Main Image: As You Like it, Shakespeare’s comedy of love and disguise will be performed outdoors at the Old Deanery on Sunday July 7; All pictures Ripon Theatre Festival
Read more:
George Egg’s culinary comedy act literally gave a tantalising taste of what’s to come at the 2024 Ripon Theatre Festival.
Before the performer served up the main course at Ripon Arts Hub, director Katie Scott and her colleagues revealed the full, mouth-watering festival menu to a packed audience at Thursday night’s launch.
Mr Egg used equipment ranging from a steam device for wallpaper stripping to a George Foreman grill disguised as a laptop, for an unconventional means of creating cuisine that was later consumed by some attendees.
George Egg got the 2024 festival off to a frying start
The full festival menu
What is set to follow the festival starter had many members of the audience licking their lips as they looked in the 28-page guide and listened to Ms Scott and her team of volunteers talk through the coming events.
The growing festival now in its third year and with the Stray Ferret as its media sponsor, stretches to six nights and five days packed with professional touring shows alongside colourful community performances.
Taking place from Tuesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 7, the festival promises an extensive and varied programme of drama, family entertainment, dance, circus, comedy, cabaret and spoken word events.
Theatre and fun will be popping up in unexpected places and making the most of the city’s attractive venues and open-air spaces.
Outdoor theatre fans can enjoy shows at Newby Hall and in the elegant gardens of The Old Deanery, or spend a leisurely Sunday in Ripon at the family day where puppet shows, street entertainment, music and dance run alongside visits from Wrongsemble and Rhubarb theatre companies.
Festival Saturday ( July 6) will see another whole day of pop-up shows, walkabout acts and street performers, kicking off with story-telling for breakfast, Morris dancing and fire-juggling.
Among the festival’s many free-to-watch street entertainers will be The Tea Cosies – Dorothy Dunker, Tippy Teapot and Barbara Bourbon.
Visiting acts will arrive in the city from across the four countries of the UK to join regionally-based theatre companies and performers.
The extended programme for 2024 includes a daytime Julie Andrews musical tribute, A Spoonful of Julie, a stand-up comedy-meets-storytelling event in the Storehouse Bar, an Opera Brunch at Valentino’s Ristorante and a digital theatre experience from Pilot Theatre Company taking place daily in Ripon Cathedral.
The 2024 festival also boasts its first storyteller-in-residence with Ilaria Passeri spending time in the city performing and running creative workshops for both adults and children.
As part of its developing outreach programme, the festival will also be taking theatre and music into care settings. Older people and those living with dementia will be able to enjoy non-verbal puppet theatre and mini concerts from specialist companies and practitioners.
Ms Scott said:
“We believe that theatre should be for everyone. Our varied and accessible programme of events provides real theatrical treats for seasoned theatre-goes, but also lively and low-cost opportunities for first-timers and families.
“We love bringing events to non-theatre spaces and working with local businesses and other partner organisations to create a buzz in the city which all can enjoy.”
Tickets are already selling fast for the hottest shows, including Red Ladder Theatre’s touching musical We’re Not Going Back which remembers the miners’ strike 40 years on.
Also much in demand is Barrie Rutter’s Shakespeare’s Royals in Ripon Cathedral and the music of Victoria Wood celebrated cabaret-style in Looking for Me Friend.
All ticketed events are now on sale and full details of the free shows and outdoor programme can be found here.
With the clock ticking down to the 80th anniversary of D-Day, an army of Ripon volunteers has spent thousands of hours engaged in a military-style operation as the city prepares for the landmark celebration and commemoration.
On June 6 and in the weeks running up to it, the fruits of their collective labours over an estimated 100,000 hours, will be seen in one of the largest events to be held anywhere in the UK.
The stunning centrepiece, is a life-size model Churchill AVRE tank, recreated with hundreds of thousands of stitches from the non-stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project, working in collaboration with Richard Thomson and Gordon Woods of Ripon’s Men’s Shed, who have built the wooden frame of the mighty model war machine.
It is 24 feet long, nine feet wide and seven feet high and timber valued at £2,500 was donated for its construction by MKM Building Supplies.
Stuart Martin (centre) and Hazel Barker of Ripon Community Poppy Project are pictured with Richard Thomson of Ripon Men’s Shed on board the replica tank before the turret was fitted.
Known for its bunker busting capabilities, the tank has been painstakingly recreated in wool and wood in a hangar at Claro Barracks, where space was made available by the 21 Engineer Regiment.
Richard, a former Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer who spent part of his army career based at the barracks, said:
“This type of tank struck terror in the hearts of the enemy when it came into sight, because of the size of shell that it fired and the destruction that it brought to those unfortunate enough to get in its way.”
With transportation being provided free of charge by Ripon Farm Services, the giant replica will be moved to a number of locations in the city, starting with the Ripon Inn on April 30 and culminating on June 6, with placement on the piazza at Ripon Cathedral, where Jack Churchill, the great-grandson of wartime leader Sir Winston, will light an 80th anniversary D-Day beacon at 9.15 pm.
D-Day 80th anniversary concert
Before the beacon is lit a concert will be held in the cathedral at 7pm. It will feature Ripon City Band, The Duchy Bells, The Dishforth Military Wives Choir and Charlotte Potter.
Proceeds will be shared between Ripon Community Poppy Project and Help the Heroes, the armed forces and veterans charity.
Tickets costing £15 are now on sale online from Eventbrite and from Ripon’s Stuff 4 Offices in Fishergate and the Wakeman’s Cafe on Market Place South.
Alwyn Hartley of Ripon Community Poppy Project working on the huge D-Day 80th anniversary display
Ripon and the Royal Engineers
The anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of Europe and, ultimately, the end of World War II, has special significance in Ripon thanks to a long and treasured association with the Royal Engineers, who have had Freedom of the City since 1949.
The Royal Engineers’ annual freedom march through Ripon has taken place since 1949.
The Royal Engineers provided the technical skill and engineering expertise that paved the way to allied victory.
The advance of troops from the beaches of northern France and across Europe was made possible by their construction, among other structures, of Bailey Bridges, using techniques perfected on the training grounds of Ripon barracks.
A Sherman Firefly tank on a Bailey Bridge constructed across the Santerno River river in Italy in April 1945. Picture Wikipedia
The Royal Engineers’ world-leading bomb disposal team in Ripon, which taught the Americans how to deal with unexploded ordnance in the wake of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941, also proved a fundamental factor in maintaining the military momentum.
Stuart Martin, co-founder with Hazel Barker of the Ripon Community Poppy Project, said:
“The city’s long and deep association with the Royal Engineers makes this year’s commemoration and celebration of D Day extra special.
“By coincidence, this year also sees the 75th anniversary of the Engineers being granted Freedom of the city and the 75th anniversary of 21 Engineer Regiment.”
A military-style operation
The former mayor added:
“In a military-style, meticulously-planned operation that started last year, the Community Poppy Project has asked for and received help from individuals, businesses and organisations across the city and all have given their time, materials, labour and logistical advice free of charge.
“They include Jennyruth Workshops, whose workers have cut materials to size for various displays, Calverts Carpets, which has provided imitation grass for display areas and Tates garden centre which is helping with logistics.
He added:
“It has been a magnificent community-wide project collectively involving almost 100,000 hours of volunteer input and has been made possible because of the generosity of the city’s organisations and businesses.”
Main image: The replica Churchill AVRE tank. Picture Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Read more:
Ripon mayor Sid Hawke nominated for historic fourth term
Councillor Sid Hawke is set to go into Ripon’s records book after being nominated to be city mayor for a fourth time,
A member of the council for 22 years, he will make history in May by becoming the first four-times mayor of the city since Ripon became a parish council under local government reorganisation in 1974.
Cllr Hawke, who represents the Ure Bank ward, is coming to the end of his second successive term of office and will begin his third after the mayor-making ceremony at Ripon Town Hall on May 15.
He previously served as Ripon’s first citizen in the 2008-2009 mayoral year.
Cllr Hawke said:
“I am delighted to be nominated by my colleagues at Ripon City Council in the selection for the position of mayor for another consecutive year. I am very proud to carry on in the role of mayor.”
He added:
“I enjoy seeing all the facets of our rich community in my role and meeting the wonderful people involved in voluntary work and the many local organisations that make our small city such a vibrant place to live and work.”
Cllr Hawke was been born and bred in Ripon and is semi-retired. He was formerly a firefighter in the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The Mayor, who will be installed in a service at Ripon Cathedral on June 9, has selected Cllr Jackie Crozier (pictured above) to serve as his deputy
Cllr Eamon Parkin served three consecutive years in office from 2019 to 2022 while Councillor Pauline McHardy and former councillor Mick Stanley, also have the honour of being a three-times mayor of the ancient city.
Main image: The Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda will be continuing their civic duties in the next mayoral year.
Read more:
- Picture gallery: Ripon’s Palm Sunday Procession
- No date in sight for completion of £18 million Ripon leisure scheme
Blessed with bright spring sunshine, today’s annual Palm Sunday procession from Ripon Market Square to the city’s magnificent cathedral, heralded the start of Holy Week.
With Easter Sunday just a week away, people of all denominations congregated on the square for an ecumenical open air service led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson (pictured below).
Christ’s triumphant journey to Jerusalem was re-enacted as clergy and choristers carried large palms and followed Lily the donkey attended by 12-year-old Phoebe and her 13-year-old cousin Liza.
The procession went from the city centre and down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a Sung Eucharist service was held.
Donkey Lily was led by cousins Phoebe (left) and Liza
The walk, with choristers singing and led by the Cathedral’s director of music, Dr Ronny Krippner, took the procession along Market Place East before the turn into Kirkgate and into the ancient church for the 10.30 service.
Phoebe and Liza, pictured before they led the procession with Lily the donkey
Along the route, they passed an array of Easter-themed decorations created by the non-stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project. Two of their eye-catching designs can be seen below.
Crowning glory. The post box on Market Place East wearing its own Easter bonnet
Knitted Easter eggs adorn the trees around Market Square
Main image: Choristers on Kirkgate in Ripon’s annual Palm Sunday procession
No date for completion of £18 million Ripon leisure schemeIt is now nine months since ground stabilisation work costing £3.5 million began at Ripon Leisure Centre, but North Yorkshire Council (NYC) remains unable to give an opening date for the refurbished building.
The original £10.2 million contract awarded in November 2019 by the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council to construction company Willmott Dixon, was designed to give Ripon a new six-lane swimming pool attached to a fully revamped and equipped leisure centre building which opened in 1995.
Work began at the Camp Close site off Dallamires Lane in November 2019 and was scheduled to last 17 months.
Equipment used in ground stabilisation pictured at the site yesterday morning (Wednesday)
The total project also includes the provision of a new children’s playground and landscaping and restoration of playing fields that were donated in 1948 by Alderman Cyril Tetley Wade ‘for the benefit of the young people of the city.’
Rising costs
The running total for completion of the project has risen to £18 million and to date the pool at the Jack Laugher Leisure & Wellness Centre, which opened behind schedule in March 2022 and the playground that opened in February 2022, have been delivered.
A temporary gym has been in place on the car park in front of the Jack Laugher Leisure & Wellness Centre since last April. The children’s playground opened in February 2022
A year ago, a temporary gym costing £300,000 was installed on the centre car park and during the period that ground stabilisation works have remained ongoing, gym members have been attending spin classes at Hugh Ripley Hall.
During the four years since it was launched, the Stray Ferret has kept a close watch on the leisure scheme and has sought regular updates, initially from Harrogate Borough Council and from North Yorkshire Council since April 2023, when the unitary authority took over responsibility for the problematic project.
The questions we asked
On March 11 we asked the council the following six questions:
- What is holding up the work?
- Have additional issues arisen since NYC’s last update to the Stray Ferret in January
- Have additional costs been incurred (on top of the £3.5 million allocated for ground stabilisation?
- If yes, how much?
- Is there an opening date in prospect for the fully refurbished leisure centre building
- What progress has been made on the restoration of the children’s playing fields?
A reply received from a council spokesperson three days later said:
“We have nothing further to add to the last statement.”
In that statement, issued by the council on January 16, it said:
“The nature of the work is complex and is under constant review, dates will be announced to key partners when they are confirmed.
“Refurbishment work to the leisure centre began at the same time as the construction of the new swimming pool building, however it was paused when the extent of ground remediation work was identified. Refurbishment work will therefore be finished after completion of the ground stabilisation works.”
In October, the Stray Ferret reported that the leisure centre work had been temporarily paused after ground movement was detected in the 1995 building,
The North Yorkshire spokesperson said in the January statement that since October “no further issues have come to light”.
Working ‘within the confines of the existing budget’
On the question about potential additional costs for the delayed project, the NYC spokesperson stated:
“We continue to work within the confines of the existing budget.”
The Stray Ferret also asked about restoration of the children’s playing fields and football pitch, which have been no go areas for more than four years.
We were told:
“Seeding work will be carried out in advance of the opening date, but this will need to be given time to fully germinate and establish.”
Main image: As work continues on ground stabilisation, no opening date for the refurbished facility is available for North Yorkshire Council
Read more:
- £3.5 million remediation work underway at Ripon leisure centre
- Ripon leisure centre halts price increase due to ongoing work
- City councillors call for an end to spending on Ripon leisure centre
George Egg to get 2024 Ripon Theatre Festival off to a cracking start
George Egg brings his latest show, Set Menu, to Ripon on Thursday (March 21) as the main dish in a crazy culinary evening to launch the 2024 Ripon Theatre Festival.
Festival director Katie Scott, told the Stray Ferret:
“We’re getting off to a good start with all tickets quickly snapped up for the show from George Egg – the comedian who cooks.
“This award-winning, multi-sell-out, international-touring performer presents a delightful evening’s cooking-with-laughs comprising the best bits from his previous acclaimed shows, plus a few new surprises.
“Over the past half-decade George has toured three shows (‘Anarchist Cook’, ‘DIY Chef’ and ‘Movable Feast’), he’s cooked over a thousand dishes, all of them in front of a live audience and none of them with a kitchen.”
Revisiting those unlikely environments armed with the chef’s skills he’s honed, he’ll show how to make food on a train with a laptop, in a shed with power tools and with hotel bedroom appliances. Plates of gourmet food prepared in the most unconventional of ways and with the opportunity to taste the results at the end.
Ms Scott, added:
“It’s time for the funniest recipes and the most delicious jokes. George has appeared and cooked on ‘Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ (Channel 4), ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’
(Channel 4) and ‘This Morning’ (ITV).“He’s made food live on the radio too on ‘Loose Ends’ (BBC R4) a show which is now regularly co-hosts, you can hear him every Monday on Craig Charles’ (BBC 6 Music)
Show, and he’s even presented an episode of ‘The Food Programme’ (BBC R4).”
Full details of this year’s Ripon Theatre Festival will be announced at Thursday’s event which takes place at Ripon Arts Hub with refreshments courtesy of Valentino’s Ristorante. The evening is sponsored byGolden Frog Marketing.
The summer festival will take place from Tuesday 2 – Sunday 7 July with five days and six nights crammed with events and activity.
Tickets for seven events are already on sale, but audiences at the George Egg event will hear announcements about the full programme, including outdoor, free, and family events set to take place at a multitude of locations across the city. click here for full information about all events.
Image George Egg. Picture Ripon Theatre Festival
The latest episode in the Ripon Cathedral annexe story is set to be seen in the next day or so on Channel 4 news.
Alex Thomson, Channel 4’s chief correspondent and environmental reporter, was among 300 people at a parish meeting in the city last night.
What brought him to Ripon is the uncertain fate of 11 trees on Minster Gardens, which remain the central focus of attention in a controversial planning application that will be decided by North Yorkshire Council planners.
Alex Thomson at last night’s meeting with his producer Nanette van der Laan.
Mr Thomson told the Stray Ferret:
“We are interested in this story because of the trees. That’s why we are here in Ripon.”
The Channel 4 news item will primarily focus on the issue of trees.
The 11 trees are under threat because of the proposed two-storey standalone £8 million annexe, which would include a song school, 80-seat refectory, gift shop, accessible toilets and additional storage space.
The application has also attracted the attention of the Woodland Trust, whose inventory of ancient trees includes the 200-year-old veteran beech on Minster Gardens that would be removed if the cathedral does not revise its plans.
The Parish Meeting
The 300 people at last night’s meeting included the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, a large contingent from the Ripon Cathedral congregation and supporters of the ‘save our trees’ campaign, which has raised a petition of more than 2,200 names.
They gathered at Holy Trinity Church for a parish meeting called by Ripon resident Stanley Mackintosh and five fellow registered electors.
The meeting was held under the provisions of the Local Government Act and would have led to a parish poll on the annexe application, had Mr Mackintosh been successful in gaining the requisite 10 votes to take the process forward. But just four, including himself, voted for, while an overwhelming majority voted against.
Stanley Mackintosh (standing) had his call for a parish poll rejected.
Speaker after speaker called by meeting chair and Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, raised concerns about the potential £10,000 of Ripon council tax payer money that would have been required by North Yorkshire Council to stage the poll.
There was applause for Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams when he said:
“This meeting must decide whether the people of Ripon want to pay an unbudgeted £10,000 for North Yorkshire to carry out a totally meaningless exercise, or use that money for things such as the city’s Christmas lights, supporting children and families or helping the elderly.”
He added:
“As a member of the North Yorkshire planning committee that will decide upon this application, I am unable to talk about its merits or demerits, but I can say that a parish poll on the matter will carry no weight and will not have any influence on the final outcome.”
There was similarly loud applause when former mayor of Ripon Mick Stanley, said:
“We have heard the mood of the meeting, so let’s kick this call for a poll into touch.”
A vote was taken and Mr Stanley’s proposal was overwhelmingly supported, ahead of a further vote which sought to see if Mr Mackintosh had sufficient support to trigger the parish poll.
His bid to gain 10 votes failed.
Dean John (pictured above) echoed the views expressed by a number of speakers, when he said:
“This is a complex matter and I thank the mayor for the way he has handled this meeting.
“It has brought together people who have differing views about the planning application and through our continuing drop in sessions, we want to hear as many constructive views as possible,
“We are sincere and we are listening to everybody, both for and against.”
Ripon Theatre Festival, which goes from strength to strength, has announced a strategic partnership with the Stray Ferret.
North Yorkshire’s leading online news service has been appointed media sponsors for the fast-growing festival, which was launched in 2022,
As preparations continue for an extended third year programme and with tickets now on sale festival director Katie Scott, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Stray Ferret as our media sponsors for the 2024 festival.
“We have appreciated the encouragement and coverage which the Stray Ferret has given us. Working together helps us to reach more people with news of our vibrant and exciting plans for the summer.
“All of us involved in planning for and running the festival. like to think that we “punch above our weight”
Ms Scott added:
“With its wide range of professional and community performances and activities, entirely volunteer-led, we make this happen though imaginative partnerships with venues, funders and community groups who are all working to help put Ripon on the map and make it a great place to live, work and visit.”
Charley Christopher, marketing and audience manager at the Stray Ferret, said:
“We are thrilled to be the festival’s principal media sponsor. It’s a partnership we’re excited about and we know from recent research, our readers are very much inspired by arts, culture and events happening in the area.
“Not only does the festival make the arts accessible to all and encourages visitors to this beautiful, unique city.”
Festival highlights for 2024
This year’s festival highlights include an appearance by radical theatre company Red Ladder, a cabaret act featuring the music of Victoria Wood and a return visit from actor Barrie Rutter.
Newby Hall will be a new location for festival favourites and open-air theatre specialists Illyria and the garden at the Old Deanery will provide a backdrop for theatre al fresco when it hosts the Sunday night Shakespearean finale.
Full details of all the festival’s plans including street theatre, pop-up events and free family activities will be announced at the official launch on Thursday, March 21.
Tickets are already on sale for this event, which features comedy cook George Egg with his latest show Set Menu. Tickets include the show, refreshments and festival information.
Full information is available here.
Picture: Ripon Theatre Festival director Katie Scott (right) is pictured with Charley Christopher, the Stray Ferret’s marketing, events and customer manager.
Read more:
ad id=”182[the_785″]
Holi to bring a taste of Indian culture to Ripon LibrarySarita McDermott and her talented team of dancers will provide a taste of Indian culture in Ripon on Monday evening (March 18).
Ripon Library is the venue and all are welcome to attend from 5pm to both watch and join in 11 traditional dances that will celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi.
To round off the evening, attendees are invited to sample, free of charge, some genuine Indian cuisine.
Ms McDermott (pictured above) who owns Realitea Indian bistro and tearoom on North Street has, through performances that focus on the Holi and Diwali festivals, given Ripon residents an insight into the the culture of her native country
She told the Stray Ferret:
“Holi signals the arrival of spring — focusing on love, new life and reconciliation. It’s all about making a fresh start, forgiving and forgetting, loving and looking forward, as we leave the cold winter weather behind us and enjoy the spring and sunshine.”
Part of the Holi Festival celebrations involve coating people with brightly-coloured powder paint. Picture: BBC
On Monday, Lisa Fletcher, who works at Ripon’s Walled Garden, will have her debut Holi dance, alongside Martin Grainger, who works at Reality and Bethany and Matthew Evason, who are employed at Jennyruth Workshops,
Main picture: The team led by Sarita McDermott performing at Holi Dance at last year’s event in Ripon Library. Picture Sarita McDermott
Read more:
Ripon garden centre now equipped to look after hearts and flowers
Tom Tate has a personal reason for installing a defibrillator at the Ripon garden centre and nursery that bears his family’s name,
The family-run business, which was founded by Fred and Frank Tate more than 80 years ago, faced a worrying time when Tom’s son Freddie — the newest member of the dynasty — was diagnosed with a heart condition after he was born at Harrogate District Hospital two years ago.
Tom told the Stray Ferret:
“It was an anxious time for his mum Sarah, myself and all the family, but the doctors sorted him out and he is a healthy and happy little boy.”
Freddie Tate carrying out an inspection of the family-owned garden centre on his miniature John Deere Gator. Picture: F. Tate & Sons
He added:
“With this experience, it made me realise that heart issues can affect anybody, from new born babies to the elderly and with the 150,000 plus visitors that we welcome here each year, installing a defibrillator made a lot of sense.
“We have people who come to buy flowers. plants and ornaments for their gardens, or to dine in our Olive Tree restaurant and in addition to this, thousands come in all weathers to the annual charity tractor events that we stage”
Tom’s mum Jayne, pointed out:
“With the newly-installed defibrillator we are equipped to look after hearts as well as flowers and we hope that this gives added peace of mind to people who visit us.”
Tates garden centre is the 24th location in Ripon and the surrounding area to install a defibrillator. All other locations can be found be clicking on this link to the Defibs Ripon Facebook page.
Main picture: Tom Tate with his mum Jayne next to the newly-installed defibrillator