Thousands of people in the Harrogate district are still without TV coverage after the Bilsdale transmitter fire, says the owner of a local electrical firm.
Stephen Craggs, managing director of G Craggs Ltd, which has stores in Ripon and Boroughbridge, told the Stray Ferret he was still receiving calls from people unable to get channels on their televisions.
Arqiva, the company which owns the transmitter, said this week its temporary mast at Sutton Bank had restored coverage to many areas, such as Masham and Ripon.
But, Mr Cragg said that was not what customers were telling him.
He said:
“We’re still getting phone calls every two minutes saying ‘I thought the transmitter was fixed?’”
Mr Cragg said the majority of people calling him were elderly who relied on television as a means of company.
G Craggs in Boroughbridge
He added that some did not own tablets and had no catch-up television.
Read more:
- Bilsdale fire: channels restored to Harrogate district — but problems remain
- Temporary Bilsdale transmitter replacement ‘could take months’
Following the temporary transmitter being built, a number of district residents told the Stray Ferret that retuning their TVs had brought back some channels but not all.
We are continuing to receive messages from readers saying they are without services. One woman in Ripon told us she would be happy to receive just one channel showing back-to-back repeats of Crossroads.
Many people have been unable to watch TV since the Bilsdale mast caught fire a month ago today.
Mr Cragg criticised Arqiva for appearing to have “no strategy” for dealing with the situation and described the past month as a “fiasco”.
“There is no back-up plan. They are just on one crisis to another.
“Meanwhile, there are thousands of people without TV. Not everybody has a smart TV or tablet.”
In the company’s latest update, Paul Donovan, chief executive of Arqiva, said on Wednesday:
Ripon man jailed for persistently breaching animal welfare order“This morning Freeview television services were restored for over 100,000 more homes in the region.
“However, this is a complex task and there is clearly a lot more to do, so we are working with our partners as quickly and safely as possible. I would like to extend a special thank you to all those people who have been supporting friends and neighbours who may not have access to the internet or other sources of information and entertainment. We will prioritise the most vulnerable people affected.”
A Ripon man has been jailed after pleading guilty to a string of animal welfare offences.
Michael Andrew Hawkswell, 45, of Nunwick near Ripon, appeared at York Magistrates Court on Wednesday, accused of breaching the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which forbids him from keeping animals.
Hawkswell, who is disqualified from keeping or owning animals, was charged with possessing 76 birds and five other offences.
His five other offences included buying and transporting two goats, possessing seven sheep in his trailer, possessing a duck, unloading poultry from a vehicle into sale pens at Highgate auctions in Rotherham and buying and selling poultry.
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Hawkswell was jailed for four weeks to be served consecutively for all six offences and given a further eight weeks for breaching a suspended sentence which was imposed in 2019.
He was handed a 32-week jail sentence in total.
The court also disqualified Hawkswell from owning or keeping goats, poultry, birds and sheep for a period of 10 years under the Animal Welfare Act.
Police examine crates of poultry after stopping Hawkswell in July last year. Picture: North Yorkshire Police.
Hawkswell was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 16 months.
Speaking after the sentencing, PC Mark Atkinson, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural task force, said:
“Michael Hawkswell knew full well that he wasn’t allowed to have anything to do with animals – with a court order in place to protect them from suffering at his hands.
“However, he has repeatedly shown a blatant disregard for that court order, and persistently breached it on a number of occasions.
“Members of the farming community were aware of Hawkswell’s illegal activity, and came forward with crucial information, allowing us to arrest him and put him before the court. I would like to thank everyone who has spoken to the police in relation to Hawkswell’s activities – your assistance has been so vital and helped our team to put the strongest case together.”
North Yorkshire Police said it would now distribute posters highlighting Hawkswell’s banning order at livestock marts and other rural businesses.
Animal welfare charity the RSPCA tweeted that the sentence showed breaches of court orders “will not be ignored or tolerated”.
Breaches of court ordered disqualification (breach of ban) will not be ignored or tolerated. #teamwork with @NYorksPolice & @RSPCA_official has seen a successful few days in court #AnimalWelfare #farming #livestock #poultry https://t.co/KxpmumFvws
— RSPCA Frontline (@RSPCA_Frontline) September 9, 2021
Battle to save Ripon Spa Baths being sold for housing receives boost
The battle to prevent Ripon Spa Baths being sold for housing received a major boost today when the historic building was listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Harrogate Borough Council put the historic baths on the market in February, leading to concerns it could be sold to a private developer and turned into housing.
Ripon City Council, Ripon Civic Society and Ripon Together called for any sale not to be rushed through and applied for the 116-year-old Grade II listed building, which has a distinctive terracotta-clad frontage, to be listed as an asset of community value.
Ripon city council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret today the application had been accepted.
It means the local community now has six months to put together a bid to buy the building, which Harrogate Borough Council has said will be ‘surplus to requirements‘ when the new Ripon Leisure Centre opens this year.
Cllr Williams said he was “highly delighted” by today’s news. He added:
“I hope it means we can now guarantee a future for the site that doesn’t involve it being turned into expensive apartments.
“People across the community have been calling for it not to be housing. There has been very broad support for it remaining as a community asset.
“We now need to explore all the options open to the local community with proper professional advice, to secure the long-term use of the spa baths for community use.”
Read More:
Next steps
Cllr Williams said it seemed unlikely the baths would remain as a swimming pool and what happened next remained unclear.
“I’ll be talking to the full council on Monday, looking to appoint professional advisors on what can be done with the building and to create a development brief for how it can be used by the community.
“A new use needs to be found, and I doubt it will still be a swimming pool. But it does provide an exciting opportunity to reinvent the site and city as a whole”.
The Stray Ferret has asked Harrogate Borough Council for comment but has yet to receive a response.
What does Asset of Community Value status mean?
According to Harrogate Borough Council’s website, a building or land can be listed as an asset of community value if:
- current primary use of the building/land or use of the building/land in the recent past furthers the social well-being or social interests (cultural, recreational, or sporting) of the local community
- it’s realistic to think that now or in the next five years there could continue to be primary use of the building/land which will further the social well-being or social interests of the local community, whether or not in the same way as before
Once an asset is listed, owners can’t dispose of it without:
- letting the local authority know that they intend to sell the asset or grant a lease of more than 25 years
- waiting until the end of a six-week “interim moratorium” period if the local authority doesn’t receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
- waiting until the end of a six-month “full moratorium” period if the local authority does receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
The owner doesn’t have to sell the asset to the community group.
History of plans to sell Ripon Spa Baths
- 24 February: Ripon Spa Baths up for sale amid housing fears
- 8 March: For sale sign on Ripon’s Spa Baths
- 9 March: Ripon City Council unanimously agrees urged action to prevent sale
- 5 May: Harrogate Borough Council confirms plans to sell, saying “Selling the baths for redevelopment, subject to planning permission and listed building consents, would allow this local asset to be given a new lease of life, retain its key features and remain as a city landmark.”
Runners raise funds for all-weather track at Bishop Monkton school
A 10 kilometre race and fun run that raise money for a Harrogate district primary school is set to return this month.
The event, which was founded by race director Rebecca Owen, is called Beck Busters and helps Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School.
It hopes to generate £10,000 to get an all-weather track for the school field that children can use all year round.
Beck Busters didn’t take place last year because of lockdown restrictions but will return on September 19 for a fourth time.
Nina Swainston, one of the organisers, said:
“It’s a big local community event, anyone of all ages can take part.”
Read More:
Ms Swainston said runners were still welcome to enter. There are currently about 20 spaces for children out of a maximum entry of 150 and about 110 adult spaces out of a maximum entry of 330.
Entry costs £5 for children and £18 for adults (£16 for members of a running club).
The Beck Buster run is 10 kilometres, while the fun run is two kilometres.
Participants from clubs such as Ripon Runners and Harrogate Harriers have taken part.
In past years, the fundraiser has allowed the school to afford iPads for children, as well as save towards creating an all-weather track.
For more information see the Beck Busters website.
Lidl supermarket in Ripon set for go-ahead
Plans for a new Lidl supermarket at St Michael’s Retail Park in Ripon look set to be given the go-ahead by councillors next week.
The new 11,840 sq ft store, which would create up to 40 jobs, has been recommended for approval at a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.
If councillors agree with the recommendation, the supermarket would occupy two units at the £10m retail park, which opened in July last year.
A report to next Tuesday’s meeting said:
“The proposed development is acceptable and meets the requirements of the sequential and retail impact tests.
“The development will create jobs and provide economic benefits to the local area.”
Read more:
The plans were submitted to the borough council in May following a virtual consultation with the local community earlier this year.
Lidl previously said the store would represent a “multi-million-pound” investment into the Rotary Way retail park, which is currently only occupied by Marks and Spencer and owned by Leeds-based retailers Rothstone Estates.
Separately, plans for a Lidl store at the former Lookers car dealership on Harrogate’s Knaresborough Road were approved by the borough council last month.
The German supermarket chain previously said these plans will also create up to 40 jobs.
Ripon mayor’s charity event proves a hitThe Magdalens pub in Ripon was alive with the sound of music, as city mayor Eamon Parkin and consort Nigel Guy hosted an afternoon of fun and fundraising.
Proceeds from Saturday’s event, which are still to be finalised, will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.
The hog roast and music was arranged after the covid pandemic put paid to the mayor’s ball, which is normally a key fundraiser on the civic calendar.
Cllr Parkin, said:
“I thank the many friends from different organisations and businesses in Ripon, who supported the event and people who travelled some distance to be with us.”
Those who attended included the Pollard family from the north-east — Marjorie, Sharon and Natalie.
Mayor Cllr Eamon Parkin (left) and his consort Nigel Guy, pictured with the Pollard family from the left: Marjorie, Natalie and Sharon
Sharon said:
“We’ve been coming to Ripon for many years and struck up a lasting friendship with Eamon and Nigel.
“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
The Pollards left with an England women’s football shirt signed by members of the World Cup team – just one of many items sold at the charity auction.
The Counterfeit Celts provided music ranging from reggae to Irish folk and rock.
The Counterfeit Celts played from their wide repertoire.
Also providing entertainment was Ripon singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary who, like the band, had attendees singing along.
Many in the audience had last seen him performing on stage as the opening act at the Yorkshire Day Weekend concert.
In the spotlight — Freddie Cleary.
The auction and raffle, included numerous donated items on offer, ranging from sporting memorabilia to jewellery.
Read more:
Cllr Parkin is set to go into the record books by becoming the first Mayor of Ripon to serve for three consecutive terms.
He will remain in office until May.
Rich history of Ripon church opened to visitorsOne of the Harrogate district’s finest churches is to open to visitors and local residents this week after undergoing a £500,000 restoration.
St Wilfrid’s, on Coltsgate Hill in Ripon, will open from 10.30am to 4pm on Friday for the first in a series of four Heritage Open Days,.
The national programme sees historic places invite people to visit free of charge. The church, which opened in April 1863, is one of this year’s main attractions as it is considered to be one of England’s finest Catholic places of worship.
The grade II* listed building was designed in French Gothic style by the prolific York architect Joseph Hansom, inventor of the Hansom cab.
Features include stained and coloured glass, an imposing altar screen or reredos designed by Edward Pugin depicting scenes from the life of St Wilfrid and other fine statuary, carvings and artwork.
Windows in the tower were replaced as part of the refurbishment.
These include ornate medallions of saints above the nave arches by Salviati of Venice, and the side altar of Our Lady of Fountains, brought from the private chapel of the Marquess of Ripon at Studley Royal after his death.
The marquess converted to Catholicism in 1874 – six years before becoming viceroy and governor general of India.
Born at 10 Downing Street, when his father Viscount Goderich was briefly Prime Minister, he was a towering parliamentary figure in Victorian Britain and a major donor to St Wilfrid’s and to Ripon, where he was elected as the city’s mayor in 1897.
An addition to the 158-year history of St Wilfrid’s is a dramatic holograph-style set of stations of the cross, commissioned by a benefactor to the restoration appeal.
Many local people and organisations donated to the fundraising programme headed by parishioner Barrie Price.
This, combined with a Heritage Fund lottery grant, provided the money needed for the restoration and will fund further improvements, among them better access to the church.
Read more:
- Ripon pilgrims walk between two national treasures
- Can you name Ripon’s three Grade I listed buildings?
In addition to Friday’s open day, three more open days will be held on Saturday and Sunday and on Thursday next week.
Entry is via the front door steps or ramp on Coltsgate Hill and parking spaces are available in the church car park, accessed via Trinity Lane.
The Last Night of the Proms – Ripon style
Ripon will go from rock and pop to pomp and circumstance in its final free mass entertainment event of the summer next weekend.
Organised to coincide with the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the city will welcome fans of the more classical style of music to Market Square on Saturday, September 11.
The event, from 7pm until 11pm, features a tribute act singing songs made famous by Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins.
Also taking the stage in front of Ripon Town Hall during the evening will be the Dishforth Military Wives Choir.
Live music will be provided by an ensemble of 17 musicians and a fireworks display will provide the finale.
The free weekends of entertainment have been paid for from the Ripon parish precept, which is funded by council tax.
The previous ones brought tribute acts ranging from Queen to the ABBA Forever tribute group.
As well as providing free family entertainment, which has also included fairground rides for children, the intention has been to bring more people to the city centre and drive footfall to benefit local traders.
City council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“They’ve been enjoyable and trouble-free events that have put smiles on a lot of faces.
“You could see that people are delighted to be finally free of the restrictions that were necessary during the covid lockdowns.”
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- Harrogate-born musician to kick off London festival
- Commissioner to fund further CCTV cameras to tackle crime in Ripon
More free events in Market Square are scheduled for autumn and winter.
During the October half term holiday there will be further family-focused activities, followed in November with the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights.
Bringing the curtain down on 2021 will be the famous New Year’s Eve entertainment — an alfresco party that normally sees hundreds of revellers rocking around Ripon’s obelisk.
Ripon company that played key role in covid marks 50 years in the city
It was many happy returns for Wolseley today, as the company marked 50 years in Ripon with the reopening of its headquarters.
The building on Boroughbridge Road underwent a £500,000 refurbishment during lockdown.
While that was underway, Wolseley continued to supply vital plumbing and building materials to the NHS in its fight to save lives and beat the pandemic.
At today’s family open day, Wolseley chief executive Simon Oakland told the Stray Ferret:
“The NHS required critical building materials and parts for the repair and maintenance of hospitals and we provided them throughout the lockdown.”
The Wolseley UK headquarters on Boroughbridge Road.
The Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate was one of the major infrastructure projects the company supplied.
Mr Oakland said:
“We are proud to have been involved in supplying every Nightingale Hospital in the UK and have also supported the UK mass vaccination programme through the provision of refrigeration equipment.”
New training centre
The company, which opened its headquarters building in 1971, has 280 employees based in Ripon, and a further 120 at its Melmerby distribution centre.
The Boroughbridge Road site provides administrative services, including finance and IT support and UK-wide the company has 500 branches with 5,000 employees.
Ripon City Band provided musical entertainment.
At today’s community party to celebrate 50 years in Ripon and the centre’s reopening, head of office and finance director Mark Stibbards, told invited guests:
“We have some people who have worked for us for 40 years and they are part of a great team.
“We employ locally in this area and have throughout our history, supported Ripon charities and other organisations, including Ripon Walled Garden, Ripon Cathedral Primary School and Ripon City Football Club.”
A new training centre on the site will not only develop the talent of the Wolseley team but also provide opportunities for community organisations that help individuals improve their skills and employability.
Farhan, who works in the IT department at Wolseley is pictured with his wife Samera and their six-year-old daughter Maiza on one of the children’s rides.
Today’s celebration event was attended by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, representatives from charities, Wolseley employees and their children, former company directors and members of the community.
Read more:
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who cut a ribbon to signal the reopening of the offices, said:
“I was born and bred in this city and have known Wolseley for most of my life.
“The 50 years of investment and employment they brought by selecting Ripon for their headquarters is greatly appreciated.”
Major Ripon employer Wolseley celebrates 50 years in city today
One of Ripon’s biggest employers is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary today.
Wolseley UK, which supplies building materials, is holding a family open day to coincide with the reopening of its head office.
The company, which employs more than 320 people in the city, is set to welcome all employees back today after its offices underwent a £500,000 refurbishment.
Face painting, a coconut shy and a performance from the Ripon City band will take place.
Read more:
- Ripon’s Curzon cinema finally looks set to reopen
- Civic society cautiously welcomes plan to redevelop former Debenhams building
Mayor of Ripon, Eamon Parkin, will cut the ribbon on the grand reopening.
Danny Bryan, employee engagement officer at Wolseley, said:
“Naturally, we’re incredibly excited about this step forward for our business, and it is sure to have a profound, positive impact on the local community worth shouting about.”
The company began life in Ripon in 1971 as The Wolseley Hughes Group.
It was based on Boroughbridge Road, where it remains to this day, and was made up of three companies OBC, Yorkshire Heating Supplies and Granville Controls.
In 1985, the company expanded its site and by 1996 was known as Wolseley Centres.
Parent company Ferguson sold Wolseley UK to a private equity firm, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, for £308m in January.