RIGHT PICTURE: It is August 1969 and these young people are part of a team starting
work on converting the former Benedictine nunnery at Marrick Priory in Swaledale into a
youth and outdoor activities centre. It had last been used as a functioning church in 1946.
The work culminated in its official opening by Lord Normanby in May the following year.
Since then, the Priory – now called an outdoor education and residential centre – has
provided experience of the great outdoors for hundreds of thousands of children from
around the country. There are plans to develop Marrick Priory further, subject to funds being
raised.

FROM this newspaper 150 years ago.Darlington Land Society. - The annual meeting of this society was held on Wednesday, in Kendrew Street schoolroom. Mr W A Wooler occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The first annual report of the committee, which was read, congratulated the members on the very great success which had attended the formation of the society during the first year of its existence, and the advantages which are likely to be derived by its future operations. In a prosperous and progressive town like Darlington, the benefits of such a society cannot be two highly estimated, as it enables the small capitalist to secure an eligible and profitable, as well as an improving investment, which a few years ago could only be secured by the more affluent and wealthy. Since the purchase of the Harrowgate Hill Estate, the committee had made arrangements for the purchase of Tees Bank Estate, and the shares in both estates have been allotted amongst the members. The roads on the former estate are being progressed with as rapidly as possible, and tenders for making the roads, &c, on Tees Bank Estate will shortly be advertised for. Several of the allotments in each estate have been transferred to other parties, who have become members at a considerable advance on the price charged to the original allottee. The committee urge upon the members the desirability of making the monthly payments with punctuality.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – The Rev W T Kingsley, the venerable rector of South Kilvington, attains his 99th birthday tomorrow.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Mr Kingsley has the distinction of being the oldest rector in England. He was born at Berwick-on-Tween, on June 28th, 1815. His father was an officer who fought in the battle of Waterloo. After leaving Berwick Mr Kingsley went to Morpeth, and eventually took holy orders, having passed through Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. In 1859 he was appointed to the living of South Kilvington, which was in the gift of Sidney Sussex Collage. In 1864 he married Miss Octavia Barker, daughter of the Rev Thomas Barker, vicar of Thirkleby, near Thirsk, and a sister of Mrs Laura Taylor (now deceased), the wife of the late Mr Tom Taylor, the dramatist and one time Editor of “Punch.” Mrs Kingsley is 87 years of age, and still enjoys good health. She is frequently to be met in her bath chair in Thirsk, her niece, Miss Taylor, often being in attendance. Mr Kingsley, despite his advanced years, retains all his faculties except that of hearing. For the past three or four years he has been confined to his room, but for all that he takes an interest in current events, regularly reading his daily papers. Cribbage is his favourite pastime, and he often plays the game.

In his time he has been acquainted with many famous men, notably John Ruskin (who was a close friend of his) and J W M Turner. Mr Kingsley first met Turner at the famous artist’s house. Later, he received a note making an appointment for a meeting in London, but although Mr Kingsley went to the appointed place, the artist never came and shortly afterwards Mr Kingsley heard that he was dead.

Ruskin visited South Kilvington several times, one of his first visits being so that he and Mr Kingsley could visit Rievaulx Abbey, some twelve miles distant from Thirsk, to identify Turner’s drawings of it.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – After an open meeting had been called “to discuss the future of the Wensleydale Show” a member, at the meeting at the Temperance Hall, Bainbridge on Friday week last, said that some had the impression that the show might not be held, and possibly the wording of the public notice had given that wrong impression. The chairman, Mr A K Slack, said that, at the outset he would like to assure everyone this was not so. But the financial position was serious. The society had £30 in hand at the end of the financial year whereas some £1,500 would be needed to cover prize money and expenses. He suggested that in these days it would not be a hardship to members if they doubled their subscriptions. Indeed he had been encouraged when two members had phoned to inform him that this was their intention. The society urgently needed collectors for some parts of the Upper Wensleydale, especially for Hawes and neighbouring districts. The secretary, Mr J H Chew, said that about ten years ago the society had a credit balance of £700 and this sum had almost gone at the rate of about £100 a year to help finance the show. He pointed out that while the income is almost static the expenses increase year by year. Tentage and printing costs went up and it was difficult to save on either of these items. The attendance of about 50 included the chairman of Masham Show, Mr W J Wilkinson, and the secretary, Mr Wood, who gave helpful advice. Mr Wilkinson urged that these attractive country shows founded by our forefathers should be upheld and maintained in our areas. Mr Wood said that in addition to the collectors’ good work they made a house-tohouse collection in Masham town.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

They were also liberal with the gift of entrance tickets, in return for subscriptions, and they were an aid in the event of a wet show day.