A leading authority on Ripon’s long-standing gypsum and sinkhole problems has raised serious safety concerns about the site of Ripon’s new swimming pool and existing leisure centre.

The Stray Ferret has obtained a copy of a letter sent by geologist Dr Alan Thompson to Harrogate borough councillors in which he states issues around the stability of the ground of the existing leisure centre haven’t been taken seriously enough.

Dr Thompson, a director of Cuesta Consulting in Somerset, was the principal author of a definitive document in 1996 on land in Ripon where there is a risk of ground instability, which subsequently provided the basis for Harrogate Borough Council’s planning policy.

His intervention follows an inspection carried out by global consultancy firm Stantec into a “cavity” that appeared near the entrance to the existing leisure centre building in September 2020.

In a strongly-worded letter he claims that the council has not followed its own protocols.

“My stark conclusion is that, if the lessons to be learned from the Stantec report are not heeded, the council could be walking blindly into a major problem – not least in terms of public finances and political consequences but also, potentially, in terms of future public safety.”

In May, Michael Constantine, head of culture and sport and interim head of operations, answered questions on the safety of the development at the leisure centre site.

Dr Thompson claims cabinet members  were not made aware of the wider concerns about the site contained in the Stantec report:

He said:

“The purpose of this letter is to draw the Councillors’ attention to a number of key findings identified in that report, (that) clearly demonstrate the cavity in question is associated with ongoing subsidence activity relating to gypsum dissolution.

“The findings also reveal serious concerns about the extent of instability beneath other parts of the existing building and the inadequacy of the foundations that were used.

“Those concerns have clear implications for the new swimming pool development.”

What was said to cabinet members in May? 

At the cabinet meeting on May 26, Mr Constantine was asked by councillor and deputy leader Graham Swift if the project had followed protocols. Cllr Swift said:

“I think you are aware that there are residents out there who have written to members either under their amateur-guise of geology or potentially historic professional credentials for geology and have expressed some concerns about the work that is carrying out there.

“I just really wanted to take this opportunity to receive your assurances that although we are not necessarily in negotiations with the amateurs or the residents that are making the claims, just make sure we are undertaking professional surveys throughout this work, we have got the right technical geologists on all the work and that all the right protocols are taking place for the progress of this project.”

Mr Constantine responded, saying:

“I am very content to be able to give cabinet, council and any interested residents my assurance that as a project team we are employing sufficiently qualified and experienced geologists and geo-technical engineers.

“The ground investigations works is proposed to take place and be delivered by the company who have undertaken the main series of investigations and re-enforcement works for the main new pool facility. They have a very detailed knowledge of the site and they are pretty much the UK industry experts in stabilisation.”

Mr Constantine also said that the cavity discovered in September 2020:

“Is a shallow void which goes underneath the building and is not thought to be a related dissolution feature.”

What does the Stantec report say?

The ‘void’ was discovered on 14 September 2020, when principal contractor Willmott Dixon (WD) was excavating foundations for the new swimming pool extension to the leisure centre.

Stantec’s report, which has been seen by the Stray Ferret, raised concerns about the load-bearing capacity of existing piles under the existing leisure centre, which would have been used to support the connection between the new pool and the leisure centre.

Discussions where held with Willmott Dixon and construction and property consultants Pick Everard  (PE) and a new design solution was put forward.

The report states that this approach is:

“Expected to provide sufficient mitigation of the risk of future ground collapse to the new extension.

“The risk of the ground collapse further impacting on the existing building can’t be overlooked, in the short term the void should be backfilled with inert crushed gravel and should be monitored and regularly topped up to maintain sidewall support to allow works on the extension and the raft foundation to be undertaken.

“Further detailed investigations are required to evaluate the stability of the existing building given the concerns raised.”

Dr Thompson’s letter to councillors makes it clear that he thinks more needs to be done following the report:

“Any further development in the same area (such as the new swimming pool) would clearly require very extensive ground investigations and very careful foundation design, in line with the protocols set out in Policy NE9.

“Even then, it would not be surprising to conclude that, on this particular site, an adequate engineering solution for a public building might not be financially feasible.

“Inadequate ground investigations may have been carried out, leading to reliance being placed on inappropriate engineering solutions.

What is the council’s response to Dr Thompson’s concerns? 

In a statement to the Stray Ferret a council spokesman said:

“The multi-million pound investment project at Ripon Leisure Centre shows our commitment to providing modern, fit-for-purpose leisure facilities for the people of Ripon.

“Given the well-known ground conditions in Ripon, we employed qualified and experienced geologists and geo-technic engineers to carry out necessary investigation works and advice on what would be required to provide this much need facility.

“A total of 441 grouting sites received 3,043 tonnes of grout which, along with the casting of a reinforced concrete slab, provides the foundation for the new swimming pool building.

“The void which is underneath the existing leisure centre is understood to have been present a number of years. This was only discovered as a result of the work to prepare the new swimming pool site.

“It is now being investigated and should any remedial work be required then it will be carried out.

“We are committed to providing this much needed facility that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Read more:

• Council to spend £110,000 to investigate ‘hole’ on Ripon leisure site
• Final cost of Ripon pool/leisure scheme ‘unknown’

This timeline sets out the key events from before plans for Ripon’s new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment were approved, to the present day.

Concerns about ground stability on the Camp Close site were highlighted before Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee approved the council’s own planning application on 25 June 2019.

• February 2018:  A sinkhole opens up on the leisure centre car park
• June 2019: The planning application for new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment is approved
• June 2019: Local press reports that some councillors at the planning meeting had expressed ‘deep concerns’ about Camp Close site and hadn’t supported the application
• June 2019: Dr Alan Thompson sends email to HBC principal planning officer Gill Ritchie claiming that when the application was approved, ground stability issues were ignored and the council ignored its own planning policy
• November 2019 principal contractor Willmott Dixon (WD) starts on site, after being awarded a £10.2million contract for delivery of the scheme over 17 months
• September 2020 WD discovers a ‘void’ while digging foundations at the entrance of the leisure centre
• September 2020 construction and property consultancy Stantec inspects the void and meets on site with WD and property infrastructure and construction company Pick Everard to discuss possible mitigation measures
• October 2020: Stantec produces a detailed cavity inspection report for WD and HBC, which raises concerns about the load-bearing capacity of piles under the existing leisure centre and flags up wider ground stability issues affecting the site
• October 2020: The report says that the ‘void’ discovered by WD should, in the short term, be backfilled with gravel, regularly monitored and topped up
• The Stantec report states: “The risk of the ground collapse further impacting on the existing building can’t be overlooked” and “further detailed investigations are required to evaluate the stability of the existing building”
• November 2020: HBC issues press release saying that the project had been ‘slightly delayed’
• May 2021: HBC cabinet approves additional spending of £110,000 for investigation of the void
• May 2021: Michael Constantine, the council’s head of culture, tourism and sport, answers questions from councillors and gives assurances about the site
• June 2021: A Freedom of Information request is submitted to HBC for the engineering reports on the Camp Close site, by chartered civil engineer and local campaigner Stanley Mackintosh
• July 2021: Mr Mackintosh receives a redacted copy of the Stantec report from HBC and supplies it to Dr Thompson
• July 2021: Dr Thompson sends letter by email to all HBC cabinet members, with his observations on the report and raises new concerns from a geological perspective.

A branch of the café-bar chain Lounge is expected to open in Ripon this autumn.

Loungers, which owns the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, is currently refurbishing the building on Market Place formerly occupied by NatWest.

It is next to Ripon Town Hall, and the planned opening in September is set to create 25 jobs.

Sophia Stancer, community coordinator for the Loungers group, told the Stray Ferret:

“Recruitment is an ongoing challenge within the hospitality industry.

“At present, we are aiming for September for opening. All our vacancies are, or will, be listed on the Lounge website.

“We’d love to encourage local people who know and love their community to apply – as community really is at the very heart of what we do.”

The Lounge will have a distinguished neighbour in Ripon Town Hall

Loungers was founded by friends Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop, who wanted to create a neighbourhood café-bar that they would want to go into themselves.

The trio, all of whom had previous experience of working in the restaurant and bar trade, opened their first venture in Bristol in 2002.

They describe the Lounge brand as “a café/bar combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture”.

Now the group has approximately 150 restaurants and cafés in England and Wales.

Ripon’s hornblowers will make their keenly awaited return to Market Square on Monday night.

Ripon City Council has organised a special gathering to mark the occasion, as all three members of the hornblowing team will be on duty for the city’s 9pm ritual.

Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“We believe that the ceremony, which dates back to 886AD, is the world’s longest unbroken daily tradition.

“It has been a continuous feature of Ripon life since then and is a key element of the city’s proud history.”

The ceremony is carried out around the four corners of the Obelisk on Ripon Market Square

He added:

“To ensure that the return of the hornblowers is properly celebrated, all of them will play a part in the ceremony at the obelisk.

“We said that we would have them back as soon as covid restrictions allow and the city council is keeping that promise.”

Social distancing requirements announced by the government in March 2020 meant that Wayne Cobbett, Alison Clark and Richard Midgley could not perform the ceremony in public.

Instead, the hornblowers, who are employed by the city council and work on a rota basis, kept the tradition alive behind closed doors.

The ‘setting the watch’ ceremony was conducted at their respective homes and was live-streamed on Facebook every evening.

Before the covid lockdown, the nightly event involved them blasting the horn at the four corners of the obelisk and giving a brief talk on the history of Ripon.

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The city council welcomes public attendance at Monday’s event, but attendees will be required to observe social distancing during the ceremony and subsequent history talk.

During summer months in particular, the ceremony attracts large crowds.

The Bishop of Ripon has spoken out about vandals after another incident in the city.

Dr Helen-Ann Hartley’s comments come after she saw the Welcome to Ripon sign on the North Bridge approach to the city had been vandalised.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I was greatly saddened to see the Welcome to Ripon sign smashed up.

“Sadly, a minority are clearly intent on inflicting harm on our local community.

“While I appreciate there are many challenges that people face today, destroying things of value is not the answer.

“I hope whoever is doing this, can pause to reflect on how their actions hurt others, and think again before they smash something else up.”

Destroyed and discarded — the sign was torn down and thrown off the bridge.

The sign, bearing the words: ‘Welcome to Ripon, Stay Awhile Amid its Ancient Charms’ was erected in 1986 by the city’s civic society, in memory of former member Catherine Elmes.

Dr Hartley said:

“I remember early on when we moved here, I walked into Ripon and stopped at the sign and took a photo of it.

“I felt pleased to be in our new home here.”

The plaque in memory of Catherine Elmes on the vandalised sign

The North Bridge ‘welcome’ sign is one of two on the approaches to the city centre — the other being at the junction of Harrogate Road and Quarry Moor Road.

Vandalism, alongside other anti-social behaviour, is a recurring problem in Ripon.

The cabmen’s shelter — a rare heritage item and listed building on Market Square — had its windows smashed twice in the space of three months.

Read more:

• Rare Ripon building attacked by vandals
• Mobile CCTV employed in Ripon’s bid to tackle crime
• New Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner takes a close look at Ripon

Prior to this, vandals also broke windows at Ripon Town Hall and the Ripon Cathedral office and deliberately damaged the protective rubberised surface of the children’s playground in Grove Lane.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott visited the city last month and pledged investment in policing to address the spike in anti-social behaviour.

He said he intended to give local officers the resources they needed, including a phased investment in the city’s combined police and fire station on Stonebridgegate.

More than a thousand customers visited Halls of Ripon when the department store opened on Saturday.

Hedley Hall, who, with Liz and Mike Cooper, has brought the former Wrens building in Fishergate back to life, told the Stray Ferret:

“It was fantastic and we were busy all day.”

He pointed out:

“The decision to use the Halls name proved a real winner, as it resonated with people.”

Mr Hall, added:

“The Hive coffee shop also proved very popular.”

Hedley Hall (left) with customers at his antiques and collectables stall

Read more:

• Mayor of Ripon to serve until September
• Find out about Fountains Abbey’s mysterious missing pyramid

Department stores of different names have been at 20, Fishergate since 1950 – most recently Wrens, which closed before Christmas.

Prior to that, the Philip Hall store occupied the site for 53 years. With its new look and mix of 22 retailers, Halls is building on the concept introduced by former Wrens owner Mark Butler.

He provided low-cost space to bring together independent retailers under one roof. For 15 of those now trading at Fishergate, it’s their first experience of running a retail unit in high street premises.

Among them was Emma Crossley of Bud Floral Design.

She said:

“The Halls of Ripon opening was highly-successful for me – I was selling all day and also took orders.”

As well as being a base for sales, the high street location has provided Ms Crossley with a showcase for her floral design skills.

David Ward of The Hive Coffee Shop, which he runs with partner Keeley Buller, added:

“We were serving people from the moment we opened and there was a steady flow of customers.”

The Mayor of Ripon will continue his duties until September 15, when the city council will hold its civic annual meeting.

Cllr Eamon Parkin was elected to the mayoralty in May 2019 and his period in office has been extended because of the coronavirus crisis.

His deputy, Cllr Charlie Powell, will also remain in post for the next two months.

The city council’s first face to face meeting since March 2020, was preceded by its annual meeting.

Before the unanimous vote confirming his continuance in office, Cllr Parkin was thanked for his service.

Council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“In spite of a very difficult mayoral year, limited by covid, Cllr Parkin has continued to represent Ripon with great dignity.”

The mayor, who chairs council meetings, has been conducting them virtually via Teams, since social distancing requirements came into force.

The city council will hold its civic annual meeting at Ripon Town Hall on 15 September

The coronavirus crisis brought the cancellation of civic events that would have come within the mayoral year.

These include the celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Battle of Britain Day, Remembrance Sunday and the annual St Wilfrid procession.

As a publican operating in Ripon, Cllr Parkin has personally experienced the difficulties that lockdown brought for small businesses in the city.

However, he has remained optimistic about the future and in his New Year message, told the Stray Ferret:

“Against this backdrop of hardship and heartache, Ripon’s independent spirit has shone through

“Though the civic year has been severely curtailed by covid, I have either witnessed or been told of hundreds of acts of kindness across our proud and ancient city.”

A new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected to serve from September.

Read more:

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• Ripon Amateur Operatic Society ready to return

Striking contemporary art, with echoes from the past, has been installed at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden.

Visitors to the 800-acre UNESCO World Heritage site, will see a visual transformation, brought about through the work of Steve Messam.

His three thought-provoking installations titled These Passing Things, have been designed to prompt another way of looking at landscape and historic buildings.

Drifted – 12 Floating pyramids in the canal – takes its inspiration from a lost pyramid folly, designed as a memorial monument to honour John Aislabie, the original designer of the water garden.

Following Aislabie’s death, in June 1742, his son William commissioned a 16-metre-high funerary pyramid.

Bridged, reflected in the waters of the river Skell, stands out in the landscape with the abbey ruins providing a stunning backdrop.

However, despite archive records of scale drawings and detailed costings for the piece, no further mentions of it were ever made and no record or evidence exists of this mysterious pyramid ever being built

Mr Messam’s second artwork is Bridged – a scarlet contemporary bridge sitting across the river Skell, close to the site of a lost iron bridge from the 18th century.

The Drifted and Bridged installations will be on display  throughout the summer, while Spiked – an inflatable artwork – will be making occasional appearances.

It bursts through the columns of The Temple of Piety, with a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, looking on from the lake.

Steve Messam is  pictured with Spiked, which provides the opportunity to reflect on the contrast between classic and contemporary artforms

The Aislabie family, created many follies to surprise and delight their 18th century guests and Mr Messam hopes his contemporary works will attract similar attention.

He said:

“I guess the overall thing is identifying with the whole concept of follies – architectural oddities of no specific function, other than their visual aesthetic.

“While, over time, we may invest them with meaning or stories, at their core they’re just there – large-scale artworks in the landscape. As an artist that’s what I’ve been interested in for the past 20 years.

“I’m also interested in the role that follies play in creating focal points in constructed views of the landscape.”

Justin Scully, general manager at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:

“Studley Royal water garden is a designed landscape; a living work of art.

“By working with artists, responding to this legacy, we’re helping to bring the water garden to life for our visitors today.

“We hope that These Passing Things will get our visitors thinking and start a conversation about the connection between the past and the present, whilst offering people a relevant, fresh experience of the Georgian garden.

Read more:

• Brimham Rocks as they’ve never be seen before
• Halls of Ripon brings department store shopping back to the city

Through its Trust New Art programme, which is supported by Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Wales, the National Trust aims to connect more people to its places through contemporary arts.

More details can be found at nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey

Ripon restaurateur Franco Fantoni has got the blues when thinking about the Azzurri’s chances at Wembley on Sunday.

The owner of Prima Ristorante Italiano in Kirkgate is pessimistic as he prepares for the big match.

He believes that Roberto Mancini’s team will be beaten by Gareth Southgate’s golden boys.

Mr Fantoni told the Stray Ferret:

“Sadly, I think we’re going to lose.

“England have played better football than us and I predict they will win 2-0.”

Will Gareth Southgate’s team have the last laugh against Italy on Sunday?

The lifelong football fan comes from Bergamo in the Lombardy region of northern Italy and is a seasoned student of football in his native and adopted countries.

Back in the place of his birth, he supports Serie A team Atalanta BC, but he also enjoys the English version of the beautiful game and said:

“Since moving to England in 1973, I’ve followed Leeds United and have been a season ticket holder for more than 30 years.”

Mr Fantoni, who has owned the multi-award-winning Prima Ristorante for 36 years, is convinced that his countrymen will taste defeat, but the four-times Fifa World Cup winners go to Wembley with an unbeaten run of 33 games behind them.

They were also the 1968 Euro Champions.

In contrast, England have just the 1966 World Cup win to their name in major international tournaments and are attempting to bring 55 years of hurt, disappointment and under-achievement to an end.

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The Azzurri have been tactically astute when the heat has been on, most noticeably in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of quarter and semi-final games against Belgium and Spain respectively.

If Italy can serve up yet another winning Euro performance in the three lions’ den, Mr Fantoni will have to eat his words – but it’s a dish he will happily swallow.

A new-look independent high street venture opens in a familiar Ripon setting at 9am tomorrow.

Halls of Ripon is in the Fishergate building that formerly housed the Philip Hall and Wrens department stores.

The coronavirus crisis signalled the end for some retailers in towns and city centres, but four former Wrens tenants kept their dream for independents alive.

Linda Liversidge at her Legs & Co stall, where she sells classic and vintage fashion for women and men

Mike and Liz Cooper, Hedley Hall and Lloyd Sheard devised a plan while selling their respective goods from a temporary location in Queen Street.

Tomorrow, their dream becomes reality.

Mr Cooper told the Stray Ferret:

“We are home to 22 small retailers – 15 of which are coming to open in high-street premises for the first time.

“The demand for space has been phenomenal and we have attracted a great mix of businesses, selling items ranging from hand-made gifts and home furnishings, to womenswear and jewellery.”

Keeley Buller and her partner David Ward will be selling cakes, beverages and other refreshments at The Hive coffee shop within Halls of Ripon

He added:

“Our aim is to take independent retailing in the city into a new era, while creating a department store experience with a level of service that is attractive to customers.

“Each retailer has  their own facilities for debit and credit card transactions.”

Traders who also want sell online can call on Ben Butler, who is running his e-commerce sales and marketing business at Halls of Ripon.

Goods on sale include famous-name model vintage cars

Mr Hall’s antiques, collectables and vintage model business was in the former Wrens department store from the day it opened.

He said:

“Mark Butler’s highly innovative and award-winning concept sadly suffered because of the covid lockdowns at key trading periods last summer and pre-Christmas.

“We have taken his ideas forward and, by continuing to provide affordable space with no strings attached, have created a platform designed to help small businesses to succeed.”

A broad spectrum of retailers have joined the department store

Because of its long history, heritage and natural attractions, Ripon in non-covid times has benefited from year-round trade brought by tourists and the local population.

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Mr Sheard pointed out:

“There has always been the demand for a department store of this nature in Ripon.

“It is attractive to traders like myself, because it is in a fantastic location for footfall.”