Ripon Cathedral will be the focus of celebrations for the bank holiday weekend for many people, with special events including live streaming of the coronation from Westminster Abbey and a commemorative service for the region on Sunday.

Floral displays by Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club, depicting the six stages of the coronation ceremony and the role of the King, now adorn the cathedral.

To add to the celebratory atmosphere, the cathedral’s bell ringers will ‘Ring for the King’ before both the coronation ceremony and the civic service on Sunday.

Among them will be four new recruits trained for the weekend’s events. The team of ringers has also been supporting ringers at other towers in the area so that they too can ‘Ring for the King.’

The coronation can be followed from 9.30am on Saturday, with live streaming on large screens in the surroundings of the cathedral nave.

Free light refreshments and activity sheets for children will be available with coverage continuing until after the royal family has appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

On Sunday afternoon the focus switches to a special commemorative service for North Yorkshire to mark the coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The service, which will see Ripon City Band accompany the cathedral choir, is being hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Ms Jo Ropner, representing the King and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a coronation beer festival on bank holiday Monday in the Dean’s Garden, where a large number of volunteers will be giving a helping hand, reflecting on the King’s request for a focus on volunteering on this day, as part of The Big Help Out.

Dean Dobson said:

“We are delighted to be playing our part in helping the region to celebrate the coronation. Our spectacular floral displays will speak of the spiritual dimensions of monarchy, an institution which binds us together as a national community. We pray for God’s blessing upon the King and the Queen and upon all the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“Without a whole host of volunteers much of the weekend’s activities would not be possible. I am grateful to them and to our business sponsors for their wonderful support of the beer festival.”

For those attending Ripon Cathedral coronation beer festival, the Dean’s garden is entered from the corner of High St Agnesgate, from 11.30am to 5pm. Visitors can enjoy award-winning beers and ciders accompanied by hot food and live music.

To keep children entertained there will be a bouncy castle, ice cream van and children’s trails.

As last year, the main sponsor is Wolseley of Ripon and the cathedral’s business partner, Raworths solicitors, will also be heavily involved. Hambleton Brewery, Rudgate Brewery and Rick Jones from Valentinos of Ripon will support the event’s logistics. Further details are available here.

Read More:

• Developer confirms commitment to regenerate Ripon’s Spa Baths
• Ripon city centre is wrapped in coronation bunting

A history-making former Mayor of Ripon has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community.

At the age of 39, in May 1975, John Richmond became the youngest person appointed to the city’s mayoral office.

Seven months later he achieved another unique feat, as the only serving mayor to carry out the hornblower ceremony, which dates back to AD 886.

Mr Richmond told the Stray Ferret:

“The hornblower was taking time off over the Christmas period and we urgently needed a stand-in to carry out the task of setting the watch – but who would do it?

“As chair of Ripon City Council, I called for volunteers, but nobody wanted the job, so in a fit of pique, I said, ‘ok then, I’ll have to do it.'”

John Richmond was recognised for his services to the city.

Mr Richmond had no experience of blowing a horn so over three weeks of discreet coaching sessions in the cellar of Ripon Town Hall, the city’s Sergeant at Mace and former hornblower, Cyril Hawley, taught him the technique.

His historic debut performance at 9pm on December 22, 1975, attracted an audience of 200 on Market Square, which applauded spontaneously after he completed four blasts on the city’s large African horn.

John pointed out:

“Part of the hornblower tradition involves announcing to the mayor that the watch has been set – so I was effectively informing myself!”

There were many more notable milestones in a 14-year career of civic service that started in 1967 when John was elected to Ripon City Council.

He subsequently won election to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Read more:

• A message of hope from Ripon’s mayor
• Ripon farming sisters reflect on their year

Against all odds, as an independent attending his first full meeting at county hall in 1977, he persuaded councillors of all political colours, in a Conservative-dominated authority, to support a reference back and re-think on proposals to turn 500-year-old Ripon Grammar School into a comprehensive.

Mr Richmond, who was a pupil of the school from 1947 to 1951, said:

“I was told I had no chance, but I decided to give it a go and with fellow independent Jack Blakey seconding me, we forced a re-think.”

Margaret Thatcher gave the UK’s remaining grammar schools a lifeline after she became Prime Minister in 1979 and Ripon Grammar survived, following further public consultation,

Mr Richmond’s other highlights included meeting with the mayors of Ripon, California, and Ripon, Wisconsin, when he was invited to go to the USA in 1976 to join the country’s bicentennial celebrations.

Always by his side was his wife of 55 years, Barbara, who died in 2013.

Mr Richmond said:

“She was my driving force and I wouldn’t have achieved anything without her. Though she is no longer with us, Barbara shares this honour with me.”