YCA meeting

Twenty-three members attended the October 14 meeting of the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association, with a guest from Rillington branch, Louise Tindall. Chairman Carol Stephenson welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the speaker James Wilkinson, whose topic was ‘Frontline to K9’.

James, a country boy, started after school to train in game management with a desire to become a game keeper. He first worked on the Isle of Lewis as a gillie on fisheries and deer hunting. He then secured a job as under keeper covering areas of the North York Moors around Helmsley.

With a brother in the military police and a sister in the Queen Alexandra nursing service, he decided to join the army in 2007. After doing basic training in this country, achieving top honours for his shooting ability, he joined the dog corp. With his shooting record and dog handling skills he was a real asset to the service. He was then sent to Germany to work on training with dogs and training handlers later on. He enjoyed the social aspect and the country, taking part in plenty of snow sports. There followed three tours of Afghanistan.

The first was working with an attack dog guarding camp Bastion and airfields, the second and third tours were working with a search dog looking for IEDs, guns, explosives and money. He talked about several episodes of success, the aim being to protect our troops, and prevent insurgents arming themselves and others. James talked openly about the adrenalin rush of action and contact with the enemy, but also the sadness and upset at losing friends and colleagues who suffered horrific injuries.

On his third tour in 2011 he suffered a near fatal injury being near an exploding IED, he remembers very little until waking up in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The road to recovery has been long and difficult. He spent time at Headly Court, a specialist rehabilitation centre for servicemen which provided a very structured recovery programme both physically and mentally.

Moving to Sherburn in 2014 to start his business K9 has been a new start, building on his expertise working with dogs he provides hydrotherapy treatment for dogs in a specially built pool, training dogs, and also sells dog food for working dogs and pets. His passions continue to be country pursuits, shooting in particular, he has seven dogs at home.

For now his focus is on his children. With the support of his partner and family he has a full and busy life. His talk was accompanied by a slide show of views from his life and time in the army.

Christine Ashton gave a vote of thanks for an enthralling talk. The business of the meeting covered the Christmas outing, and an excellent Mell Supper provided by Rillington branch. Mrs Stephenson reported that the Macmillan coffee morning raised £869.07 plus £11.30 raised by the school, she thanked all members who helped. The competition for a photograph of a favourite animal was won by Mrs Ireland, nine members took part. The raffle for a bowl of fruit was won by Mrs Stephenson. The hostesses were Hazel Skilbeck and Jean Hodgson.

The next meeting is on November 11, 2pm-4pm, in the village hall. The speaker is Mr E Barker with ‘Sing Along with Eddie’. New members welcome. of tinned and dried goods to the altar to be blessed. This will be sent to Ryedale Food Bank. The worship was wholly led by the children who performed items relating to harvest and also gave the prayers. The Rev Joe Kinsella welcomed everyone and spoke a few words. After the service the certificates for full attendance were handed out, together with various other certificates and the RingroseSaville Cup was presented to Izzy Hatch. The general harvest festival was held on Thursday evening with the Rev Joe Kinsella leading; the organist was Martin Monkman and sidespersons were Jean Usher and Barbara Grice. The Rev Joe paid tribute to Lydia Mok, Jean Usher and Barbara Grice who had been responsible for the decorating of the church. Supper was served at the end of the service by the ladies of the church.

The Rev Joe Kinsella officiated at the Holy Communion service when he took the story of the blind leper Bartholomew as his theme. Martin Monkman played the organ and sidespersons were Betty Flinton and Barbara Grice, who also read the lesson. Coffee was served at the close of the service by Jean Usher and helpers.

There will be no morning worship on Sunday November 8, but the usual remembrance service will be held at the memorial outside the school at 10.45am. Morgan, to the chapel to lead worship on Sunday morning. Christine Pickard welcomed everyone as they arrived and the steward was Liz Aconley. Organist was Chris Cade and the gospel reading from John was read by Janet Magee. The Rev Morgan took as his theme, loving one another and loving our neighbour and also told us about how he became a minister. After worship we enjoyed refreshments in the hall.

The worship on Sunday at 10.30am will be led by the worship team and will include the blessing of the Christmas shoeboxes before they begin their long journey to eastern Europe. All are invited to come along and share in this service.

On November 8 we will be having Holy Communion at 10am with the Rev Denise Free prior to joining in the village remembrance at the memorial at 10.45am. All are welcome to join us. day Club children showed lanterns they had made with glow sticks instead of candles.

Cloughton Coffee Club is tomorrow (Friday) from 10am11.30am, and Sunday’s service will be Holy Communion at 10am. The Friendship Group is at noon at the Three Jolly Sailors on Wednesday November 4, and the Men’s Group meets on Saturday November 7. There is to be a special service of Commemoration of the Departed at 3pm this Sunday, and Sunday Club is at 4pm.