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A celebration for a life lived to the full
The Church of St. John the Baptist was filled to overflowing for the Service of Celebration for the Life of Unity Sylvia Hield.
Over 160 mourners, many wearing a splash of colour to acknowledge Unity’s love of colour and art, were present to hear reflections on Unity’s life, 60 years of which was spent in Bishop Monkton.
The Church was appropriately and beautifully decked with wild flowers, some picked from Unity’s own garden. It was just what she would have wanted!
After the death of her beloved husband, Michael, Unity created an art gallery in her garden in his memory and this became a focal point of cultural life in the village, with regular exhibitions of the work of local and national artists and sculptors, and sometimes including work of her own.
She was, of course, a distinguished and accomplished artist and sculptor herself working in a studio she created in one of her outbuildings, where she also gave classes to aspiring local artists.
Another of Unity's preoccupations was a love of all animal life. She always had one or two dogs, latterly the well-loved 11 year old collie, Chester. She also had a fine collection of swans and ducks on a lake in her garden which gave her great pleasure. In fact she loved all creatures great and small.
Her love of wildlife and her skill at painting and sculpture came together when she sculpted animal figures which she then sold to realise funds for the Whitley Fund for Nature.
Last year she produced a magnificent bronze bear which she donated to raise funds for the Whitley Fund and attended a high profile auction in London attended by David Attenborough when the bear realised £6,000.
The service, led by The Rev. Sheila Murray, included a finely chosen mix of hymns, readings,music and prayers which all perfectly befitted the occasion and which Unity would have loved herself.
Everyone present knew that, with her passing, they had lost a wonderfully kind and dear friend, the like of whom will be hard if not be impossible to replace.
The service ended fittingly with a moving rendition of Gabriel Faure's 'In Paradisum'.sung by 'Yorkshire Voices'.
A retiring collection will be shared between The Church of St. John the Baptist and The Whitley Fund for Nature, two charities close to Unity’s heart.
A longer tribute to Unity and reflections of her life will be included in our In Memoriam column in the near future
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Chester finds a new home
Chester, Unity's beloved 11 year old collie, has found a new home. He has been 'adopted' by a lady in Scotland and. lucky for him, she lives beside the seaside. so he will enjoy walks on the beach. Unity would have been delighted he has found such a lovely new home.
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National Croquet Day marked
Bishop Monton Croquet Club joined clubs across Britain in celebrating National Croquet Day. Kneale Kimber and Sara MacPherson are pictured after receiving prizes in a progressive doubles competition from Club Chairman Richard Field.
Also see CROQUET CLUB/Latest news.
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To abseil down Ripon Cathedral
Christine Ewalt, pictured above abseiling in New Zealand, will be abseiling down Ripon Cathedral on May 18 at noon. She is hoping to raise money for the Fabric Fund at St John the Baptist Church. A sponsor form will be in the back of the Church or people could contact Christine directly on 677341 or at 1 Sycamore Close.
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No ducking out of this family outing
Proud Mum leads her 14 tiny chicks for a first look at their new Bishop Monkton home.Yes, its great to have the ducks back on the beck! Pictures by Kathryn Bethel and Chris Bagnall.
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Out of this world!
This remarkable photograph was taken by village astronomer Chris Higgins. These are solar prominences (flares) in the chromosphere which are whipped up by magnetic activity in the Sun taken on the 22nd of April. Alongside the image is a scale representation of the Earth.
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A history lesson with a mass appeal
Over 60 villagers crowded into the Village Hall for an open meeting of Bishop Monkton Local History Group. The 'class' heard a talk about the group's new website, details about the village's Conservation area and a briefing about the group's forthcoming programme of events. No exam followed this history lesson!
For more on the meeting Click here
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Your views passed on to the Council
(see added comments at base of this topic)
The recent serious accident at the village's notoriously dangerous crossroads has resulted in a large number of villagers coming up with ideas of what should be done to resolve the problem before there is a fatality there.
Few issues have created more reaction and comment as you can see from the long list of ideas put forward which you can read by cllcking on Guestbook.
Here, in summary, are what just some villagers are suggesting and these views have now been passed on to the relevant Councils.
Bob Upton:: A mini roundabout and 20 mph speed limit for whole village..
John Binns: 20 mph speed limit on certain roads.
Sheila Parsons: A mini roundabout
David Banks: Two mini roundabouts
Richard Harper: Divert Moor Road to create a staggered junction with Knaresborough Road.
Stephanie Lonsdale: Sleeping policemen.
Chris Bagnall: A mini roundabout.
Jonathan Pimley: A roundabout and further speed reducing measures.
Carol Wells: Sleeping policemen on certain roads.
A Whincup: Stop signs rather than Give Way signs.
M and D Jackson: Mini roundabout..
Basil Birchall: Small roundabout.
Ken Nelson: 20mph speed limit and traffic lights at crossroads.
Ian Favell: Rumble strips and added parking restrictions.
Susan Stead: Roundabout or stop signs.
Peter Clark: A roundabout and a speed limit. But not rumble strips - the noise they create is a nightmare.
Angela Archbold: Just do something!
Alison Auchterlonie: Remember it is the council that make the decisions.
Heidi Ayliffe: :Use mirrors to improve visibility
Editor: The villagers' views expressed here have now been referred to to the relevant council/s.
Ben Cairns: See his personal views on the issue (go to NEWS/Crossroads debate)
For extended views go to Guestbook.
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A wonderful new area for parties
The impressive extension to the Village Hall pavilion is now almost completed. The potential future use for this large sitting out /viewing area is now obvious for all to see, and good use of it will be made in the coming summer. The patio, which still awaits the addition of protective safety screens round the edge, will provide not just a great area for watching cricket but also a marvellous outdoor venue for parties, BBQs, etc.
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New nature reserve on our doorstep
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has opened a brand new nature reserve called Ripon City Wetlands, which is just under two miles north of Bishop Monkton. It is a large 41ha area of lagoons and reed beds, situated just south of Ripon (neighbouring Ripon Racecourse) and has already attracted thousands of wetland birds, including rare avocets. A number of visitors attended the public opening on Saturday, May 4, when Yorkshire Wildlife Trust ran free guided walks and family activities The reserve has walking trails and wildlife viewing screens. Well worth a visit!
Go to WHAT'S ON for future events there.
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New show house
The Mulgrave, pictured here, has become Kebbell's new show home. The previous show home has now been sold. For more information call 01765 676567.
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iPads for everyone!
Pupils at Bishop Monkton School trying out the 25 new iPads which were bought for them as a result of the big race day last year organised by The Beck Busters. A similar event is being planned this year for Sunday, September 15. For more details e-mail beckbusters@gmail.com
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Here's something to crow about!
The remarkable story of how Bishop Monkton auctioneer Richard Harper (with no previous building experience) undertook the extend his iconic 300-year-old Grade 2 listed cottage. The two year project was watched over approvingly by the 30ft topiary cockerel in Richard's front garden!
For full story go to NEWS/Cockerel cottage.
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A warm welcome to our newcomers
We extend a warm welcome to all the newcomers who have joined our community. A number of them say they decided to come to Bishop Monkton after reading this website and seeing what an active village this is! On arrival all receive a welcome pack. And all of us can help make them feel welcome by saying a cheery 'Hello and welcome. Hope you'll be very happy here'.
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