The tightening of rules for public gatherings, mean that Santa won’t be seen in Ripon’s cabmen’s shelter on Sunday – but the Christmas market, with free fairground rides for children will still go ahead.

Changes affecting both indoor and outdoor venues and events, were announced this week by the government, as part of its Plan B designed to tackle the Omicron variant of covid.

Ripon City Council announced on its Facebook page:

“Unfortunately, the new COVID rules mean that Father Christmas will not be able to return to the cabmen’s shelter this week.”

The rare and historic listed building (pictured below) was transformed into a temporary grotto to coincide with the switch on of the city’s festive lights on 20 November.

Santa, who arrived on that day with two reindeer, attracted a large queue of families, whose children went to see him.

Though  the grotto is now closed, families and other visitors, will still be welcome on Market Square between 10am and 3pm on Sunday.

Free fairground rides for children will be in place next to the latest in the series of Little Bird Artisan Markets.

The following advice has been provided by the council for those planning to attend:

• People going to events are strongly advised to take a lateral flow test at home before attending
• Anyone with a positive test result must stay at home, and household members should follow national guidance for close contacts
• Face coverings should be worn indoors and in crowded spaces
• Keep a respectful social distance between yourselves and people who are not in your group
• Do not travel to the event if you are feeling unwell. If you start to feel unwell whilst at an event, you should leave the site immediately
• Follow all covid-19 measures in place at events, including regular hand hygiene

On a day of heavy rain mixed with bright sunny intervals, Ripon residents and visitors braved the elements to visit Market Square for a mini Halloween funfair.

The event included children’s rides, a helter skelter and an artisan market.

Children and their parents queued up to take a turn on the helter skelter

While the weather limited the time for enjoyment of the free rides, they were in demand when the sun finally broke through in early afternoon.

The playground occupied the southern half of the square and the Little Bird Artisan Market, was on the northern section.

In spite of pouring rain and windy conditions, 40 stallholders set up their pitches from early morning.

The market, designed to give local traders the opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade goods – ranging from food to home decorations –  have been a constant feature of the public events in 2021 staged by Ripon City Council and paid for out of the parish precept.

Between the showers shoppers browsed the stalls at the artisan market

Council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“With all of the effort that goes into organising these activities, particularly by our town clerk, Paula Benson, we are pleased that the rain didn’t ruin the day.”

The next free public entertainment that will be staged on Market Square is on November 20, when a tribute band concert will be held to mark the switch on of Ripon’s Christmas lights.

Helter skelter twist for Halloween in Ripon

A Halloween helter skelter for people of all ages, will add to the family-focused fun in Ripon on Sunday.

In the latest in a series of free events organised by Ripon City Council, the ride will take its place alongside two roundabouts for younger children.

While the mini-fairground is in operation on Market Square South, in front of the town hall, a Little Bird artisan market will be held on the northern portion of the square.

The event runs from 10am until 4pm.

City council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“During the summer, in addition to the artisan markets, we have had the roundabouts and a climbing wall to cater for children of all ages.

“This time, the wall is replaced with a helter skelter so that adults can also take their turn.”

Flashback to the summer and a children’s roundabout on Ripon’s Market Square

As the city has emerged from the covid lockdowns, which prevented large-scale public gatherings from taking place, Ripon has used money from the parish precept to pay for free concerts featuring tribute acts, a Last Night at The Proms event, firework displays and the children’s rides.

There are more events to follow before the year is out, with the switch on of the festive lights on the evening of November 20, Christmas markets on December 5 and 12 and a New Year’s Eve tribute act concert on Market Square.