Ripon to fund free fairgrounds in city centreFree fairground rides for young children, will be a feature of events in Ripon for the rest of the year.
This will be subject to approvals from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) in line with easing of covid lockdown restrictions.
Some families are facing a financially difficult summer and autumn.
The UK furlough scheme and safety nets, such as mortgage holidays, will be coming to an end. The rides are free to provide fun for families who cannot afford a holiday.
Ripon City Council also hopes the planned events will generate more footfall, which will be beneficial to retailers, cafes, restaurants, pubs and heritage attractions.
Councillor Pauline McHardy (pictured right) says the fairground rides will help families and traders in Ripon
Read more:
The first are planned to be in place alongside artisan markets to be held in Ripon on the Bank Holidays of 3 May and 31 May.
At a virtual meeting of the city council’s events committee, councillors agreed that three rides will be booked for Market Square on ten separate dates.
Councillor Pauline McHardy, said:
“I’m sorry to say that there is a lot of poverty in Ripon and more hard times lie ahead for many people, who are already finding it difficult to make ends meet.
“Some families will not be able to afford a holiday this year as they face financial uncertainty.
“We can help them by providing a means of entertaining their children, without the embarrassment of struggling to find the money for them to go on the rides.”
Councillor Chris Davis, was among those members who voted unanimously to support the proposed programme of events.
He said:
“As we come out of lockdown, we want to ensure that we hit the ground running and let people know that we are open for business.”
In addition to the spring and summer months, the fairground rides will operating on other key dates including Halloween, the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights on 19 November and two Christmas markets in December.
Column: Out of lockdown life springs eternal this EastertideThis column is written for the Stray Ferret on this Easter Sunday by Father Darryl Hall, Vicar of the United Parish of Upper Nidderdale:
The winter lockdown seems to have been the hardest one to endure. Long, dark, cold and often wet days. This seemed to cast a dreariness that makes you want to hibernate until it has passed. However, as I sit typing this, people are getting ready to head out and receive their second vaccination. Churches are beginning to reopen for public worship. It really does feel as though we are emerging from an extended period of Lent.
And as we emerge, I have noticed other things around me emerging too.
Coy snowdrops with their heads bowed as if deep in prayer were a joy to see on our walks a few weeks ago. Then came the crocuses adding bursts of yellow and purple and now masses of long green stems lift high the golden resplendence of the daffodils. The greatest of all signs that Easter is near, comes with lambs skipping in the green fields.Their bleating, the chorus of the birds and the warm kiss of the sun tell of a promise to those who know how to read the signs.
Celtic Christianity refers to this as the Primary Scriptures. The New Testament is full of Good News, but it cannot be fully understood unless we understand the Old Testament. In turn the Old Testament really needs the primary scriptures to best be understood. The divine presence is so evident in all things created that we cannot fail to see it, if only we would create the time to notice it.
I encourage you all to make a habit of consciously loving all of God’s creation. Look at the world with the eyes of your heart, with awe and wonder. When the heart is warmed by what we see then we have made a connection with God.God loves the world he has made and he loves you too.
Nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than in the resurrection of Christ when Jesus emerges from the tomb. Throughout our lives we may encounter many experiences that scream of good news.Yet these are pale reflections of that moment in history, which means so much to Christians around the world. All these things help us get through life and should be celebrated.
However, the Good News of Jesus Christ and the resurrection reaches even beyond the grave and into the glorious light of the Kingdom of God. I encourage you now, as we emerge from all the lockdown restrictions, to rekindle your flame of faith.
If you have never had a faith or lost it at some point, see the trail of breadcrumbs that God has left for you to discover his love of the world and especially of you.
God bless you all.
Read More:
Macmillan to benefit from bold fundraiser in Pateley BridgeTwo friends will be making a Bold & Bald gesture of brotherly love in Pateley Bridge on April 17 and shaving their heads.
Andrew Waite and Michael Brown have very personal reasons for getting involved.
They are doing it to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, in thanks for the help that their respective brothers have received in battling the disease.
Andrew’s brother Martin, was diagnosed with Lymphoma in October 2020 and has so far received six rounds of chemotherapy.
Michael’s brother David, discovered that he had Leukemia in 2019, but is now recovered and has returned to his Nidderdale farming roots.
Andrew and Michael have their roots in the farming community and are already receiving donations from the people of Nidderdale
Pat Waite, who jointly owns and runs the Sandwich Box with her husband in Back High Street, Pateley Bridge, told the Stray Ferret:
“Martin has lost his hair through the chemotherapy.
“The hardest thing for Andrew, is the fact that his brother now lives in Gloucestershire and due to covid, they have only seen each once in the past year.”
She added:
“The first Martin will know about the Bold & Bald head shave, is when it is streamed live on Facebook from the Beauty Boutique in Pateley Bridge.”
David, who is chair of Nidderdale Young Farmers, will also see it online. The Bold & Bald theme, follows on from the Macmillan Brave the Shave challenge. This saw people of all ages across the UK have their hair cut off to raise money for the charity.
Pat, pointed out:
“David has been supported throughout his illness by his brother.
“He was treated at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.”
Read more:
Martin and his family have also been supported by Macmillan over the course of his treatment.
Around £500, including £150 from local company DTMS of Fellbeck, has already been raised through donations made at The Sandwich Box and via the justgiving link here.
Pat, said:
“We would like to thank all who have already donated and hope that we can boost that figure as Andrew and Michael prepare for their Bold & Bald challenge.”
Legal prize for Ripon Grammar School studentRipon Grammar School sixth form student Tom Cave has won a prize in a University of Oxford competition. An essay he wrote on a complex legal issue, was among entries from all over the world.
Tom, who aspires to be a lawyer, was selected from a competitive international field to win a place at the university’s online legal workshops. His entry in the legal reasoning competition was highly commended in a group of 84 entries.
Corpus Christi College outreach officer Katharine Baysan, said:
“It clearly engaged with the materials and sought to understand their meaning and effect,”
Ripon Grammar School student Tom Cave is planning a career in the legal profession
Tom, from Burton Leonard, had to analyse, using legislative texts, how the law would apply to a case revolving around negligence. He entered the competition for the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize, named after the international-acclaimed legal scholar.
Tom, said:
“I thought it would also be beneficial to gain some extra research skills which would be helpful for my extended project qualification (EPQ) and for life after school.”
He has been examining whether Whole Life Orders are justified on the basis of human rights and criminal justice for his EPQ during lockdown and pointed out:
“Offenders can spend their whole life in prison without possibility of parole and I’m examining whether it’s acceptable to remove their hope as well as their liberty.”
Read more:
Tom, who is 17 and a volunteer, at the Ripon Walled Garden, is hoping to complete his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award this year.
During the covid lockdown, he has also begun virtual work experience with international corporate law firm White & Case.
In addition to the place he has won on the Oxford online workshops, Tom was presented with a certificate detailing his achievement at a prize-giving with Professor Cane and invited to a law faculty taster day.
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.”
Read more:
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.”
Read More:
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.”
Read more:
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.
Read more:
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.
Read more:
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
Read more:
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