Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
24
Dec
WATCH: The Grinch blows the horn in Ripon
The Grinch stood in for the Ripon hornblower last night (December 23) to set the watch for the city.
The horn is blown at 9pm every night as part of a short ceremony dating back to the Middle Ages.
Ripon city council employs four hornblowers, who share the nightly duty.
But those gathered to watch last night were surprised when the Grinch walked from the town hall to perform the ceremony.
He said: “The hornblower this evening has had to go to a Christmas party, and has asked me, the Grinch, to stand in for him.”
You can watch the start of the ceremony below.
The ceremony dates back to the days when Ripon’s first citizen, the Wakeman, was responsible for crime prevention in the city from 9pm until dawn and blow the horn to set the watch.
0