Memorial Hall
Bellerby Memorial Hall was built in 1929-30 and dedicated to the memory of the seven men from the community who gave their lives in the Great (1914-18) War. The Hall was built with money ( £1013.10.6d) raised by public subscription, and with a grant from the Carnegie Trust, on land purchased from Miss Margaret Davidson of The Lilacs, Bellerby. The stone used to build the Hall was taken from a quarry on the Manor House land and was carted by Mr. John Mawer and his employee of Studdah Farm. The builders were Richmonds of Richmond. The Hall was opened on 21st January 1931 by Captain W. Burrill-Robinson of Redmire. The stone on the porch was inscribed by Mr. Joe Bowler of Bellerby.
During the summer of 2006 a major refurbishment took place including replacing all the windows and redecorating the hall.

It was the first public meeting place in the village and then, as now, was the venue for a wide range of activities. Representatives of the village groups, clubs and churches form the Hall Committee but more volunteers are always welcome!

In addition to being the home to several diverse groups (click Activities) the Memorial Hall is also available for hire for both residents of Bellerby, and also groups from outside the village.

The Hall is available for Hire by both residents and non residents of Bellerby. View and download a brochure describing the Hall and its facilities.

to down load a Hall booking form click Booking form

To book the Hall contact: Eric Daniels 01969 625828

St John's Church

Rev. C. R. Huggett B.A. M.Phil

1st Sunday: - 9.15am Eucharist
2nd Sunday: either - 9.15am Eucharist or 2.30pm Service at Chapel
3rd Sunday: - 9.15am Eucharist
4th Sunday: - 9.15 Eucharist
5th Sunday: - 9.15 Eucharist
Last Sunday: - 6.30pm Evening Prayer

History of the church

The church of St John the evangelist was consecrated on 24th March 1874.
It is thought that this is the third building on this site. The previous ones, the first of which was built pre 1801 was described as 'nothing short of an office'. In 1801 the building was improved but was smaller than the present one, being a long monotonous building without windows on either the Northern side, or the Western gable end.

A small belfry could have distinguished it from a schoolhouse 'which had not much light to boast of inside'
Mr. J. Jones of Leyburn was the architect and builder of the present church. This with the chancel, sanctuary, vestry, small bell turret, and porch, was much more spacious than its predecessor. The windows are of cathedral glass with coloured margins, The east window of stained glass depicting the birth, death and resurrection, is in memory of Mr. J.H Osborne, and the west window in memory of Francis Walker. He, you will notice, has a brass tablet on the south wall, placed there by parishioners in gratitude for his generous gifts to the community. The pews and furniture are of pitch pine and the octagonal font of carved freestone is from the Halfpenny House quarry.
Bellerby, first documented in the Domes- book (1086), was originally in the parishish of Spennithorne. It is recorded that the parishioners of Bellerby and Skeltoncote, in 1474, sent a petition to the Pope in Rome, urging him to sponsor the use of a chapel in Bellerby for Mass and the appointment by the Rector of Spennithorne of a priest to serve the Chapel, which had a dwelling place in Bellerby for him to live in. They complained that they were far from the parish church and the river called Abildebeck 'is so much swollen in winter that the said inhabitants, who number more than a hundred, are often prevented from receiving the Communion from the Rector, and from going to the said church to hear divine offices, wherefore, in times past divers persons have died without receiving Confession and the Eucharist, and without receiving other sacraments and the like, and worse is feared in the future.
There is mention of a St. Catherine's Chapel at the foot of Richmond Hill. It is thought that this may have been the original chapel of ease.
In 1847 Bellerby Church was licensed for baptisms, marriages, burials and the registers were started then. Prior to that date all these sacraments were performed at Spennithorne.
St. John's lies at the centre of the Bellerby community and is much loved and looked after in every possible way.
The parish is now held in plurality with Leyburn and served by a vicar based there.
This information was researched by Mary Clarke and David Hall, July 1988.
During 2005, after much fund raising in the parish, the church was re-roofed and decorated inside. In January 2006 a carpet was fitted throughout.

Wesleyan Chapel

The Wesleyan Chapel which is situated towards the bottom of Moor Road, was built in 1839 and is the oldest such chapel in Wensleydale, that is still used for worship.

For information on the Wensleydale Circuit click here

The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys is hosted by Sue and Rich who provide a very full programme of entertainment, including the regular Monday Night Quiz, many darts matches, a variety of entertaiment and music on generaly the las tFriday in the month. The Cross Keys is a regular venue for walking groups who find sustainance with the pub's bar meals. click on Cross Keys for the full story