Harrogate village shocked after 30ft topiary cockerel cut down

A village between Harrogate and Ripon has been left in a state of shock after its most famous sight — a 30ft topiary cockerel — was cut down.

Bishop Monkton has crowed about its magnificent bird for more than 100 years.

Standing proudly in front of a 300-year-old home known as Cockerel Cottage, it attracted visitors and even national media coverage.

Photos on local history website Bishop Monkton yesterday show the bird outside the cottage, whose proper name is Burngarth, in the 1920s.

Pic: Bishop Monkton Yesterday

But it disappeared this week, leaving some villagers horrified, and wondering what had led to its demise.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Gary Cross, landlord of the Masons Arms in Bishop Monkton, to find out more.

Mr Cross said the cockerel had been one of the main talking points in the pub in the days since it was cut down on Tuesday.

But he said that, contrary to appearances, it was not an act of wanton vandalism and could even return, Phoenix-like, after its shearing.

Mr Cross said he knows the owners, who we have not named, and understood the cockerel’s size and proximity to the house caused problems including blocking light  and was difficult to maintain. He added:

“It was a pretty big object and attraction. Some residents are very upset about it. But they don’t have to live next to it.

“With the beck flooding, a lot of their garden was subject to flooding and it held pools of water, which was difficult to deal with. The owners have been there two or three years and tried to work with the cockerel but it had just become so big.”

Mr Cross said a leading topiarist was hired to prune the bird down to its roots so it could regrow, although this would take years. He said:

“Some people are being rude and vicious but it has not been butchered, it was carefully cut.

“Most people think it’s a shame but when you pose the question ,’would you want to have to maintain it?’, the answer is usually ‘no’.”

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Council to revoke two air quality areas in Harrogate district

North Yorkshire Council is set to remove two air quality management areas in the Harrogate district after levels of nitrogen dioxide dropped.

The council currently monitors air pollution on Low and High Skellgate in Ripon and York Place in Knaresborough.

Both management areas were introduced to review levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are caused by traffic levels.

Monitoring of NO2 has been in place on Skellgate in Ripon since 2010 and on York Place in Knaresborough since 2017.

Both were declared after beaching the legal limit of 40 micrograms of annual NO2 per cubic metre of air.

However, a report due before the council’s transport, economy, environment and overview scrutiny committee on April 10 says both air quality management areas are due to be revoked.

It said the areas had not breached the limit for more than five years and are now planned to be removed.

In its annual air quality report in 2023, the council said the Ripon management area had gone six years under the limit.

It said:

“This is the sixth year that there have been no exceedance of the objective, in line with the above we propose to revoke the AQMA.”

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Meanwhile, air quality management areas in Harrogate on Wetherby Road and Bond End in Knaresborough are set to remain in place.

Both were implemented for breaching the limit for NO2.

However, despite both areas being under the 40 micrograms for this year, the council intends to keep them in place.

The UK government requires local authorities to take action to improve areas with particularly bad air pollution.

In September 2018, North Yorkshire County Council replaced traffic lights at Bond End with a double mini-roundabout to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic.

Environmentally-focused projects win prizes at Ripon Civic Awards

Projects focused on nature, the environment and carbon reduction were to the fore at last night’s Ripon Civic Awards.

Three months after Ripon Civic Society held its biennial awards in April 2022, North Yorkshire Council declared a climate emergency and planned steps that it would take, alongside stakeholders, to tackle the issue of climate change under its strategy Beyond Carbon.

Since then, incidents such as the criminal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumbria and council-sanctioned removal of trees at other locations across the UK, have increased both public and corporate awareness of the role that the natural environment plays alongside the built environment,

Prior to last night’s awards ceremony at the Workhouse Museum in Allhallowgate, civic society co-chair Richard Taylor, told the Stray Ferret:

“There was a common green thread running through the majority of entries considered by our panel of judges for the 2024 awards.

“We saw environmental consideration at the heart of the planning and delivery of developments and projects, ranging from the construction of a single private residence to Econ Engineering’s world-first multi-function E-QCB electric gritter, invented here in Ripon.”

Econ electric gritter

ECON’s E-QCB electric gritter was highly commended at last night’s awards.

Mr Taylor and fellow civic society co-chair David Winpenny played video footage as they described each of the shortlisted entries, before the winners were announced and trophies presented by Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke.

Justin Scully, the National Trust’s general manager at Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, received, on behalf of the Skell Valley Project, the sustainability award, and also the Helen Whitehead Award for best overall project.

The four-year scheme, which received £2.6 million funding to tackle climate change-related flooding issues along a 12-mile stretch of the river that runs through Ripon and the world heritage site, was launched in 2021 and has seen collaboration between 16 organisations on 15 different environmental enhancement schemes.

Mr Scully said:

“We are extremely grateful for this recognition of our work, which has been made possible through a huge volunteer input and I’m pleased to report that just five percent of the funding monies has been spent at Fountains and Studley Royal, meaning that the entire valley has benefited from this initiative.”

Justin Scully receives the Helen Whitehead Award from mayor Sid Hawke

There was also recognition for other volunteer-supported environmentally focused projects, including the work carried out by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust at Nosterfield, where former sand and gravel pits have become transformed into habitat for an abundant range of wildlife through the re-introduction of threatened native species of plants grown in a nursery on site.

Mr Winpenny said:

“This project ticks every box in terms of its aims and the detailed thought that has been put into its planning and delivery over many years,”

Simon Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust and project officer Emma Higgs, receive the Younge Rosebowl Enviromental Award.

The Ripon Community Link walled garden is, through its on-site and community-based activities, enabling 60 adults with mild or moderate learning disabilities to grow and reach their full potential with the support of volunteers.

Their work  was boosted last year with the opening of a new cafe and shop, which provides training opportunities and last night they received the John Whitehead Award,

The new cafe and shop at Ripon Walled Garden

The Hazzard Cup for best new building went to the owners of Maple Nook ,a custom-designed and built private residence on Heckler Lane in Ripon, which includes many eco-friendly features, while the Price Flagon for Best Building Restoration, was presented to the Westholme Road Barns on the Swinton Estate in Masham, where the use of reclaimed materials was central to bringing redundant farm buildings back to life.

The craftmanship award was received by Barrie Price on behalf of St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, where the second phase of its £500,000 restoration involved the creation of a porch extension to the south of the Grade II star listed building.

Judges were impressed by the use of stone, tiles, green oak timber and glass in sympathy with original design of the 160-year-old building, which now includes a much-needed accessible toilet for the use if parishioners and visitors,

A stone’s throw from the church is the Ripon Inn, which earned the Taylor Plate for City Centre Revitalisation.

The Inn Collection’s multi-million pound investment, which has transformed the former Spa Hotel, is welcomed by the civic society and Mr Taylor (who pointed out that the plate prize is not in his name) said:

“We now hope that the revitalisation of the Spa Quarter can soon be completed through the planned redevelopment of the nearby Spa Baths, which is in desperate need of restoration.”

The Ripon Inn

Just when it was thought that all the prizes had been presented, a new award was announced for the person who has made an outstanding contribution to Ripon Civic Society.

The inaugural winner Neill Clayton (pictured above with Mayor Sid Hawke) who will be known by many for the railway that he has created in his Dallamire’s Lane garden, which can be seen by people on scenic boat cruises along Ripon Canal.

Mr Clayton has an encyclopedic-knowledge of Ripon’s industrial history and is a long-term member of the society.

He has played an important role in providing accurate background information for heritage open days and also participates in them by allowing members of the public to see and ride on his railway.

He said:

“The industrial development of Ripon is something that we should all be proud of. It is a living thing that goes on, as we have seen tonight with ECON’s world-leading invention of an electric gritter.”

Main picture: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, with award winners and civic society co-chairs David Winpenny and Richard Taylor.

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Sharow Lane near Ripon to close for three weeks

Sharow Lane, a main route from the village into Ripon, will close for three weeks from next week.

According to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map, the road closure will be in place “all the time” during the three-week period, as Northern Gas Networks carries out a “gas main replacement”.

The firm told the Stray Ferret the work is to “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers”.

A spokesperson added:

“Four-way temporary traffic lights are currently in place on the junction of North Road/River View Road/Magdalens Road and will be in situ until the end of next week (week commencing April 8).

“A road closure will be implemented on Sharow Lane for three weeks from Monday April 8 and a diversion route will be clearly signed.”

Sharow Lane

Northern Gas Networks also said for the duration of the road closure, traffic will be diverted through Ripon city centre, along North Street, North Road and Bondgate Green.

Mark Mawhood, operations manager for the company, added:

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Ripon.

“We want to assure residents and road users that we will be working hard to complete this essential scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

The work will last from Monday, April 8, until Friday, April 26.

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Ripon nightclub responds to transphobia allegation

A Ripon nightclub has defended itself after being labelled “transphobic” for a comment on social media.

Wonderland, on North Street, announced on Facebook last month it would be offering “free entry for the ladies” on March 2.

On the same post, which has since been deleted, one man commented, “as in lady boys?”, to which the nightclub responded “trans not included I’m afraid”.

Ripon woman Elise Whincup described the nightclub’s comment as “incredibly transphobic”.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines transphobia as “harmful or unfair things a person does based on a fear or dislike of transgender or non-binary people”.

Ms Whincup added:

“I’m starting to wonder if Wonderland is the kind of establishment I want to be in if they have these views, where not only do they refuse trans women the same privileges as cisgender women, but agree with and not remove a comment like this from their social media.”

The original post and comments have since been deleted.

After deleting the Facebook post, Wonderland said it had revoked the free entry offer due to “certain situations”.

Ms Whincup, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, told the Stray Ferret she feels “very strongly about speaking for minorities”, adding:

“Even if it was a case of ignorance, ignorance breeds hate. It only takes one person to think the establishment shares their views, which don’t necessarily stay quiet after a drink, and makes an unsafe place for transgender people.

“Myself and someone else commented complaints under the original post and on another post by Wonderland, but our comments have been deleted and we have both been blocked by the page.”

Ms Whincup later shared her concerns on This is Ripon UK Facebook group, which has more than 14,0000 members.

In her social media post, she said she feels the “LGBT community of Ripon needs to be made aware” of the situation. She added:

“No public apology or even admittance of transphobia has been made, however they find it acceptable to post about a monthly LGBT night while sharing beliefs shown below in their previous comments.

“We have a large LGBT community in Ripon, and this is not how to make them feel safe and accepted.”

‘A can of worms’

The Stray Ferret approached Wonderland for comment in response to the claims. A spokesperson said:

“If you do free entry for the ladies and accept people that have ID, stating they are male, it will open up a can of worms.

“Absolutely everybody will be claiming to be trans just to get free entry — you don’t have to look like the opposite sex to be trans.

“It happened to us in the past and was very difficult to deal with. People began abusing it and that’s not fair on transgender people.

“How can someone on the door tell someone that they are or aren’t trans? Nobody has the right to do that. That is why I decided to accept free entry for people who had IDs stating that they were females on the ID. Even if someone was born a male and it stated they were a female on their ID they still would have been granted entry.”

The spokesperson also said they “never knew ladyboy was an offensive term”.

They continued:

“People come to our venue for a good time, and everyone is welcome. We have just launched an LGBT pride night on the first Friday of every month and it’s going to be wicked. Everyone is welcome here, and we may even do free entry if dressed in drag.

“But the funny thing is that no trans people or anyone from the LGBT community had complained whatsoever. We have plenty of people from the LGBT community coming to our venue on a weekly basis.”

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Ripon man admits impersonating a police constable in Harrogate

A Ripon man has admitted impersonating a police constable to steal an electric scooter in Harrogate.

Harley Stacey, 18, of Cedar Close, denied impersonating a police constable when he appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court on October 27 last year.

But he changed his plea to guilty at York Magistrates Court on Tuesday (April 2) this week.

Stacey also this week admitted falsely claiming to be a police officer to steal an electric scooter for himself on the same date — a charge he had also previously denied.

In a statement at the time, North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened in Bilton.

He was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay £200 compensation.

According to court documents, his guilty plea was taken into account on sentencing.

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5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekendMajor changes announced to bus routes in Harrogate district

Two new bus routes are set to be introduced in Harrogate this weekend.

The Harrogate Bus Company said in a press release the services would provide ‘new and improved links for housing developments and business parks’.

The company, which is part of French form Transdev, said it has partnered with North Yorkshire Council to bring the new 4, which will link King Edwin Park and the Harrogate West Business Park off Penny Pot Lane in Killinghall to the town centre.

It will also serve Skipton Road and Ripon Road.

The new route, which is being funded by the King Edwin Park housing developer, will run hourly from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

In addition, the 6 and X6 will merge to provide an all-day service to Harrogate’s Pannal Ash, RHS Harlow Carr and Beckwith Knowle.

It will operate every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday, and hourly on Sundays. Extra buses will run every 20 minutes during peak times.

Harrogate Bus Company said it will operate as the current route, but extending to Beckwith Knowle, where there is a business park.

The firm added:

“The route will change on Otley Road and in Pannal Ash so we pick up on the opposite side of the road – this follows customer requests.”

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Changes to existing routes

Along with the new routes, the Harrogate Bus Company also announced it would be making changes to existing routes. Some of the details at this stage are vague.

These include:

1 Harrogate – Knaresborough: There will be a full timetable change from Monday to Saturday. Buses will still run every 10 minutes.

2 Harrogate – Bilton: Changes will be made to buses at peak times on weekdays.

3 Harrogate – Jennyfield: Changes will be made to buses at peak times on weekdays.

8 Harrogate – Knaresborough – Wetherby: This route will be taken over by 21 Transport on behalf of the council. The firm said Transdev tickets will no longer be valid on this route.

21 Knaresborough – Boroughbridge: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

24 Harrogate – Pateley Bridge: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

36 Leeds – Harrogate – Ripon: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

S1 Ripley – Rossett School: A new school bus will serve pupils from Ripley to Harrogate Grammar School and Rossett School. It added people in Jennyfields who currently use the 620H should switch to the S1.

S2 and S6 Bilton – Rossett School: The S2 and S6 will merge into a single route, which will follow the route of the regular 2 bus around Bilton. A large double decker bus will be provided which is sufficient for all customers, it added.

S8 Woodlands – Rossett School: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

620H Dacre – Rossett School: This route will be taken over by another operator on behalf of the council. Harrogate Bus Company said it does not know which firm will take over, but added it will no longer serve Jennyfields. It advised residents to use the S1 instead.

727H Jennyfield – Harrogate Grammar School

The Harrogate Bus Company, which has not released any further information on the changes, said timetables will be available ‘soon’.

The changes will come into effect on Sunday, April 7.

Workplace safety regulator to investigate Ripon death

The Health and Safety Executive is to lead an investigation into the death of a man at a vehicle recovery garage in Ripon on Friday, March 29.

An unnamed man in his 30s died at Macadam on Boroughbridge Road following what police described at the time as an “industrial accident”.

The victim was from the Darlington area.

Ambulance, air ambulance, fire and police were called at about 8am.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police today whether anyone had been arrested or charged.

The force issued a brief statement today which did not comment on this. It said:

“We are assisting the accident investigation lead by the Health and Safety Executive.”

The HSE, a non-departmental public body, is responsible for workplace safety in the UK.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes surprise visit to Ripon

Ripon received a surprise visitor when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived for an unannounced hour-long walkabout and meetings with local businesses and politicians.

Yesterday’s Totally Locally street party organised by the city’s independent traders and supported by Ripon Business Improvement District, provided a platform for Mr Sunak, along with Keane Duncan, the Conservative Party candidate for next month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election, to mingle with crowds on Market Square.

The Bank Holiday Monday event, which was launched last year, is designed to raise awareness of what the ancient city has to offer in a modern-day economy.

BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:

“The Prime Minister was able to see for himself what the collaborative efforts of Ripon’s strong mix of independent retail and  hospitality businesses can achieve.

“There are clear indicators, both in terms of the investment in new openings and refurbishments in the city centre and footfall analysis, that a post-pandemic revival is underway.”

City councillor and deputy mayor elect Jackie Crozier (pictured below)  whose award-winning Little Bird Made artisan markets are held on Market Square and locations across Yorkshire, introduced Mr Sunak to coffee maker Tom Bolland of the Happy Barista — a regular attendee  at the Little Bird events.

For 11-year-old Lilly, daughter of Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, there was an opportunity for a photograph with Mr Sunak outside Ripon’s historic town hall.

Rishi Sunak, pictured with Cllr Andrew Williams and his daughter Lilly.

Cllr Williams said:

“There’s an interesting fact that links our current Prime Minster with one dating back to 1827, because the Marquess of Ripon, who donated the town hall building to the then borough council in 1897 after two terms as mayor of the city, was born at 10 Downing Street while his father Viscount Goderich was in office.”

Mayoral candidates

The election for the first mayor of the York and North Yorkshire combined authority will take place on Thursday May 2 and, in addition to the Conservative Keane Duncan, the other candidates are:

Main image: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is discussion with Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst.

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