A flood-hit road near Ripon is expected to reopen to traffic on Friday.

A section of Dishforth Road on Sharow Lane closed on Monday following a burst water main.

The incident caused some of the carriageway to collapse, leaving a hole in the road.

It means motorists travelling to and from Ripon and up to the A1 are having to use alternative routes along Berrygate Lane and New Road at Sharow and through Copt Hewick to avoid the blockage while workmen carry out repair work.

The road on Monday

The road remains closed today but a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“A team was sent to Dishforth Road to complete a repair following a leak.

“The repairs are underway, and we expect the road to be reinstated and opened on Friday.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused we thank customers for their patience.”

Read more:

• Drainage channels installed in £10,000 scheme on Ripon street
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Concrete drainage channels have been installed outside homes in Newby Street in Ripon to prevent flooding during wet weather.

The drainage improvement work, costing £10,000, was completed last week after being authorised as one of five additions to the North Yorkshire highways capital forward programme for structural highways maintenance.

The combined total for the additional works is £340,842 and includes an allocation of £60,000 for work on Hampsthwaite Bridge, which is currently closed and under repair.

The Newby Street work is designed to carry rainwater from downpipes and into drains in the street, preventing a back-up of water on pavements.

Prior to the installation rainwater from downpipes, serving 42 brick-built late-Victorian houses, was released directly onto the pavements.

Read more:

• Burst water main causes road closure near Ripon
• Children’s author launches book in Ripon

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Ripon-based Econ Engineering has appointed a new operations director.

Gareth Legg, who was most recently managing director at Crossroads Truck & Bus Ltd, will take up the role.

Mr Legg will be tasked with overseeing all four of the company’s depots and ensure the smooth running of departmental activities.

He said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Econ which has a fantastic history, reputation, and product offering. 

“When I first visited it was the attention to detail and obvious pride in everything they do which stood out to me and why this opportunity is so exciting.”

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ Engineering, said: 

“We’re excited to welcome Gareth and look forward to making the most of his skills and experience.

“He has a fantastic CV and is extremely knowledgeable in our field of expertise. He will bring insight and fresh ideas from the outside world, which will ensure we retain our position as the market leader.”

Small business networking session to be held in Harrogate

A networking event aimed at small and medium businesses will be held at Harrogate Convention Centre this month.

Connect Over a Cuppa aims to offer advice, funding opportunities and business ideas to SMEs.

The event is organised by North Yorkshire Council and will be held on August 17 at Co-Lab Harrogate in the convention centre.

More sessions are available on September 21, October 19 and November 16. All start from 9.30am and last for 90 minutes.

For more information on the networking events, visit the Eventbrite page here.

About 70 pheasants were killed today after gas cylinders caught fire near Ripon.

Firefighters from Ripon, Knaresborough and Harrogate rushed to Aldfield, which is about four miles west of Ripon, at 11.36am.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:

“Crews located five propane gas cylinders well alight that then spread to nearby pheasant sheds.

“Crews extinguished the fire before cooling the cylinders and damping down hotspots.

“The fire resulted in 100% fire damage to all of the cylinders, fire damage to a number of the pheasant sheds and approximately 70 pheasants died.”

Last month more than 32,000 chickens were killed in a fire at commercial premises near Upper Dunsforth in the Harrogate district.

Read more:

• Overheating ice machine caused fire in village pub near Knaresborough
• Firefighters called to Harrogate trailer park
• 32,000 chickens killed in fire in Harrogate district

North Yorkshire Police is seeking assistance from the public following a spate of vandal attacks on vehicles in Ripon car parks and on residential streets.

Over the past week, cars have been deliberately damaged in the Cathedral and Morrisons car parks in the city, as well as on Quarry Moor Lane and Oak Road.

The vandalism, which has been reported on social media, has ranged from the smashing of windscreens to attacks on bodywork, windscreen wipers and mirrors.

Yesterday  (Sunday) members of the Harrogate Outer policing team were on Ripon Market Square to promote the North Yorkshire Community Messaging service and, while there, Sgt Jeff Peel, told the Stray Ferret:

“We’ve had a number of people who have given us information that may be helpful in our on-going investigations into the recent vandalism incidents.

“We would urge anybody else who feels they can help to contact us in confidence.”

Anybody with information about the attacks or other suspicious behaviour that that they have witnessed, can call 101 or report online via www.northyorkshire.police.uk.

The North Yorkshire Community Messaging service, provides another means for the public to help in the fight against crime and those who sign up for it will receive localised  email alerts about events, crime appeals and safety advice.

Read more:

• Motorbike stolen from Ripon garage
• Burst water main causes road closure near Ripon

Five decades of dedication will be on show in a village near Ripon this weekend as part of the national open gardens scheme.

David and Sally Walden have lived at Greencroft for 49 years, slowly transforming the one-acre garden and adding new features.

For the last 25 years, they have opened the gates to the garden on Pottery Lane as part of the National Garden Scheme, and will do so again this Sunday, from noon until 4pm.

Daughter Rachel Beadle told the Stray Ferret:

“When they bought the property it was just one field going right up to the back of a two-up, two-down house.

“My dad is a builder, now retired aged 80, and mum is the gardener, aged 79.

“They have built and gardened the whole thing over 49 years, adding bits on over the years. Mum spent many, many days mixing cement for dad!

“Dad has built every structure, wall and waterfall, from the log cabin to the the summer house. Mum still gardens the whole thing herself: there are no external gardeners.”

The annual open afternoon always raises money for charities chosen by the NGS. Over the years, Rachel said the couple have raised £35,000 for the likes of Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the Carers’ Trust.

Entry is £5 for adults, while children go free, and there will be tea and cakes available.

Rachel added:

“My sisters, brother and I are all super proud of them.”

The National Trust has formally submitted plans for a new £3.5 million building and landscape project at the Studley Royal end of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.

The project, called Studley Revealed, aims to create a more accessible café, admission point and toilets and restore historical sightlines to the 18th century Georgian water garden created by John Aislabie.

However, the new building would be situated inside the water garden and only be accessible to people who pay to enter.

Under the proposals, the current tea room on the deer park side, which is free to enter, will close. A kiosk providing drinks and snacks will be built in the deer park car park, accessible to everyone.

The restaurant and parking at the main visitor centre will remain free for all to access.

The trust has submitted its plans to North Yorkshire Council, which will make a decision at a later date.

An illustration of the how the view of the building from the deer park might look.

London heritage architects Feilden Fowles and Edinburgh landscape architects Rankinfraser were appointed to carry out the design work.

Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:

“The Studley Revealed project is an exciting part of the ongoing conservation of the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site. It has long been our ambition to improve the appearance of this area of the site and how visitors experience it.

“Crucially, it means we can create a place for our visitors to learn more about the fascinating history of Studley Royal, its international significance and our role in caring for it, whilst simultaneously having a more enjoyable and accessible experience.

Mr Scully added the project had been delayed by covid “but it gave us extra time to consider the feedback from our consultation in 2019 and we’ve been able to update our plans”

The trust estimated that the new facilities will open in 2025, should planning approval be granted.

Read more:

• National Trust plans major £3.5m building project at Fountains Abbey
• North Yorkshire Police confirms it will no longer manage Remembrance Day traffic

A motorbike was stolen from a garage in Ripon last weekend.

A thief or thieves forced entry by snapping the padlock and breaking the door fastenings.

They then made off with a black Honda VFR Cross-Runner 800 bike.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information about the burglary, which happened on Oak Road, off Lead Lane on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The force said in a statement:

“The motorcycle, with registration WN62 XKH, has not been recovered.

“If you see the stolen vehicle, know where it is, or have any information that may assist the investigation, such as CCTV or doorbell footage, please email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Gareth Skelton.”

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230141793.

Read more:

• GALLERY: St Wilfrid’s Procession brings thousands to Ripon’s streets
• Dates set for reopening historic hotels in Knaresborough and Ripon

Arrival at a Ripon Cathedral bathed in early-evening sunshine, signalled the conclusion of  the 2023 St Wilfrid’s Procession.

It was the end of a 7.5 mile journey along residential streets and into the city centre, where thousands of people had gathered.

For the actor playing the part of the city’s patron saint and Colin the 19-year-old Cob Cross Clydesdale, there was a guard of honour provided by Ripon City Morris Dancers, as horse and rider approached the iconic building in time for a service of celebration.

Prior to that the rousing music of Ripon City Band (pictured above) resounded on Kirkgate as the procession made up of decorated floats and people in fancy dress carefully navigated the ancient street.

There was a carnival atmosphere throughout the day as crowds lined the streets to watch the parade go by and gathered in the Market Square for a Saturday afternoon of free family-focused activities and entertainment organised by the volunteers of the St Wilfrid’s Procession Committee.

Time to celebrate for these members of the procession

Among the musical entertainers were the One For All Choir, who performed to a large crowd in front of Ripon Town Hall.

Also singing and dancing throughout  the day, were those who circled the city streets on the 20 decorated floats that took part in the procession.

The floats came with many imaginative themes and designs from superheroes, to one inspired by the TV comedy series Last of the Summer Wine.

Read more:

• Date set for opening of refurbished Ripon hotel
• Ripon’s Salvation Army to hold Yorkshire Day celebration

This week’s photograph was taken by Heather Middleton, capturing a group of deer looking over the hill at Studley Royal.

Heather Middleton

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.