IT’S no mystery to learn that Sherlock Holmes is helping a North Craven church highlight an appeal to raise money for urgent roof and structural repairs.

The story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s links to the Ingleton district is being told in a video shot with the blessing of Ingleton’s St Mary’s Church vicar, Reverend Nick Trenholme.

It details the links to Masongill, a small settlement near Ingleton, where Conan Doyle’s mother, Mary Doyle, worked as a housekeeper.

Speculation also surrounds who or what inspired the name of the Sherlock Holmes character.

The video has been carried out by Ingleton resident Ben Niall, with the help of former middle school head teacher Chris Leeming and resident and church member Andy Ive.

Mr Trenholme said: “Churches exist for their community to serve and unite the people and welcome everyone. St Mary’s Church has been at the heart of the community of Ingleton for centuries.

“We are looking to safeguard the church for generations to come and we are in need of the community’s help. The present building is the third place of worship on this site built in 1886-87.

“The church has settled on the site and requires some urgent roof repairs and also structural reinforcement.

“After consultation from a structural engineer, it was said the church was robust and worthy of repairs.

“The repairs that need to take place involve the entire roof being completely replaced to ensure the building remains weatherproof. The estimate for the re roofing was on par to £250,000 but has been significantly reduced by a group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly and have experience of building projects.

“Through grants and generous gifts we have raised roughly

£100,000 towards the total amount. Repair work has successfully started however a lot of work still needs to be done.

“We are looking to raise funding to complete the work. Over a third of the roof has already been completed however the rest is still waiting to be done.

“We are looking at different avenues of fundraising including grant applications, community events and had a film made for the cause.”

Mr Ive, a long serving church member of 20 years, and church warden for 13 is the backbone of the recently made fundraiser film ‘Who Was Sherlock’.

The film was financially sponsored and supported by the Ingleton 2000 group, and also a mystery unnamed backer.

It was produced by Andy Ive and stars Chris Leeming.

Mr Leeming said: “I first heard about the film from producer Andy Ive, while having a simple conversation at the back of the church. My first impression when I heard about the film was that I really had no idea about the Conan Doyle links.

“This famous writer has so many connections with the local area, and I would hope this film would bring to the attention to more locals about the story and connections. And also encourage more tourism to seeing all these places that Conan Doyle lived, drank and used to eat.”

The film script was written by Andy Ive and Martyn Sutton, who has now left the area, and all filming, editing and sound recording was done by Ingleton local, Ben Redhead of Ben Niall Video.

Mr Niall worked closely to Andy’s original vision and worked tirelessly to ensure a very quick turn around In the production.

Mr Niall said:“When I received the script, It was my job to un-jumble it all to make sense on screen.

“The pressure was really on for this film as we only had Chris for one day so there was very little room for error or misjudgement.

“I jumped at the chance of working on this film as local history interests me, and I have really been trying to push for more jobs like this in the area as there are so many stories to tell and I can bring them back to life.

“Not only that, but Chris happened to be one of my school teachers back at Ingleton Middle School. It was great to work with him as his enthusiasm and love for what he does is something you don’t see in a lot of people. He is a true talent.”

The film has been released on one of Mr Niall’s YouTube channels where you can also find many other local content.

Mr Ive, who has spent the last 40 years travelling the world as an environmental engineer, on projects for a few weeks at a time adds: “The film was truly inspired by an incident over 20 years ago.

“Someone at the church gave be a brass plaque to cut up and when I turned it over it was the Sherlock window plaque, which we got renovated and reinstalled.

“This was the point at which I realised there was a story of Conan Doyle to be discovered in the area. As the roof is the original from 1886 and failing in places, we decided a film would be a good fund raiser as well as entertaining, and good for the tourist industry in the village.

“We received two grants that paid for the film, one from Ingleton 2000, which I helped found in 1998.

“The film is excellent in my opinion. It said exactly what we planned. The other script writer Martyn Sutton has left the village, but I hope

he sees it as well. Edgar Sherlock, the incumbent in Bentham paid £100 towards the 1886 church, which is £13,000 in today’s money”

Resident Aaron Winder who has been attending church services at St Mary’s for two years said: “After joining the church I have definitely learnt a lot more about the meaning of life, and since I started coming I feel a more valued member of the community and that I have a place to go and feel safe and at home.

“I feel the church really deserves the funding for repair as it’s got a fantastic sense of community and means a lot to the people that come here.

“It’s important for my generation and all future generations that the church is safeguarded and that we all continue to have a place within community to come to.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the church restoration fundraiser can do so at: gf.me/u/v6bngx

The target is £50,000

The Who Was Sherlock? video can be viewed by going to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW81P4cxnIQ