ALL ages got involved at this year’s two-day Harvest Celebration weekend at Shobrooke which was on a theme of “Memories of Shobrooke Past and Present”.

There was a fascinating exhibition of old photographs, some with a request for names, or the ring binders full of papers researched and written by local people including Ron Capleton who used to be at the Red Lion, Len Darling and the Rev Worthington-Jukes.

The book produced more than 100-years-ago by the Rev Worthington-Jukes had been re-typed by former resident Martin Seddon with the result being for sale.

There was lots to look at in this fascinating corner of the church showing Shobrooke past.

There were many stalls, some outside, most indoors with a huge array of items for the silent auction ranging from a pair of flippers, stationery, bread maker, paintings and prints and even a small pop-up tent. It was thought there were more lots than ever on offer. The auction was at the end of Sunday afternoon.

The pews full of books offered an amazing collection too, even a full set of Harry Potter at the start. Proceeds from the book sales were for two mental health charities - Place2Be, the leading national children’s mental health charity which provides counselling in schools as part of its service and Mind, another charity helping people with mental health.

There were lots of home-made preserves, cakes, buns, mini doughnuts, fruit cakes, an enormous choice.

One of the bric-a-brac stalls was 50p per item while another was 30p each or four for £1. Another stall was selling vinyl records and jigsaw puzzles.

The weekend opened with a short service conducted by the Rector, Preb Nigel Guthrie, at the Holy Well not far from the church.

It ended with the traditional rose petal shower from the church tower, a whizz down the zip wire by brave teddy bears and other toys, the children’s service and then the Songs of Praise service, which was well-attended and included a collection for the Samaritans.

It was hoped the weekend would go a long way towards making it possible to replace the old, badly worn carpeting in the church.

Co-ordinator for the weekend and a churchwarden at St Swithun’s at Shobrooke is Rosemary Barber.

She said the fact that the whole weekend happened was because of “all those lovely people from the village who worked their socks off.”

She added that it never ceased to amaze her how generous people were with time and, where possible, money.

“Our carpet at the moment is pretty grotty. We are going for red for the new one which we hope will be warmer and we have the new heating.

“The takings were great and we certainly should be able to re- carpet the church, in the region of £3,400 without counting the donations given to various charities.”

During the Sunday evening service a presentation was made to Eileen Seddon who was soon to celebrate her 100th birthday and had lived in the village for many years.

Sue Read