A TRADITIONAL winter custom, which sees a hobby horse made of a horse’s skull covered in black fabric paraded around Richmond town centre, will be held at noon on Christmas Eve. T’awd Hoss, which is believed to have its origins in pagan times, has been kept alive, is said to symbolise the passing of the old year in readiness for the new. Before the parade, a children’s magic show will be held in the town hall at 11am.

FESTIVE SONGS: Thirsk Christian Aid Group will lead carol singing with shoppers by the clock tower in the town’s Market Place from 11am to noon today (Saturday, December 14). The group’s chairman, Bill Challoner, said: “We hope passers-by will enjoy what they hear and be generous in helping people struggling to get out of poverty.”

PUB CAROLS: A vicar of six churches in Ryedale will hold a Beer and Carols event at the East Riding pub in Sherburn, on Monday (December 16), at 7pm. The Rev Joe Kinsella said: “It’s a great chance for people to see that the Church isn’t just a big old building, but is out there being part of our communities, and having a bit of a laugh in the local.”

MASS CHOIR: More than 150 singers will be joined by the Orchestra D’Amici for a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, staged by Ripon Choral Society in Ripon Cathedral today, (Saturday, December 14), at 7.30 pm. For tickets, visit riponchoralsociety.org.uk or call 01765-601856.

MARKET DATES: The Wednesday market in Northallerton will be brought forward a day over the festive season, to Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 31. Thirsk’s markets will operate as normal on Saturdays and Mondays. The Northallerton Farmers Market will be held a week earlier than normal, on Wednesday (December 18).

MAGIC SHOW: Thirsk Falcons Junior Football Club will hold a magic show on Sunday, December 22, at 3pm, at Thirsk Athletics Club. For tickets costing £5 per child, which includes a hotdog, drink, magic show and a present, contact club coaches.

CHORAL SHOW: The St Cecilia Orchestra, Ripon Festive Choirs, Ripon and Rural School Choirs and Joy Sutcliffe will perform at Ripon’s Christmas Spectacular, at Ripon Cathedral on Saturday, December 21, at 7.30pm. For tickets, call 01765-601100.

FOOTBALL FUNDRAISER: A football match will be held on Thirsk Flatts on Boxing Day, at 11am, to raise funds for St Michael’s Hopice, in Harrogate. Robert Thompsons FC will take on Topcliffe FC for the Trafford Shaw Memorial Cup, which is held in memory of the 35-year-old graphic designer who died weeks after his second daughter was born in 2011. Refreshments, raffle and an auction to be held after the game at the Royal British Legion on Kirkgate, Thirsk.

CHRISTMAS PLAY: Bad Apple Theatre will perform The Mice Who Ate Christmas next Saturday (December 21), at 7.30pm, at Hutton Rudby village hall. It is a story for children aged eight and upwards and for adults of any age. For tickets, costing £10 for adults and £5 for children, call 01642-701744 or visit badappletheatre.com