PARISH BROCHUREMickley

1. MICKLEY 1

2. THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST 2-5

Called to worship

Every-member ministry

Parochial Church Council

The church – the building

The church in our community

3. THE VILLAGE 6-8

Villagers together

Well connected

Steeped in history

Summary

1. MICKLEYMickley is every bit as lovely as you would imagine a Yorkshire Dales village to be. Its 50 or so

properties, some dating back to the 16th century, others newly developed, sit snugly in a

small dimple in the Nidderdale countryside. The River Ure runs along its outer edge, cherry

trees line its central lane and a craggy hill topped with a rambling stone barn looks down from

its eyrie on the southern fringe.

A spirit of community burns brightly in the

village, which, while rooted in a rich, rural

tradition, has firmly embraced the

modern world. Many of its old

farmsteads, barns, village stores – and

even three public houses – have now

been reimagined and transformed into

family homes as people from near and far

have decided to settle here.

There are retired couples, professionals who commute to cities such as Leeds and York, those

who work from home and families with children who are schooled in the neighbouring villages

and towns. Agriculture, which has served to shape the land over the years, is still very much

part of Mickley’s story and we are delighted to greet the next generation of farmers.

Warm and welcoming, Mickley is well known throughout the area for its generous

hospitality. The village year features a vibrant programme of social events and fundraisers,

and regular faith and friendship groups. People matter in this close-knit – but outward-

looking – community. The kettle is always on somewhere, with a helping hand and kind

word when needed…

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2. THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST

The church sits at the very heart of the village and has a remarkable way of bringing everyone

together, whether or not they are a member of its congregation.

Called to worshipThe congregation is made up of a mixture

of people from all backgrounds, some

who prefer traditional forms of worship

and others who seek a more

contemporary format. Services are

attended by villagers and visitors from

across the benefice. We see compromise

– a willingness to understand the needs

of others – as a key part of our church life.

Together, we move forward in faith to

build one another up and take Christ out into our community.

Most of us are middle-aged or older – but still energetic and active! While some churches

struggle with dwindling figures, Mickley is fortunate enough to attract a good-size, committed

congregation and we relish the opportunity to reach out to younger people and families in the

village. Although they don't attend on a regular basis, they often come along to special events

such as Easter, harvest festivals and Christmas.

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We are heartened that many families, particularly those with small children, who do not attend

services on a regular basis do come along to social events organised by both the church and

village working together. These have included barbecues and open gardens weekends, and the

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and royal wedding celebrations. Villagers also like to help with church

activities such as tidying up the graveyard and helping with general maintenance. Tea and

coffee is served in the village hall after church on a monthly basis, with an invitation for all to

come along and “enjoy a chat”.

Every-member ministryMembers of the congregation are encouraged to

play an active role in church services and

exercise ministry in a variety of ways. These

include:

● Bible readings.● Churchwardens – Judy Wright and Frances Cole.● Intercessions – carried out by a team operating

on a rota.● Cleaning brasses and providing or arranging altar flowers.● Decorating the church for festivals.● Serving refreshments monthly after church services.● Keeping the churchyard in good order.● Supporting the clergy in planning services.

Parochial Church CouncilOur PCC enjoys the loyal support of the congregation. Enthusiastic and discerning, it works hard

to represent the views of our church family. The PCC officers are lay chair Peter Mason,

secretary Judith Hooper and treasurer Paul Kirk. Meetings take place in the village hall.

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The church – the buildingA simple building that sits perfectly in harmony with its surroundings, the church was built in

1841 by local landowners the Dalton family. It consists of a nave and sanctuary, with no

chancel, and a small vestry at the east end.

The church features a wonderful stained-glass east

window, depicting the Last Supper, crucifixion and

ascension. This was recently repaired and we are

now able to enjoy a kaleidoscope of colour dancing

around the walls and pews when the sun shines

low. There is also a stunning plate-glass window at

the north of the church engraved with figures and

birds, and the words: “Praise the Lord of all Ye

Creatures.”

The path from the lychgate to the entrance porch is

lined with pollarded yew trees bringing a sense of

place and formality to a churchyard that at some

times of the year is a riot of wild flowers.

Members of our village have created a booklet on

the history of St John the Evangelist, which is

available at the back of the church for people to

take away and read.

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The church in our communityMembers of the church congregation play an active role in taking our faith out into the

community. Many have a heart of mission and have instigated various initiatives that

encourage and include everyone, such as:

● GIF – Growing in Faith – a monthly home group set up to explore our faith together in

comfortable, relaxed, non-judgemental surroundings. It is attended by those from the village

and others in the benefice.● Traidcraft – we are saddened to hear that this organisation has been threatened with

closure. For the past few years, a benefice branch was set up and run by a Mickley villager

who donated contributions from the proceeds of sales to the church, a primary school in the

next village (Grewelthorpe) and Christian Aid.● Christian Aid – Mickley regularly hosts fundraising events for

this charity. Over the past year, we have seen fundraising

breakfasts and lunches take place in the village hall. All of them

were given fantastic support – as was the organisation's annual

envelope collection.● Lent courses – these are held every year and are well attended

by many from across the benefice.● Felt banner-making workshop – members of the village

gather and collaborate to make a large banner using a wet felting

technique to illustrate and celebrate the life of Mickley. Once

completed, the large, colourful banner will be hung in church to

mark the building’s 175th anniversary. This has been made possible by felting artist Androulla

Jefferies, a village resident who has provided materials and tutorship.● Pilgrim courses – this group was set up to examine different aspects of faith and

discipleship. It is attended by people from across the benefice and held in a member of the

Mickley congregation's home.● Food bank collection – a regular collection is organised in the village, with all produce

donated to a food bank in Ripon.

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3. THE VILLAGEMickley is a small village, six miles north-west of Ripon, “the cathedral city of the Dales”,

which has supported rural communities for hundreds of years. What would have been a slow

journey by horse and cart can now be done in 15 minutes. Many of our youngsters travel to

secondary schools in Ripon, while the rest of us visit the city to do our shopping, frequent the

excellent range of tearooms and restaurants, take in a film – yes, we now have a Curzon

cinema – and like nothing more than a mooch around the Thursday market, with its fresh fish

and greengrocers’ stalls. Of course, we also make the very most of living so close to the

cathedral, with its wonderful programme of services, lectures, concerts and fundraising events.

Villagers togetherMickley folk are a welcoming bunch and enjoy

nothing more than gathering friends and family

together. Some of the gentlemen in the village

belong to the Mickley Boys’ Club – a group set

up to offer companionship, entertainment and

adventure for its members. There have been

visits to the National Railway Museum, high jinks

on the canal in Skipton and a trip to the seaside

by steam train.

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Keeping fit is a big hit in the village, with a group of ladies – and a couple of the chaps –

donning their tracksuits and trainers to work out in the village hall with a local fitness trainer

every Monday evening.

Nibble and Natter was the aptly named monthly lunchtime get-together over homemade

soup and cake. It was very well attended, with people relishing the opportunity to catch up

with their friends and neighbours in convivial

surroundings. The event also encouraged people to

swap books and donate gluts of fruit, veg and

flowers they had grown. These were then sold,

with money donated to the church and village hall.

The 100 Club was established as a means of raising

money for the church and village – and generating

much mirth and merriment for villagers and their

friends who buy numbers that are called in a

monthly prize draw. Each 100 Club event is given a

different theme, such as a Spanish night, Mexican

night, St George's Day, Shakespeare's birthday and

Burns' Night.

Quiz Night is a popular – and enthusiastically

contested – annual event in the village, with

residents and visitors forming teams to test their

general knowledge against each another. A pie-

and-peas supper is washed down by a glass or two

– and plenty of chocolates – ensuring that everyone has a great time, even when scores are a

little disappointing!

Mickley Show, with its cake stall, pony classes and Dog with the Waggiest Tail competitions,

used to take place in the village on a large field stretching from the lane towards the river.

Today, although featuring dogs and horses, this small country show is much more of an equine

extravaganza, attracting riders from around the county. It is held in fields away from the centre

of the village with greater space for horseboxes and trailers.

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Well connectedMickley enjoys close links with the primary school at Grewelthorpe, where some of the

village's youngest residents are pupils. We also have villagers who teach there. The school's

regular fundraising activities, such as jumble sales and Christmas fairs, are well supported by

Mickley folk.

Steeped in historyThe village of Mickley – Mickelhay,

Mikeley or Micklhawe – was mentioned

in the Domesday Book of 1068, when it

was part of Azerley. After the dissolution

of Fountains Abbey in 1539, a deed for

the manor and premises was given to

certain people in Mickley who were to

hold it in trust for the tenants of Mickley.

A Court Leet is held in the village every

two or three years where freeholders

attend in the capacity of lords of the manor to discuss the upkeep of common land. Mickley is

one of the very few court leets still in existence.

SummaryIn summary, our aim is to be a warm, welcoming, worshipping congregation, keen to grow

in our Christian faith, serving our village community to the best of our abilities, to the glory

of God.

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