Church leaders plough on to pray for good harvest

A plough and tractor were yesterday towed up to the cathedral ahead of the traditional Plough Sunday service will be led by the Bishop of Knaresborough, James Bell, alongside a host of church leaders. Andy Ryland, rural officer for Ripon and Leeds Diocese, said: “Plough Sunday is about valuing and blessing the work of the farming community in producing the food we all need and enjoy.

“The last few years have been a difficult time for the farming industry.

“However all analysis now indicates that, global demand for food is going to outstrip production driven by increasing demand from emerging economies.” The Dean of Ripon, Keith Jukes said, “We are looking forward to welcoming people from across North Yorkshire and beyond to the special celebrations of Plough Sunday.

“The service will focus on the huge contribution made to our corporate and community life by those engaged in working on the land. It also underlines our desire, at Ripon Cathedral, to have a major focus on rural issues as we prepare to take our place within a larger diocese following the report by the Yorkshire Dioceses Commission.”