The Old Deanery in Ripon will close next year to become another financial victim of the coronavirus pandemic.

It has been a hotel, bar and wedding venue for the last 17 years just opposite Ripon Cathedral. The manager said it will close at the end of the lease on June 30 2021.

Any bookings before that point will not be affected by the closure. The Old Deanery made the announcement with “deep regret”.

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• Offensive graffiti removed from wall near Ripon Cathedral

Chris Brown, general manager at The Old Deanery, said:

“Due to the extreme trading conditions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and continued restrictions indefinitely affecting our wedding and event trade, the directors have made the difficult decision to cease trading.”

The Ripon Cathedral Chapter will once again take on the 17th Century Grade II listed building when the lease ends next year.

Mr Brown added that his team “would like to thank you all for your support over the years and look forward to seeing you again in the next ten months”.

When The Old Deanery made the announcement lots of customers commented that it was sad news and shared memories of their time there.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon is recruiting 40 new volunteer rangers.

The site has been growing in size in recent years. The gardens are now set over 45 acres and it is becoming increasingly difficult to look after the space.

To try and combat that, the gardens has launched a Natural Health Service volunteer drive and it’s not just for gardeners.

They hope that it will help those who have been made redundant as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Stephen Ward, the new head gardener, used his personal experience of redundancies to shape the initiative. He said:

“The trials and tribulations I have been through are what thousands of people are going through at this time. I want to help those people by providing a place for them to come to that will help them to move on to something better.”

The coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park. They missed out on their peak season. As a result, they are looking at ways they can keep the revenue coming in during the winter months.

Part of the plans include Christmas bundles, heading out to Christmas markets with their products and even taking their converted horse box cafe to events. The gardens will close as usual in November so these could make a big difference.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon can find out more on their website. Mr Ward has said he will take people for a site visit and chat with them about their skills.

The garden’s believe they have the north’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias with nearly 20,000 plants

Winner of Yorkshire in Bloom Tourist Attraction Award for 2018 and 2019, and Best Business Award 2019, the park is also home to over 80 Contemporary Sculptures.

An independent designer menswear store in Ripon city centre will close this month for the final time after more than 40 years of business.

Jon Barrie, in Market Place, is selling its remaining stock as well as its fixtures and fittings. The manager expects to be closed permanently by September 19.

Not only will the Ripon store close but the Keighley shop will as well. The Pontefract and Castleford shops will remain open.

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Anna Simmonds, the Ripon store manager, told the Stray Ferret it will be a sad day when it closes in a couple of weeks:

“We simply cannot continue to trade when the economy is like this after so many months of lockdown. It is absolutely gutting, it is going to be awful on that last day.”

Jon Barrie sells a range of designer mens clothes such as Fred Perry and Pretty Green as well as designer accessories.

North Yorkshire Police are continuing to investigate an incident in which graffiti, including an expletive, was daubed on a wall across the road from Ripon Cathedral.

The offensive message targeting the Conservatives has now been removed after being reported to the police last Friday morning.

Harrogate Borough Council tweeted today that although the graffiti did not appear on council land, it had decided to remove it “given the language used”.

Police ask anybody who has information about the perpetrators to call 101 and quote the reference number 12200150072.

The wall is yards from the cathedral on Minster Road – one of the main traffic and pedestrian thoroughfares in Ripon.

The graffiti is another example of anti-social behaviour in the city.

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Other incidents include vandalised windows and fly-tipping.

Some of the anti-social acts have been carried out by children and earlier this year Ripon police called for parents to be more vigilant.

Sergeant Clare Mayes of North Yorkshire Police’s Ripon Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“Parents, please take responsibility and find out where your children have been, what they’ve been up to and who they have been with – before you receive a knock on the door from a police officer.“

Many of the reports received by the police identify young people at the heart of the problems being experienced in the community.

Sergeant Mayes added:

“We all have a part to play in helping everyone to stay safe and feel safe in their homes and any behaviour which undermines this will be dealt with accordingly

“We are absolutely committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and will be doing everything we can to ensure our communities remain safe and pleasant places to live.”

She added:

“We know that lockdown has caused many of our community members to become isolated from their normal social groups and practices, but nothing excuses the unacceptable behaviour we have recently seen and had reported.”

Ripon Neighbourhood Policing Team says it is working with partner agencies to deal with incidents that are reported, but would urge the public to ensure reports are made by calling 101.

A total of 150 Ripon residents have signed a petition in the 24 hours since it started calling on Harrogate Borough Council to refuse the 1,300-home Ripon Barracks development due to its negative impact on traffic in the city.

The proposed development will be called Clotherholme and encompasses Claro Barracks, Deverell Barracks and Laver Banks. It’s being developed by the government’s housing agency, Homes England, and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Homes England commissioned consultancy firm AECOM to undertake a study which said main access points for the development should be on Clotherholme Road and Kirkby Road.

However, Ripon City Council called this study “flawed” — and said a new road should be added on Galphay Road to alleviate potential congestion.

Barbara Brodigan, who launched the petition on behalf of the Ripon Residents Action Group, called on HBC to reject the application in its current form.

She also questioned why North Yorkshire County Council has this week begun a £7.7m roadworks scheme on the A1 (M) in Knaresborough to support future new housing whereas there are no major new roadworks planned to support Ripon Barracks. She described Ripon as the “poor relation” of the Harrogate district.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Homes England have the arrogance to say these road improvements are not needed when there are 1,400 houses being built.”

“We’re not against more houses here, it would certainly add to the value of Ripon. We need houses for young people and for families but our major bugbear is it’s not been planned the right way. We need the infrastructure to support it if it’s going to be of value to the city.”

Read more

• Ripon Barracks transport assessment ‘flawed’, says council

• A1 (M) near Knaresborough faces 12 months of disruption

Homes England has submitted plans to HBC for Ripon Barracks. The proposals due to be published on HBC’s website imminently.

A Homes England spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“The impact of traffic from major developments with planning consent within Ripon has been taken into account as part of the transport assessment.

“The proposed Galphay Road link is not needed, and a new road in this location is not supported by the HBC adopted Local Plan or the NYCC Local Transport Plan.”

The search is on for a young man who earned the title of hero after he rescued a child from a river in Ripon.

A witness told the Stray Ferret that a girl slipped into the River Skell around 4pm yesterday afternoon.

The high water soon took the girl downstream – but, at that moment, a young man rushed out of the pub towards the water. He waded through the strong currents and managed to reach the girl before he pulled her out and saved her life.

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Sara Peirson was at The Water Rat pub watching the River Skell at about 4pm yesterday when she noticed the girl slip into the water.

Mrs Peirson told the Stray Ferret:

“I think that he is a hero, he was completely selfless. The river was very full yesterday, it was a surging current. But he didn’t think about that. He just jumped straight in and grabbed her. I spoke to him afterwards but he brushed it off.”

The search is now on for the man who rescued the girl. Mrs Peirson described him as no older than 20.

She would like the nameless hero to get recognition for his efforts in saving the young girl’s life. Anyone who knows the young man should get in touch and send an email to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Second river rescue near Ripon

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue issued a water warning today after a second river rescue in North Stainley at about 6.45pm yesterday.

In the separate incident, a passer-by rescued a teenager who got stuck on a rock by the high currents after playing in the water. Her rescuer used life jackets to bring the teenager to safety.

A spokesman for the service said:

“Whilst open water can look tempting on warm days, it can be full of hidden dangers including strong currents and vegetation or objects that you can get caught up in. If you see someone in difficulty in open water you should call 999.”

The number of deliberate fires started across the Harrogate district has halved this summer compared to the same time last year.

Data from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed there were 17 deliberate fires during June, July and August this year, down 50% from last year’s 35 recorded incidents.

However, the fire service has urged people to think about their actions, emphasising that the time spent dealing with a deliberate fire is taken from someone who may be in danger.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Over the last few months North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of fires in the Harrogate district that are believed to have been started deliberately. While we are responding to these fires we are not available to respond to other emergencies.

“Starting fires is usually a criminal offence and can endanger lives. We’ve also been to a few campfires that have been left unattended or have spread. Please only light campfires in safe, designated areas and make sure they’re fully extinguished.”

Fires in woodlands and outdoor spaces are particularly dangerous. If left unattended or not extinguished properly, they can spread quickly.

The fire service believes some of the fires could have been started by young people. It has offered advice to parents to ensure that, as the summer holidays continue, children stay safe. It said:

• Fire spreads quickly and can be unpredictable.
• Playing with fire in the home or garden can have serious unintended consequences.
• Fires outside can easily get out of control and cause damage to woodland, moorland and wildlife.

Parents can get confidential advice by calling 0800 074 0064 or emailing safeguarding@northyorksfire.gov.uk.

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A law firm with offices in Harrogate and Ripon has been closed down by the regulator over concerns about the way it was operating.

Kingly solicitors, which was trading as Ray Nixon Brown from offices on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate and Duck Hill in Ripon, was shut by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The organisation has intervened in the firm, part of national company Kingly Solicitors, as well as the practice of its three directors, Simon Hutcheson, Simon Peacock, and Champitka Ratnayake.

A spokesman for the SRA said:

“The grounds of intervention are a failure by Mr Hutcheson, Mr Peacock and Ms Ratnayake to comply with SRA rules, and a reason to suspect dishonesty on behalf of Nural Miah, who is a manager of Kingly Solicitors.

“The practising certificate of Mr Hutcheson, Mr Peacock and Ms Ratnayake have been automatically suspended, so they cannot practice as a solicitor. Mr Miah is not a solicitor.

“An intervention means the SRA has closed a firm with immediate effect. It will stop the firm from operating, take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, and take possession of all money held by the firm (including clients’ money). It is not responsible towards employees or trade creditors of firms that it has intervened in.”

The spokesman said all current clients of Ray Nixon Brown and Kingly solicitors will be contacted by two agents – James Dunn of Devonshires Solicitors LLP and John Owen of Gordons LLP – about their cases. However, anyone concerned can contact Mr Dunn at intervention-team@devonshires.co.uk, or call 0207 065 1830, or Mr Owen at kingly@gordonsllp.com, or call 0113 227 0360.

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A pub in Ripon has had to close today after a customer reported testing positive for coronavirus.

The Navigation Inn, situated on the edge of the canal, has made the decision to close today. The pub has said all the staff will be tested and the pub will be deep cleaned throughout the day.

The pub has said this report has not come from an official source but they expect the information to come later today.

Notifying customers via Facebook, the pub owners said:

“We have been informed that someone has visited The Navigation Inn on Thursday, who has since tested positive with covid 19. My priority is to ensure everyone’s safety & at present we feel this is the best option. We send out apologises to anyone who was booked in with us today, and for anyone who had deliveries organised.”

The pub has made this decision to ensure the safety of its staff and other customers.

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This sign was left on the entrance to the pub.

People from across the district came together today to commemorate VJ Day on its 75th anniversary.

Today commemorates Victory over Japan which led to the end of World War Two.

Services were held in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough to remember all of those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war. A two minute silence took place at 11am to remember the fallen.

Similar to VE Day in May, celebrations had to be reduced to allow for social distancing.

In Harrogate, members of the public, local dignitaries and members of the armed forces gathered to pay their respects at the war memorial. The Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Stuart Martin, said it was an “honour” to lay a wreath this morning.

Harrogate’s Mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin, lay a wreath this morning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. Credit: Ernesto Regatta.

Read more:

• The county council chairman encourages residents to to commemorate VJ Day.
• A small service was held in Ripon to remember the fallen today. 

Members of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion arranged a service at the town’s war memorial in the castle grounds. During the service the newly refurbished commemoration bench was unveiled.

In Ripon, a small service was held within Spa Gardens with local representatives placing a wreath on the war memorial.

Ripon’s Mayor Councillor Eamon Parkin, said:

“On landmark days like these, we take a few minutes to remember what the men and women of the armed forces have done for us in every theatre of war and continue to do for us in keeping the peace.”