Community Events

Although now partly retired from the NHS, I’ve been full-time working in healthcare for the last 20 years and being vicar of Fletching is my first foray back into vicaring since 2005. The parish I left that year was in a rural part of Warwickshire, and one of my fondest memories is of the annual August Show in the village of Tysoe. The ‘Tysoe Flower Show’ was a wonderfully English event with prizes for plants and vegetables, cakes and hanging baskets, flower displays and wine. There were dog shows, dancing shows, synchronised ride-on lawnmower displays, vintage cars and tractors, and it was a central event in the life of the community.

I was vicar there overall for 12 years, and my great ambition was to follow my predecessor in becoming the assistant Wine and Spirits judge at the Show. This meant that I spent some years serving my time in the village stocks, having wet sponges thrown at me for £1 a go. Finally, though, in 2001 I received the promotion I’d hoped for and joined a local wine importer in assessing the home brewed wines and spirits. We started at 10 a.m. and by 12 had awarded all the prizes. This left time for a much needed lie down behind the marquee before the show opened.

Every community needs events that mark the passage of the year and the rhythm of its life. Here in Fletching we are fortunate in having a good community life with so many groups and organisations creating a rich pattern.

In the next few weeks we have two events that I’d like to celebrate in this letter. First of course is the Fletching Bonfire Society annual bonfire and fireworks on Saturday, September 13th. The committee deserves huge thanks for all the work they have put in throughout the year, and we are looking forward to a great evening.

The next event deserving a very special mention is the Fletching Music and Arts Festival on October 16th, 17th and 18th. This is a brand-new festival and looks set to become an important, annual part of the Fletching’s life. Nationally and internationally known musicians and actors will be combining to create a special series of evening concerts. You can find out more at www.fletchingmusicartsfest.com

Wishing you all a wonderful September in this very special community.

David Knight
Vicar of Fletching, Piltdown and Sheffield Park