A special Church House Management Committee meeting was held on Monday 20th February with the primary aim being to start preparations for the major event in the Church House year - the Whitsun 'Ale' or 'party/celebration', a revival of the major event in the medieval calendar for the parish. The Committee was joined by Caroline Boother, representing South Tawton School, Shirley Denford (local entertainers - The Brawlers, The Mummers, etc.) and Ursula Radford (publicity and event production experience).
The first decision was that, although this is a Whitsun Ale, for this, the first year, it would need to be held on Monday May 29th (the Spring Bank Holiday) as another local event has already been planned for Whitsun this year. It was agreed that, in subsequent years, the event would indeed be held at Whitsun
The second decision was that the event should be called the "Church House Ale" rather than either South Tawton Ale or Church Ale, to identify the cause that it is financially supporting.
Discussion papers covering the historical background and therefore the possible content of the event having previously been circulated, discussion took place resulting in the following draft event considerations and outline: