St. Leonard's Lexden Summer Fete

St. LEONARD'S CHURCH, LEXDEN IS CELEBRATING 200 YEARS SINCE THE CHURCH'S CONSECRATION, when the current building replaced the earlier much smaller church on the site. It is said that the bishop arrived for the occasion on a horse, which seems reasonable given the available transport at the time. The Summer Fete on Saturday 2nd July will be part of these celebrations and is an opportunity to reach out to all in the local parish served by the church. We shall be welcoming back the wonderful 1st Class Brass who have given wonderful support to the event on seven previous occasions. Lunches in church offer the opportunity to sit in the shade and chat. Many just like to sit in the arena tent and listen to the band. Every year we have additional entertainment when the band has a break. This year is no exception and we are privileged to be welcoming the Columbines trio, whose repertoire embraces folk and Americana, original songs and arrangements, harmony and a capella.  The Petanque Club in Stanway has given us great support over the last three events and is part of the University of the Third Age. Petanque has proved popular at the Summer Fete and the event affords a platform to promote the game and to encourage people to explore this activity and other opportunities offered by the U3A.  The ever popular Smoothie Bike allows people to make fresh smoothies before their very eyes and no fete would be worthy of the name without a coconut shy. In addition there are all the traditional stalls. We have prided ourselves on an impressive book stall and a bric-a-brac stall occupying a large area near the Lexden Road entrance. On the path going up towards the church the visitor will meet the Lexden History Group under the Yew tree before arriving at the real ale bar on the right. Between those there is the craft tent for children.  The Rev. Matt Simpkins writes on the church's website, 'Our church is not a private club - it is open to, and for, everybody. It's for those who have faith or who have none, those who have made mistakes, those who are trying to make sense of their lives, those whom everyone else has given up on. We know we're not perfect and we don't expect you to be. We're here to help each other, find out more about what we mean to God and what God means to us (and we're all still learning ourselves). What kind of a church are we? We are an Anglican church. More importantly...We put Jesus at the centre of everything we do. We try to be a force for good in the world. We believe that nothing is impossible with God.' ARTISTS / SPEAKERS: The Columbines Trio, 1st Class Brass, The Petanque Club, U3A, Stanway CATEGORY: Community | Bazaar and Fete