Tim Flanagan, Author at The Stray Ferret

Police officer: ‘No knife crime problem in Ripon’

A senior officer, with responsibility for policing in Ripon, has reassured people the city does not have a major problem with gangs after a mother expressed concerns.

The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret she and other parents feared Ripon was witnessing an increase in gangs, violence and intimidation.

There have also been recent incidents of vandalism, including the breaking of windows in the city centre and damage caused to the surface of a children’s playground in Grove Lane.

The mother said:

“The impression that I and other mothers I meet have is that there is a growing gang culture, which links into drug taking and dealing.

“It can be intimidating seeing groups of youths, some on bikes, congregating in parts of the city late at night and we are concerned that some might be carrying knives. We fear that somebody is going to be hurt and believe that something needs to be done.”

Inspector Steve Breen, (pictured above) who presented a report to Harrogate Borough Council in March on actions taken by North Yorkshire Police to tackle knife crime, said he wanted to assuage concerns and introduce a sense of proportion.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We have essentially eradicated knife crime in Ripon through proactive use of stop and search tactics and intelligence-led disruption activity, leading to the imprisonment of some key individuals.”

He added

“This problem existed within a small group of drug users and dealers across the district and did not impinge on innocent members of the public. There is no problem with knife crime in Ripon.”

Regarding the vandalism that temporarily closed the children’s playground, Insp Breen said:

“I reinforce the message that parents need to know where their children are, who they are with, and what they are up to.

“I urge the public to report issues they are concerned about via 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

“We are active in suppressing antisocial behaviour through home visits to problem individuals, the issuing of cease and desist letters, and working with schools, social workers, youth charities and other partners to engage and divert young people from nuisance activity.”

Ripon cultural organisations receive £170,000 lifeline

Two cultural organisations in Ripon have welcomed ‘lifeline’ government funding totalling more than £170,000 this week.

Ripon Museum Trust was awarded £117,500 and Ripon Amateur Operatic Society received £54,339 from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England.

A total of 1,385 organisations across the country received funding.

Helen Thornton, director of the trust said it was “absolutely delighted”, adding:

“This grant is a lifeline for a small independent museum trust like ours. This investment will get us through the very challenging times ahead as what we can offer schools and groups is reduced due to the covid pandemic and the safety measures we have put in place.”

Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, which is run solely by volunteers and is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, received £54,339.

RAOS has been unable to perform any shows in 2020.

Its city centre arts space at 49 Allhallowgate, acquired by the society several years ago, has also been unable to provide facilities for other organisations, artists and performers since March.

Society chair Linda Aikman said:

“This grant will allow us to make the venue completely covid-secure so we can safely allow audiences in again in line with guidelines and legislation.

“It means that the membership, including our youth theatre, can confidently rehearse and perform again, can deliver some much needed entertainment to the local community in a safe way, and not be constrained by financial aspects.”

Photograph of Ripon Amateur Operatic Society

The Ripon Amateur Operatic Society headquarters in Allhallowgate

Linda, added:

“One of the challenges we were facing was how to bring what we do to a limited audience without making a loss. The grant now means that performances can go ahead without us having to charge extortionate ticket prices to make ends meet.”

Hannah Ruddy, the society’s marketing and publicity manager, pointed out:

“We will be using the grant to support local artists and give them a viable platform to perform once again at the same time as providing the community with the cultural opportunities that have, unfortunately, been so adversely affected by the pandemic. We would love to hear from local artists and performers who could benefit.”

The society is also embarking on a separate project to make the building more accessible and usable to more people. Fundraising for this aspect – which cannot be funded from the CRF grant i-s ongoing.

Subject to local or national restrictions, the society will stage its first performance of the year at Allhallowgate at the end of November.

Details will be published on www.riponoperatics.org and Facebook Page @riponamateuroperaticsociety as soon as possible.

Save our Markets petition goes to council tonight

Concerns that Harrogate Borough Council wants to ‘kill off’ ancient markets in Knaresborough and Ripon will be voiced at a meeting this evening.

Almost 4,000 people have signed a Save our Markets petition set up by stallholders in both locations.

The petition began after HBC increased rents by more than 25 per cent for stallholders standing at markets across the Harrogate district.

The increase, which came into effect on 1 August, applies to stalls that are supplied by the council and erected and dismantled by its employees.

Traders with their own self-erect stalls do not have to pay the additional money.

The market traders’ petition will be presented at this evening’s virtual full council meeting, at which Steve Teggin, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and a life-long supporter of markets, will speak on behalf of stallholders.

David Tomlinson, who was involved in co-ordinating the petition in Knaresborough, runs a stationery stall at the Wednesday market.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“At a time of uncertainty caused by the covid pandemic, which continues to affect all aspects of the business community, we are having to fight for our future.”

Brian Murphy at his stall on Ripon Market.

Mr Tomlinson, pointed out:

“There is a genuine feeling in Knaresborough that the council wants to kill the markets off. Their introduction of a 25 per cent rent increase shortly after many stallholders had been unable to trade for 11 weeks, could not have been worse timing.”

Some traders received £8,000 last month from the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund, which supports small and micro businesses affected by covid.

Mr Tomlinson said this helped to offset losses during the 11-week lockdown but did not offer long-term security.

His concerns were echoed in Ripon, where Brian Murphy’s family has run a stall selling fruit and vegetables for more than 100 years.

Mr Murphy, who represents the city’s market traders, said:

“In every other local authority area, council’s have gone out of their way to support the continuity of the markets by giving both food and non-food stallholders rent-free periods or rent reductions – but not Harrogate.”

At a full meeting of HBC in July, Councillor Andy Paraskos, cabinet member with responsibility for the district’s markets, said a number of measures have been put in place by the council to support traders and promote the markets.

This included waiving fees for traders unable to attend markets because of government restrictions during the covid lockdown period and promotion of market days on social media.

He told the meeting:

“There has been a rumour going around that HBC is wanting to get rid of the markets. This is not true.”

A HBC spokesman told the Stray Ferret earlier this month its new payment system was “more flexible” and would lead to some traders paying less. He added:

“It currently costs us £15 each time we need to assemble a stall on behalf of a trader and given the number of stalls at both weekly markets, it ends up costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds per year.”

Ripon to lose two high street shops

Ripon is to lose two long-established shops, with the closures of Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home.

Closing down sales signs are in the windows of both shops after Edinburgh Woollen Mill group – which owns both brands – filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators.

Staff at Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s store in Market Place East and Ponden Home in Kirkgate were informed of the situation in a letter on Friday.

The notice of intent is designed to give time for the group, which owns other high street names, including Jaeger and Peacocks, to enable insolvency experts to assess the business and advise on future actions.

The Ponden Home shop in Kirkgate.

While some parts of the giant retail group may be saved, the closing down sale notices were quickly in place at the group’s Ripon stores.

The notice of intention lodged in the High Court temporarily halts existing or pending creditor action by creating a 10-day period that protects them from the immediate threat of liquidation.

In a statement, Steve Simpson, chief executive of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill group, said the move would “provide a short breathing space to assess options”.

He added:

“Like every retailer, we have found the past seven months extremely difficult.

“This situation has grown worse in recent weeks as we have had to deal with a series of false rumours about our payments and trading, which have impacted our credit insurance.

“As directors we have a duty to the business, our staff, our customers and our creditors to find the very best solution in this brutal environment.”

Ripon schoolgirl smashes charity fundraising target

When Lacey Dyason decided to take part in the Brave the Shave challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support, she hoped to raise £500.

At the time of publication, the eight-year-old pupil of Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary School had raised more than £1,900 and counting.

As well as joining in the nationwide event to bring in funds for Macmillan, Lacey also supported the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs to children with cancer.

Saks Hair Salon in High Skellgate, which works with the trust, was the setting for Lacey’s hair cut and shave, watched by her mother and father Louise and Barry, with support from grandparents Doreen and Stewart Ellis.

Photo of Samantha Waggitt preparing to cut Lacey Dyason's hair

Hairstylist Samantha Waggitt prepares to cut Lacey’s long her

The double gesture, from one of the youngest people in the UK to take part in Brave the Shave won the hearts of many in the city.

Steven Holmes, headteacher of Lacey’s school, wrote in the school’s newsletter:

“We are so impressed with her loving attitude and the way that Lacey is aspiring to be the best person she can be.”

On Lacey’s Macmillan fundraising page, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, said:

“Well done you brave young lady, we are very proud of you.”

Similar comments have flooded in from 69 donors, whose donations ranging from £5 to £100 mean Lacey has raised almost four times her original target.

With her fundraising page, Lacey’s Brave the Shave, still open, it looks certain that she will exceed £2,000.

So what does Lacey think of her new look?

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I was a bit shocked when I looked in the mirror, but I think it’s ok.”

Grandmother Doreen, who was among those who attempted to dissuade Lacey from having her head shaved, pointed out:

“Along with Barry and Louise, I tried to talk her out of it, but she was determined. We are so proud of her.”

Barry, added:

“We were absolutely amazed by the generosity of all the donors and would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has supported her.”

Lacey doesn’t have to worry about feeling the colder autumn weather.

Louise, said:

“It was her birthday earlier this month and among her presents, she received seven woolly hats – one for every day of the week!”

Book tells story of Nidderdale in lockdown

At the height of the coronavirus crisis, Helen Flynn, co-chair of Nidderdale Plus, vowed that nobody in Nidderdale or the Washburn Valley would go without help.

The community hub based in Pateley Bridge has been playing a key administrative role in marshalling an army of volunteers.

Among the 600 people to come forward was a team from Bewerley Park Outdoor Learning Centre – itself temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The centre’s instructors Ian Coates and Heather Tuffs, along with trainees Byrony Hart and Rowan Bonney rallied to the call.

Over four months, they walked, cycled and drove thousands of miles, making free deliveries of vital items to people stuck in their homes.

Photograph of Jenny and Frank Braithwaite

Jenny and Frank Braithwaite, who were among the hundreds of people in Nidderdale to receive home deliveries during the coronavirus lockdown

Help for people in self-isolation continues, but is not as intensive as it was at the outset, when the team worked six days a week.

Over the period, a close working relationship grew between the Bewerley team and the Chandler family, whose Spar Shop, at the foot of Pateley Bridge High Street, became a centre for handling telephone orders and assembling and distributing boxes and bags containing food, drink, prescriptions, pet supplies and other essential items.

The goods were supplied by the Spar shop and a host of other retailers in the town.

While making her deliveries on a bicycle with a trailer provided by Bewerley Park’s former head, Sam Cook, Heather Tuffs was also collecting stories, messages of thanks, photographs, anecdotes, poems and hand-drawn pictures for a book which she has called Lockdown 2020.

Heather told the Stray Ferret:

“I was inspired by the way in which the Chandlers were going the extra mile to help people and thought it needed to be recorded and recognised that, at a time of need in Nidderdale, they rose to the occasion.”

She added:

“It was also a way for me to say thank you for being able to meet so many lovely people in parts of Nidderdale I’d hadn’t previously been to.”

After hard days of pedal-powered deliveries – some of them involving the steep climb up Greenhow Hill – Heather wrote, designed and published her book, paying for it from donations made by the people who appear in it.

Its 160 pages capture the community’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

Retailers such as Kendall’s and Weatherhead butchers, fishmonger Fish With a Twist, Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, Park View Stores, Dales Market Corner, the Sandwich Box, worked in collaboration with the Chandler Spar Shop, Nidderdale Plus, The Rev Daryl Hall and countless volunteers.

The publication, which includes a touching reference to husband, father and grandfather Colin Chandler, who died in November 2007, came as a complete surprise to the family.

Speaking on behalf of them, Lee Chandler, said:

“We already know that Heather is a very special, kind and caring person and her book, which brings both smiles and tears, is something that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We’re sure Dad would have been proud.”

Lights appeal will ensure that Pateley sparkles

Pateley Bridge may have lost its Christmas late night shopping event this year but the town has rallied round to ensure it will sparkle during the festive season.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Mike Holt, was keen to highlight the efforts that have been made and to point out that Christmas in the town has not been cancelled.

Cllr Holt told the Stray Ferret:

“While the town council, along with traders is disappointed that the coronavirus crisis means we can’t hold the late night shopping event in December, Pateley Bridge will not be missing out on the festivities.”

He said the town had been forced to take a “longer-term view” because of the social distancing requirements caused by the coronavirus crisis. But organisations had pulled together. He added:

“Pateley Bridge High Street – which will have enhanced Christmas decorations – is alive and kicking, with new openings this year.

“A collective effort has seen the town council working alongside Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Harrogate Borough Council and the local community and we will be in a better position than many other places.”

Cllr Holt added:

“Christmas markets in Harrogate and Knaresborough have been cancelled because of restrictions on large-scale gatherings and earlier this year the highly-popular scarecrow trails across Nidderdale also had to be called off, for the same reason.”

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge Councillor Mike Holt

HBC will be providing two large Christmas trees and a successful Christmas lights appeal led by the Chandler family, who own the Spar Shop and the bakers Yorkshire Born & Bread, along with the owners of Dales Market Corner and and Park View Stores, has raised thousands of pounds.

The money will be used to maintain and improve the lights in the town.

In previous years the purchase, maintenance, erection and storage of the Christmas lights and displays, and the two large Christmas trees for the town, has been funded by HBC and Pateley Bridge Town Council, but financial cutbacks have meant that greater emphasis has been put on fundraising among local retailers and residents.

Cllr Holt said:

“The fact that we have been able to raise enough money to improve the lights this difficult, lockdown year speaks volumes for the people of Pateley Bridge.”

Healthcare concerns about Ripon Barracks scheme

The question of how healthcare provision will be expanded and funded to accommodate the proposed 1,300-home Ripon Barracks development has been raised by the city’s MP, Julian Smith.

Mr Smith approached the NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group after a constituent contacted him with concerns about the potential impact of the proposed development on healthcare services.

Besides 1,300 homes, the development also includes plans for shops and businesses, parkland, a new primary school and sports facilities.

A letter of response from Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS NYCCG, has been published on Mr Smith’s website.

It says NYCCG has a process in place for monitoring new developments and accessing funds under the community infrastructure levy introduced by Harrogate Borough Council in July.

The levy is a charge paid by developers to local authorities to support the infrastructure costs of their projects.

Ms Bloor pointed out in her letter that the NYCCG is:

“Aware of the issues raised about access and demand for local medical services in Ripon and is in active discussion with GP practices and Harrogate & District Foundation Trust, which runs Ripon Hospital.”

She added: “We are developing a long-term plan to address improvements to health services in Ripon.”

Many questions have been raised about the proposed barracks development, which is a partnership project between the public bodies Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Known as Clotherholme, the scheme includes Claro and Deverell Barracks and Laver Banks.

During consultation, residents have asked about the impact it will have on the city’s infrastructure – from roads to schools.

Ripon City Council has claimed that the transport assessment was “flawed” because it was undertaken during a period when there was less traffic – something Homes England disputes.

The deadline for comments on the scheme is today. You can submit a comment on the Harrogate Borough Council planning website, using reference 20/02973/EIAM.

Ripon Cathedral artwork tells Bible stories in stitches

An embroidery art installation created using more than a million stitches can be seen at Ripon Cathedral.

Following this year’s successful Wing and a Prayer display featuring 10,000-plus origami angels, the cathedral is now hosting Jacqui Parkinson’s Tree of Life exhibition.

For this exhibition, three large stitched panels will be displayed at the cathedral until November 1.

Each panel has, at its centre theme, a tree representing pivotal moments in the Bible.

The installation is complemented by the sculpture Open Heaven, which is a life-size figure of Christ hanging from a ladder, which represents Jesus reaching towards heaven.

Photograph of a sculpture of Christ at Ripon Cathedral

A sculpture of Christ crucified on a ladder is part of the exhibition

Jacqui enlisted the help of a body casting team to create the figure along with a young friend who was able to cope with the stress of enduring a complete body cast.

She explained: “The idea of a figure of Jesus on a ladder came to me, strangely, in a dream.

“It was outside my comfort zone to get this made. Luckily a young and thin friend of ours agreed to go through the ordeal of a whole body cast, and there he is in fibreglass for all to see!”

Jaqui also created the Threads through Revelation exhibition, which toured 13 British cathedrals between 2016 and 2018.

She said:

“After the enormous effort of 14 panels in Threads through Revelation, I decided to do a smaller project.

“It still took me 18 months and over a million stitches! The three panels of Tree of Life tell the stories of the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve’s fall, in the first pages of the Bible, the crucifixion, and the promise of a new heaven and earth in the last pages of the Bible.”

The previous Wing and a Prayer Installation, which saw paper angels carrying prayers suspended over the cathedral’s nave, captured the imagination of parishioners and the public while raising more than £130,000 in donations to be shared with Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Valentino’s opens new hotel rooms in Ripon

This has been a difficult year for the hospitality sector, but Rick Jones, who owns Valentino’s and the Water Rat, has his eyes on the longer-term picture.

The closure of Ripon’s Spa Hotel, quickly followed by news that The Old Deanery will be closing in early 2021, are indicators of hard times for hoteliers.

So the question arises – Is this a good time to invest £500,000 refurbishing a restaurant and creating bedroom space on your premises?

For Rick, who was born and bred in Ripon, the answer was an emphatic ‘yes’.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Rather than spending my time panicking about the pandemic, I decided to invest in my business, so that we will be in good shape when the coronavirus crisis is behind us.

“You can either get yourself stuck in a lockdown mentality or look forward and have faith in Ripon’s future.”

Rick is an optimist, who has faced and overcome potential calamity before.

When he took charge of the Water Rat restaurant pub in 2007, he had to act quickly to prevent the waters of a flooded River Skell from washing away the trade at his newly-acquired venture.

The Lazio suite at Valentino’s

Having saved the drowned Water Rat 13 years ago and remodelled it, the experience gained has proved invaluable in the reconfiguration of Valentino’s, where the sign on the wall reads ‘Restaurant with Rooms.’

Rick’s confidence would appear well-founded.

Since its reopening in early July the restaurant, with its Roman-style food, has proved popular with diners.

There has always been a need to book in advance, but even more so now, with social distancing measures meaning that the number of tables has had to be reduced.

Literally building on the venue’s popularity and carrying the Italian theme throughout the Westgate premises, Valentino’s is now offering five newly-opened en-suite bedrooms ranging from the £120 per night Toscana room for two people, to the £190 per night Lazio suite sleeping up to four.

Last month, people in charge of tourist and heritage attractions in the city expressed concerns about the possible impact that the loss of hotel bed spaces could have on visitor numbers.

Rick believes that the Valentino’s development will go some way towards redressing the balance. He pointed out:

“Each of the rooms has been designed to have its own individual look and feel and we hope that they will appeal to people who want to come to enjoy the attractions of Ripon and the wider area.”

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