Cllr Andrew Williams who also received unanimous support when he was re-elected as leader ‘strong-armed’ the ‘reluctant recipient’ of Ripon’s highest office into the chamber, with assistance from Cllr Peter Horton.
He quipped:
A former firefighter and now councillor has hit out at proposals to cut the number of night-time fire engines in Harrogate to just one.
Independent councillor Sid Hawke, who worked as a retained firefighter for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in Ripon, said the plans would “put money before lives”.
Harrogate fire station currently has two fire engines operating 24 hours a day, but this could be reduced to just one at night under the proposals out to consultation.
Last night both appliances were summoned to fires in commercial bins in Harrogate town centre — this will not be possible if the proposals go ahead.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe is asking residents for their views on the plans as part of county-wide proposals, which she said would save over £1.5 million a year – yet she insisted they are not cost-cutting measures.
Cllr Hawke, an Independent member of Harrogate Borough Council and newly-elected mayor of Ripon, said:
“You can’t put money before lives.
“It’s a big town is Harrogate. If there were two shouts at one go, what would the fire station do?
“They could call in support, but that would be from Boroughbridge, Thirsk or anywhere, and somebody could lose their life in that time.”
Read more:
- Masham Police House to be sold as officers relocate to fire station
- Five Harrogate firefighters could lose jobs in plans to reduce service
Cllr Hawke left the fire service around 10 years ago and said it does not receive the financial support it needs to respond to emergencies quickly. He has called on Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative, to scrap the proposals and instead increase the number of fire engines and staff.
Cllr Hawke said:
“I don’t care how much could be saved – there is money in budgets elsewhere to be dug into without putting lives at risk.
“I think we need more firefighters – I really do.”
Fire service ‘has changed’
The proposals are detailed within a document which sets out how the fire service will deploy staff and equipment over the next three years.
The Risk and Resource Model has been drawn up based on “extensive risk assessments” looking at the likelihood and severity of emergencies including fires, road traffic collisions and water related incidents.
The document is out to consultation until August 14 and Ms Metcalfe said it reflected a changing role for the fire service.
Ms Metcalfe, who is also a Harrogate borough councillor, said there is higher demand for services during daytime hours in Harrogate and that fire-related incidents now make up a small proportion of what the fire service does.
She said:
Jubilee pennies handed out to Ripon pupils“The role of a fire and rescue service has changed and continues to change, with only 26% of our incidents last year relating to a fire emergency.
“We want to ensure we are addressing our current and future challenges and that we have the capacity to prevent and protect to stop incidents happening in the first place and prevent harm before it can take place, while also having the capacity to respond to emergencies when they do take place.
“We are confident these proposals would do that.”
Ripon’s extensive celebrations for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, are growing by the day, as June 2 fast approaches.
The latest initiative has seen Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels give specially ‘minted’ wooden pennies to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in the city and surrounding villages.
The pennies, which have been delivered to the schools this week by club members, feature the official platinum jubilee logo on one side and the club’s logo on the other.
They have been made by a team of workers at Jennyruth Workshops, which is a social enterprise that works with people with learning disabilities,
Workers at Jennyruth Workshops produced the 2,200 platinum jubilee pennies. Picture Jennyruth Workshops
Club member David Suddards, who has delivered pennies to Greystone Outwood Academy Primary, told the Stray Ferret:
“We have had 2,200 made by the our wonderful friends at Jennyruth Workshops, so that we can give them as a memento of the Queen’s magnificent 70-year reign.”
The pennies are being presented to primary schools by the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels.
“The idea came from our president Bernard Thain, and we all thought it was a marvellous way of giving the children something that will be a lasting reminder of the platinum jubilee and what Her Majesty has done for this country.”
Mr Suddards, whose prized possessions include a specially-made spoon that he and children across the country were given to mark the Queen’s coronation in 1953, added:
“Club members have been delivering the wooden pennies to all schools in Ripon and outlying villages, before they break up for the Whitsun holiday and we hope that this special gift will add to the enjoyment of this very special occasion.
Read more:
- Luxury glamping site near Ripon expands for summer season
- Plans to convert former Ripon Choir School to housing approved
Man sacked by Ripon garage for racism loses unfair dismissal claim
A former employee of a Ripon car parts company has had his claim of unfair dismissal rejected by a tribunal.
Alliance Automotive‘s Ripon branch — which trades as Ripon Auto Spares — faced the accusation, along with one of breach of contract, from C Seaman, who was dismissed as a driver on May 4 last year.
It followed an incident on April 21, 2021, when he was alleged to have used an offensive racial term in the presence of a black colleague.
The Ripon branch manager investigated the accusation and suspended Mr Seaman on full pay the following day, under the instruction of area manager Roger Bailey.
The report from Leeds Employment Tribunal said:
“Mr Bailey conducted a disciplinary hearing on May 4, 2021, in which the claimant confirmed he used the word ‘n*****’, maintaining that its use was appropriate, because he said it related to a conversation with colleagues about an incident involving a black person in America.
“The claimant said he did not understand how anybody could be offended by the use of that word.”
Finding the conduct to amount to racial harassment, and that Mr Seaman showed no remorse, Mr Bailey dismissed him.
After an unsuccessful appeal through the company, Mr Seaman took Alliance Automotive to an employment tribunal, which was held in Leeds on April 12 and 13 this year. However, it has also rejected his claims of unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
Leeds Employment Tribunal, in City Exchange
In his report, published this week, Judge Jeremy Shulman said:
“During the disciplinary process the claimant sought to encourage the respondent [Alliance Automotive] to view a programme known as The Wire for justification of his use of the word ‘n*****’.
“The respondent decided the use of the word ‘n*****’ itself was sufficiently offensive, regardless of The Wire and we find that that programme was discussed during the disciplinary process. The programme apparently relates to the location of Baltimore on the subject of drug trafficking and policing.
“Very late in the proceedings the claimant produced a mitigation document. That contained 15 names, including the name of the Prime Minister, and the document contained no explanation whatsoever as to what it was and the claimant subsequently described it as irrelevant.”
The judge said Mr Seaman had received a code of conduct from his employer and had received training on it, including information about equality and diversity.
However, he said he had not read the information given to him because it was “not relevant”.
Read more:
- Knaresborough woman who refused to wear face mask unfairly dismissed, tribunal rules
- 26 jobs saved with acquisition of Ripon firm Ebor Concretes
The tribunal heard Mr Seaman had repeated the offensive term, but had claimed it was “just a black person” and that the term was widely used in films and by the black community. He said “race discrimination never even existed and everybody was treated equally” in his world.
Mr Shulman rejected the claims of unfair dismissal and breach of contract, and found Mr Seaman had been dismissed because of his conduct. He added:
“It was clear to me during the hearing that this was conduct the nature of which the claimant did not understand when everybody around him clearly did.
“He had some source materials which he never bothered to read and sought to justify his conduct by reference to names on a sheet of paper and an American television programme. None of this did anything to make an already serious position better.”
The judge ordered that the £300 deposit paid by Mr Seaman for the tribunal, in recognition of his low chances of success, be paid to his former employer.
New Ripon mayor joins a rollcall rich in historySid Hawke received warm applause from fellow councillors, civic dignitaries and family and friends when he received Ripon’s ornate and historic chain of office this week.
The newly-installed Right Worshipful The Mayor of Ripon, was born and bred in the city.
He previously served as mayor from 2008-2009, meaning his name now appears for the second time on a roll of honour dating back to 1604, when Hugh Ripley became Ripon’s first mayor.
The celebrated rollcall of former first citizens. includes George Frederick Samuel Robinson, the First Marquess of Ripon and Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884 , who was born at 10 Downing Street on October 24, 1827 when his father, Viscount Goderich, was briefly resident there as Prime Minister.
After serving as mayor in 1895-1896 he presented Ripon Town Hall to the municipality in 1897 — just one of his many acts as a major benefactor in the city, that also saw fittings from St Mary’s Church on the Studley Royal estate where he had lived, bequeathed to St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, following his death in July 1909.
In a city steeped in history, the stately Regency period town house that became Ripon Town Hall, has been a fitting setting for the mayor making ceremony since it was first used as the location for council meetings,
Following age-old tradition, Cllr Hawke was ‘dragged’ into the elegant council chamber before accepting his place in the hot seat, with the unanimous approval of his fellow councillors.
Councillor Sid Hawke was ‘dragged’ into the council chamber by fellow councillors Andrew Williams and Peter Horton.
“I don’t think Sid will be winning any acting awards.
“Cllr Hawke’s heart and soul is in this city and I am delighted to propose him as mayor, sure in the knowledge that he and his wife Linda as mayoress, will represent Ripon with dignity in this year of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.”
Councillors voted unanimously to install Sid Hawke as the Mayor of Ripon.
There were equally warm words for Cllr Eamon Parkin who, from May 2019 to May 2022, made history by becoming the first mayor of Ripon to serve in three consecutive years.
Civic duties in much of his period in office were severely curtailed by covid lockdowns and Cllr Williams said:
“You and your consort Nigel have represented Ripon through a most difficult time and done so in a most gracious way. We thank you for all that you have done for this council and for the city.”
Cllr Parkin, who has accepted the post of deputy mayor, thanked the many volunteers and unsung heroes that supported the community during his term of office and also thanked those who supported his charity appeal, raising £14,000 to be shared between Vision Support Ripon and the city’s Christmas Lights fund.
The chain of office continues in the hands of newly-installed mayor Cllr Hawke, who said:
“The last few years have been hard for everyone because of covid, but I’m not going to look back and instead, Linda and I are looking forward to representing Ripon and seeing our city go from strength to strength.”
Picture: Ripon’s newly-installed Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Hawke and his wife Linda, are pictured with their Chaplain, The Rt. Revd Bishop of Ripon Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the city’s serjeant at mace Jonathan Owens (left) and city councillors.
Plans have been approved to convert the former Ripon Cathedral Choir School into four townhouses.
Persimmon Homes lodged the proposal for the building, which had previously been earmarked to be demolished to make way for 12 flats.
Harrogate Borough Council has now approved the proposal.
The developer tabled the fresh application after the demolition plan was met “negatively by the public”.
A total of 68 objections from residents were lodged to the council against the previous proposal.
In documents submitted to the council, Persimmon said the new bid to convert the building followed discussions with council officers.
It said:
“Following feedback and discussions with the case officer, Persimmon Homes have sought to amend the proposal, withdraw the application and submit a new application for the conversion of the school building.
“The conservation officer confirmed via email in April 2021 that retaining the building is ‘the way forward’.”
Read more:
- Persimmon Homes submits plans to demolish Ripon Cathedral Choir School
- New £6m plans to extend Ripon Cathedral facilities proposed
Persimmon said in its plans that the current building is in “extremely poor condition”.
The new proposal will see the existing brickwork retained but the roof replaced in its entirety due to its poor condition.
The building was originally constructed as a late 19th Century grandstand. It was converted in the early 20th century into two semi-detached dwellings, then extended for use as a school.
Ripon Cathedral Choir School began using the site in 1960 until it closed in 2012. It had planned to merge with a local preparatory school but this fell through.
Harrogate district MP: ‘Time for Boris to get on with the job’Nigel Adams is the only Harrogate district MP to comment so far on the publication of the long-awaited Sue Gray report.
The senior civil servant found that many of the parties in Downing Street “should not have been allowed to happen”.
The report included details of vomiting and parties lasting until 4am whilst the UK was under covid restrictions.
Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes several Harrogate district villages, is a member of the cabinet and a key ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He tweeted this afternoon:
“The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report and has apologised again.
“He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges including the cost of living and Ukraine crisis and delivering for the country and for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.”
Other cabinet ministers including Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab and Nadine Dorries all tweeted similar messages of support for the Prime Minister at the same time.
The Prime Minister welcomes Sue Gray’s report & has apologised again.
He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges inc cost of living & Ukraine crisis & delivering for the country & for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.
— Nigel Adams (@nadams) May 25, 2022
What have Andrew Jones and Julian Smith said?
The Stray Ferret asked the two other Tory MPs in the district, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith for their response to the report but we did not get a reply.
In January during a Commons debate, Mr Jones said the Sue Gray report should be published in full.
In the same month, an email to a constituent revealed Mr Jones thoughts on ‘partygate’ scandal. The MP said: “I take the maxim ‘lawmakers can’t be lawbreakers’ seriously.”
Mr Jones said if criminal actions were found then “consequences must flow from that”.
“In respect of the investigation announced by the Prime Minister in December, if this finds wrongdoing, and the police find that these actions were criminal, then consequences must flow from that.”
Julian Smith is yet to comment publicly on the report.
Read more:
- Harrogate council chief scolds councillor for calling influencer a ‘waste of money’
- Home Office asylum centre near Harrogate district an ‘abuse of power’, says MP
Housing plan for Lamb and Flag pub refused
Harrogate Borough Council has refused plans to build five houses at the Lamb and Flag pub in Bishop Monkton.
The proposal was tabled by Carol and Trevor Pawson for the 200-year-old pub, which also had a bed and breakfast.
As part of the plan, two houses would be created by converting the pub itself and another would be created at the barn next door.
A further two homes would be built at the car park at the back of the pub.
However, council officials have refused the application on the grounds that “insufficient marketing” has been done to demonstrate that the pub could not be used for community use.
Officers added in a decision notice that two of the houses on the car park are outside the development limits.
Officials said:
“Insufficient marketing has been carried to demonstrate that in the absence of any use as a public house there is no alternative community use for which the property may be suitable and the proposed use of the public house as two dwellings consequently is in conflict with Policy HP8 of the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-2035.”
Read more:
Bishop Monkton, which the Domesday Book referred to as the Tun of the monks, has seen a significant increase in residential development in recent years.
Despite new developments and growing populations, village pubs have found it difficult to survive.
At one time, there were seven pubs within Bishop Monkton’s parish boundaries but it is now currently served by just the Mason’s Arms.
Ripon’s retro gaming arcade to close in JulyNew Wave Arcade in Ripon will close for good in July.
The venue on Westgate offers the chance to play games from the glory days of arcade gaming, including Street Fighter 2, Ridge Racer and Gunblade.
It was something a bit different for families in Ripon, as the Stray Ferret found out when we visited in March.
However, owner Rory Lofthouse said he has decided to close the business to concentrate on his wife’s health and his digital marketing company.
Mr Lofthouse said:
“It’s been well received in Ripon so it’s a shame I’m having to close it.
“I didn’t do it to make thousands of pounds, it was so there is something in Ripon for different generations to enjoy together. A lot of dads bring their kids to show them what they played when they younger.”
New Wave Arcade opened just a few weeks before the first covid lockdown and has had a stop-start existence.
Mr Lofthouse said things could have been different with the business if the pandemic didn’t happen when it did.
Read more:
- Ripon City Council proudly presents the biggest free Platinum Jubilee celebration in the north
- Generations play together at Ripon’s retro games arcade
Gamers who enjoyed visiting paid tributes on Facebook:
“Such a shame, the arcade was a great asset to Ripon.”
Another person said:
“We will definitely make sure we come down again before you close your doors. You’ll be sadly missed.”
New Wave Arcade’s last day will be on Saturday, July 23.
Mr Lofthouse is also selling off some of his machines. If you’re interested you can contact him rory@newwavearcade.co.uk
New £6m plans to extend Ripon Cathedral facilities proposedPlans for a £6million extension to the south side of Ripon Cathedral’s west-facing frontage are on hold and alternative proposals have been put on public display.
The Ripon Cathedral Renewed Project, which aims to provide 21st century facilities for the cathedral’s parishioners, choristers, the wider community and an ever-increasing number of visitors, already has £4 million in pledges.
But it needs to secure a further £2 million if ambitions are to be achieved.
Signs at the exhibition, being held in the north transept, explain that the alternative plan has been brought forward after reservations were expressed about the previously proposed extension
The new plan, captured in this artist’s impression, involves creating new indoor and outdoor space.
Proposals involve a standalone two-storey development to the north of the iconic building on an area of land that also houses the Old Courthouse Museum and the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance.
Proposal to close Minster Road to through traffic
They also include the suggested closure of Minster Road to through traffic, to provide a safe link for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs or families with prams and buggies, to move between the cathedral and the new building.
The proposal includes the provision of pedestrian-friendly links between the cathedral and the new building and into the Cathedral Car Park.
The community consultation aims to gauge views on the design of the new building, landscaping of the site and the Minster Road proposal.
Approval required at every level
A message from the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, thanks donors who have already pledged support to the Ripon Renewed Project and adds that the bid to make the vision a reality is ‘nearer than ever before.’
He points out that in addition to obtaining further financial pledges:
“We need plans that will attract approval at every level.”
The wooden model on display shows the new two-storey building to the right and its relationship to the cathedral.
The new building would incorporate indoor toilets, including a Changing Places toilet for disabled people, a café/refreshment area, improved shop, meeting room, new facilities for the choir school and additional storage capacity to take the pressure off use of space in the cathedral.
A national treasure
When the Ripon Renewed project that was announced Dean John, said:
“It is clear that the development of the cathedral is vital to bring this national treasure into the 21st century.
“As custodians of this fantastic building we are only too aware of the legacy we uphold. We have this ancient history, this wonderful architecture – what we haven’t got are the facilities that people need.
“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its own contributions. We take none of this for granted and we have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”
The site for the proposed new building, is to the right of the Old Courthouse Museum and adjacent to the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance
Serving future communities
He added:
“Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to a growing number of people that the development of Ripon Cathedral is vital as we seek to serve the communities of the region now and in the future.”
The community consultation will help to shape a formal planning application that will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council and people who go to view the plans, are asked by Dean John to fill out a short questionnaire available at the exhibition.
If successful, plans would see the first major development in hundreds of years of the cathedral’s facilities, for a building containing the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral – St Wilfrid’s Crypt – dating back to 672 AD.
Eight local businesses completed a sleepout with CEO Sleepout UK to raise awareness of hidden homelessness in the district.
The group of business leaders spent the night sleeping outdoors at Harrogate Rugby Club, and have raised almost £15,000 for CEO Sleepout UK, Ripon YMCA, Harrogate District Foodbank and Harrogate RUFC.
The North Yorkshire based companies that took part were Nicholls Tyreman Estate Agents, Hudgell Solicitors, Ripon YMCA, Pavilions of Harrogate, Jorvik Design Group, Stratstone BMW, Carson Homes and Harrogate Borough Council.
The participants included CEO of Hudgell Solicitors Rachel Di Clemente, Nicholls Tyreman director James Tyreman, and director of Jorvik Design Group Ady Rhodes.
The business leaders at Harrogate’s sleepout
Chief executive of CEO Sleepout Bianca Robinson said:
“I was thrilled to see some of North Yorkshire’s biggest-hearted business people turn out for this event. Just because Harrogate is not a place where you might see many rough sleepers, it doesn’t mean homelessness doesn’t exist.
“Hidden homelessness is increasing across North Yorkshire – families who can no longer afford private rental, young people, and single mothers living in insecure temporary accommodation.”
She added:
“It was a tough night and surprisingly cold, but by bringing those with lived experience to share their stories, and hearing about the vital work of charities on the frontline, we unlock understanding, compassion and inspire our business leaders to use their power to create greater social value.”
CEO Sleepout stages fundraising events across the UK, and has raised £3 million for more than 100 charities.
Student from Knaresborough achieves unprecedented full marks in hairdressing exam
A hairdressing student from Knaresborough has achieved full marks in her practical exam.
Penny Ledgeway, who is 20, completed her level two exam at Intuitions hairdressing college in Harrogate, with a perfect score of 700 marks.
During the exam, she was asked to do a number of hairdressing treatments, including half a head of highlights, a restyle and cut, and a curly blow dry.
When asked why she chose to pursue hairdressing, Ms Ledgeway said:
“I’ve always wanted to do it really, I like to do a bit of everything but I am quite social anyway.
“I wouldn’t be able to just sit at a computer all day.”
Michelle Oliver, director of Intuitions college, said it was “unusual” for someone to get full marks in the exam, adding:
“Both me and her educator are really proud, she’s worked really hard.
“It’s good for us at Intuitions, but also for the employer to have someone with that skillset from the apprenticeship programme”.
After completing her level two exams, Ms Ledgeway is now a fully qualified hairdresser, and currently works at Kelly Teggin Hair & Beauty in Knaresborough.
She is now hoping to move on to a further stage of qualifications, which she said are more advanced and creative.
Read more:
- Harrogate clothing firm partners with cafe to help the homeless
- Ripon hairdresser appeals for rollers for unusual Christmas tree