Life celebration of Stuart Carter

Our community lost a larger than life figure in the person of Stuart who was remembered with affection at his funeral on Wednesday 29th March at Baldrsby St James church. The service was well attended and a guard of honour by the scouts marked the arrival of the coffin at the church.

It was a honour to have known and worked with Stuart. May he rest in peace.

Heritage England

In September 2014 our church was entered on the Heritage England “At Risk Register” due to the poor state of the exterior of the church.

Briefly this included all roofs, rainwater goods and some of the stone mullions on the windows.

On 6th November 2022 we received a letter from Giles Proctor – Heritage England Architect- to congratulate us, as we have been removed from the 2023 “At Risk Register” and we are now classed as being in “Good Order”.

This is a mammoth feat by everyone connected with the church and as long as our ongoing maintenance is carried out in a timely fashion, should ensure the integrity of the building into the foreseeable future.

Our energies will now be focused on the interior of the church – updating the radiators is in the pipeline and in the budget (thanks to funds from our Book Sales) Fund raising will be needed to repair some of the smaller windows, extend the heating where possible and perhaps attempt the restoration of the beautiful paper in the Sanctuary Roof!

We now have a new architect, Ian Hayton, and next spring he will carry out a “Quinquennial Inspection” as required by the diocese. This will be a detailed report of the fabric of the church and enable us to prioritise maintenance as per his report.

Only 11 Grade 1 listed buildings in Yorkshire were removed from the register. St James Church is hugely important in architectural terms as it is set in a Conservation Village also designed by Butterfield and we are seeing increasing numbers of visitors.

Remembrance day

Lest we forget.

Thanks are due to Stuart Webb for placing his regiment standard and the union flag in the church.

Concert 28th September. The All Sorts

The concert starts at 7pm. Adults are £12, under 19s are free.

The All Sorts are vocalistsand are represented by Scottish Classical Musicians.

Four wonderful vocalists, all soloists in their own right, come together in a concert featuring well known items,famous moments from opera and some surprises.

Closure of Skipton on Swale church

Sadly St John’s Church is holding its final service before officially closing on 1st October. Bishop Paul will be leading the service. Everyone is welcome to join Skipton for one last service commemorating the life of this church and the many people who have worshipped there over the years. Refreshments will be served after the service.

Drop In and Chat

We would like to invite anyone for our “Drop In and Chat” in church every Tuesday from 10a.m. to noon.  This informal weekly event in our café area is open to anyone who would like to call in for a coffee and chat to whoever drops by, maybe you would like to use our book swap or put a few pieces on the jig saw table.  Best of all its free. 

Revd Dr Amanda Bloor is the new Archdeacon of Cleveland.

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has today announced this appointment.

Amanda is currently Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of Portsmouth. Ordained in 2004, she has previously served as Chaplain and Diocesan Advisor in Women’s Ministry to the Bishop of Oxford, and as Area Director of Ordinands for Berkshire.  She undertook Doctoral research in Clergy Wellbeing and has a keen interest in the flourishing of those engaged in ministry.  She is also a Chaplain to the Army Cadet Force.  Amanda is married to Mark and has two grown-up daughters. 

Archbishop Sentamu said: “I very much look forward to welcoming Amanda to the Diocese of York and especially to her new ministry in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland.  As well as her experience in a bishop’s team, her research on clergy wellbeing stands her in good stead to support everyone whose work and calling is to serve others in Jesus’ name.”

The Revd Dr Amanda Bloor said: “I’m excited to be moving to the Diocese of York and joining the team encouraging the vision to be Generous Churches, Making and Nurturing Disciples.  I look forward to getting to know people and places so that I can join in with the many good things that God is doing amongst us.  I want to support clergy in what can sometimes feel a lonely or challenging role; we have a message of hope to offer to a hurting world where many people are searching for meaning.”

The Bishop of Whitby, Paul Ferguson said: “Amanda is a disciple and leader with special abilities and experience. I warmly look forward to welcoming her in her ministry as Archdeacon of Cleveland”.

The Bishop of Portsmouth, Christopher Foster said: “Amanda’s appointment is great news for the Cleveland Archdeaconry and the Diocese of York. While with us in Bembridge she has been an excellent parish priest and ably supported those, especially from the Isle of Wight, discerning a possible call to licensed or further ministry. We shall miss her and her gifts, and Mark as well, but rejoice that the wider church benefits from her leadership as we seek across the nation to call more people to love Jesus and to grow the church to build the Kingdom.”

Amanda will be collated as Archdeacon of Cleveland at Bishopthorpe Palace on 22 April 2020. She succeeds the Venerable Samantha Rushton, who became the Archdeacon of York in August 2019. 

Lych-gate repairs.

Before the repairs started.
  • Terry Potter’s woodwork.

  • The restored lych-gate light.
  • After repairs, April 2019.

Well done Dan Ranson and his team. Well done Terry Potter!