The 2008 Harvest Festival Service.    Two reports this year, The first comes to you courtesy of  Dawn Tonge

On Sunday October 19th Chris and I went to the Harvest Festival Service at All Saints Church. It was lovely to see the Church beautifully decorated with the autumn flowers and fruit and vegetables, and it was a joy to see the Church slowly filling up. The best thing of all was to hear that our own vicar The Rev'd.Tony Cumberlidge was to take the service, his first since his enforced absence due to illness.

Sixty plus adults and many children enjoyed singing the Harvest Hymns and gave thanks to God for providing for us. The readings were by John Brittain and The Rev 'd. Tony Cumberlidge

Lunch had been prepared in the village hall by the Young Families Group and after the service approximately forty of the congregation joined the vicar, his wife Gaynor and Churchwarden Sally Wright to enjoy an excellent feast for which there was no charge

Photos by Dawn Tonge

The 2008 Harvest Festival Service.      Our second report from Churchwarden Sally Wright.        photos by Martin Wright

Last Sunday, a very happy group of East Garston parishioners welcomed back their Vicar, The Revd Tony Cumberlidge, who has been on sickness leave for several months, just to conduct this one Harvest Family service before he undergoes further treatment. Mr Cumberlidge was also able to take a Holy Communion Service at Lambourn Church early on Sunday

The church at East Garston was beautifully decked with flowers, fruit, vegetables, leaves, nuts, baskets of eggs, farm yard toys and sheaves of wheat and barley. John Brittain who gave a reading had presented the church with a magnificent harvest sheaf and cottage loaves. Adults - men and women had tastefully decorated the church and the south aisle and font was the province of the young mothers and toddlers with very imaginative and appealing touches.

The children's choir with the little children also involved, sang "Who put the Colours in the Rainbow". They then sat upon the floor around Mr Cumberlidge, who told the story of how the Harvest Festival celebration originated many centuries ago in a parish in Cornwall.

The service was followed by a Harvest lunch in the Village Hall, which was organised and served by the Young Families Group. It was an occasion when all generations of the parish were well represented and when people of all age groups, especially the farming community, contributed in so many ways. We all look forward to Mr Cumberlidge returning to his parishes when he has fully recovered - he has been very much missed.

 photos Martin Wright  : Text Sally Wright

All Saints' Menu : Main Site Menu : Harvest Festival Menu  : Top of Page