It's 9pm and no virus in the world is going to stop the Ripon Hornblower.  It's a sound that has been heard every night on Ripon Market Place for 1134 years, marking the setting of the watch and a guard against unwelcome invaders. 

The 9pm ceremony has been performed continuously, without fail, since Ripon was granted its first charter in 886 by Alfred the Great, King of the Saxons. It has survived the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the English Civil War and two world wars. And now, as the city faces a very different threat, undeterred, the Hornblower stands and blows the horn. 

There are 3 Hornblowers in Ripon at this time who share the nightly ritual of standing in the market place and blowing the horn. Each Hornblower has their own instrument from a collection of five, that still includes the ancient horn given to the city by King Alfred – a prized and priceless item, only on display at civic occasions. 

Allison Clark became the first woman Hornblower in 2017

The Hornblower heritage began after King Alfred presented the city with its first ceremonial horn as a gift of gratitude for the way in which Riponians fought ferociously to repel a Viking attack. 

Richard Midgley points out:  

Every night there is usually a small crowd that gathers to witness the historic event.  Usually, the Hornblower gives a short talk to the visitors after the horn is sounded, telling them about the tradition and about Ripon – not in these days though as the market place empties.  

Despite a lack of audience, nothing will stop the Hornblower from doing his or her task. 

Wayne Cobbett pointed out:  

Coronavirus won’t be the last crisis to hit Ripon. In the centuries to come, it’s likely future residents will face as many challenges as their ancestors. The Hornblower will be there, every night, a sound of hope in such troubling times.