Page 17 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Langham Feast

The Patronal Festival of St Peter and St Paul held on the Sunday following

St Peter’s Day, (June 29th) had long been a holiday for villagers. As well

as Special Sunday services, with hay strewn in the church as tradition

dictated, there were attractions which included a visit from the Oakham

Town Band, cricket matches against other villages, held over several days,
and, for the children, a fair. It was a time for those who had left the

village to return and visit family and friends. During the war the church

services continued, but, other events seem to have been in decline.

The Feast - The usual services were held in the Parish Church on Sunday. The Vicar, the

Rev. WA Mandall, M.A., preached two excellent sermons… Well-known psalms and hymns

were sung… Great pains had been taken with the choir by Sergt. RG Isaac, the choirmaster,

ably assisted by Miss F. Lee, as organist. The usual custom of strewing the Church with hay

was observed. There were no cricket matches in the week, as most of the young men are

away. The only excitement for the juveniles is a set of roundabouts. Evidence points out

every year that “feasts” are getting things of the past.
Grantham Journal - 8 July 1916

The Feast - The usual

services were held in the

Parish Church which

was, according to

custom, strewn with hay.

Holy Communion was

administered at 7.30am,

and after morning

service…

The Rev. ET Glasspool,

Vicar of Whissendine, in

the evening preached an

interesting sermon to a

crowded congregation.

The Oakham Town

Band paraded for service

in the evening, and

The Church of St Peter & St Paul Langham during WWI accompanied two of the

hymns, and their performance was excellent. They afterwards rendered sacred music in the

Square. Few visitors were seen this year, and, as there were no roundabouts, &c., the

juveniles unanimously agreed that it was “no feast”.

Grantham Journal - 7 July 1917