Projects focused on nature, the environment and carbon reduction were to the fore at last night’s Ripon Civic Awards.
Three months after Ripon Civic Society held its biennial awards in April 2022, North Yorkshire Council declared a climate emergency and planned steps that it would take, alongside stakeholders, to tackle the issue of climate change under its strategy Beyond Carbon.
Since then, incidents such as the criminal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumbria and council-sanctioned removal of trees at other locations across the UK, have increased both public and corporate awareness of the role that the natural environment plays alongside the built environment,
Prior to last night’s awards ceremony at the Workhouse Museum in Allhallowgate, civic society co-chair Richard Taylor, told the Stray Ferret:
“There was a common green thread running through the majority of entries considered by our panel of judges for the 2024 awards.
“We saw environmental consideration at the heart of the planning and delivery of developments and projects, ranging from the construction of a single private residence to Econ Engineering’s world-first multi-function E-QCB electric gritter, invented here in Ripon.”
ECON’s E-QCB electric gritter was highly commended at last night’s awards.
Mr Taylor and fellow civic society co-chair David Winpenny played video footage as they described each of the shortlisted entries, before the winners were announced and trophies presented by Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke.
Justin Scully, the National Trust’s general manager at Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, received, on behalf of the Skell Valley Project, the sustainability award, and also the Helen Whitehead Award for best overall project.
The four-year scheme, which received £2.6 million funding to tackle climate change-related flooding issues along a 12-mile stretch of the river that runs through Ripon and the world heritage site, was launched in 2021 and has seen collaboration between 16 organisations on 15 different environmental enhancement schemes.
Mr Scully said:
“We are extremely grateful for this recognition of our work, which has been made possible through a huge volunteer input and I’m pleased to report that just five percent of the funding monies has been spent at Fountains and Studley Royal, meaning that the entire valley has benefited from this initiative.”
Justin Scully receives the Helen Whitehead Award from mayor Sid Hawke
There was also recognition for other volunteer-supported environmentally focused projects, including the work carried out by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust at Nosterfield, where former sand and gravel pits have become transformed into habitat for an abundant range of wildlife through the re-introduction of threatened native species of plants grown in a nursery on site.
Mr Winpenny said:
“This project ticks every box in terms of its aims and the detailed thought that has been put into its planning and delivery over many years,”
Simon Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust and project officer Emma Higgs, receive the Younge Rosebowl Enviromental Award.
The Ripon Community Link walled garden is, through its on-site and community-based activities, enabling 60 adults with mild or moderate learning disabilities to grow and reach their full potential with the support of volunteers.
Their work was boosted last year with the opening of a new cafe and shop, which provides training opportunities and last night they received the John Whitehead Award,
The new cafe and shop at Ripon Walled Garden
The Hazzard Cup for best new building went to the owners of Maple Nook ,a custom-designed and built private residence on Heckler Lane in Ripon, which includes many eco-friendly features, while the Price Flagon for Best Building Restoration, was presented to the Westholme Road Barns on the Swinton Estate in Masham, where the use of reclaimed materials was central to bringing redundant farm buildings back to life.
The craftmanship award was received by Barrie Price on behalf of St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, where the second phase of its £500,000 restoration involved the creation of a porch extension to the south of the Grade II star listed building.
Judges were impressed by the use of stone, tiles, green oak timber and glass in sympathy with original design of the 160-year-old building, which now includes a much-needed accessible toilet for the use if parishioners and visitors,
A stone’s throw from the church is the Ripon Inn, which earned the Taylor Plate for City Centre Revitalisation.
The Inn Collection’s multi-million pound investment, which has transformed the former Spa Hotel, is welcomed by the civic society and Mr Taylor (who pointed out that the plate prize is not in his name) said:
“We now hope that the revitalisation of the Spa Quarter can soon be completed through the planned redevelopment of the nearby Spa Baths, which is in desperate need of restoration.”
The Ripon Inn
Just when it was thought that all the prizes had been presented, a new award was announced for the person who has made an outstanding contribution to Ripon Civic Society.
The inaugural winner Neill Clayton (pictured above with Mayor Sid Hawke) who will be known by many for the railway that he has created in his Dallamire’s Lane garden, which can be seen by people on scenic boat cruises along Ripon Canal.
Mr Clayton has an encyclopedic-knowledge of Ripon’s industrial history and is a long-term member of the society.
He has played an important role in providing accurate background information for heritage open days and also participates in them by allowing members of the public to see and ride on his railway.
He said:
“The industrial development of Ripon is something that we should all be proud of. It is a living thing that goes on, as we have seen tonight with ECON’s world-leading invention of an electric gritter.”
Main picture: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, with award winners and civic society co-chairs David Winpenny and Richard Taylor.
Ripon remembers Battle of Britain heroes
Those who fought 83 years ago in the Battle of Britain, were remembered in a service held at Ripon War Memorial on Sunday morning.
The battle, which started in July 1940 and ended on October 31 of that year, was at its height in mid September and is recognised as the first major defeat inflicted on Germany in World War II.
For Karen Harrison, who attends Spa Gardens each year to pay her respects to all who took part in the conflict, there was an added poignancy, as her late father Leslie John Tweed almost lost his life at the hands of the Luftwaffe, but lived to tell the tale.
His story was recounted by Mike Chambers, chair of Ripon and District Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (pictured above with Canon Matthew Pollard, who led Sunday’s service)
The retired squadron leader told how 19-year-old flight sergeant Tweed, flying a Hurricane fighter aircraft, became engaged in an aerial battle at 20,000 feet over Kenley near Croydon on September 6 1940.
After attacking a German Junkers JU88 aircraft, the young pilot’s plane was hit by return fire and he prepared to abandon it, but after removing his helmet and goggles he passed out.
Regaining consciousness at 1,200 feet he found the canopy splattered with his own blood and baled out, landing in a tree, suspended by his parachute over the wreckage of his aircraft.
Following hospital treatment flight sergeant Tweed returned to duty on December 12, 1940 and went on to serve in the RAF until 1972 when he retired as a flight lieutenant.
Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke laid a wreath on behalf of the city council.
Ms Harrison, who is secretary of the Ripon and District Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association laid a wreath in memory of her father and all members of the RAF who, like him, played their part in the Battle of Britain.
The civic party at the war memorial
Others to lay Wreaths included Group Captain Gareth Prendergast, Station Commander at RAF Leeming and Squadron Leader Anthony Beasant of Menwith Hill, along with a member of the 886 (City of Ripon) Air Cadets, who were in attendance.
The Air Cadets stood to attention for the arrival of the RAF guard of honour
Ripon City Band, whose director, Mark Sidwell (pictured left) played the Last Post.
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Plaque marks Ripon Canal’s 250th anniversary
Visitors to Ripon Canal now have a permanent reminder of its long history after a plaque was unveiled at the weekend to mark its 250th anniversary.
The canal basin off Bondgate Green/Boroughbridge Road, was bathed in warm sunshine on Saturday as groups, organisations and members of the public were invited to a festival to celebrate one of the city’s hidden gems.
In addition to the formalities, carried out by the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, there were displays by organisations including Ripon Civic Society, the Canal & River Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Inland Waterways Association and Ripon YMCA.
All have a keen interest in the canal for reasons ranging from built heritage to wildlife habitats and use of the waterway as a leisure and wellbeing asset.
Lizzie Dealey, partnerships manager for the Canal & River Trust, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s remarkable to think how this waterway, which lay derelict for decades after the arrival of the railways, has been transformed, through the efforts of so many people, into a treasured facility.
“There are now more boats on our canals than at the height of the Industrial Revolution, with more than 10 million people using the network each year.”
Those who visited the Ripon Canal Basin on Saturday as part of the free Heritage Open Days programme which runs until Sunday (September 17) were treated to some free entertainment provided by a team of Appalachian clog dancers (pictured above) before a performance by Ripon singer/songwriter Freddie Cleary.
Nigel Rawlinson, president of Ripon Civic Society
And people who wanted to find out more about the canal’s heritage were able to speak with Nigel Rawlinson, the president of Ripon Civic Society and Richard Willis, the owner of Ripon Scenic Cruises and a former secretary of Ripon Canal Society.
Both societies played key roles in the canal’s protection and restoration between the 1980s and 1996.
The unveiling of the plaque was carried out by the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, attended by Mayoress Ms Linda Hawke along with Lizzie Dealey, partnerships manager of the Canal & River Trust and event organiser Richard Willis, owner of Ripon Civic Cruises, which operates on the waterway.
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Hundreds gather for Ripon’s Christmas lights switch-on
Hundreds gathered on Ripon Market Square yesterday evening as the city council signalled the beginning of the festive season with its Christmas lights switch-on.
With heavy rain relenting by early afternoon, the crowd, largely made up of family groups, grew throughout the day, visiting the square to see Santa and his reindeer and enjoy the free fairground rides and musical entertainment.
Families met with Santa and his reindeer Alfie, Dancer and Izzy
Among the early visitors to see Santa were two-year-old Taylor, her 12-year-old brother Toby and their mother Catherine (pictured above).
The three free fairground rides proved popular throughout the afternoon and into the evening
Live musical entertainment was provided from 2pm by local singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary, and tribute acts Tamsin and Kaylie and Jersey Beyond (pictured below)
By 5pm when the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke performed the switch-on, the large crowd was in festive mood, joining with him in singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The Christmas lights on Kirkgate
Among those hoping that Ripon’s traders have a happy and successful festive season is city council leader Cllr Andrew Williams.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“This is going to be a very challenging end of year for the vast majority of people with the cost of living crisis meaning they have less disposable income to spend.”
He added:
“We hope, however, that the lights will help to attract increased footfall and provide a festive boost to the city’s economy with local residents, as well as visitors, supporting Ripon’s independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs by spending their money here.”
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Former Ripon mayor’s book raises £6,300 for charity
The importance of donations that support the work of Breast Cancer UK was emphasised in Ripon Town Hall last weekend.
Thalie Martini, the charity’s chief executive, made the 440-mile round trip from London on Saturday, to receive a cheque for £6,300 from Freeman of the City and former mayor John Richmond.
All proceeds from the sale of his book Beyond the Farm Gate, which was dedicated to his wife Barbara, who died of breast cancer in 2013, were donated to the charity.
Ms Martini, thanked Mr Richmond for his generosity and said:
“Our focus is on the prevention of breast cancer and this money will prove invaluable to our work.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, but research has shown that more that 30 percent is preventable.”
In addition to the donation, Ms Martini was given a signed copy of the book.
Mr Richmond’s 280-page memoirs take the reader on a journey from his childhood and growing up on a farm at Dallowgill, to becoming a history-making mayor of Ripon in 1975-1976.
During that period, he became the only person to carry out the nightly hornblower ceremony of setting the watch. While in mayoral office he also went on to represent Ripon at USA bicentennial celebrations held in San Francisco and attended by the mayors of Ripon California and Ripon Wisconsin.
Beyond the Farm Gate was published as a limited edition in March and sold out within a month — including a consignment of 20 books bought by people living in California.
At Saturday’s presentation Mr Richmond said:
“Having sold the first 400 copies so quickly, I ordered a reprint which also proved in great demand.
“The initial intention was to raise £6,000, but I am thrilled that the amount for donation to Breast Cancer UK increased to £6,300.”
The presentation was attended by the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, members of Mr Richmond’s family and friends.