Ripon’s lively literary scene, made up of poets, creative writers and published authors, has welcomed a new arrival.

Dion Child, who previously lived in Wales, moved to the city a few months ago and has set up Write-on-Ripon as a means of meeting fellow wordsmiths.

The new group is attracting attention and attendees since its first meeting in November at Hive Cafe in Halls of Ripon, where its Tuesday afternoon gatherings have been held ever since.

A natural progression from this will be seen on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Curzon Cinema on North Street, when an open mic event called Write-On-Ripon Unleashed will be held. Entry is free.

Mr Child told the Stray Ferret:

“We would like as many people as possible to come along and join in the fun

“This is a fantastic opportunity for writers to unleash their inner creativity and share their talent by performing in the style of their choice to like-minded literature lovers.

“As I have found in the past, it’s a great way of making friends and sharing ideas.”

Among those who will be attending is Maggie Cobbett, chair of Ripon Writers’ Group and an accomplished and versatile author and poet, whose work includes the novels Foreshadowing, Workhouse Orphan and Anyone for Murder?

She said:

“Always keen to meet new people who ‘get’ why I’m rarely seen without a pen and notebook at the ready, I went along to the first session of Write-On-Ripon! and have become a regular attender.

“Write-On-Ripon! Unleashed offers a great opportunity for writers from any established group or none to get together in a convivial atmosphere, swap ideas and – should they wish – share some of their work.

“If the first session is well supported, the intention is for this to become a regular event in the cultural calendar of our little city.”

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A Harrogate charity is holding a virtual comedy night to raise funds for bone cancer research.

Frank’s Fund was set up in memory of Harrogate school boy Frank Ashton. Frank was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2016 and died in February 2019 aged 14.

Last year Frank’s family along with Maisie Adam, charity patron and comedian, organised a comedy night at St Aidan’s High School – Frank and Maisie were students here. It raised £13,000 for the charity.

This year it has been moved online and will include huge names such as Russell Kane, seen on Live at the Apollo and 8 out of 10 Cats, and Angela Barnes, from Mock the Week.

The event will be held at 7pm on Friday, December 11 via zoom. To buy a ticket, click here.

Frank’s family and Maisie Adam with some of last year’s comedians at the 2019 event.

All of the night’s proceeds go to Frank’s Fund. Frank’s family say one of their specific goals is to raise awareness for Frank’s type of cancer.

Frank went to the doctors four times before he was referred for further tests. The family says early diagnosis is really important and hopes more people getting involved with the charity will mean its message goes further.

Mike Ashton, Frank’s dad, said:

“It was a big success last year but this year is more difficult. With it being £10 for the link we have to sell more tickets which is a challenge, but we are doing well so far.

Frank used to really like comedy it was one of those things that really helped him during treatment, he really got a kick out of it.”

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A charity auction is also included in the night’s running order. A signed Chelsea shirt and a holiday are up for grabs.

Maisie Adam said:

“I think it is a bonus because going virtual means we can have people from all over the UK. Since becoming a patron it has made me realise how close to home it can be, anyone you know could be affected by this type of cancer and that’s why its important for me to be a part of it.

“This year has been difficult for everyone but small charities have had a tough year so it’s more important than ever to support them.”

Live music fans will flock to a field near Topcliffe this weekend – but the Deer Shed Festival will have a very different feel compared to previous years.

Organisers have set up a socially-distanced weekend called Base Camp, with an on-site radio station delivering live music, comedy and more direct to people’s tents.

The 320 family pitches will be a far cry from the 11,000 attendees at last year’s event – and even the 2,000 who came to the first festival 11 years ago. Director Kate Webster told The Stray Ferret:

“It’s nice that we have been able to do something. All the people here have been to Deer Shed before and a lot of them are just happy to be out of their houses.

“It has been harder organising it because we’re having to do it on fewer staff, but there’s a lot less to do then usually when we have five stages.”

Socially distanced camping spaces, each with a portable toilet

Each pitch is 15m x 15m and has its own portable toilet, with water for washing. The Baldersby Park site near Topcliffe will also offer acres of outside space for families to enjoy.

Food and drink will be on sale from stands, but ticket holders are being asked to bring their own food and drink, including alcohol which will not be sold on site. Tickets were only offered to previous festival attendees, and the event is sold out.

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The event was originally planned to take place as usual this weekend, but plans were put on hold after the coronavirus lockdown came into force. Organisers have now created a programme for radio, including everything from live music to Q&A sessions.

They are also encouraging people to explore the surrounding area and local visitor attractions during the weekend.

As the first campers arrived on site today, Kate added:

“People are arriving a lot slower than they normally do for a festival weekend. Normally, they arrive an hour earlier than they’re meant to because they’re so keen to get in.

“This has been a lot more casual – people rolling up and slowly putting tents up. It’s a different atmosphere.

“We have got a few caterers and a bit of space, but we didn’t want people to get confused that it’s a festival. It’s not – it’s a camping event. You’re camping with like-minded people who go to Deer Shed and enjoy live music as a family.”

Although the full festival this year has not been possible, Kate said all the headliners and most of the line-up have been transferred to next year’s dates, July 30 to August 1.

Eurovision 2020 may not appear on our televisions as we know it this year, however, thanks to Tom Taylor, former Ashville College pupil and now local comedian, there will be a star-studded “Isolation Song Contest.”

This will be the first of its kind and will include many famous faces from the world of entertainment, including Mel Giedroyc, Divina de Campo, Nick Helm, Tim Vine, Måns Zelmerlöw, Josie Long and Neil Hannon.

Each act was randomly assigned a country and has been given one week to compose an original Eurovision-style entry and music video for that nation before the Isolation Song Contest.

The finale is to be shown online at 8pm on tonight, and all money raised will go to three national charities – The Trussell Trust, Crisis and Refuge.

Tom Taylor told the Stray Ferret:

“I am working every hour to get the show ready. On the night I’ll be launching the contest and then handing over to ‘special guests’ who will introduce each act ahead of their isolation performance.

All the songs are original compositions, and I must say on the whole they are very good. As well as it being a fun show that people can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes it is great to be able to raise money for such worthy charities.”

To donate, visit www.isolationsongcontest.com where you will also find a link to watch the show.