WHAT could be more quintessentially English than cream teas being served up in the sunshine at a church garden party?

That was the delightful experience enjoyed by the many hundreds of people who attended St Paul’s Church’s annual event in Astley Bridge on Saturday.

Adding to the atmosphere was a performance by Eagley Brass Band and a number of traditional games, including Soak-the-Vicar.

In the stocks was the Rev Ben Woodfield. But as it was so hot, he probably welcomed a cooling down!

Garden party organiser Mrs Linda Haworth said: “It has been estimated that almost 1,000 people visited throughout the afternoon, which is a record for us.”

She added: “We decided to have a Victorian theme to this year’s event because it is 170 years since the church was consecrated.”

Additional entertainment was provided by Boom Worship dance company, the rock group Conixi, the church’s youth choir, Shine, organist Mel Plumley and the church’s singing group.

Stalls were manned by local community groups, schools and Scouts and Rainbows.

And if cream and jam-filled scones weren’t your cup of tea, there was a barbecue.