Superb new Ripon Library display turns the clock back on the city’s history to Victorian times

As well as turning the clock back to Victorian and Edwardian times and the 1930s and 1950s in a new exhibition at Ripon Library, an event was held in celebration of the life and work of Wilfred Owen.

The famous war poet was posted to the Northern Command Depot at Ripon in March 1918 while recovering from shell shock.

Among his best-known works – most of which were published posthumously – are Dulce et Decorum est and Anthem for Doomed Youth.

The talk heard how, during his time in the city before being killed in action on November 4, 1918, Wilfred Owen composed or revised a number of poems.

His 25th birthday was spent quietly at Ripon Cathedral, which is dedicated to his namesake, St Wilfrid of Hexham.

At his temporary home on Borrage Lane in Ripon, which is marked by a green plaque, he drafted works including, The Send Off, Mental Cases and Futility and was a regular visitor at Ripon Cathedral, where a bust of him created by sculptor Anthony Padgett was unveiled in March 2018 on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Meanwhile, a superb new exhibition put in place by members of Ripon Civic Society can still be seen free of charge at Ripon Library featuring an eclectic mix of images from the days of black and white photography.

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog: “May is local History and Community Month and the library, which is a priceless source of information about our historic and heritage-rich city, is hosting a display of rare photographic gems from the Ripon Reviewed archive, from the giant bells that ring out to this day at our magnificent cathedral to the diverse range of businesses around Market Square.

“It’s fascinating to turn the clock back to Victorian and Edwardian times and into the 1930s and 1950s, to see images that capture many aspects of life in Ripon.”