Selby Abbey

After Ripon, we headed to Selby Abbey for a midday concert.

"The church is one of the relatively few surviving abbey churches of the medieval period and although not a cathedral, it is one of the largest. It was founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069 and subsequently built by the de Lacy family.

On 31 May 1256, the abbey was bestowed with the grant of a mitre by Pope Alexander IV and from this date was a 'Mitred Abbey'. This privilege fell into abeyance a number of times, but on 11 April 1308, Archbishop William Greenfield confirmed the grant, and Selby remained a 'Mitred Abbey' until the Dissolution of the Monasteries." -- Wikipedia

Verger

So on Sunday morning at Ripon, the verger lined us up in the south transept of the cathedral, then led us in procession to the west end and up the nave to our places behind the low altar. No mean feat considering what a rabble we are normally on Sunday mornings! Maybe that's why he's smiling. :-)

Evensong

The renowned British composer Andrew Carter on the right with the scarf congratulating members of the choir for our performance of his Californian Canticles at evensong.

After evensong in Ripon, it was a quick bus trip back to Harrogate for a bite to eat at The Crown's bar and grill and a night's rest before returning to sing for Sunday morning Eucharist.

Eucharist

 

 

Ripon Cathedral's setup for Sunday morning Eucharist.

Choir & Pulpit

Ripon Cathedral choir and pulpit. According to my sources, the choir stalls are "studded with a series of thirty-four small ledges that protrude from the underside of the hinged seating [VERY uncomfortable!]. These are referred to as misericords, or the modern English translation ‘mercy seats’, and are perches that were designed for clergy to respectfully rest against during the back-to-back services of pre-Reformation Britain."

The pulpit was designed by Henry Wilson and dates from 1913. It stands on marble pillars and has silver and bronze decoration.

Ripon Font

According to the North Yorkshire Council, the Tudor font in the Ripon Cathedral, was created in the early 16th century and carved out of a solid piece of granite taken from Lintzgarth in Teesdale. "In 2017 the wooden top can still be seen on the font. Originally, it would have had a chain attached via a metal hasp to provide a locking mechanism to prevent people from stealing the Holy water which was often appropriated by pagans and other sects for their own practices including sorcery."

Quiet

Had a few moments to explore Ripon Cathedral before heading down the hill to the cathedral's rehearsal hall. We served as the choir in residence for the weekend while the cathedral's regular choir was on break.

"Ripon Cathedral has a vibrant choral tradition that has spanned 14 centuries, since St Wilfrid introduced cantors from Canterbury Cathedral in AD680, and it remains at the heart of our worship. The uplifting sound of the cathedral’s outstanding choirs, as well as the dramatic notes of the mighty pipe organ, can be experienced at regular services such as Choral Evensong."