THE future of the tiny church of St Bartholomew at East Carlton, which has served villagers for 72 years, is in the balance.

Villagers were shocked when they received leaflets from the Rector of Guiseley, the Rev Graham Atherton, asking for their views about the possible closure of the church, which is part of the Parish of Guiseley with Esholt.

But Mr Atherton says no decision has as yet been taken and there is a possibility the church could be relocated to another part of the village - to be housed in another building.

Farmer George Rice, who has lived and worked in the village for more than 30 years, is not happy with the news and feels the church should remain open. "I have told the rector that we are his flock and he is our shepherd," he said.

Mr Rice said services were held once a month and the next one is due to take place this Sunday. He said some services were well attended but on other occasions there were only a handful of people in the congregation.

Churchwarden Roy Dalby said villagers wanted the church kept open because it had been given to them by Squire James Carlton Eckersley, of Carlton Manor, in 1927 to be used as a church, verger's cottage, and schoolroom.

"It would be a massive blow to the village if the church was closed," he said.

"The proposal is that the church be sold but I feel it should stay open. It would be easy to maintain the building. The church is the only public place in the village. New homes are being built and there is a greater spirit in the community," he said.

Patsy Hollings, the other churchwarden, who acts as verger, is moving from the cottage to nearby Carlton Hall Farm.

Mr Atherton told the Wharfedale Observer this week: "The future of the church is being investigated at the moment.

"Leaflets have been distributed to villagers asking them for their views on the subject by August 31.

"What we are planning is not a closure but a relocation to another part of the village. At the moment I cannot say where and I don't know when a decision will be made because the matter has to go before the Bishop."

St Bartholomew's comprises of a small nave, seating for about 50 persons, with an altar and a pulpit. There is a small vestry and porch.

Mr Dalby, who has been churchwarden for 15 years, succeeded his father Norman, who was churchwarden for more than 40 years.

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