Hope in the dales
The parishes of Middleham with Coverdale and East Witton and Thornton Steward, in the Yorkshire Dales, cover a vast, extremely rural area with many isolated farms and villages. In 2002, a real and significant need for work with children and young people was identified.
The Anglican and Methodist churches in Middleham had a long history of working closely and together they started several initiatives. The Methodist minister Revd Richard Harris, the Rector Revd Brendan Giblin and others started Tuesday Trekkers, a fortnightly after school club at the primary school and Tots’ Praise a monthly club for pre-school children and their carers. However, provision for secondary age children was sparse in Middleham, and non-existent in the more rural parts of the parish.
A decision had been made to close the small church at Carlton in Coverdale, and the resources released from the building could be transferred into personnel – in the form of a part time youth worker for the parish. The Methodist circuit was equally keen on the project and the vision began to develop.
Very soon an important decision was made: if a neighbouring benefice wished to share in the project, it would be possible to appoint someone full time. The vicar of Masham, the Revd David Cleeves, was approached and was immediately interested. They too worked closely with the Methodist Church and the minister, Revd David Richardson became the fourth member of the project team. Various youth groups already operate in the Masham area: a fortnightly ‘Rendezvous’ for infant and junior children, and Masham Kids for Christ for late juniors/early teens, as well as Sunday School and ‘the Ark’ for older teenagers.
The vision of the Lower Wensleydale Youth Project was coming a step closer to reality. Many meetings were devoted to an application for charity status, preparation of a business plan, and writing a job description, with the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds giving much needed help and advice. Hours were spent pouring over grant application forms. The vision, however, was never dimmed or buried by the mound of paperwork.
The help of a qualified, Christian youth worker would enable more
young people to receive guidance and participate in wider activities. The new worker will enhance existing arrangements in the wider area, and ensure that those young people in the most isolated parts of the countryside do not miss out on support and guidance at such a critical stage of their lives. Children and young people aged 4 – 19 will benefit from spiritual and emotional help. Local volunteers will receive training, and transport will be organised.
The project was launched at Swinton Park, by kind permission of Lord and Lady Masham, on 22 September 2008. Over 90 people attended the launch which was warmly received and there were many positive comments, suggestions and pledges of help. Over the next three years the business plan anticipates that the project will cost £100,000. To date pledges have been received for almost half of this sum, and it is hoped to be able to appoint a Youth and Children’s Worker during 2009.
Jackie Warden
Leyburn, North Yorkshire
warden@parkhouse4.demon.
co.uk
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www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
rural mission
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