January 10th 2016 Seniors Lunch
Strange weather for a Christmas lunch – it was mild and the sun was shining… Nevertheless about 66 people tucked into a wonderful lunch, this year provided by new caterers who served us all at our tables. Wonderful – think they might be coming again! There were photos of course.
March 5th 2016 Spring Concert
With thanks to Sheila Beswick for the practical arrangements, and to Keith Cilvert for getting together the artists, this was a lovely, varied concert, with an audience so big, it was a struggle to find enough chairs to seat them all! There was folk, blues, country and western, classical, rock—and humour—raising £525 for the work of All Saints in the process. Sincere thanks to those who performed , worked to make it happen and to those who paid to watch.
Take look at the pictures…
April 18th 2016 Garden Club outing
A full coach load made their way to The Place for Plants in East Bergholt, all very sensibly dressed to cope with the changeable spring weather. As it was, the 20 acres of gardens at East Bergholt were closed to the general public because of the slippery paths, but our tour went off without a hitch. Fabulous, knowledgeable guides, and many plants we had not heard of before. Great day out. Some photos.
May 21st 2016 Murder Mystery
A sell out crowd piled in to see some local heroes don forties garb and present ‘Henpecked’, a whodunnit written by the multi talented Rev’d Ruth. We all had our favourite villain – and there were several to choose from – but in the end it was the last person we expected! Our gentle, lovely Pat effected a ‘death by chocolate! We believe the team are all up for another go next year. In the meantime, here’s the photos. Over £500 was raised for All Saints Church, with grateful thanks to Sheila Beswick for organising it all.
June 11th 2016 Village Street Party for the Queen’s 90th Birthday
The weather forecast kept changing all week – would we escape the rain? Would all the team’s efforts to set up a street party atmosphere on the Village Hall car park be in vain? Of course not! Seating was set up inside as well. There was some early rain just before the start and so the gathering and fancy dress parade took place in the hall but then the sun came out, the BBQs were fired up and everyone decamped to sit, eat and drink, chat, and sing in the sunshine. Keith and Bill’s music equipment was still inside, but a couple of extra jack plugs, sound was ferried outside as well. What a wonderful atmosphere! In the foyer, loads of children fought for places at the craft table, while an old fashioned sing along was going on outside. Rev’d Ruth said prayers of blessing for Her Majesty, we sang Happy Birthday, and then God Save the Queen, following by the cutting of the wonderful Celebration Cake made by Casper Smith. Only as we packed away the tables did the rain come – and boy did it rain! A huge thank you to everyone who took part, whether planning or organising, baking or creating, serving tea and coffee, playing music or being practical, or gracing the event with their presence and making it all so much fun. Loads of photos – click here
June 15th 2016 Shipshape Band at the History Group
the Local History Group was treated to a visit (after a two year gap) from the Shipshape Band for the last meeting of the season. And it was the final performance of the band in its present form. Coupled with wine and nibbles, it was a great evening of entertainment. Some photos here.
July 16th 2016 Pub Night July
Warm enough to be outside to begin with. A few photos here. Apologies – a steep learning curve with a new phone; seemed to be taking videos not photos in some cases. Back to the camera methinks…
July 17th 2016 ‘Pimm’s in the Garden’
What a glorious day to have Afternoon tea! Perfect weather, a gorgeous garden to relax in (thank you, Will and Frances), copious cakes, scones and savouries and Pimm’s of course! Then there were garden games if you had the energy. All in all, a very successful afternoon, raising about £440 for the work of All Saints Church. Pictures here.
July 18th Gardening Club visit to Ambers
With grateful thanks to Michael and Christine Lambert for allowing the Gardening Club to close its 2015/16 season with a visit to their gorgeous garden at the end of its eight week opening for the NGS (raising around £2,000 in the process.) It was a wonderful evening to wander around the garden and end with drinks and nibbles on the patio. Some pictures here.
September 10th Village Fete and Dog Show
A great success despite reduced numbers because of the weather forecast. A couple of the attractions pulled out, as did many of the car booters, but Drinkstone doesn’t let the weather spoil the day as these photos show!
September 23/25 Harvest Supper and church decorations
A packed hall for the 2016 Harvest Supper, coincidentally in the same week Cora Munford died (19th September). A few more photos than last year, but not many! Harvest Service was the following Sunday, surrounded by some lovely decorations.
October 1st Autumn Concert
The best yet, someone said. And it certainly had its moments! Bill’s harp playing was amazing; he managed to play folk, worship, blues and rock all in one concert.
We had two tributes to Victoria Wood; Trevor (aka Barry to Lyn’s Freda) will never be seen in the same light again. And there were the usual moments of wild audience participation (and mic snatching!) at the end. Well, check out the Photos
October 15th LHG Visit to Ipswich Transport Museum
There were eighteen of us who set off on the coach for a visit to the Ipswich museum for an evening of “Transport by Lamplight” It was an unusual and atmospheric event as collectors illuminated the museum with hundreds of old
paraffin and oil lamps. Refreshments were served and we wandered around the amazing collection of exhibits to the sound of a jazz quartet. We left on the coach with a warm cosy glow after a very successful visit. We took some photos by lamplight – which explains why some are a bit grainy!
November 23rd All Saints Christmas Coffee Morning
This year, the Starr family invited us to use Drinkstone Hall for this much anticipated annual event. The view from their lovely home was stunning, making it a wonderful space to display all the goodies. More people than ever came along for a really sociable morning. We have a few photos.
December 16th Wine and Carols
This bi annual event is a sociable evening, this time courtesy of the Kemp family. The evening started off with much mingling of friends old and new, along with wine and canapés. The evening was rounded off with some rousing carol singing, wonderfully accompanied by Calvin Goymer on the keyboard. A very festive evening (look here), but one that reminded everyone what Christmas was really about.