THE harvest festival at St James Parish Church, Staunton, has been in full swing starting with the annual harvest festival service of Staunton and Corse CE Primary School, when nearly 200 children, parents, teachers, grandparents and friends filled every inch of the church for the service of thanksgiving.

Not only did they fill the church but on the floor too as every child brought their gifts of produce, tinned and packet food etc which will be taken to the Church Army in Gloucester to distribute for the needy. In addition, the collection of just over £113 will be sent to a charity.

Canon John Evans and Mrs Rosie Miller, headteacher, welcomed everyone and the children read poems, sang harvest songs and hymns and Canon Evans told a storey and led prayers. The organist was Mrs Margaret Riley.

Several days later the church flower arrangers were decorating the church for the harvest festival service at St James' on Sunday with floral arrangements in beautiful autumnal colours and the porch decorated with hops and berries in true country style, everyone enjoying this annual event.

At the harvest festival service on Sunday morning there was a large cottage loaf on the altar and again the church was full, shared with the parents and family of baby Samuel Thomas Hawell, son of Rebecca and Philip. Samuel was welcomed into the family of the church by the whole congregation, while one tiny girl was enjoying re-arranging the fruit and vegetables at the foot of the font, oblivious to all that was going on above!

The service and christening was conducted by Canon John Evans and the lessons were read by Mr John Luard and the offertory taken by Ben and James Norton. The sideswoman was Mrs Lorraine Cook. A ploughman's lunch with apple pie and cream was served to all who wished to stay and very much enjoyed.

It must have been most gratifying for Mrs Jane Evans and her helpers when a coffee morning and bring and buy was held in the lounge at Johnstone Close, Staunton, in aid of the day centre, Staunton. Old and new friends met and the lounge was abuzz with people from the four villages and surrounding area. While all this activity was going on, lunch was being prepared for those who attend regularly once a fortnight.

The Get Together coffee morning in aid of Staunton Church will be held on Wednesday, October 12, from 10.30am in the lounge at Johnstone Close. There will be a bring and buy, raffle etc. Everyone is welcome.