Programme of Events 2015/16
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Programme of Events 2015/16 Welcome to Parcevall Hall Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and set in 24 acres of beautiful formal and woodland gardens lies Parcevall Hall, a place for retreat and spiritual renewal, underwritten by Christian principles. With excellent facilities for conferences retreats and holidays, the Hall offers the comfort and character of an old house, the peace of a rural setting and the scenic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Available to private individuals as well as to religious or secular groups, the Hall can be booked for residential conferences and holidays or for day groups and evening functions. History of the Hall The oldest part of what was originally Persevall’s Ferme is believed to date back to at least 1586. It was bought by Sir John Yorke, lived in by his son Peter and then left to his second son, Thomas, in 1589. In 1671 additions were made by Christopher Lowson and his bride, Elizabeth, who lived in the house until his death in 1695. For the next two centuries, the house was occupied by a succession of farmers and tenants, including the Yorke family again for a brief spell in the 19th century. 1 Gradually, however, the house fell into a state of virtual dereliction until, in the depths of the depression of the 1920s, it was bought by Sir William Milner. Sir William was the 8th Baronet of Nun Appleton, a godson of Queen Mary and an architect by profession with a love of gardens, plants and meticulous attention to detail in restoring old buildings. He had inherited the title and status of the Baronetcy but no family seat, as Nun Appleton had been sold by Sir William’s father, Sir Frederick, to pay off gambling debts (totalling £175,000) of his elder brother, the 6th Baronet, whom Sir Frederick had succeeded to the title in 1880. Sir William Milner bought Parcevall Hall in 1927 and, using local labourers and materials, restored the original house and extended it substantially to create spacious living accommodation, characterful en suite bedrooms, a staff wing and magnificent cruciform terraced gardens. Paying his labourers a shilling an hour, Sir William was remembered with gratitude and held in high esteem by his workers for providing secure employment during the years of the depression. A deeply religious but very shy man, Sir William never married and, on his death in 1960, bequeathed Parcevall Hall to the Guardians of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. The Guardians now manage the estate and gardens and the Hall itself is leased to and run by the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. 2 Visiting Parcevall Hall Residential guests and day visitors are welcome all year round at Parcevall Hall. Whether as individual private guests, as part of an organised group or joining one of the Hall’s programmed events, you will experience the peaceful tranquillity which has touched so many since the Hall opened in 1963. Business groups, conferences, educational and training groups, craft, music, art and yoga workshops all form part of the varied calendar of Parcevall Hall, with private holiday guests and those looking for a place to retreat or just spend a quiet day mingling over the wonderful home- cooked food in our 16th century dining room. As well as our main conference room with full audio visual facilities, we have a number of smaller meeting areas suitable for private study or for use as break-out rooms for larger groups. In addition, our chapels, both indoors and in the gardens, are available for services or for quiet reflection. Our 17 letting rooms provide simple but charming, clean and comfortable accommodation for up to 28 and a self-contained one bedroom cottage in the grounds is available either for catered or self-catering visits. Most guests choose to stay full board. With breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner included, it is often said that no-one leaves Parcevall Hall hungry! For those who prefer, we also offer bookings on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast or simple B&B basis. The Hall is licensed and we have an honesty bar available for guests, as well as a gift shop selling greetings cards, books and 3 toiletries for those who have missed something when packing! Exclusive use of the Hall is available for groups of 17 or more, or for smaller groups paying an equivalent sum. Programmed Events The Hall runs a number of events each year to which all are welcome. Full details are in this Programme. Booking details Because of the high demand for spaces at the Hall, all bookings are on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. A booking form is in the centre of this Programme and can be posted or emailed to us. On confirmation of availability, a non- refundable deposit will secure a booking. Religious services A service of Holy Communion is held in our chapel every Tuesday at 10:15am, followed by coffee and homemade biscuits. This service is open to anyone who would like to join us. 4 The Team The service our guests receive is only as good as the people looking after them. At Parcevall Hall, we have a small but very dedicated team of staff, some of whom have been serving our guests for over 20 years. As well as cooks, housekeepers, front of house and backroom staff, our chaplain is available for services, quiet days, parish weekends, or just to meet individuals for confession, prayer or a confidential chat. The Friends of Parcevall Hall The Hall is entirely self-financing and we are very fortunate in having the support of a substantial and very active group of Friends. The Friends support the work of Parcevall Hall through prayer, practical help and an annual subscription which has provided funds over the years for refurbishment, new equipment and bursaries to assist those in need to be able to stay at the Hall. Friends come together and meet at the Hall several times each year and receive a biannual newsletter with details of forthcoming events and news from the Hall. If you would like to join the Friends of Parcevall Hall, just pick up a sign-up form from the Hall or call the office and we will send one to you. 5 What our guests say about Parcevall Hall We receive many testimonials from our guests. Here are just a few of them. Many more can be viewed on our website. “The best breakfasts we have ever had on holiday and we have had some good ones. Really good food!” “A lovely place and we have many happy memories of church weekends there” “I have only praise for beautiful Parcevall Hall – it’s been a haven for me at times” “Your staff have always been wonderful and have become more than just staff – they are friends.” “Time spent with you is uplifting, restoring and very precious.” “I hear many compliments upon the setting, bedrooms, meeting rooms and the chapel as well as the good food and other aspects of peoples' stays. Trainees find their time with you inspirational and value the quiet setting.” “The peaceful surroundings, great food and comfortable accommodation have always ensured a most beneficial time for study, sharing ideas or just relaxing.” “It is possible to arrive at Parcevall in any state of mind, happy, ill, burdened, confused, or just tired out and what you receive turns out to be just what is needed.” 6 December 2015 December 4th - 6th Recorder Players Workshop Tutor: Mary Tyers Ensemble playing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Aimed at moderate to good adult players who ideally offer two instruments and are able to swap between them. You will need sight-reading skills and the ability to hold your own part in a group. Our workshops offer a wide variety of interesting music and technique tuition as required. Some seasonal music will be included as well as a selection of other items. Mary Tyers is well-established as both teacher and performer. She founded, and is Musical Director of the Durham Branch of the Society of Recorder Players. She has taught recorder and flute for Durham and Newcastle Universities and joined the tutorial staff of NORVIS – an early music summer school. £160 December 8th Friends of Parcevall Hall Eucharist and Christmas Lunch 10:15am The Friends of Parcevall Hall meet for a time of worship and fellowship together over a traditional Christmas lunch. £18 December 23rd - 27th Christmas Houseparty and Retreat Spend Christmas in the enchanting surroundings of Parcevall Hall. With home-cooked food, traditional games and times for reflection shared with good company, rediscover the true meaning of Christmas in our special Parcevall Family celebration. £340 7 February 2016 February 1st - 4th Clergy Reading Week Leader: Rev Jenny Smith Open to clergy from any diocese, our Clergy Reading Week begins our New Year of Programmed Events. For further details contact Rev Jenny Smith: [email protected]. £205 February 22nd Open Quiet Day - 10:00am - 4:00pm Leader: Rev Simon Cowling Our Open Quiet Days this year are being led by four clergy with a connection to Parcevall Hall and who will be well-known to those who attend our regular Tuesday Eucharist. Simon Cowling is the Rector of The Priory Church at Bolton Abbey and Interim Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven. Prior to this he was Precentor at Sheffield Cathedral. No booking is required, but bring your own lunch. Freewill offering February 29th - March 3rd Lent Retreat Leader: Rev Prebendary William Scott William Scott is an Anglican priest who served as Domestic Chaplain to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and Sub-dean of the Chapel Royal.