Cowtons News

The Magazine for The Parish of The Cowtons

June 2024 Issue 125
 The Parish of The Cowtons
‘The United Benefice of The Wiske’
Rector: Revd. David Bartlett
The New Rectory,
Great Smeaton, Northallerton. DL6 2EP
01609 765323 / 07780 512398 david.bartlett@leeds.anglican.org
Churchwarden: Christine Johnson 01325 378481 christinembj@hotmail.com
Reserve contact: David Dennis 01325 378589
Treasurer: Hazel Masterman 01325 378382
Secretary: Christine Johnson 01325 378481 christinembj@hotmail.com
Magazine: Jean Dennis 01325 378589 cowtonsparishnews@hotmail.co.uk
WISKE BENEFICE WEBSITE :- https://www.wiskebenefice.org
Facebook page – Vicar of the Wiske
Useful Local Contacts
East Cowton Parish Council:
Chairman – Elaine Simpson;
Parish Clerk – ECParishCouncil@Outlook.com
North Cowton Parish Council:
Chairman - Jeremy Marley;
Parish Clerk - Alison Hughes 01325 378326
North Yorkshire County Council
Phone: 0300 1312131
Both offices are currently open, but please phone first.
Mercury House, Station Road, Richmond,
North Yorkshire DL10 4JX
Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton,
North Yorkshire, DL6 2UU
Local Doctors:
Scorton Medical Centre: 01748 811320
Mowbray House, Northallerton: 01609 760002
Mayford House Northallerton: 01609 772 105
Hospitals:
Friarage Hospital, Northallerton: 01609 779911
James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough:
01642 850850 (24hr switchboard)
http://southtees.nhs.uk
Darlington Memorial Hospital: 01325 380100
http://www.cddft.nhs.uk
Public Transport: Trains: Stations at Darlington &
Northallerton. (East Coast Mainline) National Rail
enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
Buses: Hodgsons no.72 bus to Darlington &
Northallerton. Enquires: 01833 630730
East Cowton Village Hall Contact:
Stuart Barker 01325 378335
North Cowton Village Hall Contact:
Dave Hughes 01325 378326
ncvh.contact@gmail.com
All Saints’ Annexe Contact:
Traudel Walker 01325 378531
Cowtons & Countryside U3A
Chairman: Geoff Green 01325 378773
Cowtons Gardening Club Contact:
John Yorke 07795 097985
cowtonsgardening@gmail.com
East Cowton Cricket Club Contact:
Peter Clark 07730 656571
Cowtons Football Club Contact:
Paul Middleton 01325 378497
North Cowton Women’s Institute Contact:
President; Margaret Suffell 01325 378511
East Cowton CE (VC) Primary School:
Head teacher: Mrs Kirstie Petch
Office: 01325 378347
North & South Cowton Community Primary
School: Head teacher: Helen Robinson.
Office 01325 378240
‘Benefice of The Wiske’ Mothers Union
Contact: Jackie Blackwood 01609 881660
Churches Conservation Trust
Contact officer for St Marys Church, South Cowton
Miriam Flüchter: mfluchter@thecct.org.uk
Mark Sproat: msproat@thecct.org.uk
Road Building
I always wanted Talking and chatting with each other and
to drive a steam - then focussing on the job at hand.
roller when I was
When something went wrong, they didn’t
young. The idea of
shout and complain at each other. Didn’t
squishing things,
try to blame someone, they simply
like in the
stopped, talked, came up with a plan to
cartoons
sort it and carried on.
appealed to me. The other week we had
our drive dug up and relayed to stop it The youngsters, doing the simpler jobs,
flooding so much. And we had all the where included in conversations, asked
machines, diggers, planers, tarmac layer their thoughts and even given a chance to
and 2 road rollers (the proper name I try a few of the more skilled tasks and
discovered). The fun of watching them was generally encouraged. The boss said, “we
overtaken by seeing the way the team are getting older we want them ready to
worked together. take over”
The first team arrived and spent two days
I was reminded of the passage in 1
preparing. Working out what would be
needed and the best way to do things. Corinthians where Paul talks about each
Including breaking up the concrete that
needed to be removed digging out where
part of the body, each one of the people of
God, taking their place, using their skills
the ground was too high, discovering why and gifts for the good of all. Different skills,
the existing soak aways didn’t work, various roles but no hierarchy, everyone
digging new ones and laying gullies to take important, all valued and honoured.
the water where it needed to go. They
I got to thinking, how easily could I work
spent a lot of time at the start talking,
amongst the tarmac crew, would I fit in
measuring, looking at slopes, before they
well, want to listen and play my part, or
did anything else. “We want to get it right”
would I want to take the starring role.
and then they went. They had done their
Driving the steamroller up and down, no
job, and without a fuss moved on to the
worrying about what or who I had
next one.
squashed!
The next morning over about an hour
people, lorries and plant turned up,
different ages, experience and skills like a Blessings
rag tag band. And then in an easy practised
David
way, they came together and set about
their task like a well-oiled machine. Each
seemed to know their role and where
that fitted into the process, apparently
being in the right place with the right tool.
From the
From The Registers
R i t
baptisms
3
5 May Cora Willow Eve Begley All Saints’ East Cowton
 Bible Study at East Cowton
June meetings will be on Thursday
6th and 20th. All welcome to join
us at All Saints Annexe from 10.15
for a 10.30 start.
Christian Fellowship at
Great Smeaton
This usually meets fortnightly on
Need somewhere for: Band Practices, Ceilidhs,
Mondays, at 2.00pm. 10th & 24th
June, this month.
Contact Mary Elliott
01609 881 411 for more
information.
Everyone welcome.
North Cowton Village Hall [DL7 0HE] is a registered Charity. No: 511553
Hall For Hire
North Cowton Village Hall
Is Available For Hire.
For: Traditional Village Parties, or
other Special Events and Celebrations.
Looking for somewhere to run a class:
Dancing, Flower Arranging?
Clubs, Rehearsals or Drama Productions?
Run a Charity Event; [no fee].
THOMPSON’S
Main Hall Area: 14m x 7.3m.
Stage Area: 5.3m x 3m.
The stage can extend into the auditorium with
8 platforms: 90cm x 90cm x 0.5m. of Northallerton
New LED stage lighting.
HIGH CLASS DEEP FREEZE
Excellent Toilet Facilities.
Good Kitchen Facilities plus a Kitchenette. BUTCHERS SPECIALISTS
Moveable Counter/Bar QUALITY PIES & SANDWICHES
Seating for 130. 125 HIGH STREET • NORTHALLERTON
Seating with tables for 100.
« TELEPHONE 773336 «
Dave Hughes 01325 378326 ncvh.contact@gmail.com

Parish of The Cowtons Annual meeting.

Our annual parish meeting was held on April 30th
LIFT THE LID ON A
and reports and accounts were presented for 2023. NEW BREED OF TANK
Christine Johnson was re-elected as Churchwarden High quality Bunded and Single Skin Tanks at great prices
and PCC members were elected or remain as
With a range of sizes available our tanks are suitable
follows… David Dennis as Deanery Synod Rep along for domestic, industrial and institutional use. We also supply
with Christine; Hazel Masterman, Dylis Nord, Jean Adblu Tanks and Bunkers
Dennis and Ann Flintoff. The Revd. David Bartlett Call for details
thanked all those whose work enabled services to
continue and the church and grounds to be
maintained. Bill Nixon is stepping down as minutes
secretary and was warmly thanked for his
contribution to the recording of church meetings.
We wish him and Clare well as they move away. A1 Tank Services Limited
Chartermark Way,
Copies of the reports will be available at the back of All tanks have a lockable lid, translucent
Colburn Business Park
North Yorkshire DL9 4QJ
church. inner tank, spill tray and lifting eyes.
www.a1tanks.com

Call us now for more information ham and Cumbria

We cover Northumberland, Dur
01748 831929 - All the Yorkshire regions
@a1tankservices

4
 SEA SUNDAY 14th JULY 2024
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but
they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. In the last
year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers
than ever before. Many are still being denied the right to
leave their ships for even a short break away from the
relentless noise and pressure onboard. Many are reporting
more stress and poorer mental health.

This year, as in previous years we will be collecting men’s toiletries, toothpaste

and brushes, shower gel, deodorant, face cloths and the like. Sea Sunday 2024
is on July 14th. Please help us to make a good collection this year and put
items in the marked boxes, either in East Cowton Village Hall (open Fridays 1-
4pm) or in the church porch. The box will be there from June 28th until 5pm on
July 14th, when a volunteer will take them
to a Seamen’s Mission on Teesside for North Cowton WI
distribution. Our May meeting was a
demonstration on basket weaving.
Our speaker, Jane Chapman, wove
Would you recognise your GP? a basket as she spoke to us, then
DOORSTEP MILK DELIVERY
Just 74p pint
Probably not. The reason is that nowadays, gave us the completed basket as a
Darlington • Northallerton • Richmond • Barnard Castle • Aycliffe • Hurworth
• Cowton • Long Newton • Gainford • Staindrop • and many other villages
almost half of patients rarely see the same GP raffle prize.
twice.
A recent study has found that 47 per cent of The June meeting will be on
Wednesday 5th and will be a trip
adults who visited a surgery more than once in
to visit Mr Yorke’s Garden in
www.acorndairy.co.uk the past couple of years had never, or rarely,
Richmond.
01325 466999 seen the same doctor.
Members will be informed of
organic@acorndairy.co.uk Responding to the findings, the Royal College of
times and travel details via email.
GPs said that the reason was that there are
(Delivery charge just £1 per week)
simply not enough doctors to ensure continuity North Cowton WI are delighted to
of care. have erected a bench in the village
Its chairman, Prof Kamila Hawthorne, said: “We to commemorate the King’s
know that continuity of care is highly valued by coronation, last year. We hope
our patients, particularly those with complex you enjoy sitting on it!
health needs, and has significant benefits for
the NHS generally.” But while continuity of care
is important, “it is not always necessary for all
conditions.”
Meanwhile, the new NHS Long Term Workforce
Plan, unveiled last year, aims to increase the
number of GP training places by 50 per cent by
2031/32.

7
 A Family run busuness | Call John on:
01609 898195 | 07935 314418
northyorkshireroofingservices.co.uk

Come and see our large range of quality garden toys and also
the wooden dolls houses, farms, Brio train sets, Little Tikes
toys and so much more all on display for you to try.

Adventure Toys
Tel: Great Smeaton 01609 881302
Web: www.adventuretoys.co.uk

8
 Erasmus, patron saint of sailors
Do you like messing about in boats? If so, then you’ll have heard of St Elmo’s Fire. It is the
light that is sometimes seen on mastheads of boats after storms at sea. St Elmo is another
name for St Erasmus, a fourth century Syrian bishop who was not afraid of violent storms.
Legend has it that one day when Erasmus was preaching outside, a thunderbolt hit the
ground right beside him. That might have distracted modern bishops, but not Erasmus – he
just kept on preaching. His courage won him the respect of sailors, who made him their
patron saint. Erasmus finally died during the Diocletian persecutions in 300AD, and his feast
day is 2nd June.

WORDS TO FIND: Bishop - Boats – Century - Courage -Died – Elmo – Fire - Fourth
– Ground – Legend – Light - Masthead – Persecution – Preaching – Respect –
Sailors - Sea – Saints - Storm - Thunder

Regular North Cowton Village Hall events

Keep fit with Kath - Tuesdays - 10am to 11am
‘Simply Singers’ – Tuesdays - 7:30pm
WI - meeting on 1st Wednesday of the month - 7pm
Indoor Mat Bowling -Thursday evenings - 7pm to 9pm
Metabolic effect exercise - Fridays - 6:00pm to 6:30pm
Nitwits! – Meet at 2pm on 2nd & 4th Thursdays in the month.
Next Dominoes to be on Thursday June 20 at 7:15pm. in the small village hall.
The village hall now has broadband connection and full wi-fi access.

10 11
p p
consulting
design Providing an independent and reliable
service to our local village communities
Tel: 01642 718 293
MARIA
THE FOOT LADY
Do you suffer from:
Callus? Corns?
Hard Skin?
Ingrown Toe Nails?
Thickened Nails?
Unsightly Toe Nails?

07971 583080
Northallerton,
The Cowtons, Scorton
& Catterick Village

New Build Kathleen Needham

Lakeside Country Park
Extensions Ellerton, Scorton
Richmond
Rural/Barn Conversions North Yorkshire
DL10 6AP
Loft Conversions
01748 813311
House/Flat Conversions Passionate About plants

Structural Design For quality care

you can trust,
call us on
01325 467833
www.homeinstead.co.uk/darlington
Specialists in
Architectural & Structural providing older
people with
non-medical care in
Planning/Building Control their own homes.
Services include: Part-tim
e
Listed Building Consent  Companionship Ca
 Light housekeeping Profes re
s
 Local transportation requir ionals
ed no
Commercial/Residential  Respite support in yo w
 Shopping comm ur
unity
 Personal care

 Specialist dementia & Alzheimer’s care

and much more...

Old Station Masters House, East Cowton DL7 0DS
w. www.pddesign.co.uk t. 01325 713133
Home. There’s no place like it!
 EAST COWTON VILLAGE HALL
A fond FAREWELL

It is with mixed emotions that I now write for the Cowtons’ News what will be my final
entry as Chair of the East Cowton Village Hall Committee - as I will have in fact stepped
down from actual membership of the committee by the time this article is published 1st
June’24

This committee was set up in 1998 to run the newly formed ‘East Cowton New Village
Hall Association’ and I was a member from that moment. The aim was to raise
substantial funds and with the help of Grant Aid etc, to eventually provide the village with
a new Hall. Previous committees had worked hard to maintain and keep the hall
functioning. Since our first meeting there have been many changes in personnel -
although myself, and a few current and recent members go back a long way!
THE VILLAGE SHOP BLACKWELL POST OFFICE
To list all the events in the Hall over the years would fill many pages of the Cowtons’ EAST COWTON Carmel Road South, Darlington
News; some organised by individuals and families and some by groups & clubs and some Newspapers/Magazines
by the Village Hall Committee. To mention just a few: dances, discos , bowls, badminton, All Postal & Parcel Force services available.
Dairy Products
Pilates, parties/celebrations for all ages, talks, quizzes, craft fairs, fun for kids by Friends Cash withdrawal & banking services,
Bread and Cakes
of EC School e.g. chocolate bingo, professional stage shows and super ‘home grown’ Euros available.
Sandwiches/Pies
pantos by ‘CATS’ - who have also contributed excellent modern stage lighting and sound General Provisions Open Mon-Sat 7am to 7.45pm
equipment that will be an important hall facility for years ahead. Marvellous! Facebook – Cowton Community Shop Shop closes at 8pm.
cowtoncommunityshop@gmail.com
However I feel it is now an appropriate time for me to step down and encourage ‘new Open Bank Holiday’s with Car Park available.
blood’ - albeit with the deep disappointment of not achieving that ‘New Hall’ target.
07850 687 356
The FUTURE? Realistically, in the current economic climate sufficient grant aid to help
provide a new building is unlikely. So, the present committee is now about to embark on a
plan of careful refurbishment of the present building in order to provide the village with Lightfoot plumbing
an improved venue. heating ltd
I wish the Hall and all those associated with it in many different ways a successful future -
and I sincerely thank all my committee colleagues, past and present, together with many
villagers, for their super help and vitally important support over the years. For all your
The ‘East Cowton New Village Hall Association’ is now updating to be called the East For all your plumbing &
Cowton Village Hall CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) - which brings the
committee into more business-like mode.
electrical needs heating needs
• Additions to existing installations
Best Wishes to All, • Gas boiler servicing & repairs
• Full house rewiring
• LPG boiler servicing and repairs
Stuart Barker • Security lighting and installations
• Oil Boiler servicing and repairs
• Domestic appliance safety checks
• Boiler maintenance
• Testing and certification of installation
MEMOs • Fully trained and qualified engineers
• Heating Installations
• Plumbing Installations
Pop -Up Cafe 2pm to 4:30pm on Fridays. • Domestic Electrical Installation
• Fully trained and qualified staff.
Apple -Pressing Day 28/9/24 Condition reports
LOOK out for future events:
- a fashion show - lots of bargains to replenish your wardrobe.
- afternoon tea with music
- Jazz & Blues evening with pie & pea supper

************* EAST COWTON VILLAGE HALL CIO ***************** Unit 3 County Business Park, Darlington Road, Northallerton
North Yorkshire DL6 2NQ
Unit 3 County Business Park, Darlington Road, Northallerton
North Yorkshire DL6 2NQ

Telephone: 01609 778 788 Telephone: 01609 778 788

14
 Eighty years ago, on 6th June
1944, the D-Day Normandy
Landings took place. More
than 150,000 Allied troops
landed on the beaches of
Normandy. The Battle of Normandy ended on 25th August with an Allied victory.
The question of what the D stood for has never been absolutely determined: some say it just stood
for Day; others maintain it was Disembarkation, because it was an amphibious operation. What is
sure is that there was a spiritual dimension. General Eisenhower, the commander of Operation
Overlord, urged those taking part to “beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and
noble undertaking”, and President Roosevelt broadcast a prayer to the nation – the United States,
that is.
Before June 5 – the original date for D-Day, before bad weather forced a rethink – a massive and
successful series of deceptions were put in place to make the Nazis think the invasion would come

Family Run Local

elsewhere. The Germans were certainly confused. Hitler, thinking the attack was a feint, refused to
send reinforcements, and their strategy was hampered by the absence of their brilliant Commander
Erwin Rommel, who was on leave.
Nevertheless, the Americans suffered over 2,000 casualties at Omaha Beach, which was the most

Funeral Directors
heavily defended. Altogether it was reckoned that over 4000 Allied troops were killed, about
156,000 successfully stormed the beaches, and many landed behind the lines, including American
paratrooper Private John Steele, who descended on to the pinnacle of the church tower in Sainte-
Mère-Église, the first village to be liberated by the U S Army. Lit up by searchlights, he survived by
pretending to be dead, was captured and then escaped, joining the invading soldiers.

Providing a personal and professional *This year, handmade silhouettes of

service day and night.
servicemen were transported to Normandy
for an art installation, Standing with Giants,
to mark the anniversary.
‘Standing with Giants’ have installed a
staggering 1,475 silhouettes across the

PRE-PAYMENT PLANS wild meadow fields of the British

Normandy Memorial called ‘For Your
Tomorrow’.

RICHMOND The 1,475 giants reflect the number of

servicemen who died serving under British
command on D-Day itself. The public will

01748 850033 be able to see this installation at The

British Normandy Memorial 13 Av. Paul
Poret, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer, France as part

NORTHALLERTON of the D-Day 80 commemorations from

21st April 2024 - 31st August 2024.

01609 780004 *Our ‘Nitwits’ group which meets in

North Cowton Village Hall, answered the
call for knitted/crafted poppies to
decorate the silhouettes in Normandy,

www.blenkirons.co.uk
contributing over 200. Remember the
Nitwits when you watch on TV!

17
 WISKE BENEFICE SERVICE ROTA JUNE 2024
Cowtons & Countryside APPLETON BIRKBY DANBY EAST GREAT Readings
WISKE WISKE COWTON SMEATON
The AGM was held on 18 April 2024 at 2.00pm. The committee was re-elected. 2ND JUNE 11.00am 9.30am 1 Samuel 3.1-20;
Your local u3a is offering: Book Club, Bridge, Canasta, Historical Visits, French, German, Mahjong, Holy Morning Psalm 139.1-18;
‘5’s & 3’s Dominoes Group’, all held in the All-Saints’ Church Annexe, East Cowton. For further Trinity 1 Communion Worship 2 Corinthians 4.5-12;
information or to obtain Membership Form please contact our Membership Secretary, Elaine Smith Mark 2.23 - 3.6
on 01325 378630. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning members. 9TH JUNE 11.00am 9.30am 11.00am 1 Samuel 8:4-20,
Monthly meetings are held on the Third Thursday at 2.00pm. Holy Holy Morning Psalm 138;
Trinity 2 Communion Communion Worship 2 Corinthians 4.13-5.1;
(BCP) Mark 3.20-35
16TH JUNE 11.00am 11.00am 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13;
Around the Benefice Trinity 3
Morning
Worship
Holy
Communion
Psalm 20;
2 Corinthians 5.6-17;
Mark 4.26-34
APPLETON WISKE 23RD JUNE 9.30am 9.30am 11.00am 1 Samuel 17: 32-49;
Holy Morning Holy Psalm 9:9-20;
St Mary's 'Churches Count on Nature' is Sunday 16th June 2.00pm-4.00pm. Trinity 4 Communion Worship Communion 2 Corinthians 6.1-13;
There is also a local artists exhibition in church. All welcome. Mark 4.35-41
30TH JUNE 10.00am 2 Samuel 1:1,17-27;
Benefice Psalm 130;
GREAT SMEATON Trinity 5 Communion 2 Corinthians 8.7-15;
Mark 5.21-43
7TH JULY 11.00am 9.30am 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10;
D Day Anniversary Holy Morning Psalm 48;
Trinity 6
A Display and Talk by Mr. Jeff Metcalfe Communion Worship 2 Corinthians 12.2-10;
Mark 6.1-13
on the D-Day Landings that led to the Liberation of Europe
Saturday the 1st June 2pm - St Eloy’s Church, Great Smeaton
Free entry, All Welcome.

Open Gardens
Great Smeaton and Hornby Open Gardens
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June. 12 - 5pm
Entry to all gardens only £5.00
Refreshments and plants for sale in the village hall.

BIRKBY
In May, the Friends of St Peters welcomed back the choir ‘noaddedsugar’ to
entertain. This was much enjoyed, with the bonus of a fine, warm evening,
where people were able to chatter outside whilst enjoying the scrumptious tea
and cakes. Fixed as a master craftsman what was made
Earth’s orb mantled by stars in a cascade. - Poem written by Rev. Toddy Hoare.
On Tuesday 4th June Birkby Manor Garden is open for Charity, See back page. 19
18
The Manor
Birky, Birkby Lane,
Northallerton DL7 0EF

Tuesday 4 June
11am - 4.30pm
Adults £6 Children free
Light refreshments

THE DEADLINE FOR THE JULY/AUGUST MAGAZINE IS 15TH JUNE