Organisations, individuals and a business that have made a positive contribution to life in the city, gathered at Ripon Cathedral for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards.
The event was organised by Ripon Together as part of the cathedral’s 1,350th anniversary celebrations and more than 150 people were present to discover who had won the trophies designed and produced by Jennyruth Workshops.
At Friday’s presentation evening, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, pointed out that the star was the symbol of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in 672 AD.
He said:
“All of those who were nominated are stars for what they do to contribute to the life of Ripon and we thank and applaud them.”
One of the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards produced by Jennyruth Workshop
Hundreds of knitted stars made by the Ripon Community Poppy Project were hung high in the nave for the presentation evening and there was special mention from Dean John for Alwyn Hartley, who produced more than 200 of them.
The dedicated team of knitters who have decorated the city with extensive displays for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, Remembrance Sunday and the Winter Wonderland at Spa Gardens, were winners of the award for tourism.
Lou Jones, who owns Oliver’s Pantry cafe on North Street with her husband Tim, received the business award and was recognised for ‘boosting the community’s wellbeing and signposting them to all that Ripon has to offer.’
St Wilfrid’s Stars youth award winner Rosie Sturt, is pictured with the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, presented the youth award to Rosie Sturt, for her work in leading a team of young volunteers who have delivered a Lego Club at Ripon Library.
The aim of the club is to help young children to increase their social skills and confidence in the wake of the covid lockdowns.
A St Wilfrid’s Star also went to Sarah Jaques – a Ripon Library volunteer and co-ordinator – who won the community award for her tireless work.
Her citation read:
“Without volunteers, there would be no library and there would be a great gap in the life of the city.”
For the overall volunteer of the year award the panel of judges selected Gloria Sturdy, who has devoted her life to supporting many causes in the city.
This includes the provision of lunches each Thursday at Holy Trinity Church for people in need, to sewing PPE kits for frontline workers during the pandemic.
The culture award was presented to the Ripon Theatre Festival organising committee, in recognition of staging a highly successful inaugural performing arts event from a standing start.
Caroline Bentham, who has supported groups in Ripon through her community scrap fund, which raises money from the sale of recycled metal, received the environment award.
As well as being a supporter of many good causes, she is an active Girl Guide Leader and an assistant county commissioner.
Read more:
Angels appear around Nidderdale villages
A host of angels made from many different materials has started appearing around Dacre Banks and other neighbouring parishes in Nidderdale.
Rachel Ferneley, whose husband the Rev Alistair Ferneley is the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, has inspired parishioners and local people to make the angels as a means of thanking those who have helped others during the crisis and thinking of those who have died or are ill.
As well as being on display in gardens, windows of homes and businesses, they are decorating Holy Trinity itself.
At 10am tomorrow, the people who have made them are invited to bring their creations to the church for a socially-distanced open-air service led by Rev Ferneley. A rainbow of hope made up of the different written intentions will also be at the service.
Part of the Nidderdale Angels display at Holy Trinity Church in Dacre Banks.
Mrs Ferneley told the Stray Ferret:
“During the coronavirus crisis, the local community has pulled together and helped one another in many ways and I thought it would be appropriate to have a means of marking this with the Nidderdale angels.”
She added:
“This can be a way of thanking people who have acted like angels with help during the crisis, or a way of remembering loved ones who have died, or who are unwell.”
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- See who’s trying to set a world record in a Nidderdale church
- Homes plan for site near Ripon Cathedral
The call for angels has sparked the imagination of the local community as the designs have come in many shapes and sizes, from the small cherub made out of chicken wire at the entrance to Holy Trinity to one made out of corks. More life-like are the two mannequins dressed in angelic clothing inside the church.
Mrs Ferneley is delighted by the response to the bank holiday event and pointed out:
Knaresborough food bank re-opens today“All we need now is for the angels to help us by bringing some dry weather on Sunday morning for our outdoor service!”
Knaresborough food bank re-opens today after closing because of the coronavirus.
The food bank was previously closed because its base at Holy Trinity Church was not being suitable for social distancing measures. However, Reverend Stroma McDermott, of the church, has given the volunteers another room to work within allowing them to re-open safely.
The service provides food packages to residents of Knaresborough will open from 10.30 this morning to serve as many people that needs their help. The centre are still in need of public donations of food, these can be arranged through their Facebook page.
This re-opening comes as Harrogate food bank reported their numbers had doubled during the lockdown period. Among those who need support are people who have been left furloughed or without a job during the pandemic.
Volunteers are prepared to help those in need once again, with safety measures in place to ensure the safety of everyone at the centre.
Read more:
- Harrogate volunteers receive royal recognition.
- Knaresborough prepares for shops to re-open with safety as a priority.
Lucy Stewart, the Project Manager of Harrogate District food banks, said:
“Where we were before wasn’t lending itself to social distancing. The lack of the right kind of space and hand washing facilities combined with some of our volunteers sheltering made us decide to close. We really don’t know how many people to expect, the plan going forwards is to run a pre-order service. The client will call the voucher holder to request a voucher. The voucher holder then calls us in advance and we will pre-pack the right amount of food for the family size or individual. This means the package is ready and waiting for the client rather than us asking people to wait around.”
The Knaresborough Foodbank aims to provide a regular network of support for those in need in the area.