The Ripon City Festival Trust 1986
Charity number 514981
Report and accounts for 1 April 2025 - 31 October 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR 1 APRIL 2025 - 31 OCTOBER 2025
REGISTERED CHARITY NAME The Ripon City Festival Trust 1986 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 514981 REGISTERED OFFICE 3 The Crescent Ripon HG4 2JB
TRUSTEES
The trustees who served during the year were as follows:
Mr S. Hewitt Mr B. Price Mrs T. Salden Mrs C. Scott Mrs J. Whitham
BANKERS
HSBC 34 Westgate Ripon HG4 2BL
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Alistair McLean Dairy Cottage 48 Hurgill Road Richmond DL10 4SZ
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1 APRIL 2025 - 31 OCTOBER 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Ripon City Festival Trust 1986 is a charitable trust, registered charity, number 514981. The governing constitution was adopted on 7 February 1984.
There were no resignations or appointments of trustees during this period.
Responding to the growth of the charity’s main project, Ripon Theatre Festival, trustees have taken steps to strengthen governance and to improve financial reporting and strategic planning. A grant from North Yorkshire Council enabled the charity to engage a fundraising consultant to support on Governance Review and Business Planning. Trustees have also taken advice from Community First North Yorkshire in preparing to transfer the charity to a CIO in 2026.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charity’s main charitable objects are as follows:
To advance the education of the public by the maintenance improvement and development of the knowledge understanding and appreciation of the history and the historical archaeological architectural and cultural heritage of the City of Ripon (including its customs and traditions).
To present or assist in presenting public concerts dramatic performances recitals arts exhibitions lectures arts festival and other education and arts events.
To provide a means for bringing to the attention of the public the work of creative artists in the appropriate fields of the arts.
Ripon Theatre Festival’s mission is to bring colour and culture to all the communities of the city, through performance, participation and community celebration.
The festival’s aims are to:
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provide high quality, professional performing arts which are not normally available
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locally, tackling the barriers of access, affordability, geography and perception;
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animate the city’s open spaces and venues, contributing to Ripon’s development as a
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socially connected and vibrant place to live, work and visit;
• work collaboratively, making the most of local skills and partnerships, developing volunteers and creating participatory opportunities for all of the city’s communities.
The trustees have had regard to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives of the charity and in planning future activities.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Summary of Ripon Theatre Festival 2025 (RTF25)
RTF25 was the fourth festival delivered by the charity and its most successful to date. RTF received project funding for the first time from Arts Council England (National Lottery Project Grant) which increased the quantity and quality of work presented and significantly supported the outreach and community work. Ticket income increased again in 2025 and the festival continued to be supported through partnership agreements with Ripon BID (Business Improvement District) and Ripon City Council. Grants from North Yorkshire Council, local trusts and a range of community groups supported the free family events and outreach projects. Corporate sponsorship from local businesses was down on previous years, but remained a vital income stream along with donations from individuals.
Events
RTF25 took place over six days and nights (1-6 July 2025). More than 2,500 people were involved as audiences, participants or performers, with total attendances to both free and ticketed events approaching 8,000. From bed-side puppetry for care-home residents and pop-up storytelling, to high-quality street acts and open-air family theatre in multiple locations, more than 130 events including drama, puppetry, circus, comedy and poetry were staged in varied and unique venues.
The majority of events for families were free and the city streets and open spaces hosted a variety of characters and acts, with community performers taking part alongside professional performers from across the UK.
Outreach & Education
RTF was able to deliver a number of community outreach activities and events both during and in the months ahead of the festival.
Artist Sharon Hockin worked with community groups to create an art installation in Ripon Spa Gardens. She delivered a total of 8 workshops, involving a total of 42 participants with learning disabilities and special educational needs.
Creative arts workshops with 14 young people were delivered in partnership with Ripon YMCA and RTF worked with volunteers from Ripon Museums Trust to present a community play staged across all three museum sites.
RTF also took dance, theatre and puppetry to 6 different residential care homes in Ripon, Boroughbridge and nearby villages, working with Spiltmilk Dance and with Eye of Newt Theatre. A total of 128 elderly residents took part.
RTF presented its first schools’ day with performances from Swallows Wing Puppetry, introducing 193 key stage 1 & 2 children from 3 primary schools to West African stories.
The Storyteller in Residence, Peter Chand worked on oracy skills with 48 Year 2 pupils at 2 local primary Schools.
A Participation Zone as part of the Family Weekend provided taster workshops in flamenco, Morris dance, African drumming and circus skills.
A poetry-writing walking workshop and storytelling workshops offered creative education opportunities for adults.
A Question and Answer session with writer and performer Russell Lucas explored the research and creative process for his Titanic-inspired theatre piece.
Staffing and Volunteers
The trust has remained entirely volunteer-led during this period. A total of 48 volunteers supported the festival. A freelance marketeer provided 3 hours of weekly support over the festival season. The volunteer team included 10 supporters working on the festival across the year with an additional 38 volunteers joining in to staff the festival events. These included a Youth Squad comprising 9 members who assisted at events and with monitoring, marketing and social media.
The trust recognises the considerable value of volunteer support, without which the charity could not deliver its programmes. Total estimated volunteer hours: 1,800 hours. In-kind value of volunteer hours at Living wage (£12.60 per hour): £22,680.
The 2025 Impact Report is here attached as an appendix.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Trust’s primary activity is Ripon Theatre Festival taking place in July each year, so trustees resolved to change the accounting year to reflect this. Trustees also resolved to submit signed accounts for a short year (1 April – 31 October) in the first instance. The change in accounting year was approved by the Charity Commission on 17 December 2025. The accounts therefore represent only seven months of activity. Some income and expenditure for the 2025 festival was reported in the previous year’s accounts (1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025).
In the financial period 1 April – 31 October 2025 the charity had an income of £40,868.44 and an expenditure of £50,249.56.
Overall for the 2025 Ripon Theatre Festival, the total revenue was £63,952.65 and the total costs were £57,110.26, resulting in a surplus of £6,842.39.
Moving forward, the financial year will be aligned with the festival year so the accounts will provide a better representation of results.
No trustees received any benefits during the year. Where trustees incurred expenses relating to festival activities they were reimbursed on presentation of receipts.
Reserves Policy
Trustees recognize the need to maintain a level of reserves that ensures the long-term sustainability of our annual theatre festival. This policy balances the need to invest in our artistic mission with the necessity of protecting the charity against financial unforeseen risks.
Purpose of Reserves : Reserves are maintained to:
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Manage the inherent financial risks associated with an annual event-based model.
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Bridge the gap between the timing of expenditure and the receipt of grant funding or
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ticket sales.
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Provide a contingency fund to ensure the following year’s festival can proceed if key
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income targets are missed/key income is delayed.
The Charity distinguishes between General (unrestricted) Reserves and Designated Funds.
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General Reserves: Funds available for the daily purposes of the charity.
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Designated Festival Delivery Fund: A specific portion of unrestricted funds set aside by
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the Trustees to underwrite the core costs of the next festival cycle.
Level of reserves :
The Trustees have set a target of 50% of annual turnover as Reserves. Of these, trustees designate £14,000 as a Festival Delivery Fund.
Rationale: The Charity is dependent on income from grants, donations and earned income which can fluctuate. Reserves at this level represents the minimum viable level of funds required to commit to artist contracts and venue hires months in advance of the annual festival.
Current Position: As of 31 October 2025, our total reserves represent approximately 30% of turnover. While these funds are unrestricted, they are not surplus; they are essential working capital required to mitigate the risk of a single failed funding round causing the permanent cessation of the festival.
Monitoring and Review: The Trustees will review the level of reserves and the designation of funds quarterly. This policy will be formally reviewed annually to ensure it remains proportionate to the scale of the festival and the external economic environment.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations. They are also responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report and account demonstrate the trustees’ commitment to discharging these responsibilities effectively.
Tina Salden
Chair of Trustees 12 February 2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Ripon City Festival Trust 1986
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2025 .
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Alistair McLean
Address: Dairy Cottage, 48 Hurgill Road, Richmond, N. Yorkshire, DL10 4SZ Date: 11/01/2026
The Ripon City Festival Trust 1986
Accounts for 1[st] April 2025 to 31[st] October 2025
| Income RTF 2024 RTF 2025 Donations and Legacies Trusts/Community Donations Individual Giving Public Funds/Grants Charitable Activities Ticket Revenue Trading Activities Corporate Sponsorship Ripon BID Total Income Expenditure Charitable activities - RTF 2024 Charitable activities - RTF 2025 Total expenditure Profit Balance sheet Bank Cash Represented by Reserve b fwd Profit/Loss for the year Reserve c fwd Unrestricted Funds General funds Designated fund – RTF Delivery Fund |
31/10/2025 31/03/2025 34191.72 23084.21 5525.00 2066.98 4100.00 18626.46 5550.00 5000.00 |
|---|---|
| 40868.44 57275.93 |
|
| 39164.88 50249.56 6860.70 |
|
| 50249.56 46025.58 |
|
| -9381.12 11250.35 |
|
| 22523.57 31982.44 82.75 5.00 |
|
| 22606.32 31987.44 31987.44 20737.09 -9381.12 11250.35 |
|
| 22606.32 31987.44 |
|
| 31987.44 8606.32 14000.00 |
|
| 22606.32 31987.44 |
Impact Report
2025
“Ripon has built something that feels both ambitious and accessible, professional and personal.” The Yorkshire Times
The Headlines
Ripon Theatre Festival 2025 took place from 1-6 July with workshops, warm-up performances and community outreach events in the preceding months.
“It was so inclusive and so varied. We really enjoyed it and the atmosphere it generated especially over the weekend. Thank you!” Audience Member
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We extended our
We reached new audiences
Community Outreach Programme
We worked with new venues We developed our partnerships
We supported the local economy We developed our reputation
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1,962 6,026 7,988 412 78
Tickets Free event Total Community Professional
sold attendances attendances performers performers
----- End of picture text -----
Audience & Access
Our audience continues to grow and we are working hard to make our festival as inclusive and accessible as possible. We have managed to keep our ticket prices low with the vast majority of our events offered free of charge. We became partners in the Accessible Ripon project.
“”It is a fantastic weekend, we come every year” Family Day Attendee
Ticket sales were up by 19%
Total attendances increased by 37%
80% of all available tickets were sold
44% were experiencing the festival for the first time
62% of attendees came from Ripon
78% of events were free Tickets cost £5 - £20
15% of our ticketed audience parties included a disabled member
49% of ticket buyers also attended one of our free events
193 children attended an event with their school
“Really friendly atmosphere and even fun for my two teenagers” Visitor from Falkirk, Scotland
“As a disabled viewer I was cared for perfectly” Ripon Resident
“Really nice to reach people who might not ordinarily get to see theatre” Performer from Notice this Notice
“A great festival yet again. Reasonably priced tickets for interesting shows.”
Ripon Resident
Our Events
We staged 134 events in total, from Nana Funk at our Launch Night in March to a Shakespeare finale in July.
We successfully trialled doubling up some evening performance options, worked with new venues and created a Participation Zone for drop-in workshops. We grew our outdoor arts offer and promoted our first Schools’ Day.
We attended several performances and they were all very good, many were outstanding, powerful, moving and some raucous theatre! We loved it.” Audience Member
“It was a triumph!”
The Very Reverend John Dobson, Dean of Ripon Cathedral The Beloved Son
Ticketed theatre programme
Highlights included The Beloved Son , Third Class and Spy Movie: the Play!
Open air theatre
From The Three Inch Fools, Illyria, Notice this Notice and Wrongsemble
Street entertainment & Pop-Ups
Highlights included Tit for Tat Circus, Cloudscapes , Bee Cart and The Calamity Dames
Community Play with Ripon Museums
95%
Survey respondents: The quality was excellent or very good
Peelers, Poacher and Paupers told local history across 3 sites
New Venues
The Leper Chapel, The Portly Pig and Ripon Races
Community art installation
“We saw Pirate Princess. What a joy. A lovely hour of silly to cheer up everyone there on a Friday evening. Just lovely.” Audience Member at Trinity Church
“The performance I attended was excellent in all respects. It was both entertaining and informative, and far exceeded my expectations.”
Audience Member at Peelers, Poachers, Paupers
From Bandstand to Hatstand with artist Sharon Hockin
Our first Primary Schools’ Day
Swallow’s Wings Puppetry presented Anansi & the Lost Sun
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We welcomed 78 professional artists from across the country with specialisms in puppetry, circus, magic, comedy, theatre, dance and storytelling. We provided a platform for a record 412 community performers from North and West Yorkshire.
“What a fantastic event, it was truly very inspirational to be around so many amazing acts and people.” Lucy Hardy, Lula Hooper
“We've had such amazing feedback - so good to share the veterans memories and get this response.” Helena Fox, Writer/Director, Bomb Happy
“We had such a lovely time. We were so well looked after and the festival (as always) is so well received in Ripon by the people out on the streets.” Gil & Natalie, Kerfuffle Theatre
“Many thanks for the opportunity. It was great to give a stage to Ripon Poets.” Caroline Matusiak, Poet
“We’ve come all the way from Cardiff and it’s been lush!” Kitsch n Sync Collective
ay if ’ i ) | + Bringing The Community Together
Our festival belongs to the city and is shaped by our partners, volunteers, supporters and participants. We collaborate to make the most of the city’s venues, resources and skills together with the talents of visiting artists.
“It was truly a pleasure to see Ripon come alive with creativity, talent, and community spirit. It was an honour to sponsor and take part in – the dedication and passion of everyone involved were clear to see, and the result was something really special.” Jackie Crozier, Little Bird Markets
“RTF improved my 76% 88% sense of wellbeing”
“RTF is welcoming for the whole community”
Survey respondents agreed strongly or very strongly
“It really feels like Ripon is very invested in this festival” Natalie Bellingham, Performer with Pif Pa f
“You’ve helped us achieve what we want which is to get this building better known and better used.” Ros Latham, Chaplain at The Leper Chapel
Event collaboration with Ripon Museums and Kirkgate traders
Venue partnerships with Ripon Races, Ripon Cathedral, The Old Deanery Hotel
Pop-up performances in The Portly Pig bar and The Little Ripon Bookshop
Family events with Ripon Library and Ohana charity
Local writers and performers supported with Short & Sweet Yorkshire
28 community groups took part as performers
Empowering People fet” ~~, = OK
We developed our team of trustees and volunteers, provided work experience and supported young volunteers.
“This role sharpened my skills and gave me valuable insight into working with a creative team under real-world deadlines. Seeing my work gain engagement which helped boost tickets sales gave me real confidence.” Romily Abbott, Digital Marketing Assistant
48 volunteers including Youth Squad of 9
Volunteer development with Ripon YMCA
1 emerging artist placement – Assistant Director, Peelers, Poachers, Paupers
1 student internship – Digital Marketing Assistant
New volunteer logistics 4 new trustees team
“All the volunteers were super helpful and cheerful all contributing towards the fantastic atmosphere! Ripon Resident
“The event was well managed, with helpful and friendly staff.” Ripon Resident
“An incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to grow both professionally and creatively. Being part of this project has expanded my portfolio and experience and also helped me form valuable connections
with inspiring individuals.” Emily Briscombe, Assistant Director, Peelers, Poachers, Paupers
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r
Reaching Out
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Project funding enabled us to deliver more community outreach activities, both during and in the months running up to the festival. We developed our relationship with care homes in the area and held our first Schools’ Day.
Dance theatre in 4 care homes with Bloom from Spiltmilk Dance
Suitcase puppet show in 3 care homes with Eye of Newt including multiple bedroom performances
128 care home residents and those living with dementia enjoyed a live event
“We’ve displayed the hats in our new café area today and they look amazing. The members are suitably proud of their work.” Sue Orrey-Godden, Learning Disability Support Worker, Ripon Walled Garden
8 papier-mâché hat sessions with learning disabled adults
“I designed a blue planet style hat. I learnt to do a bit more detail and added a lot of features of the oceans from the tropics to the mysterious dark depths.” William, Jennyruth Workshops
“It was a brilliant workshop - we were all so impressed. Captivating.” Burton Leonard Primary School response to Peter Chand
“It brought back some lovely feelings and memories" "When I go back to my room and close the door I will keep thinking about this, and sing." Care home residents’ responses to Bloom
3 creative sessions with Ripon YMCA young people
3 storytelling workshops
24 care workers attended Listening With Your Eyes session with Vamos Theatre
Flamenco, Morris Dance, African Drumming & Circus Skills sessions
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3 ag i INE os tre
Supporting the Local Economy Se he See ge re
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We worked with Ripon BID (Business Improvement District) and with our corporate sponsors, partner venues and local businesses to make the most of the festival’s commercial opportunities. Audiences spent money locally and RTF supported local suppliers.
“It was my best ever day since the start of trading here” The Portly Pig
“I love Ripon and it was great to see it so buzzy!” Fiona Hunt, Short & Sweet Yorkshire
RTF ticket purchasers and visitors told us how much they spent
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27%
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Spent more than £50 with local businesses 97% “RTF is good for Ripon’s image”
Survey respondents agreed strongly or very strongly
Footfall in Ripon across the week of the festival saw a marked uplift. On Festival Saturday, crowds remained longer in the city centre than in previous years.
We developed our partnership with traders on Kirkgate. A road closure enabled outdoor service for restaurants and bars and entertainment was co-curated with Ripon Open Mic Organisers, RoughCutUK.
Food and drink businesses reported significant increase in sales in the Cathedral Zone on Saturday, with product selling out in record time.
“RTF is a beacon in terms of our aspirations for a thriving city; a showcase of what quality, superbly organized and joined up arts and culture can bring to a market town economy.” Richard Hughes, Kirkgate Traders
33% increase in footfall over Festival Week
i cE a} a ee . rs a i Ei Increasing Our Reputation - ee i Fy ‘i _ te > Be ~~
“Ripon has cracked the code of what modern audiences actually want: intimacy, variety, and genuine connection.” Yorkshire Times
“It was a resounding success and adds cultural attraction to a city primed for expansion and growth by introducing diversity and content for all ages” Martin Sterne, Sterne Properties
“Just excellent. The heart and the effort and care that went into it was outstanding.” Visitor from West Yorkshire
“You are going from strength to strength. Well done to everyone involved in the organisation of the event, it is much appreciated by Ripon residents and visitors to the city.” Cllr Barbara Brodigan, North Yorkshire Council
Income
Expenditure
Audience and visitor information gathered from 312 face-to-face and online questionnaires. Ripon Theatre Festival 2025 was generously supported by:
Ripon Theatre Festival is managed by Ripon City Festival Trust 1986 (Registered Charity: Number 514981)
Performers
Nana Funk Everwitch Theatre Fell Foss Theatre Lou Conran Larry Dean Andrew Harrison Olivia Corbin-Phillip
Peter Chand Russell Lucas Mary-Jane Holmes Ripon Ghost Walkers On a Role Productions Swallow’s Wing Puppetry
Gemma Bond Theatre Royal (Norwich) Flamenco de Leeds Slubbing Billy's Ripon City Morris Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers Rock Choir Kerfuffle Street Theatre Kitsch n Sync Collective Lula Hooper Gobbledegook Theatre Tit for Tat Circus Stories Alive Grandly Strange Dave Ford & Dimitri Ogden The Wakeman Mummers' Musicians
Chicks on Sticks Yorkshire Voices The Fantastic Mr Forster Catherine Jacob Ripon Youth Theatre
Drums Agogo Ripon Dance Academy Skellside Folk Group The Daytones Lily Worth Grace Hughes Calle Oche RoughCutUK Short and Sweet Yorkshire Nigel and Band Illyria Vagabond321 Glass Rockets Louise Geller Pif Paf Theatre Ripon Trinity Singers
Handmade Theatre Notice this Notice Jolly Good Productions Cricket on the Hearth Ripon Goes to Bollywood Wrongsemble Open the Book
Dishforth Military Wives Choir Ripon Walled Garden Performers
Medusa Super B The Three Inch Fools Spiltmilk Dance Eye of Newt
Venues
Ripon Arts Hub Ripon Library Ripon Cathedral The Old Deanery Holy Trinity Church Market Place Minster Gardens Valentino’s Ristorante The Little Ripon Bookshop Ripon Courthouse Museum Kirkgate & City Centre streets
Ripon Spa Gardens Ripon Workhouse Museum The Leper Chapel The Portly Pig Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall Ripon Races Lister House
Sponsors & Supporters
Arch Consulting Specsavers, Ripon Elstob Auctioneers Ripon Races Sterne Properties Little Bird Valentino’s Ristorante Arts Council England
Calmcott Trust The George A Moore Foundation Ripon Rowels Rotary Club Ripon Rotary Club Ripon Library Action Group WW Spooner Trust The Ramsden Trust
Ripon BID WW Spooner Trust Ripon City Council The Ramsden Trust North Yorkshire Council Ripon Charity The Charles and Elsie Pantomime Group Sykes Trust Bishop Monkton WI Alfred Hymas Dr F Cole