With three linked heritage attractions that bring thousands of visitors a year to Ripon, the city’s museum trust is looking to the future by building on a picture of the past that has increasing relevance to today’s society.
Having celebrated its 40th anniversary last month, Ripon Museum Trust (RMT) continues to develop its activities through community engagement and a volunteer programme that enables the museums to create a living history experience.
With almost £100,000 of Heritage Lottery money, RMT is assembling the team of professionals required to draw up a bid, seeking further funding that would enable it to open up parts of the Workhouse Museum, never before seen by visitors.
RMT director Helen Thornton told the Stray Ferret:
“If we are successful, we will be able to provide access to the women’s and men’s dormitory areas on the upper floors of the east and west wings of the master’s accommodation.
“Our plan also includes installation of a lift, that would increase accessibility for people in wheelchairs and families with young children.”
She added:
“We are keen to tell the full story of the lives of previous inmates, which has particular relevance to today and the financial difficulties that are faced by many.”
Echoes from the past
The current cost of living crisis, which is putting more families and individuals into poverty and reliance on charities, has echoes that go back to 1776, when the original Ripon Union Workhouse opened in Allhallowgate, prior to construction of the Victorian establishment on the site with its 1854 dateline set in stone.
The former hospital wing within the complex is home to Community House, a social enterprise which, among other vital services, provides food support through a foodbank to an ever-growing number of users.
Side by side, the buildings in the workhouse grounds exemplify the fact that history can and does repeat itself.
Some 246 years ago it opened its doors to men, women and children caught in the poverty trap and here in 2022, many families are facing the modern-day equivalent, through crippling debt, much of it caused by increasing gas and electricity charges.
RMT chair Richard Taylor at the Prison & Police Museum
A unique offer
Ripon Museum Trust has a unique offering, by virtue of the fact that the Workhouse is the most complete museum of its kind in the UK and the only one whose entire exhibit is dedicated to focusing on the lives and experiences of the destitute and downtrodden of former generations.
Through a trail that also takes in the Prison & Police and Courthouse museums, visitors can follow the journey from poorhouse to punishment cell as seen through the eyes of those whose impoverishment put their lives into a desperate downward spiral.
Richard Taylor, who has chaired the trust for 28 years, said:
“It’s a powerful story put into context through items that can be seen at the three museums.
“In liaison with the community and our volunteers, we have developed an exhibition, which runs until November 27, called Ripon Museums in 40 Objects.
“It has been designed to provide an insight into the hard times faced by former citizens unfortunate enough to find themselves in any of these establishments.”
These children were able to find out what it was like to face a magistrate before the courthouse became a museum
The blue lamp outside the Prison & Police Museum is one object not included in the list, but has special relevance to Mr Taylor.
He said:
“The P&P as we call it, was the first museum operated by the trust and I was delighted when my suggestion of adding the lamp was taken up many years ago.
“It has acted as a kind of guiding light directing visitors to the building ever since.
“We are currently looking for people to join our board of trustees and would like to hear from anybody who feels they can play a part in helping the trust to plan for its next 40 years.”
Several 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.
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