Sunday Picture Quiz Answers: January 4Kirby Hill to commemorate 150th anniversary of church organ

Residents in Kirby Hill are set to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a church organ at All Saints’ Church.

The organ was first installed in 1873 following the restoration of the church by architect George Gilbert Scott.

Peter Crawford, organist at All Saints’ Church, said the instrument has only had one addition to it since its installation 150 years ago.

He said:

“Except for the addition of an electric blower in 1949, the organ is exactly as it was when first installed. It is a rare example of a late Victorian instrument, virtually unchanged since it was built and still in good working order.

“As such, it is of great historical importance. It is a privilege to play it every week.”

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As part of the anniversary, the village will hold a “tunes and blooms” celebration from July 28 until July 30.

The church will be decorated in floral displays and drinks and nibbles will be held on Friday evening from 7pm.

Meanwhile, the church will be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday and there will be short organ recitals throughout each day. 

On Saturday evening at 7:30pm there is a concert featuring the organ and choir. On Sunday at 6:30pm the weekend will conclude with a special Songs of Praise service. 

For more information on the events, visit the All Saints’ Church website here.

Plan approved to convert 150-year-old Harrogate church into house

A plan to convert a 150-year-old church in Harrogate into a house has been approved.

All Saints Church on Otley Road was formerly opened in 1871 as a cemetery chapel.

It was designated as a grade-II listed building in 1975, but was forced to shut in November 2006 due to wet and dry rot.

Three-years later the church closed for good as it was considered unsafe.

Now, North Yorkshire Council has given the go-ahead for the church to be converted into a three-bedroom house.

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The application, submitted by ELG Planning on behalf of Mr and Mrs Hunter, said the church could be salvaged and brought back into use.

In a planning statement, the developers said:

“The former Church of All Saints is a building in much need of attention. 

“The applicant has belief that the existing building can be resurrected with restoration and modification to form a long term home for themselves and enjoyed by family members. 

“Without foresight the building can, with the right approach be salvaged, and put to continued use as a sanctuary and place of continued life.”

Ukrainian soloist to join Knaresborough choir to sing of peace at Christmas

A Ukrainian soloist will sing of peace on earth in a special Christmas concert set to take place in a village church near Harrogate.

Soprano Natalka Pasicznyk is one of three soloists to join Knaresborough Choral Society for Carols by Candlelight at All Saints’ Church in Kirkby Overblow.

She will sing Peace on Earth by modern British composer Errollyn Wallen, made particularly poignant by the war in Ukraine which continues to affect members of Natalka’s family.

The choir’s musical director, William Bruce, said:

“Errollyn Warren’s new composition, Peace on Earth, is just so appropriate and Natalka is going to sing that as a solo.

“We always strive to make our programme as diverse and inclusive as possible. Most of the audience won’t have heard some of the pieces we’re performing so although there will be some familiar carols in there, there will be something new too.”

As well as Natalka, the concert will feature tenor Alexander Kyle and bass Isaac Cooper, accompanied David Grealy.

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William joined the 50-strong Knaresborough Choral Society around a year ago and this will be the first time he has put together the programme for one of its concerts.

His full-time job is working with choristers at Leeds Cathedral, so he said the role with Knaresborough Choral Society appealed because it allowed him to select different pieces and explore some of the great composers, including Mozart and Bach.

He added:

“The choir members are very ambitious which is a real virtue because they are dedicated and work so hard through the week.

“My job is to put it all together which is wonderful, because some choirs only turn up for the social side. We do have that, but they also put the time in and we see the results.

“They deserve the best soloists in the country to come and sing with them so I’m really delighted with the line-up and I know we’re going to put on a great night of music.”

The concert takes place on Saturday, December 10 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Shoulder of Mutton in Kirkby Overblow, Art in the Mill in Knaresborough, or by emailing Knaresborough Choral Society.

150-year-old Harrogate church could be turned into house

A Harrogate church which is more than 150 years old could be turned into a home, under new plans.

All Saints Church on Otley Road was formerly opened in 1871 as a cemetery chapel.

It was designated as a grade-II listed building in 1975, but was forced to shut in November 2006 due to wet and dry rot.

Three-years later the church closed for good as it was considered unsafe.

Now, under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the building could be converted into a three bedroom house.

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The application, submitted by ELG Planning on behalf of Mr and Mrs Hunter, said the church could be salvaged and brought back into use.

In a planning statement, the developers said:

“The former Church of All Saints is a building in much need of attention. 

“The applicant has belief that the existing building can be resurrected with restoration and modification to form a long term home for themselves and enjoyed by family members. 

“Without foresight the building can, with the right approach be salvaged, and put to continued use as a sanctuary and place of continued life.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.