The 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.”