Whatlington

The church has just taken delivery of the replacement needlework, commissioned from Jacksons of Hebden Bridge to replace the items lost in the fire of July 2010. There is a new three piece Altar Rail kneeler which features the Whatlington Communion Chalice as the centre piece of the middle panel. There is also a new cushion for the Priests Stall featuring a reproduction of a pencil drawing which shows the church as it would have looked in the late 18th century. The third item is another cushion, this time for the Bishops Chair, it has a reproduction of the Anglo-Saxon flag, a white dragon on a red background with the wording ‘Harold Rex Anglorum’ then ‘Whatlington 1066’ as a reminder that the last Saxon King was also the Lord of the Manor of Whatlington as recorded in the Doomsday Book.

Some dates for your diaries: The Village Barn Dance and Hog Roast will be held on Saturday, July 26th from 7.00 pm, in a marquee behind the Village Hall. This event is free to Whatlington residents, and just £5.00 for family and friends from outside the village. Beer, cider and soft drinks will be kindly provided by Neil and Maria of The Royal Oak and Shepherd Neame. The Hog Roast is also free of charge but you are encouraged to bring salads or other ‘sides’ and desserts, to share. Please let the organisers know if you will be coming, as it is important to have some idea of numbers attending. The email address for this is [email protected].

There are also two forthcoming events to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War. On Sunday, August 3rd at 4.00 pm, the author Charlotte Moore will give a talk in the church, St Mary Magdalene, about the local people featured on the War Memorial in the church, and will also deal in part with the life of villagers in Whatlington generally around that time.

On Saturday, August 9th, another author, Alan Judd, who is also a former soldier and diplomat, will give a talk in the Village Hall at 3.00 pm. This will look at how the war was regarded by, and affected, ordinary people at the time, such as the villagers of Whatlington. The talk will be followed by light refreshments. There will also be an exhibition in the Hall of wartime memorabilia.

If you have anything you might like to lend to this exhibition, such as photos, letters, documents or artefacts that are relevant either to the war or to the village at that time, please contact Charlotte Moore on 01424 870027 or at [email protected].

Finally, don’t forget the Film Club now in operation at The Royal Oak once a month. July’s film is Blue Jasmine and will be shown on Wednesday, July 23rd. Membership is £7.50 for the whole year.

Patricia Begg

Riccards Spring