Civic society ‘strongly supports’ plans to rejuvenate Ripon Spa BathsRipon Civic Society has welcomed plans to rejuvenate the city’s historic Spa Baths, which have fallen into disrepair since being closed two years ago.
Ripon-based investment and development company Sterne Properties Limited has proposed creating a hospitality-led development, which would see the spa building retained and refurbished.
The new-build element of the scheme would include four residential flats and a single-storey glazed extension, with a landscaped courtyard area linked to the adjacent Spa Gardens, providing a new public access to the parkland area.
This would replace the swimming pool building introduced before the Second World War, when the spa was converted into a public baths.
In response to the planning application, the civic society said:
“We give this scheme our strong support as being the best chance of allowing the site to survive.”
Mindful of the dilapidated and vandalised state of the grade two listed building, the society added:
“We would urge a speedy grant of planning permission and listed building consent to allow work to begin as soon as possible.”
Spa Baths closed two years ago and the building is in a state of disrepair.
Regarding the new-build element of the scheme, the society said:
“Overall, it is a sensitive approach with historic structures cleansed of later inferior additions (including the 1936 pool) and with new-build done in an unashamedly modern but complementary style and materials.”
The society’s response, which can be seen along with other documents on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal, added:
“The society very much welcomes this scheme which proposes to conserve and provide new uses for an important historic building in the city.”
The civic society, which accepts the need for a residential element in the scheme to make the development viable, said it supports the application in principle, subject to clarification on a number of points of detail, largely relating to the retention of decorative features dating back to 1905 when the spa opened.
The main picture is an architectural perspective viewed from Park Street, which shows how the spa building will look after renovation. Image: Architecture:ab
Read more
Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wifeThis year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, Flora spoke to a local couple about how Dementia Forward has helped them.
This Christmas, many people in the Harrogate district – families, friends, colleagues – won’t remember the festivities like others will, and their families can only sit by and watch as they lose their memories.
One local couple, Val and David Smith, have used the services on offer at Dementia Forward – including its Hub Club – during their nine-year battle with dementia.
The Smiths, who have been happily married for 56 years, received David’s diagnosis in 2014. Dementia has continued to rob David of his former life, and rob Val of the husband she knew.
Val, who was previously a legal secretary, took on the role as her husband’s carer, but soon realised this was not something she could face alone.
She said:
“There was a seven-year gap in between. David’s symptoms became more obvious and it was clear I needed much more help.
“I rang up and told the staff about David’s diagnosis. They came and did a home visit before he joined the Hub Club.
“He was reluctant at first but once I’d convinced him, he started coming once a week. He loved it so much, he now comes three times per week.”
Before his diagnosis, 79-year-old David lived a normal life – he worked for Leeds City Council and was a proud Leeds Rhinos fan. But dementia can affect anyone and quickly changes the lives of those around them. Val added:
“This is a disease that touches so many people’s lives and, without Dementia Forward, both our lives would be very different.
David attends the Hub Club – which takes places every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – where he is surrounded by dementia support advisers and other people living with the disease who understand each other.
He does crosswords, plays dominos, snooker and, apparently, wins the morning quiz every time.
The Dementia Forward team strive to make the Hub Club a place where those living with dementia feel cared for and seen. They even curate playlists for each member made up of their favourite music to sing along to.
David said:
“I find it somewhere comfortable with nice people – it’s just something to do and gives me an interest.”
Dementia Forward not only provides support for those living with such a progressive condition, but also vital respite and advice for their carers.
Val described the charity as a “lifeline” and said the help they have provided both her and her husband has drastically improved her mental health. She added:
“It’s amazing – it’s just a break for me. I can go swimming, meet a friend, or just go home and potter around.”
Val also noted the positive impact it has had on her husband:
“It’s given him independence from me because we were spending 24/7 together. He’s made friends and he’s chatting to people.
“It gives me comfort to know he is comfortable, safe and secure.
“It’s a godsend.”
Even Val and Dave’s little grandson loves to drop grandpa off at Hub Club.
However, Val is losing her husband before her eyes – a heartbreaking experience shared by thousands of families and carers of those with dementia across the district. Dementia Forward eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a much-needed new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Dementia Forward’s current bus urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Please, click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
The NHS found that one in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
Harrogate district adorned in poppies as Remembrance Sunday approachesThe Harrogate district has been adorned in poppies in the lead up to this weekend’s Remembrance Day.
Scores of poppies have been put up in Ripon, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham and in villages in between in honour of the fallen.
Bilton Community Centre is among the organisations to mark remembrance with a wall display.
Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors, which is based on Hookstone Chase, has created a display in the shape of a poppy featuring old photographs of servicemen.
Meanwhile, Ripon Spa Gardens and Knaresborough Station are also adorned in poppies ahead of Sunday.
Remembrance services will be held across the district this coming weekend. You can read a list of the commemorations here.
Ripon Spa Gardens
Bilton Community Centre
Bilton Ladies Forum members have made many of the poppies on Bilton Community. Centre.
Knaresborough rail station
Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors’s display.
Read more:
Ripon Farm Services celebrates record year with £161m turnoverRipon Farm Services has recorded a significant increase in turnover and profit in its accounts for the year ending January 31, 2023.
The report, published on the Companies House website this week, reveals revenue increased by 22% from £132.5 million to £161.1 million.
Gross profit rose by 23% from £15 million to £18.5 million and operating profit went up from £2.4 million to £3.1 million.
The Ripon-based company, which was established in 1982, services and sells agricultural machinery from brands including John Deere, Kuhn, Bailey, Kramer and Stihl across 15 regional branches.
It is one of the district’s largest and most visible companies, with a major presence at the Great Yorkshire Show each year.
Exhibiting at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Read more:
Ripon Farm Services, which employs 285 staff, also completed the construction of a 22,000 sq ft depot in Malton during the financial period, which was financed by an HSBC loan.
Directors attributed the company’s success to outperforming the market and, subsequently, increasing market share, as well promoting “premium products with industry-leading customer service” and a “prestigious” brand portfolio.
The report added:
“The directors are pleased with the results in what has been a record year for the group.
“Turnover and profitability have both improved significantly and investments have been made in our infrastructure and capabilities to ensure we are well placed to meet the ongoing needs of our customers.
“We are known as the dependable and trusted, market leading agricultural and ground care machinery partner. Our customers rely on us to help them prosper, innovate and grow.”
Ripon Farm Services also acquired FG Adamson & Son, a garden and ground-care machinery company, in March this year for around £2.4m.
Volunteers sought to help plant trees at Ripon nature reserveA major programme of tree and whip planting will take place over the coming weeks at Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve in Ripon.
Volunteers are being sought to assist with site preparation taking place from 10.30am tomorrow morning (Wednesday November 8) and to help with the planting of 50 native tree saplings and more than 800 whips, scheduled for Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
Organisers the Friends of Hell Wath (FOHW) have received support from North Yorkshire Council, which is funding purchase of the saplings and The Conservation Volunteers, which is donating the whips.
FOHW secretary Jeremy Dunford said:
“Most of the saplings — Field Maple, Alder, Holly, Crab Apple, Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry and Rowan — will be planted to fill in gaps along the existing tree line or be used to create interest and height within new hedgerows to be planted out using the whips.
“These saplings will replace some of the dead/dying trees that are evident in the local nature reserve. The species have been selected to provide shelter and food for birds and provide colour and interest throughout the year for visitors to Hell Wath.”
He added:
“The remaining saplings, a dozen Hazels, will be used to create a small coppice near the pond. There are already two mature hazel trees in the area so the additional saplings will create a very nice habitat here.”
The whips, comprising a selection of native species, will be used together with the tree saplings to fill in gaps in the existing tree line running alongside the River Skell.
The remaining whips will be used to create three new hedgerows across the lower meadow within the local nature reserve – leaving gaps for the designated footpaths.
The objective is to create wildlife corridors to enable bats, birds and small mammals to move between the upper tree line and the lower tree line to/from the river without crossing large expanses of meadow.
The new hedge lines will create meadow zones which will be actively managed to increase biodiversity within the Local Nature Reserve.
The photograph features a riverside walk at Hell Wath: Picture by Ripon Photographic Society
Read more:
Ripon toilets reopen following attack by vandals
Toilets in Ripon that were closed during the half-term school holidays after being vandalised, have now reopened.
The public conveniences at Minster Place – across the road from the city’s cathedral – were closed for a week.
The extent of the damage was still evident on Monday, when the door to a cubicle in the men’s block was torn off its hinges (pictured below).
Following the vandal attack, the cathedral put out a message on social media, which said:
“Due to repeated vandalism and the need for essential repairs, North Yorkshire Council have temporarily closed the public toilets opposite Ripon Cathedral.”
It is anticipated that the repairs will be completed shortly.
Minster Place is one of four sets of public toilets in Ripon. Facilities are also available at Spa Gardens, the bus station / Sainsbury’s car park and the Wakeman’s House, according to the council website.
Read more:
Three independent retailers take space at Halls of RiponHalls of Ripon department store has welcomed three new independent retailers to its Fishergate premises, while two other businesses have doubled their size.
Operations manager Barry Cooper told the Stray Ferret:
“We now have 16 independents under one roof selling goods ranging from clothing to customised works of art.”
Mr Cooper, (pictured below) added:
“This is the strongest mix of retailers that we have had since we opened in the summer of 2021 and we are looking forward with confidence to our third Christmas of trading here.”
The new entrants include Crazywood, which sells the original works of contemporary pyrography artist Simon Wright, whose wife Tricia (main picture) said:
“The art and craft of burning images into wood is an ancient practice of skill and patience.
“With these skills, along with modern styles and the use of watercolours, stains, textures and oils, amazing reproductions of literally anything can be created.”
Also new to Halls is Janey Mays, a business run by Jane and Mark Coombes, which specialises in steampunk, goth and fantasy goods, including giftware made from upcycled materials.
Jane Coombes, pictured at the Janey Mays stall she runs with husband Mark.
Neighbouring the Janey Mays stall is third new entrant Kimmy Gowland, an artist whose original patterns are printed onto fabric, wallpaper and other materials.
In addition to the businesses taking space for the first time at Halls, Red Buttons Jewellers, run by Mr Cooper and his father Mike, has doubled the size of its presence, as has Robin Gifts, which sells ladies fashion and accessories
Read more
Northern Lights captured near RiponThe skies above the Harrogate district turned green and red last night as the Northern Lights made another appearance.
The aurora borealis was visible across the country for a second night running.
Photographer Paul Oldham took this stunning image over Grantley Hall, near Ripon, at about 6.30pm.
It was not the first time Mr Oldham has captured the natural light display, which appears during geomagnetic storms.
In September, he took this shot above How Hill in Ripon.
Paul Oldham’s Northern Lights photo in September.
Read more:
Community fitness group runs for Harrogate Homeless ProjectA community fitness group has raised money for Harrogate Homeless Project.
Community Fit took part in the charity’s initiative which invited people to run either 5km or 10km in September.
The group decided to complete the run together and were joined by some of the Harrogate Homeless staff on the night.
They raised £275 for the charity which will go towards providing vital day-to-day care, emergency housing and support programmes.
Read more:
Members of Community Fit meet every Wednesday and either run, walk or cycle to their chosen charity. Its aim is to connect activity and community.
It is a collaborative project between North Yorkshire Sport and Harrogate & District Community Action, supported by an NHS grant received via Community First Yorkshire.
The group have recently helped to clear and tidy the garden at the Harrogate Homeless Project, as well as prepare the Cenotaph Exhibition at West Park Church.
Bonfire Night: guide to events in the Harrogate districtBonfire Night is approaching. From torch-lit processions and alpacas to live music and traditional bonfires, we’ve collated a list of bonfires in the Harrogate district.
If you know of an event we haven’t included, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add it.
Friday, November 3
Ripon City Bonfire
Ripon City Bonfire will take place at Ripon Racecourse.
The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and fireworks will begin at 7.30pm
Gates open at 5.30pm.
Advance tickets start at £2 and can be bought at various venues in the city.
No own fireworks other than sparklers are permitted for safety reasons.
There will be no parking available at the racecourse due to the poor weather conditions.
Spofforth village fireworks
The event will be held at Spofforth Cricket Club.
There will be hot food, a bar and live music to enjoy ahead of the fireworks display.
Gates open at 5pm.
Family tickets cost £12.50 and can be bought at the village deli or post office.
Knaresborough Cricket Club and Aspin Park Academy PTA Fireworks Night
The event will be held at Knaresborough Cricket Club.
As well as a firework display, guests can expect food and drink, music and light-up toys for sale.
Gates open at 6pm and fireworks will be lit at 7pm.
Tickets start at £3 and can be bought at the gate.
Belmont Grosvenor School Bonfire Party
Belmont Grosvenor School will host a bonfire party in the school grounds.
There will be a bonfire, fireworks, food and drinks stalls, children’s activities, and music.
Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the firework display will begin at 7.20pm.
Tickets are free for U18s and cost £10 for adults. They can be bought at the gate or by contacting the PTA on pta@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk or 07525 907156.
Anyone is welcome to attend.
Stray Bonfire. Pic: Mark Dimmock.
Saturday, November 4
Stray Bonfire, Harrogate
The bonfire will be lit on the Oatlands Stray near to St Aidan’s Church of England High School.
It will take place from 5pm until 8.30pm and include fireworks, food and drink, and live music.
The event is free to attend but Harrogate Round Table, which is a charity, encourages donations. Proceeds will go towards Harrogate Homeless Project.
Yolk Farm, Minskip
Yolk Farm, near Boroughbridge, is hosting a dog and baby-friendly event without fireworks.
There will still be a bonfire and tickets include entry to the yard where visitors can see the animals, including goats and alpacas, as well as the opportunity to feed the pigs.
Hot food will also be on offer.
Gates open at 5.30pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm
Tickets can be bought online for £5.
Upper Nidderdale Scouts Group Pateley Bonfire
The event will be held at Pateley Bridge Showground.
Guests can expect a torchlit procession and bonfire, which begin at 6.30pm, and fireworks at 7pm.
There will also be hot food and a best Guy competition.
Entry is by donation and doors open at 6pm.
No sparklers are allowed.
Masham Bonfire
Masham Bonfire will be held on The Holme.
Food will be served from 5.30pm, followed by the bonfire at 6.15pm.
There will also be a firework display at 7pm.
The event is free to attend.
Kirkby Malzeard Community Bonfire
The event will be held at North Close Farm.
There will be a bonfire, fireworks and food and drink on offer.
Gates open at 6pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm.
It is free to attend but organisers have asked for donations to continue running the events.
Sparklers are not permitted.
Birstwith Community Bonfire
Birstwith bonfire will be held on the field behind West House on Nidd Lane.
As well as the bonfire, which will be lit at 5.30pm, visitors can enjoy a bar, hot dogs and a children’s stall.
Organisers will be raising money for a vehicle-activated speed sign near Birstwith School.
No dogs or sparklers are permitted.
Gates open at 5pm.
Wath & Melmerby Community Bonfire
The event will be held Roger Clarke Motor Engines in Melmerby.
Visitors can expect a bonfire, fireworks, a BBQ and a bar.
It begins at 6pm and tickets cost £5 per family.
Sunday, November 5
Lightwater Valley, Ripon
Lightwater Valley will put on a firework display accompanied by the music of Swan Lake.
Admission is included in a day entry ticket.
The display will begin at 5.15pm.
The Queen’s Head, Kettlesing
The Queen’s Head will have a bonfire and fireworks on offer.
There will also be pizzas, sparklers and a charity cake to stand available.
The event will be fundraising for Felliscliffe School.
It begins at 5pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6pm.
Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for children under 16.
Scotton Cricket Club
The event will be held at the cricket club on Lower Moor Lane.
Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.45pm and the firework display will begin at 7.30pm.
Visitors can look forward to a bar, a BBQ and a cake stall.
Car parking is limited, so organisers have recommended people walk or car share to the event.
Donations are welcome on entry.
Harrogate Railway Football Club
A firework display will be held at the club, which is on Station View in Starbeck.
There will be a DJ, fairground rides, a bar and a BBQ on offer.
The event is in association with Friends of Starbeck School and entry is £2.
Gates open at 4pm, followed by fireworks at 6.30pm.
There is no parking available at the venue.
Read more: