Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is being called on to speed up repairs to a length of riverside footpath in Ripon.

A section of the path that runs from Borrage Green Lane to High Cleugh is in danger of collapsing into the River Skell and has been blocked off with six foot high fencing at either end.

Parts of the path on the popular riverside route have been undercut by high and fast-running waters caused by higher than average rainfall.

Councillor Andrew Williams near the affected part of the path that has been fenced off.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who also represents the Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council, told members at Monday night’s full meeting:

“A long section of path is in a dangerous state and is currently not safe to use, so the North Yorkshire rights of way team has made it as safe as possible.

“They have also agreed to repair the path, but will only be able to do this when they have a permit from the Environment Agency to go into the river to carry out the work.”

The recently-repaired wooden bridge over the Skell is part of the popular route.

Members agreed to Cllr Williams’ proposal to call on Mr Barclay and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith to intervene on the city’s behalf to ensure the Environment Agency issues the permit as soon as possible, so repairs can be carried out when  the river drops to a safe level.

Cllr Pauline McHardy, who seconded the proposal, said:

“This footpath is supposed to be accessible to wheelchair users and families with prams and buggies and we need to ensure that it is returned to a condition that enables it to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Ripon city centre is to get its first Changing Places toilet following the award of a £162,000 contract to Killinghall company Dalebuild Ltd.

The facility will be built on the site of the existing toilet block at the back of Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The toilets are larger and more accessible for people with disabilities and restricted mobility who cannot use standard accessible toilets. They include equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.

News of the contract awarded by North Yorkshire Council was announced at last night’s full meeting of Ripon City Council by Councillor Andrew Williams.

The new toilet will be built on the site of the existing block near the bus station

The city council leader and North Yorkshire Council member for the Minster and Moorside division that includes the city centre, said:

“Now that the contract has been confirmed, we look forward to seeing it built and in use as soon as possible.”

“With its proximity to the bus station, it is a great addition to Ripon, making the city centre more accessible for local residents and visitors.”

A remarkable and extensive international collection containing items of worldwide importance has been delivered to its new home in Ripon following 38 years of planning.

The collection, now in secure storage at the Old Wesleyan Chapel on Coltsgate Hill, was  gathered over decades by husband and wife Alex and Gwen Renton, two mathematics teachers who lived in the Ripon area.

It includes more than 2,000  scientific and technological instruments gathered from across the globe, which have been used in every form of measurement and weighing employed by mankind since 600 BC.

The delivery was made last week.

In 1986,  Mr and Mrs Renton made their phenomenal offer to the Ripon City Festival Trust, when it was making preparations for celebration of Ripon’s 1100th anniversary.

Trustee Barrie Price told the Stray Ferret:

“They said that to mark the anniversary year they wanted to donate their collection to the city, on the proviso that it must stay in Ripon and be made available to children as an educational resource.”

He added:

“Their home was like an Aladdin’s cave, with a vast variety of valuable items, many of which had been sought by the major museums in London.

“It was agreed that they should stay in their possession until after their deaths. Gwen died in May 2005 and Alex in February 2008 and then the search began to find a suitable, safe and secure place for both the storage and subsequent display of items dating from the Babylonian period to the present day.”

 ‘No similar collection anywhere in the world’

In 1997, Professor Norman Biggs, an internationally-recognised expert on weights and measures, based at the Centre for Discrete and Applicable Mathematics at London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

“The Renton Collection of weights and measures is unique, there is no similar collection anywhere in the world and it reflects a broader range of weighing and measuring activity than a ‘normal’ museum collection.”

The collection includes many rare documents, books and catalogues

The collection, which includes a library of books documents and catalogues on matters related to weights and measures, was left in trust  and is under the guardianship of the Knoll Charitable Trust, whose chairman is Mr Price.

A building saved from dereliction

The trust also owns the former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel built in 1861, which ceased being a place if worship in 1963 when it merged with Allhallowgate Methodist Church.

This imposing building was home in the 1960s to U-Save, Ripon’s first supermarket, but fell into dereliction after the store closed.

Following major refurbishment in 1997 it became the office of a regional accountancy practice where Mr Price was a senior partner.

The former chapel was awarded a green plaque by Ripon Civic Society in recognition of its heritage status.

Nexus Dental Laboratory

As well as providing a new long-term location for the Renton Collection, the ground floor of the building has been the base for Nexus Dental Laboratory, following its relocation last year from smaller city centre premises.

Steve Campbell, the company’s chief executive and his colleagues are enthusiastic about sharing the building with a collection of outstanding educational and cultural importance. He said:

“I am filled with a profound sense of privilege and excitement. This collection, arguably the most significant assembly of measurement devices in British history, showcases the pinnacle of ingenuity and precision from past eras and profoundly connects with the rich tapestry of Ripon’s history and beyond.

“This collection is not merely an exhibition of historical artefacts. It represents a celebration of humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge and precision. It brings to the region scientific significance and the compelling stories to inspire curiosity and admiration.”

He added:

“We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this journey. The opportunity to share in the eventual display of these items is a privilege that fills me with gratitude.

“The Renton Collection at The Old Chapel is more than an exhibition; it is a testament to the enduring human spirit of exploration, accuracy, and belief. It invites us to reflect on our past, appreciate the present, and anticipate the future of scientific discovery and understanding.”

The sculpture of Blind Jack with his trundle wheel in Knaresborough Market Place.

Nexus director Iain Baldwin, a former pupil of King James’s School, Knaresborough, said:

“Among the items that we now have in our care is a trundle wheel that is similar to the one featured in the sculpture of 18th century engineer and legendary road builder Blind Jack in Knaresborough Market Place.

“It is incredible  to have, here in Ripon, a real-life exhibit of a measuring device that gives us this local link to a collection of such international significance.”

Before items can go on display the search is on for a person with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake the mammoth task of working through the extensive collection and getting it into shape.

Mr Price said:

“We will also be looking to appoint a caretaker and enlist the help of volunteers. The plan is to move forward in a measured manner and in the longer term, what we are able to do with this magnificent gift to Ripon will be dictated by the funding that we can obtain.”

He added:

“It is, however, a fantastic gift for the city to receive, working on many levels, as an educational resource to inspire young minds and a visitor attraction that will add to Ripon’s standing as a place that is firmly on the map of  national and international heritage tourists.”

Main image: Barrie Price (right), Steve Campbell (centre) and Iain Baldwin, are pictured with some of the many items from the Renton Collection. 

Read more:

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• Troops rallied to fight for Ripon’s military heritage

Ripon Races will begin its 125th anniversary season on Thursday (April 18), with a new chairman and improved facilities for jockeys.

Gates open at 12 noon for the first of 16 days of racing in Ripon this year.

This year’s calendar includes a new Sunday fixture on August 11, which has adopted a family Olympics day theme to coincide with the Olympic Games closing ceremony. It will include free family entertainment with medals up for grabs.

The big St Wilfrid meeting is on August 17 and the final race day is September 28.

Andrew Wells is taking over the reins as chairman from Nigel Clark, who is stepping down after five seasons.

Mr Wells is the great great grandson of William Wells who was the inaugural chairman of the board when Ripon Race Company Ltd was formed in 1899 and moved to its current Boroughbridge Road location.

The Wells family connection to Yorkshire’s garden racecourse is a strong one as Andrew’s great grandfather, Arthur, was the chairman at the time of World War I.

The new chairman said it was a “great honour” to be asked to become chairman 125 years after his great great grandfather became founding chairman.

He added:

“It makes me immensely proud to think that I could be standing where he had stood to watch the first winner come over the finish line back in 1899, although I am not sure what he would have made of media rights and affordability checks!

“Along with my fellow board members we will work together to maintain and develop the race company as it steers its way through the current challenges facing British racing.”

Ripon, which celebrates its 125th anniversary season this year, is known for its floral excellence

To celebrate the 125th anniversary, racegoers have the opportunity to attend two meetings — Saturday April 27 and Friday May 10 — for the price of one. Anybody with a pre-booked ticket for the Saturday meeting will be given a completely free ticket for the Friday evening meeting two weeks later.

The racecourse has invested in new facilities in the weighing room as well as veterinary facilities in the stable yard.

Managing director James Hutchinson said:

“Work began on our weighing room project immediately after the end of our 2023 season and we’re delighted to have upgraded it but without losing the character of the original weighing room, which was constructed in the 1930s. A lot has changed in racing since then!

“The upgrades we’ve made are intended to bring facilities up to date and futureproof the racecourse for years to come and we’re already looking at additional projects for the next close season, when we intend to make improvements to the stable staff hostel.”

Main picture: Racing resumes at Ripon on Thursday afternoon.

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• Ripon Grammar student organises charity concert for paralysed 15-year-old

Stiches that bridge time between ancient and modern craftsmanship are linking the skills of two outstanding leatherworkers in the Ripon area.

The handmade heritage stretches back to the foundation by Wilfrid of the city’s cathedral in 672 AD

Master craftsman Andy Bates, a mentor on the BBC’s Make It At Market BAFTA Award-nominated series, has been sharing his in-depth knowledge with Bridie Rimmer, whose bespoke handmade Luxe Rebel Leather Co, brand of leather jackets and fashion wear is proving popular with glam rock and and country music stars.

The like-minded leatherworkers who produce goods of the highest quality for different types of clientele, first met at a leathercraft workshop run by Andy at Ripon Workhouse Museum last year.

A selection of Luxe Rebel Leather Co garments, all made by Bridie Rimmer

Andy said:

“It was a serendipitous meeting, because we were able to discuss how the skills and techniques of leathercraft, which go back centuries, still apply to this day and Bridie is using them to create specialist high-end bespoke goods that have great visual appeal, while my customers commission me to produce one-off items ranging from belts to boots and items that are used in theatrical productions.”

One of Andy Bates’ dramatic pieces of leatherwork. 

Bridie’s clients include Canadian Jo-Jo O’Donoghue, lead singer with the fast-rising glam rock band Jo-Jo and the Teeth and her stunning designs are also worn by other artists including country musician Kezia Gill.

She has also caught the attention of the organisers of an industry award, where  Rebel Luxe Leather Co has been shortlisted for a sustainability award for her environmentally-aware operation, which sees waste is minimised through use of offcuts to make other small leather goods. Some left over leather is also donated to local schools.

Speaking about how she developed her latent talent, Bridie said:

“I taught myself how to make a jacket from an existing one and after many frustrating attempts, it worked!  I then developed the patterns to change them into a unique rebellious stylish piece.

“I am completely self-taught in leather and when I wanted to expand and explore more into the leather world, Luxe Rebel Leather Co. was born; with creativity and chic style at its core.”

Jo-Jo O’Donoghue, lead singer of Jo-Jo and the Teeth in a jacket made by Bridie Rimmer. Picture: Kamila Jarczak

She added:

“I am passionate about finding my customers’ unique styles and igniting their confidence by working closely together to develop a piece that personally speaks to them, in a way that nothing else in the current fast-fashion industry could.”

In the footsteps of Saint Wilfrid

Andy, who is a keen archaeologist, historian and member of the Heritage Crafts organisation, pointed out:

“We can trace back the leather-sandaled  footsteps of Ripon’s Patron Saint Wilfrid, and find his link to leatherworking both here and in Hexham.

“‘More than 1,300 years later, working alongside Bridie and others willing to share their know-how and craftworking tips, I am planning to run more workshops.

“This is in the hope that they will become the catalyst that helps craftsmen and women to join forces and put Ripon back on the map as a centre of excellence for the production of hand-crafted leather goods.”

Main image: Andy Bates and Bridie Rimmer, pictured with examples of their work at Bridie’s Melmerby studio.

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‘Heritage Worth Fighting For’ is the battlecry of Ripon Military Heritage Trust, as it steps up its campaign to save priceless elements of the city’s world war history from the bulldozer.

The trust, which was established last year, has created a website to raise awareness of its work and attract support from the public and interested parties locally, nationally and internationally.

The heritage items that they are fighting to save include buildings, bridges and other structures that help to tell the story of the strategic role that Ripon played in two world wars and other conflicts.

Each of the heritage assets are located on the Ripon barracks site, where the 1,300-home Clotherholme development led by Homes England – the government’s housing and regeneration agency – is due to begin in 2026, when the Royal Engineers vacate the base that has been their home for decades.

Guy Wilson (fourth from left) is pictured with fellow trustees Lt Col (Retd) Bob Lisle, Jane Furse, Stuart Martin and Michael Furse. Picture RMHT

Chairman of trustees Guy Wilson is, along with fellow trustees, using the website to make a passionate rallying call.

Mr Wilson, who was previously responsible for bringing the Royal Armouries Museum to Leeds in 1988, told the Stray Ferret:

“We need help and support from the public in a number of ways. Most urgent is our need to wake up those in positions of power and influence to the importance of saving Ripon’s unique World War Two heritage.

“Currently the landowners — the Ministry of Defence — and the local planners have taken a Pontius Pilate attitude and washed their hands of any active involvement leaving the trust to deal on its own with the developers — Homes England — who have so far refused to contemplate any change from the submitted development plans.

“If this situation continues the heritage will be lost. Instead ,we need positive engagement and with that we believe that a group of barrack buildings can be saved in a way which would benefit both Ripon and the proposed development.

Mr Wilson added:

“If people want to help they should get in touch with us via our website and be prepared to write letters to their MP, to the planning authority, to the Ministry of Defence and to any relevant contacts they may have. There is also talk locally of organising petitions and other direct actions to show support for the heritage and we expect more to develop on this front soon.”

D-Day for decision makers

Mr Wilson said the forthcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 presented an opportunity to make the case to a wider audience because of the link between the threatened heritage in Ripon and the success of D-Day.

He added:

“We hope to encourage debate both locally and nationally about the mismatch between the occasional official rhetoric about the debt we owe to the ‘finest hour’ generation and the stark reality of official indifference to the fate of highly significant historic assets that remain to us from that period.

“So we will be encouraging all parts of the news and media world to get involved and to cover the story, we’ll be writing letters to newspapers and journals ourselves, and  we’ll be reporting on our success, or lack of it , in seeking the  engagement of all relevant parties in a proper and constructive process to save Ripon’s military heritage.”

The Royal Engineers’ vital role in the Second World War

During the Second World War, the School of Military Engineering was relocated from Chatham to Ripon. With it came the ancillary training establishments which taught critical skills such as bomb disposal and anti-tank warfare.

Combat engineers, both British and allied, were trained at Ripon in such skills as bridging and mine clearance. US Army Engineers came to the city after Pearl Harbour to learn how to defuse unexploded bombs and then a US section of the School of Military Engineering was established in Ripon so allied forces could be taught the same things.

On D-Day, some 25% of the troops that landed in Normandy were engineers, far more than normal for combat, but essential as the engineers had so much to do to get the troops safely ashore and moving inland.

British and allied forces were taught in Ripon how to install Bailey Bridges, such as this one in Imola, Italy, which is being crossed by a Sherman Firefly tank. Picture: Wikipedia

Mr Wilson said:

“Not all of them were trained in Ripon but what happened in Ripon influenced every one of them. And there is still much we do not understand and need to find out. For instance, there was an organisation called the Experimental Anti-Tank Establishment.

“We know it was testing anti-tank mines at Ripon. And in a lecture given in December1945 Major General Inglis noted that in 1942  “a number of curious devices such as snakes, flails, rollers and ploughs were being developed by the Anti-Tank Experimental Establishment. This suggests that the Experimental Anti-Tank Establishment and thus Ripon may have had a hand in the early development of what became known as ‘Hobart’s funnies’, those altered ‘engineer’ tanks which proved their worth on and after D-Day.”

Funding for the trust’s work

Mr Wilson added:

“Currently the trust is looking to raise only sufficient money to fund our continuing public relations campaign. A modest £5,000 will see us through this year. Beyond that we cannot start any campaign until we know what we are allowed to do.

“The what and where and how has to be agreed before we can cost any project and start fund-raising for it. And currently no one will properly engage with us to produce the first, essential requirement – a thorough assessment of the significance of the Ripon site and its surviving heritage assets.

“We are, therefore, stuck at the starting post and the danger is that, suddenly the development plans will be passed and demolition will begin before we have had tine to develop a proper scheme to save what is most important.”

Support from Ripon City Council

The leader of Ripon City Council, Councillor Andrew Williams, said:

“We are unanimous in our support for all that the trust is doing and fellow North Yorkshire councillor Barbara Brodigan and I have attended a number of meetings that the trust has held with Homes England, to make the city’s feelings known.”

He added:

“The military heritage within the barracks site must be maintained. It not only belongs to the people of Ripon, but to the nation and is a unique reminder of the part that our Royal Engineers played in fighting for our freedom and the liberation of Europe.

“As well as being a means of educating future generations about the horrors of war, the assets on the barracks site are part of Ripon’s wider heritage dating back 1,351 years to the establishment by Wilfrid of the cathedral and can play an important role in our development as a destination for heritage-based tourism.”

What Homes England says

In a previous statement Homes England, said:

“We remain committed to delivering a military heritage strategy as part of our wider proposals for the site and continue to discuss options with the local planning authority and the Ripon Military Heritage Trust.”

The government housebuilding agency added:

• Details for the heritage strategy, its funding, and potential use of the existing military structures continue to be fine-tuned as part of the planning application process.
• As part of ongoing discussions with North Yorkshire Council, Homes England and The Defence Infrastructure Organisation have committed to spending £100.000 towards the progression of the submitted heritage strategy. The council has asked Homes England / the DIO to continue engagement with Ripon Military Heritage Trust over the submitted heritage strategy and a number of options are now being explored as part of those discussions.

Read more:

• Trust fights to save Ripon’s priceless military heritage
• Ripon volunteers prepare for D-Day anniversary

Projects focused on nature, the environment and carbon reduction were to the fore at last night’s Ripon Civic Awards.

Three months after Ripon Civic Society held its biennial awards in April 2022, North Yorkshire Council declared a climate emergency and planned steps that it would take, alongside stakeholders, to tackle the issue of climate change under its strategy Beyond Carbon.

Since then, incidents such as the criminal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumbria and council-sanctioned removal of trees at other locations across the UK, have increased both public and corporate awareness of the role that the natural environment plays alongside the built environment,

Prior to last night’s awards ceremony at the Workhouse Museum in Allhallowgate, civic society co-chair Richard Taylor, told the Stray Ferret:

“There was a common green thread running through the majority of entries considered by our panel of judges for the 2024 awards.

“We saw environmental consideration at the heart of the planning and delivery of developments and projects, ranging from the construction of a single private residence to Econ Engineering’s world-first multi-function E-QCB electric gritter, invented here in Ripon.”

ECON’s E-QCB electric gritter was highly commended at last night’s awards.

Mr Taylor and fellow civic society co-chair David Winpenny played video footage as they described each of the shortlisted entries, before the winners were announced and trophies presented by Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke.

Justin Scully, the National Trust’s general manager at Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, received, on behalf of the Skell Valley Project, the sustainability award, and also the Helen Whitehead Award for best overall project.

The four-year scheme, which received £2.6 million funding to tackle climate change-related flooding issues along a 12-mile stretch of the river that runs through Ripon and the world heritage site, was launched in 2021 and has seen collaboration between 16 organisations on 15 different environmental enhancement schemes.

Mr Scully said:

“We are extremely grateful for this recognition of our work, which has been made possible through a huge volunteer input and I’m pleased to report that just five percent of the funding monies has been spent at Fountains and Studley Royal, meaning that the entire valley has benefited from this initiative.”

Justin Scully receives the Helen Whitehead Award from mayor Sid Hawke

There was also recognition for other volunteer-supported environmentally focused projects, including the work carried out by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust at Nosterfield, where former sand and gravel pits have become transformed into habitat for an abundant range of wildlife through the re-introduction of threatened native species of plants grown in a nursery on site.

Mr Winpenny said:

“This project ticks every box in terms of its aims and the detailed thought that has been put into its planning and delivery over many years,”

Simon Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust and project officer Emma Higgs, receive the Younge Rosebowl Enviromental Award.

The Ripon Community Link walled garden is, through its on-site and community-based activities, enabling 60 adults with mild or moderate learning disabilities to grow and reach their full potential with the support of volunteers.

Their work  was boosted last year with the opening of a new cafe and shop, which provides training opportunities and last night they received the John Whitehead Award,

The new cafe and shop at Ripon Walled Garden

The Hazzard Cup for best new building went to the owners of Maple Nook ,a custom-designed and built private residence on Heckler Lane in Ripon, which includes many eco-friendly features, while the Price Flagon for Best Building Restoration, was presented to the Westholme Road Barns on the Swinton Estate in Masham, where the use of reclaimed materials was central to bringing redundant farm buildings back to life.

The craftmanship award was received by Barrie Price on behalf of St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, where the second phase of its £500,000 restoration involved the creation of a porch extension to the south of the Grade II star listed building.

Judges were impressed by the use of stone, tiles, green oak timber and glass in sympathy with original design of the 160-year-old building, which now includes a much-needed accessible toilet for the use if parishioners and visitors,

A stone’s throw from the church is the Ripon Inn, which earned the Taylor Plate for City Centre Revitalisation.

The Inn Collection’s multi-million pound investment, which has transformed the former Spa Hotel, is welcomed by the civic society and Mr Taylor (who pointed out that the plate prize is not in his name) said:

“We now hope that the revitalisation of the Spa Quarter can soon be completed through the planned redevelopment of the nearby Spa Baths, which is in desperate need of restoration.”

The Ripon Inn

Just when it was thought that all the prizes had been presented, a new award was announced for the person who has made an outstanding contribution to Ripon Civic Society.

The inaugural winner Neill Clayton (pictured above with Mayor Sid Hawke) who will be known by many for the railway that he has created in his Dallamire’s Lane garden, which can be seen by people on scenic boat cruises along Ripon Canal.

Mr Clayton has an encyclopedic-knowledge of Ripon’s industrial history and is a long-term member of the society.

He has played an important role in providing accurate background information for heritage open days and also participates in them by allowing members of the public to see and ride on his railway.

He said:

“The industrial development of Ripon is something that we should all be proud of. It is a living thing that goes on, as we have seen tonight with ECON’s world-leading invention of an electric gritter.”

Main picture: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, with award winners and civic society co-chairs David Winpenny and Richard Taylor.

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Ripon received a surprise visitor when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived for an unannounced hour-long walkabout and meetings with local businesses and politicians.

Yesterday’s Totally Locally street party organised by the city’s independent traders and supported by Ripon Business Improvement District, provided a platform for Mr Sunak, along with Keane Duncan, the Conservative Party candidate for next month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election, to mingle with crowds on Market Square.

The Bank Holiday Monday event, which was launched last year, is designed to raise awareness of what the ancient city has to offer in a modern-day economy.

BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:

“The Prime Minister was able to see for himself what the collaborative efforts of Ripon’s strong mix of independent retail and  hospitality businesses can achieve.

“There are clear indicators, both in terms of the investment in new openings and refurbishments in the city centre and footfall analysis, that a post-pandemic revival is underway.”

City councillor and deputy mayor elect Jackie Crozier (pictured below)  whose award-winning Little Bird Made artisan markets are held on Market Square and locations across Yorkshire, introduced Mr Sunak to coffee maker Tom Bolland of the Happy Barista — a regular attendee  at the Little Bird events.

For 11-year-old Lilly, daughter of Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, there was an opportunity for a photograph with Mr Sunak outside Ripon’s historic town hall.

Rishi Sunak, pictured with Cllr Andrew Williams and his daughter Lilly.

Cllr Williams said:

“There’s an interesting fact that links our current Prime Minster with one dating back to 1827, because the Marquess of Ripon, who donated the town hall building to the then borough council in 1897 after two terms as mayor of the city, was born at 10 Downing Street while his father Viscount Goderich was in office.”

Mayoral candidates

The election for the first mayor of the York and North Yorkshire combined authority will take place on Thursday May 2 and, in addition to the Conservative Keane Duncan, the other candidates are:

• Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Lib Dem)
• Kevin Foster (Green Party)
• Paul Haslam (Independent)
• David Skaith (Labour),
• Keith Tordoff (Independent)

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As decision day for the controversial Ripon Cathedral annexe planning application approaches, more than 40 ‘Save our Trees’ campaigners held a peaceful protest march through the city today (Saturday)

The march, attended by some of the 2,300 people who have signed the petition raised by Ripon resident and campaigner Jenni Holman, started at 12 noon on Minster Gardens, where 11 mature trees, including a 200-year-old beech of veteran status, are threatened by the proposed development on the green open space.

The park, which is within the Ripon Conservation area, is  currently owned and maintained by North Yorkshire Council.

The cathedral’s £8 million plan is for a two-storey standalone building, that would include an 80-seat refectory, gift shop, song school, accessible toilets and additional storage space.

Ms Holman, told the Stray Ferret:

“We reiterate, as we have done throughout our year-long campaign, that we want the cathedral to thrive and have the facilities that it needs.

“However, the proposed location of the annexe on a precious green open space that has been enjoyed by the people of Ripon and visitors to the city for two centuries, is not acceptable and we cannot support an application that involves cutting down healthy trees and the loss of green space.”

This computer generated image shows the proposed annexe located on the gardens to the north of the cathedral. Picture Ripon Cathedral Renewed

The dean and chapter have previously said that in compensation for the lost trees, it will plant 21 in the vicinity of the cathedral and a further 300 on land ‘near Studley’ but campaigner Brian McHugh, who has raised concerns about this aspect of the proposed development, said:

“The mitigation strategy of the off site planting 4 miles outside Ripon, is a central pillar to the Cathedral’s argument. And it needs to be a strategy that can be scrutinised and evaluated by the planning committee in making their decision. Despite publicly repeating 300 trees in their literature, the Cathedral now say that this ‘is a private matter between the Cathedral and the landowner.

“How can the planning committee ensure that the mitigation strategy meets the objectives, if they are being denied access to the agreement between the parties?”

The protestors handed out leaflets to shoppers and visitors, as they marched from Minster Gardens along Kirkgate and on to Market Square

Mr McHugh, added:

“We do not want Ripon to become a city synonymous with tree-felling. We do not want Ripon to join the list of Sheffield, Plymouth, Devon, Windermere or Sycamore Gap, where the destruction of nature has hit national news headlines.”

Woodland Trust Supports campaign

Statutory consultee The Woodland Trust has formally objected to the planning application, along with other consultees  Ripon City Council and Ripon Civic Society.

,Jack Taylor, the trust’s lead campaigner for woods under threat, said in a statement:

“The proposed loss of trees within Ripon Cathedral’s Minster Gardens is of grave concern to the Woodland Trust. An irreplaceable veteran beech tree and a number of mature and notable trees would be lost to development on this site.

“Such trees play a vital role in the urban environment, enhancing aesthetic appeal, acting as carbon sinks, providing shade, improving air quality, and supporting local biodiversity. Their loss not only alters the landscape but also has far-reaching environmental and social implications.”

He added:

“The loss of veteran, notable and mature trees is entirely unacceptable and contrary to national planning policies designed to protect these important habitats. We ask that the developers work with North Yorkshire  Council and the local community to safeguard these magnificent urban trees and ensure that Ripon’s Minster Gardens remain vibrant, resilient, and ecologically rich.”

The campaigners stood outside the town hall to draw attention to the fact that Ripon City Council objects to the annexe plan.

The cathedral’s consultation

On Thursday,  the cathedral, whose plans are supported by Historic England, the cathedral’s independent fabric advisory committee, the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England and Ripon Together, held the last of 22 drop-in sessions as part of a public consultation programme which began in February.

The programme was launched after the Cathedral announced that it had sought and received permission from North Yorkshire Council to pause the annexe planning application for three months.

Prior to the first drop-in session, a spokesperson for Dean John Dobson and the cathedral chapter, said:

“It is hoped that a pause in the planning application to allow for additional consultation will prompt a genuine exchange of views, the sharing of informed ideas and the constructive discussion of concerns raised.”

The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson

In a subsequent interview with the dean published by the Stray Ferret on March 3, he said:

“The purpose of the pause — and it may be a vain attempt — is an attempt on our part to enable people to hear the facts as we in the cathedral perceive them, i.e. these are the actual proposals, this is where we are proposing to build, these are the trees that would be affected by it, this would be the mitigation plan.

“Many people think this is a fantastic scheme that would enhance the cathedral, that would enhance what could be a cathedral quarter and would enhance the city. It would have economic benefits and it would have an aesthetic benefit. Many people believe that.”

Dean John, added:

“We genuinely want to hear what people think. If people of Ripon are really against this, well, say so. But actually, are they? I’m not convinced we know whether they are or not. Many haven’t engaged with the precise proposal.”

“But we haven’t fallen out. It’s perfectly reasonable for people to take a contrary view. What isn’t reasonable is for people to just make things up to create an alternative narrative. That I think is hugely disappointing and detrimental.”

“Well, I’m hopeful. It seems to me the arguments are compelling; the benefits are overwhelming. But I do accept some people are very unhappy about it. The question is: how many, and why, and how we address that. But we cannot carry on just looking at more and more options.”

The Stray Ferret approached the cathedral regarding views expressed by Mr McHugh about the tree mitigation strategy, but no response was received at the time of publication.

Main image: ‘Save our trees’ campaigners pictured on Minster Gardens at lunchtime today, before marching to the city centre.

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The city’s ongoing retail revival received a Good Friday boost, with HALLS of Ripon department store opening its new showcase frontage this morning.

Ripon’s only department store closed for a major reconfiguration in January, but partially reopened on March 13.

This morning store director Mike Cooper told the Stray Ferret:

“We are delighted to be fully reopen for this important Easter trading period.”

The new display counters at Red Buttons Jewellers

He said:

“We had people working here through the night to make sure that our front doors on Fishergate would be open today.

“Now customers will be able to see the full picture of how the refurbishment has enabled us to revamp the layout, while creating space for existing independent traders to expand and for new entrants to set up business here.”

Zoe Wotherspoon, whose Robin Gifts ladies fashion and accessories occupies the prime front of store position, said:

“We were desperate to get open for the busy holiday period and look forward to welcoming existing and new customers to see what we are offering.

“In addition to our spring and summer fashions, we have introduced a new range of Ripon and Yorkshire cushions to add to the home and personal accessories that we sell.”

The reconfiguration has enabled her business to expand by 40 percent, while Linda Liversidge, proprietor of Montpellier Dressers – which, like Robin Gifts was previously located in Harrogate – has also expanded and increased its range of vintage high end fashion and accessories.

Ms Liversidge (pictured above) said:

“I started with one stall here and now have four. It’s such a good location for the type of goods that I sell.”

During the transformative works, entry was via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and the Hive Cafe – which was able to remain open throughout.”

Hedley Hall’s vast array of vintage models and collectables has a fresh new look

 

Main image: Zoe Wotherspoon owner of Robin Gifts, is pictured outside HALLS of Ripon’s now reopened Fishergate entrance with director Mike Cooper.

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