Even super-er Saturday

As the stallholders at the Arts and Craft Market set up their wares in the churchyard, the Priory, too, was a hive of expectant activity.

The smiling welcomers were primed with their welcome leaflets, the children’s activities team tipped orange sprinkles and edible eyes into tubs and practised their paper curling technique, the accompanist sorted through her music and the refreshments team carefully assembled the magnificent array of cakes made by the Priory’s band of Benedictine Bakers…all to the reassuring rumble and steam of the Priory urn.

The first musician began to play and the visitors arrived. The welcomers pointed youngsters to the children’s activities, where, with a ‘The lion the witch and the wardrobe’ theme, crafts were soon being created. Aslan cupcakes (with edible sugar eyes), lions made from paper cups, an amazing opening wardrobe to colour in and decorate, and lion pictures to complete. A guided tour moved into the choir as Priory highlights were pointed out, whilst other visitors enjoyed resting weary feet with a cup of tea and a cake in the nave to the accompaniment of a wonderful range of Priory musicians of all ages. On the hour, tours left to ascend the tower, where views were expected to be outstanding, due to the atmospheric conditions. Dylan, the custos, was still in celebratory mood, having completed the London Marathon less than a week earlier.

As the weary volunteers tidied up at the end of the day, the last sprinkle swept up, and just a few cake crumbs cleared away, all agreed it had truly been a ‘Priory Super Saturday’.