by Alan Quick

SPECIAL guest at last weekend’s Posbury St Francis Convent Open Afternoon was Mother Hilary, now a resident of a care home in Crediton.

The weather was fine for the afternoon and most stalls were outside but there was a dash for cover when one shower went overhead and stalls had to be packed away.

Sister Giovanna (86), who has lived at the convent since 1970, sold more than 90 pots of bulbs she had prepared specially for the event.

She also sold knitted toys she had made at craft sessions held at The Station Tea Rooms in Crediton. Novel gifts made by Linda Brown at The Station Team Rooms were also sold.

Bishop Martin Shaw, from the Diocese of Exeter and other clergy also attended.

A bumper raffle had many prizes and volunteers helped on the range of stalls and with the refreshments.

Funds were raised for the Convent and many visitors took a delight in meeting old friends and making purchases while they were there.

One person who attended with his family was Ron Wakefield of Newquay. He said that when his mother was ill his local church had arranged for him to attend Posbury for about four years when he was aged about eight-years-old.

He explained: “I fed the pigs with Sister Agnes and had many happy times here.

“It took me years to find Posbury and to be able to return and I have since caught up with Sister Agnes in Shetland and often call at Posbury to see the sisters and catch up with Mother Hilary.

“It is like coming home and not much has changed, even the seat outside the door I sat on as a child is still there.