THE villagers of Meeth find themselves in a position similar to that facing villagers more than 300 years ago, as they fundraise for important restoration work for the village church. On July 12, 1692, the minister, church wardens and inhabitants of Meeth wrote a petition to the Lord Bishop of Exeter stating that the tower of Meeth's parish church was in a 'very ruinous condition', and appealing for funds to help pay for 'skillful workmen' to carry out important repairs. Centuries later, villagers are again fundraising to repair the tower of the church. Church warden Ingrid Dodd said: 'Just over 300 years later we are in much the same position. We are not looking to the Bishop for financial help, but to various grant-giving bodies to help us repair the tower of our much loved Grade II* Listed church. 'The £400 spent on the church tower then was about £34,000 in today's money. Our "skillful workmen" estimate we need about £250,000 to restore the tower — and this is without the necessary work to our unique set of bells. So we too are appealing to the benevolence of all well-disposed persons to support us, especially now in our first major fund-raising effort.' That first fundraising effort is a fete and dog show this weekend, on Saturday, August 9 at the Old Rectory in Meeth. A family dog show starts at 10am. There will be ploughman's lunches, with ham or cheese, salads and more from £4.50, served from noon until 2pm. The fete, with all the traditional fun and entertainment will be opened by Mr and Mrs Colin Leigh at 2pm. Teas will be served from 3pm. Free entry and car parking.