MORE than 1,000 people have turned out to the annual Boxing Day Pilgrimage from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey.

Last year rain and flooding on the day caused the walk to be cancelled for the first time since the tradition was revived in the 1980s, but was back on this year and led for the last time by Bishop James Bell, the Bishop of Ripon, who retires next April, along with the Dean of Ripon Very Revd John Dobson.

Bishop Bell said: "Over the last few months I've run into any number of people who've said they are looking forward to joining me for the Boxing Day, especially after the disappointment of last year's cancellation.

“I am very much looking forward to joining them and many others to celebrate our cultural heritage as we remember those monks who, having spent Christmas at Ripon, made their way in 1132 AD along the Skell to found what became the great Fountains Abbey. Ripon has a very good special place in my heart, and it will be brilliant to join in this most Ripon of activities."

After a short service of Holy Communion at 9.30am in the cathedral, the walk set out at around 10.15am, following in the footsteps of a group of Cistercian monks who set out the day after Christmas, 1132 AD to found a new Cistercian monastery at Fountains on the banks of the River Skell.

The route leads out of the city along the River Skell, through the Studley Royal Deer Park and on to the National Trust site at Fountains Abbey.

Hundreds more swelled the numbers as the walkers entered the National Trust grounds and into the cellarium of the ancient monastery where mulled wine was served and a service of carols took place.