ENTERTAINMENT

on the VILLAGE GREEN

There was Jack Green on Stilts with his circus-type fun and face painting  for the children. Loads of fantastic food was waiting in the village hall. The Bedlams danced again, then the Carly Adams Dancers from Ludlow, and the fantastic Kinza and Khalila Belly dance troupe from Telford. There were stalls and displays, plus two organ grinders.  The wonderful sunny afternoon finished off with the children’s races and tug of war, and the prize draw  - one lucky person won £50!  

Event videographer Trevor Winwood and his photographer wife Sylvia  were there to capture it all.

Sylvia took all the photos on this Website and more. The photos have been cropped and downsized for the website, but a set of full bytesize, uncropped photos can be ordered from the village shop in Aston on Clun, price £2 as can the DVD, price £4.  All money made will go into Arbor Day Funds, to help pay for next year.

Arbor Day 2009
Text Box: DIRECTIONS TO ASTON ON CLUN From the A49 at Craven Arms, take the B4368 To Aston on Clun (approx 3.5 miles) Lots of signs and plenty of car parking, easily accessed on arrival On any day other than Arbor Day, parking is in the Village Hall car park - 1st turn on the left on entering the village Text Box: The Arbor Tree Festival is non-profit making. Any monies made on the day, are ploughed back into paying for the next year’s Arbor Day

To Contact us:

Email:  arbortreefest@aol.com

Guest of Honour was Jim Hawkins of Radio Shropshire. We couldn’t have wished for better weather. The Bedlam Morris dancers and Marth Roden’s Tuppeny Dish danced for us under the tree, before the children’s pageant arrived at the tree, (dressed in colourful period costumes of the 1700‘s, led by a Piper John).   It’s always a moving moment as the children parade down the road, and getting that first glimpse of them is a ‘lump in the throat’ moment!  They looked even better in the sunshine!

Photos and videos were taken (which will be on sale in the village shop later).  The children & crowd sang the ‘Arbor Tree Festival Song‘, specially  written by Rosie Evans, which encompasses  the legend, folklore  and  whole   history of the Arbor Tradition.

’Bride’, Katie Upton Roddy sang the verses over the PA, which was delightful; the ’Child Vicar’, Hope Freeman  read the ’Lord’s Prayer’ and our local Vicar Barney Bell gave a blessing.

Jim Hawkins gave an address, which was very funny, and very complimentary to the work of the Arbor Tree Festival Group, and the importance of keeping the festival alive.  The children scattered flower petals around the tree, before the Piper lead them back up the road to the village hall for food and entertainment.                

Arbor Tree Festival  Song  Chorus

‘Come see our famous Black Poplar

With flags flying high in the sun,

Join in our Arbor Tree Festival

In the village of Aston on Clun’.

So put us in your diary, and pay us a visit for

     a Fabulous Fun Day Out This Year

      ENTRY for ALL is FREE !   

Arbor Day in Aston on Clun, South Shropshire.

Next YEAR ON SUNDAY, MAY 30th 2010

 Dogs are welcome with careful owners

We had a great surprise this year: a descendent of Mary Carter (the bride of the 1786 wedding) visited us, after seeing the website.

But, so was another descendent Mary Carter, and we introduced them, and it turned out they are cousins (a few times removed).  How lovely was that?!!