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OUR MISSION

A community seeking to live well with God,

gathered around Jesus Christ in prayer and fellowship,

and committed to welcome, worship and witness.

The Church Office

Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL 01756 710238

office@boltonpriory.org.uk The Rector

The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL 01756 710326

rector@boltonpriory.org.uk Website

www.boltonpriory.church SUNDAY

08.00 Holy Communion

09.15 Liquid Family Worship First Sunday of month

10.30 Sung Eucharist

16.30 Evening Prayer

Evensong as announced

WEDNESDAY

10.00 Holy Communion

18.45 Choir Practice

All regular services are according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), except for the Family service, an informal service for young and old.

WEDDINGS and BAPTISMS: By arrangement via the Church Office.

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Issue Number 467 February 2020

From Revd Nicholas Mercer Despite all the headlines from the Middle East and America, the predominant story in the newspapers at the beginning of the year has been about families. The Royal Family is once again facing difficulties. This time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to leave their official duties behind them and live in Canada for part of the time, at least. This has, understandably, caused ruptions in the family and a rift between generations. The old model of monarchy is threatened by a new alternative vision. As with so much in our national life, the country is also split between both regions and generations. The Church, not surprisingly, is also facing its own familial problems. The United Methodist Church is on the verge of splitting over the issue of same sex marriage and the Church of England will, no doubt, encounter similar problems at the Lambeth Conference 2020 where, for the first time, partners of bishops in same sex relationships have been invited. However, whatever the issue in question, there is the overreaching question of unity. I was particularly taken by a comment by a bishop from Tanzania, who said about the forthcoming Lambeth Conference: ‘The most important thing that bishops should address at Lambeth Conference is how can we walk and serve together as Anglican family apart from our differences! God is love and there is no way we can help and encourage each other if we separate mission and love’. This message of ‘walking and serving together’ as a family seemed so appropriate for the beginning of this year. All families have their problems and the Church is no exception. Furthermore, the United Kingdom also has to try and come together after the bitter divisions of the past three years. May we all, at the beginning of this new year and decade, seek to walk together and serve each other despite our differences. Above all, may we remember that the love of God transcends all our parochial problems and can heal us all, whatever our differences. Nicholas

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RECTOR’S NOTES LENT COURSE The Lent course this year will be based on the book ‘The Long Road to Heaven’ by the Reverend Tim Heaton. The book is based on the film ‘The Way’ starring Martin Sheen who, after the death of his son, joins a group of pilgrims walking the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino. This has particular resonance after Jill Riley’s walk last year and asks questions about salvation, pilgrimage and our own journey of faith.

There will be five Lent course meetings which will take place on Wednesday afternoons at the Rectory at 15.00. They will start on the 04 March and end on 01 April. The course book can be ordered from the Parish Office, price £7.99.

HON JENNY SINCLAIR Our preacher on the 01 March is Jenny Sinclair who is the founder and director of the charity ‘Together for the Common Good’. This is a small charity which seeks to strengthen the bonds of social trust by calling on people and churches to build bridges for the well-being of the whole community. For the cricketers in the parish, Jenny’s father was both a batsman and bishop!

CONFIRMATION If anyone would like to be confirmed in the faith this year, I will be preparing candidates for confirmation during Lent. Please see me after the service or contact me at the parish office to discuss further.

ST CUTHBERT’S LECTURE The St Cuthbert’s Lecture this year is being given by the Rt Honourable Dominic Grieve QC PC. Until December 2019, he was the MP for Beaconsfield and was Her Majesty’s Attorney General from 2010-2014. He has been asked to speak on the role of the Parliament in the Reformation and Brexit and will be a most engaging and well informed speaker. The lecture is taking place on Sunday 22 March at 15.00 at Bolton Priory. There is no charge but there will be a retiring collection for the Priory.

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WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY

A steady stream of visitors come to pray for their loved ones and for the wider community:

Remembering my mum on her 10th anniversary. She loved Bolton Abbey.

Came to say a prayer for my partner who has terminal cancer and my mum who is 89 and very frail.

We lit candles and prayed for our loved ones. Remembering both my grandmas that left this year. R.I.P.

Thinking and praying for you. Also Mum. I miss you. A nice place to remember where our grandad died. It reminds

us of him a lot. Please pray for the farmer whose wife is battling cancer for the

second time. I do not know their names but God will know them.

Please pray for all the walkers on the Dales Way. Let them find their paths on their journeys through life.

Please request all England church community to raise a strong voice for the people of Kashmir.

I pray for world peace always.

Some visitors are proud of the contribution a family member has made to the Priory – or even to find their name linked in some way. Over the organ double doors are two brass plaques where I’m

delighted to find my namesake was an organ builder back in the 19th century.

Came to see the roof over the west tower that my late father helped to restore. Lovely to be here.

Joe Burton did (restored?) the windows 30 years ago. All the colourful windows on the right.

My son Shaun helped make the bench outside while at Ermysted’s Grammar.

Compiled by Liz Higgins

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BOLTON ABBEY VILLAGE HALL AGM

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 18 March in the hall at 19.30. Come along and support your village hall. Everyone is very welcome. Barry Cody, Chairman 01756 710587

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GUEST PRIESTS 16 TO 23 FEBRUARY

We extend a warm welcome to the guest priests on their return to the Priory. They have kindly agreed to take our services during the Rector’s break in February. The Revd Barry Overend will take the services on Wednesday 12 at 10.00 and Sundays 16 and 23 at 08.00 and 10.30. The 16.30 services on those Sundays will be taken by Revd Tony Cantlow. On Wednesday 19 at 10.00 we welcome, for the first time, the Revd Ian Greenhalagh. Lorely and I would like to wish the congregation of the Priory a very Happy 2020 and, also, a big thank you for the most generous response we had for Baby Basics in 2019. Demand continues and many cases very upsetting. However, we feel we do something to help these new Mums see a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

Mary Vineall 01756 753013

THE WEDNESDAY NIGHTERS Wednesdays Bolton Abbey Village Hall 19.30. The next meeting of the Wednesday Nighters will be on Wednesday 04 March at 19.30. A Power Point presentation will be given by our own Daisy Hodgson (nee Hartley). It is entitled ‘Sentimental Jewellery of the 17th and 18th Century’. Tea and cakes are served after the talk. Entrance is free as we hold a raffle to cover our costs. Do come and join us. Everyone is very welcome.

Please note that there is no meeting in February.

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PARISH GIVING SCHEME

‘All things come from you, O Lord, and of your own do we give you.’ 1 Chronicles 29.14 The Parish Giving Scheme, (PGS) was adopted by the Diocese of Leeds at the beginning of January. Last September, the Priory Church’s PCC resolved to register at the earliest opportunity. So we are now officially ‘on board’. Launched more than 10 years ago, and operating in almost 30 dioceses across the country, PGS is a tried and tested way to help churches meet the growing financial pressures they face through stable and, often, significantly increased levels of giving. With many benefits for the Priory Church, its members and volunteers, it would be marvellous if, by Easter, we could enrol everyone who currently donates via our own planned giving arrangements, weekly envelopes and Standing Orders, and many other generous givers within our parish community. That is the challenge! How does PGS work? PGS allows regular donations to the Priory Church (monthly, quarterly or annually) through pre-planned Direct Debit payments. It includes these important benefits: Donations are reviewed annually with the option for

inflationary increase, so this form of income should rise year on year.

Regular, ensured giving helps financial planning for the future. Cash-flow improves because Gift Aid tax claims are processed

within days, on receipt of each donation. Donations can be made anonymously, if wished. Maintains consistent levels of income at holiday times etc (if

envelope and open plate givers join the scheme). Administration within the parish is reduced - PGS is a

professional donation management system operated on behalf of the whole diocese.

The scheme is funded by the diocese, with no direct costs to the Priory Church.

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HOW DO I DONATE THROUGH PGS? Parish Giving Scheme Gift Forms are now available for completion by our church members. These include an instruction to your bank or building society to make payments by Direct Debit. You have the option to agree an inflationary increase on your donations. PGS will inform you in advance of the new amount. You have the right to opt out of this arrangement at any time in the future. The Gift Form also allows UK taxpayers to Gift Aid their donations, further increasing their value by 25 per cent. A comprehensive two-page introduction to PGS is printed with the form, including a Frequently Asked Questions section. We are hugely grateful to everyone who gives so generously to the Priory Church. However, it would be very much appreciated if you could enrol in the Parish Giving Scheme as it would greatly ease administration and help the Priory Church continue to thrive. Sadly, costs never seem to come down but always go in the other direction! PGS forms are available from Peter Loweth (Priory Church Planned Giving/Gift Aid Secretary). He will be glad to answer any questions anyone has about PGS. Please feel free to speak to him, either at church or via the contact details below. Thank you. Peter Loweth TEL: 01756 711129 MOB: 0777 618 2346

peterloweth@yahoo.co.uk

Gift forms will be

distributed in church

OR please ask Peter for

a PGS Gift Form.

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ADVERTS

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CHRISTINGLE 2019 As many of you know, achieving a smooth running Christingle Service is no easy task. With this in mind I think that this is the right time for me to express our thanks to all who volunteer to make this the magical service that we have all come to love so much. Firstly, I would like to mention Margaret and Matt who work so hard in the background preparing the many things we tend to take for granted, for example printing service sheets, announcements, placing the crib, setting out the extra chairs … and so on. The preparation of the actual Christingles takes place on the day before the service, and this year we had Pat, Jill, Liz, Aurora, and my husband David taking part in the ‘assembly line’. As a result, more than 220 oranges were prepared in a record 1 hour and 20 minutes! Liz helped by instructing the children who narrated the Nativity story, and during the service used her accumulated school mistress experience to tell us all where to stand and how to act, a very necessary precaution in the presence of so many children and so many flames! Achieving the desired effect requires the help of a good number of volunteers, steering children into position, lighting the candles at the right time and avoiding mishaps! For this I would like to thank Jill, Pat, Barbara, Matt, Susan, many parents and grandparents, and half my family! As usual, Anne was the accompanist to the children throughout, and Lorna guided us through the various parts of the service and gave a really lovely account of the Nativity which captured the attention of even the youngest members of the congregation. Needless to say, it was also great to experience the enthusiasm and support of our Rector, Nicholas, conducting his first Christingle service in our parish. A very big thank you to everyone, and if I have missed anyone out, please accept my apologies. Without the help of so many of you I doubt if the service could survive in its present form. A very Happy New Year to all! Joan Mason

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FEBRUARY 02 SUNDAY THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN

THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS)

09.15 Liquid Family Service

16.30 Candlemas Evensong with the Priory Choir

09 SUNDAY SEPTUAGESIMA

13 Thursday 14.45 Area Study Day Eucharist in the Priory

15 Saturday 18.45 Bolton Abbey Cricket Club Fund Raiser in

Bolton Abbey Village Hall

16 SUNDAY SEXAGESIMA

18 Wednesday 19.30 BAVH AGM in the hall

23 SUNDAY QUINQUAGESIMA

26 Wednesday Ash Wednesday

10.00 Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes

19.00 Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes

MARCH 01 SUNDAY LENT 1

09.15 Liquid Family Service

04 Wednesday 15.00 Lent Course in the Rectory

19.30 The Wednesday Nighters

07 Saturday 09.00 Meeting for those wishing to be married at the Priory

08 SUNDAY LENT 2

11 Wednesday 15.00 Lent Course in the Rectory

13 Friday 19.00 Friends Spring Lecture

15 SUNDAY LENT 3

18 Wednesday 15.00 Lent Course in the Rectory

19 Thursday 10.00 for 10.30, Guides AGM

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FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

HOLY BAPTISM

17 November William Gribben

08 December Sophia Thompson

22 December Austin Fletcher

SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY

29 November Matthew Wheelton and Lucy Simmonds

14 December Paul Middleton-Walker and Emma Lavery

SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING

08 November Nora Clarke

INTERMENT OF ASHES

26 November Jean Holme

PALMS WANTED If you have any palm crosses left over from last year we would be very grateful to receive them to make ash for Ash Wednesday, 26 February. Please leave them in church.

IMPOSITION OF ASHES ON ASH WEDNESDAY There will be two celebrations of the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday, 26 February, a said service at 10.00 and a sung one at 19.00. Both services will include the Imposition of Ashes for those who wish to receive it.

MOTHERING SUNDAY POSIES Mothering Sunday is on 22 March and will be marked at the 10.30 service. Posies will be made in the Boyle Room on Friday 20 March at 14.00. If you would like to help please just come along and bring secateurs. Also needed is greenery or anything else suitable for putting with the daffodils.

For further information please ring Joan Mason 01943 608049.

PARISH MAGAZINE DEADLINE MARCH MAGAZINE Please could we have any copy for the March magazine by 15 February. It can be sent either to the Editor or the Church Office.

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To be finished

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PRIORY GUIDE? 2020 will be an exciting year at the Priory. We have so much to look forward to in this beautiful church built 850 years ago and steeped in history. We welcomed 160,000 visitors last year and in October we will be hosting The Festival of the Moon. It is an honour to share our beautiful church with both international visitors and people from all parts of Great Britain. We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our volunteer welcoming team. Guiding at the Priory is both interesting and rewarding. Our team comprises church and local community members. We aim to greet all visitors with a smile and a word of welcome. If you are interested and would like to know more please come along to our AGM in Bolton Abbey Village Hall on Thursday 19 March at 10 for coffee, the meeting starts at 10.30. Kate Templeton katetempleton@btinternet.com

WELCOME TEAM LEADER Kate Templeton is to take over from Jerry Yates as the organiser for the Guides Welcome Team at the Priory. Our grateful thanks go to Jerry for all his hard work in coordinating the team of Guides and to Kate, pictured left, for taking on this role.

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Concerts are kindly sponsored by Kirbys of Harrogate

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SOLEIMANI’S DEATH SHOWS JUST HOW EASY DRONE KILLINGS HAVE BECOME It’s no surprise the Ministry of Defence is struggling to recruit and retain drone pilots. The psychological burden of operating these remote-controlled killing machines can be considerable. Although thousands of miles separate the target and the person pulling the trigger, there is no escape from the fundamental point that drone operators – for right or wrong – are tasked with taking a person’s life. This story is also a reminder that each new era of warfare presents its own unique horrors. In my career as a military lawyer, before my ordination as a priest, I devoted a great deal of thought to the morality of war and questions about the legality of drone strikes. The battlefield is constantly evolving. In times gone by crossbows were considered immoral because they enabled a foot soldier to kill a knight at distance. In the First World War, long-range artillery was regarded with suspicion as it allowed targets to be engaged ‘beyond the horizon’. The Reaper drone, manufactured by General Atomics – renamed Protectors when sold to the UK – are simply the latest manifestation of the future battlefield but, like weapons of old, they are not proscribed in law. The real question for our armed forces is not whether drones themselves are ethical but whether they are being used lawfully. Recent political developments give us little confidence that they are. In 2015, David Cameron announced a ‘new departure’ for the UK government when it targeted and killed a British citizen and others in a drone strike in Syria. The strike against Reyaad Khan marked the first time the UK had deployed drones in a US-style targeted killing outside an area where parliament had approved military action. In fact, parliament had expressly refused the government permission to strike in Syria. This ‘new departure’ was never properly explained and no attempt was made by the then Secretary of State for Defence to explain why the need for this drone strike was ‘imminent and overwhelming’ as required under international law. Indeed, it appeared that the dates of his planned attacks had passed without coming to fruition, leading some commentators to suggest that this had been nothing more than an ‘extra-judicial killing’ and that this was possibly now government policy. The Rt Hon

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David Davis MP, who would soon after join the cabinet, warned that the government ‘appear to have now a kill list policy… It does look unfortunately like the US policy which is ill-considered.’ In December 2017, then Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson all but endorsed a policy of carrying out extra-judicial killings far beyond the boundaries of the battlefield, on the specious basis that ‘a dead terrorist can’t cause any harm to Britain’. While this kind of tough talk may attract headlines for Ministers looking to project a superficial image of strength, it does our servicemen and women an unforgivable disservice. Brigadier John Donnelly quite rightly pointed out at the time to the minister that a professional army always seeks to act within the rule of law. And now, just last week, our own Ministers have endorsed the US’s right to assassinate Qasem Soleimani, invoking the right to national self-defence. This endorsement was given despite the US’s shifting story about the nature of the supposedly imminent and overwhelming threat and why no other choice of means was available. Soleimani had been at large for many years and across many military arenas so it is hard to know why this moment in time was so different from all others? Predictably, no satisfactory explanation was forthcoming from the Secretary of State for Defence either. As a priest, I obviously endorse giving servicemen and women who are exposed to trauma in the course of their duty the very best medical and spiritual support. But if our politicians are asking our armed forces to participate in illegal actions, which can also result in the deaths of civilians, it is not enough to offer them counselling after the event. We should refrain from asking them to act illegally in the first place. And we should make sure we demand the same of our closest partners, whose own actions potentially risk the lives of our armed forces. Just as in Iraq, where illegal interrogation techniques endorsed by ministers exposed soldiers to involvement in wrongdoing, we could severely mitigate the psychological impact by ensuring that we – and our partners – act, at all times, in accordance with the highest standards of international and domestic law. Revd Nicholas Mercer This article, by the Rector, was published in the Spectator magazine on 15 January 2020.

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LIVE NATIVITY Now a regular feature of the Priory’s Advent and Christmas celebrations, the Live Nativity is narrated within the Priory’s precincts and building. The young actors this year were pupils of the nearby Boyle and Petyt School, and they were joined by local cattle, sheep, goats and of course a donkey. It was a wonderful spectacle and the children delighted in the animals.

Photos by Julie Baugh

Yeadon Town Hall Thursday, 06 and 07 February at 19.30 and Saturday, 08 at 14.30

Tickets available from ticketsource.co.uk

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adverts

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MAGAZINE ARCHIVES 100 YEARS AGO, FEBRUARY 1920 LOCAL PARISH NEWS – This second page of the Parish Magazine, which for some years past has been occupied with the Roll of Honour, will now, for a time, contain a few items of news from various parts of the parish; the editor proposes to enlist the services of voluntary local reporters, who will record the news of their own district from month to month. BARDEN – A weekly dancing class has been started and has proved very attractive. Dancing is ‘all the rage’ in England at present and not only England we believe, but throughout Europe. Perhaps it is partly the reaction after the war, as we are told that dancing was much indulged in when the Napoleonic Wars came to an end. One hopes, however, that some of the modern dancing, as carried on in many of the big towns, will not find its way into our country villages! If one can believe the Press, much of the dancing in what is called ‘Society’, is not only indecent but absolutely degrading to the morals of the people. The dancing classes at Barden and Hazlewood are carried on under supervision and we believe will enable the pupils to improve their carriage, gracefulness of motion and to appear at ease in the ‘ballroom’ without lowering their moral standard. We would add a word of warning, however, and that is not to let dancing get too strong a hold on our lads and girls. There are other and more instructive ways of occupying one’s leisure time, such as reading; it is useful to be able to dance properly, but it is even more useful to be able to read properly! Games that require some thinking, such as whist, chess or draughts should be encouraged as antidotes to the all absorbing ‘one step’ or ‘two step’. BEAMSLEY – The Boyle and Petyt School reopened early in January after being closed for an epidemic of measles and the Christmas holidays. The headmistress, has unfortunately been obliged to undergo an operation which has necessitated her absence from school for two or three weeks. It is hoped, however, that the operation will prove successful and that Miss Townson will soon be able to resume her duties. HALTON EAST – A carol service was held in the Mission Church on January 6th. Solos were sung by Sylvester Moorhouse, who has a nice, clear, treble voice. Mr. Stephen Lawson accompanied the carols; the service was arranged by Mr. W. Leech and was much appreciated.

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FRIENDS OF BOLTON PRIORY CHRISTMAS VISIT TO HAREWOOD HOUSE Early on Wednesday 11 December, a packed coach left Bolton Abbey village car park for Harewood House. This seasonal visit, entitled ‘A Night at the Mansion’, promised a presentation full of surprises. After mince pies and coffee on arrival, our festive journey began. We were taken on a magical tour of the house as it might have been on a Christmas night. The house, in darkness except for twinkling trees, gifts unopened, unexpected whisperings and strange stirrings. Each room held secrets to reveal: singing statues, gossiping paintings and kaleidoscopic ceilings. In the kitchen we were privy to a below stairs story projected as a miniature film behind cupboard doors. Following a light lunch, we were able to revisit some of the beautifully decorated rooms before returning to the coach for

the journey home. Thank you to Jill Riley and the committee of the Friends for arranging such a magical Christmas treat. Judy Allen

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WE WELCOMED VISITORS FROM 86 COUNTRIES IN 2019

Afghanistan

Albania

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Canary Islands

Central African

Republic

Chile

China

Colombia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dubai

Ecuador

Egypt

Eritrea

Finland

France

Germany

Ghana

Gibraltar

Greece

Guernsey

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Iran

Ireland

Isle of Man

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Kashmir

Kenya

Kuwait

Latvia

Lebanon

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malawi

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Moldova

Myanmar

Netherlands

New Guinea

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Palestine

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Slovakia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Trinidad and

Tobago

Turkey

UAE

Ukraine

USA

Vietnam

Zakynthos

Zimbabwe

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PRIORY DIRECTORY Rector The Revd Nicholas Mercer 01756 710326 Parish Administrator Margaret Cody 01756 710238 Churchwardens Paul Middleton 01943 430654 Matthew Hey 07702 555339 PCC Secretary Sandra Stubbs 01943 463332 PCC Treasurer Michael Heatley 01423 509629 Gift Aid Peter Loweth 01756 711129 Director of Music Tim Raymond stanghan@aol.com Concert Coordinator Paul Middleton 07906 082037 Works Committee Matthew Hey 07702 555339 Deanery Synod Andrew Hartley 01943 600645 Liz Clayton 01756 711407 Peter Lambert 07985 136819 Diocesan Synod Andrew Hartley 01943 600645 Verger Peter Lambert 07985 136819 Sacristan Jennifer Hardaker Chalicists’ Rota Mike Vineall 01756 753013 Liquid Worship Joan Mason 01943 608049 Electoral Roll Officer Rosemarie Fisher 07964 561959 Environmental Officer Elaine Adams-Lambert 01756 794542 Contact for Young People Lorna Heatley 07772 498838 Parish Disability Officer Jean Crawford 07951 788909 Parish Safeguarding Officer Jean Crawford Sidesmen’s Rota Susan Whittaker 01943 831165 Flower Rota Lorna Freegard 01943 607907 Welcome Team Leader Kate Templeton Cleaning Rota Andrew Wade 01943 862614 Friends of Bolton Priory Jill Riley 01943 830190 Fund Raising Liz Clayton 01756 711407 Deputy Churchwardens Susan Barker 01756 711260 Barry Cody 01756 710587 MAGAZINE TEAM Editor Val Middleton 01943 430654 priorymagazine@yahoo.co.uk Deputy Editor Judith Allen 01943 434434 Advertising Liz Clayton 01756 711407 Distribution Gill Holme 01756 710482