Family trees and guided walks as Dales church launches Visitor's Guide

New information on historic Jervaulx Screen at Aysgarth church

The first illustrated Visitors’ Guide of St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, will be launched at the heritage event there on  Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.The church was able to publish this and an illustrated essay about the famous Jervaulx Screen thanks to a grant from the Lottery funded Awards for All.

Children are providing two of displays for the heritage exhibition, with pupils from West Burton CofE school basing theirs on their grandparents and the All Stars church club at Carperby producing their own view of the seasonal changes around the church. The latter will be the theme of the family-style service at St Andrew’s at 11am on Sunday, July 12.

Thanks to the Upper Wensleydale Family History group, the extensive Bishopdale Archives will be at the event alongside information about who has been buried in the churchyard for the past two centuries. Members of the family history group will be there to help people research their family trees. There are also questionnaires for children, graveyard tours and a churchyard party.

Throughout the event, which is open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, refreshments will be served in the Lady Chapel and there will be stalls just outside.

On the Saturday the organ will be played from 10am to 11am and from 3pm to 4pm; the bells will be rung from 2.15pm to 3pm; and it is hoped that Don Smith who did the survey of lichens in the churchyard will give a talk at 11am. And in the evening there is a concert by the Wensleydale Chorus conducted by Stan Roocroft, followed by a bring and share supper.

For walkers who want to learn more about the area around Aysgarth church there are several guided circular walks, those on Saturday being about eight to nine miles long.One will go via West Burton and Morpeth Gate to the Knights Templar site and then back to the church. The other will be along the north bank of the river to Askrigg before returning to the church via Carperby and Freeholders Wood. On Sunday there are shorter walks to Castle Bolton, Carperby and into Freeholders Wood.The organisers would like people to book for these walks, and those taking part should bring good walking shoes, waterproofs, water and some food. Sandwiches will be on sale at the church.

To book or for further information about the event telephone 01969 663362 or see www.pipspatch.co.uk.