THOCKRINGTON Church garden fete will take place on Sunday, August 16, at 2.30pm, in Carrycoats Hall, with stalls, delicious teas and gardens and grounds open to view with lovely walks.

THIS August, Chipchase Castle welcomes the “Three Inch Fools”.

This motley troupe of Shakespearean actors and folk musicians will be visiting stately homes, castles and gardens across the North of England and Scotland, to perform their new and fast-paced production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Bringing a fresh and vibrant approach to Britain’s greatest playwright, the “Fools’” rustic blend of wit, originality and eccentricity, combined with live music-making, provides a dynamic take on Shakespeare that’s sure to make for a thoroughly entertaining summer’s evening.

With their camping gear, props, instruments and a rather magnificent tepee packed, The Three Inch Fools start their tour in Cumbria, arriving at Chipchase Castle tomorrow, ready to perform in the beautiful surroundings of the castle grounds.

Audiences are invited to bring along their rugs and picnic baskets and enjoy the performance in comfort among the perfect setting for a lively instalment of drama and revelry.

For tickets and enquiries please visit www.threeinchfools.com or contact Tel. 07714 028770. Grounds open from 6.30pm; performance starts at 7.30pm.

Bring your own refreshments and something on which to sit. Fifty per cent of proceeds will be kindly donated by Jonathan Elkington to Birtley Parish Church.

BIRTLEY Village Hall is going to run a cinema evening in the autumn. Initially it will be a one-off pilot to find out if there is any interest.

If the pilot is successful it is planned to hold a cinema evening on a monthly basis. To increase the enjoyment of the evening it is intended to provide food and drink.

It is thought that perhaps British films, such as The King’s Speech, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Pride, etc, could be shown.

Any ideas would be welcomed with regard to the preferred evening and the sort of films you would like to see.

Please email anthonypdennis@gmail.com with your comments.

BIRTLEY coffee morning will be held on Thursday, September 3, from 10.30am until 1pm. Delicious coffee, home bakes and great conversation guaranteed.

FORTHCOMING social events in the Chollerton benefice include the scarecrow weekend with Barrasford Village Hall committee on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13; Birtley harvest lunch at 1pm, in the village hall; and on Sunday, October 25, “Sing for your supper” at Chollerton church.

SERVICES for August in the Chollerton and Humshaugh benefice: Sunday, August 9 – Thockrington, 9am, Chollerton, 10.30am; Sunday, August 16 – Gunnerton, 9am, Birtley, 10.30am; Sunday, August 23 –Thockrington, 9am, Chollerton 10.30am; Sunday, August 30 – Thockrington, 10.30am; Sunday, September 6 – Gunnerton, 9am, Birtley, 10.30am.

Other church services within the Chollerton benefice: Barrasford Methodist Chapel - normally services are at 6.30pm each Sunday; St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Great Swinburne –Mass at 10.15am and noon, every Sunday. The noon Mass in the extraordinary form, said in Latin.