Ripon Together Leads Pilot for Uredale Community Partnership

Some say that St. Wilfrid had the right idea when he formed a partnership between Ripon and the surrounding villages and called it The Liberty of Ripon. The Liberty lasted almost 1,000 years and provided security and prosperity for the area.

In mid-July 2024, an important meeting was held in Ripon Town Hall to form a new partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the local population. Ripon Together is providing the support and coordination for this wide-ranging initiative, drawing on its proven skills in fundraising and project initiation.

This new organization will cover not only Ripon but also the neighbouring County Divisions of Masham & Fountains and Wathvale and Bishop Monkton. It will identify opportunities, lead initiatives, and influence political thought at both local and regional levels.

The total population served by the new organization will increase from Ripon’s 16,500 to 32,700, providing significantly more influence with County Hall and grant providers. The geographic area covered will expand to 30 times its current size.

We are already identifying key areas of need such as improving transport, increasing access to services, addressing anti-social behavior, enhancing mental health support, and bolstering Post-16 education.

This positive progress means the Uredale Community Partnership is at the forefront of delivering greater security and prosperity for the area. The vibe at the meeting was very positive, reflecting a new opportunity to influence decisions that affect us all.

This is not just a talking shop; there is funding available to kick off real work.

We are keen to extend the membership of the partnership to include other bodies that could not attend today. We encourage everyone to join Ripon Together or follow us on Facebook to keep in touch with this initiative and discover how they can help make life even better in our area.

Let’s work together to ensure a brighter future for Ripon and our neighbouring communities!