Ripon’s famous hornblower ceremony has taken on a new international angle.
When the 9pm ritual returned to Market Square for the first time in 16 months on Monday, Patricio Maglio was unveiled as a new member of the team.
Mr Maglio, who was born and bred in Argentina, told the Stray Ferret:
“When I saw there was a vacancy, I just had to apply.
“It’s an absolute honour to be part of this rich Ripon tradition, which is part of the history of this fantastic city.”
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, with the city’s hornblowers – from the left: Alison Clark, Richard Midgley, Wayne Cobbett and Patricio Maglio
Mr Maglio, who moved to the UK 13 years ago, works in the corporate team at Asda’s Leeds headquarters.
He and Ripon-born partner Rebecca live within earshot of the nightly blasts of horns that will now signal the nightly setting of the watch on the city’s ancient Market Square.
Covid social distancing requirements and lockdowns meant that the hornblowers had to perform behind closed doors for more than a year.
But, working on a rota basis, they did not miss a single night and maintained a tradition dating back to 886 AD.
The four hornblowers brought the 9pm ritual back to Market Square on Monday
After the newly-enlarged team played their part in the ceremony, they shared details of the history of hornblowing and their respective instruments, with a crowd of appreciative onlookers.
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This included the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who said:
Reduced entry cost to Ripon museums this week“We’ve now got a fab four and it’s great to have the hornblowers back and able to perform in public.
“As well as being a part of Ripon’s heritage, they play an important role in attracting visitors to the city.
“For citizens and visitors alike, the setting of the watch each night, should make us all feel a little safer.”
Ripon Museum Trust is offering discounted tickets for its three heritage attractions.
The cost of entry to the Workhouse, Prison & Police and Old Courthouse museums, will be reduced by 15 percent from today until Sunday.
Visitors with a valid National Lottery ticket or scratch card, will be able to claim the discount.
The offer is being provided to mark National Lottery Open Week.
This recognises the the £30million raised for good causes every week by players of Lotto and associated games.
The Prison & Police Museum – one of Ripon’s heritage attractions
Helen Thornton, director of Ripon Museum Trust, said:
“We’re delighted to be taking part.
“We’ve been fortunate to receive funding from the National Lottery, which has helped us save the main Workhouse building for posterity and to carry out essential repair works to our historic buildings during lockdown.
“By taking part in the campaign, we’re saying a huge thank you to all the lottery players who helped make this work possible and have supported so many good causes.”
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In July, the trust received £40,100 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This was used to safeguard its heritage buildings.
It also provided much-needed support for essential costs during the coronavirus crisis.
In addition, the trust, which maintains and operates Ripon’s museums, received two grants totalling £186,850 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The National Lottery is offering a ‘Ticket to Your Happy Place.’ It includes special offers at participating venues across the UK.
Further details are available on https://riponmuseums.co.uk/terms_and_conditions
Also taking part in the initiative is Artizan International, which helps those with disabilities earn a living through crafts.