The Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Rt Rev Terence Drainey, returned to a Ryedale parish for a second visit within two days of his first one. After celebrating Masses at St Leonard and St Mary’s Church, Malton, one weekend, he then returned on the Wednesday to visit St Mary’s RC Primary School in the town which has close links with the parish. He inspected work being carried out on a £500,000 extension of which the school has had to find £50,000.

It has been helped by the Joanna Rookes Memorial Trust which was set up some years ago in memory of Joanna, a parishioner, who was hit and killed by another car while unloading suitcases from her car outside a relative’s house. Her sister, Julie Render, who has helped organise events for the Trust, works at the school and met the Bishop during his visit where he chatted to staff and pupils while being conducted around by headteacher David Harrison.

St Leonard’s was recently given 100% marks following visits by mystery worshippers to 24 different churches of various denominations across the north. The survey found that St Leonard’s gave all visitors a warm welcome and any newcomer was made to feel welcome and helped with the order of the service.

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