Open House is the name given to the coffee mornings held at High Chapel every Wednesday from 10.30am - 12.00noon. They run for approximately 45 weeks of the year from February to November. In addition to coffee, cakes, chat and red squirrel information Open House offers access to the Local History Archive and local history scrap books. Come and share refreshments and local news. If you can’t manage the stairs, just shout and we’ll come down to you. All are welcome – it’s not religious, even if you are. Admission is free but donations are always welcome.
As well as the café, we offer local films, local wild flower slide shows, genealogy, local history database, parish record database, files with fascinating newspaper cuttings and photos of Trains, Farms, People, Shows, and much much more. You can read about the chapel and its ups and downs, read about the good Lord Wharton of Wharton Bible fame or Black Bartholomew’s Day when thousands of Vicars were thrown out of their Parish’s – hence the start of High Chapel. Sink back into history.
Who comes to Open House?
Eveyone is welcome to Open House. We attract many people who have relatives and ancestors from the village; people who are building up their family tree. Often we can help either with access to the growing database, contact with existing villagers who often remember families going way back or by putting an article in the Parish magazine the “Link” asking for information. Don’t forget people here still have the same names as on the original indenture of 1727, when High Chapel was set up – “history, today!”
To assist genealogists, visitors and future villagers, we have begun to scan onto computer all (that’s lots!) of local history, scrap books, social events, cuttings, art, history and any aspect of village life that can explain who we are and who we were. We are helped by one of our volunteers, Steve, who has created a searchable database (text and images) that now runs into many gigabytes. Many thanks Steve.
We also have extensive information on Ravenstonedale’s Red Squirrels – on a sunny day you can sit outside in the quite graveyard, watch the squirrels burying hazel nuts and enjoy the mix of flower beds, historic “feel” and get away from rushed modern life. If it’s rainy or if it’s too hot and sunny – come and chat at Open House.
The return of Open House to High Chapel is a significant move. It is helping us develop more services and village facilities. Your support will help our development of High Chapel as a village centre. Thanks to the United Reformed Church who own the building and who have let us use it pending any lease arrangements. The activities at High Chapel are self-financing and independent of the Parish Council.
Volunteers wanted
Open House is run completely by volunteers from the local community. If you feel you would like to help please contact Frank Chalmers. Whether it is helping serve visitors with refreshments or assisting with our programme of activities your contribution will be most welcome.
Structural Survey
The Parish Council are inviting feedback on the Structural Survey (Word doc).