Attempts to resettle a refugee family in the Pateley Bridge area have taken a significant step forward.

Nidderdale Community Welcome, a community group set up to sponsor a refugee family in Nidderdale, has found a house and raised more than £12,000.

Peter Wright, who heads the organisation, said:

“We can expect a refugee family to be selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and for the family to be with us in about four months time.”

With funding and housing in place, the application to bring the family to the Dales now needs Home Office approval, which should be a formality.

In preparation for the resettlement, Nidderdale Community Welcome is to hold a meeting at Pateley Bridge Methodist Church between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday next week. For further details email wrightpandh@gmail.com

The search for a house in the Pateley Bridge area for a refugee family has been successful.

Mr Wright said:

“We are now moving from the planning to the implementation stage and need to put together small teams to assist the family with benefits, schooling, language, etc.

“The meeting will allow people to hear what is involved and to help us by signing on to one or more of the teams.”

The steering group is also looking at the possibility of establishing a community investment scheme to purchase a house for the longer term of this project.

People able to invest between £5,000 and £40,000 in a fixed-term scheme with an anticipated return of two percent per annum would have a proportionate share in the capital of the house.

John Tarrant, treasurer of Nidderdale Community Welcome, can be contacted at johntarrant@leakhb.plus.com  for further information.

Read more:

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Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the refugee focus has switched from those displaced by war in Syria to Afghan nationals fleeing their country.

While Nidderdale Community Welcome, which was set up in November, plans for its first refugee family, Ripon City of Sanctuary has already resettled a number of Syrian families and is ready for another.

The group, established in 2016, has been fundraising since April, in anticipation of bringing another Syrian family to the city.

It has raised 85 per cent of the money needed and a has identified a suitable house.

Nicola David, chair of the Ripon group, said:

“We have been trying to build a little Syrian community here.

“Some Afghan interpreter families are currently being assisted to resettle in the UK, and a very small number have arrived in the Harrogate district.”

Organisations concerned about crime in Ripon are being urged to apply for grants of up to £20,000.

Ripon has been blighted by anti-social behaviour in recent months. In one of the latest incidents, a teenage boy was robbed at knifepoint in Bondgate a fortnight ago.

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner‘s office operates a Community Fund specifically for local organisations, groups or individuals who need money to help fund a new community safety project or scheme.

The fund, which awards sums between £500 and £20,000, is only available for new projects and is aimed particularly at areas in the county suffering high crime.

Read More:

• Crowds flock to Ripon’s weekend of entertainment
• Could former MoD homes in Ripon be used to help Afghans?

Philip Allott, who was elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner this year, told the Stray Ferret he encouraged funding applications from groups and individuals in Ripon.

‘Funding can be used for setting up community activities like a youth club, theatre group, sports club, car maintenance, gardening group etc. The most important aspect is that the activity is designed for young people aged 11 – 17.

“I would particularly welcome enquiries from those looking to offer activities in Ripon as it will provide diversionary activities to stop young people getting sucked into low level criminal activities.”

The sun shone during the day and the tribute acts sparkled at night, as Ripon staged its second weekend of large-scale entertainment since the easing of lockdown.

By dawn yesterday, the city centre was swept, tidy and ready for dozens of stallholders at the Little Bird Artisan Market.

With its locally-made goods, the market remained open until 3pm, sharing the square with two fairground rides and a climbing wall.

The market opened prompt at 10am.

The entertainment, paid for from Ripon’s parish precept, aimed to support the city’s retailers, cafes, restaurants, pubs and heritage attractions, by driving additional footfall.

Saturday night’s crowd was larger than the one attracted by the Yorkshire Day Weekend tribute acts at the start of the month.

ABBA Forever, performing songs made famous by the Swedish supergroup, brought the curtain down on the musical entertainment, which also featured the Big Boyband Reunion whose repertoire ranged from The Backstreet Boys to Take That.

In between acts, in the shadow of the obelisk, Allison Clark from Ripon’s own ‘fab four’ team of hornblowers, performed the city’s ancient ceremony of setting the watch.

A spin beside the obelisk

Many of the children allowed to stay up late and join family groups on Market Square had, earlier on Saturday, ridden the Thomas the Tank Engine train, climbed the wall or enjoyed the uplifting experience of the Mini Paratrooper ride.

For three-year-old Scarlet, pictured above, with her grandmother Catherine, the train was the ride of choice, while a long line of older children, queued for their attempt at scaling the wall.

Today, the city’s Bank Holiday of free entertainment continues at Ripon Racecourse, which is holding its last family fun day of the season.

Gates open at 11.15, with complimentary entry for accompanied children to the course enclosure.

Read more:

• Commissioner’s confidence in Ripon policing
• Homes hope in Ripon for Afghan refugees

The activities include a performance by the National Festival Circus, a Punch ‘n’ Judy magic show, barrel train ride, cub karts, an inflatable assault course with giant slide, balloon modelling, face painting  and sand and slime modelling.

Action on the track includes Ripon’s only listed race of the season — the EBF-sponsored Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy.

From comedy at Harrogate Cricket Club, to pig-themed scarecrows at Ripley or a family-friendly festival at Stockeld Park, here are the best activities on offer over this three-day weekend: 

Music and culture

Leeds Festival, Wetherby

Festivals are back with a bang, and Leeds Festival is once again set to take over Bramham Park, near Wetherby. Almost 90,000 people are expected at Bramham for the three-day event, which starts on Friday and is headlined this year by the likes of Liam Gallagher, Biffy Clyro and Stormzy. This year new format will see two main stages instead of the previous one. Friday to Monday, leedsfestival.com

Stockeld Rox, Wetherby

Family-friendly festivals have surged in popularity over the years, so Stockeld Park’s family tribute festival is sure to get parents and children singing along and dancing to the likes of Madonna, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Take That. Pizzas, snacks and drinks, including a full bar will be available. Each evening will end with a spectacular firework finale. All ticket holders will now also get free access to the adventure park from 3.30pm to 6pm to enjoy the attraction before the event. Sunday and Monday, tickets from £14, stockeldpark.co.uk

Stockeld Park is holding Stockeld Rox, a family-friendly tribute music festival.

Silly Point Comedy, Harrogate 

Balcony Bar at Harrogate Cricket Club has teamed up with Sitting Room Comedy to bring a night full of much-needed laughs. The outdoor show features award winning comedians: Chris Washington, Steve Day, Andrew Bird and MC Matt Stellingwerf. Sunday, tickets £12, sittingroomcomedy.com

Our Gate, Harrogate 

For those interested in a theatrical experience with a difference, Our Gate is an immersive community play with Harrogate and its citizens at its core. The show travels between indoor and outdoor locations through the town, rather than being fixed on stage like a traditional theatre show, with the audience at the centre of the action. Friday to Sunday, tickets from £18, harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Food and drink

Harrogate Food and Drink Festival, Harrogate

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is returning to Ripley Castle, with a huge selection of food, drink, independent traders and family entertainment. The dog-friendly event follows on from the previous sell-out festival held on The Stray in June and also features live bands, chef demos and art. Saturday to Monday, tickets £2.95 for under 16s and £6.98 for adults, under 5s free, harrogatefoodfestival.com 

Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is back – this time at Ripley Castle.

Malton Food Lovers Festival, Malton

Further afield, the quaint market town of Malton considers itself the food capital of the North, and this family-friendly festival is a huge hit with locals as well as tourists, who flock from all over the country to eat and drink local produce, listen to music and enjoy foodie talks. Saturday-Monday, free entry, visitmalton.com

Read more:

• What’s On across the district?
• Ripon to host another weekend of free family entertainment

Attractions

Fireworks Championships, Ripon

A dazzling night of fireworks at Newby Hall and Gardens, which sees three teams create stunning displays choreographed to music and the audience voting for a winner on the night via SMS. The event also includes a final display by the organisers to round off the night. Watch from a picnic rug or camping chair against the stunning backdrop of 17th century house and its impressive grounds. Saturday, fireworkchampions.co.uk

Mamma Mia! Harewood

This is the first time that the original Mamma Mia! stage show has been performed in the open-air and the Bank Holiday weekend is the last chance to catch this unique production, set in the grounds of Harewood House. Friday to Monday, tickets from £39.50, mamma-mia.com/harewood-house

Outdoor Cinema, Bedale

Outdoor Cinema at Thorp Perrow Arboretum.

Free events

Wath Street Fair, Ripon

Wath’s main street will be filled with stalls, a Pimms and prosecco stand and a children’s treasure hunt. Other attractions include a bouncy castle, a brass band and a dog show, while teas will also be available in the village’s Samwaies Hall. Saturday, Free entry, funds raised go to St Mary’s Church.

Ripley Scarecrow Pigfest, Harrogate

Organised by Karen Evans for the last 21 years – with one year off in 2020 due to Covid19 – the scarecrow trail was originally started in 2001 to encourage visitors back to the countryside after the foot and mouth crisis and has a fun take on the traditional scarecrow hunt. The Scarecrows are inspired by the story of Thomas de Ingilby, an ancestor of Sir Thomas Inglby of Ripley Castle, who saved King Edward III from a wild boar attack in 1355 and whose crest (the boar’s head) is the emblem of Ripley village. All the scarecrows have pigs heads and pig names such as Boarglar Bill, Pigmaylion, Porkupine, Thumboarlina and the Statue of Liboarty. Competition sheets cost £4 and list the names of the scarecrows. Each scarecrow has a number and the idea is to match the name to the number. Those who get them all correct are entered into a hat, with the winners drawn at random. A great family day out and a good excuse for a Ripley ice cream! Friday to Monday, ripleyscarecrowpigfest.co.uk

A free weekend of entertainment on the Market Square, Ripon

The August Bank Holiday weekend will see the return of fairground rides and a climbing wall. The event-staged by Ripon City Council follows the Yorkshire Day weekend, that brought hundreds of people to the city centre. There will be musical entertainment from 7pm on Saturday, featuring three tribute acts singing a selection of chart-topping hits from the best-known boy bands, Paloma Faith and ABBA. On Sunday Market Square will host another Little Bird Artisan Market. Open from 10am until 3pm, it will again include stalls selling goods ranging from food to home furnishings, produced by local and Yorkshire-based traders. Saturday and Sunday.

Families gather in Ripon Market Square.

Harrogate Car Enthusiasts Motor Show and Family Fun Day, Harrogate 

With everything from super cars to classic cars and “boy racer” cars, Harrogate Car Enthusiasts is hosting its fifth charity Motor Show and Family Fun Day in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance at a brand new venue – Harrogate Rugby Club. More than 250 vehicles, including tractors and motorbikes, are set to go on display and there will also be a variety of stalls and children’s entertainment, including a bouncy castle and rides. Monday.

Water Trail, Harrogate

Harrogate Mumbler has teamed up with the Harrogate BID to celebrate Harrogate’s most famous export… water. The Water Trail has two different challenges for families to enjoy – firstly finding the 20 water-themed pictures and secondly answering 20 Harrogate trivia questions. There are four different trails in total and participants have to simply spot the water-themed image in participating retailer’s windows. There is a prize for everyone who completes a trail. Until Sunday, September 5th, harrogate.mumbler.co.uk

The Harrogate Water Trail is a free activity for families.

Ripon will do all it can to help with the resettlement of Afghan families fleeing their country in fear of the Taliban.

That’s the message from the city’s Conservative county councillors Mike Chambers and Stuart Martin, following a call for urgent action from former Mayor of Ripon, John Richmond.

Mr Richmond, who served as an independent councillor on Ripon City and North Yorkshire County Council, noticed that a clutch of former Ministry of Defence-owned houses off Whitcliffe Lane are up for sale.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“In view of the desperate plight of the Afghans that we are witnessing every day, on our televisions, I wondered if a few houses could be set aside to meet their pressing need.”

The former mayor put the question to Cllrs Chambers and Martin and also Ripon’s MP Julian Smith and he has been encouraged by their positive responses.

John Richmond is seeking urgent help to find homes in Ripon for families fleeing Afghanistan.

Cllr Chambers, who is also Harrogate Borough Council‘s cabinet member for homes and safer communities, said:

“We are already committed to resettling Afghan families in the Harrogate district and will look closely at what can be done specifically in Ripon.”

Lease back agreement

Among former MoD properties that are being marketed by Ripon’s estate agents are homes in Marina Way and Kent Close.

Prior to going on the market, the family-sized houses are being ‘lightly refurbished’ by Group Worx.

In 1996, the MoD entered into a sale and lease back arrangement with Annington Property Limited involving 55,000 homes built originally for military personnel and their families.

This includes properties in Ripon and sale boards in Marina Way and Kent Close bear the Annington name.

Cllr Chambers said:

“The properties haven’t belonged to the MoD for 25 years, but we will have to see what we can do.

“I am very aware of the ties that this country has with Afghanistan, having been welfare officer for the Royal Engineers in Ripon following my career in the RAF.”

‘Exceptional circumstances’

Cllr Martin, who is also a district councillor and immediate past mayor of the Harrogate district, said:

“While I remain mindful that many local people are seeking assistance from the council with finding a home, these are exceptional circumstances.

“A large number of Afghans who are having to leave their country for their own safety have helped the British and US forces and are our friends.

“You should help your friends and I am all for supporting their resettlement here in Ripon and other parts of the district.”

Read more:

• Harrogate District to assist Afghan refugees
• Ripon and Pateley Bridge resettlement groups ready to help

A response received from Julian Smith’s office said that he would look into the suggested provision of some of the MoD’s former properties.

Mr Richmond added:

“At times like these, actions will speak louder than words, I’m pleased with the willingness to look at my suggestion and believe that if Ripon and all communities across the UK can do their bit, we can ease a lot of suffering.”

A registered sex offender from Ripon has been jailed for possessing videos showing girls as young as six being raped.

Andrew Burt, a former maintenance worker at Newby Hall, was on a strict court order which banned him from possessing any internet-enabled device without informing police, York Crown Court heard.

But when his monitoring officers turned up at his home in Skelton-on-Ure, which is between Ripon and Boroughbridge, they found two new devices which he hadn’t disclosed to police.

Police seized the devices, one of which was an LG mobile phone on which they found five video clips featuring the rape of young girls.

Burt was charged with possessing indecent images of children and two breaches of a sexual-harm prevention order which had been imposed in November 2017 for inciting an under-age ‘girl’ to engage in sexual activity.  He appeared for sentence on Thursday after admitting all three charges.

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Prosecutor Ms Hajba-Ward said Burt was a registered sex offender and still subject to the 10-year order when police called at his home earlier this month.

They found two unregistered devices including the mobile and a tablet of which police had not been notified.

The videos found on the phone were rated Category A – the worst kind of such material depicting the rape of pre-pubescent children.

Burt told police he had downloaded the images at a guest house “while drinking a lot of Strongbow (cider)”.

Caught by a vigilante

In 2017, Burt was jailed for 20 months after being caught by an online vigilante posing as a 14-year-old girl.

The adult decoy told police she had been chatting to a man on the internet who had used a false name and said he worked at Newby Hall.

Burt had sent her naked pictures of himself and a video of himself performing a lewd act.

He was ultimately identified by photos which showed that he was indeed a maintenance worker on the country estate.

The sexual-harm prevention order was imposed to prevent Burt cruising chatrooms and refusing a polygraph test.

Richard Reed, for Burt, said his client accepted he had a sexual interest in children and wanted help for his problem.

Judge Sean Morris jailed Burt for 32 months, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on prison licence.

Mr Morris made a new sexual-harm prevention order for life. Burt will remain on the sex-offenders’ register, also for an indefinite period.

Former Ripon Grammar School student John Clark has completed a remarkable feat of endurance by finishing 48 marathons in 48 days in 48 English counties.

In doing so, he has so far raised almost £38,000 for children in food poverty. He aims to achieve £48,000 and donations can still be made through www.JustGiving.com/campaign/484848

Mr Clark’s own family struggled to survive on benefits after his father suffered life-changing injuries in a work accident.

His mighty marathon venture, which amounted to 1,248 miles, finished in Worcester.

John Clark during his school days at Ripon Grammar.

The 34-year-old, who left Ripon Grammar in 2003, said:

“The challenge was even more physically and mentally demanding as I expected but the support of so many people kept me moving forwards.

“From injuries, to blisters, to extreme wet weather conditions and heatwaves there were new and interesting challenges almost daily but each day, 26.2 miles got finished regardless.

“The 48/48/48 wasn’t just about raising funding but also raising awareness.

“Throughout the challenge so many conversations were had, radio, television airtime given and newspaper columns written about the crisis this country faces and the 48. It felt like we were genuinely making a difference.

“It was about planting seeds around the country with the ambassadors, runners and schools that support the project and our hope is that those that ran with me will go on to create their own Miles4Meals events in the future to continue the financial support and awareness raising that our nations foodbanks and charities need.”

Mr Clark, who has competed in international strongman events and now owns a chain of gyms, set up the charity Miles4Meals to help families facing the same issues that he did as a child.

His life changed when his father Alan, a roofer, broke his back and shattered his foot in a fall after scaffolding collapsed.

Mr Clark added:

“I understand the difficulties families face and the hard choices that need to be made with minimal budgets available for basic living expenses.

“I hope to make a difference, so others don’t have to experience the same as I did.”

The coronavirus pandemic has increased problems faced by families across the UK with an estimated 8.4 million people living in food poverty.

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North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has expressed confidence that officers have a grip on crime in Ripon after another spate of incidents.

Mr Allott said he hoped an increased police presence in the city would send a message that “crime will not be tolerated”.

He also urged more residents to “break silence” and report anything suspicious.

In recent weeks there has been a spate of crime, including a teenager being robbed at knifepoint, with a 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man later being charged.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Allott said:

“I want to reassure the community in Ripon that police are on top of this.

“Officers know who the perpetrators are, they have made arrests, they have got a grip on the situation, and I am confident of that.

“One of the problems we have in Ripon is sometimes a wall of silence by certain families and that makes it quite difficult to apprehend people.

“The police will still get those people. It just takes a bit longer.”

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• Two charged over Ripon knifepoint robbery

Other incidents in recent weeks include a 16-year-old boy being chased by a group believed to be around the same age. This is believed to have happened in the Southgate area in the early hours of August 18.

The night after, two men were arrested in connection with an incident on Bondgate and a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray after a separate incident on Mawson Lane.

Step-up patrols

It has prompted police to step up patrols once again. This was done earlier in the year after city councillors held a meeting with former Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.

Mr Allot, who replaced Ms Mulligan in May, said he hoped to meet with councillors in the coming weeks to offer more reassurances and also discuss other plans to tackle crime and help repeat offenders.

He said:

“Police are being extremely effective… but there are some fundamental issues which have to be addressed here.

“We try wherever possible to avoid putting young people through the courts system because we know that tends to lead to a downward spiral.

“But in some cases, this is not always possible because of the seriousness of what is involved.

“Policing can put a sticky plaster on the problem, but unfortunately history tells me in Ripon that every so often a small number of members of the community spill out and cause trouble.

“Our aim is to stop that happening and break this repeated offending.”

Ripon Farm Services increased revenue and profit in the last financial year despite covid, according to newly published accounts.

The company, which employs 270 staff, grew revenue by 10 per cent from £106.6m to £117.2m.

Gross profit went up by seven percent from £13.1m to £13.9m

The details are contained in the company’s annual report and financial statement for the financial year ending January 31, 2021, which has just been published on the Companies House website.

Ripon Farm Services, which is based on Dallamires Lane in Ripon, sells and services agricultural machinery and accessories as well as provides paint and body shop services. Its major supplier is John Deere.

‘Grateful for furlough’

The report says the company’s paint and body shop services were “significantly impacted” by covid due to the reduction in road traffic.

It adds directors were “grateful” for furlough minimising the impact of coronavirus and protecting jobs.

Director Geoffrey Brown said in the report that sales grew “despite a reduction in the agricultural vehicle market”.

He adds the economic impact of covid on the agricultural sector “has not been as significant as other sectors”.

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The company has also benefited from John Deere having a “strong comprehensive portfolio of products and continues to have the largest market share in the UK and globally”, according to the report.

The directors of Ripon Farm Services are listed in the report as Stewart Hymas, Paul Brown, Geoffrey Brown and Joseph Widdup.

Harrogate councillors have today backed plans to build a large solar farm between Harrogate and Ripon.

The proposal, submitted by Elgin Energy EsCo Limited, would see Cayton Solar Farm built near the village of South Stainley.

The company says the site could generate 50 megawatts of electricity during peak operation and potentially power 15,000 homes in Harrogate with green energy. It will operate for 30 years.

A report before today’s planning committee said the farm, which will take up the equivalent size of 150 football pitches, would bring “significant renewable energy benefits” to the district and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A total of 58 people wrote to the council to object to the application but 85 people wrote supporting it.

Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council voted unanimously to defer the plan to officers for approval at a planning committee meeting today.

Global warming

Cllr Pat Marsh, member of the planning committee, said:

“I can see the concerns of those who live close by, if it gets its permission. But, if you go down the A30 into Cornwall, there are solar panels all the way down virtually. It’s there and it exists.

“If you go into the centre of Spain, coming down the mountains into the very middle of Spain there are huge solar farms. I do not hear anybody shouting and screaming and the reason is because we have seen the impact of global warming.

“For once this district is becoming proactive.”

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Andrew Mott, agent for the developer, told the committee:

“Considerable care has been taken in the design of the development to ensure that the environmental considerations are protected and biodiversity promoted.

“There are economic benefits in terms of employment opportunities during the construction and operation phases of the proposal. There is approximately £120,000 per year in business rates.”

Sterile landscape fears

Residents that oppose the application are upset about the loss of green fields and agricultural land.

In its submission the council, South Stainley Parish Council objected to the perceived negative impact on the environment. It said:

“The area would become sterilised from an agricultural, environmental and recreational point of view.

“While maintenance staff in white transit vans will prosper, what happens to the farm workers and rural lifestyles which depend on local agriculture?”