PAST EVENTS

We’ve Highlighted Waste Not Wednesday

Waste Not Wednesday in Ripon!

Every Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Ripon Community House, come together to reduce food waste and support the community. For just £3.00, you can fill a basket with up to 8 items of surplus food donated by local supermarkets, allotments, and gardeners.

This event is not only about getting affordable, healthy food but also about being more sustainable. Whether you’re looking for smaller portion meals, want to reduce food waste, struggling with the cost of living, or just want to socialise, everyone is welcome!

By participating, you’re also helping the environment! Reducing food waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions and conserves the resources used in food production, such as water and energy. Every item saved from being discarded helps make our planet greener and more sustainable.

A HUGE thank you to our amazing volunteers who make this possible every week. Your dedication and hard work are making a real difference in our community.

Come along, bring a friend, and see what delicious and nutritious meals they prepare!

St Wilfrid’s Community Centre Introduces Energy Saving Steps as Part of their continued customer improvement programme

Interesting news from Pateley Bridge of a community building taking steps to reduce energy consumption. (See https://thestrayferret.co.uk/news/latest/plans-approved-to-support-pateley-bridge-churchs-hopes-of-becoming-net-zero ) Here in Ripon, Bernadette Barnes, Chair of St Wilfrid’s community centre has been working with David Ingham, a Ripon based Trustmark approved energy consultant, to produce a project plan for St Wilfrid’s Community Centre. St Wilfrid’s Community centre is probably one of the most vibrant in the city, hosting a crowded schedule of community, exercise and musical events each week. The energy saving plan aims to lower carbon emissions and in time reduce energy costs. Starting with simple steps like top down building inspection followed by corrective work, internal reduction of drafts and fitting insulation. Next step will be to apply for grants to install more double glazing. The program will be reviewed at each stage in order to achieve cost effectiveness and savings.

In July 2024 Ripon Together welcomed a new volunteer who will be helping us with our Media and Communications. Here is what she has to say:

A Day in My Life as a Media and Communications Volunteer for Ripon Together

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share a little glimpse into my day working as a media and communications volunteer for Ripon Together. It’s a fulfilling experience to be part of a team that makes such a positive impact on our community. Check out this video to see what a typical day looks like for me!

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Ripon. Without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, many of the wonderful events and initiatives we enjoy wouldn’t be possible.

Celebrating Solar Panel Success in Our Area – National Trust at Fountains Abbey & Brymor Ice Cream

At Ripon Together, we believe in fostering a collaborative approach to community development. Our mission includes celebrating local initiatives that contribute to sustainability and reduce our region’s carbon footprint.

One of the ways we support this mission is by highlighting renewable energy projects like solar panels. These projects are helping our community transition away from fossil fuels and reduce our impact on climate change.

Two local organizations have set a great example with their recent solar panel installations. In March 2023, the National Trust at Fountains Abbey installed solar panels on the visitor center roof, contributing approximately 28,000 kWh annually. This renewable energy helps power the restaurant, shop, and admissions, providing estimated annual savings of £3,500.

Similarly, Brymor Ice Cream, a local business, made a significant investment in a 100kW solar PV system, reducing its electricity usage from the grid by up to 50%. This installation will produce around 85,000 kWh annually, saving Brymor approximately £20,000 each year.

Together, these projects demonstrate the positive impact solar energy can have on our community. If you’re aware of a community facility or local business that could benefit from solar panels, reach out to us! We can guide you through the initial steps to explore renewable energy options.

Stay connected with Ripon Together by visiting our Facebook page and website (www.ripontogether.com) to keep up with the latest environmental news. You can also join our fortnightly Zoom environment action task team by emailing info@ripontogether.com.

Let’s work together to create a cleaner, greener Ripon!

(Information sourced from Brymor Dairy and the National Trust. Photo Credit Deposit Photos)

Ripon Walk to School Days – Prize Winning Photos from March

St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School in Ripon has been awarded £50 of book vouchers thanks to Richard’s winning photo in a competition sponsored by local sustainability company Flotilla. The competition took place on 22nd March Walk to School Day – also Red Nose Day, organised by Zero Carbon Harrogate.

Richard’s photo shows him trying to get to school using a map of Brazil!

In April 2024 we highlighted Waste Not Wednesday

Ripon Together pulls together people and bodies to deliver a better Ripon. Our mission includes celebrating initiatives from other groups in our city.

One shining example of community effort is the Waste Not Wednesday project which is created, organised and hosted by Ripon Community House. Every Wednesday from 12:00 to 2:00, individuals can enjoy a basket of up to 8 items for just £3. Thanks to generous donations from local supermarkets, allotments, and gardeners, this initiative not only provides affordable, nutritious meals but also combats food waste.

The project’s aim is clear: to minimize food waste while nourishing our community. With a changing selection of items each week, there’s always something new to discover. Everyone is welcome.

Ready to make a difference? Whether you’d like to donate food or partake in this eco-friendly option, visit Ripon Community House at 75 Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LE any (or every!) Wednesday. Or contact them at 01765 603631 or via email at reception@riponcommunityhouse.co.uk.

Stay updated on environmental news by visiting Ripon Together’s Facebook page and website (https://www.ripontogether.com/). Or join our fortnightly zoom environment action task team by emailing info@ripontogether.com.

Keep in touch and be part of the positive change in Ripon!

World Earth Day 2024

World Earth Day took place this year on 22nd April. Organised by earthday.org, who say “Our world needs transformational change. It’s time for the world to hold sectors accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions. This will require action at all levels, from business and investment to city and national government. That’s where we come in: As individuals, we yield real power and influence as consumers, as voters, and as members of a community that can unite for change.”

RIPON TOGETHER are hoping to work with other Ripon based organisations to take actions which may be small on an individual basis, but together we can make changes that will have a large impact. Possible actions are:

Always Carry a Re-Usable bag
Educate Yourself About Plastics
Join the Plastics Detox Challenge
Organise a Local Clean-Up

PLANET vs PLASTICS – Earth Day Theme Posters in Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral held a Recycled Art Workshop on Saturday 20th April. The aim is to to engage with the Earth Day theme and support the UN talks to secure a GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY in 2024,

Twelve brave people, including two Dutch visitors, created unique posters about the plastic pollution crisis.

Global Recycling Day – Monday 18th March 2024

Giving a shout-out to Ripon Community Scrap Fund

The fund has raised several thousand pounds over the last 6 years, all of which has been distributed to local charities such as St Wilfrid’s Procession, Mens Shed and Christmas Tree Lights.

if you take your scrap to K A Andersons Metal Recycling on Dallamires Lane and tell them that you would like your money to go into the Ripon Community Scrap Fund, it will be done.

Please spread the word to all your family and friends. Anything from a bag full of drinks cans to a washing machine to a car would be great. You can always ask what the total is so far when you go in too.

Anderson’s dont accept empty pill packets as there is too much plastic attached to them. Anything you think is aluminium should scrunch up and stay scrunched, if it doesn’t then it’s not aluminium and is not recyclable

PPS

This is money for old rope….well old metal … join in!!

Big Plastic Week 11th – 17th March

The Big Plastic week took place 11th-17th March. Nearly 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging are thrown away by UK households every year, and just 12% is recycled in the UK. It’s time the government got serious about tackling the plastic crisis. You can help by taking part in The Big Plastic Count!

If we all do the little bit that we can, together we can make the difference needed.

Ripon Together Environment Group Welcomed the Ripon Cathedral Lent Eco-Fest

Films were shown on four Wednesdays in Lent in Thorpe Prebend, High St. Agnesgate, Ripon HG4 1QR

21st February – Brother Sun Sister Moon

28th February – A Man of his Word

6th March – The Letter .

13th March – Demain (Tomorrow)

Ripon Walk to School Day – Friday 15th March

We joined Walk to School Day and Car Free Friday for the secondary schools, on Friday 15th March. This was also Red Nose Day.

Sights and Sounds of Ripon – Saturday 9th March 2024

Another brilliant Sights & Sounds event this year, a positive celebration of the vibrant community of Ripon, showcasing some fab local charities & groups.

There is always such a lovely atmosphere in Ripon Cathedral on the day, especially with the community choirs, and a real positive buzz of conversations and new connections being made.

Thank you to the teams behind the scenes for all the work at the cathedral,library and museums to make the day such a success.

(Thanks to HADCA for this report on the day)

Pancake Race – Shrove Tuesday 13th February

The centuries old tradition of racing with pancakes along Kirkgate in Ripon takes place each Pancake Day.

The races include clergy, cathedral staff, local residents and schoolchildren.

Starting at 11am on the Cathedral Forecourt on the sound of the Lenten Bell which signifies the beginning of 40 days of fasting.

The 2024 event took place on Tuesday 13th February and was very well attended indeed.

Ripon Walk to School Days
On Friday 2nd February 2024 Sharow, St. Wilfrid’s and Holy Trinity primary schools (along with many schools throughout the Harrogate area), took part in walk to school day. Lots of promotional stuff was given out at St. Wilfrid’ s. Pete, the Lollipop Man is very popular at Trinity school and we attended a full assembly where Zero Carbon Harrogate and the PE teacher explained why we should all walk/cycle more. North Yorkshire Council’s Sustainable Travel Officer and Spike the Road Safety Hedgehog were also in attendance.

The next Walk to School Day and Car Free Friday for the secondary schools, is Friday 15th March. This is also Red Nose Day, so schools may allow or encourage children to dress up and walk to school, we have the opportunity to promote and get involved. Then 10th May and 14th June.