Ripon revellers singing in the rain to celebrate the New Year
When hornblower Allison Clark (pictured below) set the watch on Market Square at 9pm, only a handful of people were present, but by the stroke of midnight Ripon’s New Year’s Eve revellers were singing and dancing in the rain.
Yesterday’s heavy showers that threatened to turn the evening of celebration into a damp squib, relented by 11pm and the crowds poured in to enjoy the free music that heralded in 2023.
Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke, who joined with his wife and Mayoress Linda, Ripon city councillors and other civic dignitaries in a torchlit procession from the cathedral to Market Square, led the countdown to midnight, flanked by the Bishop of Leeds The Rt. Revd Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke, pictured with The Bishop of Leeds The Rt Revd Nick Baines and The Dean of Ripon The Very Revd John Dobson
The Bishop and Dean John, were among the clergy who had taken part in the Watchnight Service at the cathedral that preceded the procession to Market Square, where a blessing was given.
Throughout the evening the tribute acts Exelle, Beyond Faith and Parklife, braved the elements to perform a broad repertoire of songs, ranging from the chart-topping numbers of girl bands to George Michael classics and the Britpop tunes of the 1990s.
The Weather Girls’ 1979 hit It’s Raining Men, was among the songs performed by Exelle (pictured above) while George Michael lookalike and soundalike Beyond Faith (pictured below) also wowed the crowd.
Last night’s concert organised by Ripon City Council, saw the curtain come down on an epic year that saw the city’s ancient square stage historic events including celebrations of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June to the mourning of her death in September and the subsequent proclamation of Charles III as King.
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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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Archbishop speaks of his devotion to St Wilfrid at celebratory Ripon serviceThe 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.”
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Archbishop at Ripon Cathedral tomorrow to honour St WilfridThe 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.”
Ripon Cathedral congregation gives thanks for The Queen’s serviceA 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.
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North Yorkshire dignitaries honour the Queen at Ripon CathedralSun glinted off the many chains of office hung around the necks of dignitaries attending the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service in Ripon today.
The great and good had gathered for the North Yorkshire Civic Service at the city’s ancient cathedral, which is itself in celebration mode as it marks the 1,350th anniversary since being founded by Wilfrid, who went on to become Ripon’s patron saint.
The service in honour of Her Majesty took place some 37 years after she visited the cathedral with her late husband Prince Philip to hand out Maundy Money to church workers and volunteers,
The Very Revd John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon, led the service and key moments within it were performed by the Archbishop of York the Most Revd and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell and the Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Mrs Jo Ropner and the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, James Lambert.
The unmistakable Harry Gration who attended this morning’s service.
Among the congregation, was Harry Gration, the retired presenter of BBC TV Look North, who is a deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Cllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, pictured with Valeria Sykes.
From the business world, Valeria Sykes, owner of Grantley Hall hotel and wellness spa, was present and posed for a photograph with the newly-installed Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Linda.
Ripon’s MP Julian Smith on his way in to the cathedral.
Local and national politics was represented, with the city’s Conservative MP, Julian Smith and Cllr Andrew Williams the Independent leader of Ripon City Council both present.
Cllr Williams, who was also elected by a landslide margin to the new North Yorkshire unitary authority, attended with newly-elected city councillor Jackie Crozier. They are pictured below.
Cllr Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“It is absolutely marvellous to see Ripon host the civic service for the county in this very special platinum jubilee year.
“As a city, we are extremely proud of our royal roots and with events at the cathedral, Market Square and Spa Park, all elements of the community and people of all ages, are coming together over the extended Bank Holiday. to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
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