Tim Flanagan, Author at The Stray Ferret

‘Brilliant’ response to bid to bring refugee family to Nidderdale

More than 40 people attended an online meeting this week to discuss bringing a refugee family to Nidderdale.

Peter Wright, a long-time supporter of refugee causes, organised the meeting from his Ramsgill home.

He told the Stray Ferret the response was “brilliant”:

“There is clearly a genuine and solid base of support, which will help us to get Nidderdale Community Welcome off the ground.

“In addition to the valuable input that people made, we discovered that we have in our area many of the skills and competences required to turn the idea of welcoming a refugee family into our community a reality.”

The bid to welcome a refugee family to Nidderdale has moved a step closer.

A number of people involved in similar community organisations in their areas joined the meeting.

Nicola David, chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary, which was established in 2015, was also present.

The sanctuary provides practical support and encouragement for two Syrian families who have resettled in Ripon.

Ms David said:

“It was a very encouraging meeting and we will do all we can to assist the Nidderdale group in achieving its goals, through sharing information and the experience that we have gained.

“Refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and it is inspirational to see that even at a time of lockdown, communities are ready to help them.”

There are approximately 80 million displaced people around the world, of which 26 million are refugees. The government initially agreed for up to 10,000 to be resettled in the UK.

Community sponsorship organisations have to prepare everything that might be needed for families to become self-sufficient members of their new community, as required in detailed plans set out by the Home Office.

This includes safeguarding, learning English, applying for relevant benefits, accessing medical help, schools, transport, finding work and having support from translators.

To obtain refugee status the families have already been closely vetted, entitling them to the same help and welfare as anyone else living in the UK. The community group needs to raise at least £9,000 to ensure additional needs are met.

The group has to have either charitable status or a partnership with an existing charity, such as Catholic Care Leeds, which takes ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office and provides experience, governance and safeguarding training and support.

Further information is available by contacting wrightpandh@gmail.com

Kirkby Malzeard supports girl’s £19,000 wheelchair appeal

Ellie Renton wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up and a new wheelchair can help her along the road to achieving that ambition.

Now, villagers in Kirkby Malzeard and the surrounding area are rallying round to make it happen.

The 10-year-old, who is a pupil at Kirkby Malzeard C of E Primary School, has just sat her eleven-plus exam and hopes to follow her older brother William to Ripon Grammar School.

Ellie is keen on sports and competes in the national league as a winger for Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club.

She is also creative, musical, plays computer games with William and is academic, with art, science and maths among her favourite subjects.

What stands in the way of Ellie making further progress when she goes to secondary school is mobility and the need to be able to take part in lessons at the same desk level as her classmates.

Photo of Ellie Renton by the plant stall being run by Kirkby in Bloom

Ellie sits besides the fundraising plant stall run by Pam Collins, of Kirkby in Bloom

She was diagnosed with type 2 spinal muscular atrophy when she was 18-months-old and has been reliant on having a specialist wheelchair throughout her first five years at school.

Ellie has outgrown the chair she currently uses and her parents, Yvonne and Martin, with the support of villagers in Kirkby Malzeard, their family and the wider community, are responding to an appeal for help.

Donations to the Keeping Ellie Mobile appeal, combined with a £5,300 voucher from NHS Wheelchair Services means £11,000 of the £19,000 has been raised towards the purchase of a Permobil F3 electric chair.

Mrs Renton told the Stray Ferret:

“We launched the appeal last November and would like to thank everybody that has helped us so far.

“The covid pandemic has made fundraising difficult, but we are determined to raise the £8,000 we still need as soon as possible.”

Village support has included the sale of potted plants by Pam Collins, of Kirkby in Bloom, and a further boost came when Ellie’s grandmother, Margaret Renton, who lives in Ripon, sold valuable coins including a gold Krugerrand at auction.

Coin sale

Money from the sale of the coins will take the appeal total to £11,000, giving hope that the chair, which has an adjustable height mechanism allowing Ellie to sit at a desk or table, can be purchased well in advance of next autumn.

She is already looking ahead to university and said:

“I eventually want to study marine biology, because I am worried about the creatures in the oceans and want to be able to do something to help them.”

Further details about Ellie’s wheelchair appeal can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/keeping-ellie-mobile

Ripon’s Christmas lights spending criticised

Ripon City Council has defended spending £65,000 more on Christmas lights this year after a businessman suggested some of the money could have been used to help local firms.

The lights were switched on last weekend in the middle of a second lockdown that has closed the majority of Ripon’s retailers, restaurants, cafes and heritage attractions.

Local business owner John Warren said money allocated on expanding the lights, which now cover three miles of streets, could have been better spent.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I emailed all city councillors to question the appropriateness of this huge expansion, when there are so many other priorities during a national emergency.”

Photograph of Merry Christmas sign in High Skellgate

Ripon’s Christmas lights extend across three miles of the city this year.

Mr Warren accepts the council did not know a second lockdown would start at the start of the key Christmas trading period when it decided to spend the additional money on lights.

However, he said:

“Even without the lockdown it is stretching credibility to believe that an extension of the lights will attract significantly more people to shop in Ripon over the festive period to help the local independent traders.”

“I am not a killjoy, but feel that some of the £65,000 could have been directly channelled to help struggling local businesses, such as supplying grant aid for shop front improvements that would provide a long-term means of enhancing the appearance of the city centre.”

Ripon City Council leader, councillor Andrew Williams, said:

“Whatever decision the council takes it is not going to please everybody and you are always likely to have those who will criticise via social media — but at the same time, we have also been thanked.

“Using money from the events budget that we could not spend this year because of cancellations caused by the coronavirus crisis is, we believe, a good investment that will benefit the city this year and for years to come.”

The council’s events budget is normally used to support public activities, such as the Saint Wilfrid’s Day celebrations in August, Battle of Britain Sunday in September, Remembrance Sunday in November and turning on the Christmas lights.

This year, money was also set aside for the 75th anniversary celebration of VE Day in May – but it, along with other civic events, were either scaled back or cancelled to avoid large gatherings.

Councillor Williams added:

“The covid pandemic has made it a gloomy year for everybody and by making Ripon more attractive, the intention is to give our traders a boost, while lifting spirits.”

Nidd farming sisters save bull from drowning

When flooding struck last week, two farmers from Nidd leapt into action alongside the emergency services to rescue a young bull and herd of cows from drowning.

Sisters Fran Robinson and Hannah Blakey, who tend cattle and sheep on their 150-acre farm, were alerted to the plight of the stranded animals on social media.

Fran told the Stray Ferret:

“Hannah and I instinctively knew that we had to lend a hand. We couldn’t bear the thought of the cattle being stranded and at risk of drowning in the River Ure.”

The Blakey family has been farming in the Ripon area for 25 years and, with a call to their auntie Anne, they were able to find a telephone number for the farmer whose bull was in peril, having slipped into the river from a field near Ure Bank Top.

In safe hands — Splash the bull, after his river ordeal

The bull’s owner was in Halifax and at least 40 minutes away – so welcomed the offer of help from two women who are highly experienced in handling cattle.

Fran said:

“We got to the field at around 1.30pm and saw cattle in quite deep water.

“The emergency services arrived as we were shouting the animals, trying to encourage them to swim over to us, but the river was flowing pretty quickly.”

The cows moved further down the flooded field onto a small section of banking at the bottom of Ure Bank Top.

Hannah, said:

“People who live in a house near the Ure joined in the rescue. They were absolutely brilliant and knew what to do.

“They guided the cows away from danger and put the frightened cattle into the safety of their stable.”

Although the cows were safe, the young Limousin bull’s life was still in jeopardy.

Fran said:

“We watched him struggling in the water and going under the bypass bridge and then raced with a blue light escort to the racecourse bridge at Bridge Hewick, hoping the current would sweep him this way and we could get a halter around his head and guide him to safety.”

The bull did re-emerge, bobbing upside down like a giant cork in the swollen water with legs flailing.

Hannah ran across to the other side of the bridge shouting to the bull, trying to get him to right himself and swim to the bank.

Fran pointed out:

“I did manage to touch him as he came towards me, but had no chance of being able to pull a tonne and a half bull to safety.

“He got swept away again and we felt awful. We thought that was it for the poor animal.”

But it wasn’t. Hannah said:

“I was elated when a farmer who farms near Newby Hall rang at 5pm to say that a bull had washed up on one of his fields.”

Fran added:

“We collected him and took him to our parents’ nearby farm where he stayed overnight in a nice dry shed, with hay to eat and fresh bedding to sleep on after his ordeal.

“Hannah and I decided to call him Splash and his owner collected his newly-named Limousin the following morning.

“We are delighted to report that he is doing well.”

Bishop of Ripon: ‘support bid for Ripon sports village’

The Bishop of Ripon is urging policymakers to support proposals for a sports village as part of the city’s 1,300-home Clotherholme development.

The Ripon Sports Consortium, which represents many sports groups in the city, has called for the proposed new development to include a dedicated site for sports.

But so far neither Harrogate Borough Council nor Ripon City Council has backed the idea.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, who is a keen runner, told the Stray Ferret she “fully endorsed the proposal for a sports village on the barracks site”, adding:

“I feel very strongly about this as I believe there is a once in a generation opportunity to achieve something of excellence for Ripon and the surrounding area, and I urge a rethink on the current plans.”

Dr Hartley is a member of Ripon Runners, which is part of the Ripon Sports Consortium.

The consortium also includes Moonglu Cycling Club, Ripon Triathlon NYP, Ripon City AFC Ripon City Panthers JFC, and Ripon City Netball Club.

The Bishop of Ripon The Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley (Photograph courtesy of the Church of England Diocese of Leeds)

During consultation for the Harrogate Local Plan and Ripon City Plan, the consortium made submissions saying Claro Barracks, which is part of the Ripon Barracks site where the homes could be built, would be an ideal location to develop sports facilities that would serve the city, North Yorkshire, and the wider region.

Dr Hartley, who took up running in 2018 and runs up to three times a week, hopes her intervention will help to change minds.

She said:

“The current plan would see scattered sites for playing fields with no sense of community centre or a coterminous sports facility.”

The Bishop fully accepts the need for more housing in Ripon – particularly affordable housing – but feels the barracks site also provides an opportunity for a cohesive strategy that benefits those who will live at Clotherholme and the wider community.

Dr Hartley, added:

“In the ongoing coronavirus crisis, we have become acutely aware of the mental and physical health benefits of exercise.

“I joined the Ripon Runners during lockdown and enjoy running because it helps me switch off from the busy nature of my daily routine.

“it’s good to be part of a group that is encouraging, friendly and supportive and when the day job gets tricky I find that this is helpful and affirming and sets me right for the tasks of my role that lie ahead.”

Having personally benefitted from the physical and social aspects of being involved in a running club, Dr Hartley, said:

“It is important to ensure that adequate space for sporting activities is provided, so that people can do this in a safe way, that enhances community cohesion and sense of identity and belonging.”

Ripon’s MP supports action on unsafe building

Ripon’s MP, Julian Smith, is supporting property owners and tenants in their call for urgent action over homes in danger of collapse.

Mr Smith has contacted local authorities in an attempt to facilitate an urgent meeting about the situation.

Mat Pritchard, Chair of Bedern Court Ltd (BCL), a not-for-profit company controlled by leaseholders and owners, said:

“We are thankful to Mr Smith for his decisive intervention.

“He clearly recognises the need to act quickly and has responded to our call for emergency planning authorities to meet with us.”

Mr Pritchard added:

“The seriousness of our situation can be seen in the fact that Peacock’s Passage, just next to our building, has been barriered off and chained up because it isn’t safe for people to use as a footpath.”

Photo of warning sign at Peacock's Passage

The warning sign says it all

Subsidence, that saw large cracks opening up in external and internal walls, led to the evacuation of four properties last month – 1, 3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths.

They are part of the same block, in the brick-built 29-property residential complex, which opened in 1986.

Peacock’s Passage, which also shows visible signs of subsidence, runs between Bedern Court and the adjacent Sanctuary Court and links Skellgarths to Kirkgate.

The footpath closure was granted after BCL contacted North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, for NYCC, said:

“North Yorkshire County Council, as the Local Highway Authority, has closed the footpath as a precautionary measure at the request of Harrogate Borough Council Emergency Planning team.

“It is Harrogate Borough Council’s responsibility to co-ordinate future actions, but our highways team will continue to assist where required.”

Mr. Smith was contacted by BCL, because of the precarious and worsening condition of the block and the potential danger it poses to passers-by, adjacent properties and road users.

Mr Pritchard pointed out:

“BCL has taken all appropriate actions and is doing everything in its power to protect residents and other people, but with the unpredictable nature of sink holes in Ripon and the unsafe state of the block, we need the authorities to act, and act quickly.”

Church bell chimes nightly in Nidderdale

A church bell is being rung in the heart of Nidderdale each evening throughout November, as the power of prayer is harnessed during the pandemic.

With communal worship banned during lockdown, Christians are being encouraged to participate in a month of reflection in their homes, focusing on issues of national concern arising from the coronavirus crisis.

The Rev. Alastair Ferneley, Vicar of Dacre with Hartwith and Darley with Thornthwaite, is ensuring that Nidderdale’s daily tea-time chime joins those ringing out at cathedrals and churches across England.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m ringing our single bell at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks at 6pm each evening – so far successfully on time, though it’s possible the time will vary a little.”

The call for a daily collective moment of national prayer signalled by the sound of bells, has the support of senior religious leaders from many different denominations.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said:

“We might understandably feel helpless, anxious and vulnerable. And we do what we can to halt the spread of this virus – but we can still feel powerless.

“Is there anything else we can do? Really do?

“Yes. Yes there is. We can pray. Prayer is my first response when I feel out of my depth, when I need help, when I am worried, when I am concerned for those I love.

“It is a gift that God gives to all.”

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, added:

“At this challenging time when all of us are fearful and anxious, and when so many are suffering, it is the one thing we can all do.”

Nidderdale – taking part in the national call to prayer

Christians are being encouraged to follow a seven-day prayer cycle, praying for a specific area each day, including the NHS and frontline workers, the bereaved, and those struggling with physical and mental ill-health, and for children and young people.

Prayers and other resources are being shared on social media with the hashtag #PrayerForTheNation

Rev Alastair is keeping his parishioners updated. He said:

“I’ve been sending out the information about the month of prayer so that people can take part in their own homes, if they wish.”

Fond farewell to Ripon Cathedral’s music man

Andrew Bryden was concerned when his wife, Lisa, said they were going to see friends who needed urgent help.

What he didn’t know, was that she was taking him to a surprise party in Spa Gardens to celebrate his transformational 22 years of work as the director of music at Ripon Cathedral.

Mr Bryden, who has moved on to provide private tuition for organists and pianists, realised something was afoot as he approached the park.

Families he hadn’t seen in the flesh since the first covid lockdown in March suddenly emerged from behind trees with gifts in hand.

Photograph of Andrew Bryden meeting choristers at Spa Park

Choristers and their families went to Spa Gardens to say goodbye to Andrew Bryden (Photograph courtesy of Lisa Bryden)

He told the Stray Ferret:

“It was an emotional occasion and I am so grateful to the mums, dads, children and other friends who turned out on a damp and windy day.”

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The covid pandemic, which closed the cathedral in spring and put services such as Sung Eucharist in suspension, meant choir practice and other activities were restricted to virtual sessions on Zoom.

Mr Bryden said:

“I created a website and the use of technology, which was also employed to put services online during the first lockdown, meant we had a way of keeping the choir community connected.”

Community is a key word because the Ripon Cathedral Choir School on Whitcliffe Lane, which for generations developed the vocal talent of young choristers, closed at short notice in 2012 and is now being redeveloped for housing.

Chorister success

Suddenly Ripon Cathedral, whose choir is recognised as being among the best in the UK, had to change its focus.

An outreach programme, developed as part of Mr Bryden’s forward-looking strategy, saw more new members recruited from schools in the local community.

Children aged six and upwards were invited to take part in rehearsals and some eventually joined teenage and adult members in the 36-strong choir.

Testimony to the success of the strategy is the fact that within 10 years, the choir had six finalists in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition, including 2018 winner Emilia Jaques.

With the cathedral back in lockdown, it will be some time before choristers will be heard in the ancient building.

When it does, many of those occupying the choir stalls, will be singing the praises once more of Mr Bryden and the part he played in their musical development.

City’s MP lays wreath as Ripon remembers

They thought it might not happen because of the second COVID-19 lockdown, but wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen at Ripon’s War Memorial this morning.

The Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, were present for the two minutes silence at Spa Gardens.

Also present to respect the dead of two World Wars and other conflicts, was Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.

Earlier this morning, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, was a lone figure at the memorial, as he lay a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council and the citizens of Ripon.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Because of the coronavirus crisis and the need to adhere to strict social distancing requirements, it has not been possible for the council to hold its normal Remembrance Sunday service at the cathedral.”

Photo of Mayor Eamon Parkin at Ripon War Memorial

The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council, two hours before the Royal British Legion ceremony

Cllr Parkin, added:

“With the lockdown rules in place to protect the safety of everybody, I would urge people who wish to pay their respects in Spa Gardens, to do so on an individual basis.”

Shortly before 11am, as the music of a lone piper echoed in the mist of a November morning, former service men and women wearing campaign medals, gathered at safe social distance along with current service personnel, Army and Air Cadets and representatives of North Yorkshire Police.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson said a greeting and led prayers, before the wreaths were laid in front of the memorial dedicated to the hundreds of people from Ripon named in alphabetical order from Akers to Young, who gave their lives in the 1914-1918 conflict.

Prayers were said for those of all nationalities who died in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts and the overall wish expressed by Dean John, was for lasting peace.

Pateley Bridge hamper competition supports mayor’s appeal

With a second lockdown now affecting Pateley Bridge High Street, Pat and Andrew Waite hope to bring some festive cheer.

The couple, who have run The Sandwich Box takeaway for 10 years, are currently collecting prizes for three hampers that can be won in a Christmas competition.

Local shops and and other businesses have responded enthusiastically by donating items for the hampers.

Numbered squares on a competition board, costing £5 apiece, will be on sale from 16 November and proceeds will help boost the Mayor’s annual appeal.

Mr Waite, said:

“It has been a strange old year for Pateley Bridge, starting with Storm Dennis and floods, followed by COVID-19.”

The coronavirus crisis, which has brought two lockdowns, has put paid next month’s late-night shopping event in the town and Mrs Waite, added:

“We thought that the hamper competition would be a way for Pateley Bridge to say a big ‘thank you’ to the customers who have supported the town through all the difficulties.”

Photograph of Pateley Bridge High Street

Shops and other businesses in Pateley Bridge are supporting the Christmas hamper competition

All shops and other businesses that donate prizes will have their name listed against the item they have given.

The list will be on display in The Sandwich Box, in Back High Street, where entrants in the competition can also select a square or squares.

Because the business is a takeaway, it will remain open throughout the current lockdown.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Mike Holt, who has donated a bottle of champagne for the competition, told the Stray Ferret:

“Pat and Andrew exemplify the community spirit that has helped us to tackle everything that has been thrown at the town this year.

“Naturally, we all hope that 2021 will be a better year for local shops, other businesses and residents and the money raised will fund activities that support our community.”

Following a successful Christmas lights appeal, supported by the town’s traders and residents, Pateley Bridge High Street will have enhanced Christmas decorations this year.

A collective effort saw the town council work alongside retailers and other business owners, Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and the local community to raise the funds for extension of the lights.

Harrogate Borough Council will provide two large Christmas trees.