Ripon hornblowers out in force to celebrate Yorkshire Day

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Yesterday’s Yorkshire Day celebrations in Ripon were brought to a resounding finale on Market Square, as the city’s hornblowers set the watch with a four-fold blast.

The ancient ceremony, which dates back 886 AD when King Alfred the Great granted Ripon a Royal Charter and a ceremonial horn, is usually performed by a single hornblower. But last night Wayne Cobbett, Allison Clark, Adrian Mardon and Steven Bartlett, were all on duty as the hands of the town hall clock clicked to 9pm.

Every night, the ceremony — one of the world’s longest-running continuous traditions — is carried out by a hornblower, who sets the watch by blowing a horn at the four corners of the obelisk.

Last night, as a large crowd gathered on Market Square to see the ceremony, each of the hornblowers took it in turn to blow their horns beneath the towering monument, before Wayne Cobbett announced to the mayor that the watch had been set.

Celebrations continue in Ripon this afternoon (Saturday) with the annual St Wilfrid's Procession setting off from Studley Road at 1.40 and free family-focused entertainment on Market Square from 12 noon.

The Stray Ferret will be present to report on the day's activities.