Ripon chef’s arctic marathon to raise funds for suicidal young peoplePatricia Jones-Davies will swap the heat of a Ripon kitchen for the arctic chill of Finland when she reaches another significant milestone on Sunday.
The chef manager at Sunnyfield Lodge Extra Care Housing will celebrate her 50th birthday by taking part in the Arctic Marathon, where competitors can expect temperatures as low as minus 12 centigrade.
Ms Jones-Davies leaves for Helsinki on Thursday, carrying the warmest wishes from residents and colleagues because she is running to raise money for Papyrus UK — a charity that prevents suicide in young people. It is a cause dear to her heart.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“My daughter Anne-Dora went to school in Harrogate with Dom Sowa, who very sadly took his own life at the age of 17.
“In his memory, I ran 17 races over different distances, to both raise money for Papyrus and raise awareness of the wonderful work that it does, by helping young people who have suicidal thoughts.
“I will be thinking of Dom and other young people, while I am running.”
Ms Jones-Davies with some of her supporters at Sunnyfield Lodge.
In Ripon, Patricia has a huge team of supporters at Sunnyfield, which provides 40 one and two-bed retirement apartments. She has worked there for three years.
Among those wishing her good luck is 101-year-old Annie Charnley, who takes a keen interest in all her sporting feats.
They include two Manchester Marathons, a Chester Marathon and a virtual London Marathon.
Man of iron – Patricia’s husband Keri Jones-Davies
Husband Keri is also taking part in Sunday’s event.
He is a multi-talented endurance athlete, who has competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, having also represented GB in his age group at triathlon.
The ironman event involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a 26.2 mile run, so Mr Jones-Davies is well-placed to assist his wife as she trains for her long-distance runs.
She said:
“When it snowed a few weeks ago, I went straight out for a run. It wasn’t as cold as it will be in Finland, but we are well-prepared and have bought all of the right gear for cold-weather running.”
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Call for urgent remedy to Ripon residents’ flooding issueRipon City Council is calling for urgent action and a detailed investigation led by the Environment Agency after Storm Franklin brought unprecedented flooding to Hillshaw Park Way last month.
The owners of 11 affected properties, who are still dealing with insurance claims, a clean up operation and months of misery and disruption ahead, are seeking answers about the causes of the flood amid concerns that the drainage infrastructure serving their area is not fit for purpose.
Residents were invited to an extraordinary meeting of the council called by Mayor and ward councillor Eamon Parkin and fellow ward councillor Sid Hawke.
Irwin Blenkiron and his neighbour Andrew Jarvis spoke on behalf of all residents to highlight their concerns and seek remedial action to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.
Irwin Blenkiron (front, centre) and Andrew Jarvis (checked shirt) spoke on behalf of residents of Hillshaw Park Way at the extraordinary meeting.
Mr Blenkiron, an 80-year-old retired civil servant, told the meeting about an urgent pre-dawn phone call he received from a neighbour on February 21, warning that flood water was rapidly rising in the street in front of his home.
With the need for him and his wife Carol to evacuate their bungalow growing by the minute, cars were moved from the drive to higher ground and friends unaffected by the flood who live further down the street, welcomed them into their warm and dry home.
After the council meeting, Mr Blenkiron told the Stray Ferret:
“My wife and I have lived in the street since 1985 and we have never experienced anything like this before.”
Linda Beck, who has lived in the Hillshaw Park Way for 14 years, has written on behalf of affected residents to Yorkshire Water, expressing doubts about the pumping station and associated drainage infrastructure serving the area.
Yorkshire Water’s pumping station, which serves Hillshaw Park Way and Priest Lane.
She and neighbours believe it is no longer able to cope with increased capacity of water caused by more frequent stormy weather. exacerbated by run-off water from developments, including the nearby St Michael’s Retail Park at Rotary Way and the adjacent Cathedral Meadows residential development.
Linda Beck had to throw away items from her garage after they were saturated by flood water.
Her letter was sent to the developers, along with North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.
The pressure of water, caused by the February 21 flood, blew the cover off one of a series of storm drains located on land to the rear of Mr and Mrs Blenkiron’s home.
Ms Beck, whose garage, drive and back garden were flooded, said:
“I haven’t suffered the same degree of damage that other neighbours have experienced, but it’s a mess, massive inconvenience and I could have done without this.
“We certainly don’t want to have to put up with this again and it is clear to us that action is required.”
Andrew Jarvis, like other neighbours, is facing months of misery ahead as he waits for his home to dry out.
Those views are shared by Mr Jarvis, who who has lived in Hillshaw Park Way for 30 years. He pointed out:
“We need the causes of the February flood to be sorted out before the next storm arrives.
“The flood waters were totally unexpected and rose so quickly that there was no way of keeping them out of my house and garage.
“Now, along with Mr and Mrs Blenkirion, Linda and other neighbours on the street, I’m having to deal with the clean-up operation, with dehumidifiers around my home on virtually all the time making it hard to sleep.
“I even had to find a temporary home for my tropical fish, because it’s not suitable to have the aquarium here in these conditions.”
Yorkshire Water’s response
In response to the the letter sent by Ms Beck, Anthony Sumner, Yorkshire Water operational complaints champion, said that the flooding in Hillshaw Park Way occurred after the River Ure burst its banks and “the main surface water line out of Ripon had nowhere to go”.
Mr Sumner added:
“We were called to the sewerage pumping station as we had a report from a customer who thought the flooding was as a result of our asset failing.
“We met with a customer and showed that the sewerage pumping station was pumping as normal (by lifting both pumps and checked (sic) the rising main discharge point) .The issue as far as the pumping station was concerned was that it was taking on flood water and surface water (and) as such therefore couldn’t cope.
“There has never been any question for needing to increase capacity at this pumping station under normal conditions.
“Regarding increasing the size of the pumps, when the system was designed it was determined that the size of the pumps would meet the needs of the area, as has been shown under normal circumstances our pumps meet the requirements they were designed for.
“We would not look to increase the size or capacity at this time. Increasing the capacity of the pumps would detriment (sic) residents and communities further down the system especially during exceptional rainfall and severe storms similar to the ones we have recently experienced.”
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Call for investigation by the Environment Agency
Cllr Hawke said:
“The problem with this response is that weather events like Storm Franklin and before that Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, are becoming the norm and are occurring more frequently.
“Once you add in the additional waste and drainage water generated by new housing and other developments in Ripon, it is clear that capacities are going to be stretched on a more regular basis.
“That is why we want the Environment Agency, as the rivers authority, to head the investigation into what happened at Hillshaw Park Way in February, so that urgent improvements can can be made.
Derelict Ripon pub to be converted into homePlans to convert the former Turks Head pub in Ripon into a house have been approved.
The pub on Low Skellgate closed in 2007 and will be converted into a five-bedroom home. The building is listed and dates back to the 18th century.
Since the pub closed, planning documents state there have been several attempts to reopen it without success.
The documents add that in the years before the pub’s closure there were numerous complaints from residents living nearby. They add there are 14 other pubs within a short walk away.
The building is currently on Harrogate Borough Council’s Listed Buildings at Risk Register due to its deteriorating condition.
Although the building is watertight, planning documents say few of the original internal features remain intact.
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The planning application includes statements from nearby residents who said they would be against any attempts to bring the building back into use as a pub.
One unnamed person called the building “a blot on the architectural landscape”.
The resident added:
“Something desperately needs to happen with it and converting it into a private residence sounds like the very best option to me. Having spoken to various neighbours they all agree.
“If there was ever an attempt to reopen the pub, I, along with many neighbours, would be petitioning against that course of action.”
A recent picture of the pub. Credit – David & Lund
Ripon Spa Baths is set to be sold to a commercial developer after a bid to retain the building for community use failed.
Harrogate Borough Council, which has owned the Edwardian building since the reorganisation of local government in 1974, has confirmed that it intends to sell the Park Street property to the unnamed commercial bidder.
Ripon City Council successfully applied for for the building to be listed as an asset of community value in September. This meant it had six months to raise the finance to purchase the building to keep it in commercial use. But time has now run out.
The city council also called this month for the ownership of the Grade II listed building, which was used as a swimming pool until it closed in November, to be transferred back to Ripon without charge when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year.
Ripon councillors argued that Spa Baths and other city assets, including the town hall, Hugh Ripley Hall, Market Square, Spa Gardens and Spa Park, should be handed back for free by Harrogate Borough Council as it had not paid a penny for them.
The building is recognised as a key heritage asset by Ripon Civic Society
But Harrogate Borough Council’s response to Ripon City Council’s request for the reversion of ownership, seen by the Stray Ferret, confirms the building will be sold to a developer.
Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy and culture said in the email, which has been circulated to all city councillors:
“As you are aware we are selling Ripon Spa Baths because a brand new pool has been built in Ripon and this building is no longer needed.
“Our main objective through this disposal is to ensure that the building continues to be used in future and supports the sustainability of Ripon City Centre. To achieve this objective we have undertaken a comprehensive sales strategy which generated market interest in purchasing the building.
“The preferred bidder can demonstrate the experience, capacity and capability in bringing buildings back into use. In addition the proposed sale to the current preferred bidder will generate a capital receipt.
“The generation of capital receipts for assets that are no longer needed allows significant investment to be made in new assets, such as the new Ripon Pool.”
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“At its meeting on 13 October 2021, Harrogate cabinet have previously agreed to dispose of the building to the preferred bidder.
“As the building is listed as an Asset of Community Value a moratorium period was initiated and implemented where the council has not been able to dispose of the building, now that this period has expired we will execute this decision.
“We believe that this will deliver the best way of ensuring the future, sustainable use of this asset and enable Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Council to continue to invest in the continuous improvement of Ripon City and its neighbourhoods.”
Harrogate district residents’ chance to learn about new North Yorkshire Council
Harrogate district residents are being invited to take part in interactive virtual meetings to learn more about the new North Yorkshire Council.
The new council will start operating in April next year, as part of the largest local government reorganisation since 1974.
The shake-up will see the demise of eight local authorities, including Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council. All the services they provide will transfer to North Yorkshire Council.
Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished next year.
The first locality roadshow is designed for people living in the Ripon and Skipton parliamentary constituency, It will be held next Monday (April 4).
Those living in the Selby and Ainsty constituency are invited to a meeting on April 6 and the virtual meeting for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency will take place on April 12.
All meetings will be held on Teams between 6.30pm and 8pm. Information on how to attend can be found here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/new-council-virtual-roadshows
Among panel members present to answer questions at each meeting, will be Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson and Neil Irving, North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities.
From April 2023, the new authority will deliver all services across the whole of the county. North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton said:
“We value your views and the roadshows will also help to answer any questions and allay any fears that you may have
“This is an exciting moment for North Yorkshire and we are working with our district and borough colleagues and partners to ensure the very best outcomes for our local residents.
“In preparation for April, 2023, we will continue the unitary conversation with residents, communities, the emergency services, our partners in health, education, and the voluntary sector, as well as our members, our towns and parishes and our staff.”
No deals expected between Harrogate district opposition parties ahead of electionNo pacts are expected to be made between opposition parties in the Harrogate district ahead of the May local elections.
Voters will head to the polls in just under six weeks time to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party said it had reached out to both the Liberal Democrats and Labour to discuss a deal to unseat the Conservatives.
However, the Stray Ferret understands that no agreement has been made and that the Lib Dems and Labour are expected to field a candidate in every ward.
Shan Oakes, of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party, said the party had invited opposition groups to come up with a deal.
She said:
“We have invited Labour and the Lib Dems to talk to us.
“Between us, we hope we can get somewhere.”
(Left) Chris Watt, acting chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party and Shan Oakes, Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party.
It follows the Green Party and Liberal Democrats striking a deal in July 2021 when the Greens stood down a candidate and called on supporters to vote for the Lib Dems in the Knaresbroough Scriven Park by-election.
‘We do not agree to any deals’
However, Chris Watt, acting chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said the party will be standing a candidate in every ward on May 5.
He said:
“We do not agree to any deals.
“We will be putting forward our case on the doorstep.”
Mr Watt added that the party will be campaigning on housing, public transport and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Some of the new North Yorkshire Council ward boundaries in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Picture: NYCC.
Meanwhile, Philip Broadbank, who currently represents the Liberal Democrats on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said it was up to individual candidates to make their case.
He said:
“All we can do is get around as much as we can and get the issues raised.
“We have all got to get out there and press our case.”
The Lib Dems are also expected to field a candidate in every seat with a campaign focus on housing, green policies and transport.
Conservatives hoping to hold onto power
Meanwhile, local Conservatives are hoping to increase their share of councillors at the upcoming elections.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives currently hold power on Harrogate Borough Council with 28 seats and hold 14 on North Yorkshire County Council – which is also in overall Tory control.
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Nick Brown, who is a Conservative councillor on the borough council representing Bishop Monkton, said the party was confident ahead of polling day.
“We are very positive and well prepared
“On the doorstep we’ve been explaining what the new authority is going to be about. It is going to be more efficient and it is going to save money.”
Local Conservatives have agreed their list of candidates, which will be published along with other parties on April 6.
Register to vote deadline
A total of 13 councillors will be elected in Harrogate and Knaresborough to the new authority, with an average of 6,194 people to each representative. A further seven will be elected across Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge.
Those wishing to vote in the upcoming election have until April 14 to register to vote. You can register here.
Meanwhile, events will be held online for residents across Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about the upcoming unitary council.
People will be given the opportunity to ask a panel of senior council officials about the changes and what it means for them.
Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, and Neil Irving, from North Yorkshire County Council, will appear on the panel at the event on April 12. You can find more information on how to attend here.
Ripon hairdresser appeals for rollers for unusual Christmas treeThere are nine months to Christmas, the sun is shining and we haven’t had our Easter eggs yet — but Ripon hairdresser Marie Challis already has her festive plans in hand..
Ms Challis, who has owned and run Cameo’s hair salon on North Street for 20 years, is planning a Christmas creation to enter in the Winter Wonderland Alternative Christmas Tree competition at Spa Gardens in December.
What she needs are rollers — and lots of them! She plans to put her creative talents to use by transforming them into a festive tree.
Ms Challis told the Stray Ferret
“People may think I’m crackers, but you have to plan ahead and I need to collect as many hair rollers as possible by September so that I can start making my tree.
“It doesn’t matter what shape, size, colour or material that the rollers are made from. I’m asking customers to let me have any that they no longer use.”
Ms Challis, who comes from a highly-creative family, headed by mum Hazel Barker, whose designs for the Ripon Community Poppy Project adorn the city’s streets each year, will be a first-time entrant in the Christmas competition.
She said:
“I’ve already had a good response to a note that I put in my salon window, but I’m going to need a few hundred more rollers for the design I have in mind, so it’s a case of the more the merrier, because the greater the number, the bigger the tree.”
Anybody who was planning to take their unused rollers to the tip, is invited to take them to Cameo’s instead and watch out for them turning up later this year as part of an unusual Christmas tree.
Amazing aerial photos of Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough from 100 years agoAmazing photos taken above Harrogate district skies during the first half of the 20th century have been published by Historic England.
The public body this week opened up an archive of over 400,000 shots capturing Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon during a bygone era.
The photos were taken by a company called Aerofilms, which was a pioneering firm of commercial aerial photographers formed in 1919. It combined the fledgling technologies of flight and photography.
We’ve included some of the best photos below but if you visit Historic England’s website and type in a location you will be able to view more from its archive.
The photographers also captured villages such as Pannal during the 1940s when it looked much smaller than the present day.
How has Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough changed since these photos were taken?
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The present-day Prince of Wales roundabout, 1921
West Park Stray, 1921
Knaresborough Road, Granby Road, Skipton Road, 1921
Queen Ethelburga’s school, Pennypot Lane, Harrogate, 1926
Knaresborough Castle and the town centre, 1926
Ripley, 1926
Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods, 1928
Goldsborough, 1928
Knaresborough, 1926
Ripon, Williamson varnish and enamel works, 1932
Knaresborough, 1946
Pannal, 1949
Octavious Atkinson, Starbeck 1952
Six outdoor workouts to try across the Harrogate district this spring and summerWe have been bathed in glorious sunshine this week and it feels amazing to get outside and feel the sun on our skin again.
While our sunny disposition may change with the weather, it’s always good to make the most of it while you can – and that includes exercising outdoors.
Because, let’s face it, the treadmill and weights areas just don’t have the same appeal when it’s warm outside.
If you’ve only ever really worked out at a gym, however, you might be wondering how to make your sweat session an al fresco experience.
From wild swimming and cycling to bootcamps and running, here are six outdoor workouts across the Harrogate district to get you out in the sunshine this spring and summer:
A Set the Tone outdoor fitness session.
Head fitness coach Stu Clark and his team run outdoor sessions across Ripon and Knaresborough.
You can expect a mixture of cardio and non-cardio exercises and activities, along with fun warm-ups, team and pair work, accompanied by some “excellent tunes”.
The sessions are suitable for all levels of fitness.
Stu said:
“There’s nothing better than breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your back while you’re doing squats or a one-minute plank.
“It makes you feel alive. There’s something about being in amongst nature and hearing those sounds that brings peace and calm.
“You can forget your other pressures and focus on enjoying the outdoors – even if that involves getting a bit of a sweat on and doing more star jumps than you thought possible.
“The sessions and are great fun. After all, laughter is great for your stress levels and may lower blood pressure.”
Parkrun – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon
A parkrun in Harrogate from 2015.
Parkrun sees runners of all abilities take part in a 5km run every Saturday morning.
It holds three events in the Harrogate district: on The Stray in Harrogate, at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough and at Fountains Abbey in Ripon.
It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the beautiful green spaces and get physically active at the same time – and best of all, it’s free!
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Wild swimming – various locations
Ben Pitts tests the waters at Janet’s Foss in Malhamdale.
Wild – or outdoor – swimming has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, with more and more people even braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons.
If winter swimming sounds a little on the chilly side, then luckily late spring and early summer is a more favourable time to start.
Wild swimmer Ben Pitts, from Harrogate, said:
“I started back in 2019 with a friend from work. For some reason we decided November would be a great time to start, so there was actually frost in the shaded part around the lake. I’m pretty sure we were only in there for a minute, but that was long enough.
“I wanted to get into it after reading about the benefits of it in one of Ross Edgley’s books.
“The mental clarity you get from being in the cold and the rush of energy once you’re out are fantastic, so it’s not hard to see why more people are getting into it with everything that has been going on. It also increases your white blood cell count, which helps your immune system.”
Swimming outdoors is a great way to stay fit and connect with nature, but some basic safety precautions must be taken.
When it comes to locations, a good place to start is here.
Head outside on a bike with confidence – even if you don’t know where to start.
If you’re anything like me and you love the idea of heading out on a bike, but have no idea where to start, The Personal Cyclist offers cycling confidence coaching and personalised guided cycling tours in and around Harrogate.
Founder Kate Auld said:
“Cycling outdoors with the wind in your hair is one of the best ways to see the world, get close to nature and get a cracking workout in the process.
“You can’t check your phone and just ‘switch off’, you have to really engage with your surroundings and that’s what makes it magic.
“Often people who haven’t ridden for years just need a little extra support to cycle safely and socially. It’s a myth that you need to have all the gear (or go fast) to reap the benefits of cycling outside.”
Ready Steady Mums walking group – Harrogate
Ready Steady Mums brings new parents together once a week to walk together.
In Harrogate, simply going for a weekly walk around The Stray has been a lifeline for dozens of new parents, who bring their babies along to get out of the house and make friends at what can be a very isolating time.
Formed in 2016, the volunteer-run group offers “friendship, support, cake, fresh air and fitness” and meets at St Mark’s Church, just off Leeds Road, at 10am every Friday.
It is free to attend and there is no need to book. I’ve heard amazing things about the homemade cakes!
Bootcampers get stuck in at “The Ranch”, just outside Pannal.
Personal trainer Lauren coaches at the biggest outdoor gym space in the area, just outside Pannal, complete with a full gym rig and plenty of kit – perfect for adult PE.
Sessions at “The Ranch” are 45 minutes and focus on everything from weight lifting technique to cardio endurance to sport specific training, catering for all levels of fitness.
Lauren said:
“Research continues to prove that being outdoors and around nature improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and relieves stress.
“Combine that with the endorphin release and plethora of benefits of exercising and you can’t go wrong.
“The winter weather can make it more challenging to get outside, but you’ll soon notice a surge in outdoor activities and better moods.”
Covid testing sites in Harrogate district to close next weekCovid testing sites across North Yorkshire, including on Tower Street in Harrogate and Ripon’s coach park, will be closed next week.
As free testing comes to an end from Friday, April 1, the last day for the testing sites to operate will be Wednesday, March 30, North Yorkshire County Council‘s Outbreak Management Advisory Board heard today.
Cllr Michael Harrison, the county council’s executive member for adult services and health integration, asked whether testing would still be made available for care homes and other key groups, such as schools, but was told an announcement on this had not been made yet. There was also no information about any free testing for care and education settings.
Public health consultant Victoria Turner said:
“I think it’s fair to say that is the one we are going to be looking at most closely. We are expecting care guidance coming out next week as well on this.
“From what was said in February we expect there to be some symptomatic testing remaining for care home staff but that’s about as detailed a picture as we get at the moment. Care homes are going to be the one area we still have a particular focus on from April 1.
“We are still seeing quite a lot of outbreaks in care settings, or rather whenever there’s a high degree of community transmission there’s an inevitability that that does affect care settings as well.
“We were hoping that we could have done some of that planning before April 1 but unfortunately the guidance just isn’t out yet.”
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The outbreak management advisory board, which was set up to recommend on the county’s covid response and communications, has also been stood down. It had been meeting monthly but members agreed there was little need to continue as national restrictions were removed.
However, the group said it will remain in abeyance, rather than being disbanded, so it can be brought back into action if required, such as with the emergence of a new variant.
Infection rate almost trebles this month
At present, cases are still rising, though at a slower rate than previously.
The Harrogate district’s infection rate, which was 343 per 100,000 people at the start of the month, is now at 923.
Hospitalisations are also rising at a slower rate, with 30 patients with covid currently being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.
Deaths among people who have tested positive for covid within the last 28 days remain steady, at an average of one each day across North Yorkshire.
Richard Webb, corporate director of health and adult services, said:
“Many of us are continuing to work on the impact of acute and long-term covid in many different ways.”
Meanwhile, covid vaccination centres are preparing to begin giving spring booster jabs to over-75s, and vulnerable children aged between five and 11 in the county are now being given their first doses.