PHS Show 2026 – Saturday 5th September

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Early in September the 83rd Annual Village Show took place at Packington Memorial Hall, with another fantastic turnout from residents and visitors from neighbouring villages.

Although the weather of the unusually hot summer this year meant fewer vegetable entries, the show still offered a vibrant display of flowers and a strong selection of produce. The junior classes were a real highlight, with imaginative creations and beautifully presented entries. The home baking tables were filled with perfectly risen Victoria sponges, tangy lemon drizzle cakes, flapjacks, scones and more, while the preserves, pickles and handcrafted items also proved popular.

Photos below by Packington Communications Group PCG Photographer Karn Turnbull :

After the judging was complete, visitors were welcomed back in to admire the exhibits. Pizzas from Biddulph’s Pizzeria were a hit, while the bar kept drinks flowing throughout the evening. The raffle saw some brilliant prizes up for grabs, generously donated by local businesses and supporters. Lucky winners walked away with treats and vouchers from Hill Farm, Tesco, Woodlander, W Taylor Butchers and The Garden Warehouse, as well as a Villair holiday voucher, a three-month membership from Bluestone Fitness, and two handcrafted bird-boxes – to name just a few!

Trophies, Cups and Medals were then presented to entrants winning the most points or best in class in certain categories. Laura Bryant collected the Baking of Excellence Medal and Harriet Edwards received the PHS Junior Medal for the most meritorious entry in the junior categories. The coveted RHS Banksian Medal, for most points in the vegetable, flowers and fruit sections, was awarded to Louise Livesey for the third year running.

As always, the event culminated in the much anticipated auction of the exhibits. Friendly competition meant baskets of produce, flowers and baked goods – along with the winning sausage rolls, Victoria Sponge and Dundee cake – sparked some lively rounds of bidding, with the Dundee cake selling for £80 alone. A Spa Day generously donated by Champneys Springs was also added to the auction and sold for £65.

Chairperson, Laura Bryant, commented: “I would like to thank everybody who exhibited, attended, viewed, bought raffle tickets and bid in the auction that made the 83rd Packington Village Show such a success. Your generosity and enthusiasm mean we can continue to support a number of our local village groups and clubs, as well as contributing to the continued financial stability of local charities such as Rainbows children’s hospice and Bright Hope. It has been such a pleasure to see the hall filled with community spirit, laughter and friendship. I’m so grateful to the committee, our volunteers and our generous sponsors, we couldn’t do it without you. I look forward to continuing this village tradition together for many more shows in the years ahead.”

QR code above for the PHS website
Amy Powell email: contactus@thephs.co.uk website: packington.wixsite.com/villageshow

Open Gardens 2026 – Bank Holiday Monday 31st August

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Although there were a coupler of light rain showers in the morning, the bank holiday afternoon was nice and dry for the 2026 Open Gardens event in Packington.

The exceptionally hot and dry summer did cause all sorts of problems for the gardeners, and it was very likely that there would be some diminishment in the usual beauty of each of the gardens on show. However, as the photos below will testify, there was a high standard of garden excellence on display, even if much of the grass lawn areas may have been looking slightly like straw.

!0 venues were available to be visited, with refreshment available at some of them, in the form of hot and cold drinks, ice creams, and cream teas, in particular at the Memorial Hall and at the village church. There was also a Country Colours Art Group art exhibition; while the church benefitted from a PVHG History Group display of village history, as well as a full bell-ringing session and then a village choir recital.

The traditonal early evening Duck Races had alas been cancelled a week prior, after 55 days of no rain and drought conditions meant the brook was unlikely to have enough water for the races to meaningfully be held. Meanwhile, the rains came! An unofficial Duck Race event at 3 pm generated much enthusiasm with about 30 ducks taking part, although it was generally agreed that the official 100-duck events would have been difficult to mount effectively.

Those full races are now hoped to be staged in Spring 2027 on the May bank holiday Monday, when the brook is expected to be well supplied with flowing water.

Our Packington Communications Group PCG photographer Karn Turnbull recorded a nice selection of cheerful coloured photos in the two galleries above, to remind us all of a wonderful afternoon.

The event realised just under £3,000 for the church fabric fund – so, a great help to our fund-raising efforts for our expensive tower repairs.

Lesley Birtwistle and Anne Wathes

PiP – Party in the Park – Saturday 4th July 2026

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In excellent summer weather, the village turned out for a fine Party in the Park at our Recreation Ground on American Independence Day, 4th July 2026.

Packington Communications Group PCG photographer Karn Turnbull was on hand to record a flavour of the excitement and fun – photos below

The Nook Café Opens in Packington

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On Saturday 27th June 2026 Mellissa Cooke opened her new village hospitality venture, The Nook Café, alongside our village store at the top of our High Street.

On Mellissa’s team are daughter Grace, grand-daughter Amber, and husband Mark. The Nook is open five days a week, just not Monday or Tuesday, from 9am till mid-afternoon. A monthly pop-up take-away Pizza evening is also planned, the first one to take place on Party in the Park day, another to take place on Saturday 25th July.

Packington Comunications Group PCG photographer Karn Turnbull went along to record the opening day, and the photos are below:

Vintage Car Meet Easter Monday 6th April 2026

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Packington Communications Group photographer Karn Turnbull was on hand at our village pub on Easter Monday 6th April 2026 to record the Vintage and Classic Car meet.

Below are a few photos from the sunny bank holiday Monday event at the Bull & Lion Packington on a calm Spring evening. This first-Monday of the month event is held throughout the brighter months of the year in the car park of our village pub.

Recreation Ground – new Accessible Secure Swing unveiled

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On Saturday 28th March 2026, at exactly one minute before the 4pm scheduled cutting of the tape, a bitterly cold heavy shower of rain blew down on those assembled to formally open the new accessible multifunctional & disability swing in our Recreation Ground.

Undaunted, the chosen few huddled together as the blue tape was cut and the first ride took place.

The “Swing Seat Mirage” with safety harness is by Hags the playground equipments supplier. It’s an accessible and ergonomic option designed to provide extra support, comfort, and ease of use, allowing children of all abilities to enjoy the thrill of swinging.

This new facility is a welcome addition to our play area, and was paid for by the Ashby Rotary Impact Group to our Recreation Ground Charity – which was formerly the Robert Breedon Charity.

For 63 years now this charity, whose trustees are out Parish Councillors, has been responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Recreation Ground.

Poochies of Packington Quietly Closes

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Packington’s own Café and Coffee Shop « Poochies of Packington » quietly closed on Sunday 28th December 2025.

Poochies Front View with Bev Smith at R and Margaret

Bev Smith wrote to the Packington NoticeBoard WhatsApp Group in early December:

” After five wonderful years, we’re sad to share that Poochies of Packington will be closing permanently on Sunday 28 December 2025.

We want to thank everyone who has supported us, laughed with us, shared stories with us, and become friends along the way. A special thank-you to Pete, our landlord, for everything he’s done

This has been a very hard decision, but we’re ready to step into a new chapter in life. We’re truly grateful for every customer who has been part of our journey.

Thank you for all your love and support xx “

Boxing Day at the Bull & Lion – PennyRoyal Garland Dancers and Morris Men

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Bright sunshine greeted midday spectators to the annual Morris Men and Pennyroyal Garland Dancers celebration displays, in the Bull and Lion car park on Boxing Day 26th December 2025.

Mild temperatures and the brilliant low sun provided an endearing spectacle – although the sharp shadows amidst the moving participants make the photography a little difficult.

Christingle – Special event for village children on Sunday 7th December 2025

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A Christingle is a symbolic object used in Christian church services during Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.

It typically consists of an orange, a lit candle, a red ribbon, and sweets or dried fruit, each symbolizing different aspects of faith and creation.

Our village Holy Rood church held their children’s Christingle service on Sunday 7th December 2025, and here are three photos to give an idea of the event

Christmas Lights Switch-ON at Memorial Hall 2025

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About 50 villagers came to see the formal switch-on of the christmas decorations and lights at our Memorial Hall on Friday 5th December at 6pm. Hall Committee Chair Steve Salt gave a short welcome speech and the new lights and decorative effects were illuminated.

The village Community Choir sang some rousing seasonal songs conducted by Choir leader Aimee Harrison.

Mince pies and festive beverages were available.

Unfortunately, heavy rain came along too – after braving the deluge, most of us moved into the kitchen and the Chris Miles Room for our mince pies and drinks! A Packington Communications Group PCG photographer was in attendance – here are the photos, complete with rain drops reflecting the flashes of the camera!