Latest village news

The Skelldale Singers returned to Bishop Monkton and again delighted a large audience.

The programme, entitled 'The Best of British' comprised a mix of well loved music and a diverse selection of  poetry and readings.

Such favourites as Diary of a Church Mouse (John Betjeman), Embarrasing Experience with a Parrot (Pam Ayres), Jabberwocky (Lewis Caroll), Night Mail (W H Auden) and Glory of the Garden (Rudyard Kipling) were included. 

The evening ended with a rousing rendition of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory, followed by a calm conclusion, Keep You in Peace.

Conductor and coach of the Skelldale Singers is Christine Hale. She founded the group 10 years ago with just four singers and has seen it grow until today there are 60 in the group.

Pianist was Stephen Hornsey of Burton Leonard.

Wine and refreshments were served by a group of volunteers.

Part of the proceeds will go to Bishop Monkton Church funds.

Photos by John Hague

IN GOOD VOICE: Six members of our  own

church choir were taking part.

APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE: More than 100

attended the event.

Quackers, the cleverly named Bishop Monkton School Before and After School Club, is ready for take off.

The club, run by a voluntary committee of school governors, is a self-funded and non-profit making initiative, which will provide childcare, fun and games for pupils at Bishop Monkton School and Puddleducks Pre-school (ages 3 to 11 years).

The club will offer a breakfast club (from 7 45am to 8 55am) where the children can eat a healthy breakfast whilst in a fun, friendly atmosphere.

There will also be an after school club from 3 30pm to 5 45pm during which time the children will be offered a healthy snack, structured activities, chill out time and free play all in a fun and friendly setting. Some children can use the time to do their homework.

The club has a recruited trained staff comprising Katey Smithson (leader) with Katie Jones and Jayne Tovey (assistants).

The launch of the club, which is being set up after a survey revealed strong support from parents for such a programme, has been backed by the production of an excellent brochure which will go to all parents who might wish to enrol their children in the club.

Pupils at the school were involved in picking the name Quackers for the group, and also helped design the club logo.

   WELL NAMED. This is the cover of the

bright and informative brochure produced

to support the launch of the intiative.