Speaker Jeremy Hutchinson

President Nigel Wales from the Rotary Club of Filey accompanied by three members attend the Club’s Monday Meeting. They had come to thank the Club for the significant financial contribution the Club made to the Filey Flood Appeal earlier in the year.  The guest Speaker was Jeremy Hutchinson who took members on a splendidly illustrated tour of the major Churches cantered around Middleham. The journey began at St. Mary and St. Alkelda in Middleham. Its importance and influence in the life of the Dale owes much to Richard 111.  Holy Trinity Coverham was an early Christian Site. The present Church dates from 13^th.century with 14^th, 17^th. century additions. The Tower dates from 16^th. century. St. Martin’s Church, Lowthorpe built around 1330 was made collegiate till the dissolution of 1579 when it became a Parish Church. St. John the Evangelist at East Witton was built in 3 years!  The chequered history of the Roman Catholic church of St. Simon and St. Jude Ulshaw was described. St. Michael and All Angels, Spennithorne is a Gothic structure and was an important Church serving those who did not attend Holy Trinity, Wensley before Leyburn was built. Holy Trinity church is a mid 13^th. century Church and like many in the Dales and elsewhere was built on the site of an earlier Saxon Church. It now a redundant church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.   The description of the foundation of the Churches, the wealthy and ennobled patrons and the collections of furnishings and tombs were brought to life by the excellent photography.  The vote of thanks was proposed by Phil Oliver.   Members were reminded of the Pie and Peas evening at Askrigg on November 23^rd and encouraged to sell tickets for the event whose proceeds go to the Rotary Foundation Charity.