Wantage Parish

23/10/2026

Discover the Story Behind the Alfred Jewel!

As we prepare for a wonderful weekend of AlfredFest celebrations in Wantage, we have a fascinating talk to look forward to!

This Sunday, we are delighted to welcome Jude Barrett from the Ashmolean Museum to Wantage Parish Church.

Jude will be sharing the remarkable story of the Alfred Jewel, alongside other fascinating Saxon treasures from the museum’s collection.

With Wantage’s special connection to King Alfred, this promises to be a wonderful opportunity to discover more about our local history and Saxon heritage.

Sunday 25th October
1.30pm
Wantage Parish Church
FREE – No booking required!

Everyone is welcome, so why not come along and discover the history behind this extraordinary treasure?

23/10/2026

ALFREDFEST IS HERE – JOIN US THIS WEEKEND!

A weekend of history, music and celebration awaits as we honour Wantage’s very own King Alfred the Great!

There’s something for everyone, from a FREE children’s workshop to fascinating historical talks and a very special opera recital.

SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER

1pm–3pm | FREE Children’s Workshop (ages 6+)

Join the visiting opera performers for an afternoon of singing, storytelling and creative play as we discover the remarkable story of Æthelflæd, King Alfred’s daughter.

FREE – advance registration recommended.

SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER

12 noon | AlfredFest Procession & Prayers
At King Alfred’s statue in Wantage Market Place.

1.30pm | FREE Historical Talk
Jude Barrett from the Ashmolean Museum explores the Alfred Jewel and other Saxon treasures.

2.30pm | FREE Author Talk
Mike Carden, author of Alfred of Wessex, in conversation with Revd Katherine Price about bringing Saxon history to life through fiction.

5pm–6.30pm | Æthelflæd – A New Opera

Round off the weekend with a wonderful combination of live music, history and storytelling, celebrating the extraordinary life of Alfred’s daughter.

Opera tickets £20 for adults, concessions available.

Wantage Parish Church, St Peter & St Paul

Find out more and book: https://wantageparish.com/community/alfredfest

Whether you’re passionate about local history, love music or simply want to enjoy something different, we’d love you to join us!

Please share with friends and family and help us make AlfredFest a wonderful community celebration!

Join our visiting opera singers for a FREE session of singing, storytelling, and creative play, as we explore the life of King Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed. For ages 6+ BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE NOW!

23/10/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv8ezyn1pyk8o

Wantage will host an annual festival honouring the Saxon King on the anniversary of his death.

22/10/2026

ALFREDFEST IS HERE – JOIN US THIS WEEKEND!

A weekend of history, music and celebration awaits as we honour Wantage’s very own King Alfred the Great!

There’s something for everyone, from a FREE children’s workshop to fascinating historical talks and a very special opera recital.

SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER

1pm–3pm | FREE Children’s Workshop (ages 6+)

Join the visiting opera performers for an afternoon of singing, storytelling and creative play as we discover the remarkable story of Æthelflæd, King Alfred’s daughter.

FREE – advance registration recommended.

👑 SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER

12 noon | AlfredFest Procession & Prayers
At King Alfred’s statue in Wantage Market Place.

1.30pm | FREE Historical Talk
Jude Barrett from the Ashmolean Museum explores the Alfred Jewel and other Saxon treasures.

2.30pm | FREE Author Talk
Mike Carden, author of Alfred of Wessex, in conversation with Revd Katherine Price about bringing Saxon history to life through fiction.

5pm–6.30pm | Æthelflæd – A New Opera

Round off the weekend with a wonderful combination of live music, history and storytelling, celebrating the extraordinary life of Alfred’s daughter.

Opera tickets £20 for adults, concessions available.

Wantage Parish Church, St Peter & St Paul

🔗 Find out more and book: https://wantageparish.com/community/alfredfest

Whether you’re passionate about local history, love music or simply want to enjoy something different, we’d love you to join us!

Please share with friends and family and help us make AlfredFest a wonderful community celebration!

21/10/2026

GODLY PLAY – THE STORY OF RUTH

What does it mean to be loyal, to love someone and to stay beside them when life becomes difficult?

On Sunday we’ll discover The Story of Ruth, a woman whose kindness, courage and faith would become part of a much bigger story.

Ruth worked hard, loved God and cared deeply for God’s people. She would also become the great-grandmother of King David!

It’s a beautiful story about family, belonging, friendship and making difficult choices.

💭 I wonder why Ruth chose to stay with Naomi?

💭 I wonder what makes someone part of a family?

Sunday 25th October
3pm
Holy Trinity, Charlton

Come and wonder with us. Everyone is welcome!

21/10/2026

Around Table – Good Food, Kind Hearts & Community Spirit!

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16

At Wantage Parish, we are incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful people helping to make Around Table a welcoming place for everyone.

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers!

Every Monday, our dedicated volunteers collect surplus food, which is then transformed into delicious, home-cooked meals for our community to enjoy each Wednesday. Their time, kindness and commitment make Around Table possible week after week.

And a special thank you to the students from Fitzwaryn School!

Each week, the students lovingly bake a wonderful selection of homemade cakes for our guests to enjoy and help set up the tables ready to welcome everyone.

It’s lovely to see different generations coming together, sharing skills, giving their time and making a real difference in our community.

Around Table is about so much more than food. It’s about friendship, kindness, conversation and ensuring everyone has somewhere they feel welcome.

Why not come and join us?

Holy Trinity Church, Charlton
Every Wednesday
3pm – 6pm (last orders 5.30pm)
FREE hot food – eat in or take away!

Whether you come on your own, with family or with friends, there is always a warm welcome and a place at our table.

To our volunteers, students, staff and everyone who helps make Around Table possible – thank you. You truly are making a difference.

Sharing food, sharing kindness, sharing community.

20/10/2026

Last Sunday at Holy Trinity, Charlton, our Godly Play story was Jesus and His Friends – The Disciples Who Became Apostles.

We discovered more about the people Jesus chose to follow him, learning about their different jobs, the lives they led and the symbols associated with each of them.

The children had some wonderful conversations as they explored the story, thinking about which of Jesus’ friends they would most like to have been and why.

One of the lovely things about Godly Play is hearing the children’s thoughts and ideas as they make their own connections with the stories.

And it leaves us with a question for everyone…

💭 Have you ever wondered what symbol might represent you?

What would it say about who you are, what you enjoy or what is important to you?

Here are a few photographs from our afternoon together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Godly Play continues next Sunday, 25th October, at 3pm, when we’ll discover The Story of Ruth.

Holy Trinity, Charlton

Come and wonder with us.

19/10/2026

AROUND TABLE MENU - 21 Octoberr 2026
FREE Food, Warm Space, All Welcome.
Holy Trinity Church. Charlton, OX12 7HW

MAINS
Sausages, roast potatoes, peas or beans
Mushroom stroganoff (V/VG)

DESSERTS
Crumble and custard
Yoghurt

19/10/2026

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

MESSY CHURCH MONDAY IS COMING!

Looking for something fun to enjoy together as a family?

Come along to our I AM THE LIGHT – Light Party!

Get creative with crafts
Enjoy fun-filled activities
Share food and friendship
Celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World!

Monday 2nd November
10am – 12 noon

Whether you’re a Messy Church regular or joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you!

Places are limited, so don’t miss out!

Book your place here
https://www.ticketsource.com/wantage-parish/messy-church-light-party/e-bpezeg

A little light can make a big difference!

Join our visiting opera singers for a FREE session of singing, storytelling, and creative play, as we explore the life of King Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed. For ages 6+ BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE NOW!

17/10/2026

TOMORROW AT GODLY PLAY – JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS

Who would you choose to go on an important journey with you?

Tomorrow we’ll meet some of the people Jesus chose as his friends and companions.

Ordinary people.

Different people.

People who didn’t always get everything right.

And yet Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Tomorrow – Sunday 18th October
3pm
Holy Trinity, Charlton

Come and hear the story and wonder with us.