The annual Boxing Day pilgrimage from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey will be held on Tuesday (December 26),

As in previous years, pilgrims who take part in the four-mile walk, starting from outside the Cathedral at 10.15am, will not have to pay to enter the World Heritage site.

An item about the pilgrimage in the events section of Ripon Cathedral’s website says:

“Please Note: Fountains Abbey is owned and managed by the National Trust and you may need to provide either proof of membership or pay an entrance fee to enter the abbey.”

However, on its website the National Trust, has confirmed that it is a free event for pilgrims and no prior booking is required.

For non-National Trust members, the standard admittance price for adults is £18 and £9 for children.

Prior to the start of the pilgrimage, pilgrims will be welcome to attend a Eucharist service in the cathedral at 9.30am

The walkers will follow in the footsteps of 13 monks who on a cold day in 1132, walked from Ripon to a completely deserted valley by the River Skell.

There they started their own community from nothing and Fountains Abbey was born.

The traditional event, which will conclude with a carol service in the awe-inspiring vaulted cellarium of the ruined abbey, has become a firm favourite in the cathedral’s Christmas calendar. In previous years it has attracted hundreds of pilgrims.

A planning expert has issued an objection to Ripon Cathedral’s plans for a £6 annex, arguing the financial benefits of the expansion have not been properly costed.

The cathedral submitted plans a year ago for a two-storey structure on part of Minster Gardens, a public open space close to the ancient building.

It said the building is much-needed and would provide a new song school for the choir, a cafe, toilet facilities and disabled access.

Ripon Cathedral said it currently welcomes 100,000 visitors a year, which could increase by 33% if the expansion went ahead, bringing in crucial revenue.

The application is yet to be considered by councillors on North Yorkshire Council but it has been controversial in the city, particularly with business owners who fear the new cafe will take trade away from them.

The plans have received an objection this month from Peter Eggleton, a planner based in Ripon with two decades of experience who has conducted more than 1,000 planning appeals as an inspector.

Mr Eggleton wrote in his objection letter that the application has left him “astonished” due its financial implications and impact on the Old Deanery hotel and restaurant which stands next to the cathedral.

The Old Deanery

After studying planning documents submitted by the cathedral, he said there is “no suggestion” of what profits the new building might make. He also questioned if the returns from the cafe would even cover the running costs of operating the new building.

Mr Eggleton said: 

“The financial ‘promise’ of this proposal is not costed. There is no supporting financial information at all. Profits simply may not happen. It may be a financial liability. The applicants have already stated how many other buildings they have that they struggle to maintain.

“In any event, unless there is a mechanism for ensuring that profits are directed back into the cathedral, they would not secure anything of benefit to outweigh the proposed harm.”

Read More: 

• Overview of the Ripon Cathedral annex application
• Heritage watchdogs disagree over £6m Ripon Cathedral annex
• Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development

The planner also strongly criticised the position of the new building, which he said would be “unacceptably overbearing” on the grade two listed Old Deanery.

Mr Eggleton added: 

“This is not a heritage-led design as suggested. It is the architect providing the client with everything on their wish list without proper consideration for the surrounding heritage assets.”

Ripon Cathedral declined to respond to Mr Eggleton’s comments but it issued the following statement about the plans last month:

“Research suggests that visitor numbers to the cathedral could increase by more than a third in the first five years (as outlined in our submission on the economic impact), which will have a significant effect on visitors to the city overall – and 47% of visitors to a city referenced the cathedral as their driver for the visit.

“This will obviously have a positive knock-on financial impact on businesses within the city, as well as support the long-term financial sustainability of the cathedral. As the dean and others have made clear in public statements and in conversation with business and café owners around the city – this project is good for everyone and isn’t intended to impact anyone in anything but a positive way.”

Ripon Cathedral’s plans for a £6 million annex on public open space to the north of the ancient grade I listed building have suffered a significant setback.

The city council, which a year ago voted to ‘support the general principle’ of the proposed development featuring a song school, refectory, shop, toilets and storage space, last night reversed that decision with a 4-3 vote against the scheme.

The ‘no’ vote, proposed by former Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and seconded by Cllr Jackie Crozier, came at a full council meeting at which 10 members of the public voiced objections to the cathedral’s plans and nobody spoke in favour.

Loss of a veteran beech and other mature trees, along with concerns about the impact of the proposed development on hospitality and other businesses in the city, were the two main issues that prompted the council to withdraw its support and lodge an objection with North Yorkshire Council.

City councillors Andrew Williams and Barbara Brodigan, who sit on North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon planning committee which, in the New Year will have the final say on the application, did not take part in the debate or vote. They absented themselves from the meeting after listening to the points raised by members of the public

Save the trees campaigners pictured near the veteran beech during last month’s peaceful protest at Minster Gardens.

Among the speakers was Ripon resident Jenni Holman, who launched a petition in April aimed at saving the veteran beech and 10 other trees, which will be felled if the cathedral’s application is approved.

She told the meeting:

“The petition has gathered more than 2,000 signatures, with more coming each day.

“Those who have signed it do not object to the cathedral having the facilities that it needs to prosper, we are simply saying that Minster Gardens, which is a public park and oasis of green in the city, is the wrong place for this development.”

Kevin Hill, who co-owns and runs the Karma clothing and gift shop in Kirkgate, said:

“I came to a meeting here in February, where councillors voted to call for a retail impact assessment to be carried out, to find out how the annex development with its refectory and shop would affect local businesses.

“At the meeting we were told by the cathedral that there was no need for businesses to have any anxiety as their scheme would be beneficial to all of the city because of the additional footfall that would be generated.

“Months later and with no impact assessment carried out, traders found that the cathedral’s own design and access document said, for the cathedral refectory to be financially viable, it needs to be large enough to accommodate coach parties and very close to the cathedral, to ‘prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using various cafes in the city'”

Mr Hill added:

“So in effect, their stated strategy is to keep all the business for themselves and starve other cafes in the city. Quite frankly, this is a disgrace.”

The cathedral’s case

Though nobody at last night’s meeting spoke in support of the annex application, the cathedral has previously stated its case through a number of channels, including last December’s pre-application briefing for the city council; at its annual review meeting in September at the cathedral and through the  Ripon Cathedral Renewed pamphlet, 

With 100,000 visitors through its doors during 2022,  the cathedral lacks both an ability to offer its own hospitality facilities and provide accessible toilets for people with limited mobility.

Dean John Dobson and the cathedral chapter have emphasised an urgent need for action.

The cathedral has stated that there are exceptional reasons for felling the trees and in the Ripon Cathedral pamphlet produced in support of its planning application, said:

“All other potential locations and solutions have been considered over many years and have proven to be undeliverable.”

In compensation for the loss of the 11 trees, a new woodland area with 21 trees will be created within the vicinity of the cathedral and the annex. Dean John has also stated that 300 native trees will be planted on land near Studley.

The Stray Ferret will be publishing a further story including more views expressed at last night’s meeting and subsequently. The cathedral and chapter will have the opportunity to respond to the council’s decision.

Main image: This cgi provides an aerial perspective showing the proposed annex development. Picture: Ripon Cathedral Renewed

Will a single beech tree topple a £6 million development for Ripon Cathedral?

The cathedral argues a new annex is urgently needed to provide 21st century facilities for churchgoers, visitors and choristers.

The Ripon Cathedral Renewed project, involves creating a 1,000 square metre, two storey, standalone building on Minster Gardens, which would provide an 80-seat refectory, a song school, gift shop, toilets and additional storage space.

But there is a major potential stumbling block. To build the new annex a veteran tree will have to be felled.

The mature beech tree is on the ancient tree inventory of The Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. It is thought  to be between 150 and 200 years old.

It has become emblematic, providing a rallying point for campaigners opposed to construction of the building on public open space.

The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Revd John Dobson, has tried for years to improve facilities at the cathedral and has described the loss of the beech and ten other trees as a ‘moral dilemma’ which requires balancing ‘with urgent needs and undeniable benefits’.

It’s also a dilemma that puts the councillors who will ultimately decide whether or not the development goes ahead, in an unenviable position.

An aerial cgi featuring the proposed annex on Minster Gardens to the north of the cathedral. Picture Ripon Cathedral Renewed

The common beech, whose scientific name is Fagus Sylvatica, is regularly described as the ‘Queen of British trees’.

With unintended irony, the Woodland Trust, which has formally objected to the loss of the Ripon veteran and ten other mature trees on Minster Gardens, describes common beech trees as having ‘cathedral-like branches.’

But does saving an ancient tree, which in UK planning law is considered ‘irreplaceable’, trump the stated needs of the people involved in the day to day running of an ancient building, which has been central to the history and heritage of Ripon since St Wilfrid laid its foundation stone 1,351 years ago?

The Rules

The government’s National Planning Policy Framework says that planning authorities:

Should refuse planning permission if development will result in the loss or deterioration of ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees unless both of the following applies:

• there are wholly exceptional reasons
• there’s a suitable compensation strategy in place 

The Very Revd John Dobson said that the loss of trees presents a ‘moral dilemma’ 

The cathedral’s case

With 100,000 visitors through its doors during 2022,  the cathedral lacks both an ability to offer its own hospitality facilities and provide accessible toilets for people with limited mobility.

The Dean and cathedral chapter have emphasised an urgent need for action.

The cathedral has stated that there are exceptional reasons for felling the trees and in the Ripon Cathedral Renewed leaflet, produced in support of its planning application, said:

“All other potential locations and solutions have been considered over many years and have proven to be undeliverable.”

In compensation for the loss of the 11 trees, a new woodland area with 21 trees will be created within the vicinity of the cathedral and the annex. Dean John has also stated that 300 native trees will be planted on land near Studley.

Last December the planning application was submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, three months before the district authority was abolished and subsumed into the new unitary North Yorkshire Council.

Those in favour and those against

Among its early supporters was Historic England, the government’s expert advisor on England’s heritage.

The watchdog, which had scuppered a previous proposal for an extension physically attached to the south side of the cathedral’s west frontage, said:

“This application is highly sensitive due to the wonderful historic townscape of Ripon, its proximity and relationship to Ripon Cathedral, and from the heritage value of the site itself.

“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the historic environment of Ripon, sitting appropriately in location and design terms with the townscape and cathedral, and beginning to rearticulate the original cathedral precinct. However, the loss of open space and trees would have a minor impact on heritage significance.

“We consider that many elements of the proposal are in line with those parts of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) within our statutory remit.”

The local heritage watchdog Ripon Civic Society took a very different view. It said:

“While we do not disagree with the cathedral’s view that a new annex on the north side of the cathedral will contribute to the sustainable future of the cathedral and enhance the city of Ripon, we consider that siting an annex on Minster Gardens is unacceptable.”

At its full meeting last December, where a pre-application presentation of the proposed scheme was made, Ripon City Council supported ‘the general principle’ of the development.

The council said:

“We will be looking at the finer detail when the planning application is submitted, but the city council supports the general principle of this development, with the exception of the proposed closure of Minster Road, which we cannot agree with because diverting traffic elsewhere would cause many problems.”

Impact on city business

At the February 2023 council meeting, business owners expressed concerns that the proposed development would  ‘funnel’ visitors away from Kirkgate where a number of cafes and restaurants are located.

The city council called for a retail impact assessment to be carried out to see if the refectory would result in a reduction in business for local traders.

North Yorkshire planners thought this was unnecessary, even though the design and access document prepared in support of the annex application, said:

“Cathedral Refectory: for this to be a financially viable part of the cathedral business plan it needs to be a certain size, to accommodate a coach party, and be very close to the cathedral.

“This is required to prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using the various cafés in the city.”

This opened up a new wave of posts on social media focusing on the perceived contradiction between the planning document and the cathedral’s claim that the development would bring an increase in footfall of up to 50% that would be ‘good news for the local economy and local businesses’.

The tree campaigners

While the city debated the impact on businesses, the fight to save the veteran beech gathered momentum.

The tree has been the focus of a ‘save our trees’ petition launched in April by Ripon resident Jenni Holman.

The petition has gathered more than 2,000 signatures and has been provided in 19 tranches for inclusion on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal.

In addition, at the time of publication, planners have received comments from 169 supporters of the annex application, and 79 from objectors.

The tree campaigners pictured at their peaceful protest on November 25

The campaigners, whose protest generated TV, Radio, online and printed media coverage across Yorkshire and Tyneside, was given added impetus in September, when the world-famous sycamore gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall, was cut down in an act of vandalism that brought national and international outrage and media coverage.

Ms Holman, said:

“Over the past eight months we have been raising awareness of the cathedral’s plans.  We do not object to the cathedral having the additional facilities that it needs to prosper, but there are more suitable and less sensitive locations, including land and buildings owned by the church which could be developed to meet its needs.”

The annex planning application will be considered by the Skipton and Ripon Constituency Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council  in the New Year, at a meeting due to be held in Ripon.

The Stray Ferret will cover the crucial meeting and any significant developments that take place beforehand.

Read More: 

• Heritage watchdogs disagree over £6m Ripon Cathedral annex
• Ripon Cathedral expansion: ‘Impractical’ to keep veteran beech tree
• Tree campaigners to hold protest against Ripon Cathedral’s £6m annex plans
• Old Deanery calls for Ripon Cathedral’s £6m scheme to be rejected

Residents woke up yesterday morning to find Ripon wrapped in a white blanket, as the first significant snowfall of the winter covered the city.

The Stray Ferret was on hand to capture images from the Millfield play area at Bondgate Green, as parents and children played, to Spa Gardens, where Mick Burns’  striking Alice in Wonderland sculpture was transformed into Alice in Winterland.

Families braved the winter weather for some weekend fun at the Millfiled play area

Spa Gardens will become a focus of Christmas celebration from December15 to 17, when an array of illuminated decorations will light up the parkland area.

The free family-focused festive event, open from 2pm until 8pm on each of the three days, will offer entertainment and visual delights, with a number of displays, alongside Santa and his sleigh.

The wonderland sculpture which features Alice and other characters from her adventures, is a lasting reminder of the city’s link to the world-famous books of Lewis Carroll (AKA Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) whose father was a canon at Ripon Cathedral and the author was a chorister.

The artwork, unveiled  in 2013 and extended by Burns in 2014,  was caught in the winter chill yesterday, but will be bathed in light for the wonderland event.

A wintry Ripon Cathedral, viewed from Minster Gardens

In Market Square, the city’s Christmas tree and reindeer decoration, provided a fitting festive setting for Ripon Town Hall.

The stylish Georgian building (pictured) was built in 1799 as a townhouse for Mrs Elizabeth Allanson and assigned to the corporation in 1897 by her heir the first Marquess of Ripon, who served as the city’s mayor for two consecutive terms from 1895.

The life and work of George Frederick Samuel Robinson, Ripon’s most high profile politician, who also served as Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1880 to 1884, is celebrated with a statue in his honour in Spa Gardens (pictured below)

Yesterday, his towering figure could be seen in the Narnia-like setting of the gardens, surrounded by evergreen trees coated in snow.

Read more:

• Why is time is no longer standing still at a Ripon monument?
• See How Hill in the snow

Police today issued CCTV images of a man they want to speak to following a public order offence at Ripon Cathedral.

The incident took place on Friday, October 20, at about 11.15am. No further details have been released.

North Yorkshire Police described the suspect as white, around 6ft tall and in his early 40s. He is believed to be from the Ripon area.

It said in a statement:

“Officers have released two CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the investigation, as he may have important information about it.”

Anyone with any information can contact PC 116 Craig Brogden at craig.brogden@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference 12230199599.

You can also dial 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 116 Craig Brogden.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Read more:

• Woodland Trust backs Ripon campaign to save veteran beech tree
• Firefighters called to water heater blaze in Ripon

Campaigners fighting to save a veteran beech and 10 other mature trees from being felled on a public open green space in Ripon have received support from the Woodland Trust — the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

Between 12 noon and 1pm today, more than 60 men, women and children gathered with placards on Minster Gardens for a peaceful protest to raise awareness of the threat facing the trees.

They will be felled if North Yorkshire Council approves Ripon Cathedral’s application to build a two-storey annex on the gardens.

The proposed £6m development, on land which passed into North Yorkshire Council’s ownership in April when Harrogate Borough Council was abolished, would include a song school, community space, toilets, a refectory and shop, which the cathedral says will attract more than 30,000 extra visitors a year to the city.

The veteran beech tree that is under threat of being felled, with ten other trees

To coincide with today’s protest, the Woodland Trust, which has the veteran beech listed on its inventory of ancient trees, reiterated its strong opposition to the removal of the trees.

Jack Taylor, the trust’s lead campaigner for woods under threat, said in the statement:

“The proposed loss of trees within Ripon Cathedral’s Minster Gardens is of grave concern to the Woodland Trust. An irreplaceable veteran beech tree and a number of mature and notable trees would be lost to development on this site.

“Such trees play a vital role in the urban environment, enhancing aesthetic appeal, acting as carbon sinks, providing shade, improving air quality, and supporting local biodiversity. Their loss not only alters the landscape but also has far-reaching environmental and social implications.”

He added:

“The loss of veteran, notable and mature trees is entirely unacceptable and contrary to national planning policies designed to protect these important habitats. We ask that the developers work with North Yorkshire County Council and the local community to safeguard these magnificent urban trees and ensure that Ripon’s Minster Gardens remain vibrant, resilient, and ecologically rich.”

The trust lodged a formal objection to the felling of the tree with North Yorkshire Council this year, as did the planning authority’s own ecologist Dan McAndrew and arboriculturist Alan Gilleard.

What protestors said

Valerie Sheldon, who is one of the 1,800 people who have signed a petition objecting to the felling of the trees, said:

“In the 31 years that I have lived in Ripon I have enjoyed visiting this peaceful green lung. There is no other place like it in the city centre.

“The trees have been here for a very long time and must be protected.”

Simone Hurst added:

“We can’t just stand by and allow the destruction of mature trees that are important to the environment and provide a habitat for hundreds of different wildlife species.”

Steve Ellis said:

“The beech is 200 years old and according to the experts, still has plenty of life in it, Why would anybody want to cut it and other trees down to replace them with an environmentally unfriendly concrete structure.?”

The Stray Ferret approached Ripon Cathedral for comment on today’s protest, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

However, a statement from the Dean and Chapter was released in May, after a smaller protest was held on Minster Gardens. It said:

“The planning application is going through its due process, as such we don’t respond to individual comments or objections during this process.

“What I can say is that we have investigated all available options within the cathedral estate, and none of the sites were suitable for the new building. This was the opinion of a range of external experts who specialise in heritage buildings and conservation as well as architects and project management experts. The needs of all internal and external users of the proposed new building cannot be met by using any other existing chapter property and all cathedral property is currently being used to its maximum capacity.

“As we’ve previously said, the building will be an asset to the people of the city, providing much needed facilities, including a safe space for our choristers to rehearse that is fully accessible, along with public toilet facilities (including a new Changing Places toilet, suitable for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets).

“While we understand that some people may see the loss of eleven trees as too heavy a price to pay, the development will tidy up an unloved part of the city, increase the amount of public open space and enhance the existing much-valued memorial garden. The plans we’ve submitted also include the planting of 14 new trees around the cathedral, along with a further 300 trees on land made available by a supporter of the project and will see an overall increase in biodiversity across the area.”

The planning application  which was submitted to Harrogate Borough Council last December, is due to be considered by the Skipton and Ripon area constituency planning committee of North Yorkshire Council at a date and venue yet to be confirmed.

Read more:

• Dean says Cathedral Quarter will attract more visitors to Ripon
• Ripon Civic Society objects to location of proposed annex development
• Cathedral planning agent says retention of veteran beech is ‘unfeasible and impractical’

The owner of one of Ripon’s smallest cafes, has been dealt a devastating blow caused by an act of mindless vandalism.

Helen Slater, who has run the Cathedral View Cafe for six years, arrived at work this morning to discover that one of the windows at her Bedern Bank premises had been smashed with a rock.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“I was absolutely heartbroken, this has never happened to me before and the timing could not have been worse.”

Ms Slater who arrived in festive dress, ready for a hard day’s work, added:

“With the Ripon Cathedral Gift and Food Fair taking place across the road, I was expecting this to be one of my busiest weekends of the year, as I serve breakfast sandwiches and other food and drink items for people who have stalls at the fair.

“But with a broken window, it wasn’t safe to open and I lost all of that breakfast business, as I had to spend three hours cleaning up, contacting my landlord and reporting the vandal attack to the police.”

With the window boarded up, Cathedral View was able to open in time for the later morning and lunchtime trade and it will be business as usual again tomorrow.

Ms Slater, said:

“I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of fellow traders, customers and other people who have sent me supportive messages, made offers of help and dropped by with flowers and chocolates,

“The generosity of the local community has again shone through and I would particularly like to thank Ripon Walled Garden who cheered me up with the gift of a Christmas tree.”

Read more:

• Ripon toilets reopen after vandal attack
• Police seek help to track down Ripon vandals

Campaigners fighting the proposed felling of a veteran beech and 10 other mature trees to make way for Ripon Cathedral’s planned £6m annex will hold a peaceful protest at Minster Gardens on Saturday.

The proposed development would include a song school, community space, toilets, a refectory and shop, which it says will attract more visitors to the city.

But the potential loss of trees has attracted opposition, and protestors will make their feelings known between 12 noon and 1pm on Saturday.

Ripon resident Jenni Holman, who has raised a petition containing almost 1,800 names, which has been submitted to planners at North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“Over the past eight months we have been raising awareness of the cathedral’s plans, which involve the loss of the trees on what is currently public green open space in the ownership of North Yorkshire Council.

“We do not object to the cathedral having the additional facilities that it needs to prosper, but there are more suitable and less sensitive locations, including land and buildings owned by the church,  which could be developed to meet its needs.”

She added:

“North Yorkshire Police have been informed that we will be holding our peaceful protest on Minster Gardens from 12 noon and we will be happy to speak to anybody, whether for or against the annex development , to explain why we have raised the petition.”

Jenni Holman (front, centre) pictured at the May protest on Minster Gardens

A previous protest was held at the gardens in May, when the number of people who signed the petition was approaching 500.

At that time, the Stray Ferret asked the cathedral for comment about the objection being made and received this response:

“The planning application is going through its due process, as such we don’t respond to individual comments or objections during this process.

“What I can say is that we have investigated all available options within the cathedral estate, and none of the sites were suitable for the new building. This was the opinion of a range of external experts who specialise in heritage buildings and conservation as well as architects and project management experts. The needs of all internal and external users of the proposed new building cannot be met by using any other existing chapter property and all cathedral property is currently being used to its maximum capacity.

“As we’ve previously said, the building will be an asset to the people of the city, providing much needed facilities, including a safe space for our choristers to rehearse that is fully accessible, along with public toilet facilities (including a new Changing Places toilet, suitable for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets).

“While we understand that some people may see the loss of 11 trees as too heavy a price to pay, the development will tidy up an unloved part of the city, increase the amount of public open space and enhance the existing much-valued memorial garden. The plans we’ve submitted also include the planting of 14 new trees around the cathedral, along with a further 300 trees on land made available by a supporter of the project and will see an overall increase in biodiversity across the area.”

Main picture: Campaigners are fighting to save this veteran beech and ten other mature trees