ST MARY’S FLOWER FESTIVAL AND OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND

It is difficult at the moment, looking at our poor bedraggled gardens and sodden lawns, to remember how beautiful they look when the summer sun is shining. At St Mary’s we are looking forward to those sunny, summer days and have started planning our Flower Festival and Open Garden Weekend which will take place over the weekend of 24th / 25th June.

This popular village event is run every two years. St Mary’s Church will be bright with beautiful flower displays, local gardens will be open for the public to visit and admire and Felpham Art Group will have an exhibition and sale in St Mary’s Centre. There will also be various stalls, raffle, tombolas etc.

A booklet will be produced, listing all of the gardens taking part and a map to show people how to plan their route around the village. Refreshments will be available at various gardens and at St Mary’s Centre. Further details will be available nearer the time. However, organisers are now looking for additional gardens to be included in the event. Gardens are open on Saturday and/or Sunday from 10am until 4pm. Would you like to be part of this event? All publicity materials and signage will be provided – you just need to supply your garden! If you would like to be part of this event, please contact Sue Holmes on 864437 or email sjholmes1@yahoo.co.uk

HOW DOES BOGNOR FOODBANK WORK?

Bognor foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks, working to tackle food poverty and hunger in our local communities, as well as across the UK.

In 2021/22, The Trussell Trust’s Foodbank Network provided 2,173,158 three-day emergency food supplies and support to UK people in crisis. Of these, 832,109 went to children.

The foodbank provides emergency food to people every day for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.

Schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate nonperishable, in-date food to a foodbank or you can make a financial donation. Large collections often take place as part of Harvest Festival celebrations and food is also collected at supermarkets.

Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Over 40,000 people give up their time to volunteer at foodbanks.

Foodbanks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and police to identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.

People who need help bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.

The Bognor Foodbank really needs your help in February so donate today if you can.

For further information visit bognorregis.foodbank.org.uk. Thank you.