Drivers have been hit by significant traffic delays through Killinghall on the A61 today as new roadworks have been put in place.

Work has started on the A61 Ripon Road between Ripley and Killinghall.

One Stray Ferret reader contacted us to say they’d left Markington for Harrogate at 12.30pm and had only got as far as the second roundabout in Ripley where the works just over an hour later.

Drivers have also reported being stuck in long queues through Killinghall.

According to OneNetwork roadworks map, temporary traffic lights are in place as Quickline Communications, which is a broadband company, carries out “utility asset works” at Ripley roundabout.

This is due to remain in place until Wednesday, July 26.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area due to long queues.

Meanwhile, queuing traffic has also been reported at New Park roundabout in Harrogate.

According to the roadworks map, Northern Gas Networks has started repair work on Skipton Road near to New Park Academy. Temporary traffic lights are expected to be in place until August 25.

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The A61 at Ripley has reopened this morning after a collision involving a lawn mower caused a gas leak last night.

As well as closing the road, emergency services advised nearby residents to close their windows.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew was called to the scene just after 6.30pm.

Its incident log said:

“A crew from Harrogate and an officer from Ripon responded to reports of a grass cutting machine that had impacted a large gas main and caused it to rupture creating a significant leak.

“Crews stood by and assisted with traffic management whilst gas engineers excavated to locate the leak and worked to isolate the supply.”

Northern Gas Networks was on the scene soon after and firefighters issued advice on social media.

https://twitter.com/SierraZero4/status/1675929780955258904?s=20

Traffic between Harrogate and Ripon was diverted through the village as engineers worked to repair the rupture.

The road is open this morning.

Read more:

• Chimney fire at Boar’s Head in Ripley
• Three homes damaged in major fire in Ripon

Whether you’re a parent worrying about keeping your children entertained this half-term or just looking for a bit of early-summer fun, the Harrogate district and beyond has lots on offer to keep a smile on the whole family’s face.

From a day at the races to castle tours, we have collated a list of activities taking place over and around the May half-term period.

Fun for all the family: Doncaster Races

Derby Day Rocks feat. Magic Queen

If you’re looking for something to keep both parents and children happy, Derby Day Rocks at Doncaster Racecourse could be the perfect way to spend the half-term weekend!

With 8 races to be enjoyed, as well as a live streaming of Epsom Derby to watch, and even a Queen Tribute act, it’s no doubt your day will rock.

Derby Day Rocks will take place on Saturday, June 3 – gates open at 11.30am.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Doncaster Racecourse to bring you discounted County tickets! Watch all the races from the second floor of the main stand – the perfect place to see your winning horse cross the finish line.

To buy your discounted tickets, click here – be quick!

Superhero Family Fun Day Raceday

If you’re thinking of merging some belated half-term fun with Father’s Day celebrations, then Doncaster Racecourse has another event which will be sure to make the whole family smile!

While parents can enjoy 7 horse races, children can meet their favourite superheroes, dance at the disco, and even go on the fairground rides! What more could you ask for?

Superhero Family Day will take place on Sunday, June 18 – the first race begins at 2.15pm.

The Stray Ferret has teamed up with Doncaster Racecourse to bring you discounted tickets Grandstand admission! This gives you access to public bars, eateries, betting outlets and views on the racing action including the parade ring and pre-parade ring.

Get your discounted adult tickets here — be quick! The tickets will sell out fast.

For a little bit of history…

Ripley Castle

If you’re interested in embracing both the history our local area has to offer, as well as some beautiful gardens in bloom, then Ripley Castle will be the perfect solution!

Enjoy six of the Castle’s rooms on your guided tour and bring a taste of history to life this half-term.

Take a stroll around the Castle’s Walled Gardens to discover the beauty nature has on offer, including an extensive collection of hyacinths, a variety of tree specimens and an abundance of spring flowers. The range of hot houses contain an impressive range of tropical plants, ferns and cacti, whilst ancient wisteria and clematis trail across the south-facing walls.

The Walled kitchen garden contains an extraordinary herb bed and many rare vegetables.

Get lost in the deer park in the grounds of the Castle and meet plenty of wildlife along your way — including fallow deer and herons.

To add to all the excitement, the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Ripley Castle to bring our readers 2-for-1 admission over the half term period — meaning two adults and two children can enjoy a guided castle tour, as well as the gardens and grounds for just £15! Now that will be a happy half-term…

Click here to buy tickets.

One for the parents in need…

Whittaker’s Gin

If you’re a parent looking to let off some steam this half-term — or simply just love gin — then Whittaker’s Gin will be exactly what you’re looking for!

Whittaker’s Gin Distillery, the home of all things gin (and now whisky), is located in Dacre Banks, just outside Harrogate.

Enjoy a complimentary G&T on arrival followed by a tour with the Whittaker’s distillers around the distillery, where they will go through the gin and whisky production process, and then into the whisky barrel warehouse.

When you get back into the bar area, there will be a  sit down tasting of 9 different gins with delicious nibbles of Weatherheads Butcher’s pork pies.

To round off, there is another complimentary G&T of your choice or alternatively you can take a 5cl bottle home to have your G&T later.

With our exclusive offer, Stray Ferret readers can enjoy two tickets for the price of one! The voucher offer grants you and a guest access to the guided distillery tour, as well as the extras mentioned above.

Click here to buy your ticket — hurry…these are selling fast!

For some summer air… 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden:

May half-term Trail

For those that enjoy that great outdoors, Fountains Abbey’s May half-term trail may be a good option.

Visitors can explore the ‘sanctuary for nature’ in the Deer Park. Learn about the variety of wildlife that resides in the grounds by exploring grassland, freshwater, woodland and much more!

No booking is needed, and the trail is free to enjoy.

The trail will take place within the Deer Park from May, 27, to June, 4, between 10am and 4.30pm.

Find more information here.

Create your own mini bug house!

Fountains Abbey is also hosting a drop-in workshop in which visitors can design and create their very own bug house.

Once complete, attendees can explore the estate to gather some wriggly residents for their bug house! The perfect recipe to combine fresh air and crafts…

The workshop is free to attend but normal admission charges for the venue apply – a family ticket is £27.

The workshop will take place in Swanley Grange – located near the Visitor Centre – from May 27 to June 4, between 11am and 3pm.

Click here for more information.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park:

Flower Power Nature Weaving

To continue the mixture of fresh air and creativity, Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, near Ripon, is inviting families to take part in its Flower Power Nature Weaving.

Visitors can pick up a collectors bag from the ticket office and venture through the park to see what nature provides to weave into the Earth Loom.

The event will take place daily from May 27 to June 4, from 10am.

For more information, click here.

To shelter from the (potential) rain…

Harrogate Theatre: The ‘Not So’ Grimm Twins

For those of you looking for a potential rainy-day activity, Harrogate Theatre’s production of The ‘Not So” Grimm Twins could be a good option for you.

Storytellers, Jake and Will Grimm, will guide you through some re-worked versions of your favourite fairy tales and will need the audiences help along the way!

The play will take place on Saturday, May 27 at 11am and 2pm.

Tickets start at £12 – click here for more information.

The organisers behind the Yorkshire Warrior obstacle course have announced the event will not take place this year.

The annual obstacle challenge, which includes 20km, 15km, 10km and a 3km event for juniors, was due to be held at Ripley Castle.

In a post on its website and social media, organisers said rising costs of materials and services had led to the decision.

It said:

“We are truly gutted to announce that there will be no Yorkshire Warrior events taking place this year. 

“This is due to a number of reasons but mainly the rising costs of materials, services and health and safety. 

“We really do hope to come back in 2024 with some new and exciting events, but for now we are taking a break.”

The extreme obstacle challenge was founded in 2013 by Ian and Danielle Bush.

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A dance group for over 50s that launched in lockdown is opening classes in Harrogate town centre.

Following the success of classes in Darley, Ripley, Ripon and Knaresborough, Happy Dance will begin hosting weekly sessions in Harrogate in May.

The group began during the pandemic, with just five members dancing over zoom. Three years later, Happy Dance boasts over 80 members aged between 53 and 93.

The classes take place in various village halls and consist of 45 minutes of upbeat dancing. They involve stretching, balance, work-out sequences, or just ‘boogie exercise’.

Happy Dance founder Jane Waring is an experienced dancer and qualified RAD ballet teacher. She choreographs dances for all fitness levels to ensure members can work to their own abilities.

Ms Waring focusses heavily on the social element of the classes – particularly for those combatting feelings of loneliness – and encourages members to carry on the socialising after.

Ms Waring told the Stray Ferret:

“I can almost guarantee that at the end of class you will feel happier, taller, lighter and proud you have danced for 45 minutes, had fun, laughed and danced well over 3,000 steps!

“It is so good for your well-being.”

Happy Dance will be held in Harrogate at St Robert’s Centre, on Robert Street. Classes will take place every Tuesday at 11.45 am, beginning on Tuesday, May 16.

Booking details can be found on the Happy Dance website.

This week’s photograph was taken by Barry Carter, capturing his 13-year-old westie Lulu enjoying the snow in Ripley last weekend.

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

Firefighters were called to Ripley this morning to deal with a chimney fire at the Boar’s Head.

A fire was lit at the inn, which has 23 bedrooms, at 7.30am and began billowing smoke shortly afterwards.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was summoned at about 8am and the incident was quickly under control. There was no damage to the wider building.

March 9 2023

Three fire engines, including the aerial ladder platform, attended. 

The inn, which has a bar, snug and dining room, is part of the Ripley Castle estate.

Harrogate Fire Station used the incident to issue a reminder about the importance of regular chimney sweeping.

A good reminder to have your chimneys swept regularly. You can find your local chimney sweep on the following website https://t.co/gia2RKRdyR

— Harrogate Fire station (@Harrogate_NYFRS) March 9, 2023

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A new monthly food, drink and craft market is set to be held in Ripley.

Real Food Markets, which runs events in Ilkely, will host the new venture on the last Sunday of each month from April until November.

An additional Christmas market will be held on December 10.

The markets will take place in Ripley Castle courtyard. Entry is free and also includes access to the grounds of the castle and the castle gardens on market days. Entry to the castle is still subject to a charge.

Ripley Castle courtyard, where the market will be held.

Rebecca Riordan, from Ripley Castle Estate, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Real Markets to Ripley Castle this year. We are looking forward to the castle courtyard being full of amazing local talent and produce. 

“We are pleased to confirm on Real Market days access to the castle’s gardens and grounds will be free of charge. 

“Well behaved dogs on leads will also be welcomed into the courtyard, if you wish to enjoy a castle guided tour a small supplement will be charged. We have chosen to work with Real Markets because of the lovely atmosphere of their markets, and the high quality of the stallholders.”

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, added: 

“Real Markets’ remit has always been to work hard on behalf of our stallholders and the community and bring people together over great produce and fabulous products in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“We’re very proud of the range and quality of the stallholders at our markets and these two new venues will be wonderful opportunities for small traders to meet new customers.

“We’re happy to hear from producers who would like to work with us and also charities and community groups local to Ripley or Grassington who would like a free space at our markets to promote their work.”

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Leaders at Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for tackling the school’s inadequate rating.

The school was judged to be inadequate at its most recent full visit by government inspectors in November last year after three consecutive ‘requires improvement’ assessments.  The report was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The rating meant the school, which has about 50 pupils, was placed in special measures and forced to seek to join an academy.

Ofsted inspector Marcus Newby conducted a subsequent monitoring visit on November 8.

His report to interim co-executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman, published yesterday on Ofsted’s website, was full of praise for recent improvement efforts by the new leadership team.

Victoria Kirkman

Although the previous judgement cannot be changed as part of a monitoring visit, meaning the school is still rated inadequate and in special measures, the report has raised hopes of an upgrade when the next full inspection is conducted.

The report to Ms Kirkman said “leaders have taken swift and effective action since the previous inspection” and said she had “instilled confidence in staff and parents”.

It said there had been “extensive changes to staffing” that have brought about “strength and stability”, adding:

“You have wasted no time in addressing the previous weaknesses of the school’s curriculum.

“The school’s existing approach to phonics and early reading is now taught with precision. Reading books match pupils’ phonic knowledge accurately. The strategies that children develop in their youngest years, such as segmenting and blending, are used with confidence. Pupils enjoy reading.”

Read more:

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• Nidderdale primary school still ‘good’ under new head, says Ofsted

Ms Kirkman said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Ripley, which recognised the significant and rapid school transformation since the previous inspection.

“This is due to the hard work of all stakeholders in working together to ensure future success of the school and the life chances of  children in the federation. We now focus on the next  inspection and continue our relentless drive for further school improvement.”

Ms Kirkman is also executive headteacher at Admiral Long and Birstwith CE Schools, which have recently been inspected and judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Tributes have been paid to Kirkby Malzeard councillor Margaret Atkinson, who has died.

Cllr Atkinson represented the Fountains and Ripley ward on Harrogate Borough Council, which she was elected to in 2018.

She was also recently re-elected to North Yorkshire County Council and was appointed chair of the authority this year.

Conservative leader of the borough council, Cllr Richard Cooper, described her as “the kind of person who lifted a room”.

He said:

“It was such a shock to learn of the sudden passing of Margaret.

“It is hard to imagine a council without her unfailing cheerfulness. She was just the kind of person who lifted a room somehow.

“I know too that she was admired and respected in the communities she represented – a real champion of the farming community.

“The thoughts of all her colleagues are with her husband Mike and their family at this time.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“Margaret’s passing is such sad and tragic news, and a huge loss to not just the county council, but North Yorkshire as a whole.

“Margaret’s passion and drive for the county was second to none, and she embraced the role of the council’s chair with the verve and integrity that she became renowned for.

“She was very interested in all the people and groups she met, especially those in the rural communities we serve, as she came from those communities herself, and was a great champion of rural affairs.”

Cllr Atkinson was elected to the county council for the first time in 2013, where she represented the Masham and Fountains division.

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She retained her seat at the local elections in May this year.

The same month she was appointed as the last chair of the county council before it was due to become North Yorkshire Council.

Being appointed chair of the county council this year.

She was described by her colleagues as a “tough cookie” ahead of her appointment.

Fellow Conservative county councillor Cllr Nick Brown told the Stray Ferret she would be sorely missed.

He said:

“She was hugely respected in her area and she was a hard working and determined lady who did good things for her constituents.

“She will be badly missed.”

A life in farming 

Cllr Atkinson was a semi-retired farmer and also the secretary of the Yorkshire and North-East branch of the British Charolais Cattle Society.

She was also a member of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s joint advisory committee.

Born into the well-known Stockil family, her grandparents had farmed at Kiplin and Brompton-on-Swale. She grew up on a farm at North Stainley, near Ripon, with three older brothers and a younger sister.

Initially working in the accounts department at ICI Harrogate, she then attended agricultural college and set up her own agricultural secretarial business, providing services to farming communities across Yorkshire.

Through her charity work, Cllr Atkinson supported cancer research, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a farming charity, the Addington Fund.

Cllr Atkinson, who lived in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, leaves a husband, Michael, three children and five grandchildren.