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.

Read more:

• Farmers and creditors owed £7m after Ripon firm collapsed
• CrossFit Harrogate prepares for charity challenge

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.”

Farmers and unsecured creditors were owed £7 million following the collapse of Ripon meat retailer Farmison&Co, administrators have revealed.

In an update, FRP Advisory estimated the unsecured creditors are unlikely to get any money back.

The report revealed that, despite investment from Scottish private investor Inverleith, Farmison incurred losses of £3.4 million in 2022 and continued to have cashflow problems going into January 2023.

FRP was appointed in April after Farmison collapsed.

The company was quickly acquired from administration by a consortium led by Andy Clark, former chief executive of Asda, for an undisclosed sum.

The new company has resumed trading under the Farmison name on the same Bondgate Green site.

Staff set for 31p in the pound

The report reveals staff were owed pay, unpaid pension contributions and holiday pay totalling £86,000 and are estimated to receive 31p in the pound.

HMRC, which is classed as a secondary preferential creditor, is owed £131,466. But administrators estimate it will not receive any payment, nor will the unsecured creditors owed £7 million.

Read more:

• Revived Farmison fully reopens Ripon shop
• Hot Seat: Bringing Ripon firm Farmison back to life

The unsecured creditors include Maidenhead-based Copas Traditional Turkeys Ltd, which claimed £171,714 from the company.

London-based media group, Inceni Studios, is also owed £5,300. The company helped to make videos for Farmison.

Local firms affected include C and L Harrison of Grewelthorpe, which was owed £7,190, Roecliffe firm DB Engineering (Ripon), which was owed and Harrogate firm Studio One, which was owed £1,044.

A report by FRP Advisory said:

“It is currently estimated that there will not be sufficient funds available to make a distribution to unsecured creditors.”

In response to the administrators report, a spokesperson for the new company said:

“We’re pleased to have rescued the business from administration, re-employing many of the team in Ripon and bringing back its hand-picked farmers from across the north of England.

“We’re already trading again and we’re grateful for the messages of support from customers.

“That positive reaction underlines how much potential we know there is for the kind of high-quality, traceable produce Farmison offers.

“The whole team is now focused on making Farmison the success we know it can be, serving customers who want to eat better meat.”

Farmison’s new owners celebrated the full reopening of its Ripon shop, Cut by Farmison&Co, last weekend.

A developer has resubmitted plans to build new homes on a former Ripon timber yard.

Red Tree Developments wants to demolish the buildings on the former NY Timber site off Trinity Lane and replace them with houses.

The site was home to a timber yard from 1860 to 2018.

The fresh plans would see 13 two-storey, two- and three-bedroom homes built.

A government planning inspector rejected a similar plan by Red Tree last month over concerns that the scheme did not have sufficient ground investigations and about the impact on nearby heritage assets.

However, in documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the developer says the new application addresses the reasons given for refusing the previous plan.

The developer said:

“The 13 proposed dwellings are all designed as two-storey dwellings, mostly with rooms in the roof and will have no adverse visual impact upon views from any angle in the area. The scale of the proposed dwellings is entirely appropriate within the context.”

Read more:

• Developer appeals refusal of 13-home Ripon scheme
• Government rejects 13-home plan on former Ripon timber yard

Red Tree bought the 0.64-acre plot, which is adjacent to the listed buildings, Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, from Cairngorm Capital for an undisclosed sum in 2020.

In a previous planning application, the developer said the timber yard, which is not listed, must be replaced due to its “poor state of repair”.

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

An oil painting donated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will go under the hammer in Ripon this month.

The painting of Richmond Castle will be included in Elstob Auctioneers’ fine art and antiques sale on  June 17.

Members of the public will be able to bid at the sale in person or online. The proceeds will raise funds for Richmond community arts venue The Station.

The painting, by contemporary landscape painter Alice Boggis-Rolfe, carries a price estimate of £1,800 to £2,200. It comes with a signed title card from the Prime Minister.

Broadcaster Sky gave the painting to Mr Sunak to mark the Sky Arts channel becoming free-to-view. With Sky’s blessing, the Richmond MP donated it to the gallery at The Station, which is housed in Richmond’s former Victorian Railway Station.

It was displayed in The Station gallery but is now being sold to raise money for the venue.

Mr Sunak said:

“I thought it most appropriate that The Station – a centre for the arts in Richmond – should benefit from Sky’s generosity and people in Richmond should have the chance to see the work too.”

Rohan McCulloch, paintings and sculptures specialist at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“This is a rare opportunity to acquire a fabulous piece of art by one of the UK’s up-and-coming artists at the same time as supporting a great cause. Alice Boggis-Rolfe regularly sells out at exhibitions.”

Read more:

• Ripon auction to sell paintings of Derby winners found after 180 years
• Business Breakfast: Ripon auctioneers announces new name and sales structure
• Revived Farmison fully reopens Ripon shop

Chris Brown, general manager of the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, said:

“Elstob Auctioneers are kindly waiving all fees associated with the sale so 100% of the proceeds will go straight back into The Station and supporting other at-risk buildings in Richmondshire.”

Commissioned by Sky to produce the painting, Alice Boggis-Rolfe said:

“I am delighted and honoured that Rishi Sunak has donated my painting to The Station in Richmond and look forward to the auction.”

The fine art and antiques sale will be held on Saturday, June 17 at 9.30am. Bids can be made in person, online or by telephone.

The contents of the sale, including the painting, will be available to view at the Ripon saleroom on Friday, June 16 from 10am until 4pm.

For further information, call 01765 699200 or email: info@elstob.co.uk

Online premium meat retailer Farmison & Co held an event in Ripon on Saturday to mark its shop fully re-opening.

Cut by Farmison & Co is now serving customers from 9am to 2pm every Saturday at Bondgate Green, as well as from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday to Friday. It also provides a click and collect service Monday to Saturday.

In-house butcher Jeff Baker held a barbecue and special offers were available to celebrate the firm’s rapid revival.

Farmison ceased trading in April when the firm collapsed into administration.

A consortium led by ex-Asda chief executive Andy Clarke and Chilli Marketing owner Gareth Whittle acquired the business and began a phased reopening last month.

Mr Whittle and chief operating officer Michelle Kennedy were at the Ripon site on Saturday to celebrate the comeback.

Gareth Whittle and Michelle Kennedy outside Cut on Saturday

Mr Whittle said the first aim was to stabilise then focus on increasing revenue from e-commerce as well as wholesale and retail channels. He added:

“Michelle and the team have moved mountains to get us back open.

“We are working with pretty much all the key suppliers, who have been incredibly supportive.”

Mr Whittle said the company’s mission to provide better meat sourced sustainably in the UK persuaded him to get involved, adding:

“I honestly believe in what we are doing and am excited about our plans.”

Staff recruitment

Ms Kennedy, who has been with Farmison since it was founded in 2011, said the company had started trading online within eight days of being rescued and had been building up the business since.

It now has 42 staff, many of whom worked for the firm pre-administration, and expected to be up to 59 this year.

Ms Kennedy said Mr Clarke and Mr Whittle brought fresh strategic thinking and strong business connections to Farmison. She added:

“It’s amazing to have them resurrecting the business. Gareth is a marketeer and has huge expertise in that area and Andy is a retailer with a wealth of business he can provide to the business.”

Read more:

• Ripon firm Farmison begins phased re-opening today
• Hot Seat: Bringing Ripon firm Farmison back to life
• Fears for rural transport as Masham and Ripon minibus service is scrapped

Councillors have expressed disappointment after a flagship on-demand bus service in Masham and Ripon is set to be scrapped.

Last week, North Yorkshire Council took the decision to end its YorBus pilot on June 30 over cost concerns.

It was revealed that the service carried just 14,208 passengers over 12 months, at an average cost per passenger of £15.57 across the year.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport, said in a statement that the cost of the service was “significantly higher” than traditional routes.

However, some councillors have expressed disappointment that the on-demand service will no longer continue.

Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister.

Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who represents Masham and Fountains division, said the bus was used by younger people in her area.

She said:

“I’m very disappointed. There were a lot of the younger generation using it.

“At the same time, it was expensive to run. It was using a lot of money. But it was not a great surprise and I don’t think it was ever to going to get to a break even point.

“However, I think it does demonstrate that there is a need for bus services in rural areas.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Council to axe YorBus service
• Axed bus service for Ripon and Masham cost £15.57 per passenger

She added that she would like to see a community service introduced in the place of YorBus.

Meanwhile, Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa, described the decision as “regrettable but understandable”.

She added that the service was never going to survive in light of the council’s failed £116 million bid to government’s ‘Bus Back Better’ fund.

She said:

“Without government help this has had to be funded by the council. Usage peaked over last summer and then levelled off to about 2.4 passengers per hour, more passengers could possibly have made the pilot more cost effective.”

Cllr Andrew Williams, who also represents Ripon Minster and Moorside, added:

“It’s sad that the innovative idea has failed to take off but NYC can’t justify the continuation of a service which is costing a subsidy of £14 for each journey made, 

“I suspect that most council tax payers would think that was pouring money down the drain. We have tried to provide a service but residents have voted with their feet and simply not used it in sufficient numbers to justify continuing further.”

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire Council to ask why the scheme was not scrapped within the first year given the running costs.

A spokesperson for the council said the pilot was extended to “explore options for wider rollout could be explored in more detail, including assessing potential zones and a review of the overall delivery model”.

Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan said that the authority would be reviewing initiatives to help rural transport.

He said:

“While continuing to work closely with operators to support at-risk services, we are also currently reviewing a number of initiatives to improve rural transport and asking the public for their views to help shape our future strategy.”

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for help locating 32-year-old Dwaine Layton, who is wanted in connection with a serious assault.

The force said today Layton is believed to be in the Harrogate area.

It added:

“If you have any information which could help to locate Layton then please call 101 or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.

“If you have an immediate sighting, then please dial 999.”

The reference number is 12230099771.

Read more:

• Axed bus service for Ripon and Masham cost £15.57 per passenger
• Bridge near Harrogate closes suddenly after crack appears

The winners of a new photography competition are to have their pictures included in an exhibition in Ripon this autumn.

The competition, which has been launched by the Skell Valley Project in collaboration with the National Trust, Nidderdale AONB, Ripon Museum Trust and Ripon City Photographic Society, is for people of all ages and abilities.

Entrants must submit impactful images taken somewhere in the Skell Valley that capture its landscape, wildlife and nature or its cultural and historical features. A map of the area is provided with the competition information to locate where photos are taken.

A map of the area is provided with the competition information to locate where photos have been taken.

Stuart Ward, president of Ripon City Photographic Society, said:

“The landscape around the River Skell offers great raw material for taking inspiring photographs – from the wild moorland of Dallowgill at the top of the valley through to rolling farmland in Nidderdale AONB, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site, Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve and the historic City of Ripon – it’s a photographer’s paradise!”

The Skell Valley Project is a four-year scheme led by the National Trust and Nidderdale AONB to rejuvenate the 12 miles of the River Skell.

The project is working with local partners, landowners, farmers, and volunteer groups to improve the landscape’s resilience to climate change, help nature to thrive, protect and conserve its heritage and increase people’s access to green space following the coronavirus pandemic.

The £2.5 million project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Wolfson Foundation, Royal Oak Foundation and other funders and donors.

Josie Campbell, senior project co-ordinator of the Skell Valley Project, said:

“Whether you’re a smartphone user that takes the odd snap or a more experienced photographer who’s a dab hand with a macro lens, we’re looking for entries from anyone inspired to capture the unique character of the River Skell and its surroundings.”

Competition entrants are welcome to submit a maximum of three photographs to skellvalleyprojectteam@nationaltrust.org.uk. The closing date for entries is midnight on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. For more information about the competition and how to submit photographs, see the National Trust website.

Entries will be judged by a panel including members from Ripon City Photographic Society, Skell Valley Project and Ripon Museum Trust.

The 20 winning photographs will be displayed as part of an outdoor exhibition at Ripon Workhouse Museum between Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Read more:

• Autumn events focus on ancient trees in Ripon’s Skell Valley
• Objectors clash with Skell Valley Project over Ripon nature reserve
• ‘Legendary’ photographer part of collaborative exhibition in Harrogate

A picture has emerged of the scale of losses sunk on the axed flagship rural bus service for Ripon, Masham and Bedale.

North Yorkshire Council announced last week it would abandon the YorBus on-demand bus service, which it had hoped to roll out to numerous rural areas poorly served by buses. The 14-seater minibuses will cease to operate at the end of the month.

The council claimed future transport services would be shaped by lessons learned from YorBus.

But councillors from across the political spectrum sounded a less upbeat tone about the outcome of the pilot at a meeting of the council’s Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee yesterday.

A report to councillors revealed Yorbus had seen a further £224,000 of taxpayers money pumped into it after disappointing first year figures.

Despite changes to try to improve uptake, the high-profile service carried just 14,208 passengers over 12 months, at an average cost per passenger of £15.57 across the year.

This is significantly higher than that for fixed timetable bus routes in the area which are around £6.50 per passenger.

Sustainability warnings

Within months of YorBus being launched, public transport experts had said it was unsustainable and needed a major overhaul to attract more passengers.

The authority’s hopes of extending demand-responsive transport were dealt a further blow last year when the government rejected the county’s £116m Bus Back Better bid in its entirety, citing a “lack of ambition” — a claim the council has rejected.

The committee heard how YorBus had often been seen driving around with few or no passengers. One Conservative member claimed following disappointing YorBus figures for the first year, officers had worked “to try and prove the concept”.

Cllr Andrew Murday

Cllr Andrew Murday, a Liberal Democrat who represents Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale,  questioned why the council had not abandoned the trial after the first year, adding:

“Obviously the project has failed and there are better ways of providing public transport.”

The meeting heard the trial had been extended for a further year largely to test if changes to the booking system improved take-up.

Councillors were told while the development of public transport was a key part of the council’s economic development plan, particularly to boost tourism, more rural bus services, including a regular service to the Yorkshire Dales gateway town of Grassington, were under threat.

Some councillors suggested the council should look to facilitate taxi or car-sharing through localised social media accounts before others pointed towards passenger safety concerns.

Residents ‘horrified by the cost’

Calling for more innovative solutions, Settle and Penyghent councillor David Staveley said:

“Most residents who don’t use these public service buses, and don’t have any inclination to, would be quite horrified by the cost per journey that this has incurred. It’s a lot of money that’s coming out of the public purse.”

However, other councillors argued the reason behind residents’ reliance on  cars was due to the lack of a sufficiently frequent and direct bus service.

The meeting heard villages without public transport were being “condemned to death”, as planning rules banned building “unsustainable” homes, while post-pandemic many of the county’s elderly residents had not gone back to using buses.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Council to axe YorBus service
• Award supports restoration at historic Ripon church

Referring to the trial, executive member for culture and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said:

“It’s regrettable it hasn’t worked, but somehow we have to change people’s attitudes to public transport. How do we encourage the public back to using the services that are there? That’s a real challenge.”

Helmsley Conservative councillor George Jabbour said he believed from next year the incoming mayoral combined authority would have the additional funding needed to invest in public transport.

Cllr Jabbour added:

“This experience should not make the council less bold in its drive to explore new creative and innovative ways to improve public transport in our county.”