Ripon mayor’s charity event proves a hitThe Magdalens pub in Ripon was alive with the sound of music, as city mayor Eamon Parkin and consort Nigel Guy hosted an afternoon of fun and fundraising.
Proceeds from Saturday’s event, which are still to be finalised, will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.
The hog roast and music was arranged after the covid pandemic put paid to the mayor’s ball, which is normally a key fundraiser on the civic calendar.
Cllr Parkin, said:
“I thank the many friends from different organisations and businesses in Ripon, who supported the event and people who travelled some distance to be with us.”
Those who attended included the Pollard family from the north-east — Marjorie, Sharon and Natalie.
Mayor Cllr Eamon Parkin (left) and his consort Nigel Guy, pictured with the Pollard family from the left: Marjorie, Natalie and Sharon
Sharon said:
“We’ve been coming to Ripon for many years and struck up a lasting friendship with Eamon and Nigel.
“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
The Pollards left with an England women’s football shirt signed by members of the World Cup team – just one of many items sold at the charity auction.
The Counterfeit Celts provided music ranging from reggae to Irish folk and rock.
The Counterfeit Celts played from their wide repertoire.
Also providing entertainment was Ripon singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary who, like the band, had attendees singing along.
Many in the audience had last seen him performing on stage as the opening act at the Yorkshire Day Weekend concert.
In the spotlight — Freddie Cleary.
The auction and raffle, included numerous donated items on offer, ranging from sporting memorabilia to jewellery.
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Cllr Parkin is set to go into the record books by becoming the first Mayor of Ripon to serve for three consecutive terms.
He will remain in office until May.
Rich history of Ripon church opened to visitorsOne of the Harrogate district’s finest churches is to open to visitors and local residents this week after undergoing a £500,000 restoration.
St Wilfrid’s, on Coltsgate Hill in Ripon, will open from 10.30am to 4pm on Friday for the first in a series of four Heritage Open Days,.
The national programme sees historic places invite people to visit free of charge. The church, which opened in April 1863, is one of this year’s main attractions as it is considered to be one of England’s finest Catholic places of worship.
The grade II* listed building was designed in French Gothic style by the prolific York architect Joseph Hansom, inventor of the Hansom cab.
Features include stained and coloured glass, an imposing altar screen or reredos designed by Edward Pugin depicting scenes from the life of St Wilfrid and other fine statuary, carvings and artwork.
Windows in the tower were replaced as part of the refurbishment.
These include ornate medallions of saints above the nave arches by Salviati of Venice, and the side altar of Our Lady of Fountains, brought from the private chapel of the Marquess of Ripon at Studley Royal after his death.
The marquess converted to Catholicism in 1874 – six years before becoming viceroy and governor general of India.
Born at 10 Downing Street, when his father Viscount Goderich was briefly Prime Minister, he was a towering parliamentary figure in Victorian Britain and a major donor to St Wilfrid’s and to Ripon, where he was elected as the city’s mayor in 1897.
An addition to the 158-year history of St Wilfrid’s is a dramatic holograph-style set of stations of the cross, commissioned by a benefactor to the restoration appeal.
Many local people and organisations donated to the fundraising programme headed by parishioner Barrie Price.
This, combined with a Heritage Fund lottery grant, provided the money needed for the restoration and will fund further improvements, among them better access to the church.
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In addition to Friday’s open day, three more open days will be held on Saturday and Sunday and on Thursday next week.
Entry is via the front door steps or ramp on Coltsgate Hill and parking spaces are available in the church car park, accessed via Trinity Lane.
Ripon pilgrims follow the footsteps of Benedictine monksA group of 90 pilgrims, walked from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey yesterday – a journey linking two national treasures.
Led by Canon Barry Pyke, the Ripon Together Yorkshire Pilgrimage traced the steps of the 13 Benedictine monks who, in 1132 AD, were the original founders of the abbey.
The cathedral, founded in 672 AD by Ripon’s patron saint, Wilfrid, celebrates its 1350th anniversary next year.
Before setting off at 12.30pm, there was a special service inside the ancient building and prayers for a safe journey on the steps outside, said by the Revd Pyke.
The walkers were supported by police and marshals at road crossings along the route and with PCs Mike Spittleton and Dom Webb of Ripon Police taking part in the three mile walk with the pilgrims.
Pilgrims progress as they approach the gates of Studley Royal Park
Every Boxing Day for 45 years, a pilgrimage between the iconic sites had taken place, until the covid pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 event.
The pilgrimage, was part of the Welcome to Yorkshire, Walkshire programme and linked with Ripon Together’s Healthy Journeying campaign, which encourages people to walk in the local and wider Yorkshire countryside, following the lifting of covid restrictions.
Journey nearly completed – the pilgrims with the abbey ruins in view
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson, has underlined on many occasions the health and wellbeing benefits that people of all ages can gain from walking and cycling.
He said:
“Ripon Together has been promoting walking and cycling for a couple of years now. This was a fantastic opportunity for the people of Ripon and across the region to walk together from the oldest cathedral in the country to Fountains Abbey, one of Yorkshire’s World Heritage Sites.
“Ripon Together is devoted to improving the wellbeing of people in Ripon and the area.
“I am delighted that people are uniting to encourage healthy journeying.”
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The Last Night of the Proms – Ripon styleRipon will go from rock and pop to pomp and circumstance in its final free mass entertainment event of the summer next weekend.
Organised to coincide with the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the city will welcome fans of the more classical style of music to Market Square on Saturday, September 11.
The event, from 7pm until 11pm, features a tribute act singing songs made famous by Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins.
Also taking the stage in front of Ripon Town Hall during the evening will be the Dishforth Military Wives Choir.
Live music will be provided by an ensemble of 17 musicians and a fireworks display will provide the finale.
The free weekends of entertainment have been paid for from the Ripon parish precept, which is funded by council tax.
The previous ones brought tribute acts ranging from Queen to the ABBA Forever tribute group.
As well as providing free family entertainment, which has also included fairground rides for children, the intention has been to bring more people to the city centre and drive footfall to benefit local traders.
City council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“They’ve been enjoyable and trouble-free events that have put smiles on a lot of faces.
“You could see that people are delighted to be finally free of the restrictions that were necessary during the covid lockdowns.”
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More free events in Market Square are scheduled for autumn and winter.
During the October half term holiday there will be further family-focused activities, followed in November with the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights.
Bringing the curtain down on 2021 will be the famous New Year’s Eve entertainment — an alfresco party that normally sees hundreds of revellers rocking around Ripon’s obelisk.
Ripon company that played key role in covid marks 50 years in the cityIt was many happy returns for Wolseley today, as the company marked 50 years in Ripon with the reopening of its headquarters.
The building on Boroughbridge Road underwent a £500,000 refurbishment during lockdown.
While that was underway, Wolseley continued to supply vital plumbing and building materials to the NHS in its fight to save lives and beat the pandemic.
At today’s family open day, Wolseley chief executive Simon Oakland told the Stray Ferret:
“The NHS required critical building materials and parts for the repair and maintenance of hospitals and we provided them throughout the lockdown.”
The Wolseley UK headquarters on Boroughbridge Road.
The Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate was one of the major infrastructure projects the company supplied.
Mr Oakland said:
“We are proud to have been involved in supplying every Nightingale Hospital in the UK and have also supported the UK mass vaccination programme through the provision of refrigeration equipment.”
New training centre
The company, which opened its headquarters building in 1971, has 280 employees based in Ripon, and a further 120 at its Melmerby distribution centre.
The Boroughbridge Road site provides administrative services, including finance and IT support and UK-wide the company has 500 branches with 5,000 employees.
Ripon City Band provided musical entertainment.
At today’s community party to celebrate 50 years in Ripon and the centre’s reopening, head of office and finance director Mark Stibbards, told invited guests:
“We have some people who have worked for us for 40 years and they are part of a great team.
“We employ locally in this area and have throughout our history, supported Ripon charities and other organisations, including Ripon Walled Garden, Ripon Cathedral Primary School and Ripon City Football Club.”
A new training centre on the site will not only develop the talent of the Wolseley team but also provide opportunities for community organisations that help individuals improve their skills and employability.
Farhan, who works in the IT department at Wolseley is pictured with his wife Samera and their six-year-old daughter Maiza on one of the children’s rides.
Today’s celebration event was attended by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, representatives from charities, Wolseley employees and their children, former company directors and members of the community.
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The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who cut a ribbon to signal the reopening of the offices, said:
“I was born and bred in this city and have known Wolseley for most of my life.
“The 50 years of investment and employment they brought by selecting Ripon for their headquarters is greatly appreciated.”
Your chance to get involved with £2.5m Skell Valley projectPeople are being given the chance to get involved in a £2.5 million project to create a sustainable future for the Skell Valley.
The project focuses on improving a 12-mile stretch of the river from Dallowgill Moor to Ripon and includes the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
High levels of silt deposits threaten the ecology and poor water quality has led to a decline in nature.
The project is being co-led by the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
To mark the start of the project, a free celebratory event will take place between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday, September 11, at Ripon’s Hell Wath Nature Reserve.
Activities taking place will include stream dipping and guided nature walks, natural wool dyeing sessions and a display of historical archives.
Refreshments and ice cream will be available.
Children attending should be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
The event is designed to highlight the role that the community, alongside farmers and landowners, can play in the four-year Skell scheme.
Project manager Nabil Abbas said:
“The project is all about working with the local community to improve this rich and beautiful landscape’s resilience to climate change, boost the local economy and increase people’s access to green space following the coronavirus pandemic.
“I hope everyone will join us on September 11 as we celebrate the start of this innovative project.”
Volunteers wanted
Project partners and local community groups will be on hand to lead activities, talk about their organisations and answer questions.
There will also be opportunities for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and interests to get involved. Volunteer roles are currently being recruited in nature conservation and archive research.
Details of the project.
Mr Abbas said:
“Volunteering offers fantastic opportunities for those wanting to develop practical conservation skills, learn about wildlife management or who might even want to follow a career in habitat conservation. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, help safeguard our beautiful landscape, and try something new.”
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For those interested in the history of the Skell Valley, volunteers are needed for the Digging Deep in the Archives project being run by the West Yorkshire Archives Service.
No prior booking is required for people planning to attend the event.
Ripon’s Curzon cinema finally looks set to reopenThere are finally positive signs that Curzon is planning to reopen its Ripon cinema, but the company says that the date is not yet known.
The premises on North Street have been closed since the first covid lockdown in March last year.
At present, Ripon is not listed among the 13 locations on the Curzon website, but a recruitment advert in the cinema’s windows suggest it is gearing up for a reopening.
However, when approached by the Stray Ferret about the duty manager position being advertised under the heading ‘We Are Recruiting’ a member of the Curzon customer service team, said:
“I can confirm that we are reopening but we do not have a date set yet for this to happen.”
The duty manager’s role is described by the cinema chain as involving ‘work alongside the general and assistant managers on all aspects of running the cinema.
This is currently the only role in Ripon being advertised on the jobs section of the Curzon website.
The advertisement in the windows at North Street says the company is seeking a person who, among other things, has ‘strong communication skills’ can ‘lead by example to provide top class customer service at all times’ and is willing to ‘act as an ambassador for Curzon at all times.’
Recruiting, but no confirmed reopening date as yet for Curzon’s Ripon cinema.
The London-headquartered BAFTA award-winning integrated film company was founded in 1934.
Alongside its cinemas, members can view film at their homes through its streaming service.
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As the covid lockdown restrictions on cinemas and live theatre were progressively eased by the government earlier this year, Curzon issued confusing and contradictory statements about its plans for the two-screen Ripon venue, when approached by the Stray Ferret for updates on its plans.
Curzon’s opening in Ripon in November 2013, provided film lovers in the city and the surrounding rural areas, with their first cinema since the closure in 1982 of the Palladium Picture House on Kirkgate.
Post lockdown, those seeking the cinema experience have been able to see films screened at Harrogate’s Odeon and Everyman.
Rare heather moorland holds up TV transmitter replacement
Plans to replace the fire-damaged Bilsdale transmitter and restore TV and radio signals for large swathes of the Harrogate district are being held up by the transmitter’s location within a rare heather moorland.
The blackout of Freeview TV channels and loss of radio signals has affected thousands of homes, particularly in the northern part of the district, after a major fire on August 10 put the 1,030 ft mast out of action.
Patience is wearing thin among many people, who have now been affected for three weeks.
Stray Ferret follower Lynette Cooper, who lives in central Harrogate, summed up the mood when she said:
“I’m totally fed up. For weeks now, I haven’t been able to see any of my favourite programmes.
“It’s the same for my daughter Helen at her home in Pickering and a friend told me that some elderly people at a Harrogate nursing home she goes to, just sit there with nothing to watch.”
The Bilsdale transmitter, built on the moors near Helmsley in 1969, is one of the most powerful transmitters in the UK, serving hundreds of thousands of viewers and listeners from North Yorkshire to the North East and beyond.
The Bilsdale mast’s moorland location.
In a statement on August 13, transmitter operator Arqiva said:
“Our plan involves the erection of an 80m temporary mast at Bilsdale and we have been surveying the site to identify the best alternative locations within the restrictions we have.
“Included in this is the fact that Bilsdale is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning we have to seek agreement to place any additional equipment.”
In its most recent update since the fire incident, the company could still not provide a likely date when services would be restored. It said:
“We continue to work through the process to enable access to the Bilsdale site to build the temporary mast.
“There is no specific new detail to share at this point but we are continuing to work round the clock to find a way forward.”
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The transmitter’s location within a government-protected area of 44,000 hectares of moorland continues to be a stumbling block.
The area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heathland habitat and breeding birds. Special permission needs to be granted for access across it.
Natural England says on its website:
“Heather moorland is rare on a worldwide scale – there is probably less heather moorland in the world than tropical rainforest.
“One of the largest continuous expanses of upland heather moorland in England and Wales is here in the North York Moors – a sheep could wander from Egton to Bilsdale without leaving it. Moorland covers a third of the North York Moors National Park and most of the higher ground is covered in heather.”
The area is also a designated Special Area of Conservation — a status reserved for important plant habitats in Europe — and a Special Protection Area because of its importance to breeding birds.
Although the access issues are yet to be resolved, Aquiva said last week some Freeview services had been restored for those who receive signals from smaller relay sites. None of them are in the Harrogate district.
A TV Licensing spokesman has said customers unable to receive TV coverage for more than a month will be eligible for a refund or free extension of their TV licence.
Bid to resettle refugees in Nidderdale takes major step forwardAttempts to resettle a refugee family in the Pateley Bridge area have taken a significant step forward.
Nidderdale Community Welcome, a community group set up to sponsor a refugee family in Nidderdale, has found a house and raised more than £12,000.
Peter Wright, who heads the organisation, said:
“We can expect a refugee family to be selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and for the family to be with us in about four months time.”
With funding and housing in place, the application to bring the family to the Dales now needs Home Office approval, which should be a formality.
In preparation for the resettlement, Nidderdale Community Welcome is to hold a meeting at Pateley Bridge Methodist Church between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday next week. For further details email wrightpandh@gmail.com
The search for a house in the Pateley Bridge area for a refugee family has been successful.
Mr Wright said:
“We are now moving from the planning to the implementation stage and need to put together small teams to assist the family with benefits, schooling, language, etc.
“The meeting will allow people to hear what is involved and to help us by signing on to one or more of the teams.”
The steering group is also looking at the possibility of establishing a community investment scheme to purchase a house for the longer term of this project.
People able to invest between £5,000 and £40,000 in a fixed-term scheme with an anticipated return of two percent per annum would have a proportionate share in the capital of the house.
John Tarrant, treasurer of Nidderdale Community Welcome, can be contacted at johntarrant@leakhb.plus.com for further information.
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Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the refugee focus has switched from those displaced by war in Syria to Afghan nationals fleeing their country.
While Nidderdale Community Welcome, which was set up in November, plans for its first refugee family, Ripon City of Sanctuary has already resettled a number of Syrian families and is ready for another.
The group, established in 2016, has been fundraising since April, in anticipation of bringing another Syrian family to the city.
It has raised 85 per cent of the money needed and a has identified a suitable house.
Nicola David, chair of the Ripon group, said:
“We have been trying to build a little Syrian community here.
“Some Afghan interpreter families are currently being assisted to resettle in the UK, and a very small number have arrived in the Harrogate district.”
The Ripon chapel that survived medieval plague and modern pandemicIn Medieval times Magdalens Road was one of the principal routes into Ripon – a place that had grown in importance and religious significance from 672 AD when Wilfrid established the church where the city’s cathedral now stands.
That iconic building will be the focus of much attention next year. Services and celebrations are to be held to mark the 1350th anniversary since Ripon’s Patron Saint created the foundation upon which the city was built.
It is one of three Grade I listed buildings in Ripon, enjoying the same English Heritage (now Historic England) categorisation with the obelisk on Market Square.
That 82-foot structure, was built in 1702 and paid for by John Aislabie of Studley Royal water garden fame and, 18 years later, South Sea Bubble infamy.
In their prominent locations, Ripon’s cathedral and obelisk are two of the city’s best-known and loved Grade 1 listed buildings – but where is the third?
The answer takes us back down Magdalens Road and a small chapel that sits modestly in its well-kept grounds.
Dating back to the 12th century, the Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalen, completes Ripon’s Grade I set.
Founded by Thurstan of Caen, who was Archbishop of York from 1114 to 1140, the chapel is the only complete fragment of any of Ripon’s medieval hospitals to survive from the time of its foundation.
It had sisters and a priest, whose duties were to feed and shelter lepers, maintain blind priests born in Ripon, and give alms to the poor.
Anne Priestley, who rings the bell to beckon the Sunday congregation to the chapel
For Anne Priestley and Joyce Pearson, it is a building that they have marvelled over for years.
They live in the Almshouses of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, across the road and are two of the three keyholders for anybody wanting to visit and find out more about this hidden and historically-important gem.
Ms Priestley, said:
“This was the site of Ripon’s leper hospital – one of many created in England during the medieval period when leprosy was sweeping the land.”
In an echo, that comes all the way back to today, she said:
“The disease was far-reaching and a strain of it was thought to have been brought back to this country from men infected during the crusades.”
She added:
“Over nearly 1,000 years, this chapel has survived leprosy, the Black Death, plague, Spanish flu and now the covid pandemic.”
Keyholder Joyce Pearson, with her dog Eddie, says visitors are always welcome
Eucharist services, led by a roster of retired clergy, are held each Sunday at 10am and the chapel’s bell is rung for five minutes beforehand to beckon a congregation of up to 20.
Among that congregation is Ms Pearson, who said:
“We welcome visitors and most of them are amazed when they hear about the chapel’s history. It is very much one of Ripon’s hidden gems.”
Apart from the Sunday morning services, the chapel remains locked, but people who would like to look around it, can call on the keyholders who live at 44, 50 and 52 Magdalens Road.
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