The Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel in Mansfield is inviting people to its April events, including the tradition of handing out hot cross buns at Easter.

First there will be an Easter Arts and Crafts morning for all the family on Saturday, 5th April, from 10am to 12 noon.

Activities will include an egg hunt and egg rolling, tea, coffees, cakes, and a raffle.

The Hot Cross Buns distribution will take place on Good Friday, 18th April, at 10am in front of the Old Parsonage, off Stockwell Gate, next to B&M.

This annual tradition, dating to 1894, is a legacy from the will of Mary Mallatratt, the popular landlady of the Blue Boar Hotel (now the Santander Bank) in Mansfield Market Place.

Since the pandemic the tradition has been kept alive by distributing a limited amount of buns to the public, while the majority, in keeping with the spirit of her bequest, will again be donated to the Trussell foodbank.

The Rev Mária Pap, of the chapel, said: “Do come along and help the chapel keep this Mansfield tradition alive. Bring your children and grandchildren or those of you who had one as a child, come and have a hot cross bun for old time’s sake.

A Good Friday service at 11am will present Joseph Haydn`s The Seven Last Words of Christ with Andrew Marples on the piano and organ. This musical masterpiece was composed for a Good Friday service and is based on seven expressions attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion.

An Easter Sunday service on 20th April will be from 11am, preceded by a communion service at 10am.

On Sunday, 27thApril, at 3pm, there will be another musical event at the chapel. A Celebration of Spring will feature soprano Ann Shutt and Andrew Marples on the piano and organ with sacred and secular music, as well as appropriate readings.

All events are open and everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information go to the Old Meeting House Mansfield Facebook page or its notice boards.
The Old Meeting House entrance is next to Walkden Street car park with limited parking. Pedestrian access is off Stockwell Gate by B&M.