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The Ripon Cathedral Choir, led by director of music Dr Ronny Krippner, was in fine voice at yesterday evening’s candlelit Advent service.
As Christmas approaches, the spectacular event including readings, prayers and hymns, attracted a congregation of hundreds to the ancient building, founded by Wilfrid in 672 AD.
A central feature of the evening was the Advent procession (pictured below) which saw the cathedral’s choristers walk in two groups down the south and north aisles before meeting as one at the cathedral entrance.
They and the congregation sang together the processional hymn O come, O come Emmanuel!
Choristers walked in procession down the south and north aisles of the cathedral
The congregation was welcomed by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson, who said:
“Let us in this holy season reflect on the coming of Christ who brings light to the world.
“Let us leave behind the darkness of sin, walk in the light that shines on our path, and renew within ourselves the hope of glory to which he beckons us.”
The blessing was given by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Revd. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley (pictured above with Dean John)
As part of Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, there will be a free Union Jack flag-making workshop for kids who can take their flag on a procession through the town.
It’s been organised by the people who usually run the lantern-making workshops at Christmas. It will take place on Saturday June 4 at Gracious Street Methodist Church from 10am to 11am.
The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop although there will be a donations box. All materials will be provided and children must be accompanied by an adult.
The procession will led by the Town Crier from the Market Place at 11.30am to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party.
Knaresborough’s Jubilee plans
Starting on Thursday June 2, Knaresborough will light a beacon on the top of the castle, along with 1,500 locations across the UK.
On Saturday June 4 at Knaresborough House, there will be an artisan market in the morning followed in the afternoon by a community garden party and performances event. There will also be a tea dance at St Mary’s Church Hall.
On Sunday June 5 organisers hope to hold a thanksgiving service. Sunday is also set aside for street parties.
Throughout the weekend the new Knaresborough Museum will open in the former Castle Girls’ School with a special community history event to mark the jubilee.
For information about what’s on across the district over the big weekend. Click the box below.
St Wilfrid’s procession returns to Ripon this year
Ripon’s traditional St Wilfrid’s procession will be back this summer, after the covid pandemic caused its cancellation for the past two years.
Held in honour of the city’s patron saint, it is one of the largest events in the city each year, usually attracting thousands of people to the streets and Market Square.
The procession’s return on Saturday 30 July means it will be part of the 2022 celebrations marking the 1,350th anniversary of Wilfrid’s founding of Ripon’s ancient cathedral in 672 AD.
Born in Northumbria in 634 AD, the saint’s name can be found on street signs, a primary school, a cafe and a Catholic church in the city as well as in other towns and cities across the country.
It’s 914 years since King Henry I granted permission for the city to hold a fair to celebrate Wilfrid’s birth and Ripon – a city that takes great pride in its heritage – has held on to this tradition.
Procession organisers have kept the tradition alive in a scaled-back way over the past years, with a St Wilfrid Trail in 2020 and a walk around the city last year.
