About us

members of the Ripon Belles outside the cathedral We are the Ripon Belles - named after the bells that were installed in Ripon cathedral on the same day as we were inaugurated!

Here are some of us on that day - about to tour the cathedral tower and inspect the installation. We were shown how they ring the massive bells and took a shot of Ripon from the top of the tower.

Ripon cathedral bells Jill H being instructed in bell ringing Ripon bells in the cathedral view from Ripon cathedral

What else have we done?

All sorts! Since our inauguration in 2008 we have been pole dancing, swung through the Bedale trees at Aerial Extreme (see pictures below), gone on a ghost walk, learned how to "Colour Me Beautiful", had a successful swishing evening (swishing is a form of clothes swap) and learned how to make a Christmas wreath! Plenty of other things too - in fact something different every month.

Our members are probably younger on average than many WIs - and so although we enjoy the traditional skill learning activities of cookery and craft, we also are up for more energetic and varied activities too! Next up are Nordic walking and belly dancing.

We have welcomed our friends from neighbouring WIs like Bedale on occasion too - if you belong to a local WI why not consider a visit yourself?

Lesley M at Aeriel Extreme Ripon Belles at Aeriel Extreme in Bedale