The owner of Newby Hall has expressed ‘great relief and gratitude’ at receiving a £450,000 government grant to ensure the popular attraction remains open to the public into 2021 and beyond.

The money has come from a £103m Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, aimed at safeguarding the future of heritage venues such as Newby, which have been hit hard by coronavirus restrictions.

2020 has seen all major events, weddings and corporate events cancelled at Newby Hall. While the gardens opened to the public in early June, visitor numbers are down by around 75%.

Owner Richard Compton said without the funding there was a “real threat” that Newby could close to the public.

He said:

“Our business model, relying on day visitors and events, has allowed us to stand alone financially and add a little each year in terms of restoration and improvements. Covid and 2020 has shattered all plans and posed a real financial threat to Newby.

“This funding has allowed the business model to be rebuilt for 2021, thus safeguarding the wonderful house and the award-winning gardens for future generations of visitors to enjoy.”

Read more:

• “Newby Hall will be superb” says Harrogate Antiques Roadshow expert

• Black Lives Matter: Newby Hall uncovers links to slave trade

Councillors have rejected a bid to build a new motorway service area five miles from Ripon.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee voted this afternoon by 11 to 1 against the proposal by Moto Hospitality, which operates 45 similar sites across the country,

The proposal included a petrol filling station, small hotel, food and retail units and parking for HGVs and coaches on land west of the A61 and A6055 at junction 50 of the A1(M).

Steve Masters, property director at Moto, told committee members the site would support haulage drivers travelling through the district and create 200 jobs.

He said:

“Covid has demonstrated the critical nature of food and medicine logistics and has increased the need for a motorway service area to support the haulage sector.”

A motorway service station at Kirby Hill, about five miles to the south of this site, was refused permission by HBC in November 2019 and is now at appeal. A public inquiry is scheduled later this year.

Moto Hospitality has planning permission from Hambleton Council to expand its Leeming Bar services near Northallerton, which is north of the proposed site.

However, Mr Masters told the committee the company had decided not to go ahead with this redevelopment.

Read more:

• Kirby Hill residents prepare to continue motorway services fight

• Could cars be banned outside primary schools in Harrogate?

Gordon Gledson, chair of Hewick and Hutton Parish Council, spoke against the proposals.

He said:

“I do not think there is a need for another service station. The A61 is already a heavily used road and the increase in traffic on a large roundabout will lead to a decrease in road safety”.

Cllr Windass, the only councillor to back the proposals, said the plans were “less harmful and controversial” than the Kirby Hill motorway service area rejected by HBC last year.

Cllr Pat Marsh said she was concerned about the impact the site would have on the environment.

She said:

“This is all about our landscape and what heritage we are leaving for our children. What we’re doing is putting within a landscape, buildings, earth mound and trees that are totally alien to this part of our wonderful district. I think it is wrong.”

Dahlias that smell like chocolate, pink sunflowers and bright blue poppies. It may not be what you think of when you imagine a wasteland but this florist has transformed her small space in Ripon into a blooming oasis for flowers and wildlife.

The Secret Garden, which is – as the name suggests – hidden away just off Studley Road in the city, is trying to change people’s perceptions of flowers.

Victoria Ramshaw started the project four years ago to try and increase biodiversity. Unlike other flower farms, The Secret Garden is a wave of different colours.

The Secret Garden needs 24 hours notice to pick out the perfect bunch.

Someone looking to grab a quick bunch of flowers may need to look elsewhere as Victoria needs a full day’s notice to head out to the garden and pick out the perfect bouquet.

Read more:

• Colourful donut shop is a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’
• Harrogate cafe is a ‘hidden gem’ for vegans

Victoria’s flowers don’t need any insecticides, any air miles or any plastic. She told the Stray Ferret:

“Florists are used to working with thousands of one type of flower but I don’t think it’s right. What I do is honest and natural. The people who like it really enjoy what I do. I am not here to make a big profit – I am just trying to get by doing something I love.”

The Secret Garden may have only a modest following online, but she gets great reviews from fashion designers, brides to be and those wanting to send gifts to their loved ones.

The former wasteland has been transformed in just a few years.

Coronavirus lockdown has been difficult for lots of businesses but Victoria says that The Secret Garden has seen a spike of interest since summer.

She is trying to get people to enjoy the space she has built more and more. She also plans to host photography and art workshops inspired by the flowers, the wildlife and the river.

Another one of The Secret Garden’s more long term plans is to install glamping pods and renovate an airstream caravan so people can connect with the outdoors.

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

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.”

Read more:

• 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.”

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.

Read more:

• Large cannabis farm found in former Ripon nightclub
• Ripon Post Office van receives parking ticket

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:

“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:

“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.

Read more:

• Plans for 13 homes at former Ripon timber yard

• Hotel closures deliver blow to Ripon tourism

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.”

Read more:

• Just 22 people tune into district’s first devolution event

• Harrogate council backs £2bn devolution proposals

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:

“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.”