Ripon City Council is inviting residents to help design one of the coins for the city’s new penny press machine, which is due to launch later this year.
The competition is open to everyone, though the Council is especially keen to receive entries from children and young people.
The penny press will be installed inside one of the Council’s adopted K6 red telephone boxes in Ripon Market Place. The listed red telephone boxes form part of one of the city’s most recognisable views, standing alongside the Town Hall in the Market Place, where Ripon’s historic Hornblower ceremony takes place each evening.
Ripon City Council adopted the telephone boxes in 2024, saving them from disappearing from the high street and giving them a new civic purpose.
The competition also comes at an exciting time for the Council, as it works towards adopting Ripon Town Hall from North Yorkshire Council and putting it to good use for the community and the city. Public engagement sessions on the future of the Town Hall will be announced in due course.
The winning design will become one of the official penny press coins, alongside other designs celebrating some of Ripon’s best-known landmarks and traditions.
The Council is looking for a simple, bold design that reflects Ripon’s history, heritage and civic pride. This could include the Hornblower tradition, the Cathedral, local buildings, stories, wildlife, community life, or anything else people feel represents the city.
Cllr Andrew Williams, Mayor of Ripon, said:
“This is a great opportunity for people, especially children and young people, to help celebrate Ripon’s history and identity. The penny press will be a fun addition to Market Place, and I’m looking forward to seeing how people choose to represent what makes Ripon special.”
The winner will be invited to the official launch and ribbon cutting of the penny press.
Entry forms are available to download here and can also be collected from Ripon Town Hall.
The closing date for entries is 20 June.
Entries should be emailed to or returned to:
Ripon Town Hall
Market Place South
Ripon
HG4 1DD
The winning design will be selected after the closing date, and the winner will be contacted before the public announcement.