Ripon firefighters save pony stuck in mudRipon firefighters helped to a free a pony that got stuck in the mud this week.
The pony, called Monarch, was unable to get up after lying in mud at the side of a small stream.
He panicked and soon became exhausted.
The owner called for help from a vet, who summoned the assistance of fire crews from Ripon, Malton and Richmond.
The vet sedated Monarch and the firefighters were eventually able to free him from the stream in Ravensworth, Richmondshire.
Swale Veterinary Surgery, whose vet Lesley responded to the incident, posted on its Facebook page:
“Amazingly Monarch had no severe injuries and was just a bit sore and stiff after the ordeal.
“Amazing work Lesley and a massive thank you to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for helping get Monarch out safely.”
Monarch recovering afterwards.
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Kirkby Malzeard’s bells could ring again for Queen’s jubileeThe bells of St Andrew’s in Kirkby Malzeard, which have been silent for several years, could ring again this year to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Jonathan Couchman of Two Dales Bell Ringers, which is an informal group that encourages and promotes bell ringing in Wensleydale and Swaledale, said:
“St Andrew’s church has six beautiful bells but nobody to ring them so in liaison with the church, we would like to mark the jubilee by establishing a bell band there.”
Last year, the Wensleydale ringers held a course of short, interactive online presentations on bell ringing, which resulted in nine new recruits.
The activity does not require great strength and children as young as 10 are able to participate.
This spring, a second course is planned, with hands-on training in local towers, including St Andrew’s, and other church towers in Askrigg, Aysgarth, Grinton and Richmond.
Training will be interspersed with online presentations. Times and dates of sessions will be arranged in agreement with participants and the aim is to hold the first session in late February.
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“We invite everyone to join us, from those who have simply wondered about how the bells are rung through to those interested in whether bell ringing is for them.
“It is a team activity that keeps your brain active and your body agile. Some do it for the community of friends, some do it to contribute to church life, some to keep the glorious sound of bells alive, and some do it for the pure pleasure and feeling of wellbeing it brings.”
For more than 500 years church bells have resounded across Wensleydale and Swaledale, but for the first time since World War II, they fell silent because of social distancing requirements and covid lockdowns, which put bell ringing on hold.
Anybody wanting to find out more and how to participate, can email David Scrutton at wensleydaleringers@gmail.com.