Editor’s Pick of the Week: Toxic Ripon, stormy Knaresborough and Wetherby Road rage in Harrogate

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'Tis the season of goodwill… but there has been precious little on show in Ripon this week in the increasingly toxic cathedral annexe saga.

The city council’s rapid rejection of the latest plans led to allegations of 'stitch-up' in the audience and ‘cowardice’ by the Cathedral Support Group because most of the councillors who opposed the scheme did not tell the audience why.

Council leader Andrew Williams described the group’s remarks as “deeply saddening, very unchristian and wholly inappropriate for the season we are supposed to be in”.

But the group doubled down on its claims the next day and criticised Cllr Williams for using the term “unchristian” because some of its supporters are agnostic and atheists. Look for more on our letters page tomorrow.

Even the former Archbishop of Canterbury has been trying to disentangle himself from the row.

Whatever happens to the annexe application, they should probably think of building bridges in Ripon soon.

A storm of a different kind shaped Knaresborough’s week. Storm Darragh forced the postponement of the town’s fabulous two-day Christmas market but thanks to a herculean effort, the event will now go ahead this weekend.

Organiser Hazel Haas described the frenzied events of the past week when we met this week for an interview, which you can read here. 

Hazel also introduced me to a fabulous place in the town's Market Place where we got a tea, coffee and a couple of biscuits for £1.30. It’s worth reading the article just for that if you like a bargain and aren’t already 'in the know'. The only catch is it's supposed to be for 'older people'.

Storm Darragh didn’t turn out to be quite as bad as feared and Harrogate Christmas Fayre carried on regardless last weekend. The 17-day fayre ends on Sunday. Is it better than the old Christmas market on Montpellier Hill? Let us know in the comments below.

As usual, though, there was plenty for Harrogatonians to rage against. 

A bus boss’ tirade against delays on Wetherby Road provoked a storm of comments on our website; there was angst over the decision to allow another 480 homes and the Station Gateway continued to enrage with news that it will include a bus lane the length of three buses.

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