St. Nicholas’ Church looked and smelt beautiful with all the flowers and greenery for the Family Harvest Festival on Sunday 26th. It was such a fun service with the children bringing the story of Giving & Sharing to life. Sam, Martha, George and Hector were brilliant, Emma, the story teller, Georgie the old lady and Chris, who was the chicken. Watch out Chris, this could be incorporated into a production as you were so good. We even thought you might have laid an egg!! ‘Look at your World’ was sung by people who came from the congregation and the Ukulele’s played ‘Praise and Thanksgiving.’
Harvest Supper was enjoyed in the village hall afterwards. Excellent savoury and sweet dishes were brought along for us all to share, thank you to all. The auction this year raised £148 towards the senior’s Christmas lunch in December.
This year’s supper was different as it was also a way of saying ‘Goodbye’ to Geoffrey and Anne. They moved to Elm Tree Cottages in 1972 and have lived in the village for 43 years. Both children were born here, Dorothy in 1973 and Oliver in 1975. Geoffrey and Anne have both been very involved in every aspect of village life and will be greatly missed. Due to downsizing, they have moved to a bungalow near Bordon. Everybody sends their best wishes and happiness to them in their new home. However, I’m sure we will be able to catch up with them when they return for a few village occasions!
What is most amazing is, Rachel and Phil, their children Sam and Martha, have moved into 2 Elm Tree Cottages from Stonehills! All of us in the village are thrilled, as are both Geoffrey and Anne. A very long and happy life to you in you new home. Moving into 5 Stonehills we give a very warm welcome to Charlotte and Nick Martin. We hope you will be very happy here and look forward to seeing you at many village events. I am sure Rachel would have told you all about them!!
Songs of Praise on Sunday 11th Oct. showed St. Nicholas’ church in all it’s glory. The historian, Richard Taylor, came to Steventon exploring the literary greats, which Jane Austen of course is. Carrie’s beautiful skewbald horse posed very naturally next to Richard while he was describing the area around the church, lovely. Michael Kenning was interviewed inside the church, which he did excellently.
UFO this month was held at Rosina’s, much chatting amongst the knitting and sewing! Thank you for the very yummy cake. Lovely to see Carol with us again, who was also knitting, this time hats.
Book club was held at Julia’s where The Sari Shop by Rupa Bajwa was discussed. A mark of 6 was given, would recommend it as a read.
The month’s events finished with the village hall being decorated for another wonderful village occasion. Mike’s 65th/Retirement party!!!! Yes, it has happened after 50 years in the village! So great to catch up with family and friends, well done to all for keeping it such a secret from Mike. I can assure you I had great difficulty, but managed it too. A wonderful evening that was shared and always to be remembered.
Steventon Singers are in full form! With plenty to look forward to. Ukulele group are thoroughly enjoying their evenings, as is Dancercise. Mostly, all with the Western theme!
Sunday 15th November at 7.00pm at the Anvil, quite a few from the village are singing the very wonderful, Handel’s Messiah with the Basingstoke Choral Society. It would be wonderful if you could support us, tickets are still on sale from the Anvil Box Office. 01256 844244.
The colours are looking beautiful as the season changes, nature still has more to show us I’m sure. Lots to do still in the garden. Fruit to soak in readiness for the Christmas cake and I am sure still more chutney to make! The Charity Christmas Fair in on 28th November in the village hall at 10.00am, so no doubt quite a few of us will have the odd jar or two on one of the stalls. There will once again, be a large home-made decorated Christmas cake that will be raffled on the day. Along with plenty of lovely things to buy, coffee and a good catch up. Hopefully see you there.