Sight-impaired Ripon man calls for council boss to intervene over pavement cafe
A visually impaired man from Ripon has called on the Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council to intervene over a pavement cafe complaint.
Graham Wilkey has lodged a stage one complaint over the Caffe Nero outside space with the council. highlighting the issue about the amount of space that pavement licence holders are required to provide to ensure access can be maintained.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“Businesses that are given a licence to put tables and chairs outside their premises, should ensure that they are properly barriered off.
“They also need to ensure that the gap between the barriered off tables and chairs and edge of the kerb, is wide enough for people in two wheelchairs to safely pass by.”
Following the end of the first covid lockdown last summer, Mr Wilkey went out on his own into the city centre.
Graham Wilkey with the white stick that was bent after he collided with tables and chairs .
However, on his first solo walk in months, he collided with tables and chairs outside Caffe Nero in Market Place North.
His white stick got stuck and was bent out of shape.
Mr Wilkey, said:
“That shattered my confidence and made me wary about going out alone.”
He ;pointed out:
“I made a complaint to the council about the table licence that they gave to Caffe Nero
“I felt that council officers had not got the measurements right.
“I believe that the gap between the tables and chairs and the edge of the kerb is not wide enough.
“In addition to this, there are other obstructions on Market Place North, such as a lamp post.
“This makes it like an obstacle course for blind, partially sighted and disabled people in wheelchairs – that’s why I am calling on Mr Sampson’s intervention.
“I have asked the council’s corporate affairs team to bring this to his attention.”
In a written response to Mr Wilkey’s stage one complaint, the corporate affairs team, said that highways officers had visited the site during a consultation period and after the licence was granted and that they:
“Have confirmed that there is sufficient space.”
The letter goes on to say:
“Harrogate Borough Council is in agreement with this.
“Whilst there is no statutory requirement for barriers to be placed all around the site, Caffe Nero have confirmed their desire to deploy additional barriers.”
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Tanya Stimpson, director of Vision Support Harrogate District, said:
“With the easing of lockdown and more pavement licences issued, people with white sticks find it more difficult to navigate around the streets.
“I know this from personal experience, because I have my own white stick.”
She added:
“People who use white sticks are trained to walk close to the frontage of buildings.
“This becomes more problematic if there are tables and chairs in the way that hadn’t been in place previously.
“Where barriers have been put around seating areas, the barrier should go all the way to the ground, so that sticks can’t get stuck under them.”
Shakespeare with a difference is coming to RiponRipon’s Workhouse Museum Garden will be the setting for The Merry Wives of Windsor.
The Three Inch Fools, will give their musically-driven take on Shakespeare’s raucous comedy.
The touring troupe of five actors, will perform on the evening of Friday 25 June.
The performance will be staged in the Ripon Workhouse Museum Garden
Known for their fast-paced approach to Shakespeare’s works, The Three Inch Fools are a touring company.
They have built a reputation for staging productions, using many different instruments.
This is combined with rapid costume changes.
Collaborating with composer Stephen Hyde, for each production, they create a completely original musical soundtrack.
Following the easing of the covid lockdown the touring company has a summer traveling the length and breadth of the UK
They are in their seventh year of touring, having so far performed at more than 150 venues to almost 60,000 people.
Organisers suggest that audience members come prepared with blankets, cushions and camping-chairs.
The Workhouse, Prison & Police and Old Courthouse museums reopened to visitors on 17 May.
Ripon Museum Trust, which maintains the heritage attractions, received two grants totalling £186,850 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The funding is designed to help cultural organisations to get back on their feet following the coronavirus crisis.
A grant of £69,350, announced in April, will help the trust to develop digital learning for schools and reconnect with tour groups, older learners and communities.
Bookings can be made via riponmuseums.co.uk or by telephone on 01765 690799.
Ripon choristers sing their way to scholarship successUpper sixth formers Barnaby Sladden and James Kitchingman have sung their way to success.
The friends sang together for years in the Ripon Cathedral choir and are now heading to Cambridge and Worcester.
They have secured much sought-after choral scholarships.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said:
“James and Barnaby were gifted members of Ripon Cathedral Choir when I arrived in Ripon in 2014.
“It is such a joy to see them using their musical talents and flourishing so brilliantly.”
Barnaby has been offered a tenor position in the Clare College Chapel Choir at the University of Cambridge.
He will also study maths at the university.
As well as singing with the world-famous choir, he will be involved in regular performances on radio and overseas tours.
Barnaby and James san together for 11 years in the Ripon Cathedral choir.
James won his place at Worcester Cathedral, where he will receive free accommodation in an eighteenth century flat above the cathedral’s Song School.
Barnaby, who is 17, is following in the footsteps of his parents, Dan and Ruth Sladden.
The couple met in the 1990s, when they were Cambridge choral scholars, Dan at King’s and Ruth at Clare College
James, 18, will spend his gap year singing at six services a week in the cathedral and helping to run the music department there,
Michael Barker, director of music at Ripon Grammar School, said:
“Choral scholarships are only given out to the select few students who have shown dedication over time and commitment to choral music.
“I wish them the very best of luck on the next stage of their journeys.”
As a choral scholar, as well as being paid £3,000 a year and enjoying rent-free accommodation, he is looking forward to free singing lessons and mentoring from acclaimed professional musicians.
The famous choir performs in major concert venues all over the UK and has toured in Japan, the USA, Israel and throughout Europe in recent years.
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Like Barnaby, James comes from a musical family.
His mother Cathy, sings and plays the piano, father Andrew, plays piano and organ and sister Helena, 15, is a keen electric guitar player.
A motoring milestone for Ripon man’s rare vintage carIn 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.”
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The Crossley Motor Company
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.
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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”.
Concerns over Ripon Pool void
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.”
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Ripon student wins award for environmentally-friendly rail appA 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.”
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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.
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Ripon Curzon won’t open on June 4 after allThe 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.
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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 reopening
Concerned 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.
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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.