News and Events
2008
Last Sunday's Pew SheetHarvest is being celebrated on 21 September this year - and will follow last year's very successful model. Any offers of help to Sian Slade (419162). We're having a more extensive Harvest Swap Shop this year, and Graham Clark is in charge of it. He'd be happy to see fruit and veg of any kind, blackberries, conkers, rose hips, tomatoes, autumn leaf arrangements, dried flowers, seeds for next year, eggs, home made bread, jam, chutney etc. No money changes hands. Help yourself to anything from the table that you reckon to be a fair swap. If you haven't anything that you wish to swap, should something take your fancy, we will find a 'neighbourly arrangement'.
On 28 September we are observing the National Back to Church Sunday Campaign where all members of the congregation are encouraged to invite people who used to come to church to come back again. Canon Brian Carne, who was vicar here from 1983 to 1991 is coming back to take the service. It will be a Communion Service which, from now on, will replace the Fourth Sunday. More details in due course.
Come and join friends at the village Coffee Shop in Olveston Stores every Thursday from 10am to 12 noon. Fresh coffee, chocolate or tea with a home made cake or biscuit for just £1. If you can help by making cakes or biscuits, please contact Pauline Wright. Ultimately profits will help towards new coffee-making facilities here in church.
(For a longer list of forthcoming events in and around Olveston, see the Diary page of the online Meeting Point magazine.)
Previous Events:
St Swithun's Day Ball, 15th July 2008
The sun shone on St Swithun's Day, the wind dropped and a fabulous evening was enjoyed by all present at the St Swithun's Day Ball on July 15th. This was the launch event of fund-raising for St Mary's Olveston improvement of facilities project.
Ballgoers were treated to a magnificent venue at Tockington Manor by courtesy of Richard and Jane Tovey, dressed overall in fine style by the decorations team and welcomed by local harpist, Tessa Sullivan.
Tables were named after 17 distinguished vicars of Olveston stretching back to Richard of Vienne in 1280, including a synopsis of each of their achievements.
Fine food was provided by Napier Catering, there was an extensive bar to supply all tastes and the happy throng danced the evening away to the superb sound of the Veroneka Big Band - all 21 of them.
A grand raffle of excellent prizes donated by our generous sponsors was well-supported and the whole evening raised £7,633, a very encouraging start to our fund-raising.
Thanks to all those who attended and all those who worked so hard to make it happen. We look forward to the next one.
Click here to see photos!
21 June: Church Fete
The Summer Fete was a great success with an ever-increasing community involvement. Many thought it the most successful yet despite the weather.
The venue was agreed to be a great help. A profit of over £2,200 was made.
Click here to see photos!
13 April: The Cross from the East end of the roof has been taken down for repair - click here to see photos!
Events from 2007...
Parish Harvest Festival Service and Lunch on Sunday 7th October 2007The church buzzed with activity during the Parish Harvest Festival Service and Lunch. A large gathering of parishioners of all ages joined in a traditional harvest service with added participation by the Olveston School choir and St Mary's handbell ringers. Entertainment after the service was provided by Ernie Baker from Littleton. The children also enjoyed a treasure hunt in the churchyard, conkers and apple-bobbing.
There was a big variety of local produce on exchange at a novel swap shop and a fascinating churchyard tour was led by Arthur Robbins. A traditional lunch of roast pork, fruit crumble and cider was enjoyed by all present. Musical entertainment was supplied by David Shaw on piano and Sam Bain on drums. Festival attenders departed happy and well-fed after a joyful harvest thanksgiving.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the occasion.
Click here to see photos!
St Mary's Olveston Church Fete Saturday 23rd June 2007
Olveston was basked in sunshine for the annual Church fete last Saturday afternoon. Visitors to the Church building were treated to many talented artistic, musical, floral, historic and dynamic displays. The church bells were rung and curious youngsters were later conducted up the tower to enjoy the full vista of the Severn Vale.
A short walk down the hill at Church Farm there was plenty of action in the courtyard, in the display arena and on the sports field.
There were bargains a-plenty at the stalls in the courtyard; Summer sunshine encouraged sales of ice cream, teas, cakes, special sausages and plants.
Visitors chanced their arm and their luck at the coconut shy, bottle stall, balloon race and fruit machine plus a host of other attractions.
The young enjoyed a penalty shoot-out in the sports field and the landlord of the White Hart suffered from a barrage of wet sponges whilst held captive in the stocks.
Olveston CEVC School entertained in the main arena with country dancing and Olveston Brownies delighted with a cavalcade of music and dance numbers for the holiday season.
The afternoon concluded with the Battle of the Pubs. A powerful tug of war team from the White Hart, Olveston got the better of a spirited team of challengers from the Plough at Pilning.
The sun kept shining as the happy throng dispersed after a fun village event.
Click here to see photos!