Blessing ceremony is held at Ripon Garden of Remembrance

Ripon’s week of events to remember and honour the dead of two world wars and other conflicts, began today at the Royal British Legion  Garden of Remembrance next to the cathedral.

Canon Ailsa Newby led prayers at a ceremony of blessing for the garden, which was created by the Ripon branch of the RBL in 2018.

The event, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, saw representatives of all armed forces gather, along with standard bearers (pictured below) veterans and members the Ripon branch of the Royal Engineers Association.

Canon Ailsa said:

“In this coming week tokens of remembrance will be placed in memory of those who fell in the cause of freedom for our country.

“In the name of the Royal British Legion we pledge ourselves to help, encourage and comfort others and to support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of nations.”

Standard Bearers at Ripon Garden of Remembrance

The ceremony included a two-minute silence and afterwards small wooden poppy crosses, were placed near the RBL plinth in the garden by a number of attendees.

Royal Engineers officer places Poppy cross by plinth

A serving officer with the Royal Engineers puts a poppy cross in place

Remembrance Sunday

Attention now turns to Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service, which will be held on November 13 at the war memorial in Spa Gardens.

There will be a two-minute silence before wreaths are laid in honour of the fallen, by civic dignitaries, members of the armed forces, the RBL and representatives of other organisations.

Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.

On completion of the service at the war memorial, the civic party will proceed to the town hall where there will be a march past and salute.

The march past, including members of the Royal Engineers, standard bearers, veterans, Ripon City Band, cadets, scouts and guides and representatives of other organisations, will head down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a service will be held.

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