One of our Ripon churches has been celebrating community and the environment with their Community Garden.
On Sunday, July 16 the United Benefice of Leyburn and Bellerby welcomed the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, to Bellerby for a service and tour of their Community Garden.
The service started off in the garden, with a hymn and prayers, before the congregation heard from members of the community about the transformation of rocky wasteland to a beautiful community garden with a greenhouse, space to relax and the opportunity to garden.
The garden was described by a recent visitor as “it's as if the garden is hugging you.”
The service continued in the church, with a member of the environment group talking about the work being done in the churchyard and St John's Church to draw closer to achieving Net Zero by 2030.
After a talk by Bishop Nick, the attendees went to the Memorial Hall, where an amazing selection of cakes and tables decorated with local wild flowers from around Bellerby was on offer.
The Revd Stephen Hanscombe, vicar of the Benefice of Leyburn and Bellerby, said: “It was a fantastic afternoon where our people came together to celebrate all that is going on in our communities.
“Bishop Nick inspired us to continue with this work as he reflected on the importance of gardens in the Bible and at the centre of our faith.”
The Community Garden is open all the time, the church is open between 10am and 4pm and all are welcome to enjoy the space and beauty of both places.