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Our village
Bishop Monkton is a picturesque village, set four miles south of the cathedral city of
Ripon
, and just eight miles from the elegant spa town of
Harrogate
. A small beck runs through the village with a flotilla of ducks adding to the charm of the place.
The village dates back over 600 years. Originally there was just a small settlement of about half a dozen houses here, and the only activity was farming.
Today, farming still continues, but the village has now expanded to 300 houses, with the 700 residents engaged in scores of different occupations, many commuting to Harrogate, Leeds, Bradford or even further afield.
The village has a couple of pubs (once there were seven!), a shop, a school, a Church and Chapel and a new Village Hall and Playing Field complex which opened in January 2005.
Community spirit
Bishop Monkton is a village with an amazing community spirit.
When it needed a new village hall and failed to get a Lottery grant, it decided to go it alone, and set about raising £400,000 on its own!
Everyone in the village got involved - everyone dug deep in their pockets and also supported a non-stop round of fund-raising activities. Raising the huge total took over 10 years.
Then, when the money was there, work started on building but instead of handing over the whole job to contractors, the village again rallied, and dozens of volunteers came forward to help with painting, decorating and fitting it out.
Two villagers, Mervyn Beecroft and Alan Vickers, dedicated a whole year of their lives to the work, and used their skills and expertise to do a fine job.
Besides the hall, new playing fields were also created and again much of the work was carried out by volunteers.
WINNER HIGHLY COMMENDED
What to see and do
Bishop Monkton is well worth a visit - particularly in the spring, summer and autumn. There are several
delighttful local walks.
WHERE TO VISIT
The Hield Art Gallery - regular exhibitions of art
and workshops. Tel. 01765 677362.
The Church - Service each Sunday. You are also
welcome to visit during the week.
The Chapel - Services each Sunday. You are also
welcome to visit during the week.
The Village Hall - a regular programme of events.
WHAT'S ON
Panto - A regular and popular production.
Village plays and productions - see website for future dates.
Hog Roast and Duck Race - held each Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday.
Cricket/bowls - sport occurs most weekends. Spectators welcome.
Village Produce Show - August Bank holiday.
Autumn auction - early October
Village Bonfire Night - nearest Saturday to November 5.
Soccer - matches most weekends. Spectators welcome.
Cricket/bowls - a full programme of fixtures.
Croquet - a club with two full-size lawns.
click here for up-to-date list of events
WHERE TO SHOP
Village Shop - a wide range of products and services. Open seven days a week. You can purchase a book listing local walks.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Lamb & Flag - for food and drink. Tel. 01765 677322
Masons Arms - for food and drink. Tel. 01765 676631
WHERE TO STAY
Hall Farm Cottage. B&B. Tel. 01765 677200
Lamb & Flag. Tel. 01765 677322
Church Farm Caravan Park. Tel. 01765 677668
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SO PEACEFUL: The beck which runs
through the village.
The village has around 20 active clubs and
organisations, and you can read more about them by
clicking on clubs and organisations on the village
website (www.bishopmonktontoday.ik.com)
DEDICATION: Alan Vickers working on
the new Village Hall. Sadly, Alan has since died.
Today the village has one of the finest village
halls in the region, and the playing fields, with
superb facilities for cricket, bowls and soccer are
among the best in North Yorkshire.
It was this community spirit which helped Bishop
Monkton win the Building Community Life Award
2006 and also be highly commended in the
Yorkshire Village of the Year competition 2006.
The Duck Race - always popular.
The panto - always popular.
Bowlers in action - there is both
competitive and social bowling.
SCHOOL
Bishop Monkton has a fine primary school
For more details log on to:
bishopmonktontoday.ik.com |
