The National Trust has included Ripon’s Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in a report published today about links between its properties and slavery.
The report reveals how John Aislabie, who owned the Studley Royal estate during the 18th century, received a £20,000 bribe from the South Sea Company to promote its campaigns in the House of Commons.
Aislabie was eventually expelled from the House of Commons for his links with the South Sea Company, which sold African slaves.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A spokesperson for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal said:
“Fountains Abbey will be exploring ways to embed the research into what we do and the way we tell the stories of the property.
“We want to give as many people as possible, particularly those whose ancestors may have been enslaved or whose countries may have been colonised, a chance to respond to the report’s findings.
“We are working to share stories of colonialism and slavery at relevant properties but we also want to take time to do this properly and well.”
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- Fountains Abbey has limited the number of visitors each day to ensure safety.
- Owners of Newby Hall has said it must “recognise and take serious note” of its slavery connection.
The trust said this information will be taken forward to offer visitors a more informed visit.
Another North Yorkshire property, Nunnington Hall, was also named in the report.
Ripon Grammar School has confirmed one of its sixth form students has tested positive coronavirus.
It makes it the sixth school in the district to have reported a case, and the first outside of Harrogate.
Headmaster Jonathan Webb sent a letter to parents today saying a “small” number of pupils would be sent home to self-isolate. The precise figure has not been revealed.
The letter said:
“We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness.
“The small number of children who have been in direct, prolonged contact with the confirmed case will be staying at home for 14 days.”
Read more:
- County council says five schools have reported covid cases in the district, all within Harrogate.
- Three more schools confirm covid cases sending multiple students home.
Mr Webb added the school would work with Public Health England to monitor the situation.
The letter urges parents to keep their children at home for 10 days to isolate if they develop covid symptoms.
A total of 12 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the district today – the highest daily increase for just over a week.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the theft of a car amid dramatic scenes in Ripon city centre today.
A silver Ford Galaxy was reported stolen from a house in the city just before 11am this morning.
Police found the car abandoned at about 12.15pm. A police spokesperson said:
“A number of people were seen running from it. Air support was called in from the police helicopter, and officers on the ground continued to search the immediate area.
“By 1pm, four people had been arrested, all on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle. “
The suspects, who include a man in his 20s and three teenagers, remain in custody. The car is undergoing forensic checks.
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Dementia charity warns of impact of second lockdown
The chief executive of Ripon charity Dementia Forward has warned that a second national lockdown would heighten distress for people with dementia and their families.
Jill Quinn, whose charity provides services across North Yorkshire, acknowledged the government faced difficult decisions about how to respond to rising levels of infections.
But she said the impact of the first lockdown and ongoing restrictions had already had serious implications for dementia sufferers.
Jill Quinn, chief executive of Dementia Forward.
Speaking on World Alzheimer’s Day today, Ms Quinn said:
“Dementia is a progressive illness but the restrictions have caused faster deterioration.
“People are also struggling to get a diagnosis.
“There isn’t a solution – or if there is I can’t see it. We’ve just got to keep going.”
Ms Quinn said Dementia Forward had lost between £50,000 and £100,000 of fundraising this year due to events being cancelled.
Read more:
- Harrogate charity sees 44% increase in counselling referrals
- Former Ashville pupil to swim English Channel for charity
Fundraising accounts for about half of the charity’s income. The other half is derived from providing services for North Yorkshire County Council.
The charity, which had 4,000 families on its books at the time of lockdown, furloughed six of its 29 staff.
It has had to postpone weekly pop-up wellbeing cafes and day services.
This loss of services has had detrimental effects on beneficiaries, many of whom don’t understand the rules on social distancing and hand hygiene.
Ms Quinn said:
Large cannabis farm found in former Ripon nightclub“We are receiving more and more calls from people in distress. We just have to keep doing what we can, which is really limited right now.
“But there’s no doubt we are stashing up problems for the future.”
Police have launched an investigation after a large scale cannabis farm was discovered inside a former nightclub in Ripon.
Officers were called to the former Matrix nightclub on Kirkgage at 6.16pm last night (September 17) after two people were reportedly seen running away away after being disturbed during a routine building check.
Despite an extensive search, including the use of a police drone, the two people were not found, but a search of the building found a “large scale, sophisticated cannabis grow”.
Read more:
- Heroin seized and three arrested in suspected Harrogate drug deal
- Harrogate police officer ‘bitten by man claiming to have coronavirus’
Now, North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for further information on suspicious activity in the area.
A police statement said:
Toolstation opens in Ripon“Police and partner agencies returned to the cordoned-off scene on Friday to carry out a full safety assessment before all the evidence could be gathered as part of the investigation.
“While this work is ongoing, officers are appealing for any information about recent suspicious activity or individuals in the Kirkgate area of Ripon.
“If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.
“If you would prefer to make an anonymous report, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
“Please quote reference number 12200163654 when providing details about this appeal.”
A new building supplies store has opened in Ripon, as demand for DIY products grows.
Toolstation opened its doors at Ripon Business Park on Monday.
It will be open seven days a week, serving both trade and domestic customers.
Several DIY companies have reported a “boom” in sales since lockdown began, with more people spending time working on home improvements.
Toolstation has 400 stores nationwide, including a branch at the Hydro Retail Park on Ripon Road in Harrogate.
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Devolution: good or bad for local voices in planning?
Residents groups in Harrogate are divided on whether devolution will increase the strength of local voice in the planning process.
Central government wants fewer, bigger local authorities as part of its plans to devolve power making.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed creating one large authority that would serve all 610,000 people in the county besides York.
The seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, have put forward an alternative east / west model that would result in two slightly smaller authorities.
Whatever happens will have major implications on how planning decisions are made in the district.
The Stray Ferret spoke to three local residents groups for their views.
Kingsley, Harrogate
John Hansard, from the Kingsley Ward Action Group, is worried that a larger authority would make it more difficult for the group’s voice to be heard in the planning process.
Currently, housing decisions are made by HBC’s planning committee, which is made up of local councillors. But Mr Hansard said that if a future planning committee were run from Northallerton, with members from places like Skipton or Scarborough, they wouldn’t have the same local insight as HBC councillors have.
He said:
“If you have a planning issue you can rely on local councillors to come down to the area and have a look. With NYCC you’d have no chance. We’d lose our local voice if it was put into their hands. It would be a step backwards.”
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Harlow and Pannal Ash
Rene Dziabas, chairman of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association (HAPARA), spoke in a personal capacity to the Stray Ferret and said he has become frustrated with how Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council pass issues back and forth. He said a unitary authority would improve accountability.
He said:
“The majority of functions here are carried out by NYCC but other functions, like planning, are run by HBC. I’ve attended many meetings over the past few years and you get the bounce between the two. HBC says ‘it’s nothing to do with us’, and NYCC says the same thing. That needs sorting out.”
Mr Dziabas added that whatever organisation ends up taking control of Harrogate, they “must be more proactive” in taking on board the opinions of residents.
He said:
“There is a great feeling at the moment that whatever you say is ignored. In the whole devolution process, they must build in localism, so local people feel that they are involved in the things where they live.”
Ripon
Barbara Brodigan represents Ripon Residents Action Group and is mobilising local people against Homes England’s 1,300-home proposal at Ripon Barracks.
She said Ripon felt left out of decisions made by Harrogate Borough Council:
“That is the feeling from residents. They always feel like we are the Cinderella and the poor relation in the district.”
Ms Brodigan said whichever devolution model was adopted, the voices of local residents must be heard.
She added:
New drama school opens in Ripon this weekend“How much local power cities or town councils will have over planning is generally a worry, as are the government’s planning reforms, which will take away a lot of local decisions.”
A new drama school for children will open in Ripon this weekend.
Ripon Theatre Arts has been created by Rosie Riley, an actor and graduate of the London musical theatre school, The MTA.
The school, which is for children aged six to 12, will will take place in Ripon Amateur Operatic Society’s hall on Allhallowgate on Saturdays.
Ms Riley said recent months had been “difficult” for young people and hoped her classes would help them build confidence, have fun and make friends. She added:
“We have strictly followed the government guidelines for this. However, I believe it’s really important to help the next generation get back on their feet. It’s been so difficult for all the young people being in lockdown and if we can help with any personal development, I think we have done our job of helping them get back on track with their life.
“I have been itching for a challenging project to get my teeth into and when schools were able to open, we jumped at the opportunity. We were also aware, due to another school closing, that a lot of children now had no Saturday club. I didn’t want this to happen, so here we are!”
Ms Riley, pictured here, said the time is right to open the school.
Ms Riley has over three years of teaching experience and has also performed in several off-West End theatres, as well as appearing in the Channel 4 show The Last Leg.
Read more:
- Brimham Rocks visitors were treated to a concert this week which saw a pianist playing on top of one of its rocks.
- Her terminal cancer diagnosis inspired one Harrogate art teacher to set up her own exhibition to raise money for her cancer centre.
Children will have to queue to maintain social distancing when they enter the building and wear face coverings while performing. Each child will be given a 2m square space to use.
To get in touch with Ms Riley, email ripontheatrearts@hotmail.com.
Plans for 13 homes at former Ripon timber yardRed Tree Developments has submitted plans to demolish buildings at the site of the former NY Timber yard in Ripon and build 13 homes.
The site on Trinity Lane was home to a timber yard from 1860 to 2018.
Red Tree bought the 0.64-acre plot, which is adjacent to the listed buildings The Federation of Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, from Cairngorm Capital for an undisclosed sum this year.
It has now applied to build three two-bedroom homes and 10 three-bedroom homes, which it said would alleviate demand for these types of properties in the city.
Jessica Coombes, associate director at Manchester property specialists CBRE, which negotiated the sale for Cairngorm Capital, said:
“The site is within walking distance of Ripon town centre with its wealth of services and amenities, including doctor and dental surgeries and the Duck Hill shopping quarter.
“With excellent schools nearby, including Ripon Grammar and the Holy Trinity junior school and a close-knit community feel, it is ideally placed for residential use.”
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Red Tree’s planning application is one of the first proposed housing developments in the district to qualify for Harrogate Borough Council’s new Community Infrastructure Levy.
The council introduced the levy to complement Section 106 agreements, which are agreed between the authority and developers to pay for infrastructure that might be affected by new developments, such as roads and schools.
Six workers rescued from Ripon takeawaySix workers have been rescued from a takeaway in Ripon after residents raised concerns about their living and working conditions.
Representatives from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Harrogate Borough Council, the police, fire service and Immigration Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, swooped on the takeaway, which has not been named, on Wednesday last week.
The six people safeguarded during the visit have been placed in temporary accommodation.
Officers noted several possible indicators of labour abuse but could not find any signs of modern slavery offences, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority,
The council and the fire service will now investigate a number of housing and fire safety issues at the property.
Read more:
- Heroin seized and three arrested in Harrogate
- Knaresborough couple stopped after 15-hour drive to Thirsk
- Harrogate police officer ‘bitten by man claiming to have coronavirus’
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority works in partnership with other agencies to investigate labour exploitation.
Contact Crimestoppers anonymously if you suspect someone is being exploited for labour on 0800 555111.