Above : Fiona Crossley, Rev Scott Lunn and David Read near Kidstones Pass
Photos provided by Rev Lunn
A 43-mile sponsored walk around the boundary of Penhill Benefice has raised over £950 for St George’s Crypt in Leeds. The Crypt offers care, compassion and hope to the homeless, vulnerable and those suffering from addiction.
The walk, to mark the 20th anniversary of the benefice, was planned and organised by Fiona Crossley of Preston under Scar and a member of the Benefice, with the help of the Rev Scott Lunn. Scott is curate for the churches in the benefice which are at Castle Bolton, Preston under Scar, Redmire, Wensley, West Witton and Aysgarth, plus the Mission Room at Thornton Rust.
Fiona commented that besides wanting to explore the world around her she wondered about the large area that Penhill Benefice covered. ‘Then I thought this looks like a walk can be organised.’
The walk she mapped out took place over three days (August 3rd to 5th). On the first day she and Scott travelled an arc from Preston-under-Scar via Herontree Allotment and Whipperdale Bank to Woodhall and Ballowfield Bridge. This gave occasional views into Swaledale through the rain and mist but the sun finally came through in Wensleydale.
Near Woodhall they were joined by the Rev Tom Ringland (vicar of the benefice), his wife Bev and their two dogs.
Below: Tom, Bev and Fiona
On the second day with Tom Ringland and James Lunn and again often over rough terrain, they walked from Ballowfield Bridge via the Mission Room at Thornton Rust before climbing over Addlebrough and then heading south on a ridge keeping Bishopdale down on the east so as to reach the top of Kidstones Pass via the Stake Road.
Below: Fiona, Tom and James Lunn at Thornton Rust Mission
On day three Fiona and Scott were joined by David Read from Redmire for a 19-mile walk which took them past the Buckden Pike Memorial Cross in memory of the Polish airmen who died there January 1942. Scott commented: ‘From the ridge were stunning views of Wharfedale, Bishopdale, Coverdale, Walden, and Wensleydale.’
They went via Walden Head and the Height of Hazely to Penhill, then to Wensley church and finally back to Preston under Scar. Just before Preston under Scar they were joined by Patrick Earle with his dog. Above: Fiona and David at the top of Penhill and, of course, with Fiona’s Monkey.
Scott said: ‘What a great walk with great company! The next stage is to put together an album of the pictures taken over the three days and share them with others. Memory making.’
The perimeter walk complemented a walk, at the end of July, encompassing all the places of worship in the benefice.