It’s a landmark year for Ripon Racecourse as it prepares for its most important race of the season tomorrow.
With the city celebrating the 1,350th anniversary of the founding of Ripon Cathedral by patron saint Wilfrid, the Boroughbridge Road track will hold the race that has been run in his honour since 1839 and has been supported by bookmaker William Hill since 1994.
The William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap, run over six furlongs, has attracted a field of 15 sprinters from top yards — all vying for the winner’s prize of £51,540, with a further £48,460 going to the owners of the placed runners.
Jon Mullin, marketing and operations manager at the racecourse, told the Stray Ferret:
“This will be William Hill’s 29th year of sponsorship. It is by far their longest-standing sponsorship and is something we are really proud of.”
Horses at the finish line at Ripon Races. Picture: Steve Fareham/Geograph.
With the weather set fair, a large crowd is anticipated and Mr Mullin added:
“Advanced sales have been promising. The club enclosure sold out three weeks ago and we’re hoping plenty of people come along to enjoy a great afternoon of racing.”
While the Great St Wilfrid takes centre stage, the card also features the William Hill Hornblower Conditions Stakes. Both races will be shown live on ITV.
The track’s roots are firmly established in the ancient city and the link between course, tradition and custom will be apparent when a Ripon hornblower signals the start of the stakes race at 1.40pm.
Mr Mullin said:
“Families are always welcome and under 18s will be admitted free.”
The gates will be open from 11.30am.
Platinum Jubilee Harrogate district: What’s On
This article is sponsored by Boundless Networks
The four-day celebration of the Queen’s 70-year-reign is underway.
We have compiled a What’s On diary of events for the Harrogate district across those four days. Please send us details of your event for the extended jubilee weekend holiday so we can add it in.
Harrogate
Civic Celebration:
Part of the Stray will be transformed into Jubilee Square. It will include a large stage and a big screen for the bank holiday.
Thursday: The big screen will be showing the Trooping of the Colour, The Queen’s birthday parade and the RAF flypast. Harrogate Spa Town Ukes will be performing, along with the big school sing, Freddie Cleary and band, Undercovered.
Friday: There will be a jubilee dog show, the Harrogate mastermind quiz, and live music from Ben & George. The big screen will also be playing the Service of Thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral.
Saturday: A wellbeing morning has been organised, along with a second Harrogate mastermind quiz. The big screen will stream The Derby at Epsom Downs and the platinum party at the palace.
Sunday: There will be a jubilee picnic with DJ Mark Green, and the big screen will be showing films Encanto and The Greatest Showman throughout the day.
The town centre will be adorned with 4km of bunting and there will be street entertainers performing across the four days.
Valley Gardens will host a free family festival, which will feature jugglers, magicians, choirs and fairground rides. For a full timetable of events in Valley Gardens click here.
Little Bird Artisan Market
Friday to Sunday: Little Bird Artisan Markets will be hosting an artisan market in Valley Gardens
The market holds stalls with an array of traders who sell baked goods, food, drink, arts, and crafts.
Palm Court Café Afternoon Tea
Friday and Saturday: Yorkshire Appetite have organised a guided walk and afternoon tea at 3pm.
The walk will include a short stroll through Harrogate central led by a local guide, keeping to the themes of the monarchy.
An afternoon tea will be held after in the Palm Court Café.
Tickets are £22.50 per person and can be booked here.
Cedar Court Hotel Tea Parties
Friday: Cedar Court Hotel is holding a Garden Tipi Jubilee Afternoon.
Priced at £16.00 per head the tea menu is extensive. For tickets book here.
Harrogate Street Parties
Currently, there are twelve officially planned street parties being held by the residents of Harrogate.
Rudding Park:
Thursday to Saturday: Deer House Family pub at Rudding Holiday Park will be hosting a series of events such as a Jubilee disco and tea party. For more information click here.
Harrogate Library:
Tuesday: Harrogate library is hosting the Twixt t’Covers regional event, where five special guests will discuss their favourite books from The Big Jubilee booklist. It will be livestreamed to audiences across the nation from 7:30pm to 9pm.
The 70 books, made up of 10 books from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will be available to borrow from Harrogate library.
Oatlands Community Centre:
Thursday: Oatlands Community Centre are hosting jubilee crafts for children from 10-12am. There will also be the chance to learn about Oatlands’ industrial heritage, view the centre’s ceramic mural design and sign up for a free clay workshop.
Live music at Harlow Carr:
RHS Garden Harlow Carr are hosting a series of live music performances on each afternoon of the bank holiday weekend. The groups playing are:
Thursday: Take 2 Big Band
Friday: New Horizons Dance Band
Saturday: Barnsley Brass
Sunday: Chris Irvin Concert Orchestra
Knaresborough
Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee Committee has planned a celebration and entertainment programme. Flags, bunting and shop window decorations are already up. There will be a children’s shop window trail around the town.
Thursday to Saturday: A community history display will be open in Knaresborough House from 10am to 4.30 pm daily. Admission is free.
Thursday: Knaresborough Flower Club will be decorating the Market Cross in the Market Place for the Platinum Jubilee.
At 9pm, along with more than 1,500 locations across the UK, the Mayor of Knaresborough will light a beacon on the castle top. All are welcome.
Friday: There will be a tea dance from 2pm to 4pm at the Knaresborough Community Centre, Stockwell Avenue. It is a free event, but people are asked to register their interest in attending. Tel. 01423 862702
Saturday: There will be an artisan market in the morning, followed by an afternoon garden party and performances at Knaresborough House. Musicians and entertainers are booked for the free garden event with people encouraged to dress up in 1950’s attire.
From 10-11 am, there will be a children’s flag-making workshop at Gracious Street Methodist Church. The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop.
At 11am there will be a flag procession from the Market Place led by the Town Crier to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party which opens at 12 Noon.
There will be a dog show. Entries are taken from 11am at the show ring. Entry £1 per class. Proceeds for Ukraine animal charities.
The approximate times are 12pm Best Rescue, 12.45pm Prettiest Bitch, 1.30pm Most Handsome Male, 2.15pm Waggiest tail and 3pm Fancy Dress.
Visitors can bring their own picnics, but a range of food and drink stalls will be available.
In St John’s Church, a specially commissioned film from Yorkshire Archives, looking at the Queen’s reign in Yorkshire and the Northeast, will be on a rolling programme with free entry.
In the Knaresborough House gardens entertainment will be provided by, The Hummingbirds, Roundel Pop group, Meadowside School Choir, Knaresborough Youth Theatre, Studio 3 and a traditional Indian Dancer. Knaresborough Silver Band will provide a fitting end to the day with music from the Last Night of the Proms.
Sunday: Christians Together in Knaresborough invite everyone to a Jubilee Celebration Service of worship at 10.30am in St John’s Church. Share with all the churches in the town as they come together to give thanks to for the Queen’s reign.
Sunday afternoon is reserved for individually arranged street parties.
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has announced a fancy dress competition. Get into the spirit of things with your best 1950’s outfits and you could win £50 (and some free publicity for your business or group if appropriate). Upload a photo of yourself or your team in your best 1950’s or Jubilee themed outfit. Use the hashtag #knaresboroughjubileedressup
See https://knaresboroughchamber.org for more details and terms.
Ripon
Ripon City centre will be adorned with banners knitted by Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Ripon’s Civic Celebrations
Thursday to Saturday: The focus of festivities will be on Market Square where there’ll be musical entertainment alongside free fairground rides. The entertainment will run from 11am -11.30pm
To accommodate the crowds, road closures will be in place on Market Place roads.
At 9pm on Saturday, the Platinum Jubilee Horn commissioned by the council will be used for the first time in the setting of the watch ceremony. All four of the city’s hornblowers will be on duty.
Ripon Cathedral service and tea party
Thursday: Ripon Cathedral, which is also celebrating its 1,350th anniversary year, will be the focus of North Yorkshire attention, as it hosts the civic service for the county between 11am-12pm.
Friday: Platinum Jubilee Tea Party 2-4pm for invited guests, who were born in each of the 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
Ripon’s new Platinum Jubilee Horn, will be unveiled to the public at 9pm on June 4
Children’s Entertainment in Spa Gardens
The focus on Sunday switches to Spa Park, where a day-long programme of family entertainment is being organised by Ripon Community Poppy Project.
Tractor Festival
Friday to Sunday: The UK’s largest tractor festival returns to Newby Hall, Ripon. After experiencing a break for two years, the festival will be extended to three days to cover the jubilee celebrations.
On average, the festival attracts around 12,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitions of vehicles.
The event will run from 10am-5pm over three days.
Food, drinks, arts and crafts will be available to make the day more inclusive to children and families that wish to come down. Tickets are available on the Newby Hall website.
Boroughbridge
Wednesday, June 1: Boroughbridge Community Library is taking part in the Big Jubilee Read, and will be hosting a story time for children. There will be two story times for the book The Queen’s Knickers, starting at 10:15am for children aged 0-5 and 11:30am for children aged 5-11. The event will also involve activities based on the book.
Friday: The Great Afternoon Tea for the jubilee takes place at Boroughbridge Football Club from 12pm to 6pm. An afternoon of fun and games will raise money for the charity Dementia Forward.
There will be a barbecue and bar, along with a bouncy castle, tug of war, face painting, beat the goalie competition, and a raffle. There will also be an afternoon tea for local care home residents.
Pateley Bridge
Civic Celebration
Friday: A jubilee garden party will take place from 12pm – 4pm at Pateley Bridge Masonic Hall, including food, drink, face painting and games. The event will raise money for the Yorkshire air ambulance.
Saturday: The main festivities in Pateley Bridge are focused on a big party in the town’s recreation ground from midday until 3pm and there will be a royal themed fancy dress competition, a cake competition and live music.
Sunday: A platinum jubilee afternoon tea will be held from 1pm-4pm at Pateley Bridge & Bewerley Memorial Hall with live music, a raffle and a kids “design a crown or corgi” competition. No need to book.
Masham
Civic Celebration
Masham Parish Council has organised four days of events for the town.
Thursday:
- 10am onwards five-a-side football knockout tournament begins, plus bowls, snooker, quoits and a tug-of-war between businesses and community groups.
- 2pm Town Crier will read the proclamation
- 7.30pm A celebratory ring of church bells St Mary’s Church
- 9.40pm Lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacons – bugle call to fanfare
- 9.45pm Lighting of the beacon on Roomer Common
Friday:
- 1pm Parade of Floats led by Reeth Brass Band – leaving from I’Ansons Mill, circling Masham.
- 2pm Fancy Dress judging – prizes for ‘best’ 5years and under, 6years to 10years, up to 16years and adults on Masham Market Place
- 3pm BYO BBQ on the Square – bring your own food and BBQ with friends on the square (dedicated veggie & gluten free BBQs available), people advised to bring a chair, on Masham Market Place
- 7.30pm Band on the Square – local popular band ‘The Doubtful Bottle’ on Masham Market Place
- 10pm Fireworks – what every celebration needs at St Mary’s Church yard to be viewed from the Market Place
Saturday:
- 10am Children’s Royal Crafts – craft a crown with Rev Sian Lawton at St Mary’s Church
- 3pm Afternoon Tea – enjoy a tasty light bite with a glass of fizz before the choir concert at St Mary’s Church. Tickets are £10
- Jubilee Choir Concert – come and enjoy music from members of Masham Musical Society, Singing for Fun and St Mary’s Choir. Tickets are £5
- 7.30pm Jubilee Evening Concert
Sunday:
- 10am Royal Peal of Bells – honouring the Queen at St Mary’s Church 10.45am Service of Thanksgiving
- Midday The Great Get Together – bring your own food and share at this community luncheon, tables and chairs will be provided
For full details there’s more information on the Mashamshire Jubilee Programme website
Birstwith
Saturday and Sunday: The Birstwith Annual Village Show in Harrogate has planned separate events for both days
Saturday: A royal pig race will be held at the Station Hotel gardens in Birstwith. The event is family friendly and will start from 4:30pm running onwards.
Food and drink will be available with attendees having to bring cash for betting and food.
Sunday: BAVS have organised a village picnic to mark the Queen’s jubilee. Anyone is able to join, with participants required to bring their own picnic and drinks.
Dacre
A programme of events have been organised and Dacre, like Ripon, will be taking part in the beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday.
It will be lit at Dover Castle, up the path near Low Hall, by locally-based firefighters and attendees are asked to arrive by 9.30pm.
Songs will be sung, including the National Anthem.
Family fun day
Friday: A family fun day from noon until 4pm, will be held at the Max Pullan Playing Fields.
In addition to the live music and refreshments, there will be an egg and spoon race, coconut shy, bouncy castle, face-painting and tug-of-war competition.
Sunday: The playing fields will also be the venue for an open air thanksgiving service starting at 11am.
It will be followed by a traditional village street party between the village green and church hall, from noon until 4pm attendees are asked to bring a picnic.
Throughout the week there is also a ‘Royal Treasure Hunt’ within Dacre Banks, with check in for the event at the village store.
Kirkby Malzeard
Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council has organised a packed timetable of events across the four day bank holiday.
Thursday: A historical tour of the church has been organised, to begin at 3pm.
There will also be a jubilee bonfire lit at 9:45pm at Greygarth Monument, including a singalong where guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments.
Friday: An off-road social run will begin at 9am, lasting for 90 minutes and setting off from The Mechanics’ Institute.
Reeth Brass Band will be playing from 11am in Mowbray Crescent.
From 2pm, Laverton’s party will be hosted on the green, including live music and the option to bring your own food and drink.
The Mechanics’ Institute are holding a coronation music night, starting at 8pm.
Saturday: A Royal parade will begin at midday, where trailers and floats will lead the procession. The parade will start at the Market Cross, leading to the playing fields where the ‘Kirkby Queen’ will present a gift to every child taking part.
This will be followed by an afternoon of games, entertainment and a barbeque from 12:30pm.
At 1:30pm, the Kirkby Queen will plant an Elizabeth II rose in the jubilee garden.
The Mechanics Institute are ending the day with a royal quiz at 8pm.
Sunday: A street party will take place from 1.30pm– 4.30pm on Church Street. Guests can bring their own food, drinks and table decorations, and The Queen’s head will also be running a barbecue. At 1:30pm the children of Kirkby School will perform a maypole dance, there will be a royal teddy bear’s parade followed by a teddy bear’s picnic, and a dance and singalong to live music.
Spofforth
Spofforth with Stockeld Parish Council is one of the villages to be awarded funding from Harrogate Borough Council to be used for the jubilee.
Thursday: A children’s party will start at 2pm at the cricket club, including a helter skelter, a bouncy castle, hook a duck, a craft tent and a dunking stool. There will also be afternoon tea and a barbeque.
At 2:15pm a parade of the Kings and Queens of England will begin, where children can dress up as their favourite King or Queen from history.
At 9:45pm, Spofforth will join other communities across the district in lighting the jubilee beacon. This event will begin at 9pm in front of Spofforth Castle and will include music from Spofforth School Choir and saxophonist Millie Hope.
Friday: A tea party with prosecco, afternoon tea and music for Spofforth and Stockeld seniors has been organised in the Long Memorial Hall, starting at 3pm.
Royal party in the park
Saturday: A party in the park will begin at 7pm outside the castle, where people are encouraged to bring their own picnics. The evening will include face painting, circus entertainers, a 50s style band, and an Oompah band.
A disco and fireworks will bring the night to a close at 11:30pm.
Killinghall
Killinghall is putting on a jubilee celebration on Sunday at the village hall and the cricket club.
It will begin at midday with a packed timetable of activities, including a bouncy castle, a cricket match, a tug of war, and children’s races.
At 12:15pm a jubilee fancy dress parade is taking place, and at 3pm judging of the jubilee cake competition will begin. The day will be brought to a close with the live band Let Luce.
People are encouraged to bring their own picnics, and refreshments will also be available at the cricket club bar.
Winksley
Saturday: Woodhouse Caravan Park is holding a garden party at 3pm, including games, face painting, a cake sale, a quiz and a raffle at The Barn restaurant.
There will also be a party tea between 5pm-7pm and music entertainment into the evening. The profits made from the event will be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Roecliffe and Westwick
Saturday: The parish council have organised a platinum jubilee lunch on the village green from midday.
Fewston and Blubberhouses
Thursday to Sunday: Fewston and Blubberhouses are holding a flower festival at Blubberhouses church, lasting all four days of the bank holiday. Refreshments will be served from 11am – 4pm each day, with live music on Saturday from 2pm – 3pm.
North Rigton
There is a red, white and blue trail to do around the village, starting from 22nd May, and a jubilee flagpole will be put up in the village garden.
Thursday: An evening garden party will be held from 7pm -10pm at Hill Top Farm, where guests are encouraged to bring their own drinks and meal.
They will also be lighting a beacon at 9:15pm, which can be viewed from the garden.
Sunday: A bring-your-own picnic has been organised, which will be held in the church grounds.
Topcliffe and Asenby
Thursday and Friday: The Angel at Topcliffe pub has organised a jubilee celebration between midday and 5pm. There will be a bouncy castle, a treasure hunt and games. The Cherry Tones will also be performing, with songs from across the seven decades of the Queen’s reign.
Saturday: The main event in Topcliffe and Asenby will be a party in the park on Saturday. The event will include an inflatable assault course, children’s games, a bowls competition, an ice cream van and live music. There is also the chance to pre-order afternoon tea. It starts at 2pm on the village playing field.
On Saturday afternoon, St Columba’s Church is offering guided tours, where the church tower will be open for people wishing to see the village’s jubilee decorations from above.
Sunday: St Columba’s Church has organised a Choral Evensong with the choir at 6:30pm.
Whixley
Saturday: From 7pm there will be an evening of entertainment at the village hall, with songs, dances and tales of the past.
Sunday: A jubilee picnic will start at midday, where events throughout the afternoon include a royal fancy dress parade for guests and their dogs, a dog show, sports day races and an inflatable assault course.
Hampsthwaite
Saturday: From 2pm the Memorial Hall will open, offering a hog roast and barbeque. There will also be a bouncy castle and live music from Spa Town Ukes and Still Crazy.
Sunday: The Memorial Hall will continue its celebrations on Sunday, opening again at 2pm until 5pm. There will be tea, cakes and sandwiches, as well as a raffle and screenings of film clips and newsreels.
Follifoot
Sunday: Follifoot parish council have organised a jubilee picnic on the village hall lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics and dress in red, white and blue or 1950s style fashion. There will be sports, music and a craft corner.
Great Ouseburn
Friday: Great Ouseburn village hall will hold a jubilee celebration all day, with a number of activities planned.
Guests are encouraged to dress in 1950s style outfits, and there will be a 1950s themed window trail around the village, as well as a Queen’s parade. Children’s crafts and games will take place, including dress making and crown creating. A jubilee lunch has also been organised where guests will need to bring their own food and reserve a table beforehand. There will be live music into the evening, and food available from Bistro Guy and Pool Bridge Farm Shop.
A commemorative mosaic plaque is also due to be unveiled on Friday.
Norwood
Sunday: Norwood social hall is hosting afternoon tea and family games to mark the jubilee weekend. The event will begin at 2pm, and will include an afternoon tea and picnic boxes for children, family games, a children’s craft corner and a children’s colouring competition.
Markington
Saturday: Markington village hall has organised a jubilee celebration that includes afternoon tea and live music. The event will be at 1pm – 4pm, with the singer beginning at 1:30pm. Tables can be booked via committee members.
Bishop Monkton
Bishop Monkton has a large variety of events for the jubilee weekend. Throughout the four day bank holiday, there will be a decorated house and garden trail through the village, and St John’s Church will be hosting a flower festival each day from 10am – 4pm.
Wednesday 1st June: A community concert with the theme ‘seven decades of song’ will take place in the village hall from 7:30pm.
Thursday: From 10am – 4pm there will be music from DJ Billy Miller, followed by live music at 4pm – 7pm from the seven-piece band Groove Council.
From 11am to 1pm there will be the ‘It’s a knockout’ sports competition on the playing fields, with tea and coffee also available in the village hall.
Children’s games will take place from midday on the playing fields, along with a magician.
There will also be a selection of refreshments available throughout the day on the playing fields, with bacon baps and a barbeque from 10am, and a bar from 2pm – 7pm.
Friday: At 9:45am there will be a coffee morning at St John’s Church.
The village hall will be screening two films, ‘The Village Likes to Party’ and ‘The Village Pubs’ from the local history group. There will be two viewings of each film at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.
From 10am the Methodist Church will hold a wedding dress and photos display. This will also be open on Saturday.
The Masons Arms is putting on an afternoon tea from midday until 3pm, which must be booked in advance.
Saturday: A hog roast with stalls, games and pig racing will begin at midday on Main Street.
In the school hall, there will be cream teas available, as well as the school’s jubilee exhibition, open from 12pm – 5pm.
From 7pm, the village hall has organised a ceilidh, with a cash bar on the night.
Sunday: At 10:30am, there is a join service from both the churches in Bishop Monkton in the school playground.
A fancy dress parade will take place from 2pm, where guests are invited to dress up to represent people and events from the Queen’s reign. This will be followed by a street party at 3pm on Main Street, then a prize giving at 4pm.
Monday 6th June: The parish council will present the children of Bishop Monkton primary school with commemorative mugs.
To bring the celebrations to a close, a time capsule will be created and buried at 10:30am in Jubilee Woods by the village hall.
Marton le Moor
The parish council have organised tea, cake and games on Devonshire green. The event will begin at 2pm and refreshments will be provided.
New platinum jubilee horn adds to Ripon’s rich royal history
History will be made in Ripon on Saturday night when the Platinum Jubilee Horn, made to mark the Queen’s remarkable reign, is blown for the first time.
The horn, commissioned by the city council to provide Ripon’s citizens and visitors with a ceremonial means of celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years of service, will be presented to Cllr Sid Hawke, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Ripon by John Richmond BEM.
Mr Richmond, an honorary freeman and former Mayor of Ripon, has the distinction of being the only person to carry out the internationally famous setting of the watch ceremony while in mayoral office, when he acted as a ‘stand-in’ hornblower in December 1975.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“It is an incredible honour to be asked to present the new horn in a city which takes great pride in its royal heritage.
“This goes back to Alfred the Great who, in 886, presented Riponians with their first ceremonial horn as a ‘thank you’ for their courage in fighting off a Viking raid.”
John Richmond BEM and Freeman of the City of Ripon who made history in 1975, will present the new Platinum Jubilee Horn.
The presentation will take place on Ripon Market Square at 8.45pm in time for the setting of the watch ceremony at 9pm.
The horn was made by Duncan Grimmond, a locally-based craftsman who has made several horns for the city council over the last four decades.
Mark Sidwell, musical director of Ripon City Band, advised Mr Grimmond on the process of making the horn, which is believed to be from an African buffalo and has silver mountings.
The mountings include the Commemorative jubilee hallmark and the inscription reads Presented by Ripon City Council to the City of Ripon on the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee – June 2022.
Cllr Andrew Williams. leader of Ripon City Council who proposed the commissioning of the new horn, pointed out:
“This will be a permanent reminder of our jubilee celebrations this week which promise to be the most comprehensive anywhere in North Yorkshire”
The nightly setting of the watch has continued un-broken for 1,136 years and is believed to be the world’s longest continuously-held ceremonial event.
It has survived the Black Death, other plagues, world wars, civil war and, more recently, the covid pandemic lockdowns, which saw Ripon’s team of four hornblowers keep the tradition alive by sounding their blasts behind closed doors at their homes.
Read more:
Ripon’s patron saint is the focus of celebrations in the city
Ripon began its 1,350th anniversary celebrations in spectacular style yesterday, with a son et lumiere in the cathedral among the highlights.
Throughout the day, the work of Wilfrid, who founded the church in AD 672, was celebrated in words, artworks and music.
From the the focus on Ripon’s ancient roots, the night-time spotlight switched to Market Square, where four tribute acts performed in a free concert arranged by the city council. Rain that arrived in early evening, deterred some people from attending.
A Beyonce tribute, was one of four acts to perform on Market Square, with Craig David, Boy George and Freddie Mercury tributes also taking to the stage
Events and activities at the cathedral earlier in the day, included the first glimpse, for many visitors, of Chrissie Freeth’s series of 13 tapestries in her Beyond Words exhibition.
The intricate woven works, depicting pre-Renaissance scenes, have previously been on display at the Royal Academy, Salts Mill and in Sweden, Latvia and Finland.
The exhibition will remain in Ripon until May 25.
The medieval world in woven form, can be seen in Chrissie Freeth tapestries
Alongside a guided tour, featuring a talk on the building’s hidden history, there was an opportunity to meet director of music, Dr Ronny Krippner, to learn about the organ that is central to the cathedral’s Sung Eucharist and other services.
After playing his special arrangement of the hymn Thine Be the Glory, he told the audience:
“The organ is an orchestra in itself, able to produce the sounds of many different instruments.
“It adds to the cathedral’s splendour, air of mystery and wonderment, with its booming sound able to be increased by pulling out the stops.”
Music master and apprentice – Dr Krippner, gave children, including five-year-old Rafael, a lesson in how to play the organ
For Rafael, a pupil at Cathedral School, it was a day to remember, as Dr Krippner, instructed him on how to hold a note.
The miracles of St Wilfrid
By the evening, the son et lumiere created to provide a visual representation of the seven miraculous events in St Wilfrid’s life, flooded the cathedral with coloured light.
Among those miracles, It is said that he was born in a house that was on fire, but survived without being injured.
It is also said that on the first anniversary of Wilfrid’s death, the moon and stars shone so bright that a lunar rainbow appeared over Ripon.
Hornblower Patricio Maglio, setting the watch on Market Square
The hornblower tradition
While the cathedral, is a dominant reminder of the city’s patron saint, another famous person, Alfred the Great, who has shaped Ripon’s rich history, is celebrated nightly on Market Square.
Last night it was the turn of Patricio Maglio, from the team of four hornblowers, who delivered the blasts to the past, dating back to AD 886, when King Alfred awarded a ceremonial horn, in recognition of the way in which Ripon repelled a Viking incursion.
The unbroken tradition of setting the city’s watch was complete by the time the clock on the nearby cathedral clock struck nine.
Read more:
- Ripon man of music will be remembered at concert for Macmillan
- Why did the Archbishop of York visit St Andrew’s in Kirkby Malzeard?
California awaits the arrival of ‘Mr Ripon’s’ smash-hit memoirs
From Ripon UK, to Ripon, California USA, John Richmond’s memoirs have proved a transatlantic hit.
In less than a month, every copy of the first-time author’s book Beyond the Farm Gate has been sold and more than £5,000 has been raised for Breast Cancer UK.
The final 20 copies, from a print run of 400, are being shipped to America later this week and a re-print is under consideration.
The 86-year-old former mayor, who earned the nickname ‘Mr Ripon’ for his wide-ranging community work, told the Stray Ferret:
“The book is dedicated to my late and beloved wife Barbara who died of cancer in 2013 and I have been overwhelmed by the response to it.
“It appears to have struck a chord both here and in the United States.”
Three Ripons united in the States
The California connection, which features prominently in John’s memoirs, was established 46 years ago, when he was invited to represent the world’s foremost Ripon at the USA’s Bicentennial celebrations.
Flying out at short notice and his own expense, in February 1976, he travelled to San Francisco, where he met the mayors of newer namesakes from California and Wisconsin.
The trip gave him the platform to speak about his home city’s ancient cathedral and history and traditions established over more than 1,300 years, including the world-famous hornblower ceremony, with its Royal roots going back to 886 AD and Alfred The Great.
Brenda Lange has been liaising with Paul Richmond to arrange the Transatlantic transaction. Picture: Jeremiah North Ripon CA Fire and Rescue
A huge hit in Ripon, California
A person who has taken a keen interest over many years in Ripon, North Yorkshire is Brenda Lange, who works for the fire and rescue service in Ripon, California.
Brenda visited with her parents when she was a teenager and they received a first-hand introduction from the Richmond family to the city’s ancient charms.
Following an article published in January 2021 about John’s receipt of the British Empire Medal, for services to the community, she contacted the Stray Ferret in a bid to track him down and send congratulations.
Since the contact was renewed, Brenda, colleagues and other citizens in Ripon, California, have become regular readers of the online news from Ripon UK.
She said:
“We were absolutely thrilled to read about the New Year’s Honour bestowed on John and when we also discovered that he was publishing his memoirs, we placed our advance orders and keenly await receipt of the shipment.”
Brenda, who has been liaising with John’s son Paul about the delivery arrangements, added:
“After reading the review of John’s book on the Stray Ferret, I just knew that I had to buy it and I know there are many others here in Ripon, California, who are also very excited to have the chance to purchase it!
“We’re all looking forward to the arrival of the book shipment and can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it will be a huge hit here, too!
“I can almost guarantee that the demand for his book here in Ripon, CA, will far outstrip the first 20 copies!.
In addition to the anticipated extra demand for the book in California, John is mindful of the fact that a number of people living in Ripon and neighbouring villages want to get their hands on a copy.
He pointed out:
“Because a re-print is an expensive exercise, I could only commit to going ahead with it if I receive advance orders from here and America and I would ask anybody out there who still wants a copy to call 01765 607096.”
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Memoirs of former Ripon mayor to raise money for charity
The current Mayor of Ripon recommends that people have a hanky at the ready, when they read John Richmond’s keenly-awaited memoirs.
Councillor Eamon Parkin, First Citizen of the ancient city, received an advance copy of the former mayor’s book, Beyond the Farm Gate on Wednesday.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I just couldn’t put it down, it is beautifully written and made me both laugh and cry and I’m sure it will similarly affect anyone fortunate enough to obtain a copy.”
Cllr Parkin, added:
“Poignant passages, telling of sad events in John’s life, are balanced with comical episodes, told with a Tyke’s sense of humour. As I read the book, I was wiping tears of sorrow and laughter from my eyes.”
Adding to the poignancy of the work, by 86-year-old first-time author John, is the fact that it is dedicated to his late and beloved wife, Barbara, to whom he was married for 55 years. She died of breast cancer in July 2013.
Supporting Breast Cancer UK
All proceeds from the sale of the limited edition book will go to Breast Cancer UK and it is hoped that £6,000 will be raised for the charity.
John, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in the 2021 New Year’s Honours, has been working on the book for four years and said:
“I received considerable help from Sheila Whitfield, an expert in memoir writing, who gave me advice after I met her through the University of the Third Age.“
The 280-page book, which includes highlights from John’s work in business and local politics, starts by taking the reader on a transatlantic journey from rural North Yorkshire to the streets of San Francisco.
In the mid 1970s, he was invited to represent the world’s first and foremost city of Ripon, at the USA’s bi-centennial celebrations, attended by the mayors of the younger Ripons in America.
In stark contrast to the glitz of California, John turns the clock back to the 1930s, to give an insight into the hard labours of life at Carr House farm on the edge of Dallowgill, where he was born in 1935.
He pointed out:
“There was no running water, no electricity or gas, no bathroom or inside toilet and we washed the muck from our scalps and skin while sitting in a big cast iron bath in the side scullery.”
A heart-breaking tragedy on the farm
A heart-breaking event from John’s childhood has lived with him for 80 years and still brings tears to his eyes.
“We had a wonderful black mare that we called Old Bess. She was a war horse, who served her country in France during the the first world war and came to us with a bullet hole in her front left foot.
“A special shoe was made, so that she was able to pull wagons without feeling pain, but tragically, one day, when she was drinking water from a ditch on the farm, she slipped and fell in.
“It was a pitiful sight for my parents, seeing her struggling to get up and she eventually had to be pulled out with harnesses attached to two horses, but she had suffered terrible injuries.
“My mother comforted her in her final hours and Old Bess was humanely put to sleep the following morning.”
A life-long animal lover
That ingrained memory has shaped John’s life as an animal lover and to this day he, and fellow volunteers, are involved in the daily feeding of stray cockerels that have been abandoned on the moors near Kirkby Malzeard.
Animal lover John and a team of like-minded volunteers feed the stray birds
Making history as a hornblower
On a much happier, though at the time flat note, John’s memoirs recount the story of a hastily-made offer that he soon regretted.
It was winter 1975 and Ripon’s sole hornblower told the city council that he wanted to take a Christmas break. But who would take over during his absence to ensure that the nightly ceremony of setting of the watch was maintained?
John made history when he became the only Mayor of Ripon to act as a hornblower while in mayoral office
John said:
“With all other councillors sitting on their hands as I chaired the meeting, in a fit of pique, I said, if none of you will do it, I’ll have to do it.”
He made an offer that he wasn’t sure he could properly fulfil, particularly after he attempted his first blow in the privacy of the mayor’s parlour.
However, after secret practice sessions in the bowels of the town hall under instruction from the city’s then Sergeant at Mace and former hornblower, Cyril Hawley, John perfected the pout and summoned up the necessary puff to get a blast out of the horn.
Read more:
Book availability
Beyond the Farm Gate, which costs £15, is available at various outlets, including The Little Ripon Bookshop, on Westgate, the Mason’s Arms, Bishop Monkton and from Kirkby Malzeard historian Tony Sinfield.
On Thursday lunchtime John will be at Ripon Golf Club signing copies of the book for club members and members of the public.
His memoirs can also obtained by calling 01765 607096.
Ripon’s platinum jubilee plans take shape
A new horn for Ripon will blast out for the Queen’s platinum jubilee, as part of the city’s celebrations.
The instrument will be used for the first time in the hornblower ceremony on Market Square at 9pm on Saturday 4 June and will be in regular use thereafter.
The event will be one of the highlights of the extended Bank Holiday weekend extravaganza, which also includes a special tea party at Ripon Cathedral for people with a June birthday, born between 1952 and 2021.
The aim is to create a ‘human timeline’ dating back to 1952, with one person from each of the 70 years of the Queen’s reign invited to attend, with a guest.
Ripon Cathedral will host a ‘timeline’ tea party with guests from each year of the Queen’s reign
City council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“In partnership with the cathedral, Ripon Business Improvement District, Ripon Together and the Ripon Community Poppy Project, we will provide an inclusive four-day programme of activities, that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
“There will be something for everybody as we and the entire nation join in the celebrations and after the bunting has gone from the streets, the platinum jubilee horn will provide a constant reminder of the Queen’s remarkable service to this country.”
On June 2, the cathedral, which celebrates its 1,350th anniversary this year, will be the focus of attention, when it hosts the civic service for North Yorkshire and later on that day, on Market Square, Ripon will join in a nation-wide beacon lighting ceremony.
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Free live music will be played from 11am until 11.30pm on Market Square between June 2 and 4 and fairground rides for children of all ages and adults will be in place.
On Sunday June 5, Spa Park will be the venue for music from Ripon City Band and children’s entertainers will also be performing.
The event is being arranged by the Ripon Community Poppy Project and attendees will be invited to take their own picnic.
More than 1,500 attend New Year’s event in Ripon
Upwards of 1,500 New Year’s eve revellers were on Ripon’s Market Square as the hands on the town hall clock reached midnight.
The only major public gathering to be held in the Harrogate district, went ahead last night, in spite of a couple of eleventh-hour issues.
While other events across the UK and the world, from Edinburgh to New York, were cancelled because of coronavirus concerns, the city’s residents came out in force to let their hair down at the end of a covid-restricted year.
Because of circumstances beyond the city council’s control, the planned fireworks finale was called off and there was also a late change to the concert performers, with the Movie Night Show singing duo (pictured below) taking over from the Big Boyband Reunion.
Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe (Pictured below) were the headline act on a night of free music, which saw crowd numbers steadily climb as people headed to Market Square after dining or drinking in Ripon’s restaurants and pubs.
Concerns raised on Thursday about the level of emergency medical cover for the event were overcome and two ambulance crews were on duty throughout the night.
A team of six from the OSR Medical Ambulance Service (pictured below) which works in partnership with the NHS to cover large public events, was on hand to deal with any incidents or injuries and reported just one – a young woman who cut her foot on broken glass.
In his New Year address from the town hall balcony, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, had special praise for volunteers, who have been involved in the roll out of the covid vaccination programme throughout 2021.
He said:
“It has been a challenging 12 months and I, as mayor of this great city, would like to pay thanks to the many volunteers who have worked incredibly hard this year at the vaccination site.
“I also thank those who have helped the vulnerable, neighbours and elderly in these difficult times”
Cllr Parkin, pictured below with the Bishop of Ripon The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley – who gave the final blessing, added:
“The city council is also indebted to the many people, from doctors and nurses, to delivery drivers and retail staff, who have worked so tirelessly to support all of us over the past year.”
Prior to his address and the bishop’s blessing, the mayor and Dean of Ripon The Very Revd. John Dobson led a candle-lit procession (pictured below) from Ripon Cathedral to Market Square.
The procession, symbolising the bringing of light and hope to the New Year, followed an end of year service of carols and prayers at the cathedral.
Three hours before the clocks struck midnight, the evening of entertainment began in traditional style, as Richard Midgley (pictured below) one of Ripon’s four hornblowers carried out the setting of the watch ceremony at the four corners of the obelisk.
From March 2020 until the lifting of lockdown on 19 July 2021, covid regulations saw Richard and his colleagues confined to performing the 9pm nightly ceremony behind closed doors at their own homes.
The tradition dating back to 886 AD and the much newer New Year’s Eve celebration, which has been in place since 1986, are part of the fabric of a proud and ancient city.
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A history-making former Mayor of Ripon has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community.
At the age of 39, in May 1975, John Richmond became the youngest person appointed to the city’s mayoral office.
Seven months later he achieved another unique feat, as the only serving mayor to carry out the hornblower ceremony, which dates back to AD 886.
Mr Richmond told the Stray Ferret:
“The hornblower was taking time off over the Christmas period and we urgently needed a stand-in to carry out the task of setting the watch – but who would do it?
“As chair of Ripon City Council, I called for volunteers, but nobody wanted the job, so in a fit of pique, I said, ‘ok then, I’ll have to do it.'”
John Richmond was recognised for his services to the city.
Mr Richmond had no experience of blowing a horn so over three weeks of discreet coaching sessions in the cellar of Ripon Town Hall, the city’s Sergeant at Mace and former hornblower, Cyril Hawley, taught him the technique.
His historic debut performance at 9pm on December 22, 1975, attracted an audience of 200 on Market Square, which applauded spontaneously after he completed four blasts on the city’s large African horn.
John pointed out:
“Part of the hornblower tradition involves announcing to the mayor that the watch has been set – so I was effectively informing myself!”
There were many more notable milestones in a 14-year career of civic service that started in 1967 when John was elected to Ripon City Council.
He subsequently won election to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.
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Against all odds, as an independent attending his first full meeting at county hall in 1977, he persuaded councillors of all political colours, in a Conservative-dominated authority, to support a reference back and re-think on proposals to turn 500-year-old Ripon Grammar School into a comprehensive.
Mr Richmond, who was a pupil of the school from 1947 to 1951, said:
“I was told I had no chance, but I decided to give it a go and with fellow independent Jack Blakey seconding me, we forced a re-think.”
Margaret Thatcher gave the UK’s remaining grammar schools a lifeline after she became Prime Minister in 1979 and Ripon Grammar survived, following further public consultation,
Mr Richmond’s other highlights included meeting with the mayors of Ripon, California, and Ripon, Wisconsin, when he was invited to go to the USA in 1976 to join the country’s bicentennial celebrations.
Always by his side was his wife of 55 years, Barbara, who died in 2013.
Mr Richmond said:
“She was my driving force and I wouldn’t have achieved anything without her. Though she is no longer with us, Barbara shares this honour with me.”