MARION Nosworthy welcomed a full congregation to the Sandford Congregational Church Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 16.

The traditional harvest hymn, We Plough the Fields and Scatter was sung and readings followed by Marilyn Winter, Pamela Tilney Ellis, Mandy Tothill, and the Rev Paul Fillery, rector at St Swithun’s Church.

The Sandford Handbell Ringers gave a great performance with compere John White, which included In an English Country Garden to great applause.

Nancy Heard gave a superb solo of Bringing in the Sheaves, with the congregation joining in for the chorus. Rev Paul gave a truly excellent sermon, both thought-provoking and entertaining. He also gave details of the work the Mercy Ships do, as donations were in aid of Mercy Ships or for the Congregational Church Maintenance.

After the final prayer, everyone was invited to a delicious harvest tea, prepared and served by Mandy, Marilyn and Marion.