Police investigate spate of violence and anti-social behaviour in Ripon

Police investigating a spate of anti-social behaviour offences in Ripon have called on the public to help them bring the perpetrators to justice.

North Yorkshire Police said a “small group of people” were causing issues in the city and that violence and anti-social behaviour “will not be tolerated”.

The plea comes after officers arrested a fifth man in connection with a knifepoint robbery outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, in the city.

The force said today that it had stepped up patrols in the city after launching investigations into four separate incidents.

The offences include:

Officers have called on anyone with any information or CCTV footage from those areas to come forward to help their investigations.

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Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Violence and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ripon and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible for the events over the past week to justice.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area but we also need your help. We would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV covering Bondgate, Southgate, Mawson Lane and surrounding areas – this could be from a traditional CCTV camera, a video doorbell or dash-cam footage.

“A number of arrests have been made already and I hope this goes someway to reassure the public.

“I would like to thank those who have provided information already and continue to urge people to report any acts of anti-social behaviour or other crimes to police.”

Detective superintendent Steve Thomas, said: 

“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.

“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else. Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”

Ripon takeaway forced to close after hygiene inspection

A Chinese takeaway in Ripon has been forced to close its doors after a routine inspection found serious food hygiene concerns.

Harrogate Borough Council has served the owner of the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.

A council officer found poor food hygiene controls, waste issues and insufficient hand washing facilities so closed the takeaway down on Tuesday.

We tried to contact the owner but found a notice at the door which said the business is closed until September 8 at the earliest.

The council will present the prohibition notice and its evidence to the magistrates court at a date to be confirmed.

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If the courts rule in favour of the council then the takeaway owner will likely need to pay costs, rectify the issues raised and then apply for a reinspection.

However, if the courts rule in favour of Dragon Inn then it will be able to apply for costs for the time it was forced to close.

Dragon Inn has received ‘good’ four out of five food hygiene ratings in the past five years from the council with the last inspection in January 2020.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order entitles the council to prevent the premises trading in any food-related activity immediately.

Such orders are usually granted when an environmental health officer believes serious breaches of standards are putting customers or staff at risk.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“The Dragon Inn was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice due to poor food hygiene, waste issues and insufficient hand washing facilities.

“This Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice will now be presented to the magistrates court.”

Police arrest fifth man in connection with Ripon knifepoint robbery

Police have arrested a fifth man after a teenager was threatened with a knife and robbed outside a pub in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday that the incident happened outside the Ship Inn on Bondgate at 6.45pm on Friday (August 13).

Police arrested four men after a teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.

Now, officers have said a fifth man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A police statement said yesterday:

“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”

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Improvement expected for Ripon TV viewers after transmitter fire

The operator of Bilsdale transmitter has said it anticipates “significant improvement” to television coverage in Masham and Ripon.

Fire crews were called to the mast last week after reports of smoke was reported coming from the area.

The loss of the transmitter is affecting parts of Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Kirkby Malzeard, Knaresborough, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Ripon and other locations that rely on a signal that serves the Tyne Tees region.

An update issued by the mast operator, Arqiva, last night said that it now expected to be able to give better television coverage to Masham and Ripon.

It said a 15m mast was planned for Arncliffe Wood as part of the response to the fire. However, wider coverage is not expected to return until August 28.

A statement from Arqiva said:

“As per our previous update, we now expect to have completed the improvement of TV coverage from Eston Nab, and also the installation of a further 15m mast at a site in Arncliffe Wood by the weekend.

“These two developments should deliver a significant improvement in TV coverage for viewers in the areas including Darlington, Stockton, Catterick, Leyburn, Masham and Ripon. We will update viewers on any action they need to take with further updates later this week.

“Work on phase 2 of the recovery plan continues. We still anticipate the temporary mast to be effective by 28 August.”

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Meanwhile, Freeview has issued advice to TV viewers who continue to have problems with their coverage.

It includes using online streaming, such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, and on-demand services.

Freeview said repositioning aerials to pick up service from another transmitter was an option. But the company added that an accredited installer should be employed to carry out the work.

It said:

“Repositioning your aerial so that it takes a signal from a different transmitter may be an option for some viewers who wish to attempt to get some signal back in the short term.

“However, there’s no guarantee that another transmitter is available (reception is highly dependent on several factors such as local geography between you and the transmitter), and the signal quality might be variable.

“If you choose to have your aerial repositioned and pay for an installer to do this, you may wish to then have it repositioned again when service from Bilsdale is restored.

“If you wish to have your aerial repositioned, please do not attempt this yourself.”

Four arrested after gang robs teenager at knifepoint in Ripon

Police have arrested four men after a teenager was robbed outside a pub in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, at 6.45pm on Friday.

A teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.

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A police statement said:

“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”

Ripon woman with gum problems unable to see NHS dentist for two years

A woman from Ripon suffering with gum problems has not been able to get treatment at a dentist for two years.

Rachael Kimberley is a single mother on a low income so she cannot afford to go private and relies on NHS dentistry.

Her experience comes after a Healthwatch North Yorkshire report found that there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the Harrogate district.

It also comes after an investigation by the Stray Ferret found patients in the district face a minimum wait of two and a half years to register for an NHS dentist.

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Ms Kimberley has been registered with the same practice on for the last 40 years but told the Stray Ferret that she has struggled since a private provider took over.

She added:

“The provider said that the NHS patients still registered would see no change when they took over the practice.

“I have been suffering with bleeding and receeding gums so I have been trying to go for a check up.

“When I ask to be seen they tell me that I will be seen in ‘due course’ but what does that mean?

“If the problem continues then I fear I will be stumped with a big bill in the hundreds or thousands that I just cannot afford.”

Her story shows the real suffering behind the statistics from the health watchdog. Healthwatch North Yorkshire received 176 calls from the public in the last year about NHS dentists. The vast majority — 84% — were negative.

The health watchdog called in its report for action on the problem and said coronavirus has only acted to exemplify a dental system already under enormous strain and challenge.

Major triathlon race set to be held in Ripon

A major triathlon race is set to take place in Ripon next weekend.

The Dalesman Triathlon, which is organised by Trihard Events, will see more than 600 athletes from across the UK come to the city.

The inaugural event will take place on Saturday, August 21, and Sunday, August 22.

The longest race, called the Full Dalesman, will start at 6am on Sunday morning with a 2.4 mile swim in the racecourse lake.

It will be followed by a 112 mile cycle route in Masham, Dallow Moor and Brimham Rocks before returning to Ripon for a 26.4 mile marathon.

As part of the event, there will also be a Half Dalesman race over half the distance and a smaller Quarter Dalesman race.

A spokesperson for the organisers said:

“The hope is that Ripon’s businesses and residents will get behind the event, make the visitors feel welcome and give them support in what will for many of the athletes, be a unique experience, the memories of which will last a lifetime.”

Volunteers will be at the event to look after entrants and marshal the racecourse.

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Organisers say there will also be opportunities for people to fundraise at the triathlon. 

The fundraising team from Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be at the event to help organise parking and campaign areas.

For more information on the Dalesman Triathlon, visit the website here.

Ripon Men’s Shed opens door to new friendships

Ripon Men’s Shed opened its doors this week, bringing an enormous collaborative effort to fruition.

Following a June 2019 meeting at Community House in Allhallowgate to gauge interest in the project, the charity’s trustees – Andrew Makey, Caroline Bentham, Ed Moore and Tony Johnson – made great strides, in spite of the intervening limitations brought by covid.

The Men’s Shed movement, which addresses issues of loneliness and social isolation, has a specific focus on the older male population, but women are welcome too.

Photo of woodworking at Ripon Men's Shed

Getting to know the drill – Catherine Limbert joins in woodworking activities with fellow members

There are also Sheds in Harrogate, Starbeck and Pateley Bridge, offering weekly activities ranging from joinery to the restoration of bicycles.

Mr Makey, who is responsible for publicity for Ripon Men’s Shed, told the Stray Ferret:

“Our initial focus is on woodworking, but there are opportunities to look at other areas as well, such as computers.

“The activities, which the members will decide upon themselves, provide a focus and we hope that through their attendance, they will get to know each other and enjoy the social interaction.”

For John Hayson, a retired master plumber living in Boroughbridge, the Men’s Shed will be something to look forward to.

He said:

“I’ve been in hospital recently and after I was discharged, I was bedridden for a few weeks.

“That left me feeling hopeless, particularly as I have a disabled wife that I am caring for.

“I heard about the men’s shed and thought that attending it would be a way of rebuilding my confidence and making friends, by being with like-minded people for a few hours a week, while my wife is looked after by some lovely neighbours we have.”

Catherine Limbert is currently the only female member, but is not phased by being in an all-male environment.

Photo of Catherine Limbert

Catherine Limbert — looking forward to learning new skills and making friends at the Men’s Shed

The NHS nurse said:

“I’m happy to speak with anybody and to learn from the expertise they have in areas that I’ve never tried before, such as using an electric drill.

“I have a couple of free days a week and this is a great way of getting out of the house, learning DIY skills and meeting new people.”

While the social aspect of the shed is good for members, it is also beneficial for the people involved in delivering the sessions.

Photo of the Ripon Men's Shed premises

The Ripon Men’s Shed premises, to the rear of the New Life Church in Water Skellgate

Barry Sutton, who was formerly secretary of Selkirk Community Shed, has brought the knowledge he gained in Scotland back to his native country.

The retired forester and now community volunteer, said:

“I believe it’s important for people to stay as active as possible, use their skills and have a sense of purpose.

“Being involved in an organisation like this is a win-win situation for all involved.”

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With a chair lift provided from monies secured by Ripon’s North Yorkshire county councillors Stuart Martin and Mike Chambers, the Tuesday sessions between 10am and 4pm are being made as accessible as possible.

Anybody wishing to become a member, or get involved in other ways, such as making a donation or providing practical assistance with provision of tools that can be used in woodworking sessions, can find out more on the Ripon Men’s Shed Facebook page.

 

 

1,349-year-old crypt in Ripon Cathedral reopens to the public

Ripon Cathedral’s crypt, which is the oldest surviving building in any English cathedral, reopened to the public today.

The Anglo-Saxon crypt, which is the highlight of many people’s visits to the cathedral, was built by St Wilfrid as part of the stone church he erected in the 670s. It is believed to be a copy of the tomb in which Jesus’ body was laid after crucifixion.

The crypt has been closed to the public since March last year due to covid but is now open to visitors between services from 9.30am until 5pm.

Next year will mark 1,350 years since the construction of the crypt in 672.

Joe Priestley, marketing officer at the cathedral, told the Stray Ferret some clergy had occasionally used the crypt for private prayer and services during the last 17 months but its small confines were not compatible with social distancing requirements. He added:

“People do find it to be a very moving space.”

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Ripon mayor Eamon Parkin set to make history

The Mayor of Ripon is heading for the history books after being asked to stay in office until May.

Councillor Eamon Parkin, who became mayor in 2019, will be the first person to hold the title in the city for three consecutive years.

His term has been extended due to covid, which forced the cancellation of many of the civic events that normally take place in a mayoral year, including the fundraising mayor’s ball.

However, in its place,  he and his consort Nigel Guy will host a hog roast and afternoon of entertainment on September 4 at the Magdalens pub that they own and run.

Tickets are available from the pub and proceeds will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.

Photo of Ripon Christmas lights.

The Mayor’s hog roast will raise money for Ripon Vision Support and the city’s Christmas Lights Appeal.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I planned the fundraiser as the finale to my term, but then my city council colleagues asked me to stay on, giving me more time to raise money for both causes.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be mayor of this wonderful place.

“With its unique character, rich heritage and community-minded approach, Ripon has weathered storms for more than 1,300 years — the latest being the coronavirus crisis.”

Ripon’s resilience

Like other small businesses in the city, The Magdalens suffered the financial effects of lockdown, social distancing requirements and limitations on the number of customers able to visit.

But the hardship faced by the pub and so many other traders brought a collective response that underlined Ripon’s resilience.

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Cllr Parkin said:

“During our enforced closure, Nigel and I decided to turn the pub into a community hub, where neighbours could call for help, or drop off donated goods and other items for delivery to people in self-isolation.

“But we were not the only ones providing this kind of support and it was replicated by individuals, groups and organisations, all spontaneously rallying to assist others in need.”

With the easing of lockdown seeing the city return to a more normal way of life, Cllr Parkin can look back on highlights that emerged in the darkest hours of the pandemic.

Among them, is his long-held desire to see the extension of area covered by Ripon’s Christmas lights, adding to the city’s festive attraction for residents and driving greater footfall to benefit local businesses.

The decision to extend Cllr Parkin’s term in office until May will ensure that the person selected to be the city’s first citizen next year will be able to look forward to a term in office back in sync with the normal civic calendar.