ONE of North Yorkshire’s cathedrals has launched a major appeal to preserve its musical legacy for the future.

Ripon Cathedral hopes to raise £5m over the next five years to ensure its musical department – which has a national reputation – never falls silent.

The newly-formed Ripon Cathedral Music Trust will formally launch the appeal at a special Evensong service on December 14.

But the effort has already been kick-started by a £500,000 donation raised through fundraising events held by the cathedral’s Development Campaign.

Trust chair Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred said: “The music at the cathedral currently costs some £250,000 a year which comes out of the overall operating budget.

“This is already at full stretch and the plan is to establish a separate fund for all the music department’s running costs which will ensure this valuable musical heritage is secure for the future.”

The music department – which is also responsible for maintaining the organ and other musical instruments at the cathedral - is led by director of music Andrew Bryden and includes six lay clerks and 48 choristers drawn from local schools.

In addition to singing at the cathedral, future plans for the choir include an inclusive outreach programme involving schools and communities across the region.

The Dean, the Very Reverend John Dobson, said: “I am delighted this major appeal is now under way. “I believe the experience of worshippers and visitors at the Cathedral is significantly enhanced by the quality of the music and it is a key part of the daily services which are enjoyed by so many.”

He added: “Without the choir and the music we would have a strangely silent building and a 1,300 year-old history of choral excellence would cease.

“We all look forward to working with other musical groups and those who share our passion for music as we start on the road towards our target.”

The appeal launch at 5.30pm on December 14 will also include the choristers’ annual performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.

That will be followed by a reception where guests can find out more about plans for the new trust.

Sir Andrew said: “We have set ourselves a challenging target but have made a good start.

“We have plans for many exciting events in the future including a London performance by the choir in April at Lambeth Palace.”