The Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) has put plans for a heritage hub about the town’s history to Harrogate Borough Council.

The Association is hoping the council will approve its business plan during a meeting next week.

The plan explains how the hub will be used to hold historical exhibitions, bring in revenue and become an education space for the local community.

The KMA has identified a largely vacant building on Castle Yard as the perfect spot to open its hub. The building was previously used as a dance school but is now used by local scout groups.

The group has its hopes set high for the future with plans to open a town museum.

The KMA chair Kathy Allday described the “big dream” would take a lot of funding but it would allow the group to display constant exhibitions and artefacts tracking the town from its humble beginnings to present day.

Visitors to an exhibition hosted by the KMA last year.

The group has run several successful exhibitions about the town. Last year its exhibition tracking the town from pre-historic times to present day had over 1500 visitors over its two weekends.

Kathy said:

“We have the support of local so I am hoping our plan is accepted. We need to celebrate the town’s history, there is so much of it and there are so many exhibitions and stories to be told.

“If the plans were approved the building would need refurbishing and we would have to start fundraising straight away but we have some ideas for that already.”

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It is hoped the group can build the hub’s reputation over time for educational and enjoyable exhibitions about the town and work with local community groups and schools.

The group is hoping that it can have the space open for May 2021 but has said the pandemic could delay that.

Kathy has written a guidebook ‘Our Knaresborough, Our Stories’ to fundraise for the KMA. It tells all of Knaresborough’s history including its archaeology and geology.

A campaign to save a historic village pub received a boost when Greg Mulholland, founder of the All-party Parliamentary Group Save the Pub, visited the site this week.

Mr Mulholland, the former Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, visited the disused Henry Jenkins Inn in Kirkby Malzeard on Sunday to help launch a new associate membership scheme. 

Locals are purchasing community shares to buy the inn, which is named after a farm worker and butler who died in 1669, reputedly at the age of 169.

The associate membership scheme allows those unable to buy shares to contribute in other ways, such as by fundraising or doing refurbishment.

So far 180 villagers have raised £210,250 from share pledges towards the £230,000 target to buy and refurbish the inn.

Pub champion Greg Mulholland (centre), of Campaign for Pubs, with supporters of the Henry Jenkins community pub initiative outside the Henry Jenkins in Kirkby Malzeard

Mr Mulholland, who is also campaign director for Campaign to Pubs, said: 

“In these extraordinary times it is more important than ever that we save pubs in rural communities and the Campaign for Pubs fully supports the campaign to save the Henry Jenkins Inn.

“The community in Kirkby Malzeard has been heroic in its campaign and fundraising to save this important historic village pub and preserve a part of local history and heritage.”

The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd has had four offers to buy the pub rejected by the owner, who would prefer to sell it for housing.

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• ‘Very few’ covid infections in North Yorkshire pubs
• Plan to convert Little Ouseburn pub into housing

Campaign for Pubs is lobbying for a change in the law so that no historic pub can be demolished or converted when a group or individual is prepared to buy it as a pub at the independently assessed value.

Dave Robinson, chairman of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd, said:

“We’re delighted to have Greg’s support and we look forward to working with Campaign for Pubs to help secure the future of the Henry Jenkins and other much-loved pubs in Yorkshire and beyond.”

Stray Jewels is a monthly column written by BBC Antiques Roadshow jewellery specialist, Susan Rumfitt. Susan started her career working for Christie’s auctioneers in Glasgow before establishing her own jewellery department, The Gallery in Harrogate.

In 2006, she joined the Antiques Roadshow and has since built up an extensive knowledge of and passion for fine jewellery. 

In my new column ‘Stray Jewels’ I will be bringing you the hidden gems of Yorkshire. From auction house highlights and Yorkshire museum treasures to the fabulous pieces I have access to at my gallery and through travels. You will have a first-hand insight into the fantastic world of jewels through The Stray Ferret.

The world of gems and jewels brings with it passion, scandal, history and power, often in equal measures – in fact even if someone doesn’t like wearing jewellery they are often interested in the design, the maker and the story the jewels may have.

As a jewellery specialist on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, I’m often asked ‘how did you get into jewellery?’ The answer to that would be, that it was quite simply by chance and after 25 years, I have never looked back.

A multi-gem set locket.

So how did my career begin?

Summer 1991: work experience at Sotheby’s Harrogate. This was when I knew I wanted to be in the auction world; fuelled by many years watching Love Joy and the Antique’s Roadshow on a Sunday night. There was a buzz in the air – Castle Howard were having an ‘Attic Sale’. I was enthralled by it all. The auction world was for me.

I was just about to start at Reading University to study History of Art and Architecture and as far as I was concerned a career as an Art Specialist was what I was going to pursue. When I graduated, I went on to do a Post Grad degree in Decorative Arts at Glasgow University in association with Christie’s Auctioneers. I found out I still loved art but I was now drawn to the magic of silver. At the end of the course I became a trainee in the Silver Department at Christie’s in Glasgow and was in an office which was shared with the Jewellery Specialist – I became hooked and a career in jewels began.

Would you like Susan to review one of your antique pieces?

Whether its a family heirloom or a piece you bought at an auction, Susan would like to hear from you. If you’d like her to review your jewellery, send her an email to: contact@susanrumfitt.com.

After Christie’s, I went on to work at Phillips Auctioneers. It was intense but utterly exciting. Travelling around the world as well as running my own jewellery department in London. More importantly every day was full of learning about gems and jewels. Despite the excitement I always knew Harrogate was meant to be home. In 2002 I came back to Yorkshire and had three very happy years as the Jewellery Consultant for Tennant’s Auctioneers.

In 2006 I was asked to join the ‘BBC’s Antiques Roadshow’. I had always wondered, could it happen, could I ever be on that programme as a ‘Specialist’? Yes it could happen and it did happen, dreams can come true!

In 2007 I set up ‘The Gallery’ not only as a place from which clients could buy jewellery but as a place in which to hold presentations and share my passion and interest in the history of jewellery. The Gallery has become a place for all to share a love of jewellery. Many people have said The Gallery is itself a gem within the heart of Harrogate. That gem is now brought to you all through The Stray Ferret.

Join me next month when I look at saleroom highlights in the region and consider the world of Emeralds, the stone of love and hope.

A Columbian Emerald ring never fails to please.

Do you have a piece of jewellery you would like to know more about? If so, feel free to contact Susan at contact@susanrumfitt.com. Susan will answer all your enquiries regarding jewellery. Please do not send any information regarding your jewellery by any social media platform.

Find out more about Susan’s career by clicking here.

Ripon City Council is looking to recruit a fourth hornblower to perform the 9pm setting of the watch – an event held daily for 1,134 years.

The world-famous hornblower ceremony has not been seen or heard on Ripon’s Market Square for six months.

Social distancing requirements that came into effect at the end of March have meant that the current hornblowers – Wayne Cobbett, Richard Midgley and Allison Clark – have shared the nightly task with four blasts of the horn at their own homes.

Allison Clark, one of the three current Ripon Hornblowers

The behind closed doors ceremony has been broadcast by each person on Facebook.

George Pickles was the last person to singularly hold the hornblower office. When he retired in 2015, a team was recruited to share the duties.

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The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been looking to appoint a fourth member of the team for some time, but the coronavirus lockdown interrupted the process.”

Applicants have until 12 noon on Monday 26 October to put their names forward.

The job description, which can be found on the council’s Facebook page, says candidates need to be available for regular duty for up to three nights per week.

According to tradition, the successful applicant will be required to sound the horn with:

“One blast at each of the four corners of the plinth of the obelisk and then provide a brief history of the horn blowing ceremony for the public in attendance.”

The job also involves sounding of the horn outside the mayor’s house each evening and attendance at civic events.

The duties described on the council’s Facebook page will only apply when the Ripon hornblowers return to the Market Square and Cllr Parkin pointed out:

“We don’t know when that is going to be but we need to be ready.”

The ceremony dates back to AD 886 when Alfred the Great, king of the Saxons, awarded a horn to the local people of Ripon in gratitude for the way in which they fought off a Viking attack.

Setting of the watch, or curfew, has survived the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the English Civil War and two world wars.

The city council is determined to ensure that it will also survive the Covid pandemic. 

Local groups have come out in opposition to Persimmon Homes’ proposed plan to demolish the former site of Ripon Cathedral Choir School.

Ripon Civic Society, which is dedicated to protecting the city’s historic buildings, has written to Harrogate Borough Council asking it to refuse the application.

It argues if one historic building can be demolished, it will set a precedent for others in the city.

Christopher Hughes, chairman of Ripon Civic Society, is strongly opposed to the housing developer’s plans:

“If the application to demolish were to be permitted, it opens the door for the cynical neglect of other important buildings in Ripon, not least the former Girls’ High School. The society urges the local planning authority to refuse this application at the earliest opportunity.”

The Rotary Club in Ripon has also come out against the plans. Bill Swaney told the Stray Ferret that the council should require an independent survey of the building before making any decision on its future.

Persimmon Homes submitted plans earlier this month to demolish the former site of Ripon Cathedral Choir School and replace in a “like for like” manner.

The building would then be used to house 12 apartments. It is part of a wider plan to build 105 homes in the vicinity.

Read more:

• Persimmon Homes submits plans to demolish Ripon Cathedral Choir School
• Offensive graffiti removed from wall near Ripon Cathedral
• The Old Deanery set to close in major blow for Ripon

Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission to redevelop the site in February 2019. The council’s deadline for comments on the revised application is September 21.

The building was originally constructed as a late 19th century grandstand. It was converted in the early 20th century into two semi-detached dwellings, then extended for use as a school.

Ripon Cathedral Choir School began using the site in 1960 until it closed in 2012. It had planned to merge with a local preparatory school but this fell through.

A plaque to commemorate how the people in Harrogate raised funds for Spitfires during the Second World War has been unveiled today.

A government campaign in 1941 asked communities to raise funds to build more Spitfires. The people of Harrogate managed to raise £7,000 in support of the Spitfire campaign and, alongside other communities, was awarded a plaque by the government.

Over time, the plaque deteriorated and was sadly lost. The Harrogate Civic Society, and individual donors, have lead the efforts to fund a replica plaque.

Local historian, Malcolm Neesam, will write for the Stray Ferret tomorrow morning about Harrogate’s contribution to the Spitfire campaign.

The new plaque will be mounted at the Crown Hotel, in Harrogate, on Monday. It was unveiled today by Lord Houghton of Richmond – former Chief of Defence Staff.

The small group invited included MP Andrew Jones, two female war veterans, members of the armed services and donors.

Molly Todd (left) and Sheila Pantin (right) are both veterans from World War Two.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic that we will have this on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It reflects the way the people of Harrogate came together in this moment of national emergency and contributed so much money to help the war effort. It has been a powerful and fascinating unveiling of this plaque and I look forward to to seeing it go up into location on Monday.”

Read more:

• Local historian, Malcolm Neesam, writes about the harsh realities for Harrogate residents during the war.
• Services were held across the district to commemorate VJ Day. 

Stuart Holland, Co Vice Chair of the Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“The civic society are really proud to have been given the opportunity to have a new plaque I’m quite moved by the response of the donors, people have been so generous in putting the money forward. The Civic Society now have been responsible for 86 plaques in the town now. We are working towards bringing together the masses of information about the town onto our website, before we lose it.”

The covid pandemic may have prevented many large scale public gatherings but it is not going to stop Ripon celebrating its patron saint on Saturday.

For centuries, processions and mass events in honour of St Wilfrid have been held to venerate the man who shares equal billing with St Peter at the cathedral, which is located on the site where Wilfrid established a church in AD 672.

Born in Northumbria in AD 634, Wilfrid’s name can be found on street signs, a primary school, cafe and Catholic church within the ancient city and other towns and cities across the country.

It’s 912 years since King Henry I granted permission for the city to hold a fair to celebrate the birth of the saint and Ripon – a city that takes great pride in its heritage – has held on to this tradition.

In normal years, St Wilfrid’s procession sees large crowds line the streets of Ripon

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In normal years, a large procession would circle the city, led by an actor on horseback playing St Wilfrid and concluding with a service in the cathedral.

The procession, including Ripon city band and floats representing clubs, schools, businesses and neighbourhood groups, would pass the market place, where fairground rides, Morris dancers and much more would be present for the enjoyment of people of all ages.

Social distancing rules brought in by the government in a bid to beat coronavirus, mean that this year’s celebration will, like the VE Day 75th anniversary celebration in May, be largely restricted to window displays, bunting  and floral tributes along the route that the procession would normally take.

The Ripon City Morris Dancers Band will be performing in the garden of 12 Church Lane from 2pm and details of other activities can be found on the St Wilfrid’s Procession FaceBook page.

To help raise awareness of Saturday’s event, Paul Simms dressed as St Wilfrid and his wife Sue, walked the processional route, where they met Mayor of Ripon, councillor Eamon Parkin, outside his Magdalens pub.

Cllr Parkin, said:

“It’s a shame that we can’t have the usual celebrations of our patron saint this year. This is a big annual event for the city that draws large crowds, but public safety is paramount and once we have defeated coronavirus, we will be able to have the large-scale events once more.

“Thanks to Paul and Sue and others involved with the St Wilfrid’s procession, we will still mark the day – but in a quieter way this year.”

Ripon Cathedral has taken the first step towards seeking approval for a £6 million extension of the ancient building.

If successful, plans which will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) following public consultation, would see the first major extension in hundreds of years, for a building containing the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral –  St Wilfrid’s crypt – dating back to 672 AD.

The church attracts visitors and pilgrims from around the world and in autumn 2019, launched the Ripon Cathedral Renewed project.

Key elements of  the plan are the provision of toilets. which will include Ripon’s only adult changing room; a cafe and creation of rehearsal space for Ripon Cathedral Choir, which currently rehearses in a former burial vault.

With the provision of new storage space, it is also intended that large areas within the cathedral will be opened up to the public for the first time in centuries.

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An initial approach has been made to the council and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, told The Stray Ferret:

“We are at an early stage of our formal engagement with HBC as we look to develop our plans and work out what would be needed for a planning application.”

He added:

“There will be a presentation of plans in the cathedral from mid-August  – showing people where our thinking has got to and asking for their comments.”

The plans are part of the cathedral’s strategic vision Growing God’s Kingdom which aims to see the cathedral as a force for good, serving both the church and wider community – locally, regionally and nationally.

When the Ripon Cathedral Renewed project was launched, Dean John (pictured above), said:

“It is clear that the development of the cathedral is vital to bring this national treasure into the 21st century.

“As custodians of this fantastic building we are only too aware of the legacy we uphold. We have this ancient history, this wonderful architecture – what we haven’t got are the facilities that people need.

“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its own contributions. We take none of this for granted and we have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”

He added:

“Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to a growing number of people that the development of Ripon Cathedral is vital as we seek to serve the communities of the region now and in the future.”

Two of Ripon’s key tourist and heritage attractions have reopened their doors to the public and a third will re-open next month.

The Workhouse Museum & Garden and Prison & Police Museum, reopened yesterday (Wednesday) and the Courthouse Museum is expected to be open again from August 1.

Helen Thornton, director of Ripon Museum Trust, said:

“I am so excited to be able to offer a warm welcome to visitors once again. The whole team here has worked extremely hard to get ready to provide an enjoyable and safe museum experience.”

She added:

“I hope people will be inspired by the fascinating history we have at Ripon museums and will have fun with their families exploring our beautiful gardens and discovering the amazing stories within our walls.”

The museums will open six days a week, closing on Mondays for a deep clean, as part of a package of measures designed to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff.

Numbers of people allowed in at any one time are being limited. Visitors must have pre-booked and paid for their tickets and should present their email ticket on a mobile phone or a printed copy at museum receptions.

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Ripon Museum Trust is also introducing additional cleaning and hygiene measures on its three sites, with social distancing markers in place to help visitors keep a safe distance apart.

Anybody displaying symptoms of coronavirus is asked not to visit.

The measures have been taken following government guidance and following Public Health England recommendations. The trust has received accreditation from Visit England, which recognises that government and industry Covid-19 guidelines are being followed, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

Visitors to the Workhouse Museum will be able to purchase refreshments and can bring a picnic to eat in the museum’s grounds.

Ripon Museum Trust previously received £40,100 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to safeguard its heritage buildings and provide much-needed support for essential costs during the coronavirus crisis.