Wheat in August
There are all sorts of ways for communities to come together and celebrate at Harvest Festival time. Some people like to combine it with another tradition - Apple Day.
Here's a look back at a few memorable Harvest Festivals and Suppers in Ambridge...
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Apples on the ground in October
HARVEST FESTIVAL IN AMBRIDGE...
THE MODERNIZED HARVEST FESTIVAL…
In 1989,Vicar Jerry Buckle experimented with a more modern festival to see how the locals liked it. He concentrated on the agricultural aspect of the community, asking local farmers to lend livestock. There were calves in a pen outside the church and a bucket of slurry to represent fertility. Free range eggs were included among the donated produce.
HARVEST SUPPER…
In bygone days, the traditional supper was boiled beef and onions, with plum pudding to follow.
Villagers paid for a ticket and proceeds have gone to a range of good causes – from national charities to helping with local projects.
It’s a popular event and most of the village go along – there’s plenty of cider to drink and sometimes singing (Tom Forrest has been known to test his lungs.)
PLAYING HOST TO THE HARVEST SUPPER:
The Village Hall: Before changing shape in the early 1980s, the supper table used at the village hall was a horse-shoe – with the bosses at the top and workers down the arms. And since then, the supper has been held at various locations, including The Bull Upstairs and local farms.
Bridge Farm: In 2008, Pat and Tony thanked the village for their support in seeing off Borchester Land’s threat to turn their packhouse into a luxury home. It also coincided with Grange Farm’s Open Day and prompted another thank you: from Oliver to Ed on his determination not to let the TB in the Grange Farm herd defeat him.
‘RICH MAN, POOR MAN’…
In 2012, Ed and Emma were out of money again and George wanted to take some food for the harvest festival at school. He raided their tin cupboard, but was told to put the beans and the soup back and only take the pineapple.
Ten years earlier, one third of the guests got a proper meal and two thirds got rice and water. As luck would have it Joe got a poor meal and Brian got a rich one.
"SWING YOUR PARTNER"...
There have been several barn dances over the years, with Jolene doing the calling and also singing with her band. In 2007, Fallon persuaded a reluctant Ed onto the floor for a do-si-do - was it here that Ed (now happily married to Emma) looked at Fallon as more than a friend?
DYEING TO IMPRESS…
In 1982, Jill went to a beauty parlour and had her hair dyed for the occasion. Mrs P didn’t approve, so Jill washed it out.
In 1995, Kate didn’t go because there was no vegetarian food on the menu. This year also marked Tom Forrest’s 85th birthday: Roy let the cat out of the bag and told Tom that he'd be guest of honour at supper, which turned out to be a great success. Tom was presented with a framed photo of himself as a baby with the rest of his family. He made a delightful speech and a good time was had by all.
CONSUMING TO EXCESS…
In 1983, Walter pretended he knew a recipe for a Borsetshire Harvest Brew. Persuaded by Richard into making it, Walter got Dan to help make a recipe up.
Walter and Dan experimented to make the brew and ended up getting very drunk. Tom, Phil, and Nelson found them at Honeysuckle Cottage, drunk and asleep in the living room.
Walter Gabriel (Chris Gittens) - 1984
If you've been taking part, we hope it was a bumper one!...
Catch up with Harvest 2015 on BBC Two
