Few people know about ‘Cockerel Corner’, but a former mayor of Ripon can often be seen feeding the hungry birds that congregate at an otherwise unremarkable bend in a moorland road.

Up to 30 abandoned birds respond to the blast of John Richmond’s car horn, emerging from the scrubby terrain and eagerly flapping over walls.

A cacophony of crowing greets Mr Richmond, nicknamed ‘Mr Ripon’ due to his decades of service to the city, as he throws corn, bread and greens to the Bantams, Leghorn/Rhode Island crosses and Plymouth Rock cockerels.

Feeding the flock is an act of kindness that reminds the 85-year-old of growing up in a farming family across the moor at Dallowgill – but he needs volunteers to help out.

Mr Richmond said:

“I took over feeding them when my cousin Ken Ellis became too unwell to do it.

“He started tending to the cockerels a few years ago and their number has grown.

“It wouldn’t be right to let them starve, so I come up several times a week. They are fed by others on days when I’m not here.”

Feeding time at ‘Cockerel Corner’: John Richmond BEM attends to hungry birds.

It is believed that the birds have been released into the wild to fend for themselves because they are surplus to requirements.

Mr Richmond said:

“Farmers only need a limited number of cockerels.

“After being reared as chicks, they are a few months old before it is known whether they are male or female.

“By then, they are too tough to eat.”

To offer to help with the flock, people can call 01765 607096.

Between regular visits to the moors, Mr Richmond is making revisions to his debut book.

The Stray Ferret has been given a pre-publication preview of his entertaining, humorous and informative autobiography, which takes the reader on a journey from the moorland farm of his childhood to municipal service in Ripon.

Highlights include the key role that Mr Richmond played as a newly elected independent county councillor in ensuring its ancient grammar school did not become a comprehensive.

During his year of office in 1976, Mr Richmond represented the city (at his own expense) at the bicentennial celebrations in the USA. He was present along with the mayors of Ripon in California and Ripon, Wisconsin.

He has the distinction of being the only serving mayor to take on the role of Ripon Hornblower, and was awarded the British Empire Medal in January.

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An important element running throughout Mr Richmond’s book is the time spent with Barbara, his wife of 55 years, who died in 2013. He said:

“She was my driving force and I wouldn’t have achieved anything without her.”

The community interest company Ripon Together is organising free events for children to encourage a summer of play in the city.

The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2016 to bring people together to make Ripon a better place.

As the country edges towards the lifting of social distancing requirements, the city is springing back to life.

The artisan market was the first of Ripon City Council’s programme of public events for 2021

Monday’s artisan market on Market Square, was Ripon City Council’s first public event for 18 months. Many more are planned.

In conjunction with the council’s programme, Ripon Together is organising a series of community events.

These can be seen at www.ripontogether.com/whats-on/

The aim is to get children out together again, to take part in coordinated, free events. This will enable them to trying new sports or activities.

Local sports and other groups are being encouraged to become involved.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, who is on the Ripon Together board, said:

“Ripon is a brilliant and vibrant place with lots going on, but people find they miss out on things they would have liked to get to.

“If all local groups put their events on the community calendar they will get more people there.

“They, the city and its people will all benefit.

“Lockdown has been very difficult for many members of our community, including children. “

Fellow board member David Ingham has been in contact with a broad spectrum of local organisations and was pleased with their very positive response.

The objective is to get all interested parties together and agree as full a programme of activities as possible.

Simon Hewitt, a director on the Ripon Together board said:

“We are excited by the response we have had.

“If we can get local organisations and clubs along to that meeting we think we can get a great programme together for our youngsters”.

Any group, organisation or individual wanting to become involved, is invited to join a Zoom meeting at 7pm on May 12.

If anyone wants to attend, or cannot do so but still wishes to be involved, they can e-mail info@ripontogether.com or message the organisation through its Ripon Together Facebook page.

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• The desperation of poverty for a Ripon family

Highways England has called for further assessment of the transport and traffic impact of the proposed 1,300-home redevelopment of the former Ripon army barracks.

Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council in September last year to redevelop the site.

The scheme, known as Clotherholme, would include shops, business units and a new primary school as well as 1,300 homes.

Highways England is the government-owned company that operates, maintains and improves the country’s major roads.

It has recommended that outline planning permission for the scheme is not granted until October.

This would be to give Homes England and North Yorkshire County Council the opportunity to address transport issues identified by consultants AECOM in support of the scheme.

Ripon City Council has appointed its own traffic and transport consultant to look at the Clotherholme scheme.

The move has been welcomed by North Yorkshire county councillor and ward member Mike Chambers.

Cllr Chambers told the Stray Ferret:

“Before seeking outline planning, much better solutions to the traffic issues have to be found.

“These relate in particular to the mitigation measures for four key junctions in Ripon, at Low and High Skellgate, Blossomgate and the clock tower on North Street.

“The mitigation measures need to be ‘future proofed.’

“This is necessary so that the junctions are able to cope with the traffic generated by the volume of new housing as it comes on stream over the course of the scheme.

“At present, what was being proposed just isn’t good enough and is unacceptable to for the residents of Ripon.”

Asked if the proposed number of homes at Clotherholme needed to be reduced, Cllr Chambers replied:

“We need to be closer to the numbers in the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan.”

That document, produced following detailed consultation with the public and other stakeholders, envisaged no more than 800 new homes on the former barracks.

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• Council calls for reduced number of homes on Ripon site
• Reopening date for Ripon’s Spa Baths

Ripon City Council, supports comprehensive redevelopment of the site, but is calling on Homes England to reduce the number of homes by 500.

The council has appointed its own traffic consultant to draw up traffic mitigation proposals based on a scheme of 800 homes.

In a recent update on the scheme, Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation said the planning application was “taking longer than we originally anticipated due to the covid pandemic”. They added:

“We appreciate that people have expressed concerns particularly in relation to traffic and the highway network, sustainability, the impact on the environment and local services.

“We are therefore also working closely with local organisations such as the Highway England, North Yorkshire County Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, and health and education providers.

A mother of five has been talking to the Stray Ferret about the struggle to keep her head above water during lockdown and how it prompted dark ‘thoughts of ending it all’.

With the promise that her identity would be protected, the mother agreed to speak with us as she hopes it will help others.

This is her story.

“I had maxed out on my cards, the bills and red reminders were coming in and I had run out of food to feed my family.

“We had been living on pasta, perhaps with a bit of cheese sprinkled on it – but the last packet was now empty.

“I didn’t know where to turn and felt like a worthless failure, who had let her children down, everything looked bleak.

“I started having black thoughts about ending it all.”

Weekly food and recipes from Back to Basics, along with sound advice, proved a lifeline for a Ripon mother

But with practical assistance and advice, she is getting her life back on track. The mum found out about Back to Basics – an organisation that is helping Ripon families by tackling the fundamental issues of food poverty.

In addition to providing a regular supply of free ingredients and instructions on how to turn them into a nutritious family meal, Back to Basics helped the mother begin to sort out her finances.

She said:

“They could see that lack of food in my cupboards and fridge was just the tip of the iceberg.

“If I tried to pay overdue bills, I couldn’t afford to buy food and life was scary.

“Helen Mackenzie and her Back to Basics organisation saved my life.

“While teaching me how to make healthy meals on a budget, they also pointed me in the direction of people, agencies and advice services that have helped me to get my financial situation under control.”

Read more:

• Food poverty pioneers support the impoverished in Ripon
• Ripon Community donates 50 tonnes of food and other essential items
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In November 2019 – more than a year before coronavirus reached the UK – North Yorkshire’s former director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, published a report titled ‘Life in times of change – health and hardship in North Yorkshire’

This estimated that 92,000 people (15%) living in the county fell within the Government’s definition of poverty.

In Dr Sargeant’s report, he noted a re-emergence of destitution:

“There is still a striking similarity between poverty in the past and poverty today. They are still largely due to unemployment and low household income.”

He added:

“It can be hidden from view; where people live with the challenges of poverty among less disadvantaged neighbours.”

The covid crisis has made the situation worse for many families. This mother’s story shows how real those challenges of poverty are.

Have you been affected to be this story or in a similar situation? If you want to tell your story get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Today’s early May bank holiday has seen a buzz of activity on Ripon Market Square as the Little Bird Artisan Market returned.

About 40 independent businesses are selling homemade local products and handmade goods, including clothing, jewellery, hand-crafted wooden items and food.

It is the first public event to be staged by Ripon City Council for 18 months.

Jackie Crozier, owner and curator of Little Bird Artisan Markets, said:

“The Ripon artisan market celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the local traders, inviting visitors and residents to discover artisanal crafts from up-and-coming local businesses and further afield

“As someone who was born and lives in Ripon, I am very proud to hold events in the city I am passionate about.”

Artisan markets are planned throughout the rest of the year, along with activities on key dates in the city calendar.

Stalls were spaced out across all of Market Square to ensure that social distancing could be maintained.

Ripon also awaits the return of the of the ancient hornblower ceremony to Market Square.

Its return and the staging of larger-scale events is reliant upon the removal of government social distancing requirements.

Currently, the earliest this can happen is 21 June.

The covid lockdown wiped out all public and civic events planned by the council in 2020.

They included the 75th anniversary celebrations for VE Day, Saint Wilfrid’s procession, Remembrance Sunday, switch on of the Christmas lights and the New Year’s Eve entertainment

Andrew Williams, council leader and chair of the city council’s events committee, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s great to be able to hold events for local people once more.

“As lockdown restrictions ease we aim to hold larger-scale activities that can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors.

“This will attract more footfall that is beneficial to shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and our heritage attractions.

A 17-year-old from Ripon Grammar School, who is ranked in Britain’s top four for the 200m butterfly, will be heading to Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

Christa, from Dishforth, will study chemistry at the university, renowned for its exceptional sports teams, while setting her sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

From Ripon Grammar School to Arizona and a scholarship that will help Christa’s Olympic bid.

The holder of numerous medals at national and international levels, Christa was pursued by three other US universities, who all offered full scholarships.

She felt Grand Canyon was the best fit and said:

“It will be amazing to train and compete in America, a thrilling experience to compete against the fastest swimmers in the world and train alongside Olympians.

“My goal is to compete in the 2024 Olympics after qualifying for this year’s Olympic trials.

“Grand Canyon will provide the best facilities, training programme and team dynamics for me over the next four years, allowing me to swim and study to the highest possible standards.”

As well as her tuition fees throughout her four-year degree course, the university will pay for accommodation and all other costs including food, sports kit and equipment, with the bonus of a personal spending allowance.

Christa’s aspiration for her freshman year is to qualify for the US National College Athletic Association Division 1 Swimming Championships – the fastest swimming meet in the world.

She learned to swim aged just six months and began competing when she was nine. Her mother Kathryn said:

“All the years of missing social events, days out and sleep due to 4am starts has finally paid off due to her hard work.”

She added:

“I would like to thank the staff at RGS for supporting Christa both academically and for her swimming throughout her time at the school.”

Christa is a member of the Northumberland and Durham Elite Training Programme and the Borough of Stockton Swim Scheme, and has been crowned county champion for Northumberland and Durham on numerous occasions.

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Alongside her academic studies, she maintained a punishing training regime, consisting of 3.45am wake-up calls to travel 140-mile round trips for early morning and late evening sessions in the pool.

Christa plans to take a two-year postgraduate course in forensic science following her chemistry degree.

People who have had difficulty filling in the census form need not panic. Help is at hand to save those struggling a potential £1,000 fine.

The census support centre run by Nidderdale Plus in Pateley Bridge can provide assistance to anybody living in the Harrogate district.

It is based in the Nidderdale Plus community hub in Station Square, King Street and will be open daily between 10am and 4pm for the rest of this week and on Saturday and bank holiday Monday from 10am until 1pm.

The Census 2021 forms were posted to millions of households in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Helen Flynn, executive director of Nidderdale Plus, told the Stray Ferret:

“The census support centre, with its specially-trained advisors Sandra Walker and Heather Blundell, has been very busy since census day on March 21.

“We are proud to be the fourth highest performing census support centre in the north-east, North Yorkshire and Cumbria region so we have been punching above our weight, as we have been helping people.

“Completing and submitting the census form is a legal requirement and failure to do it could result in a fine of £1,000.”

People can walk in to the hub to get help with filling in their form.

Alternatively, they can call 01423 714953 for help and advice over the phone.

Ripon Little Bird Artisan Market will return on Monday.

The May Bank Holiday event will be the first staged by Ripon City Council for 18 months.

The covid lockdown put paid to all public and civic events planned by the council in 2020.

They included the 75th anniversary celebrations for VE Day, Saint Wilfrid’s procession and Remembrance Sunday.

Andrew Williams, council leader and chair of the city council’s events committee, said:

“For the first time in 18 months Ripon City Council is once again able to provide an event for local people to enjoy.

“I hope that as lockdown restrictions ease we will be able to return to the larger scale events that we have hosted so successfully in recent years.

“We have ambitious plans for the summer onwards and will provide further details on our plans as soon as we are able to do so.”

The time has come for Ripon City Council to stage its first event since the covid lockdown

The market will have more than 40 artisans selling homemade local products.

It will be open from 10am to 3pm and social distancing measures will be in place.

As well as providing a platform for the artisans to display and sell their goods, the council hopes it will attract footfall to benefit businesses in the city.

Items on sale will include clothing, jewellery, hand-crafted wood items and food.

Read More:

• When will Ripon’s hornblowers be heard again on Market Square?
• Row over Ripon Market continues

Jackie Crozier, owner and curator of Little Bird Artisan Markets, said:

“The Ripon artisan market celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the local traders, inviting visitors and residents to discover artisanal crafts from up-and-coming local businesses and further afield

“As someone who was born and lives in Ripon, I am very proud to hold events in the city I am passionate about.”

For more information on the artisan market or to become involved as an artist, artisan or vendor, email info@littlebirdmade.co.uk.

Ripon’s nightly hornblower ceremony has been performed behind closed doors since March last year.

So the return of the city’s three hornblowers, who share the task, is keenly anticipated. But it seems the trio won’t be seen again on Market Square for almost two months at the earliest.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“It is not possible to make concrete plans until we have certainty over the total lifting of limits on social distancing.”

Stage four of the government roadmap out of lockdown says the removal of all limitations on social contact will take place no earlier than 21 June.

The obelisk and Market Square, where the nightly hornblower ceremony has taken place for centuries.

Cllr Williams said:

“The council has received numerous enquiries about when the hornblowers will be seen again at the obelisk.

“Naturally, we hope that there are no mishaps along the way to the lifting of restrictions.

“We are as keen as our residents, businesses and visitors to the city, to see and hear them on Market Square.

“We will keep people informed.”

The 9pm ceremony has been performed continuously, without fail, since Ripon was granted its first charter in 886 by the Saxon king Alfred the Great.

During lockdown, the hornblowers have ‘set the watch’ by blowing the horn at their own homes.

People have been able to watch this on Facebook.

Hornblowers Wayne Cobbett, Alison Clark and Richard Midgley are employed by the city council.

They perform the ritual on a rota basis.

In pre-covid times, this involves them making blasts of the horn at the four corners of the obelisk and a brief talk on the history of Ripon.

The event can attract large gatherings, particularly in summer months. 

Each hornblower has their own instrument from a collection of five, which still includes the ancient horn said to have been given to the city by King Alfred.

It’s a prized and priceless item, only on display at civic occasions. 

“Over the centuries, Ripon has had to fight off many threats from war to plague.

“The sounding of the horn and setting of the watch reminds us that we can and will overcome adversity – as we have done for centuries.”

Plans have been submitted to demolish a building that has been blighting a historic area of Ripon.

The proposal is to replace the derelict property in Moss’s Arcade with three two-bedroom townhouses.

An overview of the proposed development submitted to Harrogate Borough Council says:

“This is an important part of Ripon steeped with heritage.

“However the building on the site is very much a left-over redundant building, which blights the surrounding area.”

Pigeons inhabit the derelict building

The existing building, has been left un-used for many years.

Planning consultant James Robinson said in an overview in support of the planning application.

“This is an important part of Ripon’s inner city and is right in the middle of the conservation area.

“The location benefits from all essential shops, facilities and transport ( Ripon Bus Station over the road )

“This is the ultimate sustainable inner-city location.”

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• Ripon councillor celebrates 21 years of service