The contentious Illegal Migration Bill announced last week by Home Secretary Suella Braverman will come under the spotlight in Ripon on Thursday.

The bill says it aims to “prevent and deter unlawful migration, and in particular migration by unsafe and illegal routes, by requiring the removal from the United Kingdom of certain persons who enter or arrive in the United Kingdom in breach of immigration control”.

Ms Braverman said the bill “will allow us to stop the boats that are bringing tens of thousands to our shores in flagrant breach of both our laws and the will of the British people”.

But it was described by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell as ‘immoral and inept’.

Now it will be discussed at a meeting arranged by Ripon City of Sanctuary.

The organisation, which was established in 2016, is part of the national network of City of Sanctuary groups that promote a culture of welcome for asylum-seekers and refugees.

In an invitation to supporters, chair Nicola David said this week’s meeting would explain what the bill really means. RCOS will also provide an update on work it is doing to help families who have resettled locally.

Ms David said:

“There are now 10 families from the Middle East in Ripon – nine brought by the government, and one by our own community sponsorship project. We continue to work very closely with North Yorkshire County Council on this.

“Our community sponsorship family arrived in July last year and those attending on Thursday evening can find out how they’re doing.

“We also have the money in the bank to bring a second family.”

Linton campaign

Last August RCOS was part of the campaign group which achieved a victory against the Home Office and then Home Secretary Priti Patel, when the government had to abandon its plan to place 1,500 asylum-seekers at Linton-on-Ouse – a village of 700 people just outside the Harrogate district.

Ms David said:

“That was to be the first of a series of horrible new ‘asylum accommodation centres’ but more are coming and we are currently supporting various campaign groups around the country who are fighting to get asylum detention centres shut down, or to stop them from reopening.

“The detainees’ only crime is claiming asylum here and we are working with Asylum Matters, Medical Justice and the Helen Bamber Foundation to challenge the government on clause 101 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which would allow the government do whatever it likes on Crown land, including setting up asylum centres, without consulting with local communities or seeking planning permission.”

In addition to its campaigning activities, RCOS has been working to help asylum-seeking veterinary surgeons to pass their UK ‘conversion’ exams, ensuring their exam fees are waived and providing grants towards the cost of their studies.

The programme also includes clothing collections, engagement with around 15 local schools to help raise a generation of young people who understand refugee issues, matching Ukrainians with hosts, and providing specialist support in some cases.

Ms David added:

“There’s a lot to discuss and I hope that as many people as possible can join us on Thursday, when we will be happy to answer any questions they have.”

The meeting will be held at Thorpe Prebend House, which is behind the cathedral on High St Agnesgate at 7.30pm. Light refreshments are being provided by Ripon Cathedral’s C3 group.

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The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd. Stephen Cottrell, spoke of his ‘great love and devotion to St Wilfrid’ in a sermon to a packed congregation at Ripon Cathedral yesterday.

The Patronal Eucharist service marked the climax of six months of celebrations, which focused on the life and work of the city’s patron saint.

It brought leading clergy and civic dignitaries from across the region to the church founded in 672 AD.

The congregation at yesterday’s service.

At the conclusion of the service, the archbishop, attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner, the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt. Revd Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, dedicated a newly-created ledger stone to the visionary Benadictine monk.

The ledger stone at Ripon Cathedral.

He said:

“Gracious God, as we celebrate the 1,350th anniversary of Ripon’s Anglo-Saxon crypt, we give thanks for its ancient stones which bear witness to your faithfulness to us in every generation.

“As Wilfrid, holy and bold, built up your church in his day, so may we now, in and through this cathedral, bear witness to the inclusive good news of your kingdom for this city, diocese and region.”

The archbishop, added:

“May this stone, now incorporated into the fabric of this ancient cathedral as a lasting expression of gratitude for our founding patron, St Wilfrid, prompt us to follow his example of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to your world.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, gave a reading from the New Testament.

Attendees at the service, led by the Bishop of Leeds, included the Harrogate Borough Mayor, councillor Victoria Oldham and the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, councillor Sid and Linda Hawke.

In his welcoming address, Dean John Dobson (pictured above) said:

“For six months we have been enjoying a full programme of events which has helped us mark the 1350th anniversary of St Wilfrid dedicating his great basilica here in 672 AD.

“That was a church building which spoke of wider, universal influence and the determination to equip the church for fitting worship and active mission in the world.”

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The Archbishop of York and Bishop of Leeds will be at Ripon Cathedral for a special service tomorrow to mark the culmination of the cathedral’s 1350th anniversary celebrations.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell and Rt Revd Nick Baines, will be at the 10.30am Eucharist Service, which will conclude with the dedication of a ledger stone honouring the cathedral’s founding father St Wilfrid

Throughout this year, the cathedral community has been telling the story of the missionary bishop and patron saint of the city, with art installations, son et lumieres, lectures and worship.

The ledger stone has been laid under the central tower, above the crypt dedicated by St. Wilfrid in 672AD and near to where the saint was buried. The crypt is the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral.

The stone has been created by letter carver Charlotte Howarth from Making Marks in Norfolk, who worked round the clock for four weeks to complete the work on time.

Her previous projects include the carving of the gilt lettering into the oak for the Remember Me memorial portico entrance at St Paul’s Cathedral, dedicated to those who died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carving the ledger stone was highly skilled and physically demanding work, using an extremely hard stone called Stanhoe Framp.

Ms Howarth, said:

“You become emotionally involved with a project when you work on it. I do think it looks fabulous, there is an overwhelming feeling of relief to see it laid in the floor of the cathedral.”

Sun glinted off the many chains of office hung around the necks of dignitaries attending the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service in Ripon today.

The great and good had gathered for the North Yorkshire Civic Service at the city’s ancient cathedral, which is itself in celebration mode as it marks the 1,350th anniversary since being founded by Wilfrid, who went on to become Ripon’s patron saint.

The service in honour of Her Majesty took place some 37 years after she visited the cathedral with her late husband Prince Philip to hand out Maundy Money to church workers and volunteers,

The Very Revd John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon, led the service and key moments within it were performed by the Archbishop of York the Most Revd and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell and the Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Mrs Jo Ropner and the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, James Lambert.

The unmistakable Harry Gration who attended this morning’s service.

Among the congregation, was Harry Gration, the retired presenter of BBC TV Look North, who is a deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Cllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, pictured with Valeria Sykes.

From the business world, Valeria Sykes, owner of Grantley Hall hotel and wellness spa, was present and posed for a photograph with the newly-installed Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Linda.

Ripon’s MP Julian Smith on his way in to the cathedral.

Local and national politics was represented, with the city’s Conservative MP, Julian Smith and Cllr Andrew Williams the Independent  leader of Ripon City Council both present.

Cllr Williams, who was also elected by a landslide margin to the new North Yorkshire unitary authority, attended with newly-elected city councillor Jackie Crozier. They are pictured below.

Cllr Williams, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is absolutely marvellous to see Ripon host the civic service for the county in this very special platinum jubilee year.

“As a city, we are extremely proud of our royal roots and with events at the cathedral, Market Square and Spa Park, all elements of the community and people of all ages, are coming together over the extended Bank Holiday. to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

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The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, made a rare visit to St Andrew’s in Kirkby Malzeard to honour one of the church’s most loyal servants.

In what was the first visit by an archbishop to the church in living memory,  he presented a specially-commissioned silver medal to Chris Slater.

Mr Slater retired from his unpaid role of parish sexton and  verger at the church near Ripon last year.

The award was in recognition of his work over more than six decades, which included meticulously caring for the  grounds at St Andrew’s while keeping the building’s fabric in good condition and the clock on time.

Chris Slater, wearing his silver medal for long-service, is pictured at St Andrew’s.

Mr Slater married his wife Mary at St Andrew’s 58 years ago and the church, where they and their daughter Susan were christened, has been supported by the family for decades.

Mr Slater, who is 81, told the Stray Ferret:

“This church has been my life for more than 60 years and I looked after it in the way I have looked after Mary and Susan, with care and devotion, taking great pride in everything I have done there.

“It was a surprise, when I heard that the archbishop was coming to Kirkby Malzeard and I was honoured to receive the long service medal from him.”

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As well as looking after the grounds and the fabric of the church, Mr Slater attended, without fail, funerals there while his wife and daughter prepared the church for wedding services.

An indication of his dedication to St Andrew’s came in 2003 when he  raised £3,000 with the help of family and friends to pay for the installation of an electronic mechanism to wind the church tower clock and its chimes.

He said:

“Before then, I had to wind the clock twice a week – with hundreds of turns each time – one to keep the clock going and the other to set the chimes. It was hard work.”

The presentation of his medal was made as part of the Plough Sunday service at the church.