Whatlington

The Royal Oak

Mountfield and Whatlington School Fete is tomorrow (Saturday July 13) 11.30a.m - 2pm. This is one of the days that pupils, parents and visitors really enjoy. This year along with the usual stalls, games and a barbecue, there will be some very nice surprises, so come along, enjoy yourselves and support our local village school.

Last chance for jumble donations! The Village Hall jumble sale is tomorrow (Saturday July 13), doors open 10am. If you have jumble to donate, please drop it off at The Royal Oak or call Angie on 01424 870087. Helpers are always needed and welcome - we set up on Friday afternoon, and of course help is appreciated on the day too. It’s really good fun, so if you’re interested, please let Angie know.

The Royal Oak Boules Team are still doing well and play every Wednesday evening and practice on Sunday afternoons on our beautiful new boules piste (well done Steve). We always welcome supporters and it’s a good excuse for a cheeky mid-week drink, plus we offer curry and a pint for £7 on Wednesday evenings! The fixtures list is displayed at the pub.

Quiz night on a Thursday at The Royal Oak is going strong, so if you would like to put a team of up to six people together and give it a go, you’d be very welcome. It’s worth phoning to book a table for your team, as we do get very busy - 01424 870492.

The Barn at The Royal Oak is used by a number of local groups, clubs and charities - if you are looking for a venue for meetings, or a meal for up to 32 people and are interested in using the Barn, please call us on 01424 870492.

The next Irish Music night at The Royal Oak is on Friday July 26 which will come round very fast, so put the date in your diary as it’s always an excellent evening.

I hope everyone’s been enjoying this wonderful weather - I know we have been spending as much time as we can in the garden!

Hilda Aplin writes: May I take this opportunity of thanking John and Jacqueline for being such great hosts last week. The Good Companions enjoyed cream teas at The Oast, the home of John and Jacqueline. Jacqueline, I am told, the evening before our visit, was making strawberry jam at 8 o`clock at night. She then arose early the next morning to make the delicious scones which everyone enjoyed so much. Besides making homemade jam and scones Jacqueline also found the time to make two very tasty cakes. The members of The Good Companions really enjoyed the afternoon and especially Jacqueline`s cream teas and John`s lovely cup of tea. Thanks once again Jacqueline and John.

Our next meeting is at the Village Hall on Wednesday July 24 when we shall have a “Bring & Share” luncheon, which is enjoyed by all. We will meet at 12noon for 12.30pm. There will be a raffle and a £1 charge towards the hire of the hall.

On the weekend of July 20/21 the parish church celebrate the birth of the saint their church is named after, Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and she was the first to witness the resurrection of Jesus. She had stood at the foot of the cross with Mary and on Easter Monday she went with other women to the tomb and it was in this garden near the tomb that Jesus appeared to her.

On Saturday July 20 there will be delicious cream teas in the Village Hall, together with a raffle and a few stalls. This has always been a well-attended event, especially when it was in our churchyard and table and chairs were set up outside in such a beautiful setting. However last year a lot of people enjoyed the cream teas in the village hall, so once again we welcome all to this yearly social event.

On Sunday July 21, Holy Communion will be at 8.30am followed by evensong in the churchyard, weather permitting at 6pm. Please bring a chair. Refreshments will follow. If the weather does not allow for Evensong to be outside then it will move into the church. The church will be open for those who would like to see the progress of the restoration... it is stunning. All are most welcome to both of the celebrations over this important weekend for our church.

It is Sea Sunday this weekend when we remember all those who work at sea and often leave their families for months on end. As it is the second Sunday of the month the Sea Sunday Service will be held at 10.30am; our all age worship service.