Plans to turn redundant primary school near Masham into housingPlans approved to bring Knaresborough church ‘more up to date’Bishop of Ripon formally departs — with no successor imminent

The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley has formally left her role as Bishop of Ripon after five years to become Bishop of Newcastle.

At a special evensong service at Ripon Cathedral, Bishop Helen-Ann removed her diocesan cope, stole and mitre and placed them on the altar in a symbolic act of standing down.

Paying tribute to to the people of the Ripon episcopal area, she said:

“I have often felt most affirmed in my role as Bishop of Ripon by people and groups who are not part of the formal structures of the church, and for whose support and encouragement I will be forever grateful: by our civic and military partners, those who work in the rural and farming economies and the running community.”

Bishop of Ripon and Bishop of Leeds

With Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines

She praised Ripon Runners, of which she was a member, for giving her mental and physical challenges, such as once having to define “evil” while running up a hill to Ripon’s Morrisons supermarket.

Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines said Bishop Helen-Ann had been a blessing to the diocese in the five years since she arrived from New Zealand, accompanied at that service by a group of Maori elders.

Read more:

Bishop Nick presenting her with a framed aerial view of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, as a parting gift. He said

“Let us continue to pray for Bishop Helen-Ann and her husband Myles and pray that they will thrive and build new friendships with colleagues in Newcastle.”

Bishop of Ripon Helen-Ann pulpit_jpg best

The bishop’s final sermon in Ripon.

The appointment of a bishop is a lengthy and opaque process that requires the consent of Downing Street.

The Stray Ferret asked the Anglican Diocese of Leeds when a new Bishop of Ripon was likely to be appointed.

A spokesman said:

“A process to find her successor is underway and will be concluded as swiftly as possible.”

Plan to convert former Bishop Thornton school into house

Plans have been lodged to convert the former Bishop Thornton Church of England Primary School into a house.

Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance has lodged the application to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former school site off Colber Lane.

The school closed in 2019 after it outgrew the site and moved to the former Burnt Yates Church of England Primary School building.

It has since been renamed Admiral Long Church of England Primary School.

According to plans submitted to the council, the Bishop Thornton building would be converted into a three bedroom house with two parking spaces.

Read more:

The developer said in its documents that the proposal would represent a “satisfactory replacement” for the former school building.

It said:

“Making use of empty buildings and placing great weight on using suitable sites within existing settlements is supported by national planning policy.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

‘Deep shame and regret’ at former Harrogate vicar’s child sex offences

The Diocese of Leeds has spoken of its “deep shame and regret” after a former Harrogate vicar was jailed for child sex offences.

Gordon Newton, who was a team vicar at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road until 2016 when he moved to his recent position in Batley, pleaded guilty to 12 charges at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

Six of the charges were for sexual assault of a child aged under 13, three were for engaging in sexual activity with a child aged under 13 and three were for making indecent photos of a child.

He was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison.

Read More:

The Diocese of Leeds oversees five episcopal areas, one of which is Ripon, which includes churches in Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret asked the diocese whether any investigation was being undertaken regarding Newton’s time in Harrogate, but it said it would not be offering any comment on St Wilfrid’s, which is an Anglican parish church.

However, the Stray Ferret understands there is no previous or ongoing North Yorkshire Police investigation into Newton.

In response to the sentencing, a spokesperson for the diocese said:

“It is a matter of deep shame and regret that Gordon Newton has been sentenced for offences of child sexual abuse.

“Child sexual abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has life-long effects.

“This is deeply shocking and of course, the victims of any such crimes must be foremost in our thoughts and prayers.

“The Anglican Diocese of Leeds safeguarding team has worked closely with all concerned since it was made aware of these allegations and has offered pastoral care and support.

“The Diocese of Leeds is committed to making the church a safer place for all and has clear safeguarding procedures in place, but we are aware we can never be complacent.”

The Stray Ferret has approached St Wilfrid’s Church for comment but has not received a response.

According to an annual report published by the church, which is on Duchy Road, Newton joined as assistant curate in May 2012 before being licensed as team vicar in April 2013.

He was also member of the management team at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre and a chaplain with the Harrogate and District Sea Cadets.