Ripon Cathedral announces special Plough Sunday events
An exhibition celebrating farming in Yorkshire and a service for all those engaged in agriculture will be at the centre of ‘Plough Sunday’ events in January announced this week by Ripon Cathedral.
The Annual Plough Sunday service will be held at the Cathedral at 3pm on Sunday 11th January - and this year hot pork sandwiches will be an added attraction for those who come to the Plough Sunday events. During the service a plough will be presented by members of the Lawkland Young Farmers Club to be blessed by Bishop James Bell, the Bishop for Ripon, who will lead the service.
Bishop James says, "It's a tough time for our farmers. Yet they are the producers of our food and the managers of our landscapes. We want to take every opportunity to celebrate their work and encourage their endeavour."
The speaker at the ecumenical service, jointly organised by the York and Hull Methodist District and the Anglican Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, will be Lord Curry of Kirkharle CBE, a lifelong farmer and champion of farmers.
In the run up to the service and on the day there will be an exhibition by farming organisations including the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the Country Land and Business Association, and the Tenant Farmers’ Association. To enable people coming to the service to have time to view that exhibition, hot pork sandwiches, cake, tea & coffee will be served, free of charge, from 2pm.
The Very Reverend John Dobson, Dean of Ripon comments, “Rural life in Yorkshire is worth giving thanks to God for. Not only farmers, but all kinds of businesses, small enterprises and voluntary organisations work hard to make our countryside thrive.” Reverend Stephen Burgess, Chair of the York and Hull Methodist District adds, “It can often feel difficult to get rural issues onto the political agenda, and so we are delighted that Lord Curry, who has done so much at a national and international level for farming and rural communities, is giving the address at this service.”
The service is at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday 11th January at 3pm with refreshments being served from 2pm. All are welcome.