AN amazing £2,700.20 was raised by an auction held at Woodleigh Coach House, Cheriton Bishop to help keep the parish church dry.

This was an auction of promises and paintings and included items such as two weeks self catering in Cape Verde, a self-catering holiday in Wales, a family ticket for the National Trust property Castle Drogo, a special car clean and valet, a day’s hire of a Morgan sports car, cakes, hair-do’s, gardening, ready meals or meals at local establishments.

Bidding was sharp with the auctioneer being Don Nicholson from Yeoford. He was helped by “porters” Canon John Tutton and Alan Bloomfield, husband of an organiser of the evening, local artist Sue Bloomfield, who was helped by a number of other people.

The Rev Martin Wood, Rector and treasurer of the roof fund, welcomed everyone and thanked Michelle Vardy and family of Woodleigh Coach House for their generosity and support.

Thanks also went to Allan Greenslade, Cheri and Keith, Eric Gould, Eileen, Audrey and Brenda and others for dealing with the refreshments, Juliet with Sally and Neil for the raffle, Will Fisher who made the big notices, Steve, Lucy and Saffron, Marilyn and Chris who dealt with the results of each lot, Tony Bott for receiving bids on the internet and many others who made this most successful evening possible.

Cheriton Bishop Parish Church has been awarded £46,000 from the Listed Places of Worship roof repair scheme.

The estimated shortfall for the roof repair was £14,000. With fundraising through other events, a birthday and a wedding when contributions were requested in place of presents, the fabric fund now stands at more than £12.000.

By Sue Read