The Way We Were: Ryton 1914

Heritage Open DaysRyton-on-Dunsmore History Group and St Leonard’s Church, Ryton-on-Dunsmore present “The Way We Were: Ryton 1914”, a Heritage Open Day exhibition plus a number of additional exhibits and events over a 3 day period (Friday 12th September to Sunday 14th September), including a re-enactment of the historic Christmas Day truce football match, a sing along “Pack Up Your Troubles…” – songs from the 1914-18 war – and daily refreshments (lunch availble too) in the church centre.
The main exhibition takes place in St Leonard’s Church and will be exploring and commemorating the changes that took place in this village 100 years ago. The exhibition runs for 3 days, 12th, 13th & 14th September 2014, with the church and exhibition open as follows:

  • Friday 11am – 5pm
  • Saturday 10am – 5pm
  • Sunday 11am – 4.30pm

Provost Williams LogoThe exhibition includes exhibits by Provost Williams C of E Primary School, with each year group exhibiting work created from their studies into what life was like for families in Ryton in 1914.
Rytons FallenIn the church you will find the flower festival – an exhibition of flowers to honour those who went to fight in the Great War. Each arrangement will be dedicated to one of Ryton’s fallen.
On the field next to St Leonard’s there will be an exhibition of farming in 1914. Come and meet the animals, see the tools and machinery and explore how farming was done.
Farming 1914There were 14 farms in and around Ryton in 1914. Although some cows were kept for milking, most farmers grew crops.
Also in the church centre there will be an exhibition on food rationing in World War One with examples or army rations from 1914 – 1918. Come along and try some World War One recipes!
If you don’t like the look of the rations, refreshments will be available each of the three days in the church centre serving morning and afternoon tea and coffee with cakes and snacks plus lunch is available between 12 noon and 2:30pm too.
Christmas Day Truce FootballIf you need some fresh air and/or exercise then come along and watch or join in the re-enactment of the historic Christmas Day truce game of football, on Saturday 13th September at 3pm on the Recreation Ground. See the event detail for more information about the workings of this event and how to join in.
If that’s not enough to keep you going then come along to our evening sing-along “Pack Up Your Troubles” – songs from the 1914-18 war – on Saturday 13th September at 7pm in St Leonard’s Church (charge applies, see event for more details).
The church itself is holding a special evensong service on Sunday 14th September at 4:30pm, as it was in 1914. St Leonard’s is part of a group of three churches and together with St John the Baptist, Bagington and St Giles, Bubbenhall, make up our United Benefice.
If you would like to take part in any of the events over the three day or you would like more information then please contact Steve Garrett (02476 639228, carrotfromryton@talktalk.net).

Kick-off, Fête and Community Gathering

Church Fete 2014 PosterIt’s time to kick-off the 2014 St Leonard’s Church Fête and Football Competition on Saturday 28th June on the Recreation Ground (kick-off 10am, fête 12 midday) and this year we have a post-fête Conga* Community Gathering for all the family from 6pm, featuring jazz singer Gebby Eaton.

*Conga: Don’t worry, no one will be doing the conga! Conga is just an acronym for Community Gathering.

Football Competition

The 6-aside football competition for both seniors and juniors kicks off at 10am, continuing until the fête closes around 4:30pm. This is an international affair, not just with local teams (including a team from our own village) but also a team from our French twinned town of Hordain, Nord-Pas-de-Calais (twinned in 1996), which has a village connection relating back to our association with Peugeot.
There should be 16 senior teams and 8 junior teams in action. Confirmed so far are:

Senior Teams

Senior Team Name Location
Admirals (ex BEC) Rugby
Airborne Fit Rugby
Blackhorse Dunchurch
Blacksmith’s Arms Ryton
Bourton Rugby Borough
Frankton Rugby Borough
Hordain France
Leamington Vets (1) Ryton
Leamington Vets (2) Ryton
London Calling Clifton on Dunsmore
Long Lawford Long Lawford
Lukal Ryton
Misfits Rugby
The Webb Rugby

Junior Teams

Junior Team Name Location
Bagington Lions (Black) Bagington
Bagington Lions (Orange) Bagington
Bagington Lions (U6’s) Bagington
Christ the King Rovers (1)
Christ the King Rovers (2)
Coventry Copeswood
Coventry Jaguar Youth
GNP Rovers

It may not be be the World Cup but it is certainly a hard fought competition.

Fête

Church Fête 2013

Montage of 2013 Church Fête


The fête opens its stalls at 12 midday offering the usual vast selection of music, food and entertainment, all going on alongside the football competition.
Music is provided by two different bands this year; the 13th City of Coventry Scout Band, one of Britain’s best known marching Scout bands and the Coventry Festival Band who have recently been playing at the Belgrade Theatre as the Grimley Band in Brassed Off.
Fete Bake Off
There is the ever popular Punch and Judy show as well as lots of stalls and games, including; bouncy castle, slide, face painting, barbecue, bar, teas and coffee, cakes for sale, a cupcake competition and of course the traditional raffle and tombola.
The cupcake competition, being run by the WI, is open to all (children and adults, male and female) with free entry. All you have to do is present 3 cupcakes to the theme of “the seaside” and have your entries in by 2pm. Judging will be at 3pm.
The Ryton History Group will be there with a display of village photos and historic documents and if you would like to find out more about how you might contribute to this website come find a member of the Village Website Action Group in the Parish Council tent.

Conga Community Gathering

After taking a break for the last few years, this year is going to be different as there will be a family evening event once again sponsored by the Twirls WI Lites – the Conga Community Gathering, featuring jazz singer Gebby Eaton.

Gebby Eaton

Gebby Eaton


Contrary to rumour, no one will be doing the conga – the term conga is derived from Community Gathering. Bring your own food, drink, cutlery, tables and chairs and sit down and relax in the comfort of the marquee provided, or if the weather is good feel free to mill around the Recreation Ground, and enjoy the music provided by Gebby Eaton. The gathering starts at 6pm and continues until 9pm – the Recreation Ground needs to be vacated by 10pm.
Gebby has recently moved into Ryton-on-Dunsmore with her family and has spend the last few years singing for weddings and events in and around Warwickshire. Gebby performs a range of jazz and acoustic covers as well as many popular love songs which she enjoys singing at weddings and romantic occasions! Gebby will be performing songs old and new for the evening gathering.

Where Does All The Money Go?

St Leonard's ChurchHave you ever wondered why St Leonard’s Church  always seems to be asking for money for one project or another? Even after a successful summer fête it never seems to stop does it?.
The Reverend David Wintle has written a letter to explain where it all goes – and why St Leonard’s cannot afford to stop working to raise funds.
Read more about the funding for St Leonard’s Church.
 

Christmas Activities 2013

A host of village activites are planned in the run up to Christmas, starting with the Church Christmas Coffee Morning, the annual Christmas Fayre, Santa’s Visit, including the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa, and a Christmas Play (The Snow Queen), so keep checking the Events for details.

Christmas Coffee Morning

BallBallsCome and enjoy all your favourite stalls at this year’s Christmas Coffee Morning, such as Home-Made Cakes, Pickles, Toys, Bric-a-Brac, Books, Games, Bottle Stall, a Raffle & much more in the Village Hall on Saturday 30th November from 10am to 12 noon.
There’ll also be coffee, tea, bacon rolls & hot-dogs and just for the children…Father Christmas.

Christmas Fayre

Join us in the Village Hall for the annual family Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7th December 2013 from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Santa will be paying a visit as well as all the usual stalls; Festive Christmas Gifts, Paint & Glaze, Tombola, Raffle, Carol Singing/Choir, Hot Food & Drink, Festive Games.

Santa’s Village Visit

Santa will once again be stopping off for a quick tour around the village on Thursday 5th December, start off at 6pm in Poplar Grove and ending up in Church Road & the Malt Shovel at 8pm. For a full list of his busy schedule see the published Event.

Christmas Workshop

Christmas Workshop PosterDon’t miss the Christmas Workshop in St Leonard’s Church Centre on Sunday 8th December 2013 from 9:30am to 11:00am, with a short service afterwards. Come along and have some fun making presents and decorations ready for Christmas.
There’ll be squash, tea, coffee and biscuits to keep you going!

Breakfast With Santa

Breakfast With SantaCome along and enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Village Hall on Saturday 14th December from 9:30am to 11:00am.
Booking is essential for this event (£7.50 per child and £5.00 per adult) and include toast, cereals, fruit juice, pancakes, tea/coffee, a gift for each child and a memorable photograph, which is delivered to you via email after the event. See the published Event for contact details.

The Snow Queen

Snow Queen PosterThe Rain or Shine Theatre Company will be presenting their adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson tale, The Snow Queen at the Village Hall on Saturday 14th December at 7:00pm.
See the published Event for further detail (tickets cost £5 per child, £10 per adult and £25 for a family (2+2)).

Remembrance Day Service and Exhibition

The Service of Remembrance will be held in St Leonard’s Church on Sunday 10th November at 10:50 as well as a special Remembrance Exhibition in the Village Hall from 10:00 to 12:30.
The Service of Remembrance starts at 10:50, with a period of silence at 11:00. The laying of wreaths at the War Memorial and the reading of the names of those who died in the war will be carried out after the Church service at about 11:45.
The Remembrance Exhibition is being organised by the History Group in the Village Hall, which is open from 10:00 to 12:30, so please come along and join them. Tea, coffee and cakes are available for a small donation.
This year, the children of Year 2, Provost Williams C of E Primary School, will be showing their work as well as the Ark children colouring in some poppies.
Stories and photographs will be on display charting village life through all the wars. If you have a story to tell or any pictures then we would be pleased to put them on show.
Below is a gallery of photos taken from last year’s exhibition. Why not come along and take a look, chat with the History Group and generally find out a little more about village life past and present.

St Leonard’s Church Fête and Football Competition

Thank you to all those who supported the Fête – in any and every way. It was a tremendous success.
Here is a great montage of the day’s activities – maybe you are in one of the photographs. We would really appreciate your comments.
Church Fête 2013
If you would like to be involved in the fête in future years please be in touch with Frances on 02476 301283 or Ros on 02476 305451 or by email at rosgilkes@aol.com.

St Leonard's Church Fête and Football Event

The annual St Leonard’s Church Fête and Football Event will be held on the Recreation Ground on Saturday 29th June. The fête fun starts from 12 midday until 4:00pm with the football event starting a little earlier around 10:00am.
There will be plenty of entertainment for all ages including a Bouncy Castle, various Games, Bottle Stall, Cake Stall, Raffle, Tea Tent, Bar, BBQ and much more.
If you’d like to get involved (are you skilled at face painting?) and would be willing to come and give a bit of your time at this years fête, please call Ros on 02476 305451 or David & Francis on 02476 301283.