THE state of the countryside and farming was highlighted at a special church service held at Pickering parish church last Saturday.

Organised by MP Anne McIntosh, the service was hosted by Father Antony Pritchett, Vicar of Pickering, and the sermon was preached by The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Reverend James Bell, who told the congregation of farmers and countryside community leaders that there were many challenges facing farming and rural life, including climate change, flooding, drought and rearing of livestock.

Ms McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton, and chairwoman of the Government’s Select Committee on Rural Life and the Environment, said: “The Church is important to farmers and the countryside as a whole, as was proved in such crises as foot and mouth disease outbreak.“The service was a celebration of the countryside and was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the importance of the parish church at the heart of the rural community.

“When the farmers had nowhere to go during the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, because the auction marts were closed for a year, the church provided a refuge and a sanctuary.”

Bible readings were given by Coun Janet Frank, Chairman of Ryedale District Council, Mrs Ena Dent, chairman of Rosedale Parish Council and of Tourism North Yorkshire, and also attending were Stephen Wyrell, a Catterick farmer and the new national chairman of the Tenant Farmers’ Association, The Town Mayor of Pickering, Coun Sue Cowan, and Town Clerk, Andrew Husband.