The raw force of nature is captured in this snow storm photograph by Joe Cornish.
Mr Cornish’s work can be found at Fountains Mill and the follies throughout the water garden and a free exhibition map can be obtained at entrances.
The map will guide visitors on a journey that, through his lens, illustrates how both man and nature have sculpted the landscape.
From the elegant manicured surroundings of the water garden created in the early 18th century by the Aislabie family, to the naturally-formed designs found in fallen trees around the site.
The Temple of Piety is one of the exhibition locations.
In addition to the exhibition map, a trail has been created for children, which aims to engage their imaginations by encouraging them to explore the whimsical themes in Mr Cornish’s work, such as hunting for hidden weather-beaten faces found in the bark of trees.
The Fallen series focuses on a number of trees which have a powerfully sculptural quality. The title given to this aspect of the exhibition, acknowledges the on-going job they do, providing a refuge for many species of tiny creatures, fungi and microbial life.
The children’s trail encourages young people to look for faces in the bark of trees.
Root and branch – the photographs of Joe Cornish feature some of the extraordinary trees at Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal Deer Park.
Within the ornate alcoves of the Banqueting House there are two large-scale panoramic photographs of the sweeping views in the water garden and the Octagon Tower is the venue where visitors can view a series of six photographs themed ‘The Fallen’.
These provide a close-up look at the shapes that nature formed over centuries, on trees felled by storms and other incidents, that remain in situ and provide a wildlife habitat for many different varieties of creatures.
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Parents of children at Boroughbridge High School have criticised Transdev after they claimed the bus company didn’t tell them a school route had been cut.
The V22 Vamooz service took children on the outskirts of Ripon to and from the school in Boroughbridge.
Vamooz is owned by Transdev, which operates several bus services in the Harrogate district, including the 36.
Two parents today told the Stray Ferret they were not told by Vamooz or Transdev that the service was being withdrawn, which meant children were left waiting this morning for a bus that never arrived. They called the situation “chaotic”.
Shanagh Brown’s 15-year-old daughter was unable to make it to school today from her home in Wormald Green.
Ms Brown said she had struggled to get any information about what alternative bus routes to the school there were for her daughter. She feared her child would have to catch a 36 bus into Ripon at 7.15am in order to get to school on time.
Ms Brown said:
“My daughter is upset, she’s just had Easter and wants to get back to school to start revising for her GCSES.
“I found out from another parent that Transdev were withdrawing the service due to low passenger numbers.
“It’s a nightmare and I’m stressing out.”
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Philippa Graham’s 12-year-old son also goes to Boroughbridge High.
He has caught the V22 from Lead Lane for the past two years but returned home this morning after the bus never arrived.
Ms Graham said she was not aware the service had been cut, which she said led to a stressful day for her family.
“Our son came back home having gone to catch his bus and said ‘it’s not turned up mum’.”
“It’s utterly chaotic.”
‘No longer sustainable’
Vamooz’s website says children who normally catch the V22 are able to catch the 36 bus to Ripon from their usual stops before getting another bus, the 22, from Ripon Bus Station.
A Transdev spokesperson said bus passes for the V22 are valid on the 36 and 22. They said all school bus passengers were told that the service was being withdrawn.
They added:
Napkin in toaster causes fire in Harrogate“Less than 10 customers per day used this bus, which was obviously no longer sustainable, and each were contacted via email to make them aware of alternative buses they could use or take up the opportunity of a refund.”
Firefighters were called to a home on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road last night when a napkin in a toaster caused a blaze.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said help was summoned at 7.25pm. It adds:
“Crews attended a fire in a residential building. Fire was caused by a napkin inside a toaster. Fire was out on arrival.
“Minor fire damage to toaster and napkin. Crews gave resident advice.”
In a busy night for the fire and rescue service, firefighters were later called to a single vehicle collision near Summerbridge in which a man was taken to hospital with suspected pelvic injuries.
The collision occurred at 9.25pm at Middlesmoor. The incident log says:
“One male was trapped and crews extricated him using hydraulic cutting gear. Male is believed to have pelvis injuries and was taken to hospital.”
Firefighters were also called when a children’s toy car caught fire in a rear yard off Market Place, Ripon, shortly after 6pm. The fire was out on arrival.
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Ripon Spa Croquet club offers free sessions at new home
Ripon Spa Croquet Club is enjoying a renaissance in its new surroundings of Studley Royal Cricket Club.
Covid lockdown from March 2020 and the subsequent sale of Spa Hotel, where the croquet players had been based for almost 30 years, signalled the need for relocation.
The move to SRCC is now complete, with hoops in place to play on a lovingly-tended surface adjacent to the cricket pitch.
The aim is to build on the club’s heritage, which saw international matches and world-class players do battle on the lawns of the hotel’s gardens.
The club’s international pedigree
Formed in the early 1990s as Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club, It was founded by Croquet Association Federation officer Keith Smith, hotel owner Andrew Hutchinson and managing director Samantha Currie.
It soon attracted players from across the district, including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.
By 1997, Ms Currie, Mr Hutchinson and clubmate Syd Jones all achieved world rankings and took part in the GC World Championships in Cairo.
While the club’s historic achievements provide many happy memories for its older members, the emphasis now is on the future.
Chair and chief coach Ted Flexman told the Stray Ferret:
“With the fabulous facilities that we have at the Studley Royal ground, there is the potential to create one of the best croquet clubs in the north.”
One man went to mow – Studley Royal Cricket Club groundsman Trevor Rose.
The club is offering two free introductory taster sessions on April 25 and 27 to attract new members. The sessions are open to people of all ages and anybody wishing to attend should contact the club in advance. Further details are available by clicking on this link.
Club secretary Sue I’Anson said:
“This is a great game for people of all ages and abilities, with the more seasoned players helping newcomers to master the technique of swinging the mallet and making good contact with the ball.”
This has certainly been the experience of member Rod Grant, who added:
“I’d never played croquet before and then Ted invited me have a game and I have enjoyed taking part ever since.”
Sue I’Anson is pictured with, from the left Ted Flexman, Roger I’Anson and Rod Grant
Top facilities
SRCC, with teams in the York & District Senior League Premier Division and 3 more in the Nidderdale League divisions 2, 5 and 7, has one of the best clubhouses of any amateur cricket club in Yorkshire and its pitch among the biggest in the county.
Mr Flexman said:
“We have been made very welcome here and look forward to a long and happy relationship as we play our complementary sports side by side.
“Both require good hand/eye coordination and we hope that some of the bowlers and batsmen try their hand at swinging a mallet.”
Roger I’Anson, who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:
“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”
Harry Whitaker, the owner of Mastachoice Fencing and Fabrication and apprentice Charlie Lister, constructing a storage shed that will be used to store croquet equipment
Roger I’Anson, who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:
“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”
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Five year old Harrogate boy wins competition with ‘happy pizza’ design
A five year old Harrogate boy has won a charity competition that will see his ‘happy pizza’ on sale at a local cafe.
The competition, organised by the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, was made to promote the local show ‘Oliver!’ . Around 60 school kids sent in drawings of pizza designs.
Henry Elvin, aged five, was the winner. His pizza face had a ham smile, pepperoni eyes, a tomato nose and sweetcorn for hair.
Competition winner Henry (middle) with his Mum (Katy) & Dad (Dan) and two actors from ‘Oliver,’ Amber & Grace
The creation will be on sale at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen, and £2.00 of every pizza bough will be donated to the Harrogate District Foodbank. Henry also won four tickets to see Oliver next week.
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Hannah Ruddy, from the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society , said:
“Some of the themes in Oliver! surround poverty and going without. Sadly, we are all too aware there is still a huge issue and far too many people have to rely on the support of organisations, such as local foodbanks.
“As well as providing a food donation point at Harrogate Theatre foyer throughout the show’s run, we also wanted to get younger people involved, and thought the competition would be a nice way to raise awareness. We are grateful to Starling for joining us in this and agreeing to make a donation from their weekly special.”
‘Oliver!’ will be shown at Harrogate theatre from 20th-23rd April, and will feature 25 local children from ages six years old and above.
Festival plans ahead as Ripon canal boat makes its returnAlongside Ripon’s iconic cathedral and historic market, canal cruises are on the list of visitor and tourist attractions on a sign guiding motorists to the city centre.
Many of those tempted for the first time to make the turn off the bypass to ‘stay awhile amid Ripon’s ancient charms’ may not realise that this place is also a waterway wonderland, with three rivers, a wetlands area with lake and the hidden gem of a canal.
The arrival of the railway at the height of Victorian Britain’s industrial revolution, spelled the end of the line for the man-made navigation. But far-sighted people in the city saw its environmental, leisure and recreational potential and saved it.
Now there are plans in hand to celebrate the canal’s 250th anniversary in September 2023 — an event that will also give visitors a chance to enjoy Ripon’s wealth of watery assets.
The Ure, Skell and Laver each have their own characteristics and attractions, including wooded walks, along river banks linked by iron, stone. concrete and wooden bridges.
A wooded walk along the River Skell, which runs parallel with Ripon Canal
There’s a ford crossing the Skell that is safe to drive through when water levels allow and stepping stones, which are popular with pedestrians and dog walkers.
Otters have been spotted in the city’s rivers and canal, signalling the fact that water quality has been dramatically improved, thanks to the work of conservation volunteers, the Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency.
The canal’s 250th anniversary
Richard Willis, who owns and operates Ripon Scenic Cruises and provides trips from the canal basin off Bondgate Green, is planning the festival that will celebrate the waterway’s notable milestone.
Richard Willis is planning a festival in the canal basin in September 2023
In this, his 16th season of offering scenic journeys aboard his custom-made Pride of Ripon canal boat, Mr Willis is already looking forward to next year.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“This is a magnificent opportunity for Ripon to put itself in the UK spotlight for enthusiasts and people who enjoy the gentle and idyllic pleasures of waterside or waterborne leisure activities.”
The picturesque approach to the canal basin
He is well-placed to speak about the magnetic attraction that brings people back time and again after they have had their first cruise.
Mr Willis said:
“We have regular customers who have been coming to us for years from across the Harrogate district and further afield.
“They come specifically for a cruise and while here, they visit the cathedral, museums and other attractions in the city – all good for the tourist economy.”
He added:
“The Pride of Ripon was tied up for a lot of last year because of the covid lockdown, but once restrictions lifted in July, we were busy every day.
“At the end of the season we were able to reflect on our best-ever year of operating here.
“That’s why I am so confident that a canal-focused festival in the basin will be a great success.”
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Ripon’s annual St Wilfrid Procession under threat
A large annual parade that has taken place in Ripon for about 1,000 years is under threat.
Thousands of people turn out for St Wilfrid’s Procession, which celebrates the city’s patron saint.
The procession sees decorated floats travel around the city led by an actor playing St Wilfrid on a horse, followed by musicians, dancers and finally the Wakeman of Ripon.
There are also stalls and events on the Market Square for what is one of Ripon’s main events of the year.
The parade traditionally takes place on the last Saturday of July but covid prevented it taking place for the last two years.
Most funding comes from street collections on the day. But when the organising committee applied for a street collection permit for this year’s event, on July 30, it discovered Harrogate Borough Council had already granted a permit to another organisation — and only one a day is allowed.
The council told St Wilfrid’s Procession committee it was unable to reveal the identity of the other organisation because of data protection legislation.
This prompted the committee to put an appeal on social media asking for anyone who knew who it was to get in touch to see if a solution could be reached.
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A committee spokesman said:
“We want an open discussion with whoever has the permit to see if they are able to switch days.
“Without a permit, the procession won’t take place next year because most donations are made on the day from people who give to fundraisers with buckets.”
The spokesman stressed nobody was to blame for the “unfortunate coincidence” and the council was trying to help find a solution.
The Stray Ferret contacted the council but did not receive a reply.
Burglars steal air rifles and pistol from Ripon shop
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about the theft of rifles and a pistol from a vintage shop in Ripon.
Thieves broke through one of the front door panels at All Kinds of Everything on Kirkgate and stole second hand items including two air rifles and one vintage pistol.
The incident occurred between 4pm on January 13 and 9am on January 14.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:
“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help gain any further information surrounding the full circumstances of the incident.
“In particular we are appealing for information about the vintage weapons seen in the pictures, one particularly distinctive rifle with the wording WALKER across the centre.”
Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to Deborah Utley. You can also email deborah.utley@northyorkshire.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220007164.
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Ripon Races set for first meeting of season tomorrow
Ripon Races is under starter’s orders for its first fixture of the new season tomorrow.
Yorkshire’s garden racecourse, as the venue is known, will be hoping for a smooth year after two years of covid restrictions severely curtailed activities.
Gates open at 11am for the first of 17 days racing this year.
Jonathan Mullin, hoping for an uninterrupted season at Ripon Races
Tomorrow’s Easter family day’s first race at 1pm will feature new sponsor Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.
Jonathan Mullin, operations and marketing manager at the Boroughbridge Road racecourse, told the Stray Ferret:
“After two years of covid restrictions, we are looking forward to what we hope will be an uninterrupted season and plenty of racegoers through the gates.
“At a time when there is a squeeze on family budgets, we are offering reduced price entry to the paddock and club enclosures at all of our evening meetings The reduction will be 23% and 12% respectively.”
William Hill is maintaining its long-term sponsorship at Ripon.
This season’s running of the valuable William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap, on Saturday August 13, has added significance, with 2022 marking the 1,350th anniversary of Ripon’s patron saint founding the city’s cathedral.
New this season is a Stables Championship run in partnership with organic plant-based grooming products manufacturer, Goodbye Flys.
The stable staff of the yard that accrues the highest points total across the 2022 season will be crowned champions and receive a £5,000 cash prize, with £2,000 going to the runners-up and £1,000 to the third placed team.
Titanium Racing Club and Grantley Hall Hotel are both returning race sponsors and NE-Bet is continuing its sponsorship of the owners and trainers enclosure.
The covid vaccination programme
Ripon Races has been a key site in the covid vaccination programme.
Mr Mullin said:
“The racecourse management and course staff were proud to support the NHS and many volunteers involved in setting up and operating the covid vaccination centre here.
“Thousands of people received their jabs and boosters in the Wakeman Bar and we will continue to help the NHS when our facilities are required for the vaccination programme.”
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Ripon sends giant birthday card to the Queen
The right royal city of Ripon is sending many happy returns to the Queen — along with a very special card.
The card, larger than any Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle windowsill can accommodate, has been produced in time for delivery for the monarch’s 96th birthday on April 21.
Accompanying eight-year-old Edward Blythe’s giant imaginative creation, will be a book containing thousands of birthday greetings from the people of Ripon.
Edward, a pupil of Moorside Primary School, told the Stray Ferret:
“I decided to have a corgi wearing a crown as my design, because I know they are the Queen’s favourite dog.
“I hope she likes it.”
Edward and his winning design, is pictured with, from the left: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, city council leader Andrew Williams, Claire Rowett, headteacher of Moorside Primary School and Jeremy Dunford of Ripon Together
Ahead of its extensive programme of platinum jubilee events in June, Ripon City Council decided it would be a fitting early kick off to the celebrations, if it sent the Queen a special birthday card.
Hundreds of primary and secondary pupils and students at schools in Ripon and the wider area, took part in the project, supported by the council, Ripon Cathedral and Ripon Together.
Cllr Parkin said:
“This city has extremely long royal roots, going back to Alfred the Great in 886 and his donation of a ceremonial horn to his loyal supporters, for fighting off a Viking attack.
“Ripon also fought on the side of the Royalists in the English Civil War and our Royal Engineers have enjoyed the Freedom of The City since 1949.”
Former Moorside primary pupil Cllr Williams, added:
“As well as being a good fun exercise for the schools, asking children to create a special card for the Queen, has provided a creative way of letting them find out more about her incredible 70 years of service to this country.”
Year 3 pupil Edward was congratulated for the striking multi-textured card by Moorside Primary headteacher Claire Rowett, who said:
“This is a fantastic achievement, well done to him.
“We are currently planning our jubilee celebrations as a school.”
Production of the card was handled by Jeremy Dunford, of Ripon Together, who said:
“It will be sent by special delivery – Royal Mail, of course!”
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