IMPORTANT CHANGE: The service at St Andrew's, Aysgarth, on July 13th will be at 9.30am and not 11am, and there will be no refreshments afterwards.
There will be a concert by the Richmond Chamber Orchestra at 3.00pm that day - see Events page.
The Revd Scott Lunn was ordained at Wakefield Cathedral on 28th June 2025 and took part in the Penhill Benefice service as its new curate at St Andrew's, Aysgarth, on 29th July. Click here for his self introduction.
Above l-r: Patrick Earle (churchwarden, Preston under Scar); Cherie Miles (churchwarden, West Witton); Revd Scott Lunn; Liz Piper (churchwarden, Aysgarth); Revd Tom Ringland.
Vicar’s Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
I am writing this after what have been a busy couple of months for the Christian Church. With the journeying through Lent and Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and then the celebration of Easter and the risen Christ!
On a wider international scale we, the Christian church, have mourned the death of Pope Francis and then joined in and celebrated with announcement of the new Pope Leo XV1.
Life at times can be busy and as we journey it’s timely to perhaps remind ourselves that not only should we be ‘doing’ but we also enable space to ensure that we just ‘be’.Christ, often, through his earthly ministry took time out to just rest in the presence of God and to ‘be’ with his disciples.It’s in those moments of just ‘being’ that we can ‘reground’ ourselves, gain clarity of who we are and who God wants us to be, reassess our priorities and refresh our body, minds and souls.
As we enjoy the creation around us and start planning holidays, let us hold onto the ‘space’ where we can just sit and enjoy ‘being’.It maybe that we let a few more weeds grow in the garden so that we can sit and enjoy the butterflies, bees and birdsong. It maybe we just sit and enjoy the company of others rather than rushing to our next appointment.It maybe we just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the world go by rather than going to the next historic building that is a ‘must see’ on our city break.
Whatever it is that we are planning over the summer months – let us reflect on the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 46: ‘Be still and know that I am God’. Let us enjoy ‘being’ rather always ‘doing’.
Yours in Christ
Revd Penny Yeadon
Click here for the Penhill Beacon June to July 2025
Our church buildings are usually open:
Preston under Scar and Wensley - Daily
Aysgarth - daily
Castle Bolton - daily
Redmire - Daily
West Witton - daily
Bishop Nick Baines will join us at West Witton at the Benefice Service on Sunday 27th July at 10.30. Please mark the date for us to welcome him!
Prayer Fellowship
The Prayer Fellowship usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm at Aysgarth Institute to pray together for the benefice, the wider church, local, national and international issues, and for personal concerns and each other. We begin with a Bible Reflection and short discussion. The next ones is on 22nd July
Church Afternoon Tea: 2-4pm Redmire Village Hall on Wednesday 16th July
Wensleydale Filling Station: 7pm at Thornborough Hall, Moor Road, Leyburn DL8 5AB
Friday 11th July Speaker: Sebastian Rab from The Jonas Centre, Redmire.
Contact: 07714 204024
Prayer and Praise Live - 7pm on fourth Sunday in the month at Chantry Hall, Bedale.
11th July, 8th August, 12th September
Looking forward to praising God together!
For more information contact Linda Collingwood -
Kings Club: Activities for all the family and all ages. Please - no unaccompanied children.
Time: 11 - 3pm: Monday 28th July at Leyburn Methodist Chapel and Wednesday 30th July at Hawes Market House. Any questions, or if you wish to volunteer, etc., please contact Gillian
The Very Narrow Bridge of Life:
Stories Through the Church Year by Revd Peter Jenner
This is a book about finding joy in a world that sometimes seems difficult to navigate. Through a collection of engaging stories, which were originally delivered as sermons, Peter invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to be ‘fully part of the adventure of life…appreciative of God’s creation, of human interaction and delighting in what is and ought to be.’ Peter died shortly after retiring, and during his final months the book was edited by Louise Redshaw who lives in Carperby. Profits from the sale of the book will be shared between St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, and the Stuart Warren Foundation which supports a PhD student from the South African Region to study Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Copies are available for £10 from:
Christian Aid: At the Benefice Service at St Andrew’s, on 9th March with The Rt Revd and Rt. Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, The Bishop of London a total of £257.50 was raised for Christian Aid.
The Lent Lunches raised a total of £1,125.04 for Christian Aid Lent Appeal with their work towards a world without poverty. In addition, the Food for Thought evenings raised £432 for Medecins sans Frontieres (Gaza) and £248 for Parkinsons (UK).
Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed in any way.
Aysgarth Gift Day
The total donated for St. Andrew’s Gift Weekend was £3,365. The PCC thanks all who contributed.
Christmas Services - Charities
A total amount of £476.65 was collected for The Salvation Army from Thoralby, Thornton Rust and Aysgarth services.
Preston under Scar raised £200 for The Children’s Society.
Redmire Christmas Services raised £500 for St. George’s Crypt.
West Witton Carol Service raised £154.70 for The Children’s Society and £186 from the Crib Service for The Bungokho Rural Development Centre.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the charities.
Castle Bolton Print For Sale
If you would like to buy a print of St. Oswald’s Church at Castle Bolton priced at £20 which are mounted and cellophane wrapped please contact the office (01969 663097) for further information.
Aysgarth church -
The following are now available online -
War Memorials and Graves at Aysgarth church
The printed illustrated guide to War Memorials and Graves in the churchyard is available in Aysgarth church.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19. Please let your family and friends, who are not on internet, know about this. More information click here
Hear To Help
Just 'B' is offering emotional wellbeing support to people in the Harrogate District, Hambleton and Richmondshire, with its Hear to Help phoneline, available to anyone who may need help with such issues as grief, low mood, isolation, anxiety or isolation. The line is manned by trained staff and volunteers and is available seven days a week, 8am-8pm. For more information see Hear to Help.