Charities and organisations that help bring Ripon together will be celebrated at a special festival this week.

The annual Sights and Sounds of Ripon event takes place on Saturday, March 9 at the city’s cathedral, library and the Workhouse, Prison and Police and Courthouse museums.

The free family day, which runs between 11am and 2pm and is organised by North Yorkshire Council and other organisations, is a celebration of local charities and services and highlights volunteering opportunities and access to advice and support.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture and the arts, Cllr Simon Myers said: “The Sights and Sounds of Ripon will be a fantastic event and I am delighted the library is able to play its part.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Revd John Dobson, inside the cathedral which, alongside the

“Occasions such as this are important in bringing people together and highlight the terrific work that charities and other services do for everyone.”

At the library, visitors can enjoy story-time for under-fives and their families, a free Lego club, knitting and crocheting and visit information stalls.

The cathedral, meanwhile, will host bell ringing, tours of the belltower, family crafts and games, music performed by local choirs, a pop-up café and dancing from the Ripon City Morris Dancers and Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers.

Darlington and Stockton Times: An aerial shot of Ripon, showing the cathedral and views of the city which will stage the Sights

The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Revd John Dobson said: “We at Ripon Cathedral are always delighted to host the annual Sights and Sounds event, bringing together many groups and organisations which are working together so fruitfully for the benefit of all.

“This reveals a vibrant community in which many unite to change things for the better.”

In addition, there will also be free entry to all three museums if people provide proof of address in the HG4 postcode area.

All locations will also feature people reading poems inspired by Ripon and wider North Yorkshire.