Queen Elizabeth II Archives - The Stray Ferret

Time for a long-term fix for Ripon’s most unreliable civic timepiece

Queen Victoria is not amused! Nor are those Ripon residents and passing road users who want to know the time of day (or night).

The problem is a monumental one and can be seen at the junction of North Road, Palace Road and Princess Road.

The clock tower, paid for by sisters Frances and Constance Cross to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee has, in recent times, become extremely unreliable.

Its hands are currently frozen on 7.37 am (or 7.37 pm) — and won’t be able to mark the arrival of the midnight hour that will herald in the New Year.

Ripon’s constant reminder of Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign comes in the form of the specially-commissioned Platinum Jubilee horn, which is one of the instruments used by hornblowers to set the city’s daily watch at 9pm prompt.

Less than half a mile from Ripon Town Hall, her great-great grandmother’s crossroads timepiece was once a means of reassuring travellers heading for trains at Ure Bank Station that they were not running late.

Victoria, who clocked up 63 years and 216 days on the throne – a record subsequently beaten by Elizabeth II – would surely be bemused by the four-faced clock’s erratic performance.

The clock tower, which was formally inaugurated in June 1898, bears a Ripon Civic Society green plaque and society co-chair Richard Taylor, told the Stray Ferret:

“I was delighted earlier this month, when the clock was fixed by North Yorkshire Council, but when a friend called and said it had stopped again within a matter of weeks, I thought they were winding me up!

“But joking apart, this is a significant and highly-visible monument of historic significance on the approach to the city centre and this time, please can a longer-lasting solution be found to sort out its internal workings.”

Three times more street parties in Harrogate for Queen’s jubilee than King’s coronation

There were more than three times the number of street parties in the Harrogate district for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than there were for the King’s Coronation, figures show.

Last June the country celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne and Harrogate was no exception with North Yorkshire Council revealing in a freedom of information request that 32 street parties took place over the long weekend.

From Patelely Bridge to Knaresborough and Harrogate, bunting-laden parties were held in almost every corner of the district.

Normally, the council asks for a fee to close a street but it decided to waive these costs to encourage festivities.

The same policy was in place for those wanting to celebrate the King’s Coronation last month when Charles III officially ascended to the throne following the death of his mother in September.

But this time, the number of street parties held across the former Harrogate district area was much lower with nine taking place, according to the council.

The figures also reveal that across the whole of North Yorkshire there were 116 street parties for the Queen’s Jubilee and 33 for the King’s Coronation.

Graham Smith, chief executive officer of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said the figures show that support is falling for the royal family in the county.

He said:

“Support for the monarchy is falling and this is clearly as true for North Yorkshire as the rest of the country. For a lot of people the Queen was the monarchy and the monarchy was the Queen.

“With endless scandal and the loss of the Queen, and growing concern about the way the country is governed, it’s not surprise people are less excited about celebrating big royal events.”

During both weekends, the now abolished Harrogate Borough Council organised huge free parties in Harrogate.

Across four days last year it transformed part of the Stray into ‘Jubilee Square’, with a large stage and video screens broadcasting the Queen’s Birthday Parade and other royal events from London.

The Valley Gardens also hosted a free family festival organised by the council with jugglers, magicians, fairground rides, face painting and live music.

Similarly for the coronation, the council put on a three-day event in the Valley Gardens with family entertainment and coronation ceremony on a big screen live from Westminster Abbey.

Badger carving unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II

A wooden badger carved from a fallen tree has been unveiled in Pateley Bridge to commemorate the late Queen.

Bewerley Parish Council commissioned Sherwood Carvings to transform the tree, which was brought down by storms last year, into the adopted emblem of the town to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents of the town and surrounding areas took part in an informal poll to decide what the carving should be. The badger came out victorious over an orb and sceptre, or a crown.

The transformation took a day and a half and was funded by a legacy grant from Harrogate Borough Council as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations last year.

The carving is located in the Pateley Bridge play area and is around 7ft tall.

The parish council said in a statement:

“We’re delighted to reveal this amazing carving of a badger on the play area at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground.

“Jonathan of Sherwood Carving has transformed the tree brought down in storms last year into a beautiful tribute to HM The Queen”.

The carving was predominantly done by chainsaw and power tools but is stain-based and treated with Danish oil.

Jonathan Sherwood, of Sherwood Carving, said:

“It was very enjoyable to carve something in commemoration of the late Queen.

“The work was challenging due to the nature of the wood, but I’m glad it will be enjoyed for years to come”.

‘Legendary’ photographer part of collaborative exhibition in Harrogate

Photographs of Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger that have been reworked as part of a collaboration between a famous photographer and artist will be unveiled in a Harrogate gallery.

Photographer Gered Mankowitz has teamed up with oil painter Christian Furr to bring the exhibition to RedHouse Gallery.

The two became friends more than a decade ago, and have combined Furr’s distinct painting style with some of Mankowitz’s most iconic photographs.

The exhibition, entitled In Wonder, will include reworked images of rock royalty, and will stand alongside unseen portraits of the likes of Kate Bush, PP Arnold and Marianne Faithful.

A screening of the artists in conversation will also be featured in the exhibition, as well as original darkroom photographs and recent paintings by Furr.

A portrait of PP Arnold included in the exhibition.

Mr Mankowitz was the official photographer for The Rolling Stones in the 1960s and has seen the likes of Eric Clapton, Elton John, Oasis, and Duran Duran down the lens of his camera.

Mr Furr gained an international audience in 1995 after becoming the youngest artist commissioned to paint Queen Elizabeth II.

He said he is “dedicated to keeping oil painting fresh and alive as a contemporary medium”, so the collaborative exhibition seemed a natural progression.

Mr Furr said:

“It probably goes back to when we first became friends. I painted a portrait of Gered, and Gered took a photograph of me in my studio.

“We had this idea to work together as artists and try and fuse the world of photography and art and do something with that as an idea, and I just think Gered’s amazing archive has really lent itself to us creating a whole new thing together…”

David McTague, of RedHouse Gallery, said:

“We are excited to welcome Gered Mankowitz and Christian Furr back to RedHouse.

“They are two incredible artists in their own right, so we are thrilled to be unveiling new work from their 45RPM collaboration, fusing the mediums of photography and painting.”

In Wonder runs from Friday, April 21, until Saturday, May 27. The exhibition is free to attend and all works will be on sale.

No.10: Historic moments to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the way our communities market the death of the Queen and the ascension of King Charles III.

The announcement of the death of Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday, September 8 led to a series of historic events across the Harrogate district.

Among the first was a two-minute silence held by the Ripon hornblower following the setting of the watch at 9pm, less than three hours after the official announcement.

Tributes quickly came in from dignitaries around North Yorkshire, including the Lord Lieutenant, Jo Ropner, who said:

“I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace when I was appointed as Lord Lieutenant in 2018, and I know from personal experience that every engagement was conducted with grace and genuine interest, that every person felt the spark from meeting not only their monarch, but a truly remarkable woman whose commitment to her role will be remembered for generations to come.”

The following morning, official arrangements began to be put in place to mark the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

Church bells tolled for an hour at noon, while flags at public venues, including Ripon Town Hall, Knaresborough House and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, were flown at half mast.

Many churches opened books of condolence for people to sign, and invited people to visit and pray. Flowers were laid on the grass by the war memorial in Harrogate.

A number of events were cancelled over the following days as a mark of respect. Sporting fixtures around the country were called off, including Harrogate Town’s match against Carlisle.

Both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council cancelled all meetings for the week following the Queen’s death.

On Sunday, September 11, a ceremony was held by the war memorial in Harrogate. It saw the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate read the proclamation of the new King.

A similar ceremony was held in Ripon, where Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton was on duty to read the proclamation.

Over the following days, in unprecedented circumstances, some businesses altered their opening hours and some major events had to be changed too.

Nidderdale Show was forced to move from its traditional Monday slot when the Queen’s funeral was announced for the same date. However, it later said the weekend show had proved a success and future events would be held on a Sunday.

The funeral on Monday, September 19 saw several businesses close for the day, including Bettys tea rooms, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

Many supermarkets closed all day, or opened from 5pm onwards. Bin collections were suspended for the bank holiday and council-run leisure centres were closed.

The funeral was shown on big screens at Ripon Cathedral and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, as well as some pubs.

Ripon man’s poem to commemorate The Queen and Prince Philip

A Ripon man has composed a poem for the late Queen and her husband Prince Philip.

Amateur poet Peter Moonscion told the Stray Ferret that he was interested in the relationship The Queen had with her husband, Prince Philip:

“I was inspired by the longevity of their relationship and their devotion to each other and when Philip passed away I started thinking about it.

“The poem is trying to look past her title and look at the person – it is not about Queen or Empire.

“I was considering using the title ‘Dutys End’ — in the sense that, now in heaven, she can focus on being herself and on her husband and not being our Queen.

“It was an inspiration that even into their old age couples can still love each other deeply and one has to pass away before the other”.

Mr Moonscion (pictured left) says he generally writes a poem quickly when the thought and mood comes to him and it can take only an hour or so to write.

He has already posted it on social media groups where it was well received:

To sleep

I lay me down at your side.

And comforting, my brow you stroke.

And smiling warmly with such pride.

Heaven’s sense, your eyes evoke.

Your lulling scent now brings me peace,

like incense whispers Paradise.

It takes me back onto the Heath.

Where met we in another life.

Then as your lids begin to give,

you mouth three words I last you gave.

A tender phrase for which we live

and quiet times like this we save.

And while you sleep, I watch you still.

In awe of beauty’s faithfulness.

Though sweeter now as I fulfil

My promise, to the end caress.

Your warmth one last time bids me sleep.

A shorter rest than yours my dear.

And so, I pray time may soon reap

the one you leave behind in tears.

Now gently, as our eyes are closed

I find your hand and softly tether

two halves of a dream proposed

so long ago amidst the heather.

And as we sleep here side by side,

two vessels full dusk leaves behind.

Then floating with life’s ebbing tide,

one vessel empty dawn will find.

Goodbye my dear, I love you so

and pray that we’ll soon meet.

Farewell my love I hope you know,

you made my life complete.

Peter Moonscion

Changes to Harrogate district bin collections for Queen’s funeral

Changes to bin collections across the Harrogate district have been confirmed for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Harrogate Borough Council has announced that all collections will take place a day later than usual from the day of the funeral which is being marked with a bank holiday on Monday 19 September.

This will affect garden waste, refuse and recycling collections, and all household waste recycling centres will also close on Monday.

The date changes for bin collections are as follows:

Monday 19 September will be Tuesday 20 September
Tuesday 20 September will be Wednesday 21 September
Wednesday 21 September will be Thursday 22 September
Thursday 22 September will be Friday 23 September
Friday 23 September will be Saturday 24 September

Normal collections will then resume on Monday 26 September.

Meanwhile, all council-run leisure centres in the Harrogate district will also close on Monday “to allow the team to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the council said.

Customer services for both the borough council and North Yorkshire County Council will also be unavailable on this day when Harrogate’s Civic Centre will close.

Anyone who needs to get in touch with the borough council in an emergency should call 01423 556300.

Most Harrogate hospital operations to go ahead on Monday

The majority of planned operations at Harrogate District Hospital are set to go ahead on Monday.

Staff at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have been contacting patients after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was made an official bank holiday.

The trust said that of 35 operations due to go ahead on Monday, 33 were still due to proceed.

Two non-urgent operations have been cancelled. The hospital said one was rescheduled on request of the patient.

The trust said in a statement:

“We are working hard to deliver as many of the appointments and operations that have been booked to take place on Monday, September 19, as possible.

“By the end of this week, we will contact anyone who has an appointment, endoscopy or operation on that date to let them know if it is going ahead as planned or not.

“We would ask anyone who might be affected to please wait for the call from out teams.”

It comes as hospitals across the country have been told to contact patients ahead of the bank holiday to inform them of whether their appointments are going ahead.

In a letter to all English hospital trusts, Dr Ursula Montgomery, director of primary care at NHS England, said:

“For patients with planned appointments that are affected by the bank holiday, please ensure they are informed in advance of any changes by utilising direct patient communications.

“Where planned appointments are going ahead it is important this is also confirmed with patients.”

Proclamations of King Charles III made in Harrogate and Ripon

Residents from across the Harrogate district have gathered to pay their respects to the late Queen today, and to welcome the new King.

Proclamations of the accession of King Charles III were made at the war memorial in Harrogate and at Ripon Town Hall at 4pm.

At the former, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, read the words of the proclamation to the gathered crowd. She said:

“In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer how people learn for the first time that they have a new monarch.

“Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving monarch came to an end and our new sovereign succeeded.”

The ceremony included “inverting the mace” as a symbol that the crown had passed to a new sovereign.

Several hundred people stood in silence until she concluded by declaring “God save the King!”, echoed by the audience.

It was followed by three cheers for the new King.

Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremony were the council chief executive Wallace Sampson and its leader, Cllr Richard Cooper. Those gathered included Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as many local councillors.

All were dressed in black and wearing black armbands.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton, centre, with other dignitaries outside Ripon Town Hall

The Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, was present for the city’s proclamation of the new King, along with its Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Linda.

The proclamation was read out by Richard Compton, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, at Ripon Town Hall.

The crowd then sang the national anthem before giving three cheers for King Charles III.

Meanwhile, this morning, hundreds of people gathered at Ripon Cathedralfor a special Sung Eucharist Service, at which prayers were said to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

What was originally scheduled to be a civic service for the Mayor of Harrogate changed its focus following the Queen’s death on Thursday.

Cllr Oldham was in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, as well as Ripon MP Julian Smith and the chair of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Margaret Atkinson.

The service was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson. As chaplain to the Mayor of Harrogate, he was also in Harrogate this afternoon for the Proclamation of King Charles III.

Flags raised back up to full mast across the district as Charles III proclaimed new sovereign

Flags across the Harrogate district have been raised back up to full mast, on the occasion of the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.

They will return to half mast tomorrow in observance of the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents are continuing to pay tribute to the Queen following her death on Thursday afternoon.

Flowers have been have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate, with some featuring heartfelt messages.

One family wrote:

“Flowers for HRH Queen Elizabeth in thanks for the love, protection and stability you gave our nation. Rest in peace.”

Churches remain open today for tributes, reflection and mourning.

Special services in commemoration of the Queen are also taking place across the district, including at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate town centre and Ripon Cathedral.

The Rev Judith Clark, assistant curate on placement at St Peter’s, said:

“The church will remain open between 9.30am and 6.30pm during the official mourning period. People can come and write in the condolence book and light a candle and have a period of quiet prayer if they wish.”

Yesterday around 100 people signed the book of condolence at the church, which will hold a special prayer service today at 12pm.

Ripon Cathedral will hold a special Choral Evensong at 5.30pm with prayers.

Later today church bells will ring out once more to formally proclaim Charles as the new sovereign. This time it will be a celebratory peal and the bells will be unmuffled.

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