November started the month off with the Steventon Players AGM on the evening of the 1st. Thank you Shona for hosting. The committee were all voted back on, also Chris has joined the committee, welcome. All details are on the village website.
Mike & Jeff collected various branches, pallets etc and built a splendid bonfire in readiness for the 5th. At one point it looked like it was going to be cancelled due to the dreadful weather. However, the rain stopped, cars arrived, also walkers and before long the field was abuzz with chatter and laughter. So many children, a delight to see, thoroughly enjoying themselves. The bonfire was amazing and thank you Jeff & Mike for setting off the fireworks in grand style also. Thank you to the village hall committee for providing the fireworks and the very welcome mulled wine. Last, but not least, a big thank you to Peter and Carrie for opening up their field for this event.
Sunday 6th at 4.00pm, our beautiful church was aglow with candles for All Soul’s service. A very special service taken by Rev. Tim. Darkness was upon us as everyone was leaving, looking back at the church it looked even more beautiful with the warm glow of light through the stained-glass windows.
A very jolly group of villagers met on Friday 11th to tidy the church grounds, remembrance garden, clean gutters etc. The wind didn’t blow too many leaves around while raking into piles! Thank you very much, Marilyn, for providing us with delicious cake and coffee.
In the afternoon of the 11th, the Book group met at Chris’s, thank you so much for hosting. Also, to Susie for the delicious apple cake. After many topics being discussed! the book “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman was reviewed. Highly recommended, thoroughly enjoyable with a great twist at the end. Score 8.5
Remembrance Sunday on the 13th was held in the church grounds, surrounded by so many from the village for this special service. Marilyn opened the service with a reading and prayer which was followed by the Hymn ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ after which different families took part, individuals also throughout the service. A bugler could be heard playing ‘The Last Post’, beautiful, thanks to Tim for providing the recording. A very moving service, ending with us all singing The National Anthem.
Saturday 19th arrived after a great deal of organizing from Charlie, well done and huge Thankyou, you triumphed yet again. A superb evening was had by all. It was, of course, the Rolling Supper! You could near enough hear a loud cheer going all around the village, as we were all so looking forward to it. Delicious food, wine, great company. A superb evening, brought to a close at the village hall where we all caught up with friends, over coffee and chocolates. Also, the weather behaved!! Roll on the next one!
Coffee and Cake on Monday 21st was amazing. The weather was foul, however, so many turned up to enjoy this delightful morning that I think it was the most we have seen attending. Luckily, the hosts for this month, Marilyn, Barbara and Rosina, along with a delicious cherry tray bake from Fiona, had enough cakes! All delicious, as was the coffee, I think we could have stayed for longer than the time allowed. We all helped put tables and chairs away before we braved the elements outside, only to find it had stopped raining!
On Monday afternoon, Mike went and bought a rooted Christmas tree, provided by Steventon Players. It stayed overnight happily sheltered by wind and rain, then with the help of Jeff and Paul, is now planted outside the village hall in readiness to be decorated for Christmas.
The Christmas cake is made! Just waiting to be fed a little before decorating! The sprouts are a disaster this year, due to adverse weather conditions. Parsnips are good along with the carrots and the grass is still growing! Many things to look forward to in December, starting with the Christmas Fair on the 3rd. I must just take this opportunity to say a Big Thank You to all the bakers, cooks and helpers that have put their names forward for our busy time in December. You are all amazing, in an amazing village.