JN2053 - Article Two: Don't stay too long, for we've only ancient charms...

“STAY awhile, amidst its ancient charms” reads the sign as you enter the historic city of Ripon.

For the trendy young people of the North Yorkshire city – including a number of young executives choosing Ripon as their base for work in Harrogate and Leeds – the aforementioned charms, such as the famous hornblower, are proving far too ancient.

The announcement that one of these charms, Ripon’s Spa Baths, are to no longer serve as a swimming pool has provoked calls from DMB Live Music Promotions honcho Dave Moss-Blundell for the building, including the listed foyer, to be turned into a centre for the arts.

“I’m imagining a centre that could host all the arts Ripon has to offer – from artists and orchestras to actors and actresses to opera singers and rock and roll bands, with rooms for them to meet and practice in and a sizeable venue for them to perform in,” explained Moss-Blundell.

Looking at the current provision for the arts and in particular, Moss-Blundell’s primary concern of local music, it is clear to see that Ripon is lacking, even more so when compared to nearby Harrogate, York and Leeds.

Ripon’s leading band The Call recently split up after releasing two successful EPs which earned them airtime on XFM and BBC Radio 2. They staged a farewell gig for their loyal army of fans at Hugh Ripley Hall in the city centre on April 12.

The concert proved a very sweaty swansong, but the hall is without a stage and friends of the band were forced to set up a make-shift bar - facilities that you would take for granted at a music venue.

One gig-goer, Adam Horrocks, 20, of Edens Way, said that while the venue didn’t take away from the band’s performance – the setting wasn’t suitable for a concert.

He said: “The Call were absolutely brilliant but it was strange their final gig being at Hugh Ripley Hall, I used to do karate there!

“I’ve seen the lads play at the O2 Wireless Festival on the same bill as The Who, so seeing them here, for their final gig, while intimate – was certainly different and not in a quirky way.”

Is this a recurring theme in the city? Notes-from-the-back-row has plotted the venues where local concerts are performed on a map, click the pins for more information and on the Hugh Ripley Hall pin, a slideshow from The Call’s final gig.

NOTE: For best performance, click the link beneath the map and it will open in a new window.


View larger map to read full descriptions and watch the slideshow.

With recent sell-out concerts in the city involving names such as John Power, former guitarist with the legendary La’s of ‘There She Goes’ fame, and Colin MacIntyre, formerly of the Mull Historical Society, and local bands Blue Jupiters, Avocado Affair and Toyshelf all attracting attention – there’s definitely something happening in Ripon’s local music scene.

The musicians and promoters of Ripon are moving out of the shadows of their local rivals, but with a limited range of venues and practice facilities – it will only be a matter of time before Ripon’s left only with it’s ancient charms, as the more current ones go searching for brighter lights.