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Ripon will be dancing to a Caribbean beat when it welcomes in 2024 this evening (Sunday).
Residents and visitors are invited to the city’s New Year’s Eve gathering on Market Square, where the live music will be provided by the Jamsalana Steel Drum band.
The traditional event on Ripon Market Square attracts thousands of revellers each year
The band will strike up at 9:45pm and the evening will conclude with a fireworks display at midnight.
Before the start of the celebration event, organised by Ripon City Council and paid for from the parish precept, at 9pm a member of the hornblower team will signal the setting of the watch with blasts of their horn at the four corners of the obelisk.
The ceremonial event, dating back to 886 AD – was instigated by Alfred the Great the first Anglo-Saxon King of England – and will provide the prelude to a night of free entertainment.
Today’s forecast is indicating that the rain and winds brought by Storm Gerrit will have reduced but, as with all outdoor events, it’s always advisable to bring an umbrella!
Full coverage of Ripon’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, will be published by the Stray Ferret on January 1
Main image: Tonight’s fireworks display will herald in the New Year
Ripon set to welcome in the New Year with city event
Ripon will welcome in 2023 in traditional style on Saturday evening, with residents and visitors invited to the city’s New Year’s Eve gathering on Market Square.
The celebrations begin at 9pm when a member of the hornblower team will signal the setting of the watch with blasts of their horn at the four corners of the obelisk.
The ceremonial event, dating back to 886 AD – the year in which when Alfred the Great became the first Anglo-Saxon King of England – will provide the prelude to a night of free entertainment.
The watch will be set by a member of the Ripon hornblower team prior to the start of the musical entertainment
Following the hornblower, three tribute acts will take centre stage for the final concert of the year organised by Ripon City Council.
The acts are Beyond Faith, performing the songs of George Michael and Wham, Xelle with the favourite numbers from the best-known girl bands and Parklife, singing Britpop hits of the 1990s.
Shortly before midnight a torchlit procession of civic dignitaries led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, will make its way from Ripon Cathedral to Market Square, in time for the countdown that heralds in the New Year.
The procession will follow the Watchnight service at the cathedral which begins at 11.15.
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Tributes to former Ripon Hornblower George Pickles
George Pickles, the last man to serve as the solo Ripon hornblower, has died.
Mr Pickles’ death was announced on the hornblowers’ Facebook page, with a touching tribute from the four members of the hornblower team. It said:
“It is with great sadness that we must report the news that Mr George Pickles has passed away.“George was the hornblower for 12 years and during that time entertained countless crowds with the ceremony and not to mention his charming wit.“On behalf of the hornblower team, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and his friends at this time.“Sleep safe George, The watch is set.”
Many people have commented on the post what a wonderful man Mr Pickles was. One said:
“George was a true servant of Ripon and raised the profile of the hornblower tradition and of the city significantly.”
Ripon hornbowers, from the left: Allison Clark, Patricio Maglio, Richard Midgley, Wayne Cobbett have paid a moving tribute to George Pickles.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams said:
“George was hornblower on the two occasions that I served as mayor and I have many fond memories of the way in which he performed the setting of the watch with style and dignity.“He was the last of the city’s solo hornblowers, before the decision was taken to appoint a team to work on a rota basis to carry out the nightly ceremony at the obelisk on Market Square.“George was a man with a lovely sense of humour, who captivated audiences when he told them about Ripon’s rich history and traditions.“The city council will mark George’s passing with a minute’s silence, when we return from recess in September.”