The Ripon YMCA charity shop, which closed at short notice in September, will reopen in time for the Christmas trading period,

Courtney Addison, the newly-appointed manager at the Marshall Way retail park store, told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“We are working hard pricing up goods and stocking shelves and rails ahead of reopening next week..”

The shop windows are being prepared with Christmas displays

Ms Addison, who has transferred over from the YMCA’s Boroughbridge shop, where she worked for four years, has been creating Christmas displays with her deputy Steph Nejzer Hewitt.

She pointed out:

“We have lots of new stock and some lovely festive items and look forward to welcoming back our customers and attracting some new ones as well.”

The store has a vacancy for another deputy manager and is looking for additional volunteers. Anybody wanting to find out more can contact 01765  690664.

At the time of its closing in September, a message on the shop’s Facebook page, said:

“We sincerely apologise for the temporary closure of this store. This is due to property circumstances beyond our control.”

The Ripon shop, which is part of a portfolio of 100-plus YMCA stores in England and Wales managed by the charity’s national retail team in London, opened in February in the unit formerly occupied by Argos.

Main picture: The store is being readied for reopening

The Stray Ferret is the media partner for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards 2024, with our coverage kindly sponsored by Little Bird Made and Grantley Hall.

A prestigous judging panel met today to decide on the winners of the St Wilfrid’s Stars awards for 2023.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner, Paul Matless of the YMCA, the Dean of Ripon John Dobson, chairman and CEO of Newby Hall Richard Compton, the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke and Stray Ferret director Tamsin O’Brien were all part of the panel that met in Ripon at Thorpe Prebend House.

The judges were all impressed with the number of nominations and the range of community minded people that work hard for the city of Ripon.

There were 11 categories this year taking in areas such as business, culture, tourism and more. The judges also selected an overall volunteer of the year from all of the nominees.

Winners will be at a glittering ceremony hosted by Ripon Cathedral on the evening of Thursday, October 26. Ripon Together organised the event, which made its debut last year.

Jo Ropner, the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, said:

“There was a very broad spectrum. It is lovely to see different ages and cultures working so hard in Ripon. It is good for the city that we have an event like this that can give recognition to some of our rising heroes.”

Paul Matless, housing operations manager at the YMCA, added:

“Today has been excellent, this event has brought the local community together and hopefully it will reward all of the work done in the area. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of people celebrating on the big night.

The Very Reverend John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, said:

“The panel this year is really switched on, we’ve got a good cross section of people. It has been quite challenging because we have received so many nominations in all categories.

“There is clearly much talent, much commitment and generosity of spirit in Ripon to celebrate.”

The YMCA has confirmed it will open a shop in the former Argos unit on the Marshall Way retail park in Ripon.

A spokeswoman for the YMCA, which helps young people, said the shop would sell furniture and electrical goods as well as the usual charity items and donations “would be hugely appreciated”.

She added the opening date had yet-to-be confirmed but it was “looking like early February”.

The spokeswoman said:

“The store will employ a manager and two assistant managers initially and we are looking for volunteers for a variety of roles.

“We will start shop set up work from next week so things will start to happen.”

Argos relocated to the Sainsbury’s site on Market Place East after the covid lockdown was lifted.

Read more:

• Harrogate YMCA shop to close after just two years
• Ripon Salvation Army appeal helped hundreds across the Harrogate district

Eight local businesses completed a sleepout with CEO Sleepout UK to raise awareness of hidden homelessness in the district. 

The group of business leaders spent the night sleeping outdoors at Harrogate Rugby Club, and have raised almost £15,000 for CEO Sleepout UK, Ripon YMCA, Harrogate District Foodbank and Harrogate RUFC. 

The North Yorkshire based companies that took part were Nicholls Tyreman Estate Agents, Hudgell Solicitors, Ripon YMCA, Pavilions of Harrogate, Jorvik Design Group, Stratstone BMW, Carson Homes and Harrogate Borough Council.   

The participants included CEO of Hudgell Solicitors Rachel Di Clemente, Nicholls Tyreman director James Tyreman, and director of Jorvik Design Group Ady Rhodes.

The business leaders at Harrogate’s sleepout

Chief executive of CEO Sleepout Bianca Robinson said:  

“I was thrilled to see some of North Yorkshire’s biggest-hearted business people turn out for this event. Just because Harrogate is not a place where you might see many rough sleepers, it doesn’t mean homelessness doesn’t exist.  

“Hidden homelessness is increasing across North Yorkshire – families who can no longer afford private rental, young people, and single mothers living in insecure temporary accommodation.” 

She added:  

“It was a tough night and surprisingly cold, but by bringing those with lived experience to share their stories, and hearing about the vital work of charities on the frontline, we unlock understanding, compassion and inspire our business leaders to use their power to create greater social value.” 

CEO Sleepout stages fundraising events across the UK, and has raised £3 million for more than 100 charities.  

Student from Knaresborough achieves unprecedented full marks in hairdressing exam 

A hairdressing student from Knaresborough has achieved full marks in her practical exam.  

Penny Ledgeway, who is 20, completed her level two exam at Intuitions hairdressing college in Harrogate, with a perfect score of 700 marks.   

During the exam, she was asked to do a number of hairdressing treatments, including half a head of highlights, a restyle and cut, and a curly blow dry. 

When asked why she chose to pursue hairdressing, Ms Ledgeway said:  

“I’ve always wanted to do it really, I like to do a bit of everything but I am quite social anyway.

“I wouldn’t be able to just sit at a computer all day.”

Michelle Oliver, director of Intuitions college, said it was “unusual” for someone to get full marks in the exam, adding:

“Both me and her educator are really proud, she’s worked really hard.

“It’s good for us at Intuitions, but also for the employer to have someone with that skillset from the apprenticeship programme”.

After completing her level two exams, Ms Ledgeway is now a fully qualified hairdresser, and currently works at Kelly Teggin Hair & Beauty in Knaresborough.

She is now hoping to move on to a further stage of qualifications, which she said are more advanced and creative.  

Read more: 

• Harrogate clothing firm partners with cafe to help the homeless
• Ripon hairdresser appeals for rollers for unusual Christmas tree

The YMCA charity shop on Cambridge Road in Harrogate will close in the next two weeks after just two years in the town centre.

Manager Sam Perry said the unit has to be vacated by May 12 and expects all stock to be sold before then.

The store opened just before the first lockdown, across from McDonald’s, and Ms Perry said it was often overwhelmed by donations from local people.

She said the closure was due to the renovation of the upper floors into flats.

A planning application to convert the first and second floor of the building into eight flats was approved in September 2021. Developers Lake House Investments, which is based near Brighouse, submitted the plan.

Read more:

• Harrogate Chocolate Factory hosts business networking event
• Ripon author’s support for Ukrainian refugees

The shop is already looking bare, with just half of the floor space being used to display the last few donations at discounted prices.

Ms Perry said it was a “real shame” the shop was closing but added the charity was keen to find another suitable unit in the town centre.

Before moving to Harrogate in February 2020, there was a YMCA store in Starbeck but it also had to vacate due to development. Ms Perry said it could take up to 18 months to find new premises in Harrogate so she would have to find another job.

An independent youth service that supports young people across the Harrogate district is to become a charitable incorporated organisation.

To help it make the transition to CIO status, Inspire Youth is looking to recruit a number of trustees.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 4 July and an application pack and trustee jigsaw is available on www.inspireyouth.uk

Chief executive Jess Ward said:

“The successful individuals will take part in shaping and directing the organisation and ensuring that it operates legally, within the regulations set by the Charity Commission.”

Inspire Youth chief executive Jess Ward

The organisation, which is also changing its name to Inspire Yorkshire, works with young people aged 8 to 18 across.

Regarding its search for trustees, Ms Ward said:

“We are particularly looking for people with an experience of, and a compassion for, working with young people.

“The skills we are seeking include digital transformation and digital delivery, fundraising, social media/marketing/PR/campaigning, financial and accounting, human resources and employment law.”

Among the organisations that Inspire Youth works with is Ripon YMCA .

Through this and other connections in the city, it is contributing ideas and experiences designed to shape the future of services to young people in Ripon.

Its work in the community also extends to Harrogate and Knaresborough, and includes engagement with young people on health, wellbeing, lifestyle and career aspirations.

Ms Ward said:

“We offer a service, which is adaptive and responsive that meets the needs of the ever-changing world.

“Services are based on listening to young people and working with them to make sure they get the best out of all activities.”

Read more:

• Ripley nursery could reopen at new location
• Coco Chanel marital mystery at Ripon Cathedral

Inspire Youth has been able to extend its services through the launch of its mobile youth base, which has helped to engage young people in the community.

The mobile unit features a smart television screen, speaker, whiteboard and sensory lighting, laptop, kitchen facilities, table, and seating area inside.