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.
Autumn events focus on ancient trees in Ripon’s Skell Valley
This autumn, Ripon’s Skell Valley Project is celebrating the numerous ancient trees that can be found throughout the valley.
On October 26, the project team will be holding an Ancient Tree Discovery Day at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, where ancient tree advisor and author Brian Muelaner will be exploring the world of veteran trees.
The family-friendly event will run from 1-4pm and will include a slideshow and talk about the ancient trees of the National Trust and their cultural heritage connections.
This will be followed by a guided walk exploring the spectacular veteran trees of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Attendance is free, but does have to be booked by contacting karen.collins@nationaltrust.org.uk
Before the discovery day, Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate is hosting a book talk on October 21 at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate.
Running from 7.30pm until 9.30pm, it will feature authors Simon Toomer and Max Adams.
They will be discussing the importance of trees in the landscape and celebrating the wonder of trees. The event is being held in partnership with Little Ripon Bookshop, and tickets are available online or directly from the bookshop. Bookings can be made online by clicking here.
Gabby Crisp, Skell Valley area ranger said:
“Ancient trees are so important in the Skell Valley because of how incredible they are for wildlife and biodiversity.
“Rot holes provide homes for nesting birds, and invertebrates, which are vital to the ecosystem.
“We also consider the beauty and heritage value of our ancient trees. They’ve seen all the changes in the valley over hundreds of years and we need to continue to look after them.
“The Skell Valley is an important place for ancient trees. The designed landscape at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal means that there are lots of surviving ancient trees. There are lots of ancient and oaks and ash living in the valley too.
“Some of these are already suffering from ash dieback and one of the ambitions of the project is to monitor these so that we can plan for resilient future planting. We’ll be working with volunteers to map and record veteran and ancient trees in the valley, and will be running a number of public events too”
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Exhibition shows Fountains Abbey’s natural and man-made beauty
The raw force of nature is captured in this snow storm photograph by Joe Cornish.
Mr Cornish’s work can be found at Fountains Mill and the follies throughout the water garden and a free exhibition map can be obtained at entrances.
The map will guide visitors on a journey that, through his lens, illustrates how both man and nature have sculpted the landscape.
From the elegant manicured surroundings of the water garden created in the early 18th century by the Aislabie family, to the naturally-formed designs found in fallen trees around the site.
The Temple of Piety is one of the exhibition locations.
In addition to the exhibition map, a trail has been created for children, which aims to engage their imaginations by encouraging them to explore the whimsical themes in Mr Cornish’s work, such as hunting for hidden weather-beaten faces found in the bark of trees.
The Fallen series focuses on a number of trees which have a powerfully sculptural quality. The title given to this aspect of the exhibition, acknowledges the on-going job they do, providing a refuge for many species of tiny creatures, fungi and microbial life.
The children’s trail encourages young people to look for faces in the bark of trees.
Root and branch – the photographs of Joe Cornish feature some of the extraordinary trees at Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal Deer Park.
Within the ornate alcoves of the Banqueting House there are two large-scale panoramic photographs of the sweeping views in the water garden and the Octagon Tower is the venue where visitors can view a series of six photographs themed ‘The Fallen’.
These provide a close-up look at the shapes that nature formed over centuries, on trees felled by storms and other incidents, that remain in situ and provide a wildlife habitat for many different varieties of creatures.
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More than 100 people with passionate but different views about the future of Hell Wath Nature Reserve attended a meeting in Ripon last night.
The meeting, at Ripon Bowling Club, was organised by Keep Hell Wath Natural, a group concerned about clearance and other work at the reserve, including removal of a large area of hawthorn and blackthorn, the felling of trees and draining/de-silting of a pond.
The work is being done as part of the National Lottery-funded £2.5m Skell Valley Project, which involves work on a 12-mile stretch of the River Skell between Dallowgill Moor and Hell Wath.
Members of Keep Hell Wath Natural, along with local residents, dog walkers and people who have been visiting the area for up to 55 years joined representatives from the Friends of Hell Wath, the Skell Valley Project, and Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper at the meeting. It was chaired by independent city councillor Peter Horton.
Meeting organisers Janet Anderson (centre) and Brian Don, pictured in January in an area of Hell Wath where clearance works have taken place
Project partners include the National Trust, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Harrogate Borough Council, which has a 99 year lease on Hell Wath negotiated at a peppercorn rent with landowner Tarmac.
Objectors say ‘brutal’ clearance has gone too far
Speaker after speaker said they wanted Hell Wath to remain as they have known it for decades — as a natural and largely un-touched area with trees, shrubs, grassland, riverside paths and pond.
They were critical of the clearance activities that have already taken place as part of the Skell Valley Project.
Fears were also expressed about possible longer-term plans to create a cycle path, which they believe would be hazardous for owners who take their dogs to exercise at Hell Wath and let them off the lead.
They believe that the clearance ‘went too far’ removing areas of bushes, trees and water that sustain wildlife ranging from frogs and newts to birds, rabbits and hedgehogs.
The removal of trees and scrub, was described by two speakers as ‘brutal’ and ‘creating a mess.’
Sheila Boyd summed up the feelings of many present, when she said:
“We are talking about an area that has been completely cleared and destroyed, taking away the habitat for hedgehogs, butterflies, birds and other creatures.
“There are four large and open fields at Hell Wath, with barely a tree in sight, so why couldn’t these pockets of bushes and woodland be left as they were?”
What was the response from the Skell Valley Project?
Project manager Nabil Abbas explained the reason for the clearance works. He said
“Historically, in a wild landscape like this, there would have been large herbivores like wild boar, wild cattle, elk, beavers etc living and naturally managing the land.
“Regular catastrophic events such as flooding or wildfires would also take place, all of which remove trees and shrubs and help to maintain a mosaic of open habitats suitable for a broad range of different species.”
Nabil Abbas
He added:
“Cattle did graze at Hell Wath for a long period, however it is not appropriate to reintroduce them given the way the community now use and enjoy the space.
“Due to the absence of these natural processes which would keep them in check, trees and shrubs are spreading through these precious open areas.
“As a result, we risk losing the diversity of species such as rare orchids and wildflowers, bees, butterflies and other pollinators, and the birds and animals that feed on them, if we do not actively manage these remaining habitats.
“In summary, our landscape is no longer ‘natural’ since key ecological processes are no longer operating, and therefore human intervention is needed to conserve the diversity of habitats and species which depend on them.”
Council leader ‘shocked’
Cllr Cooper, said he was ‘shocked’ by the hostile reaction to some of the points made by Mr Abbas and claimed there had been an attempt to ‘shout him down and heckle’ him.
In response, a member of the audience, said:
“You should understand the strength of feeling in this room and that is why people are getting heated about what is happening at Hell Wath.”
‘Shocked’ Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper. Picture: Tyler Parker Photography
‘No plans for a cycle path’ – Friends of Hell Wath
Both the secretary of the Friends of Hell Wath, Jeremy Dunford and committee member Carol Leo, were categoric in saying that a cycle path is not planned as part of their work or that of the Skell Valley Project.
Mr Dunford, who is also chair of the Ripon Disability Forum, confirmed there are plans to improve paths and access for people who, like himself, are wheelchair users, or families with children in pushchairs. He said:
“There will be no cycle paths, no tarmac, no concrete, but we want to ensure that Hell Wath is accessible to everybody. We all have a right to visit this area.”
Jeremy Dunford, spoke about improving accessibility
Ms Leo, added:
“There will also be no bridleways and there will be signage on all entrances saying ‘no cycling’.”
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Invitation to join the friends
At the end of the meeting, Ms Leo, said:
“It is clear that people here are passionate about Hell Wath and I hope that we can all work together.
“I ask those of you who are not already members of the Friends of Hell Wath to come and join us.”
Ripon meeting to hear concerns about Hell Wath nature reserve
The organiser of a public meeting on the future of Hell Wath Nature Reserve has said he hopes for a “calm and constructive discussion”.
There has been heated online discussion recently about changes to the Ripon beauty spot.
Trees and bushes have been removed, a pond has been drained and saplings planted as part of the £2.5 million Skell Valley Project,
The four-year National Lottery-funded project, which is supported by Harrogate Borough Council, The National Trust, Friends of Hell Wath and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, involves work on a 12-mile stretch of the River Skell between Dallowgill Moor and Hell Wath.
The project aims to create a sustainable future for the Skell Valley but some local people are upset about the extent of the clearance work at Hell Wath and feel they haven’t been adequately consulted.
A meeting at 7pm on Wednesday next week will give them an opportunity to raise their concerns.
‘Common ground’
Brian Don, of the Keep Hell Wath Natural group, which called the meeting, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our aim is to bring together people with differing views about this much-loved and visited area of Ripon, with the objective of finding a mutually acceptable way forward.
“We hope for a calm and constructive discussion, which can find common ground between those, who like ourselves, want to keep Hell Wath as we have known it for decades and those who have a different longer-term view.”
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The meeting, which will take place at Ripon Bowling Club on Bondgate Green, will be chaired by Peter Horton, deputy mayor of Ripon and a former Harrogate district and North Yorkshire county councillor, who has served as an independent on the city council for 19 years.
He said:
“I’m looking for an even-tempered meeting, at which all sides can air their views.
“What they have to say will be collated and we can see where we go from there — perhaps a follow-up meeting at which the issues raised can be addressed in detail.”
