Rejoicing in Ripon: Romantic Ripon to send a message from the heart
Ripon City Council is providing a platform for residents and visitors to send a Valentine’s Day message to their loved ones ❤️
Councillor Andrew Williams, who chairs the committee that organises events on Market Square and other parts of our ancient city, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“The highly-successful festive lights displays that lit the city centre and all key gateways from mid-November to New Year’s Eve included, for the first time, an illuminated Ripon sign located between the obelisk and Town Hall, which proved extremely popular as a backdrop on photos and videos for people sending their special Christmas messages ✨.”
He added:
“After seeing the response to the gold and white sign which, like all elements of our displays, was illuminated with thousands of eco-friendly LED lights, the council decided to have it adapted in time for Valentine’s Day by including a large red heart ❤️.
“It will be in place throughout the upcoming Valentine’s weekend and we are issuing an open invitation to residents and visitors to come to Market Square and include the sign in their special messages to friends, families, wives, husbands, partners and other loved ones living locally and further afield 💖.”
BID manager Lilla Bathurst said:
“Our research shows that people love coming to Ripon which, as the Cathedral City of the Dales, has history and heritage at the heart of a distinctive trading community featuring many independent retailers and hospitality businesses 🏛️🛍️.”
She pointed out:
“The sparkling 2025 festive lights in Ripon were the best-ever and attracted tens of thousands of Ripon residents and visitors to the city centre during the crucial Christmas trading period ✨🎄.
“I’m sure that businesses will welcome the council’s latest illuminating initiative, as they gear up for the school half-term holidays and with Easter just a few weeks away 🐣.”
Gill & Mark Appleyard pose with a red rose
Ripon BID Manager, Lilla Bathurst and Cllr Andrew Williams
