A Ripon knitting group has given hand-made teddies to children entering reception this September.

The teddies were given to children joining Highfield Prep School to help ease the transition to primary school.

The teddies, which were knitted in the colours of the Harrogate school’s uniform, were made by a team from the Ripon Community Poppy Project in June.

For many children, major changes to their routines and environments, such as moving to primary school, can be very stressful. They are also particularly prone to separation anxiety at this stage.

Extra reassurance is often needed to help ease these distressing emotions, especially for socially anxious and neurodivergent children.

Head of Early Years & Foundation Stage at the school, Kathryn Wilson, came up with the idea to hand out teddies to comfort new pupils and said:

“We wanted to give the children something to take home over the Summer to encourage them to talk about joining Reception with their parents.

“They can also take the teddies on adventures over the Summer and then come and tell us all about them in September.

Hazel Barker, a friend of Ms Wilson and one of the knitting circle’s leaders, said the group was “delighted” to help out

She commented:

“We get involved with all sorts of community projects. Because I have known Kathryn such a long time, it felt like a special request we could accommodate.”

Ms Wilson added:

“We also hope that it will be a comfort for the children to bring their teddies in with them in September on their first day at ‘big school’.”

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The prolific knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project have stepped up a gear with their latest imaginative creation – a multi-coloured quilt for a car!

Designed to catch the eye, the vehicle with its hand-crafted fitted cover will be on display on Ripon Market Square for three days starting tomorrow (July 14) and a further three days from July 21, before featuring in the St Wilfrid’s Procession on July 29.

Hazel Barker, co-founder of RCPP and organiser of the project’s Knit and Natter Group, told the Stray Ferret:

“We came up with the idea as a means of publicising the Ripon Old Cars Classic Gathering at Ripon Racecourse on July 30, which will raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and 10 local charities.”

The car with its knitted quilt

She added:

“The event has been held for almost 30 years and proceeds from it have been donated to charities and local good causes.”

Following the 2022 gathering, Guide Dogs received an award of £5,000 and previous beneficiaries include the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Teenage Cancer Trust and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Knit and Natter Group, which meets each week at Hazel House on Allhallowgate and other knitters who work from home, have had a busy year so far.

They have created themed city centre decorations for the Easter holiday and the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, while continuing to knit thousands more poppies that will be in place for this year’s Remembrance events in Ripon.

A fireworks display will provide a spectacular end to coronation day celebrations in Ripon’s Market Square on Saturday night.

North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have given the go-ahead to a 10-minute display starting at 10.50pm.

The return of pyrotechnics to the city centre follows the cancellation in 2021 and 2022 of Ripon’s traditional New Year’s Eve displays, because of safety concerns about the launch area for the fireworks at the rear of the town hall.

This issue has now been resolved with approval given to a new launch area on The Arcade Car Park.

The Market Square, which has been decked in bunting created by Ripon Community Poppy Project, will be a focal point for the free-to-attend event organised by Ripon City Council to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Today (Saturday) from 11am until 8pm, there will be free fairground rides and from 3pm onwards there will be performances on stage from Cilla & Friends; Katherine Jenkins tribute, Midnight Soul Sisters, and an 80s Pop tribute band.

The Flash: Queen tribute band takes centre stage at 9.30pm to give a rousing build up to the fireworks finale.

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Ripon’s tireless team of non-stop knitters has transformed the city centre into Coronation Street with their skill and ingenuity.

The behind the scenes needle workers of Ripon Community Poppy Project are adept at creating handmade designs for all occasions, from Remembrance events to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and now, in celebration of her son’s crowning glory at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Within hours of taking down their Easter display, the King Charles III banners and bunting were put in place in High Skellgate, then on railings, the town hall balconies, bollards and on the post box at the entrance to The Arcade.

You can take a look at some of their creations below.

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The non-stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project have transformed the city centre with their Easter displays.

Members of the project’s Knit and Natter Club and many more who work from home, have been creating the decorations since September and their meticulous handiwork can be seen around Market Square and other key locations.

The intricate displays, made up from 1,360 knitted eggs, more than 2,000 hand-crafted chain links and 53 woollen pictures featuring spring lambs, chicks, rabbits and flowers, have been fixed to railings, the Ripon Town Hall balcony and this post box (pictured above).

Hazel Barker, who co-founded the RCPP with former Ripon mayor Councillor Stuart Martin, told the Stray Ferret:

“Our knitters work all year round creating displays for annual events including Remembrance commemorations in November and Winter Wonderland at Christmas.”

Councillor Stuart Martin (right) putting a display in place with Carol Dunkley and Bob McLennan

She added:

“In 2022, we took on the mammoth task of creating miles of royal-themed banners and other decorations that were wrapped around the city’s streets to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

“Now we are busily adapting these as well as creating new displays to mark the coronation of King Charles III.”

Ms Barker added:

“The Ripon Community Poppy Project was launched in 2018 to create displays for the city to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and we haven’t stopped knitting ever since!”

The main pic shows an Easter display with (from left): Hazel Barker, Lyn Hart, Betty Hardisty, David Hardisty, Sandra Searle, Alwyn Hartley and Pat McLennan.

Key locations in Ripon are being decked with thousands of knitted poppies ready for this year’s remembrance events.

Over the weekend, members of Ripon Community Poppy Project were given a helping hand from city firefighters as displays were put in place at the town hall.

Hazel Barker, who founded the project in 2018 with former mayor Cllr Stuart Martin, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have knitted thousands of new poppies to replace some of the ones that have been used in previous years.”

She added:

“We are grateful, as ever, to the fire brigade for the tremendous help they have given us in putting up the town hall display.”

To support the work of the Community Poppy Project, a Concert of Remembrance featuring Ripon City Band, The Dishforth Military Wives Choir and the Duchy Belles, will be held at Ripon Cathedral on November 10, starting at 7.15pm.

Tickets are £12 and available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate and the Wakeman’s House Cafe on Market place.

Hazel Barker and Councillor Stuart Martin of Ripon Community Poppy Project, are pictured with the crew Ripon’s Red Watch, from the left: Firefighters Turner, Harvey and Foster and crew managers Fagg and Thwaites.

Meanwhile, the Ripon Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) has confirmed details of services to be held on November 5 and 13.

On Saturday November 5, the Garden of Remembrance created by the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion in 2018, following donations from the public, authorities and the business community, will be blessed by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.

The blessing ceremony, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am, will be attended by the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke, serving officers, members of the RBL and standard bearers.

Guests and other attendees will have the opportunity to place a poppy cross in remembrance of the fallen who died, not only in the first world war, but all war and conflicts since.

Remembrance Sunday Service

Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service will be held on November 13 at the war memorial in Spa Gardens, where there will be a two-minute silence before wreaths are laid in honour of the fallen, by civic dignitaries, members of the armed forces, the RBL and representatives of other organisations. Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.

On completion of the service at the war memorial, the civic party will proceed to the town hall where there will be a march past and salute.

The march past, including members of the Royal Engineers, standard bearers, veterans, Ripon City Band, cadets, scouts and guides and representatives of other organisations, will head down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a service will be held.

Jeet Bahadur Sahi, chair of the RBL Ripon Branch, said:

“We remember those who lost their lives on active service in all conflicts, from the beginning of the First World War right up to the present day. We also remember all those who have served and their families.

“Remembrance events encourage communities to come together to honour those who served and remember their sacrifices.

 “We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth.”

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Organisations, individuals and a business that have made a positive contribution to life in the city, gathered at Ripon Cathedral for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards.

The event was organised by Ripon Together as part of the cathedral’s 1,350th anniversary celebrations and more than 150 people were present to discover who had won the trophies designed and produced by Jennyruth Workshops.

At Friday’s presentation evening, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, pointed out that the star was the symbol of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in 672 AD.

He said:

“All of those who were nominated are stars for what they do to contribute to the life of Ripon and we thank and applaud them.”

One of the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards produced by Jennyruth Workshop

Hundreds of knitted stars made by the Ripon Community Poppy Project were hung high in the nave for the presentation evening and there was special mention from Dean John for Alwyn Hartley, who produced more than 200 of them.

The dedicated team of knitters who have decorated the city with extensive displays for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, Remembrance Sunday and the Winter Wonderland at Spa Gardens, were winners of the award for tourism.

Lou Jones, who owns Oliver’s Pantry cafe on North Street with her husband Tim, received the business award and was recognised for ‘boosting the community’s wellbeing and signposting them to all that Ripon has to offer.’

St Wilfrid’s Stars youth award winner Rosie Sturt, is pictured with the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, presented the youth award to Rosie Sturt, for her work in leading a team of young volunteers who have delivered a Lego Club at Ripon Library.

The aim of the club is to help young children to increase their social skills and confidence in the wake of the covid lockdowns.

A St Wilfrid’s Star also went to Sarah Jaques – a Ripon Library volunteer and co-ordinator – who won the community award for her tireless work.

Her citation read:

“Without volunteers, there would be no library and there would be a great gap in the life of the city.”

For the overall volunteer of the year award the panel of judges selected Gloria Sturdy, who has devoted her life to supporting many causes in the city.

This includes the provision of lunches each Thursday at Holy Trinity Church for people in need, to sewing PPE kits for frontline workers during the pandemic.

The culture award was presented to the Ripon Theatre Festival organising committee, in recognition of staging a highly successful inaugural performing arts event from a standing start.

Caroline Bentham, who has supported groups in Ripon through her community scrap fund, which raises money from the sale of recycled metal, received the environment award.

As well as being a supporter of many good causes, she is an active Girl Guide Leader and an assistant county commissioner.

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There was sorrow as well as smiles among the women of the Ripon Community Poppy Project (RCPP) Knit and Natter Group, when they met for the first time following the Queen’s death.

To lighten the mood, a knitted display, reminding the group of that, now famous, television moment, when Her Majesty had afternoon tea with Paddington Bear, enjoyed pride of place.

Alongside a photograph of The Queen, the display, included Paddington with his suitcase, a handbag, marmalade sandwiches and a corgi wearing a crown.

The knitted figures and accessories, were created by group members Carol Dunkley, Angela Turnbull and Lynn Hart,

A photograph of The Queen was in place among the knitted display

In the months leading up to the Platinum Jubilee, the Knit and Natter Group, along with others working from home, knitted virtually non-stop to create miles of bunting, carrying the initials ER, which was wrapped around the city.

It was a huge collective effort that earned a letter of thanks from one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting at Windsor Castle.

Yesterday, as they continued to produce the next poppy displays in time for Remembrance Sunday, they paused for silence.

Hazel Barker, who founded RCPP with former mayor of Ripon Councillor Stuart Martin, told the Stray Ferret:

“There was sadness, as we held a minute’s silence to contemplate Her Majesty’s incredible reign and what she did for this country.

“Thoughts of her passing were then followed with the many happy memories that members of the group have of her, including her visits to Ripon.”

Hazel, added:

“It was clear with the James Bond film for the 2012 Olympics and the meeting with Paddington, filmed for the Platinum Jubilee, that Her Majesty had a great sense of humour.”

As part of yesterday’s reflective meeting, cups of tea and coffee were accompanied by sandwich biscuits, baked by Hazel and fittingly including a marmalade filling.

Volunteers have been making miles of bunting for the Queen’s jubilee for months and now Ripon Community Poppy Project has been putting it in place.

The project’s Knit and Natter team, with the support of women working from home, is ensuring that the city is ready for a right royal Bank Holiday celebration.

With the platinum jubilee just a month away, the painstaking task of installing their handiwork  started at the weekend.

Hazel Barker (right) with members of the Knit and Natter team proudly display their handiwork.

Hazel Barker, who set up the community project with Councillor Stuart Martin, initially to create knitted poppy displays for the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in 2018, told  the Stray Ferret:

“Our aim is to ensure that everywhere you look in the city centre and other key locations, such as the bus station and Spa Gardens, the bunting, will remind residents and visitors alike about the Queen’s remarkable  70 years of service to this country.

“With its royal and loyal theme, the design, consisting of golden-coloured lettering,  gold and red crowns and red, white and blue flags, is meant to catch the eye.”

The unmissable bunting at High Skellgate.

With help from an army of volunteers, the decorations have been fixed to railings and buildings, including gateways such as High Skellgate, where a huge bunting banner flies high and proud at the junction with Westgate.

Cllr Martin said:

“I would like to congratulate Hazel and all of her team of tireless knitters for their magnificent efforts, both in making the bunting and putting it in place.

“There has already been positive responses to it from local residents, visitors, retailers and other businesses, who are playing their part in joining in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

Jools Halliwell, who owns Kirkgate House – a home furnishings and decorations shop on the bunting-wrapped route to Ripon Cathedral, added:

“It’s fantastic to see everybody getting involved in what is going to be a massive event for our magnificent city.”

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A team of dedicated knitters are creating Ripon’s royal miles of bunting to wrap around the city in celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The all-woman Knit and Natter Club has combined needlecraft and design skills to make masses of red, white and blue bunting emblazoned with golden crowns and  the initials E:R.

With less than two months to go until the extended June bank holiday jubilee weekend, organiser Hazel Barker told the Stray Ferret:

“We have received hundreds of requests from shops, businesses and other organisations in Ripon, who want to decorate their buildings to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

“We’ve still got a little way to go, but we are getting there.”

Collectively, thousands of hours of unrelenting effort has gone into this proud production line.

Mrs Barker, who was made a Freeman of the City of Ripon, for services to the community, said:

” At our homes we are spending every spare minute beavering away making the various elements of the bunting, from flags to the emblems of the four UK countries.

“A group of us then meet on Mondays to create the displays in readiness for them to go on everything from railings to retail premises, the town hall and the entrance to Spa Gardens.”

The knitters meet weekly at Hazel House, in the grounds of Community House

The weekly meetings are at Hazel House – a building in the grounds of Community House, named in honour of Mrs Barker for her work with the Girlguiding Association.

In addition to this, other knitters work from home, with regular supplies of wool provided for them.

The team, totalling 30, is also responsible for the countless hours of behind-the-scenes work that creates Ripon’s Remembrance displays.

They are part of the Ripon Community Poppy Project, founded by Mrs Barker and Councillor Stuart Martin, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War  in 2018.

Funding for the project

The community project is funded by donations from members of the public and businesses and supported by organisations such as the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and an army of volunteers who put up the displays.

For the platinum  jubilee display, £2,500 of the sum used to buy the wool, netting and other materials was raised from the sale of decorative covid masks with Christmas designs on them.

And it comes as no surprise to discover that those whose painstaking work will be seen on the city streets in June, are the women behind the masks as well.

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