Ripon City Council is inviting people to help design one of the coins for the city’s new penny press machine, which will be launched later this year.
The competition is open to anyone, though RCC is especially keen for children and young people to enter.
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 comes at an exciting time for Ripon City Council, as it also works towards adopting the Town Hall from North Yorkshire Council and putting it to good use for the community and the city. Public engagement sessions will be announced in due course.
The winning coin 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, The 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 will be available on the Ripon City Council website, from emailing admin@riponcity.gov.uk, and from the Town Hall itself.
The closing date for entries is 20 June 2026.
Entries should be sent to admin@riponcity.gov.uk or returned to Ripon Town Hall.
The winning design will be selected, and the winner will be contacted before the public announcement.
