A VILLAGE church is holding a summer of afternoon teas with some very special guests.
St Mary’s parish in Aldworth runs several fundraising events throughout the year to help with the upkeep of the 12th century church.
But probably the most popular are the afternoon tea and coffee sessions in the company of the famous Aldworth Giants.
These nine effigies of the de la Beche family who came from Flanders after the Battle of Hastings, lie in stately stone splendour within St Mary’s.
Parishioner Gill Wilding who organises the summer teas said the Aldworth Giants had become a major tourist attraction.
“Many people know about them and love coming back to see them again, but others are taken aback when they see the Aldworth Giants for the first time,” she explained.
“They are unique in representing so many members of an ancient family and even more special that they are all in one small parish church. We don’t have a hall, so the teas are held in the church in the company of the Aldworth Giants which is a great talking point, better than a museum.”
The de la Beche family were granted a licence by William Duke of Normandy to build a castle at Aldworth which was followed by a second at Mortimer. One of the most impressive of the Giants is Sir Philip who lies on his side in a small niche, dressed in embossed leather armour and a mantle to show he was a valet to King Edward II.
St Mary’s is also home to a number of other members of the great and the good to be found at the parish. One of England’s greatest poets, Alfred Tennyson held the title of Lord Tennyson of Aldworth, while in the churchyard there is a memorial to Robert Laurence Binyon, author of the poem, For The Fallen which is recited at Remembrance Sunday services every November.
Anyone needing to walk off their afternoon tea and cake can join a glorious short walk from St Mary’s onto the Ridgeway, an 87-mile trackway described as Britain’s oldest road.
Added Gill: “The afternoon teas start on Wednesday, July 5, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, and at the same time on every Wednesday in July, August and September.
“For just £3, visitors can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and cake in the company of the Aldworth Giants in a beautiful and ancient church. We hold a number of other fundraising events during the year which are posted on the church website.
“We look forward to welcoming people from near and far to visit St Mary’s and our beautiful village.”
For more information, log on to: http://www.aldworthvillage.org/index.php/st-marys-church/
