The Ripon Hornblower Legend. George Pickles is the legend 3 cheers for George

George Pickles the Ripon Hornblower

I have written about George Pickles before even done a YouTube of him.I didn't think George had been given enough recognisation for his dedication .An MBE perhaps, so when I tweeted this one day last year Gary Verity picked up on this and set out to make things right. This was the result. I just happened to be there.... The Ripon man in charge of maintaining the world’s longest ongoing tradition has been made a Yorkshire Patron. Ripon Hornblower George Pickles has been handed the honorary title – and famous Y badge – by tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire in recognition of his continued services to the county’s tourism. George said: “I’m delighted to have been recognised in this way and it’s a real honour to say I’m now a Yorkshire Patron. I think that over the years as the Ripon Hornblower I’ve welcomed more than 70,000 from all four corners of the world and with the Tour de France coming, I hope to welcome many more.”Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, handed him the honour in Ripon’s famous market square. He said: “Yorkshire is known the world over for our famous welcome and George encapsulates this. Not only does he offer visitors a warm welcome, but fulfils an important historical and now globally-famous role.” It is said the role of Hornblower is to safeguard the continuity of the ancient ceremony of 'Setting the Watch' which has been carried out every evening on the market square without a miss for around 1128 years. It is the longest ongoing unbroken daily ceremony in the world. It dates back to around 886 when Alfred the Great visited the City in the midst of the Vikings’ conquests. He was so impressed by the place and support he was given by the people against the intruders that he decided to grant the community a Royal Charter. As it was a spontaneous decision he did not have a parchment scroll or anything of that prepared. All he had to offer them as a symbol of the Charter was a horn. A Wakeman was also then appointed to sound the Horn at the four corners of the market cross at 9pm each evening to let the people know that the watch was set and they could retreat to their homes knowing the Wakeman would be awake and vigilant to any potentials intruders. For more information on the Hornblower and the role’s fascinating history see George’s website at www.the-ripon-hornblower.webs.com

George Pickles and then Lockwoods..

Ripon is quite that undermentioned gem. I am one of George Pickles biggest fans ,-George's role is the Ripon Hornblower and every night dutifully George blows the horn at 9pm to set the watch to keep the town safe. This is a ritual which has gone on unbroken for 1100 years. Most place stop serving food at 9pm but not in Ripon and one of the ladies who works in the Ripon Museum directed us to Lockwoods. Just before 9.30pm and the staff were so helpful .The food was delicious and the puddings outstanding. I had a terrine,toast and a huge pile of chips with aoili and this wonderful chocolate and raspberry creation. Libby our Kiwi helper had seafood linguine and was also tempted by the chocolate dessert. Certainly a place I would go again and happy to recommend to guests

George Pickles - a very special person.

As I said in my previous blog that I had been to visit the Museums in Ripon. I have been wanting to go to hear the Hornblower for such a long time. When you live on the door step so to say you never go. This was the ideal opportunity to do the two together.George Pickles is the Hornblower and a nice man he is too. Afterwards he hands out lucky wooden pennies and I was lucky enough to receive one. The next day I won £25 on the premium bonds and other things have happened too . Hearing the Hornblower I know will be the highlight of my year.One of those things you remember all your life. A tradition kept alive by George going every evening come hail or shine to do his duty. It is very humbling to see how he embraces his job and welcomes people from all over the world.The monies he gets for doing this is spent on having these wooden pennies made which up to count has given away 22,000. A remarkable man. I hope he will get a medal from the Queen to mark his dedication. George has a very informative website which will tell you so much of interest please spend time to visit it http://www.the-ripon-hornblower.webs.com. Also I have made a Youtube so you can hear what happens at 9pm every evening. You will find it under CarrHouseFarm -Ripon Museums and the Famous Hornblower.