THE people of Tavistock are being warmly invited this week to the joyful harvest celebrations to be held by Tavistock Parish Church this coming Sunday, October 6.

Beginning at 9.45am, in a church beautifully decorated for the festival, a special harvest family service will feature harvest songs learnt by the schools of the town, as well as traditional harvest hymns. Gifts, as a symbol of harvest thanksgiving, can be brought and presented for Tavistock Foodbank, and the Shekinah Mission to the homeless in Plymouth.

Then at noon, a wonderful cooked harvest lunch will be provided in the parish centre at a cost of just £5 per head or £10 per family. If you are able to let the parish office know in advance that you are coming for lunch, ring 01822 616673.

In the evening, a harvest festival evensong will be held in St Eustachius Church, at which the preacher will be the priest-in-charge of Tavistock, the Rev Michael Brierley.

Mr Brierley said: 'Harvest is a desperately important time to re-connect with the sources of our food, how it is produced, and God's love and care.

'Even in such a rural place as West Devon, those connections can sometimes be lost. We're absolutely delighted to be supporting two charities with our harvest gifts this year — one very local, and the other responding to pressing need in Plymouth.

'Both charities are finding their services called upon more than ever, and they would particularly welcome tins of fish, meat, potatoes, sweetcorn and peas; sponge puddings; packets of pasta, sauces and sugar; cartons of fruit juice and coffee.

'It is also useful for them to have foods that can be made with just a kettle, such as instant mashed potato and cuppa soup. It looks to be a great weekend of harvest celebration, and we warmly invite everyone to come along.'