In May 1961, Stephen Weld, bought a pre-war Crossley 2 Litre Sports Tourer car for £150.
For the young Army officer, newly-graduated from The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, it cost approximately half a year’s salary.
But for the now retired Lieutenant Colonel, it is undoubtedly the best purchase he has ever made.
This month, Mr Weld celebrated 60 years as owner of one of the world’s rarest cars.
Only two remain on the road and the other is in New Zealand.
One of only two in the world still on the road – Stephen Weld with his Crossley 2 Litre Sports Tourer
The stylish sports car, with its top speed of 80 mph, has taken him on 300,000 miles of travels and adventures in the UK and across Europe.
The elegant navy blue coach-built fabric-bodied vehicle, has sleek lines, sparkling chrome and distinctive headlights.
It was manufactured in Manchester by Crossley Motors in 1931.
Some 30 years and almost 200,000 miles later, Mr Weld bought it while based at Chatham in Kent.
He said:
“It was in roadworthy condition, but in need of some attention and over time I maintained and refurbished it.”
Mr Weld, who served with the Royal Engineers, told the Stray Ferret:
“I estimate that it has clocked up around half a million miles over 90 years and it’s still going like a dream.
“Its six-cylinder engine sounds to me like a sweet melody.”
Founded in 1867, by brothers Francis and William Crossley, the car company started life as an engineering business.
It became famous for its internal combustion engines.
These were supplied to some of the early motor manufacturers.
In 1904 Crossley Motors was founded as a separate entity and started making its own vehicles.
During World War I they were major suppliers of cars and light trucks to the Royal Flying Corps.
Whenever possible Mr Weld took the Crossley on overseas postings, including two tours of duty in Germany.
He intended to take the car to Malaysia and made arrangements to have it shipped to the Far East.
But he had to change his plans when told his posting would also take him to the roadless jungles of Borneo.
He said:
“Fortunately, I had a good contact at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum.
“They very kindly took the Crossley and had it on display for two and a half years.”
Mr Weld, added:
“While it was at the museum, it was one of ten vehicles featured in an Observer colour supplement article about the evolution of the motor car.
“The Crossley was selected by Lord Montagu, as an example of motoring in the 1930s”
Many memorable long-haul journeys, saw Mr Weld and friends travel all over Europe, including a hairy drive through the Alps on a trip to Italy.
He said:
“There was a bit of a problem when the brakes started to fade, while I was heading down hill!”
Now, his journeys take in the gentler hills, moors and dales, near his Ripon home.
Mr Weld and his Crossley, with hood down, is still turning heads with his magnificent machine.
On sunny days, the melodic sound of its engine rises to a symphony, with car, man and Yorkshire countryside in perfect harmony.
Council to press ahead with Ripon Leisure Centre ‘hole’ investigationHarrogate Borough Council will press ahead with an investigation into a hole in the ground found next to Ripon Leisure Centre following assurances from senior officers over the work.
Senior councillors on the authority’s cabinet approved the measures at a meeting earlier this week, which is estimated to cost £110,000.
In a report before councillors, the authority said it was required to investigate the “void in the ground” in order to retain its business insurance on the building.
The city has a history of sinkholes caused by the soluble of nature gypsum, the rock that lies under much of the area.
The hole was discovered next to the entrance of the existing leisure centre last year and has been filled with crushed gravel as a short-term solution.
Michael Constantine, head of operations at the council, told the cabinet meeting that he could reassure them that the council had employed expertise to handle the investigation.
He said:
“I’m very content to be able to give cabinet, council and any interested residents my assurance that as a project team we are employing sufficient qualified and experience geologists and 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 reinforcement 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.”
Consultant engineers have told the council that further investigation will be required and remedial work if necessary.
In order to carry out the work, the council will have to self-insure as it says it will not be covered by any third-party insurance
The current insured value of the centre is £3,796,135 plus 10% contents, which the authority says would be lost should any damage be caused as a result of the work.
But, council officers have said this would be a “worst case scenario” and is considered to be an “unlikely event”.
Before the meeting on Wednesday, Dr Alan Thompson, is a chartered geologist and a director of Cuesta Consulting Limited, emailed members of the cabinet.
He called on them to take concerns, raised by Ripon-based chartered engineer Stanley Mackintosh, “very seriously”.
Mr Mackintosh has consistently raised concerns with HBC about the suitability of building a swimming pool on land with a history of ground instability issues.
However, his comments, made at the June 2019 planning meeting, where the £10 million plus pool scheme was approved, he feels were largely dismissed.
On Tuesday, Mr Mackintosh reiterated his concerns in an email sent to all cabinet members.
Both his and Dr Thompson’s emails, were sent prior to the HBC cabinet meeting, where senior councillors considered a report about a ‘hole’ discovered last year, next to the entrance of the existing Ripon Leisure Centre.
The refurbished leisure centre is physically attached to the new pool.
Ripon’s new swimming pool and refurbished leisure centre was originally due to open in Summer 2021, but signs there now say ‘Opening Autumn 2021.’
Dr Thompson, who is also the principal author of the definitive report into gypsum-related subsidence in the city, said in his email:
“Prior to your consideration of the proposals for further geological investigations and remediation in connection with the Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool, I am writing in support of the concerns expressed by Mr. Stanley Mackintosh.
“Mr. Mackintosh, amongst others, has kindly kept me informed of those developments and of his very serious concerns regarding the ongoing risk of subsidence, the inadequacy of recent ground investigations, and the prospects of instability being exacerbated by some of the techniques used.
“The purpose of this email is very simply to lend support to Mr. Mackintosh and to urge you to take his concerns very seriously.
In 1996, Dr Thompson and fellow experts produced a report, titled ‘Assessment of subsidence arising from gypsum dissolution with particular reference to Ripon, North Yorkshire’.
The report was commissioned by HBC and the former Department of the Environment, provided the basis for the land instability policies which the council has in place.
Mother’s safety fears over wall near Kirkby Malzeard schoolA Kirkby Malzeard mother has raised concerns over the safety of a church wall near a school in the village.
Part of the wall on Church Bank, which is across from Kirkby Malzeard Church of England School, collapsed in February 2020 and is awaiting reconstruction.
Lynda English, who has children aged six and three attending the primary and pre-school, raised concern over the safety of a 30 metre section of the wall which she says is in need of repair.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“During the school term, I pass close to this wall six times a day.
“In addition to the section awaiting reconstruction, there’s a large part of it in a poor condition.
“It needs a long-term solution, that fully takes into account the safety concerns of local residents.”
Mrs English, who lives on Church Bank, added:
“I am nervous going past the wall, because I saw what happened in February 2020.
“Thank heavens, the collapse that occurred 15 months ago, came during the half-term holidays.
“I shudder to think what might have happened if the stone came crashing down while children and parents were passing by.”
The 30 metre section of wall on Church Bank in Kirkby Malzeard.
Mrs English pointed out that six families living on Church Bank have children at Kirkby Malzeard CE school and added:
“I just can’t bear the thought that the lives of children are being put at risk because of this wall and the deteriorating state it is in.”
The collapsed 10 metre section of the retaining wall for the churchyard of St Andrew’s Parish Church, is awaiting reconstruction by Harrogate Borough Council (HBC).
The stone fell onto the road below causing the closure of the principal route between Kirkby Malzeard and Masham. It has remained shut ever since.
Initially, HBC planned to reconstruct the collapsed section of wall and carry out repairs to an adjoining 30-metre section.
A spokesperson for HBC, said:
“The collapsed section needs rebuilding, which we are doing.
“We will then monitor the remaining section to see if there is any movement.
“If there is further movement we will then consider options for this area of wall.
“The section of the reconstructed wall and also the remaining wall will be regularly monitored through visual inspections, particularly during inclement weather to ensure that it remains in a stable condition.”
The spokesperson said reconstruction of the collapsed section will be completed by the end of autumn. The road will then reopen.
The cost for the work has not as yet been finalised.
HBC’s handling of this issue has been met with dismay by Cllr Jane Aksut, of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council.
She said:
“We continue to call on Harrogate Borough Council to reconsider its approach.”
Cllr Aksut, pointed out:
“Their decisions have been made against the advice of the structural engineers, who consider that monitoring will not flag up a sudden collapse.”
Ripon student wins award for environmentally-friendly rail app
A Ripon Grammar School student has won an award for designing an app aimed at helping commuters reduce their carbon footprint.
David Fernandes, a 12-year-old Ripon Grammar School student, was awarded a Faraday Challenge prize for his idea, which also intends to help Network Rail minimise its impact on the environment.
The app shows commuters the total carbon produced for each journey, as well as monthly projections.
David said:
“This was a great opportunity to research and better understand how science can help us solve some of the biggest challenges we face.”
David, a boarder at Ripon Grammar School, is planning a career in medicine ,
David’s ZeroCO2 Train smart app uses three steps – travel, calculate and offset.
It automatically calculates a consumer’s train travel data and provides them with options to offset their carbon emission.
His presentation was made in the 11-15 years category in the Virtual Faraday Challenge. This encourages the development of young people’s problem-solving and communications skills.
David’s idea impressed expert judges at the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
The panel said:
“The idea of the app is so good and so well-researched it deserves to win a prize.”
His app allows commuters to use their e-train ticket (or scan their paper-based ticket) to be automatically validated at the start of each journey.
The app will show the customer the total carbon produced for each journey, also cumulative monthly journeys and annual projections based on their travel profile.
Travellers can then offset their carbon footprint by supporting a range of UK-based carbon offset projects, ranging from solar power to tree plantations that the app would recommend.
Entrants were asked to produce a design and demonstrate the engineering skills required to think of a solution.
This year’s task was: Helping Network Rail to sustainably manage the increasing numbers of passengers using their network.
David added:
“Like many of my friends, I am keen to do my bit to help the environment.
“While aware that train travel is the most environmentally-friendly way of travelling, I am concerned that having the technology to operate zero carbon trains is still decades away.”
David, who is planning a career in medicine, is keen to use technology that could have a direct impact on train travel.
He wants to play a part in helping the challenge of holding global temperature rise to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Ripon student is taking to the skies for charityA Ripon Grammar School student is planning to jump out of a plane at 10,000ft to raise money for a teenage suicide prevention charity.
Robyn Munday, who will complete the skydive on July 10, said:
“This is not something I would do without good reason.
“I have struggled with my mental health in my teenage years but have family and friends around me who are patient, compassionate, understanding, and loving – which has been just what I needed.
“However, not every young person is so lucky.”
The 17-year-old has set a fundraising target of £750 and is already more than half way there. She is covering the cost of the skydive herself.
The money will go to Papyrus, which is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
It provides confidential support and advice to young people through its helpline – Hopeline UK – and runs training programmes to teach suicide prevention skills to staff at schools, healthcare providers and local councils.
In 2017, more than 338,000 young people were referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), but fewer than a third received treatment within a year, according to the Local Government Association.
Robyn is a sixth-form student at Ripon Grammar School
Robyn added:
“This can leave young people feeling despondent and lonely, and ultimately let down and not cared about. That’s why I would like to do something to help those young people who don’t get the help they need.
“I’ve chosen to support the charity Papyrus, and so I’m doing this crazy skydive to help raise much-needed funds for them.
“I want to help ensure that more young people are able to talk and receive the help they deserve.”
To donate, visit Robyn’s JustGiving page and for more information about the charity visit papyrus-uk.org.
Ripon Curzon won’t open on June 4 after all
The owners of the Curzon cinema in Ripon have said the venue won’t be reopening on June 4 after all.
On Tuesday, the London-headquartered cinema chain told the Stray Ferret:
“Curzon Ripon is planning on reopening June 4.”
Now the company has issued a new statement saying:
“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. “
The North Street venue opened on 31 October 2013. It incorporates two screens seating 58 and 34 respectively.
The complex includes a bar, restaurant and VIP area. It was created following a £2 million refurbishment of a former furniture store.
The Stray Ferret contacted the company amid growing speculation on social media about whether or not the venue would reopen.
Cinemas across the country reopened this week but audience numbers are limited. But the Curzon in Ripon remained shut.
The cinema chain says Curzon Ripon is too small to open safely on June 4.
Ripon is no longer listed on the Curzon website page featuring its UK venues. In addition, the website for Curzon Ripon is currently coming up with the message ‘Page not found.’
The same applies to other web pages previously used to promote the Ripon offer.
The situation was further confused by apparently conflicting articles in national trade media.
An article in RadioTimes.com dated 4 May, said:
“Curzon is set to open in line with government guidance on May 17.
“Mayfair, Richmond, Wimbledon and Sheffield will open June 4. Tickets go on sale May 10. “
Ripon was not mentioned in that story.
There was also no reference to Ripon by name in an article published on Monday in screendaily.com .
Its 17 May story included the following:
“Eight Curzon cinemas are reopening from today (May 17), with a further five on June 4.”
That adds up to a total of 13 but there are only 12 Curzon cinemas listed on the company’s website.
Ripon isn’t among them.
The 12 UK venues currently featured on the company’s website – include six in London.
Other locations are Canterbury, Colchester, Oxford, Richmond and Sheffield.
Ripon cinema-lovers pray for Curzon reopeningConcerned film lovers in Ripon are worried that the Curzon cinema will not reopen.
Cinemas across the country reopened this week but the Curzon in Ripon remained shut, prompting questions about its future.
Ripon is no longer listed on the Curzon website page featuring its UK venues.
In addition, the website for Curzon Ripon is currently coming up with the message ‘Page not found.’
The same applies to other web pages previously used to promote the Ripon offer.
Freeze frame – this poster in the Curzon Cinema window for the film, The Truth, has been in place since March last year.
This has prompted posts on social media questioning if the cinema chain’s Ripon site will ever reopen.
The situation is further confused by apparently conflicting articles in national trade media.
An article in RadioTimes.com dated 4 May, said:
“Curzon is set to open in line with government guidance on May 17.
“Mayfair, Richmond, Wimbledon and Sheffield will open June 4. Tickets go on sale May 10. “
Ripon was not mentioned in that story and there was no reference to Ripon by name in an article published on Monday in screendaily.com .
Its 17 May story included the following:
“Eight Curzon cinemas are reopening from today (May 17), with a further five on June 4.”
That adds up to a total of 13 but there are only 12 Curzon cinemas listed on the company’s website and Ripon isn’t among them.
The Stray Ferret sought clarification from Curzon and received a brief response saying:
“Curzon Ripon is planning on reopening June 4, 2021.”
The London-headquartered cinema chain opened in North Street in November 2013.
It followed a £2m refurbishment project, involving the creation of two cinema screens, a restaurant, bar and a private VIP area.
The building also incorporates nine flats.
Cinemas were able to reopen across the UK on Monday and Curzon’s three-screen theatre in Knutsford, Cheshire opened on that day for film and food.
It is one of the 12 UK venues currently featured on the company’s website – six of which are in London.
Other locations are Canterbury, Colchester, Oxford, Richmond and Sheffield.
In 2013 Curzon was heralded for bringing the cinema-going experience back to Ripon for the first time in 31 years.
In 1982, the Palladium Picture House in Kirkgate closed.
The palladium opened in 1916 and was popular with the many troops stationed in the city during the First World War.
In 1936, the cinema was remodelled in art deco style.
The building was subsequently the location for Sly’s nightclub, a florists and now a second-hand shop.
Community groups in Ripon are being invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000.
Ripon City Council’s small grants scheme has £20,000 available for allocation in the 2021/2022 financial year.
The scheme is designed to be an easy way to access a source of funding for local organisations.
A council spokesperson said:
“The council recognises the disruption to our local groups and organisations caused by the covid pandemic.
“We aim to support as many different activities in the city as possible in the financial year.
“With this in mind, the scheme will not have a closing date in 2021/22 and will remain open until funds are exhausted.
“We will review the applications received at each meeting of the council.”
The Jennyruth Workshops charity provides training and work opportunities that help to build confidence (Photograph courtesy of Jennyruth Workshops)
Among those to receive an award last year was Jennyruth Workshops, which is a charity that provides work and life skills for adults with learning disabilities.
An award was also made to Ripon YMCA, which provides supported housing for young people aged 16-35.
Other grant recipients in the 2020/2021 financial year included Ripon Community Link, Ripon City AFC, Ripon City Photographic Society, Ripon City Panthers Junior Football Club Friends of Hell Wath and Abbeyfield Ripon and District Society Ltd.
If an applicant is not a wholly Ripon-based organisation it may be necessary to ringfence any grant from the council towards a Ripon-based event, project or activity.
Applications must clearly benefit Ripon people as the grants scheme has been funded by an increase in the precept – money collected through the council tax levied on Ripon residents.
The council will not consider applications from commercial organisations, individuals, political groups or for projects of a directly political nature.
All valid applications will be considered by full council. Further details are available here.
Full English in Ripon’s Wetherspoon back on the menu as indoor dining returns
A full English breakfast inside pubs was back on the menu this morning as England’s lockdown restrictions eased.
For Eddie and Shirlie Button it meant a welcome return to The Unicorn, Ripon’s largest pub and hotel.
The couple, who are regulars for full English breakfasts, as well as for coffee and curry nights at the Wetherspoon pub, were the first customers through the door today at 8am.
Like other pub-goers across the district, they were thrilled to be able to eat indoors after such a cold few weeks.
Mr Button told the Stray Ferret:
“Before the lockdown, we would normally come for breakfast on a Sunday. We will probably come a couple of times this week, as a bit of a treat.”
Mrs Button is pleased to be able to put the frying pan back in her kitchen cupboard. She said:
“I’ve been cooking breakfasts at home for more than four months.
“We created our own ‘Spoons-style service.”
Eddie and Shirlie Button, were the first customers for more than four months to eat inside the Wetherspoon-owned pub.
The Unicorn’s deputy manager, Jonny Mahoney, said:
“It’s great to be able to welcome people back.
“Because our beer garden is relatively small, we decided not to open an outdoor service in April and waited until today.”
The hotel, which has more than 30 rooms, will reopen for guests this evening and the pub will be open from 7am until 12noon Monday to Thursday and 7am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Social distancing and hygiene measures are in place alongside online and paper-based track and trace.
Ripon museums reopen today with new exhibition
The death of Harriet Rodwell, who committed suicide in the city’s workhouse in 1855, features in a new exhibition opening in Ripon today.
Ms Rodwell’s hard life and sad demise is remembered in Fragments — one of five textile installations.
Created by 6-Ply — a group of North Yorkshire textile artists — it is part of the Lives Unravelled exhibition at Ripon’s Workhouse Museum.
The display, dedicated to Ms Rodwell and created by Eileen Sweeney, reflects the fact that only fragments of the former inmate’s life remain.
The Prison & Police Museum – one of Ripon’s three heritage attractions now reopened for visitors
The new exhibition marks the reopening of the city’s three heritage attractions.
The workhouse, along with the Prison & Police and Old Courthouse are operated by Ripon Museum Trust.
The custom-made Lives Unravelled exhibition is Inspired by historical research into the lives of workhouse women.
It will be on display until September 5.
Artists have used a variety of materials and techniques to convey the real experiences and imagined emotions of being a woman in the workhouse.
Pieces installed as part of the exhibition, also include Room for Mother and Infant, by Hazel Waite; Jane Button’s “Fancy Apron”, by Sarah Lowe; Veg, Glorious Veg, by Mary Exelby and Apron of Feelings, by Jenny Bradbury.
Helen Thornton, director of Ripon Museum Trust said:
“It’s so exciting to be able to reopen our museums with this very moving and powerful temporary exhibition by local textiles group 6-Ply.
“We’re delighted to share these works with visitors and I hope they encourage people to consider the lives of people who lived and died here.”
Following today’s reopening, the museums will be open Tuesday to Sunday and on selected Bank Holidays, including bank holiday Monday, May 31.
Entrance to the exhibition is included in the cost of museum entry. All tickets to Ripon museums are valid for repeat visits over a 12-month period.
Bookings can be made via the museum trust website or by calling 01765 690799.
Ripon Museums have covid safety measures in place and have been awarded the Visit Britain We’re Good to Go industry standard.