Upwards of 1,500 New Year’s eve revellers were on Ripon’s Market Square as the hands on the town hall clock reached midnight.

The only major public gathering to be held in the Harrogate district, went ahead  last night, in spite of a couple of eleventh-hour issues.

While other events across the UK and the world, from Edinburgh to New York, were cancelled because of coronavirus concerns, the city’s residents came out in force to let their hair down at the end of a covid-restricted year.

Because of circumstances beyond the city council’s control, the planned fireworks finale was called off and there was also a late change to the concert performers, with the Movie Night Show singing duo (pictured below) taking over from the Big Boyband Reunion.

Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe  (Pictured below) were the headline act on a night of free music, which saw crowd numbers steadily climb as people headed to Market Square after dining or drinking in Ripon’s restaurants and pubs.

Concerns raised on Thursday about the level of emergency medical cover for the event were overcome and two ambulance crews were on duty throughout the night.

A team of six from the OSR Medical Ambulance Service (pictured below) which works in partnership with the NHS to cover large public events, was on hand to deal with any incidents or injuries and reported just one – a young woman who cut her foot on broken glass.

In his New Year address from the town hall balcony, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, had special praise for volunteers, who have been involved in the roll out of the covid vaccination programme throughout 2021.

He said:

“It has been a challenging 12 months and I, as mayor of this great city, would like to pay thanks to the many volunteers who have worked incredibly hard this year at the vaccination site.

“I also thank those who have helped the vulnerable, neighbours and elderly in these difficult times”

Cllr Parkin, pictured below with the Bishop of Ripon The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley – who gave the final blessing, added:

“The city council is also indebted to the many people, from doctors and nurses, to delivery drivers and retail staff, who have worked so tirelessly to support all of us over the past year.”

Prior to his address and the bishop’s blessing, the mayor and Dean of Ripon The Very Revd. John Dobson led a candle-lit procession (pictured below) from Ripon Cathedral to Market Square.

The procession, symbolising the bringing of light and hope to the New Year, followed an end of year service of carols and prayers at the cathedral.

Three hours before the clocks struck midnight, the evening of entertainment began in traditional style, as Richard Midgley (pictured below) one of Ripon’s four hornblowers carried out the setting of the watch ceremony at the four corners of the obelisk.

From March 2020 until the lifting of lockdown on 19 July 2021, covid regulations saw Richard and his colleagues confined to performing the 9pm nightly ceremony behind closed doors at their own homes.

The tradition dating back to 886 AD and the much newer New Year’s Eve celebration, which has been in place since 1986, are part of the fabric of a proud and ancient city.

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In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the shake-up of local leisure facilities – and ongoing concerns about safety at the new Ripon pool.

Throughout 2021, Harrogate Borough Council has spoken about its ‘multi-million pound investment’ in leisure developments across the district.

The council certainly has ambitious plans: it has built a new six-lane pool in Ripon, drawn up designs for a new leisure centre in Knaresborough and is also planning a two-storey extension to The Hydro in Harrogate.

It set up a new company, Brimhams Active, this year to run its health and wellbeing facilities.

However, the actual cost of delivering the entire package of projects remains unclear.

Ripon £4m over budget

The new Ripon facility, at Dallamires Lane, will be called the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, in honour of the local Olympic hero. It is scheduled to open next month.

A Freedom of Information request submitted to the council by Ripon resident and chartered civil engineer Stanley Mackintosh showed that it is currently more than £4 million over budget at £14,590,665.

The opening is now due to take place more than seven months later than originally planned. Ripon Spa Baths closed in November, leaving the city without a public swimming pool until the new site opens.

The council also still has to deal with ongoing ground stability concerns affecting the leisure centre adjacent to the Ripon pool.

Following the discovery of a ‘void’ near the entrance to the 26-year-old building, further investigation and remedial works will be carried out in the New Year. The centre’s ground floor will remain closed while the work takes place.

The discovery prompted two sinkhole experts to urge councillors to consider finding an alternative site for the new Ripon leisure centre and pool.

Their comments followed a report by engineering company Stantec, which revealed the site could be permanently plagued by the threat of sinkholes.

When asked about the cost of the remedial work, the council said:

“The costs for the investigation works are not as yet known. Following the investigation works, there will then be assessment of the proposed remediation strategies, together with an assessment of the estimated cost.

“The council would not be able to disclose details of costs until the agreed remedial works are contracted as we view that providing this information may prejudice future commercial negotiations with supply partners.”

The proposed new Knaresborough leisure centre.

New leisure centre in Knaresborough 

The council will consider its own planning application for a new leisure and wellness centre in Knaresborough in 2022, to replace the town’s existing leisure facility.

The proposed new centre will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, a learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, cafe, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and play area.

Construction could start as early as spring next year and last for 18 months.

Under the plans, the new building would be built on the playground to the rear of the existing pool, which would remain open during the work.

However, local resident David Hull, who launched the ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign has criticised the plans over the loss of the existing play park. The council has said it will create a new play park on the site.

Hydro changes

The council is proposing to demolish the current ‘drum’ entrance at The Hydro and replace it with a larger structure that includes a bigger café and reception area on the ground floor and a new 400-square metre fitness suite on the first floor.

Plans also include refurbishing the changing rooms and pool hall. Five electric vehicle charging points will be added.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how much the works will cost, but did not receive a response.

Those championing the schemes have been quick to hail the benefits.

Covid rapid lateral flow test kits are in short supply in Ripon, with pharmacies currently out of stock and awaiting deliveries.

Supplies of lateral flow tests are patchy at best in most of the country. Our reporter visited pharmacies across Ripon to find out what the situation is like on the ground locally.

Being unable to take tests poses problems for people requiring a negative result to be able go to work. People have also been urged to check they are negative before attending busy New Year’s Eve events.

Day Lewis Pharmacy, which has shops on North Street (pictured below) and Westgate, ran out of kits yesterday, but was hoping to receive a delivery later today.

The free kits are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but those wanting them have to provide a code, which they obtain online.

Boots, which is based in Market Place West, has a sign on its door which reads:

“Due to a surge in demand, unfortunately lateral flow tests are temporarily unavailable.”

And across the city at the Morrisons supermarket pharmacy, a supply of tests kits received yesterday was soon gone and no further delivery was expected today.

A member of staff at the pharmacy said:

“They went almost as quickly as they arrived. We are hoping that more of the test kits come in tomorrow.”

Lucy Kitching, who works for NHS England, had a frustrating evening trying to order test kits online via the government website, which states:

A fireworks display, which had been due to take place tomorrow night as part of Ripon’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, has been cancelled.

No reason for the cancellation has yet been given and it is currently unclear whether the rest of the night’s activities will take place.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are having to cancel the display due to circumstances that are beyond our control and are also in discussion with authorities regarding the concert element planned for tomorrow.

“We will provide a further update later.”

Free entertainment was due to begin with the Ripon Hornblower ceremony at the obelisk at 9pm, followed by an Oasis tribute act and the Big Boyband Reunion.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, was then due to address the audience at 11.55pm and, following a blessing by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the fireworks display was scheduled to start as the town hall clock strikes 12.

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• Pilgrims brave the elements for Ripon’s Boxing Day walk

Ripon’s New Year’s Eve free concert and fireworks display on Market Square is set to go ahead.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid’s announcement this week that no additional covid restrictions will be put in place in England before the New Year effectively gave Friday’s event the green light.

However, with the Omicron variant bringing a surge in the number of recorded covid cases in the Harrogate district, Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams is urging caution for the large public event.

He said:

“We ask anyone planning to attend to take a lateral flow test and only venture onto Market Square if it gives a negative result.

“We already had the licence for the event from Harrogate Borough Council and had been keeping a close eye on announcements from the government regarding covid measures.

“Now that we have the go-ahead, we hope that people will come and enjoy the night of free entertainment and ensure their own safety and that of others by taking sensible precautions.”

Fireworks display

Safety concerns about holding a fireworks display in Market Square to herald in 2022 have also been resolved. An alternative area of land to the rear of Ripon Town Hall will be used to discharge the display.

Entertainment will begin with the Ripon Hornblower ceremony at the obelisk at 9pm and will be followed by performances from an Oasis tribute act and the Big Boyband Reunion.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, will address the audience at 11.55pm and, following a blessing by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the fireworks display will start as the town hall clock strikes 12.

New Year’s Eve celebrations have been held on Ripon Market Square since 1986 but covid caused the cancellation of the 2020 event.

In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the persistent problems on the streets of Ripon.

Stories about violent and anti-social behaviour in Ripon have featured regularly in the news this year.

Among the most disturbing, was our report in August about a terrifying ordeal for a young boy, who was held up by a man and a youth at knifepoint and robbed of this trainers, mobile phone and jewellery.

The thugs, who threatened to ‘shank’ his leg with the knife if he didn’t do as told, were soon arrested by the police and brought to justice.

In February, a Ripon retailer came to the aid of a man who was being set upon by two vicious thugs in broad daylight.

The retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret the attack occurred when the victim remonstrated with youths who had thrown a snowball at him. He said:

“As I came out of the shop, the man was on the ground and one of the youths was kicking him in the head, while another was stamping on his face.

“I thought that they were going to kill him – I shouted at them and they ran off.”

Night of crime

Earlier that month, we reported on a three-hour spate of crime in Ripon on a Sunday evening that included a man carrying a machete, a robbery, thefts and gangs gathering.

The incidents, included a robbery in which a 23-year-old man suffered facial injuries after being attacked by two or three males, who stole his phone and watch.

Following the incidents, Inspector Alex Langley, head of neighbourhood policing for Ripon, tried to reassure people that the events were being taken seriously and that “we will be taking robust action against those responsible”.

Philip Allott, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner at the time, responded by saying he hoped an increased police presence in the city would send a message that “crime will not be tolerated”. He also urged more residents to “break silence” and report anything suspicious.

“Officers know who the perpetrators are, they have made arrests, they have got a grip on the situation, and I am confident of that.

“One of the problems we have in Ripon is sometimes a wall of silence by certain families and that makes it quite difficult to apprehend people.

“The police will still get those people. It just takes a bit longer.

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Police step-up patrols

But further violent and anti-social behaviour in August prompted police to step-up patrols and launch investigations into four separate incidents

At the time, detective superintendent Steve Thomas, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.

“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else.

“Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”

“Education at an early stage is crucial to steer children away from falling into a criminal lifestyle and becoming exploited.

“Some young people think it’s safe to carry a knife in case they need it for self-defence – but this could not be further from the truth. Any knife in the hands of anyone can cost lives.”

The city will be hoping to make headlines for more positive reasons in 2022.

Persistent morning rain did not deter a hardy group of pilgrims from maintaining a Boxing Day tradition in Ripon.

More than 100 people made the four-mile journey from the city’s ancient cathedral to Fountains Abbey.

Walking at a gentle pace, wearing waterproofs, raincoats and with some carrying umbrellas, they retraced the steps of the 13 Benedictine monks, who set off from the cathedral on Boxing Day 1132 to become the original founders of the abbey.

Pilgrims walking along Kirkgate at the start of their journey to Fountains Abbey

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The annual pilgrimage, which began in 1976, was cancelled last year because of covid, but with smaller numbers than usual taking part this year, the event was safely staged, as walkers covered the route in small groups.

The pilgrims, carrying a cross, were led on the walk to the abbey by the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd. John Dobson (pictured below, second from left) with five fellow walkers.

At the abbey, the cellarium, with its vaulted roof (pictured below) provided shelter from the elements for a carol service led by the Dean and cathedral clergy.

The service provided a heart-warming finale, full of festive cheer for the pilgrims.