who tuned in a 2am UK time, saw Laugher score 514.75 points in a stylish and controlled performance at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

It all started here – Spa Baths, Ripon where Jack Laugher was taught to swim at the age of 3 by Sylvia Grice MBE

If he can repeat the highly-disciplined display of diving excellence that he achieved in the semi-final, he has an outstanding opportunity to add to the Gold and Silver medals that saw him make history five years ago.

He and then partner Chris Mears, became the first-ever GB diving medallists, when they fought off a challenge from China to claim Olympic Gold at the Rio 2016 games.

Six days later, Laugher added Silver in the men’s individual springboard event, finishing behind China’s Yuan Cao.

The challenge from the Chinese pair of XIE Siyi and Wang Zongyuan, cannot be under-estimated, but it’s all to play for when the 12 finalists take to the springboard in Tokyo.

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Ripon’s history-making Olympic diver Jack Laugher, has earned his place in tomorrow’s semi-final of the individual three-metre springboard event.

He finished sixth in this morning’s preliminary competition at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, with a points tally of 445.05, raising hopes that he can add to the gold and silver medals that he won at the Rio 2016 games.

This morning’s improved performance follows last week’s disappointment when Laugher – a former student of Ripon Grammar School, who was born and bred in Littlethorpe – finished seventh in the synchronised three-metre springboard final with new partner Daniel Goodwill.

In the synchronised event, Laugher and Goodwill  showed mental toughness to achieve their highest points in their sixth and last dive.

With a tariff of 3.9, it is classed as the world’s most difficult dive.

Jack Laugher in action at this year’s European Aquatics Championships where he won silver Picture: British Swimming.

The hint of better to come for Laugher in the men’s individual springboard, was realised in this morning’s preliminary competition, where he competed against 28 of the world’s elite.

This morning, the 26-year-old got off to an excellent start, with his first dive of six – carrying a tariff of 3.4, giving him an early lead.

By the half way stage, with three rounds behind him, Laugher was placed 11 on 198.90 points, with the dominant Wang Zongyuan and XIE Siyi placed first and second – the ranking the China pair finished in at the end of the preliminaries.

At the Rio games, he and then partner Chis Mears became the first GB divers to win a gold Olympic medal when a world-beating performance saw them crowned champions.

This prevented China from making a clean sweep of gold in the overall diving competition.

Six days later in the Rio Aquatics Centre, City of Leeds club member Laugher – who was taught  to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths and took up diving at the Harrogate Hydro Pool – won silver in the men’s individual three-metre springboard event.

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Tomorrow, followers of Littlethorpe and Ripon’s local hero, can watch the semi-final on the BBC starting at 2am UK time. The final will be broadcast live at 7am UK time.

A total of 18 divers will take part in the semi-final and from this, 12 go on to the final.

Nidderdale Community Welcome (NCW), is exploring an investment option, as it looks to support a refugee family’s re-settlement in the Pateley Bridge area.

The scarcity of suitably-located two and three-bedroom homes available for rental in Nidderdale, has prompted the move.

NCW’s treasurer, John Tarrant, told the Stray Ferret:

“Finding a home is fundamental and here is an opportunity for an ethical investment that will help a family currently in a refugee camp in the Middle East in appalling circumstances, who may have lost everything.”

Mr Tarrant pointed out:

“Before we do further planning we need to know whether we can find enough potential investors to finance a house purchase.

“They will not be making a donation to to NCW, but providing the means of purchasing a property outright.”

As well as receiving a 2% annual return on their investment, after five years the investors will have the option of selling the property and having monies returned to them.

The investment scheme is separate from the almost £11,000 that has already been raised through donations and pledges.

That money will be used to ensure that the family is established in their new Nidderdale home with part of it used for rental costs.

Before refugee families can come to the this country, where they will have the same rights as UK citizens, they have to go through a detailed vetting process.

The popularity of Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale as a place to live, means the demand for rental properties outstrips supply

The community support group also has to receive approvals from the Home Office and the local authorities.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees selects a family suitable for the size of house that the community group is able to find.

As the search for a rental property is proving difficult, the investment route may provide a better short and longer-term option.

Mr Tarrant, said:

“Full details have not yet been finalised but there are several such community investment schemes helping refugee families throughout the country and we will be using a well-tried model.”

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One such scheme was successfully launched in the Cambridgeshire town of Godmanchester, where a community welcome group raised £300,000 to buy a house for the family that has re-settled in their area.

NCW is looking to raise a similar amount from up to 20 investors who may wish to invest anything from £5,000 to £45,000.

Mr Tarrant is in liaison with the charity Hope into Action, which has experience of working with community groups within the Community Sponsorship Scheme.

Anybody wanting to know more about the NCW investment scheme is asked to contact: johntarrant@leakhb.plus.com

Ripon rocked last night, as a large crowd massed on Market Square for an evening of music and entertainment.

The finale was a spectacular fireworks display that lit-up the night sky above the city’s elegant town hall.

A five-hour programme started with talented local singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary and ended with a convincing Freddie Mercury sound-alike.

Tribute acts had the audience singing along to Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ among many other iconic British pop songs.

In a county where Tykes are known for their care when it comes to money — the icing on the Yorkshire Day Weekend cake, was the fact that it was all for free.

With the covid lockdown lifted, hundreds came to let their hair down on Market Square.

The day of fun for all the family, organised by Ripon City Council, was the first large-scale event to be held in the city since the coronavirus pandemic brought an abrupt end to all public gatherings.

From 2pm until 8pm, children with their parents and grandparents had Market Square North to themselves, as two free fairground rides and a climbing wall ensured enjoyment for all families, without the need to reach into purses and pockets.

The rides were still spinning as the music started on the stage in front of Ripon Town Hall.

Ripon-based singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary was the opening act.

Freddie Cleary, singing some of his own songs and a selection of favourite tunes, was followed by the Elton John tribute act, with white piano in what was a fitting celebration of one of Britain’s best-known musical Knights.

The tribute performed hit after hit from Sir Elton’s songbook.

Before the Elton John tribute did his second set, an Amy Winehouse look and sound-alike sang in the distinctive style of the late legend.

Then came the finale and a scintillating rendition of the songs made famous by rock legend Freddie Mercury.

An emotional and power-packed tribute to Amy Winehouse, who died ten years ago

The Queen tribute act front man had the audience wrapped in the palm of his hands, as he sang ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’

For the citizens of Ripon, the free entertainment continues today as the fairground rides and climbing wall will be open from 10am until 4pm.

Rock and rockets around the Ripon Town Hall Clock

And parents who saved money on the free rides may be spending some of it at the Little Bird Artisan Market, that will be open on Market Square South from 10am until 3pm.

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Ripon’s first major event since covid restrictions eased on July 19 was welcomed by bright sunshine this afternoon.

From the opening of the Yorkshire Day Weekend at 2pm, there were queues of excited boys and girls waiting for their go on the roundabouts and climbing wall.

Two free fairground rides for young children, provided courtesy of the city council, proved a magnet to attract families onto Market Square.

Children had to wear harnesses and safety helmets to go on the climbing wall

The climbing wall for older children, was also free of charge, giving an opportunity for budding Chris Boningtons to try out mountaineering skills.

The rides and wall were attended by stewards to keep the children and other visitors safe.

Nikita, with daughters Lexie (centre) and Octavia, after the children enjoyed a spin on one of the fairground rides.

The free rides and climbing wall will be open until 8pm today and again tomorrow between 10am and 4pm, when there will also be an artisan market on Market Square.

Sadie and her children Lewis (centre) and Jack (right) with family friend Catalin and his children Iris and Rafi

Music takes centre stage from 5.45pm today, when local singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary performs on a stage in front of Ripon Town Hall.

He will be followed by Elton John, Amy Winehouse and Queen tribute acts, whose respective performances will begin at 7pm, 7.45pm and 9.45pm.

Between the tribute acts, at 9pm,  hornblower Richard Midgley will be present to set the watch, with blasts of his horn at the four corners of the obelisk.

The Yorkshire Day Weekend is the largest public event to be staged in Ripon since covid restrictions eased on 19 July

The fairground fun and entertainment will be brought to a sparkling crescendo with a fireworks display.

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This day in Ripon’s calendar is normally dedicated to Wilfrid the city’s patron saint and founder of a church on which the cathedral stands.

The covid pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 St Wilfrid’s Day procession and also meant that this year’s event is not being staged.

However, to keep the tradition alive, an unofficial St Wilfrid’s Walk was conducted around a route taking in Ripon’s streets which, in non-convid times, would normally be lined by thousands of people.

The covid pandemic has put paid to official celebrations in honour of Ripon’s patron saint, but St Wilfrid will still be represented on the city’s streets on Saturday.

The tradition, which goes back decades, is being kept alive in the hope that things will be back to normal next year.

Sue Simms, secretary of the St Wilfrid’s procession committee, said:

“Our unofficial St Wilfrid walk is going ahead.”

Actors playing the parts of the patron saint, his monks and followers, will leave from the Spa Gardens gates at 2pm.

The walkers will head for Market Place, North Road, Princess Road, Allhallowgate, Kirkgate, Bondgate, Harrogate Road and finish back at Market Place.

The gate at Spa Gardens, where St Wilfrid walkers will gather at 2pm on Saturday before their tour of the city.

Until 2019, St Wilfrid’s Day was one of the city’s biggest occasions of the year, marked by events and a large procession.

Thousands of people would, pre-pandemic, line the city streets and congregate on Market Square.

In addition to causing the cancellation of the 2020 event, the covid lockdowns also affected this year’s activities.

Organisers are looking to use Saturday’s walk as a platform to promote festivities for next year and beyond and will be handing out leaflets along the route.

As well as being the 1,350th anniversary of St Wilfrid founding a church on the site of Ripon Cathedral, 2022 marks the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

In May, Ms Simms told the Stray Ferret:

“We did not feel running a large-scale procession this year would be a responsible choice.

“The situation was complicated by the fact that we would have needed to start applying for road closures back in October.

“Because of the coronavirus crisis, we couldn’t plan ahead with any degree of confidence at that time.”

Ripon City Council is staging Yorkshire Day Weekend activities on Market Square.

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These will include free children’s fairground rides, musical entertainment from 5.45pm on Saturday and a fireworks display.

On Sunday, there will also be an artisan Market starting at 10am on the square.

Police are warning beekeepers in Nidderdale to ‘bee vigilant’ following the attempted theft of hives.

It comes after a thief wearing a beekeeper’s suit tried to steal six hives recently. It is believed the culprit dropped one of the hives, which enraged the bees, and fled empty handed.

PC Bill Hickson, who is based in Patelely Bridge, warned “there may be criminals out there with an eye on your hives”.

PC Hickson revealed more about the sting operation in a report in the August edition of the Link magazine for the Parish of Dacre with Hartwith & Darley with Thornthwaite.

PC Hickson said:

“Last month a thief, or thieves, unsuccessfully tried to steal half a dozen beehives at a location not far from Nidderdale.

Police in Pateley Bridge have recorded 15 crimes in the last month.

“They wore a beekeeper’s suit but nevertheless managed to drop one of the hives, thereby enraging the bees, and fled empty handed.

“Despite this apparent incompetence whoever was responsible had planned the raid and were specifically targeting beehives above other more traditional booty.”

In another animal-related matter, PC Hickson called on dog owners to keep their dogs on leads after a sheep was attacked and a lamb killed on Greenhow Hill.

He said:

“However well-controlled you think your dog is, please do not let it off the lead in fields where there may be livestock.”

A total of 15 crimes, ranging from deliberate damage to a parked car in Dacre Banks to graffiti at Brimham Rocks, were recorded in Nidderdale during the month.

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Anybody with information that could help the police in their work, is asked to contact PC Hickson by calling 101, choosing option two and asking for “Bill Hickson” or “0-8-2-0”

He can also be emailed at bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk