Hundreds of visitors from across the diocese have contributed to raising a welcome £22,000 for Ripon Cathedral 
through this year’s Christmas Gift and Food Fair.
With 100 stalls of seasonal gifts and food on display in the ancient building, the crowds who came through the west doors were kept entertained by local music groups. These included the Skelldale Singers, Ripon Stage Academy, Ripon Cathedral Youth Choir, Vocalis, Prima Musica, Ripon Trinity Choir and Boroughbridge High School.
The fund raising for the Cathedral development fund was boosted by Cathedral Dean, John Dobson and his team of clergy who sold a record £1500 in raffle tickets.
Hundreds of turkey sandwiches were served along with cups of tea, coffee and mulled wine .
For children there was a visit to Santa’s Grotto, or the chance to make an Advent candle with craft activities and face painting.
Margaret Hammond, the Development Campaign Manager said: “The event marks the start of the Christmas celebrations for the local community and it was wonderful to see so many families both inside the cathedral and shopping in the city.
“The event could not take place without the help of so many volunteers, and we are truly grateful to everyone who helped on the day.
“A huge thank you to the Dean of Ripon and his team of clergy who raised a record £1,500 selling raffle tickets; the volunteers who baked so many wonderful Christmas cakes and who helped on the day; local Ripon businesses - Hemingway’s, Cocked Hat Farm Foods, Valentinos; the soldiers from Claro Barracks who helped set up the event and a group of former employees from the Ripon office of Wolseley UK. Everyone worked so hard and helped in so many different ways to make sure the event was a huge success.”