Ripon city councillors are determined that proceeds from the sale of Ripon Spa Baths must not go to the soon-to-be-defunct Harrogate Borough Council.

A ‘for sale’ sign remains in place at the baths, a listed building that was once the centrepiece of Ripon’s Edwardian spa quarter.

The baths permanently closed on November 7, four months before the delayed opening of Ripon’s new multi-million pound pool at Dallamires Lane.

The building was put on the market by Harrogate Borough Council after being deemed to be ‘surplus to requirements’.

Ripon councillors are adamant that money from the sale of Spa Baths should not go to Harrogate Borough Council.

Ripon City Council successfully applied for the building to be listed as an asset of community value — which means the community has six months to formulate a bid to buy it.

At the same time, Harrogate Borough Council, which will be abolished in 13 months, has selected an unnamed preferred bidder to take on the building.

The city council has continued to meet with the preferred developer to discuss the site’s future use.

It said the two parties have held ‘constructive discussions’ designed to maintain community use at the site as part of wider redevelopment proposals.

Independent Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams received unanimous support from members at last week’s full council meeting for a proposal to appoint consultants, who will advise the council on progressing the ACV application.

He said:

“The developer has said that they are happy to work in partnership with us and, this being the case, there is no reason why Harrogate Borough Council, which is in its dying embers, should receive any money from sale of the building.

“Ripon did not receive a single penny from Harrogate when it took over Spa Baths and other city assets in 1974 so it’s reasonable to expect the borough council to return the properties at no cost to the city council.”

Read more:

• Six months to save Ripon’s Spa Baths for the community
• Ripon bids to take back city assets

The return of assets

Ripon, along with other parish and town councils that became part of the Harrogate district in 1974, have been seeking the transfer back of assets ranging from halls to market squares.

However, a notice of motion to this effect presented at February’s full Harrogate Borough Council meeting by Ripon independent councillor Pauline McHardy was defeated after a stormy debate by the Conservative-controlled authority.

At that meeting, Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper said the motion “simply isn’t legal’”.

He said that the borough council itself can not produce takeover plans for its own buildings to be run by local councils.

At the meeting, Cllr Cooper expressed doubts about the ability of town and parish councils to manage and operate assets, but added Harrogate Borough Council was: 

“Seeking to get better services for residents run from these assets is where we should be focusing.

“If parishes can do it better and put together a delivery plan – great.

“I wish them all well and good luck in managing those services from parish, city and town councils. But what I am seeking to do is make sure they get control of assets and run great services from them legally, quickly and sensibly.”

Reminders of the desperate plight of the embattled people of Ukraine have been evident across Ripon in recent days.

From the Rotary Club of Ripon collection at a bustling Market Place, to the contemplative silence of churches, there have been opportunities for residents to provide financial support, pray, or both.

On Rotary Way, customers at the Marks & Spencer food store are being invited to make a donation when they pay for their shopping. Similar collections are being held at other Ripon shops and businesses

Further down Rotary Way, an iconic image from another war provides a simple and moving message of support for passing motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The silhouette of the First World War soldier and his sweetheart has had the blue and yellow ribbons of Ukraine added along with a posy of flowers of the same colours.

The Our Lady of Fountains Altar at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, where The Pope’s prayer for peace can be seen

At St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, the altar of Our Lady of Fountains is decked in yellow and blue. The altar also displays the prayer for peace of Pope Francis.

The altar was bequeathed to the church by the family of the 1st Marquess of Ripon, a man known for his kindness and compassion, who died in 1909.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin and his consort Nigel Guy (right), are pictured with Ali Edwards (centre) her partner Lizzie, and some of the 40-plus people who attended the fundraising event

Ripon’s Lewis Edwards, who escaped Kyiv late last month with his Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska and is now in Slovakia, spoke via his mobile phone to family, friends and supporters gathered at a fundraising event held at the Magdalens pub on Saturday evening.

Mr Edwards told attendees at the packed venue, how former Harrogate soldier Mike Heelan had arrived safely in Slovakia to lend an extra experienced pair of hands to the 10-strong team, which is helping refugees seeking sanctuary in countries across Europe.

The event, hosted by the pub’s owners, the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and his consort Nigel Guy, raised more than £1,300, which be will added to £16,000-plus already raised through donations to the gofundme page set up by Mr Edwards’ family.

A Ripon man is to auction 255 signed bottles of whisky to raise money for Falklands veterans.

Next month marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the 10-week war, which claimed the lives of 255 British military personnel.

Simon Mercer, whose family has strong military connections, came up with the idea after a chance encounter with Nigel Phillips, the current Governor of the Falkland Islands, on a flight to the British overseas territory in 2018.

Each bottle has been numbered and signed by Mr Phillips and Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade during the conflict with Argentina.

Many bottles have been additionally signed on the front label by Falklands veterans including Sara Jones, widow of Lt. Col. H Jones, who posthumously received the Victoria Cross after being killed in action during the Battle of Goose Green in May 1982.

Each signatory served their country with extraordinary bravery on land, at sea and in the air.

Read more:

• Ripon MP urges Boris Johnson to take ‘more humane approach’ to Ukraine refugees
• Ripon Cathedral reveals programme of events to celebrate 1,350th anniversary

The cask-strength 53.5%, 13-year-old Glen Moray whisky will be auctioned online by Scotch Whisky Auctions, which has waived its usual fees.

Each bottle is signed by Nigel Phillips and Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade.

The auction will take place from April 1 to 10 to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the war on April 2, 1982.

All of the profits will be donated equally between the charities Falklands Veterans Foundation and South Atlantic Medal Association 82.

Mr Mercer said the project had become a “labour of love” during lockdowns.

He said the Ukraine war highlighted the need to look after veterans.

“I believe we must give back to life. We can’t just take. I’ve done all sorts of successful fundraisers with Ripon Cathedral as a trustee but I never go to church. It’s just a nice building worth preserving and each generation has a duty.

“Supporting our armed services has never been more important than it is today. The Falklands was the last legal war and we have a duty of care to support those who served. I’m just doing my bit.”

Ripon Runners made up for lost time when the Lightwater Valley 10k returned at the weekend after two years off because of covid.

Ted Leahy completed the testing course in 35 minutes and 43 seconds to win the men’s open race, 19 seconds ahead of Ripon Runners clubmate Jamie Baker.

Jamie was outright second in the race and also won the men’s seniors event in a time of 36.02, almost five and a half minutes ahead of the second-placed senior runner.

Ted Leahy, winner of the men’s race and Emily Abbey, who won the women’s race

Other winners from the club, included Ian Harrison in the male veterans 40 race and Lenny Lennox who was the first male veteran over 60 to cross the finishing line.

The outright winner of the women’s race was Emily Abbey of Swaledale Runners in a time of 44 minutes and.37 seconds.

Morag McDowall and Lucy Philpott capped an outstanding day for Ripon Runners by winning the female veterans 55-years old and female veterans seniors categories respectively.

A total of 136 runners completed the race and many more, including junior runners, took part in the 3k event.

The other winner was North Stainley Primary School, which raised much-needed funds from the entry fees paid by runners.

The annual race, over an undulating multi-terrain route, is organised by the charity Friends of North Stainley School and covers a course that  passes through the Lightwater estate and the surrounding countryside.

Money raised contributes towards the cost of school trips, technology for pupils, music lessons and sporting activities.

North Stainley Primary School opened in 1871 and is still based in its original building, close to the village church of St Mary’s.

All photographs provided by Tyler Parker Photography.

Read more:

• Families savour the Sights and Sounds of Ripon
• History-making former Mayor of Ripon publishes his memoirs for charity

The government has rejected plans to build new townhouses and apartments in Ripon city centre.

Spinksburn Ltd had tabled a plan in November 2019 to build four apartments and four townhouses on land off North Street in the city.

The site, which used to be retail units, was demolished to make way for Marshall Way and has remained undeveloped since.

The work include the partial removal of buttress on a Grade-II listed building to join the two buildings.

However, the developer lodged an appeal in August 2021 to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Harrogate Borough Council had failed to make a decision on the proposal two years later.

In a letter written by the developer’s lawyer said:

“Our client has therefore instructed us to submit the appeals for non-determination because the council does not appear to have the resources to be able to determine the applications and there appears to be no end in sight.

“My client is extremely concerned that determination of the applications is being allowed to drift and there are no means by which to secure the determination of the applications besides the appeal process if the council does not have the necessary resources.”

Read more:

• Two year wait for planning decision forces appeal over Ripon townhouses
• Residents say new Granby Farm homes will ‘tower over’ them

However, Fiona Cullen, the planning inspector who oversaw the appeal, has decided to reject the proposal.

In a decision notice, Ms Cullen said she was “unable not conclude” that the proposal “would preserve the special interest of the listed building”.

She said:

“I am mindful of the key role played by the delivery of housing in achieving sustainable development and recognise the Government’s objectives to boost the housing supply and grow the economy. I also note the framework’s support for housing and the efficient use of land.

“However, the framework is clear in stating that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.”

Ms Cullen added:

“Whilst there are considerations that weigh in favour of the proposal, in my judgement, they are not sufficient to outweigh the harm I have found.”

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.

Thankfully the majority of these are now fully back in action across the district.

And this week a new parent and baby group has launched at Ashville College in Harrogate.

The independent school is hosting the free sessions between 10am and 11am every Friday morning during term-time for children up to the age of two and their parents or grandparents.

The Baby Acorns group is meeting in Ashville’s Little Acorns cabin, located off Yew Tree Lane.

It is being run by Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep staff, and tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. Looking ahead to the summer months, the school also aims to hold some outdoor events.

Charlotte Cryer, head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, said:

“In the last two years the pandemic has severely affected opportunities for both parents and young children to socialise, with many baby groups being cancelled or restricted.

“The impact this has had on parents’ mental health should not be underestimated, and we hope that our Baby Acorns group can ease that anxiety for parents.

“It is a safe, comfortable space in which children can interact and play alongside our highly-experienced early years staff.”

Read more:

• Street party fees waived in North Yorkshire for Queen’s jubilee
• Mother Shipton’s delays reopening again due to landslide

We have put together a list of five other baby and toddler groups across the Harrogate district:

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library – Knaresborough

Play sessions at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library.

A firm favourite in the district, the toy library’s play sessions currently run on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Mary’s Church, Knaresborough, from 10am until 11.30am.

Toys are set-up for children to access, while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others. Sessions are £3.50, plus 50p per additional child.

The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.

The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games

Stay and Play – Harrogate

Stay and Play is an fun parent and toddler group for pre-school children hosted at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.

There are lots of activities to entertain little ones, including toys, bikes, bouncy castle and games from 9.30am until 11.30am during term-time only.

Sessions are £2.50 per child and £1 for each additional child, including a snack and drink.

Tea and Tots – Boroughbridge

Ride-ons, slides, toys, colouring and refreshments feature at this baby and toddler group at St James’ Church.

Sessions take place from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday during term-time for children up to age five.

Prices are £1 and 50p for additional children.

Little Fishes Tots Group – Nidderdale

This friendly group, based in Christ Church Community Centre, Darley, is run by members of Nidderdale Community Church.

Activities include play stations, a baby corner and a craft table. There is also snack time, nursery rhyme time and a bible story.

Sessions are £2 per family from 9.15am and 11.15am on Tuesdays.

Soft Play Toddler Fun – Ripon

A group for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups, held in the hall of Allhallowgate Methodist Church every Friday from 9.15am until 12.30pm.

There is soft play equipment for the little ones and coffee, tea and snacks for the adults.

Ripon Business Improvement District‘s lighting project, designed to drive footfall and boost business, has lit up another pedestrian route into the city centre.

Festoon lighting has been installed in the ginnel between M&Co and Costa Coffee, which leads to and from the Marshall Way car park.

This is the second of the city’s alleys and ginnels to be illuminated and follows the pre-Christmas deep cleaning of four ginnels and alleyways organised by the BID. Its work is funded by a levy paid by businesses

.BID manager Lilla Bathurst said:

“Lighting up these key routes throughout the city has been a priority for the BID and I am thrilled that we have been able to light up this key route.

“This would not have been possible without the support of the staff and management at M&Co and Costa. The BID funds the power to the lights and we are grateful to M&Co for hosting the electricity supply.”

Read more:

• Ripon BID begins to light up the city
• Ripon Cathedral reveals programme of events to celebrate 1,350th anniversary

Four men have been jailed for a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district, which included the theft of thousands of pounds worth of cars and a motorbike.

Chaz England, Nathan Lofthouse, Bailey Townend and Ainsley West were sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday.

England, 32, of Harrogate, Lofthouse, 20, of Harrogate, Townend, 19, of Ripon and West, formerly of Harrogate, appeared via video link from custody in Hull.

They admitted to the burglaries, which took place between December 2019 and August 2021.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill told the court that the crimes were sophisticated and planned.

Mr Cahill told the court how Townend, who was charged with two counts of burglaries, three thefts of motor vehicles and possession of cannabis, had stolen two cars in Knaresborough at a value of £15,000.

Read more:

• Harrogate man jailed for historic sexual abuse of young girl
• Police investigate serious crash on Cold Bath Road

Townend, 19, stole the Skoda and Mercedes from Bransdale Grove, along with a handbag containing a £20 note.

He went onto commit a similar offence on South Park Road in Harrogate in August last year, in which he stole a “rare motorbike” worth £11,000.

Mr Cahill told the court that Lofthouse, 20, burgled a property on Bogs Lane in Harrogate on December 22, 2019.

He stole a laptop bag, which did not include a computer but had sensitive NHS information, and two coats. Lofthouse also attempted to steal a Jaguar worth more than £10,000.

The court heard how England, 22, broke into a home on Stonefall Avenue, Harrogate, on Boxing Day 2019 to steal an iPhone7 worth £200, £800 in cash, five watches, a £300 chainsaw and two handbags.

England also stole a Ford transit van, which was later found abandoned with a flat tyre by police.

Stun gun

England was also convicted of possessing a stun gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and possession of cannabis following a search of his home.

Mr Cahill told the court that on August 2, 2020, West, 20, stole the number plates from a Fiat Punto at a property in Leeds before later using them on another vehicle from Knaresborough.

He was also convicted of attempting to steal a handbag, which included a police warrant card, and wallet from a property in York.

Mitigating for Townend, Shafqat Khan told the court that he had been remanded in custody since August 2021 and had “demonstrated maturity” while in custody.

The court also heard that Lofthouse had shown maturity while on remand. Ian Hudson, defending Lofthouse, said he had gained employment and “hoped to build on that”.

Didn’t get chance to say goodbye to children

Christopher Dunn, mitigating for England, told York Crown Court that he wanted to get on the “straight and narrow”.

He said:

“It indicates a maturity that he did not have before he went on this ridiculous spree.”

Ashleigh Metcalfe, defending for West, told the court that he was the first to enter his plea which afforded him “some credit”.

She added that West had two children who he did not get the chance to say goodbye to when he was remanded in custody.

She said:

“He knows that association with other individuals is not good for him.”

The defence for all defendants suggested community orders and suspended sentences as punishment.

However, sentencing the four men, Judge Morris said:

“I regard these offences as too serious to suspend as sentences.”

Townend was sentenced to four years and three months. Lofthouse was jailed for 17 months and England for 28 months.

West was jailed for four years and seven months.

Ripon Cathedral is to celebrate the life and legacy of Wilfrid, its founding father, in a series of events marking its 1,350th anniversary.

The cathedral today revealed details of the programme, which include a sound and light show about Wilfrid’s life and an initiative to suspend stars from the nave.

Four artists will transform the cathedral’s Anglo Saxon crypt – the last remains of the church Wilfrid founded on the site and the oldest surviving building in any English Cathedral.

In addition, there will be arts, crafts, music, lectures, worship, pilgrimage opportunities, flower displays and the traditional St Wilfrid’s Day procession through the city.

The cathedral flooded the west front with words from the war poet, Wilfred Owen, and lit up in red to mark the centenary of the Armistice in 2018.

The cathedral has staged numerous art events before.

During lockdown it suspended tens of thousands of paper angels in the nave.

Now, in its anniversary year, it has lined-up a series of Wilfrid-themed initiatives.

Miracle maker

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson said:

“Ripon Cathedral is here because Wilfrid was here. His life and legacy is written in these stones.  He was a miracle maker, a pioneer, a leader and a force to be reckoned with.

“He converted a pagan England and brought something of the beauty of Rome to these shores.

“In this, our anniversary year, we are committed to telling his story afresh, by breathing new life into our history and our heritage and sharing his love for beauty and the arts while ensuring worship is at the heart of all that we do, as Wilfrid, our forefather did before us.”

Tickets have just gone on sale for the anniversary launch weekend, which will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

It will start on April 28 with dancing in the nave to a local jazz and swing band, a beer festival, a pilgrimage from Bradford Cathedral, and a sound and light show finale that promises to recreate Wilfrid’s miracles — including that of a lunar rainbow said to have appeared to the monks of Ripon Monastery one year after his death in 709 AD.

Ripon Bible

Other headline events throughout the year include the premiere of new digital projections from the little-known Ripon Bible.

Currently held in the special collection of the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, this illuminated document in its rich blues, golds and purples is believed to have been created by scholars in Oxford.

Pages from it have been recreated in sound and light and will be projected across the interior of the cathedral, offering visitors the chance to see it for the first time.

Ripon Cathedral

There will also be lectures from historians Tom Holland and Max Adams; a series of tours taking visitors behind the scenes, an organ festival featuring an animation created for piano and organ to tell Wilfrid’s story, while four artists, including Sara Shamma, will transform Ripon’s ancient Anglo-Saxon crypt with specially commissioned works in paint, words, tapestry, and a new light and soundscape.

Read more:

• Arsonists attempt to set fire to Ripon Cathedral
• More children’s activities announced for Ripon Cathedral Spring Show

Jo Bussey, director of development, said:

“We are super excited to bring to life Ripon Cathedral’s rich heritage and history in such exciting and unique ways.

“There’s something for everyone, young and old, art buffs, historians, even pizza, and cake lovers.

Who was St Wilfrid?

Wilfrid was born into a noble Northumbrian family.

A patron of the arts, he studied at Lindisfarne before embracing the Roman ways, was deposed on more than one occasion, and yet helped to unite England behind a single Christian tradition.

It is said he was born in flames, survived shipwrecks and exile and his jailers could not keep him chained.

He was a healer, he kept people from hunger by teaching them to fish, and the moon and stars shone so bright for him that a lunar rainbow appeared on the anniversary of his death.