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24
Sept
Activity centre demolition heralds new chapter at Ripon's Quarry Moor
The dilapidated activity centre at Quarry Moor in Ripon has been demolished this week, heralding a new chapter for the city's nature reserve.
The activity centre holds fond memories for many local residents, having provided a base for activities and time spent outdoors.
Quarry Moor was given to the people of Ripon in 1945 by Alderman Thomas Fowler Spence, and the land is held by the Alderman Thomas Spence Charity, whose sole trustee is Ripon City Council.
Providing a place for the children of Ripon is central to the charity’s purpose, and the plans for redevelopment aim to revive that role for a new generation.
Development plans
The intention is to follow demolition with a new interim hub, allowing school and other educational visits to resume and providing a base for a new volunteer team.
How much the hub is used, and by whom, will help establish demand, gather feedback from schools and families, and build the evidence needed to decide what permanent facilities and arrangement will best suit Ripon for the next half-century.
How the new interim hub at Quarry Moor may look.
Councillor Julieann Martin-Long, chair of the Alderman Tom F Spence Committee, said she had fond memories of visiting the site during her childhood, when the activity centre was a thriving and well-used facility.
She added:
While we recognise that the removal of the former building will be a significant change, it also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Quarry Moor. The new hub will provide an opportunity to re-establish school visits, support a programme of community activity and well being services, encourage local volunteers to play an active role in helping to care for and enhance this site.
We are keen to ensure that the future development of Quarry Moor reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community. We will therefore continue to listen to residents, community groups and other users of the site, while considering how the facilities are used and what further improvements may be required in the future to serve our community best.
Ultimately, our ambition is to ensure that Quarry Moor remains a welcoming and accessible place for people of all ages to enjoy. We want future generations of children and adults in Ripon to have the opportunity to make their own lasting memories here, building on the strong connection that we and so many others have with this special place.
Our sincere thanks go to our twelve-strong committee, the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, 21 Engineer Regiment and the many individuals and organisations who have supported Quarry Moor and share our vision for its future.
Other changes
The hub forms part of a wider programme of renewal, including plans to improve fences, gates, signage and interpretation. These changes will be designed to help make Quarry Moor more welcoming for families and visiting groups, and to encourage children to explore and learn about the site.
Looking further ahead, the Alderman Tom F Spence Committee also hopes to bring play opportunities and play equipment back to Quarry Moor.
Clean sweep: where the activity centre used to stand.
Alongside its role as a place for children and families, Quarry Moor is a local nature reserve and includes two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, recognised for its species-rich limestone grassland. It is a global hotspot for thistle broom rape, a plant rarer in number than first folios of Shakespeare’s works.
The charity hopes that working with partners including the Lower Ure Conservation Trust (LUCT) will support the care of these important habitats, promote the site’s biodiversity and create opportunities for volunteers to get involved. The aim is to bring renewed activity to Quarry Moor while looking after the natural features that make it a special place to visit.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Andrew Williams, said:
Quarry Moor holds a special place in the lives of many Ripon families. As sole trustee of the charity, Ripon City Council is committed to supporting the future of this special place.
I’d like to thank members of the Alderman Tom F Spence Committee for their hard work in progressing these plans, following Full Council and the Chair’s motion to begin the demolition process.
Removing the old building will immediately improve what has long been an unsightly entrance to Ripon along one of the city’s principal routes.
There is still more to do, but this is an important first step towards enabling more people to enjoy Quarry Moor.
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