The Magdalens pub in Ripon was alive with the sound of music, as city mayor Eamon Parkin and consort Nigel Guy hosted an afternoon of fun and fundraising.

Proceeds from Saturday’s event, which are still to be finalised, will be shared between Ripon Vision Support and the Ripon Christmas Lights Appeal.

The hog roast and music was arranged after the covid pandemic put paid to the mayor’s ball, which is normally a key fundraiser on the civic calendar.

Cllr Parkin, said:

“I thank the many friends from different organisations and businesses in Ripon, who supported the event and people who travelled some distance to be with us.”

Those who attended included the Pollard family from the north-east — Marjorie, Sharon and Natalie.

Mayor Cllr Eamon Parkin (left) and his consort Nigel Guy, pictured with the Pollard family from the left: Marjorie, Natalie and Sharon

Sharon said:

“We’ve been coming to Ripon for many years and struck up a lasting friendship with Eamon and Nigel.

“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

The Pollards left with an England women’s football shirt signed by members of the World Cup team – just one of many items sold at the charity auction.

The Counterfeit Celts provided music ranging from reggae to Irish folk and rock.

The Counterfeit Celts played from their wide repertoire.

Also providing entertainment was Ripon singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary who, like the band, had attendees singing along.

Many in the audience had last seen him performing on stage as the opening act at the Yorkshire Day Weekend concert.

In the spotlight — Freddie Cleary.

The auction and raffle, included numerous donated items on offer, ranging from sporting memorabilia to jewellery.

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Cllr Parkin is set to go into the record books by becoming the first Mayor of Ripon to serve for three consecutive terms.

He will remain in office until May.

Ripon rocked last night, as a large crowd massed on Market Square for an evening of music and entertainment.

The finale was a spectacular fireworks display that lit-up the night sky above the city’s elegant town hall.

A five-hour programme started with talented local singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary and ended with a convincing Freddie Mercury sound-alike.

Tribute acts had the audience singing along to Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ among many other iconic British pop songs.

In a county where Tykes are known for their care when it comes to money — the icing on the Yorkshire Day Weekend cake, was the fact that it was all for free.

With the covid lockdown lifted, hundreds came to let their hair down on Market Square.

The day of fun for all the family, organised by Ripon City Council, was the first large-scale event to be held in the city since the coronavirus pandemic brought an abrupt end to all public gatherings.

From 2pm until 8pm, children with their parents and grandparents had Market Square North to themselves, as two free fairground rides and a climbing wall ensured enjoyment for all families, without the need to reach into purses and pockets.

The rides were still spinning as the music started on the stage in front of Ripon Town Hall.

Ripon-based singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary was the opening act.

Freddie Cleary, singing some of his own songs and a selection of favourite tunes, was followed by the Elton John tribute act, with white piano in what was a fitting celebration of one of Britain’s best-known musical Knights.

The tribute performed hit after hit from Sir Elton’s songbook.

Before the Elton John tribute did his second set, an Amy Winehouse look and sound-alike sang in the distinctive style of the late legend.

Then came the finale and a scintillating rendition of the songs made famous by rock legend Freddie Mercury.

An emotional and power-packed tribute to Amy Winehouse, who died ten years ago

The Queen tribute act front man had the audience wrapped in the palm of his hands, as he sang ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’

For the citizens of Ripon, the free entertainment continues today as the fairground rides and climbing wall will be open from 10am until 4pm.

Rock and rockets around the Ripon Town Hall Clock

And parents who saved money on the free rides may be spending some of it at the Little Bird Artisan Market, that will be open on Market Square South from 10am until 3pm.

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Ripon’s first major event since covid restrictions eased on July 19 was welcomed by bright sunshine this afternoon.

From the opening of the Yorkshire Day Weekend at 2pm, there were queues of excited boys and girls waiting for their go on the roundabouts and climbing wall.

Two free fairground rides for young children, provided courtesy of the city council, proved a magnet to attract families onto Market Square.

Children had to wear harnesses and safety helmets to go on the climbing wall

The climbing wall for older children, was also free of charge, giving an opportunity for budding Chris Boningtons to try out mountaineering skills.

The rides and wall were attended by stewards to keep the children and other visitors safe.

Nikita, with daughters Lexie (centre) and Octavia, after the children enjoyed a spin on one of the fairground rides.

The free rides and climbing wall will be open until 8pm today and again tomorrow between 10am and 4pm, when there will also be an artisan market on Market Square.

Sadie and her children Lewis (centre) and Jack (right) with family friend Catalin and his children Iris and Rafi

Music takes centre stage from 5.45pm today, when local singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary performs on a stage in front of Ripon Town Hall.

He will be followed by Elton John, Amy Winehouse and Queen tribute acts, whose respective performances will begin at 7pm, 7.45pm and 9.45pm.

Between the tribute acts, at 9pm,  hornblower Richard Midgley will be present to set the watch, with blasts of his horn at the four corners of the obelisk.

The Yorkshire Day Weekend is the largest public event to be staged in Ripon since covid restrictions eased on 19 July

The fairground fun and entertainment will be brought to a sparkling crescendo with a fireworks display.

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This day in Ripon’s calendar is normally dedicated to Wilfrid the city’s patron saint and founder of a church on which the cathedral stands.

The covid pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 St Wilfrid’s Day procession and also meant that this year’s event is not being staged.

However, to keep the tradition alive, an unofficial St Wilfrid’s Walk was conducted around a route taking in Ripon’s streets which, in non-convid times, would normally be lined by thousands of people.

The Harrogate International Youth Festival will have a new look this year as it heads online tonight.

The festival’s ‘Big Night In’ will take place at 7.30pm.

It is the longest running International Youth Music and Performing Arts Festival in the UK holding an event each Easter weekend since 1973.

The official festival has been postponed until next year, when international travel resumes. The organisers couldn’t let the weekend go ahead without some form of celebration – so instead they arranged the virtual concert.

The festival organisers will bring regular participants together on Zoom to watch key moments of previous festivals.

Micheal Newby, former Harrogate Mayor, will be hosting the online show and introducing a variety of video footage of recent concerts involving local and international artists.

Mr Newby said:

“This really will be a jammed packed evening! We simply could not put everything in that we wanted to – but I think we’ve got a really good selection that we know our audiences will love to see.

“We can’t wait to be together again and perform at these amazing venues in our community – but until then, we wanted to celebrate these amazing schools, groups and colleges that have performed with us over the years and really look forward to a fantastic Festival year next year.”

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In previous years, the six night festival would start with marching bands parading through the Harrogate town centre. Shows would run in big venues such as the Royal Hall and Ripon Cathedral.

The festival aims to bring, primarily youth, choirs, orchestras and bands together from across the world to perform in Harrogate.

The new Gateways Festival is coming to Skipton in August and has released its final lineup including Razorlight and the Buzzcocks.

The event is set to be held in Aireville Park, Skipton, on August 6-8.

This evening the festival has announced the second wave of artists. These include the well-known band Buzzcocks, Andrew Cushin and King No-one.

Artists such as Razorlight, Feeder, Scouting for Girls and Lightning Seeds have already been announced.

Gateways Festival, which is being held in Skipton this year.

The weekend event is also hosting an outdoor cinema on Friday August 6. The choice of movies has been left up to the festival’s social media followers to vote on.

The festival was due to go ahead last year but was able to reschedule for this year with the same lineup.

The festival is branding itself as an event to be shared between families and friends with a funfair, street food, bar and stalls also planned.

An adult weekend ticket is £65 and a children’s weekend ticket is £35, plus booking fee.

To see the full line-up and buy tickets click here.

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• Great Yorkshire Show still hopes to go ahead this summer.
• An artisan market is coming to Harrogate this summer.

A Harrogate venue is set to restart live music performances after lockdown forced an early curtain for its concerts in March.

The Wesley Centre, on Oxford Street, will be hosting three socially distanced concerts between now and early January. 

Susan Tomes will be the first pianist to play as the season reopens on November 2, giving a recital of music by Scarlatti, Debussy, Janacek, Chabrier and Billy Mayerl.

Susan Tomes, the first pianist to play at the Wesley Centre since March.

Normally able to hold about 450 people, there are only 76 seats available for the socially distanced performances. 

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Peter Hirschmann, who runs the Patrons scheme for the Wesley Centre, said:

“Our immediate reaction for ticket sales is that they’re going very rapidly, which is very reassuring. At first we didn’t know how many people would want to come, due to many of our supporters being elderly or vulnerable, so we’re starting out cautiously.

“Live music is back in Harrogate, which is what really matters. Our concert organiser, Andrew Hitchen, had a great response when he emailed supporters about the concerts starting again.”

Tickets can be purchased for £10 by telephoning Andrew Hitchen on 01423 883618 between 6pm and 8pm.

A university student is making good use of her time in lockdown by providing free concerts for her Harrogate neighbours. 

Lucy Crocker, 22, played songs from her front garden in Mallinson Oval last Friday, hoping to lift spirits. 

So many of them came outside to listen from their doorsteps and driveways that she is planning to make it a weekly concert. 

She said: “I saw videos of people giving concerts on their balconies and I thought, ‘I could do that’.  

“When I’m at university, we have informal student recitals every Monday and I miss that when I’m away.” 

Former Harrogate Grammar School student Lucy plays viola and sings, and says she can play a few chords on the ukulele. Her first performance consisted mostly of music she already knows, but she has been taking requests from her neighbours and practising their suggestions. 

“I don’t know that much modern music – I’m more used to playing in orchestras,” she said. “But I’m OK at playing by ear, so if I know the song I can usually play it.” 

Lucy plans to continue her concerts for as long as people are at home to hear them. She is preparing to sit the final exams for her earth sciences degree at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, from home, where her parents and younger brother are also in lockdown. 

There are other families living nearby, as well as elderly people, and Lucy said she was keen to bring people together, even if from a distance. 

“I wanted to have a little bit of interaction with the neighbours that isn’t just on a messenger basis,” she said. “They all came out and seemed to enjoy not just the music, but all being out at the same time and chatting to each other across the road.” 

Among those who appreciated the performance was Margaret Willis, who has family living in Harrogate and helping out with food supplies but is missing seeing people every day. 

“All us oldies were out in the road,” she said. “We all kept our distance but it was nice to get out and chat to neighbours.  

“I think it did us all good. Everybody said how lovely it was. Even people who hadn’t been out for ages brought a chair out and sat down to listen – it was really good.”