A TRULY amazing weekend in our benefice, what caring people we have in our community!

The total raised so far from our concert, a whist drive, Mothers' Union lunch, the children's marvellous effort at Pendock School and with Janet's jumble sale still to come, has so far amassed over £5,000.

You are all brilliant in the way you have supported each appeal since the Tsunami earthquake on Boxing Day. Every event having been organised at such short notice, the support has been overwhelming.

Our concert was a sell-out. Berrow Church was packed. What a night, such talent and all of such a high calibre, we even had Maria (Kate Sanger Davies) and the Von Trapp children (alias junior choir), under the leadership of Sue Cosker and Roger Turner and with their sailor suits, giving authenticity to the song Do Ray Me (and with hair styles to match).

The talents of Coin Neville with his accordion, Brian Woodcock's piano solo, a first world premiere of a piano duet by husband and wife Joseph and Angela Gabbott, wonderful duets from Anne and Roger Gillard and Julia and Martin Knott and a solo performance of excellence by Anne Gillard. Somehow Pam Ayres squeezed into the evening (alias Julia Knott), some wonderful readings (hilarious) by Mike Rogers and Joseph Gabbott and a very talented Meg Powell-Chandler on flute and clarinet (no, not at the same time) giving a very creditable performance (in her beautiful new skirt and shoes) accompanied by Giles Turner.

Somehow five members of the local constabulary managed to appear from nowhere (we're usually lucky if we see one a month) and gave an hilarious rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan's A Policeman's Lot is not a Happy One. Well done, Roger Gillard, Joseph Gabbott, Mike Rogers and Martin Knott, not forgetting Grahame Choyce on piano with his flashing headgear.

The choir was superb, only a few rehearsals but we got it right on the night and we were all exceedingly proud to be a part of such a special occasion. Thank you so much Angela Gabbott, our choir leader and the lady that made it all happen.

A wonderful repast awaited us at the village hall, all generously donated. The tables were positively groaning.

Then the raffle and what a raffle, over 80 prizes given. The Reverend Mike Rogers certainly had his work cut out after calling out all the winning numbers and earned his pint of Hook Norton.

So what can we say: Thank you a million times to everyone, no matter how small your part in many of the events organised. Every little bit of help along the way has bought a fantastic result. We must not forget the three local pubs, Farmers Arms, Duke of York and Greyhound, who all had collections for the fund. All this money from all the events is going to the Bishop of Colombo's Appeal fund.

We all journeyed home tired but happy knowing that we had given of our best for such a disaster on such a large scale, hoping that our effort will make life a little easier for those that survive.

Sunday - a day of reflection with a special service at Eldersfield church of evening prayer led by the Reverend Mike Rogers with special prayers and hymns for the victims and bereaved of the earthquake.

Don't forget tomorrow (Saturday), commencing at 2pm at Berrow Village Hall, Janet will be holding a special jumble sale to raise funds for the same charity. She needs your help and support. So if you have anything saleable, please take it along on Saturday morning. Cakes, raffle prizes, bric a brac etc.