Ripon Cathedral prepares to reopen for visits
Until now, it's only been open for private prayer and worship...
Ripon Cathedral is preparing to once again open to visitors, after months of only being open for private prayer, and some worship.
Having welcomed visitors for the past 1349 years, the Cathedral building is one of Yorkshire's longest standing visitor attractions!
From tomorrow (17 May), in line with the further easing of coronavirus restrictions, visitors will be able to enjoy the architecture and art, with free guide trails of the building.
Cathedral staff have been able to ensure it is safe for visitors, from a Covid-19 perspective, with a £126,000 grant from the Government's culture recovery fund.
"Here for people of all religious faiths and none."
The Cathedral is also preparing to celebrate the return of indoor visitor attractions with an exhibition of wedding gowns and accessories from the Victorian era to present day.
An exhibition of 10,000 origami angels, suspended above the nave, will also remain in place during the summer.
Each angel represents a prayer left for a loved one or a key worker during the first months of the pandemic.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson DL said: "Throughout the recent lockdown, we at Ripon Cathedral have continued our daily worship of God and prayer for the world.
"We are now delighted to be able to open wide our doors, once more, to visitors who wish to come and enjoy the architectural beauty, historic treasures, and peaceful space of this ancient gem.
"People of all ages can discover something they will enjoy, and we are here for people of all religious faiths and none."
What else is reopening this week?
17th May: Indoor mixing
From 17th May, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors. People will be allowed to stay overnight with people out with their household or bubble.
17th May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants can reopen from 17th May.
17th May: Cinemas reopen
Cinemas will also reopen from 17th May, along with indoor soft play areas for children.
17th May: Foreign travel
Foreign travel is permitted from 17th May.
17th May: Hugs are allowed
Boris Johnson has confirmed that we can hug our loved ones from 17th May, but experts have urged that the public should remain vigilant and think carefully about who we hug.
17th May: Indoor exercise classes
From 17th May, indoor sport and exercise classes can resume.
17th May: Museums reopen
Indoor entertainment can open from Monday, including museums.
17th May: Larger events
Some larger events including concerts, theatre performances and sporting events will be allowed to resume from Monday, but restrictions on the numbers of attendees will remain in place.
17th May: No masks in secondary schools
Pupils in secondary schools and colleges will not need to wear masks in classrooms or communal spaces from Monday.
17th May: Universities return to in-person teaching
All University students can return to in-person teaching from Monday.
17th May: 30 guests can attend weddings
Up to 30 guests can now attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events like wakes.
17th May: Care home visitors increase
Care home residents can have 5 named visitors from Monday. Two visitors will be able to visit at once provided they have tested negative. Care home residents will also be able to leave care homes without having isolate on return.