Hundreds of families poured through the doors of Ripon Cathedral to enjoy this years Spring Food, Home & Garden Fair.
Visitors came from all over Yorkshire to see the baby animals kindly provided by Riggmoor Reindeer Co, with Jeffery the donkey and Bullseye the horse proving to be the stars of the show, posing for photographs with the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.
Brick Box Yorkshire delighted children with the opportunity to build and create models using Brick Box’s enormous quantity of Lego. The Ripon Cathedral Chocolate Tombola was also a great draw for children and adults alike, with the chocolate generously donated by Hemingways of Ripon.
The plant stall was also a huge draw for gardeners; selling affordable home-grown plants and vegetables it was organised and manned by cathedral volunteers.
Over 80 other independent traders selling gardening goods, tasty food treats, homewares and gifts from all over Yorkshire, were exhibiting at the fair.
There was a great buzz of activity and excitement throughout the day - the pop-up café served pulled pork sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks, while visitors were treated to live music throughout the day from six different groups, one of the highlights being All for One Choir, Ripon, with over 120 members making a fabulous sound throughout the cathedral.
The event raised in excess of £16,000 towards the mission, heritage conservation, music, education programme and running costs of Ripon Cathedral.
Visitors were fascinated with the plans on display at The Inn Collection Group’s stand, demonstrating the new job opportunities which will be available when the new Ripon Inn opens its doors later this year providing much needed bed space in the city of Ripon.
The annual Ripon Cathedral Beer Festival next takes place on May Day Bank Holiday, Monday, May 8.
Tickets are available online now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ripon-cathedral-beer-festival-2023-tickets-547762461267
For more information, please contact Jo Bussey, Development Director on jobussey@riponcathedral.org.uk