For outsiders who don't know our village, here is .....
A quick guide to Bishop Monkton
Bishop Monkton
It 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 popular pub a school, a Church and Chapel and a 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 or more of their lives to the work, and used their skills and expertise to do a fine job. Eddie Bowes was another person who dedicated years of his time and expertise to the cause, including producing a unique photographic record of every phase of what took place over these years.
Besides the hall, new playing fields were also created and again much of the work was carried out by volunteers, but
they are too numerous to mention here by name.
What to see and do
Bishop Monkton is well worth a visit - particularly in the spring, summer and autumn. There are several delightful local walks.
WHERE TO VISIT
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
Hog Roast and Duck Race - held each Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday.
Village Produce Show - August Bank holiday (every second year).
Autumn auction - early October
Cricket- matches most weekends in summer. Spectators welcome.
Bowls - social and competitive play throughout the summer.
Tennis - a new club with new hard courts opened in 2010.
Croquet - a club with two full-size lawns.
Table tennis - over 100 members. Eight sessions a week.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Masons Arms - for food and drink. Tel. 01765 676631
WHERE TO STAY
Hall Farm Cottage. B&B. Tel. 01765 677200
Church Farm Caravan Park. Tel. 01765 677668
Mill View Barns 01765 677334 www.millviewbarns.com
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THE DUCK RACE: Always a popular attraction.
THE PANTO: Not to be missed!
BOWLS: A magnificent ground.
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HOW TO FIND US
click here for map
Follow the A61 out of Harrogate north and turn right after approx eight miles, following signposts to Bishop Monkton. From Ripon take A61 south and turn left after approx four miles.
For those coming on the A1M from the south exit junction 48 and follow signs to Ripon, then join A61 south and after three miles turn left to Bishop Monkton. (This routing avoids a back road liable to flood).
For those coming on A1M from the north: exit junction 49 and follow signs to Ripon, then join A61 south for three miles and turn left to Bishop Monkton.
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To find more about Bishop Monkton:
Monkton Matters. Issued by the Village Conservation Trust.
Tale of Two Villages - Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard.
By Barbara Wray
For regularly updated news and information, log on to:
www.bishopmonktontoday.chessck.co.uk
This website has been operating for over 18 years and has
attracted over a million visitors in this time.
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