Plans are well under way for the Broadwindsor Oak Apple weekend, Friday, 29th, Saturday, 31st May & Sunday, 1st June.
Oak Apple Day (29th May) was the birthday of Charles II, who famously stayed the night in Broadwindsor in 1651 on his six-week flight from the Battle of Worcester. It was also the date in 1660 when he was restored to the throne. For years afterwards, the day was celebrated across the land as a public holiday and is still marked in some areas with fetes and festivities.
There are still a few things to be confirmed, including timings, but, so far, the programme looks like this:
ON THURSDAY (OAK APPLE DAY):
12noon – meet at Bernards’ Place (village green) for a walk up to Lewesdon Hill. Bring your own picnic.
Evening – Oak Apple Banquet in The White Lion.
* Throughout the weekend… Scarecrow Festival with the theme of Royalty. Entry forms will soon be available from from The Shop, The White Lion or Comrades Hall. The scarecrows are put outside your house over the weekend of 31st May-1st June, or, if you live outside the village, we might be able to find space for you to put it in or around the Square.
ON FRIDAY:
6-9pm Family Fun Evening with live band at Broadwindsor Cricket Club.
A Family Fun Evening with live music featuring the young group, Jawes, a bar, bbq and stalls.
All at Broadwindsor Cricket Ground
Evening: Rib Night at the White Lion.
OVER SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:
Scarecrow Festival with the theme of Royalty. Publicity in due course, but something to think about! In the past, organised by both the old Jubilee Group and Broadwindsor Fun Day, the competition has been brilliant, with visitors coming from all over to see the amazing creations!
Flower Festival in the church – local groups are being invited to decorate windows illustrating quotes of the the illustrious Dr Thomas Fuller, Rector of Broadwindsor in the 17th century.
Art Project celebrating our community and the landscape we live in.
Hamper Raffle – village groups are being invited to put together their own themed hampers, reflecting their organisations, for a competition draw.
ON SATURDAY:
Scarecrow competition with the theme of ‘Royalty’.
2 – 5pm: Parade of village shields to Comrades Hall to launch the Oak Apple Fair where there will be stalls, sideshows and entertainment on Bernards’ Place and the hall car park.
From 2pm: Jokerman:
Bar, Hog roast/BBQ at the The White Lion.Evening: Live music in The White Lion Community Pub with Simon Lane
ON SUNDAY:
11am Community Service in the Church where the village and Dr Fuller – who preached from the pulpit and baptised his son in the font – will be celebrated.
2-4pm: Classic Car Display
There will be a display of Classic Cars in and around Comrades Hall car park.
Tea and coffee available from the hall in the morning, The White Lion open at lunchtime for food.
Tea and coffee available from the hall in the morning, The White Lion open at lunchtime for food.
2-4pm – Strawberry Tea in Comrades Hall by The 3 Churches.
Pub refreshments at the White Lion.
The parade of shields will be led by our own Broadwindsor Gallery Quire (we hope in 17th century costume but almost certainly singing and playing a song from 1660).
If you are part of a new village organisation and would like a shield, please let them know asap and they will try to sort one out for you. We’re doing an audit of shields that week, so will have a better idea then about what is missing. We hope these village shields will also be on display at the community service in the church on Sunday 1st June.
The original shields were created by Dave and Val and the lettering was done by Johanna.
Your help is vital! If you can’t make it but are happy to help, please email theoakapplegroup@gmail.com and follow the new Facebook page HERE.
Indeed, an invitation was sent to His Majesty King Charles III last month to which he graciously replied, being unable to attend, “[he] was very pleased to be asked. [He] wishes us well and hopes it will be ‘both successful and enjoyable for all involved‘.
It’s promising to be a great weekend!
Updates can be found and followed on the Facebook page – Click HERE.
