The St George’s Day Lunch was held on Sunday 23 April 2017 at St Michaels Village Hall. The weather was fine and we enjoyed a complimentary glass of Mr Berrington’s Apple Juice as we gathered outside in the sunshine. As a newcomer to St Michaels, I am full of admiration for the enthusiasm, organisation and sense of community in the Village and this occasion demonstrated all these attributes to the full, really bringing the Village together for a most enjoyable lunchtime event.
The St Michaels Morris Men started the proceedings and gave a very confident performance of two dances, mostly in time with the music! They certainly looked the part with their decorated straw hats, white hankies, bells and sticks. I gather it is many years since their last public performance and I am sure we all hope they won’t leave it so long again, maybe entertaining us at the Summer Fete – and we won’t mind if they repeat their only two dances! After their photo call, the Morris Men formed an arch with their sticks and we made our way inside, passing under the arch, to find the hall festooned with brightly coloured bunting. The tables were laid with crisp white table cloths with red napkins and each had a centre piece of a pretty jar of wild flowers and importantly, a St George’s flag. Eventually, all ninety-one diners were seated and the hall was filled with happy chatter.
Pat Mutton and her amazing kitchen team performed miracles and provided us with a really delicious meal. The Morris Men’s duties did not end with their dancing skills, as they then became waiters, serving starters of egg mayonnaise or butternut squash soup. This was followed by roast beef (provided by Phil Gibbs) with all the trimmings, Yorkshire puds, roast potatoes, roast mixed vegetables, cauliflower cheese etc. There were more delights to follow with apple crumbles and bread and butter puddings served with cream or custard. As we finished off with teas and coffees, we had a musical interlude when the male voices of the choir led us in singing patriotic songs including Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and We’ll Meet Again. This being St Michaels, we will all meet again very soon.
Well done to Pat and her team and thank you to everyone who made this St George’s Day Lunch such a success.
Cherry Moore