Roll up, Roll up!Circus FairSt John's Caterham6 June 2026The show must go on, so the tents were assembled, the unicycle prepared, the BBQ fired up and the performers prepared.Opened by Sonia the Caterham Town Crier, the fair was soon in full swing, with exploding dogs (inflatable ones), decorated biscuits (clown faces), spinning plates (at the refreshments and the circus skills tent), the Sundance Kid working some kind of arrowing angle (it looked like Robert Redford) and preloved goods, toys and games, plants, books, cakes and jams flying off the shelves.Cancerhelp provided many goods and much support and sound advice.There were tests of skill (egg roll) and games of chance (human fruit machine, chocolate tombola, game of chance and the raffle).Our ringmaster (other than Jaimée) was Julie who pulled everything together despite much adversity. Thanks also goes to those who volunteered to take (a) part and of course to all the people who came and guessed, rolled, bought and ate.Thank you all! The result of the Egg Roll was (sponsored by the security rats)1st - Brigitte with 22 Points2nd - Noel with 19 points= 3rd - Oliver and Dorothea with 18 pointswith 16 points (or a few less) were - Margaret, Sonia, Peregrine, Lady P, The Twins, Yoke, Maggi, Daisy, Julie, Emily, Lucas, Gabriella, Annie, Tony, Flora, Mia and Elliott.Given the dodgy eggs a great performance by all!
Our Circus themed Summer Fair is happening on Saturday 6th June at 11.30am - 3.30pm.Hone your Circus SkillsWalk the tight ropeSpin a plateTopple a ClownThere will be a BBQ.St John’s Church HallClareville RoadCaterham Valley
St John's Church is OpenFriday 5th JuneFriday 12th JuneFriday 26th June10am to 12 noon.Visitors welcome :)
Rogation Sunday - 10 May 2026After a three year break, St John's once again Beat the Bounds. Three years ago suntan cream was advisable, this time it was not.Nevertheless, a quartet set out to circumnavigate the parish, pray to God for all that is included within and have a bit of healthy exercise. Church Hill soon bought the exercise element into clear focus, but once conquered set us up for the run down to Caterham School.Passing the woods where St John's Forest Church hangs out, we climbed up towards View Point where reinforcements and lunch awaited. Jaimée took pity on me and lent me a brolly so I was mostly dry while I ate. Hobbit, not being a daft dog, took refuge in the Lord and disappeared up the Vicar's jumper!Onwards and downwards and then very much upwards. After crossing the A22 by bridge, the long steep haul up the downs on the other side took some determination and a great deal of breath. Green fields spread out before us, but this time instead of a herd of cattle, just the solitary cow who was gathering her two calves while keeping an eye on the unfamiliar humans.Heading towards the northen edge of the parish, the A22 was recrossed by bridge and we headed home to St John's via footpaths above the town.A different second experience, more reflective than the first, I pondered on the noise pollution that seems too prevalent in too much of the parish and on the umbrella I forgot to return to its owner.
