Soldiers from Ripon were involved in an art installation yesterday that provides an echo of the city’s military past going back 107 years.
Members of 21 Engineer Regiment helped with ground preparation before three metal silhouettes, depicting soldiers of World War I, were put in place at Hell Wath.
The works, created by artists Dan Metcalfe and Jeanne Mundy, in collaboration with Ripon Cathedral’s visual media artist and photographer Joe Priestley, replicate pieces from previous installations produced by the trio for the project ‘Fields of Mud, Seeds of Hope’
Members of the 21 Engineer Regiment did the spade work
Figures from that project can be seen near the cathedral and around the city as part of the Wilfred Owen memorial walk, created in honour the famous war poet who was based briefly at Ripon Army Camp from March 1918 and died in action in northern France just seven days before peace was declared.
Mr Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:
“During World War I, this area was the southern half of a huge camp that at any time was providing temporary accommodation for upwards of 30,000 troops.
“When you consider that the population of the city was around 8,000 before the camp arrived, it makes you realise how dominant it was and the impact it would have had.
“I hope that these works serve as a permanent reminder for generations to come of the part that Ripon played in the war and those who never returned.”
The logistics of the installation have been led by Ripon Community Poppy Project, which is also involved in producing the annual remembrance displays in the city centre.
Councillor Stuart Martin, who was one of the founders of the project, said:
“This has happened thanks to a massive collaborative effort, with support from Econ Engineering, Ripon Farm Services, Harrogate Borough Council, the Royal Engineers and Tarmac, which owns the land.
“Thanks to their assistance, combined with donations of materials, time and labour, they have enabled the creation of this stunning installation that underlines the historical significance of Ripon’s military roots, which go back many years.”
The photograph shows artist Dan Metcalfe (front, left) with Councillor Stuart Martin, of Ripon Community Poppy Project, and soldiers from the 21 Engineer Regiment.
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Ripon remembers with 75,000 hand-made poppies
Ripon is being wrapped in a cloak of red as the city prepares for next month’s Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
This year, with no covid restrictions in place, Ripon Community Poppy Project is installing its largest display to date, involving 75,000 hand-made woollen flowers, alongside banners and flags.
These reminders of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, can be seen throughout the city centre, from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, on roundabouts on the bypass and at other locations.
Ripon Town Hall, decked in Remembrance poppies
Hazel Barker, who along with Councillor Stuart Martin and Carol Dunkley, runs the project, with support from an army of volunteers, told the Stray Ferret:
“We decided to do something special to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in 2018 and it captured people’s imagination.
“The initial plan was to produce a poppy trail from Spa Gardens, where the war memorial is located, to the cathedral and it has grown from there.”
The display outside Ripon Cathedral.
Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, added:
“We started off with no funding and put out an appeal on Facebook asking if people could help us by knitting poppies and the response was phenomenal.
“As well as getting strong support from the local community, Hazel started receiving deliveries of poppies made by people living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Malta and other countries.”
The community poppy project continues to thrive, with knitters – both female and male – in the city and further afield providing their assistance.
At its core is the Knit and Natter group that meets between 9.30am and 11am each Monday morning in the Sun Pavilion Cafe in Spa Gardens.
Ms Barker said:
“They are knitting all year round and as well as making the poppies, they are producing decorative items for other events, such as next year’s celebration of the queen’s platinum jubilee.”
One of the specially produced banners attached to railings in the city centre
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and the messages ‘RBL 100’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ have been included on poppy wreaths.
The legion’s Ripon branch and the community poppy project, will benefit from the proceeds of a fundraising concert of remembrance being held at Ripon Cathedral on the evening of November 11. Tickets costing £15 are available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate.
A centrepiece of the event, which will include performances from Ripon City Band and the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be a replay of a video first shown in November 2018, when it was projected onto the front of the cathedral.
Cllr Martin said:
“It was produced, with the support of sponsors, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and is both spectacular and moving. This time, we will be showing it inside the cathedral.”
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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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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:
“All we need now is for the angels to help us by bringing some dry weather on Sunday morning for our outdoor service!”