Major crop fires underway near A61 in Ripon

Firefighters are attempting to put out crop fires in fields close to Ripon this afternoon.

The fires are in fields alongside the A61 around Hutton Bank and billowing smoke can be seen for miles around the area.

Today has been the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures of 29 degrees recorded in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police has advised motorists to avoid the area. A spokesperson said:

“We’re asking motorists to avoid the area and find other routes for their journeys while our Fire Service colleagues work at the scene. Thank you for your patience and understanding”

You can watch a video of the fire that was posted by North Yorkshire Weather Updates below:

UPDATE 6pm: Harrogate Fire Station has said the fire is now out.

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Ripon mum pens book about domestic abuse

A mum from Ripon will be signing copies of her book tomorrow about domestic abuse and the pain of losing a daughter to suicide.

Ally Garbutt said she decided to write Losing Lisa after escaping an abusive marriage that lasted 40 years.

The book is named after her daughter Lisa, who took her life aged just 23 after a difficult upbringing in the family home. She said she wanted to give Lisa a voice and tell her story.

Since splitting from her partner, Ms Garbutt has lost contact with her two youngest children and the book explores parental alienation, which is sometimes involved with family break up.

Ms Garbutt said:

“The book exposes what’s going on behind closed doors. It was traumatic writing it but also therapeutic. It helped me deal with abuse I had.”

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Profits from the book will go to domestic abuse charities. Ms Garbutt said she hopes the book will help other people in similar situations and show that there is a way out.

The author also reveals the traumatic psychological impact of coercive control, which is now recognised as a criminal offence.

She added:

“So many people are going through the same thing but you can get out and break the silence. After 40 years, I am free but it’s difficult.”

“I’m trying to get the message out there that people can break free from suffering and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

The book is available to buy online from Amazon, WH Smith and Waterstones websites. Physical copies are available at Little Ripon Book Shop on 12-13 Westgate.

Ms Garbutt will be at the Little Ripon Book Shop from 11am-1pm tomorrow signing copies of the book.

Six baby hedgehogs in Ripon rescued from bonfire at last minute

Six baby hedgehogs were lucky to escape alive after being found in a bonfire just before it was about to be lit.

Ramsgill-based hedgehog rescue centre, HAPPY (Hedgehog Appreciation Prickly Pals Yorkshire) was called by a vet in Ripon this week to say the animals had been found just in the nick of time.

Jacqui Morrell, who runs the centre with her husband Peter, said the lucky animals “had a close shave”.

Ms Morrell said hedgehogs like the secluded space offered by an unlit bonfire but many people don’t often think to look for them, or other animals, before lighting up.

She said:

“Bonfires are ideal homes for hedgehogs but people don’t always think about wildlife. There’s all sorts in bonfires and it’s not just hedgehogs.”

Ms Morrell added that the hedgehogs will eventually be released back into the area where they were found.

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The centre was previously based in Ripon but recently moved to a larger property in Nidderdale.

The Morrells are currently looking after 40 hedgehogs where they will nurse them back to health before releasing them into the wild.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal and Ms Morrell said if you spot one in daylight hours, it means they are in trouble and need help.

If you see a hedgehog during the daytime call HAPPY on 07506 186567.

Ms Morrell added:

“Don’t delay if you see one out in the town.”

Ripon MP: Prime Minister causing ‘constitutional crisis’ by refusing to resign

Boris Johnson is causing a constitutional crisis and acting “Trumpian” by not resigning, says Conservative Ripon MP Julian Smith.

Mr Smith heavily criticised the Prime Minister in an interview with BBC Radios 4’s Today programme and said Mr Johnson had suffered a “catastrophic loss of confidence” among Tory MPs.

The comments come as Mr Johnson faced calls from his own MPs and some members of his cabinet to resign last night.

Yesterday, a record 40 ministers and aides quit the government. Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland secretary, becoming the latest to step down this morning.

The Prime Minister has said he has a mandate from voters to continue.

But Mr Smith said: 

“It’s a preposterous argument, the British voters voted for the Conservative party.

“At the time of that election, Boris Johnson was the leader. But that was not a personal vote, it was a vote for individual candidates across the country.

“The bulk of those MPs who supported him at that election now do not have the confidence in him to remain as Prime Minister.”

Mr Smith joined Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, yesterday in calling for the Prime Minister to step down.

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However, Nigel Adams, a Johnson ally and MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes parts of rural Harrogate, remains in the cabinet and is yet to comment.

This morning, Mr Smith said the country was in a constitutional crisis because Mr Johnson’s refused to leave Downing Street despite having no “confidence from his party”.

He said:

“I think we are [in a constitutional crisis] because he doesn’t have the confidence of his party. So on what basis is he residing in Number 10?

“Obviously many times before you have had Prime Ministers who may have outstayed their welcome.

“But the key difference is that Boris Johnson, for whatever reason, has had a catastrophic loss of confidence and is still holding out in a Trumpian style seemingly trying to write the next chapter or the first chapter of his memoirs or trying to prepare for the speaker circuit.

“But [he is] actually challenging, extremely worryingly, the system that we have run the country for years.”

Ofsted praises ‘ambitious and caring’ Ripon high school

Schools inspector Ofsted has praised Outwood Academy Ripon following a recent two-day visit.

Inspectors said pupils “know that learning is important and apply themselves diligently to their work” and were “supported by caring staff who know them well”.

Staff, they said, had “high expectations for pupils’ behaviour” and ensured a “calm environment as pupils move between lessons”.

Leaders, they added, operated an “ambitious curriculum”.

However, the 717-pupil school’s ‘outstanding’ rating, achieved at its last full inspection in 2016, is under threat.

Schools judged outstanding do not receive graded verdicts on their next inspection but if evidence of a change of grade is detected, as in this instance, a full inspection will usually follow within one or two years.

Ofsted said it planned to return because “the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a full inspection were carried out now”.

Effective safeguarding

The report highlighted the range of extra-curricular clubs available, which include photography, music and Lego.

Safeguarding arrangement were described as “effective”. It said:

“Staff report their concerns swiftly and leaders take prompt action to ensure that pupils are kept safe.

“Leaders make timely referrals and draw on the expertise of wider safeguarding partners.

“Pupils are taught to understand the risks they may encounter and what they should do if they have any concerns.”

The report added the “great majority of pupils respect the school rules” but “a few
pupils do not consistently meet the high expectations set by leaders. Some parents are concerned by this”.

It praised teachers’ “strong subject knowledge” and passion for their their subjects.

Leaders, the report added, were “ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)”.

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But it said the support some pupils with SEND received was “variable” and some parents of pupils with SEND “are concerned about how well their child is doing”.

Bullying concerns

The report, based on a two-day assessment in May, also highlighted concerns about behaviour and bullying. It said:

“Some pupils hear derogatory language used by other pupils at school. Some pupils lack confidence that staff would take appropriate action if they raised a concern.

“Some staff and parents voiced similar concerns regarding the behaviour of a minority of pupils.

“Leaders recognise that there is work to do to ensure that all pupils demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour, especially after the prolonged period of disruption to staffing caused by covid.

“Leaders have worked hard to support those who do not behave well. Although leaders have ensured that suspensions are now reducing, the number of internal exclusions remains too high.”

Will Pratt, principal of the school, said:

“I would like to thank our students for their commitment and engagement to our school not only during the inspection, but also over the challenging few years of disruption that they have faced.

“We would also like to thank parents and carers for your continued support. We would like to thank our staff who give such exceptional service to our school and thank our governing body for their challenge and support.

“We look forward to working together with you all in our pursuit of delivering an exceptionally high quality of education for our children.”

Ripon man jailed for stealing two bikes in Harrogate

A Ripon man has been jailed for 26 weeks for stealing two bikes in Harrogate.

Dwain Carl Layton, 31, of King Edward Road, appeared before York Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with stealing the bikes from a garage on Kingsley Road on June 28.

The bikes were estimated to be worth £1,000.

Layton pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed.

The magistrates said the sentence was handed down after Layton had failed to comply with requirements of post custodial sentence supervision.

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It added that the offence was aggravated by “the defendant’s record of previous offending”.

Layton was also ordered to pay compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Ripon business gets Dragons’ Den star endorsement

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Ripon business has been endorsed by retail entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.

The GreenHouse, which is based on North Street, opened three months ago and offers an array of home and garden supplies.

Owner Rebecca Crallan messaged Mr Paphitis on Twitter as part of his Small Business Sunday campaign, which picks six weekly winners to be endorsed on his social media.

The winners also get a chance to network with other small businesses and include a profile on the Small Business Sunday website.

Mr Paphitis picked The GreenHouse and, as a result, shared the Ripon business with his 490,000 Twitter followers and 34,000 Instagram followers.

Ms Crallan said:

“The GreenHouse has only been open three months but I’ve been warmly welcomed by the community in Ripon, both shoppers and fellow retailers alike. 

“It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

Harrogate jewellers wins shop frontage grant

A Harrogate business has been awarded a £750 grant to improve its shop frontage.

Fattorini’s on Parliament Street, which reopened under new management in March, has been granted the money by Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Harrogate BID Matthew Chapman, left, and Fattorinis Director Wayne Beales outside the Parliament Street jewellers.

Harrogate BID Matthew Chapman, left, and Fattorini’s director Wayne Beales outside the Parliament Street jewellers.

The grant was part of £10,000 awarded to BID levy payers to help improve the frontages of their businesses.

Other businesses awarded grants include The Den, Cold Bath Brewing, Drum and Monkey and the new Coach & Horses.

The jewellery business used its £750 to refurbish the Victorian canopy and install a new facia board and signage.

Wayne Beales, Fattorini’s director, said:

“Being a BID levy payer, I’m delighted that our application for a grant was approved.

“The painted canopy and new signage has really helped us shout about our revival. It has certainly made us stand out from other businesses on Parliament.

“I would also recommend all levy paying retailers to take advantage of the next round of BID improvement grants, so Harrogate town centre can really shine.”

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Harrogate district MP quizzed on reaction to Tory resignations

The Stray Ferret has approached all three Harrogate district Conservative MPs for their reaction to this evening’s momentous political developments.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both quit the Cabinet amid a row over the handling of misconduct claims against ex-Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.

Their resignations have sparked frenzied speculation about more Cabinet resignations and whether Boris Johnson will survive as Prime Minister.

We have emailed Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby with Ainsty, asking for their reaction to the resignations and whether they feel Mr Johnson should resign. None has replied yet.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has retweeted Mr Sunak and Mr Javid’s resignation statements. Mr Smith has been critical of the government’s decision to rewrite parts of the Brexit deal.

Mr Jones is not active on social media but he was among the Conservative rebels who voted for Mr Johnson to step down last month.

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Mr Adams, who is minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, is regarded as a Johnson loyalist. He last tweeted earlier today about England’s victory over India in the Test match.

David Goode, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret:

“Johnson being Johnson will try to. hang on. Until the wider Conservative Party finally make a decision and get rid of him he will stay as long as he can.

“The Andrew Jones’ of this world have to step up and be counted now.”

 

Write-on Ripon open mic evening returns on Thursday

Prolific Ripon author, poet and creative writer Maggie Cobbett will be among those in attendance when the Write-On Ripon open mic event returns on Thursday evening after a short break.

Maggie, one of the city’s best-known authors, told the Stray Ferret:

“Our ‘cavern of creativity’ as we call the cellar area at Curzon Cinema, is proving a great meeting place for all kinds of  writers.

“The open mic evenings staged so far have attracted a broad base of talent, from first-time novelists to people seeking a platform to read out work jotted down in a notepad.”

Event organiser, creative writer and the founder of Ripon Spookers, Dion Child, said:

“It’s marvellous to have experienced and published authors like Maggie at our open mic evenings.

“I’m sure that those who are new to writing benefit from her friendly advice, while enjoying listening to her reading out poems and extracts from her books.

“We took a break in June because of the platinum jubilee and I suspect that the sights and sounds of that wonderful four days of celebration in the city will be reflected in some of the pieces that we hear on Thursday.”

The event, at Curzon Cinema on North Street, free to attend and runs from 7.30pm until 10pm

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National recognition for plant specialism at Himalayan Garden near Ripon

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

National recognition for plant specialism at Himalayan Garden

A visitor attraction near Ripon has been awarded National Plant Collection status by Plant Heritage.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe has been given the award for its collection of rhododendron subsect fortunea, of which it has 29 different types across its 45 acres.

Plant Heritage is a national horticultural charity aiming to conserve the diversity of garden plants in the UK and prevent species becoming extinct.

Jago Wallace, pictured, head of the national collection of rhododendrons at the garden, said:

“We have worked hard to achieve this award, undertaking specific recordings, research, care, and maintenance of these plants to keep them in good condition.

“We have created a new national collection bed to help visitors see the fortunea more closely. With the propagation of our plants being a major aim, all of the garden team have attended master classes on rhododendron propagation, which gives us the skills to improve the care of our national collection.”

The Himalayan Garden also aims to run master classes in future to allow visitors to learn the art of rhododendron propagation.

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Gritter firm builds community links with cricket sponsorship deal

Econ Engineering is sponsoring Thirsk Cricket Club

A Ripon gritter manufacturer has agreed a deal to sponsor Thirsk Cricket Club for the 2022 season.

Econ Engineering, which has recently completed the construction of a £7m engineering facility in Sowerby, has backed the club as it builds its links with the local community.

The company has an 85% share in the UK winter roads maintenance vehicle market

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s managing director, said:

“We are delighted to associate our name with Thirsk Cricket Club, and see this as the start of a long and fruitful partnership.

“Sowerby is now home to our 1,000-strong gritter hire fleet, which is also where they will be serviced ahead of going back out to councils, civil engineering companies and highways contractors across the UK.

“Our rental fleet had previously been based at our Ripon headquarters; however, it has now grown to such a size we needed a new base, therefore extending our operation into Sowerby.

“We are looking to increase our workforce by 50, and we hope we can attract a good number of these from the local community, hence us starting to forge a close relationship with the local community.”

Thirsk Cricket Club secretary David Richardson added:

“We would like to thank Econ Engineering for becoming our latest sponsor. The backing will enable us to continue our coaching for those looking to develop their skills within this sport.”