July 2020

We are delivering this to you by email again this month and next. We’ll review the situation later in the summer. Though this continues to be a ‘limited’ version of Bridge, we hope you find it interesting.

Please BRIDGE cascade to others. Newsletter of the ‘Jervaulx’ parish - Middleham with Coverdale, East Witton & Thornton Steward

Letter from the rectory A spin off from the Black Lives Matter campaign is the conversation that has been sparked about the place of statues in our society. Whatever your point of view is the one thing that unites the different points of view is the strength of feeling that these monuments stir in us. In the course of the conversation I haven’t heard anyone express an opinion along the lines of, it’s only metal and stone, what is all the fuss about? What we can’t get away from is that these statues and monuments have been invested with meaning beyond the stone or metal that they have been fashioned from. The same is true for flags. We have seen images on our TV screens of people burning flags of their enemies. Why? It’s just a piece of cloth. But the cloth has been invested with meaning. The same is now true of football shirts! Sport clothing manufacturer, Umbro, has recently had to apologise for making a new kit for Irish club Linfield in colours very similar to that used by the Ulster Volunteer Force. A 10 pence piece and a 50 pence piece are a very similar size and made of the same metal but one is five times more valuable because of the meaning we have attached to it! People of faith understand this completely. God is spirit, people are physical. How do physical people connect with a spiritual God? By investing physical things with spiritual meaning, in the same way that stone and metal is invested with historical, political or cultural meaning. This is important in Celtic Christianity where people connect with God through nature. Icons are important in some traditions where the picture of a saint has been helpful to inspire the faithful to a similar level of devotion. There are those who resist the idea of investing physical things with spiritual meaning on the grounds of idolatry. It’s considered a slippery slope. It’s easy to slip from an object prompting worship of God to worshipping the object itself. It’s ironic that in our super sophisticated, high tech world that our approach to statues sometimes doesn’t look that much different to the approach societies we would consider primitive have to their sacred objects. Jesus also understood our need for sacred objects but took it a step further with what we call sacraments i.e. an outward, physical sign of an inward, invisible grace. Jesus promised that when we eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of him, he is present with us. (Cue centuries of discussion of what that means!) May our awareness of sacred objects in our own lives help us to understand the meaning that others invest in different objects and for us to be kind to each other in the current debate. Rev Jeff Payne Verse of the month: Luke 22:19 Then he (Jesus) took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

If you currently need help with groceries….

We have ‘Open Pantry’ supplies in the church (all quarantined). Text/ phone confidentially 07796 988302

When your circumstances change, you can make a contribution yourself Many thanks. ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.’ Ps 24: 1 Coverdale Bookclub Tuesday 14 July at 11am ‘Great Expectations’ Charles Dickens – meeting by Zoom Tuesday Tuesday 11th August at 11am ‘Three Tigers, One Mountain' by Michael Booth We hope we may be together in the Foresters Arms, but if not, we will be zooming..... More details from [email protected] for how to join in. Everyone welcome.

Bible Book Club – by Zoom. Email Liz [email protected] if you could like to join in. Saturday 25th July at 11.30am – 12.15pm. This month’s book is ‘1 Peter’ – the first letter written by Jesus’ friend, and apostle – exploring how to live well in a difficult world.

Middleham news Please note that volunteers are still willing and able to help out with shopping, collecting prescriptions, or if you just want a chat. Who to contact for help or if you are worried for yourself or someone else: The Town Clerk, David Keep, is working from home, contact him by e-mail: [email protected] Councillor Honor Byford, 01969 625304 or 07849918215. [email protected] Councillor Nigel Hopper, 07594814524, [email protected] St Alkelda’s: Revs Liz & Jeff 01969 326069 or Liz 07796988302 Jeff 07443581463 Racing Welfare Gail Burton-Pye, 07788184140 [email protected]

The Middleham Key Centre can also be contacted if you have any general queries or concerns in the coming weeks. You can email [email protected] or ring 01969 624002 and leave a message. Alternatively, you can ring Pam on 07772 736006 or Lesley on 01969 622615. All messages will be checked within 24 hours even though the office is closed. Middleham Sports and Community Wellbeing Association (MSCWA) MSCWA is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that we may be able to put out the goal posts again by mid- July, but we are also pleased that, more so recently, the community from Middleham and wider have managed to (find where we are!! ..and..) enjoy sitting or walking with the family or dogs in a socially appropriate way on the sports field, or in the community garden. We have been fortunate to have increased our funds due to Kathy Wheeler’s efforts (as Fundraising officer), so that the floor in the changing rooms and corridor of the pavilion have been re-carpeted. We are also in receipt of supportive emergency government funding as we have been unable to function and fundraise locally with events and hiring the facilities. The monies will be used to maintain the facilities, improve the pavilion and barn store, as well as maintain much needed machinery for grounds upkeep. Hopefully July will bring a slow return to be able to use the facilities with appropriate safeguards. Meanwhile work has continued on maintaining the cricket field and surrounds to enable public use for exercise and fresh air. Contacts: Community Garden-contact Nigel or Amanda 07594814524 Messy boots-Kathy Wheeler 07866132787 Cricket-Richard Sanderson (or me 01969 625365) 5 aside football/Senior Football/Rounders/Golf-Nigel or me. Richard Fletcher (Secretary MSCWA 01969-625365/[email protected] Text-07743018274)

Middleham Cricket Club

Cricket is still in abeyance with no practice or play likely before August, as we write. Meanwhile the Pavilion remains ‘out of bounds’ until we receive more Government guidance. As always, we are looking for new players and junior members in the future. Sincere thanks are also due a local resident for her donation towards the club upkeep. Contact: Richard Sanderson 07710652348 (or me (RF) 07743018274)

The Federation of Middleham VA and VC CE Primary School (FEDMAS)

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Life has been very strange at our schools over the last few months. A school is simply a building without the chatter and laughter of pupils. One week after lockdown, we collaborated with Primary to provide childcare for our key worker children and it was a pleasure to work alongside other local professionals. During this time, we engaged with the majority of children in online learning and weekly face to face meetings which the children relished. It cannot be underestimated the power of social interaction for us all and I feel that this is where the lockdown affected the children significantly. People worry about the pupils falling behind and to an extent, so do I but taking the point of view that the children are not staying at home but staying safe at home, puts everything into perspective. When all children return to school, we can worry about that then. One of the activities during lockdown was producing their own time capsule to remember this significant event in history. Rather than study history, we wanted the children to understand that during the pandemic, they are part of history. We will be burying these booklets in a capsule in each school ground and hopefully, in years to come, someone will find these artifacts and learn about how lives were lived during the pandemic of 2020. As schools start to reopen, we have opened bubbles with groups of no more than 15, separated for safety. Whether this is the new norm or not, what I do know is that our school house is returning to be our school home.

Mrs L Evans (Executive Head Teacher) The Federation of Middleham VA and Spennithorne VC CE Primary School (FEDMAS)

Other Updates: East Witton East Witton Parish Council wants to say a big thank you to all those residents who kept the village green in apple pie order during the coronavirus lockdown. Our contractors were unable to carry out the task for several weeks because of working restrictions. But at least a dozen of you came to the rescue and kept the grass in check. Many thanks from the chair Mary Fawbert and the rest of the councillors.

Coverdale Churches’ Plant Sale

The Coverdale Plant Sale has finally ended after months of supervision and sales by Anne Readshaw and we are delighted to report that the proceeds amounted to £650.80. Our most grateful thanks to Anne and all who grew so many plants and produced cakes, honey and marmalade. Thank you everyone.

Saturday 1st August in Coverdale Memorial Hall

Coverdale WI start day at 10:30am with morning coffee and homemade scones. Stalls selling locally created produce will be available, a plant stall, book stall, Bric-à-brac amongst others. Take Away Food & Refreshments will be available, with WI cakes.

If you would like to hold a stall for £5 or any queries please contact Lea Taylor on 01969 640095

Coverdale Youth Group Summer 2020

Subject to government guidance and the Coverdale Memorial Hall being open

We are planning on holding Coverdale youth group sessions from

Thursday 30th July – 3rd September 2020

Starting at 2pm and finish around 4 – 4:30pm (dependent on activity)

All sessions are free and include a snack and drink.

We ask that children come prepared with wellies/walking shoes and raincoat.

Parents please register your interest with the people named below to allow us to plan for food and number of leaders.

New attendees need to be escorted by a parent/carer to complete the consent forms, no consent form – No attendance – sorry  Please advise of any dietary requirements/allergies & ailments in advance.

Anyone displaying any COVID symptoms must NOT attend.

Activities planned include: Music Man Treasure/scavenger Hunt Football Rounders,Quoits Baking/Table Tennis Walk to Roover crags Bug house Building Archery Arts & Crafts

For further information please contact Lea Taylor, [email protected] 01969 640095

Useful information (It’s worth calling you ‘usual’ suppliers as they may be delivering/ have an opening date)

Meals delivered: If you're aged over 70, or over 50 and self-isolating with a health condition, Andersons at the Key Centre, Middleham, are now providing a daily lunch service through Age UK. This is a nutritious main course and dessert for one person, delivered daily, seven days a week, between 12.00 and 2.00pm for £5. Telephone 01325 741492 or email [email protected] to order. (Delivering to Middleham, Coverdale, East Witton, Thornton Steward, Jervaulx, Leyburn, Bellerby, Harmby, Spennithorne, West Witton, Constable Burton, Aysgarth, West Burton, Swinithwaite – but please phone and ask if your community is not mentioned)

Milkman – milk, eggs, potatoes, cheese – delivered to your doorstep Delivery days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Areas covered: Middleham Contact: [email protected]

Andersons Takeaway, Middleham Good quality home cooked meals delivered to your home. Pizzas, kebabs, burgers and more traditional meals e.g. shepherd’s pie. Sunday lunch service, pre-book for Sundays please. You can pre-pay for friends and family. Tel 01969 629290 or visit https://www.andersonstakeaway.co.uk

Fish and Chip Shop, Middleham Currently open Thursday teatime, Friday lunchtime and teatime and Saturday lunchtime and teatime. Phone 01969 625054

Wensleydale Hotel, Middleham 01969 622093

Richard III Hotel, Middleham 01969 623240

Dante Arms, Middleham 01969 622246

Black Bull, Middleham 01969 624792

Foresters, Carlton 01969 640272 http://forestersarmscoverdale.com/

Cover Bridge Inn, East Witton 01969 623250

Blue Lion, East Witton 01969 624273

The Co-op has introduced a gift card service. You can order a card to whatever amount you wish to put on it, for your shoppers to use to pay at the Co-op, without you or them having to handle cash. Phone Co-op on 0800 029 4592 for more info and to order a card.

Central Stores, Middleham For those isolating or housebound, will take orders and deliver locally, groceries and other goods. Tel 01969 623224 You may get the answerphone, leave your name and tel number and they will get back to you.

Fairhursts at Berry’s Are offering a main meals delivery service. Special diets (gluten free etc) can be catered for. Other groceries can be added to your order from Berry’s Farm Shop. Tel 01969 624668

Riverford (Fruit and veg - organic) Deliveries in this area are every Monday. www.riverford.co.uk

Yorkshire Dales Meat Delivering meat, eggs and milk 01748 810042

Leyburn Pets Delivering pet food and supplies 01969 622953, or [email protected]

Car Servicing, Repairs and MoTs are still available from Middleham Motors, Leyburn Road, Middleham, tel 01969 623283 R&S Motors, Middleham Road, Leyburn Tel 01969 624681

Sanderson’s Decorating Open – phone to check hours. Also delivering decorating supplies and calor gas 01969 623143

Internet and computers Whilst you are at home, if you would like to make more use of your computer or mobile phone to keep in touch with family and find friends, interesting sites etc but aren’t sure how to do this safely, there are people around who can help. One useful website recommended by Charlotte Strickland that takes you through things step by step is: www.boldnewworld.co.uk/get-connected/ If you are having difficulty with your laptop or pc, contact Ed Davies at [email protected] or via Facebook or Instagram.

Mobile Post Van, Middleham Has resumed normal timetable

The Middleham Key Centre can also be contacted if you have any general queries. Email [email protected] or ring 01969 624002 and leave a message. Alternatively, you can ring Pam on 07772 736006 or Lesley on 01969 622615. All messages will be checked within 24 hours even though the office is closed. The Town Clerk, David Keep, is working from home, contact him by e-mail: [email protected]

Some other local shops and businesses are continuing to offer deliveries or an Order and Collect system, so it’s always worth ringing and asking.

A poem for our times?

Ode to Coronavirus by Pam Ayres (aged 73) We didn't mind the change of pace I'm normally a social girl Because our lives were full I love to meet my mates But to bury us before we're dead But lately with the virus here Is like a red rag to a bull! We can't go out the gates. So here you find me stuck inside You see, we are the 'oldies' now For four weeks, maybe more We need to stay inside I finally found myself again If they haven't seen us for a while Then I had to close the door! They'll think we've upped and died. It didn’t really bother me They'll never know the things we did I'd while away the hour Before we got this old I'd bake for all the family There wasn't any Facebook But I've got no flaming flour! So not everything was told. Now Netflix is just wonderful We may seem sweet old ladies I like a gutsy thriller Who would never be uncouth I'm swooning over Idris But we grew up in the 60s - Or some random sexy killer. If you only knew the truth! At least I've got a stash of booze There was sex and drugs and rock 'n roll For when I'm being idle The pill and miniskirts There's wine and whiskey, even gin We smoked, we drank, we partied If I'm feeling suicidal! And were quite outrageous flirts. So let's all drink to lockdown Then we settled down, got married To recovery and health And turned into someone's mum, And hope this awful virus Somebody's wife, then nanna, Doesn't decimate our wealth. Who on earth did we become? We'll all get through the crisis And be back to join our mates Just hoping I'm not far too wide To fit through the flaming gates!

Our churches will be opening for private prayer from Monday 29th June They will be open on Mondays and Thursdays, 9am – 5pm. Please use hand sanitiser and ensure a 2m social distancing (we are continuing with the 2m guideline for the current time), and please do not enter the church buildings if you are ‘vulnerable’ according to government guidelines, or if you suspect you have Covid 19 or you are have symptoms. We hope that you will enjoy the peace and prayerful atmosphere of the church buildings as you seek to meet with God there.

Parish e-services: Please email [email protected] – to be added (BCC) to our email services group. Our ‘services’ are on Wednesdays at 12, and Sundays at 12 – or whatever time suits you. We are aiming to start Zoom meetings: contact Liz for details [email protected] Prayers - As a church community we continue to hold the whole parish in our prayers. If you would like us to pray for something specific please contact Liz or Jeff (confidentially) - either [email protected] or [email protected] or phone 01969 326069

Since the C19 outbreak, more people have been downloading prayer apps. Here are some options: Daily prayer online options: If you have a smart phone or pc, there are different apps to help you to pray. Lectio 365: 10 minutes of quiet reflection and prayer. Written by leaders from the 24-7 Prayer movement, this resource helps you engage with Scripture to inspire prayer and shape your life. Pray as you Go: 10 minutes of prayer, a Bible passage, and the opportunity to reflect on a question and talk to God. Based on Ignatian spirituality. Daily Prayer: Church of services of Morning, Evening and Night Prayer

For those who prefer to phone, the Archbishop of Canterbury has launched Daily Hope – a free phone line.

Weddings and Funerals Update: (subject to change) Weddings are now permitted with limited numbers and social distancing rules Funerals in our parish are continuing either at the graveside for a burial, or at the crematorium. Our churches are not currently open for funerals. We keep this policy under constant review as guidelines re. Covid 19 change. The policy of this parish will be reviewed in August. Immediate family only are permitted to attend and numbers continue to be LIMITED. Funerals directors have current information on government guidelines, and parish policies, which vary.

We know that people like to pay their respects, but numbers at funerals are still limited. To help with this, in conjunction with families and funeral directors, there is the possibility of inviting people to line the streets of their communities as the hearse passes. Information will be given to the local communities as to when this will happen.

Rectory: 01969 326069 or Liz, 07796988302 Jeff, 07443581463

Next Month’s Bridge: August, 2020 For the time being, we will continue to produce an e-copy of Bridge, so please send any items to: [email protected] by the deadline: 14th July, 2020. Contacts: Revs Jeff and Liz: 01969 326069 Churchwardens: Middleham – Margaret Brabban 01969 624388; East Witton & Thornton Steward: Mary Fawbert 01969 623007/ Karen Newsam 01969 622395; Coverdale: Anne Readshaw 01969 640448 Methodist Minister: Rev Melanie Reed: 01969 623818; RC priest: Fr Michael: 01969 623141

Photo wanted! Has anyone got a good photo of a bridge in the parish? If so, we’d love to feature it on the front of our e-Bridge. Please send to [email protected] Please say which bridge it is. And to finish this e-Bridge – a heart warming story! Bird notes from Richard Wells – July 2020 There was high drama in East Witton in the first week of June. A nest box installed several years ago to try to attract barn owls had fallen out of a tree on Lowthorpe Farm land and was lying on the floor. Inside were three owlets – tawny owlets – shaken (obviously) but very much alive. An agitated parent called from above. The box had almost certainly come down in high winds the night before. The young would be hungry. What was to be done? Retrieve the youngsters and try to hand rear them? Leave the box on the ground in the hope – forlorn though it was – that the parents would feed their offspring? No. Put the box back up the tree believing that once reunited in familiar surroundings the parents would return to feed the young once again? We decided to give it a go. Screws, drills, nails, a hammer, bits of wood and most importantly a tractor with a front-end bucket were deployed. We were accused by Eileen Clarkson of looking like something from The Last of the Summer Wine as we set off up the fell side on our mission. Would we screw-up in typical Compo, Clegg and Foggy fashion? With Alan and I in the bucket (the health and safety conscious should look away now!) and Dennis at the controls in the cab, we carefully manoeuvred the box back in position – fixed it mightily securely to the tree – and retreated. Alan and I didn't see the parents go back to the box. And all was quiet. Were we too late? Were the young too weak after their long ordeal and had perished? Two days later – great news. Dennis had seen at least one of the parents going in and out of the box. The young it seemed had survived. A big thank you to Dennis and Alan. A Sunday morning well spent. Your reports are always welcome at [email protected]