An 81-year-old disabled gran from Ripon missed a special moment with her granddaughter because a council van was parked in a disabled space.
The woman, who asked not to be named, had been driven to Holy Trinity primary school to surprise her granddaughter at pick-up time.
But she was unable to park near enough to the school to do so because the disabled space was taken.
She contacted the Stray Ferret to raise awareness of the need for drivers to be more considerate.
She said:
“My granddaughter has recently started at the school and I knew it would be a lovely surprise for her if she came out of her classroom and I was there to meet her.
“I can only walk very short distances and was taken to the school by my son, but had to stay in the car while he went to Holy Trinity to collect his daughter.”
The woman, who is a blue badge holder, added:
“It was distressing and I would just like to ask those able bodied people, who think it’s OK to park in bays provided for the disabled, to be more considerate.”
Jeremy Dunford urges able bodied drivers to leave disabled bays free.
Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum, said:
“When people see empty accessible parking bays or areas they tend to think the following: ‘I will only be a couple of minutes’ or ‘There is plenty of space for others’.
“Others just think ‘I’m in a rush, so where’s the harm?'”
“These people do it for their convenience and, to be brutally honest, to avoid having to walk too far.
“This is an option that many people with disabilities do not have.”
Read more:
Mr Dunford said the scenario facing the grandmother was common to all disabled drivers. He added:
“It is not about having to be near to a specific shop every time, it is about having access to buildings, areas and facilities with the relative ease that able bodied people have.
“We also have to say that parking up with a disabled passenger, leaving them in the car, and then going off is also unacceptable. This is also down to laziness
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“We’d like to apologise to the Harrogate district resident who sadly could not park in the disabled parking bay near Holy Trinity School in Ripon.
“Our vehicle shouldn’t haven’t been parked there and we be reminding staff who drive work vehicles the importance of disabled bays.”
Police to spell out plans to tackle crime in Ripon
North Yorkshire Police is holding a public meeting in Ripon this month to talk about its plans to tackle crime in the city.
There are longstanding concerns about persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in Ripon, with problems particularly prevalent during summer.
At the community engagement meeting on May 16, police will spell out how they plan to address the issues.
A police social media post said the meeting will “share with you the current crime statistics and trends for your wards, provide you with an operational overview of how your area is currently policed and also tell you about the proposed plans for the future”.
It added:
“The purpose of this meeting is to ensure your voice is heard with regards to how your community is policed.
“By voicing your concerns direct to us you will enable North Yorkshire Police to target and tailor our resources and plans to better meet your needs and prevent issues or escalation in your community.
“This is an open invite to all local residents, concerned people and partners agencies that are concerned in community support to come along and provide your perspective.”
Read more:
- Police launch crackdown on underage drinking in Ripon
- Ripon construction worker’s death an accident, inquest concludes
- Two free events for Ripon literary lovers on Thursday evening
The post added that people will “be invited to highlight any community issues, tensions or criminality that are affecting you”.
Inspector Alex Langley, from the Ripon neighbourhoods policing team, will chair the meeting, which will take place from 8pm to 9pm at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre on Dallamires Lane.
Underage drinking crackdown
These partnerships see police work with retailers, schools, neighbourhood groups, Trading Standards, local authorities and other emergency and health services to reduce alcohol problems.
As part of the initiative, retailers are assessed by Trading Standards and police to check they are not selling alcohol to children.
Ripon construction worker’s death an accident, inquest concludes
An inquest into the death of Dean Christopher Myers, who was struck by a digger on a Ripon construction site, has concluded it was an accident.
Mr Myers, 56, died on January 13 last year whilst working as a ground worker for the HACS group at a site on Whitcliffe Avenue.
The Scotton man’s cause of death was a severe head injury due to blunt force trauma. Today’s hearing at Pavilions of Harrogate examined the circumstances surrounding his death.
It heard that at the time of his death, Mr Myers was stationed in a manhole in a three metre-deep trench, which had been dug for sewage pipes.
Fellow construction workers Lee James and Andrew Temple said it was not unusual for workers to be positioned in the manhole.
Mr James was standing at the top of the trench, acting as a guide for machine operator Mr Temple. Both said the arm of the digger had got stuck, probably on some limestone in the ground, and this was when Mr James saw Mr Myers put his head out of the manhole to look at what was stopping the digger.
Read more:
- Harrogate Thalidomide campaigner lays wreath 60 years on
- Inquest concludes no single factor led to Harrogate woman’s suicide
Mr James said he shouted to Mr Myers twice but got no response so he urged Mr Temple to stop before getting into the trench to check on Mr Myers.
The court heard the digger had become unstuck and started to move again, which was when it struck Mr Myers.
‘No sign of negligence’
A statement read out by police officers at the scene said:
“This was an unfortunate accident caused by Mr Myers putting his head out of the hole at the wrong time. There was no sign of negligent or criminal activity.”
In a witness statement, health and safety inspector Benjamin Cairns said it was a typical construction site set-up with no obvious safety concerns.
When asked by coroner Jonathan Leach whether it was appropriate for Mr Myers to be in the manhole, he said:
“If I witnessed that [a construction worker in the man hole] on site I would have asked the person to leave.”
Mr Myers’ work colleagues at the inquest described him as “more conscious than most” about safety and an experienced construction worker. They said they were unsure why he stuck his head out.
After hearing multiple statements, the nine-person jury concluded Mr Myers’ death was an accident.
Mark Smith, managing director of the HACS group, which employed Mr Myers for eight years, told the Stray Ferret afterwards:
Woman seriously injured in car crash near Lightwater Valley“We would like to say how sorry we are at the loss of a valued colleague and our thoughts are with the family at this time.”
A woman has suffered serious leg injuries in a four-car collision near the entrance to Lightwater Valley Adventure Park.
The incident happened at the theme park on the A6108 near Ripon at around 4.35pm on Saturday, April 30. It involved a white BMW estate, a blue BMW, a grey Audi, a grey Mercedes Benz and a silver Suzuki car.
The woman, in the grey Audi, is receiving treatment at hospital. Other drivers and passengers received treatment for minor injuries.
The road remained closed until 8.20pm while the emergency services worked at the scene and carried out a full collision investigation.
North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw the collision or recalls seeing any of the vehicles prior to the incident to get in touch. Officers are also appealing for any dash-cam footage that could assist with the investigation.
To offer information, email ben.prosser-waite@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Ben Prosser-Waite.
The reference number is 12220073181.
Read more:
- 64 sheep worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen in Harrogate district
- Teen girl referred to youth panel after Harrogate McDonald’s police attack
Two free events for Ripon literary lovers on Thursday evening
Writers and poetry fans have a choice of two free events to attend in Ripon on Thursday at the library and Curzon Cinema.
At 7pm in the library, Rod Dimbleby from the Yorkshire Dialect Society, will speak about the life and work of John Hartley.
The prolific West Riding poet, author and performer, was born in Halifax in 1839 and was famous in Victorian England for his Yorkshire dialect poems.
After his work, Bite Bigger,was published by Alfred Wilson — a hatter by trade — Hartley’s career took off and was a sell-out hit that had to be re-printed because of demand.
Wilson, who became Hartley’s father-in-law when the poet married his daughter Sophia, published the Clock Almanack (named after the clock outside his hatter’s shop) and Hartley was the editor for more than 25 years.
Those wishing to attend Mr Dimbleby’s talk are asked to book tickets in advance
Write-on Ripon
Also on Thursday evening, with a start time of 7.30, Write-On Ripon is holding its third open mic evening at Curzon Cinema on North Street.
Dion Child, who launched the creative writing group last year, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our free-to-attend weekly meetings on Tuesday afternoons have attracted attendance from people ranging from published authors, such as Maggie Cobbett, to poets who enjoy playing with words.
“The open mic events, which began in February, are a natural extension of the writers’ group and provide a platform for writers to present their work to an audience of like-minded people.”
He added:
“I’m so pleased that they have taken off and we extend a welcoming hand to those among the ranks of Ripon writers, who want to come along.
“Curzon has kindly allowed us to use its facilities free of charge and the vaulted cellar under the cinema, where the acoustics and atmosphere are tremendous, has led us to give it the nickname of ‘the cavern of creativity’ in a nod to the Liverpool venue, from which the Fab Four found fame.”
Read more:
Beer festival finale to Ripon Cathedral’s celebration weekend
The quarter hour chime of the cathedral clock reminded visitors to Dean John Dobson’s Ripon garden that it was time to toast a successful launch to the city’s 1350 celebrations.
There was also a sense of relief that the annual beer festival he and his family host was back after two years of covid lockdowns.
Dean John, enjoying his pint of Wilfrid’s Ale — specially created in honour of Ripon’s patron saint — told the Stray Ferret:
“People have clearly missed it and this is looking like our biggest-ever turn out.
“It’s a great conclusion to the 1350 launch weekend, which provided the prelude to a whole host of activities and events between now and October.”
The bar team at the beer festival, ready to serve the first customers.
Bishop’s fingers on the pump – the Rt Revd. Jonathan Gibbs, who is the Bishop of Huddersfield, gave the bar team a helping hand
Baby Levi and his dad, Ben, were also on bar duty
To accompany the food and beers, seven bands provided live music.
The hundreds of people present between 11.30am and 5pm to try out some fine examples of the brewers’ craft, added to the thousands who had visited the cathedral for a wide range of events, talks and displays in honour of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in AD 672.
Read more:
Election 2022: Ripon Minster and Moorside candidate preview
Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Ripon Minster and Moorside division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Thomas Averre, Conservative
Thomas Averre will be the Conservative candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.
Mr Averre said he was standing for North Yorkshire Council to “bring new energy into local government and improve local services”.
He said his priorities for council would be restoring faith in politics, improving Ripon’s infrastructure and to make “the most of the opportunities the new unitary authority is bringing”, including funding and new powers.
Mr Averre said:
“Candidates are elected to represent the views of residents, but often seem to have the answers before they have asked the questions.
“Trust and credibility matters to me so I’m not making lots of promises that can’t be delivered or airing a view on issues I won’t be able to influence, but instead outlining my priorities that will guide my approach if elected. On straightforward issues like potholes and litter, I will work quickly to fix them and keep residents updated on progress.
“On complex issues like social care funding, planning and economic development, I will take time to listen to residents and fully understand issues before coming to a judgement based on the Council’s capabilities and Ripon’s needs.”
Andrew Williams, Independent
Andrew Williams will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Williams, who lives in the city, is currently the leader of Ripon City Council.
He is one of two independent candidates standing in divisions in Ripon.
On why he is standing for the new North Yorkshire Council, Mr Williams said he wanted Ripon to have a “greater say over its own affairs”.
Mr Williams said:
“As a lifelong Riponian I am passionate about Ripon but not about party politics which is why I am standing as an Independent so that I can speak up for Ripon rather than been directed how to speak by a political party.
“North Yorkshire County Council has had an overwhelming Conservative majority for years and look at the state of the roads in Ripon and the cuts to youth services which they have imposed upon our city.
“Unlike my Conservative opponent I live in Ripon and the decisions taken regarding Ripon impact my family as much as they do you, it’s time for Ripon to have a greater say over its own affairs and every Independent vote on Thursday will help to achieve it.”
Thomas Cavell-Taylor, Liberal Democrat
Thomas Cavell-Taylor is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.
Mr Cavell-Taylor will be one of two Liberal Democrats standing in divisions in Ripon.
He is currently a co-opted governor at Ripon Grammar School.
Mr Cavell-Taylor ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Spa ward on Harrogate Borough Council in May 2018, but lost to the Conservatives.
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Miles of bunting wrapped around Ripon for the jubilee
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.”
Read more:
- Meet the women who are knitting for the Queen
- Birthday card sent to the Queen from right royal Ripon
MPs Watch: ‘Partygate’ questions rumble on
Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.
This month our MPs gave their thoughts on the partygate scandal as well as on Rishi Sunak’s wife’s tax affairs.
We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.
Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.
Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.
In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found out on Mr Jones:
- On April 6, Mr Jones added his voice to the widespread disappointment that the area has not been awarded any money from the government’s Bus Back Better scheme.
- This month, the government launched controversial plans to send ‘illegal’ asylum seekers to Rwanda. On April 20, Mr Jones voted for an ammendment to the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill to enshrine this power in law.
- Mr Jones visited Harrogate’s job centre on April 13, where he posed for a photo with Aldi and Warner Hotels employees who were recruiting.
- On April 19 in Parliament, Mr Jones asked for more information about the controversial asylum seekers processing centre in Linton-on-Ouse. He asked: “When might it open? what is its capacity? and how many local jobs will be created?”
- Speaking in the Commons on April 21, Mr Jones backed an investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over “partygate”.
- Mr Jones has not updated his official website since January.
- During a Commons debate on April 26, Mr Jones responded to calls from some Labour MPs to bring trains into public ownership. Mr Jones said Labour “haven’t got a clue” and that rail travel has thrived since privatisation.
- On April 26, Mr Jones said it was ‘deeply disappointing’ that the Taliban in Afghanistan had suspended secondary school classes for girls.
- On April 27, Mr Jones voted in favour of the government’s Elections Bill, which aims to tackle election fraud.
Read more:
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.
In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:
- On April 8, Mr Smith defended Chancellor and fellow North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy after she volunteered to pay more tax. He tweeted: “Not required in law but this is right decision. Both Rishi Sunak and Ashkata Murty have shown dedication to North Yorkshire & the United Kingdom over many years. Diversity of origin, background & roots is to be celebrated as is a v successful woman as well as a v successful man.”
- Mr Smith congratulated journalist and Grassington man Chris Mason on his appointment as the new BBC political editor. “Great news! Ermysted’s Grammar School old boys smashes it again!”
- Mr Smith voted in favour of a clause in the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill that commits the UK to receiving 10,000 refugees a year through official resettlement schemes.
- Mr Smith also voted to send ‘illegal’ asylum seekers abroad.
- On April 27, Mr Smith also voted in favour of the government’s Elections Bill.
- On April 28, the Ripon MP visited the city’s cathedral for a preview of an event that celebrates its founding in 1350. He said: “Flowers, light, sound – it has it all. Get along this weekend if you can.”
In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:
- On April 9, the MP announced he would be standing down at the next general election. He told the BBC he wanted to spend time on other interests after more than a decade in parliament.
- Mr Adams called criticism by Keir Starmer towards Rishi Sunak’s wife over her tax affairs “distasteful and desperate”.
- On April 12, the MP posted on his website that he welcomed a government ‘crackdown’ on fly tipping.
- On the same day, the MP praised Boris Johnson for his trip to Ukraine to meet president Zelensky. “Outstanding leadership from both men”, he tweeted.
- The MP hailed the government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in Africa. He tweeted: “This plan will deter and prevent thousands of dangerous channel crossings organised by people smugglers who care not if their clients drown or not. If you think that is ‘inhumane and horrific’ there’s not much more I can add.”
- On April 12, Mr Adams said it was time to let Boris Johnson ‘get on with the job’ after being fined by the police for breaking lockdown rules.
Three years ago, David Elstob had the urge to open his own auction house. It was an ambitious idea for a 34-year-old with a large mortgage and a toddler, but he felt it was now or never.
After cutting his teeth at a site in Bedale, he relocated to Ripon Business Park where he now hosts auctions every four weeks, specialising in fine art, antiques, and silver and jewellery.
It has been quite a journey. Mr Elstob opened in Ripon in December 2019 — three months before the first national covid lockdown.
But although covid decimated many start-ups, it has had a more favourable impact on auctions by hastening the transition to online bidding and more modern digital approaches, which suits a man who is considerably younger than many in the trade.
Online auctions attract more bidders, meaning higher prices and more commission, which explains why many auction houses still operate remotely post-covid restrictions.
At 37, David Elstob is younger than most auctioneers.
Elstob and Elstob allows bidders back in on sales days but whereas 100 people may have turned up pre-covid, there’s unlikely to be more than 20 these days. Fortunately this is more than offset by the number of online and telephone bidders.
Mr Elstob says:
“We’d love a room full of people again but I don’t think we will ever go back to that.
“Covid has moved things on 10 years. It’s made us work differently — it’s so easy to bid online now.”
£50,000 brooch
As with many things in life, the thrill of live bidding has moved online.
Mr Elstob recalls with infectious excitement hosting the only online auction in Europe one day during the first lockdown in April 2020, when thousands of bidders worldwide competed for 600 lots. Instead of finishing by mid-afternoon as usual, the bids kept coming long into the night.
“It was a phenomenal sale. I don’t think I will ever experience anything like that again. People in Australia started logging on when it got dark over here. I brought the gavel down on the last lot at 9.45pm.”
A Tiffany orchid brooch sold for £50,000, adding to the frisson.
Read more:
- Hot Seat: Farewell to the Harrogate district’s transport chief
- Hot Seat: Leading the Harrogate district’s leisure revolution
Like Morphets of Harrogate and Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn, Elstob and Elstob focuses on high-end collectables rather than general items, like Thompsons Auctioneers in Killinghall and Harrogate Auction Centre, which specialise in house clearances.
His most unusual lot? A bull’s scrotum that had been made into a handbag. It fetched £30. Nostalgia-fuelled 1960s and 1970s furniture is currently fetching good money and the market for Chinese porcelain and art remains strong.
Hidden gems
Mr Elstob, who is originally from Bishop Auckland and has a master’s degree in antiques, initially planned to “go down the surveying / estate agent route and quickly realised that wasn’t for me”.
He headed up the sales room team at Addisons of Barnard Castle in County Durham before becoming director at Thomas Watsons in Darlington.
Outside the sales room in Ripon.
A specialist in 20th century design, particularly the work of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, who was part of the 1920s arts and crafts revival, he is nevertheless a general valuer, who can call on a range of experts for help.
“It’s like being a GP. I might not be able to give you a figure for everything you bring in but I will be able to say if it’s authentic and point you in the right direction.”
Often solicitors get in touch asking him to conduct probate valuations. One such coin collection in Southport was worth £50,000.
Mr Elstob, who enjoys keeping fit and spending time with his daughter, employs five staff. He plans to conduct more specialist sales and online auctions and to run more eBay themed auctions, which appeal to younger people.
At 37, his youthful vigour makes him well placed to capitalise on the changes to auctioneering. But he remains steeped in the traditions of the trade and the thrill of discovering what lurks in the attic:
“My favourite part of the job is being out on the road. You never know what you will find in someone’s home.”