Ripon Archives - Page 183 of 255

Napkin in toaster causes fire in Harrogate

Firefighters were called to a home on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road last night when a napkin in a toaster caused a blaze.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said help was summoned at 7.25pm. It adds:

“Crews attended a fire in a residential building. Fire was caused by a napkin inside a toaster. Fire was out on arrival.

“Minor fire damage to toaster and napkin. Crews gave resident advice.”

In a busy night for the fire and rescue service, firefighters were later called to a single vehicle collision near Summerbridge in which a man was taken to hospital with suspected pelvic injuries.

The collision occurred at 9.25pm at Middlesmoor. The incident log says:

“One male was trapped and crews extricated him using hydraulic cutting gear. Male is believed to have pelvis injuries and was taken to hospital.”

Firefighters were also called when a children’s toy car caught fire in a rear yard off Market Place, Ripon, shortly after 6pm. The fire was out on arrival.

Ripon Spa Croquet club offers free sessions at new home

Ripon Spa Croquet Club is enjoying a renaissance in its new surroundings of Studley Royal Cricket Club.

Covid lockdown from March 2020 and the subsequent sale of Spa Hotel, where the croquet players had been based for almost 30 years, signalled the need for relocation.

The move to SRCC is now complete, with hoops in place to play on a lovingly-tended surface adjacent to the cricket pitch.

The aim is to build on the club’s heritage, which saw international matches and world-class players do battle on the lawns of the hotel’s gardens.

The club’s international pedigree

Formed in the early 1990s as Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club, It was founded by Croquet Association Federation officer Keith Smith, hotel owner Andrew Hutchinson and managing director Samantha Currie.

It soon attracted players from across the district, including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.

By 1997, Ms Currie, Mr Hutchinson and clubmate Syd Jones all achieved world rankings and took part in the GC World Championships in Cairo.

While the club’s historic achievements provide many happy memories for its older members, the emphasis now is on the future.

Chair and chief coach Ted Flexman told the Stray Ferret:

“With the fabulous facilities that we have at the Studley Royal ground, there is the potential to create one of the best croquet clubs in the north.”

One man went to mow – Studley Royal Cricket Club groundsman Trevor Rose.

The club is offering two free introductory taster sessions on April 25 and 27 to attract new members. The sessions are open to people of all ages and anybody wishing to attend should contact the club in advance. Further details are available by clicking on this link.

Club secretary Sue I’Anson said:

“This is a great game for people of all ages and abilities, with the more seasoned players helping newcomers to master the technique of swinging the mallet and making good contact with the ball.”

This has certainly been the experience of member Rod Grant, who added:

“I’d never played croquet before and then Ted invited me have a game and I have enjoyed taking part ever since.”

Sue I’Anson is pictured with, from the left Ted Flexman, Roger I’Anson and Rod Grant

Top facilities

SRCC, with teams in the York & District Senior League Premier Division and 3 more in the Nidderdale League divisions 2, 5 and 7, has one of the best clubhouses of any amateur cricket club in Yorkshire and its pitch among the biggest in the county.

Mr Flexman said:

“We have been made very welcome here and look forward to a long and happy relationship as we play our complementary sports side by side.

“Both require good hand/eye coordination and we hope that some of the bowlers and batsmen try their hand at swinging a mallet.”

Roger I’Anson, who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:

“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”

Harry Whitaker, the owner of Mastachoice Fencing and Fabrication and apprentice Charlie Lister, constructing a storage shed that will be used to store croquet equipment

Roger I’Anson, who is in the process of obtaining his coaching qualifications, added:

“As well as the joy of taking part in the sport, whether a beginner or experienced player, it’s a tremendous way of making friends, with the clubhouse providing an excellent venue for pre and post-match socialising.”

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Five year old Harrogate boy wins competition with ‘happy pizza’ design

A five year old Harrogate boy has won a charity competition that will see his ‘happy pizza’ on sale at a local cafe.

The competition, organised by the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, was made to promote the local show ‘Oliver!’ . Around 60 school kids sent in drawings of pizza designs.

Henry Elvin, aged five, was the winner. His pizza face had a ham smile, pepperoni eyes, a tomato nose and sweetcorn for hair.

Competition winner Henry (middle) with his Mum (Katy) & Dad (Dan) and two actors from ‘Oliver,’ Amber & Grace

The creation will be on sale at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen, and £2.00 of every pizza bough will be donated to the Harrogate District Foodbank. Henry also won four tickets to see Oliver next week.

Read more:

Hannah Ruddy, from the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society , said:

“Some of the themes in Oliver! surround poverty and going without. Sadly, we are all too aware there is still a huge issue and far too many people have to rely on the support of organisations, such as local foodbanks.

“As well as providing a food donation point at Harrogate Theatre foyer throughout the show’s run, we also wanted to get younger people involved, and thought the competition would be a nice way to raise awareness. We are grateful to Starling for joining us in this and agreeing to make a donation from their weekly special.”

‘Oliver!’ will be shown at Harrogate theatre from 20th-23rd April, and will feature 25 local children from ages six years old and above.

Festival plans ahead as Ripon canal boat makes its return

Alongside Ripon’s iconic cathedral and historic market, canal cruises are on the list of visitor and tourist attractions on a sign guiding motorists to the city centre.

Many of those tempted for the first time to make the turn off the bypass to ‘stay awhile amid Ripon’s ancient charms’ may not realise that this place is also a waterway wonderland, with three rivers, a wetlands area with lake and the hidden gem of a canal.

The arrival of the railway at the height of Victorian Britain’s industrial revolution, spelled the end of the line for the man-made navigation. But far-sighted people in the city saw its environmental, leisure and recreational potential and saved it.

Now there are plans in hand to celebrate the canal’s 250th anniversary in September 2023 — an event that will also give visitors a chance to enjoy Ripon’s wealth of watery assets.

The Ure, Skell and Laver each have their own characteristics and attractions, including wooded walks, along river banks linked by iron, stone. concrete and wooden bridges.

A wooded walk along the River Skell, which runs parallel with Ripon Canal

There’s a ford crossing the Skell that is safe to drive through when water levels allow and stepping stones, which are popular with pedestrians and dog walkers.

Otters have been spotted in the city’s rivers and canal, signalling the fact that water quality has been dramatically improved, thanks to the work of conservation volunteers, the Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency.

The canal’s 250th anniversary

Richard Willis, who owns and operates Ripon Scenic Cruises and provides trips from the canal basin off Bondgate Green, is planning the festival that will celebrate the waterway’s notable milestone.

Richard Willis is planning a festival in the canal basin in September 2023

In this, his 16th season of offering scenic journeys aboard his custom-made Pride of Ripon canal boat, Mr Willis is already looking forward to next year.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“This is a magnificent opportunity for Ripon to put itself in the UK spotlight for enthusiasts and people who enjoy the gentle and idyllic pleasures of waterside or waterborne leisure activities.”

The picturesque approach to the canal basin

He is well-placed to speak about the magnetic attraction that brings people back time and again after they have had their first cruise.

Mr Willis said:

“We have regular customers who have been coming to us for years from across the Harrogate district and further afield.

“They come specifically for a cruise and while here, they visit the cathedral, museums and other attractions in the city – all good for the tourist economy.”

He added:

“The Pride of Ripon was tied up for a lot of last year because of the covid lockdown, but once restrictions lifted in July, we were busy every day.

“At the end of the season we were able to reflect on our best-ever year of operating here.

“That’s why I am so confident that a canal-focused festival in the basin will be a great success.”

Ripon’s annual St Wilfrid Procession under threat

A large annual parade that has taken place in Ripon for about 1,000 years is under threat.

Thousands of people turn out for St Wilfrid’s Procession, which celebrates the city’s patron saint.

The procession sees decorated floats travel around the city led by an actor playing St Wilfrid on a horse, followed by musicians, dancers and finally the Wakeman of Ripon.

There are also stalls and events on the Market Square for what is one of Ripon’s main events of the year.

The parade traditionally takes place on the last Saturday of July but covid prevented it taking place for the last two years.

Most funding comes from street collections on the day. But when the organising committee applied for a street collection permit for this year’s event, on July 30, it discovered Harrogate Borough Council had already granted a permit to another organisation — and only one a day is allowed.

The council told St Wilfrid’s Procession committee it was unable to reveal the identity of the other organisation because of data protection legislation.

This prompted the committee to put an appeal on social media asking for anyone who knew who it was to get in touch to see if a solution could be reached.

A committee spokesman said:

“We want an open discussion with whoever has the permit to see if they are able to switch days.

“Without a permit, the procession won’t take place next year because most donations are made on the day from people who give to fundraisers with buckets.”

The spokesman stressed nobody was to blame for the “unfortunate coincidence” and the council was trying to help find a solution.

The Stray Ferret contacted the council but did not receive a reply.

Burglars steal air rifles and pistol from Ripon shop

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about the theft of rifles and a pistol from a vintage shop in Ripon.

Thieves broke through one of the front door panels at All Kinds of Everything on Kirkgate and stole second hand items including two air rifles and one vintage pistol.

The incident occurred between 4pm on January 13 and 9am on January 14.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help gain any further information surrounding the full circumstances of the incident.

“In particular we are appealing for information about the vintage weapons seen in the pictures, one particularly distinctive rifle with the wording WALKER across the centre.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to Deborah Utley. You can also email deborah.utley@northyorkshire.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220007164.

Ripon Races set for first meeting of season tomorrow

Ripon Races is under starter’s orders for its first fixture of the new season tomorrow.

Yorkshire’s garden racecourse, as the venue is known, will be hoping for a smooth year after two years of covid restrictions severely curtailed activities.

Gates open at 11am for the first of 17 days racing this year.

Jonathan Mullin, hoping for an uninterrupted season at Ripon Races

Tomorrow’s Easter family day’s first race at 1pm will feature new sponsor Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.

Jonathan Mullin, operations and marketing manager at the Boroughbridge Road racecourse, told the Stray Ferret:

“After two years of covid restrictions, we are looking forward to what we hope will be an uninterrupted season and plenty of racegoers through the gates.

“At a time when there is a squeeze on family budgets, we are offering reduced price entry to the paddock and club enclosures at all of our evening meetings The reduction will be 23% and 12% respectively.”

William Hill is maintaining its long-term sponsorship at Ripon.

This season’s running of the valuable William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap, on Saturday August 13, has added significance, with 2022 marking the 1,350th anniversary of Ripon’s patron saint founding the city’s cathedral.

New this season is a Stables Championship run in partnership with organic plant-based grooming products manufacturer, Goodbye Flys.

The stable staff of the yard that accrues the highest points total across the 2022 season will be crowned champions and receive a £5,000 cash prize, with £2,000 going to the runners-up and £1,000 to the third placed team.

Titanium Racing Club and Grantley Hall Hotel are both returning race sponsors and NE-Bet is continuing its sponsorship of the owners and trainers enclosure.

The covid vaccination programme

Ripon Races has been a key site in the covid vaccination programme.

Mr Mullin said:

“The racecourse management and course staff were proud to support the NHS and many volunteers involved in setting up and operating the covid vaccination centre here.

“Thousands of people received their jabs and boosters in the Wakeman Bar and we will continue to help the NHS when our facilities are required for the vaccination programme.”

Ripon sends giant birthday card to the Queen

The right royal city of Ripon is sending many happy returns to the Queen — along with a very special card.

The card, larger than any Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle windowsill can accommodate, has been produced in time for delivery for the monarch’s 96th birthday on April 21.

Accompanying eight-year-old Edward Blythe’s giant imaginative creation, will be a book containing thousands of birthday greetings from the people of Ripon.

Edward, a pupil of Moorside Primary School, told the Stray Ferret:

“I decided to have a corgi wearing a crown as my design, because I know they are the Queen’s favourite dog.

“I hope she likes it.”

Edward and his winning design, is pictured with, from the left: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, city council leader Andrew Williams, Claire Rowett, headteacher of Moorside Primary School and Jeremy Dunford of Ripon Together

Ahead of its extensive programme of platinum jubilee events in June, Ripon City Council decided it would be a fitting early kick off to the celebrations, if it sent the Queen a special birthday card.

Hundreds of primary and secondary pupils and students at schools in Ripon and the wider area, took part in the project, supported by the council, Ripon Cathedral and Ripon Together.

Cllr Parkin said:

“This city has extremely long royal roots, going back to Alfred the Great in 886 and his donation of a ceremonial horn to his loyal supporters, for fighting off a Viking attack.

“Ripon also fought on the side of the Royalists in the English Civil War and our Royal Engineers have enjoyed the Freedom of The City since 1949.”

Former Moorside primary pupil Cllr Williams, added:

“As well as being a good fun exercise for the schools, asking children to create a special card for the Queen, has provided a creative way of letting them find out more about her incredible 70 years of service to this country.”

Year 3 pupil Edward was congratulated for the striking multi-textured card by Moorside Primary headteacher Claire Rowett, who said:

“This is a fantastic achievement, well done to him.

“We are currently planning our jubilee celebrations as a school.”

Production of the card was handled by Jeremy Dunford, of Ripon Together, who said:

“It will be sent by special delivery – Royal Mail, of course!”

Bishop Monkton residents fear 125 new homes will exacerbate flooding

Villagers in Bishop Monkton say climate change has led to increased flooding in their village over the past decade — and two housing developments, with a total of 125 new homes, will exacerbate the problem.

Bishop Monkton Action Group was formed two years ago to raise awareness in the village about a 98-home development on Moor Road by Alfa Homes and 25-homes by Kebbell Developments on Knaresborough Road.

The group’s members are residents Kenneth Barker, Jonathan Beer, Harvey Bigg, Martin Minett, Raj Selvarajan and Bob Upton.

Both sites in the village, which is five miles south of Ripon, were allocated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, which means they are likely to be approved in some form.

But the action group is holding out hope that they will be dismissed outright because surface water at the two sites will run off into Bishop Monkton Beck, a small river that runs through the village.

Major implications

The group says freak flood events are becoming more common in the village.

One resident submitted an objection to both developments that said from 2011 to 2020 the village faced nine days of floods, which was the same as the previous 50 years combined.

A spokesperson for the action group said

“The wider cumulative impacts of these developments will have major implications to the village in our view.”

The Alfa Homes proposal

Flood risk assessment

A flood risk assessment submitted on behalf of Alfa Homes says surface water from the development will be discharged into Bishop Monkton Beck, which the Environment Agency classes as a river.

The developer said it has factored in a 30% increase in rainfall due to climate change but the risk of flooding would remain low.

A flood assessment submitted on behalf of the smaller Kebbel Developments scheme said surface water run-off into the river “will not increase flood risk elsewhere.”

That scheme will store water in a tank before it is discharged into the river.

However, members of the action group fear the two schemes, as well as a plan to increase the number of caravans on a local holiday site, could make flood events like those seen in 2015 and 2020 worse.

The two applications have almost 300 objections between them, with many people citing fears about flooding in the village.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the flood authority, said HBC should refuse the application on flood grounds. It said:

“[The development] will ultimately increase the risk of flooding and exacerbate an already flood prone area; potentially further jeopardising people, property and critical infrastructure.”

Mike Mulligan, director at Kebbell Developments, sent the following response:

“The site is allocated for residential development in the adopted Harrogate Local Plan and therefore the principle of development has already been established. The comments and concerns of local residents on surface water flooding are noted and our engineers are liaising with the relevant bodies on the detailed design of the on-site attenuation and drainage scheme.

“We can confirm that the surface water drainage scheme for the development will meet all the necessary requirements. The key principle of the scheme is to ensure that the surface water is attenuated on the site in a large storage tank before being slowly discharged into the Beck at an agreed discharge rate.”

Afla Homes did not send a response at the time of publication

Six free or low-cost family Easter holiday ideas in the Harrogate district

The Easter school holidays are almost here, but for many families this means two weeks of the children at home and increased costs of keeping them entertained.

This year in particular most of us are feeling the crunch thanks to a huge rise in the cost of living and soaring energy bills.

We have teamed up with parenting website Harrogate Mumbler and put together six free or low-cost ideas for the Easter holidays across the district.

Kayti Mewis, content creator for Harrogate Mumbler, said:

“You don’t always have to spend a fortune to have a fun day out with the kids. For example, we always enjoy a day at Valley Gardens with a picnic over the holidays.”

Free street entertainment in Harrogate town centre – from April 9

Following the success of Harrogate Business Improvement District’s (BID) street entertainers during the October half-term last year, they will be back in the town centre over the Easter holidays.

On Saturday, April 9, Pete and Ged Moss the gardeners will be in town with their ‘Easter Egg Stravaganza walkabout special’.

They will entertain crowds with their musical wheelbarrow, brimming over with colourful Easter eggs of all shapes and sizes – expect lots of audience participation.

On Good Friday, April 15, the Easter Bunny will be taking some time out from his Easter duties to share some early treats with the children of Harrogate. He will be at the Victoria Shopping Centre at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm.

On Saturday April 16, ‘Val N Halla’ will be travelling in their musical longboat through the town centre. The two Abba-obsessed Scandinavians will bring “entertainment, mayhem and mirth wherever they go”.

Peter Rabbit and Friends Easter Trail at Swinton Estate, near Ripon – April 9 to 24

Head to Swinton Bivouac for an Easter adventure with Peter Rabbit and Friends.

Help Peter and Benjamin to save Easter by rescuing all of the Easter eggs from the clutches of the pesky Samuel Whiskers.

Solve the clues to crack the code that will open the chest to rescue the egg – and earn an Easter treat for yourself as well.

There will also be an opportunity to explore the ruins and follies of Druid’s Temple, built in 1820, reconnect with nature in the woodland of Swinton Estate and take in the views over the Leighton reservoir.

Trail maps are £5, with each completed answer sheet earning a prize. All money from the trail goes directly to the Friends of Grewelthorpe School (FROGS) charity.

The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt – April 9 to 24

Organised and presented by Painting Pots Knaresborough, this quirky event is now in its fifth year.

There will once again be 17 ceramic bunnies hopping into local businesses.

The bunnies are hand-painted in vivid patterns, some inspired by characters or recognisable personalities and products. Painted mostly in house by Laura of Painting Pots, and more recently Natasha Gilyard.

A map with the locations of the bunnies is hand-drawn and painted by local artist Helen Salmons, who is known as The Relentless Crafter, while the bunnies themselves are the handiwork of Natasha Gilyard and Painting Pots’ Laura.

The maps can be purchased for £3 from Painting Pots, Castlegate, and the Oldest Chemist Shoppe, Market Square.

Bunny hunters use the map to find the bunnies, fill in their form and hand them back in to receive a sweet treat, a wristband, sticker and entry to win prizes donated by local businesses.

Over the last four years, The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt has raised more than £6,000 for local charities. All profits this year will go to Lucie’s Animal Rescue and Inspire Youth.

The event will be officially launched at the Knaresborough Spring Fayre on April 9, where there will also be the first ever Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt Parade.

Activities at Knaresborough Library – April 16 and April 21

Hoglets Theatre will be performing their play The Sleep Pirates on Saturday, April 16 at 2pm, featuring swashbuckling pirates, flying ships and shooting stars.

The event is aimed at families with children aged four to eight. Places are limited so booking is essential and children need to be library members. Pop in to the library or call 01609 533610 to book your place.

Alternatively, enjoy some arty fun with a print workshop with artist Lana Grindley on April 21 at 2pm.

Children aged 7 to 11 are invited to design and print their own book cover artwork, inspired by their favourite book illustrations. The designs will be displayed at a special exhibition in the library following the workshop.

Book your free ticket here.

There are also some great events at places that offer membership. If you are already a member, these events are usually included, or have a small additional price:

The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Harlow Carr – April 9 to 24

Enjoy a supersized family adventure this Easter holiday at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

Go hunting for the larger-than-life hand-painted eggs hidden around the garden on ‘The giant Easter egg hunt’, and from Good Friday to Easter Monday meet the Garden Detectives for more family fun.

The Easter egg hunt sees children equipped with an explorer pack. Follow the trail around the garden to find the giant painted eggs. There are fun puzzles to solve and plants and wildlife to spot along the way.

Children will be rewarded with a free chocolate treat after completing the trail.

The event is free to RHS members and children under 5.

Easter egg hunt at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal – until April 17

Pick up an adventure trail for £3 and follow the map to complete 10 fun activities during your visit.

See if you can shake like a squirrel, rise like the sun and listen to nature’s orchestra. Complete the trail and earn your chocolate egg reward at the end.