The big day is almost here! I am expecting my Sister Dora books to be delivered on Wednesday. Our first big event to launch, ‘Sister Dora,’ will be at Walsall Hospital where we have been invited to be part of their September Events to Remember Sister Dora. For anyone in the Walsall area the books will be available after Monday 28th September from the Well Wishers Fundraising Hub in the main atrium of the hospital @wellwishersWHC. I would like to thank everyone, and there are many of you, who have played a part in making this new story about Sister Dora a reality. A heartfelt thank you for your support and kindness. We’ll have more news about our website and forth coming events in the following weeks. #SisterDora#WalsallNHS#Hauxwellchurch#Nursing#Booklaunch

While my final proofs for Sister Dora are at the printers and the book cover has been given 👍I’ve had some time to enjoy Hauxwell church and its extensive history. Commented on by Green, Longstaff and Pevsner, St. Oswald’s has much to offer any history lover. VVH Green DD in his guide to St. Oswald’s tells us; ‘It may be absurd to claim that this church demands attention; yet, quite apart from its intrinsic merit, its history reflects the social and religious scene.’ He goes on; ‘In the churchyard there stands a cross, much mutilated but a witness to the early teaching of the Christian faith in this part of Yorkshire.’ Adding; ‘It seems very probable that Christianity was first preached here at Hauxwell by James the deacon in the seventh century.’ Reflecting the age and importance of St. Oswald’s it is a Grade 1 listed building. Two of my favourite highlights of this church, of which there are many, are the medieval tombstones in the graveyard at the foot the bell tower and the two effigies of Sir Walter de Bardon and his wife. Hanging on the wall above Sir Walter is a hatchment with an explanatory note underneath. #Sisterdora#northyorkshirechurchs#lincolncollegeoxford#medeivalgraves#hatchments

Hauxwell churchyard has been receiving some much needed TLC over the past few weeks and the results were plain to see when we visited on Friday evening. With the sun setting in the west the graveyard and St. Oswald’s were bathed in a dreamy dappled light. Grass has been cut, and the gravel pathway edged and refreshed. Weeds have been pulled, nettles and thistles strimmed and there is now a clear pathway down to the Pattison graves. Many of Sister Dora’s relatives are buried here and the graves can be seen through the trees with the sun setting on them. We are very much looking forward to getting my new book about Sister Dora published in the coming weeks and sharing it with everyone. #sister Dora#Hauxwell church#country churches#walsalNHS#jamescookhospitalinmiddlesborough

What a treat I had on Friday evening. At Blackwell Grange, Darlington, Tracey Iceton launched her latest book, Sparky. We were treated to an insight into the fascinating story of how Tracey met this little barn owl in an animal sanctuary. At first Sparky’s future looked uncertain … however, Tracey stepped in… The highlight of the evening was a chance to see Sparky flying. What better way to spend a gloriously sunny evening…drinking fizz and watching an owl fly! When I left, the queue for her book snaked across the room. Massive congratulations to Tracey. #TraceyIceton#BlackwellGrange#barnowls#darlington#booklaunch

Last Wednesday I spent the morning with Northallerton U3A, where I gave a talk and presentation about Sister Dora. It was great to speak to Northallerton U3A again, what a friendly group. I snapped a pic with my friend Kathy and my old school mate Craig from Northallerton Grammar School… A member of the audience joined the group, a retired nurse but I have been unable to discover this lovely ladies name. A huge thanks to you all for making me so welcome. #Sisterdora#Northallerton#U3A#NorthallertonGrammarSchool#Walsall

I have come across dozens of images through my research of Sister Dora that help to bring her world to life. Thanks to friends and relatives I would like to share two photographs of houses in Yorkshire, Dora would have known well. First is Hauxwell Rectory where Dora was born and lived until she was 30. In this image we have The Duke of Leeds Greyhounds in the foreground. The Rectory was demolished in 1958. The second picture is of Grazing Nook farmhouse between Leyburn and Bedale. Dora’s brother-in-law, Robert Stirk took this farm after the death of his wife Rachel, Dora’s beloved sister. In September 1875 Dora left her work in Walsall for a holiday. She stayed with Robert and his five daughters at Grazing Nook. The old Grazing Nook farmhouse was demolished in the 1970s. Grazing Nook is now famous as, The Barn That Rocks. #sisterdora#yorkshirehistory#walsall#thebarnthatrocks#bedale

While researching Sister Dora I came across a surprising link between Hauxwell, where Sister Dora was born and Walsall. In Hauxwell Church there is a haunting memorial tablet on the chancel wall in remembrance of John Dalton of the parish. In 1643, during the English Civil War, John Dalton formed part of an escort party accompanying Queen Henrietta Maria as she travelled from Bridlington to Oxford to meet with her husband, King Charles l, before the Battle of Edgehill. On the journey the party stayed overnight at the property which later became known as The White Hart Inn in Caldmore, said to be the oldest house in Walsall. Unfortunately, John Dalton was mortally wounded on this journey and he died the following year. He was buried in York Minster on 26 July 1644.#sisterdora #historyofwalsall #yorkminster #englishcivilwar #northyorkshire

Out walking yesterday afternoon I found a clump of wild violets next to a stream and thought of Sister Dora. When I visited Walsall Library Archives, Jayne and the team showed me a resource relating to Sister Dora. A year before her untimely death she filled in a questionnaire about her likes and dislikes. We learn her favourite flowers are violets and carnations. She also comments that she likes lemonade and ices. She also tells us she likes men to be courageous and upright! #sisterdora #hauxwell #violets #walsall #yorkshirehistory

Saint Oswald’s Church Roof Fund Our first fund raising event of the year was held yesterday in Constable Burton Reading Rooms. St. Oswald’s joined with St Andrew’s, Finghall to serve a Big Breakfast. Dozens of people came along to enjoy a hearty meal and to support the efforts being made to keep our local historic churches in Hauxwell and Finghall in good repair. #hauxwell#finghall#constableburton#yorkshirechurches#sisterdora

Recently I was given a newspaper cutting by a friend, about a church service held in St. Oswald’s church, Hauxwell in 1950 to commemorate Sister Dora. The event was attended by the Mayor of Richmond, Alderman J Todd and the Mayor of Redcar, Alderman JW Cole. The article also mentions the memorial window in the church dedicated to Sister Dora’s mother, Jane. Although I have visited the church many times I hadn’t realised that this window is in her memory. I visited the church yesterday to take a closer look. There was quite a storm raging at the time and the rain was dripping through the dilapidated roof and the damp can be seen seeping through the walls. We have several events planned in the coming months to repair the roof of our lovely little church 💒🌧️ #redcar #richmond #sisterdora #history #church