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.
Offensive graffiti removed from wall near Ripon CathedralNorth 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.
Petition opposes 1,300-home Ripon Barracks schemeA 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.”
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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:
Search for ‘hero’ who rescued child from Ripon river“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:
Drop in number of deliberate fires across Harrogate district“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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Regulator shuts down Harrogate and Ripon law firm Ray Nixon Brown
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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Ripon pub closes after suspected covid case
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.
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- 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:
Students receive A-level results online“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.”
Today was A-level results day for hundreds of young people in the district, most of whom have received their results online this morning.
Amid the pandemic, the students’ exams were cancelled and their grades have been based on teacher expectations, mock exam grades and previous cohorts’ results. All were then standardised by government body Ofqual.
Unlike previous years, students weren’t able to attend their college or sixth form today and instead found out their grades online.
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- Harrogate A level students anxiously await results day
- Parents risk losing child’s place at school over coronavirus fears, says county council
Apprehension regarding the results was heightened after a U-turn in Scottish exam results. All results that were downgraded through the new system were replaced by the original estimates.
Here you can find out how each centre has performed (more links will be added as results are released):
Family tribute to former Ripon soldier after fatal crashThe family of a former soldier have released an emotional tribute after he died in a crash near Ripon.
Kieran Rafferty, 60, was born in Fife in Scotland but he was young when his parents moved to Stoke-on-Trent and he attended school there.
He joined the armed forces and travelled the world before he worked for his family business for more than 30 years.
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Mr Rafferty settled in Ripon and was married for 25 years. He leaves behind his partner Debs and his dogs Nardie and Ozzy. The family said he will be “terribly missed”.
As well as his family, Kieran was well known for his love of music and particular passion for Northern Soul. He also enjoyed cars and motorbikes and was a firm believer in compassion for animals.
Keiran was driving a red Lexus coupe at the time.
Kieran Rafferty died on July 25 at around 9.20pm when the vehicle he was driving left the road.
He was driving his red Lexus coupe along the A61 near the village of Skipton-on-Swale from the Busby Stoop roundabout.
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for any witnesses to the crash to contact Nicola Gill by email and quote reference 12200127493.