Arnesby Afternoon Teas
One sunny afternoon, Winnie-the-Pooh was walking and humming when he bumped into Piglet, who was running fast to keep his ears from flapping.
“Hello, Piglet,” said Pooh.
“Oh, hello, Pooh,” said Piglet, catching his breath and looking anxious. “I was wondering if you knew the way to Arnesby. Christopher Robin said there’s a grand Afternoon Tea at St. Peter’s Church today. Do you think a Very Small Animal is allowed?”
“A Bear of Very Little Brain is certainly allowed,” said Pooh comfortingly. “And since Tea involves a smackerel of something, let’s go on an Expedition to find it.”
They set off along Welford Road and soon saw a tall, beautiful tower made of squared limestone and ancient cobblestones rising above the trees. It was St. Peter’s, a place in Leicestershire that had been sitting quietly since the early 12th century.
“My,” whispered Piglet, looking up at the high embattled parapet. “It looks very big, Pooh. What if it falls down on us while we’re inside?”
“What if it doesn’t,” said Pooh after careful thought. “It’s been up for hundreds of years, Piglet. I think it’s quite used to staying up.”
Piglet felt comforted and they entered the church. Inside, the warm and friendly hum filled the space. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, illuminating tables covered in bright cloths. There were sweet treats and mountains of warm scones waiting for jam, clotted cream, and cakes.
“Ah,” said Pooh, his nose twitching. “This is the right place.”
The volunteer helpers welcomed them warmly, unbothered by one guest being a bear in a short red shirt and the other a very small pig. They were shown to a cosy corner table where a large, steaming china teapot was poured into bone china cups.
Pooh looked closely at a scone. “Piglet,” he said solemnly, “there’s a Great Question. Does the jam go on the scone first, or the cream?”
“I think,” said Piglet nervously, “as long as it gets into the mouth, the scone doesn’t mind which came first.”
“That’s wise,” said Pooh. He carefully spread a generous helping of strawberry jam onto his scone, followed by a large dollop of clotted cream. He took a bite. It was a wonderful, melt-in-the-mouth bite.
They sat together in the peaceful, historic church, listening to the quiet chatter of the Arnesby villagers. Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long, lazy shadows across the churchyard. Pooh drank his tea, wiped a stray bit of cream from his nose, and sighed happily.
“Piglet,” he said quietly. “When you’re a Bear, after a nice walk, sitting in a beautiful old place with your best friend eating scones… well, it’s the best kind of afternoon.”
“I think so too,” said Piglet, reaching for a cake.
They stayed there for a long time, contently.
Winnie the Pooh will be 100 years old next month in October 2026.
Arnesby Afternoon Teas in the Church have now ceased for 2026 but will recommence in 2027.
(Written in the style of A.A. Milne by AI)
Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council – September 2026
