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May 2021

Last Updated: 13/05/2021

Community

Ripon's saint will still have his day

by Tim Flanagan

| 13 May, 2021

Ripon has been celebrating its patron saint St Wilfrid since a Royal Charter was granted by King Henry I in 1108 and the tradition will be maintained this year — although the weekend will be scaled back again due to covid.

ripon-13th-may-2021-a-past-st-wilfrids-procession

The covid lockdown is gradually easing, but Ripon's annual celebration of St Wilfrid and his legacy will be scaled back for a second year.

St Wilfrid's Day is one of the city's biggest occasions of the year, marked with events and a large procession pre-pandemic. Thousands of people would line the city streets and congregate on Market Square.

Organisers are planning for a smaller celebration this year while looking to use 2021 as a platform to promote activities next year and beyond.

As well as being the 1,350th anniversary of St Wilfrid founding a church on the site of Ripon Cathedral, 2022 marks the Queen's platinum jubilee.

The St Wilfrid's Procession committee is in discussions with Ripon City Council about having a presence on Market Square over the weekend of 31 July and 1 August.

Committee secretary Sue Simms told the Stray Ferret:

"We did not feel running a large-scale procession this year would be a responsible choice.

"The situation was complicated by the fact that we would have needed to start applying for road closures back in October.

"Because of the coronavirus crisis, we couldn't plan ahead with any degree of confidence at that time."

The procession committee is planning for actors dressed as St Wilfrid and monks to take the traditional walk around Ripon, along with a pony or donkey on Saturday July 31.

It will end on Market Square, where the council is planning to stage a weekend of activities and entertainment for residents and visitors.

Ms Simms said:

"We hope to have space on Market Square to promote and celebrate our saint’s day.

"The objective is to build interest in taking part as entrants and organisers of the procession in future years."

Last year celebrations of the city's patron saint were limited to the St Wilfrid trail, with Ms Simms' husband Paul, dressed as St Wilfrid, walking the route normally taken by a St Wilfrid actor on horseback, along with floats, Ripon City Band and others.

Across the city, businesses and residents maintained the tradition by putting St Wilfrid displays in windows and gardens.

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Looking forward, Ms Simms would like to hear from anybody wanting to become involved in the 2022 procession. She can be contacted on 07964854006.

In past years, pubs, schools, churches, friends, businesses, shops, streets, social, children's and sports clubs have taken part.

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Ripon's saint will still have his day

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