A community web site for villagers in and around
Arnesby, Shearsby and Bruntingthorpe
Shearsby Pages |
24th December - Carols around the Christmas TreeAnn Charles writes:- Over 100 people gathered around the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.
The carols were sung with gusto, fuelled with mince pies and mulled wine.
Many thanks to all who helped in any way, and everyone who attended. Saturday 6th December - Christmas FayreDespite the crisp morning, a constant stream of visitors turned up at the village hall, no doubt enticed by the appetising smell of cooked bacon.
Thanks to the generosity of the supporters, over £700 was raised for church funds.Thank you also to those who helped in the kitchen and on the stalls.
29th September - Harvest Supper
The Harvest Supper was held in the Village Hall and was extremely well attended by over 65 people. This year saw a new format, with a hot meal on offer, followed by a variety of desserts.
The auction of harvest produce followed, with spirited bidding for all goods on offer.The evening proved to be a huge success, and a donation of £250 was sent to Christian Aid.
Thanks to all who helped on the night, especially the ladies who provided a most enjoyable meal.
7th September 2008 - Shearsby Village Fete
Due to the inclement weather, this event was held in the village hall.It was well attended, making a total profit of £1874.46, which will go to the Church funds.
9th August 2008 - Live on the Green
With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge
It is an ancient headbanger, And he stoppeth one of three. ‘By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp’st thou me?
He holds me with his skinny hand, ‘There was a bash’ quoth he. ‘Hold off! Unhand me, grey-beard loon!’ Eftsoons his hands dropt me.
Water, water everywhere, And all the gazebos shrunk: Water, water everywhere, But everyone was drunk.
About, about in reel and rout The Platforms sang all night; The rain lashed green rocked about And glo-sticks shone with light…
You know, I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t have shot that rather large funny looking pigeon – anyone for an albatross sandwich, we seem to have a few left?
Regular readers of this annual weather report from Live on the Green (‘live’ as in ‘livewire’, not ‘live’ as in Live or Die) will by now possibly have guessed we did have a spot or two of torrential drizzle to contend with this year, but it takes more than a whole lot of water to dampen the spirits of the determined Shearsby party animal.
After a great deal of technical innovation our team of stage builders erected a canopy which meant the turns at least kept dry.
The paying public arrived wearing the latest creations from Rubberama World were similarly protected from their plasticized hats to their flowery gumboots.
‘Hit it’ we shouted, and we were entertained by Findlay Webster, The Zoot Suit Blues Band and finally The Platforms.
Grey – beard loons leapt about, fluorescing glo thingummy jigs were waved, the rain eased off and the British propensity for putting up with whatever falls out of the sky shone through.
As ever thanks to all who helped – it could not happen without your effort. However, we need more of you to volunteer next time, so if you enjoy the evening and want to help make it an ongoing feature of our village life let me know.
We made over £2500 for the Community Association which will fund our projects for the next 12 months. Richard Kew Chairman, Shearsby Community Association Saturday 26th July - Gastronomic SafariForty intrepid explorers set out on Saturday 26th July on a journey into the unknown.
At the appointed hour, merry bands of travellers were seen weaving their way down Church Lane, heading for their final destination at the homestead of Chris and Nigel. Here they found even more drinks, food and entertainment, and it is reported that some of the hardiest explorers did not depart for their homes till after 3.00 am!
The gastronomic safari raised over £600 for church funds, and its success was due to Brenda and Anne who organised and coordinated the event, and the many cooks who provided the courses that sustained the travellers throughout their expedition.
Many thanks to all involved in this wonderful event.
5th May - Morris DancersMonday 5th May saw the first of the season's Morris Dancers visit Shearsby.
The weather was very pleasant and a sizeable crowd gathered outside the Chandlers Arms to watch the Braybrooke Morris Dancers perform to their own live music.
The troop leader stated that this was the largest Monday night audience he had seen anywhere in all the years they had been performing.
After an hour's entertainment the group retired to inside the pub to have a well earned drink of real ale and mix with the villagers to round off a lovely evening of an English tradition and long may it last. To see more pictures click here» Link to Braybrooke Morris Dancer's site»
6th April - Shearsby Senior Citizen's LunchClive Garner writes:- The annual lunch, generously given by the Shearsby Community Association and a kind group of 'pudding providers', was eagerly awaited by the 50 or so diners.
The Sunday morning began with the village covered with a blanket of snow, not very seasonal, but beautiful and a big surprise - perhaps shared rides in 4 x 4 vehicles would ensure safe arrival at the village hall.
However Mother Nature, as ever changeful at this time of the year decided that after the snow she would put on her sunny smile and the snow melted in time for lunch.
In keeping with tradition, Shearsby standards and the need to maintain alcohol levels of some of the diners, pre lunch lunch drinks were professionally served creating a warm, happy and friendly atmosphere to the occasion.
Lunch comprised of a choice of starters, main courses, puddings, cheese and biscuits ending with tea or coffee with chocolate mints.
The meal was accommpanied by white and red wine followed by port with the cheese course. Water was also available!!
Expressions of thanks were given for the meal to the Community Association and the cooks and helpers for such a wonderful event.
For the first time in many years it was belatedly noted that whilst some diners had come prepared to take photographs to capture the occasion none were taken because everyone was too busy having such a good time!
Unbelievably, 4.30pm arrived, the meal had ended and so the merry diners slowly and with some reluctance departed to wend their various ways home. 11th March Strimmers V Mowers Table Skittles, Chandlers Arms,Relegation threatened, beset by injury worries, and the manager's job hanging by a thread - but the Mowers were up for the cup, so none of this mattered.
With last minute substitutions from behind the bar up his sleeve, captain B.Morris pulled off the shock of the season when his team of no hopers trounced the defending champions.
'Bringing on semi-professional Paul in the final moments of the beer leg was underhand and against the spirit of the game' muttered losing Strimmer's leader D. Durran, adding 'I just wish I had thought of it'.
For those who like statistics the bare facts are these. The Mowers beat the Strimmers 3 legs to 2 to win the match, and to add insult to injury they then won the beer leg as well.
The cup is missing from the Chandlers Arms and local police are baffled (no change there then) and are considering bringing in sniffer dog Pickles to aid in the hunt for the now tarnished trophy.
This unbiased report has been brought to you by former Strimmer (available for transfer if the money is right) Richard Kew
In reply, Barry Morris writes:-
The sporting calendar highlights many local derby's - City v United, Liverpool v Everton building up to the Rangers v Celtic clash.
However in the tiny hamlet of Shearsby their very own sporting battle takes place, fought out along the lines of the previously mentioned encounters.This contest is the annual Churchyard Mowers v the Churchyard Strimmers skittle match held at the Chandlers Arms.
This years epic confrontation was no exception.The Mowers took an early lead but the Strimmers clawed their way back, and at the supper interval the game was poised at 2-2.
Strimmers captain David Durran was busily geeing up his team during supper, his team were the current holders of the coveted trophy, but the Mowers seemed determined to wrestle it from them.
Supper over, the final leg began with the Mowers going first.They grew in confidence as 8`s and 9`s were steadily posted all down the leg and a very respectable 87 was recorded.
The Strimmers started poorly and got steadily behind; the Mowers captain Barry Morris sensed victory and a huge cheer went up as the final Strimmers thrower missed an impossible target.
Easy, easy the Mowers cruelly chanted as David Durran presented the cup to Barry Morris vowing to regain it next year.
The Beer Leg was still to come but with the Mowers cock a hoop they continued their good form and substitute Paul the barman finished the leg by passing the Strimmers total.
After a forlorn objection by skipper Durran to the substitution, the Mowers were triumphant and toasted victory with free beer courtesy of their opponents.
15th March 2008 - Granny's Attic SaleThe organisers of the Granny's Attic Sale, held in Shearsby Village Hall, thank everybody who gave both time and contributions so generously.
The support offered by such a small community enabled us to raise the amazing sum of £1244.12. This will be divided equally between Breast Cancer Research and Macmillan Nurses.Thank you all.
Click here for pictures of the event.
16th February 2008 - The Shearsby Game LunchThe end of the shooting season does have a silver lining, at least for the villagers in the tiny hamlet of Shearsby in Leicestershire.
To mark the end of the season the annual Game Lunch is celebrated at the Chandlers Arms, Shearsby`s quaint little pub on the village green.
Residents cook their own speciality recipe from the game harvest and take them to the village pub for all to enjoy. Pheasant ,partridge, duck , rabbit, hare, venison, muntjac and woodcock grace the tables in this gastronomic extravaganza.
The annual event has gone on longer than anyone can remember and the pub’s Landlords Steve and Karen say it is a unique occasion which they are pleased to host.
The Chandlers Arms is renowned for its real ales which are a perfect accompaniment for the feast.
For further information contact: Barry Morris basmorris@btinternet.com Click here to see Bob's photos» ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bishop's Lent Pilgrimage - 7th February to 16th MarchBishop Tim started his 2nd week at Market Harborough, choosing to stay overnight on Thursday 14th February at Shearsby.About 40 people were in church for evening prayer when he arrived.
After being fed and watered, a reception in the village hall was enjoyed, where Bishop Tim held a question and answer forum, and met as many people as possible.
Friday morning prayer was held in Shearsby church, after which Bishop Tim and a group of local walkers set out for Fleckney.
Thanks to Bishop Tim for his visit - approximately £150 was collected on the night for the children's society. Details of the pilgrimage are printed in the Leicester Mercury. |
