Ryhall Church - St. John The Evangelist Church, Ryhall
History Of The Ryhall Church
The Ryhall Church you see today is not the original one. An earlier one, built in 1108, was where the nave now stands, and probably had a small chancel to the East. Presumably it fell into disrepair, and the one you now see was built early in the thirteenth century. The side aisles were built a little later.
The chancel was added in the fifteenth century when both aisles were widened, and the clerestory (rank of windows high on the walls) added.
Its clear glass windows, typical of Rutland churches add to its beauty. The stained glass window in what was the Lady Chapel, to the East of the chancel arch, is by Thomas Kempe – you can see a sheaf of wheat, his trademark.
Around the Ryhall church are niches where statues once stood. These were almost certainly destroyed at the Reformation.
The Ryhall church has two unusual features –the C15th carved human heads and animals and the remains of St Tibba’s cell. St Tibba, Patron Saint of falconers was an Anchorite (Female Hermit). Roads in the village are named after her and St Eabba, another Anchorite.
The outline of her cell, a squint, or window through which she could hear the Mass and a niche where food was passed to her, are still visible on the outer East wall.
Ryhall Church Today
The Ryhall church is currently undergoing a large restoration and renewal programme. We have to replace the roof, which is leaking in many places, and the old guttering and down-pipes.
We plan to replace the life-expired heating system with a more efficient and environmentally-friendly one, and to install a new lighting and audio-visual system – and, of course, to encourage more people to come to faith, rekindle a forgotten or abandoned faith, practise the faith they value or indulge their interest in church architecture.
We have strong links with our Church Primary School, Ryhall Academy. The children are regular visitors to church for their RE lessons and termly services. Rev Jo visits the school weekly to lead Assembly.
Another increasingly strong link is with our friends from the Methodist Church and their Minister, Revd William Booker. We share a common faith (plus coffee and cake) and worship from time to time as Churches Together in Ryhall.
Recent Ryhall & Belmethorpe News
Ryhall Parish Council Dec 2022
Dave Amies – Chairman – The Post Office , Ryhall David Wilby – County Councillor – Orchard House Essendine Road, Ryhall Stamford PE9 4HE dwilby@rutland.gov.uk CLERK : Sarah Gresty, 077189 00848 clerk@ryhallparishcouncil.co.uk Ryhall Parish Council Website www.ryhallparishcouncil.co.uk Extracts from Minutes of Ryhall Parish Council (RPC) Meeting held at The Methodist
St John’s Church, Ryhall Dec 2022
Winners of the NOVEMBER 50+ Draw 1st Prize £100-50 – number 55 – Eileen Morgan. 2nd Prize £50-25 – number 67 – Shaun Rolfe. 3rd Prize £16-75 – number 26 Anita Altham. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my retirement gift from Ryhall. It was totally unexpected and I
Ryhall Churches Together launched the new Warm Welcome Spaces initiative
Ryhall Churches Together launched the new Warm Welcome Spaces initiative in November which takes place in the library on Wednesdays 10am-4pm and is plan-ning to continue into December. Volunteers always welcome. If you’re interested, contact Sandra on Tel: 07554-740370 or email: thesandrachapman@gmail.com.
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe Dec 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE with Sam McGreevy. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 ZUMBA WITH RACHEL Tuesdays 9.30-10.30am Thursday 6-7pm Saturday 9.30-10.30am. Booking required or for more information contact Rachel 07815 838409 RYHALL PLAYGROUP meets every Monday in term time 9-10.30 . £1,50 for one adult and child, 50p
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Nov 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE with Sam McGreevy. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 ZUMBA WITH RACHEL Tuesdays 9.30-10.30am Thursday 6-7pm Saturday 9.30-10.30am. Booking required or for more information contact Rachel 07815 838409 RYHALL PLAYGROUP meets every Monday in term time 9-10.30 . £1,50 for one adult and child, 50p
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Oct 2022
Winners of the SEPTEMBER 50+ Draw 1st Prize £100-50 – number 13 – Chris Parsons. 2nd Prize £50-25 -number 50 – Liz Hastings. 3rd Prize £16-75 – number 19 – Anne Harrison. There will be a memorial service for the late Mary Berwick in Ryhall Church on Sunday October 2nd
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Sept 2022
Winners of the august 50+ Draw 1st Prize £100-50 – number 52 – Jean Williams. 2nd Prize £50-25 – number 58 – Jacqui Hardy. 3rd Prize £16-75 – number 82 – Neil Fenn. From the Registers 14 August 2022 Baptism of Arla-Blayke Hindmarch Shine as a light in the world
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Campaign Report – Sept 2022
Good progress continues to be made on the church roof. The new nave roof is on and the north and south aisle roofs are in progress. As I write, we are still on track to complete the roof replacement by the middle of September. We are extremely grateful for a further
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Sept 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 T’AI CHI CLASSES AT RYHALL VILLAGE HALL: Suitable for all ages and fitness levels as well as complete beginners. Wednesdays12.00-1.00. For more information please contact Ann: Carpenterann356@aol.com 07931193350 ZUMBA WITH
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Aug 2022
Winners of the July 50Plus Draw 1st Prize £100-50 – number 61 – Tom Rowlands. 2nd Prize £50-25 – number 81 – Roger Birch. 3rd Prize £16-75 – number 47 – Peter Rickett. We often hear about unleavened bread in the bible. Here is an easy recipe for it 2
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Campaign Report – Aug 2022
Good progress is being made on the church roof. Despite a few surprises once work got underway, work is planned to complete just a little later than planned in early September. The need to reboard the whole roof, some very worn coping stones and an angry hive of honeybees that
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Aug 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 T’AI CHI CLASSES AT RYHALL VILLAGE HALL: Suitable for all ages and fitness levels as well as complete beginners. Wednesdays12.00-1.00. For more information please contact Ann: Carpenterann356@aol.com 07931193350 ZUMBA
St John’s Church, Ryhall – July 2022
50Plus CLUB WINNERS MAY 1st Prize £103-50 – no 22 – Elinor Hawksley . 2nd Prize £51-75 – no 44 – Rebecca Storey. 3rd Prize £17-25 – no 57 – Susan Haynes. JUNE 1st Prize £102-00 – no 42 – Shirley Catlin. 2nd Prize £51-00 – no 26 – Anita
News From The Village Of Belmesthorpe – July 2022
DOROTHY DOLBY Dorothy has lived at The Paddock in Belmesthorpe for the last 56 years and must be one of the village’s best—known residents. During her time in the village she has taken on so many challenges, not least having the foresight to launch this Village News. She would cycle to Stamford
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Campaign – July 2022
We are delighted and very grateful that the work has started to replace the church roof! The new roof will make the building a much drier, warmer and more welcoming place to be. Please take care if you are using the churchyard during the works which should last 12-13 weeks.
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – July 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 T’AI CHI CLASSES AT RYHALL VILLAGE HALL: Suitable for all ages and fitness levels as well as complete beginners. Wednesdays12.00-1.00. For more information please contact Ann: Carpenterann356@aol.com 07931193350 ZUMBA
St John’s Church, Ryhall – June 2022
50+ club winners for May will appear in the July newsletter along with June winners as our organiser, John Finden, is unwell. We wish him a speedy and full recovery. CHURCH FLOWERS FOR THE JUBILEE The twelve ladies who always decorate the church so beautifully for festivals are willing to
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Campaign Report – June 2022
Ground works in St. John’s Churchyard were completed in April to protect the building from water damage and are an essential part of preserving its integrity. We will be greatly relieved to see the main roof work get started in early June 2022 subject to the results of a bat survey in May.
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – June 2022
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 T’AI CHI CLASSES AT RYHALL VILLAGE HALL: Suitable for all ages and fitness levels as well as complete beginners. Wednesdays12.00-1.00. For more information please contact Ann: Carpenterann356@aol.com 07931193350 ZUMBA
St John’s Church, Ryhall – May 2022
Winners of the APRIL 50Plus Draw 1st prize £103-50 – number 41 – Sue Conlon. 2nd Prize £51-75 – number 58 – Jacqui Hardy. 3rd Prize £17-25 – number 20 – Alison Hindmarch. FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals April 13th Debbie Dunthorne followed by burial at Ryhall April 20th David Harrison