'We wouldn't want to live anywhere else!'
EVIDENCE of the village's existence dates back more than a millennium, to a mention of Fenton in 963AD.
Even earlier, records from 800AD talk of a settlement east of Sherburn, dotted with tiny houses made of poles covered by skins or leaves.
Facilities have improved since then. The 14th century brought a church to Fenton, lending it its original “Kirk” prefix. Its vicarage, now the “Old Vicarage,” was first recorded in 1663
A chapel came to Church Fenton in 1804 – later replaced by the current Methodist Chapel 90 years later – and the Leeds to Selby railway line opened in 1834.
RAF Church Fenton opened in 1937 enthusiast Ian Herbert has a full history of the site at http://www.rafchurchfenton.org.uk
The people writing in this feature have a range of stories to tell from their time in the village, with varying perspectives: as residents, school pupils, religious workers and more. Kirk Fenton School’s headteacher has also given a brief guide to the school.
Paquita Bankes- Jones
“Now what shall I call this? Happy days in Church Fenton would fit, for that is what it has been.
“Our first home was a cottage in Nanny Lane. Opposite was a beautiful field of cowslips, beyond which we could see St Mary’s Church. Big black Tom, the heavy horse with white feathery legs pastured there.
“Down Gay Lane was a good pram push with toddlers. Playing hide and seek, catch and soldiers amongst the straw bales, finishing with a picnic was fun.
“Our big move happened in 1960, tables, chairs, beds and all, were moved by a tractor and trailer to The Orchards near the church.
“What a lovely place it has been to raise three sons. Our big garden is now carpeted by snowdrops. Jacob sheep graze in the paddock.
Best of all, has been the friendship of our village folk. We are grateful for the kindness we have received in this place. It has been a joy to be part of the Christian Community here.”
Ken Marshall
“In 1944 I came to Church Fenton with my family as a boy of eight, when we moved onto a farm in the village.
“It was a stable, friendly community, in which everyone knew all about each other, full of characters like the old farm worker who had never seen the sea.
“In spite of the war, it was in many ways an idyllic country childhood, so when I returned in 2001 to retire, I was aware that the village would be a very different place.
“Having been a Methodist minister for 40 years I was looking forward to putting down roots after years of moving around.
“I found that in spite of the many unfamiliar faces, this was still a strong community, with many opportunities to meet people through the churches, the village hall etc. and around the village, wonderful open countryside, birds and flowers and rich farmland reflecting the rhythm of the seasons.”
Kirk Fenton Primary School
Headteacher Marylin Tulloch
“Church Fenton is in the centre of a group of rural villages that make up the catchment area for Kirk Fenton School. The school has recently undergone a half a million pound extension to add a nursery class and two permanent classrooms.
“The school has just opened a nursery lunch club (a daily party!) so that the nursery aged pupils can stay at school until 1pm. The SATs results are nearly always above the average for North Yorkshire and nationally.
“The school is open, friendly and easy to approach with very good links to the local community, and provides a full and enhanced curriculum for the pupils, involving them in a wide range of experiences.
“The classes have recently used the local airbase, the railway station and the old school to enhance their work across the curriculum.
“Last year, Year Five and Six pupils visited London for three days and especially enjoyed meeting their member of parliament, John Grogan in the Palace of Westminster!
“The older children are looking forward to their forthcoming residential visit to Bewerley Park Outdoor centre.”
The Pupils
Harry Jackson, seven, and Jamie Lee, six
“I like this school because it’s nice and fun and we enjoy ourselves. I like it because lots of nice people play fun games with me. Science is very enjoyable and writing stories is fun. I like maths because of the hard sums.”
Hayley Carr, nine
“I like my school because of our good facilities such as our swimming pool, science experiments, technology and most of all our outdoor equipment. I like to use this equipment when I am a play buddy and playing with the younger children. I also like to play with my friends.
Francesca James, 11
“I’ve just started at this school and I’ve settled in really well because people have been really friendly and nice to me. I was a bit shy when I first came and now I’m much better because everyone has been encouraging and supporting me.
Ebony Robins Noble, nine
“Teachers are very kind at this school. We do a lot of my favourite subjects, which are art and science. I like the trips we go on. I enjoy all the after school clubs, particularly art club.”
Christy Theobald, 11
“I enjoy days like sports day, super teams and other athletic activities. I also enjoy science, I love to do the experiments, and art lessons. I also like to do maths and I am talented at number work. When the weather is nice outside I love to play games with the equipment.”
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Weather for Harrogate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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