“The restoration will enable us to reveal classical features, such as stunning stained glass windows and ornate tiles dating back to the elegant Edwardian era, that have been covered up since 1936 when the site was remodelled to include a public swimming pool.

“These features are part of Ripon’s heritage and will be freely accessible for people to see in the pump room area, which will be open for the community to visit.”

The proposed north (top) and west elevations.

“We have carried out a great deal of research into the history of the spa to produce a scheme that re-establishes the seamless link that it previously had with Spa Gardens.

“The new buildings have been designed to be sympathetic to, and respectful of, their historic surroundings.”

Rhe distinctive terracota cladding.

Ripon Spa Hotel is to reopen on October 16 with a new name and look.

The Inn Collection Group, which bought the property in June 2021, revealed the date today.

The historic Park Street hotel, which will be known as The Ripon Inn, has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment.

The Northumberland-based owners, who have over 30 venues, market their properties as “inns with rooms” rather than hotels so the change is likely to be considerable.

With a strong emphasis on dining, the company hopes to attract local people as well as overnight guests.

The Inn Collection Group has already re-opened the St George Hotel in Harrogate and the Dower House in Knaresborough as The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn respectively this year.

Ripon Spa Hotel before the multi-million pound refurbishment.

The Ripon venue will hold a VIP launch event on Thursday, October 12 before opening to the public on the following Monday.

The elegant Edwardian 40-bedroom Spa Hotel, which was in the ownership of the Hutchinson family for decades, opened a year after the nearby Spa Baths.

The two buildings, nestling alongside Spa Gardens and Spa Park, were key elements of Ripon’s stylish spa quarter.

Read more:

• Felling trees for Ripon Cathedral expansion presents ‘moral dilemma’, says Dean
• Stunning photo of Northern Lights over Ripon this morning

Inquests into the deaths of two of the three people killed in a crash on the A61 at South Stainley opened today.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, and her son Ihor Bartienieva, 6, died after a three-vehicle collision that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road on September 3.

Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, was also killed as a result of the collision.

All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon.

Jon Heath, senior coroner for North Yorkshire, opened the inquests into Daria and Ihor at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

Mr Heath said both were killed as a result of a road traffic collision. The provisional cause of death was given as “multiple injuries” due to blunt force trauma.

The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.

Holy Trinity School paid tribute to former pupil Ihor after the collision.

A fundraiser set up for 15-year-old Liza Bartienieva, who was orphaned following the incident, raised £48,000.

Read more:

• Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon
• Candles to be lit in Ripon for children and mother killed in crash
• Ripon school ‘heartbroken’ over death of six-year-old pupil

Photographer Paul Oldham captured this stunning shot of the Northern Lights over Ripon last night.

Mr Oldham took the image at How Hill at about 2.30am last night.

The Milky Way is also visible in the top left too.

Mr Oldham, who specialises in photographing nature and landscapes in Ripon and the Yorkshire Dales, has taken plenty of outstanding photos before.

But he described last night as “definitely the best photography night of my life”.

The Northern Lights have been visible over England recently. Caused by activity on the surface of the sun, they create a natural light display of green and red.

Read more:

• Sneak peek: Ripon’s newest hospitality venue opens today
• Council to seek costs for replacement ‘Welcome to Ripon’ signs

A restaurant at Swinton Park Hotel is set to undergo a £500,000 refurbishment.

Samuel’s Restaurant, which is based at the Swinton Estate in Masham, will revamp its kitchen by January 2024.

The refurbishment will see it update the entire kitchen, equipment and workflows to reduce its carbon footprint and create a new state-of-the-art facility.

Head chef, Ruth Hansom, has also extended her six-month residency until the end of the year to help oversee the refurbishment.

Andrew Mackay, general manager at the restaurant, said:

“This is a very exciting time for the team at Samuel’s Restaurant, where they will have access to a brand new kitchen in which to prepare the finest Yorkshire food.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ruth for staying on to help us see this project through, and we’re confident that our ambitious plans will continue to attract and retain the best established and up-and-coming chefs to the estate.”

Grantley Hall launches motorsport concierge service

Grantley Hall near Ripon has launched a new motorsport concierge service.

Called Grantley Motorsport, the service will offer guests bespoke packages for track days, in-house professional simulator hire, automotive events and VIP experiences to top-tier motorsport events.

The scheme has been launched in partnership with Hype Motorsport, which will provide access to professional instructors as part of the service.

Richard Sykes, managing director of Grantley Hall, said: 

“At Grantley Hall, we continually strive to provide our guests with extraordinary and unforgettable experiences. 

“Grantley Motorsport is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. From our on-site professional racing simulator suite, right through to VIP motorsport events, we aim to deliver an unparalleled journey into the world of motorsport, ensuring our guests create cherished memories to last a lifetime.”

Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School, near Ripon, has retained its ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

Government inspectors visited the school for two days in July and published their findings in a report yesterday.

It was the school’s first full inspection since 2018, but it has achieved consistent ‘good’ ratings since 2006.

The report found the school to be ‘good’ in all five categories – including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

It said leaders make their vision for pupils to be “healthy, happy, and vibrant individuals” a reality, adding:

“Leaders celebrate pupils’ talents through musical soirees, talent competitions and collective worship.

“Pupils are confident and thoughtful in expressing their views. This is because leaders actively seek their opinions to make further improvements in school.”

Inspectors praised the 140-pupil school for its “impressive” list of clubs and events on offer to pupils outside the daily curriculum.

They said pupils relished a residential visit to Le Touquet, where they were encouraged to speak French, and choir members have performed at Harrogate’s Royal Hall.

Read more:

• Ofsted says Holy Trinity Junior School in Ripon ‘requires improvement’
• Only one Harrogate district secondary school rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

Inspectors said pupils feel “safe in school” and, despite some concerns about the behaviour of a few pupils, bullying is “rare.”

Pupils said they enjoyed coming to school, which is reflected in the high levels of attendance, inspectors added.

They said:

“Children in the early years foundation stage are nurtured in a welcoming environment.

“Staff teach the children how to access a wide variety of learning activities independently.

“Children happily talk to one another and share resources.”

The curriculum was described as broad and balanced and the report praised staff for their approach to special educational needs.

‘Inconsistencies between staff members’

Some pupils, however, are less expressive when writing, and their understanding and application of grammar and punctuation are not well developed, the report found.

It said some pupils “have difficulty spelling common words” but added this may be attributable to the disruption in teaching during the pandemic.

Despite pupils understanding the new behaviour policy and many collecting rewards for positive behaviour, inspectors added there were some “inconsistencies between staff members” in the application of the behaviour policy.

To improve, Ofsted suggested leaders should ensure that the writing curriculum is on a par with the national curriculum, and provide teachers with training on the structuring and teaching of writing.

It added:

“Leaders should ensure that all staff are consistent in terms of expectations of behaviour for learning and consistently apply the behaviour policy.

“Leaders should also analyse patterns of behaviour and report these to the governing body.”

Headteacher ‘thrilled’ with report

In response to the report, headteacher Sally Cowling said:

“We are thrilled that Ofsted has recognised the many strengths of the school, including ensuring that the school’s vision of healthy, happy and vibrant individuals, is lived out in every aspect of school life.

“All staff work tirelessly to ensure that every child feels safe, secure, and included, with the confidence to express themselves. Ofsted took note of our broad curriculum which covers increasingly complex issues as children move through the school, preparing them for the next stage of their education.

“School leaders welcomed the areas for improvement as they align very much with what has previously been identified as a legacy from covid; the understanding and application of grammar and punctuation in children’s writing and embedding the new behaviour policy to ensure that all children are fully engaged in their learning.

“Leaders have already begun addressing these key priorities in this new academic year.”

Ripon’s Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School has received a ‘requires improvement’ rating by Ofsted.

Government inspectors visited the school for two days in June and published their findings in a report today.

It was the school’s first inspection since it converted to an academy is September 2022 – becoming part of the Leeds Diocesan Learning Trust.

The report said both the quality of education and leadership and management “requires improvement” but found behaviour and attitudes and personal development to be “good”.

It said some aspects of the curriculum are not well designed, adding:

“Some foundation curriculum subjects are not as well-structured or sequenced as others. Leaders sometimes identify too much content to cover in a lesson or across a series of lessons.

“Sometimes teachers do not emphasise the crucial knowledge needed, and pupils do not remember the most important facts.

“This means that pupils’ knowledge is not building securely year on year.”

The report also found “assessment does not sufficiently identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge or identify what pupils can already do”, while some students find “work can be too easy” as it “is not building on what they already know”.

Inspectors also added:

“There is a small proportion of pupils whose behaviour is sometimes a concern for other pupils, parents and staff.

“Pupils feel safe. However, some parents and staff who responded to Ofsted surveys do not agree.”

The 239-pupil school for seven to 11-year-olds is part of The Federation of Holy Trinity Church of England Schools.

Following the academy conversion, the senior leadership team has undergone “extensive change”, the report said, including a new headteacher in January and a deputy headteacher in March this year.

The senior leaders “share an ambitious vision for the school”, according to Ofsted, but the vision “is not fully established”.

To improve, inspectors suggested leaders “should ensure that pupils are securing the right essential knowledge to build on and learn over time”, as well as “ensure that teachers check that the work which is set for all pupils in all subjects is matched appropriately with what pupils need to know or be able to do next”.

Read more:

• Only one Harrogate district secondary school rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted
• Ofsted says Boroughbridge High School ‘requires improvement’

‘Pupils are proud to attend the school’

Despite the overall rating, inspectors praised Holy Trinity Junior School for the “warm and positive relationships between pupils and staff”.

Pupils are polite and considerate, and the school’s Christian ethos and values are woven through everything they do, the report adds.

It said:

“Leaders prioritise learning to read and promote a love of reading across the school. Pupils are keen to talk about their favourite books and authors.

“Teachers choose high-quality texts for their class novel.”

‘Early stages of a new era’

In a letter to parents, executive headteacher Sue Anderson and chair of governors, Adam Kitching, responded to the report. They said:

“We are delighted that the report highlights that pupils are proud to attend Holy Trinity Junior School and the opportunities they have to take on responsibilities throughout the school.

“The warm and positive relationships between pupils and staff were also acknowledged.

“You will share our disappointment in the overall grade; however, the inspection team recognised, when they visited the school, that the federation was in the early stages of a new era with a new leadership team and a new curriculum ready to be introduced in the autumn term.”

A Ripon fire crew rescued two people from a car that got stuck in a ford across the River Skell this afternoon.

Firefighters were summoned to the ford at the end of Firs Avenue at 4.34pm today.

A small Fiat, which was attempting to cross from the Priest Lane side of the river, was towed out.

Read more:

• Firefighters rescue child locked in vehicle in Starbeck
• Firefighters rescue baby locked in car in Ripon

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s incident report said crews rescued two people and winched the car out of the river.

Nobody was injured in the incident, which occurred after recent heavy rain saw the Skell running higher than usual.

The high water has led to red and white tape being put in place on both sides of the ford to stop vehicles from crossing.

The ford has been closed to vehicles.

Firefighters at the scene.

A hotel boss and Tory constituency president has been found not guilty of causing the death of a grandmother by careless driving.

Nicholas Ayrton Bannister, 64, president of Skipton and Ripon Conservatives, was driving his Range Rover in his hotel and spa complex when it collided with 66-year-old Judith Wadsworth who was crossing a pedestrian walkway.

Mrs Wadsworth, who was a guest at the hotel and was there to see her daughter get married, is believed to have died at the scene of the accident at the Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa in Skipton.

Mr Bannister, the hotel’s managing director, was charged with causing death by careless driving but denied the allegation and, following a trial at Bradford Crown Court which lasted over a week, the prosecution today decided to offer no further evidence.

Judge Jonathan Gibson directed the jury to return a formal not-guilty verdict and Mr Bannister was allowed to walk free from court. 

Prosecuting barrister Michael Smith said that the “evidential test” had not been met and that there was no longer a “realistic prospect of conviction”.

He said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would therefore be offering no further evidence against Mr Bannister.

He added: 

“In light of all the evidence this jury have heard…the CPS take the view there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction in this case.”

Read more:

• Man pleads not guilty to seriously injuring teens in collision outside Harrogate school
• Police warn of spate of sneak-in burglaries in Ripon
• Ripon Conservatives president denies causing death of woman by careless driving

Defence barrister Lisa Judge said there had been “flagrant failings” by the CPS in its prosecution of the case, both evidentially and in terms of disclosure. 

She said the defence would be seeking costs for Mr Bannister following the prosecution’s decision to drop the case and the not-guilty verdict. 

Judge Mr Gibson said he thought the prosecution’s decision to drop the case was “entirely appropriate”.   

During the trial, the jury heard that Mr Bannister had turned right out of a junction near the hotel reception and didn’t see Mrs Wadsworth.

The prosecution said that Mrs Wadsworth, who was walking from the car park back to the reception after collecting items from her vehicle, fell under the vehicle but it was not until Mr Bannister got out of his vehicle 20 metres down the road that he realised he had struck someone.

Mrs Wadsworth, who was staying at the country hotel in Coniston Cold to see her daughter Rebecca Blacka get married, suffered fatal injuries. 

Ms Blacka was in the hotel reception at the time of the fatal collision at about 5.20pm on Feb 7, 2020.

Mr Bannister, of Mark House Lane, Bell Busk, near Skipton, had driven the vehicle around a turning circle outside reception and turned right when the Range Rover ran over Mrs Wadsworth on the walkway between the car park and reception area. 

A family statement following Mrs Wadsworth’s death described her as “a devoted wife, mother and grandmother”.

“Judith was a beautiful, selfless person and no words can express our sense of loss and devastation right now,” the statement said.

High demand for flu and covid vaccinations led to traffic tailbacks and long queues in Ripon at the weekend.

The Park Street GP practice of Dr Ingram and Partners and Ripon Spa Surgery, which are across the road from each other, both held clinics on Saturday.

In an area of the city with only limited parking, people arriving by car experienced difficulty finding a space to park, leading to tailbacks from Park Street to Westgate and Blossomgate.

Cars outside Ripon Spa Surgery on Saturday.

There were also hold-ups for people who managed to find a parking space, or who arrived on foot, as the queue for the Park Street surgery stretched back to the Westgate and Blossomgate junction.

The number of people making appointments for vaccination may have increased following a Facebook post on Thursday (September 14) by Ripon and Masham Primary Care Network, which covers the two Park Street practices, along with the North House Surgery in North Street and Dr Akester & Partners in Masham and Kirkby Malzeard.

It said:

“At short notice we have secured some covid vaccine to co-administer alongside flu jabs at our GP practice flu clinics.”

“If you are eligible for covid vaccination, subject to supplies, this will be offered to you at your GP flu appointment at your surgery.

“We strongly encourage patients to consider having both on the same day, in order to help us to deliver this protection to as many patients as possible,

“If you wish to have your covid vaccine at your appointment you do not need to let us know in advance.”

The Stray Ferret  approached both Park Street practices regarding Saturday’s traffic issues and to ask if further flu and covid clinics are planned.

There had been no response at the time of publication from Ripon Spa Surgery, but a member of staff at Dr Ingram & Partners said a further clinic is scheduled for Saturday.

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