Ripon Cathedral will be the focus of celebrations for the coronation weekend for many people, with special events including live streaming of the coronation on the Saturday, a Commemorative Service for the region on the Sunday and the chance to raise a glass to the weekend’s happy memories at the Beer Festival on the Monday.

Around 20 floral displays by Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club, depicting the six stages of the coronation ceremony and the role of the King, will adorn the cathedral from April 29. To add to the celebratory atmosphere, the cathedral’s bell ringers will ‘Ring for the King’ before both the coronation ceremony and the civic service on the Sunday. Among them will be four new recruits trained for the weekend’s events. The team of ringers has also been supporting other towers in the area so that they too can ‘Ring for the King.’

The big event itself can be followed from 9.30am with live streaming on large screens in the stunning surroundings of the cathedral nave. Free light refreshments and activity sheets for children will be available with coverage continuing until after the royal family has appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

On Sunday afternoon the focus switches to a Special Commemorative Service for North Yorkshire to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King, which will see Ripon City Band accompany the choir. The service is hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Jo Ropner, representing the King and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a Coronation Beer Festival on Bank Holiday Monday in the Dean’s Garden; the festival’s headline sponsor is Wolseley of Ripon. Supported by large numbers of volunteers, this reflects the King’s request for a focus on volunteering on this day. The Big Help Out is a formal part of the King’s Coronation, with people encouraged to either lend a helping hand or arrange another opportunity to volunteer their time and skills. Information will be available at the beer festival on volunteering opportunities with the cathedral’s partner charities across the city.

Dean Dobson commented: “We are delighted to be playing our part in helping the region to celebrate the coronation. Our spectacular floral displays will speak of the spiritual dimensions of monarchy, an institution which binds us together as a national community. We pray for God’s blessing upon the King and the Queen and upon all the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“Without a whole host of volunteers much of the weekend’s activities would not be possible. I am grateful to them and to our business sponsors for their wonderful support of the beer festival.”

For those attending Ripon Cathedral Coronation Beer Festival, The Dean’s Garden is entered from the corner of High St Agnesgate, from 11.30am to 5pm. Visitors can enjoy award-winning beers and refreshing ciders accompanied by delicious hot food and live music. To keep children entertained there will be a bouncy castle, ice cream van and children’s trails.

You can savour the flavour of beers from breweries including Hambleton, Wold Top, Rudgate, Roosters, Timothy Taylor, Pennine, Richmond, Ossett and Black Sheep. Also on sale will be Old Slenningford cider, wine, Pimms and soft drinks.

As last year, the main sponsor is Wolseley of Ripon and the cathedral’s business partner, Raworths solicitors, will also be heavily involved. Hambleton Brewery, Rudgate Brewery and Rick Jones from Valentinos of Ripon will support the event’s logistics.

Bands providing live music through the day include ODs, Well Worn, Jaspa, Bilko and Directors. Tickets cost £8 and for priority entry can be pre-booked online, last minute tickets will also be available on the gate. Under 18s entry is free. Proceeds go towards the mission, heritage conservation, music, education programme and running costs of Ripon Cathedral.

As part of this special celebratory weekend Choral Evensong with a Coronation Theme will take place at 5.30pm on Thusday May 4, sung by the Boys’ Choir and Choral Evensong with Coronation Vigil will take place at 5.30pm on Friday, May 5, sung by the Girls’ Choir; at both services the choir will perform anthems sung at previous coronations (see below for details.)

Morning Prayer at 8am and Holy Communion at 9am on Saturday will include special prayers and readings, then on Sunday May 7, there will be a Sung Eucharist at 10.30am with readings and prayers for the king and queen ahead of the Commemorative Service for the region in the afternoon. All are welcome. Those attending the Commemorative Service are asked to please be seated by 3.10pm.

During Thursday’s Choral Evensong with a Coronation Theme, the choir sings ‘O Thou, the Central Orb’, a setting of words by H R Bramley to music by Charles Wood. This anthem was sung in 1937 at the Coronation of King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth, the grandparents of King Charles lll.

During Friday’s Choral Evensong with Coronation Vigil, the choir sings ‘Zadok the Priest’ by Handel. It was composed for the Coronation of King George ll in 1727. Sung prior to the anointing of the new monarch it has been sung at every coronation since.

For more information, please contact michelegee@riponcathedral.org.uk