The quarter hour chime of the cathedral clock reminded visitors to Dean John Dobson’s Ripon garden that it was time to toast a successful launch to the city’s 1350 celebrations.
There was also a sense of relief that the annual beer festival he and his family host was back after two years of covid lockdowns.
Dean John, enjoying his pint of Wilfrid’s Ale — specially created in honour of Ripon’s patron saint — told the Stray Ferret:
“People have clearly missed it and this is looking like our biggest-ever turn out.
“It’s a great conclusion to the 1350 launch weekend, which provided the prelude to a whole host of activities and events between now and October.”
The bar team at the beer festival, ready to serve the first customers.
Bishop’s fingers on the pump – the Rt Revd. Jonathan Gibbs, who is the Bishop of Huddersfield, gave the bar team a helping hand
Baby Levi and his dad, Ben, were also on bar duty
To accompany the food and beers, seven bands provided live music.
The hundreds of people present between 11.30am and 5pm to try out some fine examples of the brewers’ craft, added to the thousands who had visited the cathedral for a wide range of events, talks and displays in honour of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in AD 672.
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