All Saints' Church

Christmas Market 2019
2019-11-30 13:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | All Saints’ Church, Bolton Percy, York, YO23 7AL, United Kingdom
This year the Annual Bolton Percy Christmas Market, held in the beautiful All Saints’ church, broke all previous records. There were more stalls than ever before and our visitor numbers were up by well over 20%. There was a wide variety of products and gifts once again, including Cheese, Chutneys, Home Baking, Jewellery, Cards, Plants, Books, Crafts, Knitwear, Home & Garden Decorations, Christmas Products and many other gifts. Despite the inclement weather we had a bumper turnout and Radio York came along once again to join in the fun! Santa made his appearance right on schedule at 2pm and the children were not disappointed keeping him busy until 3.00pm. Thank you to all visitors, stallholders and organisers for making this event a success. A special thanks to the choir of Appleton Roebuck Junior School who sang so beautifully creating a magical atmosphere and finally to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us once again!

Events in 2018
2018-12-31 | Various, Bolton Percy
Saturday 24th November, 1pm to 4pm: Bolton Percy Christmas Market
This year the Annual Bolton Percy Christmas Market, held in the beautiful All Saints’ church, broke all previous records. There were more stalls than ever before and our visitor numbers were up by over 20%. There was a wide variety of products and gifts once again, including Cheese, Chutneys, Home Baking, Jewellery, Cards, Plants, Books, Crafts, Knitwear, Home & Garden Decorations, Christmas Products and many other gifts. Despite the inclement weather we had a bumper turnout and Radio York came along once again to join in the fun! Santa made his appearance right on schedule at 2pm and the children were not disappointed keeping him busy until 3.00pm. Thank you to all visitors, stallholders and organisers for making this event a success. A special thanks to the choir of Appleton Roebuck Junior School who sang so beautifully creating a magical atmosphere and finally to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us once again!
Saturday 11th August: Church Explorers Event, All Saints’ Bolton Percy
This was the third year that we took part in the Church Explorers programme run in conjunction with the JORVIK Group. The church as open as usual, during daylight hours with events taking place inside between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. The theme for 2018 was Monuments, of which All Saints’ has many. Available was information about the history of our church with fascinating facts about our predecessors who have worshipped here for hundreds of years. There was also an interactive display and films by local people telling their stories.
Sunday 13th May 2018: Rogation Service 10.30am This is a traditional service in the life of our farming community. The service starts in church then moves outside to various parts of our village where we will stop and pray at different places to remember the gift of God’s creation to us all, finishing back in church. Bring suitable clothing for inclement weather!!
Sunday 29th April 2018: Group Service 10.30am All our neighbouring parishes that Geoff Mumford and Chris Coates serve will join together for a service at Bolton Percy. There will be light refreshments served afterwards and any contributions of food will be much appreciated.
Friday 9th March 2018, 7.00pm Beetle Drive with Pie and Pea Supper
This was a very fun evening playing ‘beetle’. Lots of laughter and friendly competition was had with a delicious locally made pie served for supper. A huge thank you to all the organising team for a very successful event.
Sunday 14th January 2018, 10.30am Plough Sunday service
This is a wonderful traditional service still celebrated in our countryside village setting where our local farmers bring a horse drawn plough and a modern plough to church. The service focuses on the farming year ahead.

Events in 2017
2017-12-31 | Various, Bolton Percy
Friday 8th December, 7.30pm – “Christmas Meal with Wine”
This very popular annual event took place in the Old School Bolton Percy organised by Dawn & David Tillotson. This is a real community evening, and once again, it did not disappoint. A great time was had by all 48 attendees and the excellent sum of £450 was raised for Church repairs. Thanks to Dawn and David and all who participated !
Saturday 25th November, 1pm to 4pm: Bolton Percy Christmas Market
Held in the beautiful All Saints’ church, our annual Christmas Market this year saw over 20 stalls providing a wide variety of products including Cheese, Chocolate, Chutneys, Home Baking, Jewellery, Cards, Plants, Books, Crafts, Knitwear, Home & Garden Decorations, Christmas Products and many other gifts. Despite the cold weather we had a bumper turnout and even Radio York came along to join in the fun! As usual Santa made his appearance right on schedule at 2pm and the children were not disappointed keeping him busy until 3.00pm. Thank you to all visitors, stallholders and organisers for making this event a success. A special thanks to the choir of Appleton Roebuck Junior School who sang so beautifully creating a magical atmosphere and finally to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us once again!
Friday 3rd November, 7.30pm – the Old School, Bolton Percy: ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Register Office’ followed by a ‘Promise Auction’
First up was Rob Livesey, a former Superintendent Registrar at Manchester and York. Rob was very entertaining recounting many humorous stories and encounters from his long career which had the audience in stitches. After an interval for Supper there was a Promise Auction which raised in excess of £1000 for the Friends of All Saints, Bolton Percy. Thanks to Rob Livesey, and Event Organisers; Celia Swain and Jim & Ann-Marie Reid, and to Auctioneer Alan Swain for a very entertaining and enjoyable evening. Also thanks to everyone who attended on the night and who either donated or purchased a ‘Promise’.

Saturday 1 July 2017 – Church Explorers Day: 10am to 4pm including plaque unveiling ceremony at 2pm
This was the second year the church was open for the Church Explorers programme which was run in conjunction with the JORVIK Group.
On display were the rare Saxon Mass Dial clocks; and church guides pointed out the very many interesting features and treasures all around our beautiful church. For children, there was a Hide & Squeak game and picture quiz spotting animals, birds etc in the millennium window. Our Parish Records as far back as 1571 were also on display during the day.
Important Commemoration
On Saturday 1st July 2017 two new plaques were unveiled at All Saints’ to commemorate important and notable former Parishioners. The first plaque, which is situated on the North Wall, commemorates Rev Henry Hunnings, a former Curate at All Saints’ and inventor of the telephone microphone. Alan Swain unveiled this plaque to a small audience which included Professor Jim Matthews of the York Philosophical Society with whom Alan has corresponded regarding the life of Rev Hunnings.
The second plaque which is situated on the South Wall commemorates the 17th Century poet and former MP for Hull Andrew Marvell. This plaque was unveiled by ‘Marvell specialist’ Dr Stewart Mottram who gave an interesting and insightful speech about Andrew Marvell and in particular the time Marvell spent at Nun Appleton and Bolton Percy. Dr Mottram is a Lecturer in English at the University of Hull and was featured in the 2015 Radio 4 show ‘Ramblings with Clare Balding; Following in the Footsteps of Andrew Marvell’.
Thank you to everyone who attended including Peter Hogarth, Professor Jim and Jean Matthew and Stewart Mottram and family. A particular thank you to Stewart for giving such an interesting insight into Andrew Marvell and for unveiling the plaque in Marvell’s name.
Friday 5th May, 7.30pm – “Tilly’s Wines”
This popular wine-tasting event took place in the Old School, Bolton Percy under the guidance of Dawn & David Tillotson. Ten wines were on show supported by a first class buffet. This was another great community evening with lots of fun and laughter. A great time was had by all and the excellent sum of £355 was raised for Church repairs.
Wednesday 5th April – St Crux
Despite St Crux being covered in scaffolding – we can’t get away from it! – we had a very successful day and raised an amazing £1,014.12. Thank you to all our village bakers and helpers on the day, who gave their time and energy to raise invaluable funds for the church.
Friday 24 March – Beetle Drive

Another cracking evening put together by Susan, Tricia and the team. Two games of Beetle and a pie and pea supper with much hilarity all round. A great community event.

Events in 2016
2016-12-31 | Various, Bolton Percy
Sunday 18th December – Carol Service, All Saint’s Church, Bolton Percy, 6.30pm
This has a really festive feel as the congregation walk up a candle lit church path and are treated to a traditional service with the handbell ringers playing some pieces too. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of All Saints in the Parish Rooms after the Service.
Tuesday 20th December – Bolton Percy Christmas Draw, 7.30pm, The Old School, BP
Come along to our annual gathering to draw the winning raffle tickets and enjoy mince pies before going on to …..
Tuesday 20th December – Carols at The Crown, The Crown pub, 8.30pm, BP
This is always a popular festive favourite where our organist brings her keyboard to accompany those gathered for an enjoyable evening of carol singing. Mince pies, good beer and great cheer will liven up any cold evening.
Wednesday 21st December – Carol Singing Round the Village, 6pm, Meet at the church Lych Gate, BP
If you didn’t manage the sing-a-long in The Crown, then you have another opportunity as we sing carols around the village, raising money for local charities. There is usually a refreshment stop half way round courtesy of a welcoming household and also at the end for those still with us! Bring a torch please!
Friday 2nd December, 7.30pm – “Christmas Meal with Wine”
This popular annual event took place in the Old School Bolton Percy organised by Dawn & David Tillotson. This is a real community evening, and once again, it did not disappoint. A great time was had by all and the excellent sum of £468 was raised for Church repairs.
Saturday 26th November 2015, from 1pm to 4pm – “Christmas Market”
Held in our beautiful All Saints’ church, our annual Christmas Market this year saw a greater variety of stalls and much kinder weather than in 2015 !! Santa made his appearance right on schedule at 2pm and the children were not disappointed keeping him busy until 3.30pm. Thank you to all visitors, stallholders and organisers for making this event a success. Thanks to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule too!
Friday 21st October – Raise the Roof Bingo with food
Thank you to everyone who was part of the team who organised this event raising funds specifically for our roof project. A jolly time was had with games of bingo, a meal and a sing song led and accompanied by Alan Swain with his guitar. A true ‘old fashioned’ evening with much laughter along the way!
Saturday 16th July 2016 – Village BBQ
Thank you to everyone who helped in any way at the Village BBQ and, of course, to everyone who came and supported it. The new format of burgers and bangers on the village green seemed to work well and the weather helped to make the evening an enjoyable affair. It was especially lovely to see many families joining in having fun on the green and we had a bumper attendance of 72 adults with many children too.
A grand total of £572.94 was made towards church funds which is marvellous.
Saturday 2nd July 2016 – Village Summer Fete and Medieval Day
The annual Summer Fete was held on the village green on Saturday 2nd July. All Saints’ church was also taking part in the JORVIK Medieval Summer Events 2016 programme. In support of this the church was open to the public and Church Guides were on hand to talk about the rich history of the church and village and show off the many features (some of which are detailed on this website). Of particular interest was the Millennium Window and quiz administered by Denise Ford.
We were also very fortunate to have Roger Brook showing off his work in the Cemetery Garden and also the medieval Gatehouse (next to the church), which we were given special permission to open for the day. This was a very rare opportunity to see inside this beautiful building and as it’s currently ‘For Sale’, it’s impossible to say whether this will be the last chance we get.
Sunday 1st May 2016 – Archbishop of York’s Pilgrimage of Prayer, Witness and Blessing
On Sunday 1st May the Archbishop of York visited Bolton Percy as part of his Diocesan Pilgrimage of Prayer, Witness and Blessing. The Rogation Sunday service took part around the village and the turn out was great – even the weather stayed kind. The service ended at D’Oyly’s tearooms where villagers enjoyed tea and cakes. Many thanks to everyone who came along and made the morning so memorable.
Tuesday 19th April 2016 – fundraising event at St Crux, York.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped out on the day or donated goods. A total of £1,212.80 was raised.
Saturday 9th April 2016 – “Just A Duo” Musical Recital
Over 100 people enjoyed a spectacular evening on Saturday 9th April 2016 at All Saints’ Church, Bolton Percy when ‘Just a Duo’ (flautist Alice Thompson and guitarist Antero Pellikka) took to the stage to perform a series of classical compositions. Their set included Robert Beaser’s ‘Mountain Songs’, David Leisner’s ‘Dances in the Madhouse’ and their finale Astor Piazzolla’s 1986 composition ‘Histoire du Tango’ with individual solo performances in between. At the close the audience called them back for an Encore which included a most touching and clever rendition of the theme to ‘Postman Pat’ which they played for Alice’s sister Ellie. The Friends of All Saints would like to thank all the organisers and helpers, Appleton Roebuck School for the loan of the stage, Alice and Antero for their amazing performance and to everyone who attended and made this evening so successful.

Events in 2015
2015-12-31 | Various, Bolton Percy
Thursday 24th December 2015 – Christingle at 3.00 pm & Midnight Mass at 11.30
Christingle is always a well-attended fun family service and this year was no different. Proceeds from the Christingle service went to The Children’s Society, and from the Midnight Mass to Crisis at Christmas, both such worthy causes at the festive time of year. For both services the path up to the church was lit by lanterns giving a lovely warm welcome to everyone.
Tuesday 22nd December 2015 – Carol Singing Round the Village
Proceeds from the event went to Barnardo’s and York Street Angels (each year we choose a different charity to support).
Sunday 20th December 2015 – Carol Service
A festive carol service was held in church followed by a buffet in the Parish Room provided by the Friends of All Saints.

Tuesday 15th December 2015 – Christmas Raffle Draw followed by Carols in the Crown
Locals enjoyed coffee and mince pies at the raffle draw, then walked down to The Crown for an evening of carols and Christmas fun.

Saturday 28th November 2015 – Annual Christmas Market – run by the Friends of All Saints
This once again was a fantastic well supported event. There were lots of new stalls with a variety of gifts to buy and lots of ideas for Christmas presents. Father Christmas also made a welcome visit and lots of children took the opportunity of having a word with him. He had a sack full of presents which he kindly distributed to the children as a taster of things to come!
Sunday 8th November 2015 – Remembrance Service
This service was well attended by young and old. The congregation gathered outside at the War Memorial for two minutes silence at 11.00am to remember the many people who gave their life in conflict. In addition to the poppy wreath, several small wooden crosses were laid in remembrance of a loved one.
