Harvest Supper 2008

Saturday 11th October at seven-thirty in the evening. There was an air of expectation in the magnificent C12^th nave of Saint Mary's church in Stafford. This massive space was transformed into a candle-lit medieval banqueting hall and forty people had arrived to celebrate harvest in style. All were greeted with a refreshing glass of fruit punch. In honour of the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams a selection of his orchestral music gently wafted around the ancient stones.

Tables were set down the wide central aisle and the impressive coffered roof glowed in the warm light as the flickering candles cast dancing shadows across the anticipatory faces. A chorus of the well-known harvest hymn "We plough the fields and scatter..." was sung as grace prior to the serving of the main course.

The Jacques Loussier Trio playing his Bach arrangements replaced Vaughan-Williams as Chicken in White Wine accompanied by new potatoes and carrots arrived at the table. This served admirably to take the edge off our hunger and was assisted on its way by the liquid refreshment of choice that we had all brought with us. The Treacle Tart and cream which followed induced that sense of well-being that only a little over-indulgence in comfort food can produce.

Once all had reached a comfortable state of repletion the performers felt that it was probably safe to begin the after dinner entertainment.

John Savage (flute) and Ian Miller (piano) performed three very attractive, contrasting dance movements by Bach, Handel and Edward German.

Chris Bown sang Ireland and Rogers & Hammerstein ably accompanied by John, and later regaled us with the saga of "Albert and the 'eadsman.".

Paul Slater and Sue Savage sang Mozart and Gilbert & Sullivan (choreographed of course) once again ably accompanied by John.

Father Graham and Isobel collaborated in a tremendous performance of "The Hippopotamus" by Flanders & Swan in which the  audience willingly (and in some cases, ably) augmented the chorus.

The evening's entertainment ended with Alice Miller singing "In Dreams" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You".

Everyone assisted in tidying away the tables and chairs quickly returning the church to readiness for the Harvest Sunday services and we set off homewards feeling well fed and well entertained.