Ripon’s Spa Hotel aims to reopen next springThe Inn Collection Group, has begun redevelopment work on Ripon’s Spa Hotel and aims to have it completed by next spring.
A spokesperson for the company, confirmed in a brief statement this morning:
“We recently appointed STP Construction to redevelop the Ripon Spa Hotel, and work began this month and we’re looking complete it by spring 2023.”
The news follows hot on the heels of Sterne Properties’ announcement that it plans to return Ripon’s Spa Baths to its former Edwardian splendour, having purchased the Grade II listed building for an undisclosed sum from Harrogate Borough Council.
The Spa Hotel, which was in the ownership of the Hutchinson family for decades, opened a year after the baths and the two, nestling alongside Spa Gardens and Spa Park, were key elements of Ripon’s stylish spa quarter.
The elegant Edwardian building shut at the start of the covid pandemic in March 2020 and was subsequently put on the market
The 40-bedroom hotel, set in six acres of gardens, features public rooms including a ballroom, terrace bar and self-contained Turf Tavern Bar Bistro.
At the time of purchasing the property in June 2021, The Inn Collection Group said that a major, but sympathetic refurbishment would be carried out to enhance and repurpose the venue and bring it in line with The Inn Collection Group’s award-winning ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand.
Company managing director Sean Donkin, added:
“The Ripon Spa is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of properties. It has huge potential which we have an exciting vision to realise. We’re looking forward to starting that journey while expanding the group’s footprint in Yorkshire.”
“The Inn Collection Group excels at revitalising classic, landmark sites like The Ripon Spa and realising their full potential with significant capital spend, detailed planning and care to retain the unique, historic character of landmark sites such as this.”
The fast-expanding Northumberland-headquartered group has numerous hotels in the north and has been steadily adding to its Yorkshire portfolio, with the Spa Hotel joining The Dower House in Knaresborough and George Hotel in Harrogate as recent acquisitions.
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Thousands expected to line Ripon’s streets for Saint Wilfrid’s paradeIn this 1,350th anniversary year for Ripon, full celebrations for the city’s patron saint are making a return for the first time in three years.
Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, meant that there was only limited activity organised in those years by the St Wilfrid’s Procession Committee to keep the tradition alive.
But on Saturday, the parade, which attracts thousands to the city’s streets, will be back in force – starting on Studley Road at 1.30pm and finishing at Ripon Cathedral at 4.15 – where a service will be held,
The 24-stage parade timetable and route, which will see numerous temporary road closures, can be seen by clicking here.
Led by an actor on horseback, playing the role of St Wilfrid, the parade will be accompanied by the award-winning Ripon City Band and will include decorated floats with designs created by businesses and organisations.
Held on either the last Saturday of July or the first Saturday in August each year, the St Wilfrid’s Parade is a unique event, whose origins date back to 1108 when King Henry I granted a royal charter to the City Of Ripon to hold an annual fair.
St Wilfrid is celebrated as the man, who in AD 672, founded the church in the location where Ripon’s iconic cathedral now stands and the stonework in the crypt, dating back to that year, is the oldest remaining building remnant to be found in any English cathedral.
Ripon City Council event
While the revelry is on-going around Ripon’s streets, the city council is marking a much more recent tradition on Market Square from 2pm on Saturday.
The Celebrating Yorkshire Day event starts at 2pm with free fairground rides for all the family, a climbing wall, face painting and Punch and Judy shows.
At 6pm, local singer songwriter Freddie Cleary, kicks off an evening of free musical entertainment and he will be followed on stage by tribute acts, either side of the 9pm setting of the watch ceremony performed by one of the Ripon hornblowers.
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Second banking blow for Ripon as Halifax announces closureRipon has suffered its second banking blow in the space of nine weeks, with the announcement that the Halifax Bank branch will close on November 14.
The closure of the branch on Market Square South, comes after Barclays advised its customers in May that it is closing its branch on August 25.
Reacting to the closure announcement, Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“This is a bad news for Ripon, as we will be going from three high street banks to one, with the city left with just the HSBC branch.
“We are a growing city whose population is set to increase by up to a quarter by 2030 with new housing coming on stream.
“Among that increased population there will be many elderly people who either do not know how to use online banking, or are fearful of it.”
Closing on August 25 – Barclays Bank in Market Square East
Cllr Williams, added:
“With Christmas just four months away, the timing could not be worse for Ripon’s independent retailers, particularly due to the fact that after the Barclays and Halifax closures, residents and tourists visiting the city centre will not have access to cash machines outside normal trading hours.
“Not everybody wants to pay for a meal in a restaurant or a drink in a pub, with a plastic card.”
Figures produced by the Halifax as part of its explanation of the closure decision, shows that 22 percent of branch customers are 75 and above, while a further 37 percent are aged between 55 and 74.
The Halifax explains its decision
In its announcement, the bank, said:
“Following an in-depth review, this branch will close on 14th November 2022
“Like many other high street businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years as more customers choose to do most of their everyday banking online.
“We’re responding to the way our customers use our branches. We’ll continue to invest in our branch network, but we have to make sure our branches are where customers need and use them most.
“As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this branch because customers are using it less often. In addition the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank.”
Four traditional pubs to visit in the Harrogate district
A new generation of drinkers are being drawn to craft beer and cocktail bars, sparking a decline in traditional pubs.
And while many of us love a good Negroni or an IPA, you can’t beat a good old fashioned British boozer.
Fortunately we are still blessed’ with some excellent ones in the Harrogate district.
We asked our readers for their favourites. Here are four of them:
Reputedly, the oldest pub in Harrogate has a history going back to the earliest days of the town’s emergence as a leading spa resort.
Originating as one of the first inns for spa visitors after sulphur wells were first established in the mid-18th century, sulphur springs still flow beneath the cellar and the distinctive odours occasionally percolate up to the bar area.
The premises were rebuilt circa 1827 and known as The Promenade Inn. At this time it was said to be a most successful coaching inn. It was enlarged in 1856 and known as Hodgson’s until 1882, when William Hales became the landlord.
The interior decor is reflective of the pub’s long history, with mirrors and fittings from the Victorian era, including traditional gas lighting and cigar lighters.
Stray Ferret reader Richard Dunston Brady said:
“Hales, is the best traditional pub for charm, atmosphere, friendly staff and a well pulled pint.”
Hales Bar, 1-3 Crescent Road, Harrogate, HG1 2RS
The Mother Shipton Inn has stood beside the Low Bridge of Knaresborough for centuries.
Nestled amongst ancient trees and the River Nidd, this sixteenth century coaching Inn has survived with its full character intact, boasting warm fires, quirky rooms and eclectic furniture. The hanging baskets on the pub’s exterior are also impressive.
Take in the surroundings of this olde worlde gem with a pint of real ale or locally-sourced home-cooked food.
Visitors to the pub praise the friendly staff and riverside setting.
Mother Shipton’s Inn, Low Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8HZ
51 Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LQ
The Ship Inn, Aldborough, near Boroughbridge
The historic building dates back to 1340 and goes back several centuries as an inn.
It was almost certainly known as the Ship in the 17th century, as there is a token copper coin in existence, dated 1671, which shows a ship in full sale with the inscription “John Briggs in Aldborough his half penny”.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January following a fire. They have served many high-profile guests, including Prince William and Harry.
The traditional country pub in the Roman town of Aldborough is well-known for Brian’s Yorkshire puddings and ‘real gravy’.
Low Rd, Aldborough, YO51 9ER
Successful Ripon business built on the art of furniture restorationA dozen years ago, when Aelita Redeniece left Latvia she was prepared to take any job to get her foot onto the UK employment ladder.
The degree that she gained at the Art Academy of Latvia in Riga, opened the door to work as a graphic designer and then marketing manager in the Baltic country, but with the move across Europe, her professional and artistic skills were put on hold as she worked first in an egg packing factory and later in a care home.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“I was learning to speak English, but was not fluent at that time and that meant I didn’t have the confidence to apply for jobs more suitable for my qualifications.”
But, with encouragement from her partner and a couple of lucky breaks, she has finally been able to unleash her talent and is now running The Repair Shop – a highly successful business located within Halls of Ripon.
The focus is on refurbishing, re-upholstering and returning furniture to use – from much-treasured family heirloom pieces to chaise lounges given a new lease of life.
Through studies in Riga that earned her a fine arts degree, Aelita was taught how to use her hands to form clay into ceramic bowls, jugs and other items.
Now she has turned her hand and eye for detail to a different medium, making the step from potter’s wheel to busy workshop.
But why upholstery?
It may be that fate guided her, as Aelita explains:
“I bought a book in a charity shop about how to repair furniture and within days of reading it, I met, by pure chance, a craftsman upholsterer.
“After a brief conversation he very kindly agreed to take me on as his apprentice and teach me the skills he had gathered over more than 50 years.
“At first, I was doing simple tasks, but as I progressed, he gave me more complex things to do and eventually complete re-upholstery jobs.
“He is a lovely man and when I completed my apprenticeship and set up on my own working from home, he also put work my way.”
A showcase at Halls of Ripon
A second slice of serendipity came when Aelita enquired about the possibility of setting up her repair shop at Halls of Ripon.
She pointed out:
“I spoke with Mike Cooper because I noticed that there were second-hand sofas and chairs on sale there and he saw the synergy between this aspect of the business and the services that I provide.
“He, and the other independent traders at the department store, could not have been more helpful or friendly and with an affordable weekly rent, I was able to create my own showcase, with a unit that includes Victorian-style windows that were purchased from Lightwater Valley.”
Aelita has a growing order book from local, regional and national customers.
She is pictured above with an elegant French-style antique chair that she has fully refurbished for a customer who lives in Scotland and is a regular visitor to Ripon.
Aelita pointed out:
“Having seen The Repair Shop programme on TV, they wondered if I could renovate the chair and source a hunting print fabric for it.”
It now has pride of place back in the customer’s home, while many other sofas and chairs, have been diverted from a trip to the tip and returned to their former glory.
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Hot Seat: ‘We are a proud school, independent-minded’As an opening bowler for Ouseburn Cricket Club, Jonathan Webb has sent down a fair few short pitched deliveries over the years.
But as headteacher of Ripon Grammar School, he must sometimes feel he spends his entire professional life dodging bouncers.
Ripon Grammar is one of 163 UK grammar schools, and Yorkshire’s only state only state boarding school.
Founded in 1555, it is a unique and successful institution but even it is feeling the winds of change.
Covid, mental health, energy bills, pastoral care, academisation, Ofsted — all these issues weigh on leaders’ minds, never mind teaching.
Mr Webb says the last academic year, which ended on Friday, was “less disrupted” by covid than the previous one but the ongoing aftermath is, in some ways, even more damaging. He says:
“Academically our students did relatively well during covid although some did struggle. Where things have been more challenging is the socialising and, dare I say it, the civilising aspect of school.
“By not having that daily interaction with their peers they have got out of that rhythm.”
Many young people were struggling with the corrosive impact of social media and mobile phones even before covid increased their sense of isolation. Mr Webb says:
“A lot of things young people have to deal with, we never had to deal with. Even mobile phones have changed the way students interact with each other and they extend the school day.
“Mental health is a huge issue. But children are much more willing to talk about it. When I was at school the phrase ‘mental health’ wasn’t even coined.”
With students at Ripon Grammar School.
Are schools being asked to fill gaps caused by under-funded services?
“It feels like that. There is a big pressure on schools now. Increasingly we can’t just be establishments of education in the old fashioned sense of the world. We have an increasing and growing responsibility in terms of mental health practical support and safeguarding as well.”
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Improving Ripon
Mr Webb was educated at Batley Grammar School and has a history degree from Cambridge. Friendly and approachable, he was deputy head at Durham School for five years before moving to Ripon in 2017.
When he joined, he talked about there always being room for improvement. What does he think has been achieved?
He cites pastoral support. The school now has a pastoral management team with five heads of year, a pastoral support officer, a student welfare officer and a counsellor comes into school three days a week.
Looking ahead, he says pastoral care will remain a priority but there’s plenty else to ponder over summer, such as updating the school’s “pretty antiquated” heating system at a time of soaring energy bills and preparing for a visit from Ofsted.
Ripon Grammar hasn’t had an Ofsted inspection since 2012 when it was rated ‘outstanding’ although its boarding school was assessed to be ‘good’ this year.
Mr Webb says:
“We’ve been ready or aware since January that an inspection is imminent.”
Becoming an academy
There’s also the looming prospect of being forced to join an academy, as part of government’s plans for all schools to go down this route by 2030.
For a school that has excelled in splendid isolation for 450 years, this isn’t an entirely welcome prospect. Heavily oversubscribed at 11+, in 2021, 72 per cent of pupils achieved 9-7 at GCSE and 60 per cent achieved A*/A at A level. At least 85 per cent of students stay on for the sixth form and the over 60 per cent go to Russell Group universities.
There doesn’t seem to be a great reason to change but Mr Webb acknowledges “academies are the direction of travel”, adding:
“We are a proud school, independent-minded. Inevitably joining a trust involves joining with other schools. However we have to accept it’s going to happen and embrace the benefits.”
Boarding fees
Ripon Grammar, which moved to its present 23-acre site in 1874, is free for day pupils. Boarding costs about £11,000 to £12,000 a year, which is about a third the price of independent alternatives.
Former pupils include fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, former Conservative Party leader William Hague MP, Guardian editor Katharine Viner, TV presenter Richard Hammond and Olympic gold medallist diver Jack Laugher.
Mr Webb says there is a renewed focus on high quality teaching and learning. He’s particularly keen on oracy or, as he puts it, “developing the way students speak in an erudite and informed manner”, adding:
“It’s a life skill that never leaves somebody.”
The school is also embedding new subjects such as GCSE PE and A-level politics into the curriculum.
Mr Webb, who lives with his wife Helen and two sons near Ripon, has now spent as long at Ripon as he did at Durham but intends to continue. He says:
“I love this school and I love the job. I live very locally and both of my boys are here. They are doing well and enjoying it so I don’t see any need to move on at this stage.”
Second Harrogate district MP declares support in Conservative leadership battleA second Harrogate district MP has declared his support for Rishi Sunak in the race to become the next Prime Minister.
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has publicly backed the former Chancellor of the Exchequer for the first time.
In a post on Twitter today, he said:
“Rishi has a proper plan to get us through the tough times ahead. He is committed to rebuilding the economy and delivering for our area.
“Only Rishi can unite our country and defeat Labour and he will have my full support in doing so.”
Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has already given his support to Rishi Sunak.
Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams has yet to declare his allegiance. He has been a close ally of Boris Johnson, having publicly supported the outgoing PM on several occasions in recent months.
It has been reported that Mr Adams could be handed a peerage following Mr Johnson’s departure, which would then trigger a by-election in his constituency.
Mr Sunak will compete with Liz Truss to be elected leader of the Conservative party in September, after its members cast their votes.
The pair will take part in hustings events around the country over the next few weeks.
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Ripon boy, 12, solves Rubik’s Cube in 10 seconds at European ChampionshipsA 12-year-old from Ripon has solved a Rubik’s Cube in 10.72 seconds at the European Championships in Copenhagen.
Ripon Grammar School student Kris Lim is ranked among the top 100 in the country at solving the puzzle.
He was one of 550 competitors going head-to-head solving the 7×7 and the original 3×3 cube at the event in Denmark, which was organised by the Rubik’s World Cube Association.
Competing in Denmark
Kris’ 10.72 seconds time for the 3×3 was his best score in a competition.
He is currently ranked 96th in the UK in 3×3 one-handed with a time of 18.17 seconds. He’s also 98th in the UK in 2×2 with a single solve of 1.99 seconds.
He spends an hour a day cubing and solved his first cube when he was eight years old. He said:
“I started getting faster when I was 11 and people thought it was cool. I can solve a 3×3 blindfolded too, although I haven’t done this at a competition yet.
“The most enjoyable part at the competition was meeting other cubers, as cubing is a rare hobby. My ambition is to get a sub-10 3×3 average in a competition one day.”
The puzzle was was invented in 1974 by Hungarian professor Erno Rubik.
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Free summer parties to be held in Harrogate, Knaresborough and RiponHarrogate Borough Council is organising three summer events in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon for the whole family to enjoy.
The events are all free and are a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos.
Details about each event are available below:
Valley Gardens, Harrogate on Thursday August 11 and Friday August 12 between 11am and 4pm
- 11am – Juggling/circus tricks show
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Knaresborough Castle on Friday August 26 between 11am and 4pm
- 11am – Bubble circus tricks show
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday August 27 between 11am and 3pm
- 11am – Circus tricks workshop
- 11.45am – Magic show
- 12.30pm – Character mini disco
- 1.30pm – Circus tricks workshop
- 2.15pm – Magic show
- 3pm – Character mini disco
Conservative councillor Sam Gibbs, HBC’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
“Following the success of our free events to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we’re back with four events across the summer for all the family to enjoy.
“We know it can be difficult, and sometimes costly, to entertain the family during the six-week holidays, that’s why we’ve decided to provide free events once again to help keep children entertained. And what better setting than Valley Gardens, Knaresborough Castle and Ripon Spa Gardens?
“So why not bring a picnic and enjoy our parks this summer?”
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‘Ambitious’ Ripon school praised by Ofsted for transformationA Ripon primary school has received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted five years after it was branded failing.
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone joined the Outwood Grange Academies Trust after it was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2017.
Now, in its first inspection since joining the trust, the school has been praised for the way it has turned around its standards.
Inspectors said:
“School and trust leaders have a clear vision and ambition for the school. Their relentless focus on ‘raising standards and transforming lives’ has secured rapid improvement.
“This transformation is a result of their swift action and hard work to improve the quality of education for all.”
The school’s early years provision was rated ‘outstanding’, with inspectors highlighting the “well-resourced” indoor and outdoor classrooms and “ambitious” curriculum designed to offer the best start to their education.
Inspectors also praised the way to school created “confident and fluent” readers through an effective phonics programme, as well as supporting those pupils who needed more help.
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The report said teachers were thorough in delivering the curriculum and checking children’s knowledge. However, it said some subject leaders were newer to their roles and there were still some gaps in pupils’ knowledge which had not been recognised.
Inspectors also said the assessment process in some subjects could be more rigorous to ensure teachers were getting an accurate picture of pupils’ knowledge compared to what they expected.
The school was also advised to ensure any concerns raised by pupils were acted upon and systems for dealing with them were followed, to give children the confidence to report their worries.
The inspectors added:
“Leaders have systems in place to ensure that all pupils regularly attend school. Their mission is that every pupil develops as a well-rounded and responsible citizen.
“All pupils work towards the ‘Outwood Primary Diploma’. Pupils complete activities such as how to be a good British and international citizen. These activities are helping to prepare pupils for their adult lives ahead.
“Staff feel that leaders genuinely care about their well-being and workload. They feel supported. Staff appreciate the training and coaching they receive from school and trust leaders.”
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone principal Emma Abbott said:
“We are delighted that the hard work of the school community has been recognised by Ofsted and we are now officially a ‘good’ school with an ‘outstanding’ early years foundation stage.
“Since joining the Outwood family, the academy has gone from strength to strength, raising standards and transforming lives. We are proud that the report acknowledges that ‘Pupils love to learn at Greystone’ and that they are ‘happy and feel safe’.”
