Rejoicing in Ripon: Senators’ annual review puts Ripon’s heritage attractions in the limelight
The £3.3 million renovation of Ripon’s remarkable Workhouse Museum 🏛️ has gained the Cathedral City of the Dales further high‑profile exposure and national coverage.
In the same week that the cathedral announced that BBC One 📺 will broadcast the Easter Sunday Festal Eucharist service from the shining jewel in Ripon’s crown ⛪, the British Senate of Junior Chamber International (JCI) published its annual review, packed with photographs of the city’s heritage attractions 📸, which were visited by more than 60 senators on the afternoon of January 16.
Former British Senate chair Mark Riddel, who edits the review, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“It was a great pleasure to visit Ripon while up in Yorkshire for our Drumming Out weekend and we were delighted to hear how refurbishment of the Workhouse Museum has gone and that it will be ready for the summer.”
The Drumming Out ceremony, which took place in Harrogate on January 17, saw the completion of Graeme Greenfield’s year in office as chair of the organisation and the installation of his successor Jeff Evans.
Graeme, who was in one of three groups given guided tours of the heritage attraction by Ripon museums staff and volunteers, particularly enjoyed his investigation of the Prison & Police Museum 🚓, where he donned a policeman’s helmet for the attention‑grabbing photograph (below) that features on the front cover of the Senate’s annual review.
Ripon Museums Director Alexa Vernon, said:
“It was delightful to see members of this highly influential group of people enjoying their visit to our history‑rich city, where Ripon’s magnificent medieval cathedral is in close proximity to our tremendous trio of museums 🕰️, that provide a unique journey back in time to the Victorian era and the real‑life stories of people trapped in a downward spiral of poverty, crime and a severe justice system.”
Alexa added:
“Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund 🎟️, the ongoing and on‑schedule refurbishment of the Workhouse accommodation block will give access to parts of the building never before seen by members of the public.
“This will add considerably to the visitor experience as part of our exciting and educational programme called Inspiration for a Fairer Future 🌱.”
Ripon BID Manager Lilla Bathurst, said:
“The senators’ visit and subsequent review, combined with the brilliant news from the cathedral about the BBC One live broadcast 🎥, could not be better timed for our members, as we approach the key Easter trading period 🐣 and look forward to the summer boost that the Workhouse refurbishment and Ripon’s Fifth Theatre Festival 🎭 will bring to the all‑important tourist footfall.”
Lilla added:
“As well as working closely with Alexa and her colleagues, the BID is liaising with multiple stakeholders to maintain a bright spotlight on Ripon ✨, designed to ensure that our ancient city gains the positive profile that it deserves, while attracting increasing numbers of visitors who bring additional spending into local shops, leisure and hospitality businesses 🛍️🍽️.”
Graeme Greenfield on front cover of British Senate of Junior Chamber International (JCI) 2025 annual review
Alexa Vernon, Director of RIpon Museums and Ripon Bid Manager, Lilla Bathurst, with the British Senate of the JCI annual review that highlights the city’s heritage attractions.
