Parish Supper at St Mary's.

The shape of the evening.

Doors open at 18.30, with a glass of warm cider and a small jug of elderflower for those who would rather not. Supper begins at 19.00 and runs in two courses — a parish-style chicken supreme with the year's late vegetables, followed by an apple and bramble crumble made by the Mothers' Union. There is a parish-pantry vegetarian option (a vegetable cobbler) and a coeliac option, made at the back of the hall by Mrs Trent and her grand-daughter. Tea, coffee, and a small selection of after-supper cheeses are served from 20.15. The evening closes by 21.00, in time for the last bus along Front Street.

A small draw at half time.

There is a half-time draw, with prizes drawn from the parish: a hamper of late tomatoes from the Bestwood plot, a brace of pheasants donated by a parish farmer, a half-day's gardening from the Sunday Doors round, a hand-bound parish history from Arnold Library, and a small framed print of St Mary's churchyard donated by a parishioner. Tickets are £1 on the door.

A note on what the evening pays for.

The parish supper is the trust's largest single fundraising evening of the year. Whatever is taken on the door, minus the small bill from the hall hire and the kitchen ingredients, goes directly into the Wassail Fund — the ninety hampers we deliver, door to door, in the third weekend of December. In 2025 the supper raised £840. In 2024 it raised £710. We do not expect a great deal more in 2026, and we are content with that.

Accessibility.

The hall is step-free from the side entrance off Church Lane (please ring the bell). The main door has a single shallow step. An accessible WC is available off the side corridor. Two long tables along the wall are reserved for guests who prefer to be close to the door; please ask the doorkeeper if you would like one.

A hearing loop is fitted in the hall and a printed menu in large type is available on request. The hall is brightly lit but the lighting can be dimmed during the meal if any guest finds it overwhelming; please mention it to the doorkeeper. Assistance dogs are welcome.

What to bring.

• Yourself, and anyone else from the parish who would enjoy a long table.
• A coat — the hall is warm but the side corridor is cool.
• A few small coins or notes for the door, the draw, and the bottle bar.
• Any dietary requirements — let us know in advance if you can, but the kitchen will manage on the night if you can't.

Getting there.

St Mary's is at the foot of Church Lane, off Front Street. There is parking at Arnot Hill House (a four-minute walk) and on the High Street. The Trent Barton Calverton 16 stops at the top of Church Lane every twenty minutes until 22.30.