AN addition to the hugely successful towel sale at Hollybush, the total raised to date is now £813. This will increase as many customers ordered extra towels. A huge special thank-you to Jenny Sumner and Casey who provided the idea and towels for sale. Winners of the raffle: Orchid - Mary Weaver, watches - Helen Mansfield and Janet Stevens, chocolates - Ann Jones, sherry - Mrs Leighton, toiletries - Sarah Armitage.

The concert at All Saints', Hollybush, last Friday evening was thoroughly enjoyed by a full capacity audience and was organised by Angela Gabbot. A varied programme was performed by the benefice choir, junior church - Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold, Joyce Grenfell - and members of the choir sang songs from the shows. Poems, organ, piano and clarinet solos, audience singing with the accordion and a mysterious Owl and Pussycat provided fun for all. During the interval wine and nibbles strengthened everyone for the second half. A vote of thanks was given by Rev Joy Birkin thanking everyone for the very happy evening with the chance to witness the many hidden talents in the benefice. Obviously an evening to be repeated in the future (who needs a TV anyway). As a result of tickets sold, £426 was raised, in total for the two events over £1,200 (all needed) towards the west wall restoration fund.

Stop Press: the Easter raffle held at the Farmers Arms, Birtsmorton for the restoration fund realised the fantastic sum of £427. Thanks are owed to Ted and June Hill, who originally thought of the idea and donated the fabulous first prize of a giant teddy bear holding a basket of Easter eggs! Thanks also to everyone who donated such wonderful prizes, to Jill and Julie who allowed it all to happen and to all those people who gave so generously in their support. Thanks a million.