Ripon’s nightly hornblower ceremony has been performed behind closed doors since March last year.
So the return of the city’s three hornblowers, who share the task, is keenly anticipated. But it seems the trio won’t be seen again on Market Square for almost two months at the earliest.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
“It is not possible to make concrete plans until we have certainty over the total lifting of limits on social distancing.”
Stage four of the government roadmap out of lockdown says the removal of all limitations on social contact will take place no earlier than 21 June.
The obelisk and Market Square, where the nightly hornblower ceremony has taken place for centuries.
Cllr Williams said:
“The council has received numerous enquiries about when the hornblowers will be seen again at the obelisk.
“Naturally, we hope that there are no mishaps along the way to the lifting of restrictions.
“We are as keen as our residents, businesses and visitors to the city, to see and hear them on Market Square.
“We will keep people informed.”
The 9pm ceremony has been performed continuously, without fail, since Ripon was granted its first charter in 886 by the Saxon king Alfred the Great.
During lockdown, the hornblowers have ‘set the watch’ by blowing the horn at their own homes.
People have been able to watch this on Facebook.
Hornblowers Wayne Cobbett, Alison Clark and Richard Midgley are employed by the city council.
They perform the ritual on a rota basis.
In pre-covid times, this involves them making blasts of the horn at the four corners of the obelisk and a brief talk on the history of Ripon.
The event can attract large gatherings, particularly in summer months.
Each hornblower has their own instrument from a collection of five, which still includes the ancient horn said to have been given to the city by King Alfred.
It’s a prized and priceless item, only on display at civic occasions.
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Last March, before the ceremony had to go behind closed doors, Mr Midgley said:
“Over the centuries, Ripon has had to fight off many threats from war to plague.
“The sounding of the horn and setting of the watch reminds us that we can and will overcome adversity – as we have done for centuries.”
