It was the first Sunday in a month of five Sundays, and the residents of Lower Strangling plus some people from nearby sat along a long table covered in a Union Jack tablecloth, eating a meal to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee whilst also raising money for the people suffering the most from the cost-of-living crisis.Continue reading “Deluge at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations”
Tag Archives: English Village
The Vicar’s Retreat
It was a sunny early May morning, and the Rev. Simon Abernathy was the happiest he’d been for a while. Spring was well underway, and the world hadn’t ended as previously predicted by the Pope. He sat on a bench and quietly observed the medicinal plants in the Physic garden of St Jericho’s, the MonasteryContinue reading “The Vicar’s Retreat”
A Playwright Walks Into A Pub
Maude Lexington sat silently at a table in the Hangman’s Noose, observing the people around her whilst discreetly writing in her notebook. Maude was very good at being invisible. She sat silently in the background whilst everyone else crumbled around her, only to ruin their reputation by writing a play that portrayed them in aContinue reading “A Playwright Walks Into A Pub”
The Search for Evidence
Ever since finding Nazi memorabilia in his loft, Simon was determined to find out who owned them. During his free time (even his non-free time) Simon scoured the internet and various documents to find any sign of a Nazi sympathiser in Lower Strangling to no avail. Until he had an idea; the parish records. ThereContinue reading “The Search for Evidence”
The Vicar’s Shocking Discovery
Although it was only February, the Rev. Simon Abernathy started his spring cleaning early, as he had nothing else to do. The loft at the vicarage was a place Simon had rarely ventured into since he moved in over 30 years ago, and he felt it was time to see what was in there andContinue reading “The Vicar’s Shocking Discovery”
The Guy Fawkes Memorial Service
It was the last day in January, and the Rev. Simon Abernathy once again entered the Roman Catholic Church in Upper Strangling for the annual Guy Fawkes Memorial service; a service that was held more so that the pianist had an excuse to play Elton John’s Song For Guy than that they particularly sympathised withContinue reading “The Guy Fawkes Memorial Service”
Eleanor Peterson and the Ancient Diary
In the morning, I went out to Charing Cross, to see Major–General Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered; which was done there, he looking as cheerful as any man could in that condition. Newly-turned-eleven-year-old Eleanor Peterson closely examined the 362 year old diary, completely forgetting the world around her. Ever since she’d received the Diary ofContinue reading “Eleanor Peterson and the Ancient Diary”
The Christmas Planchette Seance
“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Dave Peterson said as his family sat around the Ouija Board in the candlelit living room of their manor. “Simon’s going to kill us.” “If the vicar bothers us, leave him to me.” Terome said. “Ok,” Dave said, dreading to think what Terome would do if left with theContinue reading “The Christmas Planchette Seance”
A Tale of Four Villages-With-Gruesome-Sounding-Names-But-Are-Actually-Quite-Nice-Really
“Here you are, sir. The bread you ordered, all ready to go.” The miller said to John, the owner of the Hangman’s Noose. “Thank you,” John said as he picked up the bread and went back to his car. John always felt daunted whenever he set foot in Lower Slaughter, which was far more exclusiveContinue reading “A Tale of Four Villages-With-Gruesome-Sounding-Names-But-Are-Actually-Quite-Nice-Really”
A Vagrant Enters the Lower Strangling Literary Festival
“Well, everything seems to be in order.” The Rev. Simon Abernathy said as he observed the various tables dotted around the village hall; awaiting their respective authors. “Yes, I think we’re ready to welcome people.” Dave said. Lower Strangling had never held a Literary Festival before, in fact it was never considered. But the economicContinue reading “A Vagrant Enters the Lower Strangling Literary Festival”