Sue Woodcock: Joyful moments and a church mission

From what I could hear, which wasn't much, it was very informative. While I was enjoying a cup of coffee and a biscuit, I was approached by the church warden of Hubberholme church, a building I am very fond of.

The congregation are trying to raise money, quite a lot of it, to install water and a loo in the church, both very much needed. They asked if I would give them a talk to raise some cash. I agreed and will do all I can to help them. JB Priestley thought this church was akin to heaven and I agree with him.

I am left with 10 chickens now after the rest were re-homed. It makes my feed bill a bit less and I can't eat too many eggs in one week. My friend and I had fun rounding them up, and off they went, leaving a rather empty barn.

I went to the rehearsal for the wedding and christening I had been looking forward to. It was at St Oswald's church at Arncliffe. This is a gem of a village, the church stands right behind the River Skirfare and a more idyllic setting would be hard to find. I arrived very early and sat in the sunshine in the churchyard listening to the rippling of the nearby river, the sounds of the lambs bleating on the hillside and the birds singing.

It was warm and comforting sitting peacefully in one of Yorkshire's best spots. There are some massive trees on the periphery of the churchyard which have two large rookeries in them.

Rooks are a noisy lot; they were squabbling and squawking and screeching at each other. Now I understand why the correct collective noun is a parliament. It sort of reminded me of something.

My godson behaved perfectly at the rehearsal, causing much amusement when he grabbed hold of the vicar's beard with gusto and wouldn't let go. The vicar was wonderful and took it in his stride. After the rehearsal we moved up to Litton, another perfect example of the Yorkshire Dales where we supped very good beer and chatted in the sunshine for a while.

Then I had to move to the next valley over to get to the rehearsal with the Buckden Singers. The drive down through the hamlet of Hawkswick was a delight but I had to go really slowly to avoid suicidal rabbits, pheasants and an agitated stoat who was reluctant to leave off feasting on a squashed rabbit. They are very handsome animals,

so I stopped and watched him. I knew better than to approach, having once been bitten by a stoat. Finally he dragged the carcass to the side of the road and I carried on. In my mirror I could see the stoat watching me resentfully.

Two days later came the wedding and christening. The weather was perfect, warm sunshine and it was a wonderful service. I had found in the little-visited back of my wardrobe a rather decent dress and a hat. The dress was long, as for ages now I have decided that my legs are not for public display. Suitably attired I drove up to Arncliffe. The road was full of tourists. You can tell them because they travel at a snail's pace and stop to photograph lambs and rabbits and "ooh" and "aah" at everything.

I had time for some refreshment at the pub in the village and then we assembled for the service. The bride was fashionably late but no-one seemed to mind.

The church was pretty full and it was wonderful. To be present when two good friends of mine married each other was a treat. This time the baby wasn't so happy, but having been christened he settled down.

Afterwards we gathered in the sunshine where photos were taken. The church bells were ringing and echoing back from the nearby crags.

Even the sheep seemed to pause and wonder at the noise. It was a joyful time. Then we adjourned up to Litton for a delicious hog roast and the reception.

More guests arrived by coach and I watched with admiration as the coach driver negotiated the narrow and twisty road. I spent time chatting to friends both new and old and after the formalities had to go because I had to get back to my animals.

Once home I changed in to some warmer and definitely more practical attire and looked for what I thought was the one remaining ewe due to lamb. Of course, she was up in the far corner of the far field and as I approached I discovered she had produced a set of charming but small twins without my assistance.

All was well so I left her to it, much relieved that lambing was over.

My mistake. The next morning when I went out at first light to check her, there was one of last year's lambs proudly showing off her offspring, a handsome black tup lamb.

She hadn't even looked to be pregnant but is obviously a good mother and the lamb was sucking well. Since then I have been regarding the few remaining of last year's lambs with great suspicion. Time will tell.

The older of the lambs have ganged up, playing and gambolling. Most of them are black or black and white but there are three larger plain white lambs.

The black ones ambush them around the corners of the buildings. Then they all turn tail and rush round the other way causing me much amusement.

The next day the weather had changed. It was raining. Not enough to be really useful but it will encourage the grass to grow.

Other plants are growing too. The celandines are in full bloom and the delicate blooms of pale blue speedwell are looking like sapphires in the grass.

The house martins and swallows have taken up residence in the barn and flit round gathering nesting materials.

Coming back late after the weekly pub quiz I saw two huge owls gliding out of my barn door into the night as I pulled up. If they nest in there I shouldn't have any problem with mice this year.

The dogs, all five of them, have palled-up and the new one Jack seems very happy. He loves cuddles but when I am trying to knit and sew he is rather large to sit on my lap. He can run like the wind and gives

the other collies a good workout.

He likes chasing balls but will get distracted and drops them and then watches while I trail across the field and retrieve them. I don't think it's supposed to work quite like that.

Out of sheer self defence I have had to hide the squeaky toys but he keeps finding them.

The local Grassington Players put on a great show this week, Follow the Fleece.

It played to packed houses and was, or so I am told, excellent. I would have liked to have gone but had other commitments.

I think I missed a great evening!

CW 1/5/10