The success of Ripon’s Rock for St Wilfrid Concert in Minster Gardens has prompted organisers to call for an encore.
An estimated 500 people turned up on Saturday evening to hear four acts, including rock band Time Machine in which Kevin Hill is a vocalist and plays bass guitar.
Mr Hill, who owns the Karma clothing and gift boutique in Kirkgate with his wife Liz, told the Stray Ferret:
“It was the ideal location for a summer concert and we’re now considering a follow-up for the August Bank Holiday and have ideas for further musical and cultural events to be staged here next spring.”
Concert-goers gather at Minster Gardens
The event arranged at short notice in liaison with the St Wilfrid’s Procession Committee and Ripon Business Improvement District, was supported with a grant of £829 from North Yorkshire Council which also gave permission for use of the public open space.
Harpist Lucinda Taylor
Mr Hill said:
“Thanks to cooperation from all parties, we were able to hold a family-focused evening of entertainment in this lovely setting.
“It attracted a large crowd and those who attended showed great respect by leaving the gardens litter free.”
In addition to Time Machine (pictured above) the evening also featured local singer-songwriter Alannah Creed, harp player Lucinda Taylor and Knaresborough Vista Social Club.
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Ripon to rock until 10pm tomorrow after St Wilfrid’s Day celebrations extended
Ripon businesses have worked together to ensure tomorrow’s St Wilfrid’s Day celebrations continue until 10pm.
Budget cuts and the cost of living crisis looked set to restrict the day’s activities, which include the procession and a free climbing wall and bungee jumping on Market Square, to a 5.30pm finish.
But businesses, helped by a £829 grant from North Yorkshire Council, didn’t want one of the city’s biggest days of the year to be cut short.
So they arranged for the Kirkgate road closure to be extended into the evening and organised a night of eclectic live music, which includes two rock bands, a harpist and a singer.
It is hoped restaurants will put tables in the street and stay open later to encourage café culture that adds to the festive vibe.
Antony Prince, chairman of the St Wilfrid’s Procession committee, said:
“We are constrained with a reduced budget this year but, thanks to local volunteers, the council and local business sponsors, we are putting on a fantastic day of celebration for St Wilfrid.”
Ripon businesses worked with the St Wilfrid’s Procession committee and Ripon Business Improvement District to organise the evening of free entertainment at short notice.
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Local musician Alannah Creed will sing from her latest album and Lucinda Taylor will give a harp recital. Later in the evening, Knaresborough Vista Social Club and Time Machine will play live.
Kevin Hill, who runs Karma shop on Kirkgate and was one of the traders determined to extend the day’s festivities, said:
“These days, if money is tight, we are finding that events can still happen as long as we work together. We are all dedicated to supporting local business and also supporting local artists in the entertainment we provide.
“All the bands are from the Ripon area and they are of really high calibre.”
Richard Hughes, owner of Manchega Tapas restaurant, said,
“We are dedicated to supporting the economy of Ripon and the rural hinterland. St Wilfrid’s Day is a great opportunity to party whilst bolstering local business.”
How the day shapes up
Tomorrow’s celebrations get underway with the 7.5-mile procession starting on Studley Road at 1.30pm.
The St Wilfrid’s Procession route
An actor on horseback, playing the role of St Wilfrid, will parade through the streets in honour of Ripon’s patron saint. The procession, accompanied by Ripon City Band, will include 20 decorated floats.
Free entertainment will take place on the market square throughout the afternoon. It includes a climbing wall, bungee jumping, stilt walkers and face painters.
Kirkgate will then take centre stage for the evening of live music.
Edinburgh Fringe debut for Ripon singer-songwriter
Next month’s Edinburgh Fringe will provide a high profile platform for Ripon singer-songwriter Alannah Creed to unveil a newly-created repertoire of original songs.
Her Fringe debut will see the 20-year-old classically-trained singer perform 12 songs written in collaboration with her mother and co-lyricist Kathryn Creed, a counsellor and hypnotherapist, who is also a Reiki master teacher and practitioner.
The duo have combined their musical and therapeutic skills to compose pieces designed to be in harmony with the healing power of nature.
Living close to the Studley Royal Deer Park, where they regularly walk Yorkshire terrier Katie, there is plenty in the natural environment to inspire them.
Alannah and Kathryn Creed with Yorkshire Terrier Katie
Alannah told the Stray Ferret:
“The songs, which I describe as classically inspired pop infused with electronica, draw on many different uplifting personal experiences, such as seeing the sun shining through trees and hearing the sound of birds singing.”
She added:
“I believe that music is a superpower for stress relief, enjoyment and healing and I want those who come to my concerts to feel happy, empowered, energised and renewed. “
Pianist Alannah, who also plays acoustic guitar, is currently an unsigned artist but has been working with producer Grant Henderson at Loom Studios in Birstall near Leeds, with the aim of releasing her work this autumn or in the spring of 2024.
Her 11 shows at Edinburgh Fringe will be staged in venue six at the Lauriston Halls complex and before heading to the Scottish capital, she will provide a sneak preview of her original works in the Harrogate Theatre Studio on the evening of July 21.
Alannah will also perform her repertoire in Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate all 8pm on August 4, where tickets will be available on the door.
Those who go to see her in Edinburgh, Harrogate or Ripon, can expect dramatic performances as she is also an actor and dancer who trained in Contemporary Performance at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, before studying acting at the Stella Adler Academy in New York.
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Ripon busks in bright Bank Holiday sunshine
Musicians busked in the bright Bank Holiday sunshine in Ripon as performers in many different musical genres attracted extra footfall to the city’s streets.
The Ripon Indie event, organised by independent traders and featuring a host of highly-talented local and regional artists, was supported by Ripon Business Improvement District.
There was a large gathering on Kirkgate, where performers included the rock band Time Machine (main picture) and singer-songwriter Alannah Creed, pictured below.
The day also featured a Little Bird Artisan Market in the city centre which, alongside the musical entertainment and a team of Bollywood-style dancers, brought hundreds of people in to Ripon.
Buskers were strategically placed in Market Square, Westgate, North Street and The Arcade and their music acted as a magnet to those wishing to follow the busking trail.
Popular Ripon performers Lily Worth (above) and Freddie Cleary (below) were among the entertainers who showed the depth of young musical talent that the city boasts.
Yesterday’s event proved a natural follow-on from the successful street party held on Kirkgate on Easter Monday, which ran under the umbrella of the independents’ Totally Locally Campaign backed by Ripon BID.
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