Saturday 20th June 2015
Part of Agincourt 2015
It was a warm afternoon. Several large marquees took up half of the lawn and housed beautifully set tables with white cloths and chairs, flowers and pretty crockery. A long table carried a selection of intriguing items for a charity auction.
Some ladies dressed in medieval costume were adding the finishing touches and a group of ‘Medieval Minstrels’ were setting up ready to play. All was calm but a real sense of anticipation hung in the air.
And then people arrived and weren’t they magnificent! Medieval archers, knights, monks and clerics – was that really the Rector?! Ladies dressed as noble ladies complete with a ‘houppelande’, peasants with just a ‘kirtle’, and serving wenches – they were all there. A free glass of wine got the talking going, music filled the air and those not in costume looking wistfully on.
A table plan detailed which Agincourt knight’s table everyone was on – was it Sir Thomas Erpingham himself or perhaps the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Warwick or even Lord Scroop! Then the Hog Roast arrived steaming hot and we were ready to go, with baps, potatoes and various salads served with commendable efficiency, then strawberries (just picked) with cream, meringues and shortbread. Tea or coffee followed. The laughter and chatter pointed to a good time being had by all.
Then the charity auction – with amazing contributions from so many people. Would you like a stained glass window for your front door, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a hand carved candlestick or a beautifully made wooden box? Perhaps you would prefer a handmade walking stick? or a water colour painting? or indeed a hand crafted cushion. There was plenty of beer (in crates no less!) and other alcohol to be bid for and the Rector – minus his headdress – ran it with humour and efficiency on our newly purchased PA system.
The afternoon was drawing to a close when the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. But it couldn’t spoil things. We had all had a fantastic time and over £3,660 was raised towards the installation of a toilet and kitchenette at the church.
