Ripon Theatre Festival launches summer programmePhoto of The Week : Deer in Studley ParkReview: Happy Jack is a slice of Yorkshire life at the coalfaceLast chance to visit local artists’ open studiosRipon’s Billie Marten set to perform at Glastonbury

Ripon singer songwriter Billie Marten is set to perform at Glastonbury Festival this summer.

The 24 year old indie-folk singer is set to make her Glastonbury debut on ‘The Field of Avalon’ stage, an area the festival describes as “representing the best in the world of contemporary, roots and folk music”.

She was born in the village of Risplith, just outside Ripon, and was introduced to music at a young age thanks to her parents who surrounded her with the music of Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, Kate Bush, and northern folk artist Chris Wood.

Billie attended Ripon Grammar School and won a record deal alongside studying and released ‘Ribbon’ her debut single in May 2014 aged 14.

She was then signed to Chess Club Records, an imprint of Sony. Not long afterwards, she was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2016.

Billie Marten, image Chuffmedia

Her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Writing of Blues and Yellows’ was also released in 2016, when she was just 17. The following year, she moved to London, where she worked on her 2019 album, ‘Feeding Seahorses By Hand.’

Towards the end of 2019, Billie left Sony and chose a new management team. She signed to Fiction records, a division of Universal, in lockdown via zoom where she released her 2021 album ‘Flora Fauna’.

Since then, she has toured frequently throughout the UK and US becoming known for her soft vocals, however, she has not yet performed to a crowd as big as Glastonbury.

My very first! @glastonbury pic.twitter.com/p8KcgiuAqj

— billie (@BillieMarten) April 16, 2024

Billie released her latest record ‘Drop Cherries’ at the start of the month on April 7 via Fiction Records.

Recorded entirely on tape in Somerset and Wales late last summer, ‘Drop Cherries’ marks the very first time that she has both written and co-produced one of her records.

The 24-year-old is set to perform on the same stage as Kate Nash, Lulu and Caity Baser at Glastonbury this summer.

The festival runs from June 26 to June 30.

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Crime author who solved Ripon mystery revisits school mural 50 years later

Crime writer Malcolm Hollingdrake has returned to Ripon to visit a mosaic mural he created 50 years ago.

In February, Holy Trinity Infant School enlisted the help of the Stray Ferret to track down the creators of a mosaic wall mural dating back to the 1970s.

Mr Hollingdrake solved the mystery when he noticed a photo in the article included him.

The mosaic, which was completed by Ripon College students on April 5, 1974, had been hidden beneath a cloth for years.

Mr Hollingdrake contacted the school and was invited back to see the mural. The author visited the Ripon primary school on Friday, April 12 — almost exactly 50 years to the day from its completion.

Mr Hollingdrake lives in Wigan and specialises in crime writing. He even created a series of thrillers titled the Harrogate Crime Series featuring DCI Cyril Bennett after acquiring a fondness for the area.

Originally from Bradford, he studied art and history at Ripon College between 1971-1974. He revealed the mural is based on the theme of ‘feeding the birds’ — at the time it was created the school children had been studying birds and life sciences.

Author Malcolm Hollingdrake and the newspaper clipping of him creating the mosaic in 1974.

The artwork was created using clay and powdered glass, which was fired and glazed. The mosaic was made inside Ripon College and Holy Trinity students were sent over in small groups to help with the creative process.

Mr Hollingdrake said:

“It was delightful going back to see it and I am grateful it has been brought to light. I was anxious at first as I didn’t know what to expect. It is an old artwork, and I was thinking ‘is it as I remember?’, it is easy to think of it through rose tinted glasses. But the mural was even better than I remembered and it is still in good condition.

“The school was so welcoming, the children were beautifully behaved and really enthusiastic. It was a special day and I have left with good memories.”

Deputy headteacher Amanda Bell-Walker said:

“We were so excited to welcome Malcolm into school, it was the culmination of a few months of hard work on the part of the pupil governors. Speaking to Malcolm really brought the mural to life for the pupils. It gave them a context for it and a much greater understanding of the figures portrayed in the mosaic. His visit created such a positive and joyful buzz around school.”

At the reunion Mr Hollingdrake spoke to students about how the artwork was made and answered their questions about the piece. Pupils were also involved in an art workshop creating rubbings, paintings, and collages reminiscent of the mosaic.

Holy Trinity pupils talking with Malcolm Hollingdrake and creating art to be displayed around the mural.

Ms Bell-Walker added:

“The pupils created some marvellous work. They were thoroughly engrossed in the activities and the results will be displayed around the original mural to show the inspiration behind the work.

“Malcolm was so generous with his time on Friday; he spoke to the staff, pupils and the parents/visitors who joined us with such enthusiasm that we feel even more passionate in school about caring for the future of our now famous mural.”

Malcom Hollingdrake’s latest book, Edge of the Land, the third in the Merseyside crime series, was published by Hobeck Books yesterday (April 16) and he is currently writing the 14th book in the Harrogate Crime Series.

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Sculpture trail opens at Newby Hall

Newby Hall has opened a new sculpture trail.

Newby22 features work from established and emerging artists in the gardens of the stately home near Ripon.

The exhibition includes 40 pieces from 21 artists in a range of mediums from bronze and stone to resins and galvanised wire or glass.

Newby artist in residence during the Queen’s platinum jubilee Freddy Paske and Knaresborough sculptor and prop maker Ben Greenwoodvare among those exhibiting.

Another Harrogate district artist displaying is Joseph Hayton, from Pateley Bridge.

Ruin by Joseph Hayton

Built in the 1690s, Newby Hall is the Compton family home.

Orlando Compton, son of owners Richard and Lucinda, assembled the collection. He said:

“It is thrilling to be able to stage our sculpture exhibition again after the pandemic enforced a two-year break.

“The exhibition features stunning artworks from artists from across the country and we are delighted to be able to showcase their talent to visitors over the coming months.

“This year’s exhibition is truly spectacular and demonstrates why art and culture are such an important part of life’s experiences.”

Blue Marlin by Graham Anderton

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This is the 17th year Newby Hall has held a sculpture exhibition.

It is open to the public until October 3. Admittance is included in the ticket price for the hall and gardens.

All the sculptures are for sale directly from Newby Hall.

 

Knaresborough theatre undergoes £50,000 refurb

Frazer Theatre in Knaresborough is getting ready to lift the curtain after a £50,000 refurbishment during its forced covid closure.

The theatre, behind Tesco Express on the High Street, has been under the ownership of the Knaresborough Players for over 50 years but it was only during covid that the dramatic society had the time to do the necessary works on it.

Starting last May, the society completely refurbished the stage with new foundations and flooring, painted the entire theatre and foyer, put in new carpets and re-upholstered the seats.

Vice-chairman John Pearce, said it was important for the character of the theatre to be maintained but added the new refurbishment will mean it’s fit for future performances.

“It’s not completely different but if you add it all up it is quite different. We had a lot of debate about how far to go, because we needed to keep the character of the Frazer.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s all been worth it because the theatre looks great.”

From this (left) to this (right: The Frazer Theatre renovation

The society has been planning these works for years but needed time to complete them without disruption its performance calendar.

As well as using its own savings, the society received a £30,000 donation after the death of a local man which was put towards the project.

The society’s pantomime is a big event in its calendar. But Mr Pearce said the society is still “working on options” after some members raised concerns about coming together to rehearse and perform together early next year.

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The 127-seat theatre is reopening for its first performance next week, Saturday 16, after almost 18 months.

In previous years, the theatre has held over 180 performances in a year including plays, pantomimes and comedy performances.

Northern Aldborough Festival returns with stellar line-up

Northern Aldborough Festival is making its comeback this year with acts such as Lesley Garrett and the Rev Richard Coles set to draw crowds.

It was cancelled in 2020 but this year organisers are promising a spectacular line-up.

The usual 10-day festival has been reduced to six days and is thought to be one of the first larger events in the district being held after almost all restrictions are lifted. It will begin on June 21 – the day of the government’s anticipated full reopening of society.

Headline performances include an appearance by soprano Lesley Garrett, an evening with the former Communard turned cleric Rev Coles and a performance from the Russian virtuoso violinist Viktoria Mullova, with her son, rising jazz star Misha Mullov-Abbado.

The festival will end with its traditional Last Night outdoor pop concert, which will be 80s themed, at Aldborough Manor on Saturday June 27.

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Robert Ogden, festival director, said:

“We have an incredible line-up of artists, including some of the music industry’s biggest names alongside up-and-coming talent from around the region.

“While the quality of the musical offering will be ensured, so will the welfare and comfort of the audience, and therefore numbers will be limited and other measures taken to allow for safe, social distancing. With that in mind we are inviting people to book their places early.”

Since setting up in 1994 the festival has offered a platform for up-and-coming artists. Young talent will have an opportunity to perform on June 23 in a Young Artist’s Showcase.

Some covid restrictions are still expected to be in place, such as a reduced crowd capacity and social distancing measures.