Ripon is preparing for what organisers describe as its "biggest ever display" to celebrate the city's history, heritage and community spirit.
A major new project, titled 'Fill Your Boots', is set to transform areas across the city as part of efforts supporting the 2026 entry of Ripon in Bloom.
The initiative follows the group’s Gold Award success in 2025 and aims to build on that achievement with an expanded, city-wide effort.
The display is being coordinated by the Ripon Community Poppy Project in collaboration with Ripon BID, Jennyruth Workshops, Ripon Men’s Shed and North Yorkshire Council.
Stuart Martin, who co-founded the Community Poppy Project with Hazel Barker in 2017, said:
“In terms of the areas it will cover, this will be the biggest display that we have been involved in, taking in every roundabout on the bypass to the city centre and neighbouring streets.”
Installations will include a range of themed elements reflecting Ripon’s identity, with life-size silhouettes planned for locations such as Ripon Racecourse and Ripon Golf Club.
Stuart added:
“There will also be life-size silhouettes of a horse and jockey at Ripon’s picturesque garden racecourse, and a golfer at Ripon Golf Club."
Organisers say community participation will again be central to the project.
Hazel Barker highlighted the role residents played in the city’s previous success:
“A contributory factor to Ripon in Bloom’s golden triumph in 2025 was the degree of community involvement, and we believe there is an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved with the 2026 entry — while filling their boots with the joy of living in a city that has so much to offer.”
The first part of the display has already been installed on a roundabout near Ripon Cathedral, featuring silhouettes of pairs of wellington boots.
Carol Dunkley, a member of the Community Poppy Project, said the installations would also reflect key aspects of the city’s heritage.
“The displays will include a cut-out of St Wilfrid, the city’s patron saint and hornblower, both of which show how deep Ripon’s roots go.”
She added:
“There will also be Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit and Mad Hatter — all of which will be gathering shortly to hold a tea party in the Specsavers window on Market Place West.”
Organisers say the displays are expected to be in place in time for the Whitsun Bank Holiday and the school holidays, with further visitors anticipated during the Ripon Theatre Festival, which runs from July 5th to July 12th.
Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst said:
“The displays being created and installed through this enormous community effort will look fabulous across the city centre and beyond, and will have a real wow factor for residents and visitors alike.
"With the Whitsun Bank Holiday and school holidays just a month away, the timing could not be better — and they will also add to the spectacle of the extended and exceptional Ripon Theatre Festival, whose fifth season runs for eight days from July 5 to July 12.”
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