THE launch of a beer and the sight of clerics hitching up their gowns to compete in pancake races are said to have upset the purists among the congregation at Ripon Cathedral.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Methuen, has been instrumental in both, winning friends among those who feel the Church can perhaps be a little stuffy when it comes to rolling up its sleeves and getting stuck into community life.

The pancake races take place every year, while the beer support came for Ripon Jewel, which is brewed by Daleside Brewery, in Harrogate.

Each bottle carries a picture of the cathedral. Not everyone approves, but since it was launched with the help of Dean Methuen in 1999, the tipple has become something of a local favourite.

"I think he's broken down some barriers and tried to encourage the cathedral to be more a part of everyday life," said one trader, who did not want to be named.

"I'd certainly feel I could trust him, and that's what you should be able to ask from a clergyman," said another.

But, at the moment, the historic building is also the focus of a bitter internal argument, which has already been blamed for three resignations.

Bursar Nigel Clay, chapter clerk Dr Howard Crawshaw, and director of music Kerry Beaumont have all left within the past 18 months.

Dean Methuen's management style is alleged to be the root cause of the unrest - and, now, elements of an increasingly unruly flock are reported to want him replaced.

A task force has already been sent in to investigate the "tension" at the cathedral; a total of 30 leading members of the administration were interviewed, including the three senior officers who quit.

However, the team failed to come up with a "positive solution" and, now, people who live and work in Ripon have been asked to write to the diocesan registrar, Nicola Harding, with their own opinions on the matter by the end of next month.

There will be some already making a beeline to her - at 4 Kirkgate.

The dean will have to hope staunch allies will be among them, not least those who have pioneered other projects, which have seen Ripon rejuvenated over the past decade.

The Mayor, Councillor Bernard Bateman, is among them. "I cannot comment on what goes on inside the cathedral, but there is no question that the dean has played a pro-active part on making the city what it is today," he said.

"He was pivotal in the negotiations with the Liverpool Hope University over a future use for the University College of Ripon and York St John when it was announced the campus was to close.

"He was also among those to inspire the Thorp Prebend House initiative, which has given the cathedral a new educational centre."

However, even Coun Bateman conceded that a prolonged debate over the dean's future could be damaging for the city as a whole.

"We need a conclusion as soon as possible," he said. "It is a shame the cathedral has found itself washing its dirty linen in public, but this is a Christian community and I hope a solution can be found before too much damage is done."

Dean Methuen has declined to comment.

In public at least, the dean's critics prefer to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Church authorities have also maintained a dignified silence, electing to deal with any disputes behind closed doors.

However, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, acknowledged the tensions recently, following the departure of Dr Crawshaw.

Bishop Packer said that the tensions existed "between people at the cathedral, including the dean, about the management and profile of the cathedral".