The Benefice of Harton The Benefice of Harton Parish Profiles

St. Michael’s - Crambe St. Botolph’s - St. John’s -

St. Lawrence - Flaxton All Saints - Foston

St. Mary’s - Gate St. Mary’s - St. John’s - Howsham

St. Peter’s - St. Mary’s - Sand Hutton St. John’s - Whitwell The Benefice of Harton

2 The Benefice of Harton

Contents

Page

Introduction 4

St Botolph’s – Bossall 10

St Lawrence – Flaxton 12

St John’s – Howsham 14

St John’s – Whitwell 18

Map of Benefice showing individual parishes 20

All Saints – Foston 22

Foston Primary School 24

St Michael’s – Crambe 25

St Peter’s – Upper Helmsley 28

St Mary’s – Sand Hutton 30

Vicarage – Sand Hutton 32

Sand Hutton Primary School 33

St Mary’s – 34

St John’s – Buttercrambe 36

Local Authority Data 38

Some Local Data 39

3 The Benefice of Harton

Parish Profiles Introduction We are proud to present this document which describes the Benefice of Harton, with its 8 parishes, now structured within a Joint PCC. The setting The Benefice is situated in North , eight to ten miles to the north east of the historic city of . Its constituent communities are dispersed along the A64 and A166 trunk roads, which lead respectively to Scarborough and Bridlington. The setting is rural and idyllic, attracting many tourists; some of the parishes contain areas of special scientific interest, others areas of outstanding natural beauty. The nearby city of York encompasses history, academe (two Universities, a Law College and a Medical School), culture, the arts, music and theatre. One of the main attractions in the area is Castle Howard; another local landmark, the restored Howsham Mill on the River Derwent, now produces hydroelectricity for the National Grid. There are good transport links to the East coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Wolds, as well as to commercial centres, including , which is only two hours away by train. The area is well served by many local schools, primary and secondary, state and independent. These include two Church of Primary Schools within the Benefice itself. The main local industries are farming and tourism, and DEFRA’s Central Science Laboratory is situated outside the village of Sand Hutton. Most of those who live in our small villages commute for work to the nearby towns. Local statistics

Most of the Benefice lies within the electoral ward of South West, in the Ryedale District. We are part of a two-tier system of local authorities, covered by Ryedale District Council and County Council.

In general and in comparison to national data, the residents of Ryedale South West are more affluent, better educated and older. There is no measurable homelessness, and crime rates are less than half the national average. A higher proportion (82% compared with 71.8%) of the population describes themselves as Christian.

Some of these data are given later in this document; full details can be found on the Ryedale District Council website at www.ryedale.gov.uk

4 The Benefice of Harton

The evolution of the Benefice The Benefice has evolved gradually over the past 25 years, under the leadership of our two most recent incumbents, both now retired. The nucleus for this development was the Benefice of Sand Hutton, comprising the four parishes of Sand Hutton, Gate Helmsley, Upper Helmsley and Bossall (the last with its associated Chapels of Ease at Buttercrambe and Howsham). Over time and in response to the retirement of incumbents and the general reduction in the number of ordained priests, the parish of Flaxton, followed by Foston, Crambe and Whitwell (the last three forming the Benefice of Whitwell) were added to the group. As a result, we are now a Benefice of eight parishes, but ten churches. Over recent years, with the agreement of the Diocesan Office, the Benefices of Sand Hutton and Whitwell have functioned as a pragmatic single entity, with an informal Benefice Council, which oversaw all matters of common interest, such as service planning, Benefice expenses, church magazine, and development of the Benefices. This arrangement has now been legally formalised with the formation of the single Benefice of Harton in September 2012, followed by the establishment of the Joint PCC in March 2013. We look forward to an exciting future under these new arrangements. Church worship A range of services is held regularly across the Benefice, rotating between the constituent churches. These include services of Holy Communion, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and more informal gatherings such as a monthly home prayer group. Attendance at church services ranges from around 10 for Morning Prayer , through 20 for routine Communion Services, to 30-40 from Benefice Eucharist services. Many of our services of Holy Communion are held jointly - on the first, third and fifth Sundays in the month and every Wednesday morning. Usually on every second and fourth Sunday, there are services in two churches. These vary between 9.00 am Holy Communion, 10.30 am Morning Prayer and 6.30 pm Evening Prayer. All services are rotated in turn between the churches. This means that every church has one service a month, either on a Sunday or a Wednesday. Many special services are held in the different churches at Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and other festivals. The calendar of services is especially full during December. Most regular services include hymns and music, apart from some nine o’clock Sunday Communion services. There is a group of eight organists who accompany regular services and occasional offices. An informal group of singers comes together to support Christmas and Easter services. Schools There are 2 Church of England Primary Schools within the Benefice, at Foston and at Sand Hutton. There is regular worship at both schools, including visits by members of the Benefice Ministry Team. The schools also organise a number of services within our churches, such as Nativity Plays and Harvest Services.

5 The Benefice of Harton

How the Benefice is run Each of the eight parishes has a Parochial Church Council (PCC), with its own officers (churchwardens, secretary and treasurer). An overseeing Joint PCC is now in place, replacing the Benefice Council which has existed since 2008. Joint PCC membership consists of one representative of each parish, the Ministry Team (see below), an honorary secretary and special advisers. The Joint PCC meets every 3 months and is chaired by the Vicar.

A hard-working and effective Ministry Team has been in place for many years. As well as the Vicar, the team comprises a Parish Sister*, Reader and Lay Pastor. Churchwardens support the Ministry Team in the provision of pastoral care and in running some church services. Previously a non-stipendiary House for Duty Priest was also part of the team; this vacant post is still to be filled. Our communities are very active and look after one another. There is broad support for the work of the Church: the residents of our villages are proud of their local church and work hard to support it, even if they are not regular worshippers. In general, congregations can be small and from the older age group, but more people from the different parishes come together for the Benefice Communion Services. There are also bigger congregations at special services such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christingle, Harvest Festival, Remembrance Sunday and Family Services. For several years we have ensured good communication with all parishioners through a magazine, “The Circular”, published quarterly. This is distributed free of charge to all households and can be seen as a positive means of evangelism. A Benefice printer was purchased two years ago, enabling the Circular to be published in-house by a team of volunteers. Our aspirations for the future • Development of our ministry and worship We are aware that, as is common nationally, our worship is meeting the needs of a relatively narrow range of people, who are decreasing in numbers while they increase in age. We therefore feel strongly that we need to broaden our approach.

In particular, we wish to enhance our ministry to children and young people (and their parents) to build up the church for the future. We wish to do this while continuing to provide for those who are already regular churchgoers. As we have a total of ten churches, it is easily possible to vary the type of service available across the Benefice. This is already being developed in, for example, Crambe, with an annual Memorial Lily Service, and Flaxton, where they have experimented with informal and varied Sunday Evening Services. • Development of mission We are conscious of a need to develop our work in mission. As part of this, we would like to take the church and worship into the community rather than necessarily expecting parishioners to come to the church. We would like to explore different and unusual venues for worship.

*Parish Sister: a Professional Sister of the Community of St Peter’s, Horbury; seconded to the Benefice of Harton, with the Archbishop’s licence to officiate alongside the incumbent; to be a prayer presence within the Benefice and available to anyone who needs her.

6 The Benefice of Harton

• Development of lay ministry Several churchwardens are already able to conduct lay-led services in their own churches. Others will be taking advantage of the training course provided by the Southern Ryedale Deanery later this year. This will serve to enhance the support available to the Ministry Team and our local communities.

The co-ordination of pastoral care We should clarify the arrangements for pastoral care, recruit more lay people to undertake this work and make sure that we are meeting the needs of all the community. We are challenged by the rural spread of a small population across a wide geographical area. • The reinstatement of choral music at Benefice services The Benefice choir is temporarily out of action as it lacks a regular choirmaster. It is hoped that the choir can be reinstated in the future as the music greatly enhanced Benefice services and was very much appreciated by the congregation. Positive comments were invariably received at the end of choral services. Our Strengths To help us achieve these aspirations, we are already equipped with a number of strengths, which are listed below. • The experience and hard work of the Ministry Team • The establishment of a Joint PCC in Spring 2013 • The working together and achievements of the Benefice Council • The enthusiasm of the team of churchwardens, and their willingness to learn • The strength of our local communities, who are generally supportive of their local church • The availability of varied forms of worship • There is some leadership in place for ministry for children and young people; this should be further exploited • There are two Church of England Primary Schools within the Benefice, closely involved with the local churches and communities • Pastoral care in the Benefice is good

Where do we go from here? – leadership needs in the Benefice We are now seeking to replace our priest, who retired at the end of 2012. We need and are praying for an incumbent for the Benefice of Harton who will lead us in our worship, mission and spiritual life across the Benefice and who will lead the Ministry Team and chair the Joint PCC. This person will live at the Vicarage in Sand Hutton at the centre of the Benefice. The House for Duty Vicarage is situated in the village of Crambe, on the northern edge of the Benefice. It is hoped that this post will also be filled in due course to complement and support the Vicar and to complete membership of the Ministry Team. It is strongly emphasised that both the incumbent and House for Duty posts cover the whole Benefice. In a new incumbent, we are seeking an enthusiastic person who is able to offer strong leadership and take up the challenge of shepherding a small, scattered, rural flock. We are looking for a priest who will be able to work with our communities to further develop local ministry to meet the needs of our parishioners. We wish to appoint a priest with broad liturgical sympathies, a degree of modernity and a flexible approach, who will provide service variations appropriate to the different congregations and different age groups, including the children in our local schools. Above all we wish for a person who will lead the work of our local churches in such a way as to enhance the spiritual lives of all our parishioners. 7 The Benefice of Harton

The Benefice Council has a proven track record of innovation and of leading change. Over the last five years, it has moved the local parishes from two separate Benefices to a single Benefice. We are now at the cutting edge as we have completed the transition to a Joint PCC, the first to be established in the York Diocese. The embedding of the Joint PCC will provide an interesting and exciting challenge to us all, as we move on to another period of change and development into the future. We pray that the right priest will be guided to be our leader, working alongside us as we take on these new challenges. In summary, this is what we are looking for in our new priest • A person (woman or man) of strong faith, who is passionate about ministry • A person who is confident and decisive, able to provide strong and sympathetic leadership, including leadership for succession planning • An effective team member, able to make good links across the Benefice and with neighbouring benefices • Someone who is innovative and forward-looking, able to encompass different ways of worshipping in different settings, who will encourage ministry for younger people, as well as mission, charitable giving and the training of lay worship leaders The remainder of this document The sections that follow describe our different churches in more detail and contain more information about the Vicarages and the two Primary Schools. There is also a local map and more detailed statistics about the area.

8 The Benefice of Harton

9 The Benefice of Harton

St. Botolph’s, Bossall The Parish of Bossall itself dates back to the 7th Century but today comprises the hamlet of Bossall, Harton and its two chapels at ease being Buttercrambe (St. John the Evangelist) and Howsham (St. John’s) but profiles of the latter 2 churches and Parishes are detailed separately. Bossall is situated some 10 miles to the East of York, of equal distance between York and Malton and the Church – St. Botolph’s – is a Grade I Listed Building dating from 1178. Major restoration was carried out on its 800th anniversary and since then little major work has been required. The combined population of Bossall and Harton is no more than 100 with a majority being either retired or agricultural related. The children attend the Church of England Primary School at Sand Hutton which is part of our Benefice before moving onto one of the major Secondary Schools, Huntington in the neighbouring Benefice. There are no Village Halls or other related church property and any meetings take place either in the Church, in private houses or in one or other of the Village Halls within the Benefice. U n d e r t h e c u r r e n t arrangements Bossall has regular services in turn with all the other Parishes within the Benefice. For some time Bossall has held Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve where the attendance is around the 120 mark. Other services e.g. the 9.00 Communion attract between 10 and 25 a n d t h e m i d w e e k Communion averages some 12 people.

10 The Benefice of Harton

More specific information about the Church building itself is available from the normal sources but St. Botolph’s was lucky enough to be chosen as the second Church in North Yorkshire to be detailed and recorded by NADFAS so a full record of all architectural details is available. St. Botolph’s is one of the few Churches for which the Church Commissioners accept responsibility for any major works done in connection with the Chancel. The Churchyard is of special interest and has been surveyed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and as a result cutting takes place only once a year, financially supported by the Rural District Council. The current Diocesan quota is applied to Bossall and a share is then agreed with the Parishes of Buttercrambe and Howsham and to date the quota has been met 100 per cent. Due to the provisions of an earlier landowner and the subsequent sale of some relevant property the Bossall finances are in a healthy position and major fundraising events are only required approximately every other year. Parishioners (and non-attending villagers) willingly support the Church in all its activities and the majority also attend other Churches within the Benefice when there is no service in St. Botolph’s. Partly due to the age of the congregation the traditional form of service and words is preferred but there is a very good Harrison organ which can and does provide a full range of music for the bigger services.

11 The Benefice of Harton

St Lawrence, Flaxton

Flaxton was created a parish as recently as the nineteenth century; before that it was divided between the parishes of Bossall and Foston. The parish consists of some 155 houses (including the area around Flaxton station which in fact is in the adjoining parish of Foston but which considers itself part of Flaxton), of which over two-thirds are in the village itself. The overall population is between 300 and 400. It is an attractive village, with a broad open green and with most of the houses, almost all built of brick, on one side of the green looking towards York. Much of the village is in a Conservation Area and new development is limited to infill only. We lost both the village school and shop some 25 years ago but we have an excellent public house and active village hall. The surrounding land is mainly in mixed arable and stock farming with a total of eleven farms and a few smallholdings, all with their farmsteads now outside the village. There is a limited amount of small scale industrial activity sited around the Flaxton Station area, with a garage and car sale business, a plant hire business, a pheasant rearing business and a forge. In the village there is the public house, an antique shop which also acts as an antique repairer and furniture repository, a travelling butcher and a children’s nursery. At one of the outlying farms there is a kennels and cattery and, recently, a racing stable has been set up at another farm.. All of these offer some employment possibilities for local people, but the majority of the working population work elsewhere. The present church was built in 1853 on the site of a chapel of ease, in the parish of Bossall, of which the earliest known record dates from 1316. The architect was G.T. Andrews of York who is better known for his railway buildings, designing most of the stations and other buildings on railways built by George Hudson in Yorkshire. The interior of the church was reordered in 1953, the organ being moved to the west end and the choir stalls removed altogether to give a more open Chancel area.

12 The Benefice of Harton

Much of the furniture in the Chancel is by ‘Mousey’ Thompson, the well-known Yorkshire wood- carver. More recently two pews have been removed from near the back of the church to create an open, carpeted, area and the pews repositioned at the front in order not to reduce the seating which is a little over one hundred. Part of the churchyard is left uncut until the end of July as a conservation area. The Church Electoral Roll has 32 members and most can be relied upon to help the church in one way or another, even though the church attendance does not match the roll numbers. The pattern of services each month usually includes one of Holy Communion, (sometimes by extension), and a Family Service with a congregation averaging twenty including a few youngsters, followed by coffee and biscuits. In recent years there has frequently also been an Evening Worship Service led by a churchwarden, based around Compline, with a speaker and discussion. There are larger congregations at Easter, Christmas and Harvest, averaging over forty, and a Carol Service with double that number, with mulled wine and mince pies after the Carol Service and a meal in the village hall at Harvest. There is a village choir happy to join in the seasonal festivities. Two ladies play the church organ, though neither would claim to be a skilled organist. The PCC sponsors and edits a village newsletter, delivered bi-monthly, and members are active in the village in many ways. It also acts as the local Christian Aid Committee and an envelope collection for Christian Aid raises several hundreds of pounds each year. The PCC needs to organise several fund-raising events each year. We have managed to pay our Parish Share in full every year but rarely have assets of any size at the end of each year. We have been fortunate that building costs, including recent work on stone and the organ, have been low. In the village there is a Brownies pack which meets weekly, and a Gardening Club and a branch of the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association which both meet monthly, all in the village hall.

13 The Benefice of Harton

St John’s, Howsham The Building, Situation and History St John’s Church is situated in the conservation village of Howsham, lying eight miles SW of Malton in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between York and Malton. The church was built in 1859-60 by G. E. Street for Hannah Chomley and is a Grade 1 Listed building. The style is modern gothic and is rather unusual. The rounded apse, bellcot and steep roofs give it an alpine appearance. The porch is unusual with its roof of red tiles, supported on massive circular pillars with stone capitals. The beautiful stone tower has four fine-toned bells. The base of the font is of Mansfield stone with four columns of Galway marble. The chancel is elegantly fitted up with a roof in seven compartments, painted in various colours and gilded. The reredos is a fine piece of workmanship, divided into three compartments of Caen stone, richly inlaid with various coloured marbles. In the middle compartment is a Maltese cross of Languedoc marble. In the last 20 years, the church has had a new roof, repairs to the tower have been undertaken and improved lighting installed. A new heating system has recently been put in. A social space has been created at the back of the church. The “Mouseman” gates at the entrance from the village street have just been restored.

St John’s Church Howsham is a consecrated Chapel of Ease. Originally, the people of Howsham attended their parish church of Scrayingham before the Chapel of Ease was built and they walked to Scrayingham church along the banks of the Derwent. In fact, Scrayingham was enlarged in 1853 to accommodate Howsham people. Howsham church lies within the Parish of Bossall with Buttercrambe and Howsham, but it has its own church wardens, electoral roll and prepares its own accounts. The Parish Share (Quota) is paid through Bossall PCC, which submits a consolidated Annual Return to the Diocese.

14 The Benefice of Harton

Population and Village Profile In 1850, Howsham village had a population of 194 but it is now under half this size, consisting of Howsham Hall and approximately 35 dwellings plus outlying farms and barn conversions; giving a population in the region of 85. The majority live in the village though some use their properties each weekend; or even less frequently. Most have jobs and therefore commute, though there are a few who are retired. There is no shop, Post Office or pub; and now no school. Howsham Hall is a large Elizabethan (Grade 1 Listed) mansion and the whole village was formerly part of the estate. Much of the stone for the hall came from the ruins of nearby Kirkham Abbey. For a number of years, it housed a successful (mixed) preparatory school which closed in 2007. The hall has recently been sold and has been bought by a private buyer who has renovated it as a single residence. Its associated stable block was purchased by a commercial organisation and was renovated as offices. Subsequently the company moved out and a developer created some 12 flats and houses, most of which are occupied. Some live there permanently and for others it is their second home. The owners are generally either retired or working professionals. However, the development did bring a significant influx of new families and several have a loose association with the church (see below). Church Attendance The Howsham Electoral Roll numbers are around 20. However, church attendance is low with, on average, a faithful few of 8-10 attending the services. As a general rule, the regular congregation is approximately 70% female with no younger members or children. The local congregation broadly mirrors the social mix of the village. One loyal member, who used to live in the village, often attends services - which involves a round trip from Malton. Periodically another member attends from Malton; and another from York. Services and Tradition On average, there is a service every 3-4 weeks with a number of the regular congregation preferring Evensong. Periodically Howsham will host the United Benefice service. Sunday Matins and the Wednesday morning communion services also take place periodically.

15 The Benefice of Harton

Sometimes the Wednesday Communion is held at parishioners’ homes when the weather is very cold. As with other churches in the benefice, our services are led by the Vicar or any member of the Pastoral Team. General Support – The Church as a Focus There are volunteers who help with cleaning, flowers; also churchyard and bell maintenance. It is important to note that activities such as the annual churchyard maintenance drive attract quite large gatherings of 25 or more helpers. Not all of these helpers are regular churchgoers but they nonetheless give their time, equipment and energy willingly. In recent years, after a vigorous afternoon’s work, the event has been rounded off with a BBQ at the Great Barn, which has served to underpin the activity. In a similar vein, non-churchgoers will often support f u n d r a i s i n g functions and this is a significant characteristic of our parish. These activities serve to bring people together, adding to the feeling of community. In this sense, part of the mission of the Church is surely being fulfilled. It has become an established tradition that the well-attended Christmas Carol Service is always followed by mulled wine and mince pies at the Great Barn. This is always a lovely occasion, which everyone who attends appreciates and enjoys. It is a further example o f t h e c h u r c h being part of the fabric of the community.

16 The Benefice of Harton

Fund-raising takes place on a regular basis and in recent times has included: • A well-supported cake stall at Howsham Bridge on the second May Bank Holiday • The auction of produce at the Harvest Festival for a nominated charity – different each year; and now held in the church • Special events such the Alan Hacker concert; and a talk about Howsham Mill with a BBQ • Treasure Hunts, raffles and contributions from events such as the gun dog trial; along with a cake stall at the Livestock Centre in York (typically supported as a “good cause” by those with no formal connection to the village) • (Before the school closed a “Glyndebourne-style” concert given by the Chanticleer Singers was organised with the proceeds shared).

Collections and Donations There has been an encouraging increase in the amount taken in collections in recent months. A number of parishioners donate via a direct debit mandate. Included in these donations are those which come from parishioners who would not be classified as regular churchgoers; though they may well attend services such as the Harvest Festival and Carol Service. This yet again illustrates an important characteristic of our church; namely of sincere, consistent yet low-key support, as contrasted with more conventional measures. This should not be overlooked in assessing the importance of the church in the life of the community.

17 The Benefice of Harton

Diocese of York St John the Evangelist, Whitwell on the Hill, York

St John’s Church is situated in the middle of the small village of Whitwell on the Hill some 12 miles from York on the A64 going northeast towards Malton and Scarborough. Whitwell lies on the southern edge of the Howardian Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to the Castle Howard Estate which is a prime national tourist attraction, and close to the North York Moors National Park.

York has many attractions including the Minster. The University of York is located on the south east side of York and is easily accessible.

Whitwell on the Hill numbers some sixty five houses with approximately 120 residents. Due to the fact that Whitwell is mainly an estate owned village, many of the houses are tenanted and as a result the population changes fairly frequently. Traditionally a farming community there are a number of outlying farms though many of the residents of the village commute to both Malton, York and beyond. The parish also encompasses Barton Hill a nearby settlement of about a dozen houses.

St John’s Church was built in 1860 by the famous architect G E Street. It has a handsome tower 130 feet high and commanding far reaching views over the surrounding countryside especially to the east and the Yorkshire Wolds. There is a vestry off the chancel which has a basin. It has a fine organ, elaborate reredos and an interesting lectern in the form of a pelican.

The church is open every day for visitors.

18 The Benefice of Harton The building is well maintained. It was subject to a Quinquennial inspection in 2006 and all listed in the report have been attended to. The churchyard is well kept and always commented inspection report and by visitors.

The church is run by St John’s PCC numbering four members with one churchwarden who meet four times a year. The PCC has its full complement of officers. The finances of the church are in a healthy state and the church always meets its quota.

The church duties are shared by members of the PCC. The church has a regular flower and cleaning rota.

Electoral Roll: 26

Services: normally one per month, either Holy Communion 9.00 a.m on a Sunday or Wednesday Holy Communion at 10.00 a.m.

19 The Benefice of Harton

20 The Benefice of Harton

21 The Benefice of Harton

All Saints, Foston, with Thornton-le-Clay

The small church of All Saints Foston is a beautiful, spiritual and historic place of worship rooted within the community. There has been a church in Foston since the time of the Domesday Survey. The chancel arch, the south doorway and portions of the south walls of the nave and chancel date back to the twelfth century. Over the centuries the church has undergone various major restoration works, and the building stood today is a testament of the local community’s devotion and support.

The south doorway is of great historical importance featuring a wide band of sculpture, which could be summarised as teaching the baptised the way to heaven.

The small church has many other interesting features including a twelfth century font, a beautiful stained glass east window and a connection with Sydney Smith, a notable 19th century parson.

Services are held at Foston church on average once a month. Baptisms are incorporated into these services as required. Other celebrations include Lent courses, Easter services, Harvest Festival, Carol Services and a Crib Service for families with young children. A Benefice Communion Service is held on a regular basis, in rotation with the other local parish churches.

The church is run by a well-attended P.C.C, which meets approximately four times a year. The church enjoys links with Foston Church of England Primary School situated in the adjacent village of Thornton-le-Clay, and the PCC is keen to build on this connection.

22 The Benefice of Harton Regular coffee mornings are held in the Village Hall; these serve to raise funds for the church as well as providing a meeting place for parishioners. Other fund raising events have included musical evenings, summer and Christmas fairs and a bridge night.

The village of Foston lies parallel to the A64, with easy access to the east coast and only 10 miles from the historic city of York, which boasts an impressive university amongst many other amenities. Foston is nestled within the Howardian Hills and is an area of outstanding natural beauty and well worth a visit.

23 The Benefice of Harton

!

Making Incredible Achievable

Headteacher:- Mrs Sarah Moore ! Foston CE VC Primary School is a very small primary school serving the villages of Foston, Thornton Le Clay and surrounding areas. We currently have on roll 17 pupils and aim to provide an individually tailored education that fosters the Christian ethos of the school. We pride ourselves in providing real life, meaningful experiences for children to learn from. The school was built in 1844, so is steeped in history, many of our children’s parents and grandparents came to our school, so we have a strong relationship with the local community. We are, at the moment, in an exciting stage of development with changes for our school building, outside environment and changes to our curriculum. We are hoping to facilitate school with an outdoor area for the younger children and an adventure playground for the older ones. There is close collaboration with Terrington Cof E VA Primary School, with a shared Head Teacher. At Foston we enjoy a good relationship with members of the Church community and look forward to welcoming a new Vicar into our school life. For more information, please access the website: www.foston.n-yorks.sch.uk

24 ! The Benefice of Harton St Michael’s Church, Crambe St Michael’s Church is a fine Grade 1 listed Norman church in the tiny hamlet of Crambe, which lies on the edge of the Howardian Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The church serves the two villages of Crambe and Barton le Willows, some two miles away. It has a simple interior, with medieval pulpit, Norman font and a fine recently restored and re-sited Georgian chamber organ, and three recently restored bells. The church has an entrance porch but no vestry, and an attractive and well-maintained churchyard. A quinquennial inspection in 2007 highlighted the need for a new nave roof and restoration of the fabric of the church. This work was carried out and completed in 2011 with the help of grants from English Heritage and a number of other grant making bodies, plus a substantial sum raised locally. The chancel fabric too, has been recently renovated, funded by the Church Commissioners. In general terms therefore the church is in a good state of repair. The church is open all day every day for visitors. Regular services Crambe: As per the Benefice rota, one service a month, usually Holy Communion. Marriages: there have been 7 since 2000 and 2 are scheduled for 2013. Baptisms: usually as part of the 10.30 Holy Communion Family Service or as a Family Service plus Baptism, 18 since 2000. Funerals: 8 since 2000

25 The Benefice of Harton

In addition to the above there are special services held during the year. The Advent and Christmas candle lit Celebration in prose, poetry and carols, the Lily Festival, at which loved ones are remembered, and Harvest Festival which is held jointly with Whitwell. There are generally two annual coffee mornings, one in the spring which is held at Barton Le Willows, the other in November at Crambe. There are usually other fund raising events such as concerts, open gardens etc. held during the year. The church is run by St Michael’s PCC which meets approximately 4 times per year, with the Annual Meeting taking place in the church at the end of a service. The PCC has the full complement of officers, but currently only one churchwarden; a second is being sought. The church also has a regular organist. Finances of the parish are in a healthy state and St Michael’s has always met its quota. The community of Crambe is an ancient hamlet currently of nineteen houses on a quiet dead end road leading off a country lane one mile from the A64, its neighbour Barton le Willows being a much larger village. The population is largely in the 50 years plus range. It is an active, very friendly, rural, farming community. Whether people attend services or not, they are generally very supportive of the church.

26 The Benefice of Harton

Rectory Cottage

The house for duty lies at the end of the village. It is a 1982 dormer bungalow type, built on a sloping site using second hand stone with oak feature lintels over the windows. 160 sq. metres, with a pantile roof. Rooms: Study, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, 4 bedrooms, bathroom, WC, linen cupboard. Outside: Single garage, driveway. Medium size garden to both sides and to the front, slopes steeply to the south and down to the back, with trees. Once the house has become vacant the Diocesan Surveyor will attend the Rectory to assess any decoration needs and repairs.

27 The Benefice of Harton

St Peter’s, Upper Helmsley Upper Helmsley (known originally as Helmsley, but subsequently as Over or Upper Helmsley) is a small village situated 7 miles NE of York on the road leading from Gate Helmsley (on the A166 York – Stamford Bridge road) to Sand Hutton and is just under a mile from either of these villages and from Stamford Bridge. The railway line from York to Hull used to run through the Gate Helmsley end of the Parish but was closed over 30 years ago, as was the village school in Gate Helmsley some years before that. A school bus takes children to the primary school in Sand Hutton and the secondary school in Huntington. The site of the old rectory of Upper Helmsley is behind a wall almost opposite the church. In 1907 the roof needed repair. The incumbent went to live in . The rectory and glebe were sold to the Herbert family who were then and are now living in Upper Helmsley Hall (opposite the rectory) which is built on the site of the old Manor House. The old rectory and glebe site is presently used as a nursery operated by a landscape gardener. Prior to this, 160 varieties of clematis were grown by the previous tenant. Part of the old rectory building is used in connection with the business. Most of the remainder of the land in Upper Helmsley is used for agricultural purposes, turf growing and race horse training. There are 16 dwelling houses but an expansion of the village might be expected when the Ryedale District Council is minded to implement government policy by granting planning consent for the conversion of redundant farm buildings for residential use. There is a certified location for 5 caravans of Caravan Club members adjacent to Upper Helmsley Hall. The present population is 34 adults and 9 children and young people under 21, excluding the continually changing population of apprentice jockeys – usually around 7 – in the racing stable. St Peter’s Church is of stone structure and described in the manual of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust as ranking “amongst the most charming of small rural churches”. Built in the Norman style (unusual for that era) by Mrs Anna Maria Herbert entirely at her own expense, it incorporates 18th and 19th century artefacts from the former church which itself had been rebuilt by Mrs Herbert’s great- great-grandmother, Mrs Jane Wilmer, in 1793. A plaque in the church records the re-buildings. Both rebuilds incorporated the Sanctus bell (now in the tower) inscribed with the date 1671 and two sets of initials, presumably those of the incumbent and one or both churchwardens of that time, indicating that the bell has been rung in 3 successive churches. The 11th century stone font has also seen all 3 churches. A peal of 3 bells was added in 1888 when the church was last rebuilt. All the bells have been serviced recently and were

28 The Benefice of Harton rung at 2 weddings in 2010. Bell ringers come by arrangement with and under the auspices of the volunteers who serviced the bells, which are in the western tower. There is a porch leading to the nave, a chancel with an apse and a vestry with a hip roof on the north side. A Saxon corner stone was thought to be set into the wall beside the pulpit, but it has recently been identified as part of a tombstone.. The original church can be traced to the 13th Century. It was valued at £5 before 1291 and £2 after that date. The land in the village of Upper Helmsley belonged to a family named Helmsley prior to the 15th century and descended through marriage to the Thwaite, Thwinge, Field, Whittell and Herbert families. The Herbert family is in possession of a pair of vestments that belonged to 2 members of the Thwinge family who were amongst 399 known English martyrs. The vestments were worn by a previous incumbent and his honorary curate at the memorial service for the late Mr George Peter Herbert in 1994. There is a regular 9.00 am Sunday (and Christmas Day) service of Holy Communion with hymns and organist with an attendance of 10 – 20, a Harvest Festival at 7.00 pm on the 3rd or 4th Friday of September followed by a Harvest supper (recently at Sand Hutton Village Hall) with an attendance of 60 – 100, and a Wednesday service of Holy Communion at 10.00 am followed by coffee at Upper Helmsley Hall or elsewhere in the village. Wednesday morning services are held in rotation with the other churches in the Benefice. There has been no Easter service but instead a Benefice Holy Communion service is held on Palm Sunday. The church is well supported by people with ties to the Parish although presently living outside the Parish. The Quota has always been met in full and on time. The bank account is in credit. The church fabric has been kept in repair and the tower re-roofed since the last Quinquennial. Members of the family of the 2 rectors last in the Rectory have visited recently. The last 3 rectors are buried in the churchyard. The churchyard was recorded by members of the York Family History Society. The churchyard is mown and maintained regularly. Wild flowers are in abundance in the spring.

29 The Benefice of Harton

St Mary’s, Sand Hutton

Sand Hutton Parish was constituted by order in Council in 1861 consisting of the villages of Sand Hutton and Claxton some eight miles east of York via the A64 coast road. At present there are some 165 dwellings, several working farms, a Church of England Primary School of some 65 pupils, village hall, and holiday cottages. Local businesses include sports manufacturing, farm shop, caravan sites, livery stables, joinery, building, construction, children’s nurseries and FERA. Shops, post offices, medical centres, libraries, churches of other denominations, garages, etc. are readily accessible within four miles at the larger communities of Stamford Bridge, and Dunnington, with York city and Malton town providing a complete range of retail outlets, markets, banking, entertainment, restaurants, hospitals, railway stations and employment opportunities etc. The two villages are served locally by the York to Malton via Castle Howard bus route and a frequent main road service between the coast and Leeds via York. The Sand Hutton estate was acquired by James Walker in 1838; he was created a baronet in 1868. The present day communities of all age groups are served solely by Saint Mary’s church with some 49 persons on the electoral roll, the Claxton Methodist chapel having closed in 2007. Whilst many commute to the larger centres for work, a significant community spirit is present throughout the day, much of it attributable to the organisational efforts of retired people.

Community activities include gardening clubs, village shows, indoor bowling, community lunches, concerts, social events etc. The Parish Council has developed a Parish Plan encouraging residents to make a safe and welcoming community. The church stands set back at the west end of Sand Hutton village. It is accessed from the village main street via a tree-lined avenue. It was built in 1840-1842 by Salvin at the sole expense of James Walker of Sand Hutton Hall (demolished in 1971), consecrated on 31st May 1847 as The Chapel-of-Ease of Sand Hutton replacing the earlier 12th century Saint Leonard’s church, the ruins of which, a scheduled monument, lie in the churchyard. It is a Gothic style of sandstone construction with a roof of Westmoreland slate, the porch at the south of the nave forming the base of a tower with broach spire in the early English style. The edifice seating for some 140 consists of chancel, nave and tower, containing three bells. 30 The Benefice of Harton

The east window of three lights bears a representation of the blessed Virgin with St Leonard on one side and St Paulinus on the other. This was inserted by the nine children of Sir James R and Lady Walker to commemorate the silver wedding of their parents on June 23rd 1888. Another window representing St John the Baptist in the north wall of the chancel was put in on the same occasion by tenants on the estate. In the south wall, is a window in memory of a Prince-Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence and Avondale - who was a frequent visitor to Sand Hutton Hall. The reredos is gilded oak and the chancel floor is laid with encaustic tiles. Altar frontals of fine old Spanish needlework include one in memory of John Hope Foster RAF killed January 11th 1941. The plate given in 1841 consists of a cup of 1665 (London) and a plate of 1718 (London) and a flagon of 1758. There is also a pewter plate. The oak screen was given in 1900 in memory of James Robert Walker the 2nd Baronet by his five sons. Three members of the Walker family are interred in St Leonard’s crypt. In a vault in the churchyard is buried Col. Michael Childers, 11th Light Dragoons who died at Sand Hutton in 1854. He fought in the Peninsular War and in the Battle of Waterloo and served 13 years in India where he commanded a brigade of cavalry at the siege of Burton. Close beside this vault is the grave of John Acomb who died in 1849. He was a corporal in the 2nd Life Guards and also fought at Waterloo. The “Waterloo Medal” he received is now to be seen in the regimental Museum of the Household Cavalry at Windsor. Saint Marys has an ecumenical vision to welcome all to our church and churchyard for worship, prayer, meditation, archaeological and historical interest or perhaps to remember a loved one irrespective of denomination. We intend to provide pastoral care and support to our incumbent when in residence at Sand Hutton vicarage. Along with our lay reader, parish sister and lay pastor we share the vision of the Harton Benefice ministry team to take the gospel message to our churches, communities, schools and homes as opportunities arise. Sunday services (average attendance 33 people during 2011) are held as mission to our two communities together with Benefice services in rotation with the other churches in the Harton Benefice within the Deanery of Southern Ryedale. Midweek services of Holy Communion are also held in rotation... Services are held for baptisms, weddings, funerals, family and school services, Christingle, presentations, flower festivals, concerts etc. from time to time. Our recently installed organ is available for the use of young musicians in developing their skills. The churchyard is open for burials and internment of cremated remains. The Parochial Church Council desires to maintain a peaceful welcoming atmosphere to parishioners and visitors alike, trusting to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of both individuals and the wider community. The recently restored ruins of St Leonard’s, with today’s St Mary’s, testify to centuries of Christian witness which we endeavour to continue for the next generation with respect and thankfulness for the contributions of those past to the Glory of God. 31 The Benefice of Harton

Sand Hutton Vicarage Sand Hutton Vicarage is conveniently located in the centre of the village at the end of a private road and turning off from the main village street. It is a short walk from St Mary’s Church Sand Hutton and close to the village school. It is a large detached house set in a fairly large garden, mainly grassed, but with several significant trees. The accommodation includes dining and sitting rooms, study, kitchen, utility, four bedrooms, bathroom, 2 WCs, single garage and stable block. Central heating is supplied to all rooms and there is ample attic roof storage space. The Vicarage was extensively refurbished in 2007-2008.

32 The Benefice of Harton

Sand Hutton Church of England VC Primary School Our school is situated in the centre of the village. It is a very attractive building encompassing the old Victorian school and schoolhouse alongside a new school hall and classroom. It is set in well-kept grounds that include an outdoor classroom, gardens, wild area, play areas and a large playing field. Currently there are 63 children in the school, aged between 4 and 11. Most children are brought to school by bus as we serve the villages of Sand Hutton, Bossall, Buttercrambe, Claxton, Gate Helmsley and F l a x t o n . A Toddler Group meets in the school and we share an After School Club with our sister school at Warthill – the two schools were federated in 2013. The children are organised into three classes but all children mix readily, creating a warm family atmosphere where older children automatically look after our younger children. As a church school we have strong links with the local parishes and enjoy being part of the village community. We are greatly supported by our parents who work very hard for the school. For further information, please access the website: www..n-yorks.sch.uk

Our day to say goodbye to Reverend Valentine

33 The Benefice of Harton

St Mary’s Church, Gate Helmsley

This attractive church is situated on the main A166 Bridlington road in the centre of the village of Gate Helmsley, eight miles east of York and one mile west of Stamford Bridge, site of King Harold’s battle with the Vikings in 1066. The church has been thoroughly restored in 1885-86, resulting in a largely Victorian structure with modern stained glass windows. Although the restoration has obscured most of the earlier architecture, the existing nave, chancel, south door and plain octagonal font probably date from the 13th Century. The tower with its 3-light window is a 15th Century addition.

The parish of Gate Helmsley is mentioned in the Domesday Book and can be traced back to the 11th Century. It was originally called Hamelsec or Elmeslac, the latter meaning “pasture among the elms”. The modern version of the name only came into use in the 18th Century. Although the population of Gate Helmsley is small at around 300 people, the community is close-knit. The church and the village hall are the main foci of community life and people work very well together in mutual support of these two organisations. The local farm shop is a valuable asset and helps to reduce food miles, and there is good hospitality at the Duke of York public house. Farming, mostly arable, is the main local industry, but most residents go out of the village for work. The village is in the catchment area for Sand Hutton Church of England Primary School. Over recent years, there has been a welcome influx of younger families into the village. However these are generally non-churchgoers, except on special occasions such as Christmas. This means that the regular congregation is small (around 10 people out of an electoral roll of 23) and composed of those who have retired.

34 The Benefice of Harton

It follows that most services are traditional in format with occasional services of a more modern pattern. Our regular services are Holy Communion, Morning Prayer and, very occasionally, Evening Prayer. For every service, we use the modern hymnbook “Mission Praise”. Traditionally, we have a Family Communion service on Christmas morning. This service is very well attended by all age groups. The relaxed atmosphere is particularly appreciated by young families, who come to the service from across the Benefice. Despite its size, the congregation is a very active one. As well as the church services, we run half a dozen social and fund-raising events over the year. These include a Strawberry Lunch, Harvest Supper and Christmas Fair and help us to raise around £3,000 annually. Church finances are healthy and we pay the parish quota in full. The vast majority of our congregation contribute to church funds using gift aid envelopes. The fabric of the church building is in good repair. The recommendations of the Quinquennial report of 2006 were fully met so that we have only a few minor works to undertake after the most recent Quinquennial inspection of 2012. The church is left open to welcome visitors and the churchyard is maintained as a conservation area, supported by advice from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. A major project currently (named “Pipe Up”) is the restoration of our pipe organ, built by the Leeds firm of Abbot and Smith a century ago. We are holding a variety of fund-raising events, including flower festivals, an “ArtFest”, concerts, presentations by organ specialists and by members of the York Waits, as well as a scheme to sponsor a pipe. St Mary’s PCC has a full complement of officers. Meetings are held four times a year and are well attended, with all members making a positive contribution to discussions. Our congregation is committed to supporting services across the Benefice and our representatives play an active part in the business of the Joint PCC. Our aspirations for the future are: to have a more active ministry for children, families and young people, based across the Benefice; and to more widely involve our local parishioners in the life of St Mary’s. We have already made some progress with local people: following village celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last summer, villagers asked for a carol service in church just before Christmas. This was an enormous success, with a new congregation filling the church, and singing that almost raised the roof. 35 The Benefice of Harton

St John the Evangelist Buttercrambe

This beautiful church is tucked away down a grassy path in the middle of the village of Buttercrambe. The original church was probably built around 1240. There is a record of a woman called Johanna Bulmer who was buried in the churchyard in 1404. The chapel was rebuilt in the 15th century and that is why the east window is perpendicular in style.

The church is a Chapel of Ease within the Parish of Bossall, part of the Darley estate, based at Aldby Park, the “big house” in the village of Buttercrambe. The church was given back to the York Diocese in the 1980s. In the grounds of Aldby Park, there is a mound that is reputed to be the site of the palace of Edwin, the 6th- 7th century King of Northumbria, who, with his wife, Ethelburga, and Paulinus, the first Bishop of York, was instrumental in converting the Anglo Saxons in the North of England to Christianity. Because of this religious link, one member of the present day congregation at Buttercrambe suggests that this would be a good place to begin a modern day mission and pilgrimage. The Darley Estate is known for the arrival of the first 3 Arab stallions in the 18th Century, from which all other European racehorses are descended. The village of Buttercrambe is small comprising 29 houses, including farmhouses, and Aldby Park. Today there are only 2 farms. Diversification has taken place from the original farming and quite a few other businesses are based in the village, with people coming in from outside to operate them. Among them are 13 offices and workshops, a children’s nursery for 50, a sawmill, and a free-range pig unit with 3 staff. “Jollydays” is an enterprise of 25-30 luxury camping units in a woodland setting, which provides work for Estate staff; there are also 3 small holiday cottages. The population of Buttercrambe comprises 40 adults under 65, 11 adults over 65 and about a dozen children. Also about 3 adults under 65 occupy static caravans from time to time. 36 The Benefice of Harton

There is a service in the church once a month, either Holy Communion or Morning Prayer, held in rotation with the other churches in the Benefice. Congregations are small, except when boosted by Benefice services. The hymn book “Mission Praise” is used and there is a resident organist. In December, it has been usual to invite a group of visually impaired people from their club in Malton (9 miles away) to a Carol Service followed by a Christmas afternoon tea, something that is greatly enjoyed by everyone. Following recommendations in the Quinquennial report of 2006, the bell tower was fitted with a new bell-rope, guttering was renewed and the church roof was checked. No major works are recommended following the most recent Quinquennial inspection. At present, there is one churchwarden. As a Chapel of Ease, St John’s is overseen by the PCC at St Botolph’s, Bossall.

37 The Benefice of Harton

Ryedale District Council Data

Ryedale South West Ward

Data based on 2001 census Total population Ryedale District 50,872 Population Ryedale South West Ward 1,628 Ward gender profile Male 49.3% Female 50.7%

Ethnicity profiles

Ethnic white Ryedale SW Ward 100% Ryedale District 99.4% National 90.9%

Age profiles

Age range (years) Ryedale SW Ward National comparison % +/- <16 18.2 - 16-19 2.9 - 20-29 6.1 - 30-59 46.1 + 60-74 17.1 + 75+ 9.6 + Average age 43.9 years 38.6 years

Various comparisons with the national picture

Crime rates in Ryedale South West Ward are half or less than half the national average. There is no recordable homelessness in the ward.

Parameter Ryedale SW Ward % National % Christian 82 71.8 No qualifications 24 29 Degree+ 26 20 Unemployed 2 3.4 Retired 15 14

38 The Benefice of Harton

Parish populations

Parish name Population Population Comparison 2001 census 1991 census +/- Bossall/Buttercrambe 100 100 0 Crambe 80 70 +10 Flaxton 350 330 +20 Foston 70 80 -10 Gate Helmsley 330 290 +40 Howsham 140 120 +20 Sand Hutton 200 190 +10 Upper Helmsley 30 40 -10 Whitwell 160 140 +20 This shows a net population gain of 100 people across the whole Benefice over a period of 10 years.

Further data are available on the Ryedale District Council website at www.ryedale.gov.uk and from the York Diocesan Office.

Resource data

Church Income Expenditure Parish Share Reserves Bossall £16,795 £16,506 Paid in full Healthy Buttercrambe £2,156 £876 -£1,668 None Crambe £9,338 £9,629 Paid in full Healthy Flaxton £11,139 £13,563 -£1,000 £1,000 Foston £10,262 £11,706 -£1,600 £1,500 Gate Helmsley £13,173 £10,667 Paid in full Healthy Howsham £5,000 £5,000 Paid in full Healthy Sand Hutton £33,865 £25,000 -£2,369 None Upper Helmsley £3,765 £2,713 Paid in full Healthy Whitwell £7,380 £6,448 Paid in full Healthy

Most of the churches in the Benefice have no major building works pending, merely general maintenance and minor works in response to the most recent Quinquennial reports St Mary’s Sand Hutton needs work on the church tower and spire (stonework and tiles), repair to the vestry roof and restoration of the bells. At St Peter’s Upper Helmsley the boundary wall is unstable because of displacement by tree roots.

39 The Benefice of Harton

Ref: Parish Profile40 16-05-13.pg