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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Ripon BID announces Christmas windows competition winnersThe winners of the Ripon Business Improvement District Christmas windows competition have been announced.
In the online public vote, the silver salver and first prize went to the Wakeman’s House Cafe in Market Place South, while the window display created by young people at Ripon YMCA in Water Skellgate (pictured below) received the judges’ award and silver cup.
Both of the winning entries caught the eye of the independent judging panel, which included the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda and the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson.
BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:
“This is the first year that we have run the competition and we were pleased to receive 23 entries from across the city.
“The theme that we set was peace and sanctuary and the judges and online voters were asked to bear this in mind when assessing the window displays.”
The Wakeman’s House Cafe entry with its doves, crib, and small, cosy Christmas houses captured the theme perfectly with a window design created by Jenny MacNair.
Ms MacNair, who works at the cafe, told the Stray Ferret:
“We are absolutely delighted to win the public vote. All members of our team contributed to the display by bringing in ornaments and other decorations.”
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)
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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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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Special vigil service and setting of the watch in Ripon last nightIn special Evensong and Vigil services last night led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, the congregation joined in one voice to remember the late monarch and offer sympathy and support for the new king – a Freeeman of the City for 20 years.
From the opening of the doors at Ripon Cathedral to the setting of the watch on Market Square events in the city underlined its deep royal roots.
It began with private prayers at the cathedral from 8am until 9pm and throughout the day people wrote messages in the books of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Books of condolence were signed throughout the day and will remain in place in the north transept of the cathedral for people to leave their messages.
The Bishop of Ripon the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley gave blessings at the end of the Vigil Service in the cathedral and the setting of the watch ceremony
After the service the senior clergy and mayor of Ripon walked to the market square for the setting of the watch.
A plaque by the front door of the town hall, says that the honour bestowed on King Charles III in October 2002, when he was the Prince of Wales, was ‘In deep appreciation of his unique contribution to the regeneration of Ripon.’
Standing on the same steps that The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stood on in May 2004, when Ripon celebrated the 400th anniversary of its Royal Charter, Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke was joined by the bishop and dean, canons Ailsa Newby, Michael Gisbourne and Richard Cooper and head verger Charlie Brown, as hornblower Allison Clark, announced that the watch had been set. (see main image)
Today there will be hourly prayers at the cathedral from 8am and a special choral Evensong at 5.30pm, to mark the proclamation of the King.
Tomorrow at 10.30am there will be a sung Eucharist service led by the Bishop of Ripon, followed by a choral Evensong at 3.30pm.
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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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