A collection of grade II* listed Georgian garden buildings in the grounds of Ripley Castle has been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register after more than 20 years.
The register, compiled annually by the public body Historic England, lists historic places at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
In a press release today, Historic England said its grants of over £440,000 had helped fund extensive repair work to the orangery (palm house) fire engine house and adjoining pavilions and bothies (potting sheds) in the grounds of the 15th-century castle.
Ripley castle gardens. Pic Historic England
It added they will be used for education and volunteer activities with school children and the local community, including visits and outdoor theatre.
Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of Ripley Castle, said:
“I’m extremely grateful to Historic England for the help and support over many years which have helped to repair these handsome historic garden buildings which form the centrepiece of Ripley Castle’s beautiful grounds.
“Their restoration will improve the experience of the tens of thousands of people who visit every year. It will also provide educational and leisure opportunities for local schools and groups.”
Ripley Castle. Pic Historic England
The garden buildings are thought to have been designed around 1785 by York-born architect William Belwood.
In 1817-18, a glass roof was added to the orangery to convert it into a palm house. Designed to grow tropical plants, palm houses were a popular status symbol in the 19th century.
The fire engine house is still home to the hand-pulled fire engine which helped protect the castle and village, while a collection of giant ferns now lives in the orangery.
Repair work, which started during the pandemic, included replacing the iron frameworks for the orangery, as well as removing the balustrades, replacing the glass and masonry.
The Temple of Victory at Allerton Park and the Church of St James in Baldersby, which are both in the Harrogate district, have also been removed from the register.
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Yorkshire hedgelaying competition coming to Ripley
Ancient country skills will be on display in Ripley when hedgelayers from across the region battle it out for cash prizes and the chance to be named the best in Yorkshire.
The annual competition, organised by the Yorkshire Hedgelaying Association, gives competitors six hours to hack, chop, saw and prune seven yards of unkempt hedge into a neat, stockproof barrier that even a lamb can’t get through.
There are three classes – novice, intermediate and expert – and newcomers are welcome. Entry for competitors is £10 (lunch provided), and spectators will be asked to make a contribution to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity.
There will also be a display of heavy horses and a chance to visit the old dairy museum.
Food for spectators will be available from a van on site.
The Yorkshire Hedgelaying Association competition will take place at Birchwood Farm in Ripley, on Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm. The farm entrance is between the two roundabouts on the A61 at Ripley (postcode: HG3 3AX).
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Harrogate and Knaresborough to have fewer voters under new plans
The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency would be reduced in size, under revised plans published today by the Boundary Commission for England.
The commission first published proposals for a shake-up of Harrogate and Knaresborough in June 2021, which included moving Boroughbridge to another seat and shrinking the size of the constituency.
Under today’s revised proposals, the electorate would stand at 75,800. Latest Parliament figures show the current boundary has an electorate of 77,605.
The seat is currently held by the Conservative Andrew Jones.
The latest changes would see Claro ward and areas such as Burton Leonard reintroduced to the constituency from the initial proposals.
However, Boroughbridge would still remain in a newly created seat.
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The commission will now undertake another round of public consultation until December 5 before making recommendations to government.
It will publish a final report on boundary changes in 2023.
Under the current proposals, the number of constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber would remain at 54.
Conservative Nigel Adams’ seat of Selby and Ainsty, which includes the south of Harrogate, would be scrapped.
The Wetherby and Easingwold seat.
Instead, Selby would have its own seat and the north of the district would fall under a new constituency called Wetherby and Easingwold, which would take in areas including Wetherby, Bishop Monkton and Boroughbridge.
The Skipton and Ripon constituency, which is currently represented by Conservative Julian Smith, would include Ripley, which is currently part of Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:
“Today we are announcing the publication of our revised proposals. Last year we published our initial proposals for new constituency boundaries – our first go at what the map should look like. We are delighted with the huge number of comments from members of the public on our initial proposals, many which included valuable evidence about local communities.
“Today’s publication is the culmination of months of analysis and we have revised nearly half of our initial proposals based on what people have told us. We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.
“However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to Parliament next year. This is our final consultation and I encourage you to participate in the 2023 Boundary Review.”
As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.
You can comment on the proposals at the Boundary Commission website here.
Police close Nidd Gorge viaduct in BiltonPolice have this morning closed the viaduct over Nidd Gorge in Bilton while they deal with an incident.
There was a heavy police presence around 9am but officers did not say how long they had been on the scene.
The viaduct is closed in both directions and numerous vehicles are stationed at the southern side towards Bilton Lane, behind a police cordon.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reported to be on the scene as well.
It is not known how long the area is likely to be closed.
The gorge is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and runners.
The Stray Ferret has requested information from North Yorkshire Police but had not received a response at the time of publication.
We will update this story when further details are available.
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A61 reopens between Ripley and Ripon after Land Rover fire
The A61 has reopened between Ripley and Ripon after a Land Rover caught fire.
Harrogate fire station tweeted about the incident just before 4pm today.
It added:
“The fire has been extinguished but road remains closed due to fuel spillage.”
North Yorkshire Police tweeted shortly after 5pm that the road had reopened.
Thank you for your patience – the A61 south of Ripon has now re-opened in both directions. https://t.co/xdaLIyE7Dg
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) August 12, 2022
It had earlier warned that the surface was unsafe.
Anyone travelling north on the A61 towards Ripon is asked to come off on Moor Road into Bishop Monkton, then follow Knaresborough Road into Ripon.
The A61 is closed in both directions and is likely to remain so for some time, so please plan your journeys accordingly.
(2/2)
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) August 12, 2022
Buses were also affected.
https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1558109060712595456
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Organisers gear up for first Ripley Show in three years
Ripley Show will make its return this weekend after a three-year break – and organisers say enthusiasm has never been higher.
With a sunny forecast and plenty of advance tickets already sold, the show field at Ripley is set to be packed with visitors on Sunday.
Having last been held in 2019 before the covid pandemic, the show is returning in its familiar format, with livestock and equestrian classes, a companion dog show, and horticulture and craft competitions.
The main ring will feature displays of heavy horses, a hound parade and an “anti-gravity” show from Savage Skills.
Show secretary Tammy Smith said:
“The preparations are going well. We’re all a little bit rusty after three years off and trying to remember what we all should be doing, but everybody’s pitching in and turning up.
“It’s amazing, all the volunteers are incredible – they just arrive and get on with sorting everything out.
“It’s great to be getting back to it.”
Ms Smith said while some of the volunteers had moved on since the last show, there had been a number of new people offering to help and Knaresborough Young Farmers was also bringing its members to keep things running smoothly.
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With the forecast looking sunny and hot, with highs of 30C, Ms Smith said the organisers will be keeping an eye on conditions to ensure animals, exhibitors and visitors were kept safe and well.
Tickets for the show are available in advance on the website, which organisers said will speed up entry on the day.
Some tickets will still be available on the gate at £15 for adults and £6 for children aged between five and 16. Family tickets are available and Ripley Show also offers membership, with benefits including preferential car parking.
Village show season set to start in Harrogate districtGet set for melting ice creams, home-grown marrows, dog shows and death-defying display teams… the village show season is about to begin.
After two covid-ruined years, these quintessentially British events are returning to the Harrogate district.
The Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, which includes a Lancaster bomber fly past and dancing differs, takes place today and tomorrow.
The action comes thick and fast then. Here’s what’s happening.
July 24: Aldborough and Boroughbridge Agricultural Show
The show at Newby Hall celebrates its 107th anniversary this year.
It will feature Yorkshire produce, crafts and livestock as well as attractions and events ranging from dog, cattle and sheep showing classes to horse, pony and donkey events and hay making demonstrations.
There will be crafts, cream teas, heavy horses, baking, handicrafts, horticulture, flower arranging, photography and farm produce.
Aldborough and Boroughbridge Show.
The grand ring will host children’s races, terrier racing always and a dog show.
Catherine Park Peyton, chair of the show:
“Our show is one of the biggest community events in the area and we are very pleased to work in partnership with Newby Hall where the parkland provides the perfect backdrop for a country show.”
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July 30: Birstwith Show
The village show in Nidderdale will be staged for the first time in three years.
The highlights include a bicycle display team, Pete White and his Suitcase Circus, dog agility classes, a pony show and a dog show.
First held in 1867, it is one of the mainstays of the show season.
July 31: Weeton Show
Weeton Show, which was created just after the Second World War, was one of the few to take place last year and was rewarded with a huge turnout.
This year’s event features Dangerous Steve in the main ring, terrier racing, vintage tractors and a farrier demonstration.
August 7: Tockwith Show
Tockwith Show will return for 2022 in August.
The show features plenty of agriculture and horticultural attractions. There is also a sheep show, a farmers market and working crafts.
Tockwith Show 2019 pic credit: Steve Ross
The show, which dates back to 1945, takes place on Cattal Moor Lane in Tockwith.
August 14: Ripley Show
The show, initially held in 1849, will be staged for the first time in three years.
Among this year’s attractions are Savage Skills, who are the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike and BMX stunt team.
There are also jumping classes, fancy dress, vintage machines and dog classes which include dog agility, companion dog and friends show, terrier racing, gun dog retrieve and sheep dogs.
Ripley Show is traditionally held on the second Sunday in August at Ripley Castle Park.
It is organised by Ripley and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show Ltd, a member of the Yorkshire Federation of Show Societies.
September 19: Nidderdale Show
The Annual Nidderdale Show, held in the picturesque surrounds of Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge, is one of the county’s foremost agricultural shows.
It regularly attracts crowds of 15,000 and traditionally marks the end of the agricultural show season.
Ripley parking fine reignites free parking debateA Harrogate woman has said she won’t return to Ripley for walks after receiving a £100 fine for parking.
Ripley car park, which is part of the estate owned by castle owner Sir Thomas Ingilby and his wife Lady Emma, began charging for parking on June 20.
Janet Adamowicz received a penalty charge for returning to her car two minutes late, after paying £1 for an hour’s parking.
She said the expiry time was displayed on the machine but no ticket was issued.
Ms Adamowicz, who has been a frequent visitor to Ripley, said
“I will not be attending Ripley again for walks, cafes or shops and it would appear I’m not the only one to feel like this.
“People don’t go on walks if they have to stress about getting back to their car in a limited time before being fined £100, people like leisurely strolls with no time limits.”
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Parking charges were introduced in Ripley after dialogue with businesses, the school, the church, the Friends of Ripley and Harrogate Borough Council.
It costs £1 an hour, which is redeemable in local outlets, £1.20 for two hours, £3.50 for six hours and £4 for eight hours.
Other organisations have recently announced parking charges, including the Inn at South Stainley and Yorkshire Water, which plans to introduce fees at its reservoirs, including Fewston and Swinsty.
The Ripley car park and the Inn at South Stainley, which redeems charges for customers, were often used as a free park and ride.
Mike Gosling, the Ripley estate’s business manager, said the system was working well and the estate had taken an extremely understanding view of appeals against fines, with several already overturned.
Ripley businesses, he said, liked the fact that the £1 charge for the first hour can be redeemed in local shops.
Automatic number plate recognition identifies how long vehicles stay in the car park.
Mr Gosling acknowledged there had been a problem with the software issuing tickets, which do not have to be displayed.
He said if anyone had received a fine for being just a few minutes late he would personally contact the company providing the system to have the fine cancelled.
Update: Ms Adamowicz has notified us her fine has been cancelled
New Dales bus service from Knaresborough and HarrogateA new bus service will operate from Knaresborough and Harrogate every Sunday from this weekend for the summer season.
Eastern DalesBus 825 will run to Ripley, Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Kirkby Malzeard, Masham, Leyburn and Richmond.
It will continue every Sunday and bank holiday until September 25, departing from Knaresborough bus station at 10am and stand three at Harrogate bus station at 1020am.
Eastern DalesBus 825 is run by York-based Reliance Motor Services , which provides rural bus services in North Yorkshire, as part of the DalesBus network, with support from the National Trust and North Yorkshire County Council’s Locality Fund.
Full timetable details are available in a leaflet available from Harrogate Bus Station and here.
Other DalesBus services running from Harrogate include double-decker DalesBus 59 on Saturdays to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton, and DalesBus 74 on Saturdays to Ilkley, Bolton Abbey and Grassington.
DalesBus 24 runs daily between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, with onward connections on Sundays and Bank Holidays to Upper Nidderdale and Grassington.
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TV show Bargain Hunt films in Harrogate
Harrogate has been no stranger to big-budget film sets and A-list actors in recent months, but this weekend daytime TV staple Bargain Hunt came to town.
The show has been on air since 2000 and features two pairs of contestants who buy antiques to hopefully sell at auction for a profit.
Teams competing in the show were spotted hunting for bargains at Ripley Antiques Fair, which holds monthly events during spring and summer in the village.
Antiques expert Danny Sebastian was also seen on Montpellier Hill in Harrogate and posed for a photo.
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