Sun shines as hundreds of Ripon pilgrims walk to Fountains AbbeySt Stephen’s Day in this busiest of years for Ripon Cathedral started with a Eucharist service, followed by a leisurely four-mile walk to Fountains Abbey.
The annual Boxing Day pilgrimage linking the two internationally famous and historic religious sites has been taking place in all weathers since 1976.
Bright sunshine and clear skies saw hundreds of pilgrims participate in this morning’s walk, following a procession led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson and children, who took it in turns to carry a cross along the way.
The pilgrims on the start of their journey head up Kirkgate.
With celebrations during 2022 to mark the 1,350th anniversary of the cathedral’s foundation by Wilfrid, this year’s walk had an added significance. as the pilgrims again retraced the steps of the 13 Benedictine monks who were the original founders of the abbey in 1132.
A group of pilgrims arrive at Fountains Abbey
At the abbey, the hundreds who completed the walk from the cathedral were joined by hundreds more (pictured below) for a carol service held in the cellarium.
The service included readings, prayers and traditional carols, with musical accompaniment provided by the Stray Brass Ensemble.
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No. 3: A landmark anniversary year for Ripon Cathedral
In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at a historic year for Ripon Cathedral.
Throughout this milestone year for Ripon Cathedral the iconic building has been at the heart of the local and regional community, playing a central role in events of celebration and sadness.
Its landmark 1,350th anniversary coincided with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June and Her Majesty’s death and funeral in September.
The cathedral captured every emotion, from the joyous bells that rang out to mark the monarch’s history-making 70-year reign, to flags flown at half mast to signal her passing.
During 2022, it provided a fitting setting for activities ranging from the spectacular Rome to Ripon exhibition of artworks depicting the life of its founding father Wilfrid, the city’s patron saint, to the hosting of civic services for North Yorkshire in June to celebrate the jubilee and in September to mourn The Queen’s death.
The cathedral was a focal point for mourning following The Queen’s death in September
The ancient church, whose crypt dates back to 672 AD, is the foundation stone upon which Ripon has developed over the centuries and encapsulates many aspects of the city’s history through carvings, sculptures, stained glass and monuments.
For Wilfrid, a patron of the arts who studied at Lindisfarne, the Rome to Ripon exhibition, provided a modern twist in the telling of his story, including three centrepiece paintings by internationally-renowned Syrian artist Sara Shamma.
The 1,350 celebrations ran for six months from April until October and also included dancing in the nave, a beer festival in the cathedral grounds, a pilgrimage from Bradford Cathedral, a Son et Lumiere, lectures from historians, a series of tours taking visitors behind the scenes, and an organ festival.
As a further lasting reminder of the patron saint’s work in Ripon a ledger stone at the entrance to the quire, was dedicated to Wilfrid at a service attended by the Archbishop of York, The Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell and Bishop of Leeds, The Rt Revd Nick Baines.
The ledger stone dedicated to Wilfrid
Who was St Wilfrid?
Wilfrid – one of the greatest and most controversial English saints – was born into a noble Northumbrian family. He studied at Lindisfarne before embracing the Roman ways, was deposed on more than one occasion, and yet helped unite England behind a single Christian tradition.
It is said he was born in flames, survived shipwrecks and exile, and his jailers could not keep him chained. He was a healer, he kept people from hunger by teaching them to fish, and it is said that the moon and stars shone so bright for him, that a lunar rainbow appeared on the anniversary of his death.
In his early twenties, he made a pilgrimage to Rome and was much inspired by the lives of the saints there, and the great basilica churches. He brought some of the beauty of Rome back to England with him.
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City councillors support the principle of £6m Ripon Cathedral developmentCity councillors have given their support in principle to Ripon Cathedral’s proposed £6 million standalone development on land to the north of the ancient building.
Members at Monday’s full meeting voted unanimously to support a proposal from leader Cllr Andrew Williams saying the council is in favour of the general principle of the development but is opposed to the closure of Minster Road.
The vote was taken following a presentation of the plans by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson and Colin Little, chair of the Ripon Cathedral Renewed Steering Group.
Ripon City Council is opposed to the closure of Minster Road as part of the development proposals.
In addition to their presentation, a model showing the planned development was available for councillors to see.
Dean John told the meeting:
“We have had a tremendous year with in excess of 100,000 people visiting the cathedral.”
He said attracting large numbers of visitors was beneficial to the wider Ripon economy, but also highlighted the need for the provision of modern facilities.
Dean John said:
“We have been looking for a solution to give the cathedral what it needs and this includes new toilets, new facilities for the choir, a gift shop larger than the one we currently have, a refectory and more storage space.”
Mr Little said the proposed cloistered two-storey stone building on Minster Gardens would be in keeping with neighbouring buildings in the conservation area and the development would include extensive landscaping that would increase the amount of public open space.
Cllr Williams said:
“We will be looking at the finer detail when the planning application is submitted, but the city council supports the general principle of this development, with the exception of the proposed closure of Minster Road, which we cannot agree with because diverting traffic elsewhere would cause many problems.”
He added:
“The cathedral draws in tens of thousands of visitors a year to Ripon and it should have decent toilets and other facilities to serve their needs.”
Should planning permission be granted, the building would include the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet facility for use by disabled people.
Cllr Pauline McHardy said:
“I am very excited about these plans. Our ancient city with its beautiful cathedral must move forward and the addition of facilities that make it more accessible to disabled people are most welcome.”
Ripon’s Royal Engineers enjoy freedom of the city
Rousing military music resounded on city streets yesterday morning as Ripon’s Royal Engineers held their annual freedom march.
Members of the 21 Engineer Regiment based at Claro Barracks, who returned to the UK in September from postings in Cyprus and Poland, were joined by a band from the Royal Corps of Army Music, as 300 uniformed men and women marched past the town hall and down Kirkgate for a service held in their honour at the cathedral.
Eyes right as the Royal Engineers march past Ripon Town Hall and take the salute from city Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke and other civic dignitaries.
In line with tradition the Engineers, who were awarded the freedom of Ripon in 1949, exercised the rights bestowed on them 73 years ago, by marching in step to the sound of the band with drums beating and bayonets fixed.
The march down Kirkgate.
In addition to the six-month United Nations peacekeeping role in Cyprus that the Engineers took up in March and the detachment to Poland, Ripon-based sappers have served on operations in Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, providing light role close support that enables the army to live, move and fight.
The Royal Engineers attended a service at Ripon Cathedral
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Salvation Army in Ripon faces a ‘tsunami’ of Christmas needThe Salvation Army headquarters in Ripon is attempting to deal with a ‘tsunami of need’ as its Christmas appeal faces its most difficult challenge in 30 years.
Pat Clark, a leader at the Lead Lane church, told the Stray Ferret:
“With the cost-of-living crisis biting hard and people struggling to pay their increased energy, food, mortgage and rent bills, the call for assistance across the Harrogate district is growing by the day.
“This has been our most challenging year since we started the annual appeal in 1992 and at present we are attempting to keep up with the calls for assistance, but are dealing with a tsunami of need.”
Last year, with goods donated from Ripon Cathedral, churches across the district, businesses and individuals, 250 bags of tinned and packaged food items, including sweet and savoury goods and Christmas treats such as cake, mince pies and chocolates, were provided for families in financial difficulty.
In addition, 150 bags containing brand-new donated toys and presents for children and adults, were distributed and these, like the food bags, were given to recipients recommended by health and other community-based agencies acting as a link between the Salvation Army and the families.
Alison Hewitt, Salvation Army corps assistant at Lead Lane, said:
“The calls for help this Christmas are already proving greater than in previous years and we are seeking donations of food items such as tinned vegetables and meat, tinned and packaged soups, pasta, cereal, coffee, tea and long-life milk.
“We have already prepared 170 food bags ready for distribution, but still have some way to go and we hope that the community can assist us once more by making donations of both goods and gifts that will go to families who need a helping hand.”
Donations can be dropped off at the church on Lead Lane between 10am and 2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays up until December 21. More details are available by calling 01765 692 657.
Candles and choristers light up Ripon Cathedral’s Advent serviceThe 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)
Ripon groups offer warm spaces as winter approachesWith fuel bills soaring, a guide to more than 40 activities that people can join in to keep warm this winter has been produced by the Ripon Cathedral Community Connections group (C3).
The guide titled Find a Warm Welcome in Ripon, features the activities and facilities that churches, including the cathedral, charities, community groups, the library and other organisations across the city are providing, as people of all ages face a cost-of-living crisis caused by rising gas, electricity and heating oil prices.
Anne-Marie Tarter, of C3, told the Stray Ferret:
“The response from the community to production of the guide has been magnificent – for example, the Ripon churches told me what they were already doing and then added in whole new sessions specifically designed for people wanting a warm place to go this winter.”
Holy Trinity Church is providing a wide range of activities to help people keep warm
She added:
“Before long I had an amazing list of ideas for people looking for a warm place in Ripon and these have been included in a 4-page booklet.”
The activities cover people of all ages from families with babies and toddlers to the elderly and include free play sessions, free breakfasts and lunches, opportunities to become involved with sewing, knitting and other craft groups and indoor bowling.
Full details can be found by clicking here.
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Thousands pay their respects as Ripon remembers the fallenThousands of people gathered at Spa Gardens and on nearby streets, as Ripon remembered the dead of two world wars and other conflicts this morning.
Services were held at the war memorial and in Ripon Cathedral, with both attended by the Bishop of Ripon the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson (pictured below) and clergy from the cathedral.
Spa Gardens, which like all other parts of the city has been decorated with thousands of red hand-knitted poppies created by the Ripon Community Poppy Project, provided a fitting backdrop for the ceremony at the memorial.
It was here that Andrew Cowie, president of the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion, read out almost 400 names that appear on memorials at the gardens and in the cathedral.
Following a two-minute silence, wreaths were laid, including one on behalf of Ripon City Council, put in place by the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke (pictured below).
Wreaths were also laid by other dignitaries and representatives of all branches of the armed forces and the emergency services.
The service included hymns accompanied by Ripon City Band and the Last Post and Reveille played by Linda Graham, while lone piper Peter Spencer, of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band played the lament Flowers of the Forest. which preceded the two-minute silence.
Royal Engineers from Claro Barracks, were present, alongside retired service men and women and members of the Ripon Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Following the service in Spa Gardens 60 soldiers based at Claro Barracks led a march to the cathedral, passing Ripon Town Hall, where the mayor took the salute.
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Blessing ceremony is held at Ripon Garden of RemembranceRipon’s week of events to remember and honour the dead of two world wars and other conflicts, began today at the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance next to the cathedral.
Canon Ailsa Newby led prayers at a ceremony of blessing for the garden, which was created by the Ripon branch of the RBL in 2018.
The event, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, saw representatives of all armed forces gather, along with standard bearers (pictured below) veterans and members the Ripon branch of the Royal Engineers Association.
Canon Ailsa said:
“In this coming week tokens of remembrance will be placed in memory of those who fell in the cause of freedom for our country.
“In the name of the Royal British Legion we pledge ourselves to help, encourage and comfort others and to support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of nations.”
The ceremony included a two-minute silence and afterwards small wooden poppy crosses, were placed near the RBL plinth in the garden by a number of attendees.
A serving officer with the Royal Engineers puts a poppy cross in place
Remembrance Sunday
Attention now turns to Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service, which will be held on November 13 at the war memorial in Spa Gardens.
There will be a two-minute silence before wreaths are laid in honour of the fallen, by civic dignitaries, members of the armed forces, the RBL and representatives of other organisations.
Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
On completion of the service at the war memorial, the civic party will proceed to the town hall where there will be a march past and salute.
The march past, including members of the Royal Engineers, standard bearers, veterans, Ripon City Band, cadets, scouts and guides and representatives of other organisations, will head down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a service will be held.
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Firefighters put up poppies as Ripon prepares for services of RemembranceKey locations in Ripon are being decked with thousands of knitted poppies ready for this year’s remembrance events.
Over the weekend, members of Ripon Community Poppy Project were given a helping hand from city firefighters as displays were put in place at the town hall.
Hazel Barker, who founded the project in 2018 with former mayor Cllr Stuart Martin, told the Stray Ferret:
“We have knitted thousands of new poppies to replace some of the ones that have been used in previous years.”
She added:
“We are grateful, as ever, to the fire brigade for the tremendous help they have given us in putting up the town hall display.”
To support the work of the Community Poppy Project, a Concert of Remembrance featuring Ripon City Band, The Dishforth Military Wives Choir and the Duchy Belles, will be held at Ripon Cathedral on November 10, starting at 7.15pm.
Tickets are £12 and available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate and the Wakeman’s House Cafe on Market place.
Hazel Barker and Councillor Stuart Martin of Ripon Community Poppy Project, are pictured with the crew Ripon’s Red Watch, from the left: Firefighters Turner, Harvey and Foster and crew managers Fagg and Thwaites.
Meanwhile, the Ripon Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) has confirmed details of services to be held on November 5 and 13.
On Saturday November 5, the Garden of Remembrance created by the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion in 2018, following donations from the public, authorities and the business community, will be blessed by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.
The blessing ceremony, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am, will be attended by the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke, serving officers, members of the RBL and standard bearers.
Guests and other attendees will have the opportunity to place a poppy cross in remembrance of the fallen who died, not only in the first world war, but all war and conflicts since.
Remembrance Sunday Service
Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service will be held on November 13 at the war memorial in Spa Gardens, where there will be a two-minute silence before wreaths are laid in honour of the fallen, by civic dignitaries, members of the armed forces, the RBL and representatives of other organisations. Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
On completion of the service at the war memorial, the civic party will proceed to the town hall where there will be a march past and salute.
The march past, including members of the Royal Engineers, standard bearers, veterans, Ripon City Band, cadets, scouts and guides and representatives of other organisations, will head down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a service will be held.
Jeet Bahadur Sahi, chair of the RBL Ripon Branch, said:
“We remember those who lost their lives on active service in all conflicts, from the beginning of the First World War right up to the present day. We also remember all those who have served and their families.
“Remembrance events encourage communities to come together to honour those who served and remember their sacrifices.
“We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth.”
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