The New Year arrived with a huge bang as Ripon ushered in 2024 in spectacular fashion last night with a fireworks display, the like of which has never been seen before in the city centre.

For 10 minutes from the stroke of midnight on the Ripon Cathedral clock, revellers who had earlier danced to the Caribbean beat of the Jamsalana Steel Band were treated to an exhibition of precision pyrotechnics.

A pulsating palette of colours burst upon the night sky in wave after wave of controlled explosion and at its conclusion a gathering of more than 2,000 people on Market Square spontaneously applauded.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who put £1,000 of his North Yorkshire Council locality budget towards the cost of the display, told the Stray Ferret:

“We wanted it to be bigger and better than last year’s fireworks finale and it certainly was!”

He added:

“I’ve never seen anything like this in the city centre before and while I know it won’t have been to everybody’s liking, the automatic reaction of the audience spoke for itself.”

The number of people on Market Square grew throughout the evening and by midnight, more than 2,000 were present to see the fireworks

Last night’s New Year’s Eve event, paid for from the parish precept, has been staged over decades by the city council and is firmly established on the authority’s annual calendar.

Before Jamsalana (pictured below) struck up, there was the ever-present reminder for Ripon residents and visitors of the city’s rich heritage, when Wayne Cobbett, a member of the hornblower team, set the watch with blasts at the four corners of the obelisk.

The instrument that he uses, is the 1996 horn, donated to the city to celebrate the 1100th anniversary since Alfred the Great, the first Anglo-Saxon King of England, gave a ceremonial horn to the people of Ripon in thanks for the courage they showed in fighting off a Viking incursion in 886 AD.

The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, who was celebrating his birthday, was present for the setting of the watch and later, in another city tradition, he returned to Market Square with Mayoress Linda Hawke after leading a candle-lit procession from the cathedral, attended by clergy and members of the congregation.

The procession included the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, Canons Michael Gisbourne, Matthew Pollard and the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, who blessed the crowd from the town hall balcony.

Main image: The spectacular fireworks display provided the finale to an evening of celebration on Market Square

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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

Christmas festivities are over, with many still getting creative with their leftovers, but our attention is now on ringing in the new year with loved ones.

As we say goodbye to another year, what better way to welcome 2024 than with a celebration that comes with lovely food and drink setting the stage for a year of delicious adventures?

Your new year celebrations can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. Some people opt for a second Christmas-style evening, while others keep it simple with drinks and nibbles – either way, just do what works for you.

Appetisers

A simple crowd pleaser is always some variation of crisps and dip. I’d recommend a vibrant beetroot hummus paired with tortilla chips. Of course, you can buy these but they’re super easy to make too. Just cut a tortilla into small squares or triangles and warm in the oven until crunchy.

Cucumber discs topped with pâté and cranberry sauce also goes down a treat and take just minutes to prepare.

Caprese skewers are a great option too. Simply thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls and basil leaves onto small skewers. Top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of black pepper and you’re done!

Bao buns are also great when hosting and look impressive. You can buy the buns pre-made at most supermarkets and then get creative with the filling. My favourite is a chicken bao bun topped with saffron mayo and pickled carrots (pictured below). They’re light and fluffy, but taste amazing.

Yemi’s chicken bao buns.

To make your own tartlets using bought tortilla wraps, short crust, puff or sweet pastries, simply cut to shapes, tuck into mini cupcake trays and bake until golden.

Fill with sweet and savoury ingredients like brie and raspberry compote, beetroot hummus topped with roasted and diced carrots, or smoked salmon, diced cucumber and dill infused cream cheese.

Elevating your cheeseboard

If you’re stuck on which cheeses to include in your cheeseboard, fear not. It can be daunting to know which ones to buy – especially without knowing what your guests might like – but I’ve whittled it down to a few variations that will cover all bases.

Generally, I’d include a blue cheese – like a Swaledale blue or stilton – two soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert or burrata, manchego for the hard cheese, and a semi-hard cheese such as emmental or a classic cheddar.

You can elevate the platter by pairing artisan cheeses with exotic preserves.

A ripe tamarillo conserve is sour, but the undertones of berries and passion fruit make it a great accompaniment for a blue.

Balinese tangerine marmalade goes perfectly with brie. It has a distinct but soft citrus flavour.

You could also try adding a touch of spice, like black cardamom, to your leftover Christmas preserve to create a unique flavour.

Include a selection of good quality charcuterie and crackers for a savoury contrast to the sweet notes of the preserves.

The main course

For the main course, consider a show-stopping dish that captures the essence of celebration.

A perfectly roasted prime rib served with truffle butter glaze is an indulgent and timeless choice.

Alternatively, a side of salmon finished with a lemon brown butter sauce, lobster tails, succulent prawns and buttery scallops bathed in a citrus-infused beurre blanc will undoubtedly wow your guests.

Drinks

No New Year’s Eve feast is complete without a touch of bubbly.

Create a DIY drinks bar and invite guests to customise their own drinks with an array of fresh fruits, aromatic herbs, and flavoured syrups.

Encourage experimentation, and let the clinking of glasses echo the excitement of conversations and new friendships.

A simple but certainly effective touch.

Dessert

Put on a dessert spread that leaves a lasting impression.

Create a charcuterie board featuring miniature pastries, artisan chocolates, citrus curds, crushed meringues and fruit coulis for dipping. It’s quick and easy to do, yet looks impressive and offers a little bit of everything to your guests.

I also love to make Nigerian puff puffs. They’re soft, spongy and fluffy, but the beauty of them is that they can be made sweet or savoury. I like to serve them as a dessert, but they’re also often eaten as a side dish or snack with a savoury sauce.

There’s plenty of recipes online and they’re very easy to make.

Yemi’s Nigerian puff puffs.

Some extra hosting tips

Personalisation is always appreciated – and it doesn’t have to take hours to pull together.

Add little touches like custom table cards or signature cocktails named after your guests or the year ahead.

Why not get your guests to paint a picture of something they are excited about in 2024? It’s a lovely way to appreciate what’s coming and share excitement with friends and family.

Later in the night, activities like karaoke or a tasting game are bound to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself – it’s your celebration too. Cheers to a happy and yummy new year!

Read more:

• Yemi’s Food Stories: Last minute tips to keep Christmas running smoothly
• Yemi’s Food Stories: Spice up your Christmas dinner
• Yemi’s Food Stories: My inexpensive kitchen gadget Christmas wish list

This story is sponsored by Grantley Hall

If you’re looking for a touch of magic this Christmas, Grantley Hall is on hand to make all your Christmas wishes come true.

As the most wonderful time of the year fast approaches, the five-star options on offer at the hotel will bring friends and families a taste of luxury and is just on the district’s doorstep.

From festive parties and Christmas lunches to festive afternoon tea and New Year celebrations, Christmas at Grantley Hall promises to be nothing short of perfection.

Festive Dining

Grantley Hall, better know as indulgence on our doorstep, will boast range of festive dining options to be enjoyed by locals and hotel guests this Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for a long lunch with friends or a seasonal afternoon tea with family, the hotel can guarantee you will leave with a belly full of Christmas spirit!

Why not kick-start December with a reservation at the festive champagne lunch on 2 December. This lunch combines a three-course lunch crafted by Grantley’s top chefs including a half bottle of Veuve Clicquot per person. Whilst enjoying the delightful food, a DJ and saxophonist will entertain.

From edible Christmas trees and chocolate reindeer to French fancies and glittering bauble cakes, the Festive Afternoon Tea will truly make you wish it was Christmas everyday.

Experience a magical Grantley Hall Christmas

Après at the Orchard

The Après alpine winter wonderland at the Orchard is reopening on 4 November. Dine in a cosy winter themed restaurant whilst enjoying the new menu as well as indulge in the Möet & Chandon champagne cocktails which have been created specifically to pair with the menu. Book to attend the spectacular launch event on 3 November.

The hughely popular Sunday sessions will be returning over the winter months.

Christmas Parties

Picture this: Champagne flowing, friends laughing and snowflakes glistening. Well, with Grantley Hall’s Christmas Parties, that can soon become a reality.

Who needs to travel when the Grantley Suite can become a magical winter wonderland?

With a private bar, dance floor and terrace area, up to 150 guests can dance the night away and celebrate the party season in style.

If that wasn’t enough, guests can expect a four-course dinner including Braised Blade of Limousin Beef and a Glazed Raspberry Délice in between the partying.

Let Grantley Hall work its magic and make it a Christmas to remember with their seasonal celebrations.

All Christmas bookings can be made now on Grantley Hall’s website or by emailing either dine@grantleyhall.co.uk or events@grantleyhall.co.uk.

New Year’s Eve Gala Ball

As a fairy Godmother once said: you will go to the ball.

Ditch the midnight countdown from your sofa and get your glad rags on, as the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve Gala Ball fast approaches!

Expect an evening of exquisite food, including Dressed Crab and Yorkshire Salt Aged Beef Fillet, flowing drinks and only the happiest of memories.

This dazzling event will whisk you and your loved ones into 2024 with the sounds of a traditional pipes, a live firework display and even more bubbly at midnight.

Just a short taxi ride from Harrogate and Ripon, embrace the luxury on offer at Grantley Hall — after all, that level of enjoyment is hard to put a price on.

Celebrate the arrival of 2024 in style at the Grantley Hall New Year’s Eve House Party!

For those looking to go the extra mile this Christmas or New Year, Grantley Hall also offers two or three-night stays with its Christmas House Party and New Year House Party Packages — who says you have to travel far for ultimate grandeur?

The packages include five-star accommodation, food and spa access, with added bonuses of National Trust visits and entertainment.

So, whether you’re looking for a festive getaway, a family affair or just a good old knees up, Grantley Hall is guaranteed to bring you and your loved ones a Christmas or New Year that is nothing short of perfection.

Find out more about the packages or non-residential options available at Grantley Hall at grantleyhall.co.uk

When hornblower Allison Clark (pictured below) set the watch on Market Square at 9pm, only a handful of people were present, but by the stroke of midnight Ripon’s New Year’s Eve revellers were singing and dancing in the rain.

Yesterday’s heavy showers that threatened to turn the evening of celebration into a damp squib, relented by 11pm and the crowds poured in to enjoy the free music that heralded in 2023.

Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke, who joined with his wife and Mayoress Linda, Ripon city councillors and other civic dignitaries in a torchlit procession from the cathedral to Market Square, led the countdown to midnight, flanked by the Bishop of Leeds The Rt. Revd Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, pictured with The Bishop of Leeds The Rt Revd Nick Baines and The Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson

The Bishop and Dean John,  were among the clergy who had taken part in the Watchnight Service at the cathedral that preceded the procession to Market Square, where a blessing was given.

Throughout the evening the tribute acts Exelle, Beyond Faith and Parklife, braved the elements to perform a broad repertoire of songs, ranging from the chart-topping numbers of girl bands to  George Michael classics and the Britpop tunes of the 1990s.

The Weather Girls’ 1979 hit It’s Raining Men, was among the songs performed by Exelle (pictured above) while George Michael lookalike and soundalike Beyond Faith (pictured below) also wowed the crowd.

Last night’s concert organised by Ripon City Council, saw the curtain come down on an epic year that saw the city’s ancient square stage historic events including celebrations of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June to the mourning of her death in September and the subsequent proclamation of Charles III as King.

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Read more:

• Ripon charity’s vital fundraiser
• How Ripon mourned The Queen’s death

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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.

Read more:

• Hundreds take part in Ripon pilgrimage
• A message of hope from the Bishop of Ripon

A New Year’s Eve cycle ride is being held around Harrogate to raise money for Harrogate Homeless Project.

Entrants will depart from cycling shop Prologue on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate and take part in either a 35-mile or 55-mile route.

Coffee will be served from 9am and rides leave from 9.30am, with the fastest riders leaving first in groups of 16.

The entry fee is £5 with all the proceeds going to Harrogate Homeless Project.

Victoria Mannakee, director of Harrogate-based event management company Struggle Events, which is organising the event, said:

“Just two £5 entries is enough to provide a hot meal, shower, clothing and laundry facilities for one person. Three entries is enough to get someone off the street for a night.

“Over 100 riders entered last New Year’s Eve. Think what we can do as a cycling collective if every rider simply turned up to Prologue and rode their bikes this New Year’s Eve.”

“It’s a great social atmosphere; Harrogate’s cycling club members, local professional riders, individual riders, triathletes and social cyclists join forces to raise much-needed funds for the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

Many top cyclists, including Olympic champions Jonny and Alistair Brownlee and Tour de France stage winner Tom Pidcock, often take part in Struggle Events’  community rides.

You can enter here or on the day.

Read more:

• Prologue opens ‘luxury showroom’ for bikes in Harrogate
• Cycling consultation event highlights Harrogate’s deep divide

This story is sponsored by the Country Living Harrogate Christmas Fair.

Many of us are already in full swing with our Christmas shopping and the challenge is well and truly on to find those extra special gifts.

The Country Living Harrogate Christmas Fair, which returns for its tenth year next week, is the perfect place to find that special something.

The four-day event, on December 1-4, will feature more than 200 small UK independent producers, crafters, and artisan retailers under one roof at the Convention Centre.

There will be a host of unique gifts that can’t be found on the high street.

From handcrafted products, stylish decors, soft furnishings to gourmet cheese, Christmas puddings, sweet and savoury treats, tasty tipples and fine wines, visitors can shop to their hearts’ content while soaking in the festive vibes with live music throughout the day from the Fair’s brass band and choirs.

Fiona Fawcett, from Yorkshire brand Plewsy.

Shoppers can opt for a special VIP experience, including bottomless prosecco and gift bags worth more than £100.

Over the four-days, around 15,000 people are expected to attend the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Dan Sewell, the event director for Country Living’s Christmas Fair, said:

“It shows there’s a really strong appetite for this special tenth anniversary year, with so many new exhibitors bringing fresh, exciting ideas alongside the traditional, festive favourites who return year-on-year.”

The Christmas Fair will be a foodie’s delight

The Country Living Kitchen Theatre will see some of the country’s finest food and drink producers and culinary experts whip up their ultimate festive recipes and seasonal showstoppers.

Demonstrations offer the chance to ask for tips, interact with the experts, and even try a taster or two.

Stephanie Moon will deliver a workshop on ‘Christmas Canapes to Impress with Rudding Park’. Harrogate’s Three’s A Crowd will also be on hand with ‘A Christmas Tipple’, with some unique festive cocktails.

The artisan foodie brand Charlie & Ivy’s will also be on hand to demonstrate how to create simple party food for the festive season.

Visitors can expect tailored chocolate tasting sessions, as well as hands-on workshops from crafting experts where they can create needle felted baubles to unique Christmas table decorations to take home.

Christmas canapes by Charlie and Ivy’s.

Country Living’s Harrogate Christmas Fair promises gifts you can’t find on the high street, while supporting and championing the country’s independent businesses.

Shoppers can also enjoy a Champagne Bar, cocktails or an Afternoon Tea dining experience.

The Stray Ferret is working with Country Living to giveaway two VIP tickets worth £150 and to offer our readers a special two for one ticket offer.

Country Living Christmas Fair will take place on December 1-4, 2022.

Join the mailing list here to be the first to know about Country Living’s Events.

Ripon’s New Year’s Eve concert this evening on Market Square will go ahead — but without a fireworks display.

An Oasis tribute band and Big Boyband Reunion will entertain revellers and the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, will address the audience at five minutes to midnight.

This will be followed by a blessing by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

Ripon City Council said yesterday that the fireworks display, which would have provided the finale to the night of free entertainment, had been cancelled, because of circumstances beyond its control.

Read more:

• Ripon’s New Year’s eve concert to go ahead without the fireworks
• Tree blocks road in Ripon as strong winds hit Harrogate district

Stage times are below:

21:00 Hornblowing Ceremony

21:10 Definitely Might Be (Oasis Tribute Act)

21:55 Big Boyband Reunion

22.35: Definitely Might Be

23.25: Big Boyband Reunion

23.55: Address by Mayor of Ripon followed by a blessing from the Bishop of Ripon

Ripon City Council leader Cllr Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret that those planning to attend take a lateral flow test beforehand and only venture onto Market Square if the test gives a negative result.