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- Civic society calls for re-think on Ripon Cathedral plan
- City council support the principle of Ripon Cathedral development
Ripon Civic Society has reiterated its objection to the proposed location of a new £6 million cathedral building.
Ripon Cathedral has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council to build a two-storey standalone annexe on the Minster Gardens site to the north of the cathedral.
The Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson has said plans to create a cathedral quarter would attract more visitors to the city and benefit the local economy.
But the society called for a rethink in August before formal plans were submitted. Now the planning application has been lodged, it has re-stated its position.
A statement from the heritage watchdog today said:
“The proposed location of a new structure to the north of Ripon Cathedral to serve as much-needed extra accommodation for the cathedral’s mission is strongly criticised by Ripon Civic Society.
“The society has long supported the cathedral’s aim to provide space for a song school, refectory, shop, toilets and storage space. The society also agrees that any new building should be to the north of the cathedral rather than the south. It cannot, however, support the intended position of the proposed new building, as set out in the latest planning application.”
Ripon Cathedral
It added:
“The cathedral’s intention is to build a two-storey structure on part of the public open space known as Minster Gardens. This is an area of grass and mature trees that has been a green space to the north of the cathedral for more than two centuries – and that in the Middle Ages was the site of the Archbishop of York’s Ripon palace. It is surrounded by important Ripon listed buildings – the Old Court House, the Old Deanery and the Courthouse Museum.
“The proposal will take up approximately half the open space and will involve the felling of at least 10 trees which currently contribute to the green nature of the site. One of the trees proposed for removal is a large beech tree in the centre of Minster Gardens, recognised as ‘entering veteran status’ and graded A1. Proposals to plant new trees elsewhere — many of them outside the city — are intended as an attempt to offset the loss of these trees.
“The site of the proposed structure, which will abut Minster Road, is currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council and will pass to North Yorkshire Council in April. It is protected as open space by policies in the Harrogate district Local Plan and in the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan.
We are, therefore, very disappointed that Ripon Cathedral has decided that it needs to take away an important open space in the city and to propose a building that will dominate the cathedral’s north side and detract from its setting, as well as affecting the setting of the nearby listed buildings and resulting in a significant loss of trees.
“This will be one of the most important interventions in the city for many years, and construction on this historically open site cannot be accepted without a fuller consultation of all interested parties in the city, and beyond, than appears to have been carried out until now.
“We have already urged the cathedral authorities, which has environmental as well as spiritual responsibilities, to build a new structure on the former Stoneyard, next to Minster Gardens. This is already in the cathedral’s ownership, and a new building sited there would be both less dominating and more able to act as a welcome entrance to the cathedral estate from Ripon’s main car park.
“Ripon Civic Society will welcome further discussion of the plans with both the Cathedral and with other interested parties, to help achieve a solution that is acceptable to the city of Ripon.”
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, has said the creation of a Cathedral Quarter would boost the city’s economy while providing an enhanced setting for the Grade I listed building.
His comments follow the submission of a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council seeking permission for construction of a two-storey standalone annexe on the Minster Gardens site to the north of the cathedral.
If planning consent is granted, the building would include a song school, gift shop, cafe and the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet, providing improved access to the city and the cathedral for disabled people.
The area of Minster Gardens where the proposed new building would be located
To accommodate the development, 11 trees would need to be removed from Minster Gardens and the existing toilet block demolished, along with outbuildings and a wall.
The proposal also includes landscaping of the gardens and improved links to Kirkgate and the Cathedral Car Park.
With these works added to the cost of construction, the new estimate for the project is in excess of £6 million.
Dean John, said:
“Taking down the trees and building in that area will need to be seen in context of this being a major development not only for the cathedral but for the city and the region.
“The development has to serve the needs of people coming to us as worshippers, pilgrims, holidaymakers, day trippers and people who come to concerts.”
He added that the planning application is:
“The culmination of years and years of work; building relationships, looking at all the different possibilities and options.
“It has been a huge job to get to this point but what people are excited about is we have at last found a solution to the age-old problem for the cathedral and city which will enable us to create the cathedral quarter and that is a wonderful prospect.
“Ripon is the cathedral city for entrance to the Dales and the region and these plans enhance not only the cathedral but the city as well, by bringing an increase in visitor numbers.”
With regard to the removal of trees, Dean John, said:
“In mitigation of losing 11 trees we will be planting over 300 trees, some on the site and others on land which is being provided for us.”
On the issue of Minster Road, he said:
“Some people in the city want to close Minster Road while the city council definitely does not. What we are saying is we need to find a way of calming and reducing the traffic so it can become a unified area which will also be safe for pedestrians and can be opened up as a public space to be used and for people to come and go.
“There are many similar areas around the country which work perfectly successfully so while details have to be worked out we are saying there are no plans to close Minster Road.”
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Bishop of Ripon formally departs — with no successor imminent
The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley has formally left her role as Bishop of Ripon after five years to become Bishop of Newcastle.
At a special evensong service at Ripon Cathedral, Bishop Helen-Ann removed her diocesan cope, stole and mitre and placed them on the altar in a symbolic act of standing down.
Paying tribute to to the people of the Ripon episcopal area, she said:
“I have often felt most affirmed in my role as Bishop of Ripon by people and groups who are not part of the formal structures of the church, and for whose support and encouragement I will be forever grateful: by our civic and military partners, those who work in the rural and farming economies and the running community.”
With Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines
She praised Ripon Runners, of which she was a member, for giving her mental and physical challenges, such as once having to define “evil” while running up a hill to Ripon’s Morrisons supermarket.
Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines said Bishop Helen-Ann had been a blessing to the diocese in the five years since she arrived from New Zealand, accompanied at that service by a group of Maori elders.
Read more:
- Bishop of Ripon set to move to new post in Newcastle
- Ripon Cathedral major development requires removal of 11 trees
Bishop Nick presenting her with a framed aerial view of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, as a parting gift. He said
“Let us continue to pray for Bishop Helen-Ann and her husband Myles and pray that they will thrive and build new friendships with colleagues in Newcastle.”
The bishop’s final sermon in Ripon.
The appointment of a bishop is a lengthy and opaque process that requires the consent of Downing Street.
The Stray Ferret asked the Anglican Diocese of Leeds when a new Bishop of Ripon was likely to be appointed.
A spokesman said:
Ripon Cathedral major development requires removal of 11 trees“A process to find her successor is underway and will be concluded as swiftly as possible.”
The most significant development in hundreds of years for Ripon Cathedral has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council’s (HBC) planning department.
If planning consent is granted, it will see the construction of a two-storey standalone building to the north of the Grade I listed cathedral, which would include a refectory, song school and the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet, providing access for disabled people.
The £6m scheme also involves demolition of the existing toilet block on the site, along with outbuildings and a stone wall.
Documents on HBC’s planning portal show that the development on Minster Gardens involves the removal of 11 trees – one of which was assigned by the council as having ‘veteran status.’
In its planning statement in support of the application, Rose Consulting, says:
“The proposal does involve the removal of eleven trees, including a tree to which HBC have assigned veteran status but with compensatory planting on a ratio of five new trees to each one removed.
“This number of lost trees has been reduced to a minimum as a result of discussions with the council.”
At its December meeting, where a pre-application presentation was made on the cathedral’s proposed development, Ripon city councillors gave their support in principle, with the caveat that they could not agree to any future closure of Minster Road – which runs past the ancient building.
The application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, does not include plans for the closure of Minster Road to through traffic – though it is a longer-term ambition
Speaking at that meeting, leader of the council Andrew Williams, 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.”
In its submission to HBC planners, Ripon Cathedral Chapter points out:
“Ultimately it is hoped that closure of Minster Road to through traffic may one day arise – for which there is growing political and community consensus but is a benefit which is not deliverable within this application, as it is not in Chapter’s gift.”
The cathedral, which celebrated its 1,350th anniversary last year, has a national and international reputation which has seen visitors grow year on year to in excess of 100,000 in 2022.
When hornblower Allison Clark (pictured below) set the watch on Market Square at 9pm, only a handful of people were present, but by the stroke of midnight Ripon’s New Year’s Eve revellers were singing and dancing in the rain.
Yesterday’s heavy showers that threatened to turn the evening of celebration into a damp squib, relented by 11pm and the crowds poured in to enjoy the free music that heralded in 2023.
Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke, who joined with his wife and Mayoress Linda, Ripon city councillors and other civic dignitaries in a torchlit procession from the cathedral to Market Square, led the countdown to midnight, flanked by the Bishop of Leeds The Rt. Revd Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, pictured with The Bishop of Leeds The Rt Revd Nick Baines and The Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson
The Bishop and Dean John, were among the clergy who had taken part in the Watchnight Service at the cathedral that preceded the procession to Market Square, where a blessing was given.
Throughout the evening the tribute acts Exelle, Beyond Faith and Parklife, braved the elements to perform a broad repertoire of songs, ranging from the chart-topping numbers of girl bands to George Michael classics and the Britpop tunes of the 1990s.
The Weather Girls’ 1979 hit It’s Raining Men, was among the songs performed by Exelle (pictured above) while George Michael lookalike and soundalike Beyond Faith (pictured below) also wowed the crowd.
Last night’s concert organised by Ripon City Council, saw the curtain come down on an epic year that saw the city’s ancient square stage historic events including celebrations of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June to the mourning of her death in September and the subsequent proclamation of Charles III as King.
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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.
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- Queen’s coffin drape supplied by royal flag makers in Knaresborough
- Harrogate district pays final respects to the Queen
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 set to welcome in the New Year with city eventRipon will welcome in 2023 in traditional style on Saturday evening, with residents and visitors invited to the city’s New Year’s Eve gathering on Market Square.
The celebrations begin at 9pm when a member of the hornblower team will signal the setting of the watch with blasts of their horn at the four corners of the obelisk.
The ceremonial event, dating back to 886 AD – the year in which when Alfred the Great became the first Anglo-Saxon King of England – will provide the prelude to a night of free entertainment.
The watch will be set by a member of the Ripon hornblower team prior to the start of the musical entertainment
Following the hornblower, three tribute acts will take centre stage for the final concert of the year organised by Ripon City Council.
The acts are Beyond Faith, performing the songs of George Michael and Wham, Xelle with the favourite numbers from the best-known girl bands and Parklife, singing Britpop hits of the 1990s.
Shortly before midnight a torchlit procession of civic dignitaries led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, will make its way from Ripon Cathedral to Market Square, in time for the countdown that heralds in the New Year.
The procession will follow the Watchnight service at the cathedral which begins at 11.15.
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Sun shines as hundreds of Ripon pilgrims walk to Fountains Abbey
St Stephen’s Day in this busiest of years for Ripon Cathedral started with a Eucharist service, followed by a leisurely four-mile walk to Fountains Abbey.
The annual Boxing Day pilgrimage linking the two internationally famous and historic religious sites has been taking place in all weathers since 1976.
Bright sunshine and clear skies saw hundreds of pilgrims participate in this morning’s walk, following a procession led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson and children, who took it in turns to carry a cross along the way.
The pilgrims on the start of their journey head up Kirkgate.
With celebrations during 2022 to mark the 1,350th anniversary of the cathedral’s foundation by Wilfrid, this year’s walk had an added significance. as the pilgrims again retraced the steps of the 13 Benedictine monks who were the original founders of the abbey in 1132.
A group of pilgrims arrive at Fountains Abbey
At the abbey, the hundreds who completed the walk from the cathedral were joined by hundreds more (pictured below) for a carol service held in the cellarium.
The service included readings, prayers and traditional carols, with musical accompaniment provided by the Stray Brass Ensemble.
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No. 3: A landmark anniversary year for Ripon Cathedral
In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at a historic year for Ripon Cathedral.
Throughout this milestone year for Ripon Cathedral the iconic building has been at the heart of the local and regional community, playing a central role in events of celebration and sadness.
Its landmark 1,350th anniversary coincided with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June and Her Majesty’s death and funeral in September.
The cathedral captured every emotion, from the joyous bells that rang out to mark the monarch’s history-making 70-year reign, to flags flown at half mast to signal her passing.
During 2022, it provided a fitting setting for activities ranging from the spectacular Rome to Ripon exhibition of artworks depicting the life of its founding father Wilfrid, the city’s patron saint, to the hosting of civic services for North Yorkshire in June to celebrate the jubilee and in September to mourn The Queen’s death.
The cathedral was a focal point for mourning following The Queen’s death in September
The ancient church, whose crypt dates back to 672 AD, is the foundation stone upon which Ripon has developed over the centuries and encapsulates many aspects of the city’s history through carvings, sculptures, stained glass and monuments.
For Wilfrid, a patron of the arts who studied at Lindisfarne, the Rome to Ripon exhibition, provided a modern twist in the telling of his story, including three centrepiece paintings by internationally-renowned Syrian artist Sara Shamma.
The 1,350 celebrations ran for six months from April until October and also included dancing in the nave, a beer festival in the cathedral grounds, a pilgrimage from Bradford Cathedral, a Son et Lumiere, lectures from historians, a series of tours taking visitors behind the scenes, and an organ festival.
As a further lasting reminder of the patron saint’s work in Ripon a ledger stone at the entrance to the quire, was dedicated to Wilfrid at a service attended by the Archbishop of York, The Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell and Bishop of Leeds, The Rt Revd Nick Baines.
The ledger stone dedicated to Wilfrid
Who was St Wilfrid?
Wilfrid – one of the greatest and most controversial English saints – was born into a noble Northumbrian family. He studied at Lindisfarne before embracing the Roman ways, was deposed on more than one occasion, and yet helped unite England behind a single Christian tradition.
It is said he was born in flames, survived shipwrecks and exile, and his jailers could not keep him chained. He was a healer, he kept people from hunger by teaching them to fish, and it is said that the moon and stars shone so bright for him, that a lunar rainbow appeared on the anniversary of his death.
In his early twenties, he made a pilgrimage to Rome and was much inspired by the lives of the saints there, and the great basilica churches. He brought some of the beauty of Rome back to England with him.
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- Former Ripon Grammar student discovers rare map
City councillors have given their support in principle to Ripon Cathedral’s proposed £6 million standalone development on land to the north of the ancient building.
Members at Monday’s full meeting voted unanimously to support a proposal from leader Cllr Andrew Williams saying the council is in favour of the general principle of the development but is opposed to the closure of Minster Road.
The vote was taken following a presentation of the plans by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson and Colin Little, chair of the Ripon Cathedral Renewed Steering Group.
Ripon City Council is opposed to the closure of Minster Road as part of the development proposals.
In addition to their presentation, a model showing the planned development was available for councillors to see.
Dean John told the meeting:
“We have had a tremendous year with in excess of 100,000 people visiting the cathedral.”
He said attracting large numbers of visitors was beneficial to the wider Ripon economy, but also highlighted the need for the provision of modern facilities.
Dean John said:
“We have been looking for a solution to give the cathedral what it needs and this includes new toilets, new facilities for the choir, a gift shop larger than the one we currently have, a refectory and more storage space.”
Mr Little said the proposed cloistered two-storey stone building on Minster Gardens would be in keeping with neighbouring buildings in the conservation area and the development would include extensive landscaping that would increase the amount of public open space.
Cllr Williams 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.”
He added:
“The cathedral draws in tens of thousands of visitors a year to Ripon and it should have decent toilets and other facilities to serve their needs.”
Should planning permission be granted, the building would include the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet facility for use by disabled people.
Cllr Pauline McHardy said:
“I am very excited about these plans. Our ancient city with its beautiful cathedral must move forward and the addition of facilities that make it more accessible to disabled people are most welcome.”