Rejoicing in Ripon EXCLUSIVE: Right Royal recognition for Ripon community hero Pete

Pete Wilkinson will be swapping his hi‑vis jacket and large lollipop stick for a smart suit and cucumber sandwiches on May 6 🚸➡️🎩🥪

The man who has been seeing school children and parents safely across one of Ripon’s busiest junctions for almost nine years has a richly deserved date with Royalty at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party 🌿🏰✨

Ripon BID member Pete — who owns and runs The Easy Learning Shop in the Duck Hill Shopping Quarter — is travelling to London with his wife Estelle, taking a rare day off from his morning and evening crossing‑patrol duties at the junction of Kirkby Road, Blossomgate, Church Lane and Trinity Lane 🚦💛

He told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog:
“I couldn’t believe it when I received a call, completely out of the blue, from the Lord Lieutenant’s office saying that I was being invited to attend on May 6 with my wife Estelle.” 🎉

Pete added:
“Estelle, who owns and runs Lindsay Fashions of Ripon in the Duck Hill Shopping Quarter, has chosen a lovely new outfit for the day — dress, hat, shoes and handbag — and I bought a new suit on Saturday.
It’s very exciting and we just hope that William and Kate — The Prince and Princess of Wales — are there and that we get a chance to meet with them.” 👗👜👠🤵✨

Pete, who was awarded a St Wilfrid’s Star at Ripon Cathedral in 2024 for services to the community, is a much‑loved local celebrity ⭐⛪

Mum Linsey, whose children Ophelia (8) and Boheme (6) attend Holy Trinity Primary School, said:
“Everybody knows Pete – he’s such a lovely man who does a fantastic job in keeping us all safe.
No matter what weather we face, he is totally reliable and there morning and evening to make sure we can cross these busy roads.
He is a hero and I hope he has a wonderful time at the Royal Garden Party.” 🌧️🌞❤️👑

Mum Linsey, pictured with children Ophelia, Boheme and Ares described Pete Wilkinson as a hero. Photograph by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID.

Pete on crossing patrol duty for pupils who go to Holy Trinity and St Wilfrid’s primary schools and students of Outwood Academy and Ripon Grammar School. Photograph by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID