October 2026

Litter Pick

Photos of the litter pick can be found on the 'What's On, What's Gone' page.

August 2026

Information regarding the new parking payment machines across North Yorkshire 

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality parking services, we are replacing parking ticket machines across North Yorkshire.

The existing machines have reached the end of their operational life and are becoming increasingly difficult and costly to maintain. The new machines will offer a more reliable, efficient and consistent payment solution, ensuring a better experience for customers while supporting the long-term sustainability of our parking service.

What’s changing?

Customers will no longer receive a ticket to display in their vehicle. Instead, they will:

• Enter their vehicle registration number (VRN) on the payment machine

• Select the length of stay required

• Pay using cash or card or a parking app (where available)

Will customers notice anything different?

Aside from no longer receiving a printed ticket, customers should notice very little difference in how they pay for parking. Our installation team will carefully manage the transition to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth changeover at each location. Signage is also being updated to explain the new payment process, as well displaying parking tariffs and specific car park information.

Can I still pay with cash?
Yes. The new machines will continue to accept cash as well as card payments. Parking apps will also be available where currently provided.

Why are you removing paper tickets?
Moving to a ticketless system reduces maintenance requirements, improves reliability, cuts paper usage and provides a more efficient service for customers and the council.

How do I know my payment has been successful?
Once payment has been made, the machine will confirm that your parking session has been successfully registered against your vehicle registration number.

Are you using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)?

No, we are not using ANPR technology in our car parks. Our civil enforcement officers will be able to check parking sessions electronically using vehicle registration numbers, removing the need to check printed tickets.

How will parking be enforced without a ticket?
Our civil enforcement officers will use handheld devices to check whether a valid parking session has been purchased for a vehicle using its registration number.

When will this happen?

We have more than 400 ticket machines being replaced as part of this programme so it will take place in phases. Installation has been completed in the former Richmondshire, Selby, Ryedale and Craven areas, and we have now started in Hambleton, with Scarborough following in September/October and finally Harrogate in October/November.

Kind regards

 James Sherwood

Communications Business Partner

North Yorkshire Council

The Flower Belt

We checked out The Flower Belt yesterday, the pick your own flower farm situated in Thwaites Lane at Bishop Monkton Crossroads on the A61 which opened recently.  Well laid out, very organised, snacks & pizzas/drinks/picnic opportunities. Open every day 10am-5pm [weekends close 10pm] until 6th Sept.  Beautiful meadow flowers and sunflowers.  Do go!

 Liz & Richard Tite

Richard's RCW Update

Butterflies at Ripon City Wetlands

What a year 2026 has been for butterflies. In late March we had the first signs that it was going to be a ‘painted lady invasion’ year as the pioneer migrants arrived from Africa. They peaked in May & June. How different to the information in older literature ( mine is 1975) when the first migrants arrived in June! The single new generation is now on the wing. Holly blues too have been prolific & now well into the 2nd generation. Disappointing numbers of peacock & small tortoiseshell & no wall browns again that mirrors their drastic decline by 90% in the last 40 years. But there are healthy numbers of meadow brown, ringlet, gatekeeper, speckled wood & small copper.

The stars at the moment are clouded yellow another migrant. Up to 8 have been seen on the entrance track in the ride opposite the gazebo, although I have seen singles down the riverside. Their food plants are the Leguminosae family clover & especially the vetches.

All photos from Butterfly Conservation

Ripon Triathlon Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone in Littlethorpe for your patience, understanding and support during the Ripon Triathlon Festival.

We know that events like this can bring some disruption, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who worked with us to help make the day such a success.

It was fantastic to see so many athletes of all ages and abilities taking part, we had over 250 juniors competing on Saturday and nearly 1000 adults on Sunday - with many competing for the opportunity to qualify for the European Championships without having to travel far from home. Having an event of this calibre here in the North is something we can all be proud of, showcasing our area as a fantastic venue for sport and bringing competitors and visitors into our local community.

A real highlight of the weekend was welcoming Jonny Brownlee supporting the Junior events on Saturday, and Alistair Brownlee competing on Sunday - their presence inspired so many participants and spectators alike. Seeing world-class athletes supporting grassroots sport is a reminder of what these events are all about—encouraging people to challenge themselves, stay active, and achieve their goals.

Thank you once again to everyone in Littlethorpe for helping make the Ripon Triathlon Festival possible. Your understanding and community spirit are greatly appreciated, and we hope you share in the pride of seeing such a positive event take place on our doorstep.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.

Ripon Triathlon Club