Past and Present Tense Statues Are in the News
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Issue Number 441 September 2017 From the Rector Past and present tense Statues are in the news. The imperialist Cecil Rhodes in Oxford; the Confederate general Robert E Lee in Charlottesville, USA; the slave OUR MISSION trader Edward Colston in Bristol: statues commemorating these A community seeking to live well with God, three individuals have all, in recent months, been at the centre of gathered around Jesus Christ in prayer and fellowship, protests and counter protests - including in the case of Robert E Lee and committed to welcome, worship and witness. some very unpleasant neo-Nazi demonstrations that resulted in the death of an anti-racist campaigner Heather Heyer. Although heated The Church Office Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL debate over what to do with statues might seem to be the latest 01756 710238 manifestation of twenty-first century identity politics, it has [email protected] historical precedent. The Rector In 1895 (and after nearly half a century of public debate) a UK The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL government proposal was brought forward to provide funds to erect 01756 710326 a statue of Oliver Cromwell in Parliament Square. An unlikely [email protected] Curate combination of Conservative and Irish Nationalist MPs, who viewed 07495 151987 Cromwell as a regicide and brutally murderous tyrant respectively, [email protected] nearly succeeded in voting down the proposal. In the end it was Website withdrawn anyway, with the statue eventually being erected by www.boltonpriory.church private subscription. Cromwell was still dividing opinion over a hundred years later: in 2004 a group of MPs proposed a motion that SUNDAY his statue should be removed and melted down. As the writer of the 08.00 Holy Communion Old Testament book Ecclesiastes notes wearily, ‘there is nothing 09.15 Liquid Family Worship First Sunday of month new under the sun’. 10.30 Sung Eucharist In his description of the ideal Republic the Greek philosopher Plato 18.30 Evening Prayer (said) April to September proposed that five of the seven ancient musical scales should be banned because they encouraged unhealthy behaviour, such as 16.30 Evening Prayer (said) October to March drunkenness and idleness. In the interests of promoting calmer WEDNESDAY reflection on how we are to understand our history, Plato might have taken a similarly robust view about the wisdom of erecting 10.00 Holy Communion statues had he witnessed the frightening displays of hatred in 18.45 Choir Practice Charlottesville a few weeks ago. All regular services are according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), except With prayers and best wishes, for the Family service, an informal service for young and old. WEDDINGS and BAPTISMS: By arrangement via the Church Office. 1 2 RECTOR’S NOTES PARISH CHURCH COUNCIL 25 JULY 2017 Choral Evensong: The Priory Choir will sing Evensong at 16.30 on The meeting began with the Rector and PCC members remembering Sunday 17 September. During the autumn and winter months, from Colin Crabtree in the opening prayer giving thanks for all the hard work Sunday 01 October until Sunday 25 March 2018, all Sunday evening and commitment to Bolton Priory over many years. services will be at 16.30 unless otherwise stated. Some of you will have already been trying out the sample Harvest Festival: This year the Harvest Festival will be celebrated on supplementary chairs taking into consideration comfort and ease of Sunday 08 October. storage and there may be some more to come! The Rector is looking Confirmation Service: There will be a service of Confirmation into possibility of folding wooden chairs and different veneers. conducted by Bishop Chris Edmonson, an Assistant Bishop in the Unfortunately a lady had a minor accident in the graveyard and diocese, on Sunday 26 November. Jonathan writes more fully about subsequently four or five unstable head stones were laid down for this elsewhere in the magazine. safety reasons and loose kerb stones were placed on top of the graves Organ scholar: In January 2016 the PCC agreed to release some in question. Although families are in fact responsible for the money from the Music Fund for the appointment of an organ scholar maintenance of graves the PCC are liable if a head stone falls on for one year. In the end we were not able to identify a suitable someone. Although we are covered by our Public Liability insurance the candidate last year, but I am delighted to say that last month our PCC thinks it prudent for the graveyard to be checked every six months. Director of Music, Tim Raymond, auditioned a potential candidate, Theo Pedley, to whom we have offered the scholarship. Theo, Regarding the heating, a preferred contractor has now been identified currently studying for his A levels at St Aidan’s School, Harrogate, will and indications were that a test borehole might not be considered be with us from this month to July 2018. I know that the community necessary thus saving a considerable sum of money. A meeting of the at the Priory will make him very welcome. works committee has been arranged for August and the fund raising sub committee had their first strategy meeting. Because the new heating is a PRIORY HEATING sustainable method they feel that trust funds would look upon this Planning and design of the replacement heating system at the Priory favourably. continues apace. Good news on the Church accounts, the income over the first six In May the PCC gave its backing to a solution that includes an element months was up by £3,000 on last year although the Gift Aid was down. of ground-source heating. This renewable energy source will reduce Due to the new LED lighting the services bill was less by £2,000 and the gas consumption, save money and reduce environmental impact. shop increased by a wonderful £3,000 thanks to Margaret Cody’s Implementation of such a project at the Priory is not straightforward. merchandising skills. Challenges include drilling boreholes in the graveyard, and an On the 19 July Jean Bull and the Guides welcomed a group of 8 girls experienced professional team has been assembled including the from Belarus who all had a good time down by the river and stepping Priory’s architect, Clive England, and the archaeological services team stones, playing games, doing crafts and a walk to the Cavendish Pavilion from Durham University. and back. The Priory team were, as always, struck by the problems With challenge comes opportunity. The need to construct a small faced by the children at their home, and the work done by the Preston extension to the Priory to accommodate new boiler plant, and the organizers is really helping the children. need to take up the Priory floor to install heating circuits does afford Sandra Stubbs, PCC Secretary the chance to provide additional amenity space, and to carry out some modest adjustments in the north aisle to meet current needs PRIORY MAGAZINE DEADLINE – OCTOBER MAGAZINE for mission. The PCC will be considering proposals further at Please may we have any copy by 15 September sent either to the Editor meetings in September and October. or the Church Office. Revd Jonathan Cain 3 4 HARVEST CELEBRATIONS THANK YOU FROM FELICITY AND SAM HARVEST FESTIVAL 2017 Dear Friends at the Priory 08 October at 10.30. We wanted to send a note of thanks for your support, prayers and Your gifts of fruit, preserves and tins are eagerly anticipated. This year good wishes in the run up to our wedding in July, as well as on the they will be divided between the Skipton Food Bank and St day itself. The flowers, music and other practical support were Christopher’s Church on the vast Holme Wood Estate in South wonderful. We're hugely grateful for the generosity and warmth Bradford. In addition to St Christopher’s being a place of worship, the we've received at the Priory Church. church has a community centre, a Good Neighbour Project and a Felicity and Sam Cowling-Green Lunch Club for the elderly. The produce we send is greatly appreciated. Non perishable harvest produce can be left in the THE BOYLE AND PETYT HARVEST SHOW, held in the school Church and Church Office at any time. The Church will be decorated th for Harvest on Saturday 07 in the morning. Please be generous with 37 Harvest Show your gifts. Saturday 16 September at 14.00 At the Boyle and Petyt School HARVEST SUPPER Prizes will be presented by the Rector, The Harvest Supper will take place on Friday 13 Revd Simon Cowling at 15.00. October at 19.00 for 19.30 in Bolton Abbey Everyone is very welcome. Village Hall. This year we will have Emma, our Cream Teas – Cake Stall – Face Painting trusty caterer, to serve homemade meat and potato pie. Please let Margaret know if you Games – Pet Show and many other have any special dietary requirements. As usual attractions. we ask those coming to bring a pudding. Please bring your own liquid refreshment. There will Schedules are available from the Post Office and Church. be a raffle and the proceeds will go to Skipton Street Angels. Donations of raffle prizes would be much appreciated. Do come along and support our local school and see the marvellous We would be grateful for offers of help with setting up in the array of exhibits from the school, children and adults. afternoon. Please ring the Church Office, 01756 710238, if you would like to help. Tickets will be on Sale in the Tower on the 24 September, 01 and 08 CONCERT IN THE PRIORY October, when you can also record your pudding offerings.