Ripon Activity Project

Ripon Activity Project (RAP) provides a range of leisure, recreational and craft activities for people between 16 and 65 with physical and/or learning disabilities.

We generally meet at the Youth Centre in the grounds of Ripon College on the second Saturday morning of each month, but some of our activities are carried out at other locations. Bowling, riding, sailing and archery are all popular with our members and we have the occasional theatre visit. There are Friday evening swimming sessions at Ripon Spa Baths and games at Lister House on the last Wednesday evening of each month.

Dominoes are always popular.

Some of our members enjoy Scrabble.

Everyone appreciates the bar.

July 2010: Ripon Workhouse Museum

The harsh conditions thought suitable for the inmates in the 19th & 20th centuries made us all glad to live in happier times.

We were treated to hot drinks and chocolate biscuits

and had plenty of time to relax before our tour.

Of particular interest was the garden, laid out according to the original plans and intended in those days to provide sufficient vegetables and fruit for the workhouse population. As far as I know, there are no plans at present to re-establish the piggery!

Summer Outing - June 2010

As many of our members are also members of Ripon ARK, we decided on a joint outing this year and had a very enjoyable visit to The Deep in Hull.

May 2010: Visit to The Walled Garden

Several of our members work at The Walled Garden on Palace Road, so we all went up there to join them on their Open Day.

As well as the sale of plants and produce, various stalls and refreshments, there was face painting for the young - and the young at heart!

April 2010: Encaustic art

Always keen to learn new skills, we invited Alan Croft to run a workshop for us. An iron is used to heat coloured wax and ...

... remarkable results can be achieved.

Cotton gloves provided by Sue ensured that no fingers were burnt in the process ...

... and everyone who took part was very happy with the results.

March 2010: Bowling in York

Our annual bowling championship, postponed from January because of bad weather, took us further afield than in the past. This year we were welcomed by Tenpin York at Clifton Moor, where five lanes had been reserved for us.

Competition was keen, with David F being the eventual winner and receiving the trophy from Jerry.

February 2010: Papercraft

Dorothy Morland was kind enough to run a papercraft session for us without charging for her time. Dorothy demonstrated how to make gift boxes simply by cutting and folding sheets of paper - no need for glue! After her talk, everyone who wished to had a go. Most participants progressed onto the making of rosettes to decorate the lids of their boxes, one made a gift card and two were even able to make Valentine's boxes!

The results were very satisfying

2010

Unfortunately the bowling trip scheduled for Saturday, 9th January has had to be postponed until March due to the heavy snow.

December 2009: Christmas Party

Encouraged by Margaret, everyone brought brand new items to be passed on to local needy children this Christmas.

While the annual snooker tournament got underway, Carole and Marc got down to a more relaxed competition of their own.

Kim and Bailey made friends, helped by the giving and receiving of a HobNob.

Jerry and Wendy held the reins. Oh dear!.

David C got into the party spirit.

Rebekah and Jonathan felt the same. How could they not, with Jerry in that nose!

David F was the men's snooker champion this year.

Bethany took the ladies' trophy from her sister Rebekah, last year's winner.

Joy played and sang to get us into the mood for the talent competition.

Chris won with his spirited dancing, but against stiff opposition.

Rebekah pressed Carole into service in her 'Phantom of the Opera' number.

Kim and David danced and sang for us.

Marc put his all into his musical routine.

We were dazzled by Matthew's waistcoat - very appropriate for his choice from 'Joseph'.

Stevie and his saxophone have become talent show regulars.

We always look forward to Jerry and his whistle, but this is the first time that he and Ben have given us a duet.

Lisa took the honours in the fancy hat competition, suggested by Margaret and new this year.

October 2009: AGM

There was a good turn-out of members and volunteers and we were honoured by the presence of (left to right) The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Kathy Sewell, The Mayor of Boroughbridge, Councillor Liz Vose with her consort David and The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor David Parnaby and Deputy Mayoress Councillor Sylvia Brierley. Jerry welcomed everyone and read out his report on another very successful year for RAP

This was echoed by Margaret, who wrote and read out the Vice-Chair's report

and Bethany, who wrote and read out the Members' report.

July 2009: Crafts, Games and Hobbies

Ripon Youth Centre was a hive of activity.

Sue taught the craft group how to make felt

and got some excellent results.

Football was popular inside as well as out...

... and members and volunteers demonstrated their hobbies...

... and displayed some of their collections

The low point came when Bruce and I - still with a great deal to learn - decided to show off our newly acquired salsa skills. Roy's expression says it all!

June 2009: Our summer outing to Otley Sailing Club

The weather was ideal and enticed Jerry out in his shorts.

All kinds of craft were available for the confident and the not so confident.

Sailing on your own is a serious business.

No one fell into the water, so Maggie didn't need to dive to the rescue.

There was no shortage of life jackets.

Otley Sailing Club members were happy to take to the water with us.

Some like it hot - and some don't!

What could be nicer than fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's on the way home?

Richard Daggett

We were all very sorry to hear of Richard's death on 28th April 09. A founder member of RAP, Richard had been a Committee Member for many years and a great supporter and friend. He will be very much missed.

April 2009: Circus Skills Workshop

We had a very enjoyable morning, courtesy of Leeds based entertainer Stingwray Laughing Crow. Just click on the pictures you want to see and move the mouse up for the captions.

March 2009: Red Nose Day

We raised a considerable sum through internal competitions, games and a raffle.

February 2009: Valentine's Day

The most romantic day of the year saw us line dancing, led by the patient and tireless Sue Fawcett with the aid of her 'roadie', Phil. After a very enjoyable session we were all complimented on our enthusiasm!

December 2008: Christmas Party

Christmas card making, competitions and carols, food and fun made the party a big success.

Our annual pool competition was won this year by Rebekah.

Stevie was a very worthy runner up.

Matthew won the Talent competition with some very spirited singing and dancing.

Other members and volunteers wowed the audience with poems, songs, dancing and jokes. Jerry, our hard working Chairman, gave an unforgettable performance on the penny whistle.

November 2008: Lightwater Valley

We went just up the road to Lightwater Valley. Most members opted to visit the Birds of Prey Centre, where they enjoyed looking at all the different birds and watching a flying show.

There was the opportunity for some hands on experience too, before heading for a coffee and a look around the shops.

We were all sorry to bid a temporary farewell to Becky, but wish her well in her travels.

October 2008: AGM

The meeting was very well attended and we were grateful for mayoral support from Ripon, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge. All the volunteers and members on the 2007/8 committee were re-elected and we were happy to welcome Sue Hurley on board. Thanks were expressed for everyone's hard work throughout the year, for the support we receive from local organizations and in particular to Ripon College for the use of the Youth Centre for our meetings.

Margaret, our Vice Chair, was proud to welcome the mayoral party from Boroughbridge ...

... and it looks as though Emma may be planning to take over in Pateley Bridge!

The craft group had less time than usual, but managed to produce some very creditable table mats.

2008 Summer Outing

After disappointing weather so far this month, members and volunteers were equipped for anything the elements might throw at us. However, the rain held off and we even had sunshine during the later part of the afternoon.

Everyone enjoyed the ride from Leeming Bar to Leyburn on the Wensleydale Railway. Beth was startled to find a carriage with her name on it!

Our coach took us on to Hawes for lunch and a look around the Dales Museum.

The last thing on the agenda was a visit to the Brymor ice cream parlour at High Jervaulx Farm on the way home.

It was a very satisfying way to round off our summer outing.

Ripon Spa Gardens

We stayed close to home in June and enjoyed a morning playing Crazy Golf and following quiz trails.

Sailing at Otley

Our May activity was an aquatic one, courtesy of Otley Sailing Club

Club members have put a great deal of effort into making their craft accessible for the less nimble and for wheelchair users.

If the wind fails to fill the sail, you can always use your initiative!

Sailing off into the great unknown? There was a lot of water out there and an island to circumnavigate.

After all that effort, a picnic lunch was just the job.

Games and Craft in April

When the sun came out this morning, some members and volunteers took the opportunity to abandon indoor pursuits and kick a ball about.

Others couldn't be torn away from the clay plaques they were designing.

Sport Relief

Spearheaded by Vice Chair Margaret, we raised £60 for Sport Relief in March. This was achieved through a variety of competitions, quizzes and a raffle.

Spotting which baby photo belonged to which member or volunteer had us all scratching our heads.

Some members took time out to get on with their decoupage. This involved cutting out pictures and arranging them into a collage to decorate a box.

Margaret presented the newly engraved RAP Talent trophy to this year's winner, Rebekah.

First Aid workshop

In February, Danielle came along to demonstrate some First Aid techniques and then let the members have a go. Becky allowed David to practise his bandaging skills on her.

Anne seemed delighted with her new sling.

The recovery position is a tricky one to learn.

It's even harder when the 'casualty' gets the giggles, but Bethany did a good job on Chris.

2008 bowling trip

The staff of Star Bowling in Northallerton gave us a big welcome, as always, and everyone had a good time.

Who's going to win?

Is it a strike?

I don't believe it!

Tim (our wonderful volunteer minibus driver) and David hamming it up for the camera.

2007 Christmas party

Chairman Jerry and Secretary Gemma were much missed on this occasion but the rest of the team pulled together to make the party a success.

There was no shortage of entrants for the competitions. Richard won the Pool trophy, Rebekah the Talent and Kim was awarded a new trophy for the smiliest face at the party.

Audience participation was good.

Tim acted as straightman to Stuart's comedy routine. Simon and Stevie gave us some musical numbers.

Matthew and Bethany took a more serious approach. Gavin read one of his poems.

Joy rounded off the entertainment for us with a selection of Christmas carols.

We had three birthdays, including mine, to celebrate and Sue had brought one of her delicious cakes. As no one seems to smoke these days, lighting the candles could have been a problem. Fortunately, Chris had a very old book of matches at the bottom of one of his pockets.

As my birthday later this month will be a significant milestone, I was also delighted to receive a card signed by everyone and a beautiful orchid. Hearty thanks to all concerned!

Recent craft work

Under the skilful guidance of Sue Williamson, members made papier mâché bowls and took great pleasure in decorating them.

Archery at Carlton Lodge

In September, we went to Carlton Lodge to have another go at archery. The staff were very supportive and everyone had a good time.

2007 Summer Outing

The first port of call this year was the Darley Mill Centre. It was very appropriate that Jerry had brought along some bread to feed to the wild ducks on the mill race, as the weather so far this summer has been fine for them!

During the afternoon, everyone enjoyed a ride on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

In June, we welcomed Oliver to train us in the finer points of the game of Boccia.

In May, we had an outing to Brimham Rocks. Despite the overnight rain, which had made the ground slippery, we managed to bring everyone back in one piece.

Line dancing in April was fairly chaotic, but fun.

Tie dying proved very popular in February.

Everyone looks forward to our annual outing. In 2006, we went to Beamish Museum.