Churchyard Consecration.
It seems like a lifetime ago that the question of extending the churchyard arose
and here we are in 2009 with all works complete and the consecration dealt with.
The land, once kindly donated by the Bird family had to be walled round and
fundraising took. place during 2007. The main event was our
'fund-a-foot-for-forty' weekend where people were invited to sponsor a foot of
wall for £40. This took everyone by surprise and raised a huge total of £10,960.
A sponsored walk followed in September 2007, a very enjoyable walk up to
Whashton and back undertaken by all ages from seven to seventy.
£938 was added to the pot.
Finally following the harvest supper we held an auction of items kindly donated
which made a further £615.
Many of you kindly covenanted your giving which meant we were able to claim tax
back from the government in the sum of £3,007 and with £442 raised from interest
on the sum in the bank we ended up raising £15,962.
In the Summer of 2008 Keith and Brian came and built a splendid wall around the
churchyard and I know many of you often walked down to check on progress and to
pass the time of day.
The gate was hung and a new kissing gate installed and finally in Summer of this
year the path was extended from the old boundary to the new gate.
On Sunday 27h September 2009 the Bishop of Knaresborough came and we held a
service to consecrate the new extension. It was the first time he had undertaken
such a service and I'm sure it was the first time many of us in Gilling had been
to one too. The sun came out and the rain kept away and the Bishop walked to all
four corners of the churchyard to make the sign of the cross. finally ending in
the centre of the churchyard where the new land was blessed.
Refreshments followed in Church and all in all it was a perfect end to many
years of preparation.
So finally I would like to thank everyone who was been involved in the process.
and especially to everyone who has donated in whatever way to the fundraising.
Thank-You.