CONNECT, the ecumenical project supported by all the major churches in Mid Devon, has run a hugely popular Quiz and Curry evening in the Boniface Centre during the last three years.

Due to the current restrictions this fundraising event took place virtually via Zoom during the evening of Saturday, January 23.

The Connect team of trainees and local church youth workers work in the four community colleges in Crediton, Chulmleigh, Holsworthy and Okehampton and publicity resulted in teams from all these areas taking part.

A total of 42 teams took part, some individual team members separated by considerable distance but able to communicate via telephone with their team mates whilst joining the Zoom transmission.

A collection of auction items had also been donated which allowed bids to be made during the evening.

The winners were: Cake £25, Gift bundle £25, Photography Session £30, Pasty making £40, Le Creuset Fondue set £50, Macrame pot hanger and pot £10, Defibrillator training £50, Bird feeder and bird feed £45, Grass cutting (four times) £20, Farm visit including barbecue for six people £100, Custom made coffee table £50 and Yankee candle set £20.

The auction was co-ordinated by Peter Brewer and Barry Shears.

A Power Point presentation of these items was produced by Ashley Taylor of Copplestone Methodist Church which ensured all taking part were aware of what was on offer.

Dave Poulson, Youth Worker at Crediton Congregational Church, was the amazing Quizmaster who put the Quiz together and local Connect worker Lydia Mason was Chief Scorer.

Chairman of our local support group Wendy Anez (also of the Crediton Congregational Church) was overseeing events on the night with an introduction and farewell to all participants.

Peter Brewer said: "It was pleasing to see so many Churches from across the area taking part.

"The method of paying for your quiz entry or the auction item successfully bid for was via a giving page: https://www.give.net/connectmd and we appear to have raised more than £1,600 plus over £200 in gift aid.

"So out of the Pandemic situation God appears to have guided CONNECT successfully, for which we give thanks."