The Ship Inn, in the shadow of Ripon Cathedral, was once one of the city’s landmark pubs.
Since its closure, two years ago, the vacant site has been the location for a number of incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
The area has planning permission for the creation of ten dwellings but in the meantime, the premises have been secured with metal shuttering on doors and windows, while a sign says that all internal valuables have been removed.
The former pub, is to be converted into five apartments and the 0.34 acre site will also include a detached house and four terraced houses.
Architects Watson Batty Properties LLP has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council, seeking ‘a changed location by 3m to the northwest of 4 terraced houses and revised fenestration featuring ivory sandblasted masonry walling with pewter split face feature banding.’
Once that application has been determined the site will be ready for its transformation from empty pub to residential use.
The site is close to Ripon Cathedral
Residents living on Bondgate and adjoining streets, who have witnessed gangs of youths causing trouble in the area, will hope the redevelopment of the site may help tackle the problem.
Government guidance on how new developments can reduce crime and create safer communities, says:
“Good design means a wide range of crimes from theft to terrorism are less likely to happen by making committing those crimes more difficult. It helps create safer places.”
Read more:
- Residential redevelopment of Ripon pub site
- Man jailed for knifepoint robbery in Ripon
- Robbery, thefts and a man with a machete in Ripon’s Bondgate
Art gallery will be retained in plans to redevelop Ripon building
It will be business as usual for a Ripon art gallery, if plans to extensively redevelop premises in a prime city location receive approval.
David Harrison owns and operates the gallery at 19 Kirkgate, where he also provides a bespoke framing service.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I’ve had amicable and constructive discussions with the landlord and I am happy with what they are proposing.
“I’ve been here for seven years and their plans mean that I will be able to continue to trade from this location”
Mr Harrison, who was born and bred in Ripon, is well-known by the city’s arts community. Work by locally-based contemporary artists, such as Carol Ashworth, can be bought from his shop.
He said:
“I went to school in the city and my parents used to run the White Horse pub in North Street, so I know a lot of people in Ripon.”
David Harrison pictured in his gallery next to an original work by Carol Ashworth
Sterne Properties, which owns 19 Kirkgate, has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council for internal reconfiguration of the building, which currently comprises Mr Harrisons’ retail unit at street level and a two-bedroom flat above.
The Ripon-based property company is seeking permission to create a cottage incorporating two flats at the premises, which are close to the city’s iconic cathedral.
With changes to the internal layout of the building including the removal of a wall, the gallery will be able to retain its space.
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The building has had an arts connection for many years. Prior to Mr Harrison setting up his business, 19 Kirkgate, was home to Alan Matthews Watercolours and works of the artist could be seen and purchased from the premises.
Sterne’s track record
Sterne’s track record of property development has supported retail regeneration and the hospitality and leisure sectors in Ripon.
The company’s projects include the mixed-used redevelopment of the former NatWest bank building next to Ripon Town Hall, which brought the Claro Lounge to the city and saw the creation of apartments on the upper floors.
Other developments include Halls (formerly Wrens) on Fishergate, where Ripon’s only department store reopened last year.
The company was also responsible for the redevelopment of a former furniture store on North Street, which enabled Curzon to bring cinema back to the city for the first time in more than 30 years.
Local attractions offer free and reduced entry to lottery playersSeveral of the Harrogate district’s most popular visitor attractions are offering free or half price admission until Sunday.
National Lottery Open Week is being staged to thank lottery players for contributing to good causes.
Places that have benefited from lottery funding, including Fountains Abbey in Ripon, RHS Harlow Carr and Ripon Museum Trust are among those taking part.
RHS Harlow Carr
Anyone who presents a lottery ticket or scratch card (digital or physical) at the National Trust-owned Fountains Abbey‘s visitor reception can visit the historic site for free.
Fountains Abbey. Photo: J Shepherd
RHS Harlow Carr is offering 2-for-1 entry for anyone that presents their lottery ticket or scratch card.
Ripon Museum Trust is offering a 50% discount to lottery players on Saturday to individuals and family groups that show a National Lottery ticket or scratch card on arrival at its three venues. They are the Liberty Courthouse, Prison & Police and Workhouse museums
Helen Thornton, museum trust director, said:
“We’ve been fortunate to receive National Lottery funding which enabled us to purchase the Workhouse Museum site and also to progress our future development plans.
“This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket, helped us on our journey and made a vital contribution to supporting good causes.”
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Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England and chair of the National Lottery Forum, added:
“The National Lottery Open Week is a fantastic opportunity for hundreds of venues and projects across the UK to say thanks to players who raise £30 million each week for good causes.”
Further details about National Lottery Open Week available here.
Scenic 42-mile walking route from Bradford to Ripon createdA scenic 42-mile walk between Bradford and Ripon has been created that takes in Saltaire, Fountains Abbey and Brimham Rocks.
The Burley Bridge Association and Ramblers Lower Wharfedale, who devised the route, have invited ramblers to join them for the inaugural walk on Friday April 29. There will also be several guided walks spread out over the bank holiday weekend.
It will begin at Bradford Cathedral between 9am and 10am and will continue to Saltaire (4.5 miles) then to Burley (8 miles).
The third stage to Thruscross Reservoir (10 miles) will take place on Saturday April 30, starting at 10am from Burley Station, with mini-bus transport provided back to Burley. There will be a small charge to cover costs.
The fourth stage from Thruscross to Brimham Rocks (8.5 miles) will take place on Sunday May 1 and the fifth stage from Brimham Rocks to Ripon (11 miles) will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2.
David Asher, secretary of the BBA said:
“It links the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saltaire and Fountains Abbey and goes through some of the best scenery that West and North Yorkshire has to offer.
“From a hidden green corridor starting near the centre of Bradford, to upland moor landscapes with extensive views, stunning wooded valleys, and past dramatic geological formations such as Brimham Rocks.”
“There are also loads of bridges to cross including the 13th century Butterton Bridge which features on the waymarks along the route. The Wharfe can be crossed either by the stepping stones or by Denton Bridge depending on the water level.”
Read more:
- Hot Seat: Leading the Harrogate district’s leisure revolution
- Consultation on bid to join bridleways in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley
The walk finishes at Ripon Cathedral and all walkers are invited to the Ripon Beer Festival that takes place that day. It is being hosted by the Cathedral as part of its 1350th birthday celebrations.
If you want to book, send names and phone numbers to burleybridge@gmail.com
Shortlist revealed for Ripon Civic Society’s design awardsFrom facilities designed for the seriously rich to listed buildings of religious and historic significance, the Ripon Civic Society’s design awards shortlist embraces a wide range of architectural splendour.
Grantley Hall, the multi-million pound luxury hotel, fine dining and wellness retreat, is among the contenders in the Best New Building category for the Hazzard Silver Cup.
Grantley Hall is also shortlisted for the best restored building award, where it is competing again, amongst others, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church at Coltsgate Hill. where renovation was made possible because of the £500,000 raised by parishioners and grant funding.
Opened in 1862, the Grade II* listed building is recognised as one of finest parish churches in England.
The Pugin reredos that provides the backdrop for the high altar at St Wilfrid’s was refurbished as part of the church’s restoration.
St Wilfrid’s is also shortlisted for the society’s Craftsmanship Award, where it again competes against Grantley Hall.
Both face stiff competition in this category from Ripon Cathedral’s Fallen Angels project, which saw the restoration of carvings and canopies in the medieval quire.
Ripon Cathedral’s Fallen Angels project is shortlisted for the civic society’s design awards. Picture: Ripon Cathedral
Grantley Hall is also in the running for The Younge Rose Bowl for Best Environmental Improvement, where it is up against Ripon City Wetlands, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Oscar’s Wood and High Batts Nature Reserve.
Ripon Claro Lounge is shortlisted in the Best Contribution to City Centre Revitalisation category
Contenders for the Taylor plate for Best Contribution to City Centre Revitalisation are the Claro Lounge and apartments in Market Place South, The Magdalens pub in Princess Road and The Water Rat at Bondgate Green.
Society chairman Christopher Hughes, said:
“Our usual biennial awards last held in 2018 have, as a result of covid restrictions in 2020, become quadrennial this year, and whilst we were anticipating a larger-than-usual response we have almost been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of nominations submitted.
“Over the past few weeks our four judges have been considering and fine tuning a list of over thirty submissions, many of which had award-winning potential.
“Finally, and with not a little difficulty, we’ve arrived at a shortlist of which we are extremely proud and which we believe showcases the remarkable quality of projects in our part of Yorkshire”.
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The award presentations will take place at Ripon’s Workhouse Museum on the evening of Thursday, April 7.
The winners of two of the awards — The John Whitehead Award for Civic Excellence and the Helen Whitehead Award for Best Project — will be announced on the evening.
Families savour the sights and sounds of RiponFrom Ripon’s priceless regalia, to readings for children in the library, today’s Sights and Sounds event had something for all the family.
Seven of the city’s best-known locations opened their doors between 11am and 2pm to provide free entertainment and interactive fun for families.
The programme, organised by Harrogate Borough Council, included activities ranging from participation in a Victorian school lesson at the Workhouse Museum, to a visit to the bell tower at Ripon Cathedral.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe, who opened the event.
The Sights and Sounds of Ripon, was opened at the cathedral by North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe (pictured above), who was born and bred in Ripon.
She said
:”I would like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for arranging this event, which is part of the North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Partnership Scheme.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy the history, heritage, arts and culture of this wonderful city.”
Visitors to the Prison and Police Museum, on St Marygate were able to find out how fingerprints have been used to catch criminals since the Victorian era, while being able to make their own inky impression to take home with them.
Retired solicitor Simon Crosfield, who works as a volunteer at the Courthouse Museum, let these two youngsters know what it’s like to face a judge.
At the nearby Courthouse Museum on Minster Road, visitors learned about how the city’s criminals were brought to justice in bygone days.
In addition to the array of activities at the three heritage attractions run by Ripon Museum Trust, the cathedral, which celebrates its 1,350th anniversary this year, hosted an exhibition featuring community services provided by 14 local organisations.
The city’s silverware and other treasures, collected over centuries, were on display at Ripon Town Hall where they were the focus of talks in the Mayor’s parlour.
There was an opportunity to watch Ripon Youth Theatre rehearsing at the city’s Arts Hub.
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In addition to the array of activities at the three heritage attractions run by Ripon Museum Trust, the cathedral hosted an exhibition featuring community services provided by 14 local organisations.
Freddie (left) and Taylor were among those to join in an interactive storytime at Ripon Library
Those who were seeking more interactive entertainment found it at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate, where they watched a working rehearsal by Ripon Youth Theatre and were then invited to join in an Oliver! workshop,
Storytime readings were held at the library for children aged 0-6 and 7-11-year-olds, where community information stalls were also on display
Ripon Cathedral is to celebrate the life and legacy of Wilfrid, its founding father, in a series of events marking its 1,350th anniversary.
The cathedral today revealed details of the programme, which include a sound and light show about Wilfrid’s life and an initiative to suspend stars from the nave.
Four artists will transform the cathedral’s Anglo Saxon crypt – the last remains of the church Wilfrid founded on the site and the oldest surviving building in any English Cathedral.
In addition, there will be arts, crafts, music, lectures, worship, pilgrimage opportunities, flower displays and the traditional St Wilfrid’s Day procession through the city.
The cathedral flooded the west front with words from the war poet, Wilfred Owen, and lit up in red to mark the centenary of the Armistice in 2018.
The cathedral has staged numerous art events before.
During lockdown it suspended tens of thousands of paper angels in the nave.
Now, in its anniversary year, it has lined-up a series of Wilfrid-themed initiatives.
Miracle maker
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson said:
“Ripon Cathedral is here because Wilfrid was here. His life and legacy is written in these stones. He was a miracle maker, a pioneer, a leader and a force to be reckoned with.
“He converted a pagan England and brought something of the beauty of Rome to these shores.
“In this, our anniversary year, we are committed to telling his story afresh, by breathing new life into our history and our heritage and sharing his love for beauty and the arts while ensuring worship is at the heart of all that we do, as Wilfrid, our forefather did before us.”
Tickets have just gone on sale for the anniversary launch weekend, which will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
It will start on April 28 with dancing in the nave to a local jazz and swing band, a beer festival, a pilgrimage from Bradford Cathedral, and a sound and light show finale that promises to recreate Wilfrid’s miracles — including that of a lunar rainbow said to have appeared to the monks of Ripon Monastery one year after his death in 709 AD.
Ripon Bible
Other headline events throughout the year include the premiere of new digital projections from the little-known Ripon Bible.
Currently held in the special collection of the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, this illuminated document in its rich blues, golds and purples is believed to have been created by scholars in Oxford.
Pages from it have been recreated in sound and light and will be projected across the interior of the cathedral, offering visitors the chance to see it for the first time.
Ripon Cathedral
There will also be lectures from historians Tom Holland and Max Adams; a series of tours taking visitors behind the scenes, an organ festival featuring an animation created for piano and organ to tell Wilfrid’s story, while four artists, including Sara Shamma, will transform Ripon’s ancient Anglo-Saxon crypt with specially commissioned works in paint, words, tapestry, and a new light and soundscape.
Read more:
- Arsonists attempt to set fire to Ripon Cathedral
- More children’s activities announced for Ripon Cathedral Spring Show
Jo Bussey, director of development, said:
“We are super excited to bring to life Ripon Cathedral’s rich heritage and history in such exciting and unique ways.
“There’s something for everyone, young and old, art buffs, historians, even pizza, and cake lovers.
Who was St Wilfrid?
Wilfrid was born into a noble Northumbrian family.
A patron of the arts, he studied at Lindisfarne before embracing the Roman ways, was deposed on more than one occasion, and yet helped to 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 the moon and stars shone so bright for him that a lunar rainbow appeared on the anniversary of his death.
More children’s activities announced for Ripon Cathedral Spring ShowRipon Cathedral is to host its annual Spring Food, Home and Garden Show next month with stalls and plenty of child-friendly activities including a petting farm.
The Spring Show is returning on Saturday, April 9 after a two-year break, due to covid, with more than 70 stallholders selling gardening goods and food.
Organisers of the fair have said it is set to be a fantastic day out for all the family with children’s activities such as a mobile petting farm with spring animals from Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm, a chocolate tombola and a ‘have a go’ putting green by EGM Landscapes.
Brick Box Yorkshire will also be there running build and create Lego sessions for kids.
There will also be live music from Knot Another Choir at 11.30am and 1.30pm and a piano recital from David Powling at 2pm.
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Cathedral volunteers will be running a Cathedral Plant Stall, selling affordable plants. A pop-up Cathedral cafe is also planned, it will sell pulled pork sandwiches, homemade cakes and hot drinks.
Proceeds from the plant stall and pop-up cafe will go towards the heritage conservation, education programme and running costs of Ripon Cathedral.
The show is open from 10am to 4pm and tickets costs £3 for adults, plus a booking fee, and £5 on the door. Children under 14 are free. To book tickets click here.
Ripon Pancake Race won’t be held on Shrove TuesdayRipon Pancake Race won’t be held on Shrove Tuesday next week because of covid-related problems.
The event sees children, local residents and members of the clergy race along Kirkgate tossing pancakes.
It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to covid and there were hopes it would return this year.
But Tim Jones, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, said that covid uncertainty at the start of the year did not allow enough time for road closure applications to be processed. He said;
“Some teachers were reluctant to bring schoolchildren out so we decided not to go ahead.”
The event is staged jointly by the rotary club and Ripon Festivals, in association with Ripon Cathedral.
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- Ripon man with family in Ukraine speaks of ‘deeply troubling’ times
- Future of Ripon’s Hell Wath nature reserve generates heated discussion
Ripon BID begins to light up the city
Ripon Business Improvement District will begin an initiative tonight to light up alleys and ginnels in the city.
The BID, which aims to increase footfall in Ripon to help businesses, will switch on festoon lighting in Lavender Alley, which links Fishergate with Old Market Place and Queen Street,
It will be the first alley and ginnel around the city to be lit up, as part of a BID-funded programme designed to make Ripon a more attractive place to visit.
Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:
“Lighting up these key routes throughout the city has been a priority.
“Businesses want all our tourists and the local community to enjoy the most convenient routes as they navigate and explore the city.
“We have been pleased to work with local to Ripon lighting contractor, Fusion FX to deliver this project.’’
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Lavender Alley, was given a deep clean in November along with three other busy routes regularly used by pedestrians, shoppers and visitors, to access the city,
In December, Kirkgate, a key gateway to and from Ripon’s iconic cathedral and location for hospitality businesses and a strong mix of retailers, received a pre-Christmas deep clean, as the BID-managed work progressed.