This year’s Patronal Festival fell on Sunday, 15th August and it was decided that it would be appropriate to combine this with a long-overdue party to welcome Rev Nicola and her family to St Mary’s and to the village.
I kept my eye on the BBC weather app from the beginning of August and just hoped that it would at least stay fine enough for us to be able to hold the event in the Rectory garden – always better to be outside in the current still challenging times in which we find ourselves. Nicola and her family had moved chairs and tables over from the Arlington Hall on the Saturday evening and the thought of having to move everything back because of rain was a bit daunting to say the least! Needless to say, the weather stayed fine for us on the day, although there had been overnight showers.
A fork buffet was planned, together with a sweet and a glass of wine or soft drinks. I would like to thank everyone for everything they contributed, and also the money donated. We had a wonderful meal with something to suit everyone – no-one went home hungry! It was also the first time that we had all had for ages to simply catch up properly with our Church friends.
After all good parties, there is of course a great deal of “clearing-away” but there was no shortage of volunteers. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way. I suppose we could have made things a bit easier if we had used disposable plates and cutlery but the Arlington Hall has excellent crockery, cutlery and glassware, and, mindful of our need to look after our planet, there was no question that we would not use what we had already.
It was also Sue Tidder’s special birthday – with a nought in it – and I hope that she had a good time as well. A lot of special occasions have been and gone during the enforced lockdowns and it was lovely to be able to celebrate this one with Sue.
Close to fifty people attended the event. Thank you, everyone – it would not have been the occasion that it turned out to be without your support!
Margaret Wright