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29
Dec 2021
Last Updated: 29/12/2021
Ripon's New Year's Eve celebrations set to go ahead
Ripon is ready to party on Friday night with free music and fireworks in Market Square. Ripon City Council decided to proceed after Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced no new covid restrictions before the New Year.
Ripon's New Year's Eve free concert and fireworks display on Market Square is set to go ahead.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid's announcement this week that no additional covid restrictions will be put in place in England before the New Year effectively gave Friday's event the green light.
However, with the Omicron variant bringing a surge in the number of recorded covid cases in the Harrogate district, Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams is urging caution for the large public event.
He said:
"We ask anyone planning to attend to take a lateral flow test and only venture onto Market Square if it gives a negative result.
"We already had the licence for the event from Harrogate Borough Council and had been keeping a close eye on announcements from the government regarding covid measures.
"Now that we have the go-ahead, we hope that people will come and enjoy the night of free entertainment and ensure their own safety and that of others by taking sensible precautions."
Fireworks display
Safety concerns about holding a fireworks display in Market Square to herald in 2022 have also been resolved. An alternative area of land to the rear of Ripon Town Hall will be used to discharge the display.
Entertainment will begin with the Ripon Hornblower ceremony at the obelisk at 9pm and will be followed by performances from an Oasis tribute act and the Big Boyband Reunion.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, will address the audience at 11.55pm and, following a blessing by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the fireworks display will start as the town hall clock strikes 12.
New Year's Eve celebrations have been held on Ripon Market Square since 1986 but covid caused the cancellation of the 2020 event.
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