Yorkshire Churches Day (YCD), which is being held on Saturday September 14, is a chance for every place of worship in the county to open up and showcase the amazing history and heritage found inside their buildings.
The aim of the day, which is organised by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, is to encourage people to explore local churches even if they have never stepped foot inside one before. It will be a day for those who are curious about history and the heritage of their local surroundings.
Once again, YCD is running in partnership with the Heritage Open Days festival (HOD), whose theme is ‘Routes – Networks – Connections’.
This year, as well as individual churches opening, in line with the HOD theme, many are working together to put on trails, offering refreshments and entertainment to encourage visitors to spend a day exploring several different churches whether that be on foot, by bike or by car.
One such trail is the St Aelred Pilgrim’s Trail, organised by Upper Ryedale Parish council, who have organised a 12 mile ‘gathering’ walk, starting at All Saints in Hawnby, and gathering walkers along the way at churches in Old Byland, Scawton, and Cold Kirby, finishing with a service in Rievaulx Abbey and a celebration event in the Abbey Cafe.
http://www.saintaelredspilgrimtrail.com/
In West Yorkshire, there is a guided heritage walk (approx 5 miles) to four Anglican churches starting and ending at St Stephen’s Church, Lindley visiting Birkby St John, Birkby St Cuthbert, and Birchencliffe St Philip via calm green routes where possible.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/yorkshire-churches-day-circular-walk-hd3-discovering-quiet-routes-connecting-churches.html
Another trail being developed will start at St Helen’s at Amotherby, near Malton, with visitors taking in All Saints in Appleton-le-Street before heading to St Michael’s in Barton-le-Street where they can get lunch and listen to an organ recital, before heading towards All Saints at Slingsby and finishing with a fizz reception at All Saints at Hovingham.
Meanwhile the five churches in the Boroughbridge Parish have organised a walk and a treasure hunt to celebrate Yorkshire Churches Day. The route is from St James’s Boroughbridge to St Andrew’s Aldborough to St Mary’s Dunsforth to St John’s Minskip and finishing at St Mary’s Roecliffe.
The start of the walk is planned for between 10.30am-12.30pm in Boroughbridge, with parking available. Travel all or any part of the route by car, bike or walk. Refreshments and treasure hunt clues are available in every church until 4pm. For further information please contact Louise Leong 07976 259433.
Tom Ramsden, chairman of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, explained: “This is the most exciting day in the year for Yorkshire’s Churches. It is a day for them to throw open their doors, showcase their beauty and their treasures and invite in all and sundry to be amazed.
“This is a day when all those who might never set foot inside a church for the rest of the year can come and learn about their heritage, see the extraordinary craftsmanship of past generations and feel their peace and quiet. Visit at least one church today, you will not be disappointed.”
The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) provides funds for churches, chapels and meeting houses of all Christian denominations within the county of Yorkshire. Funding ranges from small schemes such as gutter repairs to large scale re-pointing of stonework, roof repairs and other conservation works. For more information contact Vanessa White, Tel: 07786 656883, email: generalenquiries@gmail.com or visit: www.yhct.org.uk.
