More than three thousand visitors from across Yorkshire thronged into Ripon Cathedral at the weekend raising record amounts at the Cathedral Christmas Gift and Food Fair. A total of £18,750 was raised towards the Music Trust, an Appeal to raise £5 million for music at the Cathedral, which will be publically launched on Sunday 14th December at a performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
More than a hundred stalls created a seasonal atmosphere with gifts and food – and entertaining the crowds were local groups from Ripon Grammar School, Ripon Stage Academy, the Yorkshire Decibelles, Skelldale Singers, Cowthorpe Handbell Ringers, Dishforth Military Wives Choir and Ripon Trinity Singers.
Three hundred families visited Santa’s Grotto, 500 turkey sandwiches were served and hundreds of cups of tea and coffee were provided by cathedral volunteers. Children’s craft activities, face painting, raffle and a tombola were also attractions at the event.
Margaret Hammond, the Development Campaign Manager said, “This year’s fair was the twelfth Christmas fair to take place at the Cathedral which has now become a popular annual event in Ripon. It marks the start of the Christmas celebrations for the local community, and it is wonderful to see so many people both inside the Cathedral and also shopping in the city."