Rode is once again gearing up for a busy summer of events during the months ahead. More details can be found on the diary page but here some dates to put on the calendar:

June 3rd
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – 2pm. Rode Playing Field – There will be a BBQ, bar, music, kid’s
crown competition, jousting and lots more kid’s entertainment. There will also be a special children’s tea party.

June 17th
Rode Fun Run – Want to be a Rode Runner? Take part in the village fun run, open to anyone over 9 years of age. Prizes, music and more – full details on this website.

July 7th
Rode Summer Ball – Live band, DJ, Two course dinner, charity auction and entertainment. All monies raised for Village Sports Project and RUH Cancer Care Campaign. Tickets from 0751 6129822, more information at: info@rodecharityball.com or www.rodecharityball.com

This new book by Peter Harris contains over 50 pages with 80+ rare postcards and old pictures arranged in the form of a pleasant walking tour around the village. The accompanying dialogue provides a fascinating insight into Rode’s eventful history. Included are a timeline of the village, family trees of wealthier past residents and a map outlining the walk.

Available @ £6.95 from: Rode Post Office.

All profits will go to: ‘The Heart of Rode’ appeal in support of St. Lawrence, probably the oldest building in the village!

Americana band, The Toy Hearts, will be playing at the Bell on Saturday (Sept 10th). Their mixture of acoustic bluegrass and western swing has been widely acclaimed and the family group was featured in session last Sunday on the BBC by “Whispering” Bob Harris (available on iplayer). Find out more about the band at: www.thetoyhearts.com

A brilliant display of sheer pulling power by the Cross Keys tug-of-war team saw them romp home with the cup again. The RODENTS team put on a brave display but were easily outclassed (and out-weighed) by the pub team.

The tug-of-war took place at the traditional fete on Rode Village Day. The rain held off enough for a good time to be had by all, with plenty of activities and stalls for young and old alike. There were tractor rides, magic shows, swingball, lucky dips, yucky dips, a soaking stocks and cream teas. Activities included skittles, welly-wanging, the gun run, beat the keeper (football and netball), splat the rat, giant snakes and ladders to name but a few.

In the evening, three bands played at Rode Memorial Hall in a ‘Blues and Booze’ night.

Still to come in June:

Friday June 24^th.  Butcombe Bike Ride (no further information)

July events:

Sat July 2^nd.  School Summer Fete.  Details TBC.

Sun July 3^rd.  Rode Run (fun run).  Organised by & profits to Memorial Hall & Heart of Rode charities

Fri July 8^th.  Pop-up restaurant at The Memorial Hall.  Organised by & profits to Rode Pre-School

Sat July 9^th.  Table top sale at The Memorial Hall.  Organised by & profits to Rode Pre-School

Sat July 16^th. Village Fete at The Playing Field.  Rocking Rode at The Memorial Hall.  All profits to village charities

There’s no official festival this year, but there are three events worth looking out for:

The Rode Fun Run

5km – Run/jog/walk

11:30 Sunday 3rd July – details to follow

Rocking Rode

July 16th Village Memorial Hall

19:30 – Blues, rock, music, bar

3rd Annual Rode Folk Night

1st October Village Memorial Hall

19:30 Live folk music, bar, food, bunting

The Rode Village Festival Village Day will take place on Saturday 17th July

Starting at 12:00 on the playing fields

Sarah Jane Honeywell of Cbeebies will be opening the fete and performing a short show

Produce Show

Stalls

Games

Food

Drink

Classic Cars

Chicken Splat

Please note – Dogs are not allowed to be bought onto the Playing Fields

An astonishing line up for this year’s Folk Night which kicks off the 2010 Rode Village Festival:

The Real Cheesemakers featuring the Revd. Philip Hawthorn – a mixture of traditional songs and ditties about trousers – defies description – just unbelievable!

Corryvrecken - A Mother and Daughter duo who have been singing traditional songs together for over 20 years – spellbinding!

Geoff Fry and Sue Walker - Acoustic Americana and Blues – They’ll take you deep into the heart of the U.S.

Captain Banana and his Selection of Vegetables – Raucous traditional irish tunes – expect foot-stomping and clapping!

Tickets are available in advance from Rode Post Office or £5 on the door – Bar and food – a great evening out.

The 150th anniversary of the infamous child murder at Road Hill House in the village of Rode is being recognised on Sunday, July 4th with a rare opportunity to see the gardens which are being opened to the public.

The murder at Road Hill House was a crime that gripped Victorian England. Recently it has again become infamous because of Kate Summerscale’s best seller, ‘The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. The Murder at Road Hill House’.

This perfect example of a country house murder has inspired novels by many writers including Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Mary Elizabeth Braddon. 

The murder in 1860 of a 4 year old boy discovered at the bottom of a garden privy has continued to capture the imagination of the public and turned everyone into amateur detectives.  Such is the interest in this murder that yet a further book, Paul Chambers’ ‘Murder Most Foul’ has recently been published about the Rode murder.

Thought to be only the third time in 150 years that the gardens at Road Hill House (now called Langham House) have been opened to the public, this is therefore a rare chance to see the magnificent gardens.  The gardens of Langham House will be open by kind permission of Chris & Stephanie Lyons. 

A second Rode garden, Rivermead, is also going to be open on July 4th as part of Rode’s Open Gardens.  Described as ‘one of the remarkable small gardens in Somerset’, this garden is a series of miniature tableaux and are full of exotic plants. It is the result of over 50 years work by owner Micheal Sparey. 



The Rode Open Gardens Event is in aid of the Heart of Rode Appeal, an Appeal tasked to raise £60,000 to fund improvements to Rode’s ancient village church of St Lawrence.

Both gardens are open from 14:00 through to 17:00 on Sunday July 4th. Tickets are available in advance at £4 each from Rode Post Office or £5 on the Gate on July 4th.

OPEN MORNING

Monday 10th May from 10am – 12pm

Come and enjoy a typical session at Rode Pre-School.  It will be a fun time for parents and children.

We are delighted to say that Ofsted inspected the pre-school in March and found that the children “benefit from accessing a stimulating play environment”  and that the “children are well cared for in a secure environment.”

Come and meet the staff and members of the committee

Refreshments will be available

NEARLY NEW SALE

Pre -School are also hosting a nearly new sale of childrens’ clothes, toys and equipment for all ages

Saturday 8th May,  10am – 12pm

Memorial Hall, High Street, Rode

£1 on the door

refreshments will be available

Why not book at table for £7 and have a clear out!

For further information regarding the open morning or the sale, please call Sarah Coumbe 831045