Parish Newsletter - June 2021

Parish Newsletter Compton Dundon and Littleton June 2021

Incorporating

The Herald

Wrong Scarecrow Sorry, but messages became confused in preparing the May issue. The actual winners list is: -

1st Diane Churches - Crocodile Rock 2nd Gail Harvey - Easter Bunny 3rd Louise Treloggan - Jurassic Farm

4th Simon Dore - Despicable Me (Minion) 5th= Laura & Finn Miles - Caught Short & Watch Out 6th Judy Skelding - Matt Hancock

Apologies & congratulations to all for your efforts

Village Lunches We are hoping to restart in September and everything is in the planning stage at the moment.

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“Thank you all for responding to our thoughts about starting village lunches again. There are still people we have not heard back from but I think we have enough positive responses to mean that we should be able to offer the chance to come and share a meal, to the village.

Pauline and I are thinking about this and thank you for the suggestions that have been made.

Ally” The village lunches are normally at 12.30 p.m. on the final Wednesday of each month.

Contacts: - Ally Dore 01458 445463 (allydore51@gmail.com) & Pauline Atkins 01458 272485 (paulineatkins1944@gmail.com)

The Somerset Day 16th June

Sunrise 4.55 a.m.

Dawn 4.08 a.m.

Sunset 9.28 p.m.

Dusk 10.14 p.m.

Newsletter deadline for July issue

Wednesday 23rd June 2021

To submit news items/information for the newsletter, please contact Alan Dean either by telephone (01458 270057), or email to alan.dean14@btinternet.com or drop details into Foothills, Peak Lane, Compton Dundon, TA11 6PE

Submissions for publication: The quality in print of your submitted items depends on their standard. Preferably, any photos should not be in compressed format or from low-end cameras and PDF documents should be of print not web/screen standard. Items of poor quality may be unusable.

For the latest community news and information, follow Compton Dundon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/comptondundon.

Most past issues can be seen at this website: https://issuu.com/gregjones44/docs

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Meadway Village Hall Information The Village Hall is once again open for the regular activities and groups (please see timetable on the website https:// comptondundonvillagemeadwayhall.co.uk/) We look forward to returning to the hall for our monthly meetings, which are on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Our Village Hall AGM will be on Tuesday 13th July 2021 and we will be serving wine if you would like to join us.

Our thanks to Angie Castle for organising the Scarecrow competition and donating the proceeds to the Village Hall.

Our new balcony room now open and available for bookings.

Best wishes, Tiffany Are you able to give some time help in someway?

If you are interested please contact Janet Davies ( Chairperson) 01458 272877 or Tiffany Kearton ( Secretary) 01458 44003 From the Booking Secretary, Kathy Chiffers: The hall opened on Monday 17th May for organised exercise groups and we hope from 21st June to open for other events. All safety measures will still be in place, such as hand sanitisers and limited use of the kitchen.

Regular weekly events in the hall: Monday afternoon - Latin line dance Tuesday - Baby sensory 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Pilates 4 to 6.30 p.m.

Wednesday - Line dancing - morning and early evening Thursday - Gentle Yoga 10 to 11 a.m.

Friday - Pilates 10 a.m. to 12 noon Starting Wednesday 23rd June - Table Tennis 2 to 4 p.m.

Starting on 24th June - Short Mat Bowls 1.30 to 4.30 p.m.

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Compton Dundon Women's Institute Meeting held on Wednesday 19th May 2021 For the first time in many months, an informal meeting of Compton Dundon WI was held at the Castlebrook Inn with a cream tea to celebrate our return.

Janet welcomed everyone and apologies were received. Before we enjoyed the cream tea, Janet outlined future meetings that were planned.

It is hoped that a meeting can be held on the second Wednesday in June and details will be advertised around the village. Janet is checking whether it is possible to have the meeting at the village hall.

A meeting will be held on the second Wednesday in July at the village hall, when there will be an opportunity for everyone to catch up on all the news. (Please see page 5 opposite for latest details) The hall has also been booked for August; details will follow.

There was a ‘free’ raffle with a prize of a dahlia plant.

The May 100 Club was drawn with the first prize being won by Andrew Curtis, the second by Patrick Holland and the third by Gemma Day. The return of Scrabble was announced and will be held on Wednesday,26th at 2 pm at Wendy’s home.

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Compton Dundon and Littleton W.I.

Our First Meeting after the Covid19 Lockdown At last, we feel able to meet again in person rather than on Zoom!!

For our first meeting we plan to have an informal get together with a cup of tea and of course cake!

This will be an opportunity for us all to share our thoughts and interests so we can plan the forthcoming programme.

Hopefully the weather will be sunny and warm and we can sit outside, otherwise, the Hall is booked.

We welcome new members so please come and join us and find out what your local W.I. has to offer you.

The date of the first Meeting is Wednesday July 14th The meeting will be held at the Meadway Hall from 2pm to 4pm For further information please telephone: Sue 01458 272756 or Janet 01458 272877

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Village vegetable planters 2021 (Continuing from the Village Vegetable Planter Project of 2020)

Following the success, (in spite of the first national lockdown), of last year’s community vegetable planters, I will be planting and tending them again this season. The planters were funded and erected by the Parish council for the whole Parish to enjoy.

The herbs & vegetables are free to anyone who lives in the Parish of Compton Dundon and will be ‘topped up’ as and when necessary by myself.

Lettuce, leeks, beetroot and beans were the most popular last year and will all be available again this year.

This is ‘pick your own’ service, so please do, and also encourage others.

I will be posting updates as to what is ready for picking later in the year, but for now there are herbs and salad.

If you only need a few lettuce leaves or beans, feel free to pick what you need as they will continue to grow for other people to do the same.

If anyone would like any further information, please contact Elaine Hardy on 07821 588034 or email elainemhardy@gmail.com.

Street Country Market Held at United Reformed Church in Street every Thursday morning. Anyone who has garden produce, preserves, crafts or would like to cook, can bring items along to sell.

Payment is made monthly, and 10% is kept for hire of the hall etc, it costs 5p for a lifetime membership Anyone interested please contact Mary Burt. Tel: 01458 446485

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Tel:01458 448902

The Castlebrook is now open for indoor & outdoor drinking & dining service For more information - Watch our Facebook page/banners & leaflets (all subject to government restriction decisions) Call on 01458 448902 or email info@thecastlebrookinn.co.uk or message them on Facebook

Compton Dundon & Littleton Gardening Club OK - OK - OK! – Enough! – no more praying for rain!

After the worst May for rain since records began, you will be pleased to know that the Gardening Committee is right on top of the subject, and the first talk in what it is hoped will be our first meeting on 6th September will be on “Gardening for Climate Change”.

We look forward to welcoming you back in September. Any future changes will of course, be made available to you.

2021 Edition

Please send any additions/alterations/ deletions not already forwarded to Jill at the Post Office.

Deadline date is 30th June.

Emails to : jillchampion96@gmail.com

For information, contact Janet Davies 01458 272877 March draw results: April draw results: 1st £15 Louise White #10 1st £15 Paul Vowles #27 2nd £10 Sue Wright #39 2nd £10 Les Taylor #75 3rd £5 Teresa Stallard #67 3rd £5 Brian & Sharon Love #74 (Wrong numbers in May newsletter - corrected numbers above)

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Village Archive / Local History Group “Bring out your stuff” Following the Inaugural meeting of the Parish Archive and Local History group on Tuesday 18th May the group have set out their initial ideas.

Please look in your attics, backs of cupboards, those boxes that have been carefully covered up.

We are looking for photo’s or documents relating to the Parish on the following themes: Farming School Church Women’s Institute Built Environment Thatching Pubs Sports (Cricket, Skittles, Tug of War) Anything Else ……

To get the project started we are holding an event at the Meadway Hall on Saturday 18th September from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

There will be displays of old photo’s and documents.

Plus a “Tell us your story” pod; “Ask a question” we can investigate.

Bring along your stuff / stories so that we can scan, photograph, record; to add to the archive.

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Compton Dundon Cricket Club Match Report - 25th April 2021 Compton getting better!

Compton hosted a very strong Long Sutton XI for the first home match of the season.

The Captain won the toss and decided to field.

Long Sutton scored heavily right from the start reaching 306 for 3 off their 40 overs.

J Hawksworth 101.

Compton batted steadily, reaching 185 for the loss of 2 wickets off their 40 overs - securing 6 points overall Tim Bidiscombe 48, Louis Marsh on his home debut 43 not out, and Toby Weech 53 not out.

Doombar moment was Dave Chislett retiring from the field after only 8 overs with a pulled muscle.

Champagne moment was Tim Biddiscombes 48 - so close to 50 !

Match Report - 2nd May 2021 Yeovil Royal Blaster vs Compton Dundon Compton travelled to Compton House on a blustery afternoon resplendent in their new kit - sponsored by The Castlebrook Inn . Jumpers were required!

The Captain won the toss again and elected to field. YRB lost an early wicket but went on to put on 123 for the second Wicket, NIvil 44, Manu 103. YRB all out for 206 with Ben Chislett taking 5 wickets for 10 runs in 3.1 overs. Byron Ford mopped up 2 wickets and took and excellent catch on the boundary.

Unfortunately Dave Chislett had a trip to A&E with a broken finger and left Compton with 10 Men. Compton’s Batting started well, putting on 36 for the first wicket. Tim Bidiscombe went onto to make 51, and Ben Chislett 75 with a partnership on 113 for the third wicket. But Compton came up short; running out of batsmen for 194 runs.

So close.....

Match Report - 9th May 2021 Compton Dundon vs Cranmore The Captain lost hist first toss of the season and was asked to field on an excellent wicket at Hayes Road.

Cranmore lost wickets regularly but their opener T Angell anchored the innings with 107 not out. A quick 69 from J Williams at the end meant that Cranmore reached 271 for 5 in their 40 overs. Jack Wright 1 for 46 and Dave Morgan 1 for 34 were the pick of the bowlers.

Compton did not start their response well losing two wickets before reaching double figures. Lance Gosden went on to top score with 17 and Compton were all out for 85. P Steward 5 for 20.

Another week - more injuries! Both Ben Chislett and Steve Lawrence had to leave the field for treatment with a knock to a hand and a mouth while batting.

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Compton Dundon Golf Society The month of April – the driest on record for several years and we had all been basking in the sunshine, topping up our tans and slapping on the sunscreen. It was with the greatest anticipation that the forward party of CDGS golfers approached the course at Wells at the end of the month with the promise of sundrenched golf in the mode of the Iberian coast.

Shorts and t-shirts were definitely NOT the order of the day as the wind whipped across the hillside and the rain came in in squalls. Royston discovered that waterproof trousers are all very well, but the water tends to run down them and drip into your shoes at the bottom – bring back flares!!

It was obvious that there had been little golf played over the past year – Alan zig-zagged his way up the fairways, Simon kept going at right angles up the banks and into hedges, and Phil Clarke, never having been to the course before, decided to see what was in just about every group of trees he saw.

It has always interested me why you see golfers with umbrellas stuck on top of their trollies – it was made clear as Peter’s trolley set off at speed down the fairway before the wind, until the umbrella decided it could go faster without the trolley holding it back. Peter is considering taking sailing lessons before the next round!

Royston, meanwhile, was missing his trips to the seaside, so spent much of his time in the sand in the many bunkers on the course.

The outstanding performance of the day came from Dave Davies, who managed to be the only person to get the ball on the green in the nearest the pin competition ( and then it was only just on the edge!)

May saw a paltry 4 of us basking in sunshine on the Somerset Costa – or rather - Brean, being serenaded by the music of the fun fair at the holiday park. Unfortunately the wind was blowing at a force that would stop a ball in mid flight and drop it like a stone to the ground (that’s my excuse anyway). One of the features of the course at Brean is the amount of water on the course, in the form of ditches, ponds and streams, and combined with carefully positioned areas of very long grass, proved a magnet for our balls – at least a dozen were left hidden somewhere around the course. There was a distinct need to play accurate golf on this course – a feat that we failed to achieve – the clubhouse and food were good though!

The June meeting is on Tuesday 15th June at Wedmore. Contact Simon Dore (simondore545@gmail.com) The July meeting is on Friday 23rd July at West Wilts Golf club, Warminster. Contact Richard Conway (Richard@conways.me.uk)

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The Parish Council Parish Council Members

Cllr Stephen King (Chairman) 274926 Pat_SteveKing@yahoo.co.uk Cllr Diane Churches 442078 diane.churches@live.co.uk Cllr Greg Jones 272531 greg@mor-cott.co.uk Cllr Tiffany Kearton 440031 faerys@gmail.com Cllr Chris Swain 440405 christopher.swain@muller.co.uk Cllr John Rowland 07976 631321 Cllr Geoffrey Walker (Vice Chair) 446487 walkermessages@gmail.com Clerk: Helen Richardson Email: comptondundonclerk@gmail.com Tel: 0789 9970173 Website: www.comptondundon-pc.gov.uk

The next Parish Council meeting is on Wednesday 2nd June 2021 at 7 p.m. Details of arrangements for the meeting not available at the time the newsletter went to print.

Minutes & Agenda To receive these documents, please ensure that the Clerk, Helen Richardson ( comptondundonclerk@gmail.com ) has your email details.

Dean Ruddle is our County Councillor and a District Councillor for the Wessex Ward.

To make an appointment call 07976 556054 or email at deanruddle@icloud.com Tim Kerley is the South Somerset District Councillor for the Wessex Ward (Somerton and Compton Dundon) To make an appointment to see Tim, email at tim.kerley@southsomerset.gov.uk or call 07949 798507

Please report all crime and vandalism - phone 101 Make your local police support officer, Adam Potter, aware of what is happening in the village.

Contact details: - Adam Potter, PCSO 7772, Somerton & Langport area Email: Adam.Potter@avonandsomerset.police.uk

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Parish Council Planning Business The following planning items were discussed at the Parish Council meeting held on 5th May 2021: a) To receive notifications of district council planning determinations: i. 21/00095/HOU: Lamperts Cottage Compton Street Compton Dundon. Alterations, the demolition of existing single storey rear extension and the erection of single and two storey rear extensions to dwelling house. WITHDRAWN ii. 20/03268/LBC: Lamperts Cottage Compton Street Compton Dundon. Alterations, the demolition of existing single storey rear extension and the erection of single and two storey rear extensions to dwelling house. WITHDRAWN iii. 20/02771/S73: Land Adjacent Ham Lane Compton Dundon. Application to vary conditions 2 (approved plans), 3 (parking plan), 13 (materials trigger point) and 14 (footpath plan) of approval 19/01598/FUL. APPROVED iv. 20/00842/FUL: Middle Farm Peak Lane Compton Dundon. Demolition of agricultural buildings, erection of dwelling with parking and change of use of land from agricultural to domestic curtilage. REFUSED v. 20/00840/FUL: South Barn Peak Lane Compton Dundon. Demolition of two barns, erection of dwelling with parking and change of use of land from agricultural to domestic curtilage. REFUSED vi. 20/00841/LBC: South Barn Peak Lane Compton Dundon. Demolition of two barns, erection of dwelling with parking and change of use of land from agricultural to domestic curtilage. APPROVED b) To agree responses to Planning and Legal Consultations: None All matters and decisions are available in the Council minutes.

To receive minutes please see note on page 10

Neighbourhood Watch Reports If you wish to contact the Police about an incident, please call 101 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Local village contacts for concerns or to report problems or about participation in the local scheme: COMPTON – Simon Dore – simondore545@gmail.com DUNDON – John Gordon – johngordon1952@hotmail.co.uk

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Footpath Volunteers in action Mulching the new allotment bridleway hedging on 5th May Thanks to the small group who turned up to spread the mulch to protect the newly planted hedging.

Clearing and repairing Emblett Lane on 9th May The Footpath Volunteers returned to continue the work on Emblett Lane footpath and bridleway that runs west from Lockyer’s Farm on Peak Lane . This involved filling a very large, muddy hole that had formed by water erosion and blocked easy passage and more clearing of undergrowth.

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Speed Indicator Device 24th April to 1st May 2021 N2 - Redlands facing Northbound Traffic. (40 mph)

S1 - Stockelm facing Southbound Traffic. (30 mph)

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The Herald Newsletter of St Andrew’s Church - Compton Dundon If you need to contact the church, about Weddings, Baptisms or anything else, we'd love to hear from you: Reverend Ana Lawrence –Rector Tel: 01458 841373 or email: revanalawrence@gmail.com Mrs Sonia Beaty - Benefice Administrator Tel: 01458 442671 or email: churchoffice8@gmail.com Church Wardens: Trish Cox 01458 447075 & Pat King 01458 274926

Services & Events - 1st to 30th June 2021

All services start at 10.00am unless otherwise stated For Zoom links click ‘Upcoming Events’ at www.swcd-churches.org.uk Date

Service

Sunday 6th June

Morning Worship

Sunday 13th June

Holy Communion

Sunday 20th June

Morning Worship

Sunday 27th June

Holy Communion

Zoom Prayer Meeting There is a Benefice Zoom Prayer Meeting every Tuesday Morning at 8a.m. for 30 minutes. If you would like to join this meeting, please contact the Benefice Office to be put on the email list for the link, which is sent out every Monday. The link can also be found by clicking on the Upcoming Events tab at the bottom of the Benefice Website homepage at www.swcd-churches.org.uk

New Sunday Service Patterns – A Time to Reflect

As Ana promised after Easter, when the trial of the new Sunday Service patterns and times was introduced, they are now to be reviewed and reflected on in the light of our experiences so far.

Please do pass on any thoughts or comments you may have - your views will be very valuable as part of this process.

Please have a word with one of the church wardens in the first instance.

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“Back to Church” Sunday Government restrictions permitting we are planning a “Back to Church” Sunday across our four churches on 18th July. Whether because of Covid 19, or for other reasons, I am sure many of us are aware of friends, neighbours, family and others whom we may not have seen in our churches recently. These services are a great opportunity to invite them to return. Each of our churches will be offering a particularly warm welcome on that day and, if it’s possible, there may even be cake!

During “Thy Kingdom Come”, we have been encouraged to ‘pray for five’, including for five to return to church. How about inviting those five who you have been praying for to come to church with you on that day. There will be invitation cards for you to use, available from our churches nearer the time.

Of course, we aim to welcome everyone who joins us, every week, but my prayer is that this special week will provide a focus for those are waiting for the invitation to come back. Recent research suggests that up to a third of the population would come to church or return to church if they were personally invited. For many, the chance to go with someone they know would make all the difference. Our job is to prayerfully issue the invitation and trust that God will do the rest!

Ana Lawrence

House groups

A house group is a great way of meeting with others from church, during the week, in a more informal and relaxed setting. Being in a group allows the opportunity to chew over and discuss the teaching theme from the Sunday Sermon series. Typically, a group may have between six to eight people who gather to read the Bible together, study, discuss and pray. It is also a fantastic way of getting to know a few others at a deeper level as well as growing and deepening in your own faith. House groups may meet in someone’s home or in another location such as a church building or local pub and in recent months, groups have also been meeting online.

Currently, across our four churches, we have a number of house groups.

Belonging to a house group can be a real gift and source of personal encouragement as we navigate our Christian lives in a complex world.

Here’s what a couple of house group members have recently said about being part of a house group: “I love belonging to a house group because we support and encourage one another to explore and grow in our faith."

“I love belonging to a house group because I enjoy hearing different perspectives and being able to learn from each other.”

Do consider joining a group. To find out more about each of the groups, and where you might find a ‘home', visit our website or talk to Ana.

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St Andrew’s PCC would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to Church Funds throughout the last turbulent lockdown months.

All our usual ways of raising money have been restricted because of the pandemic. For well over a year, we have been unable to hold any functions such as the Big Breakfast, The Fete, The Flower Festival or concerts, etc, all of which bring in essential resources to the church. Without regular church services, collections which are an especially important revenue stream for us, have been much reduced.

So, we are gently reminding anyone who would like to make a donation, whatever its size, that it is not too late to do so. It costs the PCC £445 a week to maintain St Andrew’s Church and a regular Standing Order, or a one-off gift would help us to meet these costs. It might be that you would consider leaving St Andrew’s a legacy in your Will? That is something which has often been done in the past. All gifts and donations will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to talk about any of these suggestions in confidence, Julie Gordon, PCC Treasurer (01458 272135) would be very happy to hear from you.

Thank you.

St Andrew’s PCC

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“See I am doing a new thing” Isaiah chapter 43 verse 19.

Dear Friends, There is a famous old story of a visiting Bishop meeting a longstanding village churchwarden, “fifty years in post” said the Bishop, “that’s a long time, I bet you’ve seen many changes?”

“Yes” replied the warden, “and I’ve opposed every one of them!”

Of course, I am not writing about our wonderful benefice wardens here in Street, Walton and Compton Dundon, but the story reminds us that not everybody, even in churches, relishes change.

And we’ve certainly seen plenty of change in recent months! Covid 19 has impacted virtually every aspect of our communal and individual lives. As we begin to emerge from restrictions, our current sermon series invites us to ‘reimagine’, as Christians, our post pandemic world. In this series we are focussing on a number of themes, re-imagining community, church, worship, the care of God’s creation, hospitality, relationships, giving and stewardship and finally a ‘new heaven’. As Covid 19 continues to recede, some things in our world might return to how they were, but some things certainly won’t. Let’s prayerfully consider what new things God might be calling us to do through him. Let’s be agents of change, knowing that God can use even us in his purposes and plans.

I am very conscious that each of us handles change differently. For example, some of us probably cannot wait to rush out and hug each other the moment we are allowed to, whilst others, particularly those who are not yet fully vaccinated or are feeling vulnerable, may be somewhat more cautious. Be kind and gentle with one another, respecting one another’s preferences, we are family.

My personal longing, as restrictions ease, is to be able to welcome back into our buildings some of those who, for whatever reason, may not have joined us for worship in recent times. As a focus for this welcome, we are planning special services (restrictions permitting) on Sunday, 18 July across our four churches.

Please see elsewhere in this magazine and on our website for more details.

The bible verse above from the prophet Isaiah is a timely reminder that God, in his infinite wisdom, is always doing a ‘new thing’. I am excited about all that lies ahead and whilst we don’t yet know to what extent life will be more ‘normal’, we can be certain that God is with us in and through any changes that we face and as we seek to be His people in this new post pandemic world.

With my love and prayers, Ana

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Plant Stall at The Old Farmhouse, Compton Street In aid of St Andrew’s Church Thank you everyone for your input into the plant stall. With plant donations and purchases up on this time last year, we have already made £700 towards St Andrew's Church funds.

We still have plenty of plants, both flowers and veg. A late spring has meant we have plenty of time to get things going. It has been so cold plants and gardeners have been reluctant to get on with things. Please come to the stall, there are plants for the house, garden and greenhouse. Please keep your spare plants coming too.

We will be open until early July.

Please label plants as accurately as possible, if you have known varieties this is useful, if not that is fine too. If there are particular plants you are looking for please leave a note and we will put feelers out for these.

Please come and buy, it is a walk and drive past location accessible to all.

All proceeds will go to St Andrew’s Church.

THANK YOU for your support, until we can get regular fund raising events going again this has been a vital income stream for the Church.

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