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01
Jan 2022
Last Updated: 01/01/2022
More than 1,500 attend New Year's event in Ripon
Planned New year's eve events across the world were cancelled because of covid fears, but in Ripon, a large crowd gathered to join in public celebrations.
Upwards of 1,500 New Year's eve revellers were on Ripon's Market Square as the hands on the town hall clock reached midnight.
The only major public gathering to be held in the Harrogate district, went ahead last night, in spite of a couple of eleventh-hour issues.
While other events across the UK and the world, from Edinburgh to New York, were cancelled because of coronavirus concerns, the city's residents came out in force to let their hair down at the end of a covid-restricted year.
Because of circumstances beyond the city council's control, the planned fireworks finale was called off and there was also a late change to the concert performers, with the Movie Night Show singing duo (pictured below) taking over from the Big Boyband Reunion.
Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe (Pictured below) were the headline act on a night of free music, which saw crowd numbers steadily climb as people headed to Market Square after dining or drinking in Ripon's restaurants and pubs.
Concerns raised on Thursday about the level of emergency medical cover for the event were overcome and two ambulance crews were on duty throughout the night.
A team of six from the OSR Medical Ambulance Service (pictured below) which works in partnership with the NHS to cover large public events, was on hand to deal with any incidents or injuries and reported just one - a young woman who cut her foot on broken glass.
In his New Year address from the town hall balcony, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, had special praise for volunteers, who have been involved in the roll out of the covid vaccination programme throughout 2021.
He said:
"It has been a challenging 12 months and I, as mayor of this great city, would like to pay thanks to the many volunteers who have worked incredibly hard this year at the vaccination site.
"I also thank those who have helped the vulnerable, neighbours and elderly in these difficult times"
Cllr Parkin, pictured below with the Bishop of Ripon The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley - who gave the final blessing, added:
"The city council is also indebted to the many people, from doctors and nurses, to delivery drivers and retail staff, who have worked so tirelessly to support all of us over the past year."
Prior to his address and the bishop's blessing, the mayor and Dean of Ripon The Very Revd. John Dobson led a candle-lit procession (pictured below) from Ripon Cathedral to Market Square.
The procession, symbolising the bringing of light and hope to the New Year, followed an end of year service of carols and prayers at the cathedral.
Three hours before the clocks struck midnight, the evening of entertainment began in traditional style, as Richard Midgley (pictured below) one of Ripon's four hornblowers carried out the setting of the watch ceremony at the four corners of the obelisk.
From March 2020 until the lifting of lockdown on 19 July 2021, covid regulations saw Richard and his colleagues confined to performing the 9pm nightly ceremony behind closed doors at their own homes.
The tradition dating back to 886 AD and the much newer New Year's Eve celebration, which has been in place since 1986, are part of the fabric of a proud and ancient city.
Read More:
- Covid cases across the Harrogate district rise to new high
- Lateral flow tests in short supply in Ripon
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