Vicar’s Letter
Dear Friends
Whether the months of August and September prove to be warm, wet or a mixture of both, we’ve already seen some remarkable heat early in the summer, with three heatwaves recorded at the time of writing.
On June 26th, Yorkshire recorded its warmest June day on record at 34.40, (or 93.5 F on the older scale). It’s incontrovertible that the climate is warming at an alarming rate. A temperature in the 30’s (above 86F) used to be an unusual event. Aside from the profound effects in more vulnerable parts of the world, with floods, fires, storms and droughts, we are seeing changes here in the Dales with significant impacts for farmers and gardeners.
The question that confronts us is what we can do to make ourselves less of a contribution to the problem.
This is important for us as Christians. The Anglican Communion uses “Five Marks of Mission” to guide our life, and the fifth is to “strive to safeguard the creation and sustain the earth”.
This speaks of our duty to protect nature and care for the environment, both for its own sake as created by God as something wonderful and sustaining, and because neglect of the environment hurts the weakest and most vulnerable communities the hardest.
One thing we can do is stay informed – and with that, not to be downcast by the immensity of the crisis.
Take a look at the “2025 UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report” available online. It shows that our emissions are down 54% over the past 35 years (since 1990). We are heading in the right direction, even if slowly.
Another is to look at our own carbon footprint.
Most of us necessarily heat our homes by burning fuel oil. It may be possible to insulate our houses better, (which would save money in the long term), or to add solar panels to provide some of the electricity we use – and these are the best solutions, as they reduce emissions in the first place.
But one thing I’ve recently learned, is that some fuel oil distributers (including Lynx and Nationwide Fuels) allow one to offset the carbon burned by investing in ‘carbon credits’.
Adding 2p per litre (or £20 on a 1000 litre order) means an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is either avoided or removed from the atmosphere through the funding of verified global initiatives, and surely, this is worth exploring further. Offsetting does not stop the CO2 from entering the air right now, but it does balance it out over time.
In recent years, September 1st has been designated ‘World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’ – and begins a season known as ‘Creationtide’, which runs until October 4th (the feast day of St Francis of Assisi).This leads up nicely to our harvest services at the end of this period.
As we enjoy the summer, and with it I trust some rest and recreation, we seamlessly move into this season of thanksgiving for the wonderful world we inhabit. Approaching harvest-time we can resolve to do what we can to safeguard its future for the rising generations.
Revd Tom Ringland
Click here for the Penhill Beacon June to July 2026
Facebook: We now have a Benefice Facebook page up and running. This will be useful for sharing services and events with the wider community. Please search for ‘The Penhill Benefice’ and ‘follow, like and invite’! Thank you.
Churches Open:
Preston under Scar and Wensley - Daily
Aysgarth - daily
Castle Bolton - daily
Redmire - Daily
West Witton - daily
We ask that you are mindful of the environment and kindly remove cellophane and ribbon when placing fresh flowers at the graveside of loved ones in our churchyards.
Revd Scott Lunn was ordained at Ripon Cathedral at 2.00 pm on Saturday 27th June. All welcome.. For his own introduction when he became curate of Penhill Benefice and photos click here
King’s Club: Stories, games, crafts, songs and fun on Thursday 6th August, 11-3pm Chantry Hall, Bedale. For children up to Key Stage 3 and all who are young at heart.
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Free – no charge.
Prayer Fellowship
The Prayer Fellowship usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm at Aysgarth Institute to pray together for the benefice, the wider church, local, national and international issues, and for personal concerns and each other. We begin with a Bible Reflection and short discussion. The next meetings are on 25th August and 22nd September.
Church Coffee Mornings 10.30am -12 noon in Redmire Village Hall on Wednesday 5th August and Wednesday 2nd September
Church Afternoon Tea 2-4pm, Redmire Village Hall, on Wednesday 19th August and Wednesday 16th September
Penhill Benefice 20th Year Anniversary Celebrations
Boundary Walk
A benefice 20th year anniversary celebration event for keen walkers!
There is an opportunity to sponsor Fiona Crossley to raise funds for St. George’s Crypt, a charity in Leeds who help the homeless, the vulnerable and those suffering with addiction. Contact Christine at the benefice office for further information.
St. Bartholomew’s Church Exhibition, Saturday 22nd August The church will be open for refreshments during the West Witton Cottage Show
Benefice Retreat Day 12th September 10am to 3pm at Jonas Centre led by Father Bede from Ampleforth: at the Jonas Centre, Redmire.
Psalm 23 Retreat 2.30pm – 8.30pm on Saturday 29th August at The Jonas Centre, Redmire with Max Swart teaching two sessions on Psalm 23, followed by dinner. Free for all. Info and register today at jonascentre.org/events
Prayer and Praise Live! 7pm, Chantry Hall, Bedale, DL8 1AF
Friday 25th September - Lee Finnegan. ‘The Father’s Heart’
For more information email
Jonas Centre Prayer Barn, Redmire. Monthly prayer meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. Gather with other local Christians to praise God together and to pray for our local churches and communities here in the Dales. We would love to extend a very warm invite to anyone locally who would like to join us.
Christian Aid - The Lent Lunches in six villages around the Benefice raised a total of £1,248.05 including Gift Aid for the Christian Aid Lent Appeal. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed in any way.
Thank you from Mary’s Meals Charity: The amount raised from the recent currency collection in the Benefice was £302.61. This is enough to provide daily meals for 15 children for a whole school year or, at just 10p per serving, that’s more than 3000 nutritious portions of Mary’s Meals! The currency came from more than 30 different countries! Additional donations that have been given will be sent when there is enough weight for a courier collection.
The Very Narrow Bridge of Life: Stories Through the Church Year by Revd Peter Jenner
This is a book about finding joy in a world that sometimes seems difficult to navigate. Through a collection of engaging stories, which were originally delivered as sermons, Peter invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to be ‘fully part of the adventure of life…appreciative of God’s creation, of human interaction and delighting in what is and ought to be.’ Peter died shortly after retiring, and during his final months the book was edited by Louise Redshaw who lives in Carperby. Profits from the sale of the book will be shared between St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, and the Stuart Warren Foundation which supports a PhD student from the South African Region to study Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Copies are available for £10 from:
Aysgarth church -
The following are now available online -
War Memorials and Graves at Aysgarth church
The printed illustrated guide to War Memorials and Graves in the churchyard is available in Aysgarth church.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19. Please let your family and friends, who are not on internet, know about this. More information click here
Hear To Help
Just 'B' is offering emotional wellbeing support to people in the Harrogate District, Hambleton and Richmondshire, with its Hear to Help phoneline, available to anyone who may need help with such issues as grief, low mood, isolation, anxiety or isolation. The line is manned by trained staff and volunteers and is available seven days a week, 8am-8pm. For more information see Hear to Help.