Previous Events:
May Day at the Shaws' 2011 - Mediaeval Fair, Feast and Fun! Huge thanks to the Shaws and the Harries family for the Mediaeval May Fair - a real triumph. And thanks to those others who cooked, erected tents, brought produce, moved chairs and tables, and all the other things that make such an event possible and so much fun. Thanks too, to the Morris Dancers who exceeded expectations and are looking for further bookings! Thanks also to Manifesto for their madrigals. Well done to all those who wore festive costume. All in all, quite a day, and it made around £700 for church funds, so thanks to all who supported it! Click here for photos!
Royal Wedding Day Celebration 29 April 2011
We (90 adults plus about 30 kids) enjoyed the service live on our big screen TV plus a cake made by members of our congregation and sang the hymns and shared the prayers.
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Olveston Fete at Church Farm, June 27th 2010
Olveston Fete at Church Farm, June 20th 2009
African Weekend at Olveston on April 25th and 26th 2009
Bonnets and Bows, our Easter Monday Celebration Lunch, 13th April 2009.
A fund-raising lunch event held at Debbie and Bill Harries' home on Haw Lane, Olveston to raise funds for the 'Building for the Future' project. We were blessed with a wonderful
sunny day and excellent hospitality. The ladies looked fabulous in their Easter bonnets.
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Palm Sunday Procession 2009
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UWE BIG BAND CANDLELIT CONCERT on Monday 15 December 2008.
The church was packed with a huge audience who had come to hear the UWE Big Band and Fascinating Rhythm. The concert was superb. It was wonderful to see people dancing in the
aisles and the children playing their maracas! The whole audience gave the band a standing ovation at the end of the concert. We would like to thank everyone who helped
during the event and every one of the large 'gang' who helped clear and clean the church ready for a service the following day. We would also like to thank David Shaw and
Sian Slade for the organisation. The church looked wonderful with special lighting on the pillars and candle light throughout. There was certainly a 'wow factor' as people
entered the building. The concert raised £1300 for the Church Re-Ordering Fund.
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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.
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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.
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13 April: The Cross from the East end of the roof has been taken down for repair - click here for 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.
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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 for photos!