Ripon hornblowers become home blowers to carry on ancient tradition

Hornblowers in Ripon have said carrying on one of Britain's oldest traditions from their homes is important to give people a sense of normality during the coronavirus outbreak.

The "Setting of the Watch" tradition, which is believed to date from 886, normally sees one of the city's hornblowers give four blasts in the Market Square at 9pm every evening.

Following the lockdown, the decision was made to continue the ceremony from team members' homes within the city's boundary.

Wayne Cobbett, 33, a dental technician, said the tradition marks a time when the people of the city would be kept safe throughout the night, from 9pm, by a watchman. He said:

Mr Cobbett continued:

The 1,134-year-old tradition last had to be adapted during the Second World War, when the horn was blown at the earlier time of 6pm - or before the blackout.

Now, the three hornblowers - Mr Cobbett, Richard Midgley and Alison Clark - will continue the tradition from their homes.

Mr Midgley carried out the first home-based hornblowing on Tuesday night.

In a video posted to the Ripon Hornblower Facebook page, he apologised to his neighbours and joked that he could claim the title of "weirdest work from home job".

He said it's "an unusual situation, one that we certainly hoped we wouldn't get into. But the situation is what is is, so it's got to the stage where working from home is necessary."

After giving four long blasts on the horn, he said "Goodnight and sleep safe folks, the watch is set."

Ripon City Council released a statement.

The council said: