I forgot to mention in the previous blog that Tadcaster is well known for its ales and for supplying limestone for the construction of York Minster. Pretty sure there used to be a Roman encampment of some kind there too. Today during a visit to the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall in York I learnt that an enormously bloody battle during the War of the Roses was held about 3 km south of Tadcaster.
The bus deposited me at the corner of the main road and the lane into the original Newton Kyme village.
This the scene behind me as I wait for the bus returning to Tadcaster
The lane a bit further along from the main road
Once I’d walked to the end of the lane I reached a T intersection.
Start of the houses
Other houses shown were to the right of the one in the above photo. I didn’t have time to venture down the left hand side of the picture.
Land opposite the houses was open pasture being part of the field shown in the first photo. A large gate led into the field and was the public access to the church. It also gave access to the Ebor Way https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebor_Way which I’ve read and been told includes a very attractive walk to Tadcaster.
Field of sheep
St Andrew’s Church Newton Kyme from field
St Andrew’s Church
The family tombstone tucked away in a back corner with a couple of odd looking gargoyles above it
Behind the trees is a stone wall between the hall and the church meeting up at the church wall.
Tombstone of Joseph and Mary Holdsworth
At the time of Mary’s death there were 2 daughters and 1 son alive in England so I guess one of them must have been responsible for her burial and erection of the joint tombstone.
By this time I was ready for a rest and lunch but there were no seats. At exactly the right moment a small group of ramblers arrived and knowing about country churches pushed the white gate of the church to have it yield allowing access to some bench seats immediately inside. During our lunch and chat one of them pointed out the notice on the inner door announcing that the key to the church was available from 2 sites in the village, one being the hall. I retraced my steps to the big gate and headed to the gates guarding Newton Hall. They had no intention of yielding so I headed for the other only possible access point going towards the back of the hall where I knocked on the first available door. I then met a pleasant couple and a gorgeous border collie dog and was told me to knock on the next door. The owner of the next door couldn’t find the key but undertook to take me to the church. During this exercise I discovered that Newton Hall had been sold after WW1 and subdivided into 3 sections in the early 1980s. I was taken from the back door through the house and out the front door through a beautiful, light, airy high ceilinged front room across the yard to a church door accessible to the hall. I asked if I could take some garden photos later and was told not to go beyond a certain distance as we’d already established that my mobility wasn’t great and that I’d never outrun the geese found further down the garden.
Altar with fresh flowers
I was a bit fascinated by the embroidered kneelers which I’d also seen elsewhere
Hole in inner church wall allowing a view of the altar. I have since learnt it is called a squint or hagioscope allowing people off the main area of the church to see the altar.
Looks like it is the 12th century font http://www.stmarystadcaster.co.uk/a-tour-of-st-andrews-newton-kyme.html see for more information about the church
Several of Joseph and Mary’s children were baptised at Newton Kyme including the one who travelled to Australia.
Painting of church before the old pews were removed The painting was hanging in the area beneath the tower and I stood in the entrance way to it and took the photograph.
Today I visited an old church in York which retains the old pews.
Face on right hand side of the entrance door
Face on the left hand side of the entrance door
External doorway containing the two faces
The animal pics and St Andrews cross are on the outside doorway. the one with the white gate
garden
Church and garden within Newton Hall grounds
Newton Hall from near church
Activity in the garden near the hall
Newton Hall from near the church
