Wolds Diary: Cross county trips to raise a smile

Tuesday was very busy. In the afternoon I went to Brayton, just outside Selby. I got a little held up on the way and arrived a few minutes late but they forgave me. I have been there before and it is a lovely hall in the grounds of the beautiful St Wilfred’s Church. The ladies were a great audience and one lovely and very talented lady had made me the most beautiful little quilt which I shall treasure. They also gave me many ties.

After a dash home and a short walk with the dogs I was off again, this time to Cottingham, to St Mary’s Church. I was very early and went to check the location but found a young man waiting outside, drinking from a beer bottle, who asked for help. He said he was homeless and had nowhere to sleep that night and that he was cold so I went back to the car to grab a single duvet and cover that I’d been asked to donate to a homeless charity from the day before. What he really wanted was money and I don’t think he was best pleased.

The group of ladies at the church were an excellent audience from Watch Ashore, supporting those who worked at sea.

The next day I went further, to Tickhill, south of Doncaster. I was utterly delighted at this wonderful town. I found a wonderful ginnel that wound along for some way between very old and weatherworn stone walls, and stumbled across the half-timbered parish room that was once a leper hospital. This town is steeped in history having a castle and having been the site of a battle.

I returned to the parish room, met my hosts from the WI, and even sang Jerusalem with them.

Thursday was almost an at home day. Dog walking, housework and shopping before going to church for the final rehearsal for the next day’s concert.

Friday was exciting. I headed north this time, to Northallerton, where the Macmillan ladies luncheon club were having a big annual lunch at the Golden Lion Hotel. The lunch was delicious, the company good, the staff great and I gave my talk to over 200 guests - it seemed to go well as they laughed a lot.

My day was not over, however. Back home and then off to the concert, where I was singing in two choirs, each requiring a different coloured top to wear. We have some great talent, including some extremely good youngsters. We were treated to wonderful music, great comedy, good singing, and the event was a success. The church raised over £500 and we all felt we had done out best. On Saturday I could relax, scoring for our cricket team at the tranquil and beautiful ground at Bolton Percy. And we won!