ON Sunday my wife and I, along with many other invited guests, attended the installation of the new Mayor of Ripon and the celebration of the Freedom of the City by 38 Engineer Regiment. We were proud and honoured to be invited to attend.

As always, the members and ex-members of the forces, both young and not so young, were immaculate in turn out and, as my old drill sergeant use to shout out had 'Plenty of swank lads, plenty of swank.'

In the Cathedral the service was very moving. The high point for me was the sermon by Canon Keith Punshon. He started in a very light manner that had the congregation smiling. He then went on to matters that effect us all, but that we all sit back and accept or find the financial ability to overcome.

Why oh why do we allow a bunch of faceless politicians to charge £10,000 to the good people who organise the St Wilfrid’s Day procession? As Canon Keith pointed, out the soldiers present are used to protect our freedoms and we allow this to happen when we want to process round our own ancient streets. Why do Cubs and Brownies have to pay for a little parade? Why are we charged for the help of the police on a couple of days of the year when we are led to believe they would be sat in the police station in front of a computer otherwise, and we pay our Council Tax for their assistance anyway?

Canon Keith went on to tell us of a massive festival that takes place in Europe celebrating the life of a medieval member of Ripon Cathedral, who basically formed the Europe that we recognise today. They are not charged for the privilege.

Perhaps it is time for the good people of Ripon to stop being good. Why don't we just take to the streets and hold our procession, use our own stewards and let people celebrate our ancient traditions without the fear that it may be the last time because we may not be able to afford it next year? The only people who would be inconvenienced would be a few motorists and even they may join in the celebration.