It’s perhaps one of Harrogate’s best kept secrets, a private members’ club first established in the 19th century, tucked away in one of the beautiful properties on Victoria Avenue. But inside the...
Harrogate’s ‘best kept secret’ club has just appointed its first female president
It’s perhaps one of Harrogate’s best kept secrets, a private members’ club first established in the 19th century, tucked away in one of the beautiful properties on Victoria Avenue. But inside the walls that house The Harrogate Club, significant events are taking...
Local history spotlight: Naomi Jacob
(Lead image: Pixabay and Ripon Civic Society) North Yorkshire boasts numerous connections to the literary world across the centuries; the Brontë family immortalised Haworth and the dramatic scenery of the moors, Whitby Abbey famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula,...
BT answers Ripon Civic Society’s call to repair historic city centre telephone kiosks
Telecoms giant BT has answered a call from Ripon Civic Society to carry out repair work on the four vandalised telephone kiosks that stand in line in the city centre. Richard Taylor, co-chair of the heritage watchdog, raised concerns about the dangerous condition of...
Troops rallied in fight to save Ripon’s priceless military heritage
'Heritage Worth Fighting For' is the battlecry of Ripon Military Heritage Trust, as it steps up its campaign to save priceless elements of the city's world war history from the bulldozer. The trust, which was established last year, has created a website to raise...
Environmentally-focused projects win prizes at Ripon Civic Awards
Projects focused on nature, the environment and carbon reduction were to the fore at last night's Ripon Civic Awards. Three months after Ripon Civic Society held its biennial awards in April 2022, North Yorkshire Council declared a climate emergency and planned steps...
Local history spotlight: Blind Jack of Knaresborough
If you’re a Knaresborough resident, you’ll almost certainly have heard about Blind Jack, but his influence can be felt much further than the small Yorkshire town. A civil engineer, local guide, horse trader, businessman and a musician, Jack can sometimes be...
Ripon volunteers prepare for D-Day anniversary with a military-style operation
With the clock ticking down to the 80th anniversary of D-Day, an army of Ripon volunteers has spent thousands of hours engaged in a military-style operation as the city prepares for the landmark celebration and commemoration. On June 6 and in the weeks running up to...
Exploring North Yorkshire’s plaques and the history behind them
(Image: Gyles Rocholl) Taking the local area for granted is something many of us can be guilty of - especially if you’re a North Yorkshire resident. History can be found round every corner but can often be sidelined as just a small thread within the wider tapestry of...
Ripon to blow its horn at major tourism show
With its history, heritage attractions, magnificent cathedral, traditions, customs, rivers, canal and garden racecourse, Ripon has many reasons to blow its own horn. It will be doing just that later this month when Allison Clark, a member of the city's hornblower...
Crime author solves mystery of Ripon mural
Author Malcolm Hollingdrake has solved a Ripon school mystery. Holy Trinity Infant School in Ripon has been trying to track down the creators of a mosaic wall mural dating back 50 years. Staff at the school issued a plea for help when they found a newspaper clipping...
Councillors reject ‘ridiculous’ replica suggestion for Ripon military heritage site
Homes England's suggestion that extremely rare military buildings on the Ripon barracks site could be demolished and replaced with replicas, was greeted with derision at last night's city council meeting. Council leader Andrew Williams drew laughter from fellow...
Final Ripon ‘Stonehenge’ site sold to English Heritage
The final henge of a 5,000-year site near Ripon known as the 'Stonehenge of the north' has been sold to English Heritage. The Thornborough Henges complex includes three large circular earthworks each more than 200 metres in diameter dating from 3,000 to 2,500 BC....