Os-Gen – Leisure and Social

Public Footpaths and Walking Groups

The Millennium Trail is a 1.4 mile (2.3 km) circular footpath around Oswaldkirk. It takes in the major historical sites or points of interest in the village and provides many a good view and contact with local fauna and flora on the way. A mosaic pictorial overview can temporarily be found in the village hall (while awaiting its new home) and 2 mosaic waymarkers decorate the route. A leaflet with a map, directions and historical information, can be obtained from the Village Hall.

The Ebor Way, a 70 mile (112 km) long distance footpath from Helmsley to Ilkley via York, passes through the parish. Two other long distance footpaths, The Cleveland Way and The Tabular Hills Walk, also start in Helmsley.

These are merely some of the many public footpaths and bridleways that surround the village and make it such a great location for walking and cycling. For information on local public rights of way see either Ordnance Survey maps of the area or the excellent North Yorkshire Council online maps: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/rights-way-maps.

The principal Oswaldkirk Village Walking Group meets monthly on a Sunday morning. Walks are organised in turn by members of the group and are normally between 5 and 7 miles in length. Each walk is followed by Sunday lunch in a local pub. Non-walkers are welcome to join the group for lunch. The popularity of these walks has been such that walkers are limited to village residents and family or friends who are staying in the village.

Dates and details are usually posted on the village noticeboard and on elsewhere on this website, as is a list of walks undertaken by the group since 2019.

In addition Pat Thompson (☎ 787 168) leads walks on Wednesday mornings for 3-4 miles, ending at a tea-shop. Gerard Simpson (☎ 788 381) leads longer walks, on the second Wednesday of each month, often doing long distance routes in manageable sections.

The St Alban’s Sports Centre

Situated on Aumit Lane (YO62 4HA) at Ampleforth College, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) west of the village, the St Alban’s Sports Centre is open to the public at various times for the use of the recreational facilities. These include a 25 metre swimming pool, squash courts, sports hall and gym/fitness suite. One may attend on a pay-per-visit basis or as part of an annual membership. For details of opening times, memberships and prices see their website: https://www.ampleforth.org.uk/sports or ☎ 766 740.

Gilling Castle Golf Club

Gilling Castle Golf Club has a picturesque and challenging 9- hole course which is often very quiet. There is a clubhouse with toilets and changing rooms, all the information needed and an honesty box for day visitors and guests. A number of village residents are members.

There are various membership rates and green fees. Full adult annual membership for 2023/24 is £370. The Club Manager is Ian Henley (☎ 788 274). Visit https://www.ampleforthgolf.co.uk for further details.

Helmsley Recreation Ground

The Helmsley Recreation Ground is located just north of the town centre on Baxton’s Sprunt. It is home to the Helmsley Sports and Social Club and the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool (Yorkshire’s only open-air heated 25 metre pool – open seasonally late May to early September). Clubs and facilities based there include: a children’s play area, Duncombe Park Cricket Club, Duncombe Park Football Club, Helmsley Tennis Club, Helmsley Bowls Club, Helmsley Social Club and Fran’s Kitchen.

Contact details:

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing on both lakes and rivers is available locally and throughout Ryedale. Villagers have been active members of a fly fishing syndicate which fishes for trout in the Spring Lakes near Rievaulx. Anyone interested in joining should contact the Spring Lakes Fly Fishers Secretary, Mark Thompson, Email: markthompsonflying@yahoo.com

Fishing on different portions of the Rye in our immediate vicinity is available through either The Ryedale Anglers’ Club (https://www.ryedaleanglers.org.uk) or The Ness Flyfishing Club (https://www.nessflyfishers.org).

Oswaldkirk Book Group

Oswaldkirk Book Group meets in the Village Hall in the evening of the second Monday of every other month. Members take turns to choose a book for discussion, taking into consideration what has been read previously, so that a variety of genres are included. For more information about the group contact Gaynor Badham (☎ 787 046 or gaynorbadham@gmail.com).

Oswaldkirk Women’s League (OWLS)

OWLS are a welcoming group of Oswaldkirk women who usually meet on the third Monday of the month, during winter months, at 19:30. It’s based on the National Women’s Register principles for like-minded women to meet and discuss a theme or topic. Motto: ‘In nocte consilium’, i.e. ‘enjoy a chat and a drink and return home having learned something we didn’t know before’. For more details or if you are interested in joining please contact Rhona Sutherland (☎ 788 140) or Sue Aherne (☎ 07885 830153 / Email: sue.aherne@aol.com).

Local History

“Oswaldkirk, a living village”, Oswaldkirk’s very own history book, was published to worthy fanfare in 2002 and updated in 2011. A few copies are still available and the original version, if you don’t already have one, is available to peruse in the Parish Archive, along with early photographs and many other items of historical interest. It is currently located at Ledbrooke House.

Ampleforth and District Historical Society

Ampleforth and District Historical Society (ADHS) was founded in 1975 to stimulate interest in and around Ampleforth in historical subjects in the widest sense, by means of talks and discussions, visits to sites of interest, and by involving interested members in local historical research.

The Society usually meets in Ampleforth Village Hall at 19:30 – dates are available from the Secretary Jeanette Green (☎ 788 824). The entrance fee is £3 including refreshments. For details see also Ampleforth Village Hall or Ampleforth Village website: https://ampleforth.ryedaleconnect.org.uk/historical-society/

Gardening

The Ampleforth and District Gardening Cub which meets on the first Wednesday of every month in Ampleforth Village Hall, except for outings and special events. It’s been going strong since 1985 and aims to provide talks and demonstrations on all aspects of gardening for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Everyone is welcome to join and for the small sum of £5 per annum enjoy discounts at several local garden centres and nurseries.

For details contact the Chair Pamela Staton (pam.staton@btinternet.com), or visit the website: https://ampleforthgardening.org.uk

Several gardens in Oswaldkirk and neighbouring villages have previously been open via the National Open Garden Scheme, search https://ngs.org.uk for details.

Ryedale Miniature Railway

The Ryedale Society of Model Engineers Limited (RSMEL) is a group of like-minded model railway engineers with headquarters, clubhouse and miniature railway track behind the village hall on Pottergate in Gilling. They welcome new members and also hold public open days with visitor rides throughout the year (principally on Sundays).

It’s a great facility. See their website for details: https://www.rsme.org.uk

Ryedale Festival

This nationally and internationally renowned classical music festival occurs each summer, principally in the last 2 weeks of July. Performances and recitals are held in various local venues and are of a very high quality. Local volunteers form an essential part of the smooth running of the operation and there are many opportunities to get involved. For details see: https://ryedalefestival.com