A CATHEDRAL Christmas market has raised £22,000 towards its development plans for the future.

The Ripon Cathedral Christmas gift and food fair on Saturday, November 24 attracted visitors from across the region, and helped in the appeal to raise £5m towards the Dean’s Development Plans for a 21st Century Cathedral.

About 100 stalls of seasonal gifts and food were on display in the cathedral. Various local music groups volunteered to entertain the crowds including Skelldale Singers, Ripon Stage Academy, Ripon Cathedral Youth Choir, Vocalis, Prima Musica, Ripon Trinity Choir and Boroughbridge High School.

Many children visited Santa’s Grotto, and made an Advent candle. Hundreds of turkey sandwiches were served along with cups of tea, coffee and mulled wine – provided by the fantastic cathedral volunteers.

Margaret Hammond, the development campaign manager said: “The event marks the start of the Christmas celebrations for the local community, it was wonderful to see so many families both inside the cathedral and shopping in the city. The Christmas light switch on also took place on the Market Square which attracted a large number of families and visitors to Ripon.

“The event could not take place without the help of so many volunteers."