Bishop Monkton choir goes viral with lockdown take on 1960s hit

A Bishop Monkton choir group has gone viral with their lockdown twist on the 1960s Petula Clark hit ‘Downtown’.

The group leader of Bishop Monkton Singing for Fun group, Angie Archbold, set her members the task of re-writing a verse for the tune they renamed ‘Lockdown’.

A couple of members took on the challenge, but one by Pauline Beecroft stood out to members. Pauline was inspired by the new restrictions and ways of life coronavirus has forced upon us.

One of her re-written verses goes:

Walks in the countryside are not to be missed when we are all stuck in LOCKDOWN.You’ll notice things you never thought could exist, embracing everything – LOCKDOWN.

Traffic noise is non-existent, some say ‘more’s the pity’, No pollution anywhere, they’ve sanitised our city.

Now wash your hands! Remember your personal space!

We can forget touching noses, our eyes and our face, While in – LOCKDOWN

Furlough will rescue you – LOCKDOWN. Zoom meetings welcome you – LOCKDOWN

Bishop Monkton choir

During one of the choir’s zoom rehearsals.

Pauline and Angie have since appeared on BBC Look North, Radio York and BBC 5 live to talk about the ‘Lockdown’ re-write challenge.

The choir is now trying to get in touch with Petula Clark, who originally sang the song, to ask her what she thinks of their version.

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The group have been meeting online once a week since April last year. One of the organisers, Colin Philpott, said it has meant some older members of the village can now join in.

“It’s a good example of keeping in touch. We had a number of members who acquired iPads to take part. It’s great fun, we meet every Thursday and sing songs from the 1940s right through to today.”

 

Plans to turn Bishop Monkton pub into five houses

There are new plans to turn a village pub in Bishop Monkton, south of Ripon, into five houses.

If the plans get the go-ahead the Lamb and Flag, on Boroughbridge Road, could soon make way for more housing in the area.

The pub would be converted into two homes, the existing bed and breakfast would be converted into one house and the developers would also build two new houses on the rear car park.

Bishop Monkton, which the Domesday Book refers to as the “Tun of the monks,” has seen an increase in residential development over the last 50 years.

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The Lamb and Flag is a “building of interest” and sits next to listed buildings. However, the planning application says the harm to those buildings would be “less than substantial.”

Developers also say in the plans that the design of the new houses will retain the character of the original pub and the core of the building.

Harrogate Borough Council formally acknowledged the planning application last Friday. There’s no date set for when it will be heard.

Despite new developments and growing populations, village pubs have found it difficult to survive.

Nearby Burton Leonard lost a pub in recent years. The Hare and Hounds was also replaced by housing.