On Thursday 15th December, in excess of 150 guests braved the freezing temperatures and snow and came out in force to support Carols, Candles & Canapés at Alscot Park to raise vital funds for The Children’s Society. The event organised by The Shipston Deanery Committee, with support from Emma and Andrew Holman-West was attended by Chief Executive, Mark Russell, who gave a humbling and inspiring speech, and by the Bishop of Coventry. The total sum raised was £5,765.00

A message from the Shipston Deanery Committee  of The Children’s Society - Tim, Karen, Rose, Fiona, Lynda, Sandy, Wendy, Joan and Caroline

Dear All,

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to you all.  

It seems a long time ago that we were enjoying a pre-Christmas celebration at  Alscot Park, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Andrew Holman West, and my apologies for taking so long to get back to you - Christmas rather got in the way!   What a wonderful night we had.   The house all so beautifully decorated, the brass band playing, roaring fires, champagne, delicious canapés, some jolly carol singing and snow on the ground outside too!    Someone commented that it felt like being in “Narnia” and they were right, it was quite magical.    

Thank you to the committee who worked so hard to put the event together, to the wonderful waitresses on the evening who tirelessly carried trays of delicious food around, to our drinks men - husbands who kept those glasses filled, to Rachel Brockie and Mark Russell our CEO who drove through icy winter weather to get to us and spoke inspiringly about the charity and the children we work with, to Patrick Daniel for singing so beautifully the first verse of “Once in Royal David’s City” and the choir for leading the carol singing, to Shipston Brass Band who braved minus 7 degrees to play outside for us and to the Bishop of Coventry who graciously gave us a Christmas blessing to conclude the evening.   

Thank you, one and all for supporting the event and The Children’s Society, by joining us there on the evening or donating to the charity itself.  The Committee and I have been overwhelmed by the response and donations are still arriving.  There may be a few more still in the post, but I thought you would like to know the amount that the evening raised.  

To date we have raised the grand total of £5,765.00

Thank you, that has far exceeded our expectations and made it all so worthwhile.   I know that some of you were unable to join us on the evening due to the weather or to illness and I am sorry you missed it.   Please join us for a future event and do let me know if you would like me to keep you on the mailing list. 

With our very best wishes to you all and wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2023