Christmas in the Crown Inn
December 21, 2008 4:05 pm NewsCHRISTMAS PARTY SUCCESS
In Oakengates, the Crown Inn has celebrated its busiest Christmas Party ever, with a choir, a competition, a visit from Father Christmas and Panto Stars dropping in. A locally based choral group, The Cadence Singers, entertained the crowds with a range of traditional Carols and other Christmas Songs, while a collection raised over £65 for Hope House Childrens’ Hospice.
SANTA
The man in the big red suit made a special appearance to announce the results of a draw for Megan Baker Childrens’ Hospice, the winner of which asked for the prizes to be donated to the Childrens’ ward at Telford Hospital. He then stayed and helped judge the Annual Mince Pie Competition.
BAKERS
The mince pie competition is one of several baking competitions organised each year at the Crown Inn and these are keenly contested. There were so many entrants that extra help was required with the judging. In addition to Father Christmas and the choristers, stars from Oakengates’ Pantomime, “Beauty and The Beast” dropped by to help with the tastings. Sue Hodge from ‘Allo ‘Allo and Richard Calkin from Brookside & Hollyoaks enjoyed tasting the mince pies and were pleasantly surprised by the high standard of baking in a pub-based competition. Eventually, after Howard Bell received his third place “Highly Commended Certificate”, the winners were unable to decide between Steve Folger and Steve Goodchild, who were presented with their “Joint Master Bakers of Oakengates” by landlord John Ellis.
THANKS
In addition to all the above, the crowd expressed their appreciation to Cllr. Steve Wood for arranging the arrival of Father Christmas and to Cllrs. Hilda Rhodes and Veronica Fletcher for assisting in the attendance of the Panto Stars. For those who missed the Pantomime Stars and still wish to see them, “Beauty & The Beast” runs until Sunday 4th January at Oakengates Theatre and tickets can be obtained via 01952 382382.
All photos are used with kind permission of Amore Photography.
