Editor’s Pick of the Week: Ripon implodes, Reform rises and Harrogate's new hotel

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Seconds out, round three. That’s what it felt like driving to Ripon yesterday for the city council’s third extraordinary meeting in 11 days.

Councillors are knocking lumps out of each other. There’s been resignations, walk-outs, legal threats and staff departures.

It’s tempting to dismiss this as a minor parish council matter, but Ripon households pay on average £80 of council tax a year towards the city council and probably feel they deserve better than a soap opera, although it has proved gripping.

One angry woman who spoke at the conclusion of Monday’s meeting was asked by new mayor Barbara Brodigan to carry on her attack outside the town hall. As she walked out she replied: “Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart, because when Reform come in next year you lot will be out.”

This week’s YouGov poll indicated she may have a point, even though the next town council elections are not due until 2027.

The poll showed Reform UK has a two-point lead over the Conservatives in Skipton and Ripon. Labour was forecast to take the seat in July last year, but Julian Smith survived on what proved to be a doubly memorable day, as he also received a knighthood.

In Harrogate, one of the most eye-catching stories was the news that The Alexandra pub could be partially converted into a hotel.

This live sport haven has quite a history. It started life as The Albion hotel and was renamed The Alexandra in 1863 in honour of Alexandra of Denmark, the new Princess of Wales. Readers may remember it as Gladstone’s and the Rat and Parrot before it reverted to The Alexander.

Last Sunday saw two of the district’s biggest annual events: Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge and Harrogate Autumn Flower Show at Newby Hall. The former was almost washed away by rain, but volunteers rallied to save the day. The latter featured its annual giant vegetable contest.

There was a 150kg pumpkin, a 9.5 kg carrot and a UK record-smashing carrot and onion. It was both glorious and slightly disturbing. 

You wonder what possesses a person to spend the year growing Frankenstein vegetables — perhaps it’s less stressful than being a councillor.