Owners of a historic Ripon site, which fell into a state of disrepair, have apologised to neighbours as the area is prepared for residential redevelopment.

Leeds-based Graycliffe Homes bought the former Girls’ High School Old Lecture Building, on College Road, as a development opportunity ten years ago.

Over the past decade, the two storey red brick Edwardian building has had windows broken and slates stolen while its grounds became overgrown.

Graycliffe’s managing director, Wayne Butterfield, who has been involved in a major tidy up of the area, told the Stray Ferret:

“It has become something of an eyesore and for that I would like to apologise to our neighbours.

“The new homes development here will see a transformation, that I hope is to the liking of people who live nearby.”

Planning permission was granted by Harrogate Borough Council for the former high school to be refurbished and converted to create eight townhouses.

An architect’s drawing showing how the refurbished building will look. Picture: Graycliffe Homes

There will also be five new-build homes on the site, which will be landscaped, with green spaces retained.

Graycliffe will not carry out the conversion and new build, but it is in discussions with developers who will carry forward the scheme.

Christopher Hughes, chair of Ripon Civic Society, welcomed the activity on site.

He said:

“This is an historically important building dating back to 1908 and we are pleased to see that is is being retained for conversion within the overall redevelopment plans.

“The society has taken a great interest in this site over the years and, at long last and many hold ups and frustrations, we are pleased to see it being tidied up in readiness for disposal to a developer, who will convert the former school building and carry out the other works.”

The building as it currently looks

The former school provided secondary education for girls, until its amalgamation with Ripon Grammar School in the early 1960’s.

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• Artworks provide echo to Ripon’s military past
• Another vandal attack on rare Ripon building

Afterwards, the building was used as part of the Ripon Teacher Training College and later the College of Ripon & York St John.

Following the closure of the training college, it was let to Leeds Metropolitan University whose lease on the building ended in 2012.

Soldiers from Ripon were involved in an art installation yesterday that provides an echo of the city’s military past going back 107 years.

Members of 21 Engineer Regiment helped with ground preparation before three metal silhouettes, depicting soldiers of World War I, were put in place at Hell Wath.

The works, created by artists Dan Metcalfe and Jeanne Mundy, in collaboration with Ripon Cathedral’s visual media artist and photographer Joe Priestley, replicate pieces from previous installations produced by the trio for the project ‘Fields of Mud, Seeds of Hope’ 

Members of the 21 Engineer Regiment did the spade work

Figures from that project can be seen near the cathedral and around the city as part of the Wilfred Owen memorial walk, created in honour the famous war poet who was based briefly at Ripon Army Camp from March 1918 and died in action in northern France just seven days before peace was declared.

Mr Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:

“During World War I, this area was the southern half of a huge camp that at any time was providing temporary accommodation for upwards of 30,000 troops.

“When you consider that the population of the city was around 8,000 before the camp arrived, it makes you realise how dominant it was and the impact it would have had.

“I hope that these works serve as a permanent reminder for generations to come of the part that Ripon played in the war and those who never returned.”

The logistics of the installation have been led by Ripon Community Poppy Project, which is also involved in producing the annual remembrance displays in the city centre.

Councillor Stuart Martin, who was one of the founders of the project, said:

“This has happened thanks to a massive collaborative effort, with support from Econ Engineering, Ripon Farm Services, Harrogate Borough Council, the Royal Engineers and Tarmac, which owns the land.

“Thanks to their assistance, combined with donations of materials, time and labour, they have enabled the creation of this stunning installation that underlines the historical significance of Ripon’s military roots, which go back many years.”

The photograph shows artist Dan Metcalfe (front, left) with Councillor Stuart Martin, of Ripon Community Poppy Project, and soldiers from the 21 Engineer Regiment.

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• How is Ripon marking Remembrance Sunday?
• Another vandal attack on rare Ripon building

Ripon is being wrapped in a cloak of red as the city prepares for next month’s Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

This year, with no covid restrictions in place, Ripon Community Poppy Project is installing its largest display to date, involving 75,000 hand-made woollen flowers, alongside banners and flags.

These reminders of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, can be seen throughout the city centre, from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, on roundabouts on the bypass and at other locations.

Ripon Town Hall, decked in Remembrance poppies

Hazel Barker, who along with Councillor Stuart Martin and Carol Dunkley, runs the project, with support from an army of volunteers, told the Stray Ferret:

“We decided to do something special to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in 2018 and it captured people’s imagination.

“The initial plan was to produce a poppy trail from Spa Gardens, where the war memorial is located, to the cathedral and it has grown from there.”

The display outside Ripon Cathedral.

Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, added:

“We started off with no funding and put out an appeal on Facebook asking if people could help us by knitting poppies and the response was phenomenal.

“As well as getting strong support from the local community, Hazel started receiving deliveries of poppies made by people living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Malta and other countries.”

The community poppy project continues to thrive, with knitters – both female and male – in the city and further afield providing their assistance.

At its core is the Knit and Natter group that meets between 9.30am and 11am each Monday morning in the Sun Pavilion Cafe in Spa Gardens.

Ms Barker said:

“They are knitting all year round and as well as making the poppies, they are producing decorative items for other events, such as next year’s celebration of the queen’s platinum jubilee.”

One of the specially produced banners attached to railings in the city centre

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and the messages ‘RBL 100’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ have been included on poppy wreaths.

The legion’s Ripon branch and the community poppy project, will benefit from the proceeds of a fundraising concert of remembrance being held at Ripon Cathedral on the evening of November 11. Tickets costing £15 are available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate.

A centrepiece of the event, which will include performances from Ripon City Band and the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be a replay of a video first shown in November 2018, when it was projected onto the front of the cathedral.

Cllr Martin said:

“It was produced, with the support of sponsors, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and is both spectacular and moving. This time, we will be showing it inside the cathedral.”

Read more:

• Major archaeological discovery at Fountains Abbey
• Vandals attack rare Ripon heritage building

The largest tannery ever discovered at a monastic site in Britain has been identified at Fountains Abbey.

Tanning was a vital part of the abbey economy. Animal hides would be de-haired and cured to make leather for purposes such as clothing, belts, bedding, book bindings and to make vellum or parchment for reproducing religious texts by the monastic scribes.

The find, made using ground penetrating radar, backed up with other geophysical survey methods, underlines the fact that Fountains was a hive of industry up to its dissolution in 1539.

It had always been a puzzle what a long ‘bowling alley’ type extension of the east side of the abbey precinct, close to the River Skell, could have been used for.

Investigations carried out in partnership with the National Trust, which owns the site, by the University of Bradford, Mala UK, Geoscan Research and Magnitude Surveys, found previously unknown monastic buildings filling the whole width of the valley floor of the World Heritage Site.

The proximity to the River Skell of the newly-discovered buildings, ties in with their use as a tannery

The find reveals two substantial stone buildings, 16 metres wide, one of them at least 32m long and more than a single storey in height, with lined pits, tanks and other structures around them.

These, along with the proximity to the river for water – a key requirement in the tanning process – has led to the conclusion that this was the tannery serving the community of Fountains Abbey.

Mark Newman, National Trust archaeologist explained:

“A tannery of this size, spanning such a large area of the site, reveals an operation on an industrial scale, meeting the needs for leather and other processed animal skins for the community of hundreds of people in the growing monastic community.

“Its scale also reflects an aspect of the productivity of the huge herds the abbey acquired and managed.

“Also, given the noise, activity and stench that emanated from a tannery, we previously thought that it would have been sited further away from the monks and their worship. We see now that the tannery was much closer and a far cry from the idea of a quiet, tranquil abbey community.”

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• Vandals attack rare Ripon heritage building
• Ripon homeowners fear ‘catastrophic collapse’

Mr Newman added that the abbey’s wealth:

“Was originally based on wool, but later diversified into cattle-raising too, while the need for processed animal skins was constant throughout the abbey’s life.

“In later years, when the herds were mainly managed by lay tenants as part of their rent, even the skins of any fallen stock had to be brought to the abbey for curing, so that as much as possible was put to practical use”.

Ripon’s rare cabmen’s shelter on Market Square has been vandalised for the third time in seven months.

City police were informed yesterday evening after it was discovered that the locked door of the shelter had been forced open.

This caused damage to the door frame of the Grade II listed building.

The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, who visited the scene yesterday evening, told the Stray Ferret:

“This is the third time that I have been called out to see the wilful and mindless damage that has been caused to the shelter by vandals.

“They clearly have no consideration for anybody else’s property and I just hope that with the CCTV we have in place in the city centre, the police will look through the footage, identify those involved and make arrests.”

The shelter, which dates back to 1911 and is the only moveable listed building in the country, also had windows broken by vandals in March and June.

The Ripon Civic Society plaque on the shelter’s door.

The shelter, which is owned by Ripon City Council, underwent a major refurbishment costing £22,000 before being returned to Market Square in September 2020.

Alcohol problems

Ripon has suffered from recurring incidents of violent and anti-social behaviour ranging from assaults to attacks on property.

Last week, North Yorkshire Police launched a survey designed to call on the views of local people into the issues affecting the city.

The survey asks residents for their views on alcohol-related litter, young people drinking in public places, young people being rowdy and asking for adults to buy alcohol for them.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We’re keen to hear your thoughts on the issues around young people and alcohol in your community.

“We’re working with the organisation Community Alcohol Partnerships to bring local partners together to discuss, tackle and protect our community from anti-social behaviour often caused by underage drinking

“The first step in this process is to find out local residents’ views and thoughts on the issue so it’s really important we get as many people to take part in the survey as possible.”

People can have their say by clicking or tapping here.

Read more:

• Why Ripon Leisure Centre won’t be fully open on 8 December
• Chance to solve a crime at Ripon museums 

Ripon Leisure Centre will only be partially open when the city’s new swimming pool comes on stream in seven weeks’ time.

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has confirmed that the leisure centre’s ground floor will remain closed while ‘further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.’

The multi-million pound project, due to include a six-lane pool, fully-refurbished leisure centre and outside play areas, was initially scheduled for completion in May, but ground stabilisation work known as grouting, contributed to a six-month hold up.

Last week HBC announced a revised date of 8 December for the opening of the pool.

Now, however, there is a further delay in delivery of the complete scheme, which is already more than £3 million over budget.

Opening on 8 December – Ripon’s new swimming pool

A spokesperson for HBC, said:

“The first floor of the leisure centre will remain open and will continue to be available for use when the new pool opens on the 8th December.

“The ground floor of the leisure centre will remain closed whilst further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.

“Once any further investigations and any necessary mitigations are concluded, the full suite of facilities at the Leisure Centre will be ready to be opened.”

The leisure centre gym has been moved and can now be accessed via a temporary first floor entrance, but a spin studio and other facilities that would have been on the ground floor, will not be available when the pool opens.

The original £10.2 million contract awarded to construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon in November 2019, stipulated a completion date of May 2021.

Following the extension of the contract, known costs for the scheme currently stand at £13,555,662.

A sinkhole caused the closure of the leisure centre car park in February 2018 and a new void discovered during construction work in September 2020 near the former entrance to the centre, is the subject of an investigation costing £110,000.

The long arm of the law is reaching out from Ripon Museum Trust, in a bid to capture the imagination of visitors over the autumn half term holiday.

The trust, which operates the Workhouse, Prison & Police and Old Courthouse museums, is offering the opportunity to explore the nature of crime and punishment in the Victorian era, through a series of themed activities both online and in person.

Whodunnit at the Workhouse? will run from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 October from 12pm to 3pm.

Visitors can try out their investigative skills at Ripon’s Workhouse Museum

This family-friendly activity will take visitors on an interactive trail across the sites of the museums as they try to solve a murder at the workhouse.

Visitors will learn about how policing worked in the Victorian era, about plants and poisons in the Workhouse Museum Garden, before discovering forensic science at the Prison & Police Museum.

Those who solve the crime could be in with a chance of winning a small prize. Activities are included in the cost of museum entry.

On Thursday 28 October at 7pm, Ripon museums will host an online exploration of Victorian criminality with Shocking Murder! Investigating Suspicious Death in Victorian Ripon.

In 1874, two savage murders rocked the city. In both cases, the formal murder investigation began with an inquest.

In a talk given by postgraduate student Sophie Michell, she will discuss how Victorian coroners worked, and how inquests formed the basis of a murder trial. Tickets cost £5 per person. The talk will be hosted on Zoom

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• December opening date for Ripon’s new swimming pool
• Former Ripon pub to be converted into apartments

Visitors can also explore the darker side of the city’s history with a Ripon Ghost Walk, where they will hear tales of ghouls and ghostly goings on. Two Halloween special ghost walks take place on Sunday 31 October, at 5pm and 7pm. Tickets cost £3 for adults and £2 for under 16s.

Further information about all of our events and activities is available at riponmuseums.co.uk, and tickets for the talk and ghost walks can be booked online. Contact the museum team by emailing info@riponmuseums.co.uk or call 01765 690799.

In a first media interview since their youngest daughter Lucie suffered catastrophic injuries in a roadside accident, parents Sue and Rocky Maguire have told the Stray Ferret how they and all their family are focused on the future.

The accident on 27 January, saw the nursery school assistant lose her right leg, hip and pelvis.

Lucie, who had her 20th birthday last month, has undergone extensive surgery, with more operations to follow.

In a FaceTime call from her bed at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) she said:

“I’d like to thank all the people who have helped me over the past nine months and also those who have sent such lovely messages of support.”

Back home in Kirkby Malzeard, regulars at the Queen’s Head, have a constant reminder of the ongoing effort, that will help her to rebuild her life when she gets out of hospital.

A pale ale called Our Girl Lucie, produced by Wensleydale Brewery, raises money with every pint that is pulled, while a GoFundMe page set up by close family friend Helen Walford, has already raised almost £40,000.

Sue and Rocky Maguire at the bar in the Queen’s Head, where the Our Girl Lucie pale ale is on sale

Sue, who runs the village pub with her husband, has constantly been at their daughter’s side at both the LGI and St James’s Hospital, Leeds.

She said:

“Lucie is a remarkable person and her fighting spirit helped her to pull through when we were fearing the worst.

“She has undergone numerous operations and has more to follow and has shown incredible courage.”

After the accident, she was initially taken to the LGI before being transferred to St James’s and is now back at the LGI.

Rocky said:

“The care that she has received at both hospitals has been world-class and we thank everybody, not only for the way that they have looked after Lucie, but also the kindness they have shown to us.”

There has been daily contact via FaceTime, while he and eldest daughter Zanne have handled the day to day running of the pub and Sue has been in Leeds.

At a challenging time for the hospitality sector, with covid lockdowns and lost income, the Maguires have had other misfortune.

Rocky suffered a mini stroke in August and had to be rushed into hospital and before that, Sue was in pain for weeks on her visits to Lucie, after breaking her right foot in an accident while staying overnight at a Leeds hotel.

Both are now recovered, but Sue pointed out:

“We have all been under a lot of stress, but are staying positive.

“There’s no point in looking back, so we are planning for the future, thinking about fundraising activities that will enable us to provide a living space and facilities adapted for Lucie’s needs.”

Lucie is also looking ahead, with plans to write a book.

She said:

“I would like to share my experiences and hope it will help others on their way to recovery.”

A year after four Ripon homes had to be evacuated because of subsidence, the owners are continuing to press for settlement of a long-standing insurance claim.

Fears of a building collapse at the 35-year-old Bedern Court scheme on Skellgarths have increased following a new report by a monitoring engineer.

Leaseholders and owners feel they have been put in a desperate situation caused by circumstances beyond their control.

The claim is currently with global insurance company Arch, and while owners and tenants of the four affected properties hope for good news, the engineer’s report has highlighted a worsening situation exacerbated by sinkhole activity in the area.

Four homes at Bedern Court have remained empty after being evacuated a year ago

Mat Pritchard, chairperson of Bedern Court Ltd (BCL) – a non-profit company controlled by owners and leaseholders with houses and apartments in the 29-unit development – told the Stray Ferret:

“The report from our monitoring engineer indicates that the ground movement is still ongoing, and appears to be speeding up.

“The risk of catastrophic collapse has ratcheted upwards and we are now seriously worried that the block could be very close to some kind of tipping point.

“We greatly fear a situation where it does collapse or partially collapse, and someone gets killed or injured.”

In addition to the monitoring report, BCL commissioned a separate investigation from a geotechnical engineering practice.

This looked at the history of the site and concluded that the subsidence issues experienced there do constitute an insurable risk that should be covered by insurance.

The report was sent to Arch in June and Mr Pritchard, who owns one of the affected properties with his wife Jane, said:

“We have been in very regular contact with the insurers in an attempt to get this matter resolved as swiftly as possible, but we are still waiting.

“All authorities, including the parish, district and county councils, have been contacted by us and kept updated.

“We have taken all of the measures that we can, but feel that we are rapidly running out of time.”

A Norse legend involving dragons and a Viking warrior will be brought to life in Ripon by actors next month.

They will tell the story of Sigurd, the dragon slayer, who has a link to the city through a stone dating back to the 10th century.

Known as the Sigurd Stone, It is widely thought to be part of the grave of a Norse settler, who died in Ripon.

The prized and unusual artefact, which is kept in the cathedral’s library and treasury, combines Christian imagery in the cross-shape and Norse mythology, with its image of the Viking warrior.

Sigurd’s story will be told in words and song on November 4 and 6 when performers from Hazelsong Theatre, with their six-metre long dragon puppet, parade around Ripon before performing a new piece of theatre in locations across the city.

Part of the Sigurd Stone at Ripon Cathedral. Picture: The Megalithic Portal

The theatre group is offering music workshops, sock puppet making and free performances to encourage families.

The team is also looking to collaborate with folk musicians to perform new pieces of music about the story during a free lunchtime concert. More details can be found on the cathedral events page here.

The performers in action. Picture: Hazelsong Theatre