For the community of the Holy Ghost Church in Exmouth and St Peter Prince of Apostles in Budleigh Salterton, the afternoon of the Sixteenth Sunday in ordinary time proved to be anything but ordinary, as parishioners and friends were transported into a wonderland of  tea-time fun and games at their ‘Mad Hatter’s Garden Party’.

Greeted by the White Rabbit, Fr. Philip Austen, and many parishioners in fancy-dress depicting characters from Alice in Wonderland, families and their children enjoyed a range of games and activities, including face painting and a ‘mad hat’ competition for the children judged by our very own grinning Cheshire Cat!  Themed stalls sold imaginatively displayed home-produce and plants, including ‘angel cakes’ kindly baked by the sisters of the Holy Family Convent, whilst the church was open to visitors for quiet reflection and prayer.

Although a providential rain-shower meant those taking tea had to adjourn from St Anthony’s secret garden to the presbytery’s dining room and church hall, the eccentricity of the afternoon’s activities continued unabated with tea served from teapots labelled “DRINK ME” and trays of tea-pot shaped cookies and assorted small cakes labelled “EAT ME”.  (We can report that no parishioner grew to such a tremendous size that they hit their head on the presbytery ceiling!)

The afternoon of fun closed with a gathering of the community in the church hall to hear the results of the tombola and prize draw, with a ticket entitling you to a free tart – not stolen from the Queen of Hearts we hasten to add!

A heartfelt thank you to all parishioners who made the afternoon possible, and to the White Rabbit, Alice, the Hatter and Cheshire Cat for being such sporting hosts.

To see photos of the day please click on the Photo Gallery link in the left hand menu.

Ralph Candy
Seminarian of The Beda, Rome, on placement at Holy Ghost.