Heat is on to reopen Ripon’s Spa BathsThe Mayor of Ripon and city council leader are demanding the reopening of Spa Baths.
With the completion date for Ripon’s new swimming pool delayed until November, councillors Eamon Parkin and Andrew Williams, are leading the call.
They visited the Grade II listed building with members of Ripon Civic Society on Friday and discovered the pool full of warm water and the heating on.
Councillor Parkin told the Stray Ferret:
“Though the building has been closed for more than a year because of the covid pandemic, it appeared to be in good shape.
“I can see no reason why it shouldn’t be back open from 12 April, along with other pools in the Harrogate district.”
Ripon is set to be without a swimming pool until November.
He added:
“Heaven knows how much it has cost to keep the heating on while the baths have been closed to the public.
“It is clear from what we saw, that council tax payers have been paying for a facility they have been unable to use.
“The pool needs to be back open from the moment that the lockdown on leisure facilities lifts.”
They were shown around by an agent from Sanderson Weatherall, which has been appointed by Harrogate Borough Council to handle the disposal of the property.
The fact-finding visit was arranged after Ripon City Council voted unanimously to keep the building in public ownership for community use.
Cllr Williams said:
“We turned up wearing our coats expecting to see the pool drained, but were surprised to find it in an operational condition.
“In some respects it was quite shocking – the heat was stifling.
“We were also surprised to discover from the agent that there is no set asking price or a guide price for the building.”
Asked about a potential reopening of Spa Baths, Councillor Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said:
“That has still to be decided.”
Cllr Lumley confirmed the Hydro swimming pool in Harrogate and Nidderdale Pool in Pateley Bridge will be reopening in April.
To comply with social distancing requirements, both will have a limited number of users.
He added:
“We are getting to a position with the roadmap, that enables us to reopen facilities, but we are limited to what we can open.”
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The initial focus will be on the reopening of the Hydro and Nidderdale pools.
Cllr Lumley said:
“We have to look on the other pools with more consideration and we can’t give a yes or no on Spa Baths at the moment.
“Decisions are being made on a weekly, if not daily basis.”
Ripon residents complain to council over felled treesCouncil officers have defended their handling of a Ripon planning application involving the felling of 36 trees.
Residents living close to the Cathedral View park home development on North Road have complained to Harrogate Borough Council (HBC).
They believe that planning notices inviting comment on the proposed removal of the trees were not prominently displayed.
Mary Kelly, whose Magdalens Road home looks directly onto the development site, told the Stray Ferret:
“We and other neighbours believe that we were denied any viable opportunity to object.”
She pointed out:
“Planning notices were put in place – one on North Road and the other at the end of the Magdalens Close cul-de-sac.
“The Cathedral View site is bounded by Magdalens Road and Princess Road – both of which are busy thoroughfares.
“No notices were placed on either, despite the fact that people living on these roads are materially affected by the felling of mature woodland trees.”
One of the planning notices was placed on the Magdalens Close cul-de-sac. (Photograph courtesy of Wendy Marks)
The opportunity to comment on the proposed felling of the trees ended on 10 January and resident Wendy Marks, said:
“Because of the location of the notices, many people living near the site will have been unaware of what was planned.”
The removal of trees including Ash, Sycamore, Horse Chestnut and White Poplar, took place earlier this month.
Bethan Dailey, who also lives close to the site, said:
“As well as being appalled by the removal of 36 trees, I’m concerned that the felling took place at the start of the nesting season – contrary to advice provided by the RSPB.”
A spokesperson for the HBC planning department, said:
“Two site notices were erected, one at the entrance to the site on North Road and a further site notice on Magdalen’s Close.
“The position and number of site notices erected complies with national guidance on such matters.”
The spokesperson pointed out that applications to remove trees are assessed against development plan policy by a planning officer and HBC’s arborist.
All works have been carried out in accordance with the planning approvals.
The spokesperson added:
“The planning permission does not prohibit the removal of trees within the month of March. The tree contractors are responsible for complying with the legislation around breeding birds.”
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James Crickmore, of Ripon Mobile Home Park Ltd, which is developing the Cathedral View site, said:
“The Woodland area was purchased as a separate contract in 2020 from a private individual, who informed me that when he was a young lad this area was a paddock where his father kept a pony.
“In the 1990s up until the year 2000, this area had planning permission for two houses, so the the reason we bought the wood was for investment reasons.
“Subsequently we hired a tree expert to take a look at the wood regarding dead trees and diseased trees, applying to Harrogate council for permission to carry out the work.
“Permission was granted and the work carried out by a reputable company.”
With regard to the nesting season, Mr Crickmore, added:
“We have a local firm installing bird boxes and bat boxes.”
Ripon plans to celebrate two major events next yearThe Royal, loyal and religiously-significant city of Ripon is looking forward to two landmark events next year.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 1350th anniversary of Ripon Cathedral coincide in 2022.
Huge city-wide celebrations will be held, with plans to turn buildings and streets red, white and blue.
Earlier this month, Ripon City Council set aside a budget of £105,000 to enable advance planning to take place.
Running from 2 June to 5 June, the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday will mark 70 Years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ripon Cathedral, founded by St Wilfrid in 672AD will be playing a key role in the festivities.
At last night’s virtual meeting of the city council events committee, the Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson, said:
“This is a marvellous chance to celebrate two events – the like of which we have never seen before.”
He added:
“Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was commemorated with the building of the clock tower, which has been a city landmark since 1897 and we have the opportunity of marking The Queen’s history-making service to the UK in a very special way.”
The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson is looking forward to a year of dual celebration for The Queen and Ripon Cathedral
Dean John was among representatives from a wide-range of voluntary organisations taking part in the meeting.
He congratulated the city council for the strong lead it is taking in planning for 2022.
Chair of the events committee and council leader Andrew Williams, pointed out:
“We want to ensure a year of well-organised events to be enjoyed by all.
“We will mark the start of it at one minute past midnight on New Year’s Eve, with our fireworks display.
“It will end in a burst of red, white and blue, signalling the start of a year of celebrations.”
Plans are being put in place now, so that equipment ranging from fairground rides for young children and staging for performers, can be booked well in advance.
The full programme has yet to be confirmed and the events committee remains open to suggestions.
Councillor Pauline McHardy, suggested that a large poster of The Queen be hung on the front of Ripon Town Hall throughout 2022.
She said:
“This would be a constant reminder of what our wonderful Queen has done for all of us for seven decades.”
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Ahead of the Platinum Jubilee, Councillor Chris Hardisty pointed out:
“The Duke of Edinburgh will be 100 in June and we should find a way of celebrating his birthday.”
Cllr Williams said that this suggestion will be put on the agenda for the April meeting of the committee.
Wait for glass delays reopening of Ripon churchThe reopening of one of Ripon’s architectural gems is being held up.
The first phase of restoration of St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church was due to be completed by the end of this month. This would have allowed Easter celebrations to be held in the Grade II* Listed Building at Coltsgate Hill.
However, the delayed delivery of specialist glass means the reopening will now not take place until July.
Parish priest Canon Ian Smith told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s frustrating, because we are eager to have the church back in use for services and private prayer.
Pictured in St Wilfrid’s before the start of restoration work are Canon Ian Smith and parishioner Barrie Price, chair of fundraising.
“It is a beautiful building and it will be great to see it back to its former glory.”
While the first element of the £500,000 restoration work has been underway, socially-distanced services have been held in the adjacent St Wilfrid’s Community Centre.
Fr Ian said:
“To meet social distancing requirements, the number of parishioners who can come to services is restricted.
“Parishioners wishing to attend need to book in advance, by calling Anne Storey on 01765 605632.”
In anticipation of larger congregations over Easter, additional seating will be available in a room next to the community centre hall.
Masses taking place in the hall can be viewed on a screen.
Services at St Wilfrid’s are held at 4pm and 5.30pm on Saturdays, 9am and 10.30am on Sundays and 9.15am Tuesday to Friday.
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St. Wilfrid’s, which opened in 1862, is recognised as one of finest parish churches in England.
In 1909, fittings from the private chapel at nearby Studley Royal, were transferred to St Wilfrid’s following the death of the Marquess of Ripon — the city’s first mayor since the reformation.
The marquess, who converted to Catholicism, had previously created the Lady Chapel within the church.
The church has many other ornate features, including classic reredos screens designed by Victorian architect Edward Pugin. They provide dramatic backdrops to the high altar and side altar, dedicated to St Joseph.
The restoration follows years of fundraising by parishioners and awards from trusts, boosted by a £75,000 grant from Historic England.
The grant from Historic England will eventually enable construction of a south porch extension, including toilets.
Ripon pool’s final cost ‘not yet known’, says councilHarrogate Borough Council has said it still does not know the final cost of Ripon’s new swimming pool.
In response to a second Freedom of Information request about the project from the Stray Ferret, the council said.
“The information you request is not held by Harrogate Borough Council because the final costs are not yet known.”
A £10.2 million contract was awarded to construction company Willmott Dixon before work started on site in November 2019.
The 17-month contact was for delivery of a six-lane pool, along with refurbishment of the existing Ripon Leisure Centre on the Dallamires Lane site.
That contract specified a completion date of May 21 this year, but a press release issued by HBC said the project will now be completed in November.
Councillor Stanley Lumley, HBC’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said the project had been ‘slightly delayed’ by covid.
In a press release dated November 13, he added:
“Ground work, known as grouting, is nearing completion.”
Grouting is a method used to stabilise unstable ground.
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Ground stability issues
Sixteen months before the council approved the swimming pool development, a sinkhole opened up in the leisure centre car park.
Following the incident in February 2018, which saw the car park barriered off and closed, the council issued this statement:
“The sinkhole will not affect the project to construct a new pool for Ripon. We are still waiting for the structural engineer’s report, which will influence the design of the new building.
“We’ve always known about the potential of sinkholes on the site which is why we’ve been carrying out tests to understand what foundations may be required.”
At a June 2019 planning meeting, three members of the eight-member committee abstained rather than support the project, after ‘deep concerns’ were expressed about the sinkhole risk in an area of Ripon known for widespread gypsum deposits.
HBC’s response to first FOI request
In the first FOI request, the Stray Ferret asked HBC how much of the contract costs related to ground remediation prior to construction.
The council was also asked if additional fees are payable to Willmott Dixon for extension of the project.
HBC responded, saying:
“Additional ‘site preliminaries’ will be payable to the main contractor as a result of the extension of the construction contract.”
The council added:
“A public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that its disclosure would adversely affect the confidentiality of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provided by law to protect a legitimate economic interest.”
Nidderdale community raises thousands to support refugee familyNidderdale Community Welcome has made significant progress as it prepares to bring a refugee family to the Dales.
Sarah Whittington, who heads fundraising for the group, told The Stray Ferret:
“Despite the lockdown, which has prevented us from holding face to face fundraising events, we have already received more than £3,000 in donations.”
The community group has an initial target of £9,000 to raise to support a refugee family’s relocation in Nidderdale and Sarah, pointed out:
“We are encouraged, not only by the kindness of donors, but also their generosity of spirit.
“Many have seen in the media the desperate plight of refugees in war-torn countries such as Syria and want to help.
“As well as money, we have received messages from people saying they are proud to be living in a compassionate community.”
To be involved in the Home Office-backed programme, Nidderdale Community Welcome has to prepare everything that will be needed to support the refugee family.
This includes finding a house that they can rent and providing tuition in speaking English.
In addition, the family will be given help to apply for benefits, find employment and access medical help, schools and transport.
The objective is to help them to become self-sufficient members of the Nidderdale community.
To obtain refugee status in this country any family would have to prove that they were forced to flee their country because of persecution, war or violence.
Attaining refugee status means they are entitled to the same help and welfare as anyone else living here.
Nidderdale Community Welcome is working in partnership with the charity Catholic Care Leeds, which will take ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office.
From a war-torn country to the pastoral peace of the countryside – Nidderdale is extending a welcoming hand to a refugee family
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In the meantime, Sarah, Peter Wright and other members of the steering group are making plans for virtual fundraising activities, including a mega online quiz and silent auction. As the covid restrictions eventually lift, face to face fundraising events will be planned.
Sarah, said:
“During lockdown the launch of our website has provided a means for donations to be made and news to be shared.
“It has given us a channel for seeking translators and people with other skills or services that they are willing to donate.”
She added:
“We hope that the network we are building through the website, will help us to find a community-minded landlord.
“We have begun our search for a suitable three-bedroom property in Pateley Bridge.”
Further details are available at nc-welcome.org
Census Support Centre open in Pateley Bridge todayIt’s Census Day and Nidderdale Plus in Pateley Bridge will be open today to provide help and advice.
Filling in the form, which takes around ten minutes, can be done on paper, smartphone, tablet or computer.
It is a legal requirement.
The census helps local and national government to obtain a snapshot of the entire population at one point in time.
This helps in future planning for services such as healthcare, education and transport.
Assistance is being provided to those people who have queries about filling in the form, those who do not have a computer or are not confident about going online.
This is through Census Support Centres across the UK and Nidderdale Plus Community Hub is the centre selected for the Harrogate district..
Based in Station Square, King Street, it will be open from 10am until 1pm and will be observing social distancing requirements for people wanting to drop by.
Millions of households across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, received the letter calling for information for the 2021 Census
Some people who already knew who would be in their household today, completed their forms in advance.
Nidderdale Plus executive director, Helen Flynn, said:
“Advice can be provided at the door, or an appointment to visit the centre can be booked by calling 01423 714953.”
Census support advisers Sandra Walker and Heather Blundell, have been trained by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to deliver this service in a Covid-safe and confidential way.
They can provide help face to face or over the phone.
Mrs Flynn, pointed out:
“We have already helped lots of people from Nidderdale and Harrogate to fill in their form.
“We are very proud to be the only Census Support Centre operating in Harrogate district, playing a role in this important information gathering process.”
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Census facts and figures
This year marks the 22nd Census.
It has been held every ten years, except for 1941, when it did not take place because of World War II.
The first Census was held in Great Britain in March 1801.
It recorded the combined population of England, Wales and Scotland at 10.9 million, living in 1.8 million houses.
By the 2011 Census, the UK population – which also includes Northern Ireland – had grown to 63 million, of which 32 million were female and 31 million were male.
The census in Scotland has been held up by the covid pandemic and will take place next year.
Cannabis farm ‘under the noses’ of Ripon residentsResidents and businesses in the Juniper Grove area of Ripon have been shocked to find a cannabis farm on their doorstep.
Witnesses, who did not want to be identified, have told the Stray Ferret about the police raid that unearthed the farm.
Officers broke in to unit 6 at Juniper Grove Business Park at around 11am on March 12 and found more than 50 plants on the premises.
A business owner who watched the raid, said:
“The smell that came out of the building when they broke down the door was over-powering.”
They had assumed that legitimate activities were going on behind the roller shutter doors of the unit which had ‘Micro Concrete’ on its signage.
The business owner added:
“With the covid lockdown, everything around here is quiet at the moment, so it came as a bit of a shock when a large number of police suddenly arrived.”
Juniper Grove Business Park, where the police raided a unit being secretly used as a cannabis farm.
A resident, who lives near the eight-unit business park, pointed out:
“It was opened just over two years ago along with a new homes development.
“It’s a former brown field industrial site, that has been transformed and improved through regeneration.”
Another resident added:
“It came as a surprise to see so much police activity.
“Whatever has been going on at the unit, has clearly been happening under our noses.”
Juniper Grove Business Park backs onto Ripon Grammar School in a predominantly residential area of Ripon.
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After the raid, Inspector Alex Langley of North Yorkshire Police, said:
“The damage that drugs cause to individuals and families is significant, and that’s why it’s important we take this pro-active approach to tackle drug issues Ripon.
“The use of industrial units in the Ripon area is of concern as criminals carry out illegal activity in plain sight.
“I would like to ask local business and premises owners to look out for any suspicious activity. Please let us know if something doesn’t feel quite right. The information you provide allows us to carry out this pro-active work in order to try and safeguard our local communities.”
Two men aged 36 and 38. have been arrested in connection with the find and released under investigation pending further enquiries
Chancellor’s fund brings hope to Kirkby Malzeard pub campaignersCampaigners wanting to refurbish and reopen the Henry Jenkins Inn in Kirkby Malzeard have received a glimmer of hope.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new £150m Community Ownership Fund in this month’s Budget.
The fund lets community groups apply for £250,000 matched-funding to help them buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost.
This fund, which will save some pubs from permanent closure, has been welcomed by the Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd.
Its 190 members have pledged £236,000 in a bid to turn the derelict building between Ripon and Masham back into use as a pub and community facility.
HJCPL chair David Robinson told the Stray Ferret:
“The government has decided to recognise the importance of protecting community assets.
“This fund acknowledges the difficulties faced by volunteer groups, particularly in rural areas, in raising the necessary funds for projects that could provide essential support for the lonely and vulnerable.”
Part of the building is still on the market.
“HJCP will need to examine the detail, but cautiously hope that the newly-available funding can be added to the toolkit.
“In the near future we will place another purchase bid with the owners and open discussions with Harrogate Borough Council about a compulsory purchase order.”
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David Fielder, who purchased the closed-down pub out of receivership in 2012, is willing to talk to the campaign group.
He said:
“The western portion of the building belongs to me and remains on the market for sale or rent.
“Offers must be fully unconditional and any potential purchaser will be required to prove funds are available.
“This will need to be by way of a copy bank statement or an unconditional letter of credit from a UK-based recognised lender.”
Last year, the pub campaigners suffered a bitter blow at a planning appeal.
The Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning appeals, overturned Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for conversion of the eastern part of the Henry Jenkins site into a single dwelling.
HJCPL had been confident that the council’s decision would be upheld, but planning inspector Helen Hockenhull was not persuaded by their argument.
In her report she concluded:
“There is no reasonable prospect of the public house reopening.”
Vandals strike again in Ripon city centre
A rare building that is part of Ripon’s heritage has been damaged by vandals.
The cabmen’s shelter — a Grade II listed structure – dating back to the days of horse-drawn transport — was the target.
The shelter was recently refurbished and returned to Market Square at a cost of £22,000
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s enough to make you despair.
“We are doing our best to get ready for the easing of lockdown, by making the city more attractive for residents and visitors,
“Now we have suffered another mindless act of vandalism that detracts from all of our efforts.”
A window in the shelter was broken yesterday and Cllr Williams, along with the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, carried out a sweep-up after being alerted to the incident.
The window was temporarily boarded up and the broken pane will be replaced shortly.
The broken window on the cabmen’s shelter. Photograph: Ripon City Council
Police have been informed and Cllr Williams said:
“I hope the person or persons who did this were picked up on CCTV cameras covering the square.”
Yards away from the shelter, a broken window at the Tourist Information Centre in Ripon Town Hall remains boarded up, after being vandalised in December.
The city council, which has responsibility for the upkeep of the cabmen’s shelter, is waiting for landlord Harrogate Borough Council to repair the Tourist Information Centre window.
There has been a spate of vandalism in Ripon during the covid lockdowns.
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Windows at premises including the Ripon Cathedral office, shops in Westgate and Fishergate and a public house in High Skellgate, have been smashed.
In recent weeks, police patrols, particularly at weekends, have been stepped up in a bid to tackle a rising tide of violent and anti-social activity.
City councillors have called for action on policing numbers and also said they will join forces with the police to crack down on crime in the city.