A year after four Ripon homes had to be evacuated because of subsidence, the owners are continuing to press for settlement of a long-standing insurance claim.

Fears of a building collapse at the 35-year-old Bedern Court scheme on Skellgarths have increased following a new report by a monitoring engineer.

Leaseholders and owners feel they have been put in a desperate situation caused by circumstances beyond their control.

The claim is currently with global insurance company Arch, and while owners and tenants of the four affected properties hope for good news, the engineer’s report has highlighted a worsening situation exacerbated by sinkhole activity in the area.

Four homes at Bedern Court have remained empty after being evacuated a year ago

Mat Pritchard, chairperson of Bedern Court Ltd (BCL) – a non-profit company controlled by owners and leaseholders with houses and apartments in the 29-unit development – told the Stray Ferret:

“The report from our monitoring engineer indicates that the ground movement is still ongoing, and appears to be speeding up.

“The risk of catastrophic collapse has ratcheted upwards and we are now seriously worried that the block could be very close to some kind of tipping point.

“We greatly fear a situation where it does collapse or partially collapse, and someone gets killed or injured.”

In addition to the monitoring report, BCL commissioned a separate investigation from a geotechnical engineering practice.

This looked at the history of the site and concluded that the subsidence issues experienced there do constitute an insurable risk that should be covered by insurance.

The report was sent to Arch in June and Mr Pritchard, who owns one of the affected properties with his wife Jane, said:

“We have been in very regular contact with the insurers in an attempt to get this matter resolved as swiftly as possible, but we are still waiting.

“All authorities, including the parish, district and county councils, have been contacted by us and kept updated.

“We have taken all of the measures that we can, but feel that we are rapidly running out of time.”

Two knifepoint robbers threatened to “shank” a young boy as they stripped him of precious items including his jewellery and mobile phone.

The terrifying incident in Ripon had the boy in tears as other youths laughed at the spectacle, York Crown Court heard.

The teenage victim was sat with friends on a bench outside the Ship Inn on Bondgate when he was approached by John Paul Wilson, 21, from Harrogate, and others including a youth — the second robber who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill said that as the victim’s friends got up to leave, the teenager himself was blocked from doing so by Wilson’s sidekick.

“They waited until the (victim’s) friends had walked out of sight (and then) both (robbers) began to remove his jewellery, his Nike shoes and his phone,” added Mr Cahill.

“They then threatened him with a knife, and he was told that if he “did not hand everything over, he would be shanked”.

“The other individuals (who were with Wilson and the youth) watched this and at one point they were laughing,” said Mr Cahill.

The Ship Inn, Bondgate in Ripon.

The victim, who had been surrounded by the group, took off his trainers as instructed and handed over his phone and jewellery including a silver chain.

“They then demanded he come with them around the back of the Ship Inn,” said Mr Cahill.

“When he told them he didn’t want to, they ordered him to come with them as a knife was held to his upper leg.

“He was told he would be stabbed if he didn’t comply,” added Mr Cahill.

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A witness called the victim’s father who rushed to the scene and ran towards the group, shouting at them.

The robbers handed back the phone and ran off with the other youths, taking the trainers and jewellery.

Previous convictions

However, they were later arrested and charged with robbery and possessing a blade. They admitted robbery but neither accepted they were the one carrying the knife.

The prosecution ultimately accepted this, although there was no argument that it was a knifepoint robbery.

Wilson and his teenage co-defendant appeared for sentence on the robbery charge on Tuesday after being remanded in custody.

Mr Cahill said the victim was left in tears following the incident on August 13 which made him “extremely nervous”.

The court heard that Wilson had previous convictions for 12 offences including robbery, battery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The youth had four previous convictions for offences including possessing a weapon, criminal damage and serious violence. They had both served youth detention orders in the past.

Difficult childhood

Lauren Hebditch, for Wilson, said he had endured a difficult childhood and had effectively been living rough at the time of the incident.

“He says he can’t even imagine how scared the victim must have been.”

Rob Stephenson, for the youth, said he too had had a “turbulent and unhappy” upbringing but said there was a “degree of peer pressure” from Wilson to commit the robbery with him.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, criticised the pair for the appalling daytime attack which was “prolonged” and left “a little boy crying”.

“You were the oldest of the two and you were more criminally experienced. You were playing to the gallery of other youths who found it at times amusing.

“You reduced your (victim) to tears and threatened him (with being) knifed or ‘shanked’.

“A knife was used to keep him detained and to lead him round the back of that pub, well out of sight, and I’m satisfied that you would have been the leading role in this group, and I’m satisfied that you exercised a degree of influence on your co-accused.

“Your victim was a lone (teenager) abandoned by his friends at the start of this incident and surrounded by a group, with you at the forefront.”

Banned from Ripon town centre

Wilson, of Newby Crescent, Harrogate, was jailed for three-and-a-half years and given a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or going anywhere near his address.

Mr Morris said he was satisfied that it was only due to the “malign influence” of Wilson that the youth joined in the robbery.

He said he believed the youth could “start afresh” in life, partly because he had work lined up.

The youth was given a three-year youth-rehabilitation order which the judge said was an “exceptional” sentencing decision. He told him he had come very close to going to prison.

The order includes a 91-day rehabilitation programme, supervision and a six-month doorstep curfew.

In addition, the judge made an exclusion order banning the youth from Ripon town centre for the next 12 months, except in the company of youth-justice officers or guardians. He too was made subject to the same restraining order as Wilson.

Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances was impressed with The Galphay Inn near Ripon. 

I was due to meet good friends in Ripon at an exciting venue and found that it was closed! Much disappointment arose but then it was suggested that we try The Galphay Inn, Galphay just outside Ripon. What a great choice.

After driving up a long dark road we arrived. The Galphay Inn was bright and welcoming in the twilight. It was warm and full of expectation, and we were greeted by very pleasant staff.

We ordered drinks that you might expect to find in any pub, glasses of wine and beer. To my joy the wines on offer were of good quality, the beer very well kept, and indeed there was a considerable choice of non-alcoholic drinks as well, which is so important when in a rural location.

Surrounded by tasteful pictures, chalkboards and good lighting, we felt very comfortable.

Once again, as in many cases, the menu on offer was considerable in its offering and needed some studying. There were also the chalked up chef’s specials to choose from.

It was very reasonably priced, but I still don’t believe that it is necessary to have so much choice – certainly not in this case given the excellent quality of food we received. It would also help the execution from the kitchen on service. However, it was incredibly refreshing to see that a local pub was championing its local suppliers with their names listed on a board near the bar.

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We ordered four different dishes, which is always hard to produce at one time.

The star of the show was the roasted belly pork at £13.95. It was described as a slow cooked pork belly on a bed of savoy cabbage with apple, golden raisins and a thyme and calvados jus and dauphinoise potatoes. This was delicious, well executed and immediately sent out signals that this was a good kitchen. It was one of the best pork dishes I have tasted of late.

The roasted belly pork and dauphinoise potatoes

The steak & ale pie (£12.95), also proved that its creator understood food.

The pudding menu was very tempting, but given the generously sized main course portions, unfortunately we had to save that for another time.

What a pleasure it was to visit a proper local pub with great service and atmosphere – and feel on departure that you couldn’t wait to revisit.

The Galphay Inn has succeeded in producing hospitality at its best. We were four people who had a great evening and will certainly be going back to try their Sunday lunch, so reasonably priced from £12.95.

Star Rating: 4.5. This is a place to watch!

Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise Food at Daleside Nurseries, alongside fellow Michelin-starred chef Roger Olive and front of house manager John Tullett.  

The acrimonious struggle over the former Henry Jenkins Inn in Kirkby Malzeard has taken a new twist.

Last week campaigners handed a 500-plus name petition to Harrogate Borough Council calling for part of the closed-down and derelict premises to be re-listed as an asset of community value (ACV).

But now Justin Claybourn has taken the property off the market and informed the Henry Jenkins Community Pub campaign group (HJCP) he will not sell to them ‘at any time or any price’.

Mr Claybourn, whose successful planning appeal in December 2020 gives him permission to create a single dwelling in the part of the building that he owns, is now going to press ahead with plans to convert it to residential use and create a family holiday home.

Campaigners collecting names for their petition in Harrogate.

His business associate and agent David Fielder, who owns the pub group Fielder Holdings, told the Stray Ferret:

“Since 2018 Mr Claybourn has owned the old joiner’s shop, previously known as the eastern annex of the Henry Jenkins.

“The pub closed more than 10 years ago and Mr Claybourn has become increasingly annoyed with the campaign group’s actions, in particular their third attempt to have his property listed as an ACV even after his successful planning appeal.

“He directly holds HJCP responsible for the cost of defending the three ACV applications but further in his opinion the cost of his planning appeal. These costs exceed £25,000.”

Mr Fielder added:

“Over the past 10 years, nobody, including HJCP, has made a bid meeting the criteria that the property was on offer for — i.e. backed by hard cash, not pledges.

“With this in mind, following the latest move by HJCP, my client asked me to formally instruct them that his property has been removed from sale and will not return to the market.

“I was also instructed to advise them that due to their actions and costs they have made Mr Claybourn incur he would never consider a sale of his property at any time or at any price to HJCP.”

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Richard Sadler, press spokesman for the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group, said:

“This statement comes as no surprise to us and changes nothing:  The only reason the Henry Jenkins has stood empty for the last 10 years is that Mr Fielder — and latterly his associate Mr Claybourn — have refused to sell it to anyone.

“We have submitted to the council statements from three prospective private buyers who wanted to buy and refurbish it as a pub and restaurant — including a Michelin two-star trained chef —  but they were told either that the asking price had been vastly inflated or that the pub had been sold.

“The Henry Jenkins Community Pub group has since made five offers to buy the pub at or above the price set by an independent valuer – but all these offers have been refused.”

“Despite this – and despite previous statements by Mr Fielder saying he would never sell the pub to us – we remain open and willing to discuss terms for a purchase of the Henry Jenkins as a community facility.”

A former Ripon pub is to be converted into apartments.

The proposals, submitted by Leeds-based NRG Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd, will see the former Ship Inn, in Bondgate, converted into five apartments with car parking.

The plan will also see a further five homes built next to the former public house.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the development.

As part of the proposal, five two-bed apartments, two three-bed houses and two two-bedroom homes will be built.

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Fourteen car parking spaces will also be provided.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the new homes will help to benefit “local enterprises in Ripon”.

It said:

“The site is now better suited for residential use, which help bring a more appropriate residential feel for the community, limited to scale and type which does not cause nuisance.

“The provision of new residents will potentially have some benefit to local enterprises and will add to and consolidate the general activity of Ripon.”

Ripon’s new swimming pool will open on December 8, Harrogate Borough Council announced today.

The new facility on Dallamires Lane will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, sauna suite and electric car charging points.

An AngelEye pool safety system using underwater cameras will help lifeguards detect whether swimmers are in danger or drowning.

Ripon Spa Baths will close on Sunday November 7 so staff can be transferred across to the new facility and receive training ahead of the opening.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, the council’s new arms-length leisure company that will run the pool, said:

“This amazing new facility will provide residents with local access to great swimming experiences for a generation to come.

“I’d like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for their bold and brave vision to provide unprecedented levels of investment into leisure and wellbeing across the district.”

Conservative councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of Brimhams Active, added:

“The addition of the new swimming pool is a major development for Ripon and the surrounding area and I’m delighted to announce that it will be officially opened this December.”

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£3m over budget

The Stray Ferret revealed that the new pool is more than £3 million pounds over budget.

The running total for the scheme is now in excess of £13.5 million and that figure is likely to increase.

There has also been growing concern over the project after a ‘void’ was discovered while digging foundations at the entrance of the leisure centre.

Police today issued an appeal for information about the death of a Ripon man at his home.

David Lupton, 50, died at his home in the city on August 27.

North Yorkshire Police is looking for witnesses and information about his last movements.

Officers said the death is being treated as unexplained.

A police statement said:

“We are particularly interested to speak to anyone who may have seen David on Thursday 26 August up until lunchtime on the Friday when he was found deceased by a family member.

“At this time the sudden death is being treated as unexplained.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for DC EVANS. You can also email sheree.evans@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210190039.”

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A Ripon Grammar School student with ambitions of flying Apache helicopters has earned a place at a leading military school.

Marcus Bartlem, 17, has won an army scholarship worth up to £18,000, which will help fund him through university and guarantee a place to train as an officer at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

He was chosen out of thousands of young men and women from all over the country to get one of the 100 annual scholarships available.

Sandhurst’s alumni includes Winston Churchill and both Prince William and Prince Harry. Foreign monarchs, such as King Hussein of Jordan and the Sultan of Brunei, were also trained there.

Marcus said:

“I was extremely happy but also relieved when I heard that I had obtained the scholarship, as it was a long and tough process.

“I am very grateful to have been selected.”

Studying history, economics and chemistry at A-level, he will now benefit from army funding of £3,000 through his final school year and £2,000 for each year he is at university, where he will also be eligible for further army bursaries.

The Year 13 student added that he was looking forward to the leadership opportunities, alongside the prospects of adventure training and travel which army life offers.

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The application process took place over nine months. Following medical assessments, virtual interviews and cognitive tests, Marcus, whose father served as an RAF fighter pilot, was invited to the final army officer selection board, which took place over two days.

Fascinated by flying

Marcus completed a series of demanding interviews, planning exercises, cognitive and written tasks, leadership challenges and fitness tests including an obstacle course.

But it was all worth it when he was informed, three weeks later, that he had been successful:

He said:

“I’ve always been interested in the military, most likely as a result of my dad’s involvement in the RAF. I hope to join the Army Air Corps as an Apache pilot as flying has fascinated me for a long time.” 

Planning to study history at university, his sporting achievements helped in the selection process.

As well as representing his school and local club in rugby, he enjoys biking and walking expeditions and is completing his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Ripon City Council is to consider bidding to buy the city’s Spa Baths as part of the campaign to keep the building in community use.

Harrogate Borough Council plans to sell the Grade II listed building when Ripon’s new pool opens at the end of the year.

It has identified an unnamed preferred buyer but last month’s decision to list the 116-year-old building as an asset of community value has put any sale on hold to give the community chance to raise funds to launch a bid.

Ripon City Council is now taking the first steps towards pursuing that option after taking part in an initial meeting with the preferred bidder.

At Monday’s full city council meeting, leader Andrew Williams said:

“We had a constructive discussion with the bidder and will continue to work with them and look at any proposals they have for community uses as part of redevelopment of the site.

“However, to ensure that we keep our options open, following Harrogate Borough Council’s agreement to list the building as an asset of community value, we need to take the process to the next stage.”

Ripon City Council is to request to be treated as a potential bidder.

Councillors agreed to a motion put forward by Cllr Williams to “submit a written request to Harrogate Borough Council to request to be treated as a potential bidder under the provisions of the Localism Act”.

Councillor Stuart Martin, who seconded the motion, was among the councillors who attended the meeting with the preferred bidder. He said:

“We will continue to talk with the bidder, but must take every step to secure Ripon City Council’s position, without putting unnecessary obstacles to further discussions in the way.”

Housing fears

The future of the Edwardian building has been uncertain since owner Harrogate Borough Council put it on the market in February, saying it would be surplus to requirements when Ripon’s new multi-million swimming pool opens.

This sparked fears the baths could be sold for housing.

The campaign to retain it for community use, led by Ripon City Council and Ripon Civic Society, received a boost last month when the building was designated an asset of community value.

The baths were converted from a spa to a public swimming pool in 1936 and has the distinction of being the only English spa to be opened by a member of the royal family.

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Simon Armitage summed up the power of poetry when he read a selection of his works to a packed audience in Ripon on Saturday.

The Poet Laureate, whose poems brought laughter and sadness to 200 people at Ripon Grammar School, said words on a page take on a different character when spoken.

Armitage, who was the star attraction at the fourth Ripon Poetry Festival, described verse as having ‘a kind of primitive magic”.

The West Yorkshire-born and bred poet told the Stray Ferret he was delighted to perform at the four-day festival, where he brought some of his own primitive magic and talked about his local connections.

He said:

“My auntie lives in Ripon and I have many memories of visiting here and going to the cathedral and seeing the hornblower.”

The festival anthology of poems (left) and programme.

Poetry boom

Talking about lockdown, he said:

“Sales of poetry books have done well during the pandemic, as people have had more time to reflect.

“Many recalibrated their lives and decided they were not  going back to the way things were before.”

Lockdown also gave Armitage, who was appointed to the 10-year office of Poet Laureate in May 2019, the opportunity to focus on his work.

He said:

“It gave me the time to complete my translation of the long medieval poem The Owl and the Nightingale.”

Saturday evening’s audience was given a taste of the epic poem, which focuses on the quarrelsome conversation between the two birds, as they show their mutual dislike.

The newly-published work featured recently on BBC Radio 4’s hit podcast, The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed.

There were also readings from Magnetic Field: The Marsden Poems, a collection that provides a guided tour in verse of the village where Armitage grew up.

Ripon festival success

His lines, which paint a picture of home-town life and experiences, were very much in keeping with the theme of the festival.

Andy Croft, who was one of the organisers of the four-day event, that included 17 sessions at venues across the city, said:

“We are pleased to report that we are now the biggest festival of its kind in Yorkshire.”

Testimony to the growing popularity of poetry was the fact that this year’s festival anthology, The Other Side of the Looking Glass, contains 92 poems covering a broad spectrum of styles and based on a wide range of subjects, including life in lockdown and the environment.

Mr Croft pointed out:

“It contains poems from people of all ages, who live locally and is the largest edition we have published.”