past events

Organised by the Ardleigh Horticultural Society.

 679 entries were on display in categories covering flowers, vegetables, fruit, floral art, wine, cookery, handicraft, photography and children’s entries. 

Visitors were treated to a wonderful display of exhibits which filled the village hall and they were also able to enjoy a welcome cup of tea and a slice of home-made cake. 

This was a very special Remembrance Day when we remembered the forty-five men from Ardleigh who gave their lives for their country and also reflected on the part played by the whole village during the war. 

• 6.00 am  - Sleep in peace, now the battle’s over
• 10.45 am - Remembrance Service commences - St. Mary’s Church
• 11.00 am - 2 minutes Silence, Laying of Wreath. - War Memorial
• 6.55 pm – The Last Post – Millennium Green
• 7.00 pm  – WW1 Beacons of Light – Millennium Green
• 7.05 pm  - Ringing out for Peace – St. Mary’s Church

As part of the celebrations of this important milestone of 

The Queen's life, 

Ardleigh took part in the National Beacon Lighting.

1995 : how we celebrated!

Twenty five years ago we celebrated the passing of fifty years since the declaration of peacein Europe, VE Day, 8th May 1945. This year we were planning three days of celebrations to mark the passing of seventy five years. Sadly, however, all these celebrations have had to be called off because of the Covid 19 pandemic sweeping across the world.

We can look forward and imagine future village celebrations: we have enjoyed enough fetes and get togethers to know how to have a good time. We know how the Millennium Green and Recreation Ground can be transformed by stalls and sideshows, by hog roasts and bars, by Debbie’s dancers, Kahlia’s singing and Graham’s irrepressible compering, by vintage vehicles and have-a-go sports. We know and we will do it again as soon as we can.

Meanwhile, let us remember the village celebrations of twenty five years ago, when we began with a parade from the school led by Major General ‘Bala’ Bredin of Bovills Hall. Wreaths were laid at the war memorial before the parade made its way to the Village Hall and Recreation Ground under the watchful eye of ‘Churchill’ aka Jim Smith. A barbecue and coffee dispensed from the Hall kitchen kept us warm in the chilly weather whilst the children ran races and everyone tried out all the sideshow games. A barn dance rounded off events in the evening.