The community interest company Ripon Together is organising free events for children to encourage a summer of play in the city.
The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2016 to bring people together to make Ripon a better place.
As the country edges towards the lifting of social distancing requirements, the city is springing back to life.
The artisan market was the first of Ripon City Council’s programme of public events for 2021
Monday’s artisan market on Market Square, was Ripon City Council’s first public event for 18 months. Many more are planned.
In conjunction with the council’s programme, Ripon Together is organising a series of community events.
These can be seen at www.ripontogether.com/whats-on/
The aim is to get children out together again, to take part in coordinated, free events. This will enable them to trying new sports or activities.
Local sports and other groups are being encouraged to become involved.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, who is on the Ripon Together board, said:
“Ripon is a brilliant and vibrant place with lots going on, but people find they miss out on things they would have liked to get to.
“If all local groups put their events on the community calendar they will get more people there.
“They, the city and its people will all benefit.
“Lockdown has been very difficult for many members of our community, including children. “
Fellow board member David Ingham has been in contact with a broad spectrum of local organisations and was pleased with their very positive response.
The objective is to get all interested parties together and agree as full a programme of activities as possible.
Simon Hewitt, a director on the Ripon Together board said:
“We are excited by the response we have had.
“If we can get local organisations and clubs along to that meeting we think we can get a great programme together for our youngsters”.
Any group, organisation or individual wanting to become involved, is invited to join a Zoom meeting at 7pm on May 12.
If anyone wants to attend, or cannot do so but still wishes to be involved, they can e-mail info@ripontogether.com or message the organisation through its Ripon Together Facebook page.
Read more:
New walking and cycling routes to wellbeing in Ripon
An initiative to promote walking and cycling for fitness and wellbeing during the lockdown has been launched in Ripon.
The community interest company Ripon Together is behind the Healthy Journeying scheme.
It encourages people to get their daily exercise on foot or bike while enjoying the city’s scenery.
A website which gives details about safe local walking and cycle routes has been set up to support the project.
The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, is chair of Ripon Together. He said:
“In this further lockdown it is even more important to look after each other.
“Ripon Together is supporting people’s health and wellbeing through its website where they can find lots of local walks and cycle routes.
“We are also hoping – covid restrictions permitting – to hold the traditional pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey, which could not take place on Boxing Day, on 1 May”.
He said Ripon Together was set up to make Ripon an even better place to live and it was important to encourage people to move around the city and its surrounding area sustainably, adding:
“We want more people to cycle and walk, and we want better access to the city and its countryside for those with disabilities. We need local infrastructure to support this. We would love to hear from anyone with ideas on how that can be delivered.”
Ripon Together is also supporting the creation of local greenways and a walking and cycling strategy for the city, as envisaged in the City Plan approved in a referendum in February 2019.
Read more:
The proposed Clotherholme development would significantly increase traffic in the city. Healthy journeying – cycling and walking – would reduce congestion and pollution.
Ripon Together is also asking local people to help walking charity The Ramblers to identify paths that have been in public use but are not shown as footpaths or bridleways so that they can be protected under law.
If you know of any such paths, or want to volunteer to help the project, e-mail info@ripontogether.com
People who find public footpaths or bridleways obstructed or in poor condition can use the same e-mail address and Ripon Together will pass on the information to The Ramblers.