They shared news of some of the theatre companies, performers and entertainers they hope to welcome to the city over an extended festival weekend.
From Ripon’s priceless regalia, to readings for children in the library, today’s Sights and Sounds event had something for all the family.
Seven of the city’s best-known locations opened their doors between 11am and 2pm to provide free entertainment and interactive fun for families.
The programme, organised by Harrogate Borough Council, included activities ranging from participation in a Victorian school lesson at the Workhouse Museum, to a visit to the bell tower at Ripon Cathedral.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe, who opened the event.
The Sights and Sounds of Ripon, was opened at the cathedral by North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe (pictured above), who was born and bred in Ripon.
She said
:”I would like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for arranging this event, which is part of the North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Partnership Scheme.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy the history, heritage, arts and culture of this wonderful city.”
Visitors to the Prison and Police Museum, on St Marygate were able to find out how fingerprints have been used to catch criminals since the Victorian era, while being able to make their own inky impression to take home with them.
Retired solicitor Simon Crosfield, who works as a volunteer at the Courthouse Museum, let these two youngsters know what it’s like to face a judge.
At the nearby Courthouse Museum on Minster Road, visitors learned about how the city’s criminals were brought to justice in bygone days.
In addition to the array of activities at the three heritage attractions run by Ripon Museum Trust, the cathedral, which celebrates its 1,350th anniversary this year, hosted an exhibition featuring community services provided by 14 local organisations.
The city’s silverware and other treasures, collected over centuries, were on display at Ripon Town Hall where they were the focus of talks in the Mayor’s parlour.
There was an opportunity to watch Ripon Youth Theatre rehearsing at the city’s Arts Hub.
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In addition to the array of activities at the three heritage attractions run by Ripon Museum Trust, the cathedral hosted an exhibition featuring community services provided by 14 local organisations.
Freddie (left) and Taylor were among those to join in an interactive storytime at Ripon Library
Those who were seeking more interactive entertainment found it at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate, where they watched a working rehearsal by Ripon Youth Theatre and were then invited to join in an Oliver! workshop,
Storytime readings were held at the library for children aged 0-6 and 7-11-year-olds, where community information stalls were also on display
Arts and community groups from across the city, are coming together to play a role in the new Ripon Theatre Festival
Taking place from June 23 to 26, the festival aims to brighten the open spaces and venues in the city with professional and community performances.
Plans include puppetry, dance, drama, street theatre, storytelling, children’s activities and family shows.
Festival director Ian Holloway and representatives from the organisations that make up the festival team, introduced themselves to an audience of 40 potential participants, volunteers and supporters at a meeting held in Ripon Arts Hub last week.
Festival team members, from the left: Ian Holloway, Tina Salden, Simon Hewitt, Katie Scott and Julia Whitham
The event is being made possible with funding from a growing number of businesses and organisations, including main sponsor Wolseley, which has been a leading employer in the Ripon area for more than half a century.
Family shows are planned for Ripon’s Spa Gardens
In attendance were representatives of some of the festival’s venues and partners. These included Ripon Arts Hub, Ripon Library, Ripon Workhouse Museum and Ripon Together along with the new Ripon Business Improvement District, represented by BID board director, John Alder.
In addition to the family-focused entertainment at Spa Gardens, plans include open-air Shakespeare at Fountains Abbey, hard-hitting drama at Ripon Bowling Club, living history at the Workhouse Museum along with a community revue at Ripon Arts Hub, storytelling and children’s theatre at Ripon Library and street theatre & entertainers in Ripon City Centre
Volunteers sought
Volunteer Co-ordinator, Tina Salden, said:
“There are many roles for volunteers to help out as stewards and marshals or to serve refreshments, look after visiting artists or direct visitors and audiences.
Help is also needed ahead of the Festival with publicity around the region to ensure that the events are enjoyed by as many people as possible.” Anyone who missed the meeting, but who wants to get involved can contact info@ripontheatrefestival.org.
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Families invited to enjoy the sights and sounds of Ripon
Seven of Ripon’s best-known locations are combining on Saturday March 12 to provide free entertainment and interactive fun for families.
The Sights and Sounds of Ripon programme, organised by Harrogate Borough Council, runs from 11am until 2pm at all venues.
It includes activities ranging from participation in a Victorian school lesson at the Workhouse Museum, to a visit to the bell tower at Ripon Cathedral.
Anyone interested in how fingerprints have been used to catch criminals can find out at the Prison and Police Museum, on St Marygate, where they can try fingerprinting themselves.
The cathedral will host singing, dancing, displays, craft activities and a bell tower tour.
At the nearby Courthouse Museum on Minster Road, visitors can see how the city’s criminals were brought to justice in bygone days.
In addition to the array of activities at the three heritage attractions run by Ripon Museum Trust, the cathedral, which celebrates its 1,350th anniversary this year, will host an exhibition featuring community services provided by 14 local organisations.
There be family crafts and games and performances from local choirs, Ripon City Morris Dancers and Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers.
The dancers and the Ladle Laikers will also be performing at the Workhouse Museum, along with singers and a ukulele band, while Punch and Judy shows will take place at 11.30am and 1.30pm.
The city council’s treasured items will be the focus of talks in the Mayor’s Parlour
At Ripon Town Hall, the city’s silverware and other treasures, collected over centuries, will be the focus of talks held on the hour from 11am in the Mayor’s parlour.
Those looking for some interactive entertainment will find it at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate, where they can view a working rehearsal by Ripon Youth Theatre between 11am and 12 noon and join in live Oliver! workshops at 12.15pm, 1pm and 1.45pm.
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The city’s library will hold storytime readings for 0-6 year-olds from 11am and there will be stories and activities for 7-11-year-olds between 12 noon a 12.45pm.
In addition to the daytime programme at the library, which will feature community information stalls, Ripon Poetry Festival will be staging a free to attend open mic night at 7.30pm, for which places need to be booked in advance.
Further programme details are available here.
Ripon Amateur Operatic Society will stage its first major production since covid tomorrow when it performs Jesus Christ Superstar.
The award-winning musical will be performed at various days over the next two weeks in the newly-refurbished theatre at Ripon Arts Hub on Allhallowgate.
The 120-seater theatre underwent a major refurbishment when it was forced to shut last year.
It has a new ventilation system, new seating, improved sound and lighting and a modernised bar.
The newly-refurbished Ripon Arts Hub.
Shows will be held on selected days over two weeks — October 7 to 9 and October 14 to 16 — with evening performances at 7.30pm and additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 October.
The rock opera, which follows Jesus’ last two days through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, is set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
It includes songs such as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Superstar” and “Heaven on Their Minds”.
Ripon Arts Hub re-opened in September after 18 months of fundraising by volunteers behind the scenes,
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The upgrade of the premises, which are owned by the society, was partly funded by a £54,339 grant from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, launched to help cultural organisations and heritage sites to recover from covid.
As well as being the setting for the society’s own productions and rehearsals, the re-vamped venue provides Ripon’s first community arts space.
Tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/riponoperatics