Cherry Gilchrist
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
  • About Cherry
  • Contact

Jubilee Jollity in the Church (2)

3/6/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
‘Parents, would you now take your children to the graveyard?’ 
Mirth from assembled company. Flustered, the announcer continued: ‘For the treasure hunt. And would you please ensure that they avoid the Garden of Remembrance. The square rectangular.’
More laughter.

We know how to have a good time in this village. Early rain provoked the sombre shaking of heads and the decision to scrap the celebration on the green. The church would have to do instead. And so it did, swiftly transformed into a scene of revelry, and something cunning done with the pews so that we could sit facing each other. Heralded by Morris men (mostly Morris women) a-dancing down the green,  with our Pimms and beers in hand, we all entered the portals where Robert and I stepped up to get married three years ago, picking up our disposable packs of red or blue plate, ditto cutlery, and Union Jack napkin on the way. Flags to wave were already on the tables. You could say that it was the perfect lunch club venue – I can see the write-up now: ‘gracious interior with lofty ceiling, elegant stained glass windows and raised area for live music.’

With 300 tickets sold, overspill guests had to go downstairs in the Parish Rooms. But we got the better deal, with the amazing Gloucestershire Constabulary Band, playing up above. Who’d a thought it? All those policemen making the most incredible, harmonious sound together, everything from the Dr Who theme to the – wait for it, you’ll never guess – Land of Hope and Glory. They got about three standing ovations. If I see one of you on the beat, dear coppers, I will go straight up and kiss you!

Char ladies aka chaps from the choir dressed up conducted the band as the mood took them, drew the raffle and played merry pranks all afternoon, including stealing my flag when I wasn’t looking. Formerly reserved neighbours swung, danced, waved and sang with abandon. The children were having fun, too, till they were despatched to the graveyard.


Indeed, I didn’t think it would be so much fun. Oh, and the Coronation Chicken was pretty good too.


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cherry Gilchrist

    Author of books on family history, relationships, alchemy, myths & legends. Life writing tutor teaching for Universities of Oxford & Exeter. Keen on quirky, ancient and mysterious things.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    July 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    1960s
    Alchemy
    Ancestors
    Cambridge
    Celebrations
    Cotswolds
    Curiousities
    Divination
    Elements
    Family History
    Film
    Horses
    Legend
    Magic
    Music
    Nature
    Poetry
    Russia
    Silk Road
    Spring
    Story
    Summer
    Tarot
    Theatre
    Travel
    Vintage
    Writing
    Writing Courses

    RSS Feed