A remarkable and extensive international collection containing items of worldwide importance has been delivered to its new home in Ripon following 38 years of planning.
The collection, now in secure storage at the Old Wesleyan Chapel on Coltsgate Hill, was gathered over decades by husband and wife Alex and Gwen Renton, two mathematics teachers who lived in the Ripon area.
It includes more than 2,000 scientific and technological instruments gathered from across the globe, which have been used in every form of measurement and weighing employed by mankind since 600 BC.
The delivery was made last week.
In 1986, Mr and Mrs Renton made their phenomenal offer to the Ripon City Festival Trust, when it was making preparations for celebration of Ripon’s 1100th anniversary.
Trustee Barrie Price told the Stray Ferret:
“They said that to mark the anniversary year they wanted to donate their collection to the city, on the proviso that it must stay in Ripon and be made available to children as an educational resource.”
He added:
“Their home was like an Aladdin’s cave, with a vast variety of valuable items, many of which had been sought by the major museums in London.
“It was agreed that they should stay in their possession until after their deaths. Gwen died in May 2005 and Alex in February 2008 and then the search began to find a suitable, safe and secure place for both the storage and subsequent display of items dating from the Babylonian period to the present day.”
‘No similar collection anywhere in the world’
In 1997, Professor Norman Biggs, an internationally-recognised expert on weights and measures, based at the Centre for Discrete and Applicable Mathematics at London School of Economics and Political Science, said:
“The Renton Collection of weights and measures is unique, there is no similar collection anywhere in the world and it reflects a broader range of weighing and measuring activity than a ‘normal’ museum collection.”
The collection includes many rare documents, books and catalogues
The collection, which includes a library of books documents and catalogues on matters related to weights and measures, was left in trust and is under the guardianship of the Knoll Charitable Trust, whose chairman is Mr Price.
A building saved from dereliction
The trust also owns the former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel built in 1861, which ceased being a place if worship in 1963 when it merged with Allhallowgate Methodist Church.
This imposing building was home in the 1960s to U-Save, Ripon’s first supermarket, but fell into dereliction after the store closed.
Following major refurbishment in 1997 it became the office of a regional accountancy practice where Mr Price was a senior partner.
The former chapel was awarded a green plaque by Ripon Civic Society in recognition of its heritage status.
Nexus Dental Laboratory
As well as providing a new long-term location for the Renton Collection, the ground floor of the building has been the base for Nexus Dental Laboratory, following its relocation last year from smaller city centre premises.
Steve Campbell, the company’s chief executive and his colleagues are enthusiastic about sharing the building with a collection of outstanding educational and cultural importance. He said:
“I am filled with a profound sense of privilege and excitement. This collection, arguably the most significant assembly of measurement devices in British history, showcases the pinnacle of ingenuity and precision from past eras and profoundly connects with the rich tapestry of Ripon’s history and beyond.
“This collection is not merely an exhibition of historical artefacts. It represents a celebration of humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge and precision. It brings to the region scientific significance and the compelling stories to inspire curiosity and admiration.”
He added:
“We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this journey. The opportunity to share in the eventual display of these items is a privilege that fills me with gratitude.
“The Renton Collection at The Old Chapel is more than an exhibition; it is a testament to the enduring human spirit of exploration, accuracy, and belief. It invites us to reflect on our past, appreciate the present, and anticipate the future of scientific discovery and understanding.”
The sculpture of Blind Jack with his trundle wheel in Knaresborough Market Place.
Nexus director Iain Baldwin, a former pupil of King James’s School, Knaresborough, said:
“Among the items that we now have in our care is a trundle wheel that is similar to the one featured in the sculpture of 18th century engineer and legendary road builder Blind Jack in Knaresborough Market Place.
“It is incredible to have, here in Ripon, a real-life exhibit of a measuring device that gives us this local link to a collection of such international significance.”
Before items can go on display the search is on for a person with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake the mammoth task of working through the extensive collection and getting it into shape.
Mr Price said:
“We will also be looking to appoint a caretaker and enlist the help of volunteers. The plan is to move forward in a measured manner and in the longer term, what we are able to do with this magnificent gift to Ripon will be dictated by the funding that we can obtain.”
He added:
“It is, however, a fantastic gift for the city to receive, working on many levels, as an educational resource to inspire young minds and a visitor attraction that will add to Ripon’s standing as a place that is firmly on the map of national and international heritage tourists.”
Main image: Barrie Price (right), Steve Campbell (centre) and Iain Baldwin, are pictured with some of the many items from the Renton Collection.
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Organ donation brings £350,000 instrument to Ripon church
St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, has received an amazing early Christmas gift – an organ worth £350,000.
The Grade II listed church, which is among the city’s architectural gems and described as one of the finest Catholic parish churches in England, has taken delivery of a mechanical action pipe organ, formerly in use at the University of Huddersfield.
Built by JW Walker of Brandon in Suffolk for Castleford businessman Michael Phipps, the organ was subsequently donated by him to the university in 2008 and now, with the assistance of Dr John Rowntree, one of the UK’s foremost organ specialists, it has found a new home in Ripon.
Dr Rowntree, director of music at Douai Abbey in Berkshire, is chair of the British Institute of Organ Studies and the Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs,
Dr John Rowntree (left) and Canon Ian Smith, are pictured in St Wilfrid’s, where the organ will be installed in the loft at the back of the church
He told the Stray Ferret:
“This wonderful instrument is of Grade 1 class and, with its mechanical action, is particularly suitable for playing music from the Bach period.
“It will give a completeness to the restoration of this beautiful church and I look forward to being involved in its installation here in the New Year.”
Parish priest Canon Ian Smith, plays the organ and keenly awaits the day when he has the opportunity take to the keyboards and pedals.
He said:
“It’s a superb instrument and such a generous gift from Huddersfield University. We had to move quickly and, with invaluable advice from Dr Rowntree, all parts of the organ are now here and ready to be reassembled, once we have raised the necessary funding.”
Canon Smith added:
“In making the donation to us, the university had one proviso – saying that its students have the right to visit our church to play the organ. They will be made most welcome,”
Parishioner Barrie Price, who is chair of the church fundraising committee, which has raised £500,000 for an ongoing programme of restoration and development, pointed out:
“The organ is valued at £350,000 and would have originally cost considerably more.
“Its rebuilding and installation cost is quoted at £40,000 and the Leeds Diocese have agreed that we can go ahead for half this figure in the New Year, by loaning the parish the other half.
Mr Price, added:
“We have launched a special organ fund, which is separate from the Restoration Appeal, which we hope will raise this first half over the Advent period so that it can be installed early in 2024.”
St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in Ripon has received a £4,000 boost from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT).
The award, which will go towards the restoration of the three altars at the eastern end of its nave and aisles, comes just weeks after the Grade II* listed building was attacked by vandals who damaged leaded windows.
St Wilfrid’s, in Coltsgate Hill, was built in 1862 and is recognised as one of the finest parish churches in England, featuring ornate reredos screens designed by the renowned Victorian church architect Edward Pugin.
Parishioner Barrie Price, who chairs the restoration appeal, said:
“We were delighted to receive this grant from the YHCT. The church opened its doors over 160 years ago and continues to be a special place for all who visit.
“Preserving this Yorkshire jewel for future generations is a daunting task, but with the help and support from organisations like to the YHCT, and the fundraising efforts of the local community, we are able to undertake the much-needed restoration works.”
Tom Ramsden, chair of the YHCT said:
“As well as being a place of worship, many of Yorkshire’s churches and chapels provide much needed support services to the local community.
“Many parishes face severe challenges in keeping their buildings open and in good repair, but thanks to the generosity of our friends and donors, we are delighted to be able to help preserve these wonderful historic buildings and help secure their future”.
In summer 2021, St Wilfrid’s reopened following the first phase of a £500,000 restoration, which took two years and was held up by the covid 19 pandemic.
The money for the the work was raised by churchgoers, supported by awards from trusts and boosted by a £75,000 grant from Historic England.
In 2022, YHCT awarded £93,000 to 24 places of worship across Yorkshire. Grants continue to be available for urgent repairs, restoration and maintenance to churches of any Christian denomination, including feasibility studies to help churches develop longer term projects.
A Catholic church considered one of Ripon’s architectural gems has suffered thousands of pounds of damage after being attacked by vandals.
Canon Ian Smith, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s very disheartening for parishioners and others who visit for prayer and quiet reflection, to see the aftermath of mindless destruction.”
He added:
“I don’t know what kind of pleasure they got from throwing stones through windows and damaging roof tiles, but their acts are deeply disappointing to all those who cherish this building.”
Canon Ian estimates the the repair bill for three leaded windows, an internal window in the reception area and roof tiles, will run into thousands of pounds.
The vandalised window in the church reception area
He pointed out:
“The leaded windows are originals that have been in place since the church opened in 1862 and it’s ironic to think that they survived undamaged through world wars and have now been wilfully broken in this way.”
Police were informed about the vandal attack, believed to have occurred between 7pm last Saturday, February 4, and 9am on Sunday, February 5. They have inspected the damage and their investigation is ongoing.
The first phase of a £500,000 restoration of the Grade II* listed building was completed in summer 2021, after parishioners supported an appeal that helped to pay for the refurbishment and renewal works.
In spite of the vandalism, St Wilfrid’s remains open as usual for services and private prayer.