For our main fundraising event this year, we thought it might be nice if everyone joined us on a sponsored walk to raise funds for the church.

The route is approximately 11 miles heading south from Over Silton, through Nether Silton and Kepwick, then rising up onto the Cleveland Way, turning north and back over Black Hambleton, Square Corner and home to Over Silton for tea and cake.

We will be setting off on Saturday, 17th of June, at 10 am. You can download a sponsorship pack with the route information and a poster here.

What the Route

What is St Marys

Situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, in a field half a mile to the east of the village of Over Silton, lies the medieval church of St Marys.

Although the church has no heating, electric lighting, or water supply, it is still used for services.

Who are the Friends of Over Silton Church?

For centuries the church has stood at the centre of three rural communities, and generations of local families have been married, christened and buried at St Marys. However, the opening of a second church in the 1870s, with better access, in the neighbouring village of Nether Silton shifted the focus away from St Marys.

With a dwindling congregation the Friends of Over Silton Church was set up to help maintain and preserve this historic building, keeping it alive for future generations.

Why are we raising money?

The job of maintaining a historic building is endless. Weekly the church needs sweeping and checking, over the summer months, the grass needs cutting. These jobs are nothing compared to maintaining the fabric of the building.

For example, over the last few years the bell has been re-hung, the chancel roof has been completely replaced, and large parts of the boundary wall rebuilt.

As the current list of work to be completed dwindles, the church architect's regular inspection throws up more work, and so it goes on.

How will the money be spent?

While the Friends of Over Silton Church can undertake some maintenance tasks such as grass cutting and cleaning the gutters, any work on an ancient building such as St Marys needs to be undertaken by craftsmen skilled in using traditional skills and materials such as lime mortar and stone.

The money raised by the Friends of Over Silton Church is used directly to help maintain and preserve the church.