SATURDAY, September 12 was a big day for Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Pre-Covid, a Monthly Market was held in the Parish Hall, which was always well-attended.

The Committee decided to hold a "Market on the Move", with stalls dotted outdoors around the village.

The first point of call was the car park of the hall, where bacon butties, tea, coffee and artisan bread was available.

Customers were given a map to locate the stalls before setting off to buy and socialise (at a distance).

Goods included books, preserves, bric-a-brac, pre-loved clothes, cards, prints and felt animals and hand-crafted jewellery. Home-made cakes were also at the hall.

The day was also the "Ride and Stride" day in aid of the Devon Historic Churches Trust.

As the usual method of walking, or riding, from church to church was vetoed, Churchwarden, Alice May “strode” up and down in her own garden, wearing different hats for each mile completed, which were then hung on the fence! Starting at 5am, Alice kept up a good pace until 8.30pm, having completed 40 miles.

The event was widely advertised on Facebook and JustGiving, and Alice’s aim was, with donations given during the day, £2,000. So far she has raised £1,800. A marvellous effort.

Meanwhile, her husband Patrick, in between providing refreshment and encouragement, was manning a raffle outside St Matthew’s Church.

On Sunday, Cheriton Fitzpaine Methodist Church celebrated Harvest Festival "with a difference".

Wearing visors or masks and maintaining a safe distance from each other, worshippers were treated to a recording of Haydn’s “Creation” instead of an introductory hymn, by Dr Sue Jones from Exeter.

Despite not being able to sing the much-loved Harvest hymns, we had a lovely Service with an appropriate and thoughtful address.

At the end of the Service - as we could no longer share in a meal, various church members had brought apple pies and cream, which were divided up and distributed to the worshippers. There was also enough for members to take plated puddings to those safeguarding, or unwell.

Mary Nunn