Music has filled Ripon Cathedral with famous guests helping to raise funds for the building. 
On December 7 the Cathedral hosted the band Jethro Tull for a sell-out concert.
An audience of 800 enjoyed the music of Jethro Tull with Ian Anderson leading the show – and welcoming special guest, Loyd Grossman.
This was all against the stunning backdrop of the building, dramatically lit up for the concert.
Members of the audience had travelled from all over the world, including the USA, Spain and Germany, to enjoy the evening in Ripon.
Ian Anderson very generously donated 100% of the ticket sales to the Cathedral and as a result the concert raised an excellent £25,000.
Molly Lawson, Fundraising Events Officer said: “The concert sold out back in February in just two weeks and I have been overwhelmed by some amazing feedback from our audience on Saturday.
“People thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we would like to thank Ian Anderson for his generosity and for making it all possible!”
Ian Anderson and the band perform as ‘The Christmas Jethro Tull’ in three cathedrals across the country at Christmas each year, donating the ticket sales to each cathedral.
Ian says: “The bringing together of people of all backgrounds, cultures and faiths is possible, perhaps, only under the auspices of modern Christianity, especially the Anglican Church.
“So, if I can help to draw people in to these beautiful and historic buildings to savour just a little of the spirit of Christmas, it seems like a worthwhile effort.
“100% of the sales of tickets go to the upkeep of the buildings and, perhaps, also in support of the musical liturgy of the cathedral.”
This year the band also performed at Wakefield Cathedral, pictures from which are below.
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