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Aug 2024
St Wilfrid’s procession to take place in Ripon tomorrow
The ancient tradition of St Wilfrid’s Procession is set to take place in Ripon tomorrow (Saturday August 3) starting at 1.45pm.
Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the city for the occasion.
Held annually, the event dates back to 1108 and celebrates the birth of St Wilfrid and has been a tradition in the city for over nine centuries.
The procession creates a vibrant carnival like spectacle and is supported by local businesses and North Yorkshire Council.
The route is 7.5 miles long, has two stops and includes multiple passes through the Market Square.
The Market Square will have funfair rides, and performances by the AFO Choir, along with various games and entertainment.
The procession involves decorated floats, walking groups, musicians from the Ripon City Band, Ripon Morris Dancers, and the iconic figure of St Wilfrid on horseback accompanied by monks.
Each entry will be carefully judged at various points along the route, with winners announced during a short service at Ripon Cathedral following the procession.
St Wilfrid's Procession
Antony Prince, chairman of the St Wilfrid’s procession committee, said:
We are looking forward to another successful and well-attended event. The committee has been working hard to pull together what is a very complex event. While the St Wilfrid’s Procession is a testament to the strength and unity of the Ripon community, it faces challenges.
We are incredibly grateful to our business sponsors, volunteers, and supporters. Without donations and support, this event cannot happen, and there is always great expectation of the event locally. In fact, only a few months ago, we were very close to cancelling the Market Square entertainment due to a lack of funds. We will persevere and look forward to welcoming the district on Saturday, with hopefully some loose change in their pockets and purses for small donations.
Who is St Wilfrid?
St Wilfrid was born in 633 to a noble Northumbrian family and studied at the monastery on Lindisfarne, Canterbury & Rome to show devotion to the Roman Church.
Upon return he received a monastery in Ripon. He died in Sussex in 709 / 710ad.
After his death, Wilfrid’s body was transferred to Ripon where he was buried with a shrine in Ripon Cathedral, roughly where the high alter is today.
St Wilfrid's 2022
Procession timings:
• Studley Road - 13:40
• Spa Gardens - 13:45
• Westgate - 13:50
• Market Place West -13:55
• North Street - 14:00
• North Road - 14:05
• Magdalen's Road - 14:15
• Stonebridgegate - 14:25
• Allhallowgate - 14:30
Procession Break
• Allhallowgate - 14:50
• Market Place East - 14:55
• Kirkgate - 15:00
• Bedern Bank - 15:05
• Bondgate - 15:10
• Southgate - 15:15
Procession Break
• Southgate - 15:35
• Barefoot Street - 15:45
• Harrogate Road - 15:50
• High Skellgate - 15:55
• Westgate - 16:00
• Blossomgate - 16:05
• Marshall Way - 16:10
• North Street - 16:15
• Market Place East - 16:20
• Kirkgate - 16:25
• Cathedral - 16:30
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