Members' updates
February 2012
The Prince Bishop’s Paintings
On Thursday 2 February Dr Robert McManners, Chairman of Bishop Auckland Civic Society, will speak about the paintings by seventeenth-century Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán that have hung in the Long Dining Room of Auckland Castle since they were acquired by Bishop Trevor in 1756.
Many of you will be seeing the paintings when we visit Auckland Castle in April. Come along to Allhallowgate Church Hall at 7.30pm this Thursday to hear the story of these paintings and how they have recently been rescued, through the generosity of businessman Jonathan Ruffer, from being sold elsewhere by the Church Commissioners.
And if you wish to visit Escomb Church and Auckland Castle on Monday 16 April and haven’t yet booked, please send your booking form (in the current newsletter) and cheque, with SAE, to the above address by 29 February.
A Noxious Problem
After monitoring the high levels of pollution in Low Skellgate and High Skellgate, Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has announced a consultation process in an attempt to address the problem – so David Winpenny contacted Cabinet member Nick Brown, who has responsibility for Public Protection. Cllr Brown visited Ripon on 27 January and David Winpenny and Richard Taylor showed him how traffic waiting at the traffic lights – and especially the 36 bus – is the culprit.
The executive committee of Ripon Civic Society has already discussed the possibility of widening Firby Lane, to allow two-way traffic, and cutting a very short link road next to the Hugh Ripley Hall to Borrage Bridge, thus avoiding Low Skellgate. This new road would involve little building demolition and part is over land (Hugh Ripley Hall) belonging to HBC. Costs could be partly off-set by revenue from more car parking, because at the same time two-tier parking provision could be made on the junction of Firby Lane and Skellbank, by building into the bank and using the spare land adjoining the current hospital car park. Once traffic-free, Low Skellgate will become a pleasant street and its buildings better cared for. High Skellgate, too, will benefit as traffic, including the 36 bus, is re-routed along Firby Lane and Marshall Way.
Cllr Brown agrees that it is a workable solution, but is concerned that there is no money for it. We hope to talk to Ripon’s Harrogate Borough Councillors to ascertain their views on this.
Leafy Solutions
On several roads in Ripon trees help soak up pollution and enhance the main approaches to the city. Following discussions with some of our Executive Committee members, Paul Casey, Harrogate Borough Council’s Arboricultural Officer, has quickly set to work replacing lost trees and planting new ones in locations such as Boroughbridge Road, Kirkby Road, Palace Road and Quarry Moor Lane. So far, this has been financed through ‘commuted sums’; further planting may be done with funding from Ripon Civic Society.
November 2011 - Extra
Welcome to the committee
We are delighted that three members agreed to be nominated and have been elected to the executive committee. They are Anne Bower, the Rev’d Preb. Jackie Fox and Paul Kershaw.
We thank Kneale Pearce for his valiant efforts in attracting the attention of potential corporate members. Kneale has decided to stand down from the committee and we hope that he will be able to make the most of a well-earned rest.
Planning on the web
The society’s response to HBC’s Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) has been sent to HBC and is now on the website www.riponcivicsociety.org.uk, as is our response to the ‘My Neighbourhood’ proposals for Kirkgate.
Visits 2012 – have your say!
At the AGM we circulated questionnaires about possible visits next year. We asked members to complete them and hand them in afterwards. Thank you to everyone who did this. A preliminary look at the results shows a variety of responses.
November 2011
Annual General Meeting
This year’s AGM is almost upon us – Thursday 3 November at 7.30 pm at Allhallowgate Church Hall. Ann Johnson, Principal Conservation Design Officer at Harrogate Borough Council (HBC), will be our guest speaker, followed by reports from the Chairman, Treasurer and Planning spokesmen and the business of electing the society’s officers and filling vacancies on the executive committee.
Reaping more awards
Yet again we have been commended by the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies (YHACS) for our ‘Quirky Ripon’ photographic competition, our effort this year for ‘Civic Societies Week’. And the same project has won a Civic Voice award!
Minister addresses delegates
The next YHACS regional meeting is in Beverley on Saturday 5 November. Four committee members will be attending this meeting, which will be addressed by Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Working together . . .
A letter has been sent to HBC from RCS, the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership (GRIP), Ripon Chamber of Commerce, Ripon City Council and Ripon Cathedral, requesting that HBC seeks funding for a Neighbourhood Plan. This combined effort is a considerable achievement.
. . . and making a point
RCS has responded to the consultation from HBC’s ‘My Neighbourhood’ office about the possible pedestrianisation of Kirkgate by supporting pedestrianisation in principle but pointing out flaws in the detail.
Planning on the web
The Planning sub-committee has examined HBC’s Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) and has delivered its response to the executive committee. This response will be sent to HBC and, as with all future responses to important planning applications, will be published on the society’s website: riponcivicsociety.org.uk
September 2011 (2)
Our views count – again . . .
As reported in the last ‘News Extra’ bulletin, a public consultation is running from 9 September until
4 November on Harrogate Borough Council’s Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. This new document, which has been delivered to every household and business in these towns, proposes sites for growth for 150 new houses in Ripon, options for new sports pitch provision and two draft supplementary documents on 'homes for local people' and 'renewable and low carbon energy'.
The six sites earmarked for development in Ripon include some surprises. Please bear in mind, though, that not all these sites will be needed for development, as they provide for many more new houses than are required.
Copies of the document are on view at the Council's main offices and at libraries. Two exhibitions will be held very soon in Ripon Town Hall: Saturday 24 September 10.00 am – 3.00 pm and Thursday 6 October 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm.
HBC's web site includes pages where information can be found about these planning documents under the title ‘Local Development Framework’ and they advise going for detailed information on sites, full policy wording and the Proposals Map and Response Forms to www.harrogate.gov.uk/ldfconsult
Our comments will support where Harrogate planners look to have got it right and we'll also encourage them to change or add proposals and policies if in our opinion they would be in Ripon's better interests.
Please study the document, look at the website and visit the exhibition if you can, and share your thoughts with the Committee. We are very keen indeed to hear your views. Please contact us at info@riponcivicsociety.org.uk
. . . and again!
We have received this week a letter from Harrogate Borough Council, under the heading ‘My Neighbourhood’, about the possible pedestrianisation of Kirkgate. It asks if Kirkgate needs improving, if we agree with its being closed between, say 11.00am and 11.00pm and if we think pavement cafes would be a good idea on the closed street. These ideas are very welcome in principle, but the explanation of how they might be implemented seems very woolly.
We made a telephone call to the ‘My Neighbourhood’ office, asking for clarification on whether this scheme applies to the entire length of Kirkgate (the upper end of which provides a route for the 36 bus!), how delivery vehicles parking in ‘an allocated area at the city end of Kirkgate throughout the day’ would exit the street, and what arrangements were to be made for access for people living in Court Terrace. It proved inconclusive: we found out that, as we suspected, the scheme applies only to the part of Kirkgate between Duck Hill and Minster Road, but that’s the only bit of information we were given; we were told that all other details were still to be worked out! Pedestrianisation of Kirkgate is an excellent idea, but it needs to be carefully thought through in the context of all the traffic flow around the city centre.
Our views are invited – and it’s important that we respond. Let us know what you think: please contact us at info@riponcivicsociety.org.uk
September 2011 (1)
Open to View
As part of the annual Heritage Open Days, several interesting places in Ripon will be open to view, free of charge, this Sunday, 11 September, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
They include the Gazebo on Blossomgate, the Masonic Hall in Water Skellgate, the Mayor’s Parlour in the Town Hall, the Cathedral ringing chamber, the holding cell at the Courthouse Museum, the Workhouse Garden and St Mary Magdalen Chapel. Do try to make the most of this great opportunity!
Our views count!
Christopher Hughes, RCS Executive Committee member with responsibility for strategic planning and traffic, explains Harrogate Borough Council's (HBC) latest policy document:
HBC’s planners are holding a public consultation from 9 September until 4 November into a planning document that will propose new development sites and policies for the district's principal urban areas of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. This document is called the Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (or DPD for short) and it follows on from the Core Strategy DPD which HBC adopted as its overall planning policy for the district in April 2009.
The Core Strategy's policies take a particular approach for planning Ripon. There is to be continued regeneration and redevelopment for housing of underused and vacant land, meaning that little or no greenfield land will be required. Ripon's service centre role and tourism industry will be boosted through completion of city centre revitalisation. There will be improvements to the cycling/pedestrian environment and bus services. The Core Strategy considered that Ripon has sufficient land already allocated for employment uses.
The new document will propose sites for growth for 150 new homes in Ripon, options for new sports pitch provision and two draft supplementary documents on 'homes for local people' and 'renewable and low carbon energy'.
A public consultation was held last year into proposals for villages and smaller towns in the district. When the results from this consultation have been considered along with last year's work, HBC will publish a final DPD and intend to adopt it in 2013.
Copies of a consultation newspaper, including a response form, will be delivered to households and businesses. Copies of the document will be on view at the Council's main offices and at libraries.
Two exhibitions will be held in Ripon Town Hall: Saturday 24 September 10.00 am – 3.00 pm and Thursday 6 October 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm.
HBC's web site includes pages where information can be found about these planning documents under the title ‘Local Development Framework’ and they advise going for detailed information on sites, full policy wording and the Proposals Map and Response Forms to www.harrogate.gov.uk/ldfconsult
Our comments will support where Harrogate planners look to have got it right and we'll also encourage them to change or add proposals and policies if in our opinion they would be in Ripon's better interests.
Please share your thoughts with the Committee.
JULY 2011
Walks leaflet
The six new illustrated leaflets, each describing a circular walk in or around Ripon, are, after a couple of delays, finally out – and have been strategically placed in the Tourist Information Centre on Minster Road and at other outlets. They are an excellent investment at just 50 pence each – for your own exercise, as well as for friends and family when they come to stay.
The walks range from one to eight miles and offer something for everyone. There are town trails (some suitable for wheelchairs or buggies) highlighting the Cathedral, museums and gardens, walks along the canal towpath and riverside paths and a ramble taking in Fountains Abbey. Do try them.
Green Day
As some of you are aware, the society withdrew – for various reasons – from participation in Green Day. Thank you to those of you who volunteered to help – we greatly appreciate your willingness when many of us have precious little ‘spare’ time.
If any of you visited the Market Square on Green Day we should be interested to hear your thoughts on it.
Trees
We are in discussion with Harrogate Borough Council’s Arboricultural Manager and with representatives of North Yorkshire County Council about planting more trees along the main approach roads into Ripon and on other roads in the city. Where trees have previously been removed, we hope they will be replaced and that at other sites some planting will be done to improve the visual aspect.
Muddy History
Looking ahead, the next members’ meeting is ‘A Muddy History of Britain – a local view’. Gillian Hovell – archaeologist, Nidderdale expert, classicist and very entertaining speaker – will tell us what may lie beneath our feet! Definitely a date for your diary – Thursday 8 September. Find out more about her at www.muddyarchaeologist.co.uk
FEBRUARY 2011
Great Scott! A very difficult work . .
Come along to Allhallowgate Methodist Hall at 7.30 pm this Thursday, 3 February, to hear David Winpenny’s illustrated talk about Sir Gilbert Scott’s restoration of Ripon Cathedral. It heralds the exhibition soon to open in the Cathedral about what Scott called ‘A very difficult work’. This was a complex restoration – it incorporated massive structural work that was necessary to save the west front from collapse. The exhibition can be seen from 16 February to 9 March and is timed to mark the bicentenary of Scott’s birth.
Have you booked your outing?
There are just three places left for the visit to Gledstone Hall (a Lutyens design) and Hellifield Peel (featured twice on ‘Grand Designs’) on Sunday 15 May. The cost is £18, including morning and afternoon refreshments. We find our own lunch and travel by private car. Lifts can be arranged. If you would like to go, don’t delay!
Please send cheques to the above address: preferably telephone or email first to find out if any places still remain.
Winning plaques
Ripon Civic Society has invested in a stock of small stainless steel plaques to mark award-winning buildings or projects. Winners (including past winners) of our annual awards will be able to purchase a plaque for £15. Each plaque is just 10 cm in diameter and is undated. Look out for them soon around Ripon!
Making contact
Local parish councils have been contacted by letter, explaining that Ripon Civic Society’s constitution now allows it to comment on planning matters outside the city. The letter gives an assurance that the society will not intervene in local concerns unless it is asked for an opinion or advice. It also announces that buildings in villages around Ripon will be considered for awards.
DECEMBER 2010
Historic Houses around Ripon: Thursday 2 December 7.30 pm
In today’s Yorkshire Post (Tuesday 23 November – page 8) there is a piece – with pictures – about the subject of the next members’ meeting. As the article says, Ripon is surrounded by several country houses, each with its own significant history. Come along on 2 December to learn from Maurice Taylor lots of interesting facts and stories about Studley Royal, Norton Conyers, Markenfield Hall and Hollin Hall.
Extraordinary General Meeting: Thursday 2 December
As explained in the letter sent out a couple of weeks ago, this short meeting on Thursday 2 December at 7.30 pm will deal with proposed boundary changes and will involve amending the first paragraph of the constitution, as set out in the letter that every member was sent last month. It will follow Maurice Taylor’s illustrated talk on ‘Historic Houses around Ripon’.
Cabmen’s Shelter
Despite Ripon City Council’s promise to have the Cabmen’s Shelter removed by the end of October for major restoration work, it is still in the Market Square, looking very dilapidated and about to receive the first assault of this winter’s weather. The Chairman is writing to the Council, expressing his profound disappointment and concern.
2011
You should receive the next newsletter immediately after Christmas – look out for news of next year’s planned visits and other events! There will also be a programme card giving details of talks in 2011.
At the first members’ meeting of 2011 on Thursday 6 January Richard Taylor will talk about ‘Ripon in Old Maps’. Come and find out about how local maps have evolved over the centuries.
If you pay your subscription by standing order, please make sure that you have amended it so that your new payment is £12 for single membership or £18 for dual membership and that it is paid each year by 15 January. Thank you – and have a happy Christmas!
NOVEMBER 2010
Annual General Meeting
The AGM takes place at Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall on Thursday 4 November at 7.30 pm. The business meeting follows a talk on English Heritage Listing by Alison Clarke of English Heritage – this is a change of speaker, but the subject remains the same. We have, so far, two new nominations for election to the Executive Committee. Any other members wishing to stand for election should telephone the Chairman, David Winpenny, on 608320.
Extraordinary General Meeting
As explained in the letter sent out a couple of weeks ago, this short meeting on Thursday 2 December at 7.30 pm will deal with proposed boundary changes. It will follow a talk by Maurice Taylor on ‘Historic Houses around Ripon’.
New Plaques
As reported in the ‘Ripon Gazette’, a plaque commemorating Charles Piazzi Smyth has been placed outside Clova Care Home, where he lived for some years. Another new plaque will very soon be in place at the canal basin.
Website commended
Our society’s website was runner-up along with that of Wakefield Civic Society, in a nationwide competition organised by Civic Voice. The winner was Brighton Society. To come second to a trendy city eight times the size of Ripon is no mean achievement!
OCTOBER 2010
Ceremony at the Spa
The annual Awards Ceremony is upon us, with this year’s celebration of good new design in Ripon taking place in the Ballroom of the Spa Hotel on Thursday 7 October at 7 for 7.30 pm. We look forward to seeing lots of RCS members there.Public Meeting
Ripon Civic Society is facilitating a meeting to discuss the document ‘Ripon Vision 2015’ prepared by RCS member Stanley Mackintosh. He has produced a plan for the better management of traffic and parking in the city, which can eventually lead to areas of pedestrianisation. The meeting takes place on Thursday 28 October at Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall at 7.30 pm. Please come along and show your support. There is more information at www.sendspace.com/file/s3vn7g
Annual General Meeting
The AGM takes place at Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall on Thursday 4 November at 7.30 pm. The business meeting follows a talk on English Heritage Listing by Eric Branse-Instone of English Heritage.
Thank you for your comments on the geographical boundaries of Ripon Civic Society. These have been mentioned in committee and will be reported on at the AGM.
Any members wishing to stand for election to the Executive Committee should telephone the Chairman, David Winpenny, on 608320.
MARCH 2010
Yorkshire Pinfolds
We’re delighted that Professor Martin Curzon, a Ripon Civic Society member, is giving our next talk on Thursday 4 March. Pinfolds – places for impounding stray livestock – used to be a common feature of many villages: the name survives in many house and street names. Come and find out much more about Yorkshire pinfolds from Prof Curzon this Thursday.
Summer visits: Helmsley and Grantham/Harlaxton
As you might have read in the last newsletter, a visit to Helmsley Walled Garden (with an optional extra visit to the English Heritage Archaeology Store) is planned for Wednesday 19 May, using members’ own cars. And on Saturday 3 July we shall be going by coach to Grantham, where members of Grantham Civic Society will show us round the town, followed by lunch at ‘The Gregory’ in nearby Harlaxton and a guided tour of Harlaxton Manor, a fabulous house built in the 1830s that mixes Gothic, Elizabethan, Jacobean and Baroque influences in an extraordinary way.
Please note that the date for the Helmsley visit is wrong in the January newsletter, but is correct on the Programme Card. Further details will be sent out very soon, with the next newsletter.
Ripon Army Camp
An application has been made to English Heritage for listing a number of World War I huts at Deverell Barracks, the only remainders of the huge World War I army camp that surrounded much of Ripon from 1915 to about 1919 – the subject of the Society’s talk in January by Alan Skidmore. There is some urgency to the application because this part of the barracks is to be removed from Army use and is likely to be sold off. As far as we are aware there is no protection for the huts, which a subsequent purchaser could demolish. As a rare survivor of World War I and one of the last reminders of the important Ripon Camp, the huts deserve protection, and we hope that they will be considered for spot-listing to give them immediate protection.
Civic Voice
Since the collapse of the Civic Trust last year, a new organisation, with the interim name of the Civic Societies Initiative has been working to provide the national voice for civic societies that the Trust had previously offered. The organisation will be launched on 17 April with a new name – some of you might have voted in the ballot to choose it. It will be, officially, Civic Voice. Ripon Civic Society is considering joining Civic Voice; the Committee will discuss the matter – including the subscription to the new body – at its meeting on Wednesday 3 March.
