Three homes damaged in major fire in Ripon

Firefighters have been tackling a major incident in Ripon this evening in which fire has badly damaged three homes in Magdalens Close.

There are no reported casualties.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a gas leak is believed to have caused the fire.

Crews from Ripon, Harrogate, Northallerton, Boroughbridge, Bedale and Thirsk were summoned to a row of three brick-built terraced houses.

It is understood the fire began around 7pm in the roof void of one of the properties and spread to the two adjoining houses.

Residents of the close watched as firefighters dealt with the blaze and brought it under control.

Police and paramedics were on the scene and a section of Magdalens Road between Princess Road and North Bridge was shut while emergency services handled the incident.

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

“The fire spread rapidly to the property located to the left.

“Crews sectorised the fire and used two hose reel jets, four main jets and numerous breathing apparatus sets to tackle the fire.

“A gas leak was located in one of the properties so a gas engineer was requested to attend. Crews brought the fire under control and managed to prevent further spread to the last property.”

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Kirkby Malzeard all set for its three-day big weekend

Kirkby Malzeard is set to host a three-day weekend of community activities, starting tomorrow.

The Big Weekend will include live music, a Black Sheep bar, street food and artisan stalls in the first event of its kind in the village.

Visitors can expect performances from Hyde Family Jam, Reeth Brass Band, Kirkby Tunes Folk Group, and many more over the Father’s Day weekend.

The event promises something for all ages, from the inaugural 11K Crackpots Run to a TikTok disco.

There will also be a scarecrow trail – with 32 scarecrows scattered around the village – as well as a parade, a farm and tractor fest and a dog show and scurry.

Nigel Robertshaw, a village resident overseeing the live music event, said:

“This is a first for the village and we know it will be something completely different.

“We are also running a Kirkby’s Got Talent session to allow local people the chance to perform on a live stage.”

During the live music on Saturday night, Manchega Tapas and Skellgill Burgers will be offering pop-up food, alongside the village’s own fish and chips. Tickets for the live music can be found here.

The Big Weekend will round off at the village pub, the Queens Head, with an all-ages karaoke and barbecue.

Any money raised from the weekend will be used to fund future community events, including the bonfire and youth projects.

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Curzon to close Ripon cinema

The Curzon cinema in Ripon is to close on July 1.

The company said the Ripon venue faced “specific challenges” and the site “is not suited to the long-term direction we have taken”.

The venue’s nine staff were informed of the decision yesterday.

Curzon confirmed the news to the Stray Ferret this afternoon after a source informed us of the closure.

Jake Garriock, head of distribution strategy and group publicity at Curzon, said:

“Unfortunately, your information is correct, the cinema is due to close on July 1.

“The cinema has specific challenges that have meant it has not recovered as we hoped after the pandemic.

“In recent years, with several new purpose-built cinemas opening in the area, the local audience has been spread too thinly for Ripon to thrive.”

Mr Garriock added:

“The site is not suited to the long-term direction we have taken post-pandemic, driven by increased customer focus on hospitality, for example, the rooftop and pizza kitchen offering at Curzon Kingston.

“I am aware the news is a disappointment to both the staff and the local community, who share a love for the cinema.”

The Curzon is on North Street in Ripon

Curzon, which has 17 cinemas, was founded in 1934 and is known for showing art house films. It runs membership schemes that encourage people to watch films throughout the year.

The source that contacted the Stray Ferret urged people in Ripon that any queries resulting from the closure must be dealt with online and that nothing could be sorted in the cinema on North Street.

They appealed to people not to abuse staff.

Mr Garriock said “there will be no issue with customers requesting refunds for memberships they might have taken out” and urged people to call the customer helpline on 01233 555644.

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Man admits causing death of woman in car crash near Ripon

A man has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 20-year-old woman by dangerous driving in Ripon.

Harry Elliott, 25, appeared before York Crown Court yesterday after his Audi RS3 crashed into a tree on the B6265 near Grantley Hall in the early hours of December 6, 2019.

Naomi Buckle, who was from Catterick Garrison and was a passenger in the car, died as a result of the crash.

Elliott, of Richmond in North Yorkshire, who initially denied causing death by dangerous driving at a hearing in August 2022, was due to stand trial yesterday.

However, he changed his plea to guilty in court.

He will be sentenced on July 24.

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Ripon hospital to provide more health checks after £1m award

Ripon Community Hospital has been awarded £1 million to expand the number of health checks and scans.

It means GPs will be able to refer more patients to the hospital for life-saving checks closer to home and be diagnosed for a range of conditions.

The NHS England funding is part of an expansion of community diagnostic services announced by the government.

Ripon Community Hospital will refurbish its X-Ray room and equipment and expand the service to six days a week.

The ultrasound room will be extended and its services expanded to six days a week and a second audiology room will be created, with additional staff, to provide more hearing tests in Ripon.

The funding will also help to create two clinic rooms to offer more frequent blood samples and local access to tests such as spirometry, ambulatory ECG and ambulatory blood pressure.

The hospital on Firby Lane, which is part of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, will have capacity for 27,000 checks a year once services are expanded.

A report by Professor Sir Mike Richards called for a significant increase in community diagnostic services outside of acute hospitals.

Building work will be carried out at the hospital before the extra services can start by the end of this year.

Sue Eddleston, a public governor representing Ripon and outlying villages on the Council of Governors for the Harrogate District Foundation Trust, said she “could not be more delighted” by the news, which she added would benefit Ripon residents.

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Gallery: A weekend of family entertainment at Ripon Theatre Festival

The focus was on family fun in the sun as Ripon Theatre Festival’s outdoor performers took centre stage over the weekend.

Yesterday’s bright sunshine brought hundreds of children, along with parents and grandparents to Spa Gardens, where they saw puppets, pirates, a Noah’s Ark show (pictured below) musicians, singers, dancers and many more entertainers.

Among them was Rhubarb Theatre (see main picture), which provided an interactive experience for the audience combining street entertainment with family games, featuring characters inspired by Lewis Carroll’s wonderland creations.

On Saturday, Ripon city centre Market Square, Minster Gardens, The Arcade, North Street and Kirkgate and Westgate, were among the venues for a eclectic mixture of alfresco theatrical performances, while the Flying Dodos and other puppet characters roamed the streets.

The Flying Dodos on North Street

Ripon Arts Hub, the cathedral, Curzon Cinema, the Claro Lounge, Wetherspoon’s Unicorn Hotel, the library and The Little Ripon Bookshop and Workhouse Museum, also hosted indoor festival events.

The Strange Twig pirates in Spa Gardens

Ian Gouge 

At Curzon Cinema, Ripon-based award-winning author and poet Ian Gouge, gave a premiere performance of his dramatic poem Crash while on Market Square, a large crowd gathered for a whole host of acts, including The Giant Balloon Show (pictured below).

Just a hop and a skip away at the cathedral, Ripon City Morris Dancers  attracted a large gathering as did dancers of a different kind when Sarita McDermott and her team of Bollywood-style performers, Bethany, Matthew and Martin, from Jennyruth Workshops, performed in Spa Gardens.

Ripon City Morris Dancers

Sarita McDermott (right) with the Bollywood dancers.

While it was a weekend for enjoyment across the city, the daily hardship of a life in poverty was given a dramatic twist at the Workshouse Museum.

Through interactive displays and presentations, volunteers in period costume told the story of what it was like for some of Ripon’s Victorian forebears.

Volunteers Lindy (left) and Judy showed visitors what wash day in the Workhouse was like for its Victorian inmates

The finale of Ripon’s second theatre festival came yesterday evening with Illyria’s action-packed production of Robin Hood  at Fountains Abbey and as the curtain came down on this year’s event, festival director Katie Scott (pictured below) told the Stray Ferret:

“It has been a great success. Building on last year’s launch we have seen increased ticket sales and hundreds of people attending the free outdoor events and pop up shows.

“This gives us a tremendous platform for next year.”

Festival director Katie Scott

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Plan to convert former Ripon dentist into flat

A plan has been lodged to convert a former dentist in Ripon into a flat.

The proposal, which has been lodged by Wilkinsons Properties Ltd, would see the former W&B Dental practice converted.

The dentists was formerly based at 12 High Skellgate in the city.

The practice has since moved to Phoenix Business Centre.

Under the plans, the first floor property would be converted into a one-bedroom flat and be accessed from High Skellgate.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Free festival for disabled children returns to Ripon

A family friendly festival is returning to Ripon this month.

‘This is Me’ festival seeks to provide a fun, family-friendly environment for children and young people with disabilities

Organised by Nidderdale and Morton children’s resources centres, the festival has run since 2018 and has grown in size year on year.

A number of live musical acts will be performing, including Lily Worth, Freddie Cleary, Rock Choir and Rory Hoy.

The Baked Bean Theatre Company, a drama group based around helping those with learning disabilities, will also be making an appearance.

The day will be rounded out by The Doubtful Bottle, an indie-rock outfit from York. Most members were previously a part of The Conspirators who achieved some success on the UK Indie rock charts.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for children and families, said:

“This is Me was introduced following requests from our young people who wished to attend a music festival. It provides young individuals with a disability an opportunity to attend a festival, which caters to their needs by being fully inclusive and accessible.

“The fun-filled festival, with so much to see and do, sounds like a perfect day out and we look forward to seeing you there.”

Other attractions will include a silent disco, a circus space, an animal petting area, yoga sessions, and arts and crafts.

There will also be stands where information about local and national groups and support networks can be shared.

They have all given thought to the needs of people with autism. This year sees the addition of quieter area and a sensory tent to help cater for all needs.

As well as this, this year will see the introduction of a well-being camp. This will include activities such as massage, free haircuts by an autism-friendly barber, and support from The Sleep Charity.

The event will be held from noon to 6pm, on Sunday, June 25. The event is both held at and sponsored by Ripon Rugby Club.

Wristbands for the event are free but donations are welcome. They can be booked online prior to the day by emailing NCRC@northyorks.gov.uk. More information can be found on their Facebook page here.

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Ripon educational farm features on Channel 4 series

A Ripon farm has featured on a new Channel 4 television series.

Bland Close Farm, on Whitcliffe Lane, was chosen to take part in presenter Sarah Beeny’s new series called New Country Life.

The programme follows couples and families who leave city life and start new ventures in the countryside.

Grace and Dannie Foster-Lilly run the 120-acre family farm on the outskirts of Ripon.

The couple sought to turn the working farm into an educational facility, which helps schoolchildren to learn about agriculture and animal welfare.

Grace told the Stray Ferret that the farm had been in Dannie’s family for three generations, but needed to be kept open if it were to survive.

She said:

“We wanted to make something of the farm and we needed it to stay in the family.”

The couple, who are former teachers from County Durham, dropped out of the profession after 10 years in teaching.

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They sought to change the use of the farm, which is where they now live and got married.

The farm is now the home to alpacas, pigs and chickens and teaches children about animals and where food comes from.

In the past year, Grace and Dannie have overseen 25 school visits from areas such as Ripon and Darlington.

Channel 4 series

In an effort to increase the profile of the farm, Grace responded to an Instagram post from Channel 4 filmmakers looking for families to take part in a new series.

The crew were immediately interested and the couple embarked on 11 days worth of filming.

Dannie with some of the pigs on the farm.

Dannie with some of the pigs on the farm.

Grace described the process as a whirlwind.

She said:

“We did not realise how intense it would be.”

The series has been broadcast every day since May 29 and will continue throughout June, Monday to Friday.

Grace said the farm has received a good reaction since the episode have been out.

She said:

“We had a lot of families come up to the farm.

“We have had more people wanting to know about the farm and what we offer.”

CrossFit gym to open in Ripon

A CrossFit gym is set to open in Ripon.

Mick and Sarah Meegan, who currently run a smaller personal training and fitness studio in the city, will open the facility at Ripon Business Park, which is close to the canal.

The date is yet to be confirmed but the couple expect it to be early next month.

CrossFit Ripon will provide a functional training facility for Ripon, which the couple said the city currently lacked in comparison to nearby Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, York and Thirsk.

Mr Meegan, who is in the last year of 21 years of military service, said the gym would tackle obesity, mental health and wellbeing as well as get people into shape.

CrossFit, which involves constantly varied fitness routines, has grown hugely in popularity over the last 20 years.

The facilities tend to cost more than chain gyms but provide more classes and a more personalised approach, with community at the heart of activities.

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Mr Meegan said:

“Ripon craves a fitness, mental health and wellbeing facility that caters inclusively for all the individual needs of our city, especially those suffering from social isolation and low self-esteem.

“The wide range of variety in terms of classes, one-to-one PT, apprenticeships for future PTs and fitness for kids classes is something Ripon needs as part of Ripon’s Neighbourhood Plan 2030 in-terms of health and well-being.

“Research shows there is somewhat a lower life expectancy in Minster and Moorside Wards than for the district. Child health concern regarding increase in obesity over early school years is considerably higher than in the district whereas for adults this is slightly higher than the district.

“Our new affiliated CrossFit gym will cater for all of the above, our community is absolutely paramount in terms of health and well-being. We are passionate to give Ripon what it’s craved for years and promote fitness is for life.”

Mr Meegan said the couple had battled for nine months to secure planning and many people have told them it won’t work. He said:

“Even when everything seemed against us we persevered and got planning approval. If you believe in something you take risks.”