Bishop Monkton Press 1860 - 1869 Yorkshire Gazette, 14 January 1860: RIPON HIGHWAY SPECIAL SESSIONS — These sessions, for the Liberty of Ripon, were held at the Court House, Ripon, on Friday last, before A. Bower, Esq., and John Greenwood, Esq., M.P. Mr. C. Kearsley, the complainant two in cases, is brick and tile- maker, residing at Littlethorpe, near Ripon; the defendants were R. D. Oxley, Esq., who resides at Thorpe Lodge, and Mr. Watson, a farmer at Littlethorpe. They were respectively summoned for not repairing portions of a certain highway leading from Littlethorpe to Bishop Monkton. The case came on for hearing on the of December last, when the defendants denied that the road was out of repair. Mr. Wm. Clarke, of Sharow, road-surveyor, was to inspect the road, and report to the bench. Mr. Clarke now stated that he had viewed the road on the 14th of December last, and considered that it was in good and passable order, so far Mr. Oxley's portion extended; and with respect to Mr. Watson's portion he considered that it was passable. He also found both the defendants had recently repaired the road. The case against Mr. Oxley was dismissed, and an application for costs refused, the magistrates considering that as he had repaired the road between the 2nd and 14th December, it was only fair that each party should pay their own costs. The case against Mr. Watson was heard at some length, and ultimately dismissed with costs. — Mr. Thos. Renton, of Ox Close, in the township of Whiidiffe-with Thorpe, farmer, was summoned by R. D. Oxley, Esq., for not repairing a portion of the highway leading from Littlethorpe to Knaresbro', which was stated to be a very bad condition. Mr. Renton said he did not think that he was liable to repair the road. He was allowed three months put it into proper repair, and, in default, ordered to pay penalty of £5. Leeds Intelligencer, 14 April 1860: The annual meeting the members of the Bishop Monkton Mechanics' Institute was held at the hall in that village Monday last, on which occasion a tea and concert was given by the members to upwards of 200 persons, several of whom came from Ripon, Markington, Burton Leonard, and the neighbouring villages. The professional vocalists engaged for the occasion were Miss Newell, of Leeds; Messrs. Castle, Pearce, and Calvert, of the Ripon Cathedral choir; and Mr. P. Bent, of Leeds. They executed the several pieces assigned to them with admirable effect. Mr. W. F. Stephenson, of Ripon. was the conductor, and presided at the piano. On the platform were John Greenwood, Esq., M.P., patron of the institute (in the chair); Rev. R. Poole, Ripon, Rev. S. H. Atkins, Studley; and Mr. Butterfield, president of the institute. These gentlemen severally addressed the meeting during the evening on subjects connected with the proper conducting mechanics' institutes, and the speeches were attentively listened to and received great applause. Thanks were voted to the chairman, and to the vocalists, also to the ladles for their polite attention at the tea service, and the evening was spent in very pleasant manner. Ripon and Richmond Chronicle, 4 Aug. 1860: MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE — TESTIMONIAL TO PROFESSOR LONG — The above gentleman has recently been imparting valuable instruction and information to the young members of the Bishop Monkton Mechanics' Institution, near Ripon. As the Professor is about to leave this country for America, the Committee of the Institute met on Thursday, the 26th instant, and presented to him the following written testimonial of their high appreciation of his services. The ceremony took place in the Hall of the Institute. "Mechanics' Institution, Bishop- Monkton, July 26th 1860 To Professor Long. Sir, — The Committee of the Bishop-Monkton Mechanics' Institution beg to acknowledge the deep sense of gratitude which they feel towards you for the many kindnesses you have conferred upon them and their society. The able and eloquent lectures you have delivered on their behalf, and the useful advice you have given them, will ever be remembered with feelings of pleasure and admiration. We beg also to bear testimony to your eminent and unrivalled abilities in penmanship, and to the original way in which you teach this important branch of education. The recent classes you have conducted with so much ability bear ample proof of the power and efficiency of your system, and we have every confidence in stating that, if generally adopted, it would confer a lasting boon upon individuals and society. (Signed), JOHN BUTTERFIELD, President. Ripon and Richmond Chronicle, 29 Sept. 1860: BISHOP MONKTON, NEAR RIPON — MR. F. SMITH has received instructions from Mr. Benjamin Chambers, who is leaving his farm, to SELL by AUCTION, upon the Premises Westwick Heads Farm, Bishop-Monkton aforesaid, on MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 1860, ALL the valuable FARMING STOCK, Estate, and Effects, consisting of 1 powerful bay Mare, three years old, stinted by Cheddington ; 1 young Donkey, I geld Cow, three years old, forward in condition ; 3 milk Cows in calf, 2 Heifers in calf, dates given at the time of sale; 1 yearling Heifer, 1 good-bred Bull, rising two years old; 3 spring calves, about 36 barn door Fowls, 1 strong built Dog-cart, 2 sets of Harness & Saddle and Bridle. 2 pairs plough Traces, 1 pair long Traces, cart Hames, Tank-cart, stone Roller, drag Harrow, I pair patent Harrows, iron Scuffler, 1 Plough, Hay-sweep, swathe Rake, Winnowing Machine, Turnip-chopper, Cow-chains, Gripes, Forks, Rakes, old Iron, &c. The estate of 23 Acres of Grass. Land up to the 6th of April, 1861. In lots to suit purchaser& Also, 3 lead Bowls, 1 butter Trough, large butter Basket, poultry Basket, a number of pigeon Pots, single-barrelled Gan, and sundry other Effects. Sale to commence at Two o'clock. Coltsgate-hlll, Ripon, Sept. 15th, 1860. Ripon and Richmond Chronicle, 12 Jan. 1861: BISHOP MONKTON — CHARITY FOR THE POOR — This place, like others, has been visited by severe frosts, deep snow, and intense cold, which has completely put a stop to all kinds of labour. Should the storm continue much longer, it is feared that many of the poor labourers of the village will suffer greatly thereby. Though the season has been so very inclement, the poor in this place have not yet been visited and supplied (like the poor of most of the surrounding places) with coals, clothing, &c., so much needed in such a severe season as the present, but they appear to be quite forgotten by the benevolent. Why so is not known? Unless it is that the labourers here are above want because they have good and regular employment. If such is the case, will not a long and severe storm like the present soon exhaust the little store they may be possessed of, and so reduce them to misery and want? If it is thought that the poor are undeserving, then the benevolent should remember that they, in common with all mankind, receive daily mercies from the hands of "Him who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not" — Correspondent. Ripon and Richmond Chronicle, 23rd Feb. 1861: BISHOP MONKTON — BIG PIG —Very recently a pig was killed at Bishop Monkton, aged only eighteen months which weighed 46st. 7lbs. Besides its enormous weight, the animal was a very fine and healthy one. It was bred and fed by Mr. Benjamin Chambers, of the above village, stone mason, &c. Yorkshire Gazette, 30 March 1861: BISHOP MONKTON MECHANIC’S SOIREE — On Monday evening last, the members of this flourishing institution held their fifth annual soiree in the hall of the institution, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The attendance was remarkably good. After tea, the chair was taken by Charles Husband, Esq., Mayor of Ripon, who stated that he admired and respected Mechanics' Institutions, as through them the sons of toil were enabled to improve their minds and intellects, by which means the industry, prosperity, and intelligence of our great and glorious country would be upheld and increased, for it was from the multitude that we as a nation must rise or fall. It was therefore the duty of all Englishmen to assist in the moral and intellectual improvement of the masses of the people, which was the object of this and kindred institutions. Mr. Butterfield, vice president of the institute, gave an outline of the rise and progress of the Institute Society, and urged upon his hearers, male and female, the necessity of self-improvement. Mr. Harrison recommended that an addition of Dickens's Household Words and Charles Knight's works 2 added to the library. He classed the formation of mechanics' institutions amongst the greatest blessings which could be enjoyed by the working class and the mass of the people. Mr. Councillor Burton adverted to the subject of classes, which had been of great service at Ripon. Ho knew men who were now filling high offices of trust (who were not only great men but good men) who had received the whole of their education the classroom of the Ripon Institute. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Mayor, Mr. Butterfield, and the ladies, all of which were suitably acknowledged. Mr. Mrs. Heath, Miss Carrodus, and Messrs. Sugden. Clapham, and Robinson delighted the audience with their vocal powers, and Mr. Midgley presided with great ability at the piano. Ripon and Richmond Chronicle, 23 November 1861: BISHOP MONKTON — METHODIST NEW CONNECTION — On Tuesday, the 19th inst., the friends of the Methodist New Connexion. at Bishop Monkton, held a public tea meeting in the Mechanics' Hall.