The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd. Stephen Cottrell, spoke of his ‘great love and devotion to St Wilfrid’ in a sermon to a packed congregation at Ripon Cathedral yesterday.

The Patronal Eucharist service marked the climax of six months of celebrations, which focused on the life and work of the city’s patron saint.

It brought leading clergy and civic dignitaries from across the region to the church founded in 672 AD.

The congregation at yesterday’s service.

At the conclusion of the service, the archbishop, attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner, the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt. Revd Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, dedicated a newly-created ledger stone to the visionary Benadictine monk.

The ledger stone at Ripon Cathedral.

He said:

“Gracious God, as we celebrate the 1,350th anniversary of Ripon’s Anglo-Saxon crypt, we give thanks for its ancient stones which bear witness to your faithfulness to us in every generation.

“As Wilfrid, holy and bold, built up your church in his day, so may we now, in and through this cathedral, bear witness to the inclusive good news of your kingdom for this city, diocese and region.”

The archbishop, added:

“May this stone, now incorporated into the fabric of this ancient cathedral as a lasting expression of gratitude for our founding patron, St Wilfrid, prompt us to follow his example of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to your world.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, gave a reading from the New Testament.

Attendees at the service, led by the Bishop of Leeds, included the Harrogate Borough Mayor, councillor Victoria Oldham and the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, councillor Sid and Linda Hawke.

In his welcoming address, Dean John Dobson (pictured above) said:

“For six months we have been enjoying a full programme of events which has helped us mark the 1350th anniversary of St Wilfrid dedicating his great basilica here in 672 AD.

“That was a church building which spoke of wider, universal influence and the determination to equip the church for fitting worship and active mission in the world.”

Read more:

• Housing plan for Ripon City Club approved
• Bells ring out for Ripon’s patron saint

 A photographic exhibition that aims to challenge perceptions of people with leprosy is to come to Ripon.

Leprosy is a communicable disease, caused by bacterium, which affects the skin and peripheral nerves. It can incubate in a person for years and is difficult to diagnose.

If left undiagnosed or untreated, it can cause severe disability.

A person with leprosy often experiences severe prejudice and discrimination.

The 2022 New Faces of Leprosy exhibition focuses on the positive message that people affected with the illness can rebuild their lives.

Lepra, a UK based charity that works in India and Bangladesh, invited documentary photographer Tom Bradley to create the exhibition of thought-provoking portraits and real-life stories.

Globally, there are more than three million people living with undiagnosed leprosy. The charity says every day the disease causes more damage to their health, livelihood, and future.

The exhibition is at Ripon Cathedral and is free. There are two showings on November 29: one from 11am to 4pm, and a second one from 6pm to 9pm. Refreshments will be served at both showings.

Read More:

• Bequest could bring new recreational facilities to Quarry Moor in Ripon
• Business Breakfast: Ripon BID to fund free parking to boost Xmas shopping

The Archbishop of York and Bishop of Leeds will be at Ripon Cathedral for a special service tomorrow to mark the culmination of the cathedral’s 1350th anniversary celebrations.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell and Rt Revd Nick Baines, will be at the 10.30am Eucharist Service, which will conclude with the dedication of a ledger stone honouring the cathedral’s founding father St Wilfrid

Throughout this year, the cathedral community has been telling the story of the missionary bishop and patron saint of the city, with art installations, son et lumieres, lectures and worship.

The ledger stone has been laid under the central tower, above the crypt dedicated by St. Wilfrid in 672AD and near to where the saint was buried. The crypt is the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral.

The stone has been created by letter carver Charlotte Howarth from Making Marks in Norfolk, who worked round the clock for four weeks to complete the work on time.

Her previous projects include the carving of the gilt lettering into the oak for the Remember Me memorial portico entrance at St Paul’s Cathedral, dedicated to those who died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carving the ledger stone was highly skilled and physically demanding work, using an extremely hard stone called Stanhoe Framp.

Ms Howarth, said:

“You become emotionally involved with a project when you work on it. I do think it looks fabulous, there is an overwhelming feeling of relief to see it laid in the floor of the cathedral.”

A marathon spell of bell ringing will take place tomorrow to mark the 1,350th anniversary of the consecration of Ripon Cathedral.

The cathedral’s bell ringers will attempt a peal to mark the consecration by St Wilfrid in the year 672.

Peals are traditionally rung to mark significant events in the history of both the cathedral and the city.

Over 160 peals have been rung at the cathedral since the first in 1764.

A post on the cathedral’s Facebook page said:

“A peal requires at least 5,040 changes to be rung continuously and without repetition or mistake and will take up to three-and-a-half hours to complete, so it poses a significant mental and physical challenge to the bell ringers.

“The attempt will be made by members of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers under the leadership of Martin Davies, the cathedral ringing master, and will start at around 9.30am. We wish them luck!”

Read more:

• Revealed: the three Harrogate district sites that could become investment zones
• Bequest could bring new recreational facilities to Quarry Moor in Ripon

Organisations, individuals and a business that have made a positive contribution to life in the city, gathered at Ripon Cathedral for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards.

The event was organised by Ripon Together as part of the cathedral’s 1,350th anniversary celebrations and more than 150 people were present to discover who had won the trophies designed and produced by Jennyruth Workshops.

At Friday’s presentation evening, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, pointed out that the star was the symbol of St Wilfrid, who founded the cathedral in 672 AD.

He said:

“All of those who were nominated are stars for what they do to contribute to the life of Ripon and we thank and applaud them.”

One of the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards produced by Jennyruth Workshop

Hundreds of knitted stars made by the Ripon Community Poppy Project were hung high in the nave for the presentation evening and there was special mention from Dean John for Alwyn Hartley, who produced more than 200 of them.

The dedicated team of knitters who have decorated the city with extensive displays for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, Remembrance Sunday and the Winter Wonderland at Spa Gardens, were winners of the award for tourism.

Lou Jones, who owns Oliver’s Pantry cafe on North Street with her husband Tim, received the business award and was recognised for ‘boosting the community’s wellbeing and signposting them to all that Ripon has to offer.’

St Wilfrid’s Stars youth award winner Rosie Sturt, is pictured with the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, presented the youth award to Rosie Sturt, for her work in leading a team of young volunteers who have delivered a Lego Club at Ripon Library.

The aim of the club is to help young children to increase their social skills and confidence in the wake of the covid lockdowns.

A St Wilfrid’s Star also went to Sarah Jaques – a Ripon Library volunteer and co-ordinator – who won the community award for her tireless work.

Her citation read:

“Without volunteers, there would be no library and there would be a great gap in the life of the city.”

For the overall volunteer of the year award the panel of judges selected Gloria Sturdy, who has devoted her life to supporting many causes in the city.

This includes the provision of lunches each Thursday at Holy Trinity Church for people in need, to sewing PPE kits for frontline workers during the pandemic.

The culture award was presented to the Ripon Theatre Festival organising committee, in recognition of staging a highly successful inaugural performing arts event from a standing start.

Caroline Bentham, who has supported groups in Ripon through her community scrap fund, which raises money from the sale of recycled metal, received the environment award.

As well as being a supporter of many good causes, she is an active Girl Guide Leader and an assistant county commissioner.

Read more:

• Former Ripon mayor’s book raises £6,300 for charity

• Ripon Tractor Fest provides £4,000 boost for children’s ward

The Great North Art Show (GNAS) whose planned opening was delayed because of The Queen’s death, is now open to the public at Ripon Cathedral.

Among those with works on display is Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson, whose ‘Jubilee Ma’amalade Tea’ illustration of Her Majesty holding hands with Paddington Bear, touched the hearts of the nation and became even more poignant after her passing.

The painting was inspired by the now-famous TV sketch, that was broadcast as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

Ms Tomlinson, whose artwork and illustrations are inspired by the countryside and wildlife around her, is exhibiting six new pieces, plus her jubilee themed prints.

A selection of Kay Latto’s works, which are on display at the exhibition

The exhibition, which is open until October 9, can be visited free of charge and is also showcasing the work of Ripon-based sculptor Kay Latto, who has exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy.

This month, The Society of Portrait Sculptors is exhibiting her sculpture ‘Talented Too’ at their FACE 2022 exhibition in Chelsea Barracks, London.

The GNAS, is providing a platform to the charity Vision Support Harrogate District, with sculptor Kim Murphy, who started out by sculpting her guide dog, one of eight vision impaired artists exhibiting their sculptures.

The work of vision impaired sculptors, including Kim Murphy, is on display at the Vision Support Harrogate and District stand

This is the 20^th GNAS exhibition in a year of anniversaries, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 1350^th anniversary of Ripon Cathedral’s consecration by St Wilfrid in 672 AD.

Pictures at the exhibition

Wendy Orme, the artist who started the show in 2001, explained the origins of the event:

“I felt at the time that the market for art was very much based around London and I thought it was high time we had something that allowed the work of northern artists, often rural, to be seen by people who live in the north.

“We wanted to bring art to the wider community and to people who had possibly never attended an art exhibition before, thus enabling them to view a large-scale exhibition in an open, neutral space – albeit in this case, the house of God.

“There is an important need for cathedrals to play a part in the community, bringing people together – and Ripon Cathedral does this so well. We are grateful for the use of this sacred space, which can be accessed by all, for free.”

The exhibition runs alongside the cathedral’s 1350^th anniversary installation From Rome to Ripon, produced in partnership with Art in the Churches. It features work by Syrian artist Sara Shamma, whose paintings of Wilfrid and his contemporaries hang between the great pillars of the nave; the late Jack Chesterman; poet Olivia Mulligan and sound artist Paul Baily.

Many organisations across the Harrogate district closed today as people paid their final respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Streets were quiet and there was a sombre mood as the nation watched the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ripon Cathedral and Harrogate’s Royal Hall broadcast the event live on big screens, as did numerous pubs and churches.

Many other people watched the day’s events unfold live on BBC One.

Here are some photos taken during today’s funeral capturing local tributes and the unusually quiet state of the district.

Cambridge Street deserted during the funeral.

Ripon Cathedral today

Flowers to the Queen at Harrogate’s war memorial.

Floral tributes in Knaresborough Market Place.

St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck broadcast the funeral live.

Starbeck High Street devoid of traffic.

A shop front tribute in Harrogate town centre.

A congregation of 500 attended Ripon Cathedral this afternoon, to commemorate and give thanks for The Queen’s service to the nation.

The Anglican Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd. Nick Baines, gave a sermon from the pulpit, in which he said that Her Late Majesty:

“Held herself to the highest standards of accountability throughout her reign.”

He added:

“We give thanks for her disciplined and selfless service and faith and witness through all these years.”

Ripon Cathedral was full for this afternoon’s service

The service, was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson and included a reading from The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Richard Compton and prayers from the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

The bishops of Leeds and Ripon are pictured with Dean John Dobson and Richard Compton, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire

Members of the Ripon Cathedral Choir who sang at this afternoon’s service

Dignitaries from across North Yorkshire, including the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Victoria Oldham, the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke and members of Ripon City Council, were present for the service.

Read More: 

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday
• The Queen’s funeral to be televised at Ripon Cathedral

Harrogate’s Royal Hall will be broadcasting the Queen’s funeral live on Monday.

The broadcast will start at 10am and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A book of condolence will also be available for people to sign.

The state funeral at Westminster Abbey will also be broadcast live at Ripon Cathedral, with visitors asked to attend from 9.30am.

Monday has been declared a bank holiday and many businesses will be closed.

The Stray Ferret has published a live blog that covers cancellations and rearrangements across the district.

Read more:

• The Queen’s funeral: Harrogate district arrangements for Monday

• No requirement for staff day off on Queen’s funeral, says Harrogate solicitor

Residents from across the Harrogate district have gathered to pay their respects to the late Queen today, and to welcome the new King.

Proclamations of the accession of King Charles III were made at the war memorial in Harrogate and at Ripon Town Hall at 4pm.

At the former, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, read the words of the proclamation to the gathered crowd. She said:

“In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer how people learn for the first time that they have a new monarch.

“Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving monarch came to an end and our new sovereign succeeded.”

The ceremony included “inverting the mace” as a symbol that the crown had passed to a new sovereign.

Several hundred people stood in silence until she concluded by declaring “God save the King!”, echoed by the audience.

It was followed by three cheers for the new King.

Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremony were the council chief executive Wallace Sampson and its leader, Cllr Richard Cooper. Those gathered included Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as many local councillors.

All were dressed in black and wearing black armbands.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton, centre, with other dignitaries outside Ripon Town Hall

The Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, was present for the city’s proclamation of the new King, along with its Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Linda.

The proclamation was read out by Richard Compton, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, at Ripon Town Hall.

The crowd then sang the national anthem before giving three cheers for King Charles III.

Read more:

• Bells ring out across the district once more as Charles III proclaimed King
• King Charles III’s long links to the Harrogate district

Meanwhile, this morning, hundreds of people gathered at Ripon Cathedralfor a special Sung Eucharist Service, at which prayers were said to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

What was originally scheduled to be a civic service for the Mayor of Harrogate changed its focus following the Queen’s death on Thursday.

Cllr Oldham was in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, as well as Ripon MP Julian Smith and the chair of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Margaret Atkinson.

The service was led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson. As chaplain to the Mayor of Harrogate, he was also in Harrogate this afternoon for the Proclamation of King Charles III.