Soloists from the ENO will visit Preston St Mary on Saturday evening.

Interior of Preston Priory Barn

Next Weekend there is a lovely concert in Preston St Mary aimed at raising funds for the Church.

The Friends of Preston St Mary Church present an Evening of English and Patriotic Song sung by Highwood Village Choir with soloists from English National Opera.

 Saturday 30th September at 7pm in Preston Priory Barn, CO10 9LT

Tickets £12.50 (to include wine and nibbles) pre-booked or at the door

  

Lyn Davis 01787 247112 for more information

All proceeds go to maintain the Church fabric

Preston 'Christkindmarkt'

The Friends of the Church of Preston St Mary will be holding their 18^th ‘Christkindmarkt’ on Saturday November 14^th between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This year the venue of the ‘Markt’ has changed, and it will be held at Preston Manor Barn (postcode CO10 9LU) by kind invitation of Tim and Ann Coxon.

The Preston ‘ Christkindmarkt’ is a very popular seasonal event featuring traditional stalls.  In addition to lots of gift purchasing opportunities, there will be the chance to purchase Gisela Graham designer Christmas Decorations at reduced prices.

Refreshments will be available including hot gluwein, in keeping with the northern European atmosphere of the event.

Admission is £3, which includes entry to a prize draw.  All proceeds will go towards maintenance of the fabric of Preston's historic Suffolk church.

Summer fun in Preston

Following the great success last year, Preston St Mary is to hold another Mid Summer Street Fayre in aid of Church funds.

The event will be on Saturday 20th June and run from 10.30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Attractions will include food, plant and craft stalls, live music, teas, cakes, morris dancers, a raffle, a display in the church, a bouncy castle and roundabout, bars, pimms and a barbecue.

There will also be the opportunity to have a drink in the newly refurbished Six Bells Inn, which is fast gaining a reputation for good food and hospitality.

Entry is free and there is plenty of parking (also free!)

Events in Cockfield and Preston St Mary yesterday evening.

Nick and I had a busy evening yesterday.

Our first port of call was a lovely farmhouse in Cockfield where we attended a party in honour of Alan Morgan, who has been the Clerk of the Parish Council for 18 years, and who is now retiring.

Mr Morgan (left) recieves a gift from the Chairman in appreciation of 18 years as Parish Clerk.

 Alan is not going far. He is a resident of Cockfield and is standing as a Parish Councillor in the next Council which will resume work after the General, District and Parish elections. 

All the Parish Council were present, plus a previous chairman, David Hodge, and also the District Councillor, Clive Arthey.

A very good time was had by all!

The Annual Parish Meeting for Cockfield is on 30th April , and the new council will meet on Thursday May 21st in the village hall as usual.

Cockfield Parish Council, spring 2015.

At around 8.30 p.m. it was time to move on, accompanied by Clive and Lisa Arthey,  to nearby Preston St. Mary to attend the opening night of the newly refurbished Six Bells Pub.

It was quite an event! We were greeted at the door by braziers and a nine foot tall fairy,  complete with wand, who must have been very chilly on a not very warm April evening!  There were hordes of people present, both outside the pub and in.

The pub has been totally restored, the beams stripped and everything redecorated.  There were so many people there, and it was so dark, that it was difficult however fully to appreciate the new look.  The work has been undertaken by local resident Richard Martin, whose son has much experience in the catering industry, so I am sure that the venture will be a success.

Christmas is coming; local events in late November.

Designer bauble by Gisela Graham

Christmas is on its way and I have had notice of two pre Christmas events taking place on the last weekend of November.

Firstly, the Friends of St Mary's Church, Preston St Mary are holding their 17th annual 'Christkindmarkt', or Christmas Market, at Priory Barn, Preston, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday 29th November.

Traditional stalls, refreshments and designer decorations by Gisela Graham are promised.

Meanwhile in Kersey Church on the evening of Friday 28th and on Saturday 29th of November there is to be a traditional Christmas Fayre.   The notice reads 'Old Stalls, New Stalls, Great Atmosphere' and I am sure that all this will be delivered and more.

Why not spend time attending both events and get all your christmas present and decoration problems sorted!