News

RITA's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Friday 16 November

In the first day of Christmas Ripon sent to me . . .

We’re well into the Christmas season, and RITA (Ripon Independent Traders Association) and the Ripon Festival have been working closely together to celebrate the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas on Ripon Market Square, and elsewhere in the city, with each Saturday and Sunday being dedicated to one of the gifts ‘my true love sent to me’.

Celebrations started on SATURDAY17 November with A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Since then there have been events celebrating Turtle Doves, French Hens and Calling Birds, (You can still mail your letters to Santa via his mailbox Bondgate Stores). But don’t despair if you missed them – there are plenty more to come – including some more feathered friends!

December’s offerings begin on SATURDAY 1st when the day dedicated to Five Gold Rings sees a Continental Christmas Market on the Square.. There’s the launch of a Charity Advent Calendar at Café Nero, with fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses: the highest bid each day wins - call in to Café Nero for full details. There will also be a very special Mother Christmas Parade to open the Christmas Grotto that is being set up in the Court House Museum; for opening times please call into The Knowledge Magnet, the Court House Museum or the Ripon Tourist Information Office.

The Continental Market continues on SUNDAY 2nd – Six Geese a Laying, and there is also a Golden Egg Hunt sponsored by Philip Hall; pop into their store for details.

On the following weekend, SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER is reserved for Seven Swans a Swimming with a Christmas Party Swim at Ripon Spa Baths – there will be loads of festive fun, so call in for times and details. On the same day the Mayor's Charity Christmas Fayre runs from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in the Town Hall – there are food and gift stalls, refreshments, tombola and much more. All proceeds for go to the Mayor's local charities. At 7.30 pm Ripon Choral Society performs Handel's Messiah. Tickets are available in advance from K Lupton (01423 870311), from Ripon Travel. They can also be bought at the door.

For SUNDAY 9 December's Eight Maids a Milking why not go along to Jack and the Beanstalk at the Leisure Centre? Performances are at 1.00 pm and 3.30 pm. Tickets are on sale at the Leisure Centre, priced Ł22.00 for a family (2adults and 2children); adults Ł 7.00, children Ł 5.00. At 3.00 pm at Fountains Abbey there is Carols by Candlelight – a traditional Christmas carol service in the abbey with candles for children. Seasonal refreshments are available and normal estate admission applies. Also at 3.00 pm St Martin's Hospice lights up its 'Light up a Life' Christmas tree in Ripon Cathedral.

The weekend of 15 and 16 DECEMBER is for dancing! On SATURDAY 15th, Nine Ladies Dancing will have Appalachian Step Dancers from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm on the Square. Earlier, from 9.00 am to 11.00 am there is Carol Singing with a stall run by the Churches Together in Ripon. Tone up for Christmas from noon to 3.00 pm with a Fitness Spectacular run by Brimhams Fitness Centre and the Students of Harrogate College. They will be undertaking pre-Christmas work-outs to help tone up for your festivities. The Students Challenge you to a Rowing Competition – come to the market square and see if you can row the furthest in a minute. There will also be a Self Defence demonstration by the students. Diving For All has a Santa’s Grotto and coffee morning in the Town Hall from 10.00 am t0 4.00 pm in the Town Hall. And to round off the day there is the traditional Christmas Spectacular 7.30pm in Ripon Cathedral – a great evening of carols and Christmas music with Ripon’s ‘festive’ choirs.

Next day, SUNDAY 16th, Ten Lords a Leaping will be celebrated with Ripon Morris Dancers who will leaping to entertain festive shoppers. Kirkgate Christmas Market – stalls, tombolas will guide you through to the Cathedral and the Grotto at the Court House Museum, while on the Square the Farmers Christmas Market gives the chance to stock up with tasty produce for a mouth-watering Christmas. To round off the day, enjoy Evensong and a performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols in Ripon Cathedral, starting at 5.30pm

The last weekend before Christmas has Eleven Pipers Piping on SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER, when you can hear live Pipers on the Market Square from 11.00 am to noon, while the Royal Oak offers festive cheer with mulled wine and mince pies.

And for SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER, the Twelfth Day of Christmas – Twelve Drummers Drumming – There’s a lively drum festival for the whole family, with a chance to try out the percussion instruments and hear a live band. It’s also the final day for the Grotto at the Court House – those who have visited or written a letter and posted it into Santa’s Mailbox will enter the Children's Christmas Draw for a Special Prize donated by The Knowledge Magnet. In the evening at 5.30pm there is the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Ripon Cathedral

And don’t forget that, once the Christmas festivities are over, we’re straight into the New Year. On New Year’s Eve there are the traditional Ripon events – the Watchnight Service at the Cathedral, followed by the Torchlight Procession to the Square, the Countdown to Midnight and fireworks to welcome in the New Year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas events are sponsored by Ripon Independent Traders, Ripon Area Business Association, Ripon City Partnership and the Festival Committee. All events are correct at time of print but are subject to change. Please check the local paper or visit www.ripon-internet.com for changes.

RITA members include: Bondgate Stores; Brandazzi; Bronco; Cathedral Financial Planning; Cottage Greene; David Winpenny Public Relations; Deli on Duck Hill; Dinky 2 Dudes; Eura Audit; Fountains Health Store; Hornseys - the gallery; Jennyruth Workshops; The Knowledge Magnet; Langtons; Let's-Move.net; Lightwater Valley; Livius Events; Lockwoods; March Hare; Ripon City Music; The Forge Farm Shop; the Old Deanery; The One Eyed Rat; Perk Up; Philip Hall; Ripon Travel; The Royal Oak; Simon Crosfield & Co; Soles; Storm in a Teacup; Tuttobello; Woodhouse Farm and the Unicorn Hotel

RITA and the Ripon Festival wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas!