Ripon Runners made up for lost time when the Lightwater Valley 10k returned at the weekend after two years off because of covid.

Ted Leahy completed the testing course in 35 minutes and 43 seconds to win the men’s open race, 19 seconds ahead of Ripon Runners clubmate Jamie Baker.

Jamie was outright second in the race and also won the men’s seniors event in a time of 36.02, almost five and a half minutes ahead of the second-placed senior runner.

Ted Leahy, winner of the men’s race and Emily Abbey, who won the women’s race

Other winners from the club, included Ian Harrison in the male veterans 40 race and Lenny Lennox who was the first male veteran over 60 to cross the finishing line.

The outright winner of the women’s race was Emily Abbey of Swaledale Runners in a time of 44 minutes and.37 seconds.

Morag McDowall and Lucy Philpott capped an outstanding day for Ripon Runners by winning the female veterans 55-years old and female veterans seniors categories respectively.

A total of 136 runners completed the race and many more, including junior runners, took part in the 3k event.

The other winner was North Stainley Primary School, which raised much-needed funds from the entry fees paid by runners.

The annual race, over an undulating multi-terrain route, is organised by the charity Friends of North Stainley School and covers a course that  passes through the Lightwater estate and the surrounding countryside.

Money raised contributes towards the cost of school trips, technology for pupils, music lessons and sporting activities.

North Stainley Primary School opened in 1871 and is still based in its original building, close to the village church of St Mary’s.

All photographs provided by Tyler Parker Photography.

Read more:

• Families savour the Sights and Sounds of Ripon
• History-making former Mayor of Ripon publishes his memoirs for charity

The government has rejected plans to build new townhouses and apartments in Ripon city centre.

Spinksburn Ltd had tabled a plan in November 2019 to build four apartments and four townhouses on land off North Street in the city.

The site, which used to be retail units, was demolished to make way for Marshall Way and has remained undeveloped since.

The work include the partial removal of buttress on a Grade-II listed building to join the two buildings.

However, the developer lodged an appeal in August 2021 to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Harrogate Borough Council had failed to make a decision on the proposal two years later.

In a letter written by the developer’s lawyer said:

“Our client has therefore instructed us to submit the appeals for non-determination because the council does not appear to have the resources to be able to determine the applications and there appears to be no end in sight.

“My client is extremely concerned that determination of the applications is being allowed to drift and there are no means by which to secure the determination of the applications besides the appeal process if the council does not have the necessary resources.”

Read more:

• Two year wait for planning decision forces appeal over Ripon townhouses
• Residents say new Granby Farm homes will ‘tower over’ them

However, Fiona Cullen, the planning inspector who oversaw the appeal, has decided to reject the proposal.

In a decision notice, Ms Cullen said she was “unable not conclude” that the proposal “would preserve the special interest of the listed building”.

She said:

“I am mindful of the key role played by the delivery of housing in achieving sustainable development and recognise the Government’s objectives to boost the housing supply and grow the economy. I also note the framework’s support for housing and the efficient use of land.

“However, the framework is clear in stating that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.”

Ms Cullen added:

“Whilst there are considerations that weigh in favour of the proposal, in my judgement, they are not sufficient to outweigh the harm I have found.”

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.

Thankfully the majority of these are now fully back in action across the district.

And this week a new parent and baby group has launched at Ashville College in Harrogate.

The independent school is hosting the free sessions between 10am and 11am every Friday morning during term-time for children up to the age of two and their parents or grandparents.

The Baby Acorns group is meeting in Ashville’s Little Acorns cabin, located off Yew Tree Lane.

It is being run by Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep staff, and tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. Looking ahead to the summer months, the school also aims to hold some outdoor events.

Charlotte Cryer, head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, said:

“In the last two years the pandemic has severely affected opportunities for both parents and young children to socialise, with many baby groups being cancelled or restricted.

“The impact this has had on parents’ mental health should not be underestimated, and we hope that our Baby Acorns group can ease that anxiety for parents.

“It is a safe, comfortable space in which children can interact and play alongside our highly-experienced early years staff.”

Read more:

• Street party fees waived in North Yorkshire for Queen’s jubilee
• Mother Shipton’s delays reopening again due to landslide

We have put together a list of five other baby and toddler groups across the Harrogate district:

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library – Knaresborough

Play sessions at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library.

A firm favourite in the district, the toy library’s play sessions currently run on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Mary’s Church, Knaresborough, from 10am until 11.30am.

Toys are set-up for children to access, while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others. Sessions are £3.50, plus 50p per additional child.

The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.

The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games

Stay and Play – Harrogate

Stay and Play is an fun parent and toddler group for pre-school children hosted at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.

There are lots of activities to entertain little ones, including toys, bikes, bouncy castle and games from 9.30am until 11.30am during term-time only.

Sessions are £2.50 per child and £1 for each additional child, including a snack and drink.

Tea and Tots – Boroughbridge

Ride-ons, slides, toys, colouring and refreshments feature at this baby and toddler group at St James’ Church.

Sessions take place from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday during term-time for children up to age five.

Prices are £1 and 50p for additional children.

Little Fishes Tots Group – Nidderdale

This friendly group, based in Christ Church Community Centre, Darley, is run by members of Nidderdale Community Church.

Activities include play stations, a baby corner and a craft table. There is also snack time, nursery rhyme time and a bible story.

Sessions are £2 per family from 9.15am and 11.15am on Tuesdays.

Soft Play Toddler Fun – Ripon

A group for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups, held in the hall of Allhallowgate Methodist Church every Friday from 9.15am until 12.30pm.

There is soft play equipment for the little ones and coffee, tea and snacks for the adults.

Ripon Business Improvement District‘s lighting project, designed to drive footfall and boost business, has lit up another pedestrian route into the city centre.

Festoon lighting has been installed in the ginnel between M&Co and Costa Coffee, which leads to and from the Marshall Way car park.

This is the second of the city’s alleys and ginnels to be illuminated and follows the pre-Christmas deep cleaning of four ginnels and alleyways organised by the BID. Its work is funded by a levy paid by businesses

.BID manager Lilla Bathurst said:

“Lighting up these key routes throughout the city has been a priority for the BID and I am thrilled that we have been able to light up this key route.

“This would not have been possible without the support of the staff and management at M&Co and Costa. The BID funds the power to the lights and we are grateful to M&Co for hosting the electricity supply.”

Read more:

• Ripon BID begins to light up the city
• Ripon Cathedral reveals programme of events to celebrate 1,350th anniversary

Four men have been jailed for a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district, which included the theft of thousands of pounds worth of cars and a motorbike.

Chaz England, Nathan Lofthouse, Bailey Townend and Ainsley West were sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday.

England, 32, of Harrogate, Lofthouse, 20, of Harrogate, Townend, 19, of Ripon and West, formerly of Harrogate, appeared via video link from custody in Hull.

They admitted to the burglaries, which took place between December 2019 and August 2021.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill told the court that the crimes were sophisticated and planned.

Mr Cahill told the court how Townend, who was charged with two counts of burglaries, three thefts of motor vehicles and possession of cannabis, had stolen two cars in Knaresborough at a value of £15,000.

Read more:

• Harrogate man jailed for historic sexual abuse of young girl
• Police investigate serious crash on Cold Bath Road

Townend, 19, stole the Skoda and Mercedes from Bransdale Grove, along with a handbag containing a £20 note.

He went onto commit a similar offence on South Park Road in Harrogate in August last year, in which he stole a “rare motorbike” worth £11,000.

Mr Cahill told the court that Lofthouse, 20, burgled a property on Bogs Lane in Harrogate on December 22, 2019.

He stole a laptop bag, which did not include a computer but had sensitive NHS information, and two coats. Lofthouse also attempted to steal a Jaguar worth more than £10,000.

The court heard how England, 22, broke into a home on Stonefall Avenue, Harrogate, on Boxing Day 2019 to steal an iPhone7 worth £200, £800 in cash, five watches, a £300 chainsaw and two handbags.

England also stole a Ford transit van, which was later found abandoned with a flat tyre by police.

Stun gun

England was also convicted of possessing a stun gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and possession of cannabis following a search of his home.

Mr Cahill told the court that on August 2, 2020, West, 20, stole the number plates from a Fiat Punto at a property in Leeds before later using them on another vehicle from Knaresborough.

He was also convicted of attempting to steal a handbag, which included a police warrant card, and wallet from a property in York.

Mitigating for Townend, Shafqat Khan told the court that he had been remanded in custody since August 2021 and had “demonstrated maturity” while in custody.

The court also heard that Lofthouse had shown maturity while on remand. Ian Hudson, defending Lofthouse, said he had gained employment and “hoped to build on that”.

Didn’t get chance to say goodbye to children

Christopher Dunn, mitigating for England, told York Crown Court that he wanted to get on the “straight and narrow”.

He said:

“It indicates a maturity that he did not have before he went on this ridiculous spree.”

Ashleigh Metcalfe, defending for West, told the court that he was the first to enter his plea which afforded him “some credit”.

She added that West had two children who he did not get the chance to say goodbye to when he was remanded in custody.

She said:

“He knows that association with other individuals is not good for him.”

The defence for all defendants suggested community orders and suspended sentences as punishment.

However, sentencing the four men, Judge Morris said:

“I regard these offences as too serious to suspend as sentences.”

Townend was sentenced to four years and three months. Lofthouse was jailed for 17 months and England for 28 months.

West was jailed for four years and seven months.

Ripon Cathedral is to celebrate the life and legacy of Wilfrid, its founding father, in a series of events marking its 1,350th anniversary.

The cathedral today revealed details of the programme, which include a sound and light show about Wilfrid’s life and an initiative to suspend stars from the nave.

Four artists will transform the cathedral’s Anglo Saxon crypt – the last remains of the church Wilfrid founded on the site and the oldest surviving building in any English Cathedral.

In addition, there will be arts, crafts, music, lectures, worship, pilgrimage opportunities, flower displays and the traditional St Wilfrid’s Day procession through the city.

The cathedral flooded the west front with words from the war poet, Wilfred Owen, and lit up in red to mark the centenary of the Armistice in 2018.

The cathedral has staged numerous art events before.

During lockdown it suspended tens of thousands of paper angels in the nave.

Now, in its anniversary year, it has lined-up a series of Wilfrid-themed initiatives.

Miracle maker

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson said:

“Ripon Cathedral is here because Wilfrid was here. His life and legacy is written in these stones.  He was a miracle maker, a pioneer, a leader and a force to be reckoned with.

“He converted a pagan England and brought something of the beauty of Rome to these shores.

“In this, our anniversary year, we are committed to telling his story afresh, by breathing new life into our history and our heritage and sharing his love for beauty and the arts while ensuring worship is at the heart of all that we do, as Wilfrid, our forefather did before us.”

Tickets have just gone on sale for the anniversary launch weekend, which will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

It will start on April 28 with dancing in the nave to a local jazz and swing band, a beer festival, a pilgrimage from Bradford Cathedral, and a sound and light show finale that promises to recreate Wilfrid’s miracles — including that of a lunar rainbow said to have appeared to the monks of Ripon Monastery one year after his death in 709 AD.

Ripon Bible

Other headline events throughout the year include the premiere of new digital projections from the little-known Ripon Bible.

Currently held in the special collection of the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, this illuminated document in its rich blues, golds and purples is believed to have been created by scholars in Oxford.

Pages from it have been recreated in sound and light and will be projected across the interior of the cathedral, offering visitors the chance to see it for the first time.

Ripon Cathedral

There will also be lectures from historians Tom Holland and Max Adams; a series of tours taking visitors behind the scenes, an organ festival featuring an animation created for piano and organ to tell Wilfrid’s story, while four artists, including Sara Shamma, will transform Ripon’s ancient Anglo-Saxon crypt with specially commissioned works in paint, words, tapestry, and a new light and soundscape.

Read more:

• Arsonists attempt to set fire to Ripon Cathedral
• More children’s activities announced for Ripon Cathedral Spring Show

Jo Bussey, director of development, said:

“We are super excited to bring to life Ripon Cathedral’s rich heritage and history in such exciting and unique ways.

“There’s something for everyone, young and old, art buffs, historians, even pizza, and cake lovers.

Who was St Wilfrid?

Wilfrid was born into a noble Northumbrian family.

A patron of the arts, he studied at Lindisfarne before embracing the Roman ways, was deposed on more than one occasion, and yet helped to unite England behind a single Christian tradition.

It is said he was born in flames, survived shipwrecks and exile and his jailers could not keep him chained.

He was a healer, he kept people from hunger by teaching them to fish, and the moon and stars shone so bright for him that a lunar rainbow appeared on the anniversary of his death.

New business opens in Ripon

A new environmentally and ecologically-focused business will open in Ripon next week 

The Green House, at 11 North Street, is being opened on Tuesday by Patricio Maglio, one of Ripon’s hornlblowers, and his partner Rebecca Crallan.

With a planet-friendly ethos, the store will sell home and garden supplies designed to have minimal impact on the environment. 

Patricio Maglio

Ms Crallan said:  

“Our aim is to make it easier for people in the city and surrounding villages to make greener choices without compromising on aesthetics or function,

“We have done our research on refillables that do the job, along with plastic-free sponges that don’t disintegrate and compostable cloths that have a luxury feel.”

Harrogate start-up launches sustainable skincare range

Anna Daniels

Harrogate firm Josie Rose has launched a luxury overnight face mask.

Anna Daniels founded skincare brand Josie Rose in 2019 and has now entered the emerging ‘skin minimalism’ market with its first product: a hydrating retinol overnight face mask.

The new product has already appealed to local retailers, such as Hoopers in Harrogate, and sells direct to the consumer via its website.

Anna Daniels, managing director and founder said:

“Multifunctional products such as our overnight face mask deliver great results due to the concentrated formulas, this enables a simpler skincare and beauty routine, saving customers time and money and of course meaning less products, which is a more sustainable option.

Harrogate firm wins major NHS contract

A Harrogate-based company has won an NHS contract to scale up remote patient monitoring across Scotland.

Under the three-year contract, Inhealthcare will provide technology to enable people to record relevant information in the comfort of their own homes and relay readings to NHS teams for analysis.

inhealthcare CEO Bryn Sage

The technology is being rolled out across Scotland’s health boards. The service can be used to manage illnesses including hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, depression, malnutrition, cancer and Covid.

Georgia Nelson, senior business development manager at Inhealthcare, said:

“Winning this contract represents another major validation of technology-enabled care and provides the foundations for many more citizens to benefit from improved health and wellbeing at home and better quality of life.”

Send your business news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Homes England will not be allowed to ‘ride roughshod’ over the wishes of people in Ripon and must renew consultation with the city council.

That was the unanimous view this week of elected members, who have described the proposed traffic plan for the 1,300-home Clotherholme development on the barracks site as ‘unacceptable’.

Speaking at Monday’s city council meeting, Conservatives Stuart Martin and Mike Chambers, who are also district and county councillors, joined Conservative parish councillors and the ruling Independents in voicing concerns.

Cllr Martin said:

“At the outline planning stage, this is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we have to get things right on the traffic front.

“If we don’t, the city will suffer the consequences for years to come.”

City centre roads ‘at capacity’

Cllr Chambers added:

“The city centre roads are at capacity and we must make it known to Harrogate Borough Council that this plan does not work and will not work, if Homes England doesn’t come forward with new traffic mitigation measures.”

Homes England, which is the government housing agency also owns the West Lane site in Ripon where 390 homes will be built by Taylor Wimpey after outline planning permission was granted last month.

City council leader Andrew Williams said:

“Between the two sites they have almost 1,700 houses and I recommend that we say we are willing to accept 800 homes at Clotherholme and hold back on making a decision on the other 500 until this council is satisfied that Homes England has properly and thoroughly addressed the traffic issue.

“We will not allow people who don’t live in Ripon to make decisions from afar that ride roughshod over the wishes of local residents, who don’t want a city that is in perpetual gridlock.”

The busy junction of Somerset Row with High and Low Skellgate, where vehicles would not be able to turn right under the Homes England traffic plan.

“One of the unacceptable proposals in the plan is to prevent traffic at the junction of Somerset Row with Low Skellgate from turning right, meaning a detour for thousands of motorists a week.”

Cllr Williams’ proposed staged approach to handling planning for the Clotherholme scheme, was supported by all councillors, who also called for Harrogate planners and Homes England to come to the city council to hear the views of members.

Read more: 

• City council to make formal complaint about Ripon policing
• Ripon Barracks scheme could see destruction of military heritage

Cllr Pauline McHardy said;

“We haven’t met with them for over a year and it’s about time for them to get around the table with us, so we can let them know about the concerns people from all parts of the city are expressing about the traffic impact that the barracks site will have.”

Support for Ripon Military Heritage Trust

Prior to their discussion about the Clotherholme scheme, Christopher Hughes, chairman of Ripon Civic Society and Alan Skidmore, a trustee of the the Ripon Military Heritage Trust, addressed the council.

They provided an update on proposals to seek protection for historically-significant structures at the barracks site, which are currently threatened with demolition to make way for the new homes development.

It was agreed that in its correspondence with Harrogate planners, the city council will confirm that the trust’s proposals have the unanimous support of the council.

,

As the war in Ukraine wages on, the Harrogate district has stepped up its response to help those fleeing the conflict.

The Stray Ferret will be providing updates on where to give donations and how the district is responding to the ongoing war.

If you have any details on where to donate to those fleeing the conflict or any other information, write to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate

Ukrainian woman opens house for donations 

Olga Whiting, from Ukraine, is opening up her home so she can take donations to be sent to her Mum’s village in Ukraine.

Ms Whiting now lives in Harrogate but is in regular contact with her mum who has said the items they’re most in need of are:

• personal hygiene eg feminine hygiene, toothpaste and soap
• baby food
• baby nappies
• wet wipes
• non-perishable foods

Ms Whiting has a friend who has been transporting donations into Ukraine every three weeks. Her friend will now add her native village of Nova Borava to his list of drop-off points.

People can drop donations off at anytime at 14 Yewdale Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NF. Ms Whiting has said if no one is in call her on 07307876103 and she will describe a safe place for them to be left.

Tiger Fifty 7 taking donations

The children’s store on Cold Bath Road has opened itself up as a drop-off point for donations.

It is asking for:

• Unopened toiletries
• Baby food
• Nappies
• Baby blankets
• Phone chargers
• Phone adaptors and power packs
• Dog food
• Sleeping bags

For anyone who would rather donate money via JustGiving link, click here.

Boroughbridge

Car dealer accepting donations

Charltons of Boroughbridge is accepting donations for those feeling the conflict in Ukraine.

Items collected will be sent to a large depot at Thirsk and then forward to Eastern Europe.

Organisers will accept:

• Unopened toiletries
• Baby food
• Nappies
• Baby blankets
• Phone chargers
• Phone adaptors and power packs
• Dog food
• Sleeping bags

The dealership has said it is open for donations from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 5pm.