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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